Leitersburg

daniels@herald-mail.com LEITERSBURG - Despite the blisteringly hot temperatures, there were plenty of draws Saturday for the 26th annual Leitersburg Peach Festival other than the event's seasonal headliner. Maugansville resident Kelli Mooers, for example, said she brought her 3-year-old daughter Mackenzie to the event for the petting zoo. There also were about 80 craft vendors and about a dozen food vendors selling everything from crab cakes and lemonade to T-shirts and jewelry, as well as a display of tractors and an antique firetruck.

Leitersburg Moose lodge disbands LEITERSBURG, Md. - Lack of participation and interest by members of Leitersburg Lodge 2451 of the Loyal Order of Moose forced its closing just two years after organizing. "We just didn't have enough interest by our members," said R. Wayne Taylor, governor of the former lodge. The lodge started in December 1995 with 96 charter members and grew to almost 130 members. But participation thinned and activities, like dances and dinners, were poorly attended, Taylor said.

tarar@herald-mail.com The National Weather Service has confirmed that a weak tornado whipped through Leitersburg late Tuesday afternoon with winds of 80 to 90 mph, knocking down trees and peeling back a barn roof. Witnesses reported a loud roar similar to that of a jet engine as the tornado crossed Clopper Road, bringing with it up to quarter-size hail, according to a National Weather Service report. Other parts of Washington County received damage from a severe thunderstorm that also downed trees and knocked out power.

The December meeting of the Leitersburg Ruritan Club was held in recognition of the volunteers who worked during the peach festival in appreciation of their services and to install incoming officers. Volunteers included Troop 108, sponsored by the club, ladies from St. Paul's Lutheran Church and other volunteers from the local area. At the meeting, the club was presented five gold awards from National Ruritan by Robert Markel, past zone governor. The awards were for social development, business and professions, citizenship and patriotism, environment and public service.

A man was struck by a vehicle while riding a bike past the Long Meadow Exxon on Leitersburg Pike Tuesday night, a 911 dispatcher said. The accident occurred when the driver of the vehicle was turning into the station, according to a spokesman for the Washington County Sheriff's Office. The driver of the vehicle was cited, the spokesman said. The man suffered respiratory distress after the accident, which was reported at 7:18 p.m., the dispatcher said. The man was taken to Meritus Medical Center and is expected to be recover, the sheriff's office spokesman said.

HAGERSTOWN ? The Hagerstown 10 Cineplex has closed, according to a posting on the theater's Web site. The brief notice does not give a reason for the closure. It simply states, "Unfortunately, we have had to close our doors. " Chains were looped around the theater's door handles Friday evening and movie posters on the front wall had been removed. Hagerstown 10 owner Alan Ackerman could not be reached for comment Friday. Ackerman has owned the theater since May 2006.

LEITERSBURG - For decades, thousands have traveled to the tiny town of Leitersburg for a taste of nature's candy - the peach. The fuzzy fruits are the stars of the Leitersburg Peach Festival, which starts Saturday, Aug. 14, and continues through Sunday, Aug. 15, at Leitersburg Ruritan Community Park. The free food festival enters its 31st year as a fundraiser for the Leitersburg Ruritan Club. But amid all the peachy bliss - peach cobbler, peach ice cream, peach drinks, peach butter, peach salsa and thousands of locally grown peaches for sale - the peach pie contest has played only a supporting role, organizers said of prior years.

LEITERSBURG - Leitersburg Senior Citizens will meet Monday, Dec. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at Leitersburg Fire Hall, Leiter Street. Bring a covered dish and game gift. Entertainment will be provided by the Duffeys. For more information, call Dorothy Smith at 301-733-8107.

LEITERSBURG - Leitersburg Ruritan Club will sponsor its 24th annual Peach Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, and Sunday, Aug. 10, on the grounds of the former Leitersburg School House, now Leitersburg Community Park. The festival offers foods from the area including homemade peach pies, peach ice cream, roast beef, country ham and other items. Ernie Bradley & Grassy Ridge will perform bluegrass and country music; Saxy will perform rock and roll music. There will be a homemade peach pie contest on Saturday; pies must be sumitted by 11 a.m. There are two categories of pies: open faced and closed.