Happy Thanksgiving from Association TRENDS!
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the National Turkey Federation, Washington, presenting the National Thanksgiving Turkey to a U.S. president.
The tradition began in 1947 when President Harry S Truman received the first National Thanksgiving Turkey. The tradition has continued through 11 successive administrations.
This year two turkeys - Cobbler and Gobbler - were flown to Washington, and one will have the distinction of National Thanksgiving Turkey when it is presented to President Obama for its official pardoning this week. The turkeys spent the night before the ceremony in a room at the W Hotel, near the White House.
After the pardoning, the turkey can be found at Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington near the nation's capital, through early January. After the holidays, the National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate will live in a custom-made enclosure at Mount Vernon.
NTF chairman Steve Willardsen supervised raising the national turkey on Craig and Nancy Miller's farm in Rockingham County, Va. The bird will be presented by Cargill Turkey Production, in collaboration with the Virginia Poultry Federation and the National Turkey Federation. Details: www.eatturkey.com.
TRENDS editorial office will be closed Nov. 21-26 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!
