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James Rada, Jr.
Beulah Zentz (pictured right) may not have been born in Thurmont, but the town’s oldest resident has become a part of the town’s history.
She was born on May 26, 1916, near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Fresh out of high school, she met Ethel Hockensmith. Beulah went to help Ethel with housework at her home in Zullinger, Pennsylvania. Beulah stayed with her about a week before Ethel asked her, “Do you want a job?”
Ethel’s brother owned and operated the Munshour Dairies in Thurmont. So, Beulah made the move to Thurmont in 1932. She lived with the Munshours. Her work included milking sixteen cows twice a day, washing glass milk bottles, and bottling milk. Munshour Dairies delivered milk by horse and wagon to locations throughout Thurmont. Sometimes, Beulah would ride along.
“The only place she got to go while she was living there was the Lutheran church,” said Viola Noffsinger, Beulah’s daughter.
It was there that she met Albert Zentz, a local farmer. The two got along well, but before their relationship could really develop, Beulah moved back to Chambersburg. A friend of hers invited Beulah to come work at a factory in Chambersburg for $7.50 a week. Beulah was only making $3.00 a week at Munshour Dairies, so she jumped at the new job.
This complicated her growing relationship with Albert, who had to travel from Thurmont to Chambersburg to visit her. He finally told her that it was too far to travel.
Beulah had a choice to make, and she chose Albert over her job. She moved back in with her family, who were living in New Franklin, Pennsylvania. Once she did, Beulah said, “He started visiting more often.” They married on February 24, 1936.
Albert had taken over his family’s farm in 1934, and Beulah moved into the farmhouse at 158 North Carroll Street in Thurmont. “We had animals of all kinds,” Beulah said. “Hogs, calves, beef cattle, chickens.” They also grew vegetables to sell in town.
The farmhouse also became quite crowded. Albert’s parents, Wendell and Florence, continued to live in the house, and Beulah and Albert started their family. Jean (Heims) was born in 1939, Viola (Noffsinger) in 1940, Mary (Eyler) in 1942, and Wendell in 1954.
As the town grew, factories began building in town.
Meanwhile, Albert not only worked his farm, but he helped anyone in town who needed help. Albert got a reputation of being the person to go to if you needed a helping hand.
Beulah did her part to assist the family. She worked for a time at the shoe factory in town, but then she found a better way to help out.
The Zentzes owned a building next to the railroad tracks and near the shoe factory. The upstairs rooms were rented out as apartments, but the Zentzes had another idea for the ground floor.
“The shoe factory wanted something so people could have snacks and eat,” Beulah said.
And, so, the Sunrise Cafeteria was born. Employees at the shoe factory would place orders, and one employee would walk over to the cafeteria to pick up the order of milk and sandwiches that the employees would eat on their break.
The Western Maryland Railroad passenger trains also stopped at the cafeteria. “They made it a point to stop there and eat,” Beulah said.
The cafeteria operated for years until bureaucracy began interfering. Insurance rates climbed because the cafeteria sold fresh milk, not pasteurized. Then the health inspector told Beulah that they would need new coolers to hold the milk, which were too expensive. The cafeteria closed in the early 1950s.
Beulah continued working with companies like Claire Frock and Hillside Turkey.
Albert died in 2002. He and Beulah had been married for sixty-seven years.
Beulah is now 102 years old, making her Thurmont’s oldest citizen. However, she has had health issues this year, including pneumonia. When asked what her secret to long life is, Beulah said, “I never gave it much thought. I just went along and did whatever needed doing.”
Photo by James Rada, Jr.
Emmitsburg
Residents Having Trouble With Mount Students
A group of Emmitsburg residents spoke to the Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners during their June meeting about the continuing problems they are having with unruly Mount St. Mary’s students. Some students party too hard and create disturbances in town, including urinating on private property, breaking fences, exposing themselves to residents, and driving through closed alleys to get onto Main Street.
“They are treating Emmitsburg like a frat house and frat row,” Paul McKinley said.
Wayne Green, Mount St. Mary’s vice president and chief of staff, pointed out that the problems are being caused by a handful of students.
“I’m sorry to all of you that had to put up with that,” Green said.
To have any impact on the problem, the town and university would need to continue open communications about it. Green also urged the residents to communicate directly with him to get a quicker response to problems when they arise.
The town and university will work to develop a plan during the summer that can be instituted when the new school year starts in the fall.
New Planner Hired
As Emmitsburg Town Planner Sue Cipperly plans her retirement, the Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners approved her replacement.
Zach Gulden was approved by the commissioners during their June meeting. He is one of thirty-eight people who applied for the position, and one of three who were interviewed by Town Manager Cathy Willets and Mayor Don Briggs.
