Since 1988 • Priceless
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
August 2021
oldtowncrier oldtowncrier.com
Setting the Standard In Old Town Since 1979
august’21 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Rosson DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703. 669. 5502 Sarah Becker Cheryl Burns F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Jeremy Cox Scott Dicken Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Alberta Frost Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Cindy McGovern Meg Mullery
CONTRIBUTORS Melinda Myers Rick Mylennbeck Vanessa Orr Billy Phibbs Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Rosson Jaime Stephens Ashley Stimpson Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Kathy Weisser Lori Welch Brown
16
22
36
A Bit of History............................................................. 11
From the Bay...................................................................24
Personality Profile............................................................ 6
After Hours.......................................................................15
From the Trainer............................................................40
Pets of the Month.........................................................21
Alexandria Events............................................................ 4
Gallery Beat.....................................................................16
Arts & Antiques..............................................................17
Go Fish...............................................................................42
Business Profile................................................................. 5
Grapevine.........................................................................36
Caribbean Connection...............................................22
High Notes.......................................................................14
Road Trip...........................................................................26
Dining Guide...................................................................34
Let’s Eat..............................................................................32
Social Media Message................................................... 2
Dining Out.......................................................................30
Let's Get Crafty...............................................................35
Exploring Virginia Wines............................................38
Local Farmers Markets................................................... 5
Financial Focus...............................................................10
National Harbor.............................................................44
First Blush.........................................................................41
On the Road with OTC................................................... 1
To the Blue Ridge......................................................... 29
Fitness................................................................................39
Open Space.....................................................................43
Urban Garden.................................................................... 9
Points on Pets.................................................................20 Publisher’s Notes.............................................................. 2
Take Photos, Leave Footprints.................................18 The Last Word.................................................................13
© 2021 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
On the road with OTC about the cover The Dog Days of Summer - amateur photographer and professional plumbing contractor, David Sites provides the OTC with another one of his amazing sunrise shots. This is his neighbor's "cool" pooch Zeke. We think Zeke is quite photogenic.
Old Town Crier
Local resident and Old Town Crier reader, Jena Rosco took full advantage of the July 4th “Staycation” opportunities at the newly opened Gaylord Resort in National Harbor, MD. Jena’s family became early 2008 condo unit owners at One National and love all things “National Harbor”! If you would like to see your photograph in this space, take a copy of the OTC with you and snap a high resolution image and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com. Your photo will appear both online and in the print version. Please include your mailing address so we can make sure you get a hard copy.
August 2021 | 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
BOB TAGERT
As the month of July closes with pretty darn nice weather, I hope the trend continues into August. Thirty years ago August was a slow month in Old Town Alexandria for the restaurants and shops. Not so much anymore! The town is four times as big as then with an equal increase in people. When I started the Crier in 1988 I remember one merchant telling me, “business is so slow, I may as well close up for the month.” Thirty years was a long time ago. Speaking of thirty years ago, Chadwicks had already been open for 12 years. We revisited them for brunch last month. Check it out in Dining Out. Julie Reardon talks about her new pup in To the Blue Ridge while Doug Fabbioli expands on what a “Farden” is in Exploring Virginia Wines. We put a twist on the Business Profile column and asked Rick Myllenbeck to fill us in on the 2021 “Festival of Speed and Style” scheduled for September 5th. This month we introduce a new column written by long time Alexandrian Timothy Long about Getting Crafty in these days of craft beverages. Sarah Becker explores The Art of a Nation in A Bit of History and Lori Welch Brown explains “The Dog Days of Summer...then and now” in her Open Space column. In Take Photos/Leave Footprints, fly with Scott Dicken and his beautiful wife Ashton to Lukla, the world’s most dangerous airport - this is a great story. The Road Trip column highlights Ashley Stimpson’s trek up north to Havre de Grace, Maryland where the Susquehanna River enters the Chesapeake Bay. On a sad note, Old Town Alexandria lost one of its early building blocks. Bryan Watson passed away last month at age 78. Bryan was the living definition of a hockey player. In the formative days of Old Town and after his retirement from hockey, Watson tore out the front windows of a warehouse on King Street, moved in some pizza ovens, patched the front up and opened a pizza place with an Armand’s franchise. He also created the popular Penalty Box bar upstairs in memory of his penalty minutes accumulated over his career. Today that pizza and pasta place is called Bugsy’s. Bryan Watson was an original. He will be missed, but his memory is indelible! My parting words this month….Get Vaccinated! I hate needles but that didn’t keep this 74 year old from doing my part. I didn’t even feel the needle or have any kind of reaction or soreness either time. I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but this is a no brainer... Enjoy the “Dog Days of Summer” folks, and pray for a nice breeze.
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
Just had to check out the Big Blue Chair on the veranda at the Gaylord! See the National Harbor column for some insight.
ASHLEY ROSSON
Pinterest Bans Weight Loss Ads
T
he popular social media page Pinterest, banned weight loss related ads as National Eating Disorders Association’s data showed a steep rise in unhealthy eating patterns during the pandemic. National Eating Disorders Association helpline has reported they experienced a 40% increase in call volume, that were related to mental health and eating disorder struggles compared to the year before. In light of that data combined with more recent trends on Pinterest, 2 | August 2021
the platform has updated its policies, prohibiting all ads related to weight loss imagery and language. They stated, “As our community of “Pinners” grows, so do searches for topics like healthy eating, healthy lifestyle and fitness tips. We’ll continue providing useful and relevant content for those searching for it
SOCIAL MEDIA > PAGE 8
Old Town Crier
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© Copyright 2021 Dylan. Renderings, building elevations, depictions of amenities, drawings and floor plans of the condominium and units are for marketing/illustrative purposes only and are not part of the basis of the bargain between Seller (i.e., the Declarant) and Purchasers. They do not necessarily reflect actual dimensions and configurations. Features, finishes, and prices are subject to change without notice. Certain features are available in select units and are subject to change. The specifications, room dimensions, and features shown in the unit floor plan are approximate and are for marketing/illustrative purposes only. Square footage totals and room dimensions provided may not be relied upon as definitive, are subject to modifications without notice, and may differ from the actual square footage and dimensions delivered. Actual layout, room dimensions, window sizes and locations, and steps to grade may vary and are subject to modifications without notice. The units, as constructed, may differ somewhat from the floor plan. The actual dimensions of condominium units will be as described in the condominium declaration and as shown on the Condominium Plats and Plans, recorded or to be recorded among the Land Records for the City of Alexandria, Virginia. References to ‘FORTIS’ and/or ‘The Fortis Companies’ refer to The Fortis Companies LLC. The Fortis Companies LLC’s development affiliates build homes in Virginia and across the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Individual projects are developed by FORTIS-affiliated partners and/or entities, and all representations regarding the development, construction, or sale of any project or property refers to those affiliates. Dylan is being developed and sold by 2551 Main Line LLC, the “Declarant” of the condominium project. No representations regarding the development, construction or sale of any portion of the Dylan community is made by The Fortis Companies LLC or any FORTIS affiliate except 2551 Main Line LLC. Sales of Units in the Dylan Condominium shall be managed by The Mayhood Company, agent for 2551 Main Line LLC. Buyers should carefully review their purchase and sales agreement before purchasing. The condominium was registered by the Common Interest Community Board in May 2021.
Old Town Crier
August 2021 | 3
Alexandria ` EVENTS & INFORMATION
Ramsey House Visitors Center at the corner of King and Fairfax is now open.
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.
Tea with Martha Washington at George Washington’s Mount Vernon August 14th at 1 p.m. Admission: $45 per person Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant 200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org Join Martha Washington for a cozy tea as she shares memories of her and the General’s life as a young married couple, during the Revolutionary War and Presidency, and at their beloved Mount Vernon. Enjoy some of the Washingtons’ favorite treats and delicacies prepared by the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant. Following the program, guests are invited to take a self-guided tour of the estate.
MORE EVENTS > PAGE 8
4 | August 2021
OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.
FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, all guidelines suggested by the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health and the City of Alexandria are followed by the market managers and the vendors at these markets. Old Town Crier
BUSINESS PROFILE
I
t was late at night, and I was closing up shop – standing on the top step leading to the front door of Sonoma Cellar – when something amazing caught my attention. It was lower King Street. Silent. Empty. Aglow with light from the streetlights, shops and tree lights, in a tranquil, peaceful and beautiful, gem-like moment. It was exceptionally quiet and wonderfully enchanting. Not a soul was out – there were no cars – nothing was moving. In that very serene moment, I was struck in the head with a lightning bolt of an idea… That was the start of what has become The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style, an event that celebrates the heart and spirit of the community
Old Town Crier
RICK MYLLENBECK
Speed & Style Coming Back to Old Town while highlighting the elegance and style of Old Town. That late night moment on the 200 block of King Street took place over four years ago and has since translated into one of the biggest events in Old Town in many years. Now, the Festival is orchestrated by a fascinating and effective committee comprised of local car
enthusiasts who care deeply about the community and volunteer their time. The inaugural event was held on May 19, 2019, and King Street was overwhelmed with spectators numbering in the multiple thousands. People were excited and in awe to see rare and exotic supercars up close for the first time, which added to the spectacle. And many of the
businesses and restaurants were overwhelmed with foot traffic not seen in years. It was a moment to celebrate! Since then, COVID hit and the Festival was forced to be postponed three times. Remarkably, the organizing committee has stayed together – for over two years now – and continues to be focused on delivering another spectacular event that
ultimately benefits the local community. It has been a true blessing that the team stuck together through one of the most devastating experiences in our lifetimes, and never wavered in their commitment to do something incredibly special, like producing The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style. The intent of the “Speed & Style” concept is to celebrate the speed, performance and elegance of exotic cars, paired with local style and fashion, while highlighting the diverse and classically themed locale of Old Town Alexandria. Admission is FREE and all donations will be split between the USO and the Neighbors Helping Neighbors 50 Alive! August 2021 | 5
PERSONALITY PROFILE
BOB TAGERT
The Entertainer
O
ver the years, most of the personalities we have written about were folks referred to us or people we met around town. John Todhunter does not fit that mold as we have known him and his wife Holli for many years. It was fun to find out just how diverse this guy is. “After I got my degree at UC of Santa Barbara I went to work as a research fellow at the Institute of Molecular Biology. From there, a few years later, I came to Washington and took a faculty position at 6 | August 2021
Catholic University and was chair of the bio-chemistry program,” he tells me. While at the university he did consulting for pharmaceutical development as well as receiving an NIH grant. “You know, you can’t live on a professor’s salary,” he tells me with a grin. From there Todhunter was appointed by President Reagan taking a position at EPA and handled all of the programs in the US for toxics, chemicals and pesticides. This position required Senate confirmation which, by the way, went smoothly-something unusual
these days. While at the EPA he built relationships with pharmaceutical companies that were developing drugs and other products. After three years, Todhunter left EPA and started his own company. When he was with EPA, and since he ran the whole pesticide programs, he had to go out and meet with agriculture groups all the time and also developed a relationship with the Department of Agriculture. “I got to know some of the folks in the Department of Ag and I admired them -
they had tough jobs.” At this time Todhunter had been doing this chemical thing for so long, he had an epiphany... “Agriculture is the basis for civilization, I thought...I really need to do something in agriculture.” He realized he couldn’t grow pot and soy beans required too much land to make a profit so he thought...grapes. “I could grow grapes and make wine! This produced a value addition to the crop.” In January of 2002, the Todhunter’s closed on a piece of land in Delaplane, Virginia, planted their first vines in
May of that year and Three Fox Vineyards was born. As with anything with Todhunter, he jumped in head first and became the wine maker, after all, he had a head start on the bio-chemistry of grapes. Wife Holli was the “boss” of the tasting room as well as the vineyard manager - even taking her shift mowing the vineyards. This is when we first met the Todhunter’s and we became good friends from the beginning. It did create a problem though, when we delivered the Old Town Crier to the winery Holli would always bring out a nice bottle of their wine and we would spend the next hour in good conversation. Not a bad problem to have. While growing the winery, Todhunter wore two hats, he ran the winery and still consulted with pharmaceutical companies to keep the cash flow intact. In 2020, they sold the winery and moved to Old Town Alexandria. It was here that he set up his office and resumed full time consulting. As he settled into his new home in Old Town, he reconnected with a group that he had been involved with in 1990. The team had developed sinus and nasal care products and an antiseptic nasal spray called SinoFresh. In the mid90’s they sold a lot of the product mostly in the Florida coastal area. At that time they only sold single personal items. Over time the company had some problems and the future didn’t look too bright. PERSONALITY PROFILE > PAGE 7
Old Town Crier
OLD TOWN Mini-Mart
PERSONALITY PROFILE | FROM PAGE 6
Todhunter and a few others put a rescue plan together and bought the company. “They had a wonderful product that helped folks with their sinus problems”, he said. The new company they formed is called “ZapVir”, with the Vir representing Virus. In addition to the individual products, the company has just launched their new travel kit containing the antiseptic nasal Spray, throat Spray, hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. “The beauty of our products is that it gets your own body to fight off the germs rather than being a drug”, he explains. The Travel Kit was launched in July and they are actively marketing the product now. (Check out their ad in this issue). Their market share of the single products had waned in the past few years, but the new company is actively looking to re-establish their market share and gain shelf space in local pharmacies and major stores. “Hopefully we can find a small independent pharmacy in Alexandria where we can offer our products and establish a profitable relationship”, he continues. It was at the winery that we learned of John’s other talents. On weekends he would break out his guitar or piano and entertain his guests with song. He told me he started his musical career at 7 years old when he took violin lessons. “I could not get a sweet sound out of that instrument... it always sounded like a cat being strangled,” he says. From there he played accordion for eight or nine years before he moved to the piano and guitar. He actually got pretty good at it as he formed a couple of bands along the way. He performed in a soul band and a jazz quartet and even got a deal to produce a demo for Capital Records. He put these talents to good use on weekends as he entertained guests at the winery. Another creative talent that Todhunter has is being a murder mystery writer. “I wrote short murder mysteries that restaurants could use for Murder Mystery Night if they would carry our wine,” he tells me. So…if you are in the market for an original Murder Mystery script, John might just be your go-to guy and you can serve the wine of your Old Town Crier
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choice. John took up the sport of fencing several years ago and was using it as an outlet for some exercise until recently getting back into fencing competitively. John Todhunter is truly a talented man who has run the gamut from the corporate world, to independent actualization, to learning the arts, creating a successful winery and going full circle by returning to where he began. Over the years, I have observed that he is most happy when he was measuring
the brix of his grapes, entertaining folks, especially when he is playing the piano and singing with friends. However, when he really gets a gleam in his eye is when he is on to a new adventure... especially when it helps his fellow man. And last, but certainly not least, is the fact that he is a fantastic cook and shakes up a mean martini! Oh, wait…he is also a Civil Celebrant…you need someone to help you tie the knot???
