Thanksgiving is one of the few truly American holidays. Thanksgiving is in a class of its own. When asked what their favorite holiday of all is, many students choose Thanksgiving over Christmas. Though no one gets presents, people are generally filled to the brim with satisfaction. Whether it’s the family togetherness or the great food, or both, Thanksgiving is a time to catch up with the family and indulge in some fine cuisine.
Many students on the Gorham campus are taking advantage of the three extra days-off, and making the trek home. Since the greatest percentage of USM students resides in the Greater Portland area, this won’t be too much of a problem. Some students will have to travel out-of-state though, making it more of a pain.
“It will definitely be worth it, seeing my family,” said Mary Gerry, a sophomore of undecided major from New York. “I am just not looking forward to the long drive.”
Gerry considered staying-on campus for the long weekend, but it seems the majority of students will be taking off. Some students do remain though, and quite often they go out to eat on the fourth Thursday of the month.
“I would have gone out with my friends for sure if I wasn’t going home,” Gerry said. “We would have to do something to celebrate.”
Thanksgiving isn’t just about turkey for USM students either. Alternative habits or lifestyles lead to alternative solutions.
“Me and my brother don’t eat meat, so we cook our own meal,” said Tim Webber, junior music major. “It’s pretty low-key at my house. It’s nice to be back fighting with the family though.”
Interviewed residents of Gorham dormitories shared common events that represent the day of thanks. They show up at their house, or an aunt’s or grandmothers. They eat, watch football then fall asleep. Most students credited the dullness of the family football experience as the reason for their wearying. Or it could be the tryptophan, an enzyme in the turkey that usually makes people sleepy.
As for athletes, most don’t worry about the extra weight, although most admitted that they think about the way the feast will affect their shape. The occasional break from exercise is good for the body, but the digestion of a week’s worth of stuffing at one setting is not.
“I like the stuffing, obviously,” said Brooke Biett, junior sociology major. “My dad cooks everything and we have 15 people over.”
And that’s what it’s all about for most people. You eat, you reminisce, and you nap. And the students who are staying on campus will most likely be doing the same thing.