Murals, Murals on the Walls
What’s with all the new artwork downtown?
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BUSINESS & CIRCULATION
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
April Bartel
Laura Forrest Hopfauf
Charles Jeffries Erin Jones Bill Kamenjar Deborah Smith-Fiola Angie Youngblood
PHOTOGRAPHY
Mark Youngblood
BUSINESS OFFICE
Hagerstown Publishing 6 N. East St., Suite 301 Frederick, MD 21701
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Summertime and Estate Planning!
Now that summer is here, many of us are enjoying the warm weather, going on vacations, and otherwise relaxing. While Estate Planning is a year-round duty, summer can be a great time to review and update your Estate Plan. As we plan vacations, whether to a nearby town or faraway countries, it is important to make sure your Estate Plan is in order before embarking on your adventures.
Creating your Estate Plan
The first step in updating your Estate Plan is to create one if you haven’t already done so. There are many pitfalls to using online legal documents and it is always advised to have an experienced Estate Planning lawyer guide you through this process. Wills, Trusts, Financial Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives are essential documents everyone can benefit from having.
Updating your Estate Plan
If your Estate Plan is already created, it is recommended that you review it annually to make sure your choices are up to date. If there have been any life events or if a loved one can no longer serve for any role they have been appointed, changes need to be made. Laws are also ever-changing. If your documents are no longer up to date with current laws, changes should be made. If guardians for minor children are not already established, you will want to do so immediately, or the decision will be left to the state.
Make your Documents Accessible
While safeguarding your Estate Plan is important, it is also important to make sure your Estate Planning documents are accessible should the worst happen. The loved ones you have appointed to serve in various roles in your Estate Plan should know where your information is located to help expedite the process if an unexpected situation arises.
Lead by Example
Family members may not have their own Estate Plans in order. Summer may be as good as it gets when finding opportunities to discuss this subject. Your family, whether near or far, will always look forward to a visit, but it can be challenging to find the perfect time to bring up Estate Planning during an otherwise easygoing weekend together.
The easiest way to discuss this topic is to lead by example and discuss how you have recently completed your own Estate Planning. This will give your loved ones the opportunity to ask questions. Seeing your effort can help them move past any hurdles that are keeping them from executing their own Estate Plan.
If you are a Maryland resident and would like help with protecting your assets and loved ones in the event of death or disability, contact us at 301-969-9364 or self-schedule at www.lenaclarklegal.com.
30 Color and Class
The work of internationally acclaimed muralists is putting a new artistic touch on downtown buildings, brightening Hagerstown as it continues its progress into the future.
38 For the Love of the Game
For young men chasing dreams in professional baseball, Hagerstown is a pretty nice place to be. Loving the game is a little easier in the comforts they find in the Hub City.
In Franklin County, Pennsylvania, July means fairs, festivals, and celebrations that the entire community can take part in.
So, who has the best cheesesteak in Hagerstown? It’s all personal preferences, but the classic Philadelphia delicacy is quite delicious here.
Deliteful
For 30 years Nutter’s Ice Cream has been a Boonsboro staple and a summer tradition. Locals and visitors line up to sample the cool delicacies inside.
It is now time to enjoy the hard work you put into your garden in the springtime as, hopefully, you have your midsummer dream garden.
The contents of a storm is more than rain, thunder, and lightning.
WORKS OF ART
I LOVE ART. I’VE STROLLED THROUGH THE GUGGENHEIM, THE Louvre, the Picasso Museum, and other fine museums where my travels have taken me. I like to look, but unfortunately, I know nothing about what I’m looking at. I’ve stared at the Mona Lisa, David, The Scream, and Starry Night, but I can’t tell you why they are classic works of art while the contemporary works of realism and impressionism that my children created when they were in school are not.
Art to any degree livens up any place, and so, while Hagerstown is on its current economic and social roll, why not liven up the city with art? The murals that have appeared on walls downtown do exactly that. They liven up downtown. They get people moving around the city, pausing for photographs or to create a social media post. It was a great idea and another way to keep the city moving forward.
These murals were all created recently by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists, people who have reached the pinnacle of the street art genre. I don’t recognize their names, and I can’t tell you why fish on the parking garage wall is great art, but it really brightens up the place.
Hagerstown Magazine sat down with Brittany Arizmendi, director of the Hagerstown’s Office of Community Engagement to talk about how these murals came about, how the artists were selected, and what officials hope the impact on the city will be.
In this issue, we also take a look at life in the minor leagues of professional baseball. Every year players come to Hagerstown from around the county to play for the Flying Boxcars. This year, two local players are on the team. Jared Carr who played high school ball at the St. James School, and Ossie Abreu who played for the Hagerstown Suns and settled with his family in Maugansville.
And don’t miss food critic April Bartel’s review of the cheesesteak status in Washington County. Based on the Downtown Hagerstown’s recent Battle of the Cheesesteaks, April sought out the best local interpretation of the Philadelphia classic.
We hope you enjoy the issue.
–JeffThoreson jthoreson@hagerstownmag.com
This is Washington County
From above, Boonsboro takes on a different perspective, revealing itself as a small town in the Middletown Valley with the gathering foothills of the rugged Allegheny Mountains in the distance west of the town. Founded in 1792 by brothers George and William Boone, who were cousins of the legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone, the settlement was originally called Boone’s Berry before it was incorporated as Boonesborough in 1831, a name that later evolved into its current spelling. The town’s early growth was heavily accelerated by its location along the National Road, now U.S. Route 40, which served as a vital thoroughfare for 19th-century trade and migration and still runs through the town today.
Historic Luxury at Willowood Washington
ENTREPRENEURS BRANDON GREEN AND CHRISTIAN SALINAS
have reimagined a historic Washington County property once known as Stoney Creek Farm into a luxurious venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and luxury vacations.
Green is a Washington, D.C., real estate entrepreneur who co-founded Keller Williams Capital Properties and now owns Alchemy of Money, an accounting firm for real estate professionals. Salinas owns Staging Design DC, a furniture rental and home staging company. They have invested $4 million to create a fully staffed estate, the only such facility in the Mid-Atlantic.
The centerpiece of Willowood Washington is a 6,000-square-foot farmhouse built in 1835, with an expansive main floor, a grand kitchen, dining area, and a two-level great room ideal for corporate meetings and wedding rehearsals.
“We believe we’ve found a way to honor both the heritage of the property and offer something unique to the wedding, retreat, and luxury getaway market,” Green says. “There is nothing like it in the region.”
Area residents might remember a redevelopment plan for the 66acre property on Manor Church Road that included a zoning overlay for a $12 million expansion that would have brought the total number of guest rooms to 20 and added several structures to the property. After gathering neighbor feedback, Green and Salinas revamped their original plan in a way that honors the community, creating the blueprint for what is now Willowood Washington.
Stoney Creek Farm was settled in the late 1700s by German immigrants Joel and Catherine Schlosser. The property remained in the Schlosser family for nearly 140 years and saw subsequent generations of the family living and farming there. Of historic note, David Schlosser, who was Joel’s brother, served as Boonsboro’s mayor in the late 1800s.
Green said the farm’s proximity to Antietam Creek made “Schlosser’s Fording,” a crossing point near the property, the hub
of local activity. Over time, the farm evolved, reflecting the changing eras—from horse-drawn plows to modern renovations.
The farmhouse now stands as the nucleus of Willowood Washington.
Leaning on their experience in real estate and design, Green and Salinas undertook a meticulous redesign of the main house, utilizing its original character combined with modern design elements.
The farmhouse boasts an expansive main floor with a grand kitchen, dining area, and two-level great room, which Green says is ideal for corporate meetings and wedding rehearsals. Also on the main floor is a cozy parlor, which Salinas decorated in deep jewel tones and leather couches.
The farmhouse has five-bedroom suites accommodating up to 10 overnight guests, each with a private bath and a design created by Salinas to pay homage to the families who once called the farm home. The suites feature luxury amenities, premium linens, and special touches such as plush bathrobes and Bluetooth speakers. Beyond the main house is a 19th-century barn and a soon-to-be 4,000-square-foot garden, ideal for events and larger weddings.
One of the five-bedroom suites honors Joel and Catherine Schlosser, the 19th-century stewards of the original farm. According to Green, Joel, was known as a man of quiet determination, worked the land with care and conviction, while Catherine, is remembered as elegant and resolute woman who held the family close through seasons of both hardship and harvest. Their son Josiah would one day guide the farm through the Civil War, but it was Joel and Catherine who first gave the property its soul, says Green.
Willowood Washington maintains that soul but adds a luxury twist. www.WillowoodWashington.com
The historic Stoney Creek Farm has been converted to the luxurious Willowood Washington.
The farmhouse kitchen flows seamlessly into the two-story great room.
America at 250 Through the Lens
AS WASHINGTON COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES celebrate their semiquincentennial, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts presents the 2026 Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibition, a juried display featuring contemporary photographic perspectives on the American experience.
The exhibition was organized around the theme of America’s 250th birthday and invited photographers to respond to four thought-provoking themes: Unfinished Revolutions, Power of Place, Tell Everyone’s Story, and American Experiment. The resulting exhibition offers a compelling exploration of national identity, community, history, and
hope through the eyes of artists from across the region.
Forty-eight artists submitted 107 works for consideration. From these entries, jurors selected 39 photographs by 28 artists representing Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C.
The selected works reveal artists grappling with the complexities and contradictions of the American story. While many photographs examine issues of justice, memory, identity, and change, they also speak to resilience, connection, and the enduring possibility of progress.
Jurors recognized four outstanding works with exhibition awards.
Third Place Jurors’ Award ($250)
Mark Youngblood (Hagerstown)
Nobody’s Right if Everyone is Wrong
First Place Jurors’ Award ($1,000)
Kameron Ross (Hagerstown)
A Robin’s-Egg Blue Trailer Sits Beneath a Northern Catalpa Tree
Second Place Jurors’ Award ($500)
Sandra Chen Weinstein (McLean, Virginia)
Black Lives Matter
Washington County Arts Council Award ($250)
Justin Artz (Hagerstown)
The Community’s Living Room
Poffenberger Farm
THEN: CIRCA 1890
NOW: 2026
Honoring our Local Heroes
A complete list of all award winners in Washington County’s 2026 Public Safety Awards can be found on the Chamber of Commerce website.
HAGERSTOWN AND WASHINGTON COUNTY HONORED LOCAL heroes at the 10th Annual Public Safety Awards. Award recipients include first responders and volunteers in fire, law enforcement, EMS, telecommunications, and support services.
“Every day these professionals go above and beyond the call of duty to protect the lives of our citizens and the property of our homes and businesses,” says Chamber president and CEO Paul Frey. “It is a pleasure to be able to publicly give them our sincere thanks and gratitude for all that they do on the behalf of others, often without public recognition.”
This year’s recipients of the Gold Medal of Valor Award, which recognizes an act of bravery involving extreme personal risk that is clearly above and beyond the call of duty or an incident of valor that results in serious injury or death, are officers Langley Dean and Richard Dean of the Hagerstown Police Department for enduring extreme personal risk during a domestic violence call, resulting in Langley Dean being shot in the arm in June of 2025.
The 2026 Hero Awards, which honor an individual or team whose actions attempted to save or succeeded in saving a human life, went to:
• Officer Thomas Wolfe of the Hagerstown Police Department
for swift action to retrieve a critical patient’s life-sustaining medical device from his residence in 2025.
• Firefighter Mike Reid of Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Company for initiating CPR on a two-week old infant that was not breathing in November of 2025.
