Hampstead Fire

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Megan Clagett will soon give up the crown she has worn for the past year as Miss Hampstead Fire Prevention.The final days of her reign are being spent orchestrating this year's contest, selecting judges, obtaining prizes and encouraging young women to compete to be her successor.In an annual summer rite of passage, young women, who reside in the first-response area of the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department and are 16 to 21 years old, compete for the title of Miss Hampstead Fire Prevention.

Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company will hold its annual carnival Monday through Aug. 16 on the firehouse grounds, 1341 N. Main St. Rides, games and food booths will open at 7 p.m. daily. During carnival week, dinners will be served in the hall starting at 6 p.m. Aug. 13-16. Discounted ride nights will be held Monday, Tuesday, Aug. 14 and 15. The firefighters' parade will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 13, featuring marching units and fire equipment. Concerts will be given by Ashley Marie on Monday; the Shades on Tuesday; Just Us on Aug. 13; Iron Ridge on Aug. 14; Bootleg Band on Aug. 15; and South Express on Aug. 16. The carnival will conclude Aug. 16 with raffle drawings for $3,500 in cash.

All-Night Bingo games at the Hampstead Fire Department on Main Street are a perennial favorite."Sometimes it's too crowded," says firefighter Kenny Ruby, so they've limited Friday night's attendance to 250 people.With $4,000 to be won, everybody stays all night.That's 92 games of bingo and a home-cooked fried chicken dinner, for a night of fun until 3 a.m."Most games are worth $30" to the winner, he said."Specials are from $50 to $300."Mr. Ruby says he'll be there to "sell specials, work the floor, do whatever is needed."

A Hampstead townhouse caught fire yesterday morning, leaving two families homeless and three others without electricity, the state fire marshal said. No one was hurt in the fire in the 4300 block of White Oak Court, which began in a home owned by Tim and Jennifer Thatcher about 1:30 a.m. and lasted about 30 minutes, the fire marshal said. The fire caused about $50,000 in damage, the fire marshal said. The fire was ruled accidental and probably started in a lint-filled dryer in a shed next to the Thatcher's home, but investigators have not determined an official cause, the fire marshal said.

Browsing through the 100-year-old history of Hampstead Volunteer Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, one easily sees the changes over the years. The fire company's first piece of equipment was a horse-drawn, four-wheel hook and ladder wagon that cost $75 in 1900, a far cry from the 1978 ladder truck that cost $250,000 to refurbish in the early 1990s. It was May 27, 1899, when the 13 founding members held a carnival to raise money to start a fire company for the town. "It was just a one-day thing, but they raised $67.30 and about 3,000 people attended -- that was a big crowd," said Kevin Hann, public information officer for the Hampstead fire company.

Hampstead blaze caused by electrical malfunctionAn electrical malfunction in a piece of equipment in a logo printing shop caused a fire that damaged two Hampstead businesses Saturday, a spokesman for the State Fire Marshal's office said yesterday.The 12:30 p.m. fire damaged the Sportsgrafics store, the Hampstead Gold and Diamond Center and two upstairs apartments, all located in one building in the 1200 block of North Main Street.The exact piece of equipment that caused the fire had not been determined yesterday, said Faron Taylor, a spokesman for the state fire marshal.

25 years ago: Maryland Transportation Secretary Harry R. Hughes says Maryland is planning a state-operated program to increase the number of commuter carpools in the Baltimore metropolitan region. Mr. Hughes says intensive planning for the program is a "direct response not only to the energy crisis but also to the need for improving air quality and for relieving traffic congestion in the Baltimore area." -- the Carroll Record, Nov. 29, 1973.75 years ago: The outcome of the state vs. Hampstead Fire Company was tied up before a jury in the Circuit Court on Wednesday.

Mmm, autumn. Maples are suddenly aflame in color. Fields mellow their greens into bronze. The scent of snow blows in from a season yet to come, and summer warmth is found inside a sweater.Autumn is splendid. Or fabulous, if you agree with folks at St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1373 Main St., Hampstead. On Saturday, they'll hold their Fabulous Fall Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.Fabulous Fall means fabulous homemade soups, the perfect fare to fight the autumn chill. Drop in to try their soups: vegetable, ham with bean or chicken-corn.

The Hampstead Business Association will have its 12th annual Business Expo Feb. 25 at North Carroll High School, 3801 Hampstead-Mexico Road.Businesses that wish to reserve a space must do so by Jan. 30. Expo spaces are 10 feet by 10 feet and cost $40. Call Dottie Wilhelm at 374-2767 for reservations.The expo schedule is:* Rotary Club Breakfast at Hampstead Fire Hall.* Rhythm and Shoes in the auditorium.* North Carroll Band Ensemble.* Live auction.Sandy the Clown will greet children and the association will give away a television and videocassette recorder.

