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Page 12 January 2018
C o m m u n i t y news
Community Citizen Award Presented by Thurmont Grange
Deb Abraham Spalding
Erin Dingle is more than just
the Frederick County Governement
employee responsible for the
management of the Thurmont
Regional Library. She was a resident
of Northern Frederick County for
many years before migrating to
Adams County and has always
been an active contributor to the
community. She was awarded
the Thurmont Pomona Grange
Community Citizen Award at a
meeting on November 27, 2017, at
the Grange Hall on East Main Street
in Thurmont.
It has been her contribution to her
beloved community to manage the
Thurmont Library in a manner that
best serves its residents. About the
award, Erin expressed, “Thank you
for this honor. I am blown away.”
Having been lured to the meeting
under the ruse that she and some
library staff members were going to
give a presentation to the Grange
members, Erin shared the history of
the library. Before she could begin,
an attendee shared, “Mrs. Bruchey
[former librarian] threw her [Erin]
out of the library because she talked
too loud.” A laugh was shared, as
Erin explained that the Thurmont
Library was founded by a private
group of citizens in 1956, with
Mr. Ross V. Smith leading the way.
Private citizens raised the money to
open the library in a variety of ways,
including hosting a circus at the
American Legion and going door-to-
door, collecting donations.
Beginning in February 1955, the
Thurmont Library was first housed at
the former Bobolitz property on West
Main Street in Thurmont. In 1967,
under the direction of Vic Jagow,
the building on Water Street in
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Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding
Thurmont— outdoor deck Today, for staff, the focus is
that housed contribute to programming and outreach. “My
the former a comfortable co-workers are what make the library
Moravian environment a special place,” Erin said. “They are
church (built for visitors at ready and willing to help everyone
in 1874 and the library. who walks into our building. They
operated Plans are all excel at customer service.” At the
until 1918), underway to old Thurmont Library, Erin started a
the former add a nature regular story time, held on Thursday
Weybright trail around mornings. Today, they are held
store, the library. almost every day of the week and for
American Erin has a variety of ages.
store, and, at enjoyed “Now, the library is more about
one point, a serving the bringing people together and
teen center— community. community. Creating community
became the With over partnerships is our primary goal,”
home of Erin Dingle (right) is presented with the Thurmont Pomona thirty years shared Erin.
the library Grange Community Citizen Award by Niki Eyler of the in the library At the closing of her presentation,
Thurmont Grange.
until 2008. system, she Erin expressed, “I love that library!”
Renovations to the building cost has been a part of many changes. Operationally, Erin is known
about $10,000 at that time. That site Beginning her career before for having a “happy ship” meaning
is now home to Thurmont’s Main computers, Erin filed actual library that she manages the library as a
Street Center. cards in the catalog in the original supportive manager and friend to
The Thurmont Library was the library. For most of her career, the staff.
only privately-owned branch in library served as a reference center Friends of the Library members
Frederick County. The windows since there was no internet. Often, who were present expressed that
from the original Moravian Church people were sent to Frederick to Erin was on board and supportive
on Water Street are on display in the get what they needed. As time of the Friends group from the very
Agricultural Center at Thurmont progressed, and the internet changed beginning. Ann Miller, President for
Regional Library, which opened on the way people access information, the Friends said, “I’ve never seen her
East Moser Road in Thurmont in the library has changed. Now, it not being enthusiastic about an idea
August of 2008. The funds from the serves as a resource for information, that somebody brought to her. She’s
sale of the former library on Water but with more of a social element. always said, “Yes, we can do that.”
Street are managed by the Frederick
County Community Foundation and Membership Certificates Presented
are used for current library purposes,
such as special events and programs. to Long-Time Members of the
The Thurmont Regional Library is
a model in architecture and operation. Thurmont Pomona Grange
People come from all over the state
to visit the new library. It was voted During the November 27, 2017, meeting of the Thurmont Pomona Grange,
the Most Amazing Library in the membership certificates were presented to long-time members of the Thurmont
State of Maryland in a 2016 MSN Pomona Grange.
Lifestyle poll. In addition to appealing Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding
architecture that showcases local
history, the windows and a beautiful
Jane Savage (far left) and Rodman Myers (far right) present membership certificates to long-time
Grange members: (from left) Paul Mathias—65 Years (pictured is his son, Dennis Mathias, who
accepted for him); Harold Long—50 Years; Joe Moser—65 Years; Sidney Moser—60 Years; Virginia
Moser—65 Years; Dawn Moser—55 Years.