Thumbs Up and Down – Views by the Echo Press May 4, 2012

Talk about it

Distracted walking

Thumbs Down: Here’s a twist on a behavior that’s drawn a “thumbs down” in the past: jaywalking. Only this time the person did it while talking on a cell phone. It happened Monday afternoon. A woman was walking across Broadway in the middle of the street with the phone clutched to her ear, apparently expecting all traffic to come to a screeching halt so she could complete her more important business. A crosswalk, with traffic lights, of course, was just a half block away but she was too lazy, or distracted, to walk the extra feet. She wasn’t hit – this time.

Henry’s helps economy

Thumbs Up: Henry’s Foods in Alexandria deserves a big “thumbs up” for holding its annual trade show at the Runestone Community Center last Thursday. The event packs a nice economic punch for the community as representatives of national food companies from throughout the Midwest come into town for the event, which is not open to the public but is a chance for Henry’s Foods’ customers to sample all the latest food offerings, from doughnuts and deep-fried franks to prime rib. There were 110 booths representing major food suppliers, like Hershey’s and Tyson, along with Henry’s Foods’ product lines as well. Hotel rooms in Alexandria filled up quickly for the event and it’s safe to say the visitors pumped more dollars into the community by buying gas, food and other items. The event was held in Brainerd for a few years but Henry’s and the RCC brought it back to Alexandria last year and repeated it this year. Let’s hope it stays here.

Thoughtful food

Thumbs Up: Here’s a neat idea that the Alexandria Senior Center offers as part of its “Meals on Wheels” program. Those who are feeling a bit under the weather and aren’t up for a big lunch can order a “get well meal.” It consists of chicken soup, crackers, applesauce and Jell-O. You just have to call the office at (320) 762-4280 by 8:30 a.m. to request the meal in favor of the regular meal. Remember, too, that frozen dinners are available for nights, weekends and holidays by calling that same number.

Action on fishing, hunting

Thumbs Up: Since we gave the Legislature a “thumbs down” for not acting promptly to approve an increase in fishing and hunting licenses that was long overdue to maintain the DNR’s game and fish fund, it’s only fair that we now offer a “thumbs up” to the bill that was finally passed last week. It raises the cost of a fishing license, now $17, to $22; small game licenses from $19 to $22; and deer licenses from $26 to $30. It also earmarks 50-cents from deer licenses for wolf management. The increases, which received widespread support from anglers and outdoor groups, are set to take effect next March. Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, who is the chair of a committee dealing with outdoor issues, deserves credit for leading the bill’s passage. He rightly noted, “Minnesota is a state that defines itself, and is defined by, the quality of its outdoor recreation.”

Speedy service

Thumbs Up: Day in and day out, the U.S. Postal Service does its job, but often doesn’t get the appreciation it deserves. People are quick to complain when something gets lost in the mail but take for granted the timely and reliable service the USPS provides. That’s why we’re passing along this “thumbs up” from Mary Anderson of Alexandria. “I want to say ‘great job’ to the postal service,” she said in a note to the newspaper. “My daughter-in-law sent me a package from Woodbury, Minnesota on Monday, April 16 and I received it here in Alexandria on Tuesday, April 17.”

Letter carriers help the hungry

Thumbs Up: And while on the topic of the U.S. Postal Service, be sure to support its effort to help the hungry. Letter carriers across the country, in partnership with the USPS, are collecting food for families in need with its “Stamp Out Hunger” Food Drive. On Saturday, May 12, postal customers are encouraged to collect and bag non-perishable food items and place them by their mailbox for their letter carrier to deliver to the local food shelf.

Tags: opinion, editorials