Washington Monument

SMITHSBURG - Awards were handed out when Cub Scout Pack 14 held its monthly meeting on Sept. 11 at Smithsburg Elementary School. Pack 14 is sponsored by the Smithsburg Lions Club. Cubmaster Steve Hendrix and Committee Chairman Bill Riker presented awards to: · Patrick Riker - Four Silver Arrow points, bowling belt loop and pin, skating pin, archery pin, BB shooting pin, summertime pin, outdoor activity pin, C&O Canal patch, Washington Monument patch, recycle patch, Leave No Trace patch · Jeffrey Weaver - One Silver Arrow point, Washington Monument patch, recycle patch, summertime pin, Leave No Trace patch · Zane Garrett - Language and culture and collecting pins, weather belt loop and pin, ultimate belt loop, Leave No Trace patch · Logan Mahoney - Archery pin, summertime pin, recycle patch · Allen Reynolds - Two Silver Arrow points, Renfrew patch, Washington Monument patch, whittling chip award, collection pin, weather belt loop and pin, language and culture pin, ultimate and volleyball belt loops, Leave No Trace patch · David Babylon - Two Silver Arrow points, archery and BB shooting belt loops, weather belt loop and pin, Leave No Trace patch, C&O Canal patch, summertime pin, Washington Monument patch, recycle patch · Jesse Thorpe - Language and culture and collecting pins, weather belt loop and pin, ultimate, volleyball and music belt loops · Andrew Owens - Archery pin, summertime...

Footprints in the snow along the Appalachian Trail lead to the Washington Monument near Boonsboro on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures in the low 30s are expected today, with snow and ice.

BOONSBORO - Among the more than 100 people who hit the Appalachian Trail Saturday for the three-mile "Cherry Pie Hike" were a grandfather and his three grandsons, and two young sisters from Australia. The morning event was held to celebrate George Washington's birthday, to promote the goals of the Friends of the Washington Monument organization and to provide its participants with a good time. The hike, which ended with cherry pie, and hot coffee or hot chocolate for the participants, was an annual event through the 1980s that dropped off in the early 1990s.

During those 25 years, the organization worked diligently to save Fort Frederick in Big Pool and Washington Monument in Boonsboro. These two historic structures represent major periods in the history of our nation and our county. The Washington Monument is the nation's first monument built in honor of the United States' first president, George Washington. It was built by citizens of the first county of 31 in the United States named for him (and perhaps the first geographic designation anywhere that was not on lands of his family holdings)

A Masonic apron presented to George Washington at Mount Vernon by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784, and thought to have been lost for two centuries, has been hanging in a Masonic meeting room in downtown Shepherdstown all this time. The apron has been in the Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 91 A.F. & A. M. on East German Street since the early 1800s. Thomas Hammond, who married Mildred Washington, George Washington's niece, bought the apron from Martha Washington's estate for $6. The couple moved to Charles Town, W.Va.

'Country Meets Broadway' A musical cabaret featuring Potomac Playmakers favorites. 7:30 p.m. today. The Academy Theatre, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown. $10. For reservations, call 301-797-8182 or go to www.potomacplaymakers.com. Lollipopalooza Back-to-school family fun day and kids' dance party. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Hagerstown Community College's Alumni Amphitheater, Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. Free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of at least one school supply for Children in Need Inc. of Washington County.

One dog back; one still missing Greetings, neighbors. Great news. Jolie (the brown dog) is home. A kind hunter who lives near me found her near Skycroft/Washington Monument on Friday, and we brought her home Sunday. Our white Jack Russell, Jemma, is still on the lam, wearing a pink collar. She was last seen near the Washington Monument. Israel topic of talk Terry Brown, associate pastor at New Vision Ministries in Martinsburg, W.Va., will discuss his experiences living in Israel at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church today at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the 35-minute program that will include slides and a brief question- and-answer session about his time in Israel, including some "behind the scenes" tales of life in the Middle East.

The Washington County Historical Society chose as its first preservation efforts in 1911 the Washington Monument and Fort Frederick because of their importance to both local and national historic events. The history of the monument was covered in last month's column, this column will follow Fort Frederick's history. Advocacy on behalf of the fort dragged on for 11 years, causing huge frustration among WCHS board members. The State of Maryland did acquire the fort, known as the "Gibraltar on the Potomac," and the surrounding forest lands in 1922.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- In a moment of fond remembrances, the widow and son of Walton D. "Kip" Stowell listened Thursday morning as the Jefferson County Commission read a resolution referring to the Harpers Ferry, W.Va., architect, volunteer and public servant as a "guiding light. " Stowell died of congestive heart failure Jan. 20 at his home at 729 Washington St. He was 72. Stowell's wife, Mary Evalina "Nena" Stowell, and the couple's only son, Walton D. Stowell II, were invited to hear the resolution read at the commission's weekly meeting.

