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Cover Photo: Jason and Addelynn Green with their Ayrshire dairy heifers. Jason received 3rd place in the March Calf Class, and Addelyn won Overall Reserved Champion Dairy Heifer.

2024 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show

Winners of the 68th Annual Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, held September 6-8, 2024, at Catoctin High School in Thurmont, are listed below. Many thanks to all the judges, coordinators, performers, and volunteers who led, organized, or contributed to this extraordinary annual community event.

50th Anniversary Recognition of Annual Beef, Sheep, Swine & Market Goat Show & Sale
The 50th Anniversary Recognition of the annual Beef, Sheep, Swine and Market Goat Show & Sale was held on Saturday, September 7, prior to the livestock sale.

Bob Valentine (pictured second from left) was honored for his dedication as the show and sale’s chair since its inception and for the following 49 years.

Pictured on the left is Shelby Green, Livestock Committee member, who presented Bob with a special plaque from the Community Show Committee that honored Bob as Emeritus Vice President of the Community Show. 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz (pictured third from left) presented Bob with an antique handsaw, hand-painted with an agricultural scene by Robin Sharrer. Also recognized were the following exhibitors from the 1974’s first livestockshow and sale: Chip Long (pictured center), representative for his sister, Gwen Long Kuster, Patty Keilholtz Kerns (pictured second from right) and Rodman Myers (pictured far right). Absent was Mike Baust, and additional 1974 exhibitors—now deceased—were Joe Wivell, Dallas McNair, and Harry Swomley. The annual show and sale is sponsored by the Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters, which has been a highlight of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show for 50 years!

Calvin Sayler, a Catoctin area farmer and Hereford cattle breeder, lived on a farm in Rocky Ridge and was a member of the Catoctin FFA Alumni. He felt very strongly that the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show should have a beef cattle sale.

On September 13, 1974, the first beef cattle sale was held when seven 4-H, Grange, and Catoctin FFA Alumni members exhibited nine cattle. Four of the seven are still living for the 50th Anniversary: Gwen Long Kuster, Patty Keilholtz Kerns, Mike Baust, and Rodman Myers. Three additional exhibitors at the first Livestock Show & Sale were Joe Wivell, Dallas McNair, and Harry Swomley, who are now deceased. Along with Thurmont High School’s Vocational Agriculture teacher, Bill Baker, Rodman Myers helped to start the

Community Show 68 years ago. Bob Valentine, who was in the ninth grade at the time, was the master of ceremonies for the first Community Show program under Bill Baker’s leadership. Bill Baker was the livestock sale’s auctioneer for its first year, while Bob Valentine was the show’s first-year chair and served as chair for the next 49 years. Under Bob’s leadership, both the show and sale expanded over the years with the addition of sheep, swine, and goats. Both Rodman Myers and Bob Valentine have attended all the annual Community Shows over its 68-year history!

This annual event has been a highlight of the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, the largest community show in the State of Maryland. Thanks to Calvin Sayler for his vision to make this annual Beef, Sheep, Swine and Market Goat Show & Sale a reality!

The 2024 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Pet Show was held on Saturday, September 7. There were 26 exhibitors who exhibited 58 pets. The judges were Mary Ann Fisher and Wil Valentine. Many thanks to Dave Harman, Dave Johnston, and Bobby Myers, who all helped with the event.

The Grand Champion winner received a $25 gift card, donated by Tractor Supply Company. The Reserve Grand Champion received a $15 gift card, donated by The Dirty Dawg. Each participant received treats for their animals and also free ice cream cone wooden coins, donated by Roy Rogers. Winners were as follows:

Cat with Prettiest Eyes: 1st—Paula Garman; 2nd—Matt Rice; 3rd—Heather Rice

Cat with the Longest Whiskers: 1st—Paula Garman (7 cm); 2nd—Matt Rice (5 cm)

Pet with the Most Spots: 1st—Matt Rice; 2nd—Sierra Bennett

Largest Pet (by height): 1st—Jennifer Wager; 2nd—Michelle Sanville

Dog with the Waggiest Tail: 1st—Morgan Kolb; 2nd—Sierra Bennett; 3rd—Jennifer Wager

Prettiest Dog – 25 lbs. & under: 1st—Emma Donnelly; 2nd—Caroline Chism; 3rd—Trace Rhinehart

Prettiest Dog – 26 lbs. & over: lst—Morgan Kolb; 2nd—Stacey Flanigan; 3rd—Michelle Sanville

Dog with the Prettiest Eyes: 1st—Stacey Flanigan; 2nd—Emma Donnelly; 3rd—Michelle Sanville

Cutest Pet (other than a cat or dog): 1st—Sierra Bennett

Cutest Cat: 1st—Matt Rice; 2nd—Lisa Rice; 3rd—Heather Rice

Smallest Pet: 1st—Heather Rice; 2nd—Trace Rhinehart

Best Costumed Pet: 1st—Charlotte Donnelly; 2nd—Morgan Kolb; 3rd—Megan Clark

Most Unusual Pet: 1st—Lisa Rice (Siamese cat); 2nd—Michelle Sanville (Samoyed dog); 3rd—Heather Rice (Siamese cat)

Best Trained Pet: 1st—Sierra Bennett; 2nd—Megan Clark; 3rd—Stacey Flanigan

Grand Champion: Sierra Bennett (Best-trained Pet)

Reserve Grand Champion: Emma Donnelly (Prettiest Dog – 25 lbs. & under)

Barnyard Olympics
The 2024 Barnyard Olympics were held at the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show on Sunday, September 8, 2024. Many thanks to Dave Harman, Bobby Myers and Dave Johnston for chairing the event. Each winner received a ribbon and will receive a premium check from the Community Show. Roy Rogers of Thurmont also donated a free ice cream cone coupon to all the winners. The winners were based on the fastest time for their age group:

Ages 5 & 6: 1st—Bexlie McIlrath; 2nd—Morgan Ridinger; 3rd—Nathaniel Brauning.

Ages 7 & 8: 1st—Piper McCrea; 2nd—Leighton McIlrath; 3rd—Ella Eaves.

Ages 9 & 10: 1st—Savanna Bianco; 2nd—Bryce Dennis, 3rd—Dylan Ridinger.

Ages 11-13: 1st—Zachary Bianco; 2nd—Kamdin Miller; 3rd—Naomi Rice.

Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Champions & Reserve Champions
The following were the Champion and Reserve Champion winners at the 2024 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show, held September 6-8 at Catoctin High School in Thurmont. Each Champion and Reserve Champion winner will receive additional premium money, and Bollinger’s Restaurant will provide a gift certificate to each Department Champion. Carleo Pizza in Emmitsburg will provide a gift certificate to each Reserve Department Champion.

Fresh Fruits: Champion –Kylie Robertson (Sugar Giant Peaches); Reserve Champion – Katelyn Robertson (Cameo Apples); Fresh Vegetables: Champion

– Roxanne Lambert (Eggplant); Reserve Champion – Ashley Atkins (Sunflower); Home Products Display: Champion – Katelyn Robertson; Reserve Champion –

Angie Mathews; Canned Fruit: Champion – Pamela Long (Others – Green Tomato Mince Meat); Reserve Champion – Joannne Fuss Ricketts (Grape Juice); Canned

Vegetables: Champion – Donald Stanley (Spaghetti Sauce); Reserve Champion – Bridgette Kinna (Others – Bruschetta); Jellies & Preserves: Champion – Jane

Redding (Other – Peony Tree Jelly); Reserve Champion – Bridgette Kinna (Syrup – Maple Walnut Syrup); Pickles: Champion – Pam Long (Pepper Relish); Reserve

Champion – Ley Favorite (Dill Pickles); Meat: (Canned) – Champion – Melissa Kinna (Canned Tenderloin); Reserve Champion – Terri Morgan (Canned Beef);

Home Cured Meats: Champion – Catoctin FFA Alumni (Country Ham); Reserve Champion – Catoctin FFA (Country Ham).

Baked Products: Cake – Champion – Karen Willard (Chocolate Cake); Reserve Champion – Cheryl Lenhart (Coconut Cake); Honorable Mention Cake – Burall

Brothers Scholarship – Maxine Troxell (Chiffon Cake); Bread: Champion – Caitlin Jaquith (Bread, Other Variety – Cinnamon Babka); Reserve Champion – Kelly Glass

(Pumpkin Bread); Pie: Champion – Denise Valentine (Blackberry Pie); Reserve Champion – Melissa Kinna (Apple Pie); Sugar Free: Champion – Joyce Kline

(Sugar Free Cake – Yellow with Chocolate Icing); Reserve Champion – Phyllis Eiker (Sugar Free Cookies); Gluten-Free Baked Product: Champion – Karen

Willard (Gluten Free Cake); Reserve Champion – Beth Shriner (Gluten Free Cake); Misc. Baked Product Champion: Champion – Vicky Sharrer (Hard Candy);

Reserve Champion – Cheryl Lenhart (Chocolate Fudge); Grand Champion Cake (Youth Department – In Honor and Memory of Mearl McCleaf): Champion

– Masyn Sanders (Cake with Fruit – Lemon Blueberry); Reserve Champion Cake – Masyn Sanders (Other Variety – Pumpkin Cake); Youth Misc. Baked Product:

Champion – Lauren Kelley (Drop Cookies); Reserve Champion – Masyn Sanders (Fruit Pie – Apple); Junior Department Baked Product: Champion – Ryleigh

Ensor (Cake with Fruit – Applesauce Raisin); Reserve Champion – Dylan Ridinger (Pound Cake); Junior Department Misc. Baked Product: Champion – Bryce

Yocum (Muffins); Reserve Champion – Bryce Yocum (Fruit Pie – Caramel Apple). Fabric and Fiber Arts (Sewn Items): Champion – Sherry Topper (Sewn Item

– Original); Reserve Champion – Karen Willard (Sewn Item – Other); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Misc. Fiber Items): Champion – Charlotte Dutton (Fiber item –

Animals – Felted); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Crocheting): Champion – Charlotte Sullivan (Crochet, Stripe); Reserve Champion – Shirley Greene (Crochet, Other);

Fabric and Fiber Arts (Cross Stitch): Champion – Sharon Brooks (Cross Stitch – Picture); Reserve Champion – Kathy Hoffman (Cross Stitch, Other); Fabric

Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Champions & Reserve Champions

and Fiber Arts (Crewel, Embroidery & Needlepoint): Sharon Brooks (Crewel); Reserve Champion – Shirley Greene (Embroidered Pillow); Fabric and Fibert Arts

(Knitting): Champion – Phyllis Ecker (Sweater); Reserve Champion – Tracy Lewis (Scarf); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Quilts & Quilted Items): Champion – Peggy Elgin

(Quilts – Blocks); Reserve Champion – Karen Willard (Quilts – Made by Hand and Machine); Fabric and Fiber Arts (Rugs): Champion – Tracy Lewis (Rugs, other).

Flowers & Plants: Champion – Roxanna Lambert (Side Table Arrangement); Reserve Champion – Melissa Beil (Potted Foliage); Fine Arts: Champion – Robert Keilholtz (Acrylics); Reserve Champion – Kathy Ellis (Watercolor); Arts & Crafts: Champion – Bill Stottlemyer (Decorations, Patriotic); Reserve Champion – Ley

Favorite (Fiber & Textiles); Color Photography: Champion – Grace Blanchard (Building/Architecture); Reserve Champion – Joyce Kline (People/Selfie); Black & White Photography: Champion – Kaitlyn Schildt (Still Life); Reserve Champion – Patrick McIlrath (Children – under age 18).

Corn: Champion – Brooke Ridinger (Indian Corn – 10 ears); Reserve Champion – Brian Harbaugh (Hybrid Corn); Small Grain & Seeds: Champion – Makayla

Comer (Soybeans, 1 jar); Reserve Champion – Preston Clark (Timothy, 1 jar); Eggs: Champion – Brooke Ridinger (Brown Eggs); Reserve Champion – Ashley Atkins (White Eggs); Nuts: Champion – Kevin Long (Black Walnuts); Reserve Champion – Edward Hahn (English Walnuts).

Rabbit: Champion – Olivia Dutton (Breeding Rabbit – Buck); Reserve Champion – Kara Wolf (Dwarf Rabbit – male or female); Poultry: Champion – Charlotte Dutton (Poultry Exhibit – 1 hen); Reserve Champion – Wade Wolf (Turkey – Tom); Dairy: Champion – Patrick Venables (Ayrshire Spring Yearling); Reserve Champion –Addie Green (Ayrshire – Spring Calf); Dairy Goats: Champion – Tristan VanEcho (Doe in Milk – 5 years); Reserve Champion –Tyrone VanEcho (Doe in Milk – 5 years); Hay: Champion – Caroline Clark (Alfalfa Hay); Reserve Champion – Caroline Clarke (Timothy Hay); Straw: Rodman Myers (Barley Straw); Reserve Champion – Caroline Clarke (Straw – Oat).

Junior Department: Bexlie McIrath (Metal Craft – Mouse); Reserve Champion – Paytin Moore (Craft, Recycled Material – Corn); Youth Department: Champion – Preston Clark (Sewn item, Misc. ages 11-13 – Vest); Reserve Champion – MaKayla Comer (Craft – Painted Rock – Rock Pond).

Beef: Champion – MaKayla Comer; Reserve Champion – Hayden Hahn; Beef Heifer: Champion – Peyton Davis; Reserve Champion – Garrett Troxell; Sheep: Champion – Chloe Keilholtz; Reserve Champion – Caleb Roberts; Ridenour Lamb – Peyton Davis; Swine: Champion – Peighton Rhinehart; Reserve Champion –

Destiney Briggs; Market Goat: Champion – Alyssa Costa; Reserve Champion – Chloe Glass. Pet Show: Sierra Bennett (Cutest Pet – Other than a cat or dog); Reserve Champion– Emma Donnelly (Prettiest Dog – 25 lbs. and under); Decorated Animal Champion – Preston Clark (Strawberry Ice Cream and Banana Split).

Grand Champion Steer (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz, Buyer Jason Trump, and Exhibitor Makayla Comer.

Grand Champion Goat (from left): Banner holder, Carly Ridenour; Buyers Zac Virtz and Karlie Bosley of Legacy Livestock Auction LLC; Exhibitor Alyssa Costa; and 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz.

Grand Champion Lamb (from left): Rosette ribbon holder, Joshua Wivell; banner holder, Chloe Mathias; Buyer representatives from Mike’s Farm Market, Terri and Mike Pue; 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; and Exhibitor Chloe Keilholtz.

