I am asking you to join me in this effort. I’ll leave it up to you to determine which person, Trump or Clinton, is the turkey versus the deep fryer.
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When the pilgrims first landed in Plymouth Rock in 1620, they all agreed to form a contract that became known as the “Mayflower Compact”. By the fall of 1621, they had lost 46 of the original 102 who sailed on the Mayflower. “I recognize it as a chance for my family to come together as survivors, pretty much in defiance”.
It seems like we always had a good time together – just laughing and picking at one another and telling stories on one another about the past.
The festivities went on for three days, according to primary accounts. Having differences of opinion is one thing, but this went well beyond that. This is a celebration of togetherness and focuses on the act of being thankful for everything we have.
As we settle in to eat our turkey and watch football games on televisions in our climate-controlled homes, are we as grateful as those Pilgrims in their drafty cabins lit only by candles and perhaps a fireplace?
Other forbidden words and phrases include “nasty woman”, “WikiLeaks”, “emails”, “crooked”, and “drain the swamp”, unless you actually live near a swamp that needs to be drained. As the transformation from apple to turkey took place and more than a few marshmallows and cereal rings were harmed in the process some students shared their thoughts about the first Thanksgiving. They had cranberries but no sugar. They probably had some fruits and corn. Pumpkin or sweet potato pie?
The history of this festival dates back to 1621 celebration at the Plymouth Plantation. For the past 416 years, we’ve stayed true to the real meaning of Thanksgiving: being thankful and eating delicious food. Sarah Josepha Hale chose to promote Thanksgiving in her magazine, the Boston Ladies Magazine and in Godey’s Lady’s Book. Finally, President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 and set aside the last Thursday of November as a national holiday. Over the years, even that has changed, with retailers opening earlier and earlier, until stores began opening on Thanksgiving Day itself. Look not at those who have more – look at how much you do have.
Last month an envelope came in the mail for my wife.
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Azalea R. Bolton is a resident of Richmond County, member of the Story Spinners of Laurinburg, and member of the Historical Society of Richmond and Anson counties. She had sent in the documentation of confirmation and had gifted a membership to my wife and her other children. They take material comfort, the ability to earn a living and support one’s family and the political and economic freedoms enshrined in our U.S. Constitution and the American way of life as a given. O’Fallon’s local charities and non-profit groups work hard throughout the year to provide programs and services for those less fortunate, and it is through the dedication of these groups and the community’s generosity that numerous families in O’Fallon will experience a happy and peaceful holiday season.
