2026 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show
The 70th Anniversary of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show was held at Catoctin High School in Thurmont from Friday through Sunday, September 11-13.
The opening ceremonies began with the 50th Anniversary of the C. Rodman Myers Community Organizations Flag Ceremony, and was renamed in honor and memory of Rodman, Community Show Co-Founder, who passed away in April 2026. Rodman had the idea to start the Flag Ceremony during our country’s bi-centennial in 1976, and it was so popular that it was permanently added to the opening ceremonies.
Highlights included several presentations made by State Delegate Willliam “Will” Valentine, Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 2A in Washington and Frederick counties. Will presented Rodman Myers’ children—Cheryl, Bobby, and Andrea—with a Maryland State Flag flown over the State House in Annapolis, Maryland, with a certificate “in honor of Charles Rodman Myers, Co-Founder and President of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.” He also presented them with a Maryland General Assembly Proclamation in memory of Rodman. Lastly, Will presented Community Show Vice President Cheryl Lenhart with an Official Citation offering congratulations to the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show as it celebrates its 70th Anniversary.
The first annual Community Show Volunteer Award was presented by Andrea Myers Mannix on behalf of siblings Cheryl and Bobby and in memory of Patty and parents Rodman and Jean Myers. Excerpts from her presentation: “Thurmont Grange members voted on a way to honor the memory of Dad/Rodman was an annual volunteer award to be presented at the Community Show’s opening ceremonies, with the three Myers children deciding on the award criteria and annual recipient. Thank you to Grange member Alan Brauer for bringing up this idea to the membership, and thank you to the Thurmont Grange for this new award.
Rodman co-founded the Community Show 70 years ago with his Thurmont High School agriculture teacher, Bill Baker, and the show has been bringing our communities together since 1957. When anyone would ask Dad/Rodman about how everything gets done for the show, he spoke with such pride to first mention that the Community Show is an all-volunteer organization. During the past several Community Shows, Dad/Rodman would sit at the Community Show history table in the Auxiliary Gym, where he was able to see and talk with so many attendees, which he loved doing!
The 2026 inaugural award recipient of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Volunteer Award—in honor and memory of Co-founder C. Rodman Myers—is David L. Harman (see more information with the photo and caption below).”
At the end of the opening ceremonies was the new Catoctin FFA Ambassador program and announcement, lead by Catoctin FFA Advisor Amy Poffenberger. Becky (Myers) Linton, the first Community Show Chapter Sweetheart in 1957, was present and wearing her 1957 Chapter Sweetheart jacket.
A Catoctin Enterprise article from its October 11, 1957, edition, which covered the first Community Show on September 27-28, 1957, at the old Thurmont High School (now the Thurmont Middle School) stated, “Much interest was evidenced in the Community Show, both through the number of fine exhibits and the attendance both nights. The show was sponsored by the Thurmont Grange and Future Farmers of America (FFA), and it is hoped to be made an annual event.”
Here are some excerpts from Becky’s heartfelt speech:
“It is such an honor to be welcomed back to the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show after 70 years. Standing here tonight brings back many memories, and it fills my heart with gratitude for being part of this special occasion.
Back then, boys were the only ones allowed to be members of the FFA. The girls who were candidates to be the Chapter Sweetheart did not have to be FFA members, as the young ladies do tonight. We have come a long way since 1957, and I believe that is a wonderful change. Today, girls can be full members, leaders, competitors, and representatives of FFA in their own right. That is something worth celebrating for that amount of time.
And here we are, 70 years later. What a blessing it is to see that ‘hope’ become such a strong and lasting tradition. This show has continued to bring people together, to honor agriculture, to encourage young people, and to celebrate the families and farms that have shaped this community.
I will always be especially proud of my awesome brother, Rodman Myers. Rodman asked that I be here for this special night, and he had planned to be here alongside me, his family, and you. Rodman, as most of you know, helped start the Community Show, along with Bill Baker, Agriculture teacher in 1957. His love for this community and his dedication to this show means so much to all of us.
Tonight, I want to thank the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, the FFA, the families, volunteers, exhibitors, and everyone who has helped keep this tradition alive for 70 years. It is an honor to look back, but it is an even greater joy to see how far we have come. Thank you for welcoming me back, and may this wonderful Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show continue for 70 more years and more!”
Becky then announced the new 2026-27 Catoctin FFA Ambassador, Blake Smith!
The opening ceremonies were followed by the annual Baked Products Auction. The Community Show committee thanks our communities for all of their support at the annual auction and throughout the entire Community Show weekend!