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August 2021 | 7
CALENDAR | FROM PG 4
Sidewalk Sale
Photo: Sarah Marcella Creative for Visit Alexandria
Restaurant Week
Photo: Kristian Summerer for Visit Alexandria
Alexandria Restaurant Week August 20th – 29th
Alexandria Summer Sidewalk Sale August 14th & 15th Throughout Old Town and Del Ray VisitAlexandriaVA.com/SidewalkSale
Alexandria’s summertime deal-snagging tradition features deep discounts from dozens of independent boutiques throughout Old Town and Del Ray, plus free parking at four City of Alexandria parking garages in Old Town. Stroll the D.C. region’s Shop Small destination for deals on fashion, jewelry, home décor, gifts and more outside of participating boutiques. The event is led by Visit Alexandria in partnership with the City of Alexandria, Old Town Boutique District, Old Town Business Association, Old Town North and Del Ray Business Association.
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For 10 days and two weekends, dozens of restaurants in Alexandria will offer a $49 inperson and/or to-go dinner for two. Some participating restaurants will offer a $25 inperson and/or to-go dinner for one in addition to the $49 deal for two. This expanded offering was created during Alexandria Restaurant Week To-Go in January 2021 in response to increased interest from single diners during COVID-19. Restaurant Week showcases the inventiveness of local chefs in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Del Ray, Carlyle and Eisenhower, and the West End. From neighborhood favorites to restaurants specializing in international cuisine, Alexandria’s distinctive collection of eateries offers a variety of flavors for guests to savor. In early August, guests will find a digital flip-book of menus at participating restaurants on AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA | FROM PAGE 3
while prohibiting content that displays, rationalizes or encourages eating disorders and other types of self-injury. For example, whenever Pinners search for keywords related to eating disorders, we block search results and direct them to expert organizations, like NEDA, so they can find additional resources. Pinterest also offers a variety of emotional wellbeing activities developed by emotional health experts, accessible directly within our mobile app and website. Pinners can simply search for “#pinterestwellbeing” to explore gratitude and self-compassion exercises, along with other interactive practices that can help improve their mood.” Pinterest had already banned ads that featured any of the following:
• Weight loss or appetite suppressant pills, supplements, or other products; • Before-and-after weightloss imagery; • Weight loss procedures like liposuction or fat burning; • Body shaming, such as imagery or language that mocks or discredits certain body types or appearances; and • Claims regarding unrealistic cosmetic results The new policy, prohibiting all weight loss related ads now also includes: • Any weight loss language or imagery; • Any testimonials regarding weight loss or weight loss products; • Any language or imagery that idealizes or denigrates certain body types;
• Referencing Body Mass Index (BMI) or similar indexes; and • Any products that claim weight loss through something worn or applied to the skin Pinterest adds that ads promoting healthy lifestyles and habits, like fitness products and services, will still be allowed as long as they don’t promote weight loss. This is an important as many young people were cut off from their normal routines and hobbies during the pandemic that might have been their main opportunity for healthy exercise. Now, those same young people are experiencing the pressure of having to return to their social circles after almost 15 months of being away or distanced, and many experience heightened body image related insecurities.
Check us out online at oldtowncrier.com or on Facebook at Old Town Crier Regional Magazine Old Town Crier
URBAN GARDEN
BACKYARD GARDENER
Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs
Watering
W
hile the list of gardening tasks for August is shorter than in many months, there are still ongoing tasks to perform in the garden. The hot temperatures of mid-summer make it tough to spend much time working in your garden, so take advantage of any cooler days to take care of grooming and weeding. Right now, your primary concern will be assuring an ample supply of water for your plants. Weed control is also very important, because with the warmer weather and increased watering, weed seeds will germinate and grow faster, and mature to the point of producing more seeds. Take advantage of your spare time to keep the weeds cultivated out of all parts of the garden. Here are a few August gardening tasks and projects that you can do to help keep your garden looking it’s best for the rest of this season:
Old Town Crier
Watering can be the biggest task this month particularity if the weather gets really hot. Vegetable gardens, most flowering plants, and the lawn all need about one inch of water every week to keep them green and looking nice. Be sure to water thoroughly, and deeply each time you water. When possible, do your watering in the morning or early afternoon so the soil has a chance to warm up before the cooler evening hours set in. Of course, if you planted drought resistant plants in your garden, you won’t have to water as often, but the principal of deep watering still applies. Be sure to check the hanging baskets and container grown plants every day during hot weather and about every second day on moderate summer days. Don’t just check the surface, push your finger an inch or two into the soil to be sure there is adequate moisture below throughout the root area. Water them thoroughly each time you water, but be careful not to over-water them.
Take out a few minutes to pick off the old dead flowers on your annuals, as well as the spent flowers on perennial plants. A little time spent on grooming the plants will make a big difference in the overall appearance of the garden. By removing the spent flowers, the plants will not go into the seed producing stage and should continue to flower longer into the season. Spring flowering perennials can be divided and transplanted this month or next. Be sure to do this during the coolest part of the day and water the plants thoroughly after transplanting. Prune your hybrid roses in late August to promote the most fall blossoms. Remove about a third of the vigorous growth. Any stems that cross each other should be removed, as well as those that are in the center of the plant. Weak, spindly canes and any damaged by black spot fungus should be removed. Maintain a spraying schedule to control insects and disease.
Shrubs and Trees Summer blooming shrubs should be pruned for shape after they have finished flowering. Remove any dead or diseased branches.
Lawn Contrary to popular belief, a brown lawn isn’t necessarily a dead lawn. Grasses go dormant in times of
drought, but will quickly return to life with the fall rains. If a lush green lawn is important to you, and you don’t mind mowing, water it regularly, and deeply. If a water shortage is expected, or you hate tending to grass, you may choose to just let your lawn go dormant, and water it as seldom as once a month. Raise the cutting height of the mower. Taller grass cools the roots and helps to keep the moisture in the soil longer.
Odds and ends Keep the weeds pulled, before they have a chance to flower and go to seed again. Otherwise, you will be fighting newly germinated weed seed for the next several years. Weeds in the garden are harmful because they rob your plants of water and nutrients, harbor insects and diseases, and, on occasion grow tall enough to shade your flowers and plants. Change the water in your bird bath regularly, and keep it filled. Standing water is less healthy for the birds, and may become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Continue to watch for insect, slug and snail, or disease damage throughout the garden, and take the necessary steps to control the problem. Publishers Note: This column provided courtesy of TheGardenHelper.com. Log on to the site for a full range of gardening tips. August 2021 | 9
FINANCIAL FOCUS
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
Charitable Giving Considerations for 2021
I
f the COVID-19 pandemic’s far-reaching impacts have you looking to enhance your charitable giving, be sure to remember these tax-related considerations for 2021:
Cash gifts A special rule for this year allows taxpayers who do not itemize deductions to claim up to $300 ($600 for joint filers) for gifts to qualifying charities. If you do itemize, cash contributions to qualified charities in 2021 might be used to offset up to 100% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) (60% of AGI for cash
gifts to a donor advised fund or 30% for cash gifts to a private foundation). This means that if you’re in a position to make generous gifts, you may potentially offset all of your taxable income. In addition, cash gifts could be used to offset Roth IRA conversion income or capital gains realized upon the sale of real estate or a large position in a single investment. If you’re unable to itemize but would like to, evaluate the possible impact of bunching several years’ worth of charitable contributions into one year. This may increase your itemized
deductions above the standard deduction threshold so you can potentially receive a tax benefit for those gifts. Review your income and deductions for the current year and the next few years with your tax advisor to determine what is the best timing for those bunched contributions.
Qualified Chartitable Distribution (QCD) For taxpayers age 70½ or older, a QCD allows you to gift up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to qualifying charities. QCDs are tax-free distributions and count toward satisfying your
required minimum distribution (RMD). Remember that, while RMDs were waived for 2020, they must be taken for 2021. No deduction is allowed for a QCD since the distribution is not taxable. This strategy is beneficial if you will not itemize deductions this year. It could also help you control your AGI, which is used to determine many tax-related limitations. Note that the amount of the QCD you are able to exclude from your income is reduced by any deductible IRA contributions you make in the year you reach age 70½ or after.
Stock gifts Gifting stock directly to charity rather than selling it and contributing the proceeds provides a current tax benefit if you itemize deductions. In addition, it lets you avoid capital gains taxation on the stock’s appreciation if it increased in value while you owned it. Deductions for stock gifts are limited to 30% of AGI when contributing to public charities. Before employing any of these strategies, please contact your tax and financial advisors to help provide the best outcome.
Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult with your tax and/or legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax and/or legal consequences. This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2020-2021 Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC. All rights reserved. 10 | August 2021
Old Town Crier
A BIT OF HISTORY
©2021 SARAH BECKER
THE ART OF A NATION
“T
he art of a nation is one of its most refining influences, and is the highest expression of its civilization and culture,” The New York Times wrote in 1918. “Artistic endeavor must be preserved, for the history of a nation cannot be written without due regard to its artistic attainments: in many cases the art of a nation is the only thing that has come down to us.” August is Art Appreciation month and however cultural antiquities are defined—as art and or architecture—drawing, printmaking, painting, sculpture—monuments and or buildings—destruction is often associated with belligerent behavior. American history offers several examples of cultural destruction, including the British burning of Washington in 1814. Whether the loss is associated with the War of 1812, World Wars I&II, China’s Cultural Revolution, ISIS, or the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol the resulting devastation is undeniable. “Damage to the interior of the U.S. Capitol building was largely limited to shattered glass and broken furniture; the U.S. Capitol Rotunda doors; blue paint tracked through the hallways and graffiti,” The New York Times reported. “Statues including Virginia’s Thomas Jefferson, murals, and historic benches were damaged, as were several paintings. Chemical residue was found on two presidents portraits.” The events of January 6, 2021, were “difficult for the American people and extremely hard for all of us on campus to witness,” Architect of the Capitol J. Brett Blanton then said. Fortunately, “the eight monumental paintings in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, including The Baptism of Pocahontas, were assessed by a professional conservator following the assault and no significant damage was found.” Alexandria-born artist John Gadsby Chapman’s 12’ by 18’ oil on canvas—The Baptism of Pocahontas—was installed in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda on November 30, 1840, and Old Town Crier
(Top) Baptism of Pocahontas by John Gadsby Chapman (Left) John Gadsby Chapman remains on permanent display. “This painting depicts the ceremony in which Pocahontas, daughter of the influential Algonkian chief Powhatan, was baptized,” the Architect of the Capitol explained. “It took place…in the colony at Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement on the North American continent. Pocahontas is thought to be the English colonies earliest native convert to Christianity.” “The figures of Pocahontas and the officiating minister are given prominence by their placement, their bright white clothing, and the light that shines upon them,” The Architect of the Capitol continued. “Pocahontas kneels on the top level of a stepped dais, her head bowed and her hands clasped before her. Reverend Alexander Whiteaker raises his eyes and his left hand, while his right hand rests on the baptismal font. John Rolfe, Pocahontas’s future husband, stands behind her.” An engraving of the painting appears on the 1863 and 1875 First Charter $20 National Bank Notes. Alexandria has fostered many accomplished artists: conceivably no one more talented than John Gadsby
Chapman [1808-1889]. The son of Charles T. Chapman and Sarah M. Gadsby, he was named for his maternal grandfather—Alexandria and District of Columbia tavern owner John Gadsby. An Alexandria Academy attendee, Chapman first pursued a career in law. Then, on the advice of artists George Cooke [history painter] and Charles Bird King [portraitist]—and with the financial help of friends—he enrolled in the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. John Gadsby Chapman painted his first successful work in 1830, Hagar and Ishmael Fainting in the Wilderness. The biblical painting draws from Genesis. “And the Lord visited Sarah as he had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as he had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bore Abraham a son in his old age. And Abraham called his son Isaac.” In 1831 Chapman displayed his art in Alexandria. A traveling exhibit he also showed his work in Philadelphia, Boston and Richmond. Soon after Chapman toured the Commonwealth in search of new ideas: history paintings especially. Chapman visited James Madison’s Montpelier and sketched it. He painted George
Washington’s boyhood homes; Washington’s Mount Vernon bed chamber, and the family of Mrs. John Augustine Washington. His early Jamestown history paintings “The Crowning of Powhatan” and “The Warning of Powhatan” were later exhibited in New York’s National Academy of Design. In 1834, Chapman painted a full-length portrait of Tennessee Congressman Davy Crockett. Crockett, a compelling anti-Jacksonian, was elected to the 23rd Congress and completing his final term. The painting “showed the Colonel standing among three of his hounds, left arm crooked to accommodate his rifle.” The historical work was eventually purchased by the State of Texas and hung in the capitol at Austin: in memory of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Not yet satisfied with his success, Chapman left Alexandria and moved to New York to become an illustrator. As luck would have it, in 1835 Chapman illustrated James Kirke Paulding’s
Life of Washington. The work secured his place in the National Academy of Design. Commissions continued, including A Christmas Gift from Fairy Land (1838), The Poets of America as edited by John Keese (1840), and Harper’s Illuminated Bible (1843-1846). He produced 1,400 engravings for the latter. No commission captured John Gadsby Chapman’s interpretive interest like The Baptism of Pocahontas— his best-known work. He secured his 1837 Congressional commission in the same year Ralph Waldo Emerson delivered his American Scholar speech to Harvard University’s Phi Beta Kappa Society. “Perhaps the time is already come, when the sluggard intellect of this continent will look from under its iron lids, and fill the postponed expectation of the world with A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 12
August 2021 | 11
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A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 11
something better than the exertion of mechanical skill,” Emerson said. Chapman painted the historical oil on canvas in the loft of a D.C. barn located on G Street, N.W. The $10,000 then paid barely covered his production costs. By 1850 John Gadsby Chapman had moved his family to Rome. Chapman’s renderings of the Italian countryside sold well until the Civil War. Wartime transAtlantic travel was treacherous and—like the South’s CSS Alabama in the 1864 Battle of Cherbourg—American tourism took a hit. Chapman’s son Conrad left Europe and his family to fight for the Confederacy. “A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being,” Sun Tzu wrote in his 1st-2nd century The Art of War. Union General William T. Sherman’s 1864 capture of Confederate Atlanta, his March to the Sea, confirmed Sun Tzu’s theory. More recently rioters were seen carrying the Confederate flag when entering the U.S. Capitol Rotunda: perhaps in support of the South’s Lost Cause. Or pardoned felon; retired threestar General and former Trump National Security Advisor Michael Flynn’s quasi-calls for a coup. Artistically speaking, in the 1860s the Civil War years, realism was giving way to impressionism. Impressionists relied on optical phenomena to explain the artist’s reality. Artists like Edouard Manet preferred vibrant displays, pulsating patches of color and dynamic brush movement, to finished description. Compare Chapman’s use of light in The Baptism of Pocahontas with Manet’s lighting effects in the later Battle of the USS Kearsage and CSS Alabama. Both are history paintings. The United States presented its Fourteen Points, President Wilson’s WWI principles for peace on January 8, 1918. The Points included a general association of nations—the League of Nations—as well as a League of Nations Committee on Intellectual Cooperation. In 1922 the Committee on Intellectual Cooperation established an International Museums Office [IMO]. Germany’s power was again on the rise and in October 1936 the IMO issued a Convention for the Protection of Historic Buildings and Works of Art in Times of War. The report asked that “for the protection of art, competent authorities
everywhere put their national art on a war footing.” Among the IMO’s recommendations: the building of bombproof shelters for portraits and restoration of the medieval sanctuary system for statues; protection measures to insure, in the event of serial bombardment, the safety of architectural monuments more fragile parts [stained glass windows, bas-reliefs and other sculptural features], and shelters or depositories to which movable objects can be protected, sites declared strictly neutral to “serve as a last asylum for humanity’s laws.” During World War II the U.S. Army worked hard to locate lost property, especially art. In the 1940s Chancellor Adolph Hitler—a former painter and self-proclaimed art critic—was determined “to assemble for Germany the greatest treasure of European art.” Under the German law of July 22, 1941, the pro-Nazi Vichy government set as its objective the elimination of “all Jewish influence in the national economy.” The seizure of property—gold, bank accounts, insurance, and art—followed. Tracking was not straight forward in part because the IMO gave way to the United Nations, UNESCO and the International Council of Museums [ICOM] in 1946. Today the art world is focused on the Middle East. Like Nazi Germany, the Islamic State was/is involved in cleansing. Many of ISIS’ military tactics are decidedly East Asian. Whether it is “the use of military weapons or wholesale decapitation, the end in view is to get rid of wicked people...,” Sun Tzu said. On May 28, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution known also as Security Council resolution 2199. It was presented jointly by Germany and Iraq, and cosponsored by 91 member states. Said UNESCO: “The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage is a war crime—it is used as a tactic of war, in a strategy of cultural cleansing that calls on us to review and renew the means by which we wish to respond and to defeat violent extremism.” “In the aftermath of the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot… many Republicans agreed on the need for an independent commission to investigate the attack,” The Week noted on June 11. “Last week, however, a Republican filibuster killed a bill creating such a commission. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s justification was that the proposed
commission would be ‘slanted’ against Republicans, though it would have featured five Republican and five Democratic appointees.” “The real explanation,” as Senator John Cornyn of Texas admitted, “was that the GOP doesn’t want to give Democrats ‘a political platform’ from which to make the 2022 midterm elections ‘a referendum on President Trump’ and his Big Lie that the election was stolen.” “We’ve had commissions to investigate crises large and small—from Pearl Harbor to 9/11,” The Week continued. “For the GOP to block an investigation into the only assault in U.S. history on the peaceful transfer of power is a ‘grim sign for American democracy.’” Perhaps the fact that Chapman’s The Baptism of Pocahontas survived the assault undamaged is a positive sign. History, Emerson said, is a record—a factual record. Whether history is recorded by pen or brush, Chapman’s painting tells a truthful tale. Just maybe the U.S. House of Representatives will see it as a reminder to conduct its ongoing January 6 Committee investigation honestly. Absent half-truths and partisan pap: tall tales and digital yarns. “John Gadsby Chapman was an American painter and illustrator, now all too little remembered,” John Walker wrote in 1962. “[The National Gallery of Art] believes that his achievement, intimate and delicate in character, deserves more recognition than it has had.” Chapman died in 1889, the same year retired Union General Benjamin Harrison [IN-R] was inaugurated the 23rd President of the United States. And Confederate President Jefferson Davis died. Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email abitofhistory53@gmail.com Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD
I
was immediately attracted to the title of Bonnie Tsui’s charming new book, Why We Swim. In the summer, we have more chances to swim on vacation than during the rest of the year, unless we Old Town Crier
MIRIAM R. KRAMER
regularly swim laps or do water aerobics at a local pool. Tsui’s memories echo my own, and her research about swimming combines with her contemplation of activity that can raise our adrenaline because of its dangers or put us in a meditative state because of its rhythmic
nature. As Tsui notes, swimming is the second favorite casual exercise after walking. Swimming seems simple on the face of it: get in the water, pick up your feet, and move forward, sideways, or backward, but it is many things to many people.
