Area gets lots of good news

Who says there’s no good news?

There’s plenty — and we’re blessed to live in a community with many good things to offer and good people as neighbors.
Here’s a sampling:
—Congratulations to Lenai Banks, this year’s premier Healthy Hero in a search sponsored by The Daily Progress and Ragged Mountain Running Shop.
After having beaten cancer as a child, Ms. Banks last year learned that she had breast cancer and would need a double mastectomy. Then she found out she was diabetic.

She decided to improve her life and her health by improving her diet and adding exercise.
She had a choice, she said. “Either get up off the couch and do what I’m supposed to do or I’ll be shooting needles in me, and that wasn’t really a choice. In my lifetime I’ve had enough of needles and doctors. I’ve had good doctors, great doctors, but I’d rather see them in the store to say hello” (“Healthy Heroes: A Story of Perseverance,” The Daily Progress, Aug. 26).
Runners up were former police officer Phil Franssen of Fluvanna County and mom Pam Worley. Congratulations go to them as well.
And special mention must be made of the Women’s Four Miler program, which helped both Ms. Worley and Ms. Banks in their fitness goals. The program has a stellar reputation for providing a supportive atmosphere in helping participants train for the Four Miler. It also is a place to build friendships and, of course, raise money for cancer education and research.

—Congratulations to the three area students who won prizes for their essays on how to save money on gasoline.
Thirteen-year-old Forest Thomsen-Diggs of Scottsville won first prize, including $50 in cash. Seth Winkler, 12, from Orange County, won second, and Shaquan Stinnie, 12, of Charlottesville took third.
Their essays showed that the youngsters had thoughtfully considered the problems of gasoline usage and rising costs. Their suggestions are worthy of adult attention. They range from keeping one’s car in efficient working order, to switching to more energy-efficient vehicles, to using the car less by biking, walking, taking the bus or making fewer trips. 
The contest was sponsored by motivational speaker and “info-tainer” Alex-Zan.

—Then there’s Mildred Spicer of the Charlottesville Parks and Recreation Department, who deservedly has been honored for her three decades of service to the area’s special-needs community.
The Arc of the Piedmont — a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights of those with intellectual or developmental disabilities — recently gave her its Stevens-Paige Award.
Ms. Spicer’s efforts have included volunteering with the Area 3 Special Olympics program and serving as program supervisor for the city’s Therapeutic Recreation Program.
Three decades of service … That speaks for itself.
We are fortunate to live in a community that produces such efforts toward excellence, both personal and public.