When Baspy relocated from the competitive D.C. market to Frederick in 2019, he didn’t just find a new zip code — he found a mission. The DJ and event curator has quietly helped to transform and enliven the city’s nightlife landscape. His latest offering, “For the Lovers,” arrives Feb. 13 at Bentztown, serving up R&B classics from the late 1990s and early 2000s alongside contemporary tracks. The free event celebrates a beloved genre that’s rarely given much space in Frederick’s after-hours scene. Baspy’s approach treats DJ sets as stories that build, retreat and rise again, taking audiences on what he calls “a journey through sound.”
YOUNG ARTISTS CLAIM THE WEINBERG STAGE FOR SEED TO ROOTS
There’s something profound about watching young people step into their creative power for the first time. On Feb. 16, the Weinberg Center will become home to Seed to Roots, an annual showcase of music, dance, stepping, spoken word, visual art and storytelling that honors Black history and culture. The students performing represent Frederick County’s breadth — some are seasoned stage veterans, others are experiencing the particular terror and exhilaration of a first public performance. For many, it’s the inaugural moment of sharing artistic voice before a live audience that believes in their potential — i.e., a full house matters. Visibility translates to validation, and validation fuels the courage required to keep creating. Tickets are $10 (free for children 10 and under), a modest price for witnessing the formation of artistic identity in real time.
CELEBRATING GALENTINE’S DAY?
Leslie Knope gave us permission back in 2010, and we’ve been running with it ever since. Feb. 13 marks Galentine’s Day, the “Parks and Recreation”-spawned holiday celebrating female friendship with the same enthusiasm typically reserved for romantic partnerships. One idea is to book a spa day with your bestie. Frederick offers so many experiences designed for shared unwinding. Verbena Salon and Spa provides duo massages with luxurious wraps and side-by-side facials for catching up. Belleza Salon & Day Spa accommodates larger friend groups with matching hot pink manicures in massage chairs and a women’s tranquility retreat room. NAD Wellness Spa offers red light therapy, infrared saunas and cryotherapy sessions. Those are just a few ideas, but the real point is to set aside time for the friendships that sustain us. The women who keep us grounded deserve celebration, cucumber masks and foot rubs.
THOUGHTS ON THE LATEST “WUTHERING HEIGHTS” ADAPTATION?
Emerald Fennell’s upcoming feature film “Wuthering Heights” has sparked the kind of pre-release controversy that reveals how deeply audiences hold certain texts. The adaptation, starring Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, arrives Feb. 13 at Warehouse Cinemas and Regal Westview in Frederick, positioning Emily Brontë’s Gothic tragedy as “the greatest love story of all time” — a framing that has literary purists sharpening their critical knives. Trevor Dodman, who teaches 19th-century British literature at Hood College, offered a measured perspective: Adaptations should capture spirit over strict fidelity, though Fennell’s apparent focus on Catherine and Heathcliff while omitting the novel’s entire second half troubles him. Catch the movie so you can weigh in on the conversion (plus, it’s a great one for Valentine’s Day, after all).
EDITOR’S NOTE: Share your community stories and events with us! Email llarocca@newspost.com.
BOOMTOWN
THURS, FEB 5 6:30 & 8:10 PM SUN, FEB 8 4:00 & 5:40 PM
MON BON CROISSANT BAKERY CAFE
162 W. Patrick St., Frederick monboncroissant@ gmail.com
Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
Price: Menu items range in price from $3.75 for a baguette to $25 for the Maryland crab eggs Benedict.
Popular dishes: Croissants, breakfast sandwiches, breads.
The strawberries and cream croissant at Mon Bon Croissant Bakery Cafe.
Mon Bon Croissant Bakery Cafe offers savory and sweet treats
Mon Bon Croissant Bakery Cafe combines classic breakfast flavors with flaky, airy croissants to satisfy any craving — savory or sweet.
The cafe opened in October on West Patrick Street. From savory options, such as avocado toast or a Maryland crab eggs Benedict, to sweet treats like basque cheesecake and danishes, Mon Bon offers a variety of flavors.
The strawberries and cream croissant is lightly dusted with powdered sugar and has delicately-placed strawberries lining the top.
Mon Bon makes numerous flavors of croissant, including almond, Nutella, and ham and cheese.
Customers can also put classic breakfast sandwiches on Mon Bon’s croissants.
The bacon, egg and cheese croissant sandwich is complemented with home fries, as is any breakfast sandwich at Mon Bon. The other options are ham and sausage.
Mon Bon also offers espresso and refreshers like blackberry passion fruit and mango pineapple.
The cafe atmosphere is brightened by large windows at the front of the building. Parking is available in a lot behind the building.
— Esther Frances
The bacon, egg and cheese croissant at Mon Bon Croissant Bakery Cafe.
Staff photow by Esther Frances/efrances@newspost.com
Trey Kennedy hopes you can relate
BY SHUAN BUTCHER
Special to The News-Post
Comedian Trey Kennedy may be best known today for his social media presence, but his path to the spotlight began quietly. A self-described shy kid, Kennedy started making videos on Vine while in college, a hobby that eventually expanded to YouTube, TikTok and other creative outlets including music and film. At his core, however, Kennedy considers himself a comedian. On Friday, Feb. 13, he brings “The Relatable Tour” to Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in Charles Town, West Virginia.
You have said that you were a shy kid growing up. Why did you get into a career that involves performing a lot in public?
I am still shy. I have always had this simultaneous fear of the spotlight, but also kind of drawn to it. And I think that’s benefited me, because I’ve always wanted to be so prepared when I step on that stage and overthe-top prepared because I’m scared. Over years and years of doing funny videos or getting on stage in front of people, I’ve just worked that muscle enough where now getting on stage really is a joy and it’s not so much a fear.
You really got your start in this business making videos on social media. How did that begin?
The second Vine came out, I remember being mind-blown because you could just make these fun videos on your phone. I grew up with friends and so many of us were making funny videos on a camcorder, just trying to have fun. That was the time where you posted whatever online without thinking through the ramifications of it living on the internet forever. I got kind of obsessed. Long story short, a month later I had a million followers. I never thought that was going to lead to a career.
Back then people didn’t think it was cool — they thought it was weird. Now every college kid wants to go viral. I’m grateful the timing worked in my favor.
Besides making videos, you’ve also explored acting and singing. Is that right?
In college I met friends who
friendly. That’s how I was raised and it’s just what comes out of me. I’m grateful for that because a lot of people appreciate it. They feel comfortable letting their kids watch my videos while enjoying them themselves. The show is really just me. I’m a 33-yearold guy, married with two kids. My comedy has always been about my experiences. On Vine I was making videos about studying for tests. Now I’m talking about staying up all night with a newborn. I’m just trying to find the humor in what I’m living.
How would you describe your audience?
My audience is white people — just kidding. What comes out of me is me, so it tends to attract people like me. Folks who maybe grew up in the South or the Bible Belt, in straight-laced, family-oriented homes. I’d say my core audience is the 36-year-old mom in Iowa. But we see all kinds of people at the shows. I’m not talking politics or anything divisive. I’m just making fun of my life and helping people relate.
You mentioned your kids earlier. How have they influenced your material?
were more creative and musical, so I discovered this desire to make videos and be funny. I joined a sketch group and discovered I could sing. I really blossomed in college. At first I thought I’d be some kind of pop singer, so I wasn’t being funny at all — just uploading YouTube cover songs and Vine songs. We even made some original music, which was really fun. But over time I realized comedy suited me better and I pursued that.
I’ve acted once or twice. If people want to call me an actor, fine, but not really. I’ve made some Hallmark Christmas spoofs and gotten more comfortable on camera. When people ask what I do for a living, comedian is the easiest answer. But it depends on who I’m talking to. If it’s a 30-year-old, I say content creator. If they’re 60, I say comedian. And if I’m in an Uber, I say social media marketer so they don’t want to talk about it.
IF YOU GO
For more information, visit treykennedy. com. Tickets for the show at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races are available at hollywoodcasino charlestown.com.
You earned an MBA from Oklahoma State University. Why did you decide to do that?
Sometimes people think it’s fancy. Really, I just didn’t know what to do with my life, so I stayed in college another year or two. The biggest value was growing up a bit more. I goofed off during undergrad and skipped class half the time.
How would you describe your comedy?
First of all, it’s clean and family
Oh my gosh — the material alone. It’s a whole new world, as any parent knows. It’s all-consuming right now. I try to write material that isn’t about parenting, but it’s hard because that’s my life. It’s hard, it’s fun and it’s a great well to draw from. Any parent knows it’s a wild ride, and there’s a lot of humor in it.
Tell us more about “The Relatable Tour.”
It’s a simple title people immediately understand. More than any show I’ve done before, this one really connects. People leave saying, “Yeah, that was relatable.” The tour started back in August and we’re hitting close to 60 cities. We’ve got about 25 left, so we’re a little over halfway through. Over the next few months we’re all over the country. I’m really grateful to be doing it. Every now and then I bring my wife and kids out so we can still be together. We’re figuring out that balance, but it’s been a great experience.
Shuan Butcher is a writer, nonprofit professional, event planner and avid traveler. He writes from Frederick.
Courtesy photo
Comedian Trey Kennedy will be in Charles Town, W.Va.
Frederick County’s mysterious claim to presidential fame
BY GARY BENNETT
Special to The News-Post
Located within Catoctin Mountain Park in northern Frederick County, Camp David is a rare national historic site that virtually no American ever gets to see.
Many visitors have been close to the secluded enclave — hiking at Cunningham Falls or traveling Route 77 near Thurmont — without ever laying eyes on it. Camp David spans roughly 125 acres and is protected by about 200 Marines on any given day. There is intentionally no signage directing visitors to its location.
Mysterious, perhaps, but every president since Franklin Roosevelt has used the camp for business or pleasure — more often the latter. Within its confines, presidents and their guests have debated world affairs and enjoyed golf, tennis, bowling, swimming, skeet shooting, horseback riding, basketball, wallyball or movie nights in a private theater.
Now more than 80 years old, Camp David began modestly. Completed by the Works Progress Administration in 1940, it was originally known as Hi-Catoctin and served as a federal retreat.
In 1942, Franklin Roosevelt sought relief from Washington’s humid summers, appropriated the retreat and renamed it “Shangri-La” after the fictional kingdom in “Lost Horizon.” Presidents have been showing off the site ever since, and more than 50 heads of state have visited.
The following stories come from Michael Giorgione, who served as Camp David’s commander under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, as recounted in his book “Inside Camp David.”
According to Giorgione, “One head of state, Prime Minister Winston Churchill, huddled there with President Roosevelt in 1943 to pore over plans for the invasion of Normandy. Since the camp is just a short drive from Thurmont, the leaders drove to the [now defunct] Cozy Restaurant so Churchill could see what a jukebox looked like. He handed the stunned owner some coins for the jukebox and bought a beer.” Roosevelt enjoyed sitting on the
porch, often with guests, sipping whiskey and smoking cigars. He even had an extra-wide door installed outside his bedroom, opening like a drawbridge, to allow him to exit quickly in his wheelchair in case of fire.
