Remember those carousel horses that the Frederick Arts Council transformed into public art last year? They’re now immortalized in a 2026 calendar celebrating FAC’s 50th anniversary. For $10, you can pick up a calendar filled with images of the beautiful carousel figures — originally from the Frederick Keys and refurbished by local artists — at the front desk of the Y Arts Center at 115 E. Church St. Want it shipped? Email info@frederickartscouncil.org to arrange delivery and pay the shipping fee. It’s a small piece of Frederick art history that doubles as a functional tool — win-win!
THE ARTS COUNCIL NEXT DOOR GETS A NEW LEADER
The Washington County Arts Council has appointed Chris Brewer as its new executive director, effective Jan. 19. Brewer isn’t exactly new to the organization though. He’s been there for 13 years, most recently as gallery manager, building relationships with the regional artist community and overseeing daily operations. Now he’ll be leading the historic nonprofit through its next chapter, implementing the organization’s Strategic Plan and guiding programming that includes gallery exhibitions, a shop featuring work from more than 170 regional artists, grant programs and signature events like the annual Art of Cooking fundraiser.
TRAPEZE BRINGS ALT-ROCK TO TOWN
At a time when alternative rock feels increasingly disconnected from its roots, Trapeze is staking out its territory. The DMV-based four-piece will hit Rockwell Brewery on Jan. 30 for their first commercial venue performance in Frederick, bringing high-energy, melody-driven sound that pulls from ‘90s and 2000s indie rock, post-punk, garage rock, new wave and power pop. Perhaps most interestingly in this day and age, the band hasn’t released recorded material (yet), which has been intentional. Want to hear their sound? You gotta come out and see them live.
VISIT FREDERICK CHARTS A COURSE
Visit Frederick’s newly adopted 2026-2031 Strategic Plan lays out a roadmap for growing the visitor economy without turning Frederick into just another destination sacrificed on the altar of Instagrammable moments. With more than $500 million in annual visitor spending already supporting local jobs and businesses, the plan focuses on four core priorities: driving visitation across the entire county, cultivating positive community sentiment, building organizational capacity, and formalizing destination stewardship. Translation: They’re trying to make tourism work for residents, not just tourists. Visit Frederick is hosting a public meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 4 at the Frederick Visitor Center to share details and gather feedback — a rare chance to weigh in before the five-year plan kicks into gear.
CONGRATS TO SONNY APOLLO
Frederick-born artist Sonny Apollo (born Joshua Diggs) has been named a 2026 OUTAthlete, joining a national cohort of LGBTQ+ individuals recognized for their commitment to wellness, visibility and community impact. The honor, part of the OUT Foundation’s flagship program powered by lululemon, comes with a full year of gym membership and other benefits designed to remove barriers blocking LGBTQ+ access to fitness and health. Apollo, whose genre-blending sound fuses dance-pop, R&B and soulful performance, has earned industry co-signs from American Idol’s Randy Jackson and tap dance legend Steven Zee, among others. His debut album “Stimulate” has surpassed 100,000 streams, while recent singles “MORE, Pt. 1” and “OUTSIDE” continue building his audience.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your community stories and events with us! Email llarocca@newspost.com.
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EAT & DRINK
Lantern Sushi: All-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi on The Golden Mile
BY ERIK ANDERSON eanderson@newspost.com
My wife and I frequently take our family of five to Lantern Sushi, an all-you-can-eat sushi and hibachi restaurant that opened in August at the former Pizza Hut on Frederick’s Golden Mile.
For one set price, customers can order plate after plate — or bowl after bowl — from the extensive lunch or dinner menu until they are completely full. Except for the desserts, all items are made to order.
LANTERN SUSHI
Where: 1220 W. Patrick St., Frederick Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday Contact: 301-732-5040, lanternsushimd.com
The lunch menu, which is available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, is $16.99 for adults, $8.99 for kids ages 7 to 11 and $5.99 for kids ages 3 to 6. The dinner menu is $25.99 for adults, $13.99 for ages 7 to 11 and $8.99 for ages 3 to 6. Kids under 3 eat free when accompanied by a paying adult.
The last time we were there for dinner, I ordered miso soup, two rounds of their crab Rangoon, a California roll and their hibachi steak entree with vegetables, fried rice and a mustard sauce.
I could have kept ordering as much as I wanted, but the entree was a full meal unto itself and left me little room for dessert. Still, I topped off with a small cup of strawberry ice cream and a tiny serving of chocolate mousse.
The drinks are not included in the all-you-can-eat charge, but most of them include free refills. I had a bottomless pot of hot green tea for $2.50.
Lantern Sushi has a strict policy against food waste. Each table has a posted warning that in “a rare
case of substantial leftovers,” food will be charged using to-go menu prices.
Janice Zhang, the restaurant’s manager, told 72 Hours that the Japanese-themed restaurant is a single location owned by a family from Virginia.
Staff photos by Ric Dugan
Lantern Sushi Restaurant on the Golden Mile.
Hibachi steak with rice and Yum Yum sauce at Lantern Sushi.
The California Roll at Lantern Sushi Restaurant on the Golden Mile.
BY S.D. PRICE
Special to The News-Post
Trapeze will bring high-energy alt-rock to Rockwell Brewery
At a time when alternative rock feels increasingly disconnected, Trapeze is carving out space through clarity rather than compromise. The DMV-based four-piece will bring its high-energy, melodydriven sound to Rockwell Brewery on Jan. 30, marking the band’s first performance at a commercial venue in Frederick, a city they’ve already grown attached to through earlier appearances in the area.
Trapeze’s music is built on expression first and polish second. There’s a looseness to their approach that recalls punk’s core values, paired with an appreciation for technical playing when it serves the song.
“Music that is about being expressive,” the band says of their sound. “We like the punk ethos as well as more technical players, whatever gets the message across.”
The result is often synth- or guitardriven rock anchored by strong melodies and restless energy.
Ahead of their Rockwell Brewery set, we spoke with Trapeze guitarist and vocalist Rayyan Cham.
Influence-wise, Trapeze pulls from a familiar but fertile era. The band cites ’90s and 2000s indie rock as a major touchstone, frequently working within post-punk, garage rock, new wave and power pop traditions. What keeps their sound from settling into nostalgia, however, is the range of musical backgrounds of its members: Cham and Rachel Glazer on guitar, keys, and vocals; Dave Potocki on bass and guitar; and Scott Knapp on drums.
Glazer’s playing often reflects a country and classic rock sensibility, Knapp’s drumming draws from years of genre-spanning experience, including metal, and Potocki’s bass lines occasionally stretch into jamoriented territory. Cham rounds out the mix with influences rooted in punk and noise rock, giving the band a push-and-pull dynamic that feels lived-in rather than overthought.
That blend has been shaped
further by their roots in the DMV. While alternative and indie rock scenes aren’t always centralized in the region, Trapeze has found inspiration in the musicians they’ve crossed paths with along the way.
“Mostly through the amazing musicians we meet,” Cham said. “Alt/ indie bands aren’t the most common in this area, so when we find groups with similar styles, we like to keep up with each other’s work.” The band also nods to the area’s deeper musical lineage, often listening to legendary guitarist Danny Gatton before a show, part warm-up, part quiet tribute.
Songwriting in Trapeze is a collaborative process that favors evolution over rigidity. Songs typically begin with either Glazer or Cham bringing a foundational idea, usually instrumentation first, with lyrics following later, but those early
TRAPEZE LIVE IN CONCERT
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 30
Where: Rockwell Brewery, 8411 Broadband Drive, Unit K, Frederick Cost: Free
versions are rarely final. “Songs can change a lot,” Cham said. “Scott’s drum patterns and Dave’s bass lines can add a lot of new direction.”
That openness allows tracks to grow organically once the full band engages, sometimes shifting tone, tempo, or structure entirely.
Over time, that process has helped Trapeze sharpen its identity. Compared to when they first started, the band now has a clearer understanding of what they want to sound like and what it means for a song to feel complete. Discovering
bands like London-based Wolf Alice has played a role in that growth, offering inspiration for balancing heaviness, melody, and emotional depth without sacrificing edge.
Lyrically, Trapeze often operates where the personal and political overlap. Many of their songs explore individual experiences while also reflecting broader social realities.
“Politics is personal and vice versa,” Cham said. “It’s about the most vital things in our lives.”
Rather than forcing commentary, the band lets those ideas surface naturally through storytelling. Recently, Glazer has written songs that are more explicitly political, signaling a willingness to be direct when the subject matter calls for it. Still, the band resists thematic limitations.
“Thematically, anything is up for grabs,” Cham added. “We like to go all over the place and tell stories.”
For now, Trapeze’s music lives primarily onstage. The band hasn’t released recorded material yet, a deliberate decision rooted in patience and trust in the live process.
“We wanted to wait until the band lineup was right and we had time to let the songs grow,” Cham said. Live shows, by contrast, are where their identity fully clicks. Expect something energetic and vibrant, driven by connection rather than perfection.
The show at Rockwell Brewery offers Frederick audiences a chance to catch Trapeze at a formative point, confident, evolving, and still letting their songs take shape in real time. With recording plans set for February and more shows lined up this spring, Jan. 30 feels less like a destination and more like a snapshot, one worth catching before the next chapter fully comes into focus.
Fans can follow Trapeze on Instagram @trapezeband, where live clips, videos, and updates on new music and upcoming performances are shared regularly.
S.D. Price is a Frederick-based writer better known as hip-hop recording artist Demetrius.
Courtesy photo
Trapeze will perform in Frederick.
The Sicilian Tenors bring new live show to Frederick
Inspired by their award-winning PBS special, The Sicilian Tenors bring their new live show, “Journey to Highclere Castle,” to the stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick.
The Sicilian Tenors create a concert experience that’s as entertaining as it is moving. Featuring stunning visuals and timeless music, this show includes beloved songs from the romantic Downton Abbey era, along with signature Italian favorites. Audiences can also look forward to showstoppers from The Phantom of the Opera and other classics.
The Tenors’ unmatched chemistry and heartfelt musical interpretations have made them an audience favorite across the country. This night of music promises passion, nostalgia and world-class vocals.
Tickets start at $32 and are available at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at the Weinberg Center, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick.
Beachley & Windbeck release ‘My Delilah’
Huckleberry Records announces the release of “My Delilah,” a new single from Darren Beachley and Kyle Windbeck that blends heartfelt storytelling with traditional bluegrass power and harmony.
Written by Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis, “My Delilah” uses the biblical story of Samson and Delilah as a metaphor for irresistible love. The lyric explores the idea that while some men fall to temptation through money, nightlife, or excess, the singer’s one true weakness is the woman who has captured his heart. The chorus delivers the emotional core of the song: “You’re my Delilah, my only weakness is you.”
