From the daily archives: "Thursday, March 28, 2019"

ELDERS IN THE WORKPLACE

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Blair Garrett and James Rada, Jr.

Whether it’s in the grocery store, your local food chain, or volunteering for a charity in need, elders continue to pitch in and help the community around us.

Thurmont resident Margaret Reed, age eighty-seven, has put in countless hours over the years, working a variety of jobs. To this day, Reed still works. She aims to keep herself busy and moving.

“I love to work, and I always have,” Reed said. Her working career started off at a young age, back when it was necessary to have the whole family chip in to help. She began working at fifteen years old at Kresge’s 5 and Dime, making 35 cents an hour.

At sixteen, Reed moved on to Sagner’s in Frederick, sewing clothing, where she got a significant bump in pay to 50 cents an hour. “I thought I was rich,” she recalled.

That youthful attitude and determination was not age-relative for Reed, though, as she has carried youthful optimism throughout her life.

Reed flourished in a long career, and she had decided to enjoy retirement at sixty-two years of age. But after forty years of marriage and the passing of her husband, Reed got back into the workforce to get out of the house, where she took a job at the Carriage House Bakery.

She spent sixteen years there until her second retirement this past December. But even at eighty-seven, Reed couldn’t stay dormant for long, taking her current job, on-call, cleaning at the Super 8 Motel in Thurmont. Seeing her friends using walkers and oxygen is motivation for Reed to stay active, and keeping busy is the best way to maintain her independence.

Darlene Wastler is another example of perseverance and dedication. Wastler, age sixty-six, maintains a job at the Roy Rogers in Thurmont, where her smiling face is often the first thing new and old customers see when they visit.

She also works at the Thurmont Senior Center, offering help week after week. Wastler is a Catoctin local, born and raised. She graduated from Catoctin High School in 1970, and ever since, she has found her way in the workforce in the Emmitsburg and Thurmont area.

“I enjoy the people and the customers,” Wastler said. “If you can get along with your employer, they look out for you.”

Wastler has been a staple of Thurmont’s Roy Rogers, having worked there for more than a decade. “It’ll be eleven years Mother’s Day weekend,” Wastler said. “I got a pin for ten years.”

Despite spending much of her fifties and sixties balancing life’s stresses on top of two jobs, she doesn’t plan on stepping back any time soon. “I’m hoping to continue for a while.”

If dedication and longevity are the keys to becoming a huge part of a business or company, Don Stitely is the epitome of those characteristics. Stitely is a member of the Guardian Hose family, logging more than sixty years for the volunteer fire company.

Stitely still serves as the President Emeritus, playing a big part in the administrative duties at Guardian Hose as a volunteer. Stitley was honored at the annual Guardian Hose banquet with a certificate for his long-standing contributions.

On top of the various volunteer work Stitely has done over the years, he also works at Jubilee Foods in Emmitsburg, stocking the shelves on Tuesdays and Thursdays. At eighty years old, the motivation is built from a long career of putting in hard work.

“After people retire, they don’t last long if they aren’t on the go,” Stitely said. “I’ve slowed down a bit, but I like to keep moving.”

Stitely spent just five years in retirement before picking up a job at Walmart, and then finally at Jubilee. “I really just like meeting with people and getting out of the house a bit.”

After the last sixty years in the workforce, Stitely’s future appears to be the same as it’s always been. “I hope to stick around there for a while.”      

Regardless of where you go across Northern Frederick County, you will find many elders still active in the workforce and volunteering their services to the community. With the dedication shown here by just a few of our local elders, it’s easy to see how they continue to make an impact and how their value in the workforce is still undeniable.

At eighty-seven, Margaret Reed continues to push herself to stay active in the workforce.

Photo by James Rada, Jr.

Town Hall Reports

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by James Rada, Jr.

Emmitsburg

March 2019 Meeting

Review of Sign Ordinance Changes Continues

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners continued its review of the proposed changes to the town’s sign ordinance. During the March town meeting, the commissioners heard about the proposed changes to what types of signs could be located in which areas of town. They also paid particular attention to lighted signage.

They reviewed off-premise signage, which Town Planner Zach Gulden told them is a “totally new and business friendly section” to the sign ordinance.

Gulden told the commissioners that the new ordinance brings the town up-to-date with new signage technology, into compliance with legal rulings that could lead to future court challenges, and adheres to the best practices recommended by the Maryland Municipal League and American Planners Association.

However, he reassured business owners, “We will not take any signs away if this is passed, unless it was currently not permitted and not legal.”

Town staff also said they planned on taking pictures of all of the signage in town that is non-conforming to the whatever sign ordinance is eventually passed. This will create a visual list to show what signs are grandfathered in under the new ordinance and avoid any new town staff in the future to cause a business owner problems because they have signage not allowed under the sign ordinance.

Commissioners Support Nature Trail Garden

The Emmitsburg Commissioners supported a project proposed by Sandra Adams and Wayne Slaughter to create a half-mile-long walking path surrounding the Community Park baseball field into a nature trail garden.

The project will use volunteers to remove debris and prepare the garden beds. The maintenance costs are expected to be minimal, and they hope to raise the amount through donations.

The commissioners voiced their support of the project, and Adams and Slaughter will start to move forward with it.

Emmitsburg Food Bank Looking to Move

The roof of the Emmitsburg Food Bank building is in need of $40,000 of repairs to stop leaks and mold mitigation.

“I don’t know whether it’s even worth it,” Food Bank Director Phyllis Kelly told the Emmitsburg Commissioners.

Kelly asked the town commissioners if they could help the food bank find a new location. The commissioners directed her to contact the town planner, who could help the food bank with its search.

Commissioners Put Off Passing a Cross Connection Control Program

Emmitsburg must pass a cross connection control program or face fines from the State of Maryland. However, they put off the decision for a month to better understand the ordinance that the state is requiring them to pass. The program is designed to protect the potable water supply from contamination by connecting backflow preventers to water lines. Once passed, businesses will have time to make the changes while residents will only need to make the addition to their home water lines when major changes are made to the home or it is sold.

Thurmont

March 2019 Meeting

Proposal to Extend the Trolley Trail

The .7-mile-long Thurmont Trolley Trail may not be long, but it is well used by residents. The H&F Trolley Association would like to see the trail grow and attract even more users.

Members of the association presented their plan to Thurmont Town Commissioners. The plan calls for extending the trail north to Eyler Road Park and south past the water treatment plant. The hope would be that it might eventually connect up with other hiking and biking trails.

The projected cost to extend the trail to be two miles long would be $190,102.

Donovan Named Thurmont Police Officer of the Year

Thurmont Police Officer First Class Brian Donovan was named the Thurmont Lions Club Police Officer of the Year. Donovan has served in the department for three years and performed many traffic stops. He has also administered Narcan three times to overdose victims, most likely saving their lives. He also serves as the lieutenant of the Guardian Hose Company.

Donovan received a gift certificate to the Shamrock Restaurant and will have a $400 donation made to the charity of his choice.

Commissioners Begin Compiling POS Wish List

The Thurmont Commissioners have begun compiling their wish list of projects that could be funded through Program Open Space grants. The division of funds will emphasize property acquisition. Among some of the suggested projects are to increase the size of Community Park and to create a pocket park in Catoctin Heights. The commissioners also expressed no interest in pursuing a skateboard park, which was on the town’s POS wish list last year, but dropped.

Subdivision Regulations to be Reviewed

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners will be reviewing proposed regulations to the Thurmont subdivision regulations at the regular town meeting on April 9. A public hearing will be scheduled for a later date.

From the Mayor

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Emmitsburg

 Mayor Don Briggs

Alas, April. Closer to warmer weather is our earnest hope. Earlier sunrises and later sunsets surely spurs the imagination. But to keep one grounded, and still encouraged, comes the timeless reminder, “March comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb.” Then the tempering reality in the warning given to Caesar, “Beware of the Ides of March.”

