THE LEGACY OF JOHN GRUBER

Every now and then, it is good to reflect on one’s origins. With the passing of each generation, we are encouraged with the rebirth; the innocence and ideals of youth, the sensibility of adulthood, and the wisdom of old age. It is the never-ending cycle of life.

A FAMILY TRADITION
The Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack has always taken great pride in its long history as a source of regional weather prognostications, useful farm and household information, as well as insights into everyday living. For over 200 years, The Gruber Almanack Company has published The Almanack and it still remains owned and operated by the heirs of John Gruber. In the steady evolution of take-overs, buy-outs and mergers as everyday occurrences in the business world, this is simply an amazing fact.

A recent article in the Hagerstown Herald-Mail by Andrew Schotz, charts the Gruber legacy, starting in 1797 when John Gruber went to press for the first time in America. Under a partnership with son-in-law, Daniel May, The Gruber Company continued to publish the Neuer Hagerstauner Calender Stadt und Land in both English and the original German until Gruber’s death in 1857. It was his daughters, Wilhemina, Frederika and later, Rebecca Gruber May, who saw to it that his publication continued into 20th Century. Margaret Hay Fisher was officially named editor in 1903 and continued until 1926 when her son, Charles W. Fisher, was next to edit. His untimely death in 1934 left the editing to his wife, Emily Kohler Fisher, who held that position from 1934 to 1972 for a total of 38 years! Her son, Charles, took over after her death in 1972 and remained editor until his retirement in early 2001. His son, Charles W. Fisher, Jr. now edits The Almanack.

A GENERATION PASSES
Sadly, 2002 saw the passing of Charles W. Fisher (editor from 1973 to 2002), great-great-great-grandson of John Gruber. Over the course of his editing years, he redesigned the departments, adding Design for Living and Hints for the Handyman. He also introduced the popular Our Reader’s Write column, which offers readers a chance to express their thoughts, feelings, and observations through poetry or verse, quotation or anecdote. His other subtle changes helped to maintain The Almanack’s longstanding charm and appeal for its faithful readers. He will be sorely missed and his mark will forever be part of the Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack tradition.

THE LEGACY CONTINUES
The next generation has stepped up to its task and the 2002 edition was offered as its very first issue. It is hoped that its readers approve and continue to count on The Almanack as something that will always be there. In an expanding and ever-changing world, it will never lose sight of its original mission to provide useful and insightful information that is reflective of all the bounties that nature, family, a sense of community, and technology have to offer.