CVB
Holds its Annual Meeting
The
CVB held its annual meeting on December 7, 2006, at the Washington
County Museum of Fine Arts. It started with a breakfast catered by
Leiters' Fine Catering, Inc. More than 50 people were in attendance
for the meeting, where CVB President and CEO Tom Riford assessed the
CVB's efforts in 2006. Tourism statistics for Hagerstown and Washington
County and the CVB's plans for 2007 were also reviewed. Dennis Miller
was recognized as the CVB Board of Directors' Outboard Chairman. Miller
has served on the Board of Directors for nine and a half years, and
has been the Chairman of the Board for the past two years. Doug Anstine
will be replacing Miller as the new Chairman of the Board.
Director Of Washington County Free Library Named 2007 Librarian Of The Year
 Mary
Baykan, Director of the Washington County Free Library, was recently
named 2007 Librarian of the Year by the Library Journal. Each year,
the award honors a professional librarian for outstanding achievement
and accomplishments reflecting the loftiest service goals of the library
profession. Baykan has been the director of the Washington County
Free Library for twelve years. During that time she has worked tirelessly
in her efforts to provide the people of the local community with the
very best in library services. Baykan has been the motivating force
behind the building of new libraries in Smithsburg and Clear Spring.
She has been instrumental in planning for the renovation and expansion
of the Central Library in Downtown Hagerstown. Baykan has developed
an active Friends group which supports many of the library programs
and funds multicultural and language classes. She has also been a
member of the Greater Hagerstown Urban Renewal Program, providing
planners with information demonstrating the vital role that the library
plays as an economic driver for downtown Hagerstown.
Baykan's advocacy for libraries has had statewide impact. As a volunteer
legislative officer for the Maryland Library Association, she has
worked diligently to coordinate efforts of library staff around the
state to promote libraries and enhance services. She has spent many
hours working with the members of the General Assembly advocating
for libraries and the need for increased funding. In 2006, by unanimous
vote, the legislature created a grant program for library renovation
and construction with $5 million available in the first year. Baykan's
efforts to cultivate positive relationships with the governor and
the legislature resulted in an annual Library Day in Annapolis.
Olive
Garden Coming to Washington County
 The
Valley Mall has announced it will be building and opening an Olive
Garden Italian Restaurant. Construction is scheduled to begin on the
project in 2007 and the restaurant is expected to open its doors no
later than 2008. The Olive Garden will be built on the present site
of the Firestone Tire and Service Center. A new Firestone is being
constructed behind the mall near the Country Inn and Suites. Once
the Firestone business has relocated to its new facility, the existing
building will be torn down and the Olive Garden Restaurant will be
built. Olive Garden Restaurants take pride in providing every guest
with a genuine Italian dining experience. The restaurants offer fresh,
simple, delicious Italian food, accompanied by wine, and served in
a comfortable, home-like Italian setting. Everyone is welcomed in
the traditional Italian way, as family and friends, thus the motto,
"When you're here, you're family."
Hagerstown Almanac Goes National With Distribution And Forecast
 For
the first time, the 2007 edition of J. Gruber's Hagers-Town Town and
Country Almanack has national weather forecasts to match its new national
distribution deal. Gone is the 211-year-old format that focused on
local weather, although a section devoted to local weather will be
added next year due to complaints. The woolly bear contest is gone
too; an event the almanac ran for at least 18 years. The almanac used
to offer a $100 prize for the biggest woolly caterpillar, and the
publication announced an annual winter weather prediction based on
the width of the collected caterpillars' brown-and-black bands. The
new distribution deal puts the Hagerstown almanac in 6,000 True Value
hardware stores and about 500 hardware and home-improvement stores
supplied by Orgill Inc. The deal has boosted sales after years of
shrinking distribution by mom-and-pop newsstand vendors in the Middle
Atlantic region. Prognosticator William O'Toole, a math and computer
science professor at Mount St. Mary's University in nearby Emmitsburg,
Md., predicts a colder, snowier winter than last year, especially
along the Eastern Seaboard. The nation's oldest continuously published
periodical, the 215-year-old Old Farmer's Almanac, of Dublin, N.H.,
also predicts below-average temperatures and above-average snowfall
along the East Coast.