As I write this, we’ve just passed the Ides of March with no ill effects other than the loss of an hour of sleep and waking up in darkness again for Daylight Savings Time.

That’s not all—how about Lent? Late start this year. Ash Wednesday fell on March 6. A shove, a prod, a nudge…whatever draws my attention that it is time for some moral calculus. Can I give something up that I really like and/or do something for others who are in need? Dauntless, I signed on. Took the ashes to the forehead with a hope that I can do a combination of both. We’ll see how well I did when Lent ends on April 18.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, fell this year on Sunday. Guardedly, with some trepidation, I welcomed the fete with a tip of my hat to my Irish heritage, knowing full well the celebration brings with it flauntingly many offers of contraband to my Lenten season. At about the same time, I received the book, Lincoln and the Irish by Niall O’Dowd from my daughter. It recounts the key role Archbishop John Hughes of New York played during the Civil War in swaying the strong Democrat Irish support over to the Union cause under Republican President Abraham Lincoln. As if the Civil War did not pose enough trouble, there was still the simmering undertow of the Nativist anti-immigrant feelings in the North. John Hughes, once an impoverished Irish immigrant to our area, worked as a gardener/stone mason at the Mount. After some time, he applied for admission to the Mount and was initially turned down by the Rector Father John Dubois. It was only after the intervention of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton that he was admitted to the school and went on to graduate from the seminary.

On one snow delay day, I joined others from the community at Mother Seton School to be readers as a part of the celebration of National Education Association (NEA) “Read Across America Week.” I read to Mrs. Marr’s third grade class, where sat my beautiful granddaughter amidst other beautiful children. This year, I read a Dr. Seuss book featuring none other than the Cat in the Hat to take us step by step through what it means to live in a free country, and the responsibilities that are granted to, borne by, and gifted to us. Most importantly, to register and vote. It is always an honor and a grace to read with them. It’s the innocence in their eyes that “sticks the landing.” What a future we must build for them. A new pool, dog park, exercise trail, mountain multi-user trail are not enough. We have to lead by example and follow Dr. Seuss’s Cat in the Hat lead to instill in them and preserve for them their freedom. They’re excited about living. Let’s make it so, to the best of our ability, a happening for them. I have always said that my grandchildren and their generation are a major part of my constituency.

We have a beautiful town. One that was placed on the National Registry of Historic Places in 1992. I reference that because we want to protect its nuances, character, and even its quirky inconveniences. New technological changes in lighting capabilities and presentation methods bring almost assuredly that a new type of signage could threaten the historic ambience of our town. To this issue of public concern, the town is revisiting its sign ordinance. We want to get in front of it. Our sign ordinance has not been reviewed in over twenty years. I am familiar on several instances in the past that it seemed the interpretations of a signage request was handled by the town in a darn near arbitrary way. All signs, billboards, and small ones, the criteria is being revisited. I know there is a lot to be said for, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but it may well be broke. Nationally, things are changing. From the strong encouragement of the Maryland Municipal League (MML)—to which the town is a member, along with 156 other municipalities and two special taxing districts—has recommended that every municipality, big or small, revisit their sign ordinances. The American Planner’s Association (APA), of which MML and the town are members, has a tested model for municipalities that choose to protect its streetscape. The basic format is the one recommended by the MML. These ordinances are organic, living rules that need to be reviewed and updated periodically. Public meetings are scheduled. Please call the town office at 301-600-6300 or go to our town social media resources.

Spring, in case you haven’t heard, we’re pulling for ya!

Thurmont

 Mayor John Kinnaird

Spring has finally arrived, and with it, we will see warmer weather, and the coming months will be filled with lots of outdoor activities and events. As the weather improves, we will start seeing lots of kids out and about, heading to sporting events, playing, and visiting friends’ houses. Please keep an eye open for our youngest residents, as they may not always be aware of their surroundings. I have noticed that Little League has been holding practice as well as soccer, lacrosse, and other outdoor sports. I recommend that if you want to see some dedicated kids playing sports and having a great time, just visit any of our playing fields and see what is going on. The kids will appreciate that you have taken the time to watch them play.

 There are some exciting events coming up in Thurmont during the month of April, including the 2nd Annual Thurmont Green Fest and the Annual Thurmont Business Showcase. The Greenfest will be held at the Thurmont Regional Library on Saturday, April 13, from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. There will be nature crafts, games, stories, a rain barrel raffle, composting information, planting instructions for trees and plants, and an electronics recycling drop-off. With the exception of CRT tubes in televisions or monitors, all electronics can be dropped off to be recycled. This event is for kids and adults, so be sure to bring the little ones along for a fun day of learning how we can all improve our environment. The Thurmont Business Showcase will be held at the Thurmont Event Complex on Saturday, April 27, from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This is a great opportunity to find out what kinds of products and services local business and non-profits offer our community. There is always something new to see at the Thurmont Business Expo. Admission is free, and the Showcase is at the Thurmont Ambulance Event Complex, located at 13716 Stratford Drive in Thurmont. You are also invited to enjoy A Taste of Thurmont Restaurant Week, from April 5 through April 13. Visit any of the participating restaurants to enjoy special meals or discounts. Participating restaurants will be revealing their Taste of Thurmont Specials in the coming week.

The Board of Commissioners was recently presented with a plan of action to extend the Thurmont Trolley Trail, north from East Main Steet to Eyler Road Park. This extension of the extremely popular Trolley Trail will open the north end of Thurmont to a safe and well-maintained trail system for the use of walkers and bicyclists. The trail will connect not only to the existing Trolley Trail but also to the Gateway Trail we establish through a partnership with the Catoctin Mountain Park. This extension will also provide access to a planned bike trail between Thurmont and Emmitsburg. The final route of the north extension to the Thurmont Trolley Trail is still in the planning stages;  volunteers are welcome to contact the H&F Trolley Trail Association on its website if you would like to join the association or help with this community project.

I hope the nice weather gets us all outdoors for some much-needed sun and fun! As always, please contact me at 301-606-9458 (8:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.) or via email at jkinnaird@thurmont.com with any comments, complaints, or compliments.

Bogley’s Back

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James Rada, Jr.

It’s been six years since Bogley’s Chevrolet closed in Thurmont. Last month, Gene Bogley came out of retirement and opened Bogley’s Auto Sales of Thurmont at 906 East Main Street.

Bogley is a familiar automotive name in Thurmont. Bogley’s Chevrolet was on Frederick Road from 1981 to 2013. After selling cars for thirty-three years in Thurmont, sales was in his blood, and Bogley wasn’t enjoying retirement as much as some people.

“I traveled some, but unless you play golf a lot and have a lot of hobbies, you get bored,” said Bogley.

He wasn’t the only one missing his former dealership. He was hearing often from former customers, expressing that they hadn’t bought a car since his dealership had closed because new cars were just too expensive. According to Bogley, the average cost of a new car is now over $40,000.

“You can buy a car here for under $20,000 and trucks for under $30,000,” Bogley said. “I’m not selling anything over $30,000.”

He decided to open a new automotive lot and focus on selling quality, low-mileage cars. The new dealership is a small lot with forty vehicles that Bogley has purchased primarily from other dealer contacts that he has developed over the years.

“Every car I have out here, I hand-picked,” Bogley said. He is proud that every car also has a clean Carfax and required less than $200 to pass inspection.

Bogley’s employees are part-time workers and most of them are like Bogley, retired but still wanting to work.

“You won’t believe how different your outlook is on life when you have something to do,” Bogley said.

Bogley said he wants his new dealership to have the same reputation that Bogley’s Chevrolet had. He wants to be known for giving people good deals. Already, many of his former customers have been stopping by to see what he has for sale.

“If you treat people right and give honest deals, people will come back to you and tell others about you,” stated Bogley.

Buyers can also get financing and extended warranties through Bogley’s.

Bogley’s Auto Sales is open Monday through Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Gene Bogley stands in front of his new used car dealership on East Main Street in Thurmont.

