Must be 21. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gambler.net
SEEK& FIND
MUSINGS
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Happy Summer!
Frederick is well-known as a cool place to live and visit. But in the summertime, "coolness" as it is otherwise defined can be difficult to find.
Don't worry, we've got you covered, starting off with a list of at least 10 great ways you can keep cool with the help of some great places around the county. Also inside this issue is a roundup of farms that grow and share a bounty of produce all summer long. From watermelon to peaches to zucchini, farmers markets are the place to find delicious, homegrown foods all season.
CONTENT DESCRIPTOR
Middletown has a new place to keep cool and entertained this summer. Its public library branch had its grand opening a few weeks ago, welcoming a much larger space to find the books and movies and community resources we all rely on. And did we mention they have air conditioning? These stories and much more are inside this issue of Find iT Frederick. We hope you enjoy paging through. And, as always, feel free to contact us with all the things you find in Frederick so we can share them, too!
Molly Fellin Spence, Executive Editor
TEAM PULSE
PUBLISHER
Donna Elbert publisher@pulsepublishing.net
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Molly Fellin Spence molly@pulsepublishing.net
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Gabby Mongeau gabby@pulsepublishing.net
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Melissa Howes-Vitek melissa@pulsepublishing.net
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Susan O'Connor susan@pulsepublishing.net
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ronald Cramer ronald@pulsepublishing.net
SALES
Mark Jordan mark@pulsepublishing.net
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Ana Lazo Eastep
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Chris Slattery, Ty Unglebower, Melissa Howes-Vitek, Ellyn Wexler, Shea Winpigler
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris Slattery, Molly Fellin Spence, Ty Unglebower, Melissa Howes-Vitek, Shea Winpigler
ACCOUNTING/BILLING bookkeeper@pulsepublishing.net
DISTRIBUTION distribution@pulsepublishing.net
FiND iT Frederick is a free quarterly publication of Pulse Publishing, LLC. Customer inquiries should be directed to Pulse Publishing, LLC, 12 S. Market Street, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21701. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher.
For information about advertising in an upcoming issue of FiND iT Frederick, please contact Donna Elbert at 301-6626050, ext. 11, email donna@pulsepublishing.net or visit FindItFrederick.com.
If you have questions or comments regarding FiND iT Frederick, you may contact the editor, Molly Fellin Spence at molly@ pulsepublishing.net.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of FiND iT Frederick or Pulse Publishing, LLC
Many thanks to the numerous individuals and businesses that provided information and their time for our articles a nd features. We wish to thank our advertisers for their continued support.
Sure, Middletown is dreamy, with its stately historic homes — all turrets and porches and manicured lawns rolling gently up and down Main Street to its charming town center. But just behind the stone and brick and clapboard and roses and wisteria, there’s a different kind of dream.
It’s a dream with a modern monochrome façade, ample parking and the distinct aroma of coffee. And it sprang from the mind of a 24-year-old entrepreneur named Nektarios John Tsinonis.
“I lovvveee my coffee, it’s the best,” says Nektarios, who always wanted “my coffee shop with my name.”
He’s a coffee expert — you can pick up a bag of his special blend, with his smiling face on the label — as well as a seasoned traveler who’s devoted to the music, food and culture of Greece, where he spent childhood summers.
Nektarios’s mom, Joana, explains that the young entrepreneur’s dream is to expand his little empire and open a coffee shop in Tampa with his sister, Theoni, one in Australia with his brother, Andrea, and finally one in his beloved Greece. But there’s more to this coffee-flavored dream than meets the eye.
“Our family’s dream,” she adds, “is to offer many families an opportunity to have a Beans & Dreams where their family member has the opportunity to attain ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’”
That’s an opportunity Beans & Dreams offers right now, by hiring people with disabilities, like Nektarios himself, to work in the café.
If its mission philosophy about family, opportunity, and equality makes you feel good, wait until you taste the treats. Bean & Dreams has baked goods that range from the simple to the sublime. Whether you’re looking for Greek sprinkle cookies, homemade cannolis, gluten-free cupcakes, or vegan goodies you’ll find them here.
A taste of honey: kataifi, a Greek specialty with a sweet filling of chopped nuts wrapped in finely shredded phyllo dough and soaked in a sweet, flavorful syrup.
Freshbakes and
sweet cakes.
Take a quick trip to Greece with sweet orangeinfused portokalopita, or try kataifi, a sweet, nutty shredded phyllo pastry with a unique appearance, like a summertime haystack gently tipped on its side.
These traditional Greek treats can be found in the Beans & Dreams pastry case alongside cookies, cake slices, croissants and chocolate mice full of mousse.
The fresh-baked goodies at Beans & Dreams can be enjoyed al fresco, on a sun-dappled patio with bistro tables and black-and-white chairs. Inside, the café’s décor offers high, beamed ceilings and natural light, cozy couches and chairs to settle into, and blonde wood surfaces perfect for web surfing or socializing.
Greek dreams are made of this!
-by Chis Slattery
Photos by Chris Slattery
Aplaceto
eat, to work , to dream.
Coffee expert and CEO Nektarios Tsinonis offers a special blend.
