Orchids to …
• Kristen Brown for her spot-on letter in Sunday’s paper, from a local taxpayer.
• Cleo Rogers Public Library staff for their hard work to make excellent programs this fall that involve the installations, from Exhibit Columbus.
• Kristen Brown for her letter to the editor and speaking on behalf of the silent taxpayers.
• Russell Poling, Mark Schneider and Kristen Brown for your recent letters to the editor speaking out against local tax increases.
• those who understand that the first time Francis Scott Key heard the words of our national anthem, they were being spoken by men, deprived of their freedom and on their knees, in the bilge of a British prison ship in Baltimore Harbor.
• county officials who are good financial stewards and have the courage to do what’s clearly right, even though it’s not popular with the usual vocal naysayers.
• The Republic for your recent editorial supporting increased local taxes.
• Dr. Koopman for explaining Medicare vs. insurance and alleviating my concerns.
• Kristen Brown for stating the facts and offering viable solutions in lieu of raising county taxes.
• Not-So-Newlywed contestants Cindy and Eric Frey, Patty and Brian Hannasch, Shelley Knust and Teresa Vorhees, Whittney and Adam Loyd, and Lorraine and Charles Smith for being shining examples of healthy relationships and supporting Turning Point.
• The Republic for all the wonderful Domestic Violence Awareness Month coverage.
• Mickey Kim for the great job serving as the Not-So-Newlywed Game emcee again this year; Diana and Tony Gambaiani for serving as judges; and Alan Trisler for the fabulous job with DJ, sound and photo booth.
• sponsors and attendees of the Not-So-Newlywed Game for your wonderful support of our annual fundraiser, from Turning Point Domestic Violence Services.
• Vice President Mike Pence for walking out on the NFL game, from a veteran.
• the employees at Rural King who found my wallet in the parking lot and brought it to the counter with all the cash still in it.
• my perfect brother, Scott, for all the things that you do.
• Kristen Brown for letting the taxpayers know how wasteful the establishment is with our tax money.
• the cashier at the Speedway gas station on State Road 46 West 46 for helping this man put air in his tires.
• Mike Pence for respecting the flag and taking a stand.
Onions to …
• people who don’t understand that if there was a law that would get you life in prison for possession of any type of gun, there might be fewer guns in this country and way fewer gun deaths.
• people who expect traffic to stop for them to cross the street instead of waiting until the way is clear.
• drivers who make U-turns at intersections because they could lead to crashes.
• gun supporters who ignore global evidence that stricter gun laws reduce mass shootings.
• those who appear to value guns over human life and responsible gun control.
• those who don’t finish paying what is owed on a car that was sold to them.
• my eating utensils which, according to liberal logic, are responsible for more than 300,000 deaths each year to obesity.
• The Republic for advocating a tax increase.
• anyone who doesn’t realize that there are crosswalks where traffic is supposed to yield to pedestrians in it, and that is established by law.
• the union that turns their back on unfair reviews being given to employees.
• people who don’t realize that Medicare and Medicaid are entitlement programs and that health care is expensive because you have to pay for good equipment and quality nurses and physicians.
• grown men who scream, yell and make rude comments about athletes.
• the official who complains about people not stopping at the crosswalk, but does nothing to enforce the law for those who violate it.
• the elected official who is always looking for a reason to spend money.
• the elected officials who want to raise taxes, but have proven they are incapable of using the current tax revenue responsibly and efficiently.
• the vice president for his publicity stunt at the Colts game Sunday that detracted from the celebration of a true Indiana hero.
• the people who do not stand for the national anthem.
• the county council for wanting to raise taxes.
Happy Birthday to …
• Don Strurgeon, from the Tuesday night Bible study group.
• Matt Tucker.
• Naoma McCall.
• Juli Bartells, from Joseph Hart Chapter DAR.
• Sandra Gilliland from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Brian Shrader from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Shaeli Shoaf.
• Beth Hartwell.
• Monica Martin from your mom Rhonda, and Mark.
• Belated happy birthday to …
• Lisa Siener from your family and friends.
Happy Anniversary to …
• Jerry and Brenda Prall, from all your family.
• Tom and Rhonda Green, from your family.
• Joe and Angie Chambers, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Arnold and Beth Ellison.
• Trooper and Shauna Phayer.
