Service Clubs

Holiday week So here we sit, right smack dab in the middle of the Christmas holiday and the new year. No school for the children, of course, and I am sure they have plenty to keep them occupied. The refrigerator is still overflowing with holiday leftovers and the tables are still laden with cookies, cakes and pies so much that it would probably be best to start freezing some of it. Indoor flea market This is one of those weeks that not much is happening in the area, with schools closed and service clubs taking a breather.

HALFWAY - A new Valley Mall policy that restricts when nonprofit organizations can hold fund-raisers there has at least one organization concerned that donation drives will suffer. Mall officials decided this month that groups could, with a few exceptions, hold events in the mall on only two weekends a year, one in September, the other in May. During those weekends, the mall will host Pillars of the Community fairs for service clubs. At other designated times during the year, health groups and organizations such as The American Red Cross will be permitted to hold fund-raisers.

scottb@herald-mail.com William Blum, Washington County Public Schools' chief operating officer, recommended Tuesday that youth groups not be charged rental fees for using school buildings but that service clubs and for-profit groups be charged for using the facilities. The Washington County Board of Education's Facilities Committee - made up of board members Russell Williams, Roxanne Ober and Paul Bailey - discussed the recommendation at a one-hour committee meeting but took no action.

Lt. Col. Joseph Gardenhour talked Sunday about being separated from his family during his time in theU.S. Air Force, including being away from his son for eight months after the boy was born. Gardenhour also talked about his wife being separated from both of their children during her time in the U.S. Air Force, and said the scenario is common among military members. Gardenhour, a Smithsburg High School graduate, said repeated deployments for military members in recent years have been stressful for the individuals involved, but he feels confident that the military is meeting their needs.

In an effort to attract people who work, live and shop in the downtown Hagerstown area, the Washington County Council of Churches is again sponsoring a series of noontime Holy Week services at two Methodist churches. "These services have been a long-standing tradition in our community for many years and are attended by members of local congregations, service clubs and others," said the Rev. Gregory Shook of the Ecumenical Affairs Committee of the council. - The Rev. Cherie Baker, chaplain/director of religious services for Washington County Hospital, will share daily messages at John Wesley United Methodist Church, 129 N. Potomac St., today through Thursday.

erinc@herald-mail.com A hospital auxiliary volunteer, a coach and a PTA member have won in the past. Brad Sell, executive director of the Community Foundation of Washington County, calls them the county's "unsung volunteers. " The foundation is asking the public to nominate Washington County residents for the sixth annual People's Choice Awards, which honors local volunteers. "But it's not the people who sit on boards," Sell said. "This is to honor the unsung volunteers in the community.

Blast from the past Week of May 13, 1951 Washington County has 20 patients in the Camp Ritchie State Hospital at Cascade who are in good spirits and receiving the best of care, said Washington County Commissioners President Winslow F. Burhans. To gain admittance to the hospital, a patient must first of all be needy, infirm or chronically ill. Yesterday meant just a little more perhaps to one Hagerstown resident, Mrs. Natalie Lloyd of Willard Street, than to others.

The public is invited to attend a community presentation, "The Maryland Campaign, The Niagara Movement and Options to Amend the Park's Boundary," sponsored by the National Park Service. In 2000, Congress directed the National Park Service to conduct extensive educational outreach on the Civil War and African-American history in and around Harpers Ferry, W.Va., and to explain options for amending the park's boundary in order to preserve this history. The scheduled meetings are the result of this Congressional request and will be held at the following locations and times: - Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m. at C.W. Shipley Elementary School, Harpers Ferry.

The Eastern Panhandle Christmas Clearinghouse, which serves Berkeley and Jefferson counties, is now accepting applications for assistance for the holiday season. Individuals and families who have not already applied for food, clothes, toys or gifts at a local organization are invited to complete an application. For a list of application sites and instructions about what information and documentation is needed, call the Christmas Clearinghouse at 304-267-0100, ext. 222.  The purpose of the Christmas Clearinghouse is to coordinate Christmas giving so as many people as possible are served and duplication is limited.

julieg@herald-mail.com With younger adults busy building careers and raising families, some service groups and nonprofit agencies have experienced declines in membership and problems attracting members and volunteers. People ages 25 to 40 are under-represented among nonprofit volunteers, said James Taylor, executive director of the United Way of Washington County. With young families and careers, "That's a difficult time for people to take time out," Taylor said.

