To the Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce for its leadership in putting on another rendition of one of the South’s biggest, best events — the Autumn Leaves Festival. The event offers a fun, enjoyable time for individuals and families, gives a big boost to the local economy, and shows off some of the best of Mount Airy to more than a quarter-million visitors, and seems to grow larger each year. It’s hard to imagine an event doing more for the city and its businesses.

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To all of the local athletic teams sponsoring pink-out and pink-themed events. These athletes, and their coaches, work hard to prepare for their competitions, but they also realize competing in athletics gives them the opportunity to have a larger voice in the community. While still playing hard, these young people join with their opponents in trying to bring attention to the continuing need for cancer research to one day knock out this sometimes-fatal, always serious disease.