Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Thursday, December 15, 2022

Early morning fire claims the life of a shopkeeper. One firefighter hospitalized.


Early morning fire claims the life of a shopkeeper. One firefighter hospitalized.

By Westminster Fire Department PIO and Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff

Westminster Md., Monday, December 12, 2022 - - Over 100 firefighters from throughout Carroll County, in addition to firefighter units from Frederick and Baltimore County and Adams and York County Pa., responded to an early morning fire in the unit block of West Main Street in Westminster.

As a result of the fire, a shopkeeper, Bradley White, 55, the owner of White’s Bicycles was found dead, and one firefighter was taken to Carroll Hospital for treatment. “The severity of those injuries was not known as of Monday afternoon,” according to Westminster Fire Department public information officer Robin Stansbury


According to Westminster Mayor Dr. Mona Becker, “The bicycle shop has been a fixture of Main Street for several decades. The fire is a real tragedy.”

Tony Chiavacci, Westminster Common Councilmember and Public Safety Chair agreed, “The fire – it’s devastating, just heartbreaking, Brad White was a phenomenal guy. Everybody in the community knows him.”

This is the second fire fatality to have occurred in Carroll County in recent weeks. On Sunday afternoon, November 27, 2022, Ronald Joy, 62, a Pleasant Valley man died in a fire in the 2700 block of Littlestown Pike just north of Westminster. https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2022/11/fatal-carroll-county-house-fire-nov-28.html

A number of serious fires have occurred in Carroll County this fall that have required the response of a large number of firefighters, first responders and equipment. Approximately 80 firefighters and 25 pieces of firefighting equipment from Carroll, Baltimore, and Frederick county fire departments responded to a building fire at the Westminster Wakefield Valley Park late Thursday morning, November 17, 2022 - https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/pfbid02JJuiAe7qDcHroqcjAdaFtfkMs4tihUk7m2vp9JtAk8FaxG4y9qJ3wNBAPSauv7B2l

Upon arrival, the Westminster Fire Department found fire showing from the roof line of the historic three-story 1767 Durbin House - https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2022/12/stubborn-fire-damages-historic.html

The first call for the report of a building fire in the historic downtown Westminster business district, came in to the Emergency Communications Center at 5:18 a.m. Upon arrival units from New Windsor, Reese and Westminster fire departments found fire and heavy smoke evident within the building - coming from White’s bicycle shop, according to the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Westminster responded quickly to the scene because the rear of the bicycle shop is adjacent to the Westminster fire station at 28 John Street. Westminster immediately began assisting with evacuating residents from the ten apartments above the business on the 2nd and 3rd floor of the building.

Firefighters from Reese and New Windsor with assistance from Pleasant Valley immediately began an interior fire suppression attack from the front the building – on West Main Street. Additional units responded from Gamber and surrounding fire companies to assist.

“Firefighters continued their search,” according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, (OSFM) “and subsequently located … White inside. Firefighters pulled him from the building, and EMS began CPR. He was transported to Carroll Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.”

The sprinklers that had been retroactively installed a number of years ago in the historic building that dates back to 1885, were activated by the fire.

According to the OSFM deputy fire marshals, “along with the Westminster Police Department, have been working throughout the morning to determine the cause of the fire. Deputy State Fire Marshals have preliminarily determined the fire originated within the office of the bike shop.

“During their investigation, they discovered evidence White was living inside the business. And while the building was equipped with an automated fire sprinkler system, it was determined the office had no sprinkler coverage.

“Investigators have concluded once the fire spread from the office, the fire was extinguished by fire sprinklers, allowing the 30 tenants above the bicycle shop and the adjoining apartments above Johansson's Dining House to escape safely, and no injuries were reported," said the Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office. “The sprinklers saved lives,” according to Westminster Fire Department Chief Jeff Leppert.

“Most of the tenants are displaced and will be assisted by the Red Cross,” said the OSFM. “Carroll County Building and Fire inspectors are assisting OSFM Fire Safety Inspectors in addressing non-related fire and safety code issues in both buildings. A joint investigation between the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the local police agency is a standard operating procedure for a fatal fire.”

The fire was declared under control at 6:34, according to Stansbury. The fire remains under investigation. Most of the tenants that were displaced from their apartments as a result of the fire are being assisted by the Red Cross, according to Stansbury and Valerie D. Hawkins, Carroll County Emergency Management Manager.

“The Westminster Fire Department would like to thank Chick-fil-A and BJ's Wholesale Club  for donating food following the fire this morning. Their generosity was greatly appreciated by all,” according to Bridget Weishaar, the Westminster Fire Department Recruitment & Retention Coordinator.

The Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office, Westminster Firefighter and PIO Robin Stansbury, the Westminster Police Department, Mike Robinson, the Carroll County Director of Fire and EMS, Valerie D. Hawkins, Carroll County Emergency Management Manager, and Tony Chiavacci, Westminster Common Councilmember and Public Safety Chair, assisted in putting this report together.

