Thurmont Historical Society Receives Preservation Award
James Rada, Jr.
The Thurmont Historical Society received a Best of Maryland Preservation Award on May 12, 2016, at a ceremony in Annapolis.
The award was for the preservation of one of the original Cozy Cabins from the early days of when the Cozy Inn and Restaurant had been a tourist camp. The wooden cabin is 10 feet by 10 feet and could sleep four.
Jerry Freeze donated the cabin to the historical society last year after the restaurant closed for good. The historical society started to raise funds to pay to have the cabin moved, but when it came time to move the cabin, they were still a long way off from their goal. W.F. Delauter & Son was in the process of demolishing the old restaurant and buildings on Frederick Road. Workers used a large forklift to lift the cabin up and carefully carry it slowly through Thurmont to the its new home at the Thumont Historical Society at the end of May 2015.
Some of the other people who helped with the project are: Allen Haines, who prepared the site; Mel Poole, who found a period bed for the cabin; Alban Little, who found period bunk beds for the cabin; the Town of Thurmont that waived the inspection fee; the Thurmont Lions Club that spent money for supplies; and Doug Claytor, who supervised the restoration.
Since the initial relocation, volunteers like the above-mentioned people have been working to restore the cabin to its 1930s appearance so that it can be opened as an exhibit at the historical society.
“There’s no money or anything with the award, but it shows that we are doing good work,” said Thurmont Historical Society President Donna Voellinger.
The Thurmont Historical Society was one of four community projects in Maryland that received the award. The other two were Historic Takoma’s Takoma Radio, the Historic Parole Walking Tour and Map and Furnace Town’s new website. The awards came from Preservation Maryland, the state’s oldest and largest preservation organization. The awards program recognizes people, places, and projects that exemplify the best in Maryland preservation.
Voellinger said that Frederick County Tourism and Thurmont Main Street Manager Vickie Grinder nominated the historical society.
Jerry Freeze, owner of the former Cozy Inn, and Doug Claytor were in attendance at the May 12th event on behalf of the Thurmont Historical Society.
Nicholas Redding, Preservation Maryland ED; Jerry Freeze; Doug Claytor; Donna Voellinger, Thurmont Historical Society president; and Carol Newmann.
Courtesy Photo
Thurmont Green Team’s 1st Annual Plant Swap and Native Tree Giveaway
The Thurmont Green Team will host its first annual plant swap and native tree giveaway during the opening day of the Thurmont Farmer’s Market on June 4, 2016.
This activity will promote the Green Team’s mission of sustainability.
Please bring gardening or landscaping plants to swap. Native trees for give-away were purchased from the Arbor Day Foundation and include Eastern Redbud, Thornless Honeylocust, and Tuliptrees.
Come on out to swap and help increase the numbers of native trees in our area.
For more information, please visit the Thurmont Green Team Facebook page or email ThurmontGreenTeam@gmail.com.
The Thurmont Grange Celebrates 70th Anniversary
Deb Spalding
The organizational meeting of the Thurmont Grange No. 409 was held January 17, 1946. Pomona representatives Howard Quinn and Tobias Zimmerman were organizers and the first meeting convened February 11, 1946, in what is presently Thurmont Middle School. Forty-nine charter members were in attendance. Officers were installed by the Ballenger Grange with M.O. Lawyer as Master. It was through the perseverance and diligence of those faithful members that the Thurmont Grange exists today.
Some of the impact members of this organization have accomplished through the years includes: Input on the (then) new Thurmont Library; The operation of a community health clinic (1949-1954); A cancer fund (1953); Seeding for the Thurmont Elementary School grounds and money towards Thurmont High School Band uniforms (1955); The organization of the Thurmont Community Show (1957— In 1968, The Emmitsburg and Thurmont Community Shows were combined into one); Constructing and supplying picnic tables to rest areas along Rt. 15 N, and money was donated to defray costs of a new Thurmont Little League baseball field (1970); The formation of the Thurmont Junior Grange organized under the leadership of Pat Meunier and Peggy Royer (1972); Earning first place in the State of Maryland’s Community Service Contest and fourth in the national contest—one of the highest honors a Grange can receive (1978); Thurmont Junior Grange named Outstanding National Junior Grange under the leadership of Alan and Ethel Brauer (1979); A building at 17 North Carroll Street in Thurmont was purchased to serve as Thurmont Grange headquarters (1983); A 50th anniversary of the Thurmont Grange was held at the Thurmont Firemen’s Activity Building with 160 members and guests attending (April 1966); Several Grange members help with the annual Frederick County Butchering every year; The organization has honored several citizens in our community with the annual Community Citizen Award; The 60th anniversary of the Thurmont Grange was held at Mountain Gate Restaurant in Thurmont (January 2006); For over ten years, the Grange has donated dictionaries to all Third Grade students at Lewistown, Sabillasville, Emmitsburg, and Thurmont Elementary Schools; Thanks to the dedication of past secretaries (Mary Remsburg, Elsie Weamert, Mae Moser, Patty Johnston, Jane Savage), there is an accurate history of the organization.
