Family Friend

HAGERSTOWN -- From elementary school through college, Brad Bilbaugh played in a lot of bands. Although he admits he and his friends generally were dreadful, "performing clumsy versions of popular cover songs," it was hard to deny his love of music. It's a gift the Hagerstown man has passed on to his son, Ian. With several years of guitar lessons under his belt, the 10-year-old hopes to someday express himself creatively in a rock 'n' roll band. He took a step in that direction Saturday afternoon, posing for a photo dressed in a black leather jacket and holding a purple electric guitar.

Editor's note: Each Sunday, The Herald-Mail publishes "A Life Remembered. " This continuing series takes a look back -- through the eyes of family, friends, co-workers and others -- at a member of the community who died recently. Today's "A Life Remembered" is about James Albert "Jim" Clinton Jr., who died July 10 at the age of 77. His obituary was published in the July 15 edition of The Herald-Mail. They came to Morris Frock American Legion Post 42 in Hagerstown last week to honor their friend, Jim Clinton, a professional aviator for 35 years who "flew west" July 10. But after all of the handshakes and tearful hugs, the conversations soared away into the glide path of former Fairchild planes, wartime exploits and peacetime flying experiences -- both shared and separate.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Tina Stride fought back tears Monday afternoon as she stared across the street at the Martinsburg home where her neighbor, 35-year-old Katherine Nicole Sharp, was found dead at the end of a 26-hour hostage situation. A decorative flag that said "America" waved gently on the side of the one-story house with white siding, blue shutters and a basket of bright red flowers hanging on the porch. The yard was wrapped in yellow police tape, and West Virginia State Police troopers watched as a machine hummed in the doorway, apparently pumping out the gas released inside earlier by Special Operations Team members.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. -- The new reading tree at Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library might be planted on carpet between rows of books, but the library hopes the artificial 6-foot-tall birchwood will grow a love of reading among Greencastle children all year round. Donated by the Greencastle Lioness Club, the free-standing tree completes the library's new family-friendly section in an effort to become a Family Place Library. Every five years, the Greencastle Lionesses take on a special anniversary project to benefit the community.

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. -- Authorities have identified the 3-year-old Berkeley County, W.Va., boy who died Friday afternoon in a mobile home fire near Hedgesville as Shawn Thomas Fishburn of 1717 Allensville Road. His father, Thomas Robert Fishburn, 24, of the same address, was being treated at the Washington (D.C.) Hospital Center for second- and third-degree burns to more than 50 percent of his body, according to a press release from West Virginia State Police First Sgt. E.D. Burnett.

The Neighborhood Youth Club is holding its Family and Friends Day Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Hagerstown. The event will include a black history tribute. The MLK Center is in the North Street School building. For more information, call 301-393-9290.

On Nov. 16, more than 150 friends and family gathered to surprise Greg Munch at his 40th birthday party. Greg experienced a terrible accident when he was young but has always maintained a loving and can-do attitude. He rocks with Elvis music and can pick the guitar and sing. People shared thoughts of how Greg has touched their lives throughout the years. His brothers, Henry and Barry, also celebrated birthdays and each had their own cakes. Of course, Greg's cake was shaped like a guitar.

Alivia Keller, 2 1/2, gets a helping hand from her mother, Liz Keller, Tuesday while the two play basketball with a family friend, Jackie Brown, at Elgin Park in Hagerstown.

GETTYSBURG, PA. - A Shippensburg, Pa., man was killed Thursday when the motorcycle he was riding struck a deer on Shippensburg Road in Menallen Township, according to Pennsylvania State Police in Adams County. Walter T. Eichelberger, 60, of 155 Fogelsanger Road, was on Shippensburg Road at about 7 p.m. when the 2006 Honda Rebel he was riding struck a deer running across the road, police said. The motorcycle then struck an embankment, police said. Eichelberger was wearing a helmet, police said.