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Deb Abraham Spalding

Part 3: It’s All In What You Believe

As I fumbled along my healing path under the direction of Dr. Lo, I experienced massive improvements in digestion and relief of pain, as well as some weight loss.

Dr. Lo focuses on four main areas to help people: Nutritional Response Testing (NRT), chiropractic care, allergy screening and testing, and detox. At first, I thought Dr. Lo coached his patients through each quadrant of treatments, but I was incorrect. Simply put, if the client does not need a treatment, the client doesn’t get it. 

As you may recall from last month’s article, I believed I needed chiropractic care. Afterall, I had received chiropractic care over the course of more than 20 years. Sometimes, I was seeking help several times a week.

It was a shock to learn from Dr. Lo that I didn’t need chiropractic, as long as I was not eating the things that triggered the spasm that ignited the nerves responsible for the back pain. Now, understanding this, I no longer believe I need chiropractic. I am not in pain.

Recently, I talked to a man named Skeeter who shared his path to healing with me. Skeeter sought the help of a fourth-generation acupuncturist in Frederick for vertigo and sciatica. Skeeter explained, “They’re the first [the acupuncturists], after five doctors, who helped me.” He added, “They take my insurance, so why not try it!”

Skeeter had problems with vertigo, sciatica, limitation of movement in his hands after hand and wrist surgery, and joint pain associated with Lyme Disease. The acupuncture helped the vertigo after two treatments. Then, the acupuncturist started on the sciatica. Like Dr. Lo, this doctor was working through the issues.

Skeeter had acupuncture treatments twice a week for three weeks, then once a week for another three weeks, and, now, after four months of treatments, he only goes once a month. The doctor performed acupuncture on each joint in his hands. Before, Skeeter “couldn’t pick up a quarter.” Now, Skeeter can make a fist and pick up all the change he wants—“even dimes!”

He had Lyme Disease that was causing joint pain from “dry joints.” Since receiving the acupuncture, he has had more tests for Lyme and now has only two out of five bands in the Lyme test. 

Skeeter’s symptoms and pains are less severe than ever. The sciatica and vertigo are 85-90 percent gone.

As much as I have been preaching nutrition, nutrition, nutrition with Dr. Lo’s NRT program, Skeeter hasn’t changed his diet at all with acupuncture. He said, “Unlike normal medicine where you take a pill and your headache goes away for a while, acupuncture helps long term.” Most importantly, Skeeter claims, “If you believe in the treatment, believe it will help you, then it will help.”

Skeeter’s acupuncturist was recommended to him by a western medicine doctor. “It’s helped a lot. I recommend it to anybody.”

Compared to my path where eating certain things are linked to various pains, Skeeter hasn’t changed his way of eating at all. Skeeter said, “It all depends on what you believe.” The acupuncture is really working for Skeeter. I can’t help but to believe Skeeter.

What is the path to health? Dr. Lo has several. He’s an excellent doctor. Skeeter’s acupuncture doctor also has a path to health. I think the reason for writing these articles has been to show all of our readers that going to a traditional doctor and taking pills isn’t the only way. As a matter of fact, those pills sometimes cause more problems that need more pills. It’s a crazy cycle. Maybe there’s a different path for you. We’ve told you about two options here. 

Please note, I named Dr. Lo because he’s a columnist and advertiser on our Banner Team. I didn’t name the acupuncturist because he’s not an advertiser or writer for this newzine.

I wish you the very best on your path to health.

Example of how far Skeeter could close a fist before (left) and after (right) acupuncture.

Photos by Deb Abraham Spalding

Deb Abraham Spalding

While traveling through Thurmont to look at real estate, Greg Elliott and Nina Tate-Elliott noticed the commercial space for sale at 21 East Main Street.

Their search for their new home took them to see many houses, but they were drawn back to that first house they looked at in Jimtown and the commercial space on East Main Street in Thurmont. Why Thurmont?

Nina shared, “To be totally honest, we kept coming back to that house.” The first house became THE house for Greg and Nina and the Elliotts officially opened Studio 24E with a ribbon cutting on June 24, 2023.

Greg and Nina began their journey in retail with customer service and design being the main focus. Studio 24E originated in a white cape cod residential-style building in Linthicum, Maryland, in 2001. There, the foundation was forged with a base of custom framing, and a very loyal customer following emerged and still continues today.

Slowly, new selections were added in the form of jewelry and home departments. Eventually, the Elliotts outgrew this location and, in 2005, the move was made to Oakland, Maryland, with a second location soon opening at the Wisp Resort at Deep Creek Lake. Today, all of those locations have been closed and consolidated to Thurmont.

Nina calls Studio 24E a “lifestyle store,” where the customer can purchase everything needed to create a fashionable lifestyle. Customers of all ages will notice a broad range of price points in home décor, fashion lines of clothing and accessories, fragrances for the home and body, footwear, holiday merchandise, and gifts for any occasion. Nina provides event make-up (cosmetics) services and/or make-up tutorials. Nina has been a make-up artist for close to 30 years, working for brands MAC Cosmetics and Laura Mercier.

The store’s ever-changing inventory captures your daily busy lifestyle. Carrying brands like Simply Southern, The Sak Onesole the Original Interchangeable shoe and OkaB Shoes makes it easy to accomplish.

Jewelry by famed designer Rodrigo Otazu, or Angelique de Paris, or Wind & Fire bracelets.

Our designer sunglass selection is unmatched from Tom Ford, to Versace MCM, Chloe, and more. You’ll love the great selection of Puppie Love T-shirts, as well as Maryland My Maryland tees.

Need a quick gift? Select from Aromatique home fragrance Thompson Ferrier or our Tussie Mussies bath & Body line, Mixologie Fragrance, Annalee, Old World Christmas, or from our many gift selections.

Don’t forget that quality custom framing is also available. Take a look! Visit Studio 24E at 21 E. Main Street in Thurmont or visit their website at www.studio24e.com online to shop. Call 443-679-7916 for more information.

