Friendsville Newsletter
February 2026

Mayor & Town Council News
🎉 Big Congratulations to Friendsville’s Own! 🎉
We are incredibly proud to share that our very own Jett McCormick of Friendsville Elementary School has been named a winner in this year’s fourth grade “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest! 🏆
With over 900 essays submitted from across the state, this is an outstanding achievement and a true testament to Jett’s creativity, insight, and thoughtful vision for the future.
These young students impressed volunteer readers and finalist judges alike with their dynamic ideas—so much so that readers often had to remind themselves the essays were written by fourth graders!
Please join us in congratulating Jett, along with all eleven winners of the Maryland Municipal League’s “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest, their teachers, and the municipalities they represent.
We are so proud of you, Jett—your community is cheering you on! 🌟
Friendsville Spring Clean Up
“Open to All Residents”
The Week of April 27– May 2, 2026
We are proud that our community is known as “the friendliest little town in Maryland”, and now we the residents and officials in our town join together to make it the cleanest little town in Maryland as well!
Let’s Demonstrate Our Civic Pride!
Cut weeds, mow lawns, and rake leaves around your property. Clean up those vacant lots too! Dispose of worn-out furniture, broken appliances, and useless old items.
(Sorry! We will not be able to accept old tires or construction debris…)
Our entire town can and should be made as clean and orderly as its cleanest home…then we will have a safer, happier, healthier town. To have a town clean and beautiful should be the ambition of every one of its citizens.
Pick up of large items will be on
Saturday, May 2, 2026 beginning at 8:00 a.m.
We ask of our town residents’….to separate furniture, appliances and scrap metal for Saturday’s pick-up. This will help our trash collector in their efforts to remove it quickly. (We will pick up no more than ten (10) bags of garbage per household.)
NOTICE OF MAILING ADDRESS CHANGE
Effective immediately, the Town of Friendsville will no longer receive mail at P.O. Box 9.
All mail will be serviced by street delivery at the following address:
Town of Friendsville
945 Community Drive
Friendsville, MD 21531
Please update your records to reflect this change and ensure that all future correspondence is sent to the new street address.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Maryland Food Bank's Mobile Market
🌟 Welcome to your one-stop-shop for free healthy foods and resources! 🌟
Enjoy a variety of boxed dry goods and a “pick your own” produce selection—offered while supplies last. 🥦🍎
Mark you Calendar
Maryland Food Bank's Mobile Market will be visiting Friendsville!
- April 8, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
- May 13, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Zoning Ordinance Work Sessions
The Friendsville Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a monthly Work Session with Dan Bowling of Mackin Engineers & Consultants to review and update the Town of Friendsville Zoning Ordinance.
When: Second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Council Chambers, Friendsville Town Hall, 945 Community Drive, Friendsville, MD
PLEASE NOTE the next monthly meeting will be held on April 14, 2026.
These meetings are open to the public. Citizens and media are welcome to attend as observers. Participation is limited unless individuals are specifically invited to contribute as resource persons.
Update Email or Sign Up - Newsletter
To update your email or to sign up for the newsletter, please fill out the digital form at https://forms.gle/p5ZyiNmbPE5YPqPd8.
The form will only take a few minutes to complete and will ensure that you are added to our mailing list. Don't miss out on all the exciting things happening in Friendsville! By subscribing to our newsletter, you'll be the first to know about town events, community news, and more. Thank you for your interest in staying connected with the Town of Friendsville!
Riverside Community Park
Our Community Park is esteemed within the local community, with dedicated efforts to maintain its pristine condition. It serves as an excellent setting for hosting picnics of varying sizes, providing a relaxing environment for an hour, two hours, or an entire day.
Explore this superb outdoor rental venue for a range of events, including picnics, weddings, reunions, family gatherings, as well as club and organization events.
Access the Community Park Rental Fees.
🏐 Volleyball & Pickleball 🏓 at the Friendsville Community Park! 🌸
Get ready to shake off the winter chill and hit the courts this spring at the Friendsville Community Park! We’re starting up co-ed volleyball along with pickleball, and adult players of all skill levels are welcome to join the fun.
Whether you’re looking to stay active, meet new people, or just enjoy some friendly competition, this is a great opportunity to get involved in the community.
Interested in playing?
Please feel free to contact Alicia Paradise Garza for more information and to sign up!
