Thumbs up to the spirit of neighborliness - should that really be a word? - that permeates our community. Earlier this week we reported on a special celebration by the Bishop Overs Guild at St. Luke's Episcopal Church to honor the 100th birthday of Viola Kling.
Her many friends in the community responded to the occasion with such an outpouring of cards, flowers and well-wishes that Viola, who cannot see well, doesn't know how to thank everyone.
''I really appreciate all of you,'' she says in thanks.
And, we in turn, thank her for spurring on the rest of us to stay in shape and take care of ourselves.
"I walk on the treadmill for 30 minutes every day no matter how I'm feeling," she said. "... It keeps me feeling young."
And speaking of that, thumbs up to Franni Carlson, physical education teacher, and the crew at Jefferson Middle School in Jamestown for having a unit on in-line skating. The four-week program to have students learn and then practice the skill of in-line skating is designed to help them build motor skills, develop self-esteem and increase cardiovascular fitness.
We especially like the part about teaching them a physical activity they can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Seems to us it makes a lot more sense than playing cage ball.
Finally, thumbs up to the town of Busti for arranging for extra deer permits for parts of the town where hunters will be allowed to take more than the normal quota. We imagine that the late spring frost that hurt fruit trees also affected oak trees and the amount of acorns and other sources of mast that sustain deer over the winter.
Thinning the herd this fall will help stretch a limited food supply for those that are left and, we hope, reduce the number of deer that may be facing starvation.
We understand that is not what prompted the Busti board to arrange the extra permits, but it is a good offshoot. Hunters who are interested should contact the Busti town clerk at 121 Chautauqua Ave., Lakewood.