Shooting at Autombiles by George Wireman
July 6, 2010
“SHOOTING AT AUTOMOBILES”
Henry Louis Mencken was considered one of the most influential American writers, essayist and social critic during the first half of the 20th century. Born in Baltimore, Md. on September 12, 1880, he went into newspaper work at age 16. At age 25, he found himself as managing editor of the Baltimore Evening Herald. In 1906 he joined the Baltimore Sun and maintained staff relations with the Sun papers for 35 years .Mencken died in Baltimore on January 29, 1956 at age 76.
Growing up in Thurmont, I learned that the Wireman household was never without a copy of the Baltimore Sun because my mother was originally from Baltimore. I enjoyed the sports page and the writings of Mencken. His articles covered virtually every aspect of American life and provided interesting reading. One that caught my eye was Mencken’s story about a frightful dragon seen in and around Thurmont which included Graceham and Catoctin Furnace areas as well. Here is the story in Mencken’s own words. Enjoy it.
*************
“Not since the days of the Jabberwock and the annihilation of the Whangdoodle had there been such a commotion or state of dread and horror in a community as that which existed among some of the summer boarders of the Blue Ridge during the last few weeks.
Vague rumors, shrouded reports and very weird tales brought to the settlement by the mountaineers from the surrounding wilderness caused such excitement. All of these rumors, reports and tales were based upon the sudden appearance of a mysterious monster which roamed the countryside after dark which startled the native mountaineers first, and then the summer boarder contingency.
It was always one of the native mountaineers who encountered the strange creature, and it was always described as being of monster size, with flaming nostrils and blazing eyes. A dozen different persons saw it at as many different and widely separated places, and this was taken as evidence that, despite its monstrous preparations, the creature moved with lightning rapidity.
Some declared it must be a species of prehistoric bear, with which the mountains once abounded. Others were firm in their conviction that it was a dragon from the fact that several times it set the forest afire in its course. Still others held that it was an emissary delegated by the Old Boy himself, to accompany and watch over certain of his subjects in these parts.
Down around the neighborhood of Catoctin Furnace is where the monster was first seen. But it is not unusual for the natives of the Catoctin Mountains to see strange things and therefore no unusual anxiety was aroused. Next, however, came the report from ancient Graceham, where the residents have done nothing but die since the pious Moravians settled there somewhere along the middle of the eighteenth century.
For probably the first time in nearly two centuries Graceham sat up and gave evidence of having a pulse. At any rate, something throbbed. One dark and dismal night the monster passed right straight through the Main (and only) street. Some said it came like a blast from the mountain. Except for its terrific breathing (or was it the flapping of wings?) it made not a sound though it moved close to, if not on the ground. It had two great brilliant, flaring eyes and left behind it a cloud of choking sulphurous dust.
What staid old Graceham saw must be believed, and next came the reports from Slabtown, a little hamlet near Sabillasville. This time it was on a bright moon-light. One of the most prominent mountaineers of that section, a Mr. Hutzelmeyer, was aroused from his slumbers by a terrific hissing sound, followed by a shriek that almost froze his blood. So he said.
After his temperature began to rise again, Mr. Hutzelmeyer arose from his couch and holding his breath, he strained his sense of hearing to its capacity. This was not discredited by reliable persons who heard him say so himself.
According to Mr. Hutzelmeyer’s own voluntary statement as he repeated it nightly for three weeks at a little cross-roads store. He aroused other members of his family and they agreed with him that some creature, human or otherwise, was moaning and groaning “up the road a piece.”
Armed to their full strength, Mr. Hutzelmeyer, supported by three members of his family able to bear arms and Mrs. Hutzelmeyer with the most recent Hutzemeyer in her arms, set out to investigate. They were rewarded for their investigation by finding a man lying in the road.
Although fair Luna was shedding her rays in all her glory ,full as she was, this was not a case of ‘moonshine”. The man lying in the road was hurt, and badly hurt at that. Blood flowed from cuts and gashes on his head and face. He was bruised and battered all over, as if the ferocious mountain monster had tried to tear his clothes off, the better to feast on his flesh.”
In Part 1 of this story the frightful dragon roaming the countryside was sighted in the quiet little town of Graceham, just a stone’s throw East of Thurmont. Then came reports from Slabtown, not far from Sabillasville, when a very prominent mountaineer by the name of Hutzelmeyer, was aroused from his slumbers by a terrific hissing sound, followed by a loud shriek.
“The brave Hutzelmeyers decided to investigate. Just a short distance from their house, they found a man lying in the roadway. He was badly bruised and battered. Blood flowed from cuts and gashes on his face and head. There was no mistake about it, he must have encountered that ferocious mountain monster that had been reported being seen in Catoctin, Graceham and Sabillasville areas.
