Giving Thanks 2022
Nov. 21, 2022 | By Waterbury RoundaboutDear readers,
In what’s becoming a Thanksgiving custom now that this is Waterbury Roundabout’s third (!) Thanksgiving online, we asked readers to write in to tell us what they are thankful for this year. We especially asked to hear from young people. Our inbox topped out at more than 60 replies!
Below are the responses. We enjoyed reading them and we hope you do, too.
As for us, we’re thankful for our readers and for our community at large that’s made a spot for the Roundabout, that answers our calls and our questions, that stops for us to capture a moment in a photograph — to tell your stories. We can say with confidence that there is an endless supply of stories to tell. And with some luck and your support we’ll be here to ask again next Thanksgiving.
From the staff and contributors at Waterbury Roundabout, thank you for reading and Happy Thanksgiving!
Lisa Scagliotti, editor
Gordon Miller, photographer
Julia Bailey-Wells, digital editor
Kady, 3, Waterbury/Hunger Mt. Children’s Center
I’m grateful my husband and I moved to Waterbury Center this year. We are thankful for this beautiful town, welcoming neighbors, and new adventures.
-Jessica Gwaltney, 41, Waterbury Center
Cooler weather
-Emaline Dubois, 10, Duxbury
I am thankful for snow because you actually get to do fun stuff with it, like make a snowman or sledding down the hill.
-Malaki Millette, 10, Waterbury
I am thankful for the Center Chains disc golf course at Hope Davey park near my house in Waterbury. I started playing there a few years ago after someone from Front Porch Forum gave me some old discs, and since then the course has become one of my favorite parts of our town. I like playing in summer, a bit in winter, and I've introduced many people to the sport thanks to Center Chains. As shown in the photo, when family members come from away we like to bring them to the course, and I've met some friends from playing FREE rounds during the summer. Can't get much better than that. I hope Center Chains can stay around for a while as a fantastic part of our community, and I'm thankful to the volunteers who keep the course nice, AND to pro players who positively grow the sport like Ricky Wysocki who recently visited students at Brookside school. Disc golf is really fun.
-Jesse McDougall, 21, Waterbury Center
Games
-Silas, 13, Waitsfield
I am grateful for HALLOWEEN!!! for being sooooo much fun and rewarding. :)
-Maddie Schneider, 12, Waterbury
Everyone in my life
-Jonathan J.J. McElroy, 12, Waitsfield
I am thankful that I live in such a safe place. I am happy that the schools are great, the town is safe, and that there are so many activities here. I am very thankful that we moved to Vermont. I'd rather be here than anywhere else.
-Mason Pockoski, 10, Waterbury Center
I am super thankful for the beautiful state of Vermont. I’m thankful for Vermont because of the gorgeous mountains and the ponds, rivers, and streams. I am lucky that I have a good life here and am able to use my time and life well. All is good and we have what we need. Also remember to be kind and thankful as well. This is why I am thankful for Vermont.
-Isla Allardyce, 10, Waterbury
I am so grateful that I live in Vermont! I am so happy to live here because there are so many things to do here! For example I am grateful for all the snow and nature because some places don't have that much nature or don't get snow. I am also grateful to live in Vermont because of all the rivers and lakes in Vermont because in the summer time I can swim in them. For example I like to swim in the Reservoir or camp there! I am also grateful for the food in Vermont even thought some places have really cool and really good food, I like how you can get a lot of fresh food in Vermont!
-Sydney Mauntler, 10, Duxbury
I'm thankful for the snow. I love snow because I can ski on the mountain, sled on our hill, and build snowmen. It's also really beautiful. The way it weighs down the branches, glistens in the light, and falls so softly from the sky, it's spectacular! That's why I am thankful for snow.
-Yvette Chittenden-Swain, 10, Waterbury Center
I am thankful for my dad and to have a camper. l'm glad to be alive and to have a house.
-James Abair, 11, Duxbury
I'm thankful to live in such a beautiful state. I love to swim in beautiful lakes, bike up the tall green mountains, and walk the awesome trails. I'm so lucky to live in the beautiful green mountains of Vermont. There’s no better place to live than Vermont.
-Hayden Milia-Sawyer, 10, Waterbury
-Theo T., 3, Waterbury / Hunger Mt. Children’s Center
I’m very thankful for the beautiful place I live in. I like the snow in the winter, the leaves in the fall (especially because I live on one of the access roads to Camels Hump) and skiing on the awesome mountains. I feel super lucky to have lived here my whole life.
