Leisure – Page 2 – Gary Bennett Publishing

Frederick County’s mysterious claim to presidential fame

By Gary Bennett

President Reagan with Richard Allen at a working luncheon at Camp David during a visit of President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico in 1981.

This article appears in the February 12, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Located within Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Frederick County, Camp David is a rare national historic site that virtually no American ever gets to see.

Many visitors have been close to the secluded enclave — hiking at Cunningham Falls or traveling Route 77 near Thurmont — without ever laying eyes on it. Camp David spans roughly 125 acres and is protected by about 200 Marines on any given day. There is intentionally no signage directing visitors to its location.

Mysterious, perhaps, but every president since Franklin Roosevelt has used the camp for business or pleasure — more often the latter. Within its confines, presidents and their guests have debated world affairs and enjoyed golf, tennis, bowling, swimming, skeet shooting, horseback riding, basketball, wallyball or movie nights in a private theater.

Now more than 80 years old, Camp David began modestly. Completed by the Works Progress Administration in 1940, it was originally known as Hi-Catoctin and served as a federal retreat.

In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt sought relief from Washington’s humid summers, appropriated the retreat and renamed it “Shangri-La” after the fictional kingdom in “Lost Horizon.” Presidents have been showing off the site ever since, and more than 50 heads of state have visited.

The following stories come from Michael Giorgione, who served as Camp David’s commander under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as recounted in his book “Inside Camp David.”

According to Giorgione, “One head of state, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, huddled there with President Roosevelt in 1943 to pore over plans for the invasion of Normandy. Since the camp is just a short drive from Thurmont, the leaders drove to the [now defunct] Cozy Restaurant so Churchill could see what a jukebox looked like. He handed the stunned owner some coins for the jukebox and bought a beer.”

Roosevelt enjoyed sitting on the porch, often with guests, sipping whiskey and smoking cigars. He even had an extra-wide door installed outside his bedroom, opening like a drawbridge, to allow him to exit quickly in his wheelchair in case of fire.

President Harry Truman seldom visited, preferring trips to Key West and the “Southern White House.” Even so, he added steam heat to the presidential lodge, allowing the retreat to be used year-round.

President Dwight Eisenhower was a frequent visitor and is credited with renaming the retreat after his grandson David, though it retains the official government name Naval Support Facility Thurmont. An avid golfer, Eisenhower built a compact four-hole golf course and enjoyed grilling steaks outside his cabin. He famously hosted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev there in 1959.

Presidents Kennedy and Johnson used Camp David sparingly.

John F. Kennedy visited primarily for consultations with cabinet members, members of Congress and former President Eisenhower during the Cuban Missile Crisis and after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. He enjoyed swimming in the heated pool. Giorgione recounts an embarrassing incident in which overheated water left a sheen of melted asphalt on Kennedy’s face — an episode the president handled with humor.

Lyndon B. Johnson preferred his Texas ranch but Lady Bird Johnson loved Camp David’s flowers and peaceful setting. “I leave my troubles outside the gate,” she once said. Johnson nevertheless used the retreat for meetings with advisers about the Vietnam War.

Richard Nixon enjoying the great outdoors at Camp David in 1972.

President Richard Nixon was a frequent visitor, averaging about one visit every two weeks during his five years in office. He favored Camp David’s quiet during the Vietnam War and Watergate era and enjoyed tennis, bowling — often alone — and playing piano. Nixon was described by Giorgione as “stand-offish,” though “Mrs. Nixon was very nice.” Nixon made more modifications than any other president, including adding an hourglass-shaped pool at Aspen cabin and building Laurel, an entertainment cabin often featured in the media.

President Gerald Ford, by contrast, was remembered fondly. “He was a prince. He and his wife were great,” Giorgione wrote, adding that they were “just like you and me.” Ford often ate lunch with staff in the mess hall and enjoyed walking in the woods, followed by Secret Service agents. Betty Ford loved the flowers and regularly thanked those who tended them.

President Jimmy Carter spent limited time at Camp David but hosted its most consequential event — the Camp David Accords. In 1978, Carter personally moderated peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty and a Nobel Peace Prize. Carter was described as cordial to staff, enjoyed woodworking and took walks with his daughter Amy.

President Ronald Reagan was a frequent visitor who recorded his weekly radio addresses from the camp. He especially enjoyed horseback riding and movie nights.

President George H.W. Bush often used humor in notes about camp maintenance. “Mike — the toilet in the presidential bathroom is not responding to presidential commands,” he once wrote to Commander Mike Berry. In 1992, Bush’s daughter Dorothy was married at Camp David — the first wedding held there. Bush installed a regulation horseshoe pit and enjoyed playing wallyball with staff.

President Bill Clinton visited infrequently, averaging only a few trips per year. He attempted, unsuccessfully, to broker a peace agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1993. The Clintons enjoyed walking the tree-lined paths.

President George W. Bush was a regular presence, spending hundreds of days at Camp David. He hosted foreign leaders, planned responses to the Sept. 11 attacks and enjoyed basketball and card games. Giorgione recounts Bush’s concern that his bed was uneven, prompting an exhaustive investigation — including Giorgione himself lying on the bed to test it. At the end of his second term, Bush refurbished the basketball court, Leatherwood, for incoming President Barack Obama.

