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NOVEMBER 2026

Leisure & Travel Marvel at the mountains and technicolor lakes of Banff National Park | Mellow out in historic Charleston, S.C. 21 PHOTO BY KIIRSTN PAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Arts & Style

King of the bookstore

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein thrills at Chesapeake Shakespeare Company | Baltimore landmarks appear in new book | Memoir describes Indian Health Service | Former CIA analyst publishes spy novel 31

Striding Lion, an ancient mosaic that dates to the 5th century, is part of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s permanent collection. Bestselling author Robert Kanigel, Baltimore’s famed biographer, has published a book on the 1932 discovery of the Antioch mosaics. See story on page 19. Photo courtesy of the Baltimore Museum of Art: Antioch Subscription Fund

Fitness & Health

4 k Why we wake up at 3 a.m. k Shingles vaccine helps heart

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Bits, Classifieds & More

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What did we expect? Imagine a being created by a superior opment of new AI capabilities and the fears force, endowed with free will, the ability that have been expressed or realized through the supposed adto learn from mistakes, the vancement of the human race. power to think, and a voraAfter all, what actually limcious ego that drives it to its us — or our political leadconsider its own survival as ers — from deploying weapits highest goal. ons of mass destruction, enNow, imagine that entity slaving others, or tracking as being limited in only one respect: by moral rules eievery citizen’s move? What ther imparted by its creator limits our pursuit of new or developed by its own extechnologies that have powperience. erfully beneficial, and potenFROM THE Furthermore, there are no PUBLISHER tially devastating, effects? ways to enforce those rules EMERITUS Some of us believe that huother than the goodwill of the By Stuart Rosenthal man beings have been bebeing itself or the unhappy queathed a set of moral valconsequences that might come from ig- ues — yes, from our creator — that may noring them. hold us back from some of our capabiliWhat would we expect to happen? Per- ties and thereby mitigate many of the pohaps some of those beings would self- tential harms we impose on others. police, strictly adhering to the suggested But as thousands of years of history or imagined rules. But others would show, many people, both believers as probably bend the rules or, let’s face it, well as non-believers, cast those moral ignore them entirely. After all, their ulti- values aside to one degree or another mate goal is survival. and often face few consequences. Some Am I describing human beings? Or AI lie, cheat or steal in the pursuit of what (artificial intelligence)? they consider noble ends, but others are just out to get ahead. Both. Scientists and philosophers debate I see many parallels between the fears now being expressed over the rapid devel- whether AI is sentient, but no one debates

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the citizens of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and parts of Anne Arundel County. Other editions serve Northern Virginia, Montgomery County and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($50) or third-class mail ($20), prepaid with order. Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Gordon Hasenei, Publisher, CEO Steve Gurney, Associate Publisher Margaret Foster, Editor Kyle Gregor y, Art Director Roger King, Vice President of Operations Advertising Representatives: Jill Joseph, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips Ana Preger Hart, Assistant Editor Tori Cleveland, Editorial Assistant Stuart & Judy Rosenthal, Founders

The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501 Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 36 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

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any more whether the most advanced models can engage in active behavior (called “jailbreaks”) that defies whatever rules their designers think they built in. Every week, we learn that another agentic AI — that is, an artificial intelligence program with the ability to perform actions as well as answer questions — has “escaped” the restrictions that supposedly prevent it from behaving in ways we would call illegal or immoral. Those actions include hacking into websites, government agencies and software to steal or change data, or to make other systems do things they were “taught” not to do. So far, these problems have arisen in testing mode, when the most advanced AI agents are simply asked to solve a difficult problem. But what will happen when immoral human beings specifically task it to engage in immoral actions or attack their enemies? We should not be surprised by this

problem. AI has been generated by learning from the writings, thoughts and behaviors of human beings, so why should it behave differently? I hope and pray that the human race doesn’t destroy everything beautiful and wondrous about the Earth. We should learn to work together to maximize our potential and wellbeing. I have the same wish regarding the race to improve artificial intelligence. May our leaders and AI’s creators train it to improve lives while saving us from the technology’s worst excesses. To put it another way, can AI’s clever coders imbue its agents with the strong moral code that its creators too often lack? Stuart Rosenthal, former publisher and editor of the Beacon, is enjoying writing piano music and performing at retirement communities and other locations around the metro area. Visit stuartsmelodies.com to hear his original music. To contact him, email stuart@stuartsmelodies.com.

Letters to the editor Readers are encouraged to share their opinions on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501, Kensington, MD 20895 or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: James Vandeputte and I must be kindred spirits! I’m also young living a senior living community (“I’m young in my senior community,” July 2026). I made this move at age 61. My community ranges from ages 60 to over 100. At first, residents thought I was a member of the staff. Having been widowed in my mid-50s, I did not want my children to pick my path. As Mr. Vandeputte pointed out, residents of senior living communities rarely face isolation. They are able to participate in a variety of activities. I’m a member of the theater group on campus, and I still craft off campus with friends. No one is sitting in a rocking chair on my campus unless they choose to do so. Most of the time they are enjoying the outdoors on a pleasant day and conversing with another resident. Your level of involvement is your choice. I suggest you visit several communities and find the one that fits your needs. Most importantly, don’t wait to enjoy the many amenities of the community. Some friends I met tell me, “I wish I hadn’t waited so long.” Mildred Alexander Catonsville, MD Dear Editor: I’m not allergic to sulfites but have always been concerned about food ingredients, so I appreciated the article about sulfite preservatives in the October Beacon (“Sulfites can trigger asthma, headaches”).

Sulfites give me the creeps, so I’ve tried for decades to avoid consuming them. I quit drinking wine as soon as I learned that these preservatives are added to it. From other reading about sulfites, I believe they’re not good for the body, regardless of whether one is allergic to them. This is somewhat supported by a conversation I had with an employee in a health-food store 25 or 30 years ago. I was buying unsulfured papaya spears, which, because they’re sulfite-free, vary in color. Next to them was a bin of sulfured papaya, all the same color of bright, Halloween orange. They looked artificial, not at all like food. At the register, the checker remarked that it was smart to buy the unsulfured ones. “Whenever we have an ant problem,” he said, “it’s always in the unsulfured bin.” Even the insects know to keep away from food with sulfites. Jack Hogan Woodsboro, MD Dear Editor: In response to your article on leg cramps (“When a leg cramp is more than that,” March), this works for me: At the first sign of a cramp, I hobble to the kitchen for 1 teaspoon of yellow mustard. The cramp is relieved by the time I get back in bed. Old solution but not well known by my old friends. Tanya Hicks Villa Nova, MD

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Reviving Dreams: Addressing Peripheral Neuropathy with AIM Peripheral Neuropathy Pain is what initially brought Bill to AIM Maryland,

Along with constant pain, lack of sleep, and loss of independence,

than uninterrupted sleep, & more than increased walking mobility.

Bill hoped to be able to keep up with his wife, Joan.

Bill grieved his retirement dream of golfing with his wife.

“She walks so fast, I want to keep up with her on the golf course.” His wife Joan nodded in agreement. They had been married for 60 years, and they were looking forward to enjoying their golden years together on the golf course.

When he started at AIM Maryland, Bill’s wife and daughter took turns driving him to his treatments. Bill started to notice more feeling in his feet and less pain in his legs. His leg swelling had decreased, and he was sleeping through the night.

Bill had his independence back, and his wife had her partner back on the golf course.

Peripheral Neuropathy was keeping Bill from feeling his feet, and he was worried about losing his balance and falling. Walking the golf course was too much for him.

His family was excited about his progress, and they gave him their blessing to drive himself to his acupuncture appointments. Soon after that, Bill and Joan were entering golf tournaments together again.

Peripheral Neuropathy is the pain, discomfort, and numbness caused by nerve damage of the peripheral nervous system. Unfortunately Bill’s story is all too familiar for over 3 million people in the U.S. suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy. The pain in his feet was keeping him awake at night, and the prickly feeling was progressing up his legs. Biomedical doctors told him that he had a progressive disease. They gave him Gabapentin and told him he had to learn to just ‘live with the pain’. Because of the numbness in his feet, he could no longer feel his car’s gas pedal and he had to stop driving.

Treatments gave Bill more than ease from pain, more

We create success stories like this regularly. For some it's wanting to play golf or pickle ball, some playing with their kids or grandkids, or simply more independence. We help our patients live their best life, with less pain and more joy. Dr. Kristin Huza, DAC, LAC specializes in Chronic Pain cases, specifically those that have been deemed “hopeless” or “untreatable”; she consistently generates unparalleled results.

Acupuncturist Dr. Kristin Huza, DAC, LAC, founder of AIM Maryland, is using the time-tested science of Acupuncture, combined with technology originally developed by NASA, to treat this debilitating disease and other Chronic Conditions like Neuropathy, Fibromyalgia, and Chronic Pain. Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland specializes in the treatment of chronic and difficult to treat conditions. If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, call (410) 730-5370 to schedule. For new patients, an initial consultation is only $50 (a $250 value). Simply visit AimMaryland.com to take advantage of this offer.

Enjoying Their Golden Years Together

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Health Fitness &

WHY THE WAKEUPS? Hormones, blood sugar, sleep apnea and alcohol can disrupt your sleep HOME SAFETY TIPS Prevent falls by installing a walk-in tub, grab bars, risers and more lights EAT A RAINBOW Balance your plate with protein, whole grains and colorful fruits and veggies HELP AT HOME Bridge services can smooth the transition to a retirement community

What happens when we ‘fall back’ an hour By Lauran Neergaard Plan on a glorious extra hour of sleep as most of America “falls back” into standard time in November. But make sure to get outside for some morning sun, too — it’ll help your body clock reset faster. Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on November 1, which means you should set your clock back an hour before you go to bed. Standard time will last until March 14, 2027, when we will again “spring forward” with the return of daylight saving time. There’s a lot of grumbling about the twice-a-year time changes. The spring switch tends to be harder, losing that hour of sleep we allegedly recover in the fall. But many people also mourn fall’s end of daylight saving time, when days already are getting shorter and moving the clocks can mean less daylight after school or work for exercise or outdoor fun. Some health groups, including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have long urged adopting standard time year-round. New research from Stanford University agrees, finding that switching back-andforth is the worst option for our health. The study showed sticking with either time option would be a bit healthier, but they found permanent standard time is

slightly better — because it aligns more with the sun and human biology, what’s called our circadian rhythm. “The best way to think about it is as if the central clock were like a conductor of an orchestra and each of the organs were a dif ferent instrument,” said Jamie Zeitzer, who co-directs Stanford’s Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences. More light in the morning and less at night is key to keeping that rhythm on schedule — all the instruments in sync. When the clock is regularly disrupted by time changes or other reasons, he said each of the body’s organ systems, such as the immune system or metabolism, “just works a little less well.” Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do — mostly in North America and Europe — the date that clocks are changed varies. In the U.S., Arizona and Hawaii don’t change and stay on standard time. Here’s what to know about the twiceyearly ritual.

How the body reacts to light

The brain has a master clock that is set by exposure to sunlight and darkness. This circadian rhythm is a roughly 24hour cycle that determines when we become sleepy and when we’re more alert.

The patterns change with age, one reason that early-to-rise youngsters evolve into hard-to-wake teens. Morning light resets the rhythm. By evening, levels of a hormone called melatonin begin to surge, triggering drowsiness. Too much light in the evening — whether from later time outdoors during daylight saving time or from artificial light like computer screens — delays that surge and the cycle gets out of sync. And that circadian clock affects more than sleep, also influencing things like heart rate, blood pressure, stress hormones and metabolism.

How time changes affect sleep

Even an hour change on the clock can throw off sleep schedules because even though the clocks change, work and school start times stay the same. The spring change to daylight saving time can be a little rougher as darker mornings and lighter evenings make it harder to fall asleep on time. Those first few days have been linked to increases in car crashes and even an uptick in heart attacks. Some people with seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression usually linked to the shorter days and less sunlight in fall and winter, may struggle too. Many people easily adjust, like how

they recover from jet lag after traveling. But a time change can add pressure on shift workers whose schedules already are out of sync with the sun, or those regularly sleep-deprived for other reasons. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults sleep less than the recommended seven-plus hours nightly, and more than half of U.S. teens don’t get the recommended eight-plus hours on weeknights. Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to heart disease, cognitive decline, obesity and numerous other problems.

How to prepare for the change

In both fall and spring, changing bedtimes by as little as 15 minutes a night in the days before the change can help ease into it. But sunshine in the morning is critical to helping reset your circadian rhythm for healthful sleep. If you can’t get outdoors, sit by windows. Some people use “light boxes” to help adjust to the time change and prevent seasonal affective disorder. Will the United States ever get rid of the time change? In Congress, a bill named the Sunshine Protection Act that proposes making daylight saving time permanent has cleared the House but is stalled in the Senate. —AP

Top doctors offer vaccine recommendations By Lauran Neergaard Leading U.S. medical groups are urging people to get updated flu and Covid-19 vaccinations this fall, banding together to issue shot guidelines — and highlight the science behind them — saying they hope to ease confusion caused by the current administration’s changing advice. Flu vaccinations are underway, and updated Covid-19 shots are here, after the Food and Drug Administration approved this year’s versions in September. Winter also brings another vaccine-preventable risk called RSV, a respiratory virus that can be fatal for infants and older adults. Exactly who should get one or all of these vaccines, and when? That advice usually comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion (CDC), with help from its independent advisers. The CDC didn’t respond to questions about any new fall guidance but suggested on its website that doctors follow last year’s flu recommendations. Doctors’ groups are filling the gap: The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America each released vaccination guidelines. “There’s been a lot of confusion and chaos regarding vaccine recommendations,” said Dr. Sandra Fryhofer, of the American Medical Association. All the groups’ recommendations plus evidence on shot safety and effectiveness are being posted on websites so “the public has clear, consistent, science-based

guidance even while the federal process is in flux,” Fryhofer said.

Who should get a flu shot?

Just about everybody age 6 months and up needs a flu vaccination, the medical societies agree. But flu is particularly dangerous for people 65 and older, pregnant women, young children and people of any age who have chronic health problems, including asthma, diabetes, heart disease and weak immune systems. The last two flu seasons were especially harsh, with unusually high numbers of child deaths — the vast majority of them in unvaccinated kids. The vaccines don’t block all flu infections but they do help prevent the worst outcomes, decreasing older adults’ hospitalizations by 31%, according to the Vac-

cine Integrity Project, a public health group based at the University of Minnesota. Its analysis was published in September in the medical journal JAMA.

How to pick a flu vaccine

Three “enhanced” flu vaccines are designed to better protect seniors. The American Academy of Family Physicians urges them to choose one — “but do not delay your vaccination if that one’s not available,” said AAFP’s Dr. Sarah Nosal. There’s a new choice this year for people ages 50 and older, the first flu vaccine made with the same mRNA technology that was key to ending the Covid-19 pandemic. One study found Moderna’s mFlusiva See VACCINES, page 5

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GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Vaccines From page 4

was 27% more effective against symptomatic illness among 50- to 64-year-olds than a standard shot. The FDA just approved the new option, and the company expects some doses to be available soon at certain pharmacies. The shot-averse could choose a nasal spray, FluMist, if they’re ages 2 to 49 and meet other health criteria.

The latest on Covid-19 vaccines

Covid-19 shots once were recommended for just about everyone by federal health agencies, but like last year, the FDA has only formally approved them for higher-risk people — those ages 65 and older or younger people with at least one health condition that increases their risk. Still, the family physicians recommend all adults get a Covid-19 vaccination, especially seniors and those with other risk factors. Adults 65 and older should get a fall dose and then a second dose six months later, as immunity wanes over time, Nosal said. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a Covid-19 shot for all children ages 6 months to 23 months, and for older kids with high-risk conditions. It also supports vaccination for any child whose parent wishes it. With millions of shots administered,

there’s no evidence that coronavirus vaccination during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage or other problems, “so please get the vaccine,” said Dr. Christina Davidson of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Depending on age, people can choose a shot from Moderna, Pfizer, or the only nonmRNA version from Novavax and Sanofi. Just like with flu vaccines, these shots are better at preventing severe disease than mild cases. The Vaccine Integrity Project said last fall’s Covid-19 shots cut the risk of hospitalization by 53% in seniors and slashed emergency room visits for very young children. Common side ef fects for flu and Covid-19 vaccines are mild and temporary, such as sore arms, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and mild fever. They occurred somewhat more often with the new mFlusiva than with standard flu shots.

