Society

The National Society of High School Scholars announced that Smithsburg High School senior Devon Martell of Hagerstown has been selected for membership. The society recognizes top scholars and invites only those students who have achieved superior academic excellence. He is the son of Michael and Renée Martell of Hagerstown.

The second annual Mad Hatters' Ball Celebration and Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday, April 14, at Fountain Head Country Club. This year's theme is a “Taste of the Titanic,” featuring dishes from the famous ship's menu. The RMS Titanic offered fantastic meals and hosted opulent parties. When it set sail, it was said to be the largest and most luxurious ship ever built. The ill-fated ship sunk after striking an iceberg on April 14, 1912 - 100 years ago. The Washington County Historical Society is hosting the ball, and amid ice sculptures and fanciful headwear, attendees can mingle, dance and sample meals offered from the ship's menu.

Pa. historical society leader to step down By DON AINES / Staff Writer, Chambersburg CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - The Kittochtinny Historical Society is making big plans for the near future, but the woman who led it through the end of its first century and into the new millennium says she'll be stepping down as president at the end of this year. continued "We're interested in the John Brown House and we're interested in this school," Lillian Colletta said recently while sitting in the Brown's Mill school, the only restored one-room schoolhouse in Franklin County.

The discovery of the body of Martinsburg, W. Va. resident Deborah Grove last Monday in an apple orchard brings to three the number of woman slain in the Eastern Panhandle since July. In each case, the bodies were dumped in fairly remote locations. But justice officials say there's no link between the three cases, except perhaps that they all took place in a society that's becoming more violent - and among citizens who are becoming more complacent about it. Citizens ought to care for humanitarian reasons; every life is unique and precious and not a piece of property to be discarded or destroyed on a whim or in a moment of anger.

In the "lock 'em up and throw away the key" '90s, a few lone voices in the wilderness asked lawmakers to consider the long-range consequences of legislation that was ultimately designed more for positive re-election campaigns than positive policy effects. They didn't, of course. No one could see past the next election, so tough-on-crime initiatives such as "three strikes and you're out" and mandatory sentences, which took judging out of the hands of the judges, swept the nation. It got so weird that in California, prison guards formed an effective lobbying coalition to pressure the legislature to pass tougher sentences — thus guaranteeing not just their own employment, but the need for more corrections officers down the road.

Does government consider how slashing affects society? To the editor: It seems to me that we already have a model for what needs to be done - not Simpson-Bowles, but the auto industry bailout. When the government supplied capital to rebuild the auto industry, it required that the industry reorganize itself by shedding legacy costs (pension and health care for retirees, etc.) and eliminating marginal or unprofitable units, reducing the number of dealers supported by the industry, etc. The controlled bankruptcies spread the cost of the industry's mismanagement on to the businesses that profited from the industry in the first place.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- Lutheran Social Services of South Central Pennsylvania honored donors and volunteers who are members of the Society of Good Samaritans at an Oct. 27 reception at the Fleck Center in Luther Ridge Retirement Community in Chambersburg. The society was established by the Lutheran Social Services Foundation to recognize donors and volunteers who exercise leadership support of the ministries of LSS. In 2008, LSS served more than 10,000 people. "The generosity and caring of donors and volunteers enabled LSS to distribute $6.97 million of benevolent care to those unable to pay for the full cost of the services they received," said Vicki Thompson, regional gift officer of the LSS Foundation.

HAGERSTOWN -- To be clear, it's not a Renaissance fair. It's an educational experience. The Society for Creative Anachronism's Barony of Highland Foorde held its annual public gathering in Hagerstown Saturday on the grounds of the Jonathan Hager House. Although the event features tunics, surcoats and minstrels by the dozens, it differs from Renaissance fairs in that many of its participants have spent years researching their craft or skill. "It's not about entertaining, it's about educating," said Sherri Fabic, who helped put on this year's event.

The Cumberland Valley Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, March 20, from 8 to 10 a.m. at Homewood Suites, 1650 Pullman Lane, Hagerstown. The program this month will be "Comprehensive Retirement Income Solutions," presented by Jim Ade, a retirement plan consultant for Merrill Lynch. The chapter offers the opportunity for HR professionals to improve their skills through monthly programs, networking and the exchange of ideas with other HR professionals.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will offer a special streamside insect walk for families with young children on Saturday, June 8. The event, entitled “Up the Creek,” will be held in Ranson's Flowing Springs Park from 9 a.m. to noon. The insect walk is for families with children ages 6 to 9. It will provide youngsters and their parents with a fun opportunity to learn about insects that live in and around streams in the area. Insect nets, magnifying glasses and wading boots will be provided.

