Miniature Golf

photo: RIC DUGAN / staff photographer Cissy and Larry McQuait of Hagerstown just got started playing putt-putt golf last summer. "It's so much fun," Cissy McQuait says. Also it's relaxing and different, she adds. Cissy McQuait recalls playing miniature golf for the first time when she was about 10. She thought it was better to have a higher score, so she cheated to raise it. Larry McQuait used to play real golf, and Cissy McQuait has hit some holes in one, but neither of them is very good, she says.

Hundreds of area residents took advantage of Monday's warm weather to go to parks throughout the Tri-State area, including War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, W.Va. Nicolas Venable, left, and his sister, Natalie, enjoy their ice cream cones while trying to cool down. Right, Marcus Riker, left, and his brother, Matt, watch Marcus' putt at War Memorial Park's miniature golf course.

The Boys & Girls Club will hold Fun Night Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Hancock High School cafeteria. Activities include obstacle course, basketball spot shot, physical fitness challenge, miniature golf, coloring contest and financial fitness challenge. Refreshments and prizes will be provided. The first 25 participants will receive a T-shirt. The event is sponsored by Citi as part of its Global Community Day initiative. For more information, call 301-733-5422.

Friday · War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, W.Va. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. with DJ, mini-train rides and moon bounce. Pony rides, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., balloon sculptures, 7 to 9 p.m., miniature golf course and pool. Fireworks, 9:30 p.m. Rain date for fireworks only is Saturday. · Old-time July 4 parade and community picnic in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Parade, 11 a.m. on German Street; picnic, noon to 3:30 p.m., Morgans Grove Park.

John Wesley United Methodist Church, at 129 N. Potomac St. in Hagerstown, will host a cabin fever picnic Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 4 p.m. It will include bingo, beanbag toss, miniature golf, spoon races, a sing-along, door prizes and other activities. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, beverage and a sundae bar. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for those ages 4 to 12. Those younger than 4 will be admitted free. The public is invited.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. Tossing a smile at the people huddled under pavilions and trees at War Memorial Park on the Fourth of July, Jason Datoni, Zachary Hoff, Katie Barr and Brittany Crouse moved to the edge of a puddle growing on the blacktop. "Ready?" Jason asked, giving each drenched friend one last look. The puddle beckoning Jason and his friends to splash was, a few hours earlier, dry blacktop, filled with families enjoying a mild Independence Day at the park. Celebrating at War Memorial Park is a tradition for many families in West Virginia.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Tossing a smile at the people huddled under pavilions and trees at War Memorial Park on the Fourth of July, Jason Datoni, Zachary Hoff, Katie Barr and Brittany Crouse moved to the edge of a puddle growing on the blacktop. "Ready?" Jason asked, giving each drenched friend one last look. The puddle beckoning Jason and his friends to splash was, a few hours earlier, dry blacktop, filled with families enjoying a mild Independence Day at the park. Celebrating at War Memorial Park is a tradition for many families in West Virginia.

waynesboro@herald-mail.com WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Play miniature golf at Waynesboro Family Billiards & Arcade and your ball, a waterfall and a volcano that it rolls past, even your pen and scorecard, glow in the dark. The course is illuminated with lasers, a new technology for the Tri-State area, said Shawn Robinson, owner of the billiard parlor/arcade at 118 Walnut St. in space once occupied by a former outlet barn. Robinson moved his business there in September from 406 E. Main St. when that building was sold.

chambersburg@herald-mail.com CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The municipal pool at Chambersburg's Memorial Park could have a couple of new attractions this summer, including a skateboard park about a mile away from a privately owned skateboard facility. During Monday's Chambersburg Borough Council meeting, Recreation Superintendent Herb Dolaway said a paved skateboard park measuring 100 feet by 100 feet could be open by July. Bids on the project are due May 18 and will be reviewed by the council at its May 23 meeting.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Registration at the Waynesboro Area YMCA for the Before and After School CARE program is open for the 2002-2003 school year. The licensed program not only provides children with a safe place to go after school, but also gives them the opportunity to participate in swimming, games, tutoring, crafts and much more. Tanja Koons, child care program director, states that "character values and Bible lessons are an important part of our weekly activities here at the YMCA.