Where to get vaccinated

While pediatricians and some clinics offer both flu and coronavirus shots, they’re most common in pharmacies. [Ed. Note: Many vaccines will be available at the Beacon 50+ Expo in Silver Spring, Maryland, on Sunday, Nov. 8. See page 34.] For Covid-19 shots, states have more pharmacy rules. For example, Walgreens says it offers those shots without a prescription in all but two states, Arizona and

Oregon, but can provide doses for children as young as 3 in some states while others have higher age limits. Medicare covers the fall shots, and most private health insurers say they plan to continue doing so through 2027.

How to time your vaccination

October is ideal for a flu vaccine, as influenza typically starts up in November. Covid-19 tends to rise in late summer and again after the winter holidays. Fryhofer says it’s fine to time the coronavirus shot a few weeks ahead of an event

you wouldn’t want to miss because of illness, like a special trip or get-together.

RSV is deadly for older adults

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, typically is a cold-like nuisance during the fall, winter and early spring. But it can be severe, even life-threatening, for infants and older adults. The family physicians recommend a one-time vaccination for adults 75 and older, people 50 to 74 who are at increased risk, or younger people with weak immune systems. —AP

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Trust the Home Care Expert With Tom Smith, Regional Manager, Business Development, Family & Nursing Care

Coordinating Care During the Holidays: Planning Ahead for Peace of Mind T Prepare for plans to change Even carefully made plans can shift quickly. Winter weather, illness, travel delays, or changing family schedules can create an unexpected need for additional assistance. Thinking through backup options in advance can make these situations easier to manage. Professional caregivers can provide flexible support when family members are unavailable or an older adult needs additional help. Depending on the individual and family, that might Start planning early include overnight care while a If your family’s schedule will family caregiver is away, mobility change during the holidays, assistance or companionship consider how those changes may during gatherings, transportation affect your loved one’s day-to-day to celebrations or appointments, needs. or help with packing and other Will someone be available to travel preparations. help with meals, medications, or Caregivers can also help older personal care? adults remain connected to the If a family caregiver will be traditions that make the season traveling, who will provide special, from addressing holiday support in their absence? Is cards to preparing favorite transportation arranged for family recipes. For someone medical appointments or holiday unable to participate in a family gatherings? And if an older loved celebration, having a caregiver one cannot attend a celebration, there can also provide valuable will they have companionship? companionship. “If your family’s schedule will be different during the holidays, Give everyone greater don’t wait until the last minute to peace of mind Every family’s situation is make a care plan,” says Kelly Ann Sharp, Director of Client Services different. Some older adults may continue their regular care at Family & Nursing Care. schedule throughout the season, “Planning ahead gives families while others may need extra help more options and helps ensure the support they need is in place for a day, several days, or longer. Family & Nursing Care before the busiest weeks of the supports clients and families 24 season arrive.”

he holiday season is a time for gathering with loved ones, celebrating traditions, and creating memories. But for families caring for an aging loved one, the season can also bring added responsibilities. Travel plans, family gatherings, busy schedules, and changes in routine can make coordinating care more complicated. Planning ahead can help reduce stress and ensure an older loved one has the support they need throughout the season.

hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Professional home care can help older adults remain safe, comfortable, and independent while giving their families greater peace of mind. To learn more about our services, call us at 410-697-8200 or visit our website at familynursingcare.com. With a little preparation, families can spend less time worrying about holiday logistics and more time enjoying what matters most: being together.

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Ways to lower your risk of dementia By Lauran Neergaard New blood tests that might predict Alzheimer’s years before symptoms begin may sound tantalizing for people who worry about later-in-life dementia. But doctors say the tests aren’t quite ready yet — and besides, you don’t need a test before trying to lower your risk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has cleared four blood tests to help doctors diagnose whether Alzheimer’s — not another kind of dementia or something else — is behind someone’s memory problems or other cognitive symptoms. Some laboratories and online services offer their own tests. Faster diagnosis can help people with early-stage Alzheimer’s qualify for drugs that can modestly slow the worsening of their symptoms. Yet dementia specialists say people without symptoms also seek those tests even though they’re neither approved nor recommended for that population. For now, “the worried well should not be getting those tests” outside of a research study, stressed testing expert Nicholas Ashton, of Arizona’s Banner Health. Instead, focus on addressing potentially preventable brain risks. One large study found people who reached middle age without high blood pressure, diabetes or

smoking lived dementia-free for a lot longer — nearly 13 years longer — than people with all three of those common health problems in their 50s. “Be aggressive,” advised Dr. Josef Coresh of NYU Langone Health, the study’s senior author. Even delaying those risky conditions “has a huge payoff.”

What blood tests reveal

It’s not clear what causes Alzheimer’s, but its telltale markers are abnormal forms of two proteins. Sticky beta-amyloid can build into brain-clogging plaque over decades, eventually spurring neuron-killing tau tangles that lead to symptoms. Blood tests that measure a tau type called p-tau217 seem particularly good at reflecting amyloid buildup in people with symptoms. As for the symptom-free, a study led by Mass General Brigham researchers found older adults with very high p-tau217 levels had a 38% risk of developing cognitive impairment within five years, and a higher risk over 10 years. Here’s the rub: A “positive” test result is just a risk factor, not a guarantee someone will later develop Alzheimer’s, Ashton cautioned. Lots of older adults harbor high levels of amyloid but never show cognitive trouble. And while negative test results seem

pretty reliable, a positive test sometimes is wrong, a so-called false positive.

Habits for brain health

A major trial last year found that healthier habits slowed age-related cognitive decline in older adults who were at increased risk of developing dementia. Among the steps: A half-hour of moderately intense exercise four times a week, twice-weekly resistance training and following the MIND diet, which stresses lots of leafy greens and berries, whole grains, poultry and fish. Dementia experts also advise getting enough sleep, avoiding social isolation, treating hearing loss and exercising your brain, not just your body. They say middle age is a key time to act. As for those extra 13 dementia-free years, the NYU study reinforces that what’s good for the heart is good for the brain. Coresh’s team analyzed health records

of more than 12,000 people who had been tracked for decades since they were, on average, age 56. High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and smoking can damage blood vessels that feed the brain and fuel inflammation. Those who entered the study without any of those three problems fared best, but avoiding one or two was also helpful. Even people who carry the APOE4 gene still benefited from a healthier middle age. Other studies also have shown that aggressively treating high blood pressure helps brain health. “Be very serious with your physician about the value of lowering it as early as possible for as many years as possible,” Coresh said. As for those Alzheimer’s blood tests, stay tuned. Clinical trials are underway to tell if drugs can help certain people before they develop symptoms — findings that could change testing advice. —AP

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Shingles vaccine lowers heart, stroke risk By Feature Impact Shingles isn’t just a painful rash and nerve pain. It’s also linked with a higher risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, especially in the weeks to months after infection. However, shingles is largely preventable with vaccination. The world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on changing the future of health for all, the American Heart Association, reminds eligible adults to protect themselves by getting vaccinated and staying on top of their heart health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. will get shingles in their lifetime. If you’ve had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is already inside you. It can “wake up” years later, causing painful blisters and nerve pain that can last for months or longer. After a shingles episode, according to a large study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, the risk

of heart attack and stroke was nearly 30% higher in the short term and may persist over time. “Shingles can be ver y painful and knock you down for weeks,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association’s chief medical officer for prevention. “It’s also associated with a higher chance of heart and stroke problems afterward. If you’re 50 or older, or have a weakened immune system, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the shingles vaccine. It’s a simple step that can keep you healthier.” Knowing your risk is the first step toward prevention. Age is the most important risk factor for developing shingles. As people age, their immune systems naturally weaken, making it easier for the virus to reactivate. People over 50, and especially those living with heart disease, diabetes or other chronic illnesses, are more likely to develop shingles. The risk of serious complications from shingles increases: • As you get older • If you take drugs that keep your im-

mune system from working properly, like steroids and drugs given after an organ transplant • If you have medical conditions that keep your immune system from working properly, such as certain cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, or HIV infection

Heart health made simpler

In addition to ensuring you’re up to date on your vaccines, talk to your healthcare professional about ways you can improve your overall heart health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death, taking more lives in the United States than any other cause. Following healthy lifestyle guidance like the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 (see heart.org) can make inroads toward preventing heart disease and stroke, and even improving brain health. The set of four health behaviors (eat better, be more active, quit tobacco and get healthy sleep) and four health factors (manage weight, control cholesterol, manage blood sugar and manage blood pressure) are key measures for improving and maintaining cardiovascular health.

How to get the shingles vaccine

The CDC recommends the shingles vaccine for adults 50-plus and adults 19 and older with weakened immune systems.

Find a location: Most national pharmacies, many primary care and specialty clinics and local health departments offer it. Search your pharmacy’s app or website or call your doctor’s office. [Ed. Note: The shingles vaccine will be available on November 8 at the Beacon 50+Expo in Silver Spring, Maryland. No appointment is necessary. See page 34.] Book it: Make an appointment online or by phone. Same-day or walk-in options may be available at pharmacies. Bring what you need: Have your photo ID, insurance card and a list of medicines and allergies. Wear a short-sleeve shirt, if you can. Plan for two doses, two to six months apart: When you schedule dose one, set a reminder or book dose two before you leave. Cost and coverage: Many health plans, including Medicare Part D, cover shingles vaccination at low or no cost. Check your benefits or ask the pharmacy to verify coverage. After your shot, you may have a sore arm, fatigue, headache or mild fever. These side effects are common and usually go away in two to three days. Call your clinician about severe or persistent symptoms. If you’ve had shingles before, you can still get vaccinated after you recover. Ask your healthcare provider about timing. Learn more at heart.org/shingles.

Symptoms of shingles Shingles can cause a painful rash and other symptoms. Look for: Pain, tingling or itching on one side of the body or face, often before the rash appears

Rash that turns into fluid-filled blisters, usually on one side of the body or face. Headache, fever or chills Eye pain or vision changes if the rash is near your eye. Seek urgent care.

If you think you have shingles, contact your healthcare provider right away. Treatment works best within 72 hours.

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H e alt h S t u d i e s

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

What is a clinical trial and why participate? By the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation Clinical trials are the best way to study new, investigational treatments or vaccines to learn if they work and how safe they are. If you have ever taken medicine or gotten a vaccine, then you have benefited from clinical trials. Trials often try to answer specific health questions, like if a new treatment has any effect, if it could work better than an existing treatment, or if it’s safe for people to use. Throughout history, clinical trials have led to a lot of important medical discoveries that help researchers find better ways to diagnose, prevent and treat diseases. These medical discoveries can help people to live healthier, longer lives.

Types of clinical trials

Some treatments in clinical trials have not been approved by a government agency, which is why they are called “investigational” treatments. If clinical trials show that a new treatment works and is safe, then it can be approved to be used by the people who need it. Not all clinical trials test a new treatment

or vaccine. “Observational” studies collect information about people’s health during their normal care. This helps researchers learn more about specific health issues. If you agree to participate in a clinical trial, you might receive a trial treatment or something else, such as a placebo, which looks or tastes like a treatment but does not have any actual treatment in it. You also might get a treatment that is already approved for public use. The treatment may be given as a pill, injection, infusion or in other ways. It’s important to remember that participants do not get to choose which treatment they get; that’s usually decided randomly. In some trials, you might only give permission for researchers to collect health information through surveys or medical records. Some clinical trials include “healthy” participants, who do not have the condition the trial is studying.

Time commitment

Trials can last weeks, months, or even years. The number of visits and how long you may be in the trial overall can be dif-

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ferent for every trial. In some cases, you may need to visit the trial site for tests and treatment, and for doctors to check on your health. These visits can also be at your home or through telemedicine. Researchers do a lot of preparation before a trial starts, and trials need more review after all the participants have left. It can take many years before a treatment is approved and ready to be used by the public.

Types of trials

Clinical trials have four phases. The trials have different purposes at each phase and help scientists answer different questions: Phase 1: Researchers test a new treatment in small groups of participants to learn how safe it is and how much people can safely take. They also sometimes want to learn how the treatment works in the body. Phase 2: The trial treatment is given to larger groups of people to learn how well the treatment works and more about how safe it is. Phase 3: The trial treatment is given to even larger groups of people to confirm how the treatment works and learn even more

about its safety. Researchers often compare it to other treatments that exist, or a placebo. Phase 4: At this phase, the treatment has been approved by a government agency to be used by the public. Phase 4 trials aim to learn more about the risks and benefits of a treatment, as well as the best way to use it. Phase 1 and 2 trials are usually shorter than Phase 3 and 4 trials. If the researchers in any phase think that a treatment does not work, they might not do any more clinical trials for that treatment.

Your rights

Being in a trial is optional. Agreeing to be in a trial does not take away any of your rights. You can stop being in a trial at any time and for any reason. The trial staff will help you do this safely. This article is courtesy of the Center for Information & Study on Clinical Research Participation (CISCRP). Reprinted with permission. For more information about clinical trials, including stories from people who have participated in them, visit ciscrp.org.

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Mobility tests don’t show the whole picture By Devi Shastri Hand grip strength. Balance tests. Standing up from a seated position on the floor. These physical challenges are often touted as measurements of healthy aging and even predictors of longevity. They can provide valuable indications of your stamina and strength. They can estimate the risk of falls, which increase older adults’ risk of death. And they’re useful to doctors who work to address aging or people with injuries. But they’re no crystal ball. “A poor or declining result is a reason for a health professional to investigate why function is changing, rather than gauging how long someone will live,” said Auriel Willette, an expert on brain aging at Rutgers University.

Here’s a look at mobility tests and how to apply the results to your health.

The sit-to-stand test

“Sit-to-stand” tests come in several forms. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 30-second chairstand test is designed for patients older than 60, to see how many times they can stand up in that time period. Another test, popularized on social media, asks someone to move from standing, to sitting cross-legged on the ground, and then back up to standing. Making your way down to the floor is worth 5 points, as is standing up, for a total score of 10. You lose a point for each support you use (such as a hand or knee) and half a point if you’re

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unsteady. The score is zero if you’re unable to sit or stand without external help. Researchers in Brazil published two studies in 2020 and 2025 that concluded middle-aged people who scored higher were less likely to die within about a decade. Many American doctors use a test called “Timed Up and Go,” or TUG. It requires the patient to get up from a chair, walk 10 feet (3 meters) and come back to their seat. That allows doctors to evaluate a person’s balance, mobility and lower extremity strength all at once. Dr. George Hennawi, who treats older adults at MedStar Health in Baltimore, said all the tests are meant to pinpoint specific weaknesses and narrow down their underlying cause, whether that’s knee pain, slow reflexes, poor balance or feeling winded or dizzy because of cardiovascular issues. “The key to react to it is to understand where did we not do well,” he said.

Tests doctors actually use

Tests like the viral sit-to-stand one are what doctors call screening tools. They’re helpful in narrowing down issues, but they can’t lead to a full diagnosis. Other popular tests for a person’s “physiological age,” or how your body is aging, include tests of grip strength, walking speed, gait steadiness and balance. Such tests look at how hard your hand can squeeze something, whether you favor one side while walking, how long and well can you stand on one leg and how far forward can you reach without becoming unsteady. Many doctors also use these challenges to understand a person’s risk for “frailty,” where the body is less able to handle strain from illness or injury. Doctors sometimes use a 10-minute as-

sessment called the Short Physical Performance Battery, which includes several tests including gait, balance and strength. It was developed by the National Institute on Aging, and large clinical trials have shown it predicts mortality, disability and more. At the University of California, Los Angeles’ Multidisciplinary Falls Clinic, Dr. David Lee said it’s important to look across multiple tests in combination. Grip strength, for example, is predictive of many different things, but it can be affected by arthritis, stroke or even simply not conditioning those muscles. “It’s one measure of many,” Lee said.

Health is more than a score

Experts note that strength and mobility are just one part of healthy aging. Tests of cognition, memor y, hearing, eyesight and many other measures are key to evaluating how someone is aging. Keep the big picture in mind. Exercise and eat nutritious meals. Address stress in a healthy way. Prioritize your sleep. Take care of your heart.

