Friendsville Newsletter
September 2023
January 2025
Mayor & Town Council News
STAY UPDATED!
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Indoor Pickleball
Everyone is welcome to join us at the Garrett County Fairgrounds inside the Ag Hall from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on most Wednesdays and Fridays for casual play. Beginners are welcome and encouraged to attend. Once you arrive, sign in and join this great group of people who are having fun while they get some physical activity during these winter months. Visit our calendar for more details and block your schedule to catch as many days as you can this winter, https://garretthealth.org/events/.
This program is made possible by grant funds through Healthy Together.
Municipal General Election ~ February 11, 2025
The Town of Friendsville will hold its municipal election on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, with polls open from 12:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The election is for three (3) Council Members.
The candidates for the three open council seats are Donna “Lynn” Aycock,
Chad Bittinger, Patrick “Pat” Hamlin, and incumbents James Hook and
Robert “Bob” Sines. Those elected will serve a two-year term.
Current council members Pamela S. Humberson, Michael E. Artice, and
Edward B. Kelley will continue to serve, with one year remaining on their terms.
Friendsville maintains a separate voter register. However, residents who are registered with the Garrett County Board of Elections and live in Friendsville are automatically eligible to vote in the municipal election.
Board of Elections
Town of Friendsville
Robin Sines, Chairperson
📢 Mobile Market Announcement
🌟 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. 🥦🍎
Important Update: 🚫 Due to the weather, January's Mobile Market has been cancelled.
⏳ February's event is currently pending. Stay tuned for updates!
Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to serving you soon. 🌱
Stay safe and warm! 💛
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Upcoming Events & Happenings
Friendsville Elementary School
Announcement: No School on January 30
Dear Parents and Guardians,
Please note that there will be no school for students on Tuesday, January 30, due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. Conferences will be held from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM.
This is a valuable opportunity to meet with teachers and discuss your child’s progress. We encourage all parents and guardians to attend.
Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education.
2024-2025 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.
Member Meeting
Join us as we kick off the new year working on enhancing our Town and our Businesses!
Date: Thursday, January 30, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: The Root Cafe, 321 Chestnut Street Friendsville, MD 21531
Friendsville Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department, Inc.
Upcoming BINGO Event!
Don't forget to mark your calendar and bring a friend along! Our upcoming BINGO event is scheduled for Saturday, February 1st. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Get in early to catch the Early Bird games starting at 6:15 p.m., followed by the regular games at 6:30 p.m.
Community Watch
📅 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!
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!
Friend Family Association of America Museum & Genealogy Library
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.
The Olden Days of Friendsville
Opera House
The Opera House, located on Morris Avenue, was a vibrant hub for Saturday night square dances and performances. A hand-painted curtain from this historic venue is proudly displayed at the FFAA Museum.
Over time, the Opera House evolved into a theater.
Grand Theater
The Grand Theater brought entertainment to Friendsville with silent movies, accompanied by Iva McCullough on piano. As technology advanced, it showcased "talkies," featuring mostly serial Western episodes and timeless classics such as Ben-Hur, The Ten Commandments, and Gone with the Wind.
Admission to the movies cost just 15 cents, while a bag of popcorn was a mere 5 cents.
Eventually, the Grand Theater was repurposed into a bowling alley, which tragically burned down in 1965 after a boiler explosion.
Friendsville Ruth Enlow Library
LEGO Club ~ 1/28/2025 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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.
Culinary Connections Cookbook Club ~ 02/05/2025 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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.
STEAM KIDS! ~ February 11, 2025
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.
All Branches Closed
- 01/20/2025 ~ All Branches Closed - Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 (Inauguration Day)
- 02/17/2025 ~ All Branches Closed - President's Day 2025
The Friendsville Veterans Memorial Committee is now accepting contractor bids for Phase 1 of the concrete slab project. A contractor will be selected during our meeting on February 5, 2025. The project is expected to be completed within 2025.
Friendsville is Garrett County’s oldest settlement established in 1763. It is a hub for Adventure, Nature and History. Friendsville is enjoying new energy with a vibrant outdoor lifestyle centered around its riverside location with a restaurant/pub, pharmacy, liquor store, healing oil boutique and more. Come for a day of water sports or a gentle walk along the river followed by a stroll through town or a family picnic in the park. You’ll want to stay for a lifetime.