(1/21) Catoctin Colorfest President Beverly Zienda and Vice President Carol Robertson presented the Town of Thurmont with a check for $1,000 and 12 wood-and-iron park benches Tuesday.

Proceeds from the annual arts and crafts event have helped to provide many benefits to the town over the years, including Christmas decorations and improvements to town parks. Scholarships are also a regular part of the committee's contributions to the community.

Mike Crockett, vice president of the Washington, D.C. Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, also attended the town meeting and presented the town with a check for $1,620. It was the town's share of the proceeds from the excursion train that ran during Colorfest Weekend in October.

The society ran its first excursion train originating from Washington, D.C., bringing more than 500 additional visitors to the event.

Crockett also presented certificates of appreciation to town clerk Rick May, police Chief Terry Frushour and Guardian Hose Company for their efforts making the event a success.

Board members thanked both organizations for the contributions.

Commissioner Ron Terpko pointed out that the contributions left the town with $5,800 in profits from Colorfest weekend.

Community Day planning under way

Raffle tickets are currently on sale to raise funds for the annual Community Day to be held Saturday, July 31 at the Guardian Hose Company Activities Grounds on East Main Street.

The annual event is open to the community and pays homage to the 1950s and 1960s era with games, prizes, food and live music.

Raffle numbers will be picked every day during April with different prizes available each day. Commissioner Wayne Hooper said each day's prizes are worth about $40.

For more information about the raffle or to buy tickets, contact Hooper at 301-271-3256 or Commissioner Bill Blakeslee at 301-271-7443.

Board approves assessment

The town spent $3,000 during the meeting to approve a study of the town's Department of Public Works.

Board members are moving forward in planning new administration, public works and police facilities, and the study of public works is the first step in that process.

In addition, the board is seeking volunteers to help with the planning by serving on a building committee. Members of the committee will help evaluate the various projects and help board members by making recommendations on key efforts in the building process.

All residents are open to apply for the committee, unless they might be interested in making a bid on future work for the new buildings. Anyone interested should forward a letter of interest to Town Hall, 10 Frederick Road, Thurmont.

'Best of Thurmont' event set

Thurmont's Economic Development Committee will host a "Best of Thurmont" event from 7 to 9 p.m., Friday, March 4 at the American Legion, Blakeslee said Tuesday.

The event is intended to promote Thurmont businesses and will feature business displays and samples of local food. There will be no admission fee for the event.

For information, contact Blakeslee at 301-964-3063. Applications for the event are required by Feb. 24.