Page 5 - The Wayne Dispatch

Is the pandemic changing how we celebrate

By Carolyn Marnon I’d listen to them all year long if my will consist of my husband, my sons,
Thanksgiving is a time to count wife didn’t put her foot down.” Din- grandbaby, my daughter, son-in-law
your blessings and give thanks for all ner is usually served around 3-4:00 and myself.” Cyndi will only be with
you have. We wanted to find out what p.m. “Traditionally, we have not al- her family members that she is with
local community members were lowed football at Thanksgiving as we everyday because she doesn’t want to
thankful for this year and whether aren’t huge sports fans. However, my take any chances with the virus.
the COVID-19 pandemic had son-in-law broke that tradition. He’s Eric Pohl will most likely go to his
changed how they planned to cele- a football fanatic, and we now enjoy aunt’s in Plymouth for the traditional
brate Thanksgiving. watching the games together. It’s the turkey dinner. “Might be 8-15 of us
Leslie Holland, a Wayne resident, start of a big weekend for us as we there, depends on who shows up. I’ll
has already told her family she will kick off Christmas. On Friday or Sat- most likely make my famous baked
not be doing Thanksgiving this year. urday, we go to a Christmas tree beans. Trick is to only use the Sweet
In the past, it has been a big family farm near Monroe to cut down our Baby Ray’s BBQ sauce; anything else
event at her house. “My mother is 99 trees.” is wrong.”
years old…not taking chances, and Mary Blaxton, a long-time Wayne Mallory Mack has family that
everyone seems alright with it.” resident, plans to do something to lives in Wayne. “I am just cooking a
Leslie plans to get a small turkey and “pay it forward.” “For three years, I small turkey dinner for my husband
have her mom over for dinner. worked with a few other women and dogs. Some of my family is get-
Tim Butler plans to do everything to), homemade dinner rolls, corn, helping the homeless in Wayne. My ting together for a bigger celebration,
the same this year as he has done in green beans, and cranberry sauce. husband and I like to pick a family but I am not comfortable with large
previous years. He has 6 children Sometimes we will have sweet pota- in a restaurant and pay their bill. I gatherings without masks or social
and a grandson. Those children who toes or a squash. Dessert is a cheese- have always paid it forward. I love distancing, and cooler weather
don’t celebrate at their in-laws will cake, which is my big contribution to this city!” makes outside parties impossible. I
come to his home in Wayne. “That the meal, as well as pumpkin pie.” Cyndi Jones-White grew up in have high-risk family members I
puts the count at a dozen if everyone Tim does online Christmas shopping Westland. She is now battling lung have to think about.” She plans to
shows up,” he says. “Our menu is while watching the parade. “After the and brain cancer while also caring share some turkey with her dogs and
traditional - a turkey (around 25 parade, it’s the official start of the for her grandbaby several days a cats. “I am not sure if there is any pa-
pounds), stuffing (my wife’s family Christmas season as carols are al- week who also had a lot of health is-
recipe that everyone looks forward lowed in the house for the first time. sues. “Thanksgiving at our house See Celebrate, page 12

The Wayne Dispatch · November 2020 · 5