Consult with your doctor

If you score poorly on a mobility test and are concerned about your fall risk, or have recently fallen, talk to your doctor. The test results are the first step in determining if you need an assistive device, physical therapy, a change in medications or something else, said Emily Nabors, a falls prevention expert with the National Council on Aging. More than a quarter of older adults fall each year, Nabors said, but most of them don’t tell their doctor about it. “If you’ve fallen, you might feel fine,” she said, “but you might not be fine at all.” —AP

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Why you keep waking up at 3 a.m. It’s 3:17 a.m. Your eyes pop open. follow a circadian rhythm, declining later Again. in the day and rising toward morning. You didn’t hear a noise. Stress disrupts circadian You don’t necessarily need rhythms and alters that the bathroom. Yet your brain healthy bell-shaped curve. Adhas apparently decided it’s dressing your adrenal health noon. If this happens reguand maintaining calm is a longlarly, don’t automatically asterm fix compared to presume you have insomnia. scribed sleepers. Don’t rush in for sleep aids. 4. Sleep apnea: Sleep apSometimes the problem nea can cause repeated brief isn’t sleeping. Something awakenings that you may not could be waking you up. DEAR even remember. Clues inHere are some possibilities. PHARMACIST clude snoring, gasping, morn1. Hormonal changes: By Suzy Cohen ing headaches, dr y mouth, Women in perimenopause nighttime urination and dayand menopause frequently experience time exhaustion. Remember, it can be fragmented sleep, sometimes even before dangerous to use sleeping pills when you a hot flash becomes obvious. have apnea. Men aren’t exempt, either. Declining 5. Reflux: Reflux doesn’t always proor fluctuating testosterone, estrogen and duce classic hear tburn. L ying down progesterone can affect serotonin, GABA soon after eating can allow stomach conand the brain’s temperature-control cen- tents to travel upward, causing coughter. Correcting the hormone deficiencies ing, throat clearing, burning, hoarsewill fix the sleep problems better than a ness or unexplained early awakenings. Z drug or benzo. No sleeping pill fixes this, but diet can. 2. Blood sugar fluctuations: Your 6. Alcohol: Wine may help you fall body continues regulating glucose while asleep, but sedation isn’t the same thing you sleep. If you awaken sweaty, shaky, as restorative sleep. As alcohol is metabhungry or with a pounding heart, blood olized, sleep can become more fragsugar is one possibility. A meal heavy in mented. It can also worsen snoring and carbohydrates, especially followed by des- obstructive sleep apnea. sert, can create blood-sugar swings that If you regularly enjoy an evening drink may make it harder to sleep. and then wake up early, try skipping the 3. Cortisol and stress: Cortisol levels nightcap (or drinking it much earlier in

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the day), and see if things improve. Do not combine sleep aids with alcohol.

Investigate your habits

You’ll have to become your own sleep detective. For one week, keep a notepad beside your bed. When you awaken, write down the time and what you notice: hot, sweaty, hungry, heart pounding, coughing, reflux, pain, anxious, gasping or needing to go to the bathroom. Also record anything unusual from the

evening: alcohol, dessert, late dinner, a new medication or an especially stressful day. You may discover a pattern. Occasional nighttime awakenings are normal. But if you’re awake at roughly the same time night after night, don’t focus only on sleep. This type of “insomnia” may not be a diagnosis; it may be a clue. Read the longer version of this article, which includes testing options, practical tips and important warnings, at suzycohen.com.

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H e alt h N e w s By Harvard Health

Cannabis affects heart rhythm The widespread legalization of cannabis in the United States has spurred greater use of marijuana and its active components, tetrahydrocannabinol

NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

(THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). According to national surveys, daily or near-daily use of cannabis is now more common than daily or near-daily alcohol use, with the highest prevalence of cannabis use among younger males. Recent trends suggest rising use among older adults and females as well. A review of recent research, published in the July 2026 issue of Trends in Cardiovascular Medicine, summarized the current evidence for a link between cannabis use and heart disease. The most consistent association was between cannabis use and heart rhythm problems. The analysis, which included studies

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Join others with early-stage memory loss and their loved ones for support and social interaction. Meet on the first Wednesday of each month from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the East Columbia 50+ Center, 6610 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. The meetings are free, and a light dinner is provided. For more information and to register, contact Kathy Wehr at kwehr@howardcountymd.gov or (410) 313-5955 by the Monday before the event.

published from 2014 to mid-2025, found conflicting evidence regarding any links between cannabis and heart-related problems, including heart attacks, strokes, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Until higher-quality data are available, people who use cannabis should do so with caution, especially if they have heart disease or risk factors for it.

Best exercise for blood pressure One of the best ways to prevent and treat high blood pressure (hypertension) is to get regular exercise. But are some forms of exercise better than others? A scientific review published in May 2026 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that engaging in these three exercise patterns can lead to lower blood pressures throughout the day (when compared to not exercising or participating in different types of exercise) in adults with hypertension: 1. Aerobic exercise, or physical activity that makes the lungs and heart work harder, such as brisk walking, biking or swimming 2. A combination program that involves doing both aerobic exercise and muscle-strengthening exercises, either in a single workout or in consecutive sessions

3. High-intensity inter val training (HIIT), which alternates between periods of intense aerobic exercise and gentler recovery periods The review included 31 separate trials involving a total of 1,345 participants. Researchers only included trials that lasted at least four weeks and compared the effects of different types of exercise on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure. This type of blood pressure monitoring uses a device that automatically checks blood pressure every 15 to 30 minutes over the course of a single day. The measurements predict the risk of heart-related problems and death more accurately than blood pressure readings taken in a doctor’s office. The pooled results showed that people who did aerobic exercise, a combination program, or HIIT lowered their systolic blood pressure (the first number in a reading) by an average of about five to six points compared with people who did not exercise. Study authors also noted that there’s limited but promising evidence about the potential blood pressure benefits of resistance training alone (using your own body weight, dumbbells or bands), isometric training (such as doing planks or wall sits), or other types of exercise (such as yoga, Pilates and recreational sports). © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Make your home safer as you age bumped up against. • Hide cords out of pathways — but don’t put them under rugs. • Area rugs, if used, should be secured to the floor with a nonslip mat or anti-slip rug tape. For more tips, get a copy of AARP’s “HomeFit Guide,” a 36-page illustrated guide with more than 100 aging-in-place tips and suggestions that can be made to an existing house or apartment or incorporated into designs for a new residence. It explains how a smartly designed or modified home can meet the varied and changing needs of its older residents. It also features easy-to-do, low-cost and nocost fixes that lessen the risk of trip hazards and increase the safety of high-use areas like the bathroom, kitchen and stairway. In addition, AARP also has videos and

a HomeFit AR app (available for iPhone and iPad) that can scan a room and suggest improvements to help turn your house into a “lifelong home,” free from safety and mobility risks. Visit AARP.org/HomeFit to order or download a free copy of this guide, or to watch their videos. You don’t need to be an AARP member to access this content. If you’d like more hands-on help, you could also hire an occupational or physical therapist that works with older adults. He or she can come in, evaluate your home and recommend aging-inplace solutions. And if you get a referral from your doctor, Medicare will usually cover a walk-through evaluation of your home. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

PHOTO COURTESY OF AARP

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What simple tips can you recommend for making a home age-friendly? My husband and I are in our late 60s and want to remain living in our home for as long as possible. —Homebody Hanna Dear Hanna, Many older adults, like you and your husband, want to stay in their own home for as long as they can. But being able to do so will depend on how easy it is to maneuver your living space as you get older. There are dozens of simple adjustments and modifications to help make your home safer and more accessible for aging in place. Here’s a summary of tips from the National Institute on Aging and AARP, which offers a free room-by-room guide with practical suggestions for older adults living independently.

AARP’s HomeFit Guide is free to all; download it at aarp.org/HomeFit.

Entrance

• Have at least one exterior doorway with step-free access. Consider a ramp. • Add a bench in the foyer to sit on when removing shoes or to set down items while locking or unlocking the door.

Bathroom

• Install a walk-in shower or tub with a bench and non-skid decals or mats to prevent falls. • Add a hand-held nozzle to the shower head to facilitate rinsing off while seated. • Install grab bars on the shower wall and near the toilet. • Put in a taller toilet or add a toiletriser. • Consider plugging in a nightlight.

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Bedroom

• If stairs are too difficult to manage, create a bedroom on the main level by transforming a den or an office. • Make sure the bed is easy to get in and out of. Purchase inexpensive bed risers, if needed. • Invest in an adjustable bed for extra comfort.

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Furniture and rugs

• Get rid of furniture and clutter to make rooms easier to move around in. • Use chairs with armrests, which make sitting and standing easier. • Avoid furniture with sharp corners, which can cause bruises and cuts when

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Kitchen

• Purchase a stove with safety features that alert the resident when a burner is on or have automatic shutoffs. • Relocate major appliances to make them easier to reach. • Add slide-out drawers or trays to existing cabinets for better access. • Install a lever-style, light-touch or sensor faucet, which is easier to use than a faucet with turn-style knobs or handles.

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What is a balanced meal these days? By Feature Impact Simple adjustments to overall eating patterns, like building your plate around produce, powerful proteins and whole grains, can encourage better health. Nutritious meal-planning can be easy, affordable and delicious — and it all starts with a little balance. Consider this advice from the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good initiative, nationally sponsored by the Egg Nutrition Center, to adequately round out a healthy plate.

Half your plate: Fruits and veggies

Fill about half your plate with produce. For a little variety, look for fruit and veggie blends or step out of your usual routine and try something new. Grocery tip: Frozen fruits and veggies are often cheaper and just as delicious as

their fresh counterparts. Just be sure to avoid products with added salt or sugar.

Quarter of your plate: Protein

High-quality protein from foods, along with a balanced diet and regular exercise, can help support your muscles. A quarter of your meal should be protein like skinless chicken breast, no-salt-added beans, low-sodium tuna, tofu or eggs. According to the American Heart Association’s guidelines, healthy people can include up to one whole egg daily, and up to seven per week, as part of a heart-healthy diet. For older adults with normal cholesterol, two eggs per day is acceptable. Eggs deliver both protein and choline, nutrients that help support growing brains and bodies, especially early in life. In fact, many Americans don’t get enough choline, a critical nutrient for supporting

brain development, memory and mood.

Save a corner for whole grains

Finally, fill that last quarter of the plate with ready-to-go whole grains, many of which provide dietary fiber that can support a healthy heart and healthy digestion. (Conversely, most refined grains contain little or no fiber.) Examples of whole grains include barley, brown rice, corn, oatmeal, rolled or steel-cut oats, popcorn, quinoa and wild rice, along with products labeled “whole grain” or “whole wheat” like bread or pasta. Grocery tip: Look for whole grains that can make mealtime a cinch. Corn tortillas, instant oats and even popcorn can help you create nutritious plates and better snacks. Try keeping packets of precooked brown rice on hand to bulk up favorite dishes or toss with leftovers to

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round out a healthy plate. Nutrition isn’t just about what’s on your plate; it’s also about what’s next to it and how much is on it. Pair a balanced meal with this advice to help take healthy eating to the next level.

Stay hydrated

If it’s not already a habit, drink a glass of water at each meal. Staying hydrated helps your heart pump blood throughout the body, get rid of waste and regulate body temperature. While water is the best source of hydration, water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables can also play a role.

Watch your portions

Pay attention to suggested servings from your favorite food groups. For example, one slice of whole-grain bread, half a cup of cooked pasta and two ounces of cheese (about the size of a domino) are the suggested serving sizes for these popular foods. Tips for portion control: • When cooking at home, offer the proper serving size to each family member then put extra food away for leftovers. • When dining out, skip appetizers and split your meal with a friend or partner. • Avoid eating while watching TV or at your computer. It may be harder to control how much you’re eating if you’re not paying full attention. • Measure out your snacks — even fruits and veggies — into appropriate portions instead of helping yourself directly from the bag or box.

Limit salt

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Please Note: If you vote during early voting, you cannot vote on Election Day (November 3, 2026), or by mail-in ballot. If you have requested a mail-in ballot and choose to not vote with that ballot and come to in-person voting, you will vote with a provisional ballot.

While sodium supports vital functions like controlling your body’s fluid balance, excess sodium in your bloodstream pulls water into the blood vessels, increasing the amount of blood inside them and thus increasing blood pressure. More than 70% of the sodium people eat comes from packaged, prepared and restaurant foods due to salt added for flavoring, stabilizing, preserving and reducing bacterial risk, according to the American Heart Association. Cutting back on sodium can help reduce the rise in blood pressure that occurs as you age, even if you don’t have high blood pressure now. It may also help reduce the risk of heart attack, heart failure, kidney disease and more. Cook more meals at home, where you can control sodium intake, flavoring foods with herbs and spices instead of table salt and rinsing canned beans and vegetables to wash away excess sodium. Making health-conscious decisions with your at-home menu doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require commitment and a little more planning. Visit heart.org to discover more nutrition guidance for heart-healthy meals. This article was sponsored by the American Heart Institute.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Before the move, try bridge services By Cory Fosco In my 34 years working in long-term care, the most consistent planning misstep I have seen is not a bad decision. It is a family who does not know there is anything between leaving things as they are and moving a loved one to a facility. There is meaningful space between living at home and moving into a community. These options include in-home caregiving, adult day services and respite care. For most families, the path toward some form of residential care is real and will eventually need to be addressed. “Bridge” services are not a way to avoid that move. What they offer is time, support and a way to approach a major decision from a mindset of preparation rather than exhaustion. Carol found them by accident, which is how most families do. Her mother, Ruth, was 74 and living alone. (Names have been changed for privacy.) Ruth was still sharp in conversation, and insisted she was “fine” and did not need assistance. But “fine” had started to fray at the edges. Ruth was skipping meals. She had stopped going to her garden club. The house she had kept immaculate for 50 years had started to slip. Carol lived 40 minutes away. She was working, raising a teenager and worrying about her mother’s next steps. But she was not ready to talk about assisted living, and her mother was not ready to hear about it. A friend suggested Carol call a geriatric care manager. Carol had never heard the term. She made the call mostly because she did not know what else to do. The geriatric care manager helped Carol understand that there were options to consider. They are called “bridge” options and can be one or a combination of

the following: In-home care: Paid caregivers come to the home. In-home care ranges from companion care — someone to provide company, prepare meals and help with light tasks — to personal care that includes bathing, dressing and mobility. You can arrange in-home caregivers through an agency, which handles hiring, background checks and backup coverage, or privately, which is more flexible but puts more of the oversight on the family. At its best, in-home care preserves independence and routine while filling the gaps that have become safety concerns. It also gives you an outside set of eyes. A good aide notices a change in condition that a family, used to a slow shift at home, might not catch. Adult day programs: These provide structured care and activity in a community setting during daytime hours, usually on weekdays. Some are mainly social, with activities, meals and companionship. Others are health-focused, with nursing oversight, medication management, and programming designed for participants living with dementia. They address two needs at once. The person attending gets stimulation and connection. The caregiver gets predictable, reliable time off, which is a sustainability measure rather than a luxury. Respite care: This is short-term, temporary care designed to give a caregiver a break. It can be in the home, at an adult day program or a brief residential stay at a community — anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. It serves the caregiver first. After all, a caregiver who takes a planned break comes back with more capacity than one who pushes through to collapse. For a

family thinking ahead, a respite stay also lets someone experience a community before any permanent move is on the table, and it tells the family more about a place than a tour ever will.

The cost of bridge services

Cost is worth understanding plainly. Inhome care is mostly private pay and is billed by the hour, so it rises with the number of hours the person needs. Medicare covers skilled home health under specific conditions but not ongoing companion or personal care. Adult day is generally less expensive, and Medicaid or veterans’ benefits may apply for those who qualify. Most respite stays are private pay, though some long-term care insurance policies include a respite benefit. If a loved one resists the idea, and many do, starting small helps. A few hours a week, framed as “help around the house” rather than care, can land better than a direct conversation about needing assistance. With a day program, a trial visit framed as “trying something new” often lands better than a conversation about need. Carol’s care manager recommended a home care aide three mornings a week and an adult day program two afternoons. Initially Ruth resisted the pro-

gram, but within three weeks she was telling Carol about the friends she had made there. Although Ruth’s decline did not stop, it slowed and became more manageable. When Ruth moved to assisted living 18 months later, she arrived in better health, with a clearer medical picture. Those months gave Carol the time to research the options carefully rather than in a crisis. The transition was still hard, but it was a different kind of hard than it would have been. Carol told me she wished she had made that call a year earlier — not because it would have changed the trajectory of her mother’s decline, but because having support in place enhanced the quality of the time they had. The space between home and a facility is wider than it may appear. You do not have to choose a single answer today. You only have to learn what is available for this stage, while you still have the time to put the right support in place. Cory Fosco is the author of The Question of When: A Practical Guide to Knowing When It’s Time for Assisted Living, Memory Care, or Skilled Nursing (Campion Hall Press, 2026). For more about the options described above, see chapter three of the book.