Sponsored
HISTORY LovesCOMPANY
Fourth at the Furnace July 4-6 10am-4pm
New! The Iron Trail
Hike through the history of ironmaking in Maryland
African American Cemetery and Trail
Visit this 200-year-old ironworker cemetery
Museum of the Ironworker Summer Hours
Wednesday-Sunday 10am-4pm
Spend the Night in 1820
Stay at the historic Forgeman’s House catoctinfurnace.org/forgeman/
live
theatre
Nearby in Loudoun County, VA
The Phantom of the Opera
Summer Camp Musical Theatre
June 28, 29, July 5 & 6 at 7:00pm
June 29, 30, July 6 & 7 at 2:00pm
Murder on the British Express
Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre
June 29 & July 13 at Oatlands in Leesburg│July 20at ONO Offshore in Chantilly
August 3 at Casanel Winery in Leesburg
August 9 at Creek’s Edge Winery in Lovettsville
August 17 at Savoir Fare in Round Hill
August 23 at Effingham Manor in Nokesville
Puffs
Summer Camp Musical Theatre
July 12, 13, 19 & 20 at 7:00pm July 14 & 21 at 2:00pm
The Aristocats KIDS
Summer Camp Musical Theatre
July 20 & 21 at 11:00am and 2:00pm
Roald Dahl’s Matilda
Summer Camp Musical Theatre
August 2, 3, 9 & 10 at 7:00pm
August 3, 4, 10 & 11 at 2:00pm
StageCoach Bandits Monthly Improv Show
July 26, August 16, Sept 20 at 7:30pm All performances at StageCoach Theatre in Ashburn unless noted. Registration is open for Summer Camps for ages 5 - 19.
Amazing experiences and hundreds of exciting new exotic animal friends await you in this 50-acre park!
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve welcomes you with natural ponds, lush landscaping, and wandering Ambass-zoo-dors, eager to indulge inquisitive guests. Get curious about everything from bears to boas, macaws to monkeys, panthers to pythons, and alligators to zebra.
These amazing animals are our extended family and vital ambassadors for their species. Through our personal style of exhibits and education, we know that they will be your extended family too.
Together, we can make sure all the wild animals enjoy the future they deserve.
Meaningful Learning Opportunities
At Creative Children’s Center, we treat children as if they were our own. With quality care through enthusiastic, optimistic, gentle, and respectful teachers and staff, we provide a nurturing, fun and safe learning environment for all to flourish.
We offer the following programs:
• Infants: 6 weeks-18 months
• Toddlers: 18 Months - 24 months
• Young Learners: 2-3
• Early Learning: 2-3 Years old
• Transitional: 3-4 Years old
• Kindergarten Readiness: 4-5 Years old
- School-age before and after school care
- Comprehensive Summer Enrichment program
- Camp Creative: (Kindergarten - 5th Grade)
We offer transportation services daily (during the academic school year) from Myersville, Wolfsville, Brunswick and Valley Elementary Schools.
From idyllic farmsteads to bustling farmers markets, Frederick County is a treasure trove for food lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re stocking up on farm-fresh produce, enjoying a scenic countryside drive, or diving into a hands-on farm encounter, these open-to-the-public farms and markets offer a unique opportunity for both adults and children. Experience the flavors of the region, get a taste of authentic farm life, and support local farmers. Let’s take a closer look at some local gems!
Step into the world of South Mountain Creamery, where three generations of the Sowers-Brusco family have been running this delightful 3,300acre farm for more than 40 years.
Visitors are welcome to tour the operation, and learn about sustainable farming practices, watch cows being milked, and bottle-feed adorable calves. Don’t miss out on farm-fresh hand-dipped or soft serve ice cream, and shop for pasteurized milk, butter, cheeses, and produce and products from local farms and vendors in Karen’s Kountry Store.
Let the kids loose on playground equipment and a giant rock mound; everyone can play ring toss, volleyball, and cornhole.
Farm tour choices included self-guided ($5), guided on select Saturdays ($8), and private for groups of 10 or more.
“We love having families visit and spend the day with us. There’s something for everyone. It’s not just about the food; it’s about creating lasting memories and connecting with where your food comes from,” said owner Tony Brusco.
Top and inset photos courtesy of South Mountain Creamery
Catoctin Mountain Orchard
15036 N. Franklin Road, Thurmont catoctinmountainorchard.com
Swing by Catoctin Mountain Orchard from June through October, and let the vibrant blooms of the cut-your-own flower garden draw you in. Managed by Katlyn Robertson, her sister, Kylie, and their grandfather, Robert Black, this 50-plus-year-old family business has something for everyone.
Explore the half-acre garden with some 15 varieties of flowers, perfect for photo ops and social media. Zinnia, celosia, black-eyed Susan, and gomphrena are popular. Pick your own bouquet for a personalized and budget-friendly touch.
Enjoy the children’s playground, fresh apple cider, and apple cider doughnuts as you wander through the fields “and revel in the simple pleasures of life,” Robertson said.
Look for black raspberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, and a variety of fresh vegetables. And don’t forget the freshly baked pies, pastries, and breads, or the fresh fruit smoothies at the Cider Slushie bar.
Frederick City Market
331 N. Market St., Frederick frederickcitymarket.com
When Dewey Stuart opened the Frederick City Market in 2011, he “wanted to have a walkable, friendly downtown farmers market. According to co-managers Kelsi Stembel and Rachel Gagne, he succeeded.
Stembel first joined as a vendor. “I heard from many people about how the vendors felt like a family,” she recalled. “When Rachel and I took over four years ago, we decided our ultimate goal was to make the market a place where customers and vendors wanted to return each week.”
Open Sundays through Nov. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the market features everything from organic fruits and vegetables to grass-fed meats, freshly baked breads, artisan cheeses, and unique handcrafted goods.
Many vendors come back year after year, and there is always something new. With four bakeries offering distinct treats, you’ll find something new each visit.
Live music enhances the community spirit. “Watching a 2-year-old dance around to a local musician is the best thing ever,” Stembel said.
