Murals Strengthen Community at Catoctin High School Alisha Yocum “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together,” Vincent van Gogh once said. At Catoctin High School (CHS), senior Zachary Williams and art teacher Theresa Hutchinson are proving just that as they collaborate on a project that’s capturing attention throughout the building. […]
Richard D. L. Fulton “If it wasn’t for baseball, I’d be in either the penitentiary or the cemetery.” ~Babe Ruth The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a 20-cent stamp on July 6, 1983, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the first All-Star Game, and honoring the legendary Baltimorean baseball player, George “Babe” Herman Ruth, Jr. […]
Thurmont Swearing In and New Liaison Assignments The winners of the Thurmont town election were sworn in during a recent town meeting, bringing a new face to the Thurmont Board of Commissioners. Incumbent Mayor John Kinnaird, incumbent Commissioner Wayne Hooper, and new Commissioner Chris Stouter were officially sworn in on November 1 and ceremonially sworn […]
THURMONT Mayor John Kinnaird First, I want to thank everyone who voted for me and for your continued support. My thoughts after the election are that we, as a community, can continue to work toward our common goal of making Thurmont the best it can be, and I look forward to playing a part in […]
Richard D. L. Fulton Once upon a time…Maryland was some 300 miles wider than the width of the state as it presently exists. So, where did 300 miles of Maryland go? The land that is no longer there teemed with life—plants and animals, and quite likely, humans as well. But some major events changed all […]
by Aditi Dhananjaya, High School Student December is the month with the shortest days and longest nights. The sun rises later and sets earlier, allowing for more hours of darkness. The trees are bare, the birds aren’t chirping, and the streets are quieter. The Winter Solstice marks the official start of the winter season. It […]
Chele’s Pick by Michele Tester The Five People You Meet in Heaven | by Mitch Albom| published in 2003 I’m going to end my Book Club column this year with how I started it, with a book by one of my favorite authors, Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven. I believe it’s […]
by Richard D. L. Fulton Taneytown Garage The Taneytown Garage (also known as the Taneytown Garage Company) was established in 1914 on West Baltimore Street, selling Ford vehicles and Goodrich tires, according to Images of America, Taneytown. John J. Hockensmith (died 1955) had served as the manager of the company for 38 years until the […]
Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) — Awaiting as-builts for water, sewer, lighting, and landscaping for bond release. The grand opening was October 12, 2025. Creamery Court Extension […]
James Rada, Jr. The Thurmont Board of Commissioners welcomed a new face to the board after the Thurmont town election on October 28. Chris Stouter (pictured right) received nearly a third of the votes cast to win a seat on the board. Stouter is a familiar face in Thurmont, having lived in the area all […]
James Rada, Jr. As Emmitsburg officials look for ways to fill the vacant storefronts along Main Street, they are also looking at their own property at 22 E. Main Street, the old town office building. “We use that 12 hours a year, so basically, it’s a vacant property,” Mayor Frank Davis said during a recent […]
November was truly a harvest month for the Thurmont Food Bank. Many groups helped bring in food during the difficult times caused by the government shutdown and the SNAP (Food Stamp) reductions and delays. Special thanks go to our area youth for stepping up and helping! The Thurmont Scout Troops brought in over 6,400 items […]
By Joan Bittner Fry Every third Thursday, a group of friends can be found at B&T’s Unique Bar and Grill in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania. These people aren’t friends by accident; they are graduates of Thurmont High School from the Class of 1967, the next to last year before students began graduating from Catoctin High […]
Alisha Yocum The Thurmont Historical Society celebrated dedication, service, and community during its annual Membership Dinner, where two longtime supporters were presented with the Damuth Award. The award is named after Howard Ralph Damuth, a lifelong resident of Thurmont. Damuth was an active member of his church, community, and local politics, which included serving many […]
Marylanders still have a chance to help the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discover the largest tree growing in one of the state’s forests—but time is running out. The deadline to submit entries is December 31, and the finder of the winning tree could receive up to $500. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to explore […]
By Jeff Yocum After an extensive nationwide search, the Catoctin Church of Christ welcomes D.J. Kessinger as its new minister. D.J. steps into the role for the retiring Richard Long. Richard will continue as a teacher and one of the congregation’s five elders. Commenting on his retirement, Richard explained, “Christians in the Lord’s church never […]
James Rada, Jr. Changes are coming to Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg that should, expectantly, slow the traffic on the street, increasing the safety and usability of the street. This would hopefully make it user-friendly for bicyclists and pedestrians, too. The big problem with the street is that it is used as an alternative to avoid […]
By Nancy Rice, Weller History Committee Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to Richard “Dick” Creager, a former Thurmont resident and longtime member of the Weller (formerly Evangelical United Brethren) Church congregation. He had volunteered to help me clean a few gravestones in the Weller Cemetery. As we were reflecting on the church’s history, […]
The Thurmont Lions Club and the Lions Clubs of District 22-W know how important it is to share our American Heritage and how to use that knowledge to inspire volunteerism. July 4, 2026, marks 250 years of American independence from Great Britain since July 4, 1776. As we reflect and celebrate this important milestone for […]
The University of Maryland Extension (UME) continues its mission to help Marylanders access healthy, affordable food close to home. To support individuals, families, and community organizations, UME has compiled a comprehensive list of state and local resources offering food assistance. The collection includes information on government programs, local food pantries, donation opportunities, and guides on […]
Denny Black 615 EAST MAIN STREET, THURMONT Former Home of James F. Black & Family Current Site of the Thurmont Town Municipal Offices Image Selected for the Thurmont Lions Club 2025 Christmas Ornament From an original watercolor (copyrighted) by local award-winning artist Rebecca Pearl Oh, how I fondly remember that day – November 7, 1959. […]
Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain Cascade Residents Demand a Hearing The Committee to Protect Our Mountain from Dollar General hosted a community meeting on Sunday, November 16, at the Fort Ritchie Secret Tap Room. The committee’s attorney, Michele Rosenfeld, summarized the three-year effort to protect Cascade’s Rural […]
March 15, 1941 – November 9, 2025 Floyd Beachley Kennedy, 84, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away Sunday, November 9, 2025, at WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital in Waynesboro, PA, surrounded by loving family. Born on March 15, 1941, in Hagerstown, MD, he was the son of the late Lucille Myrtle (Lankford) and John Franklin Kennedy. In addition […]
August 30, 1953 November 3, 2025 Michael Evan Rakes, age 72, of Thurmont, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 3, 2025, at Frederick Health Hospital, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on August 30, 1953, in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Cecil D. Rakes and Evelyn M. (Miller) Rakes. He […]
The 2025 season marked a turning point for the Catoctin High School Lady Cougars Soccer Program, a year defined by resilience, growth, and belief. Under the leadership of Head Coach Jimmy Ward, the Lady Cougars battled through a challenging season, filled with close contests, breakthrough performances, and defining moments. While the year ended with a […]