Civil
War Newspaper Index Online
 An
index of Hagerstown-area newspapers from the Civil War era is available
at www.washcolibrary.org/newsIndex. Eleven counties in the Tri-State
area are covered by the Herald of Freedom and Torch Light, Herald
and Torch Light, Hagerstown Mail and Maryland Free Press from 1860
to 1865. In addition to articles, the index catalogs obituaries, advertisements,
legal notices and marriage announcements. The indexed newspapers are
available on microfilm at the Washington County Free Library. Copies
of articles can be requested through the Web site. The index comes
through The Historic Newspaper Indexing Project, which started in
1981 with the goal of publishing indexes of newspapers printed between
1790 and 1890. The project is supported by the Washington County Historical
and Fine Arts Trust Inc., the Maryland Historic Trust known as the
Bowman Board and the Washington County Free Library.
 Elizabeth
Schulze, Music Director Of The Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Signs
Four-Year Contract
The
Maryland Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors has announced that
Elizabeth Schulze, MSO Music Director, has extended her contract
with the Orchestra through the 2011-12 Season. Praised as "an ideal
music director whose infectious energy is as contagious as her exuberant
and thoroughly committed musicianship," MSO Music Director and Conductor
Elizabeth Schulze has held the position of Associate Conductor of
the National Symphony Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor of
the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, and, sponsored by the
National Endowment for the Arts, Assistant Conductor of the Buffalo
Philharmonic. Ms. Schulze also served as Music Director and Conductor
of the Kenosha (Wisconsin) Symphony Orchestra and has been a conducting
assistant and cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic.
The
MSO is currently celebrating its twenty-fifth season as the area's
premiere professional orchestra, dedicated to providing musical
performances and programs that educate and entertain while enhancing
the cultural environment of Western Maryland and the Quad-state
region.
Olympic
Qualifier Race Set For April 2007 at Greenbrier State Park
The
Greenbrier Challenge, a key Olympic qualifying UCI/NORBA mountain
bike race is scheduled for April 29, 2007, at Greenbrier State Park.
It is being presented by the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention
and Visitors Bureau (CVB) in support of the Potomac Velo Club (PVC)
of the Northern Virginia suburbs of the United States Capital. While
PVC's annual Greenbrier Challenge is one of the few events with direct
implications on the National and Maryland State level, the club's
spring mountain bike race will also now affect a much larger stage
-- the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. For the first time, the race will
be sanctioned by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), the international
sanctioning body of bicycle racing and the body recognized by the
International Olympic Committee as the source for determining the
cycling role of each nation in the Olympics. UCI points earned in
races will determine the number of starting spots each country gets
at the 2008 Olympics -- and will probably also be a major factor in
who fills those spots. As one of only a precious few UCI-listed mountain
bike races in North America in 2007, and one of only three east of
the Mississippi River, The Greenbrier Challenge becomes hugely important
-- not only for Americans, but also for riders from Canada and Latin
America.
Gandolfo's Deli Opens In Valley Park Commons
 Gandolfo's
New York Deli is now open at Valley Park Commons, 1580 N. Wesel Blvd.
The 2,200-square-foot restaurant, with seating for 46, is the first
in the Gandolfo's chain to open in Maryland. There are more than 300
Gandolfo's New York Delis in 15 states in the U.S. The new Hagerstown
location employs 11 full-time staff. Gandolfo's owner Russell Schwartz,
who for many years owned and managed the Old South Mountain Inn near
Boonsboro, is moving forward with plans to open two other Gandolfo's
in the county. He said one will open at the Centre at Hagerstown near
where the Best Buy is under construction. The other will be opening
near the former Gold's Gym on Pennsylvania Avenu. Gandolfo's has more
than 50 sandwich offerings as well as salads, soups, sides and desserts.
