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Bernard W. Brown: 95 years of serving and going strong

By Gary Bennett

Bernard Brown stands in front of the building named after him on N. Market Street in downtown Frederick. Staff photo by Ric Dugan

This article appears in the October 15, 2025 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s Prime Time Magazine.

There are not too many living Fredericktonians with their names on a building, but Bernard W. Brown of Thomas Avenue is one of them. He is, without a doubt, the epitome of a life well lived. He has accomplished much in his 95 years and is determined to remain active and vital for as long as he can.

At the current United Way of Frederick County offices at 629 North Market Street, the Bernard W. Brown Community Center proudly bears his name. The Center stands as a testament to his lifelong work advocating for affordable housing in Frederick.

“I’m very proud of the Bernard Brown Building,” he said recently. “The Housing Authority named it after me after serving as chairman [for the Housing Authority] for more than 20 years. I go way back. I first got involved with my daughter at some programs there.”

His building is no longer a community center but serves as the United Way’s main conference room, featuring prominent floor to ceiling windows. Seeing it still thriving and providing support to residents makes Brown proud.

“I’m really pleased with the way things worked out. It gave the United Way a good, central place to operate and tied in the Housing Authority and their properties with it in a way that is good for both.”

AN ELK AT HEART

Throughout his career, Brown has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, not only leading the Housing Authority but with a number of boards and committees.

Remarkably, he also served as exalted ruler of the Mountain City Elks Lodge for more than 50 years. Oct. 15 of every year is now Bernard W. Brown Day at the Elks. He was even presented a key to the lodge, so he can come and go as he pleases.

“What can I say? I love the world of ‘Elkdom,’” Brown said of his time and service with the Elks. “My brother Adrian and I joined up together. He got sick and passed at a young age, but he told me that’s a good organization so stay there as long as you can. I’ve been a member for 58 years now. I stepped down five or six years ago as exalted ruler.”

As for his special day at the Elks, Brown is characteristically humble.

“My brother and I saw that a lot of help was needed. We wanted to do as much as we could and didn’t want our efforts to fall away, so I pledged to carry on after my brother died as a tribute to him. Before I knew it, decades had passed,” Brown said.

Now he looks forward to his special day every year because friends near and far call to congratulate him on his life and legacy, typically ones he’s not heard from in years.

It wasn’t always hard work with the Elks.

“We’d go to the convention in whatever city, and then we’d stay an additional week,” he recalled. “That gave us a chance to travel, and most of the time we drove. My wife wouldn’t fly or take the train. These were some of our most enjoyable times. We’ve been to Vegas, Detroit and lots of trips to Atlanta. My wife was also a teacher, so we had summers off and took advantage of that for our trips.”

ORIGINAL POWER COUPLE

Brown lost his wife Ruth in 2023. They had been married for 68 years. Ruth Brown worked as a local teacher and coach and founded the Bernetta R. Brown Dance Troupe, named for their late daughter.

Brown credits Ruth as the person who kept him grounded. Together, they were a power couple to be reckoned with.

They both joined the NAACP and delighted in helping others solve problems. They didn’t always succeed but generally felt they made things a little better.

“I miss her a lot. We had a good life together. We were both Christians, and I just remember all the special things she did for the community and family. She was the backbone of the family. If I came to her with something I wanted to do, she never turned me down. She always said, ‘Give me one good reason why you can’t do this?’ I could never come up with anything. I took care of her at the end. That left me with a very special feeling. It gave me the opportunity to show her how much I loved her.”

LABORING SONS

Along with his passion for the Elks and his work at the Housing Authority, Brown was instrumental in the restoration of Laboring Sons Memorial Grounds on Chapel Alley between Fifth and Sixth streets. It was a Black cemetery when it was donated to Frederick in 1941. The city then converted the site to a whites-only playground in 1948, but after the original purpose for the site was discovered in 1999, the playground was dismantled and the site was re-dedicated as the Laboring Sons Memorial Grounds in 2003.

“I looked into the history of the cemetery and found they closed it and built a park over it,” Brown recalled. “The park at that time was segregated. I got together with Bill Lee and a couple of friends and said we need to restore it so people can remember it. We went to Mayor [Jennifer] Daugherty, at the time and she allowed us to restore it. So we got it restored and added the monument. It turned out to be something nice for the community.”

LEARNING AND SERVING

Brown credits a surprising career change for sparking his love for learning and serving.

He’d worked for Frederick Construction Company for 22 years as the concrete supervisor when a friend told him the school system was changing the way they hire teachers in the construction field.

“I interviewed and because of my time in construction, they hired me as a teacher. But I had to pick up 18 credits right away during the summer at the University of Maryland to get my teaching degree. I got my degree and then got my first teaching assignment at Brunswick High School teaching the building trades. I retired after being at Brunswick High and New Market Middle schools. It all came about because research showed that students learned better from people that had actual hands-on experience in the trades.”

Brown credits community service for his longevity and constantly working his mind to remain mentally fit and agile and recommends getting involved in the community as much as possible.

“I got involved in a lot of community stuff early because of my wife. She was involved in a lot of things, so I started going with her. I started volunteering under Ron Young. He appointed me to the first block grant committee. After that, everything took off.”

In his many decades, he has seen and contributed to more change than most of us can imagine.

“Things are better now than they were. Now, we’ve sort of come to a halt nationally, but we’re still doing alright compared to the old times.”

Brown was no stranger to discrimination, segregation and redlining. With a twinkle but slight hint of sorrow in his eyes, he told the story of how he came to be in his current home on Thomas Avenue in Frederick.

“My first home was on South Street. We bought that one. After 10 or 12 years there, we built this house. My realtor was a real nice Christian man and he had us a place lined up on Route 40 — the Golden Mile — up on the left [in the Hillcrest neighborhood]. But, at that time there were terrible racial problems. People up there found out we were Black and started talking. The owners took it off the market. My realtor was mad and said, ‘I’m going to get you a nice home if that’s the last thing I do.’ He found this lot on Thomas Avenue and we jumped on it. I got a contractor to set up the shell and we did the rest ourselves — me, my father and two brothers. We were all builder types.”

THE FUTURE

At 95 years old, Bernard Brown’s lifelong dedication to service continues to inspire everyone around him, and he is optimistic about the direction of the city.

“I think we’ve had good people as mayors and on the boards,” he said. “I believe we should support our leaders, not condemn them unless they’re really doing something terrible. I talk with Mayor O’Connor some, and he spoke at my 95th birthday. And Ron Young, too. I’ve been friends with them all. When I’ve had a problem, I go to them and they’ve never backed off.”

His impact is lasting, and his example reminds us of the power of service and community.

Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He serves as a board member of Advocates for Homeless Families and is on the Affordable Housing Council for Frederick County.

One-hit wonderful: Celebrate these one-off hits on One-Hit Wonder Day

By Gary Bennett

Motion of the turntable of warm toned image with shallow depth of field

This article appears in the September 25, 2025, issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

I’ve always puzzled at the mockery directed toward pop artists who only manage one big hit song in their careers. In my mind, they’ve managed something that few others have: hit the jackpot in life by creating something that brings others entertainment and sometimes joy. That is one-hit “wonder-ful” in my book.

I’m not alone. These artists and their songs even have their own day. September 25 is officially “One-Hit Wonder Day.”

A one-hit wonder is any artist that achieves mainstream popularity, often for only one piece of work, and becomes known among the public solely for that momentary success. The term is mostly used for music performers with only one hit single that overshadows their other work.

Because of streaming services and the decline of broadcast radio, the line has been blurred as to what is a hit song now days and what is not. People listen to what they want and pay less attention to mainstream radio and Top 40 charts than they used to.

Still, the term ‘one-hit wonder’ lives on in popular culture. How many times have you heard the term directed at someone who (as far as you can tell) has only done one big thing in life? I tease my best friend all the time with this term because he obviously “married up.” Another gets the same ribbing because he is an only child.

