Thumbs column

Melinda Gassaway/Guest Columnist/Special to The Sentinel-Record
Melinda Gassaway/Guest Columnist/Special to The Sentinel-Record

Hot Springs resident Karen Shaw leads off today's column with a "Thumbs-up" award. In an email to the hometown newspaper, Shaw wrote, "On the coldest day of the school year, I had five wonderful faculty members of Lakeside Middle School come to my aid. With a truck stalled in the middle of school timeout traffic, these five caring individuals worked to get my truck started, all while keeping everyone safe.

"Thanks to the Lakeside Middle School staff."

By the same token, this writer gives a "Thumbs-up" and a "Thank you" to the nice lady who -- while behind me in the Walgreens parking lot on Albert Pike -- noticed that my car trunk lid was up. I had just put some packages in the trunk and driven the short distance to to the lot exit when I saw the same, but she bothered to get out of her vehicle, come to the driver's side window and make certain I was aware of the situation. Small but thoughtful gestures such as this are largely appreciated.

Meanwhile, here's a "Thumbs-up" to the recently announced partnership between Fountain Lake students and the Garland County Library.

Via this arrangement -- which requires parental permission -- Fountain Lake is the county's first district to allow students to have e-cards that will give them greater access to the library's many online resources. With their e-cards, students may check out e-books, audiobooks, stream movies and television shows but, most importantly, download a program that offers free live tutoring, homework assistance and a language lab.

As we have said many times before, our Garland County Library is a real community center.

A "Thumbs-up" also to Spa City resident Luba Cook for sending in a nice remembrance of Mamie Ruth Abernathy, dedicated teacher, gifted organist/pianist, and an individual who helped preserve Hot Springs' history through her personal writings.

In her brief missive, Cook wrote, "I lived on Sixth Street, across from Mrs. Abernathy's home. In the spring and fall, when the doors and windows were open, I often heard her playing the piano.

"I had my own concert. What a joy."

Here's a "Thumbs-up" to Simmons First National Bank for its recent $1,000 grant to the FACES Foundation. The grant was presented by Steve Trusty, community bank president of Simmons, to Ernie Hinz, FACES Foundation president and executive director, and to Daron Praetzel, board member.

The foundation offers surgeries that not only improve patients' outward appearances, but also increase their self-esteem and acceptance by others. In return, qualified patients can earn their surgery by Paying it-Forward by donating time to nonprofit organizations.

Conversely, how about a "Thumbs-down" to "accidents waiting to happen?" A good example would be the "wrong-way" driver seen turning -- at a fairly high rate of speed -- into the exit space of the Kroger Store on Airport Road.

Fortunately for all parties concerned, there was no other car in the path of this errant motorist at the time. Even so, the woman, who seemed in a hurry, was quite oblivious to the fact that she was headed in the wrong direction.

The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a name, telephone number and address for verification.

Editorial on 01/21/2015

Upcoming Events