Chris Haworth Shares the Mystery: As the holiday season starts, Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for reflection and celebration. For members of the Association of Pickleball Players (APP), the holiday season isn’t defined by pickleball matches but by treasured family moments and time-honored traditions. From big family gatherings to unique food rituals, these players offer a glimpse into what makes Thanksgiving special for them.
Chris Haworth: A Legacy of Family Gatherings
For Chris Haworth, Thanksgiving is about preserving family traditions.
“Favorite tradition is just spending time with family. We used to go to my grandma’s house every year for 20 years, and now my parents live in the house that my grandparents lived in, so we still get to go to the same house and continue that tradition. So just spending time with family.” – (Haworth)
The continuity of celebrating in the same home adds an emotional depth to the holiday, carrying forward the legacy of family unity.
- Chris’ Thanksgiving Takeaway:
- The significance of family bonds and keeping traditions alive, even as homes and generations change.
Ryler DeHeart: A Pumpkin Passion
For Ryler DeHeart, Thanksgiving is all about pumpkins.
“Favorite Thanksgiving tradition, I would say pumpkins – everything to do with pumpkins.” – (DeHeart)
Whether it’s pumpkin pie, pumpkin soup, or pumpkin decorations, the orange gourd plays a central role in his holiday celebrations, marking a seasonal touchstone.
- Ryler’s Thanksgiving Tip:
- Celebrate the season with pumpkin-infused dishes to embrace the flavors of fall.
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Zack Taylor: A Kansas City Celebration
Zack Taylor’s Thanksgiving revolves around big family gatherings and cherished traditions from his hometown of Kansas City.
“Favorite Thanksgiving tradition is being with my entire family. My mom is one of 10, so we have a giant family, and we all sit around the same table. It’s usually like 30 people all in one house. Everybody brings a dish, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandma, grandpas. It’s so fun, and it’s back in Kansas City, where I’m from, so I never miss a holiday. And the best part of Thanksgiving for me is green bean casserole, obviously, it’s the best.” – (Taylor)
His family’s Thanksgiving is an event filled with laughter, shared meals, and a few special activities that make the day unforgettable.
“We also go watch the lights turn on on the Plaza, which is an outdoor shopping center in KC, so super big tradition. And then we go up to my grandma’s condo and watch the fireworks. Lots of stuff going on, and super fun!” – (Taylor)
But the tradition doesn’t stop with the meal. Zack’s family also gathers for the annual lighting ceremony at the Plaza, an outdoor shopping center in Kansas City, followed by fireworks at his grandmother’s condo.
News in Brief: Chris Haworth Shares the Mystery
Thanksgiving traditions among APP pros vary from family gatherings in familiar homes to the special joy of pumpkin-themed dishes and large, bustling family meals. With cherished moments such as fireworks in Kansas City and green bean casserole at the table, these players share a glimpse into the meaningful traditions that make the holiday so memorable.
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