"Gas prices are up and down. Why aren't our senators and congressmen making laws to help keep the fuel prices stable? There's no reason why the prices should be up and down as much as they are. Fuel oil prices are out of sight also. My wages don't allow for this. Can anybody do anything about this, or do we just have to take whatever we get?"

"I've come to the conclusion that no one at The Herald-Mail has a clue what the citizens' needs are. However, they will roll over for the good old boy network, and do exactly what they want, and print exactly what they say. I think it's high time that The Herald-Mail go out and do some investigative reporting and check their sources."

- Hagerstown

"Here we go again. I guess the politicians and oil companies do what they want. Gas prices went down for a few weeks to get people's minds off of it, but bingo, over the weekend gas went from $2.15 to $2.25. It's a money-making racket."

- Hagerstown

"I'd like to tell the students and music teacher at Funkstown Elementary School what a wonderful job they did Friday night. The children sounded like little angels singing. I'd also like to say 'well done' to the ones who put on the Old Tyme Christmas in Funkstown. I think this was our best year ever."

- Funkstown

"The most important part of Christmas is in the first six letters: Christ. Are you just celebrating another holiday, a reason to get a day off from work, or are you going to celebrate Christmas?"

- Hancock

"Why don't these places that take in retired service animals have funds set up for these animals through the police department and so forth? Why do we get bombarded with requests to care for these animals? We have animals and obligations of our own, and I just feel that the organizations should take care of the animals that served them so faithfully throughout the years. When they retire the animals, they put them out and expect other people to take care of them. I think this is very unfair. If we give to every organization that requests money, especially at this time of year, we'd be out on the streets begging ourselves."

- Williamsport

"Other elementary and middle schools besides Broadfording Academy take boxtops and Campbell's soup labels, so you can help other schools in the area, also."

"I'd like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and to ask that you please slow down and take your time when you're driving. Some people don't even stop at stop signs and stop lights. People are fighting over toys for their children. That's not the reason for the season. Get a grip, folks. Relax and enjoy the season for the reason that Jesus came."

- Hancock

"I'd like to see us all give truckers a break. They've got a big job to do this season. I know there's a lot of traffic, but please, if you're in the left lane driving 55 mph or 60 mph, why don't you move over and let them go by? If they're speeding, they'll be the ones getting tickets. Let them do their job. They're on a time schedule, too. A lot of the stuff that we have today depends on our American truckers. Happy holidays and Merry Christmas and all that good stuff to everyone."

- Hancock

"I don't understand the sudden controversy about Christmas and Christmas trees. First of all, this country was based on Christian principles, and Christmas is celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ by Christians all over the world. According to National Geographic, there are 2.1 billion Christians, 1.3 billion Islams, 870 million Hindus, 379 million Buddhists, and 405 million followers of traditional Chinese religion. In this country, the followers of all religions have the freedom to celebrate holidays. So let Christians celebrate Christmas as it has been done for hundreds of years."

- Boonsboro

"If you want to see the finest Christmas display that you can imagine, go to the West Washington Street extension at the city line and turn left onto Hump Road. There are many lights, deer, and Santa Claus and his reindeer. You just have to see it to believe it. It's magnificent - don't miss it."

- Hagerstown

"Thumbs up to the Hagers-town Choral Arts for a fabulous holiday concert. Washington County is so lucky to have such a talented group so close to home. See you next year."

"If your water from the Potomac River doesn't smell right or taste right, don't blame it on decaying leaves. Blame it on the deer hunters who throw gutted deer into the river."

"I want to thank Tracy Jacobs, the counselor at E. Russell Hicks Middle School, for all the help she gave to my child. She got the problem solved and got him back to where he should be. She went far above what she had to do to help my child. It had been going on for a while, and I want to say how thankful I am for this dedicated counselor who made sure that this child got back on the right track. When it didn't seem that anyone else could help him, she followed through and made sure my child had a chance. Thank you, Tracy Jacobs. You're a wonderful counselor, and E. Russell Hicks should be very proud to have a counselor who cares so much for the students."

- Hagerstown

"With all the complaints about Christmas, what about our Jewish community and our Muslim community? We need to think about them. I don't think that everything should just be labeled 'Christmas' or 'holiday.' Why can't people just call it whatever they want, or just have a December tree?"