George Lawson had a hand in planning the first Hampstead Day in 1973. He hasn't missed one since.Tomorrow, he will be in charge of the Rotary Club lemonade stand at the 20th annual Hampstead Day celebration, which will feature antiques and craft vendors from throughput the region, along with food prepared by nonprofit groups in Hampstead.The event will be held, rain or shine, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., along Main Street in Hampstead."Hampstead Day is run 100 percent and organized by the Rotary Club," said chairman David Wisniewski.

Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company Auxiliary will hold basket bingo April 5 at the fire hall. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and games will begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for three cards for 20 games. Refreshments will be sold. Additional cards, jackpot games and raffles will be available. Tickets may be purchased at Raver Insurance Agency and Petals Flowers & Gifts in Hampstead. Sponsors for baskets are needed. Anyone wishing to sponsor a basket or donate a door prize should call the numbers below.

The Hampstead Volunteer Fire Engine and Hose Company installed officers at its annual banquet Saturday. Administrative officers are: Robert R. Rill, president; Edgar M. Stagner, first vice president; James J. Reilly Jr., second vice president; Gary F. Wheeler, recording secretary; Amy L. Reilly, assistant recording secretary; Michael J. Quinn, treasurer; Carrie L. Hale, assistant treasurer; Dennis A. Rhoten, financial secretary; David J. Brown, assistant...

Browsing through the 100-year-old history of Hampstead Volunteer Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, one easily sees the changes over the years. The fire company's first piece of equipment was a horse-drawn, four-wheel hook and ladder wagon that cost $75 in 1900, a far cry from the 1978 ladder truck that cost $250,000 to refurbish in the early 1990s. It was May 27, 1899, when the 13 founding members held a carnival to raise money to start a fire company for the town. "It was just a one-day thing, but they raised $67.30 and about 3,000 people attended -- that was a big crowd," said Kevin Hann, public information officer for the Hampstead fire company.

25 years ago: Maryland Transportation Secretary Harry R. Hughes says Maryland is planning a state-operated program to increase the number of commuter carpools in the Baltimore metropolitan region. Mr. Hughes says intensive planning for the program is a "direct response not only to the energy crisis but also to the need for improving air quality and for relieving traffic congestion in the Baltimore area." -- the Carroll Record, Nov. 29, 1973.75 years ago: The outcome of the state vs. Hampstead Fire Company was tied up before a jury in the Circuit Court on Wednesday.

SEVENTEEN-YEAR-OLD Megan Clagett will soon give up the crown she has worn for the past year as Miss Hampstead Fire Prevention.The final days of her reign are being spent orchestrating this year's contest, selecting judges, obtaining prizes and encouraging young women to compete to be her successor.In an annual summer rite of passage, young women, who reside in the first-response area of the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Department and are 16 to 21 years old, compete for the title of Miss Hampstead Fire Prevention.

The Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company presented awards for 1997 at its recent annual banquet.Jim Dwyer received the officers' award for 20 years of service in the fire, ambulance and administrative areas.Other service awards went to John Bush, 75 years; Sterling Miller, Stewart Reed, 50 years; John Bellusci, Sam Bellusci, 45 years; Dennis Rhoten, 30 years; Ted Belt, 25 years.The top 10 fire responders were Ray Rill, Ken Shoemaker, Jeff Carroll, Dave Brown, Greg Parry, Dave Stem, Bryan Ruby, Ed Schwartz, Scott Therit and Jeff Lowe.

Like a Christmas card come to life, Manchester's third Old Fashioned Christmas Open House will take shape Friday, Nov. 27 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m."In a small town like this, to see droves of people on the streets is really neat," said Sharon Nizer of the Tin Rooster, who's organizing the event for the merchant sponsors.Enter shops dressed with balloon bouquets and you'll be welcomed by the shopkeepers serving refreshments. They'll show you where to register for door prizes. Manchester's delightful array of shops features baseball cards, hairdressing, ice cream treats, homemade meat products and fine gifts.

Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company presented awards for 1996 at its annual banquet recently.Jim Lankford was Emergency Medical Services Person of the Year. Most-Improved Firefighter was Dan Carroll.The Officers Award went to Jason Brezler.Ray Rill and Herman Hare were inducted into the Hampstead Hall of Fame.The top-10 fire responders were: Ray Rill, Dave Stem, Dave Brown, Jeff Lowe, Scott Therit, Jeff Carroll, Herb Raver, Dan Carroll, Steve Hardesty and Carrie Hale.The top-10 ambulance responders were: Carrie Hale, Dave Stem, Jim Dwyer, Tim Beatty, Jim Reilly, Ken Shoemaker, Jim Lankford, Jeff Carroll, Don Nash and Amy Zepp.