Repeat after me: Dan-AAAA-da

The Aug. 29 Daily Herald article on the legacy of Dan and Ada Rice left on south Wheaton written by Susan Dibble was excellent. With our family having been one of the original homeowners to move into Danada West in 1987, it was enlightening to learn about the Rices and their lives leading up to the development of this highly desirable area in which to live.

While I was vaguely aware of their history, the article was the only thorough treatise I have ever read about this most interesting couple.

The only point missing was the correct pronunciation of "Danada." As this is a combination of Dan and Ada Rice's names, it was "Ada" with a long "A" on the first "A." So, Danada is pronounced with a long A on the second "A." I have confirmed this with people closest to the farms and the foundation, lest anyone think this is only my opinion.

This was how we heard the "Danada" name pronounced when we first moved to Wheaton, and how we continue to pronounce it. Somewhere along the way, people began pronouncing it incorrectly with all three "a"s all sounding more like short "a"s. Maybe this happened because it is easier to pronounce it incorrectly than the proper way.

It is amazing how many people, ranging from a few close friends to total strangers who did not live or work even close to any part of the Danada locale, have tried over the years to correct my use of the proper pronunciation. I have to believe the Rices would have been disappointed, but likely would have had too much class to correct people.

What better way to accord the Rices the respect they deserve than to pronounce "Danada" the way they intended, and not how some folks think it should sound.

Ken Simpson

Batavia