• Captain Justin Ruppenthal of Community Rescue Service for both his quick, life-saving response to traumatic amputation of a motorcycle accident patient’s leg and the life-saving response to clear water out of a 9-year-old drowning victim’s airway in June of 2025.
• Fire apparatus operators Tyler Rotelle and Zachary Schmidt of Hagerstown Fire Department for the quick life-saving response to a nearby and unassigned cardiac arrest in March of 2025.
• Paramedic Chuck Smith of the Washington County Division of Emergency Services for the life-saving response to a severe head trauma patient while off duty at the 17000 Block of Shepardstown Pike in 2025.
Your Midyear Financial Checklist
Recent news about conflict in the Middle East has raised an important question for investors: Has the market already reacted to the news, or could there be more downside ahead?
1. Reexamine Where Your Money Went
Start by looking at the last few months of your actual spending. Often, where your money really went will differ from what you planned in January. Insurance premiums may have risen. Summer activities add up. Subscriptions quietly renew. Even a modest $150–$300 monthly drift can translate into $900–$1,800 by year-end if left unchecked. Midyear is a good time to redirect small amounts toward something more intentional, such as boosting savings, paying down debt faster, or preparing for a known expense later this year.
2. Confirm Your Emergency Cushion Still Fits Your Life Expenses change over time. If you have a new mortgage, childcare arrangements, travel, or new health care costs since January, your emergency fund may need to be adjusted. Strengthening this cushion while things are stable can help you avoid relying on credit cards or loans if something unexpected happens. Even modest, automatic transfers between now and December can make a meaningful difference.
3. Make Sure Your Investments Are Still Balanced the Way You Intended Over time, markets move at different speeds. If stocks have performed strongly, for example, they may now represent a larger share of your portfolio than they did when you originally set your investment plan.
A midyear check-in is a good time to review your accounts and see whether that balance has shifted. In some cases, adjusting the investment mix can bring things back in line with the
strategy you originally chose.
4. Review Insurance and Beneficiaries
When life changes, your coverage may need to change as well. At this midyear point, confirm that life, disability, home, and auto coverage reflect your current circumstances. Changes in income, new dependents, or new assets may warrant updates. Also, review beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies. These designations generally override instructions in a will, so keeping them current is important.
5. Start Organizing Year-end Records Now
Create a simple 2026 file—digital or physical—for tax-related documents. Include charitable contributions, medical expenses, tuition payments, investment statements, and records of any side income or freelance work. Organizing records gradually throughout the year can reduce stress during tax season and decrease the likelihood of missing deductions or credits.
6. Set One Focused Goal for the Second Half of the Year
Rather than trying to improve everything at once, choose one meaningful objective for the rest of 2026. You might increase retirement contributions by 1 percent, pay off one specific debt, or build an additional month of emergency savings. Focused goals tend to generate momentum—and momentum builds confidence.
The Advantage of Acting Now
By December, many financial decisions become urgent. In June, you still have
flexibility. A thoughtful midyear checkin can help ensure you reach year-end feeling prepared rather than reactive. Six months is long enough to revisit tax planning, strengthen savings, and reinforce your financial stability, and a few thoughtful adjustments now can make a meaningful difference by year-end.
GARY WILLOW TAKES OVER AS SUPERINTENDENT
Dr. Gary Willow steps in this month as the next superintendent of Washington County Public Schools. He has a lengthy history in the county public school system, most recently serving as deputy superintendent where he has led district-wide instruction initiatives, school improvement efforts, and student support projects across the school system.
“Dr. Willow has grown a positive rapport and is highly respected among students, staff, and families of Washington County Public Schools,” says Darrell Evans, Washington County Board of Education president. “He has extensive knowledge of our school system, and he has built strong relationships across the community. His experience in schools and at the district level gives him the necessary knowledge and perspective to move WCPS forward.”
During his time as Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Willow helped guide instructional initiatives that contributed to WCPS ranking among Maryland’s top 10 districts in mathematics and English language arts achievement. He is regularly working in schools, collaborating with principals and content specialists to monitor
PICKLEBALL MEMORIAL
The 6th Annual David L. Nycum Memorial Pickleball Tournament will be held at the Hag-
DOWNTOWN HAGERSTOWN HONORED
Downtown Hagerstown Main Street has been designated as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for meeting rigorous performance standards. Each year, Main Street America and its partners announce the roster of designated programs in recognition of their commitment to creating meaningful improvements in their downtowns through preservation-based economic development and community revitalization using the Main Street Approach.
“We are proud to recognize Downtown Hagerstown Main Street as a 2026 Accredited Main Street America program for your unwavering commitment to grassroots transformation and the extraordinary abilities of your staff, board of directors, and volunteers to respond to the needs of their community,” says Erin Barnes, president and CEO at Main Street America. “Downtown Hagerstown Main Street demonstrates a dedication to investing in the people and places that make your downtown district special and
student progress and support intervention planning when necessary. In addition to increasing educational programs for students, he also expanded “Grow Your Own” initiatives to strengthen the teacher workforce in Washington County. These programs develop the interests of high school students in education and provide a pathway for WCPS paraprofessionals to become certificated teachers.
“I am honored to be selected to serve as the next superintendent of Washington County Public Schools,” Willow says. “WCPS has an incredible team of educators, school leaders, and staff. I look forward to continuing our work with school communities to create unique learning opportunities for every student. I am committed to ensuring our schools remain focused on academic excellence and preparing our students for life beyond graduation.”
Willow previously served as principal of Smithsburg High School and Boonsboro Middle School. He came to WCPS in 2008 as an administrative intern after serving as a high school social studies teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools. As principal of Boonsboro Middle School, he led the school to become the highest-ranked middle school in Maryland on the Maryland Report Card during the 2017–2018 school year. As principal of Smithsburg High School, he supported improvements in student achievement and expanded Career and Technical Education opportunities.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Shippensburg University, a Master of Science degree in Human Development from Towson University, and a Doctor of Education degree in Education Administration from Frostburg State University.
erstown Field House, September 10 to 13. This regional event will offer competitive play for individuals and teams of men, women, and mixed doubles of all ages and skill levels. Spectators are welcome. The tournament benefits the David Nycum Scholarship Fund. www.dndnycumpickleball.org.
contribute to the collective power of the Main Street movement to build vibrant spaces and durable economies.”
Downtown Hagerstown Main Street is one of 838 nationally recognized Accredited Main Street America organizations and is a part of a network of more than 1,600 communities leading positive commercial district transformation efforts throughout the United States.
The Generational Impact of Christian Education
School launches 50th year Celebrations and Activities in August
Hannah Dean was in third grade when she started classes at Grace Academy. “Obviously I was very nervous, especially since the school year had already started, but I remember how the students were so welcoming,” Hannah says.
“Now I’ve finished 13 years as a kindergarten teacher and my daughter has finished third grade,” she says. The school’s roots extend even further for her family. Hannah’s brother is a Grace graduate; her mother recently retired from the school and her father served on the school board for 10 years.
Grace Academy is celebrating its 50th anniversary serving the tri-state area, teaching students from pre-kindergarten through high school. Their mission is to help each student discover their life’s purpose through providing a quality, Christian education.
Looking back at her years as a student, Hannah Dean says, “the school gave me a solid foundation. The teachers poured truth and hope into us, reminding us that we were created in the image of God. By the time I graduated I had a clear world view, she says, adding that she was impressed by how well her teachers knew their subject matter and “how they saw us as people, not only as students.”
The heritage that runs through Grace is something that impresses local pastor, Justin Perrow, whose mother taught there for 20 years and is the place where he met his wife, Danielle. Their son now attends Grace. “Being in the halls with my mom was not fun as a teenager,” he admits with a laugh, but “I value seeing the next generation of graduates sending their kids to Grace.”
Perrow, a pastor at Bridge of Life Church in downtown Hagerstown, not only appreciates the classroom aspects of Grace Academy, but also the chance for students to participate in athletics. He played basketball, soccer, and baseball. “They have a great athletic program,” he says. The Knights compete in the Mason Dixon Christian Conference in addition to traditional non-conference games.
Susanna Barnhart, Class of 2002, returned to the school as varsity coach for the girls’ volleyball team. A player during her school years, “I love volleyball,” she says, with her position at Grace giving her an opportunity to use the sport as a ministry. She mentors players in self-confidence and other life skills with a Biblical outlook.
Susanna, whose husband is also a Grace alum, has four children, the oldest a graduate and the youngest in kindergarten.
“I liked the small class size,” she says, with her senior class numbering 25. Grace Academy fosters the feeling of family, she says, guaranteeing that when folks gather for the 50th anniversary celebrations, it will be like one big, happy family reunion.
Having completed his first year as Head of School, Dr. Montie Mansur feels blessed to build on the strong legacy at Grace, while keeping an eye on the school’s exciting future. “A quality, Christian education has never been more essential for our students. The individualized attention and biblical foundation, with a focus on rigorous academics, redemptive discipline, and relational culture, make Grace Academy a truly special place.”
Susanna Barnhart and family with Grace alums and supporters.
Hannah with family of Grace alumni.
CALENDAR
july to august
August 15-16
Augustoberfest
July 18-25
Washington County Ag Expo and Fair
Washington County Agricultural Center
7313 SHARPSBURG PIKE, BOONSBORO
Livestock shows, rodeo, rides, demo derby, tractor pulls, food, and fun. The Washington County Ag Expo and Fair offers a variety of events and activities for the whole family. Gate admission passes provide access to exhibits, shows, live bands, machinery displays, and more. Carnival rides are not included. Noon to 9 p.m. www.agexpoandfair.org
Washington County Agricultural Education Center
7313 SHARPSBURG PIKE, BOONSBORO
The festival pays tribute to the area’s rich German heritage while raising scholarship money for students in the Hagerstown-Wesel Sister City foreign exchange program, along with raising foundational endowments for additional non-profits within Washington County. The foundation’s board is comprised of active business leaders from the local community, all on a volunteer basis. This is the most authentic German festival in the area and caters to all ages. 11 a.m. www.augustoberfest.org
August 20-22
Pig & Ox Roast
Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers Market 1583 POTOMAC AVENUE, HAGERSTOWN
There will be Pork and Ox platters and sandwiches, crab cakes, boardwalk fries, fried oysters, homemade potato chips, funnel cakes, homemade kettle corn, and more. Skip the line and call ahead and have your order delivered to you curbside or to your home or business, within eight miles of the market. Walk through the market for fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade cheese, and salads, Amish made crafts, bakery items, and old-fashioned candy. There is something for everyone. Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 240-420-8555 or www.padutchmarket.com
July 4
250th Anniversary Event
Washington County Agricultural Center
7313 SHARPSBURG PIKE, BOONSBORO
The United States of America and Washington County will both be celebrating the historic milestone of their 250th anniversaries. To commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Washington County is hosting this celebration today to include a drone show, fireworks, beer garden, food trucks, vendors, car show, games, live music and kids zone beginning at noon. Also, a series of events honoring our county’s rich heritage and vibrant future will be happening all year long. www.washingtoncountymd250.com
July 4
Boonsboro Independence Day Celebration
Shafer Park 37 PARK DRIVE, BOONSBORO
The spectacular fireworks display will begin at 9:30 p.m. There will be music and vendors in the park beginning at 5 p.m. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets. Please do not bring your pets. The community center parking lot will be closed except for vehicles with handicapped parking permits. www.town.boonsboro.md.us
July 11
21+ Backlot Blast 2026
The Capitol Theatre
159 SOUTH MAIN STREET, CHAMBERSBURG
This annual event with The Reagan Years band makes a grand return this year. Food trucks, wine, craft, specialty and domestic beer will be available, as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Theatre concessions will also be available. Food trucks of Dabo-Rye and Mad Dash Artisan Grilled Cheese will be on site. All food and drinks are for additional purchase. Bring your own chair to sit back and relax or get up and dance. Rain or shine; in case of inclement weather, band will move inside to the main stage. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 717-263-0202 or www.thecapitoltheatre.org
July 11-14
The
Great Bicycle Tour—TGBT XXXIX C&O Canal, Cumberland Visitors’ Center HARRISON STREET, CUMBERLAND
A fully supported four-day ride on the C&O Canal to raise funds for children and families served by San Mar. Join us as we begin in Cumberland and ride to Mile Marker 0 in Washington, D.C. The ride is 184.5 miles of no hills, no headwinds, and no cars. Plenty of food, lots of support, ride at your own pace. Arrival times in Hancock for spectators: Our cyclists will ride through early on Sunday morning (July 12th) and enjoy a quick rest stop at C&O Bikes. The riders typically start arriving around 8:30 a.m. This is the 39th annual benefit ride for San Mar Family and Community Services, a nonprofit that maintains national accreditation and has provided services to children, families, and the community since 1883.
