"Keep your eyes open to your mercies. The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life."
Robert Louis Stevenson
The Thanksgiving holiday is always on the fourth Thursday of November, that is the 24th of this month. Hence this was the theme of this week's CST 'Cariad Dementia Cafe'.
(We asked members to wear their favourite American themed t-shirt.)
We went around the room and asked members ...
- What are they most thankful for?
- What is their happiest memory?
- What is the life achievement or decision they are most proud of?
- Are there any regrets about missed opportunities?
- What about 'Bucket List' ambitions of things to do or places to visit?
- Has anyone visited America? What places would members recommend?
IDIOMS FOR THANKSGIVING
Complete these phrases with members ....
Count your BLESSINGS
A blessing in DISGUISE
Thank your lucky STARS
Thank God for small MERCIES
Thank HEAVENS
Pearls of WISDOM
Better late than NEVER
So far so GOOD
Piece of CAKE
The best of both WORLDS
A bird in the hand is worth two in THE BUSH
Actions speak louder than WORDS
Do unto others as you would have them DO UNTO YOU
Don't cry over SPILT MILK
Every cloud has a SILVER LINING
Good things come to those who WAIT
It ain't over 'til the fat lady SINGS
The best thing since SLICED BREAD
Take it with a pinch of SALT
Come rain or SHINE
Fortune favours the BOLD / BRAVE
Make hay while the sun SHINES
Through thick and THIN
Weather the STORM
Like a turkey voting for CHRISTMAS
On cloud NINE
Give THANKS
Which Christmas tin of sweets was this song used to advertise in the 1970s?
LYRICS - Thank You Very Much
The Scaffold
Thank you very much for the Aintree Iron, thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the Aintree Iron, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the birds and bees, thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the birds and bees, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the family circle, thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the family circle, thank you very much, thank you very very very very very very very very much
You don't know how much they all mean, they seem better in my dreams
It was simply spiffing and true, let me whisper 'I love you'
Thank you very much for love
Thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for love
Thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the Sunday joint
Thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for the Sunday joint and our...cultural heritage, national beverage, being fat, Union jack, nursery rhyme, Sunday times, napalm bomb, everyone!
Thank you very much, thank you very very very very, very very very very much
Thank you very much for playing this record, thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for playing this record, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for our gracious team
Thank you very much, thank you very very very much
Thank you very much for our gracious team
Thank you very very very much!
MUSIC & PICTURE QUIZ
Reduce content as necessary, according to the needs of your group and the time available. Give lots of clues, such as first names or initials. Encourage discussion and storytelling. Focus on engagement and inclusion, rather than competition.
PS If you click on the first picture a slide show will open.
ROUND 1. History
 | Which Italian explorer and navigator is said to have discovered the Americas in 1492? |
 | What was the name of the ship which brought 'The Pilgrims' from Plymouth to Cape Cod, Massachusetts in November 1621? |
 | 'The Pilgrims' were given another name because they wanted to cleanse the teachings and ceremonies of the Church of England. What was it? |
 | Aside from 'Thanksgiving' and 'Fasting Days', which were unplanned in response to challenges such as drought or flood, 'The Pilgrims' 'celebrated' one day a week. Which one? |
 | How did the 'Wampanoag Tribe' help 'The Pilgrims' soon after their arrival and first awful winter, when more than half of them died? |
 | Which US President proclaimed a national 'Thanksgiving Day' in 1863, during the Civil War (before that different states celebrated on different days)? |
 | In 1784 Benjamin Franklin suggested the turkey be the national bird of the USA, because they were so important to tradition and culture (and they are a brave bird). Which bird was later chosen instead? |
 | Which is statistically the most celebrated holiday in the USA, 'Thanksgiving' or 'Christmas'? |
 | What does 'Thanksgiving' celebrate? |
SONG. 'Star Spangled Banner', Whitney Houston -
List as many of the 50 US States as you can?
Here they are...