Presentations were made by State Delegate Willliam “Will” Valentine, Maryland House of Delegates, representing District 2A in Washington and Frederick counties.
Will presented Rodman Myers’ children (photo on right), Andrea, Cheryl, and Bobby, with a Maryland State Flag flown over the State House in Annapolis and its certificate stating, “In honor of Charles Rodman Myers, Co-Founder and President of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.”
He also presented them with a Maryland General Assembly Proclamation: “In Memoriam—Be it hereby known to all that sincerest sympathy is extended to the family of Charles Rodman Myers—in recognition of a lifetime of dedicated service, leadership, and lasting contributions to Maryland Agriculture. We honor and remember Charles Rodman Myers for a life and legacy that will forever inspire future generations.”
The following were the Champion and Reserve Champion winners at the 2026 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, held September 11-13 at Catoctin High School in Thurmont.
Each Champion and Reserve Champion winner will receive additional premium money. Bollinger’s Restaurant in Thurmont will provide a gift certificate to each Department Champion, and Jubilee Foods in Emmitsburg will provide a gift certificate to each Reserve Department Champion.
Fresh Fruits: Champion – Kylie Robertson (Laurel Peaches); Reserve Champion – Kylie Robertson (Pink Lady Apples); Fresh Vegetables: Champion – Robert Portner (Largest Pumpkin); Reserve Champion – Jimmy Miller (Green Cabbage); Home Products Display: Champion – Angie Mathews; Canned Fruit: Champion – Linda Franklin (Peaches); Reserve Champion – Linda Franklin (Applesauce); Canned Vegetables: Champion – Don Stanley (Whole Tomatoes); Reserve Champion – Karen Myers (Sauerkraut); Jellies & Preserves: Champion – Sandra Santos (Others – Lemon Jelly); Reserve Champion – Angie Mathews (Christmas Jam); Pickles: Champion – Tess Hahn (Others – Pickled Cauliflower); Reserve Champion – Gerilyn Cardon (Pepper Pickles); Meat (Canned): Champion – Karen Myers (Others – Canned Turkey); Reserve Champion – Melissa Kinna (Canned Tenderloin);
Home Cured Meats: Champion – Catoctin FFA (Country Ham); Reserve Champion – Robert Wiles (Country Ham).
Baked Products: Cake: Champion – Karen Willard (Chocolate Cake); Reserve Champion – Maxine Troxell (Coconut Cake); Honorable Mention Cake – Burall Brothers Scholarship – Denise Valentine (Chiffon Cake); Bread: Champion – Maxine Troxell (Bread – Other Variety – Garlic & Herb); Reserve Champion – Maxine Troxell (Sweet Buns); Pie: Champion – Denise Valentine (Blackberry Pie); Reserve Champion – Denise Valentine (Shoo Fly Pie); Sugar Free: Champion – Joyce Kline (Sugar Free Cake); Reserve Champion – Nancy Wine (Sugar Free Cookies); Gluten Free Baked Product: Champion – Maxine Troxell (Gluten Free Cake); Reserve Champion – Cheryl Lenhart (Gluten Free Banana Bread); Misc. Baked Product Champion: Champion – Cheryl Lenhart (Bar Cookies – Pecan Bars); Reserve Champion – Cheryl Lenhart (Misc. – Others – Cranberry Orange Scones); Youth Dept. – Baked Products: Grand Champion Cake (Youth Department – In Honor and Memory of Mearl McCleaf): Champion – Masyn Sanders (Cake with Fruit – Hummingbird Cake); Reserve Champion Cake – Adalyn Eaves (Chiffon Cake – Coconut Chiffon); Youth Dept. – Misc. Baked Product: Champion – Bryce Yocum (Muffins – Blueberry); Reserve Champion – Dylan Ridinger (Quick Bread – Zucchini); Junior Dept. Baked Product: Champion – Autumn Mullineaux (German Chocolate Cake); Reserve Champion – Brantlee Young (Other Variety – Butter Pecan); Junior Dept. Misc. Baked Product: Champion – Landon Nicholson (Quick Bread – Banana); Reserve Champion – Jet Derr (Fruit Pie – White Pecan).
