The transformation of Frederick from struggling post-industrial city to thriving cultural destination receives cinematic treatment in “InSpired,” a documentary debuting at the Weinberg Center on May 2. Produced by Emmy Award-winning and Frederick-based 3 Roads Communications, the film chronicles Frederick’s evolution from pre-European settlement through 2023, with particular focus on the recent decades of incremental changes that cultivated today’s bustling downtown. The showing is free, but tickets are required. Come out and be inspired by our city.
ANCIENT EGYPT REIMAGINED
New Market author Michelle Jabés Corpora unveils her YA fantasy series “The Throne of Khetara” with a launch event at Urbana Regional Library. Her debut novel, “His Face is the Sun,” draws from a particularly intimate connection: Corpora’s own Egyptian heritage, with parents and three grandparents born in Egypt. Described as “Game of Thrones” meets “The Mummy,” Corpora’s series offers an intriguing counter-narrative to typical Egyptian-inspired fiction. Rather than focusing exclusively on mummification, tombs and death rituals, she illuminates ancient Egyptian life through meticulous research translated into fantasy (and though billed as a middle-grade book, she believes adults will enjoy it, too). The May 6 book launch at Urbana Regional Library features Corpora in conversation with author Andie Burke followed by book signing.
SHOP SLOW
Against the backdrop of mass production and algorithm-driven consumption, the SLOW Indie Market presents a deliberate countercultural proposition. From noon to 6 p.m. May 3 at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, this thoughtfully curated gathering of approximately 20 local artisans emphasizes handcrafted, sustainable goods and connects consumers directly with creators.
“THE GREAT GATSBY” REIMAGINED THROUGH BALLET
In a beautiful convergence of literary heritage and artistic innovation, World Ballet Theater will bring “The Great Gatsby” to life at the Weinberg Center on May 4. The timing feels particularly poignant as Fitzgerald’s masterpiece marked its centennial publication anniversary just weeks ago on April 10. Many locals might not know the connection between our region and the literary giant: F. Scott Fitzgerald and wife Zelda rest eternally at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Rockville, where visitors still leave pens, flowers and tokens of literary devotion.
“PSALMS AND SOUL” UNITES REGIONAL MUSICIANS
In a remarkable feat of coordination, more than 100 musicians spanning from Leesburg to Gettysburg will convene at Hood College’s Coffman Chapel for an ambitious choral performance — with a twist that would make any conductor’s palms sweat. The ensemble will rehearse together for the first time just hours before performing for the public. Orchestrated by Jesse Ratcliffe, music director at All Saints Episcopal Church, this performance draws from the ancient hymnal of Psalms, creating a chronological journey through religious music. The performance on May 4 is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Beyond Shelter Frederick.
Pretzel and Pizza Creations
Having been in downtown Frederick for over 30 years, Pretzel and Pizza Creations has seen and adapted a lot.
Natalia Nastovici, a Romanian immigrant, opened the family-run restaurant in 1991, taking over for a different pretzel business.
Pretzels were hot, primarily in malls, but Nastovici wanted her shop to be in a different type of location, according to Catie Serio, her daughter and the current owner.
“She wanted to be downtown,” Serio said. “She really liked the hustle and bustle, kind of a cosmopolitan feel.”
As the business got going, Nastovici noticed much of her foot traffic came from offices, government buildings and the courthouse.
Serio said her mom realized “customers were looking for quick, easy, cheap things to eat in an area where there’s not a lot of that.”
So Nastovici started using the same pretzel dough but wrapped around hot dogs and as the base for sandwiches, pizza and other dishes.
Serio, meanwhile, attended Frederick High School but went to Syracuse University for college and then lived in New York City.
“I wanted a bigger city,” she said. “Syracuse is bigger, and then New York is way bigger.”
While in New York, she began working for Flying Dog Brewery, based in Frederick at the time, selling to bars and restaurants.
Around the same time, her cousin, Mihai Trica, became the general manager of Pretzel and Pizza Creations. Serio said she also liked the direction the city had been trending and wanted in. So she moved back to Frederick in 2010 and took over operations of the restaurant.
Serio has kept many of her mom’s practices, including the dough recipe, blended inhouse.
The dough machine is “the work horse of the restaurant,” she said.
But Serio has also taken the restaurant in new directions with flavors, the interior layout and other tweaks.
“We’ve been open for 34 years, and just over the course of time, customers’ taste change, people have different food preferences, and we just have to modernize with the times,” she said.
— Cameron Adams
WHAT’S GOOD?
Know of a great restaurant, bartender, food truck or farmers market? Found a new favorite dish or mocktail in your neighborhood? Let us know! We are always looking for people and places within our community to feature in our Eat & Drink section. Email 72 Hours editor Lauren LaRocca at llarocca@newspost.com.
PRETZEL AND PIZZA CREATIONS
210 N. Market St., Frederick pretzelandpizzacreations.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: Pretzels that are soft baked, sweet stuffed or cheesy for between $4.50 and $7.50. Crab or dessert pretzels from $10 to $14. Salads from $6 to $16. Pretzel calzones from $12 to $15. Pretzel sandwiches from $11 to $13. Ice cream and shakes from $8 to $12. Pretzel pizzas from $12 to $29.
Catie Serio recommends: The Omnivore Dilemma pizza. Serio said it was added a little over five years ago as a response to supreme pizzas. She said she has enjoyed the way it incorporates a balance of “people’s love of meat” with fresh vegetables, such as hand-chopped onions, mushrooms and green peppers.
Staff photos by Katina Zentz
Owner Catie Serio poses at Pretzel & Pizza Creations in Frederick on March 26.
The Omnivore’s Dilemma pizza at Pretzel & Pizza Creations in downtown Frederick.
Couple tackles cross-country cycling trip — one by bicycle and one by adaptive trike
BY KARI A. MARTINDALE
Special to The News-Post
Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter are embarking on the first leg of their cross-country cycling trip across the Great American Rail-Trail. They departed from Mile Zero in Cumberland on April 24 to start their trip with 600 miles of the easternmost section of the trail, known as the Great Allegheny Passage.
This adventure differs greatly from when they rode the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, from Jasper National Park in the Canadian province of Alberta to the New Mexican border with Mexico, which they tackled in 800mile segments over a four-year period from 2017 to 2020.
These days, Ross is still riding her fat tire bike, but Gladfelter is steering a modified recumbent tricycle due to a spinal cord injury sustained in 2021.
“He fell off of a roof and broke his neck on Black Friday,” Ross recalled. The fall was not from a great height — just 6 feet from a shed roof — but Gladfelter got tangled in the rungs of his ladder and landed on his neck, breaking it at discs C3-C5.
Despite being told he’d never walk again, “after two and a half years of rehab, he figured out walking,” said Ross. And now, as a result of his determination and Ross’ encouragement, Gladfelter is able not only to walk with a walker but can pedal a recumbent tricycle. This spring, the couple is tackling the Great American Rail-Trail, a cross-country, paved trail that is still under construction.
With a little over half of the 3,700 miles of trail complete, the trail converts abandoned rail paths and stretches from Washington, D.C., to Washington state. It connects existing trails like the C&O Canal Towpath and Great Allegheny Passage in the east to the Olympic Discovery Trail in Washington State.
Ross and Gladfelter have been hiking and cycling for six decades, including as Triple-Crown Backpackers (hikers who have completed the entire lengths of the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail).
Gladfelter’s new life presents many challenges that must be monitored and controlled along the Great American Rail-Trail, including monitoring his fluid intake to prevent urinary tract infections, preventing pressure ulcers, regulating his body temperature, and avoiding stiffness and increased paralysis. Still, Gladfelter and Ross don’t let these challenges prevent them from enjoying the adventurous lifestyle they
Couple Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter departed from Mile Zero in Cumberland on April 24 and will be cycling through Frederick County in May, Ross by bike and Gladfelter by modified recumbent tricycle due to a spinal cord injury sustained in 2021.
have been accustomed to throughout their lifetimes.
“My husband rides an adaptive trike, which he pedals with 20% feeling in his body,” Ross said. “Todd enjoys cycling because, [as a quadriplegic], he has little feeling in his legs and feet, so it is very hard to walk and takes a lot of focus.”
In contrast, said Ross, “On his adaptive trike, on a rail trail, he is free to look around and enjoy nature. Go fast. It feels like he can have an outdoor adventure, like his old life.”
In fact, as Ross wrote on the blog where she shares her travels, on Day 1 of their trip, Gladfelter “didn’t realize that he [hadn’t] activated his e-assist, and he rode five miles on just his beastly power!”