Let’s make this a great season—see you on the court! 🏐 🏓
Upcoming Community Events & Happenings
Friendsville Elementary School
📢 Important School Dates & Announcements
April 13 - Picture Day--Individual and Class
April 20 - Professional Day/Three-hour early dismissal for students
May 21- Professional Day/Three-hour early dismissal for students
May 25 - No School Memorial Day
June 3 -PK Graduation AM 5th Grade Graduation PM
June 4 - Awards K-4---No time yet
June 5 - Three-hour early dismissal for students
June 8 - Last day of School/Three-hour early dismissal for students
2025-2026 School Calendar
Garrett County Public Schools
Building Strong Partnerships: Fostering Education and Collaboration Among Garrett County Schools, Families, and Communities.
Friendsville Elementary School
We invite you to explore the school website, where you can access a wealth of information and resources designed to keep you informed about your child's education and our school community.
🌟 SOARing Together Fundraiser 🦅
We’re excited to kick off our “SOARing Together” Fundraiser, happening now through Monday, April 27! This special initiative is a joint effort between Friendsville Elementary and Cindy’s Fund, bringing our school community together for an important cause.
We were honored to welcome Sandy Bell and Sue Newton from Cindy’s Fund, who spoke with our students about the importance of healthy habits to help prevent cancer and the power of volunteerism and helping others.
How it works:
Each student will receive a fundraising sheet (attached to this post).
As students sell puzzle pieces, they can color them in.
Completed sheets and money should be returned to the school.
Colored eagles will be proudly displayed in our hallway!
Incentives:
Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising student and the top fundraising class.
Mark your calendars:
Our students and staff will come together on Tuesday, April 28, for a Walk for Cindy’s Fund to celebrate their efforts and support this meaningful cause.
Thank you for helping us SOAR together and make a difference!
Our Town Theatre
Into The Woods, Jr June 18, 19, & 20, 2026
Our Town Theatre, as a part of their Northern Outreach Program, will present the Sondheim musical "Into the Woods, Jr." on June 18, 19, 20 at the Friendsville Park stage. This is a free performance for all ages. "Into the Woods, Jr." follows classic fairy tale characters Little Red, Jack, Cinderella, and the Baker & his Wife as they journey into the dark woods for something they desire- Money, a prince, Granny, breaking a spell, and more. But will they succeed and will they get the fairytale ending they desire? Come and see "Into the Woods, Jr." to find out!
Greater Friendsville Business Association
Our mission is to encourage and uplift businesses throughout the area..
2026 officers
President: Jennifer Uphold
Vice-President: Mike Robinson
Treasurer: John Crosky
Secretary: Kelsey Artice
Communications Coordinator: Alea Donahue
Member Meeting ~ April 30, 2026, 6:00 p.m. at Anchor Church
Join us for our monthly GFBA Member Meeting! It’s a great opportunity to stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Friendsville and the surrounding area, connect with fellow business owners, share announcements, collaborate on ideas, and have a voice in shaping our growing business community. Whether you're a current member or thinking about joining, attending helps you stay informed, involved, and supported.
Friendsville Days
Save the Date: Friendsville Days 2026!
Mark your calendars for August 14–16, 2026, and get ready to celebrate Friendsville Days! Join us for a fun-filled weekend of community, activities, and local traditions. If you are interested in being a vendor or participating in the Friendsville Days Parade, please email friendsvilledays@hotmail.com for more information. We look forward to celebrating
Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department
FVFRD Concession Stand
The concession stand will be open to the public during opening day of Central Garrett Baseball on April 25, 2026.
BINGO - May 2, 2026
Doors open at 5
Early Bird starts at 6:15
WE WILL BE MONITORING THE UPCOMING FORECAST AND POST UPDATES IF ANYTHING CHANGES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.
No bingo in June, July, and August
Friend Family Association of America Museum & Genealogy Library
261 MAPLE STREET, FRIENDSVILLE, MD
ALL OPENINGS DEPEND ON AVAILABILITY OF VOLUNTEERS, INQUIRIES OR REQUESTS FOR A SPECIAL OPENING CAN BE DIRECTED TO CAROL SQUIRES.
April Showers & Timeless Treasures
Be sure to stop by the Friend Family Association Library/Museum to check out the beautiful window display created by Linda Nair, celebrating the history and charm of umbrellas! The display highlights fascinating pieces of local and historical interest, including a vintage advertisement from the early 1900s and a nod to Umbrella Day on February 10th . It’s a creative and eye-catching exhibit you won’t want to miss—take a moment to enjoy it next time you’re passing by!
Click on link below to explore and stay connected with the University of Maryland Extension.
Garrett Soil Conservation District
Friendsville Ruth Enlow Library
GC Dept. of Social Services Assistance Program ~ 04/08/2026 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Occurring on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Friendsville branch, representatives from the Garrett County Department of Social Services will be in the library to serve the community through their assistance outreach program.
