Hagerstown residents offer tips for hot weather

July 17, 2012|By LAUREN KIRKWOOD | lauren.kirkwood@herald-mail.com

By Yvette May, Staff Photographer

As temperatures rose above the 90-degree mark for the second straight day Tuesday, some Hagerstown residents found ways to enjoy the outdoors at City Park.

Kyera Craig, 21, of Hagerstown, said she spent some time at the Jonathan Hager House and Museum in the morning before venturing over to the park.

“It’s really hot, and I’m wearing a cardigan, so it’s extra heat,” Craig said. “We’re from Mississippi, and we just moved from Florida to here, so we’re just basically learning the area.”

The temperature reached a high of 97.7 degrees at 4:11 p.m. in Hagerstown, according to i4weather.net, a website maintained by local weather observer Greg Keefer. At 1:50 p.m., the heat index reached its high of 104 degrees, the site said.

Despite the day’s heat, several city residents said they enjoyed going to the park and looking for wildlife.

Hagerstown resident Jeff Mussolino, 49, walked around the lake at noon with his son, Dash, 6, perched on his shoulders.

“We’re looking at the fish, and seeing if we can find any big ones,” Dash said.

Jeff Mussolino said the best remedy for a hot day is “lots of water and lots of pool time.”

“We go to the pool when it’s real hot, but it’s not too bad right now, is it?” he asked Dash, who shook his head no in response.

Hagerstown resident Jennifer Fournier, 24, said she wasn’t worried about the heat because she didn’t plan to spend the whole day out in the sun. Fournier said she goes to the park about four times a week during the summer, and walking around the pond while feeding the fish and ducks is one of her favorite things to do.

Norm Cook, 64, of Chambersburg, Pa., sat on a bench by the pond while his granddaughter took an art class at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.

Cook said he usually prefers to stay indoors or in the shade when temperatures reach Tuesday’s levels.

“I thought it’d be cooler by the water, but I guess not,” he said.

Peter Sorensen, 17, and his brother Nick, 14, of Hagerstown, said the heat at the park was manageable, although humidity makes it more difficult to enjoy being outside. Nick said it’s important to get fresh air during the summer, even with temperatures frequently in the 90s.

“Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate,” Peter said. “It’s the only way to keep your body cool.”

“Make sure you wear sunscreen,” Nick added. “You’re more likely to get sunburned when it’s cloudy than when it’s sunny because you don’t expect there to be as much sunlight, so you don’t put any sunscreen on.”

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