Like other years, 2025 did not disappoint! But unlike other years, 2025 was a year for me to search. Search for what is best for me personally, in many different ways, as well as searching for what is best for the John Hughes Golf brand. Which is why the Thanksgiving 2025 post will be different from other years.
Yes, we’ll still celebrate the people and partners behind the scenes who make me and my brand look great. But we’ll also dive deep, right now, into what Thanksgiving and giving thanks are genuinely about. And that sometimes ‘thanks’ appears in ways you’re not expecting. Or how it was intended.
Each year at this time, saying thank you to you and everyone else has become the traditional beginning of the holiday season for me. The recognized day of thanks each year should not be the only day you are giving thanks. That should happen every day! While you may be enjoying the company of others who surround you daily or just one day a year, demonstrating and living a thankful life keeps you healthy. It keeps you grounded. And it absolutely should remind you that your success and happiness are directly and indirectly affected by the others whom you choose to surround yourself with.
As a singular day once in a calendar year, Thanksgiving Day is the traditional day to say, “thank you!” This one holiday represents ‘zero’ political or religious beliefs. It has no boundaries or biases based on race, color, or agenda. And that’s the way it should be. I encourage everyone to stand up to those who insist on turning this day into something other than what it is intended to be. A simple day and a simple message, “Thanks!”
But make no mistake, this simple day is full of commercial and material reminders of what our western culture has become. Commercialism has been bombarding us for weeks now. Hang in there! It will all come to a screeching end in exactly four weeks from today. I must confess I’m guilty of participating in the commercial side of our holiday season. Doing so ensures the well-being of my business and the great people who now depend upon me for their livelihood. And as always, these are the people I will thank first, and the most, throughout my Thanksgiving 2025 post!
Before going through my list of everyone to thank, I first want to thank the people who made my life miserable for the last few months of 2024 and the first couple of months of 2025. They will remain nameless in this post. But they know exactly who they are. Thank you for showing what you were really made of. Thank you for showing me that sometimes you must reset because of people and situations that we have no control over. Whether intended or not, I hope the pain you imparted to me relieved you of your inability to deal with simple things that make a big difference, such as truth, honesty, and humility. If it were not for your inability to act in good faith as a human being, I might not have come to the conclusions I did in 2025. And made the necessary decisions to tighten the circle of people around me whom I can trust. A big five-letter word I challenge everyone to respect, ‘trust.’
It’s hard to say thank you when trust is stretched to its limits. But thankful I am for those people who thought they could stretch me some more. If you find yourself in a similar situation this holiday season, I challenge you to let your pain and anger guide you to a place where you can forgive and say thanks for the experience! It’s the healthiest way to get on with things and truly know who rightfully deserves your thanks for being in the circle of trusted people you choose.
Now, please give a “thank you” to these individuals who have positively impacted my personal and professional life in 2025! a Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to those who matter most!
Thank You to Our Clients!
Talk about trust! You place your ultimate trust in me and my coaching staff to help you achieve enjoyment, skill development, and your potential as a golfer. Every year at this time, it’s worth repeating, without your trust in my team and me, none of this is possible! Thank You!!! Thank you for your support and trust. Your willingness to go beyond your comfort zone to improve your golf skills! Thanks for the small things you share while on the course or at the practice facility that make you who you are and show your trust in us. Our clients are the lifeblood of our existence. You and your commitment to be the best golfer you can be are why we get up every day. Thank You! I hope your Thanksgiving 2025 is a time of reflection on what you can achieve when you trust and believe in yourself. Share that trust and thanks with others today and every day.
Our Coaching Staff
My coaching staff this year took on new faces and new identities. At the same time, watching some move forward in their careers. I can’t thank these individuals enough for trusting me and my brand to deliver what they are looking for as a golf coach. They are the front lines of the brand, who represented us in all the right ways in 2025.
