Thumbs up: Rosetta Minnefield who was honored last week with the Madison County Bar Association’s annual Community Service Award. Minnefield currently serves as chairperson of the Madison Community Health Centers board of directors, but has served many, many area organizations over the years. This is the 10th year for this award, which includes funding for a local charity of the winner’s choice. Minnefield chose the health center to receive the $3,700 donation.

Thumbs up: To those of our community honored with alumni awards by Anderson University last week during homecoming celebrations: singer-songwriter Jon McLaughlin (Distinguished Young Alumni); Ray Freer, AU professor emeritus and former art department chairman (Distinguished Service Award); Ken and Grada Lockhart (the John H. Kane Loyalty Award); AU freshman Jyllian Kumfer (the Alumni Council Scholarship Award); Christine Densmore Young (Distinguished Alumni Award); and Becky Archibald (Outstanding Music Alumni Award). Whether they are Anderson natives or just visiting for a while, they enhance the city with their contributions and caring.

Thumbs down: To motorists not using their headlights in the morning hours. With the change of seasons, it does remain darker longer and headlights are a must. Some drivers are also forgetting to turn on their lights at dusk.

Thumb up: To Anderson Community Schools’ new Employee Health Center. It is a health-care option that is meant to offer convenience and save money for patients and the school system. It offers quick-access doctors for anyone covered by the city public school system and is offered as an option in addition to coverage employees already have. The facility is centrally located in the Wigwam Complex.

Thumbs up: To Community Hospital’s annual Coats of Caring drive now under way. Looks like the cold weather is upon us and undoubtedly there will be a greater need this year for winter coats, mittens, gloves, hats and scarves. Donations are needed by Wednesday, Oct. 21, and distribution will be Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Wigwam. Gently worn and new coats can be dropped off directly to Bestway Cleaners. Let’s make sure that anyone who needs a winter coat in this community gets one.

Thumbs up: To events such as the Color Me Pink: Cancer free event that Saint John’s Health System put on last week at Mounds Mall. Breast cancer survivors provided inspiration and speakers illustrated methods to prevent and manage cancer.

Thumbs up: To the large number of Madison County residents seeking out seasonal flu vaccinations. The Madison County Health Department has depleted its supply of 1,200 doses. Becky Atkinson, health department nurse, said that more people showed up early this year, most likely because of the attention the flu was getting in the media. But other locations will have the seasonal flu vaccinations, including a drive-through program on Tuesday at Saint John’s Medical Center’s old emergency room ramp off 22nd Street. A list of other upcoming clinics was published in Wednesday’s newspaper. Area doctors also have supplies of the vaccine.

Thumbs up: To Indiana shoppers who contributed 138 tons of food for the state’s food banks through grocery retailers Marsh, Kroger and Walmart. Indiana Sen. Richard Lugar asked the retailers to work together on a statewide food drive; the stores set up Hoosiers Fighting Hunger displays with pre-bagged food items for purchase at $3, $5 and $10 levels. The outcome proves that small donations can add up to make a monumental difference.