Thanksgiving Traditions

The holidays are upon us. We have seen evidence in many retailers in town. Most retailers have been decorated for Christmas even before Halloween came to pass. Soon the radio air waves will be playing holiday music 'round the clock.

The sights and aromas of the holiday season triggers many memories of family traditions. The Gray's Poultry Manager for 19 years, Louis D. Baker, dressed 3 big turkeys (weighing 96 pounds total), 2 hens, 12 fryers and 24 dozen eggs for the Gray's Thanksgiving Dinner. I would have loved to been invited to their Thanksgiving dinner. Here are some traditions shared by the Graylyn staff:


"We travel from house to house to visit with family." - Traveling from house to house in the 1930s would not have been an easy task. Most families met at one location to celebrate Thanksgiving.

"The ladies in my family wake up early on Black Friday to shop and enjoy lunch at the Village Tavern." - Why not reserve a lunch or dinner at Graylyn after shopping all day on Black Friday? Sorry, I had to mention it. :o)

"We watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." - Sorry, Graylyn will not be lit like the Griswald's.

"We start a large jigsaw puzzle after our meal for the family to complete together throughout the entire Thanksgiving weekend." - Start a family tradition with a family activity for the weekend.

"We go to my husband’s family’s for a potluck lunch, then the two of us go to a movie – usually Christmas-themed, followed by an old movie on the couch with some ice cream. To us, it’s the first day of the Christmas holiday!" - Enjoy a movie over the weekend whether in a theater or in the comforts of home.


"The family gathers to cook and spend time together." - Turn off the TV and simply spend quality time together without the distractions of the world.

"My family eats shrimp puff casserole every Thanksgiving morning while my father bastes the golden brown turkey on the charcoal grill. My mom finishes the stuffing (which took few days to prepare), prepares the homemade gravy and asparagus casserole while the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade plays in the background." - Bring out your inner child and watch the parade while preparing the Thanksgiving meal.

Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and remember those fond memories with family and friends. Share your traditions with others or create new ones with your own family. Most of all, slow down and breathe in the moments shared together.