CHEERS

... to those organizing and participating in cleanup events around Southern Indiana this weekend.

These type of events always see an uptick around Earth Day, but the group organizing the one in New Albany is looking for a sustained effort.

Keep New Albany Clean & Green sponsored the event, which spread out from the city’s center Saturday. Using private donations, the group has purchased new wayfaring signs for the city and taken part in several efforts to spruce up the area.

Instead of waiting for the city to magically look better, the group and its volunteers are making something happen.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to a couple of really cool ideas.

On Sunday, April 29, City Pride — a Jeffersonville volunteer group similar to Keep New Albany Clean & Green in New Albany — opened Ladybug Landing and the new Little Free Library in conjunction with Terraces of Park Place Neighborhood Association. The garden is located outside of Park Memorial United Methodist Church, 1814 E. Park Place in Jeffersonville.

There, visitors can find a community garden and the Little Free Library, a concept where boxes are placed where people can leave and borrow books to read.

Also, a children’s garden will be planted at the location.

On Monday in New Albany, the historic Emery’s Ice Cream building will be moved to Culbertson Avenue, where it will serve as a key part of what will be called the Urban Fusion Community Garden. Once the garden is installed, people will be able to rent plots to grow their own produce. A community space also is planned there, where produce would be grown and the yield donated to local charities and nonprofits.

The former ice cream building will serve as an education center at the gardens where people can learn about canning and other growing tips.

These are both fantastic uses to enrich and educate.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



CHEERS

... to at least a glimmer of hope for opening the K & I Railroad Bridge connecting New Albany and West Louisville to pedestrian traffic.

The Norfolk Southern Corp. railroad bridge, which has been closed to public transit since 1979, has been mentioned for years as the possible connector to a Southern Indiana and Louisville pedestrian trail loop. However, public officials have said the railroad company has consistently cited liability concerns in balking at reopening the bridge to traffic other than rail cars.

Local officials recently met with U.S. Rep. Todd Young, R-Ind., who told them he’s had discussions with Norfolk Southern officials who may be agreeable to opening the bridge if liability concerns are appeased.

Let’s hope that happens and the trail circle is eventually completed.

— Editor Shea Van Hoy



READER CHEERS

... to the Sunnyside Master Gardeners for the beautiful rose bushes they planted in front of the Red Cross last week.

Jeers to someone else who needed a rose bush badly enough to steal them from the Red Cross.

— Phyllis Wilkins, Executive Director, Clark County Chapter of the American Red Cross



READER CHEERS

... to thank Aebersold Florist for such special personalized service given to us during such a difficult time.

The service provided was, by far, above and beyond what was necessary, but also very much appreciated. In October, when given the news that my father may have only two to three weeks, my family began making his final arrangements. The staff worked with us very patiently and compassionately, giving us her undivided attention, as if we were her only concern.

As time passed and my father hung on, we returned often with new ideas or embellishments to add (we were very possibly pests). However, the staff always recognized us before we even said hello, grabbing our file and greeting us warmly, with that same compassion and a desire to help us to the fullest extent. With my father’s recent passing, I have to say that the flowers were not only beautiful, but radiated the tender loving care that went into making the arrangements.  During such a stressful time for our family, that kind, caring and compassionate service was a beautiful, sweet calm in our storm.

From the bottom of our hearts, our family thanks yours.  

— Kathy Ayres, daughter of M. Dawson “Red” Holland, 1926-2012



READER CHEERS

... to Genesis Diamonds Jewelry Store for stepping up and helping the Gilles Family of Henryville with a replacement for Trish Gilles wedding/anniversary ring that was lost in the March 2 tornadoes

The have shown there is a binding and caring connection between Southern Indiana and Louisville.

Editor’s note: Look for the next article in the series about the Gilles family recovery next week in the News and Tribune.

— Carol Dawson, Jeffersonville



— Do you have someone or something to cheer or jeer? Submissions should be sent to Editor Shea Van Hoy at shea.vanhoy@newsandtribune.com or by mail at 221 Spring St., Jeffersonville, IN, 47130.