It can be an act of daring. When she swims in the cold deep waters of the San Francisco Bay as part of a club, she joins others who prove to themselves that they can brave a situation in which they are not the apex of the food chain. She finally ditches her wet suit so she can experience a freezing swim in which she starts to feel intensely alive, only to truly experience the dangers from the cold after she gets out of the water. Although swimming can be a solitary activity, she experiences both her own solitude and the camaraderie of her club. It is one of the few activities where you can be alone and together at the same time. Her views of the water are more philosophical than scientific, which suited my tastes. A large, elegant swimming pool
belonging to one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces in Baghdad ironically became an egalitarian place where everyone from various Embassy staff members to migrant workers came to learn how to swim properly. In this case it was a community without hierarchy, where people came together and knew each other through swimming as one group no matter their job or place in life. Competitive swimmers relish the pace and thunder of a race, flipping through the water with adrenaline flowing. Concentrating on their strokes in training keeps them in the moment, but so does their automatic plunge into a race. Both make them feel alive. While a competitive THE LAST WORD > PAGE 15
August 2021 | 13
HIGH NOTES
RON POWERS
FIRST TIME
by Lucy Dacus
I
t’s August and the dog days of summer are in full swing. This month I want to focus on an upbeat number by Lucy Dacus called “First Time”. This song is perfect for a nice drive. And since many of us are heading to beaches, campgrounds, and vacation spots this time of year I thought I’d bring this tune to your attention. “First Time” begins with a brief percussion section which is created by processing white noise with an auto-modulating EQ. Under the percussion, Dacus layers a faint synth arpeggio which has a somewhat random rhythmic pattern. These two elements combine to create a subtle tension just before an upbeat and gritty arrangement of drums, bass, and guitars is added. The sound of “First Time” has overtones of garage rock and undertones of synth pop and dream rock. Lucy Dacus delivers a relaxed and elegant vocal performance along with lyrics that possess the sort of poetic authority that is refreshingly abnormal in popular music. In addition, her voice is decorated with biting distortion effects, along with subtle slapback delay, and reverb. This combination of vocal 14 | August 2021
delivery and vocal processing creates something that is both soothing and edgy. For the verses, Lucy describes the excitement of young love. Her lyrics express the thrill of being a kid and connecting to someone special. The depth of Dacus’ poetic voice is easily recognized while listening to the verses of “First Time”. With just a few lines, she communicates what might require several pages of prose. A simple arrangement of driving rhythm guitars, and skip-beat drums support and add color to the lyrics and melody of the verse. The fast pace of the music further supports and adds to the expression of what young love feels like. Between the verse and chorus, Dacus adds a short and lovely instrumental. Surf-rock slide guitar introduces this section as the bass drops out of the mix. Next, we hear light and airy synth notes which create a soft-breeze-on-your-face sort of feeling. Heavily reverb-processed guitar rakes are also layered in which further deepen the instrumental’s contrast to the gritty and in-your-face sound of the verse. The dreamy synth notes and guitar rakes are supported by a single organ-style synth chord which swells and
shimmers with tension as the song builds toward its chorus. This section of the song is an unconventional structural move and points to the organic and natural way its writer creates. For the first chorus, Lucy repeats the satisfying and easy-to-remember line, “You can’t feel it for the first time, a second time”. Although repetition is used for the chorus, Dacus uses melodic variation to keep the song from sounding repetitive. Additional lyrics are added to the second chorus which further enforces the asymmetrical and organic feel of “First Time”. If you’d like to listen to “Frist Time” or any of Dacus’ other music, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most places music is streamed or sold. Lucy Dacus currently has live performances booked into 2022. You can find tickets and info on her website, lucydacus.com. To learn more about Lucy you can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant, and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent. Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD | FROM PAGE 13
process, swimming on a team can also create a real sense of camaraderie. Tsui is fascinated by the story of an Icelander whose boat tipped over off the shore of Iceland in 1984. None of his fellow fishermen survived. Swimming in public pools and hot springs is popular in Iceland, so his fellow citizens still celebrate his ability to combat not only the elements by commemorating his swim with their own. He is the hero of a national pastime, a triumph to set against setbacks not only in swimming but in life. Long-distance swimming is its own challenge and reward. It can create a state of meditation that opens up creativity. People who swim conquer the English Channel, or the distance between Cuba and Florida. The poet Lord Byron found that it fostered his creativity, with regular swims across the Dardanelles between Turkey and Greece. Possessing a club foot, the water helped him move without constraint for once,
freeing his mind along with his body. In Japan, Tsui learns the fascinating art of samurai swimming, in which different groups of samurai warriors who swam and fought in armor, creating their own school styles. Nihon eiho is a Japanese swimming martial art, requiring a different way to move in the water. It is often vertical and meant to keep you still enough to be able to shoot an arrow and hit a target. This kind of swimming maintains a strong sense of serenity, along with confidence in maintaining oneself as part of a whole within the strictures of a group. Like Tsui, I swam as soon as I was able. Growing up in Africa, I learned to swim every day after school at a heavily chlorinated pool owned by the American Embassy. I swam in the chilly waters off a rocky beach in Marblehead, Massachusetts when visiting my grandparents every summer. I swam in a Maine lake at my uncle’s summer cottage. Now I swim from the lovely beaches of Sarasota, Florida. I swim in my own small pool.
I also swim in the Warm Mineral Springs, a watering hole here in Florida where Europeans come to “take the baths” for their health. Bonnie Tsui has written a lyrical book about a lyrical sport and pastime. She leads me to the fundamental question: Why do I swim? If I had to boil it down to one concept, it would be freedom. The water makes me exercise hard and remain fit without sweating or having aches and pains. No physical limitations, other than the length to which I can hold my breath, apply. It frees me from stress and keeps me in present. At the watering hole I frequent, I can meet people and chat while hanging in the silky mineral water or swimming around the perimeter. Swimming also connects me to my past, to a childhood in which moving through water became second nature and a cocoon from the world. It still opens up my creativity and helps me gain perspective on other aspects of my life. Swimming allows for both personal connections and solitary dreams, and life is nothing without them.
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August 2021 | 15
GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
US by Werllayne Nunes Las Gringas by Carol Antezana
Inside, Outside, Upside Down
A State Collapse by Judith Peck
16 | August 2021
while back I wrote about the Phillips Collection’s call for area artists to submit artwork for Inside Outside, Upside Down, a juried invitational show (currently on view through September 12), where the museum invited artists of the Greater Washington area to submit recent artwork that “addresses the unprecedented events of the past year.” The call was part of the museum’s 100th anniversary celebration, and continues “founder Duncan Phillips‘s commitment to present, acquire, and promote the work of local artists.” About 1,300 works of art were submitted for review, and about seventy works were chosen by the jurors, Elsa Smithgall (Senior Curator, The Phillips Collection), Renée Stout (DC artist and guest curator of the exhibition), Phil Hutinet (publisher of the local news source East City Art), and Abigail McEwan (Associate Professor of Latin American Art at the University of Maryland). I am proud and honored to have been one of the chosen artists – thank you to the jurors. Many well-known DMV area
artists were selected, including blue chip artists like Tim Tate, Michael Janis, Kate Kretz, Judith Peck, and others – all with immense artistic pedigree, huge exhibition histories and deep international presence. A lot of new artists – at least new to me – were also chosen, which is always a great sign of a well-curated exhibition; kudos to the jurors for the mental amplitude to select work based on visual impression rather than name or presence. “After an extraordinarily difficult year that has shaken the world, we feel it is important to join with our entire region to celebrate human resiliency, and especially the strength of artists and the arts,” said Vradenburg Director and CEO Dorothy Kosinski. “Duncan Phillips hosted this type of exhibition annually from 1935 to 1950, and we are proud to continue this tradition to support our talented community.” “Last summer, as plans for our centennial progressed in collaboration with our community advisors, we felt an urgent call to elevate and uplift artist voices in our local artist community,” noted Elsa Smithgall, Senior Curator. “Now as we look with hope towards a post-pandemic era,
these works are deeply moving affirmations of the hardships endured over the past year.” The exhibition itself, like every single multi-curator exhibition that I’ve seen since art school, is a wonderful eclectic mix of spectacular and sublime displays of artistic power to pedestrian, forgettable, forced works that seek to “respond” to the thematic focus of the work. That’s not a “hit” on the jurors – constant readers of this column over the last few decades by now know that pretty much every single group show that I’ve ever reviewed has met this perception from my perspective. The jurors awarded the First Prize to Dominick Rabrun’s work titled Dr. LaSalle, The Spider Queen, and Me, a 2021 digital mixedmedia video installation. The Second Prize went to Kristina Penhoet’s installation fiber piece titled How Many More? and Honorable Mentions went to Desmond Beach’s fabric and paper work titled #SayTheirNames 2, to Marta Pérez García’s Your Hand, a molded cotton handmade paper and stitching work GALLERY BEAT > `PAGE 17
Old Town Crier
ART&ANTIQUES
GALLERY BEAT | FROM PAGE 16
with yarn, and to Richard L. Williams’ touching photograph titled Claudette, Roman and Rashard – February 2021. What else do constant readers know about me and jurors? I love to re-review shows and see if I agree or disagree with their choices. Art is a very subjective thing and artists must all have thick skins. My choice for Best in Show – not just First Prize – would have been Werllayne Nunes’ gigantic oil on panel painting titled Us. The work vibrates with happiness and power and reaches deep into every child’s memories as well as delivering a powerful social message. Judith Peck is one of the DMV’s painting superstars – her technical skills are almost supernatural and her breathtaking ability to infuse her work with psychological power legendary. Her painting titled State Collapse, depicting a young woman in bed, is able to transmit fear, anxiety, and angst and summarize 2020 in one gorgeous work of art. She gets my First Prize award. Second Prize goes to Carol Antezana’s sensitive portrait photograph titled Las Gringas. She writes about this work: “Las Gringas is a photographic self-portrait analyzing the balance between being both Bolivian and a firstgeneration American amid political turmoil and uprisings in both countries. Disagreements about politics have been a specter for many families and the differences are ones of morality, core values, and character, creating tension and division. I was always taunted by my family for being “una gringa” because I cannot speak Spanish perfectly, yet there was
ANTIQUES
no importance in keeping our Indigenous language, Quechua, alive. As a child of immigrant parents, the act of balancing, adopting, and assimilating cultures can be daunting; there are deeply rooted racial double standards in both countries. Through redefining my identity, I am striving to decolonize my mind—my attempt at breaking the intergenerational trauma in my family.” Honorable Mention goes to Cathy Abramson’s oil painting titled Waiting for Takeout (to go), another cool work which captured the Covidian Age perfectly! I also like Aaron Maier-Carretero’s somewhat
disturbing enormous painting titled not in front of the kids. The palpable, hidden violence is terrifying in the work. One last thing. As I wrote earlier, Dorothy Kosinski noted that “Duncan Phillips hosted this type of exhibition annually from 1935 to 1950, and we are proud to continue this tradition to support our talented community.” An open request to the Phillips: Host this type of exhibition annually from 2021 till the end of time.
