Author Jacqueline Winspear, creator of the popular Maisie Dobbs books, asks readers, "What brings peace to your day?" (From her "What Would Maisie Do?" journal.)
Still in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, local residents would likely answer, "Smiles behind the masks, courtesies from others, neighborliness, kindnesses -- large or small -- individuals and organizations pressing forward with hope and encouragement."
Since the reopening of local schools is very close, we begin today's column with good news on the education front.
"Thumbs-up" and congratulations to Jeffrey Estright, a National Park College student and recent recipient of the Lloyds Second Chance Scholarship.
The scholarship goes to students "who need a second chance at earning an education" and is made possible by Lloyd's Auto Sales and NPC. It covers full tuition fees for two years.
Estright, the father of two daughters, feels his degrees in welding and business will afford them a better life and learning opportunities of their own.
Here's another "Thumbs-up" to the Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund for assisting students with summer school expenses.
The organization this summer awarded 25 scholarships in Clark, Garland, Hot Spring and Montgomery counties for a total of $21,600. Each scholarship was based on the number of hours taken.
"Thank you, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund participants and donors for your generosity and educational concerns."
Meanwhile, here is a "Thumbs-up" to the Lake Hamilton alumna who is giving back to her alma mater and being recognized for her good work.
Jil'lana Heard, Lake Hamilton High School library media specialist is one of 12 regional finalists for the Arkansas Teacher of the Year award. She was selected as high school Teacher of the Year, District Teacher of the Year, and also as Dawson Educational Co-op finalist.
Heard, whom Lake Hamilton Superintendent Shawn Higginbotham calls "an exceptionally dedicated, knowledgeable, and skilled teacher," is passionate about early literacy and about finding more and better ways to increase students' reading skills.
Speaking of doing right by others, here's a "Thumbs-up" and "Thank you" from Diana McDaniel Hampo.
In a recent email, she wrote, "This afternoon (July 27), I ran into Kroger for three or four items. Then I rolled out to the parking lot, threw my stuff in the car and headed off. Five minutes later, I realized I didn't have my wallet.
"U-turn time, parked next to the buggy corral. My wallet was gone. In it, there was money -- $50 or $60 -- plus credit cards, debit cards, and sentimental pictures of my dad from World War II. I ran into the store to customer service. A sweet young man smiled, saying, 'Yeah, a guy just turned it in,' and holding up my wallet. When I opened it, the cash and cards and photos were all still there.
"The world is full of good people. We all need to remember that. I have a brand of T-shirts that say, 'Be Nice! Arkansas.' The nice person who turned in my wallet gets a shirt. I hope he will reach out."
And most deservedly so, here is an appreciative "Thumbs-up" to the city of Hot Springs, our local churches, volunteers, generous corporate sponsors and community organizers for providing last week's cooling center at the Hot Springs Farmers & Artisans Market to help homeless persons deal with torrid temperatures.
The water, Gatorade, cooling towels, snacks and, of course, the provision of shade and fans certainly helped "beat the heat."
Our gratitude to everyone involved with this project.
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 telephone number and home address for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.