From the monthly archives: "December 2015"

Catoctin High Awards Distinguished Graduates

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James Rada, Jr.

One is a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice. One is a local businesswoman. One is a police chief. One is a college coach. One is a retired Catoctin High School teacher. They are all part of the group of first recipients of the Catoctin High Distinguished Graduate Awards.

Principal Bernard Quesada told the gathered seniors and freshmen that each year Catoctin High School graduates students who leave their mark on the world. “Since our first graduating class, Catoctin High School has served as a landmark for success,” he said.

The honorees were selected by the Distinguished Graduate Organization, which formed over the summer. The organization established the awards “To recognize distinguished graduates of Catoctin in the areas of Academics, Arts & Humanities, Athletics, Business, and Public Service. Former Catoctin staff members who have had a significant impact on graduates of Catoctin High School will be recognized.”

Gus Eyler, Class of 2001, was the Academics inductee. Eyler is a trial attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Criminal Fraud Section. He also serves as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Maryland. While a Catoctin student, he played sports, served in student government organizations, and was a member of the National Honor Society. He lives in Kensington, Maryland, with his family.

Eyler praised the education he had received at Catoctin High. “Learn from these people,” he said. “Imitate their efforts. It will serve you well.”

Maggie Doll, Class of 1971, was the Business inductee. She is the owner of Gateway Candyland, a family business that has given many Catoctin students their first job. She is also very active in the community, helping with fundraisers for cancer patients, school organizations, local events, and location fire and ambulance companies.

She encouraged the students to be a part of their community. “Get off the texting. Get a personality. Learn to relate to people,” she urged the students.

Kate Robinson, Class of 2006, was the Athletics inductee. Robinson was a three-sport athlete while at Catoctin High. She took that love of sports with her and had a successful college athletic career and has become a successful college coach. In 2014, she was named first-ever head women’s lacrosse coach at Whitman College in Washington.

“Challenge yourself,” Robinson said. “Don’t be afraid of failure. Make your moments count.”

Greg Eyler, Class of 1974, was the Public Service inductee. After retiring from a twenty-five-year career with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office in 2005, he was appointed the Chief of Police for Thurmont.

Eyler urged the students to make a difference with their lives. “Nothing is more powerful, and I mean nothing, is more powerful than determination.”

Tom Sherald was the Former Catoctin Staff inductee. Sherald retired from the Frederick County Public School System in 2011, after thirty-nine years. He spent eighteen of those years teaching at Catoctin High. He spent most of his career teaching physical education.

He told the students that ideally their high school years will prepare them for their futures. “The jobs that many of you do may not even exist now,” Sherald said.

Besides a 2015 Distinguished Graduate Award, each inductee also received Catoctin High-themed gifts.

sherald

Pictured from left are Maggie Doll, Rachel Olson, Chief Gregg Eyler, Principal Bernard Quesada, Gus Eyler, Kate Robinson, Tom Sherald, and Keith Bruck.

Are the New “Smart” Credit Cards Just Another Dumb Idea?

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Nicholas DiGregory

While the holiday season is usually accompanied by extravagant announcements of better, brighter, and more meaningless high-tech toys, there is one piece of recently-released technology that you may want to pay attention to: “smart” credit cards.

These “smart” credit cards, also known as “chip” cards, have been stealing headlines and filling search engines since their introduction earlier this year. Countless debates have been started regarding their security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. There has been much speculation regarding these little pieces of plastic, but you can be sure of one thing: if you don’t have one in your wallet or purse yet, you probably will very soon.

The United States is slowly leaning towards full adoption of the integrated circuit cards that we know as “smart” or “chip” cards. Developed through a joint effort by EMVco—a consortium of the major credit card companies led by Europay, MasterCard, and Visa—integrated circuit cards were developed to make digital transactions more secure.

Until now, credit cards have solely utilized a magnetic strip to relay their digital signatures during purchases, a process that was relatively easy for hackers to counterfeit. The new integrated circuit chips do not have that weakness; when you insert a chip card into the card reader, it generates a one-time-use authorization code that must match the individual transaction. Additionally, chip card readers require a signature or pin to provide an additional layer of security.

But the question remains: Do these extra security features really work? According to the Smart Card Alliance, which was formed in 2012 to find a solution to magnetic strip credit cards, integrated chip cards have cut down fraud-related damages by sixty-seven percent in the U.K. and seventy-three percent in Canada. The Alliance expects a similar response in the U.S., once integrated circuit cards have been fully instituted.

While the additional security of integrated circuit cards has helped to streamline their widespread introduction in the United States, many companies and consumers have criticized the longer wait associated with a “smart” card purchase. If you’ve done any holiday shopping recently, you’ve probably experienced the high-tech hassle of the chip credit cards—or maybe you haven’t. That’s because only about twenty-five percent of major retailers are utilizing the microchip technology of the new “smart” credit cards, according to a survey conducted by ConsumerWorld.org.

Although ninety-nine percent of major retailers have installed integrated circuit card readers at their registers, only ten percent of those chains can actually use those readers at most of their stores. According to the ConsumerWorld.org survey, only Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Macy’s, Old Navy, Rite Aid, and Walgreens have fully adopted the integrated circuit card system.

Most other major retailers have expressed their intent to switch over to integrated circuit card readers once the holiday season has ended. Reasons for this rationale have varied with each company, although most of the retailers have emphasized that the holiday season is not the time to overhaul the purchase process by implementing new software and hardware, thus creating confusion among customers and employees alike.

While most major retailers will have instituted “smart” card systems by the early months of 2016, most experts believe that it will take the United States several years to switch over to the chip card system completely. Javelin Strategy and Research, a corporate research group that reviews transaction trends and practices, predicted that the United States will not fully adopt the integrated circuit card system until 2019. This is due mainly to the fact that smaller businesses will not be able to process chip cards until the card readers and their software becomes less expensive.

So what does all this mean for you as a credit card user? Well, although your credit card company is likely issuing new “smart” cards already—you may already have one—it may be a while before you can utilize their additional safety benefits at most of the stores you visit on a daily basis.

Thurmont Downtown Revitalization Project Complete

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Deb Spalding

A celebration for the completion of the Thurmont Downtown Revitalization Project was held on Thursday December 3, 2015, in the Thurmont Main Street Center on Water Street in Thurmont. Those who had a hand in any aspect of the new street lights or new sidewalks in Thurmont were invited to attend and celebrate a job well done.

With welcoming remarks and gracious thanks to all involved, Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird said, “I personally thank everyone involved with the renovation of our sidewalks and street lights: our town staff, the state for helping us out with grants, the concrete company, Catoctin Lighting, and everyone who came together to give us a fantastic finished product. I appreciate it.” He added, “There’s one person that I want to thank most of all for this project, and that is Jim Humerick (Thurmont’s Chief Administrative Officer)…without Jim…we wouldn’t have the product we have right now.”

Humerick introduced those involved: Mayor John Kinnaird; Commissioner Marty Burns; Roger Wilson from the County Executive’s Office; Jim Castle from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Lt. Alan Droneburg from the Thurmont Police Department; Thurmont Commissioner Wes Hamrick; John Brown with the Main Street Board of Directors; Jim and Alison Richards with Catoctin Lighting (and the hosts who supplied the snacks and drinks for the evening); Tony Romano from Romano Concrete Construction; CJ Holtzople; the guys that did the work, including foreman Noel Alvarado, Juan Gonzalez, Michael Buchalter, Efrain Cabrera, Baltazar Calderon, Walter Canales, Daniel Dominguez, Marley Guzman, Marle Guzman, Esbin Isque, Josue Macario, Francisco Montoya, Jose Navareta, Jason Spear, and Pedro Ventura. Town staff included Butch West, Harold Lawson, Lee Hanvey, Lynn Bass, Kelly Duty, Debbie Ecker, Thurmont Main Street President Mike Hobbs, and Thurmont Main Street Manager Vickie Grinder.

