Before my brother passed away, he told me I was the Executor in his Will. What do I do now?
We’re sorry for your loss. As the Executor of your brother’s Estate, you have several responsibilities to ensure his affairs are settled according to the law and his wishes.
In Maryland, we use the term “Personal Representative” instead of “Executor”. If your brother named you as his Personal Representative, that means he trusted you immensely and knew you would be the best person to manage his hard-earned money, possessions, and legacy.
Ask yourself these TOP 5 questions:
1. Can you locate his original Will? It is extremely important to have the original Will and any original codicils or amendments, not just a copy.
2. Can you obtain a Death Certificate? Death certificates are required for the Probate process and ensure the Court has important details about a person’s death and any surviving heirs.
3. Are you familiar with Probate? Probate is the judicial process of distributing a deceased person’s assets. A Probate Estate must be opened if your brother owned property in his sole name without a surviving beneficiary or if he jointly owned property without rights of survivorship. As Personal Representative, you are responsible for identifying, collecting, valuing, and eventually distributing his assets. You must also complete and file numerous court forms, tax returns, and may be required to attend court hearings.
4. Have you consulted a Probate attorney? Although you were nominated to be Personal Representative in the Will, you must still petition the Court to be officially appointed. You should meet with an experienced Probate attorney to assess the scope of the Estate and the next steps to take. The law firm you hire can then monitor deadlines, complete and file all paperwork, and represent you if anyone sues the Estate. Attorney Clark has been working on Probate matters for 20 years, and we will be happy to help you.
5. Do you have any information about your brother’s assets and if they had beneficiaries? Consider his bank accounts, retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, houses, vehicles, and personal property, among other things. It is normal not to have much information immediately after his passing, but you should not let that stop you from meeting with a Probate attorney.
It is great that your brother had a Will, but if he created a Revocable Living Trust, his Estate may not have gone through Probate. It’s not too late for you to create a Trust for yourself to help your family avoid Probate after you are gone. Our office handles Estate Planning and Probate matters exclusively. We help families protect money and loved ones in the event of death or disability.
Find It Inside
A LITTLE PIECE OF HEAVEN
The Wedgewood Inn in Downtown Frederick has housed many businesses in its storied past, even serving as a hardscrabble tavern where the Dippy Social Club once met. Today, the building is known as Perennial Clay & Garden flower shop and even features an Airbnb.
BY NANCY LUSE / TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
LEGENDARY EFFECT
Twenty-five years ago, the horror movie
The Blair Witch Project was released in theaters, causing a stir among moviegoers taken by its realistic footage of three young documentary filmmakers searching for a mythological creature in the woods near Burkittsville. The village (and Hollywood) would never be the same.
BY LISA GREGORY / TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO
THE NEW NANA
A variety of economic and social factors are causing many grandparents to take a greater role in the upbringing of their grandchildren. For those who have replaced retirement relaxation with the elementary school car line and play dates, what are the benefits and pitfalls?
BY KATE POINDEXTER / TURNER
Witching Hour
Guy Fletcher / Editor-In-Chief / gfletcher@fredmag.com
BURKITTSVILLE—Slipping on mud and mist-covered grass in the Burkittsville Cemetery—an old graveyard made extra-eerie by a heavy fog hanging above—was all the reminder I needed that editor life is not all glamor.
I was there that early evening with writer Lisa Gregory and photographer Jamie Turner for a photoshoot about the 25th anniversary of The Blair Witch Project , which is about a mythical creature from the village that was created just for the horror movie. Joining us was Mayor Michael Robinson, film director Eduardo Sánchez and others connected to the movie.
Lisa first reached out to me last year about doing a story about The
Blair Witch Project and its legacy in Burkittsville and with the people connected to the film. “I thought it would make a great article, especially with the strong ties to Burkittsville,” she says. “Then, after doing some digging, I was delighted to discover that Sánchez is now a Frederick resident. So, win-win.”
Those who remember the summer of 1999 know two things: The Blair Witch Project was a big deal and so was Burkittsville.
The interesting thing is most of the movie, except for some exterior shots at the cemetery and elsewhere, wasn’t even filmed here. But that didn’t stop tourists— lots of them—from finding their way to this tiny village to wander about and take photos. Some lingered in the cemetery and the Burkittsville welcome sign was stolen so many times that village officials stopped bothering with replacements.
All that attention wore thin in a hurry.
“One of my favorite stories [from interviewing Sánchez] was his effort to extend an olive branch to the then-mayor of Burkittsville,” Lisa says. “Ed, at the end of the day, is just this really nice guy. They met for lunch. She showed up unhappy and I got the impression she left unhappy, as well. But I admired him for trying to do the right thing.”
It took months, maybe even a few years, but life here returned to normal. Nonetheless, hints of The Blair Witch Project fame remain, from the out-of-towners who still visit the cemetery to the village eventually embracing its quirky fame by even hosting screenings of the movie.
“There are those today who will tell you that they knew all along it was a hoax. But I’m not so sure about that. It was a cool moment before we became so jaded and so bombarded with instant information,” Lisa says. “And as Eduardo said, it was the perfect time to create a film such as this. A time we won’t see again. And I think that’s kind of sad.”
I hope you enjoy Lisa’s story, “Legendary Effect,” which begins on page 28, along with the rest of this issue of Frederick Magazine . Have a safe and happy July. FM
CHANGES
Navigating Your Life’s Next Chapter
COMING THIS FALL
Welcome to CHANGES, your ultimate guide to navigating the exciting next chapter of your life!
CHANGES is more than just a publication, it’s your trusted companion as you embark on new adventures and opportunities. Whether you’re exploring healthcare options, considering living arrangements, or seeking out social activities, we’ve got you covered!
We’re all about making life easier for you and your loved ones. Say goodbye to decision overwhelm— CHANGES simplifies the process so you can focus on what matters most: living life to the fullest!
But wait, there’s more! We’re not just here to provide information; we’re here to build a vibrant community. Get ready to dive into local events, discover exciting services, and connect with likeminded individuals. Let’s turn the page together and embrace the joy of community engagement, social interaction, and endless possibilities!
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From the Publishers of
“My husband was recently laid off from his company due to cutbacks. Do you have any financial suggestions or recommendations?” F.S. Middletown, MD
Expect the unexpected” sounds like a good mantra, but life can still surprise you and knock you off balance. Undoubtedly, being laid off from your job is one of those shocking surprises. Regardless of whether you’ve been contributing to an emergency fund, experiencing a sudden loss of income puts you in a difficult financial—and emotional— situation.
FIGURE OUT YOUR FINANCES
• Unemployment benefits. Applying for these benefits can take time, so that process should be at the top of your to-do list. You should be able to file online, but you can contact your state’s unemployment office if you’re having trouble.
• If your company offered you a severance package, be sure to review the terms with a human resources representative. How much will you receive, and are there any conditions attached to the payout?
• Health insurance options. Many Americans get insurance through their jobs. Your employer’s coverage will often continue through the end of the month. COBRA will allow you to continue your company’s coverage for a limited time, but it can be pricey.
Explore all your options, including coverage through your spouse’s plan, your parent’s plan (if you’re under age 26), or marketplace plans under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
• Savings and emergency fund. Figure out how long your savings and emergency fund can sustain your current lifestyle. (If you don’t have an emergency fund, this should be a wake-up call to start building one once you can afford it). Create a realistic budget and identify non-essential expenses you can cut back on to stretch your savings.
MANAGE DEBT AND CREDIT
• Prioritize payments. Pay essential expenses first, like rent or mortgage, utilities, and groceries. Of course, it’s not ideal to leave any charges unpaid, but you may have to decide which are the most necessary.
• Negotiate bills. Call your service providers (phone, cable, internet) and explain your situation. Many companies have programs to help customers facing tough times. Don’t wait until you miss a payment to reach out; it’s best to be proactive and could save you from late fees and damage to your credit score.
• Contact your lenders. Depending on your loan type (federal student loans, etc.), you may be eligible for deferment or forbearance, which can temporarily pause your payments or decrease the amount you owe.
EXPLORE INCOME OPTIONS
Tap into your network. Don’t be shy about broadcasting the fact that you’re looking for work. Use your social media channels and reach out to former colleagues, mentors, industry contacts, friends, and family for leads.
Explore temporary work. Depending on your expertise and skill set, you can offer services like tutoring, consulting, or freelance writing, or reach out to a staffing agency for connections to open positions.
Update your job search tools. Add any new positions, skills, or certifications to your resume and LinkedIn profile since your last refresh. Practice interview skills by researching common questions and planning your answers.
Consider a pivot. Being laid off rarely feels positive in the moment, but this could be an unexpected opportunity to shift your focus, pursue a dream, or even relocate.
UNCOVERED
Wartime Portrait
By Amy L. Metzger Hunt / Curator, Heritage Frederick
This oil painting on board, recently donated to Heritage Frederick, depicts Louisa Alice Hunt as a child of just 2 or 3 years old. Louisa was born Feb. 19, 1858, in Indianapolis, Ind. Louisa’s parents descended from early settlers who came from the British Isles and Holland. Her father, David Boyd Hunt, was born in Frederick County, while her mother Mary Ann Henshaw Gorrell hailed from the area of Virginia that became Berkeley County, W.Va.
When David and Mary Ann Hunt arrived in 1855, Indianapolis was a “new” city, having only been incorporated eight years earlier.
The portrait of their only child was painted in the early 1860s during the Civil War. While not signed, it was likely painted by Jacob Cox,
Other works by Jacob Cox include individual portraits of five governors of Indiana, including David Wallace, the father of Battle of Monocacy hero Gen. Lew Wallace.
a talented artist in both portrait and landscape, working in the city at the time. While successful in his own right, Cox is today better known for being the teacher of impressionist artist William Merritt Chase.