President Barack Obama found Camp David exquisitely beautiful and hosted the Group of Eight summit there in 2012 after protests ruled out Chicago. A basketball enthusiast, he made frequent use of the court.

President Joe Biden visited about once every three or four weeks during his term, often bringing extended family. He enjoyed relaxing, playing games and occasionally hosting high-level policy discussions.

Donald Trump spent little time at Camp David, preferring Mar-a-Lago or his Bedminster property. “You know how long you’d like it? For about 30 minutes,” he once told a reporter. He did not host foreign dignitaries there and later canceled plans to host Taliban leaders.

George W. Bush at Christmas time at Camp David, 2005

•••

Camp David Presidents’ Day Quiz

Do Democratic or Republican presidents tend to visit Camp David more often? Answer: Republican presidents

Which president visited the most times? Answer: Reagan

Which president was most like “one of the guys” at Camp David? Answer: Ford

Which president hosted Camp David’s seminal event, the Camp David Accords? Answer: Carter

Which president installed the first golf course at Camp David? Answer: Eisenhower

Which presidents played basketball at Camp David? Answer: George W. Bush and Obama

Which president didn’t care for Camp David at all? Answer: Trump

Which president gave Camp David its current name? Answer: Eisenhower

Which president enjoyed bowling at Camp David? Answer: Nixon

Which president enjoyed playing wallyball at Camp David? Answer: George H.W. Bush

Top romantic movies for your Valentine’s Day enjoyment

By Gary Bennett

Ryan O’Neill and Ali McGraw in Love Story, 1970.

This article appears in the February 12, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

We’ve all seen it on screen: opposites who squabble a little too much but eventually find they are perfect for each other. Or the perfect couple who is torn apart by circumstances but eventually, against all odds, find their way back to each other. In either case, you can look forward to lingering eye contact, slight smiles, swelling music, and the eventual embrace and kiss.

Is there anything better than a good romantic movie? Not on Valentine’s Day! And, there are so many to choose from. From sweeping dramas to lighthearted comedies, the genre is one of the most enduring in Hollywood. If you’re planning the perfect day with your sweetheart, you’ll want to cap it off with the perfect romantic movie.

Here is my list of the best romantic movies of all time. Some are well-known classics from a bygone era and some are newer favorites. Some are funny; some are serious. Some have a happy ending; some sad. But, no matter your choice, you’ll impress your significant other with your thoughtfulness and creativity in picking just the right movie.

10. “The Notebook,” 2004

This tear-jerker has blue collar Ryan Gosling (Noah) recklessly and single-mindedly chasing his wealthy dream girl Rachel McAdams (Allie). Spoiler alert: sad ending.

9. “Dirty Dancing,” 1987

This off-limits romance between a young debutante and her slightly older, “bad boy” dance instructor is set in 1950s Pocono Mountains and features a new type of threatening music called “rock ‘n’ roll” and accompanying racy dance moves. This musical romp stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Happy ending.

8. “Love Story,” 1970

Another tear-jerker featuring the unlikely pairing of a wealthy Harvard student (Ryan O’Neil as Oliver) and a working-class music student (Ali McGraw as Jenny) and their battles to be together despite the protests of parents and society. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Sad ending.

7. “When Harry Met Sally,” 1989

This light, romantic comedy explores the eternal question “Can men and women just be friends, or are they doomed to eventual couple-dom?” Stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan provide the answer. Movie has the comedic line of the century uttered by director Rob Reiner’s real-life mother portraying a restaurant patron who reacts to Ryan’s fake public orgasm with, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Happy ending.

6. “Sleepless in Seattle,” 1993

The story follows a widower, Sam (Tom Hanks), who calls a radio show to discuss his heartbreak and attracts the attention of countless female listeners. Among them is a woman named Annie (Meg Ryan) who is engaged to be married but feels like something is missing and falls for Sam. Happy ending.

5. “Titanic,” 1997

The unlikely love story between poor Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and wealthy, engaged Rose (Kate Winslet) may play second fiddle to the impending disaster of the Titantic, but that makes it all the more urgent. The two have an undeniable chemistry. Sad ending.

Debra Winger and Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman, 1982.

4. “An Officer and a Gentleman,” 1982

Another opposites-attract movie has test pilot-in-training Richard Gere eventually falling for Debra Winger, a local Navy test pilot wife-wannabee who has her sites set on Gere. She thinks better of it and gives up, not realizing that Gere is falling for her. It’s a classic, old-style love story with a happy ending.

3. “The Way We Were,” 1973

Still another opposites-attract movie has Katie (Barbara Streisand), a wise-cracking political activist, squabbling with Hubbell (Robert Redford) over his WASP-y entitlement. They eventually attract and marry, but the film’s ending is ultimately inconclusive … possibly sad, possibly happy.

2. “The Sound of Music,” 1965

This one seems to be an opposites-attract move but not really. This sweeping musical classic, set in the dangerous times of Nazi Germany and occupied Austria and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, features a slow-blooming attraction and love affair between the naïve good-hearted governess and the stern but ultimately also good-hearted master of the house. Happy ending.