Gibby Gilbert III
Gibby began 2025 assisting me in Orlando as the lead assistant for the large-group golf schools supplied to us by Performance Golf (more about PG below). As well as taking on new private clients to coach. He was doing this as he and his wife were living with his son in the Orlando area and were deciding where to move so they could be closer to their grandchildren. His moving journey was put on hold in late April, with Gibby and his wife returning to the Chattanooga area for the summer. During that time, Gibby continued to play golf at a very competitive level, playing in 3 PGA Champions events in 2025 as well as other open tournaments. In September, Gibby called to inform me he was moving to the area by fall, but to The Villages, where he will serve as one of the lead coaches at their newest golf academy. My loss is The Villages’ gain. They’ve found a true gentleman to represent them, and I can’t be happier for Gibby and his family. What started in 2023 has now taken an unexpected but positive turn in 2025. Thank you, Gibby, for your friendship and your genuineness! I’m sure we’ll be bumping into each other and staying in touch. And possibly having you fill in from time to time. You’re always welcome in my home and associated with my brand!
Chuck O’Connor
Chuck answered the call this past spring, assisting with the first four Performance Golf programs before departing for the Appalachian Trail. He started in Georgia in mid-April. And he had about 400 miles to complete when weather conditions forced him to stop in mid-October. Wow! What an accomplishment for a person with military disabilities that hamper Chuck’s ability to walk, nevertheless, to hike one of our country’s most famous and longest trails. I’m proud to call Chuck a friend and a hero of ours all! We need more Chucks in the world to remind us that being humble and perseverant has its advantages. For Thanksgiving 2025, I wish Chuck all the peace and tranquility the trail has given him for the remainder of his days on earth. You always have a place to call home at John Hughes Golf!
Chris Ardolina
Chris is an old friend, having met him over 15 years ago as he was entering the golf industry. He now has a thriving coaching practice in the Tampa, Florida area. And has come to the rescue a couple of times in 2025, serving as a coach during large-group functions and schools. I wish I could lure him to the Orlando area. But I am still grateful for his friendship and his willingness to assist when he could. If you’re ever looking for a quality golf coach in the Tampa area, Chris is your man. Happy Thanksgiving, Chris!
Doug Brehme
Doug is another golf coach in the greater Tampa area who was referred to me this spring by a colleague. Doug performed admirably while assisting me with 2 group golf schools this year, as well as with a couple of clients seeking a quick lesson. Thanks, Doug, for stepping up when I needed you. And all the best for a great 2026!
Michael Brunson
Michael came to me in late August seeking assistance with his PGA Education as he attempts to obtain Class A membership in the PGA of America. As I assisted him, it became apparent that Michael is a diamond in the rough that, with the proper support and mentoring, will become one of the industry’s best. After assisting him with a project or two, Michael agreed to step in and assist with a group program in September. I have a feeling Michael will want to get into more of the group programs in the future to support his growing family, as his wife is expecting twins in June of 2026. Thanks, Michael, for helping when you have! I’m looking forward to what the future brings to you as a golf coach.
Nick Cupper
Nick has quickly become a “go-to” coach for me to send new clients to since early summer. Nick responded to a position posting earlier in the spring, and through a couple of phone calls and personal meetings, it became clear that Nick could become a fixture within my growing coaching business. His ability to quickly diagnose and get to the root cause of a golfer’s faults is among the industry’s best. His award-winning background in creating and developing junior golf programs will undoubtedly be an asset as my brand expands its horizons in 2026. Thanks, Nick, for being who you are! And for bringing integrity and commitment to everything you do. I’m sure 2026 will be a year of mutual opportunity for us!
Garret Howell
Garrett was a great addition this year, assisting me at Omni Homestead during both visits. His calm demeanor and straight-to-the-point style allowed all the clients who visited Homestead the opportunity to expedite their improvement. Garret also assisted with various corporate groups and individuals in 2025 at both locations. He and his wife are expecting their first child in January of 2026. And I hope he’ll be able to continue to assist John Hughes Golf clients after their daughter is born. Thank you, Garret, for your transparency, your knowledge, and your flexibility in 2025!
