Duck Race

Most racers train. They adopt a strict workout regimen, monitor nutrition and take pains to stay on top of their mental game. Not so for the competitors Saturday in the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s duck race. These orange-billed contenders just chilled on the bridge until, at last, they were dumped into the water. Then, they floated with blank-eyed stares down Antietam Creek, occasionally bumping mindlessly into rocks or getting hung up on sticks. Though they were sponsored for five bucks a pop, they exhibited no sense of urgency or pressure.

FUNKSTOWN -- Preparations are under way for the ninth annual Antietam Creek duck race Saturday, Aug. 29, sponsored by the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. The Town of Funkstown already has a $50 donation toward the effort, just as it did last year. Firefighters are asking area businesses for additional contributions that can be used as prizes for duck race winners. Those donations could be items representing the businesses or cash that could be used as prize money. The ducks will enter the water at approximately 2 p.m. on race day. The finish line is directly behind the fire station property.

FUNKSTOWN - The swimmers were on their marks. When the starting siren blared, a group of firefighters dumped the competitors from garbage bags off a bridge, sending them rolling and splashing haphazardly into Antietam Creek. The competitors were small plastic ducks. The event was the annual Duck Race fundraising event for the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. The fire company sent fliers to residents within its emergency response area prior to Saturday's race. Tickets for ducks cost $5 for one or $25 for seven.

marlob@herald-mail.com FUNKSTOWN - Larry Iseminger learned a valuable lesson about markers, not ducks, a few years ago when he was coordinating the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s biennial duck race down Antietam Creek. "When you write those numbers on the bottoms of those plastic ducks, you'd better make sure you're using a permanent marker," Iseminger said recently as he was getting ready for this year's race, which will be Saturday, Aug. 27. One year, Funkstown volunteer member Rick Conrad was stationed downstream where the ducks crossed the finish line and he quickly learned that the first few ducks that came through had no numbers on them.

FUNKSTOWN -- There was no "fowl" play Saturday afternoon as several real ducks tried to take part in the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s annual duck race. Unfortunately for them, only toy ducks were eligible. Watching the mallards skim along the edge of Antietam Creek just added to the fun of the annual event, which is a significant fundraiser for the organization. About 1,500 small numbered toy ducks were sold, either at $5 each or seven for $25. According to Chief Dave Fraley, the group hoped to realize about $4,000 following expenses.

FUNKSTOWN -- Low water in Antietam Creek made the progress of Saturday's Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company duck race a little slow, but it added to the drama of the fundraiser for spectators, both in and out of the water. "This was one of our best years," said Larry Iseminger, who chaired the event. In the past, the duck race was an every other year activity, but that all changed in 2005. "We need the income," Iseminger said. More than 1,750 of the small plastic numbered ducks were sold, either at $5 each or seven for $25. Assorted gifts also were given out to other winners.

Holiday celebration dates scheduled FUNKSTOWN -- Funkstown's Halloween Parade will be Thursday, Oct. 28, starting at 6 p.m., town officials decided Monday night. Trick-or-treat will be Friday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. An Olde Tyme Christmas meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, upstairs at Town Hall, Councilman Richard L. Gaver said. Town buys 'ducks' FUNKSTOWN -- The Funkstown Town Council voted 6-0 Monday night to donate $100 to the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s duck race fundraiser.

The following is the schedule for the contestants competing in the Miss Maryland Pageant, which will be held through Saturday at The Maryland Theatre in Hagers-town: Friday, June 27 Noon - Contestants' luncheon with Hagerstown's mayor and City Council at The Maryland Theatre. 8 p.m. - Preliminary competition at The Maryland Theatre. Saturday, June 28 Ducky Derby Luncheon and Duck Race at Funkstown American Legion. 8 p.m. - Final competition at The Maryland Theatre.

FUNKSTOWN - Low water in Antietam Creek made the progress of Saturday's Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company duck race a little slow, but it added to the drama of the fundraiser for spectators, both in and out of the water. "This was one of our best years," said Larry Iseminger, who chaired the event. In the past, the duck race was an every other year activity, but that all changed in 2005. "We need the income," Iseminger said. More than 1,750 of the small plastic numbered ducks were sold, either at $5 each or seven for $25. Assorted gifts also were given out to other winners.

