The Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund has struck on a way to boost ticket sales for its new Maine Lottery scratch ticket, Talkin’ Turkey:

A guy in a fowl suit.

They’re unveiling him today with a bunch of real turkeys.

The person in the suit – still to be named as of Friday afternoon – will be at Rocky Ridge Farm in Litchfield, hangin’ with more than 300 of Thanksgiving’s best.

The tickets were released to retailers Thursday. So far, Outdoor Heritage tickets have raised almost $11 million for projects around Maine, such as loon studies, hiking trails and gun safety, said spokeswoman Linda Frechette. The deadline for applying for project money is Sept. 1. The fund is open to nonprofits, towns and municipalities.

“We’ve never had a costume specially for ticket promotions,” Frechette said. “We hope to take him to different events in August.”

As for the face-to-feather meeting:

“You never know what animals will do. We’re just going to see what happens. I can envision a couple of turkeys jumping on the mascot’s back.”

– Kathryn Skelton
A bipartisan wedding

In the New York Times on July 11 is a wedding announcement for Mainers Elissa Canlas and Thomas Davidson Jr.

Canlas is press secretary for U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and a former news anchor and reporter for WMTW Channel 8 News. Her husband works for an investment banking firm in the D.C. area, and is a former member of the Maine House of Representatives. He represented Brunswick from 1994 to 2000.

Congratulations.

Wait a minute, Davidson is a Democrat. Did a top staffer for a Republican senator walk down the aisle with someone from across the aisle?

“Yes, I did marry a Democrat,” Canlas answered. “It makes for lively conversations.”

– Bonnie Washuk
No regional title

When Andrew Bardier attended the Northeast Youth of the Year awards ceremony in New York Thursday, judges praised his determination and hard work. One even gave him a hug.

But the award went to someone else.

Bardier, 18, competed with 11 other state Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year winners for the Northeast title. The award went to Noelia Bare, 18, of Lawrence, Mass. She will now compete at the national level, where first prize is a $10,000 scholarship.

Bardier, once an out-of-control teenager and a high school drop out, credited his brother and the Boys and Girls Club of Auburn-Lewiston for helping him turn his life around.

His brother, Chris, received the same honor two years ago.He was killed in a car accident just days after the award ceremony.

Andrew Bardier now attends schools and oversees athletic programs at the club. He plans to attend college for a career in sports medicine after graduating from high school next year.

His story touched the judges, said Sherri Goulet, director of the local club. All commented on his drive and determination. They called him exceptional. And while the award went to another teenager, they said Bardier was a winner all the same.

“There is no losing in this situation,” Goulet said.

– Lindsay Tice
Cribbage generosity

When Sou Hayes of Carrabassett Valley took fourth place in the Kingfield Days cribbage tournament, she was disappointed that she would not have the opportunity to choose the bicycle. With four prizes, the bicycle was clearly the second choice.

Paul McCleary, a carpenter from Milo, won four out of four games, amassing a total of 202 points to win easily and take first pick of the prizes: a 19-inch color TV.

Neal McCurdy and Brad Orbeton, both of Kingfield, finished second and third. They had heard of Hayes’ preference from another contestant, however, and opted for the cooler and soda, allowing Sou to have her bike.

She was so excited she was jumping up and down.

“I kissed everybody, I hugged everybody,” said Hayes.

-Jodi Hausen