In 1885, Louisa married John David Hendrickson of Frederick. The couple, along with Louisa’s mother, who was widowed in 1875, settled in Frederick. The Hendricksons raised three sons in their home on West 2nd Street. John is notably remembered for opening what was eventually known as Hendrickson’s Department Store, a Downtown shopping institution remembered by generations of Fredericktonians. The store stayed in the family for more than 100 years. Louisa was a charter member of the Frederick Art Club and a longtime member of the Historical Society of Frederick County, now Heritage Frederick. Her portrait was generously donated by her great-grandson, D. Hunt Hendrickson. FM
The view above the Joseph Dill Baker Carillon reveals the storage location of the tower’s star, a familiar sight above Baker Park during the holiday season. FM
Photography By Michael DeMattia
SHOPS
BEAUTY,
Daisy’s Salon Frederick Wig Company
GALLERIES / HOME DESIGN
Eastside Artists’ Gallery
Primitive Homespuns
GIFT SHOPS
The Frederick Basket Company
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
Primitive
Steve
Battle of Monocacy at 160
By Guy Fletcher
The Battle of Monocacy has always been at a crossroads of sorts— geographically, historically, even culturally. While Frederick County provides excellent access for history buffs and other tourists exploring important (and popular) Civil War sites elsewhere in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, many visitors overlook the significance of the battlefield straddling Md. 355 just south of the City of Frederick.
“It is one of the most important but least appreciated and least understood battles of the Civil War,” says Brad Stone, board member of the Monocacy National Battlefield Foundation, a nonprofit that partners with the National Park Service in preserving, protecting and promoting the battlefield. It was here on July 9, 1864, that
greatly outnumbered and outgunned Union forces led by Gen. Lew Wallace fought Confederate forces under the command of Gen. Jubal Early. The Confederates eventually overwhelmed the federal troops and advanced toward Washington, D.C., but the day-long Battle of Monocacy provided the U.S. Army enough time to reinforce defenses
and
protecting the capital. Early’s invasion ended before it began.
“Had the battle not happened, it would have been taught in every history class that the Confederates entered the federal capital in 1864,” says Tracy Evans, acting chief for resource education and visitor services at Monocacy National Battlefield
This month, the battlefield will mark its 160th anniversary with a three-day series of events, starting July 5, including hikes, talks, demonstrations and more. Highlights include ranger-led car caravans, artillery and infantry programs, and a panel discussion at Frederick City Hall. All events, except for an 8 a.m. Jug Bridge program on July 7, will include ASL interpreters.
The historic Best Farm at Monocacy National Battlefield was the site of both Union
Confederate encampments during the Civil War.
For a complete list of events, go to www.nps.gov/mono.
The events recognize a battle that usually gets far less attention than the nearby Civil War sites in Sharpsburg, Gettysburg, Pa., and Harpers Ferry, W.Va. “There are a lot of great historical sites in the area, but this one is often overlooked,” Stone says.
The echoes from Monocacy continued long after the battle, bolstering pro-Union partisans in the border state of Maryland who celebrated the defense of Washington. On Nov. 1, 1864, Maryland law abolished slavery, more than a year before ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibited slavery nationwide.
Links List
Local author and magazine editor Jeff Thoreson’s golf journey began by hitting Wiffle balls with his father’s clubs in the backyard of his childhood home. He has now played golf for more than 40 years.
Early was undaunted by his failure to take Washington and the Confederate surrender the following year, spending the rest of his life defending his actions during the war and becoming among the most vocal in justifying the Confederacy, promoting what became known as the Lost Cause myth. As for Wallace, he would go on to write the novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, one of best-selling American novels of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The book was adapted into a movie starring Charlton Heston in 1959, winning a record 11 Academy Awards.
“[The Battle of Monocacy] had some lasting ramifications,” Stone says.
His new book, The Golf Bucket List: 100 Ideas for Enjoying the Great Game of Golf , is billed as the ultimate guide for everyone from duffers to seasoned pros. The book introduces readers to the 10 U.S. and 10 international destinations that should be experienced, the 10 knee-knocker tee shots that should be hit and advice on how to play at the 10 most exclusive U.S. golf clubs.
“These experiences and observations are accumulated over 40 years of playing this disobliging game and a quarter of a century of traveling around the world in pursuit of new experiences, with golf as the catalyst,” Thoreson says. “I feel quite fortunate to have been able to undertake these experiences and, quite frankly, I have not yet gotten to a few of them.”
The Golf Bucket List is available at bookstores and on Amazon.
CHALKING IT UP
Here at Frederick Magazine, we love to involve our readers in a contest. Our latest challenge involves your artistic flair and the ability to comfortably work on your hands and knees.
Readers will have until the end of July to create a sidewalk (or patio or driveway) art masterpiece using colored chalk. The instructions are simple—chart a section of pavement and go to town using the theme of “Celebrating Frederick.” Then, take a high-resolution (and in-focus) photo
of your creation and email to editor@ fredmag.com by July 31. Winners will have their artwork featured in the September magazine and receive prizes. We’d love to see entries from all ages and from all over the county. Now, get out there and start drawing before the next rainstorm.
TOURNAMENT BENEFITS VETERANS
A local military veteran had a broken-down car, which meant he couldn’t get to work and was unable to see his kids. Because of the Sgt. David J. Smith Veterans Relief Fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County, the man’s car was repaired, “making all the difference in the world,” says Mary Jane McWilliams, David’s mother. “David would have given anything to his fellow veterans, not as a handout, but to get them back on their feet.”
Helping to fund these outreaches is the annual Sgt. David J. Smith Memorial Golf Tournament, set for Aug. 30 at Musket Ridge Golf Club, 3555 Brethren Church Road, Myersville. Registration is filled
for the morning flight, but openings remain in the afternoon. Registration is online at www.
sgtdavidjsmith.org.
Smith, a 2002 Frederick High graduate, was 25 when he died from injuries suffered in Afghanistan, where he served as a U.S. Marine. The son of McWilliams and Leonard A. Smith, David was active in high school wrestling, lacrosse, soccer and football and took part in school plays. He joined the Marines in 2003 and attended East Carolina University prior to his last deployment. He was described as having an infectious smile “and a love of life and family that knew no bounds.”
Dear Dina
DEAR DINA: The other night, my boyfriend and I were sending suggestive text messages back and forth. Then he asked me to share a photo. I was out shopping at the time, so I just sent him something in my phone that was from a year ago. He could tell from my hair color that it wasn’t current. He flipped out and said I wasn’t serious about him, if I was willing to send a photo obviously intended for some other guy. We are currently in a huge fight. What should I do?
SIGNED POSSIBLY SINGLE FROM FREDERICK
DEAR POSSIBLY SINGLE: Oh, boy, you’ve gotten yourself in a pickle. Technology has made the current dating scene complex. It’s one pitfall after another. That being said, why are these pictures in your phone? Maybe you’re not so serious about him. Did you forget that they’re in there? Extending grace for sure, but now that you know it upsets him, all of those photos need to go. Next, show him your phone and say, “Look, see!” and ask for his forgiveness. Perhaps this incident is exposing both your true intentions.
Dear Dina is written by Dina Carole, host of the Morning Show on Key 103 (WAFYFM). You can ask her questions anonymously at any time by going to key103radio.com and clicking on the “Features” tab.
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LIP SYNC BATTLE
Teams mimicking performances ranging from classic rock to contemporary artists took to the mock microphone as part of the Student Homelessness Initiative Partnership’s (SHIP) annual Lip Sync Battle. The fun evening at Attaboy Barrel House supported SHIP’s programs that provide resources and urgent services to hundreds of Frederick County youth experiencing homelessness each year. www.shipfrederick.com
VFW AWARD
Tuscarora High teacher Brandon Chuhran was awarded the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award for District 2, Post 7757. The award recognizes current K-12 teachers who promote civic responsibility, flag etiquette, organize government field trips and programs featuring veterans, foster the development of democratic values through special projects, and encourage patriotism.
BIKE TO WORK DAY
The annual Bike to Work Day, hosted by TransIT Services of Frederick County and Brunswick Main Street, promoted cycling as an easy, healthy and fun way to commute to the office. Pit stops at the Downtown transit center and Brunswick MARC station celebrated riders.
Photos courtesy Jane Bass Photography
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S
Hundreds of women putting on their best Audrey Hepburn dazzled at Colonial Jewelers’ Breakfast at Tiffany’s event in Downtown Frederick that culminated in a screening of the 1961 movie at the Weinberg Center for the Arts and the crowning of Tammy Sue Danchanko as the best Holly Golightly. Proceeds from the event support the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund. www.pinkribbonfrederick.org
MENTAL HEALTH BUS
Several local mental health practitioners in the community joined forces to host the first Mental Health Matters Campaign. The event included a tour of Downtown businesses on a Maryland Double Deckers bus, inviting local businesses to embrace mental health awareness, inclusivity, compassion and responsiveness.
MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT
The 4th Annual Bryan Louis Chaney Memorial Golf Tournament at Glade Valley Golf Club raised more than $27,000 to support the American Sleep Apnea Association. Chaney was 25 when he succumbed to the condition. His family has since raised a total of $90,000 and formed a nonprofit. The next tournament is scheduled for May 16, 2025. www.bryanlouischaneymemorialfund.com
BENTZTOWN ARRIVES
Frederick’s first Nashville-inspired restaurant and bar opened at 6 S. Bentz St. to hungry guests eager to sample the big, bold tastes of the South like fried green tomatoes, hot chicken sandwiches and the classic “meat and three.” Bentztown will also host music and other events. www.bentztown.com
then
now
BURKITTSVILLE—As a youngster, Nicole Beller lived across the street from the cemetery in this tiny village (population: 150). After TheBlairWitch Projectbegan packing theaters nationwide in the summer of 1999, fans began making pilgrimages here and specifically the cemetery—dotted with weathered, old headstones—where a scene from the horror movie was filmed. The tourists often visited at night, adding some spice to the macabre atmosphere.
Beller’s father had a devilish idea.
“We would clack rocks together on our front porch. You could hear them screaming and freaking out and running out of the cemetery,” Beller says of the tourists. When father and child weren’t pranking the visitors, young Nicole sold them green lemonade, appropriately rebranded as “Witchade.”
On July 30, 1999, The Blair Witch Project was released and the village of Burkittsville and the film industry would never be the same. The movie about three young filmmakers making a documentary about the Blair Witch, a dark legend that was said to be affiliated with Burkittsville, became an international sensation, fueled by creative use of the early internet and intentional murkiness concerning the film’s authenticity. With a budget of just $60,000, The Blair Witch Project eventually grossed nearly $250 million.
