Or a Flat Bee Holly and Ivy to Deck the Halls
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O X CD 'C U en s» m O cn > co rz 00 CD 73 Friday, December 12,1997 To B flat — or a flat bee Literal-minded Amelia Bedelia finds new creator By Lisa Tarriff The Packet Group Ask her to draw the drapes, and she will puil out a pencil and paper. Ask her to dress a chicken, and she'll go searching for pants that fit. She is Amelia Bedelia, the fictional maid created by Peggy Parish, who has been de- lighting children since 1963. "She does exactly what you tell her to do," said Herman Parish, the creator's neph- ew and a resident of Skillman. For the last two years, Mr. Parish has worked to keep Amelia Bedelia — and his aunt's memory — alive. Ms. Parish is the author of a dozen books about the literal-minded maid and her em- ployers, the Rogers. In each book, Mrs. Rog- ers gives Amelia Bedelia a list of chores to do, and Amelia Bedelia takes the jobs literal- ly. For example, asked to put out the lights, she hung them on a clothes line. Asked to separate the eggs, she put one behind the clock and another on a shelf. And she won- dered if she should take her shoes off to "run over the tableclodi with an iron." Photo by Mark Czajkowski When Ms. Parish died in 1988 at the age A set of 90 Beanie Babies, including some retired ones, will be raffled to of 61, Mr. Parish and his sister took over the job of answering their aunt's mail. They raise funds for charity. found it difficult to tell the children that Amelia Bedelia had died with her creator. "Kids kept asking about new books, pitching ideas, asking what Amelia Bedelia would do next," Mr. Parish said. "It was dif- ficult telling them that their favorite character had died." Mr. Parish said he received offers from children's authors to keep Amelia Bedelia alive, but the flighty maid had become part of the family. '"It would have been like losing my aunt twice to let someone else take over Amelia tearing Express raffles Beanie Babies Bedelia," he said. So Mr. Parish, an advertising executive in to raise funds for two women shelters New York, decided to try his hand at writing children's books. His first book, "Good Driv- Learning Express of Franklin Park will named after Grateful Dead musician Jerry ing, Amelia Bedelia," was published in 1995. Garcia). hold a drawing on Saturday, Dec. 20 for a "Bravo, Amelia Bedelia" was published set of Beanie Babies to benefit two wom- The Beanies are on view in the store, earlier this year. Both books are illustrated by Photo by Mark Czajkowski en's shelters, the Resource Center for sitting in an aquarium, and the raffle tick- Lynn Sweat, who also illustrated his aunt's Women in Somerset and Women Aware ets ;-re %\ each. So far, Mr. and Mrs. books." ; :• " ' '"•""••.':': •"- ' • • •.-•• ••• Siiiman resident Herman Parish couldn't• bring-himsetf to tell fans-that-Amelia Shelter of New Brunswick. All proceeds Mangels have sold 200 tickets in three In "Good Driving," Amelia Bedelia goes Bedelia was through when his aunt, Peggy Parish, the character's creator, died. from the sale of raffle tickets wiJl go to the days, and with the Christmas shopping sea- looking for a crossroad, "but they all look So he took over writing the books himself. shelters, which will use the funds to pro- son upon us. they expect sell hundreds very nice." A flat tire brings a tow truck, but vide programs for children of the women more before the drawing. Amelia says she has plenty of toes. And Mr. Parish's aunt, who lived and taught alogue. For example: in crisis. But why did they choose to donate the when told to look for a fork in the road, she third grade in New York City while writing Mark and Monica Mangels, owners of funds to women's shelters? They con- "Bear left!" shouted Mr. Rogers. believes the road is littered with silverware. her books, would write longhand in pencil. Learning Express, have been collecting ducted a survey among their customers, So Amelia Bedelia made a sharp turn... to In "Bravo, Amelia Bedelia," she decided When she needed a break, she would go into the right. one of every style of Beanie Babies since asking to name a charity that the store that an electric fan is a perfect wind instru- her garden. "Amelia Bedelia!" shouted Mr. Rogers. their store opened a year ago. They set could help. The women's shelters won and ment. Told so play her triangle lower, she sat these Beanies aside with a plan to raffle