Individuals gathered at the Progressive Women's Association to prepare food baskets for Thanksgiving for individuals in the area. Expressions of Love, a nonprofit organization in the area supplied the turkeys for the baskets.

 

Expressions of Love volunteers can be found on Main Street in Bridgeport most Saturday mornings frying frittis to supplement their budget. A host of volunteers work together to help this organization continue to assist individuals.

 

Judy Bonamico, president, and Aubrey Morrison delivered the turkeys to the PWA. PWA Director Elinda Carson worked with Melissa Goodwin to identify individuals who needed a basket to prepare their holiday dinner. Other groups and individuals donated products to compliment the turkey dinner. The PWA will deliver the baskets prior to Thanksgiving.

 

The PWA operates a food pantry from the Uptown Event Center in downtown Clarksburg. The pantry is open on Thursday and Friday. The generosity of local businesses and individuals helps maintain food for weekly dispensing. Grants also help to keep the pantry stocked. The PWA also maintains a food pantry for pets. For information contact Elinda Carson at 304-624-6881.

 

We all know that now is the time to start getting ready for preparing our Thanksgiving dinner. I challenged you to get back to basics. When talking to individuals it is not those special dishes they remember but that brown turkey coming out of the oven with the smell of dressing, those mounds of hot mashed potatoes topped with gravy, green beans with that good country seasoning, sweet potatoes topped with marshmallows, and a nice slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream.

 

This is the basic meal and when we start adding special dishes, we only add more work. Many of us have that special family dish that grandma always prepared and brings back memories. But do not get carried away and add Aunt Mary’s special salad and cousin Betty’s different potato dishes and the list can go on and on. Remember, these bellies of ours can only hold so much.

 

Best of all, mamma will not be exhausted to be able to enjoy everyone. How about this? Start leftover Sunday dinner and finish the turkey and add a few of those special dishes. Just a note: If you really want those special dishes let someone bring a covered dish. I don’t know about you, but I can taste those sweet potatoes already. Enjoy the holiday and be thankful for all we have to be thankful for.

 

Be sure to get your order in for your pita piata. The PWA is making a limited number and remember they are on a Fiesta plate. It’s a wonderful gift for $10. Call 304-624-6881 to place your order.

 

Take care, enjoy your family and friends and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

 

Editor’s Note:Pictured, from left, Betty Waddy, President PWA; Aubrey Morrison, member of Expressions of Love; Judy Bonamico, President Expressions of Love; Ruby Oldaker, PWA Executive member; Melissa Goodwin, Palace on Main representative; and Rosalyn Queen, PWA Treasurer, are shown preparing Thanksgiving baskets for individuals in the area who have already been identified.