President Harry Truman seldom visited, preferring trips to Key West and the “Southern White House.” Even so, he added steam heat to the presidential lodge, allowing the retreat to be used year-round.
President Dwight Eisenhower was a frequent visitor and is credited with renaming the retreat after his grandson David, though it retains the official government name Naval Support Facility Thurmont. An avid golfer, Eisenhower built a compact four-hole golf course and enjoyed grilling steaks outside his cabin.
He famously hosted Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev there in 1959.
Presidents Kennedy and Johnson used Camp David sparingly.
John F. Kennedy visited primarily for consultations with cabinet members, members of Congress and former President Eisenhower during the Cuban Missile Crisis and after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion. He enjoyed swimming in the heated pool. Giorgione recounts an embarrassing incident in which overheated water left a sheen of melted asphalt on Kennedy’s face — an episode the president handled with humor.
Lyndon B. Johnson preferred his Texas ranch but Lady Bird Johnson loved Camp David’s flowers and peaceful setting. “I leave my troubles outside the gate,” she once said.
Johnson nevertheless used the retreat for meetings with advisers about the Vietnam War.
President Richard Nixon was a frequent visitor, averaging about one visit every two weeks during his five years in office. He favored Camp David’s quiet during the Vietnam War and Watergate era and enjoyed tennis, bowling — often alone — and playing piano. Nixon was described by Giorgione as “stand-offish,” though “Mrs. Nixon was very nice.” Nixon made more modifications than any other president, including adding an hourglass-shaped pool at Aspen cabin and building Laurel, an entertainment cabin often featured in the media.
President Gerald Ford, by contrast, was remembered fondly. “He was a prince. He and his wife
Courtesy Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
President Reagan with Richard Allen at a working luncheon at Camp David during a visit of President Jose Lopez Portillo of Mexico in 1981.
were great,” Giorgione wrote, adding that they were “just like you and me.” Ford often ate lunch with staff in the mess hall and enjoyed walking in the woods, followed by Secret Service agents. Betty Ford loved the flowers and regularly thanked those who tended them.
President Jimmy Carter spent limited time at Camp David but hosted its most consequential event — the Camp David Accords. In 1978, Carter personally moderated peace talks between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, leading to the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty and a Nobel Peace Prize. Carter was described as cordial to staff, enjoyed woodworking and took walks with his daughter Amy.
President Ronald Reagan was a frequent visitor who recorded his weekly radio addresses from the camp. He especially enjoyed horseback riding and movie nights.
President George H.W. Bush often used humor in notes about camp maintenance. “Mike — the toilet in the presidential bathroom is not responding to presidential commands,” he once wrote to Commander Mike Berry. In 1992, Bush’s daughter Dorothy was married at Camp David — the first wedding held there. Bush installed a regulation horseshoe pit and enjoyed playing wallyball with staff.
President Bill Clinton visited infrequently, averaging only a few trips per year. He attempted, unsuccessfully, to broker a peace
agreement between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1993. The Clintons enjoyed walking the tree-lined paths.
President George W. Bush was a regular presence, spending hundreds of days at Camp David. He hosted foreign leaders, planned responses to the Sept. 11 attacks and enjoyed basketball and card games. Giorgione recounts Bush’s concern that his bed was uneven, prompting an exhaustive investigation — including Giorgione himself lying on the bed to test it. At the end of his second term, Bush refurbished the basketball court, Leatherwood, for incoming President Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama found Camp David exquisitely beautiful and hosted the Group of Eight summit there in 2012 after protests ruled out Chicago. A basketball enthusiast, he made frequent use of the court.
President Joe Biden visited about once every three or four weeks during his term, often bringing extended family. He enjoyed relaxing, playing games and occasionally hosting high-level policy discussions.
Donald Trump spent little time at Camp David, preferring Mar-a-Lago or his Bedminster property. “You know how long you’d like it? For about 30 minutes,” he once told a reporter. He did not host foreign dignitaries there and later canceled plans to host Taliban leaders.
CAMP DAVID PRESIDENTS’ DAY QUIZ
1) Do Democratic or Republican presidents tend to visit Camp David more often?
2) Which president visited the most times?
3) Which president was most like “one of the guys” at Camp David?
4) Which president hosted Camp David’s seminal event, the Camp David Accords?
5) Which president installed the first golf course at Camp David?
6) Which presidents played basketball at Camp David?
7) Which president didn’t care for Camp David at all?
8) Which president gave Camp David its current name?
9) Which president enjoyed bowling at Camp David?
10) Which president enjoyed playing wallyball at Camp David?
ANSWERS: 1) Republican presidents. 2) Ronald Reagan. 3) Gerald Ford. 4) Jimmy Carter. 5) Dwight D. Eisenhower. 6) George W. Bush and Barack Obama. 7) Donald Trump. 8) Eisenhower. 9) Richard Nixon. 10) George H.W. Bush.
MUSIC
Baspy brings R&B night ‘For the Lovers’ to Bentztown
BY S.D. PRICE
Special to The News-Post
Bentztown will host “For the Lovers,” an R&B-focused DJ night led by Baspy and presented by Benefactor Events on Feb. 13. Running from 9 p.m. to midnight, the free event offers a slower, more intentional alternative to the high-energy dance nights that typically dominate downtown Frederick’s nightlife.
Baspy is a DJ and event curator who has quietly become a consistent presence in the city’s entertainment and after-hours scene since relocating to Frederick several years ago. Originally from Gaithersburg, he spent much of his early DJ career working in the Silver Spring and Washington, D.C., markets known for their competitiveness and fast-moving crowds. That background helped shape his approach to DJing — one that prioritizes crowd awareness, pacing and musical range.
Many of those events have found a home at Bentztown, a downtown restaurant and bar that has increasingly leaned into music programming as part of its identity. Since opening, Bentztown has partnered with local bands and developed a relationship with the Benefactor crew to establish itself as a dependable space for curated nightlife rather than one-off bookings. Baspy described the relationship as collaborative, with both sides working to create events that feel welcoming and well thought out.
That sense of planning is central to how Baspy approaches his sets. Rather than treating a night like a playlist, he prefers extended time behind the decks — often two hours or more — allowing the music to evolve naturally.
IF YOU GO
“For the Lovers,” 9 p.m. to midnight Feb. 13 at Bentztown, 6 S. Bentz St., Frederick. Free.
“The turning point for me was when I stopped focusing on D.C. and really put my energy into Frederick as a whole,” Baspy said.
As his attention shifted locally, so did his role. Through the creation of Benefactor Events, Baspy began organizing themed DJ nights designed to bring more consistency and identity to Frederick’s nightlife.
Those events have ranged from open-format lineups to 2000s throwback parties and, most recently, a Bad Bunny-centered night. According to Baspy, the concept grew out of necessity. When he moved to Frederick in 2019, DJ-curated events were limited, and there were few recurring nights that centered DJs as the primary draw.
“When those kinds of events slowed down, I felt like I had to do something about it,” he said.
What followed were monthly DJ nights that emphasized intention over volume, focusing on creating a shared experience rather than simply filling a room.
“I want to take people on a journey through sound,” he said.
Sets typically begin at a lower tempo, gradually build energy and then pull back to give the room space to reset before rising again.
“For The Lovers” is built specifically around that kind of pacing. Timed just ahead of Valentine’s Day, the event centers on R&B, a genre Baspy says is widely loved but rarely given its own dedicated night in Frederick. Drawing inspiration from the late 1990s and early 2000s, as well as more contemporary records, the night aims to balance nostalgia with accessibility.
“R&B is a genre people love but don’t often get to hear when they go out,” Baspy said.
The atmosphere he is aiming for is relaxed and communal. While dancing is welcome, it is not required. The focus is on listening, singing along and settling into the music rather than chasing peak-hour energy.
DJing R&B also changes the way Baspy reads the room. While the overall structure of his sets remains familiar, the emotional weight of the genre calls for a lighter touch. Many R&B records from the late 1990s and early 2000s blur the line between slow jams and club records, allowing the ener-
Courtesy photo
Baspy will host “For the Lovers” at Bentztown in Frederick.
gy to rise without overpowering the space.
As Frederick continues to grow, Baspy sees events like “For The Lovers” as part of a broader effort to expand what nightlife can look like in a smaller city.
“I want to raise the standard of what people think a DJ is,” he said.
Years spent studying technique and crowd control inform every Benefactor Events night, with the goal of making
quality music experiences accessible to the community.
Benefactor Events plans to continue hosting monthly themed DJ nights throughout the year, with additional concepts currently in development. For now, “For The Lovers” offers an opportunity to experience a different side of Frederick nightlife.
S.D. Price is a Frederick-based writer better known as hip-hop recording artist Demetrius.
THE FREDERICK MOM
The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of Feb. 13
Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom. Valentines for the Animals
Noon to 6 p.m. Feb. 13
Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center, 8511 Nature Center Pl., Walkersville
$5/child
This Friday, bring the family to Fountain Rock Nature Center to show your love to the Animal Ambassadors that live there! All ages can visit the Nature Center, and see everything it has to offer. Make a Valentine’s Day card for your favorite furry or scaly animal. All supplies provided. Advanced registration required. recreater.com. •••
Valentines Party Babysitting Nights
6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Feb. 13 and 14
Grasshopper Grove, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick $50/child, $40/sibling
Parents: Enjoy a night out while your kids enjoy a night in. Offered both on Friday or Saturday night, think fun Valentines crafts, plus dinner and making friends. This event is geared towards kids ages 3 to 12. All children must be potty-trained. Grasshopper Grove is an imaginary play center located inside the Francis Scott Key Mall. grasshopper-grove.com.
Pal-entines Day: Kids Art Open Studio
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14
Dream Free Art, 1341 Hughes Ford Road, Frederick $25/child
Welcome to Pal-entine’s Day — the ultimate event for fun, creativity, and friends! This event is all about crafting with pals. Whether your little ones are getting messy and artistic with their besties or making new friends at the studio, every moment is a chance to create lasting memories. dreamfreeart.com. •••
Teddy Bear Tea Parties
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 14
C. Burr Artz Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick Free Girl Scouts will be hosting two Teddy Bear Tea Parties on Valentine’s Day for girls in grades K-2 who aren’t yet Girl Scouts to join this event. Bring along your favorite stuffy. Make a craft, play, and enjoy a sweet snack while learning more about Girl Scouts and how to join! If you’d unable to make this event, it’s also being held at the Urbana Regional Library from 2:30 to 3:30pm same day. tinyurl.com/ yc3x8n3k. •••
Valen-Tiny Prom
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 14
ter in downtown Frederick this Saturday! Mr. Jon’s silly friend George the Monkey will be there too for a silly dance to entertain the kids. eventbrite.com. •••
Spend the love-ly day ice skating! Skate Frederick is hosting a fun dance with great music and activities for couples and families. They’ll be giving out free Valentines bags for the first 100 kids under age 10.
