Publishers Mary Catherine McKee (l) and Marcie Sprecher

Washington County is rich in culture, history and in the people who make it so attractive to live there. So it is that Washington Crossroads Magazine has devoted this issue to exploring Washington’s cultural, historical and biographic influences.

For example, we are profiling Barbara Gibbs as our Personality of the New Year. Gibbs, the Clerk of the Courts, has given 43 years of her life to running the court system. Its efficiency, and sympathetic dealing with so many of the victims who pass through its doors are due in no small way to Gibbs’ mastery of its processes.

Another highlight of this issue is the spotlight we turn on the history of the city. How many people today know, for example, that one of Washington’s foremost residences doubled during the middle years of the 19th century as an “underground railroad station” for runaway slaves?

And just to show we have not overlooked the fun side of things going on today, we have included some ideas for hot dates this Valentine’s Day.

The reason for bringing these and a host of other fascinating stories to our readers’ attention is to heighten our connections with the people, the culture and the history that make Washington such an attractive place to live. In many cases this means digging a little deeper into the backgrounds and personalities of the people and places that intrigue us. Sometimes it means mining official records and even private recollections of survivors.

The fun lies in uncovering some of the details of a life that adds to the riches of the place you call home. Enjoy this issue and as always, let us know what you think.