IN SHORT
Shippensburg, Pa., received the Ted Lynch Award for Outstanding HCC Radiography Program Student, given to sophomorelevel students throughout the state who are chosen by their individual college radiography programs as the most outstanding student within the program. Visit www. hagerstowncc. edu / health-sciences.
SEVEN CHEERS FOR HHA!
The Hagerstown Housing Authority in 2012 received seven awards spanning national, state and regional competitions. The HHA’ s new C. W. Brooks Mid-Rise earned the regional“ Wintergreen Award” for new construction from the Green Building Council; the ABC Baltimore Metropolitan Award of Excellence – New Construction; and the Governor’ s Award“ Commitment to Excellence” Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Practices – Multi-family. Nationally, the Housing Authority Insurance Group honored HHA with the“ Best Practices and Housing Authority Risk Retention Innovation Award” for Hagerstown Housing Authority Security Program and for“ Outstanding Risk Management Performance Perfect Score of 500.” HHA is the only housing authority in the country to ever receive a fivestar rating. In addition, HHA won the NAHRO regional award of“ Program Innovation and Community Revitalization” for the C. W. Brooks Mid- Rise and the NAHRO National Award of Excellence“ Program Innovation and Community Revitalization” for the C. W. Brooks Mid-Rise.
H-TOWN NAMED HOT TOWN TO RETIRE
Where to Retire magazine profiled Hagerstown as one of“ 8 Hot Towns to Snap Up Bargains Now” for its January / February issue. The rankings point to cities where depressed housing markets are perking up again, but that also have plenty of room left to find bargains. The magazine praised Hagerstown’ s current housing prices, the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown Premium Outlets, and nearby Civil War sites, and called Hagerstown’ s City Park“ charming for picnicking.” Other cities on the list are Salem, Ore.; Spokane, Wash; Reno, Nev.; Palm Springs, Calif.; Marietta, Ga.; Wilmington, N. C.; and Gainesville, Fla. A year ago, the magazine named Hagerstown one of its“ 8 Terrific Towns for History Lovers.”
STUDENT SECURES CIO SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Whitt of Hagerstown was one of five Towson University students awarded $ 15,000 in scholarships by the Mid- Atlantic CIO Forum for the spring 2013 academic term. Daniel is a computer science major with a concentration in computer security. He is the vice president of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. Through his internship with Tapestry Technologies, a Defense Information Systems Agency( DISA) contractor, he was able to gain top-secret security clearance and hopes to work in a similar government contracting position in the future.
POLICE ACADEMY OPENS AT HCC
Beginning in the spring semester, Hagerstown Community College is offering a twice-yearly police academy, designed to prepare cadets to serve as officers / deputies in county and municipal police and sheriff departments. HCC has been working closely with the Hagerstown Police Department and Washington County Sheriff’ s Office to develop this program, in an effort to fill the need for local police training and incorporate college credits from the academy that would apply toward an HCC associate’ s degree.“ By combining hard skills training and academics, there is a tremendous opportunity here,” says program director and former Gaithersburg Chief of Police John King.“ In five years, I want our program to be recognized in the Mid-Atlantic region as a leader in community policing training.” Call 240-500-2425 or email jaking2 @ hagerstowncc. edu.
THOMPSON GAS GROWS
ThompsonGas announced that its subsidiary, ThompsonGas-Smokies, LLC purchased substantially all of the assets of Drivers Energy, Tarheel Oil and Propane and the Quality / Ideal Gas group. ThompsonGas’ purchase of these companies follows on the heels of three earlier acquisitions of propane companies in 2011 and in the first half of 2012— and makes Boonsboro-based ThompsonGas the 16 th largest retail propane company in the United States.“ We are excited to bring together ThompsonGas and the other great companies. These are three high-quality propane businesses with great people,” says J. Randall Thompson, President and CEO of ThompsonGas.“ We are extremely excited about welcoming this high-quality, dedicated workforce to the ThompsonGas team.”
RIFORD RECOGNIZED AS INDUSTRY LEADER
Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau President Tom Riford was named a 2012 industry leader by Rejuvenate magazine. Each year, the publication highlights leaders’ commitment to growing and improving the meetings and events industry, and those who have the respect of peers and colleagues. In nominating Tom for the award, former Hagerstown mayor Bob Bruchey wrote,“ There’ s nobody who can sell Hagerstown-Washington County like Tom Riford can.” Congratulations!
IN MEMORY OF MAGGIE
The Hagerstown Community College Board of Trustees authorized administration to move forward with plans to create a memorial tribute area on campus to honor the memory and contributions of former trustee Margaret E. Hetzer and posthumously acknowledge her with emeritus status.“ Maggie’ s compassion for students and passion for education as a driving force to improve lives was deeply felt by staff, faculty, students and the board,” says HCC President Guy Altieri. She served on the HCC Board of Trustees from July 2001 through February 2012, personally supported HCC’ s numerous fund-raising campaigns and tirelessly solicited community support. Margaret died in October 2012. Construction is scheduled to begin on the tribute area this spring.
TREE LIGHTS THE WAY
Members of Meritus Medical Center’ s Auxiliary were eager to drape more than 1,000 lights on the hospital’ s blue spruce in December to honor relatives and friends. Contributions in the form of“ lights” for the tree were accepted for the tree’ s lighting ceremony, held Dec. 2. Contributors could purchase regular lights for $ 10, dove lights for $ 25, angels for $ 50, life lights( which are lit annually) for $ 100 and a circle of lights( placed at the tree-top) for $ 500. The funds raised in 2012 were toward the auxiliary’ s campaign to purchase a Lucas Chest Compression system for the hospital’ s emergency department, which will deliver uninterrupted chest compressions for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation in the event of suspected heart attack.
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20 March / April 2013 Hagerstown: The Best of Life in Washington County & Beyond