Showing posts with label Dayhoff Media Carroll County Times. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dayhoff Media Carroll County Times. Show all posts

Sunday, March 10, 2019

John H. Cunningham was a charter member of the Md. State Fireman’s Assoc.

John H. Cunningham was a charter member of the Md. State Fireman’s Assoc.

 

At the time of his death, Cunningham “was believed to be McDaniel - Western Maryland College's oldest living alumnae… and the State's only living charter member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association

 

When John Cunningham died, he was America's Oldest Banker in Years of Continuous Service. He was a lifelong member of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose co. No. 1.

 

February 24, 2019 by Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No 1 Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

 

It is only fitting and appropriate that from time to time we take a moment to remember some of the many great Carroll Countians that have gone before us.

 

On December 31, 1965, John Cunningham passed away within a few hours of 99th birthday. Local historian Jay Graybeal wrote of “his rich life, including his interests in bicycling, walking and poker,” in a March 16, 1997 column in the Carroll County Times.

An earlier shorter version of this story appeared in the Carroll County Times on January 13th, 2019. Please find the article here: https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/cc-lt-dayhoff-011319-story.html. This version of a story about Mr. Cunningham is the long version with all the edits restored.

Finding a picture of Mr. Cunningham has been nearly impossible – except, I did finally find a picture of him at the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 - although the picture was damaged by the April 6, 1906 H. H. Harbaugh's Palace Livery Stable fire. The livery stable and residence was located next to the Fire House on East Main St in Westminster. The fire, which destroyed the huge building, also burned a portion of the Westminster fire station and the Westminster city offices that were located on the second floor of the station.

To put 1965 and the mid-1960s into some perspective, our country was just beginning a new phase of the Vietnam War; with the introduction of the first combat troops on February 9, 1965. Before we had, “advisors” engaged in the conflict. Later in the year, on November 14, the Battle of the Ia Drang began in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It was the first major engagement of the war between regular American and North Vietnamese forces. Shortly afterwards, the pentagon told President Lyndon Johnson that the number of troops needed to be increased from 120,000 to 400,000.

At home, the Civil Rights movement was on the forefront of many as around 1965 was the last year that restaurants and such were segregated in Westminster. Malcolm X was assassinated in New York at the Audubon Ballroom on February 21.

Bloody Sunday had occurred on March 7 as 600 civil rights marchers were attacked by state and local police with billy clubs and tear gas. Led by Martin Luther King, Jr. civil rights marchers were finally successful, after three attempts, to walk from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama. On August 6, President Johnson signed into law the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

It was 1964 that Carroll County administrator George Grier went to New York to begin negotiations with Random House to build a book distribution center in Westminster. At that time in the negotiations, adequate supplies of water was a sticking point, among many issues that were subsequently ironed out before the facility opened on July 14, 1967, according to “From Our Front Porch,” a history of Carroll County from 1900-1999, by Jim Lee.

And oh in 1964 ice cream cost 89 cents per half gallon

Graybeal shared with us Cunningham’s obituary, which appeared on January 1, 1966, in an unidentified newspaper. The obituary began: "John H. Cunningham, believed to have been the oldest banker in the United States, died yesterday at his home… His wife, the former Mary Irwin, died in 1949… He was a past master of the Masonic order and was a member of the Westminster Church of Christ.”

Cunningham was born on New Year’s Day in 1867. According to his obit, “On January 1, 1885, while a senior at Western Maryland College, Mr. Cunningham began his banking career as a clerk with the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank, [at 105 E. Main St. in Westminster] following the footsteps of his father William, who was a clerk there.”

He worked in the same office, with the same employer for his entire life – from 1885 until when he passed away in 1965. “Many days he walked the mile to work from his home at 95 West Green Street.” 

Graybeal reported; “His long career in banking was recognized by a telegram from President Kennedy in 1963.” 

The telegram said: "Congratulations on being named by your friends and associates in Westminster and Carroll County as "America's Oldest Banker in Years of Continuous Service." Your 77 years record as a banker is certainly an impressive one and you deserve all the honors, which have been given you…”

He was well-known for his punctuality and folklore attests that “fellow employees reportedly set their watches by him,” as he would arrive at his desk “every working day promptly at 9 a.m. and would not leave until 3 in the afternoon…” It was also noted “that Mr. Cunningham had not missed a town meeting in Westminster since 1883, the year he became old enough to vote.

