Swimming success
Thumbs-up to all of the volunteers and city workers who helped make this year’s Seymour Splash swim meet a success. The 29th annual event, organized by Dave and Chris Boggs, drew 525 swimmers and their families from all over the state to the Shields Park Pool this past weekend.
Leaving a legacy
Thumbs-up to family members of the late Gov. Edgar Whitcomb for donating two strips of former railroad right of way for possible use as a future trail. Totaling 3.824 acres, the property runs east from behind Louise Court all the way to Eighth Street on the city’s northwest side. Mayor Craig Luedeman said he would like to see the trail named after Whitcomb, who served as the state’s 43rd governor from 1969 to 1973. The Hayden native, who also was a World War II veteran, sailed solo around the world in 1996 at the age of 71. He died in 2016 at the age of 98 at his home in Rome in Perry County.
A salute to freedom
Thumbs-up to the organizers of the Freetown Freedom Festival this past weekend and the veterans who were recognized for their sacrifices during this year’s opening ceremonies July 12.
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 27. 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. A related thumbs-up to Poor Jack Amusements and the Jackson County Fair for providing free quiet ride time on the midway for individuals with special needs and their chaperones on Tuesday afternoon during the fair. A similar thumbs-up goes to Jackson County 4-H for providing quiet barn time for people with special needs and differing abilities on Friday morning during the fair.
No dog days
Thumbs-down to people who leave their dogs in their vehicles in mid-summer when it is almost always hot and humid beyond belief. Leave your dog at home in the air conditioning if at all possible.