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It’s Friday, Hagerstown! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Meritus Health award finalist, Flying Boxcars become the Wienerschnitzels, and St. Patrick’s Day Run Fest + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Hagerstown protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Elite distinction in healthcare: Hagerstown’s Meritus Health has been named a finalist for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, one of just six non-profit organizations nationwide, highlighting the hospital’s performance excellence and outcomes — see what the award assesses.

Fresh flavors meet baseball: The Flying Boxcars announced they will play select 2026 games as the Wienerschnitzels, nodding to Hagerstown’s German roots, with a new logo, uniforms, themed nights, and merch planned this season — read the full story.

Local housing snapshot at a glance: In January, Washington County’s median listing price was $356,450, down 1% from December yet 3.8% higher than January 2025, with homes spending a median 68 days on market — compare local and national trends.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Love N’ Bloom benefits Eliza’s House
• All-you-can-eat breakfast and veterans eat free
• Run Hagerstown’s Hub City Half Marathon
• Unlock clinical-level wellness data from home

💎 Local business spotlight

Time to restock brushes: Howard’s Art & Frames is your hometown stop for acrylics, watercolors, papers, canvases, and all those little tools you forgot… plus custom framing and drafting gear when projects get serious. They also host workshops and classes, a friendly nudge to finally make something this week.

Upgrade that deck: Splintery back steps begging for mercy? Decks by Anderson handles design, permits, and construction in durable composite or classic wood. When Trex or AZEK plans start early, spring hangouts avoid becoming another “maybe next year,” and the result is a deck built for weather, weekends, and worry-free lounging.

Crab cravings, handled: Family-owned since 1982, Chic’s Seafood keeps it classic with steamed blue crabs, jumbo lump crab cakes, and cozy bowls of cream of crab or oyster stew. For a no-fuss, all-flavor seafood night, this hometown standby hits the spot.

These aren’t ads or sponsored placements, just some cool nearby spots we think are worth a visit.

🫶 We got your back

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Thinning hair? Don’t treat the wrong thing: When my ponytail started thinning, I tried the usual stuff (biotin, shampoo, sprays, etc.) and not one of them lasted. Turns out, most products target the strand, not the follicle… and that’s the whole problem. Once follicles go dormant, they need targeted help to come back. The good news? You can get treatment that actually works with no office visits or trips to the pharmacy. Learn about my favorites here →

Six figures you can’t spend: Most homeowners over 50 have spent years dutifully paying their mortgage, assuming the only time it’ll pay off is when they sell. I thought the same thing until I discovered you can tap into the equity you’ve earned whenever you want (without leaving your home). Overdue for a new roof? Want to build your dream bathroom? There are two ways to turn equity into usable cash →

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍷 Blooms & Vines @ Guten Tag | Friday (3/13) at 10:00 AM – This spring pop-in at Guten Tag swaps winter blues for bunnies, nests, and fresh greenery. Think little plants, pretty blooms, and creeping vines for your mantel refresh, no pollen required. Swing by, browse without pressure, leave feeling smugly seasonal.

🐰 Bunny Photos @ Valley Mall | Friday (3/13) at 2:00 PM – Spring at Valley Mall means one thing, herding the crew to Belk Court for Bunny photos you can actually frame. Reserve a slot for $20, packages start at $39.99, and yes, bribes from Auntie Anne’s are still considered parenting. Book it, then exhale.

📚 Author Meet and Greet @ Next Chapter Cafe’ & Book Shop | Friday (3/13) at 5:00 PM – Lean into Friday the 13th and pop into Next Chapter Cafe & Book Shop for a cozy author meet and greet. Browse the stacks, grab a latte, trade a few stories, then do the polite local thing and buy their book, bookmark, or three.

🏃 St. Patrick’s Day Run Fest @ Hub City Brewery | Saturday (3/14) at 7:00 AM – St. Patrick’s Day Run Fest is taking over downtown with a 5K, 8K, and a one-mile run or walk, all helping the Washington County Community Free Clinic. Wear green, earn your pint at the after party, and call it cardio, charity, and community, sorted.

🌸 Flower & Garden Show @ Hagerstown Community College | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – ARCC turns into 48,000 feet of spring fever for the 30th Flower & Garden Show, ‘Red, White and Bloom.’ Browse 130 exhibitors, get sustainable tips from pros, and let kids burn energy at demos. Hagerstown’s kickoff to patio season, and your yard will thank you.

🎼 Dawn of the 20th Century @ Maryland Theatre | Saturday (3/14) at 7:30 PM – The Maryland Theatre is serving up Debussy’s Fêtes, Amy Beach’s bold Piano Concerto with Ying Li, and Sibelius’s big-hearted Second Symphony, all under Elizabeth Schulze. Trade errands for elegance, enjoy real acoustics, and leave feeling taller, calmer, and quietly pleased with your life choices.

🌶 Chili Cook-Off @ Smithsburg Valley Church | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Think you know beans about chili? All are welcome at this friendly cook-off where pots bubble, pride simmers, and the dessert auction lets you bid on pie, brownies, and bragging rights. Bring your appetite, your best recipe, and a healthy respect for cumin.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/13 Murder by Saturday @ ECS Gym | The Hampton Center – 6:00 PM
• 3/13 Gray Matter @ Thick N Thin Brewing Co. 18330 Spark Drive Hagerstown MD 21740 – 7:00 PM
• 3/13 Hitting the Stage @ Williamsport Redmen Conococheague Tribe #84 – 8:00 PM
• 3/14 The Tans @ Brooke’s House Coffee & Chocolate – 10:00 AM
• 3/14 Open Jam @ Live at Hub City Vinyl – 6:00 PM
• 3/14 The Few @ Zach Greenlee’s Fireside Restaurant & Lounge – 7:00 PM
• 3/15 Dawn of the 20th Century: Debussy, Beach & Sibelius @ Maryland Theatre – 3:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Hagerstown report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 54°F – Low: 36°F – Precip: 8%

Partly sunny, with a high near 54. South wind 5 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. West wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 53°F – Low: 38°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 53. West wind 8 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.

This house is wild

On a court, this easy-care home pairs a front porch and two-car garage with a foyer. Inside, an office, powder room, and updated kitchen with quartz, stainless, and a center island flow to a sunny morning room and a family room with fireplace. Upstairs holds four bedrooms, two baths, and laundry. A stone patio with a 12×12 shade gazebo beckons.

Take a peek inside →

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