Such popularity attracted fans of the movie to Burkittsville, lots of fans, and not necessarily to the delight of local residents. Suddenly, cars with license plates from many states away started appearing on Burkittsville Road and Main Street, bringing curious visitors to the cemetery and other local sights of interest. The village’s welcome sign, which appears in the movie, was repeatedly stolen. (The current sign bears no resemblance to the circa-1999 version.) It is said that a house was broken into, following a rumor that a scene from the movie had been filmed there, but perhaps that is a legend, too.
“We had no idea the movie was going to blow up,” says Eduardo Sánchez, one of the film’s directors and writers, almost apologetically. Had they been able to predict the impact the film would have on Burkittsville, “We would have used a different name for the town or made up a name.”
As The Blair Witch Project celebrates its 25th anniversary this month, fans continue to come. “I’ll see someone walking through town and looking around, and I know exactly why they’re here,” says Burkittsville Mayor Michael Robinson. He is generally supportive of the film and its connection to the village, going as far as to organize a screening of the film last year. Another screening is planned this year, with proceeds supporting the cemetery.
“The woods movie”
The movie that started it all was the creation of two young filmmakers: Sánchez, who grew up in Takoma Park but now resides in Frederick with his family, and co-director/ writer Daniel Myrick. Ironically, Sánchez admits that he was never interested in making horror films. “They kind of freak me out, honestly,” he says.
Maybe it has something to do with his introduction to the genre at an early age. “I remember watching The Exorcist sitting on my mom’s lap,” says Sánchez, who immi-
grated to the United States from Cuba as a child. “It was the television version, but it still messed me up.” Sánchez reasons it was his mother’s strong religious faith that led her to expose him and his siblings to a movie about demonic possession. “You come to this new country, and you don’t speak the language, and I was a little kid, so you have to arm your kids with something,” says Sánchez. “Her whole thing was, “If I can’t be around them all the time, I’ll put this fear in them, so they don’t stray.’”
Hilda Sánchez-Quiros also believed in the talent of her son. “She gave me money for my first film,” says Sánchez. “She never doubted me.” Sánchez would return the favor by purchasing a home for his parents, who had never owned one, with money made from The Blair Witch Project. “They put everything into us kids,” he says.
Sánchez first studied television at Montgomery College before studying filmmaking at the University of Central Florida. It was there that he found himself talking with fellow student Myrick one night about things that frightened them as children. Both grew up watching the television series In Search of …, which is about mysterious phenomena, and the movie The Legend of Boggy Creek about a Bigfoot-type creature. A common setting for the stories Sánchez and Myrck
shared was the woods, especially at night. It sparked the idea for “the woods movie.”
Sánchez had his own unsettling experiences in the woods. “We were really in the middle of nowhere,” he says of a camping trip while in college. “Nobody’s around. I started noticing that there was a red dot, a light in the woods. My head was playing with me. Everybody was freaking out, like, ‘What the hell is that?’ Then I realized that it was a far-off radio tower, and the light was blinking and coming through the trees every once and a while and would then disappear.”
He would revisit that fear sensation during the making of The Blair Witch Project. “During pre-production, I was at Seneca Creek by myself,” he says, referring to the state park in Montgomery County where most scenes were filmed. “I noticed the sun going down and it’s getting dark. I’m like, ‘Oh, my God, I do not want to be out here at night.’”
Becoming disoriented, “I started going one direction, and I’m like, I don’t know where I’m at,” he says. “So, I just started running through the briars and all and getting scratched up. I ended up on the other side of the park. I had to go all the way around. By the time I got to my car it was nighttime.”
He adds, “I think that’s the reason why Blair Witch was kind of a worldwide hit, because everybody is afraid of being lost in the woods in the dark. Anyone can get lost.”
“Is this for real?”
The idea for the woods movie was put on hold as the two men went on with their lives. Then one day in 1996, while stuck in traffic and working in what he describes as a dead-end job after returning home to Maryland, Sánchez had an epiphany. “I remember picking up my phone and calling Dan and saying, ‘I don’t know about you, man, but I got to get out of here. Let’s do ‘the woods movie.’”
Sánchez and Myrick knew that they wanted to make a film about young people shooting a documentary and getting lost in the woods. “But what is the documentary about?” he says. “It can’t be Bigfoot. We couldn’t afford the Bigfoot suit.”
They settled on the idea of the legend of the Blair Witch, a completely made-up story. “This mythology has been happening in Burkittsville every 50 years or so,” as he explains the backstory. “Kids are being abducted and kids are being killed.”
Actors were auditioned. “Casting was so important,” says Sánchez. “They had to trust us.” The three actors chosen were Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams.
Adding to the realism of the film, the actors “knew every night something was going to happen but not what,” says Sánchez. “We would give them little directing notes three or four times a day, but we tried not to have any personal contact. We would even give them less food as they went along.”
As for Burkittsville, Sánchez and Myrick went looking for the place where the so-called legend could take place. “Some little town that looked small enough and was established in the early 1800s,” says Sánchez. “We went over this hill and saw the church and the mountains behind it and thought, ‘This is perfect.’”
While Sánchez and Myrick were working on the movie, Sánchez was also working on a website with additional information about the witch legend and biographical details about the missing filmmakers. It was a stroke of marketing genius. The internet was a mere toddler in the late 1990s and the idea of using it to promote a film was new. “The internet was just big enough to spread the story but not big enough to verify what it was,” says Sánchez. “There’s nothing in the movie that gives away that it’s a movie. There’s no stars. There’s no music. There are no crazy special effects.”
“I remember looking at the website and thinking, ‘Holy crap, is this for real?’” says Gregory Fedora, author of the Happy Little Monsters book series and Sasquatch and Me and host of the Fedora Files podcast. “They did such a great job presenting it as legitimate that people were upset that the film was in theaters. They thought these people in the film died, and we were being entertained by their last moments on Earth.”
So realistic was the website that it even caught the attention of a private investigator. “We had to tell him, ‘Dude, it’s not real,’” says Sánchez.
After its release, theaters were packed. “People were being told by others that you need to go see this movie about these kids that disappeared,” says Matt Blazi, who runs The Blair Witch Experience, an annual touring and overnight camping event, and is the author of 8 Days in the Woods: The Making of The Blair Witch Project. “It was everywhere that summer.” The movie became one of the most successful independent films of all time, even gracing the covers of Time and Newsweek.
“Fifteen minutes of fame”
No one was more surprised about The Blair Witch Project than Susie Gooch—not by the success of the movie, but by her own appearance on film.
More than a year earlier, Gooch, who was living in Darnestown, at the time, was visiting nearby Brunswick, celebrating her father’s birthday. “We were having lunch
at this diner and people said these Montgomery College kids were making a movie and asking people to be in the film,” she recalls. “I’m a teacher and I’m watching these poor kids trying to do their project. Nobody’s talking to them, so I thought I’ll talk to them.”
She approached Donahue, who asked if she knew anything about the Blair Witch, “I told her, ‘No, but don’t worry about it. Just ask me questions.’”
Gooch instantly made up a story about the Blair Witch. In what is one of the most memorable scenes from the movie, she talks about the witch while holding her toddler daughter, Ingrid, who becomes agitated and even tries to cover Mom’s mouth with her hand to prevent her from talking. On film, Gooch tells her daughter, “Mommy’s just telling a scary story but it’s not true.” Then, she looks at the camera and says, “It’s true.”
Gooch now says Ingrid wasn’t frightened by the story as much as being an anxious child who did not want her mother speaking with strangers. But the serendipitous
moment made the tale of the Blair Witch appear even more disturbing and real.
Gooch thought no more about the Brunswick interview until the summer of 1999 when a friend from Texas called her. “She said, ‘I just saw you on Good Morning America,’” she says. “I said, ‘What?’”
Today, Gooch and her now-adult daughter, Ingrid Mazziotta, have embraced their unexpected brush with celebrity. When Mazziotta, a Frederick resident, recently met the metal band Korn, one of the members wanted to take a picture of her and post it on his social media. “It’s definitely my icebreaker fun fact,” she says.
Ed Swanson has had his own moments of celebrity, as well. He had done community theater and other amateur acting when he was asked by Sánchez to be in the movie. The two men were playing on the same softball team at the time. “I asked him what are we expecting from this?” says Swanson. “He said, ‘We’re just hoping that maybe a cable channel will pick it up’.”
Some in the movie, like Swanson, were planted actors unbeknownst to the main cast. In his scene, Swanson is fishing as he discusses the Blair Witch legend with the documentary crew. Actually, he was pretending to fish. “I didn’t’ have a fishing license,” he says with a chuckle.
Swanson distinctly recalls the first time he was noticed for his role in the film. “I took my family to the movie and I
went to the snack bar to get some popcorn,” says Swanson. “One of the kids behind the counter looked at me and his eyes got really big. He asked, ‘You been fishing lately?’ I said, ‘Not lately.’ Right then and there I signed probably 10 hotdog holders.”
Life would be different for Sánchez, as well. “You’re 29, 30 years old and you’ve had these dreams of being a filmmaker and all of sudden you’re a filmmaker,” he says. “You’re getting sent these Hollywood scripts.”
But he chose not to settle in Los Angeles. “I like visiting L.A., but I like leaving it more,” he says. “I got married. We wanted to start a family, and I was scared to death of raising my kids in L.A.”
He still continued his work and his passion. “After Blair Witch I did independent cinema for a while and did like four movies and then moved into television,” says Sánchez, who is currently working on a new television series. He is also involved with filmmaking closer to home, including the locally produced Last Night at Terrace Lanes, a horror film set at the closed-down Frederick bowling alley. “There’s so much talent around here,” he says.
The Blair Witch does still come calling. Swanson, Gooch and Mazziotta, and others associated with the film, often make appearances at fan conventions. “It’s our 15 minutes of fame,” Swanson says.
Fifteen minutes that stretched into 25 years.
