— Lost retainers help local charities

Carrie Giannakos sends this Cheer to Jarrell Orthodontics’ clients:

“Cheers to Jarrell Orthodontics and their patients for making the Retainers for Charity Program such a success. When a patient at Jarrell Orthodontics loses one of their clear retainers, the cost of the replacement retainer is donated to one of the following four Kokomo charities: the Kokomo Humane Society, the Literacy Coalition, Project Access and the Rescue Mission.

“The patient chooses the charity that will receive the donation, which Jarrell Orthodontics matches. This innovative program has generated a total of $3,600 for these four local charities in the first six months of 2010. We applaud both Jarrell Orthodontics and their patients for coming up with an innovative way to help local charities when the need is great.”

Vandals hurt small business

Amy Russell, of Russell Design, sends this Jeer to vandals:

“We have enjoyed reading the positive comments about the downtown courthouse project. It has been gratifying to know that our company has had the privilege of participating in the beautification of the downtown.

“Unfortunately, some of the work has come to a standstill because of vandalism. Several pieces of limestone, for the bumpout planters, were stored offsite during the Haynes Apperson Festival. We choose to store these pieces away from the worksite to protect the limestone from accidental damage. Someone found these stored pieces and deliberately drove over them.

“All six pieces were destroyed. Perhaps this person thought they were taking out anger on local government, or maybe insurance companies. Probably they weren’t thinking anything but destruction. The end result, however, was to cause financial distress to a local small business and delay the completion of a project to improve the atmosphere of Kokomo’s downtown.”

Several people and businesses make Tipton Sky Concert a success

Brett Curnutt, fireworks chairman of the Tipton County Sky Concert, sends this cheer:

“Once again Howard and Tipton County residents presented the ‘God Bless the USA Fourth of July Sky Concert’ held at the Tipton County 4-H Fairgrounds. Special thanks to the Tipton County 4-H Fair Board for making this year possible. A special thank you to WWKI FM 100.5 radio from Kokomo for the simulcast. Thank you to Pastor Mark Ward from the First Baptist Church of Tipton for the opening prayer. Good job to the Boys and Girls Club of Tipton County for the 4-H ground donations, and to Jim, Bill, and the boys at Tipton County Emergency Management Agency for traffic control. Thank you to the 75,000 courteous people watching the show. I appreciate the partnership with Mayor Dan Delph and the mayor’s secretary Cee Altherr; their talents added a special touch. Thank you to Frank Giammarino and Abbie Smith from the Tipton County Foundation.

“Our contributions were a record amount this year and that is what made us one of the largest fireworks show in Indiana on the Fourth of July. Hats off to the sponsors and individuals that made all this happen: Kokomo Tribune, Tipton Tribune, Abbie Smith, Jim Pratt, Carol Lentz, Doug and Deborah Heath, Roger and Diane Hare, Brett and Terri Curnutt, Bill and Conita Maynard, Don Havens, American Legion Auxiliary, Tri Kappa Sorority, Harold and Linda Tolle, Fred and Mary Robinson, Julie Plake, Tipton County Foundation, City of Tipton, John Anderson, Mark and Beth Wallace, Tipton County Treasurer, Margie Thorp, TDS Telecom, Denny and Jody Smith, Robert and Genarae Schultz, Joe and Phyllis Samuels, Johnny Roe, Allen and Carolyn Perry, Moser Jewelers, Inc., McQuinn Family Dentistry, Lee Landscaping, Brian King, J.D. Restaurants, Inc., High Performance Alloys Inc., Hartley’s Hair Salon, Vance Curtis, Francis and Jeraldine Carlile, Butler Fairman and Young Nichols Funeral Home, Joe and Dee VanBibber, Tipton Pizza King and Subway, Package Right Corporation, Lex Tooling LLC, David and Jo Ann Lacy, Mary Ellen Haller, Billy and Melinda Green, Walt and Lynn Dunn, Tipton Dry Cleaners, D.C. Coaters, James and Ann Dane, Co-Alliance LLP, Cicero Township Trustee, Tipton County Chamber of Commerce, Tipton Automotive Supply, Tipton Women of the Moose, White’s Meat Market, Jack and Linda Richter, McCormack Printing Impressions, Inc., Thomas and Kathy Mason, Integrity EDM, Harry Hall, Gene and Bonita Guffey, Tipton Ford Mercury, Inc., Elks Lodge 1012, Diana Sweet Shop, Dan Young GM Center, Donald and Linda Amsbury, American Legion Post 46, Gene and Pat McCormack, Geneva Grishaw, A.G. Tebbe Farms Inc., Gary and Sally Smith, James and Eileen Pore, Phifer Insurance Agency, Nancy Nicholson, Jack Edwards, Columbia Trophy and Engraving, Mark and Tamera Clark, Robert and Joyce Bills, Gary and Alice Ricketts, Howard and Jan Pottenger, George and Stella Pedigo, Dean Hobbs, Don and Phyllis Frawley, Farmers Mutual Insurance Co., Carolyn Calhoun, Edward and Lind Redd, Jo Ann Martin, Dennis and Pamela Cook, Michael Smith, Jeff and Ramona Orbaugh, Encompass Credit Union, John and Wanda Walker, Shirley Computer/Radio Shack, Quigley and Quigley Attorneys at Law, Dale and Evelyn Planalp, James and Nancy Meyer, Alan and Pat Durham, Nancy Cole, Joyce Cline, Allen and Rachel Baird, Lenora Adams, Jane Harper, and Brent and Jackie Cardin.

“Most of all I thank God for his blessings on our nation, and on North Central Indiana! It is a pleasure to chair this spectacular event!”

Customer service alive and well

Tom Owens of Kokomo sends this Cheer to Country Catfish:

“I would like to send a big cheer to Larry Wright and his staff at Country Catfish! I stopped on Monday to obtain a gift certificate and paid with a credit card, which I accidentally left on the counter. He tracked me down and called me that night to tell me he found the card.

“Besides the food being good, I highly recommend them for their honesty and good service.”