Thumbs up to the Experimental Aviation Association and the Young Eagles Rally they hosted last weekend in Biddeford. Member pilots volunteer their time to take young people up in planes ”“ many for their first time.

The group hopes the introduction to flying will spark an interest in some youth to become pilots in the future. The event seemed to work, since the youth who took part had praise for the experience.

Thumbs up to the organizers and supporters of backpack programs throughout the region and state, which are providing much-needed support to hungry families on weekends throughout the school year. One Thornton Academy student told the Journal Tribune that the program helps feed he and his mother, who is disabled, and he is happy to have the assistance. These programs are helping young people get real meals on the weekend when they may otherwise not get them, and preparing them for the week full of courses and homework. The program extends beyond just one student as well, to support the whole family. This kind of work is needed in combating Maine’s food insecurity problem.

Thumbs down to Maine Republican Party Chairman Charlie Webster for his offensive comments last week. Webster said he had suspicions about voter fraud because hundreds of first-time voters registered on Election Day, including “dozens of black people” unfamiliar to local election officials in some rural towns. Webster said his allegations were not racially motivated, and apologized for this words. Although he apologized, his words were racist, and this is just one problem in a long list of problems during Webster’s tenure as chairman. We agree with Republican strategist Lance Dutson who called for Webster to step down now, rather than wait until his term ends in December.

Thumbs up to all of the Thanksgiving dinner and food box organizers, as well as all those generous people who donated to the efforts. There are a host of dinners scheduled for Thanksgiving day as well as thousands of boxes that will be distributed to ensure that people in need all over the county are able to have a traditional holiday meal. A few meals have already taken place at some local schools, including Middle School of the Kennebunks and Wells Junior High School, where seniors were served Thanksgiving fare alongside the students at those schools. The meals give young and old a chance to meet and get to know one another, while, hopefully, engaging some from each group in relationships that go beyond just the meal.

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Thumbnails is a Monday feature of the Journal Tribune’s opinion pages. If you would like to respond, please write the Reader’s Forum via email at jtcommunity@journaltribune.com or by dropping your letter off at our Biddeford office.