New playground
Thumbs-up to the individuals and businesses that contributed their time and money to a $3,000-plus project to improve a playground at Jackson County Head Start at Freeman Field.
Good Samaritans
I’d like to thank Rusty, Brook and Kevin for helping me with my car on Thanksgiving morning. I don’t know what I would’ve done without your help. Thumbs-up.
— Submitted by Kim Stinson, Indianapolis
Youth leader
Thumbs-up to Brownstown Central senior Amanda Stuckwisch for being named the Brownstown Exchange Club’s Youth of the Month for October.
A similar thumbs-up to Seymour Middle School iCARE Students of the Month for November: Brett Kleber, Avery DeHart, Jewels Jones, Brendy Loeza-Bello, Sydney Wiesehan, Genesis Munoz, Emiliano Enriquez de Alva, Levi Croquart, Luke Plummer and Dylan Selby.
Penny collection
Thumbs-up to the second-graders in Kathy Moffett’s class at Redding Elementary School. The students raised $1,603.36 for Jackson County United Way — a penny at a time.
Top donors
Thumbs-up to Jackson County residents who give more to charity than those in surrounding counties. The rate of giving in the county also is higher than the state average, according to a recent report from the Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Park upgrades
Thumbs-up to Knobstone Trail Association, Suzanne Mittenthal of Morgan County, Edith Boling of Norman and others involved in efforts to improve facilities at Sparksville Park. The county-owned park serves as a gathering place for many, including those hiking the Knobstone Trail.
Warm Hearts Warm Toes project
Thumbs-up to Becca Hattabaugh, her daughter, Brooke Hattabaugh, her mother, Becky Wilson, and Maureen Pesta for their work on the Warm Hearts Warm Toes project. The four-year-old project provides a new pair of shoes and a few pairs of new socks to kids at local schools who need them.
Damaging property
Thumbs-down to those who think it’s a good idea to damage the property of others including destroying their mailboxes or the memorials of loved ones.
Illegal hunting
Thumbs-down to those who hunt on property without the approval of owners.
Black Friday bullies
Thumbs-down to people who turn Black Friday shopping into a competitive outing that occasionally leads to fights over
sales items.