Adoptive Parents

The Washington County Department of Social Services hosted a luncheon for adoptive families and their children to celebrate the children's adoption and the designation of November as National Adoption Month. W. Kennedy Boone III, Washington County Circuit Court judge, who frequently presides over adoption proceedings, said that finalized adoptions are the most fulfilling part of his job. Judge Boone praised the adoptive parents for their selflessness and dedication to their children.

DEC. 24, 1965-JAN. 7, 2009 BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Linda Faye Mason McCann Brown, 43, of Berkeley Springs, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Born Dec. 24, 1965, in Berkeley County, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Charles E. Decker and Katherine Largent-Zombro. She is survived by her adoptive parents, Nancy and Edwin McCann of Martinsburg, W.Va.; two daughters, Tracy Brown and Winnie Brown, both of Martinsburg; five sisters, Geraldine Robinson, Priscella Cline, Connie May, Emily Mumma and Sandra Morgan; four brothers, Jimmy Mason, Terry Mason, Randy McCann and William McCann; nieces; and nephews.

Adoption information session set CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Mountain Valley Adoption Services will hold an informational meeting about adoption Thursday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Mountain Valley Center, 449 Lincoln Way East. Participants will learn about the need for adoptive parents, the kind of children waiting to be adopted, and the process of adoption. There is no obligation to become adoptive parents at this meeting. Call 1-717-263-7295 for reservations. Hospice: Read a book MARTINSBURG, W.Va.

Like many parents, Kathy Sargent and her husband, Glen, can't imagine life without their daughter Sophie, who joined the family six years ago. Luckily, the couple had adopted Sophie long before recent rule changes. If they tried to adopt another child from China now, they would probably be turned down due to recent rule changes by China that include age limits, Kathy Sargent said. The number of foreign adoptions by U.S. families had been steadily increasing until fiscal year 2005, when the numbers started to slide a little, according to the U.S. State Department.

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption protects the children and families involved in foreign adoptions by preventing the trafficking, sale, exploitation and abduction of children among other things, according to the U.S. State Department's Consular Affairs Bureau. Participating countries establish standards for foreign adoptions that require certain counseling and education for parents, including making sure birth mothers understand they are giving up their child forever, said Katherine Monahan, unit chief for Hague implementation for the bureau.

marlob@herald-mail.com Arnold Eby said it was only after they were married that his wife, Donna, told him she had long wanted to run an orphanage. Instead the Hagerstown couple - Washington County Department of Social Services Foster Family of the Year - called the agency 2 1/2 years ago and signed up. "We got our first placement in March 2002 - five siblings ranging in age from 2 to 7," Arnold Eby said. The children stayed with them for 13 months, he said.

Alcoholics Anonymous Washington County area. If you think you have a problem with alcohol go to www.hagerstownaa.org or call 301-733-1109. Press '0' to reach a live person or follow the prompts for meeting times and locations. Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups Hagerstown and Frederick, Md. area. This is an anonymous, confidential support group for anyone affected by a family member's or friend's drinking. There are no fees. Call 301-663-6626 for a listing of meetings in the area.

katec@herald-mail.com The Daveler family took a pre-Christmas trip to New York City six years ago. They went to the top of the Empire State Building. Bobby and Debbie Daveler waited in line with their three foster children to see Santa Claus at Macy's department store of "Miracle on 34th Street" fame. They made the jolly old elf cry. With Debbie and the kids - Kelly, Matthew and Emily - gathered around, Bobby Daveler sat on Santa's lap and put his arm around St. Nick's neck.

County Republican group opposes gas tax increase To the editor: The Herald-Mail recently published several stories about a secret meeting between local business and political leaders on a strategy to gain support for a 15-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase. The main concern of this group should have been the impact on Washington County voters of increasing the gas tax rather than on how to fund “pork projects.” Many Washington County workers commute outside the county and are affected by the already-high price of gasoline.

Jane Ryan has heard the stories before. Children have been traumatized or neglected, never knowing the love of a parent or the stability of a happy home. When they cried, no one responded or offered comfort. No one talked to them, smiled at them or played with them. They were mistreated and abused. Now, those children are reacting to the world around them with abnormal behavior. They trust no one. They'll threaten the families with whom they are living. They'll lie, be manipulative and wish they were dead.

Happily ever afters don't exist for every child. Some have lives filled with years of pain and turmoil. But many find a safe haven in the home and arms of foster-care parents. Tina and Dan Hall are two Washington County adults who are ready, at a moment's notice, to offer shelter from the storm. The Halls said they have been foster-care parents for about four years. During that time, they have provided a home to 11 children. Three - going on four - of those children have been adopted by the couple.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- "Adoption for me is one of the most wonderful things that happened to me because who knows where I'd be or if I'd even be alive. " Evelyn confidently addressed a room full of people Monday when telling her story. The girl's 13th birthday is mere days away, but her life has another significant milestone that is cause for celebration - her adoption. Evelyn, whose last name is being withheld at the request Franklin County (Pa.) Children & Youth Services, thanked her adoptive parents for providing her with educational and other opportunities she might not otherwise have.

Alcoholics Anonymous Washington County area. If you think you have a problem with alcohol go to www.hagerstownaa.org or call 301-733-1109. Press '0' to reach a live person or follow the prompts for meeting times and locations. Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups Hagerstown and Frederick, Md. area. This is an anonymous, confidential support group for anyone affected by a family member's or friend's drinking. There are no fees. Call 301-663-6626 for a listing of meetings in the area.

DEC. 24, 1965-JAN. 7, 2009 BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Linda Faye Mason McCann Brown, 43, of Berkeley Springs, died Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. Born Dec. 24, 1965, in Berkeley County, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Charles E. Decker and Katherine Largent-Zombro. She is survived by her adoptive parents, Nancy and Edwin McCann of Martinsburg, W.Va.; two daughters, Tracy Brown and Winnie Brown, both of Martinsburg; five sisters, Geraldine Robinson, Priscella Cline, Connie May, Emily Mumma and Sandra Morgan; four brothers, Jimmy Mason, Terry Mason, Randy McCann and William McCann; nieces; and nephews.

HALFWAY - Standing among people who have given dozens of children the families they need, David Engle said, "These are all angels. " Members of the Washington County League of Foster and Adoptive Families came together Friday for a picnic at Martin L. "Marty" Snook Memorial Park. All have embraced children from broken homes or with physical disabilities or other unfortunate circumstances. As the children played in the park and splashed in the swimming pool, they were just kids, though.

The Washington County Department of Social Services hosted a luncheon for adoptive families and their children to celebrate the children's adoption and the designation of November as National Adoption Month. W. Kennedy Boone III, Washington County Circuit Court judge, who frequently presides over adoption proceedings, said that finalized adoptions are the most fulfilling part of his job. Judge Boone praised the adoptive parents for their selflessness and dedication to their children.