Clear Spring

It took little time for a fresh South Hagerstown team to beat down a tired opponent. The Rebels caught Clear Spring on the rebound of Monday’s three-overtime affair against Hancock and went down easy street to an 83-43 MVAL Antietam victory Tuesday. “With the game (Clear Spring) had on Monday, I can imagine it would be hard to come back right away,” said South coach Kevin Naylor. The Blazers carved out an 80-72 win over Hancock, but on Tuesday coach Ryan Grabill said it was a different story.

Trei Commer, 17, of Clear Spring, is one of 42 Maryland students recognized for volunteerism through the Kohl’s Care Scholarship Program and awarded a $50 Kohl’s gift card and recognition certificate. Some 2,200 young volunteers nationwide were selected for their positive impact on their communities through volunteerism, according to a news release. These winners qualify for the chance to receive a $1,000 regional scholarship for post-secondary education, which Kohl’s will award in July.

Donna Mongan had a good feeling about the spaghetti dinner benefit she was planning. Chairwoman of the missions committee at St. Paul's Reformed Church in Clear Spring, Mongan led the effort to support 17-year-old Ciara Ortiz of Clear Spring, who is struggling with medical treatment for a paralyzed stomach. Even before the benefit dinner even took place, people exhibited a caring spirit toward Ciara. When Mongan went to the grocery store to buy spaghetti, the cashier commented on the quantity she was buying.

Kevin Smoot started the Washington County Middle School Basketball League 10 years ago at Broadfording Christian Academy based on one central principle: Discipline. “He's a disciplined individual, and in sports you have to be,” said Kevin's wife, Christy Smoot. “When he had kids he realized that they had nothing to do and he wanted to give them an outlet where they could learn and grow together.” With Kevin in mind, the coaches and directors of the Washington County Middle School Basketball League created the Kevin Smoot Scholarship Award, given to a high school senior who played at least two years in the league and will be attending college in the fall.

Friday, April 20, 2012 PREP SOFTBALL THURMONT, Md. -   Clear Spring lost its first game of the season Friday, falling 13-9 to Catoctin (7-4, 6-2) in an MVAL Antietam contest. Tori Albert smacked a two-run homer in the second inning and Sarah Elwood and Lexi Albert had three hits each for the Blazers (11-1), who had 14 hits but committed seven errors. Clear Spring scored six runs in the fourth to take a 9-8 lead, but Catoctin rallied with five runs in the sixth.

December 8, 2010 BOYS BASKETBALL BOONSBORO — The Boonsboro boys felt like they achieved the ultimate on Wednesday night, defeating Liberty 52-51, giving new coach Skip Chambers his first victory. In a total rebuilding year, the Warriors (1-1) pulled away from a 19-19 halftime tie to take a 42-34 lead after three quarters, only to have Liberty surge back. However, three free throws by Justin Lewis gave the Warriors a 52-50 lead with 16 seconds left to play.

CLEAR SPRING -- This summer's drought has been tough on local gardens, but there's produce to share at the Windy Rock Community Valor Garden in Clear Spring. The women who founded the community garden said this year's crop is nowhere near last year's bounty, but what is grown and given away comes from the heart. Lori Stottlemyer, Jametta McDaniel and Bernice Mebane were drawn to each other by their shared interest in helping others. Stottlemyer and McDaniel are neighbors, and started planning the community garden as a way to help local families in need during the recession, as well as rally the community together.

PREP BASEBALL Catoctin 8, Clear Spring 4 THURMONT, Md. -- Brad Banzhoff had three hits for Clear Spring (15-3, 11-3), but the Blazers lost their regular-season finale at Catoctin (11-9, 7-7) in the MVAL Antietam. Clear Spring 030 010 0 -- 4 7 2 Catoctin 302 210 x -- 8 12 2 Walling, Brant (2), Yost (3), Jordan (5) and Morgan. Ausherman, Smith (5) and Larson. WP -- Ausherman. LP -- Yost. Broadfording 11, Shalom 1 Matt South doubled twice and had three RBIs for Broadfording in its six-inning rout of visiting Shalom.

Mayor: Paul D. Hose Jr., 301-842-3344 Vice Mayor: Terry Baker, 301-733-4103 Town Council: Steven Blickenstaff, 301-842-2023 Carol Hovermale, 301-842-2097 Open seat to be filled in November The Town Council meets the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Town Hall: 301-842-2252 E-mail: townofclearspring@starpower.net Population: 462 (estimated, 2004)

Imagine a time in our nation's history when covered wagons creaked and swayed across a vast landscape. Pots and pans clanged against the sideboards and large, spiny wheels — prone to splinting — dipped in and out of ruts. With little more than a willing spirit, families headed West, hoping to stake a claim and start a new life. Cradling babies and shotguns, their journey carried them along the National Pike. Following his inauguration in 1801, President Thomas Jefferson championed building a national road into the west to facilitate American expansion.