The company plans to have delis in all 50 states by 2010.
Filming For Historical Native American Project Done In Hagerstown
 Filming
for a proposed six-part network television series began in Hagerstown.
"thinkfilm" based in Washington, DC is producing and directing
the series. Washington County-based Historical Entertainment
is involved with the filming of the six-part television series.
The renowned entertainment re-enactor service is assisting the
film company, in a project which focuses on Native-Americans
throughout North America. The project includes more than a dozen
Native-Americans from New York State and Virginia. Historical
Entertainment also assisted in site scouting and selection coordination.
While the initial filming began in Hagerstown, some will take
place in locations in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest.
New Ford Orientation Center at Mount Vernon Features Film Partially Filmed In Washington County, Maryland
A
large-format film that recently premiered at Mount Vernon's
new Ford Orientation Center was partially filmed in Washington
County, Maryland. The $5 million, 20-minute action-adventure
movie, "We Fight to Be Free," produced by Greystone Films, portrays
a heroic George Washington in re-enactments of the French and
Indian War and the night crossing of the Delaware River during
the Revolutionary War.
The Washington County filming took place in February. For the
Delaware River crossing scenes, filming was done on the Potomac,
near where Antietam Creek enters the river. Also featured was
the private home of Rev. Bernard Hillenbrand on Harpers Ferry
Road south of Sharpsburg. The film opens with scenes filmed
at Hillenbrand's farm, with the Continental Army encampment
on the night before the crossing of the Delaware. The most momentous
events in Washington's life unfold in the vivid 20-minute action-adventure
movie in the new Ford Orientation Center. Packed with action,
drama, and even a little romance, "We Fight to Be Free" introduces
visitors to the real Washington as the "indispensable man" who
was responsible for the survival of this country. Included in
the general admission, "We Fight to Be Free" is presented in
rotation in two adjacent theaters with total stadium seating
for 450 viewers, 300 in the larger theater and 150 in the smaller
theater. Unlike traditional movie houses, every seat has an
optimal vantage point; an unusually large floor at the front
of the theaters was intentionally designed so that visitors
never have to crane their necks if they are in the front row.
With a screen size of 40 x 17 feet and state-of-the-art 5.1
Dolby surround sound, the two theaters were designed with dimensions
for large-format entertainment.
Salute To Independence Concert And Fireworks Gets County Assistance Pledge
The
Washington County Commissioners pledged $20,000 for the Maryland
Symphony Orchestra's 2007 Salute to Independence concert after
officials said the program was in financial trouble. The cost
of producing the event has increased by 20 percent over the
last four years, according to information included with the
county's agenda. The orchestra board and staff raise about $70,000
a year in funding, but expenses are more than $150,000, according
to a written statement from the orchestra. The battlefield spends
an additional $41,000 in direct and in-kind costs annually,
according to the statement. The Salute to Independence brings
$350,000 to $500,000 into the local economy, as well as name
recognition to the county. The commissioners voted unanimously
to give $20,000 from the county's share of hotel/motel tax revenues
to the orchestra. The 2007 concert is scheduled for July 7 at
7:30 p.m.
Fort Frederick Photo Wins National Award
 Angela
Hummer's photograph of a cannon being fired at Fort Frederick
State Park has been named the winner of the 2006 "Imaging Our
National Heritage" National Historic Landmarks photo contest.
It will be featured along with other winning photos in the National
Historic Landmarks annual calendar. Employees throughout the
National Park Service cast thousands of votes for their favorite
National Historic Landmark entries in the 2006 "Imaging Our
Heritage" photo contest. The photo was taken at Fort Frederick's
250th Anniversary Ceremonies, held in May. Hummer, the Park
Manager at Fort Frederick, had been updating the park's photo
library for the website and brochures. In the process of taking
more pictures, she happened to capture the winning moment. During
a one week voting period, over 800 National Park Service employees
cast their votes and chose the 2006 National Historic Landmarks
photo contest winners. According to the National Park Service,
"Hummer's stop-action photo of a Civil War cannon firing demonstration
at Fort Frederick captures much of what makes this National
Historic Landmark such a special place."
