History of the Catoctin Club of Frederick

History of “Catoctin”

The name likely derives from the American Indian tribal name "Kittocton," which traditionally meant "place of many deer". Catoctin is a name of Native American origin, likely from the Algonquin language, with two primary proposed meanings: "place of many deer" or "speckled mountain". The name is used for several geographical features in the Mid-Atlantic region, most famously Catoctin Mountain and Catoctin Mountain Park in Maryland.The name of Catoctin Mountain follows the convention of referring to an entire mountainous ridge as a single "mountain" in situations where there is no single prominent peak. However,the ridge clearly has two prominent segments, one south of the Potomac River in Virginia and one north of it in Maryland.

The Catoctin Club of Frederick was founded in August 1915 by a group of four men for purely social purposes.They adopted the motto "Fun with Decency" and for over a hundred and ten years, the Club has maintained its motto and prides itself in doing so.They met at the office of H.F.Ry.Co., with the idea of forming a young men’s club. When the club was formally organized, there were 11 members. According to a 1948 article, the club was originally called the Catoctineers and was open to any resident who had good morals and had a residence within view of the Catoctin Mountains.Today the club welcomes members from all over Frederick County. Currently, about 65 members are in the club.The Catoctin Club does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, age, national origin(ancestry), disability, marital status, or sexual orientation.

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Catoctin Club Board 2026

Club officers include a president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary.Their terms are for one (1) year from January 1 to December 31. The Board of Directors includes the officers and up to five (5) directors. Directors serve for two (2) year

Catoctin Club Board 2026

  • John Antonishak, President

  • Chuck Foltyn, Vice President

  • Fred Schuerger, Secretary

  • Doug Lemmonds, Treasurer

Directors

  • Tom Budnar

  • Jim Hubbard

  • Alex Levy

  • Kent McCargar

  • Greg Oakley


Qualifications to join the Catoctin Club include having an upstanding character and enjoy having fun. Once accepted, there are no requirements for sustaining membership other than payment of the modest annual dues.

All throughout the year, there are a variety of dinners, events, and activities for members to attend and many of them are open to spouses and guests. Such activities include:

  • The December holiday dinner and dancing–a night to remember.

  • Visits to local wineries

  • Theater, shows and historical sites

  • Sporting clays shotgun shooting

  • Weekly golf

  • Weekly breakfast

  • And various other venues

Virtually all the revenue from dues is used to discount the dinner prices charged members and their guest.The outstanding value that membership in the Catoctin Club represents is not rhetoric but fact!

Taking all the distinctions of the Catoctin Club into account, the strongest asset of the organization is its membership and the socialization. It is hard to find a friendlier group of people.

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