Giving Thanks in Alexandria
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Giving Thanks in Alexandria

By Jeanne Theismann

Sunday, November 22, 2020

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanksgiving will look different this year from years past. Family gatherings, Turkey Trots and dinner table conversation will give way to scaled back, intimate or virtual events. Despite the disruption to daily routines, economic hardships and other challenges, Alexandrians still find much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving of 2020.

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Norma Safren, 90, with grandson-in-law Emmanuel Medina and great grandson Elan Medina: “I am very thankful for my wonderful children and grandchildren and now my two beautiful great grandchildren. And I am thankful for all my wonderful and devoted friends.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Patricia Yancy, shown with family members Chanel Yancey, Semone and Julious Byrd, Jordan Byrd and dog Mocha: “2020 has been the most challenging year as we still grieve over the loss of 11 family members. Yet we stand here united knowing we are so blessed and grateful to have a strong faith in God, the fortitude of our ancestors, and the powerful example that 59 years of Black love represents with our 77-year-old parents and grandparents, Jack and Rosa Byrd.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Josie and Ellie Lawson, with parents Marian and Peter Lawson, McArthur Myers and dog Willie: Josie: “I am thankful for my good health and my family.” Ellie: “I am also thankful for my family.” Marion: “Willie is thankful that he has a lot of home time with family these days.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Margaret and Laurent Janowsky, owners of Del Ray Café: Margaret: “I am thankful for my friends and family during my year of treatment for breast cancer, which on top of COVID has been very difficult. But it was made much easier by the love and support of friends and family, my work family at Del Ray Café and extended family all across the country.” Laurent: “I am very thankful for the community that surrounds us, my neighbors and my staff.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Tommy Carroll, with mom Cherie: “I am super thankful in this wild and crazy time to have family and friends to lean on and to hopefully use our wealth of stories to bring joy and to carry us through the last of these dark times, since I believe light is on the way.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Pepe Vasquez, manager of The Warehouse Restaurant: “On behalf of Hussein and all the staff at The Warehouse, we are thankful to the City for extending restaurant seating on the street, and to Taylor Burke for allowing us to use space in front of his bank. Most of all, we are thankful to our customers who have supported us and continue to do so during this pandemic.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Katherine Cook: “I am thankful for my family and their health and well-being during this crazy crisis right now. I am also thankful that we will hopefully see some changes enacted and our nation united under our new presidency.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Mitch Opalski, CEO Synergy Home Care: “I am so thankful that my family and I remain COVID-free because we’ve been smart to follow guidance provided by the Health Department. We can still spend Thanksgiving together because the precautions work.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Claudia Cardenas: “I am thankful for my new husband Dillion! We just got married last month and after having to change plans due to COVID, our wedding still turned out to be the happiest day ever. I am also thankful for the health and love of our amazing family and friends.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Carol Supplee, owner of Imagine Artwear: “I am thankful for my long-term customers. They are the best. They come in faithfully and they want me to succeed and survive. I am also thankful for my fellow business owners. We are in this together and all want to succeed.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Anthony Wilson, Everly-Wheatley funeral director: “This Thanksgiving I am thankful for God, my family, our health, our strength and our faith in God and with each other.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Rabbi Jack Moline: “I am very grateful that we live a life of privilege that enables us to make the best of these difficult circumstances. It only reminds me what my responsibilities are to make sure that other people who are not as fortunate have the resources to survive the pandemic and to thrive in what is coming next.”

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Photo by Janet Barnett/Gazette Packet

Josh and Tobi Dannemiller, with Joey, Piper and Bijou: Josh: I am thankful for our health, our family, our community and our dogs.”

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