1. “Ghost,” 1990

This emotional, love-triumphs-over-death story stars Patrick Swayze as a murdered banker who can’t leave this worldly realm until he bids farewell and ensures his loving but grieving wife, played sweetly by Demi Moore, that he is OK and ready to go. Have the tissues ready! Sad but ultimately happy ending.

Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze in Ghost, 1990.

CLASSICS IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN

The following four incandescent, timeless romantic movies occurred before 1960 and belong in a category of their own.

“The African Queen,” 1951

Perhaps the original opposites-attract movie, “The African Queen” stars Humphrey Bogart as a grizzled riverboat captain and Katheine Hepburn as the prim and proper missionary who slowly but surely fall in love while pursuing Germans in World War I. Happy ending.

“Casablanca,” 1942

This ageless Hollywood classic pairs Humprey Bogart (Rick) and Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) as star-crossed lovers haunted by the past.

“Doctor Zhivago,” 1955

Set in Russia before World War I, this epic tale recounts Yuri’s (Omar Sharif) passionate love affair with Lara even though he’s married to Tonya, whom he also loves. Sad ending.

“Gone with the Wind,” 1939

This classic starring Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh as Scarlet O’Hara is filled with dramatic flair and a not-to-be-denied love even in the face of the horrors of the Civil War. Both are fierce, strong … and manipulative. Sad ending.

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogarrt in Casablanca, 1942.

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.

Holy sexagenarian, Batman — we just turned 60!

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the January 29, 2026 edition of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Picture this: Crooks have just pilfered the largest diamond in the world from the Gotham City Museum of Fine Jewelry, leaving stunned watchmen and slips of paper with confounding riddles behind. Solve the riddles and you will find the fiends! Clearly outclassed — alas, there’s really no reason to even try — Police Commissioner Gordon and Chief of Police O’Hara look skyward and grimly activate the bat signal. A powerful beam of light depicting the majestic and unmistakable winged symbol of justice lights up the night sky. It is only a matter of time before the dashing, tricked-out Batmobile is screeching down the highway, depositing Batman and Robin at police HQ for a confab with the overmatched police professionals.

The “Batman” TV series, which ran for 120 episodes between 1966 and 1968, debuted 60 years ago on ABC this month. Nearly every episode began the way I described — an outrageous caper pulled off by an oddball villain, befuddled police, and the caped crusaders, duly notified, speeding to the rescue. It was a twice-weekly series, airing on two consecutive nights — Wednesday and Thursday — at 7:30 pm.

As a kid of the ‘60s, I can tell you there was nothing quite like it. I watched “Batman” in first run but, like Star Trek, reruns kicked in right away so it seemed like it was always on. Today, the original “Batman” series airs on MeTV on Saturdays and the entire 120-episode series is available on DVD at major retailers.

The first episode of the week always left the dynamic duo teetering on the verge of a harrowing death from the hands of an outrageous villain. Episode two featured their miraculous escape and the comeuppance of the villain. That was the formula — every time — and we loved it. Executive producer William Dozier, who doubled as the show’s overly-excited narrator, always implored us to return the next night at the “same bat time, same bat channel.”

“Batman” appealed to kids for the nonstop action, colorful villains and the heroic deeds of the “dynamin duo,” especially the comically stoic Adam West as Batman (“Thank you, citizen.”) It eventually appealed to adults, too, because of its sly humor, scientific basis (the bat cave was filled with technical wonders, including the first computer any of us had ever seen) and the witty, campy presentation. I vividly remember watching “Batman” with my dad, who chuckled at the exaggerated cliches, laid on thick.

It didn’t take long before the show became an unlikely hit and full-blown national phenomenon. Like “Hogan’s Heroes” and several other escapist comedies before it, like “Bewitched,” “I Dream of Jeannie,” “The Munsters” and “The Addams Family,” it came along at just the right time, providing a twice-weekly break for our war-weary and strife-riddled country in the mid ‘60s.

Based on the comic book by Bob Kane and Bill Finger and the old Batman radio show, “Batman” was the first depiction of the “caped crusaders” on screen. It led to an animated series and the ultra-successful “Batman” movie franchise we know today.

“Batman” starred Hollywood veteran Adam West as Batman and 19-year-old Burt Ward as Robin, the Boy Wonder. The regular cast was rounded out by Neil Hamilton as deadpan Commissioner Gordon, Stafford Repp as good-humored Chief O’Hara, and Alan Napier as Alfred, the trusted butler to both Batman and Bruce Wayne. Chief writer Lorenzo Semple won a critic’s choice award for his writing on “Batman,” and the show won several Emmys during its run, mostly for technical achievement.

Adam West was a handsome, adequately-built and believable action hero in the mold of George Reeves as Superman. He played Batman as humble, corny, dead pan and not too self-aware. Later in life, West let on how difficult it was to play Batman that way, but he embraced it. Like many actors indelibly linked to their character, West was type cast as Batman and had difficulty landing other roles. In retirement, he enjoyed hamming it up at conventions and personal appearances for adoring fans. Today, viewers may know him as the voice of Quahog mayor Adam West in Family Guy. West died in 2017 at age 88.