The actual work for the project began in July of 2014 after Grinder called the State Highway Administration to request a new cross walk at the Trolley Trail. Through this inquiry, they were surprised to learn that new sidewalks on East Main Street and West Main Street were soon to be installed by the State Highway Administration. It was going to happen within months. This plan included sidewalks from Lawyer Lane to Route 15.

Soon the town was also informed that the sidewalks on North Church Street were being redone as well, and the State Highway Administration was picking up the tab for everything.

Thurmont’s Board of Commissioners had been discussing new amenities and street lights in the downtown area for several years. They thought that the best time to install these was when the sidewalks were torn up from the sidewalk project. So, they met with Catoctin Lighting to review options for street lighting. They picked a light, but then had to figure out who was going to pay for it and what it was going to cost. The mayor’s repetitive answer was, “Our CAO will find a grant.” Humerick and Becky Long reached out to the Maryland Energy Administration and were approved for $26,800 for the project.

The Town’s Public Works crews worked closely with the concrete construction. They worked well with Romano Concrete Construction. Romano’s foreman Noel Alvarado said, “The town has been great to work for. We really enjoyed working in Thurmont.”

Humerick continued, “Since we replaced everything else, we even repainted the parking meters.” He noted, “Vickie Grinder (Thurmont’s Main Street Manager) got this all started. She made the initial phone call to John Gober. She got the grants for the new benches, trash cans, and bike racks.”

To this point, the State Highway had paid for seventy-five percent of the sidewalk revitalization. The remaining Water Street section was left out, with no funding at that point. The mayor and commissioners voted unanimously to go forward with the Water Street section. Again, the mayor said, “Get a grant.” Humerick and Becky Long went to work again. Within a short amount of time, a Community Development Block Grant through the Maryland State Department of Housing was secured in the amount of $125,000 for the Water Street renovations.

Jim Castle with the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development said, “The reason we fund Thurmont is because, number one, you apply for projects which are a need to your community, they’re a reasonable amount of money, and you do good work. Those are the grantees that we like to keep helping.”

Thurmont Commissioner Marty Burns expressed his pride in the town and the town staff and the elected officials. He said, “It shows people that the elected officials get it. We want to make it better and we’re doing everything in our power to try to make it better for the entire community. Job well done.”

Thurmont Commissioner Hamrick said, “I think this is the first time, ever, that we’ve had a unified sidewalk. Before, you’d be walking along and hit a patch that was forty years old then a patch that was eighty years old…great job to everyone.”

Humerick wrapped up by offering a big thanks to the residents and businesses in Thurmont. The vast majority were very tolerant and positive through the whole project. “We apologize for any inconvenience, but look at what we’ve got now! The results are wonderful.”

town tmont celeb

Those involved with the Thurmont Downtown Revitalization Project are pictured during a celebration held in the  Thurmont Main Street Center on December 3, 2015.

Emmitsburg Area Home Fire Safety Visits

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In light of two recent area fires of significance, a Home Fire Safety Visitation effort, including Smoke Alarm awareness information, began Saturday, December 12, 2015, reaching Emmitsburg area residents. Red Cross volunteers and local fire/rescue first responders were joined by other safety advocates in going door-to-door, promoting the importance of having working smoke alarms in place and helping to answer questions and/or providing assistance with existing smoke alarms.

The joint effort was undertaken by a number of fire safety advocates from across the region, working together to help assure fire safety in homes, apartments, and similar residential occupancies.

The two recent fire events occurred on: Wednesday, December 2, 2015, in a commercial/residential building (apartments) on South Seton Avenue (residents displaced; business disruption); and Monday, December 7, 2015, on West Main Street (double-fatality, plus one serious injury; residents displaced).

During the Home Fire Safety Visitation effort, personnel were out and about in the community, offering insights on simple and easy-to-accomplish home fire safety measures, including installing free smoke alarms where requested. Safety personnel—men and women—wore easily-identified apparel, showing their affiliations.

Emergency services vehicles were seen in various neighborhoods during visitation periods. Anyone interested can also call the Vigilant Hose Company (VHC) fire station at 301-447-2728 to request a visit or follow-up visit at a suitable time. A door-hanger information card was left at each home if no one was home, as well as where residents may prefer safety teams to return at a more convenient time to discuss safe practices and/or install an alarm.

The new alarms have non-removable 10-year lithium batteries, plus also include a “Hush” feature for accidental activations, such as from vapors during cooking periods, from fire places when a damper is not initially opened, and so forth. Teams will offer to replace any existing alarm more than ten years old, including any that use 9-volt batteries, which must be replaced at least yearly.

Jointly with the Vigilant Hose Company, this important initiative was taken in cooperation and coordination with efforts already underway by the American Red Cross of Western Maryland, the Town of Emmitsburg, the Emmitsburg Council of Churches, the Fire Prevention Committee of the Frederick County Volunteer Fire/Rescue Association, the Frederick County Department of Fire & Rescue Services and the Frederick County’s Fire Marshal’s Office, the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, the U.S. Fire Administration/National Emergency Training Center, Emmitsburg Volunteer Ambulance Company, Mount Saint Mary’s University, area Media Outlets, the Seton Center, the Emmitsburg Business & Professional Association, and area Service Clubs.

Further information is available on various websites like those of the Vigilant Hose Company, Town Government, and so on. Additionally, for residents living inside town limits, information will also be posted on the Town’s Cable Channel.

Note: This effort did not include installation of Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors, but the VHC will gladly help with that effort upon request in the coming weeks.

Tip Me Frederick Awarded $23,000 Grant from Maryland Department of Agriculture

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Support from State Spay-Neuter Grant Program Will Help Tip Me Frederick’s Lifesaving Work for Community Cats

Tip Me Frederick (TMF) is pleased to have received a grant from the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to help residents in Thurmont and other areas of northern Frederick County humanely manage the area’s community cats. The MDA’s two-year old program is designed to reduce the number of unwanted cats and dogs euthanized in shelters across the state by providing competitive grants to local governments and animal welfare organizations that promote and provide spay and neuter services and educational outreach, with an emphasis on low income communities and populations.

“Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) is a humane alternative to the ‘trap and kill’ policies that historically have been used to address the overpopulation of stray and feral/semi-feral cats,” explains TMF founder and president, Barbara Wratten.

Trap and kill, however, has been repeatedly proven ineffective, cost-prohibitive, and is considered inhumane by many citizens. In contrast to trap and kill, trap/neuter/return methods, like the ones used by TMF, capture homeless, free-roaming cats to sterilize, vaccinate, and then return them to their ‘outdoor homes’ to live out their natural lives without reproducing. It is the widely accepted, humane method of controlling the number of free-roaming cats.

TMF is honored and very grateful to receive the award. “This grant will allow us to provide free sterilization and vaccination services to our community cat caregivers in Thurmont and northern Fredrick County,” says Wratten. “In collaboration with our grant partners, Spa Spay and Neuter Nook (www.spayspa.org) in Davidsonville, Maryland, and Cuddles Cat Rescue (www.cuddlescatrescue.com) in Thurmont, we will perform six hundred free spay/neuter surgeries over the next twelve months.”

Tip Me Frederick (TMF) (www.tipmefrederick.org) is the only all-volunteer, non-profit dedicated Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) resource serving Frederick County, Maryland, and surrounding areas. TMF helps people who care about feral cats by providing them with the experience, expertise, and access to services to help them humanely manage cat colonies in their neighborhoods and on their properties. TMF’s services include: education and training in best practices for managing feral cats; loaning traps and assisting with trapping when needed; assisting with transport to low-cost veterinary clinics; and working with local veterinarians to provide access to low-cost or no-cost spay/neuter and vaccination services. TMF also works closely with Frederick County Animal Control (FCAC) to return feral cats to their colonies or place them into new colonies or safe barn homes. Become a fan of Tip Me Frederick on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TipMeFrederick.

