72 HOURS November 6, 2025

NOVEMBER 6

A FOUNDING ARTIST’S LEGACY REMEMBERED

The Frederick arts community mourns one of its architects this week. Debra Josie Howell Cochran, a founding member of the Frederick Arts Council, passed on Oct. 22. Cochran’s 72 years encompassed a remarkable creative breadth — oil paintings, “rock creatures,” custom birdhouses, miniature dioramas — and three decades running Magic Mountain Chimney Sweeps with her husband, Jim. Her contributions to Frederick’s cultural infrastructure deserve recognition alongside her whimsical spirit.

CIVICCON TACKLES AMERICA’S REAL CRISIS

If you think America’s fundamental problem is political divisiveness, Rich Harwood would like a word. The national thought leader brings his Campaign For the New Civic Path to Hood College’s Hodson Auditorium on Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m., arguing that our challenges run deeper than redversus-blue theatrics; they’re cultural and profoundly human. As president and founder of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, he’s spent nearly 40 years in communities nationwide developing his “Turning Outward” approach, which has now spread to all 50 states and 40 countries. His premise: Real change starts locally, in the messy, complicated work of restoring belief in one another. Frederick CivicCon’s free speaker series continues to punch above its weight, and this event promises a rare opportunity for civic conversation. Space is limited, so RSVP.

DOWNTOWN DISCO WALL AWAITS YOUR SELFIE

The Downtown Frederick Partnership’s new Holiday HQ will open on Nov. 7 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 22 S. Market St. inside the historic Federated Charities building. This pop-up transforms weekend shopping into an Instagramworthy experience with a glimmering disco wall, life-sized Polaroid frame and a ‘70s-inspired holiday nook. But beneath the photo opps lies practical infrastructure: Downtown Frederick Ambassadors will staff the space Saturdays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. through Dec. 21, offering human guidance on shopping, dining and events. How refreshing to walk into a festively decorated room and be able to ask a real person where to eat, right?

HOGWARTS RETURNS TO THE BIG SCREEN AT THE WEINBERG

Before the theme parks and the franchise fatigue, there was simply a really good movie about an orphaned kid discovering he’s a wizard. The Weinberg Center’s Wonder Book Classic Film Series will screen “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 13, offering a chance to revisit the 2001 adaptation on a proper theater screen for just $7 at the door. Might we add, 24 years later, the film holds up remarkably well. Daniel Radcliffe’s wide-eyed wonder still lands, John Williams’ score remains magical, and the practical effects possess a warmth that CGI-heavy sequels would sacrifice. Plus, there’s genuine value in experiencing beloved stories communally, especially ones that sparked a generation’s reading habits.

COMEDY

Todd Barry will bring his bone-dry humor to Frederick

PROLIFIC COMEDIAN AND ACTOR HEADLINES ANTI-DRUNK-DRIVING FUNDRAISER

BY SCOTT HARRIS

Special to The News-Post

By his own estimation, Todd Barry gives about 200 standup comedy performances each year. His next destination? The Weinberg Center.

What is Barry best known for? It’s a pretty heady mix.

In 2023, the comedian and actor released “Domestic Shorthair,” an hourlong YouTube treatise on lawyers and salad dressing, among other topics. The New York native has also lent a dry, smirking persona to beloved TV shows like HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords” and Netflix’s “Master of None,” alongside films ranging from the silly (“Road Trip”) to the sublime (acclaimed 2008 hit “The Wrestler,” which saw lead actor Mickey Rourke receive an Oscar nomination).

Barry brings his deadpan wit to the Weinberg as the headliner for Over the Limit, a fundraiser to help combat drunk driving hosted by local charity The Safe Ride Foundation. The Nov. 7 event will also feature local comedians Ryan Neser, Wayne Dorsey and Sandy Bernstein.

Barry recently spoke with 72 Hours about the appearance.

How would you describe your style to people who may not be familiar?

I would just say go to YouTube. I mean, my style is … sort of a low-key sarcasm, I guess? It’s hard to describe your own comedy.

Plenty of comedians say the landscape has gotten too “politically correct.” What are your thoughts on that line of thinking?

I feel like every [comedian] from every perspective is able to work. My act is pretty innocuous. I mean, on The Tonight Show I did all cat jokes. So I don’t get political and I’m not walking around feeling censored. I’m not a squeaky-clean

act, but I’m a clean act, I guess. And I think there are conservative comics doing really well and there are left-wing comics doing really well. You just find your path. Things might be more political, but it hasn’t affected me personally, really. You said it’s hard to describe your own comedy, but whose footsteps do you feel like you might be following in?

When I started, everyone was doing a Dennis Miller type of thing. Some people say [I remind them of] Steven Wright, but my jokes are not at all like Steven Wright’s jokes. He’s

more absurdist — so I think it’s because we have similar hair [chuckles] and are both lowkey.

You’ve got a long filmography. Is it possible for you to pick a favorite?

It’s hard to pick favorites, but I’ve gotten to work with some cool people. I’ve been directed by Darren Aronofsky, Amy Heckerling, Paul Feig, Steven Soderbergh. So they’ve been all pretty fun to do. I haven’t done anything that I was like, wow, that was a nightmare. Other than maybe someone’s short film 35 years ago, like a student film was not

pleasant. But I liked, again, “The Wrestler.” There weren’t even a lot of people in that movie, so to have a part in that was really cool. And “Flight of the Conchords” was really fun, and “Delocated.” Gosh, yeah, I mean, “Road Trip,” I was in too. That was a lot of fun.

One of my favorite roles of yours was in “The Wrestler.” What was it like to work with Mickey Rourke?

I’d always been a Mickey Rourke fan, and to get that part, it was just a little surreal, just doing a scene and looking in his eyes and having to be mean to him … even though

IF YOU GO

Todd Barry will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Weinberg Center, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick, as part of the Over the Limit Comedy Fest, Frederick’s anti-drunk driving fundraiser hosted by local charity The Safe Ride Foundation. Tickets are $45 and are available at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at the Weinberg Center.

it’s an acting role, it was a little daunting. But yeah, I think it came out good, and I got to go to the Venice Film Festival and Toronto Film Festival, and I experienced some stuff I’d never experienced before.

When you’re not working, what do you like to do?

This is boring, but I really like going to coffee shops and lingering. Well, maybe lingering is not the right word, but hanging out. I like coffee, just sitting there doing some work maybe, or just making hotel reservations or stuff like that. And I’ve taken a few solo vacations but haven’t done one of those in a while. But yeah, I just like walking around. I’m not really the most exciting person. Why should people buy a ticket to see you in Frederick?

I usually do a good show and I hope they like me. I can’t really pitch myself like that, but what was your question again? Why should they come to my show?

Yeah.

I mean, if there’s any other comedy shows in Frederick that night, I don’t know about them, but mine might be the best. How’s that?

This interview has been edited for space and clarity.

Scott Harris is a writer based in Frederick. In his spare time, he writes science fiction and tries to grow houseplants.

Dustin Davis brings music and Malört to downtown Frederick

BY DYLAN HYMAN

Special to The News-Post

Jeppson’s Malört is a Chicago based, Swedish originating, wormwood infused liqueur known for its unique yellowish hue and taste akin to burnt rubber, grapefruit or dandelion. First used to circumvent U.S. Prohibition, it was sold door to door as a digestive medicine by inventor Carl Jeppson, a Swedish immigrant to Chicago.

Though the popularity of the drink has come and gone, there is an increasing cult-like fever surrounding the Windy City beverage, with some even calling it Chicago’s unofficial drink.

Frederick’s very own importer of Malört also happens to be Cafe Nola’s bar manager and resident show organizer, Dustin Davis.

During the day, the space operates as a casual cafe. At night, it’s one of Frederick’s goto spots for alternative and underground shows.

There are few people in our small city that can stake claim to keeping the musical hearth fire burning, and Davis is one of them.

Davis booked his first show at Krug’s Place, a tavern where Oscar’s Alehouse now stands.

“Frederick used to be pretty quiet,” he said. “No shows during the week, stuff happening on Fridays and Saturdays, rarely stuff on Sundays.”

Davis also tried booking acts in Baltimore but found it difficult to break into the scene.

“Frederick has no problem with a band like Silent Old Mans opening up for a doom band,” he said. “Baltimore felt cliquey.”

Krug’s closed in early 2012, which led Davis to expand his reach to places like Guido’s and Cafe Nola. Those two locations quickly became the backbone of the Frederick DIY music scene, though Guido’s closed in 2019, leaving Nola as one of the only consistent sta-

ples in the local music community.

Davis soon started to think bigger: festivals. The year 2015 marked the beginning of the Shadow Woods Metal Fest and Maryland Doom Fest, the former eyeing up Metal Township, Pennsylvania, as the inaugural location.

“The city ended up having a meeting and said they didn’t want any satanic stuff there,” he recalled. “We ended up at Boys & Girls Club of America Campgrounds. They had lodges, cabins, a big indoor area for a stage. We got a big stage for outdoors [and] had a threeday music festival and could fully accommodate everybody. We had some really big bands like Midnight that came from across the country. It took off. We did it for five or six years. … We just had a reunion this year at a campground in West Virginia.”

Local psychedelic doom three-piece High Noon Kahuna and Dan Mize from the legendary doom trio Faith in Jane were featured in the lineup this past September.

Maryland Doom Fest is an annual celebration of all things heavy, regularly held at Cafe 611 and Olde Mother Brewing. The event features a gathering of the hardest and most head-banging bands, and some local notables such as Mishima and Weed Coughin brought the heft back in June.

Davis attributes one festival in particular as an early inspiration: Ozzfest 2001.

“I was amazed at how well it was set up,” he said. “They had three stages, so many bands … nobody missed a beat. I wanted to do that one day.”

A decade since the inception of two of Maryland’s heaviest festivals, Davis did indeed live up to that goal.

TIME OUT WEST

Davis’ father, a glass blower and photographer, grew fascinated with the idea of traveling

out West via train-hopping after meeting a group of travelers and wondering if he could do the same.

“He used to get them beer and cigarettes, food for their dogs. He got to know them, he shot portraits of them,” Davis said. “One day he had me drop him off at a freight train in Baltimore, and he hopped on the back of it and traveled cross country.”

His father ended up hopping off in Portland to visit a friend, then ended up in Humboldt County, California, trimming marijuana on a farm. Ultimately, he moved back north and now lives on a farm in Oregon City, enjoying his goats and chickens, as well as riding motorcycles with friends.

Hearing about all the fun his dad was having prompted Davis to consider seeking a move himself.

“I got bored over here and wanted to go check out Portland,” he said. “I loved the mu-

sic scene over there. I moved out the night of New Year’s Eve 2018, landed a few hours before the ball dropped.”

It was in Portland where Davis truly began to get his feet wet at some of the venues in the city.

“I worked pretty much every position I could … places like Roseland Theater, Star Theater, Crystal Ballroom — I got really enveloped in that scene. They still check on me over here.”

This time gave Davis firsthand experience on what makes a venue successful, something he would eventually bring back to Cafe Nola, not to mention it expanded his already vast network of bands and musicians.

He also spent time at Powell’s City of Books as well as Thriftbooks, amassing a large collection of records that would have otherwise been thrown out.

“I rented the biggest storage unit I could afford and

started stacking records. I wanted to open a record store during the pandemic” — not a surprising plot point in his story, as Davis helped Rock & Roll Graveyard owner Chris Wolfe set up his shop downtown prior to moving to Portland.

RETURNING HOME

Then life threw him a curveball.

“I ended up selling everything and moving back home to take care of my mom, who had stage 3 cancer at the time,” he said.

Leaning on what he knew best, he decided to hold the Mama Davis Benefit in 2022 to help raise money for her treatment.

That same year, Davis started working at Nola as a door guy/sound and then bartender shortly after. He took over as bar manager in 2025, all the while gathering bands from

MUSIC

Middletown High grad Scott Devours is living a rock ’n’ roll fantasy

BY GEORGIA BRAUN Special to The News-Post

“I still can’t believe I’m sitting where I’m sitting. It hasn’t really hit me yet.”

For Middletown High School graduate Scott Devours, that seat happens to be behind the drum kit — flanked by two of his childhood heroes, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, the last remaining original members of the legendary rock ’n’ roll band The Who.

“I don’t have the words to properly describe it. I could try all day — it’s just beyond words,” Devours said over the phone from his home in New York, a week after wrapping up The Who’s farewell tour. “I just can’t believe it came true.”

The road to obtaining one of the most coveted drum gigs in the world did not come easy. There was no shortage of trials and tribulations along the way, and after a brief stint trying to make it as a drummer in New York City at 18, he almost gave up.

“Like many people’s stories, my father didn’t really get the whole music thing,” he said. “I tried getting a regular job, a decent house, 401(k) ... Somewhere around 24, it just dawned on me. I came home from work and heard my father’s words in my ear like, ‘OK, well, this is what life is. Now you have your life.’ And it just hit me like a ton of bricks that I had no interest in living that life.”

Within six months of that realization, Devours had sold his house, quit his job and decided to give music another shot — by loading his drums into his car and moving to California.

Devours, 58, has played in a number of bands throughout the years, notably early 2000s rock outfits Oleander and Ima Robot. But joining The Who puts him in conversation with a long line of legendary drummers throughout rock history: Keith Moon, Kenney Jones and, most recently, Zak Starkey, to name a few.

Devours joined the band at a precarious time in their career. Coming off the heels of a public and much-talked-about breakup with Starkey, The Who’s drummer of 30 years, added another layer of pressure beyond simply filling the impossibly large shoes of so many iconic musicians before him.

“I never compare myself to Starkey. He’s on The Who Mount Rushmore, in my opinion, next to Keith [Moon],” De-

vours said. “He’s the most fabulous drummer and one of my heroes ... It’s complicated. I would hate it if [Starkey] had any animosity toward me. It would be really unfortunate to have one of your heroes think of you in that way. But when Pete and Roger call, my answer is always going to be, ‘Of course. Whatever you need.’”

From talking to Devours, you wouldn’t get the impression that he’s an obvious choice to emulate Keith Moon — a musician infamous for his mischievous antics both off and on stage. He comes across as quiet and intellectual, almost cautious.

“I’m way more nervous in social situations than I am behind the kit,” he said. “When you put a pair of sticks in my hand and throw me out in front of a bunch of people, I’m not anxious at all.”

It’s not surprising, then, that Devours got his first audition with Daltrey years ago after playing a small gig at an Irish pub in Long Beach, California, with the frontman’s collaborator at the time, Frank Simes.

The set list was all classic rock cov-

ers — Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones songs — though at the end was one Who song, “Bargain.”

