Ellen Bennett of the FSK Lions Club of Frederick (left) received the club’s first ever Lion Spirit Award at the club’s meeting on October 11. The award was presented by Lions district governor Nadja Munchow (center) as club president John Aulls looks on. Ms. Bennett (a retired nurse) received the award for her dedicated operation of the club’s used medical equipment lending program that has now loaned out hundreds of pieces of equipment free of charge to those in need over the last three years. If you have used medical equipment to donate or are in need of equipment such as wheel chairs, rollators, walkers, canes, or bedside commodes, please contact medequip@fsklions.org.
Daniel and Kayla Bennett and Jasper enjoy a fun event!
Several hundred people took to Carroll Creek on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, October 22, to enjoy FSK Lions Club’s third annual Canines on the Creek. This celebration of Fredrick’s dog-loving past and present featured a parade and Halloween costume contest for dogs and owners, exhibits from dog-friendly businesses, prizes, giveaways and demonstrations. The event was held in conjunction with the Downtown Frederick Partnership in support of the nonprofit group Leader Dogs for the Blind (www.leaderdog.org).
Nearly $2,500 was raised for Leader Dogs, an organization the Lions founded and are intimately involved. Leader Dogs for the Blind provides guide dog training, matching services and client orientation and mobility training leading to a life of independence and confidence for blind and low-sight individuals. Training and providing Leader Dogs for the blind community is very expensive but very much needed. Lions have always been especially supportive of this group.
“The parade and costume contest are a lot of fun,” according to FSK Lions event chair Gary Bennett. “The last two years the event has featured a St. Patrick’s Day theme and 4th of July these, respectively. We decided to move our event to Halloween this year because it’s pretty easy to come up with a Halloween costume and to take advantage of Frederick’s usually spectacular weather in October. We plan to do this next Halloween, too.”
“Lion” Gary Bennett leads the parade.
Monetary and pet food donations were also collected to support the Humane Society of Frederick County. Other businesses that exhibited at the event or provided financial support included: BYD Pet Services, Camp Bow Wow, Catoctin Mountain Bark Busters, Doggy Donuts, Dogtopia, Dublin Roasters, Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter, Green K9, Green Valley Animal Hospital, MD Insurance Administration, Megan Purtell Photography, Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, Oliver’s Hometown Bakery and Pet Smart.
Judging categories for the costume contest were best owner and dog look-alikes, best small breed costume, and best large breed costumes. Lion leaders Jeremy Bair. Jim Corely and John Aulls served as judges. Lions District Governor Nadja Munchow addressed the crowd, extolling the virtues on Lionism. Lois Barb, a local Leader Dog trainer, described the rigors of training the dogs. Sponsors and exhibitors provided over $3,000 worth of prizes.
“We were also happy to have Go Team Therapy Dogs in attendance and available for hugging and cuddling,” according to Bennett. “All in all, it was a great day to be a dog. The Lions were very happy to bring the community together for such a good cause on this beautiful day.”
Visit fsklions.org/canines to see the many photos that were taken at the event.
Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club organization with over 1.4 million members in approximately 48,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions Clubs have assisted the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth. Lions Clubs are comprised of individuals who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs.
If you are community-minded, consider joining FSK Lions Club or any local Lions Club. FSK Lions Club meets second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at Frederick Elks Lodge on Willowdale Road in Frederick. For reservations, contact membership chair Sue Everhart at 301-514-6030. You can also visit fsklions.org or send an email to membership@fsklions.
If you’re a kid, parent or a doting grandparent, there’s nothing as satisfying or efficient as a good public playground. Laid out before you are free, shiny attractions—climbing equipment, swings, merry-go-rounds, monkey bars, see-saws and the ever-present sliding boards. Who could ask for more?
Indeed, Frederick is blessed to have more than its share of public parks, playgrounds and open spaces to call our own.
According to Bob Smith, Frederick’s deputy director of Parks and Recreation, Frederick city has 75 public parks, totaling 807 acres. With an average size of 10.7 acres, this equates to approximately 11 acres of parkland for every 1,000 residents, exceeding the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) guidelines of 9.9 acres per 1,000 residents.
Said another way, Frederick city has roughly one park for every 1,000 residents. According to the 2020 NRPA Agency Performance Review, the target ratio for a city the size of Frederick is one park for every 2,500 residents.
We are doing quite well.
The future looks bright, too. Frederick city’s projected 2045 population of about 93,000 residents (currently 72,000) requires at least 921 acres of parkland to comfortably serve us. According to Smith, it is anticipated that the city will add as much as 300 additional acres of parkland in the next 5 to 10 years, putting it well over 1,000 acres of parkland 10 years ahead of schedule.
Because I frequently take my grandkids to local parks, I got to wondering about these 75 city parks. I’d only been to a few, and I’d venture to guess the same is true for you.
Many of these parks feature ball fields, basketball courts, picnic pavilions, hiking trails, or are simply open green spaces. That is all great if that’s what you’re looking for, but I was more interested in the 38 parks that feature playgrounds and play structures. After all, that’s what the kids really love.
So, in June and July, I set out – usually with my grandkids – to visit and rate all 38.
A word about my methodology: I visited each park in the morning or evening before sunset so I could observe them in action, always carefully explaining to parents what I was doing. In the summer, parents with younger kids tend to visit in the morning. In the evenings before sundown, the older kids come out, usually unattended.
I rated each playground on the following criteria: fun, safety, variety, upkeep, and shade. Each criterion was held to be equally important.
I did not attempt to visit and rate county parks, any other municipal parks in Frederick County, school parks, private community or HOA parks, dog parks; pools; or indoor rec centers. I was purely focused on outdoor parks in the city with playgrounds designed for the enjoyment of kids.
Here is my list of the top 10 Frederick city public playgrounds. To the great credit of the city’s Parks and Rec Department, most are very well maintained, and in many cases, absolutely immaculate. Most serve children between 2 and 12 years of age. Is your favorite here?
