If I wasn’t in the holiday spirit before diving into this issue (and I really, really wasn’t!), I sure am now. Just reading Catherine Brown’s history of Thanksgiving and all of the foods and traditions that go with it has changed my tune. Gather the family! Bring on the sweet potatoes! Turn on the parade, please! To see what I mean, flip to page 28, and you’ll learn how Thanksgiving got its start, plus much more about this tastiest of holidays.
In our family, I was thinking this would be the year we would throw tradition out the window and go somewhere warm and tropical for Thanksgiving, but that cute new puppy you saw on last month’s cover is reason enough for us to stay put this year. So, we’ll cook a traditional meal and explore our city over the holiday break instead. One look at RFM’s November calendar, beginning on page 48, reminded me how much there is to do right here at home, so let’s make a plan together, shall we?
First, I recommend taking the whole family to see Tuck Everlasting at Virginia Rep’s Children’s Theatre at Willow Lawn. The acting and music are superb, and the story line will keep the entire crew entertained and talking about it the whole way home. It runs through December 1, so be sure to get there this month. You’ll thank me!
Next up, take in VMFA’s special exhibition, Edward Hopper and the American Hotel. Richmond is the only East Coast venue for this major loan exhibition, so you’re likely to meet some tourists who came in to town just to see it. Another must-see exhibit on the newly renamed Arthur Ashe Boulevard is Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s Determined: The 400-year Struggle for Black Equality. This one is expansive so be prepared to go at least twice to process it all. To learn more about these family attractions and others, read the RFM reviews under Community on the main menu at RFMonline.com.
If you’re looking for things to do beyond Richmond, you’ll appreciate Brandy Centolanza’s story on page 36 about Virginia’s peculiar attractions. I was surprised, however, to see that one of my family’s favorite spots right here in RVA is home to one of the oddities in the article: a science-themed sculpture that was unveiled at the Science Museum of Virginia in 2003. I know we’ll be observing The Grand Kugel with fresh perspective the next time we visit.
Of course, most of the Christmas activities around town shift into high gear this month too, so make plans to visit GardenFest of Lights, Illuminate, Legendary Santa, WinterFest at Kings Dominion, and the many other holiday attractions all over our area.
We are truly blessed to live in such a culturally rich town. And this season, I am especially thankful for RVA – and for you, our readers!
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at RFM!
