Thumbs Up! Feb. 1, 2016

Today is the last day to register to vote in the March 1 presidential preference primary election. This election is important to the future of our great country and Americans have the privilege to have a say in that future. If you have any questions about how or where to register, call (229) 431-3247. Do it today.

An interesting event is taking place at Bainbridge High School Tuesday night from 6-9 p.m. The first of eight football safety clinics planned for Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina will take place. Sponsored and run by the Atlanta Falcons, it will offer moms some classroom instruction as well as on-the-field training. Moms will be taught how to recognize concussions, equipment fitting and proper tackling techniques. The idea is for moms to learn about safety on the football field and to hold coaches accountable. There is no charge for the clinic and dinner will be provided. Capacity for the clinic is 300 and preregistration is required. Go to atlantafalcons.com/momsclinic to check availability and sign up. Moms are encouraged to leave their spouses and children at home for this moms only event.

Back in the year 1952, Harry Persons of Cairo was on the verge of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He had done all the work and the only remaining step was to go before a review board. The 17-year-old high school graduate never made it to the review as he was scheduled to start classes at the University of Miami at the same time. About two years ago the now 81-year-old retiree found all his Boy Scout memorabilia. When he pulled out his badge-filled sash, the original Eagle Scout application fell out. It was then that Persons started what turned into a two-year quest to earn the much belated status. After producing everything from a birth certificate to letters vouching for his existence, Harry Persons was awarded his Eagle Scout badge just before Christmas. It took better than six decades but Persons finished what he started. We say Thumbs Up to you.

Dougherty County public libraries are just that. The materials available for checkout and/or in-house use are made available at no cost. From picture books to computers, libraries are a treasure trove of information. Albany’s Westtown branch has added yet another resource. On the second Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. until noon, Georgia Legal Services “circuit-rider” Whitney Knox will be at the library to offer free legal advice. Topics attorney Knox can assist with cover food stamps, Medicare and Medicaid, some family law, living wills, bankruptcy, housing issues and more. When warranted, the attorney will do an intake and start the ball rolling for eligible citizens to get the legal assistance needed. Some of what Knox does is simply answer questions and sometimes that is really all a person required but didn’t know who or how to ask. This is just one more feather in the cap of the Dougherty County Public Library System.

Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful held its 27th annual Volunteer Awards luncheon last week. Twelve awards were given for volunteer services rendered during 2015, all well deserved. A few numbers were shared with attendees and are worth printing again for the record. Stash-the -Trash had 2,033 volunteers who made up 92 teams that removed 35 tons of debris from 103 miles of roadway. KADB’s recycling efforts yielded 49.82 tons of newsprint, 116.8 tons of magazines, 5.79 tons of aluminum cans, 320 pounds of batteries and 122.8 tons of office paper. Overall, 9,144 Dougherty County residents donated more than 77, 416 hours of volunteer service. Thank you, one and all.