Maybe one-hit wonders haven’t attained long-lasting success or public notoriety, but in many cases, they’ve earned a comfortable living with a little thing called “royalties.”

Case in point, back in my day, a fellow named Norman Greenbaum had one big hit, “Spirit in the Sky.” It reached No. 3 on the pop charts in 1970. I’m sure you’ve heard it. It has sort of a mystical vibe. It turns up in movies and commercials all the time. Even though he long-ago signed away the publishing rights, Greenbaum still receives a cut of the revenue as the song’s performer. Each time “Spirit in the Sky” appears in a movie or ad, he cashes a check for $10,000 or more.

“It’s not like it’s made me rich, as you can see,” said Greenbaum, 82, pointing at his modest two-bedroom home in Santa Rosa, California. “But because of ‘Spirit in the Sky,’ I’ve never had to work a real job. “

Then there are the hitmakers in bands who go off to become solo performers but don’t have the same success on their own.

There is a fellow named Dave Mason who had plenty of hits with a terrific band called Traffic in the 1960s but came up with just one big one as a solo performer, “We Just Disagree,” in 1977. He’s now 79 and still plays small clubs. Before he plays his one big solo hit, he tells the audience it’s his “mailbox song,” because every month he walks out to the mailbox and picks up his royalty check. He says he has no idea how much he’s made on that one song but agrees he could probably live off it.

English singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Mason performs in 1974 in London, UK. (Photo by Chris Walter/Getty Images)

Consider, too, the successful artists that have been called one-hit wonders even though they’ve had other charting singles. In their cases, one mammoth song overshadowed everything else they’ve done. Think Grateful Dead’s “Touch of Grey,” Beck’s “Loser,” Frank Zappa’s “Valley Girl” and Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me.”

I often joke with my wife that if I could just come up with one pop hit, we would be set (never mind the fact that I have no musical talent).

“Macarena” by Los Del Río in 1996 is often cited as the quintessential one-hit wonder. The song’s popularity, powered by the iconic dance, made it a global sensation in the mid-1990s. Afterwards, the band was never able to come anywhere close to the level of success achieved by that song.

So, settle in fellow music fans and take a trip with me through the decades on One-Hit Wonder Day on Sept. 25, and pull up some of these classic songs and terrific artists who never reached these heights again. But at least they did once!

1960s

• Teen Angel, Mark Dinning, 1960

• The Lions Sleeps Tonight, The Tokens, 1961

• Monster Mash, Bobby “Boris” Picket, 1962

• Rhythm of the Rain, The Cascades, 1963

• (Just Like) Romeo and Juliet, The Reflections, 1964

• Eve of Destruction, Barry McGuire, 1965

• Wild Thing, The Troggs, 1966

• A Whiter Shade of Pale, Procol Harum, 1967

• In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida, Iron Butterfly, 1968

• Get Together, The Youngbloods, 1969

1970s

• Ride Captain Ride, Blues Image, 1970

• One Toke Over the Line, Brewer & Shipley, 1971

• Brandy, You’re a Fine Girl, Looking Glass, 1972

• Dancing in the Moonlight, King Harvest, 1973

• Midnight at the Oasis, Maria Muldaur, 1974

• The Hustle, Van McCoy, 1975

• Play That Funky Music, Wild Cherry, 1976

• You Light Up My Life, Debby Boone, 1977

• Short People, Randy Newman, 1978

• My Sharona, The Knack, 1979

1980s

• Whip It, Devo, 1980

• Just the Two of Us, Grover Washington, Jr., 1981

• 867-5309/Jenny, Tommy Tutone, 1982

• There’s Always Something There to Remind Me, Naked Eyes, 1983

• We’re Not Gonna Take It, Twisted Sister, 1984

• Take on Me, a-ha, 1985

• Take My Breath Away, Berlin, 1986

• At This Moment, Billy Vera and the Beaters, 1987

• Don’t Worry, Be Happy, Bobby McFerrin, 1988

• Bust a Move, Young MC, 1989

1990s

• Ice Ice Baby, Vanilla Ice, 1990

• Walking in Memphis, Marc Cohn, 1991

• Life Is a Highway, Tom Cochrane, 1992

• I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles), The Proclaimers, 1993

• Loser, Beck, 1994

• I’ll Be There for You (Theme from Friends), The Rembrandts, 1995

• Macarena, Los Del Rio, 1996

• MMMBop, Hanson, 1997

• Torn, Natalie Imbuglia, 1998

• Mambo No. 5, Lou Bega, 1999

2000s

• Who Let the Dogs Out, Baha Men, 2000

• I Hope You Dance, Lee Ann Womack, 2001

• The Middle, Jimmy Eat World, 2002

• The Boys of Summer, The Ataris, 2003

• Heaven, Los Lonely Boys, 2004

• Bad Day, Daniel Powter, 2005

• Crazy, Gnarles Barkley, 2006

• Hey There Delilah, Plain White T’s, 2007

• All Summer Long, Kid Rock, 2008

• Goodbye, Kristinia DeBarge, 2009

2010s

• Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepsen, 2010

• Somebody That I Used to Know, Goyte, 2011

• Let Her Go, Passenger, 2012

• Ho Hey, Lumineers, 2013

• Cheerleader, Omi, 2014

• Fight Song, Rachel Platten, 2015

• Ex’s and Oh’s, Elle King, 2016

• Feel It Still, Portugal. The Man, 2017

• Let You Down, NF, 2018

• Roxanne, Arizona Zervas, 2019

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.

‘Hogan’s Heroes’ turns 60

By Gary Bennett

John Banner, Bob Crane and Werner Klemperer star in the 1960’s hit series ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’

This article appears in the September 11, 2025, issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Imagine this: you’re a network executive and two Hollywood hangers-on come to you with an idea for a television comedy. It will be set in a POW camp in Nazi Germany at the height of World War II. You’d think they were crazy, right? Well, that’s exactly what Bernard Fine and Albert Ruddy did in 1964 when they pitched the idea for “Hogan’s Heroes” to CBS.

The two veteran but largely unknown actor/producer-types reportedly came up with the idea over lunch one day. And despite understandable misgivings from network executives about the humor in such a setting, they green-lit the project anyway. Actors, writers, directors and producers were hired, the pilot was shot, and “Hogan’s Heroes” was off and running. And to everyone’s surprise, it was a hit!

For folks of my generation, you’re probably smiling at the thought of this absurd, unique, but long-forgotten comedy that aired on Friday nights in the tumultuous ‘60s. For you younger folks, I urge you to give it a try. Two back-to-back episodes air every week night at 10 p.m. on Me TV. The entire series is available on DVD from Paramount Home Entertainment, Columbia House and CBS Home Entertainment.

I find it to be a perfectly mindless way to end to a busy day. Just be ready for preposterous story lines, a smug, carefree and debonair leading man and over-the-top comedic acting that make the Germans look like fools. But that’s precisely the point. And somehow, it all works.

In 2025, “Hogan’s Heroes” celebrates its 60th anniversary. Its first airing was Sept. 17, 1965, just 20 years after the end of World War II and at the very height of the Vietnam War. Against all odds, it was a commercial and critical success, running for six seasons (168 episodes) through April 1971 on CBS. It has been in reruns ever since. As a young boy during this time, I can tell you the show was hilarious. Now, as an adult, it seems like an amusing, back-slapping old friend. It is widely regarded as the most unique situation comedy ever produced. The premise was pure genius.

The show centers around a group of cheeky, smart-alecky Allied prisoners of war who use the POW camp as a base of operations for sabotage and espionage directed against Nazi Germany. They make sure the clueless, befuddled commandant of the camp maintains his spotless record of never allowing a successful escape from fictitious Stalag 13 to keep their operation afloat. A savvier leader would surely catch on to all the shenanigans. All the while, the POWs are plotting and carrying out all manner of mayhem in the surrounding countryside via their elaborate labyrinth of tunnels and passages.

