34th Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg
Nicholas DiGregory Bells have long been a cherished part of the firefighting tradition. Long before the invention of the radio or even the telephone, bell systems were used to signal firefighters throughout the day. The bell of the firehouse was rung to signify the beginning of a new shift, or to call members of a…
Why All Who Are Eligible Should Belong to a Veterans Organization as Worthy as Our Own VFW Men’s Auxiliary Post 6658 in Emmitsburg
You are eligible to be a member of any VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Men’s Auxiliary if you are a man over the age of sixteen, a citizen of the United States, and are a husband, widower, father, son, grandson, brother, foster brother, step brother, foster son, or step son of persons who were or…
Remembering Cpl. William “Kyle” Ferrell
Deb Spalding Twenty-one year old Corporal William Ferrell—Kyle to those close to him—was known for doing good things for others. While serving with a Marine Corps security force, he helped stranded motorists along Route #15 in northern Frederick County, Maryland, on more than one occasion. He was known to use his free time to do…
The Great American Wheat Harvest Wins a 2015 Mid-America Regional Emmy Award
Emmitsburg film maker, Conrad Weaver of ConjoStudios, LLC, is excited to announce that his 2014 documentary The Great American Wheat Harvest film has received a Mid-America Regional EMMY® Award! On Saturday, October 3, 2015, the Mid-America Chapter of National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences held the EMMY® Gala in St. Louis, Missouri, and The…
Local Artists, Merchants, and Celebs Shine in “Festival of Trees”
Some of Frederick’s favorite artists, merchants and well-known civic leaders will be digging into their holiday decorations early this year in preparation for the Historical Society of Frederick County’s “Festival of Trees” event, November 28-December 13, 2015, in which local individuals volunteer to decorate holiday trees that are sold in a silent auction. Yvonne Reinsch…
Tribute to Vietnam Vets
Fred Shinbur, Coordinator of the Maryland Public Television (MPT) Vietnam Project, visited the AMVETS Post 7 in Thurmont during a Wing Feed fundraiser on October 17, 2015. Shinbur was driving in style in a green KIA decorated with information about the project he’s promoting. He was on a trek throughout Maryland to spread the word…
Never Forgetting the Service of Our Veterans
James Rada, Jr. It is estimated that more than 1,100 World War II Veterans die each day. The United States and Frederick County is quickly losing its “greatest generation.” The Frederick County Veterans History Project is working to make sure those important histories are not lost. Working with the Library of Congress, these county volunteers…
Murrah Stone Dedication Added to Fire Archive at Fire Museum in Emmitsburg
On October 6, 2015, a slab of granite that was removed from the face of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City was added to the fire archive at The National Fire Heritage Center/Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum (NHFC) at 300B South Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was the…
The Spires of Mechanicstown
Denny Black As all boys did in small towns during the 50’s and 60’s, I explored every street and alley in Thurmont. Nestled at the foothills of the beautiful Catoctin Mountains in Northern Frederick County, Thurmont offered a kaleidoscope of images, whether you were walking high on the Western Maryland Railway tracks along Altamont and…
Was It a Wolf, a Fox, a Bear?
Barbara Abraham When we, or people visiting the area, think about the names of certain communities, thoughts jump to animals for being the origin. Why not think animals had an influence on the long-ago names? After all, back then, there were more animals than people populating the woods and meadows. But are these thoughts always…
Colorfest Experiences Another Successful Year
James Rada, Jr. The crowds have gone now, Colorfest 2015 is over, and life in Thurmont is back to normal. Many local non-profit organizations got their annual boost of funding from the estimated 125,000 people that crowded into Thurmont for the event that was held during the second weekend of October. Although Colorfest started out…
NWFCCA’s Annual Mountain Fest and 32nd Annual Kenny Clabaugh Car Show Enjoyed by Many
C. L. Harbaugh The weekend of October 10 and 11, 2015, featured cloudless blue skies and crisp fall temperatures, a glorious greeting for those participants who journeyed just a few miles off of the beaten trail to enjoy a less crowded, slower pace at the Sabillasville’s Annual Mountain Fest and 32nd Annual Kenny Clabaugh Car…
Helen Deluca Inducted into Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Deb Spalding Congratulations to Helen Deluca of Thurmont, who was recently inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. Her volunteer contributions to the Thurmont Senior Center, senior citizens in general, her church, and the community are very deserving of acknowledgement. As a column contributor to The Catoctin Banner newspaper, Helen’s willingness to communicate…
Commissioners Win Re-election in Uncontested Races
James Rada, Jr. were sworn into office during the Emmitsburg town meeting on October 5, 2015. Both commissioners were unopposed and were re-elected in the September 29 town election. The election saw a small turnout of just thirty-eight votes cast. This is less than two percent of the town’s registered voters. “I know it was…
Town Hall Reports
From the Mayor Emmitsburg by Mayor Briggs Doughboy update: The town has gone through all of the steps prescribed by the State of Maryland and our advertised and sealed bid process. We are now going back and forth on details with the contractor. Repair work will commence after the town council approves repair costs at…
BUSINESS news
Sabillasville Native is “Nursing” the “Best of” a Love of Olive Oil Deb Spalding Sharon (Stottlemyer) Streb’s life has been a balance of education, serving others, and culture. Sharon was raised in Sabillasville, and after graduating from Catoctin High School, started a trek through several educational institutions that culminated in a degree in nursing from…
COMMUNITY news
Thurmont Police Officer Recognized for Traffic Safety Contributions On Wednesday, September 23, 2015, police officers representing law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland gathered in Gaithersburg to be recognized for their distinctive contributions to highway safety in Maryland. The 2015 Maryland Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Awards Luncheon was presented at the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, and acknowledged…
SCHOOL news
Catoctin High School Drama Presents Humbletown: The Greatest Town on Earth Catoctin High School (CHS) Drama is proud to present its 2015 fall play, Humbletown: The Greatest Town on Earth. The play will be performed November 5-7, 2015, at Catoctin High School. Humbletown: The Greatest Town on Earth is a new play by Jonathan Rand…
91st Anniversary Banquet of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni Association
Deb Spalding On Saturday, October 17, 2015, the 91st Banquet of the Emmitsburg High School Alumni was held at the Emmitsburg Ambulance activities building on Creamery Road in Emmitsburg. The Class of 1968 was the last graduating class from Emmitsburg High School. The Class of 1969 held the distinction of closing down Emmitsburg High School…
SPORTS news
Catoctin Sports Boosters to hold Holiday Open House The Catoctin High School (CHS) Sports Boosters will hold its 7th Annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 5, 2015, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. in the CHS cafeteria. Cougar apparel, blankets, stadium seats, hats, and miscellaneous novelty items will be available for your Christmas shopping. There will…