You’re My Delilah, my one Achilles heel
Like Samson’s Delilah who broke that man of steel
You found a soft spot in my heart and walked right through You’re my Delilah, my only weakness is you
The recording features Frederick County’s Beachley on lead vocal and
resophonic guitar, with Windbeck providing baritone vocal along with guitar, mandolin and acoustic bass. They are joined by Taylor Parks on tenor vocal and banjo, and Stephen Burwell on fiddle, creating a rich, traditional bluegrass sound.
“‘My Delilah,’ written by Paula Breedlove and Brad Davis, is a song I have carried around for quite a few years,” Beachley said. “I always loved the chord progression and the minor feel to it. The message references Samson and Delilah (it’s not gospel) and how the seductive power of a woman can bring even the strongest of men to their knees and how it can become an addiction. It’s a story as old as the Bible.”
“My Delilah” was produced by Beachley and Windbeck, engineered by Windbeck at Tracks by Train in Point of Rocks, and Digital Underground in Nashville, Tennessee, and mastered by Mike Monseur at Axis Audio in Nashville.
Courtesy photo
the Sicilian Tenors will return to the Frederick stage.
Courtesy photo
From left, Darren Beachley and Kyle Windbeck.
‘Frozen’ onstage in Hagerstown
The Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theater will kick off their season with the smash musical: Disney’s “Frozen,” running from Jan. 31 to March 8.
For the first time in forever, experience the musical phenomenon that has taken the world by storm. Based on the Academy Awardwinning animated feature film, Disney’s Frozen includes all the film’s beloved songs by Kristen AndersonLopez and Robert Lopez, along with new music written exclusively for the stage. In the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Arendelle, Princesses Anna and Elsa grow up sheltered inside their castle, isolated from the world and increasingly distant from each other. When Elsa is crowned queen, the magical powers she’s desperately tried to conceal from her sister take control, and she flees into
the mountains.
As a ferocious winter descends on Arendelle, Anna sets off on an epic journey to find Elsa and bring her home — with the help of hardworking ice harvester Kristoff, his loyal reindeer Sven, and a happy-go-lucky snowman named Olaf. Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, Frozen is a powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning of true love.
These shows are preceded by dinner. A full service cash bar is available.
This show is for children age 5 and up.
Tickets can be purchased at washingtoncountyplayhouse.com or by calling 301-739-7469.
The Washington County Playhouse is at 44 North Potomac St., Hagerstown.
THE FREDERICK MOM
The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of Jan. 30
Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom.
Snowmen Storytime
9 to 10:30 a.m. Jan. 31
Walkersville Rec Center, 83 W. Frederick St., Walkersville
$15/child
Join your neighbors for a fun morning centered around Snowmen. Families will enjoy reading the book If Snowmen Came in Colors by Sarah Baylor and Christopher Francis and enjoy a snack and a related craft. This is a drop off class; participants must be able to use the restroom independently. Please send a nut free snack. This storytime is geared towards kids at least 3 years but less than 6 years old. Sign up at recreater. com.
•••
Card Games and Kindness
Bookmarks
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 31
Edward F. Fry Memorial Library, 1635 Ballenger Creek Park, Point of Rocks
Free
Drop in the Point of Rocks library anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. to join them for a variety of crafts, games, puzzles and DIY activities. Leveled options of activities will be provided so different ages can participate in the same program: elementary, tween/teen and adult. This is a great opportunity to check out this spot while enjoying family time together.
Abstract Up-cycled Tower Decor
Noon to 2 p.m. Jan. 31
Give Rise Studio, 125 S. Carroll St., Ste 101 Frederick
$25/person
Upcycle cardboard into beautiful abstract towers at Give Rise Studio this Saturday! This event is open to all ages and going to be so fun! We will be taking cardboard, scissors and paint to create unique towers of color. All supplies provided. Sign up at giverisestudio.com.
•••
Roar like a Lion
1 to 4 p.m. Jan. 31
The author’s daughter, Lane Mahaney, 10, of Ijamsville, tries a Kids Aerial Yoga class with instructors Bonnie Abbott and Hannah Chaney.
Middletown Public Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown
Free
Join the Middletown Leo and Lions Club members this Saturday afternoon for a free community event for families — of all ages and abilities. Enjoy hands-on craftivities like making natural bird feeders, breathing beads, furry friend toys, friendship rocks, and Valentines Day cards.
•••
National Backwards Day
2 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 31
Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N Maple Ave., Brunswick
Free
OK — this event looks cute. Wear your clothes backwards and join the Brunswick Library for some fun crafts, games and activities to celebrate National Backward Day! This program is geared for children ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Be sure to stop in, maybe even by walking in the door backwards.
•••
Off Center on Ice
12 to 4 p.m. Feb. 1
Mt. Airy Bowling, 304 Center St., Mount Airy
$25/skater; $15/non-skater
For one special day only, Mt. Airy Bowling’s typically adults-only venue is opening its doors to families for a unique winter experience at Off Center. Your Off Center on Ice skating ticket includes unlimited ice skating for 4 hours, a s’mores pack, endless music and winter fun, hourly snowball fights, cozy fire pits, access to a hot chocolate bar and hot cider bar. Snacks, pizza, and a full bar is available for purchase.
•••
Kids Aerial Yoga
12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 1
Sol Yoga (Garage Studio), 218 Abrecht Pl., Frederick
$30/child
For the beginner child who wants to try aerial yoga, check out this event on Sunday! Your child will get out the wiggles while building strength, flexibility, and creativity in a soft, fabric hammock for a fun time in the sky. Kids will be supported to try new things in this friendly, non-competitive environment while posing in the air. Every class wraps up with calming mindfulness to leave kids more relaxed and refreshed. This 60-minute workshop is tailored towards kids 7 to 16 years of age. Register your spot at bonnieabbott.com.
•••
Play & Puzzles: The Great Groundhog Getaway
2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 1
Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont Free
It’s Sunday Funday and time to talk about Groundhogs day! Bring the kids to the Thurmont library at 2 p.m. to see if they can help the groundhog make a quick escape. Kids will solve playful puzzles, follow clues, and work together to decide if it’s time to pop out for spring or stay cozy for winter. This hands-on Groundhog Day adventure is geared for those in grades K-5.
Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifthgeneration native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. To see more local family friendly things to do, follow her on Instagram @thefrederickmom.
TIFFANY MAHANEY
Tiffany Mahaney
Majestic Theater presents the Martha Graham Dance Company: A Dual Centennial Event
The Majestic Theater’s four-part 100th anniversary season culminates on Feb. 3 with a dual centennial event featuring the Martha Graham Dance Company. The Majestic’s milestone season was curated to highlight film, music, theatre, and dance, and will welcome America’s oldest and one of its most prestigious dance companies for this special occasion.
Martha Graham (1894-1991) is known as one of the most influential artistic forces of the 20th century, first performing with a supporting group of dancers on April 18, 1926. Her groundbreaking and uniquely American style of dance has impacted generations of artists and captivated audiences worldwide. The Martha Graham Dance Company has received international acclaim in more than fifty countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, and has produced several award-winning film broadcasts on PBS and around the world. The Company’s 2025-2026 season is their culmination of a three-year celebration featuring an extensive series of programs and events that explore the diversity and depth of Graham’s artistic legacy. The 2025-2026 tour schedule includes international venues such as the Megaron Concert Hall in Athens, Greece, and Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy, as well as a number of states across the country. In addition, noteworthy historic performance venues include the base of the Great Pyramids in Egypt and the ancient Odeon of Herodes Atticus theater on the Acropolis in Athens.
“This is an uncommon opportunity for arts lovers and history lovers alike,” said Majestic Theater executive director Brett Messenger. “Two of the works are pure celebrations of the best of American Arts: Graham’s iconic Appalachian Spring and the new work, En Masse, while two others deal directly with history in ways that are thought-provoking, poignant, and inspiring to behold. An outsized evening like this at the Majestic is a fitting tribute to Gettysburg’s late visionary impresario and producer, Karl Held.”
The program on Feb. 3 showcases masterpieces by Graham alongside newly commissioned works to unite the work of choreographers across time. Graham’s beloved Appalachian Spring, the masterpiece that won Aar-
on Copland the Pulitzer Prize for the score, takes place in a 19th-century Pennsylvania Settlement and captures a sense of American optimism and folk culture as the war in Europe was ending. Aaron Copland weaves the Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts,” throughout his luminous score, while Martha Graham’s choreography includes square dance patterns, skips and paddle turns, curtsies and even a grand right and left.
This fall, the Company premiered En Masse by Hope Boykin, which opens with an incomplete excerpt of music that Leonard Bernstein was working on at the time of his death. Christopher Rountree, a three-time
Grammy-nominated composer, imagines what the short piece from Bernstein could be by building the composition in For Martha (Variations on a Theme by Leonard Bernstein). Suite for Dance from Mass is a new arrangement of excerpts from Bernstein’s MASS, also by Rountree, which will be performed live by an ensemble featuring students from Gettysburg College’s Sunderman Conservatory under the baton of Dr. César Leal. A highlight of the program, which will only take place in Gettysburg, is Tony Award-winner John Rubinstein (Pippin, Children of a Lesser God) performing Simple Song, a Shaker tune wo-
ven into Graham’s ballet, from Leonard Bernstein’s MASS. John Rubinstein will return to the Majestic for this special occasion after his portrayal of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground in October. This special performance pays homage to the only other time Rubinstein performed Simple Song, in 1978 under the baton of Leonard Bernstein himself for the first Kennedy Center Honors, for which his father, Arthur, was an inaugural recipient.
Lamentation premiered 95 years ago in New York City in the Maxine Elliot’s Theater with music composed by Zoltán Kodály. This piece is performed almost entirely from a seated position, while the dancer wears a purple fabric. The tension created as the dancer’s body struggles with the material resembles the essence of grief, and how grief surrounds but moves and changes with an individual. Immediate Tragedy was created as a solo for Graham in 1937 as a reaction to the atrocities of the Spanish Civil War and the rise of fascism.
Graham stopped performing the solo in the late 1930s, and the piece was considered lost. In 2020, using recently discovered photos of Graham in a performance and other archival materials, Janet Eilber reimagined the choreography for Immediate Tragedy, and Christopher Rountree created a new score inspired by handwritten pages of music by Henry Cowell. We the People, a powerful new work by acclaimed choreographer Jamar Roberts, set to music written by the Grammy, Pulitzer, and MacArthur prize-winning folk musician, Rhiannon Giddens, will be performed at the Majestic nearly one year after its premiere in February of 2024.
Roberts has said, “We the People is equal parts protest and lament, speculating on the ways in which America does not always live up to its promise. Against the backdrop of traditional American music, We the People hopes to serve as a reminder that the power for collective change belongs to the people.” The program will conclude with a newly commissioned work in celebration of America 250.