Newcomer Burt Ward brought a pinch of innocence, earnestness and awkwardness to the series as Robin. Many times, Batman had to rescue him from dire circumstances that anyone else could clearly see coming. His excitable and ever-changing catchphrase beginning with “holy” and ending with a description of the predicament they faced (“Holy hot candle wax, Batman!) were on the lips of adolescents everywhere. Ward is now 81 years old and living in Los Angeles.

“Batman” worked well because it didn’t take itself too seriously, staying faithful to its comic book roots. It specialized in highly choreographed fight sequences, complete with sound effects superimposed on the screen (“POW,” “BAM,” “SPLAT,” “CLANK,” “KAPOW”), a pulsating one-word theme song (“na na na na na na na na, Batman!”) and, most ridiculous of all, absurdly intricate death scenes that never quite finished off the caped crusaders.

Naturally, villains could never bring themselves to just shoot Batman and Robin, even when they had the chance. They had to devise over-the-top death sequences befitting their diabolical reputations. Most times, they were not even in attendance for the dirty deed.

My favorite almost-death scene saw the dynamic duo placed into a giant Frosty Freezie machine by the despicable Mr. Freeze, almost turning them into fruity popsicles. Fortunately, Batman realizes the heat exhaust from the machine could melt them out. Using a handy gadget from his utility belt, which the villains always left in place, he was able to turn the exhaust onto Robin and himself for easy melting.

Kids of the ’60 waited with bated breath each week to see which villain would show up. That was a big part of the fun. Hollywood’s biggest names clamored to make a “guest villain” appearance. It got so bad by season three that the caped crusaders had to battle two or three dastardly villains who teamed up to do away with the “caped creeps” once and for all. The list included the big four: a cackling Cesar Romero as Joker, wiry Frank Gorshin as Riddler, waddling and quacking Burgess Meredith (of Rocky fame) as Penguin and sexy Julie Newmar and later Ertha Kitt as Catwoman (Perrrrrrrfect casting!). When any one of those stalwarts turned up, you knew the caped crusaders were really in for it.

Other villains included Milton Berle as Louie the Lilac, Ethel Merman as Lola Lasagne, David Wayne as Mad Hatter, Vincent Price as Egghead, Victor Buono as King Tut, Maurice Evans as Puzzler, Cliff Robertson as Shame (a takeoff on the cowboy character Shane), Dina Merrill as Calamity Jan, Art Carney as Archer and even famed film director Otto Preminger as the mysterious Mr. Freeze.

Near the end of the third season, ratings began to drop as the premise wore off. ABC canceled the show, but NBC agreed to pick it up. But before it could, hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of Batman sets were mistakenly destroyed. Rather than rebuild the sets, NBC dropped the project. It took 20 years, but the bat rose again, this time in the form of an ultra-successful major motion picture starring Michael Keaton as Batman and Jack Nicholson as the Joker. Numerous movies later, it is still going strong.

In awe of the humble strip mall — and my top 5 Frederick picks

by Gary Bennett

Prospect Plaza at S. Jefferson Street and Route 15.

This article appears in the January 15, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Nearly every neighborhood of any size has one: the humble strip mall. Short on ambience but long on usefulness, these unassuming clusters of storefronts are the quiet workhorses of American convenience.

In my retirement job as a pharmacy delivery driver, I spend my days moving through Frederick and taking in the city as it really is. Some sights are charming. Others, like utilitarian strip centers, less so. Still, when you need a six-pack, dry cleaning, a missing dinner ingredient or a quick taco, the strip mall reveals its true beauty.

So what exactly is a “strip shopping center”? As the name suggests, it is a row of stores arranged in a straight line or a simple L or U shape, usually with parking out front and serving a nearby neighborhood. According to Property Manager Insider, what these centers lack in atmosphere they make up for in convenience. Shoppers value the ease. Investors value the returns. Small business owners value the lower barrier to entry.

Strip malls are distinct from full shopping centers, indoor malls and commercial districts, which serve larger trade areas and feature more stores and infrastructure. Frederick has all four. Westview Promenade and the Seventh Street Shopping Center are examples of full shopping centers. The FSK Mall is now the city’s only indoor mall. The Golden Mile functions as a commercial district, as do the Route 26 shopping centers, which are quickly evolving in the same direction.

Indoor malls, once dominant, have steadily fallen out of favor over the past two decades. Meanwhile, outdoor shopping centers such as Riverview Plaza, Frederick Crossing and Market Square are outperforming them. More surprising still, Retail Insider reports that strip shopping centers are seeing stronger year-over-year sales growth than even larger shopping centers nationwide, driven by a preference for local businesses and the enduring appeal of convenience. Their lower construction costs only add to their resilience.

Frederick, one of Maryland’s fastest-growing municipalities, has no shortage of strip centers. Most residents live within a short walk or drive of one they rely on regularly. These centers tend to house businesses essential to daily life, from national chains like 7-11 and Dollar General to small independent shops. Typical tenants include grocery and convenience stores, restaurants, service providers such as salons and dry cleaners, specialty retail and practical businesses like banks, pharmacies and tax services.

For me, a truly great strip mall covers most everyday needs in one stop. Ideally, that means a small grocery, a few fast-casual food options, basic personal services, a place to indulge occasionally and something to offset the indulgence. I have yet to find one local center that includes everything, but some come close.

