The Cincinnati Enquirer

Ethicon Endo-Surgery employees stepped away from making surgical tools and took up tools of a different kind Friday to brighten up a shelter house in Fairmount.

Forty company employees worked from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. painting a stairwell, sanding and painting a picnic table and sprucing up a flower bed at the Bethany House Emergency Shelter Center.

The community project was part of United Way Community Care Week 2003, Sept. 6-13.

"It was absolutely a great day for us at Bethany House," said Debbie McGarry, volunteer coordinator for the agency.

Service recognized

Five people will share the spotlight at 5 p.m. today when they receive the Jacob E. Davis Volunteer Leadership Award.

The recipients are: Daniel W. and Minor M. LeBlond, Indian Hill; Dr. Jean W. Rothenberg, Walnut Hills; Kathryn M. Pettengill, Indian Hill, and Ruth S. Upson, Hyde Park.

Minor LeBlond is being honored for founding and serving as a trustee of Stepping Stones Center.

Daniel LeBlond is recognized for 15 years of service with the Greater Cincinnati Foundation as associate director and grants review committee member.

Pettengill split her volunteer time between Greater Cincinnati Foundation and Stepping Stones Center.

Rothenberg is honored as founder of the Hearing, Speech & Deaf Center of Greater Cincinnati.

Upson has been involved with Camping for the Handicapped and Stepping Stones.

The recipients will share a grant totaling $40,000 to be divided among seven organizations the recipients have designated.

Academic all-stars: Honors graduate

Elizabeth McNay has graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond.

The Loveland High School graduate is the daughter of Kathleen and Tom McNay of Loveland.

Conference attendees

Kyle Correa-Brady, a St. Xavier High School junior from Glendale, and Julia DeGreg a St. Ursula Academy senior from Bridgetown, were participants in a National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The conference's theme was "The Leaders of Tomorrow Meeting the Leaders of Today." The two met with officials, political appointees and newsmakers from government, the media and the international community.

UC dean's list

These students have been named to the spring quarter dean's list at the University of Cincinnati:

Freshman psychology major Carly Wilson. The Mason High School graduate is the daughter of Carol and Ron Wilson of Mason.

Freshman graphic design major Elise Beckett. The Stephen T. Badin High School graduate is the daughter of Pat and Fred Beckett of Hanover Township.

Senior computer engineering major Joseph Rafalowski. He is the son of Karen and Ray Rafalowski of Fairfield.

Junior English major Jordan Bernsmeier, of Mount Washington. She is a graduate of the School for Creative and Performing Arts.

To submit an item, please call 755-4165.

Behind the badge

Tip your hat to Mason Police Chief Ron Ferrell and his department, who'll be recognized at a reception Thursday.

Ferrell, whose career spans more than 30 years, received the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police's Theodore S. Jones Service Award this year.

The department also is being recognized for earning reaccreditation.

"Mason has one of the finest police departments, and I attribute that a lot to Chief Ferrell," City Manager Scot Lahrmer said.

The reception starts at 5 p.m. at Mason Municipal Center; the recognition program starts at 6 p.m. The public is invited.

Persistence pays off

The third time was the charm for Chief Terry Ott and Lt. Bob Murray of the Deer Park-Silverton Joint Fire District.

Their persistence in writing a grant application finally paid off: The department has received a $43,000 federal grant to buy a compressor to fill breathing apparatus, replacing one of 1960s vintage. They'll also buy new breathing masks for firefighters.

The Silverton Firefighters Protective Association kicked in 10 percent of the equipment cost.

---

Send news about police, fire and emergency medical services to behindthebadge@fuse.net.