THE FOUR teachers at St. John's Cooperative Nursery School will tell you, "Yes, there definitely is a Santa Claus, and he is generous, fun-loving and very perceptive."
Santa also is timely, as he made his surprise and anonymous delivery of Christmas Snoopy sweat shirts to the teachers at the end of November, just as they were starting to work with students on holiday projects and their annual Christmas programs.
"Christmas Dreamin' with Snoopy" is the theme for the shows, which will feature the school mascot, Snoopy, sleeping on his doghouse and dreaming about the first Christmas, a white Christmas and activities at the North Pole.
The 4-year-olds each will have a part in a nativity scene in Snoopy's dreams. Parents and grandparents are invited for the performances at 10 a.m., 11:15 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. Dec. 18 at St. John Lutheran Church on Maple Road in Linthicum.
The teachers are Jane Soverns, who has been with the school for 28 years, Pat Harding, a teacher for 17 years, Barbara Bernheimer, a seven-year teacher, and Tammy Chilipko, who has been there for four years.
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Help the Anne Arundel Alarmers Association continue the good work of supporting the fire department by buying your live Christmas tree from them.
Trees available are Scotch pine for $20, Douglas fir for $25, Frazier fir for $35 and blue spruce for $35. The Alarmers have two locations: the parking lot next to the Ferndale Fire House, Baltimore-Annapolis Boulevard and Ferndale Road, and Shooks Drywall parking lot on Veteran's Highway across from Northway Shopping Center.
When you purchase your tree, fill out a coupon to win a $25 gift certificate from Giant Food.
On Saturday, Boy Scout Troop 672 will sponsor an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and offers a baby-sitting service so you can do some Christmas shopping from noon to 4 p.m. Both activities will be at Ferndale United Methodist Church Hall, 117 Ferndale Road at Hollins Ferry Road.
Breakfast costs $3.50 for adults, $2 for children ages 5 to 10 and is free for children under 5 accompanied by a paying adult. The Scouts and their supervising adults have planned games and various activities for baby-sitting time. A fee of $3 per child will be charged for the four hours.
Reservations for breakfast and baby-sitting are requested. Call Nancy Andrews at 768-1492 or Kathe Kane at 766-5776.
Jackie Olson, chairwoman of the fifth annual Adopt-a-Family for the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department, said her goal this year is to collect enough canned goods to fill a fire engine. Nonperishable food items, new, unwrapped toys and monetary donations will be accepted at the Roy Rogers in Burwood Plaza and the Ferndale Fire House until the drive ends Dec. 20.
Eighteen needy families in Ferndale, Linthicum and Glen Burnie will receive a Christmas dinner and a toy each. Toys are needed for 27 children.
"I hope to also give each family 100 canned goods to help them for about a month, not just for Christmas Day," said Ms. Olson.
The Notables continue to bring holiday cheer to various groups this week. The entertainment group of the Patapsco Valley American Association of Retired Persons 3850 presents its Christmas program at 1 p.m. tomorrow at La Fontaine Bleu for the National Association of Retired Federal Employees Chapter 1519.
On Wednesday, they will perform for their own chapter at the noon lunch and meeting at St. Christopher's Hall. They will repeat the Christmas show at 8 p.m. Friday at the Severna Park Elk's Club. For information, call Vivian Zold at 859-1724.
The Ferndale United Methodist Women will have its annual Christmas party at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the church's Fellowship Hall. Those who wish may exchange a $5 gift or bring money for the church's Tender Loving Care. Members are asked to bring an ornament to decorate the tree and canned goods for the North County Emergency Outreach Network pantry.
The Christmas program, entitled "The Most Precious Gift," will be presented by Scarlet Brumm, Wanda Eschenback, Cathy Clark and Lelah Baxter.
New club officers were installed recently. They are: Ms. Brumm, president; Ms. Baxter, vice president; Ms. Eschenback, secretary, and Lorene Grogan, treasurer.
For information, call Fay Deli at 766-9220.
"Oh, You Beautiful Doll!" is the topic of speaker Frannie Meshorer the 10:30 a.m. meeting of the Woman's Club of Linthicum Heights tomorrow at the club house, 110 N. Hammonds Ferry Road.
Ms. Meshorer is the owner of the Crooked Hollow in Pasadena, where she creates theme tea parties and teaches craft classes.
Club members are invited to bring a doll of their own to display and share with the group.
After luncheon, a holiday visit will be made to Bay Meadows Nursing and Rehab Center. The visit includes singing carols, serving ice cream and cupcakes and giving Christmas gifts to the patients.
For information, call Marge Holmes at 859-5939.
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The North Glen Improvement Association has two children's Christmas parties planned for Saturday.
