By Gary Bennett
This article appears on the Fall 2026 issue of Frederick News-Post’s “Prime Time” magazine.
At 77, Charlene Cherry of Frederick has little interest in slowing down. An artisan crafter with a passion for flowers, she knows the importance of staying active and keeping her mind sharp.
“I like to stay busy. I know how important that is for seniors, not just mentally but physically and emotionally, too.”
She’s right. Hobbies can contribute to a good quality of life, helping older adults stay mentally alert, physically active and socially engaged.
Cherry is one of the lucky ones who found her passion early in life, and it continues to serve her well today.
She creates framed floral art and other home decor that she sometimes sells at craft fairs.
“I’ve been doing it forever. I started doing floral design in my twenties. I just have a passion for flowers. I like to be creative and see what I can do with them.”
Cherry is not only a crafter but a teacher, too. She holds small-group workshops in her basement art studio, teaching others to make their own pressed-flower art arrangements. She also conducts floral design workshops for craft and garden clubs, including the Frederick County Master Gardeners.
“I live in Worman’s Mill so I try to do an arrangement for the clubhouse every season. I hold classes and teach people how to do different things. I get a lot of interest from garden clubs because I can teach them to do things with flowers they’re growing anyway.”
Although making money isn’t her main purpose, creating pressed-flower art can be lucrative, too. She particularly enjoys an annual artisan show in Boonsboro in September, where she sells many of her pieces. She also sells artwork from her home when visitors see something they like.
“My house is fully decorated with a lot of works. I’m also into transfer art, and I like to refinish furniture. My father was a master craftsman. He had a furniture refinishing workshop and I would often visit and just watch him work. I’m the only one in the family that got that gene.”
Cherry is also the co-founder of By Chance Farm LLC in Libertytown, a 111-acre eventing and dressage farm that hosts dressage shows throughout the year, including recognized competitions. The farm boards and trains more than 40 horses. Dressage involves the systematic training of a horse to perform precise, controlled movements in response to nearly invisible signals from its rider.
Cherry retired from the horse business in 2020. Her daughter now owns and operates the farm, which they originally purchased in 2002 to provide a safe haven for their horses.
Her daughter became interested in horses at age 7, when she took a riding lesson and never looked back.
“That’s my daughter’s livelihood now. She graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering and naturally decided she wanted to do horses. I never discouraged her from following her passions, though.”
In June, the farm suffered devastating damage from straight-line winds that struck the area. Its barn and indoor arena were severely damaged, and the facility is being rebuilt.
Cherry worked for the government for 31 years. She attended Walter Johnson High School in Bethesda, followed by Montgomery College and the University of Maryland.
In her youth, she was a competitive swimmer and held a couple of Amateur Athletic Union records. She also excelled at synchronized swimming before it became an Olympic sport.
She has lived in Frederick for 26 years, and like many transplants, she has fallen in love with the area.
“I wish I had lived here my whole life. I love the downtown area and Carroll Creek. There’s just so much to do with all the culture and arts. I love to visit local wineries, too.”
Cherry also travels when she can.
“I’m going on a Mediterranean cruise in November, and after that, I want to focus on seeing this country. I did a cruise up the Mississippi last year and absolutely loved it.”
She rounds out her active lifestyle by hiking with her dogs, Moriah and Max. Max is a 13-year-old foxhound rescue who is a “sanctuary dog.” He will remain with Cherry for the rest of his life.
For Cherry, following her passions has been a lifelong pursuit.
FINDING YOUR OWN PASSION
If you’ve come this far in life without finding something that makes you feel alive and fulfilled, don’t worry. Retirement offers an opportunity to explore new interests and discover your passion. Here’s where to start:
Mindfully identify your true interests: Consider the things you cared about in the past but couldn’t keep up with during your working years. Cars? Music? Cooking? Now’s the time to revisit them from a mature perspective.
Start small: Incorporate activities that are easy to do to boost your confidence. Always wanted to write? Start with a letter to the editor of your local newspaper. I did.
Build community: Share your hobby with others or introduce yourself to people who are pursuing a hobby you might like to try.
Tailor to your abilities: Choose hobbies that complement your physical and cognitive abilities.
Talk to yourself (in a good way!): Remind yourself frequently of the advantages of staying active and then do it!
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.