Frederick Magazine - March 2024

MAGAZINE

PUBLISHERS

Shawn Dewees / Joseph Silovich

Editor-in-Chief

Guy Fletcher

Assistant Editor

Nancy Luse

Graphic Designers

Ian Sager

Alexandra Werder

Contributing Writers

April Bartel Scott Grove

Jeanne Blackburn Amy L. Metzger Hunt

Jody Brumage Jeni Lubbert

Karen Gardner Kate Poindexter

Lisa Gregory Jake Wynn

Contributing Photographers

Michael DeMattia

Turner Photography Studio

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Telephone: 301-662-8171 FAX: 301-662-8399

Find It Inside

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WILD RIDE

What arrived as just a collection of old parts at Pat Settersten’s motorcycle and car repair and restoration shop in Monrovia turned into—over 18 months of work and hunting for parts—a vintage 1929 Harley-Davidson bike. Nowadays, this hog hits the open road.

BY KATE POINDEXTER AND TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

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TAKING ROOT

In downtown Brunswick, barren storefronts and other vacant spaces are being transformed into new shops, eateries and offices. This “sudden” revitalization has actually been years in the making, with the public and private sector working together to bring new businesses and opportunities to a city once defined by the railroad.

BY KAREN GARDNER AND TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

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YARD & GARDEN

As the cold, wet cloud of winter slowly lifts from the Frederick County landscape, thoughts turn to backyards, gardens and other beautiful spaces in the great outdoors. What are some of the ways people are taking advantage of the warmer days and tackling their blank palettes of topsoil?

BY LISA GREGORY AND TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

EDITOR’S NOTE

Spring Forward

Guy Fletcher / Editor-In-Chief / gfletcher@fredmag.com

Routine readers of this space are well aware of my dislike for winter and nearly everything that goes along with it, including the cold, wind, snow and awards shows.

I admit it is personal. About a decade ago, I was walking to the Frederick Magazine offices on East Street one winter morning in which a fine layer of snow had just begun to build on the brick sidewalk. That was the morning I was introduced to the physics of what snow does to brick. For the unaware, snow on brick is akin to lard on Teflon.

I did not know this fact back in my youthful 40s. On that morning, I confidently (and, it

turns out, recklessly) strode on the sidewalk with my full coffee thermos in hand, walking as if the surface beneath me was as secure as a one-year CD.

Then, everything changed.

I took one step with my left foot and felt it slide uncomfortably forward. Instinctively, I quickly pulled the right foot forward, as if I could prevent the inevitable with a simple body weight adjustment. But the real world, it turns out, does not work like cartoons.

Everything happened fast. I remember seeing my feet in the air just as my rear end struck the sidewalk. For reasons that make no sense, I managed to hold onto (protect?) my coffee and spilled not a drop. Small victories.

Quickly, I assessed that I had not been seriously hurt. All bones seemed unbroken, my back felt miraculously untwisted and, most importantly, my head did not strike the sidewalk. I felt a little sore, but I knew that wouldn’t really show up until the next morning. The only body part bruised was my ego.

Speaking of which.

A horrifying feeling came over me: Did anyone see this?! The last thing I wanted at that moment was a friend or co-worker watching this awkward scene of middle-aged acrobatics. Heck, they could even record or report the incident on social media for all to enjoy! If they did, I would have had no complaint because, had the roles been reversed, I might have done the same.

But my good fortune continued because the weather that morning limited car and foot traffic on the block. Still lying on my back, I did a quick scan of the area and did not see a single human or automobile nearby. A miracle.

Quickly, I got myself off the sidewalk and, with all the deft coolness of a Vegas pit boss, I acted like nothing happened. But I will never forget what winter tried to do to me that day.

Why am I telling you all this sad tale? Because I really don’t like winter and I could not be happier to welcome spring back to Frederick County. Don’t you agree? Sure, you do.

Have a safe and happy March. FM

I currently work as a driver in the Gig-Economy. Do you have any tax recommendations for me?” J.O. – Frederick, MD

A:The gig economy refers to the rise in freelance work through apps such as Uber, TaskRabbit, DoorDash, and Etsy. As a gig worker, you have the flexibility to work on your own time and be your own boss, but you’re responsible for managing your income, expenses, and tax obligations. This could prove difficult and time-consuming, especially if you aren’t well-versed in tax law. There are ways, however, for freelancers to reduce their tax burden and comply with IRS rules and regulations.

· Track business expenses and deductions. As a gig worker, you can deduct business expenses from your taxable income. These might include home office expenses, equipment, supplies, and travel expenses. Keeping track of your expenses throughout the year can help maximize deductions and lower taxable income.

Learn about tax deductions for freelancers. Gig economy jobs are viewed as independent contract roles by the IRS and are therefore eligible for various tax deductions aside from business expenses. These include deductions for health insurance, retirement contributions, and even a portion of

self-employment taxes. Understanding these deductions will help reduce overall tax liabilities; your financial advisor can help clarify which expenses qualify.

Contribute to retirement accounts. When performing freelance work, you don’t have an employer-sponsored retirement plan but can still contribute to a traditional IRA or Roth IRA to save for the future. Contributions to traditional IRAs are tax deductible, whereas contributions to Roth IRAs are not tax deductible but grow tax free. Contributing to a retirement

account may reduce your taxable income and provide long-term savings.

Consider estimated quarterly tax payments. Gig workers, who often receive income without taxes withheld, are responsible for paying estimated taxes throughout the year. You can use tax software or an accountant to calculate your estimated taxes and ensure that you are paying the right amount. Making quarterly estimated tax payments can help avoid penalties and ensure that taxes are paid throughout the year rather than in one lump sum during tax season.

UNCOVERED

Vase the Music

By Amy L. Metzger Hunt / Curator, Heritage Frederick

Bessie Hargett Clapp left a legacy of art and music. Born in 1882, she was the only daughter of Douglas and Emma Whipp Hargett, who at the time maintained both a country home, Lily Homestead, near Feagaville and a house in the city on Patrick Street. Douglas Hargett was a prominent businessman who engaged in farming and the family hardware business, as well as serving on the boards of several local businesses. From 1897 to 1903, he also served as Clerk of the Frederick County Circuit Court.

Bessie’s first known musical performance took place in 1891, when, at the age of 9, she and other children entertained at a family

gathering. By 13, Bessie was a regular soloist on both organ and piano in local concerts. She attended the Woman’s College of Frederick (later

This vase was painted by Bessie Hargett Clapp in 1907 and later donated to Heritage Frederick by the Frederick Art Club.

renamed Hood College) and graduated in 1901 with a degree in music. A love of painting led her to join the Frederick Art Club and she began to study under the club’s founder, Florence Doub. Bessie returned to the Women’s College in 1904 to pursue a second degree, this time in art. Following her second graduation, Bessie accepted a teaching position at Catawba College in Newton, N.C.

While living in North Carolina, Bessie met and married Robert Clapp. The couple moved to Frederick just before 1920, where they raised their only child, Robert Jr., and would live out their lives. Bessie was involved in art and music projects throughout the city. She hosted the Monday Musicale Club, which upon her death honored her memory by donating a two-volume Anthology of Music to the library. She remained an active member of the Art Club and regularly exhibited and won awards for her artwork at The Great Frederick Fair. Bessie remained a dedicated Hood alumna, including attending many of its anniversary events.

This stately Belleek porcelain vase is currently on view in Heritage Frederick’s new “Brushes with History” exhibition. It is a reminder of Bessie Hargett Clapp’s talent and dedication to art and music in Frederick County. FM

The sun rises above the spire at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. FM

UP ABOVE

Photography By Michael DeMattia

SHOPS

BEAUTY SERVICES, SALONS & SPAS

Daisy’s Salon

Frederick Wig Company

JKW Beauty

Unique Studio Hair Salon

GALLERIES / HOME DESIGN

Eastside Artists’ Gallery

Primitive Homespuns

Pure Home Collection

Take Root

GIFT SHOPS

The Frederick Basket Company

The Lerner Collection

The Little Pottery Shop

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Bella’s Closet

Footlights

Ivy’s Haven

A Perfect Fit Bra Boutique

Talbots & Talbots Petites

Teresa’s Treasures

CRAFTS & SUPPLIES

Charlotte’s Cottage Quilt Shop

Frederick Clay Studio

I Made This!

Primitive Homespuns Wool & Needleworks

FOOD & DRINK

Frederick Coffee Co. & Café

Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream

Sanctuary: Modern Kitchen

Shab Row Tea Emporium

SERVICES

Amada Senior Care

The Cook’s Kitchen

The Cutting Board

Sir Speedy Printing

Stadtkind Photography

Steve Hissey Guitar Studio

Wolfe’s Antique Furniture

Restoration

Sons of the Pioneers Fan Secures Local Concert

By Scott Grove

There are fans of musical groups and then there are actual “friends of the band.” The latter would unquestionably be true of Frederick resident Patricia Simons, whose love for the American western music and the singing group Sons of the Pioneers reaches back to the 1950s, when at the age of 5 she saw her first rodeo at Madison Square Garden. “It was headlined by Roy Rogers and Dale Evans,” she says. “I loved their singing, their fancy outfits, [their horses] Trigger and Buttermilk. I became an instant fan.”

Aware of the band’s 90th anniversary tour and the fact that it had never performed in Frederick, Simons met with John Healey before he recently retired as director of the Weinberg Center for the Arts. Healey knew of the Sons of the Pioneers’ remarkable history and continuing audience appeal and was able to secure a St. Patrick’s Day performance.

“It has been my good fortune to have

enjoyed and admired the Sons of the Pioneers throughout most of my life. I’m so happy that they will finally be coming to Frederick,” Simons says.

Roy Rogers formed Sons of the Pioneers in 1934 with Bob Nolan and Tim Spencer, who are credited with having created a new genre of cowboy music that has since become synonymous with the American West. Immediately popular, the band

was offered a contract on the Decca label, recording such hit tunes as Tumbling Tumbleweeds and Cool Water, both Grammy Award winners.

In 1935, Hollywood also came calling, resulting in movie stardom for Rogers, dubbed “King of the Cowboys,” and musical renown for the rest of the band. Over the next half century, Sons of the Pioneers appeared in more than 80 films, selected shorts and television appearances. Over the decades, 47 singers and musicians have been official members of the band.

Simons’ love for the band never wavered. Her childhood and teenage years included untold hours watching reruns of early Roy Rogers movies. Once, she discovered that Ken Carson, an early band member, was a regular performer on The Garry Moore Show, one of the most popular

Patricia Simons holds one of the two Ken Carson guitars that she owns. A framed promotional poster for the 1950 movie, TwilightintheSierras, starring Roy Rogers, is seen on the wall.

PASSING ALONG ALL THAT JAZZ

television shows in the ’50s and ’60s. Simons secured tickets and briefly met Carson after the show.

As an adult, she began traveling to western music festivals where entertainers would mingle freely with attendees. “In 1994, I saw Roy’s final performance in Tucson, accompanied by the Sons of the Pioneers,” she says. “That’s where I first met Ken Carson’s wife, Gretchen. We became fast friends. At future festivals, I would pick her up at the airport and escort her to various concerts and dinners.” Simons soon knew all the band members, as well as Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans. The Rogers family invited Simons to the couple’s 50th wedding anniversary gala.

“I maintained a friendship with Gretchen Carson until she passed away. We talked on the phone almost daily.” Simons says it was important to her friend that Ken’s musical instruments go to those “who respected his work and his memory.” Simons has two of his guitars and his harmonica, as well as a breadth of memorabilia she’s collected over time.

By Nancy Luse

As a youngster living in New Jersey, Eric Byrd recalls his father coming home from work, sitting with The Philadelphia Inquirer and listening to the records of Earl Gardner and other jazz greats. “I thought this is not Earth, Wind & Fire,” he says. When he got to college and heard Miles Davis on a recording, “that was it” for the man who has a career performing and advancing his love of jazz.

“Jazz is America’s music,” says Byrd. “We need to do a better job of exposing it to America.” To that end, the Frederick vocalist and pianist for the Eric Byrd Trio—which also includes bassist Bhagwan Khalsa and drummer Alphonso Young Jr.—has started the Jazz School.

Located in the Frederick Rock School, 5732 Industry Lane, the Jazz School is in session Sunday afternoons for 75 minutes delving into books of music and going over the exercises Byrd has given students the previous week. But even more integral in the lessons are the improvisations and solo performances best known to jazz. “It’s freedom,” Byrd says, and exciting to watch and hear.

“The group love that’s there supports you and gives you all that community stuff. It builds confidence and self-esteem,” says Byrd. “I want to give kids an opportunity to be creative. It sounds simple, but if kids are exposed to jazz, they’re going to play jazz.”

The school has two classes, one for middle and high schoolers and another for college students and older adults. “No experience is needed,” Byrd says, save “can you find the notes on your horn and read music.” The school encompasses traditional jazz

instruments—brass, woodwinds, guitar, piano and a rhythm section, along with vocals. Students run the gambit from those playing in school bands to “adults who always played by ear or used to play and stopped” but now want to resume.

The Jazz School also offers a summer camp, one week in June and another in July. Last year at the first camp, “we were hoping for 20 and we got 41,” Byrd says. The camp drew students from outside Frederick, including a father and daughter from Virginia.

Outside the Jazz School, Byrd also creates opportunities for his students. For instance, this past Christmas when his combo played at the Weinberg Center for the Arts for A Charlie Brown Christmas, students took part.

The Eric Byrd Trio has been around for nearly 25 years, “as long as I’ve been married,” Byrd says with a smile. They have recorded and toured, including trips to South America through an ambassador program of the State Department and Kennedy Center, making a name for themselves over the years.

“We’re old people now,” Byrd says at 53, and it’s time to pass the torch to another generation of musicians. www.ericbyrdtrio.com

PHOTO COURTESY CHRISTOPHER MARCH

Current members of the Sons of the Pioneers who will perform at the Weinberg Center on March 17. From left, Tommy Nallie, John Fullerton, Chuck Ervin, Ken Lattimore and Paul Elliott.