- Smithsburg

"The BOE seems to be getting a lot of bad comments, but when I was having a problem with my child, I called the BOE and spoke with Mr. Myers, and he helped me. He never tried to rush me, and he told me the proper procedure to follow, and when that didn't work, I called him back and he made sure that everything was taken care of. He always returned my calls in a timely manner. He called the school and made sure that everything was done as needed. He did a lot for my child and for me, when I could get nowhere at the school level. I know that at times I was a bit irrational and upset, and Mr. Myers was very calm, and calmed me down. My child is very happy now, and I just want to give a big thank you to Mr. Myers."

- Hagerstown

"Each year at this time, one of the most constant themes is 'Peace on earth, and good will towards men.' We will all enjoy that theme until shortly after Christmas, when we go back to our old theme of killing our fellow man in Iraq and in Afghanistan."

- Hagerstown

"President Bush is such a great Christian that he sent out Christmas cards with 'Happy Holiday' instead of 'Merry Christmas' on them. They call a Christmas tree a holiday tree. It looks to me as though he is trying to take Christ out of Christmas. Christmas equals Jesus Christ's birthday. We as Christian people want to celebrate the birth of Christ and the love of Christ. Merry Christmas, one and all."

- Martinsburg, W.Va.

"I'm calling about the controversy about whether to say 'Merry Christmas' or 'Happy Holidays.' Thanksgiving and July 4th are holidays; Christmas is a holy day. We Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We don't know for sure when Jesus was born, but the church established the date back in the 4th century, to coincide with the winter solstice. The pagans always celebrated winter and we celebrate the birth of Christ, our savior. I think that all Christians should say 'Merry Christmas' and those who don't want to can use 'Happy Holidays.' I have no trouble with that, but just keep in mind that Christmas really is. It's the birthday of the Son of God, Savior of the world. Merry Christmas."

- Hagerstown

"I'd like to thank the staff of Beverly Healthcare of Hagerstown nursing home for the lovely Christmas dinner they had for the patients and families on Dec. 11. The Christmas carolers from the church were fantastic, and everything was great."

- Funkstown

"Since we are so close to Camp David, if there were a terrorist attack or any type of major emergency, having the only hospital next to a major medical center in a very congested area just does not make any sense. Someone really needs to think this through and do what is best for Washington County. We need a good evacuation plan, and should not have the medical facilities in one location only."

- Hagerstown

"Tim Rowland's column in the Sunday, Dec. 11, paper is a keeper. It should be required reading for everyone."

- Hagerstown

"I would like to say thanks to Dr. Newman and his staff for the loving care provided to my wife and me, ages 81 and 83. If not for him and the other doctors he recommended for additional care, neither one of us would be here today. He tells you the way it is, not just what you want to hear. Even if they move the hospital to the landfill area, we would go there for treatment if Dr. Newman was on the staff. Hats off to the No. 1 doctor in Hagerstown."

- Hagerstown

"Someone stole four of the six luminaria that I put out on my front porch. Something that seemed like such a neat idea has made me regretful, and really mad. The season of giving also seems to be the season of taking anything anybody wants to take, in any way they can. If you notice someone displaying a set of 4-inch-by-6-inch clay luminaria with a tree cut-out design, you can probably bet the farm that they came from my house on Broadway."

- Hagerstown

"According to the dictionary, a holiday is a religious feast day, a holy day, especially one of several holy days observed in Judaism, or pertaining to a festival. So when you wish someone 'Happy Holidays' you are essentially wishing them 'Happy Holy Days,' and this is appropriate for the holy days of many faiths. I wish all of you Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Christmas, and a great big Happy Holidays to all. Love each other and have peace."

- Hagerstown

"On Friday, Dec. 9, my street was covered in snow. While on my way to work at 6:45 a.m., I saw that Fairground Park was being plowed. At 11 a.m., my street was still untouched. Why isn't public safety on streets given priority over potential visitors to Fairground Park?"

- Hagerstown

"I don't know how someone could say that George Bush is a good president, with all that's happened with the war and everything. It's ludicrous, and it doesn't make sense."

- Hagerstown

"Last time I checked, we were still in a free country, and we all have the right to worship and say Merry Christmas if we want, or whatever. You can't take those rights away from the American people."

"I was friends with Mike, Jon and Brian. What happened is a tragedy. They were great people and will be missed. We love you all, and may you rest in peace. To the parents of the boys: We are sorry for your loss."

