Submitted by Bill Eiker, SAL Historian On October 1, 2016, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Post 239 in Cascade held their fall Gun and Cash Bash on the old parade grounds at Fort Ritchie. Of the 2,000 tickets sold, there were more than 750 people in attendance. Considering the gloomy weather, it was […]
Once again, on Saturday, November 5, 2016, Boy Scouts from Emmitsburg’s Unit 727 will be hanging bags on resident’s doors to collect food for the Emmitsburg Food Bank on Saturday, November 12. The Emmitsburg Food Bank is in need of the following food items: cake mixes, flour, sugar, cereal, Ramen noodles, peanut butter, canned meat, […]
Anita DiGregory As in year’s past, the metamorphosis began slowly early in the week. With steady deliveries of port-o-potties, new tents being constructed, and signs going up around town, the temporary makeover was gradually taking shape. By the morning of October 8, 2016, the conversion was complete. Thurmont’s quaint and quiet Community Park, and surrounding […]
On Saturday, September 24, 2016, Barkers 4 Blood Cancer, a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night team, held their annual Cornhole 4 A Cause Tournament fundraiser at the Emmitsburg Community Park. Twenty-one teams participated! They raised a total of $1,281— through a long-shot toss competition, a large raffle, and a 50/50, along with silent […]
Ninety-year-old couple, George and Helen Deluca, of Thurmont, don’t look or act their age. Helen has been an active volunteer with the Thurmont Senior Center and a long-time contributor to The Catoctin Banner, and George, after his retirement, stayed busy delivering meals from the Thurmont Senior Center to the homebound, as well as helping at […]
The Emmitsburg High School (EHS) Alumni Association held its 92nd annual banquet on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company event facility. A social hour was held at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner. One hundred eighty-nine graduates and attendees were part of the celebration. The program began with musical selections from Timeless Harmony […]
The Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show held its annual Pet Show on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at Catoctin High School. Prior to the show, a K-9 demonstration was held by the Thurmont Police Department and narcotics dog, Buddy. Dave Harman and Dave Johnston served as chairmen for this event. Jenny Humphries, an employee at Catoctin […]
by Theresa Dardanell Emmitsburg Public Works Department Before I met with the Director of the Emmitsburg Public Works Department, James Click, I thought I knew all of the responsibilities of the department. I was amazed at what I didn’t know. According to the website, the public works department “consists of the following public services: water […]
Deb Spalding In addition to serving as The Catoctin Banner’s Contributing Editor, and writing the monthly column “Looking Back” that appears in the Banner and four other newspapers, full-time freelance writer James Rada, Jr. is the author of 18 books. These include five historical novels, seven historical non-fiction books, and others exploring a wide range […]
Anita DiGregory In an effort to help families gain valuable information on staying healthy this school year, Thurmont Primary and Thurmont Elementary Schools joined forces on October 13 to host a fun and educational event, Health Night. Parents were invited to attend the interactive event, which consisted of four rotations of fifteen-minute presentations lead by […]
Theresa Dardanell The Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) program at Thurmont Elementary School kicked off a new year with a pizza party on September 28, 2016. Lots of dads with their children attended the event to learn about the program, to enjoy some time together, and, of course, to eat pizza! Watch D.O.G.S. is […]
Theresa Dardanell Parents traded places with students at Emmitsburg Elementary School during Literacy Night on October 13, 2016. While students listened to a story and worked on crafts, parents were in the classrooms learning how to help their children succeed. As families arrived, they were greeted by Principal Mary Ann Wiles and the Emmitsburg Elementary […]
On September 1, 2016, the new owners of Silo Hill Car Wash in Emmitsburg presented Mother Seton School principal, Sister Brenda Monahan, D.C., with a $500 donation. The gift was the result of funds raised during the Mother Seton School Family Fun Day, held at the car wash in July. For five hours, one hundred […]
Cameron Rogers Members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines and Public Health Services were recognized at the annual Pilgrimage for the Sea Services Mass on October 2, 2016, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, the former archbishop of Washington, D.C., and son […]
by Avie Hopcraft Fall, with its beautiful autumn colors, is flying by, and the winter season will soon be closing in on us. Catoctin has definitely been busy this past month, as well as the town of Thurmont. Colorfest was a blast, and Sunday was a gorgeous day to walk around to all the vendors. […]
by Anita DiGregory Instilling an Attitude of Gratitude in Our Children As the weather turns colder and we draw closer to Thanksgiving and the Christmas season, it is natural for many adults to count their blessings. But as we near this season of giving, how do we keep our children from coming down with a […]
by Lisa C. Cantwell Dear Reader: This is a column to help you determine the history and value of your heirlooms, attic finds, flea market purchases or antique items. Please send a picture and description of your piece, such as how you acquired it and any details about its history to [email protected]. I’ll research any […]
The Perfect Thanksgiving by Valerie Nusbaum When I’m writing, I dictate my notes and thoughts into a digital recorder to be organized and typed at a later date. I carry my recorder with me at all times, because I never know when a good idea will hit me. I’m well aware that as quickly as […]
Christine Schoene Maccabee Gratitude As soon as I start feeling sorry for myself because of another problem I have to deal with, something comes in the mail that stops me in my tracks. Here is a quote from the American Indian Relief Council : “The American Indians are not in good shape. Rusted-out cars and […]
The Western Maryland Comes to Mechanicstown by James Rada, Jr. Photo Courtesy of Thurmontimages.com Thurmont’s stop on the Western Maryland Railway makes up only a paragraph in the history of the railroad. For Thurmont, however, it was a major event that not only helped shape the town’s future but also gave it its unique name. […]
by Jim Houck, Jr. What We Can Do As Neighbors for the U.S. Veterans Over the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays The U.S. Veteran needs your support at all times, and especially during the Holiday season. There are older Veterans in nursing homes that would really enjoy your visiting them to just simply listen to their […]
Ed Gravatt, Past Commander Colorfest is now a memory; all the yard sales are over and the colors of fall are bright and quite vivid, despite the overall dry weather we have had. I just hope that I am done with mowing. The Ace of Hearts is a new game; we had a winner last […]
On November 13, 2016, Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7 will host a Free Veterans Breakfast, from 7:00-11:00 a.m., honoring all Veterans with a free buffet-style breakfast. Their families are welcome to join them: $5.00 for adults; $2.50 for children, ages 7-14; free for ages 6 and under. This event is open to the public. On […]
Sons of the American Legion is holding a Ham, Turkey & 5# Box of Shrimp Give-A-Way on Friday, November 4, 2016, at Post 121. 1st Drawing: 6:00 p.m.–9th Drawing: 10:00 p.m. As you enter the lounge, everyone will be handed a ticket with a number, and a ticket with a duplicate number will be placed […]
The Immaculate Collection: Clairvaux & San Marino by “My Father’s Son” “As spring came on, the desire to move obsessed me, and Walter suggested our moving to the ‘Old Dominion,” wrote Louise Closser Hale for Harper’s Magazine 1916 Vol. 133. A bitter New York City winter led Mrs. Hale to agree such an outing was […]