Simons’ vast collection of Sons of the Pioneers memorabilia includes an original 1941 Decca recording of Cool Water, sheet music for TumblingTumbleweeds and a circa-1940s harmonica played by Ken Carson.

A BOOK TO MAKE MOM PROUD Looking for a Few Good People to Watch

It’s not every mother who can bring her son the author to her book club meeting as a guest speaker. But that’s what Frederick resident Libby Stauffer will be doing next month with her son Andrew Stauffer, whose book, Byron A Life in Ten Letters, was recently published by Cambridge University Press. Stauffer is chairman of the English Department at the University of Virginia, plus president of the Byron Society of America and is considered one of the foremost scholars of celebrated Romantic poet Lord Byron.

Libby Stauffer says she didn’t predict her son, a Linganore High School alum, would be a published author but knew his life would revolve around literature. “He liked to write, draw and paint,” says the mother, who kept a sympathy note he wrote to his grandfather when his grandmother died. “He was 6 or 7 years old. It was a beautiful note.”

Stauffer’s book coincides with the 200th anniversary of Byron’s death and has been described by critics as giving readers “a rich sense of Byron’s whole life and his continuing importance” as well as “revealing Byron as a modern figure with great relevance to our era.”

WHEN IRISH LIPS ARE SINGING

It was a few weeks before St. Patrick’s Day and the Craggy Island band with its trove of traditional Irish music still didn’t have a gig. “It’s fine with us,” says member Susan Withers, who plays fiddle and whistle. “A lot of times places will book at the last minute.” If not, she and fellow bandmate and husband Patrick Fenning, who plays guitar, may go out to celebrate. “Or I just may stay home.”

Craggy Island has been playing for about a dozen years in the area, regularly showing up at Magoo’s on West 2nd Street or Brunswick’s Beans in the Belfry, as well as various festivals. Some appearances pull in other musicians—folks they know or sometimes a stranger with an instrument will wander in.

Fenning is from Dublin, so the music is a natural fit. For Withers, “I used to play rock ’n’ roll and decided to switch from bass to a fiddle. I heard some Irish music, and I was sold.” There’s no shortage of material, she says, “there are hundreds and hundreds of tunes.” Her current favorite is Sally Sits Weeping. “Oh, yes, Irish songs are sad. I like to joke that when I sing an upbeat song it’s one of two Irish songs that’s not sad.”

Once more, we’re preparing our annual “People to Watch” list, which will be featured in the May issue of Frederick Magazine. This is a salute to local people who are making contributions to the community. Their gifts and talents may be in the arts, business,

education or helping the less fortunate—just for starters.

If you have a special person in mind, we’d love to hear from you. Send nominations telling us what makes them watchable to editor@fredmag.com.

pix FDK

FIRE IN ICE

The annual festival had thousands of people filling the streets and Carroll Creek Park on the first Saturday in February to admire the ice sculptures throughout Downtown Frederick. The event began the evening before and included fire dancers, sculpting demonstrations and other winter-themed fun. Fire In Ice is sponsored by the Downtown Frederick Partnership. www.downtownfrederick.org

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SWAN CREEK

The battle against a foul fowl is being fought with a symbol for love. Two pairs of swan decoys, purchased by Friends of Baker Park, were installed in Carroll Creek by the City of Frederick Parks & Recreation Department. The swans’ mission is to deter Canada geese from nesting—keeping both walking paths and water clean.

Beyond being an annoyance to park visitors, goose feces are an environmental concern because they cloud the water and add unwanted nutrients that promote algae growth. The algae reduce oxygen in the creek for plants and fish. More about Friends of Baker Park, including membership information, can be found at friendsofbakerpark.org.

A FLYING COWS WELCOME

The Frederick Flying Cows, part of The Basketball League, starts its season this month, but Frederick County Chamber of Commerce members and their families had an opportunity to meet and connect with players at an event at Hood College’s BB&T Arena, which included watching a practice session.

The team’s inaugural game against the Reading Rebels is March 2, followed by additional home games this month against Virginia Valley Vipers, Connecticut Crusaders and West Virginia Grind. The Flying Cows is a professional basketball team competing in The Basketball League, a professional league consisting of 50 teams from across the U.S. www.goflyingcows.com

Photos courtesy Cody Cervenka, Crvnka Photography

then & now

BENTZ STREET AND CARROLL PARKWAY

THEN: CIRCA 1930

Now: 2024

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Machelle Lee and her husband, Eric Lindland, moved to Brunswick in 2015. They had previously lived in numerous places in the United States and overseas and were living near Washington, D.C, when they found Brunswick.

“Friends told us about Frederick, and on a drive to check it out we discovered Brunswick,” she says. “We were immediately captivated by the location in both the foothills and along the banks of the Potomac [River]. It had seen better days. We were looking for a place to call home and invest in, and Brunswick has so much potential.”

Lee and Lindland bought an old Foursquare house on West Potomac Street, Brunswick’s main drag, just a few blocks from the city’s commercial district. Lee, who has 30 years of experience teaching yoga, opened Roots & River Yoga at 17 W. Potomac St. Almost immediately, she found an enthusiastic clientele and quickly realized she would need more space and wanted to invest in Brunswick’s future.

“We began looking for commercial property, but the downtown was populated with vacant buildings in disrepair,” Lee says. Among them were the Kaplon and JJ Newberry buildings. “From my perspective, there

had been three property owners who bought and sat on many of the properties. They weren’t improving or renting them.”

City officials took advantage of a state program to purchase the blighted property with intent to resell them to local businesses. Their first acquisition was the Newberry, a once popular five and dime store. Once on the market, Lee and Lindland’s business plan and purchase offer were accepted and in 2022 they became the new owner/stewards of the historic building. Since then, Brunswick Main Street and the city of Brunswick have provided a series of grants, including the Brunswick Building Blocks and the Maryland Facade Improvement Program, that Lee and Lindland applied toward renovation costs.

“The Newberry will be completed this spring and will be bustling with business,” Lee says. Newberry has three storefronts, one of which will be the new home to Roots & River Yoga. The business will expand from 800 to 4,000 square feet, with two yoga rooms and will offer health and wellness services like massage and counseling. The building will also include Whistle Punk Farm

Deli, Potomac River Interiors offering vintage home decor, Integrum Ops software services and C&O Tattoo.

“I think the Newberry building is going to be a precious downtown gem,” Lee says. The interior has already been completely remodeled with new storefront windows installed, and later this year will come the Jewel Stone exterior paint. “My hope is that this will give visionaries optimism about investing in Brunswick. We’re going above and beyond to make the Newberry building shine.”

“Machelle and Eric have done a wonderful job keeping the historic charm of the Newberry building. It’s gorgeous,” says Carmen Hilton, manager of Brunswick Main Street, one of 30 Main Street Maryland programs with the goal of injecting new life into downtown areas.

REBIRTH AND RENEWAL

It’s difficult to be bored in Brunswick, a city of 7,000 that features many of the amenities of larger cities, all while surrounded by tall mountains, the wide, flowing Potomac, and the C&O Canal towpath. Tucked into a wedge of land between the river and South Mountain, Brunswick boasts outdoor recreation, restaurants serving local fare, a variety of shops and a commuter train that will whisk you into Washington in an hour.

All of this is in the space of just a few blocks.

A hundred years ago, Brunswick was a thriving railroad town with a busy train station. Around the turn of the 20th century, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad opened a freight yard in Brunswick. By 1910, what was once a sleepy farming community called Berlin was brimming with 5,000 residents.

The rail yard flourished until the 1950s, when the shift from steam- to diesel-powered engines allowed trains to travel farther between stops. Brunswick’s once-bustling yard was used less and less and fewer workers were needed. Meanwhile, the rise of highway transportation accelerated the railroad’s slide into irrelevance. By the 1980s, the rail yard closed for good and passenger travel plummeted. Today, only the MARC commuter rail into Washington makes daily stops in Brunswick.

Coinciding with the demise of the railroad were the old buildings, theaters, specialty shops, medical and professional offices, and restaurants falling into disrepair. Many of the Victorian-era homes that housed railroad employees also began to show their age.

Today, however, many old homes and commercial buildings are being refreshed and refurbished. Newer houses surround Brunswick’s downtown. Couples, families with children, and active retirees are drawn to Brunswick.

“I know the potential Brunswick has,” says Mayor Nathan Brown, a Brunswick native whose family worked

at the rail yard for generations. Brunswick’s population decline has reversed and the Brunswick Crossing housing development, which opened 15 years ago, continues to bring in new families and retirees to the community.

Brown credits city staff, volunteers and residents with injecting new life into Brunswick. “We created a new community development team,” he says. Representatives from Brunswick Main Street, the city’s economic development office and the city’s program manager focus on finding grants and resources, money for everything from infrastructure improvements to pickleball courts in Brunswick City Park.

Karin Tome, mayor of Brunswick from 2012 to 2016, has lived in the city for 32 years. The seeds of Brunswick’s revitalization are finally sprouting, she says. She credits Brown, Hilton and the collaboration of local business owners. “You can’t just leave it up to property owners to fix up [properties],” she says. “Nathan has a great understanding of that. Seeing money invested in the community gives other people the confidence to invest in businesses, too.”

Hilton works with developers and entrepreneurs to ensure that businesses have attractive locations. The city is working to find a new owner for the Kaplon building, once an upscale department store, at the corner of Maryland Avenue and West Potomac Street, she says. Other buildings are also getting restored. Among the resources are $300,000 that Main Street and the city are offering for HVAC, mold removal, wall improvements, sprinkler systems and other repairs needed to bring the structures up to building code. Main Street is also part of the city’s effort to make infrastructure improvements like new sidewalks and water lines.

“We’ve made great leaps, but we have a lot more to go,” Hilton says.

GRAB A BITE

Whether you’re a visitor biking the canal towpath or a local resident, Brunswick has a variety of places to eat. Boxcar Burgers is located at 12 S. Maple St., just up from the train station near the entrance to the canal. Boxcar serves locally raised, grass-fed beef from Richvale Farm in Middletown. But the menu’s not limited to beef. There are wings, mozzarella sticks, grilled cheese, hot dogs and even crispy Brussels sprouts served in a special sauce.

Abby Levine is opening the Whistle Punk Farm Deli inside the Newberry building this spring. The full-service gourmet deli features dishes made from food grown at nearby farms. Levine moved to Brunswick in 2018 and started a food truck business. She quickly outgrew her home and found a shared commercial kitchen in Frederick. “It’s great space, but it’s a lot of bouncing around,” she says.

Levine will still bring her food truck to local farmers’ markets as she’s been doing the past few years, but she’s looking forward to a brick-andmortar spot a few blocks from her home. She moved to Brunswick from the D.C. area because it was affordable, close to outdoor recreation and had easy access to the MARC train.

“I never thought I’d move outside the beltway,” she says. “I’m surprised. Brunswick is a wonderful community and it’s become a

destination.” She has two boys who attend local schools and she’s excited to be working close by.

“I feel like we’ll be well-received,” she says. She’s already found a ready-made clientele in the cyclists coming into Brunswick from the canal.

Brunswick locals are also enthusiastic customers; some even follow Levine to the various farmers’ markets in the region. The deli will feature paninis, sandwiches, soups, salads, homemade side dishes, sweet and savory baked goods, deli meats and cheeses, produce grown on nearby farms, and locally roasted coffee. The deli’s targeted opening is mid-April to early May.

Potomac Street Grill at 31 E. Potomac St. offers American and Mediterranean fusion dishes. “We’re a family restaurant,” says manager Eduardo Guillen. “Our customers are like family.” Guillen focuses on providing good food in a family atmosphere.

Other favorite local spots include Smoketown Brewing Station, located at 223 W. Potomac St. in the old Brunswick fire station, built in 1948. Founded in 2015, Smoketown has an outdoor patio

and tasting room and a devoted local following. Its beers are sold throughout Maryland and parts of Virginia and West Virginia.

Beans in the Belfry is a church restored into a café at 122 W. Potomac St. Vintage, homey furnishings, wool carpets, shelves full of books and other reading materials fill the interior. Patrons come for the coffee, tea and breakfast and lunch items, served all day. They may spend hours chatting with friends or telecommuting on their laptops. Opened in 2004, Beans in the Belfry now has new owners.

LEISURE TIME

There’s a lot more to do in Brunswick. Cyclists and hikers use the canal towpath, which parallels the Potomac River. Kayaks and canoes can be rented from River and Trail Outfitters at the Brunswick Family Campground. Paddlers can explore nearby islands in the river and see eagles, hawks, geese, ducks and other wildlife.

Brunswick has its share of hills, which can make for some challenging walking or biking. River’s Edge Trails is 59-acres of hilly, wooded land stretching from Brunswick Middle School to the rail tracks. Carlo Alfano was drawn to Brunswick over 18 years ago because of its access to the canal, nearby Appalachian Trail and the MARC train. He and his son are dedicated mountain bikers and he noticed a wooded area of unused land.

Alfano worked with city officials to draw up a proposed mountain bike park in 2015. Using grant funding and volunteer sweat equity, the park’s first trail was built in 2016-17. Today, nearly six miles of trails offer space for cyclists, runners and dog walkers. There are jump trails for cyclists and cross-country trails open to both cyclists and pedestrians.

An economic improvement study showed that cyclists travel up to two hours to get to River’s Edge and spend time eating in local restaurants. The park is home to the scholastic Monocacy Composite Mountain Bike Team and hosts interscholastic bike competitions.

“We’re not a bike park like Snowshoe [W.Va.] with its lifts and big downhills, but we get a lot of people that don’t feel like driving that far,” he says. “You can build your skills.”

