Sunday, August 21, 2022, was the final Mass at St. Joseph Church for Vincentian Order of priests who served the parish and town for 170 years.
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The Knights of Columbus Grand Knight, Pat Joy (left), honored our Vincentians with a plaque of the names of all the pastors, assistant pastors, and assisting priests who served at St. Joseph’s from 1852 to 2022.
Pictured from left are Pat Joy, Grand Knight; Rev. Eugene F. Sheridan; Rev. William M. Allegretto, C.M. Pastor; and Rev. Harry F. Arnone, C.M., Vincentian Community Superior Chaplain to the Daughters of Charity. Courtesy Photo
Thurmont Skatepark Celebrates Its One-Year Anniversary
Thurmont Skatepark’s one-year anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, October 15, from 1:00-4:00 p.m., at the Skatepark on E. Main Street in Thurmont. This is a free community event, and there will be free Kona Ice for everyone! Come out and celebrate the Skatepark’s one year being open.
Richard D. L. Fulton
Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU) staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 9 to launch the newly expanded and renovated Knott Academic Center.
According to Donna Klinger, executive director of MSMU’s Communications Office of University Marketing & Communications, the $9.1 million project, in the making since the summer of 2019, “resulted in multiple collaborative learning spaces, new classrooms, technological upgrades, improved faculty offices, new flooring and lighting, the student-run Saxbys’ café and more.”
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Robert Brennan, vice-president for University Advancement, welcomed attendees, and introduced President Timothy Trainor, who thanked faculty, students, staff, donors, trustees, and alumni leaders for coming to celebrate the fruition of the project.
In his remarks, Klinger reported, Trainor emphasized the collaborations that the improved building encourages, noting, “These collaborative learning spaces are where, what I like to call intellectual collisions. – happen during informal interactions between students, and between students and faculty.”
“Meaningful mentoring also occurs, helping students on their path to leading lives of significance in service to God and others,” the university president said, adding that the center’s completion was a “successful milestone in the university’s commitment to improve the learning and living environment for students, faculty and staff.”
Trainor also mentioned other recent and future projects, including the new Frederick Health Emmitsburg healthcare center on campus, and the upcoming Coad Science Building expansion and renovation project, which will begin in Spring 2023.
The president also acknowledged the donors who helped make the improved Knott Academic Center possible, including the Bolte Family Foundation (named in honor of Richard J. Bolte, Sr. in 2011), whose foundational donation funded improvements to the business school facilities, as well as Raphael, Class of 1992, and Charlene Della Ratta, whom Trainor said, “gave generously in support of the College of Liberal Arts spaces,” Dr. John F. Donovan for supporting the Seminar Room, and Robert, Class of 1975, and MBA 1986, and Susan Bream both of whom funded the Robert & Susan Bream Academic Commons.
Trainor also thanked contributing staff members and contractors for their hard work and dedication. A state grant and other gifts also supported the project.
Klinger stated that Frank Bolte, Class of 1987, representing himself and his six brothers, all of whom are alumni, and Bream “gave brief, but impactful reflections on the role the Mount has played in their lives.” Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Barbara Marinak, dean of the School of Education, who praised the Knott Academic Center as a “space that redefines collaboration and engagement in higher education.”
Msgr. McLean Cummings, director of spiritual formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, gave a blessing for the Knott Academic Center. Trainor, Bream, Della Ratta, Bolte and Provost Boyd Creasman, Ph.D., came forward together to cut the ceremonial ribbon as the crowd clapped and cheered.
The ceremony concluded, with student- and faculty-led tours of the facility, with stops at the John F. Donovan, Ph.D. Seminar Room; a typical classroom with enhanced technological capabilities; Palmieri Center for Entrepreneurship; Saxbys’ student-run café; Honors Program suite; and Robert & Susan Bream Academic Commons.
Maryann Marotta of Marotta/Main Architects designed the 12,500 square-foot addition and the renovations to the original 49,074 square-foot building, and Morgan-Keller Construction served as the general contractor. Morgan-Keller President and CEO Bradley Guyton is an alumnus, earning both a Bachelor of Science in business and finance and an M.B.A. from the university, Klinger reported.
One of the recently completed assets to the Knott Academic Center included a Saxbys’ sponsored café, which is being managed by Mount students and staff, as part of Saxby’s
“Experiential Learning Platform (E.L.P.),” through which, the company states, “… young people are proving that they have what it takes to mold the business movement of the future. We call these our entrepreneurial proving grounds,” the company stated.
Ribbon-cutting (from left): Boyd Creasman, Frank Bolte, Tim Trainor, Raphael Della Ratta, and Robert Bream.
Terry Pryor
Did you know that gasoline was initially discarded as serving no purpose? Edwin Drake dug the first crude oil well in Pennsylvania in 1859 and distilled the oil to produce kerosene for lighting. Although other petroleum products, including gasoline, were also produced in the distillation process, Drake had no use for the gasoline so he discarded it. It wasn’t until 1892, with the invention of the automobile, that gasoline was recognized as a valuable fuel. By 1920, nine million vehicles powered by gasoline were on the road, and service stations selling gasoline were opening around the country. That included Thurmont’s, which is now known as, Direct to You.
(Throughout the 1920s, gas prices averaged 21 to 30 cents per gallon.)
The earliest image I rounded up of Direct to You, thanks to John Kinnaird and David Q. Fisher, is from when the Kifer family owned the garage. Not surprising, it was called Kifer’s, and at this time, the main building was the only structure. The service bays had not yet been built.
The exterior of the main building remains almost unchanged since 1940. It is unclear if the garage was established by Kifer or Hahn & Baker. At some point, it belonged to Hahn & Baker. Mr. Baker lived across the street in the two-story house at the corner of N. Altamont and N. Church Street. Baker also ran a furniture repair shop in the structure behind his house.
(Gas prices during the 1940s averaged 18 to 29 cents per gallon.)
Vernon Myers ran the station for several years before building his own garage. The Langdon family from Westminster took over after Vernon Myers. James Langdon, Sr., (called Joe) owned a garage in Westminster, which is still there and owned by the family. Joe traveled all over the state, delivering minerals to farmers, and spotted the Thurmont property for sale. He purchased the property in 1957. Almost immediately, the old tanks had to be dug up and replaced.
(Gas prices during the 1950s averaged 27 to 30 cents per gallon.)
My interview with “Joe” Langdon’s son, Jim, took place at his Westminster station. As we sat in two very old, saggy, but comfortable chairs, time stood still as he spun the stories of his father’s life. The Westminster location has quite a tank of its own history.
