Sign Language

Kathie Sandifer of Waynesboro, Pa., instructs sign language Tuesday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Waynesboro.

Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education will offer sign language courses geared toward helping students master the necessary skills needed for communicating with hearing-impaired individuals. The first course in the series, "Sign Language: Basic I," will be offered Mondays from Sept. 14 to Nov. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. The course is a beginning level course designed to help students build vocabulary as they learn the manual alphabet and standard signing techniques.

Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education will offer an intermediate sign language course for ages 12 to 16. The class will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays beginning Thursday, Oct. 5. For information, go to www.hagerstowncc.edu/coned .

This fall, Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education is offering sign language courses geared toward helping students master the necessary skills needed for communicating with hearing-impaired individuals. The first course in the series, "Sign Language: Basic I," is offered on Tuesdays, from Sept. 16 through Dec. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. This course is a beginning level course designed to help students build vocabulary as they learn the manual alphabet and standard signing techniques.

HAGERSTOWN Blues Fest regulars who attend the show year after year probably would recognize Nancy Verdier if she passed them on the street, but they might not immediately be able to place her. Unless, that is, she was moving her hands. For 10 years, Verdier has been using sign language to interpret the musical acts at the Western Maryland Blues Fest, which ends today. A sign language interpreter uses his or her hands to convey what is being said to the hearing-impaired, but facial expressions and body language also play a role, Verdier said.

Monday, Oct. 2 Japanese calligraphy class Five weeks. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays. For students and children. Limited to 12 students per class. Contemporary School of the Arts and Gallery, 4 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown. $75. Call 301-791-0191, e-mail ronlytle3@netzero.net , or go to www.csagi.org . Thursday, Oct. 5 Sign language for ages 12 to 16 Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education will offer an intermediate sign language course for ages 12 to 16. 6 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

By RICHARD F. BELISLE Staff Writer WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Nine years ago, Misti Morningstar Lucente's compact car was hit broadside by a tractor-trailer that ran a red light in Gaithersburg, Md., an accident that few of the doctors and nurses who treated her thought she would survive, much less walk again. She was in a coma for three-and-a-half months. Her mother, Louise Morningstar of 327 Valley View Drive, Waynesboro, never gave up hope that her daughter would not only survive and walk again, but would live a normal life.

Something as routine as being pulled over by a police officer for a traffic violation can be an intimidating experience, especially for people who cannot hear, according to Anita Bussard of the Deafnet Association of Hagerstown. cont. from front page Bussard said deaf people may fear their actions could be misinterpreted by police, and could result in them being arrested or even shot. An officer could misinterpret the action of reaching for a notepad as going for a gun, or might not believe a person is deaf, she said.

Name:  Felicia Age: 3 years old Color: White Breed: American pit bull mix ID: A15081401 Felicia's tail never stops wagging. This happy dog might be hearing-impaired, so she needs an understanding owner to teach her sign language. Felicia should not be in a home with children under the age of 8. Felicia and many other animals are available for adoption at The Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, north of Hagerstown.

Consignment fair SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. --Child Spirit Consignment will hold a consignment fair at The Orchard House at Trinity Center, 4599 Shepherdstown Road, between Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, W.Va. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 28. For information, go to www.childspiritconsignment.com . Family support classes The Family Support Resource Center in Hagerstown has scheduled fall workshops and classes: The schedule is: Sign language - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept.

The center lawn of Camp Tohiglo is a hub of activity as children play soccer, laugh with friends, run back from the shooting range and line up for lunch. “It's really fun, and I love it,” Sophia Ridge, 9, said as she darted off to a cabin. Ninety-two campers ages 9 and 10 are participating in the Christian camp's junior week through Friday. Other ages will be participating in camps throughout the summer at the 54-acre campus, which hosts retreats in other seasons. Founded in 1978, Camp Tohiglo (short for “To His Glory”)

In a few days, Cindy Mease will stand on stage and sign the blues. She'll capture the emotions, the wrenching soulfulness, the rollicking rhythm and liquid notes that seem to melt into each other. There will be songs echoing joy and pain, triumph and sorrow, with a message that is worn but deep. Because that's the blues. But instead of her voice, the music will flow through Mease's hands. Since the Western Maryland Blues Fest first took up residence in Hagerstown 16 years ago, Mease has been a part of what she calls “the Blues Fest family.” While performers energize the crowd with vocals and guitar riffs, Mease also is on stage, but playing a unique role.

