In my frantic last-minute shopping spree throughout Glen Burnie on Saturday to find small plastic eggs for an Easter-egg hunt, I had plenty of time for reflective thought as I wandered up and down Ritchie Highway.
So, as the last of the plastic Easter grass settles into the carpet for an extended visit, I'd like to submit a few observations for your consideration:
* The Easter bunnies in the various malls are really awful. Perhaps it is the way they sit on their little stages holding onto their head so it doesn't roll off. Whatever it is, I think Santa Claus is much better.
* Speaking of Santa, can anyone explain why a 10-year-old child insists there is no such thing as Santa Claus and yet have no problem with the idea of a huge rabbit wearing a vest and carrying large quantities of sugar products throughout the neighborhood?
* Has anyone ever seen a man standing in line buying marshmallow chicks, speckled eggs or chocolate bunnies? Why do women get the honor? Or do men still believe the Easter Bunny does it all?
* Pink jelly beans have absolutely no flavor at all.
* I have a friend who actually gave each of her two children a lucky rabbit's foot in their baskets. I guess her family should be grateful she didn't cook rabbit stewfor dinner.
By the way, I never did find any plastic eggs.
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As your family conducts its annual spring cleaning, you may find some odds and ends that are just taking up space: used furniture, books, the crepe maker you got as a wedding gift.
Don't put them in a Hefty bag and wait for the woman from the Purple Heart to call. Drop them off at the Glen Burnie Health Center, 416 A St. S.W., for its flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday.
The Glen Burnie Health Center Association is sponsoring the sale to raise money for building renovations. Extensive remodeling and repair work is needed to modernize the 40-year-old building.
Visitors will be invited to tour thehealth center to see firsthand the facilities and learn what the center has to offer the community.
Refreshments -- hot dogs, soft drinks, coffee and baked goods -- will be for sale.
Vendors are invited to rent spaces for $10 each. In the event of rain, the flea marketwill be rescheduled for April 13. For information on rentals or to donate items, please call 760-6512 or 768-1692.
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Kim Verostic was honored last week by the Arthur Slade Regional Catholic School Home-School Association for her dedication and service to the school, parents and the association.
"Miss Kim," as she is known to the students and parents at Slade, was given a plaque and roses in appreciation of her volunteer activities over the past seven years. Her primaryfocus since 1987 has been the health room, where she "always dispenses a hug and a smile along with any medication or first aid" said Suzanne Whitmore, director of development.
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The community is invited to a Yellow Ribbon Victory Dance, sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW, Post 160, to pay tribute to our military personnel andtheir victory in the Persian Gulf. The dance is from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., April 13, in the VFW hall, 2597 Dorsey Road.
Everyone is encouraged to wear flag pins or yellow ribbons. The auxiliary will sell these items at the dance.
Tickets are $7 and include snacks, beer andset-ups. The band, "Just Enough," will provide music.
For ticket information, call 766-9802.
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Temple Baptist Church, 15 Old Stage Road, will present Hubert and Dr. Mary Broeckert at 7 p.m. tonightwhen they discuss their work with Baptist Mid-Missions.
The couple is serving in the Central African Republic, working in the field for a life-support medical center and hospital in Bangui.
The churchwill also welcome Dr. Mark Jackson to Sunday's services at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Jackson is the director of Gospel Literature Services, an international ministry providing free literature for missionaries of the Association of Regular Baptist Churches.
Jackson travels throughout the world, working with missionaries on long-range literature plans.
The public is invited to attend any of the services as guestsof Temple Baptist.
For additional information call the church office, 761-4309.
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Athletes at Marley Elementary School will display their prowess at the school's physical education program 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the multipurpose room. Vicki Matulevich, the school's physical education instructor, is program coordinator.
"Students in grades two to five will be participating. The nine girls who represented Marley in the county's dance festival will also perform," Matulevich said.
The program includes students in the second grade performing a "hand jive" dance; square-dancing and a parachute routine by members of the third grade; a jump-rope program and tumbling display by students in the fourth and fifth grades.
A PTA meeting will precede the gym program at 7 p.m. For additional information, call the school office, 766-5511.
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Spaghetti and bingo. What more could you need for an afternoon of fun?
Yes, it's time for Bingo Blast XIII at 1 p.m. Sunday at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 1451 Furnace Ave.
Tickets are $20 per person and include a spaghetti platter and free soft drinks or coffee throughout the day. The games begin at 2p.m. and include a $500 guaranteed jackpot.
Tickets should be reserved in advance due to the popularity of the games.
Call 766-8810for information.
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Jennifer Thomas and Russell Peacock will represent Glen Burnie Park Elementary School in the county's Science Fair. Jennifer's project, "Glen Burnie Weather Station," won first prize in the fourth grade. Russell won first prize in the fifth grade forhis project, "What Color Do People Like Best?"
Other first-place winners were: Amy Phillips, kindergarten, "How Do Seeds Grow?"; Angela Schaech, first grade, "Picky Toothpicks"; Jonathan Milton, second grade, "What Can Conduct Electricity?"; and Eric Sholl, third grade, "A Spinning Top."
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Learn how to accent craft projects and art with just the right frame when Barbara Baumgartner discusses "The Perfect Frame-Up" at the April luncheon of the Christian Women's Club No.1 of Glen Burnie. The meeting is at 11:45 a.m. Monday at Michael's 8th Avenue.
The $9 ticket price includes lunch, the demonstration by Baumgartner and special music and inspiration by Billie Cash.
For ticket information, call 551-3992 as soon as possible.
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Billie Cash will also be the guest speaker at the monthly luncheon of theChristian Women's Club No. 2 of Glen Burnie, at 11:45 a.m. Tuesday at Morrison's, 8028 Ritchie Highway.
Jim Forsyth, of Wallpapers To Go, will offer "Fresh Ideas to Beautify Your Home" at the luncheon.
Tickets for the luncheon are $7.50. Reservations can be made by calling Earlena Holloway, 766-4353.
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Adult chaperons at Rebels Teen Center enjoyed a much-needed rest last week when the spring break closed Corkran Middle School and put the weekly dances on hiatus. Butit's back to the thump of "Ice, Ice Baby" when the dances resume Friday.
The center, sponsored by the county Recreation and Parks Department and the Gridiron Rebels Club, is held in the school cafeteria,7600 Quarterfield Road.
Children ages 6 to 12 are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. and the older dancers, age 12 to 17, are invited from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Admission is $2 and refreshments are available inside.
Adult chaperons are always welcome, and parents are encouraged to stop and visit when they drop off their children.
"We have a good group of kids here," said John Stumpf, president of the Rebels and frequent chaperon. "But we do have rules they have to follow for their own protection. Everyone must sign in when they arrive and give theirname, address and phone number.
"If a child wants to leave the younger dance, we always call their home first. At the older dance, thekids have to sign out if they leave early."
766-6790