One of my favorite aspects of the American tradition is that we devote an entire holiday to being thankful. Intentionally counting our many blessings is such a healthy way to put daily struggles in perspective and certainly seems to be a guaranteed mood enhancer. We at CMM asked the first grade classes at Satchel Ford Elementary to share what they are most thankful for, and their precious answers on page 28 range from thoughtful reflections to endearing humor.

A group of people in our community for whom I am very grateful is our city’s firefighters. From a wide variety of medical crises to putting out engulfing flames, firefighters are often the first to arrive on the scene of any emergency. Read about their noble tradition and the many ways they serve Columbia on page 70.

One item for which several of our area’s first graders gave thanks is food, and Thanksgiving definitely celebrates the best in culinary abundance. Whether you are looking for new ways to prepare your wild game this fall, nutritious meals to shake up your weekday lunches, or recipe ideas to establish a new dressing tradition for the Thanksgiving spread, this issue has you covered! With the hunting season in full swing, glean some tips for easy ways to prepare duck and venison on page 32. The international bowl craze is excellent for incorporating more whole grains and raw vegetables into your weekly diet, and Emilie Blanchard offers recipes that are both healthy and delicious on page 50. Call it stuffing or dressing, turkey’s popular wingman is often the understated star of the Thanksgiving meal. Learn about this dish’s rich American tradition and pick up a few new ideas for any meal this season on page 94.

As temperatures cool and the leaves change, South Carolinians undoubtedly find the much-anticipated annual showdown between Clemson and Carolina a gratifying pastime. Every family has their own special traditions, whether adorned in garnet or orange, and on page 64, Southern Way Catering has provided some of their most popular recipes to enjoy on the back of a tailgate.

One topic in this issue that I am personally thankful for is natural horsemanship. Growing up, my sweet young horse turned into a holy terror after six months of riding, and it was only when a tobacco-spitting cowboy from rural Georgia sauntered into the paddock to instruct me in the training style of “natural horsemanship” that the two of us began to make progress together again. Natural horsemanship originated with western horsemen like Monty Roberts observing the body language of horses interacting together in the wild and then bringing that knowledge into the training arena for a revolutionarily different approach than that of traditional “horse breaking.” Read on page 56 about local equestrians who, through observing their horse’s subtle cues, are building both the trust and respect that their horse would show a herd leader.

Whatever you find yourself most grateful for this month, we at CMM wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration!

Sincerely,

Margaret Clay