The name, Direct to You, was thought up by Joe and his wife, Ina. For years, Ina took care of the books. She had taught accounting and typing, and together they created quite a nice business life for their family.
Early in the 1960s, the IRS came around and wanted to see all of their receipts for the stations. Years of these slips of paper were stored in boxes in the Langdon’s attic. On one of the many up and down stairway trips, Ina asked one of the agents why they didn’t want to see the books instead of all this paper? “Books?” he replied? “You have books?”
“We certainly do,” she exclaimed. In fact, there were two sets, one of which the IRS left with. That was the last time the IRS made a call.
(Gas prices in the 1960s averaged 31 to 34 cents per gallon.)
There are other stories associated with this little spot in town where “the boys” serve you up your gas while you wait in your car. If you need to know something, they know about it at Direct to You. Vetting any of that information is up to you, however.
Truth is, you don’t find this kind of service anymore. In fact, it was in 1947 that a man named Frank Urich opened the first modern self-serve gas station at the corner of Jilson and Atlantic in Los Angeles, California. His slogan? “Save 5 cents, serve yourself, why pay more?”
It wouldn’t be until the 1970s that two periods of gasoline shortages (1973 and 1979) caused higher fuel prices, which in turn, resulted in the permanent closure of many full-service gas stations, as consumers looked for pricing relief.
(Gas prices nearly doubled in the 1970s).
My burning question was how they keep the gas prices so low. Besides being an independent, James (aka Joe) Langdon, Sr. would call daily to check on all the suppliers pricing. Luck and timing are a big part of what you pay, and he seemed to have a knack for ordering on the low end. That practice is still followed today.
At this writing, gas prices in Thurmont are $3.85 to $4.19. Don’t blink, that will change.
Photo was taken around the late 1950s when James (Joe) Langdon, Sr. purchased the station.
James Langdon, Jr., still pumps gas at his Westminster location.
Blair garrett
Dirty Dawg DIY Dog Wash had its grand opening this August, with owners Becky and Tim Clarke cutting the ribbon before prominent town officials and excited community members.
Customers got their first peek into the doggie spa, where there are dog treats, toys, pet-themed mats, and so much more. There are even non-alcoholic doggie beers in flavors your pooch is sure to love.
Dirty Dawg’s first day open was a shocking turnout, and certainly more than owner Becky Clarke was expecting. “I want to thank everyone for the huge success we had today at the grand opening,” Clarke said. “We had an overwhelming amount of people here and just a ton of support from everybody in the community.”
The shop’s biggest attraction is the state-of-the-art doggie showers, equipped with all the tools and shampoos you need to have yourself one happy pup.
A DIY style shop definitely has its advantages over cleaning up the dogs in your tub at home and getting to spend time taking care of your pet provides quality bonding time you might not have otherwise.
“If your dog is one of the nervous types with a groomer, or you’ve got to make your schedule work with a groomer, it can be a lot to combine,” Clarke said. “Here, you can bring your dog in where they’re more comfortable with you doing their baths. It’s like a spa day for them.”
Dirty Dawg’s tubs are designed to handle the 50 pounds of golden retriever fluff washing down the drain from your favorite furry friend, so if you don’t have the time or the money to shell out to your local plumber, consider Dirty Dawg as a fun alternative. “The best part is we clean up the mess,” Clarke said.
The Clarke family got their inspiration to enter in the dog-washing business from an offhand thought that blossomed into what it is today. “We’ve used dog washes up and down the coast, and we realized there’s nothing here close to home comparable to what they have out there, so it was my idea and I just said, ‘I want one of these,’ so we looked into it.”
Complementing their puppy showers, the team has a line of gourmet dog treats that rivals human desserts, and they’re sure to have the dogs howling for more.
“We have a lot of stuff that you’re not going to find at your typical box stores, so once you check us out, I think you’ll find a lot of unique and fun things here,” Clarke said.
The Dirty Dawg is open Wednesday through Sunday in the Thurmont Plaza on North Church Street in Thurmont.
Thurmont’s newest do-It-yourself pet spa has locals testing out the waters in the dog wash.
The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg:
Emmit Ridge 2 — The property has sold to an investor. RJD Development and Ryan Homes are working with the investor to purchase it. Wetlands have been found that compromise eight of the proposed lots and part of the proposed Irishtown Drive. Wetland mitigation will need to be approved by the State of Maryland. Forty-eight lots have been proposed.
Federal Stone — The forest and site plans have been approved. The next step is to submit an improvement plat with the town.
Frailey Farm — The property is under contract. The Emmitsburg town planner met with a potential developer on June 30.
Mason Dixon Logistics Park (Trout Property) — The concept plan has been submitted to staff for a commercial/industrial park.
MDOT/SHA Park & Ride — MDOT/SHA restarted design work on July 1. It is expected that 30 percent of the project will be complete by the end of 2022.
Ripleigh’s Creamery — The owners are working on obtaining a Frederick County building permit.
Rutter’s — The project is under active construction. It is expected to be completed later this year.
Village Liquors & Plaza Inn — The owners are working with Frederick County on erosion and sediment control and stormwater management permits. Also, they are working on conditions for approval on the town site and improvement plans.
Warthen’s Court 5-unit townhomes — A sketch plan has been submitted.
Saxbys to Open Student-run Eatery
Richard D. L. Fulton
Photos Courtesy of MSMU
Saxbys (also known as Saxbys Coffee) is preparing to open a student-run and staffed eatery in partnership with Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU), a café which is expected to be operational with the commencement of the Fall 2022 semester.
The café, which will open in the University’s recently remodeled Knott Academic Center, is being established as a part of Saxbys “Experiential Learning Platform (E.L.P.),” through which, the company states, “… young people are proving that they have what it takes to mold the business movement of the future. We call these our entrepreneurial proving grounds”
Saxbys’ café will also provide students with the opportunity to earn an income and enable them to put into practice what they are learning in business-related classes via the management of the eatery.
The student-run, staffed eatery will be the first Saxbys’ E.L.P. café launched by the Philadelphia-based Certified B corporation and coffee company in a private institution in Maryland.
Mount St. Mary’s President Timothy Trainor said, “The Saxbys partnership will enable students to put what they learn in classrooms into practice, honing their business, entrepreneurial, and team-building skills,” adding, “This experiential learning opportunity will complement existing leadership development programs on campus and our robust internship program to help ensure that students are well set up for life after graduation.”
Saxbys also announced that Chloe Knill (MSMU’s Class of 2023; pictured right) has become the first student café executive officer CEO for the new student-managed and staffed café. Knill, of Fairfield, will be working alongside Saxbys’ executives and will manage the operations of the campus café.
