72 HOURS Jan. 5, 2023

TIVOLI DISCOVERY SERIES KICKS OFF

Downtown Frederick will welcome another season of the Weinberg Center’s Tivoli Discovery Series, which brings emerging artists to New Spire Stages for pay-what-you-can concerts. Canadian singer-songwriter Taylor Ashton will kick things off on Jan. 5.

NYT BESTSELLING AUTHOR VISIT

New York Times best-selling author Brad Meltzer will make a stop in Frederick on Jan. 12 in support of his latest release, “The Nazi Conspiracy.” Catch him during a book talk at the Downtown Community Room at ERUCC, 15 W. Church St., Frederick. Tickets are $32 and available through Eventbrite.

CELEBRATE THE RE-OPENING OF

Meet Bob & Freddie. When it comes to local businesses, businesspeople and organizations in Frederick, they know best. Here is a personal interview with a 2022 Best of the Best winner or finalist about why they love what they do, helping those they serve and working in Frederick.

Krietz Auto Sales

2022 WINNER FOR BEST AUTO DEALER (USED)

FBAC

The Frederick Book Arts Center is one of a kind, offering workshops and open houses and its adorable handmade newspapers to the community throughout the year. After a fire in 2022, FBAC closed for renovations. It will reopen this week with activities for all ages. Stop by FBAC on West Patrick Street between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 7 to see the shop’s updates and join in the fun of artmaking via paper and oldtime presses.

CREEPY JASON TALKS ABOUT HIS ‘INK

MASTER’ CHARACTER

UnCapped is an FNP podcast typically giving us the inside scoop on breweries and distilleries throughout our region and beyond, but this week, host Chris Sands changes gears a bit to talk with Jason Lynn, aka Creepy Jason of “Ink Master” fame, who also owns and runs House of Madness, a tattoo shop in Hampstead.

TIME FOR TEA

A Women’s Christmas is an old Irish tradition that will be held at The Devonshire Arms in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, on Jan. 6 to celebrate the women who have worked hard to make the holiday season memorable for their families and communities. Celebrate the end of Christmas by meeting with friends for tea or a meal, hosted by Judy Larkin, co-owner of The Larkin Tea Co. in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Can’t make it? Larkin will host a second event, Afternoon Tea to Celebrate Hot Tea Day, at 4 p.m. Jan. 12, at MJ’s on German DeliCafe in Shepherdstown. Call 304-707-0142 for details.

400 North East Street, Frederick 301-694-4642 krietzauto.com Facebook.com/KrietzAuto

BOB HISTORY

2019-2022 – Winner, Auto Dealer (Used)

2022 – Finalist, Auto Mechanic Shop

2022 – Finalist, Oil & Lube Shop

2017 & 2018 – Finalist, Auto Dealer (Used)

WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS OPEN IN FREDERICK?

Krietz Auto opened in Frederick in 1983 by Charlie and Kim Krietz.

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART?

We are a custom lifted truck and SUV dealership that is family owned and operated that also customizes people’s personal vehicles and provides maintenance and repair services.

WHAT MAKES FREDERICK COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS?

Frederick has stayed authentic to it’s culture and community.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHERS GOING INTO BUSINESS?

Set your goals high!

IF YOU WEREN’T IN YOUR CURRENT PROFESSION, WHAT OTHER TYPE OF BUSINESS WOULD YOU BE IN? Nascar Racing!

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOUR BUSINESS IN FIVE YEARS?

Continuing to be a huge part of the Frederick Community by participating in more community put reaches and opening up our aftermarket division to a nationwide market.

Staff file photo by Dan Gross

Frederick Book Arts Center founder Johnny Carrera in 2018 with his printing press.

Creepy Jason, owner of House of Madness tattoo shop

In this episode of the UnCapped podcast, host Chris Sands talks with “Ink Master” contestant Jason Lynn about his career as a tattoo artist, his experience on the show, his board game Dystopian Knights and his tattoo shop, House of Madness, in Hampstead. Here is an excerpt of their talk.

UnCapped: Today we are in beautiful Taneytown, Maryland, at Brewery Fire to talk to Jason Lynn. If you’ve ever watched season 12 or season 14 of “Ink Master,” you probably know him as Creepy Jason.

Jason Lynn: I’m off duty right now, so just “Jason” works.

UnCapped: Where did you get the nickname? Was that just for the show, or do people in real life call you Creepy Jason?

Lynn: No one in real life calls me Creepy Jason. The idea for that on the show was like a bad joke that I thought was gonna be funny till I saw my name really big on my station that said “Creepy Jason.” I was like, oh, what have I done to myself? And then it clicks that it’s a “battle of the sexes” season and I’m calling myself Creepy Jason. I’m like, man, I really just dug myself into a grave here.

The whole idea started with my horrible sense of humor, which is almost limitless. There’s not much I won’t make fun of. In the shop, I’ll say something pretty awful, and [coworkers] will say, “That’s creepy, Jason.”

During the casting process, the production [team] wanted to know what I wanted to be called, what’s my name. So I said

“Creepy Jason?” And they were like, “We gotta talk to copyright about that. We’ll get back to you.” They green-lit it, and it became who I am now.

UnCapped: That’s hilarious. I love that it’s a character you created for the show.

Lynn: Yeah, and that’s what it feels like. I put on a hat, I put on a tie and suspenders, and I’d be that character, Creepy Jason.

UnCapped: I didn’t even think about that, but you did always wear a specific style of clothes [on the show]?

Lynn: It’s my Creepy Jason uniform. When I put it on, I become that character. It’s great. It helps separate who I really am from the character. It was almost like Clark Kent turning into Superman but way less powerful.

UnCapped: Are there other people on the show like that, who created a character?

Lynn: Yeah, there were a handful of people on there previous to me who used fake names as well. I remembered who they were but [don’t remember] so many people on there who used their real names … so, I was like, I want to be remembered. Why go on as Jason Lynn? I wanna be Creepy Jason.

UnCapped: And if you don’t go on with a powerful personality on those types of

shows, one, you’re not gonna make it far.

Lynn: You’re not gonna make it through casting.

UnCapped: And two, you are going to be the unmemorable [contestant] no one cares about … it’s not going to do anything for your career to be on that show. You’re another person who’s gonna be forgotten out of the, what is it, 12 people?

Lynn: Season 12 was 16 people.

UnCapped: If you’re boring, no one’s gonna remember you out of 16 people.

Lynn: They cast for personalities. They don’t really care what your tattoos are like.

UnCapped: They definitely missed on a few.

Lynn: Yeah, exactly. But they know what they’re doing. The casting people are geniuses. In the same regard, I knew what

they were looking for, I spun all this BS about being an egotistical, narcissistic ass—, and I show up and I’m Mr. Nice Guy, just doing tattoos and there to have a good time. But they want that aggression. They want conflict. They want you to get into people’s faces. At that point, it was too late for them to say no to me because I was already there.

UnCapped: Are you saying that reality TV is not real?

Lynn: I usually refer to it as 3/4 reality. There’s definitely 25% of it that’s total BS. It’s all unscripted — that’s the key word there — but it is provoked. They do push narratives and people and stories in certain directions, and then they film so much, they can just cut out what they don’t want to show and really focus on the things that push the narrative they want to develop

on you.

UnCapped: I feel like you just told me Santa Claus isn’t real.

Lynn: Yeah, hate to break it to you, dude.

UnCapped: There is one part of how “Ink Master” is edited I absolutely hate. It’s the reaction shots.

Lynn: Yes. We film all of those before the scene even starts.

