At Home Places Magazine Summer 2021

Complimentary | Summer 2021

maryland • pennsylvania • west virginia

Cover presented by

Learn more on page 9 Paul Crampton Contractors Inc.

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RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL

A Herald-Mail Media publication Volume 8, Issue 3 Lisa Tedrick Prejean Managing Editor Kathryn Biek and Brittany Huntley, designIQ Design Editors/Layout Sammy Baldwin, Jacob W. Barr, Jennifer Blake, Mary Anne Burke, V. Craig Campbell Jr., Jennifer Dolan, Jennifer A. Fitch, Sarah J. Hall, Linda Harkcom, Janet Heim, Susan Hurd, Roxann Miller, Shawn Mumma, Lauren LaRocca, Lisa McCoy, Sarah Nadeau, Regina Palmer, Meg H. Partington, Penn State News, Lisa Tedrick Prejean, Sarah Reed, Tricia Lynn Strader, Brandy (Baxter) Stayman, Pepper Van Tassell, Brittany Wedd, Matthew Wedd, Christina Williams Contributing Writers Meg H. Partington Copy Editing

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Gannett Creative Solutions Advertising Design Kathy Gelwicks, Michelle Horton, Tricia Johnson, Kathi Smith Advertising Sales Brian Tedrick Circulation Director © 2021 Herald-Mail Media AT HOME PLACES is distributed quarterly through selected distribution outlets. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Advertising information has been provided by the advertiser. Herald-Mail Media does not make any representations as to the opinions or facts contained herein. All terms and conditions subject to change. The cover, design, format and layout of this publication are trademarks of Herald-Mail Media.

To advertise in the next issue of At Home Places, contact your Herald-Mail Media sales representative or call 301-791-7177.

For editorial content inquires, contact Lisa Tedrick Prejean, lprejean@localiq.com Follow @athomeplaces on Facebook: facebook.com/athomeplaces Twitter: twitter.com/athomeplaces

GUIDING YOU TO THE PLACE YOU CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK TO..

1850 Dual Hwy. Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-745-1500 462 Prospect Blvd.

Frederick, MD 21701 301-662-8600 35 E. Baltimore St. Greencastle, PA 17225 717-593-0970 ©2020 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the CB & Star logo are trademarks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each office is independently owned and operated.

HM-970837-1

Wind Chimes are Welcomed Backyard Addition FROM THE EDITOR Last fall my husband and I went to Lancaster, Pa., for a weekend getaway. It was warm for early November, and we found an outdoor market with a variety of home décor and food offerings.

Caveat time here: My husband is not a shopper, but he loves me, and he knew I needed a brain break, so he obliged.

As we strolled along the vendors, I gradually became aware of how relaxed I felt. It was a wonderful feeling that is often elusive today. It’s hard to get And as the noontime away from work and all the rebreeze did blow sponsibilities of life when we are Across the summer sky, constantly connected through technology.

The wind chime played I stood still for a moment and the sweetest song realized the calming effect was That through the air did fly. coming from sounds floating FROM “WINDCHIME” BY through the air. We were near a ANDREW BLAKEMORE wind chime vendor.

Absorbing those melodies was such a pleasurable experience.

Later, after we were home, I had the answer to “What do you want for Christmas?”

I asked for wind chimes, and my family remembered.

Now the chimes are in our backyard, and when the wind blows – and the cicadas aren’t too loud – I can hear the lovely Wind chimes were melody carried along the breeze. recently added to the It has been a very appreciated gift, and apparently a timely one. Prejeans’ backyard.

Hanging wind chimes is one of the suggestions from our Design Time columnists, La Rouge designers Sarah Reed and Shawn Mumma.

For this issue, they offer interior design secrets that reduce stress. Their suggestions are practical and basic, so be sure to look for their column.

The focus for this edition is health and wellness, a welcome theme after the last 15 months.

As I’ve worked on the magazine, the stories and columns reminded me of the many ways we can take care of ourselves and those we love.

It has been challenging to follow the suggestions while working on deadline, but then I hear the wind chimes, a good reminder to seek calmness in the midst of life’s demands.

Listen. Can you hear the melody floating through the air?

Lisa Tedrick Prejean, managing editor of At Home Places, also writes a weekly column for Herald-Mail Media, where this column originally was published. Contact her at 301-745-4026 | lprejean@localiq.com Like and follow At Home Places on Facebook, www.facebook.com/athomeplaces Follow us on Twitter @athomeplaces

We enjoyed seeing all the amenities offered at Emerald Pointe, a 55+ adult living retirement community in Hagerstown constructed by Paul Crampton Contractors.

The community center’s interior is featured on our cover, and here at the community center pool are, front to back, Herald-Mail Lead Photographer Colleen McGrath, Sales Executive Kathi Smith and At Home Places Managing Editor Lisa Tedrick Prejean.

Photo by Colleen McGrath

2021

9

Hagerstown’s Premier 55+ Adult Living Retirement Community The Search For Your Perfect Home Is Finally Over Welcome to Emerald Pointe, Hagerstown Maryland’s premier 55+ community for mature professionals, retirees and active adults. Our exciting new development caters to homeowners seeking a tranquil, convenient setting surrounded by like-minded, friendly neighbors. In fact, homeowners at Emerald Pointe consider residents more like family than neighbors.

With breath-taking new custom homes crafted by Paul Crampton Contractors, Washington County’s leading family home builder since 1967, Emerald Pointe is designed to provide serenity, security, value and comfort to homeowners just like you. When you choose to build your new home with us at our beautiful Emerald Pointe 55+ community, you will be confident you’ve made the right choice.

With four unique floor plans starting in the mid $300,000’s, crafted with care from the highest quality materials, all easily customized to fit your lifestyle, we’re certain the journey to your ideal home ends at Hagerstown’s coveted north end! Our community center offers an indoor heated pool, state of the art fitness center and a large gathering area. You can sign up for fitness classes, water aerobics and join the many events held there. Homes are all brick exterior. Emerald Pointe is outside of city limits, so county taxes only.

Please call Paul or Heidi to schedule your personal community tour everything Emerald Pointe has to offer—we’re certain you’ll find yourself amazed. Virtual tours are also available.

You Deserve To Live Maintenance Free Yes, you can experience beautiful retirement living in Hagerstown’s premiere 55+ community. Emerald Pointe provides everything you need to enjoy adult living in a quiet, maintenance free retirement community.

We’ve made it easy for you to review everything Emerald Pointe has to offer on our new website. You’ll find convenient examples of our available floor plans, pictures of our breathtaking retirement community and even our free guide including everything active adults must consider when choosing a retirement community.

As always, we welcome you visit Emerald Pointe in person to get a true understanding of just how amazing your retirement can be. Located conveniently in Hagerstown, Maryland’s north end, you’ll be close to all the amenities you need yet surrounded by like-minded, active adult retirees.

Heidi | 3013311992 | heidi@paulcramptoncontractors.com Paul | 301-573-0141 | paul3@paulcramptoncontractors.com Model Home located at 19402 Sapphire Drive Hagerstown, MD 21742

by Paul Crampton Contractors

Hours 9am-4pm Monday - Friday. emeraldpointehagerstown.com Evening & weekends by appointment only.

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We look forward to sharing with you everything Emerald Pointe has to offer, and can’t wait to show you how affordable life in Hagerstown, Maryland truly is.

Places

table of contents

10

Summer

LOCAL FLAVOR

13 Finding fresh fruits, vegetables from area growers 15 Creative route works for Long Delite Farm and Deliteful Dairy 20 Layered salad is easy-to-pack lunch 23 Eat a fish, save the bay!

28 Three ways coffee delivers health and happiness WELL+BEING

15 53

32 Pregnancy and the pandemic 35 Washington Goes Purple fights substance abuse 39 Tales of great medical successes 40 Monoclonal antibody infusions treatment for COVID-19 42 How to take care of your financial health 43 Feeling stressed? Manage with these methods 48 Mental health benefits of yoga: The healing power of the breath 49 Stay healthy by avoiding ticks PETS

52 Regular wellness visits are important for pets FA M I LY

40

66

53 Program teaches children self-rescue techniques 57 Support for families of children with autism 64 Autism author Temple Grandin to speak Oct. 7 in Hagerstown 65 StoryWalk coming to City Park this summer HOME TRENDS

66 Interior design secrets that help reduce stress 69 1929 home becomes boho chic sanctuary 74 How to reduce the anxiety of selling, buying a home OUT AND ABOUT

80

76 River & Trail Outfitters helps people connect with nature 80 Learn about colonial health care at The Conococheague Institute 84 Washington County to host World Canals Conference 89 Waynesboro Historical Society collects pandemic journal entries SENIOR LIVING

93 Outdoor fun aids in transition to “new norma” ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

94 A primer on “Bernini & the Roman Baroque” 96 Creative activities can relieve stress, slow decline COMMUNITY

94

97 Student’s startup inspired by love of agriculture, technology 100 Local leaders of Leadership Washington County Class 34 REGIONAL REAL ESTATE LISTINGS

105 Your resource for agents, builders, listings and more!

ON THE COVER Complimentary | Summer 2021

maryland • pennsylvania • west virginia

Our cover features the community room at Emerald Pointe, a Hagerstown development designed by Paul Crampton Contractors Inc.new for homeowners 55 and older.

Photo by Herald-Mail Media Lead Photographer Colleen McGrath.

Cover presented by

Learn more on page 9 Paul Crampton Contractors Inc.

2021

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LO C A L F L AVO R

fresh

FINDING FRUITS, VEGETABLES FROM AREA GROWERS written by ROXANN MILLER

June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month, and local growers like Page Houser are gearing up for a busy season.

This is the 40th year that Houser’s Produce Farm in Sharpsburg has been in operation.

What started as a backyard hobby on an acre and a half of land has blossomed into more than 300 acres devoted to vegetables.

“I always wanted to farm. I grew up dairy farming, but that wasn’t really an option at the time. Small dairy farming was on its way out when I was getting started,” Houser said. “This was something we could start small and pay our bills. We’ve always tried to grow the freshest, best-quality produce – and things just grew from there.”

He attributes his success to a lot of long hours and hard work.

Houser, the president of Houser’s Produce Farm, runs the operation with the help of his children and up to 40 summertime workers.

“We won’t open until the sweet corn is ready – around the first week of July,” he said.

He’ll stay open six days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31.

White corn is the only kind the farm grows.

“We basically have unlimited sales for the white corn that we grow, so we aren’t interested in growing any other kind. We usually pick between 30,000 and 50,000 ears every morning,” said Houser, who supplies produce to grocery stores in Frostburg, Md., Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.

He said his goal is selling the freshest produce to his customers – whether they’re grocery stores or individuals who stop by his market.

“We are strictly growing our products to sell really fresh.

We’re focused on harvesting our crop to get it harvested and sold,” he said.

It’s best to eat sweet corn right after buying it, Houser said, adding that it’s highly perishable.

“Sweet corn rapidly converts from sugar to starch. The fresher it is, the better it’s going to taste,” he said.

Some people store it for several days in the refrigerator and are happy with it, though.

“We pick a lot of corn every day, and our goal is to sell today’s corn today,” he said, recommending that buyers keep the husk on until they’re ready to cook it.

Houser said what sets his farm apart is growing a limited product line.

“We’re a little different than a lot of your roadside markets. We’re primarily a grower. Some of your fruit stands are trying to handle a hundred different products, while we’re focused on the eight or nine we grow,” he said.

In addition to sweet corn, Houser grows green zucchini, yellow zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes, green bell peppers, eggplant, cantaloupes, sugar baby watermelons and seedless watermelons.

The biggest customer demands in the summer are corn, cantaloupe and watermelon, he said.

“Produce has a very short shelf life. If it’s coming from California to Hagerstown, it’s going to take a minimum of three days, and quite often, it’s a lot longer than that to get

Places

14 here and get to the shelves. Whereas we are putting produce in the stores within 12 to 18 hours from the time it’s harvested,” he said.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends that most adults eat at least three cups of fruits and vegetables per day, and fresh is best.

Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber, low in calories, and contain numerous vitamins and minerals. There are several ways to creatively include fruits and vegetables in your diet, such as chopping and adding them to pasta sauce, grilling veggie skewers on the barbecue or blending them to make a nutritious smoothie, according to the USDA website, usda.gov.

Buying local

Kenrick Martin and his wife, Lynette, have owned Martin’s Farm Market in Hagerstown since 2015.

“In the summertime, the big thing for us is produce. We pull from a couple of different local growers. Our customers like to buy local because it’s fresher, and it supports the local businesses and the local farmers,” Kenrick Martin said.

Otherwise, when produce, such as strawberries, is shipped from a distance, it is picked when almost green and ripens when it arrives. When customers buy it, the produce is hard and crunchy, not vine-ripened fruit, Martin explained.

In addition to fresh, local produce, Martin’s offers bulk foods, a jar goods section, a deli, dairy products, dried fruit, nuts and more.

July and August – when sweet corn and peaches start to ripen, along with a bumper crop of field tomatoes – are the Martins’ busiest time of year.

He said there’s no need to smell or squeeze the produce because everything is fresh, local and ready to eat.

Berries keep the Martins busy in June.

“As far as volume, we sell a lot of strawberries, blueberries and a lot of raspberries. The berries sell really well here,” he said.

It’s best to eat berries right away, he said.

Martin’s Farm Market in Hagerstown offers fresh, locally grown produce.

PHOTO BY LEAH SHIFFLETT

“Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries don’t have a very long shelf life. Once you get them, it’s best to eat them within a couple of days or put them in the refrigerator,” Martin said.

Since he has access to fresh produce, Martin said his wife cans and freezes it so they can enjoy it during the winter months.

Martin said his wife cans pickles, peaches, pears and applesauce, and freezes blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

“Storing produce is a personal preference. A lot of people choose to can, while others prefer freezing,” he said.

Safe handling tips

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers the following tips for safely handling fruits and vegetables: • When preparing fresh produce, begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water before and after preparation.

• Remove any damaged or bruised

areas on fresh fruits and vegetables before preparing and/or eating.

• Wash all produce thoroughly under running water before preparing and/or eating, including produce grown at home or bought from a grocery store or farmers’ market. Washing fruits and vegetables with soap, detergent or commercial produce wash is not recommended. Produce is porous.

Soap and household detergents can be absorbed by fruits and vegetables, despite thorough rinsing, and can make you sick. Also, the safety of the residues of commercial produce washes is not known and their effectiveness has not been tested.

• Even if you do not plan to eat the skin, it is important to wash produce first so dirt and bacteria are not transferred from the surface when peeling or cutting it.

• Scrub firm produce, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.

• After washing, dry produce with a clean cloth or paper towel to further reduce bacteria on the surface.

LO C A L F L AVO R

Creative route works for

m ar F e t i l Long De Deliteful Dairy and

as owners operate by ‘doing things the new, old-fashioned way’

written by TRICIA LYNN STRADER While traditional farms increasingly disappear, there are still some that go back generations.

Long Delite Farm is one of them.

In 1831, the Long family settled on a large piece of property in Williamsport, just north of Downsville. Today, Brooks and Katie Long represent the seventh generation to operate the 160-acre parcel. Brooks, who was raised on the farm and worked alongside his father, Galen, and his grandfather Lawrence, recalled growing crops and raising livestock.

When he graduated from high school in 2001, he decided to stay on the farm. He didn’t go to college for one of the agricultural-based programs, but learned from doing, reading and researching.

“We made the decision to transition to a rotational grazing operation in 2002 to better utilize our facilities and very rocky ground,” Brooks said.

A farmer’s life like his isn’t exciting, he said, but it is fulfilling. There’s always something that needs to be done.

“While being your own boss is great, it can also be very stressful, but it’s in my blood, and it’s what I do,” he said.

Deliteful Dairy at Family affair Long Delite Farm Living and working on the farm is still in Williamsport. a family affair. In 2004, Brooks married COLLEEN Katie, who was born and raised on a MCGRATH/ HERALD-MAIL dairy farm in Smithsburg. They formed a strong friendship while showing cows together in 4-H and married after Katie graduated from Wilson College. Son Kaleb came along in 2006, followed by daughter Brielle in 2007.

In 2009, they purchased the cows and equipment side of the operation from his father, who still works on the farm part time. They purchased the property from his grandparents around 2016.

While the cows are grazing in the pasture, Brooks’ day begins early, before 6 a.m. Cows are milked twice, in early morning and late afternoon. He feeds them non-GMO grain while in the milking parlor.

“I fill the transport tank in early morning before milking. I work in the field, milk in the afternoon and work in the office overseeing the business,” he said. “This time of year, I’m also making hay to feed the cows over the winter. The No. 1 priority is the health and well-being of the cows. Producing high-qual-

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Brooks Long is the seventh generation of his family to operate the 160 acre Long Delite Farm near Williamsport.

Colleen McGrath/ Herald-Mail

ity forages for grazing and hay production is a key to that.

That’s what we focus on, and the girls do the rest.”

The Longs sell milk to the Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, of which they’ve been a member for more than 50 years. They added to the number of cows at one time, milking 75 to 80 daily. But they found that a smaller number of cows was better for the land and settled on 60. They have been awarded the Dairy of Distinction award from the Maryland Dairy Association and the Farm of the Year award.

According to www.washco-md.net, the Washington County Farm of the Year award was created in 2010, and the program’s first winner was recognized in 2011. The Maryland Dairy of Distinction program was created in 2009 by the Maryland Dairy Industry Association. The concept for the program is that well-kept farms enhance consumer confidence in the dairy industry. The program recognizes the hard work and dedication of dairy owners and operators who have attractive farms and provide a good image for the dairy industry. Since 2009, 44 dairy farms have been recognized across the state, with 10 being in Washington County.

Creative route In Maryland, Washington County is ranked first for inventory of dairy cows and number of dairy farms. Brooks said about 100 farms average 100 to 120 cows. As the world dairy market started to transition away from small, family-type operations, the Longs wondered what to do. The industry was focusing on efficiency rather than quality and taste. They couldn’t expand to a large operation and began to explore the world of direct marketing. They did not want to compromise the taste and nutrition of whole milk.

Summer

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17

“We had to get big, get out or get creDeliteful Dairy at Long ative,” Brooks said. “We went the creative Delite Farm in route. We opened the store here about two Williamsport. years ago. It took off and has been doing Colleen very well.”

McGrath/ Herald-Mail That store is the Deliteful Dairy. Visitors can stop in, check out the cows, and watch much of the operation of making rich-tasting whole milk and flavored milk and butters, plus artisan whole-milk cheeses. They can take home some of the farm-to-table products.

The Longs also branched out to selling milk in parts of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Dover, Del. Brooks is considering starting home delivery in some areas. Their milk is slow-vat pasteurized to keep the rich milk flavor. Pasteurization is required by law. He said large operations process it at 162 degrees for 30 seconds or 180 degrees for ultra-pasteurization, to save time. But something’s lost, he said, when doing so quickly at such high temperatures. He pasteurizes their milk at 145 degrees for a half-hour and cools it immediately afterward. However, it’s not homogenized, so the natural cream rises to the top.

Brooks said customers comment that the Longs’ process makes digestion of the milk much easier on the stomach.

“We credit it to the nonhomogenization. That keeps it in its more natural state, so the body can absorb it easier. People who think they’re lactose-intolerant or allergic tell us it’s easier to digest. When they run out and go to the store

for a quick milk purchase, they tell us they could really notice the difference. I don’t have any hard science to back it up, but it’s what customers tell us.”

Farm visit When visitors come to Deliteful Dairy and look around the farm, they can talk to Katie or perhaps catch Brooks going between the office, milking operation or store. They’ll see a new window in the processing room. They can watch milk bottling and cheese making.

A cheesery is coming soon, with gourmet panini grilled cheese and other foods for carryout or outdoor dining. Customers can also find beef, pork and eggs right from the farm.

Long Delite Farm “Obviously, farmand Deliteful Dairy ing makes us very 16230 Long Delite Lane, proud,” Brooks said.

Williamsport “We’re one of only 2% of Americans reHours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. sponsible for feeding Monday through Friday; the rest of our pop9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday ulation, as well as many people in othFor more information, er countries through call 301-223- 0032, go to exports. We are dowww.delitefuldairy.com or ing things the new, email info@delitefuldairy.com. old-fashioned way.”

A Go For Bold Success Story Larry Bayer knew it was time to do something about his health, so he started one step at a time. Today he has walked off more than 50 pounds — even during a pandemic.

As a way to encourage more people to lose weight and embrace a healthy lifestyle, Healthy Washington County has launched Go for Bold. This community-wide initiative is aimed to promote healthy lifestyles for residents of Washington County.

The goal is for the community to lose 1 million pounds by 2030.

Bayer is on his way to contributing to that goal.

The 70-year-old Hagerstown resident quit smoking 30 years ago but his weight started to slowly creep up.

“I never really noticed it. It was like a gradual build-up. Then it got to the point I was pretty lackadaisical about it,” he said, sitting in Meritus Medical Center’s lobby where he’s been volunteering for three years after retiring from the City of Hagerstown after 30 years, In November 2019, Bayer had a physical with his primary care provider, Matthew Kearney, PA-C, who told him that the 252 pounds he was carrying were affecting more than his pant’s size.

“My blood pressure was high.

My triglycerides were not stellar,” Bayer said.

By journaling what foods he ate and using a fitness tracker, Bayer decided to start walking at Robinwood Professional Center.

Larry Bayer after completing his first 10K.

“At first, I could do one lap of one floor,” he said. “Eventually, I could do several laps of both floors. Then I moved outside.”

As he increased his miles, Bayer’s daughter Julie Bayer-Vile suggested that he join her for an annual 10K in Richmond, Virginia, that she and her husband, DJ Vile, ran every year.

The race set for March 2020 had waves for walkers to participate, so Bayer set a goal of 6.2 miles in 90 minutes.

Although COVID-19 forced the run to be postponed, Bayer kept walking.

“It got to the point I was doing 6 to 7 miles six days a week,” he said.

By July 2020, Bayer hit his 50-pound weight loss goal. In September 2020, Bayer, along with his daughter and

son-in-law, entered the 10K. It took Bayer the 90 minutes he had hoped for to finish the race.

Today, he continues to walk and sees the benefits. He’s dropped from a 42-inch waist to a 38-inch waist.

He went from having to take two high blood pressure medications to one with a lower dose. He’s joined a gym and likes to golf. Through it all, he said, his wife Susan has been his biggest cheerleader. He said he’s proud of himself.

