Prime Time Feb. 2023

Local author shares the key to a sharp mind

B y EMMETT GARTNER EGARTNER@NEWSPOST.COM

Whether for school, work or to share her opinions and observations with the local newspaper, Frederick author Alice Haber has always written. She describes writing as the key to keeping her mind sharp as she approaches 90. In her latest book, “The Souls of Seniors: A Study,” Haber aims to share that key with others.

The book is an anthology of the life stories of Haber’s Frederick neighbors and includes some of Haber’s own writing, too. Haber provided a prompt to prospective writers who then wrote the stories of their lives that they deemed most important. To help fill in any gaps, Haber sat down with them and molded their responses into bite-sized passages.

“Some people concentrated on their childhood, and some people concentrated on what what they did in college,” Haber said. “Some people concentrated on their family now. Some said what they expect in the future.

Everybody has a different take, which was a good thing, because it made it all different.”

In a January interview with Prime Time, Haber told about how her own story began in Baltimore during the Great Depression, where she grew up as an only child in the city’s Forest Park neighborhood. Her father was a dentist from a West Virginia town with a single traffic light, and her mother

was a nurse from Front Royal, Virginia.

Haber said she developed a large vocabulary at a young age due in part to the reading material that her father introduced.

“I had a good vocabulary because my father taught me how to read from Life and Time magazines,” Haber said.

Haber wrote throughout elementary school, junior high school and high school, never passing up an opportunity to report for the school paper. She was in 12th grade, however, when she learned a writing tip that would forever change her style.

As Haber describes it, her teacher called her up to her desk and told Haber she had a comment on something she had written. The teacher then said: “Why can’t you say in 20 words what you’ve taken 40 words to say?”

“And I thought that was a very good piece of advice,” Haber remarked.

After graduating from high school, Haber attended Towson University, then taught fourth grade in Baltimore.

Local author Alice Haber describes writing as the key to keeping her mind sharp as she approaches 90. Her latest book, “The Souls of Seniors: A Study,” is an anthology of the life stories of Haber’s Frederick neighbors and includes some of her own writing. Staff photos by Bill Green

She met her husband, Sheldon Haber, around that time, and described their introduction with a smile. Sheldon was studying at Johns Hopkins during the Jewish high holy days, and because he was from New York City, had no family with whom to celebrate. He reached out to the local synagogue and was paired with Alice’s cousin. “[My cousin] said, ‘If he looks like a nice man, I’ll give him Alice’s number.’ So she gave him my number,” Alice said.

Their future together was sealed at that moment.

When Sheldon later told his parents that he found companionship in Baltimore, Alice recalled, his mother was surprised.

“When I first met her, she said, ‘[Sheldon] went to Baltimore for an education, not to get married,’” Haber said. “So I looked at her and said, ‘Isn’t that nice? He got both.’”

The couple went on to have two sons, and throughout adulthood, Haber worked jobs that relied on her writing skills. She wrote for her synagogue’s bulletin, wrote correspondence to parents and teachers when she was the director of a school and, most importantly to her, wrote for the National AIDS Information Clearinghouse, an information service run by the CDC to disseminate accurate information regarding HIV and AIDS. For that job, Haber flew around the country and served as a point of contact for local communities and their questions regarding the virus and the disease.

“I really felt like I was doing a good job,” Haber said. “Like I was helping.”

Haber’s professional writing was put on hold, however, when Sheldon suffered the first of three strokes in his 60s. She left her job and stayed at home to care for him until he died at age 67.

“My [sons] have really lived up to his expectations,” Haber said. “I have six grandchildren, and they’re all very accomplished.”

In talking about her book, which itself is a reflection on the lives of those close to her, Haber, too, became reflective. She spoke glowingly of her husband, children and grandchildren and of what it meant to look back on 89 years of life.

“I’m not a saint,” Haber said. “I’ve done things in my life that I regret. But on the whole, I’ve tried to be a good person.”

At the start of “The Souls of Seniors,” Haber provided a friend with a prompt to contribute but never got a response from her. When the book was released, Haber confronted her and asked why she hadn’t contributed. Her friend’s response stunned her. “She looked at me and she said, ‘What did I do?’”