www.sanmartgbt.org
July 18
Aviation Adventure Day
Hagerstown Aviation Museum
18450 SHOWALTER ROAD, BUILDING 8, HAGERSTOWN
The first of seven Aviation Adventure Days in 2026, bring your families to the museum in the historic Fairchild Dome Hangar and explore museum aircraft. Among the vast historical displays is the newly acquired A-10 Warthog. Weather permitting, enjoy an open cockpit flight experience on one of our WWII training aircraft for a $200 donation. The EAA/Young Eagles will be on site offering free flights for youth ages 8-17. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 301-733-8717 or www.hagerstownaviationmuseum.org
July 24-26
CNB Bank presents CandyFest
Maryland Theatre
21 SOUTH POTOMAC STREET, HAGERSTOWN
CandyFest is a fully interactive, walk-through experience that engages all the senses, designed especially for young children and families. As you explore all four floors of the Performing Art Center, expect Instagram-worthy photo ops, candy-themed games, candy crafts, slime making, balloon art, and more. Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 301-790-2000 or www.mdtheatre.org
CNB Bank presents CandyFest
july to august
August 1
2 Mile Music Festival
Kirkwood Park 5231 CREEK ROAD, HANCOCK
The 2 Mile Music Fest will take place at Kirkwood Park in Hancock on August 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This family-friendly charity event benefits the Mason Dixon Scholarship Fund and features live performances by October Rose, Chris Hughes, and Aaron Hymes alongside the Cincinnati Circus. There will be 40 crafters and venders as well. masondixonscholarships@gmail.com
August 15
Hub City Vinyl Record Show
Live at Hub City Vinyl 28 E. BALTIMORE STREET, HAGERSTOWN
Dig through crates of vinyl, CDs, and cassettes and find cool music memorabilia with fellow collectors at Hub City Vinyl’s first record show. More than 60 tables, thousands of records, CDs, cassettes, and more from multiple dealers and collectors, all in one place. Early admission begins at 9 a.m. lloyd@hubcityvinyl.com
2 Mile Music Festival
August 15
Don’t Back Down: A Tom Petty Tribute
Live at Hub City Vinyl
28 EAST BALTIMORE STREET, HAGERSTOWN
Don’t Back Down energizes audiences with songs from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ 13 album catalog. Through accomplished musicianship and with an enthusiastic delivery, Don’t Back Down offers a diverse mix of songs from the band’s extensive 41-year career, including tracks from Tom Petty’s three solo albums, Mud Crutch, and The Traveling Wilburys. 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. www.liveathubcityvinyl.com
August 28
Better Off Dead—A Tribute to the Grateful Dead
Live at Hub City Vinyl
28 EAST BALTIMORE STREET, HAGERSTOWN
For more than 10 years, Better Off Dead has celebrated the music of The Grateful Dead with the same passion, energy, and exploration as the original band. They play nearly every song in the Dead catalog, so each show is a unique concert experience for fans. And just like Jerry Garcia said, they “choose fun in this lifetime,” so their concerts are filled with lots of dancing, love, smiles, and hugs. 8 p.m. www.liveathubcityvinyl.com
Don’t Back Down: A Tom Petty Tribute
Strong, Smart, Bold
Girls Inc. helps the next generation of Washington County girls evolve into powerful young women
Rae Tucker has noticed a pattern whenever she’s out around Hagerstown in a Girls Inc. van. Strangers will run up to her in excitement. “I was a Girls Inc. girl!” they tell her. In many cases these girls are now the age of having daughters and granddaughters of their own.
“It’s just so cute,” Tucker, Girls Inc. director of development said. “They may be grandmas now, out there somewhere living their lives, and they all have fond memories of being here. It’s always so fun to run into that.”
Girls Inc. of Washington County serves about 300 girls ages 6 to 18, each year. The afterschool program now has many generations of influence to its credit, having helped shape and enrich the lives of local young women since its 1948 founding as a Girls Club.
By Erin Jones
“They had the boys club and there was no place for the girls,” says executive director Maureen Grove. “They created a space in the basement of a local church, and then it just continued to grow.”
Photography by Mark Youngblood
Maureen Grove is executive director of Girls Inc. of Washington County.
In 1961, Hagerstown Kiwanis Club donated property on Washington Avenue, and a building was designed as a clubhouse especially for girls. It was dedicated in 1963. As the decades passed, the mission of the organization evolved.
“In the early years, it was how to be a good housewife, how to cook, how to clean, how to dress when your husband comes home, sewing classes. Our missions changed quite a bit to now empowering girls to be strong, smart, bold, and self-sufficient,” Grove says.
In the early 90s, Girls Clubs of America changed its name to Girls Incorporated, and the Hagerstown Girls Club followed suit to become Girls Inc. of Washington County, which is the only Maryland affiliate of the larger national organization that dates to 1864. Founded in Waterbury, Connecticut, during both the Civil War and Suffrage movements, the organization prides itself on evolving to support and provide resources for girls and young women in whatever challenges the current moment presents.
Today the mission of Girls Inc., both nationally and locally, is to inspire the next
generation of powerful girls who will go out and make their impact on the world
“Being strong, smart, and bold means to be brave and try new things and just try your hardest to be yourself and do great. And be strong and try to be a leader,” said Jett Chapman, a fifth grader who participates in the program. “I love it so much because it probably helped a lot of girls…sometimes people go through rough times and sometimes you have to just be strong, smart, and bold.”
Summer Jackson, also a fifth grader says, “Strong, smart, and bold means you’re strong by stepping away from a situation you know is wrong. You’re smart by stepping away, and you’re bold even if no one else is making that choice.”
These three qualities guide the structure of the program and the curriculum.
“Strong programs are healthy living. Smart programs are academic support. Bold programs are social, emotional, learning, and life skills,” Grove says.
During the school year, Girls Inc. vans provide transportation from 13 area schools. Upon arrival, the girls receive a healthy snack
and get help with their homework. Girls Inc. works closely with schools, teachers, and counselors to provide targeted academic support.
“We couldn’t do it without [the teachers].” Tucker says.
Between 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. the girls take classes and participate in programs that are all categorized as either “strong,” “smart,” or “bold.” Classes cover a wide variety of topics, including fitness, gardening, STEM, literacy, leadership, and music therapy.
At 5:30 p.m. the girls receive a hot, healthy dinner, and return home at 6 p.m.
During the summer, the program offers a seven-week camp five days a week offering adventure and enrichment.
An estimated 85 percent of the girls come from lower income households, and the organization seeks to ease the financial burden for families. It provides new shoes and a backpack full of school supplies before the start of the academic year, winter coats and boots, and a three-month supply of hygiene products, through an initiative called “Project Red.”
“We’re trying to break that generational poverty,” Grove says. “The way to do that is to
Ten-year-olds Summer Jackson, left, and Jett Chapman at the Girls Inc. facility in Hagerstown.
give them a vision for the future. That’s why we try to do so many different opportunities in the county and outside the county, and the state…[We] expose them to different career opportunities, to give them the confidence that they can do and be whatever they want, with support.”
Curriculum and resources help to address risk factors like sex trafficking, mental health struggles, and addiction. Last year the organization partnered with Washington County Goes Purple, which introduced programming for drug prevention, even for the young ones.
“[It was] age appropriate, but they’re building those skills already to learn how to say no to drugs, which I thought was incredible,” Tucker says. “They brought in some amazing speakers. A speaker came and talked to our high school kids, which was just so inspiring for them. That was a wonderful partnership. They’re doing great work over there.”
Since Grove became executive director in 1997, she says one of the biggest evolutions the program has seen is the increase in community partnerships. Groups like Rotary, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kiwanis, as well as officials from the board of education, board of health, law enforcement, and beyond all partner with Girls Inc.
“We work with so many different community partners to help fill gaps across all programming areas, not just ours, but across the county. I think that’s huge because before I felt like we all lived in our little silos,” Grove says. “Now I think, as a community, we’re really making headway because of the collaborations and the work we do with other non-profits, our local government, local churches, and businesses and leaders in the community.”
In addition to executive director, Grove has added the nickname of “Muddy Matriarch” to her titles with the 2013 creation of Muddy Mamas, the popular Girls Inc. fundraiser and 5k mud run. Over the course of the untimed race, participants face 18 obstacles, all designed to build confidence and courage.
The inaugural race set a goal of 500 participants and ended up with 2,000. The race each September continues to be a popular
fixture on the organization’s calendar and in the local community.
“I feel like it’s really changed the community because I think so many community women look forward to it every year. It’s one day a year where it’s all women in their power.” Tucker says. “That energy and the enjoyment of that day is so impactful.”
The race is open exclusively to women and girls aged 10 and up, though men are encouraged to join as volunteers.
“It’s inspiring to see the dads and the husbands supporting and having signs.” Grove says. “It’s not your typical mud run. It’s your non-traditional runners. I’m not a runner, but it’s about the camaraderie and the friendships and generations running together and groups of friends, moms, grandmothers and daughters, co-workers,”
As the generations run together in support of Girls Inc. they also walk the halls of Girls Inc. In Grove’s tenure she has seen some of
the girls she worked with return as adults with girls of their own. Grove and Tucker also hear reports of the accomplishments of the alumnae, their educational and professional milestones and the positive impact of the relationships that guided and encouraged them.
Supportive friendships among the girls is another important effect that has arisen from
the program. Fifth graders Summer and Jett attend the same school, though they aren’t in the same class. Riding the van together to Girls Inc., they both consider a highlight of their days and their time at Girls Inc.
“I didn’t really talk to her at school until Girls Inc., and then we started talking in the van because we were next to each other. That’s
my favorite thing. That lifts me up every day,” says Jett.
Girls Inc. is now two years shy of its 80th birthday. As the vans carry both a new generation of Washington County women along the streets of Hagerstown, the sight still evokes smiles, waves, and greetings from the generations who have gone before. Inside the vans, friendships are built, confidence grows, and purpose renewed to face the future as strong, smart, bold girls.
To register for the Muddy Mamas Mud Run on September 19 visit www.muddymamasmudrun.com For more information about Girls Inc. Visit www.girlsinc-md.org
Rae Tucker, director of development for Girls Inc. sits with Summer Jackson and Jett Chapman.
Fairs & Festivals
Franklin County’s July Celebrations
Franklin County residents know July is packed with a dynamic lineup of fairs, festivals, and celebrations with opportunities almost daily to attend one event or another.
