How do Frederick streets get their names?

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the August 27, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Have you ever wondered how Frederick streets got their names? I sure do. We all spend a lot of time tooling around on Christopher’s Crossing, Gas House Pike, Bentz Street, Ice Street, Opossumtown Pike and more. So where in the world do these street names come from?

Many are no-brainers, of course. Market Street is the well-named shopping hub of downtown. East Street marks the long-ago eastern edge of Frederick city. Court Street takes you past the halls of jurisprudence. College Avenue deposits you near Hood College. Key Parkway and Thomas Johnson Drive are named after two of Frederick’s favorite sons. You get the picture.

But what about all the more obscure names that help give Frederick its flavor? And what about all the new developments? How do those streets get named? There are more than 2,000 street names in the main Frederick ZIP codes of 21701, 21702, 21703 and 21704, according to geographic.org, with more being added all the time.

So, is there any rhyme or reason to street naming? The mostly unsatisfying answer is yes and no.

The “yes” part is easy. Like most things local governments get involved in, there is a thick policy manual and a well-defined process in place. The county’s Inter-agency Information Technologies Division has an “Addressing and Street Naming Policy” that guides the process. Frederick County’s Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, oversees road-name review and addressing throughout the county.

The “no” part is not as cut and dried. For the most part, real estate developers get the privilege of proposing names for new streets according to their own whims and desires. They can pretty much submit any name they wish, including names of kids or relatives (first or last names only, but not both unless the person has been dead for at least five years!) or any name representing a theme or topic they choose.

THERE’S A THEME HERE

And a bit of an art, too. Developers’ marketing teams try to find names that describe the area well, help sell homes and ensure new residents feel good about their new address.

A local developer put it this way: “For consistency, developers’ marketing teams usually create a list of names that consider the theme of the neighborhood, the product being offered, or interesting aspects of the surrounding area. A list is then provided to the land development team. Once selected and approved, the names are added to the marketing site plan for final review and approval from the team and area jurisdictions as needed.”

There are many examples of themed street naming in Frederick. Look at Robin Meadows just off New Design Road in the Ballenger Creek area, for instance. The developers went with a bird theme. The main artery is Robin Drive, with offshoots bearing bird names such as Mallard, Sandpiper, Finch, Pintail and Canvasback.

The developers of Derbyshire in the eastern part of the city went with English-inspired names such as Wembley, Cromwell, Tenterden, Abbey and Chadwick.

The developers of Sycamore Ridge in the northern part of the city off Kemp Lane went with the names of places that are exotic and pleasant to visit: Palm Beach, Sonoma, Yosemite, Denali, Katahdin and Cohasset.

In Monocacy Village just off East Street, developers used names associated with Native American peoples and figures, including Pontiac, Cherokee, Delaware, Seminole, Shawnee, Cheyenne, Navaho and Apache.

Themes are great, but chances are there is no theme at all in your neighborhood.

The older the neighborhood, the less likely it has a theme. In the past, prominent roads and streets were often named after physical features such as Monocacy Boulevard, Rocky Springs Road, Ballenger Creek Pike and Hillcrest Drive or for historical figures, as with Carroll Parkway and Taney Avenue.

FREDERICK COUNTY RULES

According to the policy manual, safety is a guiding principle in naming streets in Frederick County. It makes sense. First responders must have a predictable addressing system that enables them to promptly respond to residential and business emergencies.

That means no new street name can duplicate an existing street name, but sound-alikes won’t fly either. That’s why you won’t find names like “Bayer” or “Bare” to accompany, say, Bear Den Road in northern Frederick. First responders must have no question about where they are going.

New street names must also be historically or culturally appropriate. Lee Place near Rosemont Avenue is an example of an older street named for a Civil War figure: Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

It may be no surprise that developers try to steer clear of any controversial street names. Time is money, so coming up with, say, Bernie Madoff Way is not worth the trouble it may bring. Developers favor safe and pleasant-sounding street names for new developments like flower, bird, tree or animal names. Of course, those go fast, so developers have to be creative.

A street cannot use a living person’s full name. If a person’s first and last name are proposed, the applicant must prove the person has been deceased for at least five years and had historical, cultural or social importance. A good example is James I. Harris Memorial Drive just off Bowers Road in the west end. You may not know the name, but he was a prominent African American businessman and civil rights leader in Frederick. He died in 1969.

There are prohibited names, such as anything profane or derogatory to any race or ethnic group, religion or person. Names that are too long (21 characters is the limit), difficult to pronounce or protected by copyright or trademark, such as company or product names, are not allowed.

Residents may petition to change the name of their street if they so choose. Community groups have been successful over the years getting Sagner Court changed to Vermont Court, Sagner Drive to Rhode Island Court, Motter Alley to Kosman Alley and part of Hughes Ford Road to Monroe Avenue.

NAMING NAMES

For the inquisitive among us, here is the reasoning behind several prominent Frederick streets and roads. How many of these did you know?

• Baughman’s Lane — named after the prominent Baughman family, who were 19th-century residents of a local historic estate originally known as Poplar Terrace (and later Belle Aire Farm).

• Bentz Street — named after Jacob Bentz, an 18th-century landowner and miller whose stone gristmill along Carroll Creek was established by 1787.

• Christopher’s Crossing — named after Baron Christopher von Graffenried, who scaled Sugarloaf Mountain in 1712 to view the panorama of the area that later became Frederick County.

• Gas House Pike — named after the municipal gas works that was built along the eastern extension of East Church Street in the 19th century.

• Ice Street — named after a 19th-century commercial ice house owned by local businessperson George J. Fischer.

• Kemp Lane — named after early German immigrant and 18th-century farmer Frederick Kemp, who owned extensive historic properties in the Rocky Springs area.

• McCain Drive — named after Elmer D. McCain, who operated Hillcrest Orchards, originally McCain Orchards, which once covered the area along U.S. Route 40 West.

• Opossumtown Pike — named after a historical local settlement called Opossumtown that once existed near the route, not the little marsupial.

• Rosemont Avenue — named after the Rosemont subdivision, which was laid out in 1913 on land that previously operated as the Rosemont poultry farm.

There is nothing in Frederick’s street-naming policies that says street names can’t be funny or witty. Unfortunately, Frederick does not play that game much. English Muffin Way, High Hopes Drive and Lovely Court are the best examples. But other U.S. localities have no such qualms.

There are places in the U.S. where you can dally on Butt Road, take a trip down Memory Lane or count your money on Easy Street. According to Mental Floss, here are 10 beauties that Frederick could adopt:

• Duh Drive in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Not sure why you’re here, but it figures!

• Anyhow Lane in Gansevoort, New York
This road is like, whatever!

• Linger Longer Road in Greensboro, Georgia
As they say in the South, “Sit down and stay awhile!”

• Farfrompoopen Road in Fannie Township, Arkansas
This is the only way to get to Constipation Ridge (really!)

• This Ain’t It Road in Dadeville, Alabama
Don’t bother asking for directions here.

• Psycho Path in Traverse City, Michigan
Probably want to stay off this road.

• I Dream of Jeannie Way in Cocoa Beach, Florida
Tribute to sexy ‘60s TV genie whose master was an astronaut.

• 100 Year Party Court in Longmont, Colorado
Who wouldn’t want to live here?

• Hanky Panky Street in Las Vegas
Where else but Vegas, right?

• Weiner Cutoff Road
Sounds painful but was named after the town of Weiner, Arkansas.

With a rich language like ours, the possibilities are endless. So, the next time you wander through the latest Frederick subdivision, just know the street you are on may be named after a beloved child, grandparent, cousin, favorite hobby or perhaps nothing at all as long as it sounds nice. In any case, you can be secure knowing the name went through rigorous review, and there is no other like it in the entire county.

STREET NAME QUIZ

How well do you know Frederick streets and roads? Three of these are real. One is not. Can you spot the imposter? (Imposters are in italics.)

Birds
Bob White Court
Grouse Drive
Mockingbird Lane
Hummingbird Lane

Colors
Amber Drive
Lavender Plaza
Teal Lane
Burgundy Place

Girls’ Names
Brittany Court
Danielle Drive
Heather Lane
Tiffany Court

Coaches
Coach House Way
Coachlight Court
Coachman Court
Coach Handbag Way

Races
Darlington Court
Daytona Court
Pocono Drive
Talladega Drive

Places
Cumberland Court
Dover Circle
Providence Court
Philadelphia Avenue

Deer
Deer Spring Road
Deerfield Place
Deervalley Drive
Deer Lick Way

States
Delaware Road
Missouri Court
Maryland Avenue
West Virginia Court

Animals
Fox Road
Mink Farm Road
Timberwolf Drive
Raccoon Court

Schools
Harvard Place
Yale Court
Dartmouth Court
Princeton Road

People
Lew Wallace Street
Ray Smith Road
Walter Martz Road
Jim Grimes Boulevard

Directionals
North Street
South Street
East Street
West Street

Old
Old Line Drive
Old Seventh Street
Old Camp Road
Old Bay Street

Saints
Saint James Place
Saint Lawrence Court
Saint Mawes Court
Saint Jessica’s Way

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Retirement travel offers a chance to slow down and see more

By Gary Bennett

Gary and Ellen Bennett in Pittsburgh.

