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WILKES-BARRE — Pie and turkey made the list.

So did Jell-O, tablets full of games, Thomas the Tank Engine and a dog named Buttercup.

Those were a few of the answers three Times Leader reporters heard when we fanned out to find children and ask them, just in time for Thanksgiving, what makes those happy, grateful feelings well up inside them.

“We talked about what they’re thankful for,” Wilkes-Barre Academy teacher Niki Winters said as she watched first- and second-grade students, all decked out as Pilgrims and Indians with paper hats and head bands, sit down to a turkey dinner in their school lunch room.

During that earlier classroom discussion, the teacher said, most of the students said they appreciated families and friends and being able to spend time together.

“It wasn’t a lot of material things,” said Winters, who teaches reading to first and second graders.

Surveyed as they started eating turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and pumpkin pie, some of the children explained they’re grateful for families and friends — and teachers, too.

After all, who wouldn’t be grateful for grownups who make you a Pilgrim headpiece or show you symbols for mountains and oceans and lightning so you can decorate your Indian tunic? They’re likely the people who tell you all about that first, long-ago Thanksgiving, right? The one when venison and pheasant and fish were probably on the menu.?

“I think they had corn,” 6-year-old Lia DeGraffenreid said of that early meal.

In addition to the students at Wilkes-Barre Academy, we found children to interview at the Osterhout Free Library in Wilkes-Barre and the West Pittston Library in West Pittston.

Read on to find out for what they are truly thankful:

A bed and a house. Ayden Acernese, 4, of West Pittston. *** My tablet and books. Emily Griffis, 4, of Exeter.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_AydenAEmilyG2.jpg.optimal.jpgA bed and a house. Ayden Acernese, 4, of West Pittston. *** My tablet and books. Emily Griffis, 4, of Exeter.

The turkey and the smell of the turkey, and my tablet because I have a lot of games on there. Lucas Maira, 5, of Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_LucasMaira22.jpg.optimal.jpgThe turkey and the smell of the turkey, and my tablet because I have a lot of games on there. Lucas Maira, 5, of Pittston.

My friends. Samara Campenni, 10, of West Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_SamaraCampenni2.jpg.optimal.jpgMy friends. Samara Campenni, 10, of West Pittston.

All my family being able to come and celebrate Thanksgiving. John Getzie, 9, of West Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_JohnGetzie2.jpg.optimal.jpgAll my family being able to come and celebrate Thanksgiving. John Getzie, 9, of West Pittston.

Living in a free country. Eliana Parra, 9, of Wyoming.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_ElianaParra2.jpg.optimal.jpgLiving in a free country. Eliana Parra, 9, of Wyoming.

Friends and cousins. Connor Kostik, 8, of Wyoming.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_ConnorKostik2.jpg.optimal.jpgFriends and cousins. Connor Kostik, 8, of Wyoming.

That I have lots of food and clothes. Mia Belles, 10, of West Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_MiaBelles2.jpg.optimal.jpgThat I have lots of food and clothes. Mia Belles, 10, of West Pittston.

My family and friends. Max Getzie, 7, of West Pittston
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_MaxGetzie2.jpg.optimal.jpgMy family and friends. Max Getzie, 7, of West Pittston

My home. Lucia Campenni, 7, of West Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_LuciaCampenni2.jpg.optimal.jpgMy home. Lucia Campenni, 7, of West Pittston.

Having a nice family and getting together on Thanksgiving. Braidon Kostik, 10, of Wyoming.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_BraidonKostik2.jpg.optimal.jpgHaving a nice family and getting together on Thanksgiving. Braidon Kostik, 10, of Wyoming.

My family. Andie Belles, 8, of West Pittston.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_AndieBelles2.jpg.optimal.jpgMy family. Andie Belles, 8, of West Pittston.

Family and Jell-O. Callie Drutchal, 2, of Wilkes-Barre
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Callie-CMYK2.jpg.optimal.jpgFamily and Jell-O. Callie Drutchal, 2, of Wilkes-Barre

“My Little Pony” and my mommy and daddy and sister. Kenzie Dixon, 4, of Luzerne
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Kenzie-CMYK2.jpg.optimal.jpg“My Little Pony” and my mommy and daddy and sister. Kenzie Dixon, 4, of Luzerne

Thomas the Train. Phoenix Houseknecht, 2, of Kingston
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_Phoenix-CMYK2.jpg.optimal.jpgThomas the Train. Phoenix Houseknecht, 2, of Kingston

“I’m thankful for my family. And pie.” Isa DeGraffenreid, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims4-12.jpg.optimal.jpg“I’m thankful for my family. And pie.” Isa DeGraffenreid, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“I’m thankful for my two brothers and my mommy and daddy.” Jordan Ceklosky, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims52.jpg.optimal.jpg“I’m thankful for my two brothers and my mommy and daddy.” Jordan Ceklosky, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“Food, like turkey. And my family.” Josh Cackowski, 7, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims62.jpg.optimal.jpg“Food, like turkey. And my family.” Josh Cackowski, 7, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“LEGOS and my teachers and my dog and my mom and dad.” Jaxon Pikul, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims72.jpg.optimal.jpg“LEGOS and my teachers and my dog and my mom and dad.” Jaxon Pikul, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“Food. Chicken is my favorite.” Chris Reedy, 7, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims82.jpg.optimal.jpg“Food. Chicken is my favorite.” Chris Reedy, 7, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“I’m thankful for the Pilgrims who came to North America.” Q’uron Drayton, 8, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims92.jpg.optimal.jpg“I’m thankful for the Pilgrims who came to North America.” Q’uron Drayton, 8, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“My mommy and daddy and my brother and my dog, Buttercup.” Sawyer Scaramastro, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims102.jpg.optimal.jpg“My mommy and daddy and my brother and my dog, Buttercup.” Sawyer Scaramastro, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy

“My family and my best friend.” Ruby Reinert, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims112.jpg.optimal.jpg“My family and my best friend.” Ruby Reinert, 6, Wilkes-Barre Academy

Isa DeGraffenreid carries her Thanksgiving feast back to her lunch table with other 1st and 2nd grade students at Wilkes-Barre Academy during a special celebration one week before the holiday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims13.jpg.optimal.jpgIsa DeGraffenreid carries her Thanksgiving feast back to her lunch table with other 1st and 2nd grade students at Wilkes-Barre Academy during a special celebration one week before the holiday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Teacher Niki Winters explains the Thanksgiving feast to 2nd grade student Brian DeMellier at Wilkes-Barre Academy.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims22.jpg.optimal.jpgTeacher Niki Winters explains the Thanksgiving feast to 2nd grade student Brian DeMellier at Wilkes-Barre Academy. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader

Akira Linton-Patrick, dressed as a Pilgrim, and Cole Kramer, dressed as an Indian, enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at Wilkes-Barre Academy on the Thursday before the holiday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/web1_TTL112615littlepilgrims32.jpg.optimal.jpgAkira Linton-Patrick, dressed as a Pilgrim, and Cole Kramer, dressed as an Indian, enjoy a Thanksgiving feast at Wilkes-Barre Academy on the Thursday before the holiday. Aimee Dilger | Times Leader
Children pause to ponder the question before the feast

By Mary Therese Biebel, Matt Mattei, Gene Axton

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