Thurmont Town Commissioners and staff welcomed Nina Tate-Elliott and Greg Elliott  of Studio 24E to Thurmont with a ribbon cutting on June 24, 2023.

Courtesy Photo

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Emmitsburg New Business and Development Briefs

The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report:

Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) — Site plan and improvement plans are complete. Performance bond estimates are being reviewed.

Village Liquors & Plaza Inn (Silo Hill Parkway) — SCD approved the improvement plat. The site plan has been submitted to the county. Payment and performance bonds are pending.

Mount St. Mary’s Seton Shrine E Wing (South Seton Avenue) — The site plan was received on May 26 and is under review.

Thurmont New Business and Development Briefs

The statuses of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions

Emmitsburg Road Flood Control Project (behind Sheetz) — The Town of Thurmont acquired 0.9 ac in the general business zone has been conditionally approved.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Avenue) — 36 single-family lots recorded and 22 permits issued for single-family dwellings.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive) — Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family lots in R-2 district. The improvement plan is conditionally approved.

Mechanicstown, LLC (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district. Improvement Plans are anticipated for the Aug. 24 Planning and Zoning Commission agenda.

Mountain Brooke (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district. Improvement Plans are anticipated for the Aug. 24 Planning and Zoning Commission agenda.

Site Plans

Thurmont Business Park (Thurmont Blvd.): Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850-square-foot building; under county review.

New Businesses

Studio 24E, a lady’s boutique, is now open at 21 East Main Street.

Deb Abraham Spalding

Part 2: Consistency Is Key

As you may have read in last month’s edition, I wrote that I have found my path to healing with Dr. Lo’s Nutritional Response Testing at The Nutritional Healing Center in Frederick. 

When I wrote last month’s article, I had completed six visits with Dr. Lo and had learned that my health revival was simply learning to open my body’s energy pathways with proper nutrition.

Dr. Lo had declared, “You’re blocked!” at every appointment except that sixth appointment.

Leaving that appointment, I incorrectly felt that I had mastered the process since I was not blocked anymore. I thought I was healed! I had achieved the coveted “Unblocked” status! 

While that should have meant that I now knew how to eat properly, how to avoid things my body did not like, and how to avoid or minimize ingestion and exposure to toxins, in my brain, I was telling myself that I had “been there and done that!” Subconsciously, I thought I had achieved the outcome, so now I could go back to my old ways of eating.

And I did! I went right back to ingesting the stuff I knew I shouldn’t, including having some alcoholic beverages that are true poison to my body. I also assumed that the next step in the process at Dr. Lo’s office was chiropractic care. After all, chiropractic adjustments are important to keep our energy pathways open, right?

At my seventh appointment, much to my dismay, Dr. Lo said, “You’re blocked.” Then, he told me that I DID NOT NEED a chiropractic adjustment.

What? That surprised me. After all, I had been seeking chiropractic adjustments for my back pain for years. I just assumed I would start a chiropractic “section” of the program. Turns out, there isn’t a chiropractic “section” or progression.

Achieving the unblocked status wasn’t like the sun shining brightly after a rough storm, it was the sun peeping out for a millisecond during the rough storm. What a tease!

 And I soon learned that if I don’t need chiropractic (Dr. Lo asks my body, and it answers via Nutritional Response Testing), then I don’t get chiropractic. The root of my back pain is a spasm in my gut that is triggering nerves that trick me into thinking I need chiropractic adjustments.

Now, when you break it down, this whole health game is really simple, and I now see how to do it.

It’s simply DOING IT!

The path to healing is a constant process. I still see all those ads for “magic pills.” I still see the one-plan-fits-all exercise program or diet shake. The truth is: There is no magic, quick fix—consistency is key.

It really IS simple: eat the right foods, move your body, and avoid toxins.

Don’t forget these truths for overall health: (1) Dr. Lo showed me that there’s a nutritional component (eating foods my body doesn’t like) or an emotional component (fear, anxiety, anger, guilt…) that’s at the root of pain (in most cases); (2) My sciatic back pain that I’ve been tolerating and seeking chiropractic help for over the past 20 years is GONE (unless I eat the crap and poisons); (3) I’m now at 7 visits through my 12-visit program with Dr. Lo and my ailments like gut discomfort, joint aches, swollen ankles, and more—are gone… unless I eat the foods my body does not like!

Hallelujah! But I’m still working on it…and will continue to each and every day.

Dr. Lo is shown in his office where he meets with clients.

Deb Abraham Spalding

Thurmont’s Jeff Barber enjoys playing. After all, he owns Playground Specialists, Inc., a playground design and installation company in Thurmont. But did you know that he also enjoys playing golf? He enjoys golf so much that, in January, he bought the local Maple Run Golf Club.

Barber was a frequent customer at Maple Run when he learned from the former owners that they wanted to sell. He felt, “It would be a great project to fix it up.”

Maple Run provides 18 holes of golf (par 72) on a very challenging course where golfers of all skill levels will appreciate the beautiful mountain views as they travel the cart path through the course that meanders around two streams. Two-hundred-year-old stone fences remind the golfers of the agricultural roots of the two original farms upon which the course was built. 

“People wondered if I was going to develop the property after I bought it,” Barber said. In fact, his intentions were “quite the opposite.” Barber has reinvested and completed a “tremendous amount of work.” He feels that “people who haven’t played golf [at Maple Run] yet this year won’t even recognize the place.” 

Golfers will notice major changes, including a new picnic area, new siding on the club house, new signage, new picnic tables, new fencing, new parking areas, ten new golf carts, renovated greens, renovated tee boxes, two new bridges, every cart path repaved, a renovated snack bar (with a concessions drive-up window), a club house with new furnishings inside, and major cleanup completed all around.

