Hagerstown

Harold Douglas "Doug" Parker, 60, of Hagerstown, died Friday, May 10, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center in Hagerstown. Services will be private. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Adams Family Funeral Home, Cumberland, Md.

Susan Louise Litten, 75, of Boonsboro, Md., passed away Thursday, May 9, 2013, at her home. Born Dec. 18, 1937, in Hagerstown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Ralph Benjamin and Mildred Louise Bowers Bussard. She was employed by Food Lion in Hagerstown. She was previously employed by Maryland Ribbon in Hagerstown and the Sharpsburg (Md.) Post Office. She was a member of Broadfording Bible Church. She is survived by her loving husband of 20 years, Robert S. "Bo" Litten of Boonsboro; daughter, Brenda Sue Smith and her boyfriend, Butch Green, of Hagerstown; daughter, Dorothy Mae Shank and her husband, Gary Lee, of Hagerstown; son, Douglas Smith Jr. and his wife, Pamela, of Greencastle, Pa.; stepdaughter, Lisa Churchey of Fairplay, Md.; granddaughter, Trish Marie Smith and husband, Roger, of Boonsboro; granddaughter, Melissa Sue Mongan and her husband, Doug, of Greencastle; granddaughter, Lindsay Nichole Smith of Hagerstown; sister, Patricia Knick of Hagerstown; brother, Albert Bussard of Hagerstown; brother, Benjamin Bussard of Hagerstown; great-grandsons, Brock and Peyton Smith of Boonsboro, Gage Smith of Hagerstown and Tucker Mongan of Greencastle; and great-granddaughter, Paige Smith of Boonsboro.

The City of Hagerstown hosts several events in May, designated National Bike Month. Participants must wear bicycle helmet and sign a release. Monday, May 13 through Friday, May 17 - National Bike to Work Week  7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15 - Ride of Silence around the 10-mile Hub City Bike Loop. Meet at Lot B at Fairgrounds Park.  Friday, May 17 - National Bike to Work Day  9 a.m. Saturday, May 18 - Ride the 10-mile Hub City Bike Loop. Meet at Hub City Cycles, corner of Franklin and Prospect streets in downtown Hagerstown.

Dolly Parton once said “Sometimes you just have to toot your own horn. Otherwise, nobody will know you're a-comin'.” For Paul T. Woodal Jr. of Hagerstown, his horn is attached to a Barbie-pink 2008 Volkswagen Beetle adorned with photos and sayings from one of country music's most beloved artists, Dolly Parton. Woodal, 38, credits his mother, Faye Woodal, for introducing him to the star with the beautiful voice, big hair and bigger, well, assets. “(My mother) introduced me to her records, her LPs,” he said.

City of Hagerstown officials expect later this month to approve a balanced budget for fiscal year 2013-14 without raising taxes, but over the next few years that might prove to be extremely challenging financially, some city council members said Thursday. With city property values expected to decrease by about 8 percent in the 2013 triennial reassessment this December, the Hagerstown City Council has been asked by city staff to consider a tax increase in the next budget cycle for fiscal year 2014-15 to account for an anticipated shortfall of about $3.2 million.

Attracting professional baseball continues to be a major talking point in Fredericksburg, Va., and it's drawing concern from at least one Hagerstown City Council member. A study that examines the economic feasibility of a multiuse stadium in Fredericksburg will be presented Monday to the city's economic development officials, according to an agenda found on the Fredericksburg Economic Development Authority's website. “I get a feeling that the Fredericksburg proposal, the movement down there is a serious proposal,” Councilman Donald F. Munson said Thursday.

Congregation B'nai Abraham, 53 E. Baltimore St., Hagerstown, will honor the work of its past presidents during the Sabbath service at 8 p.m. Friday, May 10. The service will be followed by fellowship and refreshments. Call Congregation B'nai Abraham at 301-733-5039.

Katheryne Pearl "Billie" McNeal, 87, of Hagerstown, passed away Monday, May 6, 2013, at Williamsport Retirement Village. Born Feb. 24, 1926, in Shepherdstown, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late William E. Miller Sr. and Mabel (Price) Miller. Mrs. McNeal was a homemaker and a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Hagerstown. She is survived by two daughters, Bonnie K. Smith and husband, Gil, of Boonsboro, and Julie A. Reeder and husband, Tony, of Falling Waters, W.Va. ; two sisters, Lucille O'Brien of Hagerstown and Marguerite Shields of Elkins, W.Va.; one brother, Daniel Miller of Adamstown, Md.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Elinor Steadman McLeod, 81, of Williamsport, died May 2, 2013. Born March 29, 1932, in Purcellville, Va., she was the daughter of the late Grover and Mary (Vincel) McHenry. Elinor devoted more than 35 years of her life to education. She was a pioneer as one of the first female principals with the Washington County school system. Elinor was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. She is survived by two sons, Terry McLeod of Hagerstown and Jimmy McLeod and wife, Joyce, of Downsville; six grandchildren, Nicholas, Katie, Emily, Amanda and Blaine McLeod, and Morgan Hoffman (expecting Elinor's fifth great-grandchild)

Although she opposes the death penalty, Hagerstown resident Lisa Bennett said Monday she thinks Maryland residents should have a chance to vote on it. “I believe in forgiveness, but some of the crimes that are committed are so heinous that the death penalty is the only way some families can get closure,” said Bennett, 53. “I feel the residents of Maryland have the right to vote on this because it affects our communities and affects our families.”...