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Articles by Janet Heim
Shelter Houses Hundreds of Families Over More Than 3 Decades
In this Nov. 4, 2019 photo, from left, Dean Smallwood, building manager, Cindi Messersmith, case manager, and Bill Soulis, treasurer for the shelter, the team that is responsible for the family shelter run by St. John's Episcopal Church pose in Hagerstown, Md. (Janet Heim/The Herald-Mail via AP) The Associated Press By JANET HEIM, The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — What started as an outreach ministry to house homeless families is still going strong after 33 years.
33 years of housing homeless families at St. John's Shelter
What started as an outreach ministry to house homeless families is still going strong after 33 years. And the need has only grown since St. John's Shelter in Hagerstown opened in 1987. "I always say we're a hidden little gem," said Carla Charles, president of the shelter board. Bill Soulis is treasurer of the shelter board and has been involved since Day 1. He said the shelter was the first family shelter in Washington County and the first to keep families intact under one roof.
Dim the lights, grab the popcorn - Shepherdstown's Film Society brings Hollywood home
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. – You can’t beat the price of admission or the movie selection. The offerings shown by the Shepherdstown Film Society aren’t your run-of-the-mill features. But you can expect a wide range of art house, independent and foreign films. Lisa Welch of Shepherdstown is a member of the planning group, and has been involved since the film society’s inception in 2004. She and her husband lived in Montgomery County, Md., and were weekenders to Shepherdstown from 2002 to 2004.
Student Standout: Smithsburg's Kittel follows her dreams into engineering
SMITHSBURG — Whether creating a new material in an engineering lab or sewing a new outfit, Abigail “Abby” Kittel of Ringgold likes the idea of making new things. “Sewing, to me, is really similar to engineering because you’re creating new things from scratch and it’s very detail-oriented. So I’d just like to translate those skills into what I want to do for my future,” Abby said.
Bruce Anderson leading Shepherd's Spring Retreat Center toward a vision
SHARPSBURG — With blue skies and spectacular foliage as the backdrop, Bruce Anderson gave a tour of his new digs — Shepherd's Spring Retreat Center. He began his work as executive director on Oct. 7 and describes the property on Taylors Landing Road in Sharpsburg as "a hidden treasure." Prior to Shepherd's Spring, Anderson was executive director of San Mar. He had only planned to be there for two years and instead retired as CEO in March 2018 after 33 1/2 years.
Got talent? Check out the Camel
On a recent Thursday night, 13-year-old Jaden Mason took his place at the piano. After a deep breath, he put his fingers on the keyboard. It was his first time at Open Mic Night at The Flying Camel Literary Café and Jazz Club. Jaden impressed the audience as he played and sang Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” and demonstrated the value of starting piano lessons at an early age. “I usually play for myself. This is my first experience playing for the public community (other than piano recitals).
Got talent? Check out the Camel
On a recent Thursday night, 13-year-old Jaden Mason took his place at the piano. After a deep breath, he put his fingers on the keyboard. It was his first time at Open Mic Night at The Flying Camel Literary Café and Jazz Club. Jaden impressed the audience as he played and sang Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” and demonstrated the value of starting piano lessons at an early age. “I usually play for myself. This is my first experience playing for the public community (other than piano recitals).
Tick talk - Workshop on new approaches to old threats
Living in Washington and Frederick Counties in Maryland has many advantages. Living near wooded areas is one of them, but spending time in woodlands also has some hazards. With at least six types of ticks in Maryland, including the recently introduced Asian longhorned tick, people and animals are at risk for tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease.
Baby Basics provides diaper service for struggling families
For working parents living on the edge financially, affording even the most essential provisions can be a challenge. Baby Basics provides a much-needed service to these families. Charles “Charlie” Brown and his late wife Patricia “Pat” Brown of Shepherdstown, W.Va., formerly of Hagerstown, founded Baby Basics Inc. of Greater Hagerstown in 2006.
Baby Basics provides diaper service for struggling families
For working parents living on the edge financially, affording even the most essential provisions can be a challenge. Baby Basics provides a much-needed service to these families. Charles “Charlie” Brown and his late wife Patricia “Pat” Brown of Shepherdstown, W.Va., formerly of Hagerstown, founded Baby Basics Inc. of Greater Hagerstown in 2006.
St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Hagerstown is renovating for the future
Since June, construction trucks and workers have been part of the landscape around St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Hagerstown. The church building at the point of West Washington Street and Washington Avenue was in need of a long overdue renovation. The congregation dates back to 1889 and there were two buildings on the same site of the current worship building, which was built in 1929. An education building, where most of the work is being done, was added in 1960. "It's a much needed renovation.