-Sam Rost, 11, North Duxbury
I am thankful for my dad because he will get anything I want. For example he got me a dirt bike, snowmobile, and is fixing up a camp and making it look nice so it can be my hanging out spot. He got me a ski pass and we're going on a week-long trip and more. But that's only a small amount of things he's done for me. That is why I am thankful for my dad.
-Landon Brooks, 11, Duxbury
I am thankful for my house and my pets, and friends and my teachers that help me learn new things everyday. I'm also thankful for my house and living in a beautiful world and place. I am very thankful for the food that I get and my family that I have. And one more thing I'm thankful for is me.
I am very thankful to live in such a beautiful place. I love being able to play sports, and ski the mountains, and swim the sparkling waters and hike the Green and White Mountains. I feel very luck to live in VT. There is no place I would rather live.
-Rose Williams, 11, Moretown
I am thankful for my cats because they are always around because they are at both my houses and very sweet. My cat Whitefoot will always be on the couch laying down trying to get attention from all of us and she gets attention from all of us. Another one we got from a shelter and is really fat and her name is Betsy, me and my dad and all his friends love her. One of my cats I've had since kindergarten and her name is Maddie, she is almost always on my bed when I get home from school. I have two more cats and I got one at the same time as Whitefoot and her name is Blackfoot and she is also really sweet but doesn't try to get as much attention as Whitefoot. My only boy cat is named Greyfoot and I think I'm his favorite because he is also always on my bed when I get home from school. Maddie and Betsy live at my dad's house and Whitefoot Blackfoot and Greyfoot live at my mom's. I love all of my cats equally because they are all amazing but Whitefoot has the softest fur.
-Gunner McCain, 11, Waterbury
I am very thankful for my home. My house provides shelter for me, my parents and my pets. I feel thankful for my home. There is no home that to me would be better than mine.
-Zarek Vogelsang-card, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am so thankful to live in Vermont. I love walking in the woods. Winter is awesome because I get to build a snowman. The views from the mountains are beautiful and amazing. There's no place like Vermont.
-Mila Touchette, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am thankful for bacon🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓🥓 bacoooon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Drustan Knapp, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am thankful for my parents. They let me be able to play hockey. They give me a roof over my head that keeps me warm. They also give me food and water that is clean so I don't get sick. My parents give me a comfy bed to sleep in. I would never want different parents than what I have now.
-Hailey Huber, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am thankful for my puppy. I love to play fetch with him and I like to take him for walks. He is a mutt and he likes to snuggle. I'm lucky to have him.
-Alice Dacek, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am very thankful to live in a state with a lot of mountains. I'm really happy that I can just hop in the car and hit the mountains. I love skiing, biking, hiking, and exploring. Without mountains none of this would be possible. That’s why I love living in this great state. I mean, it’s called the Green Mountains for a reason.
-Sam Phillips, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am very thankful to live in Vermont. I love the fall leaves when they are just turning colors because they are very bright and bold! I love that we have so much room to play outside in forests, fields, and even streams! That’s why I love living in Vermont.
-Kassidy Noyes, 11, Grade 5, Moretown
I am thankful for my Mom, my Dad and my family, and the sports that I play. I love living in Vermont because you can bike, you can hike, you can fish, you can make fires, and go camping with family and friends. I'm thankful for all of these things in my life.
-Kaden Wimble, 11, Grade 5, Duxbury/Waterbury
I am thankful for my friends and family. Everybody in this town is really kind.This is my home. There's no where else that I'd rather be.
-Finley Jones,Waterbury
I am thankful for our 50+ acre compound. Because we have a pond, a place to camp, and be in nature. I am lucky to grow up in a nice place.
-Leo Vecchione,11, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am thankful for a kind community. Ever since I moved here, I’ve been treated well. Mostly every time I walk around town I see a friend. I'm lucky enough to be able to move to Waterbury / Moretown. It's been great.There is no place I'd rather live.
-Averie Swain, 10, Grade 5, Moretown/Waterbury
-Quinn, 4, Waterbury / Hunger Mt. Children’s Center
I am very thankful for my house because it keeps me warm. I have my own privacy. For example, I have my own bedroom. My house has heaters that keep me warm. I just love going home to my house each day.
-Payten Perry, 10, Waitsfeld
I am very thankful for my family and friends. I like hanging with my friends. I also like having fun with my family. And I have the most fun with them all together. That's why I love my family and my friends.
