Thumbs column
Before offering up some other digit doings, let’s give a great big “Thumbs-up” award to all of the local and area school districts that on Monday welcomed students back to the classroom.
Getting ready for a new academic year is no easy task and we send out our thanks and best wishes to the administrations, faculties and support staffs who worked so diligently to make sure the transition from vacation time to lesson plans goes well.
By the same token, here is a “Thumbs-up” to a neighboring resident who recently came to check on this writer whom she noticed was just sitting in the car with no motor running.
The neighbor lives just beyond the latter’s condominium complex property and wanted to make certain there was no serious problem.
“No, it’s just a dead battery and I am waiting for a friend to come charge it,” I told her, most appreciative that she noticed what was going on around her and bothered to check on my welfare.
Here is a definite “Thumbs-up” to the thoughtful woman seen last Friday assisting a man struggling a bit to get into his vehicle on the parking lot of the Airport Road Kroger Store.
The shopper had parked his motorized cart and was at his driver’s side car door when the concerned citizen emerged from her adjacent gray SUV to lend a hand.
The two continued their friendly exchange for a few minutes and then he drove away and she went into the store.
Acts of kindness are always nice to witness. Speaking of consideration for others, Hot Springs resident Carla Mouton has a “Thumbs-up” award to share with our readers. Via email, she related her recent experience with some youthful visitors to Mid-America Science Museum.
“Today (Aug. 10), I went to Mid-America Science Museum with my grandson, Andre.
He wanted to explore Underground Arkansas — an exhibit where one crawls through a simulation of what might be found beneath a city. I did it years ago and decided I could again. Andre quickly went ahead of me, enjoying the company of other children who went in with us.
“A few younger ones noticed my lack of agility in bending down through rather cramped spaces and went a bit slower so as not to leave me stranded. One delightful girl, Avery, from Cabot, and some boys I think were her brothers, were especially helpful and waited for me to get through the tunnel.
“By the time I made it out, Andre was already on his second tour. I was a bit tired by then so I waited for him to make a few more passes through. All of the children were working together and having a great time. I came away feeling quite good about the future generation. And I am glad I was able to thank sweet Avery and tell her grandmother how helpful she was.”
On the related subject of exploring and learning, here is a definite “Thumbs-up” to the Garland County Library for the ever-increasing numbers associated with its Summer Reading Program.
As reported in the Aug. 11 edition of the hometown newspaper, the library — during an eight-week period — presented more than 190 programs for more than 8,160 attendees.
Talk about impressive stats.
Kudos to the ever-creative and hardworking library staff.