Eyeglasses

ln 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to be “knights of blind in the crusade against darkness” during the association's international convention. Today, Lions Clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and vision impaired. Lions demonstrate their commitment to sight conservation through eyeglass recycling, sight partnerships and many other sight services. On June 27, Bob Martin of the Myersville (Md.) Lions Club gave a slide presentation on the recycling of eyeglasses.

The Hancock Lioness Club hosted Robert Martin, founder of the Global Re-Vision Network, at its Aug. 13 board meeting. His message addressed the importance of recycling/donating eyeglasses. His message: Refractive error is a vision impairment that can be corrected with eyeglasses. It afflicts nearly two-thirds of the world's population, more than 4 billion people (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, presbyopia). More than 2 billion of them have no access to eye care and/or cannot afford eyeglasses.

In June, the Boy Scouts of Troop 14, Smithsburg, joined with the Smithsburg Lions to wrap and package 1,612 pair of eyeglasses which had been collected. On July 9, Bob Martin from the Middletown (Md.) Lions Club gave a slide presentation on the recycling of eyeglass. He informed the club of how the eyeglasses are collected, delivered to clinics, sorted and stored for use by people in Third World countries. Martin also explained how people are tested and then the proper glasses are selected and given to the client.

Eyeglasses collection During the latest two-week reporting period, the Hagerstown Lions Club has collected 112 pairs of eyeglasses, 299 lenses and 45 cases. From July to December 2007, the Lions Club collected 1,733 pairs of eyeglasses, 4,163 lenses, 49 eyeglass frames and 544 cases, with a total value of $8,779. Since the year 2000, eyeglasses donated by the Hagerstown Lions Club to IMA World Health had a total value of $165,319. IMA distributes medical assistance to more than 400 hospitals and clinics in more than 60 developing countries.

Williamsport will hold its inaugural River Rat Day on Groundhog's Day, which is Saturday.   The event begins at 10 a.m. with the “Shadow and Cheese Ceremony” on Doubleday Hill. The Hill, at the end of West Salisbury Street, overlooks the Potomac River and earned a place in history during the Civil War. If the rat, a real rat, sees its shadow, it will mean six more weeks of winter. Those who wear River Rat T-shirts will receive River Rat Day specials or discounts around Williamsport Town Center.

The West Hagerstown Lions Club "Mr. Peepers Contest" was held Dec. 4, 2006, at Winter Street Elementary School. Students collected used eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses to be sent to Lions International, where they will be used by people all over the world. Each student who brought in glasses received a prize at the end of the contest. The class with the most glasses was Carly Pumphrey's first-grade class. Her class received a $50 check to be used to buy books for their classroom.

The Junior Rangers program is offered to those ages 7 to 14. It is a chance to explore  local parks, discover their natural and cultural heritage, and learn about the outdoors through hands-on activities. The program is offered by local park rangers. The six-week program is offered Wednesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (with ample make-up sessions) and includes park admission for the whole family. Upon completion of the program, a membership card and Junior Rangers patch will be issued.

A retired Hagerstown postman still delivers good news. Robert L. Harshman Sr. spent 30 years walking 15 miles daily, bringing mail to West Hagerstown. cont. from front page "I loved the job. I loved being out with the people," said Harshman, 67. "In 30 years, I saw babies born, raised, get married and have their own kids. " He retired in 1987, but Harshman didn't stop serving those West End neighborhoods. He and his wife, Teresa, who live on Wakefield Road, joined the West Hagerstown Lions Club.

Leadership of the Hagerstown Lioness Club changed in June, when President Joan Bachtell relinquished the reins to president-elect Linda Perry. Perry's "platform" is continuing to be happy and successful by living the three L's: Live well, laugh often, and love much. In addition to Perry, D22-W past district governor Dave Fisher installed the officers for the year 2007-08. They include: immediate past president, Joan Bachtell; first vice president Pat Kelley; second vice president Karen Flohr; secretary Jo Ann Keller; assistant secretary Kathleen Navin; treasurer Leslie Hobbs; assistant treasurer Doris Fisher; directors Pat Gebhart, Sylvia Mann and Linda Vestal; Lioness Tamer Donna Pitsnogle; assistant Lioness Tamer Carol Ann Rossman; Gold Digger Janet Musser, assistant Gold Digger Sherry Cooper; historian Louise Crist; and assistant historian Anna Mae Hubbell.

Hello! It sure has been nice having chilly mornings knowing that by the afternoon it'll be warm. Parents, remember there is a 2 1/2-hour-early dismissal Friday for Washington County schools, so make plans now. Way to go, Patrick Congratulations are in order for South Hagerstown High School sophomore Patrick Lynch. Patrick was recently accepted into Washington County Tech High for the criminal justice program. Patrick wants to go into the forensics science field and this will help jump-start his career.

