Platos Diversos
Nestled within the hum of daily office life in Hagerstown, Cacique’s cozy, fine-dining atmosphere offers a refreshing reprieve from the everyday grind. A “hidden gem” to those who aren’t familiar with its address, this vibrant restaurant stands out not only because of its unexpected location...
Downsizing a House is Challenging But it Can Be Done
I am homeless. I am not houseless, but I am homeless. There’s a difference. A couple of months ago I accidentally sold my home; just sort of stumbled into a deal. I had finally come to the realization that it was time to downsize, 12 years after…
Cigarettes, Coffee, and Christmas
Growing up, my insular family, just my parents and I, didn’t have any standing traditions. We didn’t serve a special breakfast. We didn’t always hang lights. Some years we didn’t have a tree. What I most remember happening every Christmas is my dad having to pause the...
Hello World
I stumbled across a beach bar in Croatia last summer, and I’ll never forget it. Not because it was a great bar; it wasn’t. It was a concrete slab cut into the side of a cliff 40 feet or so above the Adriatic Sea just outside the...
For the Holidays or Any Time, Old Town Winchester is Unique
Nestled in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Old Town Winchester, Virginia, is a vibrant tapestry of history, culture, and community spirit. This charming district, with its rich flavor and welcoming atmosphere, invites visitors to explore its unique blend of the past and present. From its...
Dealing with Dementia
When Carolyn Perrygo began noticing changes in her husband John Perrygo, she expressed her concerns to their primary care physician who referred them to a hospital with a memory care specialty. It was there that...
Time Traveler Mike Marotte III wishes Happy Holidays from the Past
The end of the calendar year is drawing near, and we know that means the holiday season is upon us. Historically, Thanksgiving and Christmas are a time to be thankful, rejoice with our families, and help...
Eating Well Knows No Age Limit
Eating healthy has no age limit. But as we get older our nutrition needs change. Chronic illnesses like heart disease and cancer and other conditions that historically affect the older population, and natural aging processes like...
Fountain Head Country Club Celebrates 100 Years
Embedded in the lyrics of “Don’t Blink” (a song recorded by country music superstar Kenny Chesney and written about an interview with a 102-year-old man on the evening news) is the line, “Trust me friend, a hundred years goes faster than you think, so...
Stay Active; Stay Happy
Staying physically active is an important part of aging in a healthy way, staying independent longer, and enriching senior citizens’ lives. And Washington County has just the place for that to happen. Washington County Senior Center is on...
Time Travel
Exploring Civil War history on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg or Antietam is one thing, but stepping into Wilson’s Old Country Store takes time travel to a whole new level. Established in 1847 by Rufus Hillary Wilson, this charming shop and its surrounding “village” are...
Living the Theater
People who have performed in theatrical productions get it. There’s a bonding experience when you work together on and off stage, and it often continues years after the curtain falls on the last performance. That’s exactly what led a group of...
Taking Up the Fight
Shane Azar-Myers opened UV Bronze Tanning in Waynesboro in 2012 to provide the area with affordable tanning. Before stepping out on his own, he had worked in the business for several years, learning the intricacies of operating a salon. So, he knew what it would take to be successful. Since then, he’s continued to...
Before the Holiday Tree is Lit
Shortly after Martin Nikirk moved into his home on Chestnut Street in 2003 he received a 16-inch potted yellow pine tree as a housewarming gift from one of his parents. He planted the tree in his backyard and...
The High Times of Clear Spring
We know history runs deep in Washington County, but it runs much deeper than what happened on the Antietam battlefield on Sept. 17, 1862. Decades before the Civil War, Clear Spring, now a small town of fewer than 400 people, was a thriving community, serving as a...
New Store Should Alleviate City’s ‘Food Desert’
Fresh fruits and vegetables and shelves full of healthy food are finally headed to downtown Hagerstown. Horizon Goodwill Industries, with help from many foundations, funds, and local businesses, will create a full-service grocery store on Prospect Street, where a...
Sweet Sanctuary
Who doesn’t like chocolate and coffee—especially when it comes with a side of service to humanity? Brooke’s House Coffee and Chocolate is more than just a place to indulge in delightful treats and warm beverages. It is a sanctuary of hope and transformation, where women...
Embracing Fall
My youngest daughter’s name is Summer. So, it’s safe to say that my favorite time of year is when it’s hot and sticky and the days last forever. But there’s something about fall. I guess that fall is supposed to be about endings, about leaves coming down to...
Smooth as Silk
Thai food seems to be everywhere these days, taking tables by storm with its reputation for being (potentially) healthy, quick, customizable, competitively priced, and alluringly “exotic” with plenty of familiar ingredients, too. The cuisine incorporates...
Chasing the Dream
One day before Gabby Tennor was barely old enough for school, she was with her family listening to music. “When I started to sing, my mom was like, ‘Wow, you’re really good,’” says Gabby, now 10 years old. Recognizing that their daughter had talent, they...