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Thumbs up to helping feed others. Area Boy Scouts recently took part in the annual Scouting for Food program,  joining with other Scouting groups across south central Minnesota to collect a massive 61,038 pounds of food for 21 local food pantries. What a celebration of helping others this is and worthy of being recognized.

Thumbs up for being honored. It was announced earlier this week that Farm Bureau Financial Services agent, Darrell Ingvaldson, was honored with several awards at its annual banquet. Ingvaldson is locally known not only for the work he’s done as part of the job but also for the work he’s done outside of his duties as an agent.

Thumbs up for the parks master plan. Though it’s been in the works for a few years now, the promise of the Austin Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department’s master plan is that all those things that fall underneath its umbrella are looking forward to a future with plenty of opportunities. The city count will vote on whether to adopt it at its next meeting.

Thumbs up for 50 years. This weekend, the Riverside Figure Skating Club will celebrate 50 years with its annual two-day show at Riverside Arena. This group has such a storied history of skating and has touched on many, many lives over those years of putting on tremendous shows. Shows this weekend take place at 4 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday respectively.