Tickets are available at the Majestic Theater Box Office, 25 Carlisle St., Gettysburg, by calling 717-337-8200 or online at gettysburgmajestic.org.
The Martha Graham Dance Company will perform at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg.
Courtesy photo
Continuing Bonds
Bereaved parents use art therapy to process substance
BY IAN CHEN
Special to The News-Post
In the bottom right corner of the Quilt of Continuing Bonds, there is a block with a small painting of two shadowy swings resting against the backdrop of an indigo night. The crescent moon peeks out from the corner, and pink flowers bloom beneath the dotted-in stars. Starting from when he was 11, Tommy would ask his mother, Kelly, to take a late-night walk to the park swings whenever he needed a safe space to talk.
“We would swing together, and he would tell me his deepest feelings,” she recalled. “He felt comfortable knowing we weren’t sitting there face-to-face, and he knew he could say whatever he wanted without judgment.”
Swinging in the backyard and at the playground was something he did with his mother until the week he lost his life. In 2023, Tommy passed away at the age of 24 after a years-long struggle with substance abuse.
One of Kelly’s fondest memories of Tommy was by the swing set. One evening, late at night, a patrolling police officer saw two older-looking figures hanging out by the playground. The officer sat parked in his car for a few minutes, just watching them swing. Then, he stepped out and walked toward them. Kelly explained to him that they were having a deep conversation between mother and son.
“The officer kind of chuckled. He goes, ‘Wow, more parents should be doing that. You guys carry on.’ And he just walked away, laughing.”
Tommy’s story is one of 29 remembered on the Quilt of Continuing Bonds, a project created by the nonprofit Living Through Loss.
“The quilt represents memories and how our children continue to live on in us through those memories,” Kelly said.
•••
Living Through Loss, based in Frederick, is a community for parents who’ve lost a child to substance abuse. Therapist Jamie Eaton founded it in 2019 after she had a client who couldn’t find a support group after losing a child to overdose. The nonprofit Second Street and Hope, also in Frederick, helped her fund a six-week support group, which filled up immediately. Now, six years later, Living Through Loss has served nearly 200 parents.
In 2021, licensed art therapist Whitney Dahlberg joined the team. This year, along with her friends and artists Courtney Prahl and Krissy Benson, she launched the Quilt of Continuing Bonds project.
The quilt consists of 29 decorated fabric blocks, each made by a parent (mostly mothers) who lost a child to addiction. The blocks incorporate details that serve as reminders of their children’s lives. Dahlberg says that rather than viewing grief as a process of letting go, the idea of continued bonds emphasizes that people can find ways to continue the connection through grief.
“Continuing the bonds is really important for the healing process,” Dahlberg said.
Eaton appreciates the use of more nontraditional methods, such as art therapy, for healing because they can reach a different part of the brain than talk therapy and cognitive approaches do.
FOR MORE
Find a schedule of places the quilt will be displayed at living-through-loss.org.
Beyond art, Living Through Loss also offers equine therapy and somatic therapy.
“There’s a spiritual component to it,” Eaton said. “There’s a relational component to it. Art infuses all of those in different ways, and so it’s a modality of treatment that touches the whole person.”
The quilt debuted on Aug. 31, International Overdose Awareness Day, the same day Living Through Loss traditionally hosts a brunch and potluck where parents bring their child’s favorite dish.
Over the next year, the quilt will be traveling to be publicly displayed at various locations throughout Maryland, including Frederick Community College, the Washington County Arts Council
abuse loss
and Hood College. At some locations, participants can create response art that Living Through Loss plans to upload to their website.
“People can feel like they’re a part of it as well, even if they didn’t get to put [their contribution] in the actual quilt,” Dahlberg said.
When the tour ends, Dahlberg hopes to either find a location to permanently display it or to hang it up during Living Through Loss events.
Ultimately, Dahlberg hopes the project will help to combat the stigma surrounding addiction.
“It’s important for other people to see that these are children behind these blocks,” she said. •••
Kelly discovered Living Through Loss through a friend who had also lost a son. Her friend convinced her to start counseling two months after her loss. The understanding Kelly gained through a support group — mainly that grief is not something you get over but something you learn to live with — made all the difference.
“It’s like having a new family in grief that you can constantly rely and depend on,” Kelly said. “They won’t say anything that’s offensive or unkind because they’ve also experienced the loss of a child to substance abuse.”
Similarly, the quilt project brought grieving parents together to laugh and cry about their memories. For Kelly, a self-described perfectionist who struggles with being vulnerable, letting go of perfection was part of the healing.
“This isn’t about being perfect or about the final product,” she said. “It’s about the healing process and being with other mothers while you do it. They’re my new family. It’s OK to laugh and be vulnerable in that group.”
Kelly hopes the quilt will make people more compassionate, empathetic and sensitive to the stigma surrounding the loss of a child to addiction.
“It wasn’t who they were — it was just a sad minute of their lives,” she said. “These were our children, and it shouldn’t matter how they died. I wouldn’t wish the loss of a child on my worst enemy.”
•••
Matthew Loudon was kind and loyal.
“We [heard] a lot from his friends that spoke at his funeral about how he was constantly doing things for them, always there for them,” his mother, Dee-
Courtesy of Whitney Dahlberg
The Quilt of Continuing Bonds.
problems that ran deeper.
“As much as I applaud people who run rehab facilities, I don’t think that they really ever get to the root cause of what causes somebody to want to self-medicate,” she said.
By 2020, Matthew seemed to be doing better. He had passed his real estate exam and was working as an agent. He told his mother that his psychiatrist had weaned him off of street drugs completely. For Loudon, no red flags were visible.
On Halloween morning that year, Matthew got into a dirt bike accident and lacerated his liver. He was admitted to the ICU but checked himself out against medical advice. When he came home, he had no painkillers.
“I think that he was seeking something for the pain, and it was pretty much 100% fentanyl,” Loudon said.
Matthew died from fentanyl poisoning on Nov. 3, 2020. He was 21 years old.
Five years later, Loudon says she’ll talk about him to anyone who will listen. She goes to high schools in Montgomery County with the state’s attorney, warning students about the dangers of fentanyl. She’s been interviewed by Sanjay Gupta at CNN, as well as CBS Nightly News.
Every October, she, her husband and their daughter participate in a walk for a nonprofit dedicated to fighting addiction called Shatterproof, to raise money in Matthew’s name.”
“He’s in our conversation every day,” Loudon said.
In January of 2021, Loudon discovered Living Through Loss, which became integral to starting her healing journey. “I just wanted to do everything I could do to heal myself,” she said.
“I just couldn’t even get the words out, like it hit me so hard,” she said.
The usher grabbed Loudon and her sister, hugged them and began to pray.
“It’s those moments that catch me off guard that are the hardest.”
Stigma surrounding addiction remains deeply entrenched. Many — including Loudon, before her son’s death — associate addiction with bad people.
“Before Matthew, I had a vision in my mind of what a drug addict might be,” she admitted.
It took experiencing firsthand the pain — and ultimately, the irreversible loss — that addiction causes for her to change her perspective.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, this isn’t going to happen. … We’re middle class or we’re upper class,’” she said. “But addiction does not discriminate.” •••
In his senior year of high school, Justin Sheridan came home around 9:30 p.m. with a request.
na Loudon said. “He was always willing to take somebody in if they didn’t have a place to go.”
His greatest passion in life was ice hockey (he ate, slept and breathed it, his mother said), and he was close to his grandmother. “I think she was probably his favorite human, and vice versa,” Loudon said.
But on the inside, Matthew dealt with severe anxiety. One morning, Matthew called Loudon, who was at work, to ask what they would be having for dinner that evening. When she replied that she didn’t know yet, Matthew became extremely distressed over the uncertainty. “He needed to know,” Loudon said. To address this, the family started a new
routine: Deciding at each dinner what the next day’s meal would be.
Matthew’s anxiety led him to self-medicate. It started in his junior year of high school with Xanax.
He went through inpatient rehab for 30 days in Florida that year, then an intensive outpatient during his senior year.
Though he initially concealed his drug use, he eventually confessed to his mother that he had experimented with nearly every type of street drug.
“Matthew was honest to a fault,” Loudon said. “He told me a lot of things that I probably should have never known.”
Loudon believes rehab was an imperfect and temporary solution for
On the Quilt of Continuing Bonds, Loudon’s block features hockey sticks and the number 24, the jersey number he always wore, traced from Matthew’s handwriting from doodles he made. In the top right corner, Loudon added a piece of fabric from a sock decorated with pot leaves. “Those reminded me of my son,” she said. During his time in rehab, Matthew often joked he would quit Xanax and other drugs, but he would never give up marijuana.
Working on the quilt brought her both joy and pain.
“When we’re together, there’s a lot of joy in that room between all of the moms, and we’re laughing, and we’re carrying on in the moment,” Loudon said. “But then when you step back and you think about why you’re there, it sort of smacks you in the face.”
The grief still catches her off guard. Last summer, at a Nationals game, the stadium was giving away jerseys with the number 24. When an usher asked if they enjoyed the day, Loudon told him about Matthew and the significance of the number.
“He said, ‘Mom, can I have the team spend the night?’” Debbie Prue, his mother, recalled. When Prue asked him to quantify “team,” he said the whole football team. She had to tell him no. They didn’t have enough space for everyone to sleep. Then he asked, “Well, can you feed them for dinner?” Prue remembers telling him she would have to think about it. “And then he goes, ‘But I already told them you would!’” she said with a laugh.
The next Friday, Prue got home from work and cooked five pounds of pasta with salad and garlic bread. She fed his team, and half of them spent the night anyway. The next morning, she got up and made breakfast. She doesn’t remember how many dozen eggs or how many pounds of bacon.
“He always volunteered me,” Prue said.
At Justin’s funeral, some of his friends told her that when they came to the Sheridan house, they always felt at home.
“That really touched my heart, because some of these kids didn’t have the best home life, but they felt safe at my house, and Justin was a part of that,” Prue said.
(See THERAPY 27)
Whitney Dahlberg
A parent paints a butterfly on their block of the quilt.
Courtesy of Deena Loudon
Matthew poses with his mother after a hockey game.
”The Unquiet Mind” — through Jan. 31, Vault of Visions Art Gallery, 1 N. Market St., Frederick. Debuting in the heart of winter, a season when many contend with seasonal affective disorder or heightened emotional strain, “The Unquiet Mind” by Michelle Ramos offers a timely and resonant exploration of mental well-being. 240-315-5483 or vovartgallery.com. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Monday by appointment. 240-315-5483 or vovartgallery.com.