Photo by James Rada, Jr.

Seton Center’s 50th Anniversary

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This year marks the 50th anniversary of Seton Center. What began as a day care center to meet the needs of local preschool children and their families has grown into a community landmark, a place of “Hope in the Valley” for our neighbors who aren’t simply looking for a handout, but are seeking a way to improve their lives.

To celebrate this legacy, Seton Center is hosting a “Welcome Home to Seton Center” party on May 4, 2019 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the new building at 226 E. Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and see what a difference fifty years can make! This is a free event, with games and activities for children and adults, raffles, door prizes, and light refreshments.

It all started in 1969, when a small band of mothers advocated for a safe place to send their preschool-aged children, where they would be nurtured and given the opportunity to learn about God and caring for one another in the community. The Daughters of Charity answered the call. Over the years, the center grew to accommodate a thrift store and outreach office. While the “Blue School” ceased operations in 2013, having finished its faithful service, the programs established to meet the changing needs of Northern Frederick County community continue.

Come back and see that while some things may have changed—most notably, Seton Center’s new location—the most important thing hasn’t: the mission to work with its neighbors to build a hopeful future in the spirit of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and Saint Vincent de Paul. Get information on the various programs offered by Seton Center, such as free Build Your Resources seminars, which give important tips like buying a car without getting ripped off, starting a savings plan, and caring for your mental health.

During the reunion party, the Seton Family Store will be open until 3:00 p.m. Browse the current selection of quality items and see how the support of the Family Store helps the outreach programs operate. Seton Center relies on the generosity of donors and funds from the store to continue helping our neighbors in need.

Seton Center has sustained for the past fifty years because of volunteers, clients, donors, and staff. It’s because of the determination of mothers like Cheryl Bushman, Nancy Cool, Elise May, and Marlene Springer that Seton Center got its start, and it’s the dedication of people like the Daughters of Charity who keep it going.

Please join in celebrating the past fifty years, and come be part of the next fifty.

Seton Center’s new location at 226 E. Lincoln Avenue in Emmitsburg.

Lots of Work Being Done to Improve Cunningham Falls Park

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James Rada, Jr.

Cunningham Falls State Park is a Thurmont treasure that all of Frederick County appreciates. This can be seen in the fact that the park recently won Best Place to Camp (Regional) and Best Place for a First Date (Non-Food) in the Frederick News Post’s annual “Best of the Best” contest.

During a March town meeting, Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird called Cunningham Falls State Park “a great attraction for a lot of people who come to our community.”

The park isn’t resting on its laurels, as Park Manager Mark Spurrier told the Thurmont Commissioners during a recent meeting.

“We have a whole bunch of construction going on,” he explained.

The park has 300,000 to 400,000 visitors each year, with most of them coming to the lake to swim during the summer. Because many of the projects are targeted to improving the visit for these people, some inconveniences could happen during construction. The park service is trying its best to complete as much work as possible during the off season.

Some of the projects have already started. For some, it may be two years before they are complete. Many of the upgrades are needed since the park is over fifty years old.

Here are the improvements the park is making:

•    Dual lane entry and new contact station. Since nearly all of the visitors to Cunningham Falls head to the lake, the line to enter the park often backs up. Adding a new entry lane and pay station should speed things up.

•    Rehabilitated picnic pads. Forty picnic pads will have new tables and a grill all on a concrete slab. Some of the pads will be enlarged to fit more than one table.

•    Nature center. The former beachfront store, which had originally been a bathroom, will now become at 334-square-foot nature center with a canopy that will allow for classes to be taught in warm weather.

•    New bathroom. The bathroom near the boat rentals will be demolished and replaced with an entirely new facility. This project could cause headaches for visitors this summer because the materials being used in the new construction are taking up parking spots, which can be scarce in the summer.

•    New beach. The south beach will have a new beachfront that will be designed to better hold the sand on the beach and not have it wash away. This will also include better stormwater management for the area.

•    Museum of the Iron Furnace. The collier’s house at Catoctin Furnace will be rehabilitated and turned into a museum, with the help of the Catoctin Furnace Historical Society. The museum will tell the story of the community built up around one industry.

•    Stabilization of the Iron Master’s House. The work to stabilize the Iron Master’s house has been going on since 2014. The work is being done as grant funding is available. So far, $75,000 has been raised.

•    Renovated camp store.

•    Smaller projects. Smaller projects, or projects not so obvious to visitors, include a new storage shed, new water plant, sewer line repair, minor dam maintenance, and replacing the culverts along MD 77.

Guardian Hose Company Holds Annual Banquet

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Blair Garrett

Through rain, shine, sleet, or snow, first responders will be there in our time of need. The Thurmont Guardian Hose Company’s Annual Banquet was no exception, with several of the featured volunteers called away to combat a house fire on the Catoctin Mountain.

But, the show must go on, and the banquet didn’t miss a beat. 

The food was served, memories were shared, and the banquet got underway to celebrate and recognize all of the hard work the men and women of Guardian Hose Company puts forth day after day. 

A moment of silence and recognition for the dedication and accomplishments of five members of the Guardian Hose Company was held, whose passing in 2018 was felt by each member of the area’s fire and EMS community. Diane Oxendale, Elwood Riffle, Richard Kaufman, Marion W. “Bill” Rice, and Gloria Clabaugh were honored through their families with the lighting of a candle and Reverend James Hamrick’s blessing.

Guardian Hose Chief Chris Kinnaird was responsible for the minutes of the banquet, informing the public on the past year’s events and statistics, accolades for administrative and operational officers, and future plans for the fire company.

The Top 10 Responders for the year were highlighted for their loyalty and service: Larry Duble (102), Michael Beard (124), Stacy Stackhouse (147), Steve Strickhouser (163), Christopher Kinnaird (194), Terry Frushour (200), Mike Duble (254), Jared Snyder (261), Wayne Stackhouse (271), Brad Weddle (421).

The officers who were inducted for 2019 are Lieutenants Chad Brown, Brian Donovan, Will Gue, and Kevin Welch; Captain Blaine Schildt; and Assistant Chief Charlie Brown.

“I’m sure they will support me throughout the year, as they have done in the past. I thank them for stepping up to the plate and taking these positions,” Chief Kinnaird said.

It was a tremendously busy 2018 for the Guardian Hose Company, running nearly 700 calls in just twelve months. As a company that is depended upon day in and day out, entirely functioning on the efforts of volunteers, the dedication of the operational and administrative officers doesn’t go unnoticed.

“It’s amazing that you’re an all-volunteer fire company,” Mayor John Kinnaird said. “There are very few communities like ours that have all volunteer companies, and we really appreciate your service.”

Volunteer fire companies thrive on the shoulders of invested community members who aim to support and protect the public. The communication and teamwork among local departments is paramount to maintaining the safety of the Catoctin area.     

“I’d like to thank our neighboring departments who helped us out throughout the year,” Chief Kinnaird said. “We can’t do this job by ourselves. It’s not a one-company operation anymore. The whole department relies on everybody, and everybody always lends a hand.”

As President Wayne Stackhouse continued to acknowledge each member and their years of service and membership to the fire company, a few stood out among the crowd.

Donald Stitely and Richard Wilhide joined the sixty-year club, putting in more than a half century of service to Guardian Hose Company.

“I want to make note that William “Bill” Rice was our oldest member on record before his passing last year, and he had completed seventy years,” Stackhouse said.

President Stackhouse’s next award put a smile on everyone’s face in the room, but none bigger than the smile on committee member Linda Davis’ face. “This next award is kind of a special award,” Stackhouse said. “Linda is one of those members in the activities committee who goes way beyond what she needs to do, but she’s always there.”

Davis was presented with a framed certificate and a huge bouquet of flowers, and the emotion on her face was immediately apparent. The gifts weren’t done yet for Davis though, as she also received a lifetime membership, certifying that she will receive membership benefits and privileges for her hard work and dedication to the Guardian Hose Company.

