Pardon me: Vithoulkas gives holiday reprieve to aging bird
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Henrico senior citizen and 19-year-old turkey Todd Fowler will see the light of another day after he was officially pardoned by Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas Nov. 21.
Mr. Fowler, who resides at Meadow Farm in Crump Park, is a whopping 200 years old in human years, said Henrico Recreation and Parks History, Heritage and Natural Resources Division Director Julian Charity. He was donated to Meadow Farm by a local 4-H youth organization as a young poult (a turkey less than a year old) and is the park’s resident – and only – turkey.
After leading a storytime with Pearl the puppet sheep of “'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving,'” Vithoulkas invited the young audience members to help him pardon Todd the Turkey at Todd’s outdoor enclosure.
Todd is an “excellent” Standard Bronze Turkey – a heritage breed of turkey that has rare historic characteristics – that is “beloved” by Crump Park’s visitors, said Vithoulkas, as well as his puppet sheep friend Pearl. The geriatric turkey has lived long past the typical lifespan of a typical turkey, which is about 10 years.
Henrico hopes to hold a turkey pardon each year going forward, said Charity – if not with Todd, then with other turkeys that Crump Park plans to acquire.
“It’s something fun and whimsical. It’s always good to have something positive and exciting this time of year,” Charity said. “And Pearl was worried about her friend Todd.”
Pearl, who hosts a storytime for children every Friday, often is joined by special guests such as law enforcement officers and Henrico Board of Supervisors members. While Pearl has said that her favorite visitor has been Varina District supervisor Tyrone Nelson, Vithoulkas may be the new favorite with the surprise turkey pardon, Charity said.
Todd the Turkey did not offer comment, but animal lovers can pay a visit to Todd at Meadow Park, which is open daily from dawn until dusk.
Liana Hardy is the Citizen’s government and education reporter. Support her work and articles like this one by making a contribution to the Citizen.
