Adventures from a Traveler’s Notebook by Lisa C. Cantwell With Valentine’s Day approaching and winter still upon us, I thought of a trip we took a few years ago that fulfilled a life-long romantic dream: a stay in historic New England, complete with a horse-drawn sleigh ride. So, in addition to highlighting that adventure […]
I found this incredible inn by accident a few years ago, while doing a search for a sleigh ride getaway. Hoping to find a destination close to home, but realizing inns with horse-drawn sleigh rides were few in our region, I yielded to the North where such places abound, especially in the White Mountains. Up […]
These two separate attractions are within minutes of one another and offer the possibility of a romantic bed and breakfast, plus a sleigh ride getaway, in the Poconos. White Haven is within easy driving distance, approximately 157 miles, north of Thurmont. Daisy Field Farm is a year-round equine business and nature preserve, located in the […]
No snow? No problem! Keystone Classic Carriages has sleighs with runners that hide wheels. Four- to six-person carriages are pulled by a team of beautiful Belgian horses. When there’s snow, the wheels can be removed for a more authentic glide. This outfitter offers private or group sleigh rides on their property, located in the shadows […]
Isn’t It Romantic? by Valerie Nusbaum “Randy, when you have a few minutes I have a couple of questions for you,” I called to my dear husband. He walked slowly into my studio where I was doing some cleaning up, and he sheepishly asked, “What is it you think I did?” “Nothing. Did you do […]
by James Rada, Jr. Hitchhiking Marines Get a Special Ride Marine Pfc. Harold Payne and Pfc. William Weaver were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, but when they got a weekend pass near Christmas of 1956, they decided to head home to the Midwest. Payne was from Akron, Ohio, and Weaver was from DeWitt, […]
by Jim Houck, Jr. Veterans and Why They Mean So Much To Me I was born in 1943. My father, James A. Houck Sr., was somewhere in Germany serving our country. I hadn’t met him yet, because he was deployed before I was born. I was three years old when I finally got to meet […]
The Supermarket Gourmet by Buck Reed From the time Homo erectus placed his mastodon rib over the fire he had just invented, we have been experimenting with how to cook in the pursuit of the perfect meal. This is not the search for the perfect tasting meal, but the best way to produce the perfect […]
by Dr. Thomas K. Lo Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a growing epidemic that afflicts more than twenty-nine million people in the United States today. Sadly, most diabetics feel helpless and clueless about how to reverse their condition. Another concern is that many of those with T2D are not even aware they have diabetes, and […]
How Did They Fare? by Deb Abraham Spalding In 2017, The Catoctin Banner staff followed the progress of two residents’ resolutions. Artist, Rachel Mohler, resolved to complete a painting-a-day of the scene outside the window of her Sabillasville home. Health and Wellness Coach, Susan Torborg, resolved to impact the health of others by sharing her […]
Deb Abraham Spalding In 1939, Pauline Smith lived in the white stucco house at the corner of Elm Street and Emmitsburg Road in Thurmont. One day, someone gave her turkey eggs. Pauline had an idea; she decided to put the eggs under a chicken, hoping they would hatch. And, they did! From that day on, […]
Eileen Dwyer Established in the mid-1700s, the village of Thurmont was originally named Mechanicstown. The settlement offered plentiful sources of timber, iron ores, and creeks to provide sources of power. The area flourished with mills, iron forges, tanneries, wheelwrights, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen. The name Mechanicstown seemed appropriate, given the means of trade of commerce. […]
James Rada, Jr. The problem of an odor coming from the wastewater treatment plant lagoon that the town rents to Enviro-Organic Technologies (EOT) during the winter appears to be under control. After many residents complained of the horrible smell caused by the food process residuals that were being stored in the lagoon, the town and […]
by James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg Fewer Residents Paying Water Bills Late Emmitsburg Town Manager Cathy Willets reported to the mayor and commissioners that by changing the due date for the quarterly water bills, fewer people are paying their bills late. The change began with the quarterly bills that went out September 17, 2017, and seventy […]
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs The Emmitsburg Christmastide started with the traditional town Christmas tree lighting on Monday, December 4, in front of the Community Center. DJ lead-in Christmas music, caroling by the Mother Seton School and Christ Community Church choruses. Santa Claus arrived in a vintage Vigilant Hose truck to light the tree. Then, it […]
Deb Abraham Spalding Erin Dingle is more than just the Frederick County Government 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 […]
During the November 27, 2017, meeting of the Thurmont Pomona Grange, membership certificates were presented to long-time members of the Thurmont Pomona Grange. 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 […]
James Rada, Jr. If the residents of Thurmont have their preference, the old railroad bridge across Church Street in downtown Thurmont would be repaired, painted black, and have the word “Thurmont” painted across it. Those are the leading findings from a survey that was conducted by a citizen’s group, trying to decide what avenues to […]
The first Open Mic Night was held in November at the Main Street Center, and the talent of the performers was incredible! Teens, between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, sang, played instruments, and entertained for two hours. The talent and professionalism of these young people far exceeded their age. The next teen Open Mic […]
James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg residents turned out in what many people felt were record numbers for the 29th Annual Evening of Christmas Spirit on December 4, 2017. The evening began with the lighting of the town Christmas tree. It is something usually done on the town square, but because of the work on the square […]
Deb Abraham Spalding “It was a Great day for everyone. Christmas in Thurmont is always a very special event,” said Vickie Grinder, Thurmont’s Main Street manager, about the 2017 Christmas in Thurmont event, held on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Mild and sunny weather made for a pleasant trip for participants to stroll through town, traveling […]
James Rada, Jr. Northern Frederick County now has an additional bus trip, taking people to and from Frederick. The new trip on midday Tuesdays leaves the Frederick Transit Center at 12:15 p.m. The shuttle bus then stops at the College Park Plaza in Frederick, DePaul Street in Emmitsburg, Jubilee Market in Emmitsburg, the Thurmont CVS, […]
Deb Abraham Spalding Do you know what time it is? It’s Christmas time at the Fishers’ house in Lewistown! Ginger and Charles Fisher have been collecting unique Christmas items over the past forty-two years. Judging from their immense collection, they look forward to Christmas time. The Fishers didn’t set out to collect Christmas items, but […]
Phyllis Kelly Thanks to the people of Emmitsburg, with the help of the Boy Scouts Troop 776 and five FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) classes, the Emmitsburg Food Bank shelves are full, again! The Boy Scouts collected 1,388 items and FEMA brought almost 500 items of food to the food bank on Saturday, November 11, […]
A Topping Out Ceremony was held for Morgan-Keller’s Seton Center Project on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. The ceremony was held to celebrate the placement of the last steel beam atop the new building structure, located at 226 East Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg. Morgan-Keller Construction is a general contracting and construction management firm, with offices in […]