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Author: James Snyder

Halloween Costumes 2018: What’s Going on Here?

Halloween Costumes 2018: What’s Going on Here?

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Halloween is barely a month away.  A night where children get the chance to dress up as their favorite cartoon character or superhero and go door-to-door to experience a full-on sugar rush of candy and fully road test both their manners and their ability to interact with strangers.  Hooray! It also seems like these days, it’s also an excuse for adults to relive their childhood memories and dress up themselves, attending Halloween-themed parties and events all throughout the fall season. …

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My Favorite Fall Activities

My Favorite Fall Activities

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Let me just start by saying I love fall.  It is by far my favorite season of the year, and October is my favorite month (and not just because it happens to have my birthday as part of it).  When I lived in Florida, I longed for autumn – those crisp and frosty mornings, the changing colors, and the promise of a change in the weather (and not just from 95 degrees to 87 degrees).  There was nothing more depressing…

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My “Bucket List” for Travel

My “Bucket List” for Travel

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Ahhhh, bucket lists.  These are personal wish lists of things you want to do, see, or experience.  You may think you don’t have one, but you probably do.  Isn’t there some place you’ve always wanted to go?  Something you’ve always wanted to take part in?  Well, that is the start of a bucket list. Take the time to write these things down.  Seriously.  They are ideas, destinations, and events to shoot for in life – and a life full of…

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The Afternoon Nap: A Lost Art Re-discovered

The Afternoon Nap: A Lost Art Re-discovered

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This past wet weekend has once again strengthened my love and admiration for what I would consider a lost pleasure in today’s busy society and world of hectic daily routines. The afternoon nap. Picture if you will a rainy day, with cool temperatures and a dreary sky.  I’ve got a sweatshirt on, my socks are keeping my toes warm, and a light blanket is snugly wrapped around me as I settle into the recliner in my office (or better yet,…

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Labor Day: Not Much of a “Holiday” for Most Anymore

Labor Day: Not Much of a “Holiday” for Most Anymore

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By federal decree (and officially established in 1894), the first Monday in September shall be recognized as Labor Day, a day to honor the American Labor Movement and to recognize the contributions made by workers towards the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the United States.[1] Some people view Labor Day weekend as the “unofficial” end of summer (although officially, summer still has three weeks left in the season).  School starts back up in Maryland on Tuesday, and the weekend will…

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Lots of Local Beer and Wine Festivals Will Fill Up Your Weekends this Fall

Lots of Local Beer and Wine Festivals Will Fill Up Your Weekends this Fall

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Ahhhhh, fall – my favorite time of the year – and it’s almost upon us!  The shortening days of September, the beauty and color of October, and the crisp mornings of November are just some of the reasons I moved back to the four-state area from Florida over ten years ago. It’s also a time for numerous beer and wine festivals, and the four-state area has plenty of opportunities to taste local offerings during the fall season.  Listed below is…

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Zero-Effort Gardening: I May Be On To Something Here

Zero-Effort Gardening: I May Be On To Something Here

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The backyard garden.  Let me first say that I’d love to have one, but also freely admit that I don’t have the time nor the inclination for its maintenance and upkeep.  That being said, I may have stumbled across a revolutionary way to both have my cake – and eat it, too. First, a little back story. At the back of my yard, by the alleyway, stands an old and gnarled elm tree.  It barely gets any leaves on it…

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The Oriental Trading Company: New Catalog – Same Weirdness

The Oriental Trading Company: New Catalog – Same Weirdness

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The new “Sunday School Edition” of the Oriental Trading Company’s fall catalog just arrived at my doorstep, and boy-oh-boy – it’s a doozy. Now don’t get me wrong.  I completely understand the importance of keeping kids interested and motivated in a faith journey (no matter what faith you may practice), but the weird trinkets and thing-a-ma-bobs that this company puts out as toys and crafts make me scratch my onion with perplexity, confusion, and downright laughter.  While nothing will ever…

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Brooke’s House: Something Special Is Happening Here

Brooke’s House: Something Special Is Happening Here

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If you’re a loyal reader of this blog, then perhaps you’ll remember a few months ago I spoke about Brooke’s House, a community resource and sober living facility for women being built right now off of the Downsville Pike on the east end of Hagerstown (click here for a link to the past article). The groundbreaking for this facility was just a few months ago, and progress on the building has been swift.  I had the pleasure of volunteering some…

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A Letter of Apology to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

A Letter of Apology to BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse

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For those of you familiar with my blog, you may remember a few months ago I spoke about the coming of BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse to Hagerstown.  It’s located in the space formerly occupied by the Sear’s Automotive Plaza at the Valley Mall.  In my previous post (click here if you want to review it), I offered dire predictions for their business model – based upon their menu size, price point, and local clientele. I appear to have been mistaken….

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