Russ Gates admits it can seem a bit morbid to others, but each year on the weekend before Thanksgiving, slaughtering Meadowsend Farm’s 65 or so turkeys is a big family affair, grandkids and all.
“It’s kind of fun,” the Hopkinton farmer said. For the 15 years he’s raised turkeys, Gates said, “It’s the one time you all get together for something.”
This past Sunday, Gates’ son Brian Walters brought his family over from New York for the day. Gate’s other son, Mark, and Gates’ grandson, Andrew, live in Hopkinton and were in the barn to help. A couple family friends came, too, including James Johansen from Deering, who said he was “just a poor sucker” that received a phone call from Gates the night before.
Each person manned a different station, from the actual killing to plucking to eviscerating to the final step: tossing the ready-to-cook turkey into a bucket of cold water on the back of Gates’ truck.
Everyone seemed to be having a good time, whether they were wrist-deep in turkey guts, getting splashed by turkey water, or on break and munching a doughnut.
“I enjoy it,” said 16-year-old Mitchell Walters. “It brings the family together.”