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'Thanksgiving' 🦃 Thursday, 23rd November



"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 Pie





ROUND 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'






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