“We did affect a lot of people and sparked a lot of people’s imaginations,” says Sánchez. “Our movie is still so loved and for me that is a privilege.” FM
On Broadway
Frederick’s Brent Comer Finds Stardom Under the Bright Lights
By Joseph Peterson / Photography by Turner Photography Studio
Brent Comer has caught a rising star, catapulting him into the limelight where, for eight shows a week, he smears grease on his brawny arms and sings his heart out to rave reviews in one of Broadway’s most audacious productions of the season. And while the story on stage takes place in 1960s Tulsa, Okla., it’s likely to bring many theatergoers back to memories of their hometown middle school reading the classic novel by S.E. Hinton for the first time.
“I first read The Outsiders at Monocacy Middle School and it was, to be honest, the first book I really paid attention to,” says Comer, who marks his entree to the Great White Way originating the role of Darrel, the oldest of the Curtis brothers at the heart of the story.
The Outsiders: A New Musical is a smash hit that brings the beloved classic to the stage with the verve and pathos of the 1980s film of the same name. It’s a timeless tale of class tension between the haves and have nots, and the power of chosen family. With a whopping 12 Tony nominations, it brings a fresh slate of new stars to the center stage, Comer among them.
Frederick theater fans may recall a younger Brent Comer lighting up the stage a decade ago at Governor Thomas Johnson High School, where he got his start on the road to Broadway. It was a decision he didn’t make lightly.
“My family was so supportive,” Comer recalls of that formative period figuring out if he wanted to do sports or theater. “I was lucky enough to have the right community around me.” Among his influences was legendary vocal coach Carol Ann DeSantis, who
Brent Comer (center in the top-right photo and right in the bottom-right photo) stars in the smash stage hit The Outsiders: A New Musical.
shaped many aspiring young artists who’ve gone on to illustrious performing careers.
restaurant, and I was about to move home when my last audition was the out-of-town run with The Outsiders, and I booked it!”
It was a pivotal moment.
“I wanted it really badly, but I knew I was almost out. I was interested in working at McClintock [Distilling in Frederick], actually.” Instead, it was off to California to workshop the production for a Broadway run with the excitement that comes from being part of an original cast.
After completing James Madison University’s musical theater program, Comer booked a national tour with Les Miserables, a big break cut short by COVID-19, which brought the whole industry—and Comer’s career momentum—to a halt.
But as the refrain goes in his biggest solo in The Outsiders, Comer wasn’t one to “throw in the towel,” even if he was considering a new direction closer to home.
“After the pandemic, I moved to New York and auditioned for a lot of stuff, really just pounded the pavement, working at a
Real life for Comer parallels the show’s themes of striving for a dream, and the young actor is introspective about his journey thus far. “It’s just when you accept and let go that things start to work out,” he says.
No doubt, part of Comer’s success comes from being grounded in who he is while gracious with others—a genuine nice guy who is quick to share the credit of his success.
“I stand on the shoulders of a lot of people who helped me get here— all of those teachers in high school and all of those friends at home who didn’t understand what I was doing, but supported it [anyway],” he says, chuckling.
Taking this interview while running errands on the New York City Subway, Comer says he hasn’t been home in months and misses it. Whether he sees Frederick in his future, he isn’t one to speculate, but offered this hometown homily: “It’s a hard place to leave, and a hard place not to want to come back to.”
Jacobs Theatre on West 45th Street is a long way from the stage of Governor Thomas Johnson High School, but Comer is quick to credit others for his success.
I first read The Outsiders at Monocacy Middle School and it was, to be honest, the first book I really paid attention to. “ ”
—Brent Comer
artsy SPOTLIGHT
In a world inundated with noise and chaos, art can have a profound impact on our lives “ ”
—Chris Eliff
This Makes Me Happy at TAG
Photographer Chris Eliff presents 30 new works at TAG/The Artists Gallery during the month of July. Her exhibit, This Makes Me Happy, offers glimpses into the mysteries of the human experience. From abstract forms that dance with light and shadow, to calming depictions of the natural world, to surreal compositions, each photograph is a testament to the power of visual story telling. “In a world inundated with noise and chaos, art can have a profound impact on our lives,” Eliff says.
This Makes Me Happy opens July 5. You can meet Eliff and the other TAG artists at an opening reception on July 6 from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. There will also be a closing reception on July 27 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Admission to the gallery and all events are free. www.theartistsgalleryfrederick.com
Mountain Inspires Thurmont Mural Artist Bob Cohen recently completed a mural at 1 N. Carroll St., Thurmont, the design inspired by the town’s proximity to Catoctin Mountain. “Gateway to the Mountains” refers to the rural history of Thurmont and symbolizes a contemporary spirit and respect for nature by its citizens, according to the artist. Born in Alexandria, Va., Cohen is currently devoting full-time to his artwork, living and working in Rockville. He favors acrylic paint and utilizes the computer to produce digital prints.
The project is part of Connections, the Frederick Public Art Master Plan, and is supported by a grant awarded to the Frederick Arts Council by the Ausherman Family Foundation. The artist was chosen through a process that included selecting a project site, a request for artist qualifications, design proposals and finally a review conducted by curatorial experts and community stakeholders. Connections projects are intended to reflect a creative and connective vision for public art in the county.
According to the Arts Council, “our vision is a Frederick where public art connects residents and visitors, expresses an authentic and unique sense of place, drives economic prosperity through creativity, and advances a culturally inclusive and empowered future.” www.frederickartscouncil.org
Visit the Frederick Book Arts Center
The Frederick Book Arts Center hosted its grand opening last month in its new spot at the corner of Carroll and East South streets, ready for visitors and students of classes ranging from calligraphy to photo processing without using a darkroom.
The center is a place that facilitates the arts associated with books, whether it’s learning how to use a letterpress or participating in metal engraving, photography, illustrations, book binding, papercut art and other creative endeavors. A store is located on the premises, offering cards, kits and clothing. The nonprofit has been in Frederick since 2018 and joins other book arts centers around the country. www.frederickbookarts.org
Odd Pets
Jenn’s Uncommon Critters Rescues the Misunderstood
By Lisa Gregory / Photography by Turner Photography Studio
As its name suggests, Jenn’s Uncommon Critters is not your ordinary animal rescue. No dogs or cats here. Instead, you’ll find lizards, snakes and even scorpions, just to name a few.
“We saw a need,” says Jenn Lungociu, founder and president, who along with her husband, Brian, started Jenn’s Uncommon Critters a year ago. Today, the Frederick nonprofit animal rescue organization and interactive animal education program has more than 100 animals in its care, including small mammals such as guinea pigs and rabbits.
“It’s a way to share our love of critters with my passion as a teacher,” says Lungociu, a middle school teacher.
Jenn’s Uncommon Critters often hits the road with “awesome animal ambassadors,” providing a show, tell and touch experience. The ambassador animals have visited breweries and libraries, while also playing host to birthday parties and other activities. Fees from the events support the upkeep of the animals, including housing, feeding and veterinary care.
Animal ambassadors include bearded dragons, an Indonesian blue-tongued skink, a leopard gecko, ball pythons, a corn snake and Madagascar hissing cockroaches, among others. Among the ambassadors is Oreo, a 6-foot-long boa constrictor. “She’s 3-and-a-half [years old] and still growing,” says Lungociu.
“We want people to learn about them, so they don’t fear them,” she adds. “We have had people who, when they see [snakes], go running off and screaming,” she says. But
The nonprofit Jenn’s Uncommon Critters rescues a wide variety of exotic pets typically not considered warm and fuzzy, but nonetheless crowd pleasing.
others, while initially hesitant, have gone on to become snake owners themselves. Still others, says Lungociu, have no hesitation and enjoy the experience of being up close and personal with the animals right from the beginning.
Currently, leopard geckos make up the largest number of rescues at Jenn’s Uncommon Critters. “I think people see leopard geckos as a beginner pet,” Lungociu says. “[But] any type of reptile requires a lot of research and proper housing, lighting, heating,” she says. “When people get into it, they realize just how much care is needed. These guys can live to be over 20 years old.”
When adding a pet to one’s home, Lungociu has three words of advice: “Research, research, research,” she says.
Among the variety of pets to come through the door at Jenn’s Uncommon Critters, Lungociu says the most unusual for her have been the sugar gliders, a nocturnal gliding possum. “They’re small pets,” she says, “so, they are labeled as pocket pets.”
The rescue currently has three sugar gliders in its care. “They sleep during the day and if you disturb them there is one who will start chirping,” Lungociu says, smiling. “She sounds like a car alarm. She doesn’t want anyone to disturb her beauty rest.”
But it’s after sundown when the fun really starts. “The sugar gliders will pop out and start exploring and running and jumping and going all over the place—not a pet you would want to keep in your bedroom at night,” Lungociu says.
Despite the late-night shenanigans, she would have it no other way.
“The most rewarding part is helping the animals,” she says. “For some, it’s getting them to a place where safety, food and proper care are available to them. For others, it’s connecting them with a family who loves and spoils them.”
There is Bowser, for example, a lucky bearded dragon who was discovered outside this past winter before coming to Jenn’s Uncommon Critters. “He was adopted in March and is now a happily spoiled dragon who spends his days guarding his family’s business and greeting customers,” says Lungociu.
Brian and Jenn Lungociu founded Jenn’s Uncommon Critters. Today, the rescue and interactive animal education program has more than 100 animals in its care.
It’s a way to share our love of critters with my passion as a teacher. “ ”
--Jenn Lungociu
TRENDING
stylin’
It was always on my radar to do a store. “ ”
—BreAnn Fields
FROM HORSE TRAILER TO A STORE
Showing cattle as a youth, BreAnn Fields was used to being on the road, so it wasn’t much of a stretch when five years ago she converted a former horse trailer into a rolling boutique of custom hats, shirts, jeans and western graphic T-shirts, including ones with messages about supporting local farming. “Everything I carry, I make sure I like,” Fields says.
The trailer, painted in an eye-appealing turquoise, was found on an internet marketplace just 20 minutes from her house, and always caused excitement when she pulled into a cattle show, rodeo or other similar events. As much as she enjoyed the travel aspect of her business, Fields, 29, recently diverged into opening a brick-and-mortar store at 104 W. Main St., Middletown, called The Turquoise Trailer Boutique.
