Summer in the City of Brunswick

SECTION FREDERICK HEADER COUNTY \\ TOWNS \\

SUMMER

IN THE CITY… OF BRUNSWICK

BY GINA GALLUCCI-WHITE

64 thefrederickguide.com

When riding along the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal Towpath, which connects Pittsburgh to Cumberland to Washington, D.C., cyclists sometimes are in need of emergency repairs for flat tires or gear adjustments.

For those whose needs occur as they pass near Brunswick, Three Points Cycle, a bicycle shop located on West Potomac Street, is their destination. Co-owner Adam Wyatt, who lives less than two blocks from the store, will often come in to the shop during off hours to help stranded cyclists to get back on the trail, and he’s “happy to do it,” he says. During regular hours, one of the most popular services the shop offers is basic tune-ups.

Owning the shop for about a year and a half, Wyatt notes he loves to ride on the towpath and the River’s Edge Trails near Brunswick Middle School.

“I ride whenever and wherever I can,” he says. “I actually am on a bicycle a lot more often than I am in a car. ... Every cyclist I know just loves being outdoors in general and what a beautiful area to be outdoors in, with the Potomac River, the Appalachian Trail and the tubing opportunities.”

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF VISIT FREDERICK

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Brunswick, located in the southwestern region of Frederick County, was originally home to the Susquehanna tribe, with the first settlement established by Europeans in the late 1720s. The city began to flourish in the 1800s, especially when the canal was built in the 1830s and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad decided to relocate its railyard there toward the end of the century. After going by various names including Barry, Eel Pot and Mary Peep O Day, eventually folks settled on Brunswick, giving a nod to the town in Germany that many rail workers originally called home. Today, the city is home to more than 6,000 residents and continues its railroad tradition as a stop on the MARC train route from Martinsburg, W.Va., to Washington, D.C.

Many people meander to Brunswick to catch the train during the workweek, but you’ll find even more people come to enjoy the city’s outdoor summer activities.

Open this year from March 29 to Nov. 3, the Brunswick Family Campground has more than 100 campsites available for RVs and tents, and also offers basic cabins for rent. Located on a quiet area of land between the towpath and the Potomac River, the site is perfect for those looking to make s’mores, sit by a campfire and see some wildlife.

Folks should not stay up too late because River & Trail Outfitters, on the campground site, offers a bevy of outdoor activities to

take advantage of the area. For those looking to beat the heat by hitting the water, the company offers whitewater rafting, canoeing, kayaking and river tubing adventures. Options include rentals as well as guided tours and lessons. If dry land is your preference, biking and hiking rentals, tours and shuttles are available. Folks may also want to check out their 840-foot zip lining course located in nearby Knoxville.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF VISIT FREDERICK

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ACTIVITIES:

Brunswick Community Carnival (Late June): Live and activities including a petting zoo, face painting, food, vendors and a balloon artist, at the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Hall..

Brunswick Railroad Days (Oct. 5 & 6, 2019): The annual festival occurs on the first weekend of October to celebrate the city’s history with the B & O Railroad. Model train display, rides aboard MARC trains and multiple food vendors and musical entertainers

Veterans Day Parade (Nov. 10, 2019): Annual parade through downtown Brunswick with an opening ceremony at 1 p.m. The parade honors those who have served the country both past and present, starting at 2 p.m.

CITY FACTS:

* Data as of 2010, based on the U.S. Census

Population: 5,870

Number of households:

2,144City Hall

, 31 W. Potomac St.

O 301-834-7500 w BrunswickMD.gov

Median value of owner occupied household: $220,700

People under the age of 5: 6.4 percent

LIBRARY Frederick County Public Libraries Brunswick branch

, 915 N. Maple Ave.

O 301-600-7250 w fcpl.org

People under age of 18: 25.5 percent

People aged 65 years or older: 10 percent

Language other than English spoken in the home: 6.2 percent

High school graduate or higher over the age of 25: 92 percent

Bachelor’s degree or higher over the age of 25: 33.8 percent

ELECTED OFFICIALS

MAYOR Term expiring August 2020 Jeffrey T. Snoots

MAYOR PRO TEM Term expiring August 2022 John Dayton

COUNCIL MEMBERS Terms expiring August 2020 Vaughn Ripley, Tom Smith, Angel White Terms expiring August 2022 Nathan Brown, Andrew St. John

LOCAL DINING A Better Choice Bakery

, 6 W. Potomac St.

O 301-712-4137

Beans in the Belfry

, 122 W. Potomac St.

O 301-834-7178

Boxcar Burgers

, 12 S. Maple Ave.

O 202-642-1902

The Hive

, 318 Petersville Rd.

O 301-696-6506

King’s Pizza

, 215 W. Potomac St.