Below are my top five standalone strip shopping centers in and around Frederick. These are places I consider livable, meaning all basic needs are met within a short walk. A strong strip mall saves time and, surprisingly often, improves quality of life.

Ballenger Creek Plaza at Ballenger Creek Pike and Crestwood Boulevard.

5. Eastgate Shopping Center

East Patrick Street and Monocacy Boulevard

An L-shaped center with a standout donut shop, liquor store and several fast-casual options including Roy Rogers and JR’s Pizza. Belles combines a bar, pool hall and deli, while a well-stocked pet store rounds out the mix.

4. Thomas Johnson Center

Oppossumtown Pike and Thomas Johnson Drive

Anchored by Weis, this long strip center features an eclectic lineup of outparcel shops including a dry cleaner, spa, liquor store and multiple fast-casual restaurants. Zipani gives the center a distinct personality.

3. Ballenger Creek Plaza

Ballenger Creek Pike and Crestwood Boulevard

Anchored by Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park, this compact center includes a barber shop, nail salon, daycare, dollar store, liquor store, tax prep office and several pizza and sub shops. Urban Air makes it a destination, especially for families.

2. Walnut Ridge Center

Rosemont Avenue across from Fort Detrick

Anchored by Food Lion, this long strip center offers broad appeal with subs, pizza, Mexican, Chinese and ramen restaurants, plus a barber shop, nail salon, dry cleaner, Edible Arrangements and a travel agent. Dunkin’ and Starbucks in the parking lot seal the deal.

1. Prospect Plaza

Jefferson Street at Route 15

Serving several nearby neighborhoods, Prospect Plaza earns the top spot with unmatched retail density. Two adjacent dollar stores and a Gabe’s provide serious browsing power, while food options range from Pizza Hut and McDonald’s to Habanero’s Tacos and Chef Lin Buffet. Service offerings include salons, a liquor store, auto parts shop, dry cleaner and even a veterinarian. If I ever had to set up camp near a strip center, this would be it.

Art of the boy’s weekend

by Gary Bennett
Special to the News-Post

Jim, Gary and Randy enjoy a dip in the Gulf of Mexico at Siesta Key Beach, June 2024. Water temp: 84 degrees.

This article appears in the January 8, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Let’s say you’d like to put together a boy’s weekend. You’ve got the boys (sort of), an understanding partner (sure you do), and the time and money (pretty much) to pull it off. What else do you need? Plenty, I say.

As a devotee and primary organizer of an annual boy’s weekend, I can tell you that a lot can go wrong — unless you plan carefully.

Before we get started, you may be wondering: why not just take your wife or girlfriend on a nice trip? My friend, if you’re asking this question, then a boy’s weekend may not be for you. The point is to take time away from your dearly beloved to enjoy some manly pursuits — without worrying about boring her or boring yourself by doing things she wants to do. The focus should be on strengthening friendships with your guy pals through shared experiences. Along the way, you’ll create lasting memories that contribute to personal growth and make you a more well-rounded person.

And don’t downplay the cost savings of just one of you going on a trip. That may sound obvious, but if you’re the type of person who gets genuine pleasure from seeing someone else have fun, then you know exactly what I mean.

SELLING THE IDEA

The first thing you must do is get buy-in. If this idea comes out of the blue to your wife, girlfriend or partner, you’ll face an uphill battle — especially if you’re planning to go somewhere she has never been.

I was smart enough to insist my wife visit her sister in Florida right after the holidays — without me. “Yes,” I said, “you can enjoy undivided time with her without worrying about me.” A few years later, I even OK’d a trip to Europe for my wife and a girlfriend who had never been. I know — brilliant, right? Now I can plan my boy’s trips with impunity.

Jim, Gary and Randy enjoys the O’s vs. Tampa Bay Rays in June 2024.

PLANNING THE TRIP

It’s never too soon to begin planning your guy trip. These days, even retired guys have busy schedules, so I recommend giving yourself at least six months of lead time. You’ll often need that much time to secure good deals on transportation, accommodations and entertainment.

First, decide who to invite. I recommend keeping the group small — no more than four — and inviting close friends only. It may be tempting to invite that new guy you’re kind of smitten with, but resist the urge. You’ll be setting yourself up for failure. You not only need close friends on the trip, but the kind you’d be comfortable traveling and sleeping in the same room with. That’s harder than it sounds. Longtime friends who have known you at your worst — preferably since those awkward teenage years — are ideal. (This is an excellent reason to maintain friendships with high school and college chums.)

Another good tip is to choose friends your wife knows — and it’s even better if she knows their wives. This isn’t to say she’ll disapprove of people she doesn’t know, but why take a chance?

It also helps if everyone involved is a longtime, happily married husband. You never want to invite a friend who has recently married, divorced, or whose marriage is on shaky ground. (Believe me, everyone knows.) And this probably goes without saying, but you can never — I repeat, never — invite a single friend on a boy’s trip with married friends. That’s an unforced error and a recipe for disaster.

WHERE TO GO

Next, you’ll need to decide where to go and what to do. These two decisions go hand in hand. You wouldn’t head to the mountains if everyone loves the beach, but you’ll need to refine your thinking even further. Choose your destination wisely. Nothing says “boy’s holiday” like the right balance of adrenaline-fueled activities and downtime.

