Books

Rockland Woods Elementary School recently participated in a one-month reading challenge. Students were challenged by media specialist Pamela Rubisch to read 4,444 books as a way to celebrate her 44th birthday.  Tracking sheets were given to students who were told to write down every book they read for one month to see if the school could break the goal.  By the end of the month, students read 11,063 books and were rewarded with a  birthday costume...

Half a century ago, the Hagerstown branch of the American Association of University Women held a book sale and raised about $1,200 toward construction of a new library. That library now is being virtually replaced at the same site by a new building and, in the 50 years since that first sale, the AAUW has raised about $300,000 for the library and provided more than 600 scholarships, said Jeanne Stoner, chairwoman for this year's sale. On Saturday, about 40 women - and a couple of men - celebrated 50 years of book sales at the Founders Day Luncheon at Fountain Head Country Club.

Two young Paramount Elementary School students have taken books read in class to heart, in a way that is helping others. Drew Lobley's kindergarten teacher Lucy Austin read “The Quiltmaker's Gift” by Jeff Brumbeau to the class. In the book, a generous quiltmaker sews the most beautiful quilts, then gives them to the poor. She helps a selfish king learn that giving is the true secret to happiness. That got Drew, the 6-year-old son of Andrew and Victoria Lobley of Hagerstown, thinking.

I'm an addict. There I've said it. I'm addicted to several things, but the one I'm talking about in this column is books. I am a voracious reader and that costs me money, time, a broader behind and a larger girth. None of the costs is really good for me, but I can't help it. Like I said, I'm addicted. Although I read books in a variety of genres, mysteries and historical fiction are my favorites. My favorite authors are James Patterson, W.E.B. Griffin and Jeff Shaara. (And Nelson De Mille, Ralph Peters, John Grisham, David Baldacci, Bernard Cornwell, Ken Follett …)

The Washington County Free Library announces the annual Easy Picture Book Writing Contest. The contest includes five age divisions: Children in grades 2 and 3; 4 and 5; 6 to 8; 9 to 12; and adult. Entrants must be a resident of Washington County, or have a valid Washington County Free Library Card. One entry per person will be accepted. All text and illustrations must be original work. All entries must include author and illustrator names and age division, address and telephone number.

More than 1,000 children under school age in Washington County will receive one free book a month under the Imagination Library program started by country music singer Dolly Parton. Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Clayton Wilcox, community leaders, and a group of students in Head Start of Washington County were at Elgin Station on Thursday morning for a kickoff celebration for Imagination Library, launched by Parton in 1996. “This program is focused on helping our kids to appreciate literature, read, and become more proficient in reading,” Wilcox said.

More local library patrons are “borrowing” books without having to step outside, thanks to a free application being used by the Washington County Free Library. The Washington County Free Library, through Maryland's Digital eLibrary, offers the “OverDrive” app with which users can download the latest e-books and audio books. Launched in 2010, the app has increased in popularity as more people download e-books. “In January 2011, there were 1,700 e-books checked out compared to 2,400 in 2012,” said Liz Jones, reference librarian for the Washington County Free Library.

You can't always judge a book by its author. But if that book is written by Alyson Richman, there's a good chance the storyline will be woven around art. She has told the tale of a young Japanese man who studied with the Impressionists in Paris, has explored the complexities of Vincent Van Gogh and focused on the resilience of the human spirit in a best-selling love story about a painter who survived the Holocaust. That she uses art as a theme isn't surprising, once you know Richman's background.

Age: 46 City in which you reside: Hagerstown Day job: Sales director for What's NXT Book title: "The Funniest Political Emails I Read While My Boss Thought I Was Working" Genre: Humor Synopsis of book: This book is a collection of laugh-out-loud stories, jokes and artwork that have been created by everyday folks and distributed through email. This collection - my second book - focuses strictly on the politicians who run our government. Publisher: www.kengarberbooks.com (self-published through Book Baby)

February 15, 2013   Girls Basketball The Hancock girls basketball team is challenging the school high-water mark for wins in one season. Under coach Todd Ruppenthal, Hancock has a 14-6 record entering its regular-season final tonight at Clear Spring. With a victory tonight, and a first-round win in the postseason tournament, Hancock would get to 16 wins and tie the school record set in 1996-97 when the Panthers went 16-6. In that campaign, Hancock was led by junior Amanda Fleming, now the head softball coach at North Hagerstown High School.