UnCapped: So they just tell you what to do?

Lynn: They say, “Everybody look surprised,” “Everybody look disappointed,” “Everybody look at your neighbor to the right, angry.” And that’s it. And they just cut that in wherever they want to.

UnCapped: You can tell it’s not even remotely flowing. It’s always the most generic [reactions].

Lynn: When they tell you for the 100th time what you’re winning, and you have to act surprised … again … . There were plenty of times where we’d record entire scenes, and they’d be like, “Your reactions weren’t big enough. We’re gonna do it again.” You have to repeat the same dialogue and have the same energy but higher.

UnCapped: How long did it take [in the casting process] until they cared about your tattoos?

Lynn: They never did. … But the tattooing does count. If you’re doing bad tattoos, you’re not gonna stay there. It doesn’t matter how cool your personality is or how much conflict you’re causing, if you’re doing bad tattoos, you’re going home.

This excerpt has been edited for space and clarity. Listen to the full podcast at fnppodcasts. com/uncapped. Got UnCapped news? Email csands@newspost. com.

Chris Sands

Jason Lynn, aka Creepy Jason.

McClintock’s Back Bar highlights homemade spirits, local ingredients

McClintock’s Back Bar is tucked away on South Carroll Street, just a few doors down from McClintock Distilling. The menu features cocktails made with McClintock’s “farm-to-bottle” spirits, said bar manager Phil Ford, and makes use of local ingredients whenever possible. Like the allorganic distillery, the Back Bar is a “Frederick-Central” operation, Ford said. It procures honey from local apiarists, cider from McCutcheon’s Apple Products and spices from The Spice & Tea Exchange, incorporating them into an array of both yearround and seasonal drinks. The Back Bar aims to serve cocktails that showcase McClintock’s spirits, and Ford said the simplest recipes do that best. The Back Bar’s take on an old fashioned is by far its most popular, Ford said, and its success has motivated him to scale back the complexity of other menu items to replicate its straightforward, no-frills appeal.

— Jillian Atelsek

McCLINTOCK’S BACK BAR

35 S. Carroll St., Suite 200, Frederick 301-825-5921

mcclintocksbackbar.com

Facebook: McClintock’s Back Bar

Instagram: @mccbackbar

Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday and Wednesdays through Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday, closed Tuesday

Price range: $9 to $10 cocktails

Bar manager Phil Ford recommends: The Ideal Old Fashioned, named for the Ideal Garage Company, which used to operate out of Back Bar’s current building. The drink is made with McClintock’s Bootjack Rye whiskey — which “starts off bold on the palate with a classic Rye spice but finishes with a mellow sweetness reminiscent of a bourbon,” according to the distillery’s website — and simple syrup. It’s garnished with orange and an Amarena cherry.

McClintock’s Back Bar manager Phil Ford uses local ingredients whenever possible. The Ideal Old Fashioned is made with McClintock’s Bootjack Rye whiskey.

Staff photo by Bill Green

1964 The Tribute says ‘P.S. I Love You’

BY CRYSTAL SCHELLE Special to The News-Post

For 38 years, Mark Benson has combed his mop-top, buttoned his slim ’60s suit, swung his Rickenbacker guitar strap over his shoulder and stepped onto the stage as John Lennon.

A founding member of 1964 The Tribute, Benson is one-fourth of the group who pays homage to The Beatles with an authentic musical experience. Rounding out the Liverpool lads are Mac Ruffing as Paul McCartney, Tom Work as George Harrison and Bobby Potter as Ringo Starr.

The group will perform at 8 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick.

1964 The Tribute focuses on the music and look of The Beatles until 1966. That means music from ’64’s “Revolver” back to ’63’s “Please Please Me.” The original Beatles broke up in 1970. But 1964 The Tribute lovingly recreates the early Beatles through not only music but authentic-era musical instruments, suits and hairstyles. Lennon didn’t start wearing his granny glasses until September 1966, so they aren’t part of the costume. The group even uses banter that was true to the Fab Four.

Benson said he’s relished playing Lennon for all these years.

“I’m lucky because John was a smartaleck, and now I get paid to do that,” he said with a laugh during a telephone interview from his Akron, Ohio, home after Christmas. “So that worked out pretty darn well.”

Over the years, Benson said he’s been able to connect with his onstage persona beyond the costume and music.

“I think whenever you do anything like this, where you’re impersonating either musical style or an actor in a movie or whatever, you gotta find something in you that you can relate to in the character,” he said. “One of the things I liked about [John] was that if he was pushed, he got nasty. But generally, he was very thoughtful and he was a nice guy.”

However, don’t expect Benson to start delving into the personal lives of his character.

“I don’t care what they had for breakfast. I don’t care if they got divorced or whatever. That’s their life,” he said.

For Benson, it’s hard to separate Lennon from The Beatles. Although they all went on to have successful solo

careers, Benson sees the group existing because they had all four of them. “My impression has always been that none of them would have been who they were without the other three,” he said. “It was that chemistry of those guys that gave each of the other ones the confidence and the security to go on and to be the versions of themselves that created all that music.”

And, Benson said, the camaraderie and chemistry among the guys were not manufactured.

“You could tell their senses of humor that they had this bond, and it was definitely the four of them against everything,” he said.

However, it was beyond their charm that made The Beatles such bonafide superstars. Benson said it was also their message. “It sounds cliché, but I think the thing that really drew everybody to them on a direct level or a subliminal level was love,” he said. “Just look how many song titles have the word in it? And how many songs don’t have it in the title, but they’re about it anyway.”´

It’s a theme that resonates with even their youngest fans. Benson said during a meet-and-greet after one show before the pandemic, a 6-year-old girl was standing in line with her mother and

making goofy faces at the guys as she waited.

“She comes up to the table, and I said, ‘You look really happy,’ and she goes, ‘I am.’ I said, ‘Why are you so happy?’ She looks right at me and with no reservation says ‘ Because of love.’ The thing that hit me was that I was supposed to be reminded of that, because that’s a part of what we do.”

It’s that message that 1964 The Tribute has continued to push out into the world. Just like that little girl, Benson said he and the group see it every night as people leave the performances happy and uplifted.

The original Beatles were only together for seven years, compared to the nearly four decades 1964 has performed together. And throughout that time, except for the pandemic,

the tribute band’s crowds have never waned.

The Beatles have been undergoing a new wave of Beatlemania, thanks to two documentaries: Ron Howard’s 2016 “The Beatles Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years” and Peter Jackson’s 2021 “The Beatles: Get Back Documentary.” Benson said he couldn’t point to a direct correlation between ticket sales and the movies because they are recovering from a pandemic that shut down music venues, but the movies don’t hurt.

The continual popularity of The Beatles, Benson said, is a testament to who the men where at their cores.

“I think it’s a multitude of things, but they’re all positive things,” he said. “Any interview you see with them, they’re never swearing or vulgar. They’ve always got some funny little quip or something like that. They’re just really entertaining people and very positive. Like I said ... the love vibe is in so many of their songs. It’s also in their character.”

Benson and the rest of 1964 The Tribute hope they too can express the love The Beatles evoked through their music. Because, borrowing a song title, “All You Need is Love.”

“If you’re a Beatles fan, [the show] will give you a glimpse of what it was like to see the beginning stages of The Beatles,” he said.

Also, he explains, after ’66, the type of music The Beatles wrote changed.

“There’s just very little rock ’n’ roll after ’66. Most of it’s, you know, ‘Strawberry Fields,’ ‘The Long and Winding Road,’ ‘Hey Jude.’ It’s just great music, really cool stuff. But it’s almost like let’s get a joint and listen to this because it’s really cool.”

