This week I thought I would take a page out of Bob Fisher’s playbook and write about a several topics for my article, and what better topic to start with than Bob Fisher himself?

For those who know — or know of — Bob, you are aware that after nearly 30 years of service to the Robeson County Public Library, he retired. I would not be able to do him justice by trying to sum up all that Bob has meant to our county so I will simply say thank you, Bob. We appreciate all of your hard work.

And speaking of Bob, he also has the distinguished title of the Best-Dressed finisher of the LRA 5K at the Rumba on the Lumber. Every year Bob and his wife Betty take part in this annual event and every year Bob finishes the race dressed in well-pressed khakis and a freshly starched button-down shirt, demonstrating that exercise can be stylish as well as sporty.

Speaking of the Rumba on the Lumber, I hope that this will be the last reminder you need that the festival begins this weekend with the annual Pasta & Dance Party at the Bill Sapp Center. Doors open at 6 p.m. and entertainment will be provided by the Sea Cruz Band. The Rumba continues on Saturday with the Family Fun Mile, which begins at 10 a.m., and the 5K, which starts at 11 a.m. Registration for both events begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends promptly 15 minutes before the start of the race. Of course that’s just the start to the Rumba. You’ll want to make sure to enjoy the Kidz Zone, arts and crafts vendors, food vendors, live music and of course the North of the Border Chili Cook-Off.

Lastly, I want to thank some special women for their work to help others in Robeson County. As many of you know, last year during my Ironman Challenge we started a fund to provide free breast cancer screening mammograms for women in Robeson County who could not afford them. Working with the Sisters Network and because of the help of many wonderful people, we were able to raise more than $23,000. And now that total has grown.

Adrianna Locklear, a senior at the Information Technology High School at Purnell Swett, organized a month-long celebration in October of last year to help raise money and spread the word about breast cancer. Adrianna enlisted the help of friends, classmates and teachers and solicited funds from the community and ended the month with a sports-a-thon that had the entire school take part. Because of her tireless efforts, Adrianna was able to raise $1,800 and hopes that this can become an annual event.

I would also like to thank all of the ladies at the Robeson County Department of Social Services and the members of the North Carolina Social Services Association. They too used the month of October to raise both money and awareness. As part of their efforts they sold pink ribbons and bracelets as well as created a memory wreath to honor those who may be dealing with breast cancer in some way. All of their hard work and participation by nearly a third of their 350 employees raised $440.

So to all of these women, I want to again say thank you. Your efforts will help others in Robeson County who may not be able to otherwise afford these life-saving mammograms.

And if you are interested in helping with the Mammogram Fund, please feel free to call me at LRA at 738-8222, Ext. 258, or Irene Stuart with Sisters Network at 738-8648.

— Mike DeCinti is the marketing director for Lumberton Radiological Associates. He can be reached at mdecinti@lraxray.com or by calling 738-8222, Ext. 258.