BELLEVUE - Nestled across the river from Cincinnati is the city of Bellevue, home to about 6,000 people. The city, which consists of historic homes and quaint businesses and shops along a mile of Ky. 8, is being promoted as a Northern Kentucky treasure by a group of "Friends."

The Friends of Bellevue was created by two acquaintances as a social and philanthropic organization to promote the city.

Julie Boudousquie, Friends president, along with Tom Wiethorn, vice president, said the group started about a year ago and now has 155 members. Wiethorn said it's not a neighborhood activist group, but more of a chamber of commerce.

Wiethorn, a lifelong resident and former mayor, said the group's major events - the Bellevue Birthday Bash and the Bellevue Award - have been successful.

"The birthday bash celebrates the city's incorporation in March 1870 and raises scholarship money for two graduating seniors," he said.

This year's recipients were Sarah Bell of Bellevue High School and Tracy Fugate of Newport Central Catholic.

"I have to pay for my own education at UK," Fugate, 18, said. "So the $500 helped pay for my freshman-year books."

The Bellevue Award is a dinner fund-raiser in which an individual is recognized for promoting the city or having a positive impact in the community. On Oct. 2, Jerry Schmits, a lifelong Bellevue resident and owner of the Loyal Cafe, was honored for his years of dedication to the youth of Bellevue. Schmits chose the athletic organizations at Bellevue Independent Schools and Holy Trinity Elementary to share the $600 prize.

"I love this town and the people in it," he said. "It's a great place to live and be."

The group's monthly "meet and mix" night is another opportunity to meet friends and learn about the town.

Boudousquie said the group primarily started as a result of her experience living in Covington and being a part of the Friends of Covington. She said after she moved here in 1996, she didn't know anybody.

She joined forces with Wiethorn to bring together residents, workers, organizations and other supporters of historic Bellevue.

"More than 60 percent of the current members are people who have just moved here," Wiethorn said.

JoAnne Warren, events director, said the group - whose members range in age from college students to residents in their 80s - also holds events anyone in the community can enjoy.

This past year, she said, the group held a concert with St. John United Church of Christ, a grant program for residents wanting to spruce up their yards and a Christmas caroling night for shut-ins and elderly residents. Warren said the Friends are especially excited about the coming art history presentation at Divine Mercy Parish.

"Some people who have lived here all their lives don't know the riches we have here," she said.

Member Diane Witte has lived in Bellevue for 35 years. She was born in Bellevue, married and moved away, but was drawn back. She operates Fairfield Coffee Shop in the heart of town, which Wiethorn said is the group's "unofficial home."

In the future, the group wants to undertake a pictorial history book of the city as well as an all-city reunion where former residents and neighbors could come together.

The Web site, www.friendsofbellevueky.org, has had "thousands of visits," he said.

E-mail aremke@enquirer.com