Sweetheart Social
4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 14
Talley Rec Center, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick $6/city resident, $10/non-city resident
Kids, join your friends, parents, grandparents for this awesome celebration of friendship for all ages! Expect music, dancing and Valentine fun. Dress to impress and dance it up at Talley Rec! playfrederick. com. •••
Valentines Little Leapers Dance Party
11 a.m. to noon Feb. 15
Urban Air Adventure Park, 5830 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick Cost varies
Celebrate friendship and fun at Urban Air! In addition to bouncing around, zip lining, dodgeball games, and obstacle courses, kids can dance and have a blast at their Little Leapers Dance Party! This event is just for kids 10 and under and features music, movement, and plenty of high energy fun at Urban Air Frederick. Regular park admission; no special fee or registration.
•••
Lunar New Year Celebration
Noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 15
Grasshopper Grove, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick $25/child, $20/sibling
If your littlest ones love to get dressed fancy in tutus and tuxedo onesies, then have them come out to Valen-Tiny Prom at Grasshopper Grove in the FSK Mall this Saturday afternoon! Kids can enjoy, pink and red crafts, a Valentines exchange, photo ops, snacks, dancing and music! Celebrate Valentines in the cutest way possible! grasshopper-grove.com. •••
Valentines Dance w/ Mr. Jon & Friends
2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 14
Y Arts Center, 111 E. Church St., Frederick $5/child, babies under 2 are free Come on out to a Valentines Dance with Mr. Jon & Friends, kids favorite local band, at the Y Arts Cen-
Frederick High School, 650 Carroll Pkwy., Frederick
$12/GA, $10/seniors 55+, $10/child 6-12, children 5 and under are free
Gallop into the Year of the Horse with the Asian American Center of Frederick at the Lunar New Year Celebration at the Frederick High School Auditorium. It’ll be an afternoon of culture, performances (beginning at 2 p.m.) and community. Enjoy captivating cultural performances, savor delicious ethnic cuisine, engage with the community vendors, and create meaningful memories with family and friends. zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lunar-new-year--2026
Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifth-generation native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. To see more local family friendly things to do, follow her on Instagram @thefrederickmom.
Photo courtesy of Grasshopper Grove
Kids pose during last year’s Valen-Tiny Prom at Grasshopper Grove, an indoor imagination play place in FSK Mall.
TIFFANY MAHANEY
THEATER
Love, power and treachery collide in ‘The Lion in Winter’
BY J.D. VALDEPENAS
Special to The News-Post
James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” arrives in Frederick just in time for Valentine’s Day. The medieval play of power, family and betrayal will be presented by the Landless Theatre Company Feb. 13 to 15 at New Spire Arts.
Set during Christmas 1183, the play imagines a volatile moment in English royal history as the aging King Henry II must decide which of his three sons will inherit the throne. Complicating matters is Henry’s estranged wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, who is temporarily released from prison for the holidays and seizes the opportunity to push her favored son forward while undermining Henry’s authority. Their sons — John, Geoffrey and Richard — jockey for power in a ruthless contest to rule England and France.
Described by the Weinberg Center for the Arts’ website as “Game of Thrones Meets Succession,” “The Lion in Winter” will appeal to fans of black comedy and medieval history or anyone seeking a Valentine’s Day alternative to the standard dinner and a movie. Few celebrations of love are quite as memorable as watching a family engage in a cartoonishly vicious game of betrayal and one-upmanship.
Director John Sadowsky has been with the Landless Theatre Company for more than a decade. His past work includes “Gutenberg! The Musical!,” several Shakespearean productions and collaborations with the Maryland Renaissance Festival.
“This play is a wonderful comedy about a somewhat dysfunctional family facing a dilemma with which many can identify,” Sadowsky said. “The patriarch has built a family business and, as he is aging and will be retiring, must decide who in the family will succeed him and run the business. The situation is similar, whether the business is the family-owned restaurant, tool and die factory, construction contracting ... or, in the case
IF YOU GO
“The Lion in Winter” opens at 8 p.m. Feb. 13 at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets are available online at weinbergcenter.org, with web sales ending two hours before showtime, or in person at the Weinberg Center Box Office at 20 W. Patrick St. The box office remains open until one hour before each performance. Seating for all New Spire Arts productions is general admission and first come, first served.
of the play, running a whole country.”
The play’s themes echo the historical dramas of William Shakespeare, whose works similarly dramatized the private lives of powerful rulers.
“The patriarch of course wants to preserve his legacy and see his creation grow and prosper. In the case of running a country, though, making the wrong decision would have even more dire consequences, such as war and armed rebellion. This theme is prevalent in so many of Shakespeare’s tragedies and interactions and thus to explore the human condition,” Sadowsky said.
Casting director Andrew Baughman agreed. “While ‘Lion’ is not Shakespeare, we definitely had him in mind when selecting this show.”
Like many of Shakespeare’s history plays, “The Lion in Winter” critiques monarchy while grappling with duty, morality and leadership.
“Bringing the universality of theater to all is the mission of Landless, which is why I love working with the Company and why I want to see this play produced,” Sadowsky said.
Baughman stars as King Henry alongside Landless associate producing director and founding member Ally Jenkins as Queen Eleanor. Their relationship shifts constantly between bitterness and affection, a dynamic sharpened by the actors’ long creative history together. Baughman and Jenkins have collaborated for more than 30 years.
“Landless is a company of actors
will bring “The
and directors that have been working together since our incorporation in 2003, so we tend to select plays we can build around specific key ensemble artists,” Baughman said.
“We’ve always said we are working towards George and Martha in [“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”], and that day may come, but this couple [has a] similar vibe,” he added.
The comparison to one of theater’s most famously toxic marriages feels apt for Henry and Eleanor’s combustible partnership.
J.D. Valdepenas is a senior at Pace University majoring in English language and literature. Along with writing about arts, culture and entertainment, she studied classical and medieval literature and Shakespearean drama.
Landless Theatre Company
Landless Theatre Company
Lion in Winter” to the Frederick stage.
Blending science and art
BY ERIN JONES
Special to The News-Post
For many of us, our first encounters with science arrive through the gilded lens of childhood wonder. We peer breathlessly into jars, waiting for a butterfly to emerge from its chrysalis. We gasp as baking soda and vinegar erupt into a foamy volcano. We sit at small desks coloring the squiggled innards of a mitochondria, blown up to cartoonish proportions on a worksheet explaining the parts of a cell.
There is no need to draw firm boundaries between science, art and play at that age — everything exists under the larger umbrella of discovery.
“We look at the world once in childhood. The rest is memory.” These lines from poet Louise Glück open the catalogue for the Frederick Arts Council’s collaborative exhibition “Where Energy Meets Matter: Exploring the Frontiers of Science.” Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and created in partnership with the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, the interdisciplinary exhibition is on view at Gallery 115 in the Y Arts Center in downtown Frederick through Feb. 20.
As Glück’s words suggest, the show invites viewers to encounter the world again through a lens of curiosity and awe. Across a wide range of media, artists merge scientific inquiry with creative expression, dissolving the perceived divide between the two disciplines. The result is work that enriches both fields.
“Too often we remain in our specific fields without the benefit of interdisciplinary approaches that could spark breakthroughs. This show serves as a catalyst to help ask questions across fields,” FAC executive director Louise Kennelly wrote in the catalogue statement.
Participating artists were invited to learn about advances at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research and to engage with project case studies as inspiration.
“In this show, we hope to break down barriers and create an experience of art and science akin to jazz wherein thoughts and feelings can be improvised, in dialogue with one another, with the individual reactions and elements resulting in a greater whole of understanding and perception and
Erin Jones
works reveal the intricate patterning embedded in reality, often at the microscopic scale. Daniele Iorio’s acrylic paintings “On Examination” and “Intimate View” achieve this with striking vibrancy. Scott Thorp’s oil paintings “Lepanto 3” and “Presence 2” visualize less tangible phenomena — wave patterns and energetic fields — through layered lines, circles and color interplay.
The diversity of mediums allows for a wide range of scientific explorations through art. Upon entering the gallery, I was immediately drawn to Seth Kalish’s “Oxygenesis,” a mixed-media construction of layered plywood and geometric forms. Nearby, Luc Fiedler’s “Quark,” forged from steel and polished granite, depicts the splitting of a subatomic particle. The sculpture stands with quiet authority, its presence pulling the eye toward it.
Projected on the wall, Andrea Polli’s “Power Drop” animates a single droplet, shimmering as light radiates through its digital form.
even spurring new branches of inquiry,” Kennelly wrote.
That blurring of boundaries extends beyond disciplines to the artists themselves, who represent a wide range of professional backgrounds.
Erik Demaine, a computer science professor at MIT and MacArthur Fellow, brings his expertise in algorithms and computation to the ancient art of origami. His work “Helix of Helices,” inspired by DNA and RNA, is constructed entirely from paper and unfolds in a dizzying, sculptural symphony of folds.
Susan Aldworth draws on her background in philosophy and neuroscience to explore themes of consciousness and identity. Her work has appeared in collections including the British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum. The fourth piece in her “Entangled Self” series, featured in this exhibit, is etched from human hair to create a swirling tangle of luminous blue. She also presents works from her series “Passing Thoughts,” archival digital prints of human brain tissue that balance abstraction with a deeper inquiry into the nature of thought.
Aldworth’s work is not the only art in the exhibit to engage directly with human anatomy. Anatomical prints from
the Frederick Book Arts Center are also on view. Originally created for observation or instruction, they now read as masterful visual compositions, further challenging the boundary between scientific documentation and fine art. Leonardo da Vinci’s anatomical sketches eventually crossed that threshold — so where, exactly, should the line be drawn?
Several works explore health and disease at the cellular level, sometimes reflecting the lived experiences of the artists themselves.
Laura Gee, who lives with Type 1 diabetes and carries the BRCA2 cancer mutation, brings her intimate knowledge of both into her watercolor paintings. Of “Where Energy Heals Matter” and “Vital Flux: Cells in Harmony,” she writes, “My work explores the almost invisible yet profoundly human realm where science and emotion converge — the demise of cancer cells …” The works evoke microscope slides in their patterning, yet glow with delicacy and hope through color and light. Removed from context, they could almost be mistaken for sunlight refracting through water.
Across the show, whether inspired by medicine or the natural world, many
From textiles to technology, the works collectively amplify something true and beautiful about the world as it is observed and understood.
In her creative guidebook “The Artist’s Way,” Julia Cameron writes, “People frequently believe the creative life is grounded in fantasy. The more difficult truth is that creativity is grounded in reality, in the particular, the focused, the well observed or specifically imagined.” Reality — examined through science and transformed through artistic imagination — proves to be a powerful muse for this work.
To spend time with “Where Energy Meets Matter” is to be reminded to look at the world with renewed wonder. Perhaps the boundary between art and science never truly belonged there at all. Perhaps we were always meant to be dazzled.