“I thought to myself, ‘If I’m playing a Who song with someone in The Who, I’m gonna crush it,’” Devours said.

Crush it he did, both literally and metaphorically. By the end of the song, microphones, guitars and cymbals lay on the floor, covering Devours, who had destroyed his drum set in the finale. The crowd went crazy, and it led to him getting an audition with Daltrey.

“It all started with a nothing gig, going nowhere,” Devours said. “A crappy little bar and a half-filled room ... and it has literally changed my life.”

That audition with Daltrey led Devours to where he is now, being not just a footnote in The Who’s history but a punctuation mark.

Despite cementing himself in the legacy of the band, Devours still remains one thing at the end of the day: a fan.

“I was just running around doing housework one day when I got a text from my friend saying, ‘Congrats,’ and I was like, ‘Thanks, for what?’” he said.

“When she asked me if I’d seen the post, I didn’t know what she meant. I’m terrible with social media. So I went sprinting up the stairs and gave my phone to my wife and was like, ‘Make Instagram work!’”

The post in question was Pete Townshend announcing that Devours had gotten the gig and would be drumming for The Who on its farewell tour.

“I started getting all these notifications and people following me — meanwhile, 10 minutes ago I was just scooping cat poop ... I guess I was the last one to know.”

For a musician who once packed his drums into a car and took a chance on a dream, Devours is proof that sometimes the long way around is the only way there. And as The Who took its final bow this October, Scott Devours was right where he belonged — behind the kit, helping keep the sound of an iconic band alive.

Georgia Rae Braun is a freelance writer and musician from Virginia, now residing in Frederick.

Bluegrass legend Dan Tyminski will perform live at the Weinberg Center

Grammy award-winning bluegrass artist Dan Tyminski will bring his unmistakable voice and masterful musicianship to the Weinberg Center for the Arts at 8 p.m. Nov. 8.

Tyminski has shaped modern music with his iconic voice and cross-genre collaborations. His work with Alison Krauss and Union Station has marked him as an award-winning musician, and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey Brother” was a global hit.

Tyminski’s live performances with the Dan Tyminski Band are bluegrass fan favorites, and his Grammy-nominated album “Dan Tyminski: Live from the Ryman” captures the magic of his electrifying live shows.

Tickets start at $30 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.

NEED TO KNOW

(Continued from 3)

CHARLES TOWN’S ROMANCE REVOLUTION

Miss Willa’s Bookshop in downtown Charles Town, created by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout and managed by Malissa Coy, opened in July as an unapologetically curated romance bookstore in a historic storefront. What makes Miss Willa’s compelling is its refusal to apologize for its identity. Every book includes romance and promises a happily ever after, providing what many people crave right now (namely, an escape). The back nook recreates the Red Pearl from Armentrout’s Blood and Ash series; the paranormal section turns moodier; and yes, they’re stocking a special printing of Armentrout’s new book six that has garlic-scented ink, because why not?

THE LAST COBBLER IN FREDERICK?

Vito Loiola claims he’s saved more soles than the Vatican, which is charming until you realize he’s one of only 3,000 cobblers left in America, down from 95,000 when Quality Shoe Service and Repair opened on North Market Street in 1947. Now Vito and his wife, Tammy, are selling the business to move back to Florida, and they’re not just offloading inventory — they’re hoping to preserve a dying craft. Vito, a

third-generation cobbler with 50 years in the trade, will even train his successor. The couple’s been trying to sell since August, hoping their chapter closes with the trade continuing in new hands.

BRUNSWICK HONORS ITS HEROES

The 93rd Annual Brunswick Veterans Day Parade from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 along East and West Potomac streets is one of the oldest Veterans Day parades in the nation. It connects present gratitude to decades of community tradition. This year brings a particularly moving moment, when 102-year-old World War II veteran Corporal Wilbur “Jack” Myers, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, will return to sing the National Anthem at the 1 p.m. opening ceremony. The parade begins at 2. Brunswick has maintained this parade through cultural shifts, economic changes and the gradual fading of the “Greatest Generation.” The event costs nothing but offers a chance to stand together and acknowledge service and sacrifice.

Editor’s note : 72 Hours will be inserted in the Friday, Nov. 28, issue of The News-Post due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

Share your community stories and events with us! Email llarocca@newspost.com.

MUSIC

Strathmore announces 2026 artists in residence class

Strathmore introduces six young musicians as its Artists in Residence Class of 2026 — a cohort selected for their creativity, skill and artistic vision. The artists will make their debut at Fresh AIR at 8 p.m. Nov. 12 at The Music Center. This signature event for one of the region’s premier professional development programs for rising musicians will feature the participants’ original works, innovative collaborations and cross-disciplinary performances.

“Our Artists in Residence program is a launchpad for extraordinary talent,” said Lauren Campbell, Strathmore’s vice president of education and community engagement. “The Class of 2026 brings vibrant energy and bold creativity that will resonate well beyond this season.”

Now in its 21st year, AIR has supported over 112 musicians ages 16 to 32 through performance opportunities, expert guidance and industry training. Participants, selected annually through a competitive process,

are paired with mentors and take part in seminars, community outreach, and commissioned projects as part of Strathmore’s Institute for Artistic Development.

Fresh AIR gives the community a first glimpse of the new cohort before each resident takes the spotlight with featured performances beginning in January 2026. More information about the program and upcoming class, including bios and photos, is available at strathmore.org/air.

Michael McSweeney, Percussion (January 2026): A College Parkbased percussionist, educator and bandleader whose global influences span Afro-Cuban, jazz and salsa traditions. McSweeney leads Costas Colectivo and performs with numerous regional groups throughout the D.C. area.

Cyrus Mackey, Trumpet (February 2026): A jazz trumpeter and producer based in Baltimore, Mackey was a National YoungArts Foundation finalist who studied under jazz legends Wyn-

ton Marsalis and Roy Hargrove. He creates innovative works that blend traditional jazz with contemporary sound design and production.

Chris Hon, Keyboard (March 2026): A Washington, D.C.-based keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist who fuses his jazz training with electronic music through innovative sound design. Hon has performed at prestigious venues including NPR’s Tiny Desk, Blues Alley and 9:30 Club.

Ellen Gira, Cello (April 2026): A Potomac-based cellist who combines classical training with Scottish, Irish, and Old-Time traditions. Gira holds a doctorate in Scottish music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and performs internationally with the award-winning folk duo Jocelyn Pettit & Ellen Gira.

Juan Manú, Voice, Guitar, Violin (May 2026): A Washington, D.C.based singer-songwriter whose Latin-folk music celebrates his Mexican heritage and Tejano culture. With classical violin training and extensive mari

achi experience, Manú uses traditional genres to create music that uplifts queer voices.

Kanysha, Voice (June 2026): A Washington, D.C.-based vocalist, songwriter and actress whose performance credits span from Carnegie Hall to Arena Stage. Kanysha releases original music on streaming platforms and co-hosts the Downstage Center podcast.

The Class of 2026 will be mentored by Grammy-nominated rapper and multi-instrumentalist Christylez Bacon; Billboard-charting violinist, vocalist and educator Chelsey Green; and jazz drummer and vibraphonist Chuck Redd, under the leadership of Grammy Award-winning folk artist and AIR advisor Cathy Fink. The mentors will also join the new class onstage during the preview concert.

Tickets for Fresh Air ($15-$35) can be purchased online or by calling 301581-5100. The Music Center is at 5301

BY ERIN JONES Special to The News-Post

Tuba Skinny will bring New Orleans to Patrick Street

Attending a Tuba Skinny concert should come with a fair warning: Outbreaks of spontaneous dancing may occur. In fact, it’s encouraged.

“It’s music to groove to,” says Tuba Skinny trombone player Barnabus Jones.

Of course, the streets of New Orleans, where the band originated and can still be found, lend themselves to dancing. When the band is busking, children may run through, people come and go, and the sounds of the streets mingle with the music.

“Playing in the street, you’re playing for everybody. You’re playing for little kids, and you’re playing for old folks and people who weren’t really expecting to hear music,” Jones said. “That’s something that’s very special. You see a huge group of people that wouldn’t normally be gathered together, and at times they can be quite a spectacle.”

Whether playing from a sidewalk or in a formal concert hall, Tuba Skinny brings the same easy-going exuberant sounds of the Big Easy.

Tuba Skinny will bring their signature sound to the Weinberg Center on Nov. 6.

The band’s name is a playful nod to New Orleans jazz tuba player Anthony Lacen, aka Tuba Fats.

Their interpretation of traditional jazz draws inspiration from jug band music, spirituals, country blues, string band music, ragtime and New Orleans R&B.

The group have recorded 12 albums, including their first album of all-original songs in 2022, called “Magnolia Stroll.” The album’s dedication, found on the website, reads: “Magnolia Stroll is an ode to all the musicians, alive and dead, who have nurtured and inspired them along their journey, as well as to the city of New Orleans and the neighborhoods that took them under their wings and continue to do so.”

New Orleans is not only the band’s home base but also its muse.

“New Orleans pretty much lives and breathes music,” Jones said, “so New Orleans ends up being a main influence in all of our lives.”

Tuba Skinny also travels prolifically, not only domestically but abroad, regularly touring Europe in the summers. This past summer, for example, the

group toured France with a mixture of busking and concerts. Their Instagram page depicted them bicycling along the Atlantic Coast with instruments strapped to their backs, lined up in formation in front of the Chateau De Bain, and playing against a sunset backdrop in Lacanau.

“We all love traveling, and oftentimes when you’re playing in the street or different country or culture, you’re sharing part of home, New Orleans or wherever you’re from,” Jones said. “It’s like a cultural exchange.”

Evidence of Tuba Skinny’s global influence is found in abundance in the form of fan footage that has been captured and shared. The band has a prolific digital footprint, despite having no official YouTube channel. Many of their concerts have been recorded and uploaded by fans, a quality of their audience Jones calls “fortuitous.”

•••

To provide deeper insight into the band’s fanbase, I turned to retired aerospace engineer and Tuba Skinny super fan Drew Jones. There is no relation to Barnabus Jones, but he is related to me. Yes, in a journalistically unorthodox move, I consulted my dad.

How did you discover Tuba Skinny, and what caught your attention about them?

I was looking for New Orleans jazz

on YouTube and stumbled upon them. They seemed to be a notch above everything else that I found. The energy level was fantastic and the craftsmanship of their music was just really impressive. They were so unpretentious. They just seemed like they just loved making music and really didn’t care about anything else.

What sets them apart as unique, musically or otherwise?

The repertoire is massive. I can’t verify this, but I’ve heard they have 300 songs under their belt. There’s just such a feeling of genuineness about them. They just really seem to love what they’re doing.

What is the experience like of seeing them live in concert?

Interestingly, the table at Rams Head we shared with a couple, and they also had fallen in love with them, watching them on YouTube. Their concerts are no different. There’s nothing but the music. They have such a casualness about them. It’s almost like sit ting around in someone’s living room listening to people just make music. There’s something just very comfortable about watching them make music. Is there anyone in the band whose performances you particularly enjoy?

The clarinet player [Craig Flory] is just outstanding. What he can do

IF YOU GO

Tuba Skinny will perform at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Weinberg Center, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets start at $30 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.

with that clarinet just blows my mind. Shaye [Cohn] is absolutely magic on the cornet. Also, the percussionist [Robin Rapuzzi] — he’s just so cheerful. You love watching him because he seems to be having the time of his life. They’re all so good.

Tell me how Tuba Skinny has contributed to the spaceflight program in America.

For many years, as I worked on designs for future spacecraft, I would have their music going, with a YouTube concert going on an extra monitor. I was able to get lost from all the distractions, and the high energy of a lot of their songs just kept me focused. People have theorized about potters that when they make pottery, in principle you might be able to pick up the sounds that were in the room, because the vibrations are trapped in the pottery as the pots are being made. So theoretically, if that idea carried over to computers, then a lot of the models of NASA spacecraft would have Tuba Skinny music embedded into the digital data.

Would you like to add anything else?

My understanding is that although they have their own material, they have been very meticulous in capturing the history of New Orleans jazz music and have reproduced so much of what might have otherwise been lost of that historic music. Their own stuff is fantastic, but there’s something really fun about some of the historic stuff that they do.

Erin Jones is a freelance writer, former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter.com, or follow her on Instagram @ErinJonesWriter.

HISTORY

SAVING SOLES

BY ERIN JONES

Special to The News-Post

According to Vito Loiola, he has saved more soles than the Vatican.

As impressive a metric as that may be in the shoe repair world, it’s perhaps more impressive — and a little sobering — that he is one of only about 3,000 cobblers left in the United States. When the North Market Street shoe repair shop business opened in 1947, there were 95,000.

“There are less cobblers than endangered tigers,” Vito said.

Husband and wife and business partners Vito and Tammy took over Quality Shoe Service and Repair in 2016 after relocating to Frederick from Florida. Now, they hope to do the reverse. They have put the business up for sale and plan to move back to the Sunshine State.

“We’re not selling it because it’s not busy; we’re selling it because we want to move,” Tammy said.

As the couple nears what they hope will be their final Maryland winter, they aren’t simply looking to simply offload the storefront. Instead, they are hoping to sell the business to someone who can continue the trade. Vito is even willing to train his successor.

Despite its numbers, the business is one that is potentially lucrative.

“You can make good money,” Vito said. “If a young person wanted to come in and learn, I would be more than happy to teach.”

“This will be able to support a family,” Tammy added.

North Market Street cobbler seeks successor to carry on the trade

“His mother and father had five children, and they lived very well.”

Vito, a third-generation cobbler, has been in the business for 50 years. His father moved from Italy to New York and worked in shoe-making.

“In the ‘50s in New York, there was big manufacturing — the whole Northeast. They made nails for shoes, shoe laces, the tongues that were for the shoes, the rubber heels,

the bases, the leather soles,” Vito said.

Initially trained in the family business, Vito branched into furniture repair before returning to cobbling.

Today, the shop is bustling and full. Shelves of shoes in various stages of repair line the walls. The backroom is full of vintage-looking machinery and various shoe supplies and components, stored neatly in bins. An array of tools are laid

out like brushes before a canvas. Vito prefers to keep his space organized, unlike some cobblers, who prefer to work in chaos, he said.

He pulls out a photo of one shop he’s seen: “It looks like a bomb hit it. I don’t know how these guys can work.”

Vito recalls that his father’s work station had the appearance of disorder, yet he somehow seemed to know where everything was.

“If you move something he’d know,” Vito said.

The shoe repair trade tends to run in families.