Gulden is currently the Freedom Township manager and Upper Allen Township planner. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.
He will start in his new position in July, allowing some overlap between his start and Cipperly’s retirement so that she can get him up to speed on the on-going projects. His annual salary is $55,303.88.
Town Cleanup Day Approved
The Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners approved a plan by resident Wayne Slaughter to hold the first Volunteer Community Cleanup Day in Emmitsburg on July 14. This initial cleanup will focus on the parks and community west of Seton Avenue.
Slaughter will also present a plan to create a botanical garden and walk within one of the town parks. The area he has in mind will have to be cleared of an invasive vine species and then replanted with native plants.
The commissioners said that they would be interested in hearing more about his idea.
Salary Schedule Approved
The Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners approved the town employee salary chart for the upcoming year. They also approved changes to when employees can receive their accrued benefits when they leave employment with the town. Employees will have to give two weeks’ notice when they leave to be eligible to receive the accrued benefits.
Town to Get Electric Car Charging Stations
The Town of Emmitsburg will receive a grant from the Electric Vehicle Institute that will fund four charging stations. The stations will be placed in the rear parking lot at the Town Community Center.
The town was required to sign a five-year agreement with the Electric Vehicle Institute. The stations will not cost the town anything. Electric consumption used by the charging station will be paid for by the driver charging the vehicle.
The commissioners also had to approve an addendum to their lease with Frederick County, which is the owner of the community center. The addendum change allows the charging stations to be installed.
Thurmont
Catoctin Heights Gets LED Streetlights
The Town of Thurmont has installed LED streetlights in Catoctin Heights. The lights were paid for with a grant from the Maryland Energy Administration. The lights will help reduce the town’s energy costs as the town moves toward becoming greens and sustainable.
Senior Center and Food Bank for CDBG Grants
The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners are seeking a Community Development Block Grant to purchase a digital messaging sign for the Thurmont Senior Citizens Center and interior upgrades to the Thurmont Food Bank, including the air conditioning system.
Thurmont Approves Budget with 2-cent Property Tax Increase
The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved their Fiscal Year 2019 operating budget with a 2-cent increase to the property tax rate. The new tax rate is 30.41 cents per $100 of assessed value. With this increase, the budget is expected to have a $91,320 surplus of revenues over expenditures.
During the discussions, Commissioner Marty Burns had heated discussions with the other commissioners and Mayor John Kinnaird over past financial errors, funding for the Thurmont Addictions Commission, employee health costs, and employee raises.
“There are a lot of good things in this budget, but I don’t feel comfortable supporting any tax increase because we haven’t sat down and analyzed exactly what happened from three years ago to where we are today,” Burns said.
The tax increase passed 3-1, with Burns voting in opposition.
The $3.8 million general fund budget also passed 3-1, with Burns voting in opposition.
Remember to Maintain Your Property
The Thurmont Police Department released a message to the community that town ordinance forbids blowing cut grass, weeds, and leaves into town streets and gutters.
If yard waste is blown into a street, it must be removed within four hours. Yard waste also cannot be thrown into a storm sewer. Violators of this ordinance can be fined $50.
Emmitsburg
Mayor Don Briggs
The passing of beloved community family doctor, Dr. Alan Carroll, was a deep loss to our community. His practice of forty years is a part of tradition, part of our history. He was such a humble man, whose smile always beat his hand to greet you. It seemed I would always meet him going somewhere, mostly on his way to church. He was a wonderful husband and father of seven children, who filtered through our local schools and shared his and Rita’s graces. For me, there is something that Bishop Fulton J. Sheen had said, “A smile is laughter’s whisper and has roots in the soul,” and that is what you got every time you met the good doctor.
Because of weather and construction delays, the Square dedication scheduled for June 30 has been postponed until the fall.
Welcome to Emmitsburg, Richmond American Homes; your Model Grand Opening in the Brookfield subdivision drew many from near and far—what a gorgeous home that takes full advantage of the green mountain views and compliments the beautiful Brookfield setting.
Lib and I attended the Memorial Day Mass at St. Joseph’s Church and then joined the American Legion Honor Guard for visits to our six cemeteries, Legion Hall, and the Doughboy. It was wonderful to trail along for the solemn, respectful tribute to those who gave their lives, so we could live ours. At each stop, there was a 21-gun salute, a lowering of the Maryland flag respectively to our country’s flag, and the bugle sound of “Taps.”
The American Legion-VFW Honor Guard and the same from Thurmont held the annual Flag Day commemoration on June 14, at Memorial Park. As a tradition, the ceremony rotates location every year with Thurmont.
