Mt. Airy Hall of Fame- Wendi Wagner Peters

Wendi Wagner Peters

April 27, 1963 -

COUNCILWOMEN / COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Wendi was born and raised in Mount Airy.  She and her husband, Gary, are raising their son, Zach, in Mount Airy as well.  Wendi graduated from South Carroll High School in 1981.  During her senior year, she was a member of the Class A-Maryland State Champion Field Hockey team.  Wendi graduated from Villa Julie College with an A.A., Loyola College with a B.A. and she is a Fellow of the Academy for Excellence in Local Government from the University of Maryland-Institute for Governmental Service and Research.  She has worked as a paralegal for 25 years with the law firm of Ober Kaler in Baltimore and she is an Associate Member of the Maryland State Bar Association.

Wendi has taught Sunday school, served as PTA board member and parent volunteer, and was a member of the Mentoring Connections Team mentoring students at Mount Airy Middle School.  Her commitment to youth extends beyond Mount Airy as she has served several years as a mentor to Baltimore City students through the Business Volunteers Unlimited – School and Business Partnership Program.

Wendi started her public service in Mount Airy as the chair of the Recycling and Sanitation Commission from its inception in 1990 through 1996.  In 1997 she served on the Board of Appeals and from 1998 – 2004 she served on the Planning Commission where she worked on drafting the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance.  She was a volunteer with the original Downtown Revitalization Committee working to preserve, improve and revitalize downtown and is a member of the Mount Airy Main Street Association and the Mount Airy Historical Society.  She was elected to the Town Council in 2004 and is the first women elected to a second term.  As a Councilwomen, she initiated the new water meters for a more efficient water system; initiated a comprehensive inventory of development projects and available lots to assist in implementing growth control measures; initiated a single stream recycling program to reduce solid waste going to the landfill and save tax dollars; and she initiated a work plan to retain, expand and recruit business investments in Mount Airy.

In 2010 she was selected by The Daily Record as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women and in 2011 she was selected by the Maryland Recycling Network for Extraordinary Achievement.

Wendi joins her grandfather, William E. Wagner, Sr.; her father, William E. Wagner, Jr.; and her uncle, Thomas W. Wagner; as a member of the Mount Airy Hall of Fame.  

Mt. Airy Hall of Fame- Gladys R Molesworth

Gladys R. Molesworth

October 24, 1922 -

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Gladys was born in Jonesboro, Tennessee during the depression.  In 1944 Gladys enlisted in the U. S. Navy and served as a wave.  She was discharged as a Store Keeper 3^rd Class in 1946.  Gladys came to Mount Airy to visit relatives and friends.  She was impressed with Mount Airy and decided to make it her permanent home.

Her first job was at a restaurant in Mount Airy owned by Carl “Teen” Smith and William E. Wagner, Sr.   The restaurant was located in what is now the Olde Town Restaurant on Main Street in Mount Airy.  In 1946 Gladys met J. Raymond Molesworth whom she married in 1947.  From 1947 to 1957 Gladys was a stay at home mom raising their children, Ray, Ron, Diane and Sandra Lee.

In 1957 Gladys and her husband opened the “Sandra Lee” Motel on the Old National Pike.  The motel was named after their youngest daughter.  The business flourished because it was the only motel from Baltimore to Frederick.  The business was sold in 1979.

Gladys has been very active in community organizations.  She has been a member of Prudence Chapter #95 of the Eastern Star, serving the chapter for 56 years.  Gladys was awarded the Honor of Worthy Matron of The Eastern Star, an unmatched record of six times.  The Make A Wish Foundation (helping youths with cancer) is Gladys’ favorite charity.

Gladys is a member of the Mount Airy American Legion Gold Star Post #191 and the Mount Airy VFW Post #10076 Auxiliary and she was a member of the now disbanded Kiwanis Ki wives.  

Gladys has been an active member of Calvary United Methodist Church since 1947, serving on many committees within the church family.  Gladys looks forward to serving her church and community for many more years.  

