Dateline: April 25, 2002

Graham wins election for 2002 Turkey King 

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Mutt Graham was crowned as the new Turkey King last Saturday as the culmination of the second annual Donley County Turkey Strut Festival.

Graham was the quietest candidate of the Turkey election’s short two-year history. Controversy never touched him, and, while others engaged in campaign shenanigans, Graham silently rose head and wings above the rest.

No one was more surprised by the result than the king himself.

“I didn’t even know I was a candidate until a couple of days ago,” His Highness said. “I thought I’d have to lie, cheat, or steal to really win.”

Deposed king Roger Estlack crowned Graham and said Graham was the first honest candidate in turkey election history.

Graham’s total vote tally was $83.10, and he beat his nearest opponent, Nancy Davis, by a margin of $11.55.

Other also-rans were James Ivey Edwards with $17.11, Larry Hicks with $16.77, and Bright Newhouse with $10.61. Other minor candidates never broke the ten-dollar mark. In all, $244.39 was collected in the jars of the 12 candidates. The proceeds benefit the Donley County Tourism Council.

In other turkey news, the majority of the Strut Festival was simply a soggy mess as cold, drizzling rain canceled most of the outdoor activities.

The Turkey Cook-off was one event that did go on. The Chamber of Commerce team took the top price. They were followed by Doc Bryant’s Muleskinners of Amarillo in second place and Ace No. 8 Bed & Breakfast in third.

Cherie Floyd won the $300 shopping spree during the raffle, and Kathleen Yankie’s name was drawn for both the second and third place drawings – an antique turkey platter and a frozen turkey from B&R Thriftway.

Katie Millborn was the Grand Champion winner of the Kids Strut & Gobble Contest.

More than 100 kids entered the Coloring Contest. Winners were: Kindergarten – Zachary Cornell, first; Jacy Hill, second; and Audra Thomas, third. First Grade – Lydia Howard, first; Cole Ward, second; and Hailey Echols, third. Second Grade – Katie Millborn, first; Justine Moore, second; and Jordan Luna, third. Third Grade – Savannah Jo Thackeray, first; Kelsey Floyd, second; and Katterina Johnson, third.

In order to offset some of the losses of the festival, the wooden turkeys will keep moving around until early May. To place your order, contact Dee Dee Autry at 874-3889.