Benson also likes the production 1964 The Tribute puts on because it’s a family show. The lyrics they sing aren’t explicit. The group’s banter is pretty PG. He said their audience includes toddlers to grandparents.

“We get emails from teenagers that say, this is the one show every year, I buy the tickets when I take my dad,” he said.

He’s still amazed at the younger generations who continue to discover The Beatles.

“For whatever reason, even though they didn’t grow up in that time period, [the music] seems to affect them in the same way,” he said. “They seem to have the same love and the same attraction to it like the people that grew up with it.”

Crystal Schelle is a journalist whose work has been published locally, regionally and nationally. She enjoys trivia, cats and streaming movies.

Courtesy photo

Encore Creativity for Older Adults welcomes singers to the spring season

Encore Creativity for Older Adults Welcomes Singers to the Spring Season

Encore Creativity for Older Adults, the nation’s largest choral organization for adults over 55, welcomes singers in Frederick to its spring semester of singing starting Jan. 12. The local group will sing an eclectic mix of songs to light up the colder months and usher in the spring, from choral arrangements of “Blue Skies” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” to celebrating friendship through singing “All the Way Home.”

Registration is open for Encore Creativity’s spring semester of 22.5 hours of rehearsal time, with 90-minute rehearsals once per week. The season will culminate in a crowd-pleasing performance that is free and open to the public.

No auditions are ever required for an Encore program, and no experience is necessary. The nonprofit’s guiding mission is to provide a welcoming and accessible artistic environment for all adults 55 and older who seek it, regardless of prior experience. Deb Int Veldt will conduct the Encore Chorale of Frederick, which meets on Thursdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick.

Encore provides an opportunity for older adults of all skill levels and experience levels to unite in harmony and perform in prestigious venues across the U.S. Encore singers across the country gathered on Dec. 26 for a performance at the John F. Kennedy

Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C., singing holiday favorites and rejoicing in the new year with more than 400 singers in attendance.

Tuition is $190 per person for the 15week program. Tuition includes sheet music and a rehearsal CD highlighting a singer’s voice part. Encore will follow all city, state and federal COVID-19 guidelines. For those who prefer

singing virtually, Encore also hosts online rehearsals that learn the same repertoire as in-person chorales. For more information and registration, visit encorecreativity.org or call 301-2615747.

For singers who want a full musical experience, a new semester of Encore’s vibrant online educational program Encore University begins mid-January.

Encore University is a comprehensive online program of enrichment courses in music history, music theory, dance, art and more. Tuition for the spring semester of Encore University is allinclusive at $99 and includes recorded versions of classes to be viewed on demand. Singers can combine both the in-person program with online classes for a holistic approach to arts education.

TIVOLI DISCOVERY SERIES

Taylor Ashton at New Spire Arts

The Weinberg Center for the Arts’ Tivoli Discovery Series features emerging artists from across the country in a pay-what-youwant format, which allows concert goers to experience new artists and their music at little to no cost.

Concerts are the first Thursday of each month and this season will be held at the Weinberg’s new venue, New Spire Stages, located at 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick, directly across from the Weinberg Center. Shows start at 7:30 p.m.

Taylor Ashton will perform at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 5.

A Vancouver native who now lives in Brooklyn, Taylor alternately accompanies himself

on clawhammer banjo and electric guitar, crooning poignantly clever lyrical insights. His music takes influence from the emotionality of Joni Mitchell, the vulnerability of Bill Withers, the humor and heartbreak of Randy Newman, and old-time and Celtic folk music.

Learn more about the artist at taylorashton. com.

Advance tickets are available for a suggested donation of $10, or audience members can pay what they want at the door. Purchase tickets at weinbergcenter.org, by calling 301-600-2828, or in person at the Weinberg Center box office at 20 W. Patrick St.

Courtesy photo

Encore Creativity for Older Adults’ Asbury & Friends holiday concert in 2021.

Joanna Chattman

Taylor Ashton

Learn the remarkable life of Robert Smalls

BY ERIK ANDERSON Special to The News-Post

Intellectually, we know the men and women who fought to end slavery in the United States were very brave. But reading about their heroism in the dry text of a history book doesn’t always inspire a strong emotional connection. More than a century and a half after the fact, we can have trouble understanding where they found the courage to risk their lives for justice.

On Jan. 7, visitors to the National Museum of Civil War Medicine will have the rare opportunity to ask that question of one of those brave, longdead freedom fighters in person.

Well, sort of.

In honor of the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation (Jan. 1), the museum will host a presentation by Timothy Hodges, who will portray Captain Robert Smalls, a young African American who in May 1862 escaped enslavement in South Carolina by commandeering a Confederate ship and delivering it to the Union Navy.

“Smalls’ daring escape from slavery … captivated the nation and inspired many in the Union to push for Emancipation,” Brad Stone, a volunteer docent with the museum, stated in a news release. [His escape] “helped convince President Lincoln and others that Blacks should be given the opportunity to fight with Union forces.”

Smalls would later pilot several Union boats in key naval operations during the Civil War, and he recruited about 5,000 African Americans to fight for the Union. Following the war, he drew on his celebrity status to become an important civil rights advocate. After learning to read as an adult and promoting educational opportunities for the formerly enslaved, he became one of the first Black legislators, serving eight years in the U.S. House of Representatives as a congressman from South Carolina.

As Hodges put it, “He’s just got a really, really good story, and it’s just something that needs to be told.”

In an interview, Stone said Hodges has become a renowned expert

Where Charm And History Meet

Midd letown

on Smalls within the historical reenactment world. Hodges is a long-standing member of The Confederation of Union Generals, an all-volunteer organization based

THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF ROBERT SMALLS

When: 2 to 3 p.m. Jan. 7

Where: National Museum of Civil War Medicine, 48 E. Patrick St., Frederick

Tickets: Event included in price of museum admission. $9.50 for adults, $8.50 for seniors (65 and up), $7 for students, $8.50 for military with ID, free for museum members and children 9 and under.

Info: 301-695-1864, civilwarmed.org

in Pennsylvania that seeks to bring historical figures to life through authentic live performances backed by high-quality research.

A member himself, Stone said the CUG is “tough to get into,” requiring prospective members demonstrate complete mastery of their adopted historic personas to a committee over a year-long probationary period.

“You have to be prepared to answer every aspect of the person’s life,” Stone said. “It’s a very intensive process, and I can tell you from the presentations [Hodges has given], he knows his stuff in and out.”

Hodges said he decided to take on the persona of Smalls rather than give third-person lectures about his life because presenting history from a first-person perspective is a much more engaging experience for the audience. “When you do it in firstperson, it comes alive, because you’re doing that persona as that person,” he said. “If you do it right, you become that person, and you put life into him, and it’s much, much better.”

Hodges said presenting Smalls’ story in the first-person allows him to introduce elements that give audiences a more grounded sense of the stakes than, say, showing slides from a PowerPoint presentation. When he is reliving Smalls’ dramatic escape,

Courtesy photo

Timothy Hodges portrays Robert Smalls.

FAMILY

Former FCPS teacher publishes children’s book

BY LAURA DUKES Special to The News-Post

A former Frederick teacher turned inspiration from reading to her son into realizing her own dream as an author.

Walkersville native Elizabeth Everett, who now lives in Boulder, Colorado, wrote her first children’s picture book, “This is the Sun,” which was published in October by Science Naturally Publishing of Washington, D.C.

