January 2025 | Baltimore Beacon

Decades of restaurant success

By Timothy Cox

Wilbur Reich and his wife, Jill Reich, are local celebrities in the northwest Baltimore neighborhoods of Pikesville, Park Heights and Pimlico.

The couple, now in their 80s, is widely known for their longtime ownership of two popular Pikesville restaurants: The Pike’s Diner and Crab House and Jilly’s Ale House, which is now owned by their son and his wife.

The Reichs are also known for their open hearts, charitable donations and willingness to help others who are less fortunate.

Now 86 and facing health challenges, Wilbur “Will” Reich still manages to go into work at The Pike’s a couple of times each week. He maintains an office at the rear of the restaurant.

In a recent interview with the Beacon, Reich (pronounced Rich) reflected on his early days before he and his wife became restaurant owners.

Having grown up the eldest of four in the Park Heights-Pimlico area, Reich was 19 and fresh from a two-year stint in the Navy when he married his 18-year-old bride. She was still in high school.

Eager to start a family, Reich recalls working several jobs to make ends meet. Stocking grocery store shelves, selling cars and working as a movie theater usher, he helped care for his growing family.

The couple welcomed four children: Scott, now 64; Wendy, 63; Tracy, 61; and the youngest son, Brian, 52.

Will and Jill celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on May 31, 2024.

A stepping stone

Prior to getting into the restaurant business, Will Reich said he and a business partner, William “Little Willie” Adams, collaborated and purchased the Mondawmin shopping center in Baltimore, now called the Mondawmin Mall.

“Owning the shopping center was a major stepping stone for me as a real estate developer,” Reich said.

Eventually he purchased Jilly’s in 1984 and The Pike’s seafood diner in 2006. In 1992, he opened another Jilly’s in Ellicott City.

At one point, the family owned four diners: two in Pikesville and two in Ellicott City.

They’ve since downsized to operate the remaining two Pikesville businesses, both of which are located on Reisterstown Road.

The two restaurants consistently attract large numbers of customers on a daily basis.

Jilly’s specializes in breakfast and American fare throughout the day, while The Pike’s is mainly known for steamed crabs, crab cakes and other seafood dishes. Both eateries offer alcoholic beverages and live music on weekends.

Reich says his restaurants’ decades of success stems from the idea behind the TV show “Cheers,” in which the staff treated customers like family.

“I wanted places where everyone feels comfortable amongst one another. And that’s the vibe that’s offered when you visit The Pike’s or Jilly’s,” he said.

He said the family also values having a

clientele of diverse ages, cultures and ethnic backgrounds.

Recovering after a fire

Four years ago, Jilly’s was the site of arson. No one was injured in the fire, but the building was destroyed.

Authorities eventually arrested a homeless man for intentionally setting the fire. Current owners Scott Reich, Will’s son, and Kathie Reich, his daughter-in-law, were determined to rebuild.

“After more than 40 years in business, we felt inclined and motivated to restore and rebuild the restaurant,” Scott Reich said.

“We were encouraged by many of our customers to reopen and bring the business back to life. We’re considered a community staple, and to not reopen would

Wilbur Reich and his wife, Jill, founded two beloved Baltimore County restaurants, Jilly’s Ale House and the Pike’s Diner and Crab House, decades ago. Their son Scott Reich and his wife, Kathie, run Jilly’s today.

Add it to the water?

People who know me today would hardly believe it, but as a child, I had to buy clothes in what was then called the “husky” department. My brother called me “fatso” when he wanted to be mean, and he wasn’t wrong.

Though I slimmed down in adolescence and have remained there for the most part since, there’s still a part of me that wants a magic pill that will let me eat whatever I want and not gain weight.

abundance of highly caloric, low-cost foods with little or no nutritive value are a large part of the problem.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

My ears perked up a few years ago when they developed a new form of fat that humans can’t digest. The suggestion was that people could consume potato chips and other fried foods made with the stuff, and the fat would go right through them. The problem was that everything else did, too, so it never caught on.

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

What has caught on is overeating. It’s a national (actually, international) problem. Today, nearly 75% of Americans over 20 are overweight; more than four out of 10 qualify as obese.

We know it’s not just from lack of willpower: Our genes, other health conditions, stress, lack of sleep, and the sheer

We also know the health consequences of being heavy include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, depression and more.

Given this, would anyone have predicted that such an intractable problem as universal weight gain and its associated health problems could be (almost) magically reversed by a single class of drugs?

Enter Ozempic and Wegovy (generic name: semaglutide) and Mounjaro and Zepbound (generic name: tirzepatide).

Known as GLP-1 agonists, these drugs were developed to help diabetics control blood sugar. (GLP-1 is a hormone our bodies naturally produce that triggers our pancreas to release insulin, slows digestion and increases feelings of satiety.)

These injectable drugs recently became household names after having been found to generate significant and relatively easy weight loss in many who take them — at least, for as long as they take them.

The downsides? There are side effects,

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of course, as with all drugs (in this case, mostly of the gastrointestinal variety). And the drugs must be used weekly (patients get a “pen” so they can self-inject) and currently can cost up to $1,000 per month without insurance.

On the other hand, researchers continue to observe and study some incredible additional health benefits from the drugs.

Along with lowering blood sugar levels in diabetics, they appear to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in patients with cardiovascular disease, and of the need for dialysis or a transplant in those with chronic kidney disease. The drugs also appear to reduce colon cancer risk in diabetics.

While being overweight is associated with all these conditions, the drugs appear in some cases to reduce the risk regardless of how much weight a person loses.

Perhaps in the same way that they reduce the sensation of hunger, they anecdotally have been found to reduce cravings for alcohol, nicotine and other addictive drugs. Randomized studies are underway to confirm these effects.

And the biggie for older adults: Studies have shown that GLP-1 agonists reduce the buildup of amyloid protein in the brain, which is associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical studies to

assess Ozempic’s effect on cognitive decline and dementia are ongoing.

And the Alzheimer’s Association recently reported that a different GLP-1 drug “appears to reduce shrinking in the parts of the brain that control memory, learning, language and decision-making by nearly 50% compared to placebo,” reducing cognitive decline in those with mild Alzheimer’s by as much as 18% after one year.

No one is saying these drugs are likely to work equally well in all persons or on all these conditions, nor will they likely work without additional efforts, including improved diet, exercise, therapy and more.

In short, they’re not miracle drugs. But they sure seem to hold a great deal of promise for fighting some of the most serious health conditions we face today worldwide.

I look forward to seeing more results from clinical studies — and to hearing that Medicare will heavily negotiate the price of such drugs, which should be easier to do if we find that three out of four Americans need to take them for the rest of their lives.

A piece of good news: Ozempic’s core patent expires in 2026.

Stay tuned.

Letters to the editor

Readers are encouraged to share their opinions on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor:

When our book group formed in 1988, we were seven women with teenage or young adult daughters and sons. We read an eclectic selection of fiction and nonfiction, enjoying lively conversations about the chosen book of the month.

Each person hosted a Friday afternoon gathering in her living room, accompanied by tea, coffee, cheeses, crackers and homemade sweets.

Serious readers, we all completed the books — most of the time — but put aside time to chat about our work and catch up on our kids’ schooling, marriages and grandchildren.

Over the ensuing two decades, we noticed that fewer of us could remember the names of books and authors, even our favorite ones.

In our 60s, only one or two of us could recall parts of a title, an author’s first or last name, or bits of plot. We worried about los-

ing our memories and whether dementia was invading our now close circle of friends. One of us researched the kind of forgetting we were experiencing and learned, to our relief, that it was a normal part of aging. Forgetting the name of a book or a movie, in the absence of other kinds of forgetting, happens to everyone over their 50s.

What a relief for us! Wrinkled brows that had accompanied our book-forgetting conversations fell away. After all, we’d retained the gist of these tales.

And then something surprising happened. Over the decades, we’ve gone from grinning to hiccupping laughter each time our group’s “forgetting ritual” occurs. This is a joy limited to our select club of septuagenarians and octogenarians.

As one of our members exclaimed, “I’m so glad we’re all in our 70s and 80s and can laugh together about forgetting!”

Patricia Steckler, Ph.D. Via email

Health Fitness &

BRAIN FOOD

Berries, greens, beans, nuts and fish can prevent or slow cognitive decline

SNACK ATTACK

Yes, snacks can be part of a healthy diet, particularly those with high protein

HOPKINS STUDY

Having trouble sleeping? A Johns Hopkins study will see if exercise helps NUTTY NUTMEG

The holiday spice has anti-inflammatory properties, but limit the dosage

Ways to fight against winter depression

By Carla K. Johnson

As winter arrives and daylight hours grow shorter, people prone to seasonal depression can feel it in their bodies and brains.

“It’s a feeling of panic, fear, anxiety and dread all in one,” said Germaine Pataki, 63, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

She’s among the millions of people estimated to have seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Her coping strategies include yoga, walking and an antidepressant medication. She’s also part of a Facebook group for people with SAD. “I try to focus on helping others through it,” Pataki said. “This gives me purpose.”