When the Hutzelmeyers reported about finding a body in the roadway, all of the residents of Slabtown turned out to investigate and inspect the scene of the mysterious attack.
It took several days of nursing before the Hutzelmeyers learned what happened to the man they found laying in the road. Reports were that the man was on his way to Jimtown, when suddenly a huge, dark animal with immense flaring eyes, snorting and spitting out flames of fire, sprang upon him just as he came to a bend in the road. He was helpless. He could do nothing but utter one blood-curdling shriek as he was borne to the ground. It was that shriek that had aroused the Hutzelmeyers from their slumbers. The man told of seeing the nameless monster hover over him just before he lost consciousness.
The only thing that was discovered during the Hutzelmeyer’s investigation was a thin narrow trail, but that was for a short distance only. Some thought it was due to the dragon having permitted his spiked tail to drag on the ground while swooping down upon his intended victim.
Nor was this the last of the awe-inspiring thing. Reports came from isolated places all the way from Emmitsburg to Pen Mar Park and all around for twenty some miles.. The Mountaineers told of how, being out late at night, they were frightened motionless by a huge monster rushing by them in the dark. They could catch the extraordinary brilliancy of its eyes and hear the swish of its wings, The Slabtown case was the only one where the creature showed any disposition to attack.
With terror spreading, the men were beginning to fear leaving their homes at night. Two farmer boys, out later than usual, reported having seen the thing where the first report of its existence originated. They were not far from Catoctin Furnace when they encountered the creature in the middle of the road, going faster than the Pen Mar Express. They were so frightened that they said they could only see two great big eyes and smoke and fire coming from its mouth and nostrils and a big black body as it shot by them.
Strange as it may seem, no one had ever reported seeing the thing in daylight, so they asumed it was a night prowler. A big posse was oprganized which explored all the mountain fastness in an effort to locate the beast’s lair.
Dogs of all descriptions accompanied the searchers.. The dogs ran down all manner of trails and were sent into every cave, hole, crack and crevice of the mountains, while the men beat through the brush and climbed almost inaccessible boulders, only to waste a week in a fruitless search.
Finally a council of war was held and it was decided that the men would take turns in patrolling the roads near their homes at night. But where to watch was the next problem, as the thing had been seen at points fully 20 miles apart within just a few hours. It was agreed then that men wouls be designated to watch some special night near wherever they happened to live.
It fell to the destiny of Jago Kniffle and Alphaeus Shingledecker to end the fright of the mountaineers, which seemed to be spreading to the surrounding settlements.. They were keeping their vigil beside a huge boulder near the road from Mudville to Hoggs Mill, when they were set to trembling by the sound of the monster so often described to them. First they heard the swish of the monster’s wings, and then the two huge eyes glared directly in their faces as the creature rushed around the bend in the road.
With shrieks of terror Jago and Alphaeus dropped their guns and sprang to their feet in a mad effort to escape before the monster should be down upon them. As the guns dropped to the ground from the nerveless hands, one of them was accidentally discharged and a short, snappy snort followed from the monster as it came to an unexpected stop.
Frightened as they were, Jago and his fellow hero noticed the creature’s evident injury after the discharge of the gun and finally mustered sufficient courage to creep cautiously back to the boulder. From behind its protecting shelter they heard voices and then they distinguished words never uttered in polite society. Still cautious, they carefully peeped around the boulder and beheld two men,
simultaineously swearing and mending a tire on a big automobile which had been punctured by the accidental discharge of the watcher’s gun.
Jago and Alphaeus lintened and decided not to announce their presence, but they watched until the strangers remounted their car and drove away. When the next day dawned Jago and Alphaeus proclaimed in stentorian tones that they stood their ground right in the middle of the road and when the monster approached they coolly and deliberately fired their shotguns into the monster and brought its mad flight to a stop.
There was some talk among the summer boarders of bringing action against two native mountaineers for shooting at automobiles, but with time everything quieted down and life in the area returned to its usual quiet routine”.
***********
Special Note: Henry Louis Mencken, American editor and critic, was born in Baltimore, Maryland September 12, 1880. At age 16 Henry went into the newspaper business. At age 25 he became managing editor of the Baltimore Evening Herald. In 1906, Mencken joined the Baltimore Sun and maintained staff relations with the Sun papers for 35 years Mencken died in Baltimore on January 29, 1956 at age 76.
GEORGE W. WIREMAN
Fitness Matters By George Puvel
June 18, 2010
Expert answers to your health and wellness questions
Question: With it being American Heart Month recently, I’m curious what dietary changes I should make in order to stave off heart disease? Just trying to be proactive rather than reactive!
