Travel Plans

gregs@herald-mail.com The fear of terrorism resulting from the war in Iraq caused little disruption of area vacation travel plans Wednesday and Thursday, but school systems began canceling future trips to metro areas Wednesday afternoon as the war in Iraq geared up. Washington County Public Schools and schools in Pennsylvania canceled all trips in the near future to metropolitan areas Wednesday evening. Schools in Berkeley County, W.Va., canceled similar trips earlier this week when the nation's threat level was raised to "high.

andrews@herald-mail.com A cautious spring will give way to an adventurous Labor Day weekend, according to AAA, which is predicting high volume for holiday travel. AAA spokesman John White said people may have postponed travel plans in the spring because of the war in Iraq, a flagging economy and concerns about transportation security. But consumer confidence and willingness seem to have rebounded, AAA announced, relying on a survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association of America.

HAGERSTOWN karenh@herald-mail.com South Hagerstown High School band members might have to put away the sunscreen and swimwear. If they cannot find a destination untouched by hurricanes, band members' big trip this year will be as close and exotic as one supporter's backyard. Since hurricanes socked many exotic locales, the band and other vacationers have had to rethink travel plans. The band, which takes a trip far from Hagerstown every few years, probably will not being seeing New Orleans or Cozumel, Mexico - director Katherine Seman's first choices - this year, band supporter Jackie Thompson said.

HARPERS FERRY, W.VA. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park might have already found its niche in the face of rising gasoline prices, which some tourists say will affect their travel plans this summer. With its proximity to Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Md., Harpers Ferry should be attractive for tourists who are looking to cut travel costs this summer while being in a fun place, according to tourists and Melinda Day, lead park ranger for the living-history program at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

QUEENSTOWN, Md. - Leslie Hendrickson of Washington County has been named to the LEAD Maryland Foundation Inc.'s fellowship program. The group met in February for the first of 10 seminars. LEAD, as it is known, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leadership for Maryland agricultural, natural resources and rural communities. Members were selected through an application and interview process that began last fall. This is the foundation's sixth class enrolled in the two-year fellowship program.

On Sunday, June 11, descendants of Harry and Susie Hamby gathered at Doub's Woods for their 36th annual family reunion. President Cindy Zang and vice president Matthew Wolf welcomed the group, followed by a prayer of thanks by Cheryl Shank. All enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch. Guessing games were enjoyed by both children and adults. A candy scramble was a lot of fun for the children. Magician Hugh McVeagh entertained everyone. All were totally enthralled by the magic and fun. Next year's reunion will be held Sunday, June 10, 2007.

With Independence Day weekend approaching, residents and visitors to Washington County talked about how gasoline prices in the area have, or haven’t, affected their travel plans this summer. Ashia Walker of Hagerstown said she was going to visit family in Virginia this weekend. She said her travel plans have not been affected at all by the price of gasoline. “Gas has actually gone down recently,” she said. “It takes a lot to fill up my truck but I’m having an easier time with it right now.” Beverly Dallaire, who was visiting Hagerstown from LaGrange, Ky, said she rented a car that would get better gas mileage during the trip.

TRI-STATE - With a weakening economy and Thanksgiving just around the corner, the sight of lower gas prices is a welcome relief for many local residents interviewed last week. Edie Riker, 53, of Summit Point, W.Va., said Wednesday that the lower gas prices will help people get out of the house, ultimately helping the slumping economy. "With gas prices dropping, I am more inclined to get out of my house and go shopping," Riker said. "With the economy the way it is and people not spending, now is the perfect time for gas prices to fall.

Vacations making popular stocking stuffers By KERRY LYNN FRALEY Staff Writer Getting home for Christmas isn't the only goal of holiday season travelers, according to local travel professionals who say they're seeing more and more vacation travel at this time of year. Trips - either during the holidays or for some time afterward - have become popular gifts, they say. The American Automobile Association expects a record 44.5 million people to travel 100 miles or more from home this holiday season.

Fewer Marylanders plan to travel during Labor Day weekend this year than last year, according to AAA Mid-Atlantic. A survey by the auto club shows that travel is expected to be down 2.7 percent overall, including a drop of 0.4 percent by car and 2.9 percent by air. For all other modes - including bus, train and watercraft - the projected decline is 34.4 percent, the survey said. Eighty-nine percent of travel is expected to be done by car. The travel projections "are based on economic forecasting and research by IHS Global Insight," according to a AAA Mid-Atlantic news release.

