President-elect

Thumbs-up to Brownstown native J. Todd Spurgeon of New Albany who advanced to the office of president-elect of the Indiana State Bar Association for 2017-18 during the association’s annual meeting in Indianapolis. Spurgeon is a 1992 graduate of Brownstown Central High School and the son of Mary Sue Spurgeon of Brownstown and the late Larry Spurgeon.

Giving it all he’s got

Thumbs-up to Tyler Henkle of Seymour for organizing Day 50 50 on Saturday. As he attempted to run 50 miles around Seymour that day, the public could support several local businesses that agreed to give a portion of their profits to a cause close to their hearts or donate a certain dollar amount per mile he ran.

Banking on it

Thumbs-up to Mary Anne Jordan of Seymour who has spent 49 years in banking, including 40 with JCB. That kind of loyalty is getting harder and harder to find in this day and age.

Promoting overdose awareness

Thumbs-up to the Jackson County Drug-Free Council and Jackson County United Way for organizing the fourth annual observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31 in the new Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour. In 2017, 16 people died from drug overdoses in Jackson County. The event provides information and resources to those looking for help and support those in recovery and to reach out to those struggling with addition.

Public speakers

Thumbs-up to the three Jackson County 4-H members who participated in the public speaking competition Aug. 11 at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis. They are Sydney Loudermilk, daughter of Erin and Geoff Harris; Lynne Tormoehlen, daughter of Greg Tormoehlen; and Abby Stuckwisch, daughter of Ed and Sara Stuckwisch. Loudermilk and Tormoehlen both received blue first-place ribbons, while Stuckwisch received a blue first-place ribbon and an orange special merit ribbon.

Scammers

Thumbs-down to those who tried to benefit from the tragic deaths Aug. 25 of four Jackson County youths trying to push a disabled vehicle on State 258 by establishing fake GoFundMe accounts and through other scams.