Ronald Mcdonald

Two workers operating a crane and a blowtorch spent less than an hour Tuesday removing a piece of popular culture that has stood watch over Northern Avenue in Hagerstown for nearly four decades. The Ronald McDonald sign that stood in front of the McDonald's restaurant at 520 Northern Ave. is gone. Store owner Mark N. Levine said his deceased father, Murray, had the sign shipped from Texas to place in front of the restaurant in 1973. Murray Levine opened the store - the first McDonald's in Washington County - in the late 1960s.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation is accepting registration for the 19th annual June Jubilee Car Show and Arts & Crafts Festival. June Jubilee will be Sunday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at War Memorial Park, off Tennessee Avenue. There are limited spaces for arts and crafts vendors. Shelter spaces cost $25 and outside spaces cost $15. Advance registration for cars costs $10 per vehicle, or $12 on the day of the show. In addition to the car show and arts and crafts, there will be food vendors, kids rides, a Ronald McDonald show and the park concession stand will be open.

The Western Maryland branch of Easter Seals raised $12,600 in its radio-athon Sunday at the Hagerstown Wal-Mart. The radio program, held from noon to 3 p.m., was broadcast on WARX Oldies 106.9 FM. It featured interviews with directors of Easter Seals programs, clients and community and business leaders. All of the funds will stay in Washington County to help individuals with disabilities live with equality, dignity and independence, according to Lin Harkcom, an Easter Seals representative.

Children will get to practice using fire hoses and see how accident victims get to the hospital when Children's Village of Washington County hosts its 14th annual Kids Alive Fest Saturday, June 11. The free event, which is also an open house and fundraiser, is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1546 Mount Aetna Road. Other activities will include the Ronald McDonald safety show, Maryland Correctional Institution K-9 demonstration, car seat safety checks and continuous tours of the Power of Fire House.

Great American Trees BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Paintings and drawings by Michael Rawson will be shown in an exhibit entitled Great American Trees. Concludes today. Bath Bookworks, 15 N. Washington St. Call 304-258-7970. Ballet's greatest hits Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School will present "Ballet's Greatest Hits. " performed by more than 60 students. 3 p.m. The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Tickets cost $5 to $14. Call 717-263-0202. Incendio FREDERICK, Md. - Celebrate Frederick summer concert series will begin with Incendio, playing Latin music.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com GREENCASTLE - Children, adults, dogs, and babies lined the streets and crowded into the square of downtown Greencastle for the town's annual Christmas parade Saturday morning. Led by Honorary Grand Marshall Kayleigh Smith, 77 groups wound through town for about an hour. Smith won a drawing held by radio station 92.1 FM for Greeencastle-area children ages 5 through 10, according to A. J. Silver, morning radio personality who announced the parade from a platform in the square.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Cars snaked and whizzed from Prime Outlets at Hagerstown to Valley Mall on Saturday as shoppers rushed to get last-minute Christmas presents. At Prime Outlets, at least one shopper was slowed in her tracks. Sarah Brown wandered aimlessly, hoping the perfect gift for her picky husband simply would fall into her hands. "He has everything," an exasperated Brown said. "He doesn't need anything else. " Brown, 36, of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., said she was getting an early start Saturday.

MERCERSBURG, Pa. - Grand opening festivities for the 10th McDonald's in the central Pennsylvania area will take place Monday through Saturday, Sept. 27 at the newest restaurant, 11924 Buchanan Trail West in Mercersburg. The celebration will kickoff Monday with Fire Safety Night from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Mercersburg Volunteer Fire Company will be on hand and kids will have the opportunity to have their pictures taken with a fire truck. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the dinner crowd will be entertained by Tuscarora High School marching band and choir.

By BRYN MICKLE /Staff Writer, Martinsburg photos: MARLA BROSE / staff photographer MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Despite a late afternoon rain shower that thinned the crowds, organizers were pleased with Sunday's turnout at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg. [cont. from news page ] A few thousand people were at the park as part of the 12th annual June Jubilee celebration, said Steve Catlett, the executive director of the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks and Recreation Department.

Skateboarding event CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -A skateboarding free-for-all will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Memorial Park Skate Park. The event is open to kids and parents who want to challenge their physical aptitude, balance and agility. Skateboards will be available to try. Experienced skaters will assist and give demonstrations. Participants must bring a helmet. Kneepads and elbow pads are recommended. Call 717-261-3275. Gardening workshops The Regional Resource Connection - Morgan County Starting Points, WVU Extension, The Salvation Army, MCEIC and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, are offering a series of free workshops for those interested in growing their own vegetables for their families.

