MiddletownJournal.com

Here are this week's "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" selections:

Thumbs up and congratulations to organizers of the annual Pigskin Roundball Spectacular event — for putting together another winning program this year that resulted in the second ticket sellout in the program's 20-year history. Of course, it's easy to understand why — Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel and Indiana basketball coach Tom Crean will be the keynote speakers at the April 29 sports event at the Manchester Inn. We look forward to this excellent program every year.

Any hopes of a future political career in conservative Butler County have probably evaporated for Rawnica Dillingham, the insurgent Republican who unsuccessfully challenged Butler County Commissioner Charles Furmon in the 2008 GOP primary. Dillingham was charged with first-degree misdemeanors this week after a dance troupe exposed too much skin at the Hamilton bar she and her husband now own and manage. The county Republican Party tried to ignore Dillingham in 2008, endorsing longtime incumbent Furmon, but that didn't stop Dillingham from calling herself "the real Republican" in the race — to the chagrin of the local GOP — and blanketing the county with large campaign signs and her smiling face. Of course, Dillingham — and the dancers who were also charged — is innocent until proven guilty, but it'll take voters a long time — if ever — to forget this stain on her reputation.

Two recent incidents involving Miami University Greek organizations are evidence that, despite the university's efforts to curb underage drinking, the message isn't getting through to all students. Suspended recently from the Oxford campus were Miami's chapter of the Tri Delta sorority and the Epsilon Nu chapter of Sigma Nu fraternity. While Sigma Nu's violation centered around a December fight at the Golden Key Lounge, involving members and bar patrons, police also allege that the fraternity permitted the use of alcohol by underage people at the bar. Tri Delta's alleged violation was more disturbing. University officials allege that pledges, in a late January hazing, were kidnapped, blindfolded and forced to consume "excessive amounts of alcohol," reportedly requiring medical attention afterward. The university is correct to take strong action to suspend the organizations from the campus. We hope other frats and sororities get the message before another drinking tragedy occurs in Oxford.

Happy birthday and thumbs up to Marjorie Hunt of Middletown who celebrated her 105th birthday on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Liberty Retirement Community. Columnist Rick McCrabb profiled her this week and noted that there are at least five other centenarians in Middletown-area nursing homes. We offer our best wishes to all (and any we missed).