Living in the 21st century, we are so lucky to have access to powerful sources of help when emergencies arise. This wasn’t so about a century ago as the following story illustrates.

As Carroll County celebrated its 186th birthday this week, many important names naturally came to mind. One of them, Joe Getty, may best be remembered in 2023 as the former chief judge of Maryland’s Court of Appeals. For those who enjoy Carroll County history, however, Joe’s name might ring a different bell, that of important local historian.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 16, the life and times of Frederick Douglass were a key focus in a multimedia performance by music and spoken word artist Bomani Armah at the Carroll Arts Center.

Monday, Jan. 16, is the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service — a “Day On, Not a Day Off,” in the United States. King advocated for nonviolent resistance to overcome injustice as a means of lifting racial oppression. In Westminster, we have our own great leaders who have worked hard in the face of enormous obstacles to fight human injustice.

“I have always sewn,” said Ruth Colson, a craftsperson living in Hampstead. “I made all three of my daughters’ clothes, including dresses and pajamas.” She also made a lot of clothing for herself — dresses and skirts.

Lazzoni Modern Furniture compiled a list of 15 interior design trends for 2023, from upcycling to nature-inspired spaces.

Joe Getty, former director of the Historical Society of Carroll County, unearthed a fascinating letter in the society’s manuscript collection written in 1853 by John Fuss Buffington (1828-1896) while studying medicine in Baltimore. It was addressed to Buffington’s friend, John McKellip, then setting up his pharmacy on Frederick Street in Taneytown.

It was standing room only in Carroll County Circuit Courtroom 10 as more than 100 folks gathered Tuesday to witness the swearing-in ceremony for Haven Shoemaker, the 23rd state’s attorney for Carroll County.