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November, 2018 The Antique Shoppe Page 3
PLATTERS Early in our country’s history, both the turkey and the bald eagle were under

Continued from Page 1 consideration for the national symbol of America. Benjamin Franklin was one
of those who argued passionately on behalf of the turkey. Franklin felt
the turkey, although “vain and silly,” was a better choice for a
In 1939, President Roosevelt, seeking to lengthen the national symbol than the bald eagle, which he considered a
Christmas shopping season, proclaimed Thanksgiving to be “coward.”
the third Thursday in November. Controversy raged over According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture,
this decision, and Congress passed a joint resolution in more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in
1941, decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the the U.S. each Thanksgiving. Over 7 billion pounds of
fourth Thursday of November. It remains there today. turkey is processed each year.
There are a number of explanations for the origin Age is a determining factor in taste. Old, large
of the name of Thanksgiving’s favorite dinner guest. males are preferred to young toms since tom meat is
Some believe Christopher Columbus thought that stringy. The opposite is true for females; old hens are
the land he discovered was connected to India and tougher birds. But I honestly don’t know how to tell a
believed the bird he discovered (the turkey) was a type bird’s gender when buying a turkey.
of peacock. He, therefore, called the bird “tuka,” which Turkeys have great hearing but no external ears. They
is “peacock” in Tamil, an Indian language. Though the can also see in color and have excellent visual acuity and
turkey is actually a type of pheasant, no one can blame a wide field of vision (about 270 degrees), which makes
old’ Chris for trying. The Native American name for turkey sneaking up on them difficult. However, turkeys have a poor
is “firkee.” Some think that this Native American word is sense of smell but an excellent sense of taste.
how the turkey got its name. However, simple facts Domesticated turkeys cannot fly. Wild turkeys,
sometimes produce the best answers—when a turkey however, can fly for short distances at speeds up to
is scared, it makes a “turk,” “turk,” “turk” sound. 55 miles an hour. They can also reach speeds of 25
Each year, as is customary, the President of miles per hour on the ground.
the United States pardons a turkey on the eve Turkeys can drown if they look up when it
of Thanksgiving at a White House ceremony. is raining. They can also have heart attacks,
The tradition dates back to Harry Truman and especially when a farmer’s wife, armed with a
has been energetically enforced ever since. The hatchet, is chasing one.
turkey, once pardoned, is given to Kidwell Farm, Continued on Page 9
a petting zoo. The turkey in question gets a last
minute pardon before arriving and is then led to Shown at Top: Platter 9: Enameled metal ware,
his new home at the Turkey Barn. At the 1997 event,
large, 16”, turkey serving platter; $25. Bottom:
President Clinton quipped, “We can all be grateful that Vintage, large oval granite/enamel metal Turkey
there is one less turkey in Washington.”
serving platter; $40.

Visit Historic Downtown

ARCADIA

Association Voted
“Best Antiquing
“Come Spend the Day With US” Town in Florida”
Members 20 ANTIQUE SHOPS IN 3 BLOCKS By Florida Monthly
Magazine

Bizarre Bazaar ........................863-456-5608
Miss Pearl’s Place ...................863-494-0232 @
Corey’s Antiques ...................863-494-5959 ORANGE AVE MONROE ST OAK STREET POLK AVE DESOTO AVE
Maddy’s Antiques ..................863-494-2500 !
Yellow Brick Road ..................863-993-3000

MADDY'S ANTIQUES Antique Association Proprietors Dale & Sharon
NOW OPEN IN OUR
121 W. Oak St. of Arcadia NEW - LARGER LOCATION!
863-494-2500 www.ArcadiaFLAntiques.com YELLOW BRICK ROAD

Specializing in: MONTHLY BARGAIN Antiques & Collectibles
Country, Primitives, ANTIQUE FAIR 120 W. Oak Street
Vintage Sports (Every 4th Sat 8am-3pm) DAYS Arcadia, FL 34266
NOV 24 (2ND SATURDAY) 863-993-3000
Thur. & Fri. 12-4, Sat. 10-4 or by appt. DEC 22 • JAN 26
View our store at: Booth Info 863-993-5105 November 10 ALWAYS BUYING
maddysantiques.net 1 One Piece or Entire Estate 2