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by CherylTranchitena staff writer

The 21st birthday is the birthday that is the most memorable and sometimes the hardest to remember. People celebrate their 21st in all different ways. A lot of people rent out buses out and load them up with their friends and hop from bar to bar. Others go out with a small group of friends, mostly because they are one of the first to turn 21, like junior Kate McDonald. "I like how I went out with a small group of people since I am one of the first people to turn 21 and not everyone could go out," McDonald said.

There are a number of ways to celebrate the big 21. A popular place to go is Atlantic City, N.J. with some friends, rent a room and gamble. Some people get a stripper or go to nightclubs. Most people said that if their birthday lands on a day while they were in school then they tend to go to the bars. In retrospect others said that if their birthday landed on a day that was not during school they would have a big house party so all of their friends could be there to celebrate the occasion. "I would like to go to the bar on my birthday and then have a house party so all of my friends could be there since not all of them are 21 yet," junior Jenna Marquardt said. Jessica Leahy, a sophomore, already has her day planned out as well. "On the day of my birthday I will go ·out with my friends from home to the bar. And another night I will get together with friends from school and go to the bar," Leahy said.

Senior Erin Crawford celebrated her 21st birthday this past Sept. 9, 2001 shakin' her groove thing with the band at Maggie O'Neil's in Drexel Hill.

These are only some of the ways our generation either celebrated or plans to celebrate their 21st. Step back into our parents' generation and think about how they celebrated. "Since I was married at the age of 18 and was pregnant with my first child at 21, I really could not go out and do the whole bar thing. My husband threw me a surprise party and I loved it and do not feel like I missed out on anything," Marianne Tranchitella said.

Dr. Arthur Young also had a memorable 21st. He actually had four celebrations. "The

by CherylTranchitella staff writer

A box of chocolates in a heartshaped box, a dozen of long-stem red roses, the kiss-kiss bears and jewelry. All of these things are the ritual Valentines gifts. If you really care about your special someone maybe a homemade gift from the heart would be a nice touclr, not to mention a surprise.

One idea for you fellas is to maybe make your lady dinner instead of taking her out to eat. Along with the candle light dinner you could play a burnt CD that you made for your man squeeze of their favorite songs.

As for gifts there are two really nice stores to ch~ck out. The first one is Things Remembered in the King of Prussia plaza, where you can buy anything from jewelry boxes to picture frames. An extra service that would make your gift extra special is engraving. The other store of choice would be That Personal Touch in the King of Prussia court, where •you can have picture books, memories books and scrapbooks personalized.

Instead of getting long-stem red roses get her favorite flowers and on each stem attach a piece of paper with a loving or happy memory you each shared together. This goes for you too girls. Guys do like to receive flowers also.

The huge box of· chocolates is very cliche, guys. A better idea would be to go buy some fruit, nuts and anything else that would taste good dipped in chocolate. Melt the chocolate, dip the fruit, or what ever you choose half way into the chocolate and lay it on wax paper. Then put it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or until the chocolate is hardened.

If your honey likes stuffed animals, there is always Build a Bear in the King of Prussia plaza. Instead of picking out a prerecorded voice or sound, record your own voice to add that little extra sentimental touch.

If you plan on giving a piece of jewelry to your girl then go right ahead, this never gets old. Maybe be creative on the approach of giving it to lier. Some ideas are to put it around the flowers you give her, or a stuffed animal's neck, arm, or finger.

You could also have flowers delivered to her house and later on stop by with a poem you wrote and had framed for her. Or if you like to draw or paint go crazy, mat and frame it for your loved one. Do not forget the card. Take time to make it yourself instead of giving a sto_re bought card. Get some ideas from the store cards and write and design your own. If you are not that creative record yourself on what you would like to say to your loved one and mail it just as you would a card.

Even though Valentines Day is known as a "Hallmark" holiday it is still special to couples. All of these things would be made from the heart. No one said they have to be perfect. It is just sweet that one would take the time out to make something with their own hands instead of just buying something. All of these tips also go for you too, girls. Valentines day is a couple thing. Show you care.