Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack

Friday, June 26, 2026

Leppert Family Honored with MSFA Family Appreciation Program Award

On June 23, 2026, at the Annual Conv. of the Md. St. Firefighters Assoc., the Leppert family received the Family Appreciation Prog. Award.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - OCEAN CITY, Md. — For generations, service has been a family tradition for the Leppert family.

That legacy was recognized Tuesday, June 23, during the 133rd Annual Convention of the Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA), when the family of Jeff and Natali Leppert and Todd and Jennifer Leppert received the Association's prestigious Family Appreciation Program Award.

Presented annually by the MSFA Recruitment and Retention Committee, the Family Appreciation Program Award recognizes the families of volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel whose unwavering support makes volunteer emergency service possible.

While firefighters often receive public recognition, the Family Appreciation award acknowledges the countless sacrifices made by spouses, children, parents and extended family members who willingly share holidays, family dinners, birthdays and sleepless nights with those who answer emergency calls.

For the Leppert family, that commitment spans multiple generations.

The family has long been synonymous with the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, where generations of Lepperts have dedicated themselves to protecting the residents of Westminster and Carroll County. Beyond the fire service, members of the family have also served their communities through distinguished careers in law enforcement, continuing a tradition of public service that extends well beyond the firehouse.

According to the MSFA, nominees for the Family Appreciation Program Award must represent active volunteer fire or EMS members with at least five years of volunteer service. Families are selected based upon their continued support of emergency responses, firefighter training, fundraising efforts and their commitment to the teamwork that forms the foundation of every successful volunteer fire company. Nominations must also receive the endorsement of the department's chief or president.

For members of the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1, the recognition carries additional historical significance.

The Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 traces its origins to the early nineteenth century and today stands among Maryland's oldest volunteer fire departments.

Throughout more than 200 years of service, generations of volunteers have answered alarms ranging from structure fires and rescues to hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle collisions, severe weather emergencies and emergency medical calls. The department has grown with the community while maintaining its tradition of volunteer service and preserving its remarkable history through one of Maryland's finest collections of firefighting artifacts and historical records.

The department's relationship with the Maryland State Firefighters Association dates to the organization's founding.

The Maryland State Firemen's Association was organized in 1893 to promote cooperation among volunteer fire companies, improve firefighter training and equipment, and provide a unified voice for Maryland's volunteer emergency services. Westminster played an important role during those formative years.

One of Westminster's most respected citizens, John H. Cunningham, was a charter member of the Association and served on its Executive Board from 1898 to 1899. Cunningham, remembered not only as a lifelong Westminster firefighter but also as one of Maryland's most prominent bankers, remained connected with the Association throughout his lifetime and was believed at the time of his death in 1965 to have been its last surviving charter member.

Westminster also welcomed firefighters from across Maryland when it hosted the 14th Annual Convention of the Maryland State Volunteer Firemen's Association on June 6-8, 1906.

Historical records and the official convention program show the Carroll County seat transformed into a celebration of volunteer firefighting, complete with business meetings, public ceremonies, entertainment and fellowship among fire companies from throughout the state.

The convention was held only weeks after the devastating April 1906 Harbaugh Livery Stable fire, which damaged the offices of Westminster city government and the Westminster fire station itself, demonstrating both the resilience of the local department and its ability to host one of Maryland's premier fire service events.

More than 120 years later, that partnership between Westminster and the Maryland State Firefighters Association remains strong.

The recognition of the Leppert family serves as another chapter in that long history.

Volunteer fire departments are sustained not only by the firefighters who climb aboard the apparatus when the alarm sounds, but also by the families who remain behind, accepting interrupted meals, missed holidays and countless late-night responses as part of everyday life. Their support allows volunteers to continue serving their neighbors whenever emergencies arise.

The Family Appreciation Program Award recognizes those quiet sacrifices.

For Jeff and Natali Leppert, Todd and Jennifer Leppert, and the generations of the Leppert family who have dedicated themselves to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Company No. 1 and to public safety throughout Maryland, the award is a fitting tribute to a family whose tradition of service continues to strengthen both its department and its community.

As Maryland's volunteer fire service gathered once again for its annual convention, the honor served as a reminder that while emergency response begins with dedicated firefighters, it is often sustained by the families standing beside them every step of the way.

