Thanksgiving 2020: Challenging tradition

(Above) For the first time in their 21-years of business, Starboard Market owners Jen Coffman (pictured) and Katie Poole will be preparing a Thanksgiving meal for customers.  “ We have been so well supported and blessed through this crazy time that we decided we would try to do our part to help out those also wondering what to do!”  The pre-ordered Thanksgiving meal is a sellout. -Reporter photo by Marianne Gasaway.

by Marianne Gasaway

There are few things in the world more traditional than Thanksgiving.  For some, it’s the dinner—  the perfect time to bring together family members and friends. Others like to travel and take advantage of a long weekend to see far-away friends or experience something new.  And what about gathering a large group around the TV to watch football? 

The pandemic has put to rest most people’s best-laid plans for the holiday, but as we have become so accustomed to doing in 2020, people are adapting, getting creative and are willing to make some sacrifices to celebrate a very non-traditional Thanksgiving.

Take the Findley family, for example.  A month ago Cindy Findley, from Clear Lake, along with her mother and sister’s family from Mason City, all decided to quarantine themselves with a goal of gathering together for a Thanksgiving dinner.  All was going well, until the 97-year-old matriarch of the family thought better of the idea.  And together, they came up with a better idea.

This year each member will prepare their usual contribution to the meal: Cindy will smoke the turkey; her mother, Helen, will make her wild rice stuffing and frozen cranberry salad; sister Paula will supply the mashed potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie. They will exchange their contributions to the meal at noon Thursday in Helen’s driveway and at a specified time they will sit down together, via Zoom, to enjoy the feast.   Family members from across the country will also be part of the video dinner.

“It’s fun that we are not altering the menu at all.  It’s been the same Thanksgiving dinner for 35 years and it will continue.  Our biggest challenge will be to have enough plastic containers to share it all with each other,” laughed Cindy.  “On the serious side, we want to be good citizens and follow the rules and stay home.  Mom will feel more safe in 

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her own home, as we all will.”

Dinners are a sell-out

Sisters Jen and Katie, owners of Starboard Market in Clear Lake, are also having a very non-traditional Thanksgiving.  For the first time in their 21-year business history, they are offering a carry-out Thanksgiving dinner from their popular restaurant.

“Sadly, our family is unable to gather for various reasons,” explained Jen.  “My sis and I discussed that surely we are not the only local family not getting together, or in a large gathering anyway.  We have been so well supported and blessed through this crazy time that we decided we would try to do our part to help out those also wondering what to do!”

They weren’t sure what to expect, but Jen says they were “pleasantly overwhelmed” with the response.  In fact, the Thanksgiving dinners are a sellout.

“We have customers coming from Rochester, Minn., Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Ankeny, in addition to many, many local families.  We are full of gratitude for the support of our small little business.  We are so fortunate.”

After the feast

Of course, Thanksgiving isn’t all about the food.

Cliff and Laurie Sheakley will be spending part of their Thanksgiving day putting up their large Christmas light display.  The couple, who have been entertaining the community for 28 years with their lighting extravaganza, live at 408 Bedford St., Clear Lake.

Cliff and Laurie’s display features Santa’s workshop, a manger scene, Santa with his sleigh and reindeer, and many trees decorated with not only lights, but ornaments, as well.  A singing Christmas tree is the biggest hit with the kids.

Cliff’s love for decorating began when he was a child living in Algona.  His parents owned a clothing store and every year they decorated a gingerbread house at the store.

“We enjoy doing it,” said Cliff.  “This year, more than ever, kids need something to bring some joy to the holidays.  I’m happy to be doing my part.”

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