The Re-Opening of Towne and Country Liquors
Deb Spalding
Thurmont’s Towne and Country Liquors has re-opened for business. Members of the Manea family are the current owners of the store. Located at 34 Water Street, it has been a long-standing business in Thurmont, but was burned in a fire in December 2014.
After nearly a year of renovations, the store is fully operational, with walk-in and drive-through sales.
Interesting history about the store was shared by Carol Robertson’s (Catoctin Colorfest’s president). In the fall of 1963, Carol’s parents purchased the business. At the time, the store was owned by John Gull. Before moving to Thurmont Carol and her family lived forty-five minutes outside of Manhattan, New York. Carol said, “We hit Thurmont and I thought, ‘Whoa!’ I stood out like a sore thumb, trust me! I talked funny, wore different clothes, and wore makeup like a New Yorker.” Her family stayed in the Rambler Motel until they moved into the apartment above the business.
Her parents named the business Towne and Country Liquors, and the business has been called that ever since.
Carol shared that John Gull’s brother also owned a liquor store in town called Sauble’s. One day, a man came in to her dad’s store and asked for something. Her dad reached behind him without turning his back to the man and completed the purchase transaction. The same customer went to Sauble’s next and robbed him at gun point. He hit Mr. Gull over the head and then went up in the mountain and committed suicide.
Her family felt that since her father did not turn his back to the man, it saved her father from being struck and robbed.
Harry Lewis bought Towne and Country Liquors from her parents, then Gene and Kay Waynant bought it from him. The Manea family has owned the store for several years.
Pictured from left are Thurmont Commissioner, Martin Burns; Thurmont CEO, Jim Humerick; Thurmont Mayor, John Kinnaird; Tho Nho; Tim Goenner; Chanmony Prom; Aruny Manea; Thavy Lam, holding Loken Lam; Hotang Lam; Vanny Manea, holding Penelope Lam; Leam Manea; and Carol Robertson.
New Agent Hopes to Carry On the State Farm Legacy in Thurmont
Nicholas DiGregory
For State Farm agent Alex Uphold, the insurance business is much more than just policies and protocols—it is a chance to help others as they experience the ups and downs of life.
Uphold, who took charge of the State Farm office in Thurmont on November 1, 2015, views being an agent in a small community as an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.
“We are here to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams,” said Uphold. “It’s what we love to do.”
Uphold has worked with State Farm in Maryland for almost ten years and has served in a variety of positions. She has worked claims, trained new employees, and supported agents. Now, as the agent for the local office, Uphold looks forward to becoming a part of the Thurmont community.
“I love this town,” said Uphold. “I love going to the grocery store and seeing people I’ve met. I love to be involved here.”
In serving her community, Uphold hopes to continue the legacy of her predecessor, Steve Boyer. Boyer, who had served as the local State Farm agent since 1981, passed away in November 2014. Uphold hopes to honor him through a continued commitment to the community.
“Steve left a legacy, and I want to continue that in my own way,” said Uphold. “What he built was amazing, and I want to be a part of this community just like that.”
Uphold and her State Farm team—Candy Sharer, Jessi Shortt, and Brett Chadwell—are all excited to serve the community by providing insurance and planning assistance. But even more so, they look forward to becoming trusted friends of the community.
“It’s not just an insurance policy that you can get here,” said Uphold. “Even though we’ve only been here for a few weeks, our customers are getting a family, not just a policy.”
Uphold’s State Farm office is located at 103 Park Lane in Thurmont. The office telephone number is 301-271-3113. Services available to Maryland and Pennsylvania residents include auto insurance, home and property insurance, life and health insurance, banking products, annuities, and mutual funds.
State Farm Agent Alex Uphold (left) and her team members (from center left) Brett Chadwell, Candy Sharer, and Jessi Shortt, serve as the State Farm representatives for the Thurmont office.
Seton Center Thrift Shop Listens to Customers
Customers spoke and they listened. In a recent survey, Seton Center, Inc. Thrift Shop customers overwhelmingly voted to choose a new name for their shop: Seton Family Store. What won’t change: the location (16840 South Seton Avenue in Emmitsburg), their affordable prices, the variety and quality of merchandise, and the friendly atmosphere. Seton Family Store continues to be the home of a great deal on clothing, purses, shoes, household items, books, textiles, and small pieces of furniture.
Through conversations and comment cards, Seton Family Store customers also said they’d appreciate more convenient store hours. So, they have expanded their store hours to: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Gift cards are now available at Seton Family Store. Don’t know what to buy that person who has everything? Want to set a spending limit? Stop by and ask our cashier about purchasing a reloadable gift card, in amounts from $5.00 to $500. What an easy and convenient way to give for the holidays, a birthday, or as congratulations on a job well done.
Seton Center, Inc. will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, November 26-27 in observance of Thanksgiving. The Seton Family Store will be open on Saturday, November 28, from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., so you can do more Christmas shopping.
Santa will visit the Seton Family Store on Saturday, December 5, 2015, from 10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Bring your children and grandchildren by to see Santa, take your own holiday pictures by the hearth, and receive a goody bag.
