— from Susan Anderson, Director, Children’s House —
Granny Wins!
At 103 years of age, orca Granny proved experience counts most to voters. Named Honorary Mayor of Eastsound on July 4, Granny beat out three canines and a parrot to win this year’s annual race, a benefit for Orcas Island Children’s House. She is the first candidate to win without a single personal appearance and — in the competition’s 8-year history — one of only two non-canine candidates to win the title. (Bovine April won in 2011.)
Deer Harbor Charters sponsored an opportunity for supporters to accompany manager Alex Callen to her Inauguration Celebration July 12. Attendees were not disappointed. Granny and her clan were readily available for comments off shore near Lime Kiln Point State Park.
For six weeks, Granny, along with other candidates Lewis, Bentley, Sullie and Oliver campaigned, paraded, spray-painted, tweeted & posted, endured the heat — even nail polish — and ultimately starred in the KING5-TV news feature, which wound its way to an NBC showing. Together, with managers Alex Callen, Janice Williams Courtney Ray, Hailey Crowe and Jody Fox, the candidates this year raised $6,000 for Children’s House.
