Thumbs Column
Winter continues its grip on the Spa City, but local denizens remain undeterred by the cold, getting out and about to enjoy a host of community activities and looking forward to whatever adventures and challenges lie ahead.
And we might all consider what humanitarian and author Helen Keller (1880-1968) said, “The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.” (“Beautifully Said: Quotes By Remarkable Women and Girls
Designed To Make You Think”)
And so let’s begin this column with a “Thumbs-up” award sent in via email by Hot Springs resident
Shirley Chauvin.
Chauvin wrote, “I had my antifreeze checked on
Jan. 7 and imagine my surprise as steam came out from under the hood of my van just two days later and when I was looking for a parking place at the Albert Pike Walmart.”
“A fellow flagged me down, as I was in the middle of the lot roadway. He said, ‘Pop the hood’ and I did. He told me the radiator cap was blown off and he then checked the car’s temperature, which was in the middle range. He said the short distance I had to drive home — where I could add water and antifreeze — would be OK. His actions lowered my stress level, so I parked and went in the store to shop.
“I remember reading in this column about how many a knight in shining armor comes to the rescue of a lady in distress, only to get away without giving a name. So I pursued this fellow and found he is Pastor Wehunt of the Pentecostal Church of Christ. There are many ways to deliver a sermon and his on that day was perfect.”
By the same token, this writer has a definite “Thumbs-up” to all of the city utility department employees and contract workers who in recent weeks braved frigid temperatures to tackle projects on Richard Street, West St. Louis, and other heavily traveled arteries in that area.
A tip of the hat to these individuals who spent many long and difficult hours on the job for the betterment of all residents in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, here’s a big “Thumbs-up” to the courteous individuals who stop and allow customers of the U.S. Post Office Branch on Hammond Street to enter and exit the parking lot. On most days of the week, there are a lot of people picking up mail, checking their boxes and sending out packages at this branch or visiting other businesses in the nearby shopping center, so traffic congestion is a given.
It is just nice to see many motorists show some patience and consideration for other drivers.
Give a cheer and a “Thumbs-up” to Hot Springs Intermediate School’s trio of top spellers who showed their way with words during the school’s spelling bee.
With her first place win, Emberli Ghigo qualifies for the Garland County Spelling Bee and second and third place honors went to Alex Simms and A.J. Orellana, respectively.
Congratulations and best wishes to all three students and to the teachers who instilled in them the importance of spelling in clear communication.
On the other hand, concerned citizen Helen Sanders has a “Thumbs-down” to the poor and unsightly conditions of some sections of Central and Malvern avenues, and other city streets, too, noting, “The city, county and state should all be embarrassed … and Hot Springs will never be a firstclass tourist attraction until improvements are made.”
Offering an addendum from this corner, the King Expressway also needs some attention given the patchy places along the roadway and the large amounts of litter and trash that seem to abound on the green spaces.
Maintaining streets and highways is an expensive undertaking that requires lots of dollars and manpower, but how Hot Springs and Garland County present themselves is important as well.