Beanie Babies were the perfect choice for on the floor. And she decided a flat bee was "She spent as much time in a garden as Why did you turn right?" them off for some cause to benefit children the fund-raising. just as good as a B flat — homonyms with she did writing," Mr. Parish said. "If she got "Because." said Amelia Bedelia, "you in the area. "We fell that we've done so well with humor. stuck, she went out and planted some beans warned me about the bear." Beanie Babies, manufactured by Ty ihe Beanies, and we wanted to return "I was looking for places my aunt hadn't or something. But the character was so much "What bear?" asked Mr. Rogers. Inc., are much-sought-after collectible something to the community, "Mr. Mange- gone yet," said Mr. Parish, who said he is like my aunt. She took things literally too." "You said there was a bear on the left," plush creatures. They fit in the palm of ls said. working on several new books. Mr. Parish, the father of tiiree children — said Amelia Bedelia. your hand and are filled with a bean-like Learning Express is a specialty toy But he wouldn't talk too much about the Stan, 14, Phillip, 10, and Margaret, 6 — also "There was no bear!" veiled Mr. Rogers. material that makes them very cuddly. The store that provides products which foster works in progress. "I just have a lot of ideas," writes his first drafts longhand, on a train on "I said bear left." popularity of these toys has reached mania- learning and creativity, while offering a he said. "It's bad luck to say what they are." the way to work. It is not until the final edit- "Oh," said Amelia Bedelia. "If I'd known level, and the goal of many children is to friendly atmosphere that invites parents Now that he has started looking for puns, ing stages that he uses a computer. that the bear had left, I would not have collect the entire series — Ty periodically and kids to relax, browse and try out the he has found them ail over the place. When He said his books are more "physical" turned right." retires Beanies and introduces new ones. merchandise. he hears one, he takes out a notebook and than his aunt's. In his aunt's books, Mrs. Mr. Parish said he receives almost as "They have a retail value of over The Franklin Park store is one of 79 writes it down. Rogers would give Amelia Bedelia a "to do" much mail from children as his aunt did, and $700," said Mr. Mangels. Learning Express franchises across the "It's a little annoying," he admitted. list, and "let her run amok." many people do not realize the books have a "If you were going to sell the whole country. The company is based in Groton, "Someone will say something and I'll whip In "Bravo." Amelia falls into a base drum new author. set, I bet you could get over $5,000. We're Mass., where it began in 1987 as a fund- out a notebook like I'm Sherlock Holmes or and rolls around the orchestra — her version "Which is fine with me." he said. "It's a hoping to generate more than that from the raiser for a local nursery school. something." of a drum roll. "Good Driving" uses more di- real compliment." drawing." The 90-piece set includes many For more information on the Beanie of the retired Beanies, including Chops Babv drawing, call Mr. or Mrs. Manaels at (the lamb) and Garcia ( a tie-dyed bear (732)398-0707. Holly and ivy to deck the halls 'Getting Away with Murder' staged in Kingston and 'A Christmas Carol' served in Bucks County By Stuart Duncan has no such obstacles, so he manages to court The Packet Group audience women as well as cast members. While no one was watching, the murder The maitre d', Hans Zoff, is clearly from the mystery craze, which began in pockets of old country, but has quickly adapted to new Pennsylvania, has crept into New Jersey. The customs. It is evident that he has donned" his latest site for monthly meetings of the genre gay apparel even before the holiday season. is Good Time Gharley's Restaurant in Kings- As is customary, the guests are given a ton. choice of roast beef, fish (in this case, scrod, Jim and Susan Hewitt, who already run nicely prepared) or a chicken dish. tremendously successful productions at the The service is prompt, courteous; bever- Cock *n Bull in Peddlers Village (that's in ages are available, but not within the other- Lahaska, Pa.) and at-Fishers Restaurant in wise all-inclusive price. The wine selection at Bensaiem, Pa., will be mounting the myste- Good Time Charley's, however, is more than ries.