Orchids to …
• Emily Tedder, for sharing her talents playing taps at each of the eight sites honoring deceased veterans, from Hope Legion Post 229.
• Jessie, floral manager at Kroger, for the fresh bouquet for each of the eight Memorial Day services in the Hope area, from members of Hope American Legion Post 229.
• all those people who assisted me with the Shorty’s reunion, a big thank-you, from John Tinkey.
• the police officer who recognized my brother at the Salute! concert, made sure he was OK and showed him that others do care.
• Columbus Parks Department for tidying up the shelter house at Mill Race Park on Friday, from Central Middle School Team One teachers.
• the 235-plus Hope residents who took time out of their Monday and joined us at the Hope Area Veterans Memorial in remembrance of those who gave all so that we can assemble in freedom, from Hope Legion Post 229 and Boy Scouts.
• the Rev. Josh Calhoun for the awesome message Sunday night, and to his cousins Greg and Katie Roberts for the beautiful accompaniment music during the service, from Apostolic Hope Tabernacle.
• the caretaker of New Harmony Cemetery near Mineral Springs for always having the grass cut and trimmed, making it beautiful especially during Memorial Day weekend.
• Jonathan Gunter for his wonderful singing of “God Bless the USA.”
• Frank’s Tree Care for awesome service removing a tree and especially all the cleanup after the April 29 storm, from the Bovas.
• Tim Orr for his Sunday column, from Kim.
• the wonderful lady at JayC who paid for my groceries when my credit card wouldn’t work.
• Mark for the kind donation to the Columbus Regional Hospital’s pediatric ward.
• Bonnie Morgan on your retirement, we wish you the best, from your friends.
• Dr. Robert Forste, from a former patient at VIMCare.
Onions to …
• adults who allowed the little girl to climb on gravestones at the cemetery.
• the person who pick-pocketed a disabled person at the library May 20.
• planners of the Rocky Ford and Marr Road intersection, which is so massive that it’s difficult to negotiate the four-way stop.
• caretakers at Daugherty Cemetery for not mowing the grass for Memorial Day weekend.
• people who believe that a protest at an event to honor our volunteer armed services is “the highest form of patriotism,” when it is actually the exact opposite.
• people who go to church and claim to be religious, then say hurtful things to others.
• the red pickup truck that is loud on 13th and Central Avenue during the day, disturbing the neighborhood.
• people who put their trash toters out on the wrong day.
• the thief who stole my mother’s flower basket from my front door, given to me by my son-in-law Vietnam veteran each year.
Happy Birthday to …
• Pat Ward, from your family and Donna.
• Pam Jackson, from Jim Jackson.
• Kylie Burton, Ricky Burton, Diana Bowker and Meg Smith, from the Who So Ever Will Community Church.
• Juanita Malone on No. 90, from Sue and Kenneth, Colleen and Doyle, Wilma and families.
• Gene Perkinson, from Mom and all the family.
• Doyle Rich and Juanita Malone, from your wife and sister, Colleen Rich, and from your family and friends.
• Roxanne Hancock.
• Whitney Gearhart.
• Tiara Kirby, from Marian, Shane, the Kirbys and the Millers.
• Noah Brouse, from Dad, Mom and Claire.
• Barbara McMullen, from your family and all your friends at St. Bartholomew Catholic Parish.
• Claire Runion, from Elsie.
• Linda Workman, from Cecil.
• Kayla Deen, from Pastor Marvin Brown and Trinity Baptist Church.
Happy Anniversary to …
• Dan and Jill Harker, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Glen and Jane Keller, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Howard and Betsy Downey.
• Joseph and Janice Whittington.
Happy Belated Anniversary to …
• Glen and Jane Keller, from friends at the Moravian Church.