"Flying Boxcar" Makes Final Landing At Hagerstown
 On
October 15, the last flyable C-82 arrived at the Hagerstown
Regional Airport, finishing a three-day journey back to the
town where it was built. The 61-year-old plane, which was purchased
Aug. 23 by the Hagerstown Aviation Museum, left Greybull, Wyo.,
and made overnight stops in Iowa and Virginia on its way to
Maryland. The aircraft made its initial approach into Hagerstown
around 1:45 p.m. and performed three approaches over the crowd
of about 200 spectators before landing. Pilot Frank Lamm, who
flew cross country with co-pilot T.R. Proven and first engineer
Jack Fastnaught, said the three-day flight was trouble free,
except for low temperature inside the plane in higher altitudes.
The plane was built at Fairchild in 1945 to deliver equipment
during the Berlin Air Lift. It has the capacity to transport
18,000 pounds of cargo or 42 combat troops. The plane was taken
out of service by the Air Force in 1954 when it began using
a more powerful Fairchild plane, the C-119. Many of the planes
were then used by airlines, including the museum's plane, which
was used to deliver parts and engines for Trans World Airlines.
A small jet engine was mounted to the top of the C-82 to give
the plane a boost in moving cargo.
Mike Callas Stadium Completed At North Hagerstown High School
 Construction
of the Mike Callas Stadium at North Hagerstown High School has
been completed and the stadium was formally dedicated on November
2, 2006. The dedication included the official unveiling of the
bronze bust honoring the late Mike Callas. The bust is the work
of local artist Chuck Noland. Callas is featured with one hand
in his pocket because he was such a giver to the local community,
and his other hand is placed on a piece of granite because,
in the words of artist Chuck Noland, "he was really the foundation
of the community." By a unanimous vote of the Washington County
Board of Education in July 2004, the stadium was named after
Callas, a well-known citizen, philanthropist, and community-supporter
who died May 31, 2004, at age 83.
For almost fifty years, North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown
high schools shared an athletic-events stadium. According to
committee organizers, the mostly private funding of a public
facility is a unique project for the State of Maryland. The
new Mike Callas Stadium will benefit all of Washington County
and make scheduling for all the county's schools easier and
more efficient. The Mike Callas Stadium also provides a new
venue for community events and activities.
As
a result of a $250,000 donation by Conservit, Inc., Mike Callas
Stadium at North Hagerstown High School has a synthetic turf
field. Conservit Field will be capable of daily use in all weather
conditions. The stadium, which will seat 2,000 spectators, is
located in the former driver's education parking lot, south
of the school. Designed to accommodate soccer, football, track,
and lacrosse, the stadium will eliminate costs related to busing
North High athletes to School Stadium at South High. The track
was funded, in part, by using Project Open Space (POS) funds.
POS funds are provided by the state but are directed to recreation
projects by the Washington County Commissioners. The eight lane
track, which was also supported by donations from the Cumberland
Valley Athletic club, will have a polyurethane surface and will
be open to the public during daylight hours when not being used
by North High or other groups. The final track surface will
be installed in the spring of 2007. The stadium designs also
include plans to add a field house and about 1,000 seats on
the visitors' side of the field.
"A Civil War Journey" Available At Downtown Visitor Welcome Center
 Justin
Mayhue, a captain with the Hagerstown Fire Department, recently
published his fifth book, “A Civil War Journey: The Letters
of John W. Brendel.” The book is a collection of letters
written between August 1862 and May 1865. Brendel was in his
late 30s when he served in the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Regiment during the Civil War. He sent at least 144 letters
home to his wife and daughter during that time. "A Civil
War Journey" includes those letters in their entirety,
with passages of historical information written by Mayhue. Brendel's
first battle was at South Mountain, where he injured his back.
