Lower – 5-24-2006

col.lower.5.24.26 The kick-off to summer is just around the corner. Within the week we will be celebrating Memorial Day. Let us all remember that besides barbecues, fun at the beach, and store sales, it is a time of remembrance. Show your appreciation for our armed forces by attending one of the many events scheduled around the county to honor those who have served us so unselfishly. *** Warmer weather means Historic Cold Spring Village is open again, and admission is free this Saturday and Sunday for the annual Arts and Crafts show each day from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Stop by and stroll among the trees to look at the varied works sold by artisans and crafters. The country store, craft shop, restaurant, bakery and ice cream parlor will also be open, but no interpretive building during this event. The show is sponsored by Utsch’s Marina. *** Another seasonal opening is the Cape May Beach Sunday School on Clubhouse Drive between Elwood and Folsom avenues. It will start its 70th season with Miss Berniece McLaughlin leading the worship service Sunday at 9:30 a.m. It is non-denominational and everyone is welcome. Dress is casual and the building is handicap accessible. *** A busy day is planned at Cold Spring Presbyterian Church on Seashore Road June 3. From 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Its annual strawberry festival will be going on in Price Hall. Along with the strawberries, cake and ice cream, there will be a hot dog barbecue. While you munch on the good food you can check out the white elephants, plants, and the arts and crafts exhibit. It’s always a fun event. Later that day, the church will present gospel singer Ray Seemans at 7:30 p.m. in the church. Call 884-4065 for any more information or if you’d like to exhibit at the festival. *** Mark you calendar for June 1. It’s the annual Festival of Arts exhibit at our high school. If you want to see how talented our kids are, stop in between 7 to 9 p.m. and take a look at the woodworking, architectural drawings, fine art, computer art, fashion and design, baking, and photography projects that they have been working on all year. There’s also a Spring Swing jazz concert in the auditorium that night at 7 p.m. If you go to this show you’ll still have time to see the art. *** I want to commend all the students who took part in the high school’s Spring Concert May 17. Everyone did such a wonderful job and looked so professional on stage, you almost forgot that you were listening to students play. Thank you all for giving so much of your time in practice to give us such a fabulous show. I also want to thank John Drechen, Lisa Jurewicz, and Sandra Beane-Fox for their excellent leadership of the symphonic band, orchestra and choir concert, respectively. Their efforts have brought out the best in each of the young performers they work with. That was apparent from the beautiful music they shared with us. I also want to thank these teachers for picking out such fine musical pieces to share with us. They challenge the young musicians and singers and also challenged us as an audience to understand music as something more than a tune to hum. The richness of the pieces and the program notes for them was an educational experience for us all. I was moved and happy to be part of the audience. I am also proud that my daughter is part of this great group of kids who know how to work hard and what it means to do your best. Thanks to all of you and I’m sorry for those who missed the show. *** Have a happy and safe first weekend of the 2006 summer season. Don’t forget the sunscreen and plenty of quarters for the meters. Yes, it is that time of year too.