“Mostly, if you weren’t born into this business, you’re not getting in. I would say 80% are born into it and 20% learned it,” Vito estimated. “But there’s so much opportunity. I mean, you could open up cold today and own any neighborhood.”

For new cobblers, learning the trade doesn’t present nearly

as much of a challenge as maintaining the aging machinery that is needed for things like stitching and sanding.

“They stopped making equipment back in the ‘90s, and if you don’t know how to keep it running, you’re in trouble,” Vito said. “There’s no mechanics. There used to be guys. They used to come around every week to picture machines and tune them up, but they’re gone by the wayside. It really is a forgotten business. It’s in the rearview mirror.”

A few companies in the Netherlands still make equipment, but the cost is high. In other places, machinery is given away, as cobbler shops have gone out of business. Vito has absorbed not only machinery but material from cobblers, bequeathed from the inventory of dying businesses.

less likely to invest in their upkeep. Years ago, someone might have had two or three quality pairs of shoes that they repaired as needed, but now consumers tend to buy more cheaply made shoes that are eventually discarded and replaced.

“The older generations are dying out — the ones that usually fix a lot of shoes,” Tammy said.

Good Year used to create equipment, but now they mostly supply materials.

If the connection between Good Year tire and shoe repair business seems disparate, look no further than the underside of a shoe with a Good Year sole. Vito flipped over a boot with just that and ran his finger through the tread — which suddenly looked very much like that of a tire. Both, quite literally, are where the rubber meets the road.

Sturdy soles made by Good Year or Vibram, are in high demand for hiking and work boots and therefore end up in the shop for needed repairs.

A cultural shift has contributed to the decline of shoe repair as well. The declining quality of shoes and prohibitive cost of high-quality shoes means consumers are much

Those shoes that have been preserved often hold sentimental value. Vito remembers one customer who brought in her late father’s shoes but asked that they not be cleaned, so that whatever traces of him etched in the shoe would be preserved.

While some cobblers prefer to keep things simple, Vito loves a challenge. He also approaches his work with heart and compassion. Orthopedic build up shoes, for example, can become pricey when sourced through specialized companies, but Vito seeks to keep his prices accessible.

“I don’t mind making money, but I don’t want anyone to feel like they’re getting ripped off,” he said. “It’s like bread on the water — you get what you put out.”

For one child needing an

orthopedic alteration to a shoe, he took care to make the material light and camouflage the alteration as much as possible so the child would not be bullied in school.

Tammy has worked in customer service her whole career, a skill that she now utilizes as she runs the business side of operations. The couple married in 2007.

In addition to shoe repair, the shop offers cleaning and stretching of shoes. They also do preventative maintenance and try to educate customers on how to take care of their shoes. Despite the trends away from shoe repair, they are finding that as younger generations buy nicer shoes, they are seeing the benefit in investing in maintenance.

Frederick brings its own unique flavor to the shoe repair business. This time of year, hiking boot repair is common. Even more unique to the area, however, are the many Civil War reenactment boots that come through.

Then there are requests like patching a leather jacket or mending a vintage pocket book, one of Vito’s favorite projects. He loves the challenge of blending old and new material and finding ways

to make the new material look old.

As he put it, “I could fix anything but a broken heart and an empty wallet.”

The store has been up for sale since August. Prior to their tenure, the couple says the store only changed hands a few times since its 1947 opening. They hope the close of their chapter will signal the continuation of the trade in new hands. As for them, they do plan to purchase another cobbler business when they return to Florida.

As for retirement? Vito has this to say: “You’ll find me dead in the back with a shoe and a sandwich, because what am I going to do? I’m not going to go fishing. I might on the weekends, but you know, I like helping people.”

Erin Jones is a freelance writer, former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter.com, or follow her on Instagram @ErinJonesWriter.

THE FREDERICK MOM

The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of Nov. 7

Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom.

Folkways by the Fire 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 7

Utica District Park, 10200-B Old Frederick Road, Frederick $5/person

This Friday, all ages are welcome to the Snook Family Farm Agricultural Center at Utica District Park for an evening of live music, dance and crafts by the campfire. Try a few dance steps, create some folk-inspired crafts, and play games with the family. Stay for a few minutes or the whole evening! Pre-register at bit.ly/FCPRFolkwaysby theFire.

The Downtown Frederick Light Walk 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 7, 8, 9

Throughout Downtown Frederick Free

Starting this weekend, don’t let your family miss this free, pretty walk with unique photo opportunities in downtown Frederick because the town just got a whole lot sparklier. The Downtown Frederick Light Walk features five beautiful, creative light installations that will be on display through March 14, 2026. “Disco Garage” is a light feature of mirror balls and multicolored lights strung in the stairwell of the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (on Carroll Creek Way side) at 44 E. Patrick Street. The “Starlite” installation is a modern grouping of starburst lights on the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (on the Patrick Street side). The Light Walk continues above the sidewalk that connects the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage to Maxwell Avenue (near the multi-colored fence) where you’ll find a curtain of lights overhead like “Light Drops” or a full night of stars. Then head to Everedy Square and Shab Row to view the beautiful “Kaleidoscope” display, a color-changing tunnel of vines and shimmering lights in the alleyway between Talbots on 18 N. East Street and The Frederick Basket Co. on 12 N. East Street. The Light Walk ends with the “Snowfall” tree installation, standing 16 feet tall, in the main plaza of Everedy Square and Shab Row (in front

Maryland to lead Dino-Day! Expect a series of talks all about these prehistoric creatures. If you or your kids are interested in learning more about dinosaurs and specifically what Maryland was like in the time of dinos, then head to this free, educational series.

•••

National STEM Day

2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8

Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick Free

This is a fun drop-in event for children in grades K-5 (ages 5-10). Kids can experiment with fun STEM toys at the Brunswick Library anytime between 2 and 4 p.m. this Saturday. Let kids check out activities surrounding science, tech, engineering, and mathematics for free!

•••

Veterans Day Parade

1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 9

East and West Potomac streets, Brunswick

Free

Join one of the oldest Veterans Day Parade in the nation right here in Brunswick. The 93rd Annual Veterans Day Parade takes place this Sunday with the Opening Ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. followed by the Veterans Day Parade at 2 p.m. Please join the community to honor America’s heroes at this free, joyous event recognizing the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

•••

Youth Council Fall Fun Fest

2 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9

New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick Free

of the Frederick Coin Exchange, 20 N. East Street).

•••

“Almost, Maine” TJHS Play

7 p.m. Nov. 7; 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 8

Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, 1501 N. Market St., Frederick $7/person, $5/student, under 5 is free

The TJ Stage presents “Almost, Maine” — a theatrical performance by the TJHS students about a place so far north, it’s almost not in the U.S. The residents of Almost, Maine, find them-

selves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Let’s support our youth and see a great show! Get tickets online.

•••

Dino-Day

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 8

GTC Rock Shop, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick Free

This Saturday, GTC Rock Shop (the science education center in the Francis Scott Key Mall) welcomes guest speaker, Dr. Tom Holtz from the University of

Calling all youth ages 12 to 24: Join the Frederick Youth Council at New Spire Arts for a day full of talent, inspiring panels, good food, and fun. The Youth Council will begin discussing their accomplishments and future goals, then there will be a youth talent show and art showcase in the lobby. After the talent show, there will be a DJ who closes out the event with a fun dance, so bring your dancing shoes. Youth can register to attend or participate at aushermanfamilyfoundation. regfox.com/nov-25-youth-council-funfall-fest.

Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifth-generation 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.

Enchanted Escape

Miss Willa’s Bookshop is a haven for bibliophiles

BY APRIL BARTEL

Special to The News-Post

Miss Willa’s Bookshop in downtown Charles Town, West Virginia, has become a haven for readers. The shop, created by the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout and managed by her longtime friend and assistant Malissa Coy, turns a historic storefront into a love letter to romance and fantasy — and to the readers who make both genres thrive.

Newly opened in July, the shop feels part Victorian salon and part immersive story-world. It’s a place where visitors can debate common plot devices, (occasionally) meet authors and linger in a plush alcove decked out like a pivotal setting from Armentrout’s wildly popular Blood and Ash series.

ROMANTIC TO THE CORE

The shop’s name is a nod to that series. It is homage to a character whose zesty diary is sure to make any maiden blush. True to form, Miss Willa’s wears its identity proudly: It is an expertly curated romance bookstore.

“Every book in here will have a romance trope of some sort. Every book is going to be a happily ever after,” Coy said.

The shelves move across subgenres from suspense, contemporary and historical fiction to fantasy, dark romance, dark academia. They include young adult books (contemporary, paranormal, fantasy) and even a small manga section. The diversity allows fans to glide from swoony contemporary to monster romance and “romantasy” without leaving the shop.

That thread runs through the décor. The back-of-shop nook is a sultry representation of the Red Pearl, a wink to the first clandestine meeting of Poppy and Hawk in Blood and Ash. Up front, the palette is romantic, pink and floral, while the niche that houses the paranormal section turns moodier. Coy gives all the credit to Armentrout’s creativity: “This was her vision.”

Selections that earn a place on these shelves are hand-picked by book-lovers who pay attention to both industry trends and consumer feedback. Coy blends big publishing house titles alongside fiercely loved indie authors, thanks to research via BookTok (an enthusiastic social media

community dedicated to discussing the world of books) and Instagram.

“I really try to pick … traditionally published books,” Coy said. “Then, I also work hard to pull in as many independent authors as I can. Independent authors are a huge force within the romance community and genre.”

She watches social media trends, listens to in-store suggestions, and scans distributor and publisher lists to see what’s on the horizon.

Those choices reflect what’s happening beyond the site’s four walls.

Romance is the top selling book genre, and Coy credits it for buoying the industry through thin times. She’s also seeing readers step back from endless scrolling and limited interaction with a potential purchase, yearning to be able to touch a book and flip its pages.

As an independent bookstore, Coy noted, Miss Willa’s can be a champion for romance readers and writers.

“We can really pick up that mantle and be a voice for them.”

At roughly 1,600 square feet, Miss Willa’s feels intimate. It stocks around 4,500 books, a little over 2,000 individual titles, and supplements offerings with a growing online storefront that launched Oct. 1. Signed copies of select works rotate through the store,

IF YOU GO

Miss Willa’s Bookshop is at 201 N. George St., Suite 102, Charles Town, W.Va. Call 681252-0120 or go to misswillasbookshop.com for more information.

and shoppers can browse calendars, journals (“Oh yeah, we love a good journal,” Coy said with a laugh), stickers and T-shirts designed by Armentrout herself.

Looking for something a little different? Grab one of the shop’s “Blind Date with a Book” options. Staff wrap books in craft paper and label them only with tropes (perhaps “second chances” or “enemies to lovers”) so readers choose by vibe, not cover.

“It’s just a fun way to get surprised and maybe find something new,” Coy said.

LOVE & GARLIC

If you’re chasing the newest chapter in Armentrout’s Blood and Ash universe, you’ll find it here, with a cheeky twist. For book six, “The Primal of Blood and Bone,” Hellmann’s partnered with the publisher to create a garlic-scented special printing.

“They took actual garlic and

mashed it into the ink,” Coy said with a wide grin.

Miss Willa’s received approximately 700 of the 800 copies, as well as a limited stash of Hellmann’s new garlic aioli that customers can pick up instore, “until we run out.” And yes, you can smell a hint of it through the shrink wrap.

The historic building comes with its own stories. Housed in an early-1900s structure that once belonged to the Strider family, the space was a funeral home in a previous life. What is now the Red Pearl was a former freight elevator shaft and an antique bottle from the Undertaker Supply Co., found during a 2015 renovation. The shop’s resident spirit, Peanut (a character from Armentrout’s YA Harbinger series), “curates” books by knocking them off the shelves, which staff labels with a “Peanut’s Picks” sticker.

There’s also a living mascot: Liessa, a rescued kitten named for another Blood and Ash character. Coy and her husband found her just a few blocks away during a storm. Now she comes in sporadically, charming customers when she isn’t plotting a dash for the door.

(See MISS WILLA’S 21)

”Fleeting” — through Nov. 30, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Photography by Garett and Kacie Walker. Bridging the gap between documentary and conceptual photography, the work in this exhibition is a look into the relationship between humanity and the natural world, reminding us that life is fleeting. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Around Our House” — through Nov. 30, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Using traditional oil painting methods and the tradition of still life as a theme, C. Fred Tyner’s works take on a contemporary feel when the specificity of the objects are considered, merging the past with the present. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

Veterans Show — through Nov. 30, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. This biennial exhibition showcases artwork made by former service members of the United States military. Works in a variety of media. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”After Party” — through Nov. 30, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Mixed media by Eric Rottcher. His work in this exhibition is an exploration of notions like joy, chaos, identity, and the tensions between the highs and lows in life. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”The Women, The Houses, The Water” — weekends through Nov. 30, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Lee Foran’s contribution to the exhibition is a series of fiber-based creations that weave together narratives of domestic life, human connection and personal reflection. Linda D. Acierto’s evocative seascapes, in acrylics,

inspired by the oceans, seas and bodies of water she has encountered both locally and during her travels abroad. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsidearts313@gmail.com.

”Natural World in Photography: East Meets West” — through Nov. 30, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Exhibit of artwork by Maryland naturalist photographer Jim Mosher. The exhibit presents views of nature recorded while traveling the country and sailing the East Coast. It includes images of the western landscape and wildlife, and of the Chesapeake Bay and waters south along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. Open weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. or by

appointment. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards.com.

“Ciao Bella” — through Nov. 30 at NOMA Gallery, 437 N. Market St., Frederick. Andrea McCluskey, Jeanean Songco-Martin and Lisa Sheirer were awarded artist residencies in Montegiovi, Italy, through the La Baldi Residency. Located in the medieval village of Montegiovi, Italy, in Southern Tuscany, the self-directed international residency was an opportunity to experiment, develop ideas and projects, explore, rejuvenate, research and investigate the land and culture of this special area. All three artists engage with the landscape in different ways. Songco-Martin is a plein air painter, Sheirer’s practice is grounded in her relation-

ship with the Frederick watershed, and McCluskey’s work is connected to the metaphysical within the land. Artist talk from 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 15. 240367-9770.

”People & Places” — through Nov. 30, Gallery 322, 322 N. Market St., Frederick. The artists of Gallery 322 present a journey through the human experience. From vibrant portraits to breathtaking landscapes, this exhibit explores the interconnectedness of people and places. Hours: Fridays 4-7 p.m., Saturdays & Sundays noon-5 p.m. 240961-2242, gallery322.com.

