Clarke University IA Thanksgiving Family Traditions

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

T R A D I T I O N S

Thanksgiving is : a time of gratitude to God, our Creator and Provider, whose guidance and care go before us... and whose love is with us forever.

Thanksgiving is: a time to reflect on the changes, to remember that we, too, grow and change from one season of life to another.

Thanksgiving is: a time of changing seasons, when leaves turn golden in Autumn's wake and apples are crisp in the first chill breezes of fall.

Let us remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

As we see the beauty of Autumn, let us acknowledge the many blessings which are ours... let us think of our families and friends... and let us give thanks in our hearts.

- Author Unknown

T R A D I T I O N S Catherine Dunn, BVM, President Emerita We all gather in Chicago at our nephew’s home.

We spend hours snacking and talking. The Thanksgiving meal is ALWAYS delicious!

But, the best part is that each brings a funny card for each person (about 16 people). After dinner we one by one share, out loud, cards for each person by taking turns going around the table i.e., Share the first cards all the way around the table then the second cards for each person is shared until all cards have been read. It takes a long time, but we have lots of laughter and fun!

Jayme Ironside, Development Officer Growing up, we had a family tradition that I thought everyone did. On Thanksgiving morning, we would wake up to find a cute little note, rolled up with frayed edges, and taped closed. It was always attached to a small gift like gloves, socks, lip balm etc. The note itself was the real treat, however.

Inside was a clever (or sometimes poorly rhymed) poem from “Tom Turkey,” telling the reader what a special and important person they were.

Turkey Pink, Turkey Blue Turkey Sure Loves You! T.T. As I grew older, I figured out that my mom was behind the gifts and notes.

About the same time when I’d ask friends about their turkey notes I was met with confused looks! I learned that it’s a regional and cultural tradition of German immigrants to the Quad City area. While my mom is no longer able to write notes or participate in family traditions like she once had, writing turkey notes is a way I can honor my mother and keep the memories of my childhood present while passing on that love to my own children. I hope you consider leaving a cute turkey note for your loved ones this Thanksgiving.

T R A D I T I O N S Courtney Leonard, Executive Director of Development My family’s Thanksgiving holiday consists of spending quality time together and many of our traditions are rooted in the Metro Detroit region where I grew up.

The day starts out with my mom working tirelessly to prepare a meal for our immediate family complete with an oversized turkey and a spiralsliced Honey Baked Ham (a Detroit favorite), because you know, not everyone likes turkey.

Then in the late morning, we watch America’s Thanksgiving Day parade on TV as it travels along Woodward Avenue, followed by the annual Detroit Lion’s football game. We typically begin enjoying our meal prior to the game’s conclusion, and in the off chance the Lion’s win, you can hear cheers echoing throughout the neighborhood.

Roberto Dominguez, Director of Advancement Services White noise, or what some people refer to as football, that combined with the two or three family conversations are surprisingly calming.

My overstuffed body is embraced by the sides of an overstuffed chair.

I eyeballed that chair from the get-go. It’s what I do every Thanksgiving. Many things change over the years like, ham over turkey, and the locations vary, but there is always a chair with my name on it. Sometimes it’s leather other times it may even be a vast variety of fabrics.

Regardless of the variables some traditions are always worth repeating. Nothing more than the yearly after-Thanksgiving nap.

Kaley Rigdon, Director of Alumni Relations When I think about Thanksgiving, my first thought goes to the delicious food. While the turkey may traditionally be the star of the show, I usually skip the bird and instead overfill my plate with the delicious side dishes. I’m always sure to make extra room on my plate for the underrated player…green bean casserole.

All this eating has led to my family taking the sensible approach of gathering for Thanksgiving in our pajamas and loungewear. Initially, this tradition began when my dad decided to change into his “comfy clothes” after eating one particularly indulgent Thanksgiving meal. At first, we all made jokes about him. But slowly we all came to the realization that elastic waist bands are perfect for the occasion and one by one all began changing into our comfy clothes after dinner too. The tradition stuck and now that my siblings and I have moved out of the house, we skip the wardrobe change all together and just arrive for Thanksgiving in pajamas and sweatpants. Loungewear has now been dubbed as our “Thanksgiving uniforms” and we all look forward to being able to spend a day together without the limitations of buttons and belts.

As my husband and I celebrate our first Thanksgiving and holiday season as a married couple, we are excited to establish our own traditions and look forward to building memories together. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

Sydney Tran, Administrative Assistant & Special Events Coordinator

In my family, it is tradition for elders to be the first to grab food. Next goes the children and then adults. The host is always the last person to make a plate, but no one is allowed to eat until the host sits down with their food. The rest of the evening includes playing card games and pool, watching football, and catching up with family.

T R A D I T I O N S

Angela Ventris, Development Officer For my husband Evan and me, our Thanksgiving is usually a whirlwind of activities with invitations to no less than five meals. We consider ourselves lucky to be included not only in our immediate families’ celebrations, but those of close family friends as well. Each visit has something special we look forward to the most- the glazed ham my mom makes, a walk after lunch at the Wilker farm, the best rolls ever at my sister-in-law’s, friendsgiving fun with creative renditions of traditional foods, and Oreo truffles at the Wente farm. It’s always a bit hectic but at the end of the week we’ve seen all our closest friends and family and tightened those bonds that hold us close!

Jessica Schlader, Corporate/Foundation Grants & Research Officer

Since I met my husband, Neil, we have alternated whose side of the family we feast with on the day of Thanksgiving. For the years we are with my family, they insist that Neil does the honor of preparing the turkey. He’s deep fried it and he’s slowly cooked it on charcoal while I lather it in honey. So far, no complaints either way! When everything is ready and all are accounted for, we line up to eat. My family has a tradition of lining up by age – oldest to youngest. As a kid, I used to hate being one of the last in line, but now I appreciate my view from the middle of the pack.

I think about all of the new additions that have come after me as well as family members that are no longer with us. It really helps me to see how lucky I am to get quality time with family.

T R A D I T I O N S

T R A D I T I O N S Bill Biebuyck, Vice President for Institutional Advancement Food was always plentiful and very good at our family Thanksgivings, but the meal wasn’t always the primary focal point of our celebrations.

Spending time together and enjoying a knockdown, drag out game of touch football was always the highlight for the Biebuycks.

Since we were from Detroit, our celebration always included watching the Lion’s Thanksgiving Day football game … win or lose.

Jillian Bellings, Database Analyst Since moving into our first home almost 3 years ago, my husband and I like to try to host a ‘Friendsgiving’ at some point in November. Friendsgiving guests are usually our closest friends from our Dungeons & Dragons gaming group and our cousins. Since we recently became puppy parents, we also encourage our guests to bring their ‘fur-children’ too! Our cats are not so excited for the extra company, but our little Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Dandy is thrilled!

The evening generally involves procuring lots of tasty cheeses for charcuterie boards, desserts, and bourbon or wine to accompany dinner. Sometimes our Friendsgiving entrée is simple, such as soup or pasta. Other times, we like to test our kitchen skills and make something unique! One Friendsgiving my husband made delicious serrano and blackberry glazed elk steaks that our friends still talk about to this day!

Following dinner, we entertain ourselves by chatting and playing tabletop games. Our favorite of the games being Legends of the West, Mansions of Madness, or a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. No matter the meal or the game, we always have a wonderful evening with our closest companions!