Emmits-burger Day

Dolores Hans
MSMU class of 2025

(6/2025) The summer is a special time of year because it provides opportunities for endless adventure. Family and community are the heart of who we are; they give us the sense of belonging, support, and connection that we all need in life. Whether it's celebrating birthdays, helping each other through tough times, or just sharing meals and stories, family creates a foundation of love and trust. But it's not just about the people you're related to — community plays a huge role too.

Good neighbors, kind teachers, helpful friends, and even familiar faces at the local store can make life feel fuller and safer. Being part of a community means you're never truly alone. It gives you people to lean on, laugh with, and grow alongside. It teaches us how to share, respect others, and care about something bigger than ourselves. When families and communities are strong, everyone benefits — kids grow up more confident, adults feel supported, and elders are respected and included. In a fast-paced world where it's easy to feel isolated, taking time to connect with family and community is more important than ever. Those bonds remind us that we matter, that we’re loved, and that together, we can get through just about anything.

Growing up my absolute favorite time of year was summer. No school, going for walks and bike rides every day, manhunt and catching fireflies with neighbors, bonfires, swimming in the river, and barbecues. These barbecues were always big events with friends and family gathered in our backyard, our driveway overflowing with cars, spilling out into the street. There was something magical about waiting by the window and guessing who would be the next person to arrive. By this point my mom had already planned and shopped for the various meals and snacks that were going to be put out, and I helped her prep some of the food.

Cutting veggies or salads, baking desserts, putting chips into bowls, and my personal favorite, the buffalo chicken dip. My dad would fire up the grill, cooking everything from barbecue chicken and ribs to hamburgers and hot dogs. My dad’s side of the family, the men specifically, all sound exactly alike when they get together. I loved just sitting and listening to them joke around and tell stories and laugh similarly.

The women on my mom’s side will stand around the counter top picking at bits of food as they gab and bring each other up to date on the latest in their day to day lives. As time passed my dad will start a bonfire in the backyard and people will start to make their exit. Then, once it’s dark out, there are only a few left, and they sit around the fire pit with us and talk about everything under the sun, from deep philosophical topics or good movies that they have seen lately to stupid poop jokes. These barbecues mean so much to me that I think there should be a holiday where everyone opens their doors to family, friends, and neighbors, and has a barbecue.

Emmitsburg and the surrounding areas have truly become my home away from home. Nestled in the quiet beauty of rural Maryland, this close-knit community offers a sense of belonging that is rare to find. The people here know each other by name, lend a helping hand without hesitation, and treat neighbors like extended family. Whether it's a friendly wave from across the street or a spontaneous conversation at the Otts, there's a warmth that makes you feel seen and cared for.

To me, nothing says family and community like a yard filled with laughter, shared meals, and memories made under the open sky. It's where children run barefoot through the grass, singing, dancing and playing whatever games their hearts desire, where barbecues bring folks together on summer evenings, and where the simple act of gathering becomes something sacred. A yard, in this sense, isn’t just a patch of land — it’s the heart of a home, and the heart of the community too.

If I were to make a summer holiday, I would have one designated to the Emmitsburg area, called "Emmits-burger Day". It would be one day during the summer when everyone either hosts or visits a barbecue. Like one big potluck, people visiting will bring food and drink to the homes who have the grill. There will be competitions between recipes, including pasta salad, barbecue sauces, and hamburgers. Music will play throughout the streets, there will be activities specifically for kids like scavenger hunts and bounce houses. The Knights of Columbus would set up in Town and donate burgers to anyone who stopped by, providing an opportunity for those who are struggling with food insecurity to get some food and be a part of the community. Emmits-burger Day will be the last Saturday in May. People can have their own private barbecues, or they can register to host one on their lawn for anyone to stop by. The Ott House could offer discounts on wings or beer to get more business while people walk around in search of barbecues and activities.

In all honesty, this holiday might be more than the Town can chew, no pun intended, but I think that the ideals of the Town, the importance of community and family mentality, and knowing food brings people together would support the holiday. If needed or if possible, surrounding communities, such as Thurmont, might want to join in.

I’m beyond grateful to this area for supporting me the past four years and creating such a loving and beautiful place for me to find work, go to school, and have many adventures. But to me the best part was meeting new people. Families I’ve come to know, college students, my students at Ballenger Creek, members of St. Anthony’s Shrine, coworkers of the paper, especially Michael Hillman, and Mount St Mary’s professors and staff. Words cannot describe the feeling of gratitude and fullness in me that is all because of so many people. It has been a blessing getting to know this community and every detail of its beauty, which is exactly why I would create a holiday that highlights just that.