The banquet ended with the official installation for the 2019 officers by Director of Volunteer Fire Services Director, Chief Kevin Fox: President, Wayne Stackhouse; President Emeritus, Donald Stitely; Vice President, Terry Frushour; Secretary, Lori Brown; Assistant Secretary, Tisha Miller; Treasurer, Chad Brown; Assistant Treasurer, Beverly Frushour; Trustees, Brian Donovan, Jared Snyder, Joe Ohler, Steve Yuengling, and Christopher Kinnaird. Operational Officers: Chief, Chris Kinnaird; Assistant Chief, Carroll Brown; Captain, Blaine Schildt; Lieutenants, Chad Brown, Brian Donovan, Will Gue, and Kevin Welch; and Chaplain, James Hamrick.

The Installation of Officers puts the Guardian Hose Company and its supporters in a position to be successful for yet another year. As a volunteer fire company, Guardian Hose is always looking for more help and dedicated volunteers.

For more information, contact one of the company’s officers or visit www.guardianhose.org for more information.

President Wayne Stackhouse (center) acknowledges Richard Wilhide’s (left) and Donald Stitely’s sixty-years of service.

Vice President Terry Frushour is shown with Linda Davis, who receives a beautiful bouquet of flowers, as well as a lifetime membership.

Thurmont Receives Marketing and Communications Award

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The Town of Thurmont was recently recognized by the Maryland Recreation and Park Association (MRPA) and was presented the Best Program Logo award for populations serving under 50,000 people.

In the summer of 2018, the Town of Thurmont offered its inaugural summer parks and recreation program, based out of the Thurmont Community Park. The two-week program was entitled “A Day in the Park” and was a huge success. 

At the request of Park Program Coordinator Deb Abraham Spalding, Gracie Eyler from E Plus Graphics, Printing & Promotions, came up with an original logo that was used to brand the park program.

The logo was an immediate identifier for the program and was easily recognizable. It captures some of the activities provided during the two-week program, and also displays a large deciduous tree as the central focal point, reminding us that natural resources are vital to park programming. 

“This logo is a great resource used in branding our successful summer park program,” stated Mayor John Kinnaird. 

The award was presented to Gracie Eyler, Deb Abraham Spalding, and Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick at the Celebrating Excellence Marketing and Communications Awards Luncheon on February 28, 2019, in Laurel, Maryland.  This is the second consecutive year that Thurmont has received a Marketing and Communications Award from MRPA.

Jim Humerick, Town of Thurmont’s CAO; Deb Abraham Spalding, Day In The Park program coordinator; Gracie Eyler, E Plus Graphics graphic designer; and Carolyn Ryan, MRPA president.

Thurmont Lions Club Supports Make a Difference Day

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National Make a Difference Day (MaDD) is an annual community service event that is held every year on the fourth Saturday in October. MaDD was created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine and joined by Points of Light.  Together, they have sponsored the largest national day of community service for more than twenty years.

The Thurmont Lions Club (TLC) has been supporting the national day of community service since 2006. The Lions Club’s MaDD projects have been small to large, and the dedication of some major projects very close to the club member’s hearts. A list of projects were: (1) 2006—Collected food and monetary donations for various community needs (raised $10,000); (2) 2007—Recognized and honored businesses and projects in the community; (3) 2008—Collected food for Thurmont Food Bank and monetary donations for Ministerium, Clothes Closet, Operation Second Chance; (4) 2009—Supported our Troops with a huge military celebration with notable speakers; (5) 2010—Supported “Finding a Cure for Cancer” with a huge celebration with notable speakers; (6) 2011—Supported “We Help our Kids,” supporting Catoctin High and all feeder schools (raised $12,266); (7) 2012—Literacy Project; (8) 2013—“Beautify our Town” – Painted the old trolley car and unveiled a mural by Yemi; (9) 2014—Installed a kids water fountain and bench in the town’s Community Park; (10) 2015—Worked with other organizations to sponsor a clothing and food drive; (11) 2016—Planted three Wye Oak seedlings in a garden area along Park Avenue, planted thirty-six associated perennial flower plants and mulched, and planted fifty ground cover Vinca plants; (12) 2017—Variety of projects (collected blankets for the homeless, clothing for Clothes Closet, and food for Thurmont Food Bank.

In 2018, the TLC held a bake sale at the Tractor Supply in Frederick. Lion Melanie Keating presented a check to Rachel Hubbard to benefit the “Music is Medicine Foundation.” This organization provides resources and support to addicts and their families. The Lions Club, as well as many other organizations, work with a single purpose to improve the lives of others. The Thurmont Lions Club will continue supporting the annual National Make a Difference Day each October.

Successful 2014 Catoctin High School Graduate Making the Community Proud

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Sam Zanella (pictured right) is a 2014 graduate of Catoctin High School and the FCPS Career and Technology Center’s TV Multimedia Program. Sam is an employee with Creative Technologies, Inc. in Los Angeles, California.

Sam recently worked as an Audio Technician in the Press Room at the 2019 Oscars, working along with press from throughout the world and the 2019 Oscar winners. Sam now resides in Burbank, California.

Catoctin High School Selling Custom-made Art Prints Celebrating School’s 50th Anniversary

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Catoctin High School is selling limited edition, custom-made art prints to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Catoctin High School. The prints are of Thurmont High School; Emmitsburg High School; and Catoctin High School, as it looked when it opened fifty years ago.

The artwork was commissioned especially for Catoctin High School and created by talented artist Kim Flabbi. Kim is a long-time staff member of Catoctin High School, as well as a former coach and student. 

“I was very excited and feel honored to have been asked to create this artwork for my alma mater to celebrate this special anniversary,” said Flabbi. 

The school is selling fifty numbered and artist-signed prints, ready for framing. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the Catoctin High School Distinguished Graduate program, which recognizes outstanding alumni.

To purchase a print, visit Catoctin High School’s main office between 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. If you have questions, call the school at 240-236-8100.

Kim Flabbi with a custom-made print.

Courtesy Photo

CHS Sports Utility Vehicle Seeks Retirement and a Substitute

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Members of Catoctin High School’s (CHS) Sports Boosters are fundraising for a new (or like-new) utility vehicle to replace the current one. The current Cub Cadet has been in use for almost ten years, providing the important function of transporting supplies, injured athletes, and Catoctin’s athletic trainer between the school and various sporting activities on the school property. Athletic Director Keith Bruck said, “This is an important piece of equipment. Often times, an athletic trainer needs to speed between sports on the property when multiple competitions take place at the same time.”

The price tag is approximately $7,500 for a new piece of equipment. To fill this need, financial donations may be mailed to: CHS Sports Boosters, 14745 Sabillasville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. The Boosters Club has also set up a GoFundMe account and donations can be made by going to www.gofundme.com<http://www.gofundme.com> and entering “Utility vehicle for Catoctin Athletics” in the search bar. The Athletic Department would like to have its new utility vehicle by the start of the fall sports season in August.

MSS Teacher of the Year Sparks Joy in Students and Peers

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Sister Brenda Monahan, D.C., principal, is pleased to announce that Sharon Beard was chosen to receive the 2019 Friends of Catholic Education Excellence in Teaching Award for Mother Seton School (MSS). Beard has been an educator for thirty-four years, serving thirty of those years in Catholic education, specifically. For the past five years, Beard has taught fourth and fifth grade at MSS. She was selected as this year’s recipient in recognition of her dedication and willingness to go above and beyond for her students and the school. Most recently, she helped the school to acquire a grant for a Makerspace program, where children are given a variety of digital and “old-school” tools and resources to express their creativity.

Beard holds a Master’s degree in elementary education and has taught grades from pre-K through fifth grade. She also has a degree in music, has served as acting principal, has led accreditation efforts, including serving as chairperson, and was a lead teacher in the Middle States accreditation efforts. She has also served as a mentor to interns and student teachers helping to instill best practices and offering support to new professionals entering the field.

