THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 10, 1995 TAG: 9503080182
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 09 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JANELLE LA BOUVE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Snow White waited offstage while her Prince Charming, wearing a jaunty feathered hat, asked for volunteers from the audience.
Seven energetic pre-schoolers, participants in Greenbrier Mall's Kids' Club, bounded to the stage to don the costumes of other characters in ``Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.''
``We need somebody to be Dumbo,'' said Greg Hardison, holding big ears attached like a pair of ear muffs.
With a big smile, Stephen Cosgrove, 4, consented to play the part. But after several minutes he changed his mind, laid the big ears aside and left the stage.
Cecily Wallace, 5, allowed a little makeup to be dabbed on each cheek, but then she, too, decided not to go through with the performance.
For the past four years, Greenbrier Mall has provided the free hour-long program for children ages 3-10. Kids' Club meets at 11 a.m and 6 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month.
In addition to the regular program, members are mailed packets of goodies for their birthdays.
``Kids' Club is a family-oriented educational-entertainment program for children,'' said Kim Wagner, marketing director at Greenbrier Mall. ``I think they enjoy the variety of programs. And the parents like it because their children don't get bored.''
Kids' Club has about 1,400 registered members, and more join every month.
``We usually have pretty good attendance,'' Wagner said. ``We have some regulars who attend every month, but we see new faces every month, too.''
In previous meetings, there have been visits from clown story tellers, a Wild Thing from the children's class ``Where the Wild Things Are,'' and Mr. Fitness from the YMCA, who explained the importance of proper nutrition and exercise.
The February meeting was Stephen Cosgrove's second.
``He was thrilled this morning when I told him we were going to Kids' Club,'' said his mother Sharon Cosgrove. ``Last time they had a clown and he couldn't wait to come back.''
``The first time we went, we saw Santa at Kids' Club,'' Michelle Nobles said. ``My son Anthony likes any kind of a show like this. It's a good program.''
Kay Wallace has been taking her daughter to Kids' Club for two years. On Valentine's Day, she picked Cecily up right after kindergarten so the child would be only a few minutes late.
``I hoped the clown would be here today,'' said Cecily.
``Mainly, this morning group of children are not yet attending school,'' said Greg Hardison, a professional clown who has played different characters during Kids' Club programs.
``At these meetings the children can learn to take instructions from someone other than their parents,'' Hardison said. ``It's a lot of fun. It's a great chance for parents, and it benefits the mall.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Stephen Cosgrove tries on the ears he wears as Dopey in ``Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs.''
by CNB