Roses
• To the Pioneer Panthers, who made it to the semifinal round of the semistate before dropping a close match to Frontier. Pioneer led game one 21-17 before a serving barrage that included four aces put the Falcons on top 23-21. The Panthers served for set point before two hitting errors and an ace allowed the Falcons to take game one. Game two had a similar finish in that the Panthers served for set point twice before coming up short. Pioneer ended its season with a 25-10 record, sectional and regional championships and a No. 6 state ranking. “It was a pleasure,” Pioneer coach Rod Nies said. “I couldn’t be happier for my girls.”
• To those involved in Cass County’s School Readiness Network. The network, made up of early child advocates including daycare providers and preschool and kindergarten teachers, meets once a week and shares tips so those in attendance can swap ideas. Nikki Reed, the program coordinator for Reading Railroad, started the network this year. She notes that 40 percent of Indiana children are unprepared as they enter kindergarten. The number in Cass County, she said, is 60 percent, and the network’s goal is to lower that percentage. Making sure kids get off to a good start in school is an effort that will pay dividends.
• To the Reading Railroad business partners who donate their time every month to read to local school children. Nearly 60 Logansport professionals representing 21 local businesses volunteer their time each month to spend time with a kindergarten or first-grade class. The program reaches every kindergarten and first-grade class in all four Logansport elementaries, in addition to Thompson Elementary, Pioneer Elementary and All Saints Catholic School. By taking the time to read to Cass County’s youngsters, these professionals are helping to develop a love of reading in a new generation of students.
• To the Jim Kitchell Agency and all of the other participants in this year’s downtown scarecrow contest sponsored by Logan’s Landing. The Kitchell agency won this year’s contest, which drew some of the best entries yet. The Kitchell agency’s entry, “Texting Twila,” carried an important message: “Don’t text and drive.”
Thorns
• To the burglars who stole two vintage dresses from Logansport’s Cole Clothing Musuem. Owner Jean Cole speculated that the thieves were looking for Halloween costumes. It’s hard to believe someone would break into a museum and steal items that had been placed there for the enjoyment of others. It’s even harder to believe that the thieves had the audacity to break a stained glass window in the process of gaining entry.
Your turn
Thorns & Roses is our staff’s compilation of the best and worst of the week, but if you have your own nominations, feel free to send them along for publication in our Public Forum. Submissions of up to 400 words may be addressed to Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The fax number is 574-732-5070, and the email address is publicforum@pharostribune.com. Don’t forget to include your name, address and daytime telephone number.
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