People with SAD typically have episodes of depression that begin in the fall and ease in the spring or summer. A milder form, subsyndromal SAD, is recognized by medical experts, and there’s also a summer variety of seasonal depression, though less is known about it.

What causes SAD?

Scientists are learning how specialized cells in our eyes turn the blue wavelength of the light spectrum into neural signals

that affect mood and alertness.

Sunlight is loaded with blue light, so when cells absorb it, our brains’ alertness centers are activated, and we feel more awake and possibly even happier.

Researcher Kathryn Roecklein at the University of Pittsburgh tested people with and without SAD to see how their eyes reacted to blue light. People with SAD were less sensitive to blue light than others, especially during winter months.

“In the winter, when the light levels drop, that, combined with a lower sensitivity, might be too low for healthy functioning, leading to depression,” Roecklein said.

Miriam Cherry, 50, of Larchmont, New York, said she spent the summer planning how she would deal with her winter depression. “It’s like clockwork,” Cherry said. “The sunlight is low. The day ends at 4:45, and suddenly my mood is horrible.”

Light therapy helps many

Many people with SAD respond to light therapy, said Dr. Paul Desan of Yale University’s Winter Depression Research Clinic.

“The first thing to try is light,” Desan said.

“When we get patients on exposure to bright light for half an hour or so every morning, the majority of patients get dramatically better. We don’t even need medications.”

The therapy involves devices that emit light about 20 times brighter than regular indoor light. Research supports using a light that’s about 10,000 lux, a measure of brightness.

You need to use it for 30 minutes every morning, according to the research. Desan said this can help not only people with SAD but also those with less severe winter blahs.

Special lights run from $70 to $400. However, some products marketed for SAD are too dim to do much good, Desan said.

The Yale School of Medicine has tested products and offers a list of recommendations at bit.ly/Yaletest.

And the nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics has a consumer guide to selecting a light available at bit.ly/lightboxshop.

If your doctor diagnosed you with SAD, check with your insurance company to see if the cost of a light might be covered, Desan suggested.

Health Fitness & How to get your doctors to listen to you

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions?

—Dissatisfied Patient

Dear Dissatisfied,

Communication difficulties between patients and their doctors are nothing new. Many older patients feel like their doctors are dismissing their concerns, which can be frustrating and lead to missed diagnoses and delayed care.

If you believe your doctor isn’t listening to you, here are some tips offered by the National Institute on Aging that may help. Prepare for your appointment: Before your exam, make a written prioritized list of any questions and concerns you want to discuss with your doctor. Print out any research you’ve gathered and bring it to your appointment so you won’t forget anything. If you’re in for a diagnostic visit, you

should prepare a detailed description of your symptoms, when they began and what makes them worse.

Be honest and upfront: Even if the topic seems sensitive or embarrassing, it’s important to be honest and upfront with your doctor. You may feel uncomfortable talking about memory loss or bowel issues, but these are all important to your health.

It’s better to be thorough and share detailed information than to be quiet or shy about what you’re thinking or feeling. Remember, your doctor is used to talking about all kinds of personal matters.

Ask specific questions: If you and your doctor aren’t communicating well, ask specific questions that require a response.

For example: What might have caused the problem I’m dealing with? What’s the specific name of my diagnosis? Is the problem serious? Will it heal completely or require ongoing management? What future symptoms might suggest I need emergency care or a follow-up visit? When and how will I receive test results?

If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask: Can you explain that in simpler terms? Or: Can you give me more details about that?

Take someone with you: Bring along a family member or friend to your appointment to give you support. Your companion can help you ask questions or raise concerns that you hadn’t considered, and listen to (and remember) what the doctor is telling you.

Be persistent: If your doctor isn’t addressing your questions, repeat them or rephrase them.

If you still don’t get anywhere, follow up with one of these statements: “I’m worried that we aren’t communicating well. Here’s why I feel that way.” Or: “I need to talk with you about X.”

After your appointment, if you’re uncertain about any instructions or have other questions, call or email your healthcare provider. Don’t wait until your next visit to make sure you understand everything.

For more tips, the National Institute on Aging offers a free booklet called “Talking

Medication and talk therapy

Antidepressant medications are a firstline treatment for SAD, along with light therapy. Doctors also recommend keeping a regular sleep schedule and walking outside, even on cloudy days.

One type of talk therapy — cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT — has been shown in studies to have more durable effects, University of Vermont researcher Kelly Rohan said.

Working with a therapist can help people take small steps toward having fun again, Rohan said. Try planning undemanding but enjoyable activities to break out of hibernation mode, which “could be as simple as meeting a friend for coffee,” Rohan said.

Cherry in New York is devoting a corner of her garden to the earliest blooming flowers: snowdrops, winter aconite and hellebores, which bloom as early as February.

“That’s going to be a sign to me that this isn’t going to last forever,” Cherry said. “It will get better, and spring is on its way.” AP

with Your Doctor: A Guide for Older Adults” that can help you prepare for an appointment and become a better and more informed patient. To order a free copy or read it online, visit bit.ly/NIHdoctortalk.

Consider moving on: If you’re not making any progress with your doctor and the problem persists, it’s probably time to start looking for a new provider.

Depending how unsatisfied you are with your care, you could also notify your doctor’s medical group and your insurance company, or leave feedback on the doctor’s online profile.

If you’re dealing with a serious issue — like a doctor who prescribes the wrong medication or fails to provide test results in a timely manner — it might be appropriate to file a complaint with the state medical board.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Certain foods may protect brain function

By Vicki Contie Dementia

— a loss of thinking, remembering and reasoning skills that affect everyday life — is a growing concern. It’s often preceded years in advance by memory and thinking problems, including cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. Interventions that prevent or delay these problems might help to reduce the risk of dementia.

Some studies have linked healthy eating patterns to improved cognitive function. Examples include the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and lean proteins, and the DASH eating plan, designed to treat or prevent hypertension. Key features of both plans are merged in

a diet labeled MIND, which aims to protect brain health. MIND stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.

The diet features green leafy vegetables and other vegetables, prefers berries over other fruit, and endorses whole grains, beans, nuts and at least one weekly serving of fish. It limits red meat, sweets, cheese, fast food and fried foods.

Studying the MIND diet

A research team led by Dr. Russell P. Sawyer of the University of Cincinnati studied whether the MIND diet is linked to cognitive health. They also looked for potential differences between races and

genders. (Many earlier studies of diet and cognitive health have underrepresented Black participants.)

The researchers drew on data from a large ongoing NIH-supported study called REGARDS (REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke). REGARDS is designed to assess why Black Americans and others have increased rates of stroke and related conditions that affect brain health.

Of the 30,000 REGARDS participants, about 14,000 had sufficient data on their cognitive status and eating patterns to be included in the new analysis.

Their average age was about 64 at the start of the study. About 57% were female, 70% were white and 30% were Black. They were followed for about 10 years.

Participants with greatest adherence to the MIND diet had a 4% reduced risk of cognitive impairment compared to those with lowest adherence.

The team also found that closer following of the MIND diet was associated with an 8% lower risk of cognitive decline in female participants but no difference in males.

And greater adherence to the diet was a better predictor of less cognitive decline in Black than in white participants.

The researchers noted that their findings generally align with earlier studies that examined associations between cognitive health and MIND and similar diets.

But additional studies are needed to better understand the role that healthy eating may play in cognitive health.

The research team created a score for each participant based on how closely their self-reported eating patterns adhered to MIND diet recommendations. Cognitive health was measured at the beginning and end of the study. Results were reported in Neurology this past September.

Results reinforce earlier studies

Overall, the researchers found that, after adjusting for demographic and other factors, closer adherence to the MIND diet was linked to lower cognitive impairment and slower rates of cognitive decline.

Have confidence in every conversation.

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

• Amplified phones

• Tablets

• Ring signalers

• Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons

• Captioned Telephones

• And more

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

“With the number of people with dementia increasing with the aging population, it’s critical to find changes that we can make to delay or slow down the development of cognitive problems,” Sawyer said. “These findings warrant further study, especially to examine these varying impacts among men and women and Black and white people.”

This study was funded by NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and National Institute on Aging (NIA). This story originally appeared in the National Institutes of Health’s NIH Research Matters.

Snacking can be part of a healthy diet

By Mayo Clinic staff

Do you find yourself sometimes reaching for snacks instead of sitting down for a more formal meal? That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When snacking is done correctly, it can give you a boost of energy between meals, help meet nutrient needs for the day, and help keep hunger at bay to prevent overeating at the next meal.

And managing your hunger can help you maintain a healthy weight and reach weight-loss goals.

Here are some tips to help keep your snacking under control and healthy:

Plan your snacks. What do you like to eat? Make a list of various nutrient-rich foods that would work as a snack. Focus on incorporating whole foods, whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

Whole fruit or vegetables, air-popped popcorn, fat-free or low-fat yogurt, and nut mixes are all great options. Stay away from packaged items high in calories, fat and sodium, such as chips, candy or cookies.

