Financial Aid

On Thursday, several bills sponsored by members of Washington County's delegation to the General Assembly were among those signed by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley. They include (with local sponsors' names in parentheses): Frederick County may enact laws to allow dogs in restaurants' outdoor dining areas (Sen. Alex X. Mooney) A local governing body may have a preference-based system for procurement in public-school construction (Sen. George C. Edwards) A contract between health insurance carriers and clinically integrated organizations may have certain payment provisions (Del.

Evening of jazz set for Sunday evening The Doleman Black Heritage Museum will host its second annual An Evening of Jazz Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the University System of Maryland (main entrance), 32 W. Washington St. The event will feature jazz saxophonist Brian Lenair, who has performed with several national recording artists. To purchase tickets, call Janice Kelsh at 301-797-7675, go to www.dolemanbhm.vpweb.com or stop by the Convention and Visitors Bureau at 16 Public Square.

FREDERICK, Md. -- A scholarship in memory of Regina Culler Munshour has been established at Frederick Community College by her daughter, Jean Munshour, a 38-year employee of the college. Regina Munshour died in May 2008, 11 days before her 100th birthday. Her daughter created the scholarship to honor her mother's devotion to the medical profession. Regina Munshour was a medical secretary for 50 years. She worked for Drs. A. Austin Pearre Sr., Henry V. Chase, Edward P. Thomas Sr. and William Meredith Smith.

"To the Hagerstown caller who complained that NASCAR goes around in circles: ... Basketball players run up and down the court. Baseball players run around in a circle. Football players run up and down a field. At a tennis match, you watch the ball go back and forth, back and forth. And golf players hit the ball and walk, hit the ball and walk. So what's the difference?" - Dargan "Financial aid for college is a joke. I apply every year, sometimes twice a year, and get turned down for federal financial aid every time.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Wilson College continues to be among the leaders in colleges offering a high-quality education at a reasonable price, according to U.S. News & World Report's 2010 "America's Best Colleges" issue, which names Wilson a "Top Tier" and "Best Value" college. The magazine is available on newsstands today. Wilson ranked 17th overall in the category of best baccalaureate colleges focused on undergraduate education in the northern region, slightly down from a ranking of 15th in the category last year.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Mountain State University Martinsburg invites current and potential students for early registration to attend "Welcome Back Students Summer Fest" from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, and Friday, Aug. 21, at the University campus, 214 Viking Way. Sessions Thursday, Aug. 20, will be for School of Business and Technology and School of Arts and Sciences students. Sessions Friday, Aug. 21, will be for students of the School of Health Sciences. Each day, sessions will focus on preparation for returning to school.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Mountain State University in Martinsburg will hold a "Welcome Back Students Summer Fest" Aug. 20 and 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day at the 214 Viking Way campus.  The Aug. 20 sessions will be for School of Business and Technology and School of Arts and Sciences students. The Aug. 21 sessions will be for students of the School of Health Sciences. Sessions will focus on preparation for returning to school. Areas such as financial aid, student advising, registration and student photo IDs will be covered.

Ever since I was little, my dream has been to go to Yale University. When people would ask me where I was looking, my answer would always be Yale. Yes, I knew it would be expensive, but I had never imagined it would be more than $50,000 a year. When I saw the tuition cost on Yale's Web site, I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought, how am I ever going to afford this? That's when I began searching for scholarships. There was no way I would risk going $200,000 in debt after four years.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said he was inspired by the hard work he said was evident during his visit Tuesday to two Berkeley County elementary schools and Blue Ridge Community & Technical College. "I just see this tremendous passion and commitment, and this is a state that is really serious about education," Duncan said on his first stop in a nationwide "listening and learning" tour. Duncan is expected to travel to 15 or more states to solicit feedback from a broad group of stakeholders about federal education policy in anticipation of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. "Teachers, principals, parents, superintendents, community members -- everybody wants this to continue to get better," Duncan said.

Winter fest set for Saturday It's the eighth year for the Hancock Winter Festival to be held Saturday in Widmeyer Park. Although there might not be snow, there is still plenty to do including ice carving, a silent auction, a hat contest, a cakewalk, face painting and, of course, delicious food. Come anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. to enjoy this terrific winter day with your neighbors. The festival is sponsored by the Hancock Arts Council, and proceeds will support future cultural and community arts programs in Hancock.