WEDNESDAY’S LIST ... of beans ’n’ greens ’n’ other things: IT WAS a beautiful Sunday afternoon and Ronnie and Rosalind Thacker, who call Cedar Springs home, were riding the Coosa River in their pontoon boat.

From there, I’ll let Rosalind take up the story.

“It’s something we just love to do,” she says, “just ride the water, go up toward Gadsden, that sort of thing.

“When we got back, we pulled the boat out and headed home. We were there maybe 30 minutes when someone knocked on the door. It was a very nice young man with Ronnie’s billfold in his hand, said he and his wife had found it on the highway near Ohatchee.

“Ronnie had left the billfold on the boat when we pulled out and the man said there were papers and money all over the highway, that he’d picked up what he could find and also had our address from the billfold.”

There’s just a bit more here.

Ronnie Thacker is a veteran, a former Marine who lost a leg in combat in Vietnam. A card in his billfold told of his Marine service.

“Another Marine,” said Joseph Lathers of Weaver, handing the billfold over. “I was in the Marines, too.”

Now?

Joseph Lathers is a state trooper based out of the Jacksonville post and, says Rosalind, “Proof that there are still a lot of very nice people out there. It makes you feel good.”

It sure does ... and a standing ovation for Trooper Lathers should be on your agenda.

* * * GASOLINE ALLEY: On a recent trip from the north Anniston resort community of Saks to Heflin, there was this on gas prices:

Saks – 2.649

Oxford – 2.769

Heflin – 2.799

That’s a swing of 15 cents per in a 20-mile stretch ... and I just don’t understand all I know about that.

* * * DANGEROUS JOBS?

Forget crab fishing off the coast of Alaska. Instead, check out being a coal miner in China.

Last year, more than 2,000 Chinese miners lost their lives, an average of seven per day.

* * * QUOTABLE: “Americans ... still believe in an America where anything's possible – they just don't think their lead-ers do.” – Barack Obama

He’s got that right ...

* * * BIRTHDAYS: May 23 – William Barker; May 24 – Sherry Peoples; May 26 – Haney Talley; May 27 – Tiffany McFarlane; May 28 – Lucille Marie Townsend.

* * * TOP TEEN: This morning’s spotlight shines on Brittnay Ta’maris Bradford, a senior at Anniston High School where her 3.69 GPA makes her a member of the National Honor Society. She is also secretary of Mu Alpha Theta, a national math honor society.

Brittnay’s academics have also gained her no fewer than four scholarships ... Can U. Relate, Rev. John Nettles Memorial, Cleve Holloway Memorial and Dr. Clarence and Juanita Harris Jairrel.

Along the way, young Miss Bradford has been involved in community cleanups, Toys for Tots, and after-school tutoring and homework assistance.

“Brittnay is an excellent student, hard-working and very deserving,” says counselor Peggy Gudger. “She will succeed in anything she does in her career field.”

Those plans, at the moment, call for the University of Alabama and a major in pre-law and business administration with a minor in writing.

A proud mom is Elizabeth Bradford.

Let’s hear some applause ...

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George Smith can be reached at 256-239-5286 or e-mail: gsmith731@gmail.com.