Prepared

Thumbs-up to everyone who has spent the past days, weeks and months preparing for this year’s Jackson County Fair, which begins Sunday and ends July 28. It takes a lot of volunteers with a willingness to work hard and give of their time and money to make the fair a success each year. 

Making a splash

Thumbs-up to the organizers and volunteers who helped make this past weekend’s Seymour Splash a success. The annual three-day event, which began in 1990 with 325 participants, now brings in an about 700 swimmers and about $80,000 to $100,000 to the local economy. A related thumbs-up to the city for providing the city pool at Shields Park for the event and city employees for helping out.

A lifesaver

Thumbs-up to Chloe Hatton of Seymour for helping a man who was choking at the Magic Kingdom in Orlando Florida. Remembering the lifesaving skills she had recently learned during Dave Boggs’ aquatics class at Seymour High School, the 17-year-old lifeguard was standing in line to see Winnie the Pool when she heard a woman screaming nearby. That’s when she looked over saw the man choking and ran over and helped dislodge the food from him, helping save his life.

Achievement

Thumbs-up to former Seymour High School football coach Joe Goodman, who received the 2018 Bob Springer President’s Award during the Indiana Football Coaches Association’s 52nd annual North-South All-Star Game on July 13 at North Central High School in Indianapolis. Goodman retired from coaching in 2003 after 38 years as a high school coach including 30 seasons at Seymour High School. He finished his career with a 202-133 record and led the Owls to a state runner-up finish in 1991. A related thumbs-up to Curt Nichols, who received the 2018 Rex Kirts Media Award winner. Nichols has been the public address announcer for the Owls’ football squad since 2004. He also announced Seymour football games from 1982 to 1990 and is the public address announcer for basketball and baseball games at Seymour.

Hardworkers

Thumbs-up to the leaders of Waggin’ Pals 4H Club who volunteer many hours of their time helping the 4H kids train their dogs.

Rachel Schepman

The need to stop

Thumbs-down to motorists who make the decision to leave the scene of a wreck instead of stopping and waiting for police to arrive.