Once Upon A Time
November 1925, 100 Years Ago
Blue Ridge Choral Society Appears Before Large Audience
The Blue Ridge Choral Society, assisted by Mrs. Charles F. Hudson, soprano, and the Frederick Concert Orchestra, gave a very enjoyable entertainment before an audience that taxed the town hall at Thurmont to capacity. The entertainment was the first of a series of the three, the next to be given at Creagerstown Sunday evening and the third at Utica, December 7.
– The Frederick Post, November 25, 1925
Bank Stock At Premium Rates Hammaker Sale
A very large crowd, including a number of persons from this city, and many from Carroll County, Franklin County, Pa., Baltimore, and various other places, attended the public sale of valuable real estate, stock, bonds and household and personal property of the late Peter M. Hammaker, at Thurmont, Wednesday…
The sale started at 10 o’clock in the morning and continued practically the entire day. For some time before the appointed hour, a large crowd had assembled. At 10 o’clock when the auctioneer announced that the sale would begin, a tremendous crowd was on hand. The bidding was brisk and for the most part excellent prices were obtained. Some of the bank stock sold brought record prices. This was particularly true in the sale of stock of the Central Trust Company and the Fredericktown Savings Institution, this city.
– The Frederick Post, November 27, 1925
November 1950, 75 Years Ago
300 Participate in American Legion Halloween Parade Here
The American Legion Halloween parade got off with a bang Tuesday night when an estimated 300 children and adults participated in the two-block long affair. Led by a local music unit, the parade formed in front of the Doughboy and at 6:30 and journeyed down Main St. to Broad Alley and circled around to St. Joseph’s Church on De Paul St., where the judging took place.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 3, 1950
Rabbit Season Opens; Game Seems Plentiful
Hunters had their most successful opening day in many years Wednesday, game wardens reported. Reports from all sections of the counties indicated that more rabbits were bagged than on any opening day in a decade.
Some hunters, who failed to get a full day’s bag the entire season last year, retired from the field before 10 o’clock Wednesday morning with the legal take of four.
Regional Game Warden Benjamin F. Phebus Sr., and District Warden Durward W. Kettells said practically every hunter they checked during the day had rabbits. Few had birds, but most of them reported having seen covies.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, November 17, 1950
November 1975, 50 Years Ago
Thurmont Is ‘Circling Wagons’ Regarding PE Rate Hike Request
Town officials Thursday were making contact with other affected municipalities as regard a joint position toward the Potomac Edison Company’s new rate schedules for its wholesale customers.
The Potomac Edison (PE) Company Wednesday filed with the Federal Power Commission a request for permission to raise its rates to such wholesale customers, included among whom is the Thurmont Municipal Light Company.
Included among the utilities served by PE are Hagerstown, Thurmont and Williamsport in Maryland; Chambersburg and Mont Alto in Pennsylvania; Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative near Moorefield, W. Va.; and Front Royal and BARC Electric Cooperative in Virginia. PE estimates that “the higher rates would represent an increase of about $126,119 if the increase had been in effect for the 12 months ending this month.”
– The Frederick Post, November 7, 1975
County Residents Enjoy Holiday
Frederick County residents had much to be thankful for Thursday—Thanksgiving—including the weather…
Most countians enjoyed the traditional Thanksgiving dinner—turkey and the rest. In fact, according to Ross Smith Jr., owner of the Hillside Turkey Farm in Thurmont, more people than ever before bought the big birds this year.
Though he would not disclose actual sales, Ross noted turkey sales were up this year “30 to 40 percent” over last year. He explained that turkeys are low in fat and high in protein, making them especially good for mealtime. Hillside raises 30,000 turkeys per year, he said, for retail and wholesale marketing.
– The Frederick Post, November 28, 1975
November 2000, 25 Years Ago
Emmitsburg Holds Annual Life Chain Event
This past October 1, the Emmitsburg Pro-life Committee held its annual Life Chain. There were approximately 125 participants this year. The Life Chain event has occurred here since 1991 and in recent years has been coordinated by Marty Grenchek. When asked why he coordinates this event, he said, “Where else are you hearing what we’re saying: that abortion is the destruction of innocent human life? We’re not out here standing judgment on anyone. We’re simply here as a peaceful and prayerful witness. We may be the only sign an individual ever has.”
The idea of the Life Chain was that of Royce Dunn, a California businessman. The first Life Chain was held in San Diego, California, in 1987. The participants are asked to line the streets to form a large cross. They stand six to eight feet apart and hold signs that primarily read “Abortion Kills Children.” The number of participants have totaled as many as 28,000 people in one city.
– The Dispatch, November 2000
Firefighters Honor 106 Fallen Heroes
Thousands of fire service personnel from across the nation gathered at the 19th annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on Sunday, October 8, to pay tribute to the 104 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year. Two who died in previous years were also honored. Held on the grounds of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, the annual service is the culmination of a weekend of special ceremonies and activities for families and coworkers of the fallen heroes.
The Memorial Weekend honored firefighters from 30 states and Washington, D.C., who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. They included six Worcester, Massachusetts, firefighters who died in a warehouse fire, three Fort Worth, Texas, area firefighters killed fighting a church fire, and 18 volunteer and career firefighters who died in incidents related to wildland, grass, and brush fires.
Among the fallen firefighters mourned this year was a member of Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company, Terry Lee Myers, who died of a heart attack February 15, 1999, while fighting a brush fire at Mount St. Mary’s College. It was the first time in the company’s 116-year history that a firefighter died in the line of duty. Myers was an active member of the company for 33 years. In addition to his tactical firefighting duties, he served on the Board of Directors and was active in the company’s fundraising events.
– The Dispatch, November 2000