Frederick County Arts Association Exhibit — through Feb. 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. The annual FCAA exhibition features members’ artworks in a variety of media, including paintings, photography, mixed media, drawings, collages, ceramics and sculpture. FCAA’s approximately 100 members range from casual painters to full-time professionals. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
“The Elephant in the Room” — through Feb. 1 at Artspiration, 915 Toll House Ave., Frederick. 657-627-0554, toc21702@gmail.com.
”Where Energy Meets Matter: Exploring the Frontiers of Science” — through Feb. 20, Y Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. Participating artists explore the dynamic interplay of art and science, celebrating the cutting-edge research and innovation happening at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and throughout Frederick. This exhibition includes work that captures the essence of energy and matter — through explorations of physics, biology and the unseen forces that shape our universe. Call 301-662-4190 or email info@frederickartscouncil.org for viewing hours.
”Myron Barnstone: Unveiling the Architecture of Peace, Justice and Beauty” — through Feb. 22, Blanche Ames Gallery at UUCF, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Interactive exhibit by Barnstone Studios featuring select original works and never-before-exhibited pieces by artist and teacher Barnstone. Hours are 10 a.m.2 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, or by appointment. bagalleryappointment@gmail.com. frederickuu. org/gallery.
”She is ...” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Maremi Andreozzi’s work is an affirmation through interpretive painted portraits of lesser known women in history. Painting a contemporary visual likeness and reconceptualizing their contributions confirms their place in our narrative and broadens our understanding of everyday exceptional people shaping history. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Urban and Industrial Landscapes” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Paintings by Alfred Groff. Cities and industrial landscapes are often thought of as cold and merely utilitarian. This work challenges that notion by considering the beauty in the forms and colors of urban and industrial environments. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Midnight at Kelly Pond” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Ceramic and mixed media by Anne Boyer. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-6980656, delaplaine.org.
”From the Heart” — through March 1, GALLERY 322,
Anne Boyer explores the idea of a magical pond in “Midnight at Kelly Pond,” on view through March 1 at the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick.
322 N. Market St., Frederick. Showcases emotional and authentic works that delve into personal experiences, universal themes like love and resilience, and the unfiltered connection between an artist’s inner world and their creative output, featuring diverse mediums from expressive paintings and sculptures to intimate drawings and assemblage. 4-7 p.m. Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 301-509-8212 or gallery322.com.
“The Past is Always Present” — through March 24 at Washington County Arts Council, 36 S Potomac St., Hagerstown. Curated by Eileen Berger of Just Lookin’ Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases the creativity of 14 African-American artists, featuring an array of original paintings, mixed media and assemblage works. Opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 16, and artist Russel Lewis will speak. 301-791-3132.
Crestwood Gallery Winter Exhibit & “Healthy Horizons Through Students’ Eyes” Competition — through May 8, Frederick Health — Crestwood Building, 7211 Bank Court, Frederick. Original works including oil, watercolor, mixed media and photography from local artists alongside the “Healthy Horizons Through Students’ Eyes” Competition. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 240-215-1460 or frederickhealth.org/ crestwoodart.
”Shelter From the Storm” — Jan. 31-Feb. 13, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. First event of the 2026 “Wine and Art Series”, featuring an exhibit of artwork by D.C. artist Nancy Arbuthnot. “Shelter From the Storm” is an exhibit of watercolors and text-and-image collages inspired by her time as artist-in-residence at Catoctin Mountain Park in 2021. Daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards.com.
”Be Kind, Rewind” — Feb. 1-28, Vault of Visions Art Gallery, 1 N. Market St., Frederick. Frederick artist Billi French presents her newest collection of acrylic paintings celebrating memories from her childhood in the ‘90s to ‘00s. Artist talk 3 p.m. Feb. 14. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tues-
day, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Monday by appointment. 240-315-5483, vovgallery.com.
”Leaves Revisited” — Feb. 7 to March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Leaves take center stage in the fiber works of this exhibition by Dominie Nash. It is a continuation of Nash’s Big Leaf series, which considers the form and variety of leaves as an endless source of inspiration. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-6980656 or delaplaine.org.
”Tet[R]ad: Cultivating Community Discourses” — Feb. 7 to March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Works in a variety of media by David Modler, Samuel Peck and Michael Dodson. This installation is part of ongoing arts-based social and studio practices focused on engaging communities in collective art making. Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to participate with the artists in visual journals, collaborative drawings, and other potential creative mischief. Art Matters artists talk 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-6980656 or delaplaine.org.
”Fusion and Focus: Reflections of Our Shared World” — Feb. 7-28, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Fused glass artist Steven Gibson and photographer Mary Paul Barnaby combine their work in a mix of fused glass and photography that captures moments of beauty and wonder in our shared world. Playing with light and reflection in their pieces, they create a dynamic and ever-changing experience for the viewer. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsidearts313@ gmail.com.
Art-Hop: Black Art-Hop Hystoria — A Pop Up Exhibition by Taurean Washington — 5-7 p.m. Feb. 22, Frederick Social, 50 Citizen’s Way, Frederick. One of Maryland’s best emerging talent displays his work inspired by and commemorating Black History month. There will be visually engaging work along with complimentary food that reflect the African-American experience. Artist talk at 6 p.m. Teens and older. 301-465-1087 or tcw1@hood. edu.
Landscapes of Maryland Featuring Frederick County — Feb. 28 to March 13, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. An exhibit of artwork by Phil LeVee. Presented are a selection of original paintings inspired by the farms, rural fields, rolling hills and landscapes of Frederick County. Also included are iconic Maryland Main Street and Chesapeake Bay scenes. Incredibly versatile, LeVee paints in several styles from a graphic realist style to abstract and various combinations of those two. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-602-5733, linksbridgevineyards.com.
”Mechanics and Infrastructure” — May 2-15, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Park of the vineyards Wine and Art Series. An exhibit of artwork by Gillian Collins. This is a unique and beautiful exhibit of paintings of mechanical systems. They are common devices and machines that surround us every day and upon which our modern lives are dependent — yet these things are rarely celebrated and go practically unnoticed. Collins brings a new attention and perspective to everyday hardware components. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards. com.
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Hood professor discusses backlash over Emerald Fennell’s ‘Wuthering Heights’
BY J.D. VALDEPENAS
Special to The News-Post
Since its announcement in April 2025, Emerald Fennell’s screen adaptation of Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights” has sparked online ridicule, mixed test audience responses and heavy criticism of Fennell’s interpretation. Many question whether Fennell’s provocative signature style suits Brontë’s dark Gothic tragedy.
Critics argue Fennell overlooks major themes of race, class and generational trauma to center the dramatic relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. The trailers suggest she’s framing their connection as an intensely passionate, sexually charged love affair, with the tagline billing it as “the greatest love story of all time.” This approach has led some Brontë fans to doubt whether Fennell — who first read the novel at age 14 — truly understands it.
amazing novel. In terms of Wuthering Heights adaptations, I appreciate the versions that try to account for the multi-generational aspect of her plot. Most film versions stick to Cathy and Heathcliff. Cutting the entire second half of the novel isn’t in keeping with the spirit of her work.
Yes, “Wuthering Heights” is most famous for the romance between Catherine and Heathcliff. What other aspects deserve more attention?
This raises a key question: How faithful must filmmakers be when adapting literary classics? Fennell’s defenders argue her provocative approach aligns with Brontë’s original intentions. At publication, “Wuthering Heights” received mixed reviews from critics who praised Brontë’s skill but were shocked by her exploration of dark subjects and unlikable characters.
Trevor Dodman, a professor of English at Hood College, teaches courses on 19th-, 20th- and 21stcentury British literature, including Brontë’s novel. He shared his insights via email.
Do you believe films based on literature have a duty to be faithful to the source material, or should filmmakers run with their interpretations?
I tend to favor adaptations that try to capture the spirit of the literary basetext, as opposed to total fidelity. The most recent Frankenstein, for instance, also starring Jacob Elordi, veers wildly from Shelley’s original, yet seems also to convey the wonderfully complex strangeness that she built into her
Certainly, the second half of the novel, which centers on the children of the key first-half figures, deserves more filmic representation. Versions that only give us the first half undercut the complexity of Brontë’s non-linear plot, not to mention the various doppelganger effects at play. The novel’s emphasis on cycles of violence and the extent to which the past haunts the present gather particular force in the novel’s second half. I also think that Nelly [Dean] deserves more attention. While she’s not the narrator proper (that’s Lockwood, in the novel’s framing device), she’s nevertheless the key to all information that we get about both the Earnshaws and the Lintons in the novel.
What about “Wuthering Heights” is often misunderstood by modern audiences?
I think that the drama of the tortured love theme often distracts away from the emphasis Brontë places throughout the novel on properties and possessions. This is a novel deeply interested in who owns what — and how they come into that ownership. While the supernatural theme doubles down on “possession,” it’s Brontë’s critical view of the patriarchal arrangements of the material world that carries the most force.
Of past film versions of the book, which is your favorite and why?
All of them have flaws; some are pretty terrible. While I show clips from different versions in class, my favorite is Peter Kosminsky’s 1992 adaption, which stars Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes. There are weird things about it, no doubt, but I appreciate the efforts to translate the spirit of the work
while also attending to the entirety of Brontë’s plotting.
Why is it important to keep discussions of “Wuthering Heights” and other classic works alive today?
Classic works such as Brontë’s novel matter more than ever because they force us to think deeply about the complexities of our shared humanity. Human existence cannot be reduced to convenient binaries. “Wuthering Heights,” for instance, asks us to question our tendency to conceive of people as either insiders or outsiders. Classic literary works, like all great art, challenge us to reflect on matters of sameness and difference, to develop empathy for others, and to better
IF YOU GO
“Wuthering Heights” is set to be released Feb. 13, with screenings scheduled for Warehouse Cinemas and Regal Westview in Frederick.
understand the ways that the past informs the present.
This interview has been edited for space and clarity.
J.D. Valdepenas is a senior at Pace University majoring in English language and literature. Along with writing about arts, culture and entertainment, she studied classical and medieval literature and Shakespearean drama.
Courtesy photo
A copy of “Wuthering Heights.”
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Trevor Dodman, PhD, a professor of English at Hood College in Frederick.
BY LAUREN LAROCCA llarocca@newspost.com
Last winter, when I found myself in that cold, dark place that comes after the spell of the holidays but before spring reveals itself, I began reading Tolstoy.
I found it comforting to send my mind to a snowy 19th-century Russia, complete with ice skating and fur coats and family arriving by train. I sunk easily into their slow mornings of drinking coffee while reading the newspaper and their after-dinner cigars. I was reading “Anna Karenina,” and its icy exterior was warming my heart.
It got me thinking about its antithesis: summer book-list drops comprised of beach reads and romantic fantasies and otherwise fast-moving novels that can be read start to finish in one lazy afternoon.
