Thurmont Little League Built on Community and Tradition by Alisha Yocum Traditions have stood the test of time at Thurmont Little League (TLL). On April 3, the league celebrated its 75th season, honoring decades of community, teamwork, and tradition. Historical images show that the raising of the flag has long been a part of Opening…

by Richard D. L. Fulton The story of Maryland’s vast coal seams began some 400 million years ago when the collision of the African and North American continents had begun to lead to land arising from the tropical seas … seas that had once covered the land that would eventually become Maryland. Around 320 million…

ThurmontMayor John Kinnaird This year, the United States is celebrating its 250th anniversary. I expect that there will be lots of opportunities to celebrate this milestone accomplishment! Interestingly, here in Thurmont, we are also celebrating a special anniversary. This year will be the 275th anniversary of the founding of our community by settlers from Pennsylvania.…

Baltimore-Washington HPO Richard D. L. Fulton The United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a three-cent stamp on February 28, 1952, commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. The stamp depicted a horse-drawn railcar, the 1829-1930 Tom Thumb, and then-modern diesel. In addition, the legend on the stamps stated, “Baltimore & Ohio…

by Alisha Yocum Thurmont welcomed its newest business to the square on April 20. Pools, Patios & Porches is now open at what was the former the Hobbs’ Hardware building at 15 E. Main Street. Owners Paul and Donna Gorgol—along with their children, Kelly Sewack, Bryan Berzinski, and Mike Gorgol, who help run the operation—are…

Emmitsburg’s newest business is bringing excitement for local quilters and crafters alike. Sew n’ Place, which opened in March at 101 Silo Hill Road (near Jubilee Foods), offers sewing machine sales and repair, along with a wide selection of fabric, thread, and accessories for sewing enthusiasts. The shop is owned by Michael and Hether Sneeringer,…

Hershey’s Five and Dime by Richard D. L. Fulton Hershey’s Five and Dime (also known as Hershey’s 5 & 10) was located at 9 Water Street in Thurmont, but the actual building that housed the store is no longer there, being replaced with a newer structure. By the 1950s, Raymond (Ray) H. Boarts owned and…

Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report: Christ Community Church (Creamery Road) — Awaiting the submission of updated improvement plans. Emmit Ridge — Road closure and street cut plans have been received and reviewed. Improvement Plan is currently…

The Thurmont Grange #409 held its annual Community Citizen and Grange Membership Awards Dinner on Monday, April 13. In addition to recognizing Grangers who have reached milestones in their years of membership, the Grange honors an individual or group that strives to make a difference by giving back to our community. This year, Vickie Grinder,…

by Thomas Minnick Have you ever considered being a part of something that is bigger than any of us? Something that makes a true difference in our community and people’s lives. Being a member of Guardian Hose Company is not just about answering emergency calls and participating in fundraising events; it is about being a…

by Richard Troxell As America celebrates 250 years, here in Thurmont on Saturday, June 6, we celebrate the Bicentennial of Apples Church and the Community. What better way to celebrate 200 years of the Apples Church Stone Sanctuary than by having an old-fashioned Heritage Day Celebration followed by a concert at 6:30 p.m., “The Voices…

Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day is a cherished event for residents and visitors alike. For some, the day’s highlight is the mouthwatering chicken BBQ, while others look forward to the early morning breakfast at the Vigilant Hose Company Activities Building. Children and grandchildren enjoy activities like the raw egg toss, pie eating contests, and a full…

by Geraldine OtrembaCascade Resident, on Behalf of the Committee to Protect Our Mountain The Washington County Planning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. on a proposed Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) that would prohibit small box variety stores in the County’s Rural Village zone within 1,000 feet of a property…

This image shows William McGill working with a group of younger students at Philip’s Delight School. He was the teacher and principal at the school, which was the last one-room school in Frederick County. It was located off an old lumber trail surrounded by thick woods on Catoctin Mountain. Before the school closed on February…

Nominations for the 2026 Wertheimer Fellow for Excellence in Volunteerism and Youth in Action Awards will be accepted May 1 through May 31 The Community Foundation of Frederick County is inviting the community to help shine a light on those who quietly make a difference. Throughout the month of May, nominations will be accepted for…

by Eric Wargotz, MD, FCAP MedChi President – The Maryland State Medical Society In rural parts of the state, including Western Maryland, patients face a persistent reality: the health care they access is often determined by geography, not by medical need. Some patients in rural communities must travel more than an hour just to see…

Charles Rodman Myers April 9, 1934 – April 23, 2026 Charles Rodman Myers, 92, of Thurmont, Maryland, passed away on April 23, 2026, at Gettysburg Hospital. Rodman was the husband of the late Madeline Jean Ogle Myers, and they were married on August 27, 1955. They owned and operated, along with their children, Catoctin Mountain…

The Mount St. Mary’s University (MSMU) Track & Field team recently competed in both the Messiah Invitational and the JMU Invitational in April. During the meets, Sophomore Camryn Jones-Howard broke the school record in the triple jump with a distance of 12.45 meters. She surpassed the previous mark held by her teammate, Madelyn Valpy, who…

Taylor Smith, a former Catoctin High School softball player, pitched her first no-hitter of her collegiate career. Smith, a freshman at the University of Virginia, struck out three and walked three batters in the team’s 8-0 win over NC State on April 25. “She was executing on both sides of the plate and was super…

With Michael Betteridge This Team Is Fun Sports teams develop a personality. It develops as the challenges of the season unfold. Injuries, tough losses, big wins, and unexpected developments can mold the “vibe.” After a little over a month of softball, you can pretty much see and feel the personality of our Cougars softball team.…