Block Party

HAGERSTOWN -- The first Neighborhoods 1st Reynolds Avenue block party and yard sale got off to a slow, drizzly start Sunday, but as the sunshine began to show up mid-afternoon, so did the people. "We're trying to keep our neighbors together," said Neighborhoods 1st organizer Laurel Kahn, a two-year resident of Reynolds Avenue, one of the residential streets bordering Virginia Avenue near Hagerstown's City Park. Aware of other Neighborhoods 1st groups around Hagerstown, Kahn said she figured her neighborhood could support one, too. "All that was needed was for someone to have the spark to get it started," Kahn said.

The North End Neighborhoods 1st group held its annual block party Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the 1300 block of The Terrace in Hagerstown. As well as enjoying good food and music, the get-together is an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other, said Mark Meany, who started the event.

By LISA GRAYBEAL Staff Writer, Chambersburg CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The South Street block party that attracts hundreds of people from the neighborhood and downtown Chambersburg has been canceled this year because of a lack of response from vendors. The all-day block party was planned for Saturday, Aug. 16, but members of Laurel Lodge and Laurel Temple, its sponsors, had to call it off. "We're disappointed, but we'll pick it back up next year," said Jacqulyn Banks, chairman of the education committee of Laurel Temple 519 in Chambersburg.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Park Avenue United Methodist Church's first block party had to close up shop a few hours early Saturday afternoon when thunder rumbled and raindrops fell. Severe storms were forecast for the area, so craft vendors quickly took down awnings and packed up their wares. Many children's activities, such as a duck pond, ring toss and face painting, had been set up in the street. They were hastily whisked away as the storm approached. One block of Park Avenue, the widest street in Chambersburg, had been closed to traffic for the event.

HAGERSTOWN -- Lois DeLisi may live in the Locust Point neighborhood of Hagerstown, but since she works in Winchester, Va., trying to meet her neighbors takes some doing. "We formed the Locust Point Neighborhoods 1st group about eight months ago," DeLisi said, with the object to make the area cleaner and safer while getting to know each other on common issues and concerns. On Saturday, the group sponsored a block party on Ray Street, which is nestled in the middle of the designated Locust Point neighborhood bounded by Memorial Boulevard and Baltimore, Mulberry and Potomac streets.

The Historic Heights Neighborhood 1st group is planning a block party for the evening of Friday, Sept. 12. The neighborhood is comprised of South Prospect Street, Summit Avenue and Walnut Street. Fliers inviting neighborhood participation in preparing for the event are being distributed. All who are interested in hearing more about the block party or the neighborhood group are invited to attend the next Neigh-borhood 1st meeting today at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S. Prospect St., Antietam Street entrance, at 7 p.m. For more information, send e-mail todgkennedy50@verizon.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Amid the pounding of drums from The Mooring band, you can hear teens laughing, parents shouting and the ever-present thwacking of flip-flops as kids run from one end of the parking lot to the other. The smell of popcorn and sweet cotton candy hangs heavily in the air like perfume, weaving in and out of the hundreds of people, many of whom are at the base of the makeshift stage, singing along to their favorite songs. Every once in awhile, you hear a loud splash as another victim falls prey to the water in the dunking booth.

HAGERSTOWN - Lois DeLisi may live in the Locust Point neighborhood of Hagerstown, but since she works in Winchester, Va., trying to meet her neighbors takes some doing. "We formed the Locust Point Neighborhoods 1st group about eight months ago," DeLisi said, with the object to make the area cleaner and safer while getting to know each other on common issues and concerns. On Saturday, the group sponsored a block party on Ray Street, which is nestled in the middle of the designated Locust Point neighborhood bounded by Memorial Boulevard and Baltimore, Mulberry and Potomac streets.

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Historic Heights cancels block party Historic Heights has canceled its Neighborhoods 1st block party that was scheduled for Friday. The group wants to express its appreciation to all who who worked on the project. The group meets the second Monday of the month at St. John's Episcopal Church, 101 S Prospect St. Historic Heights Neighborhoods 1st group is comprised of South Prospect Street, Summit Avenue, and Walnut Street. For more information, e-mail dgkennedy50@verizon.