Portion your snacks properly. Package snack items into convenient servingsized portions. Consider purchasing singleserve containers or preparing small servings of snacks in advance.

Having those at hand will help lessen the

BEACON BITS

Jan. 2+

temptation to go for less-healthy options, such as snacks from a vending machine.

Also remember: Eating out of a large package of snack foods often leads to mindless eating and results in eating more than intended.

Make healthy snacks easily accessible. Place fruits and vegetables in easily accessible locations, such as the front of your fridge or counter, to prevent you from reaching for unhealthy foods when you’re hungry.

Throw a bag of dried fruit or other snacks in your purse, pocket or backpack to take with you out of the house. This will help you avoid buying unhealthy snacks.

Pay attention to protein, and combine snacks to make a more satisfying meal. To ensure you are being fulfilled, combine carbohydrates, protein and fat for long-lasting, satisfying snacks. Aim for snacks to be less than 200 calories.

Good sources of protein include hardboiled eggs, pouches of seasoned tuna, cheese sticks, cottage cheese, yogurt with no added sugar, or soups made with lots of vegetables and legumes.

A healthy go-to snack could be apple slices or baby carrots dipped in small amounts of peanut butter or almond butter and sprinkled with cinnamon.

While stocking up on healthy food

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choices, take time to also purge unhealthier options from your home. Remove foods that you know will tempt you.

Eat when you are hungry — not bored. In general, a person will be hungry three to four hours after a meal. But having snacks around can lead to overeating.

When you feel hunger setting in, be sure to ask yourself, “Am I physically hungry, or am I ‘mind hungry’ — bored, stressed or frustrated?” before grabbing a snack.

If you find you are, in fact, experiencing physical hunger, it’s time to grab a filling, satisfying snack.

If you realize you were reaching for a snack because of mind hunger, feed the urge by doing another activity, such as

going for a walk, talking with a friend on the phone, playing a game or meditating. Be aware of your weight. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, track your intake of snacks.

There are several apps you can use to track your eating and exercise routines. Women need 10 calories per pound per day to maintain their weight, and men need 11 calories per pound per day. Keep track of what and how much you eat, and build in enough exercise so you can control weight gain.

© 2024 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR FREE INFORMATION

For free materials on housing communities and/or research studies, just complete this coupon and mail or email it to the Beacon.

Housing Communities

❏ Brightview Senior Living (see ads on pages B2, B7)

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Clinical Health Studies

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Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or take a picture and email to housing@thebeaconnewspapers.com. You may return this coupon together with the coupon on page B5.

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Study aims to help those who can’t sleep

By Margaret Foster

We’ve all been there: It’s late at night, but you can’t seem to fall asleep. After you finally catch some winks, you wake up at 4

a.m., raring to go.

If you’re over 65 and have trouble sleeping, Johns Hopkins may be able to help. Hoping that exercise can improve sleep

Paid Volunteers Needed!

This study aims to better understand the role of primary care visits in detecting hearing issues and service use among individuals with cognitive or memory concerns. Who?

• Older Adults with hearing difficulty and memory concerns

• Care Partners who assist the above older adults What? Participate in a ~30 minute virtual interview Compensation? $25 per person

Interested? Contact us at 301-405-7539 or hearingandhealth@umd.edu

Improve Your Health with

Personalized Exercise.

We are looking for older adults (65+) to participate in a research study on personalized exercise. Learn how a tailored exercise program can help you feel stronger and improve your health and well-being. You will be compensated for your time and participation upon successful completion of the study.

and cognitive health, researchers have created an exercise plan that can be done entirely from home. It’s tailored to the individual, so it’s not difficult to follow.

“We are trying to promote physical activity in low-income older adults,” said Dr. Junxin Li, principal investigator of the study. “The outcome we are looking for is better sleep and cognitive performance.”

“Overall, participants seem to really enjoy it.”

How the study works

The study is open to low-income adults 65 or older who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. No official diagnosis is necessary.

First, all volunteers will go downtown for a short, in-person visit. “We provide a ride if needed,” Li said.

There, Li’s team will assess physical function and cognitive health (there’s also a voluntary blood draw). They’ll repeat those brief tests in six months and then a year later.

Once enrolled, participants will be randomly placed in one of two groups. One will exercise three times a week for about six months.

Participants in that group will take home a tablet and a FitBit wristband. If they don’t know how to use them or how to

use Zoom, Li’s team will teach them how to use the technology in one or two sessions.

Then Li’s team will make biweekly house calls. “We’ll also go to the participants’ home to conduct a personal training program,” Li explained. “It’s tailored to them.”

At home, they will follow exercise videos on their tablet to work out at home

The personalized exercises focus on strengthening, balance and stretching.

All the while, Hopkins will keep in touch. “We have biweekly phone calls where we’ll be able to adjust” the exercise plan, Li said, to “give them more or less, based on how they were doing.”

Home visits to socialize

The other group will focus on social activities instead. A research team member will visit these participants’ home up to six times to talk about physical activity, play games, listen to music or just talk.

“They also have a choice of options for the five sessions: artmaking, playing board games, etc.,” Li said.

So far, the early participants of this study “really enjoy it,” Li said.

For more information about the mPATH study, or to see if you qualify, email mpath@jhu.edu or call (443) 692-7169.

Nutmeg adds more than holiday pizzazz

I recently made a Bourbon Pumpkin Pie and decided to grate some whole nutmeg right into it. Wow, what a difference!

Freshly grated nutmeg brings a richer, deeper flavor than the powdered spice I usually use. It’s like comparing a string quartet to a kazoo.

Nutmeg is well known as a holiday superstar. But did you know this humble spice has some pretty quirky effects on the brain?

py experience.

That ingredient also shows up in other familiar spices, including parsley, cinnamon, anise, clove and fennel, but only in tiny trace amounts. Nutmeg is the true heavyweight of the bunch.

DEAR PHARMACIST

Nutmeg can cause a bit of a natural high. It has compounds that can make you feel, well, a little “off” if you use too much.

By Suzy Cohen

Ever notice that one relative who gets mysteriously weird after dessert on Thanksgiving? You thought it was the carbohydrate load, but it could be the nutmeg in that pumpkin pie!

Nutmeg contains myristicin — a psychoactive compound that, in larger amounts, has been known to trigger a trip-

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

Dosage matters

A little goes a long way. Recipes usually call for about half a teaspoon, which is considered a small pinch in the grand scheme of your pie.

But some people, and especially teens who did that TikTok challenge, were downing teaspoonfuls, and at those amounts, nutmeg becomes dangerous.

Ingesting too much nutmeg activates the sympathetic nervous system, triggering a fight-or-flight response. A “nutmeg trip” can come with a cocktail of nasty symptoms: dry mouth, blurred vision, nausea, dizziness, hallucinations and even heart arrhythmias.

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Social isolation can be worse during the winter. To find help for yourself or others, search Connect2Affect.org, an online resource from AARP. It offers ideas for making new friends and obtaining free or reducedcost services such as medical care, food, job training and more. You can also find helpful articles and advice from experts.

GOLDEN AGE PASS TO PARKS

Ongoing

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For anyone with heart issues, too much nutmeg can be dangerous. And the sneaky part? The negative effects don’t kick in right away. People may feel fine at first, and then boom!

Many health benefits, too

Used correctly, nutmeg is a culinary and health powerhouse, adding a warm, earthy depth to dishes while also offering a range of health benefits.

It’s a fantastic anti-inflammatory, a natural remedy for pain and digestive issues, and even has sleep-promoting properties.

It’s also been linked to better memory, reduced blood pressure and even anti-cancer properties.

A 2023 study published in Current Mo-

lecular Pharmacology found that myristicin could block a critical cancer pathway, showing that it might have real potential as a new, natural approach to stomach cancer treatment.

Nutmeg is a delightful, healthful spice when used properly. I highly recommend it, especially if you grate the fresh seed. It can elevate your cooking in many ways.

Just keep an eye on those measurements, and while you’re at it, maybe keep an eye on your grandkids’ social media trends. Nutmeg deserves a spot in your spice cabinet, but like many natural things, it deserves respect.

For the pie recipe, visit suzycohen.com.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

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By Eileen Daspin

Baby Boomers have been shaping consumer goods and services since they were in onesies. Now, history’s most influential generation is fueling the growth of the next logical sector: the niche retirement community.

Niche retirement communities are exactly what they sound like. They’re residential developments — urban, suburban and even seafaring — designed to appeal to narrowly cast affinity groups, from Jimmy Buffett fans to yoga practitioners.

And they come in almost every type of senior accommodation — from active to independent, assisted living through continuing care.

Niche projects account for a small percentage of the nation’s 50,000 or so senior communities and facilities. But they are “the segment to watch,” said Andrew Carle, an adjunct lecturer on aging and health issues at Georgetown University and a consultant to the field.

