Orchids to …
• Jim Henderson, Eric Neal and the Columbus Park Foundation for planning and executing the campaign that raised $1.4 million in private funds for the improvement of Hamilton Center, creating a jewel all members of our community will benefit from for decades.
• Joe Willy’s bartender on Wednesday night for the great service and free entertainment.
• happy, smiling people with great attitudes.
• Jay Heater for his column on the state high school athletic association’s action following a basketball game brawl.
• the Richards elementary fifth-graders who made wonderful Valentines for patients at the Columbus Regional Hospital cancer center.
• Wilford Lutes for his letter to the editor.
• Columbus Police Lt. Alan Trisler for going above and beyond in helping change a tire on a cold, blustery day.
• Fodrea students who made Valentine cards for cancer patients at the hospital, from Steven Bailey.
• Williams Brothers for continuing to provide excellent customer service despite decreases in Medicare and insurance reimbursements.
• my wonderful husband, Peter Gerbig, for taking such good care of me after I sustained third-degree burns, from your wife, Debbie.
• my sister, Missy Lacefield, for the wonderful chili she made us during my illness.
• our beautiful granddaughter, Alixes Smiley, from Grandma and Grandpa Gerbig.
• Gov. Pence for being so kind to me, from Sharon Phillips.
• Marsh Supermarkets for the paper grocery bags, from a loyal customer.
• the employees at Chili’s who helped me celebrate being cancer free.
• Dr. John Harker and staff for providing excellent service to myself and family, from Tom Jester.
• the wonderful trains and their lovely whistles because we need them and they need us.
• the bartender at Joe Willy’s on Sundays for great service and making me feel welcome.
Onions to …
• small-minded and insensitive people who can’t comprehend the unexpected expenses that come with a loved one’s illness or injury and complaining about hosting a fundraiser for a family enduring a horrible situation.
• those that do not understand there are fundraisers all the time for hungry children, abused spouses, neglected animals and underfunded nonprofit organizations in our community.
• the sibling who takes their mother shopping but never speaks a word to her during the whole trip.
• the city for ignoring the dangers of Rocky Ford Road east of Taylor Road to walkers and bikers.
• anyone who has the time and energy to worry about or complain about who posts Orchids or Onions in the paper.
• the local sports writer who continually favors one local high school basketball team over another.
• family and friends who say they will always be there for you but aren’t.
• the disoriented individual that feels compelled to challenge a donor’s choice of support.
• Columbus for being a city of quantity and not variety in its retail stores.
• Columbus for putting all the emphasis on downtown, which will cost an unfathomable amount of money to fix the deteriorating infrastructure of the rest of the city.
• people who claim to be Christians but go to bars and drink, plus back-stab family members.
• people who think because you go to a bar for a great meal and a beer means you are no longer a Christian.
• Christians and churches that demonize gay marriage but turn a blind eye to divorce.
Happy Birthday to …
• Larry Taylor, from a family member.
• Cado Miller, from Ma Maw, Dad, brothers and the rest of the family.
• Danette Brewer, from all your family.
• Eric, from friends and family.
• Valarie Turner, from Charlotte.
• Michael Morrow, from Gary and Mary Morrow.
• Bob Brown, from family and friends.
• Elizabeth Eakle, from Tabatha, Matt and Lexi Tallent.
• Ann Burgess, from the Clarks.
• Zoey Mae Scroup.
• Joey Bontrager.
• Jason Titus.
• Jane Keller, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Kara Epperson, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Pam Emmert, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Lauren Martinez, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Gary Misner.
• Jacquie Carman.
• Jaclyn Miller Nobbe.
• Kevin Hull.
• Staci Hull.
• Marilyn Wells.
• Emile Nolting, from Bethel Baptist Church.
• Kristen Monson, from Pastor Lewis and The Who So Ever Will Community Church.
Happy Anniversary to …
• Carolyn and Dana Stickans, from Mom.
• Debby Lafont, on No. 23, from John.
• Tim Reinbold on No. 32, from your wife, Martha.
• Terry and Bev Hehe on No. 45, from Jessie, Bernard, Jordan and Deacon.
• John and Mary Reed, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Richards and JoAnn Keller, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• John and Susan Ziegler, from friends at the Moravian Church.
Belated Wishes to …
• Lisa Green on No. 5, from your husband Tom.
