Frederick Magazine - September 2023

FREDERICK :: SEPTEMBER 2023 :: ISSUE 459

®

BLUEGRASS JAMS :: SMALL BUSINESS LESSONS :: MEMORIAL HALL

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magazine

Issue 459

Publishers Shawn Dewees Joseph Silovich Editor-in-Chief Guy Fletcher Assistant Editor Nancy Luse Graphic Designers Ian Sager Alexandra Werder Contributing Writers Jody Brumage Karen Gardner Scott Grove Jeni Lubbert

Colin McGuire Amy L. Metzger Hunt J.D. Willoughby Jake Wynn

Contributing Photographers Michael DeMattia Turner Photography Studio Advertising Account Executives Terri Davis • tdavis@fredmag.com Shawn Dewees • sdewees@fredmag.com Stephanie Dewees • stephdewees@fredmag.com Debra Tyson • dtyson@fredmag.com Distributor Josh Ensor • alloutdist@fredmag.com ALYSSA | HAGERSTOWN

Subscriptions Stephanie Dewees • subscriptions@fredmag.com Events Calendar and Proofreader Niki DeSanto • events@fredmag.com

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

www.fredmag.com

Letters to the editor: editor@fredmag.com

LET’S GET ONEYOURTHING STRAIGHT. TEETH. toothmanorthodontics.com Hagerstown 301.791.1770 Frederick 301.662.3366

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Frederick Magazine, Volume XXXVIII, Number 9 is a monthly publication of Diversions Publications, Inc., 6 N. East Street, Suite 301, Frederick, MD 21701-5601 (ISSN 006-923). Periodicals postage paid at Frederick, MD 21701 and at additional mailing offices. Subscriptions, $24.95 per year, which includes the Frederick City/County Guide, Homegrown, and all other annual guides (available through the business office). Back issues w/in the last 12 mos./$3.95. Prior to 12 mos. ago/$7.00. POST­MASTER: Send address changes to Frederick Magazine, 6 N. East Street, Suite 301, Frederick, MD 21701-5601. Customer inquiries to same address or call 301-662-8171. Distributed through mail subscriptions, home delivery, and sold at newsstands and other locations in Frederick, Upper Montgomery counties, and throughout the Central Maryland region. Advertising rates available on request. Manuscripts, drawings, and other submissions must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

Frederick Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submissions, including letters and e-mail, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and as subject to Frederick Magazine’s unrestricted right to edit and to comment editorially, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. © DIVERSIONS PUBLICATIONS, INC. 2023. Frederick Magazine, Best of FrederickTM, and People to WatchTM, are owned exclusively by Diversions Publications, Inc. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior approval of the publisher.

Printed on Recycled Frederick is a registered trademark of Paper Diversions Publications, Inc.

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9640 Liberty Rd. Frederick, MD

700 E. Diamond Ave. Gaithersburg, MD

1115 Baltimore Blvd.

Westminster, MD

3828 Washington Blvd.

Baltimore, MD

866-RIPPEON • www.rippeonequipment.com

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Contents

SEPTEMBER ✶ VOL. XXXVIII, NO. 9

FEATURES

50 Mountain Music

Walk along Carroll Creek Park on any Wednesday evening and you might be serenaded by the strains of banjos and guitars seeping out of the doors at Union Mills Public House. Step inside and you will get the full show—a lively bluegrass jam of local musicians recreating their favorite tunes rooted in Appalachia.

BY COLIN McGUIRE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

58 Starting Out

Many people dream of being their own boss, but do they know what that really means? Entrepreneurship can be fraught with many hurdles, some unseen, requiring the novice business owner to be flexible and willing to put in many hours. What does it take to start a business?

BY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE PHOTOGRAPHY BY TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

About the Cover

DEPARTMENTS 15

Bluegrass jammin’ in Downtown Frederick.

See page 50.

facebook.com/FrederickMagazine

80

68 11 Editor’s Note

40 September Events

15 Timepiece

66 Talking History

16 Up Above

Jack Topchik

18 Insider 38 Then & Now

68 Diversions Fairgrounds Sycamores

74 Crave Dining Guide

96 80 Lifetyles Middletown Memorial Hall

93 Tech Talk Back to School Tips

95 Backyard Tourist Catholic Roots

96 Look Back

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Election Season

U

UPON LOOKING AT THE HEADLINE ABOVE, YOU MIGHT

editor’s note

BE ASKING, “WAIT, ARE WE NOT BLISSFULLY FREE of political campaigns this year?” Well, yes … and no. Because while there are no races for elected office this fall, it is the annual season of readers voting for Frederick Magazine’s “Best of Frederick,” among other “best of ” contests that have proliferated in the community in recent years.

I’d like to say to those confused by all the contests that we are the original, local and frankly only “Best of Frederick.” The name of the contest speaks for itself. But that doesn’t stop anyone from creating a “Best of Frederick County” or “Best of Fredericktown” or whatever.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, I suppose.

Adding to the confusion are the entities that solicit local companies to pay for “Best of Frederick” awards, sometimes charging hundreds of dollars for a framed paper certificate. Please understand that Frederick Magazine never charges for winners’ awards. Anyone who asks you to pay for a plaque or certificate is not affiliated with the magazine.

Now, back to the real “Best of Frederick.” Each year, we adjust and tweak our readers’ poll—adding and renaming some categories, removing others.

These changes are based on reader feedback and other comments, which roll in almost as soon as voting starts. In most cases, people express concern there is no category appropriate for their business and ask that we create a new one. We consider all requests and, if we believe they are appropriate, include them in the following year’s ballot.

This year is no different, with various changes throughout the “Best of Frederick” ballot, perhaps the largest number we have made in the 15 years I have been editor.

New categories this year: Accountant; Diner; Insurance Agent and Insurance Agency; Travel Agent and Travel Agency; Podcast; Dispensary; and Nonprofit. Renamed categories: Carpentry/ Home Improvement is now Home Improvement; Charitable/Social Event is Charitable Event; Hamburger is Burger; Local Beer is Brewery; Local Wine is Winery; Reception Venue is Wedding Venue; Real Estate Agent/ Realtor is now two categories, Real Estate Agent and Real Estate Agency; and Doctor is also two categories, General Practitoner and Specialty Medical Practice. Categories being eliminated due to low voter turnout in recent years include High School Marching Band, Hiking Trail, Neighborhood, Singles Bar, Men’s Fashion, Swimming Pool and Women’s Shoes.

Whatever your thoughts, I hope you do vote in the “Best of Frederick” poll. Voting starts Sept. 9 at www.fredmag.com.

Have a safe and happy September. FM

GUY FLETCHER V EDITOR-IN-CHIEF gfletcher@fredmag.com

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“I’ve been doing some research on my own for our Estate Planning, and the topic of using a Trust came up. Can you explain what they are and how they work?” L.B. – Ijamsville, MD the most basic terms, a trust is A: Ina legal arrangement in which as-

sets are held for the benefit of someone else (the beneficiary). First, it’s important to understand the basics to help you figure out whether a trust is right for your planning needs; your financial advisors can help guide you in the right direction.

WHY CREATE A TRUST? Estate Planning Trusts can provide control and flexibility over the distribution of assets, minimize estate taxes, and preserve assets for your children until they are grown (in case you should die while they are still minors). Trusts can also help avoid the expense and delay of probate, as they allow for the seamless transfer of assets to beneficiaries without the need for court involvement.

Asset Protection Certain trusts can shield assets from potential creditors or legal claims.

Placing assets in an irrevocable trust effectively removes them from your personal ownership, which makes them less vulnerable to financial liabilities or potential lawsuits.

Tax Benefits Creating a trust can shift part of your income tax burden to beneficiaries in lower tax brackets. Also, if certain conditions are met, assets placed in an irrevocable trust may be protected from estate tax after your death.

Protection in Case of Illness or Disability Living trusts can be used to help you protect and manage your assets if you

can no longer handle your own affairs.

Your trustee has a duty to administer the trust according to its terms and must always act with your best interests in mind. Without a trust, a court could appoint a guardian to manage your property.

Charitable Giving Charitable trusts allow you to support causes you care about while potentially enjoying tax benefits. These trusts can provide income for you or your beneficiaries during your lifetime, with the remaining assets designated for charitable organizations after your death.

What Are the Drawbacks of a Trust?

• A trust can be expensive to set up and maintain—trustee fees, professional fees, and filing fees may need to be paid.

• Depending on the type of trust you choose, you may give up some control over the assets in the trust.

• Maintaining the trust and complying with recording and notice requirements can take up considerable time.

• Income generated by trust assets and not distributed to trust beneficiaries may be taxed at a higher income tax rate than your individual rate.

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRUSTS? Living (Revocable) Trust You create a living trust during your lifetime to maintain control over property such as your house, a boat, or investments. Assets that pass through a living trust are not subject to probate—they don’t get treated like the property in your will. Instead, the trust-

ee will transfer the assets to the beneficiaries according to your instructions.

The transfer can be immediate, or if you want to delay the transfer, you can opt for the trustee to hold the assets until a specific time, like when the beneficiary reaches a certain age. Living trusts are appealing because they are revocable. You maintain control—you can change the trust or even dissolve it for as long as you live.

Irrevocable Trust Unlike a living trust, an irrevocable trust typically can’t be changed or dissolved once it has been created. You generally can’t remove assets, change beneficiaries, or rewrite any of the terms of the trust. When you transfer assets into the trust (these must be assets you don’t mind losing control over), you may have to pay gift taxes on the value of the property transferred at the time of transfer. All of the property in the trust is out of your taxable estate (and avoids probate), so your estate tax liability may be less.

Testamentary Trust A testamentary trust allows you to specify how your assets should be distributed and managed for your beneficiaries. It is created through a will and only takes effect upon the trustor’s death. From that point on, these work very much like other trusts. The terms of the trust document control how the assets are managed and distributed to your heirs. Since you have a say in how the terms are written, these types of trusts give you a certain amount of control over how the assets are used, even after your death.

To submit questions for future articles

Email to scott@mccaskill-financial.com or Call our office at 301.668.7366 Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®.

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Before Barbie

A

BY AMY L. METZGER HUNT

✶

CURATOR, HERITAGE FREDERICK

timepiece

A RECENT DONATION OF ITEMS FROM THE MYERS FAMILY INCLUDED CHILDREN’S CLOTHING WORN BY Edward, Lew

and Margaret Myers, as well as this delightful doll, which was the childhood treasure of their mother, Julia Susannah Roelkey Myers. The donation was made by granddaughter Barbara Flanagan.

Julia Roelkey was born in Frederick in August 1895. Her parents, Elroy and Jenny Zimmerman Roelkey, had a home at 236 N. Market St., where they raised three children. But the doll that grew up with Julia came from far away in Germany.

The J.D. Kestner Doll Company made these special toys. In Julia’s case, a doll with a bisque head and composition body featuring wooden ball-jointed limbs. The company, started in 1805 by Johann Daniel Kestner, was located in Waltershausen, Thuringia, and employed almost 75 percent of the area residents, who called the owner “King Kestner.”

Kestner’s original inventory included toys and high-quality papier-mâché dolls, but he added porcelain and bisque to production by 1845. Toy and doll factories were a booming industry in Germany by 1850, but unlike many, Kestner produced complete figures—head, body, hair and clothing—while most other companies produced one component to be sold wholesale and assembled into a finished product by another company.

This doll dates between 1897, when the company patented and started putting model numbers on their bisque doll heads, and 1900. A principal feature is its “Dolly Face,” a style popular at the time, with rounded cheeks, sleeping blue-glass eyes and an open mouth showing four porcelain teeth. FM

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F

FREIGHT AND TANKER TRAIN CARS AWAIT

up above

THEIR locomotive connections at the CSX railyard in Brunswick.

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Experience F R E D E R I C K ’ S E A S TS I D E S H O P P I N G & D I N I N G A DV E N T U R E

SHOPS

BEAUTY & FITNESS Barre East Fitness Studio Smooch! Studio GALLERIES / HOME DESIGN Eastside Artists’ Gallery Primitive Homespuns Pure Home Collection Take Root GIFT SHOPS The Frederick Basket Company The Lerner Collection The Little Pottery Shop

Bella’s Closet

Unique baby and children’s clothing & shoes including Designs by Brandy 116 N East Street – bellascloset.shop

Free Concerts

Sunday Brunch Concert Series SHAB ROW STAGE Behind Frederick Coffee Co. & Café

September 3-24 • 11am-1pm

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES Bella’s Closet Footlights Ivy’s Haven A Perfect Fit Bra Boutique Talbots & Talbots Petites Teresa’s Treasures CRAFTS & SUPPLIES Charlotte’s Cottage Quilt Shop Frederick Clay Studio I Made This!

Primitive Homespuns Wool & Needleworks SALONS & SPAS Daisy’s Salon Unique Studio Hair Salon FOOD & DRINK Frederick Coffee Co. & Café Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream Sanctuary: Modern Kitchen Shab Row Tea Emporium SERVICES Amada Senior Care The Cook’s Kitchen The Cutting Board Sir Speedy Printing Stadtkind Photography Steve Hissey Guitar Studio Wolfe’s Antique Furniture Restoration

PLENTY OF FREE PARKING

Charlotte’s Cottage Quilt Shop

Quality fabrics & notions for quilters & sewists.

120 N East Street – charlottescottagequiltshop.com

Located at the Intersection of East Church Street & East Street in Downtown Frederick

301-662-4140

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“I practically grew up working in the factory” —Meghan Custer, president of McCutcheon’s Apple Products

frederick magazine

Insider Local business, events, the arts, style, travel and more

Sweet Smell of Apples and Success

ITS HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TOOK PLACE

IN 1938 WHEN, AT THE AGE OF 80, WILLIAM O. McCUTCHEON, newly retired from a Frederick canning company,

invested $25 in a cider press and started a business with his son and daughterin-law. Today, McCutcheon’s Apple Products remains a steadfast presence in the community and beyond, this year celebrating its 85th anniversary.

Using that initial cider press, the McCutcheons custom-processed apples from local growers, later branching into apple butter using the farmers’ individual recipes. In the early 1950s, the family built a more modern building at the current South Wisner Street location and manufactured apple butter under their own label, selling it to area vendors and in a small retail store next to the factory.

Soon came jams and jellies, pasta sauce, pickled beets, applesauce, and other foods, plus a larger building and a presence beyond Frederick County. Oth-

ers outside the area certainly enjoy what’s in the jars, but local folks have the added charm of a factory whistle announcing noon and 5 p.m., and the sweet smell of apples in the air during production time.

“I practically grew up working in the factory,” says company president Meghan Custer. “During summers off from school, my dad would bring my brothers and I in to stock the retail store or help put empty bottles on the line. After all the workers went home, he would let us play hide-and-seek in the warehouse.”

Custer returned home after col-

lege, working off and on in the family trade. In 2017, she returned for good, taking on a management role. “When our fourth-generation president, Bob McCutcheon III, decided it was time to retire, he came in my office and asked if I would be interested in taking on that role after he left. There are about seven full-time fifth-generation family members working here, so I felt truly honored that I was being given the opportunity. I am beyond happy to be working side-by-side with my family and hope to continue our legacy in Frederick for many more years.”