Haber responded, “’What? I can’t believe you’re saying that.You were a teacher all your life. You were the best daughter. During COVID, you ran up [to your mother’s nursing home] and talked to her through a glass door. I can’t understand why you would think that.’”

As Haber described this interaction, she said she wasn’t trying to change her friend’s mind, just trying to reinforce the value of her story.

Then Haber said her friend responded and said, “You’re right. I should have done it.”

“I guess that means I’ll have to write another book,” Haber said.

Currently, Haber is waiting on the publication of a third book, comprised of all of the letters to the editor she’s written.

Her first book, “Taking My Turn: Objections, Convolutions and Honey the Talking Cat,” includes entries Haber submitted to the New Yorker’s satire section and her comedic observations of the world around her.

On the prospect of a fourth book, Haber said she would consider exploring the topic of mature love and how the nature of relationships has changed since she married Sheldon.

Fourth book or not, one thing is for sure: Alice Haber will be writing.

LIVING

Is it time to downsize?

There are 3 factors to consider

People work hard to save enough money to purchase their homes. And the hard work doesn’t end there. Once homeowners settle into a new home, they may set their sights on renovations that suit their individual needs.

And even when buyers find a home that needs no such work, maintenance requires homeowners’ utmost attention.

All that hard work is perhaps one reason why seniors may be a little reluctant to downsize as they advance through their golden years. In addition to the sweat equity homeowners put into their homes, all the memories they’ve made within their walls can make it harder to put a home on the market.

Downsizing is a difficult decision that’s unique to each homeowner. Seniors who aren’t quite certain if downsizing is right for them can consider three key factors to make a decision that’s in their best interests.

n Cost: Perhaps no variable affects senior homeowners’ decisions to downsize their homes as much as cost. No one wants to outlive their money, and downsizing to a smaller home can help seniors reduce their monthly expenses by a significant margin. Even homeowners who have long since paid off their mortgages

can save substantial amounts of money by downsizing to a smaller home or even an apartment or condominium. Lower property taxes, reduced insurance premiums and the need to pay for fewer repairs are just some of the ways downsizing can save seniors money.

n Space: Many people love the extra space that single-family homes provide. But seniors can take a walk through their homes and see how many rooms they still use on a consistent basis. If much of the home is unused, seniors can probably down -

size without adversely affecting their daily lives.

n Market: The real estate market is another factor to consider when deciding if the time is right to downsize. A seller’s market can help seniors get the biggest return on their real estate investment, potentially helping them make up for meager retirement savings. For example, home prices skyrocketed across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, making that a great time for sellers to put their homes on the market. Seniors selling to downsize may capitalize on

such spikes since they won’t be looking to turn around and buy larger, equally expensive homes once they sell their current place. If the market is down and seniors can withstand the work and cost a little longer, it may be best to wait until things bounce back in sellers’ favor.

Downsizing requires careful consideration of a host of variables. No two situations are the same, so seniors should exercise due diligence to determine if downsizing is right for them.

Metro photo illustration

How to protect your family

By THE LAW OFFICE OF LENA A. CLARK

A trust for minors is designed to hold property and assets until they are of age to receive them. These trusts typically provide instructions regarding how money, property or other assets are to be held until the minor reaches the age of distribution.

With a trust for minors, you can ensure the financial security of your child after you die. You will also get to decide what will happen to the assets in the trust should your child, the beneficiary, die. Additionally, you might even be able to avoid having to pay gift taxes on the trust. Trusts for minors often provide parents or guardians with ways to make sure the child spends the money or allocates the assets the way that you intend them to.

Your minor’s trust can be set up with the following intentions: n Manage financial distributions n Determine when beneficiaries will receive funds

n Decide how funds will be allocated n State what will happen to the trust should the minor die

You may decide to set up the trust by way of a will or a living trust.You’ll leave the property to your child, but you’ll write in a provision that states something to the effect that if the beneficiary is still a minor when you die, the property must be placed within a minor trust account, which will be designated to a trustee.

As mentioned, the trustee will take care of the account on behalf of the child until the child turns 18 at a minimum. You’ll choose the end date for the trust, meaning you can select any age that you’d like, though you should know that by the time children reach their early-tomid thirties, they will have matured as much as they ever will.

