Santa and Frosty the Snowman drove through Thurmont on December 13, 2020, beginning at 12:30 p.m., bringing tons of joy to residents. Santa and Frosty were escorted by the Guardian Hose Company and the Thurmont Police Department, and accompanied by Djship, playing festive Christmas music. Photo Courtesy of John Kinnaird
On Sunday, December 6, 2020, the family of the late James E. “Jef” Fitzgerald, Sr., gathered at the Vigilant Hose Company’s (VHC) emergency services stationhouse at 25 West Main Street in Emmitsburg to dedicate the apparatus bay in his memory. Jef, a much-respected and well-known area resident, was instrumental in overseeing all aspects of the […]
The Thurmont Lions Club is collecting much-needed items for its local homeless shelters: baby diapers, baby wipes, and adult white socks. You can drop off your donations at Hobb’s Hardware on 15 E. Main Street in Thurmont, and the McLean residence on 7 Geoley Court in Thurmont (there will be a container at the garage […]
The Grinch visited Thurmont in the beginning of December to the surprise and delight of many onlookers. He could be seen at the square in Thurmont waving as people drove by. Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird noticed that the Grinch “really liked our Christmas tree, so I watched to make sure he didn’t try to take […]
Girl Scout Troop 81069 volunteered at the Black Mountain View Farm Draft Rescue in Thurmont in October to complete their Bronze Service Award. The girls learned all about the horse rescue on Whates Lane in Thurmont, which takes in draft horses from auctions, kill pens, neglection, and from people who cannot care for them anymore. […]
Ana and Ava Morlier (pictured above) thank the community for its generosity of cold weather donations to the Rescue Mission. Thanks to the community, they received two full truckloads to donate to the Rescue Mission.
A serial fiction story for your enjoyment about the odd effects of grief. written by James Rada, Jr. Betty Douglas’s plan to kill Old Kiln Road was working. The tree she cut down to block the road kept cars from killing animals that the road tempted onto it. The road turned gray, and things seemed […]
The Year is…1808 by James Rada, Jr. The Mount Seminary Is the “Cradle of Bishops” From a brick cottage in rural Maryland grew an institution that has educated dozens of young men who became Catholic bishops and archbishops. Mount St. Mary’s College began in 1808 when “the Society of St. Sulpice in Baltimore closed its […]
A Clean Slate by Valerie Nusbaum Happy New Year! I’m hoping that 2021 will be a great year for all of us. I know a lot of you were miserable in 2020. Many people we know suffered job losses, business closings, and illness. Randy and I were fortunate that, so far, we haven’t been visited […]
by James Rada, Jr. January 1921, 100 Years Ago John H. Bentzell Killed Mr. John H. Bentzell, another prosperous and well known farmer of near Thurmont, came to his death Thursday morning, January 6th. Mr. Bentzell, along with his other work operates a small chopping mill at his home, the same being run by a […]
Scatter Come Together by Priscilla Rall The motto for the 190th Field Artillery Long Tom Battalion (FAB) refers to its cavalry history going back to the Civil War. It reflects the cavalry tactics for a hard fought battle. But instead of horses, the 190th FAB used modern artillery pieces. A member of battalion’s headquarters group […]
In Admiration of the Chicken by Buck Reed When it comes to our fine-feathered friend, the chicken, I have to admit I am a little biased. I keep about 40-50 chickens in my various coops. I raise them from chicks, feed them, watch over them, and even sing to them. “Close to You” by the […]
by Ava Morlier, Culinary Arts Program at CTC Hello, everyone! I hope you had a great holiday. Now, before you lament over the loss of christmas (and the delicious foods you’ve consumed), rejoice! January (and the rest of the winter months) are a great time for delicious warm and hearty dishes that warm the soul. […]
“Helping You Find Plants That Work” by Ana Morlier, The Crazy Plant Lady Now that we’re all finally past the craziness of the holidays, we can sit back and relax, right? More often than not, our schedules get packed all over again with work and school. It seems like the stress never ends. But there […]
Counting Our Blessings by Anita DiGregory In celebration of the last day before an extended holiday break, my daughter’s lovely and very talented tutor had created a “Grammar Bingo” game for the class. Each child chose their own card from her stack of handmade bingo cards. My daughter chose hers and then proceeded to win […]
Ring Out the Old! Bring In the New! by Christine Maccabee “As certain as the turning of Fall into Winter, there can be no stopping the changes, for change is the very nature of Nature.” ~ from Life Poems by Christine Life changes can be challenging, sometimes sudden, sometimes sad or happy, but at […]
by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic & Nutritional Healing Center Is Secondhand Smoke Putting Your Health in Danger? Secondhand smoke is composed of sidestream smoke (the smoke released from the burning end of a cigarette) and exhaled mainstream smoke (the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Most nonsmokers do not want to breathe tobacco smoke. […]
The Catoctin Banner The Chronicle Press in Emmitsburg has a solid history of publishing newspapers. Ironically, The Catoctin Banner can trace its roots there as well. Under the management of Art Elder, the Chronicle Press published an ad flier called The Banner for several years prior to the publication’s transfer to Lori Smith Zentz. Lori […]
The late George Wireman was a long-time writer for The Catoctin Banner. He also wrote for several other newspapers. He was Thurmont’s honorary resident historian, a local WTHU radio broadcaster, a volunteer conductor for the Walkersville Southern Railroad, and quite a character to know. He took great pride in building a huge model railroad display […]
Blair Garrett For frontline workers, the approach to each workday remains the same. While the world changes rapidly around us with global pandemics and novel vaccines, the essential workers who have put the time in day after day have realized a new normal. It’s going on ten months since COVID-19 reached the United States, and […]
In these current challenging times, it is sometimes painstakingly difficult to find a reason to smile. Yet, in truth, you really don’t need to look far. It is actually the simplest things that bring us the most joy. U.K. healthcare group Bupa sponsored a survey that asked 2,000 people what brought them happiness. Below are […]
James Rada, Jr. While the national election may be tied up in the courts for some time yet, the results for Frederick County are clear. Most people stayed home and voted for Joe Biden as President of the United States. While President Donald Trump commanded large leads in the early voting and Election Day […]
It’s the holiday season, but before you rush off to a holiday party with friends and family, remember COVID is still around. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has put out some recommendations for how you can enjoy the holidays safely. Consider celebrating virtually or only with members of your own household. This is the […]
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs In the face of a larger second wave of COVID-19 cases, and with new restrictions, there was an individual “community” 5K walk-run Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day morning. It was not done in person. Thank you, Commissioners Burns and O’Donnell. As of this writing, the 32nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and […]
Emmitsburg November 2020 For more information on the Town of Emmitsburg, visit www.emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-6300. Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 7 The Town of Emmitsburg will hold its annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony on December 7 at 6:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Come enjoy music and carolers as Emmitsburg kicks off the Christmas season. […]