In July of this year we learned of Turk’s passing. He was a bird that wandered into the community of Ramsay, Calgary, and from the get-go he enriched the lives of those who enjoyed having this new neighbour. Obituaries can be read at Livewire Calgary and the Sprawlcast.
Honestly, there’s nothing that can get someone to stop in their tracks like a warbling, gobbling three-foot-nothing bird going down the block. And as a city, province, country, and world, we all ground to a halt because of COVID. It left many of us out of work and cut off from our traditional community spaces. At the height of COVID’s first lock-down, Turk didn’t only provide ample distraction, but a place to celebrate and build community together.
When times got tough this turkey gave back. A little over $5,000 has been raised by Turk and his loyal flock – to both the Calgary Food Bank and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation.
For all those Zoom calls, limited family outings, and entertaining ourselves during lock-down, Turk was there: making a little bit of joy and sparking conversation. Not every bird has a dedicated clothing line (with onesies, shirts, hats, mugs, and more!), 6,000+ member community, a brand of beer, and stickers.
There might even be a Turk statue in the works if this radio host has his way.
Seeking distraction, Turk provided. His efforts were tracked through a community GIS project, dubbed the “TurkTracker,” where Calgarians would monitor the movements of this wandering warbler.
It brought people together.
For some folks, it might’ve been a little strange. A fixation on this feathered friend might have struck some as downright odd. They may have been concerned, even, for their friends and family members who partook in the appreciation of Turk.
But that’s what made it so wonderful. Our strange bird brought thousands of people together, united as one flock, to just celebrate our community.
So, keep on Turkin’.
Edit (September 24th):
The graphic has now made it into hat form. If you’d like one, we’re selling them on www.TurkForMayor.ca. Proceeds from sales go to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Calgary Foodbank.