Three days later, Brendel was in the Battle of Antietam and
was nearly killed. While Brendel survived the war, he lived
only seven years after it ended. "A Civil War Journey"
can be purchased for $14.95 at the CVB’s Downtown Visitor
Welcome Center.
2006
was a Great Year for Golf
 2006
was the best year ever for golf at Black Rock Golf Course. There
were several improvements at the course completed during the
year to bunkers, tees, fairways, and more. Several more improvements
are planned for 2007, including upgrades to traps and bunkers,
tee boxes, and to trees and course vegetation. While the quality
of play was outstanding, 2006 also saw Black Rock's tournaments
increase in number. In fact, there were more tournaments than
ever before. Rounds overall were up compared to 2005 and there
were several high profile golf tournaments. Black Rock Golf
Course will soon be the site of a significant USGA tournament.
The Public Links Qualifier will be held at Black Rock in June
of 2007.
Gourmet Goat Moves And Expands To Offer Full Service Dining And Bar
 Hagerstown's
popular downtown deli, The Gourmet Goat, has moved to a new
location. After five years in business on Franklin Street, the
Gourmet Goat has moved around the corner and down the street
to 41 North Potomac Street. With the expansion, the establishment
is now called The Gourmet Goat & GG's Restaurant & Martini Bar,
offering full service dining and drinks. In addition to the
original deli favorites, there is a Tappas menu, full service
lunch and dinner menus, and a Sunday brunch. The Gourmet Goat
& GG's Restaurant & Martini Bar is open seven days a week. The
hours of operation are Monday 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Tuesday - Thursday
7 a.m. - 9 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; and for Sunday Brunch
from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Arts Council Announces Grant Recipients, Celebrates 39th Birthday
 The
Washington County Arts Council announced that it is awarding
approximately $20,000 in Community Arts Development funds to
nine local arts organizations' projects. Among the recipients
are: the Potomac Classical Youth Ballet; the Appalachian Wind
Quintet; Authentic Community Theatre; the Maryland Symphony
Orchestra; the Hancock Arts Council; Hagerstown Choral Arts;
the 12th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest; Augustoberfest;
and the Maryland Theatre. The grant checks were presented at
the Arts Council's 39th Birthday Party in November, at the Arts
Council's Gallery in downtown Hagerstown. Formed in 1967, the
Arts Council is celebrating 39 years of enriching the cultural,
economic, educational and social life of the community through
nurturing the arts. Washington County's Arts Council is one
of the oldest in the state of Maryland. Learn more about the
WCAC and its programs by visiting www.washingtoncountyarts.com
Hagerstown Suns Announce 2007 Game Schedule
 The
Hagerstown Suns, new affiliate of the Washington Nationals,
have announced the team's schedule for the upcoming 2007 season.
The new era of Nationals baseball in Hagerstown begins on April
5th at 6:35 p.m. The Suns will play a 140-game schedule, with
70 games at home and 70 on the road. The Suns will play 11 home
games in April, 14 in May, 13 in June, 15 in July, 16 in August,
and 1 in early September. The 2007 schedule features 11 Thursday
dates and 12 Friday games. The Suns full promotional calendar
will be announced at a later date. Standard game times for Monday
through Saturday are 6:35 p.m. during April through mid-June.
Those game times are pushed back to 7:05 p.m. from mid-June
through September. Sunday game times are 1:35 p.m. in April,
May and June excluding Easter and Fireworks Sundays. Sunday
games in July through September will begin at 5:35 p.m. The
Suns complete schedule is listed on the website www.hagerstownsuns.com.
Duffy's
on Potomac Now Open
Duffy's
on Potomac is now open at 28 South Potomac Street in downtown
Hagerstown. The American-style pub with an urban downtown atmosphere
features lunch and dinner menus with a full service bar. While
dining, sports fans are treated to several television screens
located throughout the restaurant. The Ballroom at Duffy's seats
up to 220. A private party room is available with seating for
up to 65 people, and a mezzanine level can accommodate semiprivate
functions. There are plans for a lounge, AVA, to be on the lower
level. It will feature special martinis and a roof top deck.