John Wesley United Methodist Church, at 129 N. Potomac St. in Hagerstown, will host a cabin fever picnic Saturday, Jan. 28, from noon to 4 p.m. It will include bingo, beanbag toss, miniature golf, spoon races, a sing-along, door prizes and other activities. The menu includes burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, macaroni salad, baked beans, chips, beverage and a sundae bar. Tickets cost $8 for adults and $4 for those ages 4 to 12. Those younger than 4 will be admitted free. The public is invited.

FALLING WATERS, W.Va. -- A New Market, Md., man was pronounced dead Sunday morning when the golf cart he was driving at River Bend Park went over a 15-foot embankment and plunged into the Potomac River, according to a news release from the Berkeley County Sheriff's Department. Two passengers who were in the golf cart when it went into the river received medical treatment, police said. Police said it appeared that Marshall Marks, 60, was trying to turn the cart around on a narrow trail when he lost control and the cart went over the embankment.

The Boys & Girls Club will hold Fun Night Friday from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Hancock High School cafeteria. Activities include obstacle course, basketball spot shot, physical fitness challenge, miniature golf, coloring contest and financial fitness challenge. Refreshments and prizes will be provided. The first 25 participants will receive a T-shirt. The event is sponsored by Citi as part of its Global Community Day initiative. For more information, call 301-733-5422.

TRI-STATE -- While Memorial Day offered some relaxing family time for many in the Tri-State area, it was business as usual for those providing medical care, food and the staples of daily life. Sunday provided some father-and-son time for Joe Gardenhour Sr. and 13-year-old Joe Jr. They set up folding chairs near the starting point of Waynesboro, Pa.'s parade on CV Avenue. "I've lived here all my life and always enjoy the parade. My son wanted to see it," said Joe Gardenhour Sr., adding that both were looking forward to seeing the motorcycles.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - Tossing a smile at the people huddled under pavilions and trees at War Memorial Park on the Fourth of July, Jason Datoni, Zachary Hoff, Katie Barr and Brittany Crouse moved to the edge of a puddle growing on the blacktop. "Ready?" Jason asked, giving each drenched friend one last look. The puddle beckoning Jason and his friends to splash was, a few hours earlier, dry blacktop, filled with families enjoying a mild Independence Day at the park. Celebrating at War Memorial Park is a tradition for many families in West Virginia.

Mile-long yard sale The sale spans several neighborhoods just north of Hagerstown, with Longmeadow Road and Paradise Church Road in the thick of things. 7 a.m. today until everyone sells out. Fireworks and music at Fairgrounds Park Opening ceremony at 6 p.m. today. Live music starts at 6:30 p.m. featuring members of bands who played Georgetown in the 1960s and '70s. The 30-minute fireworks show begins at 9:30 p.m. Food will be sold. Rock-climbing wall, nine-hole miniature golf course and craft activities for kids.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. Tossing a smile at the people huddled under pavilions and trees at War Memorial Park on the Fourth of July, Jason Datoni, Zachary Hoff, Katie Barr and Brittany Crouse moved to the edge of a puddle growing on the blacktop. "Ready?" Jason asked, giving each drenched friend one last look. The puddle beckoning Jason and his friends to splash was, a few hours earlier, dry blacktop, filled with families enjoying a mild Independence Day at the park. Celebrating at War Memorial Park is a tradition for many families in West Virginia.

The following is a list of Independence Day celebrations: Thursday · Clear Spring Independence Jam Celebration, Plumb Grove Mansion off Broadfording Road, Clear Spring. Starts at 5 p.m. Christian-country bluegrass-rock bands, games for youngsters, food. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Rain date is July 6. Friday · Town of Williamsport, Byron Memorial Park. Pancake breakfast, 6 to 10 a.m. in community building, 5K race, gymnastics demos, live music and food.

Friday · War Memorial Park in Martinsburg, W.Va. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. with DJ, mini-train rides and moon bounce. Pony rides, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., balloon sculptures, 7 to 9 p.m., miniature golf course and pool. Fireworks, 9:30 p.m. Rain date for fireworks only is Saturday. · Old-time July 4 parade and community picnic in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Parade, 11 a.m. on German Street; picnic, noon to 3:30 p.m., Morgans Grove Park.