It won two awards: the 2022 Brain Child Award and the 2022 Creative Child Book of the Year Award.

Everett graduated from Walkersville High School in 1996 and went on to teach for FCPS from 2001 to 2005 at Monocacy Elementary School. She currently homeschools her 5-year-old son and works remotely for a curriculum company.

She was interested in finding a fun way to teach her son about food chains and how they all start with the sun. Her story comes full circle and includes the life cycle of a tree, as well as animals, including foxes and snakes, showing readers how all animals’ survival is dependent upon the sun.

“If it wasn’t for the sun, they wouldn’t

“This is the Sun”

have food, basically,” Everett said.

The animals were selected based on the animals she and her son might be most likely to see in Colorado. She said she wanted it to be an accurate depiction of a food chain, and that involved some fact checking.

She said she also wanted to write a book that could potentially be used alongside manipulatives, such as pattern blocks, and she added that her publisher provides various freebies on its website, as well as a guide for teachers.

Everett worked with illustrator Evelline Andrya, who was born in Sumatra, Indonesia, and takes visual inspiration from vintage greeting cards and picture books. She has illustrated more than 35 children’s books, using a mix of traditional medium and digital collage.

Everett’s initial manuscript came together quickly, but the publishing process took about two years.

“I see it as the publishers know what they’re doing, and I think it paid off,” Everett said. “The end product is amazing. I love it.”

The book is meant for ages 4 through 7, but Everett said it could be read to younger children.

Though Everett no longer lives in Maryland, her book has found a local home at Frederick’s Curious Iguana bookstore.

Lauren Nopenz, the store’s buyer and manager, said she was attracted to the book’s bright and vibrant art and its collage-like quality. She likened the story to “There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Fly,” in that it builds on a concept and has some repetition. It show “how nature has this circular aspect,” she said. “It makes it really easy to understand, with great visuals to go along with it.”

Everett said some of the book’s reviews compared it to the nursery rhyme “The House That Jack Built.”

Everett is currently working on her second and third books, which are expected to be published in February and June, respectively. The second book is called “Twinkle, Twinkle Daytime Star,” which Everett said is also about the sun and based on her son’s favorite song. The third is more math-focussed and called “Spheres All Year.” Everett said it showcases the different sphere-shaped objects a person sees throughout the seasons.

She said she also might release another book in late 2023.

Her favorite part of the writing and publishing experience is seeing the final product and visiting schools with her books.

“It connects me to the teacher in me,” Everett said. “Being able to share that with others is pretty cool.”

Learn more about the author at elizabetheverettbooks.com.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13 | 8:00 PM

SILENT FILM SERIES Speedy (1928) SATURDAY, JANUARY 14 | 3:00 PM

‘THIS ALL REALLY

NYT best-selling author Brad Meltzer on his latest

BY CLARA NIEL cniel@newspost.com

New York Times bestselling nonfiction author

Brad Meltzer will be in Frederick on Jan. 12 for a book talk and signing of his new work, “The Nazi Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill.” Meltzer worked on this book with Josh Mensch, an author and documentary TV producer.

The evening is hosted by Curious Iguana and Frederick County Public Libraries.

Before his Frederick event, he talked with 72 Hours about becoming a writer, his latest book and the mind-boggling history he uncovered during his research.

How did you find out about the story, and what led you to wanting to write a book about it?

I found it in an online story … [one] of those silly little online articles that come up in your algorithm, and I just saw it. It was really short. It mentioned that there was a plot to kill Churchill, Stalin and FDR. And my first thought was, “How do I not know that story, and I want to know more about it right now.” So that sent me down the rabbit hole. And, you know, I go down a lot of rabbit holes, but this was one of the ones that, as I started digging, I realized there was so much more to find out.

How did you become a writer?

My start in writing really began in ninth grade with my ninth grade English teacher, Sheila Spicer. Ms. Spicer changed my life with three words. She said, “You can write.” And I thought, “Everyone can write.” And she said, “No, you know what you’re doing.” She tried to put me in the honors class, but I had some sort of conflict. She said, “You know what? I want you to sit in the corner for the entire year and ignore everything I do at the blackboard. You’re going to do the honors work instead.” And I did, and what she was really saying was, you’re going to thank me later.

A decade later, I went back to her classroom, I knocked on the door with my first novel, and I said, “I wrote this book, and it’s for you.”

She started crying. I said, “Why are you crying?” She said, “I was going to retire this year, because I didn’t think I was having an impact anymore.” That woman changed my life and she had no idea of her impact on it. So that was really my start.

But probably a better answer your question: My very first novel that I ever wrote, I got 24 rejection letters on it. There were only 20 publishers, and I got 24 rejection letters, which means some people were writing me twice to make sure I got the point. And I said, “If

Brad Meltzer

“ We tell the stories to make sure that people are uncomfortable so it doesn’t happen again.

BRAD MELTZER

REALLY HAPPENED’

latest book, ‘The Nazi Conspiracy’

with “The First Conspiracy,” and then we did “The Lincoln Conspiracy,” and here we are at “The Nazi Conspiracy.”

You said it took about two years to write the book — one year to do research and one year to write, which also included some research. What sources did you use for your book?

I mean, we try to go to the original source. For instance, a lot of this book [includes] details from FDR’s Secret Service agent who wrote about it. There are obviously, on the American side and in our own archives, stories and things from FDRs presidency. But this was the first time we had to also deal with foreign agencies. So we had to find translators and researchers who could read Russian and German. And because the plot is on the Nazi side, because the Nazis are the ones trying to kill FDR and Stalin and Churchill, now we have to know what their intelligence organizations are doing about it.

What was the most interesting thing that you learned in writing and researching the book?

they don’t like that, I’m gonna write another, and if they don’t like that book, I’m gonna write another.”

And the week after I got my 23rd, 24th rejection letter, I started what became my first true published work, a book called “The Tenth Justice.” For many years, I wrote

thrillers and loved writing thrillers, and I was a history major in college, so I always had this love of history. My books always had a slant toward history and using historical details. And then I said, “You know what? I’d like to try writing nonfiction, too.” And so we [Josh Mensch and I] started

BRAD MELTZER

When: 7 p.m. Jan. 12

Where: Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 W. Church St., Frederick.

Tickets: $32. Tickets are required for ages 15 and older.

Info: curiousiguana.com

I think Otto Skorzeny is one. I do think the rally in Madison Square Garden is another. And I do think, although I said this already and sorry to repeat, but I think it’s just how tenuous the alliance was for Churchill and Roosevelt and Stalin. I mean, we love to tell the story of Normandy and how we stormed the beaches and the day was saved. But, my God, it almost didn’t happen. And it took so much twisting by Stalin and so much twisting by FDR and so much pushing against Churchill to make sure that it happened. And you just realize how easily it could have gone the other way, especially if the plot to kill them had succeeded. Can you imagine if all three of them had been triple assassinated?

What’s your favorite part of the process of writing a book?

To me, it’s always about the people. It’s always about the character that comes out. The strength of character of Winston Churchill and FDR but also the characters you don’t know. The villain in this book — beyond Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, of course — is a person you’ve never heard of named Otto Skorzeny. Otto Skorzeny gets summoned to Hitler’s private headquarters, the wolf’s lair, and [Hitler] lines up all of his special forces fighters to find out who’s the best. And you see this moment where Hitler selects Otto Skorzeny from the group of men and puts him on a course for one of the most incredible secret missions you’ve ever seen in your life. And those are the moments that just make me go, “Oh, my God, look at how history could have easily wound up different if this all worked in a certain way.” And this is not some bad guy in a movie. This all really happened.

