This month's column begins with a "Thumbs-down" for reasons put forth by a Hot Springs woman, who submitted her comments via email to the hometown newspaper.
She wrote, "This is a definite 'Thumbs-down' to the person or persons removing decorations from Greenwood Cemetery. We put out those decorations to honor our loved ones. To remove them is about as low as one can get. Our gravesite is not the only one from which these items have been stolen.
"I only hope that 'whoever you are' will think about what you've done to us and to our families. But, on the other hand, you probably don't have a conscience. I only hope the authorities catch up with you."
Conversely, here's an overdue "Thumbs-up" to the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts for its recent first-time designation by The Washington Post as a "Public Elite" School.
In a May 30 story in The Sentinel-Record, ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice said he was pleased The Washington Post recognized the school's gains in student outcomes, particularly a three-point increase in average ACT scores of the past three years.
The school continues to be a real asset to this community and offers a real opportunity for achievement to students from across the state.
Staying on the upbeat side, this writer sends out a "Thumbs-up" to the pedestrian who, late last week, turned and gave a nice wave in apparent recognition that I had stopped to let her cross the street on which I was about to turn.
I was in the right-hand lane on Albert Pike Road when I saw the woman, who was dressed in a uniform that indicated she might just have come from work somewhere in the area. My stopping to let her pass was hardly a big deal, but it's nice that she bothered to signal her "Thank you."
Billie Boyd has a big "Thumbs-up" to Deputy Simpson of the Garland County Sheriff's Department for his quick response when a home security alarm sounded.
"I was only 10 minutes away, and he was there before me. He did a walk-through and had me check on a few things. He was very thorough and made me feel protected," Boyd wrote in an email.
"Thank you, Deputy Simpson and our Garland County Sheriff's Department, for your help when needed. We appreciate you."
Meanwhile, here's a "Thumbs-up" to Tammy Jones, manager of Jackson House Thrift Shop, Too, for getting friends, family and some volunteers to pick up goods remaining from a weekend estate sale, even though Jackson House was closed for vacation on Tuesday.
The owner of the house where the sale was held also has an upturned digit and a word of "Thanks" for Utopia Antiques & Collectibles' Jim Davis, who made the call for assistance to Jones.
A huge "Thumbs-up" goes to Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, and his staff for bringing the Bacon Brothers -- Kevin and Michael -- to the resort city for the First Ever 13th Annual World's Shortest Ever St. Patrick's Day Parade in 2016.
For sure, everything's coming up shamrocks with the announcement that the talented duo will be celebrity grand marshals and post parade entertainment for another grand celebration of everything Irish.
The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a name, telephone number and address for verification.
Editorial on 07/01/2015