Painters Kathleen Byrnes and Jennifer Howard — through Nov. 6 30 at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Ave. E, Bethesda. Kathleen Byrnes

has taken to working plein air, while Jennifer Howard is a painter and graphic designer whose paintings are about the moment. Gallery hours are Thursdays to Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gallery will be closed Nov. 27 and 28 for the Thanksgiving holiday. 301215-6660, sparker@bethesda. org, bethesda.org/gallery-b. Frederick County Art Association 2025 Exhibit — through Jan. 5, 2026, Frederick Health — Crestwood, 7211 Bank Court, Frederick. Works in oil, watercolor, mixed media and photography by some of Frederick County’s most talented artists. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 240-215-1460 or frederickhealth.org/crestwood.

DAVIS

(Continued from 5)

across the nation to host underground and alternative shows in Frederick.

“I try to keep a healthy mix of music honestly,” he said. “I don’t just love one genre of music. I know people feel the same way.”

From doom to folk, electronic to prog, Cafe Nola has become a destination for those looking for something different.

“A lot of the bands that I deal with are just looking to play music and party,” he said. “They don’t worry about a door split or what they get paid after the show.”

It’s more about networking, he said, and ultimately growing an audience beyond Frederick.

Davis has helped several bands make it out of the city through his work at Nola — and it’s his vision that continues to serve the community by providing a space for bands that would not otherwise be booked in Frederick. Underground, “outsider” music showcased at Nola simply is not allowed at most other venues in the city, aside from some brief, come-and-go spots like Sketchy Shed. Nola has consistently been open to those acts, and Davis is the one pushing it forward.

“Honestly, it’s kind of bleak,” Davis said about the Frederick music scene. “I don’t want it to become Bethesda.”

With Cafe Nola as his working headquarters, Davis is set to continue building upon the work he started over 15 years ago, creating a space for local musicians of all kinds.

“There are some minor tweaks and stuff that I want to do,” he said. “We just recently got new owners and they want to see how things are running before they put more money into it. They don’t want to change anything though … they know what Nola means to locals.”

In September, Cafe Nola was home to the Snallyfest After Party. The allday festival featured local and touring bands, one of which, Cody Jasper from Austin, Texas, was recently signed to Megaforce Records, an independent record label based out of New York City with Metallica, Anthrax and Bad Brains on its roster.

Without Cafe Nola and the vision of Davis, there would be one less space for artists in an already small music scene.

“Honestly, I look forward to every show,” Davis said, “seeing stuff I haven’t seen before.”

COMMUNITY CONCERT SERIES

West Second Street • Frederick, MD 21701 presented by the Music and Arts Ministry of Calvary United Methodist Church

Sunday, November 16, 2025 at 3:00 p.m. doors open at 2:30 Calvary United Methodist Church

Award-winning musicians Laura Kobayashi, violinist, and Susan Gray, pianist have performed together for more than 30 years throughout the U.S. and other countries. Their program will include Schubert’s Sontina in G minor, Op. 137, No. 3 and Korngold’s “Much Ado About Nothing Suite”, Op.11. Also, enjoy Sonata No. 2 for Violin and Piano by Grazyna Bacewicz, and Elfentanz, Andante Espressione by Florence Price.

Story by ERIN JONES Special to The News-Post

Exhibit adds inspiration to Artspiration ‘Women Artists of the DMV’

Staff photos by KATINA ZENTZ

‘Special delivery” does not begin to describe the many treasures dropped off at 915 Toll House Avenue at the end of October. A 7-foot painting, ceramics and even an elephant made from chicken wire are just a few of the pieces that have arrived in preparation for the upcoming “Women Artists of the DMV” exhibition.

Given the building’s longtime history as a medical facility, it’s safe to assume that those are some of the most unique items to pass through the doors yet. But this show, while groundbreaking and historic, is just the beginning of this facility’s art journey.

The former medical building has undergone a major transformation to become — through imagination, innovation and collaboration — Artspiration, a brand-new community art space.

Artspiration’s Oct. 9 ribbon-cutting ceremony fell just weeks before artwork began to arrive for the first public exhibition in the new space. Artspiration is one of 18 venues in the multisite exhibition “Women Artists of the DMV.”

The Artspiration exhibition will open Nov. 9 with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m., and work will remain on view until Jan. 4.

The multishow “Women Artists of the DMV” is curated by artist Lenny Campello and features the artwork of more than nearly 500 female artists across 18 venues in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. While Artspiration’s show will be the sole representation of Frederick County geographically, the exhibition contains artwork from local artists and those based in the greater D.C. area.

Artspiration co-founders Tammy O’Connor and Natasha Valencia have seen their newly opened offices transform with the arrival of new art pieces for the show.

“Every day, I walk in here and there’s new pieces,” said Valencia, who is running for County Council. “There’s something to look at everywhere. I could never even imagine. I can’t wait to see it all up and installed.”

Media represented includes paintings, ceramics, paper mache, electronics, wire and metal pieces. There are several pairs of artwork created by mothers and daughters in the exhibition. The oldest artist participating is 95.

The process of delivering artwork to Artspiration has given the artists the opportunity to connect, both with the organization’s co-founders and with one another.

Beckie Laughlin, of New Market, was one of the Frederick County artists selected for the show. Her acrylic painting “Memories of the Southwest,” inspired by her

travels to New Mexico, will be included.

Laughlin is an abstract painter who takes a spontaneous approach to her work.

“I’m inspired by the natural world, and the thing that I explore in my work is the mystery below the surface of the natural world,” she said. “I’m exploring my intuition, so I paint without any clear intention. I don’t illustrate a concept; rather, I let the painting evolve. I’m painting from the unknown, letting my intuitive voice guide me.”

For this particular piece, she said vivid memories of the desert landscape came to her. As she painted, guided by her intuition, images appeared in the painting, like a large lavender bird and a structure reminiscent of a Native American building.

“When I am painting from my intuition, it is a joyful experience. Oftentimes it comes through in the painting itself. I’m really delighted when that feeling is communicated to the viewer,” Laughlin said.

This painting was one of three she submitted to Campello, who selected this particular piece for inclusion in the exhibition.

Laughlin knows several of the Frederick-area artists well, but she is excited to connect in person with artists from the larger D.C. metro area, some of whom she only knows through social media. To her, an expansion of the geographic network builds on the solid foundation of

Artwork is shown at Artspiration Frederick on Oct. 31.

the community of women in the arts in Frederick.

“The community of women artists in Frederick is very strong. I see other women artists frequently in the Frederick area, and we help each other. We share opportunities for exhibiting. We attend each other’s openings, which is fabulous,” Laughlin said.

Plein air painter and Frederick Arts Council board member Paula Rubin-Wexler noted a similar experience of connectivity among women artists in Frederick, particularly through her participation in the group Frederick Plein Air Artists.

skies that are very ethereal,” she said. “People say my work is ethereal. They say my work is very peaceful.”

A teacher of hers once described her painting as having “a zen-like, compelling simplicity,” she said.

This work was chosen by Campello as well, one of four Rubin-Wexler submitted. She was eager to get involved in the show after hearing about it from friends.

“Having someone like Lenny — who’s a well-known artist and art curator and has already curated over 200 different visual art shows in the D.C. area — really sounded incredible. I knew if anyone could pull it off, he could,” she said.

While the total number of artists chosen for the exhibition across 18 venues totals nearly 500, the number of submissions is closer to 5,000, a metric that has significant implications for the pool of talent in the area.

“It makes an incredible statement about how women in this area are underrepresented” Rubin-Wexler said. “The museums and other venues do not put in as many women to reflect how many women are in this area. This is really a historic event, and I knew I wanted to be part of it.”

For Rubin-Wexler, who is finishing up her final term with the FAC, the opening of Artspiration compounds the celebration of the exhibition.

“I was at the ribbon cutting,” she said. “I could see what they want to be and what they’re doing and it’s phenomenal.”

While the gallery space may be the public’s first exposure to Artspiration, the scope of its function, both present and future, extend far beyond that.

IF YOU GO

“Women Artists of the DMV” opens with a reception from 2 to 6 p.m. Nov. 9 and remains on view through Jan. 4 at Artspiration, 915 Toll House Ave., Frederick.

locking items and for safely working at all hours.

The current space reveals phase one of the project. Phase two will include a ceramics studio, and phase three will accommodate the performing arts, including a black box theater.

The co-founders say their mission from the start was to provide support for artists across all disciplines. A large component of strategizing and designing the space was talking to artists in the community to identify needs, as well as gaps in resources.

For example, educational resources and opportunities are being developed to better equip artists to navigate the business side of an artist’s life.

“I heard a lot of artists say that they want to create, but they don’t know how to do the marketing or the financial part or structure an LLC — things like that that could really make their business lucrative,” Valencia said. “We’re really trying to make this a resource hub here.”

Artspiration intends to be a resource not just to individual artists but also to the Frederick arts community in general. They intend to include marketing materials from other galleries and arts organizations so they can feel a reciprocity of support.

vision for the exhibition to occupy the space.

The show’s proximity to Artspiration’s opening has provided a boost in publicity for the new organization.

“[Campella] has been promoting online, and he’s sent out many things to people via social media. He’s putting us on the map,” O’Connor said.

Even prior to the official opening, as the artists connected with one another while bringing their artwork into the space, the significance of the show became even clearer. “It’s their personal journey and they’re sharing it with other women,” O’Connor said. “They’ve come together as one, and it proves how strong women are and resilient against all things.”

While the pair hope that visitors will be moved by the beauty of the artwork on display, they also hope guests will want to return to experience all that Artspiration has to offer in the future.

“Artspiration is not just the gallery and the studio spaces. We want community here — to be able to come and relax and enjoy. If they enjoy the art, then who knows what could happen?” O’Connor said. “There’s so much energy there for the arts. People come in here, and even when we just give a tour, their eyes get so big and so excited. The energy is phenomenal.”

“We all help each other,” Rubin-Wexler said. “We help each other by recommending each other to shows. We critique each other’s work, but we ask each other if it would be OK to recommend something or critique it. We don’t just say anything without permission. We’re

very respectful of each other’s work and of each other, which is more what women tend to do, I think.”

She is showing “Red Roof in Middletown” in the exhibition.

“I paint mostly skies, big skies, and not much land, because I really feel like it’s the

The former medical facility is three stories tall and 51,000 square feet. The first phase of renovations involved transforming reception areas on each floor and exam rooms into studio space for artists. Safety features were important components, such as a keypad lock system that would ensure artists’ security, both for

“We’re not here to compete with anybody. We’re here to work with everybody,” said O’Connor, who is married to Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor.

As both Artspiration and the “Women Artists of the DMV” took shape, O’Connor and Valencia reached out to Campella at the suggestion of Frederick visual artist Lisa Sheirer. Within the week, Campella visited the building and immediately cast a

While the rooms and purpose of the building may look vastly different from its medical days, perhaps the function of the space has not changed quite so drastically. After all, art contains its own capacity to heal.

Erin Jones is a freelance writer, former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter.com, or follow her on Instagram @ErinJonesWriter.

Opera House will present the one-man play ‘Dementia Man: An Existential Journey’

The Shepherdstown Opera House will present the one-man play “Dementia Man: An Existential Journey,” with support from a wide range of community partners, at 2 p.m. Nov. 9.

“Dementia Man: An Existential Journey” is the award-winning autobiographical story of a man who faces his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In this full-length theatrical piece, actor and playwright Samuel A. Simon takes the stage as a man confronting his cognitive decline and asks the

hard questions of what to do next in the face of what he calls “an existential journey.” The play challenges the audience to imagine a meaningful future for the millions of people with neurocognitive disease — one with accommodation and adaptation.

Directed by Thadd McQuade with dramaturgy by Gabrielle Maisels, “Dementia Man” is the recipient of the 2023 Dementia Arts Impact Award from the Dementia Spring Foundation.

For more information about the play and actor-playwright Sam Simon, go to dementiaman.com.

Doors open at 1:30 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown. Cost is paywhat-you-can. Advance tickets are available at operahouselive.com. Advanced reservations are encouraged due to limited seating. Online reservations will be available until one hour before showtime. Seating is general admission.

Speak Story Series will conclude its 13th season with ‘The Strange Case of Lady Liberty’

Speak Story Series concludes its 13th season with the recipients of the 2025 Speak Story Series Commission recipients Barry Stewart Mann and Deborah Strahorn at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 live at Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church, 100 W. Washington St., Shepherdstown, and online.

They will present the world premiere of “The Strange Case of Lady Liberty.”

We all know about the majestic statue in New York Harbor, and the words that welcome “your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” but the origin story of the Statue of Liberty is complicated, and the accepted interpretation

conceals shameful resonances from our nation’s past.

In this tandem telling, Barry Stewart Mann and Deborah Strahorn will weave historical narrative — figures, monologues and dramatizations — with personal family stories, forgotten facts and flights of whimsy and reflection into a long-form story that investigates the strange case of a beautiful woman with a troubled past.

Tickets are $20, free for season ticket holders. Buy in-person tickets at the door or online tickets at speakstoryseries.com.

Speak is for audiences aged 13 and up.

More information can be found at speakstoryseries.com.

Local Mentions

BAZAAR

Pleasant Grove UMC, Green Valley Rd

November 8, 9-2:30

Candy, Soup, Subs, Crafts, quilt, cookies mystery gifts, bake table and much more!

