Man on the Street: Thanksgiving Edition

In 2020, the world took a collective breath, realizing that all we have to be thankful for is all that really matters in life, anyway: health and family.  In this edition of Main Street Q&A, we asked the age-old Thanksgiving question, “What are you thankful for this year?” And we weren’t surprised by the answers. In fact, you’ll see a pattern in what people said: health and family. It’s on all of our minds. We are all appreciative for the prospect of a Thanksgiving with everyone we love at the table once again. We took it a step further and asked neighbors how they’d be giving back this year. This time we went to the King Kullen shopping center in Manorville and made a stop at the Center Moriches Fall Fair, where we even had the opportunity to ask Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine and Suffolk County Legis. Jim Mazzerella their take on the questions. We hope the responses you read remind you of your own blessings, and if you get the inspiration to share your gratitude, feel free to share it with us in the email below.

If you have a question or idea for next month’s Main Street Q&A, email us at TideEditorial@gmail.com.

Manorville

Name: Jayden Milheiser

What are you thankful for? “I’m thankful that I get to see my uncle on Thanksgiving this year because I haven’t seen him in a while.”

Name: Kim Milheiser

What are you thankful for? “I’m thankful for a lot this year. I’m thankful that our family will be together this year—and that we’re all healthy. And I’m thankful that I’m able to provide for my family and put food on our table.”

How will you be giving back? “We’ll be donating to the Boy Scouts; they give the donated items to our local food pantry. We participate in this drive every year.  We do other food drives, too, but I guess we look forward to the Boy Scouts drive.”

Name: Tim Kelleri

What are you thankful for? “I am thankful for the health of my family, especially this year over last. My father was battling cancer and my nephew has now been in the hospital for three months. Now they can see the doctors they need to see and their conditions are progressing. Last year they couldn’t go to doctors. It is a big improvement and I’m so grateful. 

Center Moriches

Name: Suffolk County Legis. Jim Mazzarella

What are you thankful for? “I’m thankful that my friends, family and the residents of Suffolk County are coming out of the pandemic healthy and better individuals.”

How are you giving back? “We adopt a family each season, but this is especially important during the Thanksgiving season. We always donate to all of the food drives. My wife buys something extra every time she goes food shopping.”

Name: Brookhaven Town supervisor Ed Romaine.

What are you thankful for? “I’m thankful for so much—so many things. I’m thankful that my wife, children and grandchildren have stayed safe during a time when it was unsure. I’m also thankful in my job that there are so many good people in Brookhaven—so many charitable services that make our community a great place to live.”

How will you be giving back? “A joy of being supervisor is that we serve and look to help. I donate all of the time, specifically to our INTERFACE program. I always say that if you are blessed and good to do it, you should give back. And I always think it’s better when people do it on their own rather than the government mandating it through taxes.”