Erin Jones is a freelance writer, former humanities teacher and owner of Galvanize & Grow Copywriting. She holds a BA in English from Hood College and an MA in English from the Bread Loaf School of English, through which she studied literature at Middlebury College and Oxford University. Learn more at erinjoneswriter.com, or follow her on Instagram @ErinJonesWriter.
”Shelter From the Storm” — through Feb. 13, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. First event of the 2026 “Wine and Art Series”, featuring an exhibit of artwork by D.C. artist Nancy Arbuthnot. “Shelter From the Storm” is an exhibit of watercolors and textand-image collages inspired by her time as artist-in-residence at Catoctin Mountain Park in 2021. Daily 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards.com.
”Where Energy Meets Matter: Exploring the Frontiers of Science” — through Feb. 20, Y Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. Participating artists explore the dynamic interplay of art and science, celebrating the cutting-edge research and innovation happening at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research (FNLCR), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and throughout Frederick. This exhibition includes work that captures the essence of energy and matter — through explorations of physics, biology and the unseen forces that shape our universe. Call 301-662-4190 or email info@frederickartscouncil.org for viewing hours.
Art-Hop: Black Art-Hop Hystoria — A Pop Up Exhibition by Taurean Washington — 5-7 p.m. Feb. 22, Frederick Social, 50 Citizen’s Way, Frederick. One of Maryland’s best emerging talent displays his work inspired by and commemorating Black History month. There will be visually engaging work along with complimentary food that reflect the African-American experience. Artist talk at 6 p.m. Teens and older. 301-465-1087 or tcw1@hood. edu.
”Myron Barnstone: Unveiling the Architecture of Peace, Justice and Beauty” — through Feb. 22, Blanche Ames Gallery at UUCF, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Interactive exhibit by Barnstone Studios featuring select original works and never-before-exhibited pieces by artist and teacher Barnstone. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, or by appointment. bagalleryappointment@ gmail.com. frederickuu.org/gallery.
”Nature-Inspired Macro Photography” — through Feb. 28, Rosemary & Thyme Gallery at the Frederick 50+ Community Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Photography by Carolyn Thomas. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 301-600-3525.
”Be Kind, Rewind” — through Feb. 28, Vault of Visions Art Gallery, 1 N. Market St., Frederick. Frederick artist Billi French presents her newest collection of acrylic paintings celebrating
Lusmerlin will give an artist talk Feb. 19 at Rouse Company Foundation Gallery, Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center at Howard Community College, 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, as part of her “Big Bang Baby” exhibition.
memories from her childhood in the ‘90s to ‘00s. Artist talk 3 p.m. Feb. 14. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Monday by appointment. 240-315-5483, vovgallery.com.
”Fusion and Focus: Reflections of Our Shared World” — through Feb. 28, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Fused glass artist Steven Gibson and photographer Mary Paul Barnaby combine their work in a mix of fused glass and photography that captures moments of beauty and wonder in our shared world. Playing with light and reflection in their pieces, they create a dynamic and ever-changing experience for the viewer. Hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsidearts313@gmail.com.
”She is ...” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Maremi Andreozzi’s work is an affirmation through interpretive painted portraits of lesser known women in history. Painting a contemporary visual likeness and reconceptual-
izing their contributions confirms their place in our narrative and broadens our understanding of everyday exceptional people shaping history. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-6980656, delaplaine.org.
”Leaves Revisited” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Leaves take center stage in the fiber works of this exhibition by Dominie Nash. It is a continuation of Nash’s Big Leaf series, which considers the form and variety of leaves as an endless source of inspiration. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Tet[R]ad: Cultivating Community Discourses” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Works in a variety of media by David Modler, Samuel Peck and Michael Dodson. This installation is part of ongoing arts-based social and studio practices focused on engaging
communities in collective art making. Visitors to the exhibit are encouraged to participate with the artists in visual journals, collaborative drawings, and other potential creative mischief. Art Matters artists talk 2 p.m. Feb. 7. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Urban and Industrial Landscapes” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Paintings by Alfred Groff. Cities and industrial landscapes are often thought of as cold and merely utilitarian. This work challenges that notion by considering the beauty in the forms and colors of urban and industrial environments. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Midnight at Kelly Pond” — through March 1, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Ceramic and mixed media by Anne Boyer. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”From the Heart” — through March 1, GALLERY 322, 322 N. Market St., Frederick. Showcases emotional and authentic works that delve into personal experiences, universal themes like love and resilience, and the unfiltered connection between an artist’s inner world and their creative output, featuring diverse mediums from expressive paintings and sculptures to intimate drawings and assemblage. 4-7 p.m. Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 301-509-8212 or gallery322. com.
“The Past is Always Present” — through March 24 at Washington County Arts Council, 36 S Potomac St., Hagerstown. Curated by Eileen Berger of Just Lookin’ Art Gallery. The exhibition showcases the creativity of 14 African-American artists, featuring an array of original paintings, mixed media and assemblage works. 301-791-3132.
Crestwood Gallery Winter Exhibit & “Healthy Horizons Through Students’ Eyes” Competition — through May 8, Frederick Health — Crestwood Building, 7211 Bank Court, Frederick. Original works including oil, watercolor, mixed media and photography from local artists alongside the “Healthy Horizons Through Students’ Eyes” Competition. Hours are 8 a.m.6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 240215-1460 or frederickhealth.org/crestwoodart.
Landscapes of Maryland Featuring Frederick County — Feb. 28 to March 13, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thur-
Courtesy photo
mont. An exhibit of artwork by Phil LeVee. Presented are a selection of original paintings inspired by the farms, rural fields, rolling hills and landscapes of Frederick County. Also included are iconic Maryland Main Street and Chesapeake Bay scenes. Incredibly versatile, LeVee paints in several styles from a graphic realist style to abstract and various combinations of those two. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-602-5733, linksbridgevineyards.com.
Frederick County Public School Faculty Show — March 7-29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Work in a variety of media. A salute to those who make Youth Art Month possible, this exhibition showcases the creative talents of FCPS educators. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301-698-0656, delaplaine.org.
Frederick County Public Schools Youth Art Month — March 7-29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Work in a variety of media, features hundreds of 2-D and 3-D artworks created by students from each public school in the county. Meet the artists 3-5 p.m. March 7. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301698-0656, delaplaine.org.
Bettie Awards Exhibition — March 7 through April 26, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. View art created by local youth selected as Bettie Award winners. Winners will be presented at 2 p.m. March 7 and the grand prize winner announced. Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. 301698-0656, delaplaine.org.
”Mechanics and Infrastructure” — May 2-15, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Park of the vineyards Wine and Art Series. An exhibit of artwork by Gillian Collins. This is a unique and beautiful exhibit of paintings of mechanical systems. They are common devices and machines that surround us every day and upon which our modern lives are dependent — yet these things are rarely celebrated and go practically unnoticed. Collins brings a new attention and perspective to everyday hardware components. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards.com.
BY SHERYL MASSARO Special to The News-Post
Everyday Poetry
Many tribes indigenous to North America view winter as a quiet, sacred season. The Earth rests, creatures hibernate, human life moves indoors, stories are shared and games played.
We’ve been having an odd winter here at the Frederick “pueblo.” I’ve lived in Montgomery and Frederick counties for all of my decades and do not remember such a stretch of temperatures in single digits. Yet, compared to much of our country, we’ve had it pretty good, as we usually do. We finally had an actual snowfall. The city is doing a good job of clearing major walkways and systematically redistributing the plow piles from street parking to snowbank heaven. As the 72 Hours editor has reminded some of us, though, we hit midwinter only last week.
Around this time of year, the “quiet season” really sinks in for me. I learned this term during a memorable painting/photography workshop a few years ago in Northern New Mexico, led by painter Jeanean Martin and photographer Harriet Wise. It was a gorgeous November, and were able to visit the Taos Pueblo on a crisp, quiet day. I sat for a long time beside one of the nicest little streams I’ve ever seen. Sheryl Massaro is a Frederick poet and oil painter. She has authored three books of poetry, all available from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, Frederick’s Vault of Visions Gallery and, with her art, from sherylmassaro.com. Her art is available at Vault of Visions and Visitation Hotel in Frederick, and at Locals Farm Market in Poolesville. Her poetry is in lower case as a nod to equality, no letter being more important than another. It is a mystery why most of her poems now have four words per line. That seems to be their comfort zone.
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Sheryl Massaro
SHERYL MASSARO
SIDE-BY-SIDE
BY TIFFANY MAHANEY Special to The News-Post
Celebrated the day before Valentine’s Day, Feb. 13 is known as “Galentine’s Day” — the unofficial holiday just for the girls and dedicated to women’s friendships.
If you remember, it was TV’s Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler’s character) who pioneered the holiday back in 2010 in an episode of “Parks and Recreation,” and it’s been honored ever since.
You can celebrate Galentine’s Day by exchanging pink-colored gifts, or invite your gaggle of girlfriends over for an intimate dinner party with charcuterie boards and rosé, complete with those popular Mylar letter balloons spelling out “GIRLS NIGHT” in the backdrop.
But if you want to observe the holiday without the hassle of planning or hosting, then hit a day spa and relax side-by-side with your bestie.
For those of us in Frederick, this won’t be hard to accomplish. Several salons and spas offer rejuvenating duo massages, facials and other wellness treatments to experience together.
Girls just want to have fun, right? Cyndi Lauper’s been telling us since 1983. So socialize, be pampered, and have fun at any of these luxury day spas with your Galentine this year.
DUO MASSAGES
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa, 5100 Buckeystown Pike, Ste. 154, Frederick handandstonefrederick.com
Located in the Westview Promenade, experience one of Hand and Stone’s professional and relaxing massage services, side-by-side. Try a hot stone massage or their Himalayan salt stone massage, leaving you and your BFF feeling calm and restored.
DUO MASSAGES & FACIALS
Verbena Salon and Spa, 15 W. Seventh St., Frederick verbenasalonspa.com
Verbena is the ideal setting for unwinding and de-stressing with your bestie. Head downtown to calm your
mind and body with a duo massage their luxurious wraps, body scrubs, detoxifying treatments. Or book two facials next to each other while catching up on old times.
DUO MASSAGES & MANI/PEDIS
Belleza Salon & Day Spa, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick bellezasalonanddayspa.com
Got more than one Galentine? all your besties together for a day pampering at Belleza. Get matching pink manicures or pedicures in sideby-side massage chairs, relax with refreshing body massage (try the and Deep Tissue combo), then gather their women’s tranquility retreat room friends.
Red light therapy bed at NAD Wellness Spa.
Tiffany Mahaney
Infrared sauna at NAD Wellness Spa.
massage with scrubs, and two catching
MANI/PEDIS
Get day of matching hot sidewith a Swedish gather in room for
DUO MASSAGES, FACIALS, MANIS/ PEDIS
New York, New York Hair Salon & Day Spa, 1201 N. Market St., Frederick nynyhair.com
Unwind together in New York, New York’s beautiful upstairs spa lounge with a beverage in hand for Galentine’s Day. Located in downtown Frederick, ladies can book “the works” here. Start with their Couples NYNY Signature massage, get a deluxe facial treatment, and end with some feet therapy sitting together in comfortable couches while getting pedicures.
