Thumbs up to Nicholas W. Hlifka, a Ripley native who hasn’t let his visual impairment hold him back while attending the State University at Fredonia. Hlifka will receive the 2018 Lanford Presidential Prize from the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment of the Fredonia College Foundation. The prize recognizes a member of the graduating class who has exhibited balanced achievement and exemplifies SUNY Fredonia’s ideals. Hlifka, from Ripley, is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, summa cum laude, with a minor in religious studies, and carries a 4.0 GPA. The Department of Philosophy faculty who nominated him for the prize noted, “…he truly exemplifies The Fredonia Way with his infectious collegiality that elevates all within the classroom, and reminds us that striving for excellence and cherishing robust community are virtues of the spirit that transcend the events and projects that give rise to them.” They added, “Nick is a dominant presence in a classroom. He writes and speaks in a clear, organized, and forceful manner and is an active participant in classroom discussions. In our classes he presented and defended arguments on a number of topics. His presentations were tightly organized, unique, and well worth listening to.” Hlifka, who is visually impaired, regularly volunteers in the university’s Disability Support Services office, and helps to address campus website and physical accessibility issues, especially related to visual impairment. He is also active on campus with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship; leading meetings, serving on the executive board, and helping to lead the outreach community effort “Thirsty?”

Thumbs up to Sadie Anderson, a 17-year-old Kiantone resident who will be a featured performer Sunday with the Mercyhurst Civic Orchestra. Anderson won the high school division of the orchestra’s annual concerto competition. Her reward — to perform the first movement of the Barber Violin Concerto with the orchestra. This isn’t her first time, though, performing with the grup. She has played with the Mercyhurst Orchestra since age 12 and has served as concertmaster since age 14. For those who want to attend, the concert begins at 4 p.m. in the Walker Recital Hall at Mercyhurst University in Erie.

Thumbs up to Jamestown native Chris Olsen for capturing so well a night that should never be forgotten in Jamestown. In February 1956, Lucille Ball and her husband, Desi Arnaz, arrived in Jamestown for the premiere of their MGM movie, “Forever Darling.” While there is footage on YouTube of the night, but Olsen’s book, “Lucy Comes Home,” is a vibrant recollection of a night Jamestown should never forget. It isnt often, after all, that a major Hollywood production stages its premiere here. Olsen’s mother, the former Janice Swanson, was Lucy’s homecoming queen during the visit. Olsen’s connection to the night prompted his interest in the book. It is far from just a family project — the volume includes between 200 and 300 photographs are the megastars’ visit to Lucy’s former home in Celoron, to Jamestown General Hospital and to Bigelow’s Department Store; their appearances at the Crystal Ballroom in the Hotel Jamestown and at the Temple Hesed Abraham’s Sports Night at the same venue; and the warm and enthusiastic reception they received from the Western New York town that Lucy once called home.