ROUND 2. Pardoning Turkeys
Identify these US Presidents pardoning turkeys, which has been a tradition since 1947?
 | Who was the first President to pardon a turkey in 1947? Harry ...... |
 | Name the President? Who assassinated him on 22nd November 1963? |
 | Name the President? What was the scandal he was associated with called? |
 | Name the President? What name did he mistakenly call Princess Diana in 1985? |
 | Name the President? Which woman did he 'not have sexual relations with'?
|
 | Name the President? Who was UK Prime Minister at the time, that supported his 2001 'War On Terror'? |
 | Name the President? Where was he born? |
 | Name the President? What reality TV series did he present, before becoming what is said to be 'the most powerful man in the world'? |
 | Name the current President? What is his nickname? |
VIDEO BREAK. Here is Marilyn Monroe singing 'Happy Birthday' to JFK in May 1962 -
What was her real name?
SONG. 'Candle in The Wind', Elton John -
What was his real name?
VIDEO BREAK. 'Village Fete', Vicar Of Dibley - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7u_ews9woM
Who ended up opening the Village Fete?
ROUND 3. Food
 | Can turkeys fly?
Do all turkeys gobble? |
 | How many turkeys are eaten in the US on 'Thanksgiving'? What % of Americans are vegan? |
 | Which part of a turkey can give you good luck, according to legend? |
 | How do you tell if cranberries are ripe? Do you: a. Bounce them, b. See if they float or c. Check their colour inside |
 | Creamed corn is an important dish in a Thanksgiving dinner. Which large happy man used to advertise sweetcorn in the UK?
|
 | Similarly pumpkin pie is an important tradition. What are the ingredients of 'Mixed Spice', which is used to flavour it? |
 | What nut is this pie made from? |
 | What is the 'national drink of America', or "native spirit"?
And where did it originate from?
|
 | True or False. Eating turkey make you sleepy?
|
Who was 'The Music' that died in this song?
LYRICS - 'American Pie' (Single Version)
Don McLean
A long long time ago
I can still remember how that music
Used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance
That I could make those people dance
And maybe they'd be happy for a while
But February made me shiver
With every paper I'd deliver
Bad news on the doorstep
I couldn't take one more step
I can't remember if I cried when I
Read about his widowed bride
But something touched me deep inside
The day the music
Died
So bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n' Rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
Did you write the book of love
And do you have faith in God above
If the Bible tells you so?
Now do you believe in rock and roll?
Can music save your mortal soul?
And can you teach me how to dance real slow?
Well, I know that you're in love with him
'Cause I saw you dancin' in the gym
You both kicked off your shoes
Man, I dig those rhythm and blues
I was a lonely teenage broncin' buck
With a pink carnation and a pickup truck
But I knew I was out of luck
The day the music died
I started singin' bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n' Rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
Now, for ten years we've been on our own
And moss grows fat on a rolling stone
But, that's not how it used to be
When the jester sang for the king and queen
In a coat he borrowed from James Dean
And a voice that came from you and me
Oh, and while the king was looking down
The jester stole his thorny crown
The courtroom was adjourned
No verdict was returned
And while Lennon read a book on Marx
The quartet practiced in the park
And we sang dirges in the dark
The day the music died
We were singin' bye, bye Miss American Pie
Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry
Them good ole boys were drinking whiskey 'n' Rye
Singin' this'll be the day that I die
This'll be the day that I die
Bye, bye Miss American PieROUND 4. TV & Film
 | In which 1939 movie did the character Scarlett O'Hara say "As God is my witness, I'll never be hungry again." Also, who played her character? |
 | This 1942 movie, set around Thanksgiving when business is slow and money is tight, later re-launched as what in 1954? |
 | How many faces can you name from the 1973 'Waltons Thanksgiving' special? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oY6hnnRiWwo |
 | Name these three characters, from a famous 1974 children's Thanksgiving film? Who created 'Peanuts'? |
 | In which American city was the TV comedy series 'Cheers' set?
TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS0VQOHX7lM
|
 | Which Andrew wrote the theme song for 'The Golden Girls'? Name the characters? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV7AXRABSng |
 | Name this 1987 Thanksgiving film, starring Steve Martin and John Candy? |
 | Which character in the 'Thanksgiving' episode of 'Friends' got a turkey stuck on her head? Which other character told her in this scene that he loved her? TV theme - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLisEEwYZvw |
 | Which 1998 rom-com movie saw Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's characters meet on line? |
 | Which earlier 1993 movie saw them meet at the top of the 'Empire State Building' on Valentine's day? |
What was his nickname?
