Here are some of the calls we have received lately:

"Those Williamsport Wildcats can not be 'caged.' Best of luck to the Williamsport varsity boys soccer team and coaches Reyes and Spoonire - 1A West crown winners. From the boys junior varsity soccer ream and coaches Munro and Leatherman. Get-r-done, boys!"

"I love this page in the paper. It provides my comic relief for the week."

- Hagerstown

"President Bush has been blamed for the hurricanes, the high gas prices, and the economy. Now that gas is reasonably priced again, the weather is mild and the economy is booming, why doesn't he get any credit? By the way, many thanks to the parents who proudly support the young soldier. Also, now that the war is getting tough, it looks like some of the former tough guys have departed."

- Smithsburg

"Every day I get junk mail, and I know that it will fill a 30-gallon trash bag within the week. It costs money, and I just wish they would stop sending it."

- Boonsboro

"This is in response to the call about the hymn. It is called 'Follow the Gleam.' The words are 'To the knights in the days of old, keeping watch on the mountain height, came a vision of holy grail, and a voice through the waiting night. Follow, follow, follow the gleam. Banners unfurled o'er all the world. Follow, follow, follow the gleam of the chalice that is the grail. And we who would serve the King, and loyally Him obey, in the consecrate silence know that the challenge still holds today. Follow, follow, follow the gleam, standards of worth o'er all the earth. Follow, follow, follow the gleam of the light that shall bring the dawn.'"

- Washington County

"I'd just like to thank the lady who called the Humane Society when my dogs got loose. The Humane Society picked up my dogs, and I was able to get them back safely. I just want to give this lady my heartfelt thanks, because I have my babies back and they're safe. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

- Halfway

"This call is in response to the person who was looking for suggestions on how to get mums started. Some mums can get started in the morning with just a nice hot shower, and other mums need a strong, hot cup of coffee."

"I'm getting ready to put my Christmas lights out, and all my Christmas decorations, but I don't want anybody coming from outside my neighborhood to look at them. They should look at the lights in their own neighborhood."

"I'll vote for anybody who wants to drill for oil in Alaska, because I can't afford to pay for oil that comes from overseas. There's plenty of oil here to last a lifetime. The trouble is that the oil factories don't build enough refineries. The environmental people won't let them."

- Hagerstown

"I'd like to send a message out to all the wannabe country people who are moving to the Leitersburg area. Please keep your dogs penned up or tied up so that they don't come onto my property and chase the deer away."

- Leitersburg

"This is for the truck driver talking about the truck that overturned on the I-81 ramp. It's not called 'banking;' it's called 'slow down.'

- Martinsburg

"I cannot believe that after all the Republicans have put this country through in the last six years, people keep putting Republicans back in office. I just do not understand it. Democrats are not bad people, even though the Republicans want you to think that. The Democrats are for the little people."

- Falling Waters, W.Va.

"Thumbs down to the developers who have come into our county and are mass-producing houses on our farms and rural countryside. In fact, as you pass a construction site that is chopping up the land, give them a big thumbs down to express your disapproval."

- Washington County

"I think that Jim Kercheval owes the state of West Virginia an apology. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the state of West Virginia, whether he wants to be like it or not. As far as pre-built houses, there is one right next door to me, and I can't tell the difference. They are built almost like houses now, so what is the man's problem? At least people can afford to live in them. I lived in Hagerstown for more than 25 years, and I moved here because I was tired of being taxed to death. You can't get affordable housing in Hagerstown anymore."

- Falling Waters, W.Va.

"This is to everyone who is calling in suggesting putting gang members and prisoners into the military. This is not the solution. You would be putting our young men and women who are serving our country out of pride and dedication to freedom in danger, prior to ever facing an unknown enemy. If the gangs have no morality, and are robbing, maiming, and killing on our streets, what would make you think that they wouldn't do this to our soldiers? You need to call the police every time you see them, and keep calling. Write your council, your congress, your senators. If everyone would get involved in this way, just maybe, a little at a time, it will start having a positive effect. Call, write, and make a stand."

- Hagerstown

"I saw on the news that some guy is being called a vigilante because he prevented his car from being stolen by using his handgun. Good for him. He will no doubt go to jail. That's the American way. If more of us were allowed our constitutional right to bear arms, the trash in this country would think twice about stealing someone else's property. To be allowed to bear arms means to carry them on your person. I really don't think Jefferson meant that it's just OK to keep them at home. He claimed that his firearm was his best friend."

- Hagerstown

"I served in World War II and in Korea. I think it's a big mistake that we are in Iraq. To the people we are fighting, this is a religious war. You cannot win religious wars. If you want to see how many people in the U.S. back this conflict, put the draft back into operation and you will get your answer."

"Since I'm paying $30 a year in flush taxes, when exactly is the completion date? When will the bay be restored? When will it all be fixed?"

- Hagerstown

"I was disappointed with the coverage of the Medicare D prescription plan in Sunday's paper. Anyone following this learned nothing new. Our concerns are: Prior authorization for some drugs - if you are denied approval, the drug won't be covered; quantity limits; and you must try certain other drugs before your drug may be covered; and also, you can be terminated from a plan after a year."

-Hagerstown

"I sent a bill to Washington County for my administrative fees for writing a check for the bay restoration. I want to know when my check's going to be here - and hurry, because I charge a 10 percent late fee."

- Hagerstown

"I'll bet that none of the council members who voted for the smoking ban in Prince George's County are smokers. How fair does that seem?"

- Hagerstown

"I think those who voted for the flush tax should be voted out of office. Does anybody think that they're going to stop with a $30 tax? Of course, they'll get their foot in the door and continue to raise taxes. This is a very bad tax, and should be repealed."

- Hagerstown

"I'd like to thank Delegate Bob McKee and Wanda, his secretary, for doing such a great job, especially in areas with children in need."

- Williamsport

"I am disabled, and met the income guidelines to be eligible to get my medicine paid for by the Western Maryland MedBank. The problem I am having is that starting Jan. 1, 2006, Medicare will provide a prescription program, and if I don't sign up for it I will be denied my medication from the MedBank. I can't afford to pay the monthly premium and the share of my prescription cost. Medication is very important to me, and to other people. I feel that the prescription drug plan is hurting us more than helping."

- Hagerstown

"The real estate constant yield tax will be reduced in Frederick County, saving taxpayers hundreds of dollars. Will Washington County and Frederick City reduce their constant yield tax to give homeowners a break? Don't hold your breath."

- Hagerstown

"I'm a little confused about the military recruiters wanting a child's data prior to when they're 18. When I turned 18, I had to register anyway. Why would a recruiter want a child's data while he's under 18? I can only imagine why. It's to try to recruit them at a younger age. I remember being in middle school and high school and having recruiters visit. As a result, I joined. I don't regret it, as it was a wonderful experience. It instilled in me values that unfortunately I didn't acquire at home."

- Cavetown

"This is for the caller from Hagerstown who was putting down the Boonsboro Warriors varsity football players, and telling us that we needed to come through the House of South. Well, in case you didn't notice, we came through the House of South."

- Boonsboro