Out and About – Week of November 4th

Welcome to the month of November. We have a lot to celebrate this month. We started out by setting our clocks back one hour early Sunday. I was thankful for that extra hour of sleep. Election Day is Tuesday. We all had the honor and privilege of casting our vote for those individuals who will lead our government in one way or another. On Sunday, November 10, we celebrate the birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines will be 249 years old. SEMPER FI and OOOOH-RAH. Monday, November 11 is Veterans Day. We celebrate the signing of the Armistice in 1918, which brought an end to World War I. On Thursday, November 21, 1983, the Grenada Campaign ended. Finally on Thursday, November 28, we gather with friends and family to celebrate Thanksgiving. Whether you want to believe it or not, we all have plenty to be thankful for.

While on the subject of one of my favorite holidays, I’d like to share a few Thanksgiving traditions and rituals. We all celebrate Thanksgiving in different ways. To me it remains a way to express gratitude for the harvest, for family, and to a higher power. Others celebrate it as a way to be united as a family and sharing in a special meal. A bountiful feast featuring turkey has become the traditional meal for over 90% of Americans. However, at one time, turkey was a rare treat. During the 1830s, an 8 to 10 pound bird cost a day’s wages.

Other traditions in the United States include volunteering for those less fortunate by donating food or time to homeless shelters or those in need. I’ve helped serve a Thanksgiving dinner at a shelter in Grand Rapids. I shared in that dinner and the food seemed to taste just a little better.

I’ve mentioned in the past that it would be a good idea to ask that elderly neighbor, who lives alone, to join you at your Thanksgiving table. It would make that time together even more memorable.

It’s costing more and more these days to enjoy a meal out. I remember when back in the early sixties you could get a McDonald’s hamburger for fifteen cents, but we had to go to Kalamazoo to get one. Back then you could only get a burger, fries, milkshake or coke. The menu was small compared to what you can get today. Today, a McDonald’s hamburger will cost $1.99 in Oklahoma City, $3.19 in Kona, Hawaii, or $2.93 in Paris, France. Oh yes, if you wanted a McDonald’s burger, you had to have it to go, because there wasn’t any seating inside. Those were the days.

See you Out and About!

Submitted by Norm Stutesman