Thumbs up: To L.C. May, who has been a licensed funeral director for 50 years. L.C. May Funeral Services has been in operation on Madison Avenue in Anderson since 1960. May was recognized for his service by the Indiana Funeral Directors Association, and the mortuary celebrated the occasion with an open house on Oct. 5.

Thumbs up: To Anderson native Jon McLaughlin, whose second CD, “OK Now,” was released nationally last week. McLaughlin, a graduate of Highland High School and Anderson University, is getting notice as one of the music industry’s rising stars.

Thumbs up: To Habitat for Humanity of Madison County, which dedicated its 38th house since 1988 last week. Terri Smith put in at least 200 hours of “sweat equity” in the 1,000-square-foot three-bedroom house to qualify for the program’s interest-free mortgage. To find out how to be a volunteer and homeownership opportunities through the local Habitat for Humanity, call (765) 649-4260.

Thumbs up: To Alexandria’s newest police officer, “Blaze.” Officer Jason Austin introduced the black Labrador to the Alexandria City Council with a few commands in Dutch. The canine responded by finding some planted marijuana in City Hall. Austin said the drug-sniffing dog will also be trained in tracking people.

Thumbs up: To Anderson’s Bill Hardacre, who received the Madison County Bar Association’s Charles H. Dickmann Community Service Award at a luncheon last week. He was nominated for his volunteer work in the community, most notably the Paramount Theatre Centre, United Way of Madison County, the Christian Center and Anderson University. The Christian Center and the Harter House will receive the two $2,846 grants that go along with Hardacre’s award.

Thumbs up: To the local companies that donate thousands of pounds of product to Second Harvest Food Bank of East Central Indiana. Prairie Farms Dairy led the local efforts in 2007 with 198,782 pounds of food. Red Gold, Nestlé USA Inc., Marsh and Pay Less supermarkets and Wal-Mart are among the others that help fill the Muncie warehouse. That food comes back to Madison County food pantries to feed individuals and family who are struggling as the economy worsens.

Thumbs up: To the Madison Health Partners for sponsoring the 2008 Madison County Health Check. The first of the annual events was held Friday at Mounds Mall in Anderson, with many free health screenings available. If you missed your opportunity, there’s another one scheduled Tuesday, 3 to 7 p.m., in Elwood’s Leeson Building.

Thumbs up: To the city of Anderson for installing a sidewalk along 53rd Street that will enable the senior residents of Southdale Tower to gain access to neighboring businesses and churches.