Take a break. Turn off the television, switch the radio over to an all-music channel, and step outside into the spring warmth and let yourself forget there's a war going on - just for a little while.

On Saturday at 10 a.m., people in Andalusia and Covington County have the opportunity to hear about aerodynamics without hearing "stealth bomber' attached to it. Scud will refer to the action on the ramp, not the action overseas. And there will be cheers of victory with laughter, and no one walks away wounded. No one walks away without some sense of accomplishment.

Let the Boys Scouts take you away.

The local Scouts will be having their annual Pinewood Derby at the Mark Saxon Wise Boy Scout Hut on East Three Notch, demonstrating the products of their winter project. They will race against each other, they will test their own abilities, and above all, they will have a good time. Sounds good, doesn't it?

Commendations are in order for all of those who worked with these young men. Patience and perseverance are character traits that can only be taught by example, and the boys have had excellent examples to follow. Parental involvement and troop leader guidance will do much to shape the strengths of these boys. Community encouragement will also make its impression on their developing skills - social as well as physical.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts - both organizations do far more than teach youngsters how to crochet a pot holder or carve a little roadster out of pine wood. They teach independent thought at the same time they teach teamwork. They teach technical skills, planning, and follow- through. But above all, they teach children the merits of hard work - and the importance of having fun.

How many times have we told our children to turn off the TV and go outside and play? It's time to take our own advice.

Now it's time to let the children teach us the importance of taking a break.