Thumbs Up! – Jan. 2, 2012

While the Albany Museum of Art is on the list of under-utilized-by-residents list, there are many supporters of the fine facility. AMA houses a substantial collection of art and is the place to go for rotating displays of great variety. There are also kid-friendly, family-oriented activities that provide a much needed shot of cultural diversity for the area. The highest honor given by the museum is that of the Lifetime Trustee Award. Three pillars of the community were recently honored with such a designation. Anna Louise McCormack has served as vice president of the Albany Area Arts Council, president of the Albany Concert Association, co-chairman of the United Way and in many other capacities in Albany. Bee McCormack has been instrumental in some of the same organizations and was a founding director of the local Easter Seals organization. The duo served as co-chairs for the campaign steering committee that raised $1 million in 1978 to build the museum. Rounding out the trio of honorees is Jane Willson. Willson, along with her late husband Harry, donated the funds needed to build the auditorium at AMA. She has served on numerous boards throughout the years and is a staunch supporter of the arts. Thank you, ladies for all you have done, and continue to do, for Albany and its citizens.

A 4,000-mile bike ride across America is not something to be taken lightly. Tejas Bhavsar, a senior in college and a Lee County High School alum, has set his mind on just such a trip From across the country, only 100 Pi Kappa Phi fraternity members have been invited to take the journey. In order to participate, however, each rider is expected to raise a minimum of $5,500. Bhavsar