According to MSMU, Knill, currently finishing her junior year, is majoring in business, with a concentration in management. “As soon as she heard about the Saxbys SCEO opportunity during a presentation in her supply chain and operations management class, she immediately decided to apply,” the Mount stated, adding, “After multiple interviews, including one with Saxbys CEO Nick Bayer and several executive board members of the company, she learned that she had been chosen for the position.”
Knill stated, in an article written by Katherine Stohlman, writer and editor, Office of University Marketing & Communications, “I have never seen anything like this on a college campus,” adding, “I did have some prior leadership experience as SGA president [at the community college from which she transferred] … but the chance to helm an on-campus eatery as a student is one that’s hard to match.”
As SCEO, Knill will work directly with the Saxbys’ board and receive mentorship from Christina Green, an assistant professor in the Richard J. Bolte, Sr. School of Business. According to the Mount, in her six-month tenure as SCEO, Knill will be trained in the Saxbys’ “three pillars of team development, community leadership, and financial management.”
Stohlman reported, “She’ll guide her staff of fellow students, not only in the day-to-day operations of the café, but also in creating a fun and relaxing environment for Mounties,” … and looks forward to ensuring that the café becomes “the place to be for the students.” Krill emphasized the value of Saxbys, not just to business students, but to the wider campus community, and “will help make the Academic Center a place for gathering and connecting—and not simply for classes.”
The Knott Academic Center is currently undergoing an expansion and renovation that will bring technologically advanced collaborative spaces and a Bloomberg Classroom Laboratory, as well as more classrooms and faculty offices, according to the Mount. In this prime location, “the café will be a busy cornerstone of campus life, providing the student leaders with a dynamic business that presents real-world challenges and opportunities.”
For more information on Saxbys’ Experiential Learning Platform, visit the company’s website at saxbyscoffee.com.
blair garrett
Waynesboro is quickly becoming a destination town. With each new restaurant and attraction that enriches the area, more and more people are headed above the Mason Dixon Line to check out what’s on tap. Waynesboro’s newest gig in town is the Michaux Brewing Company (Michaux Brew Co.), a family-owned and operated establishment fresh off its grand opening in July.
Owners Dane and Lauren Murray found its perfect location in the former Rolling Mill Restaurant, just off Buchanan Trail. They’ve revamped the building to achieve the perfect aesthetics for a brewing company.
The exposed logs make diners feel like they’re in a warm cabin, and the atmosphere is lively and bustling with activity.
Michaux Brew Co. features a variety of beers, with lagers, IPAs, and sours frequenting the rotation of drafts on tap. While the beers are great, there’s a whole lot to look forward to when visiting Michaux Brew Co. for the first time.
“This is Waynesboro’s fourth craft brewery/distillery, which is great,” Dane said. “We’re seeing traffic from outside the area, and now that there are four venues, people can kind of make a day or a weekend out of it.”
The proximity that each of the new watering holes shares is a huge boon for a growing town. While one new restaurant may pique the interest of the town’s bar scene, four in just a few short years is sure to pull people from out of town, which is nothing short of great for business.
If the beer and the food aren’t enough to entice locals, Michaux Brew Co.’s frequent patio-side live music should do the trick.
With just a few months of operation under their belt, the excitement of turning a longtime hobby into a thriving business is fresh. “I started home brewing over 10 years ago,” Murray said. “I was messing around with some brewing kits that my wife had bought me, and as I drank more craft beer, I wanted to try to make some styles of my own. I have way too many hobbies, so I threw brewing in the mix, and it got serious from there.”
The craft beer industry has caught fire over the past decade, and the Murrays have been ahead of the curve in experimenting and creating great beers they’re confident people will love. Variety is key, and the team has got patrons covered there.
“Sours are really popular, and we’ve already seen they’re tough to keep on draft because they sell so quickly,” he said. “IPAs are what drew me into craft beer, so we go through a good many of those.”
Part of what makes microbreweries so great is the small-batch style that allows for companies to churn out plenty of different beers over the course of the year. That’s especially important as the weather changes.
“I like to create with the seasons, so we’ll do darker beers in the colder months, bump up the ABV (alcohol by volume), and we’ll keep it lighter in the summertime,” Murray said.
Despite the whirlwind of coordinating all of the chaos that comes with opening a new business, the Murrays have still found time to put themselves out there at nearby brew fests and events, offering great beer to great people.
“We were just up in Chambersburg for their Sip and Stroll, but we’ve been held up getting our licenses and production up for a bit,” Murray said. “We’ve done a few events to get our name out there, but we’re definitely looking to do more.” Their outreach is working wonders, pulling people as far as Baltimore, Northern Virginia, and Western Pennsylvania on the weekends, while still maintaining their regular local crowd throughout the week.
One of the most humbling things about bringing in a fresh, new place to an old town is the history behind the location. Customers who have remained in the area for years often reminisce about what used to occupy the space Michaux Brewing now owns.
“We’re glad that we could get a building that has the history that this one does,” Murray said. “It wasn’t easy tearing into an old building, but people have memories and stories in here, so it’s exciting to hear what they remember about this place and to give it new life.”
Michaux Brewing now sits where the Rolling Mill Restaurant, Chestnut Logs Restaurant, and the Varsity Room once were, but you can be sure people will be making plenty of vibrant memories in the years to come. Check them out on Buchanan Trail in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
James Rada, Jr.
The Seton Center has been part of Northern Frederick County since 1969. Over those 53 years it has helped thousands of people, yet most people in the area don’t realize what the center does for the community.
“Most people think of the Seton Center as a store,” said Vickie Grinder, a Seton Center board member. “Some people still think of it as a day care center.”
However, the center offers a variety of services, such as financial assistance with rent, a GED program, dental care, and referrals to other programs.
“We’re here to help you because that’s part of what we do,” said Sister Martha Beaudoin, the Seton Center Director.
The staff and volunteers at the center have recently undertaken an effort to let the communities in Northern Frederick County know about the services available and that the center is much more than just a store. They have been speaking to groups and organizations throughout the area to find those people who are living at or below the poverty level and need help.
About half of the center’s clients come from Emmitsburg, while 45 percent are from Thurmont, and the remaining 5 percent come from other north county communities.
The largest need recently has been for housing. “We get a lot of requests for help with rent and housing,” Beaudoin said. “It’s hard to find anyone who will rent at a reasonable rate.”
Some of the center’s programs include:
• Build Your Resources: Monthly resource workshops for anyone, regardless of income level.
• Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World: A small-group program lasting 16-20 weeks to help people impacted by poverty to build their resources.
• Staying Ahead Program: For Getting Ahead graduates to continue meeting monthly and building on what they learned.
• DePaul Dental Program: Eligible clients can get reduced-cost dental care from area dentists and oral surgeons.
• Holiday Helping Hands: The Seton Center helps about 250 families each year celebrate the holidays by providing gift cards to local grocery stores and helping the families plan their meals. The center also distributes toy and gift cards to children and teens.
• Seton Center Family Store: Find gently used items at bargain prices and help support the Seton Center programs.
• Workforce Development: A program to help match job seekers learn the skills needed to find and keep a job.
The center started a GED program in July that will run twice a week until the attendees take their GED test. They also offer COVID tests through the Frederick County Health Department.
Each year, the center helps hundreds of families through its programs; however, it wants to do more, which is why it has focused on outreach this year. Beyond the direct programs the center offers, the Seton Center can also make referrals to many other programs.
“We can’t apply for a person, but we can help,” Beaudoin said. “A lot of people don’t know they are eligible for certain programs.”
The center’s goal is to do more for the community than simply provide financial assistance and to do it for more people.
“We are trying to find those in need who don’t know the programs are there,” said Grinder.
For more information, visit the Seton Center’s website at setoncenter.org.
Richard D. L. Fulton
A new $4 million healthcare facility being sited on Old Emmitsburg Road is the result of a partnership established between Frederick Health and Mount St. Mary’s University. The facility is expected to open in mid-August.
Donald Schilling, vice president of Ambulatory Services, Frederick Health, said the new facility will provide primary care offices, urgent care offices, laboratory services, imaging (x-ray) services, as well as physical therapy and sports rehabilitation. “It will be staffed by a talented team of nearly 25 Frederick Health providers, nurses, and specialists, who are experts in their respective fields,” he stated.
Frederick Health and Mount staff held a ground-breaking ceremony on October 15, 2021, marking the beginning of the construction of the joint project. The facility is sited on what had been a vacant lot located across from the Mount’s Public Safety office and was donated to Frederick Health by the university to use as the location for the new facility.
The healthcare center has been described as a “cutting edge” medical center, offering “award-winning local care to residents of the area, staff, and students,” according to the Mount’s communications staff.
This facility, to be operated by Frederick Health, was to have opened its doors in June but will open in mid-August instead. Vice President Schilling said the delay was due to issues with the national supply chain, adding, “While we were able to successfully navigate through these challenges, it did result in our opening being temporarily pushed back.”
“The good news,” Schilling said, “is that this facility will be open and ready to treat patients… just in time for the Mount’s upcoming academic school year.”
Mount St. Mary’s first entered into a “strategic healthcare partnership” with Frederick Health in 2018, paving the way for the expansion and improvement of health and wellness services for students and student-athletes. Mount President Timothy Trainor said, “We have been very pleased with our partnership, which became even stronger during the pandemic and was a major factor in our ability to have students living and learning on campus.”
Trainor further stated, “As part of our commitment to our students’ and the local community’s health and well-being, the partnership has evolved to further improve services to our students and help bring needed healthcare services to Northern Frederick County through this healthcare facility.”
Focusing on prevention, treatment, and the overall wellness of the community, the facility will provide a wide range of healthcare services. The development and construction of this facility will continue to improve access to quality award-winning care in the northern area of Frederick County, Mount communications staff stated in an October 6, 2021, press release issued in conjunction with the October groundbreaking.
Thomas Kleinhanzl, president and chief executive officer of Frederick Health, previously stated, “The construction of the new Emmitsburg facility is yet another way of increasing access to the award-winning care provided by Frederick Health. These kinds of improvements help our neighbors and community grow healthier together.”
“Frederick Health is thrilled to be able to bring our award-winning services to the northern part of Frederick County. This facility is part of our ongoing commitment to increase access to healthcare services to all residents,” Vice President Schilling told The Catoctin Banner.
Schilling stated that Frederick Health provides “comprehensive healthcare services to the residents of Frederick County,” noting that the system includes Frederick Health Hospital, Frederick Health Medical Group, Frederick Health Employer Solutions, Frederick Health Home Care, and Frederick Health Hospice.
Frederick Health Medical Group is a multi-specialty practice with more than 100 providers, 17 specialties, and multiple locations across the county. The system has several ambulatory care locations, the free-standing James M. Stockman Cancer Institute, two urgent care locations, and the Frederick Health Village.
“With over 4,500 team members, Frederick Health provides a full spectrum of healthcare and wellness services to support its mission to positively impact the well-being of every individual in our community,” Schilling added.
The new healthcare center will be the 23rd facility within Frederick Health’s expanding network.
A new $4 million healthcare facility on Old Emmitsburg Road is nearing completion, with an expected opening date of mid-August.
Photos by Richard D. L. Fulton
Blair Garrett
Keymar Outdoors, Frederick County’s newest hunting, fishing, and outdoor supply specialty shop, has officially opened its doors.
Outdoorsmen in the Northern Frederick County area can rejoice now that they have a new hub in Keymar, housing everything from fishing rods to deer feed, and much, much more.
Those of us who have stopped by Keymar Outdoors’ former location, Craig’s Mower and Marine, will see a familiar face among the walls of boating supplies and lawn care accessories.
Craig Eichelberger, owner and operator of Keymar Outdoors, has changed things around a bit. Eichelberger’s new shop has a new look and offers plenty of equipment to keep your mowers running and the fish biting. He now sells ammo and gun accessories, too, and plans to expand his hunting section even further.
“I applied for my Federal Firearms License (FFL) back in March, so I’m waiting on that to come through now,” Eichelberger said. “Once that comes through, we’ll be adding guns and stuff into the mix.”
While the store does offer much of the gear that hunters need, Eichelberger believes adding the guns to the store will take his business to the next level.
“Right now, we do everything hunting except for the guns,” he said. “In this area, there are a lot of hunters and a lot of farmers, so I think once the FFL comes in, it’ll be a really good thing once we get everything up and running.”
Despite the shop just opening its doors back in April, Eichelberger and company have been building this business for a long, long time.
“I originally started just doing mower repair. I worked part-time just down the road around 1990, and I decided to go into it full-time in ‘92,” Eichelberger said.
An unlikely call led to an opportunity that allowed his business to expand, and he ran with it.
“Fort Ritchie got me into the boating side,” he said. “They called me when they were open as a military base, and they asked if I’d be interested in servicing some of their equipment.”