With gas prices lower now than they were in July and Labor Day approaching, area residents Wednesday talked about costs, crowds, congestion and even crime shaping their plans to travel over the holiday weekend. Dick Gaylor of Boonsboro said that he planned to stay home over the weekend because gas is still too high for him to travel. "I have a camper, and I can't afford to travel with it like I used to because gas is so high," he said. "Even though the prices have gotten a little better, it's still hard when my camper is only getting about 10 miles to the gallon.

With Independence Day weekend approaching, residents and visitors to Washington County talked about how gasoline prices in the area have, or haven’t, affected their travel plans this summer. Ashia Walker of Hagerstown said she was going to visit family in Virginia this weekend. She said her travel plans have not been affected at all by the price of gasoline. “Gas has actually gone down recently,” she said. “It takes a lot to fill up my truck but I’m having an easier time with it right now.” Beverly Dallaire, who was visiting Hagerstown from LaGrange, Ky, said she rented a car that would get better gas mileage during the trip.

While some people were stocking up on burgers and sparklers for July Fourth celebrations Wednesday afternoon, Randy and Pat of Hagerstown were at Advance Auto Parts on Dual Highway browsing for tires and spark plugs. They were getting their van ready for a trip to Skyline Drive in Virginia, where they planned to spend the holiday weekend relaxing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and visiting a parent’s grave, said Randy, who did not want to give his last name for fear of attracting burglars while they are out of town.

The St. Andrew Presbyterian Church Travel Group is hosting a trip to Branson, Mo., from Sept. 19 to 27. Trip includes St. Louis Arch, Graceland, lunch at Opryland Hotel and  Pigeon Forge, Tenn. For more information, itinerary or reservations, call Margie Reed at 301-223-7726. Scouts to collect food for the food bank Cub Scouts and Boy Scout Troop 17 recently delivered door hangers about collecting food for the Williamsport Food Bank. The Scouts will be picking up the food on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. Place your donated food in bags or boxes and leave outside your door — nothing perishable, frozen or in glass, please.

Like many older Americans, Michael Kobold had a few things he wanted to accomplish when he retired. Take a bicycle tour of Europe. Check. Go sea kayaking in Alaska. Check. Visit ancient ruins in Mexico. Check. Kobold, 66, said he always wanted to travel. But, because of work, he never had the time. Since retiring from his college teaching job three years ago, the Hagerstown man is fulfilling his wanderlust. "My friends and I are always planning our next trip," he said.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Anthony Winter phoned in a long-distance dedication on Saturday. North Hagerstown's junior tailback was all about doing his very best to help the Hubs defeat Williamsport, but his performance was set aside for his grandmother, who died this week in Antigua. "My line did a great job. I didn't seem to get touched until I was 10 yards downfield," Winter said. "This game was dedicated to (my grandmother). She was watching me today. " Winter made sure his grandmother saw him at his best, rushing for a North school-record 264 yards and a touchdown on 40 carries to help pace the Hubs to a 26-15 MVAL Antietam victory that spoiled Homecoming for the Wildcats.

WILLIAMSPORT -- Tears and wine flowed on Memorial Day weekend as the family of Jason H. Barron traveled to France for celebrations of his service and to reclaim his battle-scarred helmet. Emerson Barron of Williamsport wondered for 64 years how his brother, Jason Barron, died during World War II. He got details and retrieved his brother's helmet on the trip to Lougé-sur-Maire, France, near the city of Fromentel. He was accompanied by his daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Brian Heinrich of Hagerstown, and his grandson and family, Ryan, Holly and Carter Barron of Milton, Del. Jason Barron, of Somerset, Pa., and five other U.S. soldiers died on a French country road on Aug. 17, 1944.

QUEENSTOWN, Md. - Leslie Hendrickson of Washington County has been named to the LEAD Maryland Foundation Inc.'s fellowship program. The group met in February for the first of 10 seminars. LEAD, as it is known, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying and developing leadership for Maryland agricultural, natural resources and rural communities. Members were selected through an application and interview process that began last fall. This is the foundation's sixth class enrolled in the two-year fellowship program.