Oh, come on. What's a New Year's Eve column without a few resolutions?

In all sincerity -- because this year I'm really going to be a better person -- here it goes:

* I resolve to be in a better humor in the morning. To achieve this, I shall remove the batteries from my electronic scale, thereby assuring my family of a morning ritual unscathed by periodic bouts of unpleasant language.

* I resolve to stop washing my husband's clothes in Cheer every time I'm peeved with him. After all, his mother gave him to me 15 years ago with washing instructions that specifically mentioned an allergic reaction to the aforementioned detergent.

* I resolve to get the muffler on my car fixed so that people in my neighborhood are not frightened every time I turn the ignition. OK, maybe I was encouraged to make this particular resolution by a small but persistent group forming a muffler noise committee that could put theairport noise committee to shame.

Since our local pizza delivererwill be open until 2 a.m. New Year's Eve, i guess it's pepperoni andchampagne at midnight for the Formwalts.

Here's wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

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The end of the year signals the presentation of the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce awards to members of the business community. The recipients for 1991 are: Peter Antolini, Business Person of the Year; Shirley Murphy, Citizen of theYear; First National Bank, Business of the Year.

This year's winners were announced by chamber President Mike Zivkovich and Director Lisa Pitt at a luncheon.

Antolini is the co-owner of the Comfort Inn/Rose Restaurant in Linthicum.

In addition to his business responsibilities, he is actively involved with several organizations that promote the region. He is a member of the Annapolis-Anne Arundel County Visitors Bureau, the Maryland Restaurant Association, the Baltimore-Washington International Airport Club, the Anne Arundel Trade Council and the Northern Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce.

"As a proponent of the North County area, Peter promotes people and businesses in the community," Pitt said. "Not only does he help businesses network with each other, he helps people network with each other.

"He is a real leader -- very good at brainstorming -- yet he is also the first one volunteering. He is a consistently good example of business leadership," Pitt said.

Another county resident who has exhibited a genuine commitment to the community is Murphy. A marketing representative at Allstate Alarm Systems in Glen Burnie, Murphy has been active in the chamber since 1968.

She has served as president and vice president of the North Glen Improvement Association, a member ofthe United Council of Civic Associations and as a board member of the North Glen PTA.

Murphy was also instrumental in organizing the Greater Pasadena Council.

Her work with charitable health organizations includes coordinating the area's annual Cystic Fibrosis campaign, and the Heart Association Telethon.

Murphy has coordinated fashion shows that have raised more than $20,000 for the Soroptimists International.

The chamber's selected First National Bank as the Business of the Year based largely on the enthusiasm of the bank's employees. Thomas Cleaver, regional vice president, accepted the award on behalf of First National.

"The bottom line was we felt that even though a lot of large organizations are community involved, First National's employees are actively involved in our projects," Pitt said. "They give 110 percent."

Among First National's many projects are: Junior Achievement, the YWCA, Scholarships For Scholars and the Annapolis 10K Run.

As part of its commitment to education, the bank also sponsors the Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year awards. Several bank employees teach in area schools.

Each winner received a plaque and several citations in honor of their achievements.

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The true spirit of the holidays was displayed here in Glen Burnie, when neighbors rushed to help several families who lost most of their belongings in a fire early Christmas morning at the Woodside Terrace Apartments in Parke West.

Assistance was coordinated through the Glen Burnie office of the Red Cross. Director Leo Guerin said the response was immediate and more than adequate.

A collection of clothing, toys and household items began almost immediately, and within a few dayseveryone was moved into new apartments and establishing new homes.

"All of the families are getting settled. The management of the apartments was very cooperative," Guerin said. "Everybody was great. We had a really terrific response. This community needs a pat on the back."

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Parents of prospective students at St. Paul's Lutheran School will have an opportunity to tour the school and observe classes in session during the school's open house, each Tuesday in January from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The school is at 308 Oak Manor Drive.

St. Paul's offers a state-accredited program for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. A structured program for 3-year-olds and before- and after-school child care is scheduled to be available in September.

For additional information, call the school office, 766-5790.

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TYPO ALERT!!

Please note that there was an error in my column last weekconcerning the price of tickets for the Country Club Estates Recreation Association's annual New Year's Eve party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the association hall on Paul Marr Drive.

No, tickets are not $40each, they are $40 A COUPLE. Yes, now you can afford to take along the spouse for an evening of dining and dancing and wearing silly hats.

The ticket price includes a hot buffet dinner, a continental breakfast, champagne and party favors at midnight, beer, and dancing to the music of DJs Joe Connell and Tim Konig.

In addition, a cash bar will be open throughout the night.

For ticket information, call 761-0317.

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Once again, Danielle Stetz will represent Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 434 in the district's annual Buddy Poppy Queen Contest on Jan. 19 at VFW Post 8097 in Jessup.

Danielle, a junior at Glen Burnie Senior High, represented Post 434 in last year's event,where she won the district-level competition. She also represented the post in its "Voice of Democracy" speech-writing contest and progressed to the national competition.

Due to a conflict in the scheduling of the contests, she was unable to compete in the state Buddy Poppy Queen Contest.

The Buddy Poppy contestants are tested on their knowledge of the Buddy Poppy and its significance to the veterans. The small, red flower is a symbol of the veteran's valor and honor.

Each contestant also must memorize and recite the poem, "In Flanders Field."

The post is accepting nominations for its Loyalty Day Queen. Girls ages 14 to 18 are judged on their knowledge of the Pledge ofAllegiance.

For information about the Loyalty Day competition, call Dillard Harris at 761-2696.