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(Top) Waiting for Takeout (To Go) by Cathy Abramson (Bottom) Not in Front of the Kids by Aaron Maier Carretero.
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August 2021 | 17
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
SCOTT DICKEN
Photos: Scott Dickens
I
t seemed as though this day had been forever in the making. I’d spent months on the gym’s stair climber trying to rid myself of my ‘extra baggage’. I’d endured the stares of the gym’s native population who had undoubtedly pondered why I was working up a sweat whilst wearing a high altitude mask that made me look like Bane from Batman. I’d abstained when given the mouthwatering opportunity to have a second serving of Christmas Dinner. Yet now it all felt worthwhile. Here we were sitting in Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport waiting to board our flight to Lukla; the gateway to Everest. There isn’t much to do at Tribhuvan airport except nervously ponder the quietly impending existential crisis going through any sane mind. Those dark thoughts, only to be broken by shuddering bursts of “garble garble, flight to mountain” over the intercom, are entirely rational as demonstrated below. As I watched my wife nervously pace across the floor, I myself succumbed to the inevitable: I began to ponder the reasons why one might be nervous about flying in to this particular airport; reasons I had refrained from disclosing to my wife:
Reason One The airport’s vital statistics. Never before have I heard such a frightening list of reasons why an airport shouldn’t be operational. At an altitude of 9,101 feet, Lukla’s Tenzing-Hillary Airport is the 36th highest airport in the world. Its runway is 1,729 feet long which, to provide a comparison, is 7.5 times shorter than London Heathrow’s Northern Terminal. The runway has an 11 degree slope, meaning one end is 200ft below the other. The landing end of the runway is a solid cliff face and the takeoff end is a 2,000ft vertical drop in to the valley below. Finally, given that the runway is located deep in a steepsided Himalayan valley, the chances of executing a ‘go-around’ if one was needed are slim to none. All that said, there are basically three options at this ridiculously high, short, slanty and perilous airport: successfully land, crash into a cliff face, or crash down 2,000ft into a valley.
Reason Two Lukla has been consistently ranked as the most dangerous airport in the world. I first heard of it some years ago when I watched the History Channel’s ‘Most Extreme Airports’. The title of the show really captured its essence and Lukla topped the charts at #1 (the one list you don’t want to top). These days, YouTube is full of such countdowns and so it was a joy to relive those hellish memories before I boarded the flight! The airport’s danger factor has resulted in strict certification requirements for pilots, including a minimum of 100 ‘short-take-off-and-landing’ (STOL) missions, one year of STOL experience in Nepal and ten flights into Lukla with a certified pilot. I guess this means, at the very least, you’re in ‘capable’ hands…..
Reason Three Plane crashes and fatalities aren’t quite as unheard of as they are at your average airport. The aviation safety website provides a daunting summary of recent crashes (at least those that were recorded) and fatalities at Lukla. Most recently (May 2017) was a crash that resulted in 2 deaths after a cargo plane ‘impacted steep rocky and wooded terrain’ after possibly attempting a ‘go-around’. When you consider that a crash at Tribhuvan Airport (our departure airport) killing 49 people also took place during our visit, it’s fair to say that the existing apprehension was further heightened.
Reason Four All of Nepal’s domestic airlines are banned from EU airspace due to their poor safety record and only domestic Nepalese airlines fly in to Lukla. I refer you to the aforementioned Reason Three and Reason Seven below as undeniable evidence as to why this is probably a wise decision by the fine people who compile the EU Air Safety List.
18 | August 2021
Old Town Crier
Reason Five Only light aircraft (carrying no more than 16 people) can land at Lukla which makes the perilous journey through the region’s undulating valleys and uncompromising wind and thermals all the more, shall we say, bumpy. The effect of this was written across the face of my wife when I turned around in my seat to check she was OK after a particularly tense few minutes of rollercoaster turbulence. Her expression hinted a mixture of pure terror and a mild desire to murder me in my sleep. Read into that what you will. Combined with this general propensity for a bumpy journey is the fact that pilots flying in to Lukla intentionally make their planes susceptible to the effects of downdrafts. I’m a particular fan of this chilling explanation from the Himalayan Times: “The flight crews during their final approach are required to maintain an air speed that barely keeps the aircraft out of stall conditions for ensuring a complete stop on the very limited runway length ahead. This deliberate inadequate air speed margin, technically called Vref, leaves the aircraft vulnerable to the effects of possible downdrafts and wind speed variations in the final few seconds before touchdown, a veteran Lukla-frequenting captain explained.” So, to summarise in layman’s terms: Just when you’re about to land, the pilot puts the aircraft in to a stall scenario that invites wind which could cause you to crash.
Reason Six Planes land at Lukla by sight navigation, and so the slightest chance of cloud, rain, sleet, snow, a mild breeze, rainbows, or the changing of the seas tides (slight exaggeration, but only slight) leads to flight cancellations. Bad weather in the morning delayed our flight by about 4 hours and apparently a storm was incoming in the afternoon which led to us being informed that ‘hopefully we’ll make it out before it was too late’. Comforting! ….and then, at the last minute, came unanticipated reasons seven and eight.
Reason Seven It presented itself when we were gleefully notified that our pilot was fairly inexperienced on this particular route and so wanted less luggage on board to ‘keep the weight down’. Not only was that prospect ‘mildly’ disconcerting but it also meant that for some of us the first 48 hours would be spent in the same pair of, by the end of this plane ride, lightly stained underwear.
Reason Eight It came just as we were about to take off from Kathmandu. We’d taxied out to the runway, when all of a sudden our pilot started to ‘bunnyhop’ the plane up the tarmac followed by promptly taxing back to the terminal. Turns out he wasn’t happy with the plane’s brakes. But not to worry, a few tweaks and ‘it’ll all be ok in twenty minutes time’. Dodgy brakes and a seemingly blasé approach to required maintenance aren’t particularly what you want to hear about when you’re planning to land at one of the shortest commercial runways in the world…particularly one that ends with a cliff face. Despite all of the above, the good news is, as you can probably tell, that we eventually took off and survived to tell this tale (and made it to Everest Base Camp). It’s probably not an airport that someone scared of flying would wish to frequent as my wife can well attest. That said, it’s one hell of a ride and the views aren’t bad either!
If you want to hear more about our visits to Nepal make sure to check out takephotosleavefootprints.com!
Old Town Crier
August 2021 | 19
POINTS ON PETS
S
ummer is here and many of us are ready to put the pandemic in the rearview mirror by planning a vacation. Maybe it will just be a long weekend road trip or maybe it will be two weeks in Europe. Wherever you roam, you need to have a plan for taking care of your cat companions while you are off having fun. I will be spending a couple of weeks in western New York State. My cats, Beau who is twelve, shy, and needs medication and his buddy Mickey who is seven, outgoing, and playful, will not be coming with me. The place I will be renting does not permit it and the seven hour drive would probably drive all three of us around the
20 | August 2021
ALBERTA FROST
bend. I got both these furry companions from King Street Cats years ago, and whenever I go out of town I have found either a pet caregiver who comes twice a day, or more recently a house sitter who can keep an even closer eye on them. I am telling you a bit about my own cats because how you decide to care for your cats in your absence depends not only on your personal preferences and what you can afford, but very importantly on the personality, eating habits, and physical health of your felines. One thing for sure; DON’T LEAVE YOUR CAT HOME ALONE for more than a day. Two at the very most. According to Vivien Bacon, President of King Street Cats, “cats
may appear to be selfsufficient and independent, but even the most aloof among them depend on us for water, food, a safe roof over their heads and daily attention.” Moreover, according to the website Spruce Pets, cats “adore routine”. A different feeding schedule and less attention can cause stress that can then lead to loss of appetite and susceptibility to illness, or to bad behaviors that are destructive to your home and/or pet. Water bowls can get tipped over, litter boxes can get full, and breakables knocked off a shelf. The things that could go wrong when cats are left unsupervised are too numerous to list. So, what are the alternatives? You can
engage a pet sitter, find someone to live in, find a boarding arrangement, or take your pet with you. Your best choice is very dependent on how healthy, flexible, and gregarious your pet is and whether you have more than one. My friend had a most amazing cat, Ranger, who along with his doggie companion, far preferred going along for the ride to Florida to being left at home. He would not tolerate the cat carrier for such a long drive, but allowed himself to be strapped into the back seat and put on a leash for bathroom breaks. Ranger was an unusual and confident cat. You POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 21
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 20
may have one of those but beware, it took my friend lots of planning, experimentation, and practice to make those annual trips work. Most cats are attached to their own familiar territory so it is less disruptive if you engage someone to come in or actually stay in your home. That person may be a friend, neighbor, or a professional service. All my cat sitters have come through referrals from friends, but your veterinarian or neighborhood web sites are other possible referral sources. However you find the caregiver, make sure you meet them in person to see how they interact with your pets and so they can familiarize themselves with your house and the pet’s routines. Get references if they are in the pet sitting business. Leave written instructions on feeding, medications, your veterinarian and your own contact information; and if you are going to be away for more than a few days, ask them to provide you feedback on how things are going. One of my pet sitters sent me daily photos and that was enormously
reassuring. It goes without saying that you need to leave an adequate supply of food and any required medication. Depending on how often the sitter will be in your home, you also may wish to provide extra water bowls and litter boxes. As we cat owners know, our feline friends can be quite particular about their litter box and if it is not cleaned regularly they may choose to go elsewhere. Also, have a backup plan. Even the most reliable sitter can get ill or have an emergency so provide contact information for a friend or neighbor who could jump in if necessary. Boarding may also be an option especially if your cat is very social or has medical needs. It is not the best choice if he is shy or easily frightened. I had to relocate my cats during a house renovation. One barely noticed the change of scene; the other refused to come out of the basement of the new place for many days. If you do chose a commercial facility, a visit to the place you are considering is mandatory. You need to observe firsthand that the staff is well trained, there is easy access to medical services, and that your kitty
will have adequate/quiet space and attention. Most people decide to leave their cat friends in their own space, so one last word about that. During your absence even with a sitter, cats need their usual access to your home so consider propping doors open so they do not get shut out (or worse, in) of rooms they are
used to lounging in. Leave some blinds open so they can have entertainment from the outside, leave toys out, and even a shirt that smells like you. If you have rambunctious pets, remove obvious hazards like plants. In other words, child proof your house! With a little analysis of your pet, your home, and your finances you
can have a great vacation, and your pet can be safe and not too grumpy upon your return.
About the Author: Alberta Frost is a long time Alexandria resident and volunteer at King Street Cats. She admits to letting her cats Beau and Mickey think they are in charge.
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Looking for a little guy with a BIG personality? Look no further Mickey! This 9-year-old Chihuahua mix is technically a senior, but don’t let him hear you say that. He’s got a pep in his step that can only be matched by his cuddling capabilities. Lapdog alert! Learn more at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-ByAppointment.
The award for best head tilts goes to...Frankie! At 70+ pounds, this American bulldog mix may seem like a tough guy, but we have it on good authority that he’s just a big marshmallow! He’s been working hard to lose over 20 pounds, and we think he’s looking pretty good. Frankie is currently enjoying a stay with one of the AWLA’s amazing foster families, so to learn more about Frankie and schedule time to meet him, please email adopt@alexandriaanimals.org or call 703.746.4774.
Adopt by appointment at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Virtual and in-person appointments are available at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment.
Old Town Crier
August 2021 | 21
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION BOB CURLEY
Sophistication and Splendid Isolation Grace Bay Beach, near the Ocean Club Resort..tif
T
Island Ray
he Turks and Caicos Islands blend the sophistication of Providenciales with the quiet solitude of islands like Middle Caicos and South Caicos. Whether you’re searching for the ultimate socially-distanced vacation or a classic beach getaway, there are many great reasons to explore this archipelago Caribbean destination further. Here are some of our favorites.
Grace Bay Beach
Middle Caicos including the Dragon Cay Resort
Cocovan Beach Bar
The Palms, Turks and Caicos 22 | August 2021
There are plenty of beaches in the Caribbean that claim to be among the world’s best (and some of them are), but it’s hard to top the broad, talcumsoft sands of Grace Bay Beach. Stretching for miles along the shore of Providenciales, Grace Bay Beach also has calm and brilliant waters and a wide range of hotel, resort, and activity options to enhance your days at the beach.
luxury accommodations, oceanfront dining, and a 130-foot jetty with umbrellas and daybeds for guests. That’s along with the brand-new RitzCarlton, Turks and Caicos, which just opened in June.
Splendid Isolation As bustling as Providenciales can seem at times, quiet Caribbean calm is never too far away. Less than half an hour from the Provo beaches you’ll find Chalk Sound, an undeveloped lagoon dotted with limestone islands that can be explored by kayak or paddle board. Big resorts and crowds are likewise absent from Sapodilla Bay. And if you really want a taste of the “old Caribbean,” venture off Provo to historic Salt Cay, where donkeys outnumber people, and Middle Caicos, which is blessedly devoid of mass tourism despite beautiful beaches like Mudjin Harbor.
Fabulous Resorts
Beach Bars and Fine Dining
From boutique luxury beach hotels to private island resorts, Turks and Caicos has an exceptional array of places to lay your head for a Caribbean vacation. For pure beachfront luxury, it’s hard to beat the Shore Club on Long Bay or the Palms, Turks and Caicos. For an all-inclusive stay, there’s Beaches Turks & Caicos and Club Med Turkoise, both located on Grace Bay Beach. Ambergris Cay joins the Meridian Club on Pine Cay as exclusive private island resorts off the coast of Providenciales. The dune-protected Beach House is a small boutique hotel with a beach club vibe, while Aman Resorts’, Amanyara and Seven Stars resorts also offer luxurious accommodations and top service. The new Beach Club at the Rock House resort features
Sophisticated dining can be found at both resorts and standalone restaurants, but Turks & Caicos also has its share of laid-back and local eateries. Da Conch Shack on Provo is a legendary but pretensefree beach bar famed for its conch dishes. Hemingway’s has fish tacos and other beach food served under shady umbrellas at the Sands Hotel on Grace Bay. With outdoor dining is a palm shaded courtyard, Coco Bistro proves that it’s worth venturing away from the shore if you want to sample some of Provo’s best food (along with its splendid food-truckstyle eatery, Cocovan. And for real local flavor, be sure to make it to Bight Park on Friday night for the weekly fish fry, which also is accompanied by live music and the occasional Junkanoo parade, too.
