Jackson County Fair Queen Abby Stuckwisch, center, rides on a train with Dale Mouzin and Garrett McMillin during quiet ride time on July 29 at the Jackson County Fairgrounds in Brownstown.
Zach Spicer | The Tribune
A fine fair
Thumbs up to everyone who gives of their time each year to make the Jackson County Fair a success. The fair seems to be getting better with age. That’s likely because of the work of the hundreds of volunteers, including the nearly 30 members of the fair board, who make it happen year in and year out. A related thumbs up to the more than 800 youth in 4-H clubs and high school FFA chapters who complete projects and raise livestock to exhibit each year as well as the volunteers and advisers who guide them and all of the other exhibitors in open shows. Keep up the hard work so the Jackson County Fair can continue to be one of the best — if not the best — in the state. Another related thumbs up to those who purchased the 149 animals sold at the 4-H livestock auction Saturday. We’re sure the $274,050 those animals brought in will be put to good use by 4-H’ers.
Prepared
Thumbs up to everyone who contributed to the Jackson County United Way’s annual Rock’n Ready school supply distribution program either by donating supplies or distributing those supplies during events at schools in the county over the past week or so. About 1,200 students in Jackson County benefited from the program designed to ensure they return to school prepared.
Giving back
Thumbs up to Brownstown native and professional golfer Chris Baker, who recently returned home for his engagement party and took a few hours of his time to conduct a free golf clinic and play in a scramble with former coaches, mentors and friends at Hickory Hills Golf Club. The 36-year-old said the event was his way of doing something for all of the people who have supported him over his professional career.
The gift of life
Thumbs up to everyone who donated blood during a blood drive at First Baptist Church in Seymour on Thursday or at any other drive this summer. Every second, someone in the United States needs blood, but the need is even greater in the summer when school is out and families go on vacations. Volunteer donors are the only source of blood for patients with blood disorders, trauma victims and those experiencing difficult childbirths.
Too high
Thumbs down to the convenience stores in Seymour and Jackson County for keeping their prices for fuel much higher than other communities around southern and central Indiana.