Another April Fools’ Day is upon us, and it couldn’t have come at a better time! What? Have you not watched the news lately?
This great American un-holiday features trickery, monkeyshines, hoaxes, shenanigans and hijinks. Why April Fools’ Day is not a federal holiday, I’ll never understand.
April Fools’ Day comes on April 1 each year. No one quite knows why.
Some think it is connected to the vernal equinox, where Mother Nature fools us by changing weather from hot to cold every other day. One thing is for certain, however: Perpetrators must holler “April Fools!” at the end of the joke to clue in the unsuspecting party.
Though the day has purportedly been celebrated for centuries by different cultures, its exact origin remains a mystery. Some historians trace it back to ancient Rome and the appropriately-named festival of Hilaria. Others peg it to medieval France, when some fools couldn’t get the days straight on the newly created Gregorian calendar. (That’s actually pretty harsh. Can you imagine changing calendars today? We get grumpy just turning our clocks back one hour.)
The Brits ran with the concept in the 1700s, often sending people on phony cuckoo bird hunts. Later came “Tailie Day,” which involved pranks such as pinning fake tails or “kick me” signs on unsuspecting back ends.
My family must have lots of English blood. I can vividly remember my unsuspecting mother, who worked overnight at a Celanese plant in the 1970s, coming home with a fibery tail pinned to her derriere seemingly every morning.
My own grandchildren got in on the fun, too, by taping a “kick me” sign to my backside before a trip to the mall. Of course, I knew about it, but that didn’t stop me from playing along and listening to the heartwarming giggles as we strolled along.
The classic April Fools’ jokes of covering the toilet with plastic wrap or swapping the contents of sugar and salt containers are all well and good, but I would like you to think bigger.
To motivate you, here are some of the large-scale, classic April Fools’ jokes executed in recent history. They deserve our solemn respect.
• Swiss TV covered farm workers’ record spaghetti crop, complete with video of people harvesting the noodles from trees.
• George Plimpton reported on a rookie pitcher named Sidd Finch who could throw a ball 168 miles per hour
• An actor portraying Richard Nixon near the end of his life in 1992 announced he was running for president again, to the horror of everyone.
• Taco Bell announced they were purchasing the Liberty Bell and renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell.
• MIT engineering students dismantled the dean’s car and reassembled it on the administration building roof.
•••
Gary as a cool, hippie-type dude.
Not to be outdone, I am happy to relate my own efforts.
Before I do, please note that I am always happy to be the butt of the joke if it embarrasses someone else, preferably my good-natured but long-suffering wife. Also note that shenanigans don’t have to occur on Aprils Fools’ Day, but it helps!
For years, we have vacationed with very good friends in Florida. My buddy and I like to drive, while my wife and his wife prefer to fly. As good and faithful husbands, we always promise to pick them up at the airport, and we do.
For some odd reason that probably dates to my childhood, I delight in dressing up in outrageous costumes to meet my wife and her friend at the airport. I typically have a sign welcoming them to Florida and meet them with exuberant jolliness, much to their chagrin.
The looks on their faces are priceless as I stand in the welcoming line when they emerge from airport security. There is nowhere to hide. Pretending to not know me doesn’t work either. They are putty in my hands.
I have shown up at airports as the following:
• an Italian playboy in short shorts and a jaunty hat
• a cool hippie dude
• an extremely overweight and uncool tourist
• an unemployed biker.
Pro tip, if you are thinking of trying this yourself: Notify airport security before you change into your getup in the men’s restroom. They’re usually not amused, but it’s the right thing to do.
If you’re wondering about my buddy, no, he won’t dress up. But to his credit, he doesn’t try to talk me out of it.
Unfortunately, the cat’s out of the bag for me now, and I’m forced to be more creative. After years of happily flying without me, my wife now begs me to fly with her. If that fails, she has taken to searching the car for suspicious clothing before I depart.
Little does she know, I have costumers up and down the East Coast who are awaiting my call.
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.
Gary as the woefully out-of-place, jaunty European tourist, Armando.
Frederick resident Robin Brown remembers getting her multiple sclerosis diagnosis like it was yesterday. It hit her like the proverbial ton of bricks.
“I woke up one Saturday morning — it was April 26, 2008; I was 47 years old — and felt a tingling on my left side. I’d never felt anything like it before. Because a dear childhood friend had just survived two brain aneurisms, I got scared and took myself to the ER.”
Once there, she endured an MRI of her brain and spine. The neurologist on call delivered the bad news that she “probably” had MS.
Since MS is notoriously challenging to diagnose, she soon found herself at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore for what she hoped would be a reversal of the initial diagnosis. She got the requisite lumbar puncture (also known as a spinal tap), which was frightening in its own right, and when the proteins came back positive for MS, the diagnosis was official.
“It was shocking,” Brown said. “No one in my family has it. My mother has rheumatoid arthritis, so I thought it may be that. The doctors ruled out other auto-immune disorders first such as Lyme disease and lupus. It only took four months to get my diagnosis, and that’s not normal. It usually takes a lot longer.”
Robin Brown and her “peeps” bring awareness to MS, raise funds and support each other.
WHAT IS MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerve cells in the brain, optic nerve and spinal cord, called the myelin sheath. It causes communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. It is potentially disabling and affects nearly 1 million Americans.
Doctors don’t know why this happens. It is not necessarily genetic, environmental or due to the actions of the patients. Some studies show it may be a virus that can be contracted as a teen and remains dormant until later in life, but nothing has been conclusive.
Signs and symptoms of MS vary widely between patients and depend on the location and severity of nerve fiber damage in the central nervous system. Some people with severe MS may lose the ability to walk independently. Other individuals may experience long periods of remission with no new symptoms.
There is currently no cure, but treatments are available to help speed the recovery from attacks, modify the course of the disease and manage symptoms.