McCutcheon’s is hosting a week-long 85th Anniversary Celebration in their factory store Oct. 2-7. As a reflection of the family’s strong community ties, 10 percent of proceeds each day will go to a different nonprofit organization. www.mccutcheons.com

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At 60, Literacy Council Sees More to Come With a $100 budget and a mission to teach seasonal migrant workers to read, the Literacy Council of Fredrick County started in 1963. “Literacy is a journey that doesn’t come overnight,” says Executive Director Laurie Fisher, a statement that fits students as well as the organization that’s celebrating its 60th anniversary.

The group, estimated to have helped 10,000 people over those years, currently has 150 volunteers assisting students as well as training tutors. “We always need more,” Fisher says. “We always have a waiting list” of those seeking help. “And it’s no longer just reading literacy,” but also areas ranging from computer literacy to figuring finances and navigating the health system. “There are so many components,” she says.

Fisher is proud of the community partnerships the Literacy Council continues to forge, including with Frederick County Public Schools, where, for example, parent literacy classes are held with childcare provided, or family literacy nights, resource

fairs and playgroups with reading activities.

Another winner is the work with the local hospitality industry to teach non-English speaking workers—now in its fifth year. The organization recently received a multi-year grant through the state Department of Commerce Office of Tourism’s Workplace Literacy Program to expand classes to foster lasting benefits to employees, businesses and the local community. The initiative is funded through the American Rescue Plan.

Interested employers should contact the Literacy Council for classes this fall, with additional classes during the grant’s timeline. www.frederickliteracy.org Laurie Fisher

Frederick Speaker Series Lineup Announced A reputation for bringing thought-provoking and entertaining speakers to Downtown audiences continues for the Frederick Speaker Series with the 2024 season, which includes Monica Lewinsky, Shannon Bream, James Comey, Chuck D and Cheryl Strayed.

This marks the 11th year for the series presented by main sponsors Ausherman Family Foundation and The C. Burr Artz Trust and held at the Weinberg Center for the Performing Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. In addition to hearing the speakers, there’s an opportunity for a separate ticketed meet-and-greet with proceeds benefitting

children’s programs at Frederick County Public Libraries.

Lewinsky, social activist, producer and contributing editor to Vanity Fair, will speak Jan. 18. Bream, host of Fox News Sunday and a bestselling author, will be featured on Feb. 15. Former director of the FBI and bestselling author Comey

will appear March 21. Chuck D, Public Enemy frontman and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member, will be on stage April 18. Rounding out the series on May 2 is Strayed, bestselling author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things. Tickets may be purchased online at www.weinbergcenter.org, by calling 301-600-2828 or in person.

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Elder EXPO Returns The 28th annual Elder EXPO, featuring 63 vendors, will be held Oct. 5 at Warehouse Cinemas on the Golden Mile. In addition to important information for seniors, Elder EXPO also offers information for adult children, caregivers, friends, faith communities and employers. The growing aging population engages us all and knowing that experts are available in Frederick County is important.

The EXPO, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., is free with lunch provided for senior attendees. Ten speakers are scheduled throughout the day, addressing topics such as Medicare,

veteran services, scams, volunteerism, dementia, marijuana use and downsizing or moving from a home. www.espcfrederick.com/events

insider

Novel Selected for One Maryland One Book There There, a multigenerational story about the lives of urban Native Americans, written

by Tommy Orange, is this year’s One Maryland One Book, an initiative sponsored by Maryland Humanities to bring people together by having them read the same book.

Copies will be distributed by libraries and once they’ve been read, people can drop the book in a public place for others to enjoy.

A selection committee of teachers, scholars, librarians, writers, booksellers and others considered nearly 300 titles with the theme of “connection,” before deciding on There There.

Maryland Humanities Executive Director Lindsey Baker says the book “provides us an opportunity to connect with several Native American lives that feel immediate and relevant to the world

today. These characters are deeply rooted in their rich, often traumatic histories, yet are instantly recognizable to any reader. Tommy Orange shares with us their triumphs and

their struggles, creating fully rounded characters and journeys to follow.”

There There was one of The New York Times Book Review’s 10 Best Books of the Year and won the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize and the PEN/Hemingway Award. There There was also longlisted for the National Book Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. www.mdhumanities.org

Cast Your “Best of Frederick” Vote

For the past 32 years, Frederick Magazine readers have been offering opinions on everything from who makes the best burger or burrito to which local band has the greatest groove factor in the annual “Best of Frederick” competition. As in the past, the categories have been tweaked to keep the competition interesting (see page 11). This is Frederick’s only original “best” contest and the results carry legitimate bragging rights for the winners. Voting for your favorites starts Sept. 9 and lasts until Nov. 15. Visit www.fredmag.com and make your vote count.

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Tastings News for Foodies

Brewer’s Alley Taps Turned Over to Greg Brown

insider

Frederick County’s original brewpub, Brewer’s Alley, 124 N. Market St., was founded by Phil Bowers, a businessman who was described at a recent celebration of the restaurant’s 27th anniversary as a man who prevented Downtown Frederick from becoming a ghost town after 5 p.m., paving the way for other craft brewers to join him in the vibrant scene.

Bowers is stepping back from the business that’s open every day except Christmas, with Greg Brown taking over, a step he decided to take with the stipulation that “Phil will be a phone call away.” Brown told a crowd of loyal Brewer’s Alley customers and friends that he and his wife had their second

date at the restaurant and that “it just felt right” to make the place his career.

A stream of elected and appointed officials saluted Bowers on his long run establishing several Downtown dining destinations, but especially Brewer’s Alley, where Bowers managed to retain the historic integrity of the building that once served as City Hall and the City Opera House and Theater.

While Bowers steps back from the business, he maintains a presence behind the bar where a new brew, Phil’s Pils, will be offered to customers. “It’s made with a special kind of hop,” says brewmaster Tom Flores. “It kind of jumps out of your glass at you.” www.brewers-alley.com

A Bit of Italy in Worman’s Mill

Diners at Ricci Di Mare, 1021 Mill Pond Road, often tell chef Fredy Arguetz that eating his food reminds them of being in Italy. The upscale Italian and seafood restaurant, which features pasta specials and a Toast to Tuesday offering of half-price bottles of house wines, opened this spring in Worman’s Mill.

The wood-fired oven is constantly busy, filled with bread, pizza, vegetables, meats and seafood. A dish that has folks talking is the Ricci Tomahawk, prime steak grilled to perfection. Dishes at the restaurant are made from scratch and, in

addition to an impressive wine selection, the bar offers signature cocktails.

Brunch is a big deal, with selections ranging from Italian frittata to breakfast pizza and tiramisu toast. If a trip to Italy isn’t in the plans, drop into Ricci Di Mare and pretend. www.ricciitalianrestaurant.com

Worldwide Fried Chicken

When thinking about fried chicken, Dubai is not likely to be the first place you’d consider, but since 2000, ChicKing has been doing brisk business across the Middle East and Asia, plus the United States with the recent opening of the fast food restaurant in Frederick at 66 Waverly Drive adjacent to the Frederick Towne Mall.

In addition to the crispy fried chicken, ChicKing also offers grilled chicken, with a choice of spiciness, burgers, wraps and side dishes, including

cole slaw with a delicious tangy dressing, rice and tandoori fries, The restaurant touts the freshness of its dishes, and a sign tells customers that the cooking doesn’t start until after their order has been placed. www.chickingusa.com

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BizInk Frederick County Business

Dynamic Automotive

Expands

Enhancing Time On the Playground

insider

Dynamic Automotive, an award-winning Frederick County automotive repair company, recently opened its sixth location, which will operate out of the recently acquired Twin Ridge Auto and Light Truck Service, Inc. shop on Rising Ridge Road.

Twin Ridge co-owner Scott Elliott, along with Earl Burroughs, says, “We wouldn’t be leaving if we weren’t positive our customers will continue to be in good hands. … We believe our customers will see a seamless continuation of the high-quality service and friendly staff they have come to expect.”

Dwayne Myers and fellow co-owners, Jose Bueso and Lee Forman, also have locations in Frederick, New Market, Urbana, Libertytown and Emmitsburg, maintaining their focus on education, investment in team members and in the customers and communities they serve. “The opening of our sixth location is an exciting day for us, and we look forward to working with the Mount Airy community,” Myers says.

With two daily recesses totaling around 90 minutes, the new playground will get plenty of use at Celebree School, 5820 Ballenger Creek Pike, which specializes in infant and toddler care, preschool, before and after school care, and summer camp programs. All new turf, play equipment and toys replace the playground created in 1996 for the school’s opening. School Director Kristin Siegler says youngsters especially like the climbing wall and riding toys on the blacktop.

“Recess is an extension of the classroom,” Siegler says, but “they can move their bodies in all the ways that they can’t in the classroom.” Being outdoors sparks questions about insects or the weather, for example, and recess teaches social skills such as taking turns and fosters creativity as they make up their own games, she says. www.celebree.com/frederick-md

Farmer’s Cooperative Association Turns 100

Toasting with glasses of milk and enjoying cupcakes, customers and friends of Farmers Cooperative Association, Inc., 820 E. South St., recently celebrated the association’s 100th anniversary and continuation of its goal to provide “premium customer service and top-quality products competitively priced.” Local elected officials and the Maryland Secretary of Agriculture attended the festivities.

FCA has a feed and fertilizer division that services a five-state area, as well as a petroleum division serving six states and is a buyer of local grains. In addition to the

needs of farmers, other residents can shop FCA for items ranging from pet food to grass seed and wood pellets for stoves. www.farmerscoop.com

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AG Innovation Grants Awarded

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Local farmers are pioneering creative ways to diversify their operations, thanks in part to over $124,500 in recently awarded Frederick County Agriculture Innovation Grants. Eight agriculture-related businesses will receive funding through the competitive program designed to encourage farm diversification and innovation. The projects are expected to create 10 fulltime and 34 part-time positions. Grant recipients include: Carroll Creek Whiskey LLC (Tenth Ward Distilling) and Guy Dell Farm, Frederick and Jefferson—to add smoked corn production at Guy Dell Farm to allow Tenth Ward to increase distribution to four new states. Deer Run Farm, Emmitsburg—to add a farmer-grown and -made poultry feed product line to supplement the farm’s heritage chicken hatchery. Eastern Paradise Farm, Middletown—to expand a pick-your-own operation of rare Asian produce, berries,

fruit trees, vegetables, microgreens and edible flowers. Links Bridge Vineyards, Thurmont—to purchase kegs and equipment so sparkling wine can be offered on tap to on-site customers and marketed to restaurants and bars.

Loew Vineyards, Mount Airy—to increase efficiencies with the purchase of a tank mixer and semi-automatic wine labeler. Walnut Ridge Farm/ Moo Cow Creamery, Middletown—to make electrical upgrades and buy a gen-

erator and walk-in freezer to support the addition of new products, including drinkable yogurt.

Willow Oaks Cidery/Country Pleasures Farm, Middletown—to offer a new product line of Pet-Nat, an offdry, low-alcohol fruit wine that is gluten free and carbonated. The operation will be the first in the state to offer Pet-Nat from fruits other than grapes.

S.H.E. Pitch Homeruns S.H.E. Pitch, a favorite part of the annual Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s S.H.E. Week, which focuses on women-owned businesses, featured seven finalists who competed recently in a Shark Tank-style competition at Hood College. Jenni Hoover, owner of Serenity Swimming, won in the Idea Stage category and Rachel Anne Warren, owner of Frederick Wig Company, won in the Growth Stage division. People’s Choice winner was Sharie Settlemyer, owner of Rhapsody and Renascence.

Hoover, who told the audience she was “more at home in the water than on land,” received $5,250 that she plans to use to offer swimming lessons to all ages. Currently a mobile business, she wants to pursue building an indoor pool for her lessons. Also receiving a $2,500 grant, Warren, who has a Downtown studio and boutique, plans to use her winnings to develop an affordable wig stand to make it easier to style and care for wigs. “I could also see schools” teaching cosmetology as potential customers, she said. The People’s Choice

prize of $500 went to Settlemyer and her size-inclusive clothing boutique.

Other contestants included Gudrun Hofmeister, owner of Philanthropic Fundraising, LLC; Christie Gilkes of Sweet Intuition bakery; Sepideh McQuay of My Space Café; and Laura Donohoe of Elite HR Connections. In addition to the Chamber of Commerce, S.H.E Pitch was sponsored by the Maryland Women’s Business Center, Frederick County Office of Economic Development, City of Frederick Department of Economic Development, Octavo Designs and Verita Commercial Real Estate.

Tomu Gets SBA Financing Sustainability-focused hospitality development company and manufacturer of prefab lodging, Tomu, Inc., with a warehouse in Frederick, recently closed on a financing package through the Small Business Administration to start full-scale manufacturing of modular guest units. They are specifically created for hospitality use

with a faster, cost-effective and more sustainable choice compared to traditional site-built construction. The freestanding units, with 9-foot ceilings and large windows, also have potential for residential use with one- and two-bedroom floor plans. Tomu expects to start delivering orders later this year. www.tomuhaus.com

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State of the Arts Checking out the theater, gallery, literary and music scene

Homer Yost’s Art at Gaslight Gallery

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A beloved sage in the vibrant Frederick art community, Homer Yost, who has been drawing and sculpting for more than four decades, is the artist featured at Gaslight Gallery, 118 E. Church St., through Oct. 1. A First Saturday reception is on Sept. 2 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a meet-the-artist event the next day at 2 p.m.

Yost’s work is a love affair with the human form, the classical subject of artists for centuries. Narratives about his personal world and the larger world are conveyed in the subtle gestures or posture of his subject. He describes his work as “figurative humanism,” and captures more than a representational likeness. He portrays the essence of their spirit in drawings and sculpture.

“This exhibition is a retrospective of my drawings and sculptures,” Yost says. “Many of the drawings have never been

exhibited on gallery walls. All my work in this exhibition is of solitary female figures. To some of my work, I have attached mythological or Biblical themes, usually leaning toward the tragic. For instance, I did a series of sculptures of Iphigenia, the daughter of the Greek King Agamemnon. She was sacrificed by her father, so that he could be victorious against the Trojans. I can say that I have never been bored or complacent with the female figure as the core of my artistic inspiration.”. www.GaslightArt.com

No Forwarding Address at TAG

Many are drawn to abandoned places, often experiencing a visceral reaction. The texture of the peeling paint. The color of the rust. The elegant juxtaposition of whole and empty spaces. The clutter of discarded objects. Was the house defined by the people who lived in it, or can it be defined by the structure that remains? How many years did it take to become in such disrepair, consumed by the elements?

No Forwarding Address by Patricia Stockman, running through Oct 1 at TAG/The Artist Gallery, 501 N. Market St., offers the viewer a range of photographed subjects, from individual houses to an entire town, to explore and imagine their stories. The overlapping frames suggest the passage of time as a single house succumbs, room by room, to decay. Individual “portraits” of buildings depict a town, dwindled to a population of approximately 12. And finally, photographic collages combine the materials that make a house a home. Always as curious about the process as much as the subject, Stockman delivers each abandoned place in a manner befitting its existence.

