Hagerstown

Diane Lugene Keller, 54, of 287 Morgan St., Inwood, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va. Born Thursday, May 15, 1958, in Waynesboro, Pa., she was the daughter of Frances L. (Trite) Blickenstaff of Smithsburg, Md., and the late Charles L. Blickenstaff. She graduated from Smithsburg High School in 1976 and was employed as a account manager for Coral Graphics in Winchester, Va. She enjoyed camping and scrap booking, but especially enjoyed spending time with her family, she will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Joseph Wallace LaRue, 84, of Luke, Md., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012, at Western Maryland Regional Medical Center in Cumberland, Md. Born Nov. 16, 1928, in Westernport, Md., he was the son of the late Bryon Otto and Mary Frances (Trenum) LaRue. Joe attended Luke Elementary School and Bruce High School. He served three years in the U.S. Air Force, where he was an airplane mechanic during World War II and the Korean War. He worked with the transportation department for the Western Maryland Railroad, retiring after 28 years of service.

Marriage licenses for July 2009 Kenneth Edward Stewart, 46, and Donna Certain, 41, both of Hagerstown Christopher Scott Branham, 22, and Nina Ann Gantt, 22, both of Hagerstown Patrick Michael Thomas, 23, and Lauren Nicole Smith, 21, both of Hagerstown Jason Wayne Long, 25, and Katharine Leigh Mayhugh, 24, both of Hagerstown Kyle Douglas Badstibner, 23, and Megan Sue Ann Newkirk, 24, both of Hagerstown David Michael...

When most music fans think of the mandolin, they usually think of bluegrass. But the stringed instrument is just as comfortable at opera as the Grand Ole Opry. In fact, Vivaldi wrote a concert for the mandolin and Mozart featured it in a serenade. And during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it was the instrument of choice, arriving in the United States with European immigrants who held the mandolin in high esteem. Maybe it was the sound that made it so popular — distinctive, shimmering and ethereal.

Hydrant flushing in Hagerstown will begin Wednesday and continue through Friday, March 30, in the area bordered by East Antietam Street and the Municipal Golf Course to the south, Mulberry Street to the west, the Western Maryland Railroad to the north, and Antietam Drive and Eastern Boulevard to the east, including such areas as the fairgrounds, Pangborn, Security and Morningside Heights. Water customers in these areas, particularly those using automatic washing machines, are cautioned to frequently check their water supply for discolored water that might occur because of the work.

Hydrant flushing in Hagerstown which began on Monday, May 9, will be extended through Friday, May 27, city officials said. The affected areas are along Virginia Avenue, bordered on the north by Halfway Boulevard from the Valley Mall to Downsville Pike, including Halfway Manor, Marbern Road, York Road and Rench Road. City officials caution customers in those areas to check for discolored water which may occur because of the work, particularly when using automatic washing machines.

Washington College has announced that Maria Noelle Queen, daughter of Roy W. Queen of Hagerstown, is one of five finalists for the Sophie Kerr Prize, the largest undergraduate literary prize in the nation, this year valued at more than $58,000. Queen is a humanities major and creative writing minor. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, she submitted 18 pages of poetry to the Sophie Kerr Committee, much of it focused on the relationship between a daughter and her parents. “Her poetry is at times very funny and at times very sad, and it manages to be both extremely personal and yet objective about how she sees herself in the world," one committee member said.

The City Ballet School and the Western Maryland City Ballet Company presented the holiday classic, “The Nutcracker,” on Sunday afternoon at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown. The production, under the artistic direction of Danielle Horochowski, featured guest artists and International Ballet Competition winners Brooklyn Mack of the Washington Ballet and partner Jennifer Mendoza, as well as ballet mistress Amy Wrobleski. The City Ballet School, which is based in Hagerstown, attracts students from the Tri-State area.

Unity of Hagerstown is offering a Mindfulness Workshop, at 1 p.m. Sunday Feb. 24. Studies have shown that mindfulness skills are effective at reducing depression, chronic pain and stress. Mindfulness is the ability to become aware of one's thoughts, emotions and physical presence in the present moment, without judgment. Participants will learn to focus more fully on the present moment, recognize and focus on thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, and learn how to separate thoughts from emotions.

The Hagerstown Fire Department responded to a minor fire Tuesday about 1:30 p.m. at 134 Ray St., a Washington County Emergency Services dispatcher said. No further information was immediately available.