GETTING TO WORK
There is a bright side to Brown’s harrowing diagnosis.
In characteristic fashion, she threw herself immediately into the fight to find a cure. She was diagnosed in 2008 and began her association with the National MS Society the next year, where she’s been a valuable fundraiser and leader ever since.
To help find a cure and support those with MS, Brown is active in the MS Society’s main worldwide fundraiser, Walk MS.
“Walk MS brings us together,” she said. “I love that it gives me the opportunity to make others aware. It helps me feel not so alone. When I was diagnosed, I felt very alone.”
Walk MS is an event held in hundreds of cities throughout the world where the MS community, including supporters and loved ones, come together to walk, run or bike in support of those living with MS and raise funds to help find a cure.
Everyone is welcome to participate. There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum. While there is no fee to participate, every dollar raised helps those living with MS and their supporters. Since its inception in 1988, Walk MS has raised more than $1 billion to help people with MS and their caregivers.
According to Brown, the funds don’t all go to science. Some are used for critical but sometimes overlooked things, like respite care for caregivers, walking devices or vehicles that are wheelchair accessible.
“I do this for everybody, and, of course, it could be me one day that needs these things.”
WALK MS FREDERICK
Frederick’s next Walk MS event begins at 9 a.m. April 13 at Frederick High School. The day starts with a snack, sponsor booths, photos and an official ceremony.
At 10 a.m., participants start walking on the site’s supported and accessible routes, winding their way through Baker Park and back to Frederick High. There is a 3-mile route and a 1-mile route for those not quite as ambitious. The route is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. The event concludes at noon.
New attractions this year include the Center for People Living with MS and Circles of Support. The Center provides information about the MS Society programs and resources, including self-help groups and navigators. Individuals living with MS also receive swag items there.
Circles of Support provides complimentary hand-held circles to use during the opening ceremony: yellow for those who support the mission to cure MS, green for those who love or care for someone with MS and orange for those who live with MS. The waving signs are sure to be a memorable scene at the event.
Since recent COVID-19 restrictions have been detrimental to the Frederick walk, Brown has been asked to help rejuvenate this year’s event. Her role is to be a powerhouse fundraiser and key awareness advocate for the society and walk. She has done so for many years. She heads up a team affectionately known as Robin’s Peeps, a group of 10 to 12 team members who bring awareness to MS, raise funds and support each other.
In 2023, Frederick’s MS Walk raised about $62,000 and had 295 participants. Brown and her team raised $15,000 of this total and was the top team in Frederick. Brown personally raised $13,475 of the $15,000, which ranked her No. 157 in the nation, out of more than 100,000 participants.
The goal for the 2024 Walk is to have more than 350 participants and raise $67,000. The Greater D.C.-Maryland chapter, of which Brown is a member, aims to raise $1.2 million this year during their 10 Walk MS events in Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia.
LIVING WITH MS
Brown does all this even though she has been one of the lucky ones whose symptoms have not progressed over the years. She doesn’t take this good fortune for granted. She leads an active life and works full-time as an associate agent in a busy insurance office.
“I know how lucky I am. I found the correct neurologist for me, and together we chose the correct treatment,” she said. “I use a medication called Rebif, which is injected three times a week. I am faithful to it, and it’s worked well for me. I’ve been on that same treatment since September 2008, and it has held everything at bay.”
Brown also credits her support system as key to her success. She counts support from her husband, mother, sister, other family members and countless friends as immeasurable.
“It is support for which I never have to ask. I attribute my success to working hard to manage my MS and to this unwavering support.”
Her deceased father also plays a surprisingly key role.
“My dad, who passed away in ’22, was always amazed about my attitude toward MS. He used to say that I have such a positive attitude that it’s never going to beat me. I hold on to that. It’s almost as if I just don’t want to let him down.”
Brown also co-leads a local peer support group called Messy Friends, with Dee Walter, a fellow MS warrior. The group allows folks to know they are not alone. They serve as a resource to provide information and share individual experiences.
“We Messy Friends don’t know everything, but we usually have access to information that’s helpful,” she said.
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.
New stadium, minor league team coming to Hagerstown this spring
By Gary Bennett
Rendering of Meritus Park in Hagerstown
This article appears in DayTripper Magazine, Spring 2024.
Meritus Park, the nearly $70 million, 4,000-seat stadium, financed by the State of Mayland, promises to be a game changer for Hagerstown, which has hosted minor league baseball for over 100 years. Construction began in the fall 2022 and is scheduled to wrap up in time for the opening game on May 3.
“It’s going to be an incredible facility not just for baseball, but for other events like festivals and concerts and will really provide a huge boost to Hagerstown’s downtown economy,” said David Blenckstone, general manager of Hagerstown’s new minor league baseball team and the stadium’s first tenant.
“The stadium will reflect the city of Hagerstown with an emphasis on railroads and bricks, two industries the city was really known for historically. We are proud of all the art that will adorn the concourses, too,” said Blenckstone.
Minor League Baseball’s newest team, the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars, will call the stadium home and compete in the Atlantic League. They are one of 10 teams in the Atlantic League this year. The players’ skill level will be tantamount to AA or AAA players.
Hagerstown Flying Boxcars logo including mascot Stryker and a C-119 “flying boxcar”
So, what’s a flying boxcar?
A team naming contest held last year garnered 1,700 responses. The clear winner was a nod to Hagerstown’s proud aviation past. The sprawling local Fairchild plant was a key builder of the C-119 Flying Boxcar for both the Navy and Marine Corps in the 1940s. The nickname aptly represents the giant military transport aircraft developed to carry both cargo and personnel into battle in Europe.
