On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

On Thanksgiving Day I always count my blessings. I have lots of memories of many Thanksgivings. Most of those memories began while seated at the “kid’s table.” That was the best place to eat because the parents were away from us at the big table so we could fool around a lot. I remember having lots of fun at that table. We were young and carefree.

The best part about those early memories is that the family was bigger. Grandma and Grandpa were still with us, and there were aunts, uncles and cousins jam- packed into the house. There was a distinct aroma of cigar, cigarette, and turkey filling every inch of space. There was a plate of bacala, which is dried codfish with herbs, oil and garlic. There were cans of Schlitz, Narragansett and Ballentine Ale for the adults and Cott tonic for the kids.

Of course, there was a giant bottle of Grandpa’s homemade wine. I have the last bottle left. It’s in a Ballentine Ale quart bottle. After 50 years or so, It’s either great wine or bad vinegar. Being together as a family was always the best part of Thanksgiving. Throw in the food, the football and the parades and you have a day to remember.

Here are some friends’ Somerville Thanksgiving memories:

“My favorite memories of Thanksgiving were as a majorette in High School. Especially senior year when I got to twirl two fire batons. I recall that the Thanksgiving Day game was against Waltham and then Arlington. The bus rides, the band, the football team, the boosters, the cheerleaders, was like the big finale. For years after that I would go to the Thanksgiving Day game and see former classmates and then have dinner with my family. I still feel nostalgic when I am back in Somerville and drive by Dilboy Field.”

“Thanksgiving with all the family meant fighting for the drumsticks. I remember dad having to loosen his belt. I miss my dad, nephew, aunts and uncles and daughter. They will always be with me in spirit and in my heart. I loved the leftovers and the family helping to clean up. I remember the conversations my dad and brothers had bout going hunting, playing cards, and then going outside for a little tag rush football with neighborhood kids.”

“My favorite memory is of my Grandfather William Matthew Winn Sr. and how he would make sure everything was in order for the holidays. He was the rock of our family. We never had a Thanksgiving without everyone in the family being there, and all of us had to be seated at the dinner table, no questions asked! He believed in the old school way as opposed to the way families eat in separate rooms nowadays. He was also very big on enforcing table edicts and we could not touch a crumb of food until we all went around the table saying what we were thankful for. Then, of course, giving thanks to our Lord for blessing us with Nana’s yummy food which she stayed up cooking since the morning prior to Thanksgiving just so she could see those smiles on our faces. After dinner we would all gather in the parlor for some good old football while nodding off because we all ate too much, but still somehow finding room in our bellies for Nana’s homemade Hot Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream on top! Those were the good old days and I truly do miss those times we all shared together. I especially miss my Papa, the greatest man you could ever know or meet! Things just haven’t been the same since you went away!”

A friend tells me, “We’d have appetizers consisting of shrimp cocktail, scallops, and cheese and crackers. My mom would make a meat stuffing. She told me it was Greek stuffing. Enjoyed the turkey. Relatives would come over for coffee and dessert. I have fond memories of the Jubilee Roll Ice Cream from Friendly’s.”

“We had no fancy dining room, all of us were squeezed into the kitchen. Kids sat at a folding table at the end of the kitchen table. The ‘relish tray’ made its yearly appearance with celery and olives all neatly presented. Appetizers were chips, dip, and corn curls. Apple cider was the drink of the day and the house smelled of turkey, turnip, and canned vegetables. Dad always made us laugh as he would be first in line to eat the Flintstone sized turkey leg. It was a wonderful time. Wonderful memories.”

My friend, who shall remain nameless, chimes in with the next gem. “[Thanksgiving was] so much good food with my family and Aunt Rosie’s family who lived next door! I hated doing all those freaking dishes. I’m 56 years old and now cooking and still doing the dishes. What’s up with that?”

I remember more than one year when we had to run down to the Quick Shop because we needed more butter. By the way, the Quick Shop turned into the Store 24 and is now Tedeschi’s.

Remember to look around the table and be thankful for your friends and family. As Carly Simon said in song, “these are the good old days.” Don’t forget to help with the dishes! Happy Thanksgiving!

Mark your calendar for the big Holiday in The ‘Ville show at The Somerville Theatre on Saturday, November 26. Tickets are available at the Somerville Theatre box office or by calling Rick Saunders, music director for Somerville schools, at 617-625-660 extension 6143.