This summer’s opening of Hitachi Rail’s next-gen factory brings more jobs, an expanded tax base, and yet another shot in the arm to the resurging Hagerstown and Washington County economy. “The overall economy in…

In early 2018, I asked Jay Gomberg, a former Philadelphia resident and poker buddy of mine, “Who has the best cheesesteak in Philadelphia, Pat’s or Geno’s?” His response, “Neither.” While Pat’s claims to be the…

The saying, “It takes a village,” often refers to people in a community helping children. The phrase also means the collective effort and community support of specific projects and that’s exactly the case for the…

Beyond local circles, the myth of the Snallygaster may be one of Maryland’s best-kept secrets. “I remember when I moved here and first heard about it, I was surprised,” says Ken Houldsworth, a resident of Middletown who hosts the…

In 2013 when Bill Gaertner was released from prison, he knew that he had more to give society. By 2014 he established Gatekeepers in Washington County with the goal of helping current and ex-offenders successfully transition back into…

Washington County might be best known for its abundant Civil War history sites, rolling farmland, railways, and industry, but in recent years it’s also become home to an impressive variety of international restaurants. From African fusion fare to…

Through the heart of Main Street in Boonsboro, Funkstown, Hagerstown, Clear Spring, and Hancock runs a road that carries the history of America in a way few of us recognize. It’s a road that goes by many names on its cross-country…

Our elder years shouldn’t be lonely, and retirement should be a time of life that is fun, exciting, and social. But after losing the schedule and friends that went along with a career, what initially feels like freedom can become bleak and…

It was sometime in 2020 that Naomi Pike hit rock bottom, mired in addiction and helplessly trying to figure out what would come next.“I had nothing, no one, nowhere else to turn to but God,” she recalls of that dark and…

My oldest daughter, who is close to being my clone, started school this year. It’s both an exhilarating and nerve-wracking time not just for her but me, too. There’s so much that’s new. So much that’s changing. So much that’s coming. She’s growing up, and…

As Washington County’s baby-boomers and leading-edge Gen-Xers advance into retirement, community support for seniors and their families is taking center stage. One local nonprofit is making a difference for those navigating the challenges of…

Along the scenic stretch of Main Street in Boonsboro stands a cherished piece of local history—Cronise Market Place and its companion shop, the Olde Homestead. With roots reaching back nearly a…

At a recent giveaway event through Senior Services Network, founder Paul Brown noticed something unusual. He had thousands of pounds in food and household supplies to give away, and he was…

More babies than usual were born at Meritus Medical Center in the fiscal year 2024, which might lead one to think Washington County is bucking the national trend toward lower birth rates. But officials say other factors likely…

In the midst of World War II two young men forged a friendship. One was a Native American named Albert “Al” Haschke from Nebraska. The other was Wilbur J. “Jack” Myers from Williamsport, Maryland. Both were members of the 692nd Tank Destroyer Battalion fighting in…

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is hitting a high note with the launch of the full-time Maryland Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), showing its deepening commitment to arts education across the region. MSYO is an audition-based ensemble for…

If the scent of garlic, peppers, and cilantro wafting through the doors of 10 East Washington Street doesn’t catch your attention, the warmth inside surely will. Owned and operated by husband-and-wife team Jeovanni and Yahaira Diaz, this cozy, colorful restaurant has…

The vintage military aircraft flying above Hagerstown this month will ring nostalgic for Hagerstown’s older generations and should pique the curiosity of younger generations. The old planes will fly in commemoration of Hagerstown’s aviation history, which is one of the…

When my son moved back from California last fall, he introduced me to pickleball. It’s not that I didn’t know about the sport, but I thought it was too the 2020s what the Hula-Hoop had been to the 1960s. I told him I’d give it a…

Cruise to the junction of Maugans Avenue and Maugansville Road and you’ll find a building crowned with a life-sized fiberglass steer. It's a landmark as recognizable as the savory scent of smoke drifting from the back of Holsinger’s Meats & Deli.