As he worked on some of their outdoor motors, locals began to take notice, and a new branch of his business was born.
“People would come in and see we had a boat motor sitting there, and they’d ask if we’d work on those,” Eichelberger said. “We really didn’t, but we’d take a look at it, and then we added that in for quite a few years.”
Keymar Outdoors no longer does the boating repairs it did at its previous location, but Eichelberger and his team have still got you covered on your boating needs.
“We added hunting, fishing, and crabbing supplies, and that’s been a real hit, but we still sell all the boating parts and the accessories.”
While he now has a well-rounded outdoors store, he may be best known for his help fixing up faulty mowers. There’s a level of dependability leaving your engine repairs to a technician with the amount of experience that Eichelberger has.
Eichelberger has been fixing things for the better part of three decades. Before he got his start in his own business, he worked as a mechanic for a small plumbing company in Germantown, repairing generators and small engines. It was the first sign of foreshadowing for a business opportunity from which he would eventually be able to create a career.
Fortunately, Eichelberger’s willingness to adapt to his consumers’ needs has historically opened up avenues for business that have kept him successfully in this line of work for 30 years.
“I still have a lot of my normal customers, but we’ve picked up a lot of new people here, too, even if it’s just to stop by and see what we have in stock.”
If you’re someone who likes to spend your time out on the water or out in the woods, or needs lawn or garden equipment, stop by Keymar Outdoors and they just might have exactly what you’re looking for.
Keymar Outdoors is located at 1067B Francis Scott Key Hwy in Keymar. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.; and closed on Sundays. Call 301-271-2196 or view the advertisement on page 26 for more information.
Owner Craig Eichelberger mans the front of the store, offering patrons friendly advice on outdoor supplies.
Photo by Blair Garrett
The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg:
• Brookfield cul-de-sac — The sketch plan is submitted, and the town is waiting for development plans for 10 single-family dwellings.
• Christ’s Community Church — A concept plan has been submitted to build a 12,500 sq. ft. church with 98 parking spaces on Creamery Road near Quality Tire.
• Emmit Ridge 2 — The property has sold to an investor. RJD Development and Ryan Homes are working with the investor to purchase it. Wetlands have been found that compromise eight of the proposed lots and part of the proposed Irishtown Drive. Wetland mitigation will need to be approved by the State of Maryland. Forty-eight lots have been proposed.
• Federal Stone — The groundbreaking has been scheduled for 2023.
• Frailey Farm — The property is for sale. The Emmitsburg town planner met with a potential developer in May.
• Mason Dixon Logistics Park (Trout Property) — The concept plan has been submitted to staff for a commercial/industrial park.
• MDOT/SHA Park & Ride — The design is 15 percent complete. The project is on hold due to state budget cuts resulting from COVID-19. Staff is working with legislators to push the project forward.
• Ripleigh’s Creamery — Owners are working on a Fred. Co. building permit.
• Rutter’s — The project is under active construction. It is expected to be completed later this summer.
• Village Liquors & Plaza Inn — The owners are working with Frederick County on erosion and sediment control and stormwater management permits. Also, they are working on conditions for approval on the town site and improvement plans.
• Warthen’s Court 5-unit townhomes — A sketch plan has been submitted. The developer is preparing the required engineered plans for the Emmitsburg Planning Commission submittal.
The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg:
Brookfield cul-de-sac — The sketch plan has been submitted, and the town is waiting for development plans for 10 single-family dwellings.
Christ’s Community Church — A concept plan has been submitted to build a 12,500-square-foot church, with 98 parking spaces on Creamery Road near Quality Tire.
Emmit Ridge 2 — The property has been sold to an investor. RJD Development and Ryan Homes are working with the investor to purchase it. Wetlands have been found that compromise eight of the proposed lots and part of the proposed Irishtown Drive. Wetland mitigation will need to be approved by the State of Maryland. Forty-eight lots have been proposed.
Federal Stone — The final subdivision plat, the forest conservation plan, and the site plan have been submitted for combined lots 7 and 8.
Frailey Farm — The property is for sale. A potential developer has reached out to the town for a meeting.
Mason Dixon Logistics Park (Trout Property) — The concept plan has been submitted to staff.
MDOT/SHA Park & Ride — The design is 15 percent complete. The project is on hold due to state budget cuts resulting from COVID-19. Staff is working with legislators to push the project forward.
Ripleigh’s Creamery — The owners are working on obtaining a Frederick County building permit.
Rutter’s — The project is under active construction. It is expected to be completed later this summer.
Village Liquors & Plaza Inn — The owners are working with Frederick County on erosion and sediment control and stormwater management permits. Also, they are working on conditions for approval on the town site and improvement plans.
Warthen’s Court 5-unit townhomes — A sketch plan has been submitted. The developer is preparing the required engineered plans for the Emmitsburg Planning Commission submittal.
Ripleigh’s Creamery dares to think differently about ice cream. The creamery is inspired and owned by 15-year-old Ripleigh Maring (pictured right), a rising sophomore at Delone Catholic High School and a member of the school’s volleyball team. You can find Ripleigh creating new flavors in the kitchen and whipping up some awesome shakes and other treats at one of the two Ripleigh’s Creamery locations!
The first location in Emmitsburg was launched when Ripleigh was 14 years old, and she has just completed the successful grand opening of her second location in McSherrystown, Pennsylvania.
Ripleigh’s love of traveling has been a huge inspiration for her creative thinking. Visiting 12 countries and 42 states, she has seen and tasted some of the craziest treats in the world. From this exposure, she noticed that ice cream seemed to be a universal happiness. So, with the help of her parents, she decided that she would open her own ice cream shop. If you know Ripleigh, you know she is anything but boring so the ice cream needed to match her vibrance! She’s developed some pretty interesting flavors, too. Spicy Pineapple Avocado, Maple Bacon Caramel, Mango Siracha, and Green Bean Casserole (seasonal) are just a few of the wild creations!
Ripleigh feels that being a locally sourced company is also a top priority, so Ripleigh’s is a proud partner with a local family-owned dairy farm from East Berlin, Pennsylvania, providing the freshest dairy available. Ripleigh’s is also a peanut-allergy-conscious company, having protocols to prevent cross-contamination for customers with nut allergies, based on her childhood friends growing up with peanut allergies.
In Pennsylvania, Ripleigh’s Creamery can be found at 2 South 6th Street, McSherrystown, open daily from 12:00-9:00 p.m., offering homemade small-batch ice cream, along with Cookie Dough, Italian Ice, Freak Shakes, and Pop-It Waffles. For more information, visit www.ripleighs.com or www.facebook.com/ripleighs
On June 21, the Carriage House celebrated big renovations to one of Emmitsburg’s landmark restaurants with a grand re-opening and ribbon-cutting. Many friends of the beloved restaurant attended, including Emmitsburg Commissioner Tim O’Donnell.
