Jessie Fischer, owner of Saranac Lake’s The Book Nook, is seen here in November 2020. Fischer says she's grateful for two things, one being that the Book Nook and other Saranac Lake businesses were able to stay open throughout the past few trying years. (Enterprise photo — Amy Scattergood)

SARANAC LAKE — While there may be Christmas trees and menorahs abounding, Thanksgiving is still right around the corner. As the holiday approached, the Enterprise asked Saranac Lakers what Thanksgiving traditions they practice and what they are thankful for this year.

Jessie Fischer, owner of the Book Nook on Broadway, said that she loves how food is part of her family’s celebration. Her favorite dish is green bean casserole, but not just because it tastes good.

“I like the side dishes the most because they take a little bit more time to prepare and I like that we get together as a family and cook it all, so that’s the best part,” she said. “Also, you get to see family that you don’t usually get to see on a daily basis, which is a lot of fun too.”

Of the two things Fischer said she was grateful for, one of them is her family. Both her parents and her husband’s parents moved to the Tri-Lakes within the past couple of years.

“It’s nice to have them around. Also, because they’re getting older, if they need help we’ll be right there for them,” she said.

Acknowledging that every business struggled throughout the pandemic, Fischer’s second reason to feel grateful was because the Book Nook and other Saranac Lake businesses were able to stay open throughout the past few trying years.

“I’m just very grateful to be open,” Fischer said. “I think everyone struggled through COVID and I love that everyone that’s here did well, even if they’re still going through it.”

While Fischer will not be traveling for the holidays, Saranac Lake resident Libby Sullivan will. She and her husband alternate holiday travels. They visit their family in Arizona to see her parents during Thanksgiving, then they visit her husband’s family in Saranac Lake on Christmas.

Sullivan said she is just grateful that they’re all healthy and that they’ve made it to the other side. “This is the first time we’re traveling in three years to see my parents to do that tradition,” she said.

Heidi Guttersloh, NorthWind Fine Arts oil painting artist and Saranac Lake resident, shares both Fischer’s love of food and Sullivan’s tradition of travel during this holiday season.

“(We have a) big usual dinner and pat your bellies afterwards,” she said. “This year, we’re going down to my husband’s family on Long Island. First time. We took care of my parents for three, three-and-a-half years so we’re just coming out of that and starting to get back into the fold of being with family because we couldn’t go anywhere.”

Thanksgiving is a day of celebration, but it can also serve as a day of remembrance. Guttersloh’s father died in July of this year. What she is grateful for is that her mother is still with them.

“She’s over a hundred now,” Guttersloh said. “She’s still going.”

While some travel away from the area during the season, John Phalzer just moved back to Saranac Lake. He reminisced about Thanksgivings he’s spent with his family in the past.

“Growing up, my family always went around the table and said what they were thankful for,” he said. “Most of the time, it was pretty good stuff. Occasionally, you’ll do it with friends and family, but it’s a little bit harder as time goes on and everyone has commitments.”

He said that — having lived in the area for around 10 years — he was most grateful for moving back.

“(I) went to school in Plattsburgh, worked in Vermont, commuted across the lake year-round,” Phalzer said. “What more could I ask for? This is home to me. That’s what I’m really thankful for.”

Any Enterprise readers interested in sharing photos from their Thanksgiving celebrations can submit pictures, with the names of those in the photos, to news@adirondackdailyenterprise.com.