Rocky Ridge Progressive 4-H Club Celebrates Another Great Year

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Rocky Ridge 4-H Outgoing Senior MembersOn November 1, 2015, the Rocky Ridge Progressive 4-H Club of Frederick County Maryland celebrated another great year of 4-H achievements at their annual club banquet. Community members and 4-H families from across the county gathered together in Thurmont to share in a wonderful potluck meal and to hear about all of the achievements of each club member. Club leader, Brenda Seiss, was very proud of all of the activities the children participated in, and thanked each of them for their service throughout the county and state during the year.

During the evening, several awards were presented to club members. Club demonstration awards were given to Ashley McAfee and Logan Long in the Senior category; Ashley Lescalleet in the Intermediate category; Payton Troxell in the Junior category; and Madison Ohler in the First-Year Member category. Members were also recognized for their achievements during the year. The Senior Award was given to Ashley Lescalleet; the Intermediate Award was given to Brittnee Brown; the Junior Award was given to Caroline Clark; and the First-Year Member Award was given to Kendra and Jacob Keeney. Record Book awards were given to senior member Nikita Miller, intermediate member Kiandra Strickhouser, and junior member Addie Eyler. The Family of the Year Award was given to Mr. and Mrs. Randy Ruby and grandchildren, Ashley and Austin.

Special awards were given to those club members who participated in specialty groups throughout the year, focused on cooking, sewing, and crafts. These members had a great time learning new techniques for projects that could be entered at local fairs. This year, the club had five outgoing senior members: Aislinn Latham, Ashley Ridenour, Ashley McAfee, Lauren Schur, and Kendra Keeney.

The outgoing club officers provided the year-in-review slide show and their thank-yous, and also welcomed the 2016 officers to the stage for recognition.

Frederick County Royalty was in abundance at the banquet. Rocky Ridge 4-H Club members, Chase Ferguson, Fair King, Rachel Summers, Fair Queen, and Payton Troxell, 2015 Beef Ambassador, were all present to celebrate the club members. Closing remarks for the evening were given by Fair Junior Princess Caroline Clark.

The Doughboy Will Soon Be Back In Place

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James Rada, Jr.

The Emmitsburg Commissioners voted on a spending limit of $40,000 to make repairs to the Doughboy statue and to build a new pedestal for it during the December 8, 2015, town meeting.

The historic statue, which remembers Emmitsburg’s WWI Veterans, was damaged when it was struck by a car in June.

Two bids were received to perform the needed repair work. One contractor specialized in memorials more than statues, while the second bidder had the experience to perform the work needed on the statue.

Although the town will have to allocate the money for repairs initially, it is expecting to be reimbursed about half the costs by the insurance company of the driver that crashed into the statue.

Town Manager Dave Haller sought the spending limit on repairs so that a contract could be signed to start the repairs.

Once started, it will probably take about six months to complete. The monument was lightly damaged, although it will need to have some seams fixed and sealed. The pedestal will be rebuilt. This is what will take the most time because stone will need to be quarried to use in the reconstruction. The foundation will also need to be replaced.

The existing plaque with all of the names of Emmitsburg’s WWI Veterans on it, will also be repaired and mounted on the new pedestal. Because the plaque separates the names of the African American servicemen from the Caucasian ones, it caused some controversy after the accident, with some residents calling it racist. At one point, it was discussed that perhaps a new plaque should be made.

This idea met with overwhelming opposition with local Veterans, including African American ones.

“The existing plaque will remain,” Haller said.

The Veterans also opposed the idea floated about moving the statue to a new location.

The commissioners have reserved the option of possibly adding a second plaque, either to the pedestal or next to it. This plaque would try to explain the reason why the black soldiers’ names are separate from the white soldiers’ names.

The commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the spending limit, with Commissioner Joe Ritz, III, absent.

 

Community Service Project Fundraiser by Local 4-H Member in Memory of Grandfather

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Gateway Market in Thurmont helped their niece and local 4-H’er, Margo Sweeney, with her community service project fundraiser to meet her goal for scholarships.

Margo decided after the passing of her grandfather, Sterling Bollinger, that she would join forces with her Aunt Maggie and Uncle John to have a dipping ice cream fundraiser at Gateway to benefit the dialysis center in Frederick and the Kidney Foundation. The event took place on May 3, 2015. After donating and placing a bench in her grandfather’s name at Davita Frederick Dialysis Center, they had a sum of proceeds left to benefit the Kidney Foundation in amount of $1,307.47 to also help support ones in need.

Margo Sweeney

Pictured from left are John Doll, Maggie Doll, and Margo Sweeney.

Thurmont Grange Holds Annual Community Citizenship Award Ceremony

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Grace Eyler

November 23, 2015, marked the annual Community Citizenship Award ceremony held by the Thurmont Grange. This year, members joined together to share special memories and give thanks to the Keilholtz family who have volunteered so much time to our community. While members mingled and found seating for dinner, Bob Wiles gladly welcomed those who came out for the evening. The crowd proudly stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by Addi Eyler singing the National Anthem. Roger Troxell held prayer.

Wiles turned attention to Niki Eyler who told of the Keilholtz family’s history. Bill Keilholtz served in the Air Force. He then worked on the family farm and purchased his first two milk trucks in 1946. He married his wife, Elizabeth in 1952. He began a trucking company known as Keilholtz Trucking. Bill and Elizabeth were members of many local organizations including the Catoctin FFA Alumni and the Thurmont Grange.

After the passing of Bill and Elizabeth, his sons Donnie and Billy, along with his grandson Chad, continued the family business. On behalf of Thurmont Grange President, Rodman Myers, Bill Powell spoke fondly of the Keilholtz family. “They are very giving; Bill would help anybody with anything! He was always there to back you up. People just took to him. If Bill told you something, you could hang your hat on it.”

In the summers, Powell recalled that Bill and Elizabeth would sit on their porch with their little dog. He and his wife, Gail, would stop in and talk. “Bill would talk about where he’s been, Elizabeth would talk about the kids. Right around Labor Day, she’d be working for days preparing food for the church. That lady made about the best red velvet cakes.”

Bill Keilholtz had an inspiring reputation for helping those around him. When cattle were in need of transport for local events, such as the Thurmont-Emmitsburg Community Show and The Great Frederick Fair, Keilholtz Trucking was there to bring the livestock in and out at the end of the day.

The Keilholtz family also has deep roots in our community’s 4-H society. In 1954, Ralph Lee Keilholtz, with other local residents, started the 4-H we know today. Dave Ekenrode said, “At the time, it grew to be the largest in the area with seventy-seven members.” Dave remembers meetings that were held at Ralph’s home, filling the living room and dining room, all the way to the steps. Ralph’s leadership was then followed by Patty Keilholtz.

Patty was not only the leader of Rocky Ridge’s 4-H, but also highly involved with the Maryland Angus Association. Patty was Junior Advisor. Her son, Chad, won the National Showmanship Contest. Mr. Powell said, “That’s almost unheard of because people in the Midwest beat ‘em out.”

Becky (Keilholtz) Clarke and her husband Tim’s daughters, Jessica and Taylor, were also accomplished in the local show rings as members of the Maryland Angus Association.

In 2015, Brenda (Keilholtz) Seiss has been leading the Rocky Ridge 4-H Club for nearly thirty-five years. She credits the highly popular youth organization to “…all of the parental help. I couldn’t do it without the parents and the families. When we want to do something, we don’t just pull a few kids in, we pull in everyone. I’m really fortunate for all the help we have.”

Her husband, Dave, is a local contractor. Their son, Bradley, another member who was known for his showmanship talent, is now the owner of newly opened “Seiss Woodworking,” located near Gateway Candyland, along Route 15 at Franklinville Road in Thurmont. Her daughter, Katie (Seiss) Eaves, is married to Andrew Eaves, whose family is also well known for their farming operations in the area.

