Leisure – Page 3 – Gary Bennett Publishing

Relax Frederick! How some notable locals unwind

By Gary Bennett

Michael O’Connor, Mayor of Frederick, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Love is in the air at Virginia Beach

By Gary Bennett

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

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

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

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

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

VIRGINIA BEACH VS. OCEAN CITY

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

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

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

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

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

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

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING

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

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

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

GETTING THERE

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

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

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

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

ENTERTAINMENT

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

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

LET’S EAT!

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

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

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

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

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

Sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean in Virginia Beach.

Nemacolin resort is sure to please

By Gary Bennett

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

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

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

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

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

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

WELL-SEASONED

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

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

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

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

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

WHERE TO STAY

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT TO DO

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT TO EAT

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

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

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

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

Are chain restaurants really so bad?

By Gary Bennett

A Bojangles restaurant opened in Frederick in 2024.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Best Barbecue Restaurant: Black Hog BBQ and Mission BBQ

Best Diner: Silver Diner

Best Hibachi Restaurant: Miyako

Best Mexican Restaurant: Plaza Mexico

Best Place to Eat with Kids: Cugino Forno

Best Chicken Wings: Anchor Bar

Best Cookies: Crumbl Cookies

Best Donuts: Fractured Prune

Best French Fries: McDonald’s

Best Fried Chicken: Giant Eagle

Best Pizza: Cugino Forno

Best Bagels: Zipani and Panera

Comedian Colin Mochrie in conversation ahead of his show in Frederick

By Gary Bennett

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why did you and your parents move to Canada?

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

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

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

Why did you move to Toronto?

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

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

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

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

I was, yes.

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

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

Getting laughs must be intoxicating.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Have you ever been to Frederick?

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

What were some of your least favorite games?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This interview has been edited for space and clarity.

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

By Gary Bennett

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doomed skinny-dipping partygoer just minutes into the movie.

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

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

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

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

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

So, you want to be a minor league GM?

By Gary Bennett

Frederick Keys general manager Slater Fuchs at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium

This article appears in the May 27 issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment insert.

Slater Fuchs (pronounced “fewsh”), 30, is a young man, but has paid his dues in baseball and other sports to reach his current position as general manager of the Frederick Keys.

As the Keys prepare to open their 36th season in Frederick on June 4, I sat down with this married, father of one to understand the job of Minor League Baseball general manager and the person who fills this important role in Frederick.

Since 2021, the Keys have played in the Major League Baseball Draft League, which features amateur players in the first half of the season, then switches to professional players in the second half. The Keys will follow the same format this year.

NO WHEELING AND DEALING

The most important thing to know — and this may surprise some — is that minor league GMs rarely get involved in player personnel like the major league GMs do. Players are typically assigned by the league (as in the case of the MLB Draft League) or are assigned by the major league club (as in the case with teams affiliated with a major league team).

“I’m not directly involved in scouting or signing players or hiring the coaching staff — that process is handled by Major League Baseball and our partners in player development,” Fuchs said. “But, once the players arrive in Frederick, my attention turns to making sure their off-the-field experience is as professional and supportive as possible. I oversee logistics like housing, transportation, clubhouse needs, meals and creating a welcoming, player-friendly environment.”

Aside from the care and feeding of the players, Fuchs’ role is focused on the business and community side of the operation. He works to ensure it runs efficiently, fans have memorable experiences, and that partnerships — which are so important in Minor League Baseball — continue to thrive.

During the off-season, a typical day for Fuchs and his full-time staff of 15 include working on sponsorship renewals, ticketing strategies, promotional schedules, facility upgrades, staffing, budgeting and community outreach programs.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

2025 will be a year devoted to major renovations at Harry Grove Stadium, with the hope of attracting a Major League Baseball parent club. The Keys were an affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles before 2020 but were dropped during the Covid pandemic.

The Keys and the city of Frederick recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the renovations. Thirty-nine million dollars of taxpayer money through the Maryland Stadium Authority will be spent to bring the stadium up to Professional Development League standards, which is necessary to affiliate with MLB again. The target completion date is spring of 2026.

WELL-SEASONED VETERAN

Before joining the Keys in June 2024, Fuchs built a broad foundation across a wide swath of the sports industry. His career began with a baseball operations internship for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

“This early exposure to the player development side of the game gave me a great appreciation for the inner workings of a successful organization,” Fuchs said.

