The only thing constant, or so “they” say, is change. And like everything else, our annual readers’ poll has evolved. New categories, new winners—for a small city like Hagerstown and a rural county like Washington, the favorite things about our area is in a constant state of flux.

So, look on the following pages and see for yourself. What are your opinions about this year’s winners?

Hagerstown resident Jim Garrett calls Arlington National Cemetery his family cemetery. And rightfully so. His own mother and father rest there as do both sets of his grandparents and their siblings. And when he adds in relatives through marriage the…

When local officials and dignitaries gather for the dedication of the renovated Springfield Manor this month, the quiet town of Williamsport, it will be more than just the opening of another renovated historic building. It will be a symbol of renewal for the…

For more than 50 years Fort Ritchie was closely guarded by mountains, stone-turreted gates, and secrecy. The 638-acre Army installation in Washington County, tucked just beneath the Pennsylvania border, served as the World War II training site for…

This summer’s opening of Hitachi Rail’s next-gen factory brings more jobs, an expanded tax base, and yet another shot in the arm to the resurging Hagerstown and Washington County economy. “The overall economy in…

The saying, “It takes a village,” often refers to people in a community helping children. The phrase also means the collective effort and community support of specific projects and that’s exactly the case for the…

Beyond local circles, the myth of the Snallygaster may be one of Maryland’s best-kept secrets. “I remember when I moved here and first heard about it, I was surprised,” says Ken Houldsworth, a resident of Middletown who hosts the…

In 2013 when Bill Gaertner was released from prison, he knew that he had more to give society. By 2014 he established Gatekeepers in Washington County with the goal of helping current and ex-offenders successfully transition back into…

Our elder years shouldn’t be lonely, and retirement should be a time of life that is fun, exciting, and social. But after losing the schedule and friends that went along with a career, what initially feels like freedom can become bleak and…

It was sometime in 2020 that Naomi Pike hit rock bottom, mired in addiction and helplessly trying to figure out what would come next.“I had nothing, no one, nowhere else to turn to but God,” she recalls of that dark and…

My oldest daughter, who is close to being my clone, started school this year. It’s both an exhilarating and nerve-wracking time not just for her but me, too. There’s so much that’s new. So much that’s changing. So much that’s coming. She’s growing up, and…

As Washington County’s baby-boomers and leading-edge Gen-Xers advance into retirement, community support for seniors and their families is taking center stage. One local nonprofit is making a difference for those navigating the challenges of…

At a recent giveaway event through Senior Services Network, founder Paul Brown noticed something unusual. He had thousands of pounds in food and household supplies to give away, and he was…

More babies than usual were born at Meritus Medical Center in the fiscal year 2024, which might lead one to think Washington County is bucking the national trend toward lower birth rates. But officials say other factors likely…

The Maryland Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is hitting a high note with the launch of the full-time Maryland Symphony Youth Orchestra (MSYO), showing its deepening commitment to arts education across the region. MSYO is an audition-based ensemble for…

When my son moved back from California last fall, he introduced me to pickleball. It’s not that I didn’t know about the sport, but I thought it was too the 2020s what the Hula-Hoop had been to the 1960s. I told him I’d give it a…

Last summer, more than 500,000 visitors enjoyed swimming, camping and hiking at Greenbrier State Park. Ranger Emily Bard talks about the park’s history and its amenities.   

When Rachel Roupe was growing up in Sharpsburg, her father and a couple of his friends started a softball league to give young girls an opportunity in sports. Roupe took to the sport, loved it, and excelled as she…

Imagine not having easy access to a gallon of milk, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, and protein options. This is a reality for millions of people in many parts of the country, even here in some neighborhoods of Hagerstown. City residents are…

Paul Beard started building resonator guitars in a Hagerstown basement 40 years ago. At that time, he wasn’t setting out to build a business. Instead, he was setting out to make music. Today, Beard Guitars has grown into…