You're standing in the checkout line at the grocery store waiting for the frazzled woman ahead of you to fish her check-cashing card out of a purse the size of carry-on luggage. Her purchases of Fruity Pebbles, Kid's Cuisine frozen dinners and Extra Strength Tylenol are being placed in plastic bags (after she declined the environmentally correct paper bags). She appears not to hear as her son repeatedly requests a quarter to purchase a plastic football helmet from the vending machine. You notice she is wearing makeup on only one eye.
Is thisa beautiful parent?
The nervous guy at the Crown station is cautiously teaching his daughter how to work a self-service gas pump. His shoes are covered with lime dust from lining the softball diamond. The car is rocking with the combined energy of three little girls doing an impersonation ofMadonna. As he tries to persuade them to unlock the doors, the gas spills over and now his shoes are clean.
Is this a beautiful parent?
Does being a beautiful parent have anything to do with trendy haircuts, designer clothing and a tan purchased at a Tans-R-Us? Or is it the parent wearing a Cub Scout T-shirt, with a tan courtesy of 11 consecutive Saturdays spent on the third-base line yelling "Slide, slide!"?
Anne Arundel County is looking for its most beautiful parents. As part of the Maryland Most Beautiful Parents Project, this program will offer an opportunity to recognize parents, grandparents, foster parents or older siblings who provide healthy, nurturing environments for children.
Nominees must be county residents, 18 years old and acting as the primary care-giver to a child, 6 months old to 18 years old.
The county program is being coordinated by Evelyn Stein at the health department. Because each parent has a different approach to raising a family, there are suggested guidelines to follow in the selection of a winner.
Several applications have been received already, including a few that have been sent in by children nominatingtheir parents.
The winner will be selected to represent Anne Arundel County in the statewide contest. All county nominees will receivea certificate. The winner and two runners-up will be honored at a reception in August, along with nominees from other parts of Maryland.
Nomination forms are available each of the county's health centers, libraries or by calling 222-7095. Forms must be received by July 1.
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It must be close to summer because the sno-ball stand at Holy Trinity church is once again open for business. Operating daily from 3 to 8 p.m., the stand is staffed by students and former students of Arthur Slade Regional Catholic School. Regular summer hours will beextended to noon until 9 p.m. starting mid-June.
Sponsored by theArthur Slade Home-School Association, the money raised throughout the summer is used to help defray tuition costs at the school, said sponsor Rosemary Wisniewski. She promises "reasonable prices, a lot of flavors and ice cream and marshmallow for on top."
The stand is located at 7436 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd. in the parking lot next to Holy Trinity.
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If your luck is running right, you may be able to get your hair cut, eat dinner aboard the schooner ship Nighthawk in Baltimore's harbor, stop off on your way home and get a few free videos to watch while you snack on a pizza. All this and more is availableas door prizes at the Rippling Estates Civic Association's bingo game at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the hall of St. Bernadette's Church, 801 Stevenson Road.
Admission is $9 in advance and $10 at the door, whichbuys 20 regular games. In addition, specials will be run throughout the evening.
This is the first time the association has sponsored a bingo game in recent memory, explained association president Carol McNalley. It is all part of an attempt to breathe new life into the organization.
"We see this as a chance to get the community acquainted again -- to bring people out for some fun," said McNalley.
Friday's bingo game is open to the public. Residents of Rippling Estateswill have the opportunity to join the association that evening. Duesare $10 per family per year.
For ticket information or membershipapplications, call McNalley, 969-5750.
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Maria Iula, a speech teacher at Richard Henry Lee Elementary School, has been selected as Educator of the Month for Anne Arundel County Schools. Her nominationwas a joint effort by principal Lauralee Whitmore, reading specialist Marcia Hill, counselor Janice Tourre and several members of the PTO.
As a speech teacher, Iula is responsible for more than 60 students from preschool age to fifth grade. In addition to the challenges raised with each individual child, she must also work within the already-tight schedule of the teachers and students.
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Officers for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 434 and the Ladies Auxiliary were installed for the 1991-1992 year at the May membership meeting.
DillardHarris was installed for a second term as post commander. Other officers include: Robert Wheeler, senior vice commander; Henry Rey, junior vice commander; Ray Watts, quartermaster; Leslie Ashwell, advocate;Albert Critchlow, surgeon; Louis Benson, chaplain; Henry Bullen, trustee; William Robey, trustee; John McNeese, trustee and adjutant.
Elly Rohde was installed as president of the ladies auxiliary. Other officers include: Mary Ellen Benson, senior vice president; Sandra Watts, junior vice president; Betty Higgs, treasurer; Alyce Ashwell, conductress; Estaline Harris, guard; Katherine Fischer, chaplain; Blanche Rey, trustee; Marge McNeese, trustee; Shirley Wheeler, trustee; Doris Moynihan, secretary.
Post 434 is recruiting new members for the VFW. Any member of the armed forces who served or is currently serving in the Desert Shield/Storm area of operation is invited to join the post. In tribute to their efforts the first year's dues and initiation fees will be paid by Post 434.
For membership information call Dillard Harris, 761-2696.
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Right hand, red. Left foot, blue.Left hand, yellow. Yes, it's Twister time again. You remember Twister, that unusual game where everyone just keeps falling. Kids who wouldn't be caught dead playing this game at home are invited to come to the Rebels' Teen Center this Friday and play in front of a hundred other people.
"So You Thought You Were All Grown-Up" is the theme ofthis week's dance. In addition to the twister game, dancers can testtheir agility with the Limbo and the Twist. And back by popular request -- the Hokey Pokey. Throughout the evening it will be request time as the dancers help to choose the music or supply tapes of their own.
Rebels' dances are open to the community every Friday in the cafeteria of Corkran Middle School, 7600 Quarterfield Road. Youngsters,6 to 12, are welcome from 6 to 8 p.m. and 12- to 17-year-olds are invited to the dance from 8:30 to 10:30. Admission is $2 and refreshments are available throughout the evening. Adult chaperones are always welcome as guests of the Rebels.
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Spaces are available for theJune 15 craft show at the Church of the Crucifixion, 100 Scott Ave. Artisans can rent tables or spaces for a $15.
For reservation information call, 768-4880.
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The Presbyterian Women of the Harundale Church sponsors a flea market, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday in the fellowship hall, 1020 East Way. A limited number of tables are available for $7.
To reserve a table call 766-1824.
Phone: 766-6790