Local Resident Receives Bronze Star

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas V Cantwell, of Sabillasville, MD was recently awarded The Bronze Star for his service in Iraq at a ceremony in Chambersburg, PA. LTC Cantwell commanded the 324th Military Police Battalion from November 2002 until November 2004. The Army Reserve unit served in Diyala Province, Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The Bronze Star is given for meritorious service in military operations against an armed enemy.

LTC Cantwell is the son of Mary Rae Cantwell of Blue Ridge Summit, PA and the husband of Lisa C. Cantwell. He has three children.

Thurmont Police Department Receives Two Awards

Thurmont’s interim Police Chief Lt. Nee presented Thurmont Mayor Marty Burns with the 2005 Chiefs Challenge award at the October 4, 2005 town meeting. The Thurmont Police Department was again awarded this honor in recognition of a commitment to enforce seatbelt safety by Governor Ehrlich.

Participation in the Chief’s Challenge program not only enforces seatbelt safety, but also opens the door for law enforcement in other areas. For example, while ticketing a driver for an unrestrained child, officers found the driver had a suspended license and a search of the vehicle led to marijuana and paraphernalia.

The Chief also proudly displayed a medal awarded by the State of Maryland to Lt. Tyler of the Thurmont Police Department for his outstanding efforts in DUI enforcement.

Commissioners Choose Eyler to Lead Police Department

A Thurmont resident who started his law enforcement career in Thurmont will be the town’s new Police Chief effective December 1, 2005.

The Thurmont Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the hiring of Major Greg Eyler of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office as the new Chief of the Thurmont Police Department. Lt. Ted Nee of the Sheriff’s Department, acting interim chief for the town’s police department, commended the Board on their decision to hire Eyler.

Eyler began his career in law enforcement with the town in 1979. The next year he moved to the sheriff’s office and has risen through the ranks over the past 25 years.

Breakfast Fundraiser for Cpl. Adam Kisielewski

Trinity United Church of Christ will host a benefit breakfast for Marine Cpl. Adam Kisielewski and his newlywed wife Carrie of Thurmont.

Cpl. Kisielewski had been in Iraq for one month when he was injured in an explosion that killed his Lieutenant and severely wounded Kisielewski. He has lost his right arm and his left leg but nonetheless is taking his injuries with extreme bravery according to his mother. He is currently recuperating at Walter Reed Memorial Hospital.

Trinity will host the benefit breakfast on Saturday, November 5 from 6:00 to 11:30 a.m. The breakfast menu includes eggs, sausage, pancakes, chipped beef gravy, pudding, biscuits, and more. Tickets on sale at Trinity UCC, Thurmont Town Office, American Legion Post 168, AMVETS Post 7, NationsBank, Here’s Clydes, Direct-to-You Gas Station, ACE Hardware and Hahn’s Barbershop. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 10, and children under 5 are free. Monetary contributions will also be accepted and 100% will be donated.

Brownies Seeking Uniforms, Handbooks and Craft Supplies for Girl Scouts

Brownie Troop 1200 of Thurmont, is holding a collection drive for Girl Scout troops in Mississippi and Louisiana who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.

The troop is collecting  new and used (current) Girl Scout uniforms and handbooks for all levels; "badge in a bag" kits  (materials needed to complete a Try-It or Badge for 25 girls); extra unused Try-Its or Badges; craft supplies/materials; board games; paperback books; and small denomination gift cards to national store chains.

The troop is working cooperatively with the town of Thurmont’s collection drive and will be accepting donations at the town’s Katrina Relief drop-off site in Thurmont Shopping Plaza (N. Church Street) in Thurmont in the old vacant grocery store (formerly Jubilee).  Collection hours are Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Saturdays 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and Sundays 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please mark your items "Girl Scouts" as we are working with cooperatively with the town of Thurmont (who is collecting items for the Waveland, Mississippi area) at this collection site.

 If you cannot bring your items and would like to have someone pick them up, please write to brownietroop1200@aol.com or call Troop Leader Lori Zentz at 301-271-4226 (number for The Catoctin Banner) and leave a message.

Legion’s Poker Pub Crawl To Benefit Local Charities

The Francis X. Elder American Legion Post 121 sponsored a Poker Pub Crawl in Emmitsburg on Saturday, October 15, 2005. A total of 101 people participated in the event which raised $1,213.00 for the Emmitsburg Food Bank, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. The funds will be combined with the money raised at the Legion’s annual White Elephant Charity Auction on November 12, 2005 and given to the three charities. The Poker Pub Crawl included stops at five Emmitsburg establishments: American Legion Post 121, The Palms Restaurant, One More Tavern, The Ott House Pub, and Main Street Grill.

Francis X. Elder American Legion Post 121 Poker Pub Crawl was organized by chairperson Patty Adams who is shown above with Legion representatives (L-R) Sons Commander Mark George, Board President Doug Adams, Ladies Auxiliary President Penny Adams, Committee Member Cindy Marthers, Chairperson Patty Adams and Commander James Jordon.

Local Veterinary Clinics Helping Relief Effort

Catoctin Veterinary Clinic in Thurmont is and is collecting dog and cat food donations in cooperation with the town of Thurmont’s Katrina Relief Drive. You can drop off your donation to the clinic at 204 East Main Street in Thurmont. For more information call 301-271-0156.

Emmitsburg Animal Hospital has raised over $2,000 in their money collection drive for for the US Humane Society, Disaster Relief Fund. Money is being collected at the hospital, 9436-B Waynesboro Pike, Emmitsburg. Call the hospital at 301-447-6237 for more information or to donate.

Real Estate Seminar for Buyers/Sellers

Rich Shank of Rock Creek Realty and Kristie Kirby of First Horizon Home Loans will help you learn about buying and selling property at a free Real Estate Seminar on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. at the office of Rock Creek Realty, 60 Water Street in Thurmont.

The program is hosted by local residents and real estate/mortgage company professionals Rich Shank and Kristie Kirby. "The program is perfect for anyone in the market to buy or sell property, including first time buyers and investors who wish to learn about the entire real estate purchase process including listing a property for sale, buying a property and financing," said Kristie and Rich.

A representative from Keystone Title and local insurance agent Chester Zentz, III of Nationwide Insurance will also participate. Refreshments will be provided.

An RSVP is requested for this free program by calling 301-271-7707 or 301-639-9805 by Tuesday, November 1, 2005.