est. 1797
228 YEARS
OF
CONTINUOUS PUBLICATION
      

The Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

T
he Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack, first published in 1797, is the second oldest almanac in the United States. It began in a modest print shop on South Potomac Street in Hagerstown, Maryland and was the creation of colonial printer, John Gruber and his partner and son-in-law Daniel May. Gruber is considered by many to be one of Hagerstown's "favorite sons" right along with Jonathan Hager, the town's founder and namesake. Gruber's almanac has been published continuously for 227 years and is the ONLY almanac in the United States that is still published by direct descendants of its founder!

Throughout its long history, The Almanack has been recognized countless times for its contributions to the development of Early American agrarian society (see Maryland Traditions' 2012 ALTA Award for Tradition),  as well as for making a significant contribution to our national pride (see Hagerstown Celebrates Star Spangled Banner's 200th Anniversary!). 

Gruber's Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Company has been recognized by Wikipedia as the 56th oldest company in the United  States (the full list) and 1512th oldest in the world (the full list). 




March: Spring Break Arrives in March!

February 24, 2024 - February has been a month to breathe a sigh of relief following a snowy start to 2024 in western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands. Of course, the same can’t be said as you read this column on this cold, blustery Saturday, February 24 with snow showers west of Route 36. Mother Nature is putting on a show that will even fool Penn and Teller (magicians) to close this month and begin March!  In his monthly column,  soon to appear in The Cumberland Times-News,  Almanack Meteorologist/Weather Prognosticator, Chad Merrill, offers his prediction on what we can expect in the coming month.  Click here to read it right now! 


Rugged Ranch Pueblo Grand Chicken Coop

The Rugged Ranch Pueblo Grand Chicken Coop is a great upgrade option to enlarge your flock. The Pueblo Grande comes with access doors on 3 sides with 2 nesting boxes. The coop has a total of 3 roost bars: 2 inside roost and 1 in the yard. It also has a small rear entry door to let one bird out a time as well as an extra large clean out pan. The hen house has dual air flow vents to allow plenty of fresh air to flow into the hen house. This beautiful coop will look great in any space! Click here to order yours today!

Build the Perfect Gate or Fence

Get everything you need to build that perfect gate or fence with the help from Tractor Supply, Co. Click here and start shopping today. 


Polar Tandem Axle Lawn Mower Wagon


The Polar TA 1500 Tandem Axle Lawn Mower Wagon is available in with Tractor Supply's original tandem walking arm that's perfect for hauling heavy loads easily over unstable terrain. The walking arm on the lawn mower rear axle lets the wheels "crawl" over obstacles, keeping the load stable. This lawn mower axle is built with rugged, durable tubular frame technology with powder-coat finishes to hold up to the elements.  Click here and order yours today!  

February: A Winter Whiplash 

Almanack Meteorologist/Prognosticator, Chad Merrill was right in his prognosis of the classic Wave-2 split polar vortex bringing winter to western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands in January, but wow did the snow exceed his expectations! Many of you might be enjoying this reprieve from the winter weather, although a whiplash is in the offing!  Merrill provides more detail on February's weather in his monthly column appearing in The Cumberland Times-News on Saturday, January 27, 2024.  But if you click here, you can read the full article right now!  


STAUB is honoring the celebration of luck, prosperity, and new beginnings with two limited-edition must-haves for Lunar New Year that begins on February 5, 2024.  Each cast iron cocotte is complemented by a ravishing red hue for good fortune and an intricate Dragon-accented lid. Perfect for popular Lunar New Year dishes like Braised Pork Belly, Whole Chicken, Lion's Head Meatballs and Longevity Noodles. 


Click on the links below for the desired size and shop today! 

Shop the 2.5-Quart Braiser with Dragon Lid

Shop the 3.75-Quart Essential French Oven with Dragon Lid
 


ZWILLING's End of Year sale has been extended! Save up to 75% at ZWILLING's through January 31st.

Lazy Garden Kit
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Introducing the ultimate solution for hassle-free gardening - the Lazy Garden Kit from Hoss Tools. This all-in-one kit includes pre-cut ground cover with optimal plant spacing, a customized drip irrigation system, and fabric pins for easy installation. Available in two sizes (15 ft x 20 ft or 15 ft x 30 ft), the Lazy Garden Kit has everything you need to start or improve your garden. Click here and order your garden today!
Now is the time to plan for that flower or vegetable garden in 2024!  SeedsNOW offers the widest selction of seeds that are 100% non-Genetically Modified and the most natural and most pure.  Since all their seeds are open-pollinated, they can be saved after harvest These are the only seeds available that allows to plant then save after harvest and used repeatedly.  Click here to shop today and use Discount Code SAVE15 for 15% off your entire order!

The Online Digital Version of The Almanack Now Available!

The Gruber Almanack, LLC proudly announces the availability of the online digital version of its historically-significant Hagerstown Town and Counrty Almanavk!  Initially only available with a Frriends of The Almanack subscription, this really nifty 'flipbook' can be read easily just like the physical publication (i.e  turn pages), but also, you can perform keywod searchs of its content and download and/or printing individula pages or the entire publication! For more information and to order, this fun new way to enjoy your favorite almanac, click here. 

Sign Up Today for The Almanack Newsletter! 

Sign up for The Almanack's monthly newsletter and get the coming month's weather forecasts, a heads up on religious and civil holidays, and lists of activities to keep any gardener and farmer busy for the month. Click here to send an email to the editor and be sure to put 'THE ALMANACK NEWSLETTER PLEASE!' in the subject line. You can check out this month's newsletter here 

The Great Friends of The Almanack Give-Away!