Grand Champion Hog: Banner holder, Chloe Mathias (far left); Exhibitor Peighton Rhinehart (back center); (behind) Buyers Stacy and Jay Bureau with their son, Dominic; and 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz.

The winner of the 2024 Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Decorated Animal Contest was (center) Champion, Preston Clark (strawberry ice cream and banana split); (on right) judge Ryan Haines of Taneytown; and (on left) 2024- 2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador

Pet Show (from left): Co-chair Dave Johnston; Chair Dave Harman; Reserve Grand Champion, Emma Donnelly (Prettiest Dog — 25 lbs. and under); Grand Champion, Sierra Bennett (Besttrained Pet); 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; and Judges, Mary Ann Harbaugh and Judge Wil Valentine.

Winners in the 43rd Annual Robert Kaas Memorial Horseshoe Pitching Contest for 2024: (front row) 1st—Gary Hoffmaster and Johnny Buhrman; (back row) 2nd—Donnie Kaas and Dale Kaas; 3rd—Dave Miller and Gary Willard.

Pictured (from left) are Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird and Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show Co-Founder & President C. Rodman Myers.

Department Champions and Reserve Champions Table.

Reserve Champion Cake (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Cheryl Lenhart, holding her coconut cake; and South Mountain Collision Center buyer Kenny Keeney. Winning bid funds benefit the Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters.

Grand Champion Cake (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Karen Willard, holding her chocolate cake with chocolate icing with almonds; and Catoctin Mountain Seed Corn buyers Bobby Myers and (not pictured) Rodman Myers. Winning bid funds benefit the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show. Karen Willard also won the Grand Champion Gluten Free Baked Product, a German apple cake, purchased by Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company. The winning bid funds benefit the Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarship.

Honorable Mention Cake (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Maxine Troxell; and buyer Joany Jackman. Winning bid funds benefit the Burall Brothers Grange Scholarship Fund.

Grand Champion Sugar Free Baked Product (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Joyce Kline, holding her yellow cake with chocolate icing; and buyer Carroll Shry. Winning bid funds benefit the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show.

Grand Champion Bread (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Caitlin Jaquith, holding her cinnamon babka; and buyer representatives Ella and Adalyn Eaves for Brandon & Jayme Zimmerman.

Grand Champion Pie (from left): Buyer Ralph Hansberger; baker Denise Valentine, holding her blackberry pie; and buyer Jimmy Summers. Winning bid funds benefit the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show

Junior Dept (10 & under) Champion Misc. Baked Product (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Bryce Yocum, holding his blueberry muffins purchased by his grandmother Nancy Yocum. Winning bid funds benefit the Sabillasville Environmental School.

Junior Dept (10 & under) Grand Champion Cake (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Ryleigh Ensor; and Emmitsburg’s Vigilant Hose Company’s buyer representative Tim Clarke, holding her applesauce raisin cake. Winning bid funds benefit the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Food Banks.

Youth Dept (11-18) Champion Misc. Baked Product (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Lauren Kelley, holding her S’mores cookies; purchased by Windsor Customs LLC (not pictured). Winning bid funds benefit the Sabillasville Environmental School.

Youth Dept (11-18) Grand Champion Cake (from left): 2024-2025 Catoctin FFA Ambassador Kaitlynn Bentz; baker Masyn Sanders, holding his lemon blueberry cake with lemon buttercream icing; and Mountain Gate Family Restaurant buyer representative Caleb McCleaf. Youth Grand Champion Cake is In Honor & Memory of Mearl McCleaf and benefits these three youth-related funds: Thurmont Grange Scholarship, Catoctin FFA’s National FFA Convention Trip and Catoctin FFA Alumni & Supporters Scholarship.

Town Hall Reports

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by James Rada, Jr.

Thurmont

Water and Sewer Rates Increasing

The Town of Thurmont recently approved new proposed water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2025, which may be increased by 15 percent at all usage levels. The rates were last raised in 2013, and costs since that time have risen dramatically.

Colorfest Services and Fees Approved

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved bids for services that are needed for Colorfest to run smoothly.

• Mays Security in Frederick will provide security with 17 guards, 2 supervisors, and 2 relief guards for $27,528, which increased from $20,640 last year.

• Rill’s Bus Service in Westminster will provide bus service with 9 buses and 2 wheelchair-accessible buses on Saturday and 7 buses and 2 wheel chair accessible buses on Sunday for $26,000, which increased from $23,800 last year.

• Key Sanitation in Dickerson will provide toilets and trash removal with 114 portable toilets and 16 handicap-accessible toilets for $24,950, which is an increase from $24,383 last year.

The total of $78,478 represents a 14-percent increase over last year’s services. The mayor and commissioners also approved a 10 percent across-the-board increase for 2025, except for the yard sale permit that will stay at $15. The goal of the fees is to cover the town’s costs for security, sanitation, and transportation.

American Legion Parking Lot Proposal Pursued Parking in downtown Thurmont has become a problem with the municipal parking lot regularly filled to capacity. Thurmont Economic Development

Director Vickie Grinder and Commissioner Bill Blakeslee investigated possible solutions to the problem and came up with a promising solution. They reached an agreement in principle with the American Legion to turn the empty field beside the Legion hall into a parking lot. The town would develop and maintain the parking lot, which would create an additional 40 to 50 parking spaces. The Legion would still own the land and carry the liability insurance for the parking lot. The lot would then be available as a municipal lot and for Legion activities.

The potential cost for this project would be around $225,000. Right now, it would have to come out of the town budget, but Grinder is pursuing possible grants to help offset the costs. The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners believe the solution is worth pursuing, but they also want to explore other options that could be potentially less expensive.

Commission Appointments Made

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners made the following appointments to town commissions:

• Jim Robbins to the Police Commission.

• Matt Westbrook to the Police Commission.

• Pat Rhodes to the Planning and Zoning Commission as the alternate member.

Emmitsburg



Candidates for Board of Commissioners

Four people are running for three seats on the Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners: Rosario Benvengi, Kevin Hagan, James Hoover, and Cliff Sweeney.

Because Commissioner Tim O’Donnell has decided to not continue serving as a commissioner, there will be at least one new face on the board after the election. O’Donnell has served on the Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners since 2009. He also served as the president of the board multiple times.

In order to keep each year’s election for two seats, two will be for three year terms and the third will be for a one-year term. The top two vote-getting candidates will receive three-year terms, while the third-place vote-getter will receive a one-year term so that it will expire at the same time as Board PresidentAmy Boehman-Pollitt’s term.

Commissioners Hoover and Sweeney will be seeking re-election. Former Mayor Hoover was most recently appointed to fill the remaining ten-month term of Commissioner Frank Davis when Davis was elected mayor. Sweeney has been serving on the board of commissioners for 29 years.

Registered voters can cast ballots at the old town office at 22 E . Main Street, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. on October 1.

Revamping the Farmers Market

Due to a lack of vendors, low attendance, and having to compete against larger towns, the Emmitsburg Farmers Market is being revamped. The market will be rebranded as Emmitsburg Fun, Farm, and Family Day and become a regular event. It will not only include farmers market vendors, but also craft vendors, yard sales, music, beer tent, food trucks, and kids’ activities. The goal is to not only bring in more business for local farmers, but to create a fun family event for residents. The event may be held monthly, May through October (excluding June because of Emmitsburg Community Day), on a Saturday in Community Park.

EV Charging Around the Clock

The Town of Emmitsburg charging stations at the Emmitsburg Community Center will now be available for use around the clock after the Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners amended the town code to remove a restriction on when the stations can be used. However, the six-hour limit for charging still remains in place.

New Town Signs

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners recently approved a bid for four new “Welcome to Emmitsburg” signs to be placed on East and West Main Streets and North and South Seton Avenues. KM Printing in Owings Mills won the bid to create 4-foot by 8-foot signs with “Welcome to Emmitsburg Est. 1785

National Register of Historic Places” on the front and “Thank you for visiting the Town of Emmitsburg, Maryland.” The new signs will also have breakaway bases to reduce damage to the sign if a vehicle strikes it. The cost will be $33,160 and funded by a Frederick County Tourism Cooperative Grant, a DHCD Main Street Affiliate Operating Grant, and town funds.

Rainbow Lake SWMA

In order to build the Rainbow Lake Parking Lot on Hampton Valley Road, the Town of Emmitsburg needed to establish the area as a stormwater management area and maintain any needed facilities. It will also be inspected regularly by the Frederick County government.

Zanella Drive Paving

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners voted to award White Pine Paving a $54,300 contract to pave Zanella Drive from the Provincial Parkway to the last de-sac. The project includes removing asphalt from the existing roadway; adding a 2-inch mill and overlay to the street; re-striping any lines or stop bars that were in place; raising/lowering the utilities if needed; and restoring any landscape, sidewalk, or other damage to the site upon project completion.

Brookfield Lots Returned to HOA

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners recently voted 4-1 that four lots set aside in Brookfield for open space do not serve a public purpose and rejected the dedication of the lots. They will return to the developer, who can then transfer them with a deed of easement to the HOA.

From the Mayor

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Thurmont

Mayor John Kinnaird

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Town of Thurmont will be hosting the Gateway to the Cure fundraiser in support of the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund at Frederick Health. Patty Hurwitz and her husband, Jeff, established the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund after she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Patty knows from personal experience how devastating a diagnosis of breast cancer can be, and she started the fund to help other cancer patients as they faced what she went through. To date, the residents, businesses, and friends of Thurmont have raised $167,000 over the past 10 years to support the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund.

This year will be the 11th year for this amazing community-wide effort, and I ask that everyone participate in this year ’s effort. In years past, our friend,

Commissioner Bill Buehrer, would always encourage us to raise more than we did the previous year. Sadly, Bill succumbed to his battle with cancer last fall, and I, for one, miss his unwavering support of the Gateway to the Cure. I have often been asked why the Hurwitz Fund was selected, and the simple answer is that all the proceeds realized by our fundraiser is invested in Frederick County to support cancer research and to assist breast cancer patients. Cancer is an insidious disease that can affect any of us by causing damage to our organs, lungs, bones, blood, skin, and brain. Although each cancer may be treated differently, the research for one can benefit others. I am an example of this.

I am currently on a chemotherapy drug that was developed for the treatment of breast cancer. I have been prescribed the drug in an off-label test application for the treatment of my squamous cell skin cancer. Sadly, these drugs are extremely expensive; my treatment is listed at $2,900 for each two-week course. I take it for two weeks and then stop for a week, get bloodwork, and then take another course. I will be doing this for eight months. I am fortunate and have managed to get the chemo at a drastic discount; others do not have that option. Not only can the drug treatment be unaffordable, but the surgical procedures, personal stress, and stress to your family and friends can be overwhelming. The cancer is fearful enough without having to worry about the financial and emotional impact on your life.

Surgery is another giant issue for some cancer patients. In the last 10 years, I have had over three dozen surgeries to my arms, neck, face, ears, and scalp. The previous four surgeries on my scalp required removing all the skin and tissue down to my skull. Each of those times, Karen has had to change my bandages daily and apply ointment to my skull, so the bone didn’t dry out. It takes many months for the skin and tissue to grow back, but it does. My cancer can be removed with surgery but it continues to mature in other areas. Radiation therapy is another method of treatment. A couple of years ago, I underwent 30 daily radiation treatments on my scalp to try to halt the growth of cancer in the nerves on my scalp. The radiation can cause side effects; mine included permanent hair loss, temporary lethargy and confusion, and nerve damage that has resulted in continued phantom nerve pain. I can live with the disfigurement and pain caused by surgery and radiation treatment, but others will struggle with these issues for years to come. So you see, cancer can be a lifelong issue for some patients and can include embarrassment, fear, and continued pain. Cancer scares me, as I imagine it does everyone who is diagnosed with one of its many forms, but we move forward.

Donating to the Hurwitz Cancer Fund will help to ensure continued research into new treatment methods and improved care for those suffering with not only breast cancer but other cancers that will benefit from your support. Please participate in the many events and opportunities we will be offering over the next month—your neighbors, family, friends, and even strangers thank you. Check out Main Street Thurmont on Facebook for all the events and ways you can support this effort.

   I can be reached at jkinnaird@thurmont.com or by phone at 301-606-9458.

Emmitsburg

Mayor Frank Davis

Does anyone else get the feeling that fall is the busiest time of year? There are so many activities and happenings taking place, schools are back in full swing, and you begin to hear folks talking about the upcoming holiday season. I get such a great feeling after attending many of these events. I just want to highlight a few.

For 68 years, the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show has brought two towns together to proudly display home goods, livestock, and agricultural products. There is so much work that goes into the planning and implementation of this momentous event, and it is never a disappointment. While it takes many hands to make this a success, there is one family that stands above the rest. The Rodman Myers family has been the backbone of this group since its inception. I want to personally thank the Myers Family for keeping this great tradition alive, and I look forward to next year.

Organizations in Emmitsburg were invited to participate in the 4th Annual 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, hosted by the Thurmont Lions Club. Again, it was great for two communities to come together to honor our country.

To touch on an upcoming event, Colorfest is right around the corner. While Emmitsburg is not directly involved in this festival, we do benefit from the many tourists who visit our community and support local businesses.

When I became mayor a year ago, one of my goals was to collaborate closely with our neighboring community, Thurmont. This has become a reality. Some ask why, and the answer is amazingly simple. We have so much in common. Our children go to school together, play sports on the same teams, and participate in many civic organizations together. In times of emergencies, our fire and police departments work closely to ensure the safety of both communities, and our town staff share resources and information daily. I want to thank Mayor Kinnard and the citizens of Thurmont for embracing this concept. It will only make both communities stronger.

In closing, I want to thank Commissioner Tim O’Donnell for serving 15 years as a town commissioner. He has been instrumental in overseeing many projects over the years that have helped our town grow. With that being said, there is one project that he single-handedly developed: our multi-use trails in the watershed area. With his hard work and dedication, our trails have become nationally recognized, continue to grow, and bring visitors from around the country to our beautiful town. While Tim has decided not to seek another term as commissioner, he will be serving on several committees and will continue to be an integral part of our community.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, or just want to talk about the future of our town, please feel free to reach out so we can find time to meet.

Woodsboro

Burgess Heath Barnes

Burgess Heath Barnes is out of the country and won’t have a column for October. He will be back with more town news next month.

