MANY FAMILIES begin their Thanksgiving celebration by remembering the things for which they are thankful. One thing for which I have been thankful these past five years has been this column.
Through writing "Neighbors," I have been able to meet some of the most interesting, outgoing, generous and talented people in our area. This week, I would like to reflect on some of those people, what they have been doing and what they mean to our area.
West County is rich in civic organizations. Busy people take the time to help make our area a better place to live. Crofton Civic Association, Greater Crofton Council, Crofton Kiwanis Club, West County and Greater Crofton Chambers of Commerce and Civitans help the less fortunate, by supporting community activities, by representing our area's needs at the county and state levels, and by building a stronger community by providing ways for people to work together to benefit others.
Local churches have been the topic of many columns. Crofton Community United Methodist Church has an active mission program, in Appalachia and in Zimbabwe. The church is planning and raising funds for another trip to Zimbabwe. Member Cleo McCoy said the trip is planned for March.
The church also supports Fortune Masambe, a Zimbabwean teen-ager, in his pursuit of a college education. McCoy said that Masambe has been very successful at his studies. She joked that he studies so much she sometimes scolds him for working too working hard.
The church has also become active in another form of mission outreach: Church members have traveled to several area parishes, sharing the story of their work in Zimbabwe and encouraging other churches to reach out to the poor overseas.
Chrissie Phillips has completed the first phase of her own mission experience. The Crofton woman, after graduating from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia, spent a year as a volunteer with Jesuit Volunteer Corps, working with the Mexican-American community in Arizona. In August, she returned to Crofton, but just for a visit. Now she is sharing her experience with young adults from around the country as a volunteer coordinator in Tijuana, Mexico.
The arts are alive in our area, and I have really enjoyed reporting on coming performances. From school performances such as The Wiz and 42nd Street to ballet theater and Talent Machine productions, it is exciting to see young people develop their artistic skills and pull together spirited entertainment.
The Talent Machine Company, in fact, is preparing its holiday spectacular, Holiday Magic 2002. Austin Alderman, Mary Pat DesRoches, Kelsea Edgerly, Sam Edgerly, Ashley Gerheiser, Matt Keffer, Jesse Nelson, Shelby Olender, Griffin Palmer, Andrew Sonntag, Kyle Sweeney, Karley Willocks, Jeremy Eaton, Josh Flippo, Ross Koenig and Nicholas Wilson are among the 67 young people who will sing and dance their way through classic holiday numbers and new songs.
General admission tickets are available. The cost is $10 ($6 for children age 5 and younger). Performances will begin Dec. 13 and run through Dec. 22 at Key Auditorium at St. John's College in Annapolis. Show times are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: 410-956-0521 or www.talentmachine.com.
Another popular musical event is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, when St. James Episcopal Church in Lothian will hold its 16th annual Messiah Sing-Along. No rehearsal is necessary, and participants without the musical score may borrow a copy at the church. All that is needed is a love of good music and an appreciation for the chance to begin the Christmas season by singing Handel's Messiah. Information: 410-867-2838.