Per all the reports in the hometown newspaper and additional comments heard around the resort city, the April 8 total solar eclipse was an awe-inspiring event.
Garland Countians, other Arkansans, along with the large numbers of out-of-staters, are undoubtedly still talking about this stellar happening.
On that subject, "Thumbs-up" to Astronomers Without Borders, a nonprofit that is collecting "gently-used eclipse-viewing glasses" that will be sent internationally to "underserved communities and schools" to be used for other solar eclipses.
Locally, The RetroFit and Buffalo Clothing Co. are collecting said glasses to send to AWB and First Church of the Nazarene is accepting "used but undamaged" eclipse glasses at its office from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays.
According to an AWB news release, "The hope is for these glasses to help others observe an eclipse before they unnecessarily reach landfills."
Speaking of star power, we send out another "Thumbs-up" to Dillon Hargrove, National Park College head men's basketball coach, who recently was named NJCAA Division II Coach of the Year.
Hargrove led NPC's Nighthawks to their first national championship in his fourth year as their coach. The team won their first 27 games of this year and for several weeks were ranked No. 1 in the country.
"Congratulations" to Coach Hargrove, who was also named Division II Championship Coach of the Tournament and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Two-Year College Coach of the Year.
Another "Thumbs-up" goes out to the Hot Springs School District's Main Street Visual and Performing Arts Magnet School, which for the second time was recognized as a Model PLC at Work school. One of the district's four elementary schools, Main Street received this honor at the end of 2020-2021.
Principal Kristen Gordon said the recognition "not only means the school is using best practices in its teaching, but it means students are achieving at higher levels."
A news release explains that PLCs "are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is ongoing, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students." The three big ideas of a PLC call upon educators to focus on learning, build a collaborative culture, and create a results orientation.
Staying in the education field, we give a "Thumbs-up" to Elks Lodge 380, which on April 3 awarded seven scholarships to area students. Recipients were chosen by the lodge's Scholarship Committee and based on recommendations from school counselors, students' scholastic achievements, participation in school and extracurricular activities, awards received, community service, and employment histories, Each student also submitted an essay as part of the application process.
Honorees were: Peyton Macejewski, home-schooled; Yessenia Morales, Fountain Lake High School; Jodi Dickson, Jessieville High School; Brayden Buss, Fountain Lake High School; Jacob Harbin, Cutter Morning Star High School; Cade Davis, Magnet Cove High School; and Theodore Headlee, Lakeside High School.
As pointed out in a news release, the BPOE Elks award more scholarships nationally than any other organization other than the U.S. government.
Looking ahead, here's a "Thumbs-up" to the good news that in 2025, Majestic Park will host the Babe Ruth League World Series for 14-year-olds. Derek Philips, general manager of the complex, said via a news release that 18 teams from across the United States, as well as some international teams, will compete in the Aug. 7-16 series. He also said that a Hot Springs host team featuring local Babe Ruth talent will also compete. The GM noted that Rob Connor, Babe Ruth League vice president for Operations, will be in the Spa City on April 24 to finalize arrangements. Looks like Majestic Park has hit another big event home run.
The Thumbs Column appears in The Sentinel-Record on the first and third Wednesday of each month. The newspaper welcomes readers' comments and suggestions, which should be submitted in writing with a telephone number and home address for verification and contact purposes. This information is kept confidential.