Answer: Kudos for focusing on prevention! As far as diet is concerned, you could try following the DASH diet, which stands for Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. This diet focuses on specific amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean proteins. Sounds pretty healthy, right? In fact, the diet has been shown to reduce hypertension, and can also decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke over time. But even if you don’t follow a comprehensive diet, you should still try to limit your sodium intake, reduce your intake of saturated and trans fats, moderate your alcohol consumption, and increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. All of these changes will go a long way in helping to protect your heart, and the rest of your cardiovascular system. If you want additional information, check out the American Heart Association website, www.americanheart.org, or consult with a registered dietitian.
Question: I lift 5 days per week consistently, but my strength gains have flat-lined. How do I continue to get stronger? I don’t think I can lift any more than I am right now. Help!
Answer: I don’t really have much information to go on here, but let’s see if I can provide some insight. First of all, there’s the distinct possibility that you’re working out too much. Maybe your volume (the combination of sets and reps) is too high-a common problem for those looking to gain strength as quickly as possible. And how long has it been since you’ve taken some time off to allow your body to fully recuperate from the stress of exercise? Some much-needed rest may do the trick, and amazingly, people often come back even stronger. I also wonder if you’re changing up your workouts enough. Many people get into the habit of using machines or free weights, but then never gravitate toward other forms of exercise. Cables, tubing, bands, kettlebells, medicine balls, and even bodyweight exercises can all increase strength, so you should try to vary up your routine regularly. Lastly, you have to remember that strength doesn’t just increase exponentially on a continual basis. There is a threshold that you’ll reach at some point, and you could be there already. If you feel like you need help with your current program, talk to a certified personal trainer.
Question: I see quite a few advertisements for multivitamins these days, but I’ve never really thought about taking one. Now that I’m the big 4-0, I’m focusing more on my health. Do you think taking a multi is a good idea?
Answer: In a word…yes! Nobody follows a “perfect” diet, so taking one makes sense. There are actually a number of health organizations that currently recommend multivitamin/ mineral (MVI) supplements for all individuals. I like to think of an MVI as insurance. You pay insurance for your house and your car, so why not take a multi to ensure that you’re getting all the nutrients you need to function and feel well? After all, there’s really no downside to taking one. In most cases, your body will use what it needs, and will eliminate what it doesn’t. The hard part is finding the right supplement. You should look for an MVI that is broad-spectrum, meaning it has a comprehensive list of essential nutrients that your body needs on a daily basis. You also want to make sure that the one you take includes these nutrients at functional dosages, which means that the ingredient levels actually affect your health in a beneficial way. Unfortunately, many of the most popular MVI’s only contain the Recommended Dietary Allowances, which are nutrient levels designed to prevent deficiency diseases, not necessarily enhance health. You should also look for products that are manufactured by reputable companies that follow good manufacturing practices and FDA regulations. There are plenty of well-formulated products on the market. If you need help choosing the one that’s right for you, contact a registered dietitian.
About the author: George Puvel is the club owner at Anytime Fitness in Thurmont. To submit a question for future articles, please contact the author at Thurmontmd@anytimefitness.com.
Thurmont Code Time Grass, weeds and empty houses, etc. by Kenny Oland
June 18, 2010
Grass, weeds and empty houses, etc.
Kenny Oland: koland@frederickcountymd.gov
As we move into summer, the grass and weeds are growing because we have been blessed with rain once again this spring. Unfortunately there are also a growing number of houses and buildings that are vacant or have been abandoned as the result of foreclosures, bankruptcies or other reasons. Some of those houses and buildings may be next to you and your home.
As I drive around town I do not always notice or know of properties that are empty. These empty houses and buildings can create a problem for you as well as the Town. They can be vandalized, become overgrown or become a hangout for juveniles during the evening, weekends, and the summer.
To assist the Police Department and the Code Enforcement Officer keep an eye on those empty houses and buildings we are asking that if you have one next to or near you that you call us at 301-271-0905, give us the address. Once we have information on these empty houses and buildings we will make checks to assure that these properties are secure as well as being taken care of. We also ask that you help us keep an eye on these properties. When you see something that you think is out of place or someone that is not known to you around the property that you call 301-600-2071 to have an officer check it out. This is the phone number to Frederick County Dispatch; they dispatch our Officers and is the quickest way to get an officer to you.
Chapter 126 - Streets and vehicle:
The Town of Thurmont has been reviewing and revising our Codes for the past two years, we are getting close to finishing the initial review and revisions. The Chapter dealing with Streets and Vehicles has been presented to the Board of Commissioners, they recommended some minor changes, which have been made, and will be presented to them for the final review. Addressed within this chapter is the placement of sports equipment within the streets.