Staff at the golf course include new superintendent Troy Brawner, Mark Hahn as the general manager, Erin Bauer in the snack bar, and Bob O’Donnell at registration, along with many high school students and other retired community members working part-time.

The club house now offers expanded beverage options, including beer, wine, liquor, shots, Black Rifle Coffee, cold coffees, energy drinks, soda, and the notorious Hot Dog Special on Tuesdays (free hot dog and a drink from the club house when playing a round of golf).

Food trucks will be onsite every weekend, and the beverage cart will be rolling around the course on busy days. 

The stone Moser Manor house will soon be visible from the outside, with picnic areas and an arbor around the house. The 1700’s bank barn that hole No. 3 plays around is being repaired. It is Barber’s intention to keep Maple Run’s history—from previous owner Jeff Ellis and the Moser families who originally built the course—alive. 

Barber said he feels the golf course is very important to the Town of Thurmont, “If we lose it, we’ll never have one again because they are so costly to build and require so much land.” He added, “It’s one of those things that I don’t want to see the Town of Thurmont lose.”

He assures us, “…as long as I’m alive and running it, I want it to remain as a golf course, and I want it to be a place where the town of Thurmont community can come out and enjoy the game of golf and some drinks and food trucks on the weekend!”

Maple Run Golf Club in Thurmont is located at 99 Golf Course Lane. For more information, visit www.maplerungolf.com and call 301-271-7870 for your tee time. 

Barber claims, “We’ve only scratched the surface on what we want to do with this golf course. Follow us on social media, or better yet, come out and play regularly. Everybody will actually see improvements every single time they come.”

Jeff Barber and Erin Bauer are shown in the snack bar.

MSM Club Baseball at Maple Run.

Pictured are Mark Hahn and Troy Brawner.

Many upgrades and renovations have been completed at Maple Run, including signage and cart paths.

Photos by Deb Abraham Spalding

The following are the statuses of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report:

Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) — Awaiting the submission of an updated site plan and improvement plans. Payment and Performance bonds are also being reviewed.

Village Liquors & Plaza Inn (Silo Hill Parkway) — Owner has received conditional approval of the site plan and improvement plat and is now seeking to have stormwater management and soil conservation plans approved by the county.

Mount St. Mary’s Seton Shrine E Wing (South Seton Avenue) — Renovations to accommodate nursing student clinical rotations is awaiting a site plan.

The statuses of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Ave.) — 19 permits issued.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive) — Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family lots in R-2 district. The improvement plan is conditionally approved.

Mechanicstown, LLC (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.

Mountain Brooke (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.

Oak Forest Townhouse Community (East Moser Road) — Concept plan submitted for a 36-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

Simmer’s Subdivision (Apples Church Road) — Concept plan submitted for a 40-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

Site Plans

Thurmont Business Park (Thurmont Blvd.) — Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850 square foot building – final site plan under review.

Ordinance

Floodplain Management Ordinance: Repeal of Chapter 27 of Town Code to be replaced with updated Maryland Department of Environment Model Floodplain Management Ordinance as required by Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Department of Environment.

New Businesses

Weis Gas ‘N Go is now open at Weis Markets.

Studio 24 at 21 East Main Street will open in mid- to late-June.

10 Tavern will be open in mid-June at 10 East Main Street. 10 Taven is formally known as Thurmont Bar & Grill and has been totally renovated and has a full liquor license.

Deb Abraham Spalding

Part 1: The Path to Healing Starts with NRT

Dr. Lo of the Nutritional Healing Center in Frederick has been a valuable Catoctin Banner Team member for several years. He advertises his business in The Catoctin Banner, and he’s the author of the “Ask Dr. Lo” monthly column. As the publisher of this newzine, I didn’t realize just how valuable Dr. Lo would become for me personally until February, when a friend said I needed to go see him and scheduled an appointment for me. 

I had spent months battling various aches and pains that prompted me to visit my doctor and emergency room (three times) for a series of ailments. The first was a band of chest pain that scared me enough to go to the emergency room in the middle of the night. Next was a torn calf muscle that had escalated from a fall. The third was severe back and abdominal pain that I thought could become something life-threatening. 

My assumptions were proven wrong as CT scans, x-rays, and blood tests revealed no explanation for every pain I had except the calf pain. For everything else, I was completely “normal!” I’ve decided that “normal” these days must be the constant state of tolerating aches and pains! I was baffled and embarrassed. But there had to be an explanation for pain so severe that I needed help to put my pants on. 

Walking into Dr. Lo’s office was my first successful step on my path to healing. Day one was a series of tests completed with Dr. Lo’s assistant, Mary, followed by Dr. Lo’s interpretation of the test reports. Dr. Lo’s patients will never remove clothing during a visit, nor will they have blood or body fluids extracted for testing. Isn’t that interesting? 

After analyzing my test reports, Dr. Lo asked me to lay on his chiropractic table. (I have yet to have a chiropractic adjustment since seeing Dr. Lo.) Then he asked me to place one hand over my area of concern, my abdomen/belly button in my case, and put my other arm up in the air. He had me resist his attempts to move my raised arm while he placed various vials of substances (food, chemicals, minerals, etc.) against my thigh. With each placement of a vial and each push of my arm, he’s asking my body if it has a problem with the substances in the vials. He narrows down the vials from sides of a case to rows and then to individual vials to determine the culprits responsible for a person’s dis-ease. 

This is called Nutritional Response Testing (NRT). So far, I’m halfway through my twelve-visit program with Dr. Lo. In the beginning, Dr. Lo revealed that I was toxic. I had filled myself with so much unhealthy food and exposed myself to metals that had caused my body to express itself in pain.  

I had an ionic foot bath at the end of my first appointment. There were all kinds of toxins pouring out of my feet! I started to feel better immediately. Over the next several weeks, the toxins left my body through a series of rashes. I’ve lost weight and I no longer have pain, not even joint pain. Now, I’m learning to deal with my stress levels and, with all of that pain behind me, I’m ready to be more active to rebuild muscle mass. I’m on an exciting journey! 

