Dateline: April 11, 2002

Graham moves ahead in race for King Turkey

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Mutt Graham has claimed the lead to be Donley County’s 2002 Turkey King as the election enters week three, but another candidate is pecking at his feet.

Graham has overtaken former front-strutter Rev. James Edwards by a margin of $18.41 to $13.34.

The real surprise this week, however, has been Howardwick Alderman Nancy Davis’ sleeper candidacy. After being at and near the bottom of the flock for weeks, Davis vaulted into second place this week with a groundswell of support. With little more than four bits to her name a week ago, Davis’ jar at Duckwall’s has swollen to a total of $14.48.

Edwards is now at third place with Larry Hicks trailing way behind at $7. Larry Jeffers and Joel Zehr round out the top six with $6.45 and $6.32 each.

The other candidates haven’t taken flight, but in an election where money talks, anything can and often does happen, analysts say.

No major controversies were brewing this week. Bright Newhouse’s stolen jar has been replaced, but his candidacy may have been fatally injured. His total this week is a paltry $3.50.

Election judge Linda Gray says her people hide Newhouse’s jar every time they see former candidate and suspected jar-napper Vic Jeter coming. Some analysts say hiding Newhouse’s jar may be hurting him in the polling.

In other turkey news, one of the rare wooden Salt Fork Turkeys, Samuel J. Featherbottom (known as Uncle Sam to his friends and war buddies), was granted asylum last week at the Donley County VFW Post, according to Quartermaster Bill Holden. Sam reportedly enjoyed several rounds of free beer and pretzels before taking flight.

Other red, white, and blue turkeys are also out and about. Recipients of the patriotic turkeys have to pay $5 to have them removed from their yards and can pay another $5 to move it to someone else’s yard. Anyone can have a turkey put in someone’s yard for a birthday, anniversary, or gag gift for a $5 donation.

All proceeds benefit the Donley County Tourism Council.

For more information about the Donley County Turkey Strut or to place your order, contact Dee Dee Autry at 874-3889 or Carolyn Blackerby at the Burton Library at 874-3685.

The second annual Turkey Strut will be April 19-21.