Madison Senior Center welcomes stray rooster and names him ‘Cluck Norris’

MADISON – Madison Senior Center loves to welcome new members. However, they never expected to welcome a recent addition to their flock.

In September, center members heard a rooster crowing across Brown’s Ferry Road. Soon, the chicken crossed the road. Why? To get to the other side . . . at the senior center.

“He hung out in the parking lot. A couple of people started feeding him potato chips,” Rachael Burrus, Program Coordinator for the center, said. A few days passed. Then weeks. “He didn’t leave.”

The rooster was very skinny. Members put food, like bird seed, vegetables and oats, in a dog dish. They also set out a water dish. He soon gained weight and energy.

For a temporary home outside, the rooster found a (clean) metal trash can. “When it rains and in the evenings, he sleeps there,” Burrus said.

The rooster started a ‘friendship’ with Susan Witkowski, the center’s receptionist. When Susan talks to him, the rooster will crow and hang out with her.

The senior center members decided their rooster needed a name. Burrus wrote a set of rules for the “Name the Rooster” contest. The judging criteria included creativity, originality and alignment of the name to fit the rooster’s personality. A judging panel selected the winning name.

After all votes were counted, Burrus announced the top three places:

• Third place – “Kyle,” submitted by Roberto S.

• Second place – “Cluck Kent,” submitted by Ronald H. This entry is a wordplay for Superman’s mortal dis- guise as Clark Kent.

• First place – “Cluck Norris,” submitted by Patti S. This entry was the clear favorite. Cluck Norris recognizes the karate expert and TV/movie celebrity, Chuck Norris.

Burrus was pleased with members’ eagerness in naming Cluck. Seventy members voted in the naming contest.

“A big thank you to everyone who participated in our ‘Name the Rooster’ contest. We had so many creative and hilarious suggestions, but congratulations, Patti!” Burrus said.

“A special thank-you to our judges at City of Madison Parks and Recreation at Dublin Park and to Chick-fil-A in Madison for sponsoring the contest,” Burrus said.