Thumbs column

Hot Springs is aglow with the sparking lights of Christmas 2016 and familiar songs and favorite carols fill the air, even in early December.

Most importantly, though, local denizens appear to have the real spirit of the season in their hearts as they continue to give to others, reach out to those in need, and celebrate personal growth and achievement.

With those thoughts in mind, we begin today's column with a "Thumbs-up" to the Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic's Bridges Out of Poverty "Getting Ahead" program that this month graduates four classes of individuals "striving to move from poverty to self-reliance."

As reported in The Sentinel-Record on Saturday, Dec. 3, the classes completed the program's 16-week curriculum and two "traditional" classes shared one graduation ceremony on Monday at Hot Springs First Baptist Church. A mid-month ceremony for the additional two classes -- part of the Bridges Out of Poverty "Getting Ahead While Getting Out" program -- will be held at the Garland County Detention Center.

Congratulations and thanks to Lynn Blankenship, CCMC executive director, to all of the facilitators, supporters, employers, volunteers and graduates who have made this program so successful.

By the same token, here is a well-deserved "Thumbs-up" and note of thanks to Gene Parker and Ray Donathan whose nearly 83 combined years of service on the National Park College Board of Trustees were undoubtedly key to the development of the educational institution that has helped so many men and women reach their professional goals and attain greater economic independence.

Parker and Donathan, who did not run for re-election to the board, took part in their last trustees' meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 30. We appreciate their dedication to the college and their vision in helping make NPC one of the best of its kind in Arkansas.

In the "merry-and-bright" category, here is a "Thumbs-up" to Garvan Woodland Gardens' Holiday Lights display that broke an attendance record from its opening night of Saturday, Nov. 19, though the following Wednesday, Nov. 23. Some 5,134 visitors viewed the spectacular displays for the first five evenings in 2016 compared to almost 3,500 visitors in 2015.

What a gift Garvan Woodland Gardens is for our city and state.

And speaking of a Christmas present, here is a "Thumbs-up" to the seasonal lights that light up the nights for residents and visitors alike. Thanks to the generosity of our downtown businessmen and women and their always popular annual chili cook-off -- now presented in honor of the late Tom Daniel, who was such a energetic supporter of the Spa City -- we have this dazzling display throughout the Central Business Improvement District.

But, in the "Bah, humbug" department, here is a "Thumbs-down" for sure to all of the shopping cart jockeys who leave these conveyances every which way in parking lots that are especially crowded with cars during this high volume shopping time.

There may be some hope, though. Two days before Thanksgiving, this writer saw a man taking four shopping carts into the Kroger Store on Airport Road in the midst of a heavy rain. Good for him.

Finally, and as a cheerful contribution to those who, like me, enjoy the quaint expressions found in British literature or BBC television series, here is a "Thumbs-up" to a gem from actor Jonny Lee Miller, who plays Sherlock Holmes in the CBS series, "Elementary."

In a series promo, Miller, as Holmes, said, "The biscuit's in the basket." And so it is.

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

Editorial on 12/07/2016

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