once upon a time...

James Rada, Jr.

April 1925, 100 Years Ago

Local Legion Auxiliary Makes Annual Easter Trip to Sabillasville Sanatorium

Before an audience estimated at over 250 persons, local chapter of the American Legion Auxiliary, Mrs. George Birely, president, gave a diversified and very interesting Easter entertainment at the State Sanatorium, Sabillasville, Sunday afternoon. After the program, flowers and Easter baskets were given to the ex-service men at the institution. Candy-filled Easter bunnies were given to the children, and oranges were presented to the other patients.

                                                – The Frederick Post, April 6, 1925

Make Observation Visits To Schools

Beginning today the first of a series of observation visits or demonstration lessons in the teaching of high school subjects will get under way, in accordance with a letter issued by County Superintendent G. Lloyd Palmer. These lessons will come to an end on Thursday, and each lesson will be followed by a critique led by Dr. Samuel M. North, Baltimore, State Supervisor of High Schools.

About 60 teachers will be affected and today’s visit will be to the Frederick High School, where on observation as to the methods of class conduct in the history class of Miss Margaret Shipley, will be made. Tuesday the visit will be made to the algebra class of Miss Gehr at the Thurmont High School.

                                                – Frederick News, April 6, 1925

April 1950, 75 Years Ago

Disturbances Mark Picketing At Thurmont Factory

One case was dismissed and the defendant in another forfeited $11.45 collateral before Magistrate William J. Stoner in Thurmont Monday when two assault and battery cases, growing out of a disturbance at the Claire Frock Company, Inc. plant at Thurmont last Friday morning, were called for trial.

The magistrate found insufficient testimony to support the claim of Mrs. Edith Schaeffer of Thurmont, and floorlady in the shop, that Edward Martin attempted to run over her and two other striking employees on a picket line in front of the factory. Mrs. Schaeffer said a car driven by Martin, scraped her coat.

                                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 7, 1950

Trout Season Opens Tomorrow Morning at 5:30 a.m.

Stocking of Frederick County trout streams was completed earlier in the week for opening at 5:30 o’clock Saturday morning. Regional Game Warden Benjamin F. Phebus stated Monday night. A total of 11,000 legal-size browns, brooks, and rainbows will be in county streams for the inaugural, he said.

Three thousand trout are already in Big Hunting Creek, which is restricted to fly fishermen. Two thousand have been released in Fishing Creek above the dam, and an additional 1,500 below the dam. In addition 500 more will go into the right fork of Fishing Creek.

                                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 14, 1950

April 1975, 50 Years Ago

                     mmitsburg School Dedication April 6

The new Emmitsburg School building will be dedicated on Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m.

Eric E. Glass, PTA President for the Emmitsburg School will open the program with greetings; Rev. W. Ronald Fearer, Elias Evangelical Lutheran Church, will give the invocation; Dr. John L. Carnochan, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, will introduce the guests; Frederick L. Smith, President of the Board of Education, will give remarks, and John C. Burrey, Architect, will make the presentation of the Key to Richard Van Tries, Principal.

                                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 3, 1975

Firemen Battle Inflation For Funds

Once again it is time for the Vigilant Hose Co. to ask the people of the Emmitsburg area to help in the support of the Fire Department.

In launching the annual fund drive for 1975, W. Larry Little, fund drive chairman, stated: “We are faced with the problems of inflation. We are well aware of the problems of rising costs. Our operating expenses have risen considerably over last year. Since we rely on local contributions for a substantial part of our operations, we sincerely hope that each one will see a greater need to contribute as generously as in past years. Also, this year we must replace one of our trucks, which will put a debt of nearly $50,000 on us. We appreciate the support of past years and hope that even with the inflation problem, we can meet our goal of $8,500.”

                                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 24, 1975

April 2000, 25 Years Ago

                       Gala Fundraiser a Success

 Gala 2000, the dinner dance held on March 25th to benefit the Dispatch, was a terrific success, netting over $20,000 for our hometown newspaper. Thanks to 160 businesses and individuals who donated money and auction items, as well as the 128 people who attended the spiffy event in JoAnn’s Ballroom at the Carriage House Inn, the Dispatch will continue to bring you regional news each month, even more efficiently than before.

                                                – The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, April 2000

“New Forest” to be Planted on Frederick County Farm

When Elizabeth Prongas, a long-time resident of Rocky Ridge, saw a Farm Service Agency notice in the Frederick News Post some time ago, she recognized a possible opportunity. For years she had hoped to create a “New Forest” on part of her property. And this month, weather permitting, the planting of that forest will begin on Beaver Branch.

Some eight acres of Mrs. Prongas’s property will soon be planted with 3200 tree and shrub seedlings, under the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is administered through the Frederick County Farm Service Agency. The main purpose of these plantings is to halt erosion by establishing a riparian buffer.

– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch,

April 2000