Cunningham played poker every Tuesday night between 7 and 11 p.m. sharp, at “Thelma Hoffman's restaurant at 216 E. Main Street [later known as Cockey’s Tavern] in Westminster.” Among his partners were Ben Thomas, Paul Whitmore, Miller Richardson, Ralph Bonsack, Frank Leidy, Theodore Brown and Norman Boyle.”

Cunningham was also well known for his New Year’s Day tradition of an all day poker game, “that began promptly at 11 a.m., broke for dinner at 5 p.m., then resumed until 11 p.m.”

At the time of his death, Cunningham “was believed to be Western Maryland College's oldest living alumnae… and the State's only living charter member of the Maryland State Fireman's Association.”

The January 1, 1966 obituary reported that: “Cunningham's interest in politics was rewarded during the Coolidge Administration with his appointment in 1923 as Surveyor of Customs at Baltimore, a post he held for nine years. In 1911, Mr. Cunningham ran unsuccessfully for State Comptroller.”

“Beside politics and poker, Mr. Cunningham loved walking. On weekends as late as 1964, he hiked along country roads, a white handkerchief tied to his cane, for safety.”

When he was 97 years old, he explained in a November 1964 interview: "I only walk half as far and about half as fast as I used to… It's a strain to walk more than 4 or 5 miles…"

“In his earlier days… [he] was a bicyclist of renown… According to a banker's association bulletin, in 1898 he bicycled 200 miles from Westminster to Atlantic City, N.J…” He waited to give up driving until he was approximately 92 years old.

In full disclosure, I met Cunningham in the early 1960s upon the occasion of one of his visits to City Hall to talk with City of Westminster Mayor Joseph L. Mathias who served on the Westminster Common Council May 1927 to May 1937 and Mayor from May 18, 1942 to December 3, 1963. To the best of my knowledge, I have only written about Cunningham a couple of times. Most notably, a portion of this column was previously published in 2006.

Carroll County is fortunate to have many great community leaders still with us. We should all take time to pause and thank them for their service to our community – whether we agree with them or disagree. 

Every one of them is working hard to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. In 2019, may we all work hard to rekindle a renewed sense of civility and have as full and vigorous a life as Mr. John Cunningham – playing poker, bicycling and walking many four or five miles is optional. God Bless and Happy New Year. 




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Westminster, Maryland, Cunningham, history, MSFA, 

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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/
Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

Thursday, February 21, 2019

An ice storm on February 21, 1902 paralyzed Carroll County


Dayhoff Time Flies: An ice storm on February 21, 1902 paralyzed Carroll County Time Flies Sunday, February 17, 2019 by Kevin Dayhoff

Almost 120 years ago. Carroll County experienced a rain and sleet storm that the American Sentinel newspaper hailed as “The Great Sleet Storm,” according to a published account written for the Historical Society of Carroll County in Feb. 1994 by local historian and Historical Society executive director, now Judge Joe Getty.

[…]

In 1902, Carroll countians were just starting to become dependent on the telephone, telegraph, and electric power. So you can imagine the paralysis which resulted as The Democratic Advocate proclaimed: “The wreck of the system in this city of the Western Maryland Telephone Company was nearly complete. Two-thirds of the poles were down, cross-arms broken off and wires snapped and tangled all over the city, particularly from the railroad east.”

[…]

Lately, February in Maryland has been living up to its reputation and turning into an endurance contest. This column goes best with Antonio Vivaldi’s “L’inverno,” the winter movement of “The Four Seasons” violin concerto written in 1723. Who knew Vivaldi invented heavy metal in 1700s?



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Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Common Council
Westminster Municipal election May 14, 2019
Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/
Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.info
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/  

Friday, March 30, 2018

April 7, 2017: “Dayhoff: Pastor Marty Kuchma honored by the Carroll County Human Relations Commission”


April 7, 2017: “Dayhoff: Pastor Marty Kuchma honored by the Carroll County Human Relations Commission”

It was a year ago that I wrote: “Dayhoff: Pastor Marty Kuchma honored by the Carroll County Human Relations Commission” April 7, 2017 find it here: http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/ph-cc-dayhoff-040917-20170403-column.html   

“Paul's United Church of Christ pastor The Rev. Dr. Marty Kuchma was named as the 25th recipient of the Carroll County Human Relations Commission's human relations award at its annual awards dinner on March 27.

