Freedom Elementary recently played host to a bunch of bad actors -- nature's bad actors. They arrived in a motor home, traveling in small animal carriers and long wooden crates.
Bev Stuhr and her assistant Linda Janssen traveled from Iowa in a motor home filled with unusual animals to teach Freedom students that nature's bad actors are really good guys in disguise. Their assortment of lizards, turtles, iguanas, crocodiles, a snake and a skunk kept the children fascinated for nearly an hour.
A lifelong animal lover, Ms. Stuhr began to travel around the country some 10 years ago to educate children and adults about some of nature's least-understood creatures. Through her experiences with these animals, she has come to regard them as good guys that suffer from bad reputations.
Each animal that Ms. Stuhr shared with Freedom students is a member of her traveling pet family. Most of them were purchased from game farms. After completing their work for the day, the animals are allowed to roam freely through the motor home as the group makes its way to the next stop.
Ms. Stuhr said she believes that if animals are well-cared-for and are shown kindness from early in life, they will respond with affection and proper behavior. Turtles and reptiles in her care display affection for her and each other.
During the demonstration, a house cat and a 5 1/2 -foot crocodile enjoyed time together on a table and are best friends, Ms. Stuhr said.
Ms. Stuhr introduced each of her pets and described their physical characteristics, as well as their eating and sleeping habits. The children were able to view the creatures closely enough to watch the blue-tongued skink's tongue dart in and out as he scanned the room.
Two of the most popular animals were the crocodiles, named Puff and Tye. The 13-year-old male and the 7-year-old female have amazed animal experts with their gentle behavior.
Upon first seeing the albino skunk named Hooch, children often think he is a rabbit or a badger, a raccoon or an opossum, or even a cat. When they learn he's a skunk, many start to hold their noses until they're assured that there is no danger of being sprayed. The deodorized skunk is soft to the touch and has no scent whatsoever.
Until recently, a bobcat was part of Ms. Stuhr's pet family. The female bobcat was given to a zoo when she became frightened by the commotion associated with visiting schools and her behavior became unpredictable.
Ms. Stuhr said she plans to add a young male bobcat to her family soon.
She spends 10 months of the year visiting schools, hospitals, prisons, colleges, 4-H and Scouts meetings, showing the good side of some of nature's bad actors. Her schedule is filled through 1996.
Any group interested in her lecture may contact her through the Bureau of Lectures in Lawrence, Kan.: 1-800-255-0084.
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Any parent or band booster will tell you it takes a great deal of money to keep a marching band in tip-top shape. Keeping some 60 musicians and 18 band front members in spotless uniforms and all instruments and equipment in perfect condition is quite a task.
Liberty High School's marching band -- Lions Pride -- truly is the pride of the school and community. The band has achieved numerous first-place finishes in competitions throughout the fall marching season.
The band won the top spot in Group III at the Cavalier Classic, Northern Lights, Echoes in the Valley, Severna Park Invitational and the Showcase of Bands.
Lions Pride marched off with first place in the Maryland State Band Championship with a score of 91.9. The group went on to capture its fourth straight Chapter XIII championship, with a season high score of 94.55.
Members of the Instrumental Music Boosters are sponsoring their annual fall craft show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the school on Bartholow Road.
The show will feature more than 140 crafts people and vendors. Food will also be available. The show is free; strollers are not permitted.
The Boosters hope to raise the necessary funds for the band's trip to Memphis, where the band will perform in the halftime show at the Liberty Bowl on Dec. 31.
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The Freedom Area Recreation Council is sponsoring a Night of Drama beginning at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Piney Ridge Elementary School on Freedom Avenue.
Under the direction of Valarie Mares, the Freedom Area Children's Drama Troupe will present a nontraditional play, "Three Swine of a Most Small Stature." A piece called "Weatherwoman" will be presented by the fourth- and fifth-grade troupe. Performers in sixth through ninth grades will present scenes and monologues.
Although Ms. Mares describes the skits as "works in progress," parents and friends will enjoy the groups' efforts.
No admission will be charged.
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Wesley-Freedom United Methodist Church will have its annual Christmas Bazaar at the church, at Liberty and Johnsville roads, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday.
The event will feature crafts and gifts, greenery and goodies. New this year are an accessory room featuring hair bows, jewelry, vests and aprons; and the Country Menagerie, for teacher gifts, dolls and children's items.
A silent auction will be held throughout the day, offering household services and gifts for the family.
The Yuletide Cafe will open at 9:30 a.m., serving hot drinks and snacks. A fried oyster and barbecue luncheon will be served in the Evergreen Eatery, beginning at 11 a.m. Homemade soups, bread, pies, cakes and cookies will also be sold.
Strolling carolers, a storyteller and a pianist will perform.
Information: 795-2777.