Frederick B. Hall II, 50, of Hagerstown, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center. A memorial service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, Hagerstown. Arrangements  are by Rest Haven Funeral Chapel, Hagerstown.

Janet Dean Humm, 87, of Clear Meadow Lane, Hagerstown, died Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center. The service will be private. Arrangements are by Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, Hagerstown.

Twenty-eight pairs competed Wednesday, May 15, in a club game during a meeting of the Hagerstown Bridge  Club. North-South winners in Flight A were: first place, Leslie Lege and David Abuhove with a 64.9-percent game; second place, Lois Taylor and Robert Freed with 64.1 percent; third place, Joanne and Robert Dickinson; fourth place, Myrna Kinman and Robert Knuff; fifth place, Ann Lebherz and Robert Robey; and sixth place, Jerry Coats and Gary Wold. ...

Kendra L. McCauley, 47, of Cumberland, Md., passed away Friday, May 17, 2013, at her home. Born Sunday, Feb. 20, 1966, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of Lloyd A. McCauley of Waynesboro, Pa., and Nancy (McClanathan) McCauley of Hagerstown. She is also survived by her stepbrothers, Shaun L. McCauley of Frostburg, Md., and Christopher L. McCauley of Falling Waters, W.Va.; aunts, Jean Chojnacki, Dolores Chaco and Joyce Zitterbart. She was preceded in death by grandparents, Lloyd A. and Pearl I. McCauley and Harold J. and Evelyn P. McClanathan.

Charles Eaney Timbrook Sr., 75, of 15827 Shinham Road, Hagerstown, Md., died on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at his home. Born June 14, 1937, in Hagerstown, he was the son of the late George R. and Clearsey Haines Timbrook. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Pauline Timbrook on Oct. 25, 1989. He was a mechanical engineer. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Temple. He loved carpentry and golf. He is survived by his second wife, Connie Timbrook; two daughters, Trina J. Schuchman, and husband, Tim, of Marion, Pa., and Sonja Charlene Rowland and husband, Robert, of Williamsport, Md.; one son, Charles Eaney Timbrook Jr., and wife, Patricia, of Martinsburg, W.Va.; two stepdaughters, Heather Kline and husband, Jason, of St. Thomas, Pa., and Suzanne Ommert and husband, Derek, of Raleigh, N.C.; nine grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.

“I'd just like to say kudos to the humane society for expanding their clinic. My wish for them has been for years that they would become a no-kill shelter. Maybe that's next on the list. Please think about it, as we really, really need it.” - Hagerstown “People that do the crime should do the time.” - Sabillasville, Md. “I would like to thank The Herald-Mail for publishing the picture of the people having prayer after the terrible accident on Downsville Pike.

Birthdays May 17 - Charles Hafer Sr., West Side Avenue, Hagerstown, turns 91; Mary L. Sprecher, Hagerstown, turns 71. May 18 - Jason Bachtell, Maugansville Road, turns 30; Brenda Gabriel, Hall Street, Sharpsburg, turns 50; Gidget Maffitt Gallahan, Hagerstown, turns 46; U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel Guyer, stationed in Vicenza, Italy, turns 23. Anniversaries May 17 - Ron and Lisa Embly, Funkstown, are celebrating their...

When C.A. Millburn saw the mother duck and from 15 to 25 ducklings trying to cross Edgewood Drive in the area of Hagerstown Commons on Wednesday at 11 a.m., he swung into action. Millburn, a reserve officer in the Maryland Natural Resources Police Reserve Officer program, said he stopped traffic in both directions. Then, he said, he began helping the ducklings, which were having trouble getting over a curb, make it to safety. Other motorists got out of their cars to help, said Millburn, who lives off Dual Highway.

A Hagerstown man was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution after pleading guilty Thursday in Washington County Circuit Court to assaulting another man. Matthew Edward West, 40, of 121 Southern Oak Drive, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in exchange for a charge of first-degree assault being dismissed. “I don't wish to see anybody do any jail time,” said James Nelson, the victim in the case. Nelson said he was more interested in West paying the restitution.

It was a feast for the eyes, ears and appetite Thursday night as the spotlight shone on City Center's offerings of cuisine, art and music. Taste of the Arts, the third event of its kind in Hagerstown's Arts and Entertainment District, offered a dozen locations, with restaurants, caterers and organizations each presenting eats as well as entertainment, including the instrumental and vocal stylings of Barbara Ingram School for the Arts students....