Thanksgiving traditionally means turkey, stuffing, and many sides with recipes passed down through generations. It’s a time of gathering with family and friends—and many hours of cooking to create one large meal. But celebrations have nuances, so we asked community members to share some of their Thanksgiving traditions, but with a unique twist. From spending Thanksgiving with students to pie breakfast, our neighbors prove there’s more than one way to give thanks.
‘All About the Pies’
“In most families, Thanksgiving means turkey, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes. Don’t get me wrong, these things are great, but in our family, it’s all about the pies,” says AnnMarie Champagne of Walworth.
As the family grew, so did the pies—“Because you can only get eight servings out of one pie, and everyone has their favorites.”
From pumpkin and apple to custard, oreo, cannoli, and maple cream, Champagne bakes pies with her daughters the day before and loves every part of it. “We turn up the music—Sinatra to Abba, showtunes, anything—and all maneuver around my little kitchen, baking, laughing, singing, and dancing.”
On Thanksgiving, guests take pie home, and the next morning, those who stayed gather again to have more. “The kitchen is filled with laughter and conversations about how much fun we had the day before, memories of the years before, and what we may have planned for the day ahead.”
A Classroom Thanksgiving
As a chef and instructor of the culinary program at Finger Lakes Community College, Patrick Rae of Farmington is no stranger to cooking Thanksgiving meals for his family— and since 2019, he's been hosting a meal for his students.
“This is important to me because my immediate family is spread across the country, so I understand what it feels like to spend the holiday away from loved ones,” he says. “That first year, I did all the cooking myself. Over time, it has grown into a family affair, with my children helping and colleagues dropping off dishes.”
That first year, they hosted seven attendees. In 2024, they had 38, and this year Rae expects close to 50.
“Both of my parents taught me the importance of helping others whenever possible. That doesn’t always mean giving money, it can simply mean giving your time. Through this Friendsgiving, I get to live out those values and, at the same time, teach them to my children,” Rae says. “This tradition has become one of the most meaningful parts of my year."
A Kindness Remembered
Following her divorce, Chris White of Churchville sent her toddler son to his father’s house for Thanksgiving dinner in the early afternoon. In the evening, her son would return home.
“My ex made it a practice to send our son back home with two to-go plates so that my son and me could share Thanksgiving dinner together (I wasn’t a very good cook). At the time I thought his generosity was a little odd, considering everything we had been through,” she explains.
The tradition continued through her son’s senior year in high school. In 2009, her ex-husband passed away. “As I look back on it now, I appreciate the kindness he shared.”
A Lodge Full of Thanks
In 1980, along with her two siblings, Marcia Paine of Ontario started spending Thanksgiving with her aunt, uncle, and their eight grown children. “As you can imagine, it was crazy, chaotic fun,” she says.
As the family grew, they decided to celebrate on the Sunday before Thanksgiving to avoid conflicts with in-laws. Needing large accommodations, they began renting a lodge at Durand Eastman Park.
“I don't think that when this started anyone thought that we'd keep it up as long as we have. Now our children are having children and there are typically over 50 people from the original family. However, it seems as though every year friends, business acquaintances, and childhood friends show up, and the number grows,” she says. “One year the fire department even showed up and left with turkey sandwiches.”
Everyone has a role to play, without deviation. “It's totally chaotic, there will be blown circuit breakers because we have too many extension cords plugged in, too many crockpots going,” Paine says. “There will be yelling at the TV and whatever football game is on—but along with that, there will be tons of laughter and stories and thanks to the generation of family that came before us and laid the foundation of this bond.”
Pie Breakfast
“The Pearson pie breakfast tradition started with a New Hampshire farm family,” says Carl Stafford of Rochester. “The pie breakfast was documented as early as 1926 with less specific references well earlier. My mother (born in 1920) was number nine of 13 children. Her memory was that her older brothers and their dad would go out hunting on Thanksgiving morning, and when they returned my mother's mom would have meat pies ready for them.”
Eventually, they expanded into fruit pies. Today, Stafford has cousins all over the country who celebrate "Pie Breakfast" and post pictures of their tradition. “What is so special is that the younger generations celebrate it—enthusiastically."