Doris Brown and a committee of seniors, nursing home supervisors and dietitians were busy tasting food Wednesday afternoon.

They were sampling items to select a menu for the 30th annual Lucille Chenault Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Ball.

It was a tasty afternoon for the committee, which sampled such foods as meatloaf, gravy, green beans, peas and carrots, fruited Jell-O salad, lemon pie, coffee, tea, rolls and butter.

That is just one of the menus they sampled, said Brown.

Rona Johnson, a committee member for this year's Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Ball, samples possible menu items prepared by James Mack, head cook for Aramark, during a tasting at the Sabin Convention Center. The Cincinnati Enquirer/GARY LANDERS

"We have three different menus to choose from," Brown said. "We will have at least one meat. We want to make the meal as healthy and tasty as we can. That is why we include people from nursing homes and the people who prepare meals for the elderly. We want them to help us select the right food because they are with most of the seniors and they know the kind of food they need and like."

The ball is sponsored by the Progressive Senior Citizen Club Inc. The group relies on help from individuals, companies and organizations.

"Over the last 29 years, we have had wonderful support. Companies like Kroger and Procter & Gamble have been supporters every year," Brown said. "We have an anonymous donor who lives in Indian Hill who gives financial support each year. She doesn't want her name mentioned, but we want her to know how much we appreciate her support."

The event is Wednesday at the Albert B. Sabin Cincinnati Convention Center. It attracts more than 1,500 senior citizens and disabled people each year.

To help, call 569-1840, ext. 1055

Quilts for babies

Nurses and volunteers at Good Samaritan Hospital who go a step beyond nursing care and make quilts for premature babies were honored at a luncheon Thursday in the Century Room of the hospital.

Each baby born at Good Sam's neo-natal intensive care unit receives a handmade quilt. The quilts are kept near the baby's hospital bed to add a homespun feel.

When the babies go home, they get the quilt, which is embroidered with their names and birth date.

Dollars From Divas, a group of women who use their time and money for worthy causes, sponsored the luncheon.

The nurses were also given a $250 gift certificate for quilting supplies from Aunt Ruth's Scrap Basket.

Relay for Life

The second Relay For Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society starts today and continues through Saturday at Xavier University.

It starts on the residential mall in front of Gallagher Student Center. For 18 hours, students take turns walking around a track on the campus, symbolizing that cancer never sleeps.

A highlight of the event is the cancer survivors lap.

The goal this year is to raise $40,000.

On the dean's list

These students have been named to the fall term dean's list at their college or university:

Justin Jorgensen, a junior physical therapy major at the University of Cincinnati. The Lakota West High School graduate is the son of Julie and Karsten Jorgensen of Liberty Township.

Jessica Estes, a sophomore media studies major at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The Ursuline Academy graduate is the daughter of Jane and the late Dr. Stephen Estes of Wyoming.

Susan Anderson, a senior music major at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Ohio. The Middletown Christian School graduate is the daughter of Claudia and Ralph Anderson of Lebanon.

Margaret Williams, a freshman engineering major at Elon University, N.C. The Wyoming High School graduate is the daughter of Kitty and Todd Williams of Wyoming.

Pamela Koebel, a paralegal studies major at the University of Cincinnati. This is her fourth consecutive dean's list accomplishment. The Sycamore High School graduate is the daughter of Nancy and Bill Koebel of Symmes Township.

Kathryn Herre, a freshman engineering major at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. The Kings High School graduate is the daughter of Anne and Scott Herre of Landen.

To submit, please call 755-4165.