Hymns

I love the hymns of Thanksgiving. They remind me to have a grateful heart. Why should we be thankful for what we have? Each item we possess, every person in our lives, all the days that we live are gifts. We should appreciate them because we have no guarantee that they will endure. "We Gather Together" Perhaps the best-known Thanksgiving hymn is "We Gather Together. " While the author of this hymn is unknown, the hymn can be traced to the Netherlands in the first quarter of the 17th century.

Rick Young of New Jersey plays a retreat march as part of a Battle of Culloden re-enactment held in Fort Loudon, Pa., on Saturday and Sunday.

Hancock Senior Site 126-128 High St., Hancock 301-678-7163 "Celebrate Salad Month" and exercise with Helen House - today, 10 a.m. Hymns on piano with Shirley Divelbliss - "Celebrate Salad Month" and exercise with Helen House - Thursday, May 11, 10 a.m.Fridays, May 12, 19 and 26, 9:30 a.m. Celebrating the Generations Expo - Saturday, May 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hagerstown Community College. See site manager about transportation. "Filling Up on Fewer Calories" and exercise with Helen House - Thursday, May 18, 10 a.m. Relax and Reflect "Remembering Mom" with Gere Shoemaker - Monday, May 22, 10 a.m. Red Hat meeting - Tuesday, May 23, 11 a.m. Closed for Memorial Day - Monday, May 29. Volunteer recognition day - Tuesday, May 30.

Hancock Senior Site 126-128 High St., Hancock 301-678-7163 Needlework - Tuesdays, Jan. 17, 24 and 31, 10 a.m. Bingo - every Tuesday and Thursday, noon to 1 p.m. Pokeno - Wednesdays, Jan. 25, 9:30 a.m. Hymns on piano with Shirley Divelbliss - every Friday, 9:30 a.m. "Is It Soup Yet?" with Helen House - Thursday, Jan. 12, 10 a.m. Closed for Martin Luther King Day - Monday, Jan. 16. "Indoor Plants" with garden group - Wednesday, Jan. 18, 9:30 a.m. "Diet & Depression" with Helen House - Thursday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. Relax and Reflect, topic "New Year's Eve Parties" - Monday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m. Painting with Rhonda - Thursday, Jan. 26, 12:30 p.m. Winter session begins.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com MERCERSBURG, Pa. - Not only did Connie Mann perform in the gospel concert Saturday evening at Lions Club Community Park in Mercersburg, she made most of the food sold at the refreshment stand. The Mercersburg resident said she prepared eight gallons of ham and bean soup, eight gallons of chicken corn soup, 20 pounds of steamers and 36 pies for the 14th annual Southern Gospel Hymn Sing. "Everything is as homemade as I can make it," Mann said.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com WELSH RUN, Pa. - A historic church in Welsh Run rang with hymns that probably were sung there by its first congregation in the 1700s. The Conococheague Institute hosted a Colonial Song Fest Sunday afternoon at the Robert Kennedy Memorial Presbyterian Church. The Bruce and Susan Clark family from Jacksonville, Fla., presented a "Golden Age of Hymns" lecture and recital to a group of about 20 history and music lovers. The high, arched windows and old wooden pews gave an air of antiquity to the event.

WOLFSVILLE, Md. - Wolfsville Ruritan will host an old-fashioned gospel hymn sing, Saturday, July 27, at 3 p.m. at Wolfsville Ruritan Park on Brandenburg Hollow Road near Wolfsville. The concert will begin with the Gospel Travelers, followed by the New Interpreters at 3:55 p.m.; The Grateful Hear at 4:50 p.m., the Master Four at 5:45 p.m., By Faith at 6:40 p.m., and the Gospel Travelers providing a finale at 7:35 p.m. Refreshments will be sold by Wolfsville Ruritan Club, and proceeds will go towards covering expenses and the community activities of the club.