It was "pancake marathon madness" at Aiken University High School Friday, Feb. 9th, as the Fantastic Falcon Flippers--all College Hill residents, activists, and business people--produced over 800 pancakes in 45 minutes for the 2nd Quarter Honors Breakfast.

188 students received awards for academic achievement, attendance, citizenship and other improvements at the quarterly event. Some students on this year's new Falcon List were honored for academics for the first time ever. Parents, grandparents, and mentors came to cheer on this success.

Leading this charge of pancake proliferation was Thomas Scheurmann, as head Falcon Flipper. His team commandeered 8 electric griddles, and included Joan Burger, Tracy Wilson, Ron Cowgill, Ed Wells, Peggy A'Hearn, Ryan Gibson, Howard Roberts, John Kasak, and Mark Schoenberger. Joan Pack-Rowe, coordinator of Families & Children First, organized the event, and Phyllis Schoenberger worked with Llanfair Retirement Center, which generously donated butter and syrup. Panera provided bagels & pastries and Aiken University teachers kept the milk & juice flowing and helped with other logistics.

"The College Hill neighborhood has become increasingly supportive of Aiken University High School this year, and our students and families are noticing that there is real support for our efforts to build a quality school program," said Virginia Rhodes, principal. "These events help build a foundation for relationships and dialogue that will help both the school and the community."

Article submitted by Virginia Rhodes, Principal.

Last month 200 people gathered at Twin Towers to celebrate 21 years of the Feast of Love ecumenical ministry.

American Heritage Girls presented the colors and opened the program with prayer, youngsters from Winton Hills Academy, who attended Camp S'More led songs and shared their Camp S'More cheer, and a second-grade student sang "Let There be Peace on Earth." Two guest speakers inspired the crowd to make a difference in the lives of children who live in poverty: Darrell Beaver, a detective in the Cincinnati Police Department who joined Feast of Love to help children; and Hamilton County Coroner O'dell Owens, who gave up a lucrative practice to do the same.

Director Karen Lane reminded the audience that FOL's accomplishments come through God's grace and are entirely the work of volunteers. Among the good news she shared: Kroger cards raised $8,279.13 for the ministries; 190 students from seven schools attended Camp S'More; Find a Need and Fill It served 1,270 people; Operation Baby Formula distributed 15,457 diapers and 9,449 5-ounce servings of formula; 692 volunteers served 2,094 people at the holiday dinners; Tools for Schools collected supplies for more than 10,000 students in 26 Cincinnati schools; and Choices presented its programs to 360 students in six schools.

Several area churches participate in Feast of Love ministries. All volunteers and donors are welcome, regardless of church affiliation. For information call Karen Lane at 513-541-5676, extension 167.

Story contributed by Linda Crank.

The Enquirer reports that Finneytown has formed a Summit meeting modeled on the College Hill Summit.

The College Hill Summit is a monthly gathering of College Hill organization leaders, business owners, and church leadership who share information in order to coordinate their work on behalf of College Hill.

Read the Enquirer article here.

Cincinnati District 5 Police are asking people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity around College Hill.

Crime is not a major problem in College Hill, but there has been a recent rash of home break-ins which are believed to be the work of a few people. Your alertness could be key to removing these malefactors from our community.

The Twin Towers Retirement Center and the Northside-College Hill Kiwanis Club are proud to sponsor a presentation by Rusty McClure, grandson of Lewis Crosley and author of the book Crosley. He will discuss how and why this history of the Crosley Brothers was written and will share his insights about two of the most famous Cincinnatians in the history of our city.

The presentation will be held at the Gulden Center at Twin Towers on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 3:00 pm. All are invited.

Don Beimesche provided this article.

Itching to get in the garden? Want to pare down and simplify? Anita Comarata from White Oak Garden Center will present "Downsizing for the Obsessive Gardener"--how to cut back and create a low maintenance garden--on Tuesday, March 6, at the College Hill Gardeners' Open House.

At the open house, CHG will show off a few of their award-winning projects, including greenhouse growing, garden tours and community beautification improvements. Refreshments will be served and door prizes drawn.

It's all free and open to the public. Doors open at 7:00 pm to the Campus Center of Llanfair Retirement Community. Call CHG at 513-681-1326 or email collegehillgardeners@cinci.rr.com for more information.

Contributed by Beth McLean.

In last week's article about piano teacher Marilyn Dapper, the young piano student's name was misspelled. It's Kori Asante.