Reminiscing — 1963 Thurmont Catoctin Colorfest Turns 60

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James Rada, Jr.

For 60 years now, Catoctin Colorfest has turned the second weekend in October into an appreciation of beauty both natural and created. Nowadays, around 125,000 people travel to Thurmont to admire the color of the changing leaves in the Catoctin Mountains and browse through the art and craftwork of talented artisans.

Catoctin Colorfest boasts 240 juried exhibits, plus many more vendors in and around the town. You can find original paintings, metal sculptures, hand-sewn quilts, homemade soaps, unique jewelry, and much more.

“The atmosphere for Catoctin Colorfest is really important,” said Carol Robertson with Catoctin Colorfest, Inc., the volunteer group that organizes the annual event. “The locale nestled in the mountains is attractive to people.”

It is the locale that gave birth to Catoctin Colorfest. In 1963, Catoctin Colorfest was not much more than a nature walk. The first four Catoctin Colorfests were nature walks that Catoctin Mountain Park Naturalist Duncan Burchard organized. Those events attracted about 60 people a year and were centered around Catoctin Mountain Park.

In 1968, art exhibits, church dinners, orchard tours and apple butter boiling were added to the attractions. At the park, music and exhibits were added, but the focus was still on the leaves on the trees.

“The three-hour walk leads to Thurmont Vista and Wolf Rock with two of the Park’s most scenic views,” the Frederick News reported.

Attendance grew and buses were used to transport people up to the park. By 1971, 30,000 people were attending the weekend’s activities. Craftspeople began exhibiting at the Thurmont Community Park in 1973. By 1975, attendance was up to 75,000 people a year.

“I can remember when it was just a small group of artisans at Community Park,” Robertson said. “Then we had a few picnic tables in the park with some vendors and we struggled along until the 80s.”

This juried artisan area remains the main element of Catoctin Colorfest, but as the festival has grown, so have the number of areas where people set up booths. Yard sales and non-juried craft shows spring up everywhere around Thurmont. The town closes off blocks of South Water Street and Frederick Road to accommodate the mass of people. The town government also pays for buses to provide a free shuttle service from various parking areas around town, including the schools.

The Thurmont Lions Club was one of the early organizations that saw the festival as a fundraising opportunity. The club sells food to visitors, including deep-fried Snickers candy bars and deep-fried Twinkies.

Catoctin Colorfest represents the largest fundraiser of the year for many community organizations. The local school PTAs park cars at the schools and can raise around $5,000 in a weekend. The American Legion and Guardian Hose Company rent vendor spaces on their properties.

Catoctin Colorfest also donates to town events and supports organizations, such as the Thurmont Food Bank, Thurmont Police, Thurmont Ambulance Company, and Guardian Hose Company.

“Last year, we gave over $20,000 in donations, including $5,000 in gift cards for the food bank,” Robertson said.

Catoctin Colorfest also provides thousands of dollars in scholarships each year. This year alone, the organization has awarded $14,500 in scholarships.

Robertson credits long-time president Bev Zienda for growing Catoctin Colorfest to the size that it is today. Zienda kept the festival going and expanded the marketing to reach more and more people.

Robertson said working on everything that has to do with Catoctin Colorfest—preparing for the show, marketing the show, making donations, and more—is a year-round commitment to both Catoctin Colorfest and Thurmont.

This year, Catoctin Colorfest is celebrating its 60th year, and the event will be recognized with a special proclamation from the State of Maryland during the October 1 Thurmont town meeting.

A photo of Catoctin Colorfest taken near the front entrance to the town park.


Maryland on Stamps…

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Naval Academy,1937/1995

Richard D. L. Fulton

You may fire when you are ready, Gridley. — Naval Academy Admiral George Dewey, Opening of the Battle of Manila Bay, 1898.

On May 16, 1937, the United States Postal Service (USPS) issued a five-cent stamp commemorating the establishment of the United States Naval Academy (USNA) at Annapolis. The stamp featured two midshipmen standing at attention, flanking the academy’s official seal. The first-day-of-issue stamps were postmarked at the Annapolis Post Office.

On October 10, 1995, the USPS issued a 32-cent stamp commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the academy, featuring an academy racing sloop (the 44-foot sloop named the Swift) with the academy chapel seen in the background. As per the 1937 stamp, these stamps were also postmarked in Annapolis.

Today, the Naval Academy has 20 sloops, 16 for training and four for racing, according to the USPS.

The Naval Academy was officially established on October 10, 1845, through the efforts of then Secretary of the Navy, George Bancroft, and was officially designated as the Naval School, an act he was able to achieve without requiring any congressional funding.

The school was established at the 10-acre Army Fort Severn, in Annapolis. According to the Naval Academy website, Bancroft selected Annapolis as the official home of the Naval School in order to deprive enrollees of “the temptations and distractions that necessarily connect with a large and populous city.”

There were several previous naval schools, including the Philadelphia Naval Asylum School and schools in New York City, Norfolk, and Boston. President John Quincy Adams had initially urged Congress to establish a naval academy in 1825, but his vision for one would not materialize until 20 years later.

Another precursor of the Annapolis USNA occurred in the form of the first naval training ship established on the American brig Somers in 1842. The “experiment” was rather short-lived, and ended in a mutiny, for which three of the instigators were hung from the ship’s yardarm (a timber spar/beam located on a mast from which the sails are set).

The first class enrolled at the Navy School (which became the Naval Academy in 1850) consisted of 50 midshipmen and seven professors, and included such courses as mathematics, navigation, gunnery, steam (powered engines), chemistry, English, natural philosophy, and French, according to the USNA.

Also in 1850, midshipmen (students) attended for four years, in addition to training aboard ships during the summers, and the academy grew from its original 10 acres to 338 acres in size, and the class grew from 50 midshipmen to 4,000, according to the USNA. Today, the enrollment numbers are around 4,500 students.

In 1933, Congress authorized the academy to award Bachelor of Science degrees. Today, graduates also receive commissions as ensigns in the Navy, or as second lieutenants in the Marine Corps.

There have been, and continue to be, many noteworthy graduates from the Naval Academy. Among the array, one noteworthy historic standout was Geroge Dewey, who became the only Naval Academy graduate to have achieved the rank of admiral. Dewey is best known for his command, under the rank of commodore, of the United States naval forces during the Spanish-American War, when his fleet engaged that of the Spanish in Manila Bay, Philippines, on May 1, 1898.

When Dewey’s fleet came within range of the Spanish, Dewey ordered the flagship’s captain, Charles Vernon Gridley, to open up on the enemy, with the famous command, “You may fire when you are ready, Gridley.”

By the end of the engagement, the Spanish fleet had sustained 167 men killed, and 214 wounded. Dewy’s fleet suffered only seven wounded.

The following year, Dewey was promoted to admiral, thus becoming the only USNA graduate to have held that rank.

Fossil Collecting in Maryland

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Part 1: From the Bay to Frederick
During the course of hundreds of millions of years, the land that comprises Maryland had undergone countless transitions, from being located under oceans to being locked up in a mountain chain as high as the present-day Himalayans.

In the beginning, after billions of years of “cooling off” following its creation, Earth was initially an oceanic planet, with the first-known land mass to rise above the ocean some 3.2 billion years ago.

Maryland’s oldest “window in time” can be found in the Blue Ridge Mountains, which have been dated around 1.1 billion years old. But don’t bother looking for signs of prehistoric animals among them.  Traces of any life that might have existed then would have long been eradicated through metamorphosis—a rock-altering process, which would have destroyed any fossils that might have existed.

Calvert Cliffs

One of Maryland’s most renowned fossil sites is those of the Calvert Cliffs (also known as Scientists Cliffs) of the Western Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. In fact, the first fossils described from North America were collected from these cliffs.

Prior to the mid-1970s, there were many publicly accessible fossil sites within the 25-mile length of the cliffs. However, today, collecting is permitted only within a small portion of the series of cliffs, this being specifically within the confines of the Calvert Cliffs State Park. 

The fossils contained within the cliffs range from 15 to 20 million years of age and were deposited in a sea that covered much of eastern Maryland, during a period of time known as the Miocene Epoch.

This was a time when 60-foot Great White sharks patrolled the Maryland shoreline, sharing their habitat with over 600 species of other prehistoric animals, including other sharks and rays, whales, porpoises, fish, marine crocodiles, sand dollars and sea urchins, coral, sponges (the writer of this article discovered the first fossil sponges—which also represented two new species—reported from the cliffs, which were presented to the Smithsonian Institute), mollusks (which include snails and clams and other types), and crabs.

Non-marine fossils are sometimes encountered, such as sea birds. Even prehistoric elephant teeth and other land mammals whose remains were washed into the sea via rivers have been encountered.

To arrive at the Calvert Cliffs State Park (CCSP), take Route 2/4 south to approximately 14 miles south of Prince Frederick. Exit onto H.G. Trueman Road, where the park entrance is located. Once at the park, the shortest route to the fossil-bearing beach is the 1.8-mile Red Trail, according to the CCSP. 

There is a fee to collect at the beach, which is $5.00 per vehicle ($2.00 additional for out-of-state residents); $10.00 for a small bus; and $20.00 for a large bus. Parking fees must be paid in cash only.

Fossils may only be collected on the beach. Digging in the cliff is prohibited for safety reasons (and to prevent landslides and washouts).

For additional information, contact the Calvert Cliffs State Park at 443-975-4360.

Dinosaur Park

Around 155 million years ago, during a period of time known as the Early Cretaceous, Prince George’s County was covered with freshwater wetlands adjacent to an ancient river, which was inhabited by early dinosaurs.

The present day remains represent several types of Early Cretaceous dinosaurs that have been found in the Early Cretaceous of Maryland.   (Don’t expect to run across a Tyrannosaurus rex—the dinosaurs found here are 50 million years older than the Tyrannosaurus rex).

The park allows supervised digging, overseen by an on-site paleontologist (one who studies prehistoric life). However, there is a catch. Those finding dinosaur remains during the dig are not allowed to keep what they find. 

However, according to the Dinosaur Park website, “Digging is prohibited by visitors. Instead, you will learn surface collection techniques used by paleontologists in the field. Your fossil discoveries help park paleontologists better understand the ancient world of Prince George’s County. All fossils are stored and preserved in our Dinosaur Park lab. If you find a significant fossil, your name is recorded with it! You will be forever immortalized in our museum collection.”

If one wants to merely enjoy a chance of finding a dinosaur fossil (most likely a tooth or a bone), this site could fulfill at least that much.

For more information on scheduled digs, contact the Dinosaur Park by email at dinosaurpark@pgparks.com, or by calling 301-627-1286.

For more information on collecting dinosaurs in Maryland, refer to Maryland Geological Survey Educational Series No. 6, Dinosaurs in Maryland by Peter M. Kranz free at mgs.md.gov/output/reports/ES/ES_6.pdf.

“Wildcatting” in Frederick County

During the early 2000s, the writer of this article discovered the largest early-dinosaur fossil site that had ever been found in Maryland. However, the 140-acre site is located on private land. 

The 220 million-year-old fossils recovered from the site included hundreds of fossil reptile and insect tracks, millipedes, and even complete fish (scales and fins included). 

The site represented mud flats preserved adjacent to a prehistoric lake (dubbed Lake Lockatong), which existed from Rocky Ridge, growing in size towards the northeast, as it sprawled through Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and into New York State. Some believe that this great lake had covered an area equivalent to the presently existing Lake Tanganyika in Africa, at some 20,000 total miles in size.

Although the public at large is not permitted to collect at the 140-acre site, several roadcuts exist from Rocky Ridge to Old Frederick Road, which have produced plant leaves and branches and the remains of freshwater clam shrimp, which were deposited in backwater eddies associated with the main lake located on the 140-acre site.

For those interested in trying their luck at finding one of these satellite sites, the roadcuts in the general area as noted have produced numerous fossils, specifically, plant fossils and freshwater clam shrimp have been found in a telltale greenish, silty shale.

When examining roadcuts, find a place to safely pull off the roadway and keep an eye out for traffic on any narrow roads. While digging, ensure that any chunks of shale or rock do not roll onto the roadway.

The first (and only) Late Triassic dinosaur tracks that have been found in Maryland came from an abandoned flagstone pit located just outside of the Emmitsburg Town Limits and had been found in the 1800s.  The site is on private property, which at one point even had mounted security cameras along the road leading to the site, and the residence beyond.

But who knows. There could be (and likely is) one or more as yet undiscovered dinosaur-track-bearing sites lurking in Frederick County.The “Really Old Stuff”

After all, Maryland has, paleontologically, been one of the most researched sites in the Mid-Atlantic, beginning back in the 1700s… and yet the largest Triassic dinosaur age fossil site was not discovered until the early 2000s!

The “Really Old Stuff”

Part 2 of “Fossil Collecting in Maryland,” which will appear in the November edition of The Catoctin Banner, will address fossil sites west of Frederick County.

The fossil sites west of Frederick County consist of layers of rock dating as far back as hundreds of millions of years ago, long before the dinosaurs existed, when the land comprising Maryland lay below the oceans and predate the formation of the Appalachian Mountains.

Photo Credit: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

About the Cover

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A Family Tradition

Burrier Becomes FFA State Officer

Alisha Yocum

For Ella Burrier, agriculture has always been a way of life. From the age of eight, she was actively involved in 4-H, where she raised rabbits and turkeys and took part in various craft projects. So, when she began her freshman year at Catoctin High School (CHS), it was only natural for her to join the Future Farmers of America (FFA), a student organization that fosters interest in agriculture and leadership.

Burrier’s deep connection to agriculture and FFA runs in the family (pictured above). Her parents, Tatiana and Seth, were both FFA members, making her involvement a continuation of a cherished family tradition.

“It’s just what our family does,” Burrier said, reflecting on the important role FFA has played in shaping her and her family’s life.

After graduating from CHS in May, Burrier is taking her passion to the next level as she steps into a leadership role as Maryland State FFA Vice President. She applied for a state officer position back in the spring. Once her application was reviewed, she went before a 10-person panel to complete an interview process, and she had to develop and present a workshop. A total of six offices were up for grabs. Although applicants don’t apply for a specific office, Burrier was selected by the panel to serve as vice president for the next year.

Burrier is the fourth person in her family to serve as an FFA Maryland State Officer. Burrier’s mom and two aunts were selected as Maryland State Officers upon graduating high school.