“I have a really deep sense of accomplishment,” he said.

To get involved with Go for Bold, go to https://healthywashingtoncounty. com/go-for-bold and sign a pledge.

Then go to the Healthy Washington County Facebook page for updates.

Healthy Washington County Healthywashingtoncounty.com/goforbold

HM-967803-1

LO C A L F L AVO R

Layered Salad is easy-to-pack lunch

ABOVE: Layered salad can be made with a variety of vegetables, fruits and toppings in any container available to you. COLLEEN MCGRATH BELOW: Lisa McCoy, family and consumer-sciences educator with University of Maryland Extension in Washington County, adds blueberries to a layered salad. COLLEEN MCGRATH

written by LISA MCCOY Now that summer is here, many people are opting to pack salads for lunch. Why not try layering your salad when packing it? It will stay fresher, and you can prepare it the night before so it is easy to grab on your way out the door.

Start with a wide-mouthed glass or plastic container. A pint- or quart-sized canning jar works well. Layering the ingredients keeps them separated until you are ready to mix and eat, and the salad won’t get soggy.

Start with the salad dressing on the bottom, or you can pack the dressing in a separate container. The next layer should be the heaviest ingredients that will not absorb the dressing, such as hard, chopped vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, red and green peppers, cooked beets and onions.

The next layer can be cooked or canned beans like chickpeas, black beans and kidney beans. Other ideas for this layer include cooked grains, such as barley, rice or pasta.

The following layer is for proteins, like diced or crumbled cheese, cooked chicken, ham or tuna, hard-boiled eggs or cubed tofu.

Optional for the next layer are soft vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, avocados, strawberries, blueberries, mandarin oranges, or dried fruits, like apricots, cranberries and raisins.

Summer

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Place optional ingredients in separate containers and let each person create a unique salad. COLLEEN MCGRATH

The next layer should include nuts and seeds, like almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and pecans.

The most important part of the salad is the last added to the container – the greens. Try a combination, like romaine lettuce, arugula and red leaf lettuce, to make it more interesting.

Choose your favorite greens, tear them into bite-size pieces and pack tightly.

Close the lid tightly and refrigerate. Be sure that all your ingredients are cut or torn into bite-sized pieces, if needed, so your salad is ready to eat with only a fork.

When you are ready to eat, just shake the container well to mix the ingredients together and then pour them into a bowl. Pour salad dressing over it (if packed separately) and toss it to make sure the salad dressing is evenly distributed.

Putting salads together can be fun for the whole family.

Place the optional ingredients in separate containers and

let each person create their own layered salad. Using a container that has multiple sections lets you divide the foods for different layers. Make a layered salad chart so everyone knows what foods go in each layer. Every salad will be different as people choose what to include, and some might not have every layer on the chart.

Adding the dressing at the bottom makes it easy to pack and serve with no mess. Try to use a clear container so the colors of each layer make it more appealing.

You might want to bring along a few whole-grain crackers, milk or yogurt, and some fruit to complete your lunch.

Lisa McCoy is a family and consumer sciences educator with the University of Maryland Extension in Washington County.

This column originally appeared in The Herald-Mail newspaper.

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Snakehead fish. Maryland Department of Natural Resources

written by BRANDY (BAXTER) STAYMAN REGISTERED DIETITIAN Fish can be a great component of a healthy diet, but did you know eating more fish can also help the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem? Specifically, eating more of several invasive fish species will help reduce the damage they cause to the bay and nearby bodies of water.

Invasive species Two species of catfish — flathead and blue — were introduced years ago to the bay, and have overpopulated it to harmful levels and spread to rivers such as the Potomac, Patuxent and Nanticoke. The snakehead fish also has taken a toll. Negative effects of these invasive fish include reducing the population of native fish and spreading disease to other water inhabitants, both of which can threaten conservation efforts in place for the Chesapeake Bay and watershed.

Health benefits The good news is that by catching and eating these fish, you can improve your diet while helping the environment. They are excellent sources of healthy Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats, plus B vitamins. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats promote a healthy cardiovascular system and are an excellent source of protein.

Flavor profiles and cooking If you have never eaten any of these varieties, you might want to give them a try. Catfish has a mild and slightly sweet flavor,

making it a good kind to start with if you’re just learning to like fish. Snakehead also has a more mild, less fishy aftertaste, so it’s another option for fish-eating newbies.

Both are a little on the firm side, making them great for grilling this summer. Simply brush them with oil and seasonings you prefer (Old Bay is an obvious choice for those from Maryland!).

Grilling fish does not take long, so keep a close eye on it.

Good for the soul Along with the health benefits of eating fish, the act of fishing is excellent for the mind and body. Being in nature is known to improve mental health by promoting relaxation and mindfulness.

It also reduces stress and anxiety. Fishing with others provides social connection. Incorporating some low-impact movement while you walk to and around your fishing spot is also great for cardiovascular health.

How to help If you want to help, but don’t eat fish, do your part by spreading the word about these invasive fish. If you like to eat fish, but don’t want to catch them, look for locally caught catfish and snakehead on restaurant menus or request them from local seafood vendors. If everyone does a little bit, we can make a big impact on the environment and our health.

Source: news.maryland.gov/dnr/2019/12/09/save-the-bayeat-invasive Brandy (Baxter) Stayman is a registered dietitian with Optimal Health Nutrition Counseling, a division of Capital Women’s Care. Nutrition questions may be submitted to her blog at brandnewyounutrition.wordpress.com/contact.

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‘That feeling when you miss your first coffee of the day: Depresso’

written by V. CRAIG CAMPBELL JR. ROASTER/OWNER RIVER BOTTOM ROASTERS

That first sip of coffee in the morning not only delivers pure happiness, but signals the start of the day. Without it, the brain feels foggy, energy is at an all-time low and the day just is not the same.

These feelings are even experienced by our team at River Bottom Roasters. The morning gets too busy and, before we know it, we can’t put our finger on why we’re “off.”

Science tells us it’s because we didn’t enjoy our tasty beans that morning.

Coffee delivers happiness in more ways than one.

Coffee stimulates dopamine.

A “conquer-the-world” approach to the day is thought to be delivered by the brain-powering neurotransmitter dopamine.

When you sip on a fresh cup of joe, you’re stimulating the feeling of happiness. Much of that is delivered through the power of caffeine. The key is to drink your coffee in the morning. Espresso, drip, latte, pour over – whatever the method, deliver that energizing boost in the a.m.

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Summer

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29 ‘Life is too short for bad coffee’

Coffee is associated with lowering the risk of certain cancers, including colorectal and liver. Studies show the risk of Parkinson’s, the second most common neurodegenerative condition behind Alzheimer’s disease, decreases by 32% to 60% with regular coffee consumption. Coffee is also waging a battle against type-2 diabetes, a disorder affecting the sugar levels in blood. Studies show that starting your day with a tasty brew reduces the risk of developing the disease by 23% to 50%.

All in all, coffee is proven to not only boost energy, but spur the body’s battle against some of the most common diseases affecting lives today.

RBR recommends Colombia Buena Vista.

This smooth, everyday drinking blend delivers an aromatic experience every time.

‘Good days start with great coffee’

Boost your metabolism with your morning brew.

Skip the preworkout and energy drinks to get going in the morning. Drinking black coffee 30 minutes prior to a workout encourages fat burning.

If you’re not rushing to the gym to work out, coffee can still boost your metabolism. The caffeine in coffee quickly boosts your metabolic rate, which means your body is turning calories into pure energy.

RBR recommends: 3 … 2 … 1 … Go’spresso, a perfect shot delivered with an undertone of strawberry and chocolate flavoring.

Health and wellness are important at any age. Start your day with a cup of coffee to fire up your neurons, lift your mood and rev up your metabolism.

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WELL+BEING

Pregnancy and the

Pandemic Stories of three local health-care professionals who cared for COVID patients while pregnant

written by JANET HEIM Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenge, for sure. Imagine caring for coronavirus patients in the midst of your own pregnancy. The following stories are unique, but all three of these women faced anxiety and fears while being selfless professionals who put their patients’ care first.

Lindsay Stein, MSN, RN Lindsay Stein has been clinical manager of the Emergency Department at Meritus Medical Center near Hagerstown since early March. After struggling with infertility and going through in vitro fertilization (IVF), Stein, 31, learned she was pregnant on March 4, 2020.

While pregnant, and during the bulk of the pandemic response, she was clinical manager of the Intermediate Care Unit, which became a COVID-19 unit the day she learned she was pregnant.

“It was definitely amazing news,” Stein said of her pregnancy.

Yet the change at work added a layer of uncertainty.

“It was nerve-wracking and anxious at the same time. We didn’t know how contagious the virus was, the side effects ...

There was a lot of wariness.”

Also of concern was how COVID-19 might affect the development of her baby in utero. At the start of her pregnancy, the Frederick, Md., resident was also working in the ER at anoth-

er facility as a bedside nurse. Stein decided to quit that job and work only at Meritus, where, as a manager, she was not working directly with patients, yet inspiring her team.

“I told my staff this is the Olympics of health care. This is why we went into this field. There was a lot of pride, confidence and courage,” she said.

She went into labor on her lunch break and gave birth to a boy, Kieran, on Nov. 5, 2020, at Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson, Md. The only time Stein took off was after her son’s birth.

Lindsay Stein, a registered nurse at Meritus Medical Center, holds a photo of her son Kieran. Stein was pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic and gave birth to her son in November.

COLLEEN MCGRATH

Dr. Liz Otto Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Otto was more than five months pregnant with her second child when the pandemic started. The medical director of the hospitalist program at Meritus Medical Center, she delivered her second son in June 2020 at University of Maryland Hospital in Baltimore.

At 40, Otto’s was considered a high-risk pregnancy, and she delivered by caesarean section after a two-week quarantine. Otto admitted to some trepidation early on, but felt confident in the safety protocols and protection of personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep her and her staff safe.

Dr. Liz Otto “I felt, as the leader of the group, I had to gave birth to lead by example, so I suited up,” Otto said. her second son, Ethan Joseph, “I led the charge, which made it easier for in June 2020. my team members, if I was willing to do it SUBMITTED while pregnant. I think it went over well. It PHOTOS helped ease everyone’s nerves.”

Despite her confidence, Otto confided she expected to get the virus while working full time with coronavirus patients.

“I just prayed,” Otto said.

Those prayers were answered, and she was reminded of her purpose. The general consensus between Otto and several friends who were also pregnant was that they chose acute clinical work to answer “that calling. Wanting to be there for patients took precedence over concern for our own health,” Otto said.

Dr. Laura Toso At Capital Women’s Care in Hagerstown, Laura Toso, a Fellow of The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, was one of five providers in the practice — three doctors and two midwives — who were pregnant during the pandemic. She was surprised when she found out she was pregnant with her sixth child in March 2020. Toso gave birth to son Giovanni in January 2021 at Meritus Medical Center.

Toso, 42, is Italian and has family in the Lombardy area of Italy. The Hagerstown resident has two sisters there who also are medical professionals. Italy was hit hard by the virus — before the U.S. — and Toso knew what was coming. For her, one of the most striking things was how she and her colleagues grew and changed as a group through the pandemic, wanting to provide the best possible care for their patients.

“Our patients were going through a lot of uncertainty and anxiety,” Toso said.

The staff’s regular meetings “sparked creativity and flexibility” as they adapted to the constantly changing protocols. Care was provided through virtual visits, and plans were put in place for safeguarding the office, di-

viding the staff into sections in the event one of them got COVID-19, allowing just that section to close down.

Toso noted that as a physician, the need for physical isolation is the opposite of the way they’re used to working with patients, yet virtual visits were key to providing reassuring care during the pandemic. The staff also worked to minimize the pregnant colleagues’ exposure to coronavirus patients. Thankfully, the patients with the virus only had mild symptoms and some of them delivered their babies while still infected.

“It was a huge awakening for a lot in health care. There was a lot of desire to be present, be there and care,” said Toso, whose Catholic faith, education and family provided a strong foundation for how she navigated the pandemic and her pregnancy.

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34 Changes to prenatal visits and labor & delivery COVID-19 safety measures called for prenatal visits to be limited to the expectant mother but were shared by FaceTime or phone, and ultrasounds were recorded to DVDs to share later.

Husbands and partners were allowed to be present during labor.

Stein said her mother was “heartbroken” that she wasn’t able to be in the delivery room when Kieran was born. No visitors were allowed in the hospital or once the family came home, which was another tough hurdle.

Otto’s family in Hawaii and Toso’s family in Italy had yet to meet their newborns as of early May. The power of PPE, protocols and vaccines Stein, Otto and Toso praised the power of PPE and other protocols for keeping them coronavirus-free through the pandemic and their pregnancies, but it wasn’t easy.

They wore N95 masks, face shields, gowns and gloves, which were even hotter while pregnant; practiced social distancing; washed or sanitized hands frequently; and isolated from family and friends outside their immediate household for a year.

Stein and Otto admitted they felt safer at work than going to the grocery store. After work, the health-care professionals shared a similar ritual, which included removing their shoes before entering their homes, showering before interacting with family and washing their work clothes after each shift.

As soon as it was safe for them to do so, each of the women was vaccinated, another step in prioritizing their health and that of their families and patients.

“It liberated us. It was a weight off our shoulders,” said Otto, a strong advocate for vaccinations.

Some personal reflections Brandon Stein is a Maryland state trooper who had several scares when co-workers tested positive for COVID-10.

Throughout Lindsay Stein’s pregnancy, though, both stayed healthy and were vaccinated as soon as they could be.

Vince Rusbosin, a teacher in Carroll County (Md.) Public Schools, taught online from the family’s Mount Airy, Md., home. He was able to care for their 3-year-old son, whose day-care center was closed due to the pandemic, allowing Liz Otto to continue her service. She said they couldn’t leave their son with her in-laws, who lived next door, for fear of infecting them.

In March 2021, the day Toso’s husband, Andrew Capobiano, was supposed to get his first coronavirus vaccine, he was exposed to the virus at a funeral, tested positive and had to be isolated at home while he recovered. Toso’s other children range in age from 3 to 13 years old. The family had just gotten a puppy, not expecting to have another baby.

Many of the hospitalists at Meritus have family in India and are concerned for their health as COVID-19 cases started spiking in April and May. From what they’re hearing from India, it is much worse than what’s been reported in the news.

WELL+BEING

Washington Goes Purple fighting substance abuse

written by ROXANN MILLER

his dream, with his addiction behind him. This year, he plans to finish his autobiography, “From Prison to The Olympics – The Tony Hoffman Story.”

Hoffman’s goal is to open the Tony Hoffman Wellness Center, where he hopes to redirect the lives of those struggling with addiction onto a path of sobriety and purpose.

Despite some setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington County’s largest initiative against substance abuse will be back for its fourth year – ready to wage war against drug addiction.

Washington Goes Purple stresses education for local youths about the dangers of opioids and prescription painkillers, Isolation impact while raising awareness and encouraging the community to Studies show that 75% to 82% of heroin users started with pain “go purple” through the end of September. medication, said Victoria Sterling, director of behavioral health The kickoff event will be Sept. 3 at 6 p.m. in Hagerstown’s City services for the Washington County Health Department and coPark. MTV celebrity and professional skateboarder Brandon No- chair of Washington Goes Purple. vak will share his recovery story.

“Like most counties across the United States, we have been Born in Baltimore, Novak was a skateboard prodigy. At a hit hard by COVID. Our numbers (of overdoses and overdose young age, he was discovered by Tony Hawk and tapped to trav- deaths) were going down in 2019, which we were really exel the world as a professional skateboarder. Eventually, Novak cited about. Then, COVID hit and our numbers went back rose to fame as an MTV celebrity. Although he appeared to have up, mainly because of isolation.” it all, behind the scenes, he said his life was falling apart due to heroin addiction. After more than 25 years of drug dependence, Novak is clean and now shares his story and helps others get sober.

The annual Recovery Walk, held in conjunction with National Recovery Month, will be Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. at University Plaza in Hagerstown. At the event, former BMX Elite Pro Tony Hoffman will share his story of recovery from an opioid addiction.

After getting paroled from prison on Emily Keller (left) and Vicki Sterling (right) with pro Tony Hoffman Dec. 13, 2008, Hoffman started living out skateboarder, Brandon Novak.

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38 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as of June 2020, 13% of Americans reported starting or increasing substance use as a way of coping with stress or emotions related to COVID-19. Overdoses also have spiked since the onset of the pandemic.

In 2020, there were 555 overdoses in Washington County, 77 of which were fatal. Currently, the highest age group for overdoses is 26 to 35, followed by 36 to 45, Sterling said.

“Narcan has really helped to save lives, but education, starting at a young age, is the key to success. We probably put out from 50 to 100 doses (of Narcan) a week,” she said.

Washington County Recovers

In March and April, a new initiative was added to the county’s arsenal on the war against drugs: Washington County Recovers.

Sterling said the initiative was prompted by the spike of overdoses and overdose deaths during COVID, and Washington County set aside days in August and October 2020 to provide access to treatment, regardless of ability to pay.

Washington County Recovers is now offered on the last Friday of every month.

“We did really well in March and April. Our numbers are starting to go down,” Sterling said.

Hagerstown Mayor Emily Keller co-chairs Washington Goes Purple with Sterling.

“We are very thankful that COVID is starting to be a little bit under control. We are looking at restarting our walking drug take backs, something that we had done that had been wildly successful prior to COVID,” Keller said.

Volunteers from Washington Goes Purple, the Hagerstown Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department and Hagerstown Fire Department go door to door collecting unwanted and unused medication from the community and then properly dispose of it.

The first time the program was offered, organizers collected about 210 pounds of unused and unwanted medication, Keller said.

“Drug abuse affects everyone. Even if you are lucky enough to not be struggling, or lucky enough to not have someone in your family struggling, you see the effects of it, you see the effects in our quality-of-life issues that we have in Hagerstown,” Keller said.

Overdoses are happening on the streets of Hagerstown, Keller said, adding that drug abuse affects neighborhoods and businesses and can lead to homelessness.

Local employers are also feeling the effects of drug abuse in the community. Not only is it difficult to hire employees who are able to pass a drug screen, but also the effects of substance abuse show up in the form of absenteeism and lost production.

“It’s something that, even if it’s not directly affecting you, it is certainly affecting other areas,” Keller said.

She said preventing addiction is not a sprint, but a marathon.

“It’s something that is going to take a very long time to see the effects of because we are trying to reach, as much as possible, the youth and give them the tools to make healthy decisions,” Keller said. “But it’s also about educating our community about the importance of carrying Narcan, the importance of locking up and properly disposing (of) medication and recognizing the signs of substance abuse and mental-health issues.”

Eliminating the stigma

This year, Washington Goes Purple is launching a campaign focusing on eliminating the stigma surrounding substance use.

“It is very frustrating because, if we’ve learned anything in the last five to seven years – when this epidemic has gotten so large – is there’s no one who looks like a drug addict,” Keller said.

“Someone struggling with substance use looks like me, looks like you and looks like your neighbor. It can be any of us.”

Sterling said it’s important to show compassion.

“I think everybody deserves a chance. These are somebody’s children, mother, sister, friend, co-workers, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and get the support they need,” Sterling said.

Paying it forward

Hagerstown resident Robert “Rob” Zellner, 34, got that chance and has been paying it forward ever since.

At 14, he said he became involved with drugs – starting with marijuana, then experimenting with what he said were “all forms” of illegal drugs before trying heroin.

“I got hooked, and I got hooked bad,” Zellner said. “I don’t know how many lives I hurt. It was the Rob Zellner guilt; the shame of all of that,” he said, adding that’s why he wanted to do something to lift up the community that he once helped tear down.

He went into recovery in 2016 and is now helping others as the director of client services/methadone coordinator at Awakenings Recovery Center in Hagerstown.

In 2017, he was instrumental in starting the first Recovery Walk, in conjunction with Washington Goes Purple. Every year, more than 150 people participate in the walk through Hagerstown to celebrate recovery.

“My life is phenomenal now. I live a life way beyond anything I ever thought possible,” Zellner said. “I thought I at least had to have a master’s (degree) and be 40 before I have what I have now.

2020 was a bad year for a lot of people, but it was a banner year for me. I got married, we bought a house, we got a dog and I got a raise at work. Life is good.”

For more information about Washington Goes Purple, go to washingtongoespurple.com.

WELL+BEING

Getting Well: Tales Of Great Medical Successes

As the world slowly begins to return to normal, and we start to shed our masks and hopefully forget about the COVID-19 pandemic, now is a great time to settle down and read some tales of great medical successes. Washington County Free Library is here to deliver with these great memoirs.

‘In Pain’ by Travis Rieder Opioid dependence and addiction have touched many lives, but it is important to know there is hope. After a motorcycle accident in 2015, Travis Rieder developed opioid dependence, which was followed by acute opioid withdrawal. As a bioethicist, he places his own story against the backdrop of the American health care system, exploring the science of addiction and the systemic and cultural barriers that must be addressed.

‘How I Learned to Understand the World’

by Hans Rosling Rosling, the late World Health Organization adviser and co-founder of Sweden’s Doctors Without Borders, uses his memoir to reflect on his journey through health care. This book isn’t about data; it’s about the human element of health care. From questionable teaching practices in medical school and difficulties conducting medical research under dictatorship rule in Cuba, to adjusting to the stark differences in available health care and infrastructure in Liberia and Mozambique, Rosling’s memoir embodies the curiosity and humbleness that made him so well-known.

‘Nothing General About It’

by Maurice Benard If you were anything like me growing up, you had a huge crush on Sonny Corinthos from “General Hospital.” But did you know that the actor, Maurice Benard, has bipolar disorder? This collection of memoirs about health and wellness wouldn’t be complete without a book about mental health, and Benard’s memoir delivers. “Nothing General About It” explores the importance of family, friends and a medical team when dealing with mental illness. Benard isn’t shy about sharing the darker truths about his bipolar disorder, including his medication, moments when he was institutionalized and how he managed his manic episodes. This memoir is honest and heartfelt, possibly one of my favorite celebrity memoirs.

written by SAMMY BALDWIN REFERENCE LIBRARIAN WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY

WELL+BEING

Monoclonal antibody infusions treatment for COVID-19 written by PEPPER VAN TASSELL Days before retired nurse Ruby Blahut contracted COVID-19, her daughter, Cathy Miles – a nurse at Meritus Medical Center – learned of a newly approved treatment offered at the Washington County hospital that ultimately helped save her mother’s life.