10. Amber Meadows Park, 201 Amber Drive
This park serves the Amber Meadows community across from Ft. Detrick on Opposumtown Pike. It’s very shady with four benches and two large play structures. Other amenities include a shelter with several tables, six swings, a free-standing faux rock-climbing structure, balance beam and other built-in climbing items. The park spans both sides of Amber Drive and has two basketball courts, two tennis courts, a large ball field and walking trail. Go for the faux rock climbing. Kids loved this. Score: 37 out of 50
9. Cobblestone Park, 2401 Cobblestone Way This very attractive park serves the Whittier community near Cobblestone, Greenleaf and Whittier Lake. It is adjacent to a pool serving this community. The park features a handsome bridge spanning a quiet stream, many shady trees, a walking trail, several benches, a basketball court and four swings. The large royal blue play structure has a bridge, swirly sliding board, tic-tac-toe game, monkey bars, a flip bar, rocking horses, climbing items and a firefighter’s pole. Go for the flip bar and pole. This one is well worth a visit.
Score: 38 out of 50.
8. Jimmy McGee Memorial Park, 2051 Old Farm Drive This well-manicured park serves the Old Farm neighborhood off of Rosemont. It features two large distinct play areas each with a play structure. The park is ringed with shady trees and has a very inviting walking trail. There are two small shelters with tables; four swings; two very long slides, one inside a tunnel; and two unique climbing structures, one that looks like a spider’s web and one made from large blocks. Go for the shady walking trails and the very long sliding boards.
Score: 38.5 out of 50.
7. Catoctin Park, 421 Columbus Avenue This small park is a hidden gem. It is tucked in behind single-family homes on Catoctin Avenue, just off South Jefferson. Catoctin Park is supremely shady, the most shady of all the parks I visited. It includes a shelter with tables, a half-court basketball court, eight swings, one large play structure with monkey bars, several climbing features, a tunnel slide and tunnel and racing slides. Go for the shadiness at any time of day.
Score: 39 out of 50.
6. Carrollton Park, 455 Center Street This large park at the intersection of Center Street and Prospect Boulevard serves the Fieldpoint area. It features a lively basketball court, ball field, six swings, free-standing plastic rock-climbing features, a walking trail, large shelter with tables and a merry-go-round. Many large trees within provide fine shade. The one play structure is designed for the 2-5 set and has a bumpy slide, two racing slides and several climbing features. Go for the basketball and climbing features.
Score: 39 out of 50
5. East Third Street Park, 252 East Third Street This urban oasis at the corner of East Third and East Streets is beautifully maintained and very shady. It is adjacent to Pistarros and was full of families eating pizza on round tables under large shady trees when I visited. There is also a shelter with traditional picnic tables, a large playing area with many distinct play stations such as traditional free-standing monkey bars, a large traditional merry-go-round and a real “up and down” see-saw. The small play structure is designed for very young children and has a swirly slide, racing slide and climbing features. Go for a shady lunch that you can linger over and to watch your kids enjoy the old-time amenities.
Score: 43 out of 50
4. Staley Park, 11 West Tenth Street This wonderfully maintained 20+ acre park sits at the corner of Motter Avenue and West Tenth Street adjacent to Staley Field and across from North Frederick Elementary School. The park includes a basketball court, ball field, two large shelters and two distinct playing areas for the older and younger sets. The many large trees sprinkled throughout the park make it very shady. There are plenty of benches for parents to watch their young ones. There is a free-standing, swirly sliding board, a sand pit, rocking animals and ten swings. The play structures feature racing slides, monkey bars, a faux drawbridge, multiple climbing features and tunnel slides. Go for the variety of play, shade, and space.
Score: 45 out of 50
3. Greenleaf Park, 1950 East Greenleaf Drive This large, immaculate, shady park serves the Whittier community near Greenleaf Drive. It is adjacent to an attractive community pool and very near Whittier Lake. It features multiple soccer fields, a large shelter with tables and four swings and rocking animals. There are two play structures, one for older kids and one for younger ones. The smaller structure has multiple slides. The larger structure is the highest and most elaborate of all the structures I visited. It has multiple, very high slides including racing slides, tunnels, bridges and various challenging climbing items including faux rock climbing. Go for the challenging play structure for your older children.
Score: 46 out of 50
2. Baker Park 1, North Bentz and West Second Streets This varied, destination park in the heart of Frederick is just steps from downtown, Carroll Creek, bell tower, bandshell and Talley Rec Center. It’s many tall, established trees provide plenty of shade. Numerous nearby benches make it easy for parents to lounge and spend hours. Park features acres of fun that kids will sprint to: a faux zip line; a modern, four-person see-saw; merry-go-round; sand pit; rock climbing structures; spider web climber; and an unforgettable life-size Candy Land game. The play structure for the older set is close to perfect: multiple climbing features, a faux drawbridge, monkey bars, four different slides including a racing slide, tunnel slide, and swirly slide. Go for the variety, hours of fun (if you so choose), side trips to the creek, and enchanting Candy Land game.
Score: 48 out of 50
Baker Park 2, College and Fleming Avenues Frederick’s top park is probably no surprise to you. The newer of Baker Park’s two play parks beats out the older, more historic park by an eyelash mostly due to its proximity to the Thomas public pool and Carroll Creek and by its sheer variety. This beautiful, mostly shady destination park is bordered by the pool, Carroll Creek and the tri-tunnels under College Avenue. Kids can look in any direction and be tempted by an irresistible attraction. But they’ll mostly want to stay in the play area. It features not just one or two play structures, but four play structures, mostly for the younger kids. The one structure devoted to the older kids rivals any of the others I saw. The park has 12 small shelters with tables that make it perfect for picnicking, a bench swing, a rock-climbing feature whimsically shaped like a dinosaur, eight swings, a zip line, a real “up and down” see-saw and a self-turner. Ducks and geese wander by freely. Go for the variety of play possibilities, a picnic lunch and sheer beauty.
Score: 49 out of 50.
Kids having fun at #1 park — Baker Park 2.
Honorable Mention
Baughman’s Babee Park, Madison Street and Burck Street Small urban park with smallish play structures, but very shady and inviting.
Kidwiler Park, 551 Schley Avenue Sprawling neighborhood park has lots of amenities but the lack of variety on the play structure holds it back a bit. Still worth a visit.