Like the trailer, the store is unique, with a salute to the five generations of farming in the family. With a second career as a photographer, Fields appreciates the power of pictures and has covered the walls with old black-and-white photos, some from the 1800s. She also displays some of her show ribbons.
“I hand-pick the items” sold in the store, she says, relying on American-made products and also local vendors, such as one who makes goat milk soap and her cousin who creates jewelry. “Eventually I want to offer a few other things.” www.theturquoisetrailerboutique.com
MARYLAND
tell us
TRENDING
Laila Jadallah Frederick City Manager of Arts and Culture
Explain the duties of the manager of arts and culture.
My duties include developing and implementing the city’s public art program and its broader arts and culture strategy and programs, as well as managing the city’s art collection. This city administration has made it clear they are interested in being bold and expanding where public art and cultural programs in the city live.
I consider my role as a public servant and policymaker to be that of a facilitator, making space for all forms of arts and culture in Frederick to thrive. I’m looking forward to partnering with organizations, artists and residents to support existing—and implement new—public art and cultural programs of all forms that can invite civic engagement, reflection and serve constituents.
Are you an artist? What is your background?
I like to call myself a retired artist. Although I have had some wonderful opportunities to exhibit my photography, I realized early in my career that I preferred to work with and support artists rather than be one. I greatly admire the life of an artist and the time and dedication it takes to create any kind of work.
The arts, for me, have always been a place for the creation of community, understanding and education—my north star. I am a longtime arts administrator, from participating in citywide festivals and organizing international public art exchanges and multicultural programs to leading nonprofit arts and cultural organizations and curating and organizing exhibitions and installations.
I currently serve on the board of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, my alma mater.
What do you like about Frederick and what could be made better?
Frederick has many elements that make a great city—resourceful, shared, livable and open to change. It’s already full of great artists, arts and cultural spaces and groups. I have enjoyed getting to know them, and I still have many more to meet. I welcome the opportunity.
Frederick’s long history as an arts-friendly city, with existing public art and growth, are already indicators of the city’s great position to make itself a regional arts destination. The creation of my position is a testament to the city’s belief in the arts as a driver for economic development and overall wellbeing.
I always want to see increased support of the creative sector and ensuring artists and arts and cultural organizations can continue to work and thrive where they live. Incorporating public art into capital improvement projects is an example of where arts and culture can grow as the city grows.
Why are arts and culture important to residents?
In addition to being able to foster inclusive cities and economies, arts participation has been proven to reduce mental health issues and stress, increase longevity and foster civic engagement, social cohesion, belonging, racial equity and lifelong learning for people of all ages. Access to arts and culture enrich many aspects of how we live, work and engage with each other.
Kristina Foley
Being a grandparent is about a lot more than baking cookies and helping with birthday parties for Linda Diamond-Brudner.
She helps her daughter and son-in-law by taking care of two grandkids three days a week. She takes a 4-year-old back and forth to preschool and cares for an 18-month-old. “I go to their house,” she says. “It’s much easier. All their toys and clothes are there.”
There, Diamon-Bruner manages doctor and dentist appointments, meals, play time and nap time. It requires a high energy level, but she
By Kate Poindexter
says she wouldn’t trade it for any other occupation. “I get paid in hugs and kisses,” she says.
Forget about going over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house. She’s in the pick-up lane at school, getting ready to drive her grandchildren home. Or, she might have sent her grands off to school that morning after prepping a healthy breakfast and ensuring they were wearing the proper shoes for a field trip. Modern day grandparenting for a growing number of households is a little less grand and a little more parenting.
Photography by Turner Photography Studio
“As a grandma, I see a lot of my friends are caring for their grandchildren as daycare, or even raising their grandchildren. They are a lot more involved in caretaking and babysitting,” says Cindi Webb, who has been on the front lines of the changes as a mother, foster parent, grandparent and owner of the Learning Bee, a preschool and childcare center on River Run Road in Frederick. She also owns the Frederick Country Day Montessori & Arts School, and Music Together Frederick, an early childhood music program.
says Kristina Foley, a grandmother who along with her husband John have provided caregiving for six of their nine grandchildren. They provide daycare for three grandkids on a regular basis and help with pick-ups and after-school activities for three more. Her days are filled with getting kids on the school bus and taking them to parks and the public library where she meets other grandparents who are doing the same thing.
“I’ve met a lot of nice friends. At least 50 percent are grandparents,” she says.
Foley, like Diamond-Brudner, gushes about her grandchildren and clearly enjoys her ever-expanding role in raising the next generation.
Webb gets to what many see as the impetus of the need for the active grandparent: money.
“Things have definitely changed for working parents,” she says. “Everything is more expensive now.”
Economic challenges are a major factor in the grandparents’ expanding roles with grandchildren, according to Brad Petersen, director of the department of resources and service navigation at the Frederick County Division on Aging and Independence. “We have seen an increase in the number of grandparents who are providing greater caregiving for grandchildren, and we provide a range of supportive services for them.”
“A huge part of it is economic. The prices of homes, cars and even groceries require both parents to work,”
“The joy that these grandchildren bring every day and knowing we have an impact as to the wonderful little people they are becoming is such a blessing I wish all grandparents could experience,” she says. Knowing the names of their friends, teachers, coaches and relishing in their triumphs and problem solving with their ‘sad times’ are all cherished moments. My husband coached the little ones in two basketball teams and T-ball. He also is a huge part of their everyday life. They call him Pop-Pop and can’t wait to hug him and play catch daily. We are so blessed to have all of our nine grandkids in the area and are able to enjoy and help with all their sporting events and interests weekly. We couldn’t be luckier grandparents.”
Diamond-Bruner agrees: “I feel very close to my grandchildren. It’s just like motherhood. A hard job but the most rewarding. I’m having the life now with my grandchildren that I would have wanted with my children.”
Other Factors
For some families, it is not just the expense of daycare that creates a need for parenting assistance as they face serious social issues like addiction, housing and incarceration. “Substance use disorder is hitting our families hard. The whole family is affected. There is this day-to-day figuring out how to raise the children,” says Latoya
The Learning Tree
John Foley
Smothers, family services manager at the Head Start Program at the YMCA of Frederick County.
Smothers says traditional roles are changing and some grandparents feel it is unfair and uncomfortable: They want to be grandparents, they want their families to succeed and they want to contribute to the community. “It’s hard to do that when you don’t know how to meet basic needs,” she says.
Healthcare can be a challenge, too. She says every program’s eligibility is different and that presents challenges. The child may qualify for Medicaid, but the grandparent may not. Some grandparents may be dealing with their own disability or health problem.
Head Start provides services to help families who face these difficulties. A family advocate is assigned who assesses the needs of the child. The advocate works with the caregiver or guardian on goal development. The advocate walks them through the services.
Brandi, who asked not to give her last name, is a grandmother who has full custody of her 4-year-old grandson. They are currently experiencing homelessness and are living in a hotel in Frederick County. “This is the hardest I’ve ever had to live,” she says. Before her current situation, “A hotel was for vacations and now I’ve been living in one for two months.”
web of services that fill gaps so people don’t fall through. The web has to be larger. A very intricate and smooth spider web.”
The Division on Aging and Independence is part of the web. Among other programs, it provides services for overstretched grandparents who may need a break. The Grandparent/Relative Respite Care Grant provides temporary relief from day-to-day caregiving responsibilities. Grandparents can receive up to $600 in reimbursement funds for expense like summer camp,
Family advocates at Head Start are helping Brandi identify options and apply for housing programs that may land her and her grandson in a one-bedroom apartment in the coming months. Brandi has accessed food and clothing assistance and continues to work with Head Start to ensure that her young grandson’s developmental, educational and housing needs are met. “They have been wonderful,” she says.
Smothers says there are many who need assistance and “like Spider-Man, we have to figure out as a community a way to create that spider
daycare and babysitting. Petersen says other caregiver assistance programs are available on the division’s web site: frederickcountymd.gov/54/ Aging-and-Independence.
COVID Changes
The COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with children’s routines at school and home and caused challenges for childcare. Daycare centers developed stricter rules for children who had cold symptoms or slight fevers. “If they showed two symptoms they had to stay out,” says Rebekah
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. $-$$
120 Frederick Road, Suites B&C, Thurmont. 301-271-2858. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, sushi bar, Asian fusion, dine in, carryout, catering. $-$$
H 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. $-$$
Tempo di pasTa
244 E. Church St., Frederick. 240-780-8517. Gourmet Italian dishes. Handmade pasta. $$
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. $-$$
Charming restaurant/bistro offering full service breakfast, lunch and dinner. Uniqueness and variety with a touch of elegance. $-$$$
valley grill sPorts bar
Hollow Creek Golf Club, 50 Glenbrook Drive, Middletown. 301-371-0400
Contemporary American cuisine. $-$$
H wag’s 24 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-694-8451 Classic hamburgers and fries. $
white rabbit gastroPub
18 Market Space, Frederick. 240-651-1952 Craft beer house serving high-end beer and food. $-$$
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. $-$$
Bob Savitt
By Scott Grove
Photography by Turner Photography Studio
For more than half a century, Braddock Heights offered a summertime escape and vacation destination for residents throughout the region. Local author Bob Savitt discusses the founding of the community and its heyday as a resort.
Scott: What prompted the development of Braddock Heights? Railroads were well known for creating tourist destinations. Was this the case with the trolley and Braddock Heights?
Bob: The trolley line and Braddock Heights were independent developments which came to be closely associated. It was long evident to local businessmen and farmers that poor transportation connections hindered the exchange of goods and services between Frederick and the rural areas west of the city. Trolleys were a relatively inexpensive and effective means of bridging this gap. George W. Smith—a prominent Frederick businessman, farmer and founder of the Frederick and Middletown Railway Company—saw the trolley line also as a means of establishing a summertime community along the route at the peak of Catoctin Mountain. The mountaintop plateau afforded magnificent views of the Middletown and Monocacy valleys. His vision stimulated the construction of homes and amusements.
Scott: What were the locations of Braddock Heights’ trolley stations?
Bob: In its heyday, Braddock Heights had two trolley stations. One was at the site of the present-day Church of the Transfiguration on Maryland Avenue and the other was at the site of the Beachley Store.
Scott: Other than the view, what was the draw?