As usual, the month kicks off with the Franklin County Fair (July 5 to 12). This is the annual staple of the region’s agricultural community featuring livestock shows, 4-H competitions, home goods and arts competitions, the Baby Barnyard, horse shows, tractor pulls, an Ag Knowledge Bowl, and nightly live musical acts like Chris Woodward & Shindiggin’ and Brush Fire. The fair is held in St. Thomas Township, just outside of Chambersburg.
Overlapping the end of the fair is the annual ChambersFest (July 11 to 18). Highly anticipated each year, the week-long community celebration features live music performances, the A Cappella and Unplugged contest, food events like Scoopa-Palooza, the Old Market Day street festival, and the Burning of Chambersburg light show.
The 68th Annual Shippensburg Community Fair takes place from July 20 to July 25 at the Shippensburg Fairgrounds in Pennsylvania. This premier regional event offers family friendly carnival rides, thrilling tractor pulls, and delicious homemade foods from local non-profits, all celebrating the area’s rich agricultural heritage.
The Greencastle Country Music Festival returns to the Greencastle American Legion Picnic Grounds on July 25. This summer celebration features a robust lineup led by Leroy Burks. There is also a vendor village, cookouts, drink specials, raffles, and overnight camping among the scenic, creekside outdoor atmosphere in Greencastle.
Also in Greencastle is the annual Sidewalk Days on July 11. This traditional community gathering offers local food vendors and a designated acoustic guitar music area.
The Summer on the Farm at Antrim Spring Farm on July 25 is a family-friendly outdoor farm event featuring local music, food trucks, and an evening outdoor movie night.
The Shippensburg Community Fair.
Franklin
County Calendar
July 11
21+ Backlot Blast
Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St. Chambersburg
This annual event with The Reagan Years is a day of food trucks, wine, craft, specialty and domestic beer as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Theatre Concessions will also be available. The two food trucks from Dabo-Rye and Mad Dash Artisan Grilled Cheese will be on site. Rain or shine; in case of inclement weather, band will move inside. No coolers, outside food, or drinks.
July 12
Backroads Boil
5991 Boundary Road, Chambersburg
The Backroads Boil, a laid-back coastal-inspired summer family style dinner experience takes place at Backroads Greenhouse. Tickets include a seafood boil, choice of one handcrafted cocktail or mocktail, appetizer and dessert, live music, yard games, and beautiful outdoor seating under the lights. Happy hour begins at 6 p.m. and dinner service begins at 6:30 p.m.
July 18
Old Market Day
Downtown Chambersburg
Old Market Day transforms Main Street into a vibrant, family-friendly street festival hosted by the Downtown Business Council of Chambersburg and sponsored by F&M Trust. Admission is free as the event serves as the celebratory grand finale to the town’s week-long ChambersFest. More than 100 strictly handmade artisan vendors and food trucks line the streets, offering unique crafts, home decor, and local treats while downtown restaurants and small businesses host sidewalk sales. Live music spans across the Courthouse Plaza and the Spring Street Amphitheatre building to the evening’s A Cappella & Unplugged finals. The festivities culminate in a powerful, live reenactment of the historic 1864 Ransoming, Burning, and Rebirth of Chambersburg. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 31
Harry Porter Pub Crawl
66 West Main Street, Waynesboro Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc., hosts a magical evening of adult fun at the 4th Annual Harry Porter Pub Crawl, as part of the Waynesboro Wizarding Weekend. Gather your fellow witches, wizards, and magical creatures for an enchanting evening of themed drinks, costumes, prizes, and unforgettable fun. The journey begins at 66 W. Main Street where guests will pick up their official pub crawl passport before setting off to participating downtown locations.
vacant to vibrant
Murals on otherwise drab buildings and walls are brightening downtown Hagerstown
interview by angie youngblood
How did the project originate?
The National Mural Awards partnership originated through Jason Tetlak, the executive director for the National Mural Awards. He participated in 2025 Hagerfest Music & Art Festival as a muralist and thought our festival and downtown Hagerstown would be a great place to host the awards, especially with the Main Street Program and Hagerstown Arts & Entertainment District’s continued investment in public art, creative placemaking, and downtown revitalization efforts.
Over the last several years, the district has strategically expanded murals and public art installations along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail and throughout downtown to create a more walkable, visually engaging environment. Hosting the 2026 National Mural Awards during Hagerfest was a natural extension of that vision—bringing nationally recognized artists, arts professionals, and visitors into downtown Hagerstown while showcasing the city’s growing reputation as a regional arts destination.
We were grateful to be selected as the 2026 host city as this project was designed not only as an arts initiative, but also as an economic development and
Brittany Arizmendi is the director of Hagerstown’s Office of Community Engagement.
The ‘We Create’ mural near Meritus Park is a long mural of individual works by 10 artists: Alexandra Garcia, Andy Matthews, Christopher Scott, Halle Cooper, Layton Scarbrough, Matt Long, Michael Kirby, Norah Snyder, Tim Cunningham, and Tracie Thompson.
tourism strategy that activates public spaces, supports local businesses, and strengthens community pride.
How were the artists and locations selected?
The artists selected for the National Mural Awards installations are nationally recognized muralists connected to the awards program and invited to participate as part of the festival and mural week activities.
Locations were carefully chosen throughout the Arts & Entertainment District and along the Hagerstown Cultural Trail based on visibility, walkability, architectural compatibility, and the opportunity to create impactful public-facing artwork. Consideration was also given to property owner participation, surrounding business activity, pedestrian traffic, lighting, and how each mural could contribute to the broader experience of the district.
Were there any specific technical or creative hurdles during the process?
As with many large-scale public art projects, coordination and logistics were significant components of the process. Some mural locations presented technical challenges due to narrow alleyways, varying wall textures, accessibility for lift equipment, and the need to coordinate installation schedules within active downtown spaces.
Creatively, there were also thoughtful discussions surrounding mural concepts to ensure they aligned with the character of the surrounding environment, adjacent businesses, and the broader vision for the Arts & Entertainment District. Collaboration between artists, property owners, and organizers was essential to ensuring each mural felt authentic to both the artist’s vision and the community context.
australian muralist damien mitchell.
Is this part of the Cultural Trail, and what other projects are currently in the works?
Yes. Several of the murals are located directly along or connected to the Hagerstown Cultural Trail, which serves as a major corridor for arts, culture, events, and public gathering within downtown. The Cultural Trail continues to evolve as a creative placemaking initiative featuring murals, public art, lighting, landscaping, and community programming.
Additional projects in development include new public art installations, alleyway enhancements, beautification initiatives, expanded wayfinding, interactive art experiences, and the continued growth of trailbased programming and events. The district is also working on initiatives that incorporate local history,
artist engagement, and community storytelling into public spaces.
What feedback or response have you received from the community?
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents, visitors, businesses, and artists have expressed excitement about the transformation taking place throughout downtown. The murals have generated significant engagement on social media, increased foot traffic along the Cultural Trail, and created a renewed sense of energy within the Arts & Entertainment District.
Community members have shared appreciation for seeing nationally recognized artwork in Hagerstown and for the city’s investment in arts and culture
as part of revitalization efforts. Many local businesses have also noted increased visibility and visitor activity during mural week and festival programming.
How do you envision the public interacting with the murals?
The murals are intended to be highly interactive and accessible public spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and community connection. We envision them serving as photo destinations, gathering spaces, landmarks along the Cultural Trail, and conversation pieces that encourage residents and visitors to explore downtown more deeply.
Social media engagement is a major component of how modern public art is experienced, and these installations naturally lend themselves to photography, short-form video, and user-generated content. The murals also help create a stronger visual identity for downtown Hagerstown and contribute to the district’s marketing and tourism efforts.
As the public art network continues to grow, there are opportunities for expanded digital engagement, trail maps, QR-code storytelling, and hashtag campaigns tied to the murals and surrounding destinations.
“The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents, visitors, businesses, and artists have expressed excitement about the transformation taking place throughout downtown.”
—Brittany Arizmendi
Who are the Mural Artists?
Devona Stimpson is a Filipino-American artist and creative entrepreneur based in Houston. She has developed a distinctive style that seamlessly blends realism with abstraction. Her journey into art began in college, when a single painting class ignited her passion and set the foundation for her career. Devona built her first website in fourth grade and mastered coding and design throughout school— skills that continue to influence her artistic approach.
Damien Mitchell is based in Australia and has been a professional mural artist for more than 15 years, producing work on structures up to eight stories tall and the length of city blocks. His work has been published in several books and academic papers on public art. He has created murals for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, MTV, Doctors Without Borders, The Mi Sangre Foundation, DKNY, Google, and Michelle Obama, among many other music and art festivals in more than 30 countries around the world.
Sophy Tuttle’s work celebrates and promotes culture-building between humans and all other forms of life. Often vibrant and dynamic, these murals are a way to begin conversations within the community about our relationship with nature and the ways in which we both conflict and collaborate with our fellow creatures. Now based in Boston, she began painting murals while living in Oaxaca, Mexico, where she learned from local activists and artists. Her work can now be seen from Massachusetts to Colombia.
Christian Stanley’s art is often influenced by his roots and love for the wildlife of the Southeast.
From an early age Christian, who is based in Florida, sought out natural settings for inspiration, and continues to enjoy hiking and wildlife spotting with his wife, Jessica. He paints dozens of murals a year with his largest project covering more than 8,000 square feet. His street art is known for its signature “dash and dot” style, which borders on impressionism to give his subjects depth and vibrant color.
For the Love of the
game
The boys of summer in Hagerstown appreciate the life—and share the dreams—in a lower level of professional baseball
By Bill Kamenjar
As the tiring Friday evening in May gradually withdrew from sunny skies to rays of artificial stadium lighting, enduring firework fanatics (mostly youngsters) anxiously awaited their favorite outfield attraction.
But well before the bangs, booms, and pops of the colorful starbursts filled the air above Meritus Stadium, baseball players from a wide variety of backgrounds, each one sharing a similar dream, were showcasing their skills on the field in front of those same kids and the more sophisticated local baseball fans in the stadium.
It was yet another great evening for Hagerstown’s devoted fans to support the Flying Boxcars, a team of young men all harboring the dream of reaching—or returning—to Major League Baseball. Although popular fiction and movies have portrayed the minor league game as being somewhat of a grind—with long-haul bus rides, shabby hotels, unhealthy eating and drinking habits, and low pay—after speaking with players representing Hagerstown in Flying Boxcars uniforms this season, the life of an independent leaguer suggests that things are actually more similar than distant to those at the game’s highest level.
So along with the dissolution of many of professional baseball’s lower-level stereotypes comes a change in its participants’ attitudes. Players, some into their 40s, want to keep on playing for the love of the game, even though their physical skills have begun to recede or never quite developed to the level required of big leagues. Even Vincent Towns, a 53-year-old knuckleball pitcher from Suitland, Maryland, is keeping the dream alive in Hagerstown.
For the Boxcars players, the lower level of professional baseball isn’t quite such a struggle in the state-of-the-art Meritus Park.
“Guys like playing here, for sure,” David Blenckstone, the Flying Boxcars general manager. “This is the A-plus ballpark in the (Atlantic) league. We have a great atmosphere and even the fan experience is unique. This is a really great baseball town, from the youth leagues all the way up to the community college level [Hagerstown CC]. To have brought it [professional baseball] back into this facility is huge.”
The park’s positioning in the western cityscape overlooking downtown makes the nearly 4,000seat Meritus Park an attraction in itself. “I don’t think anybody knew Hagerstown had a skyline until they built this ballpark,” Blenckstone joked, staring out over downtown from his perch in the upper-level press box.
