• May 31, 1976
• Vol. 5
• No. 21

Leapin' Lizards! and Turtles, Snakes and Snails, Too! Ethel Kennedy Gives a Lawn Party

It was a garden party, county fair and Superstars competition all rolled into one. On the lawn of Ethel Kennedy's estate, Hickory Hill, in McLean, Va., about 2,000 kids gathered with their parents for Washington's 18th annual Pet Show—the 12th to be held at Ethel's place. Some $10,000 was raised for charity.

Contestants included a python, a lizard, a snail, a three-legged cat, a one-eyed rooster, a spider, a dog who ate junk mail and a pet rock. There was even a germ in a Mason jar. ("Is it swine flu?" the owner was asked anxiously.) Ringmaster Art Buchwald awarded ribbons to all the pets, and a special citation to a guinea pig who survived after having all the blood drawn from his heart. "What's his name," Buchwald asked, "Lazarus?"

On the tennis court ex-Redskin quarterback Sonny Jurgenson and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld challenged Ethel and brother-in-law Senator Ted. Losing 6-1, Ethel demanded a tie breaker and the Kennedys "won" their own celebrity tennis match. Accused of throwing the game, politician Rumsfeld shrugged, "After all, it's Ethel's court."