Field Fresh Farmers Market
797 E. Patrick St., Frederick fieldfreshfarmersmarket.com
Settled into Lot A of the Frederick Fairgrounds, Field Fresh Farmers Market is your Saturday morning go-to. Open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (except during The Great Frederick Fair), rain or shine, the market’s 28 vendors sell only what they grow or produce – including fruits, vegetables, meats, bakery items, cheese, plants and flowers, soaps and lotions, local wines, distilled spirits, and prepared food.
“Our vendors work together as a team to make the market an enjoyable place,” said John Sexton, who owns and organizes the market with Gwen Whitmore. Bring your family to meet the farmers and learn where their food comes from. Many vendors even have their children helping out, making it a true family affair.
“It is a place you come to, to meet with your farmers and producers, and reap the benefits of nature’s best,” Sexton said. Most importantly, “they can taste the difference in what they buy here.”
Top photos courtesy of Eternal Vine Soaps Bottom photo courtesy of The Frederick City Market
A Fun Floral Experience
The Frederick Floral Bar is a fun floral experience unlike any other! Located in the heart of downtown Frederick, The Frederick Floral Bar offers a build-yourown bouquet bar, group workshops, private parties curated gifts and fresh floral arrangements! They also create unique weddings and special events. You can sign up for a fun workshop with friends, make a reservation or stop in and create your own floral bouquet. Offering complimentary consultations for any special event. Please visit us at http://www.frederickfloralbar.com/for more information!
The Frederick Floral Bar 27 S. Market St., Frederick 240-285-9443 instagram.com/thefrederickfloralbar
•Thrive Pet Healthcare Frederick 7820 Wormans Mill Road Frederick, Maryland 21701 (240) 332-1147
From broken toes, to puppy teeth, to senior care, we're here to serve the veterinary care needs of your pet with primary, emergency, and specialty care. Contact one of our locations today • CARE Veterinary Center 1080 W Patrick St Frederick, Maryland 21703 (443) 247-0482
•Thrive Pet Healthcare Germantown 19728 Germantown Road Germantown, Maryland 20874 (240) 221-7914 General Practice General Practice, Boarding, Daycare, Grooming, and Training
Middletown’s new library offers space for the community to learn and to linger.
By Chris Slattery
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
– Albert Einstein
There is no indication that Einstein ever spent time in Middletown, Maryland, but his words of wisdom about libraries ring particularly true there. After decades in a one-room, 2,500 square foot location at 101 Prospect St., the Middletown branch of Frederick County Public Libraries has taken up residence at a newly built, soaringceilinged 15,000-square-foot facility on East Green Street, close enough to the local elementary, middle and high schools for students to walk.
And in the weeks after the official ribbon cutting, it looks like the new spot is already becoming a place for the community to gather.
“There’s more of everything,” Kelly Cambrel, FCPL communications team manager, told us. “More space means that we can offer more activities, too.”
That means more programs for children and adults, and a community room large enough to divide in two to host more activities than ever — from social events for senior citizens to crafting sessions for teens to opportunities for beginning readers to read aloud to therapy dogs. There was even a “stuffed animal sleepover” that chronicled the adventures of fuzzy friends in the brandnew space. And while more space in the library translates to more room for people, it also allows an increase in the inventory available to enjoy.
Photos by Molly Fellin Spence
“We also have significantly more materials available for check out,” Cambrel said, adding that since the new library opened on May 4 patrons have been browsing the collection and checking out all the new books.
“We have seen an increase in the number of customers visiting the branch,” says Cambrel. “We have also seen an increase in the number of library card sign ups, and it is exciting to welcome new customers to the library.”
Customers who, according to Cambrel, “are really getting to know and enjoy the space.
“There are more individuals and groups using the space to work, study and meet,” she noted. “People are staying in the library longer too: after storytime, customers are spending time in the Early Literacy Center or sitting on the porch. They’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the space and are enjoying the library as a destination as well as a place to find activities and resources.”
Those activities and resources go beyond books and children’s programming, as FCPL offers concerts, art exhibits and speaker series, as well as free Wi-Fi, wireless printing, and notary and passport services at certain locations. The new Middletown branch even offers ease-of-use
amenities such as outdoor book lockers and a drive-through book drop — one of only two in Frederick County so far.
Since FCPL opened its first library on Record Street in downtown Frederick in 1936, it’s grown to encompass nine branches, two bookmobiles, and a book bike. As part of its mission to “facilitate the public’s freedom to explore, invent, and transform by connecting people to ideas and to each other, helping to foster individual and community growth,” FCPL is dedicated to improving and updating its facilities with help from its community partners and donors.
In Middletown, said Cambrel, “The transition went well. We planned over several months and were able to execute the move over with support from an internal team made up of many FCPL departments.
“It was a team effort.”
A team effort that she expects will continue over a very busy summer season.
“We are very excited for this summer,” she said, “and have a very full schedule. All summer we are offering a wide variety of events for children, families, teens, and adults, and there is a new activity every day!”
Cambrel suggests that anyone looking for a schedule of events check the library calendar online at fcpl.org.
Even when things are quiet at the library, teens can hang out in the new gaming nook and youngsters can play in the children’s area with its colorful murals, kid-sized furniture and multi-story playhouse. It’s all part of making the library a community hub that every age and level of literacy can enjoy.
Einstein would, no doubt, approve.
Middletown Public Library
31 E. Green St., Middletown 301.600.7560
Open Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sundays, 1-5 p.m. fcpl.org F facebook.com/FredCoLibrary d @fredcolibrary
by
Photos
Molly Fellin Spence
YOGA FOR LIFE
“Inspired Living is a collaborative journey, an inquiry within the adventure of living real life. Together, we’ll find a deeper connection to your authentic self and an aligned community.”
