Gathering

HAGERSTOWN As a sailor who spent two years on a battleship, Frank Newcomer said he felt unprepared to return to school after serving in World War II. Within a few years of the war's end, the University of Maryland graduate was searching for opportunities to teach students of his own. Newcomer and other alumni of the college now called Hagerstown Community College gathered Sunday to remember the school that gave them their starts....

HAGERSTOWN - More than 70 high school musicians from across Washington County created a cacophony of noise as they tuned their instruments and ran the scales while waiting to take the stage Saturday before a mostly full house at North Hagerstown High School. Clarinetists held reeds between their lips to get them moist, flutists filled the library with high notes and the air vibrated from the lows pumped out by tubas while a trumpeter played "Ring of Fire. " A sports team will practice together - almost live together - for weeks before taking the field, but these musicians from seven schools had about 17 hours of practice before tackling the likes of composers Richard Strauss and Robert Sheldon.

Musicians gather for Everybody's Day By ANDREA BROWN-HURLEY / Staff Writer CASCADE - Lee and Iggy Smerdzinski waltzed into each other's lives several years ago. And the avid dancers traveled from their Baltimore home to Pen Mar Park in Cascade on Sunday to boogie under the big pavilion during the annual Everybody's Day celebration. "We expect to dance- if we can get on the floor," said Lee Smerdzinksi, 77, eyeing the throngs of dance enthusiasts surrounding the L-shaped dance pavilion.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - District Attorney John F. Nelson said Monday that Franklin County's first investigating grand jury will convene in late August to investigate criminal activity, including at least four unsolved homicides. "At the outset we'll most likely focus on unsolved homicides we have in the county, but there's no specific limitations on what the grand jury can inquire into," Nelson said. Noting his uncertainty about what details he could release, Nelson declined to specify what homicide cases would be examined.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Seniors from all around Franklin County gathered at Wilson College Thursday to meet old friends, make a few new ones and generally have a good time. It was the first Senior Fun Day sponsored by the Franklin County Area Agency on Aging. The event attracted several hundred seniors to the college campus. Fun Day was a replacement for the once popular Senior Olympics, attendance at which has been dwindling in recent years, said Barbara Bream, director of the county's seven senior centers.

Twelve Republicans vying for Washington County Commissioner squared off Tuesday on the proper relationship with state and municipal government, the state of education, and the nature of the job itself. They gave statements and responded to questions during a forum sponsored by the Washington County Republican Club at Hagerstown Community College. Following is a sampling of the comments made by the candidates: - Timothy A. Bonds, a correctional officer, said he would try to improve education and encourage businesses that pay higher wages to move into the county.

GREENCASTLE, Pa. - Gather Fest 9 will be today at the American Legion picnic grounds on Williamson Road in Greencastle. Bands from the Hagerstown and Frederick, Md., areas will perform from 3:15 p.m. to midnight. Performing will be Foam, Sixteen Cylinder, Yellow #5, Article 27, Flynono, Room 5, E-Naive and Subject to Change. Tickets are $6 and can be purchased from band members or at the gate. To get there, take Exit 2 in Pennsylvania off Interstate 81. Make a left off the exit and stay left at the "V. " Go straight for almost a mile.

Praise teams from several Lutheran (ELCA) churches in Hagerstown are teaming up for a community worship called "A Celebration of God's Love For Everyone!" All are welcome to this family-friendly worship experience at 5 p.m. on Saturday. It will be held at the Hagerstown Hotel and Conference Center Grand Ballroom (formerly the Four Points Sheraton). The hallmarks of the casual service include music by a combined praise band and message through song, word, skits and more. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Washington County.

A group of retired and former Chemical Leaman Tank Lines Inc. drivers, owner operators and mechanics met for lunch Aug. 21 at Bubba's Diner at 200 W. Howard St. in Hagerstown. In attendance were Charles "Sonny" Weddle and his wife, Shelby, Joseph Robosson, Kenneth Boswell, Norman Vickery, James Renner, and his granddaughter, Breanna, Joe Sours, Leroy "Buck" Renner, Bob Davis and his wife, Doris, Robert Jewell, Gerald Rubeck, Allen Hilliard and his wife, Phyllis and Al Lane. The group meets to reminisce about their trucking days.