On Thursday, Nov. 22, most of us will sit down with our families and celebrate Thanksgiving with a turkey dinner.

Our turkeys will be dressed for the occasion with yummy stuffing, and some of us sitting around the table will be dressed in holiday attire. So in an effort to prepare for the day, and our turkey dinner, the Tribune is asking readers to "Dress Mr. Gobbles" (a.k.a. Earl D. Turkey).

This dressing, however, will be a contest to make Mr. Gobbles look pretty. Use colored crayons, marking pens, glitter, sequins, feathers, doll clothing - whatever you'd like (a visit to the craft store for ideas might be appropriate).

You might even make Mr. Gobbles look like Elvis, your favorite politician or celebrity. After you have dressed Mr. Gobbles, submit your entry (mail or drop it by the Tribune) addressed to Marketing Manager Lynae Hanson (entries must be received by noon on Monday, Nov. 19).

Five winners will be selected by a Tribune panel of judges and awarded prizes. First-, second- and third-place winners will receive a certificate for a 20-pound turkey and the fourth- and fifth-place winners will be awarded a copy of "Thanksgiving Myths: The Fiction - and Fact - About the First American Holiday," a book that clears up some of the most common misconceptions about the holiday.

The five winning entries also will be published on Nov. 22 in the Tribune and online with a story detailing the winners' creative efforts.

Today, to help get you in the spirit of the season, the Tribune also is publishing a story by Kris Bordessa about Thanksgiving myths and facts. The drawing of Mr. Gobbles also will be published daily through Sunday, Nov. 18 with a "turkey fact" to chew on. Have fun and enter as often as you'd like. Happy Thanksgiving!

Go to Page 6E for the Bordessa story and the drawing of Mr. Gobbles.