Christmas

Congregation makes it a memorable Christmas Editor's note : This is the first in a series of stories running on the 12 days before Christmas to recognize individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. By ANDREW SCHOTZ / Staff Writer photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer About 50 people at Bethel Assembly of God on Wilson Boulevard in Hagerstown used a mix of music and monologues to put on "A Christmas to Remember" last weekend.

(Editor's note: For these 12 days before Christmas, we will be recognizing individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. This is the sixth in the series.) By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI / Staff Writer photo: RIC DUGAN / staff photographer Seated at a formal dining table with a napkin on her lap and a dinner of roast chicken in front of her, 7-year-old Tinisha can barely contain her excitement enough to eat her meal. [cont. from front page ]

The Mason-Dixon Council Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Venture Crews participated in the annual Christmas tree sale for the holiday season at the Centre at Hagerstown (Super Wal-Mart shoppng center) and at the Big K-Mart in Waynesboro, Pa. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts. Venturers and Leaders volunteered their time to sell trees during the season. The following units participated: Washington County: Packs 14, 15, 20, 22, 23, 26, 27, 36, 54, 58, 64, 66, 102, 108, 265; Troops 5, 8, 14, 15, 20, 26, 51, 58, 62, 64, 117, 136, 265. Waynesboro: Packs 19, 32, 88, 95, 97, 143; Troops 11, 18, 19, 32, 86, 88, 95, 197, 143, 287; Crews 95, 287.

marlob@herald-mail.com SMITHSBURG - The second annual Christmas church tour of a dozen historic houses of worship in Washington and Frederick counties will be Dec. 28. The tour, which has been sponsored each year by the Smithsburg Area Church Association, will run from 2 to 6 p.m. Last year, 14 churches participated and several dozen people turned out, some hoping to extend the holiday season and enjoy some good Christmas music,...

Coats for Christmas drive brings warmth to needy Editor's note : This is the eighth in a series of stories running on the 12 days before Christmas to recognize individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI / Staff Writer photo: RIC DUGAN / staff photographer CLEAR SPRING - When Sharon Thompson Shupp sends her children off to school during the winter months, she knows they'll be warm in their coats and gloves, she said, but she realizes others aren't so lucky.

marlob@herald-mail.com Editor's note: This is one in a series of stories running on the 12 days before Christmas to recognize individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. HANCOCK - Being a member of the Christmas for Others organization in Hancock is as natural as breathing for Aura McCusker. "I just like people," said McCusker, a Christmas for Others committeewoman whose job each year is to make sure no one goes without a coat during the cold winter months.

WILLIAMSPORT - Bundled in a blanket, 6-year-old Nikkie watched as Santa Claus came to town aboard a firetruck. As a horse-drawn sleigh passed, her eyes became like saucers. Those are the big dogs, Pat Price told Nikkie, a black and tan miniature dachshund who swiveled with excitement in Price's arms as the pair took in the sights Sunday during Williamsport's holiday parade. Majorettes, and musicians wearing elf ears and white-trimmed red hats, accompanied Santa Claus to Byron Memorial Park, where hundreds of people applauded the lighting of a winter wonderland.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, PA. - For four years, Beverly Coyle has been the Waynesboro YMCA's "go-to girl" when Christmas rolls around. Coyle, the customer service supervisor at the front desk, "goes above and beyond" her normal work duties to coordinate the YMCA's annual "12 Days of Christmas" program, said Alan Smith, the agency's executive director. Coyle's efforts "really makes an impact on the community, not just the Y," Smith said. Coyle said the program covers the first 12 days of December, with a special event every day. She has to start planning the events as early as August to get everything coordinated.

o For updated weather forecasts, road conditions and school closures or delays, go to The Herald-Mail Accuweather Hagerstown-area residents might awaken Christmas morning to a thin layer of ice covering local roads and the remnants of last weekend's snowstorm. The National Weather Service forecast predicts freezing rain Friday morning. The forecast said the freezing rain would begin after 4 a.m. Friday, then change to rain after 1 p.m. Ice accumulation of one-tenth to two-tenths of an inch is possible, the forecast said.

How does one decide, based on words in a letter from someone you've never met, whose need is greatest? That was our dilemma earlier this week when we looked at the 40 letters we received in the "A Better Christmas" contest. It began with an anonymous donor's gift of $2,000 and 20 copies of "Daily Readings from 'Your Best Life Now'" by Joel Osteen, pastor of a large church in Houston, Texas. The book had inspired him, he said, and he wanted to share it and some cash with Herald-Mail readers who would describe, in about 100 words, how they would use $100 to give someone a better Christmas.