In 1620, approximately 100 passengers boarded a ship called the Mayflower in search of a new home. Some wanted the freedom to practice their faith freely; others were looking to own land and prosper. Whether or not they knew the difficult path they were about to navigate, they dropped anchor nearly two months later near Cape Cod and began work on a village we know as Plymouth, Mass.

Only half of them survived the first winter, and they spent most of their time living on the ship. When they moved ashore, they met a Native American named Squanto, of the Pawtuxet tribe. He taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn, catch fish and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped these new settlers form a friendship with the local Wampanoag tribe.

This group of Pilgrims and Native Americans attended America’s first Thanksgiving, in November 1621. The menu, according to historical reports, included fowl, venison and dishes made with corn from a successful first harvest. The celebration lasted three days - surely a memorable event featuring food, festivities, family and newfound friends.

We asked readers and staff members to tell us about their most unique or most memorable Thanksgiving. As was to be expected, the responses all focused on family or food. Here’s what they had to say:

MICHELE KERN,

Press columnist

“About 10 years ago, I was hosting Thanksgiving for the first time at my house. Ten guests were in attendance. I had a great menu planned and I had baked homemade pies, sweet potato casserole - all of the bells and whistles.

“When I woke up Thanksgiving morning, I had excruciating head pain. It was the migraine of the decade!

“I started preparing the bird, and then I’d have to lie down. I started peeling the sweet potatoes, then I’d have to lie down. Finally, I just couldn’t stand up anymore due to the debilitating pain. My husband and my mom had to step in and take over preparing the meal.

“I greeted the guests and then went upstairs to lie down in my bedroom.

“Meanwhile, chaos resulted downstairs as my husband and mom whipped up the meal. Everyone felt terrible that I couldn’t eat with them and that I did not feel good, but I insisted they stay and enjoy themselves.

“Periodically, I came downstairs to the dining room to check if everyone was having a good time. I certainly did not look my best but wanted to make sure the guests were taken care of.

“Everyone was super-supportive and understanding, but I owed my husband and mom immensely!”

JOIE JACKSON WENNER,

Press office manager

“What started as a funny gesture of dinner guests putting a napkin on their heads has led to an annual Thanksgiving tradition.

“Each Thanksgiving, Barbara and Dr. Charles Peters, of Upper Milford, host at least 21 family and friends for Thanksgiving dinner at their farm.

“After Charles says grace, each guest dons a festive hat that has been placed at their seat. The men and young boys wear pilgrim or Indian chief hats, while the women and young ladies wear pilgrim or Indian princess hats.

“The meal would not be complete without the hosts wearing hats that resemble turkeys to show their sense of humor.”

DEB PALMIERI,

Press editor

“Several years ago, I woke up early Thanksgiving morning, ready to stick a 20-plus-pound turkey into my oven.

“My mother was sitting in the chair next to the oven as I turned the temperature knob to 325 degrees and placed the bird inside.

“Suddenly, there was a loud noise, an explosion from inside the oven, and my mother just about fell off her chair.

“Dare I look inside? I opened the oven door and the bottom heating element was on fire. I put out the fire and the heating element just disintegrated into ashes.

“With some 15 family members coming for the holiday meal, what was I supposed to do?

“I have seen too many videos of houses burning down when a turkey is cooked in hot oil, which overflows and catches fire along with everything else in the vicinity. So hot oil was definitely not a solution to the problem.

“Suddenly, I remembered my neighbor had told me she was visiting friends for the holiday. Maybe she would let me use her oven.

“But she was a vegetarian. Would she let me put a dead bird in her oven?

“Graciously, she said yes when I asked.

“Despite the fact I had to run up and down a hill several times in order to go to her house to baste the bird, we all had a wonderful Thanksgiving...thanks to a very giving neighbor.”

Wishing you a very happy Thanksgiving, filled with memorable moments of time spent around the table with family and friends.

Kelly Lutterschmidt

editor

Catasauqua Press

Northampton Press

Whitehall-Coplay Press