Just when you think the bottom has fallen out of society, a guy like Herb Crown comes along.

        Mr. Crown, 75, who lives in Deerfield Township in Warren County, was recently named Volunteer of the Year by the Big Brothers/Big Sisters Association of Cincinnati.

        The group, which has 58 adult volunteers in matched settings, concentrates on northeastern Hamilton County and Mason.

        In helping many kids for over 20 years, Mr. Crown has continued a Big Brother tradition that started in Cincinnati in the early 1900s.

        Mr. Crown's last three Little Brothers were Russian immigrants: Vladimir Shapario, who went on to graduate from the Ohio State University; Ilya Sheyn, now a junior at Indiana University; and Ilya Charney, a Mason High School graduate who will attend Miami University this year.

        Mr. Charney received a Humanitarian Award from Big Brothers of Cincinnati for his volunteer work with elderly Russian immigrants in nursing homes.

        “They're all good kids — ambitious and motivated,” Mr. Crown said. “They'll all make good Americans.”

        The germ of Big Brothers began in Cincinnati in 1903, when businessman Irvin Westheimer noticed a boy and his dog rummaging in garbage cans. Mr. Westheimer fed the boy, whose father had died.

        Mr. Westheimer became a mentor to the boy, and in 1910 went on to found the Big Brother Association of Cincinnati. In those days, the group sought to help at-risk Jewish boys.

        Joe Bluestein, executive director of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said Mr. Crown is a star of the group.

        “He obviously feels he's gaining far more than he's giving,” Mr. Bluestein said. “He's very unusual. Most people think of a Big Brother or Big Sister as being a 20-something. But the kids love him.

        “One of his passions is tennis. He teaches his Little Brothers to play. One made his high school team — and still couldn't beat Herb.”

        HAMILTON — Entries for the “Feed the Body, Feed the Soul” exhibition will be accepted until Aug. 31 by the Fitton Center for Creative Arts. The exhibition opens Sept. 10.

        Visual artists compete for cash awards while encouraging solutions to the problems of spiritual and physical hunger, said Cathy Mayhugh, director of exhibitions.

        Money raised benefits Shared Harvest Foodbank and the Fitton.

        Many artists will donate their work to be sold in a silent auction Oct. 28. It will end with a benefit party Dec. 1.

        For more information, call the Fitton at 513-863-8873 or see the web site at www.fittoncenter.org.

        HARVEYSBURG — A meteor shower campout will be held on the beach at Caesar Creek State Park on Aug. 11.

        This popular summer program allows families to view the constellations and watch for shooting stars.

        Bring lawn chairs and flashlights to special programs from 7 p.m. to midnight. Use tents and sleeping bags on the lawn. The program is free.

        For more information, call the park at 513-897-3055.

        Randy McNutt's column appears on Saturday. Write to him at The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Dr., West Chester, OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail: RMcNutt@Enquirer.com.
       

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