David McCauley will be featured KTD speaker

Former Worthington resident David McCauley has been named as the featured speaker for the annual King Turkey Day festival set for Sept. 14.

McCauley is an alumnus of Worthington High School and graduated with the Class of 1956. After high school, he attended the College of St. Thomas and Worthington Community College and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. McCauley worked for Univac and Honeywell Aero Division as a systems analyst at the time when computers were being introduced into the business environment. 

In the early 1980s, McCauley started his own business, DSM Information Services Inc., a manufacturer of business and accounting computer software. He was married to his high school sweetheart, Lonni (Heidebrink), a native of Rushmore, until her passing in 2023. They have three children, and four grandchildren.

McCauley moved in 1960 to Coon Rapids, where he still resides. He served that community as a city councilman and mayor and was an Anoka County commissioner for 12 years. He has written and published "Á Fair In Time," a book about his adventures growing up in Worthington.

McCauley will speak to the crowd from the Fourth Avenue and 10th Street stage at 1: p.m. and will then serve as flagman for the running of the Great Gobbler Gallop turkey race between Paycheck, the fastest bird of the northland, against Ruby Begonia, the pride of Texas. 

Following his address and the Great Gobbler Gallop, McCauley will ride as guest of honor in the parade. 

Other features on this year’s King Turkey Day schedule of events include free pancakes to all comers, 10-K and 5-K foot race, 5-K walk, the band IV Play in concert and much more.