There's an apparent population on SouthCoast who share an unusual holiday custom."I can't believe how many people have lasagna for Thanksgiving," said Jean Riccardi, who runs Riccardi's Italian Restaurant and Buffet Catering alongside her husband, founder/owner Michael Riccardi. "It's so non-traditional but on Thanksgiving Eve we are always so busy."

Having just celebrated 50 years in April since opening its original New Bedford location, the Riccardis say their business has found itself part of many family traditions. For them, watching these traditions — and the families that start them — begin, grow, and be carried on by new generations has been one of the most rewarding aspects of their careers.