Dear Friend,

Thanksgiving is a very special time of year and deserves our thoughtful reflection.  We hope you enjoy the interesting items below.  If you received this newsletter from a friend, and you would like to continue receiving these email newsletters, you can subscribe here for updates or connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Two North Carolina turkeys are in Washington, DC this weekend to celebrate the 75th year of the White House turkey pardoning tradition this Monday, formally known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation!  

The turkeys were raised at Circle S Ranch in Monroe, North Carolina by 2022 National Turkey Federation Chairman Ronnie Parker.  Following the ceremony at the White House, the turkeys will reside in private quarters at NC State University under the care of university poultry specialists and students.  According to NC State Extension turkey specialist Jessie Grimes, "These turkeys will help us educate students and inform the public about modern farming practices, North Carolina agriculture, and the importance of the poultry industry.”

The presentation of the National Thanksgiving Turkey has been observed since 1947, when President Harry Truman first received a live turkey from the National Turkey Federation.  Congratulations to Ronnie on having his turkeys be lucky enough to receive the President's pardon on the 75th anniversary of this special tradition!

North Carolina is a leading poultry producing state, including #2 in turkey production.  It’s important to remember that our farm families feed our country and the world!

NTF Chairman Ronnie Parker with the National Thanksgiving Turkeys.

Issued by President George Washington at the request of Congress, November 26, 1789 was set as the date Americans would “unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations."

George Washington wrote in the opening paragraph, "it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor.” 

Each year as we gather to celebrate with family, friends, and loved ones, we should reflect on more than just the first harvest of the Pilgrims after surviving their first winter in the New World in 1621.  Thanksgiving is also a recognition and celebration of the  the moral and spiritual principles that made America great.  Washington's original Proclamation, linked here, is a great reminder of these.

For this week's good news story, I would like to recognize a recent milestone of Masonboro.org, a local organization whose mission is to protect public access, promote responsible use, and preserve the traditions of Masonboro Island.  On Monday, November 14th, Masonboro.org welcomed the 10,000th kid to experience a trip to Masonboro Island through their Explorer program (ILX).  According to Masonboro.org President Tom Hackler, "ILX is offered to every New Hanover County School 5th grade student.  Students, teachers, parents, Carolina Ocean Studies educators, and Masonboro.org volunteers board the Coast Guard-approved ferry boat “Island Explorer” and are ferried to Masonboro Island for a hands-on interactive field trip where they learn firsthand about this unique marine habitat.  Since its inception, the ILX program has included over 200 volunteers completing over 1,000 volunteer hours."  Tom also emphasized how this experience is critical for many kids who are experiencing their first trip to the beach, first time seeing the ocean, first time aboard a boat, or first time visiting Masonboro Island.  Congratulations on this milestone and thank you for teaching students to appreciate and protect our beautiful coastal environment!

Thanks to Tom for sharing this story with my office!  If you have a good news story you would like to submit for recognition, please email me here.

“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer.” — Maya Angelou