It’s an apt metaphor for Brunswick’s rebirth. FM

Wild Ride

‘Panhead Pat’ and his Rebuilt Harley Weathered Storms and Racked up Miles

By Kate Poindexter / Photography by Turner Photography Studio

It arrived in pieces. In a heap, really. If it hadn’t been for the quick thinking of the Delphey Harley-Davidson dealership, it might never have survived at all. The staff there had the foresight to move the vintage 1929 bike to higher ground just before Hurricane Agnes hit in 1972. The shop on West Patrick Street along Carroll Creek was, like most of its neighbors at the time, inundated with water. The business reopened, but the bike didn’t return. It took a journey of its own.

“It kind of showed up,” said Pat Settersten, the owner of a motorcycle and car repair and restoration shop in Monrovia. He bought the parts from Richard Kenode, a well-known racer and motorcycle afficionado in Thurmont. That was around four or five years ago. It took him 18 months to carefully put it together, piece by piece, using the original parts while also obtaining reproduction parts or fashioning them anew in his shop with his buddies. “Some parts are period correct. The front brake setup is from the 1930s. I had a lot of help and a lot of luck,” Settersten says.

In the world of antique motorcycle rallies, swap meets and word-of-mouth parts procurement, Settersten is known as “Panhead Pat,” a term derived from the cylinder heads of certain Harleys that resembled cooking pans. According to Settersten, Harley-Davidson manufactured Panhead engines between 1948 and 1965 and he is a big fan and

Right: It took Pat Settersten 18 months to painstakingly rebuild a 1929 Harley from what began as a mere collection of parts.

owner of these types of motorcycles. He insists being called a Panhead is a term of endearment in motorcycle circles.

Although Settersten’s 1929 Harley-Davidson is an antique, it is surely not a museum piece preserved under glass. He acknowledges it is a bit of a rough ride, not for everybody. He rides it for pleasure and shows it off at vintage motorcycle events. But this bike has chops. In 2021 he participated in the Motorcycle Cannonball, a premier antique endurance run, billed as the most difficult in the world. Established in 2010 by Lonnie Isam Jr. and a handful of motorcycle enthusiasts, the event encourages antique owners to remove the dust covers from their old machines and get them on the road again. Throughout the years, the Cannonball has gathered steam and more participants who travel backroads with their riding friends.

Each year the Motorcycle Cannonball maps a different route. Settersten

joined 88 riders on the 2021 course that began in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. The run took participants on a scenic tour of the United States with 16 stages along the way. Stage one took them to an overnight stop in Traverse City, Mich. Subsequent stops included Dayton, Ohio, Danville, Va., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and towns throughout North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Texas.

Settersten’s reclaimed and refurbished motorcycle has carried him far. The bike has 10,000 miles on it and Panhead Pat plans to keep riding. He says keeping the old bike on the road is his passion and he would like to eventually ride it coast to coast.

“Anybody can ride a new motorcycle,” he says. “It’s not for everybody to have an antique.”

He is a proud owner and rider, but says he regards himself as just one of the caretakers in the bike’s long life history. He assumes that someone else will take over the caretaker role in the future, but he relishes his role in the present. “Right now, I’m not planning on going anywhere. I’m going to keep it, maintain it and ride it!”

Above: Panhead Pat’s bike is built for the road, having covered 10,000 miles since it was rebuilt, including participation in the 2021 Motorcycle Cannonball.

Anybody can ride a new motorcycle. It’s not for everybody to have an antique.

—Pat Settersten FM

stylin’ TRENDING

I like a hat to make a statement.

—Zoe Wilson

IN YOUR EASTER BONNET

With Easter celebrated at the end of this month, Zoe Wilson has already selected her hat for church. “It’s white for Easter,” says the owner of at least 30 hats, who has to store some of them in her daughter’s closet. In addition to church, “I wear a hat to parties, weddings and funerals.” Marina Wornah, another local hat aficionado, believes there’s just something about a hat that completes an outfit.

It used to be that a woman wouldn’t leave the house without her hat and gloves and there were entire shops dedicated to millinery fashions. Wilson says most of her hats come from Chicago or New York and she’s often asked by other women where they can find a hat.

“I’ve always liked hats,” Wilson says, “starting as a little girl.” When deciding on one to join her collection, she says, “I look at the style, the way it’s shaped. And once you see it, you just know.”

While the notion of women parading their hats around town on Easter is relegated to old black-and-white movies, there’s still something to be said for swapping the knit hat you’ve been wearing all winter with something more spring-like.

TRENDING

tell us

Greg Brown, Owner, Brewer’s Alley and Monocacy Brewing

What

made you want to purchase Brewer’s Alley and Monocacy Brewing last year?

It really checked all the boxes for me. I have always had a real passion for beer, hospitality and business in general. I also enjoy the challenge and rewards of growing a great team that can create something special for our guests and the community. I don’t believe there is anything more enjoyable than breaking bread with friends, family, business associates, etc., around a restaurant table.

Why Frederick?

My wife, Anne Gamble Brown, is from the area, and we met here when I relocated from Indiana to Maryland with Nestlé. We spent a lot of time in Downtown Frederick and had an absolute blast. In 2013 we made the choice to relocate to Erie, Pa., for a new opportunity, but vowed to find a path back to Frederick to be close to family and friends. Ten-plus years and three kids later, we found our way back. After meeting with [former Brewer’s Alley] owner Phil Bowers, the stars kind of aligned.

What advice do you give to staff to make Brewer’s a go-to place?

I try to remind myself and our team each day of how fortunate we are to be a part of such an iconic brand. For 27-plus years Brewer’s Alley has served this fantastic community. We are honored and humbled. … I encourage the team to be prepared and always show up ready to work hard, always looking for creative ways to make connections and engage with each other and our guests.

You’re preparing to open a second restaurant. Tell us about it. I don’t want to say too much. However, it’s going to be an innovative concept that doesn’t currently exist in Downtown Frederick—or in Frederick County for that matter. While the new concept will pay homage to past successes at the location, it will present a new twist while also fulfilling what we think the community is lacking but seeking. What we can say is that Frederick can get excited to experience “Bands, Bites and Booze” in a fresh and exciting way.

What’s your favorite beer and why?

I’ve yet to find a beer I don’t like. Lately I’ve been partaking in my fair share of Brewer’s Alley Oatmeal Stout. I’m anxiously awaiting the release of our Monocacy Pilsner, which will then be followed by another favorite—Brewer’s Alley Pilsner. I suppose I would be remise if I didn’t mention my genuine love for Brewer’s Alley IPA and Brewer’s Alley Kolsch. I can’t forget our Monocacy Brewing Riot Rye, which has a special place in my heart. I also have to keep in mind all of our seasonal releases. As you can see, this is a very challenging question for me. I also really enjoy going out and enjoying our other craft breweries, restaurants and tasting rooms. We’re truly fortunate to have such a vibrant and active brewing and hospitality scene in Frederick.

Brushes with History

Heritage Frederick Exhibit Celebrates Centuries of Local Art and Artists

By Guy Fletcher / Photography by Turner Photography Studio

Beyond Frederick’s art circles, Florence Doub might not be so well known. She should be.

Born in 1851, Doub was a pioneer in many ways, including her education in art at the Frederick Female Seminary in Downtown Frederick’s Winchester Hall. “The seminary was the first place where women could receive a formal education in art,” explains Jody Brumage, archivist with Heritage Frederick, formerly known as the Historical Society of Frederick County.

In 1893, Doub began a 27-year tenure as head of the art department at the new Woman’s College of Frederick, also in Winchester Hall and later to become Hood College. “Miss Floy” also taught at the Maryland School for the Deaf for 51 years, gave private instruction at her own studio and in 1897 was one of the founding members of the Frederick Art Club, which still exists today.

Starting this month, many of Doub’s works will be on display at Heritage’s Frederick’s Museum of Frederick County History as part of its newest exhibit, “Brushes with History: Inspiring the Personality of Frederick.” Occupying much of the first floor of Heritage Frederick’s historic mansion at 24 E. Church St., the exhibit features work from artists both well known—like Helen Smith, Virginia McLaughlin and Barry Richardson—and those often pushed to the back of history books, like Doub. There are paintings of church spires, farms, mountains, cityscapes and people, as well as decorated household items like chairs, vases and dishware.

Right: Items in “Brushes with History” come from Heritage Frederick’s collection, as well as works loaned from others.

“This is the first time a lot of these works have been displayed in one place,” Brumage says.

Planning for the exhibit began more than a year ago, with Heritage Frederick staff spending much of 2023 culling through their own art collection and seeking works on loan from other organizations and private collectors. A social media request led to a local resident loaning

the sign to Smith’s Downtown art shop. Hood, where Smith taught, was also a key partner in providing items for the exhibit.

Smith was such an icon of Frederick County’s art history—with private works and public commissions that covered most of the 20th century—that an entire “Brushes with History” room is dedicated to her drawings and paintings in various formats, from newspaper and commercial art to lampshades, plates and clock faces.

“This whole gallery is going to be filled with Helen,” Brumage says during a tour weeks before the opening.

Completing the exhibit is a “legacy room,” dedicated to the more-recent artists of the latter 20th and early 21st centuries, says Amy L. Metzger Hunt, curator with Heritage Frederick

Here, visitors can see Richardson’s famous outdoor scenes, one of McLaughlin’s trademark murals and works from their contemporaries. Also featured are sketches from world-renown fashion designer Claire McCardell.

“These are the more-modern artists who took the legacy that was created by Florence [Doub] and Helen and ran with it,” Hunt says.

“Brushes with History” will remain on display at Heritage Frederick throughout this year. Museum hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Above: An entire room in the exhibit is dedicated to the life and works of Helen Smith, perhaps Frederick’s most famous artist.

This is the first time a lot of these works have been displayed in one place.

—Jody Brumage

SPOTLIGHT

artsy

The high school musical is as iconic as senior proms and yearbooks.

Art Connection at TAG

Creating art is just the beginning. When an artist finishes, the task of finding patrons and perhaps a buyer, begins. The new exhibit at TAG/The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St., is The Art Connection, exploring the relationship between artists and the public. Featured are selections from TAG artists’ most successful series, alongside new work. Meet the artists on March 2 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Oil painter Marie Riccio will show several still-life paintings as part of the show and a special event on March 16 at 4 p.m. features Dr. Daniel Fulco, curator at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, who will share his experience with museum collections, as well as topics such as the proper displaying, handling and protection of art. www.theartistsgalleryfrederick.com

Spring Musicals Blossoming

Curtains will soon be going up around the county as the high school spring musical season gets underway with tryouts followed by weeks of practice and finally learning to tame heightened nerves as teens perform in front of family, friends and total strangers.

The high school musical is as iconic as senior proms and yearbooks, with Frederick County Public Schools offering a plethora of shows ranging from Cinderella to Chicago (the teen edition) and Les Misérables (the school edition). But before we get into all that, a few nuggets about high school musicals.

Beauty and the Beast was the number one show across the country for six years straight after closing on Broadway in 2007. Oddly enough, West Side Story, which is full of teen characters, never once cracked the top 10 list. Sitting in a local audience listening to a standout solo, you may be on the ground floor of a future sensation. Heather Headley, who was on Broadway as Nala in the Lion King and won a Tony playing the title role in Elton John’s Aida, started out playing Fanny Brice in Funny Girl at Northrup High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Now, on with the shows.

Brunswick High is offering Annie with shows at 7 p.m. on April 18-20, with a 2 p.m. matinee April 20. Little Shop of Horrors is at Catoctin High at 7 p.m. April 18-20, with a 1 p.m. matinee April 20. Frederick High is producing Cinderella at 7 p.m. April 18-20. Les Misérables is at Governor Thomas Johnson at 7 p.m. on March 21-23 and 2 p.m. on March 23-24. Linganore High is doing Shrek the Musical April 18-20 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. on April 21. Tuscarora High is also doing Shrek at 7 p.m. April 18-20 with a 1 p.m. show April 20.

Chicago is the choice of Middletown High April 19-20 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. Oakdale High is also doing that show April 25-27 at 7 p.m. and 2 p.m. April 27. Urbana High is performing Newsies April 18-20 at 7 p.m. and 1 p.m. on April 20. Walkersville High is performing 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee April 11-13 at 7 p.m. and April 13 at 2 p.m.

For Julie Gaver, the greenhouse at her Meadow Branch Farm in Myersville is a refuge during the bleak winter months.

“When I get down in the cold winter months, I spend time in the greenhouse,” says Gaver. “Like when the snow is falling outside and you’re in this glass bubble. You can see the snow and feel like you’re in the middle of it, but it’s warm inside and the geraniums are blooming.”

Society’s craving for nature and being in the great outdoors seems to be growing. Perhaps it is the lingering byproduct of the pandemic’s quarantine restrictions, when one’s yard became one’s world. Or maybe it is a desire for

the serenity of the natural world as a cure for the constant chaos of the real one.

But no matter the reason, people are investing time, energy and money into creating magical outdoor oases, from small backyard gardens to tailored landscapes. These spaces can be as unique as the people creating them.

Gaver, for example, moved to Meadow Branch Farm with her husband seven years ago after her in-laws passed away. “They had sheep and cattle and goats,” says Gaver. She had a different vision. “Flowers and gardening have always been a huge part of who I am. We’re still farmers, but we’re farming flowers. It’s a different kind of feeling.”

But in making the area her own, she did not forget those before. She created a pavilion area with special significance. “I wanted to honor my in-laws,” she says. “We have a stream that runs through our property. When you are there, the water is going by and it’s just very peaceful. And everything I’ve planted is white. They call them moon gardens.”

Julie Gaver

The pavilion has a plaque in remembrance of her in-laws and a pair of her father-in-law’s work boots is placed there. A local artist painted a barn building facing the pavilion with a huge set of wings. “That is probably my very favorite part of the whole property,” she says of the pavilion. “And when I’m working out there, I remember them.”

Passion for Plants

Sharon Hane created her own small patch of paradise right in the heart of the city. “I had always dilly-dallied with plants,” says Hane. But during the pandemic and stuck at home, Hane saw her interest in plants become a passion.