The luxurious, modern setting aside, that’s not how it has always been in Hagerstown. For years, the former Hagerstown Suns played with various Major League affiliations in the antiquated Munici-
Meritus Park and the Hagerstown skyline at dusk.
pal Stadium, which opened in 1930.
“I played for the Suns in 2015,” says Boxcars’ infielder Ossie Abreu. “As for the difference, I mean, we’ve got a great city. And we’ve got one of the best facilities right now. It’s a big difference between here and there.”
Although the way the game is enjoyed by fans and the lifestyles of the players has greatly improved, it’s still professional baseball at the non-Major League level. As Boxcars’ outfielder Marty Costes, a Baltimore native and former Maryland Terrapin, put it, “It’s the same game. Baseball hasn’t really changed.”
Local Boy Comes Home
In the minor leagues, a player rarely gets the chance to play at home. But remarkably, one Hagerstown player is actually playing near his old stomping grounds. Jared Carr hails from Martinsburg, West Virginia, and played high school baseball at the Saint James School in Hagerstown. He has the luxury of living with his parents and commuting about 20 minutes to home games.
“It’s a little weird to be at home playing professional baseball considering I have been all over the place the past couple years,” says Carr, who played college baseball at nearby Shepherd University. “But it’s definitely nice. I like it. I was in Mexico this past winter and summer, and I played a year in Charleston, West Virginia.”
So for now, he can’t think of anything better than
roaming the outfield in Hagerstown.
“We are pretty fortunate here,” he says. “We’ve definitely got the nicest stadium and best facilities in terms of locker rooms and stuff like that, and we get a good crowd. You don’t see that in too many places elsewhere in this league. It’s definitely No. 1.”
Still, getting out of town once in a while is certainly not frowned upon. The team’s bus trips at the longest are eight hours and average around three to four.
“Fortunately, most of the trips aren’t terribly far, so it’s not too bad,” he says.
As for his hopes and dreams for moving on back up the professional baseball ladder, Carr said he takes it day by day.
“For me, it’s all about playing and having fun,” he says. “As long as you can do that in some capacity, anywhere you go feels like you are making progress towards that goal. Whether it’s making the Major Leagues or trying to find another place to play, whether it’s Mexico or going overseas. Whatever, it’s just all about whether you are enjoying it.”
Carr’s situation is highly unusual. His teammates are either sharing apartments or living with host families.
Carr doesn’t need to expend the energy needed to live on his own, so he uses all his resources to learn more about himself and the game.
“There are different things you can try to find within yourself and work with coaches to fix,” he says. “But as far as my career has progressed, and as I’ve gotten older, it’s more about how to fix things on your own. Coaches are vital to the game, and I would never want to take anything away from them. But at the end of the day, I am the one out on the field so I have to be able to make those micro adjustments myself, and being able to figure that on my own helps me a lot.”
The Wizard of Ossie
Perhaps no one player knows the ins and outs of the Hagerstown community better than Ossie Abreu, who has played in Hagerstown for all three of the Boxcars’ seasons and played one year with the Suns. He and his family settled in Maugansville more than six years ago. He’s a fixture in town and kids who see him around often recognize him.
“I feel very comfortable when I am at home. I think the fans make this place attractive,” he says. “They love to come here. They enjoy the game, and I think they support when we go though bad times or good. They are still there.”
Abreu, who has also played in the Washington Nationals and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations and advanced as far as Double A, has an added advantage for life on the road.
Boxcars’ outfielder Jared Carr went to the Saint James School.
“My wife cooks meals for me before I go to the road,” he says. “I like homemade, so I don’t really go to restaurants. I bring it all with me. She cooks all the meals the night before, I freeze them, then I put them in a cooler and bring them with me. It saves money, too. She cooks them, then later I put them in the microwave and in five minutes, enjoy.”
When not playing for the Flying Boxcars during the home team’s season, Abreu jets off for faraway lands to continue in his craft and collect other paychecks. But he always returns ‘home’ to Hagerstown.
“I play winter ball, then for a couple months before the season starts, I do lessons,” he says. “I can go anywhere, Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Columbia. These are professional leagues. That’s what I do. I leave the family for a couple months. It’s hard, it’s tough, but that’s my job, you know.”
He enjoys working with local youth baseball players, often relating his experiences and spread useful advice to the up-and-comers.
“I say to the kids just work hard, be disciplined, and dream what you want to be,” he says. “Believe in yourself. Just work hard, and it will pay off. Baseball is all the time. I don’t get tired of it. I love baseball. If you love it, you won’t get tired of it.”
Former New York Yankees pitcher Johnny Barbato now coaches and pitches in Hagerstown.
The Player/Coach
Miami, Florida, native Johnny Barbato is a right-handed pitcher…but he works both sides of the mound these days. The former major leaguer came to Hagerstown from a different world than what he experienced in venues like PNC Park in Pittsburgh and Yankee Stadium in New York City.
“This is my 16th year in professional baseball,” he says. “I’ve seen a little bit, yeah, yeah. The last four years or so I’ve been on the coaching side. Last year, long story, but I ended up throwing a live batting practice to a couple of our hitters on the team I was coaching. As a joke, I sent a video to my agent saying, ‘Hey, I still got it.’ The next thing you know, I’m in Mexico playing. So, it’s all good. This year, when I talked to [Flying Boxcars manager] Mark [Minicozzi] about coming here to be a coach, I asked him if I could throw some innings. That’s how the player/ coach thing came about.”
Having made it to the majors with three different franchises, Barbato has plenty to
offer across the board.
“Honestly, that’s the reason why I love coaching at this level because a lot of these guys have never been to the highest level of baseball or are trying to work their way back,” he says. “To live out the dream that I was lucky enough to live out, it’s something I try to show these guys. Also, when I see these guys go on to the next level, it’s a really good feeling. Seeing them trying to live out their dream. Like I said, I was lucky enough to do that myself.”
And in doing so, Barbato has become well versed in the differences across all the levels.
“Well, you get to fly if you are in the big leagues and the stadiums and the facilities are going to be better obviously,” he says. “Talentwise? Man, there’s just lot of guys here I think can pitch at the big league level, but it all comes down to consistency and being able to get the shot. I think a lot of these guys here are kinda slept on and especially on our staff there are some guys who have big-league stuff. It’s just kinda honing it in and getting to where they can be consistent on a daily basis.”
Growing up, Barbato says he tried to play every position or as many positions as possible before settling down on what he was best at, pitching.
“Nowadays it’s a lot different,” he says. “Kids coming in are now only pitchers at 10 or 12 years old and that was never a thing. For me, pitching was almost secondary because I always played other positions. I always had a good arm and stuff then you realize once you get to the high school level, ‘Alright, well, I am
Infielder Ossie Abreu.
a little better pitcher than I am infielder.’ Then you kinda stick to that position.”
But in the end, Barbato says the natural attraction to the long ball seems to rule the roost.
“Let’s be honest, when you are a kid, you notice home runs and hitters and stuff like that and you want to be like them,” he says.
“No one ever says to their kid they should want to be like a [Hall of Famers] Roger Clemens or Randy Johnson. The game revolves around the offense. People come to see the homers, not many people come to see a pitchers’ duel anymore.”
Still, there are enough arms out there and plenty of money to be made if a pitcher happens to make it to the “show.” For Barbato, those are the ones who keep him motivated to coach.
“It’s been a great experience, and I’ve been fortunate enough to say that I’ve been at the top level. I mean you can’t really beat the Yankees organization. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Fear the Turtle
Hailing from Baltimore and being a former Terrapin, outfielder Marty Costes, perhaps, holds the deepest appreciation for the rebirth of professional baseball in Hagerstown.
“This is good for the state. It brings a sense of pride, and it also brings sort of a Triple A or Double A feel along with it,” he says. “I’m grateful to be here. I played with the Houston Astros all the way up to the Triple A level, so I’ve played in many different cities. I played in Fayetteville when they first opened their stadium.
Local boy Jared Carr in action at Shepherd University during his college days.
And I played with the Miami Marlins for a year in Jacksonville. And then I played last year with the York team in this league. So, coming home to this league is just a beautiful way to bring a winning culture, to bring more fans out. So, it’s been great.”
Being a big buffet guy with a passion for seafood having grown up near the Chesapeake Bay, Costes prefers a well-known Chinese buffet in downtown Hagerstown over other options. During the off season he also works with an academy in Washington, D.C., to help promote the game, mainly giving hitting lessons.
“For the little guys, I tell them, one, it’s about confidence. Two, I just try to have them work off the tee and keep it simple,” he says. “Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication. In baseball, you have to learn to think ahead. You have to learn to focus. That’s all it is, learning to focus.”
The biggest difference he sees in his experience at Hagerstown, once again, is its amenities.
“This is a new stadium. That’s a lot of the difference right there,” he says. “I loved the team when I played in York. We won a lot of games. But here, the cages and other facilities are top of the line.”
Though when the ‘boys on the bus’ (as minor leaguers are sometimes called) gathered on that Friday night for both fireworks against the visiting Ducks of Long Island and the latenight light show in the outfield of Meritus Park afterwards, Costes was sidelined with a sore ankle.
“I should be back in the lineup pretty soon,” he said, adding that advancements have truly upped his game and his recovery time. “Technology has become more helpful. I look back when I first got into pro ball, I didn’t know how to break down my own film. So, it’s like me learning how to use the resources better.”
With that, is Costes—or any of these players really—ready to give up the professional baseball lifestyle highly coveted in Hagerstown at the age of 30?
“Nah, I want to play ball until I’m 40 at least. That’s how I see it.”
The Great Steak Debate
The first Battle of the Cheesesteaks in downtown Hagerstown initiated the debate about who really has the best
On May 16, downtown Hagerstown smelled like sizzling beef, toasted rolls, and civic pride. The occasion was the first Battle of the Cheesesteaks, sponsored by Hamilton Nissan and hosted by One Room Media with support from Main Street Hagerstown. The event sold out its 350 tasting and voting tickets, then drew another 400 to 500 people who showed up just to be part of the fun.
For a town that has long claimed the steamer sandwich as its own, the sudden frenzy over steak and cheese may seem unexpected. But anyone who has watched Jamie Lawrence of One Room Media take a bite, squeeze a roll, flick a crust, and offer his entertaining take on a local sandwich knows this delicious little rivalry has been building for months.
Lawrence, a Hagerstown native, laughs at how the whole thing started. “My favorite thing to eat is cheesesteaks,” he says, adding that he began visiting local restaurants almost as a joke. “I’m still kind of shocked that people would like watching me eat.”
By April Bartel
What began as short, good-natured food videos quickly became a community conver-
Battle of the Cheesesteaks winner Grab, Smash & Go.
sation. Restaurants started promoting their versions. Viewers started comparing notes. Suddenly, the sandwich that “really has no ties to Hagerstown,” as Lawrence puts it, had become a local obsession.
The Battle of the Cheesesteaks made it official. Grab Smash & Go took first place, followed by The Pita King and Seasonz.
Brittany Arizmendi, director of community engagement for Main Street Hagerstown, says the event fit naturally into downtown’s
growing food culture. Last year’s Battle of the Burgers proved that people were eager for playful, food-centered events. The cheesesteak battle added another layer.
“Downtown Hagerstown has a very diverse culinary scene,” she says, pointing to Mexican, soul food, African, Jamaican, Puerto Rican, Thai, Italian-inspired and traditional American restaurants within just a few blocks. Add cheesesteaks to the list, and it becomes one more reason to wander, sample, and stay awhile.