Dr. Lo has a wall filled with degrees and certifications. He’s a Doctor of Chiropractic and has run a large practice that he’s paired down over forty years to the specific method he primarily uses today called Nutritional Response Testing or NRT. He’s still a chiropractor, but chiropractic is just one tool in his tool kit.

You’ve heard the old saying, “You are what you eat,” right? Well, it’s true that we’re eating poisons and pesticides and bugs and metals and a whole bunch of man-made junk that our bodies DO NOT LIKE. When our bodies don’t like something, it presents us with aches and pains, inflammation, rashes, acne, flatulence, chronic dis-ease, and eventually disease. Dr. Lo can help identify our unique intolerances by asking our bodies to communicate via muscle testing. 

Chiropractic adjustments are important to keep our energy pathways open, but I’ve learned they can be only temporary relief if we don’t determine whether there’s a nutritional component that’s at the root of our pain. Get this! After just six weeks through Dr. Lo’s NRT program, my sciatic back pain — for which I’ve been tolerating and seeking chiropractic help over the past twenty years — is GONE! 

Dr. Lo understands that there’s a level of disbelief to overcome with NRT. He found NRT because he had his own health emergency in 2006. While working at his large chiropractic practice in Crofton, Maryland, he experienced vertigo and was physically sick. Even he, a doctor, couldn’t find an accurate analysis for his problems. He found a doctor who used an Applied kinesiology approach to nutrition. This doctor found that Dr. Lo had a virus in his ear. This journey led Dr. Lo down his own path to healing. He was looking for answers and went to a session at BWI Airport and discovered NRT. 

By 2009, he had cut back his practice and now enjoys life, especially playing Pickleball. He found the road to healing himself and took his practice along with it. His discoveries changed his practice from a large enterprise taking insurance for chiropractic to stopping the insurance game and focusing on nutrition with chiropractic as a tool. 

We haven’t been schooled to believe that we know the answers for our health. We’ve been schooled to seek out a doctor’s testing and interpretation and then take the pills that are prescribed. Now we’re a society that’s getting sicker and sicker. 

Dr. Lo is our sleuth. He’s our tenured NRT practitioner. He’s dedicated his life to truly helping others. In many cases he has shown a path of miracles.

Dr. Lo is shown in his office where he meets with clients.

Photo by Deb Abraham Spalding

Richard D. L. Fulton

A new agricultural business has been established, based in Smithsburg, Maryland, that specializes in drones that may be programmed to distribute various applications to fields, replacing more traditional means of applying chemicals or other compounds to crops.

The company, Accurate Ag Spraying (AAS), offers various types of agricultural drones (designated as sprayer drones) that are designed according to the needs of the purchaser.

According to AAS’s website, the company is “the Mid Atlantic’s premier drone dealer,” and can offer drone support and shipping to Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Delaware. “Our supplier (DJI) is a leader in drone technology and provides the highest guarantee in operation. The drones we sell are meant to be used for the agricultural industry. We provide training, servicing, and support for all of our products.”

According to AAS, all of their sprayer drones feature “intuitive” software and controls for both manual operation and fully autonomous operation.  “Our drones will not only fly but spray and/or spread completely by themselves.”

The drones can be programmed to perform the desired application task by inputting the boundaries and parameters of the field to which the application is to be made. “Boundaries can be imported from shape files, or manually, created on the remote,” the company states.

The company’s agricultural drones can handle liquid and granular products. Typical liquid applications include fungicides, insecticides, foliar fertilizers, and herbicides, while granular applications typically include broadcast cover crops and fertilizers.  Broadcasting cover crops represents a faster way of sowing, as opposed to placing seeds individually.

Depending on the model of a drone, Accurate Ag Spraying’s drones can apply 0.25 to 15 gallons per acre of liquid product and 3 to 300 pounds per acre of granular product. The company states that the low-volume rates (typically 2 gallons per acre) are the most commonly used.

During manual flight, a drone can fly up to 33 feet per second, or 22.5 miles per hour. Automated operation allows speeds up to 23 feet per second or 15.5 miles per hour. “At this speed,” the company states, “our drones can still follow slopes up to 30 degrees, while sensing obstacles in their flight path.”

For an example of weight and recharging rates, the DJI T30 model drone (rated as one of the best agricultural drones by talosdrones.com) weighs 58 pounds when empty and 168 pounds when fully loaded and features “specially built batteries designed to charge extremely fast without overheating, even in hot summer conditions.”

AAS states, “With the correct setup, batteries will charge as fast or faster than the drone is able to deplete them. This means you can operate nonstop by simply swapping batteries when the drone comes back to refill.”

Each of the drones AAS offers have First Person View (FPV) cameras “designed to provide the operator with a live view on the controller screen… FPV cameras support up to a two-mile range, which is extremely useful when spot-spraying weeds.”

The T30 also comes equipped with industry-leading obstacle avoidance, utilizing digital beam forming (DBF) radar, which can sense obstacles as small as one centimeter in diameter, causing the drone to either stop and alert the operator or automatically fly around the obstacle.

AAS will also provide customers with resources to assist in the licensing process. Resources include free study guides and access to one of the nation’s leading drone regulations consultants and a leading drone insurance provider.  Licenses and certifications will also be needed to legally operate a sprayer drone in the United States.

In addition to sales and post-purchase customer support (including troubleshooting, diagnostics, and repairs), AAS also offers a repair service, licensing and certification assistance, and can  recommend licensed applicators that provide liquid and granular applications.

AAS, located at 14254 Ridenour Road in Smithsburg, may be contacted by phone by calling 833-305-3607, or by email at kenny@accurateagspraying.com. 

Business hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., and is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

For additional information, visit the company website at accurateagspraying.com.

Drone flying over crops.