PHOTO COURTESY SHARON HANE

PHOTO COURTESY SHARON HANE

“I really dived into it,” she says. She was not alone. In fact, 18.3 million people took up gardening during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, it is estimated that 55 percent of American households are actively gardening.

Hane’s most recent effort was an explosion of joyful yellow in her backyard. Flowers, plants, planters and decorations. “It is my little paradise,” she says. But not hers alone. Hane recalls a visit from an elderly neighbor who was ill. “I wanted to share it with her,” she says. “I knew that there wasn’t a lot of time left for her.”

Hane invited the woman into her backyard with its blooming flowers and plants, chirping birds, scampering squirrels and soft soothing sounds from a fountain. “She said, ‘Can I just stand here?’” Hane recalls. “She didn’t want to leave. It just goes to show you that you can take a little plot of ground, just a quarter of an acre, and make it into your own paradise. You truly can.”

Tracy Grubb has been a gardener for the past 30 years, but like Hane found gardening during the pandemic a great distraction from what was happening in the outside world. “It helped me keep my sanity,” says Grubb, who lives near Jefferson. The mother of three grown sons, “They all came home on the exact same day,” she says of the COVID quarantine.

Her acre of land provided a place of peace and happiness. “I don’t know what I would have done without that outlet,” says Grubb, who grows flowers, vegetables and has her own greenhouse. “Especially when the world was all crazy and no one knew what was going on, I think it really saved me.”

The gardening industry is still booming, with Americans spending upwards of $48 billion a year. Anne Heavner counts herself among them. “I’m not a person who enjoys shopping for clothes or furniture,” says Heavner, whose one-acre property is just outside of Frederick. “I enjoy going to the nursery and seeing what’s new. I’ve done my own landscaping for the last 36 years. It was a bare lot when I started. Now, when everything is blooming in the spring, it is gorgeous. My yard is my pride and joy.”

Ponds, Pools and Patios

While Heavner and many others handle their own yard work, there is also a growing demand for professional landscapers. The landscaping industry is growing by more than 5 percent annually, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals.

“People are willing to spend the money,” says David Hawkins Jr., owner of Hawkins Landscaping. “People with disposable income spending $50,000 to $100,000 on their backyard is not quite a big deal.”

These outdoor living spaces can be elaborate and include patios, fire pits, swimming pools, recreational ponds, landscape lighting and even outdoor kitchens. “I think what COVID did was make society realize that it’s not always possible to travel safely with your family,” says Sean Bartz, owner of Bartz Landscaping. “It sheds light on the possibilities that people can have in their own backyard. Instead of spending $10,000 or $5,000 on a vacation

twice a year, they’re putting that value into their home and their family. A lot of people are choosing to bring the party and the vacation to their own backyard.”

For those beginning the landscaping process, Bartz has some advice. “The first thing that a homeowner needs to consider is what they want to accomplish,” he says. “And that leads me to the number one mistake I see people make. They choose form over functionality. A lot of times people will put in what they want and not what’s actually good for their yard and sustainable.” How to avoid easy mistakes? “Putting the right plants in the right place and not planting invasives,” says Bartz.

The benefits of native plants are that they have already adapted to the local climate and soil conditions. These plants also provide nectar, pollen and seeds, serving as food for native butterflies, insects, birds and other animals.

“A lot of people like plants because of how they look, but what will happen is they’re popping up all over the forest,” says Bartz. “I could take you on a walk and point out at least 10 different invasive species that popped up all over because someone planted it in their yard and now it’s choking our natives in our forests.”

Plants such as the burning bush, which is native to China, Japan and Korea and turns a fiery red in the fall should be avoided, according to Bartz. “People love to plant burning bushes,” he says. “You see them everywhere.”

City Fairy Garden Spreads Unexpected Joy

Whitney Thompson turned an eyesore into something magical.

“My wife and I bought our house last year and they replaced the telephone pole but never cleared out the excess clay dirt,” Thompson says of what was a small patch of dirt in front of her Madison Street house. “I wasn’t sure I would be able to grow grass in the area, and I didn’t want it to grow over with weeds. I was just like, ‘What do I do with this?’”

She had an idea. “I thought it would be the perfect spot for a neighborhood within a neighborhood,” she says. Or, more specifically, a fairy garden. And Madison Square Garden was born. With the constant foot traffic in the area, the fairy garden quickly became a place of tiny delight for those passing by.

“The first time I came across the Maidson Square Garden I was walking my dog, Charlie,” says Jamie Mann. “It was unexpected, and it

made me feel so happy to see such a sweet little garden. Every time I walk by it makes my heart happy—even if I am not having such a good day.”

The garden’s theme changes with the seasons. During this past winter, for example, “We had little miniature people having a snowball fight,” says Thompson. “There was artificial snow and people are tubing down the hills of snow and there’s little Colonial-type buildings all around.”

Passersby are encouraged to add items of their own. “I have a family that comes over and they let their little son pick something up once every two to three weeks and he adds it to the garden,” Thompson says. She is amazed at the reaction the garden has received. “People stop and take pictures,” she says.

Adding, “I wanted to make people smile.”

She and her Madison Square Garden have done just that. “With so much negativity around, how awesome it is that someone is spreading so much happiness!” says Mann.

However, the shrub can completely take over a natural area, replacing large amounts of native vegetation and reducing biodiversity.

A good alternative? “One of my favorites is the native viburnum,” says Bartz. “That’s a fantastic plant.”

Bartz adds, “The benefit of planting a native is you’re not only going to feel good about promoting plants that are native to your area, but you’re going to thank yourself later. A native plant thrives in the wild with no human interaction. And when you put it at your house and it gets some human intervention, it is going to be so much easier to maintain and take care of.”

Back to Nature

Like Bartz, Jan Knox is a big proponent of native plants. Her lawn isn’t immaculately manicured but serves a greater purpose in its more natural state. “You’re helping the environment,” says Knox, who created a Facebook page called The Pearl St. Garden where she shares her journey of creating a native habitat.

More and more people are embracing these efforts to help preserve the environment while making different choices for their lawns, such as avoiding the chemicals in pesticides. “Environmentally, we are declining,” says Christina Wright, owner of Design-A-Scape, which specializes in native plants and sustainable landscape solutions. “We are seeing these climate issues and overdevelopment. We walk outside and we don’t see trees anymore. Where does all the wildlife go? People are becoming more aware.”

Frederick resident Casey McCagh’s yard is Chesapeake Bay certified. “The whole goal is to not use chemicals and not have runoff,” she says. “You don’t want to have anything running into the Chesapeake Bay. So, being Chesapeake Bay certified means we are trying to protect the bay. And along with that trying to protect the bees, the animals and everything else along the way.”

Susan Ledford, who also lives in the city, has joined the effort and says she is working toward a “no mow” landscape. “Getting rid of a grass lawn is healthier for the soil, our water systems, the Chesapeake Bay,” she says. “It’s healthier for nature.”

Although committed to the process and its positive affect on the environment, Knox wasn’t initially sure how her neighbors would react to her more natural lawn. “I thought to myself, ‘Ah, man, I’m going to get a lot of flak because this is way different than anybody else in the neighborhood,’” she recalls.

Not to worry. Her lawn may be a bit different but no less lovely to those passing by. “I have people stop and tell me how much they enjoy it and that they re-route their way to the market to go by my garden all the time and see what is blooming,” she says. Adding, “I had this older gentleman stop by. He’s like, ‘I just had to tell you that you have kissed the community with your garden.’” FM

PHOTO COURTESY JAN KNOX

The Frederick County Building Industry Association celebrates its 49th annual Frederick Home & Garden Expo at the Frederick Fairgrounds March 16-17. With over 150 exhibitors across the construction, home services, outdoor living, and green home solutions industries, the Frederick Home & Garden Expo is your chance to explore, shop, and compare vibrant local businesses. Whether you rent or own, let your imagination run wild with beautiful outdoor living, interior fixtures, tour a modular home, and learn more about how to improve your indoor air quality. Thank you to our maps and signage sponsor, Morgan-Keller, you can easily locate exhibitors, entertainment schedule, and much more!

Bring the whole family! Special events and activities for children will be showcased in the Kid’s Fun Zone with Captain Silly’s Pirate Magic on Saturday with two shows, one at 11 am and the other at 1 pm. Come dance and sing with Mr. Jon & Friends on Sunday at 1pm. He will bring energetic family music with fun, movement, and laughter! Catch our favorite local mascot Keyote to get a high-five and a photo. Be sure to stick around all weekend to enjoy garden activities with Ruppert Landscape.

As you make your way through all five buildings be sure to stop over at the FCPS Career Technology Student Builder Olympics tent to seek the future of skilled trades in action. Students will be competing in carpentry,

electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal. In addition, our landscaping teams will be showcasing hardscapes and gardening skills.

For 65 years the Frederick County Building Industry Association is proud to be the voice of Frederick’s construction, building, and remodeling industry. Through advocacy and education, they aim to enhance the business climate for members and strive to provide safe obtainable housing in our community.

Thank you to FCBIA’S Premier Club Members who make it possible for our trade association to improve the social, economic, and political welfare of Frederick County and the building industry.

biz bites

Golfing No Matter the Weather

What’s a dedicated golfer to do when there’s still snow on the ground and no chance of hopping on a plane to Pebble Beach or other fair-weather courses? Matt and Jill Louden, owners of the recently opened X-Golf Frederick at Westview Promenade, have the solution with eight golf simulator bays and two putting greens that patrons can reserve for getting their golf fix.

“You’re hitting real golf balls with real clubs” into a screen, Matt Louden says. It’s not just any screen, rather golfers have the choice of 45 famous courses worldwide to pretend they’re playing on. During February’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am, for instance, “We had people here playing the same course. It’s a lot of fun,” Louden says.

Businesses on the Move

Engage USA, a database management company that specializes in fundraising campaigns, recently inked a lease with Ruppert Properties, a commercial real estate investment company, for 40,000 square feet at 200 Monroe Ave. Kathleen Clem, president of Engage, says, “We are looking forward to growing our relationships with neighboring tenants and Ruppert.” Fellow tenants include Image Direct and PVI Office Furniture. www. ruppertproperties.com

In a move that the owners describe as bittersweet, the original location of Rockwell Brewery on East Street is being vacated to focus on growth at its second location, Rockwell Brewery Riverside, 8411 Broadband Drive. Co-owners and co-founders Paul Tinney and Matt Thrasher opened the first brewery in 2017 and the second one less than a year ago. Riverside has taken off, not only in terms of the beer being created, but also

Also, as a way to improve your game, X-Golf has two PGA pros on staff to provide lessons. Clinics and youth camps will be offered, plus businesses and other groups can rent space for team-building and social activities. Did you say birthday party? Louden points out that you don’t need to be a golf enthusiast to enjoy the facility which has a full restaurant and bar.

The Loudens are Fredericktonians and as such want to give back to the community. They have participated in events such as charity golf tournaments and are looking for future opportunities, Louden says. www.playxgolf.com

as a place for events as varied as trivia nights, plant swaps and a gathering of Vets & Friends who tie fly fishing lures.

www.rockwellbrewery.com

Square Corner Design Build

Collaborative, 2 N. Market St., Suite 300, recently had its grand opening. Built on the long-standing partnership between Tuscan Blue Design and Lighthouse Craftsman, Square Corner unites decades of industry experience to set a new standard in design and craftmanship. Its mission is to transform the way people live and work in their spaces, offering everything from the redesign of existing spaces to expansive whole-house renovations and additions. Square Corner is a full-service design and build firm poised to set new benchmarks in the field. The company is named after the well-known intersection of Market and Patrick streets. www.sqcorner.com

on techBUSINESS

By Jeni Lubbert

The Future of Smart Homes

Home buyers looking for convenience, efficiency and innovation have multiple options available in 2024. The integration of advanced technologies into our living spaces has transformed the way we interact with our homes, offering unprecedented levels of automation, security and sustainability. This growth is driven by groundbreaking innovations and customer demand for new conveniences.

One of the most prominent trends shaping the future of smart homes is the proliferation of interconnected devices and systems. The concept of the “Internet of Things” has paved the way for seamless communication between various household appliances, from thermostats and lighting to refrigerators and security cameras. This interconnectedness enables homeowners to control and monitor their homes remotely, allowing for much greater convenience and flexibility in managing daily tasks and routines.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is another key driver of innovation in smart home technology. AI-powered virtual assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri, have become integral components

of modern smart homes. These assistants continuously learn from user interactions, adapting to individual preferences and optimizing home environments for comfort and efficiency.

Advancements in sensor technology are revolutionizing the way we perceive and interact with our surroundings. Sensors embedded in smart home devices can detect changes in temperature, humidity, light levels and motion, enabling automated responses that optimize energy usage and enhance security. For example, smart thermostats can adjust temperature settings based on occupancy patterns, while motion-sensing lights conserve energy by illuminating only when needed.

Smart homes can also prioritize sustainability and energy efficiency. With growing concerns about climate change and resource depletion, homeowners are increasingly seeking eco-friendly solutions to reduce their environmental footprint. Smart home technologies offer various answers, such as energy-efficient appliances, solar panels and intelligent HVAC systems that optimize energy usage based on real-time data and user preferences.

Security systems are evolving, as well. Traditional locks and alarms are being replaced by sophisticated biometric authentication methods, facial recognition technology and AI-driven surveillance systems. These advanced security measures offer real-time alerts and remote monitoring capabilities to deter intruders and prevent potential threats.

The future of smart homes holds endless possibilities for innovation and transformation. From augmented reality experiences that visualize home renovations to predictive analytics that anticipate user needs, this convergence of technology and design is reshaping the way we live and interact with our living spaces. As these trends continue to evolve, smart homes will become more intuitive, adaptive and personalized, revolutionizing the way we experience and interact with our living environments. You may want to contact your favorite custom home builder to explore these options for yourself!