In June, I attended the Maryland Municipal League (MML) summer conference held in Ocean City, Maryland, and was a presenter for one of the sessions. As described by MML, my topic was “Sustainability According to Mark Twain.” Mark Twain once said, “Common sense is not so common”; however, it should be common sense that we only use what we need and save the rest for future generations. In this session, the Town of Emmitsburg, winners of the 2017 Maryland Green Registry Leadership Award, reviewed what sustainability is, why it’s important, and the various sustainability projects Emmitsburg has completed. It was an honor.
At times challenging, the weather did break open to allow for our pool grand opening on June 2, with DJ music, food goodies, and sodas donated by Spike’s Auto and Tire of Emmitsburg. Thank you to County Executive Gardner and three Veterans of Foreign War (VFW), Commander Marty Williams, Gene Lingg, and Pat Gjerde for joining us. Thank you, again, to our staff for pulling this together.
The grand opening of the new Seton Center is set for Tuesday, July 10, at 3:00 p.m. It’s a very green, green building, with special day lighting along the roofline to take advantage of borrowed light, solar renewable energy, water suppression fixtures, two dishwashers for cups and utensils—instead of using disposable paper cups and plastic utensils—and permeable pavers in the parking lot to reduce site runoff.
Thank you to the eight hundred firefighters from New Jersey who recently visited the National Emergency Training Center Campus for a weekend of Federal training. For about twenty-five weekends a year, we have firemen from different states come in for these trainings.
Welcome, summer!
Thurmont
Mayor John Kinnaird
The past month has been very busy! Thurmont CAO Jim Humerick, CFO Linda Joyce, Main Street Manager Vickie Grinder, Commissioner Wes Hamrick, and I attended the 2018 Maryland Municipal League (MML) Summer Conference in Ocean City, Maryland. The opportunity to participate in seminars and discussion groups with other municipalities makes you realize that—big or small—all of our communities face similar issues. Every time I return from the MML Conference, I am reminded that Thurmont has benefited for many years from the knowledge and understanding we bring back from this worthwhile week. Three weeks ago, I attended the Project Open Space funding meeting for Frederick County Municipalities. Each year, we get together to allocate the State of Maryland POS funds for our communities. This meeting is always a very friendly event, with give and take from each community. I am pleased to say that Thurmont has been awarded $68,106 to help build a third pavilion at the Community Park, and an additional $13,320 to assist with the installation of lights on the Trolley Trail. I expect both of these projects to be completed within the coming year.
This coming month will be filled with lots of events and activities. The Guardian Hose Company Carnival will be held the week of July 9-14. There will be rides, games, great food, live entertainment every night, and bingo. Be sure to get the kids together for the Annual Parade on Thursday, July 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Join me for six evenings of fun, friends, and great food! On Friday, July 13, Fox 5 will be in Thurmont for a Zip Trip. Fox 5 will be broadcasting live, four times an hour, from 6:00-10:00 a.m. This will be a great opportunity for people to see our community and learn about what makes Thurmont special. Be sure to tell your friends and family to watch Fox 5 on July 13, and then come out to see the live broadcast. If you have not stopped at the Thurmont Main Street Farmers Market, you are missing out on some great local produce, beef, BBQ ribs, handmade crafts, pork, homemade jams, fresh baked goodies, and lots of other items! The market is held at the Municipal Parking lot on South Center Street every Saturday from 9:00 a.m.-noon. Be sure to stop and pick up some local goodness. The Town of Thurmont is sponsoring a recreation program in the Community Park on July 23-26 and July 30-August 2. The program is open to kids ages five to fifteen and will feature a different focus each day. The program runs from 8:30 a.m.-noon, and costs $10.00 per day or $35.00 per week. Be sure to stop at the Town Office or call 301-271-7313 to register your kids for this fun-filled summer program.
All of our schools are now out on summer vacation, and our children are outside riding bikes, skateboarding, playing ball, and having a great time. The one thing they may not be doing is paying attention to traffic when crossing our streets, chasing balls, or playing with friends. Please be extra careful on our streets and watch for kids playing near the roadway. They may not be aware of you and could run into the street; your additional care while driving could save a life.
The month of July affords the Thurmont Board of Commissioners a summer break from our regular schedule of weekly meetings. The only scheduled meeting of the month will be on July 24, unless an emergency requires an additional meeting.
I hope everyone has a wonderful July! As always, if you have any comments, concerns, or suggestions, I can be reached at 301-606-9458 or by email at jkinnaird@thurmont.com.
James Rada, Jr.
