Bittinger News

This year commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Bittinger Volunteer Fire Department. In the 50-year history, the department has responded to more than 9,000 emergency calls, with over 3,500 since 2016. The 2023 annual fund drive is now underway. Make checks payable to “Bittinger Volunteer Fire Department.” Donations may be mailed to Bittinger Volunteer Fire Department, 176 Brenneman Road, Bittinger, MD 21522. Donations may also be made online at www.bittingervfd.com.

An all-you-can-eat buckwheat cake dinner will be held from 4-6 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Swanton Community Center. This will be the final buckwheat cake dinner for the year in downtown Swanton. Proceeds from the dinner will go to Operation Christmas Child. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Debit cards will be accepted for dinners and donations. Carry-out meals also will be available.

The Eastern Garrett Volunteer Fire Department will have its monthly spaghetti dinner at the fire hall from 3-7 p.m. Nov. 11. Dinners will include homemade spaghetti sauce featuring B & B Country Meats of Frostburg, homemade Italian bread from Lorenzo’s of Frostburg, tossed salad and coffee or iced tea. The fire hall is located at 401 Finzel Road, Frostburg (Garrett County).

The ranger staff from the Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park will present a program about different reptiles at the Grantsville Library from 4-5 p.m. Nov. 10. This program is part of the Ruth Enlow Library’s Student Discovery Series and is intended for students K-12 and their families. Because space is limited, registration is required. Contact information is jiden@relib.net, or call 301-334-3996, ext. 0104.

All branches of the Ruth Enlow Library will be closed Nov. 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

The Swanton Otterbein United Methodist Church will again serve as a collection site for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. The schedule is 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. Evening drop-off times are 5-7 p.m. Nov. 14 and 17. The final collection day is 9-11 a.m. Nov. 20.

Other collection sites in Garrett County are the Pleasant View Baptist Church in Oakland, and Asher Glade Church in Friendsville.

Collections continue for the Burlington Children’s Home and Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse. All donations for these outreach ministries will be appreciated.

The Women in Faith will sponsor a Thanksgiving service at 6 p.m. Nov. 21. All are invited to attend this special service. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the perfect will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1Thess. 5:18).

American combat deaths in World War I totaled 53,402. Another 45,000 American soldiers died of influenza and related pneumonia by the end of 1918.

Saturday, Nov. 11 is the national observance of Veterans Day. When first celebrated as Armistice Day, the day marked the end of World War I, formally recognized on the “11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month” in 1918. However, in 1954, the holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” to account for all veterans of all wars.

Although originally scheduled for celebration on Nov. 11 of every year, starting in 1971 in accordance with the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was moved to the fourth Monday of October. It was moved back to its original celebration on Nov. 11 in 1978.

Because it falls on a Saturday this year, many employees will be celebrating the day off from work on Friday. For many it will be a long weekend, but remember that this day is more than just a day off from work. Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to all those men and women who have served in any of the armed forces. On this day, we stand united in respect for our veterans.