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Show Feature By Barbara Pyles POOR COPf" Im glad the Pilgrims came up Just smell the with the idea of Thanksgiving, Mm-mmm- turkey cooking! Companys com-in- g The very mention of Thanksgiving brings thoughts of good things to eat. When I was a child my whole family met at our house for a wonderful day of celebration. It was a day of warmth, camaraderie, and lots of good food. Mother spent days preparing the feast which included a turkey, plus a goose, and a ham. This, mind you , was for about 25 people. In addition, Mother served mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, as well as corn and creamed peas. There were several varieties of home-mad- e pickles, and cranberry sauce in a fancy bowl. And there was bread and celery dressing, which didnt come in a box. Then there was light and airy rolls fresh from the oven. My Aunt Rose and Aunt Mary always brought the dessert, and serving it was their proudest moment. There was pumpkin pie, apple pie, minced pie, bread pudding and chocolate cake... plus whipped cream and vanilla too. Not one child went outdoors to ice-crea- m play after dinner. Instead as was our custom, the children sat around the fireplace while our grandparents told us stories about Thanksgiving. Grandma would always say. Grandpa smiled and told the following story: The Pilgrims had many good reasons to celebrate. Half of them had survived the winter, and they had produced a bumper crop. Governor William Bradford suggested a day of feasting and prayers to give thanks that they were still alive. The pilgrims invited their Indian neighbors to join them. Chief Massasoit led a procession of 90 of his braves into the Pilgrims Camp The pilgrims had not expected so many Indians, but they made them welcome. The group gorged on turkey, deer, duck, cranberries, corn, pumpkin pie and many other delicious foods. The party lasted three days and was a great success. The Pilgrims never dreamed that one day their merrymaking would be celebrated as a national holiday. But the custom for giving thanks did not begin with the Pilgrims feast. Actually, the custom had its roots in ancient times. Sukkoth or the Jewish Feast of the Tabernacles, or tents is the oldest known Thanksgiving festival. On the Jewish Calendar, it occurs on Tishri fifteenth. The God for a good harvest. The holi- day was also a remembrance of the forty years the Hebrews wandered in the desert before they found the Promised Land. Today, the feast of the Tabernacles, or Ingathering is still celebrated. The Jewish people celebrate by hanging boughs in their homes and by helping less fortunate people. In Greek mythology, Demeter was the harvest goddess. Her daughter, Persephone was carried away by Pluto, god of the Underworld. In her grief, Demeter neglected the crop-- , and nervation threatened the world. After a bargain with Pluto, Persephone spent six months with her mother and six months with Pluto. In her happiness, Demeter caused the earth to bear crops. However, when Persephone returned to Pluto, winter came. The Romans held their harvest festival in October. It was called the Cerelia and honored, Ceres, the Roman Goddess of grain and the harvest. At the feast, a pig and the first cuttings of the harvest were presented to the goddess. The people celebrated with music, dancing, sports, and a parade. Long ago in Russia, peasants eagerly looked forward to the harvest festival. They made wreaths of wheat, barley, oats and rye woven together. Everyone walked SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22, 1995 wreaths from the year before and hungthe new ones. Then the feast would begin. The young people danced a dance called the khorovod. It told the entire story of the harvest. Chinese housewives prepared for a holiday called Festival of the Harvest Moon or Hhung-Chi- u by making moon cakes. A figure of a rabbit was traced on top of the cakes. The cakes were baked for the Moon Queen, but the Chinese children ate them. The boys and girls werent surprised to see a rabbit on the cakes. They believe it is a rabbit who lives on the moon, (instead lowed the wagon singing as they walked. Later, the workers ate roast beef and other danced and playe ' games. When it was dark, mouth-w:.