Since 2003, Baker Tree Services has operated out of Lewistown, but they recently relocated to 147 Water Street in Thurmont and celebrated their grand re-opening at their new home.
“We were getting a little too big to operate out of our home in Lewistown,” said Carolyn Baker. “We also wanted to be able to separate our business and home life better.”
She and her husband, Glen “Eric” Baker, originally started as landscapers, but they started working exclusively with trees in 2003.
“It has more profit, and we liked the work better,” said Carolyn.
Baker Tree Services can do tree removal, tree pruning, stump grinding, and lot clearing. The work is done by trained experts. Eric is a Maryland Tree Expert, an ISA Certified Arborist, and holds the CTSP (Certified Tree Care Safety Professional) certification. Additional employees are licensed as well.
Carolyn says their employees are professionals who take pride in their work and do a great clean-up of their work sites. The crews follow American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards practices for proper pruning, which insures that only proper cuts will be made.
Baker Tree Services employs eighteen people and runs three to five crews, depending on the need. They work primarily in Frederick County but will also go into any of the surrounding counties if needed.
On Wednesday, June 6, 2018, the Town of Thurmont held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Baker Tree Services, Inc. to welcome Carolyn and Eric Baker to the Thurmont business community.
They can be reached at 800-383-4595 or treecare@bakertreeservices.com. Check out their advertisement on page 19.
The Town of Thurmont welcomes Baker Tree Services, Inc. to its new location on 147 Water Street in Thurmont with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 6, 2018. Owners, Carolyn and Eric Baker are pictured next to Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird (holding the certificate) to his left.
James Rada, Jr.
It only took Dr. Alan Carroll a week to realize Emmitsburg was the place where he wanted to live and raise a family. When he died on May 17, 2018, he had resided in Emmitsburg for more than forty years, raised his family of seven, and become a part of the town.
Alan initially thought he would be a priest. He entered a seminary program and attended Loyola University in Chicago. Sometime during his years there, he began thinking life had another path for him to walk.
He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, but then spent another year taking science classes so that he could apply to medical schools. He was accepted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.
Before he left for Maryland, though, he met and fell in love with Rita. The two were married in 1969.
He graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1974 and completed a residency in Family Medicine there in 1977. Part of the third year of his residency involved his working with a doctor in private practice for two months, or two doctors for one month each.
He was recommended to Dr. George Morningstar in Emmitsburg, and Alan planned on working with him for one month before moving onto another doctor.
“After Alan had worked with George for a week, he came home and said, ‘I hope I can work with him for two months. It’s really wonderful there,’” recalled Rita Carroll.
Dr. Morningstar allowed Alan to work with him for two months and then invited him to join his practice. When the Carrolls moved to Emmitsburg, they had to get used to living in a small town.
“The day we moved up here in July, there were no street lights on South Seton,” Rita remembered. She also remembers the town being very dark and quiet at night.
Because of his work with Dr. Morningstar, Alan had already started to fit in.
“Alan had already met a lot of George’s patients, and he really liked them,” Rita said.
They rented a house on South Seton for four years, but then had to move when their growing family became too cramped in the house. They moved out to Keysville Road for a while, and when Dr. Morningstar died in 1988, Alan purchased the doctor’s home and practice. This meant there was minimal disruption for the patients.
Alan enjoyed his work. He liked working with the sisters in the nursing home across the street from his practice, and he liked living in a small town where he got to know everyone.
“His dad was in the Air Force, and they moved around a lot when he was younger,” Rita said. “He was looking for a quiet, good place to raise his family and do his work. He thought he found it here.”
After serving Emmitsburg for forty years, Alan closed his practice in mid-February. Rita said that he felt that it was time to close, and the changing nature of medicine and insurance made it unlikely that a single doctor would want to take over the practice.
He died on May 17 at the age of seventy-one. He left behind his wife and seven children: Sarah, John, Eric, Brendan, Peter, Amelia, and Ruth.
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs called Alan a “wonderful doctor for our town.” He said during the June town meeting that Alan had served many generations of residents in town. “It means so much when you lose a person like that.”
Dr. Alan Carroll, served Emmitsburg for forty years and loved every minute of it.
Theresa Dardanell
Thurmont Regional Library Administrator Erin Dingle (pictured right) has lots of things to keep her busy after her retirement. She is looking forward to spending time with her family—babysitting her two grandsons, who live in Silver Spring, and attending sporting and school events with her two grandsons in Baltimore. She also plans to travel farther than Maryland, as she attempts to continue her goal of visiting all fifty states. Her passions include reading and gardening, which she will enjoy while her already-retired husband plays golf.
