international convocation in the US next month, Community Tidbits has learned.

Mrs. Steede, the fellowship's administrative director, will be schooling her fellowship colleagues in a new "prison empowerment'' programme that is being implemented in the Island's correctional facilities.

"It was a vision of our director, the Rev. Glenn Caines, that I have been implementing with the female inmates,'' Mrs. Steede said recently of the programme, which aims to build up the spiritual strength of prisoners and thereby meet their practical needs.

"We go in every Thursday evening and meet for a couple of hours with three inmates who have been chosen by their fellow inmates to represent them. They in turn tell us their needs, but it's not a grievance committee. We concentrate mostly on their spiritual needs.'' The Prison Fellowship International, which last met in Korea, holds its worldwide convocations on a triannual basis.

This year, Mrs. Steede will be travelling to Washington DC for the conference, which is scheduled for that city's Crystal Cathedral between August 7 and 12.

Her workshop will be conducted on August 8.

*** Meals on Wheels , which provides food services to shut-ins and the elderly, was the recipient of some $4,000 that was raised during the recent and inaugural Bermuda Master Chef Cook-Off at International Imports in Hamilton.

The Cook-Off, which was won by Chancery Wine Bar chef Mr. Neville King, was sponsored by International Imports, the Bermuda Chefs' Association and Gosling Brothers Ltd. to raise money for Meals on Wheels and to promote local culinary talent.

Featuring chefs from at least 15 local hotels and restaurants, it was held between June 19 and 25.

*** Mr. Ivan Smith, a long-time employee at The Royal Gazette , was recently presented with his "Bermuda Lion of the Year'' award at a Lions Club district meeting in Nassau County, Long Island.

The award, a "beautiful'' clock and pen stand, was given to the Bermudian by district governor Mr. Robert Labbe last month.

Mr. Labbe, an American, is governor of the Lions' 20-K2 district, which emcompasses New York State and Bermuda. Other Bermudians recognised at the Nassau County gathering were Mr. Arthur Tatem, who was named the district's "President of the Year,'' and Mr. Joseph Ferreira, "Secretary of the Year.'' *** From July 10 to 14, the Southampton Seventh Day Adventist Church will be hosting a week of vacation bible classes for children. Children between the ages of two and 12 are invited to learn some survival skills, make crafts and learn a few songs. There will be no charge for the classes, which are scheduled to take place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.