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/pfbid02m7xyqxFy94ewsNLBnxSQnXZFggGhTpRz3UbUHKY4DV967CckMSBc6bB51pJSBUHsl

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/early-morning-fire-claims-life-shopkeeper-one-firefighter-ho

https://dayhoffwestminster.blogspot.com/2022/12/early-morning-fire-claims-life-of.html


+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Stubborn fire damages historic Westminster Wakefield Valley Park building

Stubborn fire damages historic Westminster Wakefield Valley Park building November 17, 2022

Westminster Md. Thursday morning, November 17, 2022 - Approximately 80 firefighters and 25 pieces of firefighting equipment from Carroll, Baltimore, and Frederick county fire departments responded to a building fire at the Westminster Wakefield Valley Park late Thursday morning, November 17, 2022.

The first call came into the Carroll Emergency Communications Center at 10:29 a.m. of a reported building fire in the 1000 block of Fenby Farm Road.

Upon arrival, the Westminster Fire Department found fire showing from the roof line of the historic three-story 1767 Durbin House. Command was established and additional resources were requested. 

It took firefighters approximately two hours to get the fire under control. There were no reported injuries. The fire remains under investigation. Preliminary information from the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s (MSFM) office indicate that the fire was discovered by contractors on location. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.  

Westminster Fire Department PIO and Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff. 
















+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Friday, December 09, 2022

Sunday, November 27, 2022

A friendly old barn

A conversation between a friendly old barn, the fields, and the clouds. They are all old friends.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Caroline is delivering the message at St. Ben's

Caroline is delivering the message today at St. Ben's Lutheran Church in Westminster MD. My wife is a rock star. 20Nov2022 You can watch the service here: https://youtu.be/QV7l93em6GU

Thursday, November 17, 2022

Grand opening of Covalent Spirits Distillery

This afternoon Westminster Mayor Dr. Mona Becker officially welcomed Jennifer Yang Drew Cockley and Covalent Spirits Distillery to the Main Street Westminster family. The Westminster Common Council and much of the staff celebrated the official grand opening at the ribbon cutting on Thursday, November 17th, 2022 at 3:00 pm at their tasting room, located at 118 East Main Street, Westminster. With Daniel Hoff Ann Thomas Gilbert, Greg Pecoraro Tony Chiavacci, Kevin Earl Dayhoff Dayhoff Westminster

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Misty, Caroline, and George

Misty, Caroline, and George share a moment together in the Maryland autumn sunset. Thursday, 3Nov2022

Tuesday, November 01, 2022

Dr. Karin Bohleke, the director of the Fashion Archives and Museum at Shippensburg University

Our speaker today is Dr. Karin Bohleke, the director of the Fashion Archives and Museum at Shippensburg University. Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. At the Westminster Riding Club for the Historical Society Carroll Co annual meeting.

Monday, October 31, 2022

Carrots, eggs, and coffee


She Tells Her Grandma That She’s Just Been Cheated On So Grandma Tells Her To Do This

May 26, 2016 Presser Staff Editor Buzzworthy 

This is a good lesson for all of us, no matter what stage of life you’re in. You’ll see what I mean.

A young woman went to her grandmother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her – her husband had cheated on her and she was devastated. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as soon as one problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her grandmother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her granddaughter, she asked, ‘Tell me what you see.’

‘Carrots, eggs, and coffee,’ she replied.

Her grandmother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The grandmother then asked the granddaughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hardboiled egg.

Finally, the grandmother asked the granddaughter to sip the coffee. The granddaughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The granddaughter then asked, ‘What does it mean, grandmother?’

Her grandmother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her granddaughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity? Do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship, or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain.. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level?

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can’t go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you’re the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

May we all be like the COFFEE?

Share this with your friends and family today.

https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2022/10/carrots-eggs-and-coffee.html 


+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Saturday, October 29, 2022

Friday, October 21, 2022

Food Sunday held its 40th anniversary event

Food Sunday held its 40th anniversary event Wednesday evening October 19, 2022 at the Portico. It was a wonderful event with many friends. 

One of the promotions for the event read: "Food Sunday Celebrates 40 Years of Service to Neighbors in Need

Carroll County Food Sunday, a 501(C)(3) organization headquartered in Westminster, MD, will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, from 6 to 9 p.m., at the Portico of St. John Catholic Church in Westminster. The evening will honor the memory of Food Sunday founder Dominic Jollie, who is memorialized in a brief history of the organization that will be distributed to attendees that evening. At his death, on September 21, 2000, at age 75, the Carroll County Times headline read: "In Jollie, Carroll loses a social voice and true humanitarian."

Sunday, October 09, 2022

A writer's dinner

A writer's dinner. #dinnerisserved #amwriting 9Oct2022

American Legion magazine - Con Thien, Vietnam

Con Thien Vietnam: A well-written short story on Firebase Con Thein during the Vietnam War. I found it trying to catch-up on my reading this afternoon, while going through a stack of American Legion magazines. “Hill of Angels,” written by Leith Nightengale. FTA: “Con Thien, like all firebases, was a model of battlefield simplicity and complexity….”  