This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine. Published July 29, 2026.

For most of us, retirement offers the perfect opportunity to explore destinations we’ve always dreamed about. We now have the time, motivation and resources — hopefully — to make those dreams a reality.

Besides the excitement, relaxation and expanded horizons travel offers, it is an excellent way to remain young at heart. Travel expert Rick Steves puts it this way: “I’ve long noticed that older travelers seem younger than average in their appearance, attitudes, and energy levels. Travel is an excellent way to stay young in spirit.”

Who wouldn’t want that?

Now that you’ve reached your golden years, it’s time to plan that trip you always wanted. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a new traveler, the options and considerations are almost endless, but of course, there are people who can help.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE?

According to seven-time Best of Frederick favorite travel agent Barb Cline, top travel destinations for seniors prioritize accessibility, rich culture and relaxed pacing.

Whether you’re looking for coastal relaxation, history or guided, stress-free adventures, your personal travel style will lead you to an extraordinary trip designed for seniors. Here are some of the top destinations for seniors by travel style:

Stress-free cruising

• European river cruises: Perfect for unpacking once while exploring delightful villages along the Danube, Rhine or other iconic, old-world rivers.

• Alaska cruises: Offers the opportunity to view ocean creatures, glaciers and vast wildernesses from the comfort of an observation deck.

Culture and relaxed city exploration

• Savannah, Georgia: Known for its flat terrain, slow pace, Lowcountry cuisine and historic gardens.

• Montreal, Canada: Provides a distinct European experience right in North America, complete with open-air cafes and French cultural immersion.

Scenic escapes and resort towns

• Sedona, Arizona: Famous for spas, peaceful vacation rentals and accessible red-rock viewing areas.

• Mackinac Island, Michigan: A wonderfully nostalgic, car-free island, perfect for enjoying horse-drawn carriage tours and the grand waterfront.

Accessible nature and parks

• National parks, including Acadia, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain: All offer stunning scenic drives, accessible visitor centers and paved trails.

• Cape Cod, Massachusetts: A leisurely coastal destination offering relaxing drives, whale watching and accessible museums.

Gary and Ellen Bennett in Hawaii.

International

• Ireland: The Emerald Isle features lush landscapes, legendary hospitality and a lively pub culture.

• Italy: Romantic Italy offers thousands of years of history combined with unforgettable cuisine and a leisurely lifestyle.

• United Kingdom: The U.K. blends rich history and timeless traditions for a unique quality of life.

HOW DO YOU WANT TO GET THERE?

Your transportation options are limited only by where you want to go and your travel style, but all modes offer pluses and minuses.

• Car: Go by car if you feel comfortable doing so. Long trips by car can be tedious, and you bear sole responsibility for a safe, stress-free trip. On the other hand, driving offers complete flexibility and a front-row seat to endless sightseeing and personal experiences.

• Bus: Book a trip by motor coach if you enjoy traveling with others, don’t mind sticking to a fairly strict schedule and want to leave the driving to someone else. Traveling by bus often offers a more comfortable experience than traveling by car.

• Train: For excursions of 500 miles or more, it is hard to top traveling by train. For those with an uneasiness about flying, train travel offers a safe, reliable and comfortable alternative. As a senior with minimal time constraints, the extra time spent traveling long distances on a train is well worth it.

• Air: Traveling by air is almost always the fastest mode of transportation. If you value time savings, air travel is for you. However, don’t discount the time it takes to get to the airport, wait to board, deplane, retrieve your bags and arrange for ground transportation. It can get tedious and tiring.

• Boat: Trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific voyages as transportation are largely a thing of the past. But if you wish to see many destinations and unpack only once, river cruises in the U.S., Europe and Asia can be delightful. Caribbean cruises are an American staple and can be wonderful. But be warned: Large cruise ships can be crowded, overrun by children and focused on food, shows, gambling and livelier activities than you may want.

WHEN DO YOU WANT TO TRAVEL?

This may be the easiest decision of all.

Now that you’re retired, you can pretty much travel whenever you want. Even so, it is smart to aim for off-peak times, which for most destinations are spring and fall. Traveling in early spring and late fall allows you to largely avoid several of the most exhausting things about travel — crowds, kids and the heat of summer. Often, it saves money, too.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

According to Cline, senior travel is all about pacing yourself and prioritizing comfort. Slow down your itinerary. Plan for no more than one or two main activities per day, and allow for plenty of rest days.

• Take advantage of travel insurance. Many of us avoided that expense when we were younger, but now we are more likely to need it.

• Learn how your medical insurance works overseas. Medicare is usually not valid outside the U.S., so check your supplemental coverage before departing.

• Keep all medications in your carry-on luggage and take a picture of them to keep on your phone. Bring a change of clothes in case of delays or cancellations.

• Claim senior discounts when available. For example, travelers 62 or older can purchase the discounted America the Beautiful pass, which provides access to all U.S. national parks.

• When sightseeing, go late in the day or early in the morning to avoid crowds and hot temperatures. Touring a city by bus or boat can provide a stress- and fatigue-free overview of the city.

• Follow an intense sightseeing day with a day of rest to recharge. Grabbing a table at a sidewalk cafe, leisurely sipping a beverage and watching people can be a surprising highlight of your trip.

• Hotels vary widely in their amenities and layouts, so think about your needs before you book. European hotel rooms are often smaller than their U.S. counterparts, and many have features we don’t often see, like twin beds, bidets and half-showers. Be sure to pack your international electrical adapters, too.

• Although some do it, Cline does not recommend traveling alone. “You never know when something could happen.” Instead, travel with a partner, even if you don’t know them. “Some river cruise and land tour companies offer matching services, and some even have ‘solo’ specials where the entire boat or tour are singles. It is so much fun!”

• Be sure to take advantage of wheelchairs and electric carts at airports and early boarding for seniors.

• Book aisle seats for easy stretching, use compression socks if needed and make it a point to stay hydrated.

Gary and Ellen Bennett in Venice.

SENIOR TRAVEL GROUPS

If planning and organizing a trip feels overwhelming, even with a travel agent, consider joining a senior travel group. They provide excellent benefits such as social connection, organized itineraries and cost savings.

Before choosing one, be sure to consider the amount of physical activity required, size of the group, travel duration and style, cost and value, social opportunities, safety and support.

Cline escorts 14 groups each year. “The pricing is usually better with more amenities and savings. I provide transportation to and from the airport. Most are small groups, which are more immersive. Travelers always make new friends!”

Here are some of the top travel groups that cater specifically to older travelers:

• Road Scholar: Focuses on lifelong learning, outdoor adventures and experiential programs across more than 100 countries.

• Trafalgar: Known for stress-free escorted tours and river cruises on six continents.

• EF Go Ahead Tours: Offers specialized senior tours that feature guided cultural exploration, comfortable pacing and dedicated support.

• AARP Travel Resources: If you are an AARP member, you can utilize the Expedia AARP Travel Center or AARP’s preferred providers to find member discounts and itineraries tailored for older adults.

• ElderTreks: Offers relatively small group tours to various locations around the globe.

• Intrepid Travel’s Senior Adventures: Offers a range of travel experiences for older adults, including local interactions, cultural insights and scenic explorations.

IN FREDERICK

Don’t forget about your local community groups and senior centers. They can be wonderful travel resources. For regional day trips, overnight excursions and local socialization, your local senior center or AARP chapter can offer affordable escorted group packages.

For example, Frederick County’s Division of Aging and Independence offers same-day bus trips to nearby locations like the National Mall, Black Hill Regional Park, Seneca Creek State Park and Frederick destinations. AARP Frederick Chapter 636 features multi-day trips to places like Iceland, Mackinac Island, New York City and Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Gary and Ellen Bennett in Vienna.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Hot Dogs deserve their day

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the July 16, 2026 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s entertainment magazine, “72 Hours.”

As modest and pedestrian as they may be, hot dogs are still an undisputed workhorse of American cuisine. They even had their own day this week.

National Hot Dog Day is celebrated each year on the third Wednesday of July — July 15 this year — and marks the peak of National Hot Dog Month, a broader celebration honoring the iconic American food. Be on the lookout for specials all month long.

Hamburgers actually dominate hot dogs by about three to one in total U.S. consumption. You only need to scan the menus of fast food and fast-casual restaurants to see this must be so. Hot dogs are almost nowhere to be found. But hot dogs partially make up for it in supermarket sales, outperforming ground beef by about two to one.

What hot dogs lack in pizzazz and restaurant popularity, they more than make up for with steadiness and staying power. They seem to be everywhere. They turn up at outdoor barbecues, baseball games, kids’ lunches, as a last-minute dinner for adults and even in a few popular Frederick eateries you might not expect.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

You may realize “hot dog” is a nickname for this unassuming meaty treat, but do you know where the name actually comes from? The answer is a mix of 19th-century immigrant history and dark humor.