Photo Courtesy of Accurate Ag Spraying

The status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg:

    Federal Stone (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) — Awaiting the submission of an updated site plan and improvement plans. Payment and Performance bonds are also being reviewed.

    Ripleigh’s Creamery (W. Main Street) — Delayed due to funding, but ice cream truck operation started in April.

    Seton Village (South Seton Avenue) — The Daughters of Charity Ministries, Seton Village Property is seeking to formally re-plat the property, creating two lots for purposes related to ownership. 

    Village Liquors & Plaza Inn (Silo Hill Parkway) — Owner has received conditional approval of the Addition Plat and is now seeking to have an updated site plan and improvement plat approved by the Planning Commission.

    McDonald’s (Silo Hill Parkway) — Additional driveway construction is planned.

    Mount St. Mary’s Seton Shrine E Wing (South Seton Avenue) — Renovations to accommodate nursing student clinical rotations is in the planning phase. Parking inquiry: Is the classification “commercial, business, technical or trade school,” which will require one spot per three students?

The status of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions

Hobb’s Division (East Main Street): Final plat recorded for two lots in Mixed-Use Village 1.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Ave.) Final plat recorded for 37 single-family lots in R-2 district. Ten permits issued.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive): Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family lots in R-2 district. The improvement plan is conditionally approved.

     Mechanicstown, LLC (Emmitsburg Road): Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.

     Mountain Brooke (Emmitsburg Road): Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.   

Meunier Minor Subdivision (North Carroll Street): Preliminary/final plat approved for one new lot and adjustment of two lots in R-2 district.

Simmer’s Minor Subdivision (Apples Church Road) Preliminary/final plat approved for one single-family lot.

Oak Forest Townhouse Community (East Moser Road) Concept plan submitted for a 36-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

     505 E. Main St. Minor Subdivision (E. Main Street): Preliminary/final plat approved for one lot.

     Simmer’s Subdivision (Apples Church Road): Concept plan submitted for a 40-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

Site Plans

Thurmont Business Park (Thurmont Blvd.): Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850 square foot building – final site plan under review.

New Businesses

Weis Gas N’ Go is now open at Weis Markets.

Studio 24 is coming to 21 East Main Street in June.

10 Tavern will be open in June at 10 East Main Street.

Pictured from left are Thurmont Commissioners, Bill Blakeslee and Wayne Hooper; Shawn Legambi; Rebecca Legambi; The Rosie Boutique Owner Jaden Legambi; Karie Taylor; Courtney Casper; Lucas Bonvillain; Billy Casper; Thurmont Commissioner Wes Hamrick; and Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird. Visit the Rosie Boutique at www.therosieboutique.com.

Photos Courtesy of Main Street Thurmont

Welcome Kenny Vanover, owner of Catoctin Mountain Motorsports, and Aaron Reckley, owner of Thirty 4 Detailing. Catoctin Mountain Motorsports is a full-service auto repair shop for all types of vehicles, motorcycles, and ATVs. Thirty 4 Detailing is a full-service car detailing service. Both businesses are located at 7702 Roddy Road, along Rt. 15 North. There is also U-Haul Rental. Catoctin Mountain Motorsports and Thirty 4 Detailing held an open house on Saturday, March 25. Special thanks to D&J Auto Body, Sweet Sarah’s Eats & Treats, 99.9 WFRE, Thurmont Paving, and all who attended to welcome the new businesses

The status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg:

Federal Stone — (Creamery Road, east side of U.S. 15) Awaiting the submission of an updated site plan and improvement plans.

Ripleigh’s Creamery (W. Main Street) — Delayed due to funding, but ice cream truck operation starts in April.

Seton Village (South Seton Avenue) — The Daughters of Charity Ministries, Seton Village Property is seeking to formally re-plat the property, creating two lots for purposes related to ownership. 

Village Liquors & Plaza Inn (Silo Hill Parkway) — Owner is seeking to have an updated addition plat approved.

McDonald’s (Silo Hill Parkway) — Additional driveway construction is planned.

Mount St. Mary’s Seton Shrine E Wing (South Seton Avenue) — Renovations to accommodate nursing student clinical rotations is in the planning phase. Parking inquiry: Is the classification “commercial, business, technical, or trade school,” which will require one spot per three students?

The status of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions

        Hobb’s Division (East Main Street) — Final plat recorded for two lots in Mixed-Use Village 1.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 (Woodland Avenue) — Final plat recorded for 37 single-family lots in R-2 district. Ten permits issued.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 (Westview Drive): Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family lots in R-2 district. The improvement plan is conditionally approved.

        Mechanicstown, LLC (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.

        Mountain Brooke (Emmitsburg Road) — Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family lots in R-2/ ARP district.   

        Meunier Minor Subdivision (North Carroll Street) — Preliminary/final plat approved for one new lot and adjustment of two lots in R-2 district.

        Simmer’s Minor Subdivision (Apples Church Road) — Preliminary/final plat approved for one single-family lot.

        Oak Forest Townhouse Community (East Moser Road) — Concept plan submitted for a 36-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

        505 E. Main St. Minor Subdivision (E. Main Street) — Preliminary/final plat approved for one lot.

Simmer’s Subdivision (Apples Church Road): Concept plan submitted for a 40-unit townhouse community in R-5 district.

Site Plans

        Weis Gas & Go (2 Thurmont Blvd.) — Weis Markets did a partial site redevelopment; a Gas & Go fuel station to consist of three pumps and one manned kiosk is under construction.

Thurmont Business Park (Thurmont Blvd.) — Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850-square-foot building; final site plan is under review.

James Rada, Jr.

The new Emmitsburg Rutter’s at 10201 Taneytown Pike opened near the end of January. It has 8,200 square feet of space, with 14 gasoline fuel pumps and 5 high-speed diesel fuel pumps for commercial vehicles. The site was also designed with plenty of area for tractor trailers to park, so the drivers can rest and enjoy the facilities.

