On the walls of Elizabeth Frazier's room at Twin Towers Retirement Community, there are birthday and get-well cards from people she has touched in her 104 years.

Frazier, known as Aunt Frazier to some and Lizzie to others, lived at home, took care of herself and was a regular at church into her second century. But a stroke in January 2002 paralyzed her right side and made it difficult for her to talk.

Ella Waller (right), 84, visits her mother, 104-year-old Elizabeth Frazier. (Patrick Reddy photo)

But the woman known for saying, "I've seen some good days, and I've seen some bad days, but I won't complain," has kept her bright smile.

On daily visits from her only daughter, 85-year-old Ella Waller of Northside, Frazier plays games and listens with bright eyes to stories about her large family of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, some of whom have sent her children's artwork for her walls.

"She loves going to church every Sunday," Waller said.

Frazier's daughter keeps her room decorated with the symbols of the things that have kept her young - family and faith.

And on a recent day, as her nephew Tim Booker of Forest Park sang a deep gospel tune, Frazier's eyes lit up and that smile came across her face.

Student awarded

Anderson Township's Will Hawkins, now a senior at Furman University, Greenville, S.C., is putting his knowledge of computers and math to work.

Hawkins won the best research paper award at the prestigious Consortium for Computing Sciences Conference, Nov. 7-8, in Atlanta.

"I am pretty excited about it," Hawkins said.

"The research was done last fall, and then I had to prepare it for the conference last month."

His paper, entitled "LIMP: An Interpreted Programming Language for Students, Professors and Programmers," was also selected for publication in the fall 2003 edition of the Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges.

Hawkins, 21, is a graduate of Anderson High School. He is the son of Bill and Kate Hawkins of Anderson Township.

Stuffed animals to share

As part of the Helping Hand Project, children at the Primrose School, Symmes Twp., collected stuffed animals and delivered them to the West Chester Fire Department to be used by officers when working with small children during an emergency.

Richard Geier, owner of the school, said the idea was to help the children feel brave with the stuffed animals, given by a firefighter or police officer.

Faith Matters: Christian singles gather

FAIRFIELD - Eight years ago, about 50 singles gathered for a Christmas event aimed at them. This year, the Ohio Valley Christian Singles' Holiday Extravaganza is expected to draw more than 400 people.

"A lot of things around the holidays seem to be so couple- or family-oriented. You feel intimidated or you go and feel like a fifth wheel," said Pastor Anthony Hunter of the Vision One Singles Ministry at Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World.

"This is an event where Christian singles can come together without being around drinking and all the things you don't want."

Anthony, who is single himself, has been a part of the event since its inception. Each year, the event adds new features - this year an upgraded meal - as well as traditional favorites, such as door prizes, a disc jockey and live performances by Christian artist Doris Stokes and Ed Thomas, a gospel jazz saxophonist. One scene of the gospel comedy Almost Saved will also be performed.

The event, which draws from church singles' groups throughout Greater Cincinnati, is multi-racial, multi-denominational and attracts singles from the early 20s to their 70s, Hunter said.

"It's not just about this event, it's about making connections with people beyond that," he said.

This year's extravaganza is scheduled for Friday at the Crystal Palace, 7245 Dixie Highway, Fairfield.

Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and can be purchased at Christian bookstores or by calling The Word offices at 589-3400.