Thumbs up for Sept. 9

0

Fun(d)-raising

Thumbs up to the Seymour High School students and former students who have raised more than $109,000 to support Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis since 2014 through the Riley Dance Marathon fundraiser. That includes the 100-plus seniors who purchased a parking spot in the student parking lot for $40 and painted it to showcase their personalities and interests on Labor Day. The event raised around $4,000 for the cause.

Perseverance

Thumbs up to 83-year-old Geraldine “Jerry” VonDielingen, who recently celebrated her 50th year of employment at McDonald’s at 913 E. Tipton St. in Seymour. Five decades is a long time for anyone to spend at one job. Way to persevere, Jerry.

“The next right thing”

Thumbs up to those willing to share their stories of struggling with addiction and the road to recovery during an International Overdose Awareness Day event Aug. 31 at Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour. For instance, John Cunningham of Columbus, who shared his story of 10 years of sobriety, said his path to recover began when he realized he had to do the next right thing. “That purpose, that little bit of hope, it just shined to do the next right thing,” he said. “I swear to you it has broken down every barrier I’ve ever had.” According to the Indiana Drug Overdose Dashboard at in.gov/recovery/data, Jackson County had 21 drug overdose deaths due to any drug in 2021 compared to 20 the year before. In 2021, Indiana had 2,554 drug overdoses due to any drug.

Sweepstakes winners

Thumbs up to the Alberring brothers of Seymour, who brought home top awards in 4-H tractor contests from the recently completed Indiana State Fair. Trevor Alberring, 17, won sweepstakes for tractor safety education; Ethan Alberring, 15, won sweepstakes for zero-turn mower safety education; and Adam Alberring, 11, claimed a blue ribbon for lawn and garden tractor safety education. Sweepstakes is the equivalent of grand champion.

Another grand champion

Thumbs up to Owen Wischmeier, a freshman at Brownstown Central High School, and his Chester white barrow, Chub, who brought home grand champion honors from the Indiana State Fair.

No posts to display