James Rada, Jr. The historic chapel at Fort Ritchie sat vacant for over a decade until Angela and Scott Griffin decided it was time to restore and reopen this house of God. The chapel was originally built in 1942 as Camp Ritchie’s mission in World War II expanded, and it became the home for the…

Alisha Yocum Local resident, Chasity Cool, first learned about Japanese Head Spas through a YouTube video. As its name suggests, this treatment originated in Japan and quickly gained traction in China and Korea before reaching the United States. Cool says TikTok videos have driven its popularity over the last few years. After researching the new…

James Rada Jr. Ever since Fort Ritchie closed for good in 1998, Cascade has settled down in its role as a small community. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Cascade-Highfield area has 1,082 residents. People, for the most part, are happy in their small town. However, recent efforts have been made to revitalize Fort…

The Mountain Seaside by James Rada, Jr. It was supposed to be a Maryland seashore on a mountaintop. In 1889, the Buena Vista Ice Company bought 400 acres of land where Fort Ritchie would eventually be built, and set aside 20 acres for a lake. “The business had counterparts on the East Coast below the…

James Rada, Jr. The Catoctin Banner presents a continuation of fiction serials for your enjoyment. “Cast from the Gods” is a new, original serial set at Site R when it was under construction. Let us know what you think. Part 4: The cage The deformed skeleton was no longer a skeleton. As unusual as that…

Cast From the Gods James Rada, Jr. The Catoctin Banner presents a continuation of fiction serials for your enjoyment. “Cast from the Gods” is a new, original serial set at Site R when it was under construction. Let us know what you think. 3: The Pieces Bruce Nelson was more than happy to allow the…

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…

Aaron Shaw of Frederick took the top honors in both the spring and fall 2018 bass tournaments, hosted by Cobblestone Hotel & Suites and held on Lake Royer at the former Fort Ritchie property in Cascade. The events featured adult and youth divisions. Joining Shaw on the podium for the fall tournament, held on Saturday,…

Submitted by Bill Eiker, SAL Historian On October 1, 2016, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Post 239 in Cascade held their fall Gun and Cash Bash on the old parade grounds at Fort Ritchie. Of the 2,000 tickets sold, there were more than 750 people in attendance. Considering the gloomy weather, it was…

by James Rada, Jr. When Raymond Sanders (pictured right) first came to Sabillasville, it was because he needed a bigger house. His family was growing, and the Sanders needed space to expand. They found a two-story home at the end of a dead-end road and set down roots. “It’s a nice place to live,” Sanders…

Joan Fry On June 18, 2016, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Post 239 in Cascade held their spring Gun and Cash Bash on the grounds of Fort Ritchie. Of the 2,500 tickets sold, there were more than 1,050 people in attendance. The weather was perfect and attendees enjoyed visiting with friends, playing the…