Tasty Thanksgiving traditions continue

Bella Lee, Staff writer

The fall semester is winding down and Thanksgiving and winter break are just around the corner. Traveling for the holidays may be much different, perhaps even nonexistent due to the pandemic, but Mercyhurst refuses to let this ruin our spirit.

Despite everything going on in the world, Mercyhurst is dedicated to bringing students the Thanksgiving dinner that everyone eagerly anticipates each year.

“We decided to continue this dinner even with COVID restrictions because it’s a Parkhurst tradition. How could we not do our Thanksgiving dinner?” said Marcy Fickles, executive chef for Parkhurst. “Some upperclassmen also approached us and requested that Parkhurst provide the same tradition that they’ve experienced for the past few years so that the newer incoming students could experience it as well.”

However, protocols are still in place to ensure maximum safety for all students and staff.

“This year, to keep our traffic manageable with social distancing, we are doing reservations through the GET app,” said Fickles. “The reservations will start at 4 p.m. for both Grotto Commons and 501 Grille. Grotto Commons will also have a takeout option set up in the Faculty Dining Room for those who choose to dine out.”

This system will help to keep people safe, but as an added benefit, it may reduce the wait times that students experienced in prior years due to the popularity of the event.

“Reservations for the takeout dinner are not required. Grotto Commons will serve the Thanksgiving dinner from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., and the 501 Grille from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year our Thanksgiving dinner will not be buffet service; instead, it will be served by our team members behind the line to ensure safety,” Fickles said.

Even though the Thanksgiving dinner will look different from previous years, Parkhurst is still prepared to serve all the favorites.

“The culinary teams are passionate about providing that Thanksgiving experience that students can say is home away from home meal,” said Fickles. “We will be serving familiar foods such as roasted turkey with gravy, herb stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole, fall vegetables, cranberry sauce, honey glazed ham, macaroni and cheese and rolls with butter, as well as pumpkin pies and other cakes and cookies.”

Thanksgiving is a time that all students love and Parkhurst hopes to showcase this with their dinner.

“Thanksgiving is a time when all of campus comes together to break bread and share commonality,” said Fickles. “Thanksgiving is a time that we can all reflect on our blessings. It is a time that we begin the holiday season and share appreciation for each other. The experience for myself, as the executive chef, is the great satisfaction of seeing the students from arriving on campus, to leaving for break, and the spring semester starting anew. That’s why we do Mercyhurst Thanksgiving as safely as possible.”

Whether this is your first Thanksgiving dinner or your last, this is a meal you should absolutely not miss. The dinner is set to be on Nov. 19, the week before Thanksgiving Day, so mark your calendars and be sure to be on the lookout for when those reservations begin!