ROCKPORT — Cameron Frithsen, who stood watch as a lifeguard at Old Garden Beach last summer, was honored with a Youth Hero award by the American Red Cross this week for his courageous efforts to save a distressed diver in July and another in September. Frithsen's July rescue was so dramatic that his boss, police Sgt. Mark Schmink, nominated him for the award.

Frithsen, a senior at Rockport High School and a lifeguard at the Cape Ann YMCA pool, said he chose to work as a lifeguard because he enjoys being outside and helping people.

"I don't like the term 'hero.' It's my job, it's what I do," Frithsen said when presented with a plaque from the Board of Selectmen last fall. "I'm a lifeguard, so I want to make sure lives are protected."

Frithsen, who plans to lifeguard again this summer, said he always keeps his eyes moving and never sits too long before walking the beach. Most of his attention, he said, is directed toward the beach's numerous scuba divers because they're often the ones getting into trouble.

"It was a very proud parental moment," said Cameron's father, police Sgt. Timothy Frithsen. "(These rescues) remind us that lifeguards do make a difference. It's not just a job, they're saving lives."

Frithsen's parents, sibling, grandfather and Rockport police Chief Thomas McCarthy, attended the event Thursday morning, which took place at the Danversport Yacht Club.

Presenter Jack Mead, of the Kiwanis Club of Beverly, saw the articles printed in the Times about Frithsen's efforts and also nominated him for the award. Frithsen took home an engraved, glass award and had the opportunity to meet WBZ radio personality Anthony Silva.

Finance Committee report

Finance Committee Chairman Sandy Jacques announced yesterday the annual report of the committee is now available in three locations — Town Hall, the library and on the town's Web site, http://www.townofrockport.com. The committee recommends voters take the report with them to Town Meeting on April 5.

Fundraiser cut-a-thon

Catherine's Design Studio, 13 Railroad Ave., will have a fundraiser cut-a-thon Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Employee Nicole Scola will participate in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on May 17 and 18. The salon will charge its regular price for all haircuts, and all proceeds will benefit Scola's participation in the walk. Call 978-546-9008.

Quick hits

The Cape Ann chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has donated a large American flag to the Rockport Police Department. The chapter also has donated flags for the department's memorial at Beech Grove Cemetery in the past.

r Those wishing to contribute to the town's recently approved temporary animal shelter at the transfer station can make checks out to the Town of Rockport with the words "Dog Facility" added to the memo line. Checks can be mailed to: The Town of Rockport, P.O. Box 2324, Rockport.

r On April 8 at 10 a.m., the Rockport Council on Aging at 4 Broadway will host a Rite Aid pharmacist to speak on the "do's and don't's" of medication taking, storage, interactions with food, and side effects. A question-and-answer session will follow the presentation. Seniors and their family members are welcome. The program is sponsored by Essex Park Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Beverly.

People in the news

After many years of work as a commercial artist, illustrator and jewelry designer, John Fleming has settled into a career as a full-time sculptor, graphic artist and painter. Fleming, a member of the North Shore Art Association and the Rockport Art Association, has won numerous awards for his welded metal figure sculptures and his graphics depicting Cape Ann. He has had three successful solo shows at the Rockport Art Association and hopes to add a fourth to the repertoire when his solo exhibition opens tomorrow. The show runs through Friday, April 11.

r Seasoned teenage musician Alek Razdan will perform jazz, swing and blues music starting at 8 p.m. Friday, April 4, inside West End Theater in Gloucester with his quartet A-train. The other band members are well-known local adult musicians, Razdan's father, Rikki, on backup saxophone and clarinet, Dave "Doc" Vincent on drums, and John Hyde on keyboards.

Razdan has been featured on "Backstage with Barry Nolan" and his first CD, "Tenor Twelve" received a rave review from the Saxophone Journal. He's working on his second album, which should be released soon. Razdan appears regularly at local venues, including the Redrock Bistro in Swampscott and Lime Rickey's in Marblehead.

If you'd like to hear some of his latest work, visit his Myspace page at www.myspace.com/alekrazdan.

Bridge club

Saturday, March 22: First place, Lester Stockman and Pat Sylvia, 351/2; second, Milt and Helen Lauenstein, 301/2; third, Muriel Davis and Cynthia Bjorlie, 291/2.

Tuesday, March 25: First place, Maureen Sheehan and Virginia Widmer, 531/2; second, Milt and Helen Lauenstein, 481/2; third, Barbara Beyea and Muriel Davis, 47.

Thursday, March 27: First place, Muriel Davis and Barbara Beyea, 321/2; second, Lyn FitzGerald and Agnes MacQuade, 31; third (tie), Gus Lawson and Ann Millar and Pat Sylvia and Jane Pierce, 30.

Rockport Ramblings is compiled each week by reporter Jonathan L'Ecuyer. If you have an item for Ramblings, call L'Ecuyer at 978-283-7000, ext. 3451, or e-mail jlecuyer@ecnnews.com.