James Rada, Jr. Fun Facts: Although maple trees are found on other continents, no other continent’s maples can compare in sweetness to the sugar maple trees in North America. It takes an average of 40 gallons of sap to produce one gallon of syrup. As spring approaches in the area, maple sap is flowing into…

Deb Abraham Spalding Mr. Francis Smith has been a beloved contributor of poetry to The Catoctin Banner for many years. On February 13, 2022, he passed away at the age of 96. As part of the Banner Team, he was creative, consistent, smart, and talented. He always offered a warm handshake in greeting and often…

BY Terry Pryor, Writer, Poet, Life Coach, and Student of the Mind Note: This is the first month of action described in a series of motivational articles. Take some time each month to complete these action items and you’ll see a “New You” emerge. Enjoy! About Affirmations Affirmations are tools that declare an intention. In…

Thurmont  Mayor John Kinnaird In light of the recent decline in COVID-19 cases in Frederick County, County Executive Gardner has rescinded the mask order for public places. Many businesses and restaurants may still require you to wear a mask in their establishment. COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots are available on Monday evenings, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.…

by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Town Reinstates Commissioner Liaisons to Public Works Although Thurmont used to have commissioner liaisons to the town’s public works departments, the assignments have stopped being made at some point in the past. At Mayor John Kinnaird’s suggestion and with the approval of the commissioners, this has been reinstated. The following…

Burgess Heath Barnes As winter is hopefully ending soon, and spring gets closer, I would like to share some updates from our February meetings. We look forward to exciting things to come in the spring and summer for projects and events that we have in the works for the Town of Woodsboro. The Woodsboro Planning…

Blair Garrett Emmitsburg’s newest restaurant has officially opened its doors, giving patrons a piece of Italy, one slice at a time. Tuscany’s Pizzeria and Italian Ristorante on the square in Emmitsburg made its grand entrance on February 23, with Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs helping to unveil the town’s newest family-owned business. The ristorante is owned…

On January 18, 2022, Sergeant Dave Armstrong was honored as Thurmont Lions Club “Police Officer of the Year” at the town meeting. Sergeant Armstrong joined the Thurmont Police Department in 2012 after retiring from the Frederick Police Department. He assumed his role as the agency’s training coordinator after being promoted and has developed a timeline…

Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) is a 501(C)(3) non-profit that builds twin beds and installs them, FREE of CHARGE, for needy families in Frederick County, Maryland, whose kids (ages 4-17) are sleeping on the floor, a couch, or with their parents or siblings. Beds include NEW everything: frames, mattresses, blankets, sheets, and pillows. In the…

The Northern Frederick County group of volunteers will again offer free preparation of Federal and Maryland tax returns this spring. You can call 301-471-5757 (the same phone number as last year) to make appointments for the first week in March or later. They are starting their appointments a little later than usual because of COVID,…

The Thurmont Lions Club is now accepting nominations for the 2022 Volunteer of the Year. Nominate an individual(s) who is making a difference in the lives of others—working with children in the schools, helping at the food bank, a member of a service organization or church, a special neighbor who is always there to help…

James Rada, Jr. As the Rutter’s in Emmitsburg begins to take shape, people have wondered if another Rutter’s is going to be built on the old Shamrock property along Route 15. The 2.7-acre property sold last year to Two Farms, Inc. of Baltimore for just under $4 million. Two Farms is a holding company for…

James Rada, Jr. Thurmont recently recognized its business all-stars with the “You Make Thurmont Proud” Awards. The awards recognized businesses and individuals who “exceeded or excelled at a county, state, or national level,” Thurmont Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder told the Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners. The first set of awardees came from the Frederick County…

Part 1 of 3 Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry From History of Maryland Classis of the Reformed Church in Maryland by Rev. Guy P. Bready (1938) The Thurmont Charge (Trinity, Apple’s, Mt. Tabor, and St. John’s Creagerstown) Elders, H. D Beachley, Samuel Long, James Firor, Ross Firor; Deacons; Raymond Creager, Marshall Leatherman, Lloyd Mackley, and…

Attention graduating seniors! Are you related to a graduate from Thurmont High School or Catoctin High School up through the class of 1974? Are you looking for a scholarship? Check the Community Foundation of Frederick County website at www.cffredco.org for the scholarships offered by the Thurmont High School Alumni Association. Applications are being accepted from…

It is time to recognize that special teacher who has made an impact on your child’s life and on your school community. Each year, the Thurmont Lions Club honors the teachers of Catoctin High School and the feeder schools (Thurmont Primary, Thurmont Elementary, Thurmont Middle, Lewistown Elementary, Emmitsburg, Sabillasville, and Mother Seton). Anyone can nominate…

The dedication of the First Baptist Church of Thurmont’s portable classroom building was held on Sunday, January 30. Director Bruce Conley, Blue Ridge Baptist Association, and Pastor Jay Beard consecrated the building with a prayer of dedication and thanksgiving to God and pronounced it the Family Life Center.  The building will house the First Baptist…

This spotlight will continue for a few months until all who submit are published. Please email your student’s name and phone number to [email protected] to be included. Dylan Wangness Dylan Wangness played in both the football and baseball state championship games. He also runs track, and, at the print of this edition of The Catoctin…

Ryan Tokar, CYA Basketball On Sunday, January 23, Catoctin Youth Association (CYA) Basketball held its annual shoot-a-thon fundraiser. This is the largest annual fundraiser for the program.  Proceeds go towards necessities like gym rentals, uniforms, equipment, paid officials, and league fees. With the cancelation of its previous season due to COVID-19, it was critical to…

Ryan Tokar, Thurmont Little League It’s hard to believe another season of Thurmont Little League (TLL) is already under way. It may still be a bit chilly outside, but the season is off to a hot start. The registration period for baseball and our brand-new softball program closed on February 13. Evaluations for the majors…