For example, there are five to six dozen university-based retirement communities (UBRCs) for retirees who want to return to the student and academic life.

There are some two dozen properties focused on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender seniors.

There are retirement communities for retired postal workers, equestrians, environmentalists, RV enthusiasts and fans of singer Jimmy Buffett.

Even Disney is getting in on the action. It’s about to launch Storyliving, a planned community in California “for the next chapter of your life” that includes a 55+ neighborhood.

Boomers, who are hitting 65 at the rate of 10,000 people a day, are buying in. “A developer could open a Grateful Dead community and fill it quickly,” Carle said. “I can virtually guarantee it.”

Is a niche retirement community for you?

‘Keep it interesting’

Sheer numbers dictate there simply could never be a one-size-fits-all answer to Boomers’ retirement years.

Boomers account for one-fifth of the country’s population. That’s 73 million people looking for places that reflect their personal preferences. For developers, that equals a lot of niches that are both sizable and scalable.

“The old model was very leisure-centered,” said Lindsey Beagley, director of Lifelong University Engagement at Arizona State University, which has a retirement complex on campus. But, she said,

“People can’t golf for 30 years.”

Niche retirement communities, of course, are not for every Boomer or Gen Xer, and most people still prefer to age at home.

“The idea of living in a retirement city doesn’t appeal to me,” said Nancy Farkas, a 60-something derivatives lawyer in New York City who is weighing her retirement options. “I don’t want to be in a place that’s only old people.”

Instead, she’s choosing to live aboard the MV Narrative , a luxury residential yacht scheduled to launch in 2027, then sail from port to port on a year-round

basis. “I just want to mix things up and keep it interesting,” Farkas said.

Classes to stay sharp

When Arnold Victor, a retired pediatrician, began looking into continuing care in 2021, he saw The Mirabella at ASU, a 20story luxury apartment complex and UBRC on the campus of Arizona State University in Tempe.

Instantly Victor knew he’d found his new home. “It was, ‘Oh, yeah, this is the place,’” he remembers thinking.

At Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach, Florida, like-minded older adults live in a retirement community inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s laid-back style. Niche retirement communities are becoming more popular throughout the country.

In the two years since moving in, Victor has taken classes in film, art and philosophy. He participates in a mentoring program for pre-med students and attends concerts, lectures and movie nights.

One favorite part of his day is dinner time, when instead of discussing “the way things used to be, medications and aches and pains,” as he did before, “we’re talking about what we’re doing next — what concert we’re going to, what lecture, and what classes we’re going to take.”

In contrast, California retiree Mary Van Dyke wanted a community of like-minded spiritual souls, though she wasn’t exactly sure what that looked like.

A friend mentioned Enso Village, a Zenfocused continuing-care facility being developed in Sonoma County. The community was to include a meditation hall; there would be 20 retired monks in residence to teach and lead workshops.

There would also be two miles of hiking paths, acupuncture services, yoga classes and a contemplative care curriculum to help train residents in helping each other age.

Van Dyke was one of almost 1,200 peo-

ple who put down $1,000 to reserve a spot, and when the units became available, she secured a two-bedroom flat.

Jimmy Buffett Town

In November 2017, when Jimmy Buffett announced his first Latitude Margaritaville in Daytona Beach, Florida — an active-living property for people “55 and better” — more than 150 fans and other lovers of the flip-flop life camped out overnight at the sales-office for first dibs on 300 properties.

Today, Latitude Daytona Beach is a planned community of 7,000 people, and there is a waiting list for homes under construction. There is another Latitude in the Florida panhandle, one in North Carolina, and two or three planned for Texas.

Beyond having heard “Margaritaville” on the radio, Pennsylvanian Terry Whitsel knew nothing of Jimmy Buffett or his real estate empire and was unenthusiastic about an age-restricted community. “I was not ready for 55-plus,” she said. “I’m thinking, wheelchairs and walkers.”

But when her husband dragged her to Florida to check out Buffett’s Latitude Daytona, they were so impressed with how friendly everyone was, they bought a cottage on the water.

Whitsel could not be happier with her

new life. “You stand in the pool and congregate with the other residents with floaties,” she said. “It’s like kindergarten.”

Then she went all in, getting her real estate license, selling homes in the development, and in 2021 she moved with her husband to Buffett’s newer Florida property, Latitude Watersound, near Pensacola.

That community is in its early stages — it’s just sold its 2,000th home and is zoned for 150,000 — and Whitsel is at the ready. She now knows all of Buffett’s songs by heart, loves the nearby sandy beaches, and is excited to bring new members into the singer’s version of paradise. As she puts it, “I found my niche.”

How to select a community

Do a self-inventory. Start with understanding what you want and need in retirement. What medical support will you need? Are you outdoorsy or bookish? The answers to these questions will shape your search.

Consider prices. Niche communities are on the expensive side. Many go by the entry-fee model, where residents pay somewhere between $100,000 to $1 million or more up front, depending on the location and size of the home or apartment they choose.

Then there’s a monthly fee for maintenance, taxes, meals and other services, which in 2021 averaged $3,555, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care.

By comparison, the national median monthly cost of an assisted living facility is $4,500 a month, while the median monthly cost for a private room in a nursing facility is $9,034, according to Genworth, a longterm care insurance company. (Local costs are often even higher.)

Create a budget. Do you want to rent or buy? What can you afford? Will the sale of your home cover the entrance fees required by some properties? Plan for monthly fees to cover medical care and other amenities.

Go on tours. When you visit a property, don’t just go once. Visit multiple times, at different times of the day and different days of the week.

Talk to the staff and the administrators. Try the food, and not just the special of the day; everything. Attend a few meetings of groups that interest you. Are there three people at bridge, or 10?

How is it managed? Make sure the property is economically viable. Ask what kind of financial reserves the community has.

Is there a board of directors? Who is responsible for the community’s finances? Is it a nonprofit? If not, who are the owners?

Note: This article first appeared in Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, a monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement.

© 2023 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

How tech makes aging in place possible

By Elaine Silvestrini

Older adults may not have grown up with the internet or smartphones, but this generation of retirees is increasingly embracing tech solutions to help them age in place.

“Technology has an array of uses that are really going to help people retire in almost a different way,” said Kathleen Cameron, senior director of the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy Aging.

For family members, “technology is the one thing that has changed caregiving the most,” said Amy Goyer, a caregiving expert with AARP.

Tech can solve many problems

Beyond Zoom and other forms of video calling, technology is providing solutions ranging from remote health monitoring to financial tracking and automatic stove switches.

“Smart” homes incorporate the ability to remotely answer doors, turn on lights, control temperature, play music and contact loved ones.

Technology is also allowing older adults to stay employed remotely, to socialize, learn and experience travel from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Robotic pets can provide companionship and a sense of purpose. The future could include robotic solutions to help with daily living tasks and potential uses

for virtual reality, which has shown promise for dementia patients.

“Technology is absolutely going to help people stay in their homes longer for multiple reasons,” said Goyer.

“To stay in your home and be as active as possible, you need to have physical activity and mental stimulation, socialization. You need to take care of your health, and you need to be safe in your home. Technology can address all of those things.”

Most want to age in place

As the country’s resources strain to meet the needs of a swelling older population, tech solutions can’t come soon enough. The number of Americans over 65 has grown from 40.3 million in 2010 to about 56 million now. That number is projected to reach about 80 million by 2030.

At the same time, long-term care resources are declining. Between 2020 and 2023, one report found, 579 nursing homes closed, with 55% of nursing homes in the U.S. turning away prospective residents and 21% reducing the number of beds or units.

And surveys show nearly 80% of people 50 and older prefer to age in place. According to Pew Research Center, 27% of Americans age 60 and older live alone in the U.S., compared to 16% of adults in 130 other countries and territories studied.

The challenge becomes how to enable older people to stay home while minimizing the stress on family caregivers and, when necessary, making do alone.

Medical monitoring and care

During the pandemic, house calls from doctors surged — but instead of ringing the doorbell, doctors called patients’ smartphones.

The availability of telehealth and remote mental healthcare exploded, enabling patients to have virtual doctor visits in appropriate circumstances.

Additionally, the Council on Aging’s Cameron said, the use of devices that enable remote medical monitoring has “really grown quite a bit over the last several years,” allowing medical providers to keep track of things like patients’ blood pressure, blood glucose levels and other health metrics.

“I think that we’re going to see even more of this as the technology continues to advance in that regard — and Medicare pays for it,” Cameron said.

Tech that keeps people safe

Caregivers who don’t reside with their older loved ones may use technology to keep track of their well-being. Many smartwatches, for example, can detect when the wearer falls and can send alerts.

Video doorbells and digital locks also enable caregivers to monitor visitors and re-

motely ensure people who need to get inside are allowed in, while others are kept away.