In the 1800s, German immigrants introduced thin, elongated pork and beef sausages to New York. Because the long, slender sausages resembled the German dachshund breed, sellers and consumers jokingly called them “dachshund sausages.” Over time, the literal translation was shortened to “dogs.”

On a more mischievous note, widespread public skepticism regarding the meat content of this newfangled food bubbled up shortly after its introduction in America. Rumors circulated that unscrupulous butchers were using dog meat in their sausage casings. College students of the day sarcastically referred to the carts selling the sausages as “dog wagons” and the food inside as “hot dogs.” For better or worse, the name stuck.

SO, WHAT’S IN A HOT DOG ANYWAY?

Most of us are aware that hot dogs are highly processed and not too good for us. It is a misconception, however, that a hot dog is simply ground-up fatty meat shoved into a casing. The truth can be a little more ominous and may involve the term “mechanically separated meat.”

Spoiler alert! If you wish to enjoy your tasty, meaty treats without thinking too much about them, you may not want to read the following paragraph.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says mechanically separated meat is “a paste-like and batter-like meat product” made by forcing bones with attached edible meat through a sieve or similar device. In other words, the final product has a paste-like consistency and cake-batter form.

Can’t say I didn’t warn you.

Most hot dogs are made from beef, pork, chicken or turkey, and sometimes a combination of two or three, as the main ingredient, followed by salt and water. Some brands also add a combination of corn syrup, sugar, dextrose, mustard, flavorings and colorings, garlic juice, sodium erythorbate and sodium nitrite.

Brands vary widely in how many of these items are in their hot dogs, so be sure to read labels carefully. For example, Hebrew National franks list only two ingredients — kosher beef and water — but taste a little too beefy for me. Kirkland Dinner Franks, which are served at Costco for $1.50, are very tasty but made up of a murderer’s row of ingredients: beef, water, dextrose, salt, spices, sodium lactate, garlic, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, paprika and extractives and sodium nitrite.

WHERE TO FIND THE BEST HOT DOGS

For some reason, the main hot dog chains have avoided Frederick. For a short time, we had Windy City Red Hots, but they lasted only a few years on Carroll Creek.

The most famous hot dog chain is Nathan’s. They operate globally and feature a hard, almost crunchy casing enclosing a tasty beef frank. Nathan’s dogs are definitely on the small side, so they are popular on the hot dog-eating contest circuit. Other top hot dog chains include Wienerschnitzel, Portillo’s, Dog Haus and The Original Hot Dog Factory. None have called Frederick home.

Even so, there is no shortage of tasty wieners in Frederick. No, I’m not talking about local politicians. Hot dogs can be found on the menus of many local, fast-casual restaurants.

Here is a list of the top hot dogs in Frederick according to my taste. As with most things, tastiness is in the mouth of the beholder. I have tried all these hot dogs over the last month. I have to admit that I never ate an entire dog, opting for just a bite or two of each. I didn’t want to be like Morgan Spurlock, who gained over 50 pounds by eating only McDonald’s for a month.

This is not an exhaustive list in the least. For example, I did not include any hot dogs found at gas stations or food trucks.

1. Maxwell’s

This fun restaurant on Patrick Street features the Frederick Dog with a beef-and-pork combo, sauerkraut, mustard and diced onions for $9 and a footlong Chicago Dog that is all-beef and served with all the trimmings, including diced tomatoes, for $14. The presentation is wonderful and the taste is top-notch. I prefer the beef-and-pork combo taste to all-beef or all-pork.

Nikita Khrushchev gets his first taste of an American hot dog during his tour of the Des Moines Packing Co. plant, Sept. 22, 1959 in Des Moines, Ia.

2. Beef ‘n Buns ‘n Paradise

This Frederick favorite serves up jumbo all-beef dogs, plain for $6.99 or loaded with chili, nacho cheese, sauerkraut and mustard for $7.49. There’s also a Chicago Dog or a Hawg Dog, with pork barbecue added, for $8.49. I really liked the latter. These franks are tasty and juicy and have a great internal texture.

3. North Market Pop Shop

Their all-beef hot dog can be customized with the largest selection of toppings I’ve seen: all the usuals plus sriracha mayo, sweet pickle relish, hot deli relish, sauerkraut, pickle slices, Old Bay, bacon bits or jalapenos. The price is just $3.99. The dog is on the small side but very tasty and juicy.

4. Pretzel & Pizza Creations

The 2025 winner of Frederick’s best hot dog features a well-grilled dog wrapped in a chewy, salty pretzel. I can see how this would be a Frederick favorite, but if you’re not a big pretzel fan like me, their hot dog can be just a little too much to handle at one sitting. A plain, wrapped dog costs $7.50.

5. Boxcar Burgers

The Brunswick location serves a superbly fresh, all-beef, Maryland-made hot dog sourced from Roseda Farm. If you like to buy local, it doesn’t get much better than this. The dog is served on a warm bun with a good choice of toppings, including candied jalapenos and bacon jam, for $4.50.

6. Five Guys

For a chain known for its hamburgers, Five Guys spends an admirable amount of time on its all-beef hot dogs. They are split lengthwise and grilled to a caramelized consistency on a toasted bun. All imaginable toppings are available. Prices range from $7.50 to $11.

7. Bollinger’s Restaurant

This Thurmont restaurant’s quarter-pound, all-beef dog is served with chips. Toppings include cheese, sauerkraut, bacon, onions, green pepper, pickles or hot pepper relish for $8.24. The dog is silky smooth inside, with a beefy savoriness that calls for a bit of ketchup to bring some sweetness.

8. Costco

Even without a Costco membership, you can finagle your way into the food court and order up the famous $1.50 lunch special of a quarter-pound Kirkland Signature dinner frank with a soda. The dog is tasty, but since I now know how packed with preservatives the Kirkland dog is and because the frank is much larger than the bun, giving it too much of a meaty taste for me, I have it well down my list and would not recommend it.

9. Oh K-Dog

This new offering within H Mart on the Golden Mile offers Korean street food, including deep-fried rice cake hot dogs and corn dogs. There is a little too much breading for me surrounding a dog inside with an off-putting gray color. The taste was bland. Prices range from $3.99 to $7.49.

10. Harry Grove Stadium

Naturally, you’ll need to buy a ticket to a game to get one of their all-beef Dugout Dogs with sauerkraut, chili or cheese, or the Keyote Dog with crab mac and cheese. Prices start at $6.50. The dog was a little dry and the taste was only OK, but it naturally benefits from baseball ambiance and tradition.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

7th Street Café, Airway’s Inn, Anchor Bar, Birdies Bar & Grill at X-Golf Frederick, Black Hog BBQ, Bushwaller’s, Glory Days Grill, Little Red Barn Ice Cream Café, Masser Toll House Inn, Mountain View Diner, Sonic, South Market Sandwich Shop and Watson’s Carry Out.

Cleo, the famed movie and TV basset hound and his small chihuahua friend, Candy, pose for a picture illustrating National Dog Week in Los Angeles, Calif., Sept. 24, 1956.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

As America prepares for its 250th, a look back at the arts and culture of the 1976 bicentennial year

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the July 1, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday in 2026, it is the perfect time to look back and consider how things were in 1976, our last big birthday celebration.

The bicentennial year of 1976 was a much simpler and gentler time, at least in my estimation. The excitement surrounding America’s 200th birthday was contagious, with celebrations planned in communities across the country.

Come with me.

We had a grandfatherly figure in the White House and a humble peanut farmer from Georgia waiting in the wings. The 1976 Olympics were on the horizon, and we were excited about the countless celebrations planned for our 200th birthday. Heck, even the presidential campaigns paused for two weeks around July 4 to make way for the festivities.

As a 19-year-old college student, I was glad the draft had ended and the Vietnam War was in our rearview mirror. We’d already put about a dozen men on the moon and had moved on to space shuttles, space stations and landing an unmanned vehicle on Mars. We had color television and souped-up cars.

Things were looking pretty good, but, as today, not all was sunshine and roses. Inflation was high. Gasoline prices were rising. Relations with the Soviet Union remained strained. Like today, the country was navigating its share of political divisions and uncertainty.

However, as so often is the case, pop culture came to the rescue in 1976. The case can be made that this was an exceptional time for the arts.

The sensitive, folky singer-songwriter craze of the early ‘70s gave way to all sorts of new music: punk rock, Southern rock and even disco. The movies gave us classics like “Network,” “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” and “Rocky.” Definitive television shows like “All in the Family,” “M*A*S*H” and “Happy Days” were in their heyday. A new late-night show had recently burst onto the scene called “Saturday Night Live.” Exquisite albums were released, including some of the best-selling of all time: “Hotel California” by the Eagles, Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” and Peter Frampton’s “Frampton Comes Alive!”

With a sentimental smile on my face and a skip in my step, here’s a brief look back at the key cultural happenings of 1976.