Of course, depending on whom you ask, a cheesesteak is not always the same as a steak and cheese.
In Philadelphia, the traditional version is stripped down and serious: shaved ribeye, fried onions, a proper roll, and cheese, usually Cheez Whiz, provolone, or Cooper sharp. Around here, the Maryland-style steak and cheese is more likely to arrive dressed up with lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, or even mushrooms and peppers.
Lawrence enjoys both versions but admits
Battle of the Cheesesteaks organizer Jamie Lawrence.
Battle of the Cheesesteaks runner-up Pita King.
that his personal favorite leans local. “I’m more like a Maryland-style one and less of a Philly,” he says.
Kalim Johnson, co-owner of Juniper Café with Tamara Johnson, brings the Philadelphia perspective. He grew up there, where the cheesesteak is not a novelty but part of neighborhood life. “My uncle literally used to call me ‘cheesesteak’ because I always had a cheesesteak in my hand,” he says.
At Juniper, Johnson goes back to what he considers the foundation: shaved ribeye, fried onions, cheese, and a traditional Philadelphia roll. He carries both Amoroso’s and Liscio’s rolls and uses Cooper sharp and provolone.
“The difference is going to be the seasoning blend that I use on the actual meat,” he says. “When you use the actual shaved ribeye, you have to be responsible for getting a flavor to it.”
That attention has made Juniper’s cheesesteak the café’s champion product, accounting for roughly 60 percent of revenue. The menu also plays with variations, including crab and shrimp cheesesteaks with pepper jack and Old Bay, jerk chicken cheesesteaks and firecracker chicken cheesesteaks with habanero cheddar and hot pepper relish.
Johnson sees the sandwich as a bridge between places and people. Big cities, he
says, are made up of small communities, each known for something. In Hagerstown, he is finding his own pocket. “We’re a small business trying to become a staple in a small town,” he says.
For Chuck and Tina Triesh of Tucker’s Pucker with Stoner Dogs Subs and Sammies food truck, the best sandwich begins with two things: superlative meat and bread.
“Honestly, first and foremost, it’s the meat that you use,” Tina says. “But second, it’s the bun.”
Their rolls come from Burkholders Donuts & More in Sharpsburg, baked fresh for the business. The meat is shaved ribeye. The cheese is Cooper sharp, a detail that reflects both changing trends and Chuck’s family ties to Philadelphia.
“You don’t need to go overboard,” Chuck says. “You just need some basic TLC.”
That care has paid off. Tuckers Pucker has been named among the top three cheesesteaks in The Journal’s Best of the Best People’s Choice awards for the past two years. The business started as a lemonade stand with a hand squeezer and about five flavors, then grew into hot dogs, subs, and sandwiches, each bite jazzed up with a unique personality.
For all the debate over rolls, cheese, and toppings, the best part may be that there is no
single right answer. A great steak and cheese should be juicy but not soggy, generous but balanced, seasoned well and tucked into bread sturdy enough to hold the whole glorious mess together. It should taste like somebody cared.
That may be why the craze caught on. Law-
The Battle of the Cheesesteaks attracted hundreds of visitors downtown.
The Battle of the Cheesesteaks trophy featured a 3D printed pig.
Juniper Cafe is becoming a Hagerstown favorite.
rence’s videos are not really about declaring one winner. They are about giving people a reason to try the little places they might have driven past, to cheer for hometown cooks and to talk with surprising passion about what’s for lunch.
The competition proved that Hagerstown is hungry for more of those moments. Lawrence says future food battles are already in the works, with chicken wings likely next. Main Street Hagerstown is also continuing its food-friendly events, including Battle of the Burgers’ round two on September 12th and a Cookie Crawl in December.
Until then, the burgeoning “steak and cheese trail” is open. Start downtown. Follow the aroma. Order it dressed the way you please. Then take a bite and join the debate.
A COUPLE OTHERS WE LIKE
Although these two shops weren’t part of the Battle of the Cheesesteaks, local cheesesteak aficionados Danny Pappareilla, owner of Hagerstown Eats, and Chuck Boteler say they are worthy of a try.
MATEO’S, Waynesboro
Do a search of Mateo’s Waynesboro and you’ll find references to a Mexican restaurant. While they serve great Mexican food, we really love the cheesesteak offerings there. Get the Wagyu beef steak, fresh cut fries, and shake special on a weekend for $20. Plenty of fillings, soft bread and a unique well-seasoned beef experience. Worth the short drive.
Original ROCKY’S, Cascade
If you like a lot of food and are a volume eater, the Original Rocky’s Pizza and Creative Kitchen may be your best choice. While the beef used isn’t the fresh shaved ribeye or Wagyu, Rocky’s more than makes up for it by serving one of the biggest cheesesteaks in the area. Ever heard of the Cooper Steakanator? Ask about it.
Pure Delite
Williamsport’s “new old fashioned” Deliteful Dairy is the result of two centuries of family farming
For nearly two centuries, the Long family worked on the same stretch of rolling farmland in Williamsport; tending animals, raising crops, and adapting to the changing realities of agriculture. The 157-acre property has been in the family since Isaac Long bought it in 1831.
In 2016, Brooks and Katie Long purchased the land from Brooks’ grandparents, making them the seventh generation in this legacy, blending traditional techniques with modern sensibilities. Under their stewardship, Deliteful Dairy is a blossoming farmstead creamery and café (“cow-fé”) where visitors can sip cream-line milk, nosh on handcrafted cheeses, and watch cows graze beyond the porch railings.
By April Bartel
While the farm was a commercial dairy for decades, the vision evolved. In 2019, the Longs opened an on-site creamery, taking back control of production to ensure that customers get
Brooks and Katie Long at the Deliteful Dairy in Williamsport.
quality, grass-fed dairy products that go from cow-to-consumer within their native origin.
Brooks says, “We didn’t like that (the dairy industry) was over-processing a lot of the stuff.” That reality inspired transformation. “My favorite thing about what I do is being able to provide a fresh, local product to the community around us.”
Eschewing the ultra-high-temperature methods common in industrial dairy processing, Deliteful Dairy uses “slow vat pasteurization” at lower temperatures. The resulting milk, Long explains, is “basically as close to raw as we can legally sell in Maryland.” It is also non-homogenized, allowing the cream to rise naturally to the top.
The Longs have bred A2A2 genetics for more than a decade, too. According to research published by the National Library of Medicine and other reputable health organizations, A2 milk contains a different beta-casein protein than conventional milk. Studies suggest that people sensitive to dairy may experience
fewer digestive discomforts when consuming A2 milk. Long says customers’ feedback seems to confirm the claim.
DOWN ON THE FARM
Just a mile from Interstate 81, a vintage milk truck greets visitors at the farm entrance, a reminder of the days when dairy deliveries arrived directly at neighborhood doorsteps. Inside, broad live-edge oak tables and a matching serving counter add natural warmth to the airy shop and café. The wood came from an ancient tree that once grew on the property, preserving another piece of the farm’s history.
There’s a trove of locally crafted items. Teas, preserves, seasonings, woodcrafts, and artisan goods from neighboring makers complement fresh eggs, butter, frozen meat, and slices of indulgent cheesecakes alongside the farm’s own milk and aged cheeses.
Cheese production is a hallmark of the operation, a rarity among family farms. Large viewing windows allow guests to watch the
“My favorite thing about what I do is being able to provide a fresh, local product to the community around us.”
— BROOKS LONG
cheesemaking. Their best-selling “Drunken Crab” cheddar combines local collaboration with Maryland flavor. Curds are washed in Antietam Brewery’s Lil’ Ben’s Milk Stout before the wheels are coated in Old Bay seasoning and aged. Another standout is the “Bovi-lone,”
Milk and cheese are among the specialties at the Deliteful Dairy.
a provolone-style cheese aged into a firmer, sharper profile. Other offerings include Havarti, baby Swiss, pepper jack, parmesan-style “1831 Reserve,” and fresh cheddar curds in flavors ranging from dill and ranch to spicy pickle.
“We do everything ourselves, on site, with our hands and our milk,” says Long. “So, we know exactly where it was and how it was made.” During grazing season, the heavy cream takes on a distinctly buttery yellow hue
from the cows’ grass-rich diet.
The bottled milk lineup includes whole cream-line milk as well as skim milk, chocolate, strawberry, and cookies-and-cream varieties. Around the holidays, customers line up for the farm’s rich eggnog. Around the area, folks can find Deliteful Dairy products at coffee shops, bakeries, and groceries stores such as Martin’s, River Bottom Roasters, and Gordon’s Grocery.
The eatery expands the experience beyond
the dairy case. Signature paninis showcase the farm’s cheeses in combinations like the “Ham-varti” with mustard and onion or the “Cowi-fornia,” layered with turkey, bacon, tomatoes, and baby Swiss. Add a side of fried cheese curds, Kutztown soda, and a bag of Route 11 chips, or skip right to dessert.
The place features hand-dipped ice cream from nearby Misty Meadows Farm Creamery. It’s a perfect excuse to gather on the shaded porch with family and friends. The view, overlooking pens with shaggy Highland cows, goats, donkeys, pigs, and a miniature horse is a pure bonus especially during fireworks at the adjacent Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park campground.
Inside the Deliteful Dairy are classic farm products, everything from farm grown meats to tomato preserve.