“If you have someone coming in to help your mother with bathing three days a week, but she is not able to hear the doorbell or might be asleep and miss the person, then you can give them a code to get into the house and set it up,” Goyer said.

Another option is a system that includes motion sensors, which allow monitoring a loved ones’ movements around the home, checking that they’re up and out of bed and haven’t fallen.

Another danger is leaving the stove on, particularly when a person has some cognitive decline. Goyer said there are monitors for stoves and microwaves that can automatically turn them off when they’re left on unattended for too long.

One is called iGuard Stove and it can be purchased for about $500 at stores, including Best Buy, which can also arrange installation and setup.

For long-distance caregiving

Family members may live in different cities and states, or even just have different schedules and demands, and yet still want to keep track of and care for older members. Tech can facilitate coordinating appointments and connections.

Understanding the new real estate rules

By Sandra Block

A $418 million settlement reached last year with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) led to new requirements for real estate transactions in ways that could save you money on the purchase or sale of a home.

The settlement stemmed from class-action lawsuits that claimed the industrywide practice of requiring seller’s agents to specify the commission being offered to buyer’s agents artificially inflated real estate commissions.

The NAR, which agreed to settle the

lawsuits but denied the allegations, said commissions have always been negotiable, but they’ve generally held at 5% to 6% of the sale price for years.

Under rules that took effect in August, listing agents are prohibited from offering commission splits to buyer’s agents on Multiple Listing Services (MLS), which real estate professionals use to share information about homes for sale in a particular area.

Sellers who list a home on an MLS can negotiate a fee with a seller’s agent and decide whether to pay the buyer’s agent.

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Meanwhile, home buyers who choose to work with a buyer’s agent will be required to sign an agreement that details how much they’ll pay for the agent’s services.

When the buyer agrees to purchase a home, the money to pay the buyer’s agent can come from the seller’s agent, the seller or the buyer, depending on the terms negotiated.

In the long run, the change could result in lower home prices, according to The Kiplinger Letter. Although buyers haven’t paid for commissions directly, they’ve paid for them indirectly through the higher prices sellers sought to cover the agents’ fees.

Age in place

From page B-3

A service called Wellthy enables family members to participate in a loved one’s care, led by a skilled care manager who organizes virtual family meetings and provides a dashboard giving information about things like medical appointments.

Other websites like CaringBridge and Lotsa Helping Hands help family members coordinate caregiving or meals.

“You can have a signup list for who’s going to bring mom dinner on Tuesday,” Goyer explained.

Tech for protecting finances

Caregivers can use apps and websites to monitor their loved ones’ finances to ensure they’re not being scammed and are paying their bills, said Genevieve Waterman, director of corporate partnerships and engagement for the National Council on Aging.

They can monitor their email and set up alerts through banks to look for unusual activity. One company, EverSafe, gives financial caregivers the ability to monitor a loved one’s accounts, Waterman said.

EverSafe CEO Liz Loewy is a former prosecutor who oversaw a unit that focused on abuse of older adults. “Financial elder financial abuse is the one type of abuse that has the highest mortality rate,” Loewy said.

EverSafe monitors all of a person’s accounts, including credit, banking and retire-

Under the previous rules, Americans paid roughly $100 billion in real estate commissions a year. A homeowner looking to sell a $500,000 home, for example, could expect to spend up to $30,000 on commissions alone.

What buyers need to know

Home buyers who use a buyer’s agent will probably be the first to notice how the rules have changed, because they’ll be required to enter into a written agreement that details how much they’ll pay the agent

ment savings. She said the service learns the account holder’s normal behaviors and detects changes, sending alerts to the account holder and their designated care team.

EverSafe allows family members to monitor finances without having access to the funds, which provides added protection for the older person.

Everplans is a digital tool that helps avoid document and account clutter. This tool provides alerts, helps people store documents, videos, checklists and even passwords, making these things easy to find when the need arises.

Looking ahead

While conventional wisdom said older people spurn technology, surveys show the gap in use is narrowing between generations.

According to Gallup, 61% of those 65 and older owned smartphones in 2022, compared to 96% of those ages 18 to 29, a difference of 35 percentage points. That gap was 53 points 10 years earlier.

Gallup also found 83% of those 50 to 64 own smartphones, suggesting older people’s technology use will continue to increase as the population ages.

Note: A longer version of this article appeared in Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, a monthly periodical that covers key concerns of affluent older Americans who are retired or preparing for retirement. © 2024 Kiplinger Washington Editors. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION

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Know which remodeling projects pay off

By Robyn A. Friedman

Are you planning to spruce up your home? Whether you’re getting ready to sell your house or you’re just tired of having a dated kitchen or bathroom, it’s important to make smart, cost-effective choices when you renovate.

If you expect to stay put for a while, even a minor remodeling project can enhance your enjoyment of the space.

And if you plan to put your house on the market soon, you can give it a competitive edge by painting, updating lighting fixtures and appliances, or even refreshing a bathroom or two before listing it.

Tips for sellers

If you’re making upgrades in anticipa-

tion of putting your home up for sale, do your research first to make sure it’s money well spent.

After all, not all fix-it projects yield the same return on investment. Why plunk money down on a project that won’t provide a reasonable return when you sell?

“If you have a house that looks old or worn, your potential buyers will discount their offer by their estimate of what it will take to bring it up to par,” said Mari Adam, a certified financial planner in Boca Raton, Florida.

“But while it’s great to make your house look fresher and up to date, you don’t want to over-improve it or do idiosyncratic projects that won’t appeal to a potential buyer.”

Consult an agent. One way to help get

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the most value for your remodeling buck is to consult an experienced local real estate agent.

A local agent understands the market, knows what’s selling and what’s not, and is familiar with the homes that will compete against yours. He or she knows what it will take to present your home in the best possible light and can make suggestions of projects to improve its marketability.

In tight markets, where there is limited inventory and buyers still compete for available homes, it may not be necessary to make any improvements because buyers will snap up anything that becomes available. A local agent knows this and can be of tremendous value to sellers.

Get the data. Another valuable resource is the annual Cost vs. Value (CVV) report from Zonda, a housing data and consultancy firm. This report analyzes 23 common home-renovation projects to determine how much value those projects retain at resale.

Results of the CVV report are often surprising. For example, many homeowners believe that a kitchen or bath remodel will provide the most return on their investment.

“The interior may be wonderful, but they have to overcome the impressions they form about the outside.”

Curb appeal is an example of the old adage, “You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.”

Prospective buyers assume that if a house is well maintained, with an updated exterior, fresh paint, flowers and manicured landscaping, that the owner has been equally attentive to routine maintenance of the rest of the house, DeKorne said.

The CVV also indicates which home-improvement projects don’t deliver value. An upscale bathroom addition, for example — a project with an average cost of $107,477 — returns just 32.6% of that cost at sale. And an upscale primary suite addition, with an average cost of $339,513, has a return of just 23.9%.

That’s why home sellers need to carefully assess their planned projects to make sure they don’t spend money they won’t get back on the sale of their homes.

The full Cost vs. Value report breaks down the average cost and resale value for projects by region as well as nationwide.

But the 2024 CVV report, released in April 2024 and based on 2023 data, found that a garage door replacement was the top-performing project. With an average cost of $4,513 and an $8,751 resale value, a homeowner completing that project will recoup a whopping 194% of the cost.

If you plan to stay a while

Even if you’re not planning to sell your house soon, the CVV report can help guide you if you’re on a budget. Many of the projects with the highest return on investment are also among the ones with the lowest costs.

And because you don’t have to worry about making renovations that appeal to a wide range of potential home buyers, you can choose upgrades that suit your tastes.

The second- and third-ranked remodeling projects on the 2024 list were a steel entry-door replacement and installation of manufactured stone veneer, which returned 188% and 153% of their cost, respectively.

Focus on curb appeal. It’s no coincidence that all three of the top-performing projects this year are exterior projects that help to improve a home’s curb appeal.

“People love to renovate their kitchens and bathrooms because that’s when they can put their mark on a house,” DeKorne said. “All of the selections — the countertops, flooring, cabinets, fixtures — are personal, and the value you get is the enjoyment of living in the space you created.”

You can spend tens of thousands of dollars to create a kitchen you love, a place where you’ll spend countless hours dining, entertaining or socializing with friends and family.

“A buyer’s first impression of a house is super strong,” said Clay DeKorne, chief editor of Zonda’s JLC group. “When buyers drive up to a house that looks really shabby on the exterior, they form an impression that directly affects how much they want to pay for it.

Real estate rules

in commissions if the seller doesn’t agree to pay the full amount. (Some states required written contracts before the new rules took effect, but now buyers in all states will have to sign contracts.)

In the past, home buyers would typically work with a buyer’s agent without a formal contract in place because it was understood that the seller would pay the entire commission.

Don’t commit to a long-term, exclusive contract until you’ve had an opportunity to view several homes and determine whether you want to work with the agent, the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) advised.