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This article also appears in Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/leppert-family-honored-msfa-family-appreciation-program-award

On WordPress – Dayhoff Time Flies: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2026/06/26/leppert-family-honored-with-msfa-family-appreciation-program-award/

+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster"

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website:

June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Art: https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies:

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/ (November 2, 2025)

Caroline and hiked in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Friday, June 26, 2026: Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 4005 Sandpiper Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 www.fws.gov/refuge/back-bay

Caroline and hiked in the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge: Located in the southeastern corner of Virginia Beach, the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1938. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, its primary mission is to protect and provide habitat for migrating and wintering waterfowl.

The refuge encompasses a diverse array of habitats—including beachfront, freshwater marsh, dunes, shrub-scrub, and upland forest—which support hundreds of species of birds, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish. To maintain these ecosystems, staff manage a freshwater impoundment complex that provides essential feeding and resting areas for waterfowl during the winter, while serving as habitat for shorebirds and wading birds during other seasons.

For visitors, the refuge grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. The area offers a variety of recreational opportunities, such as hiking, biking, wildlife observation, photography, and both surf and freshwater fishing. Additionally, the refuge collaborates with the adjacent False Cape State Park to offer tram tours that explore the natural history of the area and the site of the historic Wash Woods community.

+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster"

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website:

June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Art: https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies:

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/ (November 2, 2025)

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Kevin Dayhoff: The Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award

The Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award

Tuesday, June 23, 2026: Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. Harvey J. Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award

2026-S3 Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention

The Chaplain award begins at 2:31 on the morning segment of the MSFA convention. https://www.youtube.com/live/e_E00yXhceg?si=GQg7pYDAv0pk5Qb-&t=9073

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_E00yXhceg

Tuesday, June 23, 2026: The Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award goes to Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff.

The Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award is an annual honor established in 2024 by the Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA).

The "Chief Chaplain Emeritus Reverend J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award" is presented by the Maryland State Firemen's Association to honor outstanding fire service chaplains in the state.

The official recipients include: 2025: Chris Windsor (Nanjemoy Volunteer Fire Department, Charles County.) 2024: Not awarded. 2023: Karen Montgomery (Bryans Road, Charles County)

Purpose and Background Dedicated to: Reverend J. Harvey Dixon, a pioneering figure in Fire Service Chaplaincy and Charter Member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains.

His Legacy: Rev. Dixon served as Chief Chaplain for the MSFA and responded to the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA on September 11, 2001, as well as at Ground Zero.

The Award: Created by the MSFA Executive Committee to recognize outstanding chaplaincy and pastoral support within the emergency services community.

Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award

Award Purpose:

Recognition of Emergency Service Chaplains for distinguished service to the Maryland State Firefighters Association (MSFA), to an individual’s department or county fire or rescue service and their local community, or a combination of these jurisdictions.

Award Sponsor: Maryland State Firefighters Association

Award Administration: The Chaplain of the Year Committee of the Maryland State Firefighters Association

Award Description: Chief Chaplain Emeritus Reverend J. Harvey Dixion dedicated his life to Fire Service Chaplaincy. He was a founding Charter Member of the Federation of Fire Chaplains, Chief Chaplain for Maryland State Firemen’s Association, Chaplain for Eastern Shore of Maryland Firemen’s Association, and Chaplain for Salisbury Fire Department. He served as the Federation of Fire Chaplains Mid-Atlantic Regional Director for Delaware Maryland-New Jersey-New York-Pennsylvania-Virginia-West Virginia.

On September 11, 2001, he was called to the Pentagon disaster and later served at Ground-Zero in New York City, and at Shanksville Pennsylvania. He supported his local fire department of Salisbury and other departments across the state where he was called.

Chief Chaplain Emeritus, Reverend J. Harvey Dixon was frequently called to support the Salisbury Police Department, Wicomico County Sheriff’s Department and the Maryland State Police. He served his community and was truly a chaplain who “served those who served.”

Background: The Chaplain of the Year Award was established by the Maryland State Firefighters Association Executive Committee in 2024. The award is to recognize the distinguished service of individuals, “serving those who serve others,” Emergency Service Chaplains. The award emphasizes distinguished service to the MSFA, to the individual’s department and local jurisdiction.