Dr. Kimberlyn Cahill, dmol Inspired Living Coach & Yoga Therapist
Request your FREE Inspiration Check-up. Let’s explore how I can support you to breathe deeply, move freely, labor lovingly, and live vibrantly.
ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
Dr. Brian Motz and his friendly, knowledgable dental team offer compassionate, leading-edge dental care that’s tailored to you.
GENERAL DENTISTRY • COSMETIC DENTISTRY DENTAL IMPLANTS • BOTOX • DENTAL THERAPY DOG
We accept most Dental Insurances and offer In-house Dental plans
Golf. It’s expensive to play on a regular basis, and dependent on the weather.
Solution? Indoor golf.
XGolf is a national franchise that is gaining popularity. Frederick is home to one of its newest facilities.
The venue opened in May on Buckeystown Pike in the former home of Champion Billiards.
The concept is simple. The tech is complex.
The concept: play golf. Inside. With your own clubs. (If you have any. If not, XGolf rents them out.)
Each “pod” consists of a small artificial green, complete with tee and ball. Guests drive a shot into the sophisticated video screen. There, a video appears which recreates how far and in what direction your shot would have landed on a real course.
The tech: As I said, that is not so simple.
In fact, according to their website, the XGolf brand has spent more than 20 years working with athletes as well as scientists to provide “the world’s most advanced and accurate simulator.”
It employs high-speed cameras as well as lasers, (as opposed to the more common radar) to determine the position of the ball. The company prides itself on its simulators making more than 6,000 calculations per second.
You and I of course do not have to worry about all of that. We just have to play. (With up to five friends per pod at a time.)
One person with average skill takes just under an hour to complete 18 simulated holes in one of the pods.
And if you are below average, or just want to improve? XGolf offers classes from certified PGA instructors for those willing to invest a little more in their game.
Not in the mood for golf? There are several dart boards as well.
Or, play nothing at all. Come by to grab a drink at the bar, or a little something to eat at the in house bar and grill, Birdies.
Both Birdies and the expansive gaming area are family friendly establishments, and kids are welcome.
In addition, every Sunday evening this summer, XGolf hosts live music performances during their Sunday Fundays.
An unattributed quotation famous in golf circles is that the sport is nothing more than “a good walk, spoiled.” That may or may not be true depending on your attitude.
Yet at XGolf Frederick you on longer need to spoil any walk at all in order to get some golf in.
-by Ty Unglebower
XGolf Frederick
Westview Promenade Shopping Center 5205 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick 240.629.8039
XgolfFrederick.com d @xgolffrederick
SIBTE A. KAZMI,
•
•
•
•
FREDERICK
(TJ) OFFICE
87 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21702
6550 Mercantile Drive, Suite 106, Frederick, MD 21703
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-668-6347
MOUNT AIRY OFFICE
1311 South Main Street, Suite 304, Mount Airy, MD 21771
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-829-6146
URBANA OFFICE
3500 Campus Drive, Suite 101, Urbana, MD 21704
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-874-6107
MIND BODY & SOUL
SERENE ACUPUNCTURE AND INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
617 W Patrick St, Frederick 240-578-3250
sereneacupunctureclinic.com
In my practice, I blend ancient techniques with modern understanding, ensuring each patient receives the most effective care. Being an acupuncturist in Frederick allows me to serve a community I love, helping people find belief in their healing power inside the body through the timeless practices of Oriental medicine. It's a profession rooted in compassion, tradition, and the belief that true healing comes from treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.
FREDERICK HOLISTIC WELLNESS CENTER
3280 Urbana Pike, Suite 205, Urbana 301-305-2321
Frederickholisticwellness.com
Pain Management and Sports Medicine. Live your life without pain or restrictions. We are a comprehensive health facility offering acupuncture, nutrition coaching, and qi gong instruction; with a specialization in sports medicine acupuncture. Call for a free consultation.
ROOTS & RIVER YOGA
30 W Potomac Street, Historic Downtown Brunswick 240-938-8622
RootsAndRiverYoga.com
Roots & River Yoga's knowledgeable and compassionate instructors offer a broad range of weekly classes that can aid in stress reduction, support the physical structure of the body on many levels, and bring greater clarity of mind and emotions. Roots & River Yoga regularly hosts guest teachers who offer specialized workshops for nurturing and broadening perspectives of self-care. As an accredited yoga school, Roots & River offers yoga trainings and immersions to enrich one's personal yoga practice or professional offerings.
DYNAMIC WELLNESS THERAPY
245 W Patrick St, Frederick 443.813.2413
www.dynamicwellnesstherapy.com
Dynamic Wellness Therapy was founded by Tyler Holt, LMT, and combines Osteopathic Therapies including Visceral Manipulation, Neural Manipulation, and Craniosacral Therapy. By working with internal structures (organs, nerves, and connective tissue), these therapies treat underlying causes of dysfunction in the body. You can learn more about this work at www.dynamicwellnesstherapy.com.
MIND BODY & SOUL
UNRIVALED IRON GYM
605 E Church St, Frederick 240-439-4377 www.unrivaledirongym.com
What Makes Us Unrivaled?
We’re more than just a gym; we are an allinclusive health and fitness wellness center, with an on-site retail sports supplement store. We pride ourselves on having hand selected premium gym equipment, individually selected high level personal trainers, and unparalleled customer service & cleanliness!
Our mission is to create a truly unique health & fitness community that offers everyone the opportunity to enter and use the best equipment possible, in the most optimal atmosphere, to attain Unrivaled outcomes!