Maryvale Park, 529 Mary Street Large, varied neighborhood park behind China Garden on West Patrick and next to the Keilholtz Horseshoe Complex. Real climbing boulders and a nearby culvert to explore!
Mullinix Park, 16 South Bentz Street next to Diggs Pool Urban oasis park greets you with large, real boulders to climb on but a structure that is difficult for kids to navigate and dedicated to climbing which is already well covered. Could use more variety.
Willowdale Park, 158 Willowdale Drive This woodsy, seemingly country park is small, varied and well shaded, but the real attraction is the ability to wade in nearby Rock Creek, which many kids were doing when I visited.
Grove Park, 36 Hamilton Avenue across from Fairgrounds Very attractive playground is shady but not too varied. Seems like an afterthought to the ball field, which is home to East Frederick Little League.
Riverwalk Park, 1901 Schifferstadt Boulevard Attractive park, but play structure is small, not too varied, and a long walk from parking.
Stonegate Park, 1565 Andover Lane Large, well-maintained park with shelter, lively basketball court, and two play structures. Varied play items but absolutely no shade brings it down a bit and limits when you can play.
Special Note on Sophie & Madigan’s Playground
This park is not specifically a city park although the city does help maintain it and provide restrooms and water. Located within city limits in the West Side Regional Park just off of Butterfly Lane, it is a privately designed park in honor of Sophie and Madigan Lillard, two young children who were tragically killed in a fire a few years ago. If this were a city park it would rival the top city parks for best playground. It is whimsically designed and inclusive of special needs children with a castle-themed play structure, multiple swings, merry-go-round, a people-powered carousel and other structures. Their website (https://sophieandmadigansplayground.com) promises many more features to come, too.
Gavin Bennett enjoying the rocking horse at Sophie & Madigan’s Playground
Oil up your chain, inflate your tires, and, if you are anywhere in Maryland, head out with your bike onto the historic C&O Canal. My wife and I completed the entire stretch in 10 easy trips. We’ll tell you how we did it further below. But first, about the canal.
This 19th century engineering marvel was transformed in the 1950’s into the longest and thinnest U.S. national historic park. In most areas it is only about 50 feet wide but meanders for 184 gorgeous miles from the mouth of Rock Creek Park in Georgetown to the rugged hills of Cumberland. Frederick is conveniently located about half way along the canal.
C&O Canal Historic Park meanders 184 beautiful miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD.
Originally designed to carry coal, lumber, grain, and hay from coastal towns inland, helping to open up the western frontier, the canal today preserves history and promotes recreation. The canal towpath was originally used by mules and their handlers to pull the canal boats through the still water but now is a well-maintained biking, hiking, and running trail. It parallels the Potomac River for its entire length and is mostly in sight of this peaceful river that outlines Maryland’s southern border.
Riding west to east on the canal has the advantage of a slight downhill grade, and you’ll want to take advantage of that. You won’t notice it much except at each of the 75 locks, which were used to raise and lower boats according to the change in elevation along the route. During your trip, you’ll descend only 605 feet from Cumberland to near sea level in Georgetown, but every little bit helps.
The following itinerary is the one we followed and is designed for biking novices or families of all types. For time estimates, figure on averaging about 7 miles per hour, which is very easy pedaling.
Day 1: 26 miles – Cumberland to Paw Paw, WV The beautiful jumping off spot at the western terminus in historic Cumberland at mile marker 184 features a spotless Fairfield Inn right on the canal, an historic canal boat replica, lots of restaurants for good, cheap eats, the Cumberland Visitor Center with interesting exhibits on the B&O Railroad, National Road, and canal, and a downtown walking area. Bike along to Oldtown, just 10 miles away, and have lunch at the town’s former elementary school, which is just off the trail. Continue on another 16 miles to mile marker 158 and the historic Paw Paw Tunnel. The small town of Paw Paw, West Virginia, named after the abundant fruit tree in the area, is just across the Potomac River and features a hotel, some restaurants, and a camping area.
Lock #75 near Cumberland, MD displays 19th century engineering at its best.
Day 2: 17 miles – Paw Paw to Little Orleans Departing from the Paw Paw Tunnel, which is over 3,000 feet long and built to bypass the Paw Paw Bends, a six-mile stretch on the Potomac River with five horseshoe-shaped bends, ride 17 miles on the most secluded part of the trail to the tiny hamlet of Little Orleans and mile marker 141. Make sure to have a good working flashlight with you as the Paw Paw Tunnel is not well lit. This part of the trail passes through Green Ridge State Forest. If you go on a weekday, chances are you will see no other riders. Little Orleans features camping and the terrific Oak Barrell Cafe, with easy access to I-70 and Route 40. Ask for the “Kickin’ Chicken” at Oak Barrell.
3,000-foot long Paw Paw Tunnel shaved six miles off canal trips in its day.
Day 3: 16 miles – Little Orleans, MD to Hancock, MD Depart Little Orleans and bike 16 miles to Hancock, a charming little town in Washington County that sits in the shadow of nearby Sideling Hill. In Hancock have lunch or dinner at Buddy Lou’s, a local institution right on the trail that caters to locals and riders alike. Get the pecan, blue cheese, and strawberry salad and browse their fine collection of antiques. This leg of the trail features two scenic aqueducts: Sideling Hill Creek and Cacapon Junction. Be sure to visit the Hancock Visitor Center for a nice respite. Hotels are also available.
C&O Canal Historical Park in Hancock is one of many welcome respites along the way.
Day 4: 13 miles – Hancock, MD to Big Pool, MD Depart Hancock and travel 13 miles to Fort Frederick State Park near Big Pool in Washington County. Along the way, enjoy Little Pool and Licking Creek Aqueducts, both featuring camping, snacks and other amenities. Fort Frederick State Park right on the canal at Big Pool is worth an extended tour. There, you’ll see the unique stone fort that served as Maryland’s frontier defense during the French and Indian War. Built in 1756, the fort’s stone wall and two barracks have been restored to their 1758 appearance. The park’s campground, picnic area, snack bar, playground, shelter, some public restrooms and all trails are now open.
