Lansford Alive recently honored one of its former members and area businessmen for his years of service to the community.

During the Lansford Alive's annual holiday get together, held at Kelly's Irish Pub in Lansford, Mark Sverchek, president of the organization, presented Bob Dvorsky, former secretary of Lansford Alive and owner of Valley Athletic and the Panther Valley Mini Mall, with the Black Diamond Community Improvement Award. The award is given to an individual, business, or organization who has made a difference in the community throughout the years.Sverchek said the group decided that Dvorsky was a good candidate for the award because of his many contributions to both Lansford Alive and the borough.Dvorsky was surprised by the honor but very thankful."We're so proud of our heritage here," he said. "Lansford will always be home."He and his wife, Theresa, recently moved to State College.They were the owners of Valley Athletic for 22 years and the Panther Valley Mini Mall for 20 years before making the move.