Thurmont Grange Vice President Bob Wiles then called the family up to the front of the room to present Mayor’s proclamations from the Town of Thurmont, as well as the Community Citizen Award, honoring the Keilholtz family and the Progressive Rocky Ridge 4-H Club. In one way or another, a member of the Keilholtz family has lent a helping hand or assisted in bettering our community. There’s no better way to say it than Bob Valentine’s compliments, “There’s been no finer family around, than the Keilholtz family.”

Keilholtz Family

Niki Eyler and Bob Wiles present members of the Kielholtz family with the Thurmont Grange Citizenship Award and Proclamation from the Town of Thurmont, thanking the family, as well as Rocky Ridge 4-H Club.

Town Hall Reports

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Emmitsburg

by Mayor Briggs

“The Twelve Days of Christmas” – Emmitsburg, 2015: Tuesday morning, December 1, was heralded in by the gentle innocent voices of Mother Seton third graders, singing Christmas carols as they proceeded up East Main Street to the Square. Under umbrellas, all with decorations in tote to adorn the town Christmas tree. The school is about a quarter of a mile away. There, the special season has begun.

Wednesday afternoon-evening, December 2, more gentle, innocent voices were heard. This time, those of the victims of the fire on South Seton Avenue. With the Red Cross and community fire fund team members, I worked with the victims with regard to their housing, clothing, and food needs.

Friday evening, December 4, the town hosted eighty guests at the Carriage House Inn for the County Chapter of the Maryland Municipal League for the annual delegation dinner. The theme of the evening for the leaders from across the county was not to just serve on the current electorate but also the “electorates of the future.” Mother Seton School chorale started the evening singing Christmas carols, which quickly had everyone joining in. Then Ed and Mary Lynn Hinde of SHIP, the Student Homelessness Initiative Program, introduced their program to assembled municipal, county, state leaders. Over eight hundred county children are classified as homeless, of which over eighty are in the Catoctin High School District. The town, churches, and service groups have been working with SHIP since last May. Sheriff Deputy Ben Whitehouse was later honored with a standing ovation for his service in assisting an invalid person escape the fire. Pastor Jon Greenstone gave the blessing before dinner. Familiar “Change for Food” canisters adorned the room, as those who rely on our food bank are also a part of future electorates.

Monday morning, December 7: Over the police monitor came the announcement that there was a fire on West Main Street. Once again, I went to the scene to assist any possible displaced fire victims. This time there were not any, but all of the residents were injured by the smoke and fire. One was lost at the scene, while the other two were sent to different special trauma centers. Neighboring fire companies responded to assist our Vigilant Hose Company. To the rear of the fire-consumed home, three firefighters assisted a victim out of the fire, while three firefighters administered CPR to the victim. Out front, three firefighters gave CPR to another victim, while firefighters worked around them tending to the fire.

Monday evening, December 7, residents assembled at the square for the annual tree lighting ceremony. This time, there were no appearances of the Mother Seton and Christ Community Church chorales or a visit from Santa. We observed a moment of silence, and Pastor John Talcott led us in the Lord’s Prayer. From those assembled, a child chosen from the crowd lit the tree.

Tuesday evening, December 8, Roger Wilson, Director of Government Affairs for the County, and I went to a regularly scheduled meeting at the firehouse to thank the members for their service during the span of less than one week.

Wednesday, December 9, a second victim from the fire on West Main Street passed away.

Thursday and Friday, December 10 and 11: We worked on sourcing money for the funeral of Ms. Meyer. From everywhere, donations were asked for and received. The town staff, businesses, individuals, Lions Club, EBPA, Vigilant Hose Fire Co., and the Mount have donated.

Saturday morning, December 12, Lib and I participated in the door-to-door “Emmitsburg Area Home Fire Safety Visits.” The joint Red Cross and local fire/rescue first responders’ goal was to promote having working fire alarms. Offering to install free smoke alarms was part of the effort.

Though not like “The Twelve Day of Christmas” song I remember, but because the community’s response to the fire victims’ suffering and the families was so caring and giving, the elicited feelings were the same. We have a wonderful community. Pray for the victims. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.

Emmitsburg

December 2015

by James Rada, Jr.

Council of Churches Collecting Donations for Fire Families

Pastor Jon Greenstone is helping coordinate the efforts of the Emmitsburg Council of Churches’ efforts to raise funds for the families displaced by two December fires in Emmitsburg. The funds will also help the businesses affected by the fires. Both the Seton Center and Council of Churches are accepting donations. The Seton Center is working to help the families find long-term housing and to replace their belongings lost in the fire.

Checks can be made out to the Emmitsburg Council of Churches and mailed to P.O. Box 812, Emmitsburg, MD 21727. Donations to the Seton Center or checks can be sent to the Seton Center at 16840 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727.

Home Fire Safety Visits

Members of Vigilant Hose Company, the American Red Cross, first responders, and safety advocates began going door to door to Emmitsburg residents to talk about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes and businesses. They will also install free smoke alarms when requested. The effort began on December 12. For more information, call Vigilant Hose Company at 301-447-2728.

Citizens Advisory Committee Appointment

Zenas Sykes was appointed to the Citizens Advisory Committee on December 7 by the Emmitsburg Town Commissioners. The vote was 4-0. Commissioner Joe Ritz was not in attendance.

Changes to Yard Setbacks

The Emmitsburg Town Council approved draft changes to a town ordinance that will reduce the yard setbacks from properties in the Village and R-1 zones, whose lots are less than thirty feet in width. If approved, the setback will be reduced from six feet to three feet. The draft ordinances will be sent to the Planning Commission for its input before being voted on by the town commissioners.

For more information on the Town of Emmitsburg, visit www.emmitsburgmd.gov or call 301-600-6300.

Thurmont

December 2015

by James Rada, Jr.

Alcohol May be Consumed on Some Town Properties

The Thurmont Town Commissioners and Mayor John Kinnaird voted on December 7 to approve amending the town code to allow beer and wine to be served at events on properties under long-term lease from the town.

Currently, the properties that this policy would affect are the Main Street Center, Thurmont Senior Center, and Thurmont Food Bank.

Kinnaird had presented the council with three different policies, and the commissioners selected the least-restrictive one, although it is not without restrictions. The new policy only allows for beer and wine to be served, and it can only be served at specific events. The organization sponsoring the event must have sufficient liability insurance. The beer and wine must be served free (otherwise a liquor license would be required) and attendees cannot bring their own alcohol.

The commissioners noted that consuming alcohol in town parks is still specifically prohibited.

The policy will be reviewed by the town attorney, and then town officials will have to ask the lease holders to amend their current leases. If they do not agree, the next time their lease is up, it will be revised with the new policy.

Special Trash Pickups

The last days to have your Christmas tree picked up will be January 4 and January 11. The Christmas tree needs to be at the curb by 6:00 a.m.

On January 16, there will be a bulk pickup with a limit of two bulk items. If you have more items, you will need to have a special tag on the item that can be purchased from the town office for $10.00.

Commissioners Approve Electric Work

An electric circuit in the Criswell Chevrolet parking lot will be moved by AUI Power. AUI Power will also finish needed construction when the circuit is moved.

The Thurmont Commissioners and Mayor John Kinnaird agreed to pay one-third of the $47,450 cost or $15,900. Criswell Chevrolet will pay the remaining cost.

The cost is being shared because it benefits both the town and Criswell Chevrolet, according to Chief Administrative Officer James Humerick. Criswell needs the circuit moved in order to expand.

The cost of the construction is estimated to be $18,500.

 

View the Town of Thurmont’s website at www.thurmont.com or call the town office at 301-271-7313 for more information.

Holiday Home Decorating Contest Winner Announced

The 2015 Winner of The Catoctin Banner’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest:

1414 Ramblewood Road in Emmitsburg

Ramblewood

  The 2015 Runner-up of The Catoctin Banner’s Holiday Home Decorating Contest:

305 North Seton Road in Emmitsburg

N Seton Rd Emmitsburg

Many thanks to all who sent in their nominations. All of us at The Catoctin Banner wish all of our devoted readers a very Happy and Healthy New Year!

