Thumbs up: The York Halloween Parade is back on track, thanks to an anonymous sponsor who donated $15,000 to save the longtime local tradition.

Last year the YWCA said it could no longer afford to sponsor the parade, given a lack of large donors willing to step forward.

It costs the organizations about $30,000 to operate the parade because of fees associated with road closures, equipment rentals, port-a-potties and more.

Since taking on the event during the middle of the last decade, the agency has tried to cover the costs with help from a top sponsor, additional sponsors and donations -- something that's become harder and harder to do in a weakened economy.

The 2011 Halloween Parade was to be the last hosted by the YWCA, although that one was canceled because of a freak October snow storm.

It would have been a sad end to a local event that has roots going back more than 60 years.

But now, thanks to the anonymous sponsor, the YWCA is back to work planning this year's parade, slated for 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28.

Still, there's no guarantee the organization will be up for a repeat performance in 2013.

In a press release issued last week, the YWCA said it will again be contingent on a top sponsor stepping forward.

"While it disappoints us to announce the possible discontinuation of this beloved community event, we simply cannot justify cutting back on our other services," Jennifer Brillhart, chief development officer of the YWCA, said in a statement.

The York agency provides domestic and sexual violence services, counseling, child care, youth development and more.

Thumbs up: One entrepreneurial idea has spawned dozens of local success stories.

YorKitchen was launched last July with a $99,000 USDA Rural Business Enterprise Grant covering the cost of developing the space attached to the back of Central Market at 37 W. Clarke Ave.

It can be rented for $25 an hour, helping entrepreneurs make their food business dreams a reality without the high costs associated with purchasing commercial kitchen equipment.

The commercial kitchen has helped launch 15 new business, expanded nine and created 34 jobs in York County.

"We really didn't know what to expect when the kitchen opened. We're extremely pleased," said kitchen coordinator Aeman Bashir.

Tom Williams, state director for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, toured the facility last month to check on the investment, saying it was a great project and investment in rural America that has helped create jobs in a small town.

"We're ready to continue our support for programs like this," Williams said, inviting Bashir to ask for more money.

And plans are, in fact, in the works to expand the kitchen, Bashir said.