Thurmont Grange Recognizes Community Citizen & Grange Membership
The Thurmont Grange #409 held its annual Community Citizen and Grange Membership Awards Dinner on Monday, April 13. In addition to recognizing Grangers who have reached milestones in their years of membership, the Grange honors an individual or group that strives to make a difference by giving back to our community. This year, Vickie Grinder,…
Today’s Volunteer Fire Service and Reaching Our Youth and Community
by Thomas Minnick Have you ever considered being a part of something that is bigger than any of us? Something that makes a true difference in our community and people’s lives. Being a member of Guardian Hose Company is not just about answering emergency calls and participating in fundraising events; it is about being a…
Apples Church Celebrates 250 Years
by Richard Troxell As America celebrates 250 years, here in Thurmont on Saturday, June 6, we celebrate the Bicentennial of Apples Church and the Community. What better way to celebrate 200 years of the Apples Church Stone Sanctuary than by having an old-fashioned Heritage Day Celebration followed by a concert at 6:30 p.m., “The Voices…
Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day: Save Our Fireworks!
Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day is a cherished event for residents and visitors alike. For some, the day’s highlight is the mouthwatering chicken BBQ, while others look forward to the early morning breakfast at the Vigilant Hose Company Activities Building. Children and grandchildren enjoy activities like the raw egg toss, pie eating contests, and a full…
Cascade Update
by Geraldine OtrembaCascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain The Washington County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. on a proposed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) that would prohibit small box variety stores in the County’s Rural Village zone within 1,000 feet of a property…
Community Foundation Invites Public to Nominate Local Community Service Leaders
Nominations for the 2026 Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism and Youth in Action Awards will be accepted May 1 through May 31 The Community Foundation of Frederick County is inviting the community to help shine a light on those who quietly make a difference. Throughout the month of May, nominations will be accepted for…
Closing the Colorectal Cancer Screening Gap in Rural Maryland
by Eric Wargotz, MD, FCAP MedChi President – The Maryland State Medical Society In rural parts of the state, including Western Maryland, patients face a persistent reality: the health care they access is often determined by geography, not by medical need. Some patients in rural communities must travel more than an hour just to see…
Fire Museum Opens for Season
The Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum, located at 300B South Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg, will open for the 2026 season on Saturday, April 11. The collection on display includes several pieces of apparatus and equipment from the early days of firefighting in Frederick County. The collection also includes some motorized apparatus, such as the…
Community Partners Provide Food, Clothing, and Support to Local Families
Alisha Yocum Emmitsburg Elementary School (EES), in partnership with Helping Hands and Caring Hearts (HHCH), recently hosted a community event aimed at connecting local families with essential resources. From food, hygiene items, clothes, and toys, the volunteers were ready to help meet the needs of Emmitsburg families. Mary Beth Smith, the new principal at EES,…
Cascade Update
by Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain Cascade resident Danielle Durning—only after making inquiries—was advised by Planning Department staff that her Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) application related to the proposed Dollar General Mart at 14413 McAfee Hill Road is scheduled for a public hearing before the Washington County…
NWTF Holds Jake’s Day
Alisha Yocum It was a beautiful day at the Catoctin Fish and Game Protective Association grounds on March 21, where everything centered around turkey hunting. Hosted by the Monocacy Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the annual Jake’s Day event brings together youth, ages 6–17, interested in or wanting to learn more…
Mother Seton Student Raises Fund for the Thurmont Food Bank
Emma Barber, a student at Mother Seton School in Emmitsburg, created a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Thurmont Food Bank. Her grandmother lives near the food bank, and they noticed the long lines of people seeking food. Emma decided to help, and her hard work brought in $50.00 to be used to purchase…
Thurmont Lions Club’s Sandwich Sales
The Thurmont Lions Club’s sandwich sales are back! The Thurmont Lions Club began its sandwich sales 24 years ago. The first two years were conducted out of the Lions Club trailer, next to Bell Hill Farm fruit stand. Beginning with the third year, the owner of Bell Hill retired, and the club was allowed to…
Piper Seiss is New Member of American Angus Association
Piper Seiss of Thurmont is a new junior member of the American Angus Association®, reports Mark McCully, CEO of the national organization with headquarters in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Junior members of the Association are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs conducted by the National Junior Angus Association, and take…
History Plus
Pre AI Retouching Post AI Retouching This is an undated image of Main Street in Graceham looking east. You can see the steeple of the Moravian Church in the distance slightly off to the left. Moravians settled in the Graceham area in the 1740s. Their first building was constructed in 1749, but the church in…
Memories of Bygone Days
As Told By William “Bill” Rice, In His Own Words In 1946, I had been home from the Navy and World War II for only a short while. Mayor Duble asked me to come to work for the Town of Thurmont as an electrician. After a little coaxing, I said yes. I was paid 50…
Seton Center: Strengthening the Community, One Neighbor at a Time
By Ronald Aruldass, Marketing & Volunteering Manager at Seton Center In Northern Frederick County, Maryland, and Southern Adams County, Pennsylvania, many families face daily challenges that can feel overwhelming—from putting food on the table to managing unexpected financial emergencies. Seton Center, a nonprofit organization based in Emmitsburg, is dedicated to providing hope, support, and essential…
Help Emmitsburg’s “Homeless” Mayor
James Rada, Jr. On March 2, Emmitsburg Mayor Frank Davis will be homeless… for a day. For the second year, Davis will be staying outside from 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 2, to 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3. It is part of a special project he started last year called “Spend a Day in…
Maryland DNR Offers Free Tree Seedlings to Protect Waterways
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is offering free tree seedlings to landowners across the state through its Backyard Buffers program. The initiative is available to residents who have a creek, stream, drainage ditch, or other waterway on or near their property and aims to improve water quality while supporting local wildlife. Each “buffer…
Food Banks Continue to See Increased Usage
by Alisha Yocum Prices have continued to rise since the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult for many local families to keep up with everyday expenses. A 2025 United Way of Frederick County ALICE Report shows about 33 percent of households in Frederick County struggle to afford basic necessities, including food. Many of the local food…
