Published: August 21, 2009 09:52 pm      

Thumbs - Saturday, August 22, 2009

Thumbs up ... to Lowe’s for setting up the Lowe’s Family Playground on the grounds of the State Fair of West Virginia. Located behind the Cecil H. Underwood Youth Center, the area will be open to the public whenever the gates are open to the fairgrounds throughout the year.



Thumbs up ... to all teachers who are busily preparing for the new school year, which starts next week.



Thumbs up ... to Bill Simmons, honored on his 90th birthday with a surprise party. Simmons is well known for his work with Hilltop Dairy, Simmons and Son and, later, Simmons Building specialties. Family and friends also gathered at Ames Heights to honor Gladys Jones with an open house celebration on her 90th birthday.



Thumbs up ... to something positive to come from the January 2007 Ghent tragedy that killed four and injured six. A training video made by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board to try to prevent another such explosion has won a safety award from an online teaching group.



Thumbs up ... to Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital for donating two gazebos for use at the YMCA Youth Soccer Complex. The hospital made the donation after setting up its no smoking policy.



Thumbs up ... to Theatre West Virginia, which will end its season Sunday with a food drive. Patrons who attend “Honey in the Rock” will receive free admission in exchange for a nonperishable food item or school supply.



Thumbs up ... to Charlie Jones, the recorder for the Town of Fayetteville. Jones was named the Municipal League’s Recorder of the Year at its annual meeting in Charleston in recognition of his many years of community service.



Thumbs up ... to First Baptist Church of Powellton, which recently celebrated its 104th anniversary. Also gearing up to mark a celebration is First Baptist Church of Kimberly, which will turn 105 on Sept. 5.