Thurmont Police Officer Recognized for Traffic Safety Contributions

On Wednesday, September 23, 2015, police officers representing law enforcement agencies throughout Maryland gathered in Gaithersburg to be recognized for their distinctive contributions to highway safety in Maryland.

The 2015 Maryland Traffic Safety Specialist (TSS) Awards Luncheon was presented at the Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center, and acknowledged law enforcement officers who have attained exceptional levels of experience, training, and proficiency in highway safety and traffic enforcement methods and procedures.

Thurmont Police Officer Jody A. Maybush was recognized as a 2015 TSS Award Recipient.

The TSS Designation is awarded by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), and the program is open to all police officers, deputy sheriffs, and state troopers from all Maryland law enforcement agencies, and to certain Federal law enforcement agencies.

TSS Designations are awarded at three levels: TSS-I, TSS-II, and TSS-III, with each successive level reflecting increasing degrees of experience and specialized training in traffic safety. Levels II and III also require submission of a formal paper which must be reviewed and approved by the TSS Executive Committee.

“Clearly these award recipients epitomize the spirit of the TSS program,” said Thomas J. Gianni, chief of the Maryland Highway Safety Office. “Effective traffic enforcement translates to fewer crashes, fewer injuries, and fewer deaths on our roadways. Traffic safety is public safety, and we congratulate the awardees on their very distinguished achievement.”

Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees delivered the keynote address for the luncheon.

The TSS program is a collaborative project of the Maryland Highway Safety Office, the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, the Maryland Sheriff’s Association, and the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions. The program is funded through a grant by the Maryland Highway Safety Office.

Local Dog Wags Pink Tail for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

We wear pink shirts, pink socks, pink ties, and pink ribbons and bows, in support of Breast Cancer research, but in Thurmont there is a six-pound, all-white Maltipoo named Marshmellow (shown right) that sports a pink tail to show her support.

Marshmellow’s owners, Bob and Betty Dewees of Thurmont, keep her tail pink in October for Breast Cancer Month. Marshmellow has had her tail dyed pink for the past five years. Betty re-dyes her tail when it starts to fade.

“When people see Marshmellow, they ask ‘Why is her tail pink?’” said Betty. “I reply: It’s pink for Breast Cancer Awareness.”

Photo Courtesy of Betty Dewees

Maryland Masonic Grand Lodge Presents Special Award

Mr. Earl A. Rice Jr. of Emmitsburg (pictured right) was presented with a Special 60-Year Award from the Maryland Masonic Grand Lodge. Brother Earl has been a member of Tyrian Lodge #205 Emmitsburg for sixty years; he was initiated on October 11, 1955.

The Special Award certificate and Maryland Grand Master pin were presented to Brother Earl by Maryland Masonic Grand Inspectors Bert Edmonston and Ernie Gelwicks at Mr. Rice’s home in Emmitsburg.

Cascade Sons of the American Legion Holds Benefit

Submitted by Bill Eiker, Cascade SAL Historian

On September 26, 2015, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) Post 239 in Cascade held the fall Gun and Cash Bash on the grounds of Fort Ritchie. Of the 2,000 tickets sold, there were more than 700 people in attendance.

With the favorable weather, those present thoroughly enjoyed the fundraising festivities. SAL’s Fisher House, Person(s) in Need Fund, and Cascade School’s Christmas Party will be prioritized in receiving the benefit proceeds.

Mr. Frank Sheiv, representative of Fisher House, spoke briefly about the importance of the contribution to this cause. A total of $10,000 has been donated to Fisher House from Cascade SAL from their last four events.

The attendees enjoyed plenty of pulled pork and beef, and many more picnic items to satisfy the hungry. Heartfelt thanks go out to all who endeavored to make this day a big success—it takes a lot of people!

Winners of the event were J. Bradner, B. Robinson, D. Rogers, Jr., T. Layne, D. Bricker, T. Guyer, T. Senseney, M. Coney, D. Beltz, T. Tiyar, H. Morgan, G. Miller, M. Shindledecker, T. Ryder, K. Fiorita, T. Reid, T. Durst, and J. Portner.

Masons Hold Event in Emmitsburg

On Thursday, September 24, 2015, Grand Master Kenneth S. Wyvill Jr. of the Maryland Grand Lodge and his Grand Line traveled to Tyrian Lodge 205 in Emmitsburg for a visitation and to present an award to Past Master Donald Stultz. Stultz has been teaching ritual and floorwork for Tyrian Lodge 205 for more than thirty-five years and rarely misses a rehearsal or meeting.

Also in attendance were members from St. John’s Lodge 260 in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Acacia Lodge 586 in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; Good Samaritan Lodge 336 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; and Eureka Lodge 302 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

Courtesy Photo

Pictured from left are: (front row) SW Ed Hahn, PM Don Stultz, Grand Master Kenneth S. Wyvill Jr., PM & WM Ernie Gelwicks, JW Kevin Poole; (back row) SD Austin Fogle, Brian Jestes, and Sec. Ron Cool.

2015 White House Christmas Ornament

The 2015 White House Christmas ornament honors the administration of Calvin Coolidge, who served as the thirtieth president of the United States, from 1923 to 1929. A depiction of the first National Christmas tree, crafted from shiny brass and plated with nickel and 24k gold, is illuminated from within and hung with ornaments representing the events of Coolidge’s unique life and presidency.

The sweeping banner anchoring the tree reads “White House Christmas 2015” on the front and “1923 Calvin Coolidge 1929” on the back. Tucked discretely on the back of the ornament is the switch for the new LED light feature included in this year’s design.

The White House Ornaments are a fundraiser of the Catoctin Area Civitan Club, who will use the proceeds for research on Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other syndromes of the brain, supporting people in our area who have developmental disabilities and providing support to meet other needs in our community.

To order your ornaments, please contact Nancy Shaffer by email at nshaffer01@aol.com or by phone at 301-676-9752 or 301-271-3202. Each ornament is just $25.00 and comes in a lovely box that is easily mailed.

Girl Scouts to Hold Informational Meetings in November

Attend a Girl Scouts meeting to learn more about Girl Scouts in your community and how you can be involved. Information meetings will be held on November 8, 2015, at 1:30 p.m. at the Thurmont Regional Library, located on Moser Road in Thurmont, and on November 12, 2015, at 6:00 p.m. at Glade United Church of Christ, located at 21 Fulton Avenue in Walkersville, Maryland.

Girls and their families will learn about opportunities for girls to be part of the largest girl organization, and how girls can explore the outdoors, develop strong values, make friends, have fun, and much more.

For more information and to RSVP, contact Patty Green at maizemeadow@gmail.com or call 301-898-3629.

Thurmont Spirit Show Choir News

The Thurmont Spirit Show Choir (TSSC) is gearing up for their big competition in the “Big Apple” in April 2016. They are in the midst of their Catoctin Popcorn fundraiser, which features various flavors of gourmet popcorn and Bavarian style nuts. These items make fantastic holiday gift ideas. Please see a Show Choir member to order for yourself or someone special. You may also call Marcie Dorcus at 301-748-7552. They will be marketing this fundraiser at the Thurmont Fall Art and Wine walk on November 13, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

There are two local upcoming performances for the Spirit Show Choir to show off their “Broadway” style talent: December 10, TSSC will perform at Catoctin High School, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.); December 15, TSSC will perform at their Winter Concert at the Thurmont Middle School, from 6:00-7:00 p.m.