From there, he expanded his skills to include ticket sales and sponsorships in minor league hockey with the East Coast Hockey League’s Allen (Texas) Americans. He then became Vice President of Corporate Partnerships with the Frisco (Texas) Fighters, an Indoor Football League team.

That experience led to helping to launch the upstart Pro Volleyball Federation as VP of Corporate Partnerships.

“Working to establish a new professional league was an incredible learning experience in entrepreneurship, brand development and strategic planning,” Fuchs said.

Eventually, he moved into the collegiate sports realm as general manager of Arkansas State Sports Properties. In that role, he oversaw corporate partnerships and worked closely with university leadership.

“Each stop along the way has shaped my philosophy and approach as a GM. I’ve had the opportunity to see what makes teams successful from multiple angles, and I carry those lessons with me every day at the Keys.”

Fuchs does not necessarily see himself becoming a major league general manager one day, though he wouldn’t turn it down. Rather, he aspires to become president of an MLB team.

“My passion lies in leading an organization from the business side — shaping its culture, driving its strategic vision, and building something that resonates both on and off the field,” he said.

“HOSTS OF THE PARTY”

During the season, Fuchs’ staff grows from 15 to 150 or more on game days.

“It truly takes a village to pull off 40 home games and community events,” Fuchs said.

Fuchs considers himself a good manager of people and credits his degree in psychology from Southern Methodist University in Texas.

“My studies gave me a strong foundation in understanding people — something that’s been incredibly valuable throughout my career in sports.”

At this level of minor league baseball, Fuchs says the fans are less interested in the quality of the play than the fan experience.

“They want to have a party, and we see ourselves as hosts of the party.”

It’s not all fun and games, though. It can be quite stressful, especially when weather or technology issues throw him a curveball. But he says it’s worth it.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing thousands of fans enjoying a night at the ballpark and knowing my team and I made it happen.”

COUNTDOWN TO GAME TIME

Game days are fast-paced and full of moving pieces. Here’s a general breakdown, according to Fuchs:

• 9 a.m.: Arrive at the ballpark, check in with the stadium operations team, and review game-day checklist.

• 10 a.m.: Coordinate meetings with key department leads — sponsorships, promotions and food service — to ensure all elements are on track.

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Finalize promotional materials and review the game script.

• 2 to 4 p.m.: Walk the stadium to check on cleanliness and signage, and set up the VIP areas. Make sure the box office and gate staff are ready.

• 4 to 5:30 p.m.: Prepare for team arrivals, troubleshoot last-minute issues, and greet early arriving fans and sponsors.

• 6 to 9:30 p.m.: During the game, circulate continuously from press box to concourse, checking in with staff, resolving issues, and engaging with fans and partners.

• Post-game: Debrief with operations staff, begin cleanup, and reset plans for next day.

SAFE AT HOME

Though relatively new to Frederick, Fuchs has grown to love it here. He lives downtown and enjoys being part of that vibrant scene when he can. He sees that people genuinely care about their city and how that’s reflected in their support of local businesses, events and the Keys.

“Our relationship with the city has been overwhelmingly positive and continues to grow stronger,” he said. “They truly understand the value we bring to the area and we benefit from their unwavering support.”

As for a favorite Frederick restaurant, Fuchs says that is a tough call because Frederick’s food scene is top-notch, but if he had to choose, Lazy Fish is his go-to place. “They have the best sushi in town, and the atmosphere is always spot-on.”

When Fuchs has a rare day off, he enjoys getting out to Holly Hills Country Club.

“Playing a round of golf there is a great way to unwind, and the community of members makes it even more enjoyable,” he said. “It’s a perfect place to relax, recharge and connect with people outside the ballpark.”

Music from the 1970s is the best

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the April 24, 2025 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment insert.

My bold declaration that music from the ‘70s is the best might have raised some eyebrows, especially if you’re not a person of a certain age, but hear me out.

Before I defend myself, I don’t think you can blame me.

It’s a well-known truism that people tend to carry the music of their youth with them all their lives. It makes perfect sense.

When we are young, the world is full of possibilities, good times and any number of wonders we have yet to experience. And somehow, music makes all of it even better.

I can still remember teasing my mom and dad for playing their big-band sounds of the ‘40s and old-time country hits of the ‘50s on their gigantic, living room stereo. “They should really get with it,” I thought.