Plan collaboratively. Talk with your friends to find an approach everyone agrees on regarding budget and activities. Don’t over-schedule. Balance planned events with downtime, and leave room for spontaneity — some of the best moments come from it.

To drive or to fly? That depends largely on your destination and how much time you have. From the Frederick area, places like New York, New England, Florida, and even New Orleans could go either way. Choose carefully. Turning your boy’s getaway into a car trip introduces additional challenges: who drives and for how long, when to stop, where to eat, and whether the car ride is for music or conversation. My preference is to go far enough that flying is the only option. Flying offers the best combination of shared experience and personal space — and it can be just as cost-effective as driving.

Next, decide on accommodations. One big advantage of a boy’s weekend is the ability to rent a large suite — one you normally couldn’t afford — and split the cost three or four ways. But this needs to be discussed upfront. How many rooms will you need? Some friends may prefer their own modest room, while others are fine sharing. If three of you go, a large suite may be perfect. If four, two rooms might make more sense. Budget and comfort levels matter here, so don’t gloss over this decision.

Jim, Gary and Randy at Area 51 just north of Las Vegas, November 2025.

WHAT TO DO

Now comes the fun part: deciding on activities. For a three- or four-day weekend, I recommend scheduling at least two structured activities. The best guy trips strike a balance between high-energy experiences and time to relax. Naturally, whatever you choose must appeal to everyone so no one feels left out.

Classic boys’ weekend ideas include outdoor adventures like camping, hiking, fishing, rafting, or golf; attending a live sporting event or concert; or exploring a city with a focus on food, drink, nightlife, or gaming. Most of my boy’s weekends have centered around sporting events and concerts. Add some beach or pool time, good meals, and maybe a short bus or river tour, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a great getaway.

OTHER SENSIBILITIES TO WATCH OUT FOR

Be mindful of sleeping and bathroom arrangements. You don’t live with these guys, so you may not know their habits. Some shower at night, others in the morning. Some wake early; others sleep in. Some eat breakfast; some don’t. These details matter — talk about them ahead of time.

You probably already know which friends are easygoing and which are a bit more uptight. Some prefer a regimented schedule; others thrive on spontaneity. Be aware of these quirks, try to accommodate them when possible, and focus on the fun. After all, you’ll be back home before you know it.

Gary, Jim and Randy getting ready for an Eagles concert at the amazing Sphere in Las Vegas, November 2025.

MY WEEKEND TRIPS

I didn’t start organizing boy’s weekends until I retired a few years ago, but they’ve since become an annual rite of passage. We’re not golfers or thrill-seekers, but we know what we like. True to my own advice, we plan just a few activities and leave plenty of room to relax and be spontaneous.

To date, my two (and sometimes three) pals and I have taken these boy’s weekends over three or four days, and we’ve always had a great time:

2020 — Detroit: Two Orioles baseball games and a river walk.

2021 — Arlington, Texas: Two Orioles baseball games and a Texas Hill County tour.

2022 — New Orleans: Paul McCartney concert, Bourbon Street bar hopping and a bus tour.

2023 — Denver: Pittsburgh Pirates baseball game and a Red Rocks concert.

2024 — Tampa: Two Orioles baseball games and a Siesta Key Beach outing.

2025 — Las Vegas: Eagles concert at the Sphere, Area 51 tour, light gambling.

Joe Theismann will talk in Frederick about how to set and reach goals

By Gary Bennett
Special to the News-Post

This article appears in the January 8, 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

Legendary NFL quarterback Joe Theismann will share his incredible journey from 1982 NFL MVP and 1983 Super Bowl champion to media personality, businessman and motivational speaker at 8 p.m. Jan. 10 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in Frederick. An Evening with Joe Theismann is part of the Weinberg Center’s Live Series, celebrating iconic speakers and resilient stories.

Joe Theismann is an iconic Washington sports figure, best known for his long NFL career spent entirely with the Washington Redskins, after a short stint in the Canadian Football League. He played with Redskin greats like the “over-the-hill-gang,” “hogs,” “fun bunch” and “Riggo.” He led the Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XVII in January 1983 over the Miami Dolphins but unfortunately suffered a gruesome on-field injury that ended his football career abruptly in 1985.

His football journey was unique and star-crossed, to say the least.

A college football Hall of Famer, Theismann starred for three years as quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He was not only a football all-American and Heisman Trophy runner up in 1971 but was also an academic all-American, loquacious and witty and with movie star good looks. The Notre Dame sports information department was so eager for him to win the Heisman in 1971 that they informed him they would change the pronunciation of his name to rhyme with Heisman (with a long i sound). At the time, there was not a more glamorous or well-known player in college football.

Thought too small to play quarterback in the NFL, Theismann was drafted into the Canadian Football League in 1971. He spent three standout years with Toronto Argonauts, lauded for his daring and effective quarterback play. In 1974 he was acquired by the Washington Redskins as a backup quarterback and punt returner. The latter was a job unheard-of for any quarterback before or since. Known as a fierce competitor, Theismann willingly took the job just to get onto the field. In 1978, he finally assumed the starting quarterback position, supplanting another Redskin favorite, Billy Kilmer.