•••

BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

• The American Freedom Train departed on its two-year, 25,000-mile tour of the U.S.

• A large, international fleet of “tall ships” gathered in New York City and Boston

• Elaborate fireworks illuminated the skies above U.S. cities of all sizes for weeks at a time

TELEVISION

• “Live from Lincoln Center” and “Family Feud” debuted on PBS and ABC, respectively. Both are going strong today

• Top watched shows were “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley,” “M*A*S*H” and “Charlie’s Angels”

• Emmys went to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” (Best Comedy), “Police Story” (Best Drama) and “Eleanor and Franklin” (Best Special or Limited Series)

EMMY-WINNING TV ACTORS

Jack Albertson (“Chico and the Man”)

Mary Tyler Moore (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”)

Peter Falk (“Columbo”)

Michael Learned (“The Waltons”)

Ted Knight (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”)

Betty White (“The Mary Tyler Moore Show”)

MOTION PICTURES

• “Rocky” won Best Picture Oscar and was highest grossing film of the year

• Other Best Picture nominees included absolute classics: “All the President’s Men,” “Network” and “Taxi Driver”

• Alfred Hitchcock’s final film was released (“Family Plot”)

• “King Kong” was released to record crowds, and the Waverly Theater in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village began showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” once a week at midnight, which is really when it became a phenomenon

MOVIE ACTORS

• Peter Finch and Faye Dunaway (“Network”) won Oscars for their leading roles in that film

• Robert De Niro (“Taxi Driver”), William Holden (“Network”), Sylvester Stallone (“Rocky”), Talia Shire (“Rocky”) and Sissy Spacek (“Carrie”) were also nominated

• George Burns, 80, became the oldest actor to win an Oscar as best supporting actor in “The Sunshine Boys”

• John Wayne appeared in his final film, “The Shootist”

BROADWAY SHOWS

• Top grossing shows were “A Chorus Line,” “Chicago” and “Grease”

• Tony Awards went to “A Chorus Line” (Best Musical) and “Travesties” (Best Play)

• Leading Broadway actors were John Wood (“Travesties”), Irene Worth (“Sweet Bird of Youth”), George Rose (“My Fair Lady”) and Donna McKechnie (“A Chorus Line”)

MUSICAL ARTISTS

• Stevie Wonder, Peter Frampton, Rod Stewart, Eagles and Barry Manilow were top-selling artists of 1976

• Diana Ross was the only artist with two number one songs: “Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You’re Going To?)” and “Love Hangover”

• The Eagles released their “Greatest Hits” compilation early in 1976 followed by “Hotel California” near the end of the year. They went on to become the second and third best-selling albums of all time

SONGS

• “Silly Love Songs” by Paul McCartney and Wings was the best-selling song of the year followed by “Tonight’s the Night” by Rod Stewart and “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” by Elton John and Kiki Dee

• Grammy for Song of the Year went to Bruce Johnston (songwriter) for “I Write the Songs” (sung by Barry Manilow)

• Grammy for Record of the Year went to George Benson for “This Masquerade”

OLYMPICS

• Montreal hosted the Summer Olympics for the first time

• The Soviet Union topped the medals count with 49 gold medals followed by East Germany and the U.S.

• Bruce (now Caitlyn) Jenner won the decathlon for the U.S.

• Nadia Comaneci of Romania became the first person in Olympic history to score a perfect 10 on the uneven bars. She won three gold medals

THE COSTS OF THINGS

Median household income: $15,000

Median home price: $43,000

Average monthly rent: $200

Average new car: $5,400

Average annual college tuition: $2,500

Gallon of milk: $1.60

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Remembering a Greatest Generation dad on Father’s Day

By Gary Bennett

Rose Marie (Wilt) Bennett and Howard Bennett, Jr on their wedding day in 1947.

This article appears in the Frederick News-Post’s “Real Life” section on June 20, 2026.

My dad is not with us anymore. Hasn’t been for a long time. He only got 67 years on this Earth, departing back in 1993.

I was thinking about his role as a dad. Was it something he really wanted or was it something that he was just sort of thrust into and made the best of? We never talked about such things. He wasn’t one to examine his life, or if he did, he sure wasn’t going to share it.

I suppose most dads of that generation — the Greatest Generation — were like that: strong, silent, sure fellows who could seemingly do anything.

They survived all sorts of childhood maladies that claimed so many of them. As young men, they struggled through the Great Depression. They marched off to World War II, not because they had to, but because they wanted to. They started jobs and families in the relatively comfortable ‘50s. They watched their sons go off to Vietnam in the ‘60s and didn’t want them to. They settled into late middle age in the ‘70s and retired in the ‘80s, watching their children leave home one by one.

One Greatest Generation dad, Howard Alva Bennett Jr., was born on Jan. 8, 1926. He would have been 100 years old earlier this year. Heart problems and undiagnosed COPD from a lifetime of smoking unfiltered Camels got the best of him just a few years into a well-earned retirement.

He was the oldest of four children. He was the only boy. His three sisters adored him. He was born and raised in one of the most out-of-the-way places imaginable — Cross, West Virginia. Cross sits on top of a mountain west of Keyser, West Virginia, 20 miles southwest of Cumberland, Maryland. As a young, restless man, I can picture him hoping for a chance to get off that mountain.

Dad grew up very poor in a two-story, clapboard house with a spring running through the rocky property. My grandfather cobbled together a meager living from light farming, sporadic mining and driving a school bus. My grandma kept house.

Dad didn’t talk about his poor circumstances much, but he did let on once that getting an apple and pocket knife for Christmas was his best one ever. He couldn’t graduate from high school. He was needed to help out at home.

Growing up and into his twenties, Dad was rail thin. I marvel now looking at the old, faded, black-and-white photos of him as a kid, teen and then newlywed in his 20s. I never knew him that way.

Little by little, as life progressed, Dad produced quite a belly. I always felt like he earned it. Maybe he felt the same way. He never seemed ashamed of it, often going shirtless in the summer around the house. Exercise and eating right was a foreign concept. He already worked hard and was damn sure going to eat whatever he wanted after nearly starving growing up.

In 1944, at just 18 years of age, Dad enlisted in the Army. He couldn’t wait. He was worried the war might pass him by. The world needed saving from fascism and Dad was eager to get off the mountain and do his part.

He did not see action in Europe but saw some terrible things anyway. The pictures he took of liberated concentration camp survivors looking more like skeletons than humans are just like the ones you see on TV. It still puts a lump in my throat to think that such a young man would have to experience the results of such vicious cruelty.

He married young in 1947 at 21 years of age. My mom was 18. She was from the George’s Creek area of Allegany County, Maryland, and also grew up very poor. I don’t know which parent grew up under worse conditions. Somehow they found each other and made a go of it.

He got his first job in 1947 at the B&O Railroad in Keyser, West Virginia, and made a career of it. He retired in 1990 sitting behind a desk at the B&O office in Cumberland. He became a “railroader” through and through. That was his identity, and he was proud of it.

There would be five children spread apart — almost absurdly — by 23 years.

The first child came in 1950 — Barbara Jean — who everyone called Jeannie. She was the first grandchild for my grandma and grandpa, and I know Dad took great pride in that.

He enjoyed telling the story of grandpa walking across his yard on the mountain with a cane he didn’t need when Jeannie was presented to him in 1950, making him a grandpa.

I came next in 1957. I’m not sure what took so long. I suspect they simply had trouble conceiving. I’d like to think, but am not sure, that my dad was eager for a son. He never said so. Growing up, he didn’t provide much guidance and we surely never had “the talk.” Nevertheless, I believe he did the best he could with me.

He wasn’t a father interested in playing. When I was very young, he would wrestle a bit, and as I grew older, would play catch some. My clearest childhood memory of him is coming home from work, collapsing into an old easy chair and reading the paper while I removed his work boots. He seemed to like that.

Next came my late brother, Todd, who arrived in 1960. He died in 2023 at age 63 from lung cancer. We were never close. I think Dad had a little more affinity for him because Todd was rascally and prone to getting into trouble. I’m sure Dad saw himself in Todd.

That was it, our family was complete, or so we thought. Dad had three kids, a good marriage, a house and a solid job. All manageable “dad” circumstances. Fate had other ideas.

My sister Lisa was born in 1967 when my mom was 38 and my dad 41. That was not unheard of in those days, and they seemed genuinely happy about it. Dad goodheartedly took the ribbing that he had two families.

By the late ‘60s, Dad was mellowing. I think he looked forward to having a little bonus baby he could spoil. Sure enough, Lisa was the apple of his eye. Later that year in 1967, because we now needed more room, we bought a larger house a few miles away.

Dad was so proud of that newly built brick house. Life was good and he had the house to prove it. He had a two-car garage, workshop, rec room and room for a garden out back. But a few years later, to the surprise of everyone, another new baby arrived.

Lori was born in 1973 when my mom was 44 and Dad 47. Uncommon for sure, but they made the best of it. Mom got a job working “cat eye” at the local Celanese plant. Dad worked even harder, coming home late from working overtime. We subdivided the basement to make new bedrooms for our growing family that now numbered seven.

