Patio

The Washington County liquor board on Wednesday gave the owner of the Appel Tree Inn in Hancock permission to build an enclosed patio that will lead outside from the bar. Larry Kessler, owner of the Appel Tree Inn, told the Board of License Commissioners for Washington County, known as the liquor board, that the patio shouldn't create a noise problem because the nearest residential units are about 100 yards away from his business. The liquor board suggested to Kessler that he follow the proper procedures to obtain building and zoning permits from the county.

Dear Pat: I have a good-size patio in the backyard and I would like to convert a portion of it into a screened porch. Other than buying an expensive sunspace kit, how can I build a simple one myself? - Pam A. Dear Pam: You and your family should receive a lot of enjoyment from even a small, screened porch. What's more, it should increase the resale value of your home by more than the cost of the material used to build it. With a patio in good condition, building a screened porch should be within the skill level of most do-it-yourselfers.

Willie Frank paints the square of a patio Wednesday at Little Caesar's Pizza on Cleveland Avenue in Hagerstown. Frank is the district manager for the pizza shop.

Robby Day of Appleby Systems cuts patio windows to size for a house at Saddle Ridge in Chambersburg, Pa., Thursday afternoon.

Barefoot Bernie's representatives describe plans for patio Representatives from Barefoot Bernie's Bar & Grille on Dual Highway in Hagerstown told the Washington County liquor board on Wednesday that they would like to build a patio next to the business to accommodate outside dining. Joe Rouse, an attorney for Barefoot Bernie's, said the patio would be about 14 feet by 25 feet and enclosed by a rope. People would have to enter the restaurant first to gain access to the patio, he said.

Whitetail Resort announced Monday it will invest $2.8 million in the coming months for several projects, including new fan guns on the intermediate trail (Fanciful), as well as lighting of that trail. The resort will be acquiring all new adult rental skis and boots furnished by Elan and Dalbello, and 600 new adult Burton snowboards. Other improvements include air conditioning in Marketplace, a loading carpet on the EZ Rider Quad Lift, the expansion of the ski and snowboard check, and the addition of a second outdoor patio with heated pavers.

Wolfe's Den tavern fined for allowing patrons to drink on patio The Wolfe's Den tavern in Smithsburg was fined $500 on Wednesday for allowing patrons to drink alcohol on the business' patio without having a permit. The Board of License Commissioners for Washington County fined the business during a Wednesday hearing at the liquor board office at 148 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown. Brenda Wolfe, owner of the Wolfe's Den at 6 W. Water St., said she allowed customers to smoke on the patio to prevent them from gathering out front, but she didn't know that some of them were drinking alcohol.

Man breaks leg when trying to flee house By DON AINES / Staff Writer, Chambersburg CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - A man who fondled a woman while she slept with her boyfriend, broke his leg Thursday when he fell trying to flee the house, the Pennsylvania State Police alleged. David Benson Parks, 29, of 16 Warwick Court, Chambersburg, Pa., was charged with aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, burglary and criminal trespass, police said. The incident occurred at 1:50 a.m. at the Kensington Heights development.

Someone set a canopy patio swing on fire early Sunday and the Hagerstown Fire Department wants to know who. The fire was reported at 1:30 a.m. on the front porch at 320 Mitchell Ave., according to Richard Miller, assistant fire marshal. Firefighters from Western Enterprise responded and put the fire out. Damage was estimated at $100. An investigation revealed the fire was arson, Miller said in a press release this morning. Miller is asking anyone with information about the fire to call 301-791-2174.

Wolfe's Den tavern fined for allowing patrons to drink on patio The Wolfe's Den tavern in Smithsburg was fined $500 on Wednesday for allowing patrons to drink alcohol on the business' patio without having a permit. The Board of License Commissioners for Washington County fined the business during a Wednesday hearing at the liquor board office at 148 W. Washington St. in Hagerstown. Brenda Wolfe, owner of the Wolfe's Den at 6 W. Water St., said she allowed customers to smoke on the patio to prevent them from gathering out front, but she didn't know that some of them were drinking alcohol.

