Kelly Valdini, 13, didn't have a problem carrying on a conversation with a 92-year-old resident at Norwood Retirement Center. The resident did most of the talking, she said.

"It was a lot of fun listening to him. He told me about his basketball- and football-playing days. I believed some of it. It was very interesting talking with someone that old because my grandparents are not that age yet," Kelly said.

Kelly is part of an eighth grade class at Holy Trinity Catholic School in Norwood that has established a friendship with residents at the center. Residents didn't want their names or pictures used for this article.

They are generations apart, but a few simple life pleasures are bringing them together, like the fun they had making tie-dyed shirts, playing dominoes, eating together and listening to century-old stories.

It is a friendship that knows no barriers.

The residents, each of whom received tie-dyed shirts, will visit with the students at the school and attend a church service.

"They enjoy talking about church," Kelly said. "They are really into going to church."

Last week's visit was the second one since Matt Herrmann, English and religion teacher, started the community project to help the students understand the importance of service to others.

Excellence award

For her work in child care, Anita Lewis is the Ohio state winner of the 2003 Pursuit of Excellence Award.

The award is given by Ohio Professionals for School Aged Children.

Lewis is the after school site administrator at the Children's Home of Cincinnati.

The award is given to one person statewide who demonstrates excellence in the field of child care for school-aged children.

Lewis will receive the award on Feb. 7 along with a $750 stipend to attend the National School Age Care Alliance conference in Tampa, Fla., from Feb. 26 to 28.

The agency's after-school program serves children ages 5-12 in need of structured care after school.

Women's health nominees

If you know a woman who has helped another woman stop smoking, lower her blood pressure, lose weight or maybe a nurse who went above and beyond the call of duty to help save a woman's life, the National Speaking of Women's Health Foundation would like to know about it.

Each year, the foundation recognizes and honors women who have made a difference in the lives of women in Greater Cincinnati.

Deadline for nomination is Friday.

Call 419-6583.

Belated Xmas gift

Before Santa Claus rounded up his reindeer and headed for the North Pole, he performed one final Act of Kindness for the holidays.

In his off-season attire, he showed up at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center on Tuesday and dropped off a $72,749 check on behalf of Thriftway.

Santa Claus was represented by local actor Bill Montgomery, known as the tropical Santa Claus.

The project was part of the Home for the Holidays program, which received a new look this year through a partnership among Thriftway, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, WKRC-TV (Channel 12), Clear Channel Entertainment and Procter & Gamble.

"It really went well,'' said Amy Caruso, spokeswoman for the hospital. "We had representatives from all of the partners here."

Lee Carter, chairman of the board of trustees at Children's, said the donation will greatly aid efforts to improve child health in the community and around the world.

"The medical center is honored to benefit from the Home for the Holidays proceeds, and we are extremely grateful to the partnership that made this gift possible," Carter said.