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Thanksgiving kicks off the Holiday Season

President Donald Trump with first lady Melania Trump, right, and their son Barron Trump, look at National Thanksgiving Turkey Drumstick after being pardoned by President Trump during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017. This is the 70th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
compiled by Samoa News staff

Pre-Thanksgiving Day events are underway today and include Leone High School’s Annual Turkey Run at 4:30a.m this morning, featuring six categories — including professional runners and power walkers. Following the run, there will be Zumba, a turkey float competition, canned food drive competition, and other activities.

Because of the holiday, police presence will increase island-wide and motorists are reminded not to drink and drive.

Several local restaurants are offering Thanksgiving specials tomorrow, which will take the burden off those who don’t want to cook and clean up but instead, enjoy each other’s company over food and drinks.

A few stores are also offering ready cooked turkey feasts for those who don't have time to cook the usual Thanksgiving meal.

If you’re a person who loves nature, head over to Ina’s Plant Sale starting at 6a.m. at Tuiagamoa’s residence in the Leone-Auma area.

Thanksgiving officially kicks off the holiday season, and Thursday morning will be the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, with increased security. Friday is also Black Friday across the US, although many major US outlets have started their Black Friday sales online earlier this week.

TURKEY PARDON

President Donald Trump wielded his pardon power Tuesday to spare a pair of turkeys from the Thanksgiving roaster, joking that he would also let last year’s turkey pardons stand despite his penchant for overturning Obama-era orders.

In a brief and humorous White House ceremony, Trump extended the annual presidential tradition of pardoning turkeys ahead of Thanksgiving, an act of leniency that prolongs the lives of Minnesota-bred gobblers Wishbone and Drumstick, with the latter receiving the formal reprieve.

Trump said he and the first lady have welcomed many special visitors to the White House, including world leaders, Congress members “and, along the way, a few very strange birds. But we have yet to receive any visitors quite like our magnificent guest of honor today, Drumstick.”

“I’m pleased to report that unlike millions of other turkeys at this time of the year, Drumstick has a very, very bright future ahead of it,” he said. Trump announced that Drumstick “and his friend Wishbone” will spend the rest of their lives on the campus of Virginia Tech, joining Tater and Tot, the two turkeys that were pardoned last year by President Barack Obama.

Trump, who has undone numerous Obama initiatives, used the opportunity to poke fun at the former president.

In observation of Thanksgiving Day 2017, Samoa News will not publish tomorrow with local news and updates available here on the website.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving American Samoa, from the management and staff of Samoa News.

Associated Press contributed to this report.