As for the stadium, Meritus Park will boast all the amenities you would expect from a minor league ballpark plus many you might not. Construction of the stadium is in the hands of the Maryland Stadium Authority, famous for their creative stewardship of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
“The stadium is designed not just for the hard-core baseball fan but also for the casual one who is looking for an enjoyable, social evening out,” said Blenckstone.
One notable feature will be the 360-degree concourse that allows fans to walk completely around the inside of the stadium. That’s not something you find at Harry Grove Stadium or other typical minor league parks.
The stadium will have a full-service bar in the left field area and a beer garden in right. A picnic area greets you near the main gate and a family-friendly zone is right behind first base. The video board, lighting system and sound system are promised to be of major-league quality and state of the art.
Stryker getting ready for opening day
Attendees at an evening game can easily make a day of it because of the downtown location. A pleasant mile-long walkway called the Hagerstown Cultural Trail runs along the ballpark for about a half mile, connecting visitors to the arts and entertainment district, Hagerstown City Park and Fine Arts Museum.
Highly rated local restaurants within easy walking distance of the stadium include: Broad Axe, Bulls and Bears, 28 South and Schmankerl Stube—a quintessentially German-themed restaurant serving hearty Bavarian fare.
Fans will certainly have no trouble finding the stadium. It sits near the corner of West Baltimore Street and Summit Avenue in downtown Hagerstown right next to the old Hearld-Mail newspaper building. The stadium’s tall and imposing façade and light stanchions will dominate Hagerstown’s skyline.
Parking should be no problem either. The City of Hagerstown is contributing a 400-car parking deck right next to the stadium. Plus, two more existing parking decks are within 3 blocks of the stadium.
The season begins in early May. Get tickets at FlyingBoxcars.com.
Themed nights will include Silver Sluggers Tuesdays—special ticket prices and giveaways for those 55 and older—and Double Dog Days Wednesdays—bring your pooch and enjoy discounts on hot dogs. See a complete list is at FlyingBoxcars.com.
This article appears in DayTripper magazine, Spring 2024.
The Keys are back for another exciting season of MLB Draft League baseball. The 2024 season kicks off June 4 at the West Virginia Black Bears. Opening Day at Harry Grove Stadium is June 11 against the Trenton Thunder.
Fireworks will be featured after every Friday and Saturday home game, plus the Fourth of July Fireworks Extravaganza will be held Wednesday, July 3, and fireworks are planned for Sunday, Sept. 1.
The Keys will be the only baseball tenant at Harry Gove Stadium this year, as the Spire City Ghost Hounds, part of the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball last year, are on a one-year hiatus, with their return slated for 2025.
This is the fourth year of the Keys’ participation in the MLB Draft League. It is a six-team league with a split-season amateur-professional format. The first half features MLB draft-eligible players. The second half switches to a professional format, with paid players comprising the six rosters.
5 O’clock Somewhere, a tribute band that celebrates the music of Jimmy Buffett and others, is coming back to Frederick.
The show will be at New Spire Arts on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Key West Productions has brought the “5 O’clock” show to Frederick in years past, but with the death of Buffett on Sept. 1, 2023, the producers have infused the show with more Buffett classics and a heartfelt tribute.
“The show kind of morphed after Jimmy died. There had always been a few of his songs in the set list, but now we have eight or nine with great stories and pictures to really enhance the experience,” said Tom Kohlhepp of Key West Productions. “You’ll imagine you have a drink in your hand and a sea breeze in your face.”
The 90-minute show features soft-rock and country favorites in the first half from artists like The Eagles, America, the Doobie Bothers, Kenny Chesney and others — songs you want to hear when it’s 5 o’clock on a Friday and it’s time to let your hair down and have a good time.
The second half of the show is turned over to the music and stories of Buffett, the late troubadour of laid-back island soul.
Kohlhepp promises the band will play all of the songs that used to get costumed crowds on their feet all over the world, batting around beach balls and swaying back and forth in packed arenas.
The band will play “Margaritaville” (with a rarely sung last verse), “Come Monday,” “It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Son of a Son of a Sailor,” “A Pirate Looks at 50,” “Volcano,” “Fins,” “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” and a few surprises.
The featured artists are Safe Harbor, based nearby in Jefferson.
Safe Harbor is made up of the award-winning married duo of Sam and Katherine Ott, along with backup artists from Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania. They count themselves as Buffett fans, playing all over the eastern U.S.
They performed the show recently in Key West, Florida, Buffett’s hometown.
“I can guarantee folks in the audience will come away with a better understanding of Jimmy Buffett, why he wrote each of his greatest hits and the great stories that are behind them,” Kohlhepp said. “Some people consider Buffett a country singer, others a pop singer. I’ve always considered him just a folk singer in flip flops. There’ll be good stories put to song with a drink in your hand. What could be better?”
GULF SHORES, AL – JULY 11: Musician Jimmy Buffett performs onstage at Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live from the Gulf Coast, a concert presented by CMT at on the beach on July 11, 2010 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
Jimmy Buffett lived a life most of us can only dream of. By all accounts it was wacky, wild and wonderful.
We all know about his hugely successful music career. He recorded more than 30 albums, wrote and recorded a career-defining and endlessly entertaining song in “Margaritaville” and built a string of successful Margaritaville restaurants and resorts.
But did you know he was a best-selling author and a seaplane pilot?
He wrote three best-selling books: “Tales from Margaritaville,” “Where is Joe Merchant,” and “A Pirate Looks at Fifty.”
Piloting a seaplane was his way of escaping reality and inviting family and friends on his many adventures, fishing and otherwise, all around the Caribbean.
His early life wasn’t always easy, though.
He flunked out of college, flunked his draft physical and started a band in his 20s, but it got no traction, so it broke up soon after.
He was divorced twice, went broke once and survived not one, but two, devastating crashes: one by car and one by seaplane that he only survived due to some Navy training.