Benjamin Art Gallery, LLC Announces Plans For A Mort Künstler Museum In Gettysburg
 Benjamin
Art Gallery CEO Cliff Springer and CFO Gene Sappington have
an agreement with Civil War artist Mort Künstler to partner
together and establish a Mort Künstler museum and gallery in
downtown Gettysburg, PA. Additionally, the development of the
gallery's "Art on Sight" partners has begun with Antique Station
in Frederick, MD, Interiors of Maryland, LLC in Funkstown, MD,
and Legacy Furniture in Hagerstown, MD. Other partners will
be announced soon. The gallery presence continues to expand
and will be hiring additional staff in the near future.
Welcome
New Members
The
CVB is proud to have more than 250 members!
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D.R.
Horton Americas Builder
1370
Piccard Drive - Suite 230
Rockville, MD 20850
240-669-0136
www.drhorton.com
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Enhanced
Printing and Promotions
Keith Craver
13126 Pennsylvania Avenue
Hagerstown, MD 21742
301-791-6330
www.enhancedpp.com
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Gandolfo's
New York Deli
Russell Schwartz
1580 N. Wesel Blvd.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
301-745-4447
gandolfosdeli.com
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Trains Of Christmas On Display Through February
 The
Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum’s Trains of Christmas continue
to be on display through February 25, 2007. The Trains of Christmas
features a new “O” scale, 3-rail Christmas layout with
steam and diesel trains by Lionel, MTH, Williams, Weaver, and others,
operating in a snow scene on four levels. The scene includes miniature
skiers, tunnels, bridges, buildings, cars, and snow-capped trees.
The display evokes the sights and sounds of real trains; many of the
engines utilize liquid smoke to give the effect of trains puffing
down the track and sound chips provide train sounds. The highly detailed
holiday display takes approximately two months to put together, and
is never the same from year to year. Many of the components are on
loan from museum members. After thousands of volunteer-hours of set-up,
once completed, the display takes two to three operators to continuously
run - switching trains on and off the tracks. There is an admission
charge of $4 per adult and 50 cents for children 12 and younger. The
museum is located at 300 South Burhans Boulevard in Hagerstown.
 74th
Annual Cumberland Valley Photographic Salon, WCMFA Begins Feb. 9th
For
seventy-four years, the WCMFA has presented some of the region’s
best photography in the annual Cumberland Valley Photographic Salon.
The juried photographic competition features work by more than fifty
amateur and professional photographers from Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Entrants compete
for awards in the categories of landscape/architecture, still life,
portrait, figure, abstract, and digital effects. The Museum is pleased
to announce two new cash prizes sponsored by Fuji Color Processing,
Inc.: best digital effects in black and white and best digital effects
in color. The Washington County Arts Council sponsors a cash award
for the best photograph from a Washington County resident and the
children of Reginald Holladay sponsor a cash award for the best slide.
The Museum provides cash prizes for the Best of Show and winners in
each category. Each year, visitors to the exhibition are invited to
vote for their favorite photograph in the Popular Prize Award, sponsored
by FirstLook Photo of Hagerstown. A reception, sponsored by Conservit,
Inc., will be held on Sunday, February 11, 2007, beginning at 2:30
p.m. Many of the participating photographers will be available to
speak with visitors.
Potomac
Heritage Storytelling Guides Plan Special Presidents Week Tour
 Potomac
Heritage Storytelling tour guides Dr. Robert B.Wilhelm and Dr. Mary
Jo Kelly Wilhelm will lead a special Presidents Week Tour February
17-22, 2007. The tour is designed as a way to reflect on our heritage
by visiting local hallowed grounds and learning more about them. It
begins with a trip to Boteler’s Ford at Shepherdstown, WV, to
step back into Native American times. Other stops on the tour include
Harpers Ferry W.Va.; Sharpsburg, Md.; Gettysburg, Pa.; Frederick,
Md.; and Boonsboro, Md.; and Big Pool, Md. The Wilhelms will discuss
the French and Indian War period, the Abolitionist movement, travel
on the C&O Canal, and the American Revolution. They will also
speak about local ties to the Star Spangled Banner and the original
Washington Monument.
