Meet Attorney Michele Rosenfeld, Interviewed by Laura Apelbaum* On Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain Concerned residents of Cascade have been fighting the granting of a special exception that would allow the building of a Dollar General Market directly across […]
Alisha Yocum Robert “Bob” Valentine was recently recognized as the 2025 Contemporary Guest of Honor at the Maryland Dairy Shrine Annual Banquet and Meeting in February. Valentine was one of four recipients recognized as a dairy leader who has made outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to the dairy industry. Valentine is a third-generation Ayrshire breeder, […]
By Alisha Yocum Brenda Gonder Brenda Gonder of Thurmont has a gift for bringing smiles and comfort to everyone she meets. Affectionately known as the “Queen of Weis,” many recognize her as the friendly face greeting them at the self-checkout at Weis Markets in Thurmont. For 18 years, Gonder has gone beyond her role, brightening […]
While Frederick County is still the largest county by land area in Maryland, it used to be even larger. It comprised present-day Montgomery, Washington, Allegany, Garrett, part of Carroll, and Frederick counties. In 1776, Montgomery County formed from Frederick’s southern portion, and Washington County formed from the western end of Frederick County. Then, in 1837, […]
Catoctin Colorfest Inc. gave a generous donation toward the Thurmont Downtown Flag Replacement Program and to assist with funding for the lighting project for the flagpole in Community Park. Catoctin Colorfest, Inc. President Carol Robertson presents the donation to CAO Jim Humerick.
Lion Ruth Heaney Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow on February 2, but that will not stop the Thurmont Lions Club from giving everyone a lucky second chance! Guardian Hose Company Fire Chief Charlie Brown and Assistant Fire Chief Chris Kinnaird are rescheduled as our speakers on Wednesday, March 12, at 6:30 PM in St. John’s […]
Kiley Rae Little, Reporter, Lewistown Mountain View 4-H Club Lewistown Mountain View 4-H Club is the oldest 4-H club in Frederick County that continues to grow and add diversity with its members projects. On January 28, 2025, the club held its first meeting of new year. During this meeting, the club installed its new officer […]
Members of the Sabillasville Environmental School Student Government Association (SES SGA) traveled to Annapolis on February 19 to join thousands of charter school students from across the state for Charter School Advocacy Day. The event was organized by the non-profit Maryland Alliance for Public Charter Schools, with a goal of ensuring that elected representatives understand […]
Around 100 students at Catoctin High School and Thurmont Middle School participated in the Maryland State Police Polar Plunge in January. Together, the group raised over $12,000 and jumped into the icy waters of the Chesapeake Bay, all in support of the Special Olympics Maryland.
Thurmont Grange No. 409 is offering two scholarships to any 2025 Catoctin High School graduating senior who will be attending a technical or trade school, a community college, or a four-year college. You do not need to be a Grange member to apply. Applicants are required to submit one letter of recommendation, an essay about […]
Sabillasville Environmental School (SES) is a public charter school that is open and free for all Frederick County residents. The school uses classical curriculum, with a focus on agriculture and environmental science. Each year, the school holds a lottery for open seats for the upcoming school year. If you have a child entering grades K-8th […]
Ryan Tokar, CYA Basketball CYA Basketball held its annual Shoot-a-thon fundraiser on Sunday, February 2. This is the largest annual fundraiser for our program and proceeds go towards necessities like gym rentals, uniforms, equipment, paid officials, and league fees. As is the case every year, our amazing community came out in support of the program […]
With Michael Betteridge A Tree Has Roots When I was young, I discovered a book in my Grandma’s attic one day, entitled The Bellows Genealogy – John Bellows the Boy Emigrant of 1635 and His Descendants. As I read through the tattered yellow pages of the book, I began to see names that I recognized: […]
Two Catoctin Youth Association wrestlers, Jackson Wivell and Willie Fletcher, competed in the Maryland State Wrestling Association State Championship in Salisbury, Maryland. They both placed fourth in their weight class amongst other competitors across the state.“We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments!” –CYA Wrestling.
Catoctin Girls Basketball Lady Cougars defeated Williamsport 43-39 to win the CMC Championship on Tuesday, February 25. The win improves their record to 17-6 on the season heading into the playoffs. Cougars came out running in the first quarter, pulling ahead for a 15-10 lead. In the second quarter, they had some foul trouble and […]
Catoctin High School (CHS) Sports Boosters is a parent-based organization that provides support for all CHS athletes, sports teams, and coaches. The Sports Boosters program is needed to cover the additional expenses not covered by the very limited Athletic Department budget. They raise money through fundraisers, concession sales, sponsorship, and membership. All of the money […]
March 1925, 100 Years Ago Buy Thurmont Hotel The new Thurmont Hotel, of which Mrs. Evelyn Weiss was proprietor, has been sold to Leon B. Ramsdell and Robert H. Duff, both of whom are connected with the Opera House and Empire theatres. Possession will be given on Saturday at noon. The consideration is private. The […]
A serial fiction story for your enjoyment written by James Rada, Jr. THE CLASS OF ‘16 4: Second to Fall Will VanSant pulled into the parking lot of the Sleep Inn & Suites in Emmitsburg with a heavy heart, the warming morning air punctuating the stark reality before him. Tucked amid half a dozen unoccupied […]
by Mitchell Tester, College StudentWhen one talks of the universe, what comes to mind for me is outer space. Planets, moons, asteroids, and galaxies. Although the universe is everything around us, we are connected to everything. My favorite space fact is: We are made up of star dust. Meaning us, the grass on your front […]
A Tale of Two Financial Paths March is the season of luck—St. Patrick’s Day, four-leaf clovers, and maybe even finding a forgotten $20 in your coat pocket. It’s a time when we can’t help but think about the role fortune plays in our lives. But when it comes to money, should we rely on luck—or […]
Telephones came to Emmitsburg in 1882 and spelled the beginning of the end for the telegraph. The first long-distance line was run to Frederick in 1883, and the first telephone exchange opened in May 1884 in the Adolphus Harner Building on W. Main Street. The first switchboard operator was Theresa Ziegler, the daughter of the […]
MICHEL TESTER “Spring it Forward, Purge It Out” Where did the phrase “spring cleaning” get its start? Why do we have this monumental urge to clean out the house in the spring? Why not in the winter when we’re all stuck inside anyway? In the 19th century, the warmer weather of early spring (but not […]
by Richard D. L. Fulton Pfc. Charles R. Pittinger KIA at Quang Nam Charles Robert Pittinger, of Thurmont, was born on November 8, 1948, to parents Charles E. and Edna Smith Pittinger. At the time of his death, Pittinger had two brothers and two sisters, whose names had been provided in the November 26, 1969, […]
Maxine Troxell While it’s a common belief that Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake was a product of the Great Depression, its roots can be traced back to the early 20th century. Early cake recipes often included thick dairy products akin to the consistency of mayonnaise, such as sour cream or buttermilk, to add moisture and richness. The […]
by Buck Reed .André Soltner,the Greatest Chef You Never Heard Of André Soltner died in January. I only met him once when my class at the Culinary Institute of America visited his restaurant in New York City, Lutèce. He came out and talked to us for a bit before we ate, and he gave us […]