Every Thanksgiving, we gather with our families and friends and pig out. Turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing, oh my! But did the Pilgrims actually eat all the same foods we do today? When we sit down at the Thanksgiving table, we are blessed with mashed potatoes, candied yams, green bean casserole, turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. However, if we wanted to be historically accurate, we would need to change up that dinner spread a bit. Historians know of a few foods on the table that Pilgrims and Wampanoags shared at Plymouth Colony in 1621. Wildfowl, corn (in grain form for porridge), and venison were sure to be served at the first Thanksgiving. Wild turkey was also a common and abundant food source but wasn’t likely the main course as it is today. A few days before the first Thanksgiving, the colony’s governor put four men in charge of hunting for birds for the feast, and they very likely returned with some turkey. However, as far as mashed potatoes are concerned, in the early 1600s, most Europeans and the Wampanoag had no idea what a potato was. They weren’t cultivated in North America until the 1700s. Likewise, cranberries were still very new to the What Was on the Menu? THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
Pilgrims, and they didn’t yet use them for food — instead, they used them to make dyes for fabrics!
For dessert, pumpkin pie was not yet a thing either. Although the Pilgrims liked pumpkins, they didn’t have the butter and wheat flour needed to make pie crust. Instead, they hollowed out the pumpkins (just like Halloween!) and filled them with milk and honey to make a custard and then roasted them. Although our Thanksgiving meals have changed over the years, it still is a fantastic time to get together and celebrate. In the spirit of evolving traditions, don’t be afraid to innovate to add your own personal traditional twist to the holiday as well!
SHOULD YOU MOVE TO A RETIREMENT COMMUNITY? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS?
HOW DO YOU CHOOSE? An argument can be made for and against retirement communities, but ultimately, your decision has to boil down to two factors. The first is research. Visit a community, speak to residents, and observe a few activities. U.S. News World & Reports also suggests eating at a retirement community before choosing it as your new home. The second factor is your lifestyle. Ask yourself if a retirement community fits your goals for retirement. Consider your wants, family, and personal bucket list before making a decision. If you’re considering a retirement community, our team at Patriot Wealth can help you prepare financially. Give us a call today to learn more. We have seen all kinds of plans for retirement, and among the most common is moving into a retirement community. We’ve had clients who adore their community and others who hated the move. So, how do you know if a retirement community is best for you?
COMMUNITY AND WELLNESS THE PROS A retirement community is a great option for retirees focused on maintaining an active social life. Neighbors in a 55+ community are at similar stages in life, allowing for easy connection. Plus, many retirement communities offer weekly activities and social hours, and some living expenses may include a pool, gym, food, and other amenities. Furthermore, there may be medical and aging benefits to a retirement community. Housing is typically built for an aging population, guaranteeing accessibility. Some communities may also have options to move into assisted living or receive at-home nursing care.
COSTS AND RESTRICTIONS THE CONS For as many benefits as retirement communities have, there are still plenty of downsides. For starters, there may be homeowners association (HOA) fees that could increase your cost of living expenses. There could also be hidden monthly costs for the aforementioned amenities.
When you move into a retirement community, you also give up a few
freedoms you can enjoy as an individual homeowner. For instance, the HOA or community standards may limit your right to landscape or decorate your home as you please or own a pet. Furthermore, when food is included, there could be dietary concerns you have to consider.
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