In the days after Thanksgiving, Blahut and Miles , who is clinical manager of the operating room at Meritus, contracted COVID-19. At the same time, Meritus Medical Center started offering monoclonal antibody infusions for the treatment of the virus. They were reserved for those with a mild to moderate infection, and who were at greater risk of serious illness or death from the disease. Blahut, an 82-year-old retired hospice nurse who suffers from chronic bronchitis, met the criteria and was treated within the first week.

“My daughter was scared, and so when this program – when that came up about the IV – she immediately had me call the doctor,” Blahut said.

“I got arrangements to go in and, oh, I’m so thankful.”

One more tool The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency-use authorization of bamlanivimab as a monoclonal antibody infusion therapy in early November, followed a few weeks later by the approval of more antibody treatments.

Bamlanivimab, which was the first treatment Meritus offered, has since been discontinued as a single-use therapy due to its inefficacy against variants, but a mix of approved antibodies in combination therapies are being administered instead, said Dr. Aaron George, chief medical officer at Meritus.

“It gave us one more option to try to treat pa-

tients before they cross the threshold of our emergency room,” George said. “This just gave us one more opportunity to respond to this pandemic.”

Following FDA approval, states quickly identified hospitals to offer the infusions. Maryland selected four hospitals to launch the treatment, including Meritus to serve the western part of the state. There are now 20 such infusion sites throughout the state, he said.

“We had the ability to do it. We had the expertise in the center for it and we were geographically in an ideal place, as well,” George said.

Before the launch of the COVID infusion center, which is adjacent to the hospital, and separate from the hospital’s primary infusion center, hospital staff and the system’s doctors were apprised of the new treatment and its criteria – including a need for referrals, he said. In the infusion center’s first week, five people were treated. By year’s end, 199 patients received the infusion. A total of 1,070 patients had received the treatment as of May 12.

As of May 7, Washington County recorded 14,532 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 276 deaths, according to the Washington County Health Department website.

Dr. Aaron George of Meritus Medical Center explains that the infusions slow disease progression by helping the body recognize the COVID-19 virus so it can’t replicate.

Submitted photo

A ticking clock George explained that the infusions slow disease progression by helping the body recognize the virus so it can’t replicate.

That is why patients must act within the first 10 days of illness to receive it. Those who have progressed to requiring hospitalization or oxygen therapy are not eligible. Anyone older than 12 with a moderate to severe risk of serious illness or death – with immunocompromising conditions, such as chronic kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and some underlying congenital diseases – are el-

Summer

2021

41 igible, George said. Among the high-risk population, he said the infusions have helped create a 10% reduction in the need for hospitalization.

Soon after testing positive, Blahut developed a terrible cough, and Miles had her mother breathe into a spirometer to help open her lungs.

“She got very weak, and the cough got progressively worse, so that’s when I wanted to take her to the emergency room or the (monoclonal antibody infusion) clinic that just opened,” Miles said.

Immediately after the treatment, Miles noticed an improvement in her mother’s respiratory function.

“When Aaron came home – shortly after – he never had another headache,” Butler said.

At the time of the interview, 90 days had passed since Butler and Aaron received their infusions, making them eligible for vaccination. Butler said her family was planning to get the Pfizer vaccine the next day.

Blahut said she was thankful to receive a vaccine about 90 days after her infusion.

Butler said she wasn’t always planning on getting vaccinated, but her experience with COVID-19 changed her mind.

“I’m just ready for this whole thing to be over,” she said. “Too many people are getting sick, and it’s just getting terrible.”

Help for diabetics Angie Butler heard of the treatment through a cousin who recovered from coronavirus following an infusion. In January – when Washington County was experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases – Butler ’s twin 20-year-old daughters, Meghan and Caitlin, and her 17-year-old son, Aaron – all of whom worked at the same restaurant – started to get headaches almost simultaneously. On their third day of symptoms – some of which mimicked those of allergies – all three tested positive for the virus.

The 42-year-old mom tested positive for the virus four days after her children, developing cold symptoms and a bad cough.

“The exhaustion just pushed everything out, and you just didn’t know if you could deal with it,” Butler said.

Butler, who has Type 1 diabetes, began to worry about the progression of the disease in herself and Aaron, who has juvenile diabetes.

“For me – when I got it – I was most concerned for my son, but when I looked into it, I thought there is no reason not to do this,” she said.

Butler’s doctor, with approval from Aaron’s doctor, helped arrange for the two diabetics to go to Meritus for Ruby the infusion.

Blahut “I had asked before we left how quickly we’ll receives a feel better,” Butler said. “He said, ‘This is more: monoclonal You don’t want to get sicker. This should help you antibody infusion. from getting sicker than you are now.’”

Submitted Butler received the infusion on her fourth day photo of illness, and Aaron got it on his seventh day.

“Aaron had been getting sicker,” Butler said.

“It’s hard with diabetes. When you’re sick, you have to keep your sugar level. He was really exhausted. His sugar was going up and down, and he started having trouble tasting things. We were both going downhill more than anything else.”

Continued need George said Washington County was about 30% fully vaccinated at the time of his May 12 interview, and that its older adult population was more than 70% fully vaccinated. As the vaccination rates go up, he said the number of people seeking infusion therapy goes down. He added, however, that the need for the infusion therapy has not changed.

When the hospital began offering the infusions, George said the daily average COVID-19 hospitalization rate was about 30 to 40 people a day, a number that reached a peak in December and January, with about 90 people hospitalized on average. The average now is about 15 to 20 people, he said.

“We’re not out of the woods yet,” he said. “We’ll keep using monoclonal antibodies as one way to respond to this, but really, I just want to continue to emphasize the need for everyone in our community to be vaccinated.”

A quick process Within 30 minutes of arriving at the infusion center for the treatment, Butler said she and Aaron were hooked up to IVs, and 45 minutes after that, the infusions were finished. Blahut reported the same.

FINANCIAL SENSE

How to take care of your

FINANCIAL HEALTH written by JACOB W. BARR ARK FINANCIAL ADVISORS RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. MEMBER As summer arrives, so do good weather and increased activity. The seasonal shift often causes people to consider their physical health and wellness, and ways they can be improved. But many people overlook an equally important part of their lives: their financial health.

Financial health is the state of an individual’s monetary affairs.

There are many aspects to one’s financial health, and there is no one right way to evaluate it. However, there are six helpful things that anyone can do to perform a financial checkup.

Know your numbers One of the first things you can do is know your numbers. Money comes in and goes out, but there is more to it. Knowing net worth – assets minus liabilities – lets us know if we are operating in the positive or negative. It is normal for that number to fluctuate as life goes on, and you can monitor progress. Equally important is developing a budget, which allows you to plan ahead and know exactly what your fixed expenses are, what money will be left over and if you are overspending.

Manage lifestyle inflation As we advance in our careers and start to make more money, spending tends to increase. That is called lifestyle inflation. While you might still be able to pay expenses, lifestyle inflation can limit the ability to build wealth and save for retirement. As time goes by, one’s spending naturally will increase, due to changing circumstances. The key is managing those increases.

Recognize needs versus wants Learn to recognize needs versus wants and spend mindfully.

There are basic needs that must be managed, such as food, shelter, health care, clothing and transportation. Our wants are not necessary for our survival. Sometimes the lines can be blurred. It is important to make sure needs are a budget priority. Only after our needs are met should we allocate to discretionary spending.

Saving It’s never too late to start saving, but the earlier you start, the

better off you will be in the retirement years. The money saved in retirement accounts grows interest. The more time we allow that money to compound, the larger the growth is likely to be.

Build, maintain an emergency fund Build and maintain an emergency fund. The general rule for that is to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses, though setting aside money to last six months or more is increasingly being recommended. The truth is, whatever number makes you most comfortable is suitable. These numbers simply serve as a general guideline.

Review retirement, investment accounts The final tip for checking up on your financial health is to do a comprehensive and detailed review of retirement and investment accounts. As market and economic environments change, it is crucial to make sure your portfolio is allocated properly and in line with your goals, objectives and risk tolerance. Assuring that your portfolio is in line with your investment strategy helps you stay on track for retirement.

Taking care of our financial health and wellness is just as important as taking care of our physical health and wellness. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, but these tips provide a good start for performing a financial checkup.

The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets or developments referred to in this material nor is it a recommendation. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Barr and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. There is no guarantee that these statements, opinions or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Investing involves risk, and you might incur a profit or loss, regardless of strategy selected. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors Inc. Ark Financial Advisors is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.

WELL+BEING

Feeling stressed?

These methods might help you manage

written by LINDA HARKCOM Even before COVID-19, stress was a normal part of most people’s lives, but the challenges brought about by events of the past year have caused the stress levels of many people to rise dramatically.

Not properly dealing with stress can be detrimental to one’s physical and mental health. Luckily, there are many methods to manage it.

Chiropractic care Marc Gamerman of the Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage (CAM) Center of Hagerstown has been a doctor of chiropractic medicine for 35 years. He said that over the past year, he has treated teachers, parents, students, school administrators, hospital nurses and other individuals on the front lines affected by COVID-19.

“All have been through a rough year,” Gamerman said.

A licensed massage therapist for 19 years, the CAM Center’s Susan Lundquist said she has witnessed a definite increase in clients since the pandemic began.

“Prior to COVID, I was 80(%) to 90% booked with clients. I

am now currently 100% booked three to four weeks out for appointments,” Lundquist said.

Julie Sutton, a licensed acupuncturist at the CAM Center, said stress is exhibited differently by everyone.

“It seems that people have a general feeling of being overwhelmed with distance learning, working from home, grief due to loss of loved ones or even loss of time spent with loved ones, missing family and friends, increase in substance abuse and alcohol,” Sutton said.

Lundquist sees many clients who suffer from chronic neck, shoulder and TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain due to stress.

“In addition, over time, chronic stress has led many clients to suffer from increased anxiety and depression,” Lundquist said.

Sutton reported seeing people who are suffering from sleep issues, body pain, weight gain, recurring chronic issues, grief and fear.

A licensed massage therapist for 19 years, Susan Lundquist has noticed a definite increase in clients seen at the Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage (CAM) Center of Hagerstown since the pandemic began.

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45 Gamerman said stress can reveal itself in obvious ways, such as decreased patience and overall crankiness.

“It’s the less obvious problems which are huge – the digestive, immune and reproductive systems are affected due to the fight-or-flight nature of stress,” he said.

The CAM Center, at 89 W. Lee St. in Hagerstown, offers patients chiropractic, acupuncture and massage therapy. The practice also will soon offer Reiki, a Japanese form of alternative healing technique based on the principle that therapists can channel energy into patients through touch to activate natural healing processes. Kayla Royer, a licensed massage therapist in the practice, is also certified in Reiki.

Coping with stress When dealing with stress, Gamerman said exercise and a diet high in whole plant-based foods are the keys to success. He said vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as probiotics, help stabilize the gut.

When a patient comes in with stress-related issues, Sutton said she discusses basic needs.

“Depending on the person, I may suggest increasing exercise, mindfulness practices, proper nutrition, sleep health.

The benefits range from person to person,” Sutton said. “In general, the goal is to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation.”

Sutton said that due to the pandemic, many people’s nervous systems have been in a hyper state.

“We’ve been on fight-or-flight autopilot – masks, hand washing, social distancing, getting the kids on a Zoom class, not missing your own Zoom calls, etc. I’d like patients to leave my office feeling a sense of optimism, and perhaps a tool bag of skills they can begin implementing at home that they can use for themselves and share with loved ones,” Sutton said.

Lundquist typically recommends that patients incorporate yoga, deep-breathing exercises and physical activity into their wellness routines, along with massage therapy.

“All of these activities can decrease stress levels, decrease anxiety and help to promote a sense of well-being,” Lundquist said.

CAM Center Office Manager Jennifer Smith said she thinks it is important for people to understand that many types of insurance cover a lot of its services.

“I handle all insurance inquiries and can always check a patient’s coverage beforehand to see if they have coverage.

Knowing that we accept insurance can help to decrease a little bit of the stress involved with seeking out treatment options,” Smith said.

Healing reinforcement Sue Edwards, owner of Healed by Hand Hypnosis in Hagerstown, is a former massage therapist who has been a Reiki master since 2010. She is also certified in Five Path Hypnosis, as well as neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), Time Line Therapy and emotional-freedom technique

(EFT). Edwards combines all of her certified modalities to customize treatment to the needs, goals and desired outcomes of clients. “(My) focus is on providing concrete, simple tools that a client can employ to reinforce healings between sessions,” Edwards said.

Edwards serves clients in the Tri-State area in person and through virtual appointments.

She said she has seen stress increase greatly since the beginning of the pandemic, manifesting primarily as anxiety and depression.

“It’s all-pervasive throughout society, due to the level of life changes required, the uncertainty of the future, the need to face death and our own mortality, fear and the isolation that was required,” she said.

As an example, she spoke about a client who is a longtime high school teacher who experienced a significant increase in anxiety due to all of the changes and uncertainty that schools have experienced. That anxiety is heightened due to the increased use of unfamiliar technology and the need to teach students in person and online simultaneously, plus concerns the teacher had about her aging parents.

Edwards said the client experienced almost daily tension headaches and occasional migraines. Her sleep was affected, and she had anxiety attacks in the mornings and while driving to work.

“Our treatment plan began with reducing the headaches, using a combination of Reiki and craniosacral work, hypnosis for relaxation and doubling her water intake,” Edwards said.

Craniosacral therapy (CST) uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system. The goal is to relieve tension and promote a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity.

“We did Time Line Therapy to reduce the intensity of some of her stronger emotions,” Edwards said. “We continued with hypnosis sessions, combined with NLP, to help her reframe how she reacts to certain known stressors, and gave her “anchors” to use, i.e.: pressing her thumb and forefinger together to trigger a different emotional state when she’s facing something that was previously upsetting.”

Neuro-linguistic programming is used to change someone’s thoughts and behaviors to help them achieve desired outcomes. Time Line Therapy is a type of NLP that utilizes people’s internal timelines to work with their unconscious minds in a variety of ways, including healing emotional traumas, as well as eradicating unwanted thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

Edwards said her client is now spending 15 minutes each morning and evening meditating, reading, journaling and decompressing, and is planning fun activities with her husband.

“We have had six sessions so far, and she has experienced significant improvement in her quality of life and reduction of headaches and anxiety responses,” Edwards said.

Places

46 Meditation Many people are familiar with meditation, a technique used to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm, stable state.

“Meditation helps to relax stress and tension in the body, to calm and settle the wandering mind, and to develop wisdom deep enough to dissolve mental stress and suffering at its root,” The Peace Gathering takes said Ray Manyoky, owner place at the Bell Tower at Baker in Frederick, Md., every and director of the Frederick Park Saturday at noon.

Meditation Center.

Submitted photo “We believe that in order to heal the world, we must begin by healing ourselves.

We offer meditation classes and workshops designed to help cultivate kindness and compassion, peace and joy,” Manyoky said.

For the past six years, Manyoky has been a practicing certified mindfulness meditation teacher. He said meditation yields many health benefits, including reducing stress; controlling anxiety; promoting emotional health; enhancing self-awareness; lengthening attention span; Ray Manyoky meditates at The reducing age-related memo- Peace Gathering. ry loss; generating kindness; Submitted photo helping people fight addictions; improving sleep; controlling pain; and decreasing blood pressure. Plus, it is free to use anytime, anyplace.

He said since the pandemic, he has noticed an uptick in the number of attendees at the center’s classes.

“Most are looking to alleviate stress, anxiety, depression,” Manyoky said. “Some come to us looking to learn how to meditate or to deepen their practice.”

He explained that stress is a person’s biological response to the environment in order to stay safe and secure.

“Stress is a healthy response and prepares you for your fight, flight, freeze responses,” Manyoky said. “When danger is spotted, your survival brain immediately sends stress arousal messages to your body. The release of adrenaline leads to the arousal of the sympathetic nervous system and the subsequent release of specific hormones that lead to certain physical sensations related to our heart, breathing and digestion. When stress is chronic, we continue to stay in prolonged levels of stress. Many health prob-

lems occur when stress is not resolved.”

The core of what is taught at Frederick Meditation Center, according to Manyoky, is how to use innate superpower to cultivate relaxation, awareness and compassion to reduce stress and anxiety. He said there are many approaches for alleviating stress.

You are not alone When a client comes to the center, Manyoky explains that stress is natural and important for survival.

“Everyone gets stressed. Remember that you are not alone,” he said.

When having a stress response, it is important to become aware of objects that provide safety and security, such as what can be seen and heard, Manyoky said.

“The survival brain feels grounded when you bring attention to where your body is in contact with your environment, such as focusing on the contact between your feet with the floor, or your body in your chair. As soon as the survival brain perceives groundedness and safety, it automatically starts the recovery process,” he said, explaining that a person can use Resources that ground to bring Chiropractic, Acupuncture attention to his or and Massage (CAM) Center her body, hands or of Hagerstown breath.

89 W. Lee St. “Grounding your Hagerstown, MD 21740 awareness into the 301-797-3737 body brings you out camcenterofhagerstown.com of the storytelling mind and into your Frederick Meditation Center present-moment ex240-397-8080 perience,” Manyoky info@frederickmeditation.com said. rederickmeditation.com He recommends learning to use the Healed by Hand Hypnosis innate “superpow301-973-6139 er” of the breath, sue@HealedByHand.com which is essential to healedbyhand.com kick-starting stress recovery.

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2021

47

Brooke Hall Allen is founder of The Peace Gathering. Submitted photo.

The Peace Gathering. Submitted photo.

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WELL+BEING

Mental Health Benefits of Yoga:

The Healing Power of the Breath written by REGINA PALMER LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR BROOK LANE HEALTH SERVICES

Before reading this column, notice how you feel at this moment. Are you anxious?

Angry? Overwhelmed? Take a second to get in touch with your body and your mind.

Yoga is a union of mind, body and spirit to create balance.

The word “yoga” actually means union. A common misconception in society is that we need to “find” our balance or “find” our peace. However, what we really need to do is learn to create our peace, create our balance, and unify our mind, body and spirit.

Place the palms of your hands together at the center of your chest. You are now in the position of “heart center.” Having your hands in this position is a way to create balance and peace. Now, take a deep breath in and raise your arms as you do so. Then, exhale and bring your hands back to heart center. Do this a few times at your own pace and then pause before continuing.

Notice your energy now. Are you feeling more relaxed? Calmer? More at ease?

That is the power of the breath. How many times have you heard the phrase, “just take a deep breath” in moments when you are struggling? Taking a breath calms the central nervous system, which controls how we regulate our bodies and minds.

In the world of mental health, taking a deep breath is a powerful, commonly used coping mechanism. Through my experience as a licensed clinical professional counselor and through my yogic practice, I have learned that the most important tool I have is my breath. I frequently say, “I’m yoga breathing through it.”

My breath helps carry me through physical, emotional and spiritual pain. Your breath can help you, too.

I feel fortunate to have shared the power of the breath in the

groups I lead in the inpatient psychiatric unit at Brook Lane. In the groups that incorporate yoga, I start the sessions the same way I began this column – by having the patients express how they are feeling at the beginning of the session. Next, we take some deep breaths, and then I ask them to become more aware of the difference in energy in the room. My patients often feel that the energy is calmer, which helps them realize the power of the breath.

Breathing is one of the most important aspects of yoga because you can tap into it anywhere. If you can utilize your breath, you gain control over your body and mind, which will help you de-escalate tough situations in a healthy and helpful way.

It is amazing to think that something so easy can be so powerful. In the full practice of yoga, breathing is just the beginning.

Once you have mastered that, you can continue your yoga practice by learning positions, correct form and poses, all of which can help on your path to improved mental well-being.

It’s worth repeating that it is important to create your peace and balance rather than find it. Many people who struggle with mental illness find that difficult because they feel that all odds are against them. However, learning to control your breath can help you feel more in control of a situation. When you feel like you aren’t in control, anxiety and stress often are the result. However, it’s important to note that you can’t always be in control of everything, and that’s OK. What you can always control is your breath. Our ability to breathe comes from within. If you stop to take a deep breath, it will help calm you, allowing you to pause and figure out how to create your balance and peace. If you can do that, you can unify the mind, body and spirit. That union can help you feel more stable, improving your mental wellness and creating a path to peace.

Namaste – a term often used in yoga as a greeting of appreciation of and respect to others – to each of you.

WELL+BEING

Stay healthy by avoiding ticks written by BRITTANY WEDD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DISCOVERY STATION AT HAGERSTOWN INC. At Discovery Station, we encourage children to have fun and learn as they discover the incredible world around them. Of course, that involves visiting the museum and spending a day exploring. Our interactive exhibits provide learning opportunities in aviation, robotics, art and – through our rainforest exhibit – the natural world.

Still, we encourage children to continue the theme of discovery and exploration outside the museum. Whether that involves visiting a local park, state forest or exploring their backyard, there are lessons everywhere. Playing and learning outside is incredibly important for a healthy, developing mind and body.

But we also teach people about being safe while they learn. That means wearing safety goggles while launching mentos and soda, gloves when making slime, and when playing outside, being aware of things that can cause harm.

Much of this is simple knowledge to a child: See a Snake?

Walk away.

However, there is a potential threat so small and often overlooked that can cause more harm than a snake. That tiny threat might have a small bite, but it could potentially carry long-lasting health conditions. What is it? A tick.

Ticks often are mistaken for insects, but they’re actually parasitic arachnids that consume blood from hosts. They are prevalent in high grass and outdoor vegetation, but they also can be found in short grass and walking on surfaces such as sidewalks and fences. The average tick can lay up to 5,000 eggs, and in mild winters, tick numbers increase, as do cases of tickborne diseases.

Places

50 Lyme disease is the fastest-growing, vector-borne infectious disease in the United States. Transmitted by deer ticks, it is most commonly associated with a bull’s-eye rash, muscle pain, fatigue and other flu-like symptoms. Early detection is critical because the disseminated stage can be harder to treat. It can be challenging to get an early diagnosis because of sensitive diagnostic tests and because less than 50% of patients develop the rash.

Babesia, a parasite transmitted by ticks, attacks and destroys red blood cells. It is more dangerous to individuals with weakened immune systems, who have comorbidities or in those without spleens. It presents with flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, fatigue and sweats, particularly at night.

Other tick-borne diseases include mycoplasma species, Bartonella-like organisms, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and tularemia. Lone star ticks can even cause a meat allergy known as alpha-gal.