Jeni Lubbert is a Project Manager at 270net Technologies, a website design and digital marketing firm in Frederick. Contact her at 301-663-6000, ext. 615, or visit www.270net.com.

Linda Norris-Waldt

By Scott Grove Photography by Turner Photography Studio

It’s hard to fathom, but 35 years ago, residential curbside recycling in Frederick County was nonexistent. At the time, residents only had garbage collection three times a week. Linda Norris-Waldt oversaw the launch the county’s recycling program.

Scott: When did you move to Frederick County and what prompted the move?

Linda: I relocated here in 1986 to take a job at The Frederick News-Post as a county government reporter.

Scott: What led to your becoming the county’s Recycling Coordinator, and what prompted the county to introduce recycling?

Linda: Since college I had been involved in environmental efforts, from stream cleanups to recycling. I left the newspaper in 1989 to be the county’s Public Information Officer. In 1990, a Recycling Coordinator position in the county’s Solid Waste Department became available. It seemed like the perfect synthesis of my environmental passion and my training as a communicator.

Scott: What was attractive to you about this position and the initiative?

Linda: In 1988, the state passed the Maryland Recycling Act, which required every county to recycle a percentage of their waste. I had written letters of support for this, so it seemed a perfect way to put my money where my mouth was. The first order of business was a study that was commissioned by the county to develop a plan for moving forward. My job was to implement the recommendations, which included drop-off centers and eventually curbside recycling.

Scott: How did the program roll out?

Linda: Up until this point, local recycling had been a nonprofit endeavor. So, spending money on recycling programs was a new concept. For this reason, we had to develop a phased program. Starting in 1990-91, we worked with some of the county’s small towns and their interested residents, setting up weekend collections in 55-gallon drums on a lift truck. The program then graduated into a series of drop-off centers with sections divided for glass, plastic, newspaper, cans and cardboard. Eventually we tested curbside recycling in a pilot program in the City of Frederick and Walkersville.

Scott: When was it decided that the program would expand countywide?

Linda: Each year we incorporated more geographic areas and added more incorporated towns—after working with municipal leaders to make certain all parties were on board. We also chose a few nonincorporated areas with large neighborhoods such as Clover Hill, Lake Linganore and Ballenger Creek before eventually spreading to more areas of the county. We met with countless homeowners’ association boards, schools and civic clubs. We had a robust advertising budget. We did a lot of public relations and also conducted press conferences each time we expanded the program to a new area.

Scott: What was the initial public response to the program?

Linda: It actually went quite well. After researching and talking to many community leaders, we realized that Frederick County residents were quite civic minded. Our messaging became that of how being a “recycler” was equivalent to being a good citizen. The program was especially well received in towns and among home-

owners’ associations that contracted with commercial garbage collectors that were compensated based on collected tonnage.

Scott: What were the signs that the program was really taking hold? When would that have been?

Linda: Around 1993-94. We knew things were going well when new residents were calling and requesting a recycling bin soon after their arrival. Towns were also cutting back on the frequency of residential trash collection since less trash was being generated. Businesses were also stepping up their initial efforts.

Scott: You were in that position for nearly 10 years. What are you doing now?

Linda:After a bit of a detour into corporate communications. I came back to my roots in 2013 when I took a marketing position with the US Composting Council (USCC), a national trade organization that advocates for and trains people who run commercial compost operations—for example, Key City Compost in Lewistown. I’ve been with USCC for 10 years and am now the Deputy Director and Director of Policy.

Scott: How important is recycling and more recently, the food scrap composting programs, to Frederick County’s overall health?

Linda:Recycling and composting benefit the county’s financial health, on one hand. Choosing to manage our waste through these programs allows us to mitigate the costs of operating our trash collection program (avoiding the need for a new landfill) and the costs of our collection programs as residents and businesses realize they can downsize their trash footprint or divert material to a better use. Composting has as-yet

unrealized potential in our county. It makes up nearly a quarter of the material that is landfilled and it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Food scraps, when composted, can amend and strengthen soils depleted by fertilizer, adding organic matter, microbes and water-holding capacity.

Scott: How many pounds of recycled items are collected in Frederick County each year?

Linda: Our county population has grown to the point that we are now required to recycle or reduce 35 percent of our gener-

ated waste. In its 2022 report to the state, Frederick County cited a recycling and source reduction rate of 35.35 percent, with recyclables, both business and residential, totaling 147,887 tons.

Linda Norris-Waldt was born in Prince George’s County and is a longtime resident of Middletown. When not working, she enjoys hiking, reading and gardening. Scott Grove is the owner of Grove Public Relations, LLC., a marketing and advertising firm. His work also includes interpretive planning and exhibit design for museums and historic sites. For more info, visit www.scottrgrove.com.

We knew things were going well when new residents were calling and requesting a recycling bin soon after their arrival.

—Linda Norris-Waldt FM

Irish Feasting

St. Patrick’s Day Connects Culture Through Food, Drink and Camaraderie

By April Bartel / Photography by Turner Photography Studio

Everybody is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day. At least, it feels that way. Secularly, “St. Paddy’s Day” is an excuse to share good cheer and camaraderie while indulging with something tasty. It’s commemorated with colorful parades, lively dances and flowing music. For the faithful, the Feast of Saint Patrick is a story of bravery, undaunting spirit and overcoming evil. Either way, it’s an opportunity to celebrate Ireland’s unique and far-reaching culture as a valuable seasoning in our melting pot.

Beyond the beer (no green dye needed, thank you), Americans think of corned beef with cabbage as the go-to meal, but that fatty brined beef is our immigrant ancestors’ reinterpretation of a common dish. “Corned” beef retains its pink color due to the curing process, which uses kernel-sized salt crystals. Ireland was a global leader in corned beef production in the 17th century, but today the Irish prefer “bacon” with their greens. That’s a cut from the back of the pig, the loin, not the thin and crispy pork belly we prize here.

What else is on the menu? Ireland is known for great seafood, especially salmon, plump oysters, mussels and clams. Cod is popularly prepared in a crispy batter alongside fried potatoes, the classic fish and chips. And the country’s longstanding agricultural heritage means there’s good stock in beef, lamb and pork. That goes for its renowned cheeses and butter, too.

Irish

peasant roots give the dish flexibility. It can be thick or thin, swimming with chunks of potato and lamb, seasoned with onion or dressed up with peas and carrots. Fine cutlets or rack of lamb are enjoyable indulgences, as is sweetly spiced ham. Thinking of Irish cuisine evokes simple, hearty, slow-cooked and seasonal meals.

Frederick has several eateries with proud Irish roots. Lines start forming outside of Magoo’s Pub & Eatery and Bushwaller’s early on March 17th. Fans of each know they’ll get tasty food in a buoyant-yet-cozy atmosphere.

The national dish,

Stew, is a hug in a bowl. Its

Right: Jennifer Dougherty, owner of Magoo’s Pub & Eatery, with some favorite dishes and drinks.

Magoo’s owner, Jennifer Dougherty, is a fifth-generation Irish American and a 35-year restauranteur. Her version of corned beef and cabbage is slow cooked overnight. “We sell hundreds and hundreds of pounds of it those weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day,” she says. Then it’s back to her other best sellers: Guinness lamb stew, layered shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie with puff pastry, juicy sausages and crispy potato pancakes (boxty).

She grins, “There are quesadillas in Ireland everywhere you go.” Plus, burgers and wings, thanks to an evolving modern palate. Try the Crabby Jen burger with creamy crab dip or the Irish Chieftain chicken sandwich with bacon and bleu cheese, but don’t miss the Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert. Twice this month Magoo’s will host five-course tasting dinners with Irish whiskey.

Down the street, Bushwaller’s hits the highlights, too: Bangers and mash, fish and chips and a savory Guinness beef stew. The classic corned beef here gets encores as thick

sandwiches and wildly popular Reuben egg rolls with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dipping sauce. Their Irish nachos sub crispy potato wedges for tortilla chips.

“We even have an amazing Irish-style brunch every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year as well,” says owner Amber DeMorett. The Irish Benedict is poached eggs with Irish bacon on soda bread with Kerrygold cheddar cheese sauce. Along with live music on St. Patrick’s Day, Bushwaller’s is open at 8 a.m. for the annual Kegs ’n’ Eggs event.

If you care to imbibe, both places proffer extensive rosters of fine Irish spirits and authentic beers.

And when the frenzy is over, you always know where to find a little taste of Ireland. “That’s the thing about an Irish pub. It’s like a patchwork quilt.” Dougherty explains, “the atmosphere, food, drink and people, individually, those things are pretty fine. Together, they keep you warm on a cold night.”

That’s something to celebrate. FM

Above: Both crunchy and succulent, fish and chips are in demand at Bushwaller’s, 209 N. Market St.

That’s the thing about an Irish pub. It’s like a patchwork quilt.

— Jennifer Dougherty

tiny plates ON THE TABLE

DISTILLERY OWNER HONORED

The Maryland State Arts Council 2024 Heritage Award winners includes Angel Rivera, co-owner with his daughter, Crystal, of Puerto Rico Distillery, 1341 Hughes Ford Road. Awards are bestowed statewide to recognize long-term achievement in the traditional arts.

The Riveras brought Puerto Rican moonshine rum, known as pitorro, and its traditions to Frederick five years ago, opening the only pitorro distillery in the continental United States. Additionally, Rivera was recognized for his work promoting Puerto Rican percussion and dance traditions. www.puertoricodistillery.com

BEST BITE

TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN

A trip out to the end of the Golden Mile is worth all the traffic lights when there’s arguably the world’s best cornbread waiting at B. Anderson’s, 1448 W. Patrick St. We

were lucky to arrive just as chef-owner B. Anderson pulled a pan from the oven at the soul food eatery that’s been in business since 2020. The cornbread needs nothing else, not even butter, as you find yourself scarfing down every last crumb. B. is as sweet as the pone, providing a container of soup gratis when we told her we were heading to see a sick friend. www.bandersonrestaurant.com

Three years ago, Kamike Myers-Pinnock visited Frederick for a Jamaican-themed wine festival. “I saw how people were enjoying the food and the music,” she says, prompting her to recently open Tropix Pots Cuisines Bar & Grill, 490 Prospect Blvd., with husband, Kevin Pinnock.

“I grew up in a home where everyone cooked,” says Myers-Pinnock, including a professional chef mother who gave her the idea for the restaurant’s name. “Tropix refers

TEA FOR TWO AND EVEN MORE

There’s something civilized about gathering a few friends around a table for a couple of hours, sipping tea and tucking into traditional British treats. Liz Felgate, who opened Another Slice of Cake Café & Bakery, 238A N. Market St., last fall, is now offering afternoon tea on Thursday and Saturday afternoons.

Growing up in England, Felgate is familiar with the tradition and “over here with everyone watching Downton Abby, people want to have tea,” she says. “When I announced I would have tea it went bananas.” The menu consists of sandwiches, from cucumber to

to the Caribbean,” she says, and the mention of pots is because “my mom always told us that it’s important to cook the meat in the right pot.”

Family recipes are used, plus dishes Myers-Pinnock creates, infusing Jamaican favorites with other cuisines, such as the oxtail tacos. Tropical drinks are abundant, including the Frozen Bob Marley and rum punch flights. Lunch specials, happy hours, a private room for parties and catering are also offered.

www.tropixpotscuisines.com

curried chicken salad, plus scones, clotted cream and various sweet pastries, paired with tea from Voila! tea shop just down the street. www.anothersliceofcake.com

cravings ON THE TABLE

H Voted “Best of Frederick” $ entrées $8 and under - $$ entrées $8–$15 - $$$ entrées $15 and over

10 Tavern

10 E. Main St., Thurmont. 301-271-7422

Classic all-American cuisine. $

agave 137 Tequila Bar & KiTchen

137 N. Market St, Frederick. 240-439-4367. Best margaritas, tacos and entertainment on Market St. $$

airways inn

310 Aviation Way, Frederick. 301-228-2100. Sandwiches, salads and more. Adjacent to airport. $

a.K.a. Friscos

4632 Wedgewood Blvd., Frederick. 301-698-0018. Upbeat sandwich shop also offering house-roasted meats, salads and potatoes. $$ ★

aleKo’s village caFé

4304 Old National Pike, Middletown. 301-371-3500. Greek, vegetarian and vegan specialties, subs and salads. $

analia’s caFé

480-A Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 301-378-8663. Greek cuisine, lunch and dinner. $$ ★

anchor Bar

5605 Spectrum Dr., Frederick. 240-651-5580. Home of the Original Buffalo Wing. $$ ★

anTrim 1844 smoKehouse resTauranT 30 Trevanion Road, Taneytown. 410-756-6812. Open daily for dinner. French-American cuisine. Reservations required. $$$ ★

aTlanTic grille

3531 John Simmons St., Suite D-05, Urbana. 301-810-5220. American steak and seafood restaurant. $-$$$

B. anderson’s BacKyard experience

1448 W. Patrick St, Frederick. 301-898-2075 Farm-to-table soul food with a Jamaican fusion experience. Serving lunch and dinner. $$-$$$

Beans & Bagels

49 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-620-2165. Light breakfasts and lunches. $ ★

BeeF ‘n Buns ‘n paradise

1448 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-898-2075. Big burgers and great ice cream selections. $ ★

Belles’ sporTs Bar & grill

1202 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-696-9623. Great ribs and other American fare. $

Bellisario’s pizza

934 N. East St., Frederick. 301-662-9233. Sauce and dough made fresh daily. $$ ★

Big papi’s

5711 Industry Lane, Frederick. 240-651-5969. Authentic Mexican dishes. $-$$

BlacK hog BBq & Bar

118 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-662-9090. 221 Shorebird St., Frederick. 301-662-9600. 3323 Worthington Blvd., Urbana. 240-699-0070. 100 Middletown Pkwy, Middletown. 240-490-8147. Specializing in various styles of barbecue. $$ ★

