Laurels — To Qunesha Jones, Ce’Nedra Dillard, Mackenzie Anderson, Victoria Johnson and Ashley Dillahunt, the five children named Youths of the Year by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Pitt County at a Jan. 26 banquet. Five other children — Jaquavion Latham, Rafael Garcia, Shaft Parker Jr., Terrance Holloway and Matisse Edwards — were recognized for sportsmanship. Kudos to the Boys and Girls Club for encouraging these and many other children to fulfill their potential.

Laurels — To the Give Kids a Smile event that took place in Pitt County on Friday and intends to provide dental care to children from low-income families. There is an established link between good dental health and strong overall health, so treating these kids can make a tremendous difference. Thanks is due to the dental professionals who freely gave their time to help these children.

Laurels — To the opening of three exhibits at East Carolina University’s Joyner Library marking the 250th anniversary of Pitt County’s founding. Thousands of photos and documents are on display, highlighting memories and the community’s rich history. The exhibits will remain for varying lengths of time, and residents owe it to themselves to visit.

Darts — To tentative plans to shutter the Voice of America station in Pitt County, which has operated here since 1963. The budget proposed by the Obama administration seeks to streamline VOA operations and contends the programming broadcast at the local site can be delivered elsewhere. That would cost local jobs, however, and U.S. Rep. Walter B. Jones believes the decision would be a mistake.

Laurels — To Super Bowl Sunday, which serves as a de facto American holiday for most. Millions will gather under the guise of the game — this year pitting the Indianapolis Colts against the New Orleans Saints — but use the opportunity as an excuse to eat, drink and socialize, with many paying more attention to the commercials than the game. Still, the match-up should be a good one as Americans share in the event.

Darts — To the localized flooding that has affected Pitt County due to recent accumulation of snow and rain. The Tar River has swollen its banks and overtaken adjacent marshland and smaller creeks and streams have caused considerable problems for residents nearby. Today’s storm is expected to cause additional flooding, compounding the problem in an already saturated year.

Laurels — To the possibility of clear skies across Pitt County early Sunday morning, which would allow local residents to see the last night launch of the Space Shuttle. Liftoff is scheduled for 4:39 a.m. and the area should be able to see the shuttle firing its main engine a few minutes later by looking in the southeast sky. It would be a treat for Pitt County to share in that historic moment, if only for a brief glimpse.