Nov. 24 – Local residents say they will spend the Thanksgiving bank holiday long weekend visiting relatives and watching the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Trinity resident Amy Williams said she expects several family members to visit this week.
“We always do family dinners,” Williams said. “We have big family reunions; I think our last count was 65.”
Williams was at the Decatur Mall on Monday to do some shopping before things get too hectic on Friday.
“I don’t do Black Friday shopping,” Williams said, preferring to rest at home instead.
Jeremy Kilpatrick, from Hartselle, is also looking forward to seeing relatives this weekend and said this is the time of year his family prepares for Christmas.
“We will put up our Christmas lights on Thanksgiving week and put up our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving,” Kilpatrick said. “We’re trying to get our groceries done before Black Friday comes.”
Amy Hood, an instructional coach at Priceville Elementary, said her family will be participating in a new family tradition on Black Friday.
“Every member of our family draws a name for a jewelry swap,” Hood said. “The fun is to guess who each new ornament on the tree represents.”
Morgan County Superintendent-elect Tracie Turrentine said she and her family plan to eat together this morning and watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as they always do.
“My family and I are very traditional,” said Turrentine. “We meet for lunch, watch the Macy’s Day Parade, watch football and put up our Christmas tree.”
When asked about Black Friday, Turrentine said that personally she likes to relax during the Thanksgiving break and “stay away from the chaos.”
Athenians and first cousins Vonia Seay, Maiyah Goodwin and Latasha Wright have families from Michigan and Birmingham this week.
“This will be the first time we’ve been able to see our Michigan family in a while,” Seay said. “We’ll probably do our shopping online on Friday.”
—
Iron Bowl Predictions
As for the Iron Bowl, Seay said she’s an Auburn fan, but “I’m kind of up in the air about it.”
Williams, an Alabama Crimson Tide fan, said she was determined to win Alabama over Auburn in the 87th annual rivalry game in Tuscaloosa. Kilpatrick, on the other hand, thinks Auburn might have a chance with interim head coach Carnell “Cadillac” Williams at the helm.
“I think we’re making progress with Cadillac,” Kilpatrick said. “He pulled us through what we’ve been through this season.”
Two Decatur City council members believe the Crimson Tide will pull off a strong victory, but Council President Jacob Ladner predicts a surprise.
“I’ll tell you right now, it’s going to be nothing in 63, Auburn,” said Ladner, who will be at the game himself. “I think[Auburn’s]coach Cadillac is going to get them energized and ready, and, you know, Alabama has nothing left to play for, so I think Auburn will have all the energy and will bring it.”
Hood also says this year belongs to the Tigers and predicts they will win 34-31.
Councilors Billy Jackson and Carlton McMasters predict Alabama wins, and Jackson says Auburn doesn’t have enough high-quality players to match Alabama’s depth.
“I’ll say it’s probably going to be 42-14,” Jackson said. “I think[Cadillac Williams]inspired Auburn, I think they’re playing better ball now. I just don’t know if they have the depth right now to deal with Alabama. Alabama’s defense wasn’t as good as it was. but I just think they have too much depth against Auburn right now.”
McMasters, an Auburn fan, said, “I have a feeling we’re going to take some lumps in on Saturday. I predict Alabama will win 38-21.”
Turrentine said she expects it to be an emotional game for her Tigers.
“Was Eagle, but I have to go with Alabama 31 and Auburn 14,” Turrentine said.
— [email protected] or 256-340-2438.