Family, football and feasts — not necessarily in that order — have us eagerly counting down the minutes to Thanksgiving Day. We can almost smell the turkey in the oven.
Our reporters have been doing some preparations in recent weeks to ensure our special Thanksgiving edition is just that, special.
• Reporter Rafael Garcia sat down with a family from Ukraine who fled war one year ago. This year, they will be giving thanks for the warm and loving welcome they’ve received in Topeka, and the lives they’re building.
• April Ponton and her daughter Kayann are giving thanks as well. They told reporter Shanna Sloyer about the six months they spent homeless earlier this year after a death in the family. Despite working two jobs, April Ponton couldn’t keep up with the house payments. TRM Ministries and others in Topeka worked with the family, and they now have a permanent residence.
• Reporter Tim Hrenchir reached out to local nonprofit organizations. He wanted to know what they need this time of year. You’ll find a long list of important items to help those groups keep helping others this holiday season.
• Hrenchir also reveals which restaurants and grocery stores will be open on Thanksgiving Day, in case you’re in the mood for a meal out.
• For those cooking a big Thanksgiving meal for their families, reporter Keishera Lately talked to two Washburn Tech culinary instructors about fresh and creative recipes for holiday leftovers — in case you’re in the mood for something other than a turkey sandwich.
• We’ll also reveal the most popular side dish in Kansas. To my disappointment, it wasn’t stuffing or sweet potatoes with marshmallows. I bet our state’s farmers have a pretty good idea of what it is.
• Reporter Jason Alatidd shares why some hunters weren’t able to bag a wild turkey for the table this year.
• The special edition will also include a 12-page section with such topics as food, a gift guide, games and puzzles — including the giant crossword.
• Shoppers will find circulars with the latest holiday and Black Friday deals.
Our special Thanksgiving edition will be delivered Wednesday. To allow members of the newspaper to celebrate the holiday with family, there will be no print edition on Thursday — check cjonline.com for breaking news on the holiday.
From the staff at The Capital-Journal, we want to express our gratitude to you for reading, whether it’s online or in print, on your phone or at the breakfast table. Thank you, and happy Thanksgiving.
Tomari Quinn is the editor of The Capital-Journal.