To learn more about these diseases, symptoms and treatments, go to lymedisease.org.

Simple steps for prevention The best way to prevent tick-borne diseases is to reduce your exposure to ticks, but that doesn’t mean you should lock yourself in your house and avoid the outdoors.

When you go outside, wear light-colored high socks and pants. Tucking your pants into your socks will keep ticks from attaching to your legs, ankles or feet. It’s important to note, though, that ticks will travel until they find exposed skin and then will attach. Treating clothes with permethrin sprays will help prevent ticks from crawling on clothes.

Run a lint roller over your legs and body after being outdoors. If ticks are crawling on you, the roller will pick them up. This simple step is important because some ticks are smaller than a pencil point and hard to see.

Unfortunately, you can follow all of these precautionary steps and still discover that a tick has bitten you. There are steps that you should take if that happens: • Do NOT use essential oils, rubbing alcohol or dish soap to remove a tick. These do not make the tick “let go” and do not make it easier to remove. Use a tick key – available online – to remove a tick without causing it to regurgitate its stomach contents into your system, which could lead to the spread of disease.

• Clean the bite site with soap and water.

• Make sure you keep the tick. Place it in a zip-top bag so it can be identified and tested for tickborne diseases by companies such as Ticknology. Write your name, date of removal and how long it was attached – if known – on the bag.

• Draw a circle around the bite site with a small marker and take a photo of it.

• Keep track of any symptoms that develop and continue taking pictures of the bite site if you notice a rash.

• Seek medical attention or contact a Lyme-literate doctor if you get sick.

You can download free tick apps like TickTracker to help you identify ticks, learn about the diseases they transmit and submit observations to help scientists study the spread of ticks.

You do not need to live in fear of ticks or keep your family inside to stay safe, but it’s a good idea to be aware of the dangers they possess and practice safety techniques.

Brittany Wedd receives treatment for her tickborne disease.

Submitted photo.

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2021

51 SPOTLIGHT ON…

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Allegany Dental Care

of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, where he earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

He decided to move to Hagerstown after meeting the team of dentists at Allegany Dental Care.

“Meeting the dentists here was a great experience, getting to know the practice and their commitment to patients was really appealing to me, something that I felt I could get on board with.”

At the time, Mirigian and his wife, Lynn, lived in Washington, D.C., and were seeking to move to an area with a slower pace. They now live in Hagerstown with their son, Theodore, who was born in July 2020.

Mirigian said he wants his patients to feel comfortable. He appreciates having the ability to have a relationship with patients and have a positive impact on their lives.

“I like to understand what the patient wants, what their goals are as far as their oral health. And then provide care that lasts a long time.”

When not in the office, Mirigian enjoys spending time outside, playing and watching all kinds of sports.

Since he grew up on the outskirts of Boston, he’s a fan of the Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics.

He is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Maryland State Dental Association and the Washington County Dental Society.

Dr. Mirigian practices at Allegany Dental Care’s Hagerstown North End office.

Appointments can be made by calling 301-797-8987.

New dentist aims to make a positive change in patients’ lives The precision and the personal side of the profession influenced Dr. Matthew Mirigian to become a dentist.

“I realized that’s what I’d like to do day in and day out, be challenged and stimulated by the profession, but then also to see the results, to have positive change in people’s lives.”

Mirigian, a native of Sudbury, Mass., learned about the career from his father, who was also a dentist.

“There are all sorts of things that I remember from my dad’s career. I’m a lot like him.”

After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Massachusetts, Mirigian attended the University

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PETS

Regular Wellness Visits are Important for Pets written by JENNIFER DOLAN DOCTOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, CUMBERLAND VALLEY VETERINARY CLINIC How often do you take your pets to a veterinarian? Hopefully the answer is not “when they are feeling under the weather.”

Annually – and more frequently for aging pets – is a much more appropriate response.

Regular wellness visits are important to prevent illnesses and protect the well-being of pets. During a wellness visit, the veterinarian will discuss your pet’s history, do a physical exam, administer needed immunizations and tests, and discuss findings and results.

A thorough history includes any changes your pet is exhibiting, such as in activity level, appetite or water intake, any vomiting or differences in defecation, or any shifts in the household, such as new pets or family members.

A thorough physical exam is very important. Even if you have not noticed any differences in your pet, your veterinarian might pick up some changes such as weight, new lumps or bumps, odd sounds of the heart or lungs, oral health, or an abnormality felt in the abdomen. A key to good preventive health is catching disease processes early. That might result in an easier treatment plan for the patient and a much better prognosis than if an issue is addressed when the animal is ailing and showing clinical signs.

Immunizations should be tailored to the patient’s lifestyle.

All pets should receive the “core” vaccinations for their specific species. Additional vaccinations, such as those to prevent Lyme disease, leptospirosis, Bordetella and feline leukemia, are given based on activities such as boarding; spending time outside (hiking, hunting); whether a pet lives indoors or outdoors (specifically cats); and visits to dog parks and/or doggie day care.

Most states require an up-to-date rabies vaccine due to the risk the disease poses to human health, and many states require that it be administered by a licensed veterinarian.

During the annual wellness visit, your veterinarian will discuss some routine tests to be performed that screen for parasites and viruses. A stool sample should be sent to the lab annually to screen for gastrointestinal parasites. Dogs should have a simple in-house blood test that screens for heartworm disease, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis.

Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes and the end result is adult footlong worms living in the heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. The disease, if not treated, can easily be fatal and even with treatment can cause permanent damage to the affected organs. If the test is negative for heartworm disease, there are many highly effective preventatives on the market.

Lyme, anaplasma and ehrlichia are tick-borne diseases that are common in the mid-Atlantic region.

If a screening test comes up positive for any of these diseases, your veterinarian potentially will discuss more diagnostics and/or a course of treatment. If left untreated, these diseases can cause potentially life-threatening diseases, such as kidney disease from Lyme or certain blood cell issues with anaplasma or ehrlichia.

Prevention of tick-borne diseases relies on immunization, if available for the disease, and consistent tick prevention, preferably year-round.

Cats, depending on their lifestyle, should get an in-house blood screening test for feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus. If your cat is strictly an indoor cat, the test is most important as a kitten and into young adulthood. Indoor/ outdoor or outdoor cats should be tested at least annually, or after any known interaction with an outdoor stray cat. These viruses are spread through body fluids; typical transmission is from mom to kittens or through bites, such as during fights. Both viruses are progressive and usually fatal.

Any other issues can and should be discussed with your veterinarian at your annual visit. Catching any disease early is always preferable to diagnosing and treating at an advanced stage.

Don’t automatically think all is well with Fido or Puss in Boots.

Get those guys checked out on a regular basis.

FA M I LY

Program Teaches Children Self-Rescue Techniques written by JENNIFER A. FITCH The headlines are jarring and heartbreaking: “No charges in toddler’s drowning.” “Police: Foul play not suspected in child’s apparent drowning.” “Country singer’s son’s drowning ruled accidental.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports more than 3,000 people fatally drown each year, with one in five of them being children ages 14 and younger.

Sara Garcia of Frederick, Md., is an instructor with Infant Swimming Resource’s Self-Rescue, a program to help children survive what could otherwise be accidental drowning.

When Garcia’s family was installing a backyard pool, she was concerned about the safety of her young son, even though he was participating in traditional swimming lessons.

She found herself thinking that the lessons weren’t teaching him to respect the water.

Garcia took her son, then almost 2 years old, to an Infant Self-Rescue instructor in Carroll County, Md. “It was so amazing, and I was hooked,” she said. “I told my husband, ‘Frederick needs a program like this.’”

Sensory motor learning Garcia underwent the training after background checks and

interviews. She traveled to Herndon, Va., for what she described as grueling instruction in 2017.

“There is so much you have to learn about human anatomy, breath control and how quickly drowning happens,” she said.

Started 55 years ago, Infant Self-Rescue is structured for sensory motor learning. It targets ages 6 months to 6 years and teaches children skills they can use if they find themselves in the water alone.

A typical session with Garcia is one-on-one instruction, Monday through Friday, for four to six weeks. Each day consists of just a 10-minute lesson to not tire the child. They focus on one skill for two or three days before progressing.

Garcia aims to develop muscle memory in each child.

While children depart the session with skills, they are encouraged to undergo a refresher lesson every six to eight months.

Nora Krop, now 5, learns to float on her back, while instructed

by Sara Garcia.

Submitted photo

Practicing self-rescue Garcia acknowledged that the first few days of instruction can seem concerning to parents, particularly parents of the youngest children. The youngest children tend to cry, which is a response that is actually considered desirable.

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56 making noise in an emergency to draw the attention of an adult.

Older children sometimes fight the process.

“I’m OK being the bad guy if something good is going to come out of it,” Garcia said.

Stephanie Krop of Frederick acknowledged it was difficult to watch her two older children go through the unpleasant experience for the first few days of lessons. However, she does not want them to ever be comfortable with their faces in the water in an unplanned situation.

“I learned they need to experience that unpleasantness to recognize when it happens,” she said.

Krop plans to enroll her youngest child in Infant Self-Rescue this year to learn the same skills as her older siblings.

Krop especially appreciated watching the children practice self-rescue in various types of clothing under the assumption they might be clothed for various seasons if they end up in a dangerous situation.

“It brought so much comfort to me to see that,” she said.

Learning to float Learning to float and defaulting to floating on your back is a primary concept of Infant Self-Rescue. Children also develop breath control for when their mouths are in contact with the water.

Older children with more upper-body strength are taught to pull themselves out of a body of water.

In 2020, Garcia taught a family with three children. The youngest suffered a near-drowning incident previously at the bottom of a pool. All the family members were leery of the water, but they developed joy as the days went by.

“The progress he made was amazing,” Garcia said.

Pricing for Infant Self-Rescue begins with a $105 registration fee paid to the organization.

Garcia’s fee is $150 a week.

‘Worth every penny’ “It’s worth every penny. It’s worth every inconvenience of taking them 10 minutes a day for five days a week,” said Kaylin Staley of Williamsport.

The Staley family had daughters Ella, now 4, and Zoey, now 2, complete the training with Garcia and undergo periodic refreshers. Kaylin Staley started researching swimming safety as the family prepared to move to a house with a backyard pool.

Earlier in her adulthood, Staley jumped into a pool during a cookout to rescue a small child who was quietly submerged.

“I once heard that drowning happens to other people until you become ‘other people,’” she said. “That really resonated with me.”

Garcia has concerns about swim aids often called puddle jumpers. She fears they train a child to be in the water held in a vertical position, when the water would creep up on their mouth and nose without the aid.

Similarly, Staley said her oldest daughter took traditional swimming lessons with a flotation device on her back.

It held her in more of a face-down position than what her mother now considers advisable.

Staley sometimes gets pushback when she refers others to Infant Self-Rescue because some claim the methods are harsh.

“What is ‘child abuse’ and ‘traumatizing’ is not giving them these skills,” she said.

Staley and Krop said their children gained confidence and excitement for time in the water.

“I tell people about two things – Jesus and these swimming lessons,” Krop said.

For more information, go to Garcia’s website, www.isrfrederick.com.

Remington Krop, now 2, practices self-rescue techniques last year in Frederick, Md., with instructor Sara Garcia. SUBMITTED PHOTO

Nora Krop swims to instructor Sara Garcia. SUBMITTED PHOTO

FA M I LY

Support for Families of Children with Autism

written by LINDA HARKCOM Families with children who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder know that where they live can affect how they meet their children’s needs.

That is why Autism Parenting Magazine recently created a guide featuring the most and least supportive states for raising a child with autism. In it, Maryland is ranked as one of the most supportive states in the country.

According to a study by the Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 54 children in the United States have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The same organization estimates that 1 in 52 children in Maryland have been identified with ASD.

In an April 13, 2021, article titled “Which States Are Most Supportive for Raising a Child with Autism?,” Autism Parenting Magazine ranked Maryland fifth on the list of 10 best (most supportive) states for raising a child with autism. Other states on the list, in order, starting with No. 1 are Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Rhode Island and Montana.

“To conduct our research, we looked at the best states in the USA for resources and merged these with the states that offer the most in terms of insurance mandates, grants and inclusion of the ADDM Network,” the magazine article states.

Maryland’s ranking was based upon the state having 11 specialist schools, 13 applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy providers and three sensory gyms, as well as being ranked sixth in the nation for insurance coverage.

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58 tion in Frederick County that also serves students living in Washington County.

“Laurel Hall in Frederick services students on the spectrum, but some students who have a primary diagnosis of other disabilities that would qualify them for special education also have (a) subset diagnosis of autism,” said Rachel Hull, director of education services at Laurel Hall.

Laurel Hall serves male and female students ages 5 to 21 in kindergarten through 12th grades from Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

“Also, we have a certificate-of-completion track which focuses on independent living, life skills and vocational living,” Hull said.

The program offered by Laurel Hall includes focusing on development of social skills and communication for autism-spectrum students. Credits earned meet the Maryland State Department of Education’s requirements for graduation and the issuance of a diploma.

“With being a Maryland Type 1 special-education school, we have highly qualified staff, structured routines, small student-to-staff ratio, smaller classrooms and more intensive behavioral and emotional support that students receive on a daily basis,” Hull said. “Some students have one-to-one behavior specialists that help with all needs that support them functionally, as well as academically. We also train staff on how to support students individually with crisis management in the areas of sensory regulation and implementation, as well as specialized interests. We also specialize and emphasize generalization of communication, both in and outside of the classroom.”

She said knowing students are receiving such support is important to parents.

“We hear from families all the time on how supported they feel, knowing that students receive this type of structure and care daily, as well as the communication they receive from the school on what things are working, what things to avoid and detail as to what they can try at home to help generalize the skills they are learning while at school.”

The school also offers adaptive physical education that supports the additional time and sensory input that might be beneficial to students.

“We have the capability to support students by taking them to community outings, such as the grocery store, restaurants, shopping centers, food banks/soup kitchens – pre-COVID – Rachel Hull, director to practice skills that are learned in the classroom of education services that then can then be applied, with the support at Laurel Hall School in Frederick, Md., is of the teachers and staff,” Hull said. in front of the school’s The school also has the opportunity to utilize rock wall, which is used resources, such as equestrian therapy and pet for classes in adaptive therapy, and has extensive sensory rooms at both physical education.

Submitted photo. locations, as well as a rock wall and sensory paths.

Pathfinders for Autism Trish Kane is deputy director of Pathfinders for Autism, a parent-sponsored, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with autism and their families throughout Maryland. While Kane said she had not read the Autism Parenting Magazine story, she is familiar with Maryland’s programs.

“I do know that Maryland is a model for the autism waiver program. Getting on the Autism Waiver Registry is an important first step for a new diagnosis,” Kane said. “In addition, there are many organizations, agencies, groups who we collaborate with regularly throughout the state that provide support and resources to the autism/ IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) community. In that respect, I do believe that Maryland does provide a supportive environment for the autism community.”

She said the Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities (MANSEF) represents more than 90 nonpublic schools throughout Maryland that serve students with a range of disabilities.

“Our schools serve young people with physical, emotional and developmental needs that cannot be adequately met in public schools,” Kane said. “MANSEF schools are an integral part of Maryland’s highly ranked educational system, providing high-quality educational opportunities and support services to Maryland children and youth with disabilities.”

Laurel Hall School Of the 11 specialist schools in Maryland, three are in Washington County: Cedar Ridge School, Laurel Hall School and Oak Hill House School.

Brook Lane’s Laurel Hall is a member of MANSEF. It is a nonpublic school designed to provide education services to students with special needs. Laurel Hall School has a second loca-

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59 Washington County Public Schools Not all students with ASD attend a specialist school. Washington County Public Schools offers services for students through the Birth to Kindergarten Program until they turn 21. Students who earn the required credits to graduate with a diploma successfully exit special education.

The program works closely with families to help a child make gains within daily routines, supports children to be active and successful in a variety of settings, and puts a family’s needs first because parents and caregivers are their child’s No. 1 teachers. Families receive coaching through a primary service provider model, where one early interventionist serves as the main provider for the child and family with access to the Birth to K team, which includes a teacher; speech-language pathologist; occupational therapy; physical therapy; vision teacher; and social worker for teaming and consultation. There is no cost to eligible children for this year-round, voluntary program.

“It is important (that) all students who may be eligible for early intervention or in need of special-education services be referred, identified and supported,” said Jeffrey S. Gladhill, director of special education for Washington County Public Schools. “Students with suspected developmental delays in cognition, communication, social-emotional, adaptive and motor skills that manifest prior to the age of 3 may be eligible for early intervention services through the Washington County Public Schools Birth to Kindergarten Program.

Special instruction and related services are provided to students eligible for an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). Together with families, the Birth to

K Program works to prioritize a student’s developmental needs, embed learning in daily routines, and support students to be active and successful in a variety of settings.”

WCPS’ RISE (Reaching Independence through Structured Environments) program supports learners with acute needs. The RISE program is developed for students in grades kindergarten through 12.

“By growing socially and emotionally, students reach independence through tiered instruction to access their most appropriate educational setting,” Gladhill said. “Utilization of expressive and receptive language skills are particular areas of emphasis in this program. Staff work closely with students to increase their development of social skills to promote further development of positive peer relationships. A goal for all RISE students is to ensure that each student is socially, emotionally and academically prepared for lifelong learning and living in an ever-changing environment.”

Creations Clinical Services Of the 13 ABA therapy providers in Maryland, eight are within 25 miles of Hagerstown. Two are in Hagerstown: Achieving True Self - Hagerstown and Creations Clinical Services LLC. The other six are in Frederick.

Creations Clinical Services’ scope of services includes behavior assessments, evaluation, creating behavior plans, one-to-one implementation of behavior therapy, training for parents and caregivers, behavior support plan monitoring and crisis management.

“ABA is an evidenced-based approach that focuses on learning and behavior using contingencies of reinforcement. Our focus in providing ABA services to children is making sure we are creating lasting behavior change by focusing on socially significant behavior,” said Ashley Lawal, owner at Creations Clinical Services LLC. Lawal, a board-certified behavior analyst, is also a licensed behavior analyst in Maryland and Virginia. Currently, the practice serves children and their families in Prince George’s, Montgomery, Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland, as well as in Northern Virginia.

“I utilize ABA by first sitting down with parents/ caregivers to get an understanding on what they need to help their child or Getty Images

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60 children to be successful within society,” Lawal said. “A functional behavioral assessment is completed that consists of interviews with family members, as well as observation and probing, testing, of skills.

Challenging behaviors are also identified, if necessary, and through assessment and observation, I identify the ‘why’ of the behavior. Various behavior strategies, such as shaping, chaining, incidental teaching, pivotal-response training and so many others are used for children to acquire, maintain and generalize skills. Understanding and applying specific antecedent, (preventive) replacement and consequence strategies based on the functions (why) of behavior can help decrease challenging behavior.”

According to Lawal, parent involvement is crucial in the success of ABA therapy. She said it takes a team of ABA professionals, board-certified behavior analysts and registered behavior technicians, as well as families, to make a difference.

“Everyone on the child’s team should utilize the same evidenced-based strategies so the child is most successful and does not regress,” Lawal said. “ABA is not the most effective when only the ABA professionals are focused on treatment. Family members spend the majority of the time with the child, and it would be beneficial for them to be involved as much as possible. I have personally seen the success of a child acquired quickly when all are involved.”

Brook Lane’s Thrive program Brook Lane’s Thrive program offers support for families with children ages 5 to 18. Some programming is available for younger children. The autism-friendly program has groups designed to help students build on social and emotional regulation skills to help them be successful with peers, family members, teachers and others.

“The group program offers children an opportunity to see that they are not the only one struggling, they are not alone, and that there are people – both adults and peers – that value and accept them as they are now,

Getty Images

and care about them enough to offer opportunities for them to grow,” said Jessie Davis, a licensed certified social worker who runs the Frederick branch of the Thrive program. “Thrive works on helping children develop social and emotional skills to aid them in developing and maintaining healthy relationships. Additionally, Thrive works to build the self-esteem, growth mindset and confidence of every client. Thrive works with every client to make sure they are accessing the most appropriate services for their treatment goals.”

Importance of an individualized approach One thing on which each provider agreed was that not every child on the autism spectrum is the same, and they and their families face different challenges.

“That is exactly why it is called autism-spectrum disorder,” Lawal said.

“That is also why ABA should be utilized using an individualized approach, not a one-size-fits-all. Many families have difficulties with being able to manage challenging behavior or do not know where to begin with

teaching a new skill. Using behavior analytic strategies, I am able to help with communication, social skills, emotional regulation, attending, selfhelp skills such as dressing, feeding and toileting, daily living skills and decreasing challenging behavior, such as tantrums, self-injury, elopement, vocal and motor stereotypy, fecal smearing, verbal aggression and the list goes on.”

Hull said additional support outside of the school is always a concern.

“Communication needs and support for both behavior and communication at home is also sometimes a basic essential,” Hull said. “We try to send and share as many individualized support plans, communication matrix, social skills lessons or logs that can encompass the power of home and school communication, which in turn really does support both parties to be successful.”

Gladhill said one of the school system’s most effective strategies in meeting the needs of students is helping families make connections, and it begins with Birth to K services.

“We continue to offer informal play groups for families to learn hands-on

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62 strategies with professionals, such as social workers, teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, speech-language pathologists and other related service providers,” Gladhill said.

WCPS developed a parent portal offering instructional/behavior resources/strategies and additional information about services it provides. The site also has links to resources through the Maryland State Department of Education and training through the Washington County Family Support Resource Center.

Where to go for help What should parents do once their child receives an ASD diagnosis?

Hull recommended contacting the local school/district to initiate the process for determining eligibility for special education.

“With possible delays in communication, social skills and learning, some parents do not know where to start. The first step for a new parent of a child suspected of having a disability, including autism, is to make a child-find referral to our Birth to K Program,” Gladhill said.

Hull also recommended Autism Speaks, Maryland Learning Links and MANSEF as resources.

The Pathfinders for Autism website, pathfindersforautism.org, is a resource for parents.

Kane recommended that parents sign up for the Autism Waiver Registry by calling 1-866-417-3480. For information about the waiver, call the Maryland State Department of Education at 410-767-1446 or the Maryland Department of Health at 410-767-5220.

Kane also encouraged families to connect to Facebook autism groups.

“As a parent of a child with autism, you become part of a larger community that ‘gets it,’ Kane said. “This community will guide, support, listen and share their tips and strategies with you. At Pathfinders for Autism, the resource center is staffed with parents of children with autism, different ages,

communication styles and a variety of life experiences that we share with callers. The one thing that I would communicate to families raising a child on the spectrum is, you are not alone.”

