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ACE Program* College Preparation Course - Georgetown Satellite Location Are you College Ready? We can help. Part-time evening classes offering English and Math upgrading for those wishing to: Qualify for college admission Retrain return to the workforce Apply for apprenticeship Earn grade 12 equivalency We offer: Personalized service (1:1 support from a Sheridan College professor) A fl exible alternative to traditional learning (comfortable, adult environment) Free academic assessments ACE students are registered with Sheridan College*This program is recognized by all Ontario Colleges Acton/Georgetown, Friday, October 10, 2008 7 As we head into the last long weekend before Christmas, I decided to let some of my cowork- ers write this weeks column for me. I asked around the office for a few observations of Thanksgiving- their likes and dislikes and in doing so, perhaps give a cross sec- tion of the good things about this upcoming holiday. One of my coworkers said this coming weekend was mostly about family, and the opportunity to get together and take time from their busy schedules to be thankful for their blessings. Her feelings were echoed by many in the office Its all about lots of turkey and stuffing, blueberry tea and rum and Coke, said another with a grin. Another said, Its by far the best holiday of the year, with a huge meal, and no presents to be bought. We also get to hang out with family, and recall those days when wed come home from university to enjoy that huge meal, and not one gift had to be bought. Another was quite simple in his observations, saying I like the pumpkins, the hay and the way turkey makes you go to sleep after you eat a big meal... Its a great holiday, said anoth- er, But I do find it challenging to accommodate both sides of the family, with two big Thanksgiving dinners in one weekend. On the other hand, I do love the fall weather, before the coming of the winter snow I guess its the one weekend youre allowed to be in denial about winter coming. Thanksgiving is the annual juggling act, trying to squeeze nine to 11 people into a small dining room, ensuring that the Brits at the table receive their sausage meat, and the one vegan in the family does not, said another, Its also that time when we try to keep things hot with one oven and a small hot plate. I do love having the family together, but hate the fuss of preparing a huge meal, said one mom, This year Ive decided to keep it much simpler, by buying a pre-stuffed turkey and having the pies all done ahead of time. Thanksgiving reminds me of the year my moms oven died half way through cooking the turkey. My aunt had to take the half- cooked bird over to her house to finish cooking it, grinned one. It just wasnt the same, the best part of having a turkey dinner is having it cooked in the house, so you can smell it for hours. Another co-worker has hopes of making Thanksgiving a new tra- dition. This will be the first Thanksgiving that my husband and I will be hosting the family get-together. Were hoping to make it into an annual family tradition the first of many. Thanksgiving? Id say Yummm, says it all, sighed one in anticipation, Its family time, pumpkin pie time, stuffing time, and, after a huge turkey dinner, NAP TIME! Its necessary! I always look forward to an amazing turkey at my aunts place, said another. She also serves the most incredible baked goods that we dont see any other time of the year. Personally, I must echo the statements about Thanksgiving being one of my favourite long weekends. Not only do The Sidekick and I get an opportunity to feast with my family and her family, but we can also attend church to give thanks. And to wrap it up, after eating until we ache, we still have Thanksgiving Monday to our- selves, a day when I can do special things. Like putting the snow blower on the tractor in preparation for winter... Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@independentfreepress.com Many views of Thanksgiving Ted Brown