LYRICS - 'Make Someone Happy'
Jimmy Durante
It's so important to make someone happy
Make just one, someone happy
Make just one heart to heart you, you sing to
One smile that cheers you
One face that lights when it nears you
One girl your, your everything to
Fame, (if you win it) if you win it
(Comes and goes) comes and goes in a minutes
(Where's the real) where's the real stuff in life, to cling to?
Love is the answer
Someone to love is the answer
Once you've found her
Build your world around her
Make someone happy Make just one, someone happy And you will be happy too
ROUND 5. Iconic American Landmarks
 | Name the landmark? What metal has made her green? |
 | Name the landmark? Name the city in which you would find it? |
 | Name the landmark? Name the four Presidents? |
 | Name the landmark? In which city would you find it? |
 | Name the landmark? Which island prison is nearby? |
 | Name the landmark? Which river carved it? (Who fancies walking it?) |
 | Name the landmark? Which date is it associated with? |
 | Name the landmark? Name the boat? |
 | Name the world famous surfing beach? Name the island state? |
 | Name the landmark? In which city would you find it? |
SOME "THANK YOU" SONGS SINGALONG
What was Louis Armstrong's nickname?
LYRICS - 'What a Wonderful World' Louis Armstrong
I see trees of green Red roses too I see them bloom For me and you And I think to myself What a wonderful world
I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright blessed day The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world
The colors of the rainbow So pretty in the sky Are also on the faces Of people going by I see friends shaking hands Saying how do you do They're really saying I love you
I hear babies cry I watch them grow They'll learn much more Than I'll ever know And I think to myself What a wonderful world Yes, I think to myself What a wonderful world Ooh, yes
This song also helped advertise chocolates. Which ones?
(The song was also used as the name and music for a fictional 'Surprise, Surprise' show in the Victoria Wood TV drama 'PAT AND MARGARET')
LYRICS - 'Magic Moments' Perry Como
Magic moments, when two hearts are carin' Magic moments, memories we've been sharing
I'll never forget the moment we kissed The night of the hay ride The way that we hugged to try to keep warm While takin' a sleigh ride
Magic moments, memories we've been sharin'
Magic moments, when two hearts are carin'
Time can't erase the memory of
These magic moments filled with love
The telephone call that tied up the line
For hours and hours
The Saturday dance I got up the nerve
To send you some flowers
Magic moments, memories we've been sharin'
Magic moments, when two hearts are carin'
Time can't erase the memory of
These magic moments filled with love
The way that we cheered whenever our team
Was scoring a touchdown
The time that the floor fell out of my car
When I put the clutch down
The penny arcade, the games that we played
The fun and the prizes
The Halloween hop when everyone came
In funny disguises
Magic moments filled with love
LYRICS - 'Thank You For The Music'
ABBA
I'm nothing special, in fact I'm a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you've probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
'Cause everyone listens when I start to sing
I'm so grateful and proud
All I want is to sing it out loud
So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing Thanks for all the joy they're bringing Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty What would life be? Without a song or a dance, what are we? So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me
Mother says I was a dancer before I could walk
She says I began to sing long before I could talk
And I've often wondered, how did it all start?
Who found out that nothing can capture a heart
Like a melody can?
Well, whoever it was, I'm a fan
So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it? I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me
I've been so lucky, I am the girl with golden hair
I wanna sing it out to everybody
What a joy, what a life, what a chance
Thank you for the music, the songs I'm singing
Thanks for all the joy they're bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music For giving it to me So I say Thank you for the music, for giving it to me
LYRICS - 'Thanks For The Memories'
Bob Hope & Shirley Ross
Thanks for the memory
Of rainy afternoons, swingy Harlem tunes
Motor trips and burning lips and burning toast and prunes
How lovely it was
Thanks for the memory
Of candlelight and wine, castles on the Rhine
The Parthenon, and moments on the Hudson River line
How lovely it was
Many's the time that we feasted
And many's the time that we fasted
Oh well, it was swell while it lasted
We did have fun, and no harm done
So thanks for the memory
Of crap games on the floor, nights in Singapore
You might have been a headache, but you never were a bore
I thank you so much
Thanks for the memory
Of China's funny walls, transatlantic calls
That weekend at Niagara when we hardly saw the falls
How lovely that was
Thanks for the memory
Of lunch from twelve to four, sunburn at the shore
That pair of gay pajamas that you bought and never wore
Say, by the way, what did happen to those pajamas?
