THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603220221
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Eric Feber
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Cheri V. Beardsley's first-grade class at Georgetown Primary School welcomed a visitor passing through the city.
His name is Popsicle. He's a white, lovable teddy bear, sporting a snazzy backpack and small hat. A note accompanying Popsicle identified him as ``one of a herd of adventurous bear travelers.''
Popsicle hails from Karen Davis' first-grade class in the Valle Lindo School in Camarillo, Calif. The snow-white bruin arrived with a note from Davis' class stating he's part of a dynamic geography lesson.
So far Popsicle has been to Toronto, Canada; Nashville, Tenn.; as well as Indiana, Florida and Nebraska.
Chesapeake resident Debbie Loe received Popsicle in the mail from an acquaintance. Loe, in turn, dropped him off at Georgetown Primary School.
``I thought it would be neat that other kids in the same grade can enjoy him and then send him off to somewhere else,'' Loe said.
The idea is to stuff Popsicle's little backback with letters and postcards to the children at the California school. Usually a parent of a student or friend of the teacher sends him off either via the mail or with a traveler flying out of town. Whoever gets Popsicle, like some fuzzy chain letter, should send one of the postcards in his backpack (or letter or any other type of correspondence) back to the school and then find a way to send him off to another locale.
``We're going to pinpoint on a map all of the place he's visited, so far,'' Beardsley said. ``It's a neat way to teach kids geography. When I presented him to my children they had so many questions about where he came from, who sent him off, who came up with the idea and many others.''
So far Popsicle has visited most places via the mail, but Beardsley and Loe hope to hook the bear up with a plane leaving the area. A note in his backpack asked that Popsicle be sent back to California during the week of May 6-10 so the school can plan a grand coming-home party for him.
Popsicle's backpack contained a log of his travels and postcards to send back to the Valle Lindo School along with a newspaper clipping and coin from Canada and a ticket and college keychain from a college football game he attended in Indiana. His hat was festooned with the pins of states and cities he's visited. Women finally allowed
It finally happened, the Great Bridge Ruritan Club will now include women in its membership.
The historic meeting took place last Tuesday at Oak Grove Methodist Church. With the club president Carl Salesky presiding, the men ate a dinner prepared by the Oak Grove United Methodist women. Then, the assembled membership introduced their wives as prospective members.
Jeanette Canterbury, one of the first women inducted into the Deep Creek Ruritan Club, spoke to the membership that evening about her own experiences.
``She stated that she started with the Ruritans as a child going with her father to club functions,'' said Jim Earley, past president, club membership committee chairman and club reporter.
The Ruritans voted unanimously last month to include women in its previously all-male membership, Earley said.
``For many years, the Great Bridge Ruritans have recognized that the ladies who are friends of our club have been responsible in many ways for the success we all have experienced,'' said Bill Lewter, 20-year member, current club director and a former president.
Earley said any women interested in joining the club can be inducted into the membership at any meeting.
He said the inclusion of women will only help the club's community service work.
``Club members have a lot of fun and realize a lot of satisfaction in knowing that we are helping our neighbors and friends,'' Earley said.
Formed in 1935, the club has received many regional and national awards through the years It has sponsored a number of local clubs, including the Hickory, Indian River and Knott's Island Ruritan organizations.
Any women interested in pioneering female membership in the Great Bridge Ruritan Club should call 482-7667, 436-2926 or 482-4067. ILLUSTRATION: Drawing by Mark Carey
The subject of this week's scene is located back of the Kilian farm
house at 737 Great Bridge Blvd., which was featured in last week's
drawing. The barn has stabled horses for years, but now there is
only one left. Enjoy this scenery while you can. Living history is
becoming harder to find.
by CNB