Joy! We are just one week away from Thanksgiving. I hope you are feeling as excited as I am for the special holiday. Let’s jump right into my latest Thursday Rundown…

Turkey Bingo Season – It is that time of the year where Catholic parishes across the country offer turkey bingo events. Knights of Columbus councils stage Sunday afternoon bingo sessions where either turkeys or grocery store gift cards are on the line. My family is right in the middle of our turkey bingo circuit. This past Sunday we attended the event at the parish/school we attend—St. Mary. This upcoming Sunday we will attend the turkey bingo event hosted at my parents’ parish—St. Thomas More. Crossing our fingers that we have more luck where my mom and dad attend church because we came away empty handed last weekend.

Beau at the St Mary (Spokane Valley) Turkey bingo event this past Sunday.

Death By Lightning – For a U.S. President buff like myself, this offering by Netflix was right down my alley. Adding to the intrigue was that it focused on past Commander-In-Chiefs who are largely footnotes in past president history—James Garfield and Chester Arthur. Now factor in that one of my favorite actors, Michael Shannon, depicted Garfield and you can probably imagine I was all about “Death By Lightning.” I highly recommend watching it. If for nothing else, you will realize that sleaziness and corruption in politics was just as rampant in the 1880s as it is now.

“Death By Lightening” is great. I learned a lot about James Garfield and Chester Arthur.

Thanksgiving Lunch – What has become one of my favorite events at Eastern Washington University took place again today. One week before Thanksgiving each year, EWU stages the President’s Fall Recognition Luncheon. It is a time to recognize EWU employees who go above and beyond but it is also a time to feast. A hearty Thanksgiving lunch is provided and President McMahan herself serves the pumpkin pie. Just like with my first luncheon last year, I took the opportunity today to enjoy time with my team and realize how lucky I am to be an Eagle.

Today’s luncheon was delicious and very appreciated.

Thanksgiving Traditions – It was 10 years ago that I wrote about the Thanksgiving traditions I grew up with. A decade later, we are still honoring those traditions. What are they? Well, chiefly, we go to a movie and always serve lasagna with the turkey. But the most beloved tradition that my wife and I have instilled for our own little family is watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade together every Thanksgiving morning.

You can’t have Thanksgiving without turkey.

EWU Football Game – This past Saturday, Sid and I went on a nice date. We rode the bus out to Cheney and attended the EWU vs. Northern Colorado football game. It was a perfect autumn afternoon as we watched the Eagles win while meeting some great supporters of Eastern Washington University. The best part could have been eating a bag of warm Cathy’s Cookies as we walked back to the bus.

Sid and I at the EWU football game on Nov. 15, 2025.

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If you are doing a turkey trot next week you might want to put in some training this weekend. If not, enjoy some football and start saving up that appetite. Don’t Blink.