A thank-you for life’s simple things

Nearly two years since the country’s economy took a severe tumble, East Valley residents are still finding things to be thankful for.

From keeping good health to appreciating their jobs to doing well at school, residents say they do have something to be grateful for this Thanksgiving: the simple things in life. 

Gilbert neighborhood welcomes Marine home

Turkey grease fattens plumbers' wallets

Clergy Corner: Be thankful and celebrate

E.V. food banks facing critical shortages

More than PB&J

At Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in east Mesa, preparations were under way in the dining hall for a special Thanksgiving dinner Wednesday night, with all of the traditional trimmings — turkey, mashed potatoes and pie. Carol Whitworth, president of Sunshine Acres, home to kids whose parents are in some kind of trouble — from being in prison to using drugs — said she started hosting the event for the children and their visiting family members five years ago after learning that many of the children who went home for the holiday only had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner.  

Dave Buchholz of Gilbert volunteers at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa, helping to prepare tablecloths for Thanksgiving dinner.

The Sunshine Acres dinner is much appreciated by Darrell, 15; Eric, 14; Xander, 10; and Nick, 11, all of whom share space in Aloe Vera Way House on the 109-acre property. Ask them what they’re thankful for this Thanksgiving, and the reply doesn’t have anything to do with a Playstation or the latest gadget.

“I think it’s great to be under one roof full of family and friends,” Darrell said.

Eric, student body president at Mesa’s Shepherd Junior High, said he’s grateful this year for things going well at school. Life’s busy for the enthusiastic teen, who still had makeup on from practicing for his character, Lysander, in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” which he was to perform Tuesday night. He said it was hard to adjust to living with strangers when he first moved to the children’s home five years ago, but now it feels like home. Thanksgiving for him is also a time to appreciate his Sunshine Acres family.

“Just having a giant family is good,” Eric said, “even if we’re not related.”

Appreciating freedom’s defenders

When Gary Pelkey said he’s simply happy to be alive, he means it.

While serving in Vietnam, Pelkey, the manager of Chandler’s American Legion Post 91, literally came within inches of losing his life when an enemy bullet whizzed past his head, shooting off part of his right ear.

Gary Pelkey

Regarding the incident, he simply mutters one word: “Lucky.”

Pelkey, a former deputy warden at Kinross Correctional Facility in Michigan, moved to the Valley in 2003. He took over at Post 91 at Alma School and Ray roads in July.

It’s gotten a little harder for some members of Post 91 to keep their chins up, he said, especially those who have lost jobs during this recession.

“It shows a little bit in here,” he said. But his fellow vets still manage to reflect on the positive things in life.

“Maybe they are worrying less,” he said. “Less money — you’ve got less to worry about.”

Pelkey’s thankful for the support people show to the troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“They probably realize it’s not the troops’ choice,” he said as Journey’s “Wheels in the Sky” blasted from the jukebox. “We like to be ready for war, but I don’t necessarily think anybody wants to be in one.”

Fellow vet and Post 91 member Terry Schroeder couldn’t agree more.

Schroeder, a U.S. Air Force and Arizona Air National Guard vet, was a dental specialist at Clark Air Base in the Philippines. He worked on hundreds of servicemen who were wounded in the face during the Vietnam War.

“I’m thankful for the men and women who have served and are serving in the military throughout the world,” he said. “Without them there would be no freedom.”

New venture, beautiful family

Shawn Valdez, a new business owner in Queen Creek, isn’t making any money yet, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a lot to be thankful for.

Shawn Valdez and his daughter, Julia

Valdez, who owns Rhino Caffe on Ellsworth Road, south of Ocotillo Road, said his experience as the general manager for several Oregano’s Pizza Bistros has taught him that it takes time to build something.

The cafe has quickly caught on in the local community and often hosts artists’ wares, live music and community gatherings.

In the meantime, Valdez said he’s blessed by simply being in a position to open his own business.

He’s also thankful for the outpouring of community support his shop has gotten since opening in April.

“Everyone has been going out of their way to help us become successful,” he said while sitting on the patio outside his shop.

“It’s almost that they’re not really customers — they’re just friends.”

More than anything else, Valdez said he’s thankful for his family.

“I’ve got three beautiful kids and my wife,” he said, adding that his children, including 4-year-old Julia who was wandering around the sales floor, are well-behaved and get good grades.

Adopted country, holiday

He didn’t celebrate it ever back home in Mexico, but for 27-year-old Raymundo Paredes of Chandler, Thanksgiving has become a time to get together with loved ones and count his blessings in his adopted country. This year, Paredes is just grateful for life’s basics: his job, his health, and being with his wife, Elizabeth.

Raymundo Paredes

“I felt scared all year that I might get laid off, like five of my colleagues, but thankfully it didn’t happen,” Paredes said in Spanish, with Elizabeth translating for him. 

Paredes has work authorization, but his permanent residency application to live in the United States is at a stage that makes it hard for him to travel back home to see his parents in Sonora, Mexico. He hopes to be able to do that soon.

“I haven’t seen them in more than two years, so I really miss them,” said Paredes, who works as a driver for a landscaping company.

Two added perks he’s grateful for every Thanksgiving: a turkey he gets from his boss, and the day off.

‘We love it here’

At Mesa Spirit RV Resort, two couples who are winter visitors from distinctly different origins shared a common theme of thankfulness for escaping the cold of their respective states.

Pati Schranz

“It’s our second year and we love it here,” Pati Schranz of Colorado said of the sprawling community at 3020 E. Main St. Two days before Thanksgiving, Schranz said she was enjoying lunch inside her spacious RV while her husband, Randy, swam in the resort’s pool.

Schranz said the couple both worked in the towing business for 43 years before retiring.

Standing on the steps of her RV, she acknowledged her husband hadn’t completely given up his towing tendencies. A large, garagelike vehicle was hitched onto the back of the RV.

“I get to have my castle,” she said, pointing to the modish motor home. “He gets to have his garage.”

While she and her husband are in warmer climates leaving behind family more than 900 miles away in Colorado, Schranz said she was thankful for the ability go where she and her husband wanted.

“We are so blessed to enjoy the freedom we have now,” she said.

Down the street from the Schranzes, a similarly stylish motor home hinted to its origins without the need of a license plate.

A larger-than-life Minnesota Vikings float stood guard over Charles and Dianne Mahnke’s RV, attached to the front bumper, warding off all fans of other NFL teams.

“Of course I’m a fan,” said Charles Mahnke, a Minnesota native and staunch Vikings backer. The semi-retired construction company owner said besides being thankful for his team this Thanksgiving, he had something else to be thankful for.

Tapping on the front window of his RV, his wife popped out. “I’m thankful for our health,” said the snowbird, who has spent seven years driving more than 1,200 miles one way to visit each season, “and to be able to travel and come here for five months each year.”

Tribune writers Sonu Munshi, Andre Bowser and David Woodfill contributed to this story.