COUNTRY MUSIC is coming to Linthicum on July 2, when the Concert in the Park series will present the four-member group Long Lonesome Highway. The concert begins at 6 p.m. in Linthicum Park.
The band's repertoire covers a variety of bluegrass, country and country-rock styles.
Leader Gene Roads is the bassist and one of three vocalists with the band. A former Navy musician, he has traveled from Massachusetts to Florida and as far west as Arizona. He also has made several Department of Defense tours to Alaska and Greenland.
Drummer Marlin Lee started playing when he was 11 and had his first country music job at 14. Lee, also a vocalist, played a variety of music during his teens and at age 20 started working the road. He gained a lot of experience singing and playing with various bands all over the United States and spent several years working the Baltimore nightclub circuit.
Lead guitarists are Donnie London and Spider Webb.
London has been playing music since age 6. After taking on music as a full-time career, he traveled for many years with various groups and with recording artist Dickie Lee.
London, Roads and Lee have worked together off and on for 20 years.
Webb comes from a large family of singers and musicians. He started playing at a young age and has played all types of music, but his roots are in country. He traveled with Bill Haley's Comets for seven years and worked with Lee on the Baltimore club circuit. An accomplished guitar player, he also doubles as a vocalist and plays fiddle and banjo.
Linthicum Park is on Benton Avenue, off Route 170 at the blinking light. Bring chairs or blankets for seating. Picnics and coolers are welcome, but no alcoholic beverages.
The concerts are free, but donations are accepted. The Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights sponsors the summer concert series with support from community groups.
Information: 410-859-3308.
PAAL officers named
Officers and board members of the Performing Arts Association of Linthicum are Jo Barker, president; Eloise Vaughan, vice president; Don Reusch, second vice president; Carol Rechner, recording secretary; Joan Maynard, corresponding secretary; and Bill Skillman, treasurer. New board members are Victor Sulin, Les Riddle and Irma Eastland.
Subscriptions for the 2000-2001 season are $28. Five concerts are scheduled. All will take place at North County High School in Ferndale and the new Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts on Hammonds Lane. Both sites are accessible to the handicapped and have assistance for the hearing-impaired. Parking is free.
To purchase a subscription or for information, call Jo Barker at 410-859-3308.
Vacation Bible schools
Area churches have announced schedules for vacation Bible school sessions - a week of learning about the Bible, meeting new friends, singing songs, and making crafts. Churches have scheduled differing weeks this summer, inviting all children to attend - regardless of church membership.
Onsite registration will be accepted for the session at Linthicum Heights United Methodist Church, 200 School Lane, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon tomorrow through Friday. The theme is "Club CAN-DO, Kids Called to Care," and a donation of $2 per child or $5 per family is suggested.
Information: 410-859-0990.
The Church of Christ, 2 Eastern Ave. in Ferndale also holds its camp this week, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow through Friday for children age 1 and older. High-school students and adults will meet for classes at the same time. The theme - "How Shall the Young Secure Their Hearts?" - addresses today's youths and the problems they face.
The camp is free. It is not necessary to attend the entire week; registration will be accepted each day at 9:45 a.m. Information: 410- 761-3795 or 410-859-0511.
"Upside-Down Mission," featuring cities mentioned in the Bible, is the theme for the program at Friendship Church of the Brethren, 217 Mansion Road in North Linthicum. It is offered from 9:30 a.m. to noon July 10-14, with an evening program the last day.
Children from age 3 years old through sixth-graders are welcome. The cost is $3 with registration by Saturday and $4 after that. Information: 410-789-2422.
St. John Lutheran's camp is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to noon July 31 through Aug. 4. The theme is, "2000 Ark Avenue: God's Great Get-Together." Enrollment is open to children age 3 years old through fifth-graders. The cost is $7 with registration by July 17 and $10 later.
Information: 410-859-0020.