Thumbs up: Bill Schintz has an eye for York County, having spent a good part of the past 50 years photographing life in our community.

Now the community is showing its appreciation for his work.

The 68-year-old Schintz has been named the featured artist for the 2012 Yorkfest, the city's annual free arts and music festival that returns next month with a lineup of more than 100 artists.

Schintz was 16 years old when he got his first photography job as a teenage freelancer for The York Dispatch, and he later opened a studio on East Market Street, where he continues to specialize in portraits.

An image Schintz created from a photograph of the Plough Tavern is featured on 2012 Yorkfest promotional material.

At a recent news conference announcing his selection as featured artist, Schintz said it's been a joy creating art for all these years.

"What's a greater joy is if you can just share that with other people," he said. "I think that's what all artists strive for."

Thumbs up: A 90-year-old York City woman, a York Area Regional police officer and a York City firefighter were among the 11 people honored from around the state last week for their long-term efforts to curb crime and make the community a safer place.

Winnona Smith, of South Pershing Avenue, has spent 23 years in York City helping to organize block watch groups, serving as captain of her own neighborhood's block watch, picking up litter and doing other volunteer work, including for Crispus Attucks and the South George Street Community Partnership.

Officer Peter Montgomery serves as York Area Regional's crime-prevention officer and public-information officer. He's so far coordinated and presented more than 50 educational programs for more than 2,500 kids and 300 adults, covering a variety of safety issues.

And York City Assistant Fire Chief Edwin Hamilton has spent more than 3,500 hours at Gettysburg National Military Park, volunteering for the Park Watch Patrol and picking up litter.

On Tuesday they each received a Governor's Crime Prevention Award during a ceremony at the Radisson Hotel in Camp Hill, according to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency. The awards program is in its 30th year.

Congratulations to them, and we thank them for their efforts.