Big Brother

WAYNESBORO, PA. -- Hundreds of people filtered into Memorial Park on Monday to remember fallen soldiers. For Dennis Gift, that meant honoring his big brother. It was a solemn day for Gift as he spent his first Memorial Day without his older brother, Leroy, who died three months ago. "No matter how long you prepare for death, it's still hard," said Dennis Gift, 61. "He was my big brother. " Last year, Dennis Gift could honor Leroy on Veterans Day. Since he died Feb. 25, Dennis now remembers him on Memorial Day as well.

Like his mother, it was in Vincent Luke Santucci Jr.'s nature to help people. Santucci, who along with his mother and girlfriend were fatally shot Friday night in Quincy Township, Pa., was “the big brother” to two older sisters and a younger brother, and took care of his mother, too, his father, Vincent L. Santucci Sr., said Saturday evening. “He was a kind person, loving son and brother,” Santucci said. As a chef in Chambersburg, Pa., for several years, Santucci said his son, to whom he referred as Luke, took “pleasure and pride” in preparing food that patrons would enjoy.

Monday, June 16 9 p.m. on Lifetime "More Than Meets the Eye" The true story of Joan Brock, a teacher at a school for the blind who remained optimistic after she suddenly lost her own sight, is told in this new movie. Carey Lowell stars as Brock, Dylan Walsh as her husband. 10 p.m. on ABC "The View" The long-running daytime talk show gets a special evening edition. Topics will include a quiz on health issues that will allow viewers to participate online.

On a day off from school, left, Jacob Pence, 8, is busy working hard stuffing leaves in a bag for his grandmother while brothers Charlie, 6, and Henry, 2, play in Hagerstown on Tuesday afternoon. On a day off from school Charlie Pence helps mom Kris Pence make room for more leaves that his big brother Jacob Pence collected to stuff in a bag at his grandmother home in Hagerstown on Tuesday afternoon.

Since she began singing more than 25 years ago, Lana "Shawty" Spence has gotten use to being compared to Janis Joplin - the rock icon who has gone to the big concert hall in the sky. With vocals that are powerful and bluesy, Spence understands the similarity and considers it a compliment. It was her voice, after all, that landed her a brief stint with Joplin's band, Big Brother & The Holding Company. "But I'm past the point of singing 'Bobby McGee'," the singer noted. "So, folks, don't ask, OK?"

-DEC. 28, 2010 Ethan Allen Harsh-Greer, infant son of Amanda Marie Harsh and Heith Allen Greer, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, at Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown. Besides his parents, he is survived by his big brother, Joshua Logan Harsh; grandmothers, Andrea Harsh and Sharon Greer; and grandparents, Steve and Alva Hetzer. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Harry Harsh. Services will be Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011, at 1 p.m. at Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd.

The Summer of Love was about love - a physical love and a metaphorical love. It also was about a bigger picture, one of speaking up against authority at a time when youth were being drafted to fight a war in a foreign country while their own country was changing around them with progression in civil rights, women's rights and gay rights, according to musicians of the time and music professors. Patrons at The Maryland Theatre this Thursday night will get to hear some of the popular songs of the time by some of the musicians who played in the historic outdoor concert of the Summer of Love, the Monterey Pop Festival in Monterey, Calif.

Boonsboro remembered the fallen Sunday during a solemn Memorial Day service. Then the southern Washington County town’s downtown was filled with sounds of celebration as onlookers cheered, applauded and waved as a parade of musicians, Cub Scouts, cheerleaders and public servants came down Main Street. Many of the people in the parade, including politicians and children, tossed candy to the spectators as they made their way down the parade route. Children darted around adults and parked vehicles to pick up Tootsie Rolls, chocolates, licorice and other candies.

After a five-year effort, Franklin County, Pa., has its own chapter of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization. It's a development local citizens should applaud, because what this group does can have a profound and positive effect on young people's lives. That's not just pie-in-the-sky happy talk. Several years ago, the organization's methods were the subject of an in-depth study by Public/Private Ventures, a Philadelphia organization that studies public policy. The PPV study looked at 959 youngsters aged 10 to 16 who applied to the program in 1992 and 1993.

