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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR DECEMBER 19, 2002

We enjoyed a performance of A Christmas Carol by the Port Tobacco Players over the weekend, and it was great. A friend of mine, Linda Rayner, had a part as one of the people in the town square. She and three others had some extra things to say, which were absolutely hilarious. She had to learn a Cockney accent and she did really good.

Happy Birthday in December to Betty Moore, December 2, Reba Plotts and Jan Kosak, December 5, Doris Moore, December 7, Jessie Clark and Charles Menke, December 8, Eloise McMillion and Dot Moore, December 9, Dewey Williams, December 10, Matt Zingraff, Sophie Hamel and Madeline Felton, December 11, June Donley, Jean Oliver and James Cleaveland, December 12, Mary Baucom, Elaine Pullen and Ottillie Jackson, December 13, Dannie Lee, December 14, Justin Thomas, Carlin Brown and my daughter, Joyrce Donaldson, December 16, Blanche Adams, December 17, Edna Stout, December 18, Dolores Welch, December 20, Rita Donovan, December 22, Josephine Terri, December 24, Betty-Jo Bowden, Christmas Day, December 25, my special granddaughter, Christina Ratcliffe and Edna Thompson, December 27, Hilda Alcalde, December 29, Chris Telemeco, December 30, and Gladys Blume, December 31.

From the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy newsletter, I have learned that it is estimated that at least 7,000 species of marine life are transported and introduced to new ecosystems around the globe every day. The Pew Oceans Commissions states that this game of ecological roulette with ecosystem and economic stability perpetually spins new species into U.S. coastal waters. What happens is this - A cruise ship will leave the Mediteranean headed for Philadelphia. In the water below the ship, aquatic species reside. Some are aquatic invasive species from Asia and three other places across the glove. The ship may take in ballast water, which is used to balance the ship's load when empty of cargo, and sucks in some of these species. Some may not survive the voyage, but others will. Those that do survive will be in the ballast water which is discharged in the new environment. If they are able to reproduce in the new environment, the invader's population may explode in numbers and a new aquatic invasive species is introduced. Ballast water from vessels is widely recognized as a leading pathway for the spread of aquatic invasives. This water arrives in the United States at a rate of two million gallons per hour. They ask that boaters make sure your boat and gear are not pathways to the spread of aquatic invasives. Empty your buckets of water before you go to a new location. Make sure the hull is scraped clean of barnacles and other fouling organisms. Remind your friends and neighbors of this problem, if they own a boat.

Stephen Decatur Community Center is offering crafts, a puppet show, and a visit with Santa for all ages on December 21 at 1 pm. Pictures with Santa will be available for a fee. Call 301-297-4648 (TTY) 301-203-6030 for information..

Blood Drives are happening in Waldorf, White Plains, and La Plata during this holiday season. If you are interested in finding out where, call me, and I will give you the phone numbers. The dates are December 20, 21, and 24. The Charles County Chapter is also holding blood drives and these dates are December 20, 23, and 26.

Clearwater Nature Center is presenting an indoor puppet show followed by marshmallow roasting at a campfire circle with a naturalist, on December 21 at 1 pm for age 3 and older with an adult. There is a fee and reservations are required. Call 301-297-4575 (TTY) 301-699-2544. 

If you have space in your home for a foreign exchange student to stay from January to June, call 800-251-4938. These students always have their own insurance and spending money. You would do a great service for the Academic Year in the USA organization.

Christmas in April is still looking for house captains for April 26 when they will be repairing the homes of needy homeowners. These people would be the ones who would do the scheduling and act as a liaison at an assigned home on the day of the event. Call 301-868-0937.

The Ladies Auxiliary of the Baden Volunteer Fire Department are planning a New Year's Eve dinner dance from 7:30 pm to 1 am. Call 301-888-2425 or 301-579-2175 for more information.

Adolescence is the age at which children stop asking questions because they know all the answers.

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.

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

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