Fishing The waters surrounding Turks and Caicos are rich in big-game fish, including wahoo, mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, sailfish, and sharks, with excellent fishing grounds located as close as 10 minutes offshore. Fishing charter boats operate out of a pair of marinas on Providenciales, and local restaurants are usually happy to prepare your “keeper” fish for dinner when you get back into port.
Diving and Snorkeling The Turks and Caicos Islands sit on the edge of a mostly submerged plateau, surrounded by the barrier reefs of the Caicos Banks and with precipitous drop-offs to the 6,000-foot-deep Turks Island Passage. Add the fact that the islands are largely composed of porous limestone and it sets the stage for some of the Caribbean’s most spectacular diving, from plunges over colorful reefs and walls teeming with marine life rising from the dark deep to the beauty of blue holes like the 250-foot-deep Middle Caicos Ocean Hole.
Iguanas and Stingrays and Bats, Oh My Take a wild guest what inhabits Iguana Island. We’ll wait. Yup, it’s a colony of rare rock iguanas, which once were found across the islands but now live only in a few isolated communities like the one on Little Water Cay off Providenciales (Iguana Island is a nickname). The waters off Gibbs Cay, another small island off the coast of Grand Turk, is home to a docile population of stingrays who will eat out of the palm of your hand. And if you visit the Conch Bar ROAD TRIP > PAGE 22
Old Town Crier
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 22
Caves on Middle Caicos be sure to look for the resident bats hanging out on the ceilings in this vast cave system.
Planning a visit? The Turks and Caicos has announce an update to its travel protocols, Caribbean Journal has learned. All travelers now need to present a negative PCR or antigen test result taken and received
within three days before travel. The new rules took effect on July 28th. It’s a change from the earlier requirement of five days. The destination received a Level 1 from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the safest designation level. It’s also one of the world’s most-vaccinated countries, with vaccination at more than 60 percent of the adult population. All travelers to Turks and Caicos additionally need
to have medical or travel insurance that covers medevac; they also need to complete a health screening questionnaire. The OTC is happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean journal, and his staff. Check them out online at caribjournal. com for valuable information on all of the fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.
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August 2021 | 23
FROM THE BAY
JEREMY COX
With more than 11,500 miles of shoreline, the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries act like a huge catcher’s mitt for sea glass. Photo: Dave Harp
L
ike a stalking predator hearing movement in the bushes, Linda Starling froze, her senses perched on a hair trigger. At first, the only obvious sound along this sandy stretch of shoreline was the dull rumble of jets idling on the runway across the Chesapeake Bay at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. But there it was again, unmistakable this time: a highpitched tinkling emanating from the soft boundary between land and water. “Did you hear that?” Starling asked, with growing excitement. “You can hear the glass in the water.” Sea glass, as it’s called, whether it’s found in an ocean, bay or river, begins as litter in the water. Then wind, waves and sand intervene, shaping and sculpting, polishing and smoothing. Years, perhaps even decades, pass. On the far side of its journey, the glass morphs into something else, something more than an ordinary shard of silicate. Something collectible. Wherever in the world shells, driftwood or other debris wash up along the edge of the water, it’s a decent bet that sea glass is sprinkled in as well. With more than 11,500 miles of shoreline on the Bay and its tidal tributaries — more than the entire U.S. West Coast — the Bay is like a huge catcher’s mitt for floating detritus like sea glass. And it has a ready supply from a range of sources: junk jettisoned from cargo ships, cast-off glassware from longshuttered waterfront factories and underwater caches of trash from when the Bay moonlighted as a de facto landfill. In the Bay and its rivers, as opposed to the ocean, glass generally takes longer to transform into sea glass (decades as opposed to years) because of the relatively gentle waves and lower salt content, avid collectors say. But once the glass is finished “cooking,” it emerges with a frosted patina, rounded edges and vivid coloring — in short, all the desired hallmarks. Sea glass hunting has quietly forged its own niche 24 | August 2021
among Chesapeake pastimes, supporting a cottage industry of boutiques, where colorful glass bits of all sizes can be found adorning necklaces, earrings, bracelets, suncatchers, wind chimes, holiday ornaments and more. It has also given rise to festivals devoted mostly to sea glass art and products. The Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival in St. Michaels, MD, for instance, is believed to be the largest festival of its kind on the East Coast. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of 2020’s festivities and postponed this year’s April showcase, however, organizers are tentatively looking at November 2021. And then there are the countless hobbyists, like Starling, who ply their upcycled wares online and on the region’s arts and crafts fair circuit. Her work typically pairs sea glass with sterling silver settings, hoops and chains, displaying both rustic and refined characteristics. Landward, phragmites gripped the sand, forming a tenuous escarpment. Waves lapped lazily at the shore. Starling had timed her visit around low tide, when the receding water provides more bottom for buck. As the tide ebbed, it revealed a mosaic of shells, oyster halves and chunks of red brick. The latter was a promising sign, she said, that this had been a dump site in the past and might contain a healthier supply of sea glass. But, alas, that day’s hunt was a bust. There were plenty of specimens, but virtually all were too “young,” not nearly worn enough for her specifications. “Do you see all the rough edges and sparkly spots?” she asked, pinching the former bottom of a brown bottle between her fingers. “This [should] go back for more polishing. … You don’t want any rough edges or chips for jewelry-quality.” Sea glass hunters are usually tight-lipped about their favorite spots, fearing any advertisement will bring more foot traffic and deplete the supply. Word apparently had gotten out about this one. When Starling arrived,
Standing out from the shells and stones on a Chesapeake Bay beach is a piece of cobalt blue sea glass, prized by collectors for its striking color and relative rarity. Sea glass is shaped and polished over years and decades by wind sand and waves.
Photo: Dave Harp
Sea glass-hunting tips Find a beach that is strewn with shells and debris. It’s more likely than a “clean” beach to have sea glass. Head out at low tide. More land equals more room to search. Search with the sun to your back and look for sparkles. Storms stir up the water and everything in it. Time your searches for after they strike. Stick to public property. If you want to hunt on private land, get the owner’s permission first. there was already another stooped figure on the shore. Sea glass may be the embodiment of the adage that one person’s trash is another’s treasure. Kim Hannon, president of the North American Sea Glass Association and the lead organizer of the St. Michael’s festival, admits as much. “There is a fine line,” she said. “Some people would consider it trash even if it was completely finished and smooth.” But, she added, “I think more people are seeing the value in it.” For evidence, she points to “fakers,” people and companies that run new glass through rock tumblers or treat it with acids to simulate gradual weathering. One of the driving forces behind the creation of the Sea Glass Association about a decade ago was for devotees of authentic sea glass to build an organizational firewall against artificial competition, Hannon said. Spotting the difference can be difficult without a magnifying glass and a trained eye. In authentic sea glass, the most desirable types are orange, yellow and pink because of the dearth of glassware bearing those hues. Green, brown and milky white, meanwhile, are a
dime a dozen. And there is no ideal size; collectible pieces may range in size from mere flecks of glass to fully intact bottles. Some of the best places to find sea glass in the Chesapeake, enthusiast say, are also among its most picturesque — the unhurried beaches and coastal parks. Examples include the beaches adjacent to the working waterfronts of Deal Island and Crisfield in Somerset County, MD; Claiborne in Talbot County, MD, where the Chesapeake ferry used to land; and Anne Arundel County’s Fort Smallwood Park, with its crescent-shaped shoreline at the mouth of the Patapsco River. Others prefer to hunt by water, trading mud boots for kayaks, to search the shallows or come ashore in places hard to access by land. Winter is among the best seasons to look for sea glass, Hannon said. There is a greater frequency of storms that churn up the water and deposit glass on the shore. She and other hunters often visit their favorite places the minute a storm passes, hoping to find the good stuff before anyone else gets there. The Chesapeake has a national reputation among collectors as a must-visit destination for cobalt blue glass,
one of the most prized colors. The shuttered Bromo-Seltzer plant in Baltimore is believed to be the primary source. The hobby, though, is under threat around the Chesapeake and worldwide, said Hannon, who operates shops heavy in sea glass merchandise in St. Michaels and in Kent Narrows, both called Ophiuroidea, a taxonomic family closely related to that of the starfish. The stockpile of sea glass lurking in the shallows is dwindling. Manufacturers have transitioned from glass to plastic as their packaging material of choice. And what glass remains in the trash stream is less likely to end up in the water because of recycling, dumping bans and anti-littering campaigns. Finding good-quality sea glass takes more effort these days, Hannon said. But it’s still worth it. “If there’s a good spot that you know of that not a lot of people can access,” she said, “that would be a place where you can still find a lot.” Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. You can reach him at jcox@bayjournal.com. Old Town Crier
Celebrate Local Lighthouses Throughout St. Mary’s County During National Lighthouse Weekend! Join the St. Mary’s County Museum Division in celebrating some of St. Mary’s County’s most significant lighthouses during National Lighthouse Weekend, Saturday, August 7 through Sunday August 8th at Piney Point Lighthouse in Piney Point and Blackistone Lighthouse on St. Clement’s Island, near Colton’s Point. Special activities and tours will be available at both locations during the entire weekend. In Colton’s Point, check out the St. Clement’s Island Museum before taking a boat ride out to St. Clement’s Island where visitors can experience a free tour of Blackistone Lighthouse (the replica of the original lighthouse that stood near the same location on the island) from the St. Clement’s hundred Blackistone Lighthouse volunteers. Regular museum admission and water taxi fees apply. At Piney Point, visitors can celebrate the oldest lighthouse on the Potomac’s 185th anniversary with tours of the museum. The Potomac River Maritime Exhibit features fullsized workboats, two floors of brand-new exhibits in the main museum building, the Piney Point lighthouse tower, Keeper’s Quarters and grounds. The Keeper’s Quarters and the Lighthouse will offer special tours featuring Light Keeper Yeatman and his wife. The National Capital Radio and Television Museum from Bowie will also be on-site with a special exhibit. For more information about St. Clement’s Island Museum, please call 301-769-2222 or visit Facebook. com/SCIMuseum. For more information about The Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, call 301-9941471 or visit Facebook.com/1836Light.
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Havre de Grace Waterfront Drawing Waves of Visitors
Havre de Grace’s Concord Point Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Maryland, built in 1827. It served as an aid to navigation, marking the mouth of the Susquehanna River, until 1975.
Photo by Fred Schroeder, CC BY-ND 2.0
B
efore it was a capital city contender, Havre de Grace was called Harmer’s Town. But when a visiting Marquis de Lafayette mentioned that the town reminded him of a charming French seaport called Le Havre-deGrace, residents honored the Revolutionary War hero by incorporating under that name in 1785. (No need to channel your high school French when in town. Locals pronounce it HAV-er-dee-grace.) While the quiet charm 26 | August 2021
Lafayette admired is still on display, Havre de Grace also feels very much like the busy crossroads that garnered the Founding Fathers’ attention. During my visit on a hot day in May, cars poured down Market Street, many with kayaks and standup paddleboards strapped to their roofs. Pleasure boats roared by on the wide Susquehanna River, which hugs the east side of town as it flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Trains rumbled over bridges.
Joggers pushed strollers along the waterfront promenade, and weekend revelers spilled from seafood shacks and antique shops onto crowded sidewalks. While there are many modes to see the sights, Havre de Grace is a pedestrian’s paradise. To get from one end of town to the other only requires a trek of about 1.5 miles, a pleasant walk punctuated by museums, murals and gorgeous vistas. To make it simple, the city has
continued to improve its selfguided walking tour along the Lafayette Trail, which meanders past just about every attraction Havre de Grace has to offer. Visitors who would like a narrated experience can download the DISTRX app and learn about each of the 57 stops along the route. One of those stops — and a good place to begin digging into the area’s history — is the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum and Environmental Center. Among the museum’s
permanent exhibits, The John Smith Trail and the Susquehannocks is particularly enlightening for visitors curious to know what the Upper Bay and Lower Susquehanna looked like before European settlement. The Susquehannock were a confederation of Iroquoian-speaking tribes that occupied scattered villages of longhouses on the
ROAD TRIP > PAGE 26
Old Town Crier
Concord Point Lighthouse and skipjack Martha Lewis. banks of the Susquehanna River, from New York to Maryland. Historians estimate that during the 1500s, they numbered between 5,000 and 7,000. Even after Europeans arrived, the Susquehannock were able to maintain their influence in the area, becoming the only Native group to develop trade relationships with all four colonial settlements — English, Dutch, French and Swedish. In 1608, English explorer John Smith traveled north from the Virginia colony of Jamestown and met with Susquehannock chiefs during one of his famous expeditions on the Bay. From the shore of Havre de Grace, visitors can still see the site of this meeting: Garrett Island, a 198acre, 100-foot-high land mass rising from the Susquehanna’s dark green water. Two hundred years later, a journey north was the difference between liberty and bondage for many people fleeing slavery through the network of routes and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. Last year, the Maritime Museum opened its newest
Photo: Dave Harp
exhibit, Other Voices of Freedom, to “reveal the importance of waterways and their relationship to the quest for freedom,” according to a pamphlet I picked up at the museums ticket counter. An intriguing combination of art and ethnography, the exhibit features evocative wire-mesh sculptures by African American author and artist Anyta Thomas, as well as compelling firsthand accounts of escape, including that of Fredrick Douglass. When describing his ferry crossing of the Susquehanna at Havre de Grace, Douglass compared his pounding heart to that of a “fox or deer, with hungry hounds on his trail.” Other panels illuminate the import of local waterways, where those on their way to freedom crouched in rowboats or hid inside crates aboard barges. During the same time, Havre de Grace became an important stop on a different kind of thoroughfare. In 1840, the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal opened to boat traffic, facilitating the shipment of coal from the central portions of Pennsylvania to population
The Lockhouse Museum in Havre de Grace tells the story of the Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal.