More than 100 youngsters are safer today after a Saturday's Hagerstown Kidcare ID program at K-Mart in the Valley Plaza. "I'm doing it for protection - just to be on the safe side," said Angie New as she stood in line with her 3-month-old son, Tyler. Lauran Barrett, 2 1/2, was initially hesitant but got braver watching big brother Ryan go through the paces without fear. "It's for safetyI sake," said Lauran's mom, Lisa Barrett. Ann Shryock, community development vice president for the Jaycees of Hagerstown, called turnout for the six-hour program terrific.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam in which a man claims to be raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, according to a news release from the sheriff's office. The man, who is sometimes accompanied by a child, has contacted residents at their homes, saying he is selling items on behalf of the nonprofit group, the news release states. The items include cinnamon buns and pizza. The man collects money from residents, but fails to provide the product, the news release states.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County has started its individual giving campaign. This week, members of the board of directors will be contacting households in the community seeking support and finical contributions. It takes the support of the community to help keep the organization going. Charitable contributions make it possible to impact the life of a child in the community. For more information, call 301-739-4711.  

Thomas Kline recently took on the job of chief executive officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County, Inc., (BBBSWC). Kline has been on the job since late December, taking over from Phil Bennett. “I was inspired to take this job because I admire the work that BBBS does throughout the county,” Kline said. The job “offers a new challenge. This position gives me an opportunity to learn new things and to work for a well established nonprofit with a mission I believe in,” Kline said.

In my experience, procrastination is one of the biggest motivation-stealing behaviors in existence. It robs progress, momentum and success from too many people for no good reason.  To be perfectly transparent, I'm guilty of it myself with certain things in my life. I know when you come here every week and you read my column, and think "I should really do this," that you probably won't. I've heard many times "I love your column, I read it every week. I don't do what it says, but I read it ... ", and I would usually just laugh and keep it moving.

Like his mother, it was in Vincent Luke Santucci Jr.'s nature to help people. Santucci, who along with his mother and girlfriend were fatally shot Friday night in Quincy Township, Pa., was “the big brother” to two older sisters and a younger brother, and took care of his mother, too, his father, Vincent L. Santucci Sr., said Saturday evening. “He was a kind person, loving son and brother,” Santucci said. As a chef in Chambersburg, Pa., for several years, Santucci said his son, to whom he referred as Luke, took “pleasure and pride” in preparing food that patrons would enjoy.

 The Enduro 120 is Saturday, June 2, at Summit Point Kart Track, Summit Point, W.Va. Practice is from 7 to 8:45 p.m., and the race is from 9 to 11 p.m. Enduro 120 is an annual fundraiser to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Panhandle. The entry fee is $300 for a team of four, which includes: track fee, go kart, helmet, race, driver gift and dinner. The teams can change drivers as they chose. The team with the best time after 2 hours wins. To register or for more information, call 304-263-5522 or go to www.bbbswv.org .

Shoulders were shrugged in indifference, arms were thrown up in the air in excitement and fists were pumped in joy Sunday as dozens of people bowled to raise money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County. After rolling a tenpin ball down a lane at Turner's Dual Lanes, Kathryn Rodenburg threw her arms wide in anticipation, smiled and spun around in frustration even though she'd only left one or two pins standing. Explaining her frustration, Rodenburg said her teammates were scoring strikes and spares, but she'd had neither.

Since she began singing more than 25 years ago, Lana "Shawty" Spence has gotten use to being compared to Janis Joplin - the rock icon who has gone to the big concert hall in the sky. With vocals that are powerful and bluesy, Spence understands the similarity and considers it a compliment. It was her voice, after all, that landed her a brief stint with Joplin's band, Big Brother & The Holding Company. "But I'm past the point of singing 'Bobby McGee'," the singer noted. "So, folks, don't ask, OK?"

Ronald Morese “RJ” Oliver Jr. of Hagerstown, Md., passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2012. He was the son of Ronald Morese Oliver Sr. and Taria Michelle King. RJ enjoyed spending plenty of time being read to, playing with his big brother TaRon and watching “Backyardigans” when he wasn't at his favorite daycare. In addition to his parents, Ronald Jr. is survived by his brother, TaRon Morese Oliver; paternal grandparents Patricia Oliver, Ronald M.Woodrum and Grand PaPa Jeremy Strain; great-grandfather, James Oliver of Aikens, S.C.; maternal grandparents, Michael and Lisa King; maternal great-grandmother, Myrtle Harmon; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins.

The Swing for Scholarships Golf Tournament to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washington County will be held Friday, Sept. 28, at Black Rock Golf Course. Registration is at 7:30 a.m, a shotgun start is at 8:30 a.m. and lunch will follow the tournament. Prizes will be awarded for longest drive, closest to the pin and top teams (low gross). There will also be door prizes. Proceeds from the tournament will go toward future scholarships and operating programs for mentoring and recruiting.