Now, EVERY DAY is the day of  The Great Friends of The Almanck Give-Away!  Be one of the first 100 Almanack readers/followers today to claim a special subscription to The Friends of The Almanack Membership Program.  Simply send an email to The Almanack Editor, place AM I A WINNER? in the subject line, and your first name in the body.  Good luck!  



January: A Leap Into Winter

December 30, 2023 - While winter has been alive and kicking in Garrett County, the infamous leeside warming effect has kept Allegany, Mineral and Hampshire counties thriving in a late fall pattern lately. There's a lot going on in the atmosphere that will send the shivers, snow shovels and even shorts our way to start 2024. Almanak Meteorologist/Prognosticator, Chad Merrill forecasts January's weather in his montly column in The Cumberland Times-News appaaring on Saturday, December 30th,. But why wait? Click here and read the full article right now!  

The Almanack is Now a Zwilling/J. A. Henckels Advertiser!

Hoss Tools Adds The Almanack to its Preferred Advertiser Program!

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack has been accepted a preferred advertiser of Hoss Tools! They take pride in offering an extensive range of meticulously crafted garden tools that will withstand the test of time. Their commitment extends to delivering a comprehensive line of premium garden seeds, top-notch seed starting supplies, efficient drip irrigation kits, and effective pest and disease control solutions, among other offerings. What sets Hoss Tools apart is their dedication to American-made, professional-grade garden tools and supplies. Furthermore, they boast the finest premium selection of garden seeds, renowned for their outstanding germination rates.  Click on thier logo in the sidebar and start shopping for next year's crop and check here for featured products, upcoming specials, and seasonal promotions.

SeedsNOW  Names The Almanack Preferred Advertiser in 2024!

SeedsNOW has selected The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack as one of its preferred advertisers in 2024!   SeedsNOW offers only the most natural and most pure seeds. Since all of their seeds are open-pollinated, you can safely save the seeds after harvest These are the only seeds you can plant then save after harvest and repeat. Seeds Now sells seeds that are tested with the highest germination, purity %s, and guaranteed to grow with 100% customer satisfaction - nothing less, always more is their goal! Click on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar graphic and check out their wide selection of fruit and vegetable seeds and watch this space for upcoming recommendations, promotions, and special pricing. 

The Almanack Selected to Advertise Tractor Supply!

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is proud to announce that it has been accepted as a one of Tractor Supply's preferred advertisers!  As many know, Tractor Supply is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States offering its customers products that allow them to pursue their passion, be it working close to the land, raising and caring for farm animals and pets, or leading a life of self-sufficiency or DIY attitude! Click on the SHOP NOW button in the sidebar graphic and check out their wide variety of products and follow us here (and also on social media) and watch for selected products to be featured, some that come with a discount!    

 


2024 Hagerstown Almanack Available in August!

The 2024 edition of The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack will be available beginning in August, again, earlier than in past years!  This is the 228th issue of a regional treasure, continuously published since 1797, now famous for its outstandingly-accurate weather forecasting for the coming year, done over 12 months in advance!  Go to The Almanack Press Releases for more details.   

The Almanack now has Chad R. Merrill doing the weather calculations.  Merrill is chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia, recent receipient of the The National Weather Association's presitigious Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval (see below), and soon-to-be listed in the upcoming 2024 Marquis Who's Who (also see below). 

Go to Where to Buy The Almanack for retail locations in your area.  Or you can simply go to Order Now! and have your copy (or copies!) sent right to your front door! And consider the 3-year subscription, guaranteeng the price of your favorite almanac for three years, and have it delivered every year. Or become a  Friend of The Almanack, receive a single hardcopy,  special access to the digital version of TWO issues of The Almanack, receive the monthly newsletter, access to past digital editions, and so much more!  A great deal for a great almanac!

Almanack Weather Prognosticator Inducted into Marquis Who's Who!

 
The Gruber Almanack, LLC proudly announces that its Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad R. Merrill, has been inducted into the prestigious Marquis Who's Who Biographical Registry!  Individuals profiled in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.  Leveraging more than two decades of excellence in short-term to seasonal weather forecasting, Merrill has earned distinction as the chief meteorologist with WOAY-TV, producing live weather updates for the evening newscasts and creating different weather and science segments. Merrill has also been a radio meteorologist with WTOP News since 2022 and a weather prognosticator with The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack since 2019. He also lends his expertise as a meteorologist while serving as a columnist for the Cumberland Times-News.  Click here for further details. 

Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist Named Chief Meteorologist at WOAY-TV!

Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Pronosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill has been named chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia. Starting on Monday, March 13, Merrill will officially take over his duties but he has already started to post forecasts for the surrounding region. Click here for Merrill's peak bloom prediction for cherry blossoms this year.  

Almanack Weather Prognosticator Awarded National Weather Association's Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval! 


Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, was recently awarded the National Weather Association's prestigious Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval! The association’s Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval is earned by broadcasting meteorologists who pass both a rigorous written exam and an on-air evaluation by a group of panelists. The NWA Weatherbroadcaster Seal of Approval program was launched in 1982 to promote quality weather broadcasting.  According to the National Weather Association, only 1,045 meteorologists currently hold this honor. Click here for The Cumberland Times-News coverage of his great achievement. Congratulations to Chad, who not only provides The Almanack with its weather forecasts (14 months in advance!), but also is now chief meteorologist at WOAY-TV in Oak Hill, West Virginia, and also as a freelance meteorologist for WTOP-FM  Radio in Washington, D.C.

 





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