THE ART OF BEAUTY
1705 Rosemont Ave, Frederick 240-629-8905
theartofbeautyskincareassociates.com/
The Art of Beauty is a full-service skin and body care spa, dedicated to personalized care for total mind, body, and soul refreshment. Our excellent staff of highly experienced estheticians, massage practitioners and nail technicians are here to meet your needs for health, harmony and restoration of well being.
LIFTED WELLNESS
Sarah Cargill CRNP 1611 Rosemont Avenue Frederick, MD 21702
Lifted-wellness.com
At Lifted Wellness, we meet you where you are to treat metabolic dysfunction and optimize your health. We give you the tools to thrive, not just survive, so you can build generational health for you and your family.
Women’s Health Optimization services include:
Body Recomposition
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Thyroid Optimization
Photo courtesy of Lifted Wellness
Photos courtesy of Unrivaled
Photo courtesy of The Art of Beauty
Free State Health and Wellness is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner owned and operated mental health practice. We provide a safe and compassionate space where each patient receives a customized plan combining the appropriate evaluation and medication management with supportive therapy. Most insurances accepted.
Our Services include:
• Psychiatric Evaluations
• Medication Management
• Ketamine and Spravato treatments
• Medical Marijuana certifications
• Bariatric Surgery Evaluations
365 W. Patrick St., Fl 205 Frederick, MD 21701 240-647-9049
www.freestatehw.com info@freestatehw.com
Need to chill out? Frederick’s got plenty of ways to cool down this summer
By Shea Winpigler
As Frederick heads into the hot and humid summer season, we’ve got you covered on ways to stay COOL. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing drink, a cold place, a crisp meal or a chill time, you can be sure we’ve found it.
Get creamy and dreamy at Little Red
Barn Ice Cream Cafe
4610 Lander Road, Jefferson 301.378.8100 littleredbarnicecream.com
Milkshakes, sundaes, ice creams. The little red barn in Jefferson is as charming as it is delicious. The restored 100-year-old barn was the former storage place for a local teacher, and now, it’s the area’s local sweet spot! Pop in for an ice cream or a taste of the “Raging Bull” (soft serve, whole milk & espresso), “College Ice” (soft serve /hand-dipped ice cream layered with flavored shaved ice)! Manager Ashley Sell says, “We have a calfabunga and a cowabunga banana split. The Cow is the big one, fully loaded! And the calf is half! Lined with everything and anything!”
Hide in the trees at Tree Trekkers
9560 Old National Pike, Frederick 301.888.TREK (8735) treetrekkersmd.com
Research has shown that tree canopy coverage reduces temperatures by 11 to 19 degrees Fahrenheit! (According to the U.S. Forest Service.) So where can we find under-canopy fun? Tree Trekkers off Old National Pike in Frederick! The Timber Trek course offers 16 aerial challenge
trails with eight levels of difficulty and includes 14 different high ropes trails and two full zipline trails. This is an activity for all ages and requires no previous tree climbing experience.
Experience a flavor explosion at Jessica's Snowballs
3 N. Main St., Mount Airy snowballsbyjessica@gmail.com
Visit your neighborhood snowball stand! This is a locally owned downtown Mount Airy business that serves classic style snowballs as an essential refreshing summer treat! With more than 50 syrup flavors and candy toppings such as chocolates, nerds, gummy bears and melted marshmallows, you’ll be sweatin’ for more.
Stargaze and camp at Catoctin Mountain Park 14707 Park Central Road, Thurmont nps.gov/cato
Almost all of Frederick County is a 7 out of 9 on the Bortle scale, which gauges light pollution (or lack thereof). As you travel north on U.S. Route 15, the Catoctin Mountain Highway, toward Cunningham State Park and Catoctin Mountain Park, you drop to a 5. Not as impressive as a 1, like Cape Hatteras in North Carolina, but definitely better. If you’re looking for a cool (as in captivating) summer
Photos courtesy of Little Red Barn Ice Cream Cafe and Tree Trekkers.
Snowball photo by Molly Fellin Spence
stargazing moment, ditch the electricity and head to the mountains. Lodging is inexpensive, and you’ll thank yourself for the weekend away.
Get the wind in your hair with Pedego Electric Bikes
125 S. Carroll St., #103, Frederick 301.624.4000
pedegoelectricbikes.com
Downtown Frederick is a bike city! And Pedego electric bikes give you a chance to see it with the wind in your hair. At only $25 per hour, $40 per two and $100 for a whole day ( with bike, helmet, bottle of water, guidance, travel map and saddle bags included), this is a fantastic way to enjoy a warm day without much exertion. Managing partner Mimi Zee says their bikes “have pedal assist as well as the throttle. We do city tours, rentals, sales and service. It’s great for the summer. When you have guests coming into town and you’re looking for some sort of adventure. Electric bikes are great! You don’t have to be an avid cyclist and you don’t have to struggle up hills or anything like that.” Minimum age to operate a rental is 16, with a parent or guardian, and 18+ to rent individually.
Try a mocktail at McClintock’s Back Bar
35 S. Carroll St., Frederick mcclintockdistilling.com
Head over to McClintock Distilling on Carroll Creek and have them serve up some delicious beverages for you, whether you want the hard stuff, or a mocktail. Tasting Room Manager Alex Prete says, “At the Back Bar, our cocktail lounge, they rotate the mocktails for every seasonal menu.” Since alcohol can be dehydrating, for the summer, you can try the Strawberry Honeysuckle and enlightenMINT mocktails! And they’ll still have last season’s (still in fashion) hibiscus lemonade. Or try Scorpio, a play on a Moscow mule incorporating honey, lemon and ginger beer. Almost all of their cocktails can be made alcohol-free. Sounds refreshing!