The Pi Theta Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Hagerstown Community College recently received several awards at the Phi Theta Kappa Regional Convention. The HCC Pi Theta Chapter was awarded the Five Star Chapter Development Award; the 2013 Middle States Region Hallmark Award for its 2013 project, “College Completion Symposium,” which was held at HCC on Oct. 12; and the Distinguished Officer Team Award. Five-star status is awarded to chapters that complete a variety of service-learning projects intended to aid the college community and  the  community.

The Potomac Valley Audubon Society will sponsor a bird walk at Harpers Ferry on Wednesday, May 29. Participants will meet at 7 a.m. in the parking area on Shenandoah Street just below the intersection with U.S. 340. The walk will be free and open to anyone regardless of birding skills. Children are welcome. Advance registration is required and participants must sign a waiver of liability because part of the route is on a railroad track. To register or get more information, go to the society's website at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact Deb Hale at 304-535-2346 or debhale72@gmail.com . Participants should wear sturdy footwear, dress appropriately for prevailing weather conditions, and bring along water and bug spray.

The Fort Loudon Historical Society is sponsoring a self-guided tour of local cemeteries from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday. Visitors are asked to come to the Patton House Museum at the fort site to pick up a brochure and map, and enjoy some light refreshments. The tour is free and begins at Stenger Hill Cemetery on Main Street/Old Route 30, then proceeds to the lower cemetery. The next stop is the Old German Reformed Church Cemetery on Mill Street in the center of the village. Grave sites listed in the guide include: Rose Vance, Johnny Rotz, Stanley Hawbaker, Joseph Rotz Sr., Raymond Rotz, Jack Hassler, Alcesta Lininger, Unknown Confederate Soldier, Hezekiah Easton and Gen. James Patton.

The Washington County branches of Susquehanna Bank and its loan center recently held a two-week pet supply fund drive for the Humane Society of Washington County Inc. The donations filled delivery vehicles to the brim. On April 30, branch managers presented the donations to Mike Lausen, executive director of the humane society.

According to statistics from the Humane Society of Washington County, which in the past have not been made public, March's total of 142 adoptions reflects an increase of 43 more than this past February and 48 more than in March 2012. The number of animals that were euthanized or died at the facility in April decreased by 12 percent, or about 335 animals, as compared to April 2012, said Michael Lausen, executive director of the Humane Society of Washington County. As of April, the euthanasia/death rate for the current year - statistics are tracked by fiscal years that end June 30 - also comes in slightly lower than the 2010-11 year, according to statistics.

Reducing obstacles for adoption, decreasing euthanasia rates and increasing the number of animal control field service officers are top priorities listed by Michael Lausen, the recently hired executive director of the Humane Society of Washington County. Lausen, who took over the executive director job Feb. 4, said recently that the humane society had 142 adoptions, including 73 cats and 65 dogs, in March - its highest recorded one-month total ever - simply by relaxing the requirements in the adoption application process.

The Humane Society of Washington County will break ground this summer for a $2.2 million low-cost spay and neuter clinic, Executive Director Michael Lausen said Thursday. “We take the animals to vets around the area” for spaying and neutering, Lausen said Thursday. “Now it's going to be brought in-house as a cost savings.” The 7,000-square-foot clinic is expected to be completed in March or April of 2014, Lausen said. This fall, the society will begin recruiting a veterinarian to run the clinic, he said.

The sixth annual Bark for Life of Washington County raised more than $2,200 to help fight cancer, said Cathy Beckley-Thomas, the American Cancer Society's community manager for Washington County. Beckley-Thomas said 48 dogs were registered, which is a record for the local event. In addition to walking a lap around Fairgrounds Park, participants could compete in several contests, including ones for best-dressed dog and best trick.

The Humane Society of Washington County is partnering with PetSmart Charities to participate in its National Adoption Weekend Friday through Sunday. “We are thrilled to participate in this important adoption event and are thankful to have such wonderful partners in the community.” said Mike Lausen, executive director of the animal shelter  “Through our collaboration with PetSmart Charities, we are able to make a difference in the lives of homeless animals in Washington County.” The shelter will receive $35 for every shelter pet adopted during the event, a contribution increase of more than 50 percent.