Smithsburg High School

Diane Lugene Keller, 54, of 287 Morgan St., Inwood, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va. Born Thursday, May 15, 1958, in Waynesboro, Pa., she was the daughter of Frances L. (Trite) Blickenstaff of Smithsburg, Md., and the late Charles L. Blickenstaff. She graduated from Smithsburg High School in 1976 and was employed as a account manager for Coral Graphics in Winchester, Va. She enjoyed camping and scrap booking, but especially enjoyed spending time with her family, she will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

Homecoming queens from high schools throughout Washington County gathered Saturday afternoon at the Alsatia Club before Saturday night's Mummers Parade. Through the luck of the draw, one of them would be named queen of the parade. Chuck Metz, chairman of club's Princesses and Queens Committee, explained the process. “This is the way we pick. We have the same number of necklaces as girls. They are all identical. But they all say 'Alsatia Mummers Parade Princess,' and only one says 'Queen,'” he said.

After coming home empty in 2010, the Smithsburg High School band program brought back two first-place trophies, a second-place trophy and an individual award this year from its trip to Disney World. The marching and jazz bands brought home gold trophies for best of show among all performers at Festival Disney, a competition at Disney World open to concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, vocal ensembles, show choirs and auxiliary units. The concert band brought home a silver trophy for second place.

Smithsburg High School Second marking period Distinguished honor roll Grade 9 - Tyler W. Alexander, Tara M. Biser, Andrea L. Bodine, Aaron M. Bright, Katie L. Gigante, Angel L. Hurt, Demi N. Jacques, Jonelle M. Jerwick, Samantha R. Kretzer, Vanessa A. Mackley, Edna F. Miller, Diana L. Mittag, Morgan B. Moser, Alexandra E. Nickels, Allison N. Pope, Snigdha A. Rao, Suzanne C. Reed, Daniel S. Ridenour, Catherine J. Rishell, Katherine...

Smithsburg High School student to carry torch Editor's note : This is one in a series of features highlighting Tri-State area residents selected to carry the Olympic Torch on Dec. 20 on a course through Washington County and Martinsburg, W.Va. More than 20 local residents from Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania have been chosen. By KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI kimy@herald-mail.com SMITHSBURG - When friends Tara Knable and Lauren Richards watched a commercial seeking runners for the 2002 Olympic Torch Relay, they thought it would be a kick to nominate each other.

SMITHSBURG -- The parking lot at Smithsburg High School was less crowded than usual Friday morning after several students opted to leave their cars at home and ride bicycles to school instead. About 50 students participated in the ride, which was organized as a way to protest rising gas prices, students said. "It's hard for teenagers to afford gas right now," said Josh Edwards, an 18-year-old Smithsburg senior who helped organize the ride. "We were looking for ways to save gas, and this seemed like a fun way to do it. " A sign at AC&T on Md. 66 read $3.69 for a gallon of gas Friday morning.

A North Hagerstown High School football fan, who calls himself Hub Cap supports the Hubs football team Friday during their game at Smithsburg High School. North went on to win the game, 34-14.

Army Pvt. Lionel J. Du Fresne, son of Paul F. and Tammy A. Du Fresne of Smithsburg, graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning, Columbus, Ga. He is a 2003 graduate of Smithsburg High School.

Howard Wilson Ruths Jr., 74, of Stephens City, Va., died Monday, May 13, 2013, in Winchester Medical Center. Mr. Ruths was born in 1939, in Waynesboro, Pa., the son of the late Howard W. and Kathryn M. Ruths Sr. He was a graduate of Smithsburg High School, Class of 1957 in Smithsburg, Md. Mr. Ruths was a foreman operating for Potomac Edison/Allegheny Power Company, serving for more than 32 years, and retiring in 1997. He was a member and vestry member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Stephens City.

