North Glen Improvement Association keeps busy

WHAT DO you like most about winter? My friend, Linda Abey, says the best thing about winter is that it's followed by spring.

I have a difficult time finding much to like about winter, but at their January meeting North Glen Improvement Association members were undaunted by the dreary lack of color and the cold; they were busy answering to a higher authority. "We are here for the children," is their motto. I'd like to give you an idea of what they're about and pass along their invitation for you to get involved. Before their January meeting, I spoke with Linda Lewis, public relations committee chairwoman for the association, which was established in 1952. Members financed the community association building on Wellham Avenue in Ferndale by taking out second mortgages on their homes.

Ralph Mason has been the athletic director for the last 10 years. The association sponsors spring, summer and fall baseball and softball as well as a winter basketball program for ages 5 to 18. Last year, 650 children participated in these intramural and county teams. You can sign up for spring baseball and softball from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday this month at Sports Authority in Glen Burnie. Call Mason at 410-761-4894.

The association has sponsored Scout Pack 636 since before David Cavanaugh became the Scoutmaster more than 30 years ago. Now, he is jokingly and affectionately known as "Not-The-Scoutmaster," because although he resigned from the post five years ago, he and his wife, Audrey Cavanaugh, can't say no to the children.

The association now has 75 member families who wish more people would join and be involved. Membership is $10 a year, including a newsletter. Fund raisers include bingo, hall rentals and a yearly dinner. The St. Patrick's Day Dance, with music by Rebound, the crowd-drawing community band started by Randy Brooks, is scheduled March 14. Admission is $12 a person. Ticket sales are limited to 100 and the profits have been designated for the building fund. Everyone is invited to the annual Easter Party where children are guaranteed to find more eggs than they can carry and the Easter Bunny stays for parents to take pictures. At the Christmas Party, Santa Claus has a gift for every child, and Jerry Linzenmeyer, known to children as Mr. Jerry, brings his guitar and tells stories.

At their meeting, the members voted to contribute money to the nonprofit Royal Knights Jazz Band because the players are local high school and college students who, by the way, will play at Hilltop Elementary School's Valentine's Sweetheart Dance Feb. 14.

Perhaps you saw them when they played at Marley Station Mall during the Christmas season. The band doesn't have access to the school's instruments during the summer, so they're asking for donations of brass instruments. Even broken instruments may be of value because Rosso Music Co. has agreed to donate repairs.

The association doesn't just work with children. David Torres, an 18-year resident of Pleasantville came to the last meeting because he wanted to do something about the poor condition of roads in his neighborhood. Lewis, the association president, promised to help, even though Torres is not a member. You can join the association by calling Lewis at 410-761-5391.

Booster Club

Karen Balonis is an active member of the North County High School Parents Booster Club, formerly known as the Mother's Club at the old Andover High School. . The group changed its name to encourage participation by dads, and Balonis told me it worked -- a little.

The club is putting on a fund-raising bull and oyster roast Feb. 14 at Michael's Eighth Avenue in Glen Burnie. Axis will provide the music; tickets are $25.

Not to be overlooked is a 50/50 raffle and a raffle of a Surf and Turf Weekend at the Doubletree Suites in Linthicum.

Michael's does an excellent roast: oysters on the half-shell, cherrystone clams, Maryland oyster stew, pit beef and ham, beef barbecue, sauerkraut with fresh pork and draft beer.

Call Balonis at 410-636-8399.

Pub Date: 2/01/98