But what happens when it’s a different everyday reality we want to escape or embrace? What about the gray days of January or the “wintry mix” afternoons, when you want to check out, take a personal day, and tuck yourself under blankets with a cup of hot tea?
What should you reach for when you are face to face with SAD or having another existential crisis and don’t want to get out of bed? What book will you pull from the shelf when it’s March but still bitter cold and dreary?
I would like to suggest a few titles. Themes of death, depression and snowy, icy locales (most often Russia) continually resurface.
What books are best for winter reading?
FICTION
“Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy
The famous line “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way” is the first sentence of this novel and certainly sets the tone. As mentioned earlier, read it for its atmosphere, themes setting — heavy snow, sleigh rides, and intimate indoor scenes resonate perfectly with the season.
“The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky Russia (again), plus murder and religion make this a perfect read for long, dark nights. This sprawling philosophical novel traces three brothers — sensualist Dmitri, intellectual Ivan and spiritual Alyosha — as they grapple with their father’s murder and the weightier questions faith, free will and moral responsibility. Dostoevsky examines whether
me for decades, as it held such a disquieting power over me (and I suspect many other readers).
Meursault is so emotionally detached as to be almost the antithesis of a protagonist, and yet, through this character, I believe Camus is asking: Why must we all perform? Why the need to be an alternate, “superior” version of ourselves? Why is our merit, character, integrity, etc. generally measured by how well we conform, fit in, and pass these silent tests of societal norms?
“Orlando: A Biography” by Virginia Woolf
This list would be incomplete without the sharp, stream-ofconsciousness prose of Virginia Woolf. In this novel, she follows aristocratic Orlando across four centuries and a miraculous sex change, from Elizabethan England to the 20th century. The book was written as a love letter to Vita Sackville-West, Woolf’s lover and close friend.
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
Tolstoy families first certainly earlier, themes and rides, resonate by traces Dmitri, Alyosha father’s questions of responsibility.
meaning can exist without God, whether love can redeem suffering, and how each soul must reconcile the divine and demonic within itself.
“One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich” by Alexander Solzhenitsyn
Solzhenitsyn distills the entire Gulag experience into a single winter day in the life of prisoner Ivan Denisovich Shukhov, revealing how survival itself becomes an art of small dignities and negotiations. Mundane details — securing extra bread, hiding a blade, finding warmth — carry profound weight. They show how resilient the human spirit is.
“Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak
I read this in college, then watched the movie, and still think of it every winter — because it is just so wintry (Russian writers are really are the kings
of winter reading.)
“The Winter of our Discontent” by John Steinbeck
This feels like a fitting winter read for the state our country is in, as it follows a once-wealthy man who has been reduced to a grocery store clerk. He confronts the moral decay beneath America’s material prosperity, while wrestling with temptation, corruption and the erosion of values. The book asks: Can integrity survive in a culture that worships material success?
“The Hours” by Michael Cunningham
Three women across different decades—Virginia Woolf writing “Mrs. Dalloway,” a 1940s housewife reading it and a modern editor living it — move through parallel stories, through the hours of their lives. Or watch the (terrific) 2002 movie starring Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Julianne
Moore
“Steppenwolf” by Hermann Hesse
As Walt Whitman put it, “We contain multitudes,” and Hesse’s book examines that idea so thoroughly, ultimately asking if we can accept the multiplicity within us. I found this book, read with an open mind, to work on many levels.
“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy
Think post-apocalyptic, father and son, and the fight to survive … albeit in a dystopian reality that includes cannibalism. McCarthy asks whether love and goodness retain meaning when civilization has collapsed. What matters when the world has seemingly ended? This, too, was adapted into a film (2009), like several others on this list.
“The Stranger” by Albert Camus
“The Stranger” has stuck with
Modern popular culture would have us affiliate the Frankenstein character with Halloween, but Mary Shelley’s novel feels eternally winter, with its dark, cold atmosphere and themes of isolation, emotional coldness and death, which are mirrored by its icy, Arctic settings and Gothic gloom.
NONFICTION / MEMOIR
“Autobiography of Malcolm X”
Malcolm Little’s transformation from street hustler to Malcolm X to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz unfolds as a powerful testament to radical reinvention. Follow along on his fascinating journey from the margins of American society through the Nation of Islam and finally toward a more inclusive human rights vision, with a throughline of courage and an endless quest for growth.
“What I Talk About When I Talk About Running” by Haruki Murakami
A meditation on the parallel disciplines of long-distance running and writing novels — in both, there is
(See BOOKS 16)
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(Continued from 15)
the necessity of solitude, endurance and the accumulation of small daily efforts. His reflections become a quiet philosophy of creative life and might serve as a quiet motivation to use these long, winter days to carve away at some of your own goals.
“The Snow Leopard” by Peter Matthiessen
The author is on a journey — a long, arduous journey with another man, through the snowy Himalayas to study blue sheep, with the hopes of finding a snow leopard. But truly, the journey is not about blue sheep at all — or snow leopards. In a word, the journey is about spiritual transformation. The treacherous trek becomes a meditation on impermanence, Zen practice and the realization that what we seek may matter less than the seeking itself, that presence in each difficult step contains its own illumination.
Essays by James Baldwin
Any essay or collection of essays will do, as his recurring themes of oppression, violence and rage show up on the page, though strewn with love, morality and a lyricism that makes his work best read aloud. You’ll also be
learning more American history every time you dip into one of his books, particularly the Black experience.
“My Struggle” by Karl Ove Knausgård
Six volumes, titled “My Struggle,” autobiographical and by a Norwegian writer — you can see why this has a very obvious place on the list. Through impeccable details when recalling his past, he ultimately reveals the profound strangeness of simply being alive.
POETRY
“The Great Fires” by Jack Gilbert
The beauty in Gilbert’s poetry is the small glimpses of sheer joy found amid loss, loneliness and the passage of time. He is also not a showy poet but a poet of the people, I’d like to say — one you will likely resonate with. Like Knausgård, he instills in his work a gratitude for being alive, regardless of the rollercoaster this is.
“Kyrie: Poems” by Ellen Bryant Voigt
Written in response to the 1918 influenza pandemic, Voigt’s chapbook of linked sonnets explore individual grief, community devastation and the inadequacy of language to contain catastrophic loss. Though written well
before the COVID-19 pandemic, the emotions imbued in the experiences feel eerily similar to our modern equivalent.
“Japanese Death Poems”
As the title implies, this book is a compilation of short poems, often haikus, written mostly by Zen monks just before they died. These brief verses distill a lifetime of wisdom into
concise and final images, as if given as one last offering to the world.
Honorable mentions: Sylvia Plath (anything), “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind” by Shunryu Suzuki, and anything by Sartre or Nietzsche.
Lauren LaRocca is the editor of 72 Hours. You can reach her at llarocca@newspost.com, or follow her on Instagram @karmarocca.
Washington County Arts Council names Chris Brewer as new executive director
The Washington County Arts Council recently announced the appointment of Chris Brewer as executive director, effective Jan. 19. Brewer brings 13 years of dedicated service to WCAC, where he previously served as gallery manager, overseeing daily gallery operations and building lasting relationships with the regional artist community.
“Chris’s deep knowledge of our organization, his established relationships with our artists and community partners, and his demonstrated commitment to WCAC’s mission made him the clear choice to lead us forward,” said Arthur Schneider, WCAC board president. “We are confident in his ability to guide the Arts Council through this next exciting chapter.”
As executive director, Brewer will provide strategic leadership for WCAC programs, including gallery exhibitions, the Gallery Shop with work by more than 170 regional artists, grant programs supporting local arts initiatives, and signature events including the annual Art of Cooking
discover the romance of the north
fundraiser. He will also implement WCAC’s Strategic Plan 2025-2027, which focuses on expanding community engagement, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring the organization’s long-term sustainability.
“I am honored to step into this role at an organization I have called home for over a decade,” said Brewer. “The Washington County Arts Council has been enriching our community since 1967, and I look forward to building on that legacy while creating new opportunities for artists and audiences throughout the region.”
Founded in 1967, WCAC serves as Washington County’s designated County Arts Agency, operating freeadmission gallery spaces in downtown Hagerstown’s Arts & Entertainment District. The organization hosts 8-10 exhibitions annually and reaches thousands of residents and visitors each year.
WCAC will soon announce the search for a new gallery manager to join the team. For more information, visit washingtoncountyarts.com.
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Chris Brewer
TV Holy sexagenarian, Batman — we just turned 60!
Picture this: Crooks have just pilfered the largest diamond in the world from the Gotham City Museum of Fine Jewelry, leaving stunned watchmen and slips of paper with confounding riddles behind. Solve the riddles and you will find the fiends! Clearly outclassed — alas, there’s really no reason to even try — Police Commissioner Gordon and Chief of Police O’Hara look skyward and grimly activate the bat signal. A powerful beam of light depicting the majestic and unmistakable winged symbol of justice lights up the night sky. It is only a matter of time before the dashing, tricked-out Batmobile is screeching down the highway, depositing Batman and Robin at police HQ for a confab with the overmatched police professionals.
The “Batman” TV series, which ran for 120 episodes between 1966 and 1968, debuted 60 years ago on ABC this month. Nearly every episode began the way I described — an outrageous caper pulled off by an oddball villain, befuddled police, and the caped crusaders, duly notified, speeding to the rescue. It was a twice-weekly series, airing on two consecutive nights — Wednesday and Thursday — at 7:30 pm.
As a kid of the ‘60s, I can tell you there was nothing quite like it. I watched “Batman” in first run but, like Star Trek, reruns kicked in right away so it seemed like it was always on. Today, the original “Batman” series airs on MeTV on Saturdays and the entire 120-episode series is available on DVD at major retailers.
The first episode of the week always left the dynamic duo teetering on the verge of a harrowing death from the hands of an outrageous villain. Episode two featured their miraculous escape and the comeuppance of the villain. That was the formula — every time — and we loved it. Executive producer William Dozier, who doubled as the show’s overly-excited narrator, always implored us to return the next night at the “same bat time, same bat channel.” “Batman” appealed to kids for the nonstop action, colorful villains and the heroic deeds of the “dynamin
duo,” especially the comically stoic Adam West as Batman (“Thank you, citizen.”) It eventually appealed to adults, too, because of its sly humor, scientific basis (the bat cave was filled with technical wonders, including the first computer any of us had ever seen) and the witty, campy presentation. I vividly remember watching “Batman” with my dad, who chuckled at the exaggerated cliches, laid on thick.
It didn’t take long before the show became an unlikely hit and full-blown national phenomenon. Like “Hogan’s Heroes” and several other escapist comedies before it, like “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “The Munsters” and “The Addams Family,” it came along at just the right time, providing a twice-weekly break for our warweary and strife-riddled country in the mid ‘60s.
