Father George Wilson was surrounded Sunday by a sea of quilts.

He wasn't judging a quilting contest. In fact, he made them all himself.

They were gifts he gave to newlyweds each time he performed a wedding.

Nieces, nephews and friends from around the country brought the quilts to a surprise 75th birthday party for the Jesuit priest Sunday at St. Agnes Church, Bond Hill.

"We started gathering Friday to prepare for the surprise party," said Karen Wilson, a niece from St. Pete Beach, Fla. "Our entire family came from all over the country. Over the years, he has married many couples, including most of his nieces and nephews."

She said Father Wilson's dream "was to have these quilts displayed together. Our gift to him is to satisfy that dream."

Safety award won

Judy A. Martin, who has co-chaired Metro's joint safety committees and coordinated its industrial safety training programs, has won the Distinguished Service to Safety Award.

The award is given by the National Safety Council and is the highest honor bestowed on an individual safety professional. It recognizes outstanding service to the field of safety.

Martin, of Dry Ridge, Ky., is industrial safety specialist for the Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority in Cincinnati. She has been with Metro for 16 years.

He won't want to leave

Buddy has a home. Now he needs a castle.

People at the Price Hill Community Center hope that building a cat tower for Buddy will keep him from straying. He returned recently after going missing for more than a year.

Rose Morgan, a volunteer at the community center, is looking for donations to build the Buddy Tower. If you want to help, call her at 251-4123.

Community picnic

Sister Joan Krimm is planning Reading's second Getting to Know You Community Picnic along with Cyndi Phillips and Carol Bullock.

"More than 400 people came last year," Sister Joan said. "We expect to get more this year."

The picnic will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday in Reading's Koenig Park, Columbia and Koenig avenues.

Information: 679-8180.

Academic all-stars

Two get scholarships

Two students have received Sam Walton Community Scholarships as part of the Sam Walton Community Leader Award program sponsored by Wal-Mart associates:

Lauren Huebener, an Anderson High School graduate, who will study nursing at the University of Cincinnati.

Miranda Vieson, a Glen Este High School graduate, who will study animal sciences at Ohio State University.

Makes honor roll

Bobbi Hais, a member of the rowing team at the University of Cincinnati, was named to the Conference USA Commissioners Honor Roll. She was also recognized as a member of UC's TopCat Honor Roll fall and winter quarters at the annual Academic Recognition Banquet.

The Mother of Mercy High School graduate is majoring in criminal science.

To submit an item, please call 755-4165.

Our kids

Brooke Rucidlo, 17, performed the lead role in Go Go Beach this summer at the Kennedy Center as part of the Cappies National Theater Program in Washington, D.C.

The Cappies program was founded in 1999 in Northern Virginia following the tragedy at Columbine High School. The goal was to bring theater students the same type of recognition widely experienced by talented high school athletes.

Brooke was among 40 students who participated in the three-week Cappies Camp. The Turpin High School senior was the Cappie recipient for Best Actress in a Musical. She is the daughter of Martin and Donna Rucidlo, Anderson Township.