Recently, the community showed its appreciation. Rodney S. Smith, the village manager and safety director, nominated the crossing guard for the 2003 Ohio Safe Communities Traffic Safety Award. He was nominated under the category of Local Traffic Safety Hero.

"At age 77, Mr. Irelan continues to donate hundreds of hours of his time each school year to making certain that our schoolchildren have safe passage to and from school," Smith said. "Three times a day, five days a week, he is there. This has gone on for as long as I can remember and it is truly amazing to see this kind of dedication."

Irelan has also served the town on village council, planning commission, finance committee, public works committee and many other boards. But serving the school system is his No. 1 interest.

He has lobbied to obtain sidewalks for kids, increase the size of the school-zone crosswalk and create safer streets for pedestrians.

"The community owes a tremendous debit of gratitude to this man," Smith said. "I wanted to let Mr. Irelan know how much we appreciate all he has done for this community."

Irelan's nomination will be considered by the parent group, Community Solutions Association of Warren, Ohio.

Saint Nick's roots

LEBANON - Historian Fred Compton will speak at the Warren County Historical Society Museum at 1 p.m. Dec. 7 on "The Religious History of St. Nicholas."

Admission is free to society members. For non-members, the cost is $4 for adults, $3.50 for seniors 65 and older and $2 for children ages 5-18.

The museum is at 105 S. Broadway. Information: 932-1817.

'Nutcracker' performances

MILFORD - Promont House Museum's Christmas play will be The Nutcracker.

Through Jan. 4, the ballet will run 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Evening presentations will be 7-9 p.m. today and Dec. 12-13. Admission donation: $3 for adults and $1 for children.

Promont House, home of the Greater Milford Area Historical Society, is at 906 Main St.

Historical director

LAWRENCEBURG, Ind. - Gerald "Jerry" Caruso has been named the first executive director of the Dearborn County Historical Society.

From 1-3 p.m. Dec. 6, the society will hold an open house to welcome him, at the 508 West High St.

His first tasks are to organize volunteers, seek grants to restore and repair property and manage the society's office.

Information: (513) 851-7687.

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Randy McNutt's column runs on Saturday. Contact him at The Enquirer, 7700 Service Center Drive, West Chester OH 45069. Telephone: 755-4158. Fax: 755-4150. E-mail rmcnutt@enquirer.com