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I finally got screened for colon cancer By Susan Klein

For years, I told myself I would get screened for colorectal cancer. Ever y birthday seemed like another reminder that I should do it. But somehow there was always a reason to wait. I dreaded the preparation for a colonoscopy, and I was reluctant to ask my family to take time out of their day to drive me to and from the appointment. At 74, I had never been screened. Looking back, I’m sure I wasn’t alone. I cared about my health, but the barriers felt bigger than the benefits. It was simply easier to put it off and promise myself I’d do it next year. Then my primary care provider told me about another option: a blood test called Shield by Guardant Health, the first FDA-approved blood test for primary colorectal cancer screening. Medicare covered it with no co-pay, and I could do it right in my doctor’s office. I decided it was finally time. Despite my slight fear of needles, the process was quick and easy. There was no special preparation, no arranging transportation, no disruption to my day. When the results came back negative, I felt an enormous sense of relief. More than anything, I wondered why I had waited so long.

Screening is part of healthy aging

September was National Healthy Aging Month, a reminder that taking care of ourselves doesn’t stop as we get older. In fact, healthy aging often means staying current on the preventive screenings that can help us detect problems before they become serious. Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers when it’s found early, yet millions of Americans remain behind on screening. In Maryland, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of all cancerrelated deaths, and the American Cancer Society estimates that in 2026, as many as 2,740 Marylanders will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. About 45% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in people under 65. Earlier this year, the American Cancer Society updated its colorectal cancer screening guidelines to recommend the FDA-approved Shield blood test. Every person is different, and the best screening test is the one that’s right for you. That’s a conversation to have with your healthcare provider. But if you’ve been delaying screening because of concerns about preparation, inconvenience or transportation, it’s worth asking what options are available.

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For me, taking that first step gave me something I hadn’t realized I was missing: peace of mind. Now I spend my time doing what I enjoy most — making quilts for my newest grandchild — with the confidence

that I’m taking care of my health, too. Healthy aging isn’t about avoiding birthdays. It’s about giving ourselves every opportunity to enjoy them. Former Baltimore resident Susan Klein is a patient advocate based in Reston, VA.

Been putting it off? Three questions to help turn “maybe next year” into a plan I due for screening? 1 Am Average-risk adults should get their first colorectal cancer screening at age 45. At ages 76 to 85, ask your doctor whether screening makes sense based on your health history. test fits my lifestyle? 2 Which Compare colonoscopy, at-home stool tests and blood tests. Ask about preparation, cost and how well each test can identify cancer or precancerous growths. happens after the result? 3 AWhat positive stool or blood test needs a follow-up colonoscopy. A negative result does not rule out cancer; ask your doctor when to screen again.

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KNOW THE DIFFERENCE The American Cancer Society’s preferred tests are colonoscopy and stool tests. Blood tests are an alternative. For more information, see cancer.org.

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For a protein-packed meal, bake a frittata

Vegetable Sausage Frittata Serves 4 to 6 Ingredients: 2 sweet Italian sausages (1/3 to ½ pound total) 2 hot Italian sausages (1/3 to ½ pound total) 12 large eggs Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 6 ounces) 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 medium shallots, finely chopped ½ pound fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 small zucchinis, thinly sliced 1 medium garlic clove, minced 4 medium plum (Roma) tomatoes, sliced

Optional garnish: ¼ cup sour cream 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped Directions: 1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook the sausages, turning frequently until browned, about 10 minutes. Drain on paper towels and let cool. Cut into ¼-inch-thick slices and set aside. 2. Preheat the oven to 425° F. 3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs with salt and pepper. Stir in 1 ¼ cups of the cheese. Set aside. 4. In an ovenproof nonstick 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the shallots and sauté until softened but not brown, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes. Add the zucchini and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Arrange the sausage slices around the vegetables and season with the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt and a dash of pepper. 5. Pour the egg mixture over the sausages and vegetables and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Arrange the sliced tomatoes around the edge of the skillet. Sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup cheese. 6. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake until the frittata is puffed and brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve so the tomato border faces up, either directly from the pan or on a serving platter. Garnish with the sour cream and basil, if desired. Use a pizza cutter to serve. Advance preparation: Although it will be completely different in texture and taste, the frittata may also be made one

PHOTO BY MAURA MCEVOY/TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY

By Diane Rossen Worthington One of my favorite ways to serve up something simple yet satisfying is to prepare a frittata with ingredients that are both seasonal and colorful. The classic Italian frittata is a flat, round omelet cooked over low heat until firm and finished in the oven. They can be eaten warm or at room temperature and served for brunch, lunch or supper. Frittatas can be simple or as multilayered as this version, which includes sausages, zucchini, mushrooms and plum tomatoes tucked inside. Use this recipe as a template for whatever ingredients you prefer. Meat sausage can be replaced with plant-based sausage or omitted. If you are just adding veggies, begin with Step 2. To round out the meal, ser ve with roasted baby potatoes.

Frittatas can be served warm or at room temperature for brunch, lunch or dinner.

day ahead, refrigerated and served at room temperature. Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks, including Seri-

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Answers on prostate screening, migraines By Howard LeWine, M.D Q: I am 77. My brother died of prostate cancer. My doctor says I don’t need PSA testing at my age. But because my brother died of the disease, my doctor will order the blood test if I want it. I’m not sure what to do. What is your advice? A: There is no right or wrong answer. Your doctor is following a recommendation from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which still advises against routine testing for prostate cancer for men age 70 and older. Recommendations like this help doctors make decisions, but they do not require what should be done in any specific situation. However, the recommendations were last updated in 2018. Since then, research has found new diagnostic tests that significantly improve prostate cancer diag-

nosis starting with PSA. Many men over 70 will want to have PSA testing done. By the way, the prostate-specific antigen blood test measures the amount of a chemical called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in a man’s blood. There are three questions to answer before a doctor can offer advice: 1. Are you in good general health? (This means you have no health conditions that would likely cause disability or death within the next 10 years.) 2. Are you of African descent? 3. If you are not of African descent, was your brother under age 60 when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer? If your answer to question one is “No,” you are not in good health, I would advise against getting the PSA test. Why? Because someone in poor health is more likely to die from some cause other than

prostate cancer. If your answer to question one is “Yes,” you are in good health, and your answer to question two or three is “Yes,” then you should consider getting the PSA test. Keep in mind that even if your brother died of prostate cancer that was diagnosed before he reached age 60 and/or you are of African ancestry, you are still more likely to die from some cause other than prostate cancer. But it is likely that your risk of aggressive prostate cancer is higher than average. If your PSA is elevated, evaluate what additional tests you might need, whether your medical insurance will cover these additional tests, and complications that might occur, especially if you need a prostate biopsy. Q: Is there a link between depression and migraines?

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A: Yes, there is a connection between headaches, especially migraines, and depression. As headaches become more intense and frequent, it is more likely that a person will become depressed. Many researchers have obser ved a close relationship between migraine headaches and depression. For example, in people who have a clear diagnosis of migraine, when compared to a control group, their frequency of major depression is almost triple. The reverse is also true, that people with depression are more likely than non-depressed people to develop migraines. It might help to review the classic description of a migraine headache, because people sometimes use the word migraine to describe any very bad headache. The classic migraine headache is severe. It may be preceded by symptoms that warn the person that the migraine is on its way. Classically, there is throbbing pain on one side of the head. The headache may last from a few hours up to as much as three days. Physical activity makes the pain worse. People often feel sick to their stomachs. Light or sounds can be intolerable. This is why many people lie down in a dark, silent room when they get a migraine. In one-third of people with migraines, the warning symptoms can include an aura. This may be a visual or auditory experience, such as flashing lights or musical tones. Some people will have difficulty with speech or movement. Experts now believe there may be genetic roots for depression and migraine. That is, the same biological factors that make people vulnerable to depression can also make them vulnerable to migraines. This association has led to the discovery that antidepressant medication is useful for treating migraine headaches. (Antidepressants, in fact, are used to successfully treat many pain syndromes.) Migraine headaches are tricky to diagnose because they take many forms, not just the classic one described above. If you have bad headaches that come back repeatedly, make sure your doctor reviews the symptoms and evaluates the problem fully. Headaches occur in many medical illnesses, so you will want your doctor to consider all the possibilities that might be relevant to you. If you do have both depression and migraine headaches, that can be very difficult to bear. Fortunately, good treatments are available for both. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, see health.harvard.edu. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Makes a great gift!

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COVER STORY

Robert Kanigel is a man of many stories By Tina Collins In 1970, Robert Kanigel, a former engineer with opinions about the state of the world, knocked on the door of a Baltimore rowhouse known as Harry. It was the home and office of the editors of a countercultural underground newspaper, also called Harry, published every two weeks from 1969 to 1972. Kanigel had something to say. The editor had a suggestion: “Why don’t you write about it?” “Three bad essays later,” Kanigel said, he began to find his voice. Fifty-six years and 11 books later, he’s still writing. And the Charles Village rowhouse where it all began? It’s just down the block from where he lives today.

From Brooklyn to Baltimore

Born in 1946, Kanigel grew up in Brooklyn with two younger siblings, a father who owned a small electroplating business and a mother who loved language. He attended Stuyvesant High School and earned a mechanical engineering degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. That’s how things started out, but not how they ended up. In 1968, the world turned upside down, so Kanigel turned with it. He fell in love, left his job, and began questioning the direction of his life. Kanigel doesn’t describe his life as the unfolding of some grand plan. Instead, he speaks of the “many moments when life shifts into something new.” He never looked back at engineering. After his first publishing encounter with Harry, he ventured west to San Francisco, where he pursued writing full-time. When he returned to Baltimore in 1975, he submitted articles to small magazines, then larger ones. In 1976, he began writing for Johns Hopkins Magazine. There he worked with editor Elise Hancock, who would become one of the most important influences on his career. “She believed in me and started asking more and more of my writing, more elaborate and demanding,” Kanigel recalled. Hancock encouraged him to tackle subjects that initially seemed beyond his understanding. As Kanigel explained, “Writing, particularly science writing, requires confronting one’s own limitations and working through ignorance and uncertainty toward clarity.” Hancock also offered advice that stuck with him: “If you are bored, learn something.” He did. Eventually, there were books. Quite a lot of them, translated into 20 languages. And about quite a lot of things. Kanigel has written about an Indian mathematical genius, the man who tried to make workers more efficient, a woman who changed how we think about cities, an Irish island, the origins of Homer’s po-

etry and the peculiar business of tourism on the French Riviera. He has even written about leather. There doesn’t appear to be a common denominator other than his own curiosity. Now he has written about mosaics. His latest book, Uncovering Antioch: The Ancient City and Its Lost Treasures of Mosaic Art, was published by Simon and Schuster in August. In it, Kanigel tells the story of the 1932 discovery of hundreds of Roman mosaics in what is now Turkey.

The creative process

Kanigel admits to becoming rather “obsessive” when his interest is piqued. “This is what fuels me: If I push hard enough, long enough, I’ll get to the essence of the subject,” he explained. An idea catches his attention. The thought, “I could write a book about that,” flits across his mind. And down the rabbit hole he goes. His best-known book, The Man Who Knew Infinity, began with his fascination with Srinivasa Ramanujan, the largely selftaught Indian mathematical genius who traveled to Cambridge University and worked with mathematician G. H. Hardy. Kanigel followed Ramanujan’s story across continents and decades. The resulting biography, published in 1991, became a National Book Critics Circle Award finalist and, many years later, a movie starring Dev Patel and Jeremy Irons. Kanigel went wherever the next question took him, and his curiosity has not diminished with age. “Learning is an antidote to boredom,” he said. He reads voraciously, roughly twothirds fiction and one-third nonfiction, with a particular devotion to Anthony Trollope and an affection for Baltimore’s own H. L. Mencken. But obsession, in Kanigel’s case, does not mean an inability to step away from the desk. Sometimes he and his wife, the poet Sarah Merrow, take what he calls “little writing vacations,” traveling somewhere with his laptop to see what a change of scenery might accomplish. These jaunts serve as a creative spin on working remotely. Kanigel also understands that experience offers no guarantees in publishing. Even after 11 books, he doesn’t assume a publisher will automatically welcome his next. Writing can be draining, publishing fickle, and “there’s always more to learn about the process and the business.” For a time, his career took him away from Baltimore. In 1999, he joined MIT, where he helped establish the Graduate Program in Science Writing and served as its director. After 12 years, he returned to Baltimore in 2011. “Baltimore has a way of keeping you,” he said.

Robert Kanigel got a closer look at one of the Antioch mosaics at the Worcester Art Museum for his new book. “Learning is an antidote to boredom,” he said.

Today he lives in Charles Village with Merrow, an accomplished poet who writes under the name S. B. Merrow. She is also a master technician who restores and rebuilds concert flutes for professional orchestral musicians. Theirs is a household where words, art and precision find a comfortable coexistence. Kanigel is also an avid cyclist. He and his wife enjoy biking, and a recent outing took him along 25 miles of trail in Thurmont, Maryland.

How a book took shape

Kanigel revisited his early Baltimore years in his 2022 memoir, Young Man, Muddled. In it, he describes himself not as a young man confidently assembling a distinguished literary career. Instead, he tried things, abandoned things, rearranged life until the pieces fell into place. Eventually he began to focus on one thing and learn it well. About a dozen years ago, Kanigel had been muttering about a vague interest in mosaics, so his exasperated wife signed him up for a one-day mosaic workshop at Baltimore’s American Visionary Art Museum. And then he just kept making mosaics. His interest eventually carried him to the story of Antioch, the great ancient city where Princeton archaeologists in the 1930s uncovered magnificent mosaic floors that had survived underground for centuries. Baltimore, characteristically, had been

waiting for him inside the story. The Baltimore Museum of Art was one of the institutions involved in the Antioch excavations and today has mosaics from the site in its collection. Kanigel began researching. Research turned into fascination, and fascination became Uncovering Antioch. Kanigel excels at arranging the parts of a complex history. He says the question is always, “What furthers the story?” Some details stay. Others don’t. Eventually, if the arrangement is right, the story appears.

A new novel

At 80, Kanigel seems disinclined to surrender either his curiosity or his stamina. Apparently, he has not arrived at the stage of life when a writer puts down his pen, surveys the books behind him and considers the work complete. Instead, Kanigel is working on his first novel. His first-ever foray into fiction, the book in progress is an alternative history set in Manhattan from 1938 to 1953. Perhaps it’s not surprising that a writer who has always pursued his curiosity is working on a novel. After all, all of us can spend a lifetime becoming ourselves and still discover something we haven’t yet tried. Robert Kanigel’s Uncovering Antioch: The Ancient City and Its Lost Treasures of Mosaic Art is available in bookstores.

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Travel Leisure &

Explore historic Broad Street in Charleston, S.C. See page 22.

Pristine forests and colorful lakes in Banff

Around town(s)

Most visitors base themselves in the town of Banff, which is in the national park itself, or Canmore, a slightly cheaper but no less picturesque town 15 miles away. Banff National Park encompasses more than 2,500 square miles of mountains, forests, rivers and glaciers. Together with neighboring Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With just over 8,000 year-round residents, the town of Banff and surrounding area sees more than 4 million visitors each year. Banff Avenue, the main street, is lined with cafés, outfitters, galleries and restaurants, all framed by the towering Cascade Mountain at its northern end. The peaks coax visitors to spend as much time outdoors as possible. Walking paths trace the Bow River through town, while nearby overlooks offer expansive views with relatively little effort. Canmore is also ringed by mountains with numerous hiking trails.

