French Fries

HAGERSTOWN Two men who claim they suffered permanent injury after eating french fries saturated in oven cleaner at a Hagerstown Suns game settled out of court with Big Game Maryland LLC Monday morning after a jury had been impaneled to hear their case. The terms of the settlement were confidential. Stephen Parrotte and his wife, Regina Parrotte, filed a lawsuit in March 2006 in Washington County Circuit Court. The couple claimed Stephen Parrotte suffered "serious, painful and permanent injuries to his mouth, throat and digestive tract" after he ate oven-cleaner-topped fries during a home game in 2003.

War with Iraq, battered stock market, Homeland Security (aka the Reversal of Freedoms Act of 2002), record-setting drought, dogs and cats living together - so I turn on CNN this morning to get the lowdown on all these issues and discover that the big news is: McDonald's may change its french fry recipe. God Bless America. There's no catastrophe so catastrophic in this nation that a little blip on the fast-food radar won't immediately trivialize. People are pretty irate and the message is clear.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Councilman Earle R. Pereschuk Sr. and Williamsport resident Gary Grimes served more than 1,500 orders of "fresh cut" french fries at the Williamsport Harvest Hoe Down festival on Saturday, Oct. 4. Organized by the Williamsport Area Ministerium, the proceeds were designated to support the Williamsport Area Food Bank.

Gyra Chan St. James Lacrosse Junior What's your favorite food? French fries Who is your favorite cartoon character? Timmy Turner or Danny Phantom ... it's pretty close What is your biggest ambition? To become a doctor Three people I'd like to have lunch with: Sigmund Freud, Brad Pitt, Jesus Christ Who's your favorite musical group or artist? Stars The best thing about my school is: My friends The worst thing about my school is: Waking up early My classmates would probably name me 'Most likely to ...': Be embarrassing One place I'd most like to visit: Cuba If a genie gave you three wishes, what would they be?

In Pulse's first serial fiction story, a sketchy private detective on his first big case pursues clues and bad news. Chapter 3: A Crash, A Clue I dashed up the apartment building stairs toward the crashing sound. My pith helmet tumbled off in my haste, and I had to stop. As I swept it back onto my head, I caught sight of the notes I'd written on my hand about the Waskotts: "Construction noises, rumbling, strange (sort of sweet) smell. " The landlady had given me more information than I'd expected.

Clear Spring carnival is still a family affair By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer photo: JOE CROCETTA / staff photographer CLEAR SPRING - Jake Troupe remembers selling Cokes for a nickel and homemade french fries for a dime. He remembers when jousting drew big crowds. Troupe marveled at Patsy Cline's on-stage talent before the Winchester, Va., native soared to country music stardom. continued The 80-year-old Clear Spring resident has played a role in every Clear Spring Fire Co. carnival since the event was first held more than 60 years ago. This year's carnival started Monday and runs through Saturday.

Mount Airy teen charged after chase A Mount Airy teenager who led police in two counties on a high- speed chase on Interstate 70 Wednesday afternoon was being held at the Washington County Detention Center on $3,500 bond, jail officials said. Richard Kenneth Cosgrove Jr., 18, was the driver of a 1997 Hyundai Accent that Maryland State Police in Frederick tried to stop for traffic offenses at 12:53 p.m. in the Myersville, Md., area. Instead of stopping, the vehicle took some evasive maneuvers on Md. 17 and then re-entered I-70 westbound, reaching speeds in excess of 105 mph, police said.

marlob@herald-mail.com FUNKSTOWN - Della Conrad has some advice for anyone living in the Funkstown area who wants to get involved in something worthwhile. "Join the auxiliary of the Funkstown Volunteer Fire Company - it's great," she said, adding that the members aren't all wives of firefighters like one might expect. A resident of Funkstown for 36 years, Conrad said she was first introduced to the auxiliary by Marsha Dieterich, the current president of the organization.

This time of year, many people begin dieting — to "lean" up for the summer. But unfortunately most of these people will fail. Why? Because the diet tends to be too strict, too soon. Back in my bodybuilding days, I gradually progressed myself into the super-strict competition diet. By easing into the most difficult part of the nutrition program, I was better able to stick to it. Even then, I had an ace up my sleeve, which really cemented my compliance: the cheat meal. If you are dieting, the cheat meal, or the "refeed," as it's been called, is a powerful weapon in the dieter's arsenal against fat because it gives a nice reward for a week of disciplined eating.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- The scent of french fries hangs in the air when you walk toward the corner of West Main and Potomac streets in Waynesboro. Peter Galifianakis and Salomon Contreras wanted to quietly open their new restaurant, Waynesburger, last week. But it's hard to keep a secret when food is being served near oversized windows at what is possibly the town's busiest intersection. "The responses are overwhelming. We see the same faces every day and are seeing new ones, too," Galifianakis said.

