Estate Planning

Jan. 2, 2007: Bits-n-Bridles 4-H Club, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Jan. 3: Franklin County Dairy Day at Kauffman's Community Center, Chambersburg, Pa., at 9:15 a.m. Jan. 3: 4-H Swine Club, Washington County Extension office, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 4: Farm Estate Planning Workshop, Washington County Extension office, 9 a.m. Call 301-791-1304 to register. Jan. 5: Livestock Quality Assurance Training, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Jan. 8: Washington County Homemakers, Extension office, 9:30 a.m. Jan. 8: 4-H Dairy Goat Club, Washington County Extension office, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 9: Hagerstown Valley Apian Society, Washington County Extension office, 7 p.m. Jan. 10: Washington County Master Gardeners, Extension office, 7 p.m. Jan. 12-13: Future Harvest eighth Annual Conference, Farming for Profit and Stewardship, Four Points Sheraton, Hagerstown.

More people make charitable contributions while they are living than later through their wills. Fact is, most people never get around to making a will. They die, as the lawyers say, "intestate. " The Community Foundation of Washington County would like to change that by celebrating March as "Write a Will Month"! What is there about a will that puts people off? Why do so many of us seem to lack the will to make a will? Well, for one thing, it is inconvenient to find a good attorney, make an appointment and spend the time going through the process of gathering information and making decisions.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The framers of a detailed plan to protect Jefferson County's farming industry from urban development asked the Jefferson County Commissioners Thursday for $6,700 to get the program started. cont. from news page The money will be used to conduct workshops for farmers wanting to learn about new farming technologies, marketing strategies and estate planning, said Roger Boyer, head of the Potomac Headwaters Resource, Conservation and Development Council.

Tuesdays and Thursdays: Low-impact aerobics class, Boonsboro Fire Hall, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Step-aerobics class at Little Antietam Community Center, 40 Mount Vernon Drive, Keedysville, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. June 3: Book share at Sharpsburg Library, 10 a.m., free. Call 301-432-8825 for more information. June 3: Summer reading kickoff registration at Boonsboro Library, 3:30 p.m., Call 301-432-5723. June 4, 11, 18, 25 and July 2: Story time at Sharpsburg Public Library, 3:30 p.m., free for ages 3 to 5. For more information, call 301-432-8825.

Shippensburg University SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. - Shippensburg University has received a federal grant of $178,537 from higher education's Dwight D. Eisenhower Professional Development Program. The grant will fund a professional development program for mathematics teachers in Central Pennsylvania. The program, "Weaving the Geometry Strand Throughout the K-12 Mathematics Curriculum," is providing an intensive two-week workshop through July 23 for 84 teachers from 15 different school districts.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - When it opens in May, Sentry Trust Co. will reflect a growing trend in the banking industry, its president says. Sentry will be the first independent, non-depository trust company to open in Franklin County. Charles Nelson, former senior vice president and regional trust manager of Valleybank in Chambersburg, said he has been setting up the new venture from his house and car phone. Office space for the new company is being readied at Nicholson Square Commons, a new office condominium complex at 1930 Scotland Ave. Nelson said he is hiring six full-time and four part-time employees.

You are going to die. You don't like to think about it - nobody does - but unless medical science comes up with something pretty amazing, it's going to happen. [cont. from lifestyle ] There's plenty of advice - in school, in church, in books and on talk shows - about how to live well. What should you do in order to die well? We asked a few experts. Hospice care is a compassionate method of caring for terminally ill people. Faye Altizer, a certified grief counselor, started her work with Hospice of Washington County as a volunteer 16 years ago. Now she works as the organization's bereavement program manager.