Well, now it’s my turn to get with it, but I just can’t let go.

How can I when my first memory of really enjoying music is as vivid today as it was then? I was lying in my bed in 1972 with my transistor radio nestled to my ear, listening to some faraway AM radio station playing Elton John’s “Rocket Man.” I felt so alone yet so connected to the rest of the world.

I was born at the perfect time. In the 1970s, I went from 13 years old to 23 years old. I graduated from high school smack dab in the middle — 1975 — and from college as the decade ended. That time of life, I believe, is when we really discover the joy of music. It’s the time of first jobs, first kisses, making friends and discovering what you are all about. As all this swirls around you, music provides soundtrack to your life.

Frederick’s Weinberg Center for the Arts will give me another chance to revel in the music of my youth on April 26 when Neil Berg brings his Broadway-quality troop of vocalists and musicians to town with his show “The 70’s: Long Live Rock N’ Roll.”

Berg has been to Frederick before with his show “50 Years of Rock N’ Roll.” This new show promises to recreate the sounds and spirit of the ‘70s with stories and songs from iconic names like Elton John, Queen, Fleetwood Mac, the Eagles, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.

I’ll be there.

Now, back to my thesis.

Many music historians agree with me that the music of the ‘70s is the best, but even if that were not so, I would still argue that the sheer variety of music and artists pushing the envelope to create new genres and sounds is unmatched by any other decade.

There were emerging genres like funk, heavy metal and disco. What constituted rock ‘n’ roll, pop, soul and even country became more and more blurred as artists “crossed-over” and experimented with strings, electronic instruments and synthesizers. What emerged was a nourishing stew of unique and memorable sounds that had something for everyone.

The ‘70s began on a sour note, however: the disbanding of the Beatles. Although we didn’t know it at the time, this seismic shift in the music world created a vacuum that drew in all types of new sounds. Add to this heartbreak the early ‘70s drug overdose deaths of ‘60s rock legends Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison, and the slate seemed to be wiped clean.

First on the scene were the sensitive singer-songwriters. These were some of my favorites. This list includes household names like Elton John, James Taylor, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Simon and Garfunkel, Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, Barry Manilow, Billy Joel, John Denver, Jimmy Buffet, Neil Diamond and, of course, each of the four ex-Beatles. They brought thoughtful lyrics, heartfelt emotion and acoustic instruments to the mix. They provided music that felt raw and emotional, often focusing on storytelling and real experiences that resonated with listeners.

Female solo artists came into their own in the early ‘70s, too. Besides King and Mitchell, artists like Linda Ronstadt, Carly Simon, Roberta Flack, Olivia Newton-John, Joan Baez and Helen Reddy provided a new voice to pop music.

In the ‘70s, Black music expanded from soul into funk with the raw city sounds of James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Parliament, Funkadelic, War, and Sly and the Family Stone. With funk music, rhythm and beat were emphasized over melody, to great effect. Most of these artists had no trouble landing in the mainstream Top 40 charts, as young people became more adventurous in their musical tastes. Rap music even has its roots in the ‘70s.

Pure soul music from the Motown record label got even better. Unparalleled artists like Stevie Wonder; Marvin Gaye; Kool & the Gang; Earth, Wind & Fire; the Spinners; the Stylistics; the Temptations; Barry White; the O’Jays; Gladys Knight & the Pips; and the Jacksons became cross-over sensations. Stevie Wonder’s 1974 masterpiece album, “Songs in the Key of Life,” and Marvin Gaye’s thought-provoking single “What’s Going On” brought a whole new vibrancy and mass-appeal to soul music.

Even rock ‘n’ roll music went through changes in the ‘70s, as it entered its own teen years. Somehow, it got divided into hard rock and soft rock.

Soft rock featured acoustic instruments and prioritized melodies and harmonies over a hard-driving beat. Some of the top soft rock bands of the ‘70s are legendary. Fleetwood Mac with their seminal 1977 album “Rumours,” dominated the chart for a couple of years. Others included Paul McCartney & Wings, America, the Hollies, Steely Dan, Rod Stewart and Faces, Hall & Oates, Queen, ABBA, the Doobie Brothers, Chicago and Three Dog Night.