Dingle is also working on a research project about the Maryland State Sanitorium in Sabillasville, which opened in 1908. Because her father worked there, she grew up on the grounds of the facility. Her research includes original documents and oral histories from nurses and patients. The future of the research project might be a book one day.
Dingle started working at the Thurmont Library in 1987, when it was located on Water Street. At that time, she lived near the library and walked to work for the evening shift. She reintroduced the children’s storytimes, as well as other programs. When Margaret Bruchey Krone retired as branch manager, Dingle was promoted. She earned her Master of Library Science degree and became the regional library administrator when the new library opened on Moser Road in 2008. When looking back over the last thirty years, she’s seen lots of changes: the card catalog was replaced by the computer system, the new library has a literacy corner in the children’s area, there is now a beautiful deck for everyone to enjoy nature, as well as study rooms, artwork on display, and an agricultural history room. Many community programs have been added over the years; Dingle always looked for ways to increase community involvement, but she also gives credit to her “fabulous” staff for coming up with ideas and implementing them. She will miss the staff and the patrons who have become her friends. “I’ve loved every minute surrounded by books. It was just the perfect job for me.”
I asked Mayor John Kinnaird about Dingle’s contribution to the community. He replied, “Somewhere, there are everyday, run-of-the-mill librarians, but not here in Thurmont! Erin Dingle has played an important and integral part of the lives of the residents of Thurmont since taking her position thirty years ago. In the course of her career, Erin has been the only librarian many of the last two or so generations of youngsters have known. I drive by the library regularly and am always surprised to see how many people are there at any time of the day or evening. Under Erin’s leadership, the Thurmont Regional Library has become a central part of life for residents in and around Thurmont, with many well-attended programs and events suitable for all ages. The Thurmont Regional Library is recognized as one of the best libraries in the state; this recognition is due, in large part, to the efforts of Erin Dingle. Thurmont has benefited from having an outstanding librarian these past thirty years, and on behalf of the residents of Thurmont, I want to wish Erin a happy, healthy, and long retirement.”
James Rada, Jr.
Eliza Phillips took one last look around the Emmitsburg pool on May 26, 2018, and then climbed onto her lifeguard stand and blew her whistle to signal the new Emmitsburg pool was open. Her father, Hamblin, was the first person to jump in.
“The water’s not even cold,” he smiled. “This is nice.”
He explained that the water used to be cold because there was always a hose running into it to keep it filled since the old pool constantly leaked.
He was soon joined by adults and children who waded in from the shallow end or jumped off the diving board. Summer had arrived.
The Emmitsburg Mayor and Commissioners had decided last year to replace the pool after a pressure test showed that it could not be repaired. Also, the beams beneath the pool were damaged and needed to be replaced. Over the pool’s forty-five-year life, no significant work had been done on it. Because of the work being done to restore the pool, it was not open last year.
Although the new pool’s official grand opening was June 2, it actually opened for use on May 26.
Besides a new pool, the pool house has a fresh coat of paint and the pavilion was treated to remove the bees. The parking lot was repaved and repainted. The new pool’s depths range from one foot to ten feet. The new pool is expected to be less expensive to run, primarily because water and chemicals won’t be leaking from the pool.
“I’m impressed with the parking lot,” Phillips commented. “You used to come close to bottoming out your car.”
RSV Pools is managing the pool. The company is also introducing its SWIMSAFE Program, designed to help identify unsupervised “non-swimmers.”
This year marks Eliza’s third year working at a pool. She began her first year as a gate guard for the Emmitsburg pool. This is her first year as a lifeguard. Eliza said that compared to her first year at the Emmitsburg pool, the new pool looks cleaner and won’t have as many issues.
“This is so much nicer than other pools,” Eliza said.
The pool will be open through Labor Day, noon until 7:00 p.m.
For more information, please call the Town of Emmitsburg at 301-600-6303 or email anaill@emmitsburgmd.gov.
The Fuse Teen Center isn’t actually a “center.” It will be a transient teen center, comprised of a group of parents and concerned citizens hoping to provide activities for teens in the Thurmont area. Fuse is based on Christian principles; however, it is not affiliated with any particular church.
The founder of Fuse, Susan Crone, had been long considering how to provide a group for teens. As a response to several events in which teens were lost to suicide or overdose, Susan decided it was time to step out in faith. In February of this year, a group was formed, a core group of members were identified, and a mission statement was accepted by the core. The group originally called themselves “Abandon,” but after a reorganization of the core, Fuse was born.
Crone has been a teacher in Frederick County Public Schools for thirty years. “I have worked with many students touched by the death of a friend or a loved one who is struggling with depression or addiction. The number of my actual students who have died is so sad to me. I have to do something. I can’t just sit by anymore and let ‘no’ be the answer anymore. If Fuse fails, we lose nothing but our time. But if we do nothing, we fail for sure—and the cost is our teens. Someone has to do something, so I’m doing it,” stated Crone.
