Allegany Magazine

Welcome to Allegany Magazine -- the area's premier lifestyles magazine celebrating life, people, events and places in Allegany County, Maryland.

Our June,July 2009 edition...on sale now!

Hide and seek, digging in the dirt

And finding our face our summer

Ah Summer. One of the most pleasing times of the year. And no better time to get outside. And in our hard copy edition of Allegany Magazine on sale now on fine retailers in the tri-state area, we give you enough material to take to the beach, on a hike, on vacation and beyond... As a preview, did you know there is a group of archeologists coming to Rawlings this summer to continue a dig they started last year in which fragments of an ancient civilization were unearthed here in Allegany County? Speaking of digging, have you heard of "geocaching?" It's the grown up version of hide and seek and we meet some local players who are addicted to the game. You won't look at a park bench the same after reading this story. What could be more American and outdoors than baseball? Thirteen lucky little leaguers from Cresaptown will be heading to Cooperstown New York to play in the Hall of Fame games there this July. We learn what it took the team to make the trip and meet all 13 players one by one. Every two years, a group of local teachers takes students on an educational tour of Europe. Some of them who have been along share their experiences as the group readies for their next trip. We revisit a Soap Box Derby champ and preview the Derby Days at Frostburg and we meet a man whose entire life has been spent at the Allegany County Fairgrounds. Over the last five years, much has been said of Fort Ashby native Lynndie England's involvement in the alleged torture of Iraqi prisoners. England sat down with Allegany Magazine to talk about life after prison, her place in history and why she cooperated with a tell all biography about her life. Plus, we reveal our much anticipated "Face of Summer" for 2009. Find out who our cover face is and why our panel of judges felt this face shined with the season. Plus, we feature 19 other honorable mentions. So grab your sunscreen, find a nice spot outside and dig in.

SPECIAL EDITION

Living well and staying well starts right here and right now

On news stands now and at fine retailers everywhere!

Allegany Magazine's first special edition of 2009!

And it's a good one. In addition to our regular issue, we have a special edition available now and throughout the summer months that is just chockfull of stories and useful tips from local experts on how to be fit and stay fit in the mountainous region of Western Maryland. There is a feature about a group of 40 health minded individuals working to organize a wellness coalition that will promote what is beneficial about making this area home. We have inspirational stories -- like from Kelli Petrarca, whose diagnosis of having multiple sclerosis did not stop here from her passion for running even when her doctors told her she wouldn't be able to. And from local yoga instructor Abby Burk who was told at the age of 14 she wouldn¹t live to see 16 unless she had her leg amputated. And you will meet a 17 year old track and field athlete whose determination is taking him all the way to Australia to compete in the Down Under Games. Frostburg's Rick Rando is not only a karate master but a successful business man. At the age of 30 he relocated his KickMasters business to a new home and even in these difficult economic times, he is experiencing an increase in enrollment. Did you know one of the east coast¹s leading rock climbing experts grew up in Ellerslie? You will meet him and go for a climb. And what's the latest on the construction update of the new Western Maryland Health Systems hospital on Willowbrook Road? Allegany Magazine was invited exclusively to take a "hard hat" tour. Plus we have tips on how to reduce stress, how to better manage your time and your life, avoiding cancers, strengthening the heart, how to deal with chronic pain, and why a good night's sleep is so important to long term health. This is the one issue of Allegany Magazine that could actually make you healthier, get you in shape, and could even change your life...for the better.

Also still available

In the hard copy edition of our April/May 2009 issue, we are turning the tables on you.

We asked our readers over the course of the last year to tell us about themselves and to rate their favorite features about the magazine. Now it's time to publish those results and find out what you think we¹re doing right, what we could do better and what you like to read.

We also have a great line up of people features in this issue as well. Take for example the story about Dr. Bill Firey. You might know him as a local optometrist. But his passion has always been in his collection of toys. And his items are collected for very personal reasons. We will meet a local artist with an eye for detail. He paints very meticulously by placing one dot on the paper at a time. Frostburg resident Erik Hanson could very well be the area's foremost guitar player and songwriter. In a personality profile about him, we find out what inspires his music.

The Cumberland area Quilt show at the Allegany County Fairgrounds is just around the corner and we offer a feature that gives us a sneak peak at what to expect from the tri state¹s largest fabric arts exhibition.

Do you have any idea what goes on inside the Western Maryland Appalachian Lab? We are going to tell you and the answer might surprise you. Plus, our cover story features a former principal from Lonaconing answering the call of the environment. Bob Miller has dedicated his retirement to protecting the streams that flow through his hometown.

Could mountainous Western Maryland really be experiencing a tree shortage? A recent statewide study gave a shocking and alarming reply and we will learn what is being done about it.

There's plenty to keep you informed, entertained and hopefully interested as we welcome spring back to the mountains of Western Maryland.

Take a moment and browse our website...and if you like what you see here, click on the page that says subscribe and we will deliver Allegany Magazine right to your front door nine times a year!

There are even two features that highlight real life romances just in time for Valentine's Day.

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