The 70th anniversary commenced on April 25, 2016 at Mountain Gate Family Restaurant in Thurmont with greetings by Chaplain, Roger Troxell. He reminisced about how life was seventy years ago. It was just after World War II, a time of food rations and VJ Day. Granges were first being formed with the goal of unifying the community. Seventieth Anniversary Committee members included Niki Eyler, Rodman Myers, Cheryl Lenhart, Jane Savage, Carol Long, Roger Troxell, Jim Moser, Bob Wiles, and Sandy Moser. These members hosted the dinner celebration.
Allen Stiles, Maryland State Grange Master, attended as well as several guests and Past Masters. Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird thanked the Grange for their work. Frederick County Councilman Kirby Delauter also thanked the members, adding that the Grange is a big part of Frederick County with 85 percent of the county in agriculture and preservation.
Overseer Bob Wiles introduced Past Masters; and Lecturer Niki Eyler presented member anniversary pins to Peg Long (65 years); James Meunier (65 years); Russell Moser (65 years); Sandy Moser (55 years); and Helen Troxell (25 years).
The Thurmont Grange members thank every Granger, and all who are friends of this Grange, for making the first 70 years possible.
Membership awards were presented. Pictured (left to right) are Russell Moser (65 years), Helen Troxell (25 years), Niki Eyler (Lecturer), Sandy Moser (55 years), Rodman Myers (Master), Jane Savage (Secretary), Allen Stiles (State Master), Peg Long (65 years), James Moser (65 years).
Past Masters of the Thurmont Grange include (left to right) Roger Troxell, John Hart, James Moser, James Royer, Alan Brauer, Rodman Myers. Past Masters are shown with State Master Allen Stiles (far right).
Photos by Deb Spalding
Thurmont Lions Club Presents a Lion and Junior Lion Award
On Wednesday, May 11, 2016, the Thurmont Lions Club honored two students at their Education program. Each year, the club presents a Lion Award to a Catoctin High School (CHS) student and a Junior Lion Award to a Thurmont Middle School (TMS) student, who have volunteered the most hours. Each student is presented with a certificate and a check.
Community service is one of the most-popular extracurricular activities for high school students to do in their free time. There are six reasons why volunteering is so critical: (1) Gaining user experience and insight; (2) Giving back and helping others; (3) Creating connections with people; (4) Gaining a sense of accomplishment; (5) Building career options; and (6) Aiding in college admissions process. These volunteer hours are very impressive when your resume is being reviewed for college.
The Junior Lion Award was presented to Destiny Wastler, an eighth grader at TMS. Destiny has completed 177 hours of volunteer service. She volunteers regularly at St. Catherine’s Nursing Home, engaging in a number of activities with the residents. Destiny also volunteers at the local ambulance company, helping with their fundraising dinners. She also makes bracelets to be donated to local hospitals and volunteers at the Thurmont Food Bank. As a very ambitious student, she received the “Most Improved Student Award” for the year, and was one of four eighth graders who won first place in the Western Region in the Maryland Stock Market Spring Game.
Destiny has indicated, “I enjoy it and it makes me feel good inside, like I am making a difference in volunteering.”
The Lion Award was presented to CHS student, Jacob Dumbroski. Jacob has completed a total of 901 hours of community service. He has volunteered at the Frederick County Parks and Recreation, where he was a leader in training in Camp Monocacy Day Camp, and an assistant coordinator in setting up and supervising after-school and weekend activities. Jacob volunteers at the Thurmont Ambulance Company, helping with fundraising events. In addition, he volunteers at the Thurmont United Methodist Church, which includes mission trips, helping with the Clothes Closet, Vacation Bible School, and fundraisers. He is also a Boy Scout with Troop 270, and has been accepted into six colleges. In addition to all of the volunteer work Jacob performs, he is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honors Society, English National Honors Society, and Math National Honors Society.