To contact Creations Clinical Services LLC, call 240-651-9432 or email info@creationsclinicalservices.com.

To contact the WCPS Birth to K Program, call 301-766-8217 for those 33 months old and younger; or 301-7668509 for those 34 months to age 5 (or entering kindergarten).

For information about Laurel Hall, contact Rachel Hull, director of education services, at 301-733-0331, ext.

1278; or email rachel.hull@brooklane. org. Go to brooklane.org/laurel-hall for a virtual tour.

To access resources available through Pathfinders for Autism, call 443-330-5341 or go to pathfindersforautism.org.

For information about Thrive, call 301-733-0331, ext. 1703; 800-342-2992; or go to brooklane.org/child-adolescent-services/thrive.

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FA M I LY

AUTISM AUTHOR

Temple Grandin to speak at Training Event OCT. 7 IN HAGERSTOWN written by LINDA HARKCOM

Tutu experienced the challenges of growing up Black and female during apartheid in South Africa. Those experiences have Temple Grandin will headline “Breaking the Cycle,” the sixth been the foundation of her life as an activist for human rights annual training event set for Oct. 7 at The Maryland Theatre in and taught her that teaching and preaching hate and division downtown Hagerstown. Open to the community, it is hosted by injure everyone. Tutu is the third child of Archbishop Desmond Bester Community of Hope, a San Mar Initiative. and Nomalizo Leah Tutu. She was born in South Africa and “Our annual training is an opportunity to bring the commu- lived in many communities and countries. The guiding prinnity together around shared ideas of what works for great out- ciple of her business, Nozizwe Consulting, is to bring groups comes for children, families and neighborhoods. Education in together to learn from and celebrate their differences and acthis format has the power to change hearts and minds,” Keith knowledge their shared humanity. As part of her work, she has Fanjoy, chief executive officer of San Mar Family and Community led “Truth and Reconciliation Workshops” for groups dealing Services, explained in an email. with various types of conflict.

Grandin is a professor, best-selling author, animal Klebold is the mother of Dylan Klebold, one of the behaviorist and autism self-advocate, as well as an two gunmen responsible for the Columbine High international speaker. She is the subject of the EmmySchool shootings of April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colo. In and Golden Globe-winning HBO film, “Temple Granthe aftermath of the tragedy, Klebold remained out of din,” and was also one of Time magazine’s “100 most the public eye while struggling with grief and humiliinfluential people.” ation. Her search for understanding spanned 15 years, Grandin didn’t talk until she was 3 1/2 years old, during which she volunteered for suicide-prevention communicating her frustration instead by screamorganizations, questioned experts, talked with fellow ing, peeping and humming. In 1950, she was diagsurvivors of loss, and examined the intersection benosed with autism, and her parents were told she Rev. Nontombi Tutu tween mental-health problems and violence. As a reshould be institutionalized. She recounts “groping sult of her exploration, Klebold became dedicated to her way from the far side of darkness” in her book mental-health awareness and intervention.

“Emergence: Labeled Autistic.” Until its publica“Diverse audiences and speakers bring together tion, most professionals and parents assumed that nontraditional collaborators who ultimately walk an autism diagnosis was virtually a death sentence away ready for tangible action, which at the end of the to achievement or productivity. day is why we invest the time, effort and dollars each “Temple Grandin has an amazing story of resilyear to do this work,” Fanjoy explained. “So many ience, overcoming a tremendous challenge through people do amazing work in our community to help the help of a supportive community who built on others, but it’s always about effort. It’s about finding her strengths and connected her to many opportu- Sue Klebold the most effective ways to make an impact together.” nities to succeed. Everyone has strengths if we can “Breaking the Cycle,” is Oct. 7 from 8:30 a.m. simply focus on them, build upon them and ultimately use to 12:30 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre. Tickets cost $39 per them to transform the future,” Fanjoy stated. ”While our event person and can be purchased at besterhope.org/event/breakis not solely focused on families that have been impacted by ing-the-cycle.

San Mar Family and Community Services is a 137-year-old, developmental challenges, there is a universal message that when we work together, there is no barrier we can’t break nationally recognized child-welfare organization headquartered in Washington County that operates three primary programs: through. It’s both a dose of hope and strategy.”

Other speakers at the event include the Rev. Nontombi Tutu Treatment Foster Care, the Jack E. Barr Outpatient Mental Health Center and the Bester Community of Hope initiative. and Sue Klebold.

FA M I LY

StoryWalk coming to City Park this summer written by SARAH NADEAU COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS LIBRARIAN WASHINGTON COUNTY FREE LIBRARY Washington County Free Library is committed to promoting health and wellness in our community. Reading with loved ones is great exercise for young minds: Sounding out words together is like lifting weights, imaginative bedtime stories are mental yoga and finishing that first big chapter book might feel like crossing the finish line of a marathon. So why not combine the mental fitness of reading with the healthy benefits and fun of a visit to the park?

Your library is excited to introduce a permanent StoryWalk in City Park, in partnership with the City of Hagerstown Parks & Recreation and with support from Meritus Health and Kiwanis of Hagerstown. At the south end of the park, families will have the opportunity to walk along a designated trail while enjoying a children’s book, page by page. Pedestals with frames to protect story pages will be spaced along the path to be enjoyed at a leisurely or brisk pace.

The walk between pages gives families the chance to engage young readers: What do they think might happen next in the story? What words best describe the main character?

It is also a great time to get some exercise. Challenge your

young readers to do 10 jumping jacks, balance on one foot for 30 seconds or practice mindful breathing for one minute before you reach the next page. The possibilities are endless.

Librarians will choose new stories for the StoryWalk every few months so readers of all ages can enjoy a continual experience. Our goal is that the new trail will encourage parents to read more with their children, develop in families a love of healthy physical activity, give kids the opportunity to connect with nature and the outdoors, and provide our community with a wonderful place for making childhood memories.

Washington County Free Library, City of Hagerstown Parks & Recreation, Meritus Health and Kiwanis of Hagerstown are all excited to read and walk with you soon. Look for the new StoryWalk in City Park this summer.

Families will have an opportunity to walk along a trail while enjoying a children’s book on pedestals.

SUBMITTED PHOTO/ PLAINFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

HOME TRENDS

secrets Interior Design

That Help Reduce Stress

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2

Get organized.

Clearing clutter will instantly make any space look more serene. Plus, it won’t cost you a penny! Return everything to its proper place. Sell or donate stuff you no longer use.

3

Layer lighting.

Take advantage of as much natural light as possible. Trade in your harsh overhead lights and high-wattage bulbs for a variety of floor and table lamps that provide a softer effect. Mirrors also will brighten things up.

4

Use accent pieces to add interest.

Work with the space you’ve got.

If you need to tie together a big area, consider decorating with patterns. A striped couch will make your living room look cozier. On the other hand, when you’re trying to feel less cramped, select furniture with legs, cutouts and/or clear tops to maximize your air space.

SOUND EFFECTS Get a water fountain.

The sound of running water has appealed to people for centuries. You can even get desktop fountains for your office or solar-powered versions for your garden if you want something environmentally friendly.

1

2

Hang wind chimes.

Try hanging a few on your back porch. If you prefer birdsong, put out a feeder. You’ll get serenaded every morning.

3

Play digital files.

Wherever you live or travel, you can access pleasant sounds with your laptop or media player. Browse online or download an app with recordings of falling rain, splashing waves or the natural music of the Florida Everglades. written by SARAH REED AND SHAWN MUMMA LA ROUGE DESIGNERS The way we design our home and work environments can have a dramatic impact on our stress levels and emotions. Learn to make your surroundings more peaceful and calming so you feel at ease all day long. Here are some decorating ideas that will soothe all of your senses.

VISUAL TECHNIQUES Opt for warm colors.

Warm colors tend to advance toward your eye to create a more intimate feel. Colors have different degrees of warmth, depending on the shades you pick. Warm colors help heat up adjoining cool colors. That means you can include any of your favorite colors, as long as you pick the right shades and coordinate carefully.

1

SCENT APPEAL Pick up a diffuser.

Diffuser kits with natural reeds disperse scent for months.

Using them is a way to avoid the safety risks of leaving burning candles unattended.

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2

Rely on traditional scents.

Oils like lavender, chamomile and sandalwood are old favorites because they help calm the mind. If you have a green thumb, try some living herbs. Lavender is easy to grow and requires little maintenance. Just cut a few sprigs and bring them indoors whenever you need to add freshness to a room.

3

Experiment with new fragrances.

If you want variety, shop around for new oils. Neroli is becoming increasingly popular. The fragrance is produced from bitter-orange blossoms and has a subtle, but complex flowery aroma.

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68 TEXTURAL ELEMENTS Put something unusual on the walls.

There’s more to wall art than framed paintings and photographs. Try an unusual, touch-inviting object, like a twisted rubber sculpture.

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2

Pay attention to your bedding.

You spend about a third of your life sleeping, so turn your bed into a comfort zone. Stock up on feather beds, soft flannel sheets and plush comforters.

3

Use accent pieces to add interest.

Unusual and inexpensive accent pieces can add textural interest to any room. Knit your own throw blanket for a sofa or make small pillows covered in soft velvet or chenille.

Transform your home and office with design choices that will help you breathe easier and reduce stress. Especially if you’re coping with a demanding schedule, create rooms that accommodate all your senses and help you feel composed. This will bring

Try hanging something unusual on the walls.

Visit La Rouge Home & Design for fresh ideas. We have tons of accent pieces, unique items and design ideas to share with you. 19761 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21742 Open Friday, noon to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. www.larougehomeanddesign.com 833-La-Rouge larougevintage@gmail.com

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HOME TRENDS

Making a house feel warm and inviting is important to Cassandra Clevenger. Photo by Colleen McGrath

A patterned life Mother of two transforms 1929 home into eclectic, boho chic sanctuary; inspires others in process.

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Cassandra Clevenger has slowly transformed her home, one room at a time. Colleen McGrath

BY LAUREN LAROCCA Cassandra Clevenger seems completely relaxed in the “mom cave” of her home.

The cozy front room is layered in textures and patterns in a palette of soft pinks and earth tones that even a hanging plant in the window matches. Fringed chandeliers dangle overhead and leopard-print chairs somehow work in the eclectic variety of pieces that, together, are stylishly cohesive.

In short, the space looks as if it were curated for an interior decorating magazine photo shoot.

Over the past three years, Clevenger has slowly transformed her home, one room at a time, while inspiring others — especially working mothers — along the way.

Without any experience in interior design — and while raising two young children and working full time as a pharmacist — she spends seemingly every free moment transforming her home by painting; hanging wallpaper; searching the internet and local shops for unique and vintage items; and finding and caring for a variety of houseplants.

The Hagerstown home was originally built in 1929. Submitted photo

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Photos by Colleen McGrath and Cassandra Clevenger.

“

It’s really become my creative outlet and my sanity.”

“It’s a work in progress,” Clevenger said. “It’s really become my creative outlet and my sanity.

We all have outlets, and mine is putting up wallpaper at 1 a.m.”

Three years ago, when she and her Realtor pulled up to the house on Roessner Avenue, Clevenger saw the exterior and didn’t even want to go inside.

“Once I was inside, I was there for about 10 minutes, and it just spoke to my heart,” she said.

“The front of the house was built in 1929, and the old wood trim probably sold me. We were coming from a house that was all white and new and gray.

I’m not a huge fan of the newer, open concept in houses. I like having separate rooms.”

She knew the house needed some TLC, but she was up for the challenge.

“Mostly, the painting was so dark and gloomy. I was like, ‘we’ve got to lighten this place up,’” Clevenger said.

Her bedroom, for instance, was fluorescent orange, but she toned it down significantly with neutral colors and shiplap walls, a style of wood paneling that leaves a small space between each panel, an aesthetic reminiscent of cottages and country homes. Clevenger chose a grayish white to subdue the master bedroom’s previous loud coloring and give it a more calming effect.

She started with the playroom and the children’s bedrooms, wanting her kids to have spaces that quickly felt like home. She transformed what was the master bedroom on the ground level into a massive play area for them.

She sought her kids’ input when decorating their bedrooms. Her son picked his own wallpaper, and some of his ideas were incorporated into the space.

His room also includes a stack of antique suitcases that belonged to his great-grandfather.

She calls her style “eclectic boho chic” because each room is a bit different.

“I kind of piece each room together bit by bit,” she said. “Usually, I find that one piece, like a rug, that then dictates the vibe of the rest of the room.

Each room has its own style.”

For instance, the dining room has a Moroccan theme, simply because Clevenger has always yearned to visit the multicultural country. (The family’s dog is named Morocco.)

She shops at local vintage and secondhand stores, and pokes around for bargains at HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, though she occasionally splurges on a must-have item from places like Anthropologie. She believes rugs are important to soften the spaces and add texture.

Places

72 Wallpaper fanatic Clevenger has become a self-described wallpaper fanatic, using patterned prints for accent walls and to liven up spaces. She wallpapered the front panel of each stair of her stairwell with a pattern that mimics decorative tiles.

More important than aesthetics to Clevenger is making her house feel warm and inviting, a place where her kids and her friends can come and feel at home.

“I want it to be livable, functional,” she said. “I always say, if the kids break something, I can just glue it back together.”

“I always love visiting Cassandra’s home,” said Shawn Boland, a friend and colleague. “It has this amazing warmth to it … an absolute reflection of her spirit. She is what I would call an old soul, and you can just see her love for the structure and bones of this older house preserved beneath her modern touches.”

Clevenger has inspired followers on Instagram (@apatternedlife), especially moms looking for their own creative outlet, as well as some of her friends, like Morgan Horan.

“Cassandra is an inspiration with her eye for design,” Horan said. “Her home is truly a work of art and love.”

Photos by Colleen McGrath

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‘She really has a gift’ People have asked Clevenger to help them with their interior decorating, but she doesn’t have much spare time for such endeavors. She did, however, work on a project with Bill Hose to transform his Airbnb apartment in Clear Spring. Clevenger works with Hose’s wife and called on him to help her install the shiplap paneling in her bedroom.

“I was so impressed by what she’d done with the house already by herself,” Hose said. “It kind of blew me away.”

It occurred to him that she would be great at updating his Airbnb apartment, which was loaded with Dallas Cowboys memorabilia and — as he put it — colors that didn’t add much.

He credits Clevenger’s work with an uptick in bookings.

He closed the listing for a few weeks while she totally modified the seven-room space, including creating what she calls “the treehouse room” in what was essentially a closet.

“It was a fairly hard area to figure out what to do with, because it’s so long and narrow, and there are three dormers in the front and three niches in the back, which are like false dormers,” he said. “She gets a little wild at times — I was hesitant about adding wallpaper — but then I always ended up really liking her ideas. And visitors just love it. She really has a gift.”

Update: Clevenger recently sold her home. She said she is grateful for all she learned during the renovation process.

HOME TRENDS

How to Reduce the Anxiety of Selling, Buying a Home

written by JENNIFER BLAKE REALTOR, LICENSED IN MD. AND PA. SULLIVAN SELECT LLC Deciding to buy or sell a home is a major decision.

I wish I could say that you will have a stress-free experience dealing with the real estate market, but I can’t. There will be some factors in the process that tend to create anxiety.

The good news is that preparing for and understanding the process will help alleviate many of the unknowns. The best way to start the endeavor is to hire an experienced real estate agent to guide you through the process. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced investor, having the right agent is imperative.

When moving, it’s easy to create negative scenarios with unknown factors that weigh on our minds. Communicate anxieties, ask questions and seek answers. Once your agent explains the hurdles involved with buying or selling a home, the unknowns become fewer and the bigger picture begins to emerge. Maintaining your mental health and general wellness will greatly affect the outcome.

Taking obstacles one step at a time is a great approach. For example, if you need to be approved for a loan, do that step first. If you know you want to sell your house, then start preparing it for sale. Once you commit to that and study your options, the rest of the process will fall into place.

A positive mental attitude is crucial to having a less stressful experience.

Understanding outcomes is helpful to keep anxiety at bay.

There might be challenges if you sell your home, such as buyer financing falling through, unreasonable repair requests, changes in settlement dates or movers not being able to relocate you in time.

Buying a home creates its own set of challenges – between low inventory, offers not being accepted and difficulty asking for reasonable repairs.

I like to point out that establishing a worst-case scenario contingency plan helps tremendously. There are always ways to make deals work if both parties are willing to compromise somewhat and keep their focus on the bigger picture.

A fantastic way to deal with stress is to visualize the outcome and practice self-care: • Pack some boxes, then do some stretches or yoga.

• Play your favorite music while preparing for your move.

• Take walks to get out of your house and make time to enjoy nice days.

• Pack one room at a time.

• Drink plenty of water and rest when you can.

• Continue your daily health routine.

• If you are exhausted, get a massage or visit with friends.

You will survive this process and you will be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Your best days are ahead.

For more information, contact: Jennifer Blake Sullivan Select LLC 13146 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown Jenblakehomesales 301-745-5500 • Cell: 410-746-4420

PA R E N T I N G

Five tips for getting children back to school safely Written by EMMA TUDOR sportsforlearning.com Chances are high that the COVID era has had detrimental effects on your child’s wellness. This is a truth we may not feel comfortable addressing. However, this reality poses an important question: How can I help my child return to normalcy intelligently and safely? Here are five tips for getting your children back to school safely, pertaining to their social, emotional, physical and academic well-being.

children and involved in social engagements. Whether sports teams, play dates, acting classes, art classes or summer camps — the choices are endless but the implications are powerful — as children learn endlessly from other children via social observation. Assuming your child has experienced some level of isolation from their peers over the past year means that they have not had the opportunity to properly learn from their peers.

Examine how COVID has affected you and your family.

Use what you observed about your child during the COVID era to your advantage. In many cases, distance learning’s success hinged on student interest levels. It is also true that you likely had much more face time with your child. Reflect on what you observed in your child. Did the child express an interest in technology or Legos? Being outdoors and exploring new places? Use these observations as a springboard for providing additional opportunities for what the child finds interesting.

This one might be harder to face than you’d like, but the truth of the matter is that children absorb environmental stressors as much or more than adults do. This fact should be central in your decision-making processes around your student’s return to school and the transition into the postCOVID era.

Does your school have a social and emotional learning curriculum? If so, what does it look like? How can you tie it into your household?

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) needs to be at the forefront of your school’s plan for reintegrating students into schools. SEL teaches students the social and emotional skills needed to help reintegrate into a social setting like a school. Without these skills, students will have a much harder time retaining anything academic. They need these foundational skills to excel, and the COVID era hasn’t been kind to social and emotional development.

Explore what your school is making available to catch up on learning loss.

There is no escaping that your child might have experienced academic learning loss over the past year. Many districts across the nation are extending schooling into the summer months to help compensate for this learning gap.

Explore what your district is making available this summer and consider enrolling your child in a summer program.

Do not underestimate the power of play time.

In whatever capacity you and your family are comfortable with, get your child socially interacting with other

Reflect on observations you made of your child during COVID and distance learning.

Mitigating learning loss is important, and it’s easy to believe that focusing on student academic success might be the first place to start. While academics are crucial and important to student wellness, it’s imperative to focus on social, emotional and physical well-being first. These core pillars of your child’s wellness will promote healthy academic growth.

Emma Tudor is vice president of Sports for Learning, and has enjoyed 15 years in the field of education.

OUT AND ABOUT

River & Trail Outfitters helps people connect with nature written by MEG H. PARTINGTON KNOXVILLE, Md. - For nearly five decades, River & Trail Outfitters has helped people connect with nature and each other in mellow and wild ways.

Walter “Lee” and Eunsook Baihly, natives of Minnesota and Korea, respectively, started the business in 1972 with canoe and kayak rentals at their Knoxville home, which is still used by the business. Lee combined his experience as an Eagle

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Scout with his love for the outdoors to build an outfitter focused on safety and caring for customers.

Daughter Natasha Baihly was born a year before River & Trail Outfitters came into existence, so it has always been part of her life.

“I have seen it from the beginning,” said Natasha, president of the company. “It definitely was a fun business to grow up in. We definitely had a lot of life lessons.”

Natasha shared those experiences with plenty of other family members. Brother George Baihly, who lives 3 miles from her family’s home in Bakerton, W.Va., helps with the business, and his three adult children matured alongside the business. Her son, William Baihly, 7, helps, too (last year, he bagged face masks for customers so they could follow coronavirus safety protocols).

“It’s been a whole family affair,” said Natasha, who also is an acupuncture practitioner.

Her husband, John Gonano, a former Spanish teacher, now runs the business.

Branching out

Just as the family has grown, so has the business.

With the canoe and kayak rentals established, the Baihly clan added whitewater rafting to the offerings and kept expanding, said Jade Sammons, coordinator of group sales and a member of the marketing team. Tubing, bike rentals, ziplines and camping are all on the outdoor adventure menu for River & Trail Outfitters, which now boasts more than 70 staff members serving visitors from Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. It has sites in Harpers Ferry and Millville, W.Va.; Brunswick, Md., and Knoxville.

Guided whitewater rafting on the Shenandoah and Poto-

mac rivers is available to those 7 and older who are fairly good swimmers, said Sammons, who began her three-year stint with River & Trail Outfitters as a whitewater rafting guide. If water levels are higher than usual, the minimum age might be adjusted to 12 or 18 and older, she added.

Tubing trips lasting 1 ½ to 2 ½ hours on the two rivers are a tamer alternative to raucous rapids. One of the outings is guided, while two are not, Sammons said.

The mellow water is a “really great family-friendly experience” for ages 4 and older, Sammons said, adding that the acceptable ages vary with water levels.

Those who prefer to experience nature’s wonders from land might find camping in Brunswick to be a comfortable fit. There are cabins, plus room for RV enthusiasts to park their homes on wheels and for those who would rather pitch tents.

Food and drink tours are among River & Trail Outfitters’ adventure options, allowing guests to go kayaking on the Potomac or Monocacy rivers, then rebuild their stamina with appetizers, brunch and/or handcrafted brews and wines.

For those niche tours, the outfitter works with Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, Md.; Smoketown Brewing Station in Brunswick; Abolitionist Ale Works in Charles Town, W.Va.; and Creek’s Edge Winery in Lovettsville, Va. “It’s been fun partnering with area businesses, too,” Baihly said. “It makes a nice package.”