The tour will be limited to twenty people. The cost is $975 per person.
Participants will need to provide their own transportation, lodging,
and meals. The tour is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day except
for Sunday which is 12 noon to 4 p.m. A special pre-program event
in honor of Lincoln’s Birthday will be held in Hagerstown on
the evening of February 12. Details will be announced soon. For more
information about the special Presidents Week Tour or Potomac Heritage
Storytelling Tours, visit http://www.potomacheritagetours.com
or call 301-791-9133 or e-mail rbwilhelm@mac.com.
.
Around
Washington County Tourism |
CVB Creates New Walking Tour Brochure For Hagerstown
The
Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB)
has a new Walking Tour brochure for downtown Hagerstown. Hot off the
press, the guide is available at the CVB Visitor Welcome Center. The
new 8-page, large-format brochure features sketches, photos, a map,
and 27 tour stops, as well as directions to each one. Familiar faces
and places of historical significance to Hagerstown are featured on
the cover, such as Edmund McIlhenny, George Custer, Mary Titcomb,
Dr. Normal Scott, the Second Court House and the Hager House. Sites
on the walking tour route include the Maryland Theatre, the Washington
County Free Library, the First Hose Company of Hagerstown, and several
area churches. Well-known local author and historian Roger Keller
was the project director for the new walking tour brochure. The Walking
Tour brochure was produced and sponsored by the Washington County
CVB. The brochure was designed by Icon Graphics.
Springhill
Suites By Marriott Open In Hagerstown
 Marriott
International, Inc. opened the 104-suite SpringHill Suites by Marriott
in Hagerstown, Md., on December 19. Located at 17280 Valley Mall Road,
the SpringHill Suites Hagerstown will operate as a Marriott franchise,
owned by Cole Road Holdings, LLC and managed by Plamondon Hospitality
Partners of Frederick, Maryland. SpringHill Suites offer complimentary
Suite Seasons BreakfastSM buffet, business services, free weekday
USA TODAY delivery, same-day dry cleaning, free high-speed Internet
access, guest laundry facilities, valet service, an indoor swimming
pool and whirlpool spa, exercise room and express checkout. Suite
ConvenienceSM, an express "grab and go" food service, is available
at select hotels. The SpringHill Suites Hagerstown is the latest hotel
to offer Marriott's new, more luxurious bedding, which features plusher
mattresses, custom comforters, crisp linens, fluffier pillows, and
a new, fresh, white look.
Guest
suites in SpringHill Suites hotels are up to 25 percent larger than
traditional hotel rooms and feature separate areas for sleeping, working/eating
and relaxing. All suites are non-smoking and suites equipped for people
with disabilities also are an option. In-room amenities include a
pantry with mini-refrigerator, microwave, 32-inch LCD television and
coffee service. For maximum guest comfort, a pullout sofa bed and
lounge chair with ottoman are available. Suites also feature a spacious
bathroom with separate vanity, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.
Business travelers can take advantage of a large, well-lit desk with
ergonomic chair, two phone lines with data port and voice mail. Free
local phone calls with a second phone in the bedroom also are available.
The hotel also offers two meeting rooms with 1,125 square feet of
meeting space to accommodate small meetings and functions of up to
100 people.