Later, he broke the same leg three times in one year, did a lot of dope and went into therapy.
But there’s no reason to focus on the negative stuff because Jimmy never did.
He spent his life looking optimistically for the next opportunity and he almost always found it. He was signed to a recording contract at ABC Records in 1973 to replace his recently deceased friend, Jim Croce.
Buffett died last year on Sept. 1 at age 76, from complications from Merkle cell carcinoma, a rare type of skin cancer.
Somehow, fittingly, he died on the last day of meteorological summer. If the “music died” when Buddy Holly died, could it be that summer died with Jimmy Buffett? We’ll have to wait and see this summer.
I was never a big Jimmy Buffett fan and certainly never a “parrothead”— the term reserved for his most loyal, diehard fans who could always be counted on to dress up in wild costumes at his concerts, perhaps with a parrot on their shoulder.
But I can appreciate the niche he carved out for himself in the music business, much to everyone’s surprise.
One can name no other artist (other than the Beach Boys) who so completely embodied a carefree, island-hopping, “strumming my six-string on my front porch swing,” summery persona.
Buffett may have described himself best when he said: “I’ve got a Caribbean soul I can barely control.” He and his Coral Reefer band toured the world for nearly 50 years, bringing joy wherever they set down.
My wife and I have been to a few of his concerts and always had a really good time.
Near the end, he wasn’t much of a singer. He was more like an affable host or a barefoot ringleader of one giant outdoor party.
Sometimes, you felt like he was phoning it in, not giving it much effort. But the more I thought about it, isn’t that the essence of Jimmy Buffett anyway, making it look easy and effortless?
Surprisingly, he started out as more of a country singer. His 1974 heartfelt ballad “Come Monday” was a big hit on both the country and pop charts. It has an unmistakable country feel to it.
But soon after, something changed. He was no longer country. He embraced what might be called tropical island or Caribbean music, with a strong influence of steel drums and simple melodies and lyrics. By all accounts, he went back to his roots.
When “Margaritaville” hit the airwaves in 1977, it was impossible not to like the song or the carefree-looking artist that penned and sang it. “Margaritaville” speaks not of a town, but of a state of mind when you use your favorite adult beverage to numb yourself to life and your inability to do much with it.
With exasperation but acceptance, Buffett sang “Don’t know the reason / stayed here all season / Nothin’ to show but this brand new tattoo. But it’s a real beauty / a Mexican cutie / how it got here I haven’t a clue.”
He then finished up plaintively “Wasted away again in Margaritaville, Searching for my lost shaker of salt. Some people say that there’s a woman to blame. But I know / it’s my own damn fault.”
To this day when I hear it, I can’t help but smile and sing along. Putting smiles on strangers’ faces — not a bad legacy to leave.
GULF SHORES, AL – JULY 11: Musician Jimmy Buffett performs onstage at Jimmy Buffett & Friends: Live from the Gulf Coast, a concert presented by CMT at on the beach on July 11, 2010 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for CMT)
In Frederick, we think we know old. After all, we were part of one of the original 13 colonies and have a rich pre-American Independence history.
But we don’t know old like St. Augustine, Florida knows old.
It was founded in 1565 by Pedro de Aviles, Juan Ponce de Leon and other Spanish explorers. It is the oldest continually occupied European settlement in the United States. In 2025 it will celebrate its 460th anniversary. By comparison, Frederick County just celebrated its 275th anniversary.
For further context, St. Augustine had already been a thriving community for about 50 years at the time English settlers first set foot at Jamestown, Virgina, and a little later, at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.
St. Augustine sits in the northeast coast of Florida, just 15 miles south of Jacksonville on what is known as Florida’s Historic Coast. It is served by Jacksonville International Airport and is just off I-95 and Route 1. It is about a 12-hour drive from Frederick on a good traffic day.
St. Augustine attracts people from around the globe. About six million visit each year. I was pleased to hear a mix of languages and dialects as we strolled the streets.
Oldest wooden schoolhouse in America
It makes a lot of favorites lists, too. USA Today’s Reader’s Choice 2020 ranks it as “best historic small town.” Conde Naste Traveler ranks it No. 1 on its list of U.S. cities that are full of European charm.
My wife and I just returned from a short visit between Christmas and New Year’s Day. It had been on our bucket list for quite some time. We’ve been all over Florida from Jacksonville to Key West but never made time to visit St. Augustine.
I’m glad we did.
Along with its “old world” charm, St. Augustine is well known for its brick-lined streets, Spanish colonial architecture, legendary Fountain of Youth and warmth of its people. All were in ample supply during our visit.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll likely want nothing more than to walk around and take in the breathtaking Spanish architecture. Try to resist that! As cheesy as this may sound, we wholeheartedly recommend taking the on-and-off-again sightseeing trolley as soon as you can. It can’t be beat for getting the lay of the land and figuring out where you want to spend time.
In St. Augustine, the trolley costs about $40 per person, lasted for about an hour and half (if you don’t get off) and made about 20 stops all around the historic area. The trolley runs all day and you are free to get on and off at will.
History
If history is your thing, this is the place to be. The numerous American “firsts” are lovingly preserved and welcoming to locals and tourists alike.
Over 60 historic sites dot the downtown landscape including the oldest schoolhouse in America, oldest store, oldest jail and oldest public street, Aviles Street, which was also home to the first military hospital. Today, the Spanish Military Hospital Museum sits at the end of the street. The first Holy Mass in America was held in St. Augustine at the Mission Nombre de Dios—also the first Catholic mission.
You won’t want to miss a tour of Castillo de San Marcos, the large historic fort sitting on the bayfront that at one time protected St. Augustine from marauding invaders. It still stands like a sentinel dominating the skyline of St. Augustine. There’s even a moat (now dry) and a working drawbridge.
