Rotary helps out Eclipse ballfield

Members of the North Suffolk Rotary Club found a community project they could really get their hands around. Dugouts for Willis Field on Eclipse Drive were a dream of Pastor Carl LeMon of Ebenezer United Methodist Church. The ballfield yearned for an upgrade, and in December, Rotary Club members came through with benches and fencing. Most of these Rotary professionals were a bit dubious of their do-it-yourself skills, but members Andy Brooks and Tom Conway successfully coordinated and supervised. Church and neighborhood players alike will be much safer this spring thanks to their handiwork.

Two royal princes are lurking in our midst. John Yeates Middle School eighth-graders Colin Hare and Brendan Parker are part of the entourage in Lyric Opera Virginia’s presentation of “The King and I.” There were performances earlier this month at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach and Landmark Theater in Richmond. The final performances are this weekend at the Ferguson Center in Newport News. Colin and Brendan are part of the 120 local kids portraying the King of Siam’s expansive offspring; but they are also part of the royal elite. The governess Anna will be performed by Lisa Vroman of “Phantom of the Opera” fame. We’re looking forward to Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved music, and seeing how Lyric Opera is expanding its audience base and creating another generation of music lovers.

Linda Bunch, executive director of the Suffolk Art League, sent out notice this week of the Chip Picot Memorial Student Scholarship. Unlike most scholarships that are intended for college or university use, this scholarship is available to any Suffolk student entering grades 6 through 12 next year. Up to $1,500 will be awarded for students to pursue their interest in visual, literary or performing arts. Scholarship money may be used for taking classes or lessons, buying materials, instruments or equipment or attending workshops or conferences. Applications are due April 27. Talk to a guidance counselor, arts teacher or call the art league office at 925-0448 for forms and details.

Everyone has probably played telephone at one time or another; granted the format has changed a bit over time, but the general idea is the same. Verbal communication generally gets mutilated in the passing from one person to another, often with hilarious results in a game-like situation. English and public speaking teacher Linda Gregory from King’s Fork High School has taken the old game to a new level. Student teams received eight Lego pieces and were instructed to build a widget of some sort. Once assembled, the next task was to write instructions so a different set of students could build an identical widget. Guess what? Teams needed multiple attempts at both writing and following instructions. This seems so easy, but can be so complicated. Try this concept at home; you’ll see how often what you think and what others interpret are so very different.

Do you have a story to share about yourself, a family member or neighbor? Please let me know at k.billue@charter.net so I can spread your news to Your Corner!

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.