Zillow, the online real estate brokerage, recommends signing a seven-day “touring agreement” before entering into a contract with an agent. Its website contains samples of state-specific touring agreements (not all states are represented).

Zillow’s agreement states that buyers won’t be charged a fee for touring services, and stipulates that if the buyer wants to hire the agent for additional services, the parties will reach a separate agreement.

Consumer Advocates in American Real Estate, a nonprofit group, offers a template for an agreement to tour homes. The site also offers templates of compensation agreements for buyer’s and seller’s agents.

If after touring homes you decide to hire a buyer’s agent, don’t hesitate to negotiate, said Steve Brobeck, executive director of the CFA. He recommends offering 2% of the sale price or lower, depending on the services required.

If you’re willing to do some of the work yourself — for example, you prefer to do your own home search but want help making an offer — the agent may be willing to accept a flat fee for specific services, said Richard Hopen, founder of SmartBuyers AI, which provides education and advice for home buyers.

Remodeling

From page B-6

But if the buyer of your house doesn’t like the ornate cherry cabinets you selected and prefers a bright white kitchen, then that kitchen will have no value to the buyer. Homeowners planning to stay for a while should feel free to personalize their space, choosing designs and finishes that make their house a home, rather than keeping it neutral in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience of potential home buyers.

Do what makes you happy. Debby Belt, a senior associate at Hammond Residential Real Estate in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, said clients often ask her whether a certain renovation is worthwhile.

“When I’m asked that question, the number one thing I say is, ‘Will you enjoy it?’” she said. “You can’t think of the future because, by the time you sell your house, the styles might be different.”

Below are four remodeling projects

Some real estate brokerage firms are already experimenting with new pricing models — such as offering buyers and sellers a menu of services with a billing rate for each service available.

When reviewing a contract, look for red flags, such as a requirement to compensate an agent before you decide to become a client, or a provision that combines compensation for the listing agent and buyer’s agent, which violates the spirit of the new rules, the CFA suggests.

Because you must enter into a contractual agreement, it’s more important than ever to work with a competent, reputable real estate agent, Brobeck said.

Start by asking friends and relatives who have purchased homes for referrals to agents they’ve been pleased with, with the goal of identifying at least three prospective agents to interview, he said.

Use real estate websites such as Zillow and Realtor.com to research an agent’s recent sales and customer reviews.

Finally, a prospective agent should provide you with a copy of the contract, be willing to discuss the terms, and give you plenty of time to review it.

What sellers need to know

If you have decided to put your home on the market, you still have the option of offering compensation to a buyer’s agent. This decision will depend on several factors, including your local housing market, and whether you think paying a buyer’s agent or broker will make your home more attractive to potential buyers.

Your own real estate agent (if you use one) must receive your approval for any agreement to pay a buyer’s broker, as well as the amount of the payment. The terms of the agreement must be disclosed to you in writing.

This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance.

© 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

among the top 10 from the CVV report that recoup the highest percentage of their cost at resale.

We chose them not only because they are decent investments, but also because they can make your living space more enjoyable if you plan to stick around for a while.

Or, in the case of putting energy-efficient appliances in your kitchen or adding new siding, the projects can reduce energy use and save you some money on utility bills in the long run.

Plus, all these renovations have an average cost of less than $30,000, and some may run considerably less, allowing you to rejuvenate your home without breaking the bank.

Give your kitchen a facelift. A minor kitchen remodel is one of only two interior projects that are among the CVV report’s top 10 performers (the other is a midrange bath remodel; see below). The

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kitchen remodel costs an average of $27,492, with a resale value of $26,406, and 96.1% of the cost recouped.

Upgrade to fiber-cement siding. Replacing existing siding with new fiber-cement siding has an average job cost of $20,619, a resale value of $18,230, and a return on investment of 88.4%.

Fiber-cement siding, while more expensive than vinyl, is durable and long-lasting, and it performs better in moist environments, according to Elizabeth Gomez, coowner of Bridge City Contracting in Battle Ground, Washington.

The most important component of the installation process, which takes about three to five days for a 1,250-square-foot siding job, is the wrap that goes under the siding, because it weatherizes the house and protects it from moisture issues such as dry rot and black mold, she said.

If your existing siding is in good shape

and you’re primarily interested in boosting curb appeal, one way to re-side a house cost-effectively is to do only the front.

That’s what Danielle Kilian did in 2021, when she installed fiber-cement siding on the front of her 1,546-square-foot home in Vancouver, Washington, at a total cost of about $13,000, including painting and a new front door.

“The rest of the siding was in goodenough condition, and we did the front to update the look of the house,” said Kilian, events director for the Building Industry Association of Clark County.

“The front is what is seen by neighbors and by ourselves when we come home. So that was the most important piece for us, and we were able to do it in an affordable way.”

Build a deck. The addition of a wood deck has an average cost of $17,615, a resale value of $14,596, and a return of 82.9%.

The construction of a 16-by-20-foot wood deck takes less than a week, according to Michael Ebner, owner of Back to Nature Decks in Oreland, Pennsylvania.

Once the deck is completed, he recommends sealing it (and re-sealing every year or two to preserve it).

Ebner notes that about 80% of his clients opt for a composite deck instead of wood. The price is higher than wood — an average $24,206 for a 16-by-20-foot deck with similar specifications — but composite will last longer, Ebner said.

It’s good for 20 to 30 years with no maintenance. So, if you’re planning to stay in your house for more than 10 years, he said the composite is “a no-brainer.”

One tip Ebner has for homeowners who want a deck is to go big. “A 16-by-20-foot deck is decent, but with all the amenities people have now — grills and furniture and a fire pit — think about extending the budget a bit to make it bigger. You will always fill it.”

The incremental price of building a slightly larger deck is not substantial, he said, adding about $40 to $45 per square foot to the cost.

Update a bathroom. Renovating a bathroom can add tremendous value to a

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home. A mid-range bathroom remodel comes with an average job cost of $25,251, a resale value of $18,613, and a return on investment of 73.7%.

Bardin said that what starts as a simple bathroom remodel may end up being more comprehensive if the plumbing or electrical systems need to be updated as well. He said such a project typically takes about eight weeks because multiple subcontractors are involved and, in his jurisdiction, seven inspections are needed along the way.

Bardin has two tips for homeowners planning a bathroom remodel. First, for the sink, he recommends a single-hole faucet, not the type with a spout and two handles. He said the single position has fewer problems, lasts longer and is easier to clean.

Second, if a tub/shower is being installed, he said it’s critical that it be no deeper than 14 inches because it’s challenging for a homeowner or guest to step over anything higher, especially with wet feet.

He suggests that anyone who wants a soaking tub install it in the primary bath, not a secondary bath that children and guests will be using.

Ed. Note: The Baltimore County AgeFriendly Upgrades for Seniors (BCAUSE) program provides up to $4,500 in free home repairs and accessibility modifications for Baltimore County residents 65 and older. Contact the county Department of Aging’s Maryland Access Point office at (410) 8872594.

In addition, the Housing Upgrades to Benefit Seniors (HUBS) program offers grants and loans to help Baltimore residents make home improvements that increase safety and security. Call the HUBS Hotline at (443) 470-9871.

Note: This article first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money, and keep more of the money you make. All contents copyright 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

BEACON BITS

MARYLAND FOOD

BANK DONATIONS

You can drop off canned and non-perishable items for the Maryland Food Bank at the Roland Park Community Center, 5802 Roland Ave., Baltimore, every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drop off non-perishable items in the kitchen, which is the first door from the parking lot. For a list of items that are most needed, check bit.ly/MDFoodBankNeeds. For more information, email rolandparkcc@comcast.net or call (410) 435-1506.

MoneyMoney Law &

The type of account you withdraw savings from determines their tax treatment; each year of retirement deserves its own plan. See story below.

Medicare 2025 premiums and surcharges

Dear Savvy Senior,

I know there will be a small 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?

—Medicare Beneficiary

Dear Beneficiary,

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more.

By Jim Miller

Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9 percent increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment, which was only 2.5 percent.

But if you’re a high earning beneficiary, which makes up about 8 percent of all Medicare recipients, you’ll have to pay more.

$167,000 ($266,000 and $334,000 for joint filers) will rise to $370.

Individuals earning above $167,000 up to $200,000 ($334,000 to $400,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly Part B premium increase to $480.90.

Those with incomes above $200,000 up to $500,000 ($400,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), will pay $591.90 per month in 2025. And single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $628.90 per month.

have reduced their income since 2023, such as retirement, divorce or the death of a spouse, can contest the surcharge.

For information on how to do this, see “Medicare Premiums: Rules for Higher-Income Beneficiaries” at SSA.gov/benefits/medicare/medicare-premiums.html.

Other Medicare cost increases

In addition to the Part B and Part D premium increases, there are other cost increases you should be aware of.

Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2025.

Part B premium

While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium.

