Musical Instruments

Hagerstown Kiwanis Club and other Kiwanis Clubs across the country are collecting playable or repairable musical instruments to deliver to young people in the New Orleans area. Local pick-up of instruments can be arranged by contact Hagerstown Kiwanians, Fred Nugent at 301-739-9325 or e-mail fnugent@verizon.net ; or Kevin Collins at 301-733-2371, ext. 100, or e-mailing kevin.collins@myactv.net . Money donations to help off-set the cost of this project is also appreciated.

Attach an old washboard to a broomstick handle, add a few bottle caps and some pickle jar lids for good measure, and you have a musical instrument called a stump fiddle. Not only did Slim Harrison of Slim Harrison's Sunnyland Band play some toe-tapping folk music with his refurbished odds and ends, but organizers of Saturday's Renfrew Institute Earth Celebration Day and Festival of Art would like others to take a cue from him. By taking some items that most people would toss in the trash, Harrison said he has found a way to entertain crowds and convey an environmental message.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Horns, flutes and other unplayed instruments in Washington County are re-emerging from their storage spots. They're heading to New Orleans for a program that lets children use them. Julie Barr-Strasburg, whose brother-in-law, Trent Strasburg, started the long-distance charity effort, is jazzed. "It's all about music and how it flows from people and how it can heal people," she said. Trent Strasburg, who retired after more than 30 years as a postal inspector, lives in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb.

After school, "we just hang out," says Kayti Spinks, second from left, of the time she and her friends spend talking in the parking lot in front of Rocket Guitars and Musical Instruments at 123 Walnut St. in Waynesboro, Pa. From left are Connor McCulloh, 17, Kayti, 17, Jessica Fleming, 15, and Jeff Lentz, 18.

Heritage Academy seventh- and eighth-grade students visited Ravenwood Nursing Home on Sept. 23. Students participated in a chapel service by singing, reading Bible verses and playing musical instruments for residents. Junior high classes from Heritage have been going to Ravenwood annually since 2005.

Service Learning opportunities Mount Lena Recreation Club Greenbrier Road Boonsboro Contact person: Colette Rupert, 739-2935 Opportunities available: Several buildings, a fence and the inside of the pool need to be painted. Also, there is a need for help with landscaping of the property. Williamsport Retirement Village 154 N. Artizan St. Williamsport Contact person: Laurie Gauthier, director of volunteer services, 223-7971 Opportunities available: reading to residents, taking residents for walks, ice-water distribution, sharing talents and hobbies with residents - musical instruments, singing, dancing, juggling

South High Band Boosters Club thanks community The South Hagerstown High School Band Boosters would like to take this opportunity to thank the parent volunteers and local businesses for their help and financial support this past band season. The band had a great season, qualifying to participate in the ACC championships held in Dover, Del. The band could not have accomplished this achievement without the community's support. The South Hagerstown High School Rebel Pride Cards are in and they are a great stocking stuffer for the holiday season.

The Western Maryland Blues Fest expanded its Kids Jam Too activities this year with a display by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Sunday at Hagerstown's City Park. Children and parents got a chance to see and touch turtles, a screech owl and garter and king snakes. Other youth exhibits featured musical instruments for children to try out and crafts for them to make. Some children colored squeeze bottles and made wacky sunglasses while others played on the swings and a jungle gym. Many youngsters waited in line to get their faces painted and for a balloon sword or animal.

FREDERICK, Md. - Frederick County Public Schools started a "Join the Band Fund" in 2004 to put musical instruments in the hands of students who want to learn to play but can't afford to. Area musician Andy Carignan and "The Wise Guys" launched the fund and have raised more than $3,000 during local music performances, according to a school system press release. Individuals and groups interested in helping the fund reach its goal can send tax-deductible contributions, payable to the "Community Foundation Join the Band Fund," to the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 E. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701.

Here are some of the things happening in Washington County Public Schools this week: Today Board of Education - Business meeting at the Board of Education Auditorium at 6:30 p.m. Hancock Elementary School - School Improvement Team meeting at 2:15 p.m. Hancock Elementary School - Mrs. Knable offers musical instruments for interested students to try. Wednesday, Sept. 6 Cascade Elementary School - Back-to-School Night at 6:30 p.m. Clear Spring Elementary School - Girl Scout presentation at 6 p.m. Clear Spring Elementary School - PTA executive board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Clear Spring Elementary School - PTA fall fundraiser kickoff at 1:30 p.m. Clear Spring High School - Sports pictures.

