Theresa Dardanell “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” —Albert Einstein Students enjoyed an extra-long summer vacation this year. When they return to school on September 5, they will meet some new teachers, administrators, and support staff. Catoctin High School Welcome: Shannon Stone, guidance counselor; […]
Catoctin High School (CHS) has earned a 2016-17 School of the Year Award from the Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University (MCCE). Principal Bernard Quesada commends school counselor Dana Brashear for outstanding work leading to this recognition, which will include a School of the Year banner for Catoctin to display, a certificate of […]
James Kempisty, Catoctin FFA Chapter Reporter September is here, and with it, comes a new school year at Catoctin High School. I am pleased to announce that at our banquet on May 18, 2017, the Catoctin FFA Chapter elected eleven new officers. The officers are: President Maddie Krantz, Vice President Megan McIntosh, Sentinel Nate Schwartzbeck, […]
The YMCA is launching a new initiative, in partnership with the Frederick County Government, through the Office for Children and Families and the Frederick County Public Schools. This grant will provide funding to the YMCA that supports daily activities that will include the following: sports and recreation; tutoring and academic enrichment; arts and humanities; readiness […]
by Anita DiGregory New (School) Year’s Resolutions As we prepare to say goodbye to the long, carefree days of summer, you, too, may be channeling the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi and feeling, “…a great disturbance in the Force, as if millions of (students’) voices suddenly cried out in terror (at the thought of beginning a new […]
The Thurmont Top Shots are the youth shooting sports athletes that participate in the youth trapshooting program at the Thurmont Conservation and Sportsman’s Club. With the support of the Thurmont American Legion Post 168, eight members of the Top Shots participated in the 2017 AIM Grand National Championships, held at the World Shooting and Recreational […]
by Lisa C. Cantwell There were no questions submitted about trinkets or treasures this past month; so, my friend, Elaine Gladhill of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, recently invited me to her home to view and research some of her collections. You never know what trinket or treasure may be gathering dust or rust around your den, attic, […]
-Plumb Crazy- by Valerie Nusbaum “I know you have a lot on your plate right now, but you really need to fix your toilet. It never shuts off quite right,” I wrote in an email to Randy last week. He was at work and I had just attempted to get his toilet to stop running […]
by Christine Maccabee How Does Your Garden Grow? Once the gardening bug bites, you will never be the same again. Most of my best friends are gardeners, and each one has a long tale to tell of their gardening ventures. Each one could write a book, and each book would be as unique as the […]
Emmitsburg Family Drowns in the Bay by James Rada, Jr. It was meant to be a pleasant outing, fishing on the Chesapeake Bay, on Sunday, July 17, 1960. The Haley family went out on the waters, but the boat was overloaded and sitting low in the water. The water was rough, and the “14-foot outboard […]
by Andrea Myers Mannix – A Thurmont native, who resides in New Paltz, New York Hudson Valley Honor Flight – Honoring America’s Military Veterans In Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 8, 2017, it was a beautiful, early spring day with clear blue skies. This was the day that I served as a guardian to accompany ninety-one-year-old […]
by Buck Reed September brings us the Great Frederick Fair, and we all have our favorite memories. If you are younger, you might remember that fried funnel cake or some other ingenious food that shouldn’t be fried, but is. Or you might have a special fondness for that one ride that calls you like a […]
Each year, the VFW Post 6658 Auxiliary sponsors a contest titled “The Patriot’s Pen,” which is open to students in grades sixth through eighth. Students are required to do a typed essay of 300-400 words, based on the theme “America’s Gift to My Generation.” Monetary prizes are given to the winners on local, state, and […]
Poet Tracy Seffers of Charles Town, West Virginia, will read from her latest work, Some Other Life, at the monthly poetry gathering, known as “Catoctin Voices,” on Friday, September 15, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. The event has moved to the historic Collier’s Cabin, located at 12607 Catoctin Furnace Road in Thurmont, home of The Catoctin […]
On Thursday, September 21, 2017, at 6:00 p.m., a very special inspirational film called The Man Who Planted Trees will be shown at the Thurmont Regional Library. It will be the first of three films sponsored by the Sierra Club and the town of Thurmont. A repeat showing of this film will be on Saturday, […]
James Rada, Jr. Fighting fires is dangerous work, and to do it safely, firefighters need to train for every conceivable situation and hope that their responses become second nature. On Saturday, July 8, 2017, members of the Vigilant Hose Company, Rocky Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, Mount St. Mary’s University Public Safety personnel, and facilities management […]
State championship marks only the second time Thurmont has won this prestigious honor in over sixty-six years. Read story on page 27. Pictured from left: #54 Will Gisriel, #33 Braden Bell, #4 Griffin Puvel, #13 Donovan Baker, #35 D.J. Shipton, #7 Connor Crum, #21 Joe McMannis, #23 Braden Manning, #3 Josh Skowronski, #34 E.J. Lowry, […]
Thurmont by James Rada, Jr. East Street Parking Concerns Thurmont residents who live along East Street have expressed the parking concerns they have to Mayor John Kinnaird and the town commissioners. Because of a lack of defined spaces along the street, parking can be “a little bit jumbled.” Many residents would like to see […]
Mayor John Kinnaird Summer is here and, with it, the hot and humid weather. Please be careful while outdoors and be sure to keep hydrated and pace yourself while working. Also, keep an eye out for your elderly neighbors and offer assistance when needed. The Thurmont Fun Fest is coming on August 5, 2017, to […]
Mayor Don Briggs Once again, thank you to the Community Heritage Day organizers, vendors, entertainers, and town staff for their behind-the-scenes support. The event continues to grow bigger and better every year. The fireworks show was fantastic. Thank you to the town Parks and Recreation Committee for a wonderful, well attended “Evening in the Park” […]
James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg Town Manager Cathy Willets told the mayor and commissioners that the town’s new algae-control system in Rainbow Lake is proving effective so far. The new system, which cost the town $38,650 for setup and $13,000 a year for calibration, was installed in April of this year. The LG Sonic system uses […]
The Town of Thurmont Main Street Program has once again received the National Main Street Accreditation for 2017. Thurmont’s Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder, who also manages the Thurmont Main Street program, was notified of the recognition last month. In a release from Main Street America, Thurmont received notification stating “Thurmont Main Street, in June […]
James Rada, Jr. The Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners received a report about how well their social media efforts are doing in reaching people. Office Manager Terri Ray collected the data and put together a PowerPoint show that Town Clerk Madeline Shaw presented to the commissioners. The Emmitsburg Facebook page now has 945 followers, which is […]
Wayne Powell There’s a house in our small community that’s more than just a house. Even though it’s a house right along Main Street, in fact, many pass it by, never thinking about its importance. In some ways, it may seem to be a house not all that different than your home. However, it’s a […]
James Rada, Jr. Morris Blake spent decades working in security with Maryland Department of Natural Resources, National Park Service, Francis Scott Key Mall, Frederick County, and Mount St. Mary’s; but, last year, he turned in his badge to become a hair stylist and has never been happier. Blake, who turns fifty-seven this year, has lived […]