Katelyn Claxton From stars on the field to stars on the stage, Mr. Catoctin is a perfect way to showcase Catoctin High School’s Senior class. The third annual Mr. Catoctin Pageant was held on December 3, 2014, at Catoctin High School. Not only was it a night filled with catchy tunes, up-beat dances, and tons […]
by Michele Cuseo Emmitsburg December 2014 Mayor Meets with New County Executive, Jan Gardner Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs met with Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner to discuss ideas and concerns for the town of Emmitsburg. Briggs stated that Gardner is meeting with town mayors around the county to discuss their concerns and needs in preparation […]
Irish Women’s Little Christmas The day is January 6, 2015. After much ado, the twelve days of Christmas have successfully been budgeted, baked, wrapped, roasted, bustled, decorated, negotiated, and wined into submission. In wee Ireland, upon the completion of these tasks, the lady of the house goes out to celebrate. It is the Feast of […]
New Premises for Thurmont Town Offices Lindsay Brandt On January 12, 2015, the Thurmont Town Office will open in a new location at 615 East Main Street, in the premises of the former Dailey Funeral Home. After a full renovation of the building, which was once the residence of former Thurmont Mayor James Black, the […]
Thurmont Grange Presents Community Citizen Award Donna Voellinger, dedicated volunteer at the Thurmont Historical Society, was awarded the Thurmont Grange’s Community Citizen Award during a Grange dinner held on November 24, 2014, at the Grange Hall in Thurmont. In addition to her commitment to the Thurmont Historical Society, Donna is a compassionate and dedicated individual […]
James Rada, Jr. As the Confederate Army retreated from Gettysburg on July 4, 1863, they encountered Union troops in the area of Blue Ridge Summit. A two-day battle ensued in the middle of a thunderstorm that eventually spilled over the Mason-Dixon Line into Maryland. “It is the only battle fought on both sides of the […]
Hour of Code Lindsay Brandt Technology never seems to be too far from our hands these days. We have smart phones in our pockets; iPads, laptops, and desktop computers for work; and even smart TVs. Although nobody wants their loved ones to be addicted to technology, it is hard to deny that technology is an […]
Thurmont Little League is Gearing up for a New Season and Some Exciting Changes for 2015 Melissa Kinna It may be cold outside, but that isn’t stopping Thurmont Little League (TLL) as they prepare for the upcoming 2015 Spring Season. Some exciting happenings taking place include a new logo; a new website that will be […]
by Chris O’Connor A Snapshot of my Friends at the Farm It was kismet that I met David and Marge Harman of Sunnyside Hill Farm in Sabillasville, around fifteen years ago. My daughter attended school in Emmitsburg; but, after two years, we made the fortuitous choice to transfer her to Sabillasville Elementary. One day, I […]
Buck Reed, the Supermarket Gourmet Cranberries come from the family of Ericaceae, which is described as an evergreen dwarf. They are cultivated from October until December, which probably explains their popularity during the holiday season. Cranberries are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, B-carotene, lutein, zea-xanthin, folate, potassium, and manganese. Studies have shown […]
Christine Schoene Maccabee Hibernation: A state of being during extreme cold, forcing many creatures to become dormant in their hibernacula (their winter quarters or place of retirement…Florida?). It’s winter. It’s very cold. Climbing out of my warm nest to put a log on the fire, I feel like a turtle in its shell. I would much […]
by James Rada, Jr. — 1938 — The End of a Generation in Thurmont When Thomas H. Shelton died on February 19, 1938, Frederick County lost its last Veteran of the Civil War, seventy-three years after the war ended. Shelton died at the home of his daughter-in-law, Stella Shelton, who lived near Rocky Ridge. The […]
Dennis E. Black The weather forecast for Sunday, November 9, 2014, called for a splendid day for anyone wanting to venture out on an antiquing trip. My friend, Larry Hauver, asked me to consider going along with him that day to the first York Antique Bottle Show. I was reluctant to go, with so many […]
Ashley McGlaughlin On November 8, 2014, Catoctin High’s Cross Country team competed for the 2A State Cross Country Championships at Hereford High School, near northern Baltimore County. The sheer determination, love of the sport, and countless hours practice led the Catoctin Boys’ Cross Country Team to win states for the third year in a row. […]
James Rada, Jr. Statewide, the biggest takeaway from the November 4, 2014, election was the win of Republican Larry Hogan in a heavily Democratic state to become the next governor of Maryland. Frederick County’s election was a historic one, as representatives were selected for the county’s new form of government. Voter turnout in the county […]
by Michele Cuseo Thurmont Snow Removal Ordinance Reminder As winter approaches, here is a summary review of the Thurmont Snow Removal Ordinance: All sidewalks are to be cleared of ice and snow within twelve hours after snow has ceased falling. When removing snow, it should not be pushed into the traveled portion of any public […]
Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Association 2014 Events The Blue Ridge Sportsmen’s Association is holding a Cash Bingo on December 7. Doors will open at 11:00 a.m. Games will begin at 12:45 p.m. Their Breakfast with Santa will be on December 13, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. On December 14, they will hold their Sunday Funday at 2:00 p.m. […]
Christmas in Emmitsburg There are multiple events taking place in Emmitsburg on Saturday, December 6, 2014. The day is sponsored by the Emmitsburg Council of Churches. Christ’s Community Church, located at 303 West Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg, hosts their 3rd Annual Christmas Bazaar, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. There will be nineteen vendors and a silent […]
Deb Spalding As we enter the Holiday shopping season, it’s important to be prepared and, sometimes, cautious. Here at The Catoctin Banner newspaper, we encourage local shopping—with our valued advertisers, of course! Statistics suggest that shopping locally helps support our local economy, since the money stays in our community. Another major plus is that it […]
Georgine Rabenold Renovations Salon and Day Spa got a makeover. The transformation began over Labor Day weekend 2014, and when the doors reopened that following Thursday, the salon had a fresh, updated new look. The Salon and Spa has been open for nine years. “It was time for a new look. We want to keep […]
Lindsay Brandt A new general store has opened in Creagerstown. However, Emma Jean’s General Store isn’t your everyday store. Yes, it has the usual milk, bread, and eggs, but you may be surprised to learn that it is also an antique store. Emma Jean Goldberg and her son, Chuck Johnson, had the same kind of […]
Lindsay Brandt The season of giving kicked off early at Lawyer’s Farm and Moonlight Maze, located on Creagerstown Road in Thurmont. On Sunday, October 26, 2014, all admission proceeds for the farm were collected to benefit the American Brain Tumor Association in honor of Jan Lawyer, who passed away from brain cancer on December 15, […]
James Rada, Jr. Colorfest, Inc. met for its annual meeting on November 11, 2014, at Simply Asia in Thurmont to elect officers for the coming year and to review its contributions to the Thurmont community. Colorfest, Inc. earns income from the annual fall festival and returns much of that money back to the community through […]
Lindsay Brandt He may look, walk, talk, sing, and play the guitar like Willie Nelson, but Richard Isaac Renner is not Willie Nelson. Richard started singing when he was just five years old. He would run around his parents house, grab his mother’s broom, and create a makeshift guitar while singing along to the tunes […]
James Rada, Jr. Brace yourselves. It could be such a cold winter that one of the best-known prognosticators—the wooly bear caterpillar—is hiding out looking for a place to stay warm. “I haven’t seen one since August,” said Bill O’Toole, a prognosticator with the Hagers-Town Town and Country Almanac. Though he doesn’t recall how that shy […]