My recollection of my best Thanksgiving goes back many, many years; in fact back to the 1940s and ’50s. My family and relatives always gathered at my grandparents’ farm around a large table.

However, before I got to the meal, there was always a group of teenagers that went to the Nazareth vs. Wilson football game in the morning.

After bearing the freezing cold concrete grandstand in Cottingham Stadium in Easton, we rushed home to enjoy the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. (Drumsticks and cranberry sauce are my favorite.) After the blessing by “Pop” our grandfather, we ate between “passing the potatoes and vegetables.”

Then it was off to the afternoon “turkey day” game between Bangor and Pen Argyl (my alma mater). Again, regardless who won, we braved the elements because we knew we could return to the table that was transformed into a “dessert table” of pumpkin, apple, cherry etc. pies and an occasional fruitcake.

The next best part was gathering with relatives, some who traveled far in spite of the weather (many installed chains on the wheels) and hearing exciting news and meeting an occasional “newborn” in the family.

Thanksgiving was indeed a special day of the year in our family, and I am truly blessed to be able to recall such memories now at 86 years of age!

Sincerely,

Richard M. Gross

Lehighton