Starting in January, the standard monthly

Medicare surcharges for high earners, known as the “income-related monthly adjustment amount” (or IRMAA), are based on your modified adjusted gross income (AGI) from two years earlier, which means that your 2025 Part B premiums are determined by your 2023 AGI, which is on line 11 of the IRS tax form 1040, plus any taxexempt interest you earned.

Here’s how it breaks down. If your modified 2023 income was between $106,000 and $133,000 (between $212,000 and $266,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2025 Part B monthly premium will be $259.

Monthly Part B premiums for singles with an income between $133,000 and

Part D premium

If you have a stand-alone Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2025 will be $46.50 per month for most beneficiaries, down from $53.95 in 2024.

But again, for high earners with annual incomes above $106,000 ($212,000 for joint filers) you’ll pay a monthly surcharge of $13.70 to $85.80 (based on your income level) on top of your regular Part D premiums.

How to contest income

Beneficiaries that fall into any of the high-income categories and have experienced certain life-changing events that

For example, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will be $257 in 2025, which is $17 more than the 2024 deductible of $240. And the deductible for Medicare Part A, which covers hospital services, will increase to $1,676 in 2025. That’s $44 more than the 2024 deductible of $1,632. There are no surcharges on Medicare deductibles for high earners.

For more information on all the Medicare costs for 2025, visit Medicare.gov/ basics/costs or call 1-800-633-4227.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

Tax strategies to help your savings last

By Scott M. Dougan

The intricacies of tax planning are a critical component of your overall retirement strategy. Minimizing taxes in retirement isn’t just about reducing today’s tax bill — it’s about ensuring that your hard-earned money lasts longer and that you can draw from your assets efficiently.

By applying a logical, data-driven approach, you can create a retirement tax strategy that maximizes your income and minimizes unnecessary tax burdens.

The tax landscape changes as you transition from earning a salary to drawing income from different sources, such as Social Security, pensions, retirement accounts and investments. Without a solid plan, taxes can eat away at your retirement income, leaving less for your lifestyle and goals.

Here are the key elements of tax planning as you approach retirement: Managing tax brackets. As your in-

come sources shift, it’s critical to understand how to stay within favorable tax brackets. Drawing too much from tax-deferred accounts, such as a 401(k) or traditional IRA, can push you into a higher tax bracket, leading to a larger tax bill. Strategic withdrawals can help you optimize your tax liability.

Timing of withdrawals . Deciding when to tap into different accounts is a central component of tax minimization. For example, delaying withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts until later years could make sense if you expect your income to decrease in retirement, moving you into a lower tax bracket.

State taxes. State income tax laws vary widely. If you plan to move in retirement, consider the tax implications of your new location. Some states have no income tax, while others may tax retirement income at higher rates. Accounting for state taxes in

your retirement plan could save thousands over time.

Tax minimization strategies

Several strategies can help minimize taxes in retirement. These techniques ensure that you’re not only reducing your tax burden today but also extending the longevity of your savings for years to come.

1. Roth conversions

One of the most effective tax-minimization strategies is converting a portion of your tax-deferred accounts, such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), into a Roth IRA.

Unlike traditional retirement accounts, withdrawals from Roth IRAs in retirement are tax-free. The key is to strategically convert these funds during low-income years — such as right after retirement but before required minimum distributions (RMDs) begin at age 73.

Why it works: Roth conversions allow you to pay taxes upfront while in a lower tax bracket. The funds then grow tax-free and can be withdrawn tax-free in retirement.

Strategic timing: The years between retirement and age 73 (when RMDs kick in) often present a golden “tax window” where your income may be lower, making it an ideal time to convert funds without pushing yourself into a higher tax bracket.

2. Harvesting capital gains

As you approach retirement, managing investments in taxable accounts becomes crucial for tax minimization. One technique is tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling investments that have lost value to offset gains from other investments.

Additionally, strategically selling appreciated assets during years when your tax-

See TAX STRATEGIES, page 10

SAVVY SENIOR

able income is lower can help minimize the capital gains taxes you pay.

Long-term gains: For individuals in lower tax brackets, long-term capital gains may be taxed at 0%. This is especially beneficial during retirement, when your income is likely lower than in your peak earning years.

Capital losses : If you have investments that have declined in value, selling them to realize a loss can offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio. This reduces your

overall tax liability.

3. Tax diversification

It’s important to have different types of accounts — tax-deferred (e.g., traditional 401(k) and IRA), taxable (e.g., brokerage) and tax-free (e.g., Roth IRA) — to draw from in retirement.

By having a mix of accounts, you can strategically choose which to withdraw from each year based on your income needs and the tax implications of each type of account.

Tax-deferred accounts: Traditional IRAs and 401(k)s provide a tax deduction when contributing, but withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income in retirement. These accounts are great for reducing taxable income while working, but without a strategy, you could face higher taxes when withdrawing from them in retirement.

Taxable accounts: These are brokerage accounts that offer flexibility. Only the capital gains are taxed, and you can manage when to realize gains. This flexibility allows you to control your taxable income in a given year.

Roth accounts: Roth IRAs and 401(k)s are powerful tools because they offer taxfree withdrawals in retirement. Contributing to Roth accounts during your working years (especially if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in the future) can provide significant tax savings down the line.

4. Required minimum distributions (RMDs)

At age 73, the IRS mandates that you start withdrawing a certain amount from your tax-deferred accounts, known as RMDs. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income.

Failing to plan for RMDs can lead to a sudden spike in taxable income, pushing you into higher tax brackets.

Mitigate RMDs: To avoid being hit with a large tax bill, you can start taking strategic withdrawals before age 73, and

you could perform Roth conversions [Ed. Note: These involve taxation at the time of conversion, but provide tax-free treatment of withdrawals, including gains, down the road. Roth accounts are not subject to RMDs]. Both strategies would reduce the balance in your tax-deferred accounts before RMDs hit.

Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) : If charitable giving is part of your retirement plan, consider using RMDs to make charitable donations. QCDs allow you to donate up to $100,000 per year directly from your IRA to a qualified charity, satisfying your RMD requirement while avoiding taxes on the distribution.

5. Health savings accounts (HSAs)

For those who have access to a health savings account (HSA) through a high-deductible health plan, this tool can play a key role in retirement planning. HSAs offer a triple tax advantage: Contributions are tax-deductible, growth is tax-free and withdrawals for qualified medical expenses are also tax-free.

After age 65, HSA funds can be used for any purpose, though non-health care withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income (similar to an IRA).

The key to successful tax planning is understanding the variables and optimizing outcomes. By taking advantage of strategies like Roth conversions, tax diversification and tax-efficient withdrawal sequences, you can minimize your tax burden and make your savings last longer. Discuss these options with your tax planning advisor.

Dan Dunkin contributed to this article. This columnist received assistance from a public relations firm in preparing this piece for submission to Kiplinger.com. Kiplinger was not compensated in any way.

© 2024 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Arts & Style

And then there was fun, despite murders

By Dan Collins

Nothing brings home the joy and tidings of the holiday season quite like a good murder mystery.

Baltimore’s Everyman Theatre is bringing audiences just that with their current production of master mystery writer Agatha Christie’s bestselling novel And Then There Were None, now running through January 5.

Christie, the queen of crime, brought her delightfully poisoned pen to paper with prolific aplomb. There are 66 detective novels to her credit. Thanks to Christie, characters like Mrs. Marple and Hercule Poirot became household names.

However, with her 1939 book, And Then There Were None — the only one of Christie’s novels she adapted for the stage herself — you’ll find no fastidious Belgian or tweed-clad septuagenarian sleuths. There’s not a single Sherlockian detective of any kind, making it unique, or at least non-traditional, in the murder mystery genre.

But that’s all part of the fun of director Noah Himmelstein’s production, featuring the Everyman’s renowned ensemble cast,

including local favorites Megan Anderson (Dr. Armstrong), Deborah Hazlett (Emily Brent) and Bruce Randolph Nelson (Rogers), among others.

A Bond villain setting

The plot involves 10 people who have all received an invitation from one “U.N. Owen” (read: unknown) to visit what might pass for a villain’s lair in a modern Bond movie: a resort-style mansion dropped atop Soldier Island, an isolated rock near the Devon coast of England.

After introductions are made, a record is put on the gramophone. A dark, sonorous voice announces that everyone in the room has committed murder and will, that weekend, receive their final judgment.

Now here’s where the “willingness to suspend one’s disbelief” comes into play. Over the course of the next two hours, the ensemble members are picked off, one by one — by axe, drugs, knife, bullet, poison and the like.

But somehow no one witnesses the actual deeds, with nary a lapel or blouse splashed with blood. Nor does anyone notice who snatches each corresponding

But who cares? A good whodunit isn’t about verisimilitude; it’s about the mystery it-

white clay figurine from the set of 10 atop the mantelpiece at curtain’s rise.

self. And this one unfolds like the petals of a rose (or perhaps, in this case, a Venus fly

PHOTO BY TERESA CASTRACANE

The dwindling cast of And Then There Were None includes Tony Nam (William Blore), Bruce Randolph Nelson (Rogers), Helen Hedman (Mrs. Rogers), Benairan Kane (Anthony Marston), Megan Anderson (Dr. Armstrong) and Hannah Kelly (Vera Claythorne). The Agatha Christie thriller runs at Everyman Theatre through Jan. 5.

