In a town that headquarters the National Wild Turkey Federation and where a giant ceramic turkey can be found on every corner, how would one expect people to celebrate Thanksgiving?

For answers, The Citizen News went to the “turkey people” themselves — executives and members of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

“For me, Thanksgiving has always been a time to pause and give thanks for the blessings in our lives,” said Dr. James Earl Kennamer, NWTF chief conservation officer. “Our family traditions focus on spending time with each other and taking the time to enjoy life. Wild turkey has been prepared and served for our Thanksgiving meal for at least 35 years.”

Dr. Kennamer said he and his wife Mary generally try to spend a few days on their property in Alabama during the holidays.

“When we are able to make the trip, we enjoy spending time with family in the area, getting back to nature and hunting,” he said.

A fitting holiday activity one would say.

Lifetime Turkey Federation member John Kemp said he and his wife Virginia go to visit their son Charles and his family in Greenwood and they enjoy spending time with extended family.

“Charles always prepares the turkey and it’s wild turkey—one he has killed during the year and frozen,” he said. “We have wild turkey at Easter, too. Sometimes, a wild boar. It is served with all the trimmings which everyone pitches in and helps prepare.”

Kemp said he, too, is reminded of all his blessings and what he has to be thankful for.

“We have much to be thankful for, but among them is the NWTF. I’m grateful for the fact that they hire good people who make good citizens and who contribute to our community,” he said.

Scott Vance, NWTF assistant vice president of conservation programs administration, said he grew up in western North Carolina and most of his family still lives there.

“We always try to have a special dinner on Thanksgiving and as our families have grown, it has become one of the only times we are all under the same roof,” he said. “I don’t think there is a single person who doesn’t hunt, fish or trap in my family and as such we always gravitate to the outdoors and my grandpa’s farm near Grandfather Mountain.  It was on that property that I became keenly aware of how genuinely the people at the NWTF touch lives with their work.” 

He said on his first Thanksgiving of employment with the NWTF in 1999, he was taking a walk after the family feast and came upon a small flock of wild turkeys in his grandpa’s shrubbery nursery. It was the first wild turkeys anyone had ever seen on the property.  His grandpa had passed away in January of that year and never seen a wild turkey on his place.

“On that day I felt his hand on my shoulder and his voice in my heart telling me how important my life and my work was to him and how proud he was of what I was doing,” he said. “I will never forget that day and the Thanksgiving memories the wild turkey brought to me.”

Members also give to those who are less fortunate.

Local National Wild Turkey Federation volunteers spent the first half of last Wednesday distributing frozen, domesticated turkeys to partners and families around the Edgefield community. As part of a program called Turkey Hunters Care, a total of 170 frozen birds were distributed among the Johnston Food Bank, Edgefield First Baptist Church, Strom Thurmond High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps and the Edgefield Department of Social Services.

Clevie Suggs, 76, of Edgefield, was one of the recipients.

“My two daughters and I are going to roast this turkey,” she said, accepting her turkey from Felicia Parks of the Edgefield DSS and Tammy Condrey of the NWTF. “But they (the daughters) are going to do all the work. I’m too old to cook, it’s their turn now.”

Cadets from Strom Thurmond High School’s Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps helped unload frozen turkeys to be distributed among local families to brighten the holiday for those in need.

“Our kids love to be able to do something for the community,” said Captain Bill Hunt, who helps coordinate Strom Thurmond High’s NJROTC. “It started with 12 birds the first year and now we have grown to 60 turkeys. You should see the faces of the families light up when our uniformed cadets deliver the turkey and all the other fixings for a great holiday meal. It is a thankfulness that really means a lot to our kids.”

The giveaway was part of a national effort as NWTF chapters across the country provide frozen, domestic turkeys to less fortunate people in their communities. NWTF volunteers have enriched the holidays of countless families by providing nearly 680,000 meals through Turkey Hunters Care since 2001. Some chapters also include stuffing mix, potatoes, bread and dessert to complete the holiday meals, while other chapters partner with food banks, churches and shelters to bring warm, satisfying meals to people who might not otherwise have them.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!