Meritus Medical Center emergency nurses talk about their work
For Sheryl Calhoun and Sarah Thoburn, the one constant of their work is that every shift will be varied and unpredictable. That’s one of the reasons they both love working as nurses in the Emergency Department at Meritus Medical Center. They also thrive on the adrenaline and fast pace of a continuously changing work environment. This week is Emergency Nurses’ Week, a time to recognize the skilled nurses who are part of the medical team treating emergency cases at Meritus.
Bernadette Wagner primed for life's 'second half'
Combine one part spokesperson, one part researcher, one part cheerleader and one part organizer. Throw in lots of enthusiasm and passion and what you end up with is Bernadette Wagner, a dynamo in a small package and founder of Prime Time for Women. Wagner has worn many hats in her life — speech pathologist, wife, mother of five, one of seven sisters and elected school board member.
Love for teaching follows Marlene Clark into retirement
Marlene Clark is a lifelong educator. From the day she began her career as a teacher in 1959, the 82-year-old has been in the classroom. Even after retiring from Washington County Public Schools in 2001 after 31 years, Clark worked as a substitute teacher until five years ago. After that, she began volunteering five mornings a week at Fountain Rock Elementary School. "That's what my husband said. 'She'll never retire.' He's glad and I am, too, that I have a purpose.
Methodist congregation making history in a new location
WILLIAMSPORT, Md. — For a historic congregation that dates back almost 200 years, the last 20 years have been about moving history forward. The church leaders and members at Rehoboth United Methodist Church decided it was time to leave its historic building at 30 E. Salisbury St. in downtown Williamsport, which was built in 1834. The building, which is for sale, was expanded in 1992, but the congregation outgrew the addition within four years.
Washington County roots follow Laura Mae Socks to Nashville
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — Singer Laura Mae Socks knows all about exploring her roots. So when her debut album “Where You Go” was released earlier this month, it was only fitting that she come back here to celebrate. She held a record release show Sept. 7 in Shepherdstown for “Where You Go,” an album of original songs that reflect her life from childhood to age 33 or 34. Socks’ early years were spent in Hancock, followed by middle school and high school in the Sharpsburg and Leitersburg areas.
Volunteers flood the county with good works during United Way Day of Caring
More than 1,800 volunteers, 46 nonprofits and 60 teams tackled nearly 150 projects Thursday for United Way of Washington County’s Day of Caring. As the county nonprofit’s annual Day of Caring efforts have grown over nearly three decades, so has the positive impact on the community. Thursday’s projects spanned the county and included 69 residential projects, a new record, up 20 from last year. Thursday marked the 28th year for the community service effort in Washington County.
There's room for you at Longest Table
The conversation flowed as local residents bonded over a meal at the 2018 Longest Table event. It was quite a sight to behold last June, when the 100 block of South Potomac Street in Hagerstown became a venue for al fresco dining and community conversations.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Cooking up tasty treats at library book club
WAYNESBORO, Pa. — On Aug. 27, some visitors to the Waynesboro library arrived without the usual collection of books to return. Instead, they came bearing home-cooked delights. It was the fifth meeting of the Cookbook Book Club at the Alexander Hamilton Memorial Free Library.
Fahrney Keedy grand opening highlights $14 million expansion
BOONSBORO — For more than 18 months, the grounds of Fahrney Keedy Senior Living Community have been a construction zone. On Wednesday, the $14 million expansion was celebrated with local and state government officials, residents, family and friends. The multiple construction projects, called "Our Next Chapter," include an adult day services center and a community center, as well as expansion of the memory care unit.
Fahrney Keedy grand opening highlights $14 million expansion
BOONSBORO — For more than 18 months, the grounds of Fahrney Keedy Senior Living Community have been a construction zone. On Wednesday, the $14 million expansion was celebrated with local and state government officials, residents, family and friends. The multiple construction projects, called “Our Next Chapter,” include an adult day services center and a community center, as well as expansion of the memory care unit.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature Calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
By JANET HEIM, The Herald-Mail SHARPSBURG, Md. (AP) — When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Nature calls for Maryland Church of the Wild
SHARPSBURG, Md. When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
Channeling chronic pain into art
BOONSBORO — For chronic pain sufferers, the clock means nothing. At night, when most people are sleeping, bodies wracked with pain can be in motion trying to find relief. That’s the way it is for Sarah Bigham of Frederick, Md., who couldn’t sit or stand and resorted to walking in circles around the house in the dead of night. As she wandered and cried, Bigham decided to find a different outlet for that awake time. In desperation, Bigham turned to writing as a creative release.
Nature calls for the Church of the Wild
When Leah Rampy and her husband moved from Washington, D.C., to Shepherdstown, W.Va., last August, she was interested in building community. For Rampy, that included a spiritual connection. While living in D.C., she participated in a Church of the Wild, which she said is loosely affiliated with the Wild Church Network.
