Thumbs up: To the officials at the York Fair, which wrapped up Sunday after a record-setting run.

In past years, storms have dampened attendance. But Mother Nature served up mostly beautiful weather during the 10-day fair, attracting 642,263 visitors -- the most ever.

It wasn't all sunshine and blue skies, though.

After a record opening night Sept. 7 -- with 50,718 attending -- thunderstorms blew in on Saturday, leading fair officials to close the rides from 2 to 3 p.m. when the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for York County.

Spokesman Derek Shaw said he couldn't remember the rides being completely shut down like that in the past, but he said it is always better to err on the side of caution.

It was mostly smooth sailing after that, though, and the fair faithful came out in droves.

Grandstand ticket sales were particularly strong this year, thanks in part to a lineup that included Blake Shelton, Jeff Dunham and Luke Bryan, according to York Fair President Gene Schenk.

Schenk also attributed the success to a new policy that included gate admission with the price of a concert ticket purchased before Aug, 25.

In another change, fair officials discontinued the free student day in favor of a discounted student ticket for the entire run.

Combined with the pleasant weather, the tweaks seem to have paid off.

Another job well done.

Thumbs up: Ernie Weiss has been working to improve the York community since 1949 and is still going strong even as he approaches his 100th birthday.

Jewish Family Services of York is inviting everyone to its annual meeting on Sunday for Reflections on a Century of Life, during which Weiss will share stories from his life and discuss how he remains active and involved even at 100.

Weiss arrived in York in 1949, nine years after he fled Nazi-occupied Vienna to go to Czechoslovakia before immigrating to the United States.

He helped to shape the area's economy through his work with Cole Steel and McCrory's and was a founding member of York's chapter of The Arc, which introduced services for the intellectually and developmentally disabled in elementary and preschools in York.

Weiss remains a board member at The Arc of York and is also active in retiree groups from Cole and McCrory's, the Jewish Family Services Men's Think Tank and the Ohev Sholom Congregation.