Don Keen
Don and Garret came to me after a competitor closed their doors late this spring. They were both looking for opportunities to continue their coaching careers. And Don stepped in a couple of times to share his wisdom and experience with my clients. Don is not a newcomer to golf coaching, having spent 30+ years serving some of the best golf schools in the country. Don has moved on to a leadership position at an Orlando-area golf facility, where I know he’ll make a positive difference. Thanks, Don! And best of luck to you at your new home!
Connor Plue
In the spring, I wanted to experiment with adding a “technician” to the larger corporate group schools I’ve conducted the past couple of years. I thought doing so would improve the overall quality of the programs. Connor was the first “tech” this year and did a great job during three different programs! Connor is moving up the ranks at Disney Golf and has opted to take a managerial position there, which is an excellent fit for him and his family. Thanks, Connor, for stepping in and expanding your horizons!
Hollee Sadler
Hollee is an assistant golf professional at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate, who by trade has launched rockets. Yes, real rockets for the Space Force. Armed with a master’s degree in everything rocket science, Hollee fell back to her collegiate love for the game when her spot at Canaveral was eliminated. And she used that knowledge to become an integral part of the larger group programs this fall. Serving as the tech for those programs. As well as inserting herself into the instructional fiber of the programs, to rave reviews. I’m looking forward to Hollee’s future as a golf coach and what it will bring to her. And I thank Hollee for the opportunity to assist her in her journey! Look out for this unicorn of a golf coach in the future!
Jack Stumpfig
Jack was referred to me by the Head Professional at Omni ChampionsGate Golf Club, Dion Muhammad. Jack is still playing competitively. But when he’s not practicing or playing, he coaches a stable of over 120 golfers remotely every week. Wanting more “hands-on” coaching experience, Jack has assisted John Hughes Golf clients since January in grand fashion. I wish he was more available to help more clients. Jack got married this past weekend, making him even more unavailable for a while. Congratulations and happy Thanksgiving, Jack! Here’s to keeping you even busier in 2026.
Our Behind-the-Scenes Support Staff
These are the people who keep John Hughes Golf in the spotlight. And they make a difference in how you perceive us as a brand and how you keep everyone informed throughout the year.
Chris Siska/Siska Development
It will be 5 years this coming spring that Chris has single-handedly managed, updated, edited, and kept my website, and the other websites my company owns, operating at their peak and looking the very best! All the while providing his non-golf perspective on how we operate and function as a business. Chris’s ideas, tweaks, and sometimes professionally blunt opinions have shaped my views about where my brand should be heading. And how the brand should be perceived. So much so that Chris set out to create a whole new John Hughes Golf website in 2025, which has us back at the top of the search engine rankings, this year, Chris was instrumental in redesigning and launching the Instant Golf Improvement website to support my new book by the same name. As well as promote the services that the brand now offers to golfers who have difficulty getting to practice. Chris also supplied the graphics within the book, Instant Golf Improvement.
Chris’s attention to detail is what makes him special for all the clients he serves. Thank you, Chris! For all your contributions in 2025. I can’t wait for what you produce in 2026.
Rhett DeMille/Palmetto Soft
Rhett went through some changes in his team during 2025. But Rhett’s calm and comprehensive demeanor got him over his hurdles while never missing a beat, keeping John Hughes Golf atop the search engine rankings for everything golf instruction. His team also successfully navigated our efforts to get Google to reverify my website after moving to Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate 12 months earlier. Lance Bastian once again drafted fantastic press releases. Christian Shaffer continued to create insightful blog posts that have kept fans of John Hughes Golf informed and educated. All the while, gaining a deep knowledge about how AI will affect my website and all other websites in the future. For Thanksgiving 2025, I wish nothing but more success and expanded knowledge for Rhett and his team. And a little rest to enjoy the day. As I’ve told them before, Rhett’s team is awesome!
