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Category: Local Interest

Items of local interest to the four-state area (Western Md, Southern PA, Northern VA, and Eastern WV).

Community Service: Projects Worth Your Time and Effort

Community Service: Projects Worth Your Time and Effort

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I was fortunate enough to spend the last few days participating in a volunteer service project in northeast Philadelphia (tagging along with members of the Valley Grace Brethren Church of Hagerstown, MD).  This was my second “tour” with the men of Valley Grace, and we were again assisting the Urban Hope Training Center and Community Church, which is located in one of the poorest and crime-ridden sections of Philly (you can read about my first adventure with Valley Grace here)….

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Getting Older: What No One Tells You (Part I)

Getting Older: What No One Tells You (Part I)

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As I thankfully continue to move through the decades of my life (now in my 50’s, for those of you at home keeping score), I’m amazed at the amount of knowledge and “wisdom” that continues to present itself to me on a day-to-day basis.  I’m talking about the kind of know-how and “facts of life” that no one can really explain to you – but is acquired only through personal experience.  Call it life’s “dirty little secrets” file – we…

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Applying for College: When Did This Process Become So Complicated?

Applying for College: When Did This Process Become So Complicated?

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My eldest daughter is currently in the back-half of her senior year of high school.  It’s been an interesting four years, trying to pick the right mix of classes that are both challenging and tracking towards what colleges are looking for in prospective future students. Then there is the process of trying to get into a college itself.  Now, I went to college (go UMBC Retrievers!), and I don’t want to sound ancient, but back when I applied (this is…

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The Art of Conversation: Has it Been Lost in the Digital Age?

The Art of Conversation: Has it Been Lost in the Digital Age?

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I recently hosted a dinner party at my home.  One of the highlights of the evening (for me) was the fact that all of our guests sat around the table and actually talked to one another. Yes – we engaged in conversation. No one was staring at their phones, answering texts, mindlessly checking their email, or watching a screen of any kind.  We were actively communicating with each other – talking, laughing, and sharing our thoughts and opinions through direct…

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Things That Go “Chirp” In The Night – AKA: The Smoke Alarm Saga

Things That Go “Chirp” In The Night – AKA: The Smoke Alarm Saga

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Winter came hard last weekend to the four-state area.  A January storm brought single-digit temperatures and howling, arctic, winds of more than 30 MPH to my little town, and the wind chill dipped into the negative numbers once the sun went down.  As locals put it – it was “damn cold out”.  It was a good night to stay in, get under lots of blankets on the bed, and ride out the storm – fast asleep. At least, that was…

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New Year’s Resolutions: Who Are we Kidding?

New Year’s Resolutions: Who Are we Kidding?

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Ahhhh, 2019 is here at last.  A new year, a new beginning, right?  Time to make all of those resolutions and promises to ourselves on how THIS is the year we’ll do better in some aspect of our lives, right?  This is the year I get into shape – or – this is the year I get my finances in order. Lose weight, stop drinking, be better to my fellow man – the list is endless, and we have high…

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Decorating for Christmas: A Chore Worth the Effort

Decorating for Christmas: A Chore Worth the Effort

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Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I too can get into the Christmas spirit.  It begins with the annual decorating of the inside and outside of the house, which if you have kids, you quickly realize is one of the many highly anticipated events of the holiday season.  Mine have been bugging me to trudge up into the attic and drag out the Christmas boxes ever since the turkey platter went cold on November 23rd. We were out of…

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Christmas is Everywhere – and It’s Only November

Christmas is Everywhere – and It’s Only November

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Ahhhh, memories.  I hearken back to a day when each holiday got its due.  I fondly recall my days as a young school-aged lad, making cut-out jack-o-lanterns in October, drawing around my hand to make a turkey in November – and then – in December, we’d talk about the upcoming Christmas holiday. I know it sounds crazy, but yes – we’d talk about Christmas in December. These days, in our consumer driven world, it seems as if retailers want to…

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The Fall Leaves – Not Much of a Show This Year

The Fall Leaves – Not Much of a Show This Year

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If you’ve followed any of my posts, then you know I love fall.  It’s my favorite season of the year – the shortening days, the cool evenings, frosty mornings – and the beautiful fall colors. Unfortunately, I’m sorely missing the last part of my autumn favorites list this year.  The fall foliage color was supposed to peak locally the week of October 22nd, but if you’ll recall we were still having days in the 80-degree range in mid-October, and that…

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The World of Retail – What I’ve Learned in the Past Year

The World of Retail – What I’ve Learned in the Past Year

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Believe it or not, my “temporary” gig at the big-box home improvement store (the blue one) is still ongoing, and I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary in the back areas as an RTM (“Return to Manufacturer”) Clerk.  I’m in charge of trying to obtain credit on anything and everything that you – the general public – bring back to the store for a refund (among many of my other responsibilities, such as dealing with all HAZMAT, sending appliances and…

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