Bob: Summertime temperatures at Braddock Heights averaged about 10
degrees lower than in lower-lying cities like Frederick. Visitors could enjoy a respite from the heat of the city. In addition to a luxury hotel, Braddock Heights, during its heyday of the first half of the 20th century, offered an observation tower, large sliding pond, merry-go-round, skating rink, bowling alley, swimming pool, a repertory theater and more.
Scott: How did the community develop? Were there principal buildings and other structures that were first constructed?
Bob: The first structure was an observatory, built in 1894, which came to be a landmark of the community. Beginning in the late 1890s and early 1900s, people began buying lots and constructing large, multi-bedroom “cottages,” many with large dining rooms, lounge areas and restful porches, which were used primarily seasonally. Amusement attractions were continually added to the park.
Scott: What do you know about the Hotel Braddock?
Bob:The Hotel Braddock was erected in 1905 by Patrick Long, the manager of the popular City Hotel in Frederick. It originally had three floors and was situated to provide magnificent views of the Middletown and Monocacy valleys. An additional floor was added in 1925. The hotel boasted 70 well-appointed outside rooms and suites with modern plumbing, electric lights, sumptuous meals and commodious public spaces for lounging, talking, writing or simply relaxing. The porch was laid out on three sides, each affording panoramic views.
Scott: In 1909, the Casino opened with a skating rink and a bowling alley.
Bob:The roller rink was the top attraction in the Casino building and continued as such until its destruction
by fire in 1998. The park management installed steam heating to enable the Casino to remain open through the winter. Other park attractions through the years included a dance pavilion, theater, electric train, tennis courts, Ferris wheel, kiddie rides, an arcade and the universally popular long slide.
Scott: In 1929, the Hotel Braddock burned and was not rebuilt. Did this end Braddock’s viability as a vacation destination?
Bob:The damage to the hotel was devastating. However, there were still many cottages and boarding houses. Day-trippers continued to flock to the park by automobile or the convenient, inexpensive trolley. The popularity of the park seemed not to diminish.
Scott: In its heyday, how popular was Braddock Heights?
Bob: The park remained open and viable through the Great Depression and other economic ups and downs. With easy and inexpensive access via the trolley, most visitors came from the surrounding towns and cities. The park’s administrators were available and helpful to patrons.
Scott: Are there any remaining remnants of the resort community?
Bob: Many of the beautiful homes that served as cottages or boarding houses remain today and are privately owned. Visitors driving through the town can get an extraordinary sense of what the resort was like in its glory days. The trolley station in what was the old park serves today as a convenience store. With some local guidance, curious travelers can find the foundation of the observatory and some of the steps of the Hotel Braddock. A later version of the swimming pool is still used. The remnants of an unsuccessful ski venture can be found near the building which served as its lodge.
Scott: How has Braddock Heights evolved?
Bob: In the post-World War II years, traffic on the National Road leading to Braddock Heights and beyond was significantly reduced when the modern U.S. 40 was built several miles north of the town. The trolley closed in 1947 and Braddock Heights declined as a large amusement area. While the old Braddock lives on in local lore, the town has been
reinvented as a charming and vibrant residential community.
Bob Savitt lectures and writes on a variety of historical subjects. He holds a doctoral degree from Georgetown University, has served in the federal departments of Defense and State, and was a legislative director in the U.S. Senate. He has authored several books, including his latest, Camp David. 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.
WHILE THE OLD BRADDOCK LIVES ON IN LOCAL LORE, THE TOWN HAS BEEN REINVENTED AS A CHARMING AND VIBRANT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITY. “ ”
— Bob Savitt FM
Beyond the Battle
History Remains the Main Draw But Gettysburg Offers More
GETTYSBURG, Pa.—Just miles from the Mason-Dixon Line, it isn’t too difficult for the geographically challenged Frederick Countian to find himself in Gettysburg by mistake. It actually happened to me once during a hunt for covered bridges.
It was the Sachs Covered Bridge, to be specific, which is a lovely historic structure in southern Adams County, Pa. It was my wife who wanted to see the bridge, which, unbeknownst to me, was less than two miles from Gettysburg. After spending an entire 10 minutes seeing all we could see at the bridge, we drove around the beautiful countryside and soon found plenty of monuments, road markers and split-rail fences.
Now, there are two versions of this story. The one I tell is this was just a happy mistake and we simply stumbled into the battlefield. My wife’s version is this was my plan all along. The truth remains murky, but suffice it to say we spent a good part of the day in Gettysburg National Military Park’s beautiful Museum and Visitor Center. I guess it just worked out that way. For me, at least.
But there is more to Gettysburg than the battlefield, a lot more—even during a time of the year when you might assume the battle takes center stage.
“Gettysburg definitely comes alive in the summer,” says Mary Grace Kauffman, media relations manager for Destination Gettysburg, the tourism organization for the town and Adams County.
Acknowledging the battlefield is “the crown jewel that brings people here,” Kauffman points to other attractions and events that draw visitors, such as the Blueberry
Gettysburg is a fun visit throughout the year, but,“Gettysburg definitely comes alive in the summer.” says Mary Grace Kauffman, media relations manager for Destination Gettysburg, the tourism organization for the town and Adams County.
By Guy Fletcher
Festival on July 13, the Gettysburg National 19th Century Base Ball Festival July 20-21 and Gettysburg Bike Week July 11-14.
“You’ll see hundreds, if not thousands, of motorcyclists come through,” she says.
The town of Gettysburg boasts dining and shopping with a splash of history. A growing craft beverage scene seems to add a new establishment every year and there are even restaurants that offer period dining with Civil War-era dishes.
“I wish more people knew there was so much more to do beyond the battlefield,” Kauffman says.
For a complete list of events in Gettysburg and Adams County, visit destinationgettysburg.com.
Of course, Gettysburg National Military Park remains the biggest draw in the area. There will be no shortage of events this month—including tours, talks and hikes—related to the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place July 1-3, 1863.
Until Labor Day, the 100 Night of Taps program will occur every evening at 7 p.m. the National Cemetery, site of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. Listen as a bugler sounds the familiar 24-note call in honor of those who died during the battle. “It really is a solemn thing to experience,” Kauffman says.
The official 161st Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg Reenactment will take place July 6 and 7 at the nearby Daniel Lady Farm. The event will feature military demonstrations, a living history village and a full-scale battle reenactment. “This is where you are going to see massive groups of reenactors,” she says.
For a full listing of official battle anniversary events, dates, times and other information, visit the battlefield’s official website at www.nps.gov/gett. For information about the reenactment, go to www.danielladyfarm. com/events.
The town of Gettysburg boasts dining and shopping with a splash of history. A growing craft beverage scene seems to add a new establishment every year and there are even restaurants that offer period dining with Civil War-era dishes.
I wish more people knew there was so much more to do beyond the battlefield. “ ”
— Mary Grace Kauffman, Destination Gettysburg FM
postcards ON THE ROAD
ITALY
Barri and Mark Hoffrichter enjoy a private boat tour along the Amalfi Coast.
GREECE
A Hellenic tour for the newly engaged Derek O’Brien and Meghan Anderson includes a stop at the island of Mykonos.
NETHERLANDS
Suzanne Borgel visits Kinderdijk, home of the largest concentration of old windmills in the country and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
THE ROAD
you’re here ON
By Jake Wynn
Destination Downtown
Downtown Frederick stands out not just as the historical heart of Frederick County but as a vibrant hub for exceptional shopping. With the 50-block historic district and hundreds of independent, locally owned businesses, Downtown is increasingly recognized as a prime destination for discerning and curious shoppers. Let’s dive in and check out some of the places you should stop by on your next visit Downtown.
Clothing that captures the spirit: Fashion-forward shoppers will delight in the offerings at Velvet Lounge on Market Street, where contemporary styles meet edgy, urban vibes. Treaty General Store offers new perspectives on American-made clothing brands in their shop on East Patrick Street. For something fun and adventurous, Zebop adds a unique flair to the clothing scene with its vibrant, funky collection.
Home décor to adore: Décor enthusiasts will find their paradise at Relish Decor, known for its array of kitchen furnishings, tabletop houseware and eco-friendly products. Just a short stroll away on North Market Street, Crème de la Crème transports you to the European countryside with its selection of luxurious French linens and charming home accessories.
Specialty items for unique tastes: Edgeworks Knife & Supply provides a
fascinating diversion for those in search of specialty items. This shop offers an impressive range of high-quality knives and outdoor gear, making it a destination for both seasoned collectors and casual enthusiasts eager to explore.
Antiques and nostalgia: Antique lovers can wander the vast aisles of Emporium Antiques, where more than 130 dealers showcase a dizzying array of vintage books, art and furniture. This historic building is a wonder to explore—you’ll never know what you’ll walk home with.
Vintage vibes: A visit to Venus on the Half Shell will immerse you in a sea of vintage clothing and accessories, where each item tells a story of eras gone by. Not far from there, Vintage MC offers a treasure trove of mid-century modern furniture, perfect for adding a touch of vintage flair to any home. Handmade wonders: The artistry of Frederick shines at Chappelle & Co., where
beautifully sculpted soy wax candles offer both aesthetic and aromatic delight. A visit to the Little Pottery Shop reveals the magic of hand-thrown pottery, where local artists turn clay into stunning, functional art pieces that are perfect for gifts or personal use.
Specialty foods to savor: Gourmets and food lovers rejoice at the delectable offerings of Downtown. The Perfect Truffle serves up exquisite, handcrafted sweets, perfect for a luxurious treat. McCutcheon’s Apple Products, a local staple since 1938, offers a delightful range of specialty foods from cider to jams to sauces and dressings, capturing the essence of Frederick County agriculture. This dynamic blend of old and new, of history and modernity, makes Downtown a compelling shopping destination. But that’s just where the journey begins. All across Frederick County, you’ll find locally owned businesses and shops that are perfect to explore and give you the good feeling of shopping local and supporting business owners who live in our communities.
Interested in learning more? Head to visitfrederick.org to explore all the best shopping that Frederick County has to offer. Want specific info on Downtown Frederick shops and businesses? Check out everything going on through the Downtown Frederick Partnership at downtownfrederick.org.