Jimi Underwood
2025 continued to press the creative abilities of Jimi Underwood. As the year progressed, I loaded Jimi’s plate with not only the YouTube Channel videos and shorts he’s been post-producing. But I added other projects. And he has risen to the challenge! Since May of 2023, Jimi has interwoven his creative genius into X videos for the brands. His standards of quality give golfers like you a chance to watch entertaining, resourceful video tips. Thank you, Jimi! For everything you do for me and my brands! And thank you, Morgan and Lily Ann, for allowing Jimi to spend time behind his computer making me look good!
Our Partners
Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
It’s been a great 2025, bringing all my clients to my home at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate! The quality of conditions and the level of service provided to my clients at Omni ChampionsGate have been amazing to watch and be a part of. The genuine warmth and comfort shared by the staff have not only been contagious but also therapeutic! In addition to my clients’ enjoyment of the property, my good friend Patrick Dill has opened a few doors of opportunity for me to expand and grow the John Hughes Golf brand this year. Thank you, Patrick, for looking out for me through the years! I’m thankful and looking forward to getting those opportunities across the finish line in 2026. And I’ll do it in partnership with his excellent golf department staff, as well as the entire resort staff. The list of individuals I need to thank this year at Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate is long. And I will forget someone if I attempt to list everyone. But I have to say thank you to Dion Muhammad and Ashley Meiman! The two of you run the best golf operation in Central Florida! Thank you, Josh Epi, for your willingness to be a part of my book. Thank you to the entire outside operations staff for taking good care of my clients and me. And thank you, Jesus Marin and the entire food and beverage staff at Piper’s Grille. Your service level and attention to detail make my clients and me feel like we’ve been invited into your home for a meal. 2026 should be an exciting year for all of us. And I’m looking forward to seeing how we can all assist each other in making the property the destination to visit when wanting to play the best golf in Central Florida.
Omni Homestead Resort
Facing the possibility of not having a summer location for the corporate group programs I’ve hosted the past two years, I set out to find a suitable location that would offer a fantastic experience and excellent golf facilities. During a brainstorming session one day in February, I realized that the Omni family of resorts has 13 properties with golf courses, so I asked Patrick Dill to introduce me to 3 of them. And Mark Fry, the Director of Golf at Omni Homestead, stepped forward to host those programs. And more!
Mark and I go back to the early 2000s when he was the director of the Golf Advantage Schools at Homestead. And I was a visiting coach of the IJGA. We hit it off then and again in 2025. Mark, Barry Ryde, and the entire golf staff of Omni Homestead made me feel right at home. And Thomas Rosario and Mark Spadoni have been nothing short of amazing!
Be on the lookout for more news about Omni Homestead Resort and John Hughes Golf in early 2026. We’re both excited about what the future holds for the property and me as we plan the renaissance of golf coaching at Omni Homestead in 2026.
Beth Ferrell/Sea Script Publishing
I was referred to Beth by Lorin Anderson of Proponent Group in the spring. While twiddling thumbs at the previous summer location, I decided to finish one of the two manuscripts I’d been working on for a long time. After doing so and completing some editing, I was referred to Beth by Lorin Anderson of Proponent Group. Beth serves as a literary consultant to the group. I submitted my manuscript to her, thinking I would hear back from her in a month or so. Within 36 hours of her receiving the manuscript, we were on the phone planning when and how to publish Instant Golf Improvement. And she informed me then that the manuscript I provided her with was actually big enough and comprehensive enough to spawn two books! IGI was an adventure, to say the least. And I can’t be prouder of what Beth was able to do with the manuscript and the overall direction of the first book. She already has the second manuscript in her hands as we plan to publish the sequel, From Pillars to Performance, in the spring of 2026. Thanks, Beth, for holding my hand through the process of becoming an author! I could not have done so without you.