Beginning construction in August of 2021 for the patio addition, and then the interior renovations in February 2022, Sharon Hance and her team have worked diligently through renovations to keep up with the demand for dining in, as well as catering. “I love how the new renovation kept the charm of the old 1857 building and just added new energy,” Manager Kristy Shriner said.
These updates included a spacious outdoor patio with ample seating, a brand-new bar to enjoy a beverage or a meal, and a fresh modern look to the classic dining space.
If you’re in the mood for a decadent meal or a nice casual dining experience, be sure to stop in or follow them on Facebook to see upcoming dining events, one-of-a-kind $10.00 burger specials on Wednesdays, and so much more!
Pictured from left are Commissioner Tim O’Donnell, Kristy Shriner, Sharon Hance, Teresa Vaugh, and Chef Tennille Middleton.
New grants are available for businesses to make energy-efficient retrofits and save money. Frederick County is offering supplemental grants, up to $5,000 for LED lighting upgrades and up to $10,000 for deeper retrofits to HVAC and commercial refrigeration systems. These funds will cover the customer co-pay for incentives offered by Potomac Edison. By combining funds, businesses may make improvements at no cost as long as funding is available.
There are two eligible Potomac Edison programs. First, the Small Business Direct Install provides a turnkey solution, choosing the best products for an upgrade, managing the installation process, and providing enhanced warranty support. Potomac Edison provides incentives covering up to 80 percent of installed energy saving measure costs.
Second, Building Tune-up (BT) offers incentives to offset the upfront costs for energy efficiency improvements in existing commercial buildings through HVAC, refrigeration, lighting, and food service measures. These incentives support more comprehensive improvements.
The programs are available for most non-residential facility types, including commercial, institutional, and industrial customers. To qualify, participating projects must be in Potomac Edison’s Maryland service territory.
Willdan Energy Solutions is implementing the Potomac Edison programs in partnership with Frederick County.
For more information, contact Willdan: [email protected] or call 800-880-3808.
Frederick Health, the largest healthcare provider in Frederick County, recently marked the 120th anniversary of its founding on May 1, 1902. Frederick Health—then known as Frederick City Hospital—was founded by Emma Smith, a local Frederick resident who had a deep commitment to her community.
Smith spent most of her life working on behalf of the residents of Frederick, and her legacy continues to live on in the care provided by the organization that she helped to found. “Our community is so incredibly blessed to have this organization,” said Tom Kleinhanzl, president & CEO of Frederick Health. “Ms. Smith, our founder, had a saying: ‘Care for the sick, comfort the injured, and provide peace of mind,’ and we’ve certainly done that incredibly well for 120 years.” From its humble beginnings as a single hospital with a dozen beds, Frederick Health has grown to a network of facilities, offering state-of-the-art, award-winning healthcare. Recently, Frederick Health Hospital was named one of the Top 100 Hospitals in the Nation by Healthgrades America.“Our hospital now has nearly 300 beds, and our expansive network contains 22 facilities, with nearly 4,500 team members. Emma Smith could have never dreamed that we would have grown in such a way,” added Kleinhanzl.
Throughout the month of May, Frederick Health marked the anniversary with special announcements and ceremonies. The system continues to grow and will be opening its new Critical Care Expansion at the hospital later this summer, as well as its 23rd facility in Emmitsburg.
“Together, we row this boat that cares for this community. We’ve been caring for you, our friends, family, and neighbors for 120 years, ”continued Kleinhanzl. “We’re going strong and we will continue to be here for this community.” For more information, please visit www.frederickhealth.org/120.
Deb Abraham Spalding
Adam Trawick of Sabillasville jumped at the opportunity to move from the New Market Dynamic Automotive location, where he worked as an auto technician, to become the manager at the new Dynamic Automotive location on Creamery Way (formerly His Place) in Emmitsburg.
Trawick has been working on cars “since he could hold a wrench.” As a teenager, he built his first car behind his dad’s shed, so he had something to drive, a gray 1979 Mustang.
To gain auto repair experience, he worked at various auto shops in Frederick while in high school. Then, he attended Lincoln Tech to earn his certificate in auto repair. Today, he’s a master certified ASE technician with a Maryland State Inspection license. Transmissions, brakes, and more, Trawick prides himself on being a pretty good diagnostic technician. He said, “I like a problem. I like to see if I can fix it.”
Trawick is joined by Gwen Delauter, Jesse Johnson, Dennis Smith, and Brady McKenzie (student) to provide any, and all, general auto repair, to include anything from tire repairs to engine replacements and advanced diagnostics.
“The community is awesome. I’ve gotten to know the businesses and I’m a fan. The community and first responders are important, and we support them,” said Trawick.
There are five locations of Dynamic Automotive: New Market, Urbana, Libertytown, Emmitsburg, and Frederick.
Dynamic Automotive has earned Frederick Magazine “Best of Frederick” designations for several years.
Dynamic’s hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Customers can schedule service online at www.dynamicautomotive.net/emmitsburg/or by calling 301-447-2800. Night drop is available.
Pictured are Jesse Johnson, Gwen Delauter, and Adam Trawick of Dynamic Automotive in Emmitsburg.
Dr. Richard Love has been an integral part of the Catoctin community, taking care of generations of dental patients over the last 39 years. While not quite ready to hang up his coat and retire, Dr. Love has passed the torch of ownership of one of Thurmont’s oldest dental practices to Dr. Neil Feldman.
Dr. Feldman and Dr. Love met in early 2020 at a Frederick County Dental Society meeting. Dr. Feldman had been living in Baltimore, while practicing in Harford County for several years. He and his wife were looking forward to moving to Frederick County to be closer to their families and start a practice of their own. Dr. Feldman asked Dr. Love about his office and, over the next several months, learned more about Thurmont and the history of the office.
Dr. Love began practicing dentistry in Glen Burnie before returning to his hometown of Thurmont in 1983 and purchasing the practice at 10 Water Street from Dr. John Doll. In January 2021, Dr. Feldman continued the tradition and became the latest owner. Now, Dr. Feldman and his predecessor Dr. Love work together at Catoctin Dental to treat their patients and serve our community. Working alongside Dr. Love not only helped Dr. Feldman learn more about his new patients, office, and surroundings, it helped him ease into another important role. Just one month after joining the Thurmont community, Dr. Feldman became a father, as his wife, Halley, gave birth to their twins, Clark and Julie, at Frederick Health Hospital. “It all happened at the same time!” Dr. Feldman laughed, while adding, “I was so lucky to have Dr. Love and my new staff there to keep things running smoothly.” The twins are now over a year old and love showing off their new smiles as more and more teeth come in. You can be sure that they’re learning proper dental hygiene early in life.
