About the Cover
Cover Photo: Carrie Wivell Wolf and Jonathan Wolf’s son, Jackson, grandson of Phil and Shelly Wivell, celebrates his first Halloween!
Fossil Collecting in Maryland
Part 2: West of Frederick by Richard D. L. Fulton For hundreds of millions of years, the land that Maryland presently resides upon had rested predominantly at the bottom of the ancient oceans. Around 335 million years ago, two continental plates—one referred to as the African Plate and the other known as the North American […]
Some Short Articles
…from the Past Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry 1889 The Board of School Commissioners of Frederick County, Maryland, Frederick County School No. 4, Election District No. 5. (1889) To use books and stationery for three pupils fall term ending November 18, 1889 at .75 x 2 + .50 cents total of $2.00. Each pupil shall, […]
Town Hall Report
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont ARPA Funds Reallocated With the North Church Street water and sewer project substantially complete, Thurmont Chief Operating Officer Jim Humerick recommended that the remaining $272,111 for the project be reallocated to deal with one of the town’s infiltration and inflow problems. The 2,610-foot sewer line from the sewer plant to […]
From the Mayor
Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird It’s hard to believe that Colorfest has come and gone! We had beautiful weather both days with nice crowds. I am certain that our local organizations did very well and the funds they raised will benefit our community. Colorfest is the largest fundraising opportuntiy of the year for many local non-profits […]
Maryland on Stamps…
‘President’ John Hanson:1972/1981 Richard D. L. Fulton John Hanson was born in Port Tobacco Parish, Charles County, in 1721, to parents Samuel Hanson and Elizabeth Storey Hanson, and in 1781, arguably became the first president of the United States, eight years before the election of George Washington. On September 1, 1972, the United States Postal […]
East Main Trains Opens in Thurmont
Welcoming Train Enthusiasts of All Ages Alisha Yocum East Main Trains is open and welcoming train enthusiasts everywhere. Owners John Hamilton and Jeff Crum have been into the hobby since they were kids. Hamilton recently retired and had reconnected with Crum to do some remodeling. One thing led to another, and the two talked about […]
Businesses Past…
The Monterey Tea House by Richard D. L. Fulton The Monterey Tea House operated for decades in Blue Bridge Summit. An advertisement in the June 4, 1924, edition of The (Baltimore) Sun had announced the opening of the “New Monterey Gift-Shop Tea-House” at the Monterey Golf Course. The tea house was located at Tracy (also […]
Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs
The following are the statuses of new businesses and developments coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: The following are the statuses of new businesses and developments coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of US 15) — Under construction. Passed the most recent County inspection of […]
Thurmont New Business and Development Briefs
Subdivisions Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Avenue) — 36 single-family lots recorded, built, and sold. Final site work to be completed. Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive) — 22 single-family lots in R-2. Final Plat approved; site work underway. Mechanicstown, LLC — (Emmitsburg Road) — Final Plat conditionally approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ […]
Graceham Volunteer Fire Company closes after 64 years of service
Donates Building to FFA Alumni Association Alisha Yocum & JAMES RADA, JR. On September 27, members and supporters gathered at Graceham Volunteer Fire Company (GVFC) to meet one last time in their building on Graceham Road in Thurmont. The volunteer fire company had been placed on operational pause in June 2022 by the Frederick County […]
Catoctin FFA Holds Hurricane Relief Drive
Members of the Catoctin High School Future Farmers of America (FFA), an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership, recently held a Hurricane Relief Drive to help those impacted by the recent hurricane in North Carolina. The group filled a trailer and truck full of supplies, which included clothes, diapers, and agricultural […]
Community Difference Maker
Dawn Waskiewicz Nominated by: Dawn Niner Blankets are often described as warm hugs, and for Taneytown resident Dawn Waskiewicz, creating them has become more than just a hobby—it’s a way to spread love and comfort throughout her community. Waskiewicz leads the local chapter of Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides handmade blankets to children […]