Don Sonn and the Emmitsburg Tattoo Company Make Tattooing a Truly Social Experience

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Nicholas DiGregory

The Emmitsburg Tattoo Company is somewhat of an anomaly, insofar as tattoo shops are concerned.

In terms of appearance, the storefront is clean, sleek, and inviting—an image that is supported by the shop atmosphere itself.

While the inside of the shop is decorated with many items and images that befit any reputable tattoo shop, the walls are also adorned by police and military stickers and memorabilia. A large section of the wall is covered in fliers and business cards of local businesses, and a hefty plastic jar sits on the counter for donations to local charities.

As soon as you meet co-owner and tattooer Don Sonn, you understand why the Emmitsburg Tattoo Company is the way it is. As tattooers go, Sonn is a little bit of an anomaly, too.

Before getting into tattooing in 2003, Sonn worked full-time writing computer code. However, the tattoo shop held more appeal for Sonn than a desk job ever could.

“As I started getting more heavily tattooed and hanging out in tattoo shops, I felt like I belonged there, and I never really felt that in an office setting,” said Sonn.

Sonn apprenticed at Baltimore Street Tattoo in Hanover, Pennsylvania, until 2007, and worked in Gettysburg until he opened Emmitsburg Street Tattoo with his wife, Brandy Malocha, on November 5, 2015.

In addition to their appreciation of tattooing, both Sonn and Malocha are strong supporters of the community and its first responders. Malocha is a full-time police officer herself with the Montgomery County Police Department.

“We are pro-police, pro-military, pro-community, and pro-hang-out-and-have-a-good-time,” said Sonn. “We love to draw, play guitar, and hang out and have a good time with folks. I love the social aspect of the business.”

In a business where speed and money tend to overplay the social and ethical factors, Sonn and Malocha have created a shop that defies the trends.

“We want to create a comfortable, cool environment, with solid, quality tattoos, and a business with some ethics to it,” said Sonn. “We welcome anybody who wants to come and hang out—it doesn’t have to be just about the tattoos.”

Since the shop’s opening, Sonn and Malocha have actively supported the community through donations and social events. Emmitsburg Tattoo Company has donated funds to the volunteer fire department, animal shelter, and, most recently, the Emmitsburg Council of Churches’ Fire Relief Fund.

As for the social events, the Emmitsburg Tattoo Company recently held their first acoustic guitar night, and they are planning on hosting a kids coloring night in January 2016.

This is why the Emmitsburg Tattoo Company is such a unique tattoo shop. For Sonn, tattooing is not just a job, it’s a chance to build a community of friends and get the most out of life.

“I’m not a big superstar, rock star tattooer, and I likely never will be,” said Sonn, “But that’s not why I’m here; that’s not my pursuit. I have always tried to be the most well-rounded tattooer and create a setting where people can sit and hang out and have fun. This is the coolest thing in the world, and we just want to have some fun and involve people in the community as much as possible.”

The Emmitsburg Tattoo Company is located at 2 W. Main Street in Emmitsburg. To contact, email emmitsburgtattoocompany@gmail.com or call 301-447-6837.

Emmit Tattoo

Don Sonn (right) and apprentice Mark Coscia (left) are the everyday faces of Emmitsburg Tattoo Company. Sonn has been in the tattoo business since 2003.

Photo by Nicholas DiGregory  

Stavros Pizza Soon Returning

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James Rada, Jr.

When Bev Koontz passed away on August 5, 2015, many people thought that it was the end of an Emmitsburg staple: Stavros Pizza. The restaurant closed and the lights stayed dark for months.

However, Stavros Pizza is returning. David George, owner of the building where Stavros is located, confirmed that he is in the process of selling the business to a new owner.

“The new owner is from the Thurmont area. He was a fan of Stavros and wants to carry on the tradition,” George said.

Stavros is located at 2 E. Main Street, on the first floor, beneath a 17-unit apartment building. It was closed for an extended time once before in 2010, when the building was damaged in a fire. At that time, Koontz had repaired her restaurant and reopened it.

Jerry Muir, Emmitsburg Zoning Tech, said that the plan had been for the restaurant to reopen on December 1, 2015, but the new owner is having trouble finding the right person to run the kitchen.

Stavros was a popular pizzeria on the downtown square for years until Koontz’s death, and the hope is that it will become so once more.

The restaurant is expected to reopen this month, if it hasn’t already opened between the time this story was written and the time when the current issue was published.

 

Green Team in Thurmont

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The Green Team in Thurmont is working together to make our town a Sustainable Community. Please join them and learn of the many great projects they have planned for the new year.

To learn more, email Thurmontgreenteam@gmail.com or Christine at songbirdschant@gmail.com., or you can call 301-271-2307.

Fun On Tap in 2016 at Bollinger’s Restaurant

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Deb Spalding

BollingersBollinger’s Restaurant, located at 210 North Church Street in Thurmont, recently secured a beer-only license and is now serving bottled and draft beer. Yingling and Coors Light are served on a cold draft line, while bottled beers include Coors Light, Miller Lite, Bold Rock Hard Cider, and a seasonal IPA.

Their popular wing night will continue on Wednesdays and will now be complimented with discount beer and pitchers of beer. Co-owner, co-cook, and co-bottle washer, Josh Bollinger (pictured right) said, “We have ten different flavors of wings and more to come!”

Bollinger’s is rolling out a new menu in January that will feature more barbeque options, in addition to long-time favorites. Be on the lookout for Bollinger’s Restaurant to team up with the Town of Thurmont for Thurmont’s first annual wing eating competition in early spring.

Bollinger’s Restaurant will also host a barbeque sandwich food challenge. Challengers will be faced with a three-pound sandwich and French fries to eat within twenty minutes. Winners get the meal for free and their post on Bollinger’s Wall of Fame.

Don’t forget, you can buy Josh’s famous Uncle Dirty’s BBQ Sauces in bottles at the restaurant or in the Thurmont Main Street Center. For more information call 301-271-3500. See their advertisement on page 6 for a discount dining coupon.

 

Thurmont Holds Ribbon-Cutting Ceremonies for Two Businesses

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ant1A new business on Main Street, Another’s Treasure, opened on December 5, 2015. Another’s Treasure sells all types of furniture for any room in your home or office. Another’s Treasure is located at 5B East Main Street in Thurmont. Lora Owens and Damon Greenfield are proprietors.

mm1Mountain Memories has moved to 12 North Church Street in Thurmont. Visit Mountain Memories for home decor and unique gifts. Make sure you stop in to see the beautifully hand-painted gourds for all seasons and occasions. Pat Manahan is proprietor

Thurmont Elementary and Catoctin High Receive State Character Awards

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Thurmont Elementary School and Catoctin High School were two of eight schools in Maryland, and the only schools in Frederick County, to recently be recognized as Maryland Schools of Character.

The awards are given annually by Character.org, a national advocate for character development. In Maryland, the program is sponsored by the Maryland Center for Character Education at Stevenson University. The awards are based on how well the schools fulfill eleven aspects of character education, including that the school regularly assesses its culture and climate and the functioning of its staff as character educators, and the extent to which its students manifest good character.

“It’s a nice honor to receive to recognize the hard work that we’ve done over the year with character education,” said Beth Myers, Thurmont Elementary guidance counselor.

Schools had to submit a comprehensive application package that showed statistics and anecdotal evidence of how well they were meeting the different aspects of character education.

“It was a lot of work to prove that we have a solid program built on the eleven principles of character education,” said Dana Brashear, Catoctin High guidance counselor.

According to the Character.org website, the principles are as follows:

  • The school community promotes core ethical and performance values as the foundation of good

character.

  • The school defines “character” comprehensively to include thinking, feeling, and doing.
  • The school uses a comprehensive, intentional, and proactive approach to character development.
  • The school creates a caring community.
  • The school provides students with opportunities for moral action.
  • The school offers a meaningful and challenging academic curriculum that respects all learners, develops their character, and helps them to succeed.
  • The school fosters students’ self-motivation.
  • The school staff is an ethical learning community that shares responsibility for character education and adheres to the same core values that guide the students.
  • The school fosters shared leadership and long-range support of the character education initiative.
  • The school engages families and community members as partners in the character-building effort.