Though from different generations, Dr. Feldman and Dr. Love have a lot in common. Both are Maryland natives and graduates of small local colleges. Dr. Love attended Catoctin High School and Western Maryland College (renamed McDaniel College) in Westminster, while Dr. Feldman is a Westminster High School and St. Mary’s College of Maryland alum. Both are graduates of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in Baltimore, the world’s oldest dental school. Both also strongly believe in the importance of staying current on the latest dental procedures. Dr. Love and Dr. Feldman have both attained Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry, a recognition requiring over 500 hours of continuing education and a rigorous certification exam.
The two professionals have a solid relationship in which they share many core values and philosophies relating to dentistry and patient care. Together, their knowledge serves to further expand the variety of services offered at Catoctin Dental. Dr. Feldman said, “There are some things that I do that Dr. Love used to refer out, and I look forward to learning even more from his years of experience.” Catoctin Dental offers something for all ages and levels of care, including routine preventive exams and cleanings, emergency appointments, extractions, implants, Invisalign, root canals, dentures, and all other aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry.
“I want to thank the community for being so welcoming to me and my family,” Dr. Feldman said with a smile. “Thurmont is a great place. Everyone has been so kind.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Feldman and Dr. Love, call Catoctin Dental at 301-271-2811. The office, located at 10 Water Street in Thurmont, is open Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Check out Catoctin Dental’s advertisement on page 72 for more information.
Dr. Feldman is shown with his wife Halley and twins julie and Clark.
Dr. Feldman reads to his twins, Julie and Clark.
The Town of Thurmont welcomed H&M Wheel Solutions on March 12. H&M Wheel Solutions is owned by two best friends since high school, Danny Hanagan and Casey Marshall (“H&M”), and they specialize in wheel repair, restoration, powder coating, and refinishing.
Repair services include welding and crack repair and straightening to factory specifications.
Can’t get to H&M Wheel solutions? No problem! They can come to you with their mobile unit! H&M Wheel Solutions serves Frederick, Washington, and Montgomery Counties.
H&M Wheel Solutions is located at 9 Woodside Drive in Thurmont. Contact them at 301-337-9962 or visit www.hmwheelsolutions.com.
Pictured from left are: (back row) H&M Wheel Solutions Manager Justin Linck; Owners, Danny Hanagan and Casey Marshall; Mayor John Kinnaird; Commissioner Wayne Hooper; (front row) Charlotte, Eleanor, Jasper, Cameron, Jaxson, and Devin.Courtesy P
Blair Garrett
Emmitsburg’s newest restaurant has officially opened its doors, giving patrons a piece of Italy, one slice at a time.
Tuscany’s Pizzeria and Italian Ristorante on the square in Emmitsburg made its grand entrance on February 23, with Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs helping to unveil the town’s newest family-owned business.
The ristorante is owned and operated by a tight-knit team, and they’re excited to start dishing out authentic Italian meals to locals who are itching for a new great place to eat.
The shop is run by owner Cesar Ramos and four brothers, all who play their part in making Tuscany’s into a hopefully thriving business.
“We wanted to give people a place in town they could stop by and enjoy and see if we could give people what they want and deserve,” Ramos said.
Owning a restaurant runs in the family for the Tuscany’s.
“Most of my family has been running restaurants since the 1980s,” Ramos said.
That experience offers Ramos and his team something to lean on while they get everything moving at full capacity.
They’ve absorbed as much information as they can to be successful, and that hard work looks like it’s paying off already.
“Since we moved to this country, we’ve been working with a family who has taught us everything about this business,” Kelvin Martinez said.
Tuscany’s offers a variety of Italian favorites, but their specialty is in their pizza. They’ve got over a dozen styles of gourmet pizzas, with each option as unique as the next.
The new ristorante takes over the shop where Stavros Pizza used to be, with the hopes to continue to bring great pizza to the people of Emmitsburg.
“We want to give people something different and something new from what this restaurant used to be,” Ramos said. “We come in with a new name, new ownership, new menu, and new ingredients. We’re trying to give people the best we can do.”
The team is offering a variety of foods that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. Between the assortment of hot subs, Sicilian pizzas, and house favorites, it’ll be tough to narrow down which specialty meal you like best.
Despite only being here a short time, the crew at Tuscany’s already feels a connection to this town.
“We’re Catholic, so we would come to town sometimes to see Mount St. Mary’s soccer and basketball games, and we support them,” Kelvin Martinez said. “We would always see this town and we really liked it, and the people are always very nice, too.”
Catch Tuscany’s Pizzeria at the square in Emmitsburg to try out some of their specialty dishes.
You can find more information online through their Facebook at: facebook.com/TuscanysEmmitsburg.
Enrique Martinez, Kelvin Martinez, Cesar Ramos, and Yusthin Martinez represent Tuscany’s Pizzeria, the newest restaurant in Emmitsburg.
Photo by Blair Garrett
James Rada, Jr.
As the Rutter’s in Emmitsburg begins to take shape, people have wondered if another Rutter’s is going to be built on the old Shamrock property along Route 15.
The 2.7-acre property sold last year to Two Farms, Inc. of Baltimore for just under $4 million. Two Farms is a holding company for properties for Royal Farm Stores.
Royal Farms is a convenience store/gas station chain, much like Sheetz and Rutter’s. It is well known for its fresh-cooked chicken. The chain has been around since 1959 and has 205 locations in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.
Plans for how the Farm Store will look and what it will offer are up in the air. At one point a truck stop was proposed, which Frederick County quickly shot down because it does not allow truck stops.
The Town of Thurmont approached Two Farms about possibly annexing the property so that it could be connected to the municipal water and sewer systems. However, Two Farms believes the well and septic system on the property will be sufficient.
The building is currently having any asbestos removed and is expected to be demolished this spring, according to communications between Two Farms and the Town of Thurmont. Site work could begin this summer.
The Royal Farms Store is expected to be built between the old Shamrock restaurant and Franklinville Road. Traffic flow in and out of the location and across Route 15 is expected to complicate things. It is believed that the Franklinville Road crossover of Route 15 will have to be closed and northbound traffic rerouted to Route 15. This has yet to be determined, though, as things still seem in the early stages
James Rada, Jr.
