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Show Feature SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 24. 1839 Love, family and togetherness and giving thanks By Barbara Pyles Love, family, togetherness and giving thanks are important themes of Thanksgiving. 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. We also took the time to reflect on our daily blessings. Our Thanksgiving dinner was as grand as the day itself. Mother spent hours preparing the feast which included a turkey, and a ham. In addition, Mother served mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, as well as com and creamed peas. There were several varieties of homemade pickles, and cranberry sauce in a fancy bowl. She also served bread dressing, which didnt come in a box. The rolls were light and airy, fresh from the oven. My Aunt Rose and Aunt Mary always brought the desert, and serving it was their proudest moment. Pumpkin pie, apple pie, mince meat pie, gingerbread, and chocolate cake . . . plus whipped cream and vanilla icecream too, graced our holiday table. After dinner, the children The pilgrims didnt offer their guests ham or sweet potatoes, because the Pilgrims did not have pigs with them and sweet potatoes had not yet been introduced to New England. Nor did they have mashed potatoes, milk-obutter. Many Europeans considered the potato to be poisonous. The reason that there wasnt any milk or butter is because the pilgrims did not have any domestic cattle. And since their flour was long gone, there was no bread or pastry. When Chief Massasoit, also known as Yellow Feather, saw that the meat supply was running low, he sent a party of his men hunting. The Native American gentlemen proudly marched back into camp with Five deer. The festivities included games, and a contest of accuracy with bow and gun. The Pilgrims never dreamed that one day their merrymaking would be celebrated as a national holiday. When new settlements were made, the custom of celebrating Thanksgiving spread. But the settlements usually celebrated Thanksgiving on different days. Some towns even celebrated several times a year. President George Washington called for a national Thanksgiving on November 26, 1789. Six long years passed before he declared another. In 1812, President Jackson proclaimed a day ofThanksgiving for peace. It was the last nation wide Thanksgiving celebration in the United States for many years. Many Grandpas Thanksgiving Turkey By Myrna Cox r never went outdoors to play. Instead, w? sat around the fireplace while Grandpa told us the following story: Some people say the Pilgrims feast in 1621 is known as the First Thanksgiving. Others argue it was a harvest festival instead of a day of Thanksgiving. But either way, the Pilgrims had many good reasons to celebrate. Half of them survived the winter, and they states set their own day of had produced a bumper corp. It Thanksgiving, but often the was Governor William Bradford dates were different. who ordered a' three-da- y feast Because of the efforts of Mrs. and invited the Native Ameri- Sara Joseph Hale, a magazine can Indians to help them cel- editor, Thanksgiving Day beebrate. came an annual event. She conChief Massasoit, the chief of tacted President afterpresident the Wampanoag tribe, led a pro- promoting the idea ofa national cession of 90 of his braves into Thanksgiving Day. Finally, in camp. This meant that there 1863, President Abraham Linwere twice as many Indians men coln proclaimed the last Thursas pilgrim. The group gorged on day in November as Thanksgivvenison, rabbit, fish, lobster, and ing Day. But it wasnt until 1941 miscellaneous waterfowl. Its not that Congress permanently esknown for certain if they had tablished the last Thursday of wild turkey. They also ate each November as Thanksgiv- squash, dried fruit, nuts, Indian com, cranberry sauce, without sugar, Dutch cheese, native melons and a variety of other delicious foods. For dessert they probably made a pumpkin pudding, sweetened by syrup or maybe honey. Of course there wasnt any ice cream or whipped Thanksgiving was the time of year, When Grandpa bragged and boasted, That he would kill the Turkey, to be stuffed and oven roasted. Why, he could kill the wildest bird, with his eyes closed tight. Gramps would hunt in yonder hills, And not return, till night. Oftimes the bird was tattered The meat was shredded too. But Grandpa knew his duty, And each year wed make it through. But as the years passed rapidly, Gramps eyesight did the same. Dam, we all were worried so About Grandpas dreadful aim. Well, Grandpa did go hunting, He chose to go alone, Around about midnight, or so Gramps came draggin home. Proud as proud, ole Grandpa, A gunny sack, quite brimmin, Why, we would have a dinner, With all the pie and trimmin. After Grandpa went to bed, Granny called for me and Sal, Children take a look at this, We cant serve this Spotted Owl. Jeanie S Shay Lamb of Glendale are ready for some good tasting turkey. Photo by Myrna Cox. Billie,' So, off to the midnight market Sal and I we crept. As Grandpa dreamed of Turkey meat, And snored some, as he slept. Next day the dinner was so grand, And Grandpa seemed quite, perky. He bragged to everyone who came, About this years fantastic v T R.&pCit The Best Western Thunderbird Restaurant will be open all winter from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ing Day. AtThanksgivingdinners 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 Look who turns 80! You are invited to celebrate Remember, with is us Rex Crofts 80th Birtha day to topping. One amazing fact is that Thanksgiving Day this three-da- y feast was super- count our blessings, but we day at an Open House on Saturvised by the only four surviving should also keep this day alive day, November 27, 1999 from 7 p.m., at the Orderville Senior housewives of the colony. throughout the year. Citizens Center. Refreshments, music and fun. No presents please! Your pres- always said, We will be serving a Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner with all the trimmings on Thanksgiving Day and every Sunday. 5-- Happy Thanksgiving May God bless you always ence is gift enough! Located 17 miles north of Kanab on Hwy 89 at Mt. Carmel Junction, Utah. 435-648-22- 03 |