Do you feel like there’s a message to be had in what happens in your book and how it relates to the modern day?

You know, look at Kanye West, or even Charlottesville, and these past few years. We all wring our hands and say, “Oh, it’s so sad that we’re fighting Nazis here in America today,” as if this is a brand new idea. And then you go back to World War II, and you see that there was a Nazi rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City, where they had a big banner up of George Washington, surrounded by swastikas, saying that George Washington would have loved the Nazis. This is not a new story that we’re telling. They’ve been here the entire time. And we just, again, favor the highlight reel and ignore those details, because they make us uncomfortable. But there are times where we need to be uncomfortable, right? We tell the stories to make sure that people are uncomfortable so it doesn’t happen again.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Follow Clara Niel on Twitter: @clarasniel

Michelle Watson / CatchLight Group LLC

BY CARLEY ROJAS AVILA Wealth of Geeks

travelers

looking for adventure

What does adventure mean to you?

In a recent survey of U.S. travelers, American Express found that a whopping 81% of people want to feel a sense of adventure at their next travel destination. While a sense of adventure might look slightly different for every traveler, this elusive quality might be closer than you think.

For many travelers, it looks like visiting a new destination. 69% of travelers agree they want to travel to unique destinations they haven’t been to in 2023, according to American Express’ Travel trending destinations report. If you’re on the hunt for your own sense of adventure, these destinations, all just a short flight away, are worth exploring.

Baños, Ecuador

While Ecuador might be most famous for the ecologically rich Galapagos Islands, savvy travelers know that mainland Ecuador is a haven for natural beauty and unique travel experiences. Adventure sports enthusiasts head straight to the tiny town of Baños, wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Amazon Rainforest.

Home to countless activities for adrenaline seekers, including bungee jumping, mountain biking, rafting, and ziplining, it’s impossible to get bored in Baños. A favorite activity is “canyoning,” which involves repelling down a group of waterfalls, something even beginners can enjoy.

Looking for a bit of relaxation after a day of excitement? The volcano Tungurahua, which towers over the city, heats the thermal baths Baños is named for.

Pair a trip to Baños with an excursion into the neighboring Amazon Rainforest. While there are plenty of ways to explore the

Amazon, Sacha Lodge is the best place for discovering this untouched environment.

Set on a 5,000-acre private ecological reserve, Sacha Lodge offers guests the unique opportunity to walk a stunning suspension bridge over the treetops for a bird-eye view of wildlife in the jungle canopy. Its guides have years of experience and offer an unparalleled opportunity to get up close and personal with the rainforest’s most unique species.

Mérida, Mexico

While neighboring resort towns like Cancún and Tulum draw countless visitors to Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the vibrant, historic city of Mérida is the real star of the region.

A favorite with locals and visitors, make sure to explore Mérida’s crystalclear “cenotes,” or sinkholes. Countless cenotes dot the landscape around the city and are favorite destinations for

swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

For an unforgettable stay in the heart of Mérida, choose Wayam Mundo Imperial. Travelers enjoy the best of both worlds at Wayam Mundo Imperial, an oasis complete with a rooftop pool with incredible views, yet just steps away from the action of Mérida.

Adventure doesn’t stop at the hotel’s doors; it just begins. With immersive local experiences as part of the hotel’s Wayam 360 program, guests can easily add on adventures to explore the best of the Yucatan.

A unique favorite? BEE MATTERS: A Love-Swarming Experience that transports visitors to the heart of the Yucatan to discover the Melipona stingless bee. This memorable excursion even allows guests to taste honey and paint their own beehive, all while supporting local communities.

The Island of Nevis

For an adventurous getaway to a true Caribbean paradise, consider visiting the island of Nevis. The smaller island of the federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Nevis has a perfect combination of treasures on land and under the sea to draw travelers of all kinds to its sandy shores.

No matter your definition of adventure, you’ll find it in Nevis. Nevis is the place for you if you’re simply looking to escape your day-to-day and enjoy some serious rest and relaxation. Travelers appreciate how Nevis avoids the over-commercialization of some of its neighboring Caribbean islands, leaving visitors to enjoy the island’s natural beauty and quieter pace of life.

If you’re looking for the best of the island’s unending activities, start by visiting the lush, jungle-covered stratovolcano Mount Nevis, rising over 3,200 feet above the center of the island. On a guided excursion up the mountain, you’ll encounter vervet monkeys and find wild tropical fruits. Offshore, you can find countless spots for either snorkeling or diving, including multiple reefs, volcanic vents, and even historic shipwrecks.

Sacred Valley, Peru

At the heart of the former Incan empire and home to Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley is one of the most picturesque spots in the Andes Mountains. The Sacred Valley is an adventurous traveler’s dream, full of fascinating ruins, world-class hiking trails, and unique accommodations.

Perched high above the Urubamba River near the Incan ruins at Ollantaytambo, a “room” at Skylodge Adventures Suites is sure to be an adventurous place to stay. This hotel is not for travelers with a fear of heights: rooms are individual glass cabins suspended off the side of the rock face, dangling high above the valley below. Guests hike in towards cabins

BARB CLINE

TRAVEL

240-575-5966 barbclinetravel.com

81% of

are

in 2023. Here’s where to find it.

Rinaldo Wurglitsch

Baños, Ecuador (See TRAVEL

”Lore” — through Jan. 8, Gallery 115 at the Y Art Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. Features 15 artists from around the world including London, New York City, Wyoming and Maryland. Artists reimagine traditional folklore and explore original contemporary myth through a variety of perspectives. Artworks include an eclectic range of media including short film and an interactive installation. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. instagram.com/ gallery_115_y.

”Joseph Holston: Color in Freedom, Journey Along the Underground Railroad” — through Jan. 14, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. In this exhibit, Holston leads his audience through four movements that deepen understanding of America’s Black enslaved people’s experience. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays and major holidays. Admission and parking are free.301-739-5727 or wcmfa.org.

“The Poetry of Place: Paintings” — through Jan. 15 at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave., Suite E, Bethesda. Loriann Signori is a painter of place and luminosity. Her work is based on traditional methods defined by colorist tendencies, aiming for continual transformation. Her paintings consistently are an emotional interpretation of time and place. 301215-6660, bethesda.org/bethesda/ gallery-b-exhibitions.

”Relief From the Heat” — through Jan. 22, Kentlands Mansion, 320 Kent Square Road, Gaithersburg. Works by the Washington Water Color Association. Viewing is by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call 301258-6425 to schedule an appointment. gaithersburgmd.gov.

“Beneath the Forest” — through Jan. 27 at the FAC Art Center at 5 E. Second St., Frederick. Pamela Moulton’s solo show makes use of textiles and found materials to weave a narrative about connectivity and environmentalism. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 301-662-4190, frederickartscouncil.org.

”Winter Nights, Winter Lights” — through Jan. 29 at The Mansion House Art Center & Gallery, 480 Highland Ave., City Park, Hagerstown. Valley Art Association members’ show. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free admission. valleyartassoc. org or 301-797-2867.

”From the Pages of PAN: Art Nouveau Prints, 1895-1900” — through Jan. 29, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. This exhibition features brilliant lithographs, etchings and woodcuts by renowned artists such as Auguste Rodin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Paul Signac, Georges Seurat, Käthe Kollwitz, Peter Behrens and Aubrey Beardsley, among others. From the collection of the Richard H. Driehaus Museum, organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions. Free admission. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. Go to wcmfa. org.