Local Clique Club offers scholarships To assist graduating high school students in the Washington County area and help defray some of the cost of college, the Clique Club is hosting a scholarship fund fundraiser. There are several ways community residents can help. The first is by making a donation at the Columbia Bank on Virginia Avenue. The second way is by purchasing raffle tickets for a chance to win dinner for two at the Airport Inn, a round of golf for two at Black Rock Golf Course or a chance to win a trip for two to Cancun.

After working all week with teenagers in my classroom, I looked forward to a Friday evening working alongside them during Fun Night. At least I told myself this work would be fun, and besides, it was for a good cause. Each time my body protested from the week's fatigue, I willed it to keep working. That's just what moms do. For many schools, Fun Night is an annual occurrence during which games are played, prizes are awarded and funds are raised. Last Friday night, the juniors at our school presented a sports-themed evening of family fun. Those of us working behind the scenes had our own type of amusement.

 It's summertime and that means indulging in the fried, yummy goodness of carnival food. From the traditional candy apples and funnel cakes to the more unusual chocolate-covered frozen bananas, local food lovers can enjoy some guilty indulgences. Larry Moats of Fayetteville, Pa., teased that he went into training for the Waynesboro Fire Department's annual Carnival at the Quincy Ox Roast Grounds last week. Moats ate only half a ham-and-cheese sandwich before going to the fair, so he could save plenty of room for a big splurge at the carnival.

Only two teams showed up for the first Iron Chef Burger competition Sunday at the Washington County Ag Expo & Fair Sunday. But it didn't matter. The two burgers up for judging were so fat, so stuffed with cheese and so mouthwatering that the judges were having a tough time determining a winner. But after some scoring on qualities including taste, texture, aroma and creativity, four judges were able to award the first-place prize to Laurie and Jay Waltz of Chewsville for their pizza burger.

In the shadow of the waning evening sun, lawn chairs were clustered among spread blankets, their occupants waiting for the sky above Boonsboro to ignite with works of fire. The aroma of freshly fried potatoes mingled with lilting Sousa marches in the air to signal that it was again time to wish happy birthday to America. Hundreds of people filled Shafer Memorial Park Friday for the 11th annual Boonsboro Independence Day Celebration. It was as if a Norman Rockwell painting had come to life, said Carrie Turner of Hagerstown.

This time of year, many people begin dieting — to "lean" up for the summer. But unfortunately most of these people will fail. Why? Because the diet tends to be too strict, too soon. Back in my bodybuilding days, I gradually progressed myself into the super-strict competition diet. By easing into the most difficult part of the nutrition program, I was better able to stick to it. Even then, I had an ace up my sleeve, which really cemented my compliance: the cheat meal. If you are dieting, the cheat meal, or the "refeed," as it's been called, is a powerful weapon in the dieter's arsenal against fat because it gives a nice reward for a week of disciplined eating.

o Read more Cheryl Weaver columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Class of 1980 planning reunion The Clear Spring High School class of 1980 will hold its 30-year reunion Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Plaza Hotel in Hagerstown. Announcements have been mailed. Anyone not receiving an announcement should contact Leslie (Hull) Mills at 301-393-5915 or Cathy (Cornett) Dobrzanski at 301-733-2578. Addresses are needed for the following classmates: Vaughn Beard, April Danner, John Divelbiss, Beverly Hart, Michael Hovermale, David Levardi, Donna Moats, Larry Price, Jeffery Smith, Krista Socks, Debbie Trumpower, Beth Turner and James Weaver.

o Read more Paula Green Shupp columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Volunteers needed for Canal Pride Day Help clean up and beautify the canal. Saturday is Canal Pride Day in Williamsport, beginning at 8 a.m. at Cushwa Basin. Enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and get a Canal Pride T-shirt while tackling projects such as painting, raking and removing overgrown vegetation. Everyone is welcome and needed. Refreshments will be available. Advance registration is requested.

o If you like reading Tim Rowland, you'll love watching him. See what else Tim has to say Editor's note: Tim Rowland is on vacation. This column originally ran Sept. 4, 2002. War with Iraq, battered stock market, Homeland Security (aka the Reversal of Freedoms Act of 2002), record-setting drought, dogs and cats living together -- so I turn on CNN this morning to get the lowdown on all these issues and discover that the big news is: McDonald's may change its french fry recipe.

MAUGANSVILLE -- Live bluegrass music danced across the lawn of Maugansville Ruritan Community Park. Parents held up hand-crafted items from vendor booths, fancying them in their own homes. Children squealed with laughter as they rolled along grassy hills in barrel cars, pulled along by a white-bearded man in denim overalls on a riding mower. Maugansville Pride Day was the picture of good, old-fashioned, small-town fun. "It's quite a spectacle really," said Carl Galligan, 69, of Hagerstown.