Canoe

Emergency crews responded to a report of a possibly overturned canoe in the Potomac River near Sandy Hook Tuesday afternoon, but it turned out to just be a deflated raft, a Washington County emergency dispatcher said. The incident happened near the U.S. 340 overpass that crosses the river into West Virginia, the dispatcher said. While on the call, crews spotted several individuals standing on a rock nearby, and one female was suffering from an asthma attack, the dispatcher said.

Hospice Reading Group MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The Hospice Reading Group will meet at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at Hospice of the Panhandle, 122 Waverly Court. The featured book is, "How We Die" by Sherwin B. Nuland. Participants must obtain their own copy of the book. Future selections are "Life After Life" by Raymond Moody, Wednesday, Aug. 6; "Will the Circle Be Unbroken: Reflections on Birth, Death and a Hunger for Faiths" by Studs Turkel, Wednesday, Oct. 1. For information, call Kathie Campbell, 1-304-264-0406.

Two taken to hospital after canoe capsizes WILLIAMSPORT - Two men were treated for hypothermia Saturday evening after their canoe capsized on the Potomac River near Riverbottom Park, the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Department said. The men were fishing when one of them stood up and rocked the boat off balance, Fire Capt. Gary Lady said. They were taken to Washington County Hospital for treatment, he said. A third man in the boat refused to be taken to the hospital, Lady said.

A woman and two dogs were rescued Saturday afternoon from the Potomac River, where they had become stranded on a bank of logs after a canoe capsized near Harpers Ferry, Potomac Valley Volunteer Fire Co. Chief Eric Gray said. The woman, two medium-sized dogs and three other people were in the canoe when it capsized in a section of fast-moving water just below Dam No. 3, Gray said. The other three people made it to shore, but the woman and the dogs ended up on some logs that were hung up in a group of trees about 70 feet from the Maryland shore, he said.

ANNAPOLIS - The Maryland Park Service recently honored five Department of Natural Resources employees for their successful completion of the Maryland Park Ranger training program. Their outstanding performance in both classroom and field experiences earned them the right to bear the title of Maryland Park Ranger. Maryland's newest park rangers successfully demonstrated expertise in 10 functions of ranger work, including: knowledge of Maryland geography and history; first responder certification; search and rescue skills; and basic skills in natural, cultural, and historical interpretation.

"The passage of the Patowmac through the Blue Ridge is perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in Nature. You stand on a very high point of land. On your right comes up the Shenandoah, having ranged along the foot of the mountain a hundred miles to seek a vent. On your left approaches the Patowmac in quest of a passage also. In the moment of their junction they rush together against the mountain, rend it asunder and pass off to the sea ... This scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic.

martinsburg@herald-mail.com MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - A canoe or kayak would be helpful, but is not required. What is needed is a willingness to spend a few hours in Opequon Creek, collecting information about all invertebrates visible to the naked eye that live in the creek. The study, coordinated by Alana Hartman, the Potomac Basin coordinator for the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, will begin Saturday at 10 a.m. and is expected to end in the afternoon with a float to the mouth of the creek at the Potomac River.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Larry Pedersen loves to run his hands over the smooth mahogany deck of a Chris-Craft motor boat, something he gets to do a lot since he bought one of the classic runabouts in 1987. Pedersen, 50, a corporate jet pilot and wooden speedboat enthusiast, found his 1939 Chris-Craft "Barrel Back" in Hagerstown. When it was new, the 16-foot boat sold for about $1,500. Pedersen said he wouldn't take less than $30,000 for it today. Much of its Philippine mahogany planking on the outside and its framing inside had to be replaced and refinished.

Council members invited to water trail meeting FUNKSTOWN - An invitation was extended to all members of the Funkstown Town Council to participate in an Aug. 19 kickoff meeting of the Antietam Creek Water Trail project. The meeting is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Department of Water Quality conference room on Elliott Parkway in Williamsport David Biser, vice president of the Antietam Creek Watershed Alliance, is looking for input on how to promote and facilitate public access along the creek for canoe and kayak trips.

The descendants and family of the late James Frederick Williams and Margaret Williams Hartle held their family reunion Aug. 21 at Wesley Meadows, the property of James and June Haddock, west of Hagerstown. Eighty-two people were in attendance. Several of the remaining children of James and Margaret attended, including Irene Baker, Peggy Smith, Ruth Bloom and June Haddock, all of Hagerstown; Hank Williams of Ohio; and John Williams of Virginia. The youngest member to attend was 7-month-old Jackson Logan Haddock of Martinsburg, W.Va.