As days grow shorter and temperatures drop, Christmas decorations are already appearing. Amid the holiday buzz, Thanksgiving, one of the season’s most meaningful celebrations, often gets overlooked. To combat this, Hoban alum and Thanksgiving enthusiast Robert Yanko, Class of ‘66, shares his tips, traditions, and enthusiasm to bring more turkey-day cheer to the Hoban community.
A typical Yanko Thanksgiving kicks off bright and early as the family heads to downtown Akron for the Home Run for the Homeless 5K charity race. Representing “Team Gravy” in custom shirts, Yanko and around 50 family members hit the starting line together. Yanko describes the race as “a great way to start the day and get into the Thanksgiving spirit” before diving into the day’s festivities.
For the Yankos, the race is just the beginning. Refueling with Krispy Kreme donuts, they head to Wadsworth, where relatives gather for an evening feast of 50. For Yanko, Thanksgiving is “the finest of all holidays,” filled with “joy, togetherness, and gratitude.” But, he notes, only one thing defines the season: gravy.
For those looking to elevate their Thanksgiving, Yanko has a few key tips. First, avoid distractions from appetizers, celery sticks, carrots, and chips are fine on other days, but Thanksgiving should focus on the main event. This, of course, means more room for gravy.
Second, while it is essential to be friendly and engaged with family, nothing should come between you and the food. And for the third, and perhaps most crucial, tip: get the biggest plate you can find. Skip the salad plates and soup bowls; load up on turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and plenty of gravy.
Yanko has a foolproof method for gauging the right amount of gravy: “When the turkey starts to float,” he says, “you know you’ve got enough.”
Once your plate is prepped, it’s time to feast. The key to an authentic Yanko Thanksgiving is savoring each bite with gratitude and joy. For those new to this level of indulgence, Yanko recommends focusing on an inanimate object, like a clock or salt shaker, to stay steady in the face of a food marathon.
After dinner, family fun continues with pumpkin pie, piled high with whipped cream. According to Yanko, the whipped cream should mirror the gravy’s generous portions: “You shouldn’t even be able to see the pie.”
As the day winds down, the inevitable food coma sets in, pants loosen, and contented sighs fill the room. Inspired by the Yanko Thanksgiving spirit, maybe this will be the year you step up your own celebration, savoring the flavors and family time. And remember, Knights, never skimp on the gravy!
