Homemades by Suzanne exemplifies the spirit of businesses that employ disabled individuals — “open-mindedness and a willingness to help their employees succeed and strive for their goals,“ an official says.

The halls are alive with the sound of music in Henrico County’s schools. For the 10th consecutive year, the school system has been named one of the best communities for music education by the nonprofit NAMM Foundation, which rates schools on funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and other factors.

Caroline County received the Community Economic Development Award (CEDA) from the Virginia Economic Developers Association at its spring conference in Williamsburg on March 13. This is the second time in three years Caroline has won the CEDA Award. Caroline won the CEDA in competition with other Virginia communities with populations from 15,000-40,000. Caroline has a population of about 26,000.

Peabody Middle School’s 2008 Teacher of the Year, Betty Knight, was scheduled to receive a special honor on Thursday, March 12 at 3:10 p.m.. A representative of Horace Mann, an insurance corporation for the educational community, will present Knight with its Crystal Apple award. The Crystal Apple award recognizes teaching excellence at the local level. The program is designed to be flexible. Together, school administrators and Horace Mann representatives set the criteria for winning the award. Recipient qualifications could include dedication, assertiveness, enthusiasm, and use of creative and innovative techniques.

The Commonwealth Council on Aging’s 2009 Best Practices Award Program is targeted to organizations serving older Virginians and their families. The award program will recognize best practices in eight categories. Instructions and the nomination form are available from the Virginia Department for the Aging and may be completed online or downloaded by going to the Department’s website: http://www.vda.virginia.gov.