Bollinger’s resTauranT and uncle dirTys Brew worKs

210 N. Church St., Thurmont. 301-668-1522. Home-cooked meals, fresh baked pies, cakes and desserts. $$-$$$

BoneFish grill

1305 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-271-3500 Contemporary grill chain offering a seafood-centric menu, plus steaks and cocktails. $$$

Brewer’s alley

124 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-631-0089. Contemporary American regional cuisine and microbrewery. $$

BuFFalo wild wings

210 Shorebird St., Frederick. 301-662-1333

3335 Worthington Blvd., Ijamsville. 240-699-0313.

Chicken wings, sandwiches and other family fare. $ ★

Bushwaller’s

209 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-695-6988. Irish fare in an attractive pub setting. $$-$$$

The Buzz caFé

11801 Fingerboard Road, Suite 3, Monrovia. 301-865-4900. Scratch bakery and café that eatures breakfast and lunch items as well as custom cakes and goodies. $-$$

cacique

26 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-695-2756. Fine Spanish and Mexican cuisine. $$-$$$ ★

caFé Bueno

255 E. 4th St. 301-620-8858. Authentic Mexican food. Burritos a favorite. $-$$ ★

caFé nola

4 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-694-6652 Bistro café. Coffee, tea and sandwiches. $ ★

callahan’s seaFood Bar & grill

1808 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. 301-698-9596. Fresh seafood. $$

carriage house inn

200 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. 301-447-2366. Traditional dishes served in a colonial setting. $$$ ★

carroll valley golF course

121 Sanders Road, Fairfield, Pa. 888-330-4202. American cuisine. $-$$$

carTerque BarBeque & grilling co

1310 S. Main St., Mount Airy. 301-829-2222. Award-winning barbecue and seafood dishes. $-$$ ★

Casa RiCo

1399 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-663-3107. Mexican fare in a comfortable, pleasant setting. $-$$

cellar door resTauranT

5 E. Church St., Frederick. 301-695-8460 American Casual Cuisine & Cocktail Lounge. $-$$$ ★

aveRy’s MaRyland GRille 9009 Baltimore Road, Frederick, 301-228-2722. Fresh seafood, hand-cut steaks, burgers and wings. $-$$$ ★

Chatime tea

5219 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. 301-378-2530. Bubble tea. $

Chef Lin Buffet

417 S. Jefferson St., Frederick. 301-620-0664. Asian cuisine. $-$$

ChiLi’s GriLL & Bar

5100 Pegasus Court, Frederick. 301-662-8130. Fresh Tex & Mex. $$

China Garden

506 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-695-5055 Asian cuisine. $-$$ ★

CLay Oven restaurant

1170 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-631-2004 Indian, Nepalese cuisine. $$-$$$

COaL fire

7820 Wormans Mill Road, Frederick. 301-631-2625. Coal-fired pizza, sandwiches, salads and dinner entrées. $-$$

COmmOn market

927 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-663-3416 Organic fare and vegetarian specialties, takeout. $

the COmus inn at suGarLOaf mOuntain

23900 Old Hundred Road, Dickerson. 301-349-5100. Fine dining at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain. $$$

CraBappLes deLiCatessen

101 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-694-0208. Traditional New York–style deli. $ ★

CuCina Massi

111 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-624-1052. Italian and more. Small plate appetizers to share. $$-$$$ ★

CuGinO fOrnO

1705 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-835-9575 Neapolitan pizza. $$

deLizia Café

14 E. Patrick St. 240-439-4265. Great spot for coffee and pastries, along with Italian dishes. $-$$

the derBy restaurant and Bar

83 W. Main St., New Market. 301-865-2222

Casual family-friendly spin using locally grown produce and ingredients. Full bar. $$

distiLLed

221 Shorebird St., Frederick. 301.228.3629. Craft cocktails and casual eats. $$-$$$

Dublin RoasteRs Coffee

1003 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-846-9888. korean BBQ. $$-$$$

DutCh’s DaughteR

581 Himes Ave., Frederick. 301-668-9500. Seafood, steak and poultry specialties. $$$ ★

fajita Grande

5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. 301-698-8989. Mexican cuisine. $-$$

fireBirds WOOd fired GriLL

5201 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. 315-850-0077. Steakhouse. $$

firehOuse suBs

1700 Kingfisher Drive, Frederick. 301-8982027. 5100 Buckeystown Pike, #194, Frederick. 301-668-6301. A variety of hot gourmet sub sandwiches. Dine in, takeout and catering available. $

firestOne’s CuLinary tavern

105 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-663-0330 Elegant cuisine in a casual atmosphere. $$-$$$

firestOne’s market On market

113 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-696-8586 Custom made-to-order sandwiches and salads. Wines, craft beers, specialty and locally-made goods. $-$$

firestOne’s sideCar

109 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-663-0330 Serving custom desserts & elegant milk shakes, as well as the full Tavern menu. $-$$$

fLaminG GriLL & Buffet

1003 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-664-3388 Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine. $-$$

frateLLi’s itaLian & seafOOd

200 Middletown Parkway, Middletown. 301-371-4000. Made-from-scratch Italian classics, homemade pasta, award-winning crab cakes. $$-$$$ ★

frederiCk COffee COmpany & Café

100 N. East St., Frederick. 301-698-0039 Coffee specialties, light fare and weekend entertainment. $ ★

frederiCk sOCiaL

50 Citizens Way, Frederick. 240-629-8525 Brew pub and cafe. $$ ★

frederiCk sOups

124 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Homemade comfort food and soups. $-$$

the GaraGe

440 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 240-344-5340. Wood-fired pizza, appetizers, sandwiches, salads and locally brewed beers. $-$$

GLadChuk BrOs. restaurant

489 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-662-7750 Hearty international fare. $$$

GLOry days GriLL

1305 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-696-1112 American grill with a sports theme. $-$$$

GOGiGO kOrean BBQ

1003 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-846-9888. Korean barbecue. $$-$$$

Gran azteCa mexiCan fOOd Bar & GriLL

6956 Crestwood Blvd., Frederick. 301-378-2785. Authentic Mexican Cuisine. $$-$$$

hippy ChiCk hummus

237 N. Market St., Frederick. 3240-815-7175 Vegan restaurant. $$ ★

hOOtCh & Banter

49 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-732-4971

New American, upscale casual cuisine. $$-$$$ ★

iBiza Café

8 W. 4th St., Frederick. The best selections of coffee, teas, sandwiches and locally made pastries in a European-style café. $-$$

il foRno PizzeRia

1035 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-846-0422

Wood-burning oven-cooked pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. $$ ★

il PoRto

200 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-620-7480 245 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg. 301-590-0735. Fine Italian food. $-$$

indian WOk

8415 Woodsboro Pike, #J, Walkersvillle. 301-304-0103. Traditional Indian fare, along with Indo-Chinese food. $$

isabella’s taveRna & taPas baR

44 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-698-8922. Tapas. $$ ★

jB seafOOd

308 Main St., Myersville. 301-293-2722

“From the shore to your door.” Seafood, beef, poultry, pork. $$-$$$

jasmin mediterranean GriLL

3532-B Urbana Pike, Urbana. 301-363-5877

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. Dine-in, carryout and catering. $-$$

jerk it smOke it

2060 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick. 240-831-4157.Authentic Caribbean-American culinary experience. $-$$

jerk n’ jive CariBBean kitChen

911 N. East St., Frederick. 240-439-4518. Authentic Caribbean cuisine. $-$$ ★

JoJo’s RestauRant & taP house

16 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-732-5197 American fusion. $$-$$$ ★

kinG’s neW yOrk styLe pizza & itaLian restaurant

8415-G Woodsboro Pike, Walkersville. 301-845-4910. Classic pies, subs, pasta dinners. $-$$

kittiWat thai kitChen

5205 Presidents Court, Frederick. 301-631-0999. Authentic Thai cuisine. Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$$

Lava vOLCaniC GriLL & WOk

8925 Fingerboard Road, Urbana. 240-483-8475. Asian fusion. $$

La paz

51 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-694-8980 Mexican fare. $

Las tunas

1043 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 240-629-8008. Authentic Mexican food. $$

Modern AsiA

1306 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-732-5193

Lazy Fish

10 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-695-9656 Asian sushi bistro. $-$$$ ★

Ledo Pizza

490-1 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 301-663-9800

1293 Riverbend Way, Frederick. 301-694-0050

3303 Worthington Blvd., Urbana. 240-699-0303

Pizza, pasta, salads and sandwiches in a casual setting. $-$$

Liberty road seaFood & steak

10524 Liberty Road, Frederick. 301-898-3181

Home of the largest crab in Frederick County. Open all year round. $$$

Los amigos

205 Frederick Road, Thurmont. 301-271-8888. Mexican food with specials through the week. $$

Lucky corner restaurant

5100 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 174, Frederick. 301-360-5913. Vietnamese grill and noodle restaurant. $$ ★

madrones

7810 Worman’s Mill Road #J, Frederick. 240-439-4010. Traditional American steak and seafood. $$-$$$ ★

magoo’s Pub & eatery

1-A W. 2nd St., Frederick. 301-378-2237 Traditional Irish-American favorites. $$-$$$

the main cuP

14 W. Main St., Middletown. 301-371-4433 Casual café and coffeehouse. $-$$$

manaLù itaLian restaurant

5227 Presidents Court, Frederick. 240-578-4831. Authentic Italian restaurant serving traditional foods in a warm and cozy atmosphere. $$-$$$ ★

mangia e bevi

Turning Point Center, 8927-J Fingerboard Road, Urbana. 301-874-0338. Italian comfort food at a good value. $-$$$

mariachi restaurant

5854 Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-418-6367. Fine Spanish and Mexican cuisine. $$ ★

matsutake sushi and steak

5225 Buckeystown Pike (Westview Promenade), Frederick. 301-631-5060 Hibachi and Japanese cuisine. $-$$$

may’s

5640 Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-662-4233. Home-cooked meals, crabs. $$ ★

mayta’s Peruvian cuisine

5010 Buckeytown Pike, Suite 148, Frederick. 301-732-4441. Fresh, authentic Peruvian cuisine. Serving lunch and dinner. Catering available. $-$$$

miyako

1005 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-620-0024 Sushi, noodles, Japanese steak house, specialty cocktails. $$$

mod Pizza

5256 Buckeystown Pike (Westview Promenade), Frederick. 240-877-7967 Custom, artisan-style pizza and salads. $-$$

monocacy crossing

4424-A Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-846-4204. American comfort food and fine wine. $$-$$$

morgan’s american griLL

11717 Old National Pike, New Market. 301-865-8100. A family-friendly restaurant with big city dining. $$-$$$

mountain gate FamiLy restaurant 133 Frederick Rd., Thurmont. 301-271-4373.

Buffet and menu selections. $ ★

mountain view diner

1300 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-696-1300. All-American diner food. $

new york J&P Pizza

6103 Spring Ridge Pkwy., Frederick. 301-644-1372. Lunch and dinner daily. $$-$$$

north market PoP shoP

241 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-575-9070

Trickling Springs Creamery ice cream. 400-plus soda choices. $-$$$ ★

nutrition 4 ur mind

5828 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick. 240-498-6798. Smoothies, Boosted Teas. $

oLd dominion griLL & sushi

5732 Buckeystown Pike #18-20, Frederick. 301-682-6888. Family restaurant, American, Japanese, Thai, etc. $-$$$ ★

the orchard

45 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-663-4912. Flavorful healthy fare and vegetarian selections. $$ ★

oscar’s aLehouse

906 N. East St., Frederick. 301-378-2793 Buzzing bar and grill featuring updated American fare and craft beers on tap. $$-$$$

outback steakhouse

1007 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-662-9584 Steak and seafood. $$-$$$

PasquaLe’s

11670 Old National Pike, New Market. 301-882-7103. Italian restaurant and pizzeria. $$

Patowmack Farm

42461 Lovettsville Road, Lovettsville, Va. 540-822-9017. Seasonal organic cuisine. $$$

Peking gourmet

5732 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. 301-846-0001 or 301-846-0002

Peking-style cuisine. $$

the Pham

1341 Hughes Ford Road, Unit 119D 240-651-0987. Vietnamese cuisine. $$

Pho an Loi

440 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 301-378-9099. Specializes in Vietnamese dishes, along with Thai food. $$

Pho 52

701 Motter Ave., Frederick. 240-575-9479

Vietnamese dishes including noodle-based pho. $$

P.i.g.s. bbq restaurant

2401 Whittier Drive, Frederick. 240-629-8001. BBQ restaurant. $$ ★

Pistarro’s

221 N. East St., Frederick. 301-378-9536. Traditional Naples-style wood-fired pizza, hand-made pastas, beer and Italian wines. $-$$ ★

PLaza mexico

2481 Merchant St., Frederick. 301-228-9889.

50 Carroll Creek Way #130, Frederick. 240-439-4041

Mexican fare that’s beyond ordinary. $$-$$$ ★

ProsPect Pantry

1 W, Main St. New Market. 240-915-2238 American Fare. $$

. A wide array of authentic Chinese and Thai food. $$ ★

PumPernickel + rye

3538-Urbana Pike, Urbana. 240-397-9600 Market and deli. $-$$

ragin’ reef

506 E. Church St., Frederick. 240-815-5438. A casual seafood restaurant with top quality fresh food, affordable prices, and unmatched service. $-$$$ ★