. Shangri-La Detachment presents Marine Corps League Birthday Ball

Saturday, Nov 15

Lewistown Fire Hall 11101 Hessong Bridge Road Frederick, MD

Doors open at 5pm Food will be served Live Music • BYOB For tickets, text: 240-674-5407

BETHANY LUTHERAN CHURCH BAZAAR

Nov 14 & 15, 2025

9 a m to 2 p m

Food, Yard Sale, Vendor Tables Call or text Tammy 240-446-3018

Bean & Beef Vegetable Soup: $9/qt

Country Ham Sandwiches: $5 ea Cash, Check & PayPal 109 1st Avenue Brunswick, MD 21716 (on corner of A St & 1st Ave) Proceeds support BES Charge Lunch Program

BUFFET DINNER

Mt. Airy VFC Auxiliary Fri, Nov 07, 2025 4-7p or until sold out Eat in or Carry-out

Roast Turkey & Ham, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Stuffing, Sauerkraut, Baked Pineapple, Green Beans, Cole Slaw Adults: $18; Children 6-12: $8 00 Under 5 is FREE; ($2 extra for all carry-out)

Mt. Airy VFC Reception Hall

1008 Twin Arch Rd, Mt Airy Credit or Debit Cards Accepted

FALL BAZAAR

St Paul's Utica

10621 Old Frederick Rd

Thurmont, MD

Saturday, November 8, 2025

9 a m to 2 p m

Flea Market, Country Ham & Turkey Sandwiches, Homemade Soups, Baked Goods, Hot Beef and Hot Dogs, Apple Dumplings

Organized by the St Paul's Utica Lutheran Women's League

Local Mentions Local Mentions

CARRY-OUT DINNERS

at New Midway Vol Fire Co

Saturday, November 22, 2025

Featuring: Roast Turkey w/ Dressing or Fried Shrimp With: Mashed Potatoes/ Gravy Green Beans Applesauce Roll Serving Time: 1-5 pm Cost $13 00

CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN ORCHARD

Apples: Gala, Pink lady, Golden Delicious, Fuji, Crimson Crisp, Jonagold, Empire, Stayman, Evercrisp Pears, Turnips, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Cabbage, Peppers

Kale, Cauliflower & Broccoli

Grab & Go Soups, Sandwiches, Deviled Eggs, Chicken Salads & Potato Salad

Fresh Baked Fruit Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, Apple Dumplings

Hand Crafted Fall & Thanksgiving Centerpiece Flower Arrangements & Bouquets

Fall Mums, Pumpkins, Gourds, & Indian Corn

Specialty CMO Ice Cream, Apple Cider Slushies, Jams & Jellies

PICK YOUR OWN APPLES

Sat & Sun November 8 & 9

Veterans or Active Military receive a “FREE” Peck bag for Pick Your Own

With Valid ID Call for picking time and availability Tues Nov 11th

VETERANS DAY

Veterans Or Active Military

Receive 10% Off Entire Purchase & a FREE donut!

301-271-2737

Open Daily 9am-5pm 15036 North Franklinville Rd. Thurmont MD www catoctin mountainorchard com

FREE CONCERT

GRAMMY-nominated lutenist, Ronn McFarlane & guitarist Andre McEvoy Sun Sept 28 at 4 p m

St Paul’s Church, Point of Rocks 1914 Ballenger Creek Pike off Rt 15 at Point of Rocks Rd Circle

Offering to support World Central Kitchen

Reception afterwards Carpooling is encouraged because of limited parking

FREE JAZZ CONCERT TODD MARCUS QUINTET

Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 4 p.m. St Paul’s Church, Point of Rocks, 1914

Ballenger Creek Pike (off Rt 15 at Point of Rocks Road Circle)

Bring your friends to enjoy a concert by Todd Marcus and his quintet of clarinets, piano, bass, and drums at the beautiful and historic St. Paul’s Church. Offering to support Heartly House Don’t miss a beat!

FRIED

CHICKEN & COUNTRY HAM DINNER

Flint Hill UM Church All-You-Can-Eat Sat. Nov. 8, 12-5pm

Adults - $25

Carry-Outs - $23

Kids 6-12 - $20 at 2732 Park Mills Road Adamstown, MD 21710 Bake Table Available

GLADE UCC OYSTER, TURKEY & HAM BUFFET DINNER

Walkersville Fire Hall 79 W Frederick St Fri Nov. 7 • 4-7p Sat Nov 8 • 11a-4p

Adults: $30 cash $31 credit card

Children 6-12: $15 5 & under: Free Carry-Outs: $1 extra Avail until 3:30p on Sat Dinner@Gladechurch.org 301-845-6775

HAM SANDWICH, CRANBERRY RELISH AND BAKE SALE

St John's Lutheran Church

8619 Black's Mill Road, Creagerstown, Thurmont MD

When: November 22nd from 10 Am – 1 PM Country Ham sandwiches and City Ham w/Cheese sandwiches $5 each Cranberry relish is offered in two sizes: pints for $4 and quarts for $7 Requests for Baked Items are also being taken Deadline for Orders: November 16

To order, please contact Carmi Sayler at 301-401-0633 or text 240-529-7471 with your request

HOLIDAY BAZAAR AND BAKE SHOP

Johnsville United Methodist Church

Saturday, November 22, 8am -2pm Cakes, Candies, Pies, Cookie Trays, Mystery Gifts, Silent Auction, Crafts plus Food Served from the Kitchen Come and Stock up on Holiday Goodies! 11106 Green Valley RD (Rt 75) Between Union Bridge and Libertytown More info –410-775-7217 Merry Christmas!

HOLIDAY BAZAAR

Calvary UM Church 131 W Second Street Frederick, MD November 15 9:00am-3:00pm

Handmade Crafts, Holiday Decorations, Silent Auction, Kids Crafts, White Elephant Room, Luncheon from 11:00-1:00, Live Music, Bake Sale, Calvary’s famous Cheeseballs, and a trip for the children to the North Pole to see Santa! Come to shop, enjoy the lively atmosphere, and ring in the season!!!

Local

HOLIDAY

BAZAAR

Sat., Nov. 15th, 2025

Libertytown Fire Hall

8:00 am – 2:00 pm 12027 South St Libertytown, MD 21762

Crafts, Homemade goodies, sandwiches, soups, bake table, raffles and much more

For more information for table rentals

call Mary 301-401-2824

Sponsored by Libertytown Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary

HOLIDAY CRAFT BAZAAR

Saturday, November 8th, 2025

8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Bush Creek Church of the Brethren 4821A Green Valley Road, Monrovia, Maryland 301-865-3013

Follow us on Facebook

Holiday table décor, ornaments, beaded jewelry, crocheted scarves and hats, gift bags, hand-painted items, and the popular “Kids’ Corner” with take-home holiday craft kits that you and your children can enjoy working on together during the lead-up to Christmas White Elephant” table! Bake table will have homemade cakes, pies, brownies, candy, etc

Our Bush Creek Kitchen will be serving a variety of delicious sandwiches, homemade soups and slices of pie during your time at the bazaar!! All items payable with cash or check please – no credit cards Sponsored by the Women’s Fellowship

HOLIDAY CRAFT MARKET

The Jefferson Ruritan Club

Saturday 11/29/25

Crafters & Vendors for your Holiday Shopping Santa and The Grinch will be here

To visit with the children Christmas Trees will be sold by BSA Troop 1066 Food available to purchase for lunch 4603B Lander Road Jefferson, MD 21755

JEFFERSON RURITAN CLUB COUNTRY BUTCHERING

Sat Dec 6, 2025; Must place advance (Pork)

orders by Wed Nov 26, 2025; call (301) 473-7986 or (301) 834-6165

Pick-up orders Sat Dec 6, 2025, 8 am to noon.

Country Breakfast, Sat Dec 6, 2025; 7 am to 11 am 4603B Lander Rd , Jefferson, MD 21755

NEW YEAR'S EVE BINGO

12-31-2025

Thurmont Event Complex

Over $17,000 00 of Cash Payouts

$50 00 Per Ticket Advance

$60 00 at the Door

Available Friday Night Bingo, www eventbrite com

Ticket Includes: Meal: Dinner Platter

9 Pack of 27 Games ($300 00ea ), 3 Games

($1,000ea.), 3 50/50 Games & 3 Jackpots at $2,000 (1 sheet of 3 for each 50/50’s & 3 Jackpots)

| Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 | 72 HOURS

Doors Open @ 5:00 p m , Bingo Starts @ 8:00 p.m.

$50

Available Friday Night Bingo, www eventbrite com

Ticket Includes: Meal: Dinner Platter

9 Pack of 27 Games ($300 00ea ), 3 Games

($1,000ea ), 3 50/50 Games & 3 Jackpots at $2,000 (1 sheet of 3 for each 50/50’s & 3 Jackpots)

Doors Open @ 5:00 p.m., Bingo Starts @ 8:00 p.m.

Meal Served: 6-8 p m

CASH BAR • TIP JARS

Kitchen Open During Break No Reserved Seating - First Come, First Served Basis Only No Exceptions!

**We reserve the right to lower payouts if less than 300 tickets sold**

Tickets: 301-748-5359 or 301-271-3820 or Eventbrite.com

Benefits The Thurmont Community Ambulance Company 13716 Strafford Drive Thurmont, MD 21788

NEW YEAR’S EVE BINGO & BUFFET

(Buffet of Turkey & Shrimp)

December 31, 2025

New Midway Vol Fire Co Doors Open: 5:00 Games Start: 7:30

Admission: $50 00 by 12/16/2024, After 12/16/2024 $60 00 includes 30 Reg Games $100 Minimum$1000 Jackpot Free Party Favors Extra Cards Available Only 250 Tickets Sold ATM Available For Info Call 301-898-7985 or 301-271-4650

SCENIC VIEW ORCHARDS

Crimson Crisp, EverCrisp, Mutsu, Cameo, Stayman, Golden Delicious, Cortland, Ginger Gold, Gala, Honey Crisp Apples, Asian, Bosc, Bartlett, Seckel & Magness Pears, Apple & Pear Cider, Plums, Kennebec Potatoes, Beans, Onions, Cole crops Tomatoes, Squash, Peppers Honey, Jams, Jellies 16239 Sabillasville Rd Sabillasville MD 21780

Open 10:00-5:00 Daily 301-271-2149 scenicvieworchards com

Frederick Farmers Market 1215 West Patrick St Every Saturday 10-1:00

THURMONT CHRISTMAS MARKET CRAFT AND VENDOR SHOW

Sat , Nov 16 & Sun Nov 17

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Drive, Thurmont, MD

Food will be available for purchase provided by the Thurmont Ambulance Company

Santa will be visiting

Vendor information: Contact Jennifer at jensgems2018@yahoo com or 301-800-3336

General Information: Contact Joyce at 301-748-4344

*All proceeds benefit the Thurmont Community Ambulance Company*

SOUP & SANDWICH SALE

Pre-order by 11/04/2025

Pick-up Saturday 11/08/2025

9:00 a m -12:00 p m 301-874-5642

All freshly made onsite 8" subs: $8 00 Cold Cut, Ham & Cheese Turkey & Cheese, Chicken Salad & Cntry Ham

Sandwiches: $6 00 Chicken Salad & Country Ham

Crab Cake Sandwich: $9 00 (fried or uncooked)

By the lb: Chicken Salad $12; Sliced Country Ham $12

Soup: Bean & Cntry Ham, Chicken Corn, Vegetable, bowl $4 00 / qt $8 00, Maryland Crab bowl $5/qrt $9

Bake table & goodies available! FRESH BIG APPLE DUMPLINGS - $6

Carroll Manor Fire Co

Pick-up at: 2793 Adams St, Adamstown, MD

VIGILANT HOSE COMPANY NEW YEAR'S EVE BINGO 17701 Creamery Road, Emmitsburg, MD Wednesday, 12/31

Doors Open @ 5:30pm Games @ 8pm

All Inclusive 9 pk/$50 for 30 games incl 2 $2000 Jackpots 6 SPECIALS @ $500 each All other games $300/Incl Dinner Platter! Reserved seating if tickets purchased by 12/12 Tickets purchased after 12/12 will be $60 No checks mailed after 11/28 For info: Pam @ 240-472-3484

Reserve right to change payouts if 200 are not sold

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

ASIAN AMERICAN CENTER OF FREDERICK - SEEKING HVAC CONTRACTOR

Asian American Center of Frederick is inviting contractors to submit bids for an HVAC systems upgrade for its Family Support Center located at 5901 Old National Pike, Frederick, MD 21702 Full scope of work and submission requirements can be obtained by emailing TJ Sydykov, Director of Operations

3016943355 x 1046

tsydykov@aacfmd org www aacfmd org

Wyngate Dr, Fred Lots of Different Items!

AND COOL STUFF Buying Comic Book Collections, Antiques, Vintage & Modern Toys, Funko Pops, Pokemon, G I Joe, Star Wars, Records, Thundercats, Transformers, Video Games, He-Man, Lego, Hot Wheels, Power Rangers, Barbie, Trains 300 E. High St, Carlisle 717-210-1192

BELGIAN MALINOIS PUPPIES

From AKC-registered parents with health certificates Outstanding temperament and drive suitable for performance, conformation, or as devoted family companions Confident, intelligent, and ready to thrive in active homes

Call/Text: 305-790-6536 • Location: Frederick

Ready Dec 9 serious inquiries only 305-790-6536 gatorchica@gmail com https://www.place2bmalinois.com

Pets & Supplies Services Services Services Services

• Trash/Junk/Yard

• Appliance Removal

• Bed and Mattress Removal

• Mulch Delivery

• Lawnmower & Equipment Removal

ASSISTED LIVING HOME

Live in a home knowing that 24-hour care is there when you need it We are able to help with dressing, bathing, toileting, feeding, transfers, meal preparation, laundry services, medication management, dementia care, continence management, ambulation, activities, and monthly onsite doctor visits Flat rates based on room occupancy, not by level of care Call for more info or visit us at: www thisishomeal com (301) 787-3870 www thisishomeal com

COMPETITIVE PRICING

• Full Service Junk Removal

We do all the heavy lifting • Rapid turnover clean-outs of houses, sheds, garages, basements, attics and storage units

• Move-ins, evictions, property management

• Hauling & deliveries with donation & recycling options

• Furniture, trash, and appliance removal

• Demolition - Fence & Shed Removal

• Transparent flat rate pricing w/no hidden fees Same day or next day service 240-732-9442 lukeshaulandproperty @gmail com 240-409-2991

• Light Demo

• Welding repairs and fabrication

• Hauling needs

• Dump trailer available for rent

PRICES! 20% Off 1st Job! Please call to enquire. Talkinscrap@yahoo com

LAVERNE'S SPARKLE CLEANING SERVICE

MISS WILLA’S

(Continued from 13)

Need a Handyman?

Mach,

COMMUNITY, ON PURPOSE

The store collaborates with La Gazelle coffee cafe on themed drinks (“Blood and Bone” cold brew for a recent release), welcomes Abolitionist Aleworks fans via the town’s “Hip Sips” carryout beverage program, and cross-promotes events with plant haven The Succulent Garden. The Old Opera House, Firehouse Gallery, and Bushel & Peck local/organic market are all just steps away.

“Downtown Charles Town has been amazingly supportive … we are in easy walking distance of the main street,” Coy said.

Events ramping up include a publisher-backed release in February, author appearances, a book club, and a “bookish” trivia nights with Abolitionist.

Armentrout’s own story begins locally. Born and raised in Martinsburg, she later lived in Charles Town and Shepherdstown. Those hometown ties are part of why the store landed here rather than in a larger, pricier market. Coy, who met Armentrout as a read er in 2011 and began volunteering for Apollycon in 2015, lives locally, too.

now-iconic romance convention at Na tional Harbor, usually sell out in min utes, including sales for 2026. Now, Armentrout fans can get their fix at the store between conventions, podcasts and release celebrations.

cently purchased a circa 1885 Vic torian home she is converting into a “booktique” hotel. Described as a cozy, book-themed bed and breakfast, it will be a reader’s retreat, just a short stroll from the store.