FlightScope
2025 is the 15th year I have represented FlightScope as a brand ambassador. And it’s been an excellent 2025 for us both. FlightScope continues to push the envelope of ball-flight technology while making it available and affordable to golfers worldwide. The introduction of their lazar range finder, as well as the Mevo Gen 2, this year brings world-class technology to the masses. And as a reminder, FlightScope’s support for coaches and consumers worldwide is second to none! Many thanks to the best technology company out there in 2025. Thanks to Henri, Madelein, Johan, Alex, Tyler, Mac, Daniel, and the entire FlightScope family! I’m sure 2026 has a lot in store for everyone from FlightScope.
Callaway Golf
Callaway Golf and its extensive product line continue to lead the industry in quality and performance. 2025 has been no different. As in previous years, clients of John Hughes Golf put more Callaway equipment into play in 2025 than in any other year. My local rep, Chris Montion, has served my clients and me at an unsurpassed level. And I must thank Glenn Hickey, President of Sales for Callaway Golf, for reading and reviewing my book and providing an influential review. As always, I’m looking forward to what a new year will bring us all from Callaway Golf. And I wish the entire family at Callaway Golf a restful yet productive Happy Thanksgiving 2025! Thanks again for allowing me to be a small part of your success and to represent your brand!
Golf Live
Allan Belden, John Ballou, Keith Scioli, and the entire staff of Golf Live made their mark in 2025! A state-of-the-art virtual coaching platform that is transforming remote coaching daily. Allan encouraged me to serve on their Coaches Advisory Board, and it’s been a great experience. I also began a “streaming” show called “On Par with John Hughes,” which debuted on the platform in April of this year. I’ll continue the stream in 2026 and begin another one for Instant Golf Improvement. Golf Live will serve as IGI’s exclusive video analysis and remote coaching technology. And I’m working closely with their tech team to integrate the platform into everything we do, IGI. Thanks, everyone, for your support in 2025! I can’t wait to see what 2026 brings, all coaches everywhere from Golf Live.
OnForm
As 2024 gave way to 2025, it became clear that my longtime video analysis partner was moving in a different direction, prompting me to seek a new partner. I did not look long or far to discover what OnForm could do to make my life easier as well as easier for my clients! The platform’s flexibility and ease of use have me scratching my head and asking why I did not make the move sooner. Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to the entire OnForm team! And thanks for making 2025 a great year for me, saving time with video analysis!
Donald Ross Sportswear
In two short years, Donald Ross Sportswear has given me more compliments on how I look than in my previous 20 years combined. Thanks for the compliments! But thanks to Todd Fontaine, Leighan Hanzel, and the entire Donald Ross Sportswear family for keeping me looking great in 2025! I can’t say enough how comfortable I feel wearing the brand. When the cool weather hit in Orlando and at Homestead, the outerwear did its job and more. With fewer layers, I was sweating! I now have all my coaches wearing Donald Ross Sportswear. And they’re looking good and receiving compliments, too. Thank you for allowing me to serve as a Brand Ambassador of Donald Ross Sportswear for the past two years! It’s been an honor to wear and showcase the brand throughout 2025. Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to everyone associated with Donald Ross Sportswear!
Ted Odorico/Golf Tips Magazine
From March to December, you can count on me being in the same place at the same time each second Thursday of the month, on the Golf Live podcast with Ted Odorico. According to Ted, we’ve been doing this for 11 years. Wow, how time flies when you’re having fun sharing your passion for the game we love. And since 2019, Ted has provided me a regular forum to share tips and improvement thoughts in Golf Tips Magazine, penning the regular feature, “Milestones.” Ted’s move to a new podcast platform has transcended our experiences as host and guest, and has dramatically altered the delivery of the podcast to its listeners and, now, viewers. Ted’s constant striving to evolve will bring the same to Golf Tips in 2026, I’m sure. Happy Thanksgiving 2025, Ted! And to the entire Golf Tips Magazine family of Instructors, contributors, and subscribers.
