On behalf of our community, we extend our heartfelt thanks to WeRise Property Services, LLC, and especially to Marty McCabe and family, for the generous donation and planting of the beautiful maple tree in our community park on Friday, April 25, 2025, in recognition of Arbor Day.

Your thoughtful contribution not only honors the spirit of Arbor Day but also leaves a lasting legacy for future generations to enjoy. The tree stands as a symbol of growth, community, and care for the environment — values we deeply appreciate.

Thank you for your continued support and dedication to making our community a greener, more beautiful place.

A public hearing will be held on May 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. regarding the Town of Friendsville Fiscal Year 2026 Budget and the setting of the tax rate for the upcoming fiscal year. The hearing will take place at the Friendsville Town Hall. Community members are encouraged to attend and provide input. The proposed budget ordinance is available for review on the Town's website. Your participation is important to the future of our town!

🌟 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 14, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. ***CANCELLED TODAY***
• May 29, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• June 11, 2025 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

IN HONOR AND REMEMBRANCE OF THE SIX YOUNG MEN FROM FRIENDSVILLE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE VIETNAM WAR

DANNY NICKLOW • THOMAS FIKE • ROSS FIKE

ROGER GARLICK • NORMAN THOMAS • CHARLES HOOK

COMMUNITY PARADE — May 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Honoring the families of each fallen soldier

MEMORIAL SERVICE TO FOLLOW
At the Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department located at 122 Walnut Street, Friendsville, MD 21531

DEDICATION CEREMONY
Six commemorative pictorial flags to be displayed on Maple Street

Featuring:

• Guest Speakers

• Musical Tributes

• Tolling of the Bell

• Gun Salute

• Performance of Military Taps

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
All are welcome to join in honoring our hometown heroes

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!

Join us for a fun-filled morning of fishing, family, and community spirit!

🗓 RESCHULED DATE: Saturday, May 24, 2025

🕗 Time: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
📍 Location: Friendsville Park on Bear Creek
🎣 Who Can Participate:

• Children ages 3–15

• All ages of individuals with special needs

Whether you're a first-time fisher or a seasoned angler, come out and enjoy a great day on the water in honor of Clyde “Jr” Fike. Prizes, refreshments, and a whole lot of fun await!

This is a free event — just bring your enthusiasm and love of the outdoors!

Sponsored by: Mountain Loggers Group, Inc.

We’re heading into a busy and important time of year! Please take note of the following upcoming dates and events:

MCAP Testing Schedule (Grades 3, 4, and 5):

• Math Testing: May 12–16

• Reading Testing: May 19–23
  Please ensure your child gets plenty of rest and arrives to school on time each day.

Important Dates to Remember:

• May 26: No School (Memorial Day)

• May 27: Three-Hour Early Dismissal for Students (Staff Development)

• May 28: Band & Chorus Concert at 1:30 PM – Families are welcome to attend!

Thank you for your continued support during this busy season. Let’s finish the year strong!

Friendsville Elementary community school is sponsoring summer programming in June, July, and August. These programs are open to current 2nd - 4th graders, and registration is open now!

Click the link below or scan the QR code on the flyer your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grader will bring home today to register. Questions? Contact Mrs. Roth by calling the school or via email @ heather.roth@garrettcountyschools.org

https://forms.gle/BPiwGB7F6Z5iSmnA9

📅Member Meeting - May 29, 2025 6:00 p.m. at The Root Cafe

Get ready for a weekend of fun, community, and celebration—Friendsville Days is back from August 15 to 17, 2025! We’re thrilled to be organizing a fantastic family-friendly event filled with entertainment for all ages.

🎉 What to Expect:

• Live Music: Performances by local and regional artists.
• Parade: A vibrant procession showcasing community spirit.
• Fireworks: Spectacular displays lighting up the night sky.
• Vendors & Food Trucks: A variety of goods and delicious eats.
• Tournaments: Competitive fun for sports enthusiasts.
• Inflatables & JTF: Activities to delight the kids.
• And much more: Surprises and delights around every corner!

📅 Stay Tuned: We’ll share the full schedule as soon as it’s finalized. In the meantime, mark your calendars and prepare for an unforgettable weekend.

🤝 Get Involved: Interested in donating a door prize, sponsoring the event, joining the parade, or becoming a vendor? We’d love to hear from you! Please contact us, and we’ll provide all the necessary information. Email us at friendsvilledays@hotmail.org and follow us on Facebook for updates

Let’s come together to make Friendsville Days 2025 the best yet!

This is a unique opportunity to learn self-sufficiency skills for growing your own foods. Participants will be matched with a Master Gardener Mentor throughout the season. A plot is available at the Friendsville Town Hall. Approximate commitment of 3 hours per week - June to September.

• Learn how to Garden with hands-on guidance.
• Gain experience & fresh fruits and vegetables
• Everything provided for participants!

Questions: Call 301.334.6960 or email abachtel@umd.edu

Applications and interview required - apply by May 20, 2025

Family Friendly & Free

Master Gardener Minute Extended will provide information on several gardening topics the first Thursday every month from 11-11:30.

