A Legacy of Loyalty and Dedication
When Bob Dewees was a young man at Thurmont High School, he thought he would graduate and get a job with one of the big companies in town like Moore Business Systems or Clair Frock or maybe the government. Then, in 1955, at the age of 15, he took a summer job with Catoctin Mountain…
Exploring Innovation: USDA Agricultural Forum Visits Catoctin Mountain Orchard
Alisha Yocum Catoctin Mountain Orchard recently served as a stop on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Outlook Forum (AOF) Field Trip in February. The event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including farmers, processors, scientists, policymakers, government officials, and representatives from non-governmental organizations, all eager to learn about the latest agricultural research,…
Thurmont Honors Black with Special Day
Alisha Yocum The Town of Thurmont proclaimed Friday, March 21, as Robert Black Day. Black and his family are the owners of Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont. The proclamation was made for Black for following the principles set forth by his father, Harry Black, when he opened Catoctin Mountain Orchard in 1948, his “community stewardship”…
Black Receives International Fruit Tree Association Hall of Fame Award
Alisha Yocum Robert “Bob” Black (pictured right), owner of Catoctin Mountain Orchard, was recently honored with the International Fruit Tree Association (IFTA) Hall of Fame Award at their 68th Annual Conference in Rochester, New York. The organization of 450 members honored Black with this award. “Bob exemplifies the dedication and passion that define this honor.…
Taste of the Past
Maxine Troxell With summer approaching, it’s berry-picking time. I remember picking black raspberries at Catoctin Mountain Orchard. Berry picking wasn’t one of my favorite things to do, especially black raspberries, because of all the thorns on the bushes. When I was growing up, I remember my mother would make black raspberry custard pies. Anytime someone…
Money Donated to Lewistown Elementary School for the Purchase of New Cafeteria Tables
Purchase of New Cafeteria Tables The Lewistown Ruritan Club, Playground Specialists, and Catoctin Mountain Orchard partnered to donate $6,202 to purchase four new cafeteria tables for the Lewistown Elementary School. A dedication ceremony was held in the school cafeteria with plaques for each organization providing the funds. These dedication plaques will be hung on the…
Robert Black Named 2020 Apple Grower of the Year
Deb Abraham Spalding At the Catoctin Mountain Orchard in Thurmont, apples aren’t just grown and sold, various varieties are studied, cultivated, and found! Congratulations to Robert (Bob) Black, of Catoctin Mountain Orchard, for earning the 2020 Apple Grower of the Year Award title. The American Fruit Grower Apple Grower of the Year Award was created…