Aside from an improbable and unmatched premise, I believe the biggest reason “Hogan’s Heroes” worked so well was pitch-perfect casting.

Bob Crane starred as U.S. Colonel Robert E. Hogan, the handsome mastermind of all manner of espionage and sabotage performed in the ‘underground” surrounding Stalag 13. He used wit, charm and ingenuity to subvert the Germans at every turn. He led an international crew of specialists in explosives, radio operations, gourmet cooking (very handy to butter up the Germans) and safe cracking. Crane was offered the role after appearing in Disney movies and other sitcoms as the clean cut, guy-next-door type. His story book career ended tragically in 1978 at age 50 when he was bludgeoned to death in a hotel room. His murderer was never captured.

Character actor Werner Klemperer co-starred as the vain, obtuse, bald but distinguished-looking Colonel Klink, the commandant of the camp, to comical perfection. So much so that he was nominated for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series five times in the six years the show aired. He won twice in ’68 and ’69. Klink is completely unaware of Hogan’s operation and is unfailingly proud of his no escape record as he unceasingly reminds his befuddled superiors. In real life Klemperer was Jewish and only agreed to take the role after receiving assurances Klink would always play the fool. Klemperer remarked one time, “I had one qualification when I took the job: if they ever wrote a segment where Klink came out the hero, I would leave the show.” He never left the show.

John Banner co-starred as the gullible but affable Seargent-of-the-Guard Schultz (or “Schultzie,” as the prisoners called him), Klink’s right-hand man. He is rotund, clumsy and inept but has a heart of gold as we see in many episodes. He is quoted in one show as saying “I don’t like to take sides in war.” He is easily bribed with chocolates and gourmet cooking and has a penchant for talking too much. He exited many scenes by uttering his catch phrase, “I know (hear, see) nothing!” That phrase was on the lips of many people (not just kids) in the ‘60s who didn’t want to get involved in something nefarious. Like Klemperer, Banner was born to Jewish parents who fled Nazi Germany. He later served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant in World War II.

Despite a camp full of POWs, only four ever had speaking roles and comprised Colonel Hogan’s inner circle and saboteurs-in-arms.

Robert Clary played diminutive French Corporal Louis LeBeau, know as “cockroach” to Klink and Schultz. He was a gourmet chef, always able to delight the Germans with his cooking prowess, much to their detriment. Amazingly, Clary in real life was also Jewish and escaped three years in a German concentration camp in his teens by using his singing and dancing skills to survive. His parents and other family members were killed. He delighted in the show and the way it made the Germans look so foolish.

Richard Dawson played British Royal Air Force Corporal Peter Newkirk. His penchant for conning other people along with his ability to crack a safe, pick a lock or pocket, cheat at cards and forge documents made him a valuable compatriot. His best skill, however, was his fearsome German accent that he used to great effect to threaten Klink and other Germans on the phone or radio with a “transfer to the Russian front.” Dawson went on to be a game show Hall of Famer, first as the go-to panelist on Match Game and then as the first host of Family Feud.

Larry Hovis played explosives expert U.S. Technical Sergeant Andrew J. Carter. Smart, clumsy and affable, he played the absent-minded professor role to perfection. He delighted in blowing up any manner of German trains, planes, bridges, and munitions. His menacing, rapid-fire German accent and uncanny resemblance to Hitler proved invaluable in many episodes.

Ivan Dixon played U.S. Staff Sergeant James “Kinch” Kinchloe, the man responsible for radio communication. One running gag featured a radio antenna rising matter-of-factly from a German flagpole, but no one ever noticing. Dixon was African-American and casting him in this role was a major step forward for a television show in the mid-1960s. In fact, “Hogan’s Heroes” was honored with the NAACP Award in 1967 as a “TV program that improved the presentation of Negroes.” In real life Dixon was a Korean War flying ace and record setting test pilot. Dixon went on to become a hugely sought-after director in Hollywood.

The two actors who played the recurring roles of Klink’s superior officer and the perpetually irritated and suspicious Gestapo officer were also Jewish and extraordinary in their roles.

Character actor Leon Askin played fat, battle-scarred General Burkhalter to exasperating perfection. He knew Klink was a fool but knew to leave well enough alone. Even though he was played with savvy and intelligence, Burkhalter never caught on to Hogan’s escapades either.

Howard Caine as Gestapo Major Hochstetter was comedy gold. When Hogan would show up unexpectedly at a place he shouldn’t, Hochstetter would snarl “What is this man doing here?” He was constantly suspicious of all the sabotage swirling around Stalag 13 and knew that Klink was a fool but was never able to catch Hogan in the act.

Besides the five nominations and two Emmy wins for Klemperer as Colonel Klink, “Hogan’s Heroes” received seven other Emmy nominations including a total of five in the two most prestigious categories: best comedy series and best lead actor in a comedy series for Bob Crane. Most critics agree that the third star of the show, John Banner as Sgt. Schultz, should have been nominated, too, but was overshadowed by Klemperer. “Hogan’s Heroes” finished its six-year run as the number nine rated TV show in the land. Not bad for a hare-brained comedy premise.

Dog days at the movies: Top 10 best dog movies of all time

By Gary Bennett

Thus Jan. 9, 2019., photo shows a wall of movie posters celebrating canine stars on display at the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog in New York.

This article appears in the August 21, 2025, issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

The dog days of summer are upon us (or perhaps slightly behind us) and what better way to escape the heat and boredom of these last few summer days than to curl up in glorious air conditioning and watch a good dog-themed movie.

But before we consider what to watch, did you ever stop to wonder where the term “dog days” comes from?

According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, it turns out that dog days has nothing to do with our four-legged friends but everything to do with astrology! Dog days refers to the hottest time of year between July 3 and Aug. 11, with Aug. 11 just happening to coincide with the rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. For ancient Egyptians, Sirius appeared just before the annual flooding of the Nile in mid-August, so it became the “watch dog” for that event.

Today “dog days” are associated with hot, muggy days when you just can’t do anything but lie around like a dog. Dog days have come to be more associated with August than July. That is because by August, we have just about had it with summer. I know I have.

The term has even made its way into popular culture. Baseball has dog days when teams, most notably those out of contention, struggle to grind out game after game. Popular music has the 2010 top 10 song “Dog Days are Over,” by Florence and the Machine.

There’s also been more than a few movies with “dog days” in the title, including one great one, 1975’s “Dog Day Afternoon” starring Al Pacino and directed by Sidney Lumet. That one told the tale of a long, sweaty, daylong siege suffered by inept bank robber Pacino, his partner and nine frightened hostages. It was based on a true story. Unfortunately, there were no actual dogs in the movie.

But thankfully for us, there are lots of great movies about dogs — so many, in fact, it’s nearly impossible to settle on a list of the top 10. But settle, I did.

I’m partial to movies where dogs don’t die and are the heroes, but I did consider the alternative. One caveat: I didn’t include animated movies in my top 10, which took some admittedly great ones out of the mix like “101 Dalmatians” and “Lady and the Tramp.” But, I’m an adult now and I just can’t settle in with an animated movie unless I’m with my grandsons.

10. “The Shaggy Dog,” 1959

Young lad Wilby stumbles upon an ancient curse and begins turning into a sheepdog, little by little. As a dog, he helps to foil a plot to steal secret government information he overhears.

9. “Turner & Hootch,” 1989

Tom Hanks stars as a by-the-book police officer who inherits his friend’s unruly dog who has a knack for helping to solve cases. In an odd-couple pairing, Hanks reluctantly embraces the sloppy, destructive, but effective dog.

8. “Best in Show,” 2000

The talented Second City cast prepares to take part in the great Mayflower Dog Show in this quirky, dry comedy that features scores of hilarious canines.

