THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 12, 1996 TAG: 9605100178
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
Every minute or so, Elizabeth E. Call has something new to capture the attention of the toddlers in her class at River Crest Community Center.
``I have a special friend in my bag,'' she said, holding a puppet. ``Pedro the puppet hasn't been out in quite a while.''
While Pedro danced, Call and the children sang, ``If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands.''
The children marched around the room while the petite grandmother played several children's tunes. She seldom looked at the electronic keyboard. She even accompanied them while they played the rhythm sticks, jingle bells, small bells or sound blocks.
``I keep a weather eye out over the whole room,'' said Call, an independent contractor for the recreation department.
``If I see that some are getting restless, we move it along to avoid trouble,'' she said. ``If the children are having a good time, they are learning.''
During 45-minute sessions for toddlers and a group of 3- to 5-year-olds called ``My Buddy and Me,'' children have an opportunity to sing, march, paint, crawl through a fold-up tunnel and - their favorite - blow bubbles.
``With the children, I am interested in art and the creative process because it's something they seem to be comfortable with,'' she said. ``If you give them just a little bit of material, each child uses it in the way that is best suited to him or her.''
Call found working with her two young sons so interesting that she returned to college to earn a master of arts degree and became a certified teacher.
She always managed to find a job working with pre-schoolers even though her family moved around a lot.
This month she will retire to spend more time with her husband of 37 years.
Parents say they are sorry to see her go.
``Mrs. Call gives her all to the kids and takes everything seriously,'' said Sherrie Bates, whose daughter Jessica has been in one of Call's classes for two years. ``It comes from the heart. To find someone so devoted is rare. She's amazing.''
Call even remembers the children when she goes on vacation.
Mrs. Call collects Band-Aids and stickers for letters, which she sends the children, Bates said.
``She's great,'' said Christopher J. Robinson, a Parks and Recreation Department recreation specialist. ``She always brings new and innovative stuff for the kids. People love her. The children always want Mrs. Call's classes.''
Full name: Elizabeth E. Call
Hometown: Savannah, Ga.
Fond childhood memories: ``Growing up in Savannah in the spring with all of the the azaleas. My father was particularly good at taking us around and showing us the city.''
Spouse: Bayard M. Call
Children: Asheton and Charles
Occupation: Retired teacher
Hobbies: ``Baking bread and cookies, going to the beach and reading newspapers. We take three and I'm rather addicted to that.''
Last book read: ``A Memoir'' by Barbara Bush
Describe yourself as a color: ``Red. It's a happy color.''
If you could be any animal, what would it be? ``I would be a bird. Just to be able to fly off whenever you want to - it seems like that would be great.''
What irritates you the most? ``Someone cutting in front of me when I am going the posted speed.''
Favorite type of music: ``I like Dixieland jazz.''
Favorite movie: ``The Sound of Music''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``I tend to procrastinate when it comes to little jobs around the house. I can always find ways to put that off. That needs to change.''
Favorite TV program: ``60 Minutes''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Red Lobster
Favorite way to spend a day: ``Going to the beach.''
What would you choose for a last meal? ``Fajitas. I'd just stir up all the meat and other ingredients myself.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
by CNB