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Roses&Thorns

Roses to unheralded and unsolicited acts of community service, with special thanks and recognition to the Whitehill family of Salem for leading by example. A family walk along the section of East Pershing Street behind Giant Eagle led the foursome to make a biweekly effort to clean up trash along the roadway and sidewalk area starting early last summer. Just last week, a Salem News staff member driving into town saw the work being done — no fanfare or signs or cameras in sight — just a family taking a walk and picking up some litter simply because they could. Perhaps others can do the same in their neighborhood or pick out an area that looks like it could use some help. What could it hurt? Proper precautions need to be taken, of course, considering what can be found, but we salute the effort. We also send thorns to the people trashing the city streets and sidewalks with their empty food containers, drink bottles and garbage — please think before you toss. Their garbage is really visible when there isn’t any snow around covering it. Roses to all of you who do get out and pick up litter and debris. We know there are a lot of you out there. Just be careful and don’t get pricked by needles discarded by the drug freaks.

Roses for the vibrant and bright murals and paintings adorning the Pure Pet and Daydreamers buildings along Penn Avenue. The great artistry adds nicely to the face of our downtown area unlike….

Thorns to ugly signage. Such as that wart of a protruding sign hanging over the entrance of the old Endres Gross shop on the corner of Penn and East State. How long is that thing going to hang there? Can’t be adding too much to the appeal of our downtown for people driving through to see. Or thinking of shopping downtown. Nothing shouts out: “Don’t shop here!” much more than an ugly sign hanging over a main street sidewalk waiting to fall on someone’s head. Get rid of it.

Roses for plans to renovate the McCulloch Park area in the downtown area. The late Jackie Troll, who owned the jewelry store adjoining the park, left money for a memorial garden to be created in the park. Six parking spots will be removed for the renovation project which certainly gets our endorsement.

Roses for dedicated young athletes throughout our area. Such as 11-year-old Kyle Burt of Salem. He finished fourth in the state youth wrestling tournament after winning the sectional and being runner-up in the district. Two other Salem youngsters excelled recently while vying in the Elks Northeast Ohio District Hoop Shoot. Abby Perry sank 23 of 25 free throws to win the 12-13 girls division. She will compete March 18 in a regional shoot-off against Indiana and Michigan state champs. Past Salem representatives have done well after advancing. We wish Abby the best of luck. Brock Young hit 16 of 25 free throws to place sixth in the boys 12-13 division at the district. An atta’ boy for Brock.

Thorns to the early pothole season. Front end repairmen are already salivating. Cold patching helps but keen senses and non-distracted driving are your bests tools in avoiding new shocks, struts and any other suspension part. And you really have to sympathize with the folks living outside of Salem in parts like Goshen Township. The moon has fewer craters than some of the roads out there. Of course, that area is on the bottom of the Mahoning County Engineer’s to-do list as always. Maybe you folks should invest in a used Army tank to drive around.

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