THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503030135
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
J.G. Schultz doesn't play favorites when it comes to the 63 exhibits at the new Children's Museum of Virginia.
The part-time museum guide likes ``all 63.''
``That's my problem, I'm versatile,'' she said.
But if being versatile is a problem, more people would want Schultz's ``problems.''
She's an accomplished seamstress who makes period costumes and can perform dances from the Middle Ages. She crochets, knits and is well-versed in the lost art of spindling. She's heavily involved in re-enactments and is a regular in the Olde Towne Lantern Tours, the Olde Towne Ghost Walk and the city's Civil War Day.
When she's not in costume, Schultz is one of 13 part-time guides at the Children's Museum. The Norfolk resident was in the first group of guides to be hired last fall.
``Due to my interest in Portsmouth and all of my volunteer work, I knew first-hand when the museum was opening, I knew it was coming, I knew it was being built,'' she said, ``so it was more or less like I was sitting there waiting for the doors to open!''
Prior to the museum's grand re-opening in December, all of the guides were required to participate in a two-week training period - more like fun than work, she said.
``Being a researcher, anything to do with any kind of education, training or learning, I enjoy,'' she said.
The best thing about the job, she said, is the teaching aspect of it.
``It doesn't matter if they're a young child or an older adult, I firmly believe the exhibits are there for hands-on,'' Schultz said.
After three months of ``kid noise,'' it's a miracle that Schultz still has her sanity.
``Being a child at heart, never growing up, I can just tune it out,'' she said. ``I'm like Mary Poppins. I just tune out the noise and work with the child.''
Name: J. G. Schultz
Nickname: Layde Jay
Number of years in Portsmouth: Have worked and volunteered eight-plus years
Birthplace: Buffalo, New York
Birthday: Jan. 19
Occupation: Museum guide
What other job than your own would you like? Zoologist
Marital Status: Single
Children: None
Fondest childhood memory: Weekend camping and fishing at Honeoye Lake, New York, with family and maternal grandparents
First concert: Johnny Cash, early '70s, Niagara Falls, New York
What song or book title best describes your life? Song: Star Trek's classic theme; books: ``Mary Poppins'' and ``Time Machine''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Purchase undeveloped land, for example, in West Virginia
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Enoch (Old Testament) to ascend into outer space to experience the wonderment; Gen. C. E. Mundy Jr. of the U.S. Marine Corps to submit a proposal on why the U.S. needs to beef up its military defense; Handsome Lake (an Iroquois Seneca prophet) to spread the ``Gaiwiio'' (good word)
Biggest accomplishment: Proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps
Most embarrassing moment: If it's embarrassing, I sure do not want the public to know.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Nothing. I like the way I am and what my beliefs are. My standards are high.
Perfect way to spend the day: Not having to be anywhere at any time.
I can't resist: Giggling when one of my family members gets hurt.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Brown family eatery
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Cradock branch library
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Unity
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Living history
Economic prosperity
Peace
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about Portsmouth? Historical value ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOSEPH JOHN KOTLOWSKI
by CNB