Pictured from left are Bill Milani, president of Friends of Catholic Education Board of Trustees; Sister Joan Corcoran, Mother Seton School mission integration coordinator; Sharon Beard, MSS Teacher of the Year; and Michelle Corr, executive director of FOCE.

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Thurmont’s Masonic Lodge Offering Two Scholarship Awards

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Since 1995, Thurmont Masons have awarded Scholarships worth over $95,000 to area students! Scholarships are available to all graduating high school level seniors from a Maryland State accredited public, private, and/or home-school program who reside within the Catoctin High School district boundaries as per the Frederick County Public School district map.

Scholarship application forms are available at the Catoctin High School Guidance Office and the Thurmont Public Library. Interested students must complete an application and return it to the location where it was obtained on or before April 30, 2019.

The successful applicant and family will be invited to Acacia Lodge’s Annual Strawberry Festival in June for the presentation of the Scholarship.

Questions regarding the application should be directed to Acacia Masonic Lodge #155, attn: Scholarship Committee via the Lodge website at www.thurmontmasons.com.

Emmitsburg High School Association Scholarships Offered

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The Emmistsburg High School Association is accepting scholarship applications. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded in May to deserving students. Any Catoctin High School senior or graduate who is enrolled in an institution of higher learning, including trade schools, is eligible if he/she resides in the Emmitsburg School District. This includes Emmitsburg 21727, Rocky Ridge 21778, and Taneytown 21787 (Taneytown boundary is determined by Bridgeport on route 140). 

Applicants may apply each year as long as they are enrolled in an institution.

Selection is based on having a 3.0 or higher grade point average, being a full-time student, presenting two letters of recommendation, community and school activities, and pursuing higher education (technical school, four-year college, or community college).

Applications may be obtained by contacting the guidance department at Catoctin High School (Ryan Zimmerman at 240-236-8082) or by calling Phyllis Kelly at 717-642-6963.

All applications must be received by May 10, 2019.

Two Thurmont Middle School Students Selected to Represent Thurmont at Technology Fair

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Thurmont Middle School was well represented at the Frederick County Public Schools Technology Fair. The competition took place at The FCPS Career and Technology Center (CTC) on February 25, 2019.

Two eighth graders, Josh Aubol and Maceo Zelenka, designed and built the fastest hovercraft at Thurmont Middle School. They built the hovercraft as a project in Problem Solving class. Because of their creative engineering and consistently reliable hovercraft, Josh and Maceo were selected to represent Thurmont at the FCPS Technology Fair.

The two competed against teams from other Frederick County middle schools, twelve teams in all, with most of the county middle schools represented. Again, the duo prevailed. Their hovercraft, which they named Le Frog, was the fastest, and they won first place. The boys were awarded 3-D printed medals that were designed and created by CTC students.

Josh and Maceo were also presented with t-shirts from the current Automotive Service Technology program students. Since they won the FCPS Tech Fair, they now qualify to compete at the state level at The Baltimore Convention Center this spring.

Josh Aubol and Maceo Zelenka, eighth grade students at Thurmont Middle School, are selected to compete at the FCPS Techology Fair with their built hovercraft.

Courtesy Photo

Baseball Fever

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Blair Garrett

April is upon us. The sun is shining, the last remnants of snow are finally withering away, and the faint sound of kids flocking to the ball fields are off in the distance. With the start of Little League season just a few days away, kids between ages 4-12 across Emmitsburg and Thurmont are breaking in the mitts getting their first taste of Spring baseball for 2019.

For years now, baseball has been the pinnacle of success for the local youth leagues, with Thurmont Little League teams winning multiple accolades and providing kids an opportunity to explore the sport of baseball in a fun and encouraging environment.

Thurmont Little League supports four teams: Tee ball, Instructional League, Minor League and Major (Little) League. Kids are separated by age where they learn everything from the basics of the game to the mechanics of becoming a great baseball player.

Over just the past few years, Thurmont baseball teams have become the 2015 and 2016 9/10 state champions, 2016 Little League District II Champions, 2017 9-11 District II Champions, 2017 Little League District II and Maryland State Champions.

Winning has followed this program for years now, and the Thurmont Little League will look to replicate that success come Opening Day on April 6. The involvement from players to coaches and down to the parents has given families a great outlet to teach and grow with their young little leaguers and may just be the foundation to the club’s success. 

The Thurmont Little League was established in 1952 and continues to be a driving force behind the love of the game of baseball in the Catoctin Area for kids year after year.

Registration may be closed for the upcoming season, but showing support at Leisner Field of the Thurmont Little League Complex is always welcome and appreciated. Come support your community and your favorite little leaguers as the teams aim for Little League glory once again.

March Madness Bracket Challenge

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Blair Garrett

The Madness is underway, and while some of our brackets were devastated from day one, there are still a few of us who keep marching on. As upsets mount and top-seeded teams fall left and right, let’s take a look at the updated bracket after last week’s round one chaos.

The chances of picking a perfect bracket are almost a mathematical impossibility, but that doesn’t stop us from trying and failing every year. Picking the perfect bracket is so difficult, in fact, that nobody has ever done it, and there is a near guaranteed chance that nobody ever will.

The numbers are hard to quantify based on strength of teams and other variables, and strictly from a statistical stand point, the 64-team tournament has over 9.2 quintillion possible outcomes (one quintillion is one billion billions). That is several quintillion more than there are grains of sand on earth per ncaa.com.

As one can imagine, with the nearly incalculable amount of bracket possibilities, March Madness fanatics barely scathe even a fraction of a percentage of all bracket outcomes each year. But just how crazy is the USA for college basketball’s most electric tournament? Estimates for 2019 exceed 70 million people will put their wallets and pride on the line for a tournament that is notorious for its upsets, high-octane pace, and electric finishes. So, to all who are participating in this year’s March Madness Bracket Challenge, best of luck. You’re going to need it.

*The Catoctin Banner’s Bracket challenge features locals from across the Catoctin Area, and the winning bracket will be featured in the May edition of The Catoctin Banner. Follow us on Facebook to make sure you don’t miss out on future challenges, and you could be featured in our next edition of The Catoctin Banner!

Church Spotlight

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St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

by Theresa Dardanell

Fellowship Sunday…a truly unique experience.  On the first Sunday of each month, the members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church attend a service that combines worship and hospitality. One long table in the Fellowship Hall is lined with pastries, donuts, fruit, coffee, and other breakfast treats; members sit at round tables throughout the room and are invited to enjoy breakfast before and after the service. Worship begins with announcements and a prayer; “Sharing of the Peace” gives everyone a chance to walk around the room and greet one another; the service continues with hymns, prayers, scripture reading, a conversation about the scripture by Pastor Matthew Beers, and communion. Since breakfast continues after the service ends, nobody is in a hurry to leave.

A more formal traditional service is held on the last Sunday of every month in the church. Sunday services on the weeks between Fellowship Sunday and Traditional Service Sunday are also held in the church. Pastor Matt wants St. John’s to be a place where people can encounter God and find answers to the questions: “Why am I here, why do I do what I do, why do I live the way I live?”And they leave St. John’s knowing that “God loves me and cares about me so that I can go about caring about others and loving others.”

St. John’s history actually began in 1760 at Apple’s Church in Thurmont, when the Lutheran and Reformed congregations shared the building. In 1858, the Lutheran congregation built a new church and moved to the current location on Church Street in Thurmont (known at that time as Mechanicstown).  Over the years, the Mechanicstown Lutheran Church was remodeled and modernized extensively and also expanded to include an educational wing. In 1958, the name of the church was changed to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. 

As a part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA), members support various charitable causes. They participate in the ELCA Good Gifts Program, which supplies communities overseas with items like pigs, goats, seeds, and farming equipment to help lift people out of poverty with sustainable living. They work with the Thurmont Ministerium to help meet local community needs, collect canned goods for the Thurmont Food Bank, and make an annual Thanksgiving donation to the Seton Center in Emmitsburg. Pastor Matt said that although the congregation is small, they “try to make a meaningful impact with the funds that we have.” 

