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Page 8 August 2017 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
B u s i n e s s news
From a Shield to Scissors
James Rada, Jr.
Morris Baker spent decades to check Photo by James Rada, Jr. After working long hours to supervise
working in security with Maryland the man’s seven years them. “I became director of
Department of Natural Resources, weapons, with the security, but the work was sun up
National Park Service, Francis Scott the man State of to sun down, and I couldn’t take it
Key Mall, Frederick County, and reached into Maryland, any longer.”
Mount St. Mary’s; but, last year, he the vehicle, he moved Baker then served one year
turned in his badge to become a hair pulled out his across the in security at the Mount before
stylist and has never been happier. shotgun, and road to landing a job with Frederick
Baker, who turns fifty-seven this racked it. become County at Winchester Hall. Not
year, has lived in Thurmont all of his life. “They a ranger too surprisingly, the politics of
“I live in the same house they didn’t give up with the the place seeped down, even to
brought me home from the hospital bulletproof Mounted his department, until he could no
to,” Baker said. vests, but I Horse longer tolerate it. He left after ten
He started working for tell you, every Patrol at years. “I gave up the badge and
the Maryland Department of day after Catoctin came to the clippers.”
Natural Resources as a ranger at that, I wore Mountain He decided to become a hair
Cunningham Falls when he was one,” recalled Park. He stylist because he wanted a job that
twenty-two years old. Baker. enjoyed would allow him to work with the
One incident he remembers from Although working public and give back to them. He
this time is when he and his training this man with the attended school to earn his license
officers approached a man near the proved to horses, in and became a barber and stylist
dam, who was sitting on the pipe be harmless, particular, at Here’s Clyde’s in Thurmont in
hole. They saw that he had weapons Baker giving March 2016.
in his vehicle, and they convinced realized that Morris Baker is shown at Here’s Clyde’s in Thurmont, where rides to He explained that three of the
the man to come up from where he he could he works as a barber and hair stylist. handicapped women at Here’s Clyde’s he grew
was sitting to talk to them. easily have children up with, and he looks at all of them
The man was depressed, but been shot, so he went and bought who came to the park. However, as if they were his sisters. He also
cooperative. When the training his own bulletproof vest to wear tightening budgets cost the park its enjoys seeing people walk into the
officer asked if it would be all right from then on. two horses, Jimmy and Commander, salon that he hasn’t seen for years.
who were sent to work at the St. Besides working in security, he
Louis Arch National Park. was an organist at the Grotto in
So Baker moved on to mall Emmitsburg for ten years before
security at Francis Scott Key Mall. becoming the music director at the
He found himself moving up quickly Fort Detrick Post Chapel, which he
in rank (although his duties and pay has done for the past four years.
remained the same). When he asked While the security jobs have been
Director of Security Gary Wood about work, the music work has been a
it, he was told that it was because he labor of love.
was reliable and could be trusted. Baker doesn’t regret any of the
When Wood retired, Baker jobs he has done because he learned
became the director and realized from all of them. Even when the
why his work ethic had been jobs were wearing him down, he
rewarded. The younger officers stayed happy for the most part. He
couldn’t be trusted to keep working continues to be happy with a short
without supervision. They would walk to and from his job and being
goof off or flirt with girls. This able to spend time with friends,
meant that Baker wound up new and old.
Emmitsburg Vol. Ambulance Co., 17701 Creamery Rd., Emmitsburg
BINGO BASH
22 Games Paying $250.00 EACH!
THREE $1000.00 Jackpots & a Meal!
Sept. 16, 2017
Doors open @ 4 p.m.
Games @ 7 p.m.
$40.00 in Advance Pam Ellison 240-472-3484
For Tickets or Info:
$50.00 at the Door Mary Lou 240-285-3184
Seating is fi rst come, fi rst served.
EVAC has the right to lower payouts if 200 tickets aren‛t sold.
