Thanksgiving - Des Plaines style, 1948

Most of my work here at DPPL involves staying on top of the latest trends. Yet, like many librarians, I have a soft spot for old stuff, from the Book of Kells to, yes, old Des Plaines newspapers. I recently had occasion to look over some "digitized" copies of the Des Plaines Suburban Times and thought you might enjoy the opportunity to experience Thanksgiving in Des Plaines, IL, over the last 70 years. For the next week, here in PlainTalk, I'll share Thanksgiving-related cover stories and advertisements from the Suburban Times. Enjoy. Today, let's go back to November, 1948. Click the images to enlarge them and read the fine print.

Here is the cover story - note the quaint cartoon of grandma, mom and daughter 

preparing the traditional turkey and fixings.

Jewel has turkeys for just 59 cents a pound! You'd have plenty left for ice cream and olives, too.

I'll pass on the beets. Click for full detail.

Oh my goodness! I don't know what to make of this.

They shot the turkeys in a heated tent? Until midnight?
If you or anyone in your family participated in the VFW Turkey Shoot,

please leave a comment and explain this event! :)

Gathering the family together during the holiday season is a great time for the younger generations to hear about days gone by. I know watching football is something of a tradition, but in the moments between games or at least during the meal, take time to let the older guests talk about what life was like "back in the day." Everybody gains when we preserve memories and learn about simpler (not always easier) times.

Stop back in a few days when we look at Thanksgiving in the 1950s!