A big thumbs up and congratulations to Judge Joseph Gerace of Lakewood and all of the other believers who founded and nurtured the Chautauqua Lake Rowing Association. We include Eric Larson, Lee Stein, Kevin Sixbey and Steve Odrzywolski in applauding the vision, belief and stubborness of these founders in bringing this sport back to Chautauqua Lake.
The occasion of this special mention is the signing of a letter of intent by CLRA member and Southwestern senior Mary Agarwala to attend the University of Buffalo on a partial Division 1 rowing scholarship.
Thumbs up to the county's Office for the Aging for continuing the Generations-online computer training program, which pairs senior citizens who want to learn how to use a computer with peer coaches who help them do just that. The training uses a special online tutoring program to help first-time computer users become skilled enough to use email and navigate the Internet.
Seniors who already have and use computers can attest that the Internet puts the world at their fingertips and gives them a way to stay in touch with family and friends that is unrivaled by anything except having the whole gang living in the same huge house.
Speaking of which - blizzard bags! If ever there is a reminder that, recent warm weather notwithstanding, we could turn the corner into earnest winter weather at any moment, it is the distribution of blizzard bags by Meals on Wheels. The bags contain nonperishable food that clients can use to tide them over when the weather is so bad volunteers can't make daily deliveries.
So here's a big thumbs up to the good folks at Christ First United Methodist Church for assembling the hundreds of emergency bags needed by Meals of Wheels and to Steve Senske and Dan Brown at Farm Fresh Foods for partnering with the church to get the job done.
And, finally today, thumbs up to Mother Nature for making a fourth-down effort to provide a white Christmas - although, yes, the exuberance and gusto with which winter is coming to these parts is perhaps a bit over the top.