Based on the comic book by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and the old Batman radio show, “Batman” was the first depiction of the “caped crusaders” on screen. It led to an animated series and the ultrasuccessful “Batman” movie franchise we know today.
“Batman” starred Hollywood veteran Adam West as Batman and 19-year-old Burt Ward as Robin, the Boy Wonder. The regular cast was rounded out by Neil Hamilton as deadpan Commissioner Gordon, Stafford Repp as good-humored Chief O’Hara, and Alan Napier as Alfred, the trusted butler to both Batman and Bruce Wayne. Chief writer Lorenzo Semple won a critic’s choice award for his writing on “Batman,” and the show won several Emmys during its run, mostly for technical achievement.
Adam West was a handsome, adequately-built and believable action hero in the mold of George Reeves as Superman. He played Batman as humble, corny, dead pan and not too self-aware. Later in life, West let on how difficult it was to play Batman that way, but he embraced it. Like many actors indelibly linked to their character, West was type cast as Batman and had difficulty landing other roles. In retirement, he enjoyed hamming it up at conventions and personal appearances for adoring fans. Today, viewers may know him as the voice of Quahog mayor Adam West in Family Guy. West died in 2017 at age 88.
giant Frosty Freezie machine by the despicable Mr. Freeze, almost turning them into fruity popsicles. Fortunately, Batman realizes the heat exhaust from the machine could melt them out. Using a handy gadget from his utility belt, which the villains always left in place, he was able to turn the exhaust onto Robin and himself for easy melting.
Newcomer Burt Ward brought a pinch of innocence, earnestness and awkwardness to the series as Robin. Many times, Batman had to rescue him from dire circumstances that anyone else could clearly see coming. His excitable and ever-changing catchphrase beginning with “holy” and ending with a description of the predicament they faced (“Holy hot candle wax, Batman!) were on the lips of adolescents everywhere. Ward is now 81 years old and living in Los Angeles.
“Batman” worked well because it didn’t take itself too seriously, staying faithful to its comic book roots. It specialized in highly choreographed fight sequences, complete with sound effects superimposed on the screen (“POW,” “BAM,” “SPLAT,” “CLANK,” “KAPOW”), a pulsating one-word theme song (“na na na na na na na na, Batman!”) and, most ridiculous of all, absurdly intricate death scenes that never quite finished off the caped crusaders.
Naturally, villains could never bring themselves to just shoot Batman and Robin, even when they had the chance. They had to devise over-thetop death sequences befitting their diabolical reputations. Most times, they were not even in attendance for the dirty deed.
My favorite almost-death scene saw the dynamic duo placed into a
Kids of the ’60 waited with bated breath each week to see which villain would show up. That was a big part of the fun. Hollywood’s biggest names clamored to make a “guest villain” appearance. It got so bad by season three that the caped crusaders had to battle two or three dastardly villains who teamed up to do away with the “caped creeps” once and for all. The list included the big four: a cackling Cesar Romero as Joker, wiry Frank Gorshin as Riddler, waddling and quacking Burgess Meredith (of Rocky fame) as Penguin and sexy Julie Newmar and later Ertha Kitt as Catwoman (Perrrrrrrfect casting!). When any one of those stalwarts turned up, you knew the caped crusaders were really in for it.
Other villains included Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac, Ethel Merman as Lola Lasagne, David Wayne as Mad Hatter, Vincent Price as Egghead, Victor Buono as King Tut, Maurice Evans as Puzzler, Cliff Robertson as Shame (a takeoff on the cowboy character Shane), Dina Merrill as Calamity Jan, Art Carney as Archer and even famed film director Otto Preminger as the mysterious Mr. Freeze.
Near the end of the third season, ratings began to drop as the premise wore off. ABC canceled the show, but NBC agreed to pick it up. But before it could, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of Batman sets were mistakenly destroyed. Rather than rebuild the sets, NBC dropped the project. It took 20 years, but the bat rose again, this time in the form of an ultra-successful major motion picture starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Numerous movies later, it is still going strong.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.
GARY BENNETT
Wikimedia Commons
Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT SUMMER CAMP FOR YOUR CHILD
Summer camps are great for developing your child’s interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, independence and confidence. They also allow your child to enjoy the beauty of nature and develop healthy lifestyle habits like being active and playing sports.
Here are a few tips on how to choose the right one to ensure your child has a fun, stimulating and enriching experience.
FOCUS ON YOUR CHILD’S EXPECTATIONS
You probably want to send your child to a summer
camp they’ll enjoy. Therefore, it’s important to find out what types of activities your child likes or wants to try. For example, do they want to learn another language, develop their cooking skills, improve their gymnastics or participate in outdoor activities?
ESTABLISH YOUR SELECTION CRITERIA
On top of finding a camp that offers interesting activities, it’s important to choose one that’s within your budget, time frame and geographical area. In addition, you may want to look for a camp that caters to your child’s unique needs and dietary restrictions.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Once you know exactly what you’re looking for, do your research to compile a list of summer
camps that might be a good fit. If you’re looking for a camp near you, your local newspaper is a great place to start.
EVALUATE YOUR OPTIONS
To learn more about the summer camps you’re interested in, visit their websites and social media accounts. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the camp directly for more information. Remember to ask your child for their input and be prepared to make some compromises.
Finally, remember that it’s important to start looking for camps as soon as possible. Summer camps are popular, and spots tend to fill up quickly.
Camp is more than just summer fun—it’s where kids build lasting friendships, celebrate achievements, and discover a place they can truly belong. Guided by trusted staff, campers can look forward to:
• Swimming, sports, and outdoor play
• Creative art and STEM projects
• Field trips
• And so much more!
3 TIPS TO ENSURE YOUR CHILD’S FIRST CAMP EXPERIENCE IS ENJOYABLE
Are you sending your child to summer camp for the first time? Here are three tips to ensure they have a good experience.
1. Look at the camp’s website together. The website contains a wealth of information, including examples of a typical day at camp. You can also browse photos of the facility to pique your child’s interest.
2. Speak positively about the camp. Before camp starts, talk to your child about what they can expect. Having positive conversations will reduce the
fear of the unknown. If you’ve ever been to camp, recount your fondest memories to bolster your child’s confidence.
3. Help them prepare their backpack. Help your child pack a reusable water bottle, sunscreen and healthy snacks. These essentials will help your child fuel up and have fun without getting dehydrated or sunburned.
Urbana Riding Club
Summer Horseback Riding Camp Summer Horseback Riding Camp Urbana Riding Club
JUNE 8TH AUGUST 7TH JUNE 8TH AUGUST 7TH
Local Mentions
St John's Lutheran Church 8619 Blacks Mill Rd, Thurmont, MD
February 21, 2026
DRIVE-THRU DINNER and BAKE SALE
from 11a-3p
featuring St John's Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Pepper Slaw, Biscuit & Cake for $17
Buckets of chicken: 8pc: $12, 12pc: $17, 16pc: $22
Vegetables: Pint: $5; Quart: $8
Orders: call Carmi Sayler @ 301-4010633 or text order to: 240-529-7471
Deadline: February 15
BUFFET DINNER
Mt Airy VFC Auxiliary Fri, Feb 6, 2026
4-7p or until sold out
Eat in or Carry-out
Fried Chicken and Meatloaf and 6 assort sides
Adults: $18; Children 6-12: $8 00 Under 5 is FREE; ($2 extra for all carry-out)
8" cold cut sub w/three meats, cheese, veggies and mayo $8 each
Pre-order is required by Feb 15, 2026 Call (301) 416-0939 or (571) 888-1002 to order Or order on the web at: https://bit ly/3Yzxucg
Pick-up orders Wed., February 25, 2026, 3 to 6 pm 4603B Lander Rd , Jefferson, MD 21755 https://jeffersonruritan org
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
South Mountain Shared Ministry St Paul’s Lutheran Church 5 E Main St, Burkittsville, MD Sat , Feb 14 • 7a-10a Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit Cup, Orange Juice & Coffee Free-Will offering Info call: 301-834-9866
Local Mentions Services
SPORTSMAN’S BINGO
SATURDAY, March 14, 2026 DOORS OPEN 5:00, BUFFET 6:00 GAMES BEGIN 7:30
NEW MIDWAY VOL FIRE CO 20 Games (10 Games
paying $200 Cash, 10 Games for Guns), 50/50, Money Jars, Gun Jars
$40/Person includes Buffet Dinner Tickets: 301-898-7985 or 301-606-6696
WEEKLY BINGO
Every Friday Night Doors open @ 5 p m , Bingo starts @ 7 p m Bonanza, Early Bird, Regular, Specials, Jackpot! Small Jackpot-$500 Big Jackpot-$1500 Great Food!
Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Drive Thurmont, Maryland Thurmont Community Ambulance Service, Inc.
Pets & Supplies
GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES
Ready now! Shots, wormed, vet checked 3 year health guarantee Parents on premises $1250 plus 240-620-2013 • www victoriaspups com
Services Services
Thursday Jan. 29
CLASSES
DIY Zine-Making, with Oscar Ruth — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Zines are potent tools of self-expression. All it takes to transform a single sheet of paper into an 8-page mini magazine is a few folds and a single cut. Family friendly. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org.
ESL High Beginner’s/Low Intermediate Conversation Classes — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. For adults who want to practice their English to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Students will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the Literacy Council. Registration is required by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Register at https://tinyurl.com/42wsztha. Age 18 and older. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
ETCETERA
Tabletop Game Night — 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Myersville Community Library, 8 Harp Place, Myersville. Learn to play A Place for All My Books, a book gathering, sorting and organizing game. Other games will be available to play. Fun for ages 10+. 301-600-8350. myersville@fcpl.org. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
FAMILY
Tiny Stages: “Pop!” — 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A FUN Company Tiny Stages Production. Bubbles, balloons
and popcorn come to life in this joyful, immersive show filled with music, puppets and playful surprises. A gentle, sensory adventure where every POP! brings a new delight. Geared for ages up to 5. Pay-whatyou-can. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/tiny-stages-pop/.
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, and stories for the whole family. Designed for ages 0 and up with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Family Fun: STEM Night — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. STEM related stations will be set up for hands on fun and experimentation. Age group: Elementary. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
MUSIC & ARTS
Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling. com. tenthwarddistilling.com.
POLITICS
Frederick County Government with the Frederick Arts Council Presentation and Discussion for Potential Public Art on the Ballenger Creek Linear Trail — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at The C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Discussion points include an overview of the FAC’s
Public Art Master Plan and vision for public art across the county, a summary of the art selection and evaluation process, and an exploration of inspiring examples of public art from across the world along nature trails, as well as review of feedback from a recent survey about attitudes regarding public art on the trail. Register online. tinyurl.com/w6fm3jy6.
