4 Thanksgiving Conversation Starters In New Jersey

We’ve all been there. The family is gathered for a much-needed Thanksgiving meal. Everything’s going great. Then someone at the table starts talking politics.

And everything gets really, really awkward.

Here are some non-political, New Jersey-related stories to help you punt the conversation back into neutral territory. (Tip: Bookmark this page for an emergency “cheat sheet” in case someone brings up the 2017 election)

TRAVEL AND TRAFFIC

Nothing brings people together for a common cause like griping about traffic.

New Jerseyans should get heavy traffic - and travel delays - as more than 1 million people are expected hit the roads this week, the most during Thanksgiving week in a decade. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thanksgiving Day are expected to be among the busiest travel days in years, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA).

For those attempting to cross the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York, the crowd may be even thicker. About six million travelers are projected to use the Port Authority’s airports, bridges, tunnels and PATH system during the five-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

• See related article: Hitting The Road? Here's NJ's Thanksgiving Travel Outlook
• See related article: NJ DUI Checkpoints/Patrols For Thanksgiving Weekend

YOU GOTTA WATCH THIS…

When all else fails, a good internet video can be just the thing to derail a Thanksgiving Day political argument. Check out a few recent goodies in New Jersey below.

Thinking about frying your Thanksgiving turkey? Make sure you educate yourself first. The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management offers some timely tips on how to do it safely.

• See related article: Thinking About Frying Your Turkey? Better Watch This First

Crystal Otero and her husband know what they saw in the New Jersey night sky. The "red, fireball like object" appeared in the sky above the city around 1:30 a.m., and it was no optical illusion, the pair say. "It was pretty awesome," Otero told Patch. "Freaky, but awesome."

• See related article: New Jersey 'UFO' Sighting Was 'Freaky But Awesome' (VIDEO)

This was quite a fish tale, but it was for real. And a guy who goes by the name of Pauly Walnuts (no, it's not the Sopranos character) is the one who tells it. WARNING: Viewer discretion advised for strong language

• See related article: Gigantic Whale Jumps At Boat Off New Jersey (Video)

The National Weather Service confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in the parking lot of a Home Depot in New Jersey last June. WARNING: Viewer discretion advised for strong language

• See related article: NWS Confirms 2 Tornadoes In Howell (See The Video)

One Target shopper got more than she bargained for on a recent trip to the Paramus store. A giant two-ton safety ball outside of the local Target store rolled into her vehicle, causing more than $3,500 worth of damage.

• See related article: 2-Ton Target Ball Gets Loose In NJ Parking Lot

• See related article: 9 Amazing World Records From New Jersey (VIDEOS)

NEW STUFF IN NEW JERSEY

The largest LEGOLAND amusement park in the United States is officially coming to the New Jersey area. It will be even larger than the LEGOLAND Discovery Center coming to the the American Dream Meadowlands, which is slated to open in 2019.

• See related article: America's Biggest Legoland Will Be Just Miles From NJ

Whole Foods opened its much-anticipated store in Newark last spring, an opening that many local residents called a symbol of growth and hope in the city's downtown area.

• See related article: Newark's 1st Whole Foods Opens For Business

More than 24,000 people visited the new Hanover Wegmans on its opening day in July. About 2,000 customers were already in line, ready to go for the 7 a.m. opening time, and it only got more crowded as they day went on.

• See related article: 24,000 Shoppers Visited Hanover Wegmans On Opening Day

United Kingdom-based retailer The White Company will open its second U.S. store at The Mall At Short Hills, the company announced in October.

• See related article: Short Hills Mall Gets 2nd 'White Company' Store In U.S.

The Menlo Park Mall is expected to get three new stores this year. The new stores include Johnston & Murphy, Dr. Martens and Sprint. Menlo Park is also expected to welcome the Danish design store, Flying Tiger, this December.

• See related article: Menlo Park Mall Opens Three New Stores This Fall

Wawa opened its first Essex County location last winter, celebrating a grand opening in Maplewood on Dec. 16.

• See related article: Wawa Arrives In Maplewood

INSPIRING SPORTS STORIES

Our advice? Steer clear of “Yankees versus Mets” type discussions if you want to keep things friendly. Here are three recent stories of sports success that span team loyalties in the Garden State.

Dozens of New Jersey athletes from across the state took part in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

• See related article: Meet the 35 Olympic Athletes From New Jersey

The dreams of three former New Jersey football stars, Jabrill Peppers, David Njoku and Hasson Reddick, came true last spring when they were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

• See related article: 3 NJ Football Stars Picked In 1st Round Of NFL Draft

In July, a New Jersey fisherman caught a 926-pound mako shark that was 70 pounds heavier than the state record, an 856-pounder caught in 1994.

• See related article: 926-Pound Mako Caught Off New Jersey Coast

Send local news tips and feedback to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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