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Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper December 2017 Page 5
F r o m the M a y o r F r o m the M a y o r
Thurmont Regional Library, and fun and prizes Emmitsburg Blanchard, a Veteran, represented the
Mayor John Kinnaird for everyone. Mayor Don Briggs town.
This time of year brings with
On several Saturday mornings,
it colder weather, employment our Boy Scout Troop 727, huddled
We are fast approaching the end slowdowns, and all the seasonal I was looking for the tempest, but in threes and fours in their
of the year, and each year seems to difficulties many of our neighbors the gift of mild weather heralded in illuminated vests, gathered for
pass quicker than the one before. I face. Please keep the less fortunate November. However, there are signs merit badge credit, applying yellow
know that this year has been good of our community in mind this of more sobering weather to come in refresher coats of paint to forty
to me, and I hope it was good for winter by helping support the December. to fifty fire hydrants. Good to see.
you as well. With Christmas just a Thurmont Food Bank, Thurmont Thank you to everyone for your Thank you for the public service,
few weeks away, Karen and I want Clothes Closet, Seton Center, and patience with the Square and all your merit noted. It’s been almost
to wish everyone a Very Merry other local charity organizations. the sidewalk work. For the first twenty years since the Mount rugby
Christmas and a Happy New Year. Your donation of food, clothes, or time, Brookfiield and Pembrook team did similar volunteer work for
Christmas in Thurmont is coming cash can help bring joy to a local subdivisions are connected to the the town.
up on Saturday, December 2. Be sure family. town with a sidewalk. There will be Interesting article on farming in
to stop downtown and register the I want to thank Catoctin a heavy concentration of work at the the Wall Street Journal (October
kids for the many gifts and prizes. Colorfest Inc. for the generous Square in an attempt to complete this 24, 2017) titled, “Supersized
Santa will be at Mechanicstown donations made to our community section prior to the freezing weather. Family Owned Farms Transform
Square Park to meet with all the this year. Colorfest president, Carol The project may be completed six U.S. Agriculture.” Four percent of
children, parents, friends, and pets. Robertson, presented donations months ahead of schedule. U.S. farms now produce over two-
The day will include free photos totaling $20,676.80. Donations ALERT — CHANGE IN thirds of the country’s agricultural
with Santa, horse drawn wagon included $1,500.00 each to LOCATION: Because of downtown output. There has not been anything
rides, a story with Santa at the the Guardian Hose Company, construction, the Town Christmas like this since the U.S.D.A. began
Thurmont Community Ambulance tree lighting on Monday, December keeping records on size/production
Company, and the Thurmont Police 4, will take place in front of the in the 1980s. The article goes on
Department. Catoctin FFA received Town Office and Community Center. to note that one Kansas farmer
$1,146, and $4,500 to Catoctin Christmas music provided by a DJ can fly his Cessna thirty-plus miles
High School Scholarships. The will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by over the property he owns. That’s
Thurmont Food Bank received the Mother Seton School and Christ 30,600 acres. Farm holdings of
$3,400. Other beneficiaries include Community Church chorales at 5:45 this size enjoy the economies of
$1,000 to the Trolley Mural p.m. Then, at about 6:30 p.m., Santa scale that enables them to pressure
Project, $5,000 for improvements Claus will arrive. Next, we will go farm suppliers and grain companies
in Community Park, $325 to the down two blocks to the Carriage for lower prices and discounts
Library, and $200 for flowers and House Inn for the 29th annual “An accommodations that are not
decorations in our parks. Evening of Christmas Spirit” event available to smaller farmers. As a
You might have noticed that the for more entertainment, hay rides, result, more, and smaller, farmers
sidewalk project on Moser Road free hot dogs, and hot chocolate. are being driven out of business. The
is nearing completion. This project ALERT — CHANGE IN DATE: average size of a farm in Frederick
will improve pedestrian safety on Regularly scheduled Town Council County is about 140 acres. Living
the road and allow easy access to meeting is moved to Tuesday, amidst a beautiful farm community,
the Regional Library. December 5, at 7:30 p.m. rimmed to the west by Catoctin
Improvements to the Frederick Dipping back into the last days Mountain, we have to support our
Road intersection will help turns of October: I was honored to be local farmers in every way. Dine at
onto Moser and the narrowing will the starter for the ESP Performing “farm to fork” restaurants. Shop
help control speeds. This project Company’s 7 Annual Autumn at our Farmer’s Market. Stop by a
th
is a joint effort of the Town of 5K course, “Halloween Edition” local orchard.
Thurmont and Frederick County. through the Mount Saint Mary’s At the recent Frederick Chapter
The recent Town election has University east campus. Eager Maryland Municipal League (MML)
returned Commissioners Hooper runners—many costumed—set the meeting, the membership approved
and Burns to office and yours tone for the wonderful fundraiser. its 2018 Legislative priorities.
truly to the office of mayor. I Also, with a nod to the mild weather, The No. 1 priority was to restore
appreciate the opportunity to serve the largest crowd, by many accounts, municipal Highway User Revenue
our community for another term, participated in or crowded the square (HURS) to pre-recession levels.
and I look forward to working to cheer on the annual Halloween In 2010, HURS funds (from state
with our residents, town staff, and parade as it progressed down North budgets) for municipalities lost 96
the commissioners, as we work Seton Avenue through the town percent of transportation revenues.
together to make Thurmont a great square. Then it was on to Vigilant Currently, they have been 61 percent
community. Hose Company for refreshments restored. Thank you for last year’s
Please contact me at 301-606- and costume awards. Thank you nudge. Please, Governor Hogan,
9458 or [email protected] to the Lions Club, Vigilant Hose take us back to pre-2010 level. Our
with any comments, questions, or Company, and all the businesses and municipal budgets need the revenue.
suggestions. civic groups that also shouldered the Hoping you had a wonderful
event. Everyone loved it; you were a Thanksgiving, and wishing a Merry
We Invite You success. Christmas to all.
In November: Another solemn
to Share Veterans’ Day 21-gun salute tribute Drop Your Change this
by the joint American Legion –
Your Good News! VFW Honor Guard at our seven Holiday Season
• [email protected] • area cemeteries. Out of town for Don’t forget to drop
a wedding, I missed this year’s
• Message Line 240-288-0108 • commemoration for the first time in your change to benefit
• Fax 301-447-2946 • seven years. Commissioner Glenn area food banks.
