The Star-Democrat from Easton, Maryland • Page 21

Eastern Shore Calendar, p. 2 Nature Notes, p. 5 Crossword, p.3 Kids Page, p. 4 Niki Scott, p. 5 Santa Interview, p.

6 unda The Sunday Star Sunday, November 29, 1992 -Or IMA i I V'. is i This original 1959 Barbie, from the collection of Rose VV. Doster and Roxane Doster Watts, featured painted lips and nails, heavy eyeliner, pierced ears and rooted Saran hair. Photos by Roxane Doster Watts Ken, Allen and Christie dolls from the recent wedding collection with Barbies dolls areJrom the collections of editors Gail Dean, Angie Price and Barbara Sauers. Mattel introduces a new theme doll every year.

WHAT A sJill reigns as America golden girl a- A 7 tit' doll. Barbie will never be tied down with a husband, kids, a mortgage or a steady job. "I think fashion is a hie Dart of Barbie's popularity. Girls see that older girls and women are interested in clothes and Barbie gets them in on the fun," Laremy said. That's a reasonable explanation for girls' interest in Barbie.

But W11J UU UUU1L WUU1C1I SUU 1UUIV I Barbie with affection even after 1 uuiei iuys die lung luiguueii: Some will say that Barbie dolls are valuable collectibles. Not a bad excuse considering an origi nal Barbie was recently sold at auction for $5,000. But women keep their Barbie's for sentimental reasons, too. Barbie represents life that is full of fun and devoid of responsibilities. Barbie never has transmission trouble, an overdraft or runs in her pantyhose, and she has never spent a Friday night in front of the television with her boyfriend and 10 of his best beer buddies.

Real life has drudgery and disappointments, two things that do not exist in Barbie's world. Keep a Barbie and keep the memory of a little girl's vision of the future. 1 -C i i- 4n APLdMfphofo Barbie By MARCIE ALVARADO Entertainment Editor Hard to believe, but Barbie America's golden girl is nearly 34 years old and still reigns as one the country's favorite toys and is Mattel's top-selling product. Requests for Barbie dolls and accessories no doubt will top mas lists this year as they have for the past 30 years. Mattel put Barbie on the market in 1959 and the doll has consistently been a top seller ever since.

Last year, Barbie sales earned Mattel $840 million, according to Lisa McKendall, marketing communications manager for Mattel in Los Angeles. Barbie, with her size 4 derriere and double bustline, is about the same today as she was in 1959, but the company has put her through four significant makeovers in the last three decades. The original Barbie, based on Bridget Bardot, was sexier and more sophisticated than today's perky version. The doll had the trademark mane of golden hair, but she wore heavy eye makeup and a pout. hair controversy is the one that stumps designers, McKendall said.

In 1972, Ken appeared with a fluffy dark mop that made him look like teen idol Bobby Sherman. The Mod Hair Ken came with several silly looking hair pieces and. facial hair attachments. For the last couple of years Ken's hair has been blond and molded. Mattel issued a Totally Hair Ken this year, the '90s version of the Mod Hair Ken.

The idea behind the new doll is to subject Ken to combings and styling gel applications. One thing that hasn't changed over time is the Barbie mystique. Little girls carry their Barbies to church and take them on camping trips. Barbies hold places of honor on toy shelves. "Girls love Barbie because she is always changing to keep up with the times.

She is never behind. In a lot of ways, Barbie is a mirror of what little girls are thinking about and how they view the world around them," McKendall said. But even women who have long since outgrown their toys are fascinated with Barbie. They use i j.f) 'is Also pictured is the 1962 Ken holidays and niece's birthdays as an excuse to see what Barbie is up to. The perennial party girl, Barbie is always living the single life to the fullest.

Whether she's decorating a house, tooling around in a sports car or hanggliding she is enjoying herself After 30 years, Barbie can still switch from being a teen-age girl to living the life of a working woman in her 20s without batting an eye. McKendall said that the toy company has been careful not to assign a specific age to Barbie. With outfits from a cheerleader's uniform to a blue power suit, a girl can make Barbie any age she wants. Barbie's best friend Midge and Ken's best friend Allen were officially married by Matell, McKendall said, adding that we shouldn't expect to see Barbie walking down the aisle. "Barbie was the maid of honor at Midge's wedding and we have bridal accessories for Barbie, but that's as far as it goes," McKendall said.

"Barbie will never get married because it would ruin the fantasy." McKendall made a key point. r- i 'i: Brian's story is one bob. Barbie is no slouch either she has a good conduct medal and an Operation Desert Storm medal. The military dolls have been issued for each of the four service branches with approval from the Pentagon, McKendall said. This Christmas, Barbie is driving a pink Porsche with car phone and has a new folding house, according to McKendall.