Two workers operating a crane and a blowtorch spent less than an hour Tuesday removing a piece of popular culture that has stood watch over Northern Avenue in Hagerstown for nearly four decades. The Ronald McDonald sign that stood in front of the McDonald's restaurant at 520 Northern Ave. is gone. Store owner Mark N. Levine said his deceased father, Murray, had the sign shipped from Texas to place in front of the restaurant in 1973. Murray Levine opened the store - the first McDonald's in Washington County - in the late 1960s.

What could have been a tragic morning for a lost Jack Russell terrier took a happy turn Friday thanks to the efforts of an ex-Hagerstown mayor, a McDonald's manager, and several dog-loving breakfast patrons. "Several of us were at McDonald's on Northern Avenue when we saw this cute little wirey-haired Jack Russell terrier walking up the sidewalk," former Mayor Steven T. Sager said. Concerned about safety, Sager went outside and called the dog, who took two steps toward him, then changed his mind and ambled out into traffic, Sager said.

Students from Greenbrier Elementary School recently raised $200 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. The Greenbrier students were challenged by their teacher, Linda Forrest, to make a difference in their local and global communities. Through fundraising efforts and coin-collection drives, the students raised the money and delivered it to the McDonald's restaurant on Dual Highway in Hagerstown in May.

o Read more Darylene Mowen columns at washingtoncountyliving.com SHS plans suicide prevention event Two high school students have helped plan a suicide prevention event at Smithsburg High School Auditorium on May 11 at 4 p.m. This event was made possible by a grant received from YOUTH M.O.V.E. Washington County. T-shirts will be given to the first 250 students who attend. The shirts were designed by a Smithsburg High School senior in memory of Jacob "Jake" R. Linthicum, who took his life this past October.

After nearly two years of collecting soda drink can pull-tabs, the girls from Junior Troop 733 and Cadette Troop 652 from the Pleasant Valley area took a trip to Hershey, Pa., to drop them off at the Ronald McDonald House. The girls from the troops collected a total of 100 pounds of tabs. After dropping the tabs off, the girls enjoyed a wet time at Hersheypark for their Halloween at Hershey event. Ronald McDonald Houses across the United States have been collecting pop can tabs since 1996.

Skateboarding event CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -A skateboarding free-for-all will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Memorial Park Skate Park. The event is open to kids and parents who want to challenge their physical aptitude, balance and agility. Skateboards will be available to try. Experienced skaters will assist and give demonstrations. Participants must bring a helmet. Kneepads and elbow pads are recommended. Call 717-261-3275. Gardening workshops The Regional Resource Connection - Morgan County Starting Points, WVU Extension, The Salvation Army, MCEIC and the St. Vincent de Paul Society, are offering a series of free workshops for those interested in growing their own vegetables for their families.

Hello! Happy Monday! If you forget to pick up your paper but still want to read the "Around Town" columns, you can do so at The Herald-Mail's Web site at www.herald-mail.com. Roundtable planned March 4 The Interfaith Coalition of Washington County will hold an interfaith roundtable at Washington County Free Library, 100 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, on Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. The Rev. Edward L. Poling will lead a discussion on "Who is Jesus?"

Great American Trees BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. - Paintings and drawings by Michael Rawson will be shown in an exhibit entitled Great American Trees. Concludes today. Bath Bookworks, 15 N. Washington St. Call 304-258-7970. Ballet's greatest hits Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School will present "Ballet's Greatest Hits. " performed by more than 60 students. 3 p.m. The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Tickets cost $5 to $14. Call 717-263-0202. Incendio FREDERICK, Md. - Celebrate Frederick summer concert series will begin with Incendio, playing Latin music.

After years of collecting soft drink can tabs, the girls from Brownie Troop 733 and Cadette Troop 652 finally got to see just how those tabs are put to good use. Girl Scouts from both troops collected more than 60 pounds of tabs over the last several years. On Dec. 9, the girls and their families took a trip to the Ronald McDonald House in Hershey, Pa., to drop off their tabs. While there, they received a detailed tour of the Ronald McDonald House and visited Hersheypark to see the Christmas decorations.

WASHINGTON COUNTY - Cars snaked and whizzed from Prime Outlets at Hagerstown to Valley Mall on Saturday as shoppers rushed to get last-minute Christmas presents. At Prime Outlets, at least one shopper was slowed in her tracks. Sarah Brown wandered aimlessly, hoping the perfect gift for her picky husband simply would fall into her hands. "He has everything," an exasperated Brown said. "He doesn't need anything else. " Brown, 36, of Harpers Ferry, W.Va., said she was getting an early start Saturday.