“Crosscurrents: Works by Emma Barnes, Madeleine Speicher-Willis, and Billy Friebele” — through Feb. 3, King Street Gallery at Montgomery College, 930 King St., Silver Spring. Includes a broad range of mediums, from traditional painterly processes to cast concrete to video. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed through Jan. 2. 240-567-1374, mieke. gentis@montgomerycollege.edu, cms. montgomerycollege.edu/arts-tpss/ exhibitions.

“The Hot Button” — through August, Hot Button Gallery, 129 E. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Carol Williams exhibits textiles and poster art that reflect her passion for social responsibility through artistic communication. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The artist will be available for conversation at these times. anothercarolwilliams.com.

“Concinnity” — Jan. 6 to 29, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7 and an artist talk from 7 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19. Paintings by Kesra Hoffman and photographs by Teke Hoffman that consider those moments that arrest our attention and call us to stop and take a breath. NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. 301-471-7124.

Frederick County Art Association Members Exhibition — Jan. 7 to 29,

Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Artworks in a variety of media, including fiber, photography, sculpture, and more from their approximately 100 members, who range from casual artist to full–time professionals. Vote for your favorite piece at the front desk; the artwork with the most votes will receive the People’s Choice Award. 9 a.m. to

Courtesy photo

EXHIBITS

5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Dimensions In Between” — Jan. 7 to 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. In this exhibition, Virginia Warwick creates work with familiar materials combined with themes inspired by the natural world to elevate nature and animals to a human level, and create a bridge connection the two worlds. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Natural Selection: Experiencing Change” — Jan. 7 through Feb. 26, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Paintings by S. Manya Stoumen–Tolino. The idea of natural selection belongs to human ideas about how organic forms evolve and endure, or not. In this series, StoumenTolino reflects on major forms, lines, and color experienced in the natural world that express the inherent changes constantly occurring in all

living things. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine. org.

”Drifting Through Deep Time” — Jan. 7 through Feb. 26, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Photography by Keith Kozloff. A reflection on “deep time,” a term applied to how we conceive of geological timescales. Constructing a photographic narrative loosely based on the protocontinent Avalonia, his work is a reflection on human attention and humanity’s capacity to understand Earth’s life support systems. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” — Jan. 8 through Feb. 26, Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Features nine artists from the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association. Opening reception and artists talk 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Jan. 8. Call 301-473-7680 for gallery hours or visit frederickuu.org.

‘Twenty twenty-three’ at TAG

TAG/The Artists Gallery will kick off the new year with the group show “Twenty twentythree.” The exhibit will feature a wide variety of work by TAG full members: Colleen Clapp, Chris Eliff, Sarah Higgins, Leslie King, Chris Madden, Julie Maynard, Jan McIntyre Creager, Karen Peacock, Marie Riccio, Rhonda Smith, Patricia Stockman, S. Manya StoumenTolino, Christine Stovall, Marc Weinberg and Cathy Wilkin.

“The Journey is Long,” by TAG artist Cathy Wilkins is on display throughout January in the group show “Twenty twenty-three.”

“Twenty twentythree” opens Jan. 6. Meet the artists and enjoy refreshments and live jazz from 5 to 8 Jan. 7 during the opening reception. Gallery hours are noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and

noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free.

TAG/The Artists Gallery is at 501 N. Market St., Frederick. See theartistsgalleryfrederick.com, or call 301-228-9860 for more information.

His music takes influence from the cosmic emotionality of Joni Mitchell, the sage vulnerability of Bill Withers, the humor and heartbreak of Randy Newman, and old-time and Celtic folk music.

Celebrate the Frederick Book Arts Center grand re-opening

Over the summer, Frederick Book Arts Center experienced a fire that required the staff to shut down completely and move nearly all of our equipment out of the building.

Renovations are complete and FBAC has moved back into the building.

Celebrate in the updated space during a grand reopening event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 7. Enjoy demos, make and takes, tours and the FBAC shop.

FBAC is at 217 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Learn more about offerings at frederickbookarts.org.

Courtesy photo

Frederick Book Arts Center

Courtesy photo

Joining the billionaire fatigue, Hollywood is sticking it to the rich

BY SONIA RAO The Washington Post

“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” on multiple occasions practically begs its audience to dissect the imagery in its title. Though “Glass Onion” refers literally to an enormous glass pavilion on fictional billionaire Miles Bron’s private island, it just as easily serves as a metaphor for the thin-skinned man himself, his carefully constructed persona so delicate it could shatter at any given moment.

Played by Edward Norton, Miles is perhaps the biggest target of “Glass Onion,” the second installment in a franchise launched by Rian Johnson’s 2019 whodunit “Knives Out,” which follows suit with a timely critique of the upper echelon. Whereas the original film lampooned Trump-era politics, “Glass Onion,” now streaming on Netflix, arrived toward the end of a year plagued by billionaire fatigue. An aversion to the mega-rich seeped into all sorts of entertainment, even that produced by major studios.

Class satire is nothing new to Hollywood, but an urge to stick it to tech billionaires pairs nicely with the industry’s more recent storytelling obsession with scammers. Consider the specific resonance of a character such as Miles, whose famed flair for innovation is quickly revealed to be a bit of a fluke. The film draws clear lines from him to real-life figures such as Elon Musk, whose recently launched tenure as Twitter CEO has been chaotic, to say the least, or cryptocurrency guru Sam BankmanFried, who was charged with fraud after the quick demise of his company FTX. Is something in the air? Perhaps it is the stink of the “billionaire vibe shift,” as Vox recently phrased it, co-opting a tongue-in-cheek term popularized earlier this year by New York magazine that describes a substantial change in cultural trends or attitudes. “It was the year the billionaires showed who they really are,”

reads a subhead on the Vox story, which at one point links to an Atlantic article from September that plainly states: “Elon Musk’s Texts Shatter the Myth of the Tech Genius.”

And with that echo of shattering glass, we return to Miles and his fragile ego. He invites to his island an unlikely group of friends, including the governor of Connecticut (Kathryn Hahn) and a dimwitted socialite (Kate Hudson) who made big bucks selling sweatpants. The most notable attendees are Cassandra “Andi” Brand (Janelle Monáe) — Miles’s estranged business partner, the Eduardo Saverin to his Mark Zuckerberg — and detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who receives a surprise invite.

The crew assembles for a weekendlong murder mystery game in which Miles positions himself as the victim, like a version of Clue where Mr. Boddy watches all the sleuthing firsthand. His friends accept the premise but recognize things are rarely so simple with someone like Miles. His relationships are transactional; his money fuels their individual endeavors, so what does he

want from them?

It’s a good question, another version of which threads through the latest season of HBO’s “The White Lotus,” which aired its finale earlier this month. Created by Mike White, the anthology series takes place at different White Lotus vacation resorts around the world. Among Season 2’s Sicilian vacationers are businessman Cameron Sullivan (Theo James), who comes from money and now works in the rapacious investment world, and his college roommate Ethan Spiller (Will Sharpe), who recently sold his company for quite a large sum.

What do the mega-rich really want? For Miles Bron, the answer is consistent for his close friends and the general public: acceptance and unwavering adoration. As the real, unplanned murder mystery of “Glass Onion” unfolds, Monáe and Craig’s characters peel back Miles’s layers as well. The biggest reveal turns out not to be the identity of the murderer, nor even the involved methodology, but rather how simple it is to shatter the illusions of personal grandeur that often accompany wealth.

WAREHOUSE CINEMAS NEWS AND

EVENTS:

$7 TUESDAYS

Any movie, including Dolby Atmos. All day. Anytime.

