Friendsville Newsletter

Family, Mayor Spencer Schlosnagle, and Council President Humberson attended an awards celebration in Annapolis on Friday, April 10, 2026, honoring Jett McCormick. The event brought together community members, family, friends, and supporters to recognize Jett’s outstanding achievements and dedication.

The celebration highlighted the importance of local leadership and strong community support in helping young people succeed. Mayor Schlosnagle and Council President Humberson expressed their pride in Jett’s accomplishments, noting that his success is a reflection of the strength and spirit of the entire community.

The Town extends its heartfelt congratulations to Jett McCormick and looks forward to his continued success in the years ahead. Please join us in congratulating Jett, along with all eleven winners of the Maryland Municipal League “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest, their teachers, and the municipalities they represent.

We are incredibly proud of you, Jett—your community is cheering you on. 🌟

The Town would also like to recognize the following “If I Were Mayor, I Would…” essay contest semi-finalists who placed in the Top 5 of their district:

• Opel Weaver, Friendsville Elementary School

• Surra Coole, Friendsville Elementary School

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students for their hard work, creativity, and achievement.

On April 16, 2026, the Friendsville community came together for a meaningful day of environmental stewardship as the Friendsville Elementary 5th Grade class, along with a couple high school youths, assisted with tree planting in the Recreational Parking Lot area. Katherine Phillips, Urban Forestry Coordinator, Ted Hoxie, Tree Planting Specialist and Noah Jack, Forest Ranger from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) were on hand to guide the process and provide an educational experience for the students. Mayor Scholnagle also marked the occasion by reading the Town of Friendsville’s Arbor Day Proclamation. Following the planting in the parking lot, the Town’s maintenance team continued their efforts at the Community Park, where they planted 12 fruit trees generously donated by the Garrett Soil Conservation District, further enhancing the town’s green spaces for future generations.

We are pleased to share with the community that several improvements have recently been completed at the Friend Family Association Building. These upgrades include the installation of a new sign, the addition of railings at both the front and rear entrances to enhance safety and accessibility, and the installation of lighting in the furnace room to improve visibility and functionality. These enhancements reflect our ongoing commitment to maintaining and improving community facilities for the benefit of all residents.

🌟 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!

• May 13, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• June 10, 2026 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Friendsville Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals members have completed their monthly work sessions with Dan Bowling of Mackin Engineers & Consultants to review and update the Town of Friendsville Zoning Ordinance. The process is now moving forward to a 30-day public comment period starting on April 20, 2026, during which the community is invited to review and provide feedback on the draft zoning ordinance.

A public hearing will be held on June 4, 2026, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, 121 Walnut Street, Friendsville, MD 21531. At this hearing, Dan Bowling of Mackin Engineers & Consultants will present the highlights of the final version of the zoning ordinance.

Following the public hearing, the Mayor and Town Council will consider adoption of the zoning ordinance at their meeting on June 15, 2026, at which time a vote to approve the ordinance is scheduled.

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!

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.

The Old Petersburg/Addison Historical Society invites the community to attend the Pike Days Activity and Celebration in Addison on Sunday, May 17, from 11:15 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. as they celebrate the 250th year of our nation.

This special community event will feature:
• The 25th Anniversary Car Show in the Lutheran Church parking lot
• Tours of the Augustine History House, open to the public
• Chicken dinners available at the Fire Hall
• “Bill and Bob’s” famous hotdogs ready to enjoy

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the unveiling of veteran banners that will grace the historic National Road.

Addison is a beautiful and well-preserved section of the National Road, and everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy this wonderful community celebration with our neighboring town.

May 21- Professional Day/Three-hour early dismissal for students

May 25 - No School Memorial Day

June 1 - Awards K-4 -- 1:30 PM

June 3 - 5th Grade Graduation & Awards --1:30 PM

June 4 - Three-hour early dismissal for students

June 5 - Last day of School/Three-hour early dismissal for students

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!

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 2026 is coming up soon, and we’re excited to bring the community together for another great weekend! Join us August 14–16, 2026 for a fun-filled few days with something for everyone.