7. “A Dog’s Way Home,” 2019

When big-hearted Bella becomes separated from her owner, she embarks on a 400-mile journey to reunite with him. Along the way she finds adventure and helps a host of strangers.

6. “Call of the Wild,” 2020

Harrison Ford stars in this Alaskan adventure as the new owner of Buck, a good-natured dog that was just added to his mail-delivery dog sled team. Buck enjoys the work and the adventurous lifestyle.

5. “Sounder,” 1972

A family of poor Black sharecroppers in the Depression-era South can’t find enough to eat, despite help from their hunting dog, Sounder. The dog eventually runs away, but the family never gives up hope of finding it. I won’t spoil the ending.

4. “A Dog’s Purpose,” 2017

Reincarnated many times over 50-plus years, a devoted dog learns about itself as it helps its owners to laugh and love — one of the best ideas for a dog movie ever.

3. “Benji,” 1974

When the two children that Benji loves are kidnapped, he springs into action to save them and captures the crooks. He even falls in love with a Maltese along the way.

2. “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey,” 1993

Before the family leaves on vacation, they drop off their pets, including Chance, a wet-behind-the-ears American bulldog, at a friend’s ranch. Afraid they’ve been left forever, they start off on a harrowing journey to find their family. This movie features great voice work by Micheal J. Fox.

1. “Old Yeller,” 1957

A family in Texas tries to run off a runaway dog they call Old Yeller because he caused damage in their fields. Eventually they warm to him when he protects the family from a bear attack. As the dog and family grow closer, an outbreak of rabies threatens the bond.

Relax Frederick! How some notable locals unwind

By Gary Bennett

Michael O’Connor, Mayor of Frederick, 2025

This article appears in the August 13, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Proving there is a day for everything — even things that don’t need a special day — Aug. 15 is National Relaxation Day. How do I know this? I make it my business to keep up on all the newest trends, plus I consider myself a bit of a relaxation savant. Just ask my wife. No one can sit in one place longer than me.

Truth be told, I’ve waited all year for this day to arrive. It makes me look good.

National Relaxation Day encourages us to slow down and smell the roses. It’s a day to focus on taking care of yourself and taking a moment to relax. And it comes at the perfect time. August is the laziest time of year. It’s hot. There’s not much yard work to do since most things stopped growing weeks ago. There are no holidays to prepare for. And, for most of the world (notably large swaths of Europe), people don’t even work in August.

Inexplicably, a fourth-grader is credited with founding this day in 1985. Nine-year-old Sean Moeller from Michigan suggested to city leaders that we needed a day when people do nothing of real value. (Apparently, he was trying to get out of household chores.) He said that cleaning and real work are not relaxing. He said that too much work can make us sick, run-down, tired, “and that’s just wrong.” (Obviously, he’s heard me talking to my wife.)

With a wonderful idea like this, I’m sure he must have gone on to do many other great things in life.

You must admit he was right. It has been proven time and again that stress can be harmful to our health, both mentally and physically. Most doctors agree that finding ways to relax and reduce stress improve overall health. There is incontrovertible evidence that illness is significantly more common when you’re under stress.

American are well known for their hectic lifestyles and manic work schedules. It’s a double-edged sword because Americans want to be achievers, but burnout is always lurking around the corner. Europeans shake their heads at us when we recount all the late nights at work, vacations skipped, meetings attended and double- and triple-booked lifestyles.

National Relaxation Day gives us a chance to be mindful of all the things we’re trying to squeeze into a single day. It gives us a chance to just say no. No, I’m not doing any laundry today. No, I’m not fixing dinner tonight. No, I don’t need to vacuum. And no, I won’t be helping you with your homework. This day is about kicking back and focusing on yourself.

I am no stranger to mindful relaxation. My relaxation strategy includes several items that are not world-altering but provide me with the space I need to otherwise carry on with a busy life: a quiet, solo lunch in a not very busy sandwich shop, floating in a pool and drying off in the sun, and a leisurely country drive. Ahhh, I can almost feel the stress dropping away.

So, be sure to put “relax” on your to-do list. Hard as it may be to believe, a study reported that 45% of people just don’t know how to relax. Don’t be like those people.

Be like these notable Fredericktonians who told me their tactics for relaxation. Take your cue from them and find what works for you.

“I enjoy mowing my lawn, and I play in an online trivia league — with no cheating and no forfeits.” — Frederick mayor Michael O’Connor

“I enjoy working in my yard, particularly mowing the grass. It’s alone time with some music.” — Bob Smith, director of Parks & Recreation, City of Frederick

“I love to declutter and reorganize a closet, drawer or other small section of the house.” — Alison J. Bomba, licensed psychologist

“I declutter my closet and drawers while listening to podcasts. Also, jumping into my swim spa just changes my stress level immediately.” — Jodie Ostoich, president and CEO, Interfaith Housing Alliance

“I relax by turning on some music, pouring a glass of wine or having a cup of tea, and baking something delicious.” — Kelli Ackiewicz, program manager for Community Education at FCC

“I go crabbing and sometimes oystering in the winter for the same result.” — Eric Anderson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County

“We find working in the garden and reading very relaxing.” — Darlene and John Aulls, president of FSK Lions Club

“Mine is finding and cooking complex meals. The hours it takes to prep and cook are relaxing, plus the payoff of an amazing meal at the end.” — Kris Fair, executive director of the Frederick Center and Maryland State Delegate

“I love to read comic books. I love that I can finish them relatively quickly, be entertained and sit comfortably while doing so.” — Malcolm Furgol, executive director of the Coalition for a Healthier Frederick

“I relax by mowing the grass and doing my farm chores.” — David Hawkins, proprietor, Hawkins Landscaping

“I do yard work, specifically weeding or mowing the grass. Maybe it is the sense of accomplishment that helps me relax.” — Rev. Chance Martinez-Colon, pastor at Grace United Church of Christ

“I am most relaxed when I travel. Whether it’s a week-long trek out of the country or a day trip to Annapolis, a change of scenery and environment does wonders for my sense of calm.” — Melissa Muntz, executive director, SHIP of Frederick County

“I enjoy picking up sticks in the woods across the street from me. It’s great exercise and then I get to celebrate with a great fire.” — Ron Wolfe, proprietor, The Wolfe Team Realtors

Love is in the air at Virginia Beach

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the July 31, 2025 issue of the Frederick News-Posts “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

If Virginia is for lovers, then Virginia Beach is like the warm, furtive glances that gets the romance started.

My (now) wife and I began visiting Virginia Beach in the 1980s to forgo the craziness of Ocean City and to enjoy slightly warmer and gentler waters. To us, it was just far enough away to be a getaway but not too far to take up all our time getting there. Plus, Virginia Beach is “down South.” There is just something special about Southern hospitality. (And make no mistake, this part of Virginia is definitely in the South.)

As a Marylander, it’s hard not to compare Virginia Beach to our Ocean City. In some ways, they are like long-lost cousins with not much in common.

A great Beatles-themed dinner and lunch spot in Virginia Beach.

VIRGINIA BEACH VS. OCEAN CITY

Virginia Beach is not glitzy and shlocky like Ocean City. It’s laid-back, less crowded, and with warm people helping you at every turn.

On the downside, Virginia Beach’s boardwalk is a utilitarian concrete, not the traditional wood of Ocean City’s. Virginia Beach’s touristy shops are set back one street from the boardwalk while Ocean City’s are right there in your face at every moment.

Virginia Beach beaches are wide, sandy and clean. Ocean City’s beaches are narrower, darker and not so clean. Virginia Beach is rugged and outdoorsy with hundreds of nearby bays, creeks and other waterways for fishing, boating, paddling and exploration. Ocean City has Assawoman Bay that is more of a lagoon and is not really used for recreation.

At Virginia Beach, you are met on the beach by an enormous statue of the mighty and heroic King Neptune. In Ocean City, you’re met by a giant Ferris wheel.

Neptune, King of the Sea, welcomes you to Virginia Beach.

