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Town." Ernie Wineholt, chairman of the contest,

has reported that the Brunswick students in grades three through six have had five winners in the Grand Aerie and Laura Parris won the Grand Prize in 1985.

FIRE COMPANIES There was a long road of events leading to the present efficient Fire Hall and Fire Department that Brunswick now boasts of. A common thread running through this history of fire protection was spun from volunteerism, concern for property and lives, and cooperation. In earliest Brunswick the only other protection was the bucket, the water from the well, and a few primitive tools. The bucket brigade was the only hope. Men, women, and children would dip water from their wells to drown the fire. When enough people arrived to form a line, buckets would be passed along from source to the fire.

S - Ernie Wineholt W -BLC

EAGLES AUXILIARY (PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE) The Women's Auxiliary of the Fraternal Order of Eagles was chartered in October 1964 with 49 members and has grown to over 800. Thirty of the original 49 are still on the rolls. Of the 24 past presidents, most are still active. Angela Weddle was the youngest Auxiliary president in its history; she was 21 years old when elected. The Auxiliary contributes to nearby needy families throughout the year. They also contribute annually approximately $1600 to national funds and $2200 to local funds and needy families. Baskets of food, clothing, and help with fuel costs, are given to needy families. Locally, the Auxiliary helps to support the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance Co., the Fire Company, Express Running Club, Senior Citizens of Brunswick, Brunswick Public Library, Boy Scouts, Midget Football, Potomac Valley Youth Athletics, the American Legion Parade Book, Eastern and Christmas parties for children of the community, and the Brunswick High School Band. They also contribute to Hospice of Frederick County, Frederick Memorial Hospital Snow Ball, "Help Hospitalized Veterans," Salvation Army, Heart Association, and Lung Association. At the national level, the auxiliary supports Cancer Society, Heart Fund, Prevention of Child Abuse, Jimmy Durante's Children's Fund, Diabetes, Golden Eagle, Kidney Fund, and Alzheimers Fund. In the Grand Aerie Art Contest, Brunswick has had five national winners in five years, including a Grand Prize Winner Over All, Laura Paris, age nine years, a $500 bond, and Fourth Grade, Valerie Howell, a $200 bond. The first winner from Brunswick was Christen Fauntleroy. In addition, the local aerie and auxiliary present awards to children in grades three through six. To accumulate the funds needed for these services, the Auxiliary sells food on Bingo night, sells Eagle jewelry, and raffles cakes and other donated items.

REEL HOUSES

The earliest facilities after the waterbucket brigade were the "reel houses." They became possible only with the installation of a central water system and fire plugs. Well water was pumped from the Pump House to the standpipes where reel houses were located. A "reel" consisted of a rod between the hubs of two large wheels; a hose was wrapped around the cross rod awaiting use. Reel houses, owned by the city, were located conveniently around town, one in each of the three wards. There was one on the south side of Potomac Street opposite the east side of First A venue. This was built on stilts because of the terrain. A fire wagon was also stored here. Another reel house was on New York Hill on the east side of Ninth Avenue at the end of Park Avenue. A third was on Wenner's Hill at the corner of Maple Avenue and "F" Street. There was a stand pipe on New York Hill and a wooden water tower on a steel framework at Maple Avenue and "F" Street on Wenner's Hill. A fourth reel house was located in the 600 block of West Potomac Street. Fire plugs were used for downtown reels. Gravity provided the pressure. There was an organization of a sort at each reel house, in that each had a chief and a nyone else could help. There were expenses, so an annual fire company picnic was an early tradition. To attract a crowd, contests were held to see which reel house could hook up the hose fastest. In the side of each reel house was a glasscovered hole with a key. One had only to lift the glass to reach the key to unlock the door to the equipment. There were a nine-man (pulling) reel and two three-man reels. Equipment only was kept at the reel house; no people were stationed there.

W - MMM

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