Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s Ollie Q. Cumber claims Sweet Gherkins as his favorite Thanksgiving dessert, but he sure looks sweet on sweet potato pie(Courtesy Mt. Olive Pickle)
UMO’s Troy the Trojan is in tip-top shape, so a little indulging at Thanksgiving (hello, pecan pie!) shouldn’t do too much damage. (Courtesy University of Mount Olive)
Sure, it would be nice to relax and watch Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but Piggly Wiggly’s Mr. Pig will be celebrating with family and friends — can’t let ‘em go hungry(Sherry Matthews|mountolivetribune.com)
He’s got the turkey; now all Mr. Pig has to shop for are the ingredients for his famous green bean casserole (Sherry Matthews|mountolivetribune.com)
In honor of Thanksgiving, mountolivetribune.com wanted to talk turkey with three of the town’s most illustrious citizens: Mt. Olive Pickle Company’s Ollie Q. Cumber, the University of Mount Olive’s Troy the Trojan, and Piggly Wiggly’s Mr. Pig. Read on to see what these mascots have to say about the holiday…
Ollie Q. Cumber is a foodie, for sure. His expertise in the field of pickles, peppers, and relishes is unrivaled. When asked to share his thoughts about the upcoming food-centric holiday, he was pickled pink to oblige.
Will you celebrate Thanksgiving in Mount Olive?
Yes! I’m dill-lighted to be spending Thanksgiving here at my home, located at the Corner of Cucumber & Vine.
With whom will you celebrate?
This year, I’ll be hosting my fellow mascots, Troy the Trojan from UMO and Mr. Pig, who will be bringing a turkey and sides from Piggly Wiggly.
Turkey: oven-roasted or deep-fried?
I prefer an oven-roasted turkey that’s been good and brined first. Save the deep-frying for the pickle chips!
Favorite Thanksgiving dessert:
Sweet Gherkins make an excellent dessert (appetizer or side dish, too!).
Do you have a signature Thanksgiving dish that you prepare?
My Jalapeño Cornbread Stuffing made with Mt. Olive Diced Jalapeño Peppers is always a big hit with friends and family. You should try it! Here’s the recipe: Jalapeno Cornbread Stuffing – Mt Olive Pickles
Post-Thanksgiving meal: work off those calories with a walk or veg out in the recliner?
I put the “veg” in vegetable, so you can guess where I’ll be!
Any unusual Thanksgiving traditions in your family?
After we have our Thanksgiving feast, my guests and I like to take a plunge in one of the tanks on the tank yard. The brine feels fine this time of year!
Are you a fan of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Isn’t any mascot worth their salt (and vinegar) a fan of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?! Of course! It is a lifelong dream of mine to be featured in the parade, floating along in balloon form.
What are you most thankful for this year?
I’m thankful to be waking up each day on the outside of the pickle jar!
Advice for others on how to make Thanksgiving Day special:
As my favorite t-shirt says, Live, Laugh & Eat Pickles! And “relish” time spent with family, friends and loved ones on Thanksgiving Day!
Troy the Trojan is UMO’s chief cheerleader—hey, it’s in the job description (come to think of it, it probably IS the job description!). With Thanksgiving Day right around the corner, he has even more than usual to cheer about.
Will you celebrate Thanksgiving in Mount Olive?
I can think of no better place than Mount Olive to celebrate Thanksgiving! Because our students usually go home for the holiday, we all get together a few days early for the big turkey dinner in the Holmes and Lois K. Murphy Regional Center. Faculty and staff serve our students and I get to have my photo made with all those “turkeys”!
With whom will you celebrate?
I know you’re not supposed to count your turkeys before they hatch, but I am going to “stick my neck out,” like most turkeys do, and say that I am going to dine with the President and First Lady this Thanksgiving. You know the ones I’m talking about…UMO President Dr. H. Edward Croom and his lovely wife, Mrs. Phyllis Croom.
Turkey: oven-roasted or deep-fried?
I guess everyone must love turkey as much as I do because Americans consume an average of 219 million turkeys in a year. Woo-we, that’s a lot of finger-licking goodness! I like it deep-fried, oven-roasted, on the grill, or in a sandwich. You can’t go wrong with turkey!
Favorite Thanksgiving dessert:
Well, when you have to stay fit and trim like I do, you have to watch the desserts. But, I do love a good pecan pie or slice of carrot cake. Don’t tell the athletic trainer; that will be our little secret — wink.
Do you have a signature Thanksgiving dish that you prepare?
We need to have a talk. Not any ordinary discussion, but a feather-flying, dirt-scratching, gobble-gobble kind of conversation. Did you know that poultry is North Carolina’s number one agriculture industry? You can pair anything with turkey and you can’t go wrong. Mashed potatoes, dressing, sweet potato casserole, collards — oh my, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it.
Post-Thanksgiving meal: work off those calories with a walk or veg out in the recliner?
I like to work off those calories in Pope Wellness Center. Pumping iron is what I do best. Have you seen my muscles lately?
Any unusual Thanksgiving traditions in your family?
Usually about a week or two before Thanksgiving, the UMO campus participates in a 5K run and they’ve named it after me…The Trojan Trot. It’s a good way to get in shape before the big day!
Are you a fan of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
I’m more of a sports guy myself.
What are you most thankful for this year?
I am thankful for many of God’s abundant blessings. Among them, I am very thankful to have the opportunity to cheer on our students every day in all that they do in academics and athletics. GO TROJANS!!!
Advice for others on how to make Thanksgiving Day special:
Be kind, be an encourager, be a supporter, and be thankful!!!
This time of year, the aisles of Piggly Wiggly are a whirlwind of pre-Thanksgiving activity, as shoppers fill their carts with cranberry sauce, potatoes, rolls, and other dinner fixin’s. Mr. Pig, being in the middle of this hustle and bustle, didn’t have much time for chit-chat; still, he did share a few quick holiday thoughts.
Will you celebrate Thanksgiving in Mount Olive?
Yes
With whom will you celebrate?
Family and friends
Turkey: oven-roasted or deep-fried?
Deep fried
Favorite Thanksgiving dessert:
Pumpkin pie
Do you have a signature Thanksgiving dish that you prepare?
Green bean casserole
Post-Thanksgiving meal: work off those calories with a walk or veg out in the recliner?
In the recliner watching football
Any annual Thanksgiving traditions in your family?
Family get-together
Are you a fan of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Yes
What are you most thankful for this year?
God blessing me and my Pig family another year
Advice for others on how to make Thanksgiving Day special:
Just love on your family members
Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mount Olive Pickle Company, the University of Mount Olive, Piggly Wiggly, and mountolivetribune.com.
Got feature ideas? Email Kathy Grant Westbrook at kwestbrook1@nc.rr.com.