You can add details regarding the con-

ditions under which your child is allowed to use the money and the assets, such as how much they are permitted to have access to as well as how often portions of the accounts are disbursed. A major benefit of a minor trust is that you can set it up to provide compensation in increments rather than releasing it all as a lump sum.

This method of distribution can ensure that all of the money is not spent right away. For example, you could permit a portion of the assets to be distrib-

uted when your child turns 25, while another portion is provided upon their 30th birthday, followed by the release of the remaining funds or assets when they turn 35. Ultimately, it’s all up to you and what you deem to be best for your child.

Trusts can be particularly useful if your child lives with a disability and you anticipate that he or she will need to pay for expensive medical treatment, rehabilitation or personalized diets throughout his or her life. Ultimately, setting up a trust fund for a beneficiary who is a mi-

nor can be a way for you to ensure that the inheritance you leave for your child is put to good use.

Keep the child protected

Creating a trust account for a minor is a way to ensure that the money you set aside for your child will benefit your child and not the guardian you’ve elected to act as the trustee. This means a trust account will allow you to guide the decisions and spending habits of the trustee even after you’ve died.

You can dictate how the money should be spent, whether that be for the general benefit of the minor or for expenses such as housing costs, tuition and health care fees. You can also decide to leave all of the decision-making tasks to the trustee and his or her discretion.

Additionally, you can even decide what happens with any trust funds that remain should your child die. For instance, you can explicitly state that any remaining money should be distributed to a blood relative, like a grandchild, as opposed to someone who married into the family, such as your child’s surviving spouse.

Alternatively, you could provide your beneficiary with more control by granting them additional powers or rights over the trust and how it works. This may include letting your child choose who the future trust beneficiary will be should your child die. You can even allow the child to become a co-trustee by saying so in your trust document.

Of course, the details of such a fund are complex, and you need to consider the long-term ramifications of your decisions. Work closely with legal and financial professionals who have experience drafting the details and setting up trusts for minors.

From the Law Office of Lena A. Clark, 129 W. Patrick St., #11, Frederick; lenaclarklegal.com

Metro

Questions patients should ask surgeons

By JUDITH GRAHAM KAISER HEALTH NEWS

Older adults contemplating major surgery often aren’t sure whether to proceed. In many cases, surgery can be lifesaving or improve a senior’s quality of life. But advanced age puts people at greater risk of unwanted outcomes, including difficulty with daily activities, extended hospitalizations, problems moving around, and the loss of independence.

How does one determine if potential benefits from major surgery are worth the risks? And what questions should older adults ask as they try to figure this out? Experts have recommendations.

What’s the goal of this surgery? Ask your surgeon, “How is this surgery going to make things better for me?” said Margaret “Gretchen” Schwarze, an associate professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Will it extend your life by removing a fast-growing tumor? Will your quality of life improve by making it easier to walk? Will it prevent you from becoming disabled, akin to a hip replacement?

If things go well, what can I expect? Schwarze, a vascular surgeon, often cares for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms, an enlargement in a major blood vessel that can be life-threatening if it bursts. Among other things people might ask their surgeon, according to a patient brochure Schwarze’s team has created: What will my daily life look like right after surgery? Three months later? One year later? Will I need help, and for how long? Will tubes or drains be inserted?

If things don’t go well, what can I expect? Ask what a “worst case” scenario might look like. “People often think I’ll just die on the operating table if things go wrong,” said Dr. Emily Finlayson, director of the UCSF Center for Surgery in Older Adults in San Francisco. “But we’re very good at rescuing people, and we can keep you alive for a long time. The reality is, there can be a

lot of pain and suffering and interventions like feeding tubes and ventilators if things don’t go the way we hope.”

Given my health, age, and functional status, what’s the most likely outcome? Once your surgeon has walked you through various scenarios, ask, “Do I really need to have this surgery, in your opinion?” and “What outcomes do you think are most likely for me?” Finlayson advised. Research suggests that older adults who are frail, have cognitive impairment, or other serious conditions such as heart disease have worse experiences with major surgery. Also, seniors in their 80s and 90s are at higher risk of things going wrong. “It’s important to have family or friends in the room for these conversations with high-risk patients,” Finlayson said. Some seniors have cognitive difficulties and may need assistance working through complex decisions.