Burrier has already hit the ground running after being installed at the 96th Maryland FFA State Convention in June. In her role as Maryland State Vice President, Burrier spends her time promoting agriculture around the state by attending Maryland FFA Chapter events and talking to agriculture businesses.

“I have already learned so much about Maryland agriculture, and I am proud to be representing our small town,” expressed Burrier.

You will also find Burrier at upcoming local agriculture events, including the Thurmont & Emmitsburg Community Show and the Great Frederick Fair. At the Fair, she will be a part of the Frederick County FFA Greenhand and Character Counts Ceremony, highlighting first-year FFA members and FFA members with outstanding character, as well as educating youth in the City Street Country Roads building throughout the week.

When asked what advice Burrier would give to those considering joining FFA, she replied, “I highly recommend getting involved and getting involved in competitions and, most importantly, be yourself—authenticity is a huge part of FFA.”

Ella Burrier, Maryland FFA State Vice President, sits on her grandfather’s 1952 Super M farm tractor. Cover Photo Credit: Brittany Thomas Photography

Ella Burrier, 2024-2025 State Vice President

Tatiana Smith, 1996-1997 State Reporter

Hope Burrier, 1994-1995 State Sentinel

Meaghan Smith, 1989-1990 State Chaplain

FFA State Officers tour Arlington National Cemetery.

Ella with the National FFA President Amara Jackson.

The Burrier Family at the Great Frederick Fair with their rabbits.

Town Hall Reports

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by James Rada, Jr.

Thurmont

Public Hearing on Water and Sewer Rates

The Town of Thurmont held a public hearing on the new proposed water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2025, which may be increased by 15 percent at all usage levels. The rates were last raised in 2012, and costs since that time have risen dramatically. Few people spoke about the rate hike, and those that did tended to ask for clarification on various aspects.

Frank Bentz Pond Project

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners were given an update on how the dam removal at the Frank Bentz Pond is progressing. The project is out for bids with a start date expected for spring 2025. Once started, the project is expected to take 12-18 months, depending on the weather.

Once complete, the flood plain in the area is expected to shrink, which means that there should be less of a chance of flooding in the area. Residents in attendance seemed skeptical of the claim, but there is little they can do but wait and see what happens when the project is complete.

Electric Substation Project Update

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved a bid of $494,447 from Westco ABB to replace the circuit breakers at the electric substation on Moser Road. This is the first step in a $2.3 million project to renovate the substation.

ARPA Funds Reassigned

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners used ARPA funds left over from a Thurmont Little League project to approve the purchase of a lawn tractor for Catoctin Recreation League Softball to use for field dragging. The used tractor will be purchased from Harrington and Sons in Emmitsburg for $3,500.

In addition, the mayor and commissioners also approved $3,571 from the funds to be used to improve the sound system used for town meetings.

Emmitsburg
Sports Fee Help

Emmitsburg Mayor Frank Davis said during a town meeting that he is hoping to create a joint program with Thurmont to help Catoctin High School students afford the sports registration fee that the Frederick County School System charges. The fee is $185 for a single sport in a season, plus $148 for dual sports in a season. This would be a total of $333 for a student playing two sports in a season. The cost creates hardships for some families of student-athletes, and Davis would like to find a way to help them.

Election Judges Approved

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners approved the town election judges for the town election on Oct. 8. The judges are:

•  Chief Judge — Lynn Orndorff

•  Judge — Melissa Mckenney

•  Judge — Mark Long

•  Greeter/Alternate Judge — Charolette Mazaleski

They all have prior experience as election judges for the town. They will run the polls at the Old Town Office at 22 East Main Street from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Charging Stations

Currently, the charging stations for electric cars that are located behind the town office can only be used until 10:00 p.m. Because of the growing number of electric cars in town, the town is seeking a change in legislation so that the stations can be used for a longer period of time.

Shed Approved

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners voted to allow the Catoctin Mountain Futbol Club, a new soccer league in Emmitsburg for children ages 3 to 14, to build an equipment storage shed on town property in the E. Eugene Myers Community Park. The club is building the shed with donated materials and time and will maintain it. The club already has about 60 children signed up to play this fall season.

From the Mayor

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Thurmont

Mayor John Kinnaird

It is hard to believe that summer has almost come to an end. A sure sign that fall is coming soon is when school is back in session. Chief Armstrong and I had the privilege of attending the first day of school flag ceremony at the Thurmont Elementary School. It is always heartwarming to see all the students lined up in front of the school and to hear them recite the Pledge of Allegiance as the flag is raised high over the school. As usual, Principal Karl Williams asked if I had any words of wisdom to share with the students. I told the students that Thurmont Elementary (TES) is an amazing school and that I first went there in 1960. I have fond memories of my teachers and staff at TES, as I am sure today’s students will have as they grow up. I want to thank all the teachers, administrators, staff, classroom assistants, custodial staff, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, crossing guards, and others who work together to give our children a wonderful education, a strong sense of community, and the ability to work and interact with others. These experiences will serve all our children well as they go through life, and I am confident that our future will be in good hands.

The North Church Street project is nearing completion. This project has seen the replacement of old water and wastewater lines, new lateral connections and cleanouts, and new water service connections for residents on North Church Street. Several old sections of the lines have been removed, and obsolete infrastructure has been replaced. Currently, the contractor has been finishing the repairs to the sidewalks, curbs, and gutter pans. The final step in the project will be milling and repaving the roadway surface. This final piece of the puzzle will be completed by the State Highway Administration. This project has been a long and involved process and has caused inconveniences to residents and those utilizing the roadway. The project will be completed within the anticipated time frame. I want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding during this complicated process.

The Thurmont and Emmitsburg Community Show will be held on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, September 6-8. This will be the 68th Annual Community Show! I invite everyone to attend this year’s Community Show to experience a true agricultural community event. There will be livestock displays by the Catoctin High School chapter of the FFA, local 4-H groups, and our local grange. There also will be displays and judging of a wide array of crafts, baked goods, arts, fruits and vegetables, children’s crafts and arts, photography, knitting and sewing, modeling, local businesses, social organizations, and many others. Book lovers will want to visit the Friends of the Thurmont Library Book Sale in the small gymnasium, and everyone will enjoy the delicious food available. If you have never been to the Community Show or if you are new to the area, be sure to join us at one of the best community events of the year!

The tennis court replacement is progressing and will be completed before Colorfest. The surface has been removed and foundations for new light towers are being installed now, and the new surface and new fencing will follow.

Just a reminder to be watchful in the mornings and evenings, as children are going to or coming home from school. Also, be alert for school buses stopping to pick up or drop off children. You can not pass school buses when the red warning lights are flashing. Slow down, be watchful, and let’s all work together to ensure our children’s safety!

Questions, comments, or concerns? I can be reached at 301-606-9458 or by email at jkinnaird@thurmont.com.

Emmitsburg

Mayor Frank Davis

Summer has flown by, school is back in session, fall sports are kicking off, and fall activities are just around the corner. Please make sure to visit the town website and sign up for the My-Emmitsburg phone app to stay up to date on all the events.

We are lucky to be in Northern Frederick County, surrounded by so many great communities in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. Having great partnerships with neighboring towns makes managing our municipality so much easier. Thank you to all our neighbors.

I want to give you a quick brief on the projects that are kicking off around town.

    The DePaul Street water line replacement started on August 6 and will be completed in April 2025.

    Construction of the sewer lift station on Creamery Road is on schedule and will be completed in December 2024.

    Notice to proceed with the new parking lot at Rainbow Lake has been granted and will be completed in November 2024.

    The construction of the new water clarifier treatment plant is in the beginning stages and is scheduled to be completed in October 2025.

    Construction of the new restroom/concession stand in E. Eugene Myers Memorial Park is underway and will be completed in December 2024.

    The multi-use trail improvement project contract was awarded on August 1 and will be completed in April 2025.

If you have any questions or would like more information on any of our projects, please contact the town office.

The commissioners have scheduled a workshop to review and discuss water rates, tap fees, and impact fees. The workshop will be held on September 24, starting at 7:00 p.m.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding the town, please let me know. If you would like to meet in person, just give the office a call at 301-600-6300 to set up a time convenient for you to meet.

Woodsboro

Burgess Heath Barnes

Greetings! I hope everyone has a good Labor Day weekend. I am not a fan of this holiday as it means summer is ending, but it also means the beginning of cooler temperatures and fall adventures for all to enjoy.

This month was quiet, and there is not a lot to update. At our August 12th meeting, we discussed that, unfortunately, we could not get a grant to have the pond in the park dredged. We will continue to look at options to get it corrected. We also discussed that a company has reached out in the interest of being the town’s new water and sewage operator, as our current operator’s last day was August 31. 

As far as the town hall update, which I know seems to be going on and on, things are happening. The loan was signed, and we are almost through the permitting process. In addition, the brick, shingle, and shutter colors were all picked out, and we are excited about that as we are getting closer and closer every day to breaking ground.

Believe it or not, Woodsboro Days is next month. Look for the advertisement here in The Catoctin Banner in this issue on page 11 and the October issue. It will be held on October 19 this year, and the plans are for it to be even bigger and better than ever. If you would like to be a vendor, please reach out me at hbarnes@woodsboro.org or 301-401-7164.

As always, I encourage everyone to support Glade Valley Community Services (GVCS) if you have clothes or food donations, as they are always in need of items for members of the community. For more information, please contact GVCS by email at gvcs.inc@verizon.net or by calling 301-845-0213.

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or compliments, please feel free to reach out to me at hbarnes@woodsboro.org or by phone at 301-401-7164.

Woodsboro town meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. In addition, Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, as needed. If you have an item fo r the agenda, it needs to be submitted 14 days before the P&Z meeting. The current location for meetings is the St. Johns United Church of Christ, located at 8 N. 2nd Street, Woodsboro, MD 21798. The public is always invited to attend.

Maryland on Stamps…

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Antietam,2012
Richard D. L. Fulton

Such a storm of balls I never conceived it possible for men to live through. Shot and shell shrieking and crashing, canister and bullets whistling and hissing most fiend-like through the air until you could almost see them…

                                          – Lt. Col A.S. Pendleton, CSA

On April 24, 2012, the United States Postal Service issued a Forever Stamp commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the September 17, 1862, Battle of Antietam, which occurred among the fields and hills around Sharpsburg during the American Civil War.

The stamps were issued as part of a series of stamps commemorating the 150th anniversary of the 1861-1865 Civil War. 

The Antietam stamp was issued along with the stamp commemorating the 1862 Battle of New Orleans. A sheet of stamps consisted of four Antietam and four New Orleans stamps (issuing different stamps attached to each other in a single sheet is referred to as se-tenant).

Antietam First Day of Issue covers can be found postmarked by the New Orleans Post Office (by virtue of being issued at the same time as the se-tenant New Orleans stamps) and by the Sharpsburg Post Office.

Confederate Maryland

Amid the secession of the Southern states as the nation stood on the brink of a civil war, a significant number of Marylanders had launched an effort to join the rapidly assimilating Confederate States of America.

It’s probably safe to state that the population of Maryland was deeply divided on the issue, with perhaps a third of the populace supporting the secession movement, a third rabidly against secession, and a third that wanted nothing whatsoever to do with either side, and simply desired to remain neutral.

Sensing the possibility that Maryland legislature might vote to join the Confederacy, President Abraham Lincoln dispatched agents into Maryland to track down and arrest any legislators who were found to be considering voting for secession.

In addition, the President sent federal troops to occupy Baltimore and Annapolis.  Due to the federal occupation of the Maryland capital, the legislature was relocated to Frederick, resulting in Frederick having become the capitol of Maryland until the pro-secession legislators rescinded the effort to secede.

Although the secession effort failed, more than 20,000 Marylanders left the state and joined the Confederate Army.

The Road to Antietam

Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who commanded the Army of Northern Virginia, led his army north, beginning on September 4, 1862, ultimately colliding with the Union Army of the Potomac, commanded by General George B. McClellan, in and around Sharpsburg on September 17.

The Army of Northern Virginia consisted of more than 100,000 troops, while the Army of the Potomac consisted of some 50,000 troops (13,000 Union troops had already been captured in Harper’s Ferry two days before the engagement at Sharpsburg),

So why did Lee march into Maryland?

One of the primary reasons given was to take the war into the north in the hopes of convincing the Northern population of the futility of continuing the war. But another motive was inspired by the 20,000 Marylanders who had already joined the Confederate Army—that being the possibility that if the Confederates crossed into Maryland, countless additional Marylanders might have joined their numbers.

On September 17, the two opposing Armies collided around Sharpsburg, resulting in the bloodiest one-day battle of the “War of Rebellion.” 

Before the September 18 withdrawal of the Confederate forces, the Confederates had suffered more than 28,000 casualties (of which 2,783 were killed), and the Union Army had sustained more than 16,000 casualties (of which more than 3,800 were killed).”

Although the battle ended Lee’s first invasion of the north, the outcome of the battle by most writers was/is considered as having been a tactical draw. 

Some “historians” have claimed it was a Union victory, but Lincoln himself simply called the battle the “closest thing to a victory” that the Union Army had thus far experienced.

Lee also did not see any significant increase in Maryland recruits as having been a direct result of the Maryland campaign.

Sept. 12, 2012 Antietam First Day of Issue cover.

Simple Ways to Support Local Businesses and Strengthen Your Community

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In an age where online shopping and big-box retailers dominate the market, local businesses often struggle to stay afloat. Yet, these small enterprises are the heart and soul of our communities, providing unique products, personalized service, and a boost to the local economy. Supporting local businesses isn’t just about making a purchase, it’s about fostering a vibrant and resilient community. Here are four simple ways you can make a big impact by supporting your local businesses.

1. Shop Local Whenever Possible

The most direct way to support local businesses is to prioritize shopping locally. Whether you’re buying groceries, gifts, or everyday essentials, seek out local stores and markets. Small businesses often offer products that are unique, handmade, or sourced locally, giving you a chance to find something special while keeping your money within the community. Every dollar spent at a local business generates significantly more economic activity in the area compared to money spent at a national chain.

2. Spread the Word

Word-of-mouth is one of the most powerful tools for a local business. When you have a positive experience at a local store, restaurant, or service provider, share it with others. Leave a review on social media or popular review sites like Yelp and Google, or simply tell your friends and family. Positive reviews and personal recommendations can drive new customers to local businesses, helping them thrive in a competitive market.