Letters with sweet little secrets
That couldn't be put in a day wire
Too bad it all had to go haywire
That's life, I guess, I love your dress
Do you? Thanks for the memory
Of faults that you forgave, rainbows on a wave
And stockings in the basin when a fellow needs a shave
I thank you so much
Thanks for the memory
Of Gardens at Versailles, and beef and kidney pie
The night you worked and then came home with lipstick on your tie
How lovely that was
Thanks for the memory
Of lingerie with lace, and Pilsner by the case
And how I jumped the day you trumped my one and only ace
How lovely that was
We said goodbye with a highball
And I got as high as a steeple
But we were intelligent people
No tears, no fuss, hooray for us
Strictly entre nous, darling, how are you?
And how are all those little dreams that never did come true?
Awfully glad I met you, cheerio, tootle-oo
Thank you, thank you
DISCUSSION
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner consists of:
- Roast Turkey, with stuffing
- Mashed potato
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Corn, grilled or creamed
- Green bean casserole or Brussels sprouts with bacon
- Cracked pepper bread rolls
- Candied sweet potato or yams
- Pumpkin pie or Pecan pie
Ask members to comment on the above meal and how it compares to our own Christmas Day feast? (e.g. sprouts are missing!)
What are people planning to have to eat on Christmas Day this year?
Who will they celebrate it with?
Have any decorations gone up yet?
The day after Thanksgiving, when people head for the sales, is commonly referred to as 'Black Friday'. Ask members who likes going shopping in the New Year sales?
'Let's Call The Whole Thing Off' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRrw2hDjnl4
YOU SAY POTATO
Next, ask members to guess at the alternative American words for everyday English words.
Biscuit - COOKIE
Chips - FRENCH FRIES
Crisps - CHIPS
Aubergine - EGGPLANT
Courgette - ZUCCHINI
Spring onion - SCALLION
Beetroot - BEETS
Herbs - HERB (WITH A SILENT H)
Basil - BASIL (WITH THE S SOUNDING LIKE A Z)
Coriander - CILANTRO
Porridge - OATMEAL
Treacle - MOLASSES
Mincemeat - GROUND BEEF OR PORK (Remember the 'Trifle' episode of 'Friends')
Ice lolly - POPSICLE
Sweets - CANDY
Candy floss - COTTON CANDY
Jam - JELLY
Jelly - JELLO
Trainers - SNEAKERS
Kit - UNIFORM
Jumper - SWEATER
Tissue - KLEENEX
Nappy - DIAPER
Dummy - PACIFIER
Vacuum - HOOVER
Flat - APARTMENT
Lift - ELEVATOR
Underground - SUBWAY
Pavement - SIDEWALK
Zebra crossing - CROSSWALK
Toilet - RESTROOM
Chemist - PHARMACY
High Street - MAIN STREET
Lorry - TRUCK
Estate car - STATION WAGON
Motorway - HIGHWAY
Flyover - OVERPASS
Diversion - DETOUR
Car park - PARKING LOT
Petrol - GAS
Queue - LINE
Post - MAIL
Post code - ZIP CODE
Timetable - SCHEDULE
Rubber - ERASER
Torch - FLASHLIGHT
Mobile phone - CELL PHONE
Car boot - TRUNK
Car bonnet - HOOD
Takeaway - TAKEOUT
Rubbish - GARBAGE OR TRASH
Holiday - VACATION
Autumn - FALL
Noughts and crosses - TIC TAC TOE
Football - SOCCER
Full stop - PERIOD
ACTIVITY
We suggest you print off some outline images to make 'Thank You' cards together. Adult colouring is always an enjoyable activity for our group.
Discuss with members who they would most like to say 'Thank You' too and for what reasons?
Another option would be to download onto phones or laptops, if you have these available, the following apps.
Happy Colour - Colour By Numbers, created by https://x-flow.app
or
Colorfy, created by www.colorfy.net
(both available in the iOS App Store or Google Playstore)
'Happy Colour' requires you to use your finger or a dabber to colour in numbered sections of an image. If you get stuck an assist button is available.