The store is open 24/7 and offers a convenience store with packaged goods and more than 700 beverage options. It also has a large menu of fresh food selections and offers free Wi-Fi.

“We’ve been doing well and getting pretty good crowds since we opened,” said Manager Steve Lee.

The store is expected to employ up to 50 people, who have a starting wage of $17.50 an hour.

To celebrate the opening of the new location, Rutter’s Children’s Charities will be donating $1,000 to The Arc of Frederick County, the Vigilant Hose Company, and Mount St. Mary’s University Food Pantry.

The Rutter’s chain of convenience stores is headquartered in Central Pennsylvania. Rutter’s operates 79 locations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. Part of a family-managed group of companies, Rutter’s includes convenience stores, a dairy and beverage company, and a real estate company.

The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report:

Federal Stone — The Federal Stone company is proposing changes to its previously approved preliminary site plan at Creamery Court to reflect a proposed new building format and footprint and related changes to the site. This was conditionally approved if the applicant addresses the comments in the town engineer’s report and obtains all needed approvals.

Rutter’s — Rutter’s fuel station and convenience store is open, but Rutter’s proposed an amendment to its approved site plan to remove a forest conservation easement. This would allow the removal of trees that are now protected by the easement. The planning commission denied this.

      Seton Village — The Daughters of Charity Ministries, Seton Village Property is seeking to formally re-plat the property, creating two lots for purposes related to ownership. This is a technical plat change, and the surveyor has been advised on the Town’s plat requirements and procedures.

The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions:

Hobb’s Division — Two approved building lots in Mixed-Use Village 1 listed for sale.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1 — 37 single-family dwelling lots in R-2 zoning district. One lot occupied. Two homes are under construction. Four lots with permits issued.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2 — Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family dwelling lots.

Mechanicstown, LLC — Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family dwelling lots.

Mountain Brooke — Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family dwelling lots.  

Meunier Minor Subdivision — Preliminary/final plat approved for one new lot and adjustment of two lots.

Simmer’s Minor Subdivision — Preliminary/final plat approved for one new lot.

Oak Forest Townhouse Community — 36 units in R-5 zoning district. Revised Concept Plans for review by the Planning & Zoning Commission, February 23, 2023.

505 E. Main St. Minor Subdivision — Plat for creation of a lot for existing dwelling and a remainder lot; for review by the Planning & Zoning Commission February 23, 2023.

Site Plans:

Weis Gas & Go (2 Thurmont Blvd.) — Weis Markets did a partial site redevelopment; a Gas & Go fuel station to consist of three pumps and one manned kiosk. Under construction.

Thurmont Business Park — Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850-square-foot building. Final site plan is under review.

New Business Openings:

The Rosie Boutique — 8 East Main Street.

Blair Garrett

Photos by Deb Abraham Spalding

Mountain View Convenience Store in Thurmont is like a whole new place.

Long-time business partners, Ashish Parikh and Gagan Rao, have poured time into giving Mountain View Convenience Store the revitalized look it has today.

The store’s new facelift has all the features locals are looking for in a one-stop shop. You can get your gas, snacks, drinks, beer, and liquor, all at the same spot.

You may remember the location as an old 7-Eleven off Frederick Road years ago. Parikh and Rao have been hard at work turning their store into the success it is today, and it’s come quite a long way.

“I started in 2001 in September,” Rao said. “We took over and remodeled the old store. It used to be a 7-Eleven, and now we’ve got our own convenience store and a beer and wine store.”

The store is open 24 hours a day and has been a staple of Thurmont for decades. Despite Rao getting his start in the industry in Baltimore, he knew Thurmont was a special place to run a business, and his time has paid off tremendously.

“This was our first time in this gas station and convenience store business, but we’ve been in the liquor store business for a long time in Baltimore,” Rao said. “It’s a long commute to Thurmont, but I am happy. It’s a nice place with honest people, and we’ve had no problems in the community.”

Rao has been hard at work, making the trek each day to get Mountain View Convenience Store and the beer and wine store ready to offer locals great products at great prices.

“I have a one-hour drive in the morning and evening every day from Towson,” Rao said.

The truck stop has also been a huge convenience and a huge source of business to their store and the town. An attraction like that brings a great deal of drivers into Thurmont, and the more people passing through, the more money that gets recycled back into the town.

While Mountain View Convenience Store is its own standalone store now, the team has big plans brewing with more hopes that a strong brand name will be another lucrative venture for the duo.

“We’ve already signed the contract to merge with the brand name Sunoco, Rao said. “We’re looking to begin that in March.”

Thurmont has a lot of great businesses with great people, and Mountain View Convenience Store has all of that to offer and more.

The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg from the town planner’s report:

Federal Stone — The Federal Stone company is proposing changes to its previously approved preliminary site plan at Creamery Court to reflect a proposed new building format and footprint and related changes to the site. The applicant has presented its revised plans to the Emmitsburg Planning Commission.

Rutter’s — Rutters fuel station and convenience store is proposing an amendment to its approved site plan to remove a forest conservation easement. This would allow the removal of trees that are now protected by the easement.

Seton Village — The Daughters of Charity Ministries, Seton Village Property, is seeking to formally replat the property, creating two lots for purposes related to ownership. This is a technical plat change, and the surveyor has been advised on the Town’s plat requirements and procedures.

The following are the status of new businesses and development coming to Thurmont:

Subdivisions

Hobb’s Division: Two approved building lots in Mixed-Use Village 1 listed for sale.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 1: 37 single-family dwelling lots in R-2 zoning district. Two homes under construction.

Hammaker Hills, Phase 2: Preliminary plat approved for 22 single-family dwelling lots.

Mechanicstown, LLC: Preliminary plat approved for 31 single-family dwelling lots.

Mountain Brooke: Preliminary plat approved for 11 single-family dwelling lots.  