Grab some iced teas, iced creams and iced coffees at Shab Row and Everedy Square
everedysquare.com
The cluster of good eats and drinks at Everedy Square and Shab Row have been Frederick staples for more than 20 years. Enjoy ice cream and cool treats at Frederick Fudge & Ice Cream, sip on an iced coffee at the Frederick Coffee Co. and pick up an iced loose leaf tea at the Shab Row Tea Emporium.
Cool off with a night at Sky Stage
59 S. Carroll St., Frederick 301.662.4190
skystagefrederick.com
After spending a day inside avoiding the sun, you may still want to get a little air at night, and there’s honestly no better location in Frederick than Sky Stage. This open-air venue hosts concerts, comedy shows, yoga classes, open mics, improv nights, and more. Enjoy the interesting architecture, plant life and roofless venue to the fullest this summer. There’s something for everyone.
Sweat it out at Motherland Kitchen
7800 Biggs Ford Road, Frederick youtube.com/@motherlandkitchen
It may seem counter-intuitive, but eating spicy foods is a great way to stay cool! When you sweat, you’re actually cooling yourself off, so you might as well avoid the heat stroke and challenge your palate instead. “I have the hottest and most tastiest sauce in the DMV!” boasts owner and chef Sabina Jules about her Sheeshoor hot sauce. Motherland Kitchen is an African Caribbean fusion restaurant and, “generally, African and Caribbean foods are spicy. At Motherland Kitchen, we have consciously left out the heat from most of our dishes and kept only the obvious dishes with the
kick. The reason is that some of the seasonings that we used contain hot peppers and would not taste right without them.” Some of the spiciest dishes are Jerk chicken, Cassava leaf sauce, Goat peppersoup, Mushroom Peppersoup and Beef patties. Take the heat and stay out of the sun! (That’s how the saying goes right?)
Swim and splash in and around Frederick County
It’s an obvious choice for anyone hoping to cool off, but don’t forget about Frederick County’s outdoor water recreation spots or pools such as Greenbrier State Park, Emmitsburg Community Pool, YMCA, Hood College, Cunningham Falls State Park, Edward P. Thomas Memorial Pool, William R. Diggs Memorial Swimming Pool and Brunswick Municipal Swimming Pool. Bring your sunscreen, coolers and games!
Photos courtesy of Sky Stage and Motherland Kitchen Bottom photo: istockphoto.com/undefined
Aya Cultural Arts Studio is a cultural arts learning space and store where ALL are welcome. It is an eclectic, cozy and inviting space for folks of all ages and backgrounds to not only come and learn but also to meet others and make community connections.
The studio’s namesake comes from the adinkra symbol of the Akan people of Ghana, “Aya,” meaning “the fern.”
Owner and instructor, Ayana Gallant, a musician and poet, chose this symbol because “it represents endurance and resourcefulness, for the fern can grow and thrive even in difficult environments.”
Gallant contributes her incredible talent, passion and over 20 years of experience in music education, mindfulness science and sound therapy to Aya Cultural Arts and the region, especially Urbana, where the studio is located. She strongly believes in the power of cultural arts education, community and public service.
“Through cultural arts education we actively dismantle the forces that aim to divide our cultures. We strengthen our own cultures by seeking all people as a resource. We persevere and thrive through the diversity and the cultural beauty of our community,” explains Gallant.
You can take a number of exciting classes including African Drumming, Music Together® (infant/toddler
music classes), improv acting, creative writing, sound healing, yoga, and whatever creative arts classes members in the community choose to share. Events include a monthly open mic, drum circles, Rhythm Jam, and sound healing sessions. And their boutique sells world instruments, books, gifts, decor and more, so you can come to learn, play, share or buy! (Or all four!)
Their mission is to “celebrate the beautiful diversity of our community by providing high quality cultural arts education through music, drama, visual arts, writing, movement, and technology.”
They “aim to incorporate social responsibility and mindfulness practices to not only reach and provide services to a wide demographic, but to also give voice and space for all to express themselves artistically as their own contribution to the community and cultural landscape.”
-by Shea Winpigler
Photo by Urban Row Photography
Gateway to the Mountains Thurmont
Explore the hiking trails at Catoctin Mountain Park, enjoy Cunningham Falls State Park where you will find the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, experience Covered Bridge History, take a stroll down Main Street, take a walk down the Trolley Trail, unwind at one of our scenic wineries/breweries, savor the freshness of our farmers markets, and orchards; enjoy local flavors at our restaurants.
Historic Main Street
3 Wineries Farmers Markets
Put him Coach! IN
in the Majors
By Shuan Butcher
Ijamsville’s Trey Lipscomb Aims for Major Time
Photos courtesy of Abe Laustin, Ethan Bissinger, the Rochester Red Wings, and Major League Baseball.
Trey Lipscomb was officially born as LaVictor Antwain Lipscomb III, but he’s always been known as Trey — meaning the third.
Appropriate, since the Urbana High baseball standout has played third base for the Washington Nationals.
Lipscomb, whose family still lives in Ijamsville, got the call up to the major leagues earlier this year, in March, and has been toggling back and forth between the majors and the minors ever since. In mid-June he was called up to play in the majors once again, but that may be a short stint.
As a baseball player, Lipscomb, 24, is used to moving around and playing multiple positions. At Urbana High, he was one of the team’s pitchers. During his senior year, he won five games, hit four home runs, and had a high batting average at .455.
A year earlier, when he was a junior, Lipscomb committed to play at the collegiate level for the University of Tennessee, to get back to warmer climes.“I had to get used to the colder weather. I was brought up in the South and wanted to go back down,” he told us, adding that he liked the campus after visiting during summer baseball camps. “It was a home away from home.”
