Thumbs up, thumbs down for June 27

June 27, 2009

Thumbs up

To all of the people in the area who participated in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. It lets cancer survivors know people are thinking about them and gives families who have lost loved ones a chance to honor them.

Thumbs down

Week No. 2 for the terrible condition of the railroad crossings next to the old Park Circle restaurant near City Park in Hagerstown. We are urging city officials and residents to pressure CSX, which is responsible for the crossing, according to the city, to fix it. Again, it doesn't make sense to have such a terrible patch of road next to one of Hagerstown's top recreational destinations.

Thumbs up

To Caleb Hawbaker, 5, of Hancock, and Asher Hopkins, 6, of Leitersburg. Both are cancer survivors who provided plenty of inspiration at last week's Relay for Life fundraiser at Fairgrounds Park in Hagerstown.

Thumbs up

To 18-year-old twins Aurielle and Anjoli Rowe. These two sisters were not only co-valedictorians at Broadfording Christian Academy, they received their associate degrees from Hagerstown Community College this spring. Good luck as they continue their college careers this fall at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.

Thumbs up

To the organizers of the Take Flight auction and fundraiser. The project not only raised money for the soon-to-be-open Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, the project turned downtown into a conversation piece for the past few months for all of the right reasons. Congratulations!

Thumbs up

To the brave rescuers from West Virginia and Maryland who risked their own lives and limbs this week to pull 12 stranded rafters from the dangerous rapids of the Shenandoah River near Harpers Ferry, W.Va. The effort was hampered by high water, rough terrain and darkness.

Thumbs down

To the person or persons who made the decision to go rafting this week in the dangerous waters of the Shenandoah River. The group included 10 children, including a 4-year-old! At night? Without a trained guide? Rivers and rafting demand more caution.

Reader submissions

Have any suggestions for our Thumbs up, Thumbs down feature? E-mail your nominations to opinion@herald-mail.com. Please keep the nominations short.

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