Thanksgiving at the Quinnery meant going up to the Turkey shoot at the Carriage Barn at Oglebay and winning our turkey. Melissa and Tom, the oldest Quinns were the best shots and usually managed to bring home a turkey. One year Melissa won a radio instead.....how do you cook a radio?
It was necessary with a family of nine children to have the three youngest sit at a small table instead of the main table. So Michael, Colin, and Patty were exhiled to a tiny table on the side.
On the main table, the one decoration that was mandatory was a Fostoria glass turkey. I don't really remember going around the table saying what we were thankful for, but I do remember Thanksgiving poems or songs being performed.
In later years, my dad and the boys were down on the farm for deer season. Yuk, venison for the WHOLE WINTER....to this day, I just can't stomach venison.
There was no Macy's parade on tv and I sure don't remember anyone watching football at our house (we didn't even have a tv until 1956 or so). I think the entertainment was either outside play, ice skating at Schenk lake, sledding, or inside board games...parcheezi, monopoly, or Scrabble. I'm thankful to have grown up in a safe, fun neighborhood with a loving family.