Stockman has been chasing and photographing abandoned places up and down the East Coast and out West since her first college photography course. This exhibition is a realization of that personal intrigue, the lives and stories lost, the consumption

of land into newer, denser neighborhoods, and the quiet beauty in the loss. Work by the other artists of TAG will also be shown.

Stockman will discuss her work on Sept. 3 at 1 p.m. www.theartistsgallery.com

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Style Seasonal Fashions & Trends

Cloth Napkin Comeback

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Cloth napkins have long been a symbol of elegant dining and a convenient movie prop such as when an agitated character throws one down on the table and stalks off, or, in the case of TV’s Jerry Seinfeld, uses a pretty blue linen number as a receptacle for the mouthful of mutton he wants to secretly discard.

Nancy Trout, who works at Sweet Clover, a Frederick home goods store owned by her daughters, Rebekah Johnson and Kim Bowers, says that when the holidays roll around, she routinely places napkins around the cloth-covered table to make the meal more festive. Frequently attending auctions, she has learned that you have to be quick because it seems everyone lately is buying up cloth napkins.

Perhaps the trend is part of the green movement to use less paper. Cloth napkins can be washed and reused countless times, and it’s not like you’re using gallons of water since they can be mixed in with other laundry.

Restaurants especially are joining the cloth napkin party, maybe to project that look of fine dining, but they’re likely opting for dark colors instead of brilliant, starched white, bearing in mind the customers with brightly colored lipstick or the eatery’s red pasta sauce.

FEATURED VENDOR: Sweet Clover, 244 E. Patrick St., 301-456-9917,

www.sweetcloverstore.com

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HISTORIC

DOWNTOWN FREDERICK MARYLAND

LOCAL jewelry bath & body FUNCTIONAL kids stationary HANDMADE home accessories

301-624-4030

10-B East Street • Everedy Square • Frederick, MD www.imadethispottery.com

19 N. Market St., Frederick H 301.663.3632 www.shopthemuse.com H Facebook “shop the muse”

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Click

On the Scene at Local Events

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Stuff the Bus

The 15 annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive has once again provided students with the necessary supplies that some families cannot afford. More than 30 local businesses and organizations, along with countless residents made the project a success. United Way of Frederick County and Frederick County Public Schools were joined by sponsors Leidos Biomedical Research, M&T Bank, Rotary Club of Carroll Creek, Aldi and Homewood at Frederick. th

Visitation Hotel Frederick Tour

Downtown Frederick Partnership recently held a Downtown Friends Bash on the grounds of Visitation Hotel Frederick, 208 E. 2nd St., with tours of the building’s interior, which is being renovated. Visitors were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the future hotel.

Soles of Love

The 13 annual Soles of Love in the Garden event was held at Rockland Estates in Fairplay.

This year’s event netted 4,495 pairs of new shoes, which are being distributed through nonprofit partners to local children in need. In the years since Julie Gaver started Soles of Love, nearly 27,000 pairs of shoes have been donated. th

Photos courtesy Julie Hipkins of Originations Photography

Have an event you would like to see featured in Click? Let us know by emailing editor@fredmag.com.

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HISTORIC

DOWNTOWN FREDERICK MARYLAND

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Q&A Speak Easy

Jessica Thompson 2023 National Queen of Marbles

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string. I was completely covered by the end, with each can being emptied. Later, after I was crowned, my team tossed me into the freezing hotel pool. There was nothing anyone could’ve done to wipe that smile off my face that evening. I’ve been playing marbles for years now, and I truly was never expecting a win. But I put in the hard work and effort, I practiced and practiced, and practiced some more. So, more than anything, I’m glad to see that all my efforts and perseverance these past years have paid off.

What made you take up the game of marbles?

When I was 9, our old marbles team leader, Art Staus, made a presentation for my Girl Scout troop where he explained the game and showed us how to play. My interest was piqued and I joined the team.

Basically, how is the game played?

There are 13 marbles in an X shape at the center of a yellow circle that’s inside a 10-foot concrete slab.

Players have a larger marble called a shooter and have to flick their thumb out and try and hit marbles in the center of the ring outside of the circle. If a player’s shooter stays inside the circle and a marble from the center goes out, they can continue their turn from where their marble stopped. It’s a one-on-one game where each person is given five turns. You win by getting seven marbles out first or by getting the

most amount of marbles out of the yellow circle during the five innings.

What did it mean to you to win the 100th National Marbles Tournament in Wildwood, N.J.?

Winning the 100th meant a great deal to me. Of course, winning any other year would’ve been just as exhilarating, but the fact that I won on such a big anniversary made the win feel bigger. But the most exciting part about my win wasn’t the win itself, it was my team’s celebration.

After we walked out of the building, I was ambushed with silly

You additionally won the Good Sportsmanship title, also with a college scholarship. What school and career plans do you have?

When it comes to what happens after my high school years are over, it’s pretty easy to say I’m lost. I don’t have an exact career in mind, but when it comes to college, I have interests in history, literature and psychology courses. I hope to take on some sort of career in these departments. I am very grateful for the scholarships so that whatever I do end up deciding, student debt will be a bit less of a problem.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not being a mibster?

I don’t do much outside of marbles due to most of my focus being on school, but I do enjoy reading and writing, and I am now learning to drive. I am looking forward to coaching the next generation of Middletown marble players.

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Wish You Were Here

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Your Photos from Around the World

South Carolina Bryan, Mason, Allison and Bella show off copies of Frederick Magazine in Greenville. Their grandmother, Terri Davis, is an advertising account executive for the magazine.

Turks and Caicos Joannie Chin enjoys one of the spectacular beaches on the island of Providenciales.

Utah The well-traveled members of the Frederick Ski Club reach Bryce Canyon National Park—one stop on a tour of several western national parks.

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6-12 N. EAST STREET

then & now

✶

then: circa 1943

now: 2023

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september events

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Hotk Pic Frederick’s Oktoberfest Sept. 29, 30

Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St. Step into a German village at this annual festival to benefit local causes. Enjoy live music and dancers, traditional German food and wine, an outdoor beirgarten, contests, a children’s area and more. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Carroll Creek.

Friday, 6 p.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.−10 p.m. 240-599-0660. www.frederickoktoberfest.org

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The Hagerstown and Frederick Railway Through Dec. 31 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. From 1896 until 1954, a network of interurban trolley lines was built linking communities across Frederick and Washington Counties. This exhibit presents the history of these electric railways and how they changed the landscape and communities of Frederick County. 301-663-1188. www. frederickhistory.org

Daily Life Through Oct. 1 DISTRICT Arts, 15 N. Market St. An exhibition of paintings by featured artist Patricia Weise. Weise paints in gouache and watercolor on paper and on cradled clayboard, creating intimate still lifes and interior spaces dealing with daily routine and memory. 301695-4050. www.districtarts.com

Frederick Camera Clique Annual Juried Photography Exhibition Through Sept. 6 The Mary Condon Hodgson Art Gallery, Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike. View photographic works by members of this local club at the 37th annual juried exhibition. 301-846-2513. http://calendar.frederick.edu Stitches through Time: Women’s Work from Farm to Fashion Through Dec. 31 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. An exhibit that explores one story of women’s work, interpreting the history of textile production up to the 1950s. The exhibit features a selection of handsewn quilts and clothes from the 1800s; equipment, advertisements, photos and ephemera from the factory era; and selections of mid-20th century clothing by Clair McCardell that reflect the department store culture that emerged after World War II. Ten wedding dresses spanning 100 years showcase the themes of the story. 301-6631188. www.frederickhistory.org Figured and Fancy: Coverlets of Frederick County Through Dec. 31 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. View four examples of ornate, durable coverlets made by Frederick County weavers between 1830 and 1870. 301-663-1188. www.frederickhistory.org

FAC After Hours: Meditative Dance Movement Mondays in Sept.

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 with Yogamour Saturdays in Sept.

Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. An all-levels yoga class with experienced instructors from Yogamour, a Frederick-based studio and nonprofit. $. 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m. 301-662-4190. www.skystagefrederick.com Sky Stage Concerts Saturdays in Sept.

Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy live music performed by ilyAIMY on Sept. 2; Natalie Brooke, Flowerbomb and Baby Photos on Sept. 9; The Shamans of Sound on Sept. 16; Chrome Rodeo, Ethan Larsh & the Cicadas on Sept. 23; and Katie Powderly with Chance Lawson on Sept.

30. All ages welcome. See website for show times.

Spirits available for purchase for guests over 21 with valid ID. $. www.skystagefrederick.com

Yoga on the Creek Thursdays in Sept.

Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Downtown Frederick. Free outdoor yoga led by Sol Yoga every Thursday morning before Alive at Five.

All levels welcome. 7 a.m.–8 a.m. 301-6988118. www.downtownfrederick.org

Guided Tour of the Pry House Field Hospital Museum Saturdays in Sept.

Pry House Field Hospital Museum, 18906 Shepherdstown Pike, Keedysville. Learn about the impact of the Battle of Antietam on the Pry family and how emergency medicine evolved during the Civil War. 1 p.m. 301-416-2395. www.civilwarmed.org

Alive @ Five Thursdays in Sept.

Carroll Creek Amphitheatre located between Market and Carroll streets. Enjoy a fun evening with live music, beer, wine and food every Thursday through September on Carroll Creek in Downtown Frederick. See Karen Jonas on Sept. 7, Stitch Early & the Populatn on Sept. 14, Movimiento on Sept. 21 and N2N on Sept. 28. Must be 21 or older. 5 p.m.−8 p.m. $. 301-698-8118. www.downtownfrederick.org

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september events

One Vast Hospital—Civil War Walking Tour Saturdays and Sundays in Sept.

National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. Walk in the footsteps of doctors, nurses, soldiers and civilians who cared for 8,000 wounded soldiers in Downtown Frederick during the Civil War. Saturdays, 10:30 p.m.–11:30 a.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m.–3 p.m. $.

301-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org Schifferstadt Architectural Museum Tour Saturdays and Sundays in Sept.

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 Carillon Recital Movie Knight with Falling Squares Sept. 1 Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. Local filmmaker nights presented and curated by Falling Squares every first Friday of the month. 7:30 p.m. 301-662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil.org

Sundays in Sept.

Joseph Dill Baker Carillon in Baker Park, Downtown Frederick. The tower is open for guests to hear John Widmann, City Carillonneur play the 49 bell carillon of bronze bells.

12:30 p.m.–1 p.m. www.visitfrederick.org

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Interactive Drum Circle

Sept. 1 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. A community drum circle hosted and led by the professional music therapists from Noteable Progressions Music Therapy Services. All ages and developmental levels welcome. 5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m. www. skystagefrederick.com FAME Singer-Songwriter Showcase Sept. 1 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Member musicians of the Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise, including acoustic soloists, duos and bands, perform. Free to enter. 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com Frederick Keys Baseball Sept. 1, 2 Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive. The Frederick Keys host West Virginia Black Bears in their last home series of the season. Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 6 p.m. www.mlbdraftleague.com/frederick. $.

301-662-0013

Historic District Ghost Tours Sept. 1, 2, 9, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 Downtown Frederick. In the Historic District Ghost Tour, participants take a journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past at some of the most haunted sites in the city. Tours meet in front of Brewer’s Ally Restaurant, 124 N. Market St. See website for start times. Private tours also available. Reservations required. $. www.marylandghosttours.com

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september events

Patricia Stockman Sept. 1–30 TAG The Artists Gallery, 501 N. Market St. An exhibition of works by photographer Patricia Stockman. An opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Noon–8 p.m.; Sunday, Noon–4 p.m. 301-2289860. www.theartistsgalleryfrederick.com Equinox Sept. 1–Oct. 1 NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St. An all-partner show that explores the themes of fall, fall equinox and the changing seasons. Artists work in a range of media including fiber, photography, printmaking, painting, sculpture, drawing, ceramics and jewelry.

An opening reception is scheduled for Sept. 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and an artists’ talk is scheduled for Sept. 23 at 4 p.m., followed by a Fall Equinox party.

240-367-9770. www.nomagalleryfrederick.com

Maryland State Fair Sept. 1–4, 7–10 Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium. A family-friendly, fun and educational destination complete with daily home arts, farm and garden, livestock and horse competitions and exhibits, rides, games, live concerts and entertainment, horse racing, fair treats and farm fresh foods, a birthing center, museum and more. www.marylandstatefair.com

First Saturday: Love Local Sept. 2 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. 11 a.m.–9 p.m. 301-698-8118. www. downtownfrederick.org

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Creative Outlet Sept. 2 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Kids and adults are invited to drop-in to get creative together at family tables. Each session features an artist-inspired project as well as open studio activities. This month, design a monochromatic, mixed media assemblage in the style of Louise Nevelson. 3 p.m.−5 p.m. 301-6980656. www.delaplaine.org Art Matters Artist Talks Sept. 2 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Enhance your understanding and appreciation of art at these monthly talks. This month, Contemporary Innovations exhibiting artist Darla Jackson discusses the work in her exhibition and her background as an artist. 2 p.m. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org Perspectives on the Artillery Battle of Antietam [photo] Sept. 2 National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. Author Jim Rosebrock discusses his new findings on artillery at Antietam. 2 p.m.–3 p.m. $.

301-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org

Fall Fun Fest Sept. 1−Oct. 31 Gaver Tree Farm, 5501 Detrick Road, Mount Airy. More than 60 attractions including a corn maze, hayrides, jumping pillows, giant slides, farm animals, mini mazes, pumpkin barn, pickyour-own apples, duck races, playgrounds and more. Free hayrides to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch or purchase pre-picked pumpkins, gourds and fall décor at the farm market. 10 a.m.−6 p.m. daily. $. 301-865-3515. www.gaverfarm.com

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TAG (The Artists Gallery) Together Art Grows Sept. 2–Oct. 1 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Artwork in this exhibition is from the members of TAG, Frederick’s first artist-owned art gallery, which was established in 1990.

301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org

Mary Paul Barnaby Sept. 2–24 Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St. An exhibition of works by photographer and painter Mary Paul Barnaby. A First Saturday opening is scheduled for Sept. 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays 1 p.m.–5 p.m. www.eastsideartistsgallery.com Foundations of Frederick Walking Tour Sept. 2, 30 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. Experience the history and beauty of downtown as knowledgeable guides share the fascinating stories that make up historic Frederick. 10:30 a.m. $. 301-663-1188. www.frederickhistory.org Sunflower Festival Sept. 2–4, 9, 10 Summers Farm, 7503 Hollow Road, Middletown. Enjoy the beauty of an 8-acre sunflower field with thousands of sunflowers in bloom.

Take photos, pick flowers and enjoy more than 45 other activities offered on the farm during your visit. Limited tickets. 10 a.m. $. 301-3043031. www.summersfarm.com

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Take Advantage of t he 2022 Rates!

