- Thought I would Happy T-day to all here as well and a go ol "Go Pioneers" :) for effect. Also I thought I would pass this bit of info along. ---------------------------------------------------- From a friend of mine that works in the ag dept at Michigan State Univeristy **************************** Turkey consumption In 2005, about 256 million turkeys were raised. It's estimated that 46 million of those turkeys were eaten at Thanksgiving, 22 million at Christmas and 19 million at Easter. The average weight of turkeys purchased for Thanksgiving is 15 pounds, meaning that approximately 690 million pounds of turkey were consumed in the United States during Thanksgiving in 2005. Fifty percent of all turkey consumed in 1970 was during the holidays; today that number is only 30 percent as more people enjoy turkey year-round. Turkey consumption has more than doubled over the past 25 years. In 2005, per capita turkey consumption was 16.7 pounds compared to 8.3 pounds in 1975. Nearly half of U.S. consumers eat turkey at least once every two weeks, with more than a quarter eating turkey lunch meat. White meat is generally preferred in the United States, while other countries choose dark meat. A turkey typically has about 70 percent white meat and 30 percent dark meat. ********** Turkey history and trivia Early explorers to the New World quickly acquired a taste for turkey and took birds back to Europe. By the 1500s, turkeys were being raised domestically in Italy, France and England. When the Pilgrims and other settlers arrived in America, they were already familiar with raising and eating turkey and naturally included it as part of their Thanksgiving feast. Benjamin Franklin, who proposed the turkey as the official U.S. bird, was dismayed when the bald eagle was chosen over the turkey. Franklin wrote to his daughter, referring to the eagle's "bad moral character," saying, "I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country! The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America." When Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin sat down to eat their first meal on the moon, their foil food packets contained roasted turkey and all of the trimmings. Since 1947, the National Turkey Federation has presented the president of the United States with a live turkey and two dressed turkeys in celebration of Thanksgiving. After the ceremony, the live bird retires to a historical farm to live out the rest of its years. It's estimated that turkeys have 3,500 feathers at maturity. The bulk of turkey feathers are composted or otherwise disposed of; however, some feathers may be used for special purposes. For instance, dyed feathers are used to make American Indian costumes or as quills for pens. The costume that "Big Bird" wears on "Sesame Street" is rumored to be made of turkey feathers. Turkey feather down has been used to make pillows. For commercial use, turkey skins are tanned and used to make items like cowboy boots, belts or other accessories. Source: National Turkey Federation Public Information Officer -- St. Louis & Suburban Radio Club K0AZV - Amateur WPWH-650 GMRS St. Louis County ARES St. Ann MO EM48tr **************************************** For List Info or To make _ANY_ changes, including unsubscribing from this list, click -----> //www.freelists.org/list/geocaching Missouri Caches Scheduled to be Archived http://tinyurl.com/87cqw