What are the alternatives? Make sure your physician tells you what the nonsurgical options are, Finlayson said. Older men with prostate cancer, for instance, might want to consider “watchful waiting,” ongoing monitoring of their symptoms, rather than risk invasive surgery. Women in their 80s who develop a small breast cancer may opt to leave it alone if removing it poses a risk, given other health factors.

What can I do to prepare myself? “Preparing for surgery is really vital for older adults: If patients do a few things that doctors recommend — stop smoking, lose weight, walk more, eat better — they can decrease the likelihood of complications and the number of days spent in the hospital,” said Dr. Sandhya Lagoo-Deenadayalan, a leader in Duke University Medical Center’s Perioperative Optimization of Senior Health program. Ask your physician, “How can I get my body and mind ready” before having surgery, and “How can I prepare my home in advance to anticipate what I’ll need during recovery?”

Kaiser Health News is a national newsroom that produces journalism about health issues.

FEBRUARY CALENDAR

Events are subject to change. Contact the sponsoring organization for any updates. For more information on the Senior Rec Council and events, visit srcfrederick.org.

Open Duckpin Bowling — 1-3 p.m. Thursdays, Walkersville Bowling Lanes, 44 W. Pennsylvania Ave., Walkersville, contact Gerald at 240651-1865.

Thursdays Bridge — 1 to 4 p.m., Spring Ridge Senior Apartments, call Judy Bell at 336-662-2889. Reservations required.

Adult Exercise — 9 to 10 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, William Talley Rec Center, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. $2 per session. Call Susan at 301-695-1785.

Basketball — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Walkersville Rec Center in the elementary school, Walkersville. Enter through the gym doors on right side of school. Continues through April. $2 per session. Gerald at 240651-1865.

Taney SRC Book Group — 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month, Frederick Senior Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Mary Ann at 301-662-6199.

Easy Hikes — As scheduled offered April through June, September and October as weather permits. Meeting locations vary. 3- to 6-mile easy hikes on terrain with good footing and little or no elevation change. Kathy Ginsburg at 301-6394144.

Moderate Hikes — As scheduled offered April through June, September and October as weather permits. Meeting locations vary. For more advanced hikers, 5- to 7-mile hikes on uneven ground and hills. Ray Rother at 301-662-6315.

Softball — Practice at 6 p.m. Wednesdays, games 6:30 p.m. Fridays, April through September. Pinecliff Park, Frederick. Open to women over 40 and men over 50. Associated activity costs. Adrian at

301-662-6623.

FEB. 1

“Whiskeytown and the Northern Diggins”

Upon the discovery of gold along Clear Creek, Shasta County, California, the current day Whiskeytown National Recreation Area quickly became a hot spot for 49ers searching for gold. Whiskeytown saw it all, from gold panning and miners from all over the world to classic hardrock mine shafts and boom towns. Within currentday Whiskeytown there are dozens of know mineshafts and adits that shed light on the extensive history of mining here. Explore the history of mining, how it happened, who the miners were and if the search for gold ever stopped. Presenter: National Park Service Ranger. Free, preregister.

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Frederick & Urbana 50+ Centers. Also online Virtual 50+ Center

Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6007020

Salsa Dancing

Weekly on Wednesdays through April 19. $5.

Time: 7 to 10 p.m.

Location: Steinhardt Brewing Co., 340 E. Patrick St., Suite 100, Frederick Contact: 301-471-0901

FEB. 2

Senior Fitness Class 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. Free. Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Walkersville Public Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville Contact: 301-845-8880 or fcpl.org

The Doo Wop Project

Featuring stars of Broadway’s smash hits “Jersey Boys” and “Motown: The Musical,” The Doo Wop Project traces the evolution of Doo Wop from the classic sound of five guys singing tight harmonies on a street corner to the biggest hits on the radio today. Audiences go on a journey with music from groups like the Crests, The Belmonts, and Flamingos through their influences on the sounds of Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and The Four Seasons, all the way to “DooWopified” versions of modern musicians like Jason Mraz and Garth Brooks. $30 to $37.50. Time: 8 p.m.

Location: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick Contact: 301-600-2828 or weinbergcenter.org

FEB. 4

First Saturday: Fire in Ice Support local businesses by

shopping and dining downtown.

