James Rada

Gettysburg

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Award-winning freelance writer and history lover. Author of Canawlers, Battlefield Angels, Kidnapping the Generals and more.

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Articles

Looking Back 1912: Dying for a ride

4 days ago | times-news.com | James Rada

A living person got into James O’Hara’s cab in 1912, but a dead person was removed at the end of the ride. The odd thing was, O’Hara didn’t even realize he was driving a corpse to his last appointment. Frederick L. Dashe, of Hackensack, New Jersey, arrived in Cumberland on the Western Maryland Railway on the morning train on April 17, 1912. Stories of the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic still dominated the front page, but in Cumberland, Dashe’s story would become just as important for a day.
FSK Hotel chef was a superstar | Lifestyle | fredericknewspost.com

Oct 26, 2024 | fredericknewspost.com | James Rada

In the decades before chefs became media superstars with their own reality shows, Frederick had its own superstar chef. His name was Theodore “Teddy” Semler.
Town Hall Reports

Sep 26, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Water and Sewer Rates IncreasingThe Town of Thurmont recently approved new proposed water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2025, which may be increased by 15 percent at all usage levels. The rates were last raised in 2013, and costs since that time have risen dramatically. Colorfest Services and Fees ApprovedThe Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners approved bids for services that are needed for Colorfest to run smoothly.
Town Hall Reports

Aug 29, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Public Hearing on Water and Sewer RatesThe Town of Thurmont held a public hearing on the new proposed water and sewer rates for Fiscal Year 2025, which may be increased by 15 percent at all usage levels. The rates were last raised in 2012, and costs since that time have risen dramatically. Few people spoke about the rate hike, and those that did tended to ask for clarification on various aspects.
Town Hall Reports

Jul 30, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Lions Club Announces Its Volunteer of the YearJoyce Anthony with the Thurmont Lions Club announced that Missy Zook Grimes is the 2024 Thurmont Volunteer of the Year. Grimes has been very active volunteering with Main Street events and the Thurmont Food Bank. She received a gift card for a local restaurant, and a $400 donation will be made on behalf of the Thurmont Food Bank.
Town Hall Report

Jun 27, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Commission OpeningsThe Town of Thurmont is seeking volunteers to serve on the town’s planning and zoning commission, police commission, and ethics commission. Anyone interested in serving on one of the commissions should submit their interest in writing to [email protected] or to the town office by July 2 6. National Night Out Celebration AnnouncedThurmont Police will host National Night Out on August 6 from 6:00 to 7:30p.m. at the Thurmont Police Department at 800 E.
Looking Back: Soldier recruited in Cumberland tried to save Lincoln

Jun 9, 2024 | times-news.com | James Rada

Although he would be shot and killed that night, April 14, 1865, “was surely one of Abraham Lincoln’s happiest days,” Doris Kearns Goodwin wrote for Smithsonian Magazine. His son Robert had returned safely from the warfront and they had enjoyed breakfast together. Later that morning, in a meeting with his Cabinet and generals, Lincoln had been looking forward to the end of the Civil War, which had been going on for four years.
Town Hall Reports

May 23, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Fiscal Year 2025 Budget ApprovedThe Thurmont Mayor and Commissioners adopted the budget for Fiscal Year 2025 by adopting the constant yield real estate tax rate of 29.87 cents per $100 of assessed value of the property. The constant yield rate is the rate needed so that the town collects the same amount in taxes as the previous year, even if the assessments increase. The new budget amounts to $5,311,658 in the general fund.
Town Hall Reports

Apr 25, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Town Considering Adjusting Water and Sewer RatesChris Simms with Smart Utilities Management talked with the commissioners about the need to raise water and sewer rates in town. The town’s water rates haven’t been adjusted since 2012, and the water system is starting to run at a deficit as the capital reserves in the enterprise fund have been used. In 2023, the fund just covered costs, and this year, it will have a $200,000 deficit.
Town Hall Report

Mar 28, 2024 | thecatoctinbanner.com | James Rada

by James Rada, Jr.Parking Option ExploredParking in downtown Thurmont has become a problem, with the municipal parking lot regularly filled to capacity. Thurmont Economic Development Director Vickie Grinder and Commissioner Bill Blakeslee investigated possible solutions to the problem and came up with a promising solution. They reached an agreement in principle with the American Legion to turn the empty field beside the Legion hall into a parking lot.