Posted Tuesday, November 20, 2018 10:00 am
With the rapid approach of Thanksgiving, we are reminded the “good” in our Cleveland and Bradley County community far outweighs the “bad.”
But, like in any hometown, we occasionally fall a little short — sometimes by the act of an individual, a governing body or perhaps a group or organization, or maybe a circumstance. Sometimes it is intended, and oftentimes by accident.
By the same token, we also excel.
That in mind, it is time for the “Thumbs Up” salutes and the “Thumbs Down” jeers to those who do good, and those who don’t.
• Thumbs Up to Sherry Crye, director of Workforce Development at the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce, who has been named recipient of the prestigious Robert M. Smith Outstanding Tennessee Leadership Educator Award.
Bernadette Douglas, Chamber of Commerce executive vice president, said it as well as anyone could by pointing out the award recipient always goes “above and beyond” in her work with this community’s young people, while instilling in them — at an early, impressionable age — the innate values of leadership.
• Thumbs Down to two 16-year-olds who further complicated their lives by escaping from the Bradley County Juvenile Detention Center. Memphis Smith and Abraham Augustin were already in serious trouble with the law after being charged with aggravated rape (Smith) stemming from an attack on a Lee University student, and attempted second-degree murder (Augustin) in connection with a shooting incident that left three people wounded.
The pair’s escape was bad enough; their four-day run from the law made it even worse. Now, their road to rehabilitation is mountainous.
• Thumbs Up to the 34,370 Bradley County residents, or 54 percent of registered voters, who cast ballots in the recent midterm elections. Of that amount, more than 22,000 voted early. Regardless of their candidates of choice, or their political lean, they voted. And that became the biggest local story of the election.
• Thumbs Up to Robert Still, a Cleveland “youngster” who celebrated his 100th birthday on Nov. 1. In spite of long, successful careers in construction, electrical and dairy businesses, he kept his birthday celebration simple. He went to Hardee’s.
• Thumbs Up to Dale McClure, a dedicated volunteer in the Habitat for Humanity of Cleveland ReStore, for tracking down the owners of a treasure found by store co-workers. It was a set of military medals, as well as a large family Bible. Dale, doing what Dale does best, found that the medals belonged to Col. Joseph Peagler, now deceased. Medals and Bible are now safely in the hands of family members in Birmingham, Ala.
• Thumbs Up to Cleveland State Community College student Josh Davis, who became the latest Cleveland connection on one of the many musical reality shows. The Walker Valley High School alumnus appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” He made an early exit from the show in a “Battle Round,” but not before wowing a massive TV audience.
• Thumbs Down to pop star great Kelly Clarkson, one of four judges on “The Voice,” who gave Josh the boot. But, it’s only a mild Thumbs Down because it was Kelly who selected Josh to join her team in the first place. And, as they say, “… that’s Show Biz.” Besides, Josh made this community, and a lot of friends and loved ones, proud as a pickle.
• Thumbs Up to Brooke Evans, a gracious lady, talented writer and former newspaper reporter who extended a rare courtesy. She picked up the telephone, called a Cleveland Daily Banner editor, and said “thank you.”
Such unsolicited kindnesses still occur in these troubled times, when civility is becoming a lost art, but their numbers grow fewer and fewer.
Funny thing, Thumbs Up wins again … by a decisive 6-2 margin.
Perhaps the season of Thanksgiving brings needed warmth to those within the newspaper industry who often feel the cold of the dark side of humanity.
Either way, autumn fills the air and the aromas of turkey and cornbread dressing have begun to whet the appetite.
One thing’s for sure. This time of thoughtful reminder receives a definitive Thumbs Up.