Thurmont recently recognized its business all-stars with the “You Make Thurmont Proud” Awards. The awards recognized businesses and individuals who “exceeded or excelled at a county, state, or national level,” Thurmont Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder told the Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners.
The first set of awardees came from the Frederick County Office of Economic Development that recognized the top 50 young professionals under 40. Thurmont had two representatives on the list: Alex Uphold with State Farm Insurance; and Amber Seiss with Gateway Candyland, Gateway Liquors, and Farmhouse Exchange.
Seiss told the commissioners that people had told her that she was too young, that she was a bad person, and/or that she wouldn’t make it in business. She said that she considers the naysayers “white noise.”
“It’s a distraction, something that is a waste of energy,” Seiss said.
She focuses on the positive and surrounds herself with people who build her up rather than tear her down.
The next pair of awardees were businesses that received national recognition: Kountry Kitchen was named the Best Chicken in Maryland in 2021 by MSN; Playground Specialist’s Tim Boyle was named the National Playworld Representative of the Year.
Grinder then listed the various Thurmont businesses that were finalists in the Frederick News Post’s Best of the Best awards:
Best Festival—Catoctin Colorfest (2nd).
Best Company to Work For—Kountry Kitchen (2nd), Woodsboro Bank (3rd). “Two of the three best places to work for are right here in Thurmont,” Grinder said. “That needs to be duly noted.”
Best Barbeque—Bollinger’s Restaurant (2nd).
Best Buffet—Mountain Gate Family Restaurant (3rd).
Best Place to Camp (Regional)—Ole Mink Farm Recreation Resort (2nd).
Best Lodging—Springfield Manor (2nd).
Best Butcher Shop—Hill Side Turkey Farm (2nd).
Best Electric Contractor—G&S Electric (2nd).
Best Bingo—Thurmont Event Complex (3rd).
Best Chicken—Kountry Kitchen (2nd).
Best Local Band—5.5 Men (3rd).
Best Small Town—Thurmont (3rd). Grinder said she and some other municipalities complained to the Frederick News Post because Frederick was considered a small town for this category when it is clearly not. Frederick also took second place, so Grinder said in her mind, Thurmont was actually second.
Next, Grinder went through the local businesses that actually won their categories and were named Frederick’s Best of the Best:
• Best Tree Service—Baker’s Tree Service (four years in a row).
• Best Pick-Your-Own Farm/Orchard—Catoctin Mountain Orchard.
• Best Winery, Distillery, Brewery—Springfield Manor.
• Best Wedding Venue—Springfield Manor.
• Best Wine Drink—Springfield Manor’s Farmhouse White.
• Best Candy Shop—Gateway Candyland.
• Best Orthodontist (Individual) —Dr. Jon Moles.
• Best Funeral Home—Stauffer Funeral Homes.
• Best Landscaping—Hawkins Landscaping (seven years in a row).
• Best Place to Camp—Cunningham Falls State Park (four years in a row). Park Manager Mark Spurrier told the commissioners, “It’s your park. It’s our park, and everything we do in it is for you in the community and visitors that come to us.”
• Best Bank—Woodsboro Bank.
Finally, Grinder made a special award called the Community Heart Award. It was given to Kountry Kitchen for their work in providing area students meals while the schools were closed.
The Kountry Kitchen restaurant was providing between 125 and 175 meals a day during the pandemic lockdown.
You Make Thurmont Proud Award recipients (from left): (front row) Mark Spurrier—Cunningham Falls State Park; Sherry and Rob Myers—Thurmont Kountry Kitchen; Alex Uphold—State Farm Insurance; David Hawkins—Hawkins Landscaping; Amber Seiss—Gateway Candyland; Angie Simmons, Stephen Heine, Hannah Smith—Woodsboro Bank; Commissioner Wes Hamrick from Stauffer Funeral Homes; (second row) Thurmont Commissioners Bill Buehrer and Wayne Hooper; Mayor John Kinnaird; and Commissioner Bill Blakeslee.
Deb Abraham Spalding
The Maryland Workforce Development Division partnered with several agencies and businesses to provide a career fair on January 11, 2022, at the Thurmont Event Complex.
At the career fair, employers were seeking part-time, remote, and full-time job applicants, and applicants were looking for great opportunities.
Theresa Mena, the regional business solutions consultant with the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Workforce Development said, “There’s a great turnout. I’m thankful to Thurmont Ambulance for making the facility available, so we can support our employers in their quest to find job seekers. My goal [for the career fair] is to provide the bridge so employers can find applicants they’re looking for.”
“If you’re looking for a job or job applicants, don’t forget to register yourself, or your business, in the Maryland Workforce Exchange, so we can help connect you with opportunities. That’s the first step in transforming your life,” Mena explained.
Yolanda Faust with Rutters (will be located along Route 15 where Shamrock used to be) said she was looking for “retail, as well as food service team members with first, second, and third shift availability starting out at $16.00 per hour.”
Brian Fitzsimmons, Facility Administrator on TJ Drive at DaVita, a dialysis company, was looking for nurses and techs in a full-time capacity. DaVita has three clinics in Frederick (Thomas Johnson Drive, Golden Mile, Ballenger Creek), as well as Carroll County, Westminster, Mt. Airy, and Hagerstown.
Thelma Lehmann, Human Resources Administrator with the Frederick YMCA, was looking for childcare, youth center, and aquatics applicants.
Brittney Rowse with Structural, LLC, located in Thurmont, was seeking full-time applicants at the fair.
The Flood Department out of Mt. Airy performs emergency water removal services and was seeking full-time applicants.
Jodee Rudy of In-home Health Care was hiring full- and part-time 24-hour in-home caregivers to work in Frederick, Washington, and Carroll Counties.
Lexie with NVR said, “I’m hiring for manufacturing laborers to build houses.” See the NVR advertisement on page 12 of this edition of The Catoctin Banner to learn how to apply.
Other vendors at the fair included Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick Health, Amazon, Western Maryland Hospital Center, Frederick Police, and more.
Participants signed up online in the Maryland Workforce Exchange. By attending the career fair, it counts as a reemployment activity for the applicant.
James Marchinke is a Maryland State employment rep, covering Garrett, Frederick, Allegheny, and Washington Counties, helping Veterans get employed. He partnered with the Maryland Workforce Exchange to reach Veterans seeking employment.
Marchinke reminded us, “A resume won’t get you a job, a resume will get you an interview. It’s up to the applicant to sell themselves at the interview.”
Job seekers visit with employers during the career fair.