Hagerstown Town & Country Almanack

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!

The Almanack, as it soon became known, grew in popularity, quickly becoming an integral part of everyday Early American life. For many years hence, it was THE primary source for agricultural, meteorological and astronomical information vital to an agrarian community's survival. The highly-accurate weather forecasts (made over 14 months in advance) were first derived using centuries-old methods but over the many years, the method has been advanced, incorporating newer, more reliable and advanced meteorological techniques.  And it still maintains it homespun charm offering tried-and-true folk remedies, useful hints and tips for managing the house, farm, and garden, advice for everyday living, and its special form of traditional wisdoms.  Millions of copies have been sold and it has been said that the The Almanack has made Hagerstown widely-known throughout the U.S. and has given Maryland an ‘epicenter’ of farming and agriculktural life.

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!

The Hagerstown Town and Country Almanack is the perfect gift for any occasion!  Surprsie someone with a unique gift that truly keeps on giving throughout the year. Easter, Mother's Day, Fathers Day, Grandparents Day, and a birthday or marriage are all perfect opportnities to share this American Treasure! We are sure that you can identify more reasons to buy so go to www.almanack.com/order today and order your gift copies right now!  Consider giving the very popular 3-year subscription. It guarantees no price increase and will deliver The Almanack with no charge for shipping for the next 3 years. Or sign someone up as a Friend of The Almanack (FOTA), and give them immediate access to our new on-line digital version as well as a hardcopy of the current edition, receive access to past digital editions, access to the NEXT YEAR'S DIGITAL EDITION, and so much more! Great deals for a great almanac!

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!

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