Dear Friend,

Thanksgiving is just nine days away, and that’s why we came together today for the annual turkey pardon. This year, I pardoned two turkeys!

This pair of lucky turkeys are Faygo and Vernors, sisters from Maybury Farms. Their names were selected from 1,527 of your submissions. We pulled the top eight pairs and Michiganders voted to crown the winner, bracket style. The names Faygo & Vernors made it through, defeating some incredible choices along the way.

I want to congratulate the six Michiganders who suggested the winning pair: Erik from Manistique, Nicholas from Canton, Jeff from Berkley, Michael, 52, from West Bloomfield, Lilian, 16, from Saline, and Nicholas, 11, from Dewitt.

While today is about fun and feathers, it’s also a moment to come together, reflect on the work we’ve done to support families across Michigan, and do some good work of our own. This year, I’m proud that we fed all 1.4 million public school students free breakfast and lunch at school, protected SNAP and Medicaid for millions of people, and, of course, secured the biggest roads deal ever to fix state and local roads.

I hope everyone can spend Thanksgiving with the people they love most. Now more than ever, we must come together with gratitude and kindness and showcase the spirit that makes Michigan so special. 

I’m thankful for my husband, my kids, and our dogs. I’m thankful to the first responders, service members, and health care workers who work through the holidays to keep us safe and healthy. And I’m thankful to you, my fellow Michiganders, who make our state the best place to live, work, and yes, save turkeys. 

Sincerely,

Gretchen Whitmer

Governor