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AUGUST 2018 | Vol. 23 | Issue 8 | Mail Run: 8,355 | Total Print Run: 11,500
www.thecatoctinbanner.com Your Good News Community Newspaper, Serving Northern Frederick County, Maryland, Since 1995 www.epluspromotes.com
New History in the Making at Pen Mar Park
Eileen Dwyer
Located on the she was just two
border of Maryland years old and visits
and Pennsylvania on every chance she gets
South Mountain, Pen today. “My mother
Mar Park became a would bring us up
prominent resort in the here every Sunday,
late 19th century. The back then, to dance.
owner of the Western Just like it is now.”
Maryland Railroad felt Shirley Rienks
the scenic location in Photos by Deb Abraham Spalding of Waynesboro,
the cooler Blue Ridge Pennsylvania,
Mountains would especially remembers
entice Baltimore- “Everybody’s Day”
area residents out of when she was a
their city dwellings youngster. She said,
during hot summer “They had babies.
months. And, utilizing I have a picture of
his railroad, the city that.” Everybody’s
dwellers did just that. Day will be held
Back in its heyday, Pictured are Doris Flax (left) and Shirley Rienks (right) at the Dancers enjoy swing and ballroom dancing at the Pen Mar Dance on August 26
Pen Mar Park boasted Pen Mar Dance Pavilion. Pavilion on Sundays. this season. It will
many first-class hotels, feature the Ray Birely
a dance pavilion, dining hall, re-opened in 1980. Currently, Pen of the Pen Mar Park of yesteryear. Orchestra. The Rocky Birely
playground, scenic overlook, roller Mar Park holds live music concerts Twenty-five to fifty percent of Combo is also one of the featured
coaster, Ferris wheel, carousel, during the summer in the multi-use those who attend are considered bands at Pen Mar Park. Rocky’s
penny arcade, shooting gallery, pavilion (located at the site of the regulars, with dance groups from father, Ray Birely, was the original
movie theater, beer garden and a original dance pavilion). Visitors Pennyslvania, Viriginia, and band leader at Pen Mar back in the
miniature train. also enjoy the playground, rent the Maryland. day.
The park was by far one of the pavilions for gatherings, hike the On an afternoon at the dance Joe Etter of Carlisle,
most popular resorts in the eastern Appalachian Trail, and take in the pavilion at the end of June, where Pennsylvania, has been dancing
United States, with close to 20,000 picturesque view from High Rock folks gathered to watch, listen, at Pen Mar “off and on for about
visitors taking the 71-mile trip Summit. or dance to fifties music and easy twenty years.” A seasoned dancer,
from Baltimore to Pen Mar each It is like stepping back in time listening provided by “Détente,” he’s known to be the local expert
summer weekend. President Grover to visit the Pen Mar dance pavilion David Jacoby of Gettysburg was about everything Pen Mar Park.
Cleveland, Dr. Walter Reed, and on Sundays between 2:00 and 5:00 visiting. He took relatives on a tour He recalled his favorites from
even actress Joan Crawford counted p.m., where various musicians of the area and included stopping childhood: the penny arcade and
among the Pen Mar’s early visitors. provide entertainment as part of the at Pen Mar Park, Thurmont, the carousel.
Unfortunately, by the end of the Jim and Fay Powers Music Series. Emmitsburg, and Gettysburg along Vicky Anderson from
1920s, the once-glorious Pen Mar Visitors of all ages dance or simply the way. He said, “I just like this Montgomery County, Maryland,
Park began to lose its luster, as watch and soak it all in. Whether place. I’ll stop when I’m close by grew up in the area. She returns
tourist numbers declined. Over the a seasoned professional of swing and have some fun.” when she can and makes a day
next few decades, the park fell into or ballroom dance or a complete Doris Flax was raised in of it by stopping for a meal in
rapid decline. uncoordinated amateur simply Emmitsburg, but currently lives in Thurmont, bringing a book to read,
In 1977, Washington County wiggling to the tune, this place Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. She and then dancing, “It’s really nice.
purchased the park, and it was and activity replicates the spirit started visiting Pen Mar Park when The view from High Rock is just
breathtaking.”
The Pen Mar Park Music
Scan QR Series will continue through
code with
Residential Customer
a mobile September 30 this season. Pavilion
E D D M
phone reservations and park information
301-447-2804
P A I D
to link may be obtained by contacting
www.TheCatoctinBanner.com
U.S.POSTAGE
directly the Washington County Buildings,
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
to our Grounds & Parks Department at
ECRWSS
515B East Main Street
website. 240-313-2807.
PRSRT STD
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