Castillo de San Marcos fort stands sentinel over St. Augustine
Not much is made of the reaction from and treatment of Native Americans when the Spanish arrived, and that is too bad. I would love to have learned more about that. There are some indications that many of the natives converted to Catholicism because of the way they were buried.
On the bright side, the Spanish rulers of St. Augustine did not allow slavery unlike their British counterparts to the north. Slaves from the British colonies ran away to St. Augustine every chance they got. There, they were free and welcomed into society. The nation’s oldest free Black community was established at Fort Mose in St. Augustine. The proud story is told at the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center.
Fountain of Youth
No visit to St. Augustine is complete without visiting the legendary Fountain of Youth. I’m happy to report this is not the tourist trap you may think it is. The grounds of the Fountain of Youth mark the location of the Native American Timucua village of Seloy and the first settlement of St. Augustine. Extensive archeological work in the 20th century proved this.
The Fountain grounds are now a national park with several acres of exhibits and demonstrations to enjoy. The best features, however, are the impeccably recreated village structures that shed light on Native American life at the time of Spanish settlement.
The Spanish Watchtower, mission church, Ponce de Leon Landing Memorial and canon firing demonstrations are all highlights of the park. The Fountain itself is underwhelming but a good spot for photos. We drank from the Fountain, but I can attest it did not work.
Grounds of the Fountain of Youth
Nights of Lights
If you visit St. Augustine any time between mid-November and late January, you’ll enjoy Nights of Lights. At this annual event, three million twinkling lights adorn every corner of the downtown historic area. A 30- to 40-minute walk will allow you to take in all the splendor. Nights of Lights was named one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world by National Geographic Traveler. I highly recommend it.
St George Street Pedestrian Mall
Begin at the Old City Gate and stroll along narrow but charming St. George Street for several blocks to find unique gifts and antiques at boutiques and vintage shops along the way. Numerous cafes and restaurants beckon you inside with their pungent, sweet, salty and savory scents. We recommend Harry’s or Meehan’s to quell your munchies.
At the end of the street, you’ll be treated with the Plaza de la Constitucion, the striking town square established in 1573. Now, it pays homage to the Spanish constitution of 1812 with a monument that is believed to be the only one to a constitution remaining in the world.
Henry Flagler
If you spend any time at all in St. Augustine, you’ll hear the name Henry Flagler over and over again. Flagler was a wealthy New York oil baron who saw the possibilities of St. Augustine before anyone else. In the late 1800s, he helped build a railroad from New York to Florida, ushering in its thriving tourism industry. His name adorns the city’s college, several beautiful hotels and the Lightner Museum, which holds an extensive array of Gilded Age artifacts.
Beaches
St. Augustine lies inland across the impressive Bridge of Lions from Anastasia Island and the Atlantic Ocean. Ocean beaches like sandy St. Augustine Beach and tranquil Crescent Beach await you. Farther south, Anastasia State Park is a protected wildlife sanctuary and includes the gorgeous St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. Both are worthy of a few hours of your time. Accommodations
St. Augustine sports a wide range of accommodations for every taste and budget. From hotels with suites to condos for large families, bed and breakfasts, camp grounds and budget motels, you will have no trouble finding exactly what you need. My wife and I opted for a budget motel within walking distance of the beach so we could watch the sun rise over Florida’s Historic Coast and then shuttle over to St. Augustine. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Winter is upon us once again, and unlike my friends to the south, I love it — the chill of the air and the heat of the fireplace.
I suspect many of you feel the same.
To me, real winter begins right after the holidays. I don’t even consider December to be part of winter.
On Jan. 2, family get-togethers, all the anticipation, celebrations and sparkle of the holiday season are gone. We are left with two full months (or more) of persevering and seeing what we are made of.
And, it’s absolutely invaluable.
There’s something about winter that toughens us and opens our eyes to myriad possibilities. We buckle down. We work hard. We don’t worry about vacations. Days are short. Time is of the essence. When we accomplish something, particularly outdoors, we feel good about ourselves. We feel like we can’t be deterred.
But there can be a melancholy about winter. There’s an overabundance of darkness. The other three seasons seem long ago and far away. Unfortunately, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can rear its ugly head with some folks, causing mental and physical ailments.
Still, if you can, try to embrace the season. Embrace the cold. Embrace the melancholy. Spring will come in fits and starts and everything will be renewed again.
Here are my top 17 classic rock songs about winter (or set in the winter) to help get you through, nee, celebrate, the season.
Warm, caring loner holed up in his cabin, longing for an absent love. “The lamp is burnin’ low upon my table top, the snow is softly falling, the air is still in the silence of my room, I hear your voice softly calling.”
Sweet, poignant song about losing a love but taking it well. “It was only a winter’s tale, just another winter’s tale, and why should the world take notice, of one more love that’s failed?”
Longing for the warmth of LA during a cold winter in New York City. “All the leaves are brown, and the sky is gray, I’ve been for a walk, on a winter’s day.”
Not the same tune as the Moody Blues song above, but Freddie Mercury singing gorgeously of life and beauty as both wind down. “It’s winter-fall, red skies are gleaming, sea-gulls are flyin’ over, swans are floatin’ by, smoking chimney-tops.”
Quintessential pop tune contemplating the passing of the seasons with a focus on winter. “But look around, leaves are brown now, and the sky is a hazy shade of winter.”
Song explores longing, isolation and heartbreak—the cold realities of life. “Cold is the color of crystal, the snow light, that falls from the heavenly skies, catch me and let me dive under, for I want to swim in the pools of your eyes.”
Johnny Mercer lyrics contemplating the pain of growing old and of reliving lost love. “I should be over it now, I know, it doesn’t matter much how old I grow, I hate to see October go.”
