Clarion Hotel

Guest rooms at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center Antietam Creek soon will be sporting new furnishings as part of an ongoing refurbishment program, according to the hotel's owner, Rhode Island-based Magna Hospitality Group L.C. The hotel at 901 Dual Highway also has a new manager in Kent Grove, the former director of operations for Full Service Systems of Miami. Grove said Friday that 45 of the hotel's guest rooms are "being completely gutted," and will be renovated with new wallpaper, carpet, furniture and fixtures.

HAGERSTOWN - The owners of Cancun Cantina West and Barefoot Bernie's Tropical Grill & Bar in Hagerstown say they oppose having another bar on the Clarion Hotel property. The Board of License Commissioners for Washington County met Wednesday with representatives from West Inc., which owns the bar and restaurant, along with the new owner of the Clarion Hotel and representatives of Dimensions Inc. Dimensions Inc. has requested that a liquor license from the hotel be transferred to the business, which wants to cater events at the Clarion's conference center, said Robert L. Everhart, chairman of the liquor board.

Nearly 230 people are expected to attend the USS Hector reunion today through Sunday at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center at Antietam Creek. Approximately 130 of those attending the reunion are former sailors. "We started in 1988 in Sacramento, Calif.," convention co-host and former USS Hector sailor Don Muffle said. "Since then, we've held reunions in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., Harrisburg, Pa., Salt Lake City, Utah, Virginia Beach, Va., Buena Park, Calif., Kissimmee, Fla., Branson, Mo., and Albuquerque, N.M. " The USS Hector was built in California and was commissioned Feb. 7, 1944.

HAGERSTOWN ? A group of Baltimore hotel owners recently purchased The Clarion Hotel in Hagerstown for about $2.4 million. Martin M. Milner of Millennium Group said Thursday that he and his partners, who own about 15 hotels on the East Coast, bought The Clarion on Sept. 28 from Hagerstown Hotel Associates LLC. "We're trying to bring the hotel back to its former glory," he said. "We saw an opportunity. We think this is a growing area. " The Clarion, at 901 Dual Highway, will retain its name and be managed by Emerald Hospitality, Milner said.

Profits from the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek's Saturday buffet will be donated to the American Veterans Association of Hagerstown for support of U.S. troops until further notice. An all-American theme, all you can eat buffet will be featured in the Clarion's Tortuga Restaurant. The buffet will be offered each Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 301-733-5100. The Clarion Hotel is at 901 Dual Highway in Hagerstown.

The 17th annual blasters educational seminar will be held Nov. 4 and 5 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Hagerstown. The event is sponsored by the Potomac Chapter of the International Society of Explosives Engineers. For more information on times, speakers and registration fees, contact Keith Whetsel at 1-304-267-8966.

Drummer Butch Ballard and bass player Buddy Catlett warm up before The Rhythm of Jazz show Wednesday evening in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Ballard and Catlett, backed up by the Howard Burns Quartet, were to perform in the fourth annual Black History Month Jazz Heritage Concert at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center.

Dr. Paul Corso, left, and Brig. Gen. V. Wayne "Speedy" Lloyd share a laugh Wednesday at the 45th Annual Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown, W.Va. The two, along with John Servis, trainer of Triple Crown contender Smarty Jones, were recognized for lifelong achievements.

The Maryland Republican Party's two-day spring convention in Hagerstown started Friday with an executive committee meeting. The convention continues today at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center with other party business, plus speeches by Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.

HAGERSTOWN - A chair up against a hotel room heating unit caused a small fire at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Friday, Hagerstown Fire Department Battalion Chief Ron Horn said. The 11:10 a.m. fire was contained to a single room, which was vacant, Horn said. The room received water and smoke damage, Horn said. He estimated the amount of the damages at $1,500 to $2,000. Smoke filled the entire hotel, formerly known as the Ramada Inn, Horn said. Employees and guests of the Clarion Hotel were evacuated for at least 30 minutes, General Manager Jim Crumrine said.

