MRS. FORMWALT! Guess what I got!" shouted my young friend Nick over the phone.
As the mother of sons, I long ago stopped trying to guess anything. Since 1993, I have gone through life in a perpetual state of anticipating the next mini-crisis wrought by the parade of young men who habituate the 6-foot perimeter around my refrigerator.
But Nick was different. One of Glen Burnie High School's brighter Gophers, I knew this young man had recently visited several prestigious colleges, including Yale, Georgia Tech and the Air Force Academy. Could acceptance and a full scholarship have prompted his display of ebullience?
"No, no, no, it's not about school. This is important!" he said."Mrs. Formwalt, I got a Furby!"
I listened as the front-runner for Class of 1999 valedictorian explained how multiple members of the Wzientek family waited hours in line for the chance to buy the hardest-to-find holiday gift item of the year -- a computer chip with hair.
In the background, I heard gurgling noises punctuated by several squeaks.
"That's my Furby talking to my grandmother's Furby," he explained. "We can't understand them yet."
I mumbled condolences over his obviously erroneous decision to study French and not Furbish and wished him well on his new status among the elite.
Later, I began to wonder if maybe the purchase of the $30 toy wasn't almost as important as a scholarship. Come Christmas Eve, he might be able to trade it to some desperate parent for tuition.
Happy holiday shopping, Glen Burnie.
Christmas craft show
You probably won't find any Furbies for sale, but shoppers will be able to find a wide assortment of holiday decorations and gift ideas at the Christmas craft show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Glen Burnie High School, 7550 Baltimore-Annapolis Blvd.
More than 100 local artisans will be selling their handiwork. Many items can be personalized at the show or ordered for holiday delivery. In addition to the traditional decorations, shoppers can find jewelry, clothing, soaps, candles and toys.
Refreshments will be sold throughout the day.
For information, call the school office: 410-761-8950.
Family Fun Day
The PTA of Point Pleasant Elementary School is holding its Holiday Family Fun Day and craft show from 8: 30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the school's primary building, 1035 Dumbarton Road.
Santa opens the event with a pancake breakfast from 8: 30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Breakfast is $3.75 for adults and $2.50 for children. Admission to the craft show is free.
Handcrafted holiday decorations, toys and gift items will be for sale while children make their own crafts, talk with Sparky the Fire Dog about fire safety or tell Santa their Christmas wish list.
For additional information, call 410-222-6425.
Pancake breakfast
Before starting a day at the local malls or craft shows, check out the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast that the Marley United Methodist Church women have planned for shoppers.
It will be held from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday in the church hall at 30 Marley Neck Ave., at Overhill Road.
The $5 admission for adults -- $2.50 for children 12 and younger -- includes pancakes, sausage, applesauce and beverages. Homemade baked goods will be sold.
For additional information, call the church office: 410-760-4720.
Pub Date: 12/02/98