Zion Episcopal Church

andrear@herald-mail.com "I think myself benefitted from the water and am not without hope of their making a cure for me - a little time will show now. " - George Washington, writing to the Rev. Charles Green from Warm Springs (now Berkeley Springs, W.Va.) on Aug. 26, 1761 For at least two of the nearly 30 sites along the Washington Heritage Trail in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, it's true to say "George Washington slept here. " He also bathed in Berkeley Springs, owned land in and around the town, supported industry throughout the Panhandle - and documented his connections to the area then known as Western Virginia in dozens of letters, diary entries and other writings.

Founder's Day honors Charles Town's history By DAVE McMILLION / Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Charles Town resident Betsy Wells has the unique honor of being related to the family of George Washington. continued To be exact, Bushrod Washington, the grand-nephew of the first president, was Wells' great-great-great-great-grandfather. It is an example of how deep Washington history runs in Charles Town and Jefferson County. George Washington purchased 453 acres here after joining a surveying party to the area in 1748.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The 200th anniversary of George Washington's death will be recognized during a special ceremony Dec. 12 at Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town. The event, called "Evensong," will include music and an appearance by U.S. Sen. Robert C. Byrd, who will temporarily exchange his role of a Congressman for that of a preacher, according to the Rev. John W.T. Weise, interim rector at Zion. Byrd, D-W.Va., was selected as the keynote speaker because of his great knowledge of American history, particularly involving the Washington family, Weise said.

CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - The Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County will soon have a home in the former Maytag plant on North Lawrence Street. Members of the Boys and Girls Club and officials from the Free Our Citizens of Unhealthy Substances Coalition are holding a ceremony today to make the announcement. "I think it will be a good thing for the club and then we won't have to worry about getting into things (that are) not ours. The whole club will be ours," said Anthony Brown, 8, of Charles Town, who joined the club when it formed at the end of 1997.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. - Charles Washington's birthday is finally being celebrated by the town he founded. The 259th anniversary of Washington's birth is May 2 and "we're finally getting around to celebrating it," said Nan Furioso, one of the organizers of the celebration. "We feel there's not been enough emphasis on the Washington family here," said Betsy Wells, another organizer. Little is known of Charles Washington, who was the half-brother of the nation's first president.

By CLYDE FORD Staff Writer, Charles Town SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. - Nearly 100 people attended the first town meeting Thursday night between Jefferson County residents and law enforcement officials. The meeting was held at the Shepherdstown Fire Hall, the first in a series of eight scheduled meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Zion Episcopal Church parish hall in Charles Town. Police officers explained their efforts during the meeting, hospital and mental health officials described the programs available for those with drug problems, and residents told of their fears for children using drugs.