The soft rock superstar band, the Eagles, were (and still are) in a category of their own. They pioneered the laid back, California sound with exquisitely tight harmonies, an at-times hard-driving beat, and relatable lyrics. Their work-of-genius single “Hotel California” became one of the defining songs of the ‘70s. To this day, they sell out the largest venues worldwide.

During the ‘70s, a distinctive sound emerged that became known as Southern rock. It fused rock, country and blues into an unforgettable and instantly recognizable sound led by electric guitars and whiskey-tinged vocals. Stalwarts like the Allman Brothers Band, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Ozark Mountain Daredevils and the Marshall Tucker Band led the way. Even country audiences took to this new brand of rock music.

The hard rockers had their own iconic bands, too. It was the decade of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Kiss, Deep Purple and Judas Priest. The all-time great band, The Rolling Stones, much like the Eagles in the soft rock category, reside in their very own musical stratosphere, undeniably great in the ‘60s, ’70s and ‘80s.

While the ’60s had their British Invasion that knocked many of the old standby singers into the realm of the forgotten, many folks forget that the ‘70s had their own invasion: the disco invasion of 1976.

Love it or hate it, there is no denying that disco music, derived from the dance clubs and discotheques of New York City, enjoyed about five years of unsurpassed popularity. The invasion was led by an unlikely group that was already here: the Bee Gees.

They somehow were able to re-create themselves from syrupy balladeers in the early ‘70s to the founders of disco music. They dominated the charts in the mid- to late-‘70s with a string of No. 1 singles and albums, including the best-selling soundtrack of all-time, “Saturday Night Fever.” At one Beatle-like point in time, they had five songs in the top 10 and three songs in the top five of the Billboard chart simultaneously. They are universally considered to be one of the most important acts of all time.

Other offshoots of rock and soul music emerged with their own superstar artists and devoted fans: punk rock, blue-eyed soul, progressive rock and new wave. In a category all his own, Bob Marley introduced the world to reggae music in the ‘70s and became one of the best-selling artists of all time.

Celebrating 100 years of adventure on the Appalachian Trail with ‘Grandpa Walking’

By Gary Bennett

This article appears in the April 17, 2025, issue of the Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment insert.

In 2025, the Appalachian Trail, the longest hiking-only footpath in the world, celebrates 100 years of measuring the skills, endurance and heart of thousands of intrepid adventurers.

Over 3,000 hikers attempt to complete the entire length in any given year. Only about one in four succeed. The successful ones are forever known as “thru-hikers” and are treated on the trail with the awe and respect they deserve.

Along with these remarkable thru-hikers, the AT also welcomes and tests the more modest among us: day-hikers, section hikers and “2,000-milers.” The latter are pretty amazing, too. They are the people who hike the entire distance of the AT but not all at one time and not necessarily all in one year.

From its humble beginning at a conference of likeminded hikers and outdoorsmen in March 1925 to today, the AT has provided what was once unthinkable: a continuous, 2,200-mile footpath, skipping along the tops of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Maine. The trail was ultimately completed in 1937.

To be sure, the trail tests one’s mettle at every turn. The terrain is mountainous for its entire length, with an elevation gain and loss equivalent to hiking Mt. Everest from sea level and back 16 times. Hikers of all stripes grouchily complain about the PUDs — the seemingly “pointless ups and downs.” The trail passes through some of the densest wilderness in the U.S.

Grandpa Walking

Although not a thru-hiker, Annapolis resident and divorced father of three Harvey Dennenberg is as adventurous as they come. He has been alive for almost the entirety of the AT’s existence.

The 84-year-old hiking savant is a proud 2,000-miler. He completed the entire trail in sections, beginning at age 68 in September 2009 and finishing up in 2021 at age 80. He lectures about the AT and has written a book, “Maine’s Appalachian Trail: How Seniors Made Section Hiking Easier,” which is available on Amazon and other sites and is also part of the permanent collection at the Appalachian Trail Museum in Pennsylvania.

And, no, he is not the oldest to ever complete the trail. But he’s close!

Dennenberg, known as “Grandpa Walking” (because all hikers must have a trail name) credits reading Bill Bryson’s famous book, “A Walk in the Woods,” in 2000 as his impetus for taking on the AT. There was something special about Bryson’s account of attempting but failing to complete the trail with his overweight friend Katz that piqued Dennenberg’s curiosity. Could he do it? He began to think he could.

