By Karah Wilson
karah@southerntorch.com

DEKALB CO., Ala.—In Sept. 1620, the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying over 100 passengers. The passengers were searching for a chance at religious freedom. After 66 days, anchor was dropped at the tip of Cape Cod. One month later, the Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay.

Since the ship had landed near the winter months, most of the colonists did not leave the ship. However, they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease. When March rolled around, only half of the Mayflower’s original passengers and crew survived to see their first New England spring. The remaining settlers moved onto land, where they received a visit from an Abenaki Indian who greeted them in English. Days later, he returned with Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe. Squanto had been kidnapped by an English sea captain and sold into slavery before escaping to London. He returned to his homeland on an exploratory expedition. Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers, and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag. In November 1621 Governor William Bradford organized a feast and invited a group of the colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit, which is now remembered as America’s “first Thanksgiving.”
Pilgrims held their second Thanksgiving in 1623 to mark celebrate the end of a long drought that prompted Governor Bradford to call for a religious fast. Days of fasting and thanksgiving on an annual or occasional basis became common practice. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year. In 1789, George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States. He called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the end to the country’s war of independence and the ratification of the Constitution. John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies.

In 1817, New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday. Each state celebrated the holiday on a different day, but the South unfamiliar with the tradition. In 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale began a campaign to make Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years, she published numerous articles and sent letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians. Abraham Lincoln finally took to her request in 1863 in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” Lincoln scheduled Thanksgiving for the last Thursday in November until 1939 when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week. Roosevelt’s plan, known as Franksgiving, was not liked and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.

Here in DeKalb County, we celebrate this holiday with plenty of events throughout the month of November with events such as Turkey Trot in Collinsville and 5Ks throughout the county. Thanksgiving also kicks off the season of giving. There are many opportunities to volunteer around the county. Southern Torch wishes everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

What Southern Torch is thankful for

Dwayne Adams: I’m thankful that I live in a country that embraces equality, diversity, and inclusion. I’m also thankful for the opportunity I’ve been given to work for the Southern Torch, and for the opportunities my role on the staff continues to bring.

Joseph Morgan: Joseph Morgan - I’m thankful to have grown up in such a loving, supportive family, church and community. I’m also thankful for all of my nieces and nephews—Elijah, Isaiah, Bentley, Gloria, Sara and Hannah Morgan. I’m thankful to be a part of Southern Torch and for the family we have built these past months. Last but not least, I’m thankful for my buddy Curtis Loew aka CeeLo, my 2-year-old chocolate lab. Happy Thanksgiving!

Diego Reynoso: I’m thankful for my loving and beautiful wife Angie. Also I’m thankful for my wonderful kids and family. And also the support of friends during my hard time of whipping cancers tail. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Angie Reynoso: This year I am most thankful for the struggles my family and I have come through and for the happiness, bond and strength that we have as a family. We are truly blessed and thankful. Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Marla Jones: I am so thankful for my family.  I have been married to husband Scott for 29 years.  We have two great sons, Justin and Logan.   We have been blessed with three grandchildren, Tate, Caroline Lee and Tripp.  I also am thankful for the opportunity to work at Southern Torch.  All my coworkers are like my own family. I would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tyler Pruett: I’m thankful for my loving family and the opportunity to have a job that I love. I’m also thankful for my community, state, and to be a citizen of the greatest country on earth. And last but not least, my Jack Russell Opie!

Karah Wilson: I am so thankful for my family. My parents, Steve and Wendy Wilson; my sister, Kelsi Wilson; my dog, Shilo; and my grandparents, Annell and Irlen Stephens, and Roger and Carolyn Wilson. I am also thankful for my best friends Brianna Alting, Kalli Wilborn, Madison McAllister, Amber Stafford, Savannah Morris, and William Woodall. I am also thankful for my Southern Torch family and the opportunity to expand my knowledge at Northeast Alabama Community College.