Instead of falling asleep after overstuffing oneself with turkey and all the trimmings, there are a number of games people can play to wake even the laziest sleeper. Start conversations by asking questions or sharing memories from the past. Beware, it may be hazardous to your day. Everybody will forget what time it is and forget to go home.
I was named after ____ because ____. I wanted to grow up to be a ____. My parents told me I was a ____ baby. My favorite holiday is ____ because ____. I am the most thankful for ____. My favorite food I look forward to having at Thanksgiving is ____. My favorite pie is ____. I crave ____. I remember my parents as being ____. I also remember my grandparents as being ____. I remember my siblings as being _____. The one person I look forward to seeing over the holidays is ____. The troublemaker of the family was ____. My biggest surprise ever was ____. I am happiest when ____. Something I hope you like about me is ____. My favorite thing about someone at this table is ____. I am most at peace when ____. Our family’s claim to fame is ____. My biggest hope is that ____. My first home away from my parents home was ____. My first pet was ____. My favorite toy was ____. My first kiss was ____. My first crush was on _____. My first date was with ____ at ____. I met my mate when ____. My favorite wedding memory is ____. My first car was ____ and it cost ____. One time I got scared when ____. I'll always regret ____. One time I got in hot water when _____. My chores growing up were ____. My favorite activities at school were ____. My favorite book is ____. The first President I remember was _____. My first job was ____. A famous person who made the biggest impression on me was ____. If I could marry a celebrity, it would be ____. Once I was embarrassed when ____. My first music player was a ____ and I liked to listen to ___ on it. My favorite singer today is ____. My favorite movie is ____. My religion is ____ because ____. The historical moment I remember best is ____. Something I wish was still sold in stores is ____. Politically, I consider myself a ____. My beliefs once changed when ____. Once I won a contest when ____. I am superstitious about _____. A secret I wish I hadn't kept is ____. My proudest moment was ____. I am secretly proud that I can ____. I think my best feature is my ____.
Thanksgiving at Grandma’s was always something else. If there was family who couldn't get home for the holiday, and especially true when the guys were in the service, the paper tablecloth became a nostalgic message of sorts. Everyone wrote a little or a lot at the spot they sat. It might be as little as, "This is cranberries I spilled and didn't eat" or, "You ought to see so-and-so's plate. You'd think he hadn't eaten for a year." Of course the littlest hands were traced around and probably adorned with rings and fingernails, polished green or purple. Always, greetings of love and missing you were included. The table cloth was folded up, crumbs and all, including the wish bone and sent by "snail mail" the next day.
Sometimes, there was a discussion over who was going to receive the massive letter. A few times it had to be split or its contents rewritten in a regular letter.
There was the year cousin Bruce made the coffee server "talk" and brought on rolls of laughter. The table was generally cleared just to make space for games like pig, old maid, hearts or 500. Often you could be attacked by cowboys and Indians hiding under the table. Many games of hangman were enjoyed on the blackboard too.
Back in the early years, Kenny and Snookie rendered endearing music on the player piano. If there was snow, any amount of fun was had playing fox and geese or taking part in snowball fights.
Somehow, Thanksgiving has changed over the years, but endearing memories always make one’s family feel close.
It is well to remember the first Thanksgiving and pay honor to the many years that have passed, but the real Thanksgiving shall be in the thanks we give today for what we have and hope for. Isn't that what Thanksgiving is really all about?
Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented that they like to read about the local happenings and family events such as family and school reunions, birthday and anniversary celebrations, and birth and wedding announcements.
In order to read about these important things, we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us, so we can then pass along the news to you. If you have news to share, please contact me.
Also, if our NRHEG Star Eagle readers would like to share birthdays and anniversaries of your family and friends, or you know of some that should be deleted, or names have changed, please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.
• Thursday, November 24th: Happy Thanksgiving Day! Blaine Boverhuis, Bud Carroll, Deb Peterson Schmidt, Bea Bunn, Ellen Pearl LaFave, Heather Snow, Lisa Hunnicutt Vreeman, Bob Hanson, Rita Glynn, Abraham Ladlie, Kyle Layland, Scott & Lisa Rietsema.
• Friday, November 25th: Scott Groth, Calista Lerum, Randy Born, Mitchel Hill, Joel Langlie, Brian Vogt, Gideon Jude Long, Daryl & Kathy Paulsen, Ken & Iva Sletten.
• Saturday, November 26th: Darlene Krohnberg, Cody Christensen, Robert Gasner, Linda Stieglbauer, Drew Vangen, Ashley Bergerson, Al & Diane Lee, Jamie & Kate Cameron, Brian & Heather Schember.
• Sunday, November 27th: Kyle Goslee, Olivia Rae Kohn, her 4th; Paul Kasper, Cyrstal Spurr, Mike Draayer, Lorna Berg, Sandra Tonsing.
• Monday, November 28th: Quinn Lauren Wayne, her first; Vicki Peterson, Jackie & Scott Miller.
• Tuesday, November 29th: Connie Smith, Dean Peterson, Emily Butler, La Vonna Ruhl, Christy & Tim Berry, Pastor Carrie & Dan McElfresh.
• Wednesday, November 30th: Dan Mrotz, Lindsey Hagen, Lindsey Schlaak, Sophia Jepson, Eric Knudson, Norell Wood, Kellen Utpadel, David & Lizell Swearingen, Arnold & Dorothy Lund, Andy & Emily Butler.
Wishing you quiet moments of beauty on your special day!
