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Thumbs up for getting on the water. It was another week for having the Canoemobile in town, which took another round of fourth graders up and down the Cedar River throughout the week. In a day and age filled with electronic entertainment, any chance that allows for the opportunity to get kids out into nature is a win for education. It engages the child and makes them aware of the world around them.

Thumbs up for a new tomorrow. One of the area’s premier senior living facilities, Sacred Heart Care Center, celebrated a moment that will start the ushering in of the future when it broke ground on Tuesday for a project that will transform the 60-year old facility. The project will upgrade a number of areas and allow for more opportunities that will ultimately benefit those that will call Sacred Heart home. A definite win for the community.

Thumbs up for a “new” face. Congratulations to Matthew Verdick, Mower County’s deputy county administrator, who was recently hired as the new Mower County administrator. This move, made with confidence by a unanimous vote of the Board of Commissioners, is a good step forward as it continues a smoother transition from the county’s first administrator, Trish Harren Gjersvik to Verdick.

Thumbs up for celebration. On Friday, Mower County Seniors celebrated 50 years of service to the county’s senior citizens. It’s a moment worthy of recognition because over the years the Mower County Senior Center has been a central point of getting seniors out and active. Friday’s celebration also marks a new beginning in that it promises a continuation of services that will continue to evolve going forward.

Thumbs up for hard work. Throughout these last few years, Austin High School senior Sam Winkels has continually been an example of hard work and service, and that’s from his competitive nature to his examples of helping out in regard to other students. Recently, he earned his All American status in strength in conditioning through the National High School Strength Coaches Association to continue being an example of hard work. But he’s not doing this in a vacuum as it’s the dedication of adults like AHS teacher and strength and conditioning coach Jacy Bodi that also need to be recognized for supporting students like Winkels.