-Sydney Reed, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am very thankful for my house because it keeps me warm. For example, my house is 75 degrees most of the time and it keeps me warm. I also have my own privacy. For example, I have my own room. I’m thankful for my house and the people who live there.
-Olivia Brooks, 11, Grade 5, Duxbury
My friends and family. pets and holidays. and the snow
-Alec Morton, 11, Duxbury
Thankful Poem
I am thankful for my respectful family
Not everybody's families are respectful some families are bad and their parents go to jail so they have to stay with somebody else.
I'm thankful for food well some families don't have food.
Thankful for my home.
Some people don't even have homes they are called homeless people.
I'm thankful for my parents because some people don't have parents I know it's weird right they’re called orphans let me explain it
They are kids that don't have parents that take care of them or parents that aren't alive or missing
It's sad.
-Colin Nadeau, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I Am Thankful For
I am thankful for my family.
I am thankful for my friends.
I am thankful for my cards.
I am thankful for my school.
I am thankful for my house.
I am thankful for my food.
I am thankful for my neighbors.
I am thankful for my electronics.
I am thankful for my trampoline.
I am thankful for my swing.
I am thankful for my room.
I am thankful for my bed.
I am thankful for living.
I am thankful for the world.
-Hunter Nelson, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
Very Good Poem That’s Really Good
I AM THANKFUL for a good school so I can learn good things,
I AM THANKFUL for my parents who take care of me,
I am thankful for books because they let me see new things,
I AM AM THANKFUL for my friends cuz they help me.
the end
-Aster Cornett-Olsson, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
Lucky
I am thankful for,
Snow days spent inside,
Because I am lucky to have a home.
Tables I have to set,
Because I am lucky to have food.
Switching the laundry,
Because I am lucky to have the clothes.
Splitting firewood,
Because I am lucky to have a fire.
Long car rides,
Because I am lucky to have a car.
Getting shots,
Because I am lucky to have a doctor.
Heavy backpacks,
Because I am lucky to have the supplies.
Taking a turn with my sister,
Because I am lucky to have her.
Life, and all of its gifts,
Having life makes me lucky.
-Emaline Dubois, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am thankful for…
Having to clean my room because it means I have one
Having to do the dishes because it means I had enough food for that meal
Having to do garden work because it means we can grow our own food
Having to go grocery shopping with my family because it means we have enough money to buy new fruits and vegetables
Having to be home alone because it means my parents are doing something productive
Having a parking spot in the very edge of the parking lot because it means I can walk
And when my dad comes to wake me up enthusiastically early in the morning because it means I’m still breathing…
-Wolf Pippenger, 11, Grade 5, Duxbury
-Dean, 3, Waterbury / Hunger Mt. Children’s Center
Thankful for
I am thankful for Trumpet because it means I can play an instrument.
I am thankful for my family because it means that I have a Mom and Dad.
I am thankful for school because it means I’m learning.
I am thankful for home because it means I have shelter.
I am thankful for a bed because it means I can sleep.
I am thankful for food because it means I can Afford it.
I am thankful for books because they let me read.
I am thankful for trees because they let me breathe.
I am thankful for water because it lets me live.
I am thankful for animals because they are cute.
I am thankful for friends because they help you.
I am thankful for snowboarding because it's fun.
I am thankful for clothes because you need them.
-Liam Bixler, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury Center
I Am Grateful For…
I am grateful for a room that I have to clean because it means I have a place to sleep.
I am grateful for all the fights me and my friends have because it means that I have a bond with people.
I am grateful for all the injuries that I've had because every injury I've had makes me stronger.
I am grateful for all the mistakes I've made because it means that I am learning.
I am grateful for my cats who crawl all over me at night because it means that I have a pet who loves me.
I am grateful for the fire alarm going off because it means that I can hear.
I am grateful for all the stinky socks that I have to put in the laundry because it means that I can smell.
I am grateful for my brother who wrecks everything because it means that I have a family.
-June Schoolcraft, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
Thankful, my song!
I'm thankful for friends.
I'm thankful for my life.
I'm thankful for my dad. He has been there since day one.
I'm thankful for my pets.
I'm thankful for Ari, she is my bestie.
I'm thankful for Ava, she is the best.
I'm thankful for my besties.
I'm thankful for my mom and my grammy.
I'm thankful for my stepmom.
I'm thankful for my boyfriend!!
I'm thankful for my grandpa.
I'm thankful for love!
I'm thankful for sadness!
