This weekend, 200 folks who live, work or go to school in our fair Camellia City are going to wing their way to the Big Apple. There are hopes of winning some great prizes, showing off talents on national TV, and just plain enjoying the experience of a lifetime, as part of ABC-TV’s &uot;My Kind of Town.&uot;

And, yes, I am part of the group, as is my cohort, Regina Grayson. And I think it’s going to be a great experience.

We’ll start in Greenville at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday. After a briefing at the high school, the group will board a bus to Montgomery, where we’ll catch a chartered flight to NYC. We’ll tape the show in the Big Apple, and then get flown back home.

No doubt it’ll be one long, tiring day. I’m sure I’ll wish I were a couple of decades younger (and I won’t say exactly how many pounds lighter) before it is over. (They don’t make a crash diet that works that quickly.)

I’ve fretted over what to wear (I’ve settled on my favorite blue hat; it’s deciding what to wear with &uot;ole blue&uot; that’s the sticking point).

I’ve already picked up some new foundation makeup that’s supposed to be fatigue fighting and downright &uot;infallible&uot; (promises, promises) for our New York marathon.

Nevertheless, middle-aged and non-pleasingly plump though I may be, I look forward to this trip; I want good things for my hometown and I relish this opportunity for others to discover what a great place Greenville and Butler County are.

We’ve already been paid many compliments by the production staff on what a lovely town Greenville is, and how nice and hospitable the people are here. Of course, this comes as no surprise to us: we know this is a special place, &uot;our kind of town.&uot;

Now, we have a chance to share that fact with millions of people across the nation. How cool is that, folks?

When I chaperoned a group of students to Europe a few years ago, I reminded them we were all unofficial ambassadors, representing our town, county, school, state, and nation. We all leave either a good or bad taste in the mouths of others by how we conduct ourselves.

Sure, there are those who tend to stereotype southerners in some very negative ways.

However, if you don’t speak and act in an ignorant manner, but you show you do have some manners, intelligence and a sense of humor, I’ve found most people will respond positively to you.

I see our selection for this show as a golden opportunity for those who are part of &uot;My Kind of Town&uot; to make a favorable impression on the NYC production crew, on America, and, for that matter, on each other.

I hope to see you fellow travelers Friday night at the reception at Cambrian Ridge. God bless!

Angie Long is the lifestyles reporter for the Greenville Advocate

and can be reached at 383-9302, ext. 132 or via email at angie.long@greenvilleadvocate. com