Top-notch amenities are offered at Fort Frederick State Park in Big Pool, MD.
Day 5: 12 miles – Big Pool to Williamsport Depart Fort Frederick State Park at Big Pool and bike 12 miles to the small town of Williamsport, just south of Hagerstown. Bypass several scenic dams and locks along the way. Take some time at the Williamsport Visitor Center and nearby Cushwa Warehouse to take in some canal history. Have lunch or dinner at Tony’s Pizza and Italian Restaurant, just two blocks off the canal. Red Roof Inn is not too far away if you need overnight accommodations.
Historic Cushwa Warehouse in Williamsport, MD offers canal boat rides.
Day 6: 26 miles – Williamsport to Shepherdstown, WV Depart Williamsport and ride 26 miles to Shepherdstown, West Virginia. This stretch of the canal features many camping options, including Cumberland Valley, Opequon Junction and Horseshoe Bend. For sight-seeing, Killiansburg Cave is along the way. In Shepherdstown, excellent overnight accommodations and a great German meal await you at the well-known Bavarian Inn.
Day 7: 19 miles – Shepherdstown, WV to Brunswick, MD Depart Shepherdstown and bike 19 miles to historic Brunswick. About halfway to Brunswick, which is home to another canal visitor center and former hub for the B&O Railroad, you’ll pass by Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, home to its namesake national historic park dedicated to John Brown’s unsuccessful raid on the federal armory during the Civil War. It is well worth your time to cross the newly reopened pedestrian bridge over the Potomac River into Harpers Ferry to take in the history and grab a nice lunch at one of its many cozy eateries. The Appalachian Trail and Shenandoah River intersect the canal at this point so the townsfolk are well versed in serving sweaty travelers on foot, bike, or boat. Brunswick, too, features several nice restaurants and hotels.
High above historic Harpers Ferry WV, which sits at the intersection of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, Appalachian Trail, and C&O Canal.
Day 8: 12 miles – Brunswick, MD to Dickerson, MD Depart Brunswick and bike 12 miles to the Monocacy River Aqueduct near Dickerson in southern Frederick County. Along the way, enjoy the Catoctin Creek Aqueduct, Bald Eagle Island (where you might spy one its famous namesake inhabitants) and Calico Rocks and Indian Flats for camping and boating. At the Monocacy River Aqueduct, bike another few miles inland to the venerable Dickerson Market for lunch or dinner. Their giant beef hot dogs are worth the visit.
Day 9: 20 miles – Dickerson, MD to Seneca Creek Aqueduct Depart Monocacy River Aqueduct near Dickerson and travel 20 miles to Seneca Creek Aqueduct in Montgomery County. This stretch of the canal passes by Whites Ferry, which is a working, hand-operated toll ferry crossing the Potomac River to nearby Leesburg, Virginia. It is well worth the time to make this crossing and either grab a bite in Leesburg or at the Whites Ferry Tavern.
Great Falls on the Potomac River turns the river from docile to ferocious very quickly.
Day 10: 23 miles – Seneca Creek Aqueduct to Georgetown Depart Seneca Creek Aqueduct and travel 10 easy miles to Angler’s Inn near ritzy Potomac in Montgomery County. The highlight of this leg is Great Falls Park, home to the white-water portion of the Potomac River, Billy Goat hiking trail, canal boat rides, and numerous scenic overlooks. Carve out some time for the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center, which explores more history of the canal and local area. Don’t miss lunch at the charming Old Angler’s Inn just off the trail. Try their gourmet burger on their beautiful patio.
After lunch,continue on another 13 miles to mile marker 0 in Georgetown. This scenic and urbanized stretch features camping and boating at Carderock, the Clara Barton National Historic Site, charming Glen Echo Park and Fletcher’s Boathouse. Have dinner at Il Canale along the canal on 31st Street in DC. Finish your adventure with pictures and high fives at the Georgetown Visitor Center.
Gary and Ellen Bennett after completing their 10-trip, 184-mile trek at the mouth of Rock Creek Park in Georgetown.
This most fun of American holidays features the wearing of the green, lots of drinking and kissing, and plenty of parades and orchestrated hijinks. But I’m here to help you impress your friends and sketchy bar acquaintances with the following useless, but interesting, knowledge.
Hard as it is to believe now, St. Patrick’s Day was a dry holiday for most of the 20th century. St. Patrick’s Day is considered a religious holiday in Ireland, meaning the nation’s pubs are closed for business on 3/17. (This is not quiiiiiiiiite the way it is in the U.S.) The one exception to closing bars in Ireland was to allow beer vendors to sell their wares at the big national dog show, which is always held on St. Patrick’s Day for some odd reason.
New York City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the world’s largest. Since 1762, 250,000 marchers have paraded up and down Fifth Avenue on foot. Much like the PGA, the parade doesn’t allow floats or cars. Not to be outdone, Chicago has been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by dumping 40 tons of green dye into the Chicago River since 1962.
Since we’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, you’ll want to know some of the lingo. Besides “faith and begorrah,” which I cleverly worked into the title and roughly means “by golly,” the other phrase you’ll need is “Erin go Bragh,” which means roughly “Ireland Forever.” This one comes in handy when rooting on your favorite soccer hooligans or claiming you are actually Irish. I’m sorry to report that “kiss me, I’m Irish” is purely American.
Even though we’re all Irish now on his special day, you might not know that St. Patrick himself wasn’t Irish. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the 4th century. And perhaps St. Maewyn’s Day would be a better name for his holiday. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick’s birth name was Maewyn Succat, but he changed it to Patricius after becoming a priest. Excellent move!
The shamrock became associated with St. Patrick when he used the three-leafed plant as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when introducing Christianity to Ireland. The other marshmallow symbols you’ll find in your Lucky Charms cereal bowl are purely American, and rightfully so!
It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without leprechauns, now would it? But did you know they are all men? In traditional Irish folk tales, there are no female leprechauns, only nattily attired wee males. This begs the question, how do we get new baby leprechauns?
And make no mistake—they earned that gold they’re guarding. According to legend, leprechauns spend their days making and mending shoes. It’s hard work, so you can’t blame them for being territorial about their pots of gold.