Fabric and Fiber Arts (Sewn Items): Champion – Shirley Greene (Recycled Sewn Item); Reserve Champion – Shirley Greene (Sewn Item-Animal); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Misc. Fiber Items): Champion – Charlotte Dutton (Animals, Felted); Reserve Champion – Charlotte Dutton (Fiber Item – Misc. Felted); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Crocheting): Champion – Pam Stansbury (Afghans, Other Misc.) Reserve Champion – Calliope Hench (Home Items, Other, Misc.); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Cross Stitch): Champion – Angie Kaas (Pictures – 8-13 inches); Reserve Champion – Leah Souris (Pictures – Over 18 inches); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Crewel, Embroidery & Needlepoint): Shirley Greene (Other, Misc.); Reserve Champion – Carolyn Hahn (Other Seasonal Decorations on plastic); Fabric and Fibert Arts (Knitting): Champion – Joan Howard (Knitted, Cap or Hat); Reserve Champion – Joan Howard (Knitted Sweater); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Quilts & Quilted Items): Champion – Karen Willard (Quilts, Original Design); Reserve Champion – Cynthia Shugars (Other, Misc. Quilted Items); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Rugs): Champion – Janet Jewell (Rugs, Other Misc. Rugs); Reserve Champion – Lisa Valentine (Rugs, Latch Hook from a Kit),
Flowers & Plants: Champion – Kim Fox (Flowering Potted Plant in Bloom); Reserve Champion – Shawn Brown (Fresh Floral Arrangement – one sided, suitable for side table); Fine Arts: Champion – Charlotte Dutton (Decorative Painting – Wood – Wood Fish); Reserve Champion – Pennie Keilholtz (Pen & Ink – Bird in Pine tree); Arts & Crafts: Champion – Pete Knill (Wood Craft – Whirlgig); Reserve Champion – Delany Hench (Ceramics – Mushrooms); Color Photography: Champion – Kaitlyn Schildt (Still Life – Green vase, orange flower); Reserve Champion – Kaitlyn Schildt (Farm Activity/Scene – Barn); Black & White Photography: Champion – Joyce Kline (People – Selfie – Selfie Enhanced – B&W); Reserve Champion – Kaitlyn Schildt (Animals – Birds, B&W).
Corn: Champion – Caroline Clark (Hybrid Corn); Reserve Champion – BrookeRidinger (Indian Corn); Small Grain & Seeds: Champion – MaKayla Comer (Soybeans); Reserve Champion – Matt Clark (Timothy, 1 jar); Eggs: Champion – Brooke Ridinger (Brown Eggs); Reserve Champion – Jason Ridinger (Green Eggs);
Nuts: Champion – Edward Hahn (English Walnuts); Reserve Champion – Edward Hahn (Chestnuts); Rabbit: Champion – Leah Morgan (Breeding Rabbit – Buck); Reserve Champion – Olivia Dutton (Breeding Rabbit, female); Poultry: Champion – Ella Eaves (Poultry Exhibit – 1 rooster); Reserve Champion –Ella Eaves (Poultry Exhibit – 1 hen); Dairy: Champion – Addy Green (Ayrshire Fall Calf); Reserve Champion – Dylan Ridinger (Holstein Spring Calf); Dairy Goats: Champion – Matthew Shriner (Doe in Milk – 5 years and over); Reserve Champion – Abigail Snriner (Doe – 3 years, under 5); Hay: Champion – Preston Clark (Hay, Orchard Grass); Reserve Champion – Caroline Clarke (Alfalfa Hay); Straw: Bobby Myers (Barley Straw); Reserve Champion – Matt Clark – (Oat Straw).
Junior Department: Paytin Moore (Recycled Craft); Reserve Champion – Maggie Biggs (Painting, ages 6-10); Youth Department: Champion – Amelia Rice (Halloween Craft – Beetlejuice Figures); Reserve Champion – Dylan Ridinger (Others, ages 11-13 – Shadow Box);
Beef: Champion – Avery Harbaugh; Reserve Champion – Jordyn Ohler; Beef Heifer: Champion – Jordyn Ohler; Reserve Champion – Colton Wood; Sheep: Champion – Reid Thurston; Reserve Champion – Elizbeth Schubel; Ridenour Lamb – Destiny Briggs; Swine: Champion – Chase Wiles; Reserve Champion – Peighton Rhinehart; Market Goat: Champion – Alyssa Costa; Reserve Champion – Trey Glass.
Decorated Animal: Champion – Brinley Jackson; Reserve Champion – Shiloh Jackson.
Kiddie Bale Throwing Contest: Ages 5-6 – 1st, Mazekeen Blasé; Ages 7-8 – 1st, Nathaniel Darling; 2nd, Emerson Rickard.
