“People working together. It’s community, it really is.” These were the words of The Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show’s President, Rodman Myers, when he was asked what he liked best about the Community Show. The Community Show is an elaborate 3-day community fair that has saturated one weekend in September with community opportunity and involvement for the past 59 years. This year, it was held on the weekend of September 11 through 13, 2015 at Catoctin High School.
The Community Show’s Opening Ceremonies on Friday evening honored the 50th Anniversary of Sabillasville Elementary School. Dr. Theresa Alban, Superintendent of Frederick County Public Schools, spoke about the strong community that exists in northern Frederick County. Though her comments were brief, she spoke pointedly to our Catoctin community; especially our “extraordinary heroes” who were present in the flag ceremony representing our community’s first responders, service organizations, and our Veterans.
She said, “I’ve seen it first hand in the generous way that these organizations reach out to our schools to support them and our students who are most in need. But I’ve also seen it when a community member is in crisis. The way you rally around that person, that family, that school. It truly is my honor to be able, on September 11th, to remember the things that are important in our country that are embodied here in the people of Thurmont and Emmitsburg. So, I thank you so much for being who you are, for instilling those kinds of values in our students, and for maintaining these kinds of traditions year after year after year…”
Dr. Alban and Sabillasville Elementary School Principal, Kate Krietz announced Catoctin’s 2015-2016 FFA Ambassador, Stephanie Kennedy. Honorees for the 50th Anniversary representing Sabillasville Elementary School included Michele Firme, Paula Bowman, Nicky Lingg, Susan Valenti, and Jody Miller, not to forget the many alumni and current students of Sabillasville Elementary who were in the audience.
Rodman said, “This was one of the best programs we’ve had in a long time. Not to say that other programs haven’t been good, but this year’s Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Alban, she had a great message and the community really came together.”
The Show is sponsored by the Thurmont Grange, Catoctin FFA Chapter, Catoctin Area FFA Alumni, Maryland Agricultural Fair Board, and the Maryland State Grange. A large volunteer force pulls together to make the Community Show happen. They are led by the Show’s President, Rodman Myers, and Vice President, Bob Valentine. While the purpose of the Community Show is to educate, to inspire, and to entertain, it’s community that makes all of those things happen. This is the community’s annual Show. Rodman said, “It’s amazing – the volunteerism it takes to put on a show like this.”
Local organizations benefit financially from the Show starting with the baked goods auction on Friday night immediately following the Opening Ceremony. People donate money from the sale of baked goods to many entities including Catoctin FFA students’ participation in the FFA Convention, the Burall Brothers Scholarship Fund, diabetes, the Boys and Girls Club of Frederick, the Thurmont Grange, and many more. The top sale of a single cake generated $1300.00 this year.
The Silver offering is a donation collected at the door of the Community show, and the proceeds from that collection and the Junior and Youth Department champion cakes were donated to the Thurmont and Emmitsburg Food Banks. Each food bank received $400.00. Carol Robertson, President of Catoctin Colorfest, Inc., purchased two hogs in the name of the Food Bank.
Refreshments were sold throughout the weekend by the Thurmont Lions Club, the CHS Basketball team, and the CHS Junior Class. A Roast Turkey & Country Ham Supper was served by the Thurmont Grange, and a Chicken Bar-B-Que was served by Catoctin FFA Alumni. These fundraisers did well. Rodman said, “We had to get more food, or we sold out of food.” Entertainment by “Catoctin” (The Catoctin Mountain Boys), and the Elvis Show was enjoyed by many. New this year included the Elvis Show, the Pedal Tractor pull for the kids, and face painting.
Exhibits were up in entries this year. The youth department was well represented. Lewis Auctioneers and the Ruby’s from Route 15 Auction Center were the auctioneers for the baked goods and livestock auctions.
In the livestock area, Bob Valentine managed the Show. He said to, “Thank the community for their support over the years.” This year’s livestock action resulted in the following average prices; swine $2.51/lb., sheep $3.362/lb., beef $2.38/lb., and goats $262/head. The gross sales totaled $36,996.
Look forward to the 60th Anniversary of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show next September! Plans are underway with some great entertainment, community showing, and agricultural awareness. This year’s buyers will be listed in next year’s Community Show Booklet. If you would like to volunteer, please call Rodman Myers at 301-271-2104.
Photos by Deb Spalding and Grace Eyler
Sabillasville Elementary School’s 50th Anniversary: (top row) Laura Keilholtz, Dave Harman, Annette Harbaugh, Rodman Myers, Bernie Quesado, Dr. Theresa Alban, Bob Valentine, Daniel Myers, and Jody Miller; (front row) Michele Firme, Paula Bowman, Brenda Smith, Stephanie Kennedy, Nicky Lingg, Susan Valenti, and Kate Kreitz. These folks were joined by some of the school’s alumni and current students.
Pictured from left are Thad Bittner, Beef, Sheep and Swine Committee Member; Carol Robertson, President of Catoctin Colorfest; Rodman Myers, President of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show; Harold Bollinger, Thurmont Food Bank Volunteer; Sue Keilholtz, Chair of the Youth Department; and Margaret Black, Chair of the Junior Department.
