Washington County to host World Canals Conference

Washington County to host Washington County to host World Canals Conference, World Canals Conference, C&O Canal National Historical C&O Canal National Historical Park celebrates 50th 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 of the canal. For a list of speakers, go to wcc2021.org/program. Top Right: Cushwa Basin in Williamsport

“During the morning presenta- At right: The Paw tions, you’ll learn about other ca- Paw (W.Va.) Tunnel nals and the history of other canals. And then, you’ll get a well-guided was constructed to eliminate 6 miles of river known as the tour of wherever we visit along the Paw Paw Bends. (C&O) canal. If you’ve been in this Construction of the area, you’ve probably been along tunnel took 14 years. the canal, but it’s a nice, well-guided Photos courtesy of the tour that highlights some features National Park Service 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 speakers 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.

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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.

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“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.

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.

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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, tness 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 nonpro t 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:

1Recognize that taking care of yourself is not selfi sh. 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.

2Ask 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 sel sh 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.

3Stay 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.

4Remember 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.