Girls will also be requesting Barbie puppies and kittens this year. Linda Laremy, of Crackerjack's children's store in Easton, predicted that Roller Blade Barbie will be a big seller this holiday season. This Barbie comes with snazzy skates and a white leather shorts outfit. Totally Hair Barbie, which McKendall said may go down in history as the company's top selling version of the doll, is a favorite this year and includes Dep styling gel. But Barbie's most important accessory since 1961 has been her boyfriend Ken.

Passive, patient Ken. The guy who doesn't have any interests of his own. Mattel has put Ken through changes over the years to keep up with his trendy' girlfriend. The running flocked versus molded of hope old father of two. The liver forestalled death in a 20-year-old col-lege students One oLBrian's kidneys went to a teacher who had been on dialysis for five years.

The other kidney went to a young wife and mother of three youngsters. Brian's eyes were removed so that his corneas could restore sight to two blind people. His donated skin helped save the life of a severely burned baby. Bone from Brian's legs and hips was removed so that a 14-year-old boy would not have to undergo amputation of a leg due to bone cancer and another child's severely deformed face could be reconstructed by a plastic surgeon. From this single tragedy came additional years of life, new health and new hope for nine of Brian's fellow humans and for nine American families.

Dear Readers: This is a wonderful opportunity to ask you once more to become organ donors. Please write The Living Bank, P.O. Box 6725, Houston, Texas 77265, if you want more information, and be sure to request a donor registration form. (A dollar or two to help defray costs would be greatly appreciated.) Gem of the Day: We spend the first six years teaching our children to walk and talk, and the next 15 telling them to shut up and sit down. V1992 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.

McKendall said after some research, the company issued a younger, more wholesome Barbie in 1968. The new doll wore less makeup, had wide eyes and a smile. In 1979, Barbie appeared with a rounded face and a cheeky smile. McKendall said that some additional changes were made again in 1989 to celebrate Barbie's 30 years on the market. Barbie's hair has been available in two shades of blond, deep chocolate brown and titian.

McKendall said two blondes are usually sold for every one Barbie with dark or auburn hair. Barbie dolls have been issued with a variety of vocations and avocations as themes ranging from rancher to flight attendant. Barbie has never been an accountant or a mortician, though. There will, at some point, be a "Barbie, M.D." She'll probably be a plastic surgeon specializing in liposuction and silicone breast implants. The doll has also branched out to the military, and this year Mattel issued Marine Corps Barbie, the last of its Stars and Stripes line.

Barbie the sergeant is in dress uniform and sports a chin-length Ann Landers functions have permanently ceased. Breathing was mechanically maintained with a respirator and his heart continued to beat. Brian's parents and his older brother were grief-stricken, but the story does not end here. The nurse in the intensive care unit knew that everything possible had been done to save the boy's life. She suggested to his parents that a positive result could come out of this family tragedy if they would give permission to donate Brian's healthy organs and tissues to others in great need.

Both mother and father agreed. The thought that something good might come out of the tragedy gave them a large measure of comfort. Brian's parents signed the permission form to disconnect the life-support system. Within hours skilled surgical teams removed his organs and tissues and sped them on to waiting recipients. Brian's heart went to a 35-year- Dear Ann Landers: I know you reach millions of people, and that is why I'm writing.

This message can mean the difference between life and death to a great many people. i was iremenaousiy movea Dy this story and know that you will be, too. I'm hoping and praying that you will help by printing it in your column. Thanks for your consideration. A Faithful Reader in Hayward, Calif.

Dear Faithful: I appreciate the opportunity to share this touching message with my readers. Bless you for sending it on. Here it is, reprinted with permission from the Michigan Eye-Bank and Transplantation Center: The Story of Brian The death of someone we love is one of the hardest things we will ever have to face. In the consuming grief that follows, it is extremely difficult to imagine that anything positive could possibly result. Consider the case of Brian, a 17-year-old lad who loved baseball and his 10-speed bicycle.

One evening last spring, Brian was struck by a car while riding home from school. He was rushed to the emergency room with severe head injuries. Emergency surgery was performed, but later that night Brian was, declared "brain dead." Brain death is a condition in which all indications of brain They 're uncon Troll' able Four-year-old Troll collector Cory Schlotzhauer of Lancaster, is surrounded by this year's hot collectibles. A resurgence of these popular little dolls has resulted in an abundance of Trolls popping up on the shelves as merchants stock up for the Christmas rush..