Proceeds from annual fundraising events help to support the church. If you find yourself at the Thurmont Plaza Shopping Center (between CVS and Dollar General) on the day before Easter, you will find delicious baked goods and lovely potted flowers for sale by the fundraising committee. Look for hidden treasures during their Colorfest yard sale at the church. In the fall, watch for the banner in front of the church advertising the “Party of Parties” that is held in October. Attendees enjoy a buffet lunch, while home party consultants demonstrate their products.

St. John’s Christian Preschool classes are held in the school rooms in the church building. Classes are open to everyone and are all inclusive. Classes for two-year-olds are held Monday and Friday mornings. Three- and four-year-old children attend classes on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings or afternoons.  The website describes the school’s mission as “providing a program developed and centered around God’s love of children. Our belief is that the total person must grow physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually in order to experience life to the fullest.” Classes for two- and three-year-old students have three teachers; classes for the four-year-olds have two teachers. Tammy Tigler, who is the administrative assistant and one of the teachers, said, “Every child is unique. We strive to meet their needs. We love our jobs; we love our kids.” Registration for the 2019-2020 school year is open now. Call the preschool at 301-271-4109 for more information or to schedule a visit.

St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 15 N. Church Street in Thurmont. Sunday services begin at 9:00 a.m., and everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, visit the website at www.saintjohnlutheran.org.

Pastor Matthew Beers (front row, on right) and members of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

Once Upon a Time…

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by James Rada, Jr.

April 1919, 100 Years Ago

Capt. Sterling Galt Again In Casualties

The mailed first of the war god has fallen on a relative by marriage of Mrs. Woodrow Wilson, Captain Sterling Galt Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Sterling Galt Sr., Emmitsburg. He was wounded and gassed. Captain Galt’s father was a brother of Mrs. Wilson’s dead husband.

In yesterday afternoon’s overseas casualty list, Captain Galt was reported as slightly wounded in action. His father, interviewed last night, stated that he had received word from the War Department recently, stating that his son had been slightly wounded in action on October 18.

The letter stated that he Captain Galt had been wounded on the Verdun front on October 18 by shrapnel. His wound, he said, was slight and was in his leg. At the time of his writing, he was convalescing at Nice.                                         

                                          – The Frederick Post, April 11, 1919

New Phone Rates

The C. & P. Telephone Company announce that the rates heretofore charged subscribers do not pay for the upkeep of their property, and hence rates must go up.

The raise in rates take effect May 1st, and almost every person having a phone or wishing to talk over a phone will be touched up for the privilege, the increase being from 5 to 20 cents and 5 cents additional war tax.

After May 1st, to talk to Frederick, we pay 15c plus 5c tax, total 20 cents.

A charge of 10 cents will be made to Emmitsburg and Walkersville from Thurmont, no War Tax added.

To talk from Emmitsburg to Frederick will cost 20 cents plus 5 cents tax, or 25 cents.

                                          – Catoctin Clarion, April 17, 1919

April 1944, 75 Years Ago

Thurmont Selected for Experiment

Thurmont has been selected as one of three Maryland communities where an early attempt will be made to look after the interests of returned members of the armed forces. At a recent meeting in the library of the Thurmont School, it was decided to affiliate with the town committee already set up with the purpose of attempting to secure employment for men from that community when they return from the armed forces.

Dr. R. Floyd Cromwell, Supervisor of Guidance for the State of Maryland, explained that Thurmont was selected with two other communities in the state, in an attempt to give guidance to returning young men that they may find employment upon their return, or secure information that will lead to employment. This would be done through a counselor, to be appointed, who would be familiar with all the opportunities that would be open to men upon their return, as well as for those who have been employed in civil war work.

It was explained that the belief is that twenty or twenty-five per cent of the population will need some sort of employment adjustment after the war.

                                          – The Frederick Post, April 10, 1944

167 Pints of Blood Given

Navy V-12 boys in training at Mt. St. Mary’s College gave the major portion of 167 pints of blood secured at the college on Monday through the cooperation of the Frederick County Red Cross Blood Donor Service and Mobile Unit 2 of the Baltimore service.              

Lieut. R. J. Richards, of the Navy staff had arranged for the visit and in addition to a great many of his boys, three State Police and about 25 other civilian volunteers had been line up as volunteers by Mrs. Harry S. Boyle, who did the recruiting in town.

It was the most successful engagement yet in Emmitsburg.

                                          – The Fredrick News Post, April 18, 1944

April 1969, 50 Years Ago

Cable TV Proposed at Thurmont

Cable television for Thurmont was proposed at the Wednesday night town meeting. Lynn I. Decker, president, and John Hanly, vice president, of the American Telecable Services, Inc. of Silver Spring discussed installation of cable service here.

The company would install cable service for the entire corporate limits, plus areas outside the town where a population density of twenty houses per mile exists. Hanly told the town council there would be no installation charge at first, with charges being established as the service grows.

Monthly rates would be $495 and a competent company lineman would be brought to Thurmont by the company to install and maintain equipment, Hanly said.

                                          – The Frederick News Post, April 3, 1969

Graceham Firemen Are Idle As Thurmont Fights Fires

A fire company traveled more than eight miles to several brush fire scenes on Monday, while another company with three pieces of apparatus sat in an engine house less than two miles from the first due company and approximately six miles from the fire scenes.

Harry O. Miller, chief of the Thurmont Fire Company, said Monday evening that the reason the Graceham Fire Company was not called in for the Thurmont fire alarm was a lack of manpower. Miller noted that Thurmont has four pieces of apparatus, three pumpers and a tank wagon, which can handle most alarms in the area, however, when a second alarm is sounded manpower is usually the most important request.

Emmitsburg, which is second due, the second company called, if needed, on almost all Thurmont area fires, has the highest average turnout for volunteer firemen in the area, according to Miller. In 1969, the Emmitsburg unit averaged 30 men per fire call.

Graceham is not due on any fire calls for which Thurmont is first due, although the station houses are two and one-half miles apart and the town limits are a mile apart.

                                          – The Frederick News Post, April 29, 1969

April 1994, 25 Years Ago

Emmitsburg Takes Out Loan to Fix Spillway

Town commissioners Monday agreed to establish a $100,000, three-year line of credit with Farmers and Mechanics National Bank.

The commissioners said they need money to finance Rainbow Lake spillway renovation and for well development. Repair for the concrete spillway has been mandated by the state Department of Natural Resources. Work will begin April 18.

                                          – The Frederick News Post, April 5, 1994

Youth Charged in Fire

A 16-year-old from Victor Cullen Academy was charged with malicious burning in connection with a fire Monday night in his dormitory room, officials at the school said.

The youth, who suffered smoke inhalation, was taken to Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, for treatement, officials said.

He allegedly lit a roll of toilet paper and placed it under a heater, officials said.

Deputy State Fire Marshal Jim Woods charged the youth with the misdemeanor and referred the case to the Department of Juvenile Services, officials said.

                                          – The Frederick News Post, April 8, 1994

Catoctin Kids

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“Spring Cleaning”

by Anita DiGregory

Well, it’s that time of the year again! We made it through another winter. Spring has sprung. It is staying lighter later. The temperatures are slowing climbing, and the kids are just begging to get outside and break free from the cabin fever that set in over the winter. But it would not be spring without one other time-honored tradition: Spring Cleaning. 

Do the mere words strike horror in the hearts of your family members? Would your kids, young and old, rather feign the flu than even imagine themselves spending a weekend cleaning out the garage? At times, does it seem more difficult to actually get the kids to help than it would be to just do it yourself? 