Chris Mascaro/Next on the Tee Podcast
I can’t thank Chris Mascaro enough for allowing me to be on his podcast, Next on The Tee, multiple times in 2025! Chris is an award-winning podcaster whose influence extends beyond golf into many other sporting arenas. Chris is a genuine gentleman who truly cares about his audience and his guests. And his preparation for each show is demonstrated within every interview he conducts. Chris hosts multiple podcasts each week, and I encourage you to take a listen to the podcast to truly appreciate Chris’s talents. Happy Thanksgiving 2025, Chris! And thank you for the opportunity to share with your audience! Here’s to 2026 being an even bigger and better year for us both!
Performance Golf
What began as a debate about whose golf school was better than the others has led me to conduct over 36 Performance Golf Schools over the past 2+ years. Performance Golf has been a solid partner, providing at least one sold-out golf school each month to both Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate and Omni Homestead Resort. They’d bring me more if I could open more dates for them. The golfers who come through these programs have kept my coaching staff and me sharp and to the point. I’m excited about what the future holds for Performance Golf and the golfers it sends my way to help them improve. Thanks, Brixton, Assal, John, Charlie, and the entire team at Performance Golf for allowing me to al!
Club Champion
2025 saw more golfers worldwide walk through the doors of Club Champion and truly improve their ability to eliminate a variable that has more influence on their scores than they realize. There were also more John Hughes Golf clients walking through their doors! The experience a golfer enjoys the first time visiting a Club Champion store is second to none. And the education they impart during a fitting can be a positive game-changer for any golfer. I’ve served as a Club Champion brand ambassador for 12+ years. And have walked away from every encounter with the company with greater enlightenment about club fitting and its effects on a golfer’s ability to reach their potential. Thanks again, Joe Lee, a good friend and a Co-Founder of Club Champion, for the opportunity to represent your brand! And I’m happy to report 2025 saw the return of another good friend to the Orlando store, Jay Marino, who has been fitting John Hughes Golf clients for many years. Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to Joe, Jay, and the entire Club Champion Family!
Thanks to My Family!
As all years tend to do, 2025 showed me who my family really is. And what individuals I need and should keep close.
“The Golf Brothers”
Bob Geppert
Unfortunately, we lost Bob earlier in 2025. It was a hard loss for me. Bob was a big brother, a mentor, and a smile waiting around the corner. I miss his ‘out of nowhere’ phone calls. And his ability to have anyone see and recognize an objective perspective. Bob’s words and wisdom I will always remember and live to share with others. As I attempt to live as part of his legacy, his memory lives on. Rest in peace, my friend! And thanks for all the years, stories, and words you imparted to me! I will always celebrate my successes, thinking of you as part of the success, too.
Ed Fulford, PGA
Ed is enjoying semi-retirement posing as a starter/ranger at an Orlando-area golf club. Possing because we all know he’s doing this to play more golf. And he deserves to do so. I have not had much contact with Ed this year. But I am sure he’s enjoying the time he spends with Lisa and the grandkids. I hope Ed knows the positive influence he had on the early part of my career. Happy Thanksgiving 2025, Ed and Lisa!
Thomas Troncoso, PGA
I caught up with Thomas a couple of times in 2025. He continues to build and grow his own coaching practice in Columbia, South Carolina. His entire family now lives within 15 minutes of him and Maureen, making time spent with grandkids more plentiful and enjoyable. And he was the first to purchase Instant Golf Improvement! Thanks, Thomas, for always being a person of perspective, objectivity, and truthful opinion. I wish you and Maureen a lot of fun and happiness this Thanksgiving 2025!