New this summer is Nature Kids, a series of day camps for ages 7 to 13 to learn about river ecology, art and leadership while exploring three national parks and two rivers in the region.

“We’re really trying to move slowly and keep a pulse on the community” when it comes to expanding, Baihly said.

Above: Tubing is one of the activities offered by River & Trail Outfitters.

Submitted photo.

Right: Jenn Sirbaugh of Hedgesville, W.Va., enjoyed a recent river trip with some friends. Submitted photo

Time to play, learn

Licensed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and a member of America Outdoors, River & Trail Outfitters is serious about its commitment to helping others explore the natural world safely.

All of the guides are certified by the West Virginia DNR and are certified in basic first aid and CPR. Many have also completed training in lifesaving, EMT, swift water rescue and/or wilderness first aid. They are versed in river safety, boat handling and water rescue. The water staffers teach guests how to paddle efficiently and how to get back in the boat if they fall out.

“They’re also learning how to be a teacher,” Sammons said, adding that they go on 12 to 14 training trips before leading one.

Most staffers are college students and itinerant professionals in the business, Baihly said, though some as young as 14 help at the outposts by inflating tubes and assisting visitors with life vests. A few employees hail from foreign lands, so the staff gets to learn about other cultures, too.

Baihly said working for her family’s business helps young people build character and a sense of responsibility while exposing them to the real world. Employees interact with all sorts of people, so they learn what to talk about and what topics to avoid.

“There’s a lot of nuance to it,” Baihly said of being a guide. “They’re (patrons are) a captive audience to you for three to four hours.”

The outfitter is also serious about educating people about their natural and historical surroundings, so guides share their knowledge as they point out significant sites along the way.

“Most people do enjoy learning while they recreate,” Baihly said.

Customer perspective

Jenn Sirbaugh of Hedgesville, W.Va., relished being informed while taking her inaugural foray into the whitewater.

She, two co-workers and their spouses donned wetsuits and spent a 75-degree day in mid-April on the rivers in Harpers Ferry. She worried that they were overdressed, but

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Their guide catered to the scientific interests of the group.

“She knew we were all sciency people,” said Sirbaugh, a lab technician at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va. “She went over a lot about the geology of the rocks.”

Their trip leader also pointed out several species of ducks, as well as a cormorant, blue heron and turtle, the latter of which was particularly enjoyable for those aboard who study herpetology, the branch of zoology concerned with reptiles and amphibians.

“We were pretty excited to see a turtle,” said Sirbaugh, 30.

The day’s lessons included where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, local Civil War history and details about the talcum powder billboard painted on the face of Maryland Heights.

The entire experience was memorable, even the shuttle to the rafting site, during which staff members chatted with guests and told jokes.

“They really made it fun, even the bus ride,” Sirbaugh said. “They’re going to have a hard time stopping us” from visiting again.

Enduring goal

Baihly said her longevity with the family undertaking has been fueled by “the amazing and interesting people you meet from the customer-service side.”

Like most businesses that have been around for almost 50 years, River & Trail Outfitters has seen its share of rough times. Baihly recalled that the 1970s were economically difficult, but her father, now deceased, said the businesses that survive downtimes deal in boats and beer.

River & Trail Outfitters began with boats and has transformed over time, but its core values have not. Preserving and enhancing the health of humans and the Earth is an enduring goal, which the establishment seeks to do by teaching people about environmental concerns, leading river and trash cleanups, recycling and supporting organizations concerned about local waterways and trails.

The water and land excursions offered are meant to help overstressed children and adults refresh and refocus.

“I think nature’s a very healing, soothing thing,” Baihly said.

For more information, go to www.rivertrail.com or call 301-834-9950.

Colonial Health Care Learning about

at The Conococheague Institute OUT AND ABOUT

The Doctor Dismissing Death by Peter Simon. Erica Allen

written by MATTHEW WEDD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE CONOCOCHEAGUE INSTITUTE MERCERSBURG, PA. With a health and wellness theme for this issue of At Home Places, how could we resist writing about health and medicine in colonial America?

As a site that interprets the daily life of the frontier in the 18th century and that hosts a premier antique medical collection and educational program, we have the perfect tonic (of knowledge) to share with you. So, grab your leech jar, hold onto your humours and let’s get the laudable pus flowing!

In 18th-century America, just like today, health care was

practiced by a variety of professionals: doctors, surgeons, nurses, apothecaries, amateurs, fakes (quacks) and home practitioners (primarily women).

Unlike today, the majority of health-care practitioners were not what we would call professional. Of the roughly 3,500 active ones prior to the American Revolution, only 5% received formal medical training at universities.

Another 5% had some training, such as graduates of an arts college who read some medical literature and acquired some practical experience.

Most practitioners were apprentices who trained for three to six years and read what was available, learning by example and practice. A smaller number of practitioners were educated and in a position of authority – magistrate, planter or military officer – who read a medical book. These were the self-taught “Google” doctors of the 18th century.

Home practitioners Despite the availability of this array of practitioners, most health care was self- or family-administered. Knowledge of medication came from family herbal lore, patent medicines,

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81 near the pain to treat it directly. Sore throat? Cut under the tongue. Sore groin? Ahem …

Blistering could be done with hot irons (or by using natural caustics like the sap of the spurge plant) and brought pus to the surface, thus expelling the imbalance.

Most of the treatments would be prescribed with physic, but what did that mean?

“Physic,” or medicine, can come from anywhere in nature. Minerals and products of the earth provided sulphur, salts, oxides and mercury – all useful for venereal disease.

The animal kingdom was another source of treatments.

Rhino horns were ground for medicine, but there were more local treatments. For eye infections, one colonial Virginian recommended blowing dried deer dung into the eye or alternatively using a pregnant woman’s breast milk. I pity the poor patient who tried and failed the first treatment and then had to knock on his neighbor’s door with a pus-filled eye covered in dung, asking if the mother of the home would be willing to share her breast milk.

Still Life with Poppy, Insects and Reptiles by Otto Marseus van Schrieck.

advertisements in newspapers and self-help medical books, such as “Culpeper’s Complete Herbal” and “Every Man His Own Physician.”

Home practitioners were overwhelmingly female. As caregivers and mothers, women had the most experience with treating the sick, and keeping a kitchen garden was their sphere of influence. For economy and need, many herbal medicines were grown in family gardens.

The belief of why people got sick in colonial America is a far cry from today’s science. The colonists had no notion of bacteria, germs or viruses. Because bad air was feared as carrying sickness, they believed that a good smell could counteract it. As such, many doctors carried pomanders or scents in the heads of their canes. People sniffed herbs during epidemics and used other such “cures” that had no benefit except smelling good.

Once sick, the course of treatment followed much the same as today’s – diagnose, prescribe, treat and, if needed, perform surgery.

However, with a long heritage of theory – Aristotle’s elements (earth, air, fire and water); Galen’s humours (black bile, blood, yellow bile, phlegm); Arabic and medieval combinations; and 17th- and 18th-century theories of chemical balances, stimulation and more – colonial doctors had a lot with which to work. But they still believed the body was made up of a balance, and sickness meant something was out of balance, so it was the doctor’s job to restore it, often by removing something fast. As such, the most common treatments included dieting, vomiting, purging, sweating, enemas, blistering and bleeding.

Bleeding most commonly involved bloodletting or leeches so bad blood could escape. Sometimes, cuts were made

The power of herbs, other plants The primary natural source we consider as a source of medicine, though, is herbs and other plants.

Powdered rhubarb root is an extremely powerful laxative and was grown in apothecary gardens for that purpose. In its day, it was worth more than opium and saffron.

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Places

82 Dandelion juice was used to relieve stiff joints. Basil was drunk as a tea to calm nerves, while the bark of several trees was used for fevers. Lavender was utilized as a sedative, and sage for headaches.

We have scores of these medicinal plants growing in our colonial garden, and the best part is that many medicines are also edible. So, stop by and grab a bushel of lavender to create an aromatic calming drink or to hang in your home.

Pick some catnip to help with colic and gas (and please your cats) or try some of the other plants in our community garden.

But please be careful. Ask what things are before you try them. Mistake your rosemary for rue, or basil for borage, and you are going to have a very strange day.

Our 30-acre site is open daily for exploration from dawn to dusk, with historic programming every Friday and Saturday.

Our surgery exhibit and educational programs are available for booking now at cimlg.org.

For more information, call 717-328-2800.

Conococheague Institute’s garden includes a variety of plants, including those used for medicinal purposes. SUBMITTED PHOTO

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OUT AND ABOUT

Washington County to host World Canals Conference, C&O Canal National Historical Park celebrates 50th Photo of the C&O Canal at Georgetown courtesy of the National Park Service.

written by ROXANN MILLER It’s a big year for the C&O Canal and Washington County tourism.

On Aug. 30, the World Canals Conference will return to the Potomac River Valley in Hagerstown to mark the 50th anniversary of the creation of C&O Canal National Historical Park.

After much debate about whether or not to hold the conference this year, due to COVID-19, Bill Holdsworth, chairman of the World Canals Conference Organizing Committee, said a decision was made at the end of May to move forward with the annual event.

Between 150 and 300 people are expected to attend the event, scheduled for Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 at The Maryland Theatre in Hagerstown.

Several promising factors – including vaccination rates increasing in the United States, reduction of COVID-19 cases and masking recommendations eased by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – tipped the scale in favor of holding the global event, according to Holdsworth.

Since international travel regulations are still restrictive, the early-bird discount for international travelers to the conference was extended to July 1. The gathering attracts canal enthusiasts, canal professionals and tourism professionals from all over the world, Holdsworth said.

Last year’s event was to be held in Germany but was postponed due to the global pandemic.

The conference started in 1988 with a North American focus, but over the years has grown into an international event sponsored by Inland Waterways International.

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‘A great artifact’ After attending several conferences in Europe, Holdsworth said he thought it would be a great idea “to show off the beauty of the C&O Canal.”

“I thought, ‘We can do this. We’ve got a lot to show people,’” he said. “The C&O is a great artifact. It’s the only intact, 19th-century canal in the country. We’re lucky to have our canal preserved – all 184.5 miles – along the river and preserved as a national park. So, in addition to having this nice refuge, you’ve got historic structures from the 19th and early 20th century that tell the history of the canal and how important it was and still is to the area.”

The price for the conference ranges from $475 to $625 (excluding hotel accommodations) and features presentations on canal-related topics on the mornings of Aug. 30 to Sept 1, followed Top Left: Lockhouse 44 by “study tours” in the afternoon, in Williamsport when groups visit various sections Top Right: Cushwa of the canal. For a list of speakers, go Basin in Williamsport to wcc2021.org/program.

“During the morning presentaAt right: The Paw Paw (W.Va.) Tunnel tions, you’ll learn about other cawas constructed to nals and the history of other canals. eliminate 6 miles of And then, you’ll get a well-guided river known as the tour of wherever we visit along the Paw Paw Bends.

Construction of the (C&O) canal. If you’ve been in this tunnel took 14 years. area, you’ve probably been along the canal, but it’s a nice, well-guided Photos courtesy of the National Park Service tour that highlights some features for you,” Holdsworth said.

Some of the locations that conference attendees will visit include Great Falls, Monocacy Aqueduct, Antietam National Battlefield, Williamsport and the Paw Paw Tunnel.

There also will be evening events and dinners.

“It’s a chance to rub shoulders with other people from other areas who are interested in canals. We’ll have interesting speak-

ers during the conference, and The Maryland Theatre is a nice venue. And you’ll be led on some well-guided tours with good tour guides who will highlight points of interest. When I visit a place, it’s great to visit with a good tour guide because you see things that you wouldn’t see on your own,” Holdsworth said.

Places

86 Celebrating the park’s 50th anniversary As the conference winds down, the park’s 50th-anniversary celebration will continue throughout the year with various activities.

Christiana Hanson, chief of interpretation, education and volunteers for the park, wants people to get excited about the historic gem in Washington County.

Many of the in-person activities planned for the anniversary celebration moved to the digital realm. The goal is to bring the park to people, no matter where they are during the pandemic, Hanson said.

As the National Park Service continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the C&O Canal is working to increase in-person services this summer. Visitors will be greeted by rangers and volunteers at pop-up tables outside the visitor centers, where park information, passport stamps and information about Junior Ranger activities will be available. In Great Falls and Georgetown, the park and its nonprofit partner Georgetown Heritage are working to bring back rides on replica canal boats.

Other events include ranger talks, manual demonstrations of the 19th-century lift locks and the popular “Meet the Mules” event, during which visitors can meet the modern mule team and learn about the role mules played on the canal. For a complete list of events, go to nps.gov/choh.

“The C&O Canal has this rich transportation history, but it goes beyond that. There have been people living along the Potomac River, where the C&O Canal is, for thousands of years. So, the history we hold in our park is really the history of this area – of people coming in and frequently fighting against nature, struggling to survive, struggling to thrive,” she said.

Aside from the historic value, Hanson said a lot of people use the park for recreational purposes.

People today enjoy diverse recreational opportunities at the park, such as hiking the trails, biking on the towpath or kayaking on the canal, she said.

Hanson reminded outdoor enthusiasts to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 by following park guidelines. All visitors are asked to follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s social-distancing guidelines.

Those who are not fully vaccinated should wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Visitors who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks.

“In 2020, getting outside and connecting with nature – having space in the outdoors to relax and rejuvenate – was really essential to all of our wellness. It’s an easy-access location where you can come to just take a moment to breathe, relax and recenter,” she said.

At every turn, the C&O Canal keeps giving back to Washington County, said Daniel Spedden, president of Hagerstown/ Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Top: A ranger dressed in period canal clothing blows a boat horn.

Bottom: A ranger explains an exhibit on the C&O Canal.

Photos courtesy of the National Park Service.

Summer

2021

87

At left: A musician performs to canal visitors.

Bottom left: A park ranger in period clothing pulls a canal boat into the lock.

Below: Visitors take a canoe ride near Georgetown.

Photos courtesy of the National Park Service.

“In addition to the tourism that it generates, it preserves our history and culture and provides a valuable recreation resource for all of our Washington County citizens. It’s a great asset to have and it is our No. 1 tourist attraction (in the county), by far, attracting millions of visitors a year,” he said.

The C&O Canal National Historical Park contains more than 20,000 acres of historical, natural and recreational treasures, he said.

It is the ninth most visited national park site in the nation, with more than 5 million visitors a year – more than Yellowstone, Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, according to the C&O Canal Trust.

For more information about the park’s 50th-anniversary events, go to canaltrust.org/plan/co-canal-experience/50th-anniversary-events.

For details about the World Canals Conference, go to wcc2021.org.

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PA R E N T I N G

Taking Time FOR

Yourself

written by OLIVIA LOUNSBURY CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR PATIENT SAFETY MOVEMENT FOUNDATION Navigating an ever-changing landscape has emphasized the importance of self-care and mindfulness. It is no surprise that parents have been among those most impacted by the pandemic. Alongside the typical stressors, such as ensuring proper nutrition, guidance, exercise, development and education for their families, the pandemic has introduced a whole new set of challenges.

Parents are now not only expected to maintain their dayto-day responsibilities, but adjust to working from home, home-schooling and in many cases, caring for family members, including grandparents or those at greater risk for coronavirus.

If a loved one enters the health care system, the caregiver often cannot be there, which can create feelings of helplessness, fatigue and burnout for parents seeking answers and facing challenges.

Many activities parents typically rely on for self-care, such as spas, fitness centers and community centers, were closed or unavailable during the pandemic, further highlighting the importance of easily accessible self-care.

The Patient Safety Movement Foundation, a global nonprofit working to reduce preventable harm and death due to medical errors around the world, recently presented “Family Caregivers: Caring for Yourself and Your Loved One” during National Patient Safety Awareness Week.

The following are key recommendations for self-care, particularly for parents and caregivers:

1

Recognize that taking care of yourself is not selfish. Selfcare for the caregiver is often put on the back burner and compromised with excuses of, “It’s not about me” or “I’m not the one who needs care.” While these excuses might hold up for a while, caregivers inevitably need to take time for themselves. Routinely, taking time of yourself can open you up to provide better care for your loved one.

2

Ask for and/or accept help.

The “and/or” is necessary because caregivers might not ask for help. It is up to others close to the caregiver to step up, recognize that the caregiver is struggling and offer to provide support. It is not selfish or weak to accept assistance when it is offered and needed. Accepting help will allow you to focus your energy and attention on other priorities. Ideally, you should ask for help as soon as it is needed. Doing so takes mindfulness and practice, so we recommend starting by asking for help with small tasks to build comfort.

3

Stay connected. It’s easy to get tunnel vision about a loved one’s care. Staying connected can help. Think back to times in your life when you’ve been stressed or struggled and recall which interactions helped you move forward. Identify similar people who are in your life who might be able to offer the same type of comfort. Call an old friend, join a community group or jump on a Zoom call with your family. Regardless of the method, it is important to remain connected.

4

Remember to address your physiological, basic needs.

Maintain adequate sleep, nutrition and exercise.

Even simple breathing exercises can go a long way in calming the body before sleep or eating. Exercise does not have to be rigorous. Take a walk for physical and mental wellness.

Throughout the pandemic, we have learned that self-care is essential to prevent burnout, fatigue and stress. Being good to yourself helps you be at your best for your loved ones when they need you most.

See the Patient Safety Movement Foundation’s advocacy page for more information: patientsafetymovement.org.

COMMUNITY

From left, Ginny Ingels, Reginald Hefner, Judy Lininger, Rob Cramer and Waynesboro Historical Society volunteer Ruth Gembe are pictured at the Waynesboro Historical Society April 29, 2021. Ingels, Hefner, Lininger and Cramer all kept journals throughout the pandemic and shared them with members of the historical society.

Colleen McGrath

We care for the whole family.

Providing Exceptional Family-Centered Care in our Community since 1980.

Waynesboro Historical Society collects pandemic journal entries written by JENNIFER A. FITCH

THANK YOU for voting us best of the best

in the Tri-State!

Call Anytime: (301) 791-6360 • www.hospiceofwc.org

Judy Lininger wishes she had more information about her grandfather, a farmer who died in the influenza pandemic of 1918.

When she learned the Waynesboro (Pa.) Historical Society was seeking journals to document the COVID-19 pandemic, Lininger wanted to contribute her present-day writings.

“I keep thinking one of my ancestors, someone from my line, will go to the historical society and read my story,” Lininger said.

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Judy Lininger included a photo of her grandfather, a farmer who died in the influenza pandemic of 1918, in a journal she kept throughout the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Below: A closer look at the photo

Ginny Ingels created a journal of monthly entries with newspaper clippings during the pandemic in 2020. Photos by Colleen McGrath

A page from the journal created by Ginny Ingels of monthly entries with newspaper clippings during the pandemic in 2020.

In March 2020, Waynesboro Historical Society supporters Ginny Ingels and Dorothy Kugler started talking about how little documentation exists for the 1918 pandemic. They wanted to ensure future generations have more information available to them about current happenings.

They put out a call for journals that can be bound and stored in the historical society’s library. Six people have kept up with regular journaling for the project.

“All of these people have journaled before, except me,” Ingels said.

Ingels has been creating monthly entries with newspaper clippings, whereas the others are doing daily entries with personal reflections.

Participants said it has been interesting to look back on entries from the spring of 2020 to see how the pandemic took hold.

“It’s like we are learning as we go, even the medical people,” Ingels said.

Kugler said she wants to focus on how people felt during the COVID-19 pandemic. She remembers getting vaccinated for smallpox and polio as a child, but does not recall the fear that adults felt about those illnesses.

Kugler thinks about the people who are hospitalized, as well as those who lost or are separated from loved ones.

“We hear about these things, but we can’t see them or reach out to those people,” she said of providing care to others.

For Lininger, many aspects of her life in 2020 and 2021 differ from years past.

“I never thought I’d see the day when churches were closed and we couldn’t go to church, and we’d be wearing masks, even in a bank lobby,” she said, adding that she now watches services from her church online and takes communion herself in the living room.

Rob Cramer shows a journal he kept throughout the pandemic.

Overall impressions Joy Brown, of Waynesboro, watches Mass on television and takes communion from a priest who makes home visits. She has been careful to take precautions, particularly because she had two surgeries during the pandemic.

“It has affected everybody’s life in so many ways, but there are people out there who are still so reckless,” she said.

Brown said she is working with Ingels to contribute overall impressions of the pandemic for the journaling project, rather than a day-to-day diary.

Robert Cramer’s parents encouraged him to journal. He started doing it regularly when his father died.

“I have a lot of them,” he said. “I started in 1980.”

Cramer, a Waynesboro resident since 1976, hopes people who read the pandemic-era journals in the coming decades get insights into how we survived.

Places

92 Family curator Reggie Hefner, of Chambersburg, Pa., calls himself “the curator of a family museum,” based on his boxes of journals dating back decades. He was happy to contribute daily writings about the pandemic.

Hefner underwent open-heart surgery in 2020, and did not think he would recover.

“At least someone in the future will know what I was doing in the last years of my life,” he said of his mindset about keeping a journal.

Hefner was unable to have visitors in the hospital due to pandemic restrictions. Medical professionals expressed concern about his suppressed immune system, recovery from surgery and long-term chances, but he was faring OK a year later.

When Hefner looks back at his writings from the first few months of the pandemic, he is most frustrated that government leaders downplayed the severity and did not wear masks.

“We know now they were trivializing the seriousness of the health of the public,” he said, adding that in early 2021, he was surprised some people still thought the coronavirus was a hoax.

Ordinary milestones Lininger, who has six adult children, missed having a Christmas gathering in 2020 with her family, but she was excited to get vaccinated in February 2021 and reconnect with them.

“All of this staying home and not seeing people, when you do see family and friends, it’s that much sweeter,” she said.

Lininger knows little about her deceased grandfather, Harry Kramer Layman, who died when her father was 4. The boy’s mother raised him on her own.

Lininger muses on occasion whether someone will read her journal in 100 years. She fears her day-to-day routine will seem boring to some, but she has enjoyed documenting even more ordinary milestones like ordering groceries online for the first time.

Reginald Hefner kept a journal throughout the pandemic. Photos by Colleen McGrath

Ingels said those keeping chronicles have hit some less positive milestones, such as getting COVID-19 or losing a job. She misses getting together with friends, including those at the historical society’s events.

“We correspond and the board meets virtually, but it’s not the same,” she said.

Kugler feels she has adjusted to some of the COVID-19-related changes to her lifestyle.

