Vigilant Hose Company Auxiliary Celebrates 50 Years
Alisha Yocum This is the time of the year when many of our local rescue services honor their volunteers during their annual award banquet. This was a special year for Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company (VHC) Auxiliary, as they celebrated 50 years! It all started back in 1975 with a small meeting at the fire hall…
Emmitsburg Creates a Time Capsule
James rada Have you ever thought about what life in Emmitsburg was like in 1976? Some of you may have lived here then, but chances are you’ve moved in since then, or you weren’t even born. Now think about how residents in 2076 will look back on life in town now. Well, the Town of…
Thurmont Lions Club Cookie Contest Winners
Adult Category: Megan Zais (Stained Glass Cookies) — 1st place; Jim Riffle (Spiced Gingerbread Cookies) — 2nd place; Jack Fordham (Chewy Gingerbread with butter cream icing) — 3rd place. Children’s Category: Kara Shearer (Sugar Cookies) — 1st place; Polly Dayhoff (Peanut Butter Blossoms) — 2nd place; Kinsley Main (Iced Sugar Cookies) — 3rd place.
Squadron 239 Sons of the American Legion in Cascade Present Donation to Operation Second Chance
On Saturday, December 20, 2025, members of Squadron 239 Sons of the American Legion in Cascade visited Heroes Ridge at Raven Rock to present a donation to Operation Second Chance. Squadron 239 is very active in the community, annually raising more than $50,000 to donate to veterans and various community organizations. To raise this money,…
New Catoctin High School Distinguished Graduates Inducted at 10th Annual Ceremony
Zo Wetzel, CHS Student Catoctin High School (CHS) Class of 2026 was invited to witness the 10th Annual Distinguished Graduates Induction Ceremony on November 25, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. The event—presented by the Catoctin High School Distinguished Graduate Organization—serves to honor CHS graduates who have found success in the following areas: arts and humanities, athletics,…
Chester Stull Celebrates 85th Birthday
A lifetime resident of Thurmont, Chester Stull (pictured above, sitting, and right) celebrated his 85th birthday on December 27, 2025, at the Thurmont Senior Center. The celebration featured a lively 1950s sock hop. It was attended by many family members and friends, including numerous nieces and nephews, local friends, and his sister, Shirley. Happy Birthday,…
Remembering Two Remarkable Teachers:
by Joan Bittner Fry Mr. Billy R. Hodge, Sr., passed away October 11, 2025, at the age of 94. He was born in Ashland, West Virginia, and after graduating from Elkhorn High School in 1948, he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in education from Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina. Early on, Billy…
Sharing Thanks and a Table: Community Gathers for Thanksgiving Meal
Alisha Yocum Volunteers once again gathered at the Vigilant Hose Company Activities Building in Emmitsburg on Thanksgiving Day to serve up a free meal, with all the holiday fixings, to anyone in the community. Seton Center, a nonprofit whose mission is to offer resources for emergency support services and skill development, catalyzing systemic change for…
Thurmont Lion’s Club 2026 American Heritage, Preservation and Patriotism Essay Contest
The Thurmont Lions Club and the Lions Clubs of District 22-W know how important it is to share our American Heritage and how to use that knowledge to inspire volunteerism. July 4, 2026, marks 250 years of American independence from Great Britain since July 4, 1776. As we reflect and celebrate this important milestone for…
Simmers Annexation Approved Again
James Rada Jr. In what has been a contentious development project and annexation process, the Thurmont Mayor and Board of Commissioners approved the annexation of the 16.7-acre Simmers property for the development of 61 single-family homes after a public hearing. The parcel is currently zoned for agricultural use. Following the end of the public hearing…
Honoring Thurmont Veterans Through Wreaths Across America
Alisha Yocum Sheetz, along with the partnership of Thurmont American Legion and the Thurmont Lions Club, came together to honor and remember Veterans through the annual Wreaths Across America program in December. Over 5,200 locations nationally gathered to lay fresh evergreen wreaths at the headstones of U.S. Veterans. “For the past two years, I have…
A Sacred Gift: Mother Seton School Celebrates Completion of St. Joseph’s Chapel
Alisha Yocum The bell of the newly completed St. Joseph’s Chapel rang out through the crisp December air on December 3, as Mother Seton School (MSS) in Emmitsburg celebrated the chapel’s completion with Mass and a dedication ceremony. The latest addition to the school was made possible through the donation of TJ and Donna (Fitzgerald)…
Town of Emmitsburg Gives Donation to Food Bank
The Town of Emmitsburg donated $2,304 to the Emmitsburg Food Bank from registration fees collected during the Turkey Trot in November. This is the largest donation made to an organization to date and the town is excited to keep growing the event to raise even more money in the future. Jessica Housaman (Town Employee), Julie…
Thurmont Makes Large Donation to Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund
Alisha Yocum One might be hard-pressed to find another small town that rallies with such strong support for a great cause. From pink house lights to community members and businesses sporting pink shirts and displays, it is clear that Thurmont is on a mission to help fight breast cancer. At a recent Town of Thurmont…
Thurmont Commissioners Welcome New Face
James Rada, Jr. The Thurmont Board of Commissioners welcomed a new face to the board after the Thurmont town election on October 28. Chris Stouter (pictured right) received nearly a third of the votes cast to win a seat on the board. Stouter is a familiar face in Thurmont, having lived in the area all…
Welcome to Emmitsburg
James Rada, Jr. As Emmitsburg officials look for ways to fill the vacant storefronts along Main Street, they are also looking at their own property at 22 E. Main Street, the old town office building. “We use that 12 hours a year, so basically, it’s a vacant property,” Mayor Frank Davis said during a recent…
Area Students Reach Out to Neighbors
November was truly a harvest month for the Thurmont Food Bank. Many groups helped bring in food during the difficult times caused by the government shutdown and the SNAP (Food Stamp) reductions and delays. Special thanks go to our area youth for stepping up and helping! The Thurmont Scout Troops brought in over 6,400 items…
A Friendly Gathering
By Joan Bittner Fry Every third Thursday, a group of friends can be found at B&T’s Unique Bar and Grill in Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania. These people aren’t friends by accident; they are graduates of Thurmont High School from the Class of 1967, the next to last year before students began graduating from Catoctin High…
Thurmont Historical Society Honors Dedicated Members at Annual Membership Dinner
Alisha Yocum The Thurmont Historical Society celebrated dedication, service, and community during its annual Membership Dinner, where two longtime supporters were presented with the Damuth Award. The award is named after Howard Ralph Damuth, a lifelong resident of Thurmont. Damuth was an active member of his church, community, and local politics, which included serving many…
There is Still Time to Help Find Maryland’s Largest Tree
Marylanders still have a chance to help the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) discover the largest tree growing in one of the state’s forests—but time is running out. The deadline to submit entries is December 31, and the finder of the winning tree could receive up to $500. Outdoor enthusiasts are encouraged to explore…