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Award Rules: Nominations submitted for consideration must follow the following requirements: Beginning in the year 2025, the MSFA Chaplain of the Year Committee will begin accepting nominations. Nominee must serve or have served as a chaplain of a department/company, county association, or the Maryland State Firefighters Association. Nominee may be either living or deceased.

Nominations may be submitted by:

1. A member department/company in good standing with the MSFA, or

2. Any individual in good standing with a member department/company in good standing with the MSFA, or

3. An individual member of the MSFA Chaplain Corps or MSFA Leadership.

4. Nominees must have a minimum of ten (10) years of service as a chaplain to be eligible for consideration.

5. Nomination for the Chaplain of the Year Award should be based upon distinguished service to the MSFA, to an individual department/company, county association, or county Emergency Service.

6. All nominations must be received, in writing or electronical, by the Chairperson of the Chaplain of the Year Award Committee, by April 15th of each year to be considered. Until selected, a letter of nomination for an individual must be submitted each year. Nomination letters will not be carried over from year to year. All nomination letters must be submitted on company/department letterhead and signed.

7. Nominations for the Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harvey Dixon Chaplain of the Year Award will be judged by a committee that is established by the Chief Chaplain of the MSFA.

8. The award will be awarded to the Chaplain who receives 51% of the vote by the Chaplain of the Year Committee. All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition from the Maryland State Firefighters Association for being nominated.

9. Individual selected for the MSFA Chaplain of the Year Award will receive the Chief Chaplain Emeritus Rev. J. Harve Dixon Chaplain of the Year plaque. The plaque will have the date of the award, name and fire company of the recipient engraved thereon and will, for one year from date of presentation until the next MSFA Annual Convention and Conference. A personal plaque will be presented to the individual selected to keep forever. A uniform ribbon will also be presented. The Chaplain of the Year Award presentation will take place at the Annual Convention and Conference of the MSFA.

10. The name of the individual selected for the Chaplain of the Year Award shall be published in the Annual Proceedings Book of the MSFA along with the year the selection was made.

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+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster"

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website:

June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Art: https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies:

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/ (November 2, 2025)

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Maritime Fire Response is the keynote presentation at Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention

Maritime emergencies were the focus of a keynote presentation during the Maryland St. Firefighters Assoc. Convention on Tues., 23Je2026

OCEAN CITY, Md. — Tuesday, June 23, 2026 - The growing challenges posed by shipboard fires and maritime emergencies were the focus of a keynote presentation during the third general session of the Maryland State Firefighters Association Convention on Tuesday, June 23.

Geoffrey Donahue, Director of the Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response for the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE,) delivered a well-researched and documented address titled “Shipboard Fires and Maritime Response Considerations,” providing firefighters and emergency responders with a detailed look at the unique hazards associated with maritime incidents.

Drawing on decades of emergency response experience, Donahue examined recent maritime emergencies and outlined the operational, environmental, and logistical factors that distinguish shipboard fires from traditional structure or industrial incidents.

The presentation highlighted how the increasing size and complexity of modern vessels, combined with the movement of hazardous cargoes through ports and waterways, creates a demanding environment for emergency responders.

Donahue, who leads Maryland’s emergency preparedness and response programs and has nearly 35 years of experience in hazardous materials and emergency response operations, emphasized that shipboard incidents often require responders to operate within confined spaces, navigate unfamiliar vessel layouts, and contend with extreme heat conditions that can rapidly escalate an emergency.

In addition to directing MDE’s emergency response operations, he serves as an instructor in firefighting, hazardous materials, and rescue disciplines through the University of Maryland’s Fire and Rescue Institute.

A central theme of the presentation was the importance of environmental protection during maritime emergencies. Fires aboard vessels can involve fuel oils, chemicals, hazardous cargo, and other contaminants that pose significant threats to waterways and coastal ecosystems.

Donahue explained the role of the Maryland Department of the Environment in coordinating environmental response efforts and mitigating the impact of hazardous materials released during maritime incidents. Protecting both public safety and natural resources, he noted, requires a coordinated response strategy that extends beyond traditional firefighting operations.

The keynote also underscored the necessity of interagency cooperation. Maritime incidents often involve multiple stakeholders, including local fire departments, port authorities, vessel operators, environmental agencies, law enforcement, and federal response organizations.