On the third day of the Great American Rail-Trail trip, Ross said, “[Gladfelter] enjoys the beauty of nature. The hillsides were full of trillium flowers. Gorgeous wildflowers. The creeks are flowing into the river and there are tons of waterfalls along the way, emptying down into the river. The light green new spring leaves are beautiful.”
Because Gladfelter can’t sleep in a tent on the ground, he and Ross ride all day and then a member of their team shuttles them to a hotel. They ride with a team typically made up of Ross’ close friend of many years, Beth Ellen
Pennell, whom Ross describes as their right-hand girl; Rod Mann, who is the shuttler and mechanic; and Dan Stein, a former Army Ranger who assists Gladfelter.
“Dan [also] loves moving his body and being out in nature,” Ross said. Like Gladfelter, he rides a recumbent trike. “But not e-assist,” Ross clarified. “He is strong.”
Stein himself is healing from trauma associated with his military service, including a Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. For the past 12 years, Ross and Gladfelter have been running River House PA, a nonprofit program that helps veterans heal through nature, sometimes taking bike trips along Pennsylvania trails. Stein, who has received assistance through the nonprofit for 12 years, is helping Gladfelter reach his latest cycling goal.
Gladfelter and Ross are biking for more than enjoyment, exercise and personal healing. They are “building awareness about the need for accessible trails and how important they [are] to the disabled,” Ross said. They plan to meet with veterans along the way so Gladfelter can speak to them and explain the modifications of his trike and how it works.
After they reach Pittsburgh, Gladfelter, Ross and the team will return home to Schuykill County, Pennsyl-
Todd Gladfelter uses a modified recumbent tricycle due to a spinal cord injury sustained in 2021.
vania, for a few days. After the short break, they’ll head to the C&O Canal and from there, they will continue on to Ohio.
Because of the difficulty Gladfelter has regulating his body temperature, he and Ross will not ride through the heat of summer. This fall, they’ll resume their ride with the midwestern portion of the trail through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa and, if they can make it, Nebraska. Ross said, “[In 2026, we’ll] finish up in the Olympic Peninsula.”
The destination will be a great accomplishment, but more importantly, the journey will be a beautiful healing process for everyone involved.
Their adventures can be followed at cindyrosstraveler.com.
Kari Martindale is a poet, spoken word artist and teaching artist who has read at arts guilds across Maryland and performed at the White House. A road-tripper at heart, she has visited all 50 states and more than 40 countries.
Courtesy photos
MUSIC Collaborative ‘Psalms and Soul’ concert brings together regional musicians at Hood College
BY ELIZABETH STINNETTE Special to The News-Post
On May 4, more than 100 musicians from Leesburg, Virginia, to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, will gather at Hood College’s Coffman Chapel for the “Psalms and Soul” concert.
But there’s a twist.
Two hours before the concert, the musicians will rehearse their pieces together for the first time.
For organizer Jesse Ratcliffe, who also serves as the music director and organist of All Saints Episcopal Church in downtown Frederick, coordinating this program and its many musicians is sometimes hair-raising but always wonderful.
“There is something about watching a group that has put countless hours into a piece of music — the way they breathe together, the way they sound together — it is a very soul-stirring experience,” Ratcliffe said, referencing a famous quote by singer Paul McCartney.
Ratcliffe has served as a church musician for more than 20 years, and in graduate school, he discovered the beauty of collaboration through putting on concerts with sister churches. Seeing choir members from small churches get the opportunity to shine as part of a larger ensemble inspired him. Soon after starting at All Saints, he sought opportunities to repeat this experience.
It started with the first “Bachtoberfest” in the fall of 2023, when musicians from around the area gathered to pay homage to German composer Johann Sebastian Bach around the same time of year as Frederick’s annual celebration of German heritage.
In the weeks before, participating churches rehearsed pieces separately at their home congregations, only performing together on the day of the concert. Ratcliffe said that since the first Bachtoberfest, musicians who wouldn’t normally have crossed paths greeted each other warmly at the following concert, excited to perform as a group again.
Because of this collaborative method, Ratcliffe said he wanted to be careful to select songs that were easy to learn but still emotionally stirring. Ratcliffe turned to the book of Psalms in the Old Testament. A hymnbook from antiquity, Psalms has inspired millennia of religious music across cultures and styles.
“Psalms and Soul” will invite listeners to travel in time, Ratcliffe said, from
More than 100 musicians from Leesburg, Va., to Gettysburg, Pa., will gather at Hood College’s Coffman Chapel for the “Psalms and Soul” concert, free and open to the public.
classical pieces accompanied by the organ to timeless hymns performed by a handbell choir to pew-swinging spirituals, one sung by a children’s choir. The selections will pull from Psalms 100, 98, 90 and 23, as well as classic gospel hymns.
No matter your religious background, there is something beautiful in experiencing the soaring music inspired by thousands of years of hope and faith, said co-organizer Daniel Catalano. Catalano, who serves as director of music ministries at Frederick’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, has worked with Ratcliffe on these collaborative concerts from the beginning.
Catalano is excited that for “Psalms and Soul,” attendees will be invited to join in with the musicians. Ratcliffe and Catalano chose several well-known hymns for congregational singing, such as “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” penned by Isaac Watts in the 18th century as a paraphrase of Psalm 90.
Photos by Marie Gatien
“Regardless of belief, communal singing is really one of the big draws,” Catalano said. “There’s something that happens when a whole group of people get together and find something to sing about. … It sounds almost cliché, but with the world like it is, some form of togetherness, I think, is key.”
Another first for this concert will be its venue. Coffman Chapel at Hood College has a recently renovated sanctuary that seats 700 people and an impressive pipe organ. At 2,400 pipes, it’s one of the largest organs in the region, according to Hood College staff.
After performing at historic — and sometimes cramped — downtown Frederick churches, the additional space of Coffman Chapel will allow performers to spread out, Ratcliffe said.
“Acoustically, it’s beautiful,” he added.
While there won’t be tickets, there will be a free-will offering at the concert to support Beyond Shelter Frederick, a nonprofit dedicated to helping at-risk individuals get housing and financial assistance to help them remain selfsufficient.
Catalano said that while the concert
IF YOU GO
“Psalms and Soul” will be held from 5 to 6:30 p.m. May 4 at Hood College’s Coffman Chapel in Frederick. There are no tickets, and outside the offering for Beyond Shelter, the concert is free.
isn’t free to put on, local churches decided to absorb the costs so every cent raised will go toward the nonprofit.
Ratcliffe is hopeful that, like Bachtoberfest, this year’s “Psalms and Soul” will mark the beginning of an annual tradition of joining together for a musical celebration that gives back to the community.
“Anybody that likes choir music, that likes hearing brass and organ and hand bells, I think you’re going to find something that you’re going to enjoy,” Ratcliffe said. “It’s going to be utterly memorable.”
Elizabeth Stinnette is a freelance journalist for the DMV region who specializes in travel, human interest and local politics. In her free time, she enjoys film and visiting new places around the region.
Visit the Village for monthly pet adoptions with Double Dog Dare Rescue on second Saturday evenings May through September from 5 to 8 p.m.
Music in the Village concert
series kicks off on May 2
Enjoy the beauty of the park and the Gazebo Stage at the Village at Worman’s Mill during a weekly outdoor concert series. Held on Friday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m., the concerts take place from May 2 through Sept. 26.
In addition to the weekly Friday concerts, visit the Village for the monthly pet adoptions with Double Dog Dare Rescue. Held on second Saturday evenings May through September from 5 to 8 p.m., these events also take place at the Gazebo Stage. Double Dog Dare will bring canines for prospective owners to meet, along with other themed activities. A concert will also take place in the gazebo.
On the third Saturdays, Gazebo Stage
will host an open mic night for musicians to perform up to three songs. These events will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. May through September.
Dine in, on the patio or takeout from nearby Plaza Mexico, Ricci, Sweet Haus, and the recently opened Andaz Indian Kitchen. Table seating around the gazebo is first come, first served, and guests are welcome to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
The Village is nestled in Worman’s Mill off Route 26 and Monocacy Boulevard in Frederick.
The full schedule and details are available at wormansmillvillage.com, or call 240-285-9263 for more information.
Sunday, May 4, 2025 3:00 PM
Historic St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 8619 Black’s Mill Road, Creagerstown, MD 21788
Meet our family of flutes in an eclectic program of classical favorites, folk and hymn tunes, jazz, ragtime, and original pieces for flute choir Free and open to the public
sjlc@emmitsburg.net
Courtesy photo
THE FREDERICK MOM
The Frederick Mom’s recommendations for the weekend of May 2
Activities to do with the kids this weekend, courtesy of The Frederick Mom.