In Irish lore, St. Patrick is credited with driving all the snakes out of Ireland. But modern scientists suggest that the job might not have been too hard—Ireland has never been home to any snakes. Through the Ice Age, Ireland was too cold to host any reptiles and the surrounding seas have staved off serpentine invaders ever since. Modern scholars think the “snakes” St. Patrick drove away likely represented the Druids or possibly Mitch McConnel and Chuck Schumer.
If being an historically dry holiday is not bad enough, I’m sorry to report that, traditionally, there is no corned beef in corned beef and cabbage, that most Irish of St. Patrick’s Day snacks. Oh no, it has nothing to do with grain corn. Instead, it’s a nod to the large grains of salt that were historically used to cure meats, which were known as “corns.”
Now you know. Please enjoy St. Patrick’s Day responsibly.
As we begin to reach our 60s and beyond, most of us can begin to see the end of our working days on the horizon. It can be a sweet picture: wide open, unhurried days with long walks and longer lunches. It’s going to be great, right?
Maybe not.
Without a plan for retirement, these unhurried days can quickly become boring — or worse, detrimental to our health. Most experts agree we need to keep our mind, body and spirit active in retirement.
I retired on Jan. 1, 2020, just before the pandemic began, after a long publishing and marketing career at associations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. My wife, Ellen, followed me eight months later after an equally long career as a nurse. After two intense but rewarding careers, we were more than ready to retire at age 62.
Our plan for retirement was easy. We wanted to help as many people as we could for as long as we could.
With that in mind, here is our recipe for a happy retirement that allows us to enjoy an active lifestyle while helping others. We realize this pace is not for everyone, but if you ever find yourself bored, pick out one of two of our suggestions and give them a try.
FIND A NEW JOB
This may sound counter-intuitive, but more and more retirees are doing it, and we did as well. We found new jobs.
Three days a week, from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., we serve as caregivers to our two pre-school grandsons. We are exhausted by day’s end but can’t help smiling as we talk over each eventful day.
If there is any way you can swing it, we highly recommend you give this a try. We save our son- and daughter-in-law mountains of money, provide love and peace of mind and — the best part — get the privilege of having front-row seats to the wondrous, daily reality show of children growing up.
Logan, Gary and Gavin Bennett and grand-dog Chloe enjoy the water table.
This is a great “job,” but it wasn’t quite enough for me, so I got a second job delivering prescriptions two or three days a week for Whitesell’s, a local pharmacy. The hours are great (roughly 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), so I get to have a few leisurely mornings. Along with helping other people by bringing them something that makes them feel better, I get to be my own boss, drive around town in a sporty Ford Focus and get a little sunshine and exercise, too.
Of course, you don’t need me to tell you that the job market is red hot right now, even for seniors. If you try, you can find a part-time job that you will like or perhaps love. Top jobs for seniors according to AARP are teacher’s aide, coach/referee, tour guide, retail salesperson, tax preparer and consultant.
VOLUNTEER
My wife and I also take advantage of the wonderful world of volunteering. Frederick County is special in this regard. Endless opportunities await if you have a sincere desire to make a difference.
I began volunteering shortly after retirement by becoming an English tutor for the Literacy Council of Frederick County. They showed me the ropes, provided teaching materials and paired me with two Spanish-speaking sisters with a strong desire to learn English. The Literacy Council always needs tutors, and I can guarantee that if you give this a try, you will find it immensely rewarding.
Gary Bennett working with one of his English students at the Urbana library.
If you have a little more time, we recommend membership in any of Frederick’s fine service clubs. Each has a slightly different focus but all want to make Frederick County a better place to live and work. Ellen and I joined the Lions. Others include the Elks, Kiwanis, Moose, Jaycees and Rotary.
At Lions, Ellen used her nursing knowledge to start a used medical equipment lending program that serves Frederick County citizens in need with wheelchairs, walkers, bedside commodes and other medical equipment free of charge. She runs this program out of our garage, although we are looking for more permanent space.
Ellen Bennett checks her inventory of used medical equipment for loaning out.
I created an annual Lions event called Canines on the Creek that brings the community together around a fun pet costume contest that raises money for Leader Dogs for the Blind. I also help lead an event called Roar Like a Lion that creates care packages for houseless individuals.
Other volunteer opportunities in the area:
• Frederick County Food Bank, where we stock shelves and help clients choose food. We include our 16-year-old grandson in this endeavor.
• Frederick County Adopt-a-Road program that puts citizens in charge of occasional trash pick-up on stretches of county highways. This activity provides great exercise while doing something good for your neighborhood.
Gary Bennett at the beginning of a two-mile stretch of road the Bennetts have adopted.
• Meals on Wheels, which allows Ellen to use her nursing skills to provide periodic client assessments, and I make deliveries.
• Local homeowner’s association, where we have both served as officers.
• Local election judge, in which I’m currently serving a four-year term and looking forward to the 2022 elections.
• Downtown Frederick Partnership, where we have assisted with Bring a Broom Saturday, Thursday evening Concerts on the Creek and the annual Fire In Ice event.
• American Red Cross, where we have become frequent blood and platelet donors.
• A local church, where we work on our spirituality, make friends and help others. We attend First Baptist Church on Bowers Road and are so glad we do.
KEEP YOUR BODY MOVING
It doesn’t have to be all work, work, work. Frederick County offers many free and low-cost diversions. Ellen and I participate in as many as we can.
Our favorite is the senior exercise classes held at the William R. Talley Recreation Center. They are held daily in the morning, although the best we can do is about once a week. Frederick’s Senior Rec Council also provides opportunities in various sports including hiking, biking, bowling, basketball and softball.
CONTINUE LEARNING
We’ve also taken advantage of Frederick Community College’s Institute for Learning in Retirement. This program offers classes in interesting subjects such as history, politics and languages. Ellen and I have taken several courses, my favorite being Hiking the Appalachian Trail, which helped get me on the trail.
Gary Bennett, right, with Brad Petersen, Frederick Community Action Agency.