Whether you’re a die-hard reader or just curious, Miss Willa’s is an excuse to grab a themed latte, wander the stacks, meet the cat and leave with a wrapped mystery that promises a happily ever after.

to return customers. I want them to fall in love with the community, the down town and the books. I want them to find a place they enjoy coming back to again and again.”

As Miss Willa’s promises: “Your next great adventure awaits you.”

Might Writing, a freelance writing ser vice with a presence in Harpers Ferry and Frederick. With more than 30 years of professional experience, she spe cializes in creating content across a di verse range of subjects, including trav el and leisure, food and restaurants, as well as stories of entrepreneurs and their businesses.

Thursday Nov. 6

CLASSES

ESL High Beginner’s Conversation Classes — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. We welcome 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 of Frederick County. Please note, registration is required by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. 301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

ETCETERA

2025 Exhibits at the Museum of Frederick History — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. See our all new and renovated exhibits, now through Dec. 13. $10 adults, $5 seniors and students. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Tree Planting in Knoxville — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Knoxville, . Join CBF for a tree planting in Washington County where we will plant at least a thousand trees to create a forested buffer and increase biodiversity on historic farm land. Learn about CBF’s farm stewardship program, regenerative agriculture, and the role trees play in mitigating climate change and improving water quality. Registration is required. An exact address for the farm will be provided upon registration. events.cbf.org/calendar/event/1108.

Greater Brunswick Area Business EXPO —

5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick. There will be drawings for door prizes, cash, and other prizes throughout the evening. Vendors will offer give aways and free samples while displaying their services and products. The first 300 people will receive a free grocery size tote bag. Get to know your local business owners and learn what is available in the area. A business to consumer event.

301-676-5857. abbiericketts@comcast.net. www.gbacc.net.

Teen Library Council (TLC) ages 11-18 — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Tweens and teens, grades 6 through 12,

meet to collaborate with each other and teen librarians on upcoming library events and to plan teen-led projects. Teen Library Council (TLC) is an opportunity for teens to make an impact within the library and the wider community.

301-600-7000.

“Connecting With Your Loved Ones” with Medium Debbie — 7 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Medium Debbie is coming back to the Maryland Theatre View Studio to offer another mediumship experience! During her interactions with audience members, Debbie draws on her extensive background with grief and loss, as well her experience and training as a Medium to deliver sensitive messages in a respectful manner from loved ones who have passed on to the other side. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the fascinating world of Mediumship! The readings will be random, and not all attendees are guaranteed a personal reading. Ticket information online. 301-790-2000. boxoffice@mdtheatre.org. www.mdtheatre.org/medium.

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 babies of all ages with a caregiver.

301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Elementary Explorers: Dino Dig — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Dino Dig is a hands-on adventure for elementary-aged explorers who love dinosaurs! Kids will uncover “fossils,” learn fun facts about prehistoric creatures, and dig into science through games, crafts, and interactive activities. Come ready to excavate, investigate, and roar with excitement. This program is designed for children in grades K-5 and their caregivers. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Teen and Tween Open Chess Play — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Spend the first Thursday of the month with a game of chess! Open to all levels of chess players, bring your own chess set or use one of ours. Bring your friends and meet other chess enthusiasts. Ages 9-18.

301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Family Fun: Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Put on your pajamas and come join us for music, stories, and more before bedtime! Designed for ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329.

cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.

Tween Time: Glow in the Dark — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join us for a variety of fun crafts and activities to light up the night. This program is for tweens in 3rd through 8th grades (ages 8-13). 301-600-7250.

Teen Time: Glow in the Dark! — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Early sunset getting you down? Give your night a glow-up with fun glow-in-the-dark activities! This program is for teens in 6th through 12th grades (ages 11-18).

301-600-7250.

MUSIC

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.

Tuba Skinny — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. With their infectious energy, old-school charm, and vintage instrumentation, Tuba Skinny has become one of the most beloved traditional jazz bands on the international scene. Drawing inspiration from early jazz, ragtime, country blues, and New Orleans R&B, their sound evokes the spirit of a bygone era — raw, soulful and irresistibly danceable, with a timeless appeal that captivates modern audiences. $40, $35, $30. 301-600-2828. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/tuba-skinny.

PERFORMER

Tim Hawkins — 7 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Known for hysterical songs like “Yoga Pants” and “A Homeschool Family,” Tim’s humor captures the quirks of family life, marriage and more. Limited VIP tickets

are available, featuring Early Entry, plus a meet and greet and photo with Tim. Ticket pricing online. 301-790-2000. boxoffice@mdtheatre.org. www.mdtheatre.org/tim-hawkins.

THEATER

“The Thanksgiving Play” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this biting satire, as a troupe of performatively “woke” thespians scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month without any cultural stumbles. ASL interpreted performance Nov. 14. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-thanksgiving-play.

“The Rocky Horror Show” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. This sexy cult classic will make you shiver with antici… pation. It’s time to break out your fishnets and join MET for some campy humorous fun! Squeaky clean couple Brad and Janet have some car trouble and are forced to seek refuge in the gothic castle of the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Upon their arrival, Frank-N-Furter and his kooky staff of Transylvanians open up the couple’s minds in ways they never imagined. $30. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-rocky-horror-show.

Friday Nov. 7

CLASSES

American Red Cross Virtual Volunteer Information Session — noon to 1 p.m. at Virtual, Frederick. Learn about positions at the Frederick blood donation center, with disaster action teams and much more. Learn first-hand from volunteers and staff what it means to be a Red Cross Volunteer. The open house will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. You can join with or without video through your phone or computer. Pre-register for more information at redcross.org/ volopenhouse and meeting information will be sent to you upon registration. 410-913-9154. kristi.giles@redcross.org. redcross.org.

ETCETERA

Open Coworking Day — 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Cowork Frederick, 120 E .Patrick St., Frederick. Experience the community of Cowork Frederick and the concept of coworking for the day with a pay-what-you-want Day Pass. Test drive what it’s like to work alongside other remote workers, freelancers, and small biz owners. Pre-registration required. 301-732-5165.

heycowork@coworkfrederick.com. coworkfrederick.com/open-coworking-day.

Guided Exhibit Tours — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Experience the Museum of Frederick County History through a guided tour. Join either archivist Jody Brumage or curator Amy Hunt as they explore the exhibits. Each tour is a unique experience based on the interests of the group and what special things staff wants to highlight that week. Descriptions of each week’s tour can be found on the Heritage Frederick website, which includes accessibility notes. Tours are included with admission.

$5, $10. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. frederickhistory.org/event-calendar.

info@reforgeunited.org. reforgeraffle.com.

Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick — 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St., Frederick. Take a remarkable journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the “paranormal” with “Maryland’s Oldest Operating Ghost Tour!” Reservations recommended. $17 for adults. 301-668-8922. info@MarylandGhostTours.com. marylandghosttours.com.

Wynn’s Wacky Karaoke — 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Come check this dude out.

Bad Influence - Live — 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Jojo’s Restaurant And Tap House, 16-18 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get ready for a night of high-energy blues as Bad Influence takes the stage at Jojo’s Restaurant & Taphouse in Frederick! 21 and older. 301-910-8551. jr@badinfluenceband.com. badinfluenceband.com.

FAMILY

ing environment! This storytime is geared for ages up to 5 with a caregiver.  301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road: A Wizard of Oz Special Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, and friends! Enjoy enchanting stories, sing-alongs, and magical adventures from Oz. This storytime is geared for kids up to age 5 with a caregiver.

301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Art Time with Mr. T! — 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Common Market, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Join us for a fun and creative group art experience on canvas! Each child will rotate around the room as music plays, adding their own touch to a collaborative masterpiece. By the end of the session, your child will have contributed to a unique group artwork! Pre-register. Ages 5-14. $20-$40. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events/ art-time-with-mr-t-copy-copy-copy.

Folkways by the Fire — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Utica District Park, 10200-B Old Frederick Road, Frederick. Explore an evening of music, dance and folkways at Snook Family

“CHRISTMAS IN THE COUNTRY”

HOLIDAY ART & CRAFTS SHOW • SAT., NOV. 8th 9am-5pm

Free Holiday Art & Craft Show Featuring Crafters & Artisans w/One-of-A-Kind Items

Turkey & Ham Dinner w/Fried Oysters sold ala carte

Indoor seating & carryout available (12pm- 4:30pm)

Bourbon & Brass — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant, 581 Himes Ave., Frederick. Tickets are limited. Open bar, Dutch’s Daughter dinner, automatic entry to win an all-inclusive New Zeland red stag hunt, 20+ guns, limited custom built rifles, games of chance, premiere bourbon, hunting and fishing trips. Sponsorship tables available. 21 and older. $185 individual. 240-446-3916.

nathaniel.carney;Washington DC;Thompson Best Heating & Air Conditioning;B21091-162968;9.15 x 4.97;4C (25Su-B1)

Storytime Stretchers — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Story Stretchers brings stories to life through gentle stretching movements, helping children connect with tales in an interactive, playful way. As kids listen, stretch and move, they will build early literacy skills while fostering body awareness and mindfulness in a fun, engag-

Adults $21; Children ages 6-12 $8. Oysters $2 each Online Silent Auction, Themed Basket Raffles, 50/50, Bake Sale, General Store & White Elephant Sale. Santa arrives at noon and will be in Santa’s Workshop til 2 pm. Directions: St. Peter the Apostle Libertytown. 9190 Church Street, Libertytown, MD. Corner of Rt. 26 and Rt. 75 in Frederick County. For More Info Call 301-898-5111

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Agricultural Center. Attendees can spend a few minutes or a few hours listening to musicians play music by the campfire, dance a few steps, make folkways related crafts or play games with the family. Fun for all ages! Pre-register.

$5. 301-600-2936. fcprmarketing@FrederickCountyMD.gov. bit.ly/FCPRFolkwaysbytheFire.

Downtown Frederick Light Walk — 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Downtown, Frederick. Continues Nov. 8 and 9. Features five creative light installations that will be on display through March 14, 2026. “Disco Garage” is a light feature of mirror balls and multicolored lights strung in the stairwell of the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (on Carroll Creek Way side) at 44 E. Patrick St. The “Starlite” installation is a modern grouping of starburst lights on the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage (on the Patrick Street side). The Light Walk continues above the sidewalk that connects the Carroll Creek Public Parking Garage to Maxwell Avenue (near the multi-colored fence) where you’ll find a curtain of lights overhead like “Light Drops” or a full night of stars. Then head to Everedy Square and Shab Row to view the beautiful “Kaleidoscope” display, a color-changing tunnel of vines and shimmering lights in the alleyway between Talbots on 18 N. East St. and The Frederick Basket Co. on 12 N. East St. The Light Walk ends with the “Snowfall” tree installation, standing 16 feet tall, in the main plaza of Everedy Square and Shab Row (in front of the Frederick Coin Exchange, 20 N. East St). downtownfrederick.org/lightwalk.

The Knight Brothers “Good News” Concert — 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at New Beginning Nazarene Church, 12350 Jesse Smith Road, Mount Airy. Free will offering for Hospice. 6:30 p.m. doors open, concert at 7 p.m.  240-409-2572. uddermanrichard@gmail.com. nbnc.online.church.

FESTIVALS

Maryland Irish Festival — 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Maryland State Fairgrounds, 2200 York Road, Timonium. Continues noon t 11 p.m. Nov. 8, noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 9. Activities include traditional and contemporary Irish music, food and drinks, cultural activities, kids’ zone, vendors, whiskey tastings and more.

$18. 443-955-4513. admissions@irishfestival.com. irishfestival.com.

FILM

Mountain Maryland Film Festival — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Embassy Theatre Inc. The New, 49 Baltimore St., Cumberland. With its theme of “Community,” this year’s festival will honor the power of storytelling and unity. Screenings will feature eight juried shorts from local and national independent filmmakers, along with a selection of locally produced shorts centered on Allegany County.

$25. 301-722-4692. arts@alleganyarts.org. www.alleganyartscouncil.org/ mtnmdfilmfestival.

GALLERY

Art At Noon: “The Club: A Refuge for American Women Artists in Belle Époque Paris” — noon to 1 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Join us onsite or by Zoom for Jennifer Dasal’s discussion of her new book, “The Club: Where American Women Artists Found Refuge in Belle Époque Paris.” “The Club” was a revolutionary place for creativity, activism, and empowerment, allowing women of ambition to grow as teachers, artists, and suffragists — and to forge connections with figures like Auguste Rodin, Gertrude Stein, and Emmeline Pankhurst. Dasal is an art historian and the host of the ArtCurious podcast. She will join us via Zoom. Attend in person to enjoy a free coffee tasting from Dublin Roasters!  301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

MUSIC

Student Solo Recital — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. McDaniel College students perform vocal and instrumental solos with instrumental accompanist Rachel Andrews.  410-857-2552. ocm@mcdaniel.edu.

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

Murder on the Orient Express — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Middletown High School, 200 Schoolhouse Drive, Middletown. Agatha Christies thrilling murder mystery adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. $10-$12. Desiree.Denton@fcps.org. www.CUR8.com.

“Almost Maine” TJHS Play — 7 p.m. at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, 1501 N. Market St., Frederick. Also 2  and 7 p.m. Nov. 8. A theatrical performance by the TJHS students about a place so far north, it’s almost not in the U.S. The residents of Almost, Maine, find themselves falling in and out of love in unexpected and hilarious ways. Let’s support our youth and see a great show! Get tickets at online. $7 person, $5 student, under age 5 free.

“The Thanksgiving Play” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this biting satire, as a troupe of performatively “woke” thespians scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month without any cultural stumbles. ASL interpreted performance Nov. 14. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-thanksgiving-play.

“The Rocky Horror Show” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College

Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. This sexy cult classic will make you shiver with antici… pation. It’s time to break out your fishnets and join MET for some campy humorous fun! Squeaky clean couple Brad and Janet have some car trouble and are forced to seek refuge in the gothic castle of the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Upon their arrival, Frank-N-Furter and his kooky staff of Transylvanians open up the couple’s minds in ways they never imagined. $30. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-rocky-horror-show.

The Comedy Pigs at MET Comedy Night — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre’s Key Stage, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Join MET’s longest running improv team, The Comedy Pigs, for a night full of laughs! The Comedy Pigs perform on the first Friday and Saturday of each month. The Comedy Pigs specialize in short-form improv, similar to what you’d see on the TV Show “Whose Line is it Anyway?” $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.