Fridays at the Fountain 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 2
Monocacy Brewing Co., 1719 N. Market St., Frederick Free
Monocacy Brewing’s outdoor live music series starts this Friday! Spend the evening at this familyfriendly brewery where kids have space to dance to music and play giant yard games within its fenced-in beer garden. With plenty of shaded seating surrounding around a beautiful water fountain, Fridays at the Fountain makes for a relaxing evening for all ages — and leashed pets, too! Enjoy delicious burgers from Boxcar’s food truck and quality craft beers for all the grown ups in your party!
Healthy Kids Day
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 3
Natelli YMCA, 3495 Campus Drive, Ijamsville Free
This Saturday, bring your whole family to the Natelli YMCA for a day full of free fun for adults, teens and the kiddos! Presented by Frederick Health, Healthy Kids Day will feature engaging activities to show the power of nutrition and encourage healthy habits. The day includes healthy cooking classes, a smoothie bike, balloon artist, games, a library pop-up by FCPL, nutritional snacks, a Fun Run and more. No registration is required.
Spring Festival
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3
Oakdale High School, 5850 Eaglehead Drive, Ijamsville Free Oakdale High School’s
Kindness Club is hosting a Spring Festival for all ages to raise money for its Art Department. Play games, shop local vendors, and check out circus performances by Theatricks, a local nonprofit youth circus program! Your family will love the wire walking, juggling, plate spinning and more circus arts.
Print Day in May
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3
Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Frederick Free International Print Day in May will be celebrated at Frederick Book Arts Center this Saturday. It’s a free and fun printmaking event for all ages. Check out demonstrations on printing equipment from the 1860s to present day and exhibits displaying a variety of broadsides, experimental calendar pages and handbound books. At 2 p.m., check out a presentation exploring early Frederick printers and their newspapers and publications. Visitors can also take part in operating their old presses and bring home handmade mementos.
Spring Festival
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 3
South Mountain Creamery, 8305 Bolivar Road, Middletown Free
One of the town’s biggest and most beloved events is on Saturday! Join your friends on the dairy farm for a day full of family-fun activities. Enjoy live bluegrass from 1 to 5 p.m., ice cream and butter making demonstrations, hayrides, a petting zoo, an artisan market, caricature drawings, face painting and Civil War demonstrations by the Museum of Civil War Medicine. Food is available for purchase from the South Mountain Creamery Kitchen.
community. Asia on the Creek is presented by the Asian American Center of Frederick and sure to be a beautiful time at the Amphitheater.
•••
Bird City Storytime
2 to 3 p.m. May 4
C. Burr Artz Public Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick Free
This Sunday, to recognize World Migratory Bird Day, families can enjoy a special Storytime at the downtown Frederick library and make a cardinal ornament keepsake too! Before Storytime, join a Family Bird Walk around Baker Park with knowledgeable guides by your side from 10 a.m. to noon, where you can learn about different bird species and their habitats and migration patterns, hosted by Frederick Bird Club and Sustainable Frederick. Meetup location for the walk is at the bandshell. Register via Eventbrite.
•••
Mom & Me Floral Workshop
5 to 7 p.m. May 4
Games
1 to 4:30 p.m. May 3 Brunswick Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick Free
This Saturday, the Delaplaine Arts Center will host two Helen Smith Workshops — one for ages 6-8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and one for ages 9-12 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Collaborative Drawing Games will be instructed by David Modler, where students work together to play a variety of collaborative drawing games that will lead to unexpected creations! Registration is required at delaplaine.org/
instruction/free-workshopsfor-kids.
Asia on the Creek
2 to 7 p.m. May 3 Carroll Creek Amphitheater, 45 E. All Saints St., Frederick Free
Join the community this Saturday afternoon for a day celebrating vibrant Asian cultural performances, delicious Asian cuisine and exciting activities for the whole family. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and diverse heritage of Asia right here in our own
Frederick Floral Bar, 27 S. Market St., Frederick $110/adult, $99/child ages 13 and under Mother’s Day is just around the corner! Sunday’s floral arrangement workshop is designed for moms and their child(ren) to create beautiful bouquets, led by The Frederick Floral Bar. The workshop includes all floral supplies and a create-yourown charm bracelet from Hi Honey. Complimentary drinks and food provided. Register at frederickfloralbar.com.
Tiffany Mahaney is at least a fifth-generation native to Frederick County, and she now proudly raises her own family here. She is the owner of The Frederick Mom on Instagram. Follow her @thefrederickmom.
Tiffany Mahaney
Fridays at the Fountain at Monocacy Brewing Co.
TIFFANY MAHANEY
Victory in Europe Day A look at WWII museums in the U.S. and abroad
BY KARI A. MARTINDALE
Special to The News-Post
As Victory in Europe Day, better known as VE Day, approaches, it’s a great time to plan a visit to a museum that preserves the history of the Second World War.
This year is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, which took place on May 8, 1945, when Allied Forces accepted the surrender of the German military.
Celebrations broke out around the world, particularly in England, the USSR and North America. In one speech in London, Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, “I say that in the long years to come, not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say, ‘Do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be — unconquered.’”
Belgium and France, particularly the Normandy region, is filled with museums and memorials honoring D-Day and the American military’s involvement in the liberation of the region; Germany is filled with museums reconciling their role in the Holocaust and the rise and rule of Hitler; and scattered across America, museums and memorials honor the contributions of American forces during World War II. Here are just a few to consider visiting, whether you’re planning a daytrip from home or a trip abroad, and what makes each one unique.
World War II American Experience
A unique aspect of this artifactfilled museum is its onsite collection of WWII vehicles, including a Sherman tank. Throughout the year, the museum includes various additional vehicles in its temporary exhibits.
Location: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Place SW, Washington, D.C.
National D-Day Memorial
A unique aspect of this outdoor memorial to D-Day operations is its large beach tableau, featuring a granite landing craft, water, and sculptures of troops in battle poses.
Location: 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, Va.
U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
A unique aspect of the WWII exhibit in this museum, which features exhibits of operations throughout history, is the realistic recreation of a war-torn French village during Operation OVERLORD, complete with the sounds of war.
Location: 100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville, N.C.
The National WWII Museum
The unique aspect of this museum is its comprehensive collection dedicated to the entire timeline of WWII.
Location: 945 Magazine St., New Orleans
101st Airborne Museum
Location: 845 Crooked Creek Road, Gettysburg, Pa.
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
A unique and poignant aspect of the Holocaust Museum is a long pile of shoes. Coming from Poland, this permanent exhibit consists of the original shoes of Holocaust victims. Above the collection hangs a poem that perfectly captures the horror
memorialized in the museum:
WE ARE THE SHOES
“We are the shoes, we are the last witnesses.
We are shoes from grandchildren and grandfathers
From Prague, Paris and Amsterdam, And because we are only made of fabric and leather
And not of blood and flesh, Each one of us avoided the hellfire.”
One unique aspect of this small museum is that its exhibits and lifelike recreations of soldiers explicitly honors the contributions of AfricanAmerican and Native American soldiers.
Location: Av. de la Gare 11, 6600 Bastogne, Belgium
Mémorial de la Liberté Retrouvée (Memorial of Regained Freedom)
(See MUSEUMS 16)
— Moshe Szulsztein
Courtesy photo
U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum in Fayetteville, N.C.
Gettysburg Film Festival to honor the 80th anniversary of V-E Day
BY SHUAN BUTCHER
Special to The News-Post
Two years ago, organizers of the Gettysburg Film Festival realized there wasn’t a film festival dedicated specifically to American history — so they set out to create one.
The first event was solely focused on the films of award-winning documentarian Ken Burns, who was behind well-known documentaries “The Civil War,” “Baseball,” “The War,” “The U.S. and the Holocaust” and the upcoming “The American Revolution” (fall 2025).
“Until 2023, there has never been a film festival featuring his work on the big screen,” said Andrew Dalton, the festival producer and president and CEO of the Adams County Historical Society.
In February 2023, the festival was created and featured several films by Burns, who is often considered “America’s storyteller,” according to Dalton. Last year’s festival focused largely on films by Burns but also expanded to others as well.
This year’s Gettysburg Film Festival, scheduled for May 8 to 11, commemorates the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day.
“When we looked at anniversary milestones, that seemed fitting as the theme for this year’s festival,” Dalton said. “It is also an important time if we want living veterans to be a part of it.”