I never fared terribly well with eyeglasses. I was amazed at how crisp the world looked when I first got them in the third grade. But all that clarity kind of gave me a headache and made me a little dizzy. Just days after I got the oversize smoky purple beauties, a large, bouncing, eraser-colored kickball sailed across the echoing gymnasium in gym class and thumped me in the eye. I wobbled back, trying to maintain my balance, as a lens popped from the frame and I ended up with a shiner that left my brothers referring to me as Muhammad Ali. For months, I would remove my glasses when I ate. I felt like they were after my food.

Williamsport will hold its inaugural River Rat Day on Groundhog's Day, which is Saturday.   The event begins at 10 a.m. with the “Shadow and Cheese Ceremony” on Doubleday Hill. The Hill, at the end of West Salisbury Street, overlooks the Potomac River and earned a place in history during the Civil War. If the rat, a real rat, sees its shadow, it will mean six more weeks of winter. Those who wear River Rat T-shirts will receive River Rat Day specials or discounts around Williamsport Town Center.

The Hancock Lioness Club hosted Robert Martin, founder of the Global Re-Vision Network, at its Aug. 13 board meeting. His message addressed the importance of recycling/donating eyeglasses. His message: Refractive error is a vision impairment that can be corrected with eyeglasses. It afflicts nearly two-thirds of the world's population, more than 4 billion people (nearsighted, farsighted, astigmatism, presbyopia). More than 2 billion of them have no access to eye care and/or cannot afford eyeglasses.

ln 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to be “knights of blind in the crusade against darkness” during the association's international convention. Today, Lions Clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and vision impaired. Lions demonstrate their commitment to sight conservation through eyeglass recycling, sight partnerships and many other sight services. On June 27, Bob Martin of the Myersville (Md.) Lions Club gave a slide presentation on the recycling of eyeglasses.

On Saturday, the community is invited to Henry's Hustle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Maugansville Elementary School. Activities include races and walks, free games and activities, such as inflatable jumping areas and train rides.   For $1, attendees can win a goldfish or dunk a special someone in the dunking booth. There will be steamers, pizza and other foods available for sale. For more information, contact Sherie or Jeremy Golden at 301-766-8230. Henry's Hustle began in 2009 as way to honor the life of Henry Scheck.  To help other children with cancer, the Scheck family chose to raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.

The Junior Rangers program is offered to those ages 7 to 14. It is a chance to explore  local parks, discover their natural and cultural heritage, and learn about the outdoors through hands-on activities. The program is offered by local park rangers. The six-week program is offered Wednesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. (with ample make-up sessions) and includes park admission for the whole family. Upon completion of the program, a membership card and Junior Rangers patch will be issued.

Hello I hope all of the teachers and students had a good first week back in school. Car wash The Academy of Finance at South Hagerstown High School will hold a car wash at Advanced Auto Parts at Virginia Avenue and Halfway Boulevard Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds will help finance the academy's trip to the New York financial district. Yard sale The South Hagerstown High School Alumni Association will hold a yard sale Saturday, Sept.

o Read more Paula Green Shupp columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Williamsport Lions Club news This weekend is Halfway Park Days at Martin L. "Marty" Snook Memorial Park in Halfway, and the Williamsport Lions Club will be making its famous funnel cakes and selling drinks. The proceeds will benefit the community. On May 14, Girl Scout Troop 282 visited the Lions Club meeting. Emily and Katie Grabill and Haley and Emily Hemphill presented Lions Club president Walt Shoenian with 170 pairs of used eyeglasses.

In June, the Boy Scouts of Troop 14, Smithsburg, joined with the Smithsburg Lions to wrap and package 1,612 pair of eyeglasses which had been collected. On July 9, Bob Martin from the Middletown (Md.) Lions Club gave a slide presentation on the recycling of eyeglass. He informed the club of how the eyeglasses are collected, delivered to clinics, sorted and stored for use by people in Third World countries. Martin also explained how people are tested and then the proper glasses are selected and given to the client.

HALFWAY - It's not every day you can buy hand-painted Vietnamese tunic and pant sets at a park. But at Halfway Park Days at Martin L. "Marty" Snook Memorial Park, patrons can find traditional festival fare and a bit of the unexpected. Vendors sprawl the length of the walking trail and beyond, offering at turns silver jewelry, decorative outhouses, magic shows, window estimates and fried chicken. Denise Luna, 54, of Hagerstown, stood in the Carol Fashions booth trying on Vietnamese apparel with her sister, Dawn Burkholder, 51, and her niece, Krystal Caudell, 28. "The quality is excellent, it's washable and (the vendor)