The National FFA Convention is held every year and attracts FFA members from every state, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The 98th National FFA Convention was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, from October 29 through November 1, 2025. While at the convention, 24 Catoctin FFA members joined over 73,000 other FFA members and guests […]
Alisha Yocum On a crisp fall afternoon, Wolfsville Elementary School (WES) students were excited to stay after school as part of the Garden Club, led by teacher Janet Dill. Their mission: Clean up the fall leaves and prepare the garden for winter. For more than 30 years, the WES community garden has thrived with the […]
Jame Rada, Jr. 7: War’s end Bill Wivell knew sending Celine Winfrey off on the train to California had been the right thing to do, but it didn’t make him feel any better, despite the fact that he had recovered from his bout of Spanish Flu. As Bill lay in bed alone at night, he […]
by Stephanie Weisgerber of Sabillasville Long ago, God reached down into Earth’s deepest closet Intending to make a unique new deposit There he found pits of sand, peat, and gravel The legacy of glaciers, long miles having traveled They leisurely sank as they melted away Leaving traces of minerals and mud that betray The pits […]
by Mitchell Tester, College Student Christmas & Astronomy Happy holidays and Merry Christmas, everyone! This really is a special time of the year. As it is the holiday season, and Christmas is right around the corner, I wanted to somehow bridge the connection between astronomy and Christmas. Astronomical roots of the holiday season lead us […]
Year-end tax planning How Smart Moves Now Can Save You Money by Tricia Bush, CPA, CFP® Owner, AAA Advisory LLC Tricia Bush, CPA, CFP®, is the founder of AAA Advisory LLC, where she helps families bring Alignment, Action, and Accountability to their financial lives. She provides financial planning and tax guidance for busy professionals and […]
Thurmont Loses Long-Time Doctor by James Rada, Jr. The Bessie Darling murder. The Spanish Flu pandemic. The wreck of the Blue Mountain Express. The Blue Blazes Still Murder. In the early 20th century, if there was a death or serious illness in the Thurmont area, Dr. Morris A. Birely was usually involved. Not in the […]
by Michele Tester TRADITIONS I tend to go a bit overboard for Christmas. If you ask my husband and my children, they would probably say “a bit” was a vast understatement. I love everything about Christmas. I love decorating inside and outside. I love what Christmas symbolizes. I love the Christmas spirit that surrounds the […]
by Richard D. L. Fulton Joseph M. Stickell KIA Meuse-Argonne Offensive Joseph “Joey” M. Stickell, of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, was born on April 14, 1889, to parents John Nevin and Lucy Mentzer Stickell, and had two brothers, John Norman Stickell (1892-1973) and Grayson Mentzer Stickell (1894-1962). Stickell was baptized as a Lutheran on May 31, 1890, […]
Thurmont AMVETS Post 7, located at 26 Apples Church Road in Thurmont, is now open for lunch and dinner every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., with weekly specials on Thursdays and Fridays. They also offer a bucket of domestic beer for only $13.00! Check out their advertisement on page 9.
November 28, 1952 The Great Tootsie Roll Drop: During the Korean Conflict, everything had a code name to throw off Chinese anti-aircraft units. Marines sent out a frantic call for 60-mm mortar ammunition, code named “Tootsie Rolls.” Somebody didn’t read up on his code book. Fighting for their lives in the frozen wastes of Chosin, […]
James Rada, Jr. December 1925, 100 Years Ago Get Revenge On Thurmont All Stars On Pythian Alleys Here The Devilbiss All Stars avenged a recent defeat at the hands of the Thurmont All Stars several weeks ago on Thursday night when they defeated the North County Rollers by 21 pins on the Pythian Alleys Thursday […]
Taste of the Past Here is an old-time recipe by Easy Family Recipes. I found this recipe on the Pinterest website. This is an easy recipe for cookies that is different from other traditional Christmas Cookies. These snowball cookies are soft, buttery treats that melt in your mouth.. The origins of Snowball Cookies, also known […]
by Buck Reed Good People Cook One thing every American can agree on is that we don’t all agree. As for me, I am more concerned with whether you are a good person or not. In my opinion, an excellent way to tell if you are a good person is this question: “Do you cook?” […]
Sinus Congestion: Causes, symptoms & support strategies by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center Having a chronic stuffy and runny nose is more common than you think. Chronic sinus congestion can be due to chronic sinus infections, seasonal and environmental allergies, mold, food sensitivities, and other reasons. There are natural support […]
by Jeff Yocum “A Change of Scenery” focuses on day trips from Thurmont that are within 150 miles (give or take). These trips will not include “Disney-level” destinations, but rather, lesser-known points of interest. The purpose of the article is to suggest venues for folks seeking a short, easily accessible change of scenery. In the […]
by Tara Miller Hello, friends! It’s hard to believe we’ve reached the end of another wonderful year here at the Thurmont Senior Center. December is shaping up to be full of fun, friendship, and festive activities, and I hope you’ll join us for the joy and laughter that make this season so special! We’ll kick […]
BY Caitlyn Kirby December is the time of the year for making new memories, spending time with friends and family, and getting ready for the holiday season. We have a number of activities this month to get you in the winter mood! If you need an idea for a holiday appetizer, we will have a […]
Alisha Yocum Mount St. Mary’s University student Annie Carey made history on her recent trip to the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi, India, where she competed in track and field events. Not only is Carey the first Mountaineer to represent the United States at the championships, but she also brought home a gold […]
Excerpts from The First Anniversary Year Book Thanks to Jim Barton for lending me his father John’s year book.) 1934-1937 The history of the battalion is intertwined with the proud history of the Maryland Army National Guard. Its lineage can be traced to its initial activity as the 29th Division Ordnance Office during the period […]
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Colorfest Fees Continue Being Discussed The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners continue to talk about how to set fees related to Colorfest. After approving a 20 percent increase in permit fees, eliminating the yard sale permit, and increasing the town portion of the parking fee—from $4.00 per car to $6.00 per […]
THURMONT Mayor John Kinnaird Here we are in fall, with the beautiful foliage brightening our view. If you haven’t had a chance to get out and enjoy the colors, be sure to do so soon. Colorfest has come and gone, and we just had Halloween in the Park. Colorfest had a great crowd on Saturday, […]
Richard D. L. Fulton Charles Carroll, III: 1985 “…to defend the liberties of my country, or die with them.” –Charles Carroll. upon signing the Declaration of Independence The United States Postal System (USPS) issued a 14-cent, stamped postal card commemorating Charles Carroll, III, one of four Marylanders to sign the Declaration of Independence, on […]
by Aditi Dhananjaya, High School Student Whether it may be your fear of the unknown or your faith in magic, there will always be superstitions. They have followed humanity for centuries; they act as a flicker between comfort and fear, sitting in our houses like a candlelight. From making a wish at 11:11 to avoiding […]
Chele’s Pick by Michele Tester My Memories | by Charlie Harbaugh | published in 2025 This month, my Book Club pick is My Memories by Charlie Harbaugh of Sabillasville. Charlie was born in the Waynesboro Hospital in Pennsylvania on March 23, 1944, and he has resided in Sabillasville his whole life. In his memoir, Charlie […]