Time: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Location: Downtown Frederick Contact: 301-698-8118 or downtownfrederick.org

Bird Seed Sale

Proceeds support Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s educational programs, conservation initiatives and nature preserves. No pre-orders. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: Sunny Meadows Garden Center, 7437 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro

Contact: katelyn@potomacaudubon. org or potomacaudubon.org

Zumba Saturdays

Continues Saturdays through April 8. Ready to shake off the pounds? Exercise? Dance? Ages 18 and older. Free.

Time: 10:15 a.m.

Location: Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick Contact: 301-600-7004

Sierra Club Catoctin Group Meeting

Open to the public.

Time: 11 a.m. to noon

Location: Common Market Community Room, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick Contact: 301-718-7995 or sierraclub. org/maryland/catoctin-group

69 Band

Staff file photo by Bill Green

A heavy wet snow clings to the trees and covers the ground in Baker Park in 2021.

Blues and rock ‘n’ roll. Free admission.

Time: 7 to 11 p.m.

Location: Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick Contact: 301-898-3085

Environmental Stewardship Speaker Series: Electrify Everything to Diminish Climate Change

Hosted by Multifaith Alliance of Climate Stewards. Sign up for lunch, included. Freewill offering will be taken.

Time: 12:30 p.m.

Location: Saint Katharine Drexel Church, 8428 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick

Contact: 301-360-9581 or saintdrexel. org

FEB. 5

Downtown Frederick Artwalk

Local art galleries to host special events, art talks, live demonstrations. Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Location: Downtown Frederick Contact: downtownfrederick.org

FEB. 6

Lawyer in the Library with Maryland Legal Aid

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. Also on Feb. 24.

Time: Noon

Location: C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick Contact: 240-215-3741 or mdlab.org

Grief Support for Mothers Who Have Lost a Child to Overdose, SUD or Alcohol

Peer support Zoom meetings, Moms Helping Moms. Professionally supported by Frederick Health Hospice. Also meets Feb. 13, 20 and 27.

Time: 6 to 7:15 p.m.

Location: Via Zoom

Contact: 301-455-5378, 301-5143546 or gsformoms@gmail.com.

FAC After Hours & Yogamour:

Restorative Yoga with Soundbath

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.

Time: 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Location: FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick Contact: yogamour.org/public-yogaclasses

FEB. 7

Home Heating Fire Prevention

Learn how to safely use furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Frederick County Fire and Rescue will be taking blood pressures and giving the presentation. Free, drop-in (lunch is available by reservation).

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Brunswick 50+ Center, 12 E. A St., Brunswick Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-8348115

FEB. 8

Home Heating Fire Prevention

Learn how to safely use furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Frederick County Fire and Rescue will be taking blood pressures and giving the presentation. Free, drop-in (lunch is available by reservation).

Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Emmitsburg 50+ Center, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6006350

Aging in Place

Join Terri Lemere, owner of Healthy Home Living Solutions and Aging in Place Specialist, to learn about basic solutions to modify your home, utilize smart home technology, & access money-saving resources so you can remain in your own home as you age. Free.

Time: 1 to 2 p.m.

Location: Middletown Branch Library, 101 Prospect St., Middletown Contact: 301-600-7560 or fcpl.org/ calendar

MAP: Veterans Service Center Learn about the services and

Cer tified Medicareand Medicaid Outpatient Clinics

• Adult and Pediatric Physical Therapy

• Adult and Pediatric Occupational Therapy

• Aquatic Therapy

• Or thopedics and Rehabilitation

• TriggerPoint Dr yNeedling

• Pain Management andSeniorSer vices

FREDERICK .................................................. 301.663.1157

DAMASCUS 301.253.0896

JEFFERSON 301.473.5900

THURMONT

................................................. 301.271.9230

URBANA 240.259.0175

NEW MARKET 301.732.4771

amberhillpt.com

programs available at the new Veterans Service Center. Presenter: Niki Falzone, Platoon 22. Maryland Access Point of Frederick County serves adults 50 years and older, adults 18 years and older with a disability, family members and other caregivers, and health or business professionals. Free, pre-register.

Time: 2 p.m.

