"She never knew the influence she had on me,'' Ferguson said. "By the time I went to school for library science, she had retired.''

Finley worked for the library for 44 years, retiring in 1972. She died in 2000.

To honor what Finley did for him and many other West End children, Ferguson started the Mary E. Finley Memorial Essay and Speech Contest.

The contest is for children ages 6-8 who go to school or live in the West End. They are asked to write an essay on "What The Library Means To Me.'' The winner gets $100, courtesy of Ferguson.

"I hope the contest will encourage young people to learn and realize that knowledge is power,'' he said.

Ferguson worked as manager of the information desk at the main library until he retired last year.

Entries in the essay contest must be submitted by April 3. They will be judged in an awards program at the West End Branch Library, 805 Ezzard Charles Drive.

Caregiver honored

Dolores Hill, a retired beauty supply consultant, has been given the 2004 Outstanding Caregiver Award by the Council of Aging of Southwestern Ohio.

Hill helped care for a friend and neighbor, Charles Phillips, for seven years before he died last year.

"I have been doing this for quite a while. It seems that I have always taken an interest in seniors,'' said Hill, 70. "I had to look after my mother and my husband. I guess I should have been a nurse.''

She said Phillips was a close friend, and the two would usually talk daily before he had a stroke.

"I was on my way to the grocery store. I called him and didn't get an answer. I went to his apartment and found him lying on the floor,'' Hill said. She said after Phillips came home from the hospital, she felt obligated to look after him.

"Receiving the award was like 'This is Your Life.' This means a lot to me,'' Hill said.

Northwest creating mural

Diversity, community service and Northwest pride will be the themes conveyed on a mural to be placed in the high school lobby.

Students are working with artist-in-residence Julie Krumpelbeck to create the mural. Alice Dasenbrock, key club sponsor, and Mary Beth Martin, chair of the art department, are coordinating the project.

The Mayerson Foundation is providing funding and supplies.

GIVING BACK: Blood donors on list

Nineteen people are on the list of blood and platelet donors who achieved their 10-or-more-gallon awards with donations between March 1-15 this year.

Two donors from Mariemont headed the list with 22 gallons each. They are John K. Andrews and David M. Keller.

James D. Culbertson of Burlington, Ky., was near the top with 17 gallons.

Three people reached the 16-gallon mark. They are James M. Salamon, Loveland; Ronald J. Newcomb, Bridgetown; and Peter A. Michels, Burlington, Ky.

Gordon A. McNeill, Corinth, Ky., gave 15 gallons.

Dennis G. Williams, Colerain Township; Jean M. Rose, Springdale; and Stephen L. McBride, St. Bernard, each gave 14 gallons.

Thirteen-gallon donors included Robin Y. Buckner, Symmes Township, and Richard E. Adams, Mariemont.

Kaus P. Birk, Miami Township, Hamilton County, and Michael R. Dunigan, Milford, donated 12 gallons each.

Phillip J. Rumsey of Maineville reached the 11-gallon level.

Four people received the 10-gallon award. They were John W. Cool, Burlington, Ky.; Dwight N. Lockwood, Hyde Park; Charles D. Payne, Mount Summit; and Michael A. Vonderbrink, Milford.

The Hoxworth Blood Center is recruiting blood and platelet donors of all blood types. Donors may call 451-0910 to give blood or call 558-1280 to organize a blood drive.