“I have kept myself basically isolated from everybody because I don’t want to carry it to someone else,” she said. “I’ve adapted to the fact that if I want to feel good about things, I have to stay home.”

Reginald Hefner’s journal includes postcards written from friends around the world.

She expressed gratitude for the people who are contributing journals.

“We appreciate the time people have taken and their insights,” she said.

SENIOR LIVING

Outdoor Fun Aids in Transition to

‘New Normal’

BY SUSAN HURD WASHINGTON COUNTY COMMISSION ON AGING Senior centers provide a vital connection for older adults looking to take control of their health while remaining independent and active in their communities.

The Washington County Senior Activities Center values the importance of social engagement while staying physically and mentally active by offering an array of opportunities.

These have been redesigned for members to connect virtually over the past year, throughout the pandemic.

The senior center staff has been anxiously waiting to see our members in person and inside our facility. We believe that day will come; however, out of an abundance of caution and care for our members, the executive board and staff have determined the safest way to come back inside is to start outside. “Phase 1 – Outdoor Fun” will be the first step toward our new normal.

The Washington County Parks and Recreation Department is providing the senior center with space to engage our members socially once again with physical, recreational and educational opportunities. Stay tuned because the fun is coming to a park near you.

We encourage you to get involved and join these activities. Try something new, have fun and make a friend.

The center is hosting line dancing at Doubs Woods Park on Fridays, and Wednesdays will feature cornhole and a

walking club at Martin L. “Marty” Snook Memorial Park.

The activities include fishing, painting, pickleball and horseshoes.

Among the virtual opportunities are guided meditation; acrylic painting; Spanish (beginner, intermediate and advanced); Ask the Nurse with Kim; caregiver support; and the book of the month, just to name a few.

Aging well is a universal goal, and, fortunately, the Washington County Senior Activities Center is finding new and exciting ways for our community to reach that goal. It is providing access to programs that meet the needs and interests of our seniors. There is no cost to become a member of the senior center, so join today and phase in to aging well.

If you are interested in joining, call 301-790-0275 or send an email to info@wccoaging.org.

Places

94

Body KNOW BEFORE Ihilique vitiYOU ut vitaGO: cor asi doluptibus dolupi-

A Primer on ‘Bernini & the Roman Baroque’ ent ut et eicimus remporibusam rem vid ut offici dolorepro officiis que nonserum ea dolorem quidi doluptia derrore sequaest omnihilicae occus

Character Style

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Guillaume Courtois, called “Il Borgognone,” Agar and Ismael, c. 1670, Oil on canvas, Courtesy of Collection Fagiolo, Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia.

written by SARAH J. HALL DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON COUNTY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS This summer, for the first time since 1965, the museum is bringing a spectacular collection of Old Master paintings to Hagerstown. “Bernini & the Roman Baroque: Masterpieces from the Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia” includes 50 works by 40 artists, exploring the artistic influence of Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680).

Who is Bernini?

Perhaps the greatest of the Baroque artists, throughout his long life, Bernini’s work as a sculptor, architect, artist, set designer, playwright and actor had resounding influence.

Bernini, a visionary, conceived of the visual arts as a synthesized whole that worked together to create one large, total work of art. His philosophy was groundbreaking and exerted a profound impact on European art of the 17th century.

Aspects of Bernini’s style and conception of the arts evolved into a broad cultural phenomenon, spreading concurrently from Naples to Venice, Vienna to Prague, and Bohemia to St. Petersburg, finally assuming full global dimensions when it reached the Americas through monumental church architecture, painting and sculpture.

What is the Baroque?

The dominant artistic movement in Europe during the

1600s, the goal of Baroque art was elevating the viewer in mind and soul, and it achieved that through drama, theatricality and emotional appeal. A style that evolved in response to the Protestant Reformation (which began in 1517), Baroque artists in Rome used their artistic skills to hold believers in thrall of the Catholic Church, but the bold and emotionally expressive style rapidly influenced all forms of visual expression and was not simply in service to religion. Baroque art is characterized by theatricality, an interest in dynamic, complex compositions, rich color and dramatic lighting.

About the collection The exhibition comes to Hagerstown June 26 to Sept 19 from the Palazzo Chigi in Ariccia, a hill town about 16 miles from Rome. It is in Ariccia that the Chigi family purchased their country palazzo in 1664, outside of the city and near the pope’s summer residence. The family commissioned Bernini to renovate its palazzo and make extensive changes to the plan of Ariccia.

The palazzo, owned by the Chigi family until 1988, became a public museum in 2000. There, the collection of the Chigi family has been augmented and forms the nucleus of the Museum of the Roman Baroque.

The exhibition Organized thematically, the exhibition will begin with an orientation to the palazzo and the town of Ariccia, setting the stage for an understanding of the context of the collection.

Bernini is represented through prints depicting his architectural achievements in Ariccia, and also through 10 artworks

Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Alessandro Nelli, Decorative Ceiling Lamp, 1885, Bronze and gilded bronze, Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia.

Pier Francesco Mola, Bacchus, or the Allegory of Taste, 1662-66, Oil on canvas, Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia.

that exemplify his profoundly influential and characteristically Baroque concept of the total work of art. Bernini’s work for the Chigis is represented by decorative items from the palazzo, including a rare leather wall hanging bearing emblems of the Chigi family, an exquisite length of red silk embroidered with the Chigi coat of arms and a decorative ceiling lamp depicting cherubs in flight, raising a crown for the Virgin Mary.

Other sections of the exhibition explore portraits, landscapes and historical paintings, as well as narrative works depicting mythological and biblical subjects.

associated with the Baroque period, the artist exudes a sense of alert composure and confidence.

A showstopper in the exhibition is the allegorical canvas “Summer” by Mario Nuzzi (Mario de’Fiori) and Carlo Maratti (il Maratta), which is more than 9 feet long. The subject is from a series of monumental paintings depicting the seasons as stages in life, which were commissioned for the palazzo around 1658. The goddess of the harvest, Ceres, is depicted admiring herself in a mirror. The exuberance and opulence of nature in this work is meant to convey the richness and plenty of summer, while also referring to the fullness of accomplishment in adult life.

Key historical and biblical paintings to note include Domenico Fetti’s highly emotional “The Suicide of Cleopatra,” Jacques Courtois’ (“il Borgognone”) remarkable “Agar and Ashmael,” Pietro da Cortona’s dramatic “Flagellation” and Giuseppe Cesari’s (“Cavalier d’Arpino”) “Orpheus and Urydice.”

Don’t miss The use of courtly portraiture to display and elevate status is shown in a number of works portraying members of the Chigi family and other Roman nobles, including the lovely “Portrait of Maria Isabella Capranica Cerri” by Jacob Ferdinand Voet, an example from a series of 37 portraits of Roman princesses commissioned by Cardinal Flavio Chigi between 1672 and 1678. The sitter’s elaborate ruffled sleeves Ferdinand Voet, Portrait of Cardinal and beribboned costume Flavio Chigi, 1670, Oil on canvas, complement her softly Palazzo Chigi, Ariccia. rendered hair and lustrous skin. Other notable portraits include an arresting depiction of Cardinal Flavio Chigi (also by Voet), and a compelling self-portrait by Giovan Battista Gaulli. Displaying subtle variegations in color and the characteristic dramatic use of light

The genre of landscape is represented by Jean de Momper’s expansive “Landscape with Hunting Scene” and Salvator Rosa’s “Landscape with a Rock and Tree.” Other artists of note in the exhibition include Giovanni Battista Salvi (“il Sassoferrato”), Matia Preti, Pier Francesco Mola, Andrea Pozzo, Ottavio Leoni and Giovanni Battista Falda.

A day trip to Italy – no passport required Hagerstown is one stop on a four-city U.S. tour. The exhibition was organized by Glocal Project Consulting and is toured by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C. A fully illustrated catalog is available.

This landmark exhibition brings to Hagerstown an extraordinary variety of artworks and decorative objects that mirror the cosmopolitan and sophisticated taste of Roman patrons during the 1600s, when Rome was a destination and crossroads for adventurous artists from every region of Italy and Europe.

A RTS A N D E N T E RTA I N M E N T

The Healing Power of Art Creative activities can relieve stress, slow decline written by MARY ANNE BURKE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WASHINGTON COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL As this issue of “At Home Places” focuses on health and wellness, one can find multiple resources praising the benefits and the healing power of art.

According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Creative activities can relieve stress, aid communication and help arrest cognitive decline.”

During the recent pandemic, Maryland reimagined its art sector and communication. It supported the arts with additional dollars, virtual meetings, professional-development offerings, opportunities for artists and administrators to share best practices, virtual sessions to brainstorm and develop collegiality, and more.

According to Kelly M. Schulz, Maryland’s secretary of commerce, “By proactively investing in the social transformation provided by the arts, Marylanders will experience increased health and well-being as the result of an emboldened public spirit.”

As an example, the Maryland State Arts Council is providing Washington County art organizations with financial support for arts and entertainment operations; community arts development; creativity grants; emergency grants; Folklife Network pro-

gramming; grants for organizations; Maryland Presenting and Touring; and professional development. Washington County is seeing the re-emergence of its art sector, performances, exhibits, education programs and more.

Promoting a healthy community, the Washington County Arts Council is again partnering with Washington Goes Purple by hosting an exhibit in September called “Symbolizing the Hope in Recovery through Purple.” The juried community art show addressing a major medical and social concern will be on display virtually and in the Arts Council Gallery through Sept. 28. As a community, we work at preventing addiction, eliminating stigma and building a strong support system for those in recovery. Join us in spreading hope that recovery is possible.

Another shining light for Washington County arts is emerging from the health pandemic. The City of Hagerstown is moving forward with additional public art installations along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail with the second “Faces of Hagerstown” photo mural exhibition and an aerial sculpture extending the trail to West Washington Street. As public art, they are for our entire community to enjoy.

Follow Washington County Arts Council at www.washingtoncountyarts.com and facebook.com/wcartscouncil.

For information on Maryland State Arts Council’s financial support for arts and entertainment operations, visit msac.org/ sites/default/files/2021-03/MSACAnnualReport.pdf.

COMMUNITY

PENN STATE MONT ALTO

Student’s e-Commerce startup inspired by love of agriculture, technology

BY PENN STATE NEWS MONT ALTO, Pa. – A lifelong love of agriculture and an affinity for technology proved to be a fertile combination for Jake Marshall Grim, the first Penn State Mont Alto student to win the annual Mont Alto LaunchBox LION Tank™ competition.

The 21-year-old junior received $1,500 for winning the fourth annual “Shark Tank”-like event on March 25, which was virtual for the first time. He created Table Rock Markets, an e-commerce platform designed to help local farmers increase produce sales by connecting them with consumers in an online marketplace.

Each of the top three presenters received grants, a year’s access to the Mont Alto LaunchBox and additional services to help get their products into the marketplace. The competition is staged by LaunchBox, an innovation hub funded by a seed grant from the Invent Penn State initiative.

While he liked the creativity and problem-solving aspects of engineering, he yearned for more of an entrepreneurial outlet. He found it when the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world in 2020.

His first enterprise began in April 2020, when he made 900 face shields with foam and plastic for organizations that were helping to fight the coronavirus. He was enrolled in the business administration program at Harrisburg Area Community College at the time.

A month later, he created the QR Menu System (www. qrmenusystem.com) to help The Pub & Restaurant in Gettysburg, Pa., which his mother, Lisa Grim, has owned for almost 30 years. It prevents the need for expensive, bacte-

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Two worlds merge

Grim grew up on a farm in Biglerville, Pa., where the family raised horses and now grows vegetables and flowers, so agriculture is part of his personal history. While a student at Biglerville High School, he was in competitions held by the National FFA Organization at the state and national levels and in 2019 was awarded the FFA American Degree, the highest honor presented by the organization.

The digital world is also part of Grim’s history, as evidenced by his participation in the Technology Student Association while in high school.

Table Rock Markets – the moniker is a nod to Table Rock Road, on which he and the grandfather for whom he is named grew up – is a marriage of those areas of interest.

“I kind of like tying the two together,” said Grim, a business management and marketing major at the Mont Alto campus.

In October 2019, when he was a student at Virginia Tech, the fresh fruits and vegetables surrounding him at a grocery store caused him to shift his focus away from the electrical engineering he was studying back to what he enjoyed most.

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98 ria-carrying printed menus at restaurants by allowing them to share their menu selections on an e-platform.

When he had a programming problem with that endeavor at the end of June 2020, Grim asked friend Hunter Dubbs, with whom he collaborated on a technology project in high school, for help.

At the end of July, Grim asked Dubbs if he was interested in building the Table Rock Markets e-commerce platform. Dubbs was interested, and the platform became the capstone project for one of his classes at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Dubbs is the co-founder of Table Rock and its head developer, writing the bulk of the code.

During an October 2020 teleconference with representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Grim and Dubbs discussed their concept for using technology to help farmers bring their products to consumers. The governing body saw potential in the idea, and in February 2021, they grew their team to include those handling quality control, artificial-intelligence development, grant writing and marketing.

“Every single person on our team is very talented,” Grim said.

Linking with a client

Grim used his personal connections to land Table Rock Markets a farmer willing to pilot the software. Michael King’s wife was Grim’s fifth-grade teacher and their daughter attended Biglerville High School with him. King, one of three owners of Twin Springs Fruit Farm in Adams County, Pa., remembers seeing the then-teen Grim when he dropped his daughter off at school. He had an inkling that their lives would intersect in the future.

“He was like the class king,” the farmer recalled, adding that Grim was outgoing, polite, fun and happy.

In the summer of 2019, Grim got a chance to visit King’s farm, where he finally met Michael, a fellow Table Rock Road resident. Grim later was invited to an event at Twin Springs for the Young Grower Alliance.

“I was amazed at how forward-thinking Twin Springs was,” Grim said.

King, 51, who owns the farm with his father, Aubrey, and brother, Jesse, said innovation has been part of the 40-yearold operation from the beginning. When Aubrey purchased the farm, he hewed the locust trees on the property and sold them as fence posts, Michael said.

Two of the original partners in Twin Springs were from Bethesda, Md., and got permission to set up a produce stand in the parking lot of a church in exchange for a percentage of sales. That ingenuity grew their clientele and jump-started their presence at farmers’ markets. Twin Springs now sells at 17 markets a week in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. Aware of Grim’s tech-savvy abilities, King asked him in July 2020 for help selling the harvest from the farm’s crops online and with some other information-technology issues.

Twin Springs encompasses more than 200 acres and grows practically everything the region’s climate allows, including multiple berry varieties, figs, rhubarb, apples, peaches and many vegetables. The operation’s five greenhouses allow it to grow cucumbers, lettuce, arugula and spring mix year-round, plus eggplant, sweet peppers and tomatoes for most of the year.

Twin Springs has been selling its produce online for more than a year and joined forces with Grim in early 2021. Table Rock helps customers find local farmers and the markets they attend. Once they find a farmer from whom they want to buy, they put items in a virtual shopping cart.

The Table Rock Markets team converses during a virtual meeting.

Submitted photo.

Summer

2021

99 Before checking out, they select the farmers’ market where they will pick up their merchandise.

“He’s helped us a lot,” King said. “It’s easier for us because he’s doing his computer things.”

Grim could see that online sales were helping the business, but understands how hard it is to balance inventory updates and farming operations.

“I saw how profitable it was for them,” Grim said. “I saw the potential there and also how they were struggling.”

A reluctant competitor

Grim and his team have been busy in the Penn State competitive circuit this school year.

In addition to LION Tank™, the group took part in the Happy Valley Capital Pitch Competition, Ag Springboard event and the Happy Valley LaunchBox Summer Founders Program.

Table Rock Markets also was showcased in the Invent Penn State Venture & IP Conference on April 15 and 16, one of the largest tech startup conferences in the mid-Atlantic.

A week earlier, the business won $10,000 in a three-way tie in the Inc. U competition.

The fledgling endeavor is part of the Nittany AI Challenge. Table Rock received $500 for development of a prototype incorporating language processing so farmers can upload inventory verbally instead of with a keyboard. They are now in the MVP (minimum viable product) round and earned an additional $1,500.

Grim admitted that taking part in so many events while juggling 21 credits is daunting, particularly when he doesn’t thrive on competitions.

“I don’t enjoy it as much as I should,” Grim said of participating in business contests. “It’s a lot of stress, a lot of work,” with no guarantee of winning.

But he knows his business is worth it.

“I do believe in Table Rock Markets,” Grim said, and victories often mean funds to nurture his idea.

He finds what he called the Invent Penn State entrepreneurial “bubble” an incredibly supportive network that inspires him to work tirelessly. He credits it with helping him find teammates for startup competitions and connecting Table Rock with mentors, coaches and event coordinators who help refine and improve business models and pitches.

The hub also has helped Grim network with investors and provided legal advice on issues such as patents and intellectual property protection.

“I met so many helpful, great, talented people. Everyone wants to help you succeed,” Grim said.

Ultimately, Table Rock is the product of a lifelong drive to help others.

“I just care about people,” Grim said. “I try to live with purpose and meaning. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. The reward I get from helping people is what fuels me.”

HOW IT WORKS Table Rock Markets allows farmers to sell online in four steps: 1. Create an account at tablerockmarkets.com.

2. Activate the credit card processor.

3. List the farmers’ markets your farm attends.

4. Start adding products.

Farmers provide their name, email address and phone number, then touch base with Table Rock to get an invitation code.

Customers go to the portal and put in their name, email address and phone number.

“We try to make it as simple as possible,” said Jake Marshall Grim, who created Table Rock Markets.

Once people select a farmer, they can add their products to a virtual shopping cart. Before checking out, customers select the farmers’ market they will go to for pickup.

After an order is placed, the chosen farm receives a notification. Table Rock Markets allows farmers to set ordering windows for each market, which gives them time to prepare the orders and plan how much produce they need to bring to each location.

Grim said there are no fees to use the e-platform.

Table Rock Markets charges 4.9% of each purchase as a processing fee and 30 cents per transaction.

People can pay with their credit cards and farmers get the final amount deposited directly into their bank accounts, information they provide when they establish an account with Table Rock.

Farmers are provided invoices to match with their customers when they pick up their orders.

The online marketplace operates year-round, even when farmers’ markets are closed.

For more information about Table Rock Markets, go to tablerockmarkets.com.

To watch the 2021 LION Tank™ competition, go to youtu.be/hy3WRFmc08k.

To learn more about Invent Penn State, go to invent.psu.edu.

COMMUNITY

Local leaders of Leadership Washington County Class 34

BY CHRISTINA WILLIAMS DIRECTOR OF GRADUATE ENGAGEMENT LEADERSHIP WASHINGTON COUNTY The health and wellness of our community requires passionate, purposeful and dedicated leaders. We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2021, Class 34, by sharing some fun and fascinating information about each one.

A special “thank you” goes to Mary Teal Medina (LWC Class 31, 2018) the LWC board secretary who puts her creative writing skills to use for the highlights in our weekly announcement of the #LWCLocalLeaders!

Brian Albert Washington County Government - Maryland has incredibly talented and compassionate first responders, including Albert. Albert serves as the assistant director of emergency communications at our local 911 call center. A Clear Spring native, he enjoys visiting Fort Frederick and the C&O Canal with his family. As someone on the front lines of service, Albert has a heart for those struggling with addictions. He also has an interest in local and state politics and is running for Washington County sheriff.

Angie Auldridge Aside from being a contributing author, blogger and podcaster, Auldridge serves as the Western Maryland parent educator and content coordinator for The Parents’ Place of Maryland. She is a bit of a foodie, noting that some of her favorite local restaurants are Rooster Moon Coffeehouse for scones, Hummus Mediterranean grill for Chicken Shawarma and Free Range Cafe for avocado toast. Her ideal picnic spot is her backyard, which sits at the foot of South Mountain near the Appalachian Trail. Even though she’s a Boonsboro native, Auldridge has appreciated learning more about Washington County through her LWC experience.

Jenny Bakos As executive director of Washington County Free Library, Bakos serves as an advocate for the library to local

and state governments. She said the most interesting person she ever met was her father because he was truly an “overcomer” and never complained about hard work. Bakos is a bit of a gardening guru and said she would like to learn five languages. When asked how her neighborhood could be improved, Bakos suggested a recreation center within walking distance for local kids.

Chelsea Bleigh The branch manager at CNB Bank Inc., Bleigh loves gardening and would like to see her neighborhood sprinkle plants and greenery in sparse areas to bring more color and “life” to them. She likes to share the community’s beautiful nature with out-of-town guests by taking them to hike Annapolis Rock. Bleigh has enjoyed being part of Class 34 and is looking forward to learning more about the community’s history.

Brielle Bodoh Bodoh loves a good cup of coffee, and is a fan of Rooster Moon Coffeehouse and the spectacular views at Big Cork Vineyards. As the talent development manager of JLG Industries, Bodoh has the unique opportunity to help employees learn more about themselves and grow.

She claims it is the “fun side” of the human-resources world. In high school, Budoh was a friend to everyone and loved connecting with others. That is, unless there was competition involved, in which case, all bets were off. (Budoh can get JUST a little competitive.) We think her competitive spirit will serve her well as a member of the “Best Class Ever!”

Luann Brechbill This boxer dog mom is a proud member of LWC Class 34.

Brechbill is the executive director of Star Community Inc. and oversees the execution of the organization’s mission, which serves children with intellectual disabilities. She has always wanted to learn how to play the bagpipes. She also looks forward to giving back to the community during and after her experience in Leadership Washington County.

Amy Butts Hailing from Boonsboro, Butts loves to travel with her husband and spend time outdoors – hiking, exploring one

Class 34 members at the Mural of Unusual Size in downtown Hagerstown. Submitted photo.

Class 34 members at, from left, the retreat, local government day and human services day. Submitted photos.

of Washington County’s state parks, playing tennis and biking along the Western Maryland Rail Trail. She’s also a “pizzaiola.” Butts serves as assistant controller for Bowman Development Corp., where she works with a variety of industries – from trucking to hospitality. She would love to help in the continued redevelopment and expansion of the downtown Hagerstown area.

Baranda Dixon Hailing from just north of Hagerstown in Greencastle, Pa., Dixon loves numbers and enjoys a good debate. She serves in partner management with Fiserv in Washington County, where she experiences new, challenging and fun scenarios every day. Through her LWC experience, she hopes to learn more about the history of the community and how to make it the best place to live, work and play.

On a weekend, you might find her at The Broad Axe (a local favorite) or Hagerstown’s City Park.