To register click HERE.

Mark your calendars! Our June 7th Bingo will be a special event held in collaboration with the Friendsville Elementary PTO!

🕒 All times will remain the same as our regular monthly bingos.
🍽️ The PTO will be serving food, including:

• Hot dogs

• Sloppy joes

• Nachos

• Delicious baked goods

Come enjoy an evening of fun, food, and community support — all while helping out a great cause!

261 MAPLE STREET, FRIENDSVILLE, MD

WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE SEASON

AS OF SEPTEMBER 3, 2024

ALL OPENINGS DEPEND ON AVAILABILITY OF VOLUNTEERS

INQUIRIES OR REQUESTS FOR A SPECIAL OPENING CAN

BE DIRECTED TO CAROL SQUIRES.

friendfamilyassociation.com

Friendsville native Evelyn Guard Olsen authored Indian Blood in 1967, a work widely regarded as the most comprehensive history of the Friend family. The book details the genealogy of John Friend Sr. and his interactions with the Shawnee Indians along the Youghiogheny River. John Friend Sr.'s unique ability to bridge cultural divides eventually led to the founding of the Town of Friendsville. A founding member of the Friend Family Association of America (FFAA), Olsen’s book Indian Blood is available for viewing at the Col. Lester Friend Library, located within the FFAA Museum and Library.

Hugh Friend speaks with Pam Dornburg, Program Coordinator, and his son Remington before delivering his presentation, "The History of Friendsville," at the Springs Museum in Springs, Pennsylvania. As part of his talk on the early settlers and their families who came to the Yough Valley, Hugh drew from Evelyn Guard Olsen's book Indian Blood.

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!

Have a Healthy, Active Spring!

🍎 Mobile Food Market: Catch us at the Friendsville Mobile Food Market at the Library on May 14, 2025 from 2pm to 4pm. We'll be there to connect with the community and provide information on our initiatives.

🏥 Blood Pressure Check-Up: Mark your calendars! I will be at the Friendsville Senior Center on May 14, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., offering complimentary blood pressure checks for all interested attendees.

📅 Event Flyers: Check out our flyers below for this month's events.

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

Jaime Spano

Garrett County Health Department

Community Health Outreach Worker

301.334.7777

Only three classes remain in the Thursday Yoga series in Friendsville! It’s been a true pleasure getting to know each of you, and I’m so grateful for the time we’ve shared practicing yoga together.

Weather permitting, the remaining sessions will be held outdoors.

As a fun thank-you, for each of the next three weeks you attend, your name will be entered into a prize drawing. On the final class day (May 29th), we’ll draw one name to win. If you can’t be there that day, no worries — you’ll still be contacted if your name is chosen!

Tina Dick

Calling all LEGO lovers! Join the LEGO Club at the Friendsville Library! We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 4:00-5:00pm. Join us for some free-building fun based on an exciting theme each month or your own creative ideas! LEGO and Duplo blocks will be provided. LEGO Club is designed for children ages 4 and up.

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.

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.

Calling all gardening enthusiasts! Join us as we learn about growing perennial food crops and easy small fruits for your garden.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Please contact the Friendsville Library to register or email Melissa Custer at melissa@relib.net for more information.

• Memorial Day ~ May 26, 2025
• Juneteenth ~ June 19, 2025

May 2, 2025, Oakland, MD – With recent legislative developments and increasing activity from utility and energy companies, local landowners are advised to proceed carefully when approached to sign land easement agreements.

Specifically related to utility transmission line easements, an agreement typically grants companies permanent access and use of private land for infrastructure like towers, substations, and access roads. These agreements often come with long-term or perpetual rights and may significantly impact land use, farming operations, property value, and future development.

"While these projects can benefit the broader energy grid, landowners must fully understand the legal, financial, and practical implications before signing anything," said Kevin Null, Garrett County Administrator. “It’s important to remember that once these easements are signed, they are rarely renegotiated.”

Landowners should consider:

• How much land is being affected
• What rights they are giving up
• Whether compensation is fair and clearly defined
• Impacts to agriculture, access, and environmental features
• Responsibilities for restoration, maintenance, and liability

Legal counsel is strongly recommended before entering any agreement. Additionally, landowners involved in USDA or conservation programs should consult their local office, as easements can impact program eligibility.

For more information, contact Chad Fike in the Garrett County Planning and Land Management Division at cfike@garrettcountymd.gov or 301-334-1922 or speak with a qualified attorney.

###

About Garrett County Government Planning and Land Management Division: The Planning & Land Management Division of Garrett County’s Department of Community Development oversees zoning, subdivisions, transient vacation rental licensing, land preservation, and sensitive areas regulations. The division maintains and implements the County’s Comprehensive Development Plan, supports policy development related to land use and transportation, and coordinates with local, state, and federal partners to advance planning initiatives and pursue funding opportunities.

The Friendsville Veterans Memorial will be setting 8 of the 13 Flagpoles, in the month of May. This will make the memorial visible for interstate route 68. We are looking at the September, October timeframe for the center Monument to be delivered to the site.