once upon a time...

James Rada, Jr.

Note: Newspaper excerpts are as they appeared in their respective issues.

November 1924, 100 Years Ago

Annual Apple Show Is Held At Thurmont

Located in the heart of the county apple belt, Thurmont’s third annual exhibition held recently in Thurmont, under the supervision of the Citizens Saving Bank, a branch of the Central Trust Company, this city, this year eclipsed all past events put on by that town. Seventeen different varieties of apples grown in orchards in and around Thurmont were on display and made up one of the most representative shows held this season in the state, A. F. Vierhiller, of the University of Maryland, who judged the exhibits, declared. Prizes were furnished by the Thurmont bank as an incentive to production of better apple grades.

                               – Frederick News, November 9, 1924

Autos Come Together

Two cars were damaged in an automobile accident on a one-way bridge about four miles from Thurmont on the road between Thurmont and this city, about 12 o’clock Tuesday noon. The owners of the cars are J. Leslie Gloninger, Brownsville Farm, Emmitsburg, and Mrs. Eva M. Jackson, of Franklin, New York.

None of the occupants in either car were injured, but all were shaken up. The Gloninger  car had the front smashed in, while the car of Mrs. Jackson had a broken radiator, fender torn off, wheels knocked out of alignment, and was generally wrecked.

The case was settled when Mrs. Jackson paid for the damage to the car of Gloninger.

                               – Frederick News, November 12, 1924

November 1949, 75 Years Ago

Officials Okay New Street Lighting System

Emmitsburg’s “Great White Way” was practically assured Tuesday night when the Mayor and Commissioners of the Town okayed the plan to relight Emmitsburg in a modern way.

The board accepted the revised plan of the Potomac-Edison Co. which was presented several weeks ago. Under the new setup the entire lighting system will be rewired and will be photo-electrically operated. They will work automatically with the intensity of light.

It is believed that another five lights will be added to the present number, bringing the total to approximately 70. Additional and brighter lighting is planned for the alleys and Federal Hill.

The new system will cost the town treasury about $500 more per annum. At the present, the current bill for Emmitsburg is around $1200 per year. Mayor Thornton W. Rodgers emphasized at the Tuesday evening session that the present tax rate will remain the same for the next year.

                               – Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 4, 1949

Thurmont Town Hall To Be Razed

The old Town Hall at Thurmont will be sold to the highest bidder at a public sale in front of the building November 26 at 1 p. m., Guardian Hose Co., owners, has announced.

The Thurmont fire company came into possession of the old landmark several years ago by a public vote. Long known to be a hazard to the lives of the Many persons who jammed into it for public entertainment, the building is to be torn down to the stone foundation by the firemen, who will then erect a modern fire house to accommodate the firefighting equipment and provide meeting quarters also.

Bids had been asked more than a month ago’ for the demolition of the hall. Four bids were received by the firemen, but were rejected as not satisfactory. However, they have not rejected the bids finally’ but are holding them in abeyance.

                               – Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 18, 1949

November 1974, 50 Years Ago

Wivell Sets Record As Top SJ Runner

The St. Joseph’s High School cross county harriers finished its season last Sunday by competing in the Mt. St. Mary’s State Catholic Invitation run, finishing 8th in the meet. The

Trojans ran well but could not keep pace with Georgetown Prep, the eventual winners. They did defeat arch rival St. Mary’s of Annapolis and Archbishop McNamara of Washington, D.C. Eric Rosensteel and Greg Adelsberger ran in two championship races last Sunday to be the first to run in both matches. Rosensteel finished 15th in the second race, a 5 mile affair, with Adelsberger, broken hand and all, running 24th. Both boys ran 8 miles for a good afternoon’s work…

…Jeff Wivell winds up the top runner at the school with a school record over the Mount course of 15 minutes and 7 seconds for the 2.6 miles. The squad only graduates Wivell, so great things are expected of the boys next season.

                               – Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 7, 1974

Happy Birthday Seton Center On 5th Anniversary: Plan Open House

The children at Seton Center are making cookies and storing them away in bright tins. They’re for the party. And you’re invited. It’s to be a birthday party.

Seton Center in Emmitsburg will celebrate its fifth anniversary during the week of November 17. Several events are planned, beginning with an open house on Sunday, November 17 from 2 to 4 p.m. That’s when the Seton Center youngsters will be serving their cookies.

Yes, the children will be on hand for the open house. You are not being invited to tour quiet corridors and empty classrooms but to see real, live, how-it-happens day care. Throughout the building, teachers and children will be busy with their usual activities.

                               – Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 14, 1974

November 1999, 25 Years Ago

Emmitsburg Jubilee To Be Sold

 Rumors of the sale of Emmitsburg’s Jubilee supermarket have been confirmed by Dave Hocker, Director of Human Resources for the Fleming Company, owner of Jubilee. According to Mr. Hocker, the Fleming Company has decided to sell their 42 retail stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Buffalo. N.Y. Their intention is that the stores will be purchased by independent retailers and Fleming will continue to supply them.

“This represents a key growth opportunity for Fleming, customers, and for our wholesale operations,” Mr. Hocker said.

The company anticipates that the stores will be attractive assets to the independent retailers and the sales will be a good thing for the retailers as well as Fleming.

                                – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, November 1999

Local Family Establishes Mason-Dixon Oil Company

John Glass, life-long resident of Emmitsburg, has set up a new business in the center of town, offering, in his words, the “personal touch” in fuel delivery.

John, 37, has for years been known to many in the area as the pleasant and efficient driver for Holtzople and more recently for their out-of-town successor. He says that the idea for forming his own company came from his customers, who told him they missed the relationship with a local business.

The idea for Mason-Dixon Oil Company took shape in the spring and came to fruition when the Myers Radio Shack location became available this summer. The company set up officers with John as president, his wife Tammy as vice president, father Jimmy Glass as treasurer, and sister Brenda Myers as secretary.

                                    – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, November 1999++++