There have been a number of complaints over the years regarding basketball hoops and other items placed within the streets and on the sidewalks. In Article V, Use of Streets - Prohibited Acts, §126-51. Prohibition on playing sports or games and or placement of sports equipment. All types of sports equipment shall not be placed or erected within 10 feet of any street, sidewalk or public way of the Town. This means that all basketball hoops and other sports equipment that are now placed in the streets, on the grass area between the street and sidewalk as well as the sidewalk will have to be removed.
Once this Chapter has been approved by the Board of Commissioners, all property owners will be given time to remove these items before we begin to issue civil citations, then the Town will remove them at the property owners expense.
Trash:
Blowing trash continues to be a problem throughout Town. As a reminder, once again, when you store or place your trash out for collection it is to be secured in a manner that prevents any contents of the trash bag, trash can, or recycling container from escaping. If trash does escape or is dropped by the trash contractor, it is your responsibility to clean it up. Don’t allow it to blow about your neighborhood for your neighbors to clean up. I’m sure that you don’t like cleaning up after someone else, so don’t make someone else clean up after you.
As a reminder, recycling is mandatory in Thurmont! By recycling you help reduce the tipping fees paid by the Town, just another way to reduce expenditures of the Town.
I hope that you have a safe and enjoyable summer.
What is part-time & full-time under new health care reform
June 18, 2010
What does health care mean for small business? by Vickie Grinder
Health Care Reform will have a major impact on all small business and large business effective 2014. The biggest concern among businesses seems to be if they are considered a small or large business which is the determining factor in employer health care for their employees. First let’s examine the employer mandate: the requirement that certain employers either provide an affordable package of essential health coverage to all full time works or pay a per-employee penalty. What mandates full-time? Large employers are defined under the health-care law as those with fifty or more full-time-equivalent employees. A small employer is a business with fewer than fifty full-time-equivalents is exempt from the law’s health coverage requirements and penalties. Full-time is anyone averaging at least thirty hours per week in any given month. Part-time is defined as a person who averages fewer than thirty hours a week in any given month. Employers are not required to provide health care coverage or pay penalties for part-time employees. Beginning January 1st, 2011, employers will be required to disclose the value of health benefits provided by the employer for each employee’s health insurance coverage on the annual W-2 form -this mandate for all businesses. Check with your accountant or visit irs.gov for more information on stipulations for your business.
Say What! by Mike Cady
June 18, 2010
SAY WHAT! By Mike Cady
We are one step closer to Socialized Medicine!
Yes, it is true; with the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (otherwise known as ObamaCare) our country moved one monster step closer to having socialized medicine. However, the socialization of our health care delivery and finance system did not start with President Obama. In fact, for the past sixty-four years, our government (at every level) steadily worked toward the elimination of the “fee for service” payment system and doctor / patient relationship we once knew and valued.
To better understand how we got to where we are today, a brief review of key legislation may be helpful.
Hill-Burton Act (The Hospital Survey & Construction Act of 1946) - The Act provided federal grants and guaranteed loans to improve the physical plant of the nation’s hospital system. Money was designated to the states to achieve 4.5 beds per 1,000 people. Facilities that received Hill-Burton funding had to adhere to several requirements that included the provision of free care. The cost of such services was then built into hospital rates for others to pay.
Social Security Act (Title XVIII and XIX) in 1967, Medicare was implemented. It provides comprehensive health care services to disabled citizens and those 65 and older provided they are otherwise eligible for Social Security benefits. While providing needed coverage to a huge population, Medicare also controls participating physicians’ fees, length of hospital stays and what treatment may be rendered. Starting the following year, Medicaid was initiated in many states (including Maryland). It provides limited services to indigent families with greater government imposed restrictions on health care providers than Medicare.
Health Services Cost Review Commission In 1974, Maryland was one of the first states to enact a cost review commission. The Commission sets the rates that hospitals charge.
Health System Agency(HAS) In 1975, a HSA that served a specific geographic region was delegated a role in determining whether the state will approve an application for a new or converted, expanded, or otherwise significantly modified health facility. In other words, the state government controlled if a hospital could expand or modernize, and what services it may offer its community.
With these legislative initiatives came an abundance of allied groups that added layers of bureaucracy to the delivery of health care services and further imposed upon the doctor / patient relationship. They included: Utilization Review Committees, Medical Care Foundations, Peer Review Committees, Quality Assurance Programs, etc. However, for the past twenty-five years, the health care system was void of any additional major government intrusion into our health care. In fact, with the passage of HIPAA (Health Information Privacy Act), the government guaranteed that our medical history would be protected and shared only with entities we expressly approved. In this electronic era, this legislation was sorely needed.
Then came ObamaCare. On March 23 of this year, President Obama signed into law the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Beware, the more endearing the title of legislation, the more suspect it is. The question asked and not yet answered is, affordable for whom - probably not the taxpayers or employers. In the words of Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of Health & Human Services), ObamaCare “will provide you and your family greater savings and increased quality health care”. If this turns out to be true, to my knowledge it will be the first federal entitlement program to achieve such lofty goals. Certainly, Medicare and Medicaid missed this mark since health care costs have escalated faster than any other industry since their inception.