O 301-834-9999

New China Chinese Restaurant

, 66 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-4444

Penny’s Diner

, 620 Souder Roa

O 240-772-9099

Potomac Street Grill

, 31 E. Potomac St.

O 301-969-0548

Stroker’s BBQ

, 6 W. Potomac St.

O 301-712-4137

Towpath Creamery

, 12 S. Maple Ave.

O 301-969-6480

Wing N Pizza Shack

, 100 Souder Rd

O 301-834-5555

SHOPS American Tattoo Studio

, 1434 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-8335

Antiques N’ Ole Stuff

, 25 E. Potomac St.

O 703-887-1244

Blue Ridge Automotive

, 218 Petersville Rd.

O 301-969-0088

Brunswick Auto Repair

, 1434 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-7863

Brunswick Barber Shop

, 56 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-5420

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VISIT FREDERICK

Brunswick Service Center

, 98 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-8006

C.M. Bloomers

, 76 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-8200

Jerry’s Liquors

, 30 Petersville Rd.

O 301-834-7133

Niningers Tire and Auto Center

, 302 Petersville Rd.

O 301-834-9855

R & R Guns and Ammo LLC

, 52 Souder Rd.

O 301-969-0812

Three Points Cycle on the C & O Canal Trail

, 5 W. Potomac St.

O 301-834-7199

Tri State Liquors

, 96 Souder Rd.

O 301-834-4448

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Those looking to exercise only their tastebuds or just refuel from outdoor adventures may head to Downtown Brunswick where even the pickiest eaters can find something to enjoy.

Towpath Creamery will help guests beat the summer heat with cool treats such as ice cream scoops, sundaes, cookie-wiches, floats and milkshakes. The spot even offers a frozen treat for dogs known as the pupcup. The ice cream comes from the Chambersburg, Pa.-based Trickling Springs Creamery and includes seasonal flavors as well as traditional favorites such as vanilla, chocolate, salted caramel, butter pecan and strawberry. The creamery shares a space with Boxcar Burgers, which uses grass-fed beef raised at family farms in the area in their popular burgers.

Those looking for some libations may head to Smoketown Brewing Station housed inside the former home of the Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company. Inside folks will find an on-site brewery with a tasting room ready to serve samples, pints and growlers of flavors such as Berlin Brown and Potomac IPA. On warm days, grab a spot on their patio and sample from their pub fare and snacks menu.

After losing its downtown facility on Super Bowl Sunday due to a fire, Stroker’s BBQ decided to forgo a brick-and-mortar store in favor of a food truck that travels to a variety of locations in the area including wineries and beer festivals. “It’s weird how opportunities open up when you no longer have a storefront,” says co-owner Beth Johnson.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF TOWPATH CREAMERY AND BOXCAR BURGERS

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PHOTORAPH COURTESY OF STROKER’S BBQ

Some of Stroker’s bestsellers include baked bacon mac and cheese, ribs, pulled chicken and pulled pork sandwiches in the Carolina style. “Our meats are not pre-sauced so you can choose to go spicy or sweet,” she says, noting all of their sauces are homemade.

As of early June, Johnson said she was looking to establish regular days when the food truck would be in Brunswick; check out Stroker’s Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.

For those who need a summer activity but prefer air-conditioning, the Frederick County Public Libraries’ Brunswick branch offers a welcome retreat filled with books, movies, magazines and kids’ launchpad tablets.

“The library is a great place to come because everything inside of it is free which is always really nice and we offer so much,” Jenny Diaz, Brunswick branch administrator. “We have programs and events happening all the time. ...We really are a place for people to connect.”

Story times for younger readers occur Mondays through Fridays along with special event programming for all ages thanks to FCPL’s annual summer reading challenge. The library will also host the Community Action Agency’s summer lunch program from noon to 1 p.m. on weekdays, for ages 3 to 18. The program includes a free lunch, craft and activity through Aug. 23.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VISIT FREDERICK

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PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF VISIT FREDERICK

The annual Brunswick Block Party for all ages will take place 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 13, and features events both inside and outside, such as a bounce house, live music, crafts and games with prizes.

Many parents worry about their children regressing academically during the summer months away from school. “Reading is the best way to help the summer slide,” Diaz says. “Study after study shows that really any reading helps. Whether that is a five-minute picture book before bedtime, whether it is flipping through a magazine, whether it is reading an ebook on a device, reading is what helps.”

iSTOCKPHOTO.COM / G-STOCKSTUDIO

Once you are ready to go back outside again after cooling down, the library has a dozen fishing rods with tackle boxes that may be checked out through a partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. “That is something over the summer that is very popular and really fun,” Diaz says. “When people come back to return the fishing rods we always ask if we can see pictures of whatever they caught.”

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