“When was your family’s first Thanksgiving?”

By

Gerry Niskern

When did your family celebrate its first Thanksgiving? Perhaps it was when they found a place to sleep or the day father got a job? Maybe it was when he collected his first pay and your family could finally send some money home.

I’m sure by now you realize I’m talking about your grandparents or even great-great- grandparents. Most people think of Thanksgiving as family, food and football.  We take it for granted, but those alien ancestors of ours didn’t.

Thanksgiving is the time to gather the family together and give thanks for what we have and remember where we came from.  Most families have stories of the their first member who settled in this land. They also have favorite foods that they serve on the big day. African-Americans might have Ijera, tiny loaves of bread that’s great for soaking up the turkey gravy. You’ll find Menudo for starters and Calotes al Horno (yams) on the Mexicans table. Perhaps you roots are Italian; then Taralli, made from your grandmother’s recipe, will be passed with the coffee.

According to my mother, her siblings a hard time explaining the traditional Thanksgiving to my grandmother who emigrated from Austria in the late 1800s. She was puzzled because, “People should give thanks every day.” Grandma  was willing to cook the meal, “But not buy turkey; we have chickens”. I’m sure there was halupkis on her table too.

America hasn’t suddenly become a multi-cultural nation. It always has been a nation of immigrants. Those ancestors of ours who poured into America in the 1800’s and early 1900 learned about Thanksgiving gradually, as well as the laws, taxes, and social mores.  They came from all over the world to work. They took the toughest jobs and were paid the lowest wages. The United States needed the cheap labor and this country changed and prospered.

However, the immigrants changed too. Whether you forefathers were European, Irish, Italian, Jewish, Black, Latino, the list goes on, they surely felt a sense of alienation. For the first time in their lives, they didn’t belong. They were the foreigners. The impact of separation from family and familiar surroundings was harsh. Every decision was crucial. It’s not surprising that many didn’t plan to stay. They wanted to work here, save and perhaps return to buy land or a business in the old country.

Many struggled to send money home too. According to Michael Barone, author of “The New Americans”,  ‘by 1914 the Italian men were sending 14 million dollars annually to their families back in Italy. Many of the men went home and stayed until they needed money again. They made the ocean journey back and forth several times; it was a routine part of their lives until they were able to bring their families over.’

A good portion of our labor pool today is made up of immigrants. Among numerous tasks, they cook and serve our food, clean our homes, cut our grass and look after our elderly parents in nursing homes. They give energy to our work force by bringing in younger, eager workers. They contribute to the system through the many forms of taxes they pay. Most jobs they perform pay low wages and provide no health care for their families.

Of course, illegal immigration is and will remain a source of tremendous concern. Our government must deal with the illegal immigrants already here who have the documentations to become citizens and then, establish the long, over due law.

Our history is an ongoing process of learning and change by many people. There is room for many voices. And as my grandmother used to say, “You should give thanks every day.”

“Thanksgiving 2017”

By

Gerry Niskern

When our kids and grandkids look back on Thanksgiving 2017, let’s hope they remember everything good about the day. Sure, they might recall overhearing the grown-ups talking about where our country is heading. We’re all asking “what will our children’s world be like in the future?” But if we do our job right, those memories will be crowded out by the smell of the bird roasting in the oven, the taste of sweet potatoes and who is favored to win the board game this year, the guys or girls?

Our Thanksgiving celebration in the United States is similar to many held around the world by other nations and ethnic groups. There have always been harvest festivals to celebrate and give thanks for the year’s crops.

Thanksgiving Day here in Arizona is a day of traditions. Grandmothers and grandfathers might serve the family a fine old-fashioned dinner, complete with dressing, gravy and homemade hot rolls that melt in your mouth.  Or the newlyweds might start a new tradition of inviting the clan to their home for barbecued turkey on the grill and a dip in their heated pool.

No matter where your family gathers, may I suggest adding a tradition. Invite at least one new family to join you. Try to make it a family who could use a warm invitation of friendship this year. Maybe they just moved here from another state; or another country and our Thanksgiving tradition is new to them.. Help them fit in by asking them to come over early and help you set up the tables or whip the potatoes.

This year, when you slip that bird into the oven think about what a great day you are going to have with your family, and maybe some new friends.   Don’t worry if you don’t have enough matching plates or cutlery. Dressing tastes just as good on a paper plate and think of  the  washing up that you save!

Let’s make sure that what the kids remember about this Thanksgiving is the sound of the family’s laughter when they argue over who actually won the game. And come to think about it, how about checking all the cell phones at the door and really enjoying the conversation of  the family members gathered around the table.

If we really listen to everyone, young and old, we might learn something new that wasn’t actually on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or UTube! Just put a basket by the front door marked “Please drop cell phones here”.

Thanksgiving Carbs. Lot’s of Them!

By

Gerry Niskern

I have just one word  for you on this Thanksgiving. Carbs. Lots of them.  Forget Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, Paleo and all the rest. Enjoy the day.

You do remember Thanksgiving, don’t you? That’s the day if one brave soul reaches for the last piece of special apple pie, he could lose a limb!

Families and friends here in the valley will bring a blend of delicious dishes for a potluck feast.   Hand me down recipes will rule.  The only disagreement is which is the best stuffing, cornbread, oyster, sausage and apple, chestnut? The list is endless.

Does your family cook serve you steaming, fresh-out-of-the oven yeast rolls, and does she keep a steady flow coming to you all during your meal? It seems to me that cooking that Thanksgiving dinner comes from within. We show our love for those gathered through the kitchen, through our food. Thanksgiving dinner is indeed comfort food. It makes you feel good because it’s flavorful and filling. Kids don’t have to learn to like it, they love it from the start. Baby’s first taste of sweet potatoes topped with a little gravy slides right down, and he won’t turn up his nose at a few tiny bites of pumpkin pie either.

Thanksgiving is not a sophisticated meal. No caviar, crepes or snails are required. Thanksgiving cooking is full of hand me down tricks. Did you know that the water from the potatoes is full of vitamins that should go into the gravy? And did you know that a dash of rosemary, a sprinkle of crushed, crispy bacon and pure cream create mashed potatoes to die for? You can cut roasting time in half by buying two smaller turkeys instead of a large one. One more thing, keep your gravy warm all day in a crockpot and make plenty so that the hearty eaters can return again and again.

Lots of smart families rule out the fine china, linens and the dressed up mode of dining. They opt for a lake or desert picnic.  It is hard to believe now, but our extended family used to pack up their turkey, mashed potatoes, and hot gravy in large thermos jugs and head for the desert. Our favorite spot was right where Moon Valley Country Club now stands. When that area became built up, we branched out to the land north of Scottsdale.  The kids rode go-carts and the dads helped them launch toy rockets and fly kites.

Our Thanksgiving celebration is one version of many held around the world by other  nations and ethnic groups. There have always been harvest festivals to celebrate and give thanks for the years crops. We’ve learned that the first official Thanksgiving in the United States was proclaimed by Abraham Lincoln on October 3, 1863, as Civil War raged in this country. During that time of turmoil the myth of the Pilgrims and Indians sitting together in harmony was comforting to the nation.  This holiday is woven into the fabric of our families, the stability of our communities and the strength of our nation.

When the family cook slips that bird into the oven, the celebration has begun. Before long the aroma of turkey roasting will remind all the family that it is more than just a day spent in the kitchen.  It’s a celebration of life with people more special than life itself.

Let’s lift a glass to all the cooks; and enjoy those carbs!