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Author: James Snyder

Memorial Day:  More Than Just A Long Weekend

Memorial Day:  More Than Just A Long Weekend

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This weekend, we celebrate Memorial Day, where we remember those who served this country and gave the ultimate sacrifice, never returning home to their friends and loved ones following their military service. There are thousands upon thousands of people to remember this weekend, but I’d like to focus on just one, who was from my hometown of Clear Spring, MD.  George Edgar Massie was born on November 5, 1947 and grew up in Clear Spring.  He graduated from Clear Spring…

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Your Local Library: More Than Just Books

Your Local Library: More Than Just Books

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I recently had a chance to visit the main branch of my local library for a screening of the documentary, “Free For All”, a film about the history of the library system in the United States.  It was a fascinating watch, and I highly recommend it (you can catch it on YouTube at this link). We often think of the local library as just a depository of books that can be borrowed, but it is so much more than that. …

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Hagerstown Eats:  Casual Dining is Alive and Well – 5 Places to Sample

Hagerstown Eats:  Casual Dining is Alive and Well – 5 Places to Sample

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I hear you.  “Ok, ‘Food and Travel Guy’, when are you going to talk about food?”  Well, today’s your lucky day.  Although I often complain about the lack of variety and choices of casual dining restaurants in Hagerstown, there are some solid choices out there for a weeknight or weekend meal.  I’m not talking about chains, now.  Sure, go slobber over the salad and breadsticks at “Olive Garden” if you want to, but these restaurants are doing it pretty well…

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Take a Hike!  Get Out and Stretch Your Legs!

Take a Hike!  Get Out and Stretch Your Legs!

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No doubt you’ve read about the health benefits of walking.  It’s the simplest exercise you can do, and the more steps you take, the better (the recommendation is 10,000 steps per day, but that varies from person to person).  It’s also a great time to let your mind wander and take a mental break from your daily duties. Now, I hear you complaining already.  Where can I walk at?  I just don’t have the time to go and hike somewhere. …

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Earth Day: Ways to Celebrate It

Earth Day: Ways to Celebrate It

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Yes, another holiday is coming up this week.  Earth Day is making its annual appearance on Tuesday, 4/22/25 (because apparently people have to be reminded about which planet they actually live on). First celebrated in 1970, this was a day created to raise awareness about environmental issues and to encourage the care and nurturing of our natural ecosystems via community projects and political action (the Environmental Protection Agency was also created in 1970 – but who knows how long their…

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Easter Is Here!  What Weirdness Awaits?

Easter Is Here!  What Weirdness Awaits?

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It’s time once again for me to dive onto the Oriental Trading Company’s spring catalog to check out their weird and wonderful selection of Easter-themed religious toys and games!  If you’re new to this blog, this is an annual pilgrimage for me, as you never know just what wild and wacky ways the lads and lasses at OTC think their products will strike a chord with today’s youth.  Let’s get started, shall we? Personalized Bendable Jesus Well, so much for…

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The Masters: Golf’s Perfect Tournament

The Masters: Golf’s Perfect Tournament

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Baseball has the World Series, Football has the Superbowl, but one of golf’s crown jewels takes place this coming week. The Masters. The first major of the season, it is, in my humble opinion, the greatest golf tournament of the entire year (sorry, U.S. Open, British Open, and PGA Championship, but it’s true).  That haunting piano theme and the smooth tones of announcer Jim Nantz will soon fill my office as the tournament kicks off this Thursday and I dutifully…

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Morning Glory: My Time To Shine

Morning Glory: My Time To Shine

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There are two types of people in this world – early birds and night owls. I am a card-carrying member of the first club.  Oh, in my younger years, I was well-versed with all of the trappings of the second group, living my 20’s and 30’s like some sort of Eastern European vampire.  Back in those days we never even left the house to go out to a bar until 11:00 PM, and I had had many unfortunate instances where…

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Spring is Here!  There’s Work To Be Done

Spring is Here!  There’s Work To Be Done

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Although it doesn’t quite feel like it all the time just yet, we have seen some glimpses of spring temperatures sneak into the weather these last two weeks.  The crocuses have already come and gone, the daffodils are starting to bloom, and the flowering cherry trees in front of my house are just about at their peak perfection, which is always a sign that the weather has turned.  Soon, the redbuds will appear, along with magnolias and Bradford pears (which…

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