At this time in my life the Elias Lutheran Church had a very active young people group called the Luther League - we met Sunday night for a Bible study - then we would play games etc. Other projects were to help teach vacation Bible school for two weeks in the summer. Kids from other churches joined us and we had a very large attendance. Most of us belonged to the choir which had rehearsals at least one night a week - helped with the clothing drive for Lutheran missions - go caroling either by foot or hayride - up and down the street, - then return to church for cookies and hot chocolate. Then of course there were all ways special services attended thru out the year.

Most all our activities were done in a group, like sledding - ice-skating - swimming (at a creek) bowling - roller skating parties at Rainbow Roller Rink in Taneytown. Rarely did we just cruise around in cars and drink. (I won't say it wasn't done but we didn't). During our school year there were always plays - dances - sock hops - sports (especially when we got to travel to other schools by bus or just up the street to St. Joe's). Before (and after) sixteen we rode bikes everywhere or walked. A few kids at 16 got licenses to drive but you could not get the family car very often. To drive to school was a really big deal.

In Emmitsburg you knew everyone and if you walked downtown (or up) after 5 PM everyone sat out on their porch or on the street (in summer)- so 'til you visited you were at least a 1/2 hour late. The friendship was great when you think about it now, because now most people are afraid to speak to you.

At a very early age (about nine) we were allowed to go to the 'Gem' movie theater (most of us called it the 'Germ') for 15-25 cents. After the show (which by the way was most always filled) we would go to 'Chick' Rosensteel's across the street (later Harner's Bowling Alley) for a large scoop of chocolate ice-cream with marshmallow for 10 cents - Chick had the cutest small Ice-cream table and chair set you ever saw and you really had to rush to get to sit at it. Of course this would only happen on Saturday night.

I don't remember every saying I was bored like you hear most children's today. Of course if there was any spare time you would baby-sit for someone or some of us had jobs after school.

During the summer months you would ride your bicycle or walk to Hartmans's Bridge (on the mountain road) to swim and cool off. Some of the spots we swain in were 'Snake Hole' 'Red Rock' 'The Bridge' or 'Bent Tree'. After a fun time you had to walk or bicycle back to town and be just as hot as you were when you left. There was one thing during 'Dog Days' which was in Aug. you were not allowed to swim in the creek.

When you became 9-10 years old (and up) you could go cherry picking in Orrtanna. The bus or truck would pick you up on the square at 5 AM and brought you back about 4-5 PM unless it would rain very hard. Hard work but also had a lot of fun picking like crazy 'til noon then goof off, for most of us this was the money to purchase our school needs for Sept. Tit was dirty work, but also fun.

In my neighborhood the children would get together in the evening (after chores were done) and play games. We had a great big yard and we played hide n seek- statues - skate - or just go for a walk and after dark we would make up ghost stories. Of course these fun things were only done after your jobs were done like weeding the garden, carrying wood for the stove, dishes, maybe help with supper, ironing or just sweeping the sidewalk - then of course after the garden matures there was canning. My parents both worked so there was a lot to do. We also raised rabbits and chickens at one time. Speaking of rabbits, before we started to raise our own, every Saturday afternoon we got to Mr. Zacharias farm to buy rabbits for Sunday dinner. 

Also the town had a very good baseball team. They played in the field were the town park is now. In 1947 the team were champs - but they had good teams for years. At least once during the summer the carnival came to town - what fun rides - cotton candy - games and what was more fun was when you got old enough to go without parents.

By the time September rolled around you were ready to go back to school and see all the friends you did not see all summer. Being in a small school you had a lot of opportunity to do things that you would not have even thought about in a larger school like FAA (Future Farmers of America), FTA (Future Teachers of America), glee club student council, newspaper staff, basketball, track & field games, volley ball and softball team.

In my 9h grade of school a classmate Frank Stinson passed away This was a terrible thing for our whole class - being a very small class we were close.

Have your own memories of growing up in Emmitsburg?
 If so, send them to us at history@emmitsburg.net

Read Other Historical Articles by Shirley Troxel Rohrbaugh