It takes many hands

For this week's cover story, we asked High Plains Reader staff members and volunteers as well as cover story subjects from 2015 and friends of the paper what they are grateful for this year. Below are the responses. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at HPR!

"I am thankful for all the amazing people I have in my life. The right people help you grow in love and knowledge and - from my family to my close friends to simple acquaintances within the community – I’m truly blessed with an abundance of these people."- Randal Black, KRFF 95.9 Radio Free Fargo, Station Manager

"I am grateful for my health, for a great group of family and friends who give me strength during the tough times, for any remaining time with my Mother who is suffering from memory issues and the ability to do what I love for I living, the fact that I found it and am able to do it."- Chris Hennen, Associate Editor HPR

"Gratitude is what I know, not always, but way more days of my life than many people. I'm thankful when I have a gleam in my eye and a fire in my belly. When my heart feels and when I can help others in their own journeys, traversing some of the challenging ups and downs. I'm blessed when I have good health, good friends and close family. That I live in safe environs and am not facing trauma, pain, darkness or evils of war makes me one of the luckiest -- and most thankful -- people on the planet. And, I get more hugs on a daily basis than anyone deserves; that to me is absolute wealth."-  John Strand, HPR Co-Owner"

"I am thankful for the network of friends I’ve met since moving to Fargo-Moorhead in 1997 and how welcome they have made me. This Kentucky gal found her place! I am also grateful for my year’s sabbatical and its gift of time to write, reflect and give back to my community." - Brittney Goodman, Staff Writer HPR

"I am thankful for my family, the sun the moon the stars flowers and friends. Thank you to my family and friends for their unconditional love and support in everything I do."- Jana Tronier, HPR Operations Manager

"I'm grateful for the sacrifices and hardships my immigrant parents Octavio and Ventura endured in their lives so that I could have opportunity and happiness in mine. I'm grateful for chance to let them know that it was worth it."- Raul Gomez, HPR Co-Owner and Publisher

"When I think of the many of things I am thankful for, I am instantly struck by the incredible ease with which I am able to rattle off the many things I have, which so many others in the world have not. I am grateful for plenty of food, water, shelter, health, family, friends, faith, love, freedom and community. What a tremendous blessing it is, to so easily and simply be able to make such a long list of life privileges I have been afforded."- Kari Lugo, Director Events and Marketing HPR

"I am thankful for the First Amendment, which guarantees my right to communicate information, thoughts and ideas, which others may find infuriating. It is an unappreciated right in this age of "safe spaces," and thus I am thankful also to the High Plains Reader for giving me a venue to exercise my rights."- Rob Port, Say Anything Blog

"I saw a video of family photos of the Paris victims. They’re almost all young, faces full of possibility. I’m grateful that I was never in the wrong place at the wrong time. I can go home, come in out of the cold and shut the door behind me, make a pot of tea, open a book, live my life."- Tom Bixby, Copy Editor HPR

"I’m thankful for the opportunity to extoll the virtues of watching a wide variety of movies on Blu-ray. This year I’m especially thankful to be alive, after bone marrow failure, chemotherapy, radiation, a stem cell transplant at Mayo, and the long but steady road to recovery I’m currently going through."- Christopher Jacobs, Staff Writer, HPR

"There is so much to be thankful for, a supportive network of friends and family, two mischievous cats, adequate food, shelter and good bourbon. I’m so thankful for the wondrous opportunities presented to me in 2015 from NDAGA and the NDCA. I’m indebted to John and Raul for having enough faith in me to serve as the HPR’s editor, and I am utterly thankful to have such a wonderful staff of writers. A man much wiser than me once said, true grit is hard to find.” - Sabrina Hornung, HPR editor-in-chief

"I’m thankful for my family, friends, health, safety, education, employment and to live in North Dakota. In addition, I am also thankful for Queso, my sister’s itchy Chihuahua, and that my truck hasn’t broken down as many times as it should have."-  Jack Dura, Staff Writer HPR

"I am thankful for the health of my buds, fam and self, my cat, the fact that snow isn’t everywhere right now -- F that. I’m grateful that Babes in Toyland is coming to Fargo, and that I’m doing graphic design as opposed to something I didn’t study in college. I’m thankful for my apartment because my landlord dude is a human being, not a heartless lizard monster or Goldmark affiliate." - Alexis Dietz, Graphic Design Intern HPR

"Nothing is more important to me than the love of my wife, children, grandchildren and all my friends around the world. If you ever stop or pause to think about the best moments in your life, they are only great because you had someone you love to share it with." - Granville Wood, Staff Writer HPR

"It's probably cliche, but I'm thankful for family, friends, a roof over my head, a job and having a go at this sometimes beautiful, sometimes terrifying thing called life. And I'm not dead yet. That's always a plus. Oh, and writing for HPR."- John Showalter, Staff Writer, HPR