A heartwarming song trying to explain the rapture of true love when it’s cold outside. “If I put my arms around you, turn you in from the storm, from your autumn through winter, darling I’ll keep you warm.”
The wonder of glowing, snowy mountaintops at dawn and dusk. “As the winter days unfold, hearts grow warmer with the cold, peace of mind is all you know, winter’s gold, Aspenglow.”
Lovely ballad about (somehow!) a peaceful death out in the cold. “Lay your body down upon the midnight snow, feel the cold of winter in your hair, here in a world of your own, in a casing that’s grown.”
Sad story about being away and missing home. “This is my December, these are my snow-covered dreams, this is me pretending, this is all I need.”
14. “WINTERTIME LOVE” The Doors, 1968 A plea for love and warmth in the cold season. “Wintertime winds blow cold to season, fallin’ in love, I’m hopin’ to be, wind is so cold, is that the reason? Keeping you warm, your hands touching me.”
Peppy song about yearning for youth in the twilight of life. “Beneath this snowy mantle, cold and clean, the unborn grass lies waiting, for its coat to turn to green, the snowbird sings the song he always sings.”
Song bemoans the realities of the season and hopes for spring love. “And it sure been a cold, cold winter, and the wind ain’t been blowin’ from the south, it’s sure been a cold, cold winter, And a lotta love is all burned out.”
Slow, moody “acquired-taste” song that drips with sexual innuendo cloaked in seasonal comparisons. “Summer’s sweet and she brings me water, but give me winter, that old icy whore, summer lies meek and follows orders, winter cries “Me!” and pulls you through the door.”
You should be dancing—yeah! The Bee Gees sang those words back in the disco-crazed late 1970s, and boy, were they right! I can confirm what you probably already know: Dancing is a terrific aerobic and mental workout and a lot of fun, too.
Not to get too technical, but a large body of research touts numerous health benefits to dancing:
Boosts cardiovascular health
Builds core strength
Promotes flexibility
Helps with weight loss
Assists with bone health
Helps to prevent memory loss
Promotes good mental health
Minimizes stress
Enhances a feeling of social connection
Of course, health benefits will vary according to the type of dancing you do. Slow dancing is still great for those non-physical benefits but won’t do much for the more physical items.
Not a dancer? Here’s the good news: it’s never too late to start. And no one will care what you look like doing it.
Sure, you can just get out there and shake around a bit like we all did in high school. That can be a lot of fun and a good workout, too. But for the more adventurous among us, why not wow the crowd and learn a few coordinated moves with a partner?
As you might expect, Frederick is well-served by dance studios and other organizations to help you get dancing. Sign up for a class and in no time, you’ll be impressing others in public—or yourself in the privacy of your home.
If my wife and I can do it for our 40th wedding anniversary, you can do it, too.
Depending on your level of experience, you will likely need anywhere from three to nine lessons to feel confident learning the rhythm, timing of the music, the dance steps, how to lead or follow and more complex moves like spins, dips, and potentially a lift (if you’re feeling daring!) My wife and I polished off a pretty simple routine combining swing and hustle steps in six easy lessons, plus we practiced some at home, too, but not too much.
The easiest dances to learn are the waltz, foxtrot, swing, rhumba, and cha cha. Most reputable dance instructors will be able to discern what you want to accomplish and your ability level quickly. Start with a song you want to dance to and go from there. We chose to learn a dance that worked for the song “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the movie Dirty Dancing and had no regrets.
There is wisdom in that adage “dance like no one is watching.” Of course, it helps if you have confidence and a few moves to show off.
The following organizations do not comprise an exhaustive list, but they all offer adult dance classes, and I considered them all in my quest to impress. Keep in mind that many Frederick-area dance studios specialize in children’s dance or a specific type of dance such as belly, ballet, pole, or aerial. Those studios are not listed here.
City Rec Department
Go with the City for a more casual dance experience and to drop in as needed. Salsa, swing, line, jazz and tap classes will be taught at the Talley Rec Center on Bentz Street over six weeks beginning in January. Classes are held in the evenings Sunday through Wednesday. Prices range from $35 to $75 per session.
YMCA
The Y offers classes in ballet, tap, ballroom and hip-hop. Go with ballroom dancing to get you onto the floor quickly. No prior experience is needed. Classes typically run one hour and are offered on various days in the afternoon and evening. Monthly memberships for adults start at about $50 per month.
24/7 Dance Studio
This studio on Prospect Boulevard offers adult classes in hip-hop, tap, contemporary, ballet and jazz. Contemporary is the one you’ll want for dancing to pop or rock music. Classes are held on various days and range from half hour to 75-minutes. Most classes are based on a 32-week season and start at roughly $70 per session.
Dance Unlimited
This studio on South Jefferson Street offers adult classes in tap, ballet, jazz and hip-hop. Classes typically run a half hour to one hour and held in the evenings. Monthly payments range from $65 to $90. Total class time ranges from as little as two hours to nine hours or more. You can stop when you’ve met your goals.
Elite Feet
This studio on East Fourth Street offers adult classes in hip-hop and tap over six-week sessions. The adult classes are designed to provide a fun, safe space for adults to learn dance while also getting exercise. Prices range from $60 per month for half-hour classes to $80 per month for 90-minute classes. A full class schedule spans 32 weeks.
Ballroom Dance of Frederick
This studio on Grove Road specializes ballroom dancing’s two styles: American and International. American style is both social and competitive. International style is more focused on competition but can also be enjoyed socially. They offer a structured dance experience that moves through levels from basic to very advanced. They also have their own dance club. Contact them for specific pricing at 301-662-1602 or ballroomdanceinfrederick@verizon.net.
