Thumbs up, thumbs down for May 14

Caring

Thumbs up to the more than 160 people who participated in the Jackson County United Way’s 25th annual Day of Caring. This year’s event focused on 54 projects, many consisting of outdoor work at the homes of those unable to complete such projects as pulling weeds, laying rock or painting porches on their own.

Raising awareness

Thumbs up to Shelby Eggers and Sue Lamborn with Thrive Alliance for bringing the Dementia Friends initiative to Jackson County. Dementia Friends is designed to help people evaluate the communities they live in to see if they are dementia-friendly. Lamborn said approximately 818 people over 65 in Jackson County have dementia. Out of that 818, there are 67 people over 85. Approximately 116 people with dementia live alone.

Leaving an impression

Thumbs up to the 10 most influential teachers as chosen by the 2021 Seymour High School scholar candidates. The list features high school teachers Laura Cottrill, Sheena Isaacs, Matt Dennis and Kevin Cottrill; middle school teachers Robin Tormoehlen and Noelle DeHaven; Jeanne Galyen, a teacher at St. Ambrose Catholic School; George Habenicht, a teacher at Margaret R. Brown Elementary School; former Seymour High School teacher Erica Kelly; and retired Seymour-Jackson Elementary School teacher Cecily Noelker. A special dinner was held May 2 at The Pines Evergreen Room to recognize and honor each scholar candidate’s choice for their most influential teacher. The dinner is an annual tradition and helps kick off National Teacher Appreciation Week, which ran from May 3 to 7 this year.

Ending destructive decisions

Thumbs up to members of the Crothersville High School chapter of Students Against Destructive Decisions, who recently partnered with local first responders to conduct a simulated wreck outside the school. The mock wreck exercise was designed to demonstrate the perils of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or while distracted any time of year and especially during prom season.

Exalted ruler

Thumbs up to Gayla O’Connor of Brownstown, who recently became the first female exalted ruler for Seymour Elks Lodge 462, which was chartered in 1899.