[GeoStL] Re: Thanksgiving

  • From: Max Slover <k0azv@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: geocaching@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2006 10:36:52 -0800 (PST)

-
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


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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
 

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