Lipscomb continued to work hard, improve, and succeed while playing college baseball. Through his first three years at Tennessee, he didn’t see a lot of playing time, only appearing in 37 games, with just 12 starts and less than 70 at-bats.
That would significantly change by his senior year, when his batting average improved to .355.
He hit 22 home runs and had 84 RBIs that year, ranking fifth nationally and first in the Southeastern Conference. He was named first team All-SEC that year and was a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, given annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association to the best college baseball player of the year.
In 2019, he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Wareham Gatemen in Massachusetts. This wooden bat league is one of the nation’s premier summer leagues sanctioned by the NCAA that counts more than 1,000 major league players as alumni.
The following year, Lipscomb found his way to Johnstown, Pennsylvania to play for the Mill Rats, a team in the Prospect League. As its name suggests, it is an opportunity for prospects to be seen and to hone their skills.
“Summer ball is nice, because you get to play against other players from across the country and from outside your conference,” he says,
In 2022, Lipscomb was selected in the third round of the Major League Baseball draft, 84th overall, by the Washington Nationals, the team’s third player pick that year.
That made Lipscomb the third-highest draft pick from Frederick County in the MLB’s modern draft.
He’s behind Branden Kline, of Frederick, who was taken in the second round, 65th overall, in 2012. Kline, of Frederick, played at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, and pitched in the majors for the Orioles in 2019 and 2020.
And Jake Fraley, who was born in Frederick but played high school ball out of state. Fraley was drafted in the second round, 77th overall, in 2016 by the Tampa Bay Rays. He’s currently an outfielder for the Reds.
The late Charlie Keller, who lived near Middletown, is considered the greatest baseball player to come from the Frederick area. He played from 1939 through 1952 for the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers, but pre-dates the modern draft system.
Lipscomb’s first professional baseball assignment would be with the Fredericksburg Nationals, a Single-A team in the Carolina League. He played 23 games and batted nearly .300.
At the start of the 2023 season, Lipscomb was with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in Delaware, the High-A farm team for the Washington Nationals. He was promoted to the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A team, for the remainder of last season after hitting 27 RBIs in 49 games.
Playing in Harrisburg was convenient for Lipscomb’s family.
“Harrisburg was an hour away, versus Tennessee being like a seven-hour drive,” he said.
At the end of last year, Lipscomb was named the 2023 National Minor League Defensive Player of the Year.
After Spring Training earlier this year, Lipscomb was added to the 40-man roster of the Washington Nationals, but got sent to the AAA Rochester Red Wings. That didn’t last long, as he was called up to the big leagues after Nationals third baseman Nick Senzel was injured, providing Lipscomb the opportunity to play the position.
He was again sent to Rochester after that stint as the Nationals continue to work on improving the young player’s skills as a utility player in the infield.
Lipscomb has now been called up for a third time as the result of another injury, of first baseman Joey Gallo. That news came just before his 24th birthday in mid-June.
At this point in his career, it seems he is teetering back and forth between the majors and minors, which is not uncommon for young players. But it does look like the Washington Nationals see Lipscomb’s potential.
“The game of baseball is challenging at every level,” he said.
He grew up as a fan of players like Chipper Jones and Ryan Zimmerman.
“There is a lot to learn by just sitting in the stands and watching the game.”
And he is still learning.
Ijamsville is still home for his family. In fact, Lipscomb has a younger brother who is a sophomore at Urbana High School, so he does get to visit family when he plays in D.C.
We like to go to Wilcom’s Inn and Brewer’s Alley,” Lipscomb said. “Downtown Frederick is cool.”
Lipscomb’s future does seem bright. “I am just getting started. I come from a hard-working, military family so it is about taking one step at a time,” he said.
PARKS AND RECREATION
The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department has provided citizens in the area with quality and affordable programs for over 80 years. Year-round activities include sports, fitness, and leisure for all ages, challenging and educational children’s activities, the William Talley Fitness Center, and an abundance of unique programming
OVER the EDGE Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands
By Melissa Howes-Vitek
When you find yourself with a touch of wanderlust but you only have a three-day weekend, consider heading west toward the gorgeous westernmost ridges of the Appalachian Mountains, to Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands.
Named for the native mountain laurel understory shrubs that grow and then bloom in late spring/early summer at higher elevations in the area, this gorgeous native plant is also the state flower of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Covering three counties, the Laurel Highlands is 3,000 square miles of spectacular scenic vistas, no matter which season you go and explore.
Depending on how scenic a route you choose to travel, and where exactly you intend to land, allow anywhere from two to three hours for your trip, which also allows for stopping along the way at the many roadside farm stands, scenic pull-over viewing areas, or any other place that catches your interest.
The Laurel Highlands is popular among outdoor enthusiasts for ALL the things… camping, hiking, mountain biking, hunting, whitewater rafting, trout fishing, downhill (and cross-country) skiing, golf and viewing wildlife. But because the Laurel Highlands offer four seasons of absolute natural beauty, it’s also home to several Frank Lloyd Wright homes, wineries, fine dining, and luxury resorts.
Outdoor Enthusiasts
Love Ohiopyle
For the hiker or biker, Ohiopyle State Park hosts a portion of the Great Allegheny Passage and for the whitewater rafters, the park offers some of the best whitewater rafting in the eastern United States! Ohiopyle Falls, sometimes referred to as the “Niagara Falls of Western Pennsylvania,” lies at the very heart of Ohiopyle State Park. With a drop of 20 feet and a width spanning the entire Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle Falls is one of the most visited and most photographed tourist attractions in the Laurel Highlands.