3. Attend Local Events and Markets

Farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and local festivals are not just fun community events; they’re also great opportunities to support local businesses. These events showcase a variety of local vendors, offering everything from fresh produce and handmade crafts to artisanal foods and unique gifts. By attending and purchasing from these vendors, you’re directly contributing to the success of small businesses while enjoying a vibrant community atmosphere.

4. Use Social Media to Promote Local Businesses

Social media is a powerful tool that can significantly boost the visibility of local businesses. Follow your favorite local shops, restaurants, and service providers on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Engage with their posts, share their content, and tag them in your photos when you visit. This not only shows your support but also helps these businesses reach a wider audience, attracting new customers.

Maryland’s Coyotes and Coywolves

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Richard D. L. Fulton

Coyotes were first reported in Maryland in 1972, and have spread throughout the state, while coywolves (wolf and coyote hybrids) seem to have concentrated in the Chesapeake Bay areas.

Coyotes were once considered endemic to the “Wild West,” often playing the role of those menacing, howling inhabitants among the shadows of the night.

But something happened that caused the western coyotes to eventually migrate east, inhabiting every state on the East Coast—Maryland and Delaware being the last two states to experience the arrival of the furry invaders.

The Coyote Invasion

In Maryland, the first reports of the presence of coyotes were made in Cecil, Frederick, and Washington counties in 1972, according to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Coyotes were generally concentrated west of the Mississippi, but “Alterations and/or elimination of competing predators during the post-European colonization period facilitated rapid range expansion into eastern North America,” the DNR reported.

In other words, humans set the stage for the coyote invasion of the East Coast by eliminating, through hunting or just plain shooting (to protect livestock, etc.), a significant number of coyotes’ natural enemies: mountain lions, wolves, foxes, black bears, weasels, badgers, wolverines, and even eagles.

 So what is a coyote? The species name for the coyote is Canis latrans). In addition to coyote, they are also called prairie wolf (so dubbed by 19th century explorers, Lewis and Clark), brush wolf, American jackal, and “in many western states, they are referred to simply as dogs,” according to the National Park Service NPS).

Generally, the coyotes have the general appearance of a German Shepherd, with a shoulder height of 18 to 23 inches, a length of 4 feet or more, and a weight of 20 to 35 pounds.

Generally, coyotes are pack animals. If there are coyotes around where a resident lives, one might have heard their distinctive howl as they communicate with one another. They also travel in packs of five-to-six adults. However, the NPS notes that packs can actually have as many as 10 adults or more.

Coyotes are basically omnivores, meaning they will eat plants and animals, but they are principally carnivores. It has been said that if a person notes a decline in foxes and outdoor pets, it could likely be that there is one or more coyotes prowling the neighborhood.

As far as the occurrences of the coyotes in Maryland, the DNR stated, “In Maryland, coyotes occupy most of the state’s habitat types, with the highest densities occurring in intermixed woodland and farmland areas… (with the) highest densities (numbers of coyotes present) in Western Maryland and the lowest densities on the Eastern Shore.”

Now For the Coywolves

Maryland has not only been faced with a coyote invasion, but also a new form of coyote has appeared on the scene: the coywolf.

Apparently, coyotes, being a canine, can breed with other types of canines. As a result, some coyotes arriving in Maryland had cross-bred with wolves, as was discovered through DNA analysis. As a result, this new coyote-wolf “breed” has been dubbed as coywolves.

DNA analysis has additionally revealed that some of the coywolves had even cross-bred with common household dogs.

According to the Smithsonian Institute, the average DNA result of a coywolf is 25 percent wolf, 10 percent domestic dog (usually large dogs), and 65 percent coyote.

The wolf DNA found in the coyote was attained by crossbreeding with eastern wolf and/or western wolf, while the presence of domestic dog appears to have been the result of crossbreeding with large dogs, such as Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds.

It should be noted that some authorities claim that all of Maryland’s coyotes are, in fact,  coywolves, but the issue continues on as a matter of debate.

In general, the coywolf looks very much like the coyote but, on average, is generally “about 55 pounds heavier than pure coyotes, with longer legs, a larger jaw, smaller ears, and a bushier tail,” according to the Smithsonian Institute.

For some reason, the coywolves seem to be more prolific around the Chesapeake Bay area, but this could just be the route of the initial coywolf invasion. Javier Monzon, a genetics researcher at Stony Brook University in New York, reported in an article written by Sadie Dingfelder, and published by timberwolfinformation.org, that the coywolves “are perfectly adapted to the I-95 corridor.”

It also seems that those that have also crossbred with dogs may be less sensitive to vehicular traffic and city noise.

Sharon Levy, in Rise of the coyote: The new top dog (published by nature.com), reported that the coyotes began to arrive in the Washington, D.C., area in 2004, when an encounter occurred between a hiker and her German Shepherd and two suspected coywolves in Rock Creek Park.  Apparently, according to local news coverage, the Shepherd had initially challenged the two coywolves, but then subsequently retreated.

Preparing for a Close Encounter

Coyote and coywolf attacks on humans are extremely rare in Maryland. In fact, only two attacks on humans have ever been recorded in Maryland, one of which occurred in Rockville, and the animal involved was subsequently found to be suffering from rabies.

If one finds themselves in a potential “stare down” with one or more coyotes or coywolves, Harry Spiker with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources told ABC 7 that in order to avoid a conflict, individuals or groups of people should, “Stay upright. Don’t bend down. Never run. Any member of the canine species has a chase reflex, where they will chase something that runs. So, back away, make yourself large, talk in a firm voice. If it continues to approach you, throw rocks or sticks in its direction, continuing to back away. And ultimately, if it would attack, fight back. Don’t play dead.”

Spiker noted, however, that a human encounter with a coyote or coywolf would be “extremely unlikely.”

The most serious concerns would be protecting indoor-outdoor pets and farm animals.

First, one might want to contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to see if there has been any coyote activity in the area of a resident, neighborhood, or farm.  Coywolves seem to be attracted to areas with a high deer population.

The best way to reduce the chance of encounters with indoor-outdoor pets and farm animals is to eliminate some of the attractants (hunting has not proven to be effective since eliminating a pack simply opens the way for a new pack to move in).

Hobbyfarms.com has listed a few means of reducing encounters with coyotes or coywolves, especially around homesteads:

•   Don’t leave bowls of pet food or water outside overnight. 

•   Keep garbage in a sturdy container with a tight-fitting lid.

•   Don’t place garbage cans out at the curb until the morning of your scheduled pickup day.

•   Compost in enclosed bins instead of exposed piles.

•   Clean up around bird feeders.

•   Keep all pets inside at night and watch small dogs while outside, even during daylight hours.

•   Keep cats indoors.

•   Make sure your fences are more than 6 feet high with no gaps at ground level—coyotes are good diggers.

As far as protecting farm animals, farmandanimals.com notes that, “Because coyotes are smart, observant, cautious, and elusive, keeping them away from your crops, pets, and livestock can be very challenging. They learn and adapt fast, so it’s smart to have a varied bag of tricks to use against them.

Farmandanimals.com offers several  recommendations to help protect the farm, including installing tall, strong fencing; using electric fences where possible; and adopting guard animals, such as large herding dogs (Great Pyrenees, Komondor, Anatolian, Akbash), donkeys, and llamas.

For additional tips and more information, visit Farmandanimals.com.

Coyotes do not hibernate and hunt year-round

About the Cover

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2024 Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day Winners

Submitted by the Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day Committee

All Emmitsburg residents and visitors who attended this year’s Community Heritage Day on Saturday, June 29, were the real winners, from the delicious breakfast at the Vigilant Hose Activities Building on Creamery Way to the last fireworks as they lit up the night sky after a torrential rainfall! It was a wonderful day, and we hope everyone enjoyed it throughout.

Listed below are the winners of the contests held all day. Thanks to all of our wonderful sponsors and all the organizations who made the day possible. We will see you next year!

Greased Pig Chase Winners: Age group 1-6 — Paisley Iaea; Age group 7-11— Gage Creager; Age group 12-16 — Naomi Hahn; Age group 17 & Up — Dan Novak.

Sack Races (Singles): Ages 1-4 — (1st) Cole Stone, (2nd) Annie Hahn; Ages 5-8 — (1st) Robbie, (2nd) Mary Krom; Ages 9-12 — (1st) Gage Creager, (2nd) Jackson Cichocki/ Isaiah Lopez; Ages 13-16 — (1st) Bernadette Hahn, (2nd) Xavier Myers/Stella Miravalle; Ages 17 & Up — (1st) Adam Knox, (2nd) Tim McCartney/Macy McRae.

Sack Races (Doubles): Ages 1-4 — (1st) Rayne Marlow/Kynslee Miller, (2nd) Chase Cool/Robert Dewees; Ages 5-8 — N/A; Ages 9-12 — (1st) Keane Burns/Riley Hoover, (2nd) Jerome Turner/Louis Turner; Ages 13-16 — (1st) Bernadette Hahn/ Stella Miravalle, (2nd) Sophia Myers/Matt Myers; Ages 17 & Up — (1st) Adam Krom/ Matthew Krom, (2nd) Bridgette McCarthy/Tim McCarthy and Madeline Myers/Xavier Myers.

Egg Toss: 1st place — Madeline Myers/Matt Myers; 2nd place — Ambrose Turner/ Cassian Miravalle.

Water Balloon Toss: 1st place — Symeon Turner/Cassian Miravalle; Bridgette McCarthy/Lauren Manouve; 2nd place — Jason Krom/Scott Krom.

Pie Eating Contest: Ages 1-4 — (1st) Cole Stone/Kayson Hall; Ages 5-8 — (1st) Leah Krom, (2nd) Mary Krom/Grant Satterlee/Eleanor Satterlee; Ages 9-12 — (1st) Gage Creager; Ages 13-16 — (1st) Naomi Hahn, (2nd) Kristen Mills; 17 & Up (1st) — Erin Crum, (2nd) Kate Emory.

Watermelon Eating Contest: Ages 1-4 — (2nd) Zoey Riveria; Ages 5-8 — (1st) Leah Krom; Ages 9-12 — (1st) Mason Rivera, (2nd) Marc McRae; Ages 13-16 — (1st) Kristen Mills, (2nd) Xavier Myers; Ages 17 & Up — (1st) Jack McCarthy, (2nd) Erin Crum.

Chalk Art Contest Winners: Ages 1-4 — (1st) L. Rocha, (2nd) Goudy, (3rd) Viella; Ages 5-7 — (1st) A. Hudson, (2nd) Leah, (3rd) Aubrey Blair; Ages 8-10 — (1st) E. Blair, (2nd) P. Lanfro, (3rd) Mary Krom; Ages 11-12 — (1st) Cora Krom, (2nd) Sophia Myers, (3rd) Lucy Huhn; Ages 13 & Up — (1st) Taylor M., (2nd) Kristen Mills, (3rd) Sarah Krom.

Tyrian Lodge Horseshoe Tournament Winners: (1st) Brendan Allison/Gary Hoffmaster, (2nd) Paul Eyler/Rich Brown, (3rd) Jeff Robertson/Andrew Long.

Cool’s Legacy Cornhole Tournament Winners: Tournament #1 — (1st) Andrew Long/ Josh Hurley, (2nd) Ben Randolph/partner, (3rd) Dalton Sayler/Woody Evans; Tournament #2 — (1st) C. Wesley Grimes/Dale Tressler, (2nd) Steve Topper/Dalton Sayler; Airmail Challenge — (1st) Wes Grimes.

Parade Winners: Best Community Service — Emmitsburg Library; Most Entertaining — Catoctin-Aires; Go Soccer! — Catoctin Mountain Futbol; Oldies but Goodies— Heritage Festival Car Show; Tank Amazing — Neil Parrott; Best Community Spirit — Fearless Elite; First Year Celebration — Good Soil Farm; Horsing Around — REM Guided Trail Rides; Best Trailer — CYA Football and Chair; Best in Show Tanker — Fairfield Fire & Rescue.

Leah Krom takes first place in the Watermelon Eating Contest, ages 5-8 group, at the Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day on June 29.

Tyrian Lodge Horseshoe Tournament winners, Brendan Allison and Gary Hoffmaster (1st Place) and Paul Eyler and Rich Brown (2nd Place).

Everyone has tons of fun with the Water Balloon Toss.

Contestants look on as Gage Creager takes the win on the Greased Pig Chase

The 2024 Emmitsburg Community Heritage Day was held on Saturday, June 29.

A much-anticipated hometown celebration, the day featured a car show, a parade, field games, kids activities, craft and vendor show, hayrides and barrel rides, fireworks, contests, music, and much more!

Barrel Rides were a big hit with kids throughout the day.

Cora Krom wins 1st Place in the Chalk Art Contest (ages 11-12).

A happy contestant for the Watermelon Eating Contest.

Christ Community Church water games were enjoyed by all the kids.

Tyrian Lodge Horseshoe Tournament 3rd Place winners, Jeff Robertson and Andrew Long.

Field Games winner shows off her 1st Place medal.

Field Games 2nd Place adult division Sack Race winner.

Pie Eating Contest 1st Place winner proudly holds up her ribbon.

Town Hall Reports

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by James Rada, Jr.

Thurmont

Lions Club Announces Its Volunteer of the Year

Joyce Anthony with the Thurmont Lions Club announced that Missy Zook Grimes is the 2024 Thurmont Volunteer of the Year. Grimes has been very active volunteering with Main Street events and the Thurmont Food Bank. She received a gift card for a local restaurant, and a $400 donation will be made on behalf of the Thurmont Food Bank.

Grimes told the board of commissioners, “I loved every minute o f it (her volunteering).”

This will be the last time the Thurmont Lions Club awards a volunteer of the year. Anthony said that other organizations in town have started doing the same things, so their award has become duplicative.

Water and Sewer Rates to Rise

The Thurmont Board of Commissioners is planning on increasing water and sewer rates by more than 15 percent. The additional revenue generated from the increase will cover the day-to-day costs of running the town’s water and sewer operations. The town will hold a public hearing about the increases at the August 6 town meeting.

Colorfest Fees May Increase

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners may increase Colorfest fees for 2025 after experiencing a deficit after a rainy 2023 Colorf est. Costs for sanitation, trash, security, and buses have been increasing around 10 percent annually in recent years. The mayor and commissioners feel that a fee increase may be needed to cover the increasing expenses.

The commissioners also voted to char ge only a single yard sale permit fee, regardless of when the person comes to the town of fice for the permit. Currently, if someone waits until the Friday before Colorfest to purchas e a permit, it costs more than if the permit is purchased earlier .