What’s more, Virginia Beach is gigantic! You may not realize it, but Virginia Beach is Virginia’s most populous city, and that is year-round. Sure, Ocean City swells to about 350,000 in the summer, but the rest of the year it is not much more than a village. Virginia Beach’s year-round population of 450,000 makes it almost twice as large as Richmond, Arlington or Alexandria. There aren’t a lot of tall buildings, but the sheer size in area gives it an unmistakable cosmopolitan feel. When you combine Virginia Beach with nearby Norfolk, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth, you’ve got an immense urban landscape that is multicultural and exciting.

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

There’s a lot to see and do in and around Virginia Beach, and its rich history is a good starting point. When not swimming in the ocean or sun bathing, I recommend a visit to the First Landing Cross at Cape Henry in the north end of the oceanfront. The cross bears witness to the location where the Colonists first set foot in the New World in 1607 before pushing up the James River to establish Jamestown. Nearby First Landing State Park is the largest state park in Virginia and is an absolute oasis for nature lovers. Located next to Chesapeake Bay, it features 20 miles of trails, two miles of tranquil beachfront and the most pristine habitats in Virginia, maritime forests and wetlands.

No trip to this part of Virginia is complete without stops in Jamestown, Yorktown or Williamsburg. Known as America’s Historic Triangle, these significant sites represent different eras in America’s story. Jamestown is the first permanent American settlement dating back to 1607, Yorktown is the site of America’s final victory of the Revolutionary War in 1781, and Williamsburg was the first capital of Virginia in the 1600s and 1700s. All are lovingly maintained and feature outdoor re-creations.

I highly recommend taking the Jamestown Ferry across the James River from Yorktown to Jamestown to arrive in style. With the 250th anniversary of American independence coming up in 2026, there is no better place to celebrate (other than perhaps Boston or Philadelphia).

GETTING THERE

When traveling to Virginia Beach, eschew I-95 South through highly congested Northern Virginia, Richmond and the Tidewater area (unless you have an EZ Pass) in favor of traveling to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, through Salisbury and over (and through) the amazing Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Going this way may take a bit longer, but you won’t have horrendous traffic spoiling your getaway.

We have gone to Virginia Beach both ways and the time difference is negligible. Both routes are officially listed at about 4 1/2 hours from Frederick, but the mileage is a bit less traveling through Northern Virginia.

The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is an amazing engineering achievement. It straddles the Chesapeake Bay where it joins with the Atlantic Ocean. It totals 17 miles from Norfolk to the Eastern Shore of Virginia, which makes it about four times longer than Maryland’s own Chesapeake Bay Bridge. The marvel, though, is in the two 1-mile-long tunnels that take you below the bay and allow maritime and military ships to pass above. The views are breathtaking.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, 17 miles of amazing engineering achievement.

ENTERTAINMENT

Virginia Beach calls itself the “Event Capital of the East Coast.” This is hyperbole for sure, but there is no denying the presence of first-rate venues that attract world-class entertainment. The centerpiece of Virginia Beach’s entertainment scene is The Dome. It is a state-of-the-art concert venue that can flex from an indoor setting into an outdoor amphitheater-type setting. Think Major League Baseball stadiums with retractable roofs, but in this case, there are giant hangar doors that open. There is nothing like it up or down the East Coast. Upcoming shows at The Dome include Cody Jinks, Alison Krauss, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Ziggy Marley and Shaboozey.

For Orioles fans, Norfolk is home to their AAA minor league baseball team, the Norfolk Tides. The Tides play at Harbor Park in downtown Norfolk on the Elizabeth River and feature players just a step away from the big leagues like the Orioles best prospect, catcher Sam Basallo, who just won International League Player of the Month, proving there is hope for the Orioles yet.

LET’S EAT!

Virginia Beach and its environs are known for their “coastal cuisine,” which naturally centers around the freshest seafood available. I’m loyal to Maryland-style crab cakes, but I’ve learned that the tidewater area of Virginia has its own homegrown delicacy: Lynnhaven oysters. They are named after the deep-channel Lynnhaven River where they reside. They are served raw and on the half shell, steamed and loaded with spinach, cheese and bacon. It’s not for me, but I can see the pride in which this local favorite is served.

For breakfast, one of my favorites is Another Broken Egg, a restaurant we fell in love with in Sarasota, Florida, and it’s just as good in Virginia. They feature giant (and delicious) eggs and pancakes.

For lunch, I don’t think you can do better than Abbey Road Pub and Restaurant, located oceanfront at 22nd Street. Naturally the pub has a rock ‘n’ roll theme with plenty of live acts and musically inclined decor. But the real stars are the hand-cut steaks and fries, homemade soups and farm-to-table fruits and vegetables. Naturally there’s a “Lucy in the Sky” bar on the roof for taking in the warm ocean breezes.

One of our guilty pleasures is stopping at a local dive bar and cafe called The Raven. The Raven has the best burger I’ve had in Virginia Beach and is served with the freshest, tastiest broccoli ever. If you’re not a broccoli fan, try theirs anyway. I don’t know what they do, but it’s wonderful.

For dinner, we like The Butcher’s Son and their aged, hand-cut steaks; Aldo’s Ristorante, for casual elegant dining (it was voted best Italian restaurant at the beach) or my favorite, Rudee’s Restaurant and Cabana Bar. The Rudee Inlet views are unmatched in Virginia Beach and the food is delicious and fresh. You can watch the boats come and go during dinner for some free entertainment. The draw here is the fresh seafood, including steamed shrimp, the catch of the day (anything from grouper to yellow fin tuna and mahi mahi) and the overwhelmingly large raw bar. Even getting to the restaurant is fun. Take the Oceanfront Trolley or the 10-foot-wide Rudee Inlet Connector Walk.

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach.

Nemacolin resort is sure to please

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the July 10, 2025 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

For a luxurious getaway close to home, you can’t do much better than the Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, which is just up the road from Garrett County in far Western Maryland.

My wife and I recently visited and were enormously impressed. Be forewarned: Like most resorts, it is quite pricey, but for a special occasion, it is well worth it. They do offer frequent discounts of up to 25%, so keep your eyes peeled for those (check nemacolin.com for prices and special deals).

Nemacolin is in the beautiful Laurel Highlands region of the Allegheny Mountains that Shaun Butcher wrote so evocatively about recently in the pages of this publication. It is located just 140 miles northwest of Frederick on more than 2,200 acres of woodland bliss. It is an easy and picturesque two-and-a-half-hour drive from Frederick, mostly on Interstates 70 and 68.

Nemacolin is consistently recognized in the hospitality and travel industry as a superior destination. Its rankings include No. 1 best Pennsylvania resort, No. 3 best Pennsylvania hotel, No. 97 best resort in the U.S. and No. 221 best hotel in the U.S. Recently, Nemacolin was nominated for the Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2025 World’s Best Award. That puts it in very good company.

The resort is named after Chief Nemacolin, a native Delaware Indian who in 1740 trailblazed a route through the Laurel Highlands mountains between what is now Cumberland and Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

WELL-SEASONED

Nemacolin works well in any season. You can bring your swimsuit or your parka, and sometimes both! (We did.) Our visit was in early spring, but you can’t go wrong at any time of year.

In the summer, you can beat the heat with a visit to this elevated resort. The aptly-named Peak at Nemacolin is the go-to place for summer fun and a vibrant atmosphere. It features two spectacular pools, private cabanas, live entertainment and fantastic dining and cocktails. You can challenge yourself with the High Ropes Course or Jeep off-roading, then relax in the AC with a round of cosmic bowling or indoor axe throwing.

On a winter morning, there’s no greater luxury than sleeping in, curling up under a cozy blanket and letting your butler — that’s right, your very own butler — bring you breakfast in bed. You can enjoy that experience with Nemacolin’s bed and breakfast package. Alas, we could not afford to do that, but I’m told that waking up to the smell of nearby smokehouse bacon is the best way to start the day.