The Red hoRse

996 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-663-3030. A Frederick institution for great steaks and seafood. $$$ ★

red lobster

1020 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-846-9474. Fresh seafood. $$

ricci restaurant

1021 Mill Pond Road, Frederick. 240-578-4273. Restaurant and wine bar offering tasty Italian dishes, wood-fired pizza and steak. $$

roasthouse Pub

5700 Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-418-6098 Craft beer, American fusion bistro. $$

rosati’s Pizza

911 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-694-4650 Chicago-style pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. $$

rube’s crab shack

17308 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. 301-447-4116 . All-you-can-eat seafood, dinner menu, lunch, full-service bar and carryout. $-$$$

sabor de cuba

9 E. Patrick St., Frederick 301-663-1036 Cuban cuisine. $$

santa rosa restaurant

107 Baughmans Lane, Frederick. 301-662-9348

Salvadorean and Mexican food. $-$$

saPPoro ii

5 W. Church St.., Frederick. 240-815-7079. Fine Japanese and Korean dining. $-$$$

schroyer’s tavern

Maryland National Golf Club, 8836 Hollow Road, Middletown. 301-371-0000. Contemporary American cuisine. $$$

showroom

882 N. East St., Frederick. 301-835-7628

Modern American diner with menu designed by celebrity chef Bryan Voltaggio. $$-$$$

the shuckin’ shack oyster bar

41 S. Market St., Frederick. 240-575-9876

Seafood, friendly gathering place. $$

silver diner

5120 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. 301-694-9501. Award-winning burgers, all-day breakfast, vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options. $-$$$ ★

simPly asia Pan asian bistro

120 Frederick Road, Suites B&C, Thurmont. 301-271-2858. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, sushi bar, Asian fusion, dine in, carryout, catering. $-$$

south mountain creamery

50 Citizen’s Way, Ste. 101, Frederick. 301-383-8790. We take your favorite sweet and savory treats to a whole new level. Sweet: sundaes, milkshakes, and more. Savory: Farm-fresh pizzas, made from scratch using fresh, local ingredients. $-$$

south market sandwich co

105 S. Market St., Frederick. 240-651-3797 A quaint, gourmet sandwich shop. $$

starvin marvin Pizzeria and subs

6942 Crestwood Blvd., Frederick. 301-695-7827. New York–style pizza, Philadelphia cheesesteaks and more. $

sumittra thai

12 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-668-2303. Thai favorites including satay, pad thai and garden rolls. $-$$ ★

surf house island cantina

8925 Fingerboard Road, Urbana. 240-341-7157. Authenic surfer food and drinks. $$

sushi nomu

4969 Westview Drive, Frederick. 240-656-1330. Asian sushi. $-$$

Taco BaR

1450 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-732-5716 Authentic Mexican fast food. $

taj mahal bar & grill

1301 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-682-2213

Authentic Indian fare featuring home made spices. Serving lunch and dinner. Wine and beer available. $-$$

TeMpo di pasTa

244 E. Church St., Frederick. 240-780-8517. Gourmet Italian dishes. Handmade pasta. $$

taPia’s on main

203 E. Main St., Middletown. 240-490-8461

Signature brick-oven pizzas, pastas, paninis, house-crafted cocktails. $$-$$$

temPo di Pasta

244 E. Church St., Frederick. 240-780-8517

Gourmet Italian dishes. Handmade pasta. $$

texas roadhouse

5105 Pegasus Court, Frederick. 301-682-7427. Hand-cut steaks, ribs, fresh-baked rolls and cold beer. $$

thacher & rye

228 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-332-3186. Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s cuisine prepared with seasonal, local ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. $$$

Thai MeRic eaTeRy and BaR

1170 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 240-651-0998. Authentic Thai cuisine. $-$$ ★

thai table

5221 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. 240-877-7034. Thai + Lao cuisine. $$

the tasting room

101 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-379-7772 European cuisine. $$$ ★

thurmont kountry kitchen

17 Water St., Thurmont. 301-271-4071

Family owned and operated serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Award winning broasted chicken. $-$$

tin corner

700 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-575-9374

Serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine. $-$$

troPix Pots cuisines bar & grill

490 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 240-877-4858

Authentic Jamaican and Caribbean cuisine. $$-$$$

uP on market bistro

301 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-831-4847.

Charming restaurant/bistro offering full service breakfast, lunch and dinner. Uniqueness and variety with a touch of elegance. $-$$$

valley grill sPorts bar

Hollow Creek Golf Club, 50 Glenbrook Drive, Middletown. 301-371-0400

Contemporary American cuisine. $-$$

wag’s

24 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-694-8451

Classic hamburgers and fries. $ ★

white rabbit gastroPub

18 Market Space, Frederick. 240-651-1952

Craft beer house serving high-end beer and food. $-$$

wilcom’s inn

11234 Fingerboard Road, Monrovia. 301-798-8686. Iconic local landmark. International steakhouse and sports bar. $-$$

the wine kitchen on the creek

150 Caroll Creek Way, Ste. 160, Frederick. 301-663-6968. Wine bar with American bistro fare. $$ ★

zi Pani café bistro

177A Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick. 301-620-1932. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Casual dining with full bar. $-$$ ★

Gallery Rebirth

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Renovated, Reopened in Washington, D.C.

By Jeanne Blackburn / Photos Courtesy National Museum of Woman in the Arts

Washington, D.C—In a city full of worldclass museums and art galleries, the newly reopened National Museum of Women in the Arts is unique. It is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts.

It is the only one whose mission is “to bring recognition to the achievements of women artists of all periods and nationalities by exhibiting, preserving, acquiring and researching art by women and by teaching the public about their accomplishments.” It also gives space to the voice of women artists.

Now, here’s the irony. The museum is located in a Classical Revival building built in 1908 at the intersection of 13th Street, H Street and New York Avenue, NW. It was designed by the famed architectural firm of Wood, Donn and Deming as a temple for the Freemasons—an association of men that does not permit women members.

A first-time visitor might expect a history-generated walk through the museum’s collected works, or galleries devoted to specific artists or schools of painting. That is not the case. The museum is three floors of beautiful white, airy spaces, some partitioned into alcoves creating a spaciousness that gives the viewer time to contemplate one piece before moving on to the next.

The museum’s roots took hold in the 1970s, when Washington-area world travelers and art collectors Wilhelmina Cole Holladay and her husband, Wallace, committed themselves to collecting art by women they felt were underrepresented in museums at that time. In the early years, artwork was displayed in the Holladay home. By 1980, she began devoting her time and effort to creating an actual museum showcasing women artists. In 1983, the museum purchased the

Right: Located in a Classical Revival building that once was a temple for the Freemasons is the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

current building and undertook an extensive and award-winning renovation and expansion to the landmark.

The museum opened the doors of its permanent location April 1987, unveiling its inaugural exhibition, American Women Artists, 1830–1930. In 1993 it was expanded and renovated, then opened the annex in 1997. In 2021, the 93,4000-square-foot facility began its first major renovation since it opened, expanding gallery space, creating a Learning Commons and improving accessibility. It reopened to the public last October.

The museum’s outreach programs include dynamic exchanges about art and ideas through exhibitions, programs and online content, and advocates for better representation of women artists.

The following exhibits are scheduled to remain open into fall of this year:

In Focus: Artists at Work

Enjoy a close-up look into the practices and perspectives of eight contemporary collection artists via short documentary-style videos. Presented in the ground-floor Long Gallery, welcoming visitors to the museum, these videos feature Ambreen Butt, Sonya Clark, Colette Fu, the Guerrilla Girls, Graciela Iturbide, Delita Martin, Rania Matar and Alison Saar.

Hung Liu: Making History

“Weeping” paintings and prints by Hung Liu—featuring signature paint drips, layers

of color, and cultural symbols—pay homage to overlooked figures in history, predominantly vulnerable women and children from the artist’s native China.

Impressive: Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella

The Entrance of the Emperor Sigismond into Mantua, an extraordinary series of 25 prints by 17th-century French artist Antoinette Bouzonnet-Stella (1641–1676) is being presented at the museum for the first time in nearly 15 years. The exhibition explores the circumstances of the work’s creation and focuses on Bouzonnet-Stella’s life in Paris.

Holding Ground: Artists’ Books for the National Museum of Women in the Arts

Nine new works by celebrated book artists inaugurate the new Learning Commons and its reinvigorated Betty Boyd Dettre Library and Research Center. Participating artists include Alisa Banks, Adjoa J. Burrowes, Julie Chen, Suzanne Coley, IBé Crawley, Maricarmen Solis Diaz, Colette Fu, Kerry McAleer-Keeler and María Verónica San Martín.

Daily admission to the National Museum of Women in the Arts is $16. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening hours, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., are available on the third Wednesday of the month.

Unfortunately, the museum’s cafe is not open at this time, but don’t miss the gift shop featuring products created by women-owned and -operated businesses. For more information, visit the museum’s website at www.nmwa.org.

Above: Despite its historic exterior, the museum’s three floors boast modern, white, airy spaces, some partitioned into alcoves.

The museum reopened last October following an extensive expansion and renovation project.

postcards ON THE ROAD

SPAIN

CALIFORNIA

GREECE

Dick and Carol Keating take their Frederick Magazine to San Luis Obispo for Dick’s daughter’s destination wedding.

A group of friends stop in Athens, birthplace of the modern Olympic games. From left, Kim Crouch, Deb Thompson, Kristen Beck, Mitzi Guerno, Laurie Kurtz, Nancy Luse and Rebecca Chaney.

Thom and Elizabeth Loverro visit the castle in Pedraza, which dates back to the 13th century.

you’re here ON THE ROAD

By Jake Wynn

Maple Syrup Festival

Nestled amid the mountains at Cunningham Falls State Park lies one of the sweetest gems of Maryland’s cultural heritage—the annual Maple Syrup Festival.

For more than 50 years, as winter fades into the warm embrace of spring, the park’s William Houck Area comes alive with the tantalizing aroma of boiling maple sap, signaling the arrival of this beloved annual event. Enthusiasts from far and wide gather to celebrate the age-old tradition of maple syrup production, immersing themselves in a sensory journey through nature’s sweetest gift.

Set against the backdrop of towering trees and the waters of Hunting Creek Lake, the Maple Syrup Festival offers visitors a unique opportunity to reconnect with nature while savoring the rich flavors of this sweet delicacy. Spanning over two weekends in March, the festival promises a diverse array of activities and experiences for all ages, making it the perfect local destination for families, couples and solo adventurers alike.

Among the highlights of the festival are the boiling demonstrations led by knowledgeable park rangers. These educational sessions offer a glimpse into the art and science behind tapping maple trees, collecting sap and transforming the glop into sweet liquid gold. From traditional methods to modern techniques, participants gain a deeper ap-

preciation for the craftsmanship involved in producing this beloved breakfast essential.

The Maple Syrup Festival offers an opportunity to taste the sweet result of Maryland’s maple production. A hearty breakfast is available at the festival, with opportunities to put that local maple syrup onto delicious, freshly made pancakes by the warmth of a fireplace.

In addition to culinary delights, the festival boasts a lineup of engaging activities and entertainment for visitors of all ages. Families can enjoy hayrides, nature hikes and a short walk to see Maryland’s tallest cascading waterfall, Cunningham Falls. Live music performances, artisanal craft vendors and children’s activities add to the festive atmosphere, ensuring there’s never a dull moment at the Maple Syrup Festival.

Beyond its culinary and recreational offerings, the Maple Syrup Festival serves as a celebration of conservation and sustainability. As visitors explore the natural beauty of the park, they gain a deeper understanding of the importance of preserving our forests and protecting the delicate ecosystems that

sustain them. Through educational programs and interactive exhibits, the festival promotes environmental awareness and encourages responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

Whether you’re a seasoned syrup aficionado or simply looking for a weekend getaway immersed in nature’s beauty, the Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park offers an unforgettable experience for all. Celebrate the timeless tradition of maple syrup production and discover the magic that awaits amidst the tranquil woodlands and beautiful landscape of this beloved state park.

The festival will be held March 9-10 and March 16-17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on all four days. A $5 donation per person is requested for admission, with proceeds supporting the Friends of Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks.

The address for the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park is 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont. Please be advised that Md. 77 is closed to traffic in this area due to a construction project, so follow marked detours to visit the Maple Syrup Festival.

Jake Wynn is the marketing and communications manager at Visit Frederick, the designated destination marketing organization for Frederick County. Contact him at 301-600-4023 or jwynn@fredco-md.net. Learn more about Visit Frederick at visitfrederick.org.

HOT PICK

16

March

Retro Prom

William Tally Recreation Center, 121 N. Bentz St. Join Maryland Ensemble Theatre and dance the night away with the MET company. This year’s theme is the ‘80s. Prom attire from any decade is encouraged but not required. Event features a cash bar, silent auction, prom photos, late-night pizza party and more. 7 p.m. $. 301-6944744. www.marylandensemble.org

1 2 3

A Murder Is Announced

Through March 2

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive. An announcement in the local paper states the time and place when a murder is to occur in Miss Blacklock’s Victorian house. What follows is a classic Agatha Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death, and a determined inspector grimly following the case’s twists and turns. Fortunately, Miss Marple is on hand to provide the solution, in a dramatic final confrontation. See website for show times. $. 301-662-6600.

www.wayoffbroadway.com

Dreamscapes Unveiled

Through March 3

Frederick Arts Council Gallery of the Arts, 1 N. Market St. A juried group show of art by FAC studio artists. Artwork in this exhibit explores the multifaceted aspects of the dream world, inviting viewers to contemplate the mysterious and enigmatic landscapes of the mind. Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 301-662-4190. www. frederickartscouncil.org

Particles and Waves by Becky Borlan

Through March 7

Frederick Arts Council Gallery of the Arts, 1 N. Market St. An installation of sculptures that artist Becky Borlan states, “act as interventions that interrupt routine and invite the viewer to bask in the brilliance of vivid color, marvel at the dance of shadows, and fully embrace the present moment.” Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. 301-662-4190. www. frederickartscouncil.org

THURSDAYS IN MARCH

Dinner at 200 Monroe Restaurant 200 Monroe Restaurant, 200 Monroe Ave. Frederick Community College’s Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Institute students cook for the public as part of their capstone learning experience. Guests will enjoy a first course, entrée and dessert. Reservations are required. 5 p.m.–8:30 p.m. $. 240-629-7912.

www.frederick.edu/200Monroe

4 5 6 7

Sailing Through the Winter Solstice

Through March 9

Carroll Creek Linear Park, Downtown Frederick. Carroll Creek is lit up with 28 boats sponsored by local businesses for observers to enjoy. 301514-1182. www.coloronthecreek.com

Intimate Apparel

Through March 10

Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. In 1905, Esther, a proud but shy black seamstress, sews intimates for her clientele. She’s saved quite a bit making beautiful undergarments for both posh

Fifth Avenue boudoirs and upscale bordellos, all while daydreaming of romance and new beginnings. See website for show times. $. 301-694-4744.

