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Zionsville Couple Keep 900 Turkeys at Home

Nancy and Willard Miller have been amassing all sorts of turkey collectibles for nearly three decades.

 
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Standing with yet another turkey -- this one knit -- the Millers show off their collection in the dining room of their Zionsville home.

Nancy and Willard Miller of Zionsville aren't sure, but they think they could hold the world record for owning the most turkey collectibles.

They have more than 900.

After Willard was successfully treated for lung cancer in 1984, his doctor told him to get out and exercise. The Millers decided to walk around flea markets.

"He's my big turkey," Nancy joked.

So, during their flea marketing, Nancy decided to start picking up turkeys – stuffed, ceramic, glass, knitted, wooden and metal. They have turkey magnets, salt and pepper shakers, cookie jars, jewelry, bags, statues and flags.

Naturally, family and friends soon caught on to the trend and increased their collection by giving turkey gifts for birthdays, holidays and anniversaries.

For the Millers' 50th wedding anniversary, a family member made a framed plaque with their faces fixed on handmade turkeys, complete with googly eyes. Their daughter gave them a handmade glass figurine of a male and female turkey.

Dusting is a regular chore. Willard said they set up a card table in the living room and take them down shelf by shelf to clean them.

Now that Willard is on oxygen, the Millers don't go out as much, so they haven't had the opportunity to add many more turkeys to their collection recently. They're also beginning to run out of room.

"The kids say when one of us or both of us die, they're gonna line them all up in the field out here [and] use BB guns," Nancy said. "They'll all pick their favorite first. As long as they enjoy 'em, I don't care what they do with them," she added lightheartedly.

The Millers are celebrating their 54th wedding anniversary today.

Related Topics: Collectibles, Flea Market, Thanksgiving, Turkey, and Zionsville
Do you have an passion for a particular collectible? Tell us in the comments.

Mary Anne Looby

6:13 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What a great way to get exercise and do something together. Please don't let the kids shoot them! have an estate sale, I am sure there are loads of folks who would love to purchase a few. You could also donate the less breakable ones to schools,nursing homes etc.Happy Thanksgiving!

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Ann Wlazelek

7:39 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy anniversary - what fun! Glad I don't have to dust them!

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Amy Drosnock

8:45 am on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

What a sweet story...Happy Anniversary to this lovely couple !

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BucsLehboy

12:14 pm on Wednesday, November 23, 2011

They could sing a variation of the song "99 bottles of beer on the wall". It may take a while with 900 turkeys.

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