Helen O'Donnell was honored posthumously for 80-plus years of support for the local Red Cross. She helped her mother roll bandages and led a blood drive during World War I and was still an active supporter at age 91.

Debby MacSwain was given the Robert Leavitt Humanitarian Award for her volunteer and staff support for more than 35 years. Joan Eich and Ed Flannery were recognized as Quiet Heroes for volunteerism at the local chapter.

There to show their support were emcee Sandra Mann of Adelphia, Bill and Kathy Hybl, Gary and Jane Loo, Barbara Bartolin, Jim Bensberg, Shirley Killeen, Jim Berry, Ralph and Kathi Braden, Dave and Colleen Bunkers, John Donovan, Ann and Eric Fetsch, Carla and Frank Hartsell, Dr. Tom Huffman, Sally Hybl, Chris and Sharon Jenkins, Ed and B.J. Jones, Dan and Dolly Kast, Tony and Judy Koren, Jorgette and Boris Krsulic, Ann Lang, Deb and James MacSwain, Frank O'Donnell, Dave and Victoria Palenchar, Wynne and Norm Palermo, Mike and Susan Quinlan, Don and Mary Pat Sall, Steve and Joyce Schuck, Rocky Scott, Cari and Larry Shaffer, Thayer and Melani Tutt, Fred and Linda Veitch, and Craig Whitney.

CARNEGIE GALA: The Carnegie Library Gala on May 4 was a bittersweet moment for supporters of the Pikes Peak Library District.

It was sweet to see the spectacular restoration of the 1905 Carnegie Library, but the bitter was the news that director Patrick Losinski has accepted a new position as director of the library system in Cleveland, beginning mid-June.

Losinski has spearheaded the restoration of the turn-of-the- century jewel that is being restored in phases with funds from foundations, corporations and private donors.

"When I saw those glass walls in the Carnegie, I almost started crying because they were so beautiful," said Cathy Matthews of the Carnegie Library, one of the few remaining neo-classical public buildings in Colorado Springs. The Carnegie Library originally had glass interior walls that were replaced with paneling, changing its ambience.

During the latest phase of the building's restoration, the paneling was removed and glass replaced in the interior window walls on the main level, providing a beautiful venue for the gala, which raised more than $22,000 for the restoration effort.

Music by Alan Joseph's jazz band filled the air as more than 150 guests arrived for the gala. Friendly rivalries formed as guests attempted to outbid each other during the live auction.

Two groups of women, one headed by restoration co-chair Laura Holland and the other by Cathy Brown, fiercely bid for a mountain bike-ride package donated by Paul and Beth Byer (who eventually agreed to provide two trips).

Guests enjoying the evening in the library included library board president Tom Herd and his wife Karen, board members Sue Brothers and Dottie Harman and their husbands Dwight and Tom, Vicky Losinski, Pat Cone, restoration co-chair Lou Mellini and his wife Madeline, Bill and Kathy Hybl, David Campbell, Bruce and Ann Shepard, Dr. Terry and Mary O'Rourke, Bob and Ruth McHugh, Mara Purl, Dan Hamilton, Beau L'Amour, and Jon Stepleton and Tamra Renzelman.

Only $120,000 is still needed to meet the $3.2 million restoration goal. G.E. Johnson Construction has begun the final phase of restoration, expected to be completed by early fall.

CHILDREN'S CHORALE: Friends, supporters and former singers with the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale gathered at the Pioneers Museum on May 3 to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary.

The evening kicked off a weekend of activities that included a founders' luncheon at the Lowell School and a grand concert at the Pikes Peak Center featuring all five groups that make up the chorale, an alumni choir and an all-city boys' choir.

Guests at the evening event, "Crescendo!" tasted wines from Vintages and Coaltrain Liquors and enjoyed hors d'oeuvres by The Picnic Basket.

Elizabeth Hoover and Lori Bammesberger entertained the crowd by singing "The Evening Prayer" from "Hansel and Gretel," followed by the humorous "To Be a Regular Royal Queen," from Gilbert & Sullivan's "The Gondoliers." As they sang, chorale Executive Director Marcia Hendricks descended the stairs, a crown on her head and scepter in hand.

Guests later gathered in the courtroom, where Don Jenkins and Mary Mashburn were honored for the important roles they have played in the chorale's history.

"Without Don Jenkins, there would be no Children's Chorale," said Bob Crowder. "Colorado Springs owes a great debt to Don in many, many ways." (Jenkins, who in 1977 was director of the adult Colorado Springs Chorale, joined with Crowder and Brad Peterson to organize the group that eventually became the Children's Chorale.)

Hendricks praised Mashburn, executive director of the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration, for her ongoing support. "She brings such magic to children's lives," Hendricks said. "She's believed in us since we began."

Several guests were moved to tears as the chorale's Pikes Peak Singers then sang "Just One Person" to the two honorees.

Among those celebrating the chorale's anniversary were Mark Dempsey, David Turner, Beth Fox Kret, Karen Roberts, Wayne Mashburn, Eve Tilley and Sol Chavez, Sylvia Summers, Clarence and Peggy Shivers, Deborah Jenkins Teske, Patti and Gary Boles, Judy Wish, Dr. Tom and Janis Mahony, Brad and Colleen Peterson, and Bob and Sheila Crowder.

SHORT TAKES

Maestro Lawrence Leighton Smith will play piano at a benefit for the Da Vinci Quartet on May 30 in Colorado College's Packard Hall. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. with the quartet and Smith playing a concert, including the Dvorak Piano Quintet in A, Opus 81. At 8:30 p.m. there will be a catered reception. Cost is $45 a person. For reservations, call 634-5581 Ext. 350.

Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care will host the annual Commemorative Celebration of Life and Remembrance at 10 a.m. May 27 at Gazette Park on the corner of Prospect Street and Colorado Avenue, across from The Gazette. The ceremony will include a live butterfly release followed by a reception and refreshments in the Curtis Conference Room of St. Francis Health Center. For more information, call 633-3400.

Senior Girl Scouts who have earned the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest award in Girl Scouting, will be honored June 3 at a ceremony at the Doubletree Hotel World Arena. For more information, call 597- 8603, Ext. 41.

CELEBRITY GOLF AND RODEO: Celebrities of stage, screen, sports and the Western lifestyle will gather June 6-8 to compete in the Pikes Peak Celebrity Golf Tournament and Rodeo.

In its 16th year, the annual event is a fund-raiser for the Colorado Springs Exchange Club Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse, said event director Jim Chamley.

Among the celebrities will be Jim and Jon Hager, twins of the TV show "Hee Haw"; Edd "Kookie" Byrnes of the TV show "77 Sunset Strip"; Danny Trapp, who gives a tribute performance to Ken Curtis of "Gunsmoke"; and Ivan Naranjo, who has appeared in more than 35 film, television, radio and theater productions.

Guests will mingle with the celebrities at a Welcome Reception and Golf Calcutta at 5:30 p.m. June 6 at Cowboys nightclub. The golf tournament is slated for 1 p.m. June 7 at Valley Hi Country Club golf course, followed by a dinner and auction at 5:30 p.m.

Rodeo action gets under way at noon June 8 at the Bergstrom Arena in Woodland Park. Celebrities and guests will ride and rope in various competition events. At 7 p.m., guests can kick up their heels at the Awards Dinner & Dancing to the music of Chute Nine at the Saddle Club in Woodland Park.