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Sarasota News Leader March 1, 2013 Page 108 The squirrel���s rise to absolute power had just Ike had also joked to the Secret Service that they should shoot the squirrels ��� a statement begun. most likely leaked to the press through aeratChapter II. President Truman frequently ed water hoses and one that caused Ike���s popdined alfresco at the White House. He always ularity to soar with his opponents and plumhand-fed the squirrels visiting his table. Almet with his supporters. The Gray Squirrel though relations between President Truman won that round. and the Secret Service were never comfortable, the Secret Service had no problems with Chapters IV-V. I did not feel like writing the squirrels, as they are quite gentle around them. people, very rarely scratch or bite anyone Chapter VI. This is where it gets really feeding them and they do not carry rabies. squirrely. ���Pete,��� so named by members of the White House Press Corps in remembrance of ���Pete��� President Ronald Reagan kept his jacket and Harding, accompanied President Truman on trouser pockets full of acorns so he could feed many of his walks between Lafayette Square the White House squirrels. We have all read and Blair House, where the first family stayed charming accounts of squirrels actually presswhile the White House was under renovation. ing their noses against a window of the Oval Yes, even First Families are inconvenienced Office when he was late feeding them. when they move into a ���fixer-upper.��� Pete The most extraordinary squirrel tale from was also known by reporters as their ���inside Reagan���s term in office occurred in winter of source.��� He only stood some 6�� inches tall, 1984. President Reagan, during his sojourns at but the shadow he cast was immeasurable. Camp David, the presidential retreat in MaryChapter III. President Dwight Eisenhower land���s countryside, always collected bags of tried unsuccessfully to ���putt��� an end to the in- acorns to bring back to his beloved White fluence Sciurus c. had over the White House. House squirrels. Well, the winter of 1984 was Eisenhower was an avid golfer and was of- one of D.C.���s mildest in decades, and the ten criticized for his passion for the sport, al- acorns buried in the White House lawn began though he and his doctor readily defended the to sprout much earlier than usual. Squirrels habit as good for his health, which had suf- cannot digest cellulose; when an acorn begins fered during his presidency. The White House to sprout a squirrel cannot eat it without bePutting Green lies a short walk outside the coming sick. (A word of advice: If you feed Oval Office door to the southeast; it was in- squirrels peanuts, it is important that the lestalled by President Eisenhower in 1954, with gumes be roasted, not raw.) financial help from the United States Professional Golf Association as well as private do- One December morning, a squirrel, on behalf nations. Ike had difficulty keeping the squir- of all the White House squirrels, scurried up to rels (which Harry Truman had nearly tamed by the Executive Mansion to explain the sprouthand-feeding) from burying nuts in the green ing acorn problem to the president. This hisand aerating it to the point where it was rath- toric moment was captured on canvas when er cratered. He declared war on squirrels and the Reagans commissioned Jamie Wyeth���s had groundskeepers trap and relocate them. Christmas Morning at the White House for