All eyes on the spuds at Spudfest
Step back in time at Spudfest, an annual celebration of potatoes, hosted by the Washington County Rural Heritage Museum. David Brooks, parks and facilities supervisor for Washington County, said the event has been a staple for children and families for quite a while. It takes folks back to before 1940, the time frame the Rural Heritage Museum is set in.
Service clubs find new ways to attract young members
For generations, service clubs have served the needs of Washington County. Some focus more on networking and social connections, while some are more focused on community service. But long gone are the days when businessmen attended lunch meetings dressed in suits and hats. Now most clubs have female members and leaders and meet at different times of the day to accommodate busy schedules.
All 'Ears': Hagerstown Suns mystery bobblehead revealed
The local convention and visitors bureau and Hagerstown Suns unveiled the Suns' 2019 mystery bobblehead Monday morning, featuring the likeness of a Hagerstown native with ties to local baseball at several levels. The figurine of Paul "Ears" McNeal was revealed along the first-base coaching line at Municipal Stadium, where McNeal stood as he coached Suns players beginning in 1981. He helped lead the Suns to their only league championship that year.
Service clubs find new ways to attract young members
For generations, service clubs have served the needs of Washington County. Some focus more on networking and social connections, while some are more focused on community service. But long gone are the days when businessmen attended lunch meetings dressed in suits and hats. Now most clubs have female members and leaders and meet at different times of the day to accommodate busy schedules.
Calling all selfie takers
Take note, selfie fans. The City of Hagerstown's Planning and Code Administration Department (PCAD) is sponsoring City Hall Selfie Day on Thursday, Aug. 15. People are encouraged to get creative with their cameras and take pictures of themselves, friends, family and co-workers in front of Hagerstown's City Hall at 1 E.
Community Foundation helps turn down the heat on Holly Place
It couldn’t have come at a worse time. The Hagerstown area was at the end of a sweltering heat wave that started in mid-July. But on Saturday, July 27, the air-conditioning unit that cooled the downstairs and main floor at Holly Place died. “It was one of the hottest days of the year,” said Melanie Davis, Holly Place’s executive director. She called B G’s Service Co., which maintains the air-conditioning equipment at the assisted-living facility for low-income senior citizens in downtown Hagerstown.
Community calendar
Monday, Aug. 5 Hagerstown Business and Professional Women’s Club meets at Fireside Restaurant at Ramada Plaza Hotel, 1716 Underpass Way, 5:30 p.m. networking, 6 p.m. dinner. Long Meadows Rotary meets at Nick’s Airport Inn, 14548 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, 6:15 p.m. Clear Spring Lions Club meets at Clear Spring American Legion, 12335 Big Spring Road, 6:30 p.m. Boonsboro Town Council meets in the council chambers in the Charles F. “Skip” Kauffman Building, adjacent to Town Hall, 21 N.
United Way kicks off "Be the One" campaign
When United Way of Washington County kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Wednesday, the message was clear. The local campaign slogan "Be the one," paired with the inspiring words of guest speaker Amanda Messer, hit home that it only takes one person to make a difference. "The world actually changes one person at a time," Messer said. It also marked the return to a traditional campaign that will be much more visible around town than in the past few years.
Community calendar
Monday, July 29 Long Meadows Rotary meets at Nick’s Airport Inn, 14548 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, 6:15 p.m. The Mason Dixon Barbershop Chorus meets at Haven Lutheran Church, 1035 Haven Road, Hagerstown, 7:30 p.m. All men who like to sing are welcome; no training required. For information, call 301-739-7338. Tuesday, July 30Food bank open at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 30 S.
Community calendar
Monday, July 22 Hancock Lioness Lions Club<&first> meets at Park-N-Dine restaurant, 189 E. Main St., 5:30 p.m. Long Meadows Rotary<&first> meets at Nick’s Airport Inn, 14548 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, 6:15 p.m. Hancock Lions Club<&first> meets at Park-N-Dine restaurant, 189 E.
Turner-the-pooch carries on MCI officer's legacy
In October, it will be a year since Bryan Turner, 51, of Hagerstown was killed after a pickup truck crashed into him while he was riding his motorcycle. It’s been a time of deep grief and anguish for his family and friends, especially Bryan’s wife of 27 years, Christy Turner, and daughter Rachel Turner, 23. There have been bright spots, though, as they work on moving forward. One in particular — a cute, energetic ball of fluff — gives them joy and hope and a way of carrying on Bryan’s legacy.
Bridging cultures through Korean cooking demonstrations
As Grace Bennett gently mixes the ground beef and pork, crumbled tofu, scallions and diced vermicelli in a large mixing bowl, she knows the Korean “Mondu” Dumplings she’s making will be a tasty treat for others. But more importantly for Bennett, they provide a bridge to her Korean culture. She was 4 when her family emigrated from South Korea to the United States.
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