It is very difficult to wrap your arms around the ObamaCare Program and succinctly define its components. Core concepts include:
- All individuals will be required to obtain health care coverage or pay penalties. Empolyer provided coverage will generally meet this requirement.
- Lower income will receive a credit or voucher to help pay for health insurance.
- Employers currently offering health insurance can elect to continue offering coverage as long as their plans meet certain minimum requirements.
- Employers electing to not offer qualifying coverage will be subject to additional taxes. Exceptions will be made for small businesses.
As we all know, the devil is in the detail. Here are just a few concerns that you may wish to monitor to ensure that you do not end up with less coverage for more money.
Lose your current insurance and doctor - CNN reported that some large employers may drop their current health care plans they now offer their respective employees because ObamaCare makes it much cheaper for these employers to convert their employees into the government controlled health exchanges and pay a penalty for not insuring them.
Children covered up to age 26 - Most insurance coverage covers children up to the age of 19 or up to 25 if they are a full-time student or disabled. However, ObamaCare extends coverage of children up to age 26, regardless of student status. As a result, just from this provision, insurance rates will increase a minimum of one percent. Associated Press reported that it will cost $3,380 for each adult dependent in 2011.
Physician owned hospitals will suffer - Frederick County is blessed with a single outstanding hospital (Frederick Memorial) and its complete system that provides outpatient laboratory, radiology, surgical, physical therapy, home health and other services. This is very unique as most communities rely on a variety of facilities, including physician owned hospitals. Under ObamaCare, physician owned hospitals are subjected to restrictive regulations that include a ban on expansion, limitations on new investments, additional reporting requirements and fines for failure to comply with new transparency rules that apply only to them.
Shortage of physicians, especially general practitioners - Obamacare does absolutely nothing to address doctors’ ever growing and legitimate concerns about the cost of malpractice insurance, substantially low reimbursement rates for government sponsored programs, and the never ending paper-work required of them. The results of which may drive more general doctors out of their offices like we have already witnessed in some specialties (e.g., OB / Gyn).
Employers may be fined for providing current coverage - Under ObamaCare, employers may be fined for not providing their employees with what the government defines as an appropriate level of coverage. According to Mercer (a human resource consultancy) “38% of the nation’s employers have at least some employees for whom coverage would be considered unaffordable under the newly enacted Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act”. So, what do they do to avoid penalties? One option is to cancel their current high-end coverage and go with the ObamaCare option with fewer benefits. However, because all of the regulations are not yet promulgated, many details are not yet know.
Thus, the debate about the delivery and financing of our national health care system is not over. The enactment of ObamaCare was Phase one and two phases remain to be formed. The next two phases are how the state and local governments will reform health care in their jurisdictions. These debates will provide all of us with an opportunity to let our thoughts be known and impact the outcome.
Senior Moments-By the Grace of God! by Carol Hutson
May 15, 2010
You often hear the phrase, “By the Grace of God!”… I truly believe God sends his graces in many forms to guide and enhance our lives. His grace leads us to that special person, you want to spend the rest of your life with. Being guided by his graces to meet wonderful people who genuinely care about the people they meet and who go out of their way to make you feel welcome, and with whom you know you have a dear friend for life.
One couple in particular fits all of the above - Jo Ann and Paul Cannada. We met this dear couple two years ago when Paul was serving as the Thurmont Lion’s club president. Lovingly referred to as “Pilot” this reference fits him exactly as he guided the Lion’s through an exciting year of service to the Thurmont community, with his loving wife Jo Ann always at his side to do whatever was needed to get the job done.
Jo Ann and Paul met in 1959, while Paul worked at a George Washington University deli named Leo’s. They were introduced by a mutual friend. Jo Ann said with a giggle “The first time I saw him I said, Oh my gosh, I’m going to get that guy.. and I did!” Paul said jokingly, “She lived 2 blocks away- she came in 6 times a day!”
Paul was born July 6 1942, in Durham, North Carolina. His family moved to DC when he was three. Jo Ann, a native of DC was born June 12, 1944, They were married on August 25, 1962, and have been blessed with two beautiful daughters: Deborah Ann and Mary Catherine; five wonderful grandchildren, James Patrick, Paul Michael, Ashley Lynn, Mathew Brian and Thomas Carl and three adorable great grandchildren Andruw , Emily and J T- James Thomas. Paul was in the Navy, stationed at Norfolk and had to report to his ship while they were still on their honeymoon, but knowing he had a weekend pass he took Jo Ann along. Prior to their leaving, Jo Ann being a dutiful new bride pressed his white uniform so Paul would be ready to board ship on Friday. As Paul was dressing to leave he noticed she had pressed the pants on the outside making the creases point out rather than in (as per Navy protocol pressing them inside out). On the bus ride to the ship the other crew members jokingly asked him “What man’s Navy are you in?”
