James Rada, Jr. While the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary this year, Thurmont is celebrating its 275th anniversary. Mechanicstown, as Thurmont was originally known, considers 1751 its founding year. This is when the first permanent group of Pennsylvania German settlers, who established a community along Hunting Creek, set down roots. The first families—the Kriegers…

Submitted by Joab Bittner Fry The following report of the shooting of Edward O. Smith is taken from the Waynesboro Herald, August 9, 1906. Man Shot through the Heart Bloody murder has spread its lurid mantle over the little, quiet region between the ranges of South Mountain, known as Harbaugh’s Valley. There in the mountain,…

by Richard D. L Fulton The appearance of the ancestor of all canines, or canids, may not have occurred had it not been for an immense meteor which struck the earth some 66 million years ago, triggering a “nuclear winter,” lasting for more than 25 years, during a time frame known as being the Cretaceous…

ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird This year, the Town of Thurmont celebrates its 275th anniversary; and, yes, we are 25 years older than the United States of America. Way back in 1751, our forefathers decided to settle here because of the running streams, ample wildlife, and rich soils. After several years, the community adopted the name Mechanicstown…

by James Rada, Jr. Emmitsburg . Town Moving Toward Property Purchase The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners recently approved a resolution to make an application of the Strategic Demolition Fund to get funds to purchase 304 East Main Street. The property has been considered an eyesore on East Main Street for years, detracting from the town’s…

by James Rada, Jr. Thurmont Municipal Parking Lot to be Improved The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved a bid of $170,995 to make improvements to the municipal parking lot. Huntzberry Brothers of Smithsburg will remove and replace the current asphalt; make street improvements to the surrounding streets and alleys; and add landscaping, benches, and trash…

Woodsboro Burgess Heath Barnes Summer is quickly passing by, and I hope everyone has enjoyed it so far. With the end of summer approaching, it means schools in Frederick County will be back in session by the middle of this month. I encourage you to take caution on the streets and roads as the children…

By Joan Bittner Fry “The eyes are the lamp for the body. If your eyes are sound, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eyes are no good, your body will be in darkness. So if the light of you is in darkness, how terribly dark it will be!”  – Matthew…

The Briefing Room is a Place to Unwind & Relax By James Rada Jr. The Briefing Room at Fort Ritchie opened on July 4, as the former Army base, which served as a military intelligence training center during World War II, continues its revitalization into a small civilian community and small business center. The bar…

By Alisha Yocum Downtown Thurmont is now the new home of a western boutique at 1 East Main Street. Howdy Y’all Boutique is bringing hats, denim, tops, dresses and country-inspired style to the community. Behind the new storefront is one of Thurmont’s youngest entrepreneurs, 21-year-old Morgan Eyler, whose welcoming smile and enthusiasm greet customers as…

By Alisha Yocum Woofie’s of Frederick, a provider of mobile pet grooming, dog walking, and pet-sitting services, celebrated its grand opening during Frederick’s 250th Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4, at Baker Park. During the event, the company handed out complimentary emergency pet wallet cards while supplies last. The wallet cards are designed to…

Mickey Late, owner of Mick’s Plumbing & Heating, still remembers the Isuzu truck he used to launch his business 35 years ago. What began as a one-man operation has grown to 64 employees and a fleet of 49 trucks. Late says he started the business out of necessity. He was working for Thurmont Plumbing at…

 Glade Valley Milling Company The Glade Valley Milling Company, Woodsboro, is the only “identified” flour mill structure remaining in Woodsboro, according to the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT). The mill was also referred to as the Glades Valley Milling Company in a state archive document, dated March 29, 2007, and entitled Frederick County Mills. The plurality…

Submitted by the Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day Committee All Emmitsburg residents and visitors who attended this year’s Community Heritage Day on Saturday, June 27, were the real winners, from the delicious breakfast at the Vigilant Hose Activities Building on Creamery Way to the last fireworks as they lit up the night sky after a wonderful,…

Do you have a new recipe that you have been wanting to try? Is there a favorite family recipe that has been passed down over generations? Looking for something for the kids to do this summer? If so, get ready to bake away and enter your delicious baked items at the annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg…

By Alisha Yocum Timothy Goenner and his wife, Thanh Van phan, of Thurmont recently won the chance to participate in the Warehouse Dash, which included a round-trip, all-expenses-paid trip to Chicago through the Maryland Lottery’s Second Chance Drawing. Maryland’s Second Chance Lottery is part of the My Lottery Rewards program, a free loyalty program that…

Visitors to Catoctin Furnace will soon be able to experience one of the most dramatic sights from the site’s historic past, thanks to a new grant from the Maryland Heritage Areas Program. Governor Wes Moore recently announced 58 matching grants, totaling $5 million for Maryland nonprofits, local governments, and heritage tourism organizations. Among the recipients…

Scholarship winners were presented with their checks by Worshipful Master Rob Reid. Current and previous winners attending were Tanner Seiss, Payton Evans, Olivia Baker, Tyler McCallan, Jared Turner, and Alex Hauk. Acacia Masonic Lodge #155 recently held its Annual Strawberry Night, experiencing an outstanding evening celebrating its community, students, and members. Scholarships totaling more than…

Sara Lee displays one of the large hailstones that fell at her Lewistown home during a severe storm in early July. The storm produced damaging hail that caused significant damage to homes, vehicles, and other structures throughout the area. As a long-time Maryland resident, Lee said she has never seen hail this large.

The Catoctin High School (CHS) Class of 1976 Reunion committee is seeking information about the following people (listed below). If you know the address, telephone number, or email address of any missing classmates,  your help would be greatly appreciated. Please contact Donna (Hahn) Gills at 240-818-2964 or donna.gills76@gmail.com. Classmates we are unable to locate: Kim…