In November 1985, shortly after his MVP and Super Bowl winning years, Theismann suffered a devastatingly severe compound fracture of his tibia and fibula when sacked by Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants on Monday Night Football in front of millions of viewers. The 36-year-old Theismann was wstill in his prime for an NFL quarterback, but unfortunately, the injury ended his career on the spot. The image of Taylor frantically waving for help while a prone Theismann lay unable to move and in clear agony is one of the most enduring and wrenching images the NFL has to offer.

Unable to play again, Theismann retired and embarked on a successful broadcasting career. In 1986 and 1987, he served as color commentator on NFL games for CBS. In 1988 he became the longtime lead analyst for Sunday Night Football, a job he kept through 2005. He joined the Monday Night Football TV crew for one year in 2006. Since then, he has appeared consistently on the NFL Network and covered Thursday Night Football. In 1994 he won a CableACE Award (an Emmy equivalent) for insightful NFL commentary.

Today, he appears across various media, co-hosting Playbook, a weekly show on the Washington Commanders network; on podcasts such as 2nd City Gridiron and the Ruffino and Joe Show; in the movies, usually playing himself in such fare as Cannonball Run II; and in the theater with his live show, An Evening with Joe Theismann. His NFL Films documentary, Joe Theismann: A Football Life airs periodically on the NFL Network. He has written books, including his latest, How to be a Champion Every Day, and leads various business ventures including Theismann’s, his restaurant in Alexandria, that has been in operation since 1975.

As a motivational speaker, Theismann is in high demand by organizations such as Gaylord Hotel, ADM Investor Services, SHOPCO Stores, Prosperity Life, University of Phoenix and the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Theismann often speaks on the relationship between business, sports, and our personal lives, and how they parallel one another. He shares lessons on leadership, overcoming adversity and mental toughness, which he now brings to his live shows.

At the Weinberg Center, Theismann will speak for about 60 to 75 minutes about his football life and how to set and reach your goals and motivate those around you. After his talk, he will entertain questions from the audience. Tickets are available at weinbergcenter.org.

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.

(Don’t) party like it’s 1999: My most memorable News Year’s Eve

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the December 31, 2025 issue of Frederick News Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment insert.

Looking back, New Year’s Eve 1999 was momentous on several fronts. It was the end of the year, decade, century and even the millennium, but few remember it could have been the end of civilization as we knew it.

I am overstating that last item, of course, but fears were rampant because of a little thing called the Y2K computer bug.

The shorthand form of the year 2000 (Y2K) became synonymous with impending doom. It referred to possible failures to computer systems because years (back in those days) were denoted as two-digit numbers instead of four. Therefore, no one could be sure how computers would react to the rollover from 99 to 00. Some believed computers would think it was 1900 instead of 2000, making any calculations that relied on time, like interest payments on savings or Social Security payments, to fail.

As incredible as it sounds now, this glitch was simply due to pure cost savings and an amazing lack of foresight. Early in the computer age, which dates from the 1940s, data storage was extremely expensive and programmers compensated by taking shortcuts wherever possible. One easy shortcut was to denote years as a two-digit number instead of four. No one worried about the year 2000 because it was so far away, and it wasn’t at all clear this new technology would catch on.

At the turn of the century, I was working for the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (BNA) in Washington, D.C. It was a large publishing company that specialized in reporting on legislative and regulatory news coming out of the federal government. It is now part of Bloomberg. BNA reported extensively on governmental efforts to stem this coming catastrophe. We even had a publication called the Y2K Reporter.

During the late 1990s, the federal government finally recognized the problems this computer glitch could cause and they went to work in a bipartisan fashion to fix the problems unimaginable today. By some estimates, the federal government spent upwards of $600 billion to remedy the 2-digit year glitch.

I was not a reporter or a computer programmer at BNA but a communications-type person. Nevertheless, I was on high alert New Year’s Eve, ready to make my way to the office in D.C. if the unimaginable happened. And believe me, doomsday scenarios were running wild: Jets would fall from the sky at midnight, the power grid would fail, and people would not be able to withdraw funds from banks were a few of the wildest.

Luckily, nothing much happened. There was some minor glitches to nonessential government programs but no widespread systems failures like some predicted. Our Y2K Reporter folded up the following year, and New Year’s Eve the following year was much more pleasant.

So, on Dec. 31, 1999, I was not ready to “party like it was 1999,” as Prince suggested, but was suffering from high anxiety like millions of other Americans and looking askance at my big, old desktop computer.

Key West: Carefree in the ‘Conch Republic’

By Gary Bennett

Article appears in the November 20, 2025 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment magazine.

They say Key West is for pirates, parrots and poets. I didn’t see any of those on a recent visit, but the phrase captures the island’s whimsical, creative and laid-back spirit. Like Las Vegas or New Orleans, it’s one of those places every American should experience at least once before they head off to that great overseas highway in the sky.

And speaking of highways, few routes are as memorable as the 113-mile Florida Keys Overseas Highway. Stretching from Key Largo to Key West across an astonishing 42 bridges, it hopscotches from island to island, each with its own personality. The drive delivers uninterrupted ocean views, glimpses of coral reefs, dolphins and endless boat traffic. Think dozens of Chesapeake Bay Bridges lined up end to end.

