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Kristin M. Hall.

Picture of Kristin M. Hall

Kristin M. Hall

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Jordan Gullotta pets a turkey during a cuddle therapy session at The Gentle Barn, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, in Christiana, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

At The Gentle Barn, turkeys are for snuggling, not stuffing at Thanksgiving

November 26, 2025

At The Gentle Barn, this flock of turkeys isn’t going to end up on your plate, but they might cuddle up in your lap. The animal rescue farm in Tennessee offers animal-based therapy sessions with horses, cows, sheep, goats and, well, why not turkeys, too? People can cozy up to a turkey any time of the year at the sanctuary. With Thanksgiving coming up, founder Ellie Laks wants to change public perception about the big, feathered birds. Laks says turkeys are extremely intelligent and talkative and can give people comfort and one-on-one attention.

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Stan Lane, portraying Judge John T. Raulston in the play "Destiny in Dayton" acts during a rehearsal, July 8, 2025, in Dayton, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Tired of put-downs, Tennessee town corrects the record with play about the Scopes trial it hosted

July 18, 2025

A small town in Tennessee courted national publicity a century ago when it recruited a local teacher to challenge a state law banning the teaching of evolution. What they got after the Scopes trial in July 1925 was much more than they bargained for. For decades, Dayton, Tennessee, has attempted to correct the persistent misconceptions and stereotypes about it and its residents with a reenactment of the trial, put on by locals and descendants. The play performed every summer draws directly from the trial’s transcript to remind visitors that the truth about the debate over evolution is more nuanced than most people remember.

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