Perched on a chair designed for an 8-year-old, my knees somewhere inthe vicinity of my nose, I surrendered my adulthood and once again became a child, more specifically, a student.
It was parent-teacherconference time, and, as I braced myself for "the report," I felt myself regressing to childhood with a sudden desire to go home and watch Huckleberry Hound.
Anxiously eyeing the clock on the wall, I sat in the hall trying hard not to hear snippets of conversation between the teacher and theparent scheduled ahead of me.
What will she say? Positive, upbeatthings? Is she thrilled to play such an important part in my child'sdevelopment? Or does she think my child is really the second coming of Eddie Haskell?
Has my son been successful hiding all his paperswith grades lower than C's? D's? Good grief, what if he's been forging my signature?
Is my child socially well-adjusted? Does he have lots of little friends? Is my 8-year-old dating, and I'm the last to know?
Is he well-behaved or does my child spend so much time in the corner that he is working with a decorator selecting wallpaper patterns to spruce up the place?
Twenty minutes later I am out on the parking lot, almost an adult again, clutching a handful of assorted dittos, handwriting samples and math tests. My boys are fine. Creative, smart and eager to learn. What more could a parent want?
Then I see it. A spelling paper from my youngest. The vocabulary word is "dangerous." The sentence reads "Monday's are dangerous at my house because my mom is on deadline."
Perhaps they're just a little too smart for their own good.
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Vintage car enthusiasts from all over the area are expected to converge on Glen Burnie Sunday for the secondannual Toys For Tots Car Show co-sponsored by Vintage Tin of Maryland, the Lost In The '50s Car Club and Faye's Sub Shop.
Open to carsmanufactured in 1965 or earlier, the car show is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Arundel Center North parking lot.
The lot, directly across from Faye's on Crain Highway, is where classic car lovers meet every Saturday night to socialize and show off a little.
Commemorative --board plaques will be given to the first 650 registered vehicles.
Fifty trophies will be awarded.
Registration is $5 per car or a donation of new toy. (Hold off on the teddy bears this year, please. Last year, the bears were so plentiful they demanded top billing.)
Almost 500 cars participated in the show in 1990, and $7,000 worth of toys were given to the Toys For Tots campaign.
The car show idea was developed by Richard Lord, founder of Lost in the '50s, and Gil Smith, one of the founding members of Vintage Tin.
The two, regularsat Faye's on Saturday nights, decided to raise money for a worthy cause while promoting their favorite hobby.
In addition to the car show, several other activities have been planned, including games for the children, an auction, visits by McGruff the Crime Dog, Santa Claus and a performance by magician Kevin Hood.
For registration information call Lord, 360-8002 or Smith, 437-8862.
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Addicted to pigskin? Need an excuse to talk about football all weekend? Do you havean uncontrollable urge to blurt out phrases like "offensive strategy" and "Did you see that sack?"
You need a dose of Gopher.
Friday night is Business Appreciation Night at Glen Burnie Senior High School when the Gophers take on the Old Mill Patriots on their home gridiron.
This is a chance for the Glen Burnie Football Boosters to show its appreciation to the businesses and individuals who have donated their time, merchandise, money or expertise to help the team.
All in attendance will be recognized during half-time.
The organization also is planning an adult football dance 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday at the Columbian Center on Ritchie Highway.
Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door and include beer, setups and munchies.
Music will be provided by disk jockey Dave Griffith.
The proceeds from the dance will be used for the team's sport's banquet and toward the purchase of a seven reindeer -- excuse me -- seven MAN sled for use in offensive blocking drills.
Tickets can be purchased at the game, or by calling 766-8516, 969-3099 or 768- 3849.
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The Country Club Estates Recreation Association is accepting reservations for a turkey dinner to be gobbled down (sorry, couldn't resist) 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday in the association hall on Paul Marr Drive.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 6 to 10.
The menu will include roast turkey and gravy, dressing, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, succotash, sauerkraut, cranberry sauce, cole slaw, rolls and butter, dessert and a choice of drinks.
Reservations should be made as soon as possible by calling 799-4101.
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Good luck to thestudents representing Old Mill Senior High on WJZ-TV's "It's Academic."
This year's team is comprised of seniors Kevin Dunkerly, Stephen Elev, Reggie Hubbard and Michael McCullogh.
They will be competing with students from Centennial High and Pikesville High when the show is taped Saturday. The contest will be aired at noon Saturday, Dec. 21.
Just remember, this is the launching pad to the big bucks on "Jeopardy."
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Halloween is out of the way, so we must move onto Christmas.
Decorations, gifts and holiday craft items will be sold at the Country Christmas craft fair 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday at the Calvary Temple, 653 Old Mill Road in Millersville.
Refreshments will be sold throughout the day.
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Luck be a lady tonight. Or make that Saturday night when the Arthur Slade Home and School Association sponsors a casino night 8 p.m. to midnight in the school cafeteria, 120 Dorsey Road.
Admission is $3 per adult and includes hot dogs, soda, pretzels, chips and beer.
Patrons will have the opportunity to test their skills at blackjack, roulette, poker, keno, cinema races and wheels of chance.
Information: 573-6447.
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Larry Kraft is "returning home" to Glen Lutheran Church Sunday to speak at the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
Kraft, a graduate of Glen Burnie High and member of Glen Lutheran, recently has returned to the areawith his wife, Stephanie, and their family following a four-year mission assignment in Brazil.
Their work is in research, identifying areas that would benefit from the church.
A potluck supper has been planned for 6 p.m. Sunday. At 7 p.m., the Krafts will present a slide show about their life and work in San Paulo.
Glen Lutheran is at 106 Carroll Road. The community is invited to attend all of the scheduled events.
Anyone wishing to attend the dinner should call 987-1528.