News

Giving Thanks

By GARY WEBSTER Argus-Press Education Editor

Sunday, November 23, 2008 4:27 PM EST

Peggy Friess didn't need any thought time when asked the question.

“Having my family...all my family” responded the Corunna resident when asked what she is most thankful for this Thanksgiving. “My father (Herbert Brooks) came through some surgery recently. He's 84 years old, so we're really thankful to have him.

“And we've got two new grandbabies - Elizabeth Dettman, born July 10; and Bruce Perkins, born Aug. 12,” Friess added. “It's the circle of life. My dad's mother died when he was 4 years old. Eighty years later we have another ‘Lizzie' in the family. Our family truly has many blessings to celebrate this Thanksgiving,” and that certainly includes older grandchildren Alexa Dettman, 8, and Mikayla Dettman, 6.

Friess was far from alone with her “family first” answer of thanks.

“I'm very thankful I have a complete family,” said Owosso farmer and Corunna teacher Tony Bohac. “Good, healthy kids, a loving wife (Peggy) and two sets of great grandparents - Robert and Rosalie Bohac, and Pete and Mary Hinds. It's a rare thing to have all your parents and I am very thankful. I have no complaints. I think the longer I live the more thankful I am for what I have, and I'm not talking about material things. Family is everything.”

“My family,” replied Owosso resident Dave Hoenshell. “Our daughter (Denae) is expecting; certainly the baby is a blessing I'm thankful for. And my son, Scott, is home safe from Iraq (from his second tour of duty). And my wife (Sue) has put up with me for another year, that's 29 now.”

John Orin, former Caledonia Township Supervisor from rural Corunna and owner of Roma's Back Door restaurant in Owosso, started by saying, “My wife (Jan),” then adding “God's working in my life. He brought us to this community. I'm thankful for the small-town feel, for living and working in this community. We've got some great, hard-working employees (at Roma's) who pull together. We lost our dog (last year) and this community let us know they were feeling our pain, that they cared.”

“My family,” said Mike McCloskey, referring to his wife Joan, the couple's five children and 10 grandchildren -nine boys, one girl. “I'm thankful they're all healthy.”

Despite the sagging economy, Mark Miller didn't pick his new position as superintendent of Corunna Public Schools, instead he said, “First and foremost, my family and our health. I also feel very thankful - and blessed - to live in this country. Even in tough times, when we're down a little, I'm thankful to live in America, the greatest country going.”

Herb Judd, tears welling in his eyes and his voice cracking with emotion, said he was thankful the love of his life, his wife Joan, wasn't more seriously injured in a recent fall at their Juddville farm house. “We've got a wonderful, loving family and for that I'm thankful with all my heart,” said the family patriarch.

For me, it's Mina Elizabeth Hofmann and Amy Naples. Mina is my new - my first - granddaughter. And, next June, Amy will become my first daughter-in-law when she marries my oldest son, Bryan.

Family first for me, too.

I am also thankful to have a job that allows me to tell the Thanksgiving tales of others who, with everybody else in the area, forms a community “family” of which we can all be thankful.

Comment on this Story

thankful wrote on Nov 25, 2008 7:37 AM:

" This year with all the things that we could be down about it so very refreshing to hear stories of people that are still thankful. I am personally thankful for my family as well...my loving husband, healthy children and a very beautiful granddaughter Triniti born in April. She is a true miracle and so despite bad times economically it is so nice to have a brand new member of our family to treasure! Grandma loves you Triniti! "

Micki wrote on Nov 23, 2008 7:28 PM:

" Although I have not lived in the area for years I still go on line every day to catch up on all the happenings in Owosso. I continue to enjoy the articles written by Gary Webster and this is definitely one of my favorites. So many of the names I recognize from years gone by..(fellow softball players, neighbors, co- workers etc.)and it is nice to see all of them are well. Thanks again Gary...you certainly haven't lost your touch!
Micki Drenovsky Peltz "