(See SPAS 16)
Photo courtesy of Colombian Beauty Spa
Celebrate Galentine’s Day with your best friend getting pampered under Japanese head spas offered at Colombian Beauty Spa in Frederick.
Tiffany Mahaney Spa.
THEATER
The MET presets ‘Small Mouth Sounds’
A tender, quietly hilarious meditation on connection
Maryland Ensemble Theatre invites audiences to experience “Small Mouth Sounds,” a comedy by playwright Bess Wohl, running Feb. 13 through March 15 at the MET in downtown Frederick.
Directed by Peter Wray, “Small Mouth Sounds” transports audiences to a rustic retreat center where six strangers gather for a weekend of silent meditation. As they commit to staying mostly quiet, personalities clash, bonds form and unexpected humor emerges. The production blends physical comedy, tenderness and subtle vocal moments to explore how people reach one another when words fall away.
The cast features Mallorie Stern as Alicia, Lisa Burl as Joan, Julie Herber as Judy, Adam R. Adkins as Ned, Willem Rogers as Jan, Fred Fletcher-Jackson as Rodney and Matt Harris
as Teacher. Swings include Katie Martin (Joan/Alicia), Elisa Rodero (Judy/ Teacher) and Eric Jones (Ned/Rodney/Jan).
The creative team includes Peter Wray, director; Shayden Jamison, stage manager; Rebecca Carroll, assistant stage manager; Matt Vance, set designer; Will Heyser-Paone, lighting designer; Tom Majarov, sound designer; Madeleine Davis, costume designer; Lori Boyd, props designer; and Mallory Shear, intimacy and fight choreographer.
Performances run Thursday through Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees from Feb. 13 through March 15. Tickets are $15 to $36 and can be purchased by phone at 301694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org, or in person at the MET at 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick.
SPAS
(Continued from 15)
DUO JAPANESE HEAD SPAS
Colombian Beauty Spa
5211 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick cbeautyspa.com
Galentine’s Day can be celebrated with duo head spa treatments at Colombian Beauty Spa. It’s scalp, head, and hair bliss for the hour. The experience includes head and neck stimulation designed to ease tension coupled with a gentle water jet in a halo shape to cleanse the hair. The session finishes with a professional blow-dry, leaving you both feeling light, refreshed, and deeply restored.
Orchid Oasis Day Spa, 520 Snowhill St., Loft #7, Frederick orchidoasis.glossgenius.com
Orchid Oasis Day Spa, located inside Salon Lofts in Wormans Mill, offers the viral head spa for two — making this place ideal to celebrate Galentine’s Day. Gal pals will get their scalps analyzed, deep cleaned, massaged, and hydrated. Sessions include a massage of the neck, arms, upper back, and shoulders with a blow-dry at end of your service.
RED LIGHT THERAPY, INFRARED SAUNAS & CRYOTHERAPY
Tiffany Mahaney bundled up and stepping into a cryotherapy chamber at NAD Wellness Spa.
Frederick lightsidefloats.com
NAD Wellness Spa, 8927 Fingerboard Road, Frederick nadwellnessspa.com
Self-care with your bestie never felt cooler ... or warmer, depending. I’m referring to NAD Wellness Spa’s cutting-edge spa treatments in private booths, but side-by-side. First, book the girls each a red light therapy session, then hop into a hot infrared sauna to ease muscle tension, then end your time putting on hats, gloves, and slippers and step into a cryochamber for a 3-minute cold therapy session.
FLOAT THERAPY
Light Side Floats 8420 Gas House Pike, Ste. D,
BFFs can spend Galentine’s Day at Light Side Floats for an unforgettable experience floating in a private salt bath, drawn to a relaxing 93.5 degrees filled with 800 pounds of Epsom salt — a therapy used for hundreds of years to ease all kinds of aches, pains, and skin troubles. Afterwards, join each other in the retreat lounge to recharge and unwind.
However you want to celebrate the women in your life that keep you strong in every season, Galentine’s Day might be the perfect time and excuse to get the ladies out of the group chat and into a space filled will laughter, conversation, and quality time. Why not just add cucumber masks and foot rubs to the mix!
Tiffany Mahaney
Top romantic movies for your Valentine’s Day enjoyment
We’ve all seen it on screen: op posites who squabble a little too much but eventually find they are perfect for each other. Or the perfect couple who is torn apart by circumstances but eventually, against all odds, find their way back to each other. In either case, you can look forward to lingering eye contact, slight smiles, swelling music, and the eventual embrace and kiss.
Is there anything better than a good romantic movie? Not on Valentine’s Day! And, there are so many to choose from. From sweeping dramas to lighthearted comedies, the genre is one of the most enduring in Hollywood. If you’re planning the perfect day with your sweetheart, you’ll want to cap it off with the perfect romantic movie. Here is my list of the best romantic movies of all time. Some are wellknown classics from a bygone era and some are newer favorites. Some are funny; some are serious. Some have a happy ending; some sad. But, no matter your choice, you’ll impress your significant other with your thoughtfulness and creativity in picking just the right movie.
10. “The Notebook,” 2004
This tear-jerker has blue collar Ryan Gosling (Noah) recklessly and single-mindedly chasing his wealthy dream girl Rachel McAdams (Allie). Spoiler alert: sad ending.
9. “Dirty Dancing,” 1987
This off-limits romance between a young debutante and her slightly older, “bad boy” dance instructor is set in 1950s Pocono Mountains and features a new type of threatening music called “rock ‘n’ roll” and accompanying racy dance moves. This musical romp stars Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey. Happy ending.
8. “Love Story,” 1970
Another tear-jerker featuring the unlikely pairing of a wealthy Harvard student (Ryan O’Neil as Oliver) and a working-class music student (Ali McGraw as Jenny) and their battles to be together despite the protests of par-
tion and love affair between the naïve good-hearted governess and the stern but ultimately also good-hearted master of the house. Happy ending.
1. “Ghost,” 1990
This emotional, love-triumphs-overdeath story stars Patrick Swayze as a murdered banker who can’t leave this worldly realm until he bids farewell and ensures his loving but grieving wife, played sweetly by Demi Moore, that he is OK and ready to go. Have the tissues ready! Sad but ultimately happy ending.
CLASSICS IN A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN
The following four incandescent, timeless romantic movies occurred before 1960 and belong in a category of their own.
“The African Queen,” 1951
ents and society. “Love means never having to say you’re sorry.” Sad ending.
7. “When Harry Met Sally,” 1989
This light, romantic comedy explores the eternal question “Can men and women just be friends, or are they doomed to eventual couple-dom?”
Stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan provide the answer. Movie has the comedic line of the century uttered by director Rob Reiner’s real-life mother portraying a restaurant patron who reacts to Ryan’s fake public orgasm with, “I’ll have what she’s having.” Happy ending.
6. “Sleepless in Seattle,” 1993
The story follows a widower, Sam (Tom Hanks), who calls a radio show to discuss his heartbreak and attracts the attention of countless female listeners. Among them is a woman named Annie (Meg Ryan) who is engaged to be married but feels like something is missing and falls for Sam. Happy ending.
5. “Titanic,” 1997
The unlikely love story between poor Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) and wealthy, engaged Rose (Kate Winslet) may play second fiddle to the im -
pending disaster of the Titantic, but that makes it all the more urgent. The two have an undeniable chemistry. Sad ending.
4. “An Officer and a Gentleman,” 1982
Another opposites-attract movie has test pilot-in-training Richard Gere eventually falling for Debra Winger, a local Navy test pilot wife-wannabee who has her sites set on Gere. She thinks better of it and gives up, not realizing that Gere is falling for her. It’s a classic, old-style love story with a happy ending.
3. “The Way We Were,” 1973
Still another opposites-attract movie has Katie (Barbara Streisand), a wise-cracking political activist, squabbling with Hubbell (Robert Redford) over his WASP-y entitlement. They eventually attract and marry, but the film’s ending is ultimately inconclusive ... possibly sad, possibly happy.
2. “The Sound of Music,” 1965
This one seems to be an opposites-attract move but not really. This sweeping musical classic, set in the dangerous times of Nazi Germany and occupied Austria and starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, features a slow-blooming attrac -
Perhaps the original opposites-attract movie, “The African Queen” stars Humphrey Bogart as a grizzled riverboat captain and Katheine Hepburn as the prim and proper missionary who slowly but surely fall in love while pursuing Germans in World War I. Happy ending.
“Casablanca,” 1942
This ageless Hollywood classic pairs Humprey Bogart (Rick) and Ingrid Bergman (Ilsa) as star-crossed lovers haunted by the past.
“Doctor Zhivago,” 1955
Set in Russia before World War I, this epic tale recounts Yuri’s (Omar Sharif) passionate love affair with Lara even though he’s married to Tonya, whom he also loves. Sad ending.
“Gone with the Wind,” 1939
This classic starring Clark Gable as Rhett Butler and Vivien Leigh as Scarlet O’Hara is filled with dramatic flair and a not-to-be-denied love even in the face of the horrors of the Civil War. Both are fierce, strong ... and manipulative. Sad ending.
Gary Bennett is a longtime Frederick resident who spends his time hiking, biking, volunteering and providing childcare for grandchildren. He is married and retired from his career as a nonprofit marketing executive.
GARY BENNETT
Wikimedia Commons
Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in the American romantic drama film “Casablanca” (1942).
THEMED DAY CAMPS: A HOST OF CHOICES FOR YOUR CHILD
Is your child looking for a unique experience at day camp this year? Have you consid ered signing them up for a themed camp? Let their interests and preferences be your guide. Here are a few possibilities.
Medieval
Is your little one fascinated by stories about
knights in the Middle Ages? A medieval day camp may provide weekly experiences grounded in fantasy stories that captivate their imagination. A narrative framework can be used to organize various themed activities like foam sword fights, archery, puzzles or games of skill.
Museum
Children who are interested in painting, drawing, performance or archeology will love a day camp organized by municipal or regional museums in your area. They’ll have opportunities to visit exhi-
bitions or participate in workshops, such as period costume design. There are so many ways for your child to express their creativity!
Scientific
Does your little boy or girl love to mix everyday ingredients together like a lab experiment? Science day camps, often organized by local high schools, colleges or universities, give children the unique opportunity to visit real-life laboratories under the oversight of actual scientists.
Kids on Campus has inspired more than 30,000 young learners since 1995. In 2026, FCC continues to be the place for summer fun and discovery! Ignite curiosity with adventures in cooking, fine arts, science, technology, and academic prep. Choose from hundreds of classes, with full and half-day options available all summer long.
Scholarships are available for eligible families.
Ages 8 - 16. Classes run June 22 - August 7.
3 surprising benefits of summer camps
Summer camp is much more than a chance for children to spend a week—or several—away from home. It can be a transformative experience for your child. Have you considered enrolling your little one in a summer getaway? Here are some of the benefits holiday camps offer young people.
