Memorial Day is traditionally known as the official start of summer. The first Memorial Day was celebrated in 1865, known as Decoration Day, established to recognize the fallen soldiers of the Civil War. After World War II, the name was changed to Memorial Day to remember and honor those who have died while serving our…

The Catoctin High School student government will put on their annual homecoming parade on Thursday, October 3, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. The route will start at the American Legion and end at the high school. They would love to see you all attend!

Joan Bittner Fry I particularly like this story. My Dad, Harold Bittner of Sabillasville, was a historian of sorts. He enjoyed picture taking. The photos above show his interpretation of the flag-lowering ceremony at Fort Ritchie in 1967. I can picture him walking toward the Fort Ritchie Castle, or headquarters, where the flag is usually…

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird The Town of Thurmont celebrated Arbor Day on April 22 by planting more trees in the Community Park.  This planting was undertaken by the Thurmont Green Team, as part of their ongoing efforts to ensure a clean environment for our current and future residents. The damages inflicted on our Ash trees…

James Rada, Jr. The crowds have gone now, Colorfest 2015 is over, and life in Thurmont is back to normal. Many local non-profit organizations got their annual boost of funding from the estimated 125,000 people that crowded into Thurmont for the event that was held during the second weekend of October. Although Colorfest started out…

James Rada, Jr. “Wagons ho!” With that once-common call, Joe Eyler started his wagon train, moving out from his farm on Eyler Road in Thurmont. The wagon train was made up of eleven wagons, ranging in size from an authentic Conestoga wagon to a small cart pulled by two small Shetland ponies. The wagon train…

by Jim Houck, Jr. Note: This is the story titled “History of the Francis X. Elder Post, No. 121 American Legion From its Beginning,” as written by “Abigail,” a writer for the Emmitsburg Chronicle. The article was published in the Emmitsburg Chronicle in 1940. Original Post Founded In 1920. Present One Originated in 1936. Lester…

James Rada, Jr. The incessant rain on Saturday morning, October 11, 2014, gave way to a cloudy day in the afternoon, transitioning into a sunny, more pleasant day on Sunday for the 51st Annual Colorfest weekend in Thurmont. The crowds picked up as people turned out for unusual food like Southern-fried Snickers and one-of-a-kind gifts…