Author: Robb Helfrick

Gettysburg is a time capsule of American history contained within a lovely small town. The epic Civil War battle that took place there in July, 1863, is still analyzed today. The Union won that confrontation but the Confederates later escaped across the Potomac River, back into southern territory. The Civil War would rage onward for almost two more years. Each year, more than a million visitors arrive in Gettysburg to experience the charming community and its preserved battlefield. When touring the area, they can interpret over 1300 monuments spread across the countryside. Some memorials honor past leaders, soldiers, or combat…

Imagine a secluded place with no address, tucked into the verdant Catoctin Mountains, where the leader of the free world escapes immense pressures. A private getaway where outside stresses are kept at bay- keeping a president sheltered from an ever-inquiring press and the exhausting chess-match of politics. A natural setting reserved for rejuvenation, mostly unknown by the outside world- until a former resident stepped forward to reveal its stories. That person is author Michael Giorgione, a retired United States naval officer who commanded Camp David from June, 1999, to August, 2001. His book is titled: “Inside Camp David: The Private…

Dan Deatrich launched his model shipbuilding hobby over a half-century ago. When he began that journey, he never envisioned creating a fleet of history’s most famous ships. Nor did he imagine one day tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians would admire his handiwork. But after years of persistence, passion, and applying his talent, that is exactly what Deatrich has achieved.As a Waynesboro middle school student, Dan enjoyed his grandfather’s workshop. Through his elder’s example, Dan explored woodworking. “I was always tinkering,” he said. Dan’s interest in ships developed naturally, sparked by his imagination. “I liked the variety of ship designs and…

The new Ritchie History Museum opened in June, 2023, with fascinating exhibits that recall a unique place in American history. Stories are preserved from legions of soldiers who passed through Fort Ritchie’s gates. The museum also interprets successive phases of the property’s illustrious past, while offering a glimpse into a new chapter in the Ritchie story.EARLY HISTORYAs visitors enter the museum, the first exhibit features a gigantic metal saw. The instrument served no military purpose but was used to cut the property’s first commercial product: ice. Long before the army arrived, the Buena Vista Ice Company formed in 1889. The…

WAYNESBORO-  As part of Green Hill Cemetery’s year-long sesquicentennial celebration, a community picnic and concert were held Saturday, August 12th. Guests enjoyed a catered lunch by The Family Table Restaurant and a musical selection performed by the Wayne Band. Sunny weather greeted guests as they gathered in shade underneath a gigantic tree. Organizer Todd Dorsett, a member of Green Hill’s Board of Directors, welcomed visitors and later conducted a cemetery walking tour. He pointed out various monuments and notable interments. Green Hill recently restored many headstones and markers, giving the memorials new luster in the picturesque 65-acre setting. Dorsett also…

In Franklin County’s scenic hills, Antietam Creek gurgles to life. Its waters flow south into Maryland for 42 meandering miles before emptying into the Potomac River. The creek’s name is thought to derive from an Algonquian phrase meaning “swift-flowing stream”. In the present day, Antietam Creek symbolizes much more than crystal-clear water. Many local businesses and organizations are named in tribute to the stream’s cultural distinction. The waterway is also known worldwide for a monumental battle fought during the American Civil War. The word Antietam evokes both natural and historic nostalgia. In bygone days of 1800’s transportation, Antietam Creek could…