Patriotism at its best

Thumbs up to the organizers and volunteers who make the Crothersville Red, White and Blue Festival a success each year. A related thumbs up to the many festivalgoers who show their pride for their community and country by wearing the nation’s colors while attending the festival. This year’s festival — the 47th — was held this past weekend.

Saluting Old Glory

Thumbs up to the members of the Seymour Elks Lodge 462 Honor Guard and other club members and volunteers for conducting the annual Flag Day presentation Tuesday inside the lodge at 117 E. Second St. The ceremony always includes a presentation showing the eight different versions of the America flag, from the yellow Don’t Tread on Me featuring the image of a rattlesnake to the current 50-star flag featuring 13 stripes. The flag represents the freedoms that Americans treasure and others hope to obtain.

A platinum jubilee

Thumbs up to Joe and Rosalie Girt of North Vernon, who plan to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on Saturday with friends and family, including their son, Ben Girt, and his wife, Vickie Girt, who are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

Special support

Thumbs up to Seymour police officers Jason Wynn and Chadd Rogers for participating in the Special Olympics Indiana Law Enforcement Torch Run. The annual event, which has been conducted in the state since 1987, raises funds to help Special Olympics Indiana provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in more than 20 Olympic-type sports for people ages 8 and up with intellectual disabilities at no cost to the participants. Wynn and Rogers set a goal of $250 apiece. Even though the run is over, fundraising continues online at secure.e2rm.com/p2p/fundraising/373847/team/981798.

Competing nationally

Thumbs up to the five members of the Gymnastics Lane club team in Seymour who traveled to Orlando, Florida, earlier this month to compete in the Gymnastics Nationals at the convention center in Orlando, Florida. Members of the squad making the trip to the competition along with coach Angie Villarreal and staff were Piper Hawkins, Mia Dailey, Emma Lucas, Aubree Fiscus and Kinley Beard.