Residents reflect on what they are grateful for today

I give thanks that my car stalled on the Balboa Island ferry boat

16 years ago, because it lead me underneath the balcony of Prince

Charming, who I have since married and had two gorgeous children

with. And that man is Dennis Bress, who still lives there.

SUMMER BAILEY

Balboa Island

I’m thankful for firemen because they protect us from the fire,

and I’m thankful for Jesus.

NASH MADER

(4 1/2 years old -- mom called in)

Costa Mesa

I like babies, sweet Lou and Christiana Rose.

ANNIE MADER

(3 years old -- mom called in)

Costa Mesa

We are thankful this Thanksgiving for our jobs. We work at Serving

People In Need, a nonprofit agency that provides access to housing,

counseling and support services to those that need it the most, the

homeless and low-income families in Orange County. We are grateful to

SPIN because we can help these unfortunate families. While so many

individuals in our community are without jobs, we are thankful for

what we can provide for them this Thanksgiving and all year long.

Happy Holidays,

TANA MACKE

VALERIE MILLER

Costa Mesa

I am thankful for the leadership of Marian Bergeson, Chris

Wilkinson, Mayor Tod Ridgeway, City Manager Homer Bludau,

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Superintendent Robert Barbot,

Newport-Mesa Unified School District Trustees Judy Franco and Dana

Black, Pam Coughlin, Patrick Bartolic, LaDonna Kienitz and Judy

Kelley and all of the wonderful people who worked so hard (especially

Teri Craig) and sent donations to make a new library a possibility

for our community.

THERESA CHASE

Newport Beach

Last July, our son, Jeff, was walking home from Corona del Mar

High School cross-country practice at the beach when he noticed a

small bag “moving.” Inside, he found a newborn (only hours old)

kitten covered with ants (obviously abandoned) near Fashion Island.

Since kittens are born blind and deaf with their ears folded, he only

recognized it from its consistent “mewing.”

He walked it over to the Newport Center Animal Hospital, where we

take our other pets, and they were honest in saying that the kitty

had little chance of survival, since it was also infected with a

virus and only weighed 2 ounces. We kept in daily contact with staff

members and the vet, who were more than gracious to us. One of the

vet techs, Janae Veal, even took him home each night after work

(voluntarily, I might add) to feed and give him antibiotics every two

hours. His health improved, and we took him home one week later.

The good news is that “Duke” (an appropriate name for a

Newport-Mesa cat -- although named after the surfing great -- my son

is an avid surfer) is now 5 months old, weighs a healthy five pounds,

is quite friendly and playful with us and our other pets, and is a

beautiful animal, as well. If it had not been for the generosity of

the staff, their patience when we visited daily, and their compassion

for animals and giving spirit, “Duke” would certainly not be here

giving us happiness, laughter and love today.

Although Janae is no longer at the hospital, we still want the

hospital to know how grateful we are that you saved and protected

this wonderful feline and made our family so happy.

KIM, TERRY, AND JEFF OGLE

Newport Beach

Exactly two years ago, Thanksgiving 2000, I promised Daily Pilot

readers, my friends and family that I wanted to become an American

citizen.

Now, two years later, my American dream has become finally

reality.

I was sworn in as a citizen, with a crowd of more than 3,500

people from 110 different nations, in Pomona last Wednesday. It has

been a wonderful, at the same time humbling, experience and a wild,

thrill filled ride.

I am grateful beyond words to be a new active member of this great

and free nation, the most exciting country in the whole wide world. I

am grateful for my family’s support as well as for my friends who

encouraged me, helped and coached me along the way.

I am grateful that I now can take the advantage of the privilege

to vote and participate actively in community life.

America, thank you for taking me in and accepting me. America,

thank you for everything.

MARION G. HARTWICH

Costa Mesa

Beyond my love of family and this great land, I’m thankful that I

can write. As we communicate thoughts and feelings, there are few

satisfactions that surpass the bond between writer and reader. In

addition, writing gives a “permanency” to loving memories, as I

learned with the passing of my elder daughter in 1999.

Meanwhile, I am also grateful to have a cherished daughter,

Natalee, a lovely and vibrant mom, and a wonderful and compassionate

girlfriend.

Finally, as a community college teacher, I’m lucky to be able to

impart my love of writing and good writing skills to my students.

In short, life is good -- having a publisher and a fine local

newspaper.

Thankfully,

LEE MALLORY

Newport Beach

Thanksgiving is so special to me this year. I’ve just been able to

get out of bed after a long illness and celebrate this Thanksgiving.

There are three people who have been so special this past year; who

have listened to me and cared. Carol Blanchard, who’s gone over to

China as a professor at the first American university, to teach

people English and business. She keeps in contact with me on a

regular basis and is so supportive. The second one is Gayle Ryan, my

friend of 22 years, who has hung in there with me through thick and

thin. And last, but not least, Sharon Corzine. She’s the director of

lay ministry at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach. I

am so thankful to have these people in my life.

DIANE CARROLL

Newport Beach