If you are good at embroidery, sewing, candle making and painting, Kathy Hein would like a word with you.

Hein, of Elsmere, has been selected as manager of the Hospice of Northern Kentucky Comfort Club, a group of 20 crafters who create and sell their works to support hospice.

"New crafters are always welcome,'' said Hein, a veteran crafter who volunteers her time to work for Hospice. She is also a volunteer patient care worker.

Carol Skawinski, community resource coordinator for Hospice, said the club will meet this year in the Christ Church United Church of Christ, 15 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas.

"They will start meeting next month and will go through October," Skawinski said. "They donate items they make and also donate material they collect to Hospice."

The club will conduct benefit sales to peddle their items. One sale is planned for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 12 in the lower lever of the church. It will feature Comfort Club crafts works of guest artist/crafters, including jewelry artist Claudia Wieland-Randall of Lawrenceburg.

Skawinski said the sale will also include bracelets, necklaces and hand-painted cloths from South Africa.

Proceeds go to Hospice of Northern Kentucky and to Good Shepherd Hospice, Middleburg, South Africa, Skawinski said.

Information: (859) 441-6332.

Black Mason to be honored

Edward D. Rawls will use his knowledge, background and new position to educate young blacks about Prince Hall Masonry.

Rawls, 70, a retired engineer, has been sworn in as illustrious potentate of Sinai Temple No. 59, an affiliate of Prince Hall Masonry. The masonry was founded in 1787 in Boston after Prince Hall - recognized as the father of black Masonry in the United States - received a charter from the Grand Lodge in London to organize in America. The Prince Hall fraternity now has more than 4,500 lodges worldwide.

"I would like to continue our programs we have with young people,'' Rawls said. "We have a pretty active drum-and-bugle corps with young people, and each year we give a daylong magic show and invite all children, white or black."

Rawls of Westwood will be honored at a potentate's ball Saturday at the Oasis Conference Center, 902 Loveland-Miamiville Road, Miami Township.

He is also worshipful master of Pride of Solomon Lodge No 60 and a member of King Solomon Consistency No. 20 of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Rawls is a member of Phillips Memorial C.M.E Church, Avondale.

Scholar on dean's list

Jeff Fillion, a sophomore majoring in illustration, was named to the fall term dean's list at the Columbus College of Art & Design. A Faculty Award scholarship recipient, he had been named to the president's list the previous two terms.

The Princeton High School graduate is son of Barbara and John Fillion of Evendale.

Students join honors society

Three local students have been inducted into the National Society of Collegiate Scholars at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore. The society is an honors organization recognizing outstanding academic achievement and encouraging members to develop leadership skills through community service. The inductees are:

Xiaobo Dong, a junior with an arts and sciences pre-major. He is a graduate of Lakota West High School.

Matthew LeBoeuf, a sophomore biology major. He is a Sycamore High School graduate.

Ambica Tumkur, a sophomore majoring in neuroscience. She is an Archbishop McNicholas High School graduate.

Music major receives award

Fairfield High School graduate Julie Whitt is the recipient of Ohio University's 2003 Presser Award. The award acknowledges musical and academic excellence and is the most prestigious honor available to a junior in the OU School of Music.

The senior music education and oboe performance major also received a music talent award and the Edwin Gilliland Memorial Scholarship.

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