Most racers train. They adopt a strict workout regimen, monitor nutrition and take pains to stay on top of their mental game. Not so for the competitors Saturday in the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s duck race. These orange-billed contenders just chilled on the bridge until, at last, they were dumped into the water. Then, they floated with blank-eyed stares down Antietam Creek, occasionally bumping mindlessly into rocks or getting hung up on sticks. Though they were sponsored for five bucks a pop, they exhibited no sense of urgency or pressure.

Good morning, dear friends. And good-bye to summer. I know that August is not quite over yet, and I'm sure it's too early to start putting away the flip-flops and bathing suits. However, it is time to grab the backpacks and No. 2 pencils and head out to the bus stop. Schools in Washington County open Wednesday, so please be extra careful when driving. Parents, remind the children to be cautious when walking to school and at the bus stop. Teachers, thank you, thank you, thank you. Class of 1987 It seems we just get everyone headed back to the classroom and it's reunion time.

On Sunday, Sept. 11, Saint Paul's Lutheran Church and Dixon-Troxell American Legion Post 211 in Funkstown are combining efforts for a spaghetti dinner and special program commemorating that eventful date. The dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with the program at 7. The doors open at 5. You can get your tickets at St. Paul's Church Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can also get tickets at the American Legion. Tickets cost $6 per person. For more information, call Charlotte Miller at 301-733-2678.

April is knocking on our door, and the Hancock Lions are sponsoring the season’s first Breakfast in the Park Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. The hot, cooked breakfast is served at the Lions’ Pavillion in Widmeyer Park. All funds help the Lions help others in our community. Line dancing Come and work off those breakfast calories on Saturday evening at the evening line dance, country/western couples and round dance lessons, taught by Steve Silver, from 6:30 to 9:45 p.m. at the Community Center.

FUNKSTOWN -- It's an event that makes a splash each year in Funkstown. People line the banks of Antietam Creek, wait for the horn to sound and cheer as more than 1,000 plastic ducks are dumped into the water from a bridge on Frederick Street. That was the case Saturday, when the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. sponsored its annual duck race. The event is a major fundraiser for the organization and a popular community event. "It's definitely more fun than most fundraisers," said Larry Iseminger, first vice president of the fire company.

School's here So here we are, at the middle of August, but the end of summer, so it would seem. Do you realize that the children head back to school Wednesday? Vacations are over tans are great and school shopping is complete, so there is no excuse for not having the most of enthusiastic attitudes for a fulfilling and exciting school year. Duck race The Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co. will hold its annual duck race Saturday, Aug. 28, in conjunction with its chicken barbecue.

Holiday celebration dates scheduled FUNKSTOWN -- Funkstown's Halloween Parade will be Thursday, Oct. 28, starting at 6 p.m., town officials decided Monday night. Trick-or-treat will be Friday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. An Olde Tyme Christmas meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, upstairs at Town Hall, Councilman Richard L. Gaver said. Town buys 'ducks' FUNKSTOWN -- The Funkstown Town Council voted 6-0 Monday night to donate $100 to the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s duck race fundraiser.

FUNKSTOWN -- There was no "fowl" play Saturday afternoon as several real ducks tried to take part in the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Co.'s annual duck race. Unfortunately for them, only toy ducks were eligible. Watching the mallards skim along the edge of Antietam Creek just added to the fun of the annual event, which is a significant fundraiser for the organization. About 1,500 small numbered toy ducks were sold, either at $5 each or seven for $25. According to Chief Dave Fraley, the group hoped to realize about $4,000 following expenses.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. -- A few spectators waded into Conococheague Creek on Sunday for a better view and cooler spot to watch 1,100 rubber ducks make their 20th annual journey downstream to benefit the American Cancer Society. Boy Scout Troop 99 dumped the tagged rubber ducks into the water shortly after 1 p.m. People purchased tickets to correspond with those tags, making a donation to area cancer services and hoping to win a prize. The number of ducks and number of spectators had diminished greatly since 2008, when a record 2,600 ducks had sponsors.