Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. Too often today, in my opinion, it is marked only as the day before Black Friday, the kick off to Christmas sales.

I like to think of and observe Thanksgiving as a day to give thanks for the many blessings in my life. I remember when as a student in the lower grades, we colored pictures of the Pilgrims and the first “Thanksgiving.” Growing up, my family attended Thanksgiving Eve services.

My maternal grandparents hosted a dinner on the holiday but the entree was rarely turkey, usually chicken. I didn’t pay much attention to the food because it was fun being with relatives. Raising my family we joined my sisters and their families at my mother’s home where, again, it was usually chicken that was the center piece on the table.

Today, I’m blessed to be a part of the Gliem family Thanksgiving with turkey and all the trimmings shared in the warmth of a loving Christian family. I like to think of the hymn “We Gather Together to ask the Lord’s Blessing,” at this time. Then launch into “Over the River and Through the Woods to Grandmother’s House We Go.” I always did like that tune.

I remember many years ago the local grocery store gave away food baskets at Thanksgiving and Wilhelm Hardware had a live turkey drawing. Today, there are many churches and social centers hosting dinners for those who are alone or are homeless. To me, that is what our Thanksgiving holiday is about. I wish each of you a blessed and bountiful Thanksgiving.

100 years ago: November, 1915: “The turkey supply was reported to be 40 per cent short over the country but two Cardington firms, Donovan Brothers and the Peoples Store, paid over $12,000 in three days to receive and dress over 5,000 turkeys. Four refrigerator cars, three containing 15,000 pounds each of dressed turkeys and the fourth, 10,000 pounds, left for Connecticut points, two going to Hartford, one to Bridgeport and one to Waterbury. These 55,000 pounds of dressed turkeys represented considerably over 60,000 pounds live weight. The turkeys averaged around 12 pounds each and the price paid was 20 cents. It took about 100 people to handle, butcher,dress and pack the fowls and the packing houses were constantly filled with visitors attracted by the sight.”

Another case resolved by visiting Judge Mansfield was a settlement when Wm H Winand vs Fred H Huebner claimed that when Winand purchased the Huebner land in Cardington he supposed he was getting 30 acres but received only 22.

A daughter was born to Dr and Mrs.C. E. Neal and a son was born to Mr and Mrs. Lloyd Heacock.

November, 1955: The engagement of June Noble and Pvt. Floyd Hawk was announced. Both were graduates of Edison High School.

Richard Murphy was named most Valuable Player on the 1955 Cardington High School Football team. The award was sponsored by William Johnstone

Insurance Agency. Murphy was a freshmen. The award was made during an assembly when the following students presented “Wildcat Willie Carves the Turkey:” Ronnie Pine, Ella Jean Stone, Judy Mosher, Tommy Daniel, David Fisher, Judy Toomey, Ruth Fink, Mary Greenawalt, Jerry Gandee, Maeve Murphy and Harold Brown.

Evelyn Long is a correspondent with the Morrow County Sentinel and can be reached at [email protected].

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Reflections

By Evelyn Long

for the Morrow County Sentinel