Contemporary Innovations: Darla Jackson Sept. 2–Oct. 29 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. Works of sculpture titled, “This will hurt me more than it hurts you.” Philadelphia-based sculptor Darla Jackson attempts to reverse the perception of women’s self-defense often perpetuated by popular culture or omitted completely. The exhibition includes the imaginary weapons used by popular female characters as well as some of the animal sidekicks supporting these characters in their new roles. 301-6980656. www.delaplaine.org Amy Browning Sept. 2–Oct. 29 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. An exhibition of paintings and sculpture titled, “Poiema, Mortality, and Resurrection.” The works in this exhibition explore themes of death, decay and new life through the flora and fauna of the changing seasons. They are accompanied by excerpts of poetry from Rainer Maria Rilke, David the Psalmist and others. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org Heidi Brueckner

Sept. 2–Oct. 29 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. An exhibition of oil and mixed media paintings titled, “Persona Grata.” Brueckner’s large-scale, figurative paintings explore themes like human nature, self-understanding, and the relationship people have to storytelling, all by utilizing expressive color and experimenting with textured surfaces. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org John Petro Keshia J Sept. 2–Oct. 29 The Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St. An exhibition of photography titled, “Snapshots from a Baltimore Community on the Edge.”

This exhibition is the culmination of Petro’s project to document some of the community and culture in and around a half-mile area around Wilkins Avenue in southwest Baltimore, Maryland. 301-698-0656. www.delaplaine.org

Take Advantage of the Pre-Opening Entrance Fee Rates Now is the time to take advantage of the lower Entrance Fee rates.

A few apartments are still available within The Lodge expansion.

Schedule your tour today to learn more about the opportunities, services, and amenities at Homewood.

The Lodge apartments offer independent living residences with an open floor plan concept. All apartments have spectacular views of the Catoctin Mountains and the Homewood campus.

Call to schedule your tour today!

A 10% Deposit of the Entrance Fee reserves your apartment! Reserve one today!

“No person shall be subject, on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status or disability, to discrimination in the terms or conditions for admission to, treatment or the provision of services in, one of our communities.”

Ghost Hounds Baseball Sept. 5–7, 8–10 Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium, 21 Stadium Drive. Frederick’s new Atlantic League Professional Baseball Team, Ghost Hounds host the Long Island Ducks and Lexington Counterclocks in their final home stands of the season.

A full schedule with promotional events, fireworks dates and other happenings is available at www.goghosthounds.com.

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september events Sky Stage Swing Dance

Sept. 6 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy an evening of swing dancing under the stars. Revolution Modern Dance will offer a beginner lesson covering swing and blues basics at 7 p.m. Social dancing follows. 7 p.m.–10 p.m. 301-662-4190. www.skystagefrederick.com FAC After Hours: Jazz Improv with Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band Sept. 6, 20 Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. Keyes captivates audiences with his deep, commanding vocals, punctuated by tales of love, family and addiction from his six decades on earth. 7 p.m. 301-662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil.org Fall Greek Festival Sept. 7–10 Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 920 W. 7th St. Celebrate Greek customs, food and culture with authentic Greek cuisine, live music, traditional dance performances and more. Fun for the entire family. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. 301-6630663. www.stspeterpaul.net/news/calendar General Grief Support Group Sept. 7, 21, 28 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. Sept. 7 and 21, 2 p.m.–3:30 p.m., Sept 28, 5 p.m.–6:30 p.m. 240-566-3030. www.frederickhealthhospice.org FAME Open Mic Night Sept. 8 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Frederick Acoustic Music Enterprise hosts a free open mic night 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 Comedy Extravaganza Sept. 8, 9 Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. Kick off MET’s Comedy Night season at this comedy festival featuring up to nine acts each evening. Each night is completely unique and includes performances by house teams, new teams, guest teams and stand-up. $. 301-694-4744. www.marylandensemble.org

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In the Streets Sept. 9 Market Street and Carroll Creek Urban Park.

This popular outdoor street festival boasts fun for the whole family, featuring eight blocks of themed entertainment, live music on four stages, children’s activities, artisans, local fare and much more. The day also includes the Market Street Mile at 9 a.m., Craft Beverage Experience from noon to 5 p.m., and the Up the Creek party for those 21 and over from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carroll Creek Amphitheatre. 11 a.m.

301-600-2489. www.celebratefrederick.com Thurmont Main Street Plein Air: Paint the Town Sept. 9 Thurmont Main Street. A fun event that brings artists of all levels together to paint the Thurmont landscape. Spectators browse Main Street from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and watch artists paint, then head to Thurmont Community Park at 2 p.m. to view paintings, meet the artists and purchase paintings. 9 a.m.–3 p.m. 240-626-9980. www.thurmontmainstreet.com

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder Sept. 8–Oct. 21 The Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive. A murderous romp filled with music and laughs as low-born Monty Navarro designs a plan to knock off his unsuspecting relatives without being caught and become the ninth Earl of Highhurst.

See website for show times. $. 301-6626600. www.wayoffbroadway.com

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It ’s a sweltering Wednesday evening deep in the middle of summer, a group of about 10 crowd around a microphone inside Union Mills Public House on East Patrick Street. Just outside the door, temperatures reach into the 90s as passersby create a background of late-day joggers and romantic strollers along Carroll Creek Park.

Inside the door, a different journey unfolds. As people of various ages and genders press around the microphone, they launch into an old bluegrass standard. The players trade nods for solo cues, each stepping forward to shine. Their lively performance contrasts with the solemn song that just ended.

Four Walls Around Me, perhaps best associated with the Osborne Brothers and Mac Wiseman, united the musicians in harmonized sorrow on lines like: “With four walls around me/It gets so lonesome dear/Dreaming of you darling/Wish-

ing you were here.” The scene was brightened by strings that all but carry their accompanying words through the finish line.

But that was a few minutes ago. The only way this group knows how to compromise is to lift things up after such a blue number with an unwritten rule: follow the sad with smiles. Or, in this case, sprightly smiles after an energetic tune.

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“They say there are only two speeds for a bluegrass song,” Jason Hannan, singer/guitarist and host of the weekly bluegrass jam that takes place each Wednesday at Union Mills, tells the gathered crowd. “There’s fast and half-fast.”

He then pauses just long enough to allow the gatherers to pay him attention.

“That,” he asserts, “was fast.”

The tableau isn’t new to Hannan, nor is it new to those who regularly attend the bluegrass jams that had been taking part on Mondays and Wednesdays on this side of the city. (In addition to the Wednesday nights at Union Mills, a similar jam had been taking place at Smoketown Creekside, just across the creek, on Monday nights. But Smoketown closed its doors in July, reducing jams to once a week, at least for the time being.)

In fact, jams are part of a Frederick tradition that goes back decades.

As both Hannan and Jay Blincoe, another picker who frequents the Wednesday night events, explain before the Union Mills performance, these jams date back to Boe’s Strings, a music store on South Market Street before closing its doors in 2014. In fact, Hannan recalls being part of the

gatherings at Boe’s in the late 1990s, when he came to Frederick after serving in the U.S. Navy.

“I asked around to anyone I knew where all the bluegrass people were going at the time, and everybody told me they were going to Boe’s,” Hannan recalls. “They had a Thursday night jam there and that was kind of the forefather of all this stuff.”

“We actually had two jams,” Boe Walker, owner of Boe’s Strings, explains while Hannan and Blincoe took the stage to join the jam. “We had an Irish jam in the back room and a bluegrass jam up front and they would overlap. After I closed the store, we moved them to a couple restaurants, but they both closed. These jams have been great, though, because I’m not the organizer.”

Walker can’t help but smile at the thought.

“It’s nice to be able to show up when you want to,” he adds, “and then just not show up if sometime you don’t feel like you want to.”

After bouncing the jam around to a few different venues—the group went through a period where they came together at The Blue Side restaurant on Bentz Street until that space turned into the since-closed Gambrill Mt. Food Co.—Hannan took the crew to the original Rockwell Brewery

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It is easy to assume bluegrass is rooted in the strains of the twangy folk music created in the Blue Ridge mountains and other parts of Appalachia. Indeed, the name bluegrass comes from the Kentucky-based band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys.

Monroe, often called the “Father of Bluegrass,” was a mandolist, singer and songwriter who created various bands in the 1930s and ’40s while tinkering with different lineups, sounds and instruments featuring the upbeat tempos familiar to bluegrass fans today. In 1945, Monroe added guitarist Lester Flatt and banjo player Earl Scruggs, a duo whose fame would later transcend the genre. Flatt and Scruggs led to Monroe’s band later being dubbed the “Original Bluegrass Band.”

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But if you really want to find the source of bluegrass, you need to look across the Atlantic Ocean to traditional Scottish and Irish ballads and dance songs, some dating back hundreds of years. Many of these songs featured violins, mandolins, bagpipes and lively folk dance.

That music and its practitioners immigrated to America, settling mainly in the Appalachian region. There, it was influenced by traditional country, blues and even jazz. New instruments were added, notably the five-string banjo that was revolutionized by Scruggs’ three-finger picking style that became a defining characteristic of what we now know as bluegrass. A uniquely American sound was born.

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on East Street, where they met to play until, as he describes it, the jam outgrew the brewery’s walls.

Looking to expand, the makeshift collective took their meetings to Smoketown and then Union Mills. Their current home has worked well, everyone agrees, and they’ve seen crowds incrementally grow through the years, no matter the location.

Part of the popularity is the connectivity that comes as a result of the communal nature of the jams, Blincoe notes. Rarely is anyone turned away, no matter their skill level. As long as you’re respectful to the surrounding musicians, you’re welcome to find a spot on stage.

“It is open to all different levels,” Blincoe said.

“If you don’t know much about playing bluegrass, or if you’ve been playing your whole life, we’ll welcome you in. Some people want to show up not even with instruments; they just want to hang out because this is where we all hang out on Wednesday nights.”

One of the biggest reasons the group doesn’t discriminate is because the members know what it’s like to

come up through the bluegrass jam scene. Hannan reminisces about the time when he found himself at a house jam in his teenage years, a novice at the guitar, hoping to land some experience. And while he found the experience he was looking for, he also learned

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quickly about the etiquette that comes along with attending these events.

“I remember I was at somebody’s house party one time and I was probably 16 or 17 years old,” he recalls in a made-for-bluegrass Southern drawl.

“I was really just learning how to get around the guitar a little bit. I was sitting there playing and some old fella who was playing the banjo grabbed my guitar neck and he goes, ‘Just play rhythm, son.’”

As the punchline hits, both Hannan and Blincoe erupt into laughter.

“But that’s how you learn,” Hannan continues.

“Those were some hot jams. Any sizable town that has any bluegrass presence at all is going to have a bluegrass jam somewhere, even if it’s just somebody’s house. And honestly, that’s where some of the best jams happen—at somebody’s house.”

Ask anybody at the Union Mills jams and they’ll tell you Frederick has a solid bluegrass scene, thanks mostly to the jams that Hannan has been so instrumental in organizing in recent years. Hannan credits the thriving blues scene to furthering his

personal bluegrass pursuits, including the upcoming release of his first solo album.

And judging by the crowd at Union Mills on this hot Wednesday night, it’s hard to argue that assertion. As the evening progresses, more musicians arrive and cluster around that single microphone stand in the corner of the bar area. Tables are filled with onlookers and applause rises through the humid air after each number. It’s an atmosphere as accepting as it is joyful, as inspired as it is cathartic. There are smiles and singalongs and laughter and an ebullient presence that suggests everyone inside these brick walls felt somewhat at home.

It’s a feeling perhaps best summed up by Hannan minutes before he takes the stage.

“There has always been a strong bluegrass scene in Frederick,” he says between bites of a pizza slice.

“I would even say it’s stronger than the country music scene here because country music is a little more niche in Frederick.

“Because, man,” he concludes, “if you have a bluegrass band in this town, you can pretty much get a gig anywhere.” FM

Frederick’s bluegrass jams take place on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Union Mills Public House on East Patrick Street, next to Carroll Creek Park. (Parking is off Patrick Street.)

All abilities and ages are welcome, as well as spectators. The jams play a common selection of bluegrass tunes. Newcomers wanting to play are encouraged to simply show up and direct questions to one of the regulars.

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8/22/23 10:53 AM

What Does it Take to Start a New Business?

About five years ago, Tina Harper had an office job and felt her creativity slipping away. She also wanted a career that would give her more control over her schedule, maybe some flexibility if she had to attend her childrens’ activities during the day.

She first started a traveling art studio, teaching classes in various mediums until the COVID-19 pandemic halted business. Once restrictions were lifted, she pivoted her business into a brick-and-mortar location in the Westview area where folks could use their creative expression to understand how art can be therapeutic. “I am really passionate about bringing stress relieving art to the community,” she says.

Harper’s “splatter art experience” studio, Dream FREE Art, opened in December of last year and began attracting customers from throughout the region.

Last month, she moved her fledgling business into a larger space off Monocacy Boulevard.

“It is honestly exciting and unbelievable,” she says. “I am so grateful and fortunate that my little quirky ideas are something that Frederick is really loving, and not just Frederick but the surrounding

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counties, too. … It is just really exciting that everyone is really enjoying what I have to offer.”

Harper notes that she feels personally empowered because “I took an idea and turned it into a thriving business. That is something that a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do or they don’t feel con-

fident enough to see all the way through.

And I just feel really proud of that accomplishment in itself. … It feels so good to be able to give people a little piece of time in their life to be able to let their hair down, relax, to have a good time and to make some unforgettable memories together.”

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Tina Harper Dream FREE Art

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The dream of being your own boss is attractive, but takes a lot of work—usually more work than the entrepreneur anticipates—and the journey is often fraught with numerous unanticipated hurdles. So, what does it take to open a new business?

It takes heart and perseverance, Harper says, because it is not easy being a new business owner, especially if the concept is new to the area and audience.

“Some days you are going to win, some days you are not going to win,” she says, “But you’ve got to keep taking one step at a time to move forward. As long as you don’t stop taking that step you will be successful.”

and then walk away. My staff and I will clean that up. …

My intent and my purpose is to help.”

Opened in late January, the Downtown Frederick business is the first rage room in the area. There are actually six rooms available for individual rage sessions with two decked out in graffiti art that are homages to iconic scenes in Office Space and Waiting to Exhale where main characters acted on their aggression. There is also a “Scream into the Abyss” room where folks can get out their feelings by yelling as loud as possible with a meter measuring their volume. Guests must be at least 14 to participate.

One of the best aspects to owning your own business is getting to make the vision the way you want, says Williams-Palmer. Her favorite colors are red, white and black and those three make up the main color palette to the business. She also often does social media videos about the business and she will get approached by strangers saying hello and calling her “The Rage Lady.” “I was really nervous that I would have people come up to me and tell me what I am doing is wrong or I shouldn’t be doing it, and I have yet to have that and I am glad it is taking off like I thought it would,” she says.

ALL THE RAGE

Crystal Williams-Palmer was inspired to open Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory as an outlet for people to let off some steam and have fun. “A lot of people have a lot of big feelings and they don’t have an avenue that they can release those feelings of rage, anger, disappointment, grief or sadness,” she says. “They can’t go somewhere and leave it on the floor. A lot of times, if you do that kind of stuff you could get charged with vandalism or assault, so I created a safe space where people can take some time, break some stuff, get some feelings out

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Resources for New Entrepreneurs While being an entrepreneur means you are often on your own, there are resources start-up businesses can lean on for help.

