1-minute read
Five years ago, a wild turkey took up residence on the shores of Lake Morton and won the hearts of Lakelanders after a rough year of Covid lockdown, uncertainty and loss.
That October, the surrounding Lake Morton neighborhood held a Facebook poll to name the turkey. Options included Morton, Gary, Morty, Lurkey, Turkey McTurkface, Drumstick, Dinner and Faux Swan.
The neighborhood held both a primary and general election to narrow down the options.
823 people voted in the primary. Then from Oct. 19 through Nov. 3, 2020, more than 2,000 people voted in the general election.
Ultimately, voters selected the name Gary by a narrow margin of 158 votes.
Gary, who befriended the swans and other birds on the lake, had dedicated admirers, brought smiles to people’s faces and even inspired songs.
Shortly after Christmas, Gary was found dead in the lake. City officials said he appeared to have died from natural causes.
Will Christian, a musician inspired by the bird, told Spectrum Bay News 9, “I saw feathers in the water; I was hoping it wasn’t Gary but it was.”
“He brought our city a lot of joy and fun during a really strange and crazy kind of year,” said Sarah Calamunci in a December article in The Ledger.
Today, Gary remains immortalized in the neighborhood’s holiday lights maintained by the Lake Morton Neighborhood Association on the shore of the lake he called home.
latest news
Something went wrong. Please refresh the page and/or try again.
Wonderful story. I didn’t get to see Gary but I love the whole story! It reminds me of The Ugly Duckling! I hope he didn’t start mimicking the swans and think he could swim!!! Also, I love his addition to the light display:)