Other members of the Fuse team include Buddy Summers, Carly Crone (high school teen rep.), Liz Yingling, Emily Little, Thomas Treat (middle school teen rep.), Bryan Riffle, Rachel Hubbard, the members of RJ’s Lasting Strength Foundation, Doug Mongold, and many others.
The goal of Fuse is to build relationships—relationships between teens, relationships between teens and adults. So many relationships today are made and maintained over social media. Fuse hopes to give teens the opportunity to meet face-to-face in a positive envirnoment.
Fuse hosted its first event on May 5, 2018: a Cinco de Mayo-themed evening of games, talking, and tacos. Taco Bell and Food Lion provided donations for a spectacular buffet. A visit from “Tessa” the guinea pig made the evening complete. Fuse welcomed eighteen teens, thirteen volunteers, and another ten adults who came along for the ride. The event was held at Trinity United Church of Christ in Thurmont. Fuse extends its gratitude to the church for its willingness to take a chance on the group.
Fuse’s second event was a “School’s Out” picnic, held at Thurmont Community Park on Saturday, June 16, 2018. Fuse greeted the start of summer vacation with twelve teens and nine volunteers, along with many adults who stopped in to see how things were going.
The biggest undertaking for Fuse has been the negotiation with Trinity United Church of Christ in Thurmont to offer a “coffee house,” meeting twice a week through the summer, from 6:00-8:30 p.m.—one night for middle school teens and one night for high school teens. Two rooms of the church will be used to allow teens to gather for food, fun, and “Fuse-ing!” All teens are welcome.
Fuse Teen Center has joined RJ’s Lasting Foundation. RJ’s Lasting Strength Foundation, Inc” is a 501c(3) non-profit whose mission is to combat the heroin epidemic in Frederick County by spreading awareness and educating the community on the disease of addiction and overdose deaths. Fuse Teen Center activities fit in with its prevention goals. Fuse has also partnered with the Thurmont Addictions Commission under its prevention pillar, which is chaired by Mike Randall. These partnerships will allow Fuse to be visible to more people.
Fuse does not have funding. At this point, it is operating on the generosity of places like Food Lion, Taco Bell, Mountain Gate Restuarant, Shuff’s Meat Market, and friends and family. Donations of snack items are greatly appreciated. Monetary donations would also be appreciated and can be made out to RJ’s Lasting Strength Foundation – Fuse Teen Center. Monetary donations will be used to fund items that teens at the center request. Currently, teens have requested a projector to show movies and games on the wall, and a bowling game!
For this venture to prosper, Fuse is eager to have volunteers who are willing to commit to at least one night this summer. If someone would like to volunteer or donate, please contact Susan Crone at 301-676-1183, at fuseteencenter@gmail.com , or at www.facebook.com/fuseteens/.
Have you ever noticed the amount of trash that is strewn along Emmitsburg’s streets, alleys, sidewalks, and parks? Some of this loose trash can be attributed to wind storms blowing trash, waste, and recyclable items out of garbage cans, dumpsters, and recycle bins. Unfortunately, some of it is the result of littering. The Town of Emmitsburg would like your help cleaning it up. The litter is not only unsightly and unsanitary, but it can also be hazardous to humans and pets. The town has agreed to sponsor a Volunteer Community Clean-Up Day to help remove loose litter, paper products, plastic containers, bottles, cans, and so forth, throughout Emmitsburg. The town is planning to have these Community Clean-Up Days on the second Saturday of each month, beginning in July and running through October.
The town will supply the garbage bags and tools as necessary, but will be relying upon enthusiastic volunteers to help collect the trash, so it can be disposed of properly. The town will be divided into numbered sections, cleaning one section of the town each month. Depending on levels of participation, the volunteers will work in different parts of the same section, in groups of five to ten, under a team leader who will coordinate with the other team leaders. Team leaders will carry first aid, cleaning supplies, and water bottles. Volunteers will meet at a designated location within the section, where they will be assigned to a team leader and given clean-up supplies. Although team leaders will have a limited number of spare gloves available, volunteers should plan on bringing their own gloves. Team leaders will help remove the full garbage bags and drop them at a central location in each section, where the town will pick them up. The town will take before and after pictures of the sections to help promote the Community Clean-Up Day project, as well as group pictures of all the volunteers to help recognize their hard work. A light breakfast will be provided and bottled water will be supplied for all volunteers, beginning at 8:15 a.m. Team leaders will assemble their volunteers to begin working at about 9:00 a.m., finishing at noon.
