Missing a best friend

Thumbs-up to Janet Myers of Seymour for taking the time to train Bentley to provide services to patients at Schneck Medical Center eight years ago. The large Bernese Mountain therapy dog, who was the subject of two books and touched and brightened the lives of many over the years with his antics and his ability to help everyone regardless of their age or mental capabilities, died Sept. 15.

Jamming

Thumbs-up to the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts and the volunteers and sponsors who helped make this year’s Seymour CityJam a success. The fifth annual concert series ended Sept. 21 with a performance by The Louisville Crashers. The list of volunteers includes arts center board members and the youth who live at the Judge Robert Brown Jackson County Juvenile Home in Brownstown.

Dancing with the stars

Thumbs-up to the organizers of the fifth annual Dancing with the Seymour Stars who made this year’s event a success and those who donated to the cause. The event, conducted Sept. 23, raised $101,316, money that will benefit Seymour Main Street and the Boys & Girls Club of Seymour. A related thumbs-up to the dancers who worked hard to perfect their routines so those in attendance could have an enjoyable evening.

Included

Thumbs-up to the Seymour Middle School cheerleaders and their coach, Megan Welch, for allowing 13-year-old Jorja O’Neal the opportunity to cheer with them during games. It’s also an opportunity for O’Neal to socialize and fit in with girls her own age, which isn’t always easy since she was born with DiGeorge syndrome, a rare disorder caused by a defect in her 22nd chromosome that has led to abnormal cognitive and emotional development.

No more signs

Thumbs-down to people who put yard sale signs on street corners and then forget about them once it’s over. A related thumbs-down to those who attach such signs to utility poles since it’s a violation of the National Electric Safety Code.