Esmeralda, a very colorful Chinese papier-mache dragon, returned to her home in the media center at Lisbon Elementary School last month, reports Principal Lou Chillemi. Lisbon parent Karen Dutton spent countless hours adding layers of papier-mache, repainting and sealing Esmeralda, a five-toed dragon. In Chinese folklore, a five-toed dragon is the emperor's and always does good deeds. Lisbon students love Esmeralda and find her a favorite place to curl up and read, according to Mr. Chillemi. He invites parents to visit the media center to see the restored gigantic reptile.
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Fog shrouded trees coated with ice dominated our landscape Saturday morning. Friday night's freezing rain left us with a thin layer of wintry gloss reminiscent of last January.
As I listened to the radio Saturday morning, I heard no cancellations, just warnings to drive carefully. I set out for Glenwood Middle School at 9:30 a.m. for a long-awaited "Coffee and Conversation with the Board of Education."
Back roads near Triadelphia Reservoir were slippery, but I made the 7-mile trip to Glenwood safely, and found youth basketball games going on as scheduled. Instead of a meeting with the Board of Education, however, there was a meeting of angry citizens in front of the school. The Board of Education had postponed their meeting until next week because of slick roads.
Announcing the postponement was a sign on the school door, but there was no radio announcement. The Board of Education will hold their meeting at 10 a.m. at Glenwood Saturday. The weather promises to be better this weekend, but if the roads are slick, let's hope someone has the good sense to announce an early postponement -- by radio.
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Pointers Run Elementary School will have a music extravaganza Wednesday and Jan. 19 with concerts by the beginning and advanced bands, the beginning and advanced orchestras, and the chorus.
Kendall Davis directs and instructs all the instrumental music students. General music teacher Michael Bevard directs the chorus. The Pointers Run music groups have scheduled performances for 2 p.m. Wednesday and 7 p.m. Jan. 19. Phone 313-7142.
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If you want tickets to hear the Count Basie Orchestra at 8 p.m. Jan. 26 in the Glenelg High School auditorium, order them now.
Glenelg Band Director Barry Enzman reports that ticket sales are brisk to hear the best elements of blues, classical and swing music from this band. The Glenelg High School Jazz Ensemble will open the Count Basie Orchestra concert.
To order $15 advance tickets, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with a check made out to Glenelg High School to Barry Enzman, Glenelg High School, 14025 Burnt Woods Road, Glenelg, 21737.
Tickets at the door, if available, will cost $18 each. Phone 313-5533.
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Last night, the Drama Learning Center's Traveling Young Actors, a group of middle-school-age students, gave a full-scale production of "Showboat" for other middle schoolers who are preparing their own production of this musical.
Drama Learning Center's president Sonny Lerner reports that the Western Howard County public performances of "Showboat," featuring students from Clarksville, Glenwood and Mount View Middle Schools, will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 28 and Jan. 29. Admission is free. The shows are sponsored by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. Sue Kline, with the assistance of Lynn Strandquist, is directing the musical.
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Jan. 19 will be a busy day at Bushy Park Elementary School. Thursday is School Colors and Bear Day to mark the end of the first half of the school year. Students will wear school colors and bring bears to school, in honor of the school mascot, the Bushy Park Bear.
At 7 p.m., the Student Government Association will present its talent show. First- through fifth-graders will present 30 acts of song, dance, acting, gymnastics, comedy and magic. Admission $1. Phone 313-5500.
The Bushy Park Elementary School citizens of the month are first-grader Jordan Brindza and fifth-grader Allan Hadley.
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We hear often about the fine quality of the music programs at
Glenelg High School. Vocal music teacher Nancy Buckle, band Director Barry Enzman, and strings instructor Angelo Gatto take students to soaring heights in their pursuit of excellence.
Glenelg students proved this excellence in auditions for bands and orchestras at the county and state levels recently. Trumpeter Leigh Bender, clarinetist Joanna Bissell and oboist Julie Rupsis won chairs in the 1995 Maryland All State Junior Concert Band. Tom Kouyeas, a tenor in the choir and madrigals at Glenelg, will add his voice to the 1995 Maryland All State Senior Chorus. Bassoonist Rebecca Christensen, percussionist Gavin McPhail, bass clarinetist Joseph Ro, tenor saxophonist Brian Schmidt and French horn player Katie Wise will play in the 1995 Maryland All State Senior Concert Band. Alto saxophonist Chris Seymour is an alternate to the All State Band. Trombonist Brian Pirrone and violinist Jill Rupprecht will perform in the 1995 Senior Maryland All State Orchestra and the 1994-95 Howard County High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra. Cellist Marissa Miller and violinists Joanna Lin and Tonnie Warfield are members of the 1994-95 Howard County High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra.
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It's hopeful to talk about baseball this time of year. The Western Howard County Youth Baseball and Softball League is busy making plans for spring training and another exciting season of youth baseball and softball. Barbara Patterson of the Department of Recreation and Parks reminds you that registration for the spring season will be over next Thursday.
There is limited space left now, so you should register your child as soon as you can. After Thursday, there will be a late fee of $5 per child to register. Phone 313-5421.
You can get involved with baseball and softball without being a player or a coach. Try being an umpire. The Western Howard County Youth Baseball and Softball League is signing up umpires for spring games.
The Department of Recreation and Parks will provide training and equipment for you, and you will be paid for each game you call. Call Barbara Patterson at 313-5421.
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Bushy Park Elementary School will hold its Annual Gym Show and Ice Cream Social at Glenwood Middle School at 7 p.m. Jan. 23. This is a spirited exhibit in which boys and girls display their skills in gymnastics and jumping rope. Phone 313-5500.