Unfortunately, fate struck again. Mom died just 10 years after Lori was born in 1973. Her death in 1983 at just 53 from breast cancer left Dad a widower and his two young daughters without a mom. We even had the terrible luck of Mom dying unexpectedly on what would have been my wedding day.

I’m not sure there has ever been a man less equipped to take over mom duties than my dad. He was clueless in the kitchen and the needs of young girls. But he did the best he could. Remarriage was never an option. He had always been, unquestionably, a one-woman man.

Thank goodness Lisa was 16 and mature for her age and could take on some of the responsibility of raising Lori. Dad’s one nearby sister and Todd’s wife helped out, too. With the three older kids out of the house and starting lives of their own, it was just Dad and the two girls.

When Lisa departed for college in 1986, it was just Dad and Lori. Finally retired, Dad truly rose to the occasion during this time with Lori. She did her part by looking after her aging dad who had just a few more years to live.

When I look back over Dad’s life, there is nothing earth-shatteringly great but everything that is decent and consistent. He was a good man who did his best with what he had.

He was a simple man who liked simple things. He loved his beautiful backyard, naps on the patio, a vegetable garden he tended vigorously, hot roast beef sandwiches, Piedmont High School basketball, West Virginia University football and meeting fellow retirees at the local gas station for snack pies and chitchat.

Before he passed in 1993, he had the pleasure of getting to know several grandkids. To each one, Dad was the goofy, easygoing “country” grandpa who let you do “dangerous” things. I’m not sure where that persona came from. I sure didn’t see it growing up, but as we all know, being a grandparent is easier and much more fun than being a parent.

My wife and I laugh to this day that it took a week or two to get our son back into the “city” swing of things after a week with Dad in the country, going barefoot, shirtless, dropping his g’s and getting muddy every single day with no chance of a bath on the horizon. But, you know, we wouldn’t have had it any other way.

‘Dark Shadows’ turns 60, and it still has a bite

By Gary Bennett

David Selby, Lara Parker and Jonathan Frid of ‘Dark Shadows,’ 1968.

This article appears in the June 11, 2026 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Do I have “Dark Shadows” under my eyes?

I heard and threw out that line time and again in the late ‘60s as my childhood friends and I excitedly discussed the latest events at stately old Collinwood mansion in the fictitious fishing village of Collinsport, Maine, home of the daytime soap opera “Dark Shadows.”

Talk about guilty pleasures.

I clearly remember racing home from school, the clock striking four o’clock and that haunting theme music beginning to play. The world outside seemed to stop. You couldn’t pry me away from the TV with a crowbar.

On June 27, the cult-classic ABC daytime soap “Dark Shadows” celebrates its 60th anniversary. Festivities are planned in Los Angeles, including a cast Q&A (yes, some are still alive!), staged performances, a celebrity luncheon and an excursion to Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills.

Why all the hoopla?

Besides being wildly popular in its day, especially among teens, “Dark Shadows” was a groundbreaking television show on several fronts.

It was the first supernatural soap opera. The story lines were teeming with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, witches and other mystical creatures. They were not cartoonish. They had flaws and worries and seemed all too real.

It was the first “period” soap opera. It was predominantly set in modern times, but characters frequently time-traveled back to the Victorian era of 1795 to 1897 to provide background information and clues as to what was about to happen.

And it was the first soap opera aimed at teens and pre-teens. It was no coincidence the show aired at 4 p.m. when kids all over America were arriving home from school. The programming strategy was pure genius.

An interesting dynamic of the show was that moms and dads were barely aware “Dark Shadows” was a “thing.” Housewives were somewhat aware — some were even fans. But dads? They had no clue. When “Dark Shadows” aired every weekday at 4 p.m., most dads were still safely at work.

At its peak in 1968, the show earned an audience of more than 20 million viewers, unheard of for daytime soap operas. With an audience made up mostly of impressionable young people, advertisers loved it. By its last season of 1971, ratings began to tank and the show was canceled.

“Dark Shadows” was conceived in 1965 when veteran television producer Dan Curtis had a dream of a mysterious young woman riding a train to a brooding old mansion. Encouraged by his wife, he pitched this gothic soap opera concept to ABC, bringing in writers to flesh out the story. ABC “bit” and the rest is television history.

The plot centers around an orphaned governess, Victoria Winters, who takes a job at the cursed mansion and falls for Barnabas Collins, an 18th-century heir — and, oh yes, a recently freed vampire — who returns to his estate to protect his dysfunctional descendants.

Jonathan Frid in his starring role as Barnabas Collins, 1970.

“Dark Shadows” had an all-star cast for its day. It starred a young heartthrob, David Selby, as sometimes-werewolf Quentin Collins. Selby went on to star in the prime-time soap “Falcon Crest” in the ‘80s.

Movie star Joan Bennett played Elizabeth Stoddard Collins, the mistress of the haunted mansion. She was nominated for a daytime Emmy for her work in “Dark Shadows.”

Kate Jackson, who later famously starred in “Charlie’s Angels,” played the ghost of governess Daphne Harridge Collins. And versatile screen actor Kathryn Leigh Scott played several characters. She went on to become a noted author later in her career.

But the true breakout star was an unlikely, fortysomething Canadian actor named Jonathan Frid as the sympathetic but star-crossed vampire Barnabas Collins. The 175-year-old Barnabas came on the scene in the second season when he was mistakenly liberated from his coffin. From there, the show really took off.

Barnabas was handsome in a deceased, rugged sort of way and sported — if you can believe it — pointy bangs that always curved to the right. He donned an ominous black cape, carried an ornate walking stick and sported an enormous family ring on his right index finger that he wielded to great effect. His fangs made only occasional appearances, but when they did, you knew he was really ticked off. Frid was undoubtedly TV’s first really “bad boy.”

During the six seasons it aired, Frid consistently received 5,000 to 6,000 fan letters a week. Girls in the ‘60s were inviting him to their proms. During frequent promotional tours, Frid was routinely mobbed by fans. It was no wonder. He provided a wonderful performance. His character was charming, captivating, elegant and dangerous, all rolled into one.

The show influenced such notable TV successors as “True Blood” and “Buffy, the Vampire Slayer” in the 1990s and 2000s. It was spun off into two feature films including 2012’s version of “Dark Shadows” by Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp. Jonathan Frid had a posthumous cameo in the 2012 movie, having died a month before its release at age 87. (Or, did he?)

“Dark Shadows” was unlike any TV show I had ever seen. There was a certain charm to it. The story unfolded at a snail’s pace, which made it so different from anything else on TV. Plot turns often took several episodes to fully unwind, but by then you understood it. The show invited water cooler — or in my case, playground — discussion. There is horrendous overacting, actors fumbled over their lines at times and some actors even played multiple parts. It didn’t matter. It all just added to the hypnotic, gothic vibe.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Air Supply will bring classic hits and new music to the Weinberg Center

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the May 28, 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s entertainment magazine “Prime Time.”

Air Supply, the sentimental balladeers of ‘80s power love songs, brings all their romantic hits to the Weinberg Center for the Arts on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 p.m. The concert promises all their legendary hits plus some original music from their new album.

In the 1980s, there was never any mistaking the iconic music of Air Supply. They were that distinctive and that good.

Their love songs either wallowed in heartache or soared triumphantly in bliss. They perfected their craft so totally that there didn’t have to be anything else. They proudly inherited the reliable love-song hit-maker mantle from the likes of Barry Manilow, Barry White and Al Green from the ‘70s.

As far as best duos ever, they’re easily above Hall and Oates, Loggins and Messina and Seals and Crofts — but perhaps just a notch behind all-time greats Simon and Garfunkel, The Everly Brothers and The Carpenters.

ORIGINS

English singer-songwriter and guitarist Graham Russell and Australian singer Russell Hitchcock comprise Air Supply. They formed the group along with a backing band in Melbourne, Australia in 1975 while singing in the chorus of the Australian production of “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

“We’ve always had a great band with us but, really, it’s just Russell [Hitchcock] and me as Air Supply,” said Graham Russell. “In the very early years, it would just be the two of us playing acoustically. We’d play little clubs after ‘Superstar.’ The two of us became very good at playing together.”

Forming a band in 1975 was a no-brainer, according to Graham Russell.

“We had so much in common when we met — born three days apart, have very similar names, and we both loved the Beatles. We saw them when we were 14. I’ve always been a songwriter and when I heard Russell’s voice I thought, ‘Oh, here we go. This is the voice I need for my songs.’ It just fell into place so naturally. Russell doesn’t write songs. He just wanted to sing. And I just wanted to write songs. So, it was the perfect scenario. I said ‘let’s form a band’ and he said ‘okay, let’s do it.’ It was that simple.”

NAME THAT BAND

Coming up with a name for the band was not so simple, however.

If you thought the name “Air Supply” was a carefully invented phrase designed to connote love being in the air with Graham and Russell supplying it, you would be wrong. That was a popular misconception in the early ‘80s. Instead, Graham recounts how a pressing deadline and a strange dream led to the iconic name.