Among the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce’s 875 member businesses, 90 percent employ fewer than 50 people and most of those employ fewer than 10. “Almost all of the services that we provide are geared toward those kinds of businesses, just because they make up the bulk of our membership,” says Rick Weldon, president and CEO. The Chamber offers networking events connecting business owners with potential customers, clients and vendors, as well as training in a wide variety of topics including a small business’s human resources needs and how to build and sustain a work force.

“We’ve been in Frederick County since 1912,” Weldon says. “There is no problem that a small business owner or a start-up entrepreneur is going to face that we have not already helped somebody else resolve or navigate. Whether it is getting a permit approved or having a zoning change made or dealing with a difficult landlord.”

The county’s Office of Economic Development is home to the Small Business Development Center and the Maryland Women’s Business Center, which provides services such as counseling and training in key areas in business infrastructure. The office also assists businesses with permitting, zoning and development review whether they are new or expanding. EmPOWER is a minority business outreach program providing resources like mentoring and networking events for underrepresented entrepreneurs.

“We know it can be a challenging process to open,” says Katie Stevens, director of Workforce Development and Agriculture Business for the county. “New businesses are great at their trade and what they do, whether that is being a baker or a florist or whatever that may be, but they don’t always have the business training and that is what

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we are here to support. … Small business is the key to Frederick County’s economy. We need to support them in getting through the process and getting open as quick as possible and having a business plan going in to opening a business really does help businesses be more successful in the future.”

The City of Frederick’s Office of Economic Development will also meet with budding entrepreneurs so staff can learn about the business they are entering. “We provide a start-up business guide to them that outlines some of the processes that they need to go through as they are getting started,” says Mary Ford-Naill, economic development manager. “It is always a good first step to seek out your economic development team whether it is city or county.”

The biggest question city economic development staff get asked is, “Are there available grants that I can get to start my business?” “That is a really difficult question because really funding your business is probably the toughest piece of the puzzle,” Ford-Naill says. “You are typically relying your own net worth, your own family, your own friends when you are starting out. … Generally speaking, there is no big bucket of money. You’ve got to figure out how to fund your business and sometimes that is developing a relationship with a bank from the start.”

Stevens notes one of the biggest mistakes she sees new business owners make is paying for services that can be free. Some will pay a business to write a business plan when the county has free support to do that.

Ford-Naill has seen new business owners sign a lease and not look into whether their idea is a permitted use in their space. She’s also seen entrepreneurs not have a business plan. “We really recommend strongly that they work on that business plan development because it gives you that road map of how to be successful,” she says.

“You are not just winging it.”

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Jennifer Yates The Dessert Depot With a lifetime passion for baking, Jennifer Yates has always loved creating fun, little desserts. However, finding unique decorations for her creations had always been difficult. She had been driving an hour to Glen Burnie to a baking supply store or ordering online. “Having that entrepreneurial spirit, I thought it would be a really good idea [to open a baking supply business] because there are a lot of local, at-home bakers, cottage bakers in the Frederick area,” she says.

The Dessert Depot opened in Mount Airy in late March and features unique baking supplies such as sprinkles, packaging, fondant, cookie cutters and more.

The store also offers a variety of cookie and cake decorating classes geared toward all ages.

Now Yates doesn’t have to drive to find supplies. She just stocks them at her store. She enjoys getting to know people in the community through her store. “I love meeting new people and love being able to help their dreams come true too,” she says. “We’ve only been open a few months [but] we’ve got a lot of customers that come in on a regular basis. They have nicknames for us.

We have nicknames for them. We’ve built an amazing

relationship. They are like, ‘Hey can you carry this?’ or ‘I bought this from you and my client absolutely loved it and I told them all about you and now they want to come into your store.‘ The biggest thing that has made me so happy about having my own business is just the community.”

EXPERT ADVICE

Through the process of starting up their businesses, owners will often discover surprises along the road to entrepreneurship.

“They say it is A, B, C in order to get started when really it is A.1, A.2, A.3 and then you get to B and then there is B.1, and B.2,” Harper says. “There are little side quests that you have to still take, you still have to work on, in order to move your peg along the journey.”

For example, Williams-Palmer had to learn many new aspects of insurance for her rage business, which was surprising to her. “I knew insurance was going to be a big part of starting this business because we need to make sure that people are safe and people know what

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Crystal Williams-Palmer Crash and Catharsis Rage Factory

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seven days a week and I said, ‘At what point in time am I going to be able to shop for breakables?’ So, setting up the boundaries of my business and setting up the boundaries of what my business looks like … are things I wish I knew ahead of time.”

Harper faced the struggle of educating people about her business. “My art style is process art and that is a totally different theory on art that goes against what we are traditionally taught art is, so that has been one of the more challenging things,” she says. “People will see it and they are like, ‘Oh, I am just going to throw paint around. How is that going to be fun? How am I going to make something cool? It is just going to make a mess.’ It is so much deeper than that with the process art benefits.”

they are walking into, but I didn’t know what specific things had happened in rage rooms that I had to get insurance for and why I had to put up precautionary things for.” She had to install lockers for guests to store personal items because there were cases of people using those items to destroy the spaces.

Besides her new business, Yates works a corporate job assisting small businesses, so she had a good grasp of how to get started. However, she was still surprised by the financial aspect because she initially thought there were more grant and business loan opportunities for start-ups.

Harper encourages potential new business owners to lean on the small business community for help and support as well as attending networking events. “Even if you feel like, ‘Oh I don’t have a building’ or ‘I don’t have an LLC yet’ or ‘I am just thinking about it,’ start going to these free networking events,” she says. “Start using the resources that are available. Frederick has a plethora of resources available for business owners especially small business owners.”

One of the biggest pieces of advice Williams-Palmer gives new business owners is to listen to your gut, often in the face of detractors. “I had people try and not have me in Frederick but I knew Frederick was the place for this,” she says. “I had people say you should be open

She encourages new business owners to ask questions. “Don’t think that you are alone in this,” Harper says. “Ask the questions. There is no question too big, no question too small. Someone out there has the answer. Someone out there knows someone who has experienced that personally and will connect you to that person and get you the answer that you need to be successful.” FM

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✶

BY SCOTT GROVE

… with Jack Topchik

Talking History

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IN 1971, MILITARY ANALYST DANIEL ELLSBERG LEAKED A TOP-SECRET REPORT, known as the Pentagon Papers, that documented the impossibility of winning the Vietnam War. Frederick resident Jack Topchik worked as an editor at The New York Times, the newspaper that was the first to publish the report. He shares his memories of the event that led to America’s long-awaited withdrawal from Vietnam and played an important role in the preservation of the free press. Ellsberg died in June of this year at age 92.

Scott: How did you get a job at The New York Times immediately after college? That’s a journalist’s dream come true, one that typically happens only after many years of work experience.

Jack: A few weeks after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1967, I returned home to New Jersey. One day I saw an advertisement in The Times promoting its classified section that read, “I got my job through The New York Times.”

The next day I decided to meet with their recruiting director.

I’d majored in journalism and brought a folder of my writing. She said that The Times always had enough reporters but never enough editors. She said that if I never pressed them to be a reporter then they had a job for me. I was to edit news for The New York Times News Service, which selected and transmitted news articles to more than 500 newspapers nationally and globally. The Times was a demanding boss. Rule #1 was objectivity, regardless of an editor’s political, social and religious views. Rule #2 was an obsession with accuracy. Every fact, every name, every spelling, every date had to be correct.

Objectivity and accuracy remain the hallmarks of The Times.

Scott: In 1971, four years into your career, The Times got access to the Pentagon Papers. Tell us about that.

Jack: Daniel Ellsberg was an American political activist, economist and military analyst who had become disenchanted with the way the U.S. government was reporting on what was happening in Vietnam. It was apparent to Ellsberg in his writings that our efforts in Vietnam were failing. While employed by the Rand Corp. (a research organization), he precipitated a national firestorm and First Amendment cause célèbre after he released a top-secret study exposing government decision-making in relation to U.S. involvement in Vietnam as far back as the 1940s. Ellsberg released copies of the study to Times reporter Neil Sheehan, who then turned it over to the executive officers at the paper. News of the Pentagon Papers circulated through the newsroom at The Times, but few newsroom personnel knew what was soon about to happen. The evening before the first of the daily installments of the study was published, the newspaper announced that the bulk of the next day’s Times would be dedicated to the Pentagon Papers and that several articles that were planned for the paper would be placed on hold to make room for the first stories. Max Frankel, The Times executive editor who received the Papers from Sheehan, later wrote in his book, The Times of My Life and My Life with The Times, that Sheehan never revealed how, or from whom, he received the 47 volumes that made up the Pentagon Papers.

Scott: Do you remember the staff’s reaction to all of this?

Jack: Even for those of us in the newsroom who were relatively new, it was obvious that publication of the report was going to be a major undertaking. There were whisperings that the government was furious over the leaking of the Papers and that lawsuits challenging the Times’ right to publish the report were imminent.

Scott: Was management all on board with the decision to publish?

Jack: Frankel’s book reveals the divisions among the top executives about the viability of publishing a stolen government report while the United States was still at war in Vietnam. After the first installments were released to the public, the Department of Justice obtained an injunction, which halted publication of the Papers in both The Times and The Washington Post, which had also begun publishing the report.

Scott: What was the mood among staff at the paper?

Jack: Before the injunction, the feeling in the newsroom was one of pride for The Times’ willingness to take on the federal government. After the injunction, the mood turned to anger. There was a sense that the government reaction was overkill and threatened the First Amendment’s guarantee of a free press. Within a few weeks, the Supreme Court dissolved the restraining order and publication of the report resumed.

Two years later, in 1973, the Watergate scandal led to further disappointment within the nation as to the proper role of government and to the loss of faith in traditional instititions.

Not much appears to have changed in the 21st century.

Scott: How did you feel about having worked for one of the world’s most recognized and popularly read newspapers?

Jack: Working for The New York Times fulfilled a lifelong dream for me, having known since age 9 that I wanted to work in journalism. Throughout my 40-year career at The Times I was always excited to walk in the front door.

Jack Topchik and his wife, Carol, moved to Frederick County from Westchester County, N.Y., in 2009 and are enjoying life in Downtown Frederick. Scott Grove is the owner of Grove Public Relations, LLC, an advertising and marketing firm. A former reporter and lifelong student of history, his work also includes interpretive planning and design for museums and historic sites. Grove is the co-creator of the Frederick Maryland Walking Tour mobile app. For more info, visit itourfrederick.com or grovepr.com. FM fredMAG 67

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8/23/23 11:39 AM

diversions

They might be the most recognizable trees in the City of Frederick—a stand of 90-plus-year-old American sycamores next to the Frederick Fairgrounds.

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Tree Line

East Patrick Street Sycamores Stand Watch at Fairgrounds ✶

BY J.D. WILLOUGHBY PHOTOGRAPHY BY TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

L

LATER THIS MONTH, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WILL FLOCK TOWARD EAST PATRICK Street for The Great Frederick Fair. Many of them will pass by 17 hulking American sycamore trees, probably without noticing, as their minds are more likely focused on the food and fun ahead.

But those trees provide some of the best shade on that end of the city, so their location is likely intentional.

Gate 6 on East Patrick Street was once the entrance to the fair for trolley riders and walkers coming from Downtown, says Karen Nicklas, general manager for The Great Frederick Fair. These patrons no doubt appreciated the cool respite provided by a tree canopy, The trees were planted in 1931 without much ado. They are not even

noted in the historical archive of the fair. But the American sycamores began their life at a notable time in the city and nation’s history.

“It seems likely that these may have been planted as part of a national effort by the American Tree Association and the George Washington Bicentennial Commission, or at least by its influence,” says Lisa Mroszczyk Murphy, historic preservation planner for the City of Frederick. The trees were dedicated to George Washing-

ton that year in celebration of his upcoming 200th birthday. Other areas of the city were also planted, specifically with sycamores, as part of the bicentennial campaign.

Mroszczyk Murphy says the plantings might also have been influenced by the City Beautiful Movement, promoting the beautification of urban landscapes nationwide, often including tree-lined boulevards.

American sycamores, Plantus occidentalis, are easy to identify with

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diversions Sycamores are susceptible to anthracnose, a fungus that attacks the tree’s vascular system. Rarely fatal, the fungus usually presents itself by creating elbows in the limbs, giving them a craggy, gnarled and eerie appearance.

their camouflage bark of white, beige and shades of light green. They are especially striking in winter with their bright trunks standing bare against a clear blue sky.

Sycamores are quite common around Frederick, especially around water. Many older homes in the Downtown area have or had sycamores in their yards. One notable century-old sycamore, standing at 100 feet tall, was featured in The Frederick News-Post in October 1988. The tree once stood at the corner of Bentz Street and Carroll Parkway, and stood in the way of a planned sewer line near what is now the Carroll Creek spillway. About 50 residents signed a petition to save the tree. Ultimately, however, the tree was felled to accommodate the beginning stages of the flood control project. The tree became firewood and was mourned

in the local news. Another sycamore directly across Bentz Street was felled to make way for the same sewer line.

Three of the original 20 trees in front of the Fairgrounds have been removed for various reasons. As sycamores age, they develop cavities and sometimes shed heavier limbs. Though they can reach heights of 100 feet or more, the fairgrounds sycamores are only about 30 to 40 feet tall. Two of the trees are slated for removal and replacement in the near future; both have thinning canopies and other damage, says Josh Dunk, arborist for the City of Frederick.

Sycamores are susceptible to anthracnose, a fungus that attacks the tree’s vascular system. Though it doesn’t usually kill the tree, the fungus can leave the tree more susceptible to other pests and diseases. The fungus usually presents itself by creating elbows in the limbs,

giving them a craggy, gnarled and eerie appearance, especially in winter with bare limbs.

East Patrick Street, part of the National Road, has long been one of the main entries to the city center. The row of sycamores is reminiscent of those in England. London plane trees, a cousin to the sycamore, often lined straight boulevards to shade pedestrians and carriages, now cars, leading to a grand estate or popular attraction. It’s unclear from the records if that was the intent of these American sycamores, but it would seem from their placement and species choice that might have been the idea.

During the Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) planted trees all over the United States, including in Frederick County. The American sycamore was planted in Frederick in bulk during that time. Some of those

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diversions The thick-canopied sycamores on East Patrick Street, whose leaves can reach 8 inches across, likely once provided welcome shade to fairgoers arriving by foot or trolley on a warm September day.

sycamores still stand throughout the county and their progeny are especially prolific in the stream valleys.

The City of Frederick Board of Aldermen in 1983 created a street tree list of only 29 species, including London plane. The American sycamore did not make the lineup back then, but it is now one of nearly 50 species on the city tree list.

In 1984, the citizens of Frederick County voted by mail-in ballot for what would be designated as the county tree.

The American sycamore beat the six other species on the list to become the county tree, edging out the second-place tulip poplar by just two votes. (The white oak, Maryland’s state tree, came in fourth.) In order to be listed on the ballot, trees must have been native to the county, grown to maturity in the county, produced a usable product, easily recognized by the general public and representative of the forest industry in the county.