If that’s the case, you aren’t alone. A 2014 study conducted by Braun Research, Inc., found that out of 1,001 U.S. adults surveyed, 82 percent of them had regular chores to do as a child; however, only 28 percent required their children to complete chores. And, who doesn’t get that? With all the homework, sports, and extracurricular activities, who has time for chores? But are we doing a disservice to our children?

Consistently, scientific research has proven that having even children as young as three help with chores is actually extremely beneficial to them (and, no, I am not making that up…even if the kids think I am). A paper published by the University of Minnesota states, “Research by Marty Rossmann, emeritus associate professor of family education, shows that involving children in household tasks at an early age can have a positive impact later in life. By involving children in tasks, parents teach their children a sense of responsibility, competence, self-reliance, and self-worth that stays with them throughout their lives.”

According to American Psychology Association (APA) Divisions Leanne Arsenault, “Within the family system, childhood chores have been shown to have a positive developmental impact on children of all ages…Chores and housework are linked to happiness in children as they feel they are making meaningful contributions to their families.” She further adds, “…one way to encourage children to want to do chores is to present chores as not only a contribution to the family but a way of showing that all the members of the family care for each other by expressing support through action.”

Eileen Kennedy-Moore, PhD, author, psychologist, speaker, and mother of four, adds that chores are an essential life skill. Kennedy-Moore states that in addition to contributing to the good of the family, “Research tells us that children actually feel happier when they make a meaningful contribution to the family.”

Here are some tips from the experts on how to make spring cleaning and overall chores a success.

Make a Chart. Put some time and thought into age-appropriate tasks that the children can complete with minimal help. Have realistic expectations. “The tasks should not be too overwhelming,” states Rossmann. In order for children to gain a sense of accomplishment, the tasks should manageable. Making a chart makes it easier for children to grasp.

Be Specific. Give specific instructions. Instead of instructing your children to clean their room, it is more helpful (especially for younger children) to be specific as to what exactly they should do to clean their room. For example, it is easier for them to understand if you tell them to (1.) Make their bed, (2.) Put their toys away where they belong, and (3.) Put their dirty socks in the hamper.

Lead by Example. Work together as a family. Children learn best by observing. In the beginning, it is often helpful to show children how to perform certain tasks like folding the towels correctly or sweeping the floor.

Be Proud. Tell your children how much you appreciate their hard work. Thank them. Tell them what a huge help they have been to the family. Little ones love to help and take pride in a job well done.   

Reward a Job Well Done.  Motivation is key to helping children complete household tasks. However, studies have shown that monetary payment is not always the best motivator. Rossmann suggests, “They should not be made to do the tasks for an allowance.” When children are encouraged to help for altruistic reasons, such as positively contributing to the family, they receive more satisfaction and higher self-worth as a result. However, because everyone is working together for the benefit of the family, offering a fun family reward is both motivational and valuable. Some fun ideas include a family outing, a movie night, or homemade sundaes for everyone.

Unless you are Marie Kondo, spring cleaning isn’t usually a fun or easy task. But working together with your children to tidy up the house is not only beneficial to the family, it helps teach them life skills and gives them a strong and healthy sense of accomplishment.

So, as you sit there trying to resist the urge to refold all the towels so lovingly done by your six-year-old, just breathe, relax, and realize you are doing so much more than tidying up; you are raising healthy, happy little humans who are learning the importance of thinking of and helping others.

Happily Ever After

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The Posse Rides Again

by Valerie Nusbaum

My husband and my mother will always be my best friends, but I’m blessed and happy to have a group of close women friends as well.  Randy refers to my friends as “The Posse.”

The posse is made up of eight women, and it’s a very diverse group. Four of the women are older than I am, one is exactly my age, and three are younger. There’s an age span of nearly twenty years. Three of the women are grandmothers, two have sons in college, and two have stepsons.  One of these ladies is the mother of quintuplets. Seriously.

One thing we all have in common is that each of us has a husband. We girls could spend hours trading stories about our spouses, but we don’t because that wouldn’t be right. Randy, if you’re reading this, don’t worry. I didn’t tell any of my friends about how you licked maple syrup off your shirt the other morning.

I became friends with three of these ladies through my arts and crafts adventures. Of the eight, three own and operate very successful businesses, three have full-time jobs, three are retired from the education field, two are partnered with their husbands in business, two have crafts businesses, and all of them volunteer and do charity work. If you were to add up the numbers I’ve just given you, you’d come up with more than eight, but these ladies are ambitious, hard-working and inspired to make the world a better place, so they do more than one thing. 

One friend makes purses, one makes soap, one makes absolutely everything, and one throws mega-parties. All of them are great cooks and bakers, which is probably why we talk about food so much and go out to eat a LOT. One of my friends and I attempted to visit restaurants that feature foods from all over the world, but after about twenty different places and cuisines, we settled on Mexican and Chinese.  In an aside, I’d like to advise you to never, ever eat something called “oily chili.”

One friend lives in Pennsylvania, and one in Virginia. One lives in the metro area and one in West Virginia. We make the time for each other, even if it means traveling.

Two of my friends have known me all my life, one began first grade with me, one married my cousin, and one dated my brother. One of my friends is my actual cousin, and two members of this group are sisters. These women are as different from each other as day and night; yet, I know that when I need a friend, at least one of them will be there to provide a shoulder or a laugh.

An added bonus is that our husbands get along well, and we’re able to double-date or have couples’ outings. Randy does occasionally feel as though he’s cheating on Wayne with Frank, but it all works out. I worry sometimes when I see Randy and Lou with their heads together, and I fear what might happen if the whole group of husbands got together to build something.

Of late, one of our topics of conversation is the fact that we’re all getting older and forgetting things. We blame it, alternately, on having too much to think about and on menopause.

Menopause is a great blame-all, isn’t it? No man alive will argue with us if we tell him we have “female” problems.

I was having lunch with my mother earlier this week at one of her favorite restaurants. The place is decorated with a lot of artwork and handmade items, and I happened to spy a framed piece of embroidery on the wall that hit home.

One of my friends and I had recently discussed the fear of really losing our memories. The little sampler was embroidered with the words “We’ll be friends until we’re old and senile. And then we’ll be NEW friends!”

I took a photo of the sampler and texted it to each member of the posse. Their responses were typical of each of them.

Joanie responded immediately with a smiley face and “I love that!”

Teresa was next with a laugh and “You got that right!”

Gail warned that “That could be sooner than we expect.” Then she texted about a movie she’d seen and a previous discussion that I don’t remember.

Linda agreed that “This is us!” and she loved it.

Susie agreed “So true” and added a separate thought about a note I had written her and we discussed her upcoming trip to Italy.

Cathy asked, “Where are you?” and then we discussed the restaurant.

Tricia (my cousin) responded that she loved the sample and me.

I didn’t hear back from Anita right away, but I knew that she was at work and could possibly be in a meeting or traveling. Two days later, I got this response:

“So old and senile that I forgot to respond. Hope you have a great day my old and new friend!”

I told Anita not to worry about not responding right away to the funny photo I had texted her about being old and senile. I’d turned off my phone and forgotten where I put it.

On The Wild Site

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Better Living Through Chemistry

by Christine Maccabee 

I am finding it difficult to decide what to write about during this magical time of year, when the crocuses are beginning to bloom and when the grays and browns of trees and fields will again become green. This is the time of year we all wait for with eagerness and joy.

At the same time, no sooner does the first bug appear and dandelions begin popping out on our lawns that a sort of warfare begins against the natural world. Bug zappers, which are helping diminish insects we deem as pests, have actually contributed to the depletion of vital food sources (bugs) for birds such as swallows and other birds, dependent on insects for food and survival. Frogs, toads, and dragonflies—even fish—need insects to survive.

Dandelions and clovers are also critical early-season food for our bees, so why poison them? Weed them out if you must, but don’t use chemicals. You may ask “why not?”

