Tradition states that Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621 when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared a fall harvest. Until it was made a national holiday, Americans celebrated harvest festivals on varying dates. While the current narrative of the holiday is to celebrate the first harvest festival, Thanksgiving was not made an official holiday to celebrate that festival. Thanksgiving was made an official holiday on October 3, 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving should be celebrated. Lincoln made the proclamation even though the country was embroiled in a bitter war over the scope of federal power and whether slavery would be permitted in the United States. President Lincoln’s proclamation declared that we should give “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens” for the blessing that was bestowed on America. Lincoln proclaimed that Thanksgiving should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November thereafter.

In 1939 Thanksgiving was moved by Franklin Roosevelt to the fourth Thursday of each November to lengthen the Christmas shopping season. Because it was not legally binding, only 1⁄2 of the states followed President Roosevelt’s Proclamation. The matter was finally resolved when Congress passed legislation in 1941 officially making the fourth Thursday of each November Thanksgiving Day.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with a traditional turkey dinner that includes stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. For some reason, people seem to think that green bean casserole belongs on the Thanksgiving menu. I am here to tell you that it does not. Green bean casserole was developed in Camden NJ by Dorcas Reilly in 1955. Enough said. Green bean casserole belongs in the history books, as a footnote.

I wish you and your family a happy, green bean casserole free, Thanksgiving.

James A. Kohl

 

President Jim Kohl called the meeting to order. Blake Myers gave the invocation. Ted McAdam led the club in singing the Battle Hymn of the Republic, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Sergeant at Arms was Tina Bishop.

• There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) visiting Rotarians and (5) Guests of Rotarians introduced.
• President Jim encouraged members to share the live stream of our meeting on social media to share our message and our Club with others; Adam Hommey announced the formation of a Facebook Group Page for members, encouraging photos or comments about events and activities to be posted;
• President Jim and Gwen Mullins of Howard & Howard presented a check for $5,000 to Dave Sanberg of Sunrise Foundation on behalf of the LVRF and Howard & Howard;
• PP Jim Hunt reminded members volunteers are still needed for Santa Clothes for mall locations other than Galleria, to refrain from posting event on social media for the safety of the children, that with assistance from Arlene Sirois security will be present at all locations and most significant is the substantial donation to Santa Clothes by the Englestad Foundation in the sum of $18,500;
• PP Michael Gordon provided significant ‘firsts’ by our club, the latest of which honoring Joan Murdock as the very ‘first’ Major Donor Level 2 (contribution in excess of $20,000)!
• PP Kathy Dalvey announced the electronic voting of Club Board of Directors opening 11/20 with the PP Slate for 2019-20 approved; David Thorson announced 4th Quarter Wetzel Awards are scheduled for 11/28 a new date; Marie Walsh announced BWB on 11/13 had 144 children, 72 adults, and 52 reading logs; President Jim announced a gift to the Club of a 50th Club Anniversary program; Jaime Goldsmith reminded members Wine2Water at Total Wine on 11/15 and SOAR High Tea at Andres is 11/17; Janice Lencke gave a reminder the Holiday Party is 12/6 at Treasure Island; Luci Parodi reminded the Canned Food Drive lunch with the Kiwanis is 11/21, that $6,844.77 has been collected and the number to beat is >$7,300 raised by prior 25 Club President/Fiance Erik Astramecki, and Michael Williams encouraged participation in the Magical Forest 12/20;
• The weekly drawing began at $3,867 plus this week’s donations. The Ticket Winner was Steve Kwon, who received a prize of $10, and the Lawry’s Bucks Winner was PP Michael Gordon;
• Tina Bishop introduced our program speaker, Dorian Stonebarger, Program Director at Three Square who provided a passionate and insightful discussion regarding the various programs in which Three Square is involved, childhood nutrition, SNAP and at risk after school meal programs for children, recognizing the importance of a food education program and its related benefits to children;
• President Jim presented our speaker with a “Share What You Can” award to benefit a veteran in need and then adjourned the meeting.