Thurmont is Celebrating 275 Years
James Rada, Jr. While the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary this year, Thurmont is celebrating its 275th anniversary. Mechanicstown, as Thurmont was originally known, considers 1751 its founding year. This is when the first permanent group of Pennsylvania German settlers, who established a community along Hunting Creek, set down roots. The first families—the Kriegers…
A Chat with Opera Singer Richard Troxell and Giving Back to His Community
By Alisha Yocum Richard Troxell grew up in Thurmont before attending the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, where he graduated and went on to build a career as a tenor opera singer performing around the world. Troxell, who had recently finished his role as Dr. Caius in Falstaff in Philadelphia, was back in Thurmont…
LOOKING BACK
Apples Church Celebrates Its Centennial a Second Time by James Rada, Jr. On April 13, 1932, a child was baptized at Apples Church in Thurmont. On the surface, it doesn’t seem unusual. More than one person was baptized at the church each year, and some of them were children. However, April 13 was the centennial…
Apples Church Meditation Trail Dedication
On Saturday, April 20, Apples United Church of Christ dedicated its Meditation Trail at a community event. The one-tenth-mile-long trail was a vision of Roger Troxell after the church was given a connecting 2.25-acre tract by the Harbaugh family several years ago. Mr. Troxell wanted to make the church and its grounds a place for…
