Thumbs column

Hot Springs and Garland County residents have jumped into January, welcoming new challenges and opportunities, finding new ways to serve our community, making new friends, and schooling themselves via new books that instruct and entertain.

With those thoughts in mind, here is a "Thumbs-up" to my friend Barbara Thexton, a former Spa City resident who often contributed her erudite thoughts to this newspaper's Viewpoints section. The upturned digit is for her generosity in some time ago gifting this writer with a wonderful book, "Beautifully Said: Quotes By Remarkable Women and Girls Designed to Make You Think."

Barbara and her husband, Peter, now live in Texas, but in her honor I share this quote: "The future depends entirely on what each of us does every day. After all, a movement is only people moving." (Gloria Steinem, feminist and publisher)

Josie Fernandez, retired Hot Springs National Park superintendent, sends out a big "Thumbs-up" to Roxanne Butterfield, president, Friends of Hot Springs National Park, for "tirelessly working behind the scenes to ensure the park is taken care of during the partial federal government shutdown."

We wholeheartedly concur with this recognition of the Friends' efforts during this difficult time to keep the park clean and also applaud all the local volunteers who have stepped forward to assist wherever they could in recent weeks.

By the same token, here is a definite "Thumbs-up" to the local service organizations that have reached out to lend assistance to local individuals affected by the partial shutdown of the federal government.

Thanks to Project HOPE Food Bank, The Salvation Army, and Jackson House for helping those workers with food, clothing and other needs.

Given the ongoing generosity and compassion of these nonprofit organizations, let's hope residents remember to give back to them in the days ahead.

And here's an appreciative "Thumbs-up" to members of the Women's Welcome Club for making and providing stuffed animals to children experiencing traumas and tragedies.

Every second Wednesday, between 35-40 volunteers gather at Westminster Presbyterian Church to sew and stuff an assortment of warm and fuzzy animals as part of the group's ER Toy Program that dates back more than 50 years. Beverly Goodridge, estimates that during her five years as program chair, the committee has made more than 7,000 toys.

On completion, the stuffed animals stay in the Hot Springs area, going to law enforcement agencies, hospitals and various care agencies for disbursement.

Finally -- and on a personal note -- here is a "Thumbs-up" to the considerate gentleman who on Sunday afternoon offered to take my grocery cart to the car. I smilingly declined but do thank him for his thoughtfulness.

Regretfully, I do not know the fellow shopper's name, but as it turned out, his red Nissan truck was parked next to my Buick on Airport Road Kroger Store lot.

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 with a name, telephone number and home address for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.