Potato Salad

July 16 - July 22 The Washington County Commission on Aging offers noon lunches to anyone 60 years and older at seven locations - Hancock, Smithsburg, Keedysville, Williamsport and three in Hagerstown. A two-day reservation notice is required and a donation is asked per meal. For information, call 301-790-0275. Weekly menu Wednesday - Turkey-and-cheese sub with lettuce, tomato and onions, spinach salad, three-bean salad, pudding and milk. Thursday - Beef stroganoff, noodles, mixed vegetables, peaches, whole-grain bread and milk.

WASHINGTON COUNTY -- Patriotism and pyrotechnics won out over rain and retreat on Saturday - barely. With thunderstorms creeping in, organizers compressed the 23rd annual Salute to Independence at Antietam National Battlefield north of Sharpsburg making sure some signature elements, namely the fireworks, were seen. Some people gasped as lightning flashes and thunder claps were seen and heard. Part of the musical program was eliminated so the fireworks could blast off a little early.

Gun giveaway Maugansville Fire Co. is having its second annual gun giveaway Saturday, Sept. 27. The event will be held at the Williamsport Red Men Club, 16129 Lappans Road. The gate opens at 11:30 a.m. Food will be available from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and beer from noon to 5 p.m. The meal will include roast beef sandwiches and other items. A donation of $20 for a single and $30 for a couple will be accepted. Please come out and show your support! For more information, contact Mike Weller at 240-217-3264 or the fire station at 301-739-8515.

Hagerstown native returns to city to meet with book club She was regal, she was elegant, she was inspiring. Trenessa Karen, author of "How Deep Is Your Hate," drove recently from North Carolina to attend the Sisters in Spirit April Book Club. The participants couldn't wait until she arrived as most were anxiously looking forward to asking her questions about how she got interested in writing and what was really on her mind when she wrote the book. She was a delight and joy as she explained how the characters evolved and what they actually represented when she was writing.

The next fundraiser for the Second Christian Church's Men's Day is a chicken wings dinner on Saturday from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. Enjoy chicken wings, potato salad, greens, fruit cup, bread and soda. Tickets cost $8. Second Christian Church is at 65 W. North St. in Hagerstown.