Location: Online and hosted by Senior Services Division Virtual 50+ Center

Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6001234

FEB. 9

Home Heating Fire Prevention

Learn how to safely use furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and space heaters. Frederick County Fire and Rescue will be taking blood pressures and giving the presentation. Free, drop-in. Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Urbana 50+ Center, 9020 Amelung St. Urbana

Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-600-

7020

Early German Settlers

The Mill Pond House, located along Tuscarora Creek may be the oldest known remains of a Europeanstyle dwelling in Frederick County. Although now in ruins, the site provides a unique opportunity to learn about the lives of early German settlers. Presenter: Christina Martinkovsky, Historic Preservation Planner, City of Frederick. Lunch at noon, $12 (suggested full cost donation) catered by Panera, preregister. Presentation is free, preregister.

Time: Lunch at noon, presentation at 12:30 p.m.

Location: Frederick 50+ Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick

Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6003525

Wonder Book Classic Film Series: “Wuthering Heights” (1939)

A servant in the house of Wuthering Heights tells a traveler the unfortunate tale of lovers Cathy and Heathcliff. With Merle Oberon, Lauren Olivier, David Niven. (1 hour 44 min.) $7.

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Location: Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick Contact: 301-600-2828 or weinbergcenter.org

FEB. 10

Memory Cafe

Frederick County Senior Services Division and the Alzheimer’s Association memory Café offers a fun and relaxed way for people living with memory loss and their care partners to get connected with one another through social events that promote interaction and companionship. Free, pre-register.

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: Emmitsburg 50+ Community Center, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg

Contact: CaregiverSupport@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6006001

Valentine Luncheon at Dutch’s

Daughter

Join the Frederick County Senior Services Division 50+ Community Centers for a buffet-style light lunch and entertainment. Anyone who is a

Have confidence in every conversation.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including:

Amplified phones

Tablets

• Ring signalers

Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons Captioned Telephones

• And more

For more information: 800-552-7724 | 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY) 410-801-9618 (Video Phone) | MDMAT.org

registered participant of any Frederick County Senior Services Division program or FCSSD Senior Center participant is eligible. If you are not a registered participant, you must complete a “Participant Information Form” at the time of registration. $25, pre-register by Wednesday, Feb. 1, seating is limited

Time: Noon

Location: hosted by Senior Services Division 50+ Community Centers at Dutch’s Daughter

Contact: VirtualSeniorCenter@ FrederickCountyMD.gov or 301-6007020

Bluegrass Jam

Open to all levels of acoustic musicians and vocalists. Spectators, families welcome. Sandwiches, snacks and sodas available for purchase. No smoking or swearing. $5 donation requested.

Time: 7 to 10 p.m.

Location: Mount Pleasant Ruritan Club, 8101 Crum Road, Walkersville Contact: 301-898-3719

See the full calendar at newspost.com.

CLUES ACROSS

CLUES DOWN

Global public health agency

Snake-like fish

Midway between northeast and east

Plate for Eucharist

Train line

Russian pop duo

Stake

Plant by scattering

Female sibling

City of Angels hoopsters (abbr.)

Popular cookie brand

Group of NigerCongo languages

A team’s best pitcher

Vomits

19th letter of Greek alphabet

Men’s fashion accessory

Its capital is Pierre (abbr.)

Expensive cut of steak

Popular James Cameron film

A __: relating to knowledge gleaned from deduction

Kids’ snow toys

Flip side to yin

Dabbed 5. TV show 6. Folk singer DiFranco 7. Canadian flyers 8. Of the dowry 9. Commercial 10. The act of imitating 11. Equipment used to broadcast radio or TV signals 13. Lands of an emir 15. Swiss river 17. Island 18. Monetary unit of Afghanistan 21. One who surrenders under agreed conditions 23. Garfield is one 24. A baglike structure in a plant or animal 27. Small boats used in the Black Sea 29. Small savory Spanish dishes 32. Body part 34. Touch lightly 35. Popular grilled foods on a stick 36. __ Hess: oil company 39. Antelope with a reddish coat 40. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt 43. Pink Floyd’s Roger 44. Short and thick 46. Small, sac-like cavities 47. Performer __-Lo 49. Entrails of animal used as food 51. __ King Cole, musician 54. Where construction is done 59. Chap 60. Investment vehicle 61. Often mixed with tonic 62. Holiday beverage egg __ 64. Against

SUDOKU

Here’s How It Works:

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

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