After the Navy, Paul went to work for PEPCO as a helper in the substation test department. Hard work and dedication moved Paul up the ladder to Division Manager of the Distribution Systems Operations where he retired. Jo Ann went to work after high school for the Board of Governors at the Federal Reserve System and after their daughters were grown she worked at the Bureau of National Affairs in Gaithersburg, MD where she retired.
Paul and Jo Ann moved to Thurmont in 2003, and Paul joined the Lions club in June 2004. A few months after joining the Thurmont Lions club, Paul was asked if he would consider going to the Multiple District Leadership Institute. A few months later, he received a call asking if he wanted to be Second Vice President for 2005/2006. He served as First Vice President, in 2006/2007, and as President 2007/2008. Paul moved up to Zone Chair 2008/2009. This year 2009/2010, he is serving as Cabinet Secretary for District 22 W. If elected at the District Convention on May 21, 2010, he will be Second Vice District Governor. Pretty impressive as his only goal was to help serve his community when he joined.
Jo Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. They caught it just when it broke, three lymph nodes were removed and she had a lumpectomy. After 33 radiation treatments Jo Ann was on the road to recovery. During her two year checkup in May 2009, the doctors discovered something in the other breast, a MRI reviled a much more aggressive form of cancer had developed in the right breast, this time she would need chemotherapy. “I have had so much support from our church , Lions and community.” Lynn Stewart was always there to hold her hand with words of encouragement. “You can beat this! You will beat this! “Sharon Windsor made bread pudding for me each time I had chemo. I knew that a big bowl would be waiting for me, she never let me down.” “My neighbor in JerMae Villas, Paul Moss and I rode to and from radiation treatments together. Jo Ann, stated warmly. I asked Jo Ann what would you say to someone who was just diagnosed with cancer. She responded with conviction. ” You are going to be ok, with God’s help and good doctors you will be ok, you can do it, you will be fine! ,
Jo Ann’s Treasured Moment: “My mother brought home a puppy named Fluffy. She was a feisty little thing. She was my best buddy, she went everywhere with me .”
Jo Ann and Paul shared with me one of many Treasured Moments: When they were about sixteen/seventeen they went to channel 5- Milt Grant’s show where Annette Funacello was performing. Paul was smitten with Annette, his eyes still lite up and a boyish grin crossed his face at the mention of her name. As a teen, “A friend and I attended a concert at the Carter Barron Amphitheater where Annette was performing. Afterwards, we saw her leaving- we decided to follow her limo. They drove up and down DC streets, Annette smiled and waved out of the back window as her driver tried to lose us, he finally did,” Paul recounted smiling. Who knew-Our Paul- a teen idol stalker!!!
Paul’s Treasured Moment: “The birth of our two daughters. With the first came the shock of all of a sudden I was responsible for someone, When our second daughter was born I was so grateful there was nothing wrong.”
Jo Ann’s Senior Moment: “At Our Lady of Mount Carmel the Second Chance were being honored , I met a wounded serviceman, Robert Bartlett who had returned from Afghanistan and Iraq. He introduced himself and asked “How are you,” I guess because he saw I was bald. We had a wonderful talk, he touched my heart. We have kept in touch, he sent me holy water from Our Lady of Fatima, in France and a beautiful letter. The police Ride-A-Long with officer Danny Fitzgerald, that was super exciting! And winning the battle with cancer- I AM A SURVIVOR!”
Paul’s Senior Moment :”Being in the Lions Club, at my first benefit breakfast seeing so many people show up on a cold rainy March morning for a man with terminal cancer. I could not believe the number of people that showed up. That was the day I knew- I was a Lion, and would never leave the club.
If you have a senior moment you would like to share contact me at carol@thurmonttimes.com
Emmitsburg Times by Mayor Jim Hoover
April 21, 2010
The Emmitsburg Town staff and elected officials have received several questions about the status of the Creamery Road and Lincoln Avenue project.
Recently the State of Maryland established a new permit requirement which the Town and our contractors were not aware of. To the best of our knowledge all permits were applied for and approved. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) agreed that the Town could proceed with the job as designed, halfway through the project, MDE issued a stop work order for failing to obtain the proper permits. In additional to the stop work order, MDE also issued a $10,000 dollar fine, which was paid by our engineering firm.
The stop work order was issued on or about March 1, 2010 and was expected to last approximately six weeks. As of April 20, 2010 the Town has been unable to get a status from MDE on when we can expect the permit to be released which also determines when the stop work order will be lifted.