+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Saturday, September 24, 2022

Westminster Fallfest September 22-25, 2022


Westminster Fallfest started in 1978 to promote awareness of the renewal of the downtown shopping district. The dates for this year’s Westminster Fallfest are Sept. 22-25, 2022.

Kevin Dayhoff: It’s fall and time for community events in Westminster, Carroll County Sep 23, 2022 at 9:00 am 

This year in Carroll County, fall began at 8:03 p.m. on Sept. 22. Scientifically it’s the autumnal equinox, the time when the sun shines directly on the equator, and the southern and northern hemispheres receive the same amount of sunlight. After the 22nd, the northern hemisphere began to tilt away from the sun.

[…]

For those of us who love summer, the first day of fall can only mean that winter will soon be upon us. Others look upon the fall season with excitement. Indeed, in Carroll County fall brings about a cornucopia of community events. Fall is for apples, pumpkins, sweaters, fuzzy socks, and colorful leaves.

Let’s look at three of the events on the calendar for fall. The 43rd annual Westminster Fallfest will be held from Sept. 22-25 at the Westminster playground at 11 Longwell Ave. On Sept. 24, the Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition will take place at Westminster High School. The start of October will be celebrated at Oktoberfest at the Carroll County Agricultural Center on Oct. 1 and 2.


Westminster Fallfest started in 1978 to promote awareness of the renewal of the downtown shopping district. The dates for this year’s Westminster Fallfest are Sept. 22-25, 2022.

According to information provided by the City of Westminster, this year’s Fallfest charity partners are, Crossroads Church, Catholic Charities Head Start & Early Learning, Westminster Municipal Band, and Together We Own It. “Selected partners will assist with planning ... complete tasks delegated by organizers, provide and coordinate volunteers to manage and staff several activities during the four-day festival, and attend mandatory monthly meetings. In return, each partner receives a portion of the proceeds generated from the event to benefit their organization.

“Fallfest is a four-day community event with fun for everyone! The festival is [composed] of rides, games, food, entertainment, and on Saturday and Sunday only, an assortment of craft, commercial, and nonprofit vendors. Hundreds of volunteers from local organizations and area schools help staff this event.”

Related:

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/lifestyles/cc-lt-dayhoff-092522-20220923-ctm7jhlrcrdfxgpiupia6me4b4-story.html 

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2022/09/24/westminster-fallfest-september-22-25-2022/ 
+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org

Friday, September 23, 2022

Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition

Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition, Sept 24, 2022 at the Westminster High School at 5p.m


Kevin Dayhoff: It’s fall and time for community events in Westminster, Carroll County Sep 23, 2022 at 9:00 am

Let’s look at three of the events on the calendar for fall. The 43rd annual Westminster Fallfest will be held from Sept. 22-25 at the Westminster playground at 11 Longwell Ave. On Sept. 24, the Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition will take place at Westminster High School. The start of October will be celebrated at Oktoberfest at the Carroll County Agricultural Center on Oct. 1 and 2.

The Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition is open to young women ages 13 through 25 who currently reside, study, or work full time in the state of Maryland. This year the competition will take place Sept. 24 at Westminster High School. The Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition is the local preliminary competition to Miss Maryland and Miss America. Founded in 1921, Miss America has become the top scholarship provider for women in the United States. The Miss America Organization, along with state and local organizations make available millions in cash and tuition assistance each year.

Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition, Sept 24:

According to an article on the Carroll County Tourism website: Doors will open to the theatre at the Westminster High School at 5p.m. Sept. 24 for the Miss Carroll County Scholarship Competition. “Beforehand, there will be a ‘Forever Miss Maryland/Miss Carroll County Museum,’ featuring memorabilia from former Miss Marylands from 4:30 to 5 p.m.”

The competition takes place at Westminster High School, 1225 Washington Road, Westminster. All tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Admission for adults is $20 and for children $10. All ticket sale proceeds go toward the Miss Carroll County Scholarship Fund.

Related:

https://www.facebook.com/kevindayhoff/posts/pfbid0zVrqTSPHUtYEULN1e9fRLygMXwhELa11of8eZQh9vvsb1wyQ7YS6WVEA2zHTfiprl

https://kevindayhoff.wordpress.com/2022/09/23/miss-carroll-county-scholarship-competition/

https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/lifestyles/cc-lt-dayhoff-092522-20220923-ctm7jhlrcrdfxgpiupia6me4b4-story.html

https://patch.com/maryland/westminster/miss-carroll-county-scholarship-competition

https://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/2022/09/miss-carroll-county-scholarship.html

Miss Carroll County Scholarship Organization https://www.facebook.com/misscarrollcountyorg

+++ Dayhoff Soundtrack +++

Kevin Dayhoff for Westminster Authority Caroline Babylon, Treasurer.

Carroll County Times: www.tinyurl.com/KED-CCT
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: http://tinyurl.com/KED-Sun

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

Dayhoff for Westminster: www.kevindayhoff.city
Dayhoff Soundtrack: www.kevindayhoff.net
Dayhoff Carroll: www.kevindayhoff.org