Burns, who chairs the festival’s advisory council, will lead a discussion on World War II’s lasting impact. The festival will also bring together several other renowned filmmakers, actors, historians and authors. The lineup includes actors Martin Sheen, Anna Deavere Smith and Stephen Lang.
HBO’s well-known series “Band of Brothers” will be one of the featured screenings and will include a discussion with series screenwriter John Orloff alongside two of its actors, Matthew Leitch and Mark Lawrence.
“Saving Private Ryan,” “The Monuments Men” and the more recent “The Six Triple Eight” are also among the exclusive WWII classics to be shown.
“New films as well as classics will be screened at the festival,” Dalton said.
Susan Eisenhower, national security expert, author and granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, will also be one of the featured guests.
“It is amazing that we get to have America’s storyteller and the granddaughter of Ike at the same time here in Gettysburg,” Dalton said. “Given the Eisenhower connection to our town and the Eisenhower family relationship, we will be screening some of Susan’s personal favorites at the festival.”
Best-selling author Robert Edsel (“The Monuments Men,” “Remember Us”) will be also be onhand to highlight Ike’s role in saving the art of Europe and helping to pre-
IF YOU GO
The Gettysburg Film Festival runs May 8 to 11. For a complete list of festival details or to purchase tickets, go to gettysburgfilmfestival.org/2025-festival.
are. The festival will also celebrate stories of courage, sacrifice and resilience.
Gettysburg, which Dalton describes as the most famous small town in the United States, is a perfect place for a film festival focused on American history. After all, it is where President Lincoln redefined democracy and President Eisenhower found his post-war home.
serve culture. He will be joined by the likes of military historians and authors Craig Symonds, Jeff Shaara, Kevin Hymel, Harold Holzer and Michel Paradis.
Additionally, Sarah Burns and David McMahon, longtime collaborators with Burns and the creative force behind “The Central Park Five,” “Jackie Robinson,” “Muhammad Ali” and “Leonardo da Vinci,” will join this year’s festival lineup.
“It will be unique to have Ken’s daughter here also, who can provide a different generational lens on history.”
Panel discussions on the war’s legacy, storytelling and cultural preservation are also scheduled, with notable guest moderators such as Garry Adelman and Kris White of the American Battlefield Trust, and leading YouTube historians J.D. Huitt and Erik
Dorr (“The History Underground”), Chris Mowery (“Vlogging Through History”) and Jared Frederick (“Reel History”).
The film festival itself honors the power of storytelling.
“Most Americans get their history through film and television,” Dalton said. “This is giving the audience another reason to come to Gettysburg. It is a unique way to combine history and the genre of filmmaking. There is also a fanbase for many of these films while also tapping into a different fanbase.”
The Gettysburg Film Festival showcases American history on screen, from documentaries to feature films and emerging media. The festival aims to bring Americans together in a shared appreciation of our history and the stories that make us who we
“We wanted to do something beyond the battlefield and famous speeches that took place here,” Dalton said. “Gettysburg played an important role in shaping American history. There is no shortage of stories to tell that tie in with the American experience. There is some weight to the power of this place.”
The town also has the tourism infrastructure and venues to host such an event.
The festival is hosted by the Adams County Historical Society and Gettysburg College.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to explore nationally acclaimed exhibitions at Gettysburg’s new Beyond the Battle Museum, visit the Eisenhower National Historic Site, and see incredible WWII collections at the Gettysburg Museum of History and the WWII American Experience Museum. For more information or to get tickets, visit gettysburgfilmfestival.org.
Shuan Butcher is a writer, nonprofit professional, event planner and avid traveler. He writes from Frederick.
Jason Minick/Gettysburg College
Film Festival attendees form a long line stretching down the block from the historic Majestic Theater, extending past the Gettysburg Train Station.
Dave Johnson Gettysburg Images
Actors Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston join filmmaker Ken Burns and festival director Jake Boritt during “Lessons from Lincoln” panel during the 2024 Gettysburg Film Festival.
”Youth Perspectives” — through May 2, City Hall, 101 N. Court St., Frederick. Featuring artwork and images alongside accompanying text by Frederick youth ages 2 to 24. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership and Transformative Arts Projects. City Hall hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 301-600-1380 or cityoffrederickmd.gov.
Student Art Showcase — through May 2, Kepler Center, Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown. Features artwork from students enrolled in the visual arts studio courses this spring, including drawing, painting, photography, digital art and ceramics. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 240-500-2221 or hagerstowncc.edu.
Senior Capstone Exhibits — through May 9, Esther Prangley Rice Gallery, Peterson Hall, McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. Reception 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., with gallery talk at 6 p.m. May 1. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. 410-857-2592 or mcdaniel.edu.
”The Sincerest Form: Master Art Copyists” — through May 11, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Special project featuring the work of regionally based artists officially authorized as “master copyists” by the National Gallery of Art, creating on-site new copies based on MFA collection, Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. May 10, 1-3 p.m. Master Art Copyists close-out ceremony and panel discussion; free, light refreshments. 301-739-5727 or wcmfa.org.
Cumberland Valley Photographers Exhibit — through July 27, Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, 401 Museum Drive, Hagerstown. Juried, annual exhibition showcasing artists
Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Interpretations” — May 3 through June 1, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Featuring artworks by two visual storytellers: Watercolors by Vicki Clarkson and colored pencil by Lis Zadravec.
Opening reception 5-7 p.m. May 3 with music by Airmont Road Band 2-4 p.m. Artist talks: Vicki Clarkson at 3 p.m. May 10, Lis Zadravec at 3 p.m. May 25. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 703-5376345 or www.lisarts.com, eastsideartistsgallery.com.
Wine and Art Series Exhibit: “Spring Flowers” — May 3-17, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Artwork by artists from the Gaithersburg Fine Arts Association. The exhibit collection is a potpourri of painting by multiple artists who were inspired by spring flowers. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-466-2413 orlinkdsbridgevineyards.com.
of the Cumberland Valley region. 301-739-5727 or wcmfa.org.
”Tea and Tranquility:
Savoring the Beauty of Small Moments” — May 1 through June 30, Frederick 50+ (Senior) Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Jamie Moore is a food, lifestyle and fine art photographer based in Frederick County. Her work will be on display at the Rosemary & Thyme Gallery in the Frederick 50+ Community Center. Hours are 8:30 am. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. 301-600-3525. www. essentialquince.com.
Painterly Monotypes & Etchings — May 2-23, Waldo’s & Co., 17 Lincoln Square Basement, Gettysburg, Pa. Hand pulled monotypes and etchings by Dorothea Barrick. 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, except Tuesdays. 717-4296040.
”Old Gods” — May 3 through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Sumner Crenshaw’s paintings pull from mythological and folkloric imagery to explore the inner psyche. The artist brings to life figures from many pantheons, including Greek, Irish, Welsh, Norse, and Persian traditions.
Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-6980656 or delaplaine.org.
”SILVER: A Journey Through Space and Time” — May 3 through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Multidimensional digital art and animation photography by Dan Silver. Fusing colorful animated loops and photography in collaboration with technology, Silver finds the process forms the journey of his art, continually inventing a new creative communication
between mediums. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
”Hinterland” — May 3 through June 29, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. This series of paintings reflect upon DeAnna Boyer’s relationship with and understanding of nature, inspired by time spent sketching and observing various biodiverse ecosystems from the Appalachian Mountains to the Burren National Park in Ireland. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.
National Juried Exhibition — May 3 through July 13, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Features works in a variety of media by artists from around the region and the nation. Daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Into the Bittersweet Wood” — May 5-16 at Hood College Tatem Arts Center Gallery in Frederick. MFA thesis exhibition by Annie Boyer. Reception from 4 to 6 p.m. May 10. hood.edu.
“SHROUDED: CYANOTYPES” — May 5 to June 29 at Blanche Ames Gallery, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Work by Jillian Abir MacMaster. Reception and artist talk from 1 to 2:30 p.m. May 5. For gallery hours, call 301-4737680 or visit frederickuu.org.
Iron Works Festival Plein Air Artists Works Exhibit — May 17 to June 1, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. See the works created by pleinair artists during the Iron Works Festival (May 17-18) at Catoctin Furnace. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. 301-466-2413 orlinkdsbridgevineyards.com.
Courtesy photo
“Shrouded: Cyanotypes” features work by Jillian Abir MacMaster from May 5 to June 29 at Blanche Ames Gallery in Frederick.
Keep Frederick’s artisan community alive: Shop slow
BY JENNIFER LEE
Special to The News-Post
The SLOW Indie Market brings together a collection of thoughtful creators and artists making and designing beautiful things in and around Frederick.