The town will discuss possible changes to the fees during its August 20 meeting.

New Planning and Zoning Appointment

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners recently appointed Chris Stout er to serve as a regular member of the Thurmont Planning and Zoning Commission. The town still has an opening for an alternate member of the co mmission.

Bid Approved

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved a bid of $31 1,158 to purchase a new bucket truck for the electric department to use to replace the current vehicle, which is a 1997 GMC truck. Alltech Supply will provide the new truck and all the tools and equipment it needs. The funds to purchase the truck will come from a portion of the town’s recent bond issue.

Softball Shed Approved

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners had set aside $24,000 for the construction of a new restroom building at the Thurmont Little League fields. The cost came in much lower, leaving an excess of $11,175. The mayor and commissioners allocated $3,724 of this amount to purchase a 10- foot by 12-foot shed that the Catoctin Rec Council Softball League will use to store equipment to maintain the fields they use.

Emmitsburg

Town Likely to Raise Impact and Connection Fees

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners has started discussing whether to raise its impact fees charged to new constructions. The board seems in favor of increasing the fees, although more discussion needs to take pla ce. Currently, the town charges each new water service connection $8,200 per residential un it and each new sewer connection $8,000 per residential unit. In a ddition, all new residential units are assessed a one-time fee of $1,200. The commissioners plan to discuss the issue at a future meeting.

Paving Bids Approved

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners approved two paving bids for roads in town at a recent town meeting. Thurmont Paving offered the low bid on each project among 10 bidders and was awarded both of the contracts.

Paving Timbermill Run from W. Main Street to Brookfield Drive will cost $99,500, and paving Silo Hill Road from the first entrance to Ro bindale Drive to the dead end at the park will cost $56,800. Both projects in volve removing the existing asphalt; a two-inch mill and overlay; restriping a ny lines; raising or lowering of utilities if needed; and restoring any landscaping, sidewalk, or other damage to the site when the project is complete.

Grant Awarded

The Town of Emmitsburg recently received a Program Open Space Grant for $85,950, which requires a $9,550 town match. The grant money will be used to make improvements to the Rainbow Lake Trail that include fixing damage to the red trail, from logging, and adding signage to the trail.

The town also received another Program Open Space Grant for $20 ,000, which requires a $2,222 town match. This grant will be used to build a picnic shelter near the ADA playground.

From the Mayor

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Emmitsburg

Mayor Frank Davis

Mayor Davis was unavailable to write his Mayor’s message for this edition. He is on a family vacation. He will return next month with more town news.

Woodsboro

Burgess Heath Barnes

Greetings! I hope everyone is staying cool during this hot summ er. It seems like summer has flown by, and I know the school children feel this way as they will be returning to the classrooms this month. I hope each stu dent and teacher has a good and safe return to the classrooms and a great school year.

We had a quiet meeting on July 9, as there was not much on the agenda. We discussed the Community Parks and Playgrounds Grant that is available from the county. Unlike the Program Open Space Grant that can only be used for new projects—such as the skate park, the stage, and the bathroom th at is about to be built on the east side of the park—this grant can be used for r epair. We plan to submit for a grant to get our pond dredged. Hopefully , we get the grant so that we can clean the pond well and keep it for years to come, and p ossibly even get the fish stocked in it again each year.

Our August meeting will take place on Monday, August 12, at 7:00 p.m., instead of the typical second Tuesday of the month. So, anyone interested in attending, mark your calendars accordingly. We are also working on getting some estimates for additional streetlights in town where there are some very dark areas, particularly the upper Copper Oaks neighborhood.

Believe it or not, Woodsboro Days is just over two months away. Look for the advertisement here in the newspaper in the September and Oc tober editions. Woodsboro Days will be held on October 19 this year , and the plans are for it to be even bigger and better than ever. If you would like to be a vendor , please reach out me at hbarnes@woodsboro.org or 301-401-7164.

The July 4th music event that is put on by Joe Williams in the park was once again a success. I was not able to attend, but I have heard good things. Thank you, Joe, for putting on this community event each year and uti lizing the stage that was built for these events.

As always, I encourage everyone to support Glade Valley Community Services (GVCS) if you have clothes or food donations, as they are always in need of items for members of the community. For more information, please contact GVCS by email at gvcs.inc@verizon.net or by calling 301 -845-0213.

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or compliments , please feel free to reach out to me at hbarnes@woodsboro.or g or by phone at 301-401- 7164.

Woodsboro town meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. In addition, Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meetings are at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, as needed. If you have an item fo r the agenda, it needs to be submitted 14 days before the P&Z meeting. The current location for meetings is the St. Johns United Church of Christ, located at 8 N. 2nd Street, Woodsboro, MD 21798. The public is always invited to attend.

Businesses Past…

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T h u r m o n t ’ s D i x i e D i n e r

by Richard D. L. Fulton

Beginning in the late 1930s, and reaching a peak in the 1960s, seemingly every town or community across America served as home to a genre of eateries commonly referred to as diners, known for their “home-cooked” meals offered at amazingly reasonable and affordable prices.

They became as much a part of “Roadside America” as petting zoos, theme parks, and miniature golf sites, all of which, including the diners, were spawned by the 1930s-1940s’ “introduction of highways (spurred further by the creation of the interstate highway system by President Dwight D. Eisenhower) and the rising car culture of America,” according to The Evolution of the American Diner, by Cassidy Nemick (scalar.usc.edu).

Not only did diners provide cheap, home-cooked, wholesome meals to travelers at very competitive prices, but they also tended to be supported by numerous local patrons as well, often serving as a center of social interaction.

The Dixie Diner

More often than not, as a cost-saving measure, diners were housed within retired streetcars, buses, and even old railroad cars that were purchased for near-scrap prices, which were then converted into diners with seating, tables, and kitchen included.

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird stated that the Dixie Diner was located in Thurmont at the intersection of Frederick Road and Water Street and was established and initially owned by Mary and Leonard Fogle, beginning in the late 1930s.

Nancy Gearhart Rice, Thurmont, noted in The Way Things Were in Local Government and More (Catoctin Banner, September 2023), that the diner was subsequently operated by Bill Houck, Audie and Audrey Moore, and Myrtle and Jim Steele.

In this respect, the Dixie Diner of Thurmont was no different. According to Kinnaird, the old Dixie Diner was housed within a streetcar that was once used on the Hagerstown & Frederick (H&F) Railroad.

Kinnaird stated, “It is a good bet that the streetcar was purchased by the diner owners directly from the H&F, and then had it transported via the H&F to Thurmont.”

At some point in time during the diner’s operation, a second car was added in order to accommodate the increase in patronage. The mayor stated that “At this time, all the traffic on Rt. 15 passed this location.”

Not only did the Fogles live in a house adjacent to the diner, but Leonard Fogle also owned a garage located next to the diner, being strategically located in proximity to Route 15, Leonard sold fuel and repaired trucks. The name of the enterprise was given as having been the Dixie Diner & Service Station in a 1950 advertisement.

Offbeat Incidents

Sometime during the night of August 19, 1940, after the diner was closed, a thief apparently entered the diner via the rear window, according to August 20, 1940, The Frederick Post, which further noted, “Authorities are inclined to believe the prowler was a man familiar with the establishment.”

The theft was discovered upon opening the diner the next morning at 6:00 a.m. by waitress Audrey Ecker. The thief reportedly had stolen “between $7 and $10.”

Another theft was reported by The Frederick Post on October 13, 1947, when a wallet, believed to have been unknowingly dropped on the floor while patron Sherman Shuff reportedly was in the diner. The wallet was subsequently recovered by a puppy belonging to Anna M. Jones. The dog found the wallet in a creek on East Street and then “proudly” presented his find to Jones.

The newspaper reported that various contents of the wallet were seemingly intact, except for the money it had contained, which was missing.

The Demise of the Diners

Kinnaird stated that the diner had “closed around 1958 after the Route 15 bypass opened,” adding, “After shutting the Dixie Dinner, the then-owner, Jim Steele, opened his restaurant at Franklinville.”

So, what led to the demise of America’s diners, overall?

Clearly, the Age of the Diner came to an end in the 1960s. Nemick wrote, in The Evolution of the American Diner, “Unfortunately, diners began to find that their clientele were being snatched away to fast-food joints, food chains, and (restaurant) drive-ins,” noting further that the number of diners continued to wain “as motorists and travelers began to choose convenience and speed over traditional dining.”

Diner co-owner Mary Fogle at the Dixie Diner after having added a second streetcar.

Maryland on Stamps…

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maryland bicentennial,1988

Richard D. L. Fulton

On February 15, 1988, the United States Postal Service issued a set of 50 22-cent stamps commemorating when each of the 50 states had achieved statehood, one of which was devoted to Maryland.

Each state’s stamps were featured on First Day of Issue covers (FDCs) when the stamps had been initially made available to the public. FDCs of the Maryland stamp were cancelled in the Annapolis Post Office – Annapolis, of course, being the capitol of the state.

The Maryland stamp featured a skipjack (two-sailed fishing boats used particularly for harvesting oysters) displayed with the Maryland statehouse within the background.

The skipjack was also designated as being the “State Boat” in 1985. The Maryland statehouse is the oldest state capital building that has been in continual legislative use since its establishment and had additionally served as the nation’s capital building from November 26, 1783 to August 13, 1784.

Maryland, initially established as a British colony and province, actually became a state twice… and nearly became a third one.

The First State of Maryland

The first United States of America was established with the passage of the Articles of Confederation. The proposal to unite the then-existing but seceded British colonies into a united form of governance under the auspices of a central (federal) government had been approved by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777, before the American Revolution had even concluded.

Subsequently, the congressionally approved Articles of Confederation were ratified into law by the 13 autonomous, ex-colonies in 1781, thereby resulting in each of the former colonies becoming the first states of America.

Naturally, Maryland was among the newly founded states. Under the Articles of Confederation, Maryland, and her sister states, thrived under the limited power of the federal government… for a time, just shy of a decade.

In the wake of the ratification of the Articles of Confederation, there were dissenters seeking to “overthrow” the newly formed United States, and create a new, second United States of America, headed up by a more powerful form of central (federal) government.

The Second State of Maryland

The proposal to secede from the (first) United States and replace it with a second version was not a thoroughly popular idea.

In fact, the idea was so unpopular from the outset that the soon-to-be founding fathers, under the guise of holding a Constitutional Convention with the stated purpose to revise the Articles of Confederation, hid themselves away in the Pennsylvania State House, locking the door and posting guards, with the intent to dissolve the Articles of Confederation, and replace it with a new constitution – which, basically they had feared, could constitute an act of insurrection.

When the proposed new constitution was fully disclosed to the general population, and the road to ratification had been initiated, the “founders” managed to avoid having the new constitution ratified by each of the state legislatures, knowing that most would be reluctant to authorize surrendering their more lenient individual autonomy, as had been established under the Articles of Confederation, to founding a more heavy-handed form of central governance.

As was noted in The Constitution: How Did it Happen? (National Archives),“The Anti-Federalists fought hard against the Constitution because it created a powerful central government that reminded them of the one they had just overthrown… The ratification campaign was a nail-biter.”

Nevertheless, the effort succeeded, and Maryland officially became a state (again) on April 28, 1788 (although the newly ratified Constitution did not take effect until March 9, 1789), when Maryland’s appointed representatives cast their vote to ratify the United States Constitution. Maryland was the seventh state of the 13 states to do so.

The Confederate State of Maryland?

But a subsequent war, which erupted between the states in 1861, saw Marylanders launching an effort to a new statehood, this time under the constitution of the Confederate States of America.

However, “Confederate Maryland” will be further addressed in the next column, Maryland on Stamps… Antietam, in the September issue of the Catoctin Banner).

First Day of Issue Cover of Maryland’s Bicentennial stamp with 22K gold version insert.

Town Hall Report

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by James Rada, Jr.

Thurmont

Commission Openings

The Town of Thurmont is seeking volunteers to serve on the town’s planning and zoning commission, police commission, and ethics commission. Anyone interested in serving on one of the commissions should submit their interest in writing to blong@thurmontstaff.com or to the town office by July 2 6.

National Night Out Celebration Announced

Thurmont Police will host National Night Out on August 6 from 6:00 to 7:30p.m. at the Thurmont Police Department at 800 E. Main Street in Thurmont. The event is a chance to meet the Thurmont Police and representatives from other emergency services and community organizations. There will be music, free food, emergency vehicle displays, information booths, pony rides, a bounce house, giveaways, and more.

Stump Grinder Purchased

The Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners voted to purchase a stump grinder attachment for the town’s skid loader for $7,961 from Rippeon Equipment of Frederick. Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick noted that it could quickly pay for itself because bids he received to grind four stumps in Community Parkrecently totaled around $2,000. The stump grinder will be purchased with unused capital improvement funds from last year’s budget.

From the Mayor

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THURMONT

Mayor John Kinnaird

It is hard to believe that we are halfway through 2024! It seems like just lastmonth it was cold and wet, and now here we are in one of the hottest summers on record. Please be careful when we see temperatures in the mid and upper 90s and high humidity. Young children and the elderly are especially susceptible to heat induced issues, including heat stroke. Be sure to keep hydrated, stay indoors if possible, and do not over-exert yourself. Also, keep in mind, our four-legged friends are also suffering when the temps get above 90 degrees.

Summertime also means that our children are on summer break. Kids will be out on their bikes, skateboards, or running and playing. Please be on the lookout for children as you drive, as they may not always be aware of their surroundings and cars as they are playing. Driving the speed limit and watching for our younger residents will keep everyone safer this summer.

Major changes are being made at the Community Park Tennis Courts. The old courts have served us well and are in the process of being replaced with entirelynew court surfaces, nets, fences, lights, and markings. Please be patient as this work progresses.

