Arthritis Foundation

Members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows held their annual statewide convention this week at the Best Western Grand Venice in Hagerstown. About 150 members and their spouses were expected to attend. The convention included business meetings, the installation of new officers, a memorial to recognize members who have died and a banquet. The organization has a ladies' auxiliary known as the Rebekahs, which also held meetings during the three-day convention. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal organization derived from English Odd Fellows orders of the mid-1700s.

By MEG H. PARTINGTON / Staff Writer photo: RICHARD T. MEAGHER / staff photographer An exploding amount of research has resulted in a host of new drugs to treat the pain and swelling of arthritis. In the last 18 months, at least seven new drugs have gained recognition, though not all have been approved by Food and Drug Administration for use on arthritis patients. [cont. from lifestyle ] Dr. Raymond L. Malamet of Rheumatology Consultants in Hagerstown expects even more drugs to be available in the next six to eight months.

MAY 30, 1927-JAN. 28, 2011 B. Rita Moler, 83, of Hagerstown, Md., died Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. Born May 30, 1927, in Baltimore, Md., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary Cusimano Gugluizza. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert L. Moler, in 1969. Rita was previously employed by the Hagerstown Tennis Club. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and formerly a member of St. Augustine's Catholic Church in Williamsport, where she was involved with the Sodality.

katec@herald-mail.com "Everything is nice and easy," says Karen Meinelschmidt. That's not something people with arthritis hear often, but those in Meinelschmidt's arthritis aquatics class in the warm-water pool are feeling it at the Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Hagerstown. Arthritis comes in many forms and afflicts many people. It causes pain, stiffness and swelling in joints and supporting structures - muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones - according to the Web site of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, www.niams.

This wasn't just a walk in the park. It was about giving a little sole to a good cause. An Arthritis Walk, sponsored by the Western Maryland Branch of the Arthritis Foundation, was held Saturday at Fairgrounds Park. About 100 people turned out for the event, which was aimed at raising awareness, as well as funds, for arthritis research and programs in Maryland. "This has been a national event for several years and is usually held in May, which is National Arthritis Month," said Bonnie Hayman, executive director of the area organization.

This wasn't just a walk in the park. It was about giving a little sole to a good cause. An Arthritis Walk, sponsored by the Western Maryland Branch of the Arthritis Foundation, was held Saturday at Fairgrounds Park. About 100 people turned out for the event, which was aimed at raising awareness, as well as funds, for arthritis research and programs in Maryland. "This has been a national event for several years and is usually held in May, which is National Arthritis Month," said Bonnie Hayman, executive director of the area organization.

JUNIOR FOOTBALL Hagerstown Giants 33, Hagerstown Browns 32: Daquan Edwards ran for two touchdowns, while David Williams, Desonte Morel and Mason Burnett each ran for one for the Giants. Alec Nelson and Michael Russ each ran for a pair of TDs and Reginald Russ also scored a touchdown for the Browns. Williamsport Vikings 31, Smithsburg Jets 0: Seth Near ran for two touchdowns and Shawn Likely and Antoine Malone each ran for one for the Vikings. Williamsport Vikings 21, Williamsport Bears 18: Kyle Stone threw touchdown passes to Michael Hill and Antoine Malone and Ryan Butts blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown for the Vikings.

Erik Lenhart was the top male finisher in the fourth annual Jingle Bell 5K Run Sunday at South Hagerstown High School. Lenhart, a North Hagerstown senior, finished in 17 minutes, 48 seconds. Laura Stauffer was the female finisher at 21:55. The event is sponsored by the Arthritis Foundation. 5K Results Male Division Overall: Erik Lenhart 17:48, Luke Bauer 18:31, Charles Wade 19:19; 10-under: Tyler Hornbecker 28:02; 11-14: Chric Ciccavelli 22:36; 15-19: T.J. Hood 20:50, Mark Hutzell, Kyle Dingle; 20-29: Gary Burger 30:51, Dan Martin; 30-39: Zinon Pappas 22:05, Chuck Wetzel, Joy Yates; 40-49: Richard Miller 23:30, Mike Stauffer, Joe Dietrich.

Rheumatic disorder causes pain in muscles By KATE COLEMAN Staff Writer Barb Renner has heard fibromyalgia called "the phantom disease" because it so often is misdiagnosed. Approximately 3.7 million people - 2 percent of Americans - may have fibromyalgia, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Like other rheumatic disorders, it is more common in women, usually appearing in their late 30s to 40s, says Dr. Raymond L. Malamet, a Hagerstown rheumatologist. Symptoms include pain - mainly in the muscles - and moderate or severe fatigue.

May is National Arthritis Month and one day - Tuesday, May 18 - is Arthritis Foundation's first Arthritis Action Day. That day, Americans are urged to take action if they have symptoms of arthritis, rather than ignoring the warning signs. [cont. from lifestyle ] Pain, stiffness for more than two weeks in or around a joint, sometimes accompanied by swelling, may indicate that you have arthritis, according to the foundation. The pain may be ongoing or can come and go, and your joints may feel stiff and hard to move.