Thanksgiving Traditions
Rachel Flaherman on 24 November 2011 
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth" (1914) By Jennie A. Brownscombe
The end of November is upon us, and we all know what that means. We make the transition from the reign of the Scorpio to that of the oh-so-lovely Sagittarius, from the eleventh month of the year to the TWELFTH! State championships, flight delays, and Martha Stewart specials abound.
But before we can check November off our calendar, one more thing remains.
Thanksgiving. Or admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu.
Whichever way you prefer to look at it.
During one CSL block, I asked some upperclassmen about their Thanksgiving traditions. A few humored me with responses, which I have printed here for your daily dose of vicarious pleasure.
Each member of the Wiebe family brings a signature dish to their family gathering. Emily’s favorite is Uncle Chris’s mashed potatoes.
Rebecca Schantz’s family lets nothing go to waste. She and her sister awaken at 6am each Thanksgiving morning to join their aunt in the Los Osos kitchen where she is making pie. Rebecca and Abby use the leftover piecrust dough to craft cinnamon cookies. These confections tide them over throughout the mouthwatering day until the big meal.
Gabby Aleman’s family has a different approach to dessert. Instead of pie, she says, “My mom makes this traditional pastry. Straight up fruit and pastry. And we don’t have turkey.”
Alex Fong’s says “We make sticky rice. I don’t remember what it’s called in Chinese. Not wrapped.”
Stephan Bartz’s Thanksgiving tradition is shaped by his European heritage. In fact, his heritage is so European that he and his mother are the only members of his family who have yet made the journey across the Atlantic. They give thanks for the plentiful New World bounty by going out and meeting friends for a celebration.
Felicity Masa has a musical tradition. “We sing that song that goes, “we gather here together,” she said. “I can’t remember what it’s called.” Presumably, her family really does gather together. What an apt musical number!
Grace Filipski says the best part of her Thanksgiving is the sweet potato casserole. When I asked her what comprises a sweet potato casserole, she hesitated. “Sweet potatoes, butter…
“Love!” interjected Sydney Johnson.
“Oh, and sugar,” continued Grace, heedless of her friend’s interruption. “Brown sugar. Lots of it.”
Sydney, eager to have the final word as usual, concluded, “We have ham…lots of the time.”
Word, Sydney. Word.
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