Lt. Col. Joseph Gardenhour talked Sunday about being separated from his family during his time in theU.S. Air Force, including being away from his son for eight months after the boy was born. Gardenhour also talked about his wife being separated from both of their children during her time in the U.S. Air Force, and said the scenario is common among military members. Gardenhour, a Smithsburg High School graduate, said repeated deployments for military members in recent years have been stressful for the individuals involved, but he feels confident that the military is meeting their needs.

Lent continues As the season of Lent continues and St. Patrick's Day is on the horizon, there is news from several of the churches around Hancock:   Concert planned Pastor Donald Preston and Hancock Assembly of God will host CrossOver in concert Sunday at 6 p.m. The group is from Mahaffey, Pa. A free will offering will be accepted. The public is welcome to attend.  The church is at 431 N. Pennsylvania Ave.  For more information, call 301-678-5313.

Holiday week So here we sit, right smack dab in the middle of the Christmas holiday and the new year. No school for the children, of course, and I am sure they have plenty to keep them occupied. The refrigerator is still overflowing with holiday leftovers and the tables are still laden with cookies, cakes and pies so much that it would probably be best to start freezing some of it. Indoor flea market This is one of those weeks that not much is happening in the area, with schools closed and service clubs taking a breather.

This year, enjoy the gift of service to others To the editor: Give yourself a gift this year. Slow down and allow yourself to enjoy the gift of service to others. The cost is small, but the rewards are priceless. It will cost you some time, a loving heart, a listening ear, a gentle touch, willing hands and a desire to make this world a better place. We live in a world where the success of Christmas is measured by the sound of a clanging cash register. Money spent on gifts that will be welcomed with great anticipation and excitement, only to be forgotten and replaced by a desire for something new. By giving of ourselves in service to others without expecting payment in return, we find joy and contentment in knowing that we have touched lives and formed memories that will last a lifetime.

The Eastern Panhandle Christmas Clearinghouse, which serves Berkeley and Jefferson counties, is now accepting applications for assistance for the holiday season. Individuals and families who have not already applied for food, clothes, toys or gifts at a local organization are invited to complete an application. For a list of application sites and instructions about what information and documentation is needed, call the Christmas Clearinghouse at 304-267-0100, ext. 222.  The purpose of the Christmas Clearinghouse is to coordinate Christmas giving so as many people as possible are served and duplication is limited.

It may seem a bit immodest for a newspaper to sing the praises of National Newspaper Week, but we believe that it is justified by the accomplishments of those who work at The Herald-Mail and in the industry at large. The theme of the week, which runs through Oct. 7, is "Newspapers: We cover your life. " When a baby is born, we run a birth announcement. When that same child excels in school or in youth sports, we print his or her name again. So it goes throughout the lives of our readers.

· American Association of University Women When: Varies Where: Varies Contact: Joann Fillingham 301-739-7861. · Antietam Exchange When: Tuesdays, 7:30 a.m. Where: Richardson's Restaurant, 710 Dual Highway, Hagerstown President: Frit Hill, 301-393-8738 · Beaver Creek Lions Club When: First and third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. Where: Richardson's, 710 Dual Highway, Hagerstown ...

BOONSBORO For members of a service club honored by Gov. Robert Ehrlich, the chance to help strangers in need is inspiring. So was the experience of lending a hand to a friend. "It's kind of neat how they become more aware of being a good citizen," Boonsboro High School Service Club advisor Sally Poole said a day after two of the group's members traveled to Annapolis to pick up a Governor's Service Award. The club, which was nominated by Poole, was one of 40 recipients across the state recognized for outstanding service to the community.

erinc@herald-mail.com A hospital auxiliary volunteer, a coach and a PTA member have won in the past. Brad Sell, executive director of the Community Foundation of Washington County, calls them the county's "unsung volunteers. " The foundation is asking the public to nominate Washington County residents for the sixth annual People's Choice Awards, which honors local volunteers. "But it's not the people who sit on boards," Sell said. "This is to honor the unsung volunteers in the community.

scottb@herald-mail.com William Blum, Washington County Public Schools' chief operating officer, recommended Tuesday that youth groups not be charged rental fees for using school buildings but that service clubs and for-profit groups be charged for using the facilities. The Washington County Board of Education's Facilities Committee - made up of board members Russell Williams, Roxanne Ober and Paul Bailey - discussed the recommendation at a one-hour committee meeting but took no action.