The spring offering of this outdoor market will be held from noon to 6 p.m. May 3 at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville and packed with food trucks and live music, as well as hands-onexperiences for shoppers by some of the artisans.
This is the third indie market held by SLOW organizers Mya Frey and BeckyJane Onderdonk, who have organized maker markets at Gravel and Grind in Frederick and Postmasters Coffee and Bakery in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania.
Frey is a floral designer, teacher and nonprofit events designer. She has worked with brides for more than 20 years and has worked with nonprofits since 2010, along with running Mya Frey Florals and a small international nonprofit.
Onderdonk, a maker and a teacher who runs BeckyJane Sews and The Homestead Co., has been a part of the vendor community since 2012.
SLOW’s mission is “to bring people back from the hustle and bustle and mass consumerism and to focus on slowly made high quality items,” Frey and Onderdonk said.
“I love keeping the money local,” Frey said. “The whole point of it being an indie market is we are not connected to a corporation — it’s local artists.”
She said the more they can encourage local artists to keep making, the better, because they are what’s keeping our local culture alive.
Frey believes it’s important to shop local to allow the artisan culture to thrive. Frey wants to keep the small, artist-creator vibe alive in Frederick.
“I love that SLOW is a real curated shopping experience,” Frey said.
The SLOW Indie Market was created to support local artisans and the community. Instead of mass market, low-quality goods, shoppers will be able to invest in higher quality goods made by artisans in their own community.
“You’ll know where your money is going,” Onderdonk said. “When you shop from me, you are quite literally helping
me put food on the table for my family.”
SLOW is focused on makers who create things with their hands, and each vendor is independent of large corporations. Each item available for purchase was created by the artist behind their table — handmade products in small batches.
Vendors are encouraged to create their products with handcrafted, locally sourced materials.
“In a world where everything moves at such a fast pace and is fueled by rapid consumerism, it’s more important than ever to support slow-made goods,” said Steph Schaub, from Dwelling Gem, who is a jewelry maker. “When someone pours their heart and soul into their craft, it leaves you with something that carries its own sense of magic and worth.”
Jewelers, potters, photographers, fashion designers and more will be onsite at the event, each focusing on sustainable, local goods. There will be about 18 to 20 vendors total at this market.
Interactive activities will include making a cyanotype with Jamie Gerhold, an artist and maker who takes inspiration from nature to create cyanotype prints and garments. Her work highlights the beauty of the natural world using flowers grown in her garden or clippings gathered on hiking trips. Sessions are limited, so come out early to sign up.
Other activities for shoppers will be sewing demos, like how to make a scrunchie or make your own Mother’s Day card, where you can sew a cute card. There will be live painting, and other makers will be holding demos as well.
AJ Naylor, of Made by Fred apparel line, will be at the market with quality garments. His work is a tribute to Frederick’s industrial, agricultural and military history and “is representative of the city we were raised in: rooted in rebellion, progression, and history,” as stated on SLOW’s Instagram page last May.
“I love the heart and goals behind SLOW’s indie market,” said Jessica Ohla,
The Maryland Theatre presents Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
Friday, June 6, 2025 at 7:30 PM
IF YOU GO
SLOW Indie Market :: noon to 6 p.m. May 3 at Big Cork Vineyards, 4236 Main St., Rohrersville. 301-302-8032. Follow SLOW Indie Market on Instagram @slowindiemarket.
ADDITIONAL VENDORS
Missy Nakielny makes pottery Kings Kids offers clothing for children Refined Designs focuses on organic, U.S. milled and dyed, modest clothing for children Elsewhere offers ceramics
Gina M Copanzzi (GMC) Designs creates one-ofa-kind jewelry
Corrine (McBreen) Crone makes art inspired by nature and the feminine form
Lorena Long is an artist and author the Believer-Creator journal
Organics by Molley Jean focuses on oils and clean living
an artist and illustrator who will be a vendor. “It truly feels like an event for the artist and creator, celebrating works that often get overlooked in today’s fast, consumption-heavy marketplace.”
Courtesy photos
From left, Mya Frey and BeckyJane Onderdonk, hosts of the SLOW markets.
AJ Naylor will bring his Made by Fred apparel to the indie market.
Ballet brings the parties, jazz and sparkle to the Weinberg stage
BY ERIN JONES Special to The News-Post
“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
Many will recognize those words as the conclusion of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel “The Great Gatsby.” Lesser known, perhaps, to locals is that those same words can be found just a few exits down I-270, etched on the author’s grave.
Fitzgerald’s paternal ancestry is deeply rooted in Montgomery County, and both he and his wife Zelda are buried at St. Mary’s Catholic Church off Veirs Mill Road in Rockville.
Even today, flowers, pens and pencils left on the grave demonstrate the great esteem his readers still feel as they pay tribute. His stories and characters have become household names. “The Great Gatsby” has been adapted for film screens, the Broadway stage and many, many prom themes. Now a new adaptation has transformed the beloved story into a ballet, and World Ballet Theater will bring it to the Weinberg Center on May 4.
The adaptation, which premiered March 18, comes about through the combined storytelling of choreographer Ilya Zhivoy and composer Anna Drubich.
“The Great Gatsby Ballet” by the World Ballet Company — 6 p.m. May 4 at the Weinberg Center, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Tickets start at $55 and are available at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick.
Producer Gulya Hartwick says the process of adapting the novel for ballet was both a fun and rewarding challenge.
“The emotions in Fitzgerald’s story — love, longing, chasing dreams — are perfect for dance. Ballet helps us get to the heart of the story without needing any words,” Hartwick said.
Despite the lack of dialogue, Hartwick credits Zhivoy’s choreography with keeping the audience locked into the story, through the storytelling means of movement and expression. The production is
unique in that it combines classical ballet with singing, acrobatics and visual effects.
“The 1920s vibe is all over this show — the parties, the jazz, the sparkle — it’s built into the energy of the choreography,” Hartwick said, “but we didn’t abandon classical ballet either. We wanted that mix of elegance and emotion that traditional ballet brings, especially for the deeper, more dramatic scenes.
Dubrich’s score also drives the integration of these elements, integrating both cinematic elements with the jazzy rhythms of the day. Dubrich is well-practiced in the art of storytelling through the medium of music. She is a celebrated composer for film and TV, and her work includes the 2009 miniseries “Anna Karenina” and the 2023 Oscar-nominated “Navalny.”
Fitzgerald’s novel has now been published for a century, as of April 10, 2025. Despite the span of time since its publication, the themes underlying the story remain pertinent.
“Gatsby’s story still hits hard today because it is about chasing dreams, wanting to belong, trying to find happiness — things we all deal with, especially now in a world obsessed with image and status. Gatsby’s desire to rewrite his story feels pretty familiar in the age of social media, doesn’t it?” Hartwick said.
Photos by Will Bucquoy
The new “Great Gatsby” ballet brings a story that is relevant as ever — about chasing dreams, wanting to belong and trying to find happiness in a world obsessed with image and status. See the World Ballet Theater’s performance at the Weinberg Center on May 4.
The company hopes that audiences will be not just entertained but inspired and moved by the end of the performance.
“The show looks stunning — the dancing, the sets, the costumes — but there’s a real story underneath all that sparkle. Gatsby’s search for love and meaning hits home for a lot of us,” Hartwick said.
While based in L.A., World Ballet Company is multinational, composed of dancers and creatives from around the world. Foundational to the company’s ethos is the desire to bring ballet to all audiences, not just the biggest cities traditionally on a tour route. The company has performed in over 280 cities to more than 450,000 people, and Hartwick says many of these audiences were seeing ballet for the first time.
“We hear all the time, ‘Ballet’s not for me.’ Hartwick said. “But it is. It’s for you, your friends, your kids — everyone. Our ‘Great Gatsby’ is full of love, glitter, emotion and energy. So dress up, grab someone you care about, and come lose yourself in it.”
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.
MUSEUMS
(Continued from 10)
WWII Museum in France
A must-see for any visit to Normandy, one unique aspect of this museum, which features the chronological history of WWII, is the realistic reconstruction of a 1940s street lined with shops, depicting daily life in Nazi-occupied France. Another unique aspect is its location: on top of, and surrounded by, German bunkers at the north end of Utah Beach, where Allied Forces landed on D-Day.
Location: 18 Avenue de la plage, Quinéville, France
Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site
The unique aspect of Dachau is that it was the first concentration camp established, originally housing members of the Communist and Social Democrat political parties. The sobering experience of walking through an iron gate featuring the slogan Arbeit Macht Frei (“work sets you free”) and onto the grounds of a camp that once crammed the victims of the Holocaust into bunks, tortured
them to death, and exterminated them, can be felt only at a former concentration camp.