Emmitsburg Alumni Association Celebration
The Emmitsburg Alumni Annual Banquet was held on October 19 at the Ambulance Building in Emmitsburg. Approximately 150 people attended. A social hour was held at 4:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres were prepared and served by Wanda Meadows Valentine, Class of 1968; Shirley Wierman Frushour, Class of 1970; Tonya and Troy Bates. President Alan Brauer Sr., […]
Staff from Town of Thurmont Graduate
Town of Thurmont Senior Administrative Assistant Rebecca Sharer-Long and Human Resources Manager Diana Mehaffie graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance at the University of Maryland. The ceremony took place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Memorial Chapel on the University of Maryland College Park campus. A total of 139 public officials […]
The Great Pumpkin Pick Up
The Town of Thurmont is hosting the third annual Great Pumpkin Pick Up for all households within the city limits. Sponsored by the Thurmont Green Team, volunteers will be combing the streets of Thurmont with trucks, trailers, and even car trunks, on Saturday, November 23, from 8:30 a.m. until finished, picking up fall pumpkins and […]
Thurmont’s Community Tree Planting Day
Join the Town of Thurmont, The Green Team, and the Maryland Forest Service as they plant 25 trees in East End Park, near the new softball field, on November 2. These trees will replace the trees that did not survive the wet conditions of late 2022. The trees are a gift to the Town through […]
New Commissioner Seated in Emmitsburg
James Rada, Jr. The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners saw a new face seated during the October town meeting. Kevin Hagan was sworn in as an Emmitsburg Town Commissioner, along with incumbent commissioners, Cliff Sweeney and Jim Hoover. They were the three top vote-getters during the October 1 Emmitsburg Town Election. First-time commissioner Hagan is a […]
New Signs Installed on Thurmont Trolley Trail
New interpretive signs were installed on the Thurmont Trolley Trail. The signs turned out exceptionally well, and a big shout out goes to Shannon-Baum Signs for its work on fabrication and installation. An even bigger shout out goes to former Thurmont Parks & Recreation Commission member, Amie McDaniels. Amie came up with the content for […]
Sara Taylor Miller
October 31, 1941 to August 27, 2024 Sara Taylor Miller, 82, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024, at York Wellspan Hospital, York, Pennsylvania. Born October 31, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, Sara always enjoyed the magical, whimsical, and “witchiness” the Halloween celebration exudes, along with an affinity for Star Trek and its memorabilia, as well […]
In Their Own Words
A group of Emmitsburg residents (Shannon Cool, Vance Click, Tina, Chris, and Evan Ryder) and other friends made their way to Bowie, Maryland, to participate in the Sandy Donaty Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises awareness for the Arthritis Foundation. New for this year, they graciously split the proceeds with a cause that is near and […]
Catoctin High School Earns National Banner Recognition from Special Olympics North America
Catoctin High earned national banner recognition from Special Olympics North America for schoolwide efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without special needs. Catoctin earned this status by meeting 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect. “We are so proud of Catoctin High earning this […]
Words For Thirds
Thurmont Grange Donates Dictionaries Recently, members of the Thurmont Grange delivered Webster Dictionaries to all the third-grade students in the Catoctin feeder schools. This is part of a nationwide program called Words for Thirds, which promotes third-grade students to be good writers and creative thinkers. The students can use the dictionaries during class and will […]
STUDENT’S CORNER
by Daniel Hoyle, CHS Student Writer “The Perils of Academic Dishonesty” Answer me this: how many times have you thought about cheating on a test? My guess is that it’s more than you’d like to admit. But have you ever actually studied for a test and done well? If yes, then which one felt better? […]
Clark Wins 2024 F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship
Caroline Clark of Thurmont (pictured right) was recently named as one of the recipients of the 2024 F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship. The scholarships are given by The Maryland State Fair & Agricultural Society, Inc., which have awarded a combined $20,000 in college scholarships through its F. Grove Miller Maryland State Fair Scholarship […]