Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack
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).
June: A Nose-Dive Into The Dog Days?

Western Maryland and the Potomac Highlands have seen the typical early May snow followed by sunny and warmer days followed by a couple of chilly nights. Is Mother Nature going to flip the switch permanently into the Dog Days of Summer in June? The answer may surprise you. Click here to read Almanack Prognosticator/Meteorologist. Chad Merrill's monthly weather forecast article appearing in The Cumberland Times-News on Saturday, May 27,2023.
Hagerstown Almanack Weather Prognosticator
Inducted into the 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 more details on this major announcement.
May: Don't Break out the Flip Flops Yet!

Mother Nature completely spoiled warm weather enthusiasts this month and also triggered fear with gardeners and those with agricultural interests thanks to the accompanying dry weather. Will Mother Nature try desperately to hold onto a sustainable cold pattern or will she relinquish her grip and let summer come with flying colors? Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Meteorologist, Chad Merrill, reviews the coming May weather in his monthy column appearing in The Cumberland Times.-News this weekend but click here and read his forecast right now!
The Almanack is the Perfect Gift for Any Occassion!
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/Meteorologist
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.
Almanack Weather Prognosticator
Provides Forecasts for Bishop's Events!
Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack Weather Prognosticator/Metorologist, , Chad Merrill, announces that he will be providing Bishop's Events weather forecasts and updates for the days of their sponsored running events scheduled throughout the Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland, Greater Fredericksburg areas, and the Potomac Highlands. Click here for the latest one.
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.
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. For more HAGERSTOWN ALMANACK NEWS, click here