The Town of Emmitsburg is hoping to have a great turn out to help clean up and beautify the community.
On Sunday, June 24, 2018, the Vigilant Hose Company (VHC) proudly placed into service its new “Ambulance 69” (A-69) with Amber Zimmerman and Chad Zimmerman running the call. A-69 replaces a unit that was over eleven years old. VHC Chief Umbel stated, “At a cost of over a quarter million dollars, the vision to begin setting aside funds for the new ambulance goes to the former officers and members of the former Ambulance Company who started the process of saving for a new ambulance several years ago.”
During this past year, the joint merger of the Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company into the Vigilant Hose Company took place. Months of planning and coordination between the organizations and partner agencies allowed for the full process to be effective at 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2018.
Following its arrival here, it took just over six weeks to get A-69 fully outfitted with all its life saving equipment, including radios and a range of items needed to obtain a ‘Seal of Excellence’ designation from the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) and, very importantly, training response personnel to be familiar with the various technologies utilized onboard the unit.
Chief Umbel added, “Mounted on a Ford F-550 Chassis, the new ‘Type 1’ ambulance was manufactured by Road Rescue of Winter Park/Orlando, Florida, whose local dealer Atlantic Emergency Solutions of Manassas, Virginia, was very responsive to our particular community’s needs.” The cost of new A-69 exceeded over a quarter million dollars. One key feature is the Stryker Brand ‘Power-LOAD’ powered cot loading and fastener system improves patient and First Responder safety by supporting the cot throughout the loading, unloading, and transportation processes.
During the recent May 23rd ‘EMS Open House” event, held in recognition of National Emergency Medical Services Week, the new unit drew great interest from visitors, just as it has since its arrival. On behalf of the Town of Emmitsburg, Mayor Don Briggs presented VHC with a $6,000 check to help offset costs of EMS delivery locally.
A permanent plaque will soon be affixed to the unit, dedicating A-69 to all members of the former Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company who worked so hard to raise funds that allowed for the purchase and outfitting of equipment being carried. Those who have yet to see the new A-69 will get the opportunity to do so during Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day on Saturday, June 30, which begins with Breakfast at the Fire Station on West Main Street.
Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs (standing, center) presents a $6,000 check to VHC President Frank Davis; looking on is ‘Sparkey,’ Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, and VHC Auxiliary President Tina Ryder; kneeling are members of VHC’s EMS Committee, Jim Click, Chad Zimmerman, Amber Zimmerman, Alyssa Cool, and Dave Stonesifer.
Over the years, Caroline Clark of Thurmont has seen many of her friends participate in a very special contest, with a unique prize awarded, at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. This contest, run by the Youth Conservationist Program (YCP), is open to all interested in raising and preserving special breeds of sheep. Winners get the opportunity to experience the joys and responsibilities of raising and conserving heritage breeds of wool sheep that may not be common in certain areas of the United States. It’s made possible by breeders who are willing to mentor youth, donate a yearling ewe, and assist the youth with establishing their own flock. This year, Caroline entered the contest and won a wonderful award.
As part of the contest, youth are required to submit an essay, outlining why they want to preserve a heritage sheep breed. Each year, the breeds change and the youth can review what might be available before deciding to enter. Caroline became interested in the YCP program several years ago, but waited to enter until the right breed came along—the Leicester Longwool. In 2018, Caroline learned a Longwool ewe might be available, and she decided to enter. She had already started her flock, so it was very exciting waiting for the essays to be evaluated. A few days before the start of the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival, Caroline received the phone call she had been waiting for: Her essay had been selected, and she would be receiving a registered yearling Leicester Longwool ewe. Her ewe would be from Stillpoint Farm, donated by Carol McConaughy. Carol and her husband, Tom, have a lovely farm near Mt. Airy, Maryland, where she raises Leicester Longwool sheep and boards horses. Caroline bought her very first Leicester Longwool ewe from Carol and became attached to the breed instantly.
Leicester Longwools are very calm and are excellent mothers. They are also known for their beautiful fleeces, which are prized by hand spinners. According to the Livestock Conservancy, the Leicester Longwool was highly prized in America, especially for its use in crossbreeding to improve “native” stock. During the 1800s, however, the breed lost favor to the Merino and other fine wool breeds. After 1900, the breed fell into decline and was likely extinct in the United States during the 1930s or 1940s. A very small population remained in Canada. In 1990, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a historic site in Virginia, reestablished the breed in North America by importing sheep from Australia. Several conservation flocks have now been established, and the population of Leicester Longwool sheep in North America is increasing. This is important, given that the breed remains rare globally. Caroline’s new ewe, Bonnie, has a beautiful white fleece.
