Huckleberry Fires Devastate Catoctin Mountain by James Rada, Jr. Picking huckleberries may have caused one of the largest fires ever that ravaged Catoctin Mountain in 1902. In April, wildfires sprang up at different locations on Catoctin Mountain. Fueled by gusty winds, they grew and spread. Within a few days, the fires had grown to encompass […]
by Michele Tester Regrets? Maybe A Few I believe that when you look back on your life, you will always have more regrets for what you didn’t do than what you did, even if it turned out less than desirable. The events and plans that you let fear or anxiety drive your decision to go […]
by Richard D. L. Fulton Kenneth H. Bayne Croix de Guerre Recipient Although Kenneth H. Bayne was not born and raised in Maryland, his ties to Frederick County became indelibly intertwined with Maryland, and notably, Frederick County, where he was ultimately buried. Case in point, when the iconic Brunswick Railroad YMCA burned on November 8, […]
June was a very busy month at the Legion! We presented scholarships to six graduates of Catoctin High School. The Sons Annual Car Show had 87 entries, the Annual Golf Tournament had 21 Teams (84 golfers), and the days were beautiful! Installation of new officers was held for the Legionnaires, Sons, and Auxiliary. So, come […]
Come out to Thurmont AMVETS Post 7, located at 26 Apples Church Road in Thurmont, for lunch and dinner every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, from 12:00 to 7:00 p.m., with weekly specials Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 7:00 p.m. Check out the Friday Night Special: Bucket of Domestic Beer and an appetizer for […]
James Rada, Jr. July 1926, 100 Years Ago Kelly’s Sister Dead Death has failed to heal a rift between Frank Kelly, Democratic boss, and his sister, Mrs. Julia Kelly Jarvis, which, according to friends, had existed for more than a quarter of a century. At Thurmont, two days after Mrs. Jarvis’ death, Kelly declined to […]
If you are looking for a great recipe for grilled chicken, I have just the one! I found this recipe on happyfoodstube.com. This chicken recipe is about to become one of your favorites. With just a handful of simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep, you’ll have a dish that is both effortless and […]
by Buck Reed Bring Something to the Table! As I have said before, I don’t care who you voted for or what you choose to support; I judge people a different way. When you are invited to someone’s home for a party—such as for dinner, a cookout, or even to watch the game—showing up with […]
by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center . Osteoporosis Strategies for Strong Bones Osteoporosis is a condition that weakens your bones, making them brittle and easily broken. It is often called a silent disease because it’s largely symptomless until it’s not. Many people don’t realize they have osteoporosis until a minor […]
by Jeff Yocum toothing When our children were young, my wife and I were always on the scout for outdoor activities that were fun, healthy, educational (without them realizing it), and above all, cheap. In that pursuit, we discovered “toothing.” Not to be confused with “teething” that involves a crying infant constantly gnawing on something […]
Summer is in full swing at the Thurmont Senior Center, and July is shaping up to be a month filled with friendship, fun, learning, and community spirit. Whether you’re looking to stay active, enjoy a delicious lunch with friends, or participate in one of our many social activities, there’s something for everyone at the center. […]
BY Caitlyn Kirby Happy July! With the weather heating up, it is a great time to visit the Emmitsburg 50+ Center to cool off with an activity. Every Monday, we have lunch bunch offered at noon. Just reserve your meal by Wednesday, or bring your own lunch. Arrive at 11:00 a.m. on Mondays to play […]
At Cuddles Cat Rescue, each day begins with volunteers arriving for morning and evening shifts to care for the cats awaiting their forever homes. As an all-volunteer, appointment-only rescue, much of the work happens behind the scenes. Volunteers prepare food and fresh water, scoop litter boxes, sanitize cages, and make sure every cat is healthy […]
By Alisha Yocum Students at Thurmont Middle School recently brought laughter, music, and beloved fairy tale characters to the stage with their production of Shrek The Musical, based on the Oscar-winning animated film Shrek. The students performed three shows during the weekend of May 15-17, entertaining crowds of family members, friends, and community supporters. Audience […]
Past and Present by Richard D. L Fulton The first feline, Proailurus, evolved some 25 million years ago and lived in Europe and Asia. Its Latin name, Proailurus, means “before cats,” but it has since become recognized as the earliest true cat, and was about the size of the modern house cat. But an evolutionary […]
ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird I was in the medical lab one day last week getting my monthly bloodwork. I need to go regularly to make sure the chemotherapy drugs I am taking don’t damage my kidneys. While I was there, I heard a technician ask another patient about their bad sunburn. The patient said that they […]
by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Thurmont Approves FY2027 Budget The Thurmont Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved the Fiscal Year 2027 budget. The budget includes a $6 million general fund, a $12.2 million electric fund budget, a $2 million sewer fund budget, and a $1.2 million water fund budget. The town’s tax rate will remain […]
SS Frederick Victory By Richard D. Fulton The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a series of commemorative covers on April 18, 2008, in recognition of the Victory ships launched during World War II, which were employed with the task of transporting supplies and troops to overseas ports during the war. One of the covers […]
Mike’s Auto Body & Towing of Thurmont is celebrating 35 years in business this year. Owner Mike Jensen said he found his passion for the industry when he began auto body classes at Linganore High School. “It was there I discovered a love for craftsmanship and automotive restoration. There is no feeling quite like restoring […]
Country Plumbing owner Josh Lessner, a master plumber with more than 25 years of experience, recently opened his new business in Thurmont. After spending decades traveling to larger cities for plumbing jobs, Lessner said he was looking for an opportunity to stay closer to home—inspiring the name “Country Plumbing” as a reflection of his local […]
The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Christ Community Church (Creamery Road) — Awaiting the submission of updated improvement plans. Emmit Ridge — Road closure and street cut plans have been received and reviewed. Improvement Plan is currently being reviewed by the Catoctin Soil […]
The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont from the town planner’s report: Subdivisions: Hammaker Hill, Phase 2 (Westview Drive) — 22 single-family lots in R-2; No lots remaining. Mechanicstown, LLC (Emmitsburg Road) — Final Plat conditionally approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP. Mountain Brooke (Emmitsburg Road) — […]
Cliff Arquette’s Soldiers Museum by Richard D. L. Fulton Cliff Arquette’s Soldiers Museum was established in 1959 by its namesake at 777 Baltimore Street, Gettysburg, in a building previously known as the Soldiers’ Orphans Home, located near the entrance to the National Cemetery. The former Soldiers’ Orphans Home, which had acquired an infamous reputation before […]
Catoctin Banner editor James Rada Jr. won an award for his column writing at the the Maryland-Delaware-DC Press (MDDC) Association on May 8. Rada is also a columnist for the Frederick News-Post, writing a weekly history column called “Frederick County Rewind.” His column “Thurmont Cat Lady lived in a bus” won 2nd place in the […]
Tara Miller Nominated by Linda Reed by Alisha Yocum With her warm smile and welcoming demeanor, it is easy to see how Tara Miller is making an impact on the community. Over the years, Miller has worked in a variety of careers, including serving as a kindergarten teacher and working in both a veterinary clinic […]