Meunier Minor Subdivision: Preliminary/ final plat approved for 1 new lot and adjustment of two lots.

Simmer’s Minor Subdivision: Preliminary/final plat approved for 1 new lot.

Oak Forest Townhouse Community: 36 units in R-5 zoning district. Concept plan reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission December 15, 2022.

Site Plans

Weis Gas & Go (2 Thurmont Blvd.): Weis Markets did a partial site redevelopment – a Gas & Go fuel station to consist of three pumps and one manned kiosk – under construction.

Thurmont Business Park: Lot 1 to be developed for the relocation of Goodwill into a 17,850 square foot building – final site plan under review.

Other

The Thurmont Board of Commissioners approved the Resolution for the Annexation of 16.68 acres for an intergenerational mixed-use neighborhood with daycare and an assisted living center. Petition for annexation was suspended after a special election was held, where the town voted against the annexation.

The Gulf Company purchased Thurmont Bar & Grill. It is currently closed for some rehabilitation and will reopen at the end of February or first of March. The new name is Tavern Ten.

New Business Openings

Catoctin Mountain Massage & Wellness Center at 31B Water Street.

Mountain View Convenience Beer & Wine Store at 140 Frederick Road.

T- Mobile in Thurmont Plaza at 224 North Church Street.

Richard D. L. Fulton

Photo Courtesy of MSMU

Proposed addition (left) to the university’s Coad Science Building.

Mount Saint Mary’s University (MSMU) will be receiving $4 million in federal workforce development STEM funds to help meet the region’s increased demand for growth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

According to Donna Klinger, MSMU executive director of communications, the funds will be used to help complete the 21,000 square-foot addition and renovation of the university’s Coad Science Building, noting that, “The Mount has experienced significant growth in science and technology programs and the funds will be used to create state-of-the-art labs and teaching spaces to meet the demands of future learners.”

Klinger reported that the scope of work for the Coad Science Building includes three phases that will begin in March, with the addition of neuroscience, computational, and microscopy research labs, as well as collaborative learning spaces. The second phase will contain the second and third levels of the addition with science labs, classrooms, and experiential research spaces. The third phase will renovate the existing space in the Coad Science Building, according to the communications executive director.

The appropriation, she said, was secured by U.S. senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Representative David Trone, “who support the expansion of the Coad Science Building and work-based training in rural Maryland,” adding, “The members of Congress expressed support for the Mount’s efforts to build educator-industry partnerships and strengthen cross-disciplinary STEM courses, especially in computer science, cybersecurity and the physical sciences.”

The federal funds stem from federal congressionally directed spending from the Fiscal Year 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, signed into law on December 29, 2022. Congressionally directed spending allows members of Congress to recommend important projects in their state or district for consideration by the Senate and house appropriations committees.

MSMU President Timothy Trainor stated, “We are grateful to Congressman Trone and senators Cardin and Van Hollen for their support of the university’s expansion and renovation of our STEM research facilities to support American competitiveness in high-demand fields such as computer science, data science, cybersecurity, neuroscience and biological, environmental, and physical sciences, as well as contribute to a highly trained STEM workforce for the state of Maryland.”

Senator Cardin stated, “Maryland’s future economy is a STEM economy, and our workforce must be trained and equipped to thrive in these fields. This new, $4 million investment in Mount Saint Mary’s Coad Science Building will ensure that its students who are seeking expertise in the STEM fields have a first-class learning facility to prepare them.”

Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee, emphasized that STEM skills are more in demand than ever, and teaching students in these fields will help prepare them for well-paying jobs while strengthening Maryland’s workforce, adding, “That’s why we fought to deliver this direct federal funding for Mount St. Mary’s.”

“Providing every Marylander an opportunity to succeed, especially in high-skill, sought-after trades like STEM, is a win-win for all of us. Not only will these programs help develop our country’s future leaders, but they will also create and fill jobs down the line in our state,” Congressman Trone stated.

Built in 1964, Coad is a three-story 50,100 square-foot building serving the School of Natural Science and Mathematics, which has outgrown the existing space and needs to be renovated for modern STEM pedagogical practices. The new classroom and lab spaces will be technology-rich, multi-use, flexible, and configurable for a variety of instructional formats and class sizes.

The $20 million Coad expansion and renovation project is also being funded by a $2 million grant from the State of Maryland, in conjunction with donations made in support of the project through the “Forward! Together as One Campaign.”  A lead donation from George B. Delaplaine, Jr. will provide the collaborative space, to be called the Delaplaine Family Academic Commons. 

Other top-level donors contributing to the expansion project are the Page Family Foundation; Trish and D.J. Monagle; Paula and Fred Neuer; and Christina Lee and Mark Sobus, J.D.

Empowering Residents to Improve Their Lives

Deb Abraham Spalding

In the glory days of the former military base called Fort Ritchie in Cascade, its recreation facilities were considered by some to be the “best-kept secret” in the Army! These days, the recreational facilities still exist and operate as the Fort Ritchie Community Center, Inc. (FRCC). “That statement is still true today!” claims FRCC’s Executive Director Buck Browning. 

The mission of this non-profit center is to improve lives. He assures us that, “We’re not just a fitness center.” Browning, along with Director of Operations Samantha Phillips, Special Events Coordinator Bev Coyle, and Director of Wellness Brenda Walker, work together to provide quality programs, classes, facility rentals, healthy lifestyle opportunities, and social recreation to local residents, regardless of their age.

For youth, the “Kids Club” is held twice a week and provides a great opportunity for parents to drop their kids off and go work out in the fitness center. “Sports Saturdays” begins on the 14th of January for kids (ages 6-13) to develop various skills or try out a variety of different sports.

Also in January, a Junior Staff program will begin where tweens (ages 12-16) can enjoy the FRCC and brush up on interpersonal soft skills. Browning said, “It’s our hope that they’re [Junior Staff program participants] prepared to become junior staff for our summer camp, as well as quality employees for other local employers.” 

