Our Say: City, hospital get merited recognition

PERHAPS RATINGS by national organizations don't change much. But it always boosts morale to have hard work and the pursuit of excellence get outside recognition. This area got two such morale-boosters recently.

Last week the National Trust for Historic Preservation chose Annapolis as one of 12 Distinctive Destinations for 2005, saying that the city is one of the nation's top destinations for history and heritage tourism. Annapolis was the only place in Maryland to get the honor from the trust, which over six years has designated 72 destinations in 36 states.

Richard Moe, the trust's president, called Annapolis a "thriving,...