A major remodeling is underway at the Thurmont Bank Building on the Square! This work will include the creation of new commercial spaces on the first floor and several apartments on the second and third floors. This project has been a long time coming, and we have all watched as several proposals were made but never materialized. The Thurmont Bank Building is the centerpiece of our community, having stood on the corner of West Main and Water Street since 1891. The bank was established by Samuel Birely and Van Osler in 1889 and served our community for several generations. During the time since 1891, the bank became a National Bank and actually issued its own currency for a short time. Many will remember the apartment on the upper floors and the people that occupied them, including our beloved teacher, Ethel Crawford. The bank remained in local hands for most of its life, but in later years, it changed hands several times, eventually becoming a branch of the Bank of America. Eventually, Bank of America closed smaller, less productive branches, and our bank was closed. The property sat vacant for several years and was eventually auctioned. I tried to get our Board of Commissioners to purchase the building at auction and it sold to an investment firm in Florida for a little over $200,000.00, which was a true bargain for such a substantial and historic building. They, in turn, sold it to a couple that had ideas of opening an ever-changing list of small businesses in the property. The building was completely gutted, making the renovation a major project. Everyone remembers the anticipation, then let down, as plans were revealed and then scrapped several times due to the cost of remodeling. The building is now owned by a local company, and they are getting ready to completely rebuild the interior. As I noted, the first floor will have commercial space and the upper floors will once again be apartments. I look forward to the completion of the long-awaited renewal of this Thurmont landmark. Karen and I hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable summer.

Do you have and questions, comments, or suggestions? I can be reached by cell phone at 301-606-9458 or by email at jkinnaird@thurmont.com.

Emmitsburg

Mayor Frank Davis

Town Approves Parking Lot Bid

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners approved a bid for the construction of a 10-space parking lot at Rainbow Lake. The work also includes a stormwater management bioretention facility, asphalt pavement, site restoration, landscaping, and other related items. Superior Facilities Management was the low bidder and won the contract for $125,558.69. Funding comes from Program Open Space and LPPI grants that require a 25 percent town match.

Multi-user Trail Bid Approved

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners approved a bid to build a multiuser trail on town property. It will be in the Rainbow Lake watershed area. The proposed red loop trail will be 2.8 miles long. The trail needs 1.5 miles redesigning and 1.3 miles of damaged trail relocated. The relocation will also add .2 miles to the trail, bringing the total length to 3 miles. Greenstone Trailcraft of Frederick won the contract for $89,620. Funding comes from a Program Open Space grant that requires a 10 percent match.

Sitework Approved for New Restroom/Concession Stand

The Emmitsburg Board of Commissioners approved a bid for the sitework for the new pre-fabricated restroom/concession stand in E. Eugene Myers Park. Ox Construction of New Windsor won the bid for $79,950.

Grant Awarded

The Town of Emmitsburg was recently awarded at $3,179.33 TRIPP grant. The grant requires a $1,589.67 match and will allow the town to advertise itself as a tourism destination in the 2025 Destination Gettysburg and 2025 Visit Frederick guides.

Woodsboro

Burgess Heath Barnes

Happy Independence Day, aka 4th of July. I hope each of you has a safe holiday with family and friends. If you celebrate with fireworks , please use caution, as the weather has been hot and things can be dry.

At our June 11th meeting, we had more town residents in attendance than we have had at a meeting in my tenure as burgess. This was to be expected with the voting for the budget, but it was also nice to have that many people in attendance, as we were to be voting on moving forward with the town hall

building or not. The meeting started with a discussion about the town hall.

Initially, when we sent it out for bids several months ago, the lowest bid came in

at $1.6 million, and the builder we chose came in at about $1.8 million. This was out of our price range, so we sent it back to the builder and asked for cuts. The new proposal came in at $1.4 million. With the $400,000 that I secured in grants from the state during Governor Larry Hogan’s last year in office and taking out

$200,000 from town reserves. This would require us to take out an $800,000 loan from Woodsboro Bank, with about a $4,500-$4,700 per month mortgage payment. After a lively discussion, it was tabled until the end of the meeting, as a few council members were not comfortable with the cost. When we restarted

the discussion, the council was still at a standstill. I gave my opinion that the longer we waited, the more expensive it would become. Several comments came in from the public, and one said let’s poll the audience. At that point, we asked, and 17 of the 22 in the audience raised their hands in favor. At that point, Commissioner Eckenrode made a motion to move forward. Commissioner Rittelmeyer seconded the motion. Commissioner Cutshall and Commissioner Case voted no. At that point, it was a 2-2 vote. Per town code, the burgess would

break the tie. I voted yes, and the town hall project was approved. The builder has told us we should be in the building by late spring 2025.

At the monthly meeting, we also discussed some issues we are having with the wastewater plant. We have plans in place to fix some issues that are happening; however, we have also been hit with a surprise resignation of our town water and sewage plant operator, with his last day being August 31, 2024.

We are currently actively seeking his replacement. We are running a 20-year wastewater plant that was put in 22 years ago. Unfortunately, the town did not have a strategic plan in place for the replacement of it in 20 years, which is, unfortunately, why we had no choice but to increase water and sewage rates.

If we had not received $974,000 in the American Rescue Plan funds, where $750,000 of it went to the water plant, we would be in worse shape than we are. With the additional funds, we should hopefully be able to get all things completed in the next 12 months.

On July 4th, there will be a free event in the park with amateur singers, open to the public to sing along, with food trucks and activities. This is put on by town resident Joe Williams. This is not an event that is put on by the town, but it is nice to see the park bandshell being used for events. All are welcome to

attend.

As always, I encourage everyone to support Glade Valley Community Services (GVCS) if you have clothes or food donations, as they are always in need of items for members of the community. For more information, please contact GVCS by email at gvcs.inc@verizon.net or call 301-845-0213.

If you have any questions, concerns, complaints, or compliments, please feel free to reach out to me at hbarnes@woodsboro.org or by phone at 301-401-7164.

Woodsboro town meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. In addition, planning and zoning meetings ar e at 6:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month, as needed. If you have an item for the agenda, it needs to be submitted 14 days before the P&Z meeting. The current location for meetings is St. Johns United Church of Christ, located at 8 N. 2nd Street, Woodsboro, MD21798. The public is always invited to attend.

Businesses Past…

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E m m i t s b u r g  B o w l i n g  L a n e s

Emmitsburg Recreation Center, which once contained the Emmitsburg Lanes bowling alleys, was located across an alley from the existing laundromat on West Main Street and was in operation from the 1940s until 1965.

The building housing the recreation center was described by The (Frederick) News, in 1965, as having been “two stories tall in the front with three apartments over the snack bar,” and that “the back of the building drops down to a one-story level over the bowling alley.”

The  Emmitsburg Recreation Center and the inclusive Emmitsburg Lanes were owned and operated by  Charles A. Harner, who owned other theaters as well. The center served as the host to numerous tournaments during its existence, in addition to sponsoring local leagues and teams. The News noted in 1951 that the center had established the “Civil League,” consisting of 12 teams.

Things didn’t always go well at the center. The News reported on November 14, 1950, that Harner “is recovering at his home from injuries received when two men gave him a brutal beating at his place of business.” His injuries landed him in the Annie E. Warner Hospital (later known as the Gettysburg Hospital) for a week before his release.

Sometime during 1958, three individuals broke into the center and stole some $35 from a soda machine, cash register, and a tray that contained $20 in pennies, according to The News. This and other acts resulted in two of the participants being remanded over to the Maryland House of Corrections. A third suspect was awaiting a hearing in the juvenile court.

On March 25, 1965, the glory days of the Emmitsburg Recreation Center came to a disastrous end in a raging blaze, covered by newspapers from Cumberland to Frederick to Baltimore.  The morning after the fire, the top headline of The News read, “Blaze Ruins Recreation Center.”

The News reported that the fire had been initially reported around 11:35 p.m. on March 25, and that the fire had spread throughout “the entire first story of the building, including a 10-lane bowling alley and a snack bar.”

According to The (Baltimore) Evening Sun, state police stated that the fire had been started in a deep-fryer in the snack bar of the Recreation Bowling  Lanes,” and then “spread rapidly through the restaurant and bowling alleys.” More specifically, The News reported that the fire had started “from an overheated deep fry pan when grease exploded and set the restaurant section of the brick building on fire.”

More than 70 firefighters rushed to the scene of the blaze, The News stated, which included firefighters from Emmitsburg, Thurmont, and the Citizens Company of Frederick. The newspaper reported that the firefighters had battled the blaze for more than six hours, and the smoldering embers continued to be doused with water even longer until there was no chance of the fire rekindling itself.

The News reported that the fire companies were shooting water from their hoses onto the burning building from the rooftops of the laundromat and the United Church of Christ, and that the blaze had raged “uncontrollably” from 11:35 p.m. to around 1:00 a.m.

The Cumberland News reported that “A woman and her three children were rescued by ladder from the smoke-filled apartment on the second floor.”   The News identified the four individuals as “Mrs. Andrew Michell, and her three children, all under four years of age,” further noting that the rescue had been conducted by members of the Emmitsburg Fire Company (predecessor of the Vigilant Hose Company),

Two couples living in the other apartments had made their own way out to safety. The News identified them as having been Mr. and Mrs. Henry Troxell and Mr. and Mrs. Junior Manahan, all of whom had found their way out “through the dense smoke,” further stating that several bowling alley patrons had also managed to escape the smoke and fire.

The Sun reported that state police had stated that the building had sustained an estimated $70,000 in damages in the fire. The News noted that the building was covered by insurance, but the contents of the restaurant, which was managed by William Boyd, were not covered. The apartments were not burned but had sustained smoke and water damage.

One Emmitsburg fireman had been overcome by smoke and was transported to the Annie E. Warner Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Harner never re-opened the center or the bowling alleys.

Unidentified bowlers at Emmitsburg Recreation Center.

Maryland on Stamps…

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Richard D. L. Fulton

Annapolis Tercentenary, 1949

On May 23, 1949, the United States Postal Service commemorated the 300th anniversary of the establishment of Annapolis as the capital of Maryland via the issuance of a three-cent stamp.

First Day of Issue cancellations of the stamps were conducted at the post office in Annapolis—the first capital of Maryland, and at the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the United States Postal Service. To collectors, the Annapolis cancellation is more desirable than the Washington, D.C. cancellation.

Further, the First Day of Issue cancellations issued at Annapolis bore the correct date of the Tercentenary (May 23, 1949), while the same issued at the D.C. post office bore the next day’s date (May 24, 1949).

Annapolis’ road to being recognized as Maryland’s capital began when Leonard Calvert, along with 140 to 150 Catholic and Protestant settlers, set sail from the Isle of Wight, England, and ventured up the Potomac River, whereon on March 25, 1633, they founded Saint Mary’s City. Doing so resulted in Saint Mary’s City then being recognized as Maryland’s first European settlement and the Province of Maryland’s first capital.

Maryland was, of course, a British colony at the time, and was thus deemed as the Province of Maryland, Maryland, having been named in honor of Henrietta Maria of France, queen of England, Scotland and Ireland (coincidentally, her husband was executed in the wake of the English Civil War in the same year Annapolis was named as Maryland’s capital).  Likewise, Saint Mary’s City was also named in her honor.

By the late 1640s, settlers had already begun to fan out in the area that would ultimately become both Anne Arundel County (established as a county in 1650), and Annapolis.  Forty-four years later, in 1694, the then provisional Governor Francis Nicholson, along with the Maryland General Assembly, elected to move Maryland’s capital from Saint Mary’s City to more centrally located Anne Arundel County.

As a result, Saint Mary’s City was abandoned.  The location of the original Saint Mary’s City can only be ascertained through archaeological excavations, according to hsmcdigshistory.org,  although the city was essentially reborn when it eventually “rose from the grave,” beginning in the early 1900s,  Today, it boasts a population of around 1,000 residents and some 1,500 students housed in association with the city’s educational institutions.

Before the provincial capital was moved from Saint Mary’s City, the settlements around what would become Annapolis were initially called Providence, and subsequently, Anne Arundel’s Towne, according to annapolis.gov.  The name was changed to Annapolis (meaning Anne’s Town or City) when the town was designated as the new provincial capital.

Anne Arundel County, Anne Arundel’s Towne, and Annapolis were all named in honor of Anne Arundel, whose name is also spelled as Anne Arundell, and even Arrundell, who had married Cecil Calvert, the Second Lord Baltimore.  Although she never came to America, she was honored in Maryland as the result of spending much of her inheritance from her father, Lord Thomas Arundell, to help fund the new colony of Maryland.

Anne Arundel’s royal badge, which is a crown over the entwined thistle of Scotland and Tudor rose of England, is depicted on the Annapolis flag, according to annapolis.gov.

Maryland became a state when it ratified the United States Constitution on April 28, 1788, and retained Annapolis as being the state’s capital.  Maryland actually became a state twice.  First under the Articles of Confederation, which was adopted by the Continental Congress on November 15, 1777. The adoption of the Constitution on April 28, 1788, effectively disbanded the first United States that had been established under the Articles of Confederation.

Annapolis.gov stated that “Today, Annapolis has more of these original 18th-century structures standing than any other city in the United States.”

Once known as the “Athens of America,” due to its early “wealth of cultural activities, a glittering social season. gracious hospitality, and intellectual stimulation,” the city has grown to a population of over 40,000 residents, numerous educational institutions, and even serves as home to the prestigious United States Naval Academy.

First Day Cover of Annapolis Tercentenary stamp, cancelled May 23,1949.

Great Maryland Gold Rush

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Richard D. L. Fulton

The “Great Maryland Gold Rush,” which raged from the 1860s into the 1920s, petering out by 1940, was triggered by pure happenstance when gold was discovered there during the American Civil War.

Gold was reportedly discovered on a farm belonging to Samuel Ellicott, located near Brookville, Montgomery County, Maryland, during 1849; although, it apparently attracted little attention and was left largely unexplored.

One of the earliest newspaper reports of the find appeared in the January 31, 1849, edition of The Rockville Journal, in which it was stated, “Gold has been found on Mr. Ellicott’s farm in this county. It is thought there is an abundance of the metal there. A specimen was sent to the Philadelphia mint, which was pronounced genuine.” The story was reprinted in the February 2, 1849, edition of The (Boston) Liberator.

The sample submitted was more than likely a specimen mentioned in an article published in a February issue of the Howard Gazette, and reprinted in the February 5, 1849, edition of The (Baltimore) Sun, in which the Gazette stated “that a rock had been found on the farm which contained “a hundred dollars’ worth of gold.” 

In today’s monetary evaluation, $100 would equate to $3,777, without taking the valuation of today’s value of gold per ounce into account. In the 1840s, gold was trading at about $18 per ounce. Today, gold can fetch $2,374 per ounce. 

However, the actual amount of gold contained within the aforementioned rock was not given. But if the value of gold in the 1840s was at $18 per ounce, it would suggest by the $100 claim that the sample could have contained around 5.5 ounces. That 5.5 ounces of gold today could bring more than $13,000.