Chesapeake Bay Program photo by Michael Land
Waterfront promenade.
centers like Philadelphia and Baltimore. Visitors can learn more about the 45mile canal and the impact it had on Havre de Grace at the impressively maintained Lockhouse Museum. This spare, red brick house provided a living space to the lock tender as well as an office for the toll collector. When I visited, a docent named Tom explained that during the canal’s busiest years, Havre de Grace became a “truck stop on water,” where men from boats either caught up on sleep at local inns or cavorted in taverns and casinos. The museum features compelling exhibits and artifacts, including a to-scale model of the canal lock (water and all) and canal scrip, money that could be used on the journey. Outside, visitors can peer down into the preserved canal and take in an unbeatable view of the half-mile-wide mouth of the river as it meets the Bay. The area, known as the Susquehanna Flats, boasts some of the richest, most diverse underwater vegetation in the entire Bay system. This unique habitat made Havre de Grace a prime base for those chasing wild
Susquehanna Flats near Havre de Grace.
game and fish. During the last century, the bounty made the city a major player in the seafood industry as well as a premiere destination for anglers and waterfowl hunters. At the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum, exhibits and relics galore tell the story of one of the nation’s most singular hunting traditions: waterfowl decoys. Inside the still, reverent air of the museum, I could almost feel the concentration it takes to carve and paint the incredibly lifelike wooden birds, some so detailed they look like taxidermy. Museum board member Jim Carroll, who gave me a tour of the space, calls decoy making “a uniquely American, pure art form.” Indeed, many decoys on display were never meant for waterbased chicanery, created instead to adorn mantels and bookshelves; visitors would be forgiven for mistaking the Decoy Museum for an art gallery. The museum also depicts the environmental movement of recent decades, which responded to the alarming decline of waterfowl, and the increasing tension
Photo: Will Parson for Chesapeake Bay Program
Photo courtesy of NPS Chesapeake Bay office
between those who make their living on the water and those who seek to protect it. In between these many attractions, I wandered through the grounds of the Concord Point Lighthouse — Maryland’s second oldest — and the city’s new living shoreline project, a three-acre, formerly industrial lot that has been restored with native plants and a natural storm water filtration system. There, I marveled at the water’s latest gift to Havre de Grace — the flocks of boaters, sunbathers and seafood enthusiasts who spend their weekend in a place where tourism revenue brings in $1 million a day. The city may have missed its chance to become the nation’s capital, but in doing so Havre de Grace got the chance to become something even better — itself. Ashley Stimpson is a freelance writer based in Maryland. This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of the Bay Journal and was distributed by the Bay Journal News Service.
The Decoy Museum in Havre de Grace, MD, highlights the history and traditions of waterfowl hunting on the Chesapeake Bay.
Chesapeake Bay Program photo by Michael Land
Old Town Crier
August 2021 | 27
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Old Town Crier
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
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he timing could not have been worse, but I knew I had to have her. This new puppy I got this summer would represent the third, and probably final attempt, to have a competitive field trial dog before I got too old to enjoy it. My first two attempts ended with a $65,000 cripple and a broken jaw that left a facial deformity that interfered with her vision. Some of you regular readers might recall the sad tale of my crippled dog, which I wrote about here in December 2017 (www.oldtowncrier. com/2017/11/27/at-whatprice-love/) The second attempt was a related puppy I got in the spring of 2018, who got
JULIE REARDON
bitten by one of my adults in a warning snap that unfortunately broke her upper jaw. It was surgically repaired and being only 8 weeks she recovered rapidly but the resulting facial deformity left one eye tipped inward and down affecting her vision and depth perception along with a severe under bite. It was a disheartening time. Because of the pandemic and quarantine, field trials and hunting tests for retrievers were cancelled and no one was doing anything with their retrievers. Without regularly seeing friends at training and events, it was easy to hide how short of breath I’d become, incapable of training or running dogs. Besides, I had no competitive
•
dogs. All of mine were retired or crippled. When the chance to get this puppy came up just as the pandemic was ending, I had to take it. One of a dwindling number of a bloodline I’d developed and the last litter out of this particular female as she was almost nine years old. On the sire side were several of my favorite dogs. It was a once in a lifetime chance to get exactly the bloodlines I wanted and not getting a puppy would be giving up on myself as well as my dream. Life’s short. Get the puppy! Or horse, or boat, or place in the country, whatever it is you’ve been holding off on because the timing is wrong. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow so just go for it.
My new puppy shipped to the East Coast from Seattle and arrived here in May. I won’t deny it’s been a challenge and it has taken a village plus to his dismay, the cooperation of my husband. He’d been looking forward to his gardening without the digging and destruction of a retriever puppy only to have one arrive mid-season. Two friends helped out and kept her after I had to be hospitalized shortly after she arrived here. With all young dogs and especially Chesapeakes, it’s vital to socialize them early and often exposing them to many new things, hard to do if you’re quarantining and socially distancing. So the friends socialized her for me,
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allowing her to do things I wasn’t capable of tethered to oxygen. She attended steeplechases, horse shows and polo matches and went to retriever training days too. Some obedience but the focus was on exposing her to new experiences. In July, she came back bigger and rowdier but still her bold confident self. Now we are packing her bags to go to a retriever training for her basics. This was always the plan, only delayed a bit because the professional trainer we selected had come down with COVID himself. But fingers crossed she will leave for school in August, while I concentrate on my own rehab and care for her geriatric relatives here at the farm.
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Old Town Crier
August 2021 | 29
DINING OUT THE GASTRONOMES
CHADWICK’S 203 THE STRAND OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703-836-4442 CHADWICKSOLDTOWN.COM
I
Mimosa & Bloody Mary 30 | August 2021
Shrimp and Grits
French Toast
came to Old Town in 1977. The town was a lot different then. Old Town was only 7 blocks long running from Union Street to a few blocks the other side of Washington Street. The waterfront was cluttered with old warehouses that were critical to Alexandria’s early seaport history. One of these warehouses on The Strand was taken over by the chaps who owned Chadwicks Restaurant in Georgetown. They wanted to bring their successful concept to the “new” emerging business district of Old Town Alexandria. As I remember, the Chadwicks in Georgetown had the bar on the right as you entered and stairs leading to the second floor. When they did the buildout of the Old Town store they copied that same floor plan except the stairway in Old Town became the center piece and dominating feature as you entered. The extensive build out took some time but Chadwicks Old Town finally opened in January of 1979 and it snowed on opening day. A friend and Rugby teammate of mine and I decided it was wise to take a sled as transportation down to Chadwicks opening. As I
said, Old Town wasn’t very big in those days, and we weren’t very smart at times. The place was packed and quickly became a favorite watering hole and dining spot for regulars. That remains the same today. The first meal I had back in 1979 was brunch on the second floor so I could walk up that staircase. When we decided to write about Chadwicks we decided to return for brunch 42 years later. We arrived at 1:45 thinking that the brunch crowd would have thinned out. We were wrong. We joined long time bartender Karen at the bar for a mimosa and Bloody Mary while we waited for a table, which took about 30 minutes. Once again we were seated on the second floor. A couple of the four tops were empty, however there were two large groups (one a table of eight and the other a table of 10) of people each enjoying family, friends and brunch. The four tops filled up as we dined and it didn’t appear to be slowing down upon our departure. The interior photos accompanying this write up were taken mid-afternoon on DINING OUT > PAGE 31
Old Town Crier
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
a Tuesday since we wanted to show what the restaurant actually looks like. Was way too crowded for interior shots on Sunday. My first brunch at Chadwicks was Eggs Benedict and I wanted to try that again. Unfortunately, one of the tables of eight had all ordered Eggs Benedict and they were out of Canadian bacon. Another mimosa soothed my disappointment as now I had to come out of my comfort level and try something new. As I am a grits lover, I ordered the Shrimp and Grits. It was incredible! The meal was presented in what appeared to be a cast iron pan but turns out to be a thick plastic of some sort - pan that held the heat very well. The presentation was great. The grits were creamy and smooth with a bit of cheese added. The presentation also had diced tomatoes, crispy bacon chunks and capers. I love capers and they complimented the dish very well. The shrimp were perfectly cooked and a nice touch was that the tails had
been removed. Swimming in melted butter, this dish is one of the best I have ever had. The next time I may not be so disappointed when they run out of Eggs Benedict, but I plan to go back, only earlier. My dining partner, who is also a big fan of Eggs Benedict, was in the mood for something on the sweet side this time so opted for the French Toast and a side of fresh fruit. The entrée comes with your choice of bacon or sausage and is served with some very tasty cinnamon butter and maple syrup. The cinnamon butter really makes this dish stand out. Chadwicks has a large selection for brunch including starters, soup & salads, burgers, sandwiches and entrees. The restaurant offers 12 items for brunch entrees including Three Egg Omelette, Huevos Rancheros, Buttermilk Pancakes, Chicken Francois and Eggs Chesapeake. They even have a burger called the “Flappy Jack”. You really need to check that out. The brunch prices range from $11 to $19 for the Shrimp and Grits and $21 for the Eggs Chesapeake. If you have to wait for a
table their $5 mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will help you pass the time. Clearly, on this particular Sunday they were packed. In a conversation with owner Trae Lamond, we learned it was indeed their best Sunday Brunch in a while. He also told us of the addition of a new balcony that will help increase their capacity as well as more seating in the alley. Construction on the balcony will soon begin with a completion date of early September. The view over the Big Wheel Bike shop will take in the Potomac River, Waterfront Park and the rest of the new park at the foot of King Street. Chadwicks has always been a gathering spot for locals as it was kind of hidden on The Strand. As more and more improvements were made on the waterfront, this eatery is now the restaurant that sits in the middle of it all. Treat yourself to some good neighborhood Sunday fun with the family or gather some pals together and belly up to the bar for the Mimosa’s and Bloody Mary’s!
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907 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703.684.3288 MACKIESBARANDGRILL.COM August 2021 | 31
LET’S EAT
CHARLES OPPMAN
Now that we’re approaching the end of soft shell crab season we should be thinking about frying up a few of these fabulous crustaceans while we still have them. The soft shell crab is one of the South’s greatest contributions to American cuisine. Soft shells are a delicacy in every sense of the word. They can be sautéed or deep fried. A soft shell is a common blue crab that’s harvested during the early stages of molting, when the crab sheds its smaller shell and before a new, larger shell forms. The crab should be cooked before the new shell begins to harden. A bit of pre-cooking preparation needs to be done. The crab needs to be cleaned. 1. To clean soft-shell crabs, hold the crab in one hand, and using a pair of kitchen shears, cut off the mouth and eye parts. 2. Lift one pointed end of the crab’s outer shell; remove the gills by pulling them out. Repeat on the other side. 3. Turn the crab over and pull off the small flap known as the apron. Rinse the entire crab well and pat dry. Once cleaned, crabs should be cooked immediately. Only buy crabs that are alive. If they don’t move when touched, they’re dead and you won’t know when they expired. Smell the crabs. Like other seafood, soft shells should odorless or smell like the ocean. Avoid buying frozen crabs as they lose most of their body fluid when they thaw out and appendages tend to break off. Soft shells should only be consumed during the season, which varies with the latitude. Soft shells are great with French fries and coleslaw or as a po’ boy sandwich. Any po’ boy should be made on a crunchy French baguette. The po’ boy can be dressed with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce. Serves: 4 Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
4 soft shells 2 eggs, lg ½ cup milk 1 cup all-purpose flour 2-3 cups frying oil, or as needed depending upon the size of pan. Salt, pepper & seafood seasoning mix such as Old Bay, to taste
Directions Combine the flour, salt, pepper and Old Bay. Whisk together the milk and eggs to make egg wash. To coat the crabs, dredge them thoroughly in seasoned flour, then dip in egg wash and back into the flour mixture. The crab is now ready for frying. Heat the frying oil to 350ºF in a sauté pan. Carefully place the crabs into the hot oil. Cook for at least 2 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. With tongs, carefully turn over and cook until golden on the other side. When crabs fry they tend to explode splashing oil on anyone standing nearby so cover with a frying screen or hold a lid a few inches over the pan. Drain on paper towel. Serve hot while they are still crispy.
32 | August 2021
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DINING GUIDE AMERICAN
ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
34 | August 2021
LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192
Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies. SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 THE SUSHI BAR 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue 571-257-3232
CONTINENTAL
CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com VILLAGE BRAUHAUS 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street BRABO 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN
BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 HANK & MITZI'S PIZZA AND PASTA 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S LITTLE ITALY 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148 Old Town Crier
LET'S GET CRAFTY
TIMOTHY LONG
Give Me Hops, But Don’t Give Me “Bitter” Death
“W
hat’s your favorite kind of beer?” The bartender asked with a smile. “An open one.” I replied. She chuckles, probably out of politeness. It’s an old joke and not overly funny. I was visiting family and friends in Pittsburgh. Like most Pittsburghers, we are all of Irish and German descent. So, a bar is a fitting place to gather. The craft beer trend is alive and well in Pittsburgh, just like the rest of the country. There are breweries and brewpubs in every part of the area. We were in a Gastropub downtown called City Works. It’s a huge, wide open, brightly lit establishment with tons of televisions, and tons of beer. They carry over 90 beers on tap. My wife jokes that I am in heaven. She’s not far from the truth. “What local beers do you have?” I inquire. The bartender asks, “Do you like pale ales?” Oh yes. The Pale Ale. The sweetheart, the little darling of the craft beer industry. The name still brings back bitter memories of the beers being brewed in the early days of the American craft beer trend. It’s loaded with hops and can often be bitter beyond belief. I am reminded of a quote from the Master Brewer of Brooklyn Brewery in the New Yorker in 2008: “When a brewer says, ‘This has more hops in it than anything you’ve had in your life—are you man enough to drink it?’ It’s sort of like a chef saying, ‘This stew has more salt in it than anything you’ve ever had—are you man enough to eat it?’” Even the mere mention of hops makes many beer drinkers think of only one word, bitter. Over-hopped beer can be very bitter. It also raises the specter of beer elitism. We envision brew pub bars packed with man-bun-wearing millennials sipping from a flight of five small glasses in front of them while they are taking notes,
Old Town Crier
discussing aromas, and comparing flavors. Hops is a natural preservative and does not need to be bitter. Many Pale Ales brewed today are IPA’s, Indian Pale Ales. In the 19th century, when the British controlled India, they needed to ship beer to their troops. So, they created the IPA, a strongly hopped beer that could survive the long trip from England to India, hence the name. It is the original over hopped beer, as the portion of hops needed to be heavy to preserve the beer for the trip. The hoppy strength of IPAs is the reason hops earned a reputation for having such a bitter bite. I do like Pale Ales. But I am always leery when I try one. The bartender grabs a small beer glass and turns to the taps behind her. She’s a good bartender. Any place that carries over 90 draft beers should be offering tastes to their guests. And she was quick to do so. She sets the beer in front of me. “It’s called The Big Hop. It’s an American Pale Ale from East End Brewing right here in the city.” Although the name, Big Hop, concerns me. American Pale Ales tend to be softer, less bitter, and not as strong as their Indian cousins. I pick it up and look at it. The best way I can describe the color is putrid brown. It’s not pretty. It looks like a stool sample. There is an old saying that people “eat with their eyes first”. It’s true, they do. But this is not food, this is beer. Looks can be deceiving.