“Our first record was coming out and we didn’t have a name. The record company said, ‘You’ve got to have a name by the morning because we’re going to press the record.’ Nobody knew who we were, of course. That night I had a dream and saw a big giant billboard with flashing lights all around it. And in the middle were two words in big, black letters — Air Supply. I told Russell the next morning about this weird dream and the two words and he said ‘let’s go with it.’ So, we went with it and it just clicked. It became synonymous with our kind of music. We were never strong planners; we kind of let the universe unfold. We are blessed in this weird way.”

CELEBRATING THE BIG 5-0

Air Supply is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025 and 2026 with a worldwide tour and new album, “A Matter of Time,” their first album of new music in 15 years.

Graham Russell is proud of the new album. “We both believe it’s the best album we’ve ever made. Whether people hear it or not, I don’t know, but that’s not important to us because we wanted to make one more and this will be the last. It’s a beautiful, beautiful record and we’re very proud of it. We wanted to go out in a really nice way.”

Prolific tourers throughout their career, Graham and Russell will have played sold-out concerts across North America, Australia, Europe, Asia and South America before landing in Frederick on June 3. “Our first show in Buenos Aires in May will make 5,700 shows we’ve played in our career. I think that’s more than any other band in history, but I’m not sure. We simply love to play!” said Graham Russell.

UNMISTAKABLE MUSICAL STYLE

Air Supply caught lightning in a bottle by becoming synonymous with ‘80s love songs. Their reliably romantic hits tugged relentlessly at the heartstrings of fans. They didn’t set out to be that type of band. It just happened, according to Graham Russell.

“We never sat down and said ‘let’s go down this romantic love songs lane.’ That was just the kind of people we were and the songs that I wrote. I’ve always been this way since I was 13. I’ve always written very romantic songs. But consequently, people latched onto it. They’re very passionate and very emotional, bordering on the spiritual. We don’t have to work really hard at it. It’s just there all the time.”

Air Supply’s biggest fans are known as Air Heads. Graham Russell is appreciative of their devotion. “The fans seem to stick with us for years and years. There are millions and millions around the world. It’s become this kind of enterprise of romantic music. It’s quite amazing.”

Graham Russell is the songwriter and guitarist of the two. He is widely respected in songwriting circles for his heartfelt lyrics and tender music. Russell Hitchcock is the lead singer, known for his crisp, soaring and emotional vocals. His sweet and sentimental tenor makes Air Supply instantaneously recognizable and a staple of adult contemporary radio.

FAST FRIENDS

Graham insists he and Russell get along famously, having never argued in their 50-plus-year friendship and partnership. “No, we have never had words. People don’t believe it, but if you think about it, Russell just wants to sing, and I just want to write the songs. I have no desire to be a lead singer. I sing on a lot of things but I’m not the lead singer. So, there’s no competition with us.”

“When we’re ready to make an album, I come along with about 30 songs and we go through them all and we record what we think is right for the moment. Russell always has first go at every song but quite often he’ll say ‘no, you should sing this.’ That was the case with ‘All Out of Love.’ It was supposed to be him singing all of it, but he said, ‘no, you should sing the verse’ and I did and the rest became history.”

Graham has a hard time understanding why some groups don’t get along.

“It’s weird because there were so many artists from our time — Hall and Oates included — that just don’t like each other. Simon and Garfunkel and the Eagles — they can’t stand each other. To us, that’s kind of weird because with our kind of music, which is professing staying together, love and romance, it would be too weird if we were at each other’s throats all the time. We have great respect for each other. I’ve known him for so long. We know each other backwards and forward. So, why argue?”

HIT MAKERS

Air Supply’s discography is beyond impressive.

Their string of consecutive top hits reads like a who’s who of romantic music. First came “Lost in Love” in 1980. The associated album, also called “Lost in Love,” was released in March and contained two other top-five U.S. singles: “Every Woman in the World” and “All Out of Love.”

In July 1981 Air Supply released the album “The One That You Love,” with the title track reaching number one soon after — the group’s only number-one song. The album produced two more U.S. top-five hits: “Here I Am (Just When I Thought I Was Over You)” and “Sweet Dreams.”

The album “Now and Forever” was released in June 1982 and continued the group’s dominance of the U.S. charts with the top-five hit “Even the Nights Are Better” and two top-40 singles, “Young Love” and “Two Less Lonely People in the World.”

In 1983 they released their first compilation album, “Air Supply’s Greatest Hits,” which included a new smash hit single, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All,” that reached number two on the charts. Fans unfamiliar with Air Supply but wishing to sample their one-of-a-kind musical prowess should start there.

In 1985 the band released a self-titled album that included their last top-20 U.S. hit, “Just as I Am.” In 1986 they had their final charting hit, “Lonely Is the Night,” from the album “Hearts in Motion.”

All told, Air Supply racked up total record sales of over 100 million worldwide, including an astounding eight top-five hits in just six years and 11 total top-40 hits during that span.

Among their top honors are the 1982 American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Duo or Group and induction into the Australian Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2026 they are due to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a biopic and Broadway musical about their career are in the works.

When asked why their songs are so enduring, Graham Russell paused, searching for an answer, before thoughtfully responding. “I think because they have an emotional element in them that people recognize. The songs are so simple. ‘Lost in Love,’ for instance, has four chords. There’s something in the songs that pulls at the heartstrings. I know what it is but I don’t know how it comes. I just write them that way. I had a very emotional childhood growing up and I think that really washed over me. I love poetry and reading so those elements come into the songs. The very romantic descriptions of things are always there.”

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

From white collar to blue collar: Working in retirement

By Gary Bennett

Many people retire — and then choose to work. There are many resons for this.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine.

I’ve gained a new appreciation for blue-collar workers ever since becoming one myself. Retirement has a way of opening your eyes that way.

It’s not that I didn’t appreciate what they do. I’ve heartily thanked the folks who come to my home and make my life better — electricians, plumbers, HVAC workers, carpenters, exterminators and painters. I’ve marveled at how quickly construction workers can raise up buildings. I’ve admired the grace and dexterity of heavy equipment operators. I’ve respected from afar the work of warehouse workers, baggage handlers, truck drivers, store clerks and more.

It’s just that I’ve always told myself that I’m perhaps a little smarter and planned ahead a little better than they did, especially when I see them toiling away in the elements, in someone else’s home or in a retail environment. You can call me naïve or arrogant for feeling this way, but I did.

The truth is, however, I secretly admired and was always intrigued by them.

What are their days like, I wondered? Does the physical work and fresh air make them healthier than me? Is their hands-on work more meaningful than my more esoteric work? Do they get paid better than me? Would I have the stamina to do the work they do every day?

It wouldn’t take me long to find the answers.

When I retired from my white-collar career in 2020, I suddenly had an empty slate. I knew I wanted to eventually continue working in some capacity. It’s not that I necessarily needed the money — of course every little bit helps — but I wanted to make sure I was busy and filled my days with meaningful tasks.

I suppose if I had a hobby I wanted to pursue with a vengeance or an aging parent I needed to take care of, I would have done those things. But that wasn’t the case for me.

For me, a fun, part-time job seemed like just the ticket for a happy and healthy retirement. I’m not alone.

WHY WORK IN RETIREMENT?

According to AARP, 20 to 25% of all retirees work part- or full-time in retirement. For new retirees — those mostly in their 60s like me — the percentage rises to about 33%.

In the future, it is estimated that the number of Gen X and Millennial retirees continuing to work will begin to approach 50%. Or as my 40-year-old son recently told me, “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to retire.”

It’s no wonder. Today, the working-in-retirement trend is driven largely by financial necessity. Social Security is not enough to get by on, and many folks spend every cent just surviving. They are unable to save for retirement.

But even if they have the money, retirees have other good reasons to continue working. Many want to maintain good emotional and social connections. Others wish to continue feeling useful. Still others want to keep exercising their brains to help ward off mental dysfunction.

I was able to retire early from my high-pressure, white-collar job at age 62. I had a decent 401(k), a paid-off home and good health. I was OK with taking minimum Social Security.

So, as a brand-new retiree, I began doing interesting things that filled my hours. I exercised in earnest, volunteered all around town, provided regular childcare for grandchildren and began writing. I even did a little traveling like new retirees are supposed to do. But for me, it still wasn’t enough. After about six months, I started to get the bug to work again.

I knew I didn’t want to continue in my chosen field, but I also knew I wanted to keep active and contribute to society in some meaningful way. Like a lot of older Americans, I see retirement as a flexible phase to do all those things I always wanted to do. To me, that meant a new job, albeit a fun and part-time one.

I had fantasies about what it would be like to work a blue-collar job that paid reasonably well but didn’t incur much stress or come with mountains of homework. To me, the folks working blue-collar jobs seemed happy and knew what they had accomplished at the end of the day. For me in my marketing and communications job with its demanding and high-powered clients? Not so much.

