WMHC Therapeutic Gardens

08/31/2026

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There were not two, but three, trains running at the Train Garden of Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens on Saturday morning, August 30. Bob Hyatt brought a Pennsylvania RR train from his home in Franklin County, PA. There was the Engine, Number 7677, three coal trains, a Heinz 57 Varieties of Pickles car, an Altoona Brewing car and a red caboose. Bob and Mike Shoop worked to keep the track clear.

Meanwhile, we had many young visitors on this beautiful day. Nathan had control of the gadget that makes the trains whistle. Yuna pointed to the trains and to her brother on the other side of the garden. He was taking videos of the train. Their excitement was contagious.

Do you remember model trains or real trains when you were young?

08/27/2026

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The trains will run this Saturday, 29 August from 10 - 11:30 am in the Train Garden at Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave. You are all welcome to join us as the trains race around the track; as the whistle blows; as the water runs in the stream. Enjoy the village and the plants that surround the homes and businesses. Create memories. We look forward to your visit.

08/26/2026

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Mike Shoop, Master Gardener, came to Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens on Friday morning to put up the last birdhouse. The location of this final bird house allowed blue birds to swoop in and out without any interference.

Mike had all the right tools on hand. First he took a post driver which drove posts into the ground. He drove the post into the ground until it stood 4 - 5 feet off the ground.
He made sure the birdhouse was plumb with a level. He used stainless steel bolts, nuts, washers and screws to secure the bird house to the post.

Finally, Mike measured the hole. 1 1/4 inches. Last week’s readers saw this post and knew that the hole was more than 1/4 inch. Thank you to all who knew and let me know.

The other four birdhouses can be found in the Memorial Garden.

08/17/2026

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Mike Shoop, Master Gardener, made birdhouses to accommodate blue birds. The size of the hole is about 1/4 inch and each house will be posted about 4 - 5 feet off the ground. The patients painted them these lively colors. On Saturday, Mike hung them in the Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens.
Come and visit the Gardens. See if you can find the houses. Look for the bluebirds!

07/07/2026

06 July 2026

The First Annual Fourth of July Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Train Gardens Party was held July 4, 2026, on the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation. Lisa coordinated the event and she was helped by Skip. Skip and Lisa manned the tent where gifts, seeds, information and garden advice was available to all who visited.

Richard stood by the shed and held the gizmo that made the trains whistle. Richard wore the traditional blue and white railroad engineer cap. This cap was designed long ago by George and Ida Kromer. It is made from blue and white pinstripe pillow ticking and it is called a Kromer cap. You can read the fascinating history of this cap at https://www.uprrmuseum.org/uprrm/exhibits/curators-corner/engineers-cap/index.htm

Mark your calendars now for July 4, 2027.

07/01/2026

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Join us on the morning of the Fourth of July from 10:00 - 11:30 for a Train Garden Party at Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown. The trains will run; there are free giveaways; and garden advice will be available.

And then you can explore the gardens.
Visit the pond where the water lilies are blooming now. Have a seat and enjoy the peace. The water pump has recently been repaired thanks to Master Gardner Betsy Harnish so the water flows clearly. Blue dragonflies and humble bees wander among the reeds and cattails. Listen for the birds. Relax and enjoy the beauty.

06/24/2026

06/18/2026

17 June 2026 jpeg 4889 You are invited to the second outdoor running of the trains at Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, Hagerstown, this Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 10 - 11:30 am. Richard and Mike, will welcome you, answer your questions, run the trains, and blow the train’s whistle. We look forward to seeing you.

06/09/2026

09 June 2026 jpg 9540 Citi Volunteers came to Western Maryland Hospital Center Therapeutic Gardens on Thursday, 05 June 2026 for the Day of Caring. They pose here at the entrance to the Memorial Garden.

Dusty Graham and the WMHC Therapeutic garden committee thanked those who support our endeavors at the hospital by working in the gardens on the Day of Caring.

Dusty said, “We had a few new people, and quite a few of our “regulars" returned, which is great. They are all such hard workers and dedicated to helping our cause. We strive to provide a place for the patients, staff, and community to enjoy the gardens and find a peaceful place."

06/04/2026

03 June 2026 jpeg unknown-9 We will try again! We are ready! The weather should be fine. So, the opening of the train garden at Western Maryland Hospital Center, 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, will happen this Saturday, June 6, from 10 to 11:30.

And then, weather conditions permitting, the trains will run every other Saturday from 10 to 11:30 until the middle of September. The next scheduled run of the trains outdoors will be on June 20, weather permitting.

Please join us this Saturday and every other Saturday, including July 4, weather permitting.

P.S. The picture is from the Day of Caring on September 18, 2025. We have been working on this upgrade to the train garden for a long time.