Hancock Town Hall

Area photographers are invited to enter the seventh annual Hancock Area Photo Contest. Photos must be 8 inches by 10 inches or larger and need not be matted. Entries must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 31, at War Memorial Library or Hancock Town Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning shots, and top photos will be displayed in the library. Entry forms are at the War Memorial Library and at Hancock Town Hall. For more, call Sam Judge at 301-662-8452.

A reminder to area photographers - it is time to enter your best local photos in the seventh annual Hancock Area Photo Contest. Photos 8 inches by 10 inches or larger must be received by Aug. 31 at War Memorial Library or Hancock Town Hall. There will be cash prizes and the winning shots will be displayed at the library. Anyone can enter photos taken in the area in the past five years. Photos from nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia are welcome. More information and entry forms are available at the library and Hancock Town Hall.

The Hancock Arts Council is sponsoring a Poetry Writing Workshop from 1:30 to 4;30 p.m. Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6, at the Hancock Town Hall, 126 W. High St., Hancock. Leading the workshop is Nan Fry who teaches at the Bethesda Writer's Center. Fry is the author of two books of poetry: "Relearning the Dark" and "Say What I Am Called. " Her work appears in numerous journals, anthologies and textbooks. She is a recipient of an EdPress Award for excellence in educational journalism.  The workshop is in memory of Ann Knox, who was a poet and member of the Hancock Arts Council for many years.

The local Masonic Lodge will offer Breakfast in the Park Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. in the Lions Pavilion at Widmeyer Park.  The menu includes pancakes and scrambled eggs. Proceeds support local charitable efforts by the Masons.     Annual ball The Hancock Arts Council will hold its second annual ball in conjunction with the Hancock Barge Bash on Saturday, June 29.  The event takes place from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the Hancock Town Hall, 126 W. High St.  Music will be provided by retired teachers Russ and Donna Miller, who comprise the variety band Take Two. Admission will be by donation to benefit the Arts Council.

After hugely successful commemorations of the Battle of Hancock and the Bath/Romney Campaign last January, and in keeping with the sesquicentennial fervor evident in the area, the Alpine Station Civil War Roundtable will again convene and explore more Civil War history.  On Friday  May 18, at 7 p.m., at the Hancock Town Hall and Community Center, noted historian and author Steve French will present a program on Gen. Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson,...

Fans of illusion and sleight of hand can expect to be amazed at Hancock's inaugural Magic Showcase, which takes place at the Hancock Performing Arts Center at Town Hall, 126 W. High St., Saturday, Sept. 24, beginning at 7 p.m.   Sponsored by the Hancock Arts Council, the showcase will feature a number of professional magicians from Hancock and the four-state area.   Master of ceremonies “Michael T” Myers kicks off the first half of the show, which includes Frank Culler of Culler Magic; The Dean of Magic, Dean Burkett; and Khan-Du and Company.

The annual Hancock Arts Council fundraiser, “An Evening in Hancock” takes place  Friday at the Park-n-Dine Restaurant, 189 E. Main St.  Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. with the show beginning at 7 p.m.  Music will be provided by groups such as Take Two, the Hancock Civil War String Band and a special appearance by Tori Anderson of Possum Holler. A limited number of tickets are still available for purchase at the door.  Tickets cost $30 per person. There will be a cash bar for wine and beer.

The 65th annual Hancock Halloween Parade, sponsored by the local Rotary Club, is now less than two weeks away.  This year's festivities take place on Halloween night, Wednesday, Oct. 31, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the downtown area. Traditionally, the event features area bands, marching units, floats, mummers, antique cars and entries by local businesses and civic organizations.  Entries are now being sought.  Forms and information are available from Parade Chairman Daniel Murphy.  Call him at 301-678-6635 or visit his veterinary office at 212 Maryland Ave. during weekday business hours.

This Saturday is the day for the eagerly-anticipated Hancock Community Arts Fair.  Designed to showcase local talent, the fair will be open to the public, free of charge, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hancock Town Hall and Community Center, 126 W. High St.   Artists and art enthusiasts from Hancock and surrounding communities may enter their work in one of four age groups: Youth (12 and under), Teen (13-18), Adult (19-59) and Senior (60+). A parent or guardian must sign for entrants who are under 18. Each artist may enter one piece of work in each of six categories: Full Quilts; Other Needle Art (such as needlepoint, cross-stitch, etc.)