- Sharpsburg

"I see that Mr. O'Malley traveled to Frederick and Hagers-town, in his quest to become the next governor. I have a suggestion for him. Mr. O'Malley, if you want to get a large block of voters from Western Maryland, you should talk to all public employees of the State of Maryland. Legislators aren't doing enough, and our current governor has done nothing."

- Hagerstown

"I think the lights in the park in Williamsport are way off compared to other years. Yes, I am proud of our park, and my home and yard is decorated, and I don't have to leave the park alone. It's terrible."

- Williamsport

"I saw in the paper that someone was complaining about the decorations in Williamsport. I think they look beautiful. If you don't like them, don't look at them. Kudos to the person who set up the lights. It took a lot of hard work. It's not in the Christmas spirit to complain about them, so maybe you should apologize to that person."

"The reason that Maryland doesn't have slots is not because it has more Christians than West Virginia or Pennsylvania. It's because the Democrats running this state don't want anything to happen to help the citizens in any way while there's a Republican governor. If we get a Democrat governor, I'm sure slots will pass. Christianity has nothing to do with it - politics does."

- Boonsboro

"This is to all the people telling us Christians to mind our own business about the City Park Christmas tree being called a holdiday tree? Why don't you take your own advice and mind your own business about the Christmas tree. If you would have taken your own advice, none of this would have happened and there wouldn't be this huge controversy. I think the poll in Sunday's Herald-Mail said it all."

"Hey Hagerstown, I see you were quick to call Jeff Gordon a crybaby for not being at the ceremonies but you failed to let the NASCAR fans know that J.R. wasn't there either. I wouldn't show my face either knowing that NASCAR did everything but ( hand J.R. the first-place title). And he still couldn't make it. So who else is a crybaby?"

- Waynesboro, Pa

"To the person who took an adjustable metal walking stick with a leather hand strap from the lobby of the Funkstown Post Office on Thursday a.m. Dec. 8, I hope you really need it. I will know you if I see you with it as this style is not available in this country. If you wish to return it, and I hope you will, as I am disabled. Thank you and Merry Christmas."

"Thanks to the City Council for the holiday tree in the park. I can't help but wonder how one of the council members would feel if it were a 30-foot-high menorah, and the rest of the council decided to call it a 'holiday candle holder.'"

- Sharpsburg

"Bush, Cheney, and Condoleezza Rice keep saying that things are going well in Iraq. Every day I hear about 30 or more people getting killed in Iraq, and I can't see where things are going so great. Evidently, they don't read the paper or watch the news."

- Hagerstown

"I have to wonder how many of the complainers about the administration and other elected officials are registered voters and how many do vote. Voters can make changes happen by going to the polls and voting. Incumbents can be defeated but people must vote. Also politicians know who vote by groups and will have to listen if they hope to win re-election. Take a look at what has happened in Pennsylvania, Harrisburg politicians gave their raises back and incumbents were defeated in local elections. I have no doubt that incumbent politicians do not want many people going to the polls as it is easier to be re-elected."

"I'd like to comment about the call from Cascade regarding dogs being tied to boxes outside. My question is: Why do these people even own a dog that they would just tie to a box? A dog is man's best friend. It needs to be petted, loved, fed, and watered. You can see by the expression in a dog's eyes that it needs love. Anyone who keeps a dog tied to a box, especially in winter, should be ashamed. If those people were tied to a box overnight, in the cold, with no food or water or hay, maybe they would treat their pets better. Hooray for the woman from Cascade. Let's get together and stop these people from abusing these poor animals."

- Smithsburg

"Martinsburg says that we need to use our eyes and our ears concerning evolution. I think God would also want us to use our brain. There is a lot more to see than just looking at something. Observing requires us to use the eye and the brain. Hearing is a lot more than just picking up sounds. It is using our brain to listen to the facts. Evolution did not begin with Charles Darwin. He just codified what earlier scientists had observed and reported. Religious people gave arguments that the sun revolved around the earth. They lost. No matter how much you wish the results were different, evolution is here to stay. If it comforts you to believe in divine creation, hold on to that belief, but realize that science will eventually win this argument."

- Hagerstown

"I don't understand why people don't take the time to clean snow completely off their vehicles. It is very dangerous. Next time it snows, give yourself more time, not only to be out on the road in the inclement weather, but to clean off your car better."

- Hagerstown

"If you want to see an absolutely gorgeous Christmas tree, stop by the Fountainhead Plaza. It is visually stunning and very unique."

- Hagerstown