She produced a painting about pond life, showing lotus flowers, lily pads and frogs arranged in a kaleidoscope pattern.

It all came from a pond in her back yard.

The piece of art won first place in the Clermont County High School art contest.

The award was given by the Cincinnati Nature Center, which sponsored the contest. Her artwork will be featured on 1,500 invitations for the center's annual Back to Nature fund-raising gala May 15.

Care aide awarded

Brenda Vick, an in-home care aide at Middletown Area Senior Citizens Inc., has established a reputation for going the extra mile to see that seniors are comfortable.

For her dedication, she has been named Outstanding Caregiver of the Year 2003 by the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio, which includes Butler, Warren, Clinton, Clermont and Hamilton counties.

Vick will be recognized at the council's annual meeting and awards presentation on March 16.

She has been employed by Middletown Area Senior Citizens for 10 years. In 1998, she was honored by the United Way for helping residents of a mobile home park following a fire.

Kim Montoya, in-home care manager for the senior group, said the award honors an individual who provides a reliable helping hand to older adults.

Volunteers honored

Three people will be honored by Cincinnati Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly for volunteer services at a Saturday fund-raising event at Clovernook Country Club, Finneytown.

They include Jan Weber, Finneytown; Mark Berning, Mount Airy and Janet Brockman, Delray Beach, Fla., formerly of Wyoming.

The group gives holiday parties and programs for the elderly throughout the year..

For information, call 542-7555.

Scientists recognized

Engineers and scientists were honored Thursday at the Greater Cincinnati Association of Engineers' 69th annual recognition awards banquet at the Cincinnati Museum Center, West End.

Honored were Larry Rayburn, Richard Goettle Inc., distinguished engineer award; Dr. Alexander Bereskin, lifetime achievement award; Errol Wahl, Procter & Gamble, distinguished scientist award; Dr. Scott Burton, General Electric Aircraft Engines, young engineer award.

Also, Dr. Richard Haughland, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, professional accomplishment award for scientist; Prem Garg, city of Cincinnati, professional accomplishment award in engineer; Jeffrey Aluotto, Hamilton County Solid Waste Management District, community service award for science; and Jack Clock, Timely Creation, community service award for an engineer in industry.

Giving back

This part of Heidi B. Jark's job she really enjoys - passing on the legacy and love of a gardener for plants and children through a $210,000 grant.

The money comes from the Hermine Stillson Foundation, which is administered by Fifth Third Bank.

"Hermine Stillson exemplifies philanthropy,'' said Jark, vice president of Fifth Third Foundation. "Her gifts will signal hope for the children and families to Cincinnati for years to come.''

Stillson, who died in 2002, wished to improve the lives of Greater Cincinnati youth. She and her husband had no children of their own. After moving to Cincinnati and settling in Madeira, she pursued her passion for gardening. Stillson was also an active volunteer for Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Camp Stepping Stones and Cincinnati Riding for the Handicapped. She established the Hermine Stillson Foundation and selected Fifth Third to serve as trustee.

Jark has fulfilled Stillson's wishes to nurture area youth through gifts such as $100,000 to the Cincinnati Therapeutic Riding and Horsemanship; $100,000 to Crayons to Computers; $5,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Hamilton; and $5,000 to the Mallory Center's Computer COPS program.