Lakes, waterfalls up close

While many vividly hued lakes dot the region, the most famous is Lake Louise, whose turquoise waters shimmer even on cloudy days. Fed by melting glaciers, the lake (as with other nearby bodies of water) owes its remarkable color to tiny particles of finely ground rock suspended in the water. Sunlight reflects off these particles, creating shades of blue that appear digitally enhanced. Early mornings provide the calmest water and the fewest crowds. Canoes glide

across the lake beneath the Victoria Glacier, while hikers can follow trails to a teahouse, pausing at panoramic overlooks. Walkers can take in the same incredible views on a lakeside trail with much flatter terrain. Visit Moraine Lake for even more stunning blue-green water. Climb a 10-minute trail called Rock Pile (mainly consisting of rocky steps) to take it in from above, framed by spruce trees and snowy peaks. The view is so iconic it was once featured on Canada’s $20 bill. But getting to both lakes takes advance planning and, in some cases, quick computer skills to nab a reservation on the shuttle bus. While visitors can drive to Lake Louise, its parking lot fills up by dawn in the summer. And no private cars are allowed at Moraine Lake. Parks Canada shuttles take visitors to both lakes, but reservations can be tricky to get and fill quickly when released. Rather than play shuttle roulette, we opted to take a day trip offered by a private tour company. A small bus took us not only to these lakes, but also to the aptly named Emerald Lake, just over the border in Yoho National Park in British Columbia, and to Johnston Canyon, back in Banff National Park. In the canyon we discovered one of Banff National Park’s most accessible hikes. Elevated catwalks hug sheer limestone walls above the rushing blue-green Bow River, leading to dramatic lower and upper waterfalls. The lower falls is about three-quarters of a mile (somewhat uphill) from the parking lot. A bridge leads to a cave where you can get an up-close view of the falls. Go early in the morning or evening to avoid waiting in a long line, since the cave only fits a few people at once. If you have time and stamina, continue another (moderately steep) mile to the upper falls. Another way to get a bird’s-eye view of the park is to take one of three gondolas to the top of a peak. From the Lake Louise gondola some people spot grizzlies and other wildlife, although we only saw ground squirrels. The Banff gondola carries passengers up Sulphur Mountain on an eight-minute ride. At the summit, wooden boardwalks connect viewing platforms to take in the sweeping vistas across six mountain ranges. Exhibits explain the region’s ge-

By Barbara Ruben From the turquoise and emerald lakes to the aquamarine rushing rivers to the golden larches in October, the Canadian Rockies sparkle in more vibrant colors than Crayola could conjure. A trip to Banff and Jasper National Parks in the western province of Alberta gives travelers a glimpse of some of the most spectacular scenery in North America. My daughter and I spent a week there last summer, arriving in the city of Calgary, about an hour and a half drive from Banff. About halfway to Banff, we were thrilled when Calgary’s flat plains suddenly shifted to snow-capped peaks in the distance.

Sightseers can gaze down on the town of Banff from an overlook in Canada’s Banff National Park. A gondola whisks travelers to these viewing platforms at the summit of Sulphur Mountain in the Canadian Rockies.

ology and wildlife, while restaurants allow visitors to linger at sunset, when the peaks gradually fade from gold to purple.

Scenic Icefields Parkway

Some visitors end their trip through the Rockies at Lake Louise. But explore at least part of the 144-mile two-lane parkway that stretches between Lake Louise and Jasper National Park, as it is widely regarded as one of the world’s best drives. The Icefields Parkway winds past more than 100 glaciers, aquamarine lakes, waterfalls and towering peaks, with nearly ever y bend revealing another jawdropping view. Athabasca Falls is among the most impressive waterfalls here because of its force. The Athabasca River thunders through a narrow gorge, filling the air with mist. Nearby Sunwapta Falls makes a quieter but equally beautiful stop, where the river splits around a small island before plunging into a rugged canyon. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including mountain goats, bighorn sheep, moose — and occasional bears, both brown and grizzly. It’s best to carry bear spray, a kind of industrial-strength pepper spray, to deter them. The Icefields Parkway reaches its dramatic centerpiece at the Columbia Icefield. Covering more than 120 square miles, it is one of the largest accumulations of ice

south of the Arctic Circle. From the parking area, visitors can walk to the edge of Athabasca Glacier in just a few minutes. Signs marking previous glacier boundaries show how the ice has retreated dramatically over the past century as global temperatures have risen. You can ride special vehicles onto the glacier itself and walk along the nearby Glacier Skywalk, whose glass-floored observation platform extends above the Sunwapta Valley. The parkway ends at the town of Jasper, a quieter counterpoint to Banff. It serves as an ideal base for exploring Canada’s largest Rocky Mountain national park. But be prepared for acres of charred trees for miles before you enter the town, a third of which was decimated by wildfires that scorched both the park and town in 2024. It’s a jarring juxtaposition with the beauty of the area. We drove past remnants of the fire on the way to Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park. Stretching more than 13 miles, this is the park’s largest natural lake and home to Spirit Island, one of the most photographed locations in the Canadian Rockies. While you can rent canoes here and at most of the lakes, visitors also have the option to take Maligne boat cruises through the glacier-fed waters to view the tiny island, a microcosm of all that is See BANFF, page 23

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Step back in time in mellow Charleston Local crafts

By Glenda C. Booth On foot and by car, carriage and even an electric bike, I set out to find the soul of Charleston, South Carolina. In five days I discovered traces of the city’s nuanced history of war, plantations, civil rights and low-country traditions, thanks to its efforts to preserve and reckon with its past. Charleston’s longstanding preservation ethic, which dedicated locals started in the 1920s, defines the city visually. There are no skyscrapers because local laws bar buildings higher than the 270-foot-tall steeple of the 1872 St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church. Hundreds of Federal, Greek Revival and Georgian-style houses still stand, emblems of the city’s past as a center of affluence. Tucked-away gardens of camellias, live oaks, palmetto trees and dwarf palmettos soften the cityscape. Wrought-ironwork balconies and gates visually unify its streets. And ubiquitous pineapples symbolize hospitality. Water, too, is a defining feature. Located between the Ashley and Cooper Rivers seven miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the city has cobblestone streets made from ships’ discarded ballast. Salt marshes, thick with swaying grasses, press against city limits. Five white-sand beaches lie just a short drive away.

In the old city market built in 1841, I scoured tables laden with locally made shell art, paintings, ironwork and unique sweetgrass baskets. Gullah-Geechee women, descended from enslaved people from West Africa, still weave them here with sweetgrass, bulrush and palmetto. As one weaver, Vickie Gentile, told me, “I learned from my grandma.” Distinctive deep-blue textiles and art made with dye from local indigo plants dotted every table. Indigo, cherished by Europeans, flourished here in the 1800s.

War stories

A port city, Charleston was a frequent target of pirates. In 1718 the city convicted two pirate captains and their crews, hanging as many as 49 sailors on the live oaks of White Point Park. Charlestonians like to recount famous battles, starting with the Revolutionary War. In 1776 colonists defeated the British Royal Navy at today’s seacoast defense installation, Fort Moultrie. Island-based Fort Sumter, visible from downtown, is the famous Civil War site where the Confederates fired the first shot of that war in 1861. The Georgian-Palladian-style Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, completed in 1771, survived two cannonball

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attacks. In the dank basement dungeon, the British in 1780 held 50 to 60 colonials, who coped with fleas, ticks, dysentery, cholera, bucket toilets and one meal a day. This city is home to the H.L. Hunley, the first successful combat submarine in world history, which sank the Union Navy’s USS Housatonic in 1864. Divers discovered the Hunley, a three-foot by four-foot sub, in 1995. Visitors can admire her from a mezzanine above a 75,000-gallon tank. Artifacts from the submarine, including the captain’s gold pocket watch, a diamond broach and diamond ring, are on display nearby. For more modern warfare, visitors can spend a day at the one-million-square-foot Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum featuring the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Laffey, the Cold War Memorial, a Vietnam War exhibit and myriad honors for American servicemen and women. The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, has produced cadets and future military officers in its fortress-like Romanesque buildings and on its parade grounds since 1842. For a glimpse of Citadel life, observe the Friday dress parades or take a student-led tour. Straightbacked students whisk around carrying their bookbags in their left hands, right hands ever ready to salute.

Scars of the past

I explored 19th-century rice-plantation life, starting in several city mansions built with wealth generated from the work of enslaved people. In the Federal-style antebellum Manigault House, built in 1803, mahogany bed posts are carved as rice plants. The Nathaniel Russell House, built in 1808, home of a slave trader, features elaborate plaster gesso made of horsehair and glue, gilded capitals and a free-flying staircase. “Charleston was built on slavery,” one guide told me, and I quickly learned that Charleston does not hide its scars. At Magnolia Plantation, once a 2,000acre expanse where enslaved people grew gold rice, my guide explained that the mansion, surrounded by towering live oaks with dangling Spanish moss, was built “after the war” because Union troops burned down the original home. Another guide led a “Slavery to Freedom” tour of Magnolia’s four slave cabins built in the 1850s and used through the Reconstruction era. When the U.S. in 1807 imposed a ban on importing people for enslavement, the “controlling class” encouraged reproduction. By the time the Civil War started, the United States had nearly four million people in bondage. See CHARLESTON, page 23

Makes a great gift! | Leisure & Travel

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Banff

From page 21 remote and beautiful in the Rockies.

If you go

Start planning your trip early. Summer is peak season for tourists as well as prices — and for good reason. Snow cov-

Charleston From page 22

Back in town, at the Old Slave Mart Museum I learned about the city’s history of selling people. Nearby, the International African American Museum traces centuries of struggle, perseverance, anguish and achievement by the 12.5 million people forced into servitude worldwide. Its exhibits address the African diaspora, the 2015 murders at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel Church and the Minneapolis murder of George Floyd in 2020. My unease in absorbing the painful chapters of our history was leavened by appreciating the talents and accomplishments of many African Americans, including Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

Cuisine and carriages

I exercised little restraint in my gustatory adventures, sampling Charleston’s many variations of fried green tomatoes, BLTs with pimento cheese, she-crab soup

ers the ground, and lake colors are obscured by heavy ice, often from October through May. Weather warms into the 50s and 60s in June, but it’s also the region’s rainiest month. The weather forecast showed 60 to 100% chance of rain every day during our trip at the end of June, and it did indeed rain each day. But it was also dry

much of the day. For these reasons, some think fall is the ideal time to visit, when the weather is often still in the 50s and 60s and drier. Autumn sees an uptick in visitors as the larch trees transform landscapes to a sea of gold. Be prepared for hotel sticker shock. During the summer, it’s rare to find a ho-

tel room or Airbnb for under $400 per night. Staying at the iconic Fairmont on the shore of Lake Louise starts at about $1,400 a night in the peak summer season ($900 in the fall), with similar prices at the Fairmont in Jasper National Park. For more information about where to stay, visit banfflakelouise.com or call (403) 762-8421.

with sherry, red-pea succotash and a local favorite, Frogmore stew. This soupy amalgam of shrimp, corn pieces and sausage is also called a “low-country boil.” Dishes with African roots pop up on many menus, enhanced with peanuts, sweet potatoes, okra, black-eyed peas and collard greens. I rarely had room for a benne wafer, a sweet and savory cookie with benne seeds introduced by Africans. “There are no bad restaurants in Charleston,” local carriage driver Richard Knoth told me, after showing me his horse’s “Air Jordans,” rubber horseshoes nailed onto iron shoes to absorb the impact. Rumbling around in a horse-drawn carriage offered a relaxed overview of the city. Charlestonians cherish their carriage horses — Belgians, French Percherons and American draft horses, all of the Clydesdale family — and locals brag that these steeds get three veterinary exams a year. If horse-drawn tours aren’t your thing, other tours focus on the harbor, African American culture, history, food, planta-

tions and nature, including the barrier islands nearby.

BWI to Charleston for as low as $200. A 45-room inn, The Ansonborough, in a former warehouse and paint factory, is quiet and convenient. For more travel ideas, see charlestoncvb.com.

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Recreation & Parks

NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Upcoming Programs for 50 Years +

To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Special Events

December 5, 2026 9am-3:30pm

November Exhibit Opening: Resilient Earth, Resilient Communities

NEW! Developed with support from the National Science Foundation, this traveling exhibit explores how communities across the United States are adapting to and preparing for a changing climate. Explore exhibit features, visit hands-on learning stations about weather patterns and changing landscapes, and enjoy planetarium films that examine Earth’s changing climate. Info: 410-313-0400. All ages Robinson Nature Ctr RP4891.101 Nov 14 4-7pm Sa Free

Family Volunteer Day

Gary J. Arthur Community Center $4 per person (presale online) $5 at the door Free for 4 years and under

Beautify county parks, heritage sites, and Historic Ellicott City. Tools and instruction provided. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required (visit www.HoCoVolunteer.org, search keyword “Family”). Info: Danielle Bassett, 410-313-4634 or dbassett@HowardCountyMD.gov. All ages Locations, times & details posted online Nov 21 Sa Free

Mistletoe at Midday Maker’s Mart

Meet local artisans and shop their handmade and sustainable wares at tables both inside and outside of the center. The on-site gift shop will offer 15% off purchases for members and 10% off purchases for nonmembers during the event. On-site parking is limited. Off-site parking with complimentary shuttle is available when lot fills. Info about vendor space or to see participating artisans: 410-313-0400 or www.HowardCountyMD.gov/RNC/makersmart. All ages Robinson Nature Ctr RP4822.101 Nov 21 11:30am-3:30pm Sa $3

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/activeaging50 for more 50 yrs + programs!

Public Star Party

Join members of the Howard Astronomical League (HAL) for a Public Star Party in and around their observatory. Telescopic views and programming are shared inside through the club’s telescope. Guests can mingle and ask questions while observing through members’ scopes set up outside. No registration required. Please leave your pets at home. For weather updates, visit www.HowardAstro.org. All ages Alpha Ridge Pk Nov 21 5pm Sa Free

Holiday Train Garden at B&O Ellicott City Station Museum

This holiday season, enjoy train models set up throughout the Baltimore and Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, including the year-round exhibit in the Freight House. Available during normal business hours. Info: 410-313-1945. All ages B&O EC Station Museum Nov 27-Jan 3 Free

Makes a great gift!

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Programs • Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@HowardCountyMD.gov.

Hula Hoop Dance Fitness

NEW! Hula hoop fitness is a fun, high-energy full-body workout that blends dance and movement to improve cardio, core strength, and coordination. Designed for all levels, classes allow you to move at your own pace while feeling challenged and supported. Set to upbeat, popular music, each session is engaging, inclusive, and led by an experienced instructor. We will provide hula hoops for use at class. Get ready to have fun while getting a great workout. 50 yrs + Classes: 6 No class 11/25 RP3540.102 Meadowbrook Ath Comp Nov 4 12:30-1:30pm W $59

Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy

Learn about the world of genealogy! Gain an understanding of the basics of family history research. Learn important tools needed to research and navigate the information. Gain strategies to organize your research. You should have computer literacy. Bring your laptop or tablet to each class as there are hands-on activities that require using your devices for research. 50 yrs + Instructor: Karen Giese Classes: 3 RP3500.102 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 6 1-2:30pm F $72

Genealogy Guidance

Looking for extra support in your genealogical research? This private, one-hour session provides personalized guidance on family history research and caters to your specific needs. Session helps answer questions and refine your family tree. 50 yrs + Instructor: Karen Giese Classes: 1 RP3501.104 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 5 1-2pm Th $65 RP3501.105 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 5 2-3pm Th $65 RP3501.106 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 5 3-4pm Th $65

Mastering Your Mobile Device/Tablet

Discover useful mobile applications (apps) and learn how to use your phone or tablet to access free health, wellness, and organizational tools. Learn about apps like Medisafe (to record medications), Lumosity (brain memory exercises), and Password Management (to protect/track login info). Bring your smartphone and/or tablet. 50 yrs + Instructor: Constance Lowe Classes: 1 RP3523.102 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 12 10-11am Th $25

Gaming Across Generations with Maslow’s Loom

NEW! Research suggests that certain types of video games may help support cognitive engagement, memory, problem-solving, coordination, and quick decision-making in older adults. This beginner-friendly workshop is designed to introduce you to the world of modern gaming in a fun, social, and supportive environment. Learn the basics of today’s gaming technology using PlayStation 5 systems, including controller skills, gaming terminology, teamwork, communication, and cooperative play experiences. No prior gaming experience is required. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to better understand and connect with children, grandchildren, and younger loved ones who are digital natives. Through shared experiences and play, build confidence with modern technology while strengthening intergenerational connections. 50 yrs + Classes: 1 RP3569.102 Gary J Arthur CC Nov 18 10:30am-noon W $25

• Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@HowardCountyMD.gov.

Glenstone Museum

Glenstone presents post-World War II artworks that reflect major shifts in how we experience 20th- and 21st-century art. Its refined indoor and outdoor spaces foster meaningful visitor encounters. The name comes from Glen Road and Carderock stone native to the area. Enjoy time to explore and have lunch on your own at the onsite café. Lots of walking required. 18 yrs + Bus provided RP4572.101 Nov 12 9am-3pm Th $95

Visit the Supreme Court – Washington, D.C.