Jake Wynn is the senior 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
SUNDAYS IN JULY
Summer Concert Series
Baker Park Bandshell, 121 N. Bentz St. Enjoy free musical entertainment in Baker Park. Canned food donations will be collected each evening to benefit the Frederick Food Bank. This month’s lineup includes: Elikeh on July 7, Ahzay on July 14, Dupont Brass on July 21 and Sagamore Band on July 28. See website for weekly food truck schedule. 7 p.m.–8:30 p.m. 301-600-2489. www. celebratefrederick.com
MONDAY
Carillon Recital Sundays in July and July 4
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. Sundays, 12:30 p.m.–1 p.m.; July 4, 9:15 p.m.–9:30 p.m., following the fireworks display. www.visit frederick.org
TUESDAY WEDNESDAY
FAC After Hours: Meditative Dance Movement Mondays in July
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. 301-662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil.org
Yoga on the Creek Thursdays in July Carroll Creek Amphitheatre. Start your day with free Yoga on the Creek led by Sol Yoga. Any level of practice is welcome. 7 a.m.−8 a.m. $. 301-698-8118. www. downtownfrederick.org
Alive @ Five Thursdays in July Carroll Creek Amphitheatre located between Market and Carroll Sts. The 2024 season of Alive @ Five continues, featuring live music, beer, wine and food every Thursday through Oct. 3. This month, catch Max Muscato on July 11, Ryan Watkins Group on July 18 and Oversoon on July 25. Must be 21 or older. 5 p.m.−8 p.m. $. 301-6988118. www.downtownfrederick.org
THROUGH JULY 27
2nd Annual African Americans of Excellence Exhibition FAC Gallery, 1 N. Market St. This traveling, multi-media exhibit showcases the contributions of African Americans in Frederick County—legacy leaders who have courageously, humbly and significantly contributed to positive, transformative work over multiple decades to create and provide a beautiful community and brighter future for all. www.frederickartscouncil.org
THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Historic District Ghost Tours
Fridays and Saturdays in July Downtown Frederick. In the Historic District Ghost Tour, participants take a journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past, with nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge and documented stories of the paranormal. Tours meet in front of Brewer’s Ally Restaurant, 124 N. Market St. Private tours also available. 8 p.m. Reservations required. $. www.marylandghosttours.com
Yoga with Yogamour
Saturdays in July Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. An all-levels yoga class with experienced instruc tors from Yogamour, a Frederick-based studio and nonprofit. $. 9 a.m.–10 a.m. 301-662-4190. www.skystagefrederick.com
Civil War Walking Tours
Saturdays and Sundays in July
National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. Expert guides take participants on a tour of Civil War history in Downtown Frederick. After the Battle of Antietam, Frederick became one vast hospital when caring for the causalities. This guided walking tour explores the locations of the city’s Civil War hospitals in churches, schools and public buildings. Saturdays at 10:30 a.m.; Sundays at 2 p.m. $. 301-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum Tour
Saturdays and Sundays in July
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Ave. Tour the home of a pioneer family and learn about the town’s German heritage and the German way of building a house. 2 p.m.–5 p.m. 301-663-3885. www.fredericklandmarks.org
National Juried Exhibition Through July 7
The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. The Delaplaine’s annual juried show featuring works in a variety of media by artists from around the region and the nation. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org
Frederick Shakespeare Festival: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Through July 13
Hodson Outdoor Theatre, Hood College. Endangered Species (theatre) Project presents its 6th annual Frederick Shakespeare Festival, featuring four shows in four venues. The festival opens with A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a captivating and enchanting William Shakespeare’s beloved comedy, with a magical twist designed to delight audiences of all ages. See website for show times. www. esptheatre. org
Creative Sparks Through July 28
Gallery 322, 322 N. Market St.
An exploration of the artistic process, from inspiration to creation, this exhibit showcases a diverse range of artworks, each a statement to the power of the creative spark. Fridays, 4 p.m.–7 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, Noon–5 p.m. www.gallery322.com
Tootsie: The Comedy Musical Through Aug. 24
The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive. The award-winning musical based on the 1982 comedic film in which Michael Dorsey is a skilled actor with a talent for not keeping a job. Desperate and out of work, he makes a last-ditch effort at making his dreams come true by disguising himself as actress Dorothy Michaels. See website for show times. $. 301-662-6600. www.wayoffbroadway.com
Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company Carnival July 1–6
Walkersville Volunteer Fire Department, 79 W. Frederick St. Walkersville. Enjoy rides, games, live music and entertainment, shows, fare and more at this annual event to support the Walkersville Volunteer Fire Company. 6 p.m.–10 p.m. www.walkersvillefire.com
Historic Homes Tour
July 1–31
St. Joseph’s School, 339 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Discover the life and legacy of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton on a tour of the two historic homes and grounds where Elizabeth Ann lived and worked. Tours offered daily. See website for tour times. https://setonshrine.org/event
Frederick Keys Baseball
July 2, 3, 9–13, 26–31
Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive. The Frederick Keys host Trenton Thunder, West Virginia Black Bears, Mahoning Valley Scrappers and State College Spikes. A full schedule with promotional events, fireworks dates, celebrity appearances and other happenings is available at www.mlbdraftleague.com/frederick. $. 301-662-0013.
Outdoor Summer Movies
July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Carroll Community College, Rotary Amphitheater, 1601 Washington Road, Westminster. The Carroll County Arts Council presents free outdoor family movies under the stars on Tuesday nights through August. See Mavka: The Forest Song on July 2; Up on July 9; Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem on July 16; Anastasia on July 23; and Holes on July 30. 8:30 p.m. 410-848-7272. www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy live music performed by Bugsy, Scarlet Demore and Sir Lando on July 2; Silent Old Mountains and Ken Demith Collection on July 6; Sons of Pitches and Stable Shakers on July 13; and DaJohn, Asa Weeks, Elyvn, Demetrius and Roiyalty on July 27. All ages welcome. 7 p.m. Spirits available for purchase for guests over 21 with valid ID. $. www. skystagefrederick.com
Salute to Independence July 3 Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. The Maryland Symphony Orchestra presents this free annual concert to celebrate America’s independence. The evening event typically draws a large audience and is capped off by a fireworks display. 8 p.m. www.marylandsymphony.org
Sky Stage Swing Dance
July 3
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy an evening of swing dancing under the stars. Rotating hosts may start with a brief lesson at 7 p.m., followed by social dancing. 7 p.m.–10 p.m. 301-6624190. www.sky stagefrederick.com
Independence Day at Schifferstadt
Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, 1110 Rosemont Ave. Step back in time to the era that spawned the war for independence. See the 1758 home of Elias Brunner, a pioneer settler who helped track violations of the trade embargo with Britain and whose descendants fought in Washington’s army. Colonial era games for all ages, food and drink will be offered. 301-663-3885. www. fredericklandmarks.org
Frederick’s 4th—An Independence Day Celebration
July 4
Baker Park, 121 N. Bentz St. This annual event features two stages of entertainment, family-friendly rides, inflatables, community corn hole, activities and fireworks for the entire family. Enjoy food from more than 20 vendors, local craft and national beer, wine and cocktails, children’s activities and more. Pick a seat early because the park fills up quickly for the fireworks show at dusk. Noon−Dusk. 301-600-2844. www.celebratefrederick.com
General Grief Support Group
July 4, 11, 18, 25 Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way. A drop-in group designed to provide support to individuals who have experienced the death of a loved one. Participants can share their stories and express their grief as they work towards healing. July 4 and 18, 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m.; July 11 and 25, 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. 240-566-3030. www.frederickhealthhospice.org
Teddy Bear Picnic July 3, 17, 31
Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Bring your Teddy Bear and your lunch to meet Goldilocks on the train and enjoy a teddy bear-themed story in the park. Train departs at 11:30 a.m. and returns by 2 p.m. $. Reservations recommended. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org
Fourth at the Furnace July 4–6
Catoctin Furnace Historical Society, 12610 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont. Celebrate July 4th with blacksmithing, children’s activities, tours of the Museum of the Ironworker and Collier’s Log House, Isabella Furnace ruins and casting shed, and the African American Cemetery Interpretive Trail. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 240-288-7396. www.catoctinfurnace.org/events
Star Spangled Fireworks Special
July 5
Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Board the train for a ride and spectacular frontrow view of the fireworks, then take the short ride back to the station. Bring a flashlight and a blanket to sit on. Train departs at 8 p.m. Reservations required. Rain date July 6. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org
Movie Knight July 5
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. 301662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil. org
Improv on the Sky Stage
July 5
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Highwire Improv hosts spontaneous comedy, featuring a variety of performers and troupes. 7 p.m. 301-662-4190. www. skystagefrederick.com
160th Commemoration of the Battle of Monocacy
July 5–7
Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike. A weekend of special programs, including talks, tours, hikes and demonstrations to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the “Battle that Saved Washington.” See website for program events, locations and times. 9 a.m.–5 p.m. 301-662-3515. www.nps. gov/mono
Torque & Flow
July 5–28
NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St. An exhibition of works presenting distinct, energized views of the physical world by metalsmith Linda Van Hart and oil painter Pat Brodowski. An opening reception is scheduled for July 6 from 5 p.m.–8 p.m. and an artists’ talk is scheduled for July 28 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. 240-367-9770. www. nomagalleryfrederick.com 5
The Foreigner July 5–7
New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St. An uproarious comedy about four hopeless misfits who find happiness in their unexpected friendship. Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 2 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www. weinbergcenter.org
Creative Outlet
July 6
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, use a fun watercolor technique to create “shadows” of natural materials. No large groups. $2. 3 p.m.−5 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org
First Saturday: Love Local
July 6
Downtown Frederick. Support local businesses by shopping with an independent retailer, eating at a local restaurant, supporting local artists and exploring Downtown Frederick. Every First Saturday features streets filled with live music and entertainment and unique events at Downtown businesses! Many shops, galleries and restaurants will be open until 9 p.m. or later. 301-698-8118. www. downtownfrederick.org
A World of Whimsy
July 6–21
Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thur mont. An exhibition of colorful watercolor paintings of historic buildings that are ani mated with details for hu man interest. Open weekends 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 301-466-2413. www. linksbridgevineyards.com/pictures
Gibson Glassworks & Monocacy Forge
July 6–28
Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St. An exhibition of works by featured artists from Gibson Glassworks and Monocacy Forge. A First Saturday opening is scheduled for July 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m.–5 p.m. www.eastsideartistsgallery.com
Joh Ricci
July 6–Sept. 1
The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. An exhibition of works in fiber and paint by Joh Ricci titled, “Eclectic Expressions.” This exhibition brings together Ricci’s passion for fiber art, an exploration in painting, and the combination of both mediums. Colors, shapes, textures and subject matter allow endless possibilities to create her original artwork. An artist talk is scheduled for July 6 at 2 p.m., followed by an exhibit opening and meet the artist event from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 301-698-0656. www. delaplaine.org
Chris Eliff July 6–31
TAG The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St. An exhibition of works by photographer Chris Eliff. An opening reception is scheduled for July 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Noon –8 p.m.; Sunday, Noon–4 p.m. 301-228-9860. www.theartistsgalleryfrederick. com
Mary Scire
July 6–Sept. 1
The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. An exhibition of paintings by Mary Scire titled, “The Lost Threads.” Lost writing systems, or scripts, from antiquity provide the jumping-off point for each of these abstract paintings. Unique forms, although simple in nature, come together to create complex paintings reflecting the collective diversity of these lost scripts. An exhibit opening and meet the artist event is scheduled for July 6 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 301-698-0656. www. delaplaine.org
Downtown Frederick Artwalk
July 7
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 for sale by Jaz Parks/Jaz Ceramics. Noon–4 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org
Mount Olivet Cemetery History & Mystery Tour July 7, 21
Mount Olivet Cemetery, 515 S. Market St. Guests discover Frederick’s history as they navigate through the labyrinth of graves, crypts and monuments of one of Maryland’s largest cemeteries. Tours meet inside the main gate. Reservations required. Private tours also available. 7 p.m. $. www.marylandghosttours.com
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FAC After Hours: Bijou Film
Screening July 9, 16, 23 Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. A weekly film screening featuring films that fall under a general theme in order to cultivate discussion about film as a mode of artistic expression. Presented by Falling Squares. 7 p.m. 301-662-4190.
