Chairwomen Dorothy Air (left) and Jan Neltner review the evening's menu with ACS Executive Director Anne Maxfield (right). (Philip Groshong photo)

This year's Striders' Ball, the ninth annual gala hosted by the American Cancer Society, Northern Kentucky, provided more than 400 guests a spectacular evening.

This year's ball, "Alpine Splendor," opened with a champagne pre-party, followed by cocktails, dinner, silent and live auctions and dancing to Clyde Brown Productions.

Chairing the evening were Pat and Chris Mehling and honorary chair Sister Jean Marie Hoffman. Kit Andrews of WKRC-TV (Channel 12) was emcee.

Dr. J.D. Williams was this year's honoree. Associated with the Urology Group, Dr. Williams is a survivor of prostate cancer and a founder of the American Cancer Society's Man to Man program, a prostate cancer information and support group.

Spirit of Hope awards were presented to Mary and Clyde Middleton and Shirley Brown.

The Middletons, long involved in the Northern Kentucky community, often drive cancer patients to their treatments as part of the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program.

Having survived breast cancer, Shirley Brown, a nurse, devotes her volunteer energies to the American Cancer Society. She's especially involved with the Reach to Recovery program, which pairs patients recently diagnosed with breast cancer with breast cancer survivors.

Alpine Splendor raised more than $100,000.

Rockdale Temple anniversary

The oldest Jewish congregation west of the Allegheny Mountains celebrated its 180th anniversary with a special service by Rabbi Mark Goldman, as well as an anniversary cocktail reception and dinner attended by 200 guests.

Participants in the service included Gerry Korkin, co-chair of the 180th anniversary; Rabbi Ken Ehrlich of Hebrew Union College, and Gus Kuhn III, president, Midwest Region, Union for Reform Judaism.

Rockdale Temple member Vera Sanker prepared an historical perspective detailing the temple's history, including the development of Reform Judaism.

The celebration received special recognition from Ohio Gov. Bob Taft. Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken proclaimed Jan. 23 "Rockdale Temple, K.K. Bene Israel Day" in the city and Amberley Village Mayor Charles S. Kamine declared the date "Rockdale Temple Day" in the village.