Winter fun at the Peak also includes everything from winter sports and heated pools to hot tubs and sipping cocoa by an enormous firepit.

Our springtime adventure included a day at the Woodlands Spa. The staff spoiled us with hot stones, a seaweed bath and “time-out” massage. Once your treatments are over, you can relax in the fireside lounge, spa pool, whirlpool, steam room or sauna.

WHERE TO STAY

Nemacolin’s three luxury hotels have their own distinct personalities. Most are in the $800 to $1,200 per night range (I told you: pricey).

Falling Rock is Nemacolin’s most sophisticated. It was inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright and features breathtaking views and unsurpassed amenities including a welcome gift, butler service and a daily happy hour with champagne.

The Chateau has a European feel including glittering chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, sitting rooms and private balconies. Visitors can choose from suites or adjoining rooms. A harpist welcomes you in the grand lobby.

The Grand Lodge is Nemacolin’s most family-friendly hotel. It has a woodsy yet luxurious charm. It is perfect for groups or extended families since an entire floor can be reserved.

For the even more well-to-do, there are private homes available for leasing.

WHAT TO DO

The Peak is only the beginning. When visiting Nemacolin, there are 2,200 acres of fun awaiting you. You can feel the thrill of whitewater rafting and horseback riding, treat the kids to a tortoise encounter or a romp in the Fun Zone, and recharge with a five-star spa experience or wine tasting.

The Bleu Room is one of Nemacolin’s most coveted spaces, well-known for its numerous accolades, one-of-a-kind decor and handcrafted details. It is valued as a setting for private events, bridal suites, wedding photoshoots and even an afternoon tea experience.

You’ll be able to get your toes tapping with live jazz or cabaret served over cocktails at Nightcap, a new onsite nightclub.

If you go at Christmastime, you can enjoy “Elves After Dark,” a humorous review featuring Santa’s elves as you’ve likely never seen them.

For an evening of high-stakes thrills, the Casino at Nemacolin is a sure bet. It includes 26 table games, 500 slot machines, keno, video poker machines and an elevated dining area above all the excitement.

Nemacolin’s family-friendly experiences include two ropes courses, fishing some of the finest streams on the East Coast, practicing Ninja skills in the Fun Zone, paintball and meeting animal friends ranging from armadillos to tigers. Other wildlife adventures include Painting with Ponies, Big Cat Encounter, Furry Farm Friends Meet & Greet, Creature Feature, Dogsledding and Miniature Horse Mingling. You can even lead your family in the thrill of soaring through the treetops with two side-by-side zip lines, reaching speeds of 30 to 45 miles per hour.

If shopping is your thing, I recommend the Nemacolin outlet beside the casino, the pro shop at the Rod & Range Club, or the boutique at “Woof-land” Pet Resort & Spa.

When you need some adult time, you can try your luck at sporting clays at the Rod and Range Club, or play one of two championship golf courses designed by Pete Dye (babysitting services and a Kid’s Club fit the bill nicely).

WHAT TO EAT

The secret to a perfect evening at Nemacolin is to start in the afternoon! First, whet your appetite with a hands-on pizza-making or Italian cooking class at Gusto!, and then go for a wine or whiskey tasting with curated food pairings and a guided tour of Nemacolin’s wine cellar, one of the largest in the country.

No evening at Nemacolin would be complete without a delightful dinner. No matter what you crave, you’ll likely find it among the 18 restaurants, lounges and eateries.

You can sample casual dishes poolside at The Peak or indulge in a steakhouse feast at Fawn & Fable. The Forbes Four-Star Aqueous specializes in fine dining inspired by the sea in a sophisticated, art-deco setting for guests 16 and older. Nemacolin’s restaurants use locally sourced ingredients to create seasonal dishes.

Finish off the evening at Nightcap, where appealing cocktails and unique flavors are served alongside live entertainment.

Are chain restaurants really so bad?

By Gary Bennett

A Bojangles restaurant opened in Frederick in 2024.

This article appears in the June 19, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Why do we seem to hate chain restaurants? Well, hate may be too strong a word, but you must admit that when making dinner plans, you’re usually not angling for Chili’s, Olive Garden or Golden Corral.

I believe it has something to do with them being the same old, same old. Sure, they’ll do in a pinch, and some are even guilty pleasures (KFC for me), but around Frederick, there is a whole host of delicious, standalone, homegrown eateries we’d rather try.

But really, chain restaurants aren’t so bad, are they? I don’t think so. There is a good reason they became a chain in the first place. They usually provide a consistently good (if not exciting) meal at an affordable price.

Chains have economies of scale going for them, too. That means they are large enough to keep prices relatively low, have staff committed to quality control, and can survive occasional downturns because of corporate support.

According to Restaurant Business Magazine, a chain restaurant is a group of restaurants that operate under the same brand name, offering a standardized menu and customer experience. They are typically either owned by a parent company or operated by franchisees.

Ever since A&W became the first restaurant chain in 1925, these stalwarts have trained us to look for their distinctive architecture, colors and decor. We expect consistency, familiarity and comfort in their food. Other early comers like McDonald’s and Howard Johnson’s focused on speed and affordability.

Many of us feel a certain connection to chain restaurants because it was our first restaurant experience. This was especially true for a rural kid like me. I still fondly recall our family’s first forays to a new place called McDonald’s or the now defunct Burger Chef and then seeing the same restaurants when visiting relatives a state or so away.

It seemed like magic. But more than that, it seemed like we all had something in common, some shared experiences. My parents could count on the same unsurprising food and the same relatively modest prices, and that was important with a fussy, growing family.

Also, many of us grew up working in one of these chains during our teen years and sometimes beyond. One of my best memories from my formative years was being a dishwasher at Howard Johnson’s and getting a free lunch every day, usually a grilled hot dog.

Over the years, chains have had an outsized influence on American culture. When folks speak of the “golden arches,” we know exactly what they mean. Chain restaurants made foods like pizza and Chinese cuisine accessible to everyday Americans, and that wasn’t always the case.

Popular food items at many chains became well-known by their brand names. Good or bad, everyone can conjure up images of the Big Mac, Whopper, Quarter Pounder, Bloomin’ Onion, the Frosty, the Blizzard and so on.

And who can forget the lexicon and jingles? Chances are, you can match these catchphases easily with the chain restaurant it belongs to: “Where’s the beef?” (Wendy’s), “We have the meats!” (Arby’s), “Eating Good in the Neighborhood” (Applebee’s), “Pizza, pizza!” (Little Caesars), “When you’re here, you’re family” (Olive Garden), and “In here, it’s always Friday” (TGI Fridays).

Frederick has its fair share of chain restaurants. Let’s take a look by category.

Casual dining: Applebee’s, BJ’s Restaurant, Bob Evans, Bojangles, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Cava, Café Rio, Chili’s, Chipotle, Cracker Barrel, Denny’s, Dunkin’, TGI Fridays, Golden Corral, IHOP, KFC, Krispy Kreme, Longhorn Steakhouse, Noodles & Company, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Panda Express, Panera Bread, Red Lobster, Red Robin, Rosati’s Pizza, Ruby Tuesday, Texas Roadhouse and Waffle House.

Fast Food and Sandwiches: Arby’s, Auntie Anne’s, Burger King, Checkers, Chick-fil-A, Firehouse Subs, Five Guys, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Jimmy John’s, McDonald’s, Popeyes, Potbelly, Roy Rogers, Starbucks, Subway, Sonic Drive-In, Taco Bell and Wendy’s.

Frozen Desserts and Sweets: Baskin-Robbins, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Cold Stone Creamery, Crumbl Cookies, Dairy Queen, Rita’s Italian Ice and Sweet Frog.

Pizza: CiCis Pizza, Domino’s, Ledo Pizza, Little Caesars, Marco’s Pizza, MOD Pizza, Papa John’s Pizza and Pizza Hut.

