Clarion Hotel

On this fine Fourth of July, I would like to start out by giving a big Hagerstown hello to Joyce Turner. It will be a little difficult, however, since, technically, I don't know who she is. But, unlike many of us, perhaps, she wants to be here. I know this because of an article in the Chico (Calif., I think, but don't hold me to it) Enterprise Record that starts out thusly: "With the wind in her face and the vinyl, low-rider Harley Davidson holding her up, Joyce Turner only has one goal on her mind.

Organizers of "Elvis Lives In Hagerstown" say that planning is under way for the fourth annual event, to be held Sept. 10. The Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek is the new venue for the event. The festival will include performances by four top Elvis Presley tribute artists. Proceeds support the development of the planned Barbara Ingram School for the Performing Arts. The committee planning the annual event formed a charitable nonprofit. "We formed a 501(c)

This is a partial list of Tri-State area nightclubs that feature entertainment and are open to the public. Private service organizations will not be included. To be included, write to After Hours, The Herald-Mail, P.O. Box 439, Hagerstown, Md. 21741 or call calendar editor Jean Baraclough at 301-733-5131, ext. 2300 or send e-mail to jeanb@herald-mail.com . Please have information in by Wednesday at 4 p.m. Maryland Washington County Barracuda Surf Bar, Clarion Hotel, 901 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, 301-745-3021.

wandw@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - Sharon Stanley, one of the first brides-to-be arriving at Sunday's Bridal Bliss 2005, eagerly awaited the show's start. Stanley, engaged for a little more than two years, said she gets butterflies as she makes plans for her wedding. "I'm here to get some ideas ... I have no clue where to begin. Hopefully, this show will calm my nerves," said Stanley, 23, who recently pushed her September wedding date back to have more time for planning.

The Herald-Mail Dee Stevenson is marking a 15-year anniversary in March with The Herald-Mail Co. Stevenson is the company's credit manager, working in the finance and administration department. Also, Karen Hanna has been hired as an education reporter. A graduate of Kent State University, Hanna most recently worked for the Ashland (Ohio) Times-Gazette. Also in the newsroom, Kate Coleman and Marie Bell Gilbert have been rehired as part-time reporters for the Lifestyle section.

julieg@herald-mail.com The reorganized ownership group of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center Antietam Creek is investing more than $1.2 million in improvements at the hotel, one of the owners said Wednesday. Hagerstown Hotel Associates LLC, which owns the Clarion at 901 Dual Highway, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Nov. 26, 2003, because the 2001 recession and 9/11 terrorist attacks hurt tourism and business travel, according to court records and what owner Bill Burruss said last year.

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.

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.