Pictured from left are Mary Price and Phyllis Kelly, Emmitsburg Food Bank Volunteers; Denise Valentine, Chairman of the Baked Goods Department; and Rodman Myers, President of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.
2015 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Champions and Reserve Champions
Fresh Fruits: Martha Hauver (White Hale Peaches); Reserve Champion—Robert Black (Plums);
Fresh Vegetables: Brian Harbaugh (Onions); Reserve Champion—Roxanna Lambert (Scallop Squash);
Home Products Display: Charlotte Dutton; Reserve Champion—Roxanna Lambert;
Canned Fruit: Carolyn Hahn (Whole Red Cherries); Reserve Champion—Carolyn Hahn (Pears);
Canned Vegetables: Ann Welty (Rhubarb); Reserve Champion—Carolyn Hahn (Whole Green Beans);
Jellies & Preserves: Denise Shriver (Peach Jelly); Reserve Champion—Denise Shriver (Apricot Preserves);
Pickles: JoAnne Fuss (Vegetable Relish); Reserve Champion—Deborah Howd (Other – Pickled Asparagus);
Meat (Canned): Ann Welty (Spare Ribs); Reserve Champion—Pauline McAfee (Canned Tenderloin);
Home Cured Meats: Robert McAfee (Ham); Reserve
Champion—Catoctin FFA Alumni (Ham);
Baked Products: Cake: Michelle Troast (German Chocolate Cake); Reserve Champion—Maxine Troxell (Hummingbird Cake); Honorable Mention Cake—Burall Brothers Scholarship—Maxine Troxell (Sponge Cake);
Bread: Maxine Troxell (Onion Bread); Reserve Champion—Maxine Troxell (Fruit & Nut Bread–Spiced Pear);
Pie: Deborah Howd (Pecan Pie); Reserve Champion—Deborah Howd (French Apple Pie);
Sugar Free: Roxanna Lambert (Diabetic Bread); Catherine Miller (Peach Pie);
Gluten Free Baked Product: Sharon Lewis (Gluten Free Fudge Cake); Reserve Champion—Sharon Lewis (Pecan Pie);
Sewing: Patricia Lipscomb (Misc. Items – Tatted Items); Reserve Champion—Janet Jewell (Quilt – Handmade and Machine – wool applique by hand);
Flowers & Plants: Roxanna Lambert (Side Table Arrangement); Reserve Champion—Roxanna Lambert (Hanging Flowering Potted Plant);
Arts, Painting & Drawings: Charlotte Dutton (Other Painting – painted tile); Reserve Champion—Jackson Steinly (Charcoal Drawing);
Crafts: Thomas Horvat (Woodburning); Jack Hymiller (Misc. Craft – Pumpkin Minions);
Photography: Kenneth Trout (Color Photo – Sports); Reserve Champion—Gina McCracken (Color Picture – Animal/Pets);
Corn: Brian D. Glass (Hybrid Corn); Reserve Champion—Brian Glass (Best Single Ear);
Small Grain & Seeds: Rodman Myers (Shelled Corn); Reserve Champion—Preston Clark (Soybeans);
Eggs: Audrey Downs (Brown Eggs); Reserve Champion—Audrey Downs (White Eggs);
Nuts: Jen Sayler (Shellbarks); Reserve Champion—Edward Hahn (English Walnuts);
Rabbit: Olivia Dutton Poultry (Breeding Rabbits and Offspring); Reserve Champion—Laura Dutton (Breeding Male);
Dairy: Joseph Hubbard (Ayrshire Calf); Reserve Champion—Dylan Moser (Brown Swiss Calf);
Dairy Goats: Olivia Dutton—(Milking Yearling); Reserve Champion—Rose Froelich (five-year-old Doe);
Hay: Dalton Sayler (Mixed Hay); Reserve Champion—Dalton Sayler (Alfalfa Hay);
Straw: Dalton Sayler (Barley Straw); Reserve Champion—Steve Strickhouser (Oat Straw);
Junior Department: Caroline Clarke (Sewing); Reserve Champion—Hannah Hurley (Other Garden Item – Cabbage);
Junior Department Baked Product: Hoyt Sayler (Peanut Butter Fudge); Reserve Champion—Madison Ott (Sour Cream Pound Cake);
Youth Department: Stephanie Freniere (Recycled Material picture); Reserve Champion—Justin McAfee (Metal Craft – Boot Rack);
Youth Department Baked Product: Justin McAfee (Apple Pie); Reserve Champion–Ray Martin, IV (Black Walnut Chiffon with Vanilla Glaze);
Beef: Samantha Bentz; Reserve Champion–Brittnee Brown;
Sheep: Ashley McAfee; Reserve Champion–Caroline Clark;
Swine: Ashley Lescalleet; Reserve Champion—Wyatt Davis;
Market Goat: Laura Dutton; Reserve Champion—Kendra Keeney;
Decorated Animal Contest: Olivia Dutton (Goat); Reserve Champion—Laura Dutton (Goat);
Pet Show: Debbie Harbaugh (Dog); Reserve Champion—Dan Kulczak (Dog).
