Every year on Thanksgiving Day, people across the country come together with family and friends to celebrate the many blessings that they have in their lives. Some people go all out, hosting large family events filled with feasts, parades and football. Others prefer a more subdued gathering, with Thanksgiving Day serving as both a day of gratitude and remembrance, as well as a day of rest. In recent years, a new phenomenon called “Friendsgiving” has also grown in popularity, with people celebrating the holiday with close friends instead of family.
Recently, Hendersonville Lifestyle visited with four local residents to find out how they celebrate Thanksgiving Day.
Desnéige Bourret
Executive Director, Grace Place Amplified
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
“My favorite Thanksgiving tradition growing up was my mom’s meal, especially her sweet potato pie. She made it with a real pie crust, chopped sweet potatoes, brown sugar and butter. I make it every Thanksgiving, and it’s having a little piece of my mom at the table.”
Celebrating Thanksgiving
“We start the day watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, eventually switch over to football, eat entirely too much, and spend the rest of the day doing absolutely nothing productive.”
Grateful For This Year
“This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for the people around my table, for the work God has entrusted to me, and for a life that reminds me again and again that He has been faithful through every single season.”
Andy Gilley
Director, Hendersonville Parks & Recreation
Favorite Thanksgiving tradition
“When I was growing up, my favorite tradition was sitting in the living room with my grandfather after our Thanksgiving meal, and both of us taking a nap while watching the Dallas Cowboys play on television.”
Celebrating Thanksgiving
“Every year, we try to get together for the day with any of our family who is in town. I particularly enjoy hosting at our house.”
Grateful For This Year
“This Thanksgiving I am most grateful for the improved health of my mother who has had a rough year. I am also thankful for the amazing city that we live in that supports so many of the things in which my wife Janice, our dog Willie and I are involved.”
Jeff Shannon
Radio Personality, WHIN
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
“I grew up with lots of cousins and other family members. Spending Thanksgiving Day together with everyone ending up with full bellies made the day fun. Of course, we always had to start the day by watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.”
Celebrating Thanksgiving
“Unfortunately, the days of big family get-togethers have diminished as so many of us have moved to different parts of the country. However, we are still thankful that everyone is happy and healthy this time of year.”
Grateful For This Year
“I am thankful for my wife of 30 years, for always being by my side. I am also grateful for our grown children, our two grandbabies and our little Yorkie, Prince Theodore.”
Brenda Payne
Community Volunteer
Favorite Thanksgiving Tradition
“Thanksgiving was a weeklong affair when I was young. We went to my grandparents’ home in the country and all of my father’s siblings and their families came for the week as well. It was a great reunion for us to get to play with our cousins, some of whom lived great distances.”
Celebrating Thanksgiving
“Each Thanksgiving Day, we’ve gathered all available in-laws, children, grandchildren and now great grandchildren to the midafternoon lunch. The meal begins with a prayer and a question for everyone about what they are thankful for.”
Grateful For This Year
“I am grateful for my husband, for my health, for children and grandchildren who are finding their way through life as generally responsible people and for my many friends.”