Thumbs up to all those who helped contribute to a bright and merry holiday season for people throughout the county. From the Noel Dinner in Kennebunk to the Toys for Tots distributions in Sanford and Biddeford, many hands came together to bring the joy of Christmas to all.

Not only children, but also the elderly, hungry and homebound benefit from charity efforts during the holidays and it takes everyone’s support to make these dinners, toy and food drives, “secret Santas” and other programs possible. Kudos to all the volunteers and donors who took part, in both big and small ways.

Thumbs up to Christ Episcopal Church in downtown Biddeford for its decision to focus its resources on its mission work and end regular services. The parish held its last Sunday service last week and is now putting its energy solely into its Seeds of Hope Neighborhood Center, which it started in September 2008. The center has been doing important work since it opened, hosting a Career Resource Center and the In-a-Pinch non-food pantry. It also offers people a place to socialize and have a snack and it’s now serving 75-100 people each day, organizers say. We’re glad to hear this part of the parish is going to stay open to serve those in need, and services will still be available through the mission. 

Thumbs down to the winter storm that left 15 dead late last week. The storm pushed through the Upper Ohio Valley and made its way into the Northeast Wednesday night, dumping a lot of snow in the region. Most of the deaths were attributed to car crashes due to the road conditions, and with the winter storm season just getting under way, we hope this is not a sign of more deaths to come. Although many people still need to get to work during storms, there are a lot of precautions drivers can take if they need to be out in the snow. Drivers should completely clear off all snow- and ice-covered windows ”“ not just their windshields. Studded snow tires and proper weight in vehicles like small trucks help ensure better traction on snow-covered pavement. But the more important thing for drivers to remember is to slow down. No matter how clean and clear a road looks, black ice can cause drivers to slide and other motorists are always unpredictable. Taking extra time and care as well as leaving enough space between yourself and other drivers will help keep everyone safe on the roads as the winter progresses.

Thumbs up to the plans for a RiverWalk in Biddeford. The walkway that borders the Saco River is slated for some exciting upgrades that include lighting and granite steps, and a pedestrian bridge is also in the works. The bridge will connect the Biddeford and Saco mill districts, making the whole area easily walkable. A new boat launch is also being considered at Mechanics Park. All of these changes will help open up the area to foot traffic and development, and we are excited to see part of it come to fruition in the new year.

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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.