The Maryland School of Character Award is a three-year award that can be reapplied for. Once the schools received the state award, they were automatically eligible to receive national recognition. A national team visited the schools last year, and met with personnel who were responsible for each of the character principles.

“Their feedback was invaluable,” stated Myers. “It gave us an awareness and focus on how we can continue to strive to do better.”

Although neither school received national recognition, it is an award that can be applied for annually. Brashear said that she is planning on having the Catoctin character teams make improvements so that she can submit an application at the end of this year.

Myers said that the effect of the award can be seen in how the students act, noting that they are recognizing more that they are responsible for their own behavior and working more collectively with the teachers.

Brashear agreed, adding that when things like that happen, it creates a culture in the school.

“I feel like we are raising good kids,” Brashear said. “They come out of here with good traits and skills.”

Payne Harrison Plays in Crab Bowl

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Payne 3Catoctin High School Senior, Payne Harrison, has been tearing up the turf on football fields all over Maryland. After completing his final season with the Catoctin Cougars, he was selected to play in the first annual East West All Star game, along with his team mates Braden Thomson and Noah Dell, hosted by the Baltimore Touchdown Club on December 12, 2015, at Spaulding High School in Severn, Maryland. He then played in the Maryland Crab Bowl at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland on December 19.

According to Catoctin’s Varsity Football Coach, Doug Williams, Payne is only the second CHS football player to be invited to play in the Crab Bowl All-star game. It’s very hard to be invited as only the top players in the state of Maryland are selected.

About Payne, Coach Williams said, “But best of all, he is an outstanding person whom I will miss being around.”

Payne 1Payne is a great student with a 3.69 grade point average, his weighted GPA is 4.19. He loves football and has been playing since age six. He played Catoctin Youth Association (CYA) football, and has played on Catoctin High’s team for four years.

He is an accomplished wrestler for Catoctin as well. He wrestled in the 220 pound heavyweight class as a junior, often wrestling opponents who outweighed him. He qualified to wrestle in the state championship tournament in 2014.

Payne plans to attend a four-year university and study Exercise Science while playing football at the collegiate level.

Catoctin High School Girls Basketball to Hold Alumni Night and Celebration of 10-Year Anniversary of State Championship

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The Catoctin High School (CHS) Girls Basketball Team will be holding an Alumni Night at their home game on Friday night, January 29, 2016. All past members of the CHS Girls Basketball Program are invited to be guests for the evening.

In conjunction with the Alumni Night, they are also having a special Celebration and Recognition of the 2005-2006 State Championship Team on their 10th anniversary.

The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m., with the Junior Varsity game. During the break between games, there will be recognition of the championship team. The Varsity game will begin at 7:00 p.m., with introduction of other Alumni guests to be held at halftime. There will be a reception following the Varsity game in the cafeteria for past and present CHS Girls Basketball players and their families.

Please contact the voicemail of Coach Amy Entwistle at 240-236-8181 and leave your name, phone number, year that you graduated, and the number of people who will be attending the reception.

Catoctin High School Sports Boosters Announce Celebration of Champions

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The Catoctin High School (CHS) Sports Boosters is pleased to announce that in addition to the State Champion Team banners that hang in the gymnasium, they have now added banners that display the names of the Individual State winners in Cross Country, Indoor Track, Outdoor Track and Field, and Wrestling.

January 2016 will be their month-long “Celebration of Champions.” If you were an individual winner of a state championship (or member of a state champion relay event), please join us at a home event in January and be recognized for your accomplishment(s). Please inform the person(s) at the door that you are present and what sport and year you are representing.

For more information, please contact Athletic Director Kevin McMullen at 240-236-8090 or Denise Valentine at 301-788-2952. The CHS athletic schedule can be found at www.frederickcountycmc.org.

 

Thurmont Little League Celebrates 65 Years of Baseball in 2016

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65th-Seasons-of-Baseball-CoIn the spring of 2016, Thurmont Little League (TLL) will be celebrating its 65th season of baseball. To help celebrate this exciting year of baseball, they asked their TLL families to share with them in ten words or less: “What Does Thurmont Little League Mean to You?” Below is what they had to say.

“Pretty much life, because I love baseball.” —Bryont Green, player.

“Friends, family, mentors, teachers, role models . . . all wrapped into one.” — Dylan and Tracey Jessee, player and parent.

“Seeing the development of all the kids over the years.” —Jason Moore, coach.

“TLL provides the invaluable opportunity for family and friends to nurture a sense of pride, commitment, and community.” —Mark and Tammy Tingler, coach and parent.

“TLL is a place where kid’s dreams can come true.” —Melissa Kinna, parent.

“Lots of fun enjoying the excitement of baseball.” —Aiden Mayne, player.

“It represents my community and that makes me want to do my best.” —Matthew Tingler, player.

“TLL has made me realize how fun baseball is!” —Justin Mehall, player.

“Smiles on the kids’ faces when friends compete against each other.” —Jen Moore, parent.

“I love baseball and making new friends. It makes me happy.” —Brady Davis, player.

“The best place to play baseball.” —Wyatt Kinna.

“Learning skills while making lifetime memories with friends.” —Trish Hahn, parent.

“Meeting new friends and making good memories.” —Nate Marsh, player.

“TLL is community: fun, friends, and baseball family in a small town!” —Kate Gray, player.

“I like the life lessons and memories being made.” —Karen Morris, parent.

“Learning and growing to be the best I can be.” —Jordan Moore, player.

“Making memories with friends while sharing the love of the game.” —Stacey Mayne, parent.

“Great opportunity to interact with other families in our community.” —Erik and Laura Krauss, coach and parent.

“An organization that has made Thurmont feel like home for our family.” —Kathleen Davis, parent.

“I love TLL because I love to play baseball.” —Colton Gray, player.

“…the boys are all so supportive of each other. I think that says a lot about our program.” —Cara McMannis, parent.

“I like the growth by the league and what it’s done for my boys.” —Phil Morris, coach.

“It’s not just baseball; it’s learning character and building life lessons.” —Layla Watkins, parent.

“Forming great relationships with people in our community.” —Dana Marsh, parent.

“Being with friends and it’s just plain fun.” —Payton Morris, player.

“In today’s busy, high tech world, it’s simplicity and tradition.” —Heather Burke, parent.

“TLL means being part of One Big Family.” —Dawn Cevario, parent.

“…it is not just about learning a sport, but learning about patience, consistency, and respect for others.” —Dave Shipton, coach.

“Inspires you to reach your goals.” – Gavin Watkins, player.

“Great opportunity for young children in the community to have fun.” —Dawn Fisher, parent.

“It means family, friendship, fun, sportsmanship and our home away from home.”—Kara Castellow, parent.

“TLL is learning about baseball and getting the chance to play baseball with your friends.” —Matin Donnelly, player.

“TLL is where memories are made, players become friends, and coaches become kids again.” — Ryan and Tammy Ferrell, parents and coach.

“TLL is our home away from home.” —Lisa Lowry, parent.

“Everything; it is good!” —Evan Morris, player.

“The place where you have fun.” —Ben Krauss, player.

“TLL has helped me learn the game and have FUN through some tough years of my life.” —Noland Kinna, player.

“Class act organization and very rewarding to coach and see youth grow on and off the field.” —Craig Mayne, coach.

“Competitive, fun, and I get to play with my friends.” —Dylan Wangness, player.

“Good friends, having fun, enjoying the game, and making memories.” —Debbi Burke, parent.

“Fun, baseball, teamwork, and friends.” —Peyton Castellow, player.

“TLL means having a place to spend countless hours with my son.” —Brent Reynolds, coach.

“TLL means being able to have fun and play a game of baseball with my friends.” —Kyleigh Donnelly, player.