Location: Alte Römerstraße 73, 85221 Dachau, Germany
Memorium Nuremberg Trials
The unique aspect of this memorial is that it is located in the very Courthouse where the Nuremberg Major War Criminals Trial took place from 1945-1946, prosecuting highranking Nazi officials. The courtroom itself is usually open to visitors.
Whichever WWII museum you choose to visit, you’re sure to learn and feel something new about the war and the events leading up to it. As Winston Churchill once said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
Kari Martindale is a poet, spoken word artist and writer who has performed across Maryland and at the White House. A veteran of the US Air Force, she teaches for Armed Services Arts Partnership.
Michelle Jabés Corpora’s new YA fantasy series debuts with a book launch at the Urbana Library
BY ERIN JONES
Special to The News-Post
If “Game of Thrones” and “The Mummy” had a baby, it would be Michelle Jabés Corpora’s latest series: “The Throne of Khetara.” At least, that’s one comparison that the author has heard, and she considers it the most flattering comparison imaginable.
The first book in the young adult series, “His Face is the Sun,” will be published by Sourcebooks Fire on May 6, and Frederick area audiences will be among the first visitors to the magical world of Khetara.
Curious Iguana will host a book signing and launch event at Urbana Regional Library at 6 p.m. May 6. Corpora will appear in conversation with author Andie Burke, discussing her work and the new series. A book signing will follow.
Set in a world inspired by Ancient Egypt, the series combines elements of history and fantasy. The New Market author has a track record of versatility regarding genre. Her past titles include YA horror and middle grade fiction, as well as a host of ghostwritten works. “The Throne of Khetara” draws not only from historical research and imagination but from Corpora’s own family history.
“When it came to writing the book of my heart, I knew it had to be something to do with Egypt,” Corpora said.
Her parents and three of her grandparents were born in Egypt. Corpora recalls growing up surrounded by artifacts, food and stories from their life outside Cairo. As a young child, Corpora became passionate about Ancient Egyptian history.
Growing up, some of her favorite movies also took place in that region of the world: “The Mummy” (1999), “Indiana Jones,” “Aladdin,” “The Prince of Egypt” and “Stargate.” These influences remained with her as the “Throne of Khetara” series began to take shape.
“I wanted to write something that, like those movies, generated that same feeling of being on a rollercoaster ride with heroes that were flawed but endearing, people you could root and cheer for as you followed them on a wild adventure,” Corpora said.
In the brainstorming phase of the series, Corpora realized that many of the images, landmarks and stories most peo-
IF YOU GO
“His Face is the Sun” book signing and launch event with author Michelle Jabés Corpora :: 6 p.m. May 6 at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Corpora will appear in conversation with author Andie Burke, discussing her work and the new series.
June 2025 Kids’ Indie Next List, as well as the Barnes & Noble Most Anticipated YA Book for 2025. Additionally, it has received a Junior Library League Gold Selection, a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and has been named the No. 1 Title “Not to Miss in May” from The Bookseller in the U.K.
“I am completely blown away by the excitement from booksellers, librarians and readers everywhere,” Corpora said. “There is a real widespread passion for Ancient Egypt and its magic and mystery and allure, and I think this book taps into that curiosity and fascination.”
Meanwhile, excitement has been growing among local audiences as well. Corpora’s husband is a Frederick County high school teacher, and he has been keeping his students updated on the series’ formation and progress.
Corpora says that while the book is labeled as being intended for readers age 14 and up, she believes it will appeal to older teens and adults as well.
ple think of about Ancient Egypt have to do with death. Mummies, tombs and even the pyramids are all that remains of a life that is lost, not a life that was lived.
While Corpora readily admits her own interest in these elements and her desire to include them in her stories, she had a vision for the world of her stories that went beyond those things.
“I wanted readers to get an understanding of what the lives of farmers, priestesses and pharaohs might have been like, and to be able to go on a grand, epic adventure with characters that felt real and relatable, even though they were from a civilization thousands of years old,” Corpora said. “Instead of death, I wanted to write about Ancient Egyptian life.”
Like any fantasy story, creating Khetara required extensive world-building, but Corpora sought to ground the fantasy in reality. She incorporated historical elements like the gods, religion, culture and terrain, while creating new cities, history and, of course, characters for Khetara.
Even the more fantastical elements were informed by research, particularly about the practice and understanding of magic in Ancient Egypt.
“Magic was one of the cornerstones of Ancient Egyptian religion, and so my story simply takes those beliefs and spells and sacred objects and asks the question: What if it were all true? What if the magic was real? What would happen?”
In the process of her research, she turned to books, lectures and even visited the MET in New York City to see the Egyptian wing.
“My research for this series has been substantial, and I’ve enjoyed every minute,” Corpora said. I think one could probably spend a lifetime trying to learn everything there is to know about Ancient Egypt and still come away with only a fraction of all the amazing complexities of the history.”
While not yet released to the public, the first book in the series has already won several distinctions. “His Face Is the Sun” has been chosen for the May/
The second installment in the series is due to be released in the spring/summer of 2026 and the third book the following spring/summer.
In the meantime, Corpora looks forward to introducing her readers to this new world on May 6 and celebrating the occasion in person with local audiences.
“I can’t wait to meet readers from the community and share this incredibly meaningful day with them,” Corpora said. “This whole process has been, in every possible way, a dream come true, and I am so grateful to every person who has inspired, encouraged and supported my journey to this moment.”
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.
Adam Corpora
Author Michelle Jabés Corpora will debut her new YA fantasy novel at a book launch on May 6 in Urbana.
‘InSpired’: Frederick’s story of progress will premiere on the Weinberg Center’s big screen
BY ROCCO GEPPI
Special to The News-Post
Downtown Frederick is known for its charm, energy and abundance of specialty shops. It’s become a haven for both locals and visitors.
But that vibrant scene wasn’t always its reality.
When Russ Hodge moved to the area in the late 1980s, Frederick looked very different. What he witnessed over the decades that followed — decades of steady, intentional growth — inspired him to document the transformation that turned Frederick into a model of progress.
The result is “InSpired,” a onehour documentary produced by Hodge and his team at 3 Roads Communications, an Emmy Award-winning small business based in Frederick. The film explores the city’s evolution from its pre-European roots to 2023, offering historical insight and real stories of local revitalization.
Before its broader release on national public television, “InSpired” will be premiered at a public screening on May 2 at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick. The event includes two showings, however, at the time this article was published, only the 2 p.m. show had tickets still available.
Hodge said the idea for the documentary has been with him for more than 20 years.
“I was struck, even in the late 1990s, by the remarkable turnaround that had happened [in Frederick],” Hodge said. “And being from New York, I had seen this happen in places like SoHo and various areas in Brooklyn, where tons of people took control of their destiny and managed to change their fortunes. You could see that was happening here in Frederick as well.”
“InSpired” traces the slow and steady nature of Frederick’s success. It wasn’t one big moment, Hodge explained, but rather a collection of small, intentional efforts over time — everything from planting trees and restoring buildings to recruiting restaurants and promoting the arts.
“Frederick’s renaissance … is
“We wanted a wide representation of voices, from business owners to community members who have witnessed Frederick’s changes firsthand,” Hodge said.
Josh Cochran (producer, cameraman, editor, researcher and script writer/editor) said the fluidity of creating a documentary is one of the parts that makes it fun.
“Unlike with a narrative film, where you may storyboard the shots and outline the structure from the very beginning,” Cochran said, “planning and editing a documentary often must be organic to make sure that your original plans for what you envision the final product being don’t interfere with your presentation of events as they happened, with as little bias as possible. So, editing takes a while, and some edits may need to be heavily modified or scrapped as new information arises.”
Another challenge the team had was being able to condense interviews and information into “InSpired” that could have stood on their own as full stories.
IF YOU GO
due to 50 years or more of residents, business people and elected officials working together collaboratively and intentionally to make downtown Frederick more livable for everyone,” Hodge said. “What changed Frederick were hundreds of small things that consistently propelled it forward.”
To tell this story, Hodge and his crew interviewed more than 50 people, including business owners, elected officials (both past and present) and longtime residents.
“A lot of the script for ‘InSpired’ was written alongside the filming and research,” said producer Patrick Hodge, who was also on camera, researching, editing and script writing. “We knew we wanted to tell the history of Frederick
County from before [its] founding until today. However, we [tried] to let the story be informed and told through our interviewees — representing a wide variety of members of the Frederick Community — as much as possible, and we use the voiceover mostly to connect these oral histories into a broader narrative.”
