Community News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

By Jeff Yocum After an extensive nationwide search, the Catoctin Church of Christ welcomes D.J. Kessinger as its new minister. D.J. steps into the role for the retiring Richard Long. Richard will continue as a teacher and one of the congregation’s five elders. Commenting on his retirement, Richard explained, “Christians in the Lord’s church never…

James Rada, Jr. Changes are coming to Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg that should, expectantly, slow the traffic on the street, increasing the safety and usability of the street. This would hopefully make it user-friendly for bicyclists and pedestrians, too. The big problem with the street is that it is used as an alternative to avoid…

By Nancy Rice, Weller History Committee Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking to Richard “Dick” Creager, a former Thurmont resident and longtime member of the Weller (formerly Evangelical United Brethren) Church congregation.  He had volunteered to help me clean a few gravestones in the Weller Cemetery.   As we were reflecting on the church’s history,…

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…

The University of Maryland Extension (UME) continues its mission to help Marylanders access healthy, affordable food close to home. To support individuals, families, and community organizations, UME has compiled a comprehensive list of state and local resources offering food assistance. The collection includes information on government programs, local food pantries, donation opportunities, and guides on…

Denny Black 615 EAST MAIN STREET, THURMONT Former Home of James F. Black & Family Current Site of the Thurmont Town Municipal Offices Image Selected for the Thurmont Lions Club 2025 Christmas Ornament From an original watercolor (copyrighted) by local award-winning artist Rebecca Pearl Oh, how I fondly remember that day – November 7, 1959.…

Geraldine Otremba, Cascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain Cascade Residents Demand a Hearing The Committee to Protect Our Mountain from Dollar General hosted a community meeting on Sunday, November 16, at the Fort Ritchie Secret Tap Room. The committee’s attorney, Michele Rosenfeld, summarized the three-year effort to protect Cascade’s Rural…