The top 10 chains that originated in the U.S. by worldwide sales are McDonald’s, Starbucks, Subway, KFC, Burger King, Wendy’s, Dunkin’, Chick-fil-A, Domino’s and Taco Bell.

As far as my guilty pleasures, I try to not eat too much food that is bad for me, but, doggone it, some of these chain staples are go good, I can’t help myself. Consider these all-stars: the cheesecake case at Cheesecake Factory (like Cookie Monster in the supermarket bakery, all I can say is “What is this wonderful place?”); Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster (top bread item in the world for me); Bloomin’ Onion at Outback Steakhouse (“What do you mean they’re shareable?”); unlimited salad and breadsticks at Olive Garden (you can make a meal out of these); free peanuts at Texas Roadhouse (peanut shells everywhere brings a smile to my face); guacamole and chips at Chili’s (I used to love it when they made the guac at your table); and, of course, KFC’s original recipe (God help me).

While we’re at it, let’s pay our respects to the dearly departed. These restaurants are no longer with us: Beefsteak Charlie’s, Bikinis Sports Bar & Grill, Bugaboo Creek Steakhouse, Burger Chef, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Chi-Chi’s, ESPN Zone, Furr’s, Good Earth, Hamburger Hamlet, Henry’s Hamburgers, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Morrison’s Cafeteria, Royal Castle, Red Barn, Sambo’s, Showbiz Pizza Place and York Steak House.

The following chain restaurants are gone specifically from Frederick but not forgotten (I ate at all these at least once during my 40 years here): Baja Fresh, Beef O’Brady’s, Boston Market, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Chicago Pizza, Famous Dave’s, Ground Round, Hardee’s, Hard Times Cafe, Long John Silver’s, Mimi’s Cafe, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Shoney’s, Smashburger and TCBY.

I got my wish recently when Potbelly came to town. But I want more! Not because I’m hung up on any of these chains, but (like most Americans) I want unlimited options.

And just to prove that we’re not all snobs in Frederick (or maybe we’re not as sophisticated as we think), I present to you some humble chain restaurants that are Best of the Best winners in Frederick. (I’ll bet you didn’t know some of these are chains!)

Best Barbecue Restaurant: Black Hog BBQ and Mission BBQ

Best Diner: Silver Diner

Best Hibachi Restaurant: Miyako

Best Mexican Restaurant: Plaza Mexico

Best Place to Eat with Kids: Cugino Forno

Best Chicken Wings: Anchor Bar

Best Cookies: Crumbl Cookies

Best Donuts: Fractured Prune

Best French Fries: McDonald’s

Best Fried Chicken: Giant Eagle

Best Pizza: Cugino Forno

Best Bagels: Zipani and Panera

Comedian Colin Mochrie in conversation ahead of his show in Frederick

By Gary Bennett

Thus article appears in the June 12, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Colin Mochrie, of “Whose Line Is It Anyway” fame, has made a career of making stuff up for laughs and couldn’t be prouder of it. He is one of those lucky ones who found his niche and stuck with it.

Mochrie and his buddy Brad Sherwood, also from “Whose Line,” will bring their improv comedy show “Asking for Trouble” to the Weinberg Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. June 15.

My wife and I caught their hilarious improv show in Hagerstown a few years ago, called “Scared Scriptless,” and just about split our sides laughing.

His everyman look and befuddled, dry sense of humor has made him a fan favorite for years. “Whose Line” is no longer in production, but its 17-year run over two incarnations in America makes it one of the longest running and best-known comedy shows ever. Mochrie not only starred in the two American versions (1998 to 2006 with Drew Carey on ABC and 2013 to 2022 with Aisha Tyler on the CW), he even starred in the British version from 1991 to 1998.

I spoke with Mochrie by phone in May to talk about his life, his career and the upcoming show in Frederick.

You were born in Scotland, south of Glasgow. Do you have any memories of Scotland? You emigrated when you were very young.

Yes, my parents and I would go back every summer to visit my grandparents, so I don’t have my earliest memories of Scotland but certainly going back there and, of course, as an adult going back there for the Edinburgh Festival and other things, I have those memories.

Why did you and your parents move to Canada?

I think my dad was one of those rare Scottish people who thought he could do better elsewhere. He had friends who had moved to Canada, so he moved my mom, brother and me, and yeah, it certainly worked out well for all of us.

First it was Vancouver, I believe, and then you moved to Toronto?

We started in Montreal, which was an odd choice — none of us spoke French, and nobody could understand our brogue. Then I ended up in Vancouver and then moved to Toronto, where I am now.

Why did you move to Toronto?

It was right after Expo ‘86 in Vancouver, and I sort of felt that I had done all I could at that point. I got hired for the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto by the woman who later became my wife. So it was a good move.

I am interested in the Theatresports league you played at in Vancouver. What exactly is that?

That’s where it all started for me. It was a strangely named theater. One of the local owners quite generously said, “You can have weekends after the main show here.” So we started our shows at 10 or 11 o’clock. We would go into McDonald’s next door and sort of wrangle audience members. They’d say “Well, what’s the show about?” and we’d say “We don’t know! You’ll have to help us!”

I understand that you were valedictorian of your high school class. Is that right?

I was, yes.

Obviously, you are very quick-witted. Were you studious and serious or just naturally very bright?

I was a bookworm. I was studious. It wasn’t until a friend of mine dared me to go out for a school play that things changed. My plans were to be a marine biologist — and then I got my first laugh and bye-bye biology. It was all about “now this is what I want.”

Getting laughs must be intoxicating.

You’re right. It is intoxicating to be able to get an entire audience to laugh at something you said. It just gave me something that I didn’t realize I needed.

You’ve written, produced and acted. What’s your favorite thing to do?

Acting! I love that I get to work with someone I trust. When I improvise, it’s usually with people I know, good friends. I love that. If you’re doing a movie or television, there are so many fingers in the pie. You have the director, the writers, the producers, and what you do may not end up in the final project. I love that when I‘m onstage and improvising, all the responsibility is on us. If we suck, it’s because we have sucked; we can’t blame anyone else. If it goes well, it’s because we did well.

I do want to ask about “Whose Line” a little bit. You’ve said that you worked with friends. You go way back with Ryan Stiles. How about the other two that were on the show? Wayne Brady was on most of the time, and there was a fourth person that sort of rotated. Was working with them as easy as with Ryan, or did that take more work?

It was pretty easy with Ryan. From day one, we kind of had the same sense of humor. It just fit very well. And with Wayne, Brad and Chip and all those guys, it was fairly easy. They are all excellent improvisors. I think that part of the reason that “Whose Line” did so well was that we really enjoyed each other. We had fun playing off each other.

I know you’re touring with Brad, so this may be hard to answer. But besides him, who was your favorite number four person on the show?

That is tough. Greg Proops is one. I first met Greg when we were doing the British “Whose Line,” so I’ve probably known him the longest, and he’s just one of my favorite people. It was always fun when he was on the show. Chip Esten is a lot of fun. Jeff Davis, too. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings (laughs).

You didn’t mention Jonathan Mangum. I really like him.

Oh God, I hate him! He’s horrible! (Laughing.) Again, he’s lovely. I think one of the uniting things about the people is that they’re all really nice people, which is unusual in comedy. Some people are not so nice.

So I also have to ask: Drew Carey or Aisha Tyler?

Yes! What I love about Drew is he was a big fan of the show. He just loved watching it and was the biggest laugher. And he was incredibly generous. He would take us on trips every year that would cost him quite a bit of money, but he’d say, “You guys work your asses off.” And Aisha added a new element. When I first heard she was going to do it, I thought “Oh, what are we going to do with her. She’s beautiful, she’s smart, she’s funny.” Then you find out she’s just a big nerd. She would give as good as she’d take. So both had their special skills.

