Decoupaged Maury Mule Bound for Washington
Critter to Cecorate Office of District Congressman
By Sue McClure
Nashville Tennessean
May 30, 2003

COLUMBIA — He may not have veto power, but a Maury County mule will have influence when he takes up residence next month in the Washington, D.C., office of 4th District U.S. Rep. Lincoln Davis.

The 50-pound polyurethane mule is one of 30 mules decorated as part of a recent fund-raising effort for King's Daughters School, a nonprofit school for developmentally delayed children.

This particular mule, a decoupaged donkey-offspring dubbed Acorn, showcases the natural beauty of Tennessee as seen by The Nature Conservancy.

''It's got images of Tennessee wildlife,'' said Leslie Colley of The Nature Conservancy. ''See, here's a great blue heron, and sphagnum moss and an umbrella magnolia.''

Acorn was among the brightly painted mules milling around the Maury County Courthouse when Davis visited Columbia last month.

Spying the unusual sight, Davis praised the creativity displayed by the community and invited one of the long-eared critters to come north for an extended stay in his Washington office.

Acorn won the honor.

''When I came to Columbia for Mule Day, I saw these and just fell in love with them and wanted one for my office,'' Davis said. ''The mule is an important piece of the history of the district I represent.''

Maury County's mule-decorating escapade — called Mules on the Loose — will conclude July 19 with a Mule Traders' Auction of eight of the decorated mules and the announcement of a winner of the Mule of the Year contest. Both events will take place during the Sunset Symphony at Rippavilla.

Children also will have an opportunity to participate in a Mules on the Loose Scavenger Hunt June 21. A list of scavenger hunt questions will be available from 9-10 a.m. at King's Daughters School, 412 W. Ninth St.