How Hunting Sustains Tradition, Nature, and FamiliesAlisha Yocum When I took over the newspaper a year ago, one of the most common questions I heard was, “Are you bringing back the deer hunting photos?” For years, this was a regular feature in The Catoctin Banner. Why is it so important? Hunting has been a time-honored…

by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Simmers Property Annexation Proposal Cross & Company, LLC recently reintroduced a new annexation plan for the Simmers Property at 304 Apples Church Road. Nearly 8 acres of the 24.5-acre property is already within the town property. The property was previously presented for annexation in 2022 and was denied at a…

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird Wow, here we are in 2025—it seems time goes by faster every year! Karen and I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas. Spending time with friends and family makes for very special times and memories. We also want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! We both hope the new year…

Maryland’s State Bird & Flower Richard D. L. Fulton The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a 20-cent stamp, featuring the Maryland state bird; the Baltimore Oriole; and the Maryland state flower, the Black-Eyed Susan, on April 14, 1982. The stamp was one of 50 stamps issued featuring state birds and flowers. The 1982 Maryland…

James Rada, Jr. Although Fort Ritchie closed as a military base in 1998, its best days may still be yet to come. The area began as the Buena Vista Ice Company, the southernmost ice company in the country. Then, in the early 1900s, it became a Maryland National Guard camp, and then an Army camp…

Emmitsburg Shoe Factory by Richard D. L. Fulton The Emmitsburg Shoe Factory, formerly located on Chesapeake Avenue, served as a primary place of employment for the residents of Emmitsburg and surrounding areas for decades. Talk of the possibility of establishing a shoe factory surfaced during February 1946, when that topic became the subject of discussion…

Emmitsburg New Business and Development BriefsThe 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 U.S. 15) — Under construction. Awaiting framing, ceiling, and building insulation inspections. Provided information permit information regarding signage. Provided notice regarding water usage and billing.…

ALISHA YOCUM While the holidays bring joy to many families, they can also create financial stress for others during this time. Seton Center Executive Director Deb Bisenieks said that this is the first year that they have served a hot meal as part of their Helping Hands program. In the past, the organization has simply…

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird — January 8 Mayor John Kinnaird is a mainstay of Thurmont, for sure, but there were mayors before him. An excellent resource for finding pictures of previous Thurmont mayors and other Thurmont history is the “The Robert S. Kinnaird Collection of Historic Thurmont Photographs.” Among these photographs is Mayor Charles Andrew…

Harriet Chapel, Catoctin Episcopal Parish was pleased to receive a grant of $20,000 from the Delaplaine Foundation to upgrade the internet capability in the historic church. Pictured from left are Delaplaine Foundation President Marlene Young; Harriet Chapel members, Elizabeth Shatto and Kathryn Hauser; and Delaplaine Foundation Board Member Phil Hammond.

Throughout the year, Thurmont Lions Club members receive recognition for their dedication and service to others. Some members go above and beyond to give their service. During the evening of the Thurmont Lions Club’s 95th Charter Night Anniversary, several members were recognized by receiving awards. For more information about the Thurmont Lions Club, visit their…

Alisha Yocum . Christmas lights lined the entrance to a private event held by Thurmont Lions Club Members, Doug Favorite and Don Keeney, Jr. The lights were sure to put anyone in a festive spirit as they entered their personal residence with a display of over 100 Christmas trees. Themed trees filled each room, from…

The Thurmont Lions Club hosted a Christmas Cookie Contest on December 13, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Thurmont. There were 25 adult entries and 7 children entries. Judging was based on appearance, texture, taste, creativity, and Christmas spirit. All proceeds went to local charities.  Children’s Category Winners         1st Prize — Emma Santos…

Richard D. L. Fulton For hundreds of millions of years, the parade of life that existed beneath the oceans that covered the Mason-Dixon Line to the mountain ranges that rose from beneath them, often seemed like something out of an Edgard Rice Burroughs’ novel with a little Dr. Seuss thrown in from time to time.…

One month after announcing the country’s second Division I flag football program, Mount St. Mary’s has hired Sandi James (pictured right) to serve as the team’s first-ever head coach. “I am super excited to make HERstory as the first Head Women’s Flag Football coach in Mount St. Mary’s history,” James said. “My goal is to…

with Michael Betteridge Confession Is Good for the Soul Traditionally in this column, I’ve always reserved January as a time to look back at the last year, to take stock of the new year, and to make some bold predictions. Let’s take that journey together again. For the past several months in this column, I…

SES Welcomes NASA’s “Moon” Tree In 2022, Artemis I launched as part of a series of missions by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), which will enable human exploration on the Moon and possibly future missions to Mars.  Recently, students at Sabillasville Environmental School (SES) were the recipients of a “Moon” tree, whose seeds…

Eighth-grade students at Sabillasville Environmental School (SES) recently collaborated with the Thurmont Lions Club to start a Leo Club, allowing the Lions Club members an opportunity to mentor and empower young leaders while fostering a commitment to community service. The students, along with the help of their teacher, Mrs. Kate Best, planned, created flyers, and…

A serial fiction story for your enjoyment written by James Rada, Jr. THE CLASS OF ‘16 1: The Reunion As the morning light filtered through the curtains of his hotel room, Brian Peyton slowly stirred awake. He groaned, his head pounding from the excess of whiskey he had consumed the night before. With a heavy…