| Pia Morelli loves Thanksgiving. It is the one holiday of | | | | the playoffs and would have just played the |
| the year that the Mendham mother of eight and | | | | Saturday before. I think we had to wait until |
| grandmother of eighteen sees her entire family. Not | | | | Saturday and it usually meant that Ridgewood was |
| even Christmas brings as many people to her home | | | | massacred."At this point in the season, Ridgewood is |
| at one time."My children are scattered up and down | | | | still alive in the playoffs with a scheduled meeting |
| the east coast. Between flying in and driving over, | | | | against Morristown on December 6th at Giants |
| they need several days to make the trip, visit, and | | | | Stadium. "I know that Ridgewood just had a big |
| to return to their homes. I would love to have | | | | battle with Hackensack on Saturday, but I think |
| everyone here for Christmas, but that just doesn't | | | | they'll be ready. Funny thing, I think this is one |
| happen, especially when the holiday falls during the | | | | Ridgewood team that could beat BC!" After the |
| middle of the week and people are unable to take | | | | game, McGathry will be going to his mother-in-law's |
| extended time off from their jobs."Since her | | | | house in Paramus. "My wife graduated from Paramus |
| husband, Joe, died in 1995 Thanksgiving has taken on | | | | a year after I graduated from Ridgewood. She isn't |
| an added meaning. "Prior to Joe's death we would | | | | much of a football fan and stays home with our |
| get together, but not under one roof or at the same | | | | youngest. Fortunately, the rivalry isn't dividing our |
| time. We would see some of the children at | | | | family," he noted.Anne Chomesky doesn't "do" |
| Thanksgiving and the rest at Christmas or get | | | | Thanksgiving at least in the traditional sense. For |
| together between the holidays. It wasn't the same. | | | | years the single 40-something woman served food |
| Joe died suddenly and unexpectedly and each of my | | | | at a soup kitchen in Newark every Thanksgiving day. |
| children have insisted on this annual reunion. What | | | | This year she will still be serving, but over at a |
| better time than Thanksgiving?"While her family | | | | friend's house in Cedar Grove. Her friend, Clare, lost |
| members would prefer to go out to eat, Pia insists | | | | her father, who was her only living relative, this past |
| otherwise. "I'm retired, living with Cocoa [her terrier] | | | | Summer and Anne felt that she could be more useful |
| and have plenty of time on my hands. I start baking | | | | spending the time with her. "The holiday season is |
| my pies on Sunday and by Wednesday the gravy, | | | | very difficult for those without family. Clare's father |
| mashed potatoes, cole slaw, and green bean salad | | | | died in June and he was all that she had as far as |
| are done. On Thanksgiving morning, my daughter, | | | | family goes. Eight of us who either no longer have |
| Lisa, comes over and puts two turkeys in the oven. | | | | family or can't be with them will be gathering |
| Joe Jr. and his wife bring the hams, while the stuffing | | | | together at Clare's home to keep her company and |
| and other fixings are completed by me in the | | | | to give thanks for what we do have. I thank God |
| morning. All the setting up, serving and cleaning up is | | | | for this opportunity to be with friends who have |
| done by the children. I kick back and watch football | | | | become like family to me."However, wherever and |
| while eating pumpkin pie!"Kyle McGathry will be | | | | with whomever you choose to spend the day, |
| continuing a tradition that has been going on in his | | | | Happy Thanksgiving to all!This article originally |
| family for nearly 50 years. With sons Kevin and | | | | appeared on Townstead.com, a defunct site |
| Michael in tow, McGathry will be sitting in the stands | | | | managed by Matt Keegan. It was part of his "Life in |
| watching a high school football game between | | | | New Jersey" series of articles.Matthew Keegan is the |
| Ridgewood and Paramus. "When I was a kid, it was | | | | owner of a successful article writing, web design, and |
| Ridgewood-Fair Lawn. Years later Paramus replaced | | | | marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He |
| Fair Lawn and for awhile it was Bergen Catholic and | | | | manages several sites including the Corporate Flight |
| Ridgewood." The Ridgewood native looked at the | | | | Attendant Community and the Aviation Employment |
| Ridgewood- BC rivalry as hopelessly one sided. "Most | | | | Board. Please visit The Article Writer to review |
| of the games were never played on Thanksgiving | | | | selections from his portfolio. |
| because it was a given that BC would still be alive in | | | | |