THURMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Spring, 2014

STERLING “KELLY” KELBAUGH, PRESIDENT EMERITIS OF THE THURMONTHISTORICAL SOCIETY

Recently Kelly left this world quietly and humbly without the accolades he so richlydeserved. He was a devoted husband who was very proud of his two boys. To theThurmont Historical Society, he was a founding father. Even before Mrs. Creeger

gave us the house, he was instrumental in forming a group to talk about ThurmontHistory. In my short time with the society I have discovered how much time andeffort he put in to all the necessary paper work as he dealt with transfer of the

property and finding funds for the restoration of the Creeger House.Thank you, Kelly, for your vision and persistence. We have a brick and mortar

repository for our archives and research library.His family has deep roots in Thurmont. Kelly was fourth generation and he had adeep love and curiosity about the history of our town and its environs. Ask him aquestion and you would get a history lesson. He enjoyed research and writing. It is

regrettable that he was never able to put all of his knowledge in a book. We dohave articles he wrote and meticulously researched papers.

Kelly was a true historian. Donna Voellinger, President

The Thurmont Historical SocietyFund Raiser

“Buy A Brick”

Help pay for the new roof and chimney repairs made at theCreeger House. The Thurmont Historical Society is creating a

Heritage Walk Wayat the Creeger House with engraved red fired clay bricks.

It’s a great way to honor yourTHURMONT HERITAGE FROM THE PAST, PRESENT, OR FUTURE.

sampleIN MEMORY OF

JACOB WELLER BSMATCH MAKER

Price for each brick is $50. You can have up to 3 lines with16 characters (including punctuation and spaces) on each line.

For more information or to order your brick, please contact:

Pam Eyler: 240-674-6469 Carol Ford: 301-271-7608Donna Voellinger: 301-271-0309

Sponsors: R.S.Kinnaird Memorials, Redland Brick,Liz Stitely Designs

Hauntings at the Creeger House??

Recently the Shep-town Paranormal investigated the Creeger House in Thurmont, MD. They didencounter activity in Mrs. Creeger's bedroom. They didn't receive enough evidence to confirm that it wasMrs. Creeger but they kind of think it might be her or her son JR. The Shep-town Paranormal group investigate paranormal activities "the study of unusual happenings"…from strange noises to full body apparitions to voices. They try to either disprove a haunting or try to findevidence. The disproval method involves looking at other possibilities for paranormal activity. In somecases this can be exposed wires, gas leaks, unstable foundation...Or it can be a real haunting. Some of their tools include electromagnetic field detectors, temperature readers, cameras and voicerecorders to capture evidence of a haunting in a home or building. The goal is to help people needing theinvestigation to help understand paranormal phenomena and put their worries at ease.Investigators: Francis Eichelberger (from Thurmont), Laura Cheney, Krissy Moran-Schmitz, and John V.SchmitsThey can be reached by email at ikeman33@msn.com.

Photos and article by LizStitely

Musical donations to the Thurmont Historical Society

The Thurmont Historical Society recently received four items from Michael Gray,a local musician who is the drummer for country singer Lee Brice. He has workedwith Lee for the past seven years and stated that in the music business that is arare thing, since most singers change their musicians as they move up in thebusiness. Michael grew up here in Thurmont and graduated from Catoctin HighSchool (Class of ‘79) and played drums in both the band and marching band. Hewas part of the first marching band that went to Disney World and played in thelight parade and Sea World. He now lives with his wife in a town outside ofNashville and is currently touring with Lee on the Luke Bryan tour. Michaeldonated the drum cover and a cymbal that was used during the Willie NelsonTour, the sticks he used when he played the Grand Old Opry for the first time, anda record of Lee Brice's that had three number one hits and it is signed by bothMichael and Lee. Michael was very honored when I asked him if he would donatesomething to the Historical Society and personally stopped by to deliver the items.He still thinks of Thurmont as his home town and makes a point to come backhome to visit family and friends and eat up all the seafood when he gets a chance..He is also a relative of the late Doc Gray and while visiting the house he got to playwith a toy elephant that was owned by Doc Gray. Article and photos byLiz Stitely

Don’t forget to renew your membership!

The Historical Society needs your support by renewed membership. Yourmembership helps the Society preserve the history of our town and sponsor

community events.Dues are based on the January-December calendar year. Individual

membership is $15.00 and Family membership is $20.

THURMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION/RENEWAL FORM

Name _____________________________________

Phone_________________

Address _____________________________________

_____________________________________

E-Mail Address_____________________________________

Make checks payable to: Thurmont Historical Society

Mail to: Pat Weddle 125 Cody Drive, Unit 22 Thurmont, MD 21788

Thurmont Historical Society P.O. Box 251 11 North Church Street Thurmont, MD 21788