Friday Jan. 30
CLASSES
Mental Health First Aid Course — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Veteran Services Center, 1750 Monocacy Blvd.,, Suite A, Frederick. If you are a veteran or an individual working with veterans in our community this is the training for you. Designed to give people the skills to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to recognize and respond to the warning signs of specific illnesses. dwilliams@everymind.org.
Brain Boost: Protect Your Business When You’re the Whole Team — noon to 1 p.m. at Cowork Frederick, 122 E. Patrick St., Frederick. A free lunch and learn for the Frederick Business Community! Build simple systems that keep your business running even when you can’t. Learn about owner resilience, digital protection, workflow backups, and practical ways to stay prepared, adaptable and stress-free. Pre-registration required. 301-372-5165. heycowork@coworkfrederick.com. coworkfrederick.com.
Partner & Contra Lessons and Dancing — 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at AmVets Post 7, 26 Apples Church Road, Thurmont. Grab your partner and come learn how to Partner & Contra dance with instructors Carissa Barth Kijowski and Brandon Kijowski! This is a great class to attend if you are beginners! Fridays in January. $15. 202-758-4179. Fibedancecontact@ gmail.com.
ETCETERA
Healing Happens in Community 6th Annual Gala — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Walkersville Social Hall, 79 W. Frederick St., Walkersville. On Our Own of Frederick County’s 6th Annual Gala. This special evening will bring together peers, community organizations, advocates and supporters for a night of fellowship, food, music and a silent auction, all in support of the ongoing mission to strengthen individuals, families and our community.
$75 per ticket or $600 per table. 240-6298015. jackie@onourownfrederick.org. www.onourownfrederick.org.
FAMILY
Tiny Stages: “Pop!” — 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A FUN Company Tiny Stages Production. Bubbles, balloons and popcorn come to life in this joyful, immersive show filled with music, puppets and playful surprises. A gentle, sensory adventure where every POP! brings a new delight. Geared for ages up to 5. Pay-whatyou-can. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/tiny-stages-pop/. Preschool Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories, and fun for preschoolers and their grownups. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.
Get Ready for Kindergarten — 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Have fun exploring literacy, science, mathematics, and art through play-based activities that integrate essential school skills. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200.
Snowfall Ball — 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. Celebrate the beauty of IceFest After Dark as you dance the night away at the Capitol Theatre Center’s Snowfall Ball! Located in the spacious Wood Center, and featuring stunning views of the lighted ice sculptures, this event is not to be missed! Family-friendly event
$25 adults, $15 ages 12 and under. 717263-0202. vperry@thecapitoltheatre.org. www.thecapitoltheatre.org/.
MUSIC
Brunswick Live! — 4 p.m. in downtown Brunswick. Happening on the last Friday of every month through August, Brunswick Live! brings downtown to life with extended shop hours, live music, and special events.
The Sicilian Tenors: “Journey to Highclere Castle” — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. The Sicilian Tenors return with a brand-new live show inspired by their award-winning PBS special, filmed
at the iconic Highclere Castle known as the real-life Downton Abbey. Featuring stunning visuals and timeless music, the performance includes beloved songs from the romantic Downton era, along with the Tenors’ signature Italian favorites. Audiences can also look forward to showstoppers from The Phantom of the Opera and more in this unforgettable evening of passion, nostalgia, and world-class vocals. $42, $37, $32. 301-600-2828. dyoung@ cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/the-sicilian-tenors-journey-to-highclere-castle/.
Live Music at the Cocktail Lab — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Every Friday in the Cocktail Lab we’ll be servin’ up our deliciously wild concoctions and some sweet tunes to get your weekend started off right. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling.com. tenthwarddistilling.com.
THEATER
Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow” — 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater, 5 Willowtree Plaza #A1, Frederick. An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. See ticket options online. 18 and older. $78. 301-662-6600. boxoffice@wayoffbroadway.com.
Comedy Extravaganza — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. MET Comedy Nights Improv comedy Festival is BACK! Join us for a weekend of fun and laughter in Frederick’s newest performance venue: the MET Key Stage! The show will feature members from The Comedy Pigs, Oh Crit, That’s What She Said, Off Key, and Key City Improv. It will also feature surprise performances from some of our specialty MET Comedy Night shows. Don’t miss this celebration of comedy and debut performance in our new space! $15.
Saturday Jan. 31
CLASSES
Herbal Allies: Making Chai with Vana
Tulsi — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Learn about traditional ways of working with Vana Tulsi, their energetics, and taste a simple Vana Tulsi tea together. Sample a Vana Chai we make together as well. You’ll go home with dried Vana Tulsi to continue growing your relationship. $40. 240-490-5484. alecks@ foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org.
ETCETERA
Live Music! Higher Education, Ritchie
Royale & Marshall Fuzz — 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Sandbox Brewhouse, 880 N. East St., #201, Frederick. It’s another triple-threat at Sandbox. Higher Education, Ritchie Royale, & Marshall Fuzz are locked, loaded, and ready to blow. www.facebook.com/share/185xySHXd9/.
FAMILY
Snowmen Storytime — 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at Walkersville Rec Center, 83 W. Frederick St., Walkersville. Families will enjoy reading the book “If Snowmen Came in Colors” by Sarah Baylor and Christopher Francis and enjoy a snack and a related craft. This is a drop-off class; participants must be able to use the restroom independently. Please send a nut-free snack. This storytime is geared towards kids at least 3 years but less than 6 years old. Sign up at recreater.com.
$15 per child.
Card Games and Kindness Bookmarks — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edward F. Fry Memorial Library at Point of Rocks, 1635 Ballenger Creek Pike, Point of Rocks. A variety of crafts, games, puzzles and DIY activities. Leveled options of activities will be provided so different ages can participate in the same program: elementary, tween/ teen, and adult. This is a great opportunity to check out this spot while enjoying family time together. fcpl.org.
Drop-in Saturdays: Card Games and Kindness Bookmarks — 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Edward F. Fry Memorial Library at Point of Rocks, 1635 Ballenger Creek Pike, Point of Rocks. Drop in anytime to join us for a variety of crafts, games, puzzles and DIY activities. Leveled options of activities will be provided so different ages can participate
in the same program: elementary, tween/ teen, and adult.
301-874-4560.
Tiny Stages: “Pop!” — 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A FUN Company Tiny Stages Production. Bubbles, balloons and popcorn come to life in this joyful, immersive show filled with music, puppets and playful surprises. A gentle, sensory adventure where every POP! brings a new delight. Geared for ages up to 5. Pay-whatyou-can.
301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/tiny-stages-pop/. Roar Like a Lion — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Middletwon Public Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown . Tap into your creativity while making meaningful crafts such as friendship rocks, bird feeders, breathing beads, furry friend toys, Valentine cards, and more! Finished projects will help brighten the days of friends, family, pets, local veterans, pediatric cancer patients, and even our feathered friends. These hands-on service projects are suitable for all ages and abilities. This event is proudly sponsored by the Middletown Lions Club and the Lions International Foundation. susielions247@gmail.com.
National Backwards Day — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Wear your clothes backwards and join the Brunswick Library for some fun crafts, games, and activities to celebrate the day! This program is geared for children ages 5 to 10 and their parents. Be sure to stop in, maybe even by walking in the door backwards. fcpl.org.
FILM
“Privacy People” (2025) — U.S. Film Premiere + Discussion — 2 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 West German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Film explores the timely question “what is privacy” and why it is important to individuals and societies. The film also examines how the “privacy profession” came to exist: who took up these roles, how the field has grown, and the important challenges ahead given the rapid march of technology especially AI. An in-theater discussion with Q&A will follow the film, featuring live Zoom Q&A with London-based filmmaker
Stephen Bolinger and an in-person panel discussion with a diverse group of privacy leaders. Admission is Pay-What-You-Can (suggested $15/ticket). 304-876-3704. Contact@OperaHouseLive.com. shepherdstownoperahouse.thundertix. com/events/257494.
THEATER
“Macbeth” — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at ESP Loft, 16 E. Patrick St., 2nd Story, Frederick. By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes … In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, “Macbeth” plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice. Pay-what-you-will. contact@esptheatre.org.
Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow” — 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater, 5 Willowtree Plaza #A1, Frederick. An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. See ticket options online. 18 and older. $78. 301-662-6600. boxoffice@wayoffbroadway.com.
Comedy Extravaganza — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. MET Comedy Nights Improv comedy Festival is BACK! Join us for a weekend of fun and laughter in Frederick’s newest performance venue: the MET Key Stage! The show will feature members from The Comedy Pigs, Oh Crit, That’s What She Said, Off Key, and Key City Improv. It will also feature surprise performances from some of our specialty MET Comedy Night shows. Don’t miss this celebration of comedy and debut performance in our new space! $15.
Sunday Feb. 1
CLASSES
Winter Seed Sowing — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. We’ll demonstrate, provide supplies, and plant our own greenhouses made of milks jugs to take home and place outside. This meth-
od is great for starting perennials or cool season flowers and herbs if you don’t have indoor grow lights or enough room inside. A selection of flowers and herb seeds will be provided for each participant to choose one type of seed. But, if you have a favorite, feel free to bring your own seeds. $40. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm. org. foxhavenfarm.org.
Living Composition: The Garden as Artistic Expression Workshop — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lockhouse Gallery, 17 W. Potomac St., Brunswick. Presented by Miranda Yourick, owner of Earthly Delights Native Gardening LLC. Miranda will introduce you to some guiding principles for designing a garden as an artistic composition that reflects your personal style while also supporting the wildlife in your backyard. $20. 301-969-6676. kim@lockhousegallery. com.
earthlydelightsnativegardening.com.
Indoor Gardening — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. (Rescheduled from Jan 25.) Winter doesn’t have to mean putting your green thumb on hold — bring the garden inside! Whether you’re new to plant care or you’re already a houseplant pro, this is the perfect time to learn how to propagate your favorite plants and keep the green growing year-round. 21 and older.
301-600-8200. www.frederickcountymd.gov.
Patchwork Quilting with Amy Miller at Fox Haven Farm — 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Slow down, stitch together scraps and create something beautiful in this welcoming, beginner-friendly patchwork quilting class that covers basic patchworking techniques while you work at your own pace in a relaxed, supportive environment. All tools will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring any fabric or needles you’d like to use. Basic sewing skills required. $40. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org.
