Gobble up on these Roswell traditions

Sylvia Nelson, Staff Writer

As families bring out the crispy, golden brown, perfectly-baked fat turkeys and grandmother’s famous pumpkin pie with aunt’s iconic green beans, some people in our Roswell community are celebrating their Thanksgivings differently.

Senior Maxine Klein hosts her family and neighbors at her house while each of them bring a special dish to the table to share their favorite dishes for a big meal. She says that it’s “one of her favorite holiday traditions”. Others said that they go to their families’ houses, either their grandparents or other relatives to enjoy the holiday. Senior Jordan Thorne goes to her grandma’s house in the morning with her family while later her cousins, aunts and uncles all come over to help her and her family cook Thanksgiving dinner together as a family. Junior Tai Crisco and his family stay at home and they all bake pies and, later that night, eat them while watching Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving. Another student, senior Bridget Frame, and her family get up early and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Lots of Roswell students have shared that they visit family all over. For myself, most Thanksgivings are simple and filling, if you know what I mean. My family and I usually go to my Great Aunt’s house with all my cousins, aunts and uncles. We usually sit around chatting and catching up, then start to eat the wonderful Thanksgiving dinner that we have prepared after that. One of my favorite traditions to do after dinner with my oldest cousins is to sit in the living room while flipping through magazines and newspapers to find the best Black Friday deals. Thanksgiving is a time not just for turkey and mashed potatoes, but for being with loved ones and being thankful for the life you have. Senior Mary Grace Purcer said that for this Thanksgiving her sisters are all coming down to Georgia for the week and then they will go to their grandparents house in South Georgia and celebrate Thanksgiving dinner there. Later that night they watch Christmas movies to start the holiday season off. 

Among the many classic traditions of the big Thanksgiving dinner and families being together, some kids in the community are unable to participate in these events. Some students give up their Thanksgiving holiday and go to soup kitchens as well as warming centers to donate items, such as hams, turkeys, green beans, potatoes and sweet potatoes. They then will help the other volunteers by cooking the turkey, making stuffing and mashing potatoes. The students that help out in the shelters are proving a lovely and memorable dinner for the families who get to come in and enjoy the holiday with a full belly and warm roof for the night. No matter if you are sitting down at a big table filled with delicious plates or giving someone a friendly smile while serving them a plate, you are celebrating the true meaning of Thanksgiving by giving back to your community and being surrounded by people who love you.

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