The 20 first-year honors scholars are part of the university's partnership with Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity through a special section of Honors English 101. The course is designed around UC's commitment to join Habitat for Humanity in building homes in neighborhoods close to campus.

The construction site is at 128 Winkler St., Mount Auburn. Ten of the students were at the site Tuesday through Saturday. The other 10 will work at the site this week.

They are being guided by upperclassmen in the construction management/architectural engineering technology programs from the UC College of Applied Science.

Debbie Brawn, academic director for the UC Honors Scholars program, said the outdoor class is a way for the students to bond with their teacher before they get to the classroom.

"For first-year students, it can be a little intimidating for them to approach their professor," Brawn said. "We think this will help break down some of those apprehensions."

The students will have to write about the experience, said Honors English 101 instructor Beverly Brannan

The three key themes they will write about are a reflection of how the experience has affected them personally, a paper that focuses on working in partnership with the community and a paper about sharing experiences with others in their community.

"My high school always emphasized community service," said honors scholar Jonathan Machuga, 18, an Elder High School graduate. "When I heard about this class at orientation, I wanted to get involved."

Artistic director

Katie Fox, tour coordinator for Theatre IV, has been appointed executive artistic director of the Children's Theatre of Mason.

Fox has been involved in theater and education programs at the Seattle Children's Theatre, the National High School Institute for Theatre at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill., the About Face Theatre in Chicago, Starlight Theatre in Kansas City and Lange Middle School in Columbia, Mo.

"We plan to expand on the programs we have, not just the plays, but more workshops for children and parents," Fox said.

She said the theater's next production is Pinocchio, Oct. 8-10.

"This is going to be a real beautiful show. They are rehearsing it now," Fox said.

She is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music as well as UC's College of Business.

70th alumni anniversary

The Douglass School Alumni Club will observe its 70th anniversary Oct. 16 at the Quality Hotel and Suites, 4747 Montgomery Road, Norwood. Information: 281-7046.

Giving back: Blood donors honored

Fifteen people reached the 10 gallon (or higher) lifetime milestone for donations of blood and platelets between Aug. 25 and Sept. 7.

They were honored by the Hoxworth Blood Center this week. The donors included:

Donna Mohr, New Burlington, 21 gallons. Jack G. Quackenbush, Mason, 15 gallons; Michael F. Erion, Lakeside Park, 13 gallons.

Six donors reached the 12-gallon level. They were Thomas R. Yeager, Newport; Joseph P. Ross, Westwood; Robert M. Mauk, Mariemont; M. Edward Maines, Monroe; Alvin H. Bock, Sharonville; and Joseph E. Bischoff, Loveland.

Five were honored for reaching the 11-gallon level. They were Michael A. Vonderbrink, Milford; Barbara R. Thornton, Anderson Township; William J. Morrissey, Colerain Township; Guy P. Discepoli, College Hill; and Lela M. Ball, Southgate.

Kathryn S. Wesseler, Mason, was honored for reaching the 10-gallon level.

To donate blood, call 451-0910

Playground made safe

The Injury Free Coalition for Kids at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center held its fourth annual Community Playground Build on Saturday.

Volunteers installed safe playground equipment and surfacing at the playground at the Martin Luther King Jr. Tot Lot, adjacent to the Zion Baptist Church, 630 Glenwood Ave., Avondale. Participants and sponsors included Kohl's, Pfau Foundation, Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati, Cincinnati Recreation Commission, Zion Baptist Church in Avondale and the Avondale Community Council.

This year, Kohl's donated $122,000 for two playgrounds in Avondale.