04/02/2026
April 2, 1964: On this day in Taneytown’s history, The Carroll Record reported on a meeting of the Taneytown Jaycettes that reflected both the civic energy and community-minded spirit of the town’s women.
The evening opened with program chairman Jo Ann Dougherty introducing Dr. Paul Roxin, a local dentist, who delivered an engaging and informative talk on dental hygiene. His presentation set the tone for a meeting focused not only on organization business, but on practical ways to improve everyday life in the community.
Following the program, President Mary Alice Myers called the meeting to order with eleven members present. Routine business was conducted efficiently, with the secretary’s and treasurer’s reports read and approved.
Service to others remained central to the Jaycettes’ work. Thelma Nusbaum reported that she and Virginia Fream had recently distributed toothbrushes and toothpaste to students at St. Joseph’s and Charles Carroll Schools, ensuring that children in need had access to basic dental care.
Planning was also underway for one of the group’s major social events. Audrey Fair, chairman of the upcoming fashion show, announced it would be held on Tuesday evening, May 12, at 8:00 p.m. in the Taneytown High School auditorium. With the theme “Previews of Summer Fashions,” the event would feature styles for both men and women, modeled from Trone and Weikert of Hanover. Committees for the event were organized, with further details to follow in the paper.
In coordination with other local activities, the Jaycettes adjusted their schedule due to the Jaycees’ production of Arsenic and Old Lace on April 24 and 25. Their next meeting was set for April 29, where several Jaycees would speak about their professions.
Looking ahead, Carleen Skiles and Jo Ann Dougherty were appointed co-chairmen of a new initiative to form a Senior Citizens Club in Taneytown, aimed at creating opportunities for connection and engagement among older women in the community.
After adjournment, refreshments were served, closing an evening that blended service, planning, and fellowship.
Today, this snapshot of a single meeting carries added meaning. Jo Ann Dougherty, who helped lead both the evening’s program and future initiatives, would go on to spend decades serving Carroll County Public Schools as a special education aide and remained deeply involved in community life. A graduate of Taneytown High School and a lifelong member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, she also contributed to local efforts such as fundraising for the Taneytown Community Pool. She passed away on December 29, 2022, at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy rooted in service, family, and a lifelong commitment to the place she called home.
In recalling this day, we see more than a meeting. We see how Taneytown’s story has always been shaped by people willing to serve, organize, and quietly build community in ways that endure long after the minutes were recorded.
