Ymca

julieg@herald-mail.com Local leaders used words like "great humanitarian" and "great citizen" to describe philanthropist and aviation pioneer Richard A. "Dick" Henson, who died Wednesday. Henson, 92, died at his Salisbury, Md., home on Wednesday night, according to the Holloway Funeral Home. He had Alzheimer's disease. He is survived by his son, Richard A. Henson Jr., of Maugansville. Born in Hagerstown, Henson was Fairchild Aircraft's first test pilot and later in life donated $1 million to build the new YMCA on Eastern Boulevard in Hagerstown.

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. A "full" $6 membership in the Young Men's Christian Association of Martinsburg when it opened in 1909 entitled one to "house privileges (and use of) the bowling alleys, gymnasium, shower baths, swimming pool, medical and physical examinations, class training with all accompanying gymnastic and athletic features. " "Bachelor apartments" in the YMCA's newly constructed eclectic, mission-style building at 124 W. King St. were available for $6 per year. "It may not be possible to see every man and boy to ask them to join the association, but it is hoped that everyone who is eligible will consider this an invitation to join and help ... swell the membership," a newspaper reporter wrote about the fledgling YMCA's membership contest.

Hagerstown's Potterfield Pool opened for the season Saturday. The pool will be open on weekends and holidays only until Washington County schools let out for the summer, according to the Department of Public Works. The 730 Frederick St. pool is open for the three-day Memorial Day weekend from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Daily rates are $1 for preschoolers, $1.75 for students and $2.25 for adults. Season passes are available at 51 W. Memorial Blvd. Discounts are offered for city residents, city employees and YMCA full members.

ANNAPOLIS - The Washington County Delegation to the General Assembly agreed Wednesday to sponsor bills for bonds for several local projects. · The Richard A. Henson Family YMCA in Hagerstown sought the largest bond, $400,000 for a new 9,000-square-foot youth and family gymnasium with a youth wellness center, and remodeling of some existing space for a teen activities center. Executive Director Mike Flicek and Ellie Doub, president of the board of directors, told the lawmakers that the YMCA is operating "at a very high capacity.

The Franklin County (Pa.) Commissioners presented a plaque to Mrs. Robert (Geri) Royer on Tuesday, Nov. 7, honoring her and her family for service to the voters of their precinct, Waynesboro 2-2. For the 39 years, the Royers have opened their home to the community during primary and general elections each year. The Nov. 7 election was the last time their home would be used as a polling place. Voters who came in during the ceremony commented on how they would miss the friendly atmosphere.

It will be next year at the earliest before work can begin on the new sidewalk linking Waynesboro with Washington Township along Pa. 16, the township manager said Wednesday. Michael A. Christopher said it would take that long before rights of way from the property owners along the route could be secured. After that, archeological, environmental and engineering studies would have to be done. The sidewalk would run east on the south side of Pa. 16 for two-thirds of a mile from the Waynesboro Mall to Welty Road, which would link it to Wayne Heights Mall, according to plans.

Letters to the Editor Safety an issue at Hagerstown Y To the editor: In response to the letter from Robert G. Robinson Jr. on Feb. 24, I'd like to offer a different perspective. I have children who are participating in programs at the YMCA in Hagerstown and find myself there at least three evenings a week. I am strongly in favor of a new facility being built on Eastern Boulevard. There have been occasions the safety of my children and myself has been compromised by having residents boarding at the YMCA downtown.

The family of the girl who died after a YMCA pool accident last month has received a long-awaited police report, it said Friday. But they have declined so far to share it with the public. Karen Trumpower of Hagerstown said she had not read the entire 27-page report and was still having trouble accepting her daughter's death. Kari's father, Lloyd Pearson Jr. of Waynesboro, Pa., could not be reached for comment. On Sept. 11, Kari Trumpower, 7, was found under at least four feet of water at the pool.

Washington County's six-year capital improvement plan includes $1.6 million for expanding county offices in downtown Hagerstown and $750,000 for the city's new YMCA, now in the planning stage. cont. from front page The $20.6 million proposed capital program for fiscal year 2001 is almost $6 million less than this year's, County Administrator Rodney Shoop said. The fiscal year begins July 1. The first draft of the program was released Friday and will be discussed by the Washington County Commissioners from 3-5 p.m. Tuesday at the commissioners meeting room, 100 W. Washington St. The report does not state where the $1.6 million downtown expansion would occur, but the County Commissioners have been told the County Administration Building no longer provides enough office space for county employees.

HAGERSTOWN -- The group dashed onto the stage at Hagerstown Community College's Kepler Theater Sunday afternoon, offering their rendition of the song "YMCA" by the Village People. Wearing props like an Indian headdress, a sailor's hat and a hard hat, the performers sang an energetic version of the 1978 song, jutting their hips, yelling to people in the crowd and spelling out YMCA with their arms. Then the group bounded off the stage and danced their way up the aisles as people in the audience laughed.