DINING GUIDE
301 TACOS AND PIZZA
1561 Potomac Ave. (Longmeadow Shopping Ctr.) Hagerstown , 240.850.8537
Delicious pizza with perfect crust and sauce, along with great wings, tacos and subs. $$
ALEKOS 2 GO
511 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, 240.313.4976
Freshly prepared and cooked Greek food made daily. $
AMERICAN PIE PIZZERIA
17520 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown, 301.582.6281
Family run business that serves not only pizza but several authentic Italian dishes as well. $$
BAILE CASK AND KETTLE
53 W. Washington St., Hagerstown, 301.358.3800
Classic Irish-inspired pub fare, house-brewed craft beers and freshly baked New York-style bagels. $$
BENNY’S PUB
49 Eastern Blvd. N., Hagerstown, 301.791.5915
Relaxed venue serving specialty burgers and other pub grub, plus bespoke beers in convivial surrounds. $–$$
BISTRO 11
13208 Fountain Head Plaza, Hagerstown, 301.733.2222
Relaxed and refined cuisine. Full menu of specialties, steaks, and seafood. $$–$$$
BJ’S RESTAURANT & BREWHOUSE
17318 Valley Mall Road, Suite C, Hagerstown, 240.513.4040
Handcrafted beer, Chicago-style pizza with a Southern California twist, and Pizookies. $$-$$$
BONNIE’S AT THE RED BYRD
19409 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville, 301.432.5822
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are covered with a wide selection of sandwiches and entrees. $–$$
THE BROAD AXE
28 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown, 301.733.8454
Daily specials featuring top-notch pub fare and a quickly rotating tap list. $–$$
BROTHER’S PIZZA
75 Eastern Blvd. N., Hagerstown, 240.625.9215
Fresh, fast, and affordable pizza, sandwiches, and Italian classics. $–$$
CACIQUE
1101 Opal Court, Hagerstown, 301.739.7207
Fresh, creative, and classic Mexican, Spanish, and Latin American cuisine. $$
CAFÉ DEL SOL
1481 Salem Ave., Suite 1, Hagerstown, 301.739.3072
Gourmet pizza, flatbreads, and pasta with a California twist. $$–$$$
CAFÉ ITALIA
935 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, 240.420.6677
Classic Italian dishes, and they offer one of the biggest pizzas in town. $–$$
CHIC’S SEAFOOD
300 Summit Ave., Hagerstown, 301.739.8220
Daily specials featuring some of the freshest seafood around. $–$$$
COLONIAL SPORTS BAR AND GRILL
14130 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown, 240.203.6206
The best game-day food at the best prices around. $–$$
DRACULA’S KITCHEN AND BAR
20131 Professional Blvd., Hagerstown, 240.382.1102
Centuries old elegance meets culinary artistry in this unforgettable gothic sanctuary. $$-$$$
DOLCE PIZZA GOURMET
792 Frederick St., Hagerstown, 301.745.6300
Italian flavors complemented by Eastern European dishes. $–$$
EL CASTILLO PIZZERIA & TEX MEX
15616 National Pike, Hagerstown, 301.582.4727
15731 Pennsylvania Ave., State Line, PA, 717.597.1819
Pizza, salads, lunch specials, and a spicy array of Tex Mex. $–$$
EL RANCHERO MEXICAN RESTAURANT
1481 Wesel Blvd., Hagerstown, 240.420.2842
1715 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, 301.797.7589
Fresh, authentic Mexican cuisine using the highest-quality ingredients available. $$
FAJITA GRANDE MEXICAN RESTAURANT
12818 Shank Farm Way, Hagerstown, 240.707.6333
Where the fiesta never ends. $
FOSTER’S ON THE POINT
1437 Salem Ave., Hagerstown, 301.739.7182
Soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a rotating list of entrées and specials offered in an inviting rustic atmosphere. $$–$$$
FRATELLI PIZZERIA AND GRILL
120 E. Oak Ridge Drive, Hagerstown, 301.393.8733
Italian specialties like pasta, pizza, in addition to Mexican options. $–$$
FREE RANGE CAFÉ
520 Northern Ave., Hagerstown, 240.513.6070
Food that makes you feel good! $-$$
FUJI ASIAN FOOD & SUSHI BAR
11205 John F. Kennedy Drive, Suite 205, Hagerstown, 301.393.9099
Authentic traditional Chinese cuisine options and sushi. $–$$
GIO’S PIZZERIA
18117 Maugan’s Ave., #200, Hagerstown, 240.698.0905
By combining our passion for pizza with our commitment to community service, we strive to be more than just a pizzeria. $$
GREENLEE’S FIRESIDE RESTAURANT & LOUNGE
1716 Underpass Way, Hagerstown, 301.733.4800
A full menu of steaks, seafood, and other American specialties. $$–$$$
THE GRILLE AT RUNWAYS
18421 Henson Blvd., Hagerstown, 240.707.6996
Traditional American dining with a quiet and relaxing view of the airstrip. $–$$
HAGERSTOWN FAMILY DINER
431 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, 240.707.6330 Great hidden gem of Hagerstown. $
HOFFMAN’S ALL AMERICAN GRILL
18203 Mason Dixon Road, Hagerstown, 240.707.6600
Casual dining at its finest featuring burgers, steaks, salads, and seafood. $$–$$$
HONG KONG CHINESE RESTAURANT 1075 Virginia Ave., Hagerstown, 301.733.1292
Veteran eatery serving familiar Chinese dishes in an informal setting. $$
HOUSE OF KOBE
757 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, 301.797.6979
Fine dining featuring sushi and hibachi cooking right in front of you. $$–$$$
HUB CITY DINER
190 Railway Ln., Hagerstown, 240.707.6638
Comfort food served hot and fresh in a family friendly atmosphere. $
HUMMUS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
11205 John F. Kennedy Dr., Unit 108A, Hagerstown, 240.513.6020
A blend of authentic Mediterranean recipes with modern flavors. $–$$
J’S DINER
43 Eastern Blvd N, Hagerstown, MD 21740, 301.745.3091
Innovative breakfast destination for those in search of an unpretentious place to begin the day. Everything they offer is made from scratch, so you can feel good about what you’re eating. $$
JUNIPER CAFÉ
41 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, 240.267.2897
Get a taste of Philly with one of the best genuine cheesesteaks you’ll find in Washington County. Plenty of other great selections too! $$
LEDO PIZZA
1423 Dual Highway, Hagerstown, 301.766.4900
Creative flavor combinations and lots of sandwich and gluten-free options. $–$$
LOS AMIGOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT
29 N. Burhans Blvd, Hagerstown, 240.420.8000
18330 Spark Dr., Hagerstown, 240.707.6250
The finest authentic Mexican food prepared just the way you like it. $
MANGO GRILL INDIAN & THAI CUISINE
11205 John F. Kennedy Drive, Suite 201, Hagerstown, 240.707.6220 Experience the flavors of India and Thailand with daily lunch buffet deals. $$
MISSION BBQ
17301 Valley Mall Road, Hagerstown, 443.491.8777
Authentic, mouth-watering all-American food that’s done right. $$
NICK’S AIRPORT INN
14548 Pennsylvania Ave., Hagerstown 301.733.8560
More than 50 years of serving quality cuisine from scrumptious seafood to delectable desserts. $$
NIKKO JAPANESE STEAK & SEAFOOD
1580 Wesel Blvd., Suite F, Hagerstown, 301.714.0005
Bento combo box lunches, tons of a la carte sushi options, and hibachi lunch and dinner options. $–$$
PHO VIET
1441 Wesel Blvd, Hagerstown, MD 21740, 301.745.5030
Dine in and carry out Vietnamese cuisine. Small venue but the portions are authentic and large. $
POKÉ & SUSHI
11347 Robinwood Dr. Hagerstown, 301.393.8833
Refreshing Asian alternative. Choose your own ingredients for soups, Poké, rice bowls and sushi. Boba (bubble) tea. $$.
PRIMANTI BROS.
17301 Valley Mall, Hagerstown, 301.228.0933
High-piled sandwiches equipped to quell the heartiest of hungers. $
RAD PIES
10210 Governor Lane Blvd., Williamsport, 240.366.8634
Unique, wood-fired pizza options for the adventurous. $$
REAL DEAL JAMAICAN RESTAURANT
71 W. Franklin St., Hagerstown, 240.513.6393
A concise menu of classic Jamaican comfort foods & soft drinks amid casual digs. $
RHUBARB HOUSE
12 Public Square, Hagerstown, 301.733.4399
Sandwiches, burgers, wraps, salads, and soups with a unique touch. $–$$
RICE THAI DINING
40 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown, 301.766.9559
A taste of authentic Thailand, without needing a passport $$-$$$
RIK’S CAFE
1065 Maryland Ave., Hagerstown, 301.302.7541
California-inspired contemporary American cuisine featuring sandwiches, hearty soups, small plates, and salads. $$–$$$
ROCKY’S NEW YORK PIZZA
907 S. Potomac St., Suite 1, Hagerstown, 301.791.6810
Great pizza in addition to other classic Italian fare. $–$$
ROCKY’S PIZZA ROBINWOOD
11351 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, 301.790.3853
Delicious Italian cuisine at an affordable price $-$$
ROOSTER MOON COFFEEHOUSE
Longmeadow Shopping Center, 1551 Potomac Ave., Hagerstown, 301.790.5040
Fine coffee, espresso drinks, organic teas, with a full breakfast and lunch menu. $
SAKURA JAPANESE RESTAURANT
102 Railway Lane, Hagerstown, 301.393.8680
Part Japanese steakhouse, part sushi bar, featuring hibachi dining. $$–$$$
SARDI’S POLLO A LA BRASA
100 Railway Lane, Hagerstown, 240.382.1214
Casual Peruvian chain serving charbroiled chicken, ceviche, and other traditional dishes. $–$$$
SCHMANKERL STUBE
58 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, 301.797.3354
Old World-style Bavarian dining with an emphasis on German traditions. $$$
SCHULA’S GRILL AND CRAB HOUSE
11205 John F. Kennedy Drive, Hagerstown, 301.714.1397
Seafood and sandwiches are served in a casual setting with polished wood tables and a bar. $$–$$$
SITAR OF INDIA
110 Railway Lane, Hagerstown, 301.733.8223
A contemporary atmosphere that complements their traditional Northern Indian specialties. $-$$
STADIUM TAVERN
401 S. Cannon Ave., Hagerstown, 301.714.0849
Crabs and steam buckets, shrimp, and oysters, and don’t forget the wings. $–$$
TASTE OF REGGAE
40 E Washington St, Hagerstown, MD 21740, 240.513.1101
Authentic Jamaican restaurant specializing in made-to-order Caribbean and Jamaican food. Packed with flavor and cooked the way it is done in Jamaica. $$
TAQUERIA JALISCO AUTHENTIC
MEXICAN GRILL
1037 Maryland Ave., Hagerstown, 301.797.2000
Authentic Mexican cuisine with the experience of being in Mexico. $
THE CRAB 99
116 Railway Lane, Hagerstown, 240.452.1937
Tasty seafood dishes with a wide range of flavors. Make your own seafood combinations. $$
VEVA’S ON POTOMAC
38 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown, 301.791.0370
Italian fare; Maryland soul. $$-$$$
Z BUFFET
17635 Valley Mall Road, Hagerstown, 240.866.0814
Fresh food, hibachi and sushi in a clean renovated atmosphere. $$
Such a Cool Place
For 30 years, Boonsboro residents and tourists from afar have screamed for Nutter’s ice cream
Idon’t remember what time of year it was the first time I went into Nutter’s Ice Cream, but I remember getting my cone. I remember it being big, really, really big. I remember that my mom didn’t seem bothered by the price and said we could come back again soon. I remember thinking that I couldn’t wait to come back. I was 5-or 6-years old then. I’m 35 now, and I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been back to Nutter’s Ice Cream. But if I had to guess, I’d say it well over 100. And I know that I’m probably in good company as a regular.
For 30 years now, Nutter’s Ice Cream has been serving flurries, snowballs, milkshakes, banana splits, lollipops, soft-serve, and hand-dipped treats to locals and tourists from all over the country and as far away as Australia and England.
When Debbie Nutter’s job was outsourced from National Geographic and her late husband Donnie was about to retire from the prison 30 years ago, the two decided to open their own business. They were throwing ideas around when Donnie suggested ice cream. And Debbie said, “I think you’re right there.”
By Laura Forrest Hopfauf
In May of 1996, Nutter’s Ice Cream opened their doors. Back then only Debbie, Donnie,
Lettie Carter serves Nutter’s ice cream to Chris and Mark VanMetre.
her late mother Sandy Jean Henson, and her sister Brenda Kretzer worked for Nutter’s. Over time, that list of employees has included other members of Debbie’s family, teachers, high school kids, and friends. Scooping the perfect cone or pulling the perfect soft-serve isn’t as easy as they make it look though. It’s an art to get ice cream not to topple out of a cone, especially at the height Nutter’s makes it, and it takes a few weeks for new employees to master the art of scooping.
On the first Monday of May this year, Debbie and Nutter’s Ice Cream celebrated their 30th anniversary by bringing back the original 1996 prices for three of their mainstay treats. A small snowball was 75 cents again, a small
soft-serve 95 cents, and a hand-dipped cone a whopping $1.25. The line, which almost always stretches out the door and down the street as soon as the weather turns warm, went out the door, around the corner, and clear to the library at the corner of Main Street and Alley 15.
But if you are a fan of Nutter’s Ice Cream you know the line is part of the process. And unlike most places waiting in line isn’t a bad thing.
“Waiting in line they meet the people in front of them and behind them, and if they don’t know each other when they get in a line, they know a little bit about each other while they wait,” Nutter says.
People talk to each other in line at Nutter’s. It’s hot out here. What flavor are you going to get? They talk in line inside. It’s almost our turn. I can’t wait to eat my ice cream. They talk on the benches, licking cones. Do you want to try mine? I needed this. How’s your mom?