"I'm thankful to HPR for giving me the opportunity to experiment and improve my skills. I'm also always thankful to my loves."- Chiharu Sato Bobby, Staff Photographer, HPR

"I am thankful for my family, Sprout my dog, and my lovely boyfriend, Keaton. I would not be the person I am today without them. I am also thankful for the opportunities I have been given and the chance to continue my education. Finally, thank you to all of my friends who have made a difference in my life."- Krissy Ness, Staff Writer and Beer Snob, HPR

"I’ll cover the basics because that’s what matters: I am most thankful for my family, my friends and all of the great people I work with, all of whom make each day Most Excellent. Also, I’m thankful for the continued success of Team Zandbrozians at trivia every Thursday night, without which our morale at the store would plummet."- Taylor Blumer, Staff Writer, HPR

"I’m thankful for the chance to get to know the staff at HPR over the last couple months. They are interesting, funny and have made my move to Fargo all the more welcoming. Also, I’m thankful for the Kirty Bird of central Minnesota. May Pepsi forever course through her veins."- Jamie “The Hutch” Hutchinson, Staff Writer, HPR

"There is a lot to be thankful for and I appreciate everything that has happened in my life and to the others around me. In this last year there are a lot of things we need to change as a population and community. We need to think before we speak or, in today’s world, before we post. Many people’s thoughts are lived online and everyone has the opportunity to read on how they may feel. Please take the time and really evaluate what you are writing or saying, and I am sure you will be more thankful."- Jay Earl Miller, HPR Sales, Marketing and Staff Photographer

"I'm grateful to have food on the table and a roof over my head. It's important to remember the basics daily. I'm deeply grateful to have best Presidential candidate of my lifetime in Bernie Sanders. I'm also grateful for my co-workers & my family including my husband of 25 years! Happy Thanksgiving Er'body!"- Jill St. John, HPR Sales and Marketing

"My brother and his incredible family. My dad for being so tough and so big hearted. My mom for being my hero, and teaching me about forgiveness and brainwashing me to believe in the motto "work hard and be positive." My very lovely girlfriend who inspires me, motivates me and makes me laugh almost every day with her unparalleled use of sarcasm and our very best "weird.” I am very thankful for acceptance, understanding, learning, patience and tolerance. Lastly, thank you Raul and Dmillz for putting me on the HPR cover. Love." - Kipp G, Fargo Musician and Promoter

"I have spent much of the summer painting our old house, not realizing what "surprises" I would find with the old structure, or how complex the project would be. As I have often found with other "big" projects, I have learned so much. So this is one of the big things I am thankful for this year, as well as the many friends and family members who offered help and advice."- Eric Johnson, artist and educator

"I am thankful for frustration; feeling frustrated with timing is an opportunity to practice patience. This patience is, at its core, contentment with the moment, with one's present circumstances. I often find myself living in the past and the future, but life is too precious and short not to live in every moment." - Jacky Arness, Miss North Dakota 2014

"I am grateful to make my living and do good by MAKING ART, and I am hopeful that this dream will be a reality for more local artists. As always, I am most grateful for my health and my family; without them, nothing else would matter." - Carolyn Wintersteen, Executive Director, Theatre B

"I'm thankful for an amazing community that continues to embrace artists, performers and entertainers of all kinds. I'm thankful for everyone who makes the Hell On Heels Drag Show possible each month. And I'm thankful for the love and support I receive from my friends, family and community." - Kelly Coxsyn, Producer of Hell on Heels Drag Show

"The first thing that comes to mind of what I'm thankful for is moving to the Fargo/Moorhead area in 2001. This was the start of my art career and a new beginning in my life. I didn't know anyone until I met Karman Rheault in 2002. We’ve been friends ever since. I've made a lot more friends over the years and everyone has been a positive force in my life, especially my friends at the High Plains Reader and the Plains Art Museum where I'm currently showing my Transformer exhibition."- Star Wallowing Bull, Artist

"I am thankful for my family and friends. Their love, kindness and support motivate me everyday. I am also thankful for Netflix and rap music."- Diane Miller, musician, former HPR Editor

"Grateful for all our great employees including our office manager Naomi Nelson and our great general manager’s, bartenders, cooks and servers. Also grateful for the support from all our customers all year long which help make us a successful business. A shout-out for the great live music provided at our bars through our music promoters Chris Hennen and Nate Pitcher too."- Bert Myers, owner of Dempsey’s Public House and Wurst Bier Hall

"I'm thankful to be alive at 83 and that I have a great partner of 61 years, need to get up only 2-3 times at night, have most of my faculties, and can bitch, moan, and I have a good day every day." - Ed Raymond, The Gadfly