Bradley Joseph Christman, 28, of Waynesboro, Pa., passed away Thursday, July 26, 2012, in Hagerstown, Md. He was born Friday, Dec. 9, 1983, in Menomonee Falls, Wis. He served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy for eight years. He is survived by his mother, Linda Christman of Menomonee Falls; father, Roger Christman of Menomonee Falls; brother, Brian Christman of Milwaukee, Wis.; and maternal grandmother, MaryEllen Stelpflug. He was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Elvin and Laura Christman; and maternal grandfather, Cyril Stelpflug.

Attention high school students in need of Student Service Learning hours: The annual spring craft show will be Saturday and Sunday at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Hagerstown. There is an opportunity to earn SSL hours throughout the show. The organizers need help for vendors unloading starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, then throughout the day for various jobs until 5 p.m. Also, they could use some help Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Proceeds will go to Holly Place.

After Christmas has come and gone, there's the fact that the Single-Digits Decade is almost over, and it's time to ring in 2010. Short on plans? Not sure what's happening on Dec. 31? The Herald-Mail has rounded up a few events that might help you answer the question, "What are you doing on New Year's Eve?" Compiled by Tiffany Arnold 'That Holiday Feeling' Washington County Playhouse and Dinner Theatre finishes its run of "That Holiday Feeling," with a New Year's Eve show.

The Maryland/Delaware/D.C. Moose Association will hold its annual convention this weekend in Hagerstown. Approximately 200 couples are expected to attend the convention at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center on Dual Highway. Many of the Moose members arrived Wednesday by motorcycle. At 7 p.m., more than 150 motorcycles arrived at the Clarion as part of a fundraising ride. In addition to business meetings, some of the convention activities include a golf tournament, a Shining Star awards banquet and a memorial service.

Cortney Breanna Weaver and Donald "Chip" Leon Chambers III were married Saturday, Aug. 2, 2008, in the courtyard at the Clarion Hotel, Shepherdstown, W.Va. The bride is the daughter of Cassie and David Taylor of Williamsport, and Chuck and Patti Weaver of Hagerstown. The bridegroom is the son of Skip and Karla Chambers of Williamsport. The bride is a 2002 graduate of Williamsport High School, a 2006 graduate of Salisbury University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education and is pursuing a master's degree from Frostburg University.

The Maryland Republican Party's two-day spring convention in Hagerstown started Friday with an executive committee meeting. The convention continues today at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center with other party business, plus speeches by Hagerstown Mayor Robert E. Bruchey II and U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md.

The Maryland Republican Party will hold its annual spring meeting in Hagerstown May 1 and 2 at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center. "We expect 250 to 300 people to attend," said events coordinator April Rose. "Local elected officials will be attending. All of the elected party leadership from throughout the state of Maryland, including many business and community leaders will also be there. Congressman Bartlett will be attending and will be addressing the group at lunch. " The group meets twice a year for a spring convention and a fall convention.

The couple who recently bought the Clarion Hotel is hoping to provide "a unique experience" for their guests. The hotel at 901 Dual Highway recently was purchased by Martin and Lata Milner of Emerald Hospitality Group. Since purchasing the hotel, the Milners have committed millions of dollars in renovations to the facility, including a new roof, new hot-water system, renovated rooms and suites, and a major refurbishing of the indoor pool and atrium. While the Clarion often provides rooms for the conference center attached to the hotel, the conference center, as well as Barefoot Bernie's Bar and Grille, is not owned by the Clarion.

The attorney for the owners of two Dual Highway businesses told the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County on Wednesday that his clients opposed the Clarion Hotel's request to obtain a liquor license. Joe Rouse said the owners of Barefoot Bernie's Bar & Grille and the Cancun Cantina nightclub are concerned that granting a liquor license to the Clarion could pave the way for the hotel to open another restaurant on the property, which is shared by all three businesses at 901 Dual Highway.

As one happy shopper emerged Saturday from the 24th annual Kris Kringle Holiday Craft and Gift Show, she was cradling what was destined to be her daughter's Christmas present in her arms. "There is anything and everything in there," said the West Virginia woman, who asked to remain anonymous in case her daughter might learn what surprise will be awaiting her under the Christmas tree next month. Organizer Linda Williams was busy navigating through the 124 vendors Saturday at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek on Dual Highway for the two-day event.