1. IMPROVED SOCIAL SKILLS
A little time away from the family environment gives children a chance to meet new people and make friends. They can develop their ability to communicate with others, which will serve them well as they build fulfilling relationships throughout their lives.
2. EMOTIONAL SELF-REGULATION
When a child is removed from their daily routine, they become more aware
of how their actions affect other people. By learning to express fee lings of disappointment or frustration without resorting to acting out or in sulting others, they can improve their ability to manage their emotions in healthy ways.
The advantage is twofold: your child learns to express difficult emotions ef fectively, and they also gain an appre ciation for positive interactions. Parents often observe increased enthusiasm and sociability in their children after they re turn home from camp.
3. HEALTHY INDEPENDENCE
Your child can increase their selfworth from the sense of satisfaction they feel after participating in activi ties or facing new challenges outside of home or school. Their improved self-esteem can help them feel more self-sufficient, which may prove use ful when they shift into post-seconda ry studies or move away from home.
Summer Horseback Riding Camp Summer Horseback Riding Camp Urbana Riding Club Urbana Riding Club
Half Day Camp, ages 6-15, Beginner and Up Day ages 6-15, Beginner Up Urbana, So. Fred Co. right off I- 270/Rt. 80 Urbana, So. Fred Co. right off I- 270/Rt. 80 Awesome Horses & Amazing Staff! Awesome Horses & Amazing Staff! 9 Weeks -$375/week 9 Weeks -$375/week JUNE 8TH AUGUST 7TH JUNE 8TH AUGUST 7TH
Local Mentions Local Mentions
Buckeystown United Methodist Church is hosting its ANNUAL PANCAKE SUPPER on Tuesday February 17th from 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Come enjoy plain and blueberry pancakes, country sausage, bacon, biscuits & gravy, eggs and drinks This event is free, and we will accept donations that will support our building maintenance and missions https://buckeystownumc org/ 3440 Buckeystown Pike, Buckeystown, MD 21217
St John's Lutheran Church 8619 Blacks Mill Rd, Thurmont, MD
February 21, 2026
DRIVE-THRU DINNER and BAKE SALE from 11a-3p
featuring St John's Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Pepper Slaw, Biscuit & Cake for $17
Buckets of chicken: 8pc: $12, 12pc: $17, 16pc: $22
Vegetables: Pint: $5; Quart: $8
Orders: call Carmi Sayler @ 301-4010633 or text order to: 240-529-7471
Deadline: February 15
AYCE VALENTINE’S DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST sponsored by Middletown Lions Club
Sat. Feb. 14
7:30 a m to 10:30 a m @ Zion Lutheran Church
Middletown with parking in rear of church off Green Str
FRESH PORK SALE
Burkittsville Ruritan Club
500 E Main St , Burkittsville, MD
Sausage, Pork Chops, Sliced Bacon, Scrapple, Bean Soup & Country Ham Sandwiches
Preorder by: February 28
Pick up: Sat March 7th
8 a m to Noon Call: 301-371-7795
COUNTRY BREAKFAST
Saturday, March 7th
6 a m to 10 a m
Adults: $12 00
Children: $6 00
JEFFERSON RURITAN SUB SALE
8" cold cut sub w/three meats, cheese, veggies and mayo $8 each Pre-order is required by Feb. 15, 2026 Call (301) 416-0939 or (571) 888-1002 to order
Or order on the web at: https://bit ly/3Yzxucg Pick-up orders Wed , February 25, 2026, 3 to 6 pm 4603B Lander Rd , Jefferson, MD 21755 https://jeffersonruritan org
PANCAKE BREAKFAST
South Mountain Shared Ministry St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 5 E Main St, Burkittsville, MD Sat , Feb 14 • 7a-10a Pancakes, Sausage, Scrambled Eggs, Fruit Cup, Orange Juice & Coffee Free-Will offering Info call: 301-834-9866
SPORTSMAN’S BINGO
SATURDAY, March 14, 2026
DOORS OPEN 5:00, BUFFET 6:00 GAMES BEGIN 7:30 NEW MIDWAY VOL FIRE CO 20 Games (10 Games paying $200 Cash, 10 Games for Guns), 50/50, Money Jars, Gun Jars
$40/Person includes Buffet Dinner Tickets: 301-898-7985 or 301-606-6696
WEEKLY BINGO
Every Friday Night
Doors open @ 5 p m , Bingo starts @ 7 p.m.
Bonanza, Early Bird, Regular, Specials, Jackpot! Small Jackpot-$500 Big Jackpot-$1500 Great Food!
Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Drive
Thurmont, Maryland Thurmont Community Ambulance Service, Inc
Wanted to Buy
WE PURCHASE ESTATES
Large or small House calls made seven days a week Buying furniture, art, glassware, pottery, decorative arts, jewelry, gold, silver, coins, etc Vintage preferred. Call Tom, anytime, day or night All calls returned 301-654-8678
NOW HIRING SHORT ORDER COOKS & WAITRESSES Days, Nights and Weekends; Needs to know toast. Call 301-662-5333, Redmens Club #19
Thursday Feb. 12
CLASSES
Writing Workshop with Niki Gjoni (For Teens) — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. “A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words ... and Then Some”: In this workshop, we’re going to look at the same image and then develop a scene with at least one character, both inspired by the image. What emotions does the picture make you feel? What kind of character would exist in this make believe space? We will lean into artistic clues and Easter eggs to better understand how other forms of art can often inspire stories. 301-600-7000.
ESL High Beginner’s/Low Intermediate Conversation Classes — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. For adults who want to practice their English to a conversation class hosted by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Students will practice their speaking and listening skills with conversations guided by an instructor from the Literacy Council. Registration is required by the Literacy Council of Frederick County. Register at https://tinyurl.com/42wsztha. Age 18 and older. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
ETCETERA
Celebrate Black History Month — at Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. For all ages. Join us in our large magazine reading area throughout the month of February as we celebrate Black History Month at CCPL’s Mount Airy Branch! Drop in anytime to enjoy a DIY craft, a community puzzle, and books to read at your leisure. Explore, learn, and participate in the richness that is Black History Month. 410-386-4470. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/celebrateblack-history-month-mount-airy-279144.
Duplicate Bridge Pairs Games — noon to 4 p.m. at Church of the Transfiguration Memorial Hall, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Looking for a competitive mind sport? Frederick Bridge Club’s ACBL sanctioned duplicate games allow you to hone your skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts. All are welcome. We host Pairs Games ($8) weekly on Monday (299 Limit and Open) and Thursday (Open). If you need a partner or want to brush up your skills, contact Membership Chair, Maria, at frederick@bridgewebsemail.com or check out our website.
Journey Through Aviation History - Aviation Safety — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College, Conference Center Building, E123, 7932 Opposumtown Pike, Frederick. Flying is very safe. Peak behind the scenes of the U.S. aviation system and see how the culture of safety makes our aviation transportation system safer than driving a car.
Paint Your Partner — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at VaultTrove powered by Hobbies Shop, 305 S. West St., Charles Town, W.Va. VaultTrove is teaming up with the Firehouse Gallery to bring you a February full of fun, laughs and paint-covered memories. Grab your favorite person and come paint each other — no experience required, no pressure, and absolutely no need to be Picasso. This is about having fun, not perfection. Materials provided.
Frederick Filmmaker Meet Up — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Vanish, 1009 W Patrick St., Frederick. Monthly networking group meeting on the second Thursday of each month at locations in the Frederick area. Join the community to chat about your current and upcoming projects, scout talent for your team, and enjoy food and drink available for purchase from Vanish. Enter through 1065 W. Patrick St. fallingsquares@gmail.com. www.facebook.com/ groups/2330506870666939/.
FAMILY
Family Yoga at the Co-op — 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W 7th St., Frederick. All-levels yoga. Families and kids welcome. Registration required. Donations directly support programs for youth and families. When you register, you’re joining a social-emotional learning community dedicated to supporting kids, families, and the wider community. 3016633416. arobinson@commonmarket. coop.
www.each1teach1fredco.org/family-yoga.
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, and stories for the whole family. Designed for ages 0 and up with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcoun-
Family Fun: R.E.A.D. with WAGS for Hope — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Come practice your reading skills with patient and adorable Reading Assistance Dogs (R.E.A.D.) from WAGS for Hope! For children grade K-5. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov.
www.fcpl.org.
“Peter Rabbit and the Secret Garden Gate” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A MET original. Step into a world of wonder, whimsy, and woodland mischief in this bold new re-imagining of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale! “Peter Rabbit & The Secret Garden Gate” invites young audiences on a thrilling journey beyond the hedge, where gardens grow secrets, animals talk back, and even the smallest rabbit can change the world. $17-$20. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/peter-rabbit-andthe-secret-garden-gate/.
FILM
“The Mothman Prophecies” Film + Discussion Event — 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Step into one of West Virginia’s most enduring mysteries with a special screening of “The Mothman Prophecies” (2002 PG-13), the cult classic supernatural thriller based on real events from Point Pleasant, W.Va. — home to the legendary Mothman sightings of the 1960s. Admission is pay-what-youcan. Starring Richard Gere and Laura Linney. Q&A follows. Doors open 6:30 p.m., snacks available for purchase. 304-876-3704. Contact@OperaHouseLive. com. shepherdstownoperahouse.thundertix. com/events/258782.
Wonder Book Classic Film Seires: “1984” (1984, R) — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. “1984” is a dystopian film adaptation of George Orwell’s iconic novel, “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” Directed by Michael Radford and starring John Hurt and Richard Burton, the 1984 movie depicts a totalitarian future where individuality is suppressed and constant surveillance is the norm. Set in war-torn London, the story follows Winston Smith as he grapples with a regime determined to control truth, mem-
ory, and identity. $7. 301-600-2828. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/1984-movie/.
MUSIC
Live Jazz at the Cocktail Lab — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Get swanky with us every Thursday night for live jazz and your favorite craft cocktails. 21 and older. 301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling. com.
tenthwarddistilling.com.
THEATER
“Small Mouth Sounds” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Six strangers find themselves at a silent retreat in the woods, each seeking connection while struggling with their own, silent, inner demons. Both awkwardly hilarious and strangely compassionate, “Small Mouth Sounds” asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us. ASL interpreted performance Feb. 20. Performances through March 15. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. marylandensemble.org/small-mouthsounds/.
Friday Feb. 13
ETCETERA
Celebrate Black History Month — at Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. For all ages. Join us in our large magazine reading area throughout the month of February as we celebrate Black History Month at CCPL’s Mount Airy Branch! Drop in anytime to enjoy a DIY craft, a community puzzle, and books to read at your leisure. Explore, learn, and participate in the richness that is Black History Month. 410-386-4470. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/celebrateblack-history-month-mount-airy-279144. Women in Science Speak 2026 — 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. Celebrate the achievements and contributions of women in science. During the panel discussion, hear firsthand from women in science as they share their perspectives on pursuing careers in science, advancing allyship and mentorship, achieving goals through self-advocacy, and more. There will be a Q&A session where the audience, both in-person and online, will have the oppor-
tunity to pose questions to the panelists. Afterwards, there will be a networking opportunity available to in-person participants. There will be a virtual option for those unable to attend in person. 301-360-3490. PACOteam@nih.gov. ncifrederick.cancer.gov/events/conferences/women-science-speak-2026.
