Orchids to …
• the kind person who turned in the cane at Sans Souci that I absentmindedly left in the cart.
• Bob and Pam Clark for keeping us stocked in the delicious sunshine tomatoes all summer long, from the Massengales.
• the dumpster dudes who, at Saturday evening’s Ethnic Expo, graciously removed all of the trash from a dumpster to locate my cellphone.
• the young lady who, at Saturday evening’s Ethnic Expo, commiserated with me when I lost my cellphone in the dumpster but then took the extra time to locate those who could further help.
• the nice young man for fixing up and restoring my family cemetery.
• Abby, a cashier at Kohl’s for going above and beyond to help out this grateful customer.
• all AMVETS participants and volunteers who gave or assisted with hurricane relief donations — we really appreciate your efforts.
• Kevin at Walmart on Whitfield Drive for taking the time to tell me how to find my wish list on walmart.com.
• John Vanderbur for his letter to the editor reminding us about the Sandy Hook victims and that changes need to be made in gun control and mental health care.
• Mike Mensendiek, B. Barker Newsom, Julie Schuette and Pat Wilson who helped with another successful auction Monday night, from a proud Democrat.
• Lt. Dawn Renee Campbell on coming home from Afghanistan because we are proud of you, from your family.
• the Silvertones and Mary Clark, accompanist Edrie Martin, Anne Owens, Mark Owens — thanks so much for a great presentation.
Onions to …
• whoever is responsible for the abandoned gas station at 17th and McClure that has been a major eyesore for many years now.
• people who resent working with people who have high standards and integrity.
• motorists who continue to park in the fire lanes near the main entrance of the store and get by with it.
• the county employee who does campaign work rather than the office work the county is paying them to do while in the office.
• the county employee who plans vacations while at work on county time.
• the local weather station for always being the last one and so late sending weather information to Channel 8 News in the morning.
Happy Birthday to …
• Carol Kimbler.
• Kepner Grider, from your family and Donna.
• Josh Blanton, from your family and Donna.
• Gerry Rea, from Judi, George, Ruth and Donna.
• Adam Cline, from your family and Donna.
• Joan Trimpe, from your family and Donna.
• Betty Shawl.
• Max Goecker, from Dad, Jeri, Becky, AJ, Emma, Kayla and from the rest of the family.
• Katie Burnett, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Marie Couse, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Jacob Huffman, from friends at the Moravian Church.
• Ruth Scout, from her home ec group.
• Magan Hogart.
• Steven M. Lane, from his family.
• Shana Skinner on No. 18, love, Mom, Dad, Shelby, Shane, Judy, Buttercup, Bella and Benji.
• Josh Land.