-Athena Wise, 11, Grade 5 Duxbury
What I'm thankful for
I’m thankful for my cat
I’m thankful for my friends
I’m thankful for my family
I’m thankful for my house
I’m thankful for my bed
I’m thankful for the food that I eat
I’m thankful for my clothes
I’m thankful for my shoes
I’m thankful for my tv
I’m thankful for the sports that I play
I’m thankful for my phone
I'm thankful for restaurants
I'm thankful for my car
I’m thankful for the sun
I’m thankful for sleep
I'm thankful for animals
I’m thankful for night
I’m thankful for earth
-Ezrah Fishman, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
What I am thankful for
I am thankful for my family, for being able to come home to someone.
I am thankful for my pets, for something to comfort me.
I am thankful for food, for keeping me alive.
I am thankful for trees, for letting me breathe.
I am thankful for my parents, for always being there.
I am thankful for school, for keeping me smart.
I am thankful for my siblings, for always having my back.
I am thankful for my life.
-Ivy Herrington, 11, Grade 5, Waterbury
Title: I am thankful for
I am thankful for
The chores I clean up after my party, because it makes me feel I am a part of it.
The life and oxygen I breathe every day because I would not live if I did not breathe.
The food I eat because it means I am capable of swallowing.
My family and mom because if I did not have a mom I would have not been born.
My house and heaters because if I did not have them I would be pretty cold.
Those Are The Things That I Am Thankful For
-Carter Weeks, 11, Grade 5, Waterbury
THANKFUL FOR LIFE
I am thankful for war
Because it means we have freedom.
I am thankful for a school to clean
Because it means I can learn.
I am thankful for the trash I pick up
Because it means I have a ground to stand on.
I am thankful for my annoying cat
Who keeps the rodents away.
I am thankful for the fans
Because it means I have people who support me.
I am thankful for my parents
For even know they push me, they taught me everything I know.
THE END
-Patrick Migonis, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
But That Means
The snow is cold when I go outside
But that means that I can go inside to a warm fire,
I got in a fight with my friend
But that means we were together to get in a fight and I still have friends,
I have to do the dishes
But that means I ate that day and I will have clean dishes,
My dog that barks at night
But that means that if someone is there he is protecting me,
The snow is cold when I go outside
But that means that I can go inside to a warm fire!
-Ava Kenyon, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am grateful for
I am grateful for a messy room because it means that I have somewhere to sleep and express myself.
I am grateful for my annoying sisters because without them I would not be annoyed.
I am grateful for my feet that keep me standing.
I am also grateful for my goats, dog, and cat because I’m comforted by them.
I’m grateful for the stinky shoes I wear because they protect the feet I use to walk.
I am grateful for the air I breathe because without it I wouldn't be able to breathe.
I am also grateful for my friends and family because they surround me with love and care when I’m down.
I am grateful for the clothes that are snug because it means I am fed food.
-Machlan Chalmers, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am thankful for
I am thankful for the cold breeze in the fall because it means I can come inside to a warm fire,
the light that shines every morning because it means that I'm alive,
the snow every winter because it brings fun to my life,
the people in this world because if there was none life would be lonely,
education because without it I wouldn't get a job,
soccer because it means I can get stronger,
friends and family because it means I have people to look after,
dirty dishes because it means I ate that day,
being tired when I get home because it means I worked hard that day.
The End
-Tristan Martin, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
Thankfulness
I am thankful for friends that I can talk to when I need it.
I am thankful for skiing to get together with friends.
I am thankful for having to clean my room because it means I have a room.
I am thankful for the doctor's office because it means that I am healthy.
-Gracie Dunbar, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I am thankful for our Earth. I am thankful for our Earth because it is our only home and it’s absolutely beautiful. We only get one Earth and we are lucky that we have one that is so gorgeous. I am thankful for the rivers and lakes of Vermont. I am thankful for the sandy beaches of New Hampshire. I am thankful for the forest of Mississippi. I am thankful for the geysers of Wyoming. I am thankful for the waterfalls of New York. I am thankful for the coral reefs of Hawaii. I am thankful for the freshwater springs of Florida. And I am thankful for the beauty of our Earth.