Donahue stressed that successful outcomes depend on effective communication, unified command structures, and pre-established partnerships that allow agencies to work seamlessly during emergencies. These collaborative efforts are especially important in Maryland, where commercial shipping, recreational boating, and critical maritime infrastructure play significant roles in the state's economy and transportation network.

Participants also heard analyses of recent maritime incidents from around the country, with lessons learned serving as case studies for improving firefighter safety and operational effectiveness. Donahue encouraged departments to incorporate maritime response scenarios into training programs and emergency planning efforts, particularly for agencies serving coastal communities, inland ports, and waterways connected to the Chesapeake Bay.

The presentation resonated with attendees as the fire service continues to adapt to emerging hazards, including larger cargo vessels, alternative fuel technologies, and the transportation of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles. These developments are creating new challenges for emergency responders and reinforcing the need for specialized training and preparedness.

By the conclusion of the session, attendees gained a greater appreciation for the complexities of maritime firefighting and the importance of coordinated planning among local, state, and maritime partners. Donahue’s keynote served as both a technical briefing and a reminder that effective emergency response increasingly requires a multidisciplinary approach capable of addressing public safety, environmental protection, and operational resilience simultaneously.

The keynote was part of the Maryland State Firefighters Association’s annual convention and educational conference, which brings together firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and public safety leaders from across Maryland to share knowledge, discuss emerging challenges, and strengthen the capabilities of the state’s emergency response community.

By Kevin Dayhoff. Reporting, notes, structure and outline, and final editing by the author. Artificial intelligence was used as a drafting and organizational tool.

Editor’s note: AI-assisted drafting tools were used to help organize and assemble this article from the author's original reporting notes. All facts were reviewed and verified by the author.

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Photo credits:

Maritime emergencies were the focus of a keynote presentation during the Maryland St. Firefighters Assoc. Convention on Tues., 23Je2026

This article also appears on Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/maritime-fire-response-keynote-presentation-maryland-state-firefighters

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies on WordPress: https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2026/06/24/maritime-fire-response-is-the-keynote-presentation-at-maryland-state-firefighters-association-convention/

+++ Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack +++

https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster "Dayhoff Westminster"

Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Articles on the Baltimore Sun or Carroll County Times website:

June 29, 2004 to October 29, 2025:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/?s=dayhoff&orderby=date&order=desc

Westminster Patch: https://patch.com/users/kevin-e-dayhoff

Facebook Dayhoff for Westminster: https://www.facebook.com/DayhoffforWestminster/

Facebook: Kevin Earl Dayhoff: https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff

Dayhoff Westminster Soundtrack: https://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Art: https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/

Dayhoff Westminster (Archived Nov. 27, 2024) https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/

Kevin Dayhoff Time Flies:

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/ (November 2, 2025)

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Annual 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County Horse Fair scheduled for Sunday, March 29, 2026

Sunday, March 29, 2026: Today is the annual 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County Horse Fair at the Carroll County Ag Center from 10 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County is having their Horse Fair and Tack Sale today, on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at the Carroll County Agriculture Center. This fundraiser helps support all aspects of our program.

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to benefit from a continuous program of therapeutic horseback riding in a safe environment, under the instruction of professionally trained staff, at a local facility.

The Horse Fair is the primary fund-raising event for the program. The Horse Fair includes vendor tables with new and used horse related items and services, along with presentations by professionals in equine related fields.

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic riding is an individualized program of learning to ride a horse which considers a person's physical, mental, and emotional strengths and limitations. The horses, staff, and volunteers involved in therapeutic riding have all been carefully selected and trained to accommodate the physical, mental, or social disabilities of the rider.

Improved physical strength, balance, mobility and coordination are accomplished through the physical act of riding a horse. Increased attention, concentration, learning, and verbal skills are inherent in learning the skills necessary to ride successfully. Bonding with the horse, making new friends, and respecting authority are some of the social improvements we see. Improvements in self-esteem, self-control, and confidence also arise from the experience of success in learning to ride. Therapeutic riding is fun and effective!

Mission Statement

The 4-H Therapeutic Riding Program of Carroll County will provide persons with disabilities the opportunity to benefit from a continuous program of therapeutic horseback riding, in a safe environment, under the instruction of professionally trained staff, at a locally available facility.

It is the policy of the MD Cooperative Extension that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the grounds of race, color gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital or parental status, or disability.