Beer is about the nose and mouth, not the eyes. It’s the palate that counts. I taste it: immediate hops on the front, nice hops, smooth not bitter. I can detect a couple different kinds. I look at the description, Centennial and Cascade hops. And there is malt on the back taste, close to a toasted malt. The beer finishes very well, no bitter bite. It’s an exceptionally good beer. When I check out the brewery’s
website the next day, it calls the Big Hop their Flagship Beer. I can see why. “I’ll take a pint, thanks.” I smile as she hands me my putrid brown pint. Hops has been used in beer making for over 1000 years. In the early 2000s, America began to experiment greatly with hops. Hoppy bitterness was the trend of the day. At that time, most of the hoppy
beers produced were ales. The beers were “pucker your mouth” bitter and people loved them. This early trend was a revolution against the big breweries that mass produced the sweet lagers America had been drinking for decades. In the 1960s, large beer producers began making sweeter beers to attract the younger market. This made business sense because the baby boomers, a large part of the populace, were just coming of age to drink. But by the 2000s, we had grown tired of the sweet and watery flavors of these mass-produced beers. America wanted something different, and the Craft Beer Trend was born. As was the trend toward the bitter beers filled with hops. But the beer drinkers’ tastes have since evolved. That hopinfested brew from 2001 probably doesn’t exist at your local brewery or brewpub anymore. And if it does, it’s probably a different version of the original. If I went back and tasted some of the hop bombs that I loved 20 years ago, I’d probably hate them now. Brewing processes have evolved, as has the use of hops. Different hops have different effects on beer, depending on where they are grown, how they are treated, and how and when they are added into the brewing process. Growing local hops for unique flavors has become a huge trend. Like wine vintners do with grapes, brewers are
drawing a variety of flavors from hops. The practice of adding hops for hops sake is gone. The bitter flavors have receded and given way to a new array of flavors and aromas. More and more brewers are using different techniques and technologies to add flavors and aromas with hops, ones we have never encountered before. Hops are being used more often in all kinds of beers like lagers, pilsners, and stouts, not just pale ales. Fruit and flower flavors from hops that do not taste artificial, or overpower the beer, are driving this new trend. Note: Let’s Get Crafty will be a column about beer, drinking beer, and different aspects of beer. Beer is a fun and interesting subject. And craft beers offer a variety of opportunities to enjoy. It pays to remember what Benjamin Franklin said about beer: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” I’ll even write about whiskey on occasion. Because what is whiskey? It’s distilled beer. Cheers!! About the author: Timothy Long is a writer, educator, consultant, experienced restaurant operator, and food and drink enthusiast. Along with beer, wine and bourbon are also two of his passions. He is an Adjunct Professor in the Hospitality Department at Northern Virginia Community College and has a consulting business, Belmar Innovations, L.L.C. in Alexandria, VA. Tim is the current President of the Santa Claus Yacht Club (SCYC) in Alexandria, VA. The SCYC helps families in need in the local community. Tim writes a hospitality blog, What’s That Fly Doing In My Soup? Which can be found at http:// whatflyinmysoup.com. You can also follow Tim on Twitter: @ wvutimmy or Instagram: @ wvutimmy. August 2021 | 35
GRAPEVINE
MATT FITZSIMMONS
The Doggie Dozen: Pet Friendly Wineries in Virginia
Left to Right: Barrel Oak Pooch; Cana Canine; Maggie Malick Wine Cave Pup; Valley View Hound
T
here are roughly 90 million dogs in the United States. By comparison, there are around 75 million children. So saying that dog friendly wineries are important to a lot of people is a huge understatement. The popularity of petfriendly destinations was demonstrated in 2017, when the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services tried to ban pets at licensed wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Pet owners were so incensed that a year later the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate passed a near unanimous vote to re-allow four-legged friends at these locations. Out of Virginia’s over 300 wineries, cideries, and meaderies, almost half allow dogs on the premises. That said, some wineries go the extra mile to give dogs special treatment, oftentimes by hosting special dog-themed events, supporting dog shelters, or having special amenities inside the tasting room. 36 | August 2021
Northern Virginia Barrel Oak Winery: Barrel Oak Winery isn’t abbreviated “BOW” for nothing. Year after year, it’s been rated one of the most dog-friendly wineries in the state (many would argue it’s the dog-friendliest one of all). BOW earns this distinction by having a tasting room that’s pet-friendly to the point there are almost as many 4-legged friends as there are wine drinkers. BOW also provides cups of water for your pets and have several bottles with dog-themed names, including its Bowhause Red blend and a traminette/ petit manseng blend named Goldie. Bonus points for supporting local dog shelters, having its own brewery, and being open seven days a week. Breaux Vineyards: Breaux would almost certainly respectfully disagree that BOW is Virginia’s most dogfriendly winery. Not content with a huge outdoor space, several years ago Breaux converted its original tasting room into a dog-friendly location named Vin 97. They also hold an annual “Dog Day”, with the next one scheduled for August 28th. Be sure to try their nebbiolo – not only is Breaux one of the few local wineries that grow this grape, theirs was selected as one of the top 12 wines in the most recent Governor’s Cup wine competition. Also sample their
sauvignon blanc and Meritage red blend. Cana Vineyards: Inspired by the Biblical story of how Jesus turned water into wine, Cana is one of the best-named wineries anywhere. Located just outside Middleburg, the ground floor of Cana’s tasting room is both dog and familyfriendly. They even have a ‘bark bar’ with treats (for dogs, not humans!). For pups who want to be outside, Cana also offers a large covered outdoor space. Don’t miss their cabernet franc or chardonnay either. Maggie Malick Wine Caves: Jet and Moxie are Maggie’s official greeters. A few years ago the ‘Wine Caves’ expanded to include a large indoor space, which is also pet-friendly. Maggie offers a number of unique dog-friendly events. On August 14 they are seeking to break the world record for most Australian Shepherds in one place. They also host ‘DockDogs’, where dogs compete for fastest sprint, air jump, or long jump – all safely held at one of their ponds. While the dogs are cooling off, humans can enjoy any of Maggie’s award-winning wines. Maggie is famous for her tannat, twice winning best-in-show at the San Francisco
International Wine Competition. Her albariño and petit manseng have also gotten rave reviews from wine critics. Mountain Run Winery: Mountain Run is about an hour away from D.C, near the town of Culpeper. Dogs are allowed inside the tasting room and around its 35 acres of land. It’s easy to tell that Mountain Run is GRAPEVINE > PAGE 37
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GRAPEVINE FROM PAGE 36
dog friendly because there is a statue of a dog perched on a rock as you enter the winery. They also sponsor pet related events and fundraisers, including a Woof and Wags event on September 11th. If you’re a fan of Syrah (aka Shiraz) you’re in luck – this is one of the few Virginia wineries that offers this variety. Also try their cider and mead. Valley View Farm: Valley View has something for everyone. Not only do they offer wine, they have cider, mead, and a farm store. Both VVF and its
Keswick Collie
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sister location of Philip Carter Winery have dog-friendly tasting rooms. Governor – the pup owned by owner Philip Carter Strother – definitely recommends their Valley View White. Be sure to ask for a tour during your visit. Valley View offers educational tours on animal husbandry, orchard management, and beekeeping.
Central Virginia DuCard Winery: Located in the foothills of Shenandoah Park, DuCard is scenic as well as dog friendly – both inside the tasting room and outside. “Authenticity” is their byword, as all their wine is grown on their estate vineyard or close by. The view here is outstanding, and it has one of the prettiest drives of any winery in the state. Especially popular are their petit verdot and Popham Run red blend. Extra props for sharing the proceeds for several wines to various charitable organizations. Keswick Vineyards: Winemaker Stephen Barnard has won three Virginia Governor’s Cup awards, most recently for his 2014 Cabernet Franc Reserve. While Keswick takes its wines seriously, this location is the opposite of a snobby winery. Keswick’s outstanding soil allows them to grow a number of varieties, including cabernet sauvignon and touriga nacional. But it’s as dog friendly as it is family friendly. Dogs are welcome on the covered patio and offleash dog park.
own the nearby Hope and Glory Inn, which includes a dog-friendly cottage. Make sure to pair their white wine with a seafood dish, sold at the winery.
Shenandoah Valley Dog and Oyster Dog
Northern Neck: Backporch Vineyard: Backporch is one of the Northern Neck’s newest wineries, opening in the summer of 2020. As the owners are dog-parents themselves they know the importance of having a space for well-behaved furry friends, so both the grounds and tasting room are open to dogs. The barn-styled building is spacious, but be prepared for plenty of company from locals who also want to enjoy the view. Right now their wine is a mix of bottles from partnered Virginia wineries and those made under their own label. Dog and Oyster Vineyard: The first part of their quirky name was created to honor their rescue dogs, which also ‘rescue’ the grapes from deer and other animals. The second half is a recognition of the oysters which are famous in the area. Dog owners are encouraged to take a photo with their pup at their “Show your love” signs, as few animals show unconditional love as much as a dog can. The owners of Dog and Oyster also
Muse Vineyard: Situated in a microclimate off the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Muse has one of the most diverse vineyards in the state – including not just French grapes but lemberger, nebbiolo, and a dozen more. Its tasting room is open to people and dogs of all ages. If you or your pup want some exercise, walk their self-guided nature trail through the vineyard, or the brand new Seven Bends State Park just down the road. Muse also has a full service kitchen. Shenandoah Vineyards: Shenandoah Vineyards is the 2nd oldest winery in the state, founded in 1976. They are also very dog friendly, including an upstairs area for indoor picnicking. Now owned by Charlottesvillebased winemaker Michael Shaps, Shenandoah is a key part of his effort to find the best vineyards in the state. They currently have old-vine riesling, but their cabernet sauvignon is equally outstanding. Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https:// winetrailsandwanderlust.com/.
August 2021 | 37
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
How is the “Farden” Coming Along? OK
, so what the heck is a Farden? Well, it falls somewhere between a farm and a garden. After working countless acres of grapes for four decades, both on our land and others’, I know what a farm looks like and more importantly, how one operates. Working a backyard garden has its own challenges, but it is a pretty big leap to go from a plot of land in the backyard to a fullblown agricultural venture with all kinds of problems, many of which could lead to failure. It’s often easier to take a smaller step first. That middle ground between a large garden and a small farm is what I like to think of as a “Farden.” We have a few areas on our farm that have great soil but are inappropriate for growing grapes. To be efficient and thoughtful with the land, we have created a new model by leasing this space to others to start their own farm operations on our land. Meet the folks at Sprouting Roots Farm: they were looking for a place to expand their business and connected with us through the Virginia Cooperative Extension office in Leesburg. Vishali and her team have been working diligently to capture this season’s sunshine and turn it into East Indian produce for her family and community. Farming one acre is a lot of work, and as hard as they work they still cannot 38 | August 2021
produce enough to satisfy the demand from their customers. There are worse problems to have, I guess. Another tenant here in the Farden area is Legacy Farms with their floral CSA (prepaid ag commitment) and mentoring program. Laurie and Billy Jo started working the land last year and have grown their program well. Employing neuro-diverse young people (those with autism or other differences) and training them in both outward and inward issues, making them more self aware, and giving them the tools to be effective in the right work environment is their goal. The land and the flowers are just the pathway to a much bigger crop of successes. We have continued to expand our own projects in the Farden as well. Amanda joined our operation this spring to move our other crop efforts forward as well as to start her own work with medicinal herbs. No, we are not growing cannabis, but lavender, chamomile, elderberry, garlic and other plants that have medicinal value. And of course we continue with our squash, tomatoes, berries, pears and other products that add diversity to the farm. Many people would not think to allow others on their land for a venture like these, but here at Fabbioli Cellars we understand
that we have a responsibility to steward the land, not just hold it in perpetuity. And by doing this directly, I can learn the details and challenges in a way that allows me to encourage others to lease out parts of their land. Nothing is easy in farming, but continuing the learning and sharing of knowledge adds to the successful outcome. Another agricultural venture I am involved in this season is Farmer John’s Market on Route 15, a few miles north of
Leesburg. I have been buying my corn here for over 20 years and have been talking with John Whitmore about farming for just as long. When he decided to retire and sell off the land, the new owners asked me to lend a hand in keeping the operation working. It has been a rewarding project, working with the team and knowing that the goal is to maintain and grow their agricultural efforts. There is plenty of opportunity and I’m sure I’ll be updating
you on this effort more over the next few months and years. Big acreage or small, one farmer or a crew, keeping the land growing and sustainable is an important way for us to work and live. Farming is one of the oldest professions and, after all, we eat three times a day. Support and respect your local farmer. Buy what they produce and send your friends to see them too. Remember “it’s not easy being green.”
real people. earth friendly. fabulous wines. HOLD YOUR ‘FABB’ EVENT AT FABBIOLI CELLARS! WEDDINGS • CORPORATE OUTINGS • GRADUATIONS • CELEBRATIONS
email us at info@fabbioliwines.com 15669 Limestone School Rd • Leesburg, VA 20176 703.771.1197 • fabbioliwines.com Old Town Crier
FITNESS
A
NICOLE FLANAGAN
Does Working Out in the Hot Weather Burn More Calories? friend and I went out for a run last week, the temperature outside was still about eightyfive degrees and
humid. As you can imagine, it took all of five minutes at a reasonable pace and we were both covered in sweat before
we were even breathing hard. My friend asked me if we were burning more calories running in hot weather. I said
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no, we are just dehydrating faster than if we were running in cold weather. When you go for a walk in one hundred degree weather don’t be fooled that the sweat pouring off your body is excess fat just melting away. The fact is that you will burn about the same number of calories walking in hot weather than you would walking in cooler weather. If you were to step on the scale immediately after your workout you will initially weigh less, but once you re-hydrate, you replace the water weight that you lost during the workout. The most important thing to remember when working out in hot conditions is to keep your body hydrated. Your body can burn calories much more effectively if it is well hydrated, so the more water you drink the better you will feel, and the better your body will be able to cool itself. When working out in warmer weather, you should be doing whatever you can to keep your body cool in order to avoid any heat related illnesses. The same goes for exercise classes like hot yoga. A hot room may offer some advantage in terms of muscle flexibility, but as for calories burned it is going to be about the same as a cooler yoga class. As for those individuals who believe that working out in one of
those plastic “sweat suits” will help them lose weight, they are wrong. In fact, those suits are ineffective and can be very dangerous. For one, they don’t allow the sweat to evaporate off the skin, which is the body’s primary way of cooling itself. Another problem is that it can allow any toxins that may be in the suit to seep into the skin and cause illness. In case you are wondering, the only time extreme temperatures affect the amount of calories burned is when it is so cold that you begin to shiver. Shivering is an involuntary response where muscles clench in order to generate heat to keep the body warm. If you are so cold that your teeth are chattering and you have to do jumping jacks to keep warm, you can burn up to three times more calories than normal. That being said, I still would not recommend going running in a bathing suit in December. The safest and most effective way to increase your calorie burn during a workout is to change things up and stay hydrated. Especially in this August heat, keeping your body cool and well fueled is going to be your greatest advantage. Heat related illness can come on quickly, so be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day as well as when you are exercising or playing outside. August 2021 | 39
FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT
CABLE WOODCHOPPER
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ummer is cruising by so I hope you have taken full advantage of it so far. This month’s exercise is the Cable Woodchopper. Two different versions exist. The handle can be on a high pulley to finish low or, in this case, start low and finish high. More resistance will be needed for the high-low chop and less for
the low-high. I am using a single grip rotating handle attached to the end of the cable, however, I use both hands (right is over the left) to grab the handle. The start position is shown in figure 1. Take a quarter-squat stance with the feet wider than shoulder-width. You should be far enough away from the weight stack such that the
weights do not touch each other. Keep both arms straight and the hands about knee high. The pictures show me starting on the lower left side rotating and extending up high to the right for the finish. This should be one continuous, smooth motion as you pull the handle in a diagonal line, rotating the torso, extending
out of the quarter squat with a slight rotation of the hips. Keeping your arms straight and the handle away from your body during this exercise will effectively engage the core muscles. Try ten reps from left to right and then switch to the other side without resting. The resistance should be light if you are trying this for the first time. Do not attempt a one-
repetition max because of the spinal rotation factor. You can incorporate the low-to-high version of the cable woodchopper into a warm-up routine or utilize it in an abdominal workout. Either way, this is an excellent exercise for all the major muscle groups and a great way to increase the heart rate too! Stay cool out there!!
