Homer, right, spotted with his new girlfriend preening for the camera in January at Ashley Pond. Readers are sending favorite names for Homer’s girlfriend to the Post at caclark@ladailypost.com. The name with the most votes will be announced Friday evening. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com
COMMUNITY News:
Homer, the beloved goose that lives at Ashley Pond has caused quite a stir since going public about his sweet new girlfriend in January.
Community passions are running high on what to name Homer’s feathery princess.
Readers have been sending in their favorite names to the Los Alamos Daily Post and so far Marge is pulling ahead.
The contest continues through 5 p.m. Friday – email top name choices for publication to caclark@ladailypost.com. The name with the highest number of votes will be announced by 7 p.m. Friday on the Post news site and Facebook page.
So far, the names submitted to the Daily Post are:
- Marge (Adam Auden)
- Marge (Brittany Dowd);
- Marge (Greg Kendall)
- Marge (Rebecca Chaiken)
- Marge or Mother (Wendy Marcus)
- Lucy (SM Duran)
- Goosey McGooseface (Austin Evans)
- Penelope (Ed Birnbaum)
- Gertrude (SM Duran)
- Harriet (DyAnne Short)
- Abigail (SM Duran)
- Odyssey (Petra Shipman)
- Goldie (SM Duran)
- Helen (Joan Schultz)
- Iris (SM Duran); and
- Edna (Greg Holland).
Greg Holland explained why he selected Edna, “I nominate Edna for the name, and there’s a story: The name Homer has history here. There was an outdoorsman named Homer Pickens who spent many years working for and leading New Mexico Game & Fish. He was a legend in Northern New Mexico. He became the chief wildlife conservation officer (not sure that was the official title) for the Atomic Energy Commission when he left Game & Fish, so he has significant local roots. Edna was Homer’s wife, and I’m sure he could not have accomplished all he did without a strong and patient wife. I think it would be appropriate to reunite Homer and Edna at Ashley Pond. Homer is probably best known for escorting Smokey Bear as a cub from the Capitan Mountains, where he was injured in a fire, to the National Zoo in DC.”
Homer Pickens and Smokey Bear. Courtesy/Greg Holland