He had some hiking experience. In 1993 he bought a second home in Boulder, Colorado, and hiked the local trails in the summer. He did his first modest AT day-hike in 2003 and then some overnight backpacking in 2005.

He retired in 2007 and moved to Maryland. Living in Lutherville, he frequented the trails around Loch Raven Reservoir and even did some camping and hiking in Frederick County at Catoctin State Park. One early AT section hike took him and a partner across Maryland from Pen Mar Park southbound to Harpers Ferry over four days.

Harvey Dennenberg in the wilds of Maine.

Dennenberg began his AT journey in earnest in 2009 by driving to Maine and attempting to scale Mount Katahdin, the infamous starting/ending point of the AT that stands over 5,700 feet high, is often snow-covered and is always rocky and treacherous for even the most seasoned hiker. He failed on this attempt “off the couch,” but he was hooked.

Over the next 12 years, he completed the AT in all 14 states, often hiking with other seniors — 33 different partners at last count, several of whom were women.

Dennenberg counts these many hiking partners and how they helped him among his fondest memories.

“Lee and Randy taught me two-car, road-to-road hiking. Fred and Greg taught me about pre-planning and using spreadsheets to plan hikes. Big Ed, aka Joker, always got water for me when I was too tired to move. Jim, aka Chill, was always calm and collected and a great influence when I got frustrated.”

The hostel owners along the way were also great and always willing to help, he said. He fondly remembers the wonderful, full-body massage he received at Woods Hole in Virginia after nine days of hiking.

And the food! Hiking the AT is a study in deprivation, according to most, so when you get the chance to eat well, you take advantage of it. He remembers a sumptuous breakfast buffet at Mountain Harbour on the Tennessee/North Carolina border and savory meatballs and lobster rolls at another stop.

Not everything, of course, was sunshine and roses.

Harvey Dennenberg completing his last state — Pennsylvania

Heat and humidity were his worst enemies, sapping strength and ending hikes. “I had planned a solo backpack [trip] for three days and two nights in July 2011. I had to quit after eight miles and call my shuttle driver to come get me. I had stopped sweating and knew I was in trouble.”

Fording streams in Maine was particularly tricky and harrowing.

“The rivers and streams have strong currents, and the smooth bottom rocks are covered with moss,” he said. “I always made sure one foot was firmly planted before moving the other foot.”

Then there are the infamous White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine. For large chunks of the trail, there are steep, almost vertical climbs and descents. In many places, you must “hike” hand over hand.

“Mahoosuc Notch in New Hampshire is the most difficult one mile on the entire AT,” Dennenberg said. “There are huge boulders to climb over and crawl under and gaps in the boulders to jump across. I spent a lot of time crawling.”

While never seriously lost, he agrees that poorly-marked or unmarked areas can be a problem, especially in wilderness areas. Being able to use a map and compass in addition to a GPS device can make the difference between staying on track and getting lost.

Dennenberg never had any run-ins with wildlife but cautions hikers to be vigilant nonetheless. Food must be hung and not kept in tents unless you want company from a hungry bear. Hikers should also watch out for moose, especially in Maine, as they tend to use the trail to get from place to place, just as we do.

But Dennenberg would do it all over again if he had the chance and recommends the AT to anyone who has the will and desire to test themselves.

Unfortunately, in 2023, Dennenberg herniated his L2/L3 discs hiking the Long Trail in Vermont and had to quit after the first day. He has not hiked since and fears his hiking days may be over.

Even if he never takes another step on the AT, Dennenberg will be forever known as a 2,000-miler and affectionately as Grandpa Walking.

A book by Harvey Dennenberg, aka Grandpa Walking, about hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine

Best roadtrip movies of all time

By Gary Bennett

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in Easy Rider, 1969.

This article appears in the April 17, 2025, edition of Frederick News-Post’s “72 Hours” entertainment insert.

Art certainly does imitate life, especially when it comes to roadtrips. There are so many great roadtrip movies because Americans really love a good roadtrip. It seems to be baked into us.

There’s something magical about hitting the open road with endless possibilities in front of you and the mundane, workaday world behind, at least for a little while. Seeing new places, meeting new people, and enjoying new adventures are the promises of the all-American roadtrip.

The joys and tribulations of roadtrips are well depicted on the silver screen. Folks of the Greatest Generation remember the start of it all with the many “Road to” movies of the ’40s and ‘50s, starring Bob Hope and Bing Crosby. This series of zany musical comedies took the audience to exotic places like Singapore, Zanzibar and Morocco. We were hooked.

