My journey with Turk began on March 28th, 2020, when I noticed some tweets on social media talking about a rogue turkey posing on a very popular hill that oversees the downtown core of my hometown of Calgary, Alberta. It was a majestic photo – and it caused me, in my COVID isolation, to say: “This bird is looking out for the city. He is Calgary’s protector. Not the hero we deserved, but the hero we needed.”
For the last year or so, Turk has graced the community of Ramsay with his presence. He has been a keen eye in the community, overseeing the area, with much delight to its neighbours and the wider public.
To be honest, nothing stops someone in their tracks than a large, rotund bird warbling its way down the sidewalk.
I write this half-jokingly, of course. And, since, I’ve been corrected that Turk is a tom, or a male turkey.
My apologies, Turk.
The Facebook group at the time, numbering some 1,400 then and now boasting 3,000+ Calgarians seeking their daily Turk update, took to liking the graphic, built on Matt Daniel‘s photo and with a smidgen of added flair by yours truly.
The local subreddit, /r/Calgary, also liked the graphic.
I used Turk’s recent trip into my neck of the woods, of downtown Calgary, for further inspiration. Of course, he ran afowl of the law and soon he was back in Ramsay.
I commemorated the occasion with a “Free Turk Diggler” poster.
Throughout the escapade of the wayward turkey I came back to the community with a “Keep calm and gobble on” poster, replying to folks who were worried about Turk’s recent staycation in my neighbourhood.
We all need to get out of the house once in a while, and being physically distant doesn’t mean being socially distant. It just means giving a wide birth, either to a person or, in this case, a bird.
It was a message for the times, I suppose. So much so that folks in the Facebook group and on other platforms asked the admin and team about getting t-shirts printed with the slogan. Of course we obliged and t-shirts of Turk Diggler with the adopted slogan is now for sale for folks.
Here’s the Facebook post by the group’s administrator, and chief Turk-minder, Avery. 50% of proceeds going towards the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation and 50% going towards the Calgary Food Bank. You can get your shirt ordered online here.
So stay calm – and gobble on, my friends.
Update (April 27, 2020):
Bit of an update! The fans of Turk have raised over $1,200 in support of the Calgary Food Bank and the local children’s hospital. Check out Turk’s administrator’s post from his Facebook group for more information.
Update (May 11, 2020):
We’ve now raised over $2,000 for the Calgary Food Bank and Alberta Children’s Hospital!
Update (May 19, 2020):
We’ve crossed the $3,000 barrier!
Update (August 18, 2020):
The team has crossed the $4,500 fundraising mark in July. However, we soon learned that Turk has passed away. I edited a video, sharing the story of Turk and the incredible impact he had on our community.