Have you ever noticed the amazing similarities between Glen Burnie and France? Think about this for a moment and you may see that in manyways we are like a sister city to Paris.
For example:
* Paris has the Eiffel Tower as a major landmark, and Glen Burniehas the Empire Towers. Consider how often you give directions that include the Empire Towers:
"Go one block past the Empire Towers andturn left." (I have a source deep within the Federal Aviation Administration who swears that pilots searching for BWI often use this building as a guide.)
* Granted that Paris may have French cuisine butthink about how many french fries are sold in the 21061 zip code. And what about that croissant breakfast sandwich deal over at Dunkin' Donuts?
* La Fountain Bleu.
And of course we have 11 students from the Camille See School in Paris visiting our community. Yes, real French students.
The students arrived with their teacher, Nicole Genet, last week. In addition to a sightseeing agenda that includes Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, the students will spend time at Glen Burnie Senior High and Marley and Corkran middle schools.
Charlie Day, chairman of the language department at GBSH, has been workingfor months to help coordinate the visit for the French students.
"This is a wonderfully enthusiastic group," said Day. "They really are an educational resource as well as a source of enrichment."
The response to Day's request for host families was very positive. In theend, there weren't enough exchange students to go around.
Although the students have a schedule of activities provided by their tour company, the host families are also planning entertainment including visits to Baltimore's Inner Harbor, the new baseball stadium and even a trip to see this side of the Atlantic Ocean.
All of the exchangestudents have a basic command of English, so communication with their hosts is not a problem.
"They're exposed to so much English in France, through the movies and music," explained Day.
The Callahan family in Marley is one of the host families. Dee Callahan and her daughters Bridget, 15, and Caitlin, 13, are sharing their home with 15-year-old Sonia Haziza.
"It's just like having another teen-ager inthe house," said Dee, laughing. "It's amazing how universal being a teen-ager is. You have to remind them to pick up their clothes off the floor and to bring their dishes into the kitchen."
The girls enjoy doing many of the same things -- music, shopping and going to the movies. A trip to the mall is as impressive as a trip to our nation'scapital.
Bridget says the only point of contention so far has been a daily discussion on Sonia's continual reference to pants as "trousers."
"We're the same age, so we're really not that different," said Bridget. "But it's interesting learning about the different culture, how it's similar and (how) it's different."
How is Sonia finding life in Glen Burnie? Besides American cookies and milkshakes, she is most impressed with Glen Burnie High.
"I like the school, because you change persons every time you change class. The teachers and the students have a great relationship. We don't have that kind of relationship with our teachers. (Glen Burnie is) more relaxed, less formal. The teachers are interested in letting you express yourself," said Sonia.
At the same time, Sonia is amused by American students wearing shorts to school.
"We would never go to school in shorts," she said firmly.
Bridget and Sonia hope to continue their friendship once the visit is over. They plan to write to one another, and Bridget is already calculating how much it will cost to fly to Paris.
Other Glen Burnie students acting as hosts for their French counterparts are: Sara Clauss, who is host for Magali Beaume; Amy Kreglow, Florence Goguel; Janine King, Marjerie Daudignon; Michelle Kryger, Valerie Fougeres; Heidi Kuegel, Jeanne Pomasini; Natalie Ateto, Sarra Saada; Buffy Newton, Marie Lauregandon; Kevin Morgan, Delphine Sahler; Shari Brooks, Morgan Gossart; Mike Ackerman, Alexandra Chestnet.
Thestudents will continue their stay through May 7.
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Did Patricia Evan and Chuck Plitt continue dating following their graduation from Glen Burnie High School in 1972? Would Mr. Humphries continue as a guidance counselor after he had experienced guiding the Class of '72?Would radio personality Johnny Dark survive rock 'n' roll, disco, rap and Mick Jagger becoming a grandfather?
For the answer to these and other important questions that have been nagging you for a coupleof decades, make arrangements to attend the Class of 1972's 20-year reunion weekend June 13 and 14.
Tickets are still available for the dinner dance Saturday, June 13, from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Michael's Eighth Avenue.
The admission price of $30 includes a hot buffet, beer, soft drinks and dancing to music provided by disc jockey Johnny Dark. Effective May 1, the ticket price will increase to $35 per person.
A family picnic has been planned for June 14 from 1 p.m. to dusk at Lake Waterford Park in Pasadena.
For information, call Patricia Evan Plitt (yes, Patricia and Chuck got married), 647-5861, or Sue Hutchko Cramblitt, 761-8090.
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The stores are selling bathingsuits, the schoolchildren are counting down to summer vacation and every third person in line at the drug store is buying allergy relief medicine. All the signs are there. It's time to think football.
Glen Burnie is home to two youth football associations: the East Glen Burnie Warriors and the Anne Arundel Gridiron Rebels. Both are preparing for the fall sports season.
The East Glen Burnie Athletic Club has scheduled a meeting Friday at 7 p.m. in the cafeteria of Marley Middle School.
President Sandy Younkin says the meeting is to electofficers to the board of directors and present an overview of the organization's status and projection of activities.
Friday's meetingis open to anyone interested in committing time and energy to participate in the EGB Warriors' athletic programs.
Dave Castle is the football director for this season.
For information, call Younkin, 760-0386.
* Registration for the 1992 Rebels football season will begin this Friday, from 6 to 10 p.m., in the cafeteria of Corkran Middle School, 7600 Quarterfield Road.
Youth ages 7 to 15 are invited to meet the head coaches for each team and learn about the plans for the upcoming season.
The coaching staff for this season is: Greg Formwalt, 75 pounds; Mark Formwalt, 95 pounds; Jack Sikes, 115 pounds;Bobby Johnson, 140 pounds.
For additional information, call 766-6790.
*
Several Brownies from Troop 264 "flew up" to join JuniorTroop 947 at a ceremony last week.
Brownie leaders Debbie Knight and Cindy Parsons gave Bridging Rainbows and Wings to Jacklyn Brenton, Stephanie George, Elyse Jankowski, Katie Knight, Lisa Lang, Amber Pence, Jennifer Shope, Sarah Timme and Chelsea Weber.
During the ceremony, the girls presented pictures they had drawn depicting the many trips and special events they participated in over the past year. Some of their activities included trips to Maryland Hall, North Arundel Hospital, a pumpkin patch and the airport.
Other patches and "try-its" were awarded to Kristen Anderson, Christina Hart, Tricia Knight, April Parsons, Raquel Morris, Amy Ranier, Wendy Rottman and Lindsay Saxon.
Members of Junior Troop 947 who received badges and patches are: April Flemming, Debbie Gustafson, Renee Heatwole, Nicole Humphries, Stephanie Knight, Heather Martin, Stephanie Martin, Shannon Matthews, Sarah Meredith, Michelle Parsons, Danielle Saxon, Jennifer Stevens and Kristie Stevens.
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The Bike-Hike-A-Thon, sponsored bythe Glen Burnie Lions and Lionesses Club, has been rescheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday at the Baltimore-Annapolis Trail behind Harundale Mall.
For information, call 761-8233 or 766-5340.