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'What the flock?': Kirkland Congregational Church 'flocks' Mayor's home

By RAECHEL DAWSON
Kirkland Reporter Reporter
August 13, 2012 · Updated 9:58 AM 

When Kirkland Mayor Joan McBride walked out of her home Tuesday morning to put her dogs out she was greeted by more than 20 bright pink, plastic flamingos in her front yard.

McBride owns two small flamingos near her front door and, she said with a laugh, her first thoughts were: “How did they multiply?”

But just beyond her fence sat a sign that read: “You’ve been flocked! by the Kirkland Congregational Church.” McBride belongs to the church and has heard of one of the deacons getting “flocked” a while back.

“It’s a fundraiser for our church,” said Terri Houlahan, the one in charge of flocking. “We’re charging $15 for removal, $10 to send to friends and $25 for ‘antiflocking’ insurance.”

Houlahan said the flocking fees go toward the church’s fundraiser, which help various outreach programs such as providing food for the homeless.

“It’s generating a lot of talk, which is exactly what we wanted to do,” said Houlahan.

Although Houlahan wouldn’t disclose who was up next on the list, she said they try to flock every few days.

As for McBride, she’s thrilled.

“A construction worker came over here and said, ‘What the flock?’” laughs McBride. “It’s kind of a very ‘Kirkland thing’ to do.”

McBride’s family along with neighbors all “love it” and she is still contemplating whether she’ll take them down soon or not.

 

Contact Kirkland Reporter Reporter Raechel Dawson at rdawson@kirklandreporter.com or 425-822-9166 X5052.

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