The Garrett County Department of Solid Waste & Recycling would like to invite Garrett County residents to participate in Christmas tree recycling at the Garrett County landfill location during January and February.

Trees will be accepted for recycling during the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, at the landfill location at 3118 Oakland Sang Run Road, Oakland, Maryland.

Christmas tree recycling is available to Garrett County residents free of charge. A residential disposal permit is not required to participate in this program or any other recycling program in Garrett County.

Christmas trees may also be recycled at home by placing cut branches and needles under trees and shrubs as temporary winter mulch -- or by chopping them up and adding them to your compost pile.

Please remove all tinsel, garland, and ornaments before recycling Christmas trees at home or the landfill location.

Remember that a refuse permit is not required to recycle at any of the seven refuse & recycling sites, including the landfill. Additionally, Garrett County businesses are encouraged to recycle at all seven refuse & recycling sites.

Please contact the office at 301-334-7492 or email the Recycling Coordinator, Kimberly Madigan at kmadigan@garrettcounty.org with any questions.

Residential Category:

1st Place: James & Kristy Hook

2nd Place: Ron & Tina Edmonds

3rd Place: Patty Brison

Business Category:

1st Place: The Root Cafe

2nd Place: Friendsville Pharmacy

All the light displays were fantastic, showcasing the true essence of the holiday season!

A huge round of applause to all participants for spreading joy and festive cheer throughout our community. The Friendsville Mayor & Town Council extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated. Your creativity and enthusiasm truly made this season special!

As per the provisions outlined in our town charter, the 2024 municipal election for the Town of Friendsville has been officially cancelled. According to the charter’s specifications, if, during an even year, only one candidate runs for the position of Mayor and no more than three candidates seek election for Town Council, an election will not be held, and the candidates will be declared elected.

In accordance with these criteria, the single candidate for Mayor and the limited number of candidates for Town Council have met the stipulated requirements outlined in our charter. Therefore, there will be no need for an election, and the following candidates are hereby declared elected to their respective positions.

• Mayor Spencer R. Schlosnagle
• Council Member Michael E. Artice
• Council Member Pamela S. Humberson
• Council Member Edward B. Kelley

These positions hold a term of two years, set to take office on the first of March 2024.

The Mayor and Town Council play crucial roles in decision-making, policy implementation, and representing the interests of our diverse community. As we move forward, it is essential to have dedicated individuals committed to serving Friendsville with integrity and vision.

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!

The Friend Family Association of America was started by Colonel Lester Friend with the purpose to collect, record, preserve and to share historical and genealogical history. Although the FFAA has memberships from many countries, the headquarters is located right here in Friendsville, Maryland at the corner of First and Maple Streets.

The first floor History Museum houses many items donated by families who have ties to John Friend Sr. the founder of Friendsville and to many of his descendants.

The Museum has family heirlooms from Chauncey Friend, Ruth Calderwell, Jessie Guard McCullough, J. Bunnel Friend, Jeanie Frantz, Mary Friend and numerous other families of Friendsville.

The 135 year old historical architectural gingerbread piece from the eve of Leslie Friend store is being considered by the Garrett County Ruth Enlow Library to be part of the new Friendsville Library.

The Colonel Lester Friend Library is located on the second floor, where genealogy records are not limited to Friend family but include the history of many family lines, such as Bittner, Brant, Casteel, Coddington, Custer, Fike, Frantz, Harvey, Riley, Sines, Sisler, Ward and Wilt plus many others. Local "Memory Keeper" and Librarian, Ina Claire Hicks can be visited every Friday from May to November and by special appointments to help you find your family history.

The FFAA has over 75 Genealogical Books written by Patty Friend Thompson and Pat Smith on Friend family members as well as associated families. All books are for sale at the museum and on line at Friend Family Association of America. In addition, Patty posts many articles and various family documents on FFAA Facebook and also can be reached on Facebook to answer genealogical questions.

The Friend Family Museum and Library Volunteers hope to see everyone in the Spring. We are always willing to help our visitors find their family connection.

Join Us for our Community Watch Meeting!

The Friendsville Community Watch is excited to announce our upcoming meeting, where neighbors come together for a safer, more connected community.

📅Date: Tuesday, January 16th

🕕 Time: 6:00 PM

📍 Location: Friendsville Senior Center

This gathering is open to all community members in Friendsville. We'll discuss recent developments, and collaborate on ways to make our neighborhood an even better place to live.

Whether you're a long-time resident or new to the area, your participation and insights are valuable. Let's work together to ensure the well-being of our community!

Mark your calendars and spread the word. We look forward to seeing you there!

We held our Christmas Coloring Contest at the "Christmas In Our Town Event" last month. The Winners Are: Scarlet Spiker, Amelia Reams, Tanner Artice, and Kaelyn Mayle!

All winners received a gift bag and a $10 gift card. The community watch would like to thank everyone who attended or participated!

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 Wednesdays 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 Wednesdays 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 Wednesdays 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!

By Thomas Vose, Director, Ruth Enlow Library of Garrett County

While planning got sidetracked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new Friendsville Library project is back on track, thanks to the support of our amazing partners. Delegate Beitzel and Senator Edwards successfully revamped the State grant matching amounts needed to 90/10, meaning that every dollar raised locally will be matched by nine more from the State. The Town of Friendsville very generously donated the property towards making the project a reality, and we have successfully applied for State funding for the design phase, which is well underway courtesy of the architectural firm of Murphy and Dittenhafer. Our team has reconvened and is looking at the options for making the building inspiring and timeless, and at this point we anticipate a potential groundbreaking in summer of 2024, with completion currently scheduled for September, 2025 (though of course that’s subject to change). Meanwhile, we will be planning an event to celebrate the project and raise funds for furniture and the collection in Summer of 2024, and look forward to seeing you all then!

Calling all LEGO lovers! Join the LEGO Club at the Friendsville Library. We will meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm. Join us for some free-building fun based on an awesome new theme each month! Your creative build will even be displayed in the library for others to enjoy! Lego and Duplo blocks will be provided. LEGO Club is designed for children ages 4 and up

Join us for a convenient solution to your grocery needs with the Maryland Food Bank's MOBILE MARKET! We extend a warm invitation to everyone to partake in this opportunity to access nourishing food items and valuable resources. On these special days, we offer a selection of boxed dry goods and the freedom to choose your own fresh produce, all while supplies last. It's all completely free, both the food and the resources, as we aim to deliver hope and support to our neighbors in need. Don't miss out! Visit us on the second Wednesday of each month between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM at the Ruth Enlow Library of Friendsville, located at 315 Chestnut St, Friendsville, MD 21531. Let us make your day brighter with our one-stop-shop for your essential needs.

Wear your pajamas, bring your favorite stuffie or blanket and join us for a special evening children's story time! Enjoy stories, songs, movement, and rhymes during this fun-filled evening. This program is geared towards ages 2-5, but younger and older children are welcome!

If you enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and eating with friends...then this is the bookclub for you! It's Friendsville Library's new Culinary Connections Cookbook Club! Join us on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 6pm. Each participant will choose a recipe from a selection of cookbooks to prepare at home and bring to share at the next meeting. We'll have fun trying new foods, discussing our culinary successes (or disasters), and sharing cooking techniques and tips. We'll have a different theme each month and a prize will be awarded at each meeting for the tastiest dish!

STEAM Kids programs are happening here at the Friendsville Library! Join us on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00 p.m., as we engage in exciting hands-on activities based on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! This program is designed for ages 5 and up.