Saturday Nov. 8 CLASSES

Freedom Bang Class — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Freedom Bang is a pre-choreographed fusion of boxing, HIIT, hip hop, world dance, optional weighted gloves and just a touch of attitude. Offering a wide range of intensity options to help you customize your workout. 18 and older. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.

Indoor Plants & Wellness — 10 a.m. to noon at University of Maryland Extension Office, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick. Having indoor plants just makes us feel better. Learn about the therapeutic benefits of houseplants and identify plants that can create a healthier indoor environment. 301-600-1596. arembold@umd.edu. bit.ly/FCMG25-IndoorPlants.

Conversation Class for English Language

Learners — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Adults who want to practice their English are welcome to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Participants will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the Literacy Council of Frederick County. 18 and older.

301-600-7250.

ETCETERA

Walk Your 5K with Andrew — 10 a.m. at Literacy Council, 21 N. Bentz St., Frederick. Meet Andrew West, development and outreach Coordinator for the Literacy Council, at the Baker Park Bandshell. Then take off walking at 10 a.m. After you complete the 5K you will be able to go home with your medal. Register online. 301-600-2066. info@frederickliteracy.org. secure.qgiv.com/for/literacycouncil offrederickcounty/event/runforliteracy5k.

Foundations of Frederick Walking Tour — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Experience the history and beauty of downtown as knowledgeable guides share the fascinating stories that make up historic Frederick, Maryland. Tour starts at the Museum of Frederick County History, 24 E. Church St. Reservations required. $5 to $12. 4107071105. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org. www.cognitoforms.com/Heritage Frederick1/WalkingTourTicketReservation. Frederick Disney Pin Trading Event — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Church of the Transfiguration, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Buy and trade your Disney pins and other Disneyana, as well as meet other Disney collectors. Free parking is available. St. Jude Charity Raffle throughout the day. lani828@gmail.com.

Common Market FREE Holiday Tastings!

— noon to 3 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 5728 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Stop by for a delicious taste test our homemade holiday sides and desserts. Sample the goods and get your favorites pre-ordered in time for the holidays! 301-663-3416.

arobinson@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events/ thanksgiving-tastings-at-7th.

Gemstones Beneath the Towpath: Walking Tour of the Culverts Near Point of Rocks — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Point of Rocks Boat Ramp, 3703 Canal St., Point of Rocks. Join Leslie Carter, author of “Gemstones Beneath the Towpath,” for a 90-minute walking tour of the historic culverts near Point of Rocks. The tour will emphasize how to safely visit and enjoy the culverts. Please wear sturdy walking shoes. 18 and older. 301-600-7250.

frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Thru Hiking 101 — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at C. Burr Artz Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Whether you are new to Thru Hiking or have experience on the trails, join Emily Greene from the Trail House to learn how to hike long distance trails! Emily hiked the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and will be sharing her experience and tips from that journey, including preparation and life on the trail.  301-600-1630.

espangler@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Sasquatch Hunt: Adult Expedition — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Othello Regional Park, 1901-A Jefferson Pike, Knoxville. Truth-seekers, mythbusters, and folklorists — unite! Reports have surfaced that the elusive Bigfoot has wandered far from the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest and taken up winter residence right here in Frederick County. His chosen hideout? The shadowy trails of Othello Park. Join an exclusive expedition to uncover clues, undeniable evidence, and perhaps be the ones to finally solve this legendary mystery. Each discovery earns you raffle tickets for a chance to win amazing prizes from local businesses. Registration covers a duo team — or a solo adventurer, if you dare! 18 and older.

$19. 301-600-2936.

bit.ly/FCPRSasquatchHunt.

THANKSGIVING PLAY

By Larissa FastHorse

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.

Yellow Springs Dental

2025 FINALIST FOR BEST DENTAL PRACTICE

2100 Old Farm Drive, Suite 1F Frederick, MD 21702

301-663-1700 yellowspringsdental.com

WHAT SETS YOUR BUSINESS APART?

We pride ourselves in providing a compassionate and comfortable experience where patient’s issues and concerns are heard, and treatment is tailored to each person as they deserve. We also focus on being up to date with the most recent dental technology and training, but patient comfort will always come first.

WHY DID YOU CHOSE THIS PROFESSION AND WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?

I was always interested in science, art, and business. I had viewed them as three separate career paths until my childhood dentist suggested I consider dentistry as a way to combine all three. My interest was piqued and it all went from there. I’m most proud of when a patient puts their

trust in me to get them through something they are anxious about, and their sigh of relief once we are done and they say it was much easier than they expected.

WHAT MAKES FREDERICK A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS?

Frederick’s people are very supportive of each other, the closeness of the community make it both a great place to live and to work. I like getting to meet people from all walks of life.

UUCF Open Mic/Coffee House — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Showcase your talent in a welcoming venue! Musicians, singers, storytellers and poets are all welcome! BYOB. Donations accepted but not required. 301-252-4960. carrollg007@gmail.com. www.frederickuu.org.

Unrefined Band — 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Rock ‘n’ roll.

Rhythm of Belonging — 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Give Rise Studio, 125 S .Carroll St., Frederick. Join Amanda Lucia in song and heart coherence, where music becomes a bridge for belonging. Together, we’ll explore medicine songs for Earth and collective liberation, guiding us into deeper connection with ourselves and one another. Through vocal toning, call-and-response and improv layering, our voices will weave into a living, breathing tapestry. No experience needed — just bring your voice, heart, and breath.

$15 - $30. 503-957-4207. amandaluciaart@gmail.com. tinyurl.com/2nfptm5h.

The Wharf Rats Live in Concert — 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. Are you ready to Jam to your favorite Grateful Dead songs? Then mark your calendars because You are in store for a full band musical trip. Doors open at noon, band at 8 p.m. $5 advance, $10 at the door. 240-575-9755. matt@rockwellbrewery.com.

FAMILY

GTC Rock Shop’s Dino Day with Dr. Tom Holtz — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Gtc Rock Shop, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 884, Frederick. GTC Rock Shop is proud to host the University of Maryland’s Dr. Tom Holtz. Dr. Holtz is a renowned paleontologist whose research focuses on tyrannosauroids (Tyrannosaurus rex and its kin) and their origins, adaptations and behavior. www.gtcrockshop.com.

Family Storytime: Let’s Hibernate — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Winter is coming — and animals all around are getting ready! Join us for stories, songs and fun activities about how bears, bats, frogs, and other creatures prepare for the cold. We’ll learn where they go, what they eat, and how they stay safe and warm until spring. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Open House at Train Station/ Museum — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Train Station, 6 Creagerstown Road, Woodsboro. Learn about Woodsboro’s interesting past. View artifacts and photographs in our restored train station. Have fun interactions with local experts.  301-520-7154. rickbontz@yahoo.com. woodsborohistoricalsociety.org.

Saturday Craftacular: Thankful Turkey! — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with a Thankful Turkey craft! Create a colorful

turkey with feathers that list what you’re thankful for! Age Group: Elementary. 301-600-6329. MDeHart@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.

National STEM Day — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Drop in and experiment with our fun STEM toys! This program is for children in grades K-5 (ages 5-10). 301-600-7250. fcpl.org.

Sasquatch Hunt: Family Expedition — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Othello Regional Park, 1901-A Jefferson Pike, Knoxville. Truth-seekers, mythbusters, and folklorists — unite! Reports have surfaced that the elusive Bigfoot has wandered far from the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest and taken up winter residence right here in Frederick County. His chosen hideout? The shadowy trails of Othello Park. Join an exclusive expedition to uncover clues, undeniable evidence, and perhaps be the ones to finally solve this legendary mystery. Each discovery earns you raffle tickets for a chance to win amazing prizes from local businesses. Pre-register, good for up to 5 household family members. $29. 301-600-2936. bit.ly/FCPRSasquatchHunt.

FESTIVALS

Christmas in the Country Holiday Art & Craft Festival — 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church - Libertytown, 9190 Church St., Union Bridge. Multiple buildings featuring hand-crafted items and Christmas treasures! Also, bake sale, basket raffles, 50/50 raffle, Santa arrives in a vintage truck at noon, dozens of vendors. A traditional turkey & ham dinner is available with dine-in and carryout options from noon to 4:30 p.m. Oysters will be available a la carte. Free admission to the festival. 301-898-5111. tdisipio@stpeter-libertytown.org. www.facebook.com/ ChristmasInTheCountryArtsandCrafts.

Owl Moon Raptor Festival — noon to 4 p.m. at Black Hill Regional Park, Lake Ridge Drive (near Picnic Shelters C, I, and J), Boyds. Featuring live raptor displays by Adventures with Raptors, Secret Garden Birds & Bees, and Raptor’s Eye, plus lots of kid-friendly activities, talks on farmland raptors and vultures, bird walks, Owl Moon merch and raffles, food trucks, and the release of rehabbed raptors into the wild. The festival is wheelchair-accessible and goes on rain or shine.  240-338-8352. cathylemp@gmail.com. www.owlmoon.org.

Downtown Sykesville Craft Beer Festival — noon to 4 p.m. at Downtown Sykesville, 7547 Main St., Sykesville. Enjoy unlimited sampling of over 50 beers from an AMAZING brewery line up, live music, food trucks, and artisan vendors in beautiful historic Sykesville. 21 and older. Tickets available online. $20-$60. 443-878-7844. downtownsykesville.event@gmail.com. www.downtownsykesville.com/ craft-beer-festival.

FILM

Mountain Maryland Film Festival — 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Embassy Theatre Inc. The New, 49 Baltimore St., Cumberland. With its theme of “Community,” this year’s festival will honor the power of storytelling and unity. Screenings will feature eight juried shorts from local and national independent filmmakers, along with a selection of locally produced shorts centered on Allegany County.

$25. 301-722-4692. arts@alleganyarts.org. alleganyartscouncil.org/mtnmdfilmfestival.

GALLERY

Over the Mountain Studio Tour — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jefferson County, , W.Va. A self-guided open studio tour featuring the work of 20 artisans at 10 locations. Visitors will discover outstanding work in basketry, botanical collage and paper arts, painting and illustration, fiber and textiles, jewelry arts, metal, glass, ceramics, and wood. A unique opportunity to meet local artisans, purchase their work and enjoy Jefferson County, WV.  Visit the website for the tour map and more information. avpots62@yahoo.com. www.overthemountainstudiotour.com.

Landscapes in Pastel and Pen — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Milkhouse Brewery, 8253 Dollyhyde Road, Mount Airy. Art Show Opening - Come and see the artwork of local artist, Cathy Rogers, and enjoy a glass of local beer (or wine), or soda. Food truck (D’s Delights) and live music (by King Island Boys, starting at 5 p.m.). 609-781-4792. cabrogers624@gmail.com.

MUSIC

“The Fireman’s Carnival” and more! — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Montgomery County composer Charlie Barnett brings his rich background in jazz, film and classical music to this colorful suite for string orchestra. Full of nostalgic Americana, the piece invites listeners to step into the world of a small-town summer carnival. Additional musical selections will also be performed by composers Leroy Anderson (Plink, Plan, Plunk and Arietta), Alan Hovhaness (Celestial Fantasy, Op. 44), and Lou Harrison (Suite for Symphonic Strings). $35 general admission; $15 students. 240-428-0739. administrator@nssorchestra.org. nssorchestra.org/calendar.php.

LIVE! Brother Rust and James Bontempo & Truth Tables — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Sandbox Brewhouse, 880 N. East St., #201, Frederick. It’s a night of indie psych rock with a hint of twang Free all ages. Frederick locals Brother Rust are joined by Baltimore based James Bontempo & Truth Tables.  braindead.live/calendar/brother-rustjames-bontempo-truth-tables.

“Forged by Beethoven” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. This concert is a tribute to Beethoven’s lasting impact, revealing how his ideas continue to shape and inspire composers across centuries. $40. 301-797-4000. nlushbaugh@marylandsymphony.org. tinyurl.com/5j2mxp2c.

Dan Tyminski Band — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Throughout his 30+ year career, Dan Tyminski has left his mark in every corner of modern music. His voice famously accompanies George Clooney’s performance of the Stanley Brothers’ classic song, “I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow,” in the film “Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?” and his vocal collaboration with Swedish DJ Avicii on the song “Hey Brother” was a global smash, having been streamed more than a billion times to date. His diverse solo projects and years of work with Alison Krauss and Union Station have yielded troves of award-winning music. $40. 301-600-2868. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/ dan-tyminski-band.

THEATER

Murder on the Orient Express — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Middletown High School, 200 Schoolhouse Drive, Middletown. Agatha Christies thrilling murder mystery adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. $10-$12. Desiree.Denton@fcps.org. www.CUR8.com.

“The Thanksgiving Play” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Good intentions collide with absurd assumptions in this biting satire, as a troupe of performatively “woke” thespians scrambles to create a pageant that somehow manages to celebrate both Turkey Day and Native American Heritage Month without any cultural stumbles. ASL interpreted performance Nov. 14. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-thanksgiving-play.

“The Rocky Horror Show” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College Jack B. Kussmaul Theater, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. This sexy cult classic will make you shiver with antici… pation. It’s time to break out your fishnets and join MET for some campy humorous fun! Squeaky clean couple Brad and Janet have some car trouble and are forced to seek refuge in the gothic castle of the mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Upon their arrival, Frank-N-Furter and his kooky staff of Transylvanians open up the couple’s minds in ways they never imagined. $30. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/ the-rocky-horror-show.

Sunday Nov. 9

CLASSES

Make Your Own Foraged Wreath — 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Explore the beauty of foraged materials as you learn to craft a unique wreath that reflects your personal style and connection to the natural world. Guided by our Farm Manager, Lacey Walker, you’ll discover the art of selecting and arranging seasonal treasures like dried flowers, pinecones, and foliage into a stunning decorative piece.

Pre-register. $65. 240-490-5484. info@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org/events/make-your-ownforaged-wreath-2.

How to Make Your Own Elderberry Syrup — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Looking for a natural way to support your immune system during cold and flu season? Elderberries have long been prized in folk medicine for their antiviral and immune-boosting properties. In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to make elderberry syrup from scratch using dried or frozen elderberries, warming spices like cinnamon and cloves, and the option to sweeten with raw local honey. Pre-registration required, space is limited. $65 - $130. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop.

Crafting Herbal Cordials with Lacey Walker — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. This hands-on class explores the art of making herbal cordials! Together we’ll explore local herbs, fruits and spices, and learn techniques for blending, steeping, and bottling. All materials provided. No experience necessary. Pre-register. $45. 240-490-5484. alecks@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org/events/ crafting-herbal-cordials-with-lacey-walker.

