Norma Jean's Column for Southern Prince George's County

CLINTON COLUMN FOR DECEMBER 11, 2003

Snow is beautiful, there is no doubt, but it is not much fun when you are a senior citizen. I remember the days of snowball fights, sled riding, ice skating, etc., but that was many, many years ago. It is nice to look at it from a warm and cozy home, so I am always grateful that I have one of those when it gets cold and begins to snow.

On Thursday, November 20, the Gateway Lions Club hosted a prime rib dinner at Tucker's Restaurant in Upper Marlboro, to honor the Past Governors of District 22C for their long years of dedicated service to the Lions Club International Organization. Past Governors who were in attendance were Calvin J. McMillion, Richard F. West, Gene Hoffmaster, Donald N. Norton, William T. Lynch, Kenneth Watson, Robert A. King, Jordan J. Burick, and Barbara A. Stevens. Gateway Lions Club provides support for the vision and hearing impaired in the Forestville and District Heights area. Besides doing many worthwhile things in the community, they also collect used glasses and hearing aids. For more information, contact Lioness Barbara McMillion at 301-843-1953.

If you are trying to decide what stores to go to for Christmas gifts, think of going to Sears. Although, by law, all stores are required to hold jobs open and available for any reservist called to duty, Sears is going one better. They are voluntarily paying the difference in salaries and maintaining all benefits, including medical insurance and bonus programs, for any called up reservist employees for up to two years. After contacting Sears, someone was told that Sears "regards service to our country as one of the greatest sacrifices our young men and women can make. We are happy to do our part to lessen the burden they bear at this time." When you go to the store, be sure to tell the manager that this is one of the reasons you are there. If you want to find out more, or you would like to check, you can email webcenter@sears.com or call 1-800-349-4358.

This weekend, the Maryland Choral Society will be performing their Christmas program "Carols and Lullabies". Saturday, December 13, they will be at Bethany Christian Church on Allentown Road at 8 pm, and Sunday, they will be at Corkran Memorial United Methodist Church on Temple Hills Road at 5 pm. Adult tickets are $18 at the door, $15 in advance, senior/student tickets are $12 at the door, $10 in advance. If you would like more information, call Pete Perry at 301-934-2416.

There will be two classes of the AARP Driver Safety program in January, one at Harriet Hunter Senior Center in Camp Springs on January 21 and 22, (301-599-0947), and the other at Langley Park Senior Center on January 27 and 29 (301-292-6579).

A stroke usually occurs when a blood vessel to the brain becomes clogged. Deprived of oxygen and nutrients, brain cells die. The parts of the body controlled by those cells then stop functioning, leading to mental disability, loss of speech or movement - even death. Think of a stroke as "brain attack.' As with a heart attack, prompt treatment could save your life or make the difference between total recovery and disability. Women and men are both vulnerable to stroke. However, men have about a 19% greater risk. The risk is also higher for people older than 55, African Americans, and diabetics. Lower your risk by getting your blood pressure checked regularly, and don't smoke. The warning signs include: sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm, or leg on one side of the body; sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye; loss of speech or trouble talking; difficulty understanding speech; sudden, severe headache with no known or apparent cause; or unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness, or sudden falls, especially accompanied by any of the previous symptoms. .If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help at once. You can significantly increase the chances of recovery. A stroke support group is held every fourth Thursday, 5 to 6 pm at the Colony South Hotel. Call 301-877-4563 for more information .

Kids are life's only guaranteed, bona fide upside surprise.

Norma Jean Fazenbaker's column can be found in the Clinton Gazette, Prince George's Post, Prince George's Sentinel, and the Enquirer Gazette. You can contact Norma Jean by email - click this link.

2003 Archives: Jan. 2, Jan. 9, Jan. 17, Jan. 23, Jan. 30, Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20, Feb. 27, March 6, March 13, March 20, March 27, April 3, April 10, April 17, April 24, May 1, May 8, May 16, May 22, May 29, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 24, Aug. 14, Aug. 21, Aug. 28, Sept. 4, Sept. 18, Sept. 25, Oct. 2, Oct. 9, Oct. 16, Oct. 23, Oct. 30, Nov. 6, Nov. 13, Nov. 20, Nov. 27, Dec. 4

2002 Archives: May 30, June 6, June 13, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11, July 18, July 25, Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, Aug. 28, Sept. 5, Sept. 12, Sept. 18, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31, Nov. 7, Nov. 14, Nov. 21, Nov. 28, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, Dec. 19, Dec. 26

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