-Logan Rowley, 10, Waterbury
Keaton’s Poem: I am so Grateful
I am grateful for my little sister
She is smaller than me
I am proud of her because she graduated from kindergarten
I share food and toys with her and often she does the same
I am grateful for my Dad
He is a good cook
He makes me lots of steak and pasta
When Dad cooks, I definitely don’t get hungry
I am grateful for my Mom
She makes my bed
She helps me keep my room clean
I love having a tidy home
I am grateful for me
I am an individual and I am unique
I am different in my own way
That is what makes me Keaton and I stay happy
-Keaton Viens, 11, Grade 5, Waterbury
I am thankful for my family and friends. I love to play with my sister Juniper in our backyard. Baking cookies with family and friends is a fun thing to do. I am really thankful that I have family and friends to be around this holiday season.
-Siobhan Murman, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury
Thankful
I'm thankful for my bed that I can sleep in comfortably.
I’m thankful for comfy blankets because they keep me warm.
I’m thankful for my clothes because they give me warmth and my own style and personality.
I’m thankful for school because I get to learn how to type and read and do math and I got to get a computer and some schools can’t even afford to get books.
I’m thankful for my life because I have enough money to buy stuff that I want and food and parties and more.
I’m thankful for my family and friends because when I need them I know that I can lean on them and they know when they need me I’ll be there.
I’m thankful for my body because I can move right and I can go to the bathroom by myself and I can talk to my friends and family and to myself.
So I told you what I’m thankful for now it’s your turn and appreciate what you have and I hope that everyone reading this has a good day!!! 🙂
-Cadence Lowe, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
I’m thankful for
I’m thankful for always having a friend I can talk to.
I’m thankful for being able to have three meals a day.
I’m thankful for my education.
I’m thankful for clean water I can access easily.
I'm thankful that I’m well rested when I get up in the morning.
I’m thankful for all my warm clothes.
I’m thankful for having food at my house.
I’m thankful for a car so I can go places.
I’m thankful for my books because then I have something to do.
I’m thankful for my washing machine and dryer because I can clean my clothes easily.
I’m thankful for having a roof over my head.
I'm thankful for my family.
I’m thankful for my fridge because it keeps food from going bad.
I’m thankful when I make a mistake because I can always learn from it.
-Ayla LeGeros, 10, Grade 5, Duxbury
Thankful
Being thankful for the cat that wakes me up at dawn,
Because it means I can have a pet.
Being thankful for the work trips,
Because it means people have jobs.
Being thankful for the leaky patio,
Because it means we can park our cars out of the snow.
Being thankful for the long car trips,
Because it means we have gas and a car.
Being thankful for the long school hours,
Because it means that there's a school nearby.
Being thankful for the 20 minutes till dinner,
Because it means that we have food.
Being thankful for the life that was given to you,
Because if you didn't have life, you wouldn’t be here.
-Addison Manley, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury Center
-Francesca, 3, Waterbury / Hunger Mt. Children’s Center
Thanks For Giving
Thanks for giving me all these reasons, just to keep on giving this season.
Thanks for the gifts that keep on giving.
Thanks for the hugs that’ll never, ever stop.
Thanks for the sleep that gives me energy, each and every morning.
Thanks for every little thing you’ve done, that makes everyday brighter, and brighter each, and every step of the way. Thanks for giving.
-Elliot Gifford, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury Center
Thankfulness
I’m thankful for books
Because, though I may be busy, It means that I have free time
I’m thankful for vaccines
Because though it may hurt, It means that I can stay healthy
I’m thankful for math
Because, though it may be hard, It means that it will help me in my everyday life
I’m thankful for the mistakes that I make
Because, though it be embarrassing, It means it will learn from them
I’m thankful for wet boots
Because, though it may be uncomfortable, It means that I had fun
I’m thankful for life
Because, though there will be many a day I wish had not happened, It means that if I were not alive then I would not be writing this poem.
-Elliana Kulis, 11, Grade 5, Waterbury Center
I am thankful for…
…my arguments in my relationships it means I have friends.
…being sent to my room because that means I have somewhere to sleep.
…being punished by my parents because that means I am not alone.
…not knowing something because that means I have the opportunity to learn.
…cleaning out the litter box because that means I have a pet.
…crying because that means I care.
…being woken up my loud meows and purrs because that means I can hear.
…not liking my dinner because that means I can taste.
…getting a paper cut because that means I can feel.
…eating too much and getting sick because that means I have food.
…waking up to a loud alarm in the morning because that means I am still alive.
…messing up while singing because that means I try.
Things like this is what makes a person have strong gratitude. By putting things that might anger me but turning them into something to be grateful for. Like turning the negative into a positive.
-Ari Weigand, 10, Grade 5, Waterbury