Amusement Park

jessicad@herald-mail.com CASCADE - Once a bustling amusement park that attracted visitors from all over the East Coast, Pen Mar Park now stands as the oldest county park and a quiet haven for picnickers and hikers along the Appalachian Trail. The site for Pen Mar Park was purchased in 1871 by Col. J.M. Hood, Western Maryland Railroad president, for the purpose of building an amusement park that would promote passenger business for the railroad between the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and the park, according to documents maintained at Hagerstown's Miller House.

It was the railroad that brought them, but the cars that took them away. At least that's Richard Happel's assessment of the development of Cascade, the mountaintop town at the northeastern corner of Washington County that now teeters uncertainly as residents and developers argue over the future of the former Fort Ritchie U.S. Army base. Happel, 96, a descendant of one of the Cascade area's first residents, remembers picking blackberries with his grandmother on the land that is now Fort Ritchie.

marlob@herald-mail.com Every year, Clara Broadus wonders if she and her sister, Dot Bell will again volunteer to raise enough money to take nearly 200 Hagerstown-area youngsters on an all-day bus trip to a major theme park. "And every year, the kids start asking about it earlier and earlier," Broadus said Tuesday as she and Bell started the fund drive for this year's trip to Dorney Park in Allentown, Pa. Cost concerns prompted the decision to go to Dorney instead of Paramount's Kings Dominion in Richmond, Va., where they went last year.

What's next? I've heard that question 50 times (at least) in the wake of the commemoration of the 135th Battle of Antietam. Sometimes it's asked with an air of anticipation, the way a kid at an amusement park asks what ride comes next. Sometimes it's asked with an air of dread, like that same kid's parents might ask which roller-coaster or tilt-a-whirl they have to endure now. But whichever attitude you have, the key question is: Now that the area has proven that local Civil War history can attract the tourist dollar, will entrepreneurs bring us development that resembles the historic recreations of Williamsburg, Va. or some Civil War-themed amusement park?

Commentary People who are wondering what is wrong with today's armed services need only look as far as the U.S. Army, which last week said it was dumping a proposal to turn Fort Belvoir, Va., into a military-styled theme park. According to The Washington Post, the Army was approached by Universal Studios with the idea of a public-private partnership with the Army to build an amusement park around stuff like simulated paratrooper jumps and tank rides. Once word leaked out, however, the Army was in full retreat, allowing that about as far as it was willing to go in redeveloping the fort was a "hotel and conference center.

Fall is almost here, and I can taste the crisp fresh air just around the corner, biding its time before springing on us, bringing an end to our temporary period of bliss, otherwise known as summer. Time is running out to relax and enjoy the summer. I decided to find out what activities teens want to do before school starts next week. What's happening? I went to Valley Mall to find friendly-looking teens who would give me a few minutes of their time. I headed toward the Food Court, where, sure enough, groups of friends were snacking.

kristinw@herald-mail.com Labor Day weekend often is seen as the last holdout of summer - a final farewell to the lazy days of vacations and relaxation. No wonder so many take advantage of the three-day holiday to escape one last time before autumn takes hold. While many towns and businesses plan to shut down Monday, Sept. 5, others are gearing up. Here are some destinations within driving distance of the Tri-State area where events and celebrations are planned this Labor Day weekend: Hershey, Pa. All of the attractions in Hershey, Pa., will be open and ready to greet Labor Day travelers.

shappell@herald-mail.com Several hundred fans of big-band music and warm spring weather packed the area in and in front of the Pen Mar Park dance pavilion for the opening concert of the popular summer series. The Howard Burns Orchestra heated up Pen Mar Park with a three-hour set to open the 2004 free concert series Sunday afternoon. The 22-piece band got plenty of dance-happy couples out of their chairs and onto the floor with songs such as "Jump, Jive an' Wail" and "Pennsylvania 6-5000" despite the hot conditions.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - The Washington Township Supervisors were the recipients this week of an unusual gift - a working Ferris wheel. As of Thursday they didn't know what they were going to do with it. It's been taken apart and is behind the township office building under a tarp. As Ferris wheels go, this one is a baby. It only stands about 15 feet high and its wheel is only 10 feet across, said Jerry Zeigler, zoning enforcement officer for the township.

Editor's note: Twenty-one candidates have filed for five Washington County Commissioners' seats. Ten of the candidates - five Democrats and five Republicans - will be selected as their parties' nominees in the Sept. 10 primary. The general election is Nov. 5. We asked each of the candidates the same five questions. Tomorrow: J. Herbert Hardin William J. Wivell 38 Manager of regulatory services at Allegheny Energy Republican 49 E. Water St., Smithsburg 1. Do you think the county gives the School Board enough money?