Steve McMillen
Brother #4 is Steve McMillen. He was named “Rookie of the Year” in 2025 by Toptracer, his new employer. We’re not sure what that means, but he sure did let everyone know! Steve and I bumped into each other a few times in 2025. Our careers are somewhat parallel but definitely in different directions. I’m proud of what Steve has accomplished in 2025. And even prouder of his wife, Phyllis, for keeping him out of trouble. Happy Thanksgiving 2025, Steve and Phyllis!
Jean Perpillant/JPDesignTheory.com
What can I say about Jean Perpillant that I have not said already? We did not get to travel together in 2025. But that did not stop us from shooting images and video 15 times, a record for one year. How he got that done with me, plus his duties with Travelers and serving as President of the Greater Haitian American Chamber of Commerce of Orlando, he had to be exhausted. He also introduced me to our newest team member, his wife, Nicole, who is handling our first venture into social media ads and short videos. I would have changed the image this year to one of Jean and Nicole. But they don’t have one image of them together. I’ll have to shoot that image myself. I can’t thank Jean enough for what he has meant to the John Hughes Golf brand for the past 13+ years! A lot of what you enjoy and have come to expect from the brand comes from the conversations and reflections we share regularly. I wish Jean, Nicole, and their entire family a warm, happy, and restful Thanksgiving 2025! You deserve it
My Family
Lacey, Jarrod, MacKenzie, and Mason Councill
The first year of empty nest syndrome for Lacey and Jarod saw them put a few thousand extra miles on their vehicles. As most empty nesters do. To see both MacKenzie and Mason do their things around South Carolina and beyond. MacKenzie continues to push the educational needle at Clemson. Mason was a major contributor as a freshman to the Southern Wesleyan University Soccer team. 2025 was an excellent year for the Councills! And I wish for more of the same for them as a Thanksgiving 2025 thought. Thank you for your continued support of each other, your mother, and me! Love you all!
Lauren, Corey, Carson, and Cayleigh Griffin
First and foremost, Thank You, Lauren Griffin, the sole employee of John Hughes Golf, for your contributions to the company’s success! Day in and day out! I can’t be where I am today without recognizing that you needed something to do 4+ years ago. And for you wanting to accept the challenge. Thank You!
Now to the sappy stuff. Carson in second grade? Cayleigh in kindergarten? No way! And they’re making their parents proud! Time flies when kids are growing up. As I am sure Lauren and Cory are finding out. I enjoy the occasional FaceTime call with the “C” company, particularly now that they tell me they have their eye on me! What? How is that possible? Possible because Cory’s dedication as a father and husband allows Lauren to be the mom she wants to be. And I can’t think of a better combination. Happy Thanksgiving 2025 to the Griffins! Love you all!
Bill
I don’t have a lot more to share about Bill than I did in 2024. Our communication is sketchy at best. I do know he is living four houses north of where we grew up on Quail Ridge Road. What he’s doing to keep himself occupied and pointed in the right direction is a guess at best. He has texted me, bestowing congratulations on publishing IGI. But beyond that, the communication lines are quiet. Nature has a way of knowing what is best. And until nature tells me different, I must assume Bill is finding and living his peace. Happy Thanksgiving 2025, Bill! Always remember you are loved from Haines City, Florida!
Linda
I began to realize in 2025 that my sister had influenced me more than I knew, for most of my life. Her levelheaded acumen and detailed approach to life have provided her family with the glue to stay vibrant and happy. It’s always fun to spend time with her, which we did not do in 2025. First time that’s happened in a few years. But I’m sure Atticus is keeping her busy when the business is not. And she continues to elude genuine happiness through the phone calls we shared this year. For Thanksgiving 2025, I wish Linda, Tom, Laurea, Peter, Ann Marie, Tanner, and Atticus all the joy and fun that can be experienced in one day. Because I know it’s not just one day that they are happy and full of fun; it’s every day because of Linda. Love you, Linda!