Literature Night July 9
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Slant Light hosts this installment of Literature Night, followed by open mic readings. Free to enter and/or attend. 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com
Summer Concerts on the Promenade July 10 Westview Promenade, Buckeystown Pike. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy free summer concerts at Westview on the third Wednesday of each month through October. This month, Sagamore Band performs. 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. www. shopwestview.com
Super Hero Picnic
July 10, 24
Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Dress as your favorite super hero, bring your lunch and enjoy a super hero-themed story in the park. Train departs at 11:30 a.m. and returns by 2 p.m. $. Reservations recommended. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org
Summerfest Family Theatre
July 11, 18, 25
Baker Park Bandshell, 121 N. Bentz St. Enjoy free children’s entertainment featuring local, regional and national performers showcasing theatre, music, dance, magic and more. Canned food donations will be collected at each event to benefit the Frederick Food Bank. This month’s event features The Pendenny Studio on July 11, Uncle Devin and Friends, featuring Ms. Niki on July 18 and Rainbow Rock Band on July 25. 10 a.m. 301-600-2844. www.celebratefrederick.com
F.A.M.E. Open Mic Night
July 12
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise hosts a free open mic night in a welcoming environment for patrons to collaborate, build skills and get to know other local artists. Free to enter. 7 p.m.–9 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com
National Clustered Spires High Wheel Race and Lawn Party
July 13
Downtown Frederick. Watch high-wheel bicycle riders from across the country race around a .4 mile loop in Downtown Frederick to see who can accumulate the most laps in this race that is the only of its kind in the United States. This year, bring your chair and blanket to the Lawn Party in front of City Hall, featuring craft beverages, food trucks, fami ly-friendly fun, music and more. Lawn Party begins at 11 a.m. and race starts at noon. www.highwheelrace.com
Wild West Express July 13 Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Jesse James and his gang are on the loose. Expect an Old West raid on the train and be aware that there will be the sound of gunfire. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org
Terry Fator on the Road Again
July 12
Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. A winner of America’s Got Talent, Terry Fator leads her audience on a whimsical journey of laughter, music and extraordinary ventriloquism. 7:30 p.m. 301-6002870. www.weinbergcenter.org
EVENTS
Sunday Picnic Train
July 14
Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Enjoy a relaxing two-hour train ride. Bring your own picnic to enjoy at the local community park. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org
ESSL Special Events
July 16–18, 23–25, 30–Aug. 1
Earth and Space Science Laboratory, 210 Madison St. Explore the Earth and Space Science Laboratory and enjoy a show in the planetarium at these special summer events. Purchase tickets for specific shows online in advance. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $. 240-236-2694. https://edu.fcps.org/essl
FAC After Hours: Improv Jam with Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band
July 17
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
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Salsa Night with Silvia
July 17
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Dance to Latin beats at this popular monthly event that begins with a brief salsa lesson by Silvia of Frederick Salsa. All ages welcome. Spirits available for purchase for guests over 21 with a valid ID. 7 p.m.–10 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com
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Weinberg Center for the Arts Backstage Tour
July 20
Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Experience the backstage magic at this free tour that is open to the general public. Noon. 301-600-2870. www. weinbergcenter.org
Art at Night: Artist Michael Hunter Thompson
July 18
The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Photographer Michael Hunter Thompson discusses his recent Fade to Blue project, a nostalgic, immersive installation of Allegany High School artifacts, memorabilia, mementos and parts of the now-demolished 1925 building, accompanied by more than 40 staged interior and exterior photographs Thompson took of generations of alumni and staff. 7 p.m. 301-6980656. www.delaplaine.org
Over 70 Show
July 20–Sept. 1
The Delaplaine Arts Cen ter, 40 S. Carroll St.
A signature of the Delaplaine’s Cre ative Aging Month, this annual exhi bition celebrates local artists over age 70 and showcases a range of styles, techniques and interests. An exhibition opening and meet the artists event is scheduled for July 20 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org
Summer Reggae Wine + Music Festival
July 20, 21
Linganore Winecellars, 13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy. An annual festival featuring wine, music, food, arts and live entertainment. 10 a.m. $. www. facebook.com/linganorewinecellars
Drum Circle with Aya Cultural Arts
Studio July 26
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Drum circle facilitator Ayanna Gallant guides participants in a rhythmic journey playing rhythms together, inviting various instruments from around the world, songs, movement and more. 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com
Comedy Under the Stars
July 26
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy an evening of standup and improv comedy under the stars. Spirits available for purchase for guests over 21 with a valid ID. 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. $. www.skystagefrederick.com
Ice Princess Express July 27
Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Ride the train with your favorite ice princesses and enjoy a magical platform performance followed by a scenic excursion and photo opportunities. Reservations required. 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $. 301-8980899. www.wsrr.org
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CandyFest July 26, 27
Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. Step into a summertime extravaganza at CandyFest! Design your own delectable candy crafts, compete in an oversized Maryland-themed board game, challenge a friend to a candy-style lawn game, embark on a candy scavenger hunt and more. Purchase tickets in advance. $. 301-694-4744. www. marylandensemble.org
Jefferson Ruritan Carnival July 22–27
Jefferson Ruritan Center, Jefferson. A fun week featuring rides, live entertainment, food service, bingo, outdoor games, vendors and more. 6 p.m.–10 p.m. www.jeffersonruritan.org/carnival
AARCH Society African American History Walking Tour
July 27
African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society Heritage Center, 125 E. All Saints St. AARCH tour guides take participants on an informative exploration of local history on All Saints Street and the surrounding area in this 60-90 minute walking tour. Learn about the cultural and historical importance of the neighborhood that was the center of the African American community up until the early 1960s. 11 a.m. http://aarchsociety.org/walking-tours
Glen Ellen Open House
Aug. 3
Glen Ellen Farm, 4940 Mussetter Road, Ijamsville, an outdoor wedding and events venue nestled on 30 scenic acres, is hosting an open house from 10 a.m.1 p.m. to celebrate next year’s 10th anniversary. Some of the vendors will include Dan McGuire Band, Sarah Rosier (Sleeping Bee Designs), TLIC Video, Posh Bridal, Hiddenvale Florals, Select Rentals, Sage Bakery and Celebrations Catering. www.glenellenfarm.com
Sherlock Sunday July 28
Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. The Endangered Species Theatre Project presents a live radio play mystery starring Sherlock Holmes. 7 p.m.–8 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com FM
Battle to Save Monocacy
By Jody Brumage / Archivist, Heritage Frederick
Efforts to preserve and memorialize America’s Civil War battlefields began before the conflict ended. Many individual regiments placed monuments on battle sites throughout the latter quarter of the 19th century. As the first major military parks were created in the 1890s, Frederick citizens looked to its own battlefield and its lack of monuments or official recognition. When a group of veterans visited the region during the 30th anniversary of the Maryland Campaign in 1892, a reporter for The News commented: “The Monocacy field has been overlooked … veterans of Maryland should see that the odium of neglect in this regard shall no longer rest upon them.”
The first monument erected on the battlefield, seen in this photograph, was dedicated on July 9, 1907, to commemorate the 14th
New Jersey Regiment. The monument stands between the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad mainline and the Monocacy River, with the Best
Much of the Monocacy Battlefield, which today covers 1,647 acres, remained in private hands for more than 100 years after the Civil War.
Farm in its background. Three other monuments were erected within the next decade: Pennsylvania (1908), Vermont (1915) and a marker placed by the United Daughters of the Confederacy (1914). A monument to Maryland troops was dedicated on the centennial anniversary in 1964.
The preservation of the Monocacy Battlefield extended beyond monuments. One of the earliest voices for federal protection of the site was Glenn Howard Worthington, who as a child, witnessed the battle as it raged around his parent’s farmhouse. His vivid memories later informed years of research and the publication of the first historical account of the battle in 1932, having recently retired as a Circuit Court judge. Two years later, Worthington’s petition to the U.S. Congress resulted in an act to establish Monocacy National Battlefield, though the site’s development languished for half a century due to lack of funding. FM
