Above / My first memories of Thanksgiving were in my grandparents’ dining room on their farm in Battle Ground, Ind. Back then I had five cousins—four who joined me at the kids’ table and one in Aunt Marjorie’s lap. By the time I was in high school, my two younger brothers and I had 22 first cousins on the Mitchell side and our Mitchell family Thanksgiving celebrations had moved to a local campground. (Mitchell Family Photo)
My dad and four of my uncles seated around the table all served in the military during World War II or the Korean War. Uncle Don, age 96, (third from left) served in the Army and will observe Veterans Day on Nov. 11, 2019.
For as many years as I can remember, November has been my favorite month.
Taking a few moments to pause and reflect on Veterans Day at 11AM on Nov. 11 became more meaningful after I understood my dad’s service as a Navy Seabee in World War II, something he rarely mentioned when I was a kid.
Whether Muncie, Ind., Murray, Ken., Mount Rushmore, New York City or Chatham, N.J., and now Naperville, the places I’ve called home always have been steeped in patriotic traditions where American flags fly freely and proudly every day. Thanks to my dad, I cherish liberty and justice for all with economic freedom to do what comes naturally, aiming to improve my well-being and my family’s, and that of all others, too.
Let there be peace and thankfulness
When I read Scott Itter’s column this month, my thoughts of music to complement Thanksgiving beverages brought back childhood memories of “Over the River and Through the Wood” and lemonade. My early Thanksgivings truly did include going over the Wabash River to Grandma Mitchell’s house in Battle Ground, Ind. Whenever we arrived near the bridge at N. 9th Street, my mother would lead us in song. Minutes later when we arrived at the farmhouse where turkey and all the trimmings were waiting to be served, the drink of choice for us grandchildren was lemonade, a special treat for a special day.
“Let there be peace on Earth” is another song I thank my mother for teaching me in my youth.
By contrast, Adam Sandler’s “Thanksgiving Song” came to my mind, but I’d never publish that as my first choice of cheers for the holidays. Yet, I do appreciate Adam Sandler’s witty nature as he’s one of a handful of comedians I enjoy these days.
I am blessed, nonetheless, with funny, kind and entertaining friends with wonderful senses of humor!
And I’m grateful Grandma Mitchell had many of those collector plates with silly and inspirational sayings hanging in the kitchen in her farmhouse.
I don’t recall now if it were written on a plate or if she just said it, but I credit her with telling me, “A friend is someone who knows all about you and loves you just the same.”
And my folks espoused a popular philosophy that I was lucky if I could count my friends on one hand.
These days, of course, folks on social media count their friends by the hundreds, thousands, even millions! Go figure.
I found myself sitting with a cherished friend recently, longing for the days when folks could sit around the table for in depth conversations, listening and learning from history, seeking solutions with spirited debate, and sometimes disagreeing; yet, always walking away friends.
These days all too often we hear about friends “defriending” each other. Some might say the internet has given new meaning to “friend.”
Evening with Herb Alpert and Lani Hall and thoughts of friends
Last month my husband and I went to see Herb Alpert and Lani Hall at North Central College. Oh, my! What a great show! At 84, Alpert’s still an engaging, enthusiastic entertainer. He’s put together a brilliant 100-minute nonstop trip down Memory Lane that enlightened the audience about his 45-year marriage as well as other friendships with Burt Bacharach, Hal David, Carol King, the Carpenters and Sergio Mendez via A&M Records; complete with old photos and vibrant images of his paintings and sculptures. Oh, the advances of technology! And right here in River City!
Afterward, I found myself reflecting on the visioning and imagining that went into years of planning that state-of-the-art Wentz Concert Hall at the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center, a place that now provides a stage for many varieties of entertainment and education.
Then I flashed to more recent planning for Naper Settlement, the Riverwalk, Fifth Avenue and other community assets. And plans to rebuild the Washington Street Bridge will surface soon, too.
And I’m mindful to sign off with gratitude for everyone who signed on to serve our boards, commissions, foundations and public bodies to keep this city moving forward. If history is our teacher, we’ll get there.
Celebrate safely. Happy Thanksgiving!
—Stephanie Penick, PN Publisher