Then, in 1957, Jack Kerouac published his seminal novel “On the Road,” that glorified the carefree and adventurous travels of two friends deeply engrained in the counterculture movement. It captured the imagination of a new generation of travelers.

Shortly after that, in the ‘60s, construction began in earnest on the Eisenhower Interstate System that made it possible to travel safely and comfortably for long distances by car, even coast to coast if one wanted. Ever since, Americans have been off and running, planning their very own roadtrip adventures with friends or family.

With spring comes the unmistakable itch for adventure, but before you start planning your own getaway, settle in with a great roadtrip movie or two to amp up your excitement — or maybe temper your expectations a little bit, too.

10. BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)

Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Gene Hackman

This true, cult-classic story starts out with the lovable rogues trying to steal their way out of the Great Depression, town by town, cross-country, but ends in the bloodiest shootout the movies had ever seen.

“When we started out … I thought we were really going somewhere. But this is it. We’re just going.”

9. THE MUPPET MOVIE (1979)

Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear

The delightful, smart-alecky animated gang make their way from Florida to California so Kermit can begin his Hollywood career.

Kermit: “Where did you learn to drive?”

Fozzie: “I took a correspondence course.”

The gang’s all here in The Muppet Movie, 1979.

8. SIDEWAYS (2004)

Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church

A winding trip around California’s wine country allows two friends to explore their love lives and bond before one is to marry.

At a gas station: “I’ll take a Barely Legal, please. Uh, no, the new one.”

7. HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE (2004)

John Cho, Kal Penn

Two friends get stoned and set off in search of a highly prized White Castle restaurant deep into the New Jersey backroads trying to avoid trouble along the way.

“You wouldn’t happen to know how to get on the highway from here, would you?”

“Dude, I don’t even know where the f— I am right now.”

6. ROAD TRIP (2000)

Seann William Scott, Breckin Meyer

A guy mistakenly videotapes his risqué affair and then somehow mails it to his girlfriend 2,000 miles away. They set out in his car to get the video before she does.

Looking at a broken bridge: “Hey, it’s 10 feet. Bob Hope could jump this in his golf cart. See? Watch. I can spit across it.”

5. GREEN BOOK (2018)

Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali

A white man and Black man develop an unexpected friendship as they drive around the segregated South during the Black man’s piano concert tour.

“I ain’t worried about nothin’ … in fact, when you see me worried, you’ll know.”

4. PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES (1987)

Steve Martin, John Candy

This feel-good comedy classic throws together two lovable but bickering strangers trying to get home for Thanksgiving. Everything that can go wrong does.

State trooper: “Do you have any idea how fast you were going?”

Del Griffith (John Candy): “Funny enough, I was just talking to my friend about that. Our speedometer melted [from a small fire], and as a result it’s very hard to see with any degree of accuracy exactly how fast we were going.”

3. THELMA & LOUISE (1991)

Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis

This quintessential girl-buddy movie runs roughshod over men and other n’er-do-wells until the polar-opposite ladies meet their unexpected demise at the end.

“Look, you shoot off a guy’s head with his pants down. Believe me, Texas is not the place you wanna get caught.”

Chevy Chase in National Lampoon’s Vacation, 1983.

2. NATIONAL LAMPOON’S VACATION (1983)

Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo

Of the many vacation movies, we’ll stick with the original because it is the most endearing. A caring but buffoonish dad simply wants to take his family on a memorable vacation, but the universe conspires against him.

Considering his newly deceased aunt: “You want me to strap her to the hood? She’ll be fine. It’s not as if it’s going to rain or something.”

1. EASY RIDER (1969)

Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson

A truly great movie, “Easy Rider” was emblematic of ‘60s counterculture. Fonda and Hopper tool around on their choppers while smuggling cocaine from Mexico to Los Angeles.

“You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can’t understand what’s gone wrong with it.”

Honorable Mentions: Almost Famous (2000), Bucket List (2007), Deliverance (1072), Duel (1971), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Midnight Run (1988), Motorcycle Diaries (2004), Nomadland (2020), Paper Moon (1973), Rain Man (1988), Rat Race (2001), Smokey and the Bandit (1977), Straight Story (1999), Wild (2014) and Zombieland (2009).