The Southern Gateway Chorus, made up of about 85 singers from Greater Cincinnati, will use the song along with another popular blues tune, "Darkness of The Delta," when the group competes at the Barbershop Harmony Society's International Contest July 3 in Freedom Hall in Louisville.

The local chorus is a two-time Gold Medalist winner in the contest and is one of 25 out of more than 1,000 choruses worldwide to qualify for the international competition.

"We decided to throw a little blues into the act,'' said Terry Sole, vice president of marketing and public relations for the chorus. "This is just good old-fashioned harmonizing.''

Sole said the International Barbershop Convention and contests annually draw about 15,000 fans.

"They come to hear the finest four-part a cappella harmony available,'' Sole said. The convention will be July 1-4.

Also, two of the local chapter's quartets; MatriX and You Bet, have qualified for the International Quartet Competition being held at the same time at Freedom Hall.

An American Miss?

Betty Bornelus Evans turned her hobbies of singing, dancing and church activities - and her charm - into a winning combination.

The 17-year-old Colerain High School senior has been selected a state finalist in the National American Miss Ohio Pageant. The event will be July 16 at the Hyatt Regency, Columbus.

"I am excited and looking forward to competing and doing my best,'' Betty said.

The winner of the pageant receives a $1,000 cash award and air fare to compete in the national pageant at Disneyland in California in August.

Betty is the daughter of Randy and Sandy Evans, Groesbeck. She is a member of White Oak Christian Church.

The contest is for girls ages 4 to 18 who compete in five age groups.

Relays against cancer

Relay teams running against cancer have raised more than $900,000 in Southwest Ohio through 16 Relay For Life events.

Another is scheduled in Shea Stadium in the 2600 block of Harris Avenue in Norwood this weekend. Teams will gather at 6 p.m. to begin a Relay For Life event.

Teams consist of eight to 15 people who camp out overnight and take turns walking around a track during 18 straight hours of music, games, camaraderie and entertainment.

Patty Martin, Stampin Out Cancer's team captain and the Relay For Life of Mason event chair, said teamwork is the key to a successful event.

The Stampin Out Cancer team raised $74,000 last weekend.

For more information regarding Relay For Life events or locations, visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org or call 1-888-227-6446.

Acts of kindness

Several groups will reach out to seniors through Healthwave 2004, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at 945 E. McMillan Ave., Walnut Hills. They include the Lincoln Crawford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Kroger, radio station WCIN, Evercare Health Care Organization, Provident Bank, SpectraCare Health Care, Vitas Hospice, the American Diabetes Association and the Walnut Hills Area Council.

The health fair was established by Lincoln Crawford as a community-service project to promote healthy lifestyles for seniors.

"We are also proud to partner with the Center for Closing the Health Gap to reach out to the communities and provide important health information to the people that need it," said Erika Jay, development officer for Lincoln Crawford.

"There will be free health screenings, resources, information, entertainment and prizes."

Jay said the community event drew 1,000 participants last year.

"Healthwave is an opportunity for local health-care organizations and businesses to provide community service by sharing their expertise and resources with the communities they serve," Jay said.

Lincoln Crawford is the oldest not-for-profit African-American nursing home in Ohio.

For more information, call 861-2044