Tom Turkey

When you see a tom turkey strutting around a barnyard, you have seen the most impressive of fowls. He spreads out his tail feathers and holds his head high. He does not know that he will soon be wrapped in plastic and displayed in a butcher’s showcase. Next, he will be browned and juicy on a platter. However, even with his stately appearance, he is not considered as tender and delicious as his mate, the hen turkey. He is the one who represents Thanksgiving. In my teaching years, I did not let this holiday pass without my students making a realistic tom turkey for a table decoration on the day of thanks. The ingredients start with a trip home to get many Emanuel County slash pinecones. As I filled a basket, I was always asked, “What are you going to do with all those pinecones?” “Make turkeys.” I answered. The cone must lie flat and sideways to make the body. The large end will be filled with an array of colored construction paper tail feathers. The small end will add a neck, head, beak, red wattle, and stick-on wiggly eyes. All is hand colored and realistic. This must be a sitting down turkey since homemade legs are not sturdy for the big bird. You will have made a tom turkey to adorn your holiday feast table. You will enjoy the trip to Emanuel County and pick up the largest pinecones you have ever seen. If you are asked what you are doing, just tell them that Shirley Proctor sent you on a mission. The pine tree has added much prosperity for Emanuel County and celebrated for many years with the Pine Tree Festival. “Dollars grow on pine trees” was theme of one festival. Now you can add turkeys also grow on pine trees. We have many blessings to recall on this day set aside for giving thanks. Bow your heads and join me in saying, “Thank you for Emanuel County and all the folks and things that make it so dear.” I wonder if any pinecone turkeys will be on your tables. Write to Shirley at [email protected].