Albany Herald

For six weeks this summer, more than 200 kids took to the basketball court at Albany State University. Hosted by ASU coach Chris Cameron, the 4th annual Golden Rams Summer Basketball League included twice-a-week practices with time set aside for skill development and workouts. Teams played against one another as they fine-tuned their skills on the court, gave their bodies plenty of exercise, shared company with positive role models and stayed away from trouble that can often come with the long days of summer. Six ASU basketball players assisted with the league, and numerous community sponsors made the program possible. Cameron said, “I am thankful for the sponsors who make this happen, because if this isn’t going on then there will be other things going on that the kids will be involved in. And no one knows if those other things will be positive or negative.” Amen to that!

Work that began in 2009 on a senior living community in Lee County gave way for a grand opening last week. Zoning issues slowed the project, but all that is now in the rearview mirror. Forrester Senior Village has 50 units for people older than 55 and already has half of those filled. Officials with the community expect the remaining units to be called home by others in the next few months. Lee County can be proud of this accomplishment to fulfill the need for affordable, attractive and safe housing for seniors.

Retired teacher and coach Jesse Massey set a goal for himself as a part of his personal celebration when his fraternity turned 100 years old. The goal was to perform 100 good deeds in one year. Massey has now done just that with a donation of four bicycles and seven basketballs to be given away as part of the upcoming National Night Out event. NNO began in 1984 as a way to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts across the nation. In the first year, 400 communities participated. In 2011, 37 million people participated in 15,100 communities, including all 50 states, American territories, Canada and military bases. Thank you, Coach Massey, and everyone else involved in the planning and participation of NNO. There is still time to donate school supplies, which will be distributed, and other items, as well as your time. Contact any of the local law enforcement agencies with questions, and make plans to be a part of the 2012 National Night Out at Radium Springs Middle School on Aug. 2 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

A thief, or thieves, of the very worst caliber took a wheelchair from a young man recently. Baze Mitchell, a very independent 19-year-old with Cerebral Palsy, is not completely dependent upon his wheelchair, but it is a necessary tool for him to continue to live as independently as possible. At least one person gave Mitchell a check to replace the chair, but he donated the money to another cause aside from himself. He has, however, agreed to allow the Albany Chapter of the Hasan Temple to replace the chair. There simply is nothing good to say about someone who would steal a wheelchair, but to Baze Mitchell, you are one heck of a fellow.

The July 14 Lee County Rivers Alive event was the best yet. A sunken boat was removed, as were items such as tires, bicycles and an air conditioner compressor. The aluminum cans collected were sent for recycling with the proceeds to benefit the Lee County Animal Shelter. To all involved, especially the 150 registered volunteers, this “Thumbs Up” is for you.