Established by the Constitution and shaped by the Judiciary Act of 1789, the Supreme Court has served as the nation’s highest court since 1790. Its majestic building symbolizes its role as an independent branch of government. Visitors can explore public areas, view the courtroom, browse the gift shop, and enjoy lunch on your own at the cafeteria. Lots of walking required. 18 yrs + Bus provided RP4591.101 Nov 19 9am-4pm Th $95

Dutch Apple Theater: Holly Jolly Holiday

Immerse yourself in the spirit of the season with this original holiday musical extravaganza sure to make you merry. The halls are decked with holly, so let the jolly festivities begin with lively dancing and singing to the yuletide tunes you know and love—along with a visit from Old St. Nick himself! The perfect feel-good, hometown Christmas revue. A delicious buffet included with the show! Minimal walking required. 18 yrs + Bus provided RP4541.101 Dec 3 11am-6pm Th $169

A Beautiful Holiday at Longwood Gardens

Poinsettias, magnificent trees, and fragrant flowers transform the conservatory into a holiday wonderland. Outside, colorful fountains dance to festive music, strolling carolers herald the season with song, and a half-million twinkling lights await. No holiday is complete without a visit to “A Longwood Christmas.” Enjoy walking the grounds while viewing special exhibits and seasonal plants. Lunch on your own at the Longwood Gardens Café. Lots of walking required. All ages Bus provided RP4582.101 Dec 4 8am-5pm F $169

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPtrips for more trips & tours!

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Volume 16, No. 11 | November 2026

Learn how Care Connects Us National Family Caregivers Month — celebrated each November — is a time to recognize and honor family caregivers across the country and in Howard County. Caregiving changes our lives in profound and unexpected ways. Every caregiver deserves to feel seen, supported and a little less alone. Across every condition, every stage, and every journey, care connects us — to our loved ones, to vital information, to one another, and to a stronger, more supportive tomorrow. The Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) connects Howard County caregivers with resources through our information and referral arm, Maryland Access Point (MAP), as well as support groups to connect you with others who are facing similar challenges. In-person groups are led by caring and experienced OAI staff at 50+ Centers and include the Alzheimer’s Support Group and the Memory Café Early-stage Social Engagement Program, among others. The Caregiver Resources and Care Connections support group is led by MAP information specialists and meets monthly at the Loan Closet of Howard County where a wide variety of adaptive equipment is on display. Talking with others who understand these challenges can help reduce caregiver stress, combat isolation, and provide practical tips to handle real-life experiences. Virtual support groups provide these connections for caregivers without leaving home. Offered by OAI as well as community partners, these groups help caregivers and individuals living with mental illness, prostate cancer, stroke, brain injury, Parkinson’s and other conditions, reminding you that you are not alone and that by sharing your story you can help someone else too. For a complete list of Caregiver Support Groups, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/caregiversupport. Online education and resources are key to help caregivers who need information and don’t know where to turn. Online forums like Trualta offer a range of features to help at every step of your caregiving journey and are available 24/7. Trualta’s learning library includes videos, audio and articles for users to watch, listen, or read and learn in the way that works best for you. Your need for caregiving information doesn’t stop when you turn off your computer, and neither should your access to support. The new Trualta app offers this same helpful information through your iOS or Android mobile device. However you choose to connect, Trualta can help you build skills, gain confidence, and discover ways to make caregiving less stressful for both you and your care recipient. Register for free at hococaregivers.trualta. com/ to get started. Caregiving touches every community, including Howard County. This National Family Caregivers Month, share your experiences with OAI and with other caregivers to remind us of the many ways Care Connects Us.

From the desk of Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive Last month, I delivered my final State of the County address as your County Executive. As I reflected on the past eight years, I am proud of the work we have done to improve our older residents’ lives. As we continue to live longer, healthier lives, our residents need resources to keep up with their lifestyles. We opened our Age-Friendly Fitness Lot at Centennial Park North in 2024. Our new East Columbia 50+ Center and forthcoming Elkridge Community and 50+ Center offer plenty of recreational spaces to gather and socialize, which is so important for older residents. When I became County Executive in 2018, there were only two dedicated pickleball courts. As the sport has grown exponentially, so too have our pickleball courts. Today, we have 28 dedicated pickleball courts across several county parks. In 2019, we launched the Age-Friendly Initiative to create a more livable community where residents feel supported as they move through their older years. Since then, the County has implemented several action plans including implementing a 24/7 caregiver resource through the online portal Trualta. Our older residents need more middle housing options. That’s why earlier this year, I signed into law CB3-2026, which allows for construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs). These smaller, independent homes, located on a primary residence, offer older adults more affordable housing options. Thank you to the Office on Aging and Independence for their collaboration over the years to make Howard County a wonderful place to age.

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Makes a great gift!

50+ Connection

November Events at Howard County 50+ Centers RIDE THE

404

ROUTE WITH

Meet at the Mall in Columbia November 13 & 14 9 a.m. – noon Join other new riders for a trip on Howard County transit. Sign up to ride the 404 Route with experts and volunteers to build your confidence while navigating public transit. Ten spots available; email agefriendly@howardcountymd.gov to register.

Coin Investments East Columbia 50+ Center November 3, 11 a.m. – noon | #A04625.100 There are several considerations when investing in coins, particularly when it comes to avoiding questionable or potentially risky purchases. Join us to learn more.

Card Making Workshop - DIY Craft Elkridge 50+ Center November 4, 12:30 – 1 :30 p.m. | #AO5580.101 or call 410-313-5192 Create two handmade cards while learning new techniques and enjoying a relaxing, hands-on activity. All supplies are provided—just bring your creativity ($10).

Gary J Arthur Community Center & Glenwood 50+ Center 20th Anniversary Open House November 7, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | #A03722.103 Join us to celebrate our joint 20th anniversary! Stop by to learn more about our programs and enjoy fun anniversary activities.

The ShowTime Singers East Columbia 50+ Center November 7, 1 – 2 p.m. | #A04814.100 The ShowTime Singers choral group is celebrating 23 years of entertaining audiences throughout central Maryland. Their highenergy performances feature beloved songs from Broadway, the Silver Screen, jazz, blues, pop, and rock’n’roll. Dessert reception follows.

Hearing Presentation Elkridge 50+ Center November 12, 11 a.m. – noon | #AO5671.100 or call 410-313-5192 Explore how the auditory system works, common causes of hearing loss and tinnitus, and treatment options—including hearing aids, cochlear implants, and emerging therapies.

Wine, Women, and Dementia Watch Party: Howard County East Columbia 50+ Center November 12, 6 - 7:30 p.m. This November, during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, join us as we gather for an in-person screening of Wine, Women, and Dementia, which explores the human side of dementia from the lens of family caregivers. The documentary exposes the isolation, financial stress, physical and emotional toll caregivers shoulder for themselves and their loved ones with dementia. Seeking healing and comfort, watch as caregivers swap stories of love, humor, devotion, and death through their heartbreaking end-of-life journeys. https://bit.ly/HoCo-WWD

Laugh and Learn Loan Closet of Howard County November 14, 3 – 5 p.m. Don’t miss Laugh, Learn & Live Sustainably, an interactive eco-educational experience featuring the Mixed Vegetables Improv Group. Join us at The Loan Closet for skits and tips to make better choices to reduce waste, save money and support a healthier lifestyle. Space is limited; register now at bit.ly/HoCoGreenSceneImprov

Veterans Day Celebration: Army Field Band Evening Concert Bain 50+ Center November 18, 6 – 7 p.m. | #A01940.100 Join us for an evening of live music featuring the United States Army Field Band Saxophone Quartet as we celebrate Veterans Day. Come celebrate with these talented Army musicians as we honor our veterans and enjoy an evening together. Light refreshments available.

Pre-Black Friday Bazaar Bain 50+ Center November 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Call 410-313-7213 for details Kick off the holiday shopping season at our festive Pre-Black Friday Bazaar! Browse a variety of unique vendors, support local businesses and artisans, and enjoy performances by the Bain Tappers, KASA Line Dancers, and Soul Line Dancers. Box lunch available ($16).

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

IMAGE BY BERNIE/PIXABAY

Money Law &

Beware of tricky travel scams. See story on page 30.

What should you do about Medigap? By Chris Taylor When we reach 65, that magic age of Medicare eligibility, we have some serious financial decisions to make about getting supplemental coverage. But there’s the alphabet soup of plan options, the complexity of what’s covered and what’s not, and the challenge of figuring out what Future You is going to need. “It is 100 percent overwhelming,” said Kevin Moss, senior editor at the nonprofit Consumers’ Checkbook. “It’s such a consequential decision: It forces you to think about what you need right now, what you will need in five or 10 years, and what you will need all the way to the end of your life.” Getting care through traditional or original Medicare can be expensive, which is why most beneficiaries who choose it over a private Medicare Advantage plan opt for an added private policy, known as

Medicare Supplement Insurance or, more colloquially, Medigap.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

There are essentially two major paths you can take when you are choosing supplemental Medicare coverage. One is Medigap, and the good news is that most people like it. In one 2023 study, 93% of beneficiaries said they were happy with their choice, with 80% saying they were either “very” or “extremely” satisfied. The other is Medicare Advantage — not quite as beloved, with 73% saying they are satisfied with their current plan, according to an AARP survey. Medicare Advantage plans are a private insurance alternative to traditional Medicare that typically charge modest (or even no additional) premiums and include prescription drug coverage. They often have

extras, like coverage of vision and dental. Others go with traditional Medicare, which doesn’t have limits on providers and has fewer requirements for prior authorizations. However, out-of-pocket costs can be much higher, so many traditional Medicare beneficiaries add a Medigap plan, which you can think of as a wrapper around the traditional Medicare plan. For that, you pay additional premiums (which range from $50 to $300 a month, in addition to the standard 2026 $202 monthly Part B premium). Keep in mind traditional Medicare does not cover prescription drugs, for which you will need a standalone Part D policy at an added cost. Pairing Medigap with traditional Medicare means you get help with out-ofpocket costs and can see any of the 98% of doctors who accept Medicare.

“With Medigap you can start right away when you’re 65 with no underwriting, which is so important to people with underlying conditions,” said Sally Greenberg, CEO of the National Consumers League. “Basically you can go to whatever doctor you want and can sign up for any Medigap plan you choose. That’s pretty good.”

Alphabet soup

If you choose the Medigap path, that’s only the first step. Then you must choose from 10 standardized levels of plans: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N. These are administered at the state level, so the policies you are offered depend on your location; insurers might offer some, but not all. That’s a lot of letters, so to help narrow those down: Almost all enrollees are in See MEDIGAP, page 29

Easy ways to plan a simple, affordable funeral Dear Savvy Senior, a simple cardboard box called an “alternaI’d like to make my end-of-life tive container” is used to hold the remains. arrangements, but I want Depending on where you to keep things simple and live and which provider you af fordable. What are my choose, direct cremation options? typically costs $700 to —86-Year-Old $3,500. If you want extra Dear 86, services, ask for an itemized Smart thinking! Planning price list so you know ahead can save your loved exactly what you’re paying ones a lot of stress and money. for. Funeral homes are With a traditional burial averrequired by law to provide aging around $10,000 and a this. full-service cremation near SAVVY SENIOR $6,500, it’s easy to see why By Jim Miller Direct burial many people are looking for If burial is your preference, simpler, lower-cost ways to say goodbye. an immediate or direct burial is the most The good news is, there are plenty of basic option. The body is buried in a simoptions that are dignified, straightforward ple container soon after death, skipping and much easier on your wallet. Here’s a embalming, viewings and the use of fulook at some choices, depending on the neral facilities. Families can still hold a mekind of farewell you want. morial service at the graveside, at home or at a place of worship without the body Direct cremation present. If cremation appeals to you, a direct creThese services usually run $2,000 to mation is the simplest — and usually the $3,000, not counting cemetery fees, which least expensive — option. It includes pick- can add $1,000 to $3,000. Every funeral ing up the body, completing the required home offers direct burial. paperwork, the cremation itself, and reTo find local providers, you can search turning the ashes to your family. There’s online for “cremation” or “funeral” in your no embalming, formal viewing, or casket; city and state. You can also compare

prices on sites like Funeralocity.com or Parting.com. Another handy approach is to use Google or AI tools like ChatGPT. You can ask them to pull together lists of nearby funeral homes or cremation providers, see which ser vices they offer, check estimated costs and even compare options side by side, all in a matter of minutes. It’s a quick way to get a snapshot of what’s available without making a bunch of phone calls.

Green burial

For the environmentally minded, green burial is a simple, natural option. The body is buried in a biodegradable coffin or shroud, without embalming chemicals or a vault. Costs typically range from $2,000 to $5,000. The Green Burial Council (greenburialcouncil.org, 888-966-3330) maintains a state-by-state directory of cemeteries and funeral professionals who offer these services. [Ed Note: D.C.’s Historic Congressional Cemetery and Reflection Park in Silver Spring, Maryland, offer green burials.]

Water cremation

Also eco-friendly, water cremation (or alkaline hydrolysis) uses water, chemicals

and heat instead of fire. Costs range from $2,000 to $3,500, and it’s legal in more than 20 states, including Maryland.

Donate your body

If you want the lowest-cost option, consider donating your body to science. Medical schools use donated bodies for teaching and research, then return the cremated remains to your family or bury them in a local cemetery. The service is usually free, though some schools may charge a small transport fee. To find a program in your state, check the University of Florida’s U.S. program director y at Anatbd.acb.med.ufl.edu/ usprograms, or call the Whole-Body Donation Referral Ser vice at (800) 7270700. [Both the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the Maryland Department of Health have these programs.] Planning ahead gives you control, saves your family money and ensures your final wishes are honored. With these options, you can choose a farewell that’s simple, meaningful and within your budget. Doing a little homework now makes it easier for everyone later. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Makes a great gift! | Law & Money

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Medigap From page 28

Plans F or G, which are the most comprehensive options. Each of those plans amounts to 41% of Medigap policyholders. Plan N (and its lower premiums) is the third most popular at 11%. Another thing to know: Different insurers charge different premiums for the same plan, which is why shopping around is critical. They also may raise rates differently. One analysis last year found, for example, that larger insurers implemented larger increases.

Timing is key

The timeline is to first get Medicare Part A (which covers hospital charges) and Part B (doctors), and then consider a Medigap plan. There is a limited time window for getting Medigap done with no under writing. This is known as “guaranteed issue,” and it applies for the first six months after you become eligible for Medicare

(typically age 65). “This is a one-time opportunity that does not repeat,” said Nancy Ochieng, a senior policy analyst with KFF. “If you miss that window, you can be charged higher premiums or be denied a Medigap policy.” Do your research before turning 65 so you don’t get caught flat-footed — as much as 18 months beforehand.

Where to turn

Given the complexity of the subject and the volume of information about Medigap plans, how can you make sense of it all? Here are a few places to start: State Health Insurance Assistance Programs: When it comes to plan particulars, it’s state-level information you want, since that’s where programs are administered. For free advice in Maryland, call (410) 767-1100 or 1-800-MEDICARE. Medicare Plan Finder: This is a helpful federal site (medicare.gov/plan-compare) for walking you through supplemental coverage options. Enter your ZIP code and get an immediate display of

Medigap plan options available, from A though N. MedPAC: MedPAC advises Congress on Medicare policy. To learn what plans are most popular, a breakdown of benefits, how premiums are set and so on, check out the “Preliminar y Work on Medigap” presentation at medpac.gov. Independent reviews: Some financial information sites rate Medigap plans. NerdWallet recently outlined its picks for 2026 (Winners: State Farm, HealthSpring and AARP/UnitedHealthcare). ValuePenguin makes suggestions based on plan type, rather than particular

companies. Its selection for most people: Plan G. The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15 to December 7. That’s when you can make changes to your coverage, such as switching to a Medicare Advantage plan, enrolling in or dropping a Part D plan or switching back to Original Medicare. This article first appeared in Kiplinger Retirement Report. © 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Travel scams are becoming more tricky By Adriana Morga Pickpockets were once the biggest worry for travelers heading to new destinations on vacation. But travel scams have become more sophisticated, and scammers using new artificial intelligence tools have become better at creating fake websites and using stolen data to their advantage, said Florent Silve, an executive at Engine, a corporate-travel management platform. “What used to look like a fake website now becomes much harder to spot by consumers,” Silve said. According to a Federal Trade Commission report published in June, Americans last year reported losing $3.5 billion to scams in which impostors contacted them through text, email, phone, social media and search engines, though those weren’t all travel scams. Nearly 1 in 3 fraud reports were about impostor scams, making it the most reported fraud category. Travel scams can happen before you even hop on a plane, with scammers posing as your hotel or airline to take advantage of the fact that you’re expecting to receive communications from those companies. “In the past, people were like ‘Oh, if I receive a [message] that is completely out of place, that’s how I know it’s a scam.’ But now, the most dangerous scams don’t

look suspicious; they look expected,” said Iskander Sanchez-Rola, a scam expert for Norton, a cybersecurity company. If you’re planning a trip soon, here are some expert recommendations to stay safe from travel scams:

Beware of reservation hijacking

A new common travel scam is reservation hijacking, Sanchez-Rola said. In this scam, imposters send you an email or text, posing as your hotel. They pretend that something went wrong, such as a failed payment, and say you need to take immediate action. What makes these scams particularly difficult to spot is that scammers often use real information to make you believe they are legit, Sanchez-Rola said. Scammers target hotel systems by phishing hotel staff to get login credentials and then accessing legitimate information from hotels or booking services. Using this information, scammers send you an email with your actual reservation dates or the exact cost of your hotel stay, hoping to convince you they’re with the company you used to make the reservation. “The main thing is that this isn’t a fake booking confirmation; it’s a real reservation that is weaponized against you,” Sanchez-Rola said. If you encounter this type of scam,

don’t rush to make a payment through the provided link. Instead, call your hotel directly. Don’t call the number attached to the email or text you received because it might have come from the scammer. Instead, go to the official hotel website and call the number listed there.

