A HALF-DOZEN AREA teens on a mission trip to the Appalachian hills of West Virginia thought they'd be learning about carpentry skills. But their weeklong visit also taught them to get to know people for who they are, not where they live.
The six high school students from Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church were accompanied on the summer trip by adults Sharon Morgan, director of youth ministries at the parish, and Ken Stanley. The Holy Trinity contingent was part of a larger group from other Catholic parishes and high schools. In all, 65 teens and adults traveled to Preston County, W.Va.
This was the fourth annual trip for Holy Trinity parishioner Nate Biedle, a recent graduate of Loyola High School who will attend Mount St. Mary's College in the fall.
While the group worked on a porch and a 12-by-12-foot bedroom addition for a modest trailer - home to a couple and their five children - the teens had time to get to know the family, and to change some preconceived ideas.
"I guess everybody has those stereotypes about the hills of West Virginia," Nate said. "But once you meet the people, it changes. The people out there care so much about their family," Nate said. "You don't often see that out here."
The teen also noted the lack of jobs in the rural area.
"When McDonald's opened out there a couple years ago, they had 500 applicants," he said. "It's not that they don't want to work, it's that they can't find a job. Finding jobs there is almost impossible, because the industry is just not there."
Over the weekend, the teens shared their experiences with parishioners during Mass at Holy Trinity.
MOMS club activities
The MOMS Club of Glen Burnie has scheduled a variety of events to beat - or take advantage of - the heat this month.
Events include a mom's night out at a restaurant, pool party, family picnic, ice cream outing, play day at the park, mother's book club and a kid's cooking activity.
The group's next monthly meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. July 21 at the North County Area Library at Harundale. Prospective members and their children are welcome to attend.
Mothers are invited to attend two club functions before paying the annual membership dues of $20. In addition to activities for mothers and children, the group offers a baby-sitting co-op and a monthly newsletter that includes tips, recipes and a calendar of events.
The Glen Burnie group is part of a nationwide MOMS Club organization. For more information, call Jackie Londino, membership vice president, at 410-636-1957.
Hospital lecture series
North Arundel Hospital has a pair of lectures scheduled this month as part of its 2000 lecture series.
Dr. Rebecca Elon, a gerontologist, will discuss Alzheimer's disease at 6:30 p.m. today. The disease afflicts more than 4 million people in the United States. Although there is no cure, Elon will provide information on treatments intended to improve the patient's quality of life. Caregivers of those with Alzheimer's also are invited.
Organ donation will be the topic at 6:30 p.m. July 19. Speakers will be Bill Carrieri and Rhonda DeLaramore, both of the Transplant Resource Center in Baltimore. Organ donor cards will be distributed.
Both programs will be held in the hospital's third-floor conference center. To register for either, call the hospital's public relations department at 410-787-4367.