This year’s celebration will feature lots of great bands, plenty of food vendors, and activities for all ages, so come out, enjoy the atmosphere, and spend time with friends and neighbors.

We’re still accepting applications for both vendors and parade entries. If you’d like to be part of the event, you can sign up using the links below:

• Vendor Application: https://forms.gle/juJ4HgsEmscgnFzy7
• Parade Entry Application: https://forms.gle/MHWjfSw19siQfAVP9

The concession stand will be open

• June 13, 2026
• June 27, 2026
• July 18, 2026
• August 13, 14 & 15, 2026
• September 19, 2026

Doors open at 5

Early Bird starts at 6:15

WE WILL POST UPDATES IF ANYTHING CHANGES ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

261 MAPLE STREET, FRIENDSVILLE, MD

The Friend Family Association of America Museum and Library has a total of 87 books written by Patrick T. Smith, Patty (Friend) Thompson and Shirley (Friend) Drent. Copies of books are available for purchase. These books cover the history of the Friend Family and their descendants such as John Friend Sr. & Jr., Cornelius Ward Friend, Susannah Friend House, Elizah Friend and numerous others.

On display at the museum are portraits of ancestors, early tools, musical instruments, toys and items pertaining to early businesses as well as family heirlooms. The upstairs Colonel Lester Friend Genealogical Library has information on many families of the Friendsville Community, such as Bittner, Coddington, Fike, Frazee, Fearer, Guard, Sines, Ward and many others.

Friend Family Association Museum is open on Friday’s from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Special opening can be arranged as volunteers are available by calling Carol Squires at 301-501-6020.

friendfamilyassociation.com

The White Flowering Dogwood tree at the Friend Family Association Museum & Library on Maple Street is blooming beautifully this spring!

It was planted in memory of Evelyn Guard Olsen,

author of the book, "Indian Blood."

If you enjoy cooking, trying new recipes, and eating with friends...then this is the bookclub for you! It's Friendsville Library's 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!

Only non-alcoholic beverages, please.

Disclaimer(s)

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens.

Programs, events and classes may be photographed or videotaped for library promotional purposes. Your participation in programs signifies your permission for us to use any photos that we take of you. Please speak to a librarian at the event if you would prefer your photo not be taken.

The Garrett County Health Department will be hosting a mobile health insurance clinic on the first Thursday of each month from 1:30-4:30pm at the Friendsville Library. A representative will be available for in-person assistance to apply for health insurance through Maryland Health Connection

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.

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.

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.

• June 6, 2026 - Celtic Festival
• August 15, 2026 - Friendsville Days

• Memorial Day - May 25, 2026
• Juneteenth - June 19, 2026
• Independence Day - July 4, 2026
• Labor Day - September 7, 2026
• System Staff Day - October 12, 2026
• Veteran's Day - November 11, 2026
• Thanksgiving - November 25, 2026 5:30 p.m. - November 27, 2026
• Christmas - December 24-25, 2026

📅 Check out our flyers below.

Let's come together to make a positive impact in our community!

Jaime Spano

Garrett County Health Department

Community Health Outreach Worker

301.334.7777

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!

The Garrett County Government manages the Town of Friendsville's water system. Thus, we routinely monitor the presence of drinking water contaminants.

Recent testing results show that our system exceeds the standard or maximum contaminant level (MCL), for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

This contaminant threshold is determined by averaging the samples collected at each sampling location for the past 12 months. The level(s) of HAA5 averaged at the sampling location were 63 parts per billion while the standard for HAA5 is 60 parts per billion.

There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions since this measurement is a long-term average. For more details, please visit https://www.garrettcountymd.gov/public-works/utilities/friendsville-water-system.

Should a situation ever arise where the water is not safe to drink, you will be notified immediately.

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.

The Town of Friendsville would like to inform residents that Town Hall office hours may be temporarily inconsistent over the next one to two months due to medical-related absences.

Residents are encouraged to call 301-746-5919 or email the office in advance to confirm that staff is available.

We appreciate your understanding and assure the community that Town operations remain ongoing and responsive.