ETCETERA
The Community Kitchen: A Recipe Swap — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. See what’s cooking in the community! Share and collect recipes from your neighbors while discovering new and exciting ways to flavor your everyday meal preparation. Weis dietician Christina Fritz will present on easy and healthy recipes and ingredient swaps to elevate any dish. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Book Signing and Meet-and-Greet: Isabelle Engel — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Curious Iguana, 12 N. Market St., Frederick. Engel promotes her debut novel, “Most Eligible.” Seeking a story that’ll launch her journalism career, Georgia goes on a reality dating show only to find the host is her dreamy one-night-stand from the year before. Copies of “Most Eligible” will be available for purchase at the signing. 18 and older. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/isabelle-engel/.
FAMILY
Tiny Stages: “Pop!” — 10 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A FUN Company Tiny Stages Production. Bubbles, balloons and popcorn come to life in this joyful, immersive show filled with music, puppets and playful surprises. A gentle, sensory adventure where every POP! brings a new delight. Geared for ages up to 5. Pay-whatyou-can. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/tiny-stages-pop/. Off Center on Ice — noon to 4 p.m. at Mount Airy Bowling, 304 Center St., Mount Airy. For one special day only, Mt. Airy Bowling’s typically adults-only venue is opening its doors to families for a unique winter experience at Off Center. Your Off Center on Ice skating ticket includes unlimited ice skating for 4 hours, a s’mores pack, endless music and winter fun, hourly snowball fights, cozy fire pits, access to a hot chocolate bar and hot cider bar. Snacks, pizza, and a full bar is available for purchase.
Kids Ariel Yoga — 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Sol Yoga, Garage Studio, 218 Abrecht Place, Frederick. For the beginner child who wants to try aerial yoga. Your child will get out the wiggles while building strength, flexibility, and creativity in a soft, fabric hammock for a fun time in the sky. Kids will be supported to try new things in this friendly, non-competitive environment while posing in the air. Every class wraps up with calming mindfulness to leave kids more relaxed and refreshed. This 60-minute workshop is tailored towards kids 7 to 16 years of age. Register your spot at bonnieabbott.com.
$30 per child.
Play & Puzzles: The Great Groundhog Getaway — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Bring the kids to the Thurmont library at 2 p.m. to see if they can help the groundhog make a quick escape. Kids will solve playful puzzles, follow clues, and work together to decide if it’s time to pop out for spring or stay cozy for winter. This hands-on Groundhog Day adventure is geared for those in grades K-5. 301-600-7200. fcpl.org.
THEATER
“Macbeth” — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at ESP Loft, 16 E. Patrick St., 2nd Story, Frederick. By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes … In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, “Macbeth” plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice. Pay-what-you-will. contact@esptheatre.org.
“Inter Alia” — A National Theatre Live Production — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. A new play by
Suzie Miller, captured on film during a live performance by London’s National Theater Live. Jessica Parks is a smart Crown Court Judge at the top of her career. Behind the robe, she is a karaoke fiend, a loving wife and a supportive parent. When an event threatens to throw her life completely off balance, can she hold her family upright? $18 standard/$15 seniors/student. 304876-3704. Contact@OperaHouseLive.com.
Monday Feb. 2
ETCETERA
Press Paws! Therapy Dogs For Teens (ages 11-18) — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Teens, relax and relieve stress by spending time petting an adorable dog friend! Therapy dogs are provided by the Wags for Hope volunteers, whose pets bring comfort and joy to the lives of others. For grades 6-12. 301-600-7000.
FAMILY
Baby Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories, and play for babies and their grownups. Designed for ages 0-24 months with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Family Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories and more! Designed for ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
Little Adventurers — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Children learn and explore through hands-on activities using science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts at the library. Caregivers are encouraged to connect with children and participate in the activities! 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
THEATER
“Macbeth” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at ESP Loft, 16 E. Patrick St., 2nd Story, Frederick. By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes … In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, “Macbeth” plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice. Pay-what-youwill. contact@esptheatre.org.
Tuesday Feb. 3
CLASSES
Dynamic Gentle Yoga with Mary Koster — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Middletown
Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. This 60-minute dynamic gentle yoga class invites you to breathe more deeply, discover new strength and flexibility while honoring your limits, strengthen your concentration/focus, and relax your nervous system. Taught in a non-competitive environment by a certified instructor, each class includes warm-ups, postures, breathing, and a final relaxation. All abilities and flexibility levels are welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat and any other props that you would like to use to each class. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar. com.
ETCETERA
Manga and Anime Club (ages 11-18) — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. New to Anime and Manga? Longtime fan? Either way join us to celebrate it while talking all things art, story, cosplay and culture! Each month features a different craft. September’s featured craft is chibi perler beading! Materials provided, while supplies last. For teens in grade 6-12. 301-600-7000.
FAMILY
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, and stories for the whole family. Designed for ages 0 and up with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com. Teen- Hot Chocolate Meltaways (Ages 13-18) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm-up on a chilly day. We’ll provide everything from the chocolate to the cocoa to the marshmallows. You’ll leave with beautiful, handmade hot chocolate meltaways. We’ll have hot chocolate and snacks to enjoy, too! 301-600-6329. TStevens@FrederickCountyMD.gov. www.fcpl.org.
THEATER
“Macbeth” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at ESP Loft, 16 E. Patrick St., 2nd Story, Frederick. By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes … In one of Shakespeare’s most haunting tragedies, “Macbeth” plunges audiences into a dark world of ambition, prophecy and betrayal. When three mysterious witches foretell that Macbeth will become king, a deadly chain of events is set in motion, blurring the line between destiny and choice. Pay-what-youwill. contact@esptheatre.org.
Wednesday Feb. 4
CLASSES
Gentle Yoga at the Co-op — 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. This class is the perfect intro for a new student or an experienced yogi. Classes are donation based. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop.
(Continued from 11)
For his freshman year of college, Justin attended Shenandoah University on a football scholarship as a kicker (in high school, he was an all-county kicker in Montgomery County), though he later transferred to the University of Maryland. There, Justin quit football but tutored student athletes in higher math.
After college, Justin worked in hotels and restaurants, then as a branch manager at BB&T Bank for a few years. In his late 20s, he burned out.
“He went down in a spiral,” Prue said. “That was very concerning for me, because it just wasn’t like him.”
Around this time, Justin became addicted to Adderall. Prue said she didn’t know Justin had become addicted or that he even had a prescription. “I knew he smoked pot. I knew he didn’t like to drink because he didn’t have control,” Prue said. In retrospect, she thinks the Adderall use likely began in college for studying.
Prue is in recovery from substance abuse herself, sober for 25 years. She recognized the signs that Justin’s mental health was deteriorating.
“I know what the spiral looks like,” she said. “I also know that there’s not a whole lot I can do. I could make suggestions, but he had his own higher power, and he was doing what he wanted to do.”
A few weeks before he passed, Justin came to her and made amends. He told her that he needed help “realigning himself,” so they created a plan together. Justin began filling out job applications and started work at a restaurant in Rockville.
One day, Justin left work early because he was tired. Prue doesn’t know the exact details of the night, just what she’s been told and pieced together.
“In the end, he was stealing to get what he wanted, and he likely stole some Sevoflurane,” she said, which is an inhalational anesthetic commonly used in dentist’s offices.
Justin turned on the anesthesia without anyone with him to turn it off or give him oxygen. His father found him in his bed on June 30, 2020. He was 31 years old.
The morning after she found out, Prue joined a substance abuse recovery meeting on Zoom (at the time, most support groups were meeting virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
“I said, ‘I need help,’” she recalled. Her group suggested she reach out to a therapist, which she did.
Later on, she began attending
meetings at Hospice of Frederick County, a nonprofit that supports those grieving. In August 2020, Jamie Eaton came in and talked about Living Through Loss.
“I’ve been actively involved ever since,” Prue said. “It’s because it’s an incredibly emotional, soul-filling and life-saving organization for me. It does what it says. It helps you live through the loss.”
On the Quilt of Continuing Bonds, Prue’s block features a shamrock made with flocking, a technique she learned through art therapy. Justin was Irish and very proud of his heritage. Every St. Patrick’s Day, he would go full out, dressing in green from top to bottom, dying his hair. He’d even wear green underwear, she said.
The block also features a black paw print and doggy bone because of Justin’s passion for animals. His dogs were always rescues — first Champ, then Night, both pit bulls. Nowadays, when her friends’ pets pass away, Prue tells them not to worry.
“I tell people that my Justin is sitting at the end of the rainbow bridge waiting for all the animals to come,” she said. “It gives them a sense of calmness, a sense of peace.”
After her grief left her untethered, art therapy has since helped Prue transform that grief into something she can live with. “When my son died, since he was my only child, I lost direction and a sense of purpose,” she said. “This grief, even though it’s a bad thing, it doesn’t have to be an ugly thing. We can make it as beautiful as we want it to be.”
Prue does volunteer work now, including at an equine therapy farm where she helps others who have suffered trauma.
“When at the end of the day, they have just a little smile, that just fills my heart,” she said.
Reminders of Justin come up every day. In Prue’s office, right above her computer, hangs a photograph taken while he was hiking in Guatemala. In the photo, Justin is seen walking toward the mountains but also looking backward, straight at the viewer. “Like, ‘I’ll see you later,’” Prue said. The other pictures in her office are all photographs he took. Photography was another one of his passions.
Despite the pain, Prue wants people to understand something.
“You can get through grief and be OK,” she said. “You can be OK.”
Meet Bob & Freddie. When it comes to local businesses, businesspeople and organizations in Frederick, they know best. Here is a personal interview with a 2025 Best of the Best winner or finalist about why they love what they do, helping those they serve and working in Frederick.
2504 Back Acre Circle Mt. Airy, MD 21771 301-245-1002 jandjinctrashservice.com
BOB HISTORY
2024, 2023, 2022 – Winner, Junk Removal/Trash Service 2021 – Winner, Innovational Company
2020 – Finalist, Innovative Company
WHEN DID YOUR BUSINESS OPEN IN FREDERICK?
J & J Trash Inc. has proudly served our community since 1997, building a reputation for dependable, affordable, and customer-focused waste solutions. What began as a local service has grown to cover the entire region, allowing us to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers with ease.
Whether you’re looking for regularly scheduled trash removal, a one-time roll-off dumpster rental, or bulky waste collection that Frederick residents trust, J & J Trash Inc. is ready to help. Our experienced team delivers prompt, reliable service tailored to your specific needs.
WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART?
What sets J & J Trash Inc. apart is our ability to offer a full range of waste management services across the entire region—without sacrificing the personal, dependable service of a locally owned business.
Since 1997, we’ve proudly served our community by delivering affordable, reliable, and customerfocused solutions. What started as a small local operation has grown by leaps and bounds into a trusted regional provider, serving both residential and commercial customers with ease.
From regularly scheduled trash removal and one-time roll-off dumpster rentals to bulky waste collection that Frederick, MD residents rely on, we do it all— and we do it throughout Carroll, Frederick, Washington, and Montgomery Counties.