On Friday, Read Across America Day will take place at Boonsboro Library.  Dr. Seuss books will be available to read to children. Winter yard sale St. James Church of the Brethren, 17718 Lappans Road, will hold its annual indoor winter yard sale Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. Breakfast and lunch will be available, and lots of bargains will be available. Oyster dinner Benevola United Methodist Church will hold an oyster dinner Saturday, beginning at noon.  Tickets cost $15 for adults and $7 for those ages 10 and younger.

Name:  Felicia Age: 3 years old Color: White Breed: American pit bull mix ID: A15081401 Felicia's tail never stops wagging. This happy dog might be hearing-impaired, so she needs an understanding owner to teach her sign language. Felicia should not be in a home with children under the age of 8. Felicia and many other animals are available for adoption at The Humane Society of Washington County, 13011 Maugansville Road, north of Hagerstown.

Have you ever wanted to learn sign language skills?   On Tuesday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m., participants can take a free beginner's class at the Smithsburg Library. Experienced signer Mary Jo Palmer will teach participants basic American Sign Language skills, such as finger spelling, numbers, holidays and other items. The class is for all ages - no experience required.   Registration is required. To register, call 301-824-7722.     Pen Mar Park Variety will perform Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. as the summer concert series continues at Pen Mar Park.    Ice cream social An old-fashioned ice cream social will be held Sunday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 11833 Greenhill Drive in Hagerstown (off Jefferson Boulevard between Robinwood Drive and Eastern Boulevard)

Sunday, Sept. 13 Junior dance classes Mary Crowell-Smith will teach fox trot, swing, waltz, tango, rumba, cha-cha and other couples-circle dances to students in grades six through nine.6 p.m. The Women's Club, South Prospect Street, Hagerstown. For information or to register, call 301-739-0870 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Monday, Sept. 14 Sign Language: Basics I Beginner-level course designed to help students build vocabulary as they learn the manual alphabet and standard signing techniques.

Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education will offer sign language courses geared toward helping students master the necessary skills needed for communicating with hearing-impaired individuals. The first course in the series, "Sign Language: Basic I," will be offered Mondays from Sept. 14 to Nov. 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. The course is a beginning level course designed to help students build vocabulary as they learn the manual alphabet and standard signing techniques.

Saturday barbecue to benefit Crime Solvers CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The fifth annual Franklin County Crime Solvers barbecue will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday at Dilly's Restaurant on U.S. 30. Tickets may be purchased for $6.50 each. Proceeds are used as reward money for Crime Solvers cases. Dinner includes half a chicken, baked beans, coleslaw, roll and butter. For tickets, call Pennsylvania State Police trooper Ed Asbury at 717-264-5161, ext. 107, or easbury@state.

Consignment fair SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. --Child Spirit Consignment will hold a consignment fair at The Orchard House at Trinity Center, 4599 Shepherdstown Road, between Shepherdstown and Martinsburg, W.Va. Hours are noon to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26; 9 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, and 8 a.m. to noon Sunday, Sept. 28. For information, go to www.childspiritconsignment.com . Family support classes The Family Support Resource Center in Hagerstown has scheduled fall workshops and classes: The schedule is: Sign language - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept.

This fall, Hagerstown Community College's Center for Continuing Education is offering sign language courses geared toward helping students master the necessary skills needed for communicating with hearing-impaired individuals. The first course in the series, "Sign Language: Basic I," is offered on Tuesdays, from Sept. 16 through Dec. 2, from 7 to 9 p.m. This course is a beginning level course designed to help students build vocabulary as they learn the manual alphabet and standard signing techniques.