It’s difficult to overstate the impact Gordon Lightfoot had on popular music in the 1970s. Along with artists such as James Taylor, John Denver, Harry Chapin and Jim Croce, he came to embody the sensitive, singer-songwriter movement of that decade.
He is perhaps the most accomplished musician of that group. In his day, he was widely regarded as a first-rate 12-string guitarist, top-notch writer of both music and lyrics that attracted the attention of music giants such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Barbara Streisand and Glen Campbell, and a near non-stop live performer. Unlike many pop artists, Lightfoot actually reads music, arranges his songs and scores them.
Lightfoot makes his first appearance in Frederick on Thursday, February 10 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts. Limited tickets are still available. He was actually scheduled to appear in August but was forced to cancel due to a minor hand injury. He is in the early stages of a 44-date tour spanning December to June that will take him up and down the East Coast and Midwest. He is backed by his long-time four-piece band.
Lightfoot is now 83 years old and not what he once was, of course. His rich distinctive baritone voice that took listeners on exotic adventures and let them in on the most personal of secrets has been replaced by a raspy, reedy vocal that nevertheless imparts a truthfulness that’s not always apparent in music today. If ever there was an artist not named McCartney who should be allowed a valedictory final curtain call late in life, it is Lightfoot.
His songs have a timeless quality to them. Several topped the charts in the ‘70s. He gained wide recognition in the ‘60s as a writer for others with songs such as “For Lovin’ Me”, “Early Morning Rain”, “Steel Rail Blues” and “Ribbon of Darkness” – a number one country hit in 1965 for Marty Robbins. But it wasn’t until the unforgettable 1970 ballad “If You Could Read My Mind” that chronicles the sad ending of his first marriage that Lightfoot established himself as confident singer of his own material.
My wife and I saw Lightfoot in concert at Wolf Trap in Virginia in 2016 and “Mind” stoked the most heartfelt sing-along I’ve ever heard at a concert. Lightfoot commented that “Nobody dreamed it would become a hit; the album [Sit Down Young Stranger] was out seven or eight months before the song emerged, and I was glad it did. It’s about peace through acceptance. It’s stood the test of time, about 30 years, and I never get tired of doing it.”
In 1974 through 1976 Lightfoot unleashed a string of four consecutive number one folk-rock songs that put him in the same echelon as Elton John, John Denver and Barry Manilow in public consciousness. Lightfoot and his band knew that “Sundown” would be a number one hit when they recorded it in 1974. Sultry and bluesy, it tells the story of unrequited love with some infidelity thrown in for good measure. Lightfoot sings, “Sundown, you better take care, if I find you’ve been creeping’ ‘round my back stair.”
The follow up to “Sundown” – “Carefree Highway” vividly tells the story of “Ann” that Lightfoot says “…knocked me out when I was about 20 and then left me standing there.” He escapes her memory on this carefree highway.
Then came “Rainy Day People” in early 1975, which seems to be about those friends you can always count on to provide a shoulder to cry on and sympathetic ear to tell your troubles to but is really about, according to Lightfoot, “the person waiting in the wings for a relationship to subside, so he can move in.”
In 1976 Lightfoot delivered what is perhaps his most famous but least likely number one hit song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” He read a Newsweek article in the fall of ’75 about the shipwreck of this huge freighter on Lake Superior. A slide guitar provides the haunting sound of melancholy and despair the song calls for. The intricate wording and storytelling bring to mind an Irish sea chantey. Incredibly, it is documented the song was laid down in just one take with all the lights of the studio dimmed except for Lightfoot’s scribbled lyrics. Lightfoot says “I’m proud it’s been written. It’s been a very educational and interesting experience, for sure. I have gotten to meet a lot of the people who were related to the men on the Edmund Fitzgerald; periodically they have functions, which I attend whenever I can. It’s been a real-life experience for me.”
If you only know Gordon Lightfoot for his huge hits, treat yourself and listen to two fairly obscure but incredibly beautiful love songs. “Song for a Winter’s Night” is folk-rock at its best, telling the story of unrequited love set in the dead of winter with snow lightly falling, windowpanes iced over, an empty glass and forlorn love letter. “Beautiful” on the other hand tells the story of love fulfilled with an economy of words and simple melody that is almost breathtaking. He makes a point to always sing this song in concert.
His impressive discography includes 19 studio albums, three live albums, 16 greatest hits albums, and 46 singles. He has sold more than ten million albums worldwide.
Gordon Lightfoot was born near Toronto in 1938. He began his career by fronting various rock and roll bands around Toronto when he was still a teenager. At 20, he relocated to Los Angeles where he took classes in music school and wrote jingles for TV commercials. He returned to Toronto in 1962 where he became a fixture in the city’s folk music scene. He wrote successfully for others and then signed his own record deal in 1966. In the late 1960s he scored several minor hits on the Canadian pop charts before striking it big in the ‘70s.
Lightfoot has not had an easy life. Like many artists, he has battled substance abuse. In his case it was alcohol that nearly derailed his career. He also suffered through a couple of health scares. In 1972 he was stricken with facial paralysis when he contracted Bell’s Palsy. In 2002 he suffered a near fatal ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism. He spent six weeks in a coma, endured four surgeries and two years of extensive rehabilitation. In 2006 he suffered a minor stroke that limited use of his right hand that he has since regained. A heavy smoker since age 15, Lightfoot has emphysema.
Among Lightfoot’s honors include five Grammy nominations, 17 Juno Awards (Canada’s Grammy equivalent) induction into the U.S. and Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Officer of the Order of Canada. He even appears on a Canadian postage stamp.
Lightfoot is reportedly worth about 40 million dollars so he certainly doesn’t need to be on the road as much as he is. But he remains singularly focused on the stage and vows to continue performing as much as he is able for his faithful fans. “I’m 82 years of age now [now 83]. That feels very important to me. If health permits, I’m happy just to be able to continue to perform in one way or another.”
Francis Scott Key Lions Club, in conjunction with Downtown Frederick Partnership and Leader Dogs for the Blind, is hosting its second annual Canines on the Creek event, Saturday, July 3, 3 – 5 pm in the trellis area of Carroll Creek.
