GENTRY — Mayor Kevin Johnston pardoned a live turkey at the first annual Turkey Pardoning held at the Gentry Public Library on Monday, Nov. 19.
Johnston called the pardoning a fowl tradition and said the pardoned bird wasn't chicken but was spared ending up in a frozen state and headed for a Thanksgiving table like other turkeys.
And the pardoned bird will live out the course of its life at the Gentry Wild Wilderness Drive-through Safari rather than being the main course in a Thanksgiving dinner.
A name-the-turkey contest was held prior to the pardoning to give the lucky bird a name, and the winner of the contest, Walter Johnson, age 7, fittingly named the tom turkey "Lucky." He received a frozen turkey reward, provided by Harps Foods in Gentry.
Refreshments were served at the event, and both young and old enjoyed watching the large but docile bird.
The Library will also be continuing its Thanksgiving food drive and collecting nonperishable food donations to be given to the food pantry at Gentry First Assembly. Food donations may be brought to the Library at any time.
The Library thanks Cargill and Harps for their help with the event.