As Engine 55 made its way from Mason to Lebanon on Aug. 23, the whistle sounded a little longer than usual.

Sister Marjorie Farfsing, who was at the controls, just couldn't let go.

"It was a dream come true," said the 81-year-old Sister of Charity, who always wanted to be the first woman engineer on a train.

Sister of Charity Marjorie Farfsing took the controls of a locomotive on the Turtle Creek and Mason Railroad. (Photo provided) | ZOOM |

She gave up the dream after her call to religious life at age 18.

But she admits that, as a young woman, she watched the trains every night from her window at Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse in Delhi Township.

When Sister Joyce Brehm learned of Sister Marjorie's dream, she made the arrangements with officials of Turtle Creek and Mason Railroad for her friend to take the controls.

With her engineer's hat and special discounts for her family, Sister Marjorie joined the engineer, conductor and brakeman in the train cab as 100 passengers went along for the ride.

"It was the happiest day of my life," she said.

The passengers said they were thrilled with the ride, too, but even they admitted that Sister held the whistle a little too long.

Sickle Cell Drive

Sandy Davis would like the public to know more about a deadly disease that took a member of her family.

So she is joining a Sickle Cell Drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Mount Zion Baptist Church, 10180 Woodlawn Blvd. in Woodlawn.

Davis lost her son, Malik, at age 20. He had the disease since his youth. He was a student at Miami University when he died.

"I think if the public is aware of the impact this kind of disease can have, it will help them understand the need for a cure," Davis said.

Sickle cell affects one in every 400 African-Americans in the United States. There are 250 children with the disease in Greater Cincinnati.

Valarie Price, a board member of the Sickle Cell Awareness Group, is conducting the blood drive. She has started a Sickle Cell Ministry at the church.

Ride benefits babies

The Ride For Babies, which included 1,300 motorcyclists from Cincinnati and Louisville, raised $50,000 for the March of Dimes on Saturday at Kentucky Speedway.

ACADEMIC ALL-STARS

Seurkamp a perfect 4.0

Meredith Seurkamp achieved a 4.0 grade-point average and was named to the first and second semester president's lists of her freshman year at Miami University.

The St. Ursula Academy graduate is the daughter of Jackie and Frank Seurkamp of Anderson Township.

Clark graduates

Robert Clark graduated with high distinction from Ohio Northern University, Ada, and began his graduate studies in physics this summer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston.

The Milford High School graduate is the son of James Clark of Golf Manor.

Meader wins scholarship

Finneytown High School graduate Richard Meader was awarded a Trustees Scholarship to attend Capital University, Columbus.

The son of Carole and Rick Meader of Finneytown will major in business.

To submit an item, call 755-4165.