Autumn Leaf Acrylic Painting — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Come design and

paint your own unique piece of artwork using leaf stencils and acrylic paint on an 8x10 canvas. No experience needed. All materials will be provided. Presented by the Brunswick Arts Council. 18 and older. 301-600-7250. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Autumn Leaf Acrylic Painting — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Design and paint your own unique piece of artwork using leaf stencils and acrylic paint on an 8x10 canvas. No experience needed. All materials will be provided. Presented by the Brunswick Arts Council. 18 and older. 301-600-7250. www.fcpl.org/calendar.

Get Hooked on Crochet: A 3-Part Beginner’s Series — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Join local fiber arts crafter Jordan Warner, for a 3-part beginner’s crochet series. By the end of the series, each participant will have created their own handmade dishcloth and gained the confidence to continue exploring crochet. Attendance at all three programs is not required. Limited supplies are provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own.  301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

ETCETERA

Towns of the Middletown Valley — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library , 31 E. Green St., Middletown. The towns of the Middletown Valley bear the imprint of

some of the most telling events in American history: the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the building of the National Road — America’s first interstate highway. Andrew Jackson, the nation’s 7th president, described the Middletown Valley as “one of the most favored and delightful spots on earth.” Its charming, historic towns include Middletown, Myersville, Burkittsville, Wolfsville, and Braddock Heights. Join Bob Savitt from Middletown Valley’s Historical Society for a presentation exploring the unique history of these towns and their inhabitants.  301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Youth Council Fall Fun Fest — 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Calling all youth ages 12 to 24: Join the Frederick Youth Council at New Spire Arts for a day full of talent, inspiring panels, good food, and fun. The Youth Council will begin discussing their accomplishments and future goals, then there will be a youth talent show and art showcase in the lobby. After the talent show, there will be a DJ who closes out the event with a fun dance, so bring your dancing shoes. Youth can register to attend or participate online.

Carroll County Ramblers with George Garris — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Cactus Flats, 10026 Hansonville Road, Frederick. Bluegrass music.

FAMILY

Lucy School Open House — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Lucy School, 9117 Frostown Road,

Middletown. At the open house, prospective families will learn about our unique arts-based PreK-8th grade programs, tour the campus, and speak with staff. Two time slots for families to register: 1-2 p.m. and 2-3 p.m. Registration is required via Eventbrite. 301-293-1163. bonnie.monnier@lucyschool.org.

Veterans Day Service — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Remembrance Park, S. Main Street and E. Pennsylvania Avenue, Walkersville. The Town of Walkersville and its Veteran committee will host. Please join us in showing our appreciation and gratitude to those who have served to keep us free. 301-606-2150. kacky6@aol.com.

An Afternoon with the Smithsonian National Postal Museum — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Listen to a story, do some fun activities, and learn about the history of stamps and the United States Postal Service. (It’s celebrating its 250th birthday!) This program is for all ages! 301-600-8200.

www.fcpl.org.

Reading with Heiress the Dog: A Storytime about Body Safety with the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County — 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Learn about body boundaries with Heiress, the service dog from the Child Advocacy Center. Through stories, experts will help children know their own body, understand how to recognize inappropriate touch, speak up if body boundaries have been

crossed, and build a support network. This program is designed for children with a caregiver.

301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

FESTIVALS

The Pastorate Sleepy Hollow Fall Festival — noon to 4 p.m. at The Pastorate of St. Francis- St. Mary and Holy Family, 7321 Burkittsville Road, Middletown . The event is fun for the whole family with tasty treats from local foods trucks, moon bounces, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, fire pits, live music, and so much more! Admission is free.

301-473-4800. jetzel@thepastorate.com. www.thepastorate.com/events.

Veterans Day Parade — 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at East and West Potomac Street, Brunswick. Join one of the oldest Veterans Day Parade in the nation. Opening Ceremony beginning at 1 p.m. followed by the Veterans Day Parade at 2 p.m. Please join the community to honor America’s heroes at this free, joyous event recognizing the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

GALLERY

Over the Mountain Studio Tour — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Jefferson County, , W.Va. A self-guided open studio tour featuring the work of 20 artisans at 10 locations. Visitors will discover outstanding work in basketry, botanical collage and paper arts, painting and illustration, fiber and textiles, jewelry arts, metal, glass, ceramics, and wood. A unique opportunity to meet local artisans, purchase their work and enjoy Jefferson County, WV.  Visit the website for the tour map and more information. avpots62@yahoo.com. www.overthemountainstudiotour.com.

HEALTH

Chair One Fitness Community Kickoff: Move to the Music — 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at William R. Talley Recreation Center, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. Chair One Fitness uplifts participants through dance and fitness moves — all from a chair. With energizing playlists from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s through today’s hits, participants enjoy improving mobility and coordination. 301-370-7470. deirdre_burriss@msn.com. Playfrederick.com.

MUSIC

“Forged by Beethoven” — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. This concert is a tribute to Beethoven’s lasting impact, revealing how his ideas continue to shape and inspire composers across centuries. $40. 301-797-4000. nlushbaugh@marylandsymphony.org. tinyurl.com/5j2mxp2c.

“American Made”; An Oak Ridge Boys Tribute — 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. “American Made” masterfully re-creates the magic of The Oak Ridge Boys with stunning authenticity. From the deep resonant bass

of “Elvira” to the feel-good spirit of “American Made,” the tribute band delivers each song with precision and heartfelt emotion, capturing the essence of the original group.

Adults: $39, Seniors $34, Military & First Responders $30, Children (under 18) $29. 717-263-0202. vperry@thecapitoltheatre.org. www.thecapitoltheatre.org.

US Air Force Concert Band — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Experience the power and precision of The United States Air Force’s premier symphonic wind ensemble. Featuring 52 active-duty musicians, the U.S. Air Force Concert Band delivers an inspiring program of classical masterpieces, contemporary works, popular favorites and patriotic tributes. 301-600-2828. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/ us-air-force-concert-band.

McDaniel for the Holidays — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. McDaniel College music faculty members and community members perform a special seasonal concert. Located in Baker Memorial Chapel at McDaniel College. All ages. 410-857-2552. ocm@mcdaniel.edu.

POLITICS

“Agenda 47” Discussion Topic for Braver Angels — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brightview Westminster Ridge, 505 High Ridge Drive, Westminster. The November post-election discussions focused on hopes and fears associated with each presidential contender. But more clarity is needed about the stated intentions of the incoming Trump-Vance Administration. Where did the information originate? Are you concerned or energized by these plans? 410-624-6033. central-maryland@braverangels.org. centralmaryland.braverangels.org.

THEATER

Murder on the Orient Express — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Middletown High School, 200 Schoolhouse Drive, Middletown. Agatha Christies thrilling murder mystery adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig. $10-$12. Desiree.Denton@fcps.org. www.CUR8.com.

Monday Nov. 10

CLASSES

Sol Yoga — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Join us for this free yoga class offered by Sol Yoga.  Be sure to wear comfortable clothes. 21 and older. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.

ETCETERA

Emmitsburg Senior Center- Book Display — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Make a library card! Check out

books! Grab limited edition library swag! 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.

Curious Iguana Presents: Charles Ferguson, author of “Presidential Seclusion” — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Hear from author Charles Ferguson as he discusses his new book “Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David.” This enlightening novel shares the little-known impact of this mountain retreat on the nation and the world. Following his presentation, Charles will answer questions and sign books. Copies of “Presidential Seclusion” will be available for purchase at the event. 18 and older. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/ charles-ferguson-presidential-seclusion.

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 up to age 24 months with a caregiver. Afterwards, we offer a “stay and play” for all to enjoy.  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.

Teen & Tween Gaming Hour: Switch Edition (ages 9-17) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Play our Nintendo Switch or bring your own and play with friends! Open to all skill levels for ages 9-17. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Tuesday Nov. 11

ETCETERA

Veterans Day Ceremony — 10 a.m. to noon at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Veterans Day ceremony recognizing veterans within the McDaniel and local communities. 410-857-2229. ocm@mcdaniel.edu. mcdaniel.edu.

Weekly Tuesday Night Bingo — 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Windsor Fire company , 101 High St., New Windsor. Weekly

Tuesday Night Bingo. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Food and drinks available. 410-635-6373. d_pstrine@msn.com. nwfd10.org.

Yarnia, A Fiber Arts Social Club — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Love yarn, crafts, and creativity? Bring your projects and supplies, connect with fellow knitters, crocheters, needleworkers and fiber artists, and enjoy an hour of creativity and community. Beginners and experts alike are welcome — share tips, learn new skills, and get inspired. sblumenauer@frederickcounty.gov. fcpl.org.

FAMILY

Veterans Day Ceremony — 11 a.m. to noon at Main Street Plaza, 110 S. Main St., Mount Airy. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10076, in partnership with the Town, host. There will be an A-10 flyover as well as a guest speaker. All are welcome to attend the ceremony to help pay tribute to those who volunteer their life in service of our nation. Veterans are invited to visit the Post’s headquarters across the street immediately after the ceremony.

301-824-1424. www.mountairymd.gov.

GALLERY

Photo Print Swap — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Meet up with area photographic artists and collect some new works of art! Mingle and meet new photo friends, chat about your work and processes, and trade some photographs. Prints should be no larger than 12x12 inches, must be your original work, and can be any photographic medium, including digital, darkroom, and alternative/experimental methods. Prints must be unframed.  301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.

POLITICS

Invitation: 2A Advocate Dick Heller

Speaking in Frederick — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Elks Lodge #684, 289 Willowdale Drive , Frederick. Main Speaker: Dick Heller. An in-depth lecture on one man’s legal battle that altered American gun laws forever. Key legal issues and the reasoning behind the Heller decision. How the decision has influenced subsequent court rulings and public policy. RSVP csticklinerose@comcast. net. Ages 18 and older.  $10. 703-408-2404. csticklinerose@comcast.net. frederickgopwomen.com/calendar.

Wednesday

Nov. 12

CLASSES

Free 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 that is wanting to fill their cup with an accessible and supportive

• MAGIC & WONDER

WINTER WONDERLAND

Lancaster, PA, Dec 4, $141

• AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE Show “Deck The Halls” Dec 5, 16, $127

• HOLIDAY LIGHTS IN COASTAL VIRGINIA BEACH Dec 11-14, Call for Details

2026 TRIPS

• ABBA, DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE, Feb 23, $152

• RIVER DANCE, AMERICAN MUSIC THEATRE, March 21, $182

• MT HOPE-1876 MURDER

Mt Hope, March 24, $119

• ODYSSEY CRUISE

Cherry Blossom Time, April 1, $TBD

• DUTCH APPLE DINNER THEATRE “Oklahoma” Wed, April 8, $140

• SIGHT & SOUND

New Show “Joshua”

Premium Seating, Fri, May 1, $191

COLLETTE 2026 TOURS

• AZORES (PORTUGESE ISLANDS) April 16-28, 2026

• EXPLORING SOUTH AFRICA, VICTORIA FALLS & BOTSWANA

• ENCHANTING CHRISTMAS MARKETS

Dec 1-9, 2026

yoga practice. There will be plenty of modifications offered to meet various levels so that all can enjoy the benefits of yoga. The practice will include low impact movement, seated postures and plenty of stretching. Students will become comfortable using props like blocks, straps and even the occasional chair. These classes allow the student to leave with lots of tools to support a yoga practice in any class setting as well as a home practice. Classes are donation based. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop.

Chair One Fitness: Adaptive Adult Program — 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Chair One fitness is back for more fun chair exercises! 18 and older.

301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.

Is it time to have “The Talk?” When to Stop Driving Seminar by AARP — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Brunswick Senior Center, 12 E. A St., Brunswick. This seminar guides families and friends in determining when it’s time for their loved one to limit or stop driving. An AARP Driver Safety Instructor offers practical tips and advice on topics such as: The Meaning of Driving, Observing Driving Skills, Planning Conversations, Finding Alternatives to Driving. Light supper served 5 p.m., seminar begins at 6 p.m. RSVP to virtualseniorcenter@ frederickcountymd.gov or 301-834-8115 or 301-600-1234. 301-834-8115. virtualseniorcenter@frederickcountymd. gov. www.frederickcountymd.gov/8075/50Community-Centers.

A Conversation on International Affairs with Shaun Donnelly — 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Join Thurmont area resident and retired U.S. Ambassador Shaun Donnelly in a group conversation on International Affairs. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

ETCETERA

Co-op Clothing Swap! — 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Join us for our Winter Clothing Swap, refresh your wardrobe while promoting eco-friendly practices! Sort through your closet and bring clean, gently worn clothing and accessories, including shoes in good condition. Maximum of two bags per person. 301-663-3416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events/ winter-clothing-swap-copy.

John Brown Program at Harpers Ferry

Civil War Round Table — 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Camp Hill-Wesley United Methodist Church, 601 Washington St., Harpers Ferry, W.Va. Join Harpers Ferry Civil War Round Table for its dinner-program featuring reenactor Doug Dobbs as John Brown. RSVP for dinner by Nov. 9. $20 dinner. 304-433-1260.

ccraig@laurellodge.com.

Line Dancing Night — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Bentztown, 6 S. Bentz St., Frederick. Every Wednesday. Led by Sharon Grimet of Sharon’s School of Dance, this fun and easygoing class is perfect for dancers of all skill levels.

$10, includes your first beer, soda or rail cocktail.

301-301-8430. info@bentztown.com.

FAMILY

Toddler Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories and fun for toddlers and their grownups. Designed for 2 year olds with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

Tween Slime Extravaganza — 3:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us for an ooey-gooey Slime Party. You’ll investigate slime science, create several types of slime and compete for prizes with your slime creation. 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.

Meet NYT Bestselling Author Peter Brown! — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Curious Iguana, 12 N. Market St., Frederick. A meetand-greet with NYT bestselling author Peter Brown as he promotes his new book, “The Wild Robot on the Island.” After spending the day visiting schools, Peter will be at the Iguana in the evening to meet fans and sign books! This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event. 301-695-2500. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/peter-brown. Art-Ventures: Family Art Night — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Get creative and explore the world of art through hands-on projects and imaginative fun! Each session features a new artistic adventure designed for young artists to express themselves, try new techniques, and make something awesome. Designed for kids ages 5 and up. 301-600-7200.

bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.

FILM

The American Revolution — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Join Frederick County’s U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and Maryland Public Television for a preview screening of The American Revolution, a new six-part series by filmmaker Ken Burns. As the nation prepares to commemorate its 250th birthday, “The American Revolution” focuses on America’s founding struggle, will present the story of the men and women of the Revolutionary generation, their humanity in victory and defeat, and the crisis that they lived through. 301-600-2828.

dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/ the-american-revolution.