Veteran Spotlight
by Richard D. L. Fulton Erik W. Hayes KIA in IraqErik W. Hayes was born on November 14, 1980, at the Gettysburg Hospital, to parents Douglas and Deborah Hayes (subsequently known as Deborah Reckley). Hayes had a younger brother, Bradley, who was born in 1984. Hayes grew up in Harney and graduated from the Living…
‘CP’ (Chocolate Park) Favorite Retreat for Soldiers at Fort Ritchie
by becky dietrich Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry This article appeared in the December 5, 1975 edition of The Record Herald. Why do people drink beer in a place called “Chocolate Park?” Because there was once a man named Jansen, from Germany, who made delicious chocolates in his home to sell. An investor from out…
Looking Back 1941
The British Invade catoctin mountain by James Rada, Jr. In the spring of 1941, the U.S. had yet to enter World War II, but other countries had been fighting for two years. Germany showed early dominance in the war, and it hadn’t been going well for the British Royal Navy. It had lost more than…
Veteran Spotlight
Raymond Sanders by Deb Abraham Spalding and James Rada, Jr. Photo by Richard L. Dougan, Jr. When Raymond Sanders first came to Sabillasville, it was because his family was growing and they 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…
Veteran Spotlight
by Priscilla Rall WWII Thurmont Nurse Follows Troops: Part 3 We continue with the story of Army nurse Mary Catherine Willhide as she nursed wounded American soldiers after the Battle of the Bulge. While stationed in Malmedy in Germany, Mary endured the explosions from German bombs for months in late 1944. She was on night…
Rare Genetic Disease Runs Through Some Central Maryland Families
James Rada, Jr. Families can pass along many traits through the generations. Eye color, facial structure, even a propensity to bear twins. Unfortunately, they can also pass along diseases. Sue Clabaugh’s family has been in the Thurmont area for hundreds of years. One line of her family tree goes back to John Jost of Wittgenstein,…
Our Neighborhood Veterans
Pfc. James Aubrey Houck On January 1, 1923, a New Year’s baby arrived in Johnsville, Maryland. The new baby boy was delivered at home on the farm his parents owned and operated. He was named James Aubrey, and his parents were Roy Walter and Mary (Blessing) Houck. His mother gave him the name Aubrey, because…
Holocaust Survivor Shares His Story with Catoctin Students
James Rada, Jr. As an eighty-five-year-old man, it wouldn’t seem that Mark Strauss would be able to relate to modern teenagers. However, when he recently sat down before a group of students at Catoctin High School, Strauss didn’t tell them about his adulthood. He took them all the way back to 1941, when he was…
mountain talk
Army Chaplain, Family Man, Pastor, and Artist by Chris O’Connor Col. Bill Hammann of Blue Ridge Summit retired in 1999 after two and a half decades in the U.S. Army, where he served as a chaplain, rising through the ranks, ministering to the spiritual needs of American patriots and their families. His service to our…