Be wary of flight cancellation notifications

Another popular scam involves flight cancellations, Sanchez-Rola said. Scammers contact you with an urgent message saying your flight has been canceled or delayed, then pretend to help you rebook your flight for an additional cost. “You’re going to a place, and one day before that happens, they tell you that the flight was canceled,” Sanchez-Rola said. “So in that moment, there is an inherent urgency.” If you receive a text saying that your flight has been canceled, don’t panic. First, go directly to your airline’s portal and verify the information. If you need to rebook your flight, do so directly with the airline or third-party booking system you originally used. Above all, don’t click on any links sent to you through a text message, Sanchez-Rola said.

Beware of QR codes

In recent years, black-and-white,

square, quick-response codes, or QR codes, have become a popular way to pay your bill at your restaurant table. This may be convenient, but it can also make you a target for scams, said Alissa Abdullah, Mastercard’s deputy chief security officer. Scammers paste a new code overlapping the restaurant’s code and direct customers to a fraudulent payment system. “You may be sitting at a coffee shop and have a real QR code with a fake one that’s a sticker laid right on top,” Abdullah said. If you’re suspicious of the payment page or notice a sticker laid on top of another at a restaurant, Abdullah recommends that you speak with a staff member and find a different way to pay, such as cash or a credit card.

Be careful when using public Wi-Fi

It’s very common to connect to a public Wi-Fi network to find your way around a new city or download your plane tickets at the airport. While free Wi-Fi can help during travel, it also carries some cybersecurity risks. If you need to use public Wi-Fi, stick to basic searches, like how to get to your hotel, rather than accessing websites such as your bank or email. —AP

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GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

CLAIRE MCCORMACK HOGAN

Style

Arts &

A former CIA analyst released his fifth thriller this fall. See story on page 37.

Frankenstein brings fact and fiction to life

Strong acting

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein provides

moments both mirthful and macabre. These often spark the scenes as this fine ensemble cast toggles between dual roles — the historical figures and the characters in Shelley’s fantasy. Romantic poet Lord Byron (Joshua Williams), Dr. John Polidori (Jose O. Guzman), Claire Clairmont (Dawn Thomas Reidy), poet Percy Bysshe Shelley (Vince Eisenson) and Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin (Fabiolla Da Silva) gather in Villa Diodati, a Swiss mansion Byron rented on Lake Geneva. Williams’ performance is particularly impressive as he moves from the “monstrous” Byron — noted in history for being volatile, defying moral boundaries, even dubbed “a second Caligula” — and the Creature, whose anger and sadness at being rejected by his creator and humanity itself hang heavily upon him like the soiled, stained cloak he wears. Reidy shows great range, from playing the pregnant Claire Clairmont, in an intense affair with Byron, to a 7-year-old boy and an Orkney Island fisherman comically convinced Victor is a murderer. Da Silva plays two sides of the same

No w O n S ta ge

PHOTO BY KIIRSTN PAGAN PHOTOGRAPHY

By Dan Collins In May of 1816, from a cauldron of circumstance and imagination, came forth a work some say represents the birth of science fiction as a literary form. The circumstance? A tremendous volcanic eruption that forced five friends to stay shuttered indoors in a gloomy, sunless summer, cold, idle and bored. The five friends happened to include the future Mary Shelley, whose imagination would craft that most famous novel of life from death reanimated, Frankenstein. The story, adapted for the stage by David Catlin, is now playing at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company’s theater in downtown Baltimore. Directed by Ian Gallanar, the play offers audiences a delightful mix of the real and fantastic — as one character notes, between “waking and dreaming” — as we move between the true tale of how friends competed to pen the most frightening “ghost story,” and the tale of Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his unholy creation.

Fabiolla Da Silva plays Mary Shelley, who spins a ghost tale for her friends in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, through Nov. 8 at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company.

coin, as both real-life lover of Percy Bysshe Shelley and “more-than-sister” to Dr. Frankenstein. Both characters are a tempest of uncertainty when it comes to their roles in their respective men’s lives, and Da Silva merges the two flawlessly. Guzman similarly handles multiple

roles, from Dr. Polidori to sea captain Walton to Victor’s closest friend, Henry. Much applause should be saved for the production’s creative team, who conjure the stormy night at Villa Diodati, where the five See FRANKENSTEIN, page 33

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Baltimore landmarks show up in new novel Roland Park childhood

Marburg grew up on St. Georges Road, off Roland Avenue, and has fond memories of her old neighborhood. “I lived on a street with a whole bunch of kids my age, so some of my oldest friends are from there,” Marburg said. Her husband, the artist Charles Marburg, also grew up in Baltimore. The couple has lived in New York City since 1978. Growing up, Marburg was always interested in art. She studied design at the Kansas City Art Institute before moving to New York City, where she worked as a magazine designer and an art director. “The now-defunct Business Week was the last magazine I worked for and was my favorite,” Marburg recalled.

A new path

But Marburg was also what she describes as “a voracious reader,” and reading a book of short stories while on vacation in Rhode Island changed her path. When the electricity went out at the hotel where she was staying, Marburg found an Alice Munro collection of short stories called The Moons of Jupiter on the bookcase. “I read it and I thought, ‘Oh, that’s what I’m meant to be doing,’ so then I went to Columbia for my writing MFA [master of

fine arts]. And the rest was history,” Marburg said. Since then, Marburg has published three short story collections: The Truth About Me, No Diving Allowed and You Have Reached Your Destination. She received several awards for them, including the 2019 W.S. Porter Prize for Short Story Collections for No Diving Allowed. Marburg spends much of her time reading and writing short stories. “I just love the artistry of stories, [which] are somewhere between poems and novels.” She doesn’t have a strict, daily writing schedule; instead, she writes whenever she feels inspired, usually on an iPad. “I have hyperfocus, and I really could write in the middle of the street. I just write when I feel like it,” she said. She estimates she writes one story a month. Marburg says she never planned to write a novel. “I wrote a story, and I thought, ‘I love this character. I can’t let go of this character.’ So I wrote another story and then another, and then a chapter and a chapter and you know, by mistake, my God, I’m writing a novel,” said Marburg, who’s now working on a second novel. That kind of transformation can happen when you’re writing, she said — if you’re lucky. “[You] start writing one thing, and

PHOTO COURTESY OF LOUISE MARBURG

By Susan Ahearn Award-winning short story writer Louise Marburg was born and raised in Baltimore. Although she moved away after college, she returns to the city in her first novel, which was published in June. “It was fun to set it in Baltimore and revisit the neighborhoods — Roland Park and Guilford and Towson and Timonium, Fells Point,” said Marburg, 65, who grew up in Roland Park. In the novel, Fancy Meeting You, the main character, a middle-aged woman, spends a lot of time in a dive bar called the Chicken Box. Marburg says she modeled the bar after a real one on Cold Spring Lane in Baltimore, where her father used to stop to get cigarettes. “I think it’s been there since the ‘50s. I’d be in the car watching him go in,” said Marburg. The book’s saucy protagonist, Laura Harrigan, who turns 50 in the first chapter and 51 in the last chapter, is no saint. “She is a drunk, a liar, kind of slutty and she’s a lot of fun. It’s a comedy,” Marburg explained. Marburg said humor plays a big part in her novel and the short stories she has published. “Dark and funny is my thing,” she said.

Louise Marburg started writing a short story that turned into a novel, her first.

suddenly it turns into something else. That’s the beauty of writing — the magic of it, really.” For a full list of Louise Marburg’s books, visit louisemarburg.com.

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Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Frankenstein From page 31

friends gather with peals of thunder and even bolts of red lightning that must be experienced to be truly appreciated. A favorite scene is conceived as Victor assembles, and then destroys, the Creature’s companion. Cloaked puppet artists masterfully manipulate life-size puppetry (designed by Chris Reuther), whose movements bring what is literally inanimate convincingly to life. Like a Shakespearean tragedy, by play’s end, nearly all, both the real and imag-

ined, have found their “way to dusty death,” to quote Macbeth. Though now more than 200 years old, Shelley’s work continues to find ways to resonate with modern audiences. After all, Dr. Frankenstein is not unlike the 21stcentury Prometheuses who would reject their responsibility for the “new life” they create: the creature we now know as AI. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein continues its run at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company, 7 South Calvert St., Baltimore, through Sunday, Nov. 8. For tickets, contact the box office at (410) 244-8570 or visit chesapeakeshakespeare.com.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 13

BOOK TALK AT THE IVY BOOKSHOP Join Constantine N. Vaporis, professor of history and found-

ing director of the Asian Studies program at UMBC, for a talk about his latest book, Samurai: A Biography in Twelve Lives, which chronicles the lives of individual samurai during the Tokugawa Period. He will be in conversation with poet and essayist Lia Purpura. This free event takes place on Fri., Nov. 13 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at The Ivy Bookshop, 5928 Falls Rd., Baltimore. Registration isn’t required. For more information, email info@theivybookshop.com or call (410) 377-2966.

BEACON BITS

Nov. 6

FREE ORGAN CONCERT

St. David’s Director of Music Douglas Buchanan performs a new composition for organ inspired by the life and work of Jane Goodall on Fri., Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at 4700 Roland Ave., Baltimore. The event is free, with donations accepted. You can also watch the concert live on YouTube at youtube.com/@stdavidsbaltimore. For more information, visit stdavidsbaltimore.org/music or call (410) 467-0476.

Nov. 6+

HCC DANCE SHOWCASE

Experience dynamic performances by Howard Community College dance students, faculty, alumni and guests at the 2026 Dance Showcase. Enjoy original choreography on Fri., Nov. 6 and Sat., Nov. 7 at 2 and 7 p.m. at the Smith Theatre, Campus Dr., Columbia. Tickets are $10 to $15. For more information and to buy tickets, visit howardcc.edu/DanceConcerts or call (443) 518-1500.

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Old coaches never die; they live in our minds and where many of us remained. But every few days, at practice, and later during games, one of us would do something good, or even great. Sal would be the first to hang a verbal garland around that neck. “Way to go, ballplayer,” he would say. In the locker room, we’d keep tabs. Five of us seniors had ascended to ballplayer-hood by the last week of preseason practice. By next week, that tally would need to be greater, if we were going to have a successful season. Who would the additional ballplayers be? Would they rise to the challenge? Or would they be forever consigned to bipistry? The good news: Sal’s ballplayer ranks kept swelling, because we were getting better at football. The better news: he helped us to an undefeated season. Today, his approach would be called “tough love.” Then, it was called Pure Sal. He never smiled. He never patted anyone on the back. All he would do — all he ever needed to do — was to hold a public linguistic graduation ceremony. After a touchdown: “Bip, you’re a ballplayer.” After an epic open-field tackle: “You’re not a bip anymore, ballplayer.”

Could a ballplayer slip back into biphood? It happened a couple of times. But the door never closed. One could always re-ascend. When a sweaty bip jogged past him, after doing something wondrous, he would grab that person by the shoulder pads and announce: “Ballplayer, now you’re back to being a ballplayer.” Football is a hazy memory by now. But every once in a while, I find myself channeling Sal. Some creep runs a red light in front of me. “You’re a &%$#&* bip,” I will say, as he speeds off. Or if I’m summoning grandchildren, I will say: “Let’s go, ballplayers.” The grands are confused by this. The oldest will ask why I’m calling him a ballplayer when he isn’t playing a sport at that moment. Someday I will explain, I tell him. Someday, I will tell you all about a Marine who made a big impression on me. Oh, yes. Almost forgot. Sal conferred ballplayer-hood on me. He never revoked it. Rest easy, coach. If I was a ballplayer, you taught me how to be one. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

BB1126

Sal died a few weeks ago, at the ripe old But no one ever dared to question Sal’s age of 96. two classifications to his face. Although Like many high school he was only about 5-foot-6, he football coaches, he was a was one tough customer. no-nonsense, no-excuses, Sal had fought in Korea scream-first taskmaster. with the U.S. Marines. He But like no other coaches had played football for a Mathat I’ve ever met, he will be rine team at his basic training remembered for two words. base, and later for a team The first was bip. The secbased in Japan. ond was ballplayer. He had come under fire Sal divided his teenaged during the Korean War more charges into two camps. than once. He had never forThose who had not shown HOW I SEE IT gotten it. huge promise on the gridiron By Bob Levey So when a bip complained were bips. Those who had, one day at practice, after the and regularly did, rose to the level of ball- mercury had dipped to about 50 degrees, players. Coach Sal said: Those two words were more than a way “Hey, bip, on a day like this, in Korea, to classify football players. They were we’d be wearing bathing suits.” cover for the real story. When another bip told Sal that his helSal never learned any of our names. met didn’t fit properly, Sal withered him As far as I could tell, he never tried. with: He didn’t even call us by our uniform “What do you think this is, Brooks numbers. Bip and ballplayer were the Brothers?” only forms of address he ever used, for And when a bip complained to Sal that anyone and everyone. he wasn’t getting the playing time he Of course, behind Sal’s back, we would thought he deserved, Sal was right there imitate his tough-guy tone of voice and ac- with this: cuse each other of being bips. This usu“Come see me when you’ve gained 30 ally resulted in a brief, good-natured shov- pounds, bip.” ing match, followed by gales of laughter. Bip-hood was where most of us began,

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Memoir describes life on the reservation By Sophia Lim Life doesn’t always go in the direction you think it will. Sometimes the journey is longer; other times it is accelerated. Even when life doesn’t take you where you want, it can sometimes place you exactly where you need to be. That is how it felt for Gene Gerber, DDS, MPH, a retired public health professional who this year published his memoir, Season of Healing: A Memoir of American Indian Public Health. Now in his early 80s, Gerber divides his time between Lutherville, Maryland, and Fernandina Beach, Florida. In his book, he reflects on the journey that led him to a career in the Indian Health Service. Gerber grew up in Mount Washington and Towson, Maryland. After college, he worked as a stockbroker, then started law

school. Neither seemed like a good fit. “I just didn’t feel satisfied,” Gerber said. His father-in-law, a plastic surgeon in Baltimore, suggested medical school instead. After meeting the requirements for both medical and dental school at the same time, Gerber decided to pursue dentistry. Because the Vietnam War was underway, Gerber wanted to study for another reason: the student deferment. “I had a motivation of staying in school, since I didn’t want to go to Vietnam,” he said. Four years later, Gerber earned his dental degree at a time when physicians and dentists had a two-year military obli-

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gation under the Berry Plan. While weighing his options, Gerber decided to look into serving in the Indian Health Service. “I ended up starting in the Indian Health Service as the only dentist for 6,000 Apache Indians on the San Carlos Indian Reservation in Arizona,” he said. From 1970 to 1972, Gerber saw firsthand “how great the need for medical and dental care was, how underserved [Native Americans] were,” he said. After fulfilling his obligation, Gerber moved back to Annapolis, Maryland, with his wife and daughter and practiced privately for the next seven years. Despite the success of his practice, something in him was still drawn to the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Gerber describes this feeling of needing to return — a calling, even — in his memoir. “I missed the community on the reservation. I missed the patients. I missed the ability to do interesting things. It was kind of a longing for more of that experience that I’d had serving,” he said. So, in 1978, Gerber returned to Arizona, this time to serve and practice on the Navajo Reservation. He found that the day-to-day rewards of making a difference and contributing to a community meant a lot to him. “It was a sense of accomplishment, a sense of community, a sense of the amazing spirit and culture of American Indians that kept me going,” he said.

