We’re trying to fill a request to list restaurants that are open on Thanksgiving Day.

Without calling every restaurant in a 50-mile radius, we did discover these chain restaurants are open in Rowan:

• Cracker Barrel — this is the busiest day of their year.

• IHOP

• Waffle House

• K&W Cafeteria

If you know of any other places that are open, please let us know by calling 704-797-4252 or emailing news@salisburypost.com or by posting to our Facebook page.

Thanks!

Chili contest

The Salisbury-Rowan Farmers Market had a chili contest last Saturday, with seven entrants.

Customers at the market were the judges, tasting seven different chilis.

P.J. O’Neil was the winner for his Hawaiian Chili.

We’re trying to get a couple of the recipes to share with readers.

If you were one of the contestants, please call 704-797-4252 or email news@salisburypost.com or message us from our Facebook page.

Can’t wait to find out what his secret is. It had a nice twang, a good level of spice and not too many beans.

Congratulations, P.J.

Cheerwine Punch

Cheerwine Punch is on shelves in the Carolinas now through Dec. 31, and the brand partnered with nine North Carolina mixologists to create “uniquely southern” mocktails and cocktails featuring its holiday beverage.

The cherry, effervescent taste of Cheerwine is a staple of Carolina culture, and Cheerwine Holiday Punch joins that iconic flavor with bright, bubbly ginger ale and tangy pineapple.

Next week we will feature some of the recipes and other ideas.

Speaking of punch

Do you remember when punch was the thing to have at holiday gatherings?

The old tried and true pineapple juice and ginger ale and lime sherbet, with a few variations, is the standard sweet punch for showers and such.

But back in the day, Southern punch had a punch! It rosied the cheeks and loosened the tongue.

Do you have a favorite punch recipe? Are there two versions — one for the kids and one for the adults?

We’d like you to share some of those with us, too.

Again, please email news@salisburypost.com, post to our Facebook page or call 704-797-4252.

Here’s to making the holidays merry and bright.