In addition to Frederick’s own story, “InSpired” places the city’s progress within a national context. Hodge wanted to explore how the changes in Frederick reflect broader trends in American cities.
That sense of inclusion and progress is at the heart of the film’s narrative. The documentary was carefully crafted to include a wide range of voices and perspectives.
“One interview that stood out to me was that of Daryl Davis,” Cochran said, “a Black musician who decided to confront and eventually befriend some members of the KKK, ultimately leading many of them to exit the Klan. Davis’ first interaction with a Klansmen was in a dive-bar in Frederick. Stories like these, which could yield another full-hour documentary in themselves, would often come up during this project.”
Funding the project was no small feat. Like many independent filmmakers, Hodge faced challenges in securing financial support. Fortunately, Heritage Frederick stepped in as the film’s fiscal sponsor, also providing archival materials and photographs for the film.
“We aimed for a balanced portrayal, using a mix of historical footage, interviews and drone shots to capture the city’s evolution,” Hodge said.
That mix of visuals and personal narratives helps to give the documentary both emotional depth and historical clarity.
“People are excited to see
The 60-minute “InSpired” documentary will premiere at 2 p.m. May 2 at the Weinberg Center, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Reserve free tickets online at weinbergcenter.org, by calling the box office at 301-600-2828, or in person at 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Seating is limited. Learn more about the film at frederickinspired.com.
their city’s story told on a national stage,” Hodge said. “There’s a strong sense of pride among locals, and many are glad that their efforts and achievements are being recognized.”
Ultimately, Hodge hopes “InSpired” encourages others to think about how real change happens — and how communities like Frederick can offer a blueprint for positive transformation.
“I hope the documentary serves as a guide for other cities looking to make positive changes,” he said. “It presents practical examples of how persistent, small-scale actions can lead to significant transformations.”
Rocco Geppi is a freelance writer, having earned his professional journalist credentials in his late teens, and has made a career out of his passion. He enjoys connecting with people, bringing communities together, and highlighting what makes the people and the community uniquely invaluable.
Staff file photo by Skip Lawrence
Some of Frederick’s fabled spires as seen from the East Patrick Street parking deck on a clear day.
ROCKY SPRINGS CEMETERY COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING
The Rocky Springs Cemetery Company will hold their Annual Meeting on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 6:00 pm at 7904 Old Receiver Rd Frederick, MD 21702
2025 BIG MONEY CASH BASH
Sat May 17, 2025
Thurmont Community Ambulance
Thurmont Events Complex Building 13716 Strafford Drive, Thurmont, MD 21788
Bring Your Lawn Chairs & Canopy
Gates Open 10:00 a m
Food, Can Beer, Wine Coolers and Soda included 12:00 - 5:00 p m NO COOLERS ALLOWED
Drawing beings 11:45 a m • Winner Every 5 Minutes Must be off premises by 8:00 p m $20 00 Per Person
No patrons under 18 - ID Required - Must present ticket to enter gate No pets except service animals NO CARRYOUTS ALLOWED Ticket holder can win multiple prizes PHOTO
301-748-5359 or 301-271-3820 or Any Friday Night at Complex 5:00 p m -10:00 p m
BEEF OR CHICKEN PLATTERS
Carry-out or Eat under pavilion Burkittsville Ruritan Club
Choice of Hot Roast Beef Sandwich w/Gravy or 4-pc Fried Chicken, French Fries, Green Beans, Applesauce and Cold Drink - $15/platter
Roast Beef Sandwiches - $7
Pre-order by May 10
Pick-up on May 17 (1-4p) Call 301-371-7795
CASH BINGO
Benefit St Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Burkittsville, MD
Friday, May 2nd, 2025
Doors open 5:30pm Bingo starts 7:00pm $25 per person 20 Games + Specials + Raffle
Event held at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 401 Central Ave , Brunswick MD For info call 301-473-5299
BIG, BEAUTIFUL BELOVED
GARDENS PLANT SALE
Sat, May 3, from 9am - 2 pm, Rain or Shine UUCF, 4880 Elmer Derr Rd, off Rte 340, Frederick, MD Fantastic prices Great variety: Native perennials, annuals, herbs, veggies, flowers and trees For information, call or text Nancy: 703 346 2022
BUFFET DINNER
Mt Airy VFC Auxiliary Fri, May 02, 2025
4-7p or until sold out
Eat in or Carry-out Fried Chicken, Fried Shrimp, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Cole Slaw, Green Beans, Buttered Corn, Baked Apples, & Stewed Tomatoes
Adults: $18; Children 6-12: $8 00 Under 5 is FREE; ($2 extra for carry-out)
Mt. Airy VFC Reception Hall 1008 Twin Arch Rd, Mt Airy Credit or Debit Cards Accepted
Nightly Entertainment: Tue. 5/27: Honky Tonk Twins Wed. 5/28: Catoctin Mountain Boys Thu. 5/29: Taylor Brown w/Elvis Show Fri 5/30: Full Effect Fireworks at 10 p.m. Sat 5/31: Border Line Rides by Snyder's Attractions Rides req. 32" in height. Tickets Available at: Thurmont Kountry Kitchen, Direct 2 U Gas Station, Weis Grocery, Woodsboro Bank, Thurmont or Any of functions at Thurmont Event Complex 301-748-5359 or 301-271-3820
Games / Raffles
Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Dr , Thurmont, MD 21788
CATOCTIN
MOUNTAIN ORCHARD
Available in our Market: Strawberries, Blueberries, Red Raspberries, Blackberries Pink Lady, Fuji, Goldrush & Evercrisp Apples Bananas, Clementines, Mandarin Oranges, White Seedless Grapes, Red & White Onions, Celery, Cherry Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Potatoes, Asparagus, Cabbage, Red & Green Peppers
Pre Made Sandwiches (Limited), Fresh Baked Fruit Pies, Apple Cider Donuts, Fresh Apple Cider, Jams & Jellies 301-271-2737
Open Daily 9am-5pm 15036 North Franklinville Rd Thurmont MD www catoctinmountain orchard.com
LARGE QUANTITY OF FRESH PREMIUM MULCH
$3.00, 2-cubic ft. bags Hanging Baskets, some Evergreens, Bedding Plants ALL Fresh Plants! Largest Selection & the Lowest Prices! Only at DR Virts 800 Petersville Rd, Brunswick, Md - 301969-6115
Come on down and see me! Cash & Cards SOUP & SANDWICH SALE
Pre-order by 05/06/2025
Pick-up Friday 05/09/2025 9:00 a m - 12:00 p m 301-874-2368 All freshly made onsite 8" subs: $8 00 Cold Cut, Ham & Cheese Turkey & Cheese, Chicken Salad & Country Ham Sandwiches: $6 00 Chicken Salad & Country Ham
Crab Cake Sandwich: $9 00 (fried or uncooked) By the lb: chicken salad $12; sliced country ham $12
at St. John's Lutheran Church of Creagerstown 8619 Blacks Mill Road, Creagerstown MD
May 4th, join us for a concert presented by the Frederick Flute Choir which is in its 32nd season bringing music to Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington DC The choir is made up of semiprofessional musicians whose mission is to present musical performances of the highest quality, providing arts, educational, and cultural enrichment for the local communities and region
May 10th, Celebrate Mothers with the gift of music featuring harpist Anna Smith Anna is an accomplished harpist as well as an accomplished pianist She will be performing many pieces for solo harp as well as playing two harp pieces with a colleague
Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music
Both concerts are being held in our historical Union Church Building starting at 3 PM
A free will offering will be collected for both events
SPRING CONCERT SERIES IN THE UNION CHURCH
3 PM Start Time May 4th: Flute Choir Spring Concert
May 4th: Mother's Day Weekend
Free will offering collected for all events
St John's Lutheran Church of Creagerstown 8619 Blacks Mill Road Creagerstown, MD
TRIPLE 7 BINGO
Sat May 17th 21 Games
Cash, Designer Purses, Filled Longaberger Baskets
Carroll Manor Fire Company 1809 Ballenger Creek Pike
Point of Rocks Station
Doors Open: 5PM
Bingo: 7PM
Tickets: $40 301-874-5642
Sold separately: Special Games, Tip Jars and Food www.carrollmanorfire company org
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
FARMBROOK
5694 Glenrock Drive Saturday, May 3 8-12pm
Luggage, travel bags, twin-size quilts, Nora Robert's books, US Mint Silver Proof set quarters, home decor/furniture, Longaberger baskets and much more
FARMBROOK COMMUNITY YARD
SALE
Sat., May 3 • 8AM-2PM
Rain Date: Sun, May 4
Entrances off Crestwood Blvd and Ballenger Center Pike
WORMAN'S MILL COMMUNITY YARD SALE
Fri, May 2 • 5p to Dusk Sat, May 3 and Sun, May 4 • 8a to 5p Look for individual signs within the community
Business Opportunity
Ford Explorer, runs perfect, has been used to tow the business for last 10 yrs; •Tandem Trailer, 4 wh, long bed, tires in very good cond , carries everything you need with no problem for any service; •60 in Zero-turn, in perfect cond less than 500 hours, (Cannot be bought for less than $10k today!)
