Thanksgiving plans
County seniors share what they'll do on Turkey Day
By Susan Nienow CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Bill, Opie and Sue Lindsay make preparations for the family's Thanksgiving feast.

Whether it is the turkey and gravy or the day off, Thanksgiving is special for most people. For some, tradition is what is important. For others, change becomes the tradition.

When asked what she will be doing for Thanksgiving, Midlothian resident Peggy Stevens said breezily, "I don't know yet. I usually go to my cousin's in Norfolk, but I may go to the [Professional] Singles' dinner."

Stevens will take her vinegar pie - similar to chess pie - no matter where she goes. If she misses the Singles' party, there is an after Thanksgiving party on Friday.

Stevens uses Thanksgiving time off to put up her Christmas tree and in the past has gotten up at 4 a.m. the day after to do her Christmas shopping. "I was finished and home by 10 a.m.," she said. Now, she starts shopping for the next year the day after Christmas.

At home

For the Lindsay family in Midlothian, Thanksgiving is all about family. "It's my favorite holiday. There's no pressure, no stress. We watch some football and chat with family. There's all the positive and none of the negative. It's a chance to catch up with relatives," said Sue.

Both she and husband Opie are looking forward to her college student son Bob and his fiancé Tina coming home. Their other son Bill is picking up some extra classes and living at home, having graduated from college last year.

But the Lindsay's Thanksgiving isn't limited to just family. Sue loves to cook and thinks everybody should be with somebody on this special day so she has invited a friend and her daughter and boyfriend as well as another divorced friend so they won't be alone. "I'm even making a potato recipe that is a tradition for someone else," she laughed.

Ken Pember, also of Midlothian, is looking forward to a big family weekend with his son and daughter, their spouses and his four grandchildren. Ken's wife Susan is a new grandmother. If her daughter, son-inlaw and the baby are feeling up to it, they will be joining the crew for a Thanksgiving dinner.

On the road

Woodlake residents Jacquie and Dick Hamilton are just traveling to Stafford County to see their daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters, but it's a lot better than when the family lived in London. "Then, we just went for Christmases," Jacquie said. They are enjoying their 6- and 8-year-old granddaughters as long as they can, because "they won't be little forever."

When asked about traditions, Jacquie said when she was growing up there was always sweet potato pie put in half orange shells with marshmallows on top, a tradition she continued. "I scalloped the edges, and they were pretty. We used the oranges to make ambrosia. My grandmother, my mother and I all did it." When asked if her daughter continued this tradition, she laughed and said "no," that her daughter probably didn't have enough time.

Entertaining the family

Moseley resident Linda Staples lives in the country with her husband and two horses. She is looking forward to having 22-28 people for dinner on Thanksgiving, including her daughter and two grandchildren. "I make a ham and two turkeys, and everybody brings sides," she laughed as she continued, "You can never have enough food."

Her husband was one of five children, and she has two sisters. The extended family all live in the area with their children except for one of the Staples' daughters who lives in Montreal, Canada. One of the family's traditions is to put the tree up before everyone arrives.

Staples uses the dining room table, family room table and three card tables to feed everyone. The sofa and chairs work for any of the leftovers. In her unflappable way, she observed, "It all works out."

A day of eating, football, family games and chats, Thanksgiving is a peaceful holiday - the perfect time to rest and give thanks. The day after Thanksgiving is the official beginning of the Christmas season and the biggest retail day of the year. So enjoy your turkey and shine up your credit cards.