CVB Releases New Dining And Shopping Guides
 The
CVB recently released the newest versions of its Dining Guide and
Shopping Guide. Tens of thousands of the guides will be distributed
throughout the Mid-Atlantic area. The guides provide an up-to-date
listing of CVB members who offer dining or shopping experiences
in Washington County. The colorful new guides, designed by High
Rock Interactive, Inc., are fold-out brochures with an address,
telephone number, and website, if applicable, for each business
included. Both brochures include a map of Washington County and
also Downtown Hagerstown, with the businesses marked. The Shopping
Guide includes listings for antique shopping, apparel shopping,
book stores, furniture, jewelers, shopping centers and specialty
shops. The Dining Guide includes restaurants serving many different
cuisines, including: Italian, American, Ice Cream and Specialties,
Mexican, Cantonese and Szechwan, Japanese, Steak and Seafood, fancy
"haute" dishes, gourmet, sushi dishes, Bavarian/German, and of course
home-style.
Four
Points By Sheraton Inn - Hagerstown Changes Hands
 Longtime
local philanthropist Nicholas Giannaris sold Four Points By Sheraton
Hagerstown to Watchwood LLC for $7.4 million in November, according
to documents from the Donohoe Hotel Advisory Group/Corfac International,
the firm that brokered the deal. Giannaris was president and owner
of the hotel for 17 years. He and his wife, Tina, took on the hotel
in 1980. Giannaris also is co-owner of Nick's Airport Inn, which
he opened after buying the restaurant property in 1961. The Sheraton's
new owners plan to renovate its public areas and upgrade the restaurant
and lounge, and Guests Inc. will professionally manage the hotel,
according to the brokerage firm. The hotel's 108 rooms were recently
renovated. Mike Callas is staying on as the Sheraton's General Manager.
Meeting
and Convention News |
Hundreds Expected For 8th Annual "Farming for Profit and
Stewardship" Conference
The
Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture
will hold its 2007 “Farming for Profit and Stewardship”
Conference January 12 and 13 at the Sheraton Four Points in Hagerstown.
It is the eighth year for the conference, which brings together
many outstanding farmers in sustainable agriculture as well as
nationally known researchers. More than 200 people are expected
to attend. Over 20 different seminars will be offered during the
two-day conference, as well as a panel session on farming profit.
Participants will learn strategies for improving production, ways
to market products and ideas for new enterprises. Seminar topics
vary from grazing to vegetable production and crop rotation. In
addition to the seminars, there will be an annual membership meeting
and election of board officers, a wine and cheese reception, a
dinner, and an ice cream social. Sponsors of the 2007 conference
are the Maryland Cooperative Extension, Maryland Department of
Agriculture, the Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and
Education Program, The Rural Maryland Council, and the Henry A.
Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. Future Harvest
- CASA is based in Eldersburg.
The
CVB hosted group leaders from the AAA Western Pennsylvania/Eastern
Ohio office for a familiarization (fam) tour on December 16 and
17, 2006. Over 30 clients who book tours on behalf of their senior
centers, bank clubs, retirement clubs, churches, etc. came down
for the tour to get ideas on future trips that they might take
back with them to present to their organizations. While here,
the group visited Antietam National Battlefield and the Washington
County Museum of Fine Arts. They attended the Cowboy Christmas
Show at Antietam Recreation and did some shopping at Prime Outlets.
Special thanks go out to the Four Points by Sheraton hotel, who
graciously hosted this group for their over night stay. The group
dined at the Schmankerl Stube. The CVB's Tom Riford was the tour
guide extraordinaire, and Betsy DeVore was the tour escort.
American
Bus Association in Grapevine, TX on Jan 28-30, 2007
Religious Conference Managers Association in Louisville, KY on
Jan 30 - Feb 2, 2007*
Destinations Showcase in Washington DC on March 1, 2007
MD International Marketing Association sales mission to the UK
on March 12-16, 2007
Maryland Society of Association Executives in Baltimore, MD on
March 23, 2007*
*Members who are interested in participating
as a guest of the CVB in our booth at these shows, please contact
Betsy DeVore at 301-791-3246, ext. 14.
 Extra! Extra!
Want
to see your business or organization featured in the next newsletter?
Do you have news to share, special events, staff changes or promotions?
Contact Charissa Stanton, Newsletter Editor at charissas@marylandmemories.org
or fax to 301-791-2601 to be included in the next edition!
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