Who do you find interesting?

Magazine releases second list of fascinating local people; portraits in special exhibit

For the Cumberland Times-News

They are back.

A new list of the area’s 20 most fascinating local people.

The December 2007/January 2008 edition of Allegany Magazine — on sale now — contains the names and photographs of those selected by readers of the magazine to represent the region as the “20 most fascinating” people of the year 2007.

“When we ran the feature last year, it really proved very popular,” said Shane Riggs, Allegany Magazine’s managing editor. “We knew we had to bring it back and this year’s list of 20 people is no exception. Every person chosen is certainly worthy of the distinction.”

In addition to the magazine feature, framed larger portraits of all 20 people selected are part of a special photography exhibit in the front windows of the Culinaire Cafe on Baltimore Street in downtown Cumberland through the month of December with special arrangement with the Allegany Arts Council.

This year’s 20 people include a well known McCoole businessman, a radio personality, a Frostburg professor, a rollerskating champion, a ballet dancer, a man who ran for Cumberland City Council, a community theater actor, an innkeeper, a Boy Scout leader, husband and wife Ellerslie paramedics, an Allegany College of Maryland administrator who provides food to the Union Rescue Mission, a published poet, a Frostburg woman who raised 13 children, a Westernport resident who saved a man’s life at a fast food restaurant, a Cumberland police officer, the founder of a children’s trust, an accupuncturist, a retired Kelly-Springfield comptroller, and a teacher.

In 100 words or less, readers of the magazine and members of the local community were challenged to nominate a resident of the area deserving to be named one of the year’s 20 most fascinating people of Allegany County.

“Everyone knows at least one fascinating person and we wanted to hear about them,” said Riggs. “We were looking for those unsung heroes in our area.”

The criteria for what made a person “fascinating” and a potential pick for inclusion in the magazine varied with each submission.

“Our readers quickly recognized that nominating someone as an Allegany Magazine Fascinating Person of the year was a great way to pay tribute to a person who has made a difference in his or her community,” said Riggs. “And most times, without any accolades or acknowledgment.”

When the staff of Allegany Magazine selected a nominee based on the essays that were submitted, that person was contacted and arrangements were made for a portrait photograph to be taken.

“People often ask me ‘how do you narrow down your list for the 20 Most Fascinating?’” said Riggs. “Two ways actually. It happens first when we read a submission about a person and the story stays with us. That small biography sent in really does make an impact. Then comes the second impression when we call that person up to sometimes convince them to be included. That’s my favorite part — talking one on one with the nominee.”

The original essays submitted when the person was nominated accompany each photograph. The issue will be on sale at area newstands through the months of December and January.

The magazine also just recently announced a special subscription offer in time for the holidays. All nine back issues of Allegany Magazine from 2007 can be purchased along with a gift subscription.

Not only will the recepient of the gift receive the nine upcoming issues of Allegany Magazine in 2008 but for an additional fee, they will also immediately receive all of 2007's nine issues gift wrapped, boxed and shipped.

Details regarding the offer are available in an advertisement that includes an order form in the Cumberland Times-News.