Caroline is no stranger to raising sheep. She is just twelve years old and has fourteen ewes in her commercial flock and four Leicester Longwools. She is a proud five-year member of the Rocky Ridge 4-H Club and the Frederick County Beef, Sheep & Swine Club. Her projects include market lambs, breeding sheep, sewing, crafts, cooking, and field crops. She has been very active in 4-H Fashion Revue, Skillathon, Livestock Judging, and Shepard’s Line Lead events across the local and state level. Caroline is a third-generation farmer, taking care of all the needs of her growing flock. She gets up early in the morning, prior to school, and tends to them when she gets home from school.
So, not only will Caroline be preserving a heritage breed, but also the art of hand spinning. Caroline was bitten by the wool bug when she was taught how to process her own fleece into roving and then to yarn. At first, she borrowed a spinning wheel from a local artisan—who is a wonderful teacher to the local 4-H youth—Patty Sanville of Jefferson, Maryland. She spent a day educating Caroline on the wheel and how to spin properly. Just a few months later, Caroline had made lots of skeins of beautiful cream colored 2-ply yarn, which will soon be transformed into something spectacular. Caroline has even participated recently in a spinning demonstration, in conjunction with an event held at Rose Hill Manor in Frederick. She sat with local spinners and educated the public on the beauty and versatility of wool.
This year, you may be able to see Caroline and her flock of Leicester Longwools at one of several shows: The Wills Fair, The Great Frederick Fair, and The Maryland State Fair. The YCP program can open up opportunities for youth who are interested in preserving heritage sheep breeds. If you are interested in participating in the program, please contact Elaine Ashcraft at tankewe_cr58@yahoo.com.
Caroline participates in the Shepard’s Lead Contest with Bonnie, receiving a second place award. The entire outfit and scarf the ewe is wearing was made from wool by Caroline.
Caroline receiving her new registered Leicester Longwool ewe from Stillpoint Farm at the MD Sheep & Wool Festival
Courtesy Photos
Catoctin High School (CHS) has formed a 50th anniversary planning committee. The committee members are looking for memorabilia from the last fifty years that can be photographed, scanned, and/or displayed in the school for the 2018-2019 school year. The lobby will be “rejuvenated” this summer to display items from each decade. This is a GREAT opportunity to share your fondest memories from your high school years with the current generation!
In addition to the above, families where multiple generations have graduated from CHS, visit https://sites.google.com/fcps.org/catoctin50 to find out how to contribute to this celebration this year!
The Student Government Association of Catoctin High School will present several activities to celebrate the anniversary. Look for a 50th anniversary table and display during the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show in September 2018. On October 5, 2018, a reception will be held for alumni in the school’s cafeteria before the CHS Homecoming football game. On this evening, CHS alumni will receive student-priced admission to the Homecoming game.
The CHS Sports Boosters will also host activities to commemorate the anniversary. Stay tuned for details about these and more upcoming events and activities that commemorate the school’s anniversary.
The annual Thurmont High School Alumni Banquet was held June 2, 2018, at the Thurmont Event Complex. Alumni president, Don Dougherty (Class of 1969) served as the master of ceremonies. Audrey Ecker Coe, Class of 1940, was the oldest in attendance. She first attended alumni banquets in 1933 at the age of nine. She would tap dance and sing. Ironically, Audrey’s great, great nephew received a scholarship.
Scholarships are an important part of the alumni’s purpose: supporting continued education. This year’s recipients were Edison Hatter (grandson of Mayor James Black), Keren June Ott (related to Kenneth Ott), Hayden Spalding (related to Mary Fraley Lawyer, Robert Abraham, Barbara Bittner Abraham, Donald Spalding, and Joan Lawyer Spalding), Nikita James Miller (related to James E. Miller, Sr. and James E. Miller, Jr.), and Casey Ecker (related to Larry Ecker).
Gayle Slezak was in attendance representing former teachers. Former alumni officers were recognized and thanked. Those who served in the military were recognized and thanked.
Addison Eyler sang the “Star Spangled Banner,” and Larry Freshman read a poem he wrote about growing up in Thurmont.
Honors classes were 1948, 1953, 1958, 1963, and 1968. Fred Addison came the farthest, traveling from Texas. Thanks to the many businesses who donated door prizes for the banquet. Next year’s banquet will be held Saturday, June 1, 2019. Anniversary class years end in a 4 or a 9.
Pictured from left are Nikita James Miller; Edison Hatter; Jeff Ott, excepting for his daughter, Keren June Ott; Casey Ecker; and Hayden Spalding.