Hancock Rescue Squad will hold a Vera Bradley and Designer basket bingo Sunday at the Hancock Fire Hall, 3 Fulton St.
Doors open for lunch at noon with games beginning at 2 p.m.
Tickets cost $25 per person and will be available at the door. Tickets bought in advance will be entered into a drawing for a special bag.
For an extra set of games, bring a nonperishable food item to donate the Interfaith Service Coalition Food Pantry.
The Rescue Squad needs several special pieces of equipment to replace outdated or obsolete models, including an automatic compression machine that aids them in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. For tickets, call organizer Cathy Hoopengardner at 301-678-5546.
Historical society to meet
The quarterly meeting of the Hancock Historical Society will be held Sunday, April 29, at 2 p.m. at Town Hall.
Guests for this meeting are Curt Gaul, district ranger for the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park and William Bowman. They will speak about events coming up for the summer along the canal and at the Bowles House Visitors Center just east of downtown Hancock.
Basket bingo planned at fire hall
Bowman is a volunteer researcher who has been exploring the Bowles and Little families and their history with Hancock and the canal.
This meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Books sought
The Hancock Fire Co. is collecting books for its upcoming sale. I recently took three boxes down there and plan to donate some more.
If you are getting to that point when the books don’t fit on the shelves, clean them out and drop them off. Date and time of the sale will be announced.
New hospital
When folks in Hancock get sick, some choose to take an ambulance ride to nearby Berkeley Springs, W.Va.
That option has just become more attractive with the pending opening of the new War Memorial Hospital.
The replacement facility for the aging 1940s-era structure will open Saturday, April 28.
The new hospital, at 1 Healthy Way off Fairview Drive, boasts more beds and will accommodate up to 25 acute/skilled care patients.
If you’d like to catch a glimpse of the new hospital, there will be an open house Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The ribbon-cutting and dedication is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m. with another open house that day from 2 to 4 p.m.
The new hospital has 16 long-term beds, plus outpatient services, diagnostic testing and expanded emergency and surgical departments. Along with the new Meritus Medical Center, there are now some excellent medical options in the area.
Child abuse awareness
Hancock will hold a child abuse awareness event Saturday, April 28.
Check-in and on-site registration begin at 8 a.m. in Widmeyer Park, followed immediately at 8:45 a.m. by a lighting of memorial candles in memory of victims who have lost their lives to child abuse.
The 5K run starts at 9 a.m., and a two-mile walk begins at 10 a.m. The run and the walk make use of the Western Maryland Rail Trail.
A bikeathon takes place at Widmeyer Park at 11 a.m., starting at the basketball court and proceeding around the park.
Awards for all three events will be held at noon, along with greetings from Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore and other dignitaries.
Those raising the most funds will receive special recognition.
Beginning at 1 p.m., there will be entertainment throughout the afternoon featuring area bands.
Awareness groups will offer free literature, and various community groups will be on hand with giveaways, cake auctions, event T-shirts, door prizes, food and raffles.
Proceeds for the day benefit Safe Place Child Advocacy Center of Washington County and Safe Haven Child Advocacy Satellite Center of Morgan County, W.Va.
Registration costs $10 for walkers and $15 for runner.
To register, contact Hancock Police Chief T.J. Buskirk at 301-331-7091, Lorie Faith at 301-678-5977 or Dianne Stoner McCusker at 301-678-6167.
