Emergency responders from Frederick County, MD, will participate in an exercise on October 22, 2006. The exercise is designed to validate and improve your community’s response to a crisis. The fictional exercise simulates a mock chemical spill that will test each organization’s (Thurmont Emergency Services, Fire and Rescue Services, Hazardous Material Response Teams, American Red Cross, Frederick County Sheriff’s Department, and Maryland State Police) emergency response plans and capabilities to respond to this type of an event in your local area.

Emergency responders will simulate a hazardous material response and treat volunteers who are pretending to be victims. Again, the chemical spill is not real; nevertheless, the response will be as realistic as possible. Area hospitals, city and county police, fire and emergency teams, State and local officials, other government agencies and private sector partners will be participating.

The area where the exercise will take place will be clearly marked, but we want to make sure all area residents know about the exercise in advance and we ask for your patience and support if the exercise disrupts your daily routine.

There are simple steps that county residents can take now to prepare themselves and their loved ones for a real chemical spill: Make a kit, make a plan, and get informed. By gathering supplies to meet basic needs, discussing what to do during an emergency with your family in advance, and by being aware of the risks and appropriate actions, you will be better prepared for the unexpected and ultimately, you will help better prepare your community and the county. Visit www.co.frederick.md.us or call 301-271-0905 (ext. 217) Thurmont Town Police Chief Greg Eyler to learn more about preparedness activities.

Opening on Friday, November 3–12 for two weekends at the Thurmont American Legion Auditorium, The Thurmont Thespians proudly present the area premiere of "Grace & Glorie" by Tom Ziegler. Show dates are Friday and Saturday, November 3 through 4 and 10 through11 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees November 5 and 12 at 2:00 p.m.. All tickets are $10.00 There will be a fried shrimp & chicken dinner–theatre combination on Saturday November 11 starting at 6:30 p.m. for an additional $15.00 with cash bar. For early reservations call 302-271-7613.

The show will star Beth Royer Watson as "Grace" and Mary Beth Johnson as "Glorie." Spence Watson will direct and the production will be staged arena-style with the audience on three sides.

This charming comedy–drama, set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of rural Appalachia, was presented in a 1998 Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie, starring Gina Rowland. Grace, a feisty 90-year-old cancer patient, has checked herself out of the hospital and returned to her beloved homestead cottage to die alone. The volunteer hospice worker who appears at her door with the pain medication Grace willfully left behind is a Wharton M.B.A., recently transplanted to this rural backwater from Philadelphia. Gloria is tense, unhappy and guilt ridden; her only child was killed in an auto accident while she was driving. As she attempts to care for and comfort the cantankerous rustic, this sophisticated urbanite gains new perspectives on values and life’s highs and lows.

• "A sentimental odd couple crowd pleaser ... [with] a steady drip of easy laughs." N.Y. Times.
• "A lot of good humor ... artfully designed to confirm hopes.... Offers the opportunity for good, honest, grandstanding acting." N.Y. Post.

The Paramount Classics and Participant Productions film An Inconvenient Truth will be shown free of charge locally throughout the month of October. From director Davis Guggenheim this Sundance Film Festival hit, offers a passionate and inspirational look at Al Gore’s fervent crusade to halt global warming’s deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. Critics across the country have acclaimed it.

An Inconvenient Truth will be shown free of charge October 19 at Laughlin Auditorium in the Science Building on the campus of Mount St. Mary’s University on October 19 at 7:00 p.m., October 22 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at Elias Lutheran Church in Emmitsburg, and October 24 at Emmitsburg Public Library at 7:00 p.m. Interested persons of all ages are welcome. The movie is rated PG. Its showing is sponsored by Interfaith Power and Light, a non-partisan, ecumenical ministry based in Washington, DC, and Oregon.

For more information or to show this film at your church, business or home, call 301-271-2307.

Sgt. Tyler Earns Recognition for DUI Arrests

Sergeant Shawn Tyler of Thurmont was recognized by the State Highway Administration for the fifth consecutive year for his outstanding commitment to the State’s fight against drunk driving. Sgt. Tyler was one of 85 Maryland officers who received recognition and one of only two who received the award for five years in a row.
Each honoree was presented with a Law Enforcement Medal and a uniform bar for exceptional service at a ceremony with family and friends.