Jim
Jim continues to seek adventure through his travels, serving our country. Thank you for protecting us all through the unique service you provide. Jim is now spending more time with Angelita and Gabriel at home, with less travel demanded of his talents. I did not get to spend time with Jim for a long time. I do miss his patented laugh after telling a dry joke. And I miss his spirit of caring beyond his capacity by engaging others to care as deeply as he does. For Thanksgiving 2025, I wish nothing but love and warmth in the Hughes household. Thanks again, Jim, for leading by example! And being my hero! Love you, brother!
Mom and Dad
In 2025, there were four visits to High Point, NC, to see mom and dad. They’re daily rituals of exercise and eating, playing pool or cards, napping, and socializing, and they can wear me out! And the friends they introduce me to continue to amaze me with their life experiences and wisdom. Getting dad back to the golf course this fall was a highlight. Watching someone being torn apart from the inside out and having virtually no control over the internal fight his brain is leveraging against Parkinson’s Disease is awe-inspiring. He still has what it takes to swing a club at a competent level, only when everything in his brain is balanced just right. Literally and figuratively. I’ll be making more trips to see them as my role and presence at Homestead increase. And it will be a priority to get Dad to make more swings in 2026. Mom’s fingers are getting slower, pecking the nightly emoji well wishes to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Although I don’t always reply every night, I don’t look forward to the day the texts stop. Guess I should reply nightly. As I always make clear in this blog post, I can’t thank my parents enough for the love they continue to show and the support they continue to build for us all! Happy Thanksgiving, Mom and Dad! I’m looking forward to seeing you more often in 2026. I love you both!
Jack
I’m thankful every day that I have a son who likes to give his father and mother a hug and is not shy about it. I’m thankful that Jack has grown into a man of integrity and truth, and that he is forever selfless. Sometimes to a fault. But never to his detriment. I spent a little more time with Jack in 2025 than I did last year. And he began to renew his interest in playing golf. Not because of me. But golf challenges the self-competitive and brings out the best and worst in us all. It’s been fun to play more golf with him this year. And to share my knowledge of the game with him. I think the highlight of 2025 for me is watching Jack provide Judy and me a tour of Gulfstream, his employer, during their annual family day. I could tell he took great pride in his work and was genuinely passionate about the company’s commitment to excellence. It was a fun day and weekend that renewed my energy to make it through the rest of the year. I’m looking forward to sharing time with him late in the holiday season. And to witness one of my inspirations in action as he goes about his daily rituals of being himself. I’m very proud to be Jack’s father. And forever grateful for the lessons he taught me along the way. I hope he continues to make himself proud every day of his existence. Happy Thanksgiving, Jack! Love you, buddy!
Judy
2025 was a year of continued ups and downs for Judy and me. But isn’t marriage supposed to be how you handle the ebbs and flows? Judy is thankful this year for the widening of I-4, so she can spend less time in the car. I’m thankful for that, too, because I don’t hear as many complaints anymore. Judy’s also thankful that she spent time with me at Homestead, experiencing what our nation’s oldest resort has to offer. We did not get out much to see concerts this year. We’ve both been too busy making sure we’re headed in the right direction in more ways than one. Thank you, Judy, for being a partner in the experiences that comprise 2025. Whether or not for the better, you’ve been there. Happy Thanksgiving 202! And I Love You Too!
Always Be Thankful! Not Just One Day
As I do every year, I want to take a moment and challenge you to be thankful every day! Not just today, Thanksgiving 2025. Today more than ever, there are too many ‘entitlements’ and “entitled individuals” who take for granted what the world provides them every day.
Be sure to stop and say thank you to those who positively influence you daily. Thank the person behind the counter for bringing you a condiment or beverage, just because they did. Thank the people you come in contact with the least, letting them know you’re grateful for their presence. Thank those you hold near and dear, and tell them why.
But last but not least, thank yourself. Thank yourself for making another trip around the sun, learning, growing, nurturing, and thanking others. Thank yourself for keeping yourself healthy enough to do so. And wise enough to know it makes a difference.
