Thanksgiving week has special memories for me. It was an exciting time around our house. The expectation of the family coming in to visit and the beginning of the hunting season made it a time of preparation for all that was about to happen. There was always a grand feast being prepared for Thanksgiving Day. Mama Wall and my mother were busy preparing the menu and gathering the necessary groceries for the meal. Cakes, pies, and a sundry of desserts were being cooked in advance of the special day. Sleeping arrangements were being made ready for those staying over the weekend. One of the things that we were thankful for was the large house we lived in to accommodate the crowds that came to visit Mama Wall. There were fourteen children that Mama raised and helped raise; Nine that she gave birth to and five that Papa Wall had when they married. And the old house in Graceville was always home to all of them.
Some of the food that we usually had was Cakes (Pound, Lane, Caramel, Chocolate, Coconut, etc.); Pies (Pecan, Chocolate and Lemon Marang, Coconut, Egg Custard, etc.); Vegetables (Corn, Peas, Butter Beans, Turnip Greens, Collards, etc.) Bread (Biscuits and Corn-Pone Bread) and Meat (Turkey and Ham) as well as turkey Dressing, casseroles, and plenty of sweet tea. Preparing all of this took time and the baked goods were always cooked in advance.
Thanksgiving Day was always a busy day, the menfolk would rise early and go hunting squirrels before daybreak. The birddogs would be loaded and kept in the trunk of the car. As soon as the sun was up good and the squirrels had stopped moving about, the dogs were let out of the car and Quail hunting began. The hunt usually lasted until mid-morning, but the hunters were always conscious of the time to be back home in time for the Thanksgiving feast. The womenfolk always had a very busy time, laboring to prepare the meals of the day. You see, they fed the hunters breakfast before they left to hunt. Of course, as soon as they had finished breakfast, it was time to start preparing the main meal.
As then, I am so thankful for the loving and caring family I was raised in. The wonderful memories of living in such a special place as Graceville and the home I was privileged to have lived in are exceptional. I am so glad that The Graceville News has allowed me the opportunity to share all of the memories of our town - Graceville.
*By Graceville native Bill Clark*
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