James Rada, Jr. The Catoctin Banner presents a continuation of fiction serials for your enjoyment. “Cast from the Gods” is a new, original serial set at Site R when it was under construction. Let us know what you think. 1: The Box James Rada, Jr. The Catoctin Banner presents a continuation of fiction serials for […]
Pent-up within the bounds Of my humanity, My relentless spirit, ever straining upward, Thrills to harmony Melodious in the music of a song New lisped into a prayer, Ever-rising, ever-failing In its flight to the Supreme Reality. But in that love-wrought paeon, ‘Compassed by my mortal bonds, Eternal realms I still explore And know not […]
by Valerie Nusbaum I begin each month wondering what in the world to write about in a new column. I need to write something that you might find interesting, but nothing too dark or controversial. My columns are meant to be light and entertaining if at all possible, with just a dash of something educational […]
by James Rada, Jr. February 1920, 100 Years Ago Big Snow Storm Rain began falling in this vicinity early Tuesday night, the temperature being low enough to cause sleet to form. This continued all during the night, and Wednesday morning snow began falling and a brisk wind set in. This kind of weather prevailed all […]
The Year is…1953 by James Rada, Jr. Being a Good Neighbor on Catoctin Mountain It’s nice to have good neighbors. It’s even nicer when the neighbor is the President of the United States. Works Progress Administration laborers built the 22 camp buildings at Camp Greentop between 1934 and 1938. The log buildings were a mix […]
by Anita DiGregory Tomorrow’s Heroes What is a hero? The Webster Dictionary defines a hero as someone “of distinguished valor or enterprise in danger or fortitude in suffering; a prominent or central personage in any remarkable action or event; hence, a great or illustrious person.” A hero is someone who sacrifices, and often suffers, for […]
by Priscilla Rall Frederick County’s Lost in the Forgotten War (Part 1) The Korean conflict is often called the “Forgotten War.” More than 36,000 men lost their lives in Korea, 27 from Frederick County. Seven thousand men are still missing, their remains in unmarked graves, many in North Korea where they died in POW camps. […]
by Buck Reed What is life without whimsy? Adding a bit of fun into your everyday activities might just brighten the dreary month of February. So, take a few moments to review the various days of February and let the National Food Boards dictate what you are going to eat on a given day. How […]
by Christine Maccabee Winter Musings: Seed Stratification Through the many days and nights of this long, cold winter, trillions of seeds lay sleeping. They rest in their icy cradles of earth, awaiting the warmth of spring. Offspring of last year’s flowers, herbs, grasses, and trees, these seeds—though inactive—are preparing for change. Naked, these small capsules […]
& Nutritional Healing Center Alzheimer’s disease is an age-related brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s ability to remember, think, learn, and carry out even simple tasks. “Dementia” describes a variety of diseases and conditions that damage brain cells and impair brain function, which includes Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of […]
Cold and Flu Season Upon Us Winter seems to be the season for colds and flu viruses. The thought may have crossed your mind more than once: How can I boost my immune system? There are many healthy ways in which you can strengthen your immune system, including supplements, exercise, and eating healthy. There are […]
Dominance from Start to Finish Blair Garrett Catoctin High Football clinched its second state championship Saturday, December 7, defeating the Poets of Dunbar High School (Baltimore) 31-8 in a Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA) 1A matchup. The Cougars stormed through the playoffs, yielding opponents just 41 points over the team’s five playoff victories […]
blair Garrett From small-town journalist to big-time sports director, Dave Ammenheuser, a native of Thurmont, has done it all. Ammenheuser, 57, is now the sports director for a major news network, USA Today, but his journey began like many of us, humbly, in a small town, shadowed by the Catoctin Mountains. Developing into a great […]
Hit the Slopes this Winter Blair Garrett Winter is here, the snow is falling, and the ski slopes have never looked better. Snow may not currently be falling on your driveway, but you don’t have to travel too far to find your nearest winter oasis. With four ski resorts nearby and dozens of trails to […]
James Rada, Jr. and Blair Garrett Catoctin Banner Journalists, Jim and Blair, Face-off! Does 2020 mark the beginning of a new decade, or is it actually the end of a decade? What do you think? Let us know at www.thecatoctinbanner.com (Subject line: Decade Debate) Jim’s Stance In the debate over whether the decade is ending […]
James Rada, Jr. Catoctin High School recognized its graduates who have gone on to find success post-high school during its 5th Annual Distinguished Graduates Induction Ceremony on November 26, 2019. Principal Jennifer Clements told the audience, “During the past 50 years, the staff at Catoctin High School has always strived to foster learning, character, innovation, […]
James Rada, Jr. With the announcement that a Thurmont landmark, the Shamrock Restuarant, will end its 56-year-run on December 30, 2019, The Catoctin Banner thought it would share some of its reader’s memories of the Irish-themed restaurant. The late Mike Fitzgerald opened the Shamrock in 1963. He said in a 2014 interview that the restaurant […]
Start 2020 with 20/20 Vision A Vision Board Workshop will be held for business professionals at the Thurmont Bar & Grill at 10 E. Main Street in Thurmont on January 7, 2020, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. There is a $25.00 fee to participate. For questions about the workshop, contact Mary Ellen Mitchell at me@allowmeconsulting.com.
Deb Abraham Spalding Despite the chilly rain falling outside the newly relocated Village Store & Deli on a wintry Tuesday in Keymar, Maryland, it was all warm smiles for customers inside. Returning customers already knew the reputation of the excellent food that they were ordering from the deli because they followed the business from its […]
James Rada, Jr. On December 2, 2019, Emmitsburg residents celebrated its annual “Evening of Christmas Spirit,” sponsored by the Carriage House Inn, the Town of Emmitsburg, and the EBPA. The evening began with the lighting of the town Christmas tree at the Community Center. Before and after the illumination, youth choirs from Emmitsburg delighted attendees […]
Grace Eyler Thurmont’s annual Christmas in Thurmont is a magical time each year for so many reasons, and this year was no different. The event was held on December 7, 2019, and people flooded the streets to bring holiday cheer and to celebrate the season of giving. From face painting to horse and carriage rides, […]
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs Here we are again at the end of another year, which always seems to bring reflection on the pluses and minuses for the year. In the plus column is the Catoctin Cougars bringing home the State Division 1A Football Championship, with a convincing 31-8 win over Dunbar High of Baltimore. The […]
by James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg DECEMBER 2019 Meeting Town Wants to Connect Rutter’s to Emmitsburg The Town of Emmitsburg wants to ensure that the new Rutter’s store, being built on the east side of Rt. 15, is connected to the town via sidewalks. The sidewalks would allow truck drivers, parking overnight at the site, to […]
Good teachers are not hard to come by. The profession by trade is dedication of time and energy into shaping the future and guiding youth to be healthy and educated adults. Jessica Valentine Derr’s efforts for Frederick County Schools have not gone unnoticed. Valentine Derr was awarded the Simon A. McNeely Award for her outstanding […]
Sparkles the Therapy Dog visited Catoctin High School in December and received a warm welcome from students. Sparkles volunteers with Wags for Hope, which uses therapy dogs in a variety of programs, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities, Reading Education Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.), Hospice of Frederick County, Rock Creek School, and Frederick Memorial Hospital.