Mihi

Gather up your fishing rods and fish bait — it's fishing time. Many Individuals Helping Individuals (MiHi) will hold its ninth annual Fishin' Frenzy combining children, seniors and individuals with disabilities for a day of fun in Hagerstown's Pangborn Park. MiHi is a local organization dedicated to providing assistance and recreational activities to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities. The event centers around Pangborn Lake lined with participants as they wait for a tug on their lines.

MIHI Inc. (Many Individuals Helping Individuals) has joined forces with Star Community Inc., the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Bass Federation to bring the Washington County area two speial "fishin' frenzy" dates for citizens who seldom have an opportunity to participate in fishing activities. More than 400 trout will be delivered from Maryland's Albert Powell Fish Hatchery to the Star Community lake (the former Anita Lynne Home) for the first Fishin' Frenzy event to be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Star Community MIHI Fishin' Frenzy is open to those with disabilities and their families, and ages 12 and younger.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer Amber Grimm, a spunky second-grader who showed her mettle by standing before members of the Maryland General Assembly last March and asking for $50,000 for her favorite charity, was recognized by letter from Gov. Parris Glendening at the charity's 10th anniversary banquet Saturday night. Accolades for the 7-year-old stemmed from her efforts as a volunteer for MiHi, the Tri-State non-profit group that guarantees that all citizens, especially the handicapped, have accessible recreational facilities.

Bad eggs spoil hunt By SCOTT BUTKI scottb@herald-mail.com When planning last Saturday's Easter egg hunt for children at the MIHI Spring Crafts Show, organizers never expected they'd wind up calling the Washington County Sheriff's Department. continued The hunt was part of a two-day event by MIHI - Many Individuals Helping Individuals - held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Sharpsburg Saturday and Sunday. The children weren't a problem, but some of the parents were, Linn Hendershot, chairman of the show for the past two years, said Monday.

By KERRY LYNN FRALEY Staff Writer Amber Grimm was only 3 years old when her grandmother, Mary Pearson, took her along on her first fund-raiser for Mentally Impaired Handicapped Individuals. "She really took to it," said Pearson, 49, one of the founders of the Hagerstown-based organization, aimed at expanding recreational access for disabled people and senior citizens. "She has a very compassionate heart. " Now Pearson just assumes Amber, 6, will tag along to MiHi functions, where she helps out by selling raffle tickets, running children's games, participating in the karioke contest - basically anything she's asked to do. "She'd have a cow if I didn't bring her along," said Pearson, who enjoys seeing her outgoing granddaughter get other children involved.

Members of the community are being invited to join MiHi and St. John's Episcopal Church parishioners on Christmas Day at Western Maryland Hospital Center for the 4th annual party for the 120 patients there. Volunteers will share their holiday wishes, food and enthusiasm with the patients. Musical entertainment will be provided by Broadfording Christian Academy students, led by music teacher Denise DeSouza. Additional entertainment will include caroling accompanied by Anne Carden on the piano, singing by Bill Cosner and karaoke.

Christmas Angels: Day 10 She's helping make the season bright for patients Editor's note: For these 12 days before Christmas we will be recognizing individuals and groups who make the holidays better for others. This is the third in a series. By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI / Staff Writer photo: RIC DUGAN / staff photographer For patients at the Western Maryland Hospital Center in Hagerstown who are without family, Christmas might not be cause for celebration.

County seeking playground grants By SCOTT BUTKI / Staff Writer Washington County is going to compete with other Maryland counties for grants that will help make playground equipment accessible to everyone. If successful, the county will receive at least a $37,500 grant for a more accessible playground. The County Commissioners Tuesday approved a request to pursue the grant. The Governor's Office on Individuals with Disabilities and two private groups, Boundless Playgrounds Inc., and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, have announced a $1.75 million partnership to improve 10 playgrounds in Maryland.

The following received awards on Saturday at the fifth annual Fishin' Frenzy at Pangborn Park in Hagerstown. The event was sponsored by MIHI. · Largest fish - Henertie Banzhoff of Williamsport, 4.12-pound carp · Smallest fish - Tyler Shubert of Hagerstown, 3 1/2-inch sunfish · Largest trout - Matt Kline of Hagerstown, 1.1 pounds · Largest weight of five trout caught - Matt Kline of Hagerstown, 4.3 pounds ...

marlob@herald-mail.com Perhaps Hagerstown Mayor William Breichner said it best Monday night as he and his wife, Gann, attended a progressive dinner/fund-raiser for an accessible Habitat for Humanity home. "This combines an enjoyable evening with a good cause," Breichner said as he and more than 100 others partook of the first course of hors d'oeuvres at The Maryland Theatre. Entertainment at the theater was provided by KoKo Blue, followed by a gourmet dinner at the patron's choice of either The Rhubarb House or Roccoco's.