The Thurmont Lions Club is a group of community-minded men and women who come together to enjoy each other’s company, hear interesting programs, and raise funds to support important local and/or vision-related activities for the Thurmont Community. They meet at 6:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at the Mountain Gate Restaurant in Thurmont.
For additional information, please visit www.thurmontlionsclub.com or call 301-304-0364.
Pictured from left are Lion Joyce Anthony, Destiny Wastler, and TMS Principal Jennifer Powell.
Pictured from left are CHS Principal Bernard Quesada, Lion Joyce Anthony, and Jacob Dumbroski.
2016 Plans for 60th Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show
The Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show committee met recently to begin planning the 60th Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show. The show will be held at Catoctin High School on September 9-11, 2016. Officers elected at the meeting were: President Rodman Myers; Vice President Robert Valentine, and Secretary Brian Hendrickson. Other committee members are Sue Keilholtz, Jessica Valentine, Robert Wiles, David Harman, Niki Eyler, Cheryl Lenhart, Ray Martin, Michael Lewis, Sharon Lewis, Denise Valentine, Amanda and Paul Dennis, Clifford Stewart, Helen Troxell, Cathy Little, Karen Myers, Sue Sanders, Patty Johnston, Laura Keilholtz, Jim Barth, Kay Barth, Thad Bittner, Amy Jo Poffenberger, and Daniel Myers.
On Friday night, the 2016-2017 Catoctin FFA Chapter Ambassador will be announced. In addition, this year’s program will recognize all former past Maryland State FFA officers who graduated from Thurmont High School, Emmitsburg High School, or Catoctin High School. The baked goods auction will begin immediately following the program, and the grand champion cake, pie, and bread will be sold at 9:00 p.m.
Entry of exhibits will take place on Thursday, September 8, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and on Friday, September 9, from 8:30-11:30 a.m., in the new gymnasium and in the agriculture department area. Judging will begin at 12:30 p.m. Commercial exhibits may be entered on Friday, September 9, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. The show will open to the public at 6:00 p.m.
On Saturday, September 10, the show opens at 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Activities include a Market Goat, Beef, Sheep and Swine Fitting & Showing contest from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Ag Center at the school. The Pet Show will be held at 10:30 a.m. outside the front of the school. The petting zoo, farm animals, and pony rides will also be held on Saturday and Sunday.
The Thurmont Grange will serve its turkey and country ham dinner on Saturday night in the school cafeteria from 3:00-7:00 p.m. Entertainment for Saturday and Sunday will be announced at a later date. There will be no admission charged for the entertainment.
The 42nd Annual Catoctin FFA Alumni Beef, Sheep & Swine sale will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Ag Center area on Saturday night.
Activities begin on Sunday, September 11, at 9:00 a.m., with the Goat Show, followed by the Dairy Show and Decorated Animal Contest at noon.
At noon, the Catoctin FFA Alumni Chicken Bar-B-Que will be held in the cafeteria. The 37th Annual Robert Kaas Horseshoe Pitching Contest will begin at 1:00 p.m.
The Log Sawing Contest will begin at 1:00 p.m. under the show tent in the Ag Center area. A Peddle Tractor Contest for kids will be held on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the Ag Center area.
Exhibits must be removed on Sunday, September 11, from 3:00-6:00 p.m. Please note the new deadline to pick up items.
If you would like to be a new advertiser in our show booklet, please contact Rodman Myers at 301-271-2104 to obtain advertising information or via email at thurmontemmitsburg communityshow@gmail.com. Past advertisers should have recently received letters for advertisements for this year. The deadline for advertisements is June 15, 2016.
The community show booklets can be found in local Thurmont, Emmitsburg, and surrounding area businesses in late July or early August. New residents of the community are urged to enter and be a part of the Community Show, the largest in the State of Maryland.
Some minor additions and deletions will be made in some of the departments. Departments include: fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, home products display, canned fruits, canned vegetables, jellies and preserves, pickles, meats, baked products, sewing and needlework, flowers and plants, arts, paintings and drawings, crafts, photography, corn, small grains and seeds, eggs, nuts, poultry and livestock, dairy, goats, hay, junior department and youth department. There is no entry fee.
Please visit their website for updated information at www.thurmontemmitsburg communityshow.webs.com.
The Community Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin FFA Alumni, the Maryland State Grange, and the Maryland State Agricultural Fair Board.
