'Tis the Season to Be Thankful

Patch writers offer their reasons to feel grateful in 2012. What are you thankful for?

There are many reasons to be thankful. Here are some essays and musings by Patch writers and bloggers on what the holiday of thanks means to them: Why being grateful is good for your health, by Judy Gray: "Thanksgiving is the time to focus on gratitude, giving and the tradition of sharing. Gratitude has the power to heal, energize and give hope." What do I have to be thankful for?, by Cece Shatz. "For many experiencing a life of being alone and the pain of a relationship loss, this holiday is filled with grief, sadness and fear of the future." Thanks for your time, by Gene "Doc" Webb. "I like to take few minutes before the festivities begin and think about all of the many things I am grateful for, and among them you came to mind." "Why Do …

• Photos (1)

Video: Obama Volunteers Ecstatic After Victory

The Barack Obama campaign volunteers in Pinellas County were overjoyed by the fact that their hard work for the presidential run paid off.

When the election was called in favor of President Barack Obama, the celebration started at the campaign office in St. Petersburg. "We won Pinellas County and we won the entire country. It's just amazing," said Mallory Stewart Robison, an Obama campaign volunteer. Obama's re-election didn't come as a given for any of the campaign workers, who put in months of hard work promoting Obama's mission, Stewart Robison said. "I've been (at the campaign office) so much, and it's hard to believe that it's actually over," Steward Robison said. NBC News called the presidential election for Obama around 11:15 EST. Florida votes were still too close to call Tuesday night, but Obama won the majority of votes in Pinellas County.

•  6 Comments
• Videos (1)

Gulfport Patch Whiz Kid of the Week

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kealey Behrendt

Kealey Behrendt, a young reader and gymnast at Bear Creek Elementary, is Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week.

Congratulations to our Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Kealey Behrendt Age: Nine School/Church/Community Center: Bear Creek Elementary and the Gulfport Recreation Center after-school program. Accomplishments: Kealey is one of the top readers in her class, accomplished in gymnastics and a volunteer at the glassblowing classes in Gulfport. Key to Awesomeness: Reading and lots of it! Kealey reads more books than most of the other kids in her class. She likes to read books with longer chapters that have stories with characters facing and overcoming difficult situations. Though she likes reading about drama, Kealey reads most books that she can get her hands on. She's always got her nose in a book, to the point that her mom has to tell her to put …

• Photos (1)

Giving Back in Gulfport: Kathy Durand

Kathy Durand spends her time volunteering with the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, Catherine Hickman Theater and her home at Shore Acres.

Name: Kathy Durand Hometown: Gulfport Title: Volunteer scheduler  How long have you been volunteering? 10 years  What encouraged/inspired you to start volunteering? "I retired and I wanted something to do. When I moved down here, the people I knew were volunteers at different places. I volunteered at different places."  What do you like about volunteering? "Landscaping! In my building at Town Shores, I work with others doing it. I like working with my hands." How often do you volunteer? "At the Chamber of Commerce, I'm here twice a week at least. At my building, it's an ongoing thing with the landscaping. With the Catherine Hickman Theater, I'm there whenever they have a show." What keeps you interested in volunteering? "It's always a way …

• Photos (1)