TRIVIA NIGHT

BP Trivia hosts trivia at Warehouse Cinemas Frederick on Monday, January 9th at 7pm Sign ups start at 6:30pm.

WAREHOUSE MERCHANDISE IS HERE for you and your family! We have shirts, hats, socks, and Fanny packs! All proceeds go towards our employees' scholarships funds.

FILM LEAGUE PRESENTS:

"Ferris Buellers Day Off" Wednesday, January 25th @ 7 PM & 7:30 PM

Warehouse Cinemas is an independently owned cinema that offers a unique, premium movie going experience by providing first-run movies + retro films, leather recliner seating w/ seat warmers, high-quality picture and sound, including Dolby Atmos, a modern-industrial décor, and premium food and drink options, including movie themed cocktails, wine and a 28-tap self-serve beer wall. Visit us at warehouscinemas.com or scan the QR Code for this week’s feature films.

John Wilson/Netflix

From left, Edward Norton, Madelyn Cline and Daniel Craig appear in “Glass Onion.”

SMALLS

(Continued from 8)

for example, he builds tension in his story by donning the gray frock coat and straw hat that enabled Smalls to impersonate the Confederate ship’s captain.

“Smalls had to disguise himself when he was taking the ship out of the harbor as the sun came up. When he was going past the forts, he had to impersonate the captain,” Hodges explained. “Without that straw hat and the captain’s frock, he would have been recognized as a slave, and that would have sent up alarms.”

When Smalls finishes his narrative presentation, he takes questions from the audience — without breaking character. He gets a lot of biographical questions about what happened to Smalls and his family but also questions about his mindset.

The main thing he wants people to take away from his presentation is “the courage that it took for a 19-year-old illiterate slave to take a Confederate ship and sail it out into the open sea and hand it over to Union forces,” he said.

David Price, the museum’s executive director, said the story of Robert Smalls also has a tangential,

TRAVEL

(Continued from 12)

using sections of a zipline or a quartermile of via ferrata.

If this sounds a bit too adventurous for your taste, check out Tambo del Inka, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa. This eco-friendly destination is spread across a gorgeous estate along the river below. It’s a highlight of a visit to the Sacred Valley.

Of course, a visit to the Sacred Valley is only complete upon glimpsing its most famous destination, Machu Picchu. However, the adventure-seeking traveler must consider hiking the 4-day Inca Trail to get there.

Looking to get off the beaten path within this much-visited region? Treks like the Ausangate Trek, Lares Trek, and Salkantay Trek are increasingly popular alternatives to the classic Inca Trail.

San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua

Located on Nicaragua’s Pacific Coast, the resort town of San Juan del Sur is a beloved destination for an exciting and adventurous beach getaway, thoroughly off the beaten path.

Set on a stunning horseshoe bay, San Juan del Sur is a well-known

but very important, connection to the museum’s primary focus: medicine.

“We often tell the stories of the wounded and the ones who got hurt. With Smalls, he could have easily been one of those folks, but he was successful in escaping, and he saved 12 lives on that boat and then went on to advocate for African Americans to be part of that Union effort,” he said. “I think inspiration is also part of medicine. Inspiration and morale.”

Erik Anderson is a freelance writer in Frederick who cares about few things more than the history of his community. Email him at erikanderson07@gmail.com.

destination for surfing, and you’ll find countless surf shops offering lessons for anyone from beginners to experienced enthusiasts. After a day of surfing, drive out to Lake Nicaragua to explore Ometepe Island, a unique volcanic island where you’ll find swimming holes, hiking trails, and opportunities for wild camping.

What could be more thrilling than taking a “workation” in a beautiful beach town? For more and more travelers, San Juan del Sur is the perfect spot for this ultimate break from the routine.

Whether you’re planning a quick visit or an extended stay, book a room, apartment, or even an entire house at La Santa María. Offering a fitness center, a stunning infinity pool with an ocean view, a kids’ club, and even a dedicated coworking space, it’s no wonder that many guests end up extending their vacation at La Santa María.

Find Your Adventure

Whether you’re looking to practice unique adventure sports, experience a new culture, or simply take a muchneeded break from your routine, adventure is never far when traveling. Now is the time to start scheduling some adventures for an unforgettable travel experience in 2023.

Courtesy photo Timothy Hodges portrays Robert Smalls.

Thursday Jan. 5

CLASSES

Sewing: Serger Basics — 10 a.m. to noon at Exploration Commons, 50 E. Main St., Westminster. For ages 14 - adults. Learn about the versatile serger/overlock sewing machine and how to use it with your sewing projects. We will review the parts of the serger, proper threading and how and when to use different stitch settings. Leave inspired with new ways to use this machine in your sewing projects. Registration required. Visit site for details. 443-293-3000. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/ sewing-serger-basics-1.

Senior Fitness Class — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Walkersville Public LIbrary, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Join Jen Ringer with Fusion Fitness as she leads a senior fitness class with modifications for all levels. Help with strength and stability related to the senior age groups. 301-600-8200. awadding@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org.

Dance off the Winter Blues — 11:15 a.m. to noon at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Are you ready to work off those holiday pounds? Reach new goals? Shake off the winter blahs? Come on in to dance it off with Salsa Aerobics. Get ready to move! Beginners welcome. Thursdays through Jan. 26. 301-600-7004. marchange-desir@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/events/ month.

ETCETERA

Caregivers’ Toolbox: Cupcake Tasting with Lil’ Cakes & Creamery — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Come on in! Bring the little ones! We’ll keep them busy with a craft in one area of the room while the adults enjoy a delicious cupcake tasting. We’re right after Preschool Storytime! 301-600-7004. marchange-desir@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ caregivers-toolbox-cupcake-tasting-lil-cakes-creamery.

HEALTH

Mindfulness in Middletown — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at MIddletown Branch Library, 101 Prospect St., Middletown. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress while helping us to feel more aware of ourselves and connected to the world around us. Join Ray

Manyoky from the Frederick Meditation Center who will provide instruction and then lead us in a mindfulness practice. This will be followed by a Q&A session. Group meets every Thursday in January, except Jan. 12.  301-600-7560. lgrackin@frederickcountymd.gov. fcpl.org/calendar.

MUSIC

Tivoli Discovery Series: Taylor Ashton — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Taylor Ashton is a Canadian singer-songwriter living in Brooklyn. He spent the first half of his twenties on the road across Canada as frontman of the band Fish & Bird before moving to New York to work on a new set of songs and a new chapter of life. His music takes influence from the cosmic emotionality of Joni Mitchell, the sage vulnerability of Bill Withers, the humor and heartbreak of Randy Newman, and old-time and Celtic folk music. $10. 301-600-2868. bhiller@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/taylor-ashton.

OUTDOORS

Telescopes and Night Sky: Astronomy Basics — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Walkersville Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Join the Tristate Astronomers as they go over the basics of telescopes and observing the night sky.  Come see a telescope, and if the weather permits join us outside to observe the sky. 18 and older. 301-600-8200. fcpl.org.

Friday Jan. 6

FAMILY

Christmas at the Roundhouse — noon to 4 p.m. at Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 296 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. See the trains of Christmas on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 29

Admission $6 for adults, $1 for children 4 through 16, free for children 3 and under. 240-674-1882. davem301@yahoo.com. roundhouse.org.

FILM

January Documentary Series: “Summer of Soul” (2021, PG-13) — 7:30 p.m. at Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Also at 1 p.m. In his acclaimed filmmaker debut, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary — part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black

history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). Featuring concert performances by Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Sly & the Family Stone, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Mahalia Jackson, B.B. King, The 5th Dimension and more. The film won the 2022 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. $7 adults, $6 ages 25 and under and ages 60 and up. 410-848-7272. carrollcountyartscouncil.org.