-teringdishe- s. th--bul- enormtus bo afire. ume English il!ag-- c.n in fT- -- - - decorated the Ust gr.; This holi- cat v, an ribbons. They called day has been celebrated for cen- the "Kern Doll." Some village turies. Long ago when enemy chose a beautiful girl to !Har s be, ofaman-on-the-moon- ). . soldiers invaded China, they lived in peoples homes. One day the Chinese leaders decided to kill the enemy soldiers-everyon- e of them at the same time. They told the women to bake moon cakes. They hid a message in each moon cake telling what time to strike. The plan worked. So besides celebrating the moons birthday, the Chinese people also celebrate their freedom. In England, the harvest festival became know as Harvest Home. The man who cut the last of the grain, Lord of the Harvest, rode home on the last load of harvest with his sweetpeople lived in tents or huts made from boughs for seven days in the towards the house carrying heart. The other workers and fall. Thy feasted and thanked wreaths. They took down the old their girlfriends or wives fol- - vest Queen. In the New World, Indians celebrated harvest time before the Pilgrims came. The Iroquois always celebrated with a Green Corn dance and a feast that lasted three days. At Thanksgiving dinners of the past, people ate food they had grown themselves. Today, on Thanksgiving, most of us feast on food from the supermarket. When my Grandfather finished his story, my Grandmother always said, Thanksgiving Day is a day to count our blessings. And what is most important, it is a day to share with people less fortunate than us. Happy Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in the forest: A story for children By Barbara Pyles Sally Squirrel and her friends were talking. Lets celebrate ThanksgivingDay together, she said. Excellent idea, said Robbie Rabbit. We must have crisp carrots and lettuce. No! No! said Mike Mole sharply. Crunchy bugs. Chewy worms, sang Sarah Snowbird. Cheese, snapped Martha Mouse. T-t- t! T-t- t! Sally Squirrel clicked her tongue. Ill serve nuts, lots of nuts hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans and... - No! No! Everyone screamed at once. We must work together, said Baby Deer. He explained his plan. First, bring a special treat, then your favorite food. The animals nodded in agreement. Robbie Rabbit thumped her foot sharply. Lets not invite that hungry coyote. she said. No, indeed not, gasped Robbie Rabbit. Were all his favorite food. Baby Deer was the only one who thought that just maybe, the coyote might have some good his basket. Just then, the door burst open. qualities. Carl Coyote watched as the Happy Thanksgiving, shouted animals scurried back to their Carl Coyote. Whom shall I eat homes. Soon theyll be my first. Not I, gasped Sally Squirrel. Thanksgiving feast, he Not I, shrieked Robbie Rabsnarled. Sally Squirrel cleaned her bit. Not I, quivered Mike Mole. house until it sparkled. When Not I, squeaked Martha she heard the sound of merry voices, she opened the door. Mouse. Not I, twittered Sarah SnowHappy Thanksgiving, she bird. yelled. B aby Deer pointed to the table. Mike Mole wore sunglasses. Carl Coyote crammed a pizza The sun is just too bright for me, he said. He put his plate of into his mouth, then gobbled dried bugs and vegetable pizza down three sandwiches. on the table. Sally Squirrel shook her paw Robbie Rabbit smiled. Ive at the coyote. Stop eating our brought a tasty salad and com food. The squirrel was so angry that she forgot to be scared. bread dressing. The coyote grabbed Sally Sarah Snowbird flew in singhad she just Squirrel and nipped her ear. ing a little song that composed herself. Her basket You are the very animal I want contained wiggly worms, and a to eat first, he growled. Tears filled Sally Squirrels pecan pie. Whew! This is heavy, said eyes, and she felt a chill of fear. Martha Mouse as she placed Help me, she cried. Sarah Snowbird gathered all cheese sandwiches and cookies her strength.. .and flew right on on the table. Baby Deer removed some leafy top of the coyote. She pecked the branches, sweet potatoes and coyotes ear. The rest of the crittwo cartons of apple juice from ters gathered around Carl Coy he said as he placed some berThe coyote looked at the squir- ries on the table. Carl Coyote got a warm feelrel, then he glanced at the angry animals. He dropped Sally ing inside. He was surprised to Squirrel and reached deep into find out how good it felt to be his pocket. I have this to share, nice. ote. Cinnamon Scat4 Were ready for the Holidays. We have a great selection of holiday supplies - wreaths, picks, etc. The day after Thanksgiving, Golden Girls will have their special boutique items to help you with your gift list & holiday decorating . QtliniP HD 810 dUD tt&EfiUEP Open F 10 - 6, Sat 2 406 E 300 S M-- 644-556- 10-- 5 |