With a stop work order in place the Town is unable to make more suitable repairs to the roads without risking additional fines and penalties being assessed directly against the Town. The Town staff continues to fill pot holes but, the stone is easily washed out by the rain and constant flow of traffic. With South Seton Avenue closed, the Town knows how critical it is that Lincoln Avenue and Creamery Road remain accessible.
Town staff and I will continue to work with several agencies at the County and State levels to have work resumed on the Creamery Road and Lincoln Avenue project and to get South Seton Avenue reopened as soon as possible. Until the County determines that the building on the square is structural sound, the State Highway (SHA) can not reopen South Seton Avenue.
On a positive note; the Creamery Road and Lincoln Avenue project is a project that is long over. It may be hard to realize right now but, the short term inconveniences that we are currently experiencing is absolutely out weighed by the long term effects this project will have on our community. The scope of work for this project upgrades the sewer and water lines the entire length of East and West Lincoln Avenue including new piping under Toms Creek. The upgrade to the water line will improve the quality and volume of water available to the residents, businesses and fire hydrants. The upgrade to the sewer line will reduce the infiltration of “wild water” in to the sewer lines and reduce the risk of overloading our pump station which causes raw sewage spills.
Without the stop work order and the closing of a major road, the Creamery Road and Lincoln Avenue project is very similar to the projects that were completed on the west end of town and on South Seton Avenue. These projects also created an inconvenience to the community but, as designed, those projects also provided a significant resource for fire protection. Prior to those projects being completed several fire hydrants on the west end of town and along South Seton Avenue was unusable because the water lines did not have adequate volume. The water lines were old, leaking and not properly sized for current demands. Without those improvements, the recent fire on the square may have burned out of control longer and caused damage to the adjacent buildings.
Government does work.
April 21, 2010
Government does work. by Frederick County Commissioner President Jan Gardner
Every day we get in our cars and we drive to work, to school, to visit friends or to run errands. We take for granted that we have the ability to readily travel wherever we want! We are able to get from one place to another using a road network provided by government. Depending upon where you live and where you are going, you are likely to drive on some combination of municipal, county, state, or federal roads. We get where we want and need to go because we have a functional network of well maintained roads and bridges. While our transportation network is not perfect, we do have the ability to travel just about anywhere at any time because of our road and highway system.
Each and every day, over 40,000 children in Frederick County attend our public schools. Most are picked up near their homes by a school bus and are delivered back home later in the day. Our children are provided the opportunity to learn and have access to a wide variety of educational choices including advanced placement classes, foreign languages, calculus and physics, agriculture education and much more. We are fortunate in Frederick County to have excellent public schools. Our children have the opportunity to excel and are well prepared to attend some of the best colleges in the country.
If you have a medical emergency, a fire, or another type of emergency, you can call 911 to access help. A well prepared 911 call taker will answer the phone and will dispatch law enforcement or fire and emergency rescue staff who will respond quickly to provide needed assistance. A few weeks ago, one of my friends called 911 at two o’clock in the morning because her husband was experiencing chest pain and thought he was having a heart attack. The 911 operator calmly provided instructions. The ambulance arrived, first responders provided care and quick transport to the hospital, and hospital staff was ready and waiting in the emergency room. This timely and professional response resulted in a positive outcome and a good prognosis for my friend’s husband. This government service works well for many people in need every single day.
Most of us feel safe in our homes and in our community and go about our daily activities with little thought about our personal safety. Crime in Frederick County has decreased 13% over the past year due to the efforts of our Sheriff and all the members of the Sheriff’s Office. These statistics reflect positively on the work of our men and women in law enforcement. We are fortunate to live in a safe place.
Calls for service to 911 have increased steadily over time. In 2009, total calls handled both inbound and outbound were 345,541 calls with 199,556 dispatches to all agencies including law enforcement, fire and EMS dispatch, and animal control. This compares to 88,823 dispatches to all agencies in 2000. The calls for service have increased as the population of the county has increased. County public safety agencies do an outstanding job of providing responses to all of these calls for service. Public safety agencies provide an essential government service that works.
Many residents in Frederick County are connected to public water and sewer provided by the county or one of the municipal governments. For those of us connected to public water and sewer, we do not worry about whether the water is safe to drink and we take for granted that we can cook, do laundry, take a shower, and flush our toilets every day for a relatively inexpensive cost. Public water and sewer is one of the few utilities that work continuously even when there are electricity outages. Public water and sewer systems protect public health and extend longevity. Water and sewer is a government service that works.
These are just a few examples of government services that work well. In our current economic climate, there has been a lot of public debate about what services government provides, the ability of government to provide these services, and whether these services are valued by the community.
