The Heartbeat of Senior Living
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…
Hagerstown Meets Hollywood
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…
Learning Curve
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…
Caring for Caregivers
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…
Rooted in Tradition
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…
Here to Help
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…
Is Washington County Experiencing a Baby Boom?
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…
Duty and Honor
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…
Music to Our Ears
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…
A Taste of Puerto Rico
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…
A Century of Aviation History
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…
Quite the Pickle
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…
All in the Family
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.
Exploring the Beauty of Greenbrier State Park
Last summer, more than 500,000 visitors enjoyed swimming, camping and hiking at Greenbrier State Park. Ranger Emily Bard talks about the park’s history and its amenities.
Time for Wine
Maryland’s wine industry may date to the mid-17th century when records show that Frenchman Tenis Palee tried to make wine with indigenous grapes, but the trajectory of the state’s wine scene remained flat for the next…
A Dream Fulfilled
When Rachel Roupe was growing up in Sharpsburg, her father and a couple of his friends started a softball league to give young girls an opportunity in sports. Roupe took to the sport, loved it, and excelled as she…
Eliminating a Food Desert
Imagine not having easy access to a gallon of milk, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, and protein options. This is a reality for millions of people in many parts of the country, even here in some neighborhoods of Hagerstown. City residents are…
From Hagerstown to the Stars
Paul Beard started building resonator guitars in a Hagerstown basement 40 years ago. At that time, he wasn’t setting out to build a business. Instead, he was setting out to make music. Today, Beard Guitars has grown into…
Centennial Celebration
What today is a sprawling, serpentine lake covering 3,900 acres in Garrett County and serving as a recreational and economic hub was, in the early 20th century, a rural valley of farms, homes and schools, resembling much of the rest of…