Richard D. L. Fulton
The Thurmont Green Team held its annual Green Fest on April 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., at the Thurmont Regional Library, following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.
The event was co-sponsored by the Town of Thurmont, the Green Team, and the Thurmont Regional Library. More than 600 individuals were estimated by event organizers to have attended the event, despite the potential forecast for rain, according to Green Team Chairwoman Cindy Poole.
Mayor John Kinnaird, Town Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick, and Cindy Poole, among others, provided opening comments to the event. Kinnaird expressed his wishes that more individuals and businesses would find ways to incorporate recyclables into their crafts and products. More than 30 organizations provided displays, demonstrations, and activities geared to educate the public, regarding products utilizing recyclables and repurposing non-recyclables and the best sustainability practices regarding the environment.
Display and demonstration highlights included electric vehicles and information provided by Criswell Chevrolet. Displays were provided by the Sierra Club, Frederick County Master Gardeners, Catoctin Forest Alliance, Baywise, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Frederick County Office of Recycling & Composting, Frederick County Beekeeping Association, Frederick County Forestry Board, Maryland Department of Natural Resources “Scales & Tales,” and Mystic Meadows Sanctuary.
Activities and programs that were offered included tree planting demonstrations, paper fish crafts, electronic recycling drop-off (more than 2,000 pounds of electronic equipment was accepted), chalk-drawing, and beekeeping instructions, along with seed, gray dogwood, and button bush giveaways. Food and beverages were made available at the Thurmont Lions Club food trailer.
A decorated rain barrel, donated by the county Master Gardeners for the event’s raffle giveaways, was won by Alison Wogatske, while gift bags containing “nature-themed” gifts were won by Hannah Buckley, Jeremiah Mathews, Dana Crum, and Bob Allen.
Also featured, were programs and nature trail activities in the recently completed Library Nature Trail (also known as the Library Loop Nature Trail), a project which was established by the library and runs from the library grounds to the Thurmont Trolley Trail.
The trail features educational mini-wayside markers, each containing nature-themed information, photographs, and illustrations. In addition to the site being made available for the trail by the library, the Eagle Scouts and Class of 1961 donated towards the completion of the trail, with trail assistance provided by Frederick County Public School SUCCESS students, according to Catoctin Forest Alliance President Jim Robbins. Robbins told The Catoctin Banner that the trial, initially established in 2018, was dedicated in November 2021, and that the mini-wayside markers were actually completed “a couple of weeks ago.”
The Thurmont Green Team is managed by the Town of Thurmont via their Main Street program. Team members include Cindy Poole, Anita Phillips, Christine Maccabee, Bobby Myers, Sabrina Massett, Amie McDaniels, Jim Robbins, Marilyn Worsham, Thurmont Economic Development Manager Vickie Grinder, and Thurmont CAO Jim Humerick.
To volunteer assistance in Green Team efforts, contact the organization by email at ThurmontGreenTeam@gmail.com.
Emily Ramsey and Renee Delauter greet attendees at the Thurmont Green Team Green Fest, held April 9 at the Thurmont Regional Library.
Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird and Chief Administrative Officer James Humerick provide opening remarks at Green Fest.
Green Team Chairwoman Cindy Poole stands with a rain barrel door prize, donated by the county Master Gardeners, at Green Fest.
Thurmont Green Team member Marilyn Worsham stands at the organization’s informational display inside the Thurmont Regional Library.
