Turkeybiters are a longstanding Gazette tradition in which families share their Thanksgiving plans.
The Rangel family
Children and grandchildren of Emelia Rangel gathered for food and fun at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Lena and Steve Harwood of Emporia. Others attending were the Harwoods’ daughter, Stephanie Paige and Derek, Aysia and Kalin Paige; Rangel’s daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Stephen Rodriguez and their daughter Andrea and her children, Sabrina and Elena Rodriguez; and Rangel’s daughter and son, Louise Rodriguez and Phillip Rangel.
In addition to enjoying the desserts Lena and Louis make, Rose Rodriguez said the family would “thank the Lord for all our blessings, that would include football games.”
The group planned to play trivia games and “just enjoy each other’s company and all the good desserts that sisters Lena and Louise and niece Stephanie make,” Rodriguez said.
The Garcias
Maite Garcia, 18 Cottonwood St., celebrated Thanksgiving at her house with her uncles, aunts, cousins and some friends. Maite’s grandma came all the way from Mexico for the celebration. The family feasted on turkey and mashed potatoes.
Guion grandchildren
Elementary students Jordan and Brooklynn Guion reported that their family ate Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday at their grandparents’ house. The day was spent making food, eating turkey, and playing basketball, the youngsters reported.
The Zeiners
Deb and Jim Zeiner’s house in Cottonwood Falls was full as Liz and Richard Scott, Jacqua Couch, Roland and Nancy Hainey and the Zeiner’s youngest son, Andy, came for Thanksgiving.
“We'll laugh, philosophize, pontificate and bask in the afterglow of having eaten too much turkey, and give thanks for family and friends and the kind and gentle life we have found living in beautiful Chase County, Kansas,” wrote Deb. “God bless us, every one!”
Student news
Students at elementary schools wrote “Turkeybiters” as writing assignments. Below are items submitted by the students.
Shawn, Jennifer and Hunter Worley went to Derby for two Thanksgiving meals on Thursday.
Lunch was with Mom’s side of the family, and dinner was with Dad’s.
“We have a family tradition that was started four years ago. We go Cosmic Bowling on Thanksgiving and Christmas night as a whole family,” Hunter wrote. “There are usually around 30 of us that go and it is always a lot of fun!”
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Josie Neely was anticipating a shopping spree when she wrote her family’s Turkeybiter.
“I am going to get $100 and my sister is, too, so I can go to the mall in Topeka and a hotel. I can’t wait,” she wrote.
Josie named her parents, sister, dog and hamster as special guests for the dinner.
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Family from Missouri, Arkansas and Nebraska met at the home of Emely Magana’s uncle for dinner on Thursday.
“We will eat, then we will just talk. Then we will play games,” Emely wrote.
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Tanya Rhoads’ family planned to eat Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma’s house with other family members on Thursday.
Kat Callaway
Kat Callaway of Emporia spent Thanksgiving with her family in Arkansas City. Her aunt, uncle and grandparents joined her immediate family. Her niece and nephews were there too.
At the Callaway household, most of the time was spent on cooking, eating and just being with family.
“And of course, there are the leftovers,” Callaway said.
The Boleses
Robert and Louise Boles of Emporia spent Thanksgiving day in Lenexa with their daughter, Christine, and son-in-law, Frank, and Owen and Claire Martin. A special guest was Christine’s cousin, Clay Harvey and friend of Topeka. The men and others of Frank’s siblings and families shot clay pigeons at the family farm in Leavenworth County.
The Garriott family
The Garriott family — Shane, Tammi, Ashlyn and Cody — celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday in Hartford with Grandma and Papa Truelove, Uncle Rex and Aunt Mary. Other guests included Aunt Jan Naylor, of Kansas City, and Aunt Iona Dotson, of Lebo.
The Soetaert clan
Tom and Sharon Soetaert, 2675 Road L, celebrated Thanksgiving Day at the Paola farm of their niece, Jess Duncan, and her husband, Chad. Others who made it included Tom and Sharon’s sons, Peter and Daniel, their daughter, Jan, Daniel’s wife, Amy, Aaron Trelc, and Tom and Sharon’s grandsons, Colin, age 6 months, and Lucas, age 3 1/2.
Also making the celebration were Tom’s four brothers — Mike, Pat, Jerry and Paul — and his sisters — Pamela, Judy, Maggie, Amy, Annette, and Angela — as well as their children and grandchildren.
The family enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner and card games and ping-pong, as well as other games with the kids.
The Francis family
Brianna Francis, 2308 W. 21st Ave., celebrated Thanksgiving Day at her cousin’s house with her parents, her aunt and uncle, her sister Jannisha, and two cousins, Priscilla and Drucilla.
“We play games and eat turkey,” Brianna said. “Basically have fun.”
The Wilkersons
Morgan Wilkerson, her parents and her brother celebrated Thanksgiving Day at her aunt’s house with her dad’s side of the family, including all of Morgan’s cousins.
The Larson family
The David Cooper home in Salina was filled with Larsons on Thanksgiving Day. Greg, Gwen, Alex, Luke and Aaron traveled from Emporia on Wednesday night to spend the next day with Greg’s sister Kim and her family — husband, David, and daughters, Liza and Randi, as well as Greg’s parents, Don and Jackie Larson of Beloit.
While the adults cooked Thursday morning, “the cousins” filled the house with spirited play as the Cooper girls always enjoy a visit with the Larson boys.
The Chris Schmidt family
Ryker and Damon Schmidt of Olpe will again be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday with their grandparents and extended families. They will share their noon meal with their father, Chris's parents, Duane and Jeanette Schmidt of Olpe. The boys will have their evening meal at their mom, Jennifer’s parents, Charlie and Marie Haag also of Olpe. Traditional menues will be served in both homes, both Grandmas are GREAT cooks. Ryker loves pumpkin pie and Damon's favorite is still the rolls. Damon will celebrate his eighth birthday on Nov. 23. All he wants for his birthday is to see his beloved Dallas Cowboys beat the New York Jets on Thanksgiving day. Ryker just wants Tony Romo to have a good game.
The Cunninghams
The family gathered at the home of Eunice Cunningham of rural Reading for the traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Those present were Crystal Cunningham, home from college at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo.; Doug, Molly, Emma, and C.J. Cunningham from Urbana, Mo.; Tina Cunningham and Derek Estrada from Las Vegas, Nev.; Michael and Greg Yingst of Admire and Emily Samson of Osage City; June Cunningham of Americus; Susan and Steve Boyce and Shawn Wood of rural Reading; Brooks Boyce of Burlington; Cecil and Evelyn Cunningham and Norma McCoy, all of rural Emporia; Rhonda Cunningham and Justin McAlister, Darrell and Renee Marshall, Hailey and Austin Westcott and Janice Yingst, all of Emporia; Tia McAlister and Courtney Ropp, home from college at Evangel University in Springfield, Mo.; and Duane Marshall of Topeka.