“St. Paul's Consistory President Ben Rogers wrote in the March church newsletter ‘Highlights,’ that Kuchma was ‘recognized for his many efforts in addressing homelessness, diversity, inclusion, and other important issues with which we are faced in Carroll County.’ He further noted that Kuchma ‘represents us so well in St. Paul's efforts in making the world a better place.’’”
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Diane and Sam Foster stop for a picture at the 26th annual Carroll Co. Human Relations Commission awards dinner.

This year the award was presented to Taneytown Mayor ProTem Diane A. Foster. This year the dinner is taking place at McDaniel College. 26Mar2018






Many local officials attended the Carroll County Human Relations Commission 26th Annual Human Relations Award Dinner Monday, March 26, 2018 at McDaniel College. 

Taneytown Mayor ProTem Diane Foster was honored. 

From left to right: Taneytown City Manager (and former Taneytown Mayor) Henry C. Heine Jr.; Carroll County Human Relations Commission member Jackie Thomas; Taneytown Mayor James McCarron, Myra McCarron, Carroll County District 1 County Commissioner Steve Wantz, Kathy Wantz, and Taneytown Councilmember Joe Vigliotti. 

Not pictured: Taneytown Councilwoman Judy Fuller and Taneytown Economic Development Director Nancy McCormick were also in attendance. Photo by Kevin Dayhoff March 26, 2018.


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Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun
Westminster Fire Dept. and MTA Lodge #20 Chaplain and PIO
Kevin Dayhoff Art: http://www.kevindayhoff.com/
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/

Friday, April 21, 2017

Bill Dulany left behind a legacy of leadership in the community - Time Flies by Kevin Dayhoff for Sunday, April 16, 2017


Bill Dulany left behind a legacy of leadership in the community - Time Flies by Kevin Dayhoff for Sunday, April 16, 2017


I was very young and full of many questions when I first met Del. Dulany. This was when I just started to have an all-consuming interest in history and I would have chance opportunities to talk with him. Westminster was a much smaller community back then and he was a delegate representing Carroll County in the House of Delegates 1963-66… He served with my cousin, Maryland Del. Wilbur W. Magin, 1959-1967, and distinguished Carroll County delegates Jacob M. Yingling, and Thomas R. O'Farrell.

Decades later when I was an elected official, Dulany always had time to give a helping hand, lend scholarly advice, and to give me the academic legislative history of a particular public policy.

Bill Dulany left behind a legacy of leadership in the community

Time Flies by Kevin Dayhoff for Sunday, April 16, 2017

Former Carroll County Delegate William B. Dulany was remembered by friends, family, community leaders, and colleagues at a celebration of his life, accomplishments and legacy at a service at the Beasman Auditorium at Fairhaven in Sykesville earlier in the month.

Dulany was 89 when he passed away on March 19, 2017. A Carroll County native son, Dulany was born in Sykesville, where he served as the class president at Sykesville High School before he graduated and joined the Navy during World War II.

Many of us had gathered at Fairhaven early and traded memories of the various ways Dulany had touched and enriched our lives. He was a larger than life icon in the community and most of us spoke in hushed tones about our past experiences with Dulany and how he helped shape the Carroll County we know today.

Folks from all walks of life attended the service. McDaniel College was represented. Dulany was a 1950 graduate of Western Maryland College, now McDaniel. He served on the college’s board of trustees from 1976 to 2006.


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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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The author of a book on Warren Dorsey at the Historical Society Box Lunch Talk


The author of a book on Warren Dorsey at the Historical Society Box Lunch Talk

Folks have asked where this article may be found: Time Flies: The author of a book on Warren Dorsey spoke at the Historical Society Box Lunch Talk on Feb. 21

Time Flies: The author of a book on Warren Dorsey spoke at the Historical Society Box Lunch Talk on Feb. 21 The talk (began) promptly at noon Feb. 21 in Grace Hall, Grace Lutheran Church; 21 Carroll Street, Westminster February 17, 2017 by Kevin Dayhoff http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/ph-cc-dayhoff-021917-20170216-column.html 

On Tuesday, Feb. 21, scientist, and teacher Warren Gamaliel Dorsey was the topic of the Historical Society of Carroll County's popular Box Lunch Talk series. Dorsey is a celebrated Carroll County native son who rose above poverty and segregation to become an author, a patent holder, a microbiologist at Fort Detrick in Frederick and later in life a teacher and school principal.

According to information provided by the Historical Society, "96-year-old Warren Dorsey, the grandson of a slave, grew up poor in Sykesville during the 1920s and '30s. [On Tuesday, local historian] Jack White will conduct a casual interview with Warren to discuss his slave grandmother, his parents, and the many challenges he overcame during his struggle to educate himself and escape poverty, as chronicled in Jack's book, 'In Carrie's Footprints.'"

