The Ladies Auxiliary to the Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company was organized in July 1949 and celebrated its 60th anniversary on Aug. 13. For the occasion, Savoy Caterers served a banquet in the activities building.
Nineteen members, 45 guests, 13 past presidents of the Ladies Auxiliary Maryland State Firemen's Association and 13 past presidents of the Auxiliary Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association were present.
Charlie Barnhart was master of ceremonies for the evening.
Louise Riffle was honored for being a charter member and is still active. Grace Putman is a charter member, but unable to be active due to health reasons. They are the only two charter members left and both were in attendance. President Linda Lookingbill presented both with corsages.
Special guests made presentations to Lookingbill for the auxiliary and to Riffle for being an active charter member.
Those on hand to present were: Julianna Albowicz, for U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski; Sen. David Brinkley, for himself and for Maryland Senate President Thomas "Mike" Miller; Del. Donald Elliott, for Gov. Martin O'Malley and Speaker of the House Michael Busch; Taneytown Mayor James McCarron; Ladies Auxiliary Maryland State Firemen's Association President Kathy Nipple; Auxiliary Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association President Kim Thomas; and Maryland State Firemen's Association Past President Robert Jacobs, for MSFA President Roger Powell.
Barnhart and Lookingbill presented resolutions for President Doug Alexander of the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association and a proclamation from the Carroll County Commissioners to the Ladies Auxiliary and Riffle.
The centerpiece on the head table was donated by The Flower Box and was presented to Lookingbill.
She presented planters to Nipple and Thomas.
There were yellow rosebuds in a vase on each table that were given as door prizes, along with other gifts that were donated by the auxiliary members.
Janet Parrish donated a fire department blanket, which was given away in a special drawing.
The favors were a replica of the auxiliary patch with 1949-2009 and 60th anniversary made of chocolate that were donated by Riffle.
The auxiliary gave note pads with 1949-2009 and 60th anniversary on the cover.
Lookingbill presented the active members with certificates of service and a special 60th-anniversary pin.
There are 19 active members, of which three are men.