Fred Astaire Dance Studios
This studio on Pegasus Court near the Westview Promenade shopping area is the one my wife and I patronized and the one I recommend. They are the most complete and customized studio. They tailor their offerings to your needs and goals. They offer adults-only classes and one-on-one instruction in wedding and ballroom dances, including foxtrot, waltz, tango, salsa, merengue, hustle swing, cha cha, rhumba, samba and jive. They offer competitive dance events and their own dance parties.
Take advantage of the introductory offer of $50 per couple for two lessons. Afterwards, one-hour sessions run you about $100 per session, but you can stop at any time.
Where to dance?
Once you’ve got your moves down, you’ll need a place to show them off. Technically, any venue that plays live or recorded music and has a dance floor is a good place to dance. Of course, it helps if others are dancing, too.
Here is a short list of bars, night clubs, social clubs, dance clubs and events in Frederick where you can shake your groove thing. Go to their websites for more information:
AARCH Society Unity Ball, annually in October
Alive at Five, summer on Carroll Creek, Frederick
Anchor Bar, near FSK Mall, Frederick
Bushwaller’s, North Market Street, Frederick
Café 611, North Market Street, Frederick
Cellar Door, East Church Street, Frederick
Community Living Gala, annually in September
Delaplaine Annual Gala, annually in September or October
Firestone’s, North Market Street, Frederick
Frederick Ballroom Dance Club, West Frederick Street, Walkersville
Frederick Eagles Club, West Patrick Street, Frederick
Frederick Elks Club, Willowdale Road, Frederick
Hurwitz Breast Cancer Fund Pink Ribbon Gala, annually in October
Mental Health Association Gala, annually in April
Mission of Mercy Gala, annually in September
Monkey La La, (part of Avery’s Maryland Grille) Baltimore Road, Frederick
New Thurmont Dance Club, (part of American Legion) Thurmont
Old Towne Tavern, North Market Street, Frederick
Orioles Nest, West Patrick Street, Frederick
Owls Club, South Jefferson Street, Frederick
Platoon 22 Red Tie Gala, annually in September
Sass Choice Awards Gala at Tenth Ward Distillery, annually in September
Top Classic Dance Songs
These 25 songs are guaranteed to get you out of your chair and onto the dance floor. Ask your DJ to give them a spin. Not all at once, though!
1999 – Prince
All Night Long – Lionel Ritchie
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
Brick House – Commodores
Celebration – Kool & The Gang
Dance to the Music – Sly & The Family Stone
Dancing Machine – Jackson 5
Dancing Queen – ABBA
Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough – Michael Jackson
Flashdance – Irene Cara
I’m So Excited – Pointer Sisters
I Want to Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
Night Fever – Bee Gees
Play That Funky Music – Wild Cherry
Respect – Aretha Franklin
Rock the Boat – Hues Corporation
September – Earth, Wind & Fire
Shake Your Groove Thing – Peaches & Herb
Stayin’ Alive – Bee Gees
Thank You (Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Again) – Sly & The Family Stone
Ask a Marylander where they’re going this summer, and chances are you’ll hear the typical “Merlin” response, “downee ocean, hon!” (Translation: Down to the ocean, my friend.)
Of course, when you go to the ocean in Maryland, you’re going to just one place: Maryland’s iconic beach resort, Ocean City.
But let’s face it, Ocean City in the summer is not for everyone. It can be loud and obnoxious. I know it can be an acquired taste for many, including myself. But, as with, say, a stern mother-in-law, if you can give yourself a chance to know and love her, you’ll be repaid many times over.
There’s good news for people like us: We can fall in love with Ocean City all over again in the winter. It’s really the perfect antidote to the winter blues. So, if you haven’t tried Ocean City with a chill in the air, you’re in for a treat. A calm, quiet treat.
CITY SIZE
In the off-season, Ocean City returns to being a small village of about 7,000 residents, down from about 320,000 in the summer. This is about the size of Walkersville! With so few people and so much land and infrastructure, you’ll have plenty of room to spread out and relax.
OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Be advised: Ocean City is open in the winter. Not everything, of course, but everything that matters.
You’ll still have the iconic boardwalk paralleling the Atlantic Ocean from First to 27th Street. You’ll still have about 10 miles of sandy beaches to explore. You’ll still have beautiful sunrises over the ocean and sunsets over the bay.
When you bundle up for a brisk walk on the smooth, wooden-planked boardwalk in the winter, you’ll have plenty of room to watch the crashing waves without crashing into fellow tourists. Believe it or not, fires are also allowed on the beach, with a permit.
Most of the familiar boardwalk haunts will be open at least for limited hours in the winter. I’ve frequented all these in the winter myself: Thrasher’s French Fries, Wockenfuss Candy, Fisher’s Popcorn, The Dough Roller, M.R. Ducks and Purple Moose Saloon, to name a few.
HOTELS
Not all hotels are open in the winter, but you should have no trouble finding perfectly acceptable oceanfront properties to unwind and gaze upon the waves. Most will have indoor pools, too. The name-brand hotels are your best bet in the winter. Also, be sure to search out local favorites Carousel and Princess Royale. They and others will feature specials for Valentine’s Day and the long President’s Day weekend.
RESTAURANTS
Many of the smaller restaurants on the boardwalk are closed in the winter, but don’t despair. Food options are plentiful year-round for locals and brave tourists. I recommend Harborside Bar and Grill, which reopens Dec. 15, for burgers and comfort food, in West Ocean City. Fager’s Island is a fine upscale restaurant worth visiting in North Ocean City. Other local favorites are Marlin Moon, Palm, Coral Reef, Captain’s Table and The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound.
DOGS AND BIKES
If you have dogs and want to bring them along, the offseason (Oct. 1 to April 30) is for you. Dogs are allowed on the beach anytime. You’ll have ample room to throw that frisbee or play ball. For a little green space, head up to 94th Street for the Dog Playground. It comes complete with a doggie pool, a small dog area and covered seating with plenty of benches. You’ll need to register your dogs in person at Northside Park on 125th Street or online at oceancitymd.gov/rec. Passes are $10 for one day and $20 for three days.