Last year, on March 21, 2016, I had the pleasure of spending the evening with good friends at the 24th annual Human Relations Commission awards dinner to honor the amazing life and work of Dorsey. As an aside, the Human Relations Commission has selected Rev. Marty Kuchma, pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, as the 2017 Human Relations award recipient which will be presented at the annual dinner March 27.



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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Tuesday, December 13, 2016

I believe in Santa Claus by Kevin Earl Dayhoff


December 9, 2016

Throughout history, Westminster and Carroll County have been filled with the spirit of the season for the Christmas holidays. No Grinches here.

I hope that by now you are putting the final touches on your Christmas decorations and wrapping presents with some soothing heavy metal Christmas music on in the background.

Actually, some of my all-time Christmas favorites include "The Chipmunk Song" sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1958 and "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas" written by John Rox and performed by Gayla Peevey, 10 years old at the time, in 1953.

Another classic that comes to mind is a little more offbeat, "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" by Tommie Connor. He was only 13 years old when it was recorded in 1952. The song was actually banned by the Catholic Church in several cities.

Yes, of course, I believe in Santa Claus.

I believe because Dolly Pardon and local community leader Mary Bostwick Shellman have told me that Santa exists...



‘Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember’, Published November 15, 1984 / Last Updated August 23, 2015: ‘Kenny & Dolly – Christmas To Remember’ is a network television Christmas special inspired by their popular album, ‘Once Upon a Christmas’

In 1984, Dolly Parton starred alongside of Kenny Rogers in “Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas To Remember,” a network television special inspired by “Once Upon A Christmas,” a popular Christmas album recorded by Dolly and Kenny Rogers.

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Yes, of course, I believe in Santa Claus. I believe because Dolly Pardon and local community leader Mary Bostwick Shellman have told me that Santa exists. http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/columnists/features/ph-cc-dayhoff-121116-20161209-column.html

Parton told the world that she believes in Santa Claus on December 2, 1984 when she sang “I Believe in Santa Claus” with Kenny Rogers in a Christmas special on CBS, “Kenny & Dolly – Christmas To Remember.” According to her website, dollyparton.com, the Christmas special show was “inspired by their popular album, ‘Once Upon a Christmas.’” http://dollyparton.com/life-and-career/movies-television/christmas-to-remember/463 


‘Kenny & Dolly’ sang, “… I believe in Santa Claus I'll tell you why I do… I believe that dreams and plans and wishes can come true. I believe in miracles I believe in magic too. I believe in Santa Claus and I believe in you. I believe in family in country and in smiles. I believe in turning negatives to positives in life…”





Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Sunday, October 9, 2016

October 2, 2016 was the last edition of the Baltimore Sun feature, the “Carroll Eagle.”




October 2, 2016 was the last edition of the Baltimore Sun feature, the “Carroll Eagle.” https://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/10/october-2-2016-was-last-edition-of.html

Over one thousand articles and columns later – This makes me sad. I started with this section of the Baltimore Sun in June 2004… Fortunately, the Carroll County Times picked me up for its “Life & Times” section. https://www.facebook.com/cctnews/?fref=ts or go here: http://digitaledition.carrollcountytimes.com/launch.aspx?pbid=b45ee690-df4b-4d65-9c5f-583e98fcc731




Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Monday, June 27, 2016

Joe Getty sworn-in to Md. Court of Appeals


Getty sworn-in to Md. Court of Appeals

June 27, 2016 by Kevin Dayhoff


Joseph Getty was sworn in Monday morning in the House of Delegates chamber in the Maryland State House in Annapolis to represent the 3rd Appellate Judicial Circuit on the state's highest court.

Getty, a Manchester resident and former Republican state senator representing Carroll County, had most recently served as Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's chief legislative officer. He was appointed to the Maryland Court of Appeals on June 1 to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Lynne Battaglia.

Friends, family, former and current judges, and members of the General Assembly filled the legislative chamber to witness Hogan administer the oath of office for Getty to become the fifth judge from Carroll County to sit on the Court of Appeals since 1867.

Many speakers at the ceremony mentioned that Getty also made history by having served in all three branches of Maryland government — the legislative, executive branches and now the judiciary. It was a point not missed by local historian, Jay Graybeal, the former executive director of the Historical Society of Carroll County; a position also held by Getty from 1987 to 1994.