Mt. Airy Hall of Fame- Edward L. "Eddie" Browning

Edward L. “Eddie” Browning

July 30, 1943 – October 12, 2004

FIRE CHIEF / COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Eddie was born in Frederick and raised in Mount Airy.  He graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1961.  He received a degree in fire science from Montgomery College.

As a young man, Eddie helped his father in the grocery store business located in downtown Mount Airy before becoming a career firefighter.  He also worked part time for Hipsley & Albright.  The Bethesda Fire Department in Montgomery County, which later became part of the Montgomery County Fire Service, hired him.  He retired after 25 years of service.

Eddie was in the original group of young men that formed the Mount Airy Junior Fire Company, when it was organized in 1959.  After his service with the Junior Fire Company, he continued to serve as a regular member of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.  He rose through the ranks of the fire company, serving as a Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, before becoming Fire Chief in 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1979.  He also served on the Board of Managers, and was a Life Member.  Eddie chaired the carnival hamburger stand for many, many years and continued to help every year at the annual carnival even after he passed on the responsibility of the stand to others.

Eddie was very proactive when it came to Fire Company training to ensure the community was well protected.  He wanted The Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company to be the very best and he worked hard along with all other members to make it succeed.  

Once Eddie retired from the fire service, he worked full time as a meat cutter at Mount Airy Locker Company.  He enjoyed the many customers he served as well as the friendships he made while employed there.  

Eddie was a very active volunteer of the Mount Airy Historical Society.  He spent many hours working at the museum until his death in 2004.  His wife, Jane, and their daughters, Mary, Debbie, Patti, Jean, and their families miss Eddie.  

Eddie joins his father, Lindsay L. Browning, and his brother, C. Robert Browning, as a member of the Mount Airy Hall of Fame.  

Mt. Airy Hall of Fame- Granville L Albright

Granville L. Albright

September 21, 1942 -

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER

Granville was born and raised in Mount Airy.  He is a graduate of the Mount Airy High School class of 1960.  While in school he worked for his father at Hipsley and Albright Furniture and Appliances on Main Street in downtown Mount Airy.  He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Tech in 1965.  After graduation he began his career as a satellite thermal control engineer and continues until today.  He is a charter member of the Mount Airy Junior Fire Company.  

He became an active member of the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company in 1960 and is now serving his 50^Th year of service.Granville has held many offices for the fire company.  He was President from 1976 through 1978, Assistant Chief in 1983, and on the Board of Managers for 21 years. He has served on numerous committees involved with fire prevention, communications, regulations and statistics, and has managed the insurance needs for the company since 1976.  Also active in fund raising activities for the company, Granville is a loyal worker at the Sunday dinners, and has been chairman of concessions for the annual Firemen’s Carnival for 35 years.  Granville also volunteers his services to the Town of Mount Airy for the town numbering system.  

Beyond his involvement locally, Granville worked on the committees of the Carroll County Chief’s Association which created the Emergency Operations Center and instituted advanced 911 service for the county; established the operations procedures for Central Alarm; initiated the County Incident Reporting System and set the requirements for the creation of the County Training Center.

He received the All Around Volunteer of the Year, the Chief’s and President’s Awards for Outstanding Service from the Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Company.  In 1988 he was named the Mount Airy Rotary Club’s “Public Safety Person of the Year”.  Granville was inducted into the Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Associations Hall of Fame in 2011.  

Granville and his wife, Judy, have been married for forty years and have one daughter, Vicky.  They are members of Calvary United Methodist Church.

Tonight Granville joins his father H. S. “Happy” Albright as a member of the Mount Airy Hall of Fame.

Mt. Airy Hall of Fame Inductee Series

Every year, Mount Airy selects five individuals to be inducted into the Mt. Airy Hall of Fame.

On Tuesday, March 20, the Mt. Airy Historical Society will host the 13th Induction Ceremony of the Hall of Fame known as "A Night to Remember."


Over the next five days, I will be posting the BIO'S of each of the inductees for 2011. Please join me on this journey as we honor those who've served our community.