On those relatively warm winter days that are become increasingly normal, head out by boat to the sandbar just north of Hooper’s Crab House where you’ll likely see plenty of dogs frolicking in the shallow water.
Bring your bike, too. Bikes are also allowed on the boardwalk at any time in the winter. The same goes for rollerblades, scooters and other self-propelled and small engine apparatuses. Rentals will be hard to find, so bring your own. Up and down the boardwalk from start to finish is a perfect 5-mile circuit.
Dogs frolic in the cold, shallow Ocean City surf.
FISHING
The typical fishing season in Ocean City is May through October, so you may not be able to charter an excursion during the off-season, but you can do some ocean, bay, surf or pier fishing on your own any time of year. A valid fishing license for the Atlantic Ocean and coastal bays is required.
Ocean City bills itself as the “white marlin capital of the world,” but several other species are plentiful and in season at any time of year, including American eel, black drum, black sea bass, bluefish, croaker, grouper, mahi-mahi, red drum, Spanish mackerel, spotted seatrout, flounder, wahoo, and weakfish.
INDOOR MINI GOLF AND ICE SKATING
Old Pro Golf has an under-cover course at 68th Street called, appropriately, Undersea Adventure. There’s no better way to while away a couple hours putt-putting your way in total warmth through whales’ mouths and windmills and up and down long hills and curves.
The beautiful oceanfront Carousel Hotel at 118th Street has an indoor ice-skating rink open to the public. Between October and May, you can reserve the rink for two-hour time slots for $125 — perfect for a getaway birthday party.
WINTERFEST OF LIGHTS
If you go between Nov. 17 and Dec. 31, you can enjoy Winterfest of Lights, a mammoth display of holiday lights you can stroll or ride through on a handy tram in 58-acre Northside Park. The animated light displays include a 50-foot tree, flying reindeer and hot chocolate and photos with Santa. This is a much larger display than anything available in Frederick. It’s on par, scale-wise, with the large Christmas lights display in Olney but at a fraction of the cost. The price per person to go through the Olney display: $39. Ocean City’s Winterfest: $6.
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND
You can head a little south of Ocean City for a beautiful escape to Assateague Island. The island itself is 37 miles long and spans Maryland and Virginia. You’ll want to stop at Assateague Island State Park, which has two miles of pristine beach. The nearby marshes are the homes for hundreds of species of wildlife you can spot in the off season, including the famous wild horses. The 100 or so horses roam free and make for great photos. But keep your distance. They are wild animals, after all. The Assateague Island National Seashore Visitor Center offers interesting exhibits including marine aquariums, touch tanks and a film about the wild horses.
View from our winter time, ocean front, reasonably-priced hotel.
PUBLIC PARKS
Ocean City is home to several public parks and recreational areas. Some of my favorites include Inlet Park, which is at the southernmost tip of the boardwalk and features great views of the Atlantic and Ocean City’s official time capsule. Northside Park at 125th Street offers 58 acres of hiking trails, a playground, fishing lagoon, picnic areas and an indoor gymnasium. Sunset Park has a bayside promenade with fantastic views of the bay and Assateague. The Downtown Recreation Complex has basketball courts, a skate park, two tennis courts, a playground and an area for bay fishing.
OUTLET MALL IN WEST OCEAN CITY
You can easily spend an entire day at the Outlet Mall in “West O,” as the locals call it. Over 30 outlet shops feature discounts on apparel, footwear, jewelry, handbags, kid’s clothing and eats.
FOX GOLD COAST THEATER
You can kick back and relax in heated recliners and catch the latest movie you can’t seem to find the time to enjoy in Frederick. The theater is on Coastal Highway at 113th Street behind the Goad Coast Mall.
BAR SCENE
If hitting the bars is more your style, Ocean City naps a bit in the winter but certainly doesn’t hibernate. Local favorites like Brass Balls Saloon, Seacrets, Fager’s Island and Pier 23 are open and inviting places to sample local beers and cocktails.
And speaking of local cocktails, don’t forget to sample Ocean City’s own original Orange Crush at just about any bar in town. I heartily recommend you go to the source of this concoction at Harborside Bar and Grill in West Ocean City, where you can also have the best burger in town. Be forewarned, it is the quintessential biker and dive bar.
OCEAN CITY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
For a more genteel evening, head over to the Ocean City Performing Arts Center. Located inside the Roland E. Powell Convention Center at 4001 Coastal Highway, the center provides local, regional and national musical acts, plays and a variety of off-Broadway shows.
The venue is similar to our Weinberg Center, with a 1,200-seat auditorium, two tiers of fixed seating and a concession area. During the off-season, they specialize in orchestral shows, stand-up comedians and tribute shows.
OCEAN CITY LIFE-SAVING MUSEUM
Near the end of the boardwalk at the inlet is the Ocean City Life-Saving Museum. There, you’ll find exhibits of the great storms that have battered Ocean City over the years, sea life, shipwreck finds, mermaids and how life-saving is performed in Ocean City.
BERLIN
The historic town of Berlin is only 8 miles west of Ocean City and well worth a visit. Like Frederick, it has been designated an arts and entertainment district. Its downtown has over 60 retail shops, restaurants, art galleries and music venues. You can explore Berlin’s rich history at Taylor House Museum.
SALISBURY
Salisbury is an easy 30-minute car ride to the west. You won’t want to miss The Country House, “the largest country store in the East,” as it is billed. It’s located at 805 E. Main St. and is quite impressive, with 16,000 square feet of gifts, antiques, home décor, linens, florals, baskets, jewelry, food items and seasonal items.
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.
The goal-oriented author enjoying a crisp day on the boardwalk.
