So… turkey or ham? Both? Neither?
Best side dish?
We asked a handful of notable Parksville Qualicum Beach residents about their Thanksgiving plans, the age-old turkey vs. ham question, and their favourite side dish:
Parksville Mayor Ed Mayne
Mayne says turkey all the way and joked his favourite side dish is humble pie.
Illana Hester, executive director of The Old School House
Hester says turkey for sure. She’s spent so long living in NYC that she had forgotten it was Thanksgiving. As for a side dish, it’s a toss up between cranberry sauce and stuffing… but she said stuffing might win the grand prize because of all that sweet, sweet gluten.
Mary-Ellen Campbell, President of the Parksville Museum
Campbell is excited to spend the weekend with all of her family, her three children and their significant others. She’s a bird gal all the way.
“It has to be turkey. We’re big-time traditional.”
Asked about a side dish, she says she’s so focused on the turkey that it hadn’t crossed her mind - but that if she had to pick, it would be squash, most likely acorn squash.
READ MORE: Turkey tips for trimming the fat
Michelle Stilwell, Parksville-Qualicum MLA
Stilwell is all about the turkey for Thanksgiving, as long as it’s with gluten-free gravy. Mashed potatoes are her favourite side, and she plans to make them wrapped in spring roll wraps with sour cream and bacon bits on top. She will be in Nanaimo with her husband’s family.
Merv Volen, owner of the Parksville Music Centre
Volen said his plans are still up in the air for the holidays. He’s going to stay in town, that’s for sure, because “there’s enough to do here.”
Turkey and mashed potatoes are his favourites.
Kristy Lotzien, owner of Soak Essentials Marketplace.
Lotzien loves turkey and stuffing. She’s excited to keep her holiday low-key this year with a small dinner with family.
— NEWS Staff