Kim Duncan Duncan is a creature of habit and has the same breakfast every day. We can get on board with consistency, for sure.

As the executive director for OnTrack Washington County, she has the unique opportunity to be the only staff person

at the agency, yet works with more than 50 stakeholders in the community to accomplish OnTrack’s mission. She’s a regular at 28 South and loves to bring her friends there when they are visiting from out of town. She has always wanted to learn how to knit and crochet.

Tina Fraley Now more than ever, it’s important to keep your mind, body and soul in shape. As a personal trainer, well-being counselor and motivational speaker with FitMinded Living, Fraley coaches her clients on how to live a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. She is from Hagerstown, but spent some time living in New Mexico, where she attended the Balloon Fiesta every year and learned to make authentic New Mexican dishes. Her secret talent is writing poetry.

Christina Grove Grove has a unique hidden talent: She is into plant propagation. In fact, she’s pretty darn good at it, having turned a five-species planter into a total of 44 potted plants. When Grove isn’t in the garden, you might find her on a walk at City Park. When asked how her neighborhood could be improved, Grove recommended that a community garden be planted, where residents could have easy access to fresh, whole foods.

Class 34 members during human services day.

enjoying learning more about Washington County and the tourist attractions in its backyard. She mentioned that the most interesting person she has ever met is Elton John because “his musical talent is legendary.”

Stacy Horst As executive director at Breast Cancer Awareness-Cumberland Valley Inc., Horst is making a difference in the lives of those struggling with breast cancer. While her favorite picnic spot is Fort Frederick State Park, she also enjoys the beautiful and picturesque mountain views at Blairs Valley Lake. When she’s not busting a move in Zumba class, Horst enjoys spending time mentoring other young women in the community through Bible study groups. She’s a family girl to the core and loves her rescue puppy, Baby Girl.

Class 34 members learn about local government. Submitted photos

Amy Gulino Gulino is originally from Charlotte, N.C. As director of development and marketing for Habitat for Humanity of Washington County, she covers lots of ground for the organization, including Women Build events, ReStore promotions and home dedications. While she is still exploring the local area, she has already identified a hometown gem: the Pennsylvania Dutch Market. Gulino’s secret talent is baking incredible chocolate chip cookies.

Tim Haines Haines considers Hagerstown to be his adopted home and serves as recruitment and retention coordinator with Washington County Public Schools, where he scouts top talent on a national level. He claims the most interesting person he’s ever met was B.B. King because he was genuinely down to earth and gracious. Haines is an experienced thespian, having spent many years participating in theater and musical productions. In fact, he has played various roles, including Santa, a war criminal and Irish storyteller.

Fun fact about him? He can “play a pretty mean game of darts.”

Elisa Hermes Hermes is the director of development for San Mar Family and Community Services, and has the unique opportunity to speak with community members about philanthropic goals. While her hometown is Urbana, Md., Hermes is

Jena Judd Judd, director of human resource operations for Meritus Health, hails from Frederick County, Md. When Judd hosts an out-of-town guest, she takes them to Schula’s Grill & Crab House to enjoy a cup of crab soup. Judd recently had the unique privilege of training her staff at Meritus on the proper use of PPE (personal protective equipment) – something she did not expect to do as a human-resources professional. We are grateful to have leaders like Judd serving our community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Allison Keller By the age of 13, Keller had traveled to seven countries as a student ambassador with the program People to People.

It’s safe to say she has an adventurous side and an appreciation for various cultures. Additionally, Keller hosted a German exchange student and learned more about German culture. As the client-services specialist with Carson Wealth Management, she has the opportunity to interact with clients on a daily basis. If you would have known Keller in high school, she claims you might say she was involved in everything. She liked to stay busy with school activities and got into a little mischief occasionally.

Denise Kleppe Kleppe is a proud small-town Iowa farm girl at heart, but has enjoyed living in Washington County so far. The plant manager at Conagra Brands in Hagerstown said some of her favorite places to visit in the county are the historical spots, especially when she is hosting out-of-town guests.

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The kayaking trip was a highlight for Class 34.

Submitted photo.

Kleppe has been given the opportunity to live in multiple areas throughout the United States with various jobs over the course of her life, and she loves the unique perspectives offered by each community. On a weekend, you might find Kleppe picnicking at a local brewery or winery.

Andrew Lewis Lewis is a detective sergeant with the Hagerstown Police Department and is particularly excited to be in this year’s LWC Class 34 because he is interested in learning more about Washington County’s history. On a frigid winter night, you might find him out on the slopes enjoying an evening of skiing. He hopes to leverage his experience with LWC to strengthen the bond between law enforcement and community leaders. His favorite local eatery is Schmankerl Stube.

Jennifer Marsh Marsh is a Southerner at heart, but has found her place in Washington County. She is the director of corporate communications for Meritus Health and recently had the opportunity to help craft the messaging and implementation for the Meritus Go For Bold initiative, which focuses on encouraging healthy lifestyles and good nutrition. Marsh is a fan of supporting small businesses, and enjoys visiting local breweries and wineries on weekends. She also loves going to local restaurants with her hubby.

Denver Martin Who has completed the JFK 50 Mile, known as the nation’s oldest ultramarathon, three times, can sing and play guitar, and has the ability to demystify tax codes? Class 34 member Martin. He hails from Chambersburg, Pa., and serves as the tax manager for SEK, CPAs & Advisors. Martin has enjoyed learning more about Washington County through his leadership class experience.

Genie Massey A long-term substitute teacher for Frederick County (Md.) Public Schools, Massey hails from Miami, so we’re pretty sure she is enjoying the area’s 80-degree weather. She is a volunteer with the League of Women Voters in Washington County, where she gets to play devil’s advocate to help her students better understand different perspectives and ideologies. Massey says some of her favorite spots in the community are Washington County Museum of Fine Arts and Krumpe’s Do-Nuts. When she was a junior in college, Massey spent a year in London learning the history of

the area and visiting beautiful cathedrals. One of her hidden talents is being able to read a book from across the table when it is upside down from her view.

Cory McKinney The executive assistant at Gaye McGovern Insurance Agency Inc., McKinney loves to take out-of-town guests to Break Away II Sports Lounge for chicken wings. He also enjoys City Park at Christmastime, particularly watching the synchronized light show. Add in some good company and hot chocolate, and the memories will last a lifetime.

McKinney’s hidden talent is being an artist who enjoys drawing and painting. The most interesting person he has met is Naijun Zhang, a talented WVU painting professor who is originally from China. Zhang showed great passion in his work, cared about his students and had amazing stories of his childhood in China.

Stacy Michael The project manager at Polsource, Michael plays a mean game of nine-ball and participated in a pool tournament in Las Vegas. You might find Michael picnicking at City Park on a sunny Saturday. She loves her family, friends and community more than anything, and is grateful for the chance to be in this year’s LWC Class.

Angela Miles Miles is a Clear Spring native and proud mother of twins.

A CPA with Miles & Smith CPAs, PLLC, she is a skilled flute, piccolo and piano player. She would love to play in an orchestra that records movie soundtracks. When she’s not chasing around her two adorable little ones, you might find Miles picnicking by the C&O Canal. She is also passionate about fighting the drug epidemic in the community.

Kandie Nield On a nice summer evening, you might find Nield enjoying the outdoor seating at one of her favorite spots – Foster’s on the Point. While Nield has always wanted to learn how to swim, she happens to be a pro knitter. Now the customer service/door estimator for Jamison Door Co., Nield said her high school principal would probably say she was always willing to help. She would like to improve her community by coordinating a trash pickup event.

Places

104 Melissa Noel Noel has lived in Washington County for more than 30 years. She is the proud owner of Noel’s Fire Protection LLC and The Yarn Shop. Noel loves to take out-of-town guests to downtown Hagerstown for a walking tour to see the historic infrastructure and to shop. Noel has enjoyed being part of Class 34 so she can learn more about Washington County and how it serves the needs of all residents. Some words of wisdom from Noel: “I don’t have a college degree, yet I own five businesses. I didn’t know how to knit until 2009, yet I opened a yarn store. I didn’t know how to lead, but I have 86 employees. Life isn’t about what you don’t know, it’s about what you’re willing to learn and achieve.”

Joshua Thomas Thomas’ favorite quote is “Some people can read ‘War & Peace’ and come away thinking it’s just a simple adventure story. Others can read the ingredients on a chewing gum wrapper and unlock the secrets of the universe,” by Lex Luthor. The Hagerstown native is a self-proclaimed musician, chef, writer, poet, gamer, traveler, mentor and scholar.

It’s safe to say he’s a professional learner, and he gets to learn and train on a daily basis as the service manager at Innovative Inc. One of his favorite picnic spots is Funkstown Park. When hosting out-of-town guests, Thomas likes to visit Schmankerl Stube in downtown Hagerstown.

Krystle O’Brien As the president of My Pristine Clean LLC, O’Brien faces daily changes and constant shifts in focus. She enjoys the outdoors and appreciates many beautiful places in the county: High Rock, Fort Frederick, C&O Canal and Antietam National Battlefield, to name a few. Keep an eye on O’Brien because she never considered running for local government until she participated in Class 34. She’d like to be a contributor to Washington County’s continuing success.

Ashley Whaley Whaley is a native of Hagerstown and, like many locals, loves to enjoy a fresh doughnut from Krumpe’s Do-Nuts.

As a Hagerstown Community College graduate, Whaley has the unique opportunity as senior director of college advancement at HCC to be an advocate and fundraiser for the school that offered her a scholarship when she was in college. She’s also a triple threat: She can play piano, baritone saxophone and xylophone. On a weekend, you might find Whaley hiking or getting ice cream with her adorable 11-year-old Saint Bernard, Bernie.

Jonathan Parrish The executive director of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Parrish is originally from Lynchburg, Va. He performed the national anthem on opening day at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in 1992. His favorite picnic spot is his backyard. While he dabbled in a few hobbies during high school (even wrestling, which he admits was not his forte), Parrish always came back to his passion: playing music. He can even build a French horn.

Maddison Rinehold A finance analyst at JLG Industries Inc., Rinehold enjoys being near the water and has loved learning more about the local community through her time in Class 34. When asked how her neighborhood could be improved, she said that forming a neighborhood watch group could be helpful. When she’s not walking on the wild side and posing with tigers, you might find Rinehold enjoying a meal with friends at Rik’s Cafe, one of her favorite local restaurants.

Jimmy Rowland As project manager for Outdoor Contractors Inc., Rowland is a man with many talents. He works with his family on a variety of projects through their business and strives to be a blessing to someone every day. His high school principal would say he is ambitious. Rowland is from Clear Spring and loves the outdoors. He thinks his neighborhood would improve if it could buy back state game land, where he could put his archery skills to use.

Joretta Willard The director of Fiserv is originally from Kentucky, but planted roots in Washington County – Boonsboro, specifically. Willard and her husband love to visit local Civil War sites and learn about the rich history in the area. She’s also a fan of Krumpe’s Do-Nuts.

Billy Woods Woods is one of Washington County’s finest, serving on the front lines and protecting our citizens as captain of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services. On the weekends, you might spot him visiting a local brewery or enjoying a Sunday brunch at the Old South Mountain Inn. One of his favorite things to do is visit the animals at the humane society. Woods has enjoyed learning more about the community while participating in the LWC program.

Class 34 definitely had a different experience due to the pandemic, but in the end, the members learned a lot about Washington County, had a chance to closely network with 34 classmates and now have the opportunity to find a way to give back to the community.

Stay tuned for the announcement of Class 35 later this summer.

To find out more about Leadership Washington County, go to leadershipwashingtoncounty.org.

Follow us on Facebook and on Instagram @leadershipwc.

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MDWA179790 $289,000

524 VIRGINIA AVE, HAGERSTOWN Two unit colonial overlooking City Park! Great investment opportunity! First floor unit has one bedroom, 1 bath. Second floor unit has two bedrooms, one bath. Storage/Garage in rear.

Private parking, paved driveway. Featuring original hardwood floors, high ceilings, bay windows and a large inviting porch! First Floor unit is renting for $775, upper unit rents for $650. Tenants pay their electric. Water/sewer/trash is included in rent.

Also includes a Building Lot (tax ID 2203027309- .17 acre) for your additional investment property. Great location with a beautiful view of the City Park Pond!

MDWA176630 $219,900

413 GEORGE ST, HAGERSTOWN Buy for less than renting! Conveniently located to many amenities within walking distance! 3 Bedrooms, 1 Bathroom Colonial with hardwood floors, a balcony, detached garage and many updates! Schedule your private tour today!

MDWA179318 $85,000

10133 SAINT GEORGE CIR, HAGERSTOWN MD Better than new half brick duplex featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and located in a convenient commuter location. Eat in kitchen opens to family room. Won’t last!

MDWA179502 $209,000

10147 SAINT GEORGE CIR, HAGERSTOWN Better than new half brick duplex featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and located in a convenient commuter location. Eat in kitchen opens to family room. Won’t last!

MDWA179642 $259,900

10149 SAINT GEORGE CIR, HAGERSTOWN Better than new half brick duplex featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and located in a convenient commuter location. Eat in kitchen opens to family room. Won’t last!

MDWA179498 $259,900

COOL HOLLOW RD, HAGERSTOWN MD Beautiful land property with opportunity to build your dream house with a view to take your breath away or to keep as farm land. Close to Beaver Creek area and route 70 & 40.

MDWA175872 $380,000

GARIS SHOP RD, HAGERSTOWN 2.80 acre lots adjoins Antietam Creek! Enjoy fishing, canoeing, kayaking and tenting here!

Fresh air and wildlife abound on this premium lot! Great location- Five minutes from I-70, shopping and many other conveniences. Make Offer! Property has not been able to be perked.

MD1001629964 $38,500

LEITERS MILL RD, HAGERSTOWN MD Build your dream home here! Fantastic lot on 1.42 acres with an approved well and perc test! Additional lot available! Pending final plat approval.

MDWA167284 $120,000

20100 MARBLE QUARRY RD, KEEDYSVILLE MD Motivated seller! Bring offers!

MDWA163724 $219,900

Sullivan Select Team: Dylan Bradley (MD), Christina Sherman (MD ), Cynthia Moler Sullivan, Associate Broker (MD & PA), Paul C. Sullivan, Broker (MD & PA), Tim Rotz (MD), Janet Thompson (MD & PA), Susan Creel (MD & PA), Mary Beth Herrera (MD & PA), Michael Blake (MD, PA), Leesa Arnold (MD & PA), Stephanie Stamper (MD & PA), Tracey Rotz (MD, PA & WV), Lyndsay Nave (MD, PA), Brayan Seidl (MD), Lucas Vespa Moreira (MD), Krista Caudle (MD), Denise Shepherd (MD), Jennifer Blake (MD, PA, WV), Zulfiya Muradova, (MD) HM-969825-1

Experience Counts!

Nancy@NancyAllenTeam.com • 240-389-4663

Nancy S. Allen

Award Winning Experience….

HomeSnap Pro+ Award Winner! 2020.

“We analyzed more than 50,000 real estate agents on Google and awarded agents like you, who demonstrated an elevated degree of service worthy of distinction-such as 4.6 star rating or higher on Google. It’s clear that you’re an invaluable partner to your clients!”

• When you’re looking to Sell or to Buy your home, You want the Experience to know that the transaction will go smoothly.

• This market is fast and furious so you need the Experienced REALTOR to get the outcome you want!

• Many clients have put their TRUST in the Nancy Allen Team to reach their Goals!

Here are just a few……

Nancy Allen was a joy to work with. We had a solid offer in three days, for $11,000 more than our asking price. I will definitely recommend Nancy and her team to my family and friends. – Melanie

Nancy was awesome, everything I wanted from prompt on communication, and working the best deal to find the house of my family’s dreams. Was there every… time I wanted to view a house no matter where it was . If you’re looking for real estate Nancy is the one to call. Thank you so much. Nate 5/9/21

Direct to Nancy: 240-389-4663 Nancy@NancyAllenTeam.com www.TheNancyAllenTeam.com Real Estate Teams, LLC 617 W. Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701 Broker: Roland Castle Office: 301-695-3020

Be the King of Your Castle!

D

D

L SO

L SO

13138 John Martin Drive, Williamsport

$419,900

D

Molly King Associate Broker

Graduate, Realtor Institute REO Department

$240K

D

L SO

1943 Fieldstone Way, Frederick

650 Northern Avenue, Hagerstown

L SO

$340K

13317 Ruby Pointe Drive, Hagerstown

Pen-Mar Association of Realtors- 2nd Vice President 2018 Realtor of the Year, PenMar Association of Realtors Licensed in MD, PA & WV

$375K

301-745-1689 Office 301-331-0006 Cell/Text

Suzanne Glocker Eddie Jefferson

Susan Peterson

Jim Ward

Carol McNamee Chris Dickerson

Laurel Walker

Amy Stenger

Bruce Cubbage

Cyndi Wright

Jared Dickerson

Mary Lee Kendle Scott Huffman

Ashley Billman

OPENING DOORS Now Over 30 Years!

HM-969811-1

Call Today 301-745-4400 • Online at glockergroup.com

SOLD

The sign you want! The agents you need!

A SMART MOVE!

REAL ESTATE TODAY

®

Nearly 40 years experience.

No one knows the market like we do!

Cathy Wantz 28 years experience HM-969541-1

Licensed in MD

Call Us Today!

301-791-9046 View all our fine properties at

www.realestatetoday.pro

Toby Wantz, GRI 13 years experience Licensed in MD and PA

Summer

2021

113

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME AT HOME GET YOUR HOME SALE-READY, GET YOUR CREDIT PURCHASE WORTHY! GIVE US A CALL AND ASK US HOW!

Dorsey Brothers is your one-stop shop for all your floor and wall covering needs.

Providing Excellent Service in the Tri-State region since 1965

CALL TODAY! Chris Dickerson 301-992-8467 Carol McNamee 240-520-2900 Office: 301-745-4400 OR VISIT www.homesinhagerstown.com

STOP IN AND BROWSE OUR LARGE SHOWROOM!

Carpet • Ceramic Tile • Sheet Vinyl • Laminate Pre-finished Wood Floors • Marble & Granite Floors & Counter Tops • Wallpaper • Bathroom Remodeling MHIC 4091

Monday-Friday 8AM - 4:30PM Saturday & Sunday Closed

Rt. 40 East • Hagerstown • www.dorseybros.com

301-790-2440 • 1-888-658-6723

SELLING THE TRI-STATE AREA FOR 30 YEARS! Licensed in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia The market is HOT

Inventory is low…demand is high…call me to get your house SOLD! I look forward to assisting you with all your real estate needs.

Providing friendly, professional service since 1990!

LAUREL WALKER

OFFICE: 301-745-4400 17339 Virginia Ave. Hagerstown, MD 21740

301-667-8673

lwalker@glockergroup.com

AMAZING CUSTOM HOME IN THE WOODS RESORT

Hedgesville, WV

What's so amazing about this custom Craftmasters home located in THE WOODS RESORT? Intended to be a forever home, no expense was spared in creating a comfortable, beautiful, energy efficient home. An 8 zoned GEO THERMAL heating system, 15 ZONED RADIANT HEATED FLOORS, an ozone air purification system on the HVAC - just a few features that make this a mighty nice space. It sits high above the back pond overlooking the 8th Fairway and 9th Green and the neighboring Sleepy Creek Mountain making for some great views from the back deck.

The FULL GOLF MEMBERSHIP is available and that includes all the amenities you find at the finest spas and resorts: 2 golf courses, two outdoor pools, tennis courts, hiking trails and a fabulous indoor fitness center with an indoor pool, tennis court, basketball court and full service spa and salon. There's nothing like THE WOODS RESORT - luxury homes in a resort community. And very few homes built to the standards of 148 Nokomis.

WVBE185960 $799,000 Jana Klaasse 304-264-2828

Stunning Potomac Riverfront Manor Home

“I GO TO NATURE TO BE SOOTHED AND HEALED, AND TO HAVE MY SENSES PUT IN ORDER.” NATURALIST JOHN BURROUGHS

“BELVEDERE ON THE POTOMAC” FALLING WATERS, WV

Historic Potomac Waterfront Home Circa 1790 A fabulous 180 degree view of the Potomac River will greet you every time you look out the window or step on the lovely front deck of this manor type home. Water frontage is 180 feet, there is a boat ramp. The home is fully renovated; fully furnished. Move in turn key ready. Sited on 2.3 private acres on a hillside above the river. It looks across the river and is buffered by Federal Land, the C&O Canal. Peaceful old colonade of hugh trees at one end of the property. The home is open and elegant with second floor balconies from two of the 3/4 bedrooms. There are two kitchens, the main kitchen is huge with all top drawer stainless steel appliances, lots of granite counters and eating island. The second kitchen/LR combo when combined with two upstairs rooms and baths could be used as a guest suite. Three fireplaces complement the interior. Detached workshop could be artists studio or “SANITY SHED”. Easy access to I-81, close to I-81 I-70 interchange, near Martinsburg MARC Commuter train Rare opportunity. #WVBE178832 $975,000

CARRIAGE INN CIRCA 1840 CHARLES TOWN WV GREAT ESTABLISHED BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY | COMFORTABLE & BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE RESIDENCE

417 E WASHINGTON ST, CHARLES TOWN, WV 25414 9 BED I 8.5 BATH I OFFERED FOR $875,000

The Carriage Inn, Charles Town, West Virginia, Circa 1840 Steeped in Colonial and Civil War History Sited a oneacre lot surrounded by ancient trees; a two-building property. The main brick house with 7 bedrooms (includes two-bedroom suites, whirlpool tub), 7 private baths, 7 fireplaces, 12-foot ceilings, wood floors, wonderful furnishings included in the sale, chandeliers; luxurious amenities. There is a separate brick carriage house with 2 bedrooms, living room spa bath (good for mother-in-law) fireplace. Shining and sparkling, beautifully decorated, cleaner than clean, gracious, elegant, immaculate and tasteful. HIGH SPEED INTERNET WORK FROM HOME. TURNKEY. This exceptional bed and breakfast earns excellent traveler ratings and heavy bookings. All business assets are included in the sale of the property. Great in-town location. Great value. WVJF 142324

CAROLYN SNYDER, BROKER Licensed in WV, VA & PA m: 304.283.1537’ o: 304.267.1050 cmspb1@aol.com SnyderBailey.com

VIEW TOUR: www.SnyderBailey.com SNYDER BAILY & ASSOCIATION The Best People, The Best Properties For Over 30+ Years

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