Local Church

Week of Jan. 19, 1953 Grandpa and grandma, who thought nothing of trudging several miles to school each day, will be surprised to learn that today the county transports close to 50 percent of all pupils enrolled in the public schools. Donald F. Munson, 15-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bowers, 450 N. Mulberry St., received word yesterday that he has been appointed a page in the House of Representatives. Donald's appointment is a singular honor, since there are only 60 boys from all over the nation serving as pages in the House.

Pa. students awarded scholarships HARRISBURG, Pa. - Twenty-five students, including two from Franklin County, received $3,500 scholarships from the Pennsylvania Farm Show Scholarship Foundation on Tuesday at the 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show. Kristina Dice and Jaclyn Upperman, both of Chambersburg, were both announced as winners before the Sale of Champions, according to a news release. Since its inception in 1993, the foundation has awarded $632,000 in scholarships to 273 junior Farm Show exhibitors, the news release stated.

W.Va. Southern Baptists to convene in Martinsburg By BOB PARTLOW / Staff Writer, Martinsburg MARTINSBURG, W. Va. - Up to 400 West Virginia Southern Baptists will gather in Martinsburg this weekend for a state convention, even as the national church movement is split by dissension. One member of the local church that is hosting the convention said he doubts the split will cause a lot of ripples at this convention. "It will be a topic of discussion, but I don't think anything will happen," said Bryan Dugger, 24, youth and education director for the Westview Baptist Church.

Youth calendar for 1/2 Movies Opening this week "Chocolat" (PG-13) - When a single mother and her 6-year-old daughter open a chocolate shop in rural France - with Sunday hours - across the street from the local church, they are met with skepticism. But as soon as they coax the townspeople into enjoying their delicious products, they are warmly welcomed. Juliette Binoche, Judi Dench and Johnny Depp star. Auditions for "Godspell" Sunday, Jan. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 8, Tuesday, Jan. 9, and Wednesday, Jan. 10, 7 to 9 p.m. Capitol Theatre 159 S. Main St. Chambersburg, Pa. Auditions are open to the community, and roles are available for five men and five women ages 16 and older.

HAGERSTOWN -- Through the dim atmosphere of an aircraft hangar came an old familiar tune. The number bore a bluesy imprint, with every beat of the drum, every tap of the cymbal fitting carefully into the song. It was easy to soak in the pure tones. Minutes later, the band -- Dem Guise -- switched gears, firing up their electric guitars and leaping into music by Van Morrison. The night would hold something for everyone. An eclectic mix of blues, folk and rock was on the musical menu Saturday night for Dancin' in the Hangar.

o Read more Anne Weatherholt columns at washingtoncountyliving.com Canal-Apple Days School has started and summer is winding down, which means its time to wind up for Canal-Apple Days. Hancock's 34th annual fall festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18 and 19, and includes a parade through town plus lots of vendors, displays of local interest and entertainment, all in Widmeyer Park. Parade participants and vendors are urged to contact the Hancock Lions Club to participate.

marlob@herald-mail.com After a slow start this year because of the unseasonably wet spring, Wednesday evening church services held in the courtyard of St. John's Lutheran Church in Hagerstown are under way. "We have been holding services outdoors during the warm weather months for the past five years," said Kim Tantillo, co-director of music at the 141 S. Potomac St. church. "It's called the Mid-Week Joy and it runs all year at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Rather than picking a start date and end date, Tantillo said a decision is made to move outside each spring when the weather is right.

The season of Lent is usually a solemn time of reflection for many churches. One local church sees it as a time for community outreach and is hoping to share the message of the Bible in a different way. The Manor Church of the Brethren near Boonsboro has invited Ted & Lee, a Mennonite comedy team, to perform at Boonsboro High School on Sunday, March 18. Pastor Joy Zepp said she has seen the duo perform at the Brethren Church's national...

HAGERSTOWN -- Howard Ruskie stayed around after the Sunday service at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Hagerstown to watch the sanctuary transform into a Faith in Action fair. The fair was all about spreading the word that volunteers are a vital commodity to the health and actual survival of some agencies that provide services to many people. "I think this is the first time the Unitarians have done this," Ruskie said. "After all, ... part of the purpose of being a Unitarian is volunteering.