PERFORMER

MET Comedy Night: The Comedy Pigs ‘22-’23 — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. The Comedy Pigs return for their 30th anniversary season! Catch them every first Friday and Saturday through June 2023. Ages 18 and older. $15. 301-694-4744. zcallis@marylandensemble.org.

Saturday Jan. 7

CLASSES

Landscaping Solutions for Wet Areas in Your Yard — 10 a.m. to noon at UME Extension Office, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick. Presented by Frederick County Master Gardeners. Learn about ways to solve the problems it causes. We will discuss hydrography and how to create a good flow of water across your landscape. Register online: bit.ly/FCMG23WetAreas. Zumba Saturdays at the Library — 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Ready to exercise! Ready to dance! Ready to shake off the pounds? Come on in for Zumba at the Library on Saturday mornings! 18 and older. 301-600-7004. marchange-desir@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ zumba-saturdays-library-8.

Sierra Club Catoctin Group Meeting — 11 a.m. to noon at Common Market Community Room, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Sierra Club Catoctin Group members, friends and the public are invited to attend our upcoming monthly meetings. The January speaker is Karen Russell of the Climate Change Working Group who will talk about animal corridors and biodiversity. 301-318-7995. Pwsccg@yahoo.com. sierraclub.org/maryland/catoctin-group.

ETCETERA

“Painting a Symphony” Class for Kids — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Washington County

Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Joseph Holston and music will be the inspiration for completing a colorful masterpiece for children to take home. For grades 1-6. To register, contact Donna Rastelli at drastelli@wcmfa.org or 301-7395727, or go online at https://wcmfa.org/ painting-a-symphony-class. $20; $14 members. 301-739-5727. cschelle@wcmfa.org. wcmfa.org.

FAC After Hours: Creative Writing Workshop — 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. The Writers’ Block is a local community of writers, committed to connecting, critiquing and producing writing in a rotational bi-weekly workshop setting. No reservations required. 301-662-4190.

wiegand@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/ news-events/calendar-grid.

FAMILY

Christmas at the Roundhouse — noon to 4 p.m. at Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 296 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. See the trains of Christmas on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 29

Admission $6.00 adults $1.00 for children 4 through 16 Free for children 3 and under. 240-674-1882. davem301@yahoo.com. roundhouse.org.

PERFORMER

First Saturday Funnies: Improv Comedy Show — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Frederick Arts Council, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. ESPtheatre regular Michael Harris & friends have performed in comedy and improv festivals across the country and are now bringing a monthly “Whose Line is it Anyway?”-style show to Frederick First Saturdays. Characters, Scenes, and Foolishness invented on the spot, inspired by audience suggestions. Sometimes brilliant, sometimes awkward, always fun. 213-926-3577. sasha.carrera@gmail.com.

MET Comedy Night: The Comedy Pigs ‘22-’23 — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. The Comedy Pigs return for their 30th anniversary season! Catch them every first Friday and Saturday through June 2023. Ages 18 and older. $15. 301-694-4744. zcallis@marylandensemble.org.

Sunday Jan. 8

ETCETERA

Breakfast Fundraiser — 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

at Union Bridge Fire Co., 8 W. Locust St., Union Bridge. All-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage biscuits, sausage gravy, puddin’, hominy, muffins and more. Benefits the fire company; cancelled if snow emergency plan is in effect. Prices subject to change as market prices dictate. $10 adults, $5 for ages 6-12, under 6 free, $12 for carry out. 410-775-7422 or 443547-9477.

Bingo Fundraiser for Tuscarora HS Music Programs — 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fraternal Order of Eagles, 401 Central Ave., Brunswick. Ticket includes lunch, a nine-card for 20 bingo games that pay out $150 each plus the $500 jackpot. You can purchase extra cards, raffle tickets and buy into 50/50 bingo games. ALL monies earned go to the Instrumental Music program at THS — the award-winning Marching Titans Marching Band, Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Honor Bands, Indoor Percussion, Winter Color Guard and other music ensembles. Ages 21 and older. $35 advance, $40 at the door (if available). thsimbinfo@gmail.com. thsimb.org.

FAMILY

Antietam Station Open House — noon to 4 p.m. at Hagerstown Model RR Museum, Inc. at Antietam Station, 17230 Shepherdstown Pike, Sharpsburg. See several operating model train layouts and displays on railroad history during the Hagerstown Model RR Musuem at Antietam Station open house on Sundays in January.

301-800-9829. hmrrm@myactv.net. antietamstation.com.

GALLERY

Docent-led Tours — 2 to 3 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m. at Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Public tours of the exhibitions with a trained docent. Register online. Docents will lead visitors through “Joseph Holston: Color in Freedom, Journey Along the Underground Railroad” and “From the Pages of PAN: Art Nouveau Prints, 1895-1900.” Available Jan. 8, 19 and 22. Private tours are $5 per person. Permanent Collection Highlights and special-themed tours are also available for $5 per person and must be scheduled two weeks in advance. Please call 301739-5727 or email educator@wcmfa.org to schedule private tours. wcmfa.org.

MUSIC & ARTS

Stone Country — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Country music - formerly known as George Garris and Friends.

OUTDOORS

Second Sunday Tree Walk — 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Hood College Pergola, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick . Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Hood College Campus while you learn how to identify common local trees and hear fun facts about each. An expert guide from the Forestry Board will answer your questions and explain idiosyncrasies of our beautiful local trees.

Free. 301-473-8417. frederick@forestryboard.org. frederick.forestryboard.org/tree-walk.

Monday Jan. 9

CLASSES

Lawyer in the Library with Maryland Legal Aid — noon to 3 p.m. at C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Maryland Legal Aid attorneys will provide brief, one-on-one advice focusing specifically on criminal record expungement, as well as legal issues involving housing, consumer debt and bankruptcy at these biweekly events. Intakes are also available for other civil legal matters. Located on the second floor of the library, the event is typically held every other Monday from noon to 3 p.m. 240-215-3741. CErler@mdlab.org. mdlab.org.

Technology 101 — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brunswick Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Session covers some of the basics: anatomy of a computer, how to use a mouse, internet usage and more. 301-600-7250. TGarrett@FrederickCountyMD.gov. Fcpl.org.

Sol Yoga — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Walkersville Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Join us for this free yoga class offered by Sol Yoga.  Be sure to wear comfortable clothes! 301-600-8200. fcpl.org.

FAC After Hours & Yogamour: Restorative Yoga with Soundbath — 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. Take a break and join a Gentle Yoga Flow on the main level while enjoying art work that adorn the walls of this historic space. This is a practice available to all levels which includes beginners. Some yoga mats available.  $15. 301-662-4190. wiegand@frederickartscouncil.org. yogamour.org/public-yoga-classes.

Tuesday Jan. 10

CLASSES

Scottish Country Dance Class — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Clover Hill Civic Association Building, 8122 Glendale Drive, Frederick

. The Frederick Scottish Country Dancers invite you to learn traditional Scottish ballroom dancing. You don’t need to bring a partner with you, but you do need comfortable, soft-soled shoes. 202-320-9898. heatherwurzer@gmail.com. facebook.com/FrederickSCD.

FILM

FAC After Hours: Art Center Bijou — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. A weekly film screening curated in collaboration with documentary filmmaker Leah Michaels and FAC Associate SJ Wiegand. 301-662-4190. wiegand@frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org.