How was your Thanksgiving? Ours was a good one with members of our family gathering. It was a time for being thankful for our many blessings, family and friends.

Whether you grabbed an interesting book, took a walk or a nap, it was a day of celebration.

This year our grandson-in-law, Joe Ellis, planned the menu and cooked it all! We were told to stay out of the kitchen. He marinated the turkey and added many seasonings to enhance the flavor. Our sides were green beans, black eyed peas, delicious collards, potatoes au gratin and biscuits. For dessert there was Derby pie and Joe’s tiramisu. It was different from my usual menu, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I did not have to do anything but make deviled eggs.

Some shopping, long walks and board games rounded out a fun holiday for all.

Christmas decorations are everywhere. Many homes and stores changed seasons even before Thanksgiving. It is such a special time of year, and people want to celebrate it longer.

Ann Bull reports:

“This Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the River Bluff High School choral program is having a vendor fair. The fair will feature live music, pictures with Santa, homemade gifts, and beauty and fashion items. All proceeds will go to support the River Bluff choral program. From noon to 1 p.m. you may bring pets for pictures with Santa. The fair will be held at River Bluff High School at 320 Corley Mill Road.”

Carol Davis tells us it is time for our Christmas Wreaths Across America program:

“In 2016, Wreaths Across America and our national network of volunteers laid over 1,204,000 memorial wreaths at nearly 1,200 locations in the United States and beyond. We accomplished this with help from over 2,800 hands. Our annual pilgrimage for Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery is known as the world’s largest veteran’s parade, stopping at schools, monuments, veteran’s homes and communities all along the way to remind people how important it is to remember, honor and teach.”

“We welcome all to join us at any Wreaths Across America ceremony. If you would like to participate or help, bring sponsored wreaths to your local community, please contact us and we will help connect you with other groups already working in your area.”

Happy Birthday: Karson Corley, Danny Quinton, Wayne Brazell, Nancy Lipske, Helen Elliott, Linda Brown, Jenna Fields, Rebecca Rabem, Laraine Slice, Stanette Brown, Janette Shealy, Mason McInnis, Mary Hellman-Westberry, Tommy Faulk, Deon Fink, Carter Harmon, Cathey Klimek, Bill Juhl, Harmon Petrusick, Sandra Shealy, Meadow Wessinger and Bryce Windham.