“Fun environment to learn and share with kids and adults.” —Wayne Watkins, coach.

“Community, friendships, and family, all rolled up into one. The experience is UNRIVALED.” —Ed Lowry, coach and president.

“Playing the game I love with my friends.” —Dylan “Pip” Cevario, player.

“Family friendly and fun for the whole family.” —Kiley Gray, parent.

“TLL has been a great experience for our family…it’s been about being part of a community that comes together and forms lasting friendships.” —Brooke Kovalcik, parent.

“Concession stand, friends, games, wall ball, and playing around.” —Keiten Castellow, player.

“At TLL, my boys have fallen in love with the game of baseball, built friendships, and have learned the meaning of being part of a community.” —Nick Kinna, parent.

“TLL is the best place to run the bases with friends.”—Mason Ferrell, player.

“Baseball, friends, small town community, coaching, life-long lessons, memories.” —Tim Castellow, coach.

“TLL is a place where the community comes together to support the movement of children learning about baseball and developing and maintaining lifelong friendships.” —Missy Donnelly, parent.

“TLL means… Learning America’s pastime from a great bunch of volunteers!” —Blaine Young, volunteer.

 

Registration for the TLL 2016 spring season is NOW OPEN until Tuesday March 1, 2016. Online registration is available at their website at www.TLLbaseball.com. Players for Thurmont, Sabillasville, Emmitsburg, Rocky Ridge, Woodsboro, Taneytown, and Union Bridge are welcome to register.

Come be a part of the Little League experience. All games are played in-house at the Thurmont Little League Complex, which provides families the convenience of not having to travel around the county during school nights for games.

The TLL is looking forward to seeing your player on the Little League Ball Fields. Feel free to call Ed Lowry with questions at 267-664-5059 or email thurmontbaseball@hotmail.com.

 

The Miraculous Potato

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Buck Reed, The Supermarket Gourmet

So, it seems to some that we have a football team in Washington, D.C., that has a team name that offends some people, therefore I am compelled to not mention it here.

Whether it is offensive or not, there is a simple solution: Stop calling them that name, and rename them The Washington Redskin Potatoes. You don’t have to peel them, they are delicious, and everybody loves them. I predict the potato mascot will dominate the sport franchise industry.

Looking at the history of the potato, one might think that there is no problem it cannot solve. It all started during the Incan empire, where they used it as a primary food source to build their realm. They found that potatoes grew well in the high mountainous regions they dominated, and they were able to preserve them in such a way that it retained its nutritional value. Think of it as an early form of Birdseye.

When the potato was brought back to Europe, it became a mainstay in the many countries it was introduced to. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, occupying armies were required to provide their own food sources, and pillaging stored grain from helpless farmers was considered a noble endeavor, but digging for potatoes was beneath their dignity. Thus, growing potatoes was used as a form of insurance in those days against starvation in the wake of foreign military occupation.

In the mid-1800s, the great potato famine had a profound impact on the United States. Searching for something to eat, millions of Irish workers flooded our country and, through their hard work, helped build the infrastructure of our nation.

Potatoes give us French fries, potato chips, and vodka, which makes all the other vegetables look like slackers. As far as nutrition, it is easier to mention what they do not provide. They are inherently low in fat, cholesterol, vitamin D, and sodium.

Potatoes are such a mainstay of our diet that the odds of you having them tonight for dinner are about the same as seeing Samuel L. Jackson in the next movie you will go see. But with so many varieties of potatoes available to consumers, picking the right potato can be a bit daunting. Look for a potato that feels firm in your hand, has an intact skin, and is free of green blemishes and those buds called “eyes.” Potato varieties are broken down into three categories: high starch, all purpose, and low starch or waxy. Each category has its own methods of cooking for which they are best suited. See the chart above for a better understanding.

If you have a problem in the kitchen, see if maybe a potato can get you out of it. And maybe, someday, we may be able to vote a potato into the Oval Office (couldn’t be any worse than the choices we have now).

Need a recipe or idea for your table or you have an idea for an article feel free to drop me an email at rguyinthekitchen@aol.com

the health jeanne

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by Jeanne Angleberger, Shaklee Associate for a Healthier Life

Here we are, welcoming the new year of 2016! The new year is one of the best times to think about improving your health status. If you can make one change to become healthier this coming year, what would it be? Maintaining a healthy weight? Laugh more? Try a massage?

Well, yours truly is going to give you a few suggestions. Certainly, everyone has some ideas when they think of what they could do to make 2016 a more health-conscious year. But the ultimate goal for all of us would be the same: to become healthier.

The focus is healthiness. It’s attainable. You must have the desire. When you begin making healthy choices, your body will respond. People of all ages can benefit. It’s never too late to begin taking care of your health and your body. You’re asking how?

First, write down what it is you want to accomplish. Be very specific. State a time frame. Consult with your healthcare provider. Let him/her know exactly what your desire is. Together, create a plan.

Share your goals with a friend. Even better, do it with a friend. You can encourage one another. It is a process. Reward yourself when reaching small goals. Remember, a baby takes small steps before learning to run!

Develop the attitude that you can make healthy changes. It’s up to you to take care of your health and body—not your parents or your children. Become your own self-health advocate.

According to WebMD, here are some tricks to keeping up your resolve to a healthier you: (1) Give willpower a workout—the more we use it, the stronger it gets; (2) Make one change at a time—most resolutions actually require many behavior changes; (3) Make small acts of will—make resolutions that require small acts of will, not weeks of vigilance; (4) Lift your spirits— watching funny movies or anything that puts you in a good mood helps when willpower starts wearing down; (5) Get good sleep.

Get started today; 2016 is ready to greet you. Bring on those healthy changes.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Chaney Twins Announce New Book

ARTS-Entertainment - cover book 7 smallThe Chaney girls are proud to announce the release of Book Number Seven, It’s All About That Beef, in the Chaney Twins’ Agricultural Education Children’s Book Series.

It’s All About That Beef begins with Rianna and Sheridan helping their Dad on the ranch as they tell their story from “Pasture to Plate.” This book features an early spring pasture burn as a grass management tool; introduces young readers to shelter belts and the importance of natural and manmade windbreaks for livestock; a cow/calf operation; a backgrounder (stocker feeder); a visit to Adams Land & Cattle Feed Yard; a tour of Cargill Beef Processing and Fabrication Facility to see how beef is processed; a look at how the twins use beef by-products every day; and, finally, a stop in HyVee Grocery Store. The book wraps up with the beef community giving back, and Rianna and Sheridan doing what they love best: helping others. The girls had the unique opportunity to help the All American Beef Battalion feed steaks to one hundred fifty wounded warriors at an event in Colorado.

The event inspired the girls so much that they are giving a portion of sales from each seven-book bundle sold to the All American Beef Battalion, towards their efforts in supporting our U.S. military. To date, three hundred thousand steaks have been served to troops and their families in twenty-three states as a way to thank them for their service and for keeping our freedoms.

Order your books today! Books are $12.00 each, plus tax and shipping. The seven-book bundle is discounted to $72.00 (getting one book for FREE). To place an order or for more information, visit www.rebeccalongchaney.com or you can call 308-785-8064. For Box order discounts, email Rebecca Chaney at chaneyswalkabout@aol.com. Formerly of Thurmont, the Chaneys now live on a 3,500-acre ranch in south central Nebraska.

For information about the All American Beef Battalion and their efforts in supporting our troops, visit www.SteaksForTroops.com.

 

Happily Ever After

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It’s Tradition

by Valerie Nusbaum

It was New Year’s Eve 1993. Randy and I were in the early days of our relationship, and we decided to impress each other and celebrate in a big way. We went to the Holiday Inn in Frederick, where our deluxe package included not only the room, but also dinner, a dance and party, and breakfast the next morning. There was a telephone in our bathroom, which fascinated me for some reason and I remember calling a lot of people. I’ve said it before. It doesn’t take much to impress me.

