Helping hand

Thumbs-up to Hampton Towing and Big O Tires in Seymour for helping two women and a young child who were stranded along a country road near Seymour after a tire went flat on their car.

Moving up

Thumbs-up to Cristen Crane, 17, of Seymour who advanced in the audition process for the 13th season of NBC’s singing competition, “The Voice.” Crane is one of 100 people out of nearly 5,000 people who recently auditioned at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, for a chance to move on by receiving the coveted “red card.”

Music’s loss

A thumbs-up to the late Les Gilkey, who died June 29 at the age of 102. For nearly 30 years, Gilkey volunteered at Seymour Middle School daily helping budding musicians learn how to read music and play instruments. The World War II veteran and father often helped pay for the rental of instruments or purchase of instruments for those who couldn’t afford it and would have had to drop out of band. His love for music and willingness to impart that love on young musicians was unmatched.

Fostering a vision

Thumbs up to Mike Tormoehlen, Don and Anne Clodfelter and Joe Persinger, who along with the late Marianne Green recently received Jackson County Community Theatre’s Slim Callis Founder’s Award. The award is given “to those who, through their gifts of leadership, dedication, talent and devotion to Jackson County Community Theatre, have fostered the vision of JCCT’s founder, A.R. ‘Slim’ Callis,” according to a news release from the organization. JCCT was formed in 1970 by Callis.

Fun-raising

Thumbs-up to the organizers of the 13th annual Cars and Guitars show, which was June 24 in downtown Seymour. Over the years, the event has raised more than $80,000 for handicapped-accessible playground equipment in Seymour parks.

Dangerous crossings

Thumbs-down to people who allow their trees to grow over and cover stop signs at intersections. Doing so can be dangerous for motorists, especially those who are unfamiliar with an area.