Abc

The adults and children who made their national television debut Thursday night watched their performance on ABC-TV's "The American Game" for the first time. Not everyone was happy. "We feel kind of betrayed. We invited these people into our homes," said Lisa McAfee, whose husband was shown scolding his son and exchanging tense words with ABC anchor Peter Jennings. For the most part, though, the coaches and parents of Hagerstown's National Little League said they felt the 90-minute special fairly portrayed them.

The following people graduated Thursday night from the Associated Builders & Contractors Barr Construction Institute. Carpentry IV · Ray Custer, Brechbill & Helman Construction Co. · Mitchell DeLashmutt, Dorman Builders · Travis McCoy, Brechbill & Helman Construction Co. · Robert Pryor, Building Systems Inc. · Mark Reasner, Brechbill & Helman Construction Co. · Josh Wildeson, GRC...

After receiving a degree from Hagerstown Business College, Rob Babcock went to work in the graphic design field. But he soon realized that spending eight hours each day in front of a computer was not for him. So Babcock, 31, gave up air conditioning and a desk for a career as an electrician. The Hagerstown resident said he enjoys working at Ellsworth Electric, where he has been employed for more than four years, and wanted to learn more about his career by completing a four-year Associated Builders & Contractors apprenticeship.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Gerald Bittinger grew up in Chambersburg, hearing of men "perched" in elected office for many years. He said as a child, his father warned him of governments that resisted change. "My father used to say we were 50 years behind the times, if you know what I mean," he said. Bittinger said his father's words echoed in his mind while he attended an informational meeting Monday to learn how to run for office in Franklin County, Pa. Change. It has become a buzz word since President Barack Obama walked onto the national stage campaigning for the presidency in 2007, and Eugene Rideout of Chambersburg said the idea of change has made him interested in running again for public office.

ABC Cumberland Valley Chapter will host a golf outing Friday, July 26, at Black Rock Golf Course. There will be a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. The entry fee costs $95 per player, which includes lunch, goody bag, drinks, prizes, awards and dinner. For more information, call 301-739-1190 or go to www.abccvc.com .

The following is the May calendar at the Barr Institute at ABC: o "Quality Concrete in Hot Weather" Instructor: Will Rafferty, in partnership with ACI Thursday, May 6, from 3 to 6 p.m. Cost for ABC members, $70 plus book ($30); non-ABC members, $145 plus book ($30) o "Electrical Journey and Master Exam Preparation" Instructor: Blaine Mowen Saturday, May 8, from 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The course prepares students to take the electrical exam. Cost for members, $110 plus book; nonmembers, $170 plus $85 book ("Stallcup's Master Electrician's Study Guide")

scottb@herald-mail.com The Cumberland Valley Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors has not decided if it will submit a bid to buy the vacant armory building on North Potomac Street in Hagerstown, ABC Executive Director Joan L. Warner said Wednesday. The Maryland Board of Public Works voted Wednesday to declare the property surplus and to offer the 22,224-square-foot building on .56 of an acre for sale through a bidding process. That action scuttled an earlier deal in which the Hagerstown City Council had agreed to transfer the vacant armory building on North Potomac Street to ABC for $1. The deal, inked in June 2001, was contingent on the state giving the building at 328 N. Potomac St. to the city.

Monday, July 28 8 p.m. on ABC "Battle at the Bridges" A one-round made-for-TV duel pits the team of Tiger Woods and Ernie Els against Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia at the Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe in California. 8 p.m. on Lifetime "The 'Designing Women' Reunion" They may not have had quite the impact of "The Golden Girls," but their show lasted seven years and remains popular in reruns. Tonight's reunion brings back all five "Designing Women" regulars - Annie Potts, Dixie Carter, Delta Burke, Jean Smart and Meshach Taylor - to reminisce and answer questions from a studio audience.

Saturday, Oct. 16 8 p.m. on ABC "Growing Pains: Return of the Seavers" Somehow, you knew they wouldn't stay away forever. The whole Seaver family from the long-running sitcom - Alan Thicke, Joanna Kerns, Kirk Cameron, Tracey Gold, Jeremy Miller and Ashley Johnson - returns for this movie, which was directed by Kerns. "Growing Pains" was shown on ABC from 1985 to 1992. 8 p.m. on Animal Planet Dog show More than 2,000 dogs compete in the Tournament of Champions in Houston.