'Colorfy' is more free flow, which may be a better option for people who are less able to identify numbered and shaded areas.
The benefit of both of these apps is immediate colour within defined lines, so the annoyance of not being able to fully control pens and pencils freehand is removed.
REFRESHMENTS
We suggest you offer members Pecan Pie, or Pumpkin Pie, or Apple Pie, and Cranberry or Apple Juice (or hot cider) to really get the Thanksgiving vibe really going.
ANSWERS
ROUND 1
CADBURY'S ROSES
CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS
'THE MAYFLOWER'
PURITANS
THE SABBATH (SUNDAY)
THEY TAUGHT THEM HOW TO CULTIVATE THE LAND & WHAT TO PLANT
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
BALD EAGLE
ACCORDING TO 'STATISTICA' IN A 2021 SURVEY 81% OF AMERICANS CELEBRATED 'THANKSGIVING' & 77% CELEBRATED 'CHRISTMAS'
MAINLY THE HARVEST AND ITS BOUNTY, BUT ALSO BLESSINGS OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR
THERE ARE 50 STARS REPRESENTING THE 50 STATES AND THERE ARE 13 STRIPES REPRESENTING THE 13 ORIGINAL COLONIES
ROUND 2
HARRY TRUMAN
JFK (JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY) / DALLAS
RICHARD NIXON / WATERGATE
RONALD REGAN / NANCY
BILL CLINTON / MONICA LEWINSKY
GEORGE W. BUSH / TONY BLAIR
BARACK OBAMA / HONOLULU, HAWAII
DONALD TRUMP / 'THE APPRENTICE USA'
JOE BIDEN / 'SLEEPY JOE'
NORMA JEANE MORTENSON
REGINALD DWIGHT
KYLIE MINOGUE
ROUND 3
ONLY WILD TURKEYS CAN FLY (FARMED ONES ARE TOO FAT!) / ONLY MALE TURKEYS GOBBLE
46 MILLION / 6%
WISHBONE
YOU BOUNCE THEM (RIPE ONES SHOULD BOUNCE 4 INCHES HIGH!)
THE 'JOLLY GREEN GIANT'
'MIXED SPICE' IS GENERALLY A BLEND OF GROUND CINNAMON, NUTMEG, GINGER AND CLOVES
PECAN
BOURBON / KENTUCKY
TRUE. Turkeys contain an amino acid called Tryptophan, which is a natural sedative. However, the large amount of food eaten and alcohol drunk probably contributes!
BUDDY HOLLY, WHO DIED IN A PLANE CRASH IN FEBRUARY 1959
ROUND 4
'GONE WITH THE WIND' / VIVIEN LEIGH
'WHITE CHRISTMAS'
JOHN BOY, JASON, MARY ELLEN, BEN, ERIN, JIM BOB & ELIZABETH
CHARLIE BROWN, WOODSTOCK & SNOOPY / CHARLES SCHULZ
BOSTON
ANDREW GOLD / DOROTHY DBORNAK, ROSE NYLAND, BLANCHE DEVEREAAUX & SOPHIA PETRILLO
'PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES'
MONICA GELLER & CHANDLER BING
'YOU'VE GOT MAIL'
'SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE' / VALENTINE'S DAY
'THE SCHNOZ'
ROUND 5
'STATUE OF LIBERTY' / COPPER
'LIBERTY BELL' / PHILADELPHIA
'MOUNT RUSHMORE' / GEORGE WASHINGTON, THOMAS JEFFERSON, ABRAHAM LINCOLN & THEODORE ROOSEVELT
'HOLLYWOOD (LAND'/ LOS ANGELES
'GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE' / 'ALCATRAZ' (SAN FRANSISCO)
'SKYWALK' GRAND CANYON / COLORADO
'GROUND ZERO' / 9/11 (11TH SEPTEMBER 2001)
'NIAGARA FALLS' / 'MAID OF THE MIST'
'WAIKIKI BEACH' / HONOLULU, OAHU (HAWAII)
'THE WHITEHOUSE' / WASHINGTON D.C.
'SACHMO'
'QUALITY STREET'
