Dear Friends ?

It?s official! Just in time for Thanksgiving, Governor Whitmer has pardoned a very special turkey: Mitch E. Gander.

Congratulations to our winners who named Mitch: Seneca Sojourn of Grand Rapids, Mia Simmons of Harper Woods, Justin Rzegocki of Saint Clair, and Tony Lopez of Riverview.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Michigan Turkey Naming Contest. ?We received over 6,000 entries, and there were many gems to choose from.

Honorable Mentions (in no particular order)

• Tahquamenon Tom (Kerry Quick, Chesterfield and Ben Schultz, Ann Arbor, 6^th grade)
• Otto Moe Beel (David Tomczyk, Ann Arbor)
• Turcules (?like Hercules with a T?) (Jack Neely, Brighton, 5^th grade)
• Ryan Gobbling (Christian Hurkmans, Ishpeming, 11^th grade)
• Simon Fowl (Jennifer Eccleton, Taylor)
• Lynyrd (Dorothy Rosentreter, Chelsea, and Mike Dotsch, Alpena)
• Mack E. Gnaw (The Hayes family: Kristin, Mike, Maddie, & Miles, from Cadillac)
• Roger Featherer (Joan Hanna Darrell, Kalamazoo)
• Steve Thighzerman (Sean Hickey, Ypsilanti)
• Tom Thanks (Sean Hickey, Ypsilanti and Elarose Etchison, Big Rapids, 4^th grade)
• Teddy Roostavelt (Michelle Rondell, Manistee)

Mitch is excited for his new lease on life. Word is he?s already exploring a tuition-free path to higher education so he can get a good paying job here in Michigan!

Wishing you a wonderful holiday week,

Executive Office of Governor Whitmer