Actually, multiple herbicides and pesticides that consumers use regularly are killing both “bad” and “good” insects, as well as threatening the health of soil micro-organisms and human beings. Awareness of such problems in these difficult, even perilous, times is important. Aware consumers can be a powerful source for healthy change and a healthy planet.

Surely everyone has heard of the decline in honey bee and bumble bee populations, globally, and we wonder and worry as to why. Asking “why” is one of the first questions as we come into the world and start to observe the world around us, one of many questions we must continue asking into adulthood in order to learn and to come up with better solutions to our many on-going problems.

You may have heard of the detrimental effects of herbicides and pesticides to insect, bird, and human populations. According to the recent book White Wash by Carey Gillam, agrochemical industries such as Dow, DuPont, Syngenta, and others, have taken over the west side of the Hawaiian island Kauai, popularly called the “Garden Isle.”  However, now that these agro-chemistry corporations have bought thousands of acres to experiment with their chemicals, there is a toxic soup poisoning this piece of paradise— air, water, and human. Serious health problems, such as cancer, are occurring in communities that live near what residents are now calling the “poison valley,” and alarm has spread as more and more people are sickened by such secret testings. I became horrified when I read the details of this misled corporate effort to get rid of unwanted insects and plants.

Similar experiments are carried on by Monsanto out west, the most popular product being Roundup, which contains glyphosate. It was embraced by everyone as the wonder herbicide until unintended impacts on the environment and human health were discovered, and now Roundup Ready crops are all the rage, which is a whole ‘nother can of worms….no space to write about that here, nor the heart.

Worldwide, chemicals in commonly used herbicides and pesticides are silently doing more harm than people know. Sadly, ever since DDT and Agent Orange were banned from use in the 1970s, other similarly potent chemicals with different names have taken their place. Chloropyrifos, a neurotoxin, which along with many other problems are linked to Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological disorders. Enlist Duo and Glyphosate are highly toxic herbicides used on corn cotton and soybeans in thirty-four states. They are potent weed killers, wreaking havoc on all insects by killing vital host plants such as milkweed (though they also poison insects and birds, too). As for the bees, Neonics confuse their ability to navigate back to the hives. Once they do make it back, they contaminate the entire hive, creating problems with grooming themselves that, in turn, makes them more vulnerable to mites and disease. Also, because neonics disrupt bees’ gut bacteria, thus weakening their immune systems, the entire hive dies.

Since reading Rachael Carson’s intelligent research and book called Silent Spring (1962), I have not used any chemicals on my property. Instead, there seems to be a wonderfully balanced ecosystem here on my 11+ acres, with a wide diversity of insects, birds, and plants. However, I cannot control what others are doing, and so I am also affected—as are we all—by agrochemical farming. Traces of Glyphosate are found in far too many foods commonly sold at local stores, so I buy organic as much as possible.

 Better living through chemistry? Perhaps we should all continue   asking the question “why?”.

Looking Back – 1899

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The Huckster Vs. The Highwaymen

by James Rada, Jr.

By the time the sun cleared the horizon in the east on March 27, 1899, J.T. Waesche was already at work. Waesche, who was a huckster, had harnessed his team and set out to cross Catoctin Mountain to sell his goods in Washington County.

He traveled along the unpaved road that would eventually become MD 77 in the 1950s, moving slowly as his team pulled his wagon up Catoctin Mountain.

Waesche was about 2.5 miles west of Thurmont when he heard two voices call out, “Halt!” from either side of the road.

“Upon looking up, he found that two men, partially hidden by large rocks and with masks over their faces were covering him with their revolvers,” the Catoctin Clarion reported.

Although Waesche didn’t tug on the reins of the horses, they stopped at the sound of voices.

“Surrender. Throw up your hands,” one highwayman ordered.

Waesche should have expected something like this to happen at some point.

The newspapers had run stories about highwaymen robbing people along this road, but Waesche wasn’t armed. He remained calm. He stared at the men, trying to get a read on them and deciding what he should do.

“Well, I’m not going to do it,” he finally said.

He flicked the reins to start his horses moving. The highwaymen stepped from behind the rocks and moved toward the wagon.

“Stop or I’ll shoot you!” one bandit warned.

Waesche saw the man pointing his pistol in Waesche’s direction, but he also noticed that it was aimed over his head.

“One of them fired, and one of the horses, being a very nervous animal, ‘she went up into the air and came down running’ as Mr. Waesche put it,” according to the Clarion.

Waesche urged his horses to gallop, and the wagon hurried past the two highwaymen.

“They fired as many as a half-dozen shots, but they were either very poor marksmen or hoped to cause a run-away and smash-up, thus catching their man, as not one of their shots struck the wagon,” the Clarion reported.

Waesche drove to F. N. Wilhide’s house, which was the first house he came to a half mile up the road, where he could get help.

Besides the reported robberies along the road, the Clarion reported that three young men had been traveling along the road around midnight the night before. They saw a fire in the woods and walked over to see if it was a campfire or the beginnings of a forest fire.

“Upon approaching the light, the young men saw two men seated near a fire and they were engaged in making and fitting on masks,” the Clarion reported.

One of the men approached the three travelers. They exchanged pleasantries and the three men continued on their way. They thought nothing of the encounter until they heard about what happened to Waesche. They told the Deputy Sheriff Anderson of Thurmont that they could identify the men if they saw them again.

The Frederick Post reported that Anderson had an idea of who the two men were. He traveled to Hagerstown looking for them, but could not locate them.

The Frederick paper also reported a very different version of the story. The newspaper reported that Waesche was armed with two revolvers, and he drew them when the highwaymen challenged him.

“The would-be robbers, seeing they had run against the wrong man, took to their heels across the country,” the Frederick Post reported.

Either way, Waesche protected his property and put the highwaymen in their place.

A shot of MD 77, near Sandy Hole, when it was still just a dirt road in the early 20th century.

The Supermarket Gourmet

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Culinary Misappropriation

by Buck Reed

In this PC-dominated world that we are being drawn into like a fly into a spider web, we are soon going to be devoured by our own selves. Like a snake eating its own tail, we will soon find our culinary diversity disappearing. It’s not so much how it began, but the scary part is where it will end?

Take the Portland, Oregon, controversy. Two ladies went to Mexico and picked the brains of almost every person in Puerto Nuevo who had ever made or even eaten a burrito to crack the code of making an authentic dish. Armed with this knowledge, they went home and spent money on building a restaurant and spent time making their recipes good enough to produce a faithful rendition of this wonderful Mexican dish. They found some success and took a great deal of joy and pride in what they were serving. However, it was pointed out that the ladies were Caucasian and did not have the cultural right to make money from the traditions of another culture. Forget that they were making wonderful food or that they spent all that time educating themselves on a tortilla wrapped around wonderful ingredients and served with sauces. They could very well be offending the very people they are trying to emulate. Right now, you can find a list on Google of restaurants located in Portland that serve ethnic foods that are owned by white people.

We are not talking Taco Bell here, which any Mexican will tell you is not authentic Mexican food. Hard shell tacos are not found on menus in their country, and chimichangas and nachos are a no-go as well. It’s great late-night food after a night of drinking, but do not call it Mexican food.

Chinese restaurants are guilty of Americanization as well. General Tsao was a real person who brutally brought down a revolution in ancient China for the emperor, but his chicken dish is a dish made in America for Americans. And don’t go to Beijing looking for chop suey; you might do better to look in New York, where it is said to have been created. Even in England, the land of spotted dick, the national dish is Chinese, with Indian bringing up a very close second.  

There are more than a few Caucasian chefs who are making a mark by serving authentic Mexican dishes, even one named Chef of the Year, who is being called out for misappropriation.  Who is making what and profiting from it should not be the point. In the big picture, we should be rating a restaurant by whether the food and service is good. I believe that a restaurant should be a welcoming place and should give good service to everyone, even people you do not agree with politically. Making lists that assign blame that may or may not exist sound a bit Draconian to me. And the thought that a popular establishment that is someone’s favorite might close seems a bit sad to me.