Comments on: Turkey Notes

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 01:32:33 +0000

I grew up in Bettendorf, Iowa (right next to Davenport) and we did them too! I had no idea it started in Davenport. Both of my parents grew up doing them (in Davenport) so I thought the whole country did!

By: Mary

Mary — Sat, 01 Dec 2012 16:50:50 +0000

After college, I left Davenport in the 1980s and moved to Maryland for work. I was not able to go home that Thanksgiving and made dinner plans with other new employees who couldn’t travel home either. Imagine my surprise when no one at work knew what I was talking about when I mentioned Turkey notes! However, my family continues the tradition today. Fun!

By: Mary Rose Mooney

Mary Rose Mooney — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:49:49 +0000

Many years ago my friend Wilma sent me a turkey note that I still remember:
Turkey fat, turkey thin.
Turkey likes olives soaked in gin!

By: Sara Reichardt

Sara Reichardt — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 15:26:24 +0000

My older sister brought the first one home on assignment from her first grade teacher. It went to my dad:

Turkey black
Turkey gold
You’ll be a Hawkeye fan
when you’re 90 years old

We have been doing them ever since, 30 years to be exact. Spouses and new family members are included. There is usually grumbling and “are we doing turkey notes this year?” from at least one person. It’s a tradition I would definitely miss and everyone has fun reading them. We have Turkey Note binders that contain the many notes we have shared throughout the years.

By: Sue C

Sue C — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 00:32:09 +0000

My dad’s family lived in Davenport from the 1870′s onward. His aunts were young in the 1890s. We always did turkey notes when we had dinner in Davenport. When my sister sent the Turkey Note story link, I replied with and instant Turkey note: Turkey Blue, Turkey Red, Turkey got up on the wrong side of the bed. Still got it after 40+ years….Our notes always stayed with the color format. They were also wrapped in tissue paper with fringed ends.

By: CarolAnn Stolmeier

CarolAnn Stolmeier — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:39:42 +0000

Our family left Davenport in 1970 and since then have settled throughout the Pacific Northwest. We still enjoy our turkey notes, and the sillier the better! Our spouses and kids have come along for the ride, some more engaged than others(bless their little turkey hearts!) It’s a great way to keep the memories of yesteryear alive for my Mom, too. There’s nothing like a good turkey note to bring out the old stories. Only now, colored crepe paper is really hard to find and we have to recycle the fringed wrapping! Some of it has lasted for years. It’s all part of the fun.

Turkey scared
Turkey in a panic
Everyone wants this turkey
‘Cuz he’s organic

Until next year. . .

By: Amy D.

Amy D. — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:49:06 +0000

We did Turkey Notes growing up in Davenport. My siblings and I spent the day preparing just the “right” saying for 20-plus relatives; then wrapping each in tissue paper. At dinner, each person had to read the note aloud with lots of laughing and good-natured ribbing following.

By: Lou

Lou — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:29:09 +0000

My mom talks about turkey notes every year at Thanksgiving. Everyone looks at her like she’s crazy, but now I understand! She was raised in Davenport! :)

Turkey thigh
Turkey drum
Laugh at the pie
But not at mum

(Not if you know what’s good for you!)