I was dressed in an emerald green satin brocade cocktail dress with matching jacket, and wearing all manner of bling. It was the ‘90s. Don’t judge me. Randy was dashing in his navy pinstripe suit with a red tie, and we dined on surf and turf. At the party, an inebriated man sprayed Silly String in my hair. Contrary to the writing on the can, that stuff does not easily comb out. I think we stayed until just after midnight to ring in the New Year, and then we went to sleep. We’ve never been party animals.

Flash forward a few years to New Year’s Eve 1996. As often happens during the holidays, I had been fighting a flu bug. I put on my pajamas and got into bed with my blankie to watch the ball drop on television, but I couldn’t stay awake. I awoke sometime later to find myself wearing a party hat, with a noisemaker stuck in my mouth. I was covered in confetti and littered with empty bottles and glasses. The next morning, Randy showed me the photos that he’d taken to commemorate the occasion. He was proud of himself. I guess he got bored all alone on New Year’s Eve.

Three years later, in 1999, I remember us sitting on the edge of the couch at midnight, waiting for the lights to go out and things to explode. All the hype about Y2K had everyone in a tizzy, but when nothing had happened by 12:30 a.m., we went to bed.

New Year’s Eve seems to be a time for traditions, as we celebrate the birth of a new year and reflect upon the events of the previous twelve months. There are parties and champagne, music and dancing, and fireworks. And since 1907, the people of New York City have dropped a large ball at the stroke of midnight. We sing “Auld Lang Syne,” and we kiss the one we’re with—and sometimes we kiss other people, too. Ask Randy about that when you see him.

December 31 is the last day of the Gregorian calendar and that’s the date on which we celebrate New Year’s Eve pretty much all over the world. Julius Caesar is credited with declaring January 1 as the start of the new calendar year, but earlier celebrations date back as far as 4,000 years ago, when a religious festival called Atiku went on for eleven days and praised the barley harvest, thought to have been in what we now call March.

Traditions have grown out of the celebrations. People in Spain eat a dozen grapes just before midnight, with each grape representing hope for the coming months. Legumes are consumed because they resemble coins and are thought to enhance financial success; for example, Italians eat lentils and American Southerners eat black-eyed peas. In Sweden and Norway, people eat a rice pudding containing an almond, and whoever finds the almond is promised twelve months of good fortune—right after paying for having his or her broken tooth repaired.

Pigs are believed to represent prosperity, so pork is served on December 31 in Cuba and Argentina. I know that a lot of my friends and family swear that eating cabbage on January 1 will bring money in the New Year. I do that one, too. It can’t hurt, and I like cabbage and Brussels sprouts. Randy won’t eat either of those things, but then, his favorite vegetable is macaroni and cheese and he puts gravy on it.

The practice of making New Year’s resolutions is believed to date back to the ancient Babylonians, where they promised (or resolved) to pay debts and return borrowed items in order to gain the favor of the Gods. Randy and I don’t really make resolutions any more. We do set goals, and we track them throughout the year. I met all of mine for 2015, but I gave myself easy things to do. Most people resolve to do the hard stuff like losing weight, exercising more, and being better people. Whatever.

There have been a lot of other New Year’s Eves for us. A couple of them were spent with family and friends, and a few were celebrated with dinner at The Shamrock or Cozy Restaurant. I cooked Cornish game hens one year, and another year we got takeout seafood for dinner. It occurs to me that our only New Year’s Eve tradition seems to be spending it together and getting some sleep, and that’s just fine by me. Happy New Year!

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Holiday Craft Bazaar at Fort Ritchie Community Center

By Chris O’Connor

Nothing says, “Let’s go Christmas shopping,” like balmy, seventy-degree weather on a Saturday in mid-December.

Beverly Coyle, Fort Ritchie Community Center’s event organizer, stated that the turnout for the annual Holiday Craft Bazaar was impressive, though it generally is the best-attended of the three arts and crafts shows held at the Community Center throughout the year.

Since the bazaar’s inception in 2008, Beverly has noticed the show’s growing popularity, including the variety of arts and crafts, the number of vendors, and the public interest in the event.

The Holiday Bazaar was a convenient venue to do some shopping on the Mountain, with ample free parking and good food. There were a variety of handmade items and crafts, local distributors for Mary Kay cosmetics, palm oil scented candles and soaps by Mia Bella, and others too numerous to mention.

This year, there were seventy vendors, with ten on a waiting list for a space. If Beverly had known the weather was going to be so mild, she said she could have easily accommodated additional artists and vendors on the patio outdoors.

Instead, the exterior patio held tables and chairs, overlooking a wide field’s park-like atmosphere with folks walking their dogs or playing fetch; just beyond, the backdrop of Lake Royer was a picturesque and convenient place for buyers and sellers alike to enjoy fare served by the Sons of the American Legion, Cascade, Post 239.

Their menu included eggs and breakfast meats and lunch items, such as hot dogs, steamers, chili, chicken salad, and nachos, as well as an assortment of snacks and beverages. I wanted to order a quart of their chili after enjoying a chili dog on the aforementioned Fort Ritchie Community Center patio, while watching folks toss a ball back and forth.

The beauty of the Sons of the American Legion’s participation in the Fort Ritchie Community Center Holiday Bazaar is their magnanimous financial contribution to helping folks in need on the mountain.

Mtn Talk 2There were many vendors with treats available, including Pamela Wars of Sweet Blessings Cookies, a former elementary school teacher from Frederick, Maryland. Among her confections were peanut brittle, cake pops, and individually wrapped, exquisite Christmas cookies that might be edible works of art or double as Christmas tree ornaments.

Sometimes a craft show can be ho-hum for children, but all that changed when Santa visited to delight kids from 10:00 a.m.-noon.

Another attraction for kids was face-painting by artist Carolyn (Smith) Fogelsonger of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Carolyn, a member of Waynesboro (PA) Studio Art Club, works primarily in oils and acrylics and is known for her fine art paintings, which include an array of subjects from old buildings and other architecture to landscapes and nature.

She lived much of her life in Smithsburg, Maryland, finding ample inspiration for her works there. A print of a painting of the town of Smithsburg could be found at the presidential retreat at Camp David during the Bush administration.

Her works are available at Lotus Moon Gallery and on display at the Copper Kettle Restaurant, both located in Chambersburg. She has donated prints of her interpretation of the Civil War Battle of Monterey Pass, Blue Ridge Summit.

Some vendors carried handmade products, especially suited for children.

Mary Beth Chang of Sunberry Boutique in Hagerstown had an eye-catching array of handmade kids’ items that included a rainbow of tutus, hair bows, head bands, small purses, and pouches. Before we chatted about her products, she proffered an unsolicited shout-out to the Fort Ritchie Community Center staff, whom she described as ever helpful and the reason why she’s returned with her wares year after year.

She describes her products as an eclectic array, with varying fibers, which she enjoys changing up from time to time. There seems to be few limits to her knack with a sewing machine, let alone her imagination, recently introducing a line of children’s sun hats.

On the face of it, Mary Beth’s products seemed attuned to little boys and girls, but at some juncture during our conversation, I wondered aloud if I could get my dogs to wear tutus and hair bows—without diminishing their dignity, of course.

She said she occasionally dresses up her toy breed doggies and has designed, sewn, and dressed dogs included in their human’s weddings.

Craft shows are a dime a dozen. They pop up everywhere, but aren’t always worth attending, whether it’s because it’s a mob-scene, parking is a challenge, or the show doesn’t have anything one seeks.

Sometimes, though, one might take some time to attend a craft show and end up being pleasantly surprised by what is found there.

For myself? This show was close to home and convenient beyond compare.

But my heart was won by the delicious chili from the Sons of the American Legion Post 239, and the knowledge that they donate so much to our neighbors in need throughout the year.

They embody the meaning of “Christmas spirit.”

For further information regarding contact information for the vendors, call Fort Ritchie Community Center at 301-241-5085 or visit their website at www.thefrcc.org.

Photos by Chris O’Connor