Nutter’s hasn’t just served ice cream in our community. They’ve served our community. Nutter’s has sponsored soccer, basketball,
Little League, stock cars, and fishing teams. Having grown up in Sharpsburg, I can say with 100 percent certainty being on the Little League team Nutter’s sponsored was always a coveted spot.
But the best part of owning Nutter’s for Debbie is simple.
“Just seeing how much everyone enjoys it. We keep prices low so families can still come and bring their whole family and have a treat. I’ve watched a lot of them grow up and now their bringing their kids,” Nutter says.
Nutter’s isn’t just about the ice cream. It’s about the feeling. Nineteen ninty-six doesn’t feel that far away in line at Nutter’s. When I step inside the doors, it looks mostly the same as it did when I was a kid. It certainly feels the same.
I get that rush of cold air that gives me a shiver. I get lost looking at the antiques on the shelves. I try to keep my fingers off the glass now, but I still have to lean down and look through the case to see all the flavors.
I lift my daughters so they can see them, too. For a few minutes, I can almost believe that the internet still makes that weird noise to dial up, phones hang on the wall with a cord that keeps you tethered to the conversation, and Michael Jordan is still indisputability the greatest basketball player alive.
It’s not about it being a simpler time. It’s about connection. It’s about community. It’s about getting a treat, sitting down on the corner, and having a conversation while watching traffic go by, waving at the people you know. It’s a favorite past-time of mine. It has been since I was a kid. I think it’s a favorite past-time of a lot of people.
It’s a tradition that Nutter’s created in 1996 and has kept alive for 30 years. Nutter’s isn’t just a place you get ice cream. It’s a place that lets the young and the old have a few minutes where the world and its problems cease to exist, and the most pressing decision is what flavor are you going to get and which bench are you going to sit on while you eat it?
Debbie Nutter.
A summer tradition in Boonsboro is the line forming waiting to get into Nutter’s Ice Cream.
SENIOR LIVING CALENDAR
Every Wednesday
OF EVENTS
CONTEMPORARY RETIREMENT
9:06 a.m. to 10 a.m., WJEJ Radio
Tune in for topical discussions on issues affecting retirees.
Wednesdays, July 1 and August 5
NEW TO MEDICARE WORKSHOP
1 p.m. to 3 p.m., 6 p.m to 8 p.m. 535 E. Franklin St., Hagerstown
Hosted by the Washington County Commission on Aging. To register call 301.790.0275.
Tuesdays, July 7 and August 4
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Somerford Place
Hosted by Somerford Assisted Living and Alzheimer’s Care. For more information, call 301.791.9221.
Tuesdays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 and August 4, 11, 18, 25
HEALTH MATTERS RADIO SHOW
9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., WJEJ radio (1240 am)
Tune in for information on health topics that matter. Call 301.739.2323 during broadcast times with your health questions.
August 6
PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP
11:45 a.m. to 3 p.m., Western Sizzlin Steakhouse, 17567 York Road, Hagerstown
Parkinson’s Disease patients and caregivers meet to hear a variety of speakers and enjoy lunch and conversation. Call Linda at 301.790.8606 or visit www.hagerstownparkinsonsupport.org.
Mondays, July 6 and August 3
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
2 p.m. to 3 p.m., LIFE Lutheran Services, 840 Fifth Ave., Chambersburg, Pa.
Covers a new topic each week. Free; light refreshments served. Call 717.709.2342.
Mondays, July 6 and August 3
BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP
7 p.m., Breast Cancer Awareness — Cumberland Valley, 12916 Conamar Dr., Suite 201, Hagerstown Call 301.791.5843 or visit www.bcacv.org.
Mondays, July 13 and August 10
SPINAL CORD INJURY SUPPORT
3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 201
Education and support for those who have suffered a spinal cord injury and are now adjusting to their disabilities. Call 301.714.4070.
Tuesdays, July 14 and August 11
SMART SENIORS
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Diakon Senior Living— Robinwood Campus
Educational forum about topics of interest to older adults; sit-down meal served. $9. For reservations, call 240.420.4119.
Tuesdays, July 14 and August 11
LEUKEMIA & LYMPHOMA
6 p.m., Robinwood Medical Center, Suite 129
Open to those affected by leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease, MDS or myeloma. Call 301.665.4650.
Thursdays, July 9 and August 13
ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP
6 p.m. to 7 p.m Brookdale Senior Living, 20009 Rosebank Way, Hagerstown
Family and friends of those suffering from dementia are invited to network with others who are experiencing similar situations in a safe, non-judgmental setting. Call 301.733.3353.
Tuesdays, July 28 and August 25 55 UP
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Cortland Mansion 19411 Cortland Drive, Hagerstown Lunch and educational seminar for people ages 55 and UP. $13. Call 301.790.8907.
GROW IT ALL
MIDSUMMER DREAM GARDEN
Midsummer is when you see the payoff of your spring scramble to get your garden in order, rewarding you with blooming flowers and much-anticipated zucchini and tomatoes.
To keep that momentum going all the way to frost, one horticultural trick is a simple, proven practice: deadheading. Deadheading is regular harvesting. For flowers, it means removing faded flowers. Clipping or pinching off spent blooms encourages re-blooming by redirecting energy into creating new flowers, not seeds. Doing this every few days is a recommended practice that yields more and continuing blooms. Make deadheading a habit, not a chore, by linking it to an existing daily routine, like checking your mailbox.
If this sounds daunting, bypass deadheading by planting flowers that naturally drop their spent blooms (self-cleaning). Annuals like Alyssum, Angelonia, Begonia, impatiens, cleome, Lantana, Lobelia, Torenia, and Sedum, are self-cleaning as are modern hybrids like Calibrachoa and Petunias. So too are groundcover like Zinnia, and hybrids like Zahara and Profusion. Self-cleaning perennials include Baptisia, bee balm, Calibrachoa, catmint, columbine, coneflower, Geranium, Lobelia, Phlox, and Yarrow.
The frequent harvest equivalent in the vegetable garden is “regular reaping.” Harvesting zucchini, beans, cucumbers, eggplant, kale, peas, peppers, and squash while small and young, (usually four to six inches long) keeps them in production mode longer. Total yield increases by tricking the plant into making more fruit rather than maturing seeds. “Smaller is sweeter” also applies to carrots, beets, broccoli and cauliflower heads. Besides, older fruit tends to become more bitter in hot weather.
A similar horticultural pest management principle is preventative control, or keeping a regular, watchful monitoring eye out for initial insect, disease, and cultural damage. It’s a blend of common sense, cultural tactics, and monitoring to notice early damage. By strategically managing pests when small and immature and before populations explode, major damage is averted. Preventative strategies make controlling pests safer, easier, and cheaper. Some examples:
By Deborah Smith Fiola
• Covering melons, pumpkin, acorn, and yellow squash with floating row covers provides a physical barrier to cucumber beetles that transmit bacterial wilt. Remember to remove covers during flowering to ensure pollination.
• Inspecting zucchini, pumpkins, and yellow squash for squash bug eggs (tiny, round red clusters on undersides of leaves) and destroying them reduces damaging infestations later.
• Pruning out black, swollen, gnarled black growths on branches of plum (especially purple-leaf plum), cherry or chokecherry, flowering almond, peach, and apricot halts Black Knot disease.
• Hand-picking bagworms on conifers (especially arborvitae, cedar, Leyland cypress) can stop defoliation and spraying. This caterpillar lives inside a cone-like brown bag (one-and-a-half to two-and-a-half inches long) camouflaged with pieces of foliage. Remember to destroy them.
• Raking up dropped, diseased leaves of sycamore when they drop early breaks the anthracnose disease cycle.
• Mowing lawns high (at least three inches high) for deeper rooting, drought survival, and weed deterrence.
• Removing standing water around the yard eliminates food and breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Importantly, remember to water your trees and shrubs, particularly any damaged by the late spring frost on April 21. Redbuds, Japanese maple, magnolia, hydrangea, etc., were killed back, yet used up energy re-foliating. Therefore, lay out a drip or soaker hose for an hour or so once or twice a week if there is no rain. Water both around the trunk and under the branches. Don’t forget your annuals, vegetables, and newly planted perennials, trees, and shrubs, too.
Deborah Smith Fiola is a professional horticultural consultant who lives in Keedysville. A former university professor/Extension agent, she has a B.S. in horticulture and an M.S. in entomology/pest management (from the University of Maryland). Email your questions to: landscapeipm@gmail.com.
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MY WACO LIFE
CHASING MORE THAN STORMS
I have a habit of chasing things, and I can’t sit still. If there’s a minute, I’m going to fill it with activity. When I was younger I filled those minutes with typical kid things kicking a soccer ball, riding my bike, dealing a game of solitaire on a rainy day. As I’ve gotten older, that’s transitioned to reorganize a closet, clean the sink, pick up my kids’ toys.
Patience is not my virtue. I’ve wondered if this is a patience thing this constant need to do, to be, to chase. To be honest, I don’t think it is. I think it’s a life thing. From as far back as I can remember, I’ve wanted to squeeze the actual life out of life. Like every day I needed something to show why I was here. What I did. How I moved myself, or on days when I think really highly of myself, how I moved the world forward. What good I contributed. Why I matter.
During the summers of my childhood, my father had a habit of shutting the television off right when the most important moment of the whole show was going to happen and forcing me outside most likely right into the hottest part of the day. I never did figure out how Kelly Kapowski and Zack Morris got together on Saved by the Bell. Or why Topanga and Corey broke up that one time in Boy Meets World. I think maybe this happened enough times that it rewired me.
By the time I became a full-fledged adult, I couldn’t have found a way to sit still if I tried. It wasn’t always physical ways I needed to move forward. It was mental too. Memorizing a recipe. Reading 100 books a year. Labeling all the countries of the Caribbean on a blank map. Trying to understand anything Carl Sagan said.
Summer became my favorite time of the year. It wasn’t just that it was hot. It was that the days were endless. I could cram work, a four-mile run, an entire book, and part of a soccer game into one good day in the summer.
By Laura Forrest Hopfauf
Unless it stormed.
My father and I used to spend a lot of summer days on our porch watching a summer thunderstorm. It wasn’t nothing. And it never felt like I wasn’t doing anything either. Standing on the porch with my father watching rain come down like it was in a hurry to hit the ground, having thunder shake my chest, and lightning make me blink felt like doing something. I was giving respect to an event that had, quite frankly, earned it just by showing up at my door.
But I was also spending time with my family in a way that didn’t require action. By the time I was 20 my father was losing a war against cancer. Watching a thunderstorm was one of the few times his health didn’t have to be the excuse for his lack of momentum. For a couple minutes, everything just was him, me, the world. A good thunderstorm can nearly bring a stop to time because there’s nothing you can do but wait it out, let it finish what it started.
It’s humbling. No matter what I do, who I become, a summer thunderstorm can stop me in my tracks.
I guess I could work through them now. I could clean up after my children; make dinner; fold the laundry. But I don’t. I’ve taught my kids, who are in perpetually motion until they fall asleep, not to either. When we hear thunder we run inside. I open the blinds and my daughters push dining chairs into a makeshift bench in front of our back sliders and sit close, even my baby joins them. They look out the windows and shout “Mommy, did you see that?” every time there’s a flash of lightning.
And in those moments with my daughters, I’m not chasing anything. I am richer than I’ve ever deserved to be. While the rain pelts and the wind drives and the thunder cracks and the lighting strikes, I know exactly why I’m here, and I don’t feel the need to do anything to prove it.