The event features a dog and owner patriotic-themed costume contest and parade, a dog training demonstration from Sit Means Sit of Frederick, speakers, giveaways, and discounts from exhibitors. Some of the dog-friendly exhibitors scheduled to attend are Sit Means Sit, Camp Bow Wow, Pet Smart, My Pet Store and More, Happy Dog Groomers, Green Canine, T and L Company, Viatoris Dog Training, Megan Purtell Photography and Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter. Businesses serving dogs and their owners that wish to exhibit should contact FSK Lion Gary Bennett at 301-606-3012 or gabennet01@comcast.net.
Last year’s event was held on March 7 and featured a St. Patrick’s Day- themed costume context and parade. Due to Covid, this year’s event was moved to July 3 and will kick off the long Fourth of July weekend.
According to event chair Lion Gary Bennett, the highlight of the day’s activities is the costume contest and parade. “Watching the parade is free but if you wish to participate, we ask for a small donation to the nonprofit organization Leader Dogs for the Blind,” said Bennett. Dog owners can sign up at fsklions.org/canines. “The costume contest and parade are loads of fun. We judge the entries and have prizes for best owner and dog look-alikes, best small breed costume and best large breed costume.”
Along with the costume contest, parade and demonstrations, attendees will have the chance to speak to vendors that provide services to dogs and their owners and can take advantage of event discounts. The event will take place rain or shine.
“Frederick’s dog friendliness is well known and observed everyday downtown,” Bennett said. “And since Leader Dogs for the Blind is a key organization that Lions support, the idea for this event seemed to be a no-brainer. We hope it takes off in years to come and becomes a draw for Carroll Creek and downtown Frederick and at the same time helps support this worthwhile organization.”
Leader Dogs for the Blind raises and provides leader dogs for blind and low-sight individuals all over the world at no cost to the recipient helping them live a life of independence and mobility. FSK Lions Club serves the Frederick community through eyeglass donations, free used medical equipment lending, and sponsorships.
For more information on this event and to sign up to participate in the costume contest and parade, visit fsklions.org/canines.
If you agree with me that we could all use a little more courtesy in our lives, then we are indeed fortunate to have right in our midst a bridge that reminds us every day to be just that: courteous.
Frederick’s iconic “Courtesy Bridge” is the one-lane bridge situated on Shookstown Road just to the west of Rosemont Avenue, spanning an unassuming section of Carroll Creek just before it winds itself toward downtown Frederick and fame as the main attraction in Maryland’s second largest city. While many larger bridges are named after politicians or fallen service members, this humble bridge sports a sign at either end designating it the symbol of this noble human trait that may have seen better days.
One-lane bridges aren’t unique to Frederick County or any other country setting, for that matter. Frederick County has more than its share sprinkled throughout. What makes this one-lane bridge unique is its location. It is smack dab in the middle of Frederick city, connecting the city’s western “Golden Mile” area with Baker Park and its central business district. As you come upon the bridge, it appears to be in a rural section of Frederick, but nothing could be further from the truth. The bridge is just yards away from banks, restaurants, nursing homes, and an imposing Sheetz convenience store.
If you have traveled Shookstown Road, you know the bridge has a long history of people alternating the direction of travel; you go first, then the other side comes across. In this day and age, you might think this is a recipe for disaster. If it is, I haven’t seen it. I estimate I have traversed this bridge over 500 times in my 35 years in Frederick without incident, accident, or even undue delay.
And it’s not just me. According to city police, accidents and incidents at the bridge are exceedingly rare. There have been no documented accidents the last 10 years. It helps that the sight lines are very good. You can see opposing vehicles from over 1,000 feet away. The courtesy signs also help. But we citizens should take some credit, too. Frederick is mostly a polite, progressive city and we show that every day with how we conduct ourselves.
The bridge was built in 1911 when Frederick was a much smaller city and refurbished in 1988. As the city grew, however, engineers did not feel a burning need to enlarge the bridge. In the last few years, however, nearby road improvements have taken some of the traffic load away from the bridge. Still, the bridge successfully handles about 2,100 trips per day according to Frederick’s Street Maintenance Dept.
Things aren’t always courteous on the bridge, of course. Occasionally, manners do go missing. There have been sporadic reports of stare-downs in the middle of the bridge and, on at least one occasion, police were summoned to de-escalate a situation where neither car would budge from the bridge, causing a traffic backup that forced unlucky fellow motorists to have to back up and find another route to their destinations. Driver impairment played a part in this incident.
But consensus holds that these instances are the exception. Residents of the homes lining Shookstown Road near the bridge generally have good things to say. Ariah Holland, who is a frequent walker over the bridge since a sidewalk was added a few years back, appreciates friendly waves from passing motorists. David Maloney, who has lived in his home just yards from the bridge for over 40 years can recall no major problems because of the narrow passage but blames the few accidents he is aware of on speed. “It’s generally understood that you wait your turn although some people still fly if they see the bridge is open.” Phil Pople, who has lived in the area for 25 years, finds the bridge charming and quaint and can recall no serious issues. He does appreciate that recent improvements to nearby roads have decreased traffic on the bridge enough that it is now easy for him to turn into his driveway.
It’s true that we are in fact forced to be courteous at the bridge to some extent in order to minimize the risk of a head on collision. As I recently sat behind a short line of cars waiting to take my turn on the bridge, I got to thinking about forced courtesy. Certainly, it would be better if we could just be courteous on our own, but I suppose being forced to be courteous is better than nothing. So, Frederick, join me at the Courtesy Bridge for a moment of Zen and a friendly wave at your fellow motorists. And don’t forget to take advantage of this rare opportunity to be recognized for your courtesy.
I don’t have a death wish, but I’m always interested in new experiences so being a census taker or “enumerator” in Census Bureau parlance sounded interesting and appealed to my sense of civic duty. And sure, the $21 an hour plus mileage didn’t hurt either. 240,000 of my fellow U.S. citizens joined me as an enumerator in 2020, down by about half from 2010 due to COVID-19.