I didn’t have the stamina or mechanical ability to be a plumber, electrician, or construction worker. But I could drive! I fantasized about driving a big, 18-wheeler, heading out on the open road for weeks at a time with important cargo to deliver entrusted just to me. I would be my own boss. I would see the country.

Then reality kicked in.

Driving a big rig takes lots of training, means lots of responsibility and takes you away from your family for long stretches of time. After the romance wore out, I reasoned, the job would even be kind of lonely.

So, what kind of job could I do and what kind of an organization would want me anyway?

As it turned out, lots! In my case I used a connection my wife had and got a job delivering prescription medications two or three days a week for a local pharmacy. The hours are great — roughly 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — so I still get to have leisurely mornings and stress-free evenings.

Along with helping other people by bringing them something they want and need, I get to be my own boss (pretty much), drive around town in a sporty Ford Focus and get a little sunshine and exercise, too!

After four years of college, a master’s degree, a few awards and 40 years of increasing responsibility and experience as a white-collar professional, I am now a dyed-in-the-wool, blue-collar worker, and I love it!

JOBS FOR RETIREES

Being a delivery driver is not for everyone, of course. But I can tell you there are lots of opportunities out there for older workers. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting back in the job market, go for it!

But be careful. When choosing a job after retirement it’s important to consider your interests, skills and goals. You also want to make sure the job fits your lifestyle and schedule.

Thankfully, AARP has done the research.

Employers with the 15 jobs listed below alphabetically have high regard for retirees and stable, older workers. All offer part-time opportunities without requiring a college degree or a lot of experience. Most will train you. The average wage is in parentheses.

• Administrative assistant ($22.82 per hour)

• Customer service representative ($20.59 per hour)

• Data entry clerk ($20.22 per hour)

• Home health aide ($16.78 per hour)

• Nanny ($23.71 per hour)

• Pet groomer ($16.28 per hour)

• Real estate agent ($28.35 per hour)

• Receptionist ($17.90 per hour)

• Retail clerk ($20.50 per hour)

• School bus driver ($23.26 per hour)

• Secretary ($22.82 per hour)

• Security guard ($18.46 per hour)

• Shuttle driver ($17.62 per hour)

• Tutor ($21.55 per hour)

• Web designer ($45.85 per hour)

So, what have I learned?

You don’t have to be embarrassed by working in retirement. Chances are good your unemployed, retired friends will envy you. Your mind and body will thank you. And it’s a great time to reinvent yourself.

When looking, consider the solid benefits blue-collar work has over white-collar work. (These are generalities, of course.)

DESIRABLE TRAITS OF BLUE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s easy to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• There are not many people problems. That’s for the boss, right?

• People want to do a good job and heartily support others.

• There are no business trips. You can go home every evening.

• Getting light, physical exercise is good for you and a part of the deal.

• You must clock in, but when you’re done for the day, you’re done.

• There are no or little budgeting or bottom-line worries.

• You wear a uniform that is provided so there are no worries about clothes.

• The work does not have to be stressful unless you make it so.

• You mostly work near customers or in the great outdoors.

• There are no social worries. Just get the work done!

• You receive hourly wages, which are often quite good.

• Artificial Intelligence probably can’t take your place any time soon.

UNDESIRABLE TRAITS OF WHITE-COLLAR JOBS

• It’s hard to see what you’ve accomplished at the end of the day.

• If you’re the boss, people problems can wear you down.

• So many people seem to be overly concerned with getting ahead and getting credit.

• The business trips that seem fun at first can wear on you.

• There’s no clocking in — you can come and go as you please (pretty much) but you always have to be “on.”

• There are continuous budgeting and bottom-line worries.

• You must dress for success. That can be expensive.

• The work can be stressful.

• You must strike a fine balance between getting the work done and being a pleasant and available schmoozer.

• You receive a salary, which may not pay you all that well for the hours you actually work.

• Artificial Intelligence could absolutely do your job one day.

NEXT STEPS

As a vital, young retiree, you can get out of your comfort zone, reinvent yourself and try something different. Working in retirement can be fun. If you’ve been a white-collar worker your entire career, try a part-time, blue-collar job in retirement. You won’t regret it.

If you are a retiree in Maryland considering a new part- or full-time job, there are numerous available resources for you. You can contact your local senior center, your state’s Department of Aging or a staffing agency. Additionally, if you live in one of the many retirement communities in Maryland, the staff there may have resources to help you find a job that is right for you. And don’t forget your connections. Chances are they know of available jobs that are looking for someone just like you.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Bee Gees’ pop music is ‘Stayin’ Alive’ through tribute band

by Gary Bennett

Stayin’ Alive, a Bee Gees tribute band, will perform at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on April 24, 2026.

This article appears in April 23, 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Love them or hate them, the Bee Gees were one of the most culturally significant pop music acts ever — possibly second only to the Beatles.

When you look back over their extraordinary career, there’s really no other way to describe them. Their music and place in pop culture make them more than worthy of tributes.

If you’d like to relive their remarkable music or are simply curious, you can catch the tribute show Stayin’ Alive at the Weinberg Center for the Arts on April 24 at 7:30 pm.

The show is billed as a “full-on celebration of the Bee Gee’s unforgettable sound and style.” Three musical actors take on the Bee Gee’s personas and provide the look and sound that made them famous.

The real Bee Gees have a secure place in music history.

They ushered in the phenomenal but short-lived disco craze of the mid-to late-1970s. By 1980, disco music was waning, but for about five years, it was pervasive and universally loved or hated. The Bee Gees led the way.

They became the most successful disco artists of all time thanks to the 1977 movie “Saturday Night Fever.”

Even though they didn’t set out to be disco stars, once they realized what was happening, they leaned hard into it. Intoxicating as it was, it most certainly shortened their career.

Barry Gibb once said about this period: “Saturday Night Fever (the soundtrack) wasn’t just like a hit album. It was number one every single week for 25 weeks. It was just an amazing, crazy, extraordinary time. I remember not being able to answer the phone, and I remember people climbing over my walls. I was quite grateful when it stopped. It was too unreal.”

Along with picking the right artistic vehicle, the Bee Gees’ gift for melody, great songwriting (often done on the fly) and lush, three-part harmony made them stand out.

They certainly looked the part of disco stars. Their white, flowery shirts showing off plenty of chest hair, white bell bottoms, chains galore and gobs of perfectly quaffed, blow-dried hair screamed disco.

The oldest, Barry, was even blessed with movie-star good looks that made him a ‘70s heartthrob.

Up until the release of “Saturday Night Fever” in late 1977, the Bee Gees were a moderately successful act delivering harmonious ballads and what is now called “blue-eyed soul” music.

From 1966 to 1976, they produced pleasing pop tunes and well-regarded albums. From 1977 until about 1982, they became a cultural phenomenon and the most successful recording act in all the music business.

Their rise to stardom began with an oddly titled original song called “Spicks and Specs,” which was named Best Single of the Year in Australia for 1966.

At this point in their young lives — they were only 20 and 17 years old — the brothers were men of the world.

In 1958, they emigrated with their parents to Australia to escape a tough life in post-World War II England. In 1967, they were on their way to back to England to stay when their song hit it big.

From 1966 to 1974, they came up with enough charting singles to issue a greatest hits album. Had they never discovered disco, they would have had a perfectly fine, above average career.

In 1971, they scored their first number-one hit with “How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” a lovesick account of lost love set to a beautiful melody.

The song helped them score a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 1972.

Later that year, they had a few other charting singles, but then the hits dried up. In 1973 and 1974, the Bee Gees had no charting singles and found themselves in a rut. They seemed to be nearly finished in the business.

Looking for a change, they moved to Miami in 1975 and decided to try more upbeat, dance-oriented songs. They were successful, coming up with their second number-one hit, “Jive Talkin’,” and a number-seven smash, “Nights on Broadway.”

The new album, “Main Course,” featured those songs and others with Barry using a high-pitched “falsetto” voice that he stumbled onto accidentally. It would become a trademark of the band from then on.

The band liked the new sound and fans agreed, sending “Main Course” to the top of the album chart.

In 1976, they followed up with another very good album, “Children of the World,” which spawned the hits “You Should be Dancing,” “Love So Right” and “Boogie Child.” The Bee Gees were on a clear upswing.

Later that year, they would make a decision that would supercharge their already positive trajectory.

They agreed to make the soundtrack to a modest, low-budget, disco-themed movie called “Saturday Night Fever,” starring a young TV heartthrob, John Travolta. It was a simple decision meant to continue the dance-oriented songs they were already doing. Little did they know what was about to happen.

The movie got off to a slow start. Critics panned it. But the soundtrack and resulting album propelled the movie, making it a cultural phenomenon.

The movie and music were everywhere in 1978. The public could not get enough. Largely because of the soundtrack, the movie ended up as the top grossing movie of 1978.

Astonishingly, the brothers wrote just about the entire soundtrack and all of the songs in a single weekend. This “Beatle-esque” burst of creativity in such a short period of time became legendary in music circles.

