Community News

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…