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…

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…

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Sheehy subaru of Hagerstown visited Lasting Change, a local organization dedicated to helping women overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. As part of this…

The intersection of the National Pike and Washington Street in downtown Hagerstown a century ago was often a place of confusion. The area known as the Public Square accommodated the…

Ellen Fowler cared very much for how her final resting place would be tended to after she died. One of the earliest burials in Halfway African American Cemetery in 1898, “she was a single woman who worked as a…

The University System of Maryland Hagerstown hosts the annual Washington County High School Art Show and gives awards to high school artists from Washington County public and private schools. More than 90 pieces were…

The first time my parents took me to the Atlantic Ocean I was young enough that I hadn’t started school yet. We went to Assateague Island and camped in a tent along the seashore. I don’t recall much from that trip. I most remember a storm coming in off the water to…

The last time I saw Corey Hackley was sometime around 2008 in the hallways of Boonsboro High School–until this past year when I turned on a National Geographic documentary titled “The Deepest Cave” and saw…

From youth camps to seniors who want to play pickleball, the opening of the Hagerstown Field House earlier this year has changed sports and fitness for anyone in Washington County who wants to take advantage of the…

Everyone loves a nice Italian dinner. Americans practically claim pizza and spaghetti as our own. Now, a new restaurant in downtown Hagerstown is offering its unique interpretation of classic Italian fare, infused with a…

Hagerstown resident, Michael Keifer was just curious one day. “I was sitting at the computer and wondered if there were any other towns named Hagerstown,” he says. There was. One. “I saw only two, one in Maryland and one in…

It’s not a clam or steamed hams. Technically, it’s not a “loose meat” sandwich or even (gasp) a sloppy Joe. It’s a steamer—a humble, handheld meal that’s been quietly simmering in the hearts and kitchens of Washington County for…

Four States Livestock Sales, a local livestock auction business, is celebrating its 40th Anniversary for owners, James and Barb Starliper. Four States was originally established in 1935 by founders E.B. Clark and William Garrott making the…

Competition, tradition, great food, and fun are just a few of the things that come to mind when you think of the county fair. July marks the annual Washington County Ag Expo & Fair when thousands of people flock to the…

One of my favorite 4-H projects is the Cavy project. Cavies, more commonly known as guinea pigs, are in the rodent family. There are 13 different breeds of cavies, and they tend to live five to seven years. Once cavies are fully grown, they…

Three sisters are creating lots of buzz, so to speak, as the trio’s beekeeping business, Little Bear Apiary, continues to make great strides in the industry by offering a variety of quality products. Little Bear Apiary was established in the spring of…

Time Traveler Mike Marotte III takes us back in history with the Hagerstown Western Enterprise Fire Company No. 4. As the city was growing during the mid-1860s, a definite need developed for an…

At the top or near the top of the major tasting competitions in 2024 for locally produced alcoholic beverages, you’ll find Washington County breweries, wineries, and distilleries. As the craft beverage industry continues to expand, Washington County mirrors the nationwide trend, especially in…

Future Farmers of America (FFA) is an active and engaging community in Washington County that is focused on more than just its agricultural roots. Although primarily known for fostering the love and education of county students interested in agriculture, FFA is…

Nestled in the rolling hills of Washington County, Runaway Bull Farm, operated by first-time farmers Chris and Jaime Teague, have been successful with regenerative agriculture. The Teagues purchased their 100-acre farm in 2020 to have more room for…