Thumbs column

Melinda Gassaway/Guest Columnist
Melinda Gassaway/Guest Columnist

First and foremost, here's a double "Thumbs-up" to all of the May graduates from Hot Springs and Garland County.

Graduation is an exciting time for students and their families and receiving a high school diploma, a bachelor's or master's degree, or a Ph.D., represents a lot of hard work and dedication.

Hats off to these new graduates and best wishes to all of them in the days and years ahead.

And speaking of academia, here is a big "Thumbs-up" to members of the Young Historians Society at Bismarck High School for completing an ambitious task -- publishing a 400-plus page history of the town and the surrounding area.

The history club was founded in 2013-14 to take on "The Bismarck Project" that was made possible by a grant from the Ross Foundation.

Congratulations to the students and special thanks to their mentor and guide, former library media specialist Robin Piper, who wrote the grant application and helped them with research and the compilation of stories.

Copies may be purchased for $45 on the CreateSpace publisher's website: https://www.createspace.com/4763792.

On the other hand, how about a definite "Thumbs-down" to the person or persons who took the donations of nonperishable food items put out for the Mail Carriers "Stamp Out Hunger" Food Drive on Saturday, May 9?

In support of the annual food drive, several residents of the Willowbrook Terrace condominium complex placed their sacks of food items at the common mailbox area, but they were gone before the postman made his rounds later that day.

Hopefully, this unfortunate occurrence was not repeated throughout the day in other local neighborhoods. But the good news is that since the yearly event takes place in about 10,000 cities and towns across the country, the results, to be announced by month's end, are likely to be very positive for those in need.

Conversely, here is a "Thumbs-up" to the friendly greeters who welcome drivers to the gas pumps at the local Sam's Club on Higdon Ferry Road.

These jocular persons are there to assist if need be, but on one occasion, this writer noted that a greeter called a patron by his first name and took the time to share a brief confab with the gentleman. Then he asked if I were having a nice day.

Ahhhh, customer service. It's wonderful when it works well.

Permit me a point of personal privilege in citing two instances that deserve mention in this digit-doings column. Both occurred on Saturday, May 16, at IHOP (International House of Pancakes) on Central Avenue.

The first merits a "Thumbs-up" for courtesy. After parking and beginning to make my way to the restaurant entrance with a friend who was using her cane for support, I saw a woman and two young men headed in the same direction. Just as we were almost there, one in the party of three -- a young boy dressed in a turquoise T-shirt and blue jean shorts -- cut in front and quickly opened the door for us. He did so with a big smile and motioned us inside. What a polite young man, we thought, thanking him in return. Later, as we were ready to leave IHOP, another young man coming in with several other customers stopped and held the door so we could make our exit. He, too, did so with a smile. How nice.

The second IHOP-related "Thumbs-up" is for another act if kindness. Just after backing out of my parking spot, I was slowly moving away from the building when I heard voices. I then saw several young women waving at me and pointing to the back of the car. It seemed the trunk had inadvertently opened.

I stopped the car and one in the group secured the trunk lid. Again, a good beginning to the day.

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, address and telephone number for verification.

Editorial on 05/20/2015

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