Sycamores are fast growers, often adding a foot or two in a growing season

when first planted. Though they fill in fast, that can often lead to weaker wood. Sycamores tend to overextend their limbs so the tips reach sunlight.

The weight of those limbs means they sometimes drop them without warning.

Sycamores are also notoriously bad at compartmentalizing decay, putting much of their energy into growing fast and tall, rather than fighting off diseases that might eventually be fatal.

When grown in a forest, sycamores grow fewer low limbs and shoot up to the canopy to reach the sunlight.

When grown in a field or a yard, they tend to grow squattier and have many more lower limbs. They are epic providers of shade. Their large leaves, sometimes 8 inches across, fan out and make some of the best picnic trees around. However, the pockets in their bark can hide ants so set your blanket well away from the trunk.

Sycamores often endure some of the worst that nature and humans can throw at them, but they continue to thrive. An excerpt of Wendell Berry’s poem The

Sycamore captures the tree’s disposition well: “Over all its scars has come the seamless white of the bark. It bears the gnarls of its history healed over. It has risen to a strange perfection in the warp and bending of its long growth.”

There is no doubt that the sycamores at the fairgrounds were planted with care, even if their species didn’t garner a note in the history books.

They also might have been an inspiration only a few years later for the Works Progress Administration to direct the CCC to plant so many of them throughout the county. Continuity and consistency were likely helpful in providing some sense of peace during a difficult time.

The old East Patrick Street sycamores could likely tell stories about happy fairgoers, sinkholes and even the Frederick Running Festival. In only a few years, new sycamores will begin to fill in the space that their predecessors held for nearly 100 years and they will have their own stories to tell alongside their elders. FM

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Agave 137 Tequila Bar & Kitchen

Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

Bushwaller’s

Airways Inn

Belles’ Sports Bar & Grill

The Buzz Café

137 N. Market St, Frederick. 240-439-4367.

Best margaritas, tacos and entertainment on Market St. $$ 310 Aviation Way, Frederick. 301-228-2100.

Sandwiches, salads and more. Adjacent to airport. $

★ Voted “Best of Frederick” 2022 - $ entrées $8 and under - $$ entrées $8–$15 - $$$ entrées $15 and over

A.K.A. Friscos

4632 Wedgewood Blvd., Frederick.

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

Aleko’s Village Café

4304 Old National Pike, Middletown.

301-371-3500. Greek, vegetarian and vegan specialties, subs and salads. $

Analia’s Café

480-A Prospect Blvd., Frederick.

301-378-8663. Greek cuisine, lunch and dinner. $$ ★

Anchor Bar

5605 Spectrum Dr., Frederick.

240-651-5580. Home of the Original Buffalo Wing. $$ ★

Antrim 1844 Smokehouse Restaurant

30 Trevanion Road, Taneytown.

410-756-6812. Open daily for dinner.

French-American cuisine. Reservations required. $$$ ★

Atlantic Grille

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

B. Anderson’s Backyard Experience

1448 W. Patrick St, Frederick.

301-898-2075. Farm-to-table soul food with a Jamaican fusion experience. Serving lunch and dinner. $$-$$$

Beans & Bagels

49 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-620-2165.

Light breakfasts and lunches. $ ★

1448 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-898-2075.

Big burgers and great ice cream selections. $ ★

1202 E. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-696-9623. Great ribs and other American fare. $

Bellisario’s Pizza

934 N. East St., Frederick.

301-662-9233. Sauce and dough made fresh daily. $$ ★

209 N. Market St., Frederick.

301-695-6988. Irish fare in an attractive pub setting. $$-$$$ 11801 Fingerboard Road, Suite 3, Monrovia. 301-865-4900. Scratch bakery and café that features breakfast and lunch items as well as custom cakes and goodies. $-$$

Cacique

26 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-695-2756.

Fine Spanish and Mexican cuisine. $$-$$$ ★

Big Papi’s

Café Bueno

Black Hog BBQ & Bar

Café Nola

5711 Industry Lane, Frederick. 240-651-5969.

Authentic Mexican dishes. $-$$ 118 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-662-9090.

221 Shorebird St., Frederick. 301-662-9600.

3323 Worthington Blvd., Urbana.

240-699-0070. 100 Middletown Pkwy, Middletown. 240-490-8147. Specializing in various styles of barbecue. $$ ★

Bollinger’s Restaurant and Uncle Dirtys Brew Works

210 N. Church St., Thurmont.

301-668-1522. Home-cooked meals, fresh baked pies, cakes and desserts. $$-$$$

Bonefish Grill

1305 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-271-3500.

Contemporary grill chain offering a seafood-centric menu, plus steaks and cocktails. $$$

Brewer’s Alley

124 N. Market St., Frederick.

301-631-0089. Contemporary American regional cuisine and microbrewery. $$

Buffalo Wild Wings

210 Shorebird St., Frederick.

301-662-1333.

3335 Worthington Blvd., Ijamsville.

240-699-0313.

Chicken wings, sandwiches and other family fare. $ ★

255 E. 4th St. 301-620-8858. Authentic Mexican food. Burritos a favorite. $-$$ ★ 4 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-694-6652.

Bistro café. Coffee, tea and sandwiches. $ ★

Callahan’s Seafood Bar & Grill

1808 Rosemont Ave., Frederick.

301-698-9596. Fresh seafood. $$

Carriage House Inn

200 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg.

301-447-2366. Traditional dishes served in a colonial setting. $$$ ★

Carroll Valley Golf Course

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

CarterQue Barbeque & Grilling Co.

1310 S. Main St., Mount Airy.

301-829-2222. Award-winning barbecue and seafood dishes. $-$$ ★

Casa Rico

1399 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-663-3107. Mexican fare in a comfortable, pleasant setting. $-$$

Cellar Door Restaurant

5 E. Church St., Frederick. 301-695-8460.

American Casual Cuisine & Cocktail Lounge. $-$$$ ★

Chatime Tea

5219 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

301-378-2530. Bubble tea. $

Chef Lin Buffet

417 S. Jefferson St., Frederick.

301-620-0664. Asian cuisine. $-$$

Chili’s Grill & Bar

5100 Pegasus Court, Frederick.

301-662-8130. Fresh Tex & Mex. $$

China Garden

506 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-695-5055.

Asian cuisine. $-$$ ★

crave

Clay Oven Restaurant

Avery’s Maryland Grille

1170 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-631-2004.

Indian, Nepalese cuisine. $$-$$$

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

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Coal Fire

7820 Wormans Mill Road, Frederick.

301-631-2625. Coal-fired pizza, sand- wiches, salads and dinner entrées. $-$$

Common Market

927 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-663-3416.

Organic fare and vegetarian specialties, takeout. $

The Comus Inn at Sugarloaf Mountain

23900 Old Hundred Road, Dickerson.

301-349-5100. Fine dining at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain. $$$

Crabapples Delicatessen

101 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-694-0208.

Traditional New York–style deli. $ ★

Cucina Massi

111 E. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-624-1052. Italian and more. Small plate appetizers to share. $$-$$$ ★

Cugino Forno

1705 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-835-9575.

Neapolitan pizza. $$

Delhi 6 Indian Restaurant

5732 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

301-698-9970. Authentic Indian cuisine. $$-$$$

Delizia Café

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

The Derby Restaurant and Bar

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

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

Distilled

221 Shorebird St., Frederick.

301.228.3629. Craft cocktails and casual eats. $$-$$$

Dublin Roasters Coffee

1780 N. Market St., Frederick.

301-228-9367. Artisan, hand-roasted coffee, featuring organic and fair-trade products. $ ★

Dutch’s Daughter

581 Himes Ave., Frederick. 301-668-9500.

Seafood, steak and poultry specialties. $$$ ★

Fajita Grande

5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. 301-698-8989.

Mexican cuisine. $-$$

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

5201 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

315-850-0077. Steakhouse. $$

Firehouse Subs

1700 Kingfisher Drive, Frederick. 301-8982027. 5100 Buckeystown Pike, #194, Frederick.

301-668-6301. A variety of hot gourmet sub sandwiches. Dine in, takeout and catering available. $

Firestone’s Culinary Tavern

105 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-663-0330.

Elegant cuisine in a casual atmosphere. $$-$$$

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Firestone’s Market on Market

113 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-696-8586.

Custom made-to-order sandwiches and salads. Wines, craft beers, specialty and locally-made goods. $-$$

Firestone’s Sidecar

109 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-663-0330.

Serving custom desserts & elegant milk shakes, as well as the full Tavern menu. $-$$$

Flaming Grill & Buffet

1003 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-664-3388.

Chinese, Japanese and American cuisine. $-$$

Fratelli’s Italian & Seafood

200 Middletown Parkway, Middletown.

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

Frederick Coffee Company & Café

100 N. East St., Frederick. 301-698-0039.

Coffee specialties, light fare and weekend ­ entertainment. $ ★

Frederick Social

50 Citizens Way, Frederick. 240-629-8525.

Brew pub and cafe. $$ ★

The Garage

440 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 240-344-5340.

Wood-fired pizza, appetizers, sandwiches, salads and locally brewed beers. $-$$

Frederick Soups

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

Gladchuk Bros. Restaurant

489 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-662-7750.

Hearty international fare. $$$

Glory Days Grill

1305 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-696-1112.

American grill with a sports theme. $-$$$

Gran Azteca Mexican Food Bar & Grill 6956 Crestwood Blvd., Frederick.

301-378-2785. Authentic Mexican Cuisine. $$-$$$

Hippy Chick Hummus

237 N. Market St., Frederick. 3240-815-7175.

Vegan restaurant. $$ ★

Hootch & Banter

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

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

Ibiza Café

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

il Forno Pizzeria

1035 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-846-0422. Wood-burning oven-cooked pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. $$ ★

il Porto

200 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-620-7480.

245 Muddy Branch Road, Gaithersburg.

301-590-0735. Fine Italian food. $-$$

Indian Wok

8415 Woodsboro Pike, #J, Walkersvillle.

301-304-0103. Traditional Indian fare, along with Indo-Chinese food. $$

Isabella’s Taverna & Tapas Bar

44 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-698-8922.

Tapas. $$ ★

JB Seafood

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

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

Jasmin Mediterranean Grill

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

Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Dine-in, carryout and catering. $-$$

Jerk It Smoke It

2060 Yellow Springs Road, Frederick.

240-831-4157.Authentic Caribbean-American culinary experience. $-$$

Jerk n’ Jive Caribbean Kitchen

490 Prospect Blvd., Frederick. 301-835-7403.

Authentic Caribbean cuisine. $-$$ ★

JoJo’s Restaurant & Tap House

16 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-732-5197.

American fusion. $$-$$$ ★

King’s New York Style Pizza & Italian Restaurant

8415-G Woodsboro Pike, Walkersville.

301-845-4910. Classic pies, subs, pasta dinners. $-$$

Kittiwat Thai Kitchen

5205 Presidents Court, Frederick.

301-631-0999. Authentic Thai cuisine.

Lunch and dinner daily. $-$$$

LAVA Volcanic Grill & Wok

8925 Fingerboard Road, Urbana.

240-483-8475. Asian fusion. $$

La Paz

51 S. Market St., Frederick. 301-694-8980.

Mexican fare. $

Las Tunas

1043 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

240-629-8008. Authentic Mexican food. $$

Lazy Fish

10 E. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-695-9656.

Asian sushi bistro. $-$$$ ★

Ledo Pizza

490-1 Prospect Blvd., Frederick.

301-663-9800.

1293 Riverbend Way, Frederick.

301-694-0050.

3303 Worthington Blvd., Urbana.

240-699-0303.

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

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Nutrition 4 UR Mind

5828 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick.

240-498-6798. Smoothies, Boosted Teas. $

Old Dominion Grill & Sushi

5732 Buckeystown Pike #18-20, Frederick.

301-682-6888. Family restaurant, American, Japanese, Thai, etc. $-$$$ ★

The Orchard

45 N. Market St., Frederick.

301-663-4912. Flavorful healthy fare and vegetarian selections. $$ ★

Modern Asia

1306 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-732-5193. A wide array of authentic Chinese and Thai food. $$ ★

Liberty Road Seafood & Steak

10524 Liberty Road, Frederick. 301-898-3181.

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

Los Amigos

205 Frederick Road, Thurmont.

301-271-8888. Mexican food with specials through the week. $$

Los Toltecos

1305 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-846-0030.

True Mexican cuisine, seven days a week. $$

Lucky Corner Restaurant

5100 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 174, Frederick.

301-360-5913. Vietnamese grill and noodle restaurant. $$ ★

Lucky Pho Ever

700 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-624-1005.

Asian bistro, Vietnamese cuisine. $$

Madrones

7810 Worman’s Mill Road #J, Frederick.

240-439-4010. Traditional American steak and seafood. $$-$$$ ★

Magoo’s Pub & Eatery

1-A W. 2nd St., Frederick. 301-378-2237.

Traditional Irish-American favorites. $$-$$$

The Main Cup

14 W. Main St., Middletown. 301-371-4433.

Casual café and coffeehouse. $-$$$

Manalù Italian Restaurant

5227 Presidents Court, Frederick.

240-578-4831. Authentic Italian restaurant serving traditional foods in a warm and cozy atmosphere. $$-$$$ ★

Mangia e Bevi

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

Mariachi Restaurant

crave

5854 Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-418-6367.

Fine Spanish and Mexican cuisine. $$ ★

Matsutake Sushi and Steak

5225 Buckeystown Pike (Westview Promenade), Frederick. 301-631-5060.

Hibachi and Japanese cuisine. $-$$$

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May’s

5640 Urbana Pike, Frederick.

301-662-4233. Home-cooked meals, crabs. $$ ★

Mayta’s Peruvian Cuisine

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

Mirage Cafe & Grill

243 N. Market St., Frederick.

301-631-9247. Mediterranean fare. $-$$

Miyako

1005 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-620-0024.

Sushi, noodles, Japanese steak house, specialty cocktails. $$$

Mod Pizza

5256 Buckeystown Pike (Westview Promenade), Frederick. 240-877-7967.

Custom, artisan-style pizza and salads. $-$$

Monocacy Crossing

4424-A Urbana Pike, Frederick.

301-846-4204. American comfort food and fine wine. $$-$$$

Morgan’s American Grill

11717 Old National Pike, New Market.

301-865-8100. A family-friendly restaurant with big city dining. $$-$$$

Mountain Gate Family Restaurant

133 Frederick Rd., Thurmont. 301-271-4373.

Buffet and menu selections. $ ★

Mountain View Diner

1300 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

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

New York J&P Pizza

6103 Spring Ridge Pkwy., Frederick.

301-644-1372. Lunch and dinner daily. $$-$$$

North Market Pop Shop

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

Trickling Springs Creamery ice cream.

400-plus soda choices. $-$$$ ★

Oscar’s Alehouse

906 N. East St., Frederick. 301-378-2793.

Buzzing bar and grill featuring updated American fare and craft beers on tap. $$-$$$

Outback Steakhouse

1007 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 301-662-9584.

