by James Rada, Jr.
March 1920, 100 Years Ago
Fire At E. C. Creeger’s Garage
On Saturday, March 13th, at 7 P. M., I am going to have a large fire in the rear of my Garage for the purpose of demonstrating the ANTI-PYRO FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Be sure to see this test of the WORLD’S GREATEST FIRE KILLER and you will be convinced that it will pay you to protect your Home, Store, Automobile or Garage against your worst enemy, FIRE, with this absolute Fire Protection.
– Catoctin Clarion, March 11, 1920
Pen-Mar To Have Big Hotel
A dispatch from Waynesboro says: Plans have been drawn for a large modern hotel at Pen-Mar to contain 100 rooms and to have all the appointments of an up-to-date summer resort. A large lot has been secured at Pen-Mar road and Monterey avenue.
The syndicate back of the proposition is composed of leading capitalists at Hagerstown, Waynesboro and Baltimore. The money has all been subscribed. It is intended to proceed with the building operation this season if the lumber can be secured. The plans and specifications are now in the hands of William Wingert, Hagerstown, president of the Pen-Mar Improvement Association.
– Catoctin Clarion, March 11, 1920
March 1945, 75 Years Ago
Local Youth Hostel Receives Charter
“Crow’s Nest,” Youth Hostel, here, today received the official AYH Charter for the current year from the National Headquarters of American Youth Hostels at Northfield, Massachusetts.
The charter was received by Mr. and Mrs. Albert Gernand who will present it for the 6th time to the hostel. The houseparents are Mrs. J. E. Well and her brother, Joseph Gernand.
Open the year round, the hostel has accommodations for 6 girls and 6 boys in separate bunk rooms. Cooking is provided for with an ample supply of pots and pans as well as a cook stove. Hostelers come by bike or on foot and travel for fun, for health, and for a knowledge of the country–its people, its agriculture and its industries.
– Catoctin Enterprise, March 16, 1945
Board of Education Urges New School Bond Issue
Thurmont must have a new school building at the earliest possible moment, according to a decision by the Frederick County Board of Education, which this week sent representatives before the Board of Frederick County Commissioners urging them to request State Senator John B. Funk to introduce into the current session of the Maryland Legislature an enabling act, authorizing the County to issue bonds for the purpose as soon as construction becomes practical.
The situation at the local school, under which teachers have been laboring, has now become critical. Prospects are that inauguration of the new, enlarged school program in the Fall, which will create automatically the need for more teachers and more class rooms, and which will greatly increase attendance because of the extra class to be added, will create an overflow which simply cannot be cared for with existing facilities.
– Catoctin Enterprise, March 16, 1945
March 1970, 50 Years Ago
Eclipse Due Here Tomorrow
Serious damage to vision can result for any person who looks directly at the March 7 eclipse of the sun, cautioned the Maryland State Dept. of Health this week.
The danger of this particular eclipse is multiplied because it we (sic) on a Saturday and more people will likely watch it.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, March 6, 1970
Community Egg Hunt Set For Sunday
The annual Easter Egg Hunt, sponsored by Memorial Post 6658, Veterans of Foreign Wars, will take place this Sunday afternoon. Commander Thomas F. Sayler says the hunt will be held at Community Field as usual, and that children will be divided into age groups in an effort to give all an equal opportunity to find their share.
– Emmitsburg Chronicle, March 27, 1970
March 1995, 25 Years Ago
Don Byard Humanitarian Award Created
Jack Hoke, president of the Emmitsburg Ambulance Company, announced at their annual award banquet in February the creation of a new President’s Award. The award is named in honor of Donald B. Byard who, Hoke said, “has unselfishingly served this community for many, many years.”
In presenting the award Hoke said, “Don Byard, for your many acts of charity and humanitarian ways to your community, it is with great pride and honor and a lasting friendship that I present you with the Donald B. Byard Humanitarian Award. It is a tribute to you and the work you have done. Thank you for all you have accomplished.”
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, March 1995
Hall Of Fame
Marcus, the only Olympic Gold Medal winner in these parts, now resides quietly in the Emmitsburg area as he has done for the past six years. He spends his golden years meandering in the meadows and although he doesn’t talk about it, as most of us probably would, he thinks back on his glory days as an Olympic athlete.
Marcus Aurelius is his given name—a noble name for a noble destiny. Despite his small stature Marcus possessed amazing strength and stamina that let him run and jump with the best, even better than most. His feisty and independent spirit coupled with his physical abilities carried him and owner Mary Anne Tauskey to a team gold medal in the Three Day Event as part of the United States Equestrian Team competing at Bromont, Canada, during the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
– The Emmitsburg Regional Dispatch, March 1995
