Kitterman Woods would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

Each year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans gather for a day of feasting, football and family. While today’s Thanksgiving celebrations would likely be unrecognizable to attendees of the original 1621 harvest meal, it continues to be a day for Americans to come together around the table—albeit with some updates to pilgrim’s menu.

Much of what most modern Americans eat on Thanksgiving was not available in 1621. In addition to wildfowl and deer, the colonists and Wampanoag probably ate eels and shellfish, such as lobster, clams and mussels. The forest provided chestnuts, walnuts and beechnuts. They grew flint corn (multicolored Indian corn), and beans, and of pumpkins or squashes. Today, the traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes any number of dishes: turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. What is your favorite Thanksgiving dish?

However there is so much more to be thankful for than just a fabulous meal. Good health, good friends, your family, your pet. We would love to hear what you are thankful for, all of here at Kitterman Woods are thankful to have wonderful residents.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING