The Emmitsburg Community Garden began as the vision of Jack Deatherage Jr., and in just three short years, it has blossomed beyond anything he imagined. What started as a small, tilled plot has expanded significantly, now featuring over 20 raised beds and expansive size—all thanks to the dedication of Jack, his wife Wanda, his sister…

Cheryl Lenhart As the gardening season has begun, remember that it’s a great time to start planning for your entries for the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show—Maryland’s largest community show! The show will be held Friday through Sunday, September 5-7, at Catoctin High School. The event started 69 years ago with the intent to highlight…

Suzanne Saxton has been named the new chief financial officer (CFO) for the Town of Thurmont. Saxton replaces former CFO Linda Joyce, who retired on April 30. Saxton has worked in the accounting field since 1987, most recently serving as the controller for Structural, LLC in Thurmont. She has a BS and an MBA in…

Lewistown United Methodist Church Supports SHP The Lewistown United Methodist Church Mission’s Committee performed a community project to serve the international non-project organization, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP). The organization builds free twin beds for children who do not have a bed, to keep them from sleeping on the floor. However, the organization does not…

The Mount St. Mary’s University community gathered on Saturday, April 12, to celebrate the inauguration of Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D. (pictured right) as the 27th president of the university. The inauguration ceremony celebrated not only Joyce’s formal installation as president, but also his leadership and the university’s accomplishments since he joined the Mount in July…

By Alisha Yocum Ruthie Simmel Nominated by: Kaitlynn Polen For nearly four decades, Ruthie Simmel (pictured above) has called Thurmont home. Originally from Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, Ruthie and her husband moved to Thurmont shortly after they married in 1988. “We knew this would be a much better place to raise our children,” Ruthie said. Her…

The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) Environmental Health Office vaccinated over 100 dogs, cats, and ferrets at its rabies clinic on May 3, at Old National Pike Park in Mount Airy. Rabies has a nearly 100 percent mortality rate once an animal or person starts having symptoms. However, deaths from rabies can be prevented in…

Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain My husband, Stan Turesky, and I have lived in Cascade since 1990. For more than 15 years, Cascade was a beloved weekend and summer respite from Washington, D.C. For the last decade, we have shared our time between Cascade and Washington, but…

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security. During the meeting, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen questioned her about the funding, which was cut in March as part of the Department of Government Efficiency efforts to reduce waste in federal department and program budgets. After cuts to the…

It was the kind of crisp, sunny spring morning that practically begs for a run through the mountains. And that’s exactly what more than 90 participants did on March 29, as they laced up their sneakers for the 2nd Annual Seton Center 5K Run/Walk at Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. Hosted by the university’s…

James Rada, Jr. Thurmont is now part of a nationwide weather network, called Mesonet, in Eyler Park, close to the water tower. It is the first Mesonet site in Frederick County. Mesonet comes from “mesoscale,” which is a metrological scale that refers to weather events that range in size from 1 to 150 miles in…

Alisha Yocum Every April, Earth Day inspires millions to raise awareness about environmental issues and take meaningful action to protect our planet. This year, the Thurmont Regional Library teamed up with the Thurmont Green Team to host the annual Thurmont Green Fest, celebrating the theme “Wings of Change: Birds, Butterflies, and Bees.” Fox Haven Farm…

People Who Live in the County Can Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste at No Cost People who live in Frederick County are invited to the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling’s Residential Household Hazardous Waste Spring Drop-off event on Saturday, May 3. This semi-annual event ensures that people who live in Frederick County can responsibly…

By Alisha Yocum Elle Smith Nominated by: Erin Code While many know Elle Smith as a familiar face in local real estate with J&B, it’s her unwavering dedication to the community, warm presence, and genuine kindness that are what truly set her apart. She frequently sponsors many of the local sports teams and was recently…

A Unique Experience to Benefit the Leader Dogs for the Blind Alisha Yocum Imagine performing everyday tasks—taking a shower, climbing stairs, or eating dinner—without sight. The Glade Valley Lions Club’s Dinner in the Dark aimed to give attendees a firsthand experience of the daily challenges faced by nearly one million Americans living with blindness. Members…

The 2025 Lewistown Ruritan Club Officers were sworn in by Zone 3 Governor Trevella Foster on March 4. Pictured (from left) are Steve Moser (Director), Patricia Goff (Director), Ron Demory (Director), Trevella Foster (Zone 3 Governor), Jim Brown (President), and Odale Martin (Treasurer). Not pictured: Jeff Barber (Vice President) and Sam Roop (Secretary).

James Rada, Jr. Not much has been heard about the Richard W. Kanode Farm Park—a new county park that will focus on agricultural and equestrian pursuits—since the public hearings last year. Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater approved the park master plan in May 2024. Later in the year, Phase 1 Design began with an emphasis…

The Frederick County Fire & Rescue Museum, located at 300B South Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg, will open for the 2025 season on Saturday, April 4. The museum will be open on weekends, from noon to 4:00 p.m., except for holiday weekends. The collection on display includes several pieces of apparatus and equipment from the early…

The Town of Thurmont is proud to announce that they have partnered with the Transit of Frederick County for its Adopt-A-Stop program. This is a statewide movement to sustain public transportation ridership, reduce pollution, and keep the community beautiful for years to come. Pictured are Jim Humerick; CAO Town of Thurmont, Jaime McKay; Deputy Director…

Twenty-four volunteers got out bright and early on the morning of March 22 for the Spring Community Tree Planting at East End Park in Thurmont.  A demonstration on proper tree planting was conducted by Anna Twigg from the Maryland Forest Service. Twenty-four trees were planted, including American Linden, Pin Oak, Burr Oak, Sycamore, Eastern Red…