Thanksgiving plans for Alle-Kiski Valley families almost back to normal

Thanksgiving Day is usually a big deal for Joe Weltner of Harrison.

Weltner usually kicks off his Christmas decorating frenzy right after polishing off a traditional Thanksgiving dinner.

“I start to politely shuffle the guests out so the first of 15-plus Christmas trees can be put up,” said Weltner of his pre-covid holiday routine.

But for the past two years, Weltner has walked two streets over to his parents’ house to celebrate Thanksgiving.

“It’s not a rare occasion for two turkeys to be made,” Weltner said. “Family members flock for my father’s homemade stuffing and juicy turkey.”

Weltner said last year’s pandemic forced the family to scale back the number of guests from more than 20 to five.

But like many other families across the Alle-Kiski Valley have indicated, the Weltners plan to gather more relatives around the dinner table this year.

He credits most of his relatives being vaccinated against covid-19 as the reason for hosting a larger dinner.

A year after families were urged to stay away from each other as the coronavirus surged, local people say they are ready to celebrate a holiday together and be thankful.

“Although not the full capacity as years past, this year our Thanksgiving table will be around 10 to 12 people,” Weltner said. “There’s also a heightened sense of family gathering importance after my grandfather’s passing last month.”

Marilee Kessler of Vandergrift said she’ll be serving a smaller turkey this Thanksgiving.

Her family’s tradition always includes buying a large, fresh turkey from Pounds Turkey Farm in Allegheny Township.

But pandemic-related food shortages left Kessler without her usual big bird.

“They were sold out of larger ones before I even had a chance to order,” Kessler said. “This year, we’re going to have a small Pounds Turkey Farm turkey. I think the shortages of things in general are causing people to buy everything up in a panic.”

Turkey aside, Kessler said she and her husband always try and avoid crowded situations, especially while indoors.

Kessler said she and her husband are vaccinated, including the covid booster. She said social distancing and mask wearing have become second nature.

“I’m not nearly as concerned about my own health as I was last year,” Kessler said, “but we understand that we could still carry the virus to others.”

Ian Campbell, 17, a senior at Burrell High School, will be happy to see more family this holiday season than last year.

“It will be nice to get back to the way it used to be,” he said. He will visit grandparents in Allegheny Township and Mt. Pleasant.

Campbell and most of his family are vaccinated.

“There’s a lighter outlook now,” he said. “We are in a better place this year.”

Besides getting back to the traditional family gatherings, Campbell said he is looking forward to the pumpkin pie.

Ron and Sylvia Ravotti of Gilpin will stay close to home this Thanksgiving.

The couple, both in their 80s, are fully vaccinated against covid-19, including having had the booster.

They’ve lived in Gilpin more than 75 years and plan to enjoy turkey with all the trimmings at their son’s home in Gilpin on Thanksgiving Day.

They said they limited the number of guests invited to their home last year during the holidays because of the pandemic.

“We usually have about 20 relatives and friends over, and we dropped from 20 to about 12,” Sylvia Ravotti said.

The Ravottis expressed disappointment that pandemic conditions remain a factor.

“I thought it would’ve been over by now, but it’s still around,” Sylvia Ravotti said.

South Buffalo Supervisors Chairman Joseph Charlton said the pandemic has not impacted his Thanksgiving plans. He said he will visit relatives, as is tradition.

“It’s not altered my plans in the slightest,” Charlton said.

Emergency responders may see their Thanksgiving change in an instant should there be a holiday mishap.

Township police Chief Jeffrey Kuntz said his plan “depends on what dispatch gives me.”

Dayna Russell will take the proper precautions to keep her family safe as they gather around the table.

The Springdale resident said, despite not wearing masks, her grandparents have not caught covid. She hopes others are able to see their families and friends, emphasizing the importance of time being precious.

“Gotta live every day without fear and, if you have someone who is immunocompromised, take the proper precautions before being in their presence so you can actually enjoy you’re time together,” she said.

Staff writers Mary Ann Thomas, Joyce Hanz, Michael DiVittorio and Tanisha Thomas contributed.