Unkind posts on social media

Thumbs Down: We want our Facebook site to be a space where members of our community can engage in respectful dialogue related to news and information. This has not been the case as of late. As a media company, the Echo Press believes firmly in the First Amendment, which grants, among other rights, the freedom of speech and expression. However, if commenters continue to be disrespectful, we do reserve the right to hide or remove comments and block users. Moderation decisions are subjective, but we will make them as diligently and consistently as possible. There is a filter in place for profanity, but it does not catch everything. We try to monitor the posts as best we can, but we don’t have a dedicated person just for social media. We are asking everyone to please, just be kind and respectful. If you wouldn’t say what you are typing as a comment to your grandma, then think twice about posting it on Facebook.

Kind acts at mall, grocery store

Thumbs Up: We received two phone calls of kindness in the space of 10 minutes last week for different reasons. One was a “thumbs up” for a whomever placed three little rocks in front of the Dollar Tree Store at Viking Plaza. The rocks carried messages – “you are loved” and “joy.” The other “thumbs up” came from a local grocery store customer. The person said a woman in line “paid it forward” by paying for two of her items.

Connecting at the Passion Drama

Thumbs Up: Good deeds don’t have to take a lot of effort. Sometimes all it takes are kind words. An Alexandria resident said a kind woman approached him at Zion’s Passion Drama and said, “Thank you for your service.” The woman then talked about her son’s service in Vietnam. In an email to the newspaper, the resident said he wished that he would have replied better to her. “Your comment on your son serving in Vietnam brought back memories because I also spent time in a hospital. If you read this message, please know that your thank you was very much appreciated.”

A big thank you for Empty Bowls support

Thumbs Up: Aven Mohawk with the CAPS Human Service course at Alexandria Area High School sends out a huge thank you to you all those who made the Empty Bowls Project a success. More than $9,000 in donations were made through the combined effort of the AAHS CAPS Human Service class and from local businesses including: The Lions Club, Douglas Machine, Copper Trail, The Depot, D. Mike’s, Fat Daddy’s, Pike and Pint, Travelers Inn, Angelina’s and Two Ten Cakes. “All of the donations will go to the Outreach Food Shelf, the AAHS and DMS food shelves, and the United Way Backpack Attack Program,” Mohawk said. “The project also works to raise awareness about the food insecurity in our community. With delicious soups, amazing handmade pottery bowls, beautiful silent auction items, talented musicians, and amazing artwork we were able to have an incredible event with amazing people in attendance. The CAPS Human Service students worked tirelessly for seven weeks to make this event come to fruition. A special thanks to all the people who donated silent auction items, the amazing musicians (Doug Tatge, Karsten Habberstad, Lance Rolin, and Cobalt Canyon) who performed and last but not least, to the AAHS Art students who allowed their artwork to be put on display. A huge thanks to you all for allowing us CAPS Human Service students to achieve what we set out to do: help our community.”

Call before you dig

Thumbs Up: In observance of National Safe Digging Month, CenterPoint Energy is reiterating the importance of contacting 811 before starting any outdoor home improvement projects as well as following safe digging practices. Anyone planning a project that requires digging — including building or repairing a fence, planting trees, installing a deck, placing a mailbox or laying a patio — should contact 811 for a no-cost request to locate underground utility lines and infrastructure before starting work. Safe digging practices are required by state laws and help prevent damage to underground natural gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines. To prevent damage and stay safe, customers should follow these steps before starting any digging project: 1. Plan ahead. Contact 811 at least two business days before starting work on a project. 2. Make the request early in the week for weekend projects to allow enough time for marking. 3. Confirm all utility lines are marked before beginning work. 4. Adjust plans if needed. Relocate projects that are too close to marked utility lines. 5. If using a contractor, verify they have contacted 811 before beginning work.

If you have a suggestion for a Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down, email it to [email protected] or mail it to Echo Press, 1920 Turning Leaf Lane SW, Suite 12, Alexandria, MN 56308.