I am grateful for a tradition that encourages us to count our blessings — something I think we should all strive to do year-round. I am blessed with a loving and supportive family, great friends and an incredible team of individuals who make “work” fun.

I am thankful for stories — stories shared in books and movies, through music and in art — and I am thankful for the opportunity to tell your stories.

I’m thankful to live in a prospering community, and grateful for the so many individuals who put their whole hearts into making the best version of Michiana yet.

Mostly, I am thankful for our loyal readers for making my dream job a reality in the community I have known and loved my entire life.

Happy Thanksgiving, southwest Michigan! I am so grateful for you. Ambrosia Neldon, general manager

 

It’s hard to count the things I am thankful for, but I’ll give it a shot. I’m grateful for: the opportunity to work in a field I am passionate about, my wonderfully supportive family, terrific friends, a partner who can always make me laugh, great co-workers, two crazy cats, a roof over my head, clean water and a car that runs, despite all of the quirks that come with owning a 16-year-old vehicle. The list goes on and on and on, as I have so much in my life to be thankful for. I’m also grateful for each and every one of our readers. Thanks to you, I get to meet and tell the stories of interesting and passionate individuals every single day. Thank you so much, and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving! Sarah Culton, managing editor

 

I am thankful to wake up every day and be blessed with the day’s adventures. So many people in my graduating class have not been granted that opportunity. I am thankful to have the necessities to live a comfortable life.

I am thankful to be blessed with a partner for the last 15 years who is also my best friend. I am thankful for my two best friends. They keep me sane. I am thankful to have both my parents still living and my mama happens to be my very best friend EVER!

I am thankful to be part of a church that has opened so many new doors for this chapter of my life. I am thankful I have landed a position in an office with some of the most down to earth, yet professional coworkers. It makes waking up and coming to work easy!

I am thankful for the strong-willed personalities of both my children. They teach me patience daily! I am so thankful for this life God picked for me to live, and I do my best to embrace my life daily and look at all hardships as lessons.

And lastly, I am thankful for tacos! Amanda Freeze, customer service

 

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for the constant support from my family and coworkers. I am thankful for the people of Dowagiac for trusting me to share their stories. I am thankful to the athletes and coaches who have reminded me of the valuable role teamwork and perseverance play in our lives. Lastly, I am thankful for the ability to share the truth ­­— and Taco Bell, that too. Sending blessings to all this holiday season. Hannah Holliday, news reporter

 

I am thankful for everyone who has made a difference in my life, especially the past couple of years. From my brothers and their wives to my mother-in-law to my daughter and the special group of people I spend the vast majority of my time with at Leader Publications, I want to wish you each a happy Thanksgiving. I am also thankful for all the people I get to interact with each day for my job. From athletic directors to coaches to players, you have made each day different and special for me and my family. I am forever grateful for that. Scott Novak, sports editor

 

What am I thankful for? That might be the easiest and hardest question to be asked. If I told you everything that I was thankful for, it would be a long list, and I’m not sure that anyone has time to read that. When it comes down to it, I am thankful for the air I breathe, the bed I sleep in and the roof over my head, but none of that would be possible without my parents. I’m thankful for them, my brothers and all of my family. I’m thankful for the job I have, the people I work with who make it such a joy to work here and all the different people I get to meet every day. Most of all, I am thankful for God, for watching over me and all the people I care about and for everything He has done for me. Emily Sobecki, photojournalist/page designer

 

I am very thankful for my family and friends. I am also very thankful for my health and work family. They mean the world to me, and I couldn’t ask for more! Phil Langer, marketing consultant

 

It is hard to list what you are thankful for when you are thankful for everything.  I have a very blessed life that I truly love, and each and every person involved in it makes it greater every day.  Happy holidays!  Rhonda Rauen, accounting manager

 

I am so thankful for my family and friends who have been by my side through all of life’s ups and downs; and I’m especially thankful for my son, Oliver!  Jen Bounds, customer service

 

I am thankful for the health of my family, the hearts of those that are near to mine, the humanity in our community and those that make it a point to make a difference in the lives of others. I am especially thankful for my job; without success and motivation life is stagnant and ends don’t meet. To my work family who are a fine example of humility, brains and geniality. And to the businesses who partner with us, you are my rock and the force behind my achievements. Endless thanks to you all, have a safe and healthy holiday! Lisa Oxender, marketing consultant

 

As a reporter, I’m thankful for many little things.

I am thankful for the people I interview whose enthusiasm for what they do makes telling their stories all the more joyful and reaching out to them quick, easy and stress-free.

I am thankful for people such as Dan Applegate, Bev Woodson, Darla Schneider and Eileen Villanueva, who never hesitate to share a story with me to potentially pursue and always make sure to connect me with the right people.

As Gen Z as it may sound, I am also thankful for those who will text me. Sometimes, a day of phone calls, interviews and events can drain you.

Outside of work, I am thankful for my mom, dad and three siblings, Emma, Sophie and Gabe. They are always happy to talk, to drive down to Niles from the east side of Michigan and to let me know they are there for me.

Finally, I am thankful for my JBL speaker. Apartment dance sessions would not be the same without it. Beau Brockett Jr., news reporter