School has been winding down, and on a recent evening my daughter flashed a smile in our direction as she rounded the corner into our dining room. “I love not having homework,” she said with a delighted laugh. I have to admit that it will be nice for her to not have the pressure of added deadlines and responsibilities for a while. Like many students, she has worked very hard this year to learn and to achieve good grades. Students, parents and teachers all need a break at about this time.

"We don't stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing. " I doubt Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw was thinking about "playing" musical instruments when he said that, but if he'd been talking about New Horizons Band, he'd have been spot on. New Horizons Band is a community musical ensemble for senior citizens. The concept began in 1991 at Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., the brainchild of Roy Ernst. In the introduction to a book about the phenomenon, Ernst wrote that he believed "anyone can learn to play music at a level that will bring a sense of accomplishment and the ability to perform in a group.

1. Talking his way through his journey In "Big Sur," a middle-aged man follows his dream to drive cross country to Big Sur pledging to talk with any and all who he meets. Shows are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, May 11 and 18, and Saturdays, May 12 and 19; 7 p.m. Thursday, May 17; 3 p.m. Sundays, May 13 and 20. Ice House, Independence and Mercer streets, Berkeley Springs, W.Va. $12; $8 MAC members; the May 17 show is a pay-what-you-can performance. Go to www.macicehouse.org . 2. What happens  in Vegas "Nunsensations!

Attach an old washboard to a broomstick handle, add a few bottle caps and some pickle jar lids for good measure, and you have a musical instrument called a stump fiddle. Not only did Slim Harrison of Slim Harrison's Sunnyland Band play some toe-tapping folk music with his refurbished odds and ends, but organizers of Saturday's Renfrew Institute Earth Celebration Day and Festival of Art would like others to take a cue from him. By taking some items that most people would toss in the trash, Harrison said he has found a way to entertain crowds and convey an environmental message.

Heritage Academy seventh- and eighth-grade students visited Ravenwood Nursing Home on Sept. 23. Students participated in a chapel service by singing, reading Bible verses and playing musical instruments for residents. Junior high classes from Heritage have been going to Ravenwood annually since 2005.

After school, "we just hang out," says Kayti Spinks, second from left, of the time she and her friends spend talking in the parking lot in front of Rocket Guitars and Musical Instruments at 123 Walnut St. in Waynesboro, Pa. From left are Connor McCulloh, 17, Kayti, 17, Jessica Fleming, 15, and Jeff Lentz, 18.

Sports programs for kids CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Chambersburg Recreation Department, 235 S. Third St., will offer the following programs: · Toddler and preschool open gym - 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. $2 for each family visit. · Teeny boppers - 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, Jan. 29 to March 4, registration deadline is Jan. 23; or 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesdays, March 18 to April 22, registration deadline is March 12. $35; $25 for boro residents. · Sporties for shorties - 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays, Jan. 28 to March 3, registration deadline is Jan. 22; or 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays, March 17 to April 14, registration deadline is March 11. $35; $25 for boro residents.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Horns, flutes and other unplayed instruments in Washington County are re-emerging from their storage spots. They're heading to New Orleans for a program that lets children use them. Julie Barr-Strasburg, whose brother-in-law, Trent Strasburg, started the long-distance charity effort, is jazzed. "It's all about music and how it flows from people and how it can heal people," she said. Trent Strasburg, who retired after more than 30 years as a postal inspector, lives in Metairie, a New Orleans suburb.

Hagerstown Kiwanis Club and other Kiwanis Clubs across the country are collecting playable or repairable musical instruments to deliver to young people in the New Orleans area. Local pick-up of instruments can be arranged by contact Hagerstown Kiwanians, Fred Nugent at 301-739-9325 or e-mail fnugent@verizon.net ; or Kevin Collins at 301-733-2371, ext. 100, or e-mailing kevin.collins@myactv.net . Money donations to help off-set the cost of this project is also appreciated.

South High Band Boosters Club thanks community The South Hagerstown High School Band Boosters would like to take this opportunity to thank the parent volunteers and local businesses for their help and financial support this past band season. The band had a great season, qualifying to participate in the ACC championships held in Dover, Del. The band could not have accomplished this achievement without the community's support. The South Hagerstown High School Rebel Pride Cards are in and they are a great stocking stuffer for the holiday season.