THUMBS UP –  to everyone that nominated and submitted stories for the Kraft Hockeyville competition. You put Blackstock Arena on the map, with winning $50,000 for arena upgrades on March 14, with a Top 2 Announcement to come on March 21 (after our deadline), so everything crossed that we make it through that round to have a chance at the final grand prize on April 4.

THUMBS UP – congratulations to Ken Eaton who was selected the Hospice Palliative Care Ontario (HPCO) June Callwood Circle of Outstanding Volunteers award this year. Ken has been an incredible part of the Oak Ridges Hospice team, making a meaningful impact as a Kitchen, Maintenance, Volunteer Trainer and Community Ambassador Volunteer. He goes above and beyond and in the past two years, has contributed over 900 hours of service! Thanks for the warmth, dedication and positive spirit Ken!

THUMBS UP – to the wonderful nursing staff and doctors in Port Perry Hospital who looked after my husband with such caring and compassion.

THUMBS UP – to all those that took to the street on Saturday February 28 to take part in the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk. Over 82 walkers, friends, families and teams participated in the 2 and 5 km walk to raise money for people experiencing hurt, hunger and homelessness. Over $28,000 was raised and thumbs up to all of you!

THUMBS DOWN – to the people who are travelling so fast on Edgerton Rd. that they blow the bins that contain the recyclables into the ditch. The ditch is quite steep and I don’t intend to clean up the mess you caused, so I guess the township will have to come out. All because of your selfish act of speeding. I can only surmise you do not recycle so don’t care if tins and plastics are thrown in the ditch.

THUMBS UP – how about those pickleballers of our North Durham Pickleball Club. The club held it’s annual Funday Tournament on Monday March 9 and not only was it so much fun, it was a huge success for our food bank. Over all, $800 was raised for the club, $410 and a ton of food for the food bank and the 50/50 winner, Michelle Reinhardt, donated her prize of $325 to the food bank as well.