Card Stamping: An Adaptive Adult Program — 11 a.m. to noon at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Make your own Valentine’s Day card using a variety of stamps! We invite all adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers to join us for this fun, sensory event. 18 and older. 301-600-7250. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/cardstamping-adaptive-adult-program-187419.
Pre-Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Market — 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 96, 18 S Maple Ave., Floor 2, Brunswick. Shop local for unique Valentine’s gifts, enjoy table games with family and friends, and browse seasonal produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, and more. Grab dinner from a downtown restaurant and make it a night out! bmsfarmersmarket.com.
Galentine’s Party — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at McClintock’s Distillery , 35 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Join the Women’s Giving Circle for a fun event celebrating friendship and connection. ALL are welcome! Bring your besties and dress to dazzle or for comfort. Special cocktails, 1 ct. diamond raffle, giveaways, more, and no RSVP needed! 240-357-6400. kline901@comcast.net. www.facebook.com/share/1DkkA14AYZ. Valentines Dance — 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at Brunswick Eagles , 401 Central Ave., Brunswick . Single? Taken? It doesn’t matter! Come Join the Brunswick Eagle Riders for our dance featuring Bobby D and the Truck Stop Burritos. Food and drinks available for purchase, raffles, photobooth and much more!!!
$10 cover. 240-579-2412. mbcarter0409@ gmail.com.
FAMILY
Preschool Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories, and fun for preschoolers and their grownups. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/preschool-storytime-187933. Get Ready for Kindergarten — 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Have fun exploring literacy, science, mathematics, and art through play-based activities that integrate essential school skills. Designed for ages 3-5 with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ get-ready-kindergarten-187947. Valentines for the Animvals — noon to 2 p.m. at Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center, 8511 Nature Center Place, Walkersville. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing the love with our Animal Ambassadors! Fam-
ilies are invited to visit the Nature Center and create Valentine’s Day cards for their favorite park animals. All supplies are provided; registration required per child. $5. 301-600-2936. fcprmarketing@FrederickCountyMD.gov. recreater.com.
Valentines for the Animvals — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center, 8511 Nature Center Place, Walkersville. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing the love with our Animal Ambassadors! Families are invited to visit the Nature Center and create Valentine’s Day cards for their favorite park animals. All supplies are provided; registration required per child. $5. 301-600-2936. fcprmarketing@FrederickCountyMD.gov. recreater.com.
Valentines for the Animvals — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Fountain Rock Park & Nature Center, 8511 Nature Center Place, Walkersville. Celebrate Valentine’s Day by sharing the love with our Animal Ambassadors! Families are invited to visit the Nature Center and create Valentine’s Day cards for their favorite park animals. All supplies are provided; registration required per child. $5. 301-600-2936. fcprmarketing@FrederickCountyMD.gov. recreater.com.
Valentines Party Babysitting Nights — 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Grasshopper Grove, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Also Feb. 14. Valentines crafts, plus dinner and making friends. This event is geared towards kids ages 3 to 12. All children must be potty-trained. Grasshopper Grove is an imaginary play center located inside the Francis Scott Key Mall. $50 one child, $40 per sibling. grasshopper-grove.com.
“Peter Rabbit and the Secret Garden Gate” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A MET original. Step into a world of wonder, whimsy, and woodland mischief in this bold new re-imagining of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale! “Peter Rabbit & The Secret Garden Gate” invites young audiences on a thrilling journey beyond the hedge, where gardens grow secrets, animals talk back, and even the smallest rabbit can change the world.
“You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine” — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Newly released film captures a star-studded tribute to the legendary songwriter, filmed in 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The event brought together acclaimed artists, friends, and family to share behind-the-scenes stories and perform classic songs, honoring Prine’s enduring legacy. Live music provided by local musicians. Advance ticket purchase recommended.
$13 std, $11 seniors and students. 304-8763704. Contact@operahouselive.com. shepherdstownoperahouse.thundertix. com/events/258441.
MUSIC
Live Music at the Cocktail Lab — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Tenth Ward Distilling Co., 55 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Every Friday in the Cocktail Lab we’ll be servin’ up our deliciously wild concoctions and some sweet tunes to get your weekend started off right. 21 and older.
301-360-5888. monica@tenthwarddistilling. com.
tenthwarddistilling.com.
THEATER
Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow” — 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater, 5 Willowtree Plaza #A1, Frederick. An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. See ticket options online. 18 and older.
$78. 301-662-6600. boxoffice@wayoffbroadway.com.
app.arts-people.com/?show=297727.
“Small Mouth Sounds” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Six strangers find themselves at a silent retreat in the woods, each seeking connection while struggling with their own, silent, inner demons. Both awkwardly hilarious and strangely compassionate, “Small Mouth Sounds” asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us. ASL interpreted performance Feb. 20. Performances through March 15. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.
marylandensemble.org/small-mouthsounds/.
That’s What She Said at MET Comedy Night — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. An all-female improv team. Specializing in long form improv, these ladies spin you a hilarious story. They start with inspiration from the women in your life and then they blend in funny stories of their own. $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. ci.ovationtix.com/35900/production/1250430.
Saturday Feb. 14
CLASSES
Fox Haven Foragers: Year-Round Wild Food Workshops — 9 a.m. to noon at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Now in its tenth year, Fox Haven Foragers invites you to connect with nature throughout the seasons. Each month, we’ll explore at least two to three plants that are ripe and ready for harvest. From native plants like milkweed, cattail, and elderberry to fascinating finds like willow, witch hazel, and Paw Paw, you’ll gain practical knowledge and hands-on experience in identifying and processing plants. Continues on the second Saturday of each month through Nov. 14. Register online and for class details. $350. 2404905484. alecks@foxhavenfarm. org. foxhavenfarm.org/events/fox-haven-forag-
ers-year-round-wild-food-workshops/. Rhythm of Belonging: Song Circle — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Sol Yoga Earth Room, 256 West Patrick St., Frederick. Join Amanda Lucia in song and heart coherence, where music becomes a bridge for belonging. Together, we’ll explore medicine songs for Earth and collective liberation, guiding us into deeper connection with ourselves and one another. Through vocal toning, call-and-response and improv layering, our voices will weave into a living, breathing tapestry.
Celebrate Black History Month — at Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. For all ages. Join us in our large magazine reading area throughout the month of February as we celebrate Black History Month at CCPL’s Mount Airy Branch! Drop in anytime to enjoy a DIY craft, a community puzzle, and books to read at your leisure. Explore, learn, and participate in the richness that is Black History Month. 410-386-4470. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/celebrateblack-history-month-mount-airy-279144.
Adult Adaptive Program: “Our Friendship Era” Valentine Party — 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. This program is developed for adults with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. It’s a Valentine extravaganza! Join us for a sensory friendly dance party with Valentine’s Day themed crafts and activities. 18 and older. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/adaptive-valentine-party-184950.
Valentine Weekend — noon to 3 p.m. at Keymar Winery , 11624 Haughs Church Road, Keymar. Love is in the air at Keymar Winery Valentine’s weekend! Join us for our Decadence Uncorked wine and chocolate pairing experience. Feb. 14 seating includes live music by Freddie Long. Reservations highly recommended. 21 and older. $20. 667-788-1196. info@keymarwinery. com. keymarwinery.com/.
UUCF Open Mic/Coffee House — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Showcase your talent in a welcoming venue! Musicians, singers, storytellers and poets are all welcome! BYOB. Donations accepted but not required. 301-252-4960. carrollg007@gmail.com. www.frederickuu.org.
Bodine Brothers — 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at AMVETS Post 9, 409 W. Green St., Middletown. Bodine Brothers will rock Middletown’s AMVETS Post 9. Enjoy classic rock with your friends and family. Tickets available at the bar or the night of the event. Contact Lisa for more information, 301-502-4042. You must be 21 to enter. $10. 301-502-4042. www.amvetspost9.com.
FAMILY
Hagerstown
Meet Bob & Freddie. When it comes to local businesses, businesspeople and organizations in Frederick, they know best. Here is a personal interview with a 2025 Best of the Best winner or finalist about why they love what they do, helping those they serve and working in Frederick.
Law Office of Lena A. Clark
Why Handshake Agreements Often Fall Apart After Death
Many people pride themselves on their word. A handshake, a verbal promise, or a longstanding understanding can feel just as binding as a written contract. Unfortunately, when it comes to Estate Planning, and especially after someone passes away, handshake agreements and verbal promises are often a recipe for confusion, conflict, and disappointment.
The core problem is simple: verbal agreements usually do not survive death.
When a person dies, their estate is governed by written law, not personal recollections and promises. The Personal Representative has a legal duty to follow the decedent’s Will, Trust, and applicable state law, not the promises made during the decedent’s life. Even if everyone agrees that a promise existed, the Personal Representative may not honor it.
Consider this scenario: a homeowner verbally agrees to sell their property to a neighbor at a substantial discount as a “thank you” for years of help. No contract is signed between the homeowner and the neighbor. No provision is added to the homeowner’s Will or Trust. When the homeowner passes away, the neighbor expects the deal to move forward.
Legally, however, the homeowner’s estate is obligated to sell the property at its fair market value. The Personal Representative of the estate cannot simply honor a discounted sale without authority in the estate documents, and doing so will expose the Personal Representative to liability from other heirs of the estate and courts.
What felt like a binding agreement during life becomes, after death, unenforceable. Handshake agreements fail because: 1) memories fade or differ over time, 2) key witnesses may be unavailable, 3) courts require clear, written evidence, and 4) Personal Representatives must protect all beneficiaries, and not some unenforceable promise.
Without proper written documentation, verbal agreements are viewed by probate courts as intentions, not obligations. Proper Estate Planning turns intentions into enforceable instructions. This may include: 1) a written contract completed during life, or 2) a specific gift or sale provision in a Will or Trust. You should work with an experienced Estate Planning attorney to make it legal.
When plans are documented, there is clarity. When plans are not documented, the Personal Representative’s hands are tied, and they often can’t do anything about it. If something matters to you, put it in proper writing. A handshake may feel sufficient today, but without proper Estate Planning, it may mean nothing tomorrow.
An experienced Estate Planning attorney can help ensure your wishes are honored clearly, legally, and without confusion for your loved ones who you leave behind. If you are a Maryland or Virginia resident and would like help with protecting your assets and loved ones in the event of death or disability, contact us at 301-414-8726 or self-schedule at www. lenaclarklegal.com
ary Train Show — 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Washington County Ag Education Center, 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro. Model trains of all scales and railroad artifacts and books for sale by multiple vendors. Free parking and site is handicap accessible. Food and drink will be available on site for purchase.