Barry Gibb remembered the reaction when producer Robert Stigwood and music supervisor Bill Oakes arrived and listened to the demos: “They flipped out and said these songs will be great. We still had no concept of the movie, except some kind of rough script that they’d brought with them.”

Three Bee Gees singles from the movie — “How Deep is Your Love,” “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever” — all hit number one in the U.S. In March 1978, the brothers held the top two positions with “Night Fever” and “Stayin’ Alive,” the first time that had happened since the Beatles.

They even penned hits for others during this time, including “If I Can’t Have You” for Yvonne Elliman, “Grease” for Frankie Valli and “Love is Thicker Than Water” for little brother Andy Gibb.

During this heady nine-month period beginning at Christmas 1977, seven songs written by the brothers held the number-one position in the charts for 27 consecutive weeks — a feat not even the Beatles achieved.

Five songs written by the Gibb brothers were in the U.S. top 10 at the same time. Barry Gibb became the only songwriter to have four consecutive number-one hits in the U.S., breaking a tie with John Lennon and Paul McCartney from 1964.

The movie soundtrack broke multiple industry records. With more than 40 million copies sold, “Saturday Night Fever” became the top selling movie soundtrack album of all time.

As of 2025, it is calculated to be the fourth highest selling album of any genre in music history. The Bee Gees won five Grammy Awards for “Saturday Night Fever” over two years.

But shortly after the awards were given, it all began to fade. Like a red-hot candle burning out quickly, perhaps it was inevitable.

They came up with one more critically acclaimed album in 1979, “Spirits Having Flown,” which spawned one big hit, “Too Much Heaven.”

But with disco on the way out, the Bee Gees’ success faded, too. The backlash against disco became so great in the 1980s that radio stations had Bee Gees-free weekends. Fans were even invited to come in and smash their disco albums with a hammer.

One last top 10 single came with the song “One,” but not until 1989.

After the Bee Gees settled into retirement, basking in their incredible career, disaster struck.

Maurice Gibb died unexpectedly in 2003, at age 53, from a heart attack. Robin Gibb died in 2012 from liver and kidney failure caused by liver cancer.

There would be no more Bee Gees reunions or valedictory tours. Seventy-nine-year-old Sir Barry Gibb is still with us, living quietly with his wife, Linda, in their Miami Beach waterfront mansion.

The Bee Gees legacy is more than secure.

They have been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (1994), the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1997) and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame (2001).

In 2002, all three brothers were appointed as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE), conferring the title “Sir” to each one.

In 2023, Barry Gibb became a Kennedy Center honoree for contributions to American culture. It is estimated that the Bee Gees have sold around 250 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling musical acts of all time.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.

Funny songs to tickle your ‘humorous’ bone

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the April 16, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Humor is a funny word. (Wait, let me rephrase that.)

The word actually began its long journey meaning something you’d never expect — it derives from the Latin for bodily fluid. Medieval medicine believed the body contained four primary fluids or “humors,” including blood, phlegm and two types of bile, thought to determine temperament. By the 16th century the term broadened to mean one’s moods or whims. Finally, by the late 17th century, humor arrived at its modern meaning: amusing or funny.

Humorist and author Larry Wilde, director of the Carmel Institute of Humor, declared April to be National Humor Month in 1976, which made abundant sense since April 1 had long been established as April Fool’s Day. Thereafter, April 19 was officially named Humorous Day — dedicated to having a good time and finding the bright side of even the toughest situation.

Science has confirmed that laughter is the best medicine. It allows us to breathe in more fresh air, boosts our heart rate, lowers blood pressure and stimulates our lungs and respiratory system. You can even burn calories and release physical tension when you laugh. Laughter strengthens relationships, too — it helps couples stay together longer, enhances parent/child bonding and makes friendships stronger.

So what can you do to get some of this good juju on Humorous Day?

You could binge-watch a great sitcom — “All in the Family,” “Cheers,” “Frasier,” “Everybody Loves Raymond,” “Seinfeld,” “The Andy Griffith Show,” “The Honeymooners” or “I Love Lucy.”

You could watch stand-up on YouTube from Jack Benny, George Carlin, Johnny Carson, Bill Cosby, Rodney Dangerfield, Jackie Gleason, Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy or Richard Pryor.

You could rent a great comedy — the American Film Institute recommends “Animal House,” “Caddyshack,” “Duck Soup,” “Elf,” “Ghostbusters,” “Home Alone,” “M*A*S*H,” “Mrs. Doubtfire,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation,” “Office Space,” “Some Like It Hot,” “Wayne’s World” and “Wedding Crashers.”

Or you could catch a live comedy show — The Comedy Pigs at MET, Comedy Fest at the Weinberg or the Bored Teachers Comedy Tour on April 23.

But for me, there’s nothing better than a great humorous song. Writing one is harder than it looks — that’s why so many “novelty” songs are cringe-worthy. You typically won’t get belly laughs from funny songs, but you will get heartwarming smiles for as long as you care to listen.

Below, I’ve listed some of my favorites alphabetically. Queue them up on your smart speaker for an hour and a half of Humorous Day listening pleasure. Did I miss any of yours?

A BOY NAMED SUE

Johnny Cash, 1969

Country superstar hit gold by going against type in this live, funny performance.

Funny lyric: “But the meanest thing that my daddy ever did / Was before he left, he went and named me Sue.”

COVER OF THE ROLLING STONE

Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show, 1972

Satirical romp that mocks the music industry’s obsession with image and fame.

Funny lyric: “I got a freaky old lady name a Cocaine Katy who embroiders on my jeans / I got my poor old gray-haired daddy drivin’ my limousine.”

EAT IT

“Weird Al” Yankovic, 1984

The king of parodies had several but his best one riffs on Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.”

Funny lyric: “Have some more yogurt / have some more Spam / It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh or canned / Just eat it.”

IF YOU WANNA BE HAPPY

Jimmy Soul, 1963

This No. 1 hit gave dubious advice that marrying an ugly woman is a safe bet.

Funny lyric: “Though her face is ugly, her eyes don’t match / Take it from me, she’s a better catch.”

I’M TOO SEXY

Right Said Fred, 1991

This all-time funniest karaoke-style song pokes fun at bodybuilders.

Funny lyric: “I’m too sexy for my shirt / Too sexy for my shirt / So sexy it hurts.”

IT WASN’T ME

Shaggy, 2000

This cheating anthem is a humorous guide to lying even when caught red-handed.

Funny lyric: “But she caught me on the counter (It wasn’t me) / I even had her in the shower (It wasn’t me.)”

KING TUT

Steve Martin, 1977

Comedy legend first performed this bizarre song on “Saturday Night Live.”

Funny lyric: “When I die, now don’t think I’m a nut / Don’t want no fancy funeral, just one like ole King Tut.”

MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME

Three Dog Night, 1970

Naive party-goer is shocked, shocked!, by what he sees at his first wild party.

Funny lyric: “The radio is blastin’, someone’s knockin’ at the door / I’m lookin’ at my girlfriend, she’s passed out on the floor.”

MARGARITAVILLE

Jimmy Buffett, 1977

The king of laid-back island rock gets wasted and half-laments a lost love.

Funny lyric: “I don’t know the reason, stayed here all season / With nothing to show but this brand-new tattoo.”

MY DING-A-LING

Chuck Berry, 1972

Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer had his biggest hit with this sly, double-entendre sing-along.

Funny lyric: “I fell so hard, I heard bells ring / But held onto my ding-a-ling-a-ling”

NO NO SONG

Ringo Starr, 1974

Ex-Beatle delivered a cheekily charming and exasperated anti-drug song.

Funny lyric: “And I said, ‘No, no, no, no, I don’t smoke it no more / I’m tired of waking up on the floor.’”

ONE WEEK

Barenaked Ladies, 1998

The Canadian pop rockers had several mischievous songs. This one tops the list.

Funny lyric: “Like Harrison Ford, I’m getting frantic / Like Sting, I’m tantric / Like Snickers, guaranteed to satisfy”

PURPLE PEOPLE EATER

Sheb Wooley, 1958

A perennial Halloween favorite that topped the charts.

Funny lyric: “But that’s not the reason that I came to land / I wanna get a job in a rock-and-roll band.”

THE STREAK

Ray Stevens, 1974

Of the many “streaking” songs of 1974, this one was at the top.

Funny lyric: “And here he come, right out of the cheap seats, dribbling / Didn’t have on nothing but his Keds.”

TELEPHONE MAN

Meri Wilson, 1977

Lighthearted, double-entendre song lampooning getting a phone installed.

Funny lyric: “Hey baby, I’m your telephone man / Show me where you want it and I’ll put it where I can.”

UNEASY RIDER

Charlie Daniels, 1973

A pot-smoking, long-haired hippie somehow escapes intact from a no-nonsense Southern bar.

Funny lyric: “Well they all started laughin’ and I felt kinda sick / And I knew I’d better think of somethin’ pretty quick / So I jes’ reached out an’ kicked ol’ green-teeth right in the knee.”

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.