Thumbs column

Greetings, readers.

It is time to March into Spring and on the 17th of this month, we will all claim to be from the land of leprechauns and rainbows and perhaps find a gold coin or two.

Good luck to you all and quoting from one Irish blessing, "May the sun always shine on your windowpane."

Meanwhile, here are a few digit doings for your consideration, starting with a "Thumbs-up" to Mid-America Science Museum for placing fourth on the USA Today 10Best Reader's Choice Awards list.

MASM was one of 20 science museums nominated by USA Today for the special recognition and the 10 best were chosen by public vote.

Congratulations to our prestigious museum's creative and hardworking staff and thanks to everyone who cast his and her votes for this unique and highly educational entity.

By the same token, here's a "Thumbs-up" to Briana and Adam Moore, owners of Red Light Roastery, for selecting Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic as the January recipient of their establishment's Give Back initiative.

Each month's customer tips go toward helping support a designated nonprofit. The January gift to Cooperative Christian Ministries and Clinic was presented to Kim Davis, executive director.

According to a news release, Red Light Roastery's Give Back program has given more than $40,000 to Garland County nonprofits. We thank the Moores for their generosity.

We send out another "Thumbs-up" to the Magnet Cove Elementary School students who recently participated in the Great Kindness Challenge.

The students -- Aubrey Hollomon, Zoey Tacker, Addison Nuckolls, Jade McWhirter, Amity Wilkinson, Alli Kemp, Larry Morris, Josh Stiles and Jace Wilson -- created a kindness quilt that depicted different acts of kindness.

These young people are learning early on how nice it is to be considerate of others.

On a related subject, "Thumbs-up" to Hot Springs resident Sydney Lee for recognizing Dana Hotho, a special-education teacher at Lake Hamilton Elementary School.

In a letter to the editor published Feb. 29 in the Viewpoints section of The Sentinel-Record and headlined, "Amazing person," Lee wrote that Hotho " ... has gone above and beyond to make sure my sister exceeds her potential and feels special and important. She makes sure learning is her biggest priority yet she manages to make every student feel special. She even took time out of her weekend to attend my sister's birthday on a Saturday.

" ... My hat's off for Mrs. Hotho."

Another "Thumbs-up" goes to the refurbishing of 17 of the 32 dark green aluminum-cast signs that make up the Hot Springs Historic Baseball Trail.

Those said signs -- taken off the trail in November and restored by the manufacturer -- are now back in place, which is good news for local residents, visitors, and avid baseball fans interested in the history of the game and in the resort city's role as the "Birthplace of Major League Baseball Spring Training."

And wrapping things up on a positive note, here is a big "Thumbs-up" to the Ohio Club, recipient of the 2020 Arkansas Food Hall of Fame's People's Choice Award.

Hot Springs' popular downtown eatery and musical entertainment venue beat out about 400 other restaurants nominated for the award, which was presented during a Feb. 24 induction ceremony hosted by the Division of Arkansas Heritage at Little Rock's Ron Robinson Theater.

Heartiest congratulations and continued best wishes to Ohio Club owners Mike and Dona Pettey and Michael Dampier, general manager of the Ohio Club kitchen.

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.