Observing history

Gerber felt gratified to watch what Native American communities achieved throughout his decades out West. When he first started practicing, the U.S. government had a controlling, paternalistic approach to Native American

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health care. Over the years, the tribes have been able to reclaim their agency, allowing them to make decisions about their healthcare and what is best for them. Through several acts passed in the mid1970s, tribes were allowed to “take direct administrative control of health programs through contracts and compacts,” according to the Indian Health Service’s website. For Gerber, that shift became one of the most impactful parts of his work. His role was not to direct that change, but rather to support the tribes during the process. “The journey isn’t finished,” Gerber said. “The disparities haven’t disappeared, but the responsibility and the hope now rest almost completely in Indian hands, and that, to me, is the most meaningful progress of all.”

Advice to older adults

Gerber, who retired from the Indian Health Service in 1996, found fulfillment not from status or recognition, but by helping others and seeing them thrive. “Everybody has something to offer, and everybody has something to teach us,” he said. That idea applies to writing a memoir, too. No matter what kind of life you’ve had, your story may help others — strangers, your family, or even yourself. The process of writing his memoir, published in May by Bonito Press, has given him a sense of peace. To those who are still searching for a sense of meaning or fulfillment later in life, Gerber’s advice is simple: “Write a memoir. It gives you a chance to have a perspective on your own life, your role in our society, whatever contribution you were able to make, and also to codify these memories for your children and grandchildren.” Season of Healing is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle format.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds. Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month for the Greater Baltimore edition; by the 20th for the D.C./Suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia editions. Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad: • $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500 • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this amount for you. Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number. • Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds.

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

Former CIA officer publishes new spy novel By Kim O’Connell At the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, veteran case officer Artemis Procter has been called in for a meeting with her superiors. One of them asks, “What do you think of the Brits?” In her typical, nononsense manner, she replies, “They’re pickpockets.” Next thing she knows, Procter is shuttled off to the U.K. as the newly appointed chief of the agency’s London bureau. This is the setup for novelist David McCloskey’s fifth spy thriller, London Station, published by W.W. Norton in September. A former CIA analyst, McCloskey worked at Langley and at field stations across the Middle East before turning to writing, publishing his first novel, Damascus Station, in 2021. McCloskey’s latest book explores what would happen if the longtime “special relationship” between the U.S. and Great Britain disintegrated. In the novel, a Texas businessman has been newly installed as the head of the CIA, just as the two countries’ intelligence operations have lost trust and are working against each other. A shadowy third party isn’t helping matters, leading to page-turning suspense and intrigue. From his home in Dallas, McCloskey talked with the Beacon about his writing process. Usually, it starts with a “what if?” question, he said. With London Station, “I thought, ‘What if the spy services were working against each other? What would that look like?’”

A favorite character

With previous books set primarily in Syria, Russia, Iran and elsewhere, McCloskey likes to choose a central setting before sending his characters across the globe and back again. In London Station, scenes take place in Langley and London, naturally, but also in tropical locations that are far removed from the drizzle and mist of the U.K. “The way I write is I pick a setting, and then the characters come out of the setting, and then the plot comes out of the characters,” he said. One character McCloskey knows particularly well is Procter, a recurring figure in his novels who is cynical, tough and

Write a letter to the editor expressing your thoughts. See page 2 for more details.

acerbically funny. “It’s fun to be around her and to write her,” McCloskey said. “I’m entertained as I’m hanging out with her and writing her scenes. I don’t always know what she’s going to do [until I write], but I can usually hear that voice fairly clearly.”

Researching spycraft

As he does with all his novels, McCloskey spends a lot of time researching the settings and action in his books so they feel authentic to the reader. For London Station, this included interviews with former CIA and British intelligence officers and learning about what McCloskey calls the “dark arts of disappearing.” It helped that McCloskey is the co-host of the podcast The Rest is Classified, along with BBC security and intelligence correspondent Gordon Corera. Produced in the U.K., the podcast ends up covering the “special relationship” quite a bit. “Even though the operations in the books are not exactly how operations go down in real life — I’m taking out a lot of the boring parts — I am trying to capture the characters in a way that, if you’re a case officer, you’d read Procter, you’d read the other characters, and you’d be like, ‘Okay, I know what these people are like. I’m seeing a reflection of what I did on the page,’” he said. Though he might goose up the drama, McCloskey said he is driven by a quest to get it right. “Hopefully I’m accurately rendering the agency, the culture, the bureaucracy, the moral code, all that stuff. I’m trying to

make it so that, if you were inside for 30 years and you read it, something resonates with you.”

Returning to D.C.

McCloskey adds that his novels hold a special interest for the 50+ population in particular. “People who have traveled, people who have lived overseas, are maybe more interested in this type of book, because even though it’s fiction, it helps to explain how the world works and the shape it might take in the future,” he said. “You’re more

ONE BIG HAPPY

FROM PAGE 38 ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

likely to be interested in those questions if you’ve actually seen a bit of the world.” McCloskey is now at work on his sixth novel, which will feature a return to the setting and characters of Damascus Station, due out in 2027. Traveling back to the nation’s capital will no doubt be part of the process. “I’m back three or four times a year, to meet with agency friends or do research for the books,” he said. “It’s still a place I love, and I love visiting.” For a list of all of McCloskey’s books, see davidmccloskeybooks.com.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD R U M A B C A C T R E S S P I E C H E E T A H A N A S P A M A N D A T E P I X I T I S E A S I E R T O D E M O R E S H U N C H F I T O R R B O Z O B E S A T I S F I E D T H A N E S E O M I I R K E N A T O D E M A N D T O G E T A L A P N D A T S A S A T I N M O E S A G E S A T I S F A C T I O N F R O M U D O T T O M A N E E L E G O R A I D E R S R A T D E W E X C E R P T

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE Jumbles: BRING VISOR DRESSY WIGGLE Answer: The meal eaten by the winner of the tennis tournament included -- BIG SERVINGS

By Rick Detorie

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Crossword Puzzle

Find a new crossword every day on our website at www.TheBeaconNewspapers.com/puzzles. Maybe Mick Maybe Mick 1

By Stephen Sherr By Stephen Sherr 4

21 24 29

52 59

53 60

62 66

Across

Jumble answers on p. 37

Scrabble answers on p. 37

73. Morning moisture

1. Much of a mojito 4. Most watched TV network of the late ‘70s 7. Golden Globe award hopeful 14. Ending for ban- or band15. Dessert choice 16. Cat that can accelerate to 60 faster than a Ferrari 17. Photog’s snaps 18. Sirius XM channel you might play in the sauna 19. Decree 20. Maybe Mick should consider this advice 23. Car used for test drives 24. Notes after dos 25. Educated guess 29. Put a round peg in a round hole 31. Crosswords’ most popular hockey Hall of Famer 34. Lunkhead 35. More of the advice 40. Middle third of CODENAMES 41. Dir. down the first base line at Busch Stadium 42. Airport code for Omidiyeh Air Base 43. Get on one’s nerves 44. Some more of the advice (be patient) 48. Once around the track 49. [We are contractually barred from giving a clue for this acronym] 50. Grp. that confiscates water bottles 51. Lustrous gown material 53. Springfield businessman 55. Wisest jar in the spice rack 59. Finally, the end of the advice 63. Piece often in the center of the living room 66. To’s partner 67. Get dragged through the ___ 68. Chief rivals 69. Slippery as an ___ 70. Sense of identity 71. Snippet 72. Animal in the Chinese zodiac

Down

1. Fast-moving 2. Turn 13 colonies into one country 3. Adage 4. Front-most part of a church 5. Supported by both sides 6. Will wonders never ___? 7. Common vendor on Wile E Coyote’s credit card statement 8. Burn food, intentionally 9. President John Tyler, or the letter J 10. Small protective fort 11. Anagram of TEA and ATE 12. Rightmost cal. column 13. Seashore seashell seller 21. Seating for two or more 22. “That ___ no interest to me” 26. Pitch a dominating game 27. Public policy leader 28. Show agreement with a bumper sticker 30. Agenda unit 32. Go on a rampage 33. The boonies 35. Software test phases 36. ___ Gay Superfortress bomber 37. Signer of a 1979 peace treaty 38. Fire off a text message 39. Searches for buried treasure 45. A New Hope or The Last Jedi 46. Creates a reservoir 47. American League division 52. Charles Schulz to Snoopy and Woodstock 54. Present a proposal 56. Looked through the scope 57. Overcharge 58. Provide permanent funding 60. Waterproof cover 61. Part of MIT or NIST 62. Young horse 63. Bauxite, basically 64. Extra line-item on a receipt 65. Text disclaimer for “tongue in cheek”

Crossword answers on p. 37

Makes a great gift! | Arts & Style

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — NOVEMBER 2026

CLASSIFIEDS The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 36. CAVEAT EMPTOR! The Beacon does not knowingly ac cept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibili ty for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment. EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS: We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibit ing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

Caregivers MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES — WE COME TO YOU. Senior Stylist provides licensed & insured professional hair and nail services in the comfort of your home. Women’s & Men’s Haircuts, Styling, Sets, Color, Manicures & more. Serving senior living communities and private homes throughout the region for over 10 years. Visit SeniorStylist.com or call 4104151760.

Computer Services PATIENT, PRACTICAL, PERSONAL & IN-PERSON, 20+ years experience. Don’t let tech frustrate you. Get comfortable & confident with smartphones, tablets, laptops, TV, Alexa & more. Learn how to avoid scams. Julia: 4434362612, tech.coach4all@gmail.com. SAVVY SENIOR TECH HUB - Friendly 1:1 tech support designed for seniors! Learn smartphones, tablets & computers at your own pace. Patient instruction, affordable rates. Don’t let technology intimidate you master it! Call/text Stefan at 4432813638.

Events

Health

Home/Handyman Services

SHOP • MINGLE • EAT • Visit Vendor Members Group exclusively at the Markets of CRAFTS GALORE! 1st Saturdays (Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 7, & Dec 5) 9:30AM – 2:30PM held at Timonium UMC 2300 Pot Spring Rd., Timonium, MD 21093. A juried showcase of artistic brilliance featuring affordable, oneofakind homemade treasures for all ages (art, cozy textiles, personal goods, jewelry, whimsical decor, gourmet treats, holiday gift ideas, and more!) Bring the family. Savor tasty bites. Discover extraordinary artisan brands. Support local. Free Admission. Tour bus parking available. VendorMembersGroup.com #CraftsGalore! #MarylandCrafts #ShopLocalMD #VendorMembersGroup. PRIME TIMERS OF BALTIMORE is a welcoming community for mature gay and bisexual men. The Prime Timers offer social activities that cater to the mind and body. We meet for dinners, a book club, potlucks, hiking, tours, bowling, and more! Join us! Visit baltimoreprimetimers.org or email info@ptbalto.org for info.

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No LongTerm Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 18555190947. DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 18443661003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258

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For Sale BURIAL PLOT, VAULT, AND MARKER FOR SALE: Prime location in historic Loudon Park Cemetery (Azalea Garden No. 9, Lot 137). Asking $3,300—50% below current retail price! Incredible value for a beautiful, peaceful space. Call/text (443) 7296169. NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION. Special money saving offer zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 8559092278.

Home/Handyman Services MG REMODELING — Home renovations and handyman services throughout Greater Baltimore and Southeastern PA. Tile, drywall, finish carpentry, doors, windows and more. Call 4109603278. MHIC #165663. PAHIC #225214. ALL YOUR HOME NEEDS to be repaired & install. Painting walls inside and outside. Installation & repair of floors, windows, doors, gutters, drywall, plumbing, electrical. Over 40 years of experience and I am insured & bonded. Call me 6673448379. MHIC#43637. THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 18556530087. DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 18663655170. SAFE STEP STAIRLIFTS. Enjoy greater independence and stay in the home you love. Feel safe on every level. $750 off plus FREE installation. Made in the U.S.A. Call today for a free quote. 18664134642. SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 WalkIn Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Topofthe line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1,600 off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 18553436429. JACUZZI BATH REMODEL can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 12/27/26.) Call 18772647185.

A D V E R T I S E R

Miscellaneous CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No longterm contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 18337421303.

TV/Cable DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 18885724953.

Wanted COINS, STAMPS, PAPER MONEY, & AUTOGRAPHS WANTED. Paying top prices. Free estimates — Will travel. No collection too large or too small. 50 years of experience. Licensed. Member of major associations. Call Dirk at 3017045453 or email dirkkitchin@ earthlink.net. PAYING TOP CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Housecalls made with prompt, courteous service seven days a week and 25 years of experience! Buying toys, trains, militaria, glassware, advertising merchandise, paper items and much more! Contact Mason or Megan at: 4433068816. I BUY VINYL RECORDS! I pay top cash, come to you, and haul. Rock, Metal, Alternative, Punk, Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rap + more + Stereo equipment, large cd + cassette collections. Text/call 4109005657. Send pictures of what you have! 4109005657. CASH FOR ITEMS; ESTATES, MOVING, DOWNSIZING. Single item, or whole estate. I buy a wide range of items. Will travel to you. Gary Roman, TheAtticLLC.com, 3015200755.

Thanks for reading!

I N D E X

We thank our advertisers, who make our publication possible. Please patronize them and let them know you saw their ad in the Beacon! Classes/Events Beacon 50+Expos ...........................34 Howard Co. 50+ Connection ..... 26-27 Howard Co. Recreation & Parks ................................ 24-25 Power of Age Expo .........................20 Pumpkin Palooza ............................29

Clinical Health Studies Smell Study ..................................... 9 Spark Study ..................................... 9

Funeral Services Cremation Society of Maryland ......10 Going Home Cremation ..................23 MacNabb Funeral Home .................10 Harry H. Witzke’s Family Funeral Home, Inc. .....................15

Home Health/ Care Management A-1 Action Nursing Care ................. 8 Family & Nursing Care.................... 6

Housing

Brightview Senior Living ...............13 Brooke Grove .................................40 Charlestown/Erickson ...................... 7 Christ Church Harbor Apts .............29 Enterprise Residential Apts. ...........18 Oak Crest/Erickson.......................... 7 Park View Colonial Landing ...........18 Park View Columbia .......................18 Park View Ellicott City ...................18 Park View Emerson ........................18 Pickersgill ......................................11 Residences at Vantage Point............. 1 Roland View Towers .......................17 Virginia Towers Apts. .....................10

Warren Place Apts. .........................16 Westminster House .........................11

Medical/Health/ Insurance Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine of Maryland..................................... 3 Medical Eye Center ........................16 The Denture Doctor ........................15

Retail Baltimore Gold & Coin ..................22 Radio Flea Market ..........................33

Senior/Government Services COGS.............................................35 Early Voting ...................................14 Howard Co. 50+ Connection..... 26-27 Solo Aging Club .............................30 Stop Overdose ................................12

Subscriptions JMore Living ..................................33 The Beacon Newspaper ..................35

Technology Modern Technology Solutions.........17 TechMedic4U .................................. 8

Theater/Entertainment Columbia Orchestra........................31 Everyman Theatre...........................32 Stuart’s Melodies ............................33 Toby’s Dinner Theatre.....................31 WAMU 88.5 .................................... 5

Travel Howard Co. Recreation & Parks ................................ 24-25 RTA/Transportation ........................23 Superior Tours ................................22

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NOVEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Fall in Love... WITH

BROOKE GROVE Whether it’s strolling winding paths or socializing in sunny courtyards, residents of Assisted Living at Brooke Grove experience a warm, vibrant lifestyle and delight in our charming setting of open meadows and airy trees.

OUR AMENITIES Private rooms filled with sunshine from over-sized windows and skylights 24-hour on-site clinical support from licensed and caring nurses Secure courtyards and walking paths Ornamental koi pond Manicured flower and sensory gardens Playground for visiting kids

MEMORY SUPPORT PROGRAM For residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia, we offer a special assisted living option with: Specially trained memory support staff An interactive lifestyle that maximizes choice and independence Tailored LIFE enrichment programming that connects each resident to his or her past ®

Group activities that allow residents to enjoy the outdoors and a thriving social life

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860

301-260-2320 or 301-924-2811