Donate

Tales from the Thanksgiving Table

Hoptown Chronicle asked our readers to share stories and recipes that illuminate the Thanksgiving traditions in their families. The response was tremendous. Whether you decide to try some of the recipes or you just soak up the stories, we think you’ll enjoy this series. The stories range from poignant to heart-warming to hilarious. Enjoy.

How a family’s affection for Persimmon Pudding inspired a unique cemetery plot
Hoptown Chronicle•
Marty Terhune tried growing her own trees to supply the family with persimmons, but it was a challenge.
persimmon
Bring on the noodles
Hoptown Chronicle•
The ritual of making homemade chicken stock and rendering fat for this favorite dish is a tradition that has been passed down over the years in the Hayes' family. 
chicken stock
Cooking up memories of chicken & dumplings
Julia Hunter•
A special family recipe appeared lost to time until Hoptown Chronicle engagement editor Julia Hunter discovered it in an unexpected place.
Chicken and dumplings recipe on lined paper
Country ham: A tradition that travels well
Hoptown Chronicle•
A country ham takes time and is a commitment, writes Hoptown Chronicle editor Jennifer P. Brown. But the reward — heaps of tender meat and an aroma of holidays past — makes it all worth it.
country ham on a platter
Family connections forged through love — and stuffing
Hoptown Chronicle•
When Sharyn Doutt's new father-in-law made her mother's signature stuffing, she knew she'd joined a good family.
stuffing
Favorite ingredients make this holiday cake frosting
Jennifer P. Brown•
A classic topping for German chocolate cake, this pecan frosting could finish a variety of desserts.
pecan frosting on german chocolate cake
For these sweet potatoes, the secret’s in the sauce
Hoptown Chronicle•
Sally Porter, the retired postmistress of Gracey, submitted a recipe for sweet potatoes with a special caramel sauce.
caramel sauce
Put oysters on the holiday table
Hoptown Chronicle•
Betty Howard shares a recipe from the family of her late husband, Hopkinsville pediatrician Dr. Ron Howard.
oysters
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without her mom’s chess pie
Hoptown Chronicle•
Mary Clay Bassett, who grew up in Hopkinsville, copied her mother's chess pie recipe on an index card 44 years ago and makes it every year for the holidays.
butter sugar eggs
Sisters grind fresh cranberries to make their mother’s congealed salad
Hoptown Chronicle•
Sandy Cavanah says it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without this favorite dish.
cranberries
When nothing will do but a taste from home
Hoptown Chronicle•
In the first installment of Hoptown Chronicle's Tales from the Thanksgiving Table, Gloria Young shares a recipe for sweet potato pie that always made her family feel close to home — no matter how far away they were.
sweet potato pie