The next time you visit the library, see an ambulance or fire truck drive by with its sirens on, or pass a local school, take a moment to be thankful that we live and call Frederick County home.
Government does work!
New & Noteworthy at The Thurmont Regional Library
April 20, 2010
By Erin Dingle, Administrator (edingle@FrederickCountyMD.gov)
The library has several interesting events coming up and as always, the public is invited to come over and participate at no cost.
Vic Jagow Day is May 15! The library is joining together with several organizations to honor Mr. Jagow for his long-standing commitment to our community. An early supporter of the library, Vic has donated his time, energy and goodwill to this library and we owe him a great deal of gratitude. Join us on the library deck at 1 pm for a special presentation to Vic plus the reunion ‘The Coachmen’, the band Vic managed and who played at local dances and parties in the 1960’s. This is a once in a lifetime reunion and something you don’t want to miss.
The library will also be participating in ART (Art Along the Trail) on Saturday, May 22. The festival will feature art, music, exhibits, food and more along the Trolley Trail. Stop by the library to visit our gallery for the final day of the David Fair exhibit. The library will also be displaying the winning entries of the ‘Welcome to My World’ student art contest. Registration forms are available at the library.
The summer exhibit at the Thurmont Regional Library Art Gallery will feature a variety of works by local artists, Emily Sloviko and Nancy Houston. The gallery is free and open to the public every Sunday from 1-4.
And finally, don’t forget to bring your kids to the library to Make a Splash in the annual Summer Reading Club. There are going to be lots of fun activities and events for kids of all ages, plus prices galore. This is something the kids look forward to every year so be sure you stop in for more details or visit www.fcpl.org after May 1 to register on
I Want You (and your dog) To Give Blood by Dr “JB” Bramson
April 20, 2010
Blood donation is a gift of life, whether you are a human, dog or cat.
When I look at my blood donation card, it tells me:
1) 1 human blood donation can save up to 3 lives.
2) less than 30% of those who give once give again.
3) a person can give up to 6 times per year
4) every 2 seconds a person needs blood
5) donated blood lasts 42 days
Pets Need Blood Transfusions Too
Whole blood and blood components are utilized in transfusion medicine. When blood is separated, it yields packed red blood cells (RBC’s) which carry oxygen to tissues in the body, fresh frozen plasma, or frozen plasma, and platelets. The shelf lives of those products are:
packed RBC’s - 35 days
fresh frozen plasma (FFP) - 1 year
frozen plasma (FP) - 5 years
Reasons for cats and dogs to need transfusions
1) blood loss from major trauma, bleeding internal tumors, even heavy parasite loads especially in young animals or very small sized animals. For example: internal parasites - especially hookworms, and external parasites - fleas and ticks in high numbers.
2) decreased production of RBC’s from bone marrow due to:
a) cancer of the bone marrow
b) infections i.e., Feline Leukemia virus in cats
3) coagulation disorders:
a) inherited disorders such as hemophilia (dogs can get this condition and there are different varieties)
b) acquired - ingestion of rodent bait/ poisons - most often these baits act as anti-coagulants to cause bleeding to death; pets find these baits delicious too and can be harmed (or killed) by them.
There are animal blood banks throughout the USA. One of the closest to us is Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank in Annapolis, Maryland. One of their blood donation centers is at Kingsbrook Animal Hospital in Frederick Maryland. Only “volunteer” dogs are used for donations.
Your dog can be considered for blood donating if it is:
1) a healthy 9 months to 7 1/2 year old that is at least 35 pounds.
2) available to donate every 2 months
3) on regular heartworm prevention
4) up to date on preventive health care (vaccines)
5) not taking any medicines which may preclude it from being a donor
As a donor, your dog receives:
1) blood typing
2) complete blood cell counts and chemistry panels yearly
3) heartworm and tick disease screening every 6 to 12 months
4)other testing for disorders
5) an examination at each donation
A single dog donation can save 4 lives. Donation only takes 3 to 5 minutes and no sedation is needed. Only a small amount of blood is collected and the body starts to replace it immediately.
blood typing and cross matching ( between donors and recipients) is a good idea before a transfusion. In dogs, it can be risky not to do so. In cats, it can be fatal.
Dogs and cats have their own blood groups. Dogs have 3 blood groups and cats have 2 blood groups. Blood type refers to an antigen on the surface of the RBC’s. In dogs, one major distinction is DEA 1.1 positive vs. negative. If you know that your dog is positive, it saves money on the cost for compatible blood and it saves the negative blood supply for those that really do need it.
So give blood if you’re a dog and save lives. Give blood if you’re a person and feel good knowing that you’re saving lives.
Contact the Red Cross at: 1-800-REDCROSS to schedule a donation
Call Eastern Veterinary Blood Bank at 1-800-949-3822
Advertisement