It is pretty tough work. Not only because of political roadblocks and the current health crisis, but because most people just don’t want to talk to someone knocking at their door. Often times I was sent far from Frederick to work in unfamiliar communities that didn’t have enough census takers. I worked in everything from the blazing hot sun to pouring rain. Census takers are pushed hard by the full-time supervisors, always encouraging us to work fast, “close” cases, and not take no for an answer.
Initially, the work started easy enough—leaving ‘notice of visit’ flyers to those not at home and talking to agreeable people who legitimately overlooked completing the census.
These Notices of Visists are surprisingly effective at getting people to do the census online.
Soon, though, the work became much harder. The remaining people were evasive and not so agreeable. Many claimed to have already done the census online. Census officials assured us this was not the case and encouraged us to keep pushing. I was never sure who to believe. I did push ahead and performed reasonably well, talking many people into doing the census ‘again’ with me because they obviously wanted their voice to be heard. After enumerating these hesitant folks, however, the work became almost impossible. The people left to count obviously didn’t want to be counted. Many were belligerent and threatening.
My most memorable difficult case consisted of residents of a ramshackle townhouse community in Poolesville. I should have known I was in trouble when I read the notes from a fellow enumerator’s previous visit to the address. “I think the people at this place might be crazy. When I knocked on the door, they knocked back even harder.” I was intrigued. No one had enumerated this house and I wanted to be the one who did!
I logged more than 500 miles as a census worker over 6 weeks.
I had an ace in the hole. Census enumerators were allowed to use “proxies” to enumerate hard to complete addresses. Proxies are nearby neighbors who have at least a little information about their neighbors and are willing to tell you what they know. Unfortunately, it was equally clear in the notes that nearby neighbors might not be so willing to comment on these people either. “I don’t want to get involved,” “I’ve never talked to those people,” “They are not very friendly,” read some of the additional notes.
Undeterred, I strode up to the house and knocked. No answer. I knocked again, but this time I could hear people talking behind the door. When I peeked in, a mom and two kids stared back. When I knocked and peeked in a third time they were hiding behind some curtains. As I began to step away to find a neighbor, the man of the house pulled into his parking space. “Get your ass off my property right now and don’t come back or I’ll remove you myself,” he threatened. I assured him I had every right to be on his property, that I was with the Census Bureau and just wanted to know how many people lived at his place. He repeated his threat again as he began to get out of his van. Discretion being the better part of valor, I began to depart. To my relief, he got back in his van and left. As he did, I made sure he saw me walk up to his next-door neighbor’s house. I hoped he knew that we would be talking about him. I finally did get the information I needed and closed the case.
This was my worst brush with a hostile citizen, but there were others nearly as worrisome. One person railed about the poor use of his tax money that kept sending people to his house when he told us over and over that he has done the survey already. Two people were upset that Trump wanted to deport them even though they were here legally. An older gentleman offered “I’ve never done the census in my life. Maryland has been gerrymandered to death. That’s why I’m moving.” One young fellow at a new development used his Ring doorbell to size me up and said “You people need to quit hounding us. Nobody cares about this crap.” And, as I left one proxy who provided info on his townhouse neighbor, I could see the neighbor running out of his home and berating the proxy for provided any information at all.
The census app was extremely intuitive and well done. It guided our conversations as we entered data and completed the census with citizens on the fly.
It wasn’t all bad, though. One nice older gentleman in Dickerson wanted to talk about how the census helped us during the Revolutionary War. One fellow came running out of his house to give me a bottle of water. One little girl did the same with a popsicle at the behest of her dad. One scantily clad woman answered the door and made no effort to cover up. We didn’t cover that in training.
I am not sure why so many people were upset about completing the census, but I suspect it didn’t help that the president chose to make the census political and that a public health crisis was raging at the time. Completing a decennial census is in the Constitution.
Even so, the presidential attacks came in waves. First, Trump directed his Commerce secretary to add a citizenship question to the survey after months of planning and testing and just before the instrument was to be rolled out. That ploy lost in the courts. Next, he directed other federal agencies to share data with the Census Bureau so that “no undocumented aliens would be counted.” This was despite the fact the Constitution calls for the counting of every person residing in the country regardless of legal status. This one lost in the courts, too. And finally, he required the Census Bureau to finish field operations by September 30. This was after his own Commerce Department requested a three-month extension to December 31 in order to accommodate complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The House even passed a bill mandating the three-month extension, but it died in the Senate as most things do now. Again, the courts had to come to the rescue. A federal judge recently issued a restraining order halting the winding down of operations in September and resetting it to October 31. Census enumerators were finally directed to cease work on October 5.
I was never really worried about COVID-19, but perhaps I should have been. All enumerators were issued masks and required to wear them. But it did not occur to many of my interviewees to don them while standing face-to-face at close quarters with a stranger for ten minutes. I can’t say that I blame them. After all, they were responding spur of the moment from their own homes. As I write this, I have been a former census enumerator for over two weeks and feel fine. I might be lucky. I worked for the Census Bureau for about six weeks and had over 500 brief contacts and about 250 full interviews with strangers. I was very appreciative to those few who did wear a mask but could never bring myself to ask them to go get one. Respondents, however, were not shy about citing COVID-19 to keep me away. That excuse was used 20 times with me.
Despite a late start because of COVID and political interference, most parts of America are doing well. As of late August, about 65 percent of households had self-reported. An additional 30 percent have been enumerated by personal interviews from folks like me. The remaining five percent will be completed by the very best census enumerators, full-time census employees, and data from publicly available sources. By the time you read this, America will be very near to 100 percent complete.
Maryland is well above average among U.S. states, and Frederick County is in the top tier of reporting counties in Maryland. The latest data show Maryland at number 10 of the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico in self reporting at 70.3 percent. Minnesota leads the way at 75 percent. Portions of the south including Arkansas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, and West Virginia bring up the rear, averaging between 55 and 60 percent. Average education levels within states mirror census response. A spokesperson for the Census Bureau cites lack of knowledge about the importance and safety of the census for people not responding. As of September 15, 98.1 percent of residences in Fredrick County have been completed, placing us among the top five Maryland counties.
Our conspicuous census bags helped to identify us as we stood on porches.
