Thanksgiving traditions are something almost every family has. And in some families, unique recipes are something that is in the traditions too. I asked the majority of the staff and teachers at GWHS what their family traditions/recipes were. Just to get a look into others lives and how unique other families can be. Because every family is different and special and even if some traditions are similar. No tradition is the same.

Marla Bell (GWHS Art Teacher)

“We have recently added a new tradition to our family Thanksgiving (as of last year). We decided to have “thrifty Thanksgiving dinner”. We look around at local thrift stores for vintage clothing and wear dresses, suits or anything that looks vintage for our dinner. It adds some humor to our long day of endless cooking.”

Davina Agee

“I am actually starting a new tradition this year. I usually spend Thanksgiving with my husband’s family. He has a pretty large family. We generally gather at their family farm, which is central for his family members that are spread out over Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. We often have extra guests and/or friends who will come and attend the dinner. So, I have purchased a tablecloth for our Thanksgiving table and I am going to have each person write their name and the year on the tablecloth, with a sharpie. I will continue to use this tablecloth in the coming years so that we can look back and see how many different (or the same) people have come to our Thanksgiving dinner.”

Samantha Hicks (GWHS 9 and 10th Grade Counselor)

“I Black Friday shop and probably have the unpopular opinion but I grew up shopping from Thanksgiving evening until late Friday. I miss it now that most stores actually close for Thanksgiving. I still go Black Friday shopping though! Growing up the tradition was going to get the Register Herald from Beckley and mapping out our Thanksgiving day plans between dinners. Now that I have kids of my own it is a little different, but I’ve taken them shopping with me before too! We usually try to watch the Macys parade on tv.”

“Grape salad is a staple for us!”
Recipe:
Ingredients
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 pounds seedless red grapes
2 pounds seedless green grapes
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons chopped pecans
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Directions
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar and vanilla until blended. Add grapes and toss to coat.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pecans just before serving.

Robin McQuain(GWHS English Teacher)
“Moms Pumpkin Pie”
Recipe:
1 refrigerated or frozen pie crust in pie pan
1 -1/2 cups cooked pumpkin
½ tsp salt
1 Cup sugar
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ginger
2 eggs
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put pumpkin, salt, sugar, spices, eggs, and milk in blender and blend until
smooth. Pour into pie crust.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.