Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack
Throughout its long history, The Almanack has been recognized countless times for its contributions to the steady development and success of colonial 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 54th oldest company in the United States (the full list) and 1509th oldest in the world (the full list).
The Almanack Makes History Again
with Gibbs-Smith Education!
In mid-May of 2021, the publishing house, Gibbs Smith Education, approached The Almanack, asking for support to provide historical backgrond on John Gruber, colonial printer, and more specifically, his Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack. to be included in a new text book for intermediate grade social studies curriculum. Aligned to meet new Maryland State Social Studies standards, the new text book entitled, Maryland: An American Adventure 1780–Present tells the complete story of the state and its nation’s growth over more than two centuries. Heavily illustrated with color maps, charts, photos, and illustrations, this is an indispensable tool for students to engage with both Maryland and American history, from its earliest days to the present day. Gibbs Smith used content from several vintage issues of The Almanack to depict rural life during this period, highlighting John Gruber's contribution to the agricultural way of life. Click here for more information on this and other text books and associated curricula from Gibbs-Smith and click here for the actual page in the new text book where The Almanack's content is used, along with associated questions for the students to discuss.
May: Spring Chill Doesn't Want To Fade
With April producing one of the most volatile months in weather history for Cumberland, many wonder if Mother Nature’s big sneezes and ciool tempertures will continue into May and when it will be safe to plant flowers in the garden. In his monthly article for the Cumberland Times-News, Almanack Weather Pronosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, lays out his forecast forecast appearing in the Saturday, April 30th edition but you can read it here first.
Cumberland Times-News References Almanack Prognosticator's Forecasts
In the recent article, 'Spring storm makes travel treacherous', The Cumberland News-Times reviews the snow storms in Cumberland and surroundng counties, referencing Almanack Prognosticator and Meteorologist, Chad Merrill's forecasting for the storms. Merrill also notes some record-breaking snowfall in various areas of the region. Click here for the full article.
The Almanack and PennState Extension Educators
Review Procedures for Dairy, Vegetable, and Fruit Farmers
Almanack Weather Prognosticator, Chad Merrill is joined by Cassie Yost and Karly Regan, PennState Extension Educators, who review suggested late spring into summer procedures for dairy, vegetable and fruit farmers with an outlook for the late-spring-into-summer season in this latest podcast. Click here for the full broadcast and watch for their feature articles in the coming 2023 edition of The Hagerstown Town and Country Alamack!
April: Don't Pack Away Warm Clothing!
Greetings Western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands! The best way to describe March was a random Powerball drawing where any number from 1 to 69 could be drawn and that was the day’s high temperature. Going forward into April, we see a chill on the horizon, but also a summer preview in the making. Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill's monthy weather review that will appear in the The Cumberland Tmes-News on Sunday, March 27, 2022 but as alwys, followers of The Almanck get the chance to read it first right here!John Gruber Recognized by
The Washington County Historical Society
The Washington County Historical Society recognizes John Gruber in its article entitled, 'Enjoy the Hagers-town Town and Country Almanack? Thank John Gruber — ‘the German Printer’', appearing in Hagerstown, Maryland's own Herald-Mail on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The article, written by William Maharay, President of the Board of the Washington County Historical Society, focuses on the printing legacy of the colonial printer, including his famous publication, The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack! Click here for the full article. March: Big Seasonal Change Battle
Greetings Western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands! Mother Nature has gone through many violent sneezes with transient cold followed by spring-like readings with snow being absent, except west of Route 36. As we go forward into the first month of meteorological spring, the big question is whether Mother Nature will turn the boat to a permanent spring pattern or will Old Man Winter have one last say in the matter? Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill's monthy weather review that will appear in the The Cumberland Tmes-News on Saturday, Februay 26, 2022 publised but followers of The Almanck get the chance to read it first right here!
