Hidden in the words and phrase below are three related words. The letters of the words are in standard left-to-right order, but are not consecutive. Can you find the concealed words?

IMAGINE
CONGREGATION
TWENTY SOMETHING

HINT:
The three words are proper names.

Answer:

Hidden in each word or phrase is the name of a U.S. state:

iMAgINE
cOngREGatiON
tWentY sOMethING

Credit:
NPR Weekend Edition Sunday Puzzle
October 3, 2004
Will Shortz