Thumbs up, thumbs down

December 18, 2009

Thumbs up:

o To Hancock Middle-Senior High School, and Clear Spring, North and South Hagerstown high schools, for being recognized for excellence by U.S. News and World Report in its ranking of public high schools. The four Washington County schools were among only 15 in Maryland to receive the designation. Congrats!

o To the town of Williamsport, for another amazing holiday light display at Byron Park. It gets better each year. If you haven't driven through, it's worth the time to do so.

o To the Potomac Classical Youth Ballet Co. of Hagerstown for wowing audiences last Saturday and Sunday with their performances of "The Nutcracker." The cast and crew of more than 100 area children and adults produced a wonderful and magical production of the classic tale. Bravo!

o To all those who were instrumental in securing $150,000 for the Doleman Black Heritage Museum in Hagerstown. The funds will help preserve the history of blacks in Washington County in the 19th and 20th centuries.

o To Eric W. Oyer, Tanya Mickey and Thomas Finucane, three Borough of Chambersburg (Pa.) employees who will be retiring from their posts in the coming weeks. They have combined for more than 100 years of service to the borough.

o To Hagerstown Children's School students, who recently collected school materials to donate to the education system of Ghana in West Africa. More than 1,000 items were collected by the students from the private preschool and kindergarten, which serves students ages 2 to 5.

o To all the troops who will spend this upcoming holiday guarding our shores, seeking out the enemy and protecting our freedoms. Many will be away from loved ones at Christmas. Thank you a million times.

Thumbs down:

o To the Maryland State Highway Administration. Some Washington County motorists believe left-turn street markers are needed on Leitersburg Pike near Stone House Square and Long Meadow Shopping Center to make the road easier to use. The highway officials say that its "manual" doesn't require them, so there won't be any new markers. Does the SHA's manual trump common sense? Add the left turn markings!

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