once upon a time...

James Rada, Jr.

April 1926, 100 Years Ago

DETOUR

A number of folks of this place are having their houses wired for electric lights.

                                             – The Carroll Record, April 2, 1926

HARNEY

On last Sunday, the Haines family moved from this place to Bristol, Pa. We are informed that it is a town of about 10,000 inhabitants, with nearly every Nationality represented. About one-third Americans, and the remaining two-thirds foreigners and colored people. Those who accompanied did not seem to be very favorably impressed with the place. The Haines people’s departure closes one of our stores.

                                            – The Carroll Record, April 9, 1926

April 1951, 75 Years Ago

Fish There—But No One Can Catch ‘Em!

Favored by ideal weather—even though the temperature was a little too low for comfort at first—hundreds of anglers and fly fishermen greeted the opening day of the trout season at 5:30 a.m. last Sunday morning along Frederick County streams. At 6:30 a.m., an estimated 600 were strung out along Fishing Creek and 350 cars were counted in that area, reported Deputy Game Wardens Durward Kettells and Glenn Butts who roamed that stream from 4:30 to 9 o’clock.

Big Hunting Creek drew a proportionate number, and similar conditions prevailed along Middle and Friends Creeks, which were the scene of early patrol by Regional Warden Benjamin Phebus and a deputy from an adjoining county.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 20, 1951

S.E. Barnhart New Thurmont Mayor

Thurmont citizens on Monday elected S. E. Barnhart, Western Maryland Railway agent, as their new president of the Board of Commissioners, and elected Theodore Beard and Ross V. Smith to the board. The term of the new mayor is for one year and the commissioners were elected for two-year terms.

Mr. Barnhart, who has served on the board for four years, succeeds D. Sayler Weybright, who served as Mayor from 1947 to date. The latter declined nomination at a recent primary but received 17 write-in votes on Monday. Mr. Barnhart received 116 votes.

About one-fourth of the eligible voters cast ballots. There were three candidates for the two board posts. Mr. Beard received 111, Mr. Smith 109, with 23 cast for Jesse Kirchner, the third formally nominated candidate. There was one write-in vote for Merhl Pryor.

                                            – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 27, 1951

April 1976, 50 Years Ago

Selected As Outstanding Young Men

The Board of Advisors for the Outstanding Young Men of America Awards Program announced that the following men have been selected for inclusion in the 1976 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America.

All from the Emmitsburg area they are: Mr. Ronald Albert Valenti, Associate Dean of Students, Mount St. Mary’s College; Mr. Thomas Lawrence Topper, 320 E. Main St.; Mr. Michael Henry Scheerer, Rt. 2, Box 163; and Mr. Frank Pietrazak, Rt. 2, Box 162.

The Program is sponsored by the U.S. Jaycees and numerous other leading men’s civic and service organizations throughout the nation.

                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 22, 1976

Silver Fancy Plants Wye Oak Seedling

Smile, if you must, at the small size of the Wye oak seedling planted last week in the park area by the Post Office. With the good wishes of attending Mayor Sprankle and Park Commissioner E. Eugene Myers and members of the Silver Fancy Garden Club, the tender year-old tree was carefully planted.

Mr. Edward Myers did the actual spade work while the garden club members stood by with peat-moss and water and stakes. A sturdy wire enclosure was built to protect the seedling.

The Silver Fancy Garden Club, who is sponsoring the infant tree, hopes it will grow to the towering height of its famous forebearer: the giant Wye Oak at Wye Mills, Md.

That ancient tree sprouted in the 16th century when Henry the Eighth was king of England and was 100 years old when Lord Baltimore’s “Ark and the Dove” landed at St.  Clement’s Island. Indians held pow-wow’s under its giant branches and a tavern there was a gathering place for travelers and countrymen.

                                – Emmitsburg Chronicle, April 29, 1976

April 2001, 25 Years Ago

Pricetag for Community Center Renovation Increases 43 Percent

At the March 5 town meeting, the commissioners were advised of a 43% cost increase on the renovation of the Community Center. Town Manager David Haller said that the increase resulted from a more detailed study of the building, which uncovered issues not addressed in the first study.

Approximately $1.4 million will be needed to correct foundation problems, stormwater management, and roof repairs, raising the total projected cost to $4.2 million. The increase will add $70,000 to the town’s projected cost of $200,000.

The commissioners voted 4-0 to accept the changes proposed by the county for renovating the building. Construction on the project is expected to begin in May 2002 and the building occupied by July 2003.

                                            – The Dispatch, April 2001

Orioles Mascot to be at Local Season Opener

Emmitsburg Baseball and Softball League is in the final stages of preparing for the 2001 Little League Baseball and Softball season. Opening day for baseball is set for April 21, and to help kick off the season, the Baltimore Orioles Mascot will be there from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 

                    – The Emmitsburg Regional

                       Dispatch, April 2001