By James Buescher Maria Bachmann's parents had to make the most important decision of their lives during their lunch hour. The choice: stay in communist-controlled Hungary or defect and start a new life in America.

Their beards might be gray, but the music of the Black Eagles - from the ragtime of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton to the classic compositions of bandleader Duke Ellington - remains lively.

Charlton Heston spent the summer of 1948 at the Gretna Theatre in nearby Mount Gretna. Heston and his wife, Lydia Clarke, performed in repertory, working in about ten plays over a ten week period.

CONCERTS EDUCATION HYMNSING MISSIONARY ASSIGNMENT SPEAKERS WORSHIP GLENN GARBER will sing in an outdoor community gospel concert at Kinderhook Evangelical Congregational Church, 562 Kinderhook Road, Columbia, at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Hot dogs and other refreshments will be served.

By Weekend Staff What's new With four Grammy Award nominations under their collective belt, the group Plena Libre brings its Afro-Puerto Rican roots and big band sound to Long's Park at 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The free concert continues the park's weekly entertainment series.