Vacation Bible

WHILE THIS is prime vacation season, not everyone has abandoned Pasadena.The Pasadena Sportfishing Group will have its monthly meeting at 7: 30 p.m. Monday at the Orchard Beach fire hall on Solley Road.Bill Burton, Maryland Gazette outdoors columnist, will share tips and techniques for catching fish in the upper Chesapeake Bay.Burton "is very popular and knows the hot spots for fishing," said club spokesman Dave Nolan.Also, "the knife man" from B&B Knives will be there to sharpen knives in front of the fire hall.

Anchor Baptist Church to sponsor Bible schoolAnchor Baptist Church will sponsor a Vacation Bible School from 6: 30 p.m. to 8: 45 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church, 320 West Pasadena Road."

At the '90s version of Vacation Bible School, the traditional flannel boards and "I love Jesus" songs just don't seem to cut it anymore.In this era of sound-bite attention spans and schedules crammed with soccer practice and computer camp, Vacation Bible School leaders have found they have to innovate to compete.So they employ creative themes, such as the tropical-oriented "Sonlight Island" at Faith Lutheran Church in Eldersburg, where each session recently started with a song by a Christian rock band.

CHILDREN'S THEATER is coming to Sykesville in a big way this summer when Baldwin's Station and Pub plays host to two live theater performances by Duet Productions.The two-actor company is operated by Steve and Elise Seyfried and has gained a reputation for fine children's theater."Robin Hood," the first of the productions, uses action and visual storytelling to entertain. The presentation is aimed at children between the ages of 4 and 10, but is captivating enough to hold the attention of younger children.

TUESDAY WAS a night to celebrate small town life. New Windsor's streets and carnival grounds set the local scene for the national observance, America's Night Out Against Crime.At 7 p.m., in cities and towns across the United States, neighbors got together to reclaim their streets and show appreciation for law enforcement.New Windsor was tapped by the Maryland State Police to mark Carroll County's Night Out.Festivities began with a parade through town.Law enforcement officers and political figures from around the state, including Col. David B. Mitchell, state police superintendent, and Maryland Comptroller Louis L. Goldstein, promoted the safety of small towns.

SLOWLY, I was recouping the money I spent last spring on prom dresses, graduation parties and the other costs of having a high school senior.And then, BAM! It's time to send my daughter off to college, which will cost even more.We'll have to throw the equivalent of a bridal shower just to come up with the extras she needs to live in the dorm.We're talking a refrigerator, microwave, enough clothing so she won't have to do laundry until she can bring her dirty clothes home to me. Oh, and a huge laundry basket.

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS United Methodist Church, 110 Townsend Ave., is holding its vacation Bible school from 6: 30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 4 through 8. Classes will be available for adults and for children age 2 through sixth grade. Everyone can join in the crafts, fun, fellowship and refreshments.A vacation Bible school kickoff rally will run from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 3 at the church. Besides registering, you can sing, have refreshments and do crafts.Information: 410-789-3688.This week, Wonderful Wednesday, a time of fun and family fellowship, will run from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Magician Steve Gambrill will entertain.

TWO CONGREGATIONS at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center are teaming up to offer a vacation Bible school "where Jesus is the main attraction," says Daiva Orentas, one of the organizers.St. John Lutheran and St. John United Methodist-Presbyterian churches will sponsor the program, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 to 8 at the Interfaith Center.Children who have completed kindergarten through sixth grade may participate.The program is free and open to the public."We have a very exciting program," said Orentas, the coordinator at St. John Lutheran.

BRING NOODLES to the second Family Fun Night at the Hampstead pool from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.Noodles, the popular foam swimming toys, are essential for a series of water races planned by Heather King, pool manager.Family Fun Night includes 50-cent hot dogs and plenty of prizes for everyone. Every swimmer will leave with a pile of candy, courtesy of pool management.The first Family Fun Night last month was deemed a success. Lots of wet-and-wild contests were held. About 20 children dived for pennies and quarters.

OAKLAND MILLS Dolphins swim team coaches selected swimmers of the week -- based on attitude and effort.Melinda Sanders, Jaime Colvin and Carleen Sanders were named for the week of June 16.Becca Price, Neal Remington and David Johnston were named for the week of June 23.Nerissa Fischer, Ariel McCord and David Johnston (second time for David) were honored for the week of June 30.All the honored swimmers received gift coupons for the Crazy Ape Snowball Stand at Oakland Mills and Kilimanjaro roads.