It's a heart-pumping climb up the stone stairs to the top of the monument at Washington Monument State Park near the Washington County-Frederick County border. During the spring and fall months, James “Paul” Newton makes the climb almost daily, putting in long hours. The park is about 12 miles from his Jefferson, Md., home. From that location, Newton can see Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. For at least 10 years, Newton, 68, has headed up the volunteer effort to count migrating raptors, which include hawks and eagles, he said.

The Washington County Historical Society chose as its first preservation efforts in 1911 the Washington Monument and Fort Frederick because of their importance to both local and national historic events. The history of the monument was covered in last month's column, this column will follow Fort Frederick's history. Advocacy on behalf of the fort dragged on for 11 years, causing huge frustration among WCHS board members. The State of Maryland did acquire the fort, known as the "Gibraltar on the Potomac," and the surrounding forest lands in 1922.

During those 25 years, the organization worked diligently to save Fort Frederick in Big Pool and Washington Monument in Boonsboro. These two historic structures represent major periods in the history of our nation and our county. The Washington Monument is the nation's first monument built in honor of the United States' first president, George Washington. It was built by citizens of the first county of 31 in the United States named for him (and perhaps the first geographic designation anywhere that was not on lands of his family holdings)

When a field trip permission slip comes home with one of my children, I ask a few questions. I want to know where the class is going, what the students will be doing and how much these activities will cost. I'm mainly listening for clues to answer one important question: Does my child want me to go along on this trip? It's not a question to ask outright. Most kids won't tell their parents to stay home, even if the child wants a day away with just friends and a teacher. On the other hand, if a parent acts disinterested, the child might get the wrong impression - that the parent is too busy or that work is more important than taking a day off and spending time together.

A Masonic apron presented to George Washington at Mount Vernon by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1784, and thought to have been lost for two centuries, has been hanging in a Masonic meeting room in downtown Shepherdstown all this time. The apron has been in the Mt. Nebo Lodge No. 91 A.F. & A. M. on East German Street since the early 1800s. Thomas Hammond, who married Mildred Washington, George Washington's niece, bought the apron from Martha Washington's estate for $6. The couple moved to Charles Town, W.Va.

'Country Meets Broadway' A musical cabaret featuring Potomac Playmakers favorites. 7:30 p.m. today. The Academy Theatre, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown. $10. For reservations, call 301-797-8182 or go to www.potomacplaymakers.com. Lollipopalooza Back-to-school family fun day and kids' dance party. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Hagerstown Community College's Alumni Amphitheater, Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. Free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation of at least one school supply for Children in Need Inc. of Washington County.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. -- In a moment of fond remembrances, the widow and son of Walton D. "Kip" Stowell listened Thursday morning as the Jefferson County Commission read a resolution referring to the Harpers Ferry, W.Va., architect, volunteer and public servant as a "guiding light. " Stowell died of congestive heart failure Jan. 20 at his home at 729 Washington St. He was 72. Stowell's wife, Mary Evalina "Nena" Stowell, and the couple's only son, Walton D. Stowell II, were invited to hear the resolution read at the commission's weekly meeting.

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. -- He loved whimsy, was a bit of a pack rat, and reveled in the company of artists and running his bed and breakfast. He earned a reputation locally and statewide, even nationally, for his architectural designs and knowledge of historic preservation. Friends and family of Walton D. "Kip" Stowell, who died at home Jan. 20 of congestive heart failure at the age of 72, remembered him this week with stories and anecdotes. "Kip loved to support artists and he loved giving shows," said Mary Evalina "Nena" Stowell, his wife of 37 years.

One dog back; one still missing Greetings, neighbors. Great news. Jolie (the brown dog) is home. A kind hunter who lives near me found her near Skycroft/Washington Monument on Friday, and we brought her home Sunday. Our white Jack Russell, Jemma, is still on the lam, wearing a pink collar. She was last seen near the Washington Monument. Israel topic of talk Terry Brown, associate pastor at New Vision Ministries in Martinsburg, W.Va., will discuss his experiences living in Israel at Mt. Nebo United Methodist Church today at 7 p.m. The public is welcome to attend the 35-minute program that will include slides and a brief question- and-answer session about his time in Israel, including some "behind the scenes" tales of life in the Middle East.