Thumbs column
Jovial July greetings, faithful readers and “Thumbsup” to Independence Day 2018.
On this celebratory occasion, have fun, stay safe, fly the “red, white and blue,” and honor America — its history, freedoms and opportunities.
Speaking of honors, here is a big “Thumbs-up” to LifeNet paramedic Terry Childers, who recently was honored in Washington, D.C., with a Star of Life Award from the American Ambulance Association.
Childers, one of only 100 EMS professionals from across the country to receive the award, has been a paramedic for 27 years, beginning his career in Stuttgart and also working for National Park
Medical Center’s EMS service and in Texarkana.
According to its news release, LifeNet annually honors one Hot Springs Division EMS professional who “goes above and beyond.”
Thank you, Terry, for your commitment and compassion to those in need.
Since it’s summer, here is a timely and apropos “Thumbs-up” to Magic Springs Theme and Water Park and the Hot Springs Family YMCA for stressing the importance of water safety for children.
On June 21, the water park’s certified lifeguards gave swimming instructions to young guests as part of the national World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.
And thanks to a $6,000 grant from YUSA to the local YMCA, some 50 kindergarten through fourth-grade students from Hot Springs School District are receiving free swim lessons.
A long-standing partnership between the YMCA and the district have made possible an ongoing series of educational and enrichment programs and activities.
Meanwhile, we send out a definite cheer and “Thumbs-up” to the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team for a super season and for reaching the finals of the College World Series.
We also commend Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn for the cordial and professional manner in which he handled the postgame interviews and analyses after his team lost, 5-0, in the deciding game against Oregon State.
Disappointed as Hog fans from around the country are in missing out on a national championship, there is a lot to look forward to in 2019.
Before leaving the sports arena, here is a “Thumbsup” to Hot Springs graduate and Lady Trojan hoops standout Imani Honey, who recently continued her winning ways in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star girls basketball game at the University of Central Arkansas Farris Center in Conway.
Honey, who was named Most Valuable Player, helped lead the West team to a 86-79 win over the East squad, ending the latter’s six-year domination of their All-Star rivals.
Honey and West teammate, Ariana Guinn, a fellow Hot Springs graduate, also this year led the Lady Trojans to a Class 5A state championship with Honey earning MVP honors then, too.
Sunday (July 1) was Postal Worker Day, so here is a “Thumbs-up” to all of the people who diligently go about the difficult task of delivering our daily mail. Special thanks to the postal workers who take care of the considerable amount of letters, packages and such that come to the Willowbrook Terrace Condominiums on Woodlawn Avenue.
Not only are these individuals hard-workers, but we find them to be most cordial.
The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers’ comments and suggestions, which should be submitted with a name, telephone number and home address, for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.