Blast from the past

September 21, 2005

Week of Sept. 18, 1955

There are 5,600 members of the Antique Auto Club of America and believe it or not, according to the 1955 registry, not a single Dagmar car is owned and listed. But don't say club members haven't been looking for one. They have disappeared. Club members say not so much as a hubcap has been located.

Middle-aged folks will recall that the Dagmar car was built here by M.P. Moller back in the 1920s. Hundreds were turned out and they were a common sight on the streets of Hagerstown. Many became taxicabs.

Each student at the Boonsboro High School was presented a free copy of the school newspaper the very first day of school.

This was made possible because the staff of the paper, led by Kent Pearson, editor-in-chief, worked during spare time during the summer preparing material for the eight-page publication.

Mrs. Clarence Everly of Funkstown was riding horseback with a party of friends in the mountains near Smoketown, when they chanced upon a copperhead snake in the road. Since the snake made no attempt to move out of the way, Mrs. Everly maneuvered her sorrel riding mare, Goldie, until the mare put her front foot directly on the snake and held it down until her rider dismounted and beheaded the reptile.

Week of Sept. 18, 1980

When Guy Keadle saw the amount of garbage take a nosedive this summer, he knew the nation's economy was in trouble.

Keadle, director of county landfills, insists he knows his business. "You can tell just about how the economy is going in the country by looking at the amount of traffic coming in here," Keadle said of his dump domain.

The new Washington County jail will house at least 136 prisoners when it is completed three years from now, according to design estimates.

However, police officials say such a prison population estimate is too low and recommend that the new jail hold 150 inmates.

Jail designers say the higher bed count would use up all $6 million set aside for construction. Total costs are based on estimated expenses of $40,000 per bed, a figure which includes total services for each inmate.

A full service retirement community is being planned by Homewood Retirement centers on the 20-acre site on Virginia Avenue near Williamsport.

The project will include 103 cottages, 59 apartments with a multi-purpose community center, renovated health care facility, on site banking services, convenience grocer and pool, recreation and dining facilities.

- Compiled by Jean Baraclough

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