Sabillasville Elementary Community Appreciates Cooperative Vote By Frederick County Board of Education
James Rada Jr. The Frederick County Board of Education gave an impactful reprieve at the end of March when it revoked its former end-of-November (2020) vote to close the Sabillasville Elementary School (SES). This was in response to an appeal submitted by the Sabillasville Parent Teacher Organization. “They needed to do that because of the…
Ritchie’s Revival
Deb Abraham Spalding Pictured from left are Selena Cisar, Joyce Johnson, John Krumpotich, George Coyle Jr., and Brad Coyle. Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding Since the 1998 closing of the Fort Ritchie military base in Cascade, the property has endured years of unsuccessful progress, as various developers and business entities failed. After a 16-month wait…
Locals Pushed to Limits With Maryland Food Challenges
Blair Garrett People can be pushed to their limits doing many things. Whether it’s submitting a treacherous mountaintop or shooting for world records, humans have a competitive tendency to push themselves past what they previously thought possible. Competition is exciting to watch, and new challenges are always on the horizon for those who seek greatness.…
F r o m t h e M ay o r
E m m i t s b u r g Mayor Don Briggs Well, the vaccine shots are here. Yes, they’re at a convenient place for us up in these parts: the Vigilant Hose Company activities building on Creamery Road. Thank you, Vigilant Hose, for pulling this together. But, not so fast. The vaccine assigned…
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. T h u rmont A “Y Without Walls” The Town of Thurmont is still working toward bringing YMCA programs to town in a “Y without walls.” It was announced during a recent town meeting that the Y will run some art programs locally on Saturday mornings. These are expected to be…
The Tragic Drowning of Mary Finnefrock on Lake Royer
Precipitated by a Fatal Prank in 1901 Earl Eyler On a pleasant summer morning, August 18, 1901, Mary Finnefrock, with her companion, Mrs. Lewis Wecker, boarded an excursion train at York, Pennsylvania, bound for a day of fun and relaxation at the celebrated Pen Mar Park, not aware it would be the last day of…
“On The Wild Side” Columnist Says Goodbye
blair garrett “On The Wild Side” provided a fun and exciting glimpse into what nature had to offer. Getting back to our roots in nature was a major focus for Christine Maccabee, Catoctin Banner columnist, as she waves farewell to writing for the Banner and moves on to other exciting ventures. Maccabee’s final “On The…
Strokes and the Dangers They Present
Jayden Myers Every month, people bring awareness to health conditions to inform and educate those who may not know much about them. Each month seems to highlight a particular condition, and they are all important. May happens to be Stroke Awareness Month, which helps people each year to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatments for…
Thurmont — A Leading Home for Frederick County Businesses
James Rada Jr. Thurmont is one of the leading business creators in Frederick County, according to the database used by the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. Data Axle (formerly Reference USA) reports on businesses by zip code across the country. In the Thurmont zip code (21788), Data Axle reports there are 468 businesses, and…
F i r s t R e s p o n d e r s ’ S e r v i c e
Jessica Bentley “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4. This Bible verse sums up the average day of a first responder. These men and women put their lives on the…
Dialing in Prayers:Seton Shrine Runs Successful Prayer Hotline
When the world shut down last year because of the pandemic, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton decided it was time to reach outward. The question was how, when for a time, people couldn’t even visit the Shrine in Emmitsburg. The answer was simple, profound, and one that Mother Seton, America’s first native-born…
Catoctin Veterinary Clinic Gives Back With Solar Energy Installation
In addition to providing exceptional healthcare to the area’s cat and dog population, the owners of Catoctin Veterinary Clinic are committed to being good neighbors to the surrounding Thurmont community. With the recent energizing of their 35.6-kW roof-mounted solar system, the clinic took a big step in furthering that commitment. The 89 solar panels (pictured…
Thurmont Lions Club Donates “Brady Buggy”
Contributed by Lion Joyce Anthony On March 9, 2021, the Thurmont Lions Club donated a “Brady Buggy” to the Frederick Health Hospital. The Brady Foundation makes transport animal cars for pediatrics. There are various animals you can get for the buggy, but the club chose a lion. Colorful wagons known as “Brady Buggies” are used…
Students Propel Skate Park Project in Thurmont
A group of 15 Catoctin High School sophomores attended an April Town of Thurmont meeting with Patrick Dugan (sophomore) as their leader and presented their case, convincing the town to build a skate park. The mayor and commissioners gave the teens lots of positive feedback, as well as advice on how to help their project…
FEMA Celebrates 70 Years of the Emergency Management Institute
Dianne Walbrecker FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute marked its 70th anniversary in April. The institute, part of the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, proudly commemorates its long and distinguished history supporting the Nation’s emergency management community. The Emergency Management Institute began in April 1951 as the Civil Defense Staff College. The Civil Defense staff taught…
Easter Egg Hunt at TUMC
On Saturday, March 20, 2021, the Easter spirit was evident at Thurmont United Methodist Church (TUMC)! From 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., the Easter Bunny and Duck paid a visit to TUMC and took pictures with children from the Thurmont Community. With a little help from Catoctin High School (CHS) cheerleaders and members of TUMC,…
Mount St. Mary’s Taps John Nauright as Business School Dean
Following a national search, Mount St. Mary’s University (MSM) has named John Nauright, Ph.D. (pictured right), as dean of the Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business, effective June 14, 2021. He brings to the Mount deep experience in developing and leading innovative business programs both in the United States and internationally. Nauright currently serves…
New Citizen Celebrated at Community Center
Lucia Lamberson thought she was attending a Zumba fundraising event at the Fort Ritchie Community Center; however, her friends had secretly planned a surprise party in her honor. Lamberson officially became an American on Monday, April 12, 2021, in Philadelphia. Friends she had made through exercise classes at the community center were so impressed with…
Sister Duo Receives Lions’ Volunteer of the Year Award
Lions Club President Susan Favorite introducing Nancy Rice and her sister Carol Long. L-R Lion Albie Little, Nancy Rice, Carol Long, Lion Joyce Anthony and Lion Susan Favorite. The Thurmont Lions Club bestowed a sister-duo its Volunteers of the Year Award for 2021. The award was announced during the April 20, 2021, Town of Thurmont…
Don’t Forget Our High School Seniors!
The Catoctin High School Class of 2021 nears graduation on June 3, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Catoctin High School. Please keep them in mind for donations through the Safe and Sane 2021 parent group and by participating in event meetings and events. Safe and Sane has meetings on May 5 and May 19 at…
