This week's good things: Johnny Weir supports libraries, awesome autumn arrives and an honor for Solanco High School [editorial]

THE ISSUE: It's Friday, the day we take a few moments to highlight the good news in Lancaster County and the surrounding region. Some of these items are welcome developments on the economic front or for area neighborhoods. Others are local stories of achievement, ingenuity, perseverance, compassion and creativity that represent welcome points of light as we face critical issues in Pennsylvania and stressful situations in our nation and world. All of this uplifting news deserves a brighter spotlight.

We were heartened to read that Johnny Weir, the three-time U.S. national champion in men's figure skating who was raised in Quarryville, has spoken up again about the importance of public libraries.

Specifically, he posted an Instagram video this week encouraging financial support for the Quarryville Library Center.

The library needs that support. Last year, Fulton and East Drumore townships pulled a combined $6,500 in funding from the library because of supervisors' concerns over LGBTQ+ content being among the offerings.

Such concerns are ludicrous, of course.

Public libraries aim to meet the needs of their community members — all community members, including LGBTQ+ individuals. A diverse collection of offerings gives everyone an opportunity to find something in which they might see themselves. Libraries seek to offer programs and materials for people of all ages, socioeconomic classes, religions, backgrounds, abilities and political persuasions.

Last year, Weir stepped up and donated to Quarryville Library Center to help fill the void left by the withheld municipal funds.

He stepped up again this year.

"In the Sept. 16 video, Weir pops out from behind (and above) bookcases and desks, and scurries in front of the Quarryville Library Center, pausing each time to cheekily 'shh' the camera," LNP | LancasterOnline reported this week .

In the caption accompanying the Instagram video, Weir states: "Please support your local library. ... My hometown library came under pressure a year ago when two townships pulled their funding because the library included LGBTQ books. Me and my community here stood up and helped them through and it's that time again where I send my annual check to cover the cost of the withdrawn townships and if you are able, please consider donating to my library or yours!"

Not everyone is in a position to financially assist public libraries, so we're grateful for those who can.

We're grateful for homegrown celebrities like Weir and Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff , who have gone out of their way this month to support libraries and the LGBTQ+ community here.

And we'd be overjoyed if we could move past these ridiculous and hurtful culture wars and return to having all municipalities financially support their public libraries.

In other good things:

— For some of us, the start of autumn is the most wonderful time of the year. The leaves will be changing color, the baseball playoffs will be on TV, the pumpkins will be ready for picking and apple cider just hits differently on a brisk evening.

While we can't control how things will go when the Phillies start their quest for the World Series next month, this newspaper has you covered on some of the other fall necessities.

LNP | LancasterOnline's Elizabeth DeOrnellas reported Tuesday that "Lancaster County leaf peepers will likely be in heaven in late October. That's when peak color should hit here, a little earlier than last year's early November peak."

Dryness and warmth are two of the key weather factors in determining the timing and vibrancy of nature's display. Those who want more specifics can check out the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' weekly fall foliage reports ( dcnr.pa.gov ), which will begin Sept. 26.

In the meantime, LNP | LancasterOnline correspondent Rebecca Logan provided a rundown of 13 area farms where you can pick your own apples this fall. Check it out at lanc.news/Apples2024.

Availability by apple variety changes throughout the season, so you can head to the orchards more than once and try everything from Honeycrisp to Ambrosia to Evercrisp to Gold Rush.

— Finally, congratulations to Solanco High School, which was one of just 84 schools across North America to be designated as a Renaissance School of Distinction by Jostens.

Solanco School District announced the honor in a Sept. 13 news release .

The award celebrates "those schools that are making a positive impact on their school climate and culture" by using the Jostens Renaissance formula. The formula states that "respect" plus "recognize" plus "reward" plus "reinforce" plus "relationships" equals "results."

That equation adds up correctly, in our view.

Solanco High School teachers Judy Richardson and Jenna Whitehaus, the co-advisers of the school's Renaissance program, issued a joint statement: "Renaissance wants every individual in our building to feel a part of something. We want to recognize and celebrate our student, faculty and staff achievements and accomplishments. Our student Renaissance ambassadors are always willing to step out of their comfort zone in order to make our school the best it can be."

We appreciate all of Lancaster County's teachers, administrators and students who go above and beyond to make their schools special and welcoming places.