Elephant & Piggie’s We Are in a Play!

Through March 17

Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. In this vaudevillian romp, Elephant and Piggie sing and dance their way through plenty of pachydermal peril and swiney suspense. Based on the Elephant & Piggie books by Mo Willems. Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Sundays, 1:30 p.m. $. 301-694-4744.

www.marylandensemble.org

Reflections on the Human Condition by Esperanza Alzona

www.marylandensemble.org

Through March 23

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. A multimedia show that aims to serve as a homage to the art of tattooing, the history behind it and artists working in the field today. The show features tattoo memorabilia, flash and equipment from prominent artists, as well as flash, tattooed hide and work that explores the personal and cultural practices of tattooing. Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 301-662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil.org

Downtown Frederick Light Walk Through March

Downtown Frederick. Explore five creative lighting installations (Disco Garage, Starlite, Light Drops, Kaleidoscope and Snowfall) on display in downtown locations. See website for location map. www.downtownfrederick.org

Carillon Recital

Sundays in March

Joseph Dill Baker Carillon in Baker Park, Downtown Frederick. The tower is open for guests to hear John Widmann, City Carillonneur play the 49 bell carillon of bronze bells. 12:30 p.m.–1 p.m. www. visitfrederick.org

FAC After Hours: Meditative Dance Movement

Mondays in March

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. A weekly inclusive healing space that allows participants to move freely while tapping into divine bliss. 6 p.m.–7 p.m. 301-6624190. www.frederickartscouncil.org

MET Comedy Night

Fridays in March

Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. Enjoy comedy every Friday and some Saturdays at the MET, including The Comedy Pigs on March 1 and 2, Oh Crit! on March 15 and Yes And on March 8. See website for show times. 301694-4744. www.marylandensemble.org

Movie Knight

March 1

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. Local filmmaker nights presented and curated by Falling Squares every first Friday of the month. 7:30 p.m. 3 01-662-4190.

www.frederickartscouncil.org

1Brushes with History: Inspiring the Personality of Frederick March 1–31

Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. An exhibit featuring the works of a few of the most notable artists who have worked in Frederick County. With paintings of the county’s landmarks and natural splendor. 301-663-1188. www.frederickhistory.org

Frederick County Decorative Arts

March 1–31

Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. Since the earliest days of European settlement, Frederick County has been a crossroads of diverse cultural experiences and traditions. The material culture, from everyday utilitarian goods to finely-crafted luxury furnishings, reflects the blending of English and German decorative styles. 301-6631188. www.frederickhistory.org

Sacred Mundane

March 1–31

NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St. An exhibition of works by Lisa Aerianna Tayerle comprised of mixed media objects, which the artist calls Shrines, Alters and Reliquaries. The pieces use recycled materials and objects from nature. www.nomagalleryfrederick.com

FCC Faculty Recital

March 2

Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike. Faculty violist Jason Diggs, accompanied by virtuoso pianist Dr. John Wickelgren, present an evening of relaxing music. 6 p.m. 301-846-2566.

www.calendar.frederick.edu

Frederick County Public Schools Faculty Exhibition

March 2–24

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Featuring works in a variety of media, this exhibition is a salute to those who make Youth Art Month possible, showcasing the creative talents of Frederick County Public Schools educators. An opening reception and meet the artists event is scheduled for March 2 at 2 p.m. 301-698-0656.

www.delaplaine.org

2

Grosvenor Branch Hospital: The Confiscation of the Lee-Fendall House March 2

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. Learn how the Lee-Fendall House played a unique role in Civil War medicine. Presented by Alexandria historian Madeline Feierstein. 2 p.m.–3 p.m. 3 01-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org

EVENTS

3

Frederick County Public Schools Youth Art Month Exhibition

March 2–24

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Featuring works in a variety of media, the annual Youth Art Month exhibition showcases hundreds of 2-D and 3-D artwork created by students from each public school within Frederick County. An opening reception and meet the artists event is scheduled for March 2 at 2 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org

Group Members Show

March 2–31

Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St. Enjoy works by members of the gallery. A First Saturday opening is scheduled for March 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m.–5 p.m. www.eastsideartistsgallery.com

Downtown Frederick Artwalk

March 3

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Take a self-guided jaunt Downtown and visit more than a dozen local galleries. The Delaplaine will feature artwork by Gift Gallery artist Ratha Soumphontphakdy. Noon–4 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org

Bites & Bevs—Frederick Restaurant Week

March 3–9, 10–16

Frederick Restaurant Week returns as a newly imagined two-week long experience showcasing Downtown’s robust culinary and craft beverage scene. During week 1, Restaurant Week, restaurants will offer special prix fixe meus featuring

delicious new concepts. In week 2, Collab Week, local food and beverage establishments join forces to present fun and unique offerings and events. 301-600-4047.

www.downtownfrederick.org

Susie King Taylor: Reminiscences of the Black Angel of Mercy

March 5

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. Hear the amazing story of this trailblazing nurse, teacher and author during this virtual discussion. . Tune in by visiting www.facebook.com/CivilWarMed at the scheduled time. 2 p.m.–3 p.m. 301-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org

Comedy Night Series

March 8

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. A night of stand-up and/or improv comedy. 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. 301-662-4190.

www.frederickartscouncil.org

3

Creative Outlet

March 2

The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Kids and adults are invited to drop-in to get creative together at family tables. Each session features a themed activity. This month, create a geometric work of art in the style of Piet Mondrian. $2. 3 p.m.−5 p.m. 301-698-0656.

www.delaplaine.org

EVENTS

Clutch the Future March 9

Hood College, Coblentz Hall. Woman to Woman Mentoring’s signature event. includes silent and live auctions of new and gently used designer purses, food, fun and more. 7 p.m.−

10 p.m. $. 301-846-2556.

www.clutchthefuture.com

Spires Brass Band: Today’s Children, Tomorrow’s Leaders

March 9

Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike. A special concert featuring the Spires Brass Band accompanied by talented 5th grade musicians from across the county. 8 p.m. $. 301-8462566. www.spiresbrassband.org

Leprechaun Luau March 9

Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St. Celebrate all things Irish at this signature fundraising event for the Rotary Club of Frederick. Admission includes a selection of fare, brew, music, dancing and general merriment! 4 p.m.−8 p.m. $. 240-394-5828.

www.theleprechaunluau.com

Annual Maple Syrup Festival

March 9, 10, 16, 17

Cunningham Falls State Park, William Houck Area, 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont.. 10 a.m.–2 p.m. $. 301-271-7574.

www.visitfrederick.org

Lisa Hilton Quartet

March 13

New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St. Experience the acclaimed jazz pianist, 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828.

www.weinbergcenter.org

Grapes of Wrath

March 14

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Enjoy a showing of this 1940 classic film on the big screen. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828.

www.weinbergcenter.org

Speakeasy Prohibition Casino

Night March 15

Citizen’s Ballroom, 2 E. Patrick St. Join the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health at this 1920s glamour and glitz event featuring food, cocktails and a fun casino. 6:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m. $. www.downtownfrederick.org

The Dirty Middle, Chevre and Plaid The Buffalo

March 15

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St.The Frederick Arts Council presents a night of acoustic blues by The Dirty Middle, Chevre and Plaid The Buffalo. 7 p.m. 301-662-4190.

www.frederickartscouncil.org

Frederick Symphony Orchestra

March 16

Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike. The Frederick Symphony Orchestra performs, featuring Gustav Holst’s “The Planets,” as well as performances from t he winners of FSO’s Young Artist Competition. 7:30 p.m. $. www.fredericksymphony.org

Teelin Irish Dance Company: Celtic Journey March 16

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. P atrick St. Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day, experience the brilliant energy of Irish dance with cutting edge choreography, thundering beats and graceful beauty. 7 p.m. $. 301-6002828. www.weinbergcenter.org

Veronica Barker-Barzel

March 16–31

Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Fine art printmaker Veronica Barker-Barzel incorporates symbolism throughout her art including both Western and Eastern cultural influences, and often anchors her artwork with Celtic knot-work. 301-466-2413. www.linksbridgevineyards.com/pictures

FAC After Hours: Improv Jam with Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band

March 20

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. Keyes captivates audiences with his deep, commanding vocals, punctuated by tales of love, family and addiction from his six decades on Earth. 7 p.m. 301-6624190. www.frederickartscouncil.org

ESSL Spring Fling

March 22

Earth and Space Science Laboratory, 210 Madison St. Explore the Earth and Space Science Laboratory and enjoy a show in the planetarium: Mysteries of the Unseen World at noon; Dynamic Earth at 1 p.m.; and National Parks Adventure at 2 p.m. $. 240-236-2694.www.edu.fcps.org/essl

EVENTS

The Young Dubliners

March 22

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. A Celtic rock fusion of raucous electric rock with traditional folk music, fiddles and more. 8 p.m. $. 301-6002828. www.weinbergcenter.org

Spring Fling & Egg Roll

March 23

Rose Hill Manor Park & Museums, 1611 N. Market St. Enjoy spring and learn about Frederick County agricultural history. Meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy games and crafts and take a hay ride. Bring a basket to join in the traditional egg roll. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $. 301-6002936. www.recreater.com

Small but Mighty Workshop

March 23

NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St. An art workshop creating a pocket shrine honoring nature and loved ones, all built inside a small tin. Facilitated by artist Bertie LoPiccolo. See website for a list of materials to bring. 2 p.m.–5 p.m. 240-367-9770.

www.nomagalleryfrederick.com

Animaniacs in Concert

March 23

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Zany songs, video projections and antics that explore the ‘90s cartoon series by Steven Spielberg, starring Rob Paulsen, Maurice LaMarche and Randy Rogel. 8 p.m. $. 301-600-2828.

www.weinbergcenter.org

Diana March 23–May 18

The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive. It’s 1981 and the world is hungry for a royal wedding, but is the 20-year-old bride prepared for what comes after? Following her storybook union, Princess Diana faces a distant husband, an unmovable monarchy and overwhelming media scrutiny. But her modern perspective and compassion galvanizes a nation, even as it threatens the royal family’s hold on England. See website for show times. $. 301-6626600. www.wayoffbroadway.com

Bunny Trains

March 23, 24, 30

Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Visit with the Easter Bunny on the train, take photos and receive a small surprise. Reservations required. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org

Farmer ChuckBone’s Easter Events

March 23, 24, 30

Farmer ChuckBone’s Pumpkin Patch, 6269 Ed Crone Lane. Meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy hay rides, an egg hunt, an animal petting area, barrel train rides and more. Two sessions each day at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. $. 240-220-0675. www.farmerchuckbone.com

The Bucket List Book Club

March 24

Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way. Explore issues surrounding death and life through a variety of books and other media at this monthly support group. Reading the selected book each month is not required for book club attendance. 2 p.m.–4 p.m. 240-566-3030. www.frederickhealthhospice.org

The Squirrels

March 29–April 28

Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. The patriarch of a family of grey squirrels has stowed away enough nuts for 10 winters, but the fox squirrels from way over near 7-11 want in on his stash. In this fiercely funny and provocative play, the writer of Hand to God exposes the way we use power and domination to mask our own insecurities and fears. See website for show times. $. 301-694-4744.

www.marylandensemble.org

The Wizard of Oz

March 29, 30

Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Other Voices Inc. brings to Frederick a new, original adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828.

www.weinbergcenter.org

Juliet Lloyd March 30

Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. Soulful serenades from an accomplished and celebrated Maryland-based singer and songwriter. 7 p.m. 301-6624190. www.frederickartscouncil.org

Baker Park Egg Hunt

March 30

Baker Park Memorial Garden, 201 N. Bentz St. Bring your own basket and join the City of Frederick for the annual Baker Park egg hunt. Participants will have 15 minutes to hunt for eggs filled with small toys and candy. 1 p.m.–3 p.m. $5. 301600-3844. www.cityoffrederickmd.gov FM

PAST TIME

Starter Home

By Jody Brumage / Archivist, Heritage Frederick

Eighty years ago, the Museum of Frederick County History was born. In 1944, Heritage Frederick, then known as the Historical Society of Frederick County, acquired its first property, the historic Steiner House on West Patrick Street.

A year earlier, Mary Cecelia Belt of Omaha, Neb., donated a large collection of antiques to the Historical Society in memory of her husband, William Bradley Tyler Belt. Born in Frederick in 1871 and educated at the Frederick Academy, Belt pursued a career with the Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, eventually serving as the company’s president. Upon receiving the Tyler Belt Collection, the Historical Society’s president,

Marshall Etchison, saw an opportunity to establish a permanent museum. Etchison and a committee of Society members selected the Steiner House. Mary Cecelia Belt agreed to donate the cost of the building.

The Society quickly set about restoring the elegant Federal architecture of the house in preparation for opening the museum in time for Frederick’s bicentennial celebration in 1945. In this photograph,

The Steiner House was built in 1807 by well-known builder and architect Steven Steiner, who added a large addition to the front of the house in 1817.

Etchison can be seen standing near the door in a black suit, welcoming a group of visitors inside to view the Tyler Belt Collection of furniture, art, silver and glass, as well as artifacts from his own extensive collection of Frederick County antiques, many of which he later donated to the Historical Society.

The Steiner House continued to serve as the Historical Society’s museum until 1959, when the organization moved to its present location at 24 E. Church St. Since 1962, the Steiner House has been owned and preserved by the Frederick Woman’s Civic Club. FM