Customers can come see a DSS staff person at any of these locations to pick up paperwork, drop off paperwork, apply for services like SNAP, CASH Assistance and Medical Assistance, or just to ask questions about the programs and services offered by our agency. Staff can also provide referral to other community agencies if we do not have a program to address the person’s needs. ANYONE can access ANY of these locations. This schedule provides flexibility to our customers who may be working in communities away from their home, or who may be facing transportation challenges.
These locations also provide support to our customers by making DSS forms available to customers during the location’s open hours of business. Customers can look for the file box labeled “DSS FORMS” to pick up forms, information or a pre-paid envelope in which to return completed forms to our office for processing.
Please note: Please note: If Garrett County schools are canceled due to inclement weather, outreach activity is canceled for that day. For more information on the outreach program, please contact Garrett County DSS at 301-533-3000.
Soil Blocking & Seed Starting - April 11, 2026
Stop in anytime during this event to spend some time with a Master Gardener. You'll complete a hands-on activity to take home to support your gardening initiatives for 2026! For this workshop, please bring along a clean recycled take out food container.
To register for this event, please email Melissa at melissa@relib.net or contact the Friendsville Library at 301-746-5663.
LEGO Club ~ 04/13/2026 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Calling all LEGO lovers! Join the LEGO Club at the Friendsville Library! We meet on the second Monday of each month from 4:30-5:30 pm. Join us for some LEGO building fun based on an exciting challenge or theme each month. You can also free-build using your own creative ideas!
LEGO and Duplo blocks will be provided. LEGO Club is designed for children ages 4 and up.
Circus Science - April 20, 2026 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Come find your joy at the circus with silly scientist Gregory May! As a former Ringling Brothers Circus performer, Baltimore City high school science teacher, and Port Discovery Children’s Museum educator, he uses amazing tricks to explore the circus world and the basic scientific principles that make it work. Multiple volunteers will assist Circus Greg with his tricks in this energetic and audience interactive performance for all ages!
This program will be held at Friendsville Elementary School (841 First Avenue, Friendsville, MD, 21531).
Student Discovery Series: Soar and Explore Kite Lab - April 23, 2026 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.
Get ready to design, build and launch your very own kite. In this hands-on class, youth will explore the science of flight. Participants will build and decorate their own kite and learn how lift, drag, wind and balance make a kite fly.
This program is a part of Ruth Enlow Library's Student Discovery Series. Our volunteer presenters offer a wide variety of enrichment programs for K- 12 students and their families. Space is limited and registration is required.
Please contact Melissa at 301-746-5663 or email melissa@relib.net to register.
Seed Spirals with Cucumbers or Squash - May 2, 2026
Stop in anytime during this event to spend some time with a Master Gardener. You'll complete a hands-on activity to take home to support your gardening initiatives for 2026!
To register for this event, please email Melissa at melissa@relib.net or contact the Friendsville Library at 301-746-5663.
Community Watch
Promote wellness and the prevention of risky behaviors so that Garrett County residents live longer, healthier lives.
📅 Check out our flyers below.
Let's come together to make a positive impact in our community!
Garrett County Health Department
Community Health Outreach Worker
301.334.7777
Senior Center
Our Senior Center is here to make your Mondays and Wednesdays more enjoyable.
Are you looking for a place to connect with wonderful people, enjoy delicious food, and engage in exciting activities? Look no further! .
✨ Here's what you can expect:
🍽️ Lunch Served at 12:00 p.m.: Indulge in a tasty meal and relish great company. Our delicious lunches are the perfect midday treat.
🎂 Birthday Celebrations: Join us on the 2nd Wednesday of each month as we celebrate the birthdays of our amazing seniors. Cake, laughter, and good times are guaranteed!
🃏 Morning Card Games: Get your competitive spirit going with some card games in the morning. It's a fantastic way to exercise your mind and have fun.
🎉 Bingo After Lunch: After a scrumptious meal, try your luck at bingo. Exciting prizes await those with a winning card!
🎤 Special Speakers and Programs: On the last Wednesday of every month, we host special speakers and programs that are both informative and entertaining. It's a great opportunity to learn something new.
🩺 GCHD Blood Pressure Checks: Your health matters to us. Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for complimentary blood pressure checks by the GCHD. Stay on top of your health and well-being.
Come be a part of our vibrant and welcoming community at the Senior Center. Don't miss out on these wonderful activities and connections. See you on Monday and Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Senior Center. We can't wait to see you there!
Garrett County Board of County Commissioners
Attached are seven images offering a preview of what the memorial will look like in the near future. We are still working to raise the remaining funds needed to complete this important project.