The event, now in its fifth year, is sponsored by the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO) and the Impaired Driving Coalition.
During 2005, Maryland achieved an impressive 18 percent reduction in impaired driving fatalities, the second highest such decline in the nation. Despite, this accomplishment, crashes caused by drunk or drugged drivers continue to represent one of the greatest dangers to all motorists in Maryland and across the Nation.

Thurmont Police Chief Greg Eyler congratulates Sergeant Shawn Tyler for his law enforcement efforts against drunk driving at the October 3, 2006, town meeting. Sgt. Tyler was announced as one of 85 top officers in the State for his commitment to fight drunk driving.

Party of Parties.

St John’s Lutheran Church, 15 N. Church Street in Thurmont will host a Party of Parties fundraiser on Saturday, October 28. Consultants from Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Tastefully Simple, Silpada Jewelry, Timeless Stained Glass, IM Stitchin’ and At Home America will be on hand to help you with your holiday shopping. Door prizes!! Enjoy free lunch. Proceeds to benefit the church. For more information, call 301-271-7613.

Citrus Sale.

St. John’s Evangelical Church of Creagerstown, MD, is offering citrus fruit for sale from Florida Indian Groves, Inc. Tangelos, navel oranges and red grapefruit are available in 20- and 40-pound quantities for $19 and $28, respectively. Mixed boxes of navel oranges and red grapefruit are available in 10- and 20-pound quantities for $15 and $20, respectively. For more information or to place an order, call Carmi Sayler or Hallie Long-Sayler at 301-696-0527 and press 3 to leave a message. Orders are due by November 12.

Sportsman Drawing.

Graceham Volunteer Fire Co. will host a Sportsman Drawing on November 18 at the fire hall. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. and a $20 donation admits one person. Prizes include a 200 Weatherby Vanguard 243, 175 Bushnell Rangefinder 1000, 150 Mossburg 535 Camo Slugster, 125 Nikon Buckmaster 3x9x40, 100 Henry Golden Boy 22 LR, 75 Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40, 50 Ruger 10/22 LR, 25 Nikon binoculars, and 1 Marlin 1895 45/70. The loser, drawing prize will be Tasco Scope 3x9x40. You must be present to win. Prizes are supplied by Stateline Gun Exchange. For information or tickets, call 301-271-3460 or 240-674-4695.

Quilt Auction and Bazaar

Garfield United Methodist Church will host its annual bazaar and quilt auction on Saturday, November 4, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the church. The quilt auction will begin at 1:30 p.m. for "Poppy Fields," a 100" x 104" quilt, a "Lone Star" 88" x 88" quilt, several coverlets, quilted wall hangings, table runners, knitted scarves, hand painted items and various other items. Homemade soup, sandwiches and desserts will be available for lunch and take out. Garfield United Methodist Church is located 13628 Stottlemeyer Road, three miles north of Route 77.

FFA Florida Citrus Sales

The Catoctin FFA is having a Florida Citrus Sale through November 22, 2006. Help to support the work of the chapter by buying fruit. Citrus prices are as follows: Navel oranges, full box $22.00, 1/2 box $11.00; red grapefruit, full box $22.00, 1/2 box $11.00; and tangelos full box $22.00, 1/2 box $11.00. A half box of tangerines is also available for $18.00 each. Juice oranges are: full box $20.00, 1/2 box $10.00. The Holiday Gift Trio is $23.00. This trio will include: 12 Navel oranges, 12 red grapefruit and 12 Red Delicious Apples. A citrus trio is $19.00 per box. This trio includes: 6 red grapefruit, 12 navel oranges and 16 tangelos. Mixed cases of any two varieties of fruit are also available. Fruit will be available for pick-up on December 12, 2006 from the Catoctin High School agriculture shop from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.. Call the agriculture department at 240-236-8117 to place your order. Please order by November 22. Late orders will be taken on a first come basis.

Free Twirling Course.