Orchids to …
• Public Works Director Bryan Burton and the city of Columbus for a timely response and making Columbus a better place to live.
• the Clarion Hotel for waking the city up that we need to stop worrying about gateways and walking paths and start worrying about a solution for future flooding.
• Mark at Lowe’s for going above and beyond Friday afternoon to help me find a register vent cover.
• the Fodrea first-grade students who have chosen to support the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee, from local supporters.
• the person outside the department store for handing out tickets to people in handicapped parking spots with expired vehicle stickers.
• all our newspaper customers for your kindness and generosity over the years, from Albert and Jessica Crider.
• Cheri and Sally for their hard work at Columbus Transit and to their future success.
• people at the west side Walmart for finding my wallet and notifying me, from a grateful customer.
• Heather at the Kroger pharmacy for outstanding service.
Onions to …
• the man in the truck who drives across the driving range near the golf course to let his dog run.
• people who haven’t figured out that Columbus does not have the power, control or money to keep supporting the visions of one person.
• The Republic for leaving the Columbus Icemen out of the top 10 sports stories of the year after making it to state for a third straight year and winning the Henry G. Schallert Team Academic Award for highest grade-point average in Indiana.
• those who do not realize that not all residents are happy that a local band is participating in such a controversial inauguration.
• people who complain that businesses are closed after the holiday, when that time off is so employees have time with their families.
• folks being able to use food stamps to buy frosties at the gas station.
• parents who have money for cigarettes, beer and lottery tickets but use food stamps to buy food for their kids.
• governmental unit that allows a department head to live outside the required geographical area.
• the businesses that are closed a day after the holiday.
• those who litter the Orchids section with nonsense.
• drivers who are in such a hurry that they don’t let pedestrians cross in front of them.
• the people who trashed the Putt-Putt course, who should be ashamed of themselves.
• those driving in inclement weather with no headlights on.
• the elitist attitude that someone is inferior simply by how they voted.
Happy Birthday to …
• Deanna Kurtz, from your family and Donna.
• Larry Lucas, from Brenda, your family and Donna.
• Deanna Perry, from your family and Donna.
• Flo Whited, from Pastor Lewis and The Who So Ever Will Community Church.
• Julia Glick.
• Anita Crull.
• Mary Jo Herman.
• Abby Hunnicutt.
• Michelle Wager, from Zachary, Caitlin, Nathan and Mom and Dad Beeker.
• Tommy Curd, from Grandma Jean, Grandma Joan, Grandma Kim and Grandpa Mark.
• Vera Hill, from the family.
• Imogene Weisner, from Joseph Hart Chapter DAR.
• Mary Jo Hermon, from Joseph Hart Chapter DAR.
• Ruby on No. 90 and Bella Lewis, from your friends at Fairington Apartments.
• Chester Caudill, from the family.
• Abigail Dickey and Jean Weisner, from friends at the Moravian Church.
Happy Birthday to …
• Hailey Shaw, from the Mize families.
• Beverly Crouch, from Lena.