If you’ve considered joining FRCC but would like to learn more about it, an Open House will take place on January 7. Anyone can drop in for free and enjoy class demonstrations that are ongoing from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Director of Wellness Brenda Walker assures that it’s a “Great way to determine your ‘thing’ to achieve your class goals.” If you decide to join FRCC, the special in January is unlimited group fitness classes for $25.00 (you have to be a member).

For those dedicated to fitness, FRCC has comprehensive equipment, professional trainers, and space to train the entire body from top to bottom.

FRCC boasts the “Fortress.” While the fortress requires an additional monthly fee to members, it provides a clean, spacious room with top-notch York dumbbells and barbells that are necessary for those dedicated to fitness. Also, when the “Blue” gym (multipurpose room) isn’t being used for classes, it is set up as an interval-style training place with battle ropes, plyo box, red viper, slam ball, and more. These provide heavy lifters (or anyone) a creative cardio aspect with Hiit circuits and interval training. 

In the fitness center, strength and cardio machines are available for use by members and guests. Recent upgrades to equipment include two new exercise bikes that are extremely user-friendly, especially for those who are completing rehabilitation following knee or hip replacement.

There are two personal trainers on staff, but only for members. Brenda Walker will chat with you first to determine your goals. FRCC provides very affordable one-on-one coaching that is especially suited to those who need to fill the gap between physical therapy and jumping back into fitness. Email Brenda directly at bwalker@thefrcc.org to arrange your chat. Five one-hour sessions are exceptionally affordable for only $150.

FRCC has entered into partnerships with Meritus Health and the Washington County Health Department, along with other organizations, including Frederick County-based agencies, to address the issues facing rural residents in Maryland. The Rural Health Initiative is a grant-funded program that aims to increase access to healthcare and improve the quality of life for rural residents.

Browning said, “This separates us from being ‘just a gym.’ The open houses are part of this grant. Rural Americans have higher rates of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease than their peers. A lot of that is a lack of access to health care, including prevention programs that promote healthy life habits. We’re trying, along with our partners, to improve access to health care through screenings, vaccinations, and other activities to improve their overall quality of life.”

Walker is very excited about the February Fitness Challenge next month. She says individuals or teams may enter the challenge. Participants will earn points for special workout sessions, completing “pop-up” challenges, and preparing food plans. She says it’s a fun way to be active, lose weight, and generally improve your life. In addition to earning points for special activities, participants are expected to work out a minimum of three times per week during the month. Walker says she likes the team approach to the challenge because people will hold each other accountable when they are expected to help their team. Prizes include cash, free fitness class passes, and gift cards. 

Many may have already shopped for some local arts and crafts at one of FRCC’s craft shows. They’re held in April, October, and December.  Indoor yard sales are held in February and November, annually. Other activities hosted by the FRCC include a Speaker’s Series, Breakfast with Santa, Halloween Drive-Thru, Easter Egg Hunt, and the Cruise In Car Show. The community center also features a variety of rooms available for special event rentals. Among the spaces available to rent are the gymnasium, multipurpose room, and meeting room.

You are invited to stop in and take a tour of the Fort Ritchie Community Center, including its Camp Ritchie museum, which features an exhibit designed by Ritchie Boy Guy Stern.

The FRCC is located at 14421 Lake Royer Drive in Cascade. You can take a virtual tour of the community center online by visiting www.thefrcc.org.

FRCC Director of Wellness Brenda Walker instructs Hannah Spinx.

Mountain View Convenience Beer & Wine

Pictured from left are Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, Thurmont Commissioners Bill Blakeslee and Wes Hamrick, Gagan Rao, Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird, Ashish Parikh, Thurmont Commissioner Wayne Hooper, and Woodsboro Bank Thurmont Branch Manager David Crum. Front left and right are your friendly staff!

Catoctin Mountain Massage

Pictured from left are Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, Thurmont Commissioner Bill Blakeslee, Shannon Knighton, Cherie’s sons Buck & Anthony, Owner Cherie Knighton, Thurmont Commissioner Wes Hamrick, Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird, Mindfulness Coach Terry Pryor, and Chris Gardner.

T-Mobile

Pictured from left are Catoctin Colorfest President Carol Robertson, T- Mobile team member Danny Blackstock, T-Mobile Store Manager Jorge Granica, T- Mobile team member Jesus Escobar, T- Mobile District Manager Ryan Elkin, Thurmont Commissioner Bill Blakeslee, Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird, Thurmont Commissioner Wayne Hooper, Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, and David Crum, Woodsboro Bank Manager at the Thurmont Branch.

The status of new businesses and development coming to Emmitsburg follows:

Emmit Ridge 2 — The property is for sale.

Federal Stone — The company has proposed changes to its previously approved site plan at Creamery Court to reflect a proposed new building format and footprint and other changes related to the site. The revised plans were expected to be submitted to the Emmitsburg Planning Commission for its Dec. 19th meeting.

        Frailey Farm — The property is under contract. The proposed developer held a public workshop with the mayor and Board of Commissioners to discuss the project last month.

        Mason Dixon Logistics Park (Trout Property) — The concept plan has been submitted to staff for a commercial/industrial park.  Submitted an informal floating zone amendment for comment.

        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 — Construction was to begin in October.

        Rutter’s — The project is under active construction. Rutter’s has proposed an amendment to its approved site plan that would remove a forest conservation easement. This would allow the removal of trees currently protected by the easement.

        Seton Village — The Daughters of Charity Ministries is seeking to formally replat the Seton Village property to create two lots for purposes related to ownership. This is a technical plat change, and the surveyor has been advised of the town’s plat requirements and procedures.

                Village Liquors & Plaza Inn — Property owner has informed the town he is now phasing the project — Phase 1: first-story convenience area and Phase 2: second- and third-story hotel. They are currently waiting on Frederick County improvement plan approval.