The Frog Prince
by Theresa M. Troescher
When Sandy Abell fashioned the “All About Frogs” trivia contest for Calvert County’s Southern Community Center, little did she know that she was about to come up against a frog expert.
Patuxent Elementary soon-to-be first grader Surjo Bandyopandhyay jumped right into her 15-question contest.
The six-year-old Surjo knows his frogs. Frogs slimy? Disgusting? Not likely, according to the frog fact champion.
“Frogs are amphibians,” he says. “They absorb water through their skin. Because of that, you can’t take them from the water or they die.” A good lesson to remember the next time you run across a frog.
Surjo’s own curiosity led him to explore frogs outside the classroom, so he knew most of the answers without having to look them up. Still, he double-checked every thing at the library.
“I used the books in the library to make sure. And my answers, they were right!” he says.
This frog prince even knows the difference between frogs and toads. “Frogs are smoother than toads and very fast swimmers. They have two sets of teeth in their upper jaws, too.”
This frog fan’s favorite species is the bullfrog. Bullfrogs, native to the east and central United States, are either a dull green color or brownish and vary from 3.5 to 6 inches.
“I like their croaks,” Surjo says. A bullfrog’s croak can be heard over half a mile away.
Frog Fact:
The world’s biggest frog is the Goliath frog from Cameroon in West Africa. They can reach one foot and weigh as much as a cat!
Feeling Froggy?
Frogs vs. Toads: True or False
Grab a pen and some paper, mark your answers, then click here to see how you did!
True False 1. All toads are frogs.
True False 2. Frogs live in the water while toads live mostly on land.
True False 3. Frogs are warty.
True False 4. Toads are better hoppers than frogs.
True False 5. Toads prefer drier climates.
True False 6. Frogs can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Brigadoon: Follow Talent Machine through the Fog
reviewed by Theresa M. Troescher
Through the thick Scotland mist, the high schoolers of Talent Machine Company bring you into the utopian village of Brigadoon in the musical Brigadoon.
Dreamer Tommy Albright (played by 2003 Catholic University of America freshman Andrew Sonntag) and cynic Jeff Douglas (Steve Love), lose their way in the highlands of Scotland and stumble upon a magical town that appears but once every 100 years. Tommy finds his soul mate in Fiona MacLaren (portrayed by musical theater major Kerry Deitrick) and must decide if love is worth risking everything.
The talented leads guide a bustling crowd —composed mainly of their peers — into their world of rousing songs and dances. Many young stars from the musical Camp Hawayah — among them that play’s lead Ross Koenig — take the stage with the elder cast. Elena Crall and Darren Biggart sparkle on stage as the happy bride and groom Jean MacLaren and Charlie Dalrymple, while the leads hush the audience with their tender words.
The musical leaves fans in high spirits, many singing the catchy tunes featured in the show as they leave. Alongside Tommy, the audience learns that miracles require faith But, if your love is strong enough, anything can happen.
Playing thru Aug. 17 at 7:30pm FSa plus Th Aug. 7; 2pm & 6:30pm Su; 2pm only Aug. 17 @ Key Auditorium on College St. at St. John’s College, Annapolis. $10 w/age discounts: 410/956-0512 • www.talentmachine.com.
Kids’ Stuff This Week
Saturday, August 9
Wildlife Walk
Kids ages 10+ join Ranger Steve on a search for park animals’ home food and tracks. 1pm @ Kinder Farm Park, Kinder Farm Park Rd., Millersville. free; rsvp: 410/222-6115 • www.kinderfarmpark.org.
Wednesday, August 13
Sun Safety
Kids ages 3-7 get a head start on healthy skin with a visit from health educators and mascot Alex the Alligator. Don’t miss out on the group sing-along too! 10am @ South County Branch Library, Deale-Churchton Rd., Deale. free; 410/222-7339.
Positive-ly Fun
Kids of all ages listen to Kidsinger Jim as he sings original music about vocabulary, careers and physical fitness. 10am @ Beach Elementary School, on the corner of 261 and Old Bayside Rd, Chesapeake Beach. free; rsvp: 410/257-1512.