The local Masonic Lodge will offer Breakfast in the Park Saturday from 7 to 10 a.m. in the Lions Pavilion at Widmeyer Park.  The menu includes pancakes and scrambled eggs. Proceeds support local charitable efforts by the Masons.     Annual ball The Hancock Arts Council will hold its second annual ball in conjunction with the Hancock Barge Bash on Saturday, June 29.  The event takes place from 8 to 10 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at the Hancock Town Hall, 126 W. High St.  Music will be provided by retired teachers Russ and Donna Miller, who comprise the variety band Take Two. Admission will be by donation to benefit the Arts Council.

Cold winds and occasional snow flurries might linger around Hancock and across Washington County over these last 10 days of March.  However, that will not stop an especially early Easter from arriving Sunday, March 31. As a lead-in to that Holy Day, Holy Week and Eastertime events abound on calendars in our community. Easter Bunny to visit Saturday First up this Saturday is Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the local Hardee's Restaurant on East Main Street in Hancock.

Now in its 13th year of celebrating the joys of the winter season, the Hancock Winter Festival, sponsored by the Hancock Arts Council, takes place Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10  a.m. to 1 p.m. at Widmeyer Park.  As in years past, festival-goers will find a variety of seasonal activities.  The main event is the snow sculpture contest, which is open to individuals, families, and groups. Prizes will be awarded in various categories.  Returning this year are the ice blocks for ice carving, a live auction of special items and gifts donated by area merchants, the hat contest (supplies found in the library)

The 65th annual Hancock Halloween Parade, sponsored by the local Rotary Club, is now less than two weeks away.  This year's festivities take place on Halloween night, Wednesday, Oct. 31, beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the downtown area. Traditionally, the event features area bands, marching units, floats, mummers, antique cars and entries by local businesses and civic organizations.  Entries are now being sought.  Forms and information are available from Parade Chairman Daniel Murphy.  Call him at 301-678-6635 or visit his veterinary office at 212 Maryland Ave. during weekday business hours.

Area photographers are invited to enter the seventh annual Hancock Area Photo Contest. Photos must be 8 inches by 10 inches or larger and need not be matted. Entries must be submitted by Friday, Aug. 31, at War Memorial Library or Hancock Town Hall. Cash prizes will be awarded to winning shots, and top photos will be displayed in the library. Entry forms are at the War Memorial Library and at Hancock Town Hall. For more, call Sam Judge at 301-662-8452.

A reminder to area photographers - it is time to enter your best local photos in the seventh annual Hancock Area Photo Contest. Photos 8 inches by 10 inches or larger must be received by Aug. 31 at War Memorial Library or Hancock Town Hall. There will be cash prizes and the winning shots will be displayed at the library. Anyone can enter photos taken in the area in the past five years. Photos from nearby Pennsylvania and West Virginia are welcome. More information and entry forms are available at the library and Hancock Town Hall.

River Fest is coming to Hancock. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Aug. 9, through Saturday, Aug. 11, for this first-ever event, being organized by the Hancock Fire Co. in conjunction with local businesses.  Former Fire Chief Greg Yost outlined the plans last week for the mayor and council.  Many events will take place downtown along Main Street. Plans include food vendors, children's games and several contests such as a funnel cake-eating competition.  Several safety demonstrations are on the agenda, including water and boat safety tips.  On Saturday, Aug. 11, firefighters will offer a number of competitions in Widmeyer Park, with other area fire companies joining in the effort.

Free GED classes are coming to Hancock in a few weeks, courtesy of Hagerstown Community College.   Classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Hancock Presbyterian Church, 17 E. Main St.  The classes will run from Aug. 7 to Oct. 25. The Interfaith Service Coalition has been asked to handle registration. To sign up, call 301-678-6605.   Vacation Bible school A sizable crowd has been in attendance each evening this week for “Take Me To the Water,” this year's vacation Bible school at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Hancock.  If you've missed out, there's still time.

“Take Me To the Water” begins Sunday evening. That's the theme for this year's vacation Bible school at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church.  The school starts at 7 p.m. and will include music, Bible stories, crafts and games. The program runs through Thursday, July 19, and there are classes for all ages, including adults. The innovative theme reminds everyone of the wonderful creation of the world by God's hand, of baptism, and of the refreshing Holy Spirit.  Hancock is a town where water plays an important role with the Potomac River and the rewatered Chesapeake and Ohio Canal at our doorstep.

Summer is fast-approaching, and around Hancock folks are gearing up for all sorts of terrific outdoor events and activities.   Soap Box Derby Another round of All-American Soap Box Derby Races is set for Saturday, June 2, beginning at 9 a.m. on High Street. Youth from the area will compete for a trip to Akron, Ohio, and the International Derby Race. To register for the local competition, call Scott Fox at 301-678-6613. As before, several blocks of West High Street (approximately from Baptist Road to Methodist Street)