Not far from Ohiopyle you can tour the well-known homes designed by renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright: Fallingwater and Kentuck Knob.
A Dining Experience Like No Other
You’ll also find the hidden treasure, TreeTops Restaurant . Located in Polymath Park , which is the home of two more of Wright's homes: Duncan House and Mäntylä , plus Wright’s apprentice Peter Berndtson's Balter and Blum Houses.
TreeTops Restaurant is a dining experience unlike any other, literally tucked into the trees. TreeTops’ chef and staff provide top-notch service and fine cuisine while creating a relaxing atmosphere as you dine nurtured by nature on the tree-filled property. “Branch” dining is done inside the main building or on the patio, “Treehouse-style” is enjoyed in one of their private treehouse pods that surround the property. There isn’t a bad table in the place, but reservations are necessary for the treehouse pods. If you’re a true fan of Wright’s architecture, you can book a tour and dining experience or go all in and book a stay at one of these architectural treasures.
On A Clear Day You Can See for Miles
If you love golf and award-winning accommodations and dining are more your style, the newly renovated Nemacolin Resort is only minutes from Ohiopyle. A short drive on the historic highway, National Pike (Route 40) not only leads you to Nemacolin but to other great destinations such as Fort Necessity Battlefield, Laurel Caverns, The Historic Summit Inn and The Cross of Christ at Jumonville, which on a clear day can be seen from many miles away.
A More Unusual Adventure
If the PA Turnpike is your route of choice and you like your adventure a little more unusual, you may want to check out The Living Treasures Animal Park, south east of a small town named Donegal.
First in Moraine, Pennsylvania, Living Treasures Wild Animal Park was built and opened in 1992 by Tom Guiher and his two young children, Fawn, 9, and Adam, 6. In 1997, the family purchased additional land which is the Laurel Highlands location called Living Treasures Animal Park. Fast forward to today and Tom’s children are grown and Adam owns and operates the Moraine location and his daughter and her husband manage the Donegal location.
Not only can you stop and visit the zoo, there are interactive experiences with some of the animals as well as on site accommodations available at the park’s Log Cabin Lodge and Suites which features 24 uniquely decorated rooms and 10 suites.
From wineries and fine dining, to wild animals, raging rapids and sleeping in a yurt, there is no shortage of adventures to be had when you plan a trip to the Laurel Highlands. Just head west!
Photos courtesy of The Living Treasures Animal Park
NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT
I recently suffered the sudden loss of my stepsister and when I thought about how to help my grieving niece and nephew, my first thought was – through play.
So, I began adorning my yard with swings, a rock climbing wall, a hammock and playthings. And while I was glad to find support groups, counseling services and educational resources in and around Frederick County, I was overjoyed to learn of an unconventional nonprofit born from bereavement through a youthful lens: Sophie and Madigan’s Playground.
Located in the West Side Regional Park off Butterfly Lane in Frederick, the 5,000+ square-foot play area boasts a fantastic, whimsical, colorful and memorable play experience accessible to all in honor of sisters Sophie and Madigan Lillard. The first phase, FantasyLand, was completed in October 2020; phase two, WonderLand, was finished in fall 2022; and phase 3 is in the works!
Jack and Chrissi Lillard, the memorial park’s founders, suffered the loss of their two daughters, Sophie and Madigan, in a house fire in 2013. The family also lost their home, pets and possessions. In an effort to pay tribute to the memories of their children, the Lillards decided to create a playground that would honor their daughters’ spirits and personalities and provide families a place to create lasting memories together.
The park is simply a masterpiece. Beautifully crafted artwork decorates the grounds and its intricately designed equipment fosters imaginative and inspiring play. From the impressive princess castle and pumpkin carriage to the Cheshire Cat sky tower, Mad Hatter tea cup spinner and larger-than-life croquet flamingo, the park is as striking as it is fun.
“The girls never left anyone out and always went out of their way to make sure everyone felt included, so we are focused on creating a fun and welcoming place for visitors of all ages, all sizes and all abilities,” the Lillards say.
Photos by Shea Winpigler
Their nonprofit was founded on the three principles of play, learn and create, and the Lillards want to encourage Frederick families to do just that.
First and foremost, they welcome families to purposefully play: to visit the park and make memories together, explore, imagine, laugh and get outside.
On top of that, their SaMP Kids program (Compassionate Kids Club) encourages children to learn by giving back to their communities in meaningful ways.
The nonprofit also creates programs that support local families through grieving and loss.
The best way to see what is happening on and off the playground is to follow Sophie and Madigan’s Playground Facebook page. Artists, nonprofits and community members are encouraged to get involved to help plan events, join in on fundraising efforts, and use the park.
If you have any ideas, visit the website and fill out a form to get in touch.
We can’t choose the tragedies we endure, but we can certainly choose how we move through and process them. This playground is a true manifestation of love.
As Cinderella sings, “No matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish will come true.”
Sometimes our true wish is to simply find joy in the present, and Sophie & Madigan’s Playground is designed to help you do just that.
-by Shea Winpigler
Sophie and Madigan’s Playground
632 Contender Way, Frederick 301.325.8290
sophieandmadigansplayground.com F facebook.com/ Sophieandmadigansplayground d @sophieandmadigansplayground
MARYLAND GOLF at its finest
With a county population of 300,000 and 13 golf courses, Clustered Spires has earned “Best of Frederick Golf Course”! Golf Digest awards Clustered Spires a HHHH rating. Clustered Spires reputation is a great conditioned golf course with wonderful greens and considered the best value golf course in central Maryland.
