Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs Town Christmas decorations are up, and the town’s main streets stand dually adorned. To the broad sweep of the engineered virus a faint tribute, a mere tip of the hat, to all the traditional events we have forgone this past year. The pandemic, with certainty, jarred our routines. We have rubbed […]
The Town of Thurmont has been designated as a 2020 Accredited Main Street America™ program. Accredited status is Main Street America’s top tier of recognition and signifies a demonstrated commitment to comprehensive commercial district revitalization and proven track record of successfully applying the Main Street Approach™. “We are proud to recognize this year’s 860 Nationally […]
“Valley of Blessings” Joins World in Celebration of Local Saint Anita DiGregory “Elizabeth Ann Seton is a saint. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is an American. All of us say this with special joy, and with the intention of honoring the land and the nation from which she sprang forth as the first flower in the […]
James Rada, Jr. A Gettysburg-based writers’ group has released its first anthology, Four Score & Seven Stories Ago. Gettysburg is where President Abraham Lincoln gave his most famous speech. It is also where he wrote parts of the Gettysburg Address. The town and its history have inspired many other writers to express their feelings and […]
Blair Garrett Children’s books provide immeasurable value to the development of ideas, morals, and creativity for a child’s growing mind. Stories are the keys to unlock the imagination of a child, and they’re a great gift for a parent to be able to share. Rocky Ridge-based author Fabiola Miller has published a children’s story of […]
Community Still Hopes for Charter School James Rada Jr. The Frederick County Board of Education voted to close Sabillasville Elementary School at the end of the 2020-21 school year. The vote was 5-1, with member Rae Gallagher the only opposing vote. However, the Sabillasville community holds onto hope that the board will approve a charter […]
Blair Garrett Amidst COVID restrictions and global pandemonium, Mount St. Mary’s basketball is still underway. Precautions have been put in place to keep players and personnel safe, but the season has not been without its troubles. Breaks in the schedule due to positive COVID tests have put a hold on games through mid-December, but games […]
by Barb Cline Now is the Time to Apply for a New Passport or Renew Yes, the COVID-19 global pandemic has undoubtedly turned the world of international travel upside down in 2020. However, U.S. State Department officials say now is a good time for Americans to renew an expired passport or apply for a new […]
Stories of What It’s Like Returning Home After 25 Years by dave ammenheuser A year ago, in the January issue of The Catoctin Banner, Blair Garrett wrote a nice profile of me and of how my journalism career took me from Thurmont to across the world’s sports stage. I was flattered. Thurmont will always be […]
James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg’s annual Evening of Christmas Spirit had little spirit this year because of COVID-19. About a dozen people were on hand for the lighting of the town Christmas tree in front of the Emmitsburg Community Center on the evening of December 7, 2020. Christmas music played during the brief event that usually […]
Santa and Frosty the Snowman drove through Thurmont on December 13, 2020, beginning at 12:30 p.m., bringing tons of joy to residents. Santa and Frosty were escorted by the Guardian Hose Company and the Thurmont Police Department, and accompanied by Djship, playing festive Christmas music. Photo Courtesy of John Kinnaird
On Sunday, December 6, 2020, the family of the late James E. “Jef” Fitzgerald, Sr., gathered at the Vigilant Hose Company’s (VHC) emergency services stationhouse at 25 West Main Street in Emmitsburg to dedicate the apparatus bay in his memory. Jef, a much-respected and well-known area resident, was instrumental in overseeing all aspects of the […]
The Thurmont Lions Club is collecting much-needed items for its local homeless shelters: baby diapers, baby wipes, and adult white socks. You can drop off your donations at Hobb’s Hardware on 15 E. Main Street in Thurmont, and the McLean residence on 7 Geoley Court in Thurmont (there will be a container at the garage […]
The Grinch visited Thurmont in the beginning of December to the surprise and delight of many onlookers. He could be seen at the square in Thurmont waving as people drove by. Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird noticed that the Grinch “really liked our Christmas tree, so I watched to make sure he didn’t try to take […]
Girl Scout Troop 81069 volunteered at the Black Mountain View Farm Draft Rescue in Thurmont in October to complete their Bronze Service Award. The girls learned all about the horse rescue on Whates Lane in Thurmont, which takes in draft horses from auctions, kill pens, neglection, and from people who cannot care for them anymore. […]
Ana and Ava Morlier (pictured above) thank the community for its generosity of cold weather donations to the Rescue Mission. Thanks to the community, they received two full truckloads to donate to the Rescue Mission.
A serial fiction story for your enjoyment about the odd effects of grief. written by James Rada, Jr. Betty Douglas’s plan to kill Old Kiln Road was working. The tree she cut down to block the road kept cars from killing animals that the road tempted onto it. The road turned gray, and things seemed […]
The Year is…1808 by James Rada, Jr. The Mount Seminary Is the “Cradle of Bishops” From a brick cottage in rural Maryland grew an institution that has educated dozens of young men who became Catholic bishops and archbishops. Mount St. Mary’s College began in 1808 when “the Society of St. Sulpice in Baltimore closed its […]
A Clean Slate by Valerie Nusbaum Happy New Year! I’m hoping that 2021 will be a great year for all of us. I know a lot of you were miserable in 2020. Many people we know suffered job losses, business closings, and illness. Randy and I were fortunate that, so far, we haven’t been visited […]
by James Rada, Jr. January 1921, 100 Years Ago John H. Bentzell Killed Mr. John H. Bentzell, another prosperous and well known farmer of near Thurmont, came to his death Thursday morning, January 6th. Mr. Bentzell, along with his other work operates a small chopping mill at his home, the same being run by a […]
Scatter Come Together by Priscilla Rall The motto for the 190th Field Artillery Long Tom Battalion (FAB) refers to its cavalry history going back to the Civil War. It reflects the cavalry tactics for a hard fought battle. But instead of horses, the 190th FAB used modern artillery pieces. A member of battalion’s headquarters group […]
In Admiration of the Chicken by Buck Reed When it comes to our fine-feathered friend, the chicken, I have to admit I am a little biased. I keep about 40-50 chickens in my various coops. I raise them from chicks, feed them, watch over them, and even sing to them. “Close to You” by the […]
by Ava Morlier, Culinary Arts Program at CTC Hello, everyone! I hope you had a great holiday. Now, before you lament over the loss of christmas (and the delicious foods you’ve consumed), rejoice! January (and the rest of the winter months) are a great time for delicious warm and hearty dishes that warm the soul. […]
“Helping You Find Plants That Work” by Ana Morlier, The Crazy Plant Lady Now that we’re all finally past the craziness of the holidays, we can sit back and relax, right? More often than not, our schedules get packed all over again with work and school. It seems like the stress never ends. But there […]
Counting Our Blessings by Anita DiGregory In celebration of the last day before an extended holiday break, my daughter’s lovely and very talented tutor had created a “Grammar Bingo” game for the class. Each child chose their own card from her stack of handmade bingo cards. My daughter chose hers and then proceeded to win […]