The rise in the interest in Maryland gold has generally been attributed to having been spurred by the discovery of gold at Great Falls, Montgomery County, Maryland, in 1861, a discovery directly tied to the advent of the American Civil War.

When Union troops were stationed at Great Falls on The Potomac River in 1861, Private McCleary (or McCarey) of the 71st Pennsylvania Regiment (or “1st California Volunteers”) was scrubbing skillets in the water for the camp cooks, when he recognized gold in the skillets, according to the C&O Canal Trust.

“After the war, he returned to the area, bought some farmland, and started mining for gold in Montgomery County,” C&O Canal Trust noted on its website. A particular Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park wayside states that McCleary and some of his friends had only recovered around 11 ounces for their effort, which would have amounted to more than $26,000 in value.

McCleary’s find prompted a flurry in the establishment of gold mines, as investors sought to strike it rich in Maryland gold… leading to the first mine shaft sunk into Maryland soil in 1880.

By 1890, The (Baltimore) Sun reported in its February 24 issue, “The development of the mining industry in Montgomery County has made remarkable progress within the last six months, and there are no less than six mines being actively operated.” The newspaper identified the owners of the half-dozen mines as the Huddlestone mine, the Potomac Mining Company, the Iowa Mining Company, and by a number of private individuals.”

In 1900, the Maryland Gold Mining Company was formed, and the Great Falls Gold Mining Company was created in 1903 or 1904, according to the United States Geological Survey (Bulletin 1286). The Maryland Gold Mining Company folded in 1908.  Following the closure of the Maryland Gold Mining Company, the site was reopened and operated under several guises, the last of which was called the Maryland Mining Company.

By 1910, gold recovery increased in interest, but The Sun reported that the layers containing the gold could be elusive and “unevenly distributed,” to the degree that profits had not lived up to expectations. “The value of the output of gold in Maryland is very variable,” the newspaper reported, adding, “It has reached as much as $25,000 annually, while in other years none has been produced.”

Most of the gold mines at this point in time, The Sun reported, were located “near the southern edge of Montgomery County near the Great Falls of the Potomac.”

By the 1930s, the quest for gold continued to decline in productivity.  The Sun reported on August 4, 1935, “The annual production of gold in Maryland has been $71,583, virtually all of which was produced prior to 1906.”

By 1935, gold finds were reported all the way into Frederick County near Frederick City and in Braddock Heights. Six gold mines (actually, multi-commodity mines, of which one commodity included gold) were established in Frederick County. All told, gold was eventually reported in half a dozen Maryland counties.  However, many of these reported finds did not result in the development of mines. 

By 1940—when the last commercial gold mining company ceased operation—more than 45 gold mines had been dug in Maryland. In the course of less than 100 years, the total gold production of all the mines combined amounted to some 5,000 ounces. On today’s market, that would only have amounted to about $1,000,000.

The Sun, in 1935, almost forecasted the causations of the end of commercial gold mining operations in the state when it reported that the gold production business had sustained increasing costs of recovery, the result of the spotty occurrence of the gold and the hardness of the host rocks, which increased wear-and-tear on the equipment.

So where did the gold come from? According to the United States Geological Survey, mined gold in Maryland came from the Wissahickon Formation, basically layers of 750-million-year-old schists, gneisses, metagraywackes, and metaconglomerates (for the uninitiated, these are [metamorphic] rocks that were formed from other types of rocks as the result of re-crystallization from excessive heat and pressure exerted [normally] as a by-product of continental collisions).

In these “reformed” rocks, gold tends to occur in veins, usually in quartz veins, which was injected into the various altered rocks when the quartz was still in liquid form.

Free gold (obtained by other means, such as “panning” for gold) occurs as grains, flakes, or nuggets.  Most frequently, they are encountered in rivers or streams, where they eroded out of gold veins or from mine tailings (debris from former gold mines).

Basic equipment needed for panning for gold would be a pan; it can even be plastic. Steel is not recommended because it can rust.  A small plastic see-through vial or bottle will also be needed to keep any gold or suspected gold in as one finds it. Other equipment one might need includes a shovel, pick, trowel, bucket, screen, and suction tweezers.  Panning kits are also available online, which would include almost all of the essential tools.

Next, you would need a geological map in order to locate where any metamorphic rocks are located.

For those possibly interested in searching for gold in Maryland, according to the Maryland Geological Survey (Gold in Maryland, by Karen R. Kuff, 1987), Maryland has strict property rights laws, and panning and prospecting must be done with permission from the property owner.

Collecting of rocks is prohibited on state- and federal-owned lands unless permission is obtained from the appropriate agencies.

For additional information on panning for gold, recommended is the Maryland Geological Survey website at mgs.md.gov/geology/gold_resources.html.

Ruins of Maryland’s abandoned gold mine.

Large multi-inch vein gold from Maryland mine.

The News from Sabillasville in 1915

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Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry

Here are some news items from Sabillasville from 1915. I wonder how they might be reported on social media today.

July 13, 1915

Ross Brown has completed his new barn.

Rev. M.L. Firor, who has been at the hospital for five weeks, is able to preach again.

George Small has opened a boarding house in the brick house known as the A. H Anders home.

Guy Eby, who was at the Frederick city hospital for the past ten weeks with typhoid fever, has returned home.

Rev. Firor’s son, Whitmore, goes to Frederick every Friday to take violin lessons.

Mrs. Alice Working is erecting a new dwelling. Wm. E. Bentzel is doing the carpenter work.

Children’s Day service was held in the Reformed church Sunday with a good attendance.

The Reformed church has been made new inside by painting, murescoing, and other improvements.

Amos Ferguson who has been confined to his room for the past nine weeks with typhoid fever is now out.

The wheat crop was an average one. The corn looks promising, Fruit will be in abundance throughout the valley.

Mrs. Dorothy H. Pryor’s funeral took place near Foxville. She was in her 89th year.

C. C. Pryor, who fell on the ice last Christmas day, has not fully recovered yet. He walks with crutches. His leg was injured. He is a very heavy man, weighing 300 pounds. He is not able to lie down at night but sits in a chair ever since the fall.

July 20, 1915

Mary, daughter of Samuel A. Arnsparger, went to Baltimore a few days ago to visit her sister, Nora Chenoweth. After there a day or two, she died suddenly. Her body was brought home on Monday and buried on Wednesday.

The automobile fever is running at about 110 degrees. The usual number that pass through Sabillasville on Sunday is an average of 70. Last Sunday, 81 passed through here. This travel is wearing out our macadamized road between here and Blue Ridge Summit.

Earl Eby is planning to build a dwelling on land he purchased from C.N. Stem.

Jesse Poole is under Dr. Mentzer’s hands for treatment of an injured eye.

An unusual thing with the housekeepers this summer, at which they rejoice, is the failure of the fly crop.

Josiah Wilhide, who was confined to his room the past eight months, died Monday. He was helpless all these months. Funeral in Thurmont.

The Reformed church will hold its annual picnic August 21 in Mrs. Pryor’s grove.

September 1, 1915

The enterprising men of the town are oiling the streets, which is quite an improvement. Sabillasville is an old town but it’s always up to date.

Miss Nellie Rouzer has just returned to Baltimore after spending several weeks with her sister, Mrs. D. O Harbaugh.

The farmers are complaining very much of the potato rot. One farmer lost about a thousand bushels.

Peter Harbaugh and M. Sheffer of Fairfield spent Sunday in town calling on their friends.

Joseph Smith, formerly of this place, who has been living in Oregon for the past fifty years, is on a visit here. He expects to spend several weeks in this neighborhood.

A new telegraph office was recently built here by the W.M.Ry. (Western Maryland Railway). It is in charge of three operators, each working eight hours.

Jesse Poole, who was recently graduated from the business school in Waynesboro will take charge of the commercial department in the high school at Thurmont next week.

Prospects for large porkers are good as usual.

Owing to the fire blight, the apple crop is very light across the valley.

Has Summer Heat Got Your Pet Beat?

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Well, Beat the Heat by Giving Your Furry Friend a Cool Treat!

by Mitchell Tester, College Student

With the 90-degree weather as of late, summer is finally starting to really heat up. Ice cream, pool parties, the beach, and much more, are all staples of a good summer. Although, what about the much fluffier part of our family? Taking extra steps to ensure your dog is safe this summer is vital to having them enjoy summer just as much as you do.

Unlike humans, dogs cannot sweat to cool themselves down. The only way they have to cool themselves down is to pant, as well as release heat through their paw pads and nose. Pair that with all their fur, and it means that the heat can get to them much easier than it can us. This puts dogs at a greater risk for overheating.

Humidity during these summer days is also a factor, the more humid it is, the greater the risk for overheating and, in extreme cases, heat stroke. Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that can occur in your dog very quickly if they are not cared for. Early signs of heat stroke in dogs can include: inability to move or stand, rapid panting, red or dark pink gums, and diarrhea. If you believe your dog is suffering from heat stroke, contact a vet immediately.

To avoid a situation as tragic as your furry friend getting heat stroke, certain actions can be taken to keep them safe in the heat. One very important action to be taken is to keep them well hydrated throughout the day, ensuring that they always have access to fresh, cool water. If weather conditions are above 90 degrees, it is best to keep your pet inside and only allow them to be outside for no more than 10-20 minutes at a time. If they are outside, provide them with an ample amount of shade and water. You should never leave your dog in a car during temps of 70 and above for any amount of time, no matter the circumstances. In fact, a parked car in 70-degree weather can reach 100 degrees in just 20 minutes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. It is also important to note that leaving the car with the windows open does not lower the temperature inside the car to make it safe enough for your pet; it would only provide some ventilation, which does not make it safe. It is best to leave your dog at home while you run errands or have someone in the car with the A/C blasting while your furry friend stays in the car.

What about a cool treat for your furry friend? There are many treats you can make at home to help cool your dog off in the summer heat, including freezing a mashed banana and peanut butter inside a toy Kong or chilling carrots in the freezer.

Another effective way to cool off your furry friend quickly is a paddling pool. Positioned in a shady spot, this can provide a refreshing escape for your dog. Fill the pool halfway with cold—not freezing—water, and add some toys to make it extra fun!

Providing your dog with fresh cool water at all times throughout the day, not leaving them in the car, in 90-degree weather allowing them to be out for no longer than 20 minutes at a time, and providing them always with ample amounts of shade when outside are just some of the ways you can ensure that the furry member of your family stays safe and healthy this summer season!

A Teacher is Remembered

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Submitted by Joan Bittner Fry

From the Record Herald, Waynesboro, PA, 1951, by Carol Woster 

It has long been debated whether teaching aids, learning games, films, or the preponderance of gimmicky books that flood present-day classrooms add much to the serious business of teaching.

And learning is what the late George Willis Manahan deemed it: serious business. A former pupil recently conjectured what Manahan would think if he could walk into a modern-day classroom. One got the idea he might not like some of what he saw.

The consensus of opinion seems to be that Mr. Manahan taught a well-rounded approach to subjects, offering at the same time skills that held a pupil in good stead no matter what field the student entered.

Former pupil, Paul Fry (late, of Sabillasville), says when you went to school with him, you could spell 25 words each day, about 67 new words each week. “He taught sixth and seventh grades and 13 subjects, and he rarely missed class. He believed (at minimum) everyone should be able to read and write his name, count money, and read to find out what was going on. He had discipline; he wasn’t afraid of you; the majority of students respected him and parents did too.”

Fry said Manahan was not opposed to giving a thrashing now and then, but after it was over, all was forgotten and amends were usually pretty quickly made. Citing examples from his own work interests, Fry tells how Mr. Manahan used the ‘simplest ways’ to explain the most complicated of learning areas: finding meridian distance, square roots, and logarithms. Fry says he has done a lot of surveying because of the interest Manahan showed in teaching.

Well-known play director, Alan Schneider* praises his school days under the tutelage of Manahan. “He not only gave me confidence, he impressed me with the gentility and manners of American tradition.  Schneider says he owes Manahan a ‘great debt’ for all his learning.

Concludes a former student, “To me, he was the greatest – if you made an effort, he couldn’t do enough to help you. He smiled when he thought he had done some good.”

We found Mr. Manahan’s daughter, Mrs. Florence Kipe, sitting with her husband, Oliver, on their porch, banked on either side by large lavender rhododendrons at the foot of Skunk Hollow Road. As early evening spread over the hilly landscape beyond and some of it parceled into growing corn fields, we spoke of her father and her earlier life.

She had been born the youngest of four at the picturesque farm located directly across from our view, now owned by Chester Willard. It had been a family home where they sold vegetables, chickens, and eggs to the State Tuberculosis Sanatorium up on the hill.

When asked if he had been taught by his wife’s father, Kipe said he had to go to school at Friend’s Creek. “I’m sorry I didn’t get taught by him.” Kipe, the son of a Church of God minister, was born at Smithville, Pennsylvania and ‘moved about 30 times’ in this northern Maryland area.

Mrs. Kipe said she was taught by her father. For the first three years, however, she was taught by Miss Frances Rowe of Emmitsburg. Mrs. Kipe recounted that her father was born on April 8, 1866 and was married to Virginia Miller, also of Sabillasville. Their children were Mrs. Earl Eby (Mabel), Paul Manahan, Emma Manahan, and herself.

“He started teaching when he was 19 and taught for 42 years.” All but a couple of months were spent at the former schoolhouse on Harbaugh Valley Road (now a residence next to St. John’s Parish Hall). Mrs. Kipe said her father didn’t go to college but attended summer school sessions in Baltimore.

*Alan Schneider (1917 – 1984) was an American theatre director responsible for more than 100 theater productions. In 1984 he was honored with a Drama Desk Special Award for serving a wide range of playwrights.

GEORGE WILLIS MANAHAN, 85 (1866-1951), retired teacher and surveyor of Thurmont, died last night at his home. He had earlier resided in Sabillasville, where he taught school for 42 years. He was a surveyor for 65 years.

He was a member of the Sabillasville Reformed Church. He was superintendent of the Sunday School for a number of years. He was a member of the Junior O.U.A.M. at Cascade.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia C. (Miller) Manahan, and the following children: Mrs. Earl (Mabel) Eby, Sabillasville; Miss Emma Manahan, Thurmont; Paul Manahan, Decatur, Ga.; Mrs. Oliver (Florence) Kipe, Sabillasville; 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Also one sister, Mrs. Charles Brillhart, Hagerstown.