For those people who have become adopted families to the elderly, men and women who suffer mental illnesses and substance abusers, a special recognition is planned from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 12 at the Quality Hotel & Suites, 4747 Montgomery Road, Norwood.

The recognition banquet is sponsored by the Central Community Health Board of Hamilton County Inc.'s Residential Services Program.

"These are the people who have made a difference in the lives of many by opening up their homes and taking a chance on a stranger,'' said Ursula Epps, manager of the Residential Services Program. "Our agency contracts with them, but their relationship is more than contractual. They have become the adopted family for people who had no family or who had no one to care about them."

There are about 350 people living in licensed facilities in Hamilton County, the largest number in Ohio.

It is because of these facilities that many people have a place they can call home, Ms. Epps said.

"Because of these adopted families, potential violent acts are de-escalated, and substance abusers have a real chance of rehabilitation by someone who cares," Ms. Epps said.

The theme for this year's recognition banquet is: "Reaching to Touch Hearts."

Step back to the 1850s and picture pro- and anti-slavery activists confronting each other in the streets of Cincinnati.

Dr. Steven Weisenburger, professor of English at the University of Kentucky, will revisit that period in a lecture, drawing from his book, Cincinnati Abolitionism: The Turbulent 1850s, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in Reakirt Auditorium at the Cincinnati Museum Center, Union Terminal.

Dr. Weisenburger will talk about the 1856 Margaret Garner case, which was chief among several fugitive slave trials during that period.

The lecture is part of the 11th annual Cincinnati Seminar on the City, co-sponsored by UC's Department of History. It is free and open to the public.

"Cincinnati Museum Center is pleased to present this lecture that will contribute to our understanding and appreciation of the roots of our diversity," said John Fleming, vice president of museums.

Memorial Inc., formerly Memorial Community Center Inc., recently completed the rigorous voluntary process by which early childhood programs demonstrate that they meet national standards of excellence.

The agency has been granted reaccredidation by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, an honor given to only 7 percent of early childhood programs nationwide.

Memorial's Child Care unit at 1607 Mansfield St., Mount Auburn, serves families of toddlers and preschoolers mainly from the Over-the-Rhine and Mount Auburn community.

Allen Howard's "Some Good News" column runs Sunday-Friday. If you have suggestions about outstanding achievements, or people who are uplifting to the Tristate, let him know at 768-8362, at ahoward@enquirer.com or by fax at 768-8340.