Unverzagt holds Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
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FIRST BLUSH
I
t has been an unusually hot summer. I have been struggling with every aspect of my grooming. Every product I put in my hair either feels sticky or does not perform at all. With such thin hair, I rely upon my products to perform. But, in this heat and humidity, it is almost impossible. My solution: a ponytail almost every day. Most daunting for me, however, has been my makeup. I need to wear makeup. I have dark circles under my eyes – thanks to Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)
KIM PUTENS
heredity – and my skin can be sallow when I get a bit of color. The problem: the extreme heat and high humidity make my makeup feel like it is slipping off my face. I wonder if others are struggling with this same problem. So, I thought I would offer some tips and solutions I have found that help to keep my makeup in place and looking good.
Tip #1 – Lighten Up All of us, despite our best
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attempts to cover up, will get a little bit of sun this summer. This presents an opportunity and a challenge. The opportunity – to lessen the number of layers of makeup you would normally wear. The challenge – the colors we wear when we are paler will change when we get a hint of color. My suggestions: • Put away the foundation. Either switch to a tinted moisturizer or wear nothing at all. I would lean toward nothing. Even a tinted moisturizer will feel heavy in extremely humid climates. • Substitute foundation or tinted moisturizer with a powder or bronzer. If you use powder, however, only dust on your skin lightly with a brush. Please resist the need to blot with a sponge. If you use a puff or sponge, you could make the powder look like pancake batter. Bronzer is a better choice because you get the benefit of a powder with a bit of color.
Tip #2 – Brighten Up Sun-kissed skin can
sometimes be sallow and, because of the browning of the skin, look monotone. The best way to offset these tendencies is to add pops of color like pinks and corals. Be careful not to add too much and look clownlike. Some more suggestions for adding color: • Use powders, not creams. While cream cheek color can be more vibrant, it can slip in humidity. If you choose a cream, be sure to set with a powder to avoid slipping. • Try gel-tints. Gel tints stay in place better and penetrate the skin so the color “sticks around.” They also are very natural looking. They also serve multiple uses because they can be applied to cheeks and lips.
Tip # 3 – Consider Multi-Uses I can hardly stand the feel of heavy eye shadow on my eyes in the summer time. I simply take my powder blush and brush it over my eyes. It is quick, easy and gives you a hint of fresh color. Finally, instead of thinking of summer as a challenging
time for makeup, consider it an opportunity to lighten your routine and cut out a significant amount of time. You can keep your look clean and fresh by not using too many products and get out the door quicker. My suggested routine for summer: • Step 1 – Apply tinted moisturizer, light bronzer (or nothing) all over the face. (1 minute) • Step 2 – Apply concealer (be sure it is the right color – too light will make you look like you have raccoon eyes) under the eyes. NOTE: You can also use the concealer to spot conceal other imperfections. But, make sure the color is right.) (1 minute) • Step 3 – Apply color to cheeks and eyes. (2 minutes) • Step 4 – Line upper eyelids with eye pencil (1 minute) • Step 5 – Apply mascara to upper lashes (if you do the lower lashes, you run the risk of it melting and running). (1 minute) • Step 6 – Apply lip-gloss. (1 minute) Done in seven minutes! August 2021 | 41
GO FISH
STEVE CHACONAS
“Catching” Up
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n this fast paced world with email, Instagram, and social media posts, there’s nothing like a 6 hour fishing trip to get reacquainted with high school classmates. Fort Hunt High School was a huge school. Our class of 1973 had nearly 650 graduates. Alumni from all over the country gather every year to stay in touch at an annual reunion at Fort Hunt Park and via social media. A couple of us reunite on the Potomac River for an annual fishing trip. During our school years, we all fished. Why not, with the Potomac River right up the street. But then the river was nasty, polluted with forever contaminants and fresh raw sewage. But by the time we were in the waning years of school days, the river cleaned up. My buddies Duel Ballard and Keith Salo moved out of the area but maintained contact with those who just couldn’t leave the Alexandria suburbs. In the 70s Duel spent several years on the Fort Hunt Crew team, rowing up and down the river. Duel and Keith grew up in the oldest part of Fort Hunt territory, Hollin Hall. In fact, our baby boomer classmates provided a steady flow of students into one of the best high schools in the country. Nearly every home housed a Federal or future Federal. Most of them enjoyed fishing. Flash forward to 0600 on a July morning, the same guys who couldn’t get up to go to school on time were at the dock ready to fish. We all anticipated a wonderful day, regardless of Mother Nature. But today she cooperated with fantastic weather and decent fishing. But, let’s face it, we weren’t out on the Potomac just to fish. We sped through 50 years chatting about our friends, teachers and even the old local businesses. Lots had changed, but not us. We picked up where we had left off. Stories came out rapid fire, followed by a chorus of “I remember that!” A few times we just couldn’t remember, even with a little help from our friends. 42 | August 2021
Our classmates who had passed on were remembered as if they were still with us, receiving accolades for whatever mischief they had gotten into. They were put on special pedestals for us to highlight those years. Many of our stories also included fishing trips or our favorite old lures. Other stories also mentioned our fishing mentors who got us into this fun game. Of course, we briefly provided health updates with the latest lab results and surgeries but stopped short of comparing scars. Keith and I don’t have kids, so that left Duel free to chat about his, but also of his new family and his 6 year old daughter. Mixed in were updates on our careers and lives, and in my case how many jobs I’d been fired from. Keith had gone into law enforcement, Duel and I had many careers, too numerous to detail. But it was the jobs where we got to work with former classmates hat were the most interesting and entertaining. Keith and I had worked at Belle Haven Country Club, where many of our classmates picked up summer or part time employment. One story involved eggs and another classmate, Steve Gahart. By this time, we were fishing but not really focused until fish interrupted the conversation and we had to stop for photos. And then we had to figure out the best position for a selfie and how to work the phone camera. We were able to tell stories, just not so good at using electronic devices for selfies. I think the fish hooked themselves just to come on board to meet us. Of course, we chatted about the girls, all of them grandmas by now, but still youthful in our minds. We were complimentary to all of them, although I don’t remember that we discussed their academic achievements. There were many, “Have you heard from what’s her name?” With no response, we would jump to the next one until we had some kind of update. What took us 50 years to
accumulate, we went through all of our memories in just 6 hours. They might not have been the best ones, but they were the only ones we remembered. We went way
beyond what electronic media would allow. Our colorful stories could only be told in our captive environment without outside interruption. As my phone rang, I answered with,
“I’m at the office right now, can I call you later?” Those were the fastest 6 hours I’ve spent in a long time. Probably 50 years worth and we did it without a single beer.
Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/purchase gift certificates: info@NationalBass.com.
Potomac River Bassing in August Hit the mats. Grass beds are getting thicker now, and fish are in them. There are two solid techniques for getting them to come out. Hollow bodied frogs are effective as they cover water. Gamma Torque braid in 50-60 pound test is a must! At least a 7 foot medium heavy to heavy rod and a fast casting-reel are required for effective hook sets and for winching fish out of thick grass. Also bend the hooks open just a bit for better hook ups. Cast over grass and twitch the frogs to entice bass to bust through the grass to eat them. Once the fish has the bait, do not count to ten! Set the hook straight up. The other technique is a bit more tedious but very effective. Punching mats refers to a heavy tungsten weight, 1 ounce or more, pegged to a stout hook with a small plastic crawfish. These are pitched to either small openings or shaken to drop to the fish below the grass mats. Either method produces big fish. But don’t forget to use swim jigs and bladed jigs on 16 pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon.
Old Town Crier
OPEN SPACE
LORI WELCH BROWN
L
ittle known fact—the dog days of summer don’t have to do with an actual dog, but rather a star, Sirius. Per The Farmer’s Almanac, the dog days of summer refer to the 20 days before and the 20 days after Sirius’ alignment with the Sun, thought to be the hottest days of summer. “The phrase is actually a reference to the fact that, during this time, the Sun occupies the same region of the sky as Sirius, the brightest star visible from any part of Earth and part of the constellation Canis Major, the Greater Dog. This is why Sirius is sometimes called the Dog Star.” The time on the calendar is July 3 through August 11. So, it is on July 23 that Sirius is in alignment with the sun. As a kid, the dog days of summer seemed to last f-or-e-v-e-r. The newness of ‘school is out for summer’ had worn off. The luster of being dropped off at the community pool had faded. The family vacation had come and gone, the only reminder being a flip flop key chain and some Kodak prints courtesy of the film developing crew at Peoples Drug. The dread of back-to-school shopping at Sears Roebuck loomed heavily. It was hot and the grownups were cranky.
Old Town Crier
Fast forward a few decades, and it’s still hot and the grownups remain cranky. If it wasn’t so dang hot, we could hug each other. At least we have that—remember last summer when, because of COVID-19, we couldn’t even hug? Pools were closed. Roller coasters were off limits. We were pretty much restricted to our own back yards—just like when I was a kid. The closest we got to a roller coaster was riding the highs and lows of our own anxiety. The closest thing to an ocean was riding the changing tides of information and opinions. Turns out, the dog days of summer aren’t so bad after all. And hey, isn’t it good to know that there’s a start and an end to the oppressive heat and humidity? Now you can plan accordingly. Find a nice air conditioned spot and park it. Or, immerse yourself in a pool. Relax and enjoy. This year, we are free to spread our beach blankets
out and dip our toes into the sand. Life is good. I’m a lot less cranky when I have more options and the anxiety level is ratcheted down a bit. Granted, COVID-19 tested our resilience and taught us all to be grateful for the little things in life such as meal deliveries and Amazon Prime, but this year, the world is our oyster. And we can actually go out and shuck them next to 128 of our closest friends. Yes, it’s hot. And humid. My hair is a hot mess, but frankly, I don’t care. Summer is here, and I plan to enjoy this one as much as possible. I’m eating the ice cream, catching a wave or two, and celebrating the dog days of summer any way I can because who knows what tomorrow brings. When I start to feel hot and cranky, I’m going to blast some Beach Boys and think of all the fun options I have that were off the table last year. I can stroll into the public
library to select some fun, summer reads. I can go into a store and try on swim suits. I can attend a summer concert or go see a movie. I can find an air-conditioned cafe that still has public seating and grab a coffee with my bestie. How joyous! There’s no need to be bored or cranky or hot during the dog days of summer. Grab your dog or a hot dog and get out there and soak up some sun. Hug some strangers. Adopt a pooch. Shake things up and live it up because before you know it, it will be time to pull out our sweaters and boots and/or hit the books again. The cat days of fall will be upon us. What? The cat days of fall isn’t a thing? Why isn’t it the cat days of fall? Why is it always about the dogs? Isn’t there a cat star? Can we get a cat star? Anyone? The cats are peeved and annoyed yet again. Enjoy the dog days of summer. Don’t skimp on the SPF or the ice cream! If you would like to read more of Lori’s work, follow her on Medium at Lori Welch Brown. If you would like to read more of Lori’s work, you can follow her on Medium at Lori Welch Brown.
August 2021 | 43
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
The Gaylord Lights Up At Night
T
he Gaylord Resort in National Harbor had officially been open 25 days when I visited to get some updates for this column. If you are a regular reader, you will remember that we published information garnered from the marketing team at the resort in June with what we could expect when they re-opened the doors on July 1st and the majority of their plans came to fruition.
#Potomac Lights The most impressive, in my opinion, is the Potomac Lights illuminated river walk that is running through the 18th of this month. I am hoping they keep it going all summer but they may have other fun plans for the beautiful waterfront space up their sleeves. The photos that are featured here don’t do the “show” justice since 90% of the displays have moving parts. (Check out the Old Town Crier website/blog for some video footage.) There are 11 locations along the self-guided walk with interactive giant glow stones, an illuminated puzzle, and lots of lighting art. The light show that appears on the exterior of the Atrium is very impressive but way too technical for my photo taking capabilities so you will have to check it out in person. Even though the display is at its most impressive at night, it is well worth checking out during the day. There are some really interesting and beautiful new works of art throughout the grounds and lots of comfortable seating areas where you can spend some down time just taking it all in. One of my new favorites is the BIG BLUE CHAIR! It is a perfect place for a photo op!
Replay at Pose Rooftop Lounge Pose was initially set up to be the Harbors “Night Club” when the resort first opened, however it never really took off and it has gone through more than one “make over” in the last 10+ years. This last revamp may be a good concept since they have turned the space 44 | August 2021
into a place for the popular “Pop Up” concept. At the moment it is home to REPLAY - a retro themed 80’s pop up that is family friendly by day and adult friendly by night! You will find some pretty ramped up milkshakes (both kid and adult versions) and other “boozy beverages” along with some retro arcade games – think Pong, Rubik’s Cube, etc. The décor is pretty clever as well. Who doesn’t want to sit in a bright red lip shaped love seat? REPLAY has a wrap-around balcony that offers great views of the riverfront and it was touted that you could view #Potomac Lights from said balcony but it appears that unless you are a VIP guest with access to the top floor, that isn’t the case. I was there on a Sunday night so that may have had something to do with not having access to the VIP section. Regardless, it is a fun stop by day or night. It is so good to have the Gaylord back up and running even on a limited basis. As of this writing there are still only two food options – the very casual Market Place (open daily) and the upscale Old Hickory Steakhouse (open ThursSun). At the time of this writing, neither National Pastime nor Pienza are open but it is my understanding that both locations are being renovated and will open later in the year. The Belvedere Lounge is up and running and that is probably my favorite place in the hotel. Still the best place to take in the nightly fountain and light show and to have an adult beverage while doing some serious people watching. I also have it on “good authority” - don’t you just love when someone says that - that Christmas on the Potomac is coming back BIGGER and BETTER this year. My inside source says we will know more later in the summer. Activities in the Harbor in general are getting back in the swing of things and that is a good sign. Let’s make sure we keep this pandemic under control so we don’t have to revert back to the situation we were in this time last year! Get vaccinated and wear a mask at all times if you don’t. You owe that to your community and your fellow visitors. Stay cool…. Old Town Crier
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