$5 per person, ages 12 and under free. 301-800-9829. hmrrm@myactv.net. www.antietamstation.com.
Annual CMATC Toy Auction and Show — 9 a.m. to at Brunswick Vol. Fire Company, 1500 Volunteer Drive, Brunswick. The Central Maryland Antique Tractor Club’s Annual Farm Toy Auction and Show continues Feb. 15. One of the largest in the state. The auction starts at 9 a.m. Feb. 14. The Toy Show is on Sunday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Food available. Call early to consign items, 443-286-7843.
$3 for show, auction is free, free for anyone under 12. 301-748-7043. cmatc@comcast. net.
www.cmatc.org.
Love Your Library Celebration — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. A fun filled day celebrating all things library related! Take a photo with your favorite book at our special picture op spot, create a special library themed button, help decorate the front desk with a happy heart craft, and enter to win a special library logo item! All ages.
301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov.
www.fcpl.org.
Pal-entines Day: Kids Art Open Studio
— 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.. This event is all about crafting with pals. Whether your little ones are getting messy and artistic with their besties or making new friends at the studio, every moment is a chance to create lasting memories.
$25 per child. dreamfreeart.com.
Open House at Train Station Museum — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Train Station, 6 Creagerstown Road, Woodsboro. Learn about Woodsboro’s interesting past. View artifacts and photographs in our restored train station. Have fun interactions with local experts.
Valen-Tiny Prom — 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Grasshopper Grove, 5500 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. If your littlest ones love to get dressed fancy in tutus and tuxedo onesies, then have them come out to Valen-Tiny Prom at Grasshopper Grove in the FSK Mall! Kids can enjoy, pink and red crafts, a Valentines exchange, photo ops, snacks, dancing and music! Celebrate Valentines in the cutest way possible!
$25 one child, $20 each additional sibling. grasshopper-grove.com.
Saturday Craftacular: Love Monsters — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. We’re monstrously excited to celebrate Library Lovers Day with you! Join us for a fun read of “Love Monster” by Rachel Bright and then create your very own monster to take home. Ages up to 5, Elementary.
Valentines Dance with Mr. Jon & Friends — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Y Arts Center, 115 E. Church St., Frederick. Kids favorite local band! Mr. Jon’s silly friend George the Monkey will be there, too, for a silly dance to entertain the kids.
$5 per child, ages under 2 free. eventbrite.com.
Valentines Skate Party at Skate Frederick! — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Skate Frederick, 1288 Riverbend Way, Frederick. Skate into Valentines Day with us! Perfect mid-day activity for couples, friends and families! FREE Valentine bags for the first 100 kids under age 10. Music, snack bar and ice skating fun!
Kids Kombucha Camp! — 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. In this workshop kids will learn kombucha making basics, some interesting history about kombucha, and the science behind fermentation. They will also learn why kombucha is a healthy alternative to juice or soda in a fun and hands-on way. We will make kombucha to take home and enjoy a rootbeer kombucha float in class. Parents are required to be present with their children for the duration of the class. $20 - $40. 3016633416. arobinson@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events/ kids-kombucha-camp/.
“Peter Rabbit and the Secret Garden Gate” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. A MET original. Step into a world of wonder, whimsy, and woodland mischief in this bold new re-imagining of Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale! “Peter Rabbit & The Secret Garden Gate” invites young audiences on a thrilling journey beyond the hedge, where gardens grow secrets, animals talk back, and even the smallest rabbit can change the world.
“You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine” — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Shepherdstown Opera House, 131 W. German St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. Newly released film captures a star-studded tribute to the legendary songwriter, filmed in 2022 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The event brought together acclaimed artists, friends, and family to share behind-the-scenes stories and perform classic songs, honoring Prine’s enduring legacy. Live music provided by local musicians. Advance ticket purchase recommended. $13 std, $11 seniors and students. 304-8763704. Contact@operahouselive.com. shepherdstownoperahouse.thundertix. com/events/258441.
Silent Film Series: “Son of the Sheik” — 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Celebrate the golden age of silent film with “Son of the Sheik,” the final screen performance of Rudolph Valentino. Shown as part of the Silent Film Series at the Weinberg Center, this 1926 classic will be presented with live accompaniment on the mighty Wurlitzer organ, immersing the audience in a rich cinematic experience that has delighted moviegoers for nearly a century. $15. 301-600-2868. dyoung@cityoffrederickmd.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/son-of-thesheik-1926-movie/.
GALLERY
Artist Talk with Billi French — 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Vault of Visions Art Gallery, 1 N. Market St., Frederick. Frederick artist Billi French presents “Be Kind, Rewind,” her newest collection of acrylic paintings celebrating memories from her childhood in the ‘90s to ‘00s. 240-315-5483. emma@vovgallery.com.
MUSIC
Mike Kuster and The Catoctin Cowboys — 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Vanish Farmwoods Brewery, 42245 Black Hops Lane, Leesburg, Va. Celebrate Valentine’s Day the country way! Join Mike Kuster and The Catoctin Cowboys at Vanish Brewery for an afternoon of boot-stomping country music, great beer, and good times. Bring your sweetheart, your friends, or just yourself — this free show is the perfect way to enjoy the day. 301-662-3355. mike@mikekuster.net. mikekuster.net/tour.
Nan-Ana, Georgia Rae Braun & Shut Up Voula — 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Sandbox Brewhouse, 880 N. East St., Frederick. Come celebrate the love holiday with lots of different styles to enjoy. All ages show. www.facebook.com/share/1C8E8UiB3B/.
Voices of the Past: Dvo ák, Perkinson, Ballard & Haydn — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. This program reflects the profound connection between history, culture and the human experience through music. $40. 301-797-4000. nlushbaugh@marylandsymphony.org.
OUTDOORS
Birdwatching Walk — 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Windy Ridge Park, access through East West Park, 1115 Prospect Road, Mount Airy. The Town of Mount Airy will be a participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count by hosting this birdwatching walk. No experience is needed. The event is free and open to the public. All ages are welcome but the walk is geared toward ages 14 and up. No pets allowed. Staff recommend (but do not require) participants to bring binoculars, a notebook and/or have the Merlin app on their smartphones, comfortable shoes and weather appropriate clothing and a water bottle. The walk is around a mile long. Registration is requested: 301-829-1424, ext. 135, or parksmanager@mountairymd.gov by Feb. 13. 301-829-1424. parksmanager@ mountairymd.gov. www.mountairymd.gov.
PERFORMER
Lunar New Year Celebration — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races, 750 Hollywood Drive, Charles Town, W.Va. Lunar New Year is roaring into the celebration! Welcome the Year of the Fire Horse, with a traditional Lion Dance followed by an exciting live show.
THEATER
Agatha Christie’s “The Hollow” — 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theater, 5 Willowtree Plaza #A1, Frederick. An unhappy game of romantic follow-the-leader explodes into murder one weekend at The Hollow, home of Sir Henry and Lucy Angkatell, arguably Christie’s finest comic grande dame. See ticket options online. 18 and older.
$78. 301-662-6600. boxoffice@wayoffbroadway.com.
app.arts-people.com/?show=297727.
“Small Mouth Sounds” — 7:30 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Six strangers find themselves at a silent retreat in the woods, each seeking connection while struggling with their own, silent, inner demons. Both awkwardly hilarious and strangely compassionate, “Small Mouth Sounds” asks how we address life’s biggest questions when words fail us. ASL interpreted performance Feb. 20. Performances through March 15. $36. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.
marylandensemble.org/small-mouthsounds/.
“Improvised Austen” at MET Comedy Night — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. You are cordially invited to our Jane Austen-inspired improv show! Featuring arranged marriages, nosy neighbors and plenty of scandals. $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org. ci.ovationtix.com/35900/production/1262326.
Sunday Feb. 15
ETCETERA
Celebrate Black History Month — at Carroll County Public Library, Mount Airy Branch, 705 Ridge Ave., Mount Airy. For all ages. Join us in our large magazine reading area throughout the month of February as we celebrate Black History Month at CCPL’s Mount Airy Branch! Drop in anytime to enjoy a DIY craft, a community puzzle, and books to read at your leisure. Explore, learn, and participate in the richness that is Black History Month. 410-386-4470. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/celebrateblack-history-month-mount-airy-279144. Valentine Weekend — noon to 3 p.m. at Keymar Winery , 11624 Haughs Church Road, Keymar. Love is in the air at Keymar Winery Valentine’s weekend! Join us for our Decadence Uncorked wine and chocolate pairing experience. Feb. 14 seating includes live music by Freddie Long. Reservations highly recommended. 21 and older. $20. 667-788-1196. info@keymarwinery.
Duplicate Bridge Team Games — noon to 4 p.m. at YMCA of Frederick County, 1000 N. Market St., Frederick. Bridge is also a team event! Frederick Bridge Club offers the only ACBL sanctioned team games in the area on the first and third Sundays of the month. Please contact the director, Jim Cartlidge, at 302-606-2894 or jacartlidge@ comcast.net to reserve a table for your team or to join a team.
Spinning & Weaving Demonstration — 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Brunswick Branch Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Local fiber artist Janeil Henderson will present a flax spinning and fiber weaving demonstration. There will also be the opportunity for instruction. 301-600-7250. www.fcpl.org/calendar.
SRC Purse Bingo — 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Frederick Elks Lodge, 289 Willowdale Drive, Frederick. Grab a Gal-entine and come out for an afternoon of fun to benefit the 24/7 Student Repertory Company! Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and games begin at 2 p.m. Ages 12 and up. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased at https://donorbox. org/events/825973. $35. 247srcbingo@gmail.com. donorbox.org/events/825973.
FAMILY
Valentines Little Leapers Dance Party
— 11 a.m. to noon at Urban Air Adventure Park, 5830 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick. In addition to bouncing around, zip lining, dodgeball games, and obstacle courses, kids can dance and have a blast at their Little Leapers Dance Party! This event is just for kids 10 and under and features music, movement, and plenty of high-energy fun. Regular park admission; no special fee or registration. 240-560-5965. urbanair.com.
Pokemon TCG Trade Day — 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Partnering with Player1 Services, the library will host a Pokémon TCG trading event where patrons of all ages can bring their card collections, trade and connect with fellow Pokémon enthusiasts. This is a trade-only event with no money exchanges. 301-600-7000. fcpl.org.
FESTIVALS
2026 Lunar New Year Celebration — noon to 4 p.m. at Frederick High School Auditorium, 650 Carroll Parkway, Frederick. Get ready to gallop into the Lunar New Year with the Asian American Center of Frederick as we celebrate the Year of the Horse! Immerse yourself in vibrant traditions, cultural performances, ethnic cuisine, community vendors and create meaningful memories with family and friends. $12 general, $10 ages 55+, $10 ages 6-12, ages 5 and under free. 301-6943355. cmkraham@aacfmd.org. www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lunar-newyear--2026.