Steak and seafood. $$-$$$

Pasquale’s

11670 Old National Pike, New Market.

301-882-7103. Italian restaurant and pizzeria. $$

Patowmack Farm

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

Peking Gourmet

5732 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

301-846-0001 or 301-846-0002.

Peking-style cuisine. $$

The Pham

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

Pho An Loi

440 Prospect Blvd., Frederick.

301-378-9099. Specializes in Vietnamese dishes, along with Thai food. $$

Pho Basil

701 Motter Ave., Frederick.

301-898-2141. Vietnamese dishes including noodle-based pho. $$

P.I.G.S. BBQ Restaurant

2401 Whittier Drive, Frederick.

240-629-8001. BBQ restaurant. $$ ★

Pistarro’s

221 N. East St., Frederick.

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

Plaza Mexico

2481 Merchant St., Frederick.

301-228-9889.

50 Carroll Creek Way #130, Frederick.

240-439-4041.

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

Pumpernickel + Rye

3538-Urbana Pike, Urbana. 240-397-9600.

Market and deli. $-$$

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Ragin’ Reef

Simply Asia Pan Asian Bistro

The Red Horse

South Mountain Creamery

506 E. Church St., Frederick. 240-815-5438.

A casual seafood restaurant with top quality fresh food, affordable prices, and unmatched service. $-$$$ ★

4071. reak- ng

996 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-663-3030. A Frederick institution for great steaks and seafood. $$$ ★

Red Lobster

1020 W. Patrick St., Frederick.

301-846-9474. Fresh seafood. $$

Ricci Restaurant

1021 Mill Pond Road, Frederick.

240-578-4273. Restaurant and wine bar offering tasty Italian dishes, wood-fired pizza and steak. $$

Roasthouse Pub

5700 Urbana Pike, Frederick. 301-418-6098.

Craft beer, American fusion bistro. $$

Rosati’s Pizza

911 W. 7th St., Frederick. 301-694-4650.

Chicago-style pizza, pasta, sandwiches and salads. $$

Rube’s Crab Shack

17308 N. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg.

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

120 Frederick Road, Suites B&C, Thurmont.

301-271-2858. Chinese, Thai, Japanese, sushi bar, Asian fusion, dine in, carryout, catering. $-$$ 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. $$

Santa Rosa Restaurant

crave

5120 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

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

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Thai Meric Eatery and Bar

1170 W. Patrick St., Frederick. 240-651-0998.

Authentic Thai cuisine. $-$$ ★

Thai Table

5221 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick.

240-877-7034. Thai + Lao cuisine. $$

The Tasting Room

101 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-379-7772.

European cuisine. $$$ ★

Thurmont Kountry Kitchen

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

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

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

Classic hamburgers and fries. $ ★

Schroyer’s Tavern

Silver Diner

228 N. Market St., Frederick. 240-332-3186.

Chef Bryan Voltaggio’s cuisine prepared with seasonal, local ingredients in a relaxed atmosphere. $$$

Wag’s

5 W. Church St.., Frederick. 240-815-7079.

Fine Japanese and Korean dining. $-$$$

41 S. Market St., Frederick.

240-575-9876. Seafood, friendly gathering place. $$

Thacher & Rye

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

Contemporary American cuisine. $-$$

Sapporo II

The Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar

5105 Pegasus Court, Frederick.

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

Valley Grill Sports Bar

107 Baughmans Lane, Frederick.

301-662-9348. Salvadorean and Mexican food. $-$$

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

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

Texas Roadhouse

301 N. Market St., Frederick.

240-831-4847. Charming restaurant/ bistro offering full service breakfast, lunch and dinner. Uniqueness and variety with a touch of elegance. $-$$$

9 E. Patrick St., Frederick 301-663-1036.

Cuban cuisine. $$

Showroom

244 E. Church St., Frederick.

240-780-8517. Gourmet Italian dishes.

Handmade pasta. $$

Up On Market Bistro

Sabor de Cuba

Maryland National Golf Club, 8836 Hollow Road, Middletown. 301-371-0000.

Contemporary American cuisine. $$$

Tempo di Pasta

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. $-$$

Tapia’s On Main

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. $-$$ ★

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

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

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lifestyles

Memorial Hall was built a century ago to honor soldiers in World War I. Facing page: The building has been transformed into apartments and retail space.

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Reimagined Past Middletown’s Memorial Hall Becomes Apartments, Retail

BY KAREN GARDNER ✶ PHOTOGRAPHY BY TURNER PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO

A

A CENTURY AGO, THE BRAND-NEW MEMORIAL HALL IN DOWNTOWN MIDDLETOWN, with its distinctive tan brick façade, hosted plays, concerts, movies, town meetings and a variety of community gatherings and organizations.

“This building was built as a tribute to returning World War I soldiers,” says Becky Axilbund, executive director of Main Street Middletown. “Only Middletown and Baltimore built buildings as a tribute.”

High school proms once took place there and when a new high school was being built, classes were temporarily held in the building. In the early 1970s, the Middletown Volunteer Fire Department used Memorial Hall as its headquarters. The Middletown Air Raid Watch also used a portion of the building.

But for the past 50 years, the building has been mostly empty.

The one-time auditorium space was torn down a long time ago

and replaced with a warehouse occasionally used by an appliance store and other local businesses.

The building had been for sale for decades.

Today, Memorial Hall is reimagined and rebuilt, keeping the original façade, and home to 15 luxury apartments and two retail spaces.

Developer Ingrid Smith, her husband, Gerardo Lapetina, and business partner Elkana Breton bought Memorial Hall in summer 2020. They had hoped to renovate the building and add new space, converting it into a luxury apartment building. However, the crumbling rear structure, mostly vacant for half a century, was beyond saving, Smith says. The

owners decided to keep the historic façade, along with two original wings that flank the lobby, as well as the floor above the wings. They then would build a new four-story apartment building on the theater’s original footprint.

The building’s large size and landlocked location had detracted many potential investors over the years. Although it had original wood trim, floors, light fixtures and windows, the cost of restoration chased off would-be buyers.

Even the new owners encountered problems they weren’t expecting.

“We underestimated the infrastructure work—the electric, storm drain and water,” Smith says.

Main Street Middletown provided Smith and her partners

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lifestyles Above and top, right: All residents have access to a large rooftop patio that boasts an expansive view of the town and surrounding countryside. Above, right: The new apartments feature open floor plans, contemporary design and plenty of natural light.

a $50,000 grant through the town’s newly created Downtown Revitalization Zone to help with façade rehabilitation costs. In September 2021, Maryland Economic Development Association recognized Memorial Hall Apartments along with four other projects on Middletown’s Main Street for helping to transform the community’s main thoroughfare. Frederick County recognized the project with a 2022 Frederick Real Estate Dealmakers (FRED) Award for most creative adaptive reuse of an existing building. Memorial Hall Apartments were also featured on the 2023 Maryland House and Garden Pilgrimage. “We’re grateful these business owners have come to invest in downtown,” Axilbund says.

“It’s a little piece of Americana,” Smith says of Middletown. “You’re kind of in the country, but you have these urban elements.” The town’s restaurants, shops and businesses are just steps away from the apartments.

Smith and her husband had renovated two historic buildings in Frederick into apartments, and

Breton also renovated the old Valley Register Building on Middletown’s Main Street into five apartments and two commercial spaces. “We wanted to create nice residential space within historic buildings,” Smith says. “Usually, these older buildings are in places people want to be.”

Recycling old buildings appeals to her, she adds. “I lived in Brooklyn for a long time, and Frederick kind of reminds me of Brooklyn, and Middletown has this kind of energy.”

The new structure is tucked behind the façade and is barely visible from Main Street. The façade has been cleaned up and looks much as it did when it was built. It still has the familiar textured tan brick trimmed with a granite base and steps. Buff terra cotta surrounds the name panel. The restored marquee is made of copper held in place by a structural steel frame and suspended from the name panel.

Memorial Hall was built in 1923 on space once occupied by Middletown Methodist Church.

Emory Coblentz and Edward Toms

bought the old church for $1,800, hoping to adapt it to use for the new hall. But because the church was too small, the owners decided to demolish it and erect the new Memorial Hall.

Coblentz and Toms hired Edward Leber, an architect from York, Pa., to design the new 50-by-140foot hall. Contractor Roy Poole of Frederick was hired for the building estimated to cost $50,000, paid for mostly from donations. The building had all the latest lighting, plumbing, heating and other modern amenities for its time. Its auditorium had 600 seats.

The two original wings, which were built to house the American Legion and town library, were able to be restored. These will be leased as retail or office space. These rooms, about 30-by-50 each, still have original wood trim, windows, fireplaces and other early-20th century architectural features.

The apartments combine modern luxury with quaint accents reminiscent of the original building. Open-air shelving in several of the kitchens was formed from wood

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lifestyles The Memorial Hall project required the demolition of warehouse space that once served as a theater auditorium. In its place is the four-story apartment building. The original façade was maintained.

salvaged from the building. These shelves contrast with the ultra-modern quartz countertops, new appliances, and hanging industrial style lights over the kitchen islands.

The four loft apartments on the top floor contain stairs also made with wood salvaged from the original building and iron railings.

There are 12 apartments inside the old theater footprint, while the original structure had to be expanded for the penthouse apartment. Most of the apartments have two bedrooms, renting from about $2,100 to $3,700 a month. The apartments are accessed by newly built interior stairs and an elevator.

Some of the apartments boast sweeping views of South Mountain and Middletown, while others overlook neighboring buildings or the adjacent Christ Reformed United Church of Christ property. All have large windows which allow lots of natural daylight. Installed cellular shades allow residents to control when they want to let in the light and views.

All residents have access to a large rooftop patio. Eight of the

apartments have wrought-iron balconies and the penthouse apartment opens to a private terrace above the façade. All have slightly different floor plans. They range in size from 800 to 1,250 square feet. All have tall ceilings, some stretching to 11 feet or more. Each has its own fullsized washer and dryer.

The four fourth-floor apartments have lofts that make the apartments feel more spacious. Loft areas can be office space or reading nooks. Closet space is ample in each apartment.

All the apartments except one have kitchen islands that provide extra seating. All have open floor plans with room for dining, living areas and separate bedrooms. Main bedrooms all have adjacent bathrooms, while each two-bedroom apartment also has a full second bathroom. Some of the bathrooms have oversized walk-in showers, while others have tub/shower combinations.

The two one-bedroom apartments contain original marquee windows preserved from the original second-story façade. The

smallest one-bedroom apartment, unlike the others, has a small galley kitchen. Both one-bedroom apartments have one bathroom. A new lobby area has exposed brick and original woodwork details. A new front door was built to match the original.

The two retail spaces off to the side of the lobby have high ceilings similar to those found in the rest of the building. Both retail spaces have exposed brick showcasing the original brick construction.

In order for the apartments to meet today’s building codes, work on the building had to remove much of the cavernous but crumbling rear warehouse. On the ground floor is parking for 10 cars. Two public parking lots, less than a block away, provide additional parking.

The building should be complete this month, and Smith is hoping the retail spaces will be rented by early fall.

A coffee shop, a small eatery, a shop or office space are all possibilities. “This is a good opportunity for us and the town,” Smith says. “We’re excited.”

For more information, go to www. memorialhallapartments.com. FM

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september events

Jesse James Day Sept. 9 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 Grandparent’s Day Excursion Sept. 10 Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Celebrate Grandparent’s Day with a relaxing train ride that passes over the Monocacy River and through the woods into picturesque Maryland farm country. Reservations recommended. 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. $. 301-8980899. www.wsrr.org

One More War to Fight—Union Veterans’ Battle for Equality

Sept. 9 National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St. A lecture by author Dr. Stephen A. Goldman. Learn the untold stories of how Northern veterans, black and white, fought a second war seeking equality for all Americans, and in the process created the model of civic responsibility based on military service that Americans have emulated in modern times. 2 p.m.–3 p.m. $. 301-695-1864. www.civilwarmed.org

Community Concert Series: The Knotwork Band Sept. 10 Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 W. Second St. An energetic performance featuring a unique mix of Celtic folk music from Ireland, Scotland, England and Brittany. Enjoy traditional and original songs performed with a wide spectrum of musical styles and a variety of instruments. This event is free and open to the public. 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 301-662-1464. https:// calvaryumc.org/concerts

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Literature Night Sept. 12 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Editors and writers from Hood College’s student-run literary magazine Wisteria host this installment of Literature Night with members reading from their work, followed by open mic readings. Free to enter and/or attend.

7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com FAC After Hours: Bijou Film Screening Sept. 12, 19, 26 Frederick Arts Council Art Center, 5 E. 2nd St. A streamlined curation of films presented by Falling Squares. 7 p.m. 301-662-4190. www.frederickartscouncil.org Concerts on the Promenade Sept. 13 Westview Promenade, Buckeystown Pike. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the final free summer concert at Westview, featuring blues and roots band Hard Swimming Fish. 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. www.shopwestview.com Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Sept. 14 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Enjoy this classic film from 1971 on the big screen. Presented by Wonder Book & Video. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org

Tommy James and The Shondells Sept. 10 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Turn back the clock with record-breaking music from the height of the 1960s. 3:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org

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september events

The Art of Comedy: Improv Night with Key City Improv Sept. 15 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Enjoy an evening of comedy improvisation featuring interactive, audience participation creating live, on-the-spot sketches and lots of laughs. All ages welcome but performances may contain mature topics and impromptu language. Spirits available for purchase for guests over 21 with a valid ID. 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com Jon Rudnitsky Sept. 15 The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Enjoy an evening with comedian Jon Rudnitsky. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-790-2000. www.mdtheatre.org

Feast Your Ears—The Story of WHFS 102.3 FM Sept. 16 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Take a trip back to the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s when “free form” progressive FM radio was in its heyday in America. 8 p.m. $.

301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org

The Great Frederick Fair Sept. 15−23 Frederick Fairgrounds, 797 E. Patrick St. A Frederick staple for the whole family to enjoy, featuring live performances at the grandstand, tractor and truck pulls, daily demonstrations, a demolition derby, animal shows and sales, horse pull, household and agricultural exhibits, the midway carnival and more. $. 301-663-5895. www.thegreatfrederickfair.com

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Art & Architecture Walking Tour Sept. 16 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. Look at Frederick with new eyes as you explore some of the popular architectural styles, local art and history in this 90-minute guided tour. 10:30 a.m. $.

301-663-1188. www.frederickhistory.org Princess Breakfast Sept. 16 Adventure Park USA, 11113 W. Baldwin, Monrovia. A fairytale morning featuring a buffet breakfast, princess meet and greet, photo opportunities and more. Tickets required. 9 a.m. $. www.adventureparkusa.com/events Summers Farm Fall Festival Sept. 16–Oct. 31 Summers Farm, 7503 Hollow Road, Middletown. For 27 years, Summers Farm has been a destination for fall fun with more than 45 activities, including a pumpkin patch, corn maze, barnyard animals, sound garden, rubber ducky races, corn pits, jumping pillows, tunnel slides, food, drinks and more. See website for hours of operation. Closed Tuesdays. $. 301-304-3031. www.summersfarm.com

A Night of Hip-Hop, Comedy and Love Sept. 16 New Spire Stages, 15 W. Patrick St. A night of music and comedy featuring rapper/comedian Positive K. 8 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org

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september events

Amy Grant Sept. 21 The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality and philanthropist, Amy Grant performs.7:30 p.m. $. 301-7902000. www.mdtheatre.org

Readings: Forgotten Female Playwrights Sept. 17–19 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. A staged readings series produced by the Endangered Species Project of Frederick. Pay what you can to enter. 7 p.m.–9 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com Advocates for Homeless Families 2nd Annual Golf Tournament Sept. 18 Clustered Spires Golf Club, 8415 Gas House Pike.