Bill Wolfensberger of Clear Spring was planning Wednesday to get large containers of water to use for flushing toilets and washing up. Wolfensberger, 60, of 13320 Gruber Road, had been without power since Monday night, courtesy of Superstorm Sandy. Although he has a generator, he still had no central heating or running water. Despite that, he said, “We were pretty much prepared,” for the storm. “Seventy years ago this is how people lived, and if you're prepared for it, you can live with it.” Temperatures remained below 50 degrees in the Hagerstown area Wednesday.

Hepburn Orchard Fruit Market & Bakery was a fixture on the east end of Hancock for three decades before it closed in March 2010. Eighteen months later on the same location - in fact, on the same foundation - Penny and Randy Pittman have opened Blue Goose Fruit Market & Bakery at 557 E. Main St. Although it opened Nov. 21 just off Interstate 70, more than 60 state, county and local elected officials, and guests turned out Friday morning to...

Whitetail Resort is preparing for the 2011-12 winter season with several capital improvement projects under way, according to a resort news release. An automated lighting system has been installed on the intermediate Fanciful Trail to enable night skiing and snowboarding on the trail. The trail also will be equipped with more Techno Alpin fan guns to increase snowmaking capacity, the release said. Whitetail is also constructing a loading carpet on the EZ Rider Quad, building a second patio and fire-pit area outside Windows Restaurant, and relocating and expanding the ski and snowboard check areas.

Whitetail Resort announced Monday it will invest $2.8 million in the coming months for several projects, including new fan guns on the intermediate trail (Fanciful), as well as lighting of that trail. The resort will be acquiring all new adult rental skis and boots furnished by Elan and Dalbello, and 600 new adult Burton snowboards. Other improvements include air conditioning in Marketplace, a loading carpet on the EZ Rider Quad Lift, the expansion of the ski and snowboard check, and the addition of a second outdoor patio with heated pavers.

An unattended patio grill caused a fire that heavily damaged a house on Northern Avenue in Hagerstown Tuesday evening, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. Gary Williar of 950 Northern Ave., suffered first- and second-degree burns to his upper body in the 6:46 p.m. fire at his home, a fire marshal's report said. Deputy State Fire Marshal Ed Ernst said Williar was taken to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center in Baltimore, where a spokeswoman said Wednesday that he was in fair condition.

FUNKSTOWN -- Another Funkstown resident expressed concerns during Monday night's Funkstown Town Council meeting about plans for an enclosed outdoor patio at Joker's Pub & Grill. Referring to it as a sidewalk expansion, Douglas Arnall told town officials he wasn't saying he was opposed to Joker's plans, but that he had concerns. Arnall said he lives across the street from Joker's, which is at the corner of West Baltimore and Antietam streets. As a property owner, Arnall said he has an interest in seeing Funkstown grow, but he had concerns about the maintenance of Joker's property and the garbage collection.

FUNKSTOWN -- A 6-foot privacy fence might be installed at Joker's Pub & Grill to close off its second entrance and provide an enclosed outdoor patio, Funkstown Mayor Paul N. Crampton Jr. said Monday night. The issue came up at the mayor and council work session because the steps are in the town's right-of-way so the business needs an easement from the town for the fence, Crampton said. Crampton asked Town Clerk/Treasurer Brenda L. Haynes to see if anything was needed from the Washington County liquor board or fire marshal's offices before the council makes a decision.

Whether building or remodeling, windows and patio doors are an integral design factor in your project and a reflection of your tastes. They can be practical elements in your home, like garage windows, or they can enhance architectural features, like a living room bay window with transoms. Windows and patio doors serve as a gateway between your protected living environment and Mother Nature surrounding you, so care must be taken in their selection. Today you have a myriad of choices when shopping for windows.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. -- Emanuel and Thelma Turner received help from a neighbor on Monday to make their home more livable. Matthew Zeigler and colleagues from MZeigler General Contractor donated their time to dig holes, install supports and level a new deck at the Turners' Quincy Township home. Their work continues today to finish a 16-foot wheelchair ramp for Emanuel. Emanuel's recent rotator cuff surgery left him drained of energy. "He raised his foot (to climb the patio stairs)