Diane Lugene Keller, 54, of 287 Morgan St., Inwood, W.Va., passed away Tuesday, May 14, 2013, at the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, W.Va. Born Thursday, May 15, 1958, in Waynesboro, Pa., she was the daughter of Frances L. (Trite) Blickenstaff of Smithsburg, Md., and the late Charles L. Blickenstaff. She graduated from Smithsburg High School in 1976 and was employed as a account manager for Coral Graphics in Winchester, Va. She enjoyed camping and scrap booking, but especially enjoyed spending time with her family, she will always be remembered as a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

After coming home empty in 2010, the Smithsburg High School band program brought back two first-place trophies, a second-place trophy and an individual award this year from its trip to Disney World. The marching and jazz bands brought home gold trophies for best of show among all performers at Festival Disney, a competition at Disney World open to concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, vocal ensembles, show choirs and auxiliary units. The concert band brought home a silver trophy for second place.

After coming home empty in 2010, the Smithsburg High School band program brought back two first-place trophies, a second-place trophy and an individual award this year from its trip to Disney World. The marching and jazz bands brought home gold trophies for best of show among all performers at Festival Disney, a competition at Disney World open to concert bands, marching bands, jazz ensembles, orchestras, vocal ensembles, show choirs and auxiliary units. The concert band brought home a silver trophy for second place.

Marine Corps Pvt. Benjamin D. Minnick, son of Joyce E. and Douglas E. Minnick of Smithsburg, recently was selected as the academic honor graduate from the Basic Combat Engineer Course. During the course at the Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N. C., students are taught construction, bridging, engineer reconnaissance, demolition, landmine warfare, camouflage and field fortification. Minnick is a 2012 graduate of Smithsburg High School and joined the Marine Corps Reserve in July 2012.

Timothy E. "Tim" McFerren, 57, of Greensburg Road, Smithsburg, Md., passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center of Hagerstown. Born March 17, 1956, in Waynesboro, Pa., he was the son of the late Robert E. and Henrietta S. (Kline) McFerren. He was a graduate of Smithsburg High School class of 1974. He was employed by Triad Engineering of Hagerstown. He is survived by children, Shirley McFerren, Jesse McFerren and Rachel McFerren; sister, Cynthia M. Pitsnogle of Paramount, Md.; brothers, William B. "Bill" McFerren of Pleasant Valley, Md. and Robert M. "Henry" McFerren of Standish, Maine; aunts, Judy L. Willard of Foxville, Md. and Agnes G. Grossnickle of Wolfsville, Md.; uncles, Wade R. Kline and James W. "Jimmy" Kline, both of Pleasant Valley; several nieces and nephews; and one great-niece.

Phyllis R. Lewis, 74, of Crystal Falls Drive in Smithsburg, Md., passed away Monday Feb. 11, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown. Born July 29, 1938, in Cavetown, Md., she was the daughter of the late Robert E. and Lillis C. (Detrow) Mason. She was a graduate of Smithsburg High School. She was employed by Doubleday Book Binding Co. in Smithsburg for 23 years and Graphics Universal Inc. in Greencastle, Pa. She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Cavetown.

School ceremony in Smithsburg was a fine event To the editor: On Friday, Jan. 4, I attended a ceremony for “Rising Stars” at Smithsburg High School and I wanted to acknowledge the fine production by the participants and organizers of the event. Everything was thoughtfully coordinated, starting with the acoustic guitarist who greeted us in the auditorium, the yellow and purple floral arrangements, the chorus, speakers and, as a surprise finale, the band that played during refreshments in the cafeteria after the ceremony.

Larry D. Kendall, 76, of East Water Street, Smithsburg, Md., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, at Meritus Medical Center. Born July 8, 1936 in Smithsburg, he was the son of the late Howard R. Kendall Sr. and Charlotte C. (Yowler) Kendall. He was a graduate of Smithsburg High School, class of 1954. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He retired from C.R. Semler Inc. of Smithsburg, after 43 years of service. He was a former member of the Smithsburg zoning and planning committee.