I got to thinking, as I pondered what to write about for this week’s column, when was the last time I wrote about giving out Cheers and Jeers.

It seems like it was a while ago. So I checked, and yes it was a while ago, in fact it was the first issue in March.

So it is indeed high time for a return of everyone’s favorite (well, perhaps not everyone) where we Cheer those who deserve it and send out a Jeer where necessary, too.

This go-around we might have a couple items that get both. A Cheer and a Jeer.

But first, some happy Cheers.

A few go to the Blue Earth Area Knowledge Bowl on a successful season and a trip to State, the BEA BPA team that did so well they went to Nationals, and both the BEA and United South Central Robotics teams who also had successful seasons.

Also three Cheers to the BEA arts students and music students and science students – and resurrected speech team – who all had big successes this past school year.

We have to do a Cheer and a Jeer combo for the fact that the popular Juba’s Jabber on KBEW radio went off the air on May 1. The Cheer is for the many years of entertainment it provided, the Jeer for the fact it had to end. Maybe that Jeer should be a Tear.

It is a Cheer and a sad Jeer that goes out to Bud’s Cafe in Bricelyn closing. The Cheer, of course is for its 91 years of being a staple in the Bricelyn – and area – community. The Jeer is not a mean Jeer, just a sad Jeer that it had to go away. Call it another Tear.

Another Cheer/Jeer combo goes out for the story about Darling in Blue Earth cutting back on its staff and local operations. That deserves a Jeer, but the fact it is still in operation here and did not close completely gets a Cheer.

There actually was a lot to Cheer about in the Faribault County business world over the past couple of months.

A Cheer goes out to the Clothes Closet in Wells for having been chosen as the Wells Volunteer of the Year back in March, for all they do for the community.

Another Cheer goes to the new Head Start program that relocated to St. Luke’s Lutheran Care Center in Blue Earth.

And a Cheer to the opening of an all new Derby Bar and Grill in Guckeen, after the previous Derby Inn closed a while ago.

A big Cheer goes out to Winnebago Manufacturing for their big project of adding a large addition to their facility in the West Industrial Park in Blue Earth – and hiring some new employees.

There are two big Cheers going out to Kevko Racing now in Blue Earth. One is for moving their business here, and the second is for resurrecting an old building that many folks thought was going to have to be torn down.

The last business Cheer goes out to the new ammonia plant that will located in Blue Earth by the company TalusAg.

Here are a couple more of those new Cheer/Jeer combos.

The first Jeer goes to the fact that another top employee at the county resigned. The Cheer goes out to the fact that the County Board was able to find an excellent new person to fill the Central Services/Human Resources position.

Another Cheer and Jeer goes to the fact that the Wells City Council has to decide what to do with the City Hall and the Flame Theatre, both of which need a lot of update and repair.

The Cheer is for the fact they are taking time before making a big decision. The Jeer is on hold in case they decide to tear down the Flame Theatre and end its run. That would be a very large Tear.

Another big Cheer goes out to Dale Stevermer, who was honored with a big award by the Pork Board for all his work for that farm industry. The award was presented back in March.

A Cheer goes out to all of the groups and organizations that have been doing fundraisers for various reasons over the past few months. It seems like a week does not go by that the Register isn’t running photos of a pancake breakfast, brisket supper or some other food event to raise funds. In fact, you can check out this issue for the latest one.

Cheers to the Green Giant. He has certainly been getting some good press lately. He even has won some state awards.

And there you have it. I just want you to notice that I did no Cheering or Jeering of either the weather or the Minnesota professional sports teams.

Maybe next time…