Every October, Hot Springs residents, businesses, churches and organizations scare up some fun and an array of tasty treats to celebrate All Hallows Eve or Halloween.
It's still a bit early, but readers of the hometown newspaper have their own "ups and downs" to share.
So let's get started.
A spokesperson for the sheriff's deputies from the Garland County Detention Center sends out a big upturned digit for a recent kindness.
The deputies' representative wrote, "I would like to give a special 'Thumbs-up' to the mother with two young children who took time out of their day on Sept. 11 to bring cupcakes and cookies to the detention center.
"It was a very pleasant surprise to see two young people being taught by their mother the importance of that day. It was also good to know that some still support law enforcement in this day of conflict across our nation.
"To the mother of these two young people, you will truly be blessed for a job well done. I regret that I did not get your names, but I hope you see this and remember, 'We are here to serve.'"
Sherry Phillips offers two digit doings to consider.
First, she sends out a "Thumbs-up" to the person in a dark Dodge Ram pickup truck who recently paid for her order from the McDonald's located at the Mountain Pine junction.
Thank you, Sherry, for acknowledging this thoughtful deed.
On the other hand, she gives a "Thumbs-down" to a careless driver in a teal-colored pickup. Phillips wrote, "When leaving the same McDonald's a few minutes later -- and with a green light -- this other man flew through the red light. If the person in front of me had not had great reflexes, there would have been a terrible wreck.
"Folks, please pay attention."
Conversely, Raymond Kukuk submitted the following "Thumbs-up" via email. He wrote, "On Friday, Sept. 11, my wife and I were on the way home around 9:30 p.m. We heard a loud bang -- it was a flat tire.
"Now, we had a road service and called for them to take care of our flat tire. They did not seem to have a service in the area and after waiting for two hours, they informed us that it would be another 90 minutes, so we canceled the service as two 'shining knights' appeared.
"They were a Mr. Jerry LeClaire and a Mr. Willis Sams. Without their help, we would have been sitting in the car waiting for the road service. We want to thank our two shining knights and we grant them official knighthood. Once again, thank you both for all of your help and we will pass it on to someone else if we find them in need of assistance."
On the road again, a Hot Springs woman has a "Thumbs-up" to the highway-related agencies who have re-striped entrances and exits to the King Expressway via the Cornerstone shopping center.
"They have also added reflectors that enhance drivers' vision if they are headed to Little Rock or Malvern, especially in the early morning or at night," she said. "These improvements make a big difference, safety-wise. They are particularly critical to out-of-town drivers who are not all that familiar with our thoroughfares."
And, here's a definite "Thumbs-up" to Park Magnet School, recently named one of 335 National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2015 by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Announcement of the achievement was made by Principal Diane Smith, who noted that this is the second time in six years that Park has received such recognition. Susan Beard was principal when Park won its initial Blue Ribbon award.
Congratulations to the Park Magnet team for its outstanding leadership in the field of education.
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 10/07/2015