As Thanksgiving approaches in West Columbia, food comes to mind.

It’s a great time for the family to create the meal together, and it’s the time of the year for sharing. Some like turkey, but not always.

“I’d rather have ham than turkey,” said West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton. He said ham offers some benefits that last longer than Thanksgiving day.

“You can take the ham you have left and freeze it,” said Horton. “I like to have ham sandwiches later and ham salad.”

And it’s not just the ham that Horton is partial to.

“I’ll take the ham bone I have left and make a vegeta ble soup,” he said. “When it’s getting cold, like it is now, I love vegetable soup. It’ll help keep you warm.”

Horton said he has a specific method he uses every time he cooks a ham.

“I bake it in the oven, 35 minutes for each pound the ham weighs. I put it in at 325 degrees,” Horton said.

In addition to ham, Horton said he likes traditional side dishes with the Thanksgiving meal.

“I like sweet potato souffle,” Horton said. “And I like traditional dishes, like butter beans and other vegetables at Thanksgiving.”

Horton’s wife Kay passed away in August. He said it was a custom for him and Kay to go to Chester to Kay’s uncle’s for Thanksgiving. He runs a restaurant.

“I’ll be going up to Chester again this year, too,” Horton said. And for more than just the food.

“Thanksgiving is a special day. We have so much to be thankful for in West Columbia, in the state, and in the country,” he said. “It’s also such a wonderful time to be with family and friends.”

SC State Treasurer Curtis Loftis grew up in West Columbia. His family roots run deep, and that is apparent at this time of the year. Loftis said it is a time of gathering. His brother Al Loftis owns Al’s Upstairs in West Columbia.

“I join my entire extended family at my parents’ house where we have an old fashioned, southern Thanksgiving meal,” Loftis said.

The whole Loftis family gets together for the day to spend time with each other. Loftis said all of his siblings come and bring their spouses and all the kids.

“The house will be packed,” said Loftis. And there will be lots to eat, but the Treasurer does look forward to one item.

“My favorite dish is my mother’s macaroni and cheese,” he said.

If you’d rather someone else do the cooking, Lizard’s Thicket is open 6 am - 7 pm on Thanksgiving Day.