A fundraiser featuring breakfast, lunch, prizes, 50/50 raffle, door prize drawings and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit homeless individuals and families with children in Frederick County. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. www.ahfgolf.com Story Time in the Garden Sept. 19 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. Join Heritage Frederick for story time in the garden. Children will hear a book read followed by activities in the garden. 10 a.m.–11 a.m. $. 301-663-1188. www. frederickhistory.org Salsa Under the Stars Sept. 20 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. Dance to Latin beats at this popular monthly event that begins with a brief salsa lesson by 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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Annual Golf Classic Sept. 21 Maryland National Golf Club, 8836 Hollow Creek Road, Middletown. A day of fun on and off the greens, including a full breakfast, 18 holes of golf, gifts, door prizes, contests, lunch, dinner and more.

Proceeds support patient care, Kline Hospice House, bereavement, music therapy and veteran programs offered by Frederick Health Hospice. 7 a.m. $. 240566-3036. www.frederickhealthhospice.org Toad the Wet Sprocket

Sept. 21 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. Toad the Wet Sprocket is touring across the country to once again reconnect with fans and share their music. A limited availability meet and greet experience is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. $.

301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Comedy Night at Sky Stage Sept. 22 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 Gateway to the Cure Golf Classic Sept. 22 Maple Run Golf Course, 13610 Moser Road, Thurmont. A fun tournament at Maple Run Golf Course that includes 18 holes of golf, cart, lunch, awards and more to benefit The Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund. 8 a.m. $. 301-293-1016. www. thurmontmainstreet.com Western Maryland Light the Night Sept. 22 Carroll Creek Park, 50 Carroll Creek Way. Celebrate, honor and remember those touched by blood cancers at this community walking event that benefits research, advocacy and support for blood cancer patients and their families. 5 p.m.–9 p.m. www.lightthenight.org/events/western-maryland-0 Lafayette Gilchrist Sept. 22 New Spire Stages, 15 W. Patrick St. Gilchrist creates an exhilarating, kaleidoscopic soundscape with original compositions. 8 p.m. $.

301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Mount Airy Oktoberfest Sept. 23 Downtown Mount Airy. A full day of fun for the entire family with free admission, live music, beer tasting, Bavarian food, shopping, children’s activities and more. Noon–6 p.m. www.mountairyoktoberfest.org fredMAG 91

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september events

Direct from Sweden: Music of ABBA Sept. 23 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. A true ABBA tribute with some of Sweden’s most experienced and talented singers and musicians. 8 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org

National Public Lands Day Sept. 23 Monocacy National Battlefield Visitor Center, 5201 Urbana Pike. Celebrate National Public Lands Day by helping to keep Monocacy National Battlefield beautiful and preserve it for future generations. 10 a.m.–1 p.m. 301-6623515. www.nps.gov/mono Frederick During the Civil War Walking Tour Sept. 23 Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St. Explore what it was like to live in Frederick during the Civil War. Stories include the last Confederate invasion of the North, the ransom of Frederick and the Battle of Monocacy. 10:30 a.m. $. 301-663-1188. www.frederickhistory.org AARCH Society African American Historic Walking Tour Sept. 23 African American Resources Cultural and Heritage Society Heritage Center, 125 East 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. www.aarchsociety.org/walking-tours

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Middletown Heritage Festival Sept. 23 Main Street, Middletown. Celebrate Middletown’s past, present and future at this annual festival featuring family-friendly fun all day with crafts, historical demonstrations, live entertainment, artisans, food, a parade and more. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 3 01-371-6171. www.middletownheritagefestival.com Neverland Express Sept. 23 Walkersville Southern Railroad, 34 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville. Meet special Neverland guests 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. $. 301-898-0899. www.wsrr.org Dragons Love Tacos Sept. 23–Oct. 15 Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. Based on the book by Adam Rubin and illustrated

by Daniel Salmieri, a boy and his dog are watching a show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the ‘Dos and Don’ts’ of what to serve to dragons to eat. See website for show times. $.

301-694-4744. www.marylandensemble.org Fall Festival at Magnolia Meadow Farms Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 23–Oct. 29 and Sept. 25, Oct. 9, 20, 27 13001 Creagerstown Road, Thurmont. Fun for the whole family featuring a corn maze, hayrides, jumping pillow, slides, mini ziplines, pedal karts, farm animal interactions, concessions, beer and wine, campfires, farm market, pumpkins, Moonlit Maze nights and more. Saturdays, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Sundays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. $. 301-606-4086. www. magnoliameadowfarms.com The Bucket List Book Club Sept. 24 Frederick Health Hospice, 1 Frederick Health Way. Explore issues surrounding death and life through a variety of books and other media at this monthly support group. Reading the selected book each month is not required for book club attendance. 2 p.m.–4 p.m. 240-566-3030. www. frederickhealthhospice.org Mount Olivet Cemetery History & Mystery Tour Sept. 24 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.

Reservations required. Private tours also available.

7 p.m. $. www.marylandghosttours.com

Wearable Tech:

Smart Addition to Your Child’s Backpack Tech Talk

BY JENI LUBBERT As the new school year settles in, it’s essential to equip your child with tools that foster a productive and enriching academic journey. One category of tools that has gained momentum in educational circles is wearable technology. From smartwatches to fitness trackers and smart earbuds, these sophisticated devices offer more than just stylish appeal; they present valuable assets that can contribute to your child’s learning and development.

Imagine the convenience of a virtual assistant nestled on your child’s wrist, poised to aid them in navigating the challenges of academia.

Smartwatches, once limited to timekeeping, have evolved into indispensable aids for time management, task organization and assignment tracking.

With instant notifications and reminders, your child can effortlessly keep abreast of deadlines, events and responsibilities, theoretically eliminating the stress of last-minute rushes.

Fitness trackers, often associated with physical wellness, have transcended their original purpose. These devices now act as vigilant health monitors, overseeing your child’s activity levels, sleep quality and overall well-being. A healthy body nurtures a sharp intellect and wearable tech ensures that your child maintains the balance necessary to approach each day with vigor and enthusiasm.

And let’s not overlook the remarkable

utility of smart earbuds. In bustling classrooms and study sessions, these unassuming gadgets can aid your child in honing their focus and filtering out distractions. Whether they’re engrossed in educational podcasts or benefiting from calming background melodies, smart earbuds become invaluable tools for enhancing concentration and maximizing learning.

Picture this: Your child is engrossed in a study session, prompted by their smartwatch to take short breaks and maintain movement.

Simultaneously, their fitness tracker ensures proper hydration throughout the day. Meanwhile, their smart earbuds deliver a curated playlist, nurturing motivation and attentiveness.

As technology continues to intricately weave itself into every facet of our lives, wearable tech emerges as an integral companion for students of all ages. With wearable tech seamlessly integrated into their routine, these devices evolve into steadfast partners in their pursuit of success. Embrace this technological evolution, embrace the future and witness your child embrace this school year with newfound enthusiasm and confidence like never before!

Jeni Lubbert is a Project Manager at 270net Technologies, a website design and digital marketing firm in Frederick.

Contact her at 301-663-6000, ext. 615, or visit www.270net.com.

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september events Sherlock Sundays: Sherlock Holmes Radio Plays Live Readings Sept. 24 Sky Stage, 59 S. Carroll St. A 45-minute live reading of the nationally known radio show, The Future Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Jim French 7 p.m.–8 p.m. www.skystagefrederick.com An Acoustic Evening with John Hiatt Sept. 27 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. The legendary lyricist and storyteller returns to the Weinberg stage with an evening of acoustic music. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Kyshona Trio Sept. 28 New Spire Stages, 15 W. Patrick St. This versatile artist and powerful activist blends roots, rock, R&B and folk with lyrical prowess. 7:30 p.m. $.

301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Legacy Reunion: Earth, Wind & Fire Alumni Sept. 28 The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. An evening of monster grooves, high energy and danceable hits. 7:30 p.m. $.

301-790-2000. www.mdtheatre.org Tablao Flamenco Sept. 29 New Spire Stages, 15 W. Patrick St. Enjoy an evening of dynamic performance, improvisation and passionate music delivered by a cast of award-winning flamenco artists. 7:30 p.m. $. 301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Used Book Sale Sept. 29–Oct. 1 Evangelical Lutheran Church, Trunk Hall, 31 E. Church St. Peruse more than 5,000 used books, games and puzzles to benefit Operation Second Chance. Friday, 7 p.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.– 7 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. www.twinspires.org/calendar Angels in America Part 2: Perestroika Sept. 29–Oct. 29 Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St. Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winning play that grapples with heaven and hell, love and sex and death. Both tragic and funny, the play raises the question: Who are the real angels in a disparate world? See website for show times. $. 301-6944744. www.marylandensemble.org

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Art at the Point [photo]Sept. 30 Community Commons Park, 3700 Commerce St., Point of Rocks. The Point of Rocks Ruritan Club hosts a community festival in celebration of the arts and cultural heritage of southern Frederick County. Enjoy live, local music, arts, crafts, a silent auction, local fare and more. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. www.pointofrocksmd.org World Ballet Series: Cinderella Sept. 30 Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St. An enchanting story for all ages with a dose of humor, the majesty of classical ballet and the promise of happily ever after. 7 p.m. $.

301-600-2828. www.weinbergcenter.org Community Concert Series: Maureen Walsh Oct. 1 Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 W. 2nd St. Classical saxophonist Maureen Walsh performs works by Debussy, Ravel, Fauré and Maurice. This event is free and open to the public. 3 p.m.–4:30 p.m. 301-662-1464. www.calvaryumc.org/concerts Pink Ribbon 5K Oct. 1 Hood College, 601 Blazer Trail. Run in support of survivors of breast cancer. Proceeds support the Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund.

7: 30 a.m. registration. 8 a.m. runners start.

At 8:30 a.m. survivors start and 9 a.m. walkers start. Virtual run option available. $. www.pinkribbonfrederick.org Fall Pumpkin Patch Oct. 1–29 Green Meadows Farm, 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville. Enjoy a day on the farm with hands-on animal visits, hay rides, pig races, a pumpkin patch and more. 10 a.m.– 3 p.m. $. 301-865-9203. www.greenmeadowsevents.com Brunswick Railroad Days Oct. 7, 8 Downtown Brunswick and Square Corner Park. Enjoy live music, children’s entertainment, train rides, train displays, arts and crafts and local fare at this unique and fun festival. 10 a.m.−5 p.m. 301-834-7500. www.brunswickrailroaddays.org FM

Exploring Catholic Roots Backyard Tourist

BY JAKE WYNN

Frederick County holds a rich tapestry of history, and a significant chapter of its past can be found in its Catholic heritage. From centuries-old churches to serene pilgrimage sites, the county offers a captivating journey through time, allowing visitors to explore the religious history that has shaped the region. Embark on a spiritual and historical adventure, uncovering the Catholic heritage and history sites that stand as testaments to Frederick County’s religious legacy.

Located in the heart of Downtown Frederick, St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church is an embodiment of the county’s Catholic heritage. With a parish founded in 1763, the current church dates to 1837, boasting Greek Revival architecture and intricate stained-glass windows. Its 145-foot bell tower, completed in 1857, remains the tallest structure in the City of Frederick. The parish’s founder, Rev. John DuBois, founded what is now Mount St. Mary’s University in northern Frederick County in 1808.

St. John’s Catholic Cemetery, located nearby between 3rd and 4th streets in Frederick, is the final resting place of many of Frederick’s prominent Catholic residents. Among those interred in the cemetery are numerous Civil War soldiers who were cared for in the city’s makeshift military hospitals during the conflict. St. John’s rich history and vibrant faith community continue to draw both locals and visitors seeking a glimpse into the past.

Later this month, the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg will open its new visitor center and museum. This $4 million project will help residents and visitors alike discover the remarkable story of Seton, the first American-born saint. Seton settled in Emmitsburg in the early 1800s, founding the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph’s and the St. Joseph’s Academy and Free

School. Her work established a permanent bastion of Catholic education in the region, as Mount St. Mary’s University thrives in Emmitsburg to this day.

Embracing the legacy of America’s first native-born saint, the Basilica of the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton stands as a testament to the profound impact of this remarkable woman. The basilica is home to her final resting place, offering visitors a chance to connect with the life and teachings of a woman who played a pivotal role in shaping American Catholicism. The breathtaking architecture and tranquil surroundings make this site a must-visit for history enthusiasts and those interested in architecture.

Tucked away on the grounds of Mount St. Mary’s University, the National Shrine Grotto of Lourdes offers a serene sanctuary for spiritual reflection. Inspired by the famous grotto in France, this serene spot features lush gardens, a cascading waterfall and a replica of the Lourdes cave where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared. Visitors from all walks of life come to seek solace, healing and inspiration at this beautiful and historically significant site, which dates back to the first decade of the 19th century.

These Catholic heritage and history sites not only showcase remarkable architecture and artistry but also provide spaces for spiritual contemplation, connecting modern-day visitors to the legacy of faith that has shaped the region for generations.

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

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Rye Expression ✶

BY JODY BRUMAGE

look back

ARCHIVIST, HERITAGE FREDERICK

R

RYE WHISKEY HAS BEEN PRODUCED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE LATE 18TH CENTURY WHEN IT GAINED POPULARITY AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO RUM AND OTHER DISTILLED SPIRITS that were supplied through trade with Great Britain. Maryland developed its own style of whiskey, a blend of rye grain and corn, which became immensely popular in the 19th century. Several rye whiskey producers operated in Frederick County, including Price’s Distillery near Urbana, Cretin’s Distillery in Emmitsburg and Horsey and Ahalt Distilleries in Burkittsville.

John Dawson Ahalt was born in Burkittsville in 1848 and grew up working on the family’s farm.

In 1879, he established his distillery in a flour mill, which his father purchased on the Old Needwood Farm, the former plantation of Maryland’s second governor, Thomas Sim Lee. He named the operation Mountain Spring Distilling Company and marketed his whiskey under the “Antietam” brand. By 1900, the distillery encompassed eight buildings, including three steam heated warehouses with a capacity of 2,000 barrels of whiskey.

In 1905, Ahalt incorporated his business and the name changed to the Pure Rye Distilling Company, seen on this certificate of sale for five barrels of Antietam whiskey. He died in 1916, the same year Frederick Countians voted to close saloons and limit the sale of alcoholic beverages amid the growth of the temperance movement. The Pure Rye Distilling Company ceased operation with the passage of the Volstead Act in 1919.

Over a century later, local distilleries in Frederick County are again distilling whiskey from rye grain in the Maryland tradition once practiced by John Ahalt.

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