Deb Spalding We all catch a cold or a flu bug now and then, but at the end of February of this year, 15-year-old Wyatt Black of Thurmont caught a very serious infection: bacterial meningitis. Wyatt is an active, fun, farm-grown teenager. He plays sports, loves baseball, trains, and fire trucks, and is quick with a…

Beth Watson is ready for her final bow, and when the curtain drops on the final performance of Footloose in the fall, the Thurmont Thespians twenty-year run will come to an end. “It’s time,” said Watson, adding, “even if it’s going to be hard to give up something you love so much.” Watson and her…

James Rada, Jr. In early March of this year, Mike Fitzgerald’s children performed a sad duty in honor of their father: they made his casket from standing dead trees that Mike had harvested years earlier. Donald “Mike” Fitzgerald passed away on February 28, 2016, in the log home that he built himself. He was eighty-five…

Nicholas DiGregory To the typical wandering traveler, cruising up or down U.S. Route 15, the little town of Emmitsburg does not appear to be a major attraction. While the town’s tourism landmarks—such as the stately National Shrine of Elizabeth Ann Seton and the picturesque Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes—do draw a crowd, Emmitsburg itself…

Emmitsburg’s Doughboy Stands Tall After Repair Emmitsburg residents stood aside, eager to see the the “Doughboy” statue placed upon a new pedestal where it once stood before being knocked over by a truck in front of the Emmit House on West Main Street. George and Sons and Gilland Memorial Works joined together to hoist the…

Allison Rostad A vision and hope for the next generation was prominent at the Guardian Hose Company’s annual banquet, held on Saturday, March 5, 2016, at the Guardian Hose Company’s Activities Building in Thurmont. Emcee of the night, President Wayne Stackhouse, welcomed guests to a dinner (catered by GT’s Catering of Cascade), with an invocation…

The ground has been tilled and marked, the garden design laid out, and the plans for watering put in place for the new Thurmont Community Garden. A work day will be held on April 2, 2016, to install the garden’s fence and gates, establish walkways of plastic and mulch, and set plot numbers. Prior to…

Barkers 4 Blood Cancer, a Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Light the Night team, held their annual Dance 4 A Cure Zumbathon on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at the Emmitsburg VFW, benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. They raised $1,330 at the event! They would like to thank everyone who came out, all of the businesses…

March Madness started early at the Fort Ritchie Community Center this year. As part of the Fitness Frenzy weekend, the Community Center hosted its inaugural Free Throw Shooting Contest. The Fitness Frenzy weekend included a free sampling of group exercise classes, free day passes to the Community Center, and displays from local health agencies. Instructors…

This community’s all-volunteer fire and rescue department proudly announces their participation in “Maryland Volunteer Day” on Sunday, April 10, 2016, from 12:00-4:00 p.m., at the Fire Station, located at 25 West Main Street in Emmitsburg. The open house event is being held in conjunction with a statewide recruitment initiative of the Maryland State Firemen’s Association…

For many cancer patients, getting to and from treatment is one of their toughest challenges. The American Cancer Society needs volunteer drivers in Frederick County to help provide transportation for people in their community. Through the simple gift of a lift in your car, you can help carry patients one step further on the road…

Joan Fry On February 28, 2016, an appreciation meal was held at Cascade American Legion, followed by a ceremony naming the Community Pillar Award recipient for 2013/2015. After a wonderful meal of shrimp, roast beef, and chicken, a report was given that included the contributions made to the community. Nearly $60,000 was donated to local…

Every year, Veterans from around the nation bike from Arlington, Virginia to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, as a way to build up their community and show their perseverance. Some riders have specialty bikes that allow them to bike even though they have no arms or legs. Tom’s Creek United Methodist Church (UMC) in Emmitsburg started cheering them…

by Avie Hopcraft Winter is finally ending and spring is here! Spring sports have started at Catoctin, and that means that prom and graduation are right around the corner! One big issue that has consumed everyone’s thoughts this month is the condition of one of Catoctin’s students, Wyatt Black. Wyatt Black, a freshman at Catoctin…

Six Catoctin High School Seniors Sign College Letters of Intent Six seniors at Catoctin High School (CHS) eagerly awaited to sign the documents that would soon take them off to their next step in their athletic and educational careers. As proud family, friends, and coaches poured into the high school’s gymnasium on February 29, 2016,…

Thurmont Little League Invites Entire Community to Join in Celebration of 65th Season of Baseball Melissa Kinna On Saturday, April 16, 2016, over 275 little league players, from the ages of four through twelve, will take the fields for Thurmont Little League’s (TLL) 65th season of baseball. The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with…

The Supermarket Gourmet, Buck Reed We all have seen it on reality shows, at the movies, and even in Disney cartoons. The angry chef. It is almost cliché to say one plate of under- or over-cooked risotto might send them into a tirade—an over-cooked steak might bring you close to being stabbed, or an under-cooked…

by Valerie Nusbaum Whenever I get an email from Randy on Friday afternoon that reads, “Pizza?” I know the weekend is here.  Once or twice a month, Randy cooks dinner on Friday night, which almost always means he brings home a pizza from the grocery store. I’m fine with that. The pizza is good, and…

by Jim Houck, Jr. Kenneth L. Jones Private U.S. Army Kenny was born in Washington, D.C. on December 11, 1962, to James and Phyllis Jones. Right after he was born, his family moved to Bowie, Maryland, and then to Laurel, Maryland, where Kenny lived until he was twenty-one years old. Kenny has one brother (James…

Ed Gravatt, Past Commander Well, it’s here…spring! That Easter Bunny has gone and laid his eggs and left those jelly beans all over the place; now it is time to start mowing the grass. Will the work never end? Here at the American Legion, we are getting ready for some fun and exciting events. For…