What were some of your favorite games? I really loved when you did sound effects with the audience members and when you were the newscaster in front of the green screen — that was great. How about you?

My favorite was always Greatest Hits. Because, first of all, I got to sit down, which is always good. Then Ryan and I just bantered and handed it over to the two incredible improv singers. I got to be a participant and a viewer and it never failed to tickle me. I loved watching the singers, but there’s also a deep, piercing jealousy, thinking, “Why don’t I have that in my utility belt?” They were not only improvising, coming up with the lyrics, but also just sounding so good, being able to parody the genres that we threw at them.

I’ve seen Hoedown. You’re not a singer, are you?

(Laughing) I’m not. And that’s what makes this show so exciting with Brad. We started doing this thing where our second act includes a tribute [song] to the town that we’re playing in. That makes it exciting that only one of us can actually sing well.

Have you ever been to Frederick?

I think we have. But I think it’s been a while.

What were some of your least favorite games?

Hoedown, right off the top! I also wasn’t a fan of Props, because they would bring us these two big things that immediately reminded you of some kind of genitalia. So you’d try to think of other things. That was always a tough job.

You have said that you weren’t paid fairly for the show. Can you explain?

We basically provided all the content for the show as writers, in a way, but there was no credit given for that because there’s really no classification for improv. I mean, we weren’t getting Ted Danson money, but we were doing OK. But you’d think, “Somebody’s making more money than we are, and we are the reason there’s a show.” Also, there were no residuals. They sort of classified us as a reality or game show or something to get around that. Don’t get me wrong — everything I have, I owe to” Whose Line,” but there are times when you go, eh. I went to the producer’s house in London once and thought, “Well, this is where the money went.”

How did your tour with Bard come about? You’ve been touring with him since 2002?

Yeah, it was during the Drew years. Drew one day said, “Hey, I’m doing a gig Super Bowl weekend in Vegas — why don’t we all go? We’ll do improv instead of me doing standup.” So we said, “Great!” That became sort of a yearly thing. The only downside was that there were 10 of us so we really didn’t get a lot of chances to do stuff. Brad suggested we try a two-man thing where we just go on tour and do improv. We did a test run for 10 days, and it seemed to go well. That was 23 years ago, and we’re still going strong.

What’s next for you? Do you have any projects that you are working on or are going to be working on soon?

I’m doing these two tours, and then my wife and I are going to be starring in a film to be shot in Ontario this summer, and then there are a couple of television things in the works up here.

This interview has been edited for space and clarity.

‘You’re gonna need a bigger boat!’ Jaws celebrates 50 years

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the June 5, 2025 edition of the Frederick News-Post’s entertainment insert “72 Hours.”

Has there ever been a more famous quote from a movie? A few may come to mind, but I’ll wager none serve to sum up the shocking, new-found peril faced by the protagonists like this famous one in the classic 1975 movie “Jaws.”

The well-known utterance from Chief Brody (played by Roy Scheider) came right after seeing for the first time the size and scale of the danger they faced as it glided past their small boat. It was said with a kind of matter-of-fact resignation and wide-eyed shock that seems to define the entire movie.

“Jaws” is celebrating its 50th anniversary this summer, having been released on June 20, 1975. Numerous festivities and events are planned. It will be re-released in theaters soon and is receiving a new home video release on June 17 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, with an additional two hours of bonus footage. “Jaws” currently streams on Peacock.

“Jaws” was highly advertised and anticipated in 1975. In those days, online pre-sales were not a thing, of course, and long lines dominated every theater in which it played. It was not unusual for theaters to sell out repeatedly for weeks, disappointing many theatergoers (including myself) more than once. “Jaws” became one of the first giant summer blockbuster movies.

The director of the film was a young, largely unknown auteur named Steven Spielberg. The threat of a good scare drew theatergoers in, but the masterful work of Spielberg and three first-rate actors kept us coming back for more. The movie propelled Spielberg to unprecedented heights as a director, and the three stars, especially a young Richard Dreyfuss, to bigger and better roles and movie stardom.

“You’re gonna need a bigger boat.” — Chief Brody played by Roy Scheider

To say that “Jaws” had an outsized effect on popular culture in 1975 may be the understatement of all time. People were so afraid of going into the water that long stretches of beach up and down both coasts, but especially in New England where the movie was set, were largely deserted. I saw this firsthand in Ocean City in 1975 and will never forget the eerie scene. Inexplicably, people were even queasy about swimming in lakes, rivers and pools, lest they be surprised by a wayward great white.

There are many things that made “Jaws” a brilliant movie, much more than the promised maritime mayhem. Foremost was the work of Spielberg. He insisted on filming “Jaws” in the ocean rather than a tank. The rough seas made for shaky cameras and a realism that belied the subject matter. Secondly, and much like Alfred Hitchcock before him, much of the terror is never seen but implied. It is left up to the audience’s wild imagination to amp up the terror.

Take, for instance, the opening scene. A tipsy female partygoer decides to go skinny dipping in the ocean late at night. First you hear the ominous theme music — “duh dum, duh dum, duh dum” — but then all you see is the young lady struggling in the water in the dark and being pulled under repeatedly. She can’t see the beast as it attacks her, dragging her along the surface of the water until he finally decides to eat her alive under the water and out of sight. The ocean turns red.

This creative decision by Spielberg puts the viewers in the shoes of the doomed partygoer. Theaters were largely quiet during this scene — not even gasps from the shocked audience who were just settling into their seats. Spielberg later admitted that problems with the mechanical shark (nicknamed Bruce) forced him to keep it largely unseen until the end of the movie when audiences were already hooked.

Another classic scene is the death of a little boy playing innocently in a nearby lagoon, sent there because of shark sightings in the ocean. There’s a lot happening along the crowded beach. The film keeps cutting back and forth to the boy playing in the lagoon, a dog playing fetch, and Chief Brody worriedly watching the chaos in the ocean. When the shark’s famous melody kicks in, we know the boy and dog are in trouble. First the dog disappears and then the boy struggles for a short time and is pulled under with a shriek. In an instant, it is over.

Perhaps even better than Spielberg’s direction is the work of the two veteran actors, Robert Shaw as Captain Quint and Roy Scheider as Chief of Police Brody, and Dreyfuss as oceanologist Matt Hooper.

Doomed skinny-dipping partygoer just minutes into the movie.

The case can be made that “Jaws” is a buddy movie. It doesn’t start off that way as Quint and Hooper are constantly at each other’s throats, while Chief Brody tries heroically to keep them focused. Brody hires the salty, grizzled Quint to catch the shark while Hooper comes along at Brody’s behest, packed with all manner of hi-tech, shark-catching gizmos that Quint scoffs at. “I’ll bring you as ballast,” Quint sneers to the young Hooper.

After a few days of sighting the beast, spearing it with barrels and following it, the shark turns the tables and begins to hunt them, nearly pulling the doomed vessel apart. Then, late at night, as the three settle in for a short rest with a few well-deserved drinks, Quint and Hooper bond over injuries they’ve sustained in pursuit of their jobs.

Then comes THE MONOLOGUE. It is set right before the three have their final showdown with the shark. Even in a crowded theater, you could hear a pin drop as Quint tugs on his cap and speaks.

This long, sad remembrance of Quint’s doomed shipmates on the USS Indianapolis after they delivered the atom bomb in World War II cements Quint as one of the iconic movie characters of all time. As Brody and Hooper sit silently hanging on every word, Quint recalls the miserable tale of shipmates being eaten one by one by a host of sharks as the men bobbed helplessly in the Pacific Ocean waiting for rescue after their torpedoed ship goes down.

No matter how many times I see it, the power and delivery by Shaw is captivating. I challenge anyone reading this to find a clip of the monologue, watch it start to finish, and not be mesmerized. It is a stunning performance. Shaw should have won an Oscar for this monologue alone, but alas, he was not even nominated. The theory is that the three lead actors canceled each other out in the Oscar voting.