The Reich family runs two beloved Pikesville restaurants. Our cover story continues on page 12.

have left a significant void in the Pikesville community.”

Jilly’s was originally called Roger’s Tap Room, founded in 1936. “It was basically a bar,” he said.

When the Reichs took over nearly 50 years later, they added a kitchen and a large dining room, turning it into the fullfledged restaurant-lounge that exists today.

With the support of $35,000 in GoFundMe dollars and assistance from the Baltimore Ravens and the community, the Reichs were able to reopen Jilly’s. Within a year, they were back in business with a

newly renovated, 5,900-square-foot building.

“We owe thanks to family, friends and customers, including politicians like former Baltimore County Executive Congressman-elect Johnny ‘O’ Olszewski and Izzy Patoka,” the Baltimore County commissioner for district two, Scott Reich said.

According to Beth Rheingold, CEO and President of the Greater Baltimore Chamber of Commerce, the Reich family has been a sterling example of a steadfast, thriving business in the northwest Baltimore suburbs.

“Their family has been a great addition to our community for many years,” Rheingold said. “They have a golden reputation.”

Second chances

As a business owner, Will Reich said he has always tried to support and even hire those in need.

“Back in my day, young people could get married and buy homes without having to have college degrees and super-high salaries. Today, it’s no longer that way.

“We tend to hire people who are trying to fight through alcohol and drug issues. If they’re being rehabilitated, we understand their situations, and we try to hire those types of people, even those who have been incarcerated,” he said. “We try to give people a second chance.”

POETRY MEET-UP

Many of the restaurants’ employees have worked for the Reichs for decades. Does Reich have a “secret sauce” for a long life? In providing life-sustaining advice, Reich said a good marriage and a compelling job help.

“Being married is very important, and finding the type of work you really enjoy. Those are very important virtues when it comes to experiencing longevity in life,” he said.

“Finding true love is so vital,” he added. “True love makes you happy and makes you think more clearly. It keeps you on a course for life.”

Bring one poem to the Hereford Branch of the Baltimore County Library on the third Saturday of each month for a workshop with other poets and Michael Fallon, who has taught poetry for 35 years. This free event takes place at 16940 York Rd., Hereford. Email the poem ahead of time to fallon@umbc.edu and bring eight hard copies to the meet-up. To register, search “Get Your Poetry On” at events.bcpl.info/events. For more information, call (410) 887-1919.

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY CELEBRATION

Visit The Walters Art Museum on Sat., Jan. 18 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a day of musical performances and poetry readings from Baltimore locals, hosted by poet Unique Robinson. A light reception follows the program. This free event takes place in the Graham Auditorium, 600 N. Charles St., Baltimore. Register at bit.ly/MLKJrDayCelebration. For more information, call (410) 547-9000.

From page 11

trap) as each character reveals more about their past, suspicions rise, personalities clash, and English accents volley across the stage.

Humor, intrigue and a twist

A work of this type is surely “comfort food” for the actors, as no heavy lifting is required of them. The characters don’t develop; they simply are. Without a protagonist, the play’s true star is the plot, with its many surprises and revelations.

Benairen Kane’s hot-rodding Anthony Marston, James J. Johnson’s addled aging British general, Hannah Kelly’s lovely English secretary, Tony Nam’s less-thanbrilliant cop, James Whalen’s commanding judge, Danny Gavigan’s adventurous young soldier, Deborah Hazlett’s judgmental crone, Megan Anderson’s quackish surgeon, and Nelson and Helen Hedman’s “Upstairs, Downstairs” butler and cook duo all deliver their one-note roles with convincing clarity and humor.

Jan.23

For the 1943 play, Christie adjusted the book’s grim ending, in which no one survives, and spared two characters. In introducing this production, artistic director and Everyman founder Vincent M. Lancisi noted that Christie allowed theater companies to choose between two final acts: one dark, one “a bit crazy,” he said.

Everyman’s ending combines a bit of both. Without giving away too much, the final reveal is really the best part of the play.

Kudos to the creative team, particularly Harold F. Burgess II, Sun Hee Kil, David Burdick and Paige Hathaway, for crafting a pitch-perfect tone through light, sound, thread, wood and canvas.

Christie herself would undoubtedly declare, in English fashion, “Good show!”

Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None continues its run throughout the holidays at the Everyman Theatre, located at 315 W. Fayette Street in the heart of West Baltimore’s historic Bromo Arts District. Tickets start at $45. Contact the box office at boxoffice@everymantheatre.org or call (410) 752-2208.

Cheer for the UMBC Retrievers as they take on UAlbany’s Great Danes on Thu., Jan 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Chesapeake Arena, 1000 Hilltop Cir., Baltimore. Tickets are $15.40 for seniors and can be purchased online at bit.ly/UMBCgame or at the box office. For more information, call (443) 612-3840. BEACON BITS

UMBC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

Senior Adventures in Learning at CCBC

The Seniors program at CCBC provides a wide variety of stress-free continuing education courses both in-person and online via Zoom.

•

Jan. 25

BALTIMORE MANDOLIN ORCHESTRA CONCERT

Hear the mandolins, mandolas, mandocellos, mandobasses and classical guitars in this concert, an eclectic mix of classical music, marches, rags, concert dances, pop tunes and more. The Baltimore Mandolin Orchestra performs on Sat., Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in The Theater at the Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Ave., Baltimore. General admission tickets are $25, $15 for members or a virtual streaming option, and can be purchased at bit.ly/MandolinConcert. For more information, call (410) 276-1651.

NONFICTION BOOK TALK

Jan.

28

Join the Enoch Pratt Free Library and Tamara Lanier, author of From These Roots, to discuss her journey to document her ancestors’ history. This free event is presented in person and virtually on Tue., Jan. 28 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Wheeler Auditorium, Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore, and on EPFL’s Facebook and YouTube pages. To attend in person, register at bit.ly/LibraryBookTalk. For more information, call (410) 396-5430.

Love Learning?

Look no further than Osher at JHU—the adult education program of the Johns Hopkins University. Join us for top quality noncredit courses, passionate faculty, and a community that loves learning. Explore Art, Current Events, Film, History, Music, Science, and more! Classes meet in Baltimore, Columbia, Montgomery County, and online via Zoom.

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Scrabble answers on p. 12.

Crossword Puzzle

Know Your Place By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Letters on invitation letters

5. Penalized, monetarily

10. “I gave you the best ___”

14. Home of the Pro Football and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame

15. Bring together both parties

16. Urgent request

17. Mental (with 19 Across)

3. Cur riculum ___ (resume)

4. Any of Hogan’s heroes

5. Gassed up

6. Present from birth

7. Targets of RID Super Max Lice Treatment Kit

8. Biblical verb ending

9. Record spinners

10. “___ door; I want to get out!”

19. See 17 Across

20. “I joined the Navy to see the ___”

21. Two-thirds of the largest state

22. Excessively extravagant trip

24. Have second thoughts

26. Key keyboard key

27. Controlled

33. Enforcers

36. FedEx foe

37. Lake with shores at 14 Across

38. Single-stranded genetic molecule

39. Blonde shade with cool undertones

40. ___ of the above

41. Hamlet has five

43. Da work of da Vinci

44. Setting for Cast Away or Lost

46. Secretly

50. Flower wreath

51. Poppy plant product

54. Expense of home ownership

57. ___ to the death

58. OIL mixture

60. Narrator of three Twain books

61. Too complicated

64. Ear-relevant word

65. Hot room at the gym

66. Small meal

67. Eat to your heart’s content

68. City near Dusseldorf

69. Can I have a five for five ___?

Down

1. Steals from Lowe or Reiner

2. Like many Victoria’s Secret outfits

11. Criticism

12. A ___ pittance

13. Direction of Lindbergh’s 1927 flight

18. Accrues interest

23. Extreme start to -imate or -erior

25. Billy the Kid’s was a Winchester Model 1873

28. Out of practice

29. A BMW 2-series tops out at 155 of them

30. Eurasian mountains

31. About 1.6 kilometers

32. Boxing champ’s prize

33. Use a claw machine

34. First word of The Raven

35. Solemn promise

39. Slot machine activator

42. Meditation mandate

43. Fat-storing tissue

44. In a cold manner

45. Caribbean music

47. Hailey Bieber, ___ Baldwin

48. Title spy in three Ludlum novels

49. Missing link, perhaps

52. Create a connection

53. Fill with joy

54. Flying saucers, briefly

55. Hummus holder

56. Make a baby-blanket

57. ___ ex machina

59. Praiseful poems

62. Anatomical duct

63. Game of Thrones network

CLASSIFIEDS

The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment, Financial, For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Legal Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

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HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad,

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