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

CLINTON COLUMN FOR MAY 16, 2003

When I told a friend that I had been asked to talk at Career Day at one of the Elementary Schools in the County, she asked me which career I planned to talk about. It was a natural question since I have had more than one career. So, when I began talking to the students, I decided to mention all of the different jobs I have had over the years. It was a lot of fun and the children were so precious. Since I have not been around really young ones for a while, it was different for me. Most of them were very attentive, but some of them were not the least bit interested in anything I had to say. John Carroll Elementaryis a beautiful school and all of the teachers and staff were wonderful to us. I could tell which children had already been given talks by firefighters and police by the children who wanted to be firefighters and police when they got out of school. Many of the boys want to be athletes, so I tried to make them understand that they needed to have something else theycould do when they got too old or injured and could no longer play. Strangely enough, there were very few who wanted to be doctors, although a few thought they might like to be veterinarians, but there were lots of lawyers-to-be. Only one of them mentioned being a computer specialist, and there was not one who mentioned being any part of a business office, alhough one little girl said she would like to own her own business. One of the good things I found was that, in every class, from first grade on up, most of them like to read. This must mean their teachers are instilling those ideas in the children. It was a wonderful experience for me and if anyone asks me what I think of the schools  in Prince George's County, I would have to mention John Carroll Elementary as one of the most special.

After work on Sunday, May 4, Rose and I attended the Prince George's Historical Society's annual event at Billingsley House in Upper Marlboro. It was a little chilly, but the food was good. The Prince George's County Historical and Cultural Trust was created for the purpose of preserving and maintaining historical, aesthetic and cultural properties, buildings, fixtures, furnishings and appurtenances, pertaining in any way to Prince George's County from earliest times. If you would like to help them out, you can call 301-952-8539 or email PGCHCT@juno.com.

On Tuesday, May 6, I joined the class of Senior Citizens at Prince George's Community College for their exercise class, Spring Fling Potluck Luncheon, and a performance by the Seasoned Players. It was a great day. It is fun to see the senior citizens up there tap dancing, singing, etc., just as if they were a lot younger. If you would like to see the Seasoned Players do their Mardi Gras thing this year, go to the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly on May 28 or 29 at 12:30 pm where they will do two more performances.

Today is the May meeting for the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1260 at the Surratts-Clinton Library on Piscataway Road at 1 pm. This is the meeting where we will have the state legislators to come and talk to us about what happened this year. We will also have a Memorial Service for those we have lost over the past year.
     At this time, Historic Surratt House Museum is featuring a special exhibit on 18th and 19th century Prince George's County. It is a photographic exhibit of many of the homes and businesses in the county, which will continue through November 16. Tours are normally given on Thursdays and Fridays from 11 am to 3 pm and Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 4 pm. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for age 60 and older. On May 17 and 18, the Museum will feature family activities.Children will be invited to participate in Victorian games as well as to pose in period clothing. Take your camera. Tours of the 1852 farmhouse will be free. Activities will begin at noon and continue through to 4 pm.Tours are given every half hour with the last one beginning at 3:30. Call 301-868-1121 for further information.

We could learn a lot from crayons: some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, some have weird names, and all are different colors but they have to learn to live in the same box.

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

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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