Cover Photo:  Carrie Wivell Wolf and Jonathan Wolf’s son, Jackson, grandson of Phil and Shelly Wivell, celebrates his first Halloween!

Part 2: West of Frederick by Richard D. L. Fulton For hundreds of millions of years, the land that Maryland presently resides upon had rested predominantly at the bottom of the ancient oceans. Around 335 million years ago, two continental plates—one referred to as the African Plate and the other known as the North American…

…from the Past Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry 1889 The Board of School Commissioners of Frederick County, Maryland, Frederick County School No. 4, Election District No. 5. (1889)    To use books and stationery for three pupils fall term ending November 18, 1889 at .75 x 2 + .50 cents total of $2.00. Each pupil shall,…

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird It’s hard to believe that Colorfest has come and gone! We had beautiful weather both days with nice crowds. I am certain that our local organizations did very well and the funds they raised will benefit our community. Colorfest is the largest fundraising opportuntiy of the year for many local non-profits…

‘President’ John Hanson:1972/1981 Richard D. L. Fulton John Hanson was born in Port Tobacco Parish, Charles County, in 1721, to parents Samuel Hanson and Elizabeth Storey Hanson, and in 1781,  arguably became the first president of the United States, eight years before the election of George Washington. On September 1, 1972, the United States Postal…

Welcoming Train Enthusiasts of All Ages Alisha Yocum East Main Trains is open and welcoming train enthusiasts everywhere. Owners John Hamilton and Jeff Crum have been into the hobby since they were kids. Hamilton recently retired and had reconnected with Crum to do some remodeling. One thing led to another, and the two talked about…

The Monterey Tea House by Richard D. L. Fulton The Monterey Tea House operated for decades in Blue Bridge Summit.  An advertisement in the June 4, 1924, edition of The (Baltimore) Sun had announced the opening of the “New Monterey Gift-Shop Tea-House” at the Monterey Golf Course. The tea house was located at Tracy (also…

The following are the statuses of new businesses and developments coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: The following are the statuses of new businesses and developments coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of US 15) — Under construction. Passed the most recent County inspection of…

Subdivisions Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Avenue) — 36 single-family lots recorded, built, and sold. Final site work to be completed. Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive) — 22 single-family lots in R-2. Final Plat approved; site work underway. Mechanicstown, LLC — (Emmitsburg Road) — Final Plat conditionally approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/…

Members of the Catoctin High School Future Farmers of America (FFA), an intracurricular student organization for those interested in agriculture and leadership, recently held a Hurricane Relief Drive to help those impacted by the recent hurricane in North Carolina. The group filled a trailer and truck full of supplies, which included clothes, diapers, and agricultural…

Dawn Waskiewicz Nominated by: Dawn Niner Blankets are often described as warm hugs, and for Taneytown resident Dawn Waskiewicz, creating them has become more than just a hobby—it’s a way to spread love and comfort throughout her community. Waskiewicz leads the local chapter of Project Linus, a nonprofit organization that provides handmade blankets to children…

The Emmitsburg Alumni Annual Banquet was held on October 19 at the Ambulance Building in Emmitsburg. Approximately 150 people attended. A social hour was held at 4:00 p.m. Hors d’oeuvres were prepared and served by Wanda Meadows Valentine, Class of 1968; Shirley Wierman Frushour, Class of 1970; Tonya and Troy Bates. President Alan Brauer Sr.,…

Town of Thurmont Senior Administrative Assistant Rebecca Sharer-Long and Human Resources Manager Diana Mehaffie graduated from the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance at the University of Maryland. The ceremony took place on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the Memorial Chapel on the University of Maryland College Park campus. A total of 139 public officials…

Join the Town of Thurmont, The Green Team, and the Maryland Forest Service as they plant 25 trees in East End Park, near the new softball field, on November 2. These trees will replace the trees that did not survive the wet conditions of late 2022. The trees are a gift to the Town through…

James Rada, Jr. The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners saw a new face seated during the October town meeting. Kevin Hagan was sworn in as an Emmitsburg Town Commissioner, along with incumbent commissioners, Cliff Sweeney and Jim Hoover. They were the three top vote-getters during the October 1 Emmitsburg Town Election. First-time commissioner Hagan is a…

New interpretive signs were installed on the Thurmont Trolley Trail. The signs turned out exceptionally well, and a big shout out goes to Shannon-Baum Signs for its work on fabrication and installation. An even bigger shout out goes to former Thurmont Parks & Recreation Commission member, Amie McDaniels.  Amie came up with the content for…

October 31, 1941 to August 27, 2024 Sara Taylor Miller, 82, passed away peacefully on August 27, 2024,  at York Wellspan Hospital, York, Pennsylvania. Born October 31, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland, Sara always enjoyed the magical, whimsical, and “witchiness” the Halloween celebration exudes, along with an affinity for Star Trek and its memorabilia, as well…

A group of Emmitsburg residents (Shannon Cool, Vance Click, Tina, Chris, and Evan Ryder) and other friends made their way to Bowie, Maryland, to participate in the Sandy Donaty Memorial Golf Tournament, which raises awareness for the Arthritis Foundation. New for this year, they graciously split the proceeds with a cause that is near and…

Catoctin High earned national banner recognition from Special Olympics North America for schoolwide efforts to provide inclusive sports and activities for students with and without special needs. Catoctin earned this status by meeting 10 national standards of excellence in the areas of inclusion, advocacy, and respect. “We are so proud of Catoctin High earning this…