Yes, Key West has its own international airport with flights from across the U.S. and abroad, but I’m not sure why anyone uses it. Flying into Miami, renting a car, and driving the Keys offers a breezy, scenic adventure filled with quirky shops and water in every direction. It goes by quickly.

Key West is the southernmost city in the continental U.S. Surprisingly, it’s closer to Havana (90 miles) than to Miami (165 miles). Jutting far into the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, the island has a tropical climate and is regularly hit by hurricanes and tropical storms.

The writer poses at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West.

With weather similar to a Caribbean island, daytime and nighttime temperatures rarely vary by more than 15 degrees at any time of year. Prevailing easterly trade winds keep summer temperatures from climbing too high and winter temperatures from dropping too low. It’s rare for the thermometer to reach 95 degrees.

As you pull into town, you’ll notice palm-shaded streets, stately historic homes, salty air and nightly waterfront sunsets that are astonishingly beautiful. Only about 30,000 people live here full-time. Because the weather barely shifts from season to season, visitors come throughout the year, which helps disperse crowds. We’ve visited in both January and August; the weather felt almost identical, and the island never seemed like an overwhelming tourist trap — more like a homey escape.

Many early residents immigrated from the Bahamas and were known as “Conchs” (pronounced “conks”). In the 20th century, residents began embracing the term, and today it generally refers to full-time locals.

One of the island’s most beloved stories dates to 1982, when Key West symbolically declared independence as the “Conch Republic” in response to a U.S. Border Patrol blockade at the junction of U.S. Route 1 and the mainland. The blockade created major traffic delays and disrupted daily life. Although the secession was purely symbolic, the tale endures, and the Conch Republic Independence Celebration is marked annually on April 23.

Key West is compact in both population and size, but you’ll want at least three or four days to get a real feel for the place.

MUST-SEES

Start with a visit to the southernmost point in the continental U.S., marked by a giant, whimsically painted concrete buoy. Locals say the point was once indicated by a simple sign, but constant photo-seekers led to its upgrade. Here you’ll also find the “90 miles to Cuba” marking. It’s kitschy, but worth the photo (this is one of the most photographed spots in the country). The marker sits at 1400 Whitehead Street on the waterfront, and there’s no admission fee. When we visited, the line was short and we snapped our picture in minutes.

Next, grab a photo at Mile Marker 0, the literal and figurative end of the road in America. It marks the southern terminus of U.S. Route 1, the longest north-south road in the nation. For the dedicated road-tripper, its northern end is in Fort Kent, Maine, near the Canadian border. Driving it straight through would take more than 50 hours — and you’d likely hit every stoplight in every small town along the way.

Take a leisurely walk down Key West’s most iconic street, Duval Street, the island’s historical, entertainment, culinary and cultural center. It runs 14 blocks — about a mile — from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. No one rushes here; you’re on island time.

Under the category of “only in Key West,” don’t be surprised if free-roaming chickens wander across your path. They strut around as if they own the place — and perhaps they do. Early Cuban settlers brought chickens for food and cockfighting. When supermarkets took over and cockfighting was outlawed, many birds were released. Today, locals often prefer the chickens to tourists, and attempts to control their population have sparked strong resistance.

One of the most photographed places in the U.S.

Once you’ve navigated the chickens, visit two historic landmarks: the Ernest Hemingway Home and the Harry S. Truman Little White House.

Hemingway lived in Key West from 1931 to 1939. His wife’s wealthy uncle purchased the home as a wedding gift. It features an impressive swimming pool that cost the equivalent of nearly $350,000 today. Here, Hemingway was introduced to deep-sea fishing by Joe Russell (the original “Sloppy Joe”) and acquired his lifelong nickname, “Papa.”

These were his most productive years. He wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro,” “To Have and Have Not” and “Death in the Afternoon” in the mornings at his estate, reserving afternoons for his family. (“A Farewell to Arms” was completed before he arrived in Key West.)

President Harry S. Truman visited Key West 11 times during his presidency, spending a total of 175 days there, mostly during winter. At the Little White House, he conducted official business and worked on the Truman Doctrine, which pledged political, military and economic support to democratic nations threatened by authoritarian regimes. President Dwight Eisenhower later recuperated there after a heart attack, and Presidents John F. Kennedy and Jimmy Carter were also frequent visitors.

While in town, stop for a drink and a meal at Sloppy Joe’s Bar. The food and drinks themselves are nothing remarkable, but the history is. Founder Joe Russell, a rumrunner from Cuba, needed a place to sell his goods. With encouragement from Hemingway, he opened The Blind Pig, which became Hemingway’s favorite bar. Hemingway suggested renaming it “Sloppy Joe’s” in reference to the wet floors caused by melting ice used to sell seafood. The name stuck.

In one legendary episode, Russell — unhappy paying $4 a month in rent during the 1930s — moved the bar down the block, “lock, stock and barrel,” with help from his customers, who continued drinking as they carried furniture and supplies. The landlord was furious but could do little about it.

End your stay with the sunset celebration at Mallory Square, held nearly every night of the year. This waterfront event begins an hour before sunset and features artists, craftspeople, psychics, street performers, food vendors and crowds of locals and visitors who gather to watch the sun sink into the Gulf to cheers and live music.

Ocean in all directions as you navigate the Florida Keys Overseas Highway.

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