•38 in Lawn Rider, all belts & any parts showing wear, were replaced
•All hand tools - right down to the invoices READY TO GO BUSINESS! Selling as 1-Piece $14,000 OBO for everything!
Wanted to Buy
FEMALE TOY POODLE puppies 4 sale, "gorgeous" small family raised & socialized puppies One apricot & one an apricot parti (mostly white) Up to date on vaccines, d-wormed, micro-chipped They both come with a nice puppy kit with food and a written health guarantee $800 ea 301-241-4159
shared expenses of less than $300/mo , you’ll have your own room, no smoking, drinking, or alcohol, as I am on oxygen, call 240-928-0919 & ask for Lacey, anytime
• Light Demo
• Welding repairs and fabrication
• Hauling needs
• Dump trailer available for rent GREAT PRICES! 20% Off 1st Job! Please call to enquire Talkinscrap@yahoo.com
Thursday May 1
CLASSES
Frederick Speaker Series: Celeste Ng — 7:30 p.m. at Weinberg Center for the Arts, 20 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Bestselling author of “Everything I Never Told You,” “Little Fires Everywhere” and “Our Missing Hearts.”
National Day of Prayer Observance in Frederick County — 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Led by the Evangelical Ministerial Fellowship. 6:30-8:30 a.m. prayer time at Francis Scott Key Mall, worship and light breakfast, donations welcome. Noon to 1 p.m. — Spheres of Prayer at Carroll Creek, pray at stations representing the spheres of influence in the county. 8 to 9 p.m. — prayer on Zoom. Contact the EMF executive committee for more information, emffrederick@gmail.com. Register at frederickprays.com/nationalday-of-prayer.
Heritage High Tea — 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Frederick, 24 E Church St, Frederick. Join us for tea in our lovely garden! Get your girl group together, call your crochet club, or make ‘mommy & me’ memories. Allow us to transport you to teatime of yore with tea and savory and sweet bites. In case of inclement weather, tea will be moved to our beautiful, recently renovated Reed Room. $20/participant.
$20. Outreach@FrederickHistory.org.
200 Monroe Restaurant — 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Ave., Frederick. Frederick Community College (FCC) invites you to enjoy a gourmet dinner created by the students at 200 Monroe Restaurant! Guests will enjoy a first course, entree, and dessert freshly made by the baking and pastry class. Reservations are required.
Duplicate Bridge — noon to 4 p.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration, 6909 Maryland Ave., Braddock Heights. Looking for a competitive mind sport? Frederick Bridge Club duplicate games allow you to hone your skills and meet other bridge enthusiasts. All are welcome; partner required. $8.00. 301-639-1009.
brogan.liz@gmail.com. bridgewebs.com/frederick.
FAMILY
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, stories and more. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Teen and Tween Open Chess Play (Ages 9-18) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Spend the first Thursday of the month with a game of chess! Open to all levels of chess players, bring your own chess set or use one of ours. Bring your friends and meet other chess enthusiasts. 301-600-7200.
Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories, and more! Designed for kids up to age 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
FESTIVALS
Youth Prayer Rally — 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Baker Park Bandshell, 121 N. Bentz St., Frederick. Sponsored by the National Day of Prayer-Frederick. This is a local observance of the National Day of Prayer which includes prayer for all levels of government and its elected officials. Program starts at 6 p.m. with pre-event activities including food starting at 5:30 p.m. All ages welcome! 240-529-3494.
3rd Floor Interactive Gallery Drop-in Kick-off Events — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Beginning in May, artist Lauren Koch will facilitate a year-long, collaborative and interactive work of art in the third floor gallery space. Inspired by the tradition of Tibetan Prayer Flags, this installation invites community members to express their hopes and intentions through art. Whether words of peace, symbols of love, or affirmations of joy and pride, each contribution adds to a colorful banner sharing messages of love and peace. Join Lauren during the kickoff event May 1 or May 2 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.,
or contribute to the installation any time during our regular open hours through next spring! 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.
HEALTH
Yoga in the Library — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Join us for this 60-minute yoga practice that will include physical postures, pranayama (breath exercises) and meditation. 301-600-6329. www.fcpl.org.
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.
Twisted Pine — 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Spire Arts, 15 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Their energetic blend of bluegrass, jazz and pop influences, defies genre boundaries with fearless improvisation and intricate arrangements, creating a unique sound that pushes the limits of traditional music. $10. 301-600-2868. bhiller@cityoffrederick.gov. weinbergcenter.org/shows/twisted-pine.
Friday May 2
FESTIVALS
Barnyard Band and Booze — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Green Meadows Petting Farm, 10102 Fingerboard Road, Ijamsville. Live band, various breweries, distilleries, wineries, food and more. Enjoy an adult beverage purchased from one of our vendors. The Animal Barn will also be open. Bring your blankets, chairs and friends. Children are welcome. $16 (credit) for ages 2+. 301-865-9203. info@ greenmeadowsevents.com. www.greenmeadowsevents.com.
MUSIC
Catonsville Homes presents Summer Concert Series — 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Main Street Plaza, 110 S. Main St., Mount Airy. The First Fridays of the summer months just got a whole lot better! Come to the block party at the Main Street Plaza
between 6 to 9 p.m. with live music starting at 6 p.m. This month’s performer will be Luke Hale. Folks can also shop the wonderful brick and mortar stores and restaurants along Main Street. Come out for a fun night on the plaza! www.mountairymd.gov.
“Unapologetic Songs of the Sea” — 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Jack B. Kussmaul Theater at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Join the Choral Arts Society of Frederick for a rousing, seafaring finale to their 81st season! From Gilbert and Sullivan to Disney and back, this delightful musical journey across the sea invites you to tap your toes, sing “yo-ho’s” and usher in the summer! Fun for the entire family (and intended to be engaging for the young ones). tickets@casof.org. casof.org.
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
The Comedy Pigs — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Established in 1993, The Comedy Pigs are the region’s longest-running improv troupe, and they’re ready for another great season. Join them on the first Friday and Saturday of every month for hilarious shows filled with a series of fun shortform improv games. No two shows are ever the same, so be sure to join them each and every month! 18 and older. $15. 301-694-4744. contact@marylandensemble.org.
Saturday May 3
DIY Reverse Eco-Printing on Organic Cotton Tote with Imbued Co. — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fox Haven Farm & Retreat Center, 3630 Poffenberger Road, Jefferson. Discover the art of reverse eco-printing using plants and minerals to design your very own plant printed tote bag. All materials are provided, and no prior experience is necessary. $75. 240-490-5484. info@foxhavenfarm.org. foxhavenfarm.org/events.
ETCETERA
Community Yard Sale — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church, 5609 Ballenger Creek Pike, Frederick. Funds raised will support the church building project. Shop for a great cause — family, food and fun. Hot dog or burger combo $6 (includes drink & chips). Free health screenings. Vendors reserve a space for $25 (deadline April 18). 301-694-7315. jacksonchapel@comcast.net. www.jacksonchapelumc.org.
Community Document Shredding Event
— 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Veridian Capital Partners Parking Lot, 7101 Guilford Drive, Frederick. Free disposal of your confidential documents with ALL-SHRED. Frederick Community Action Agency Food Bank will be onsite receiving nonperishable food and monetary donations. Please consider supporting their efforts. Follow the signs to the parking lot on the day of the event. www.vcpwealth.com.
Plant Swap — 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Watkins Park, 615 Center St., Mount Airy. Did you grow too many of a certain type of plant and want to share with other plant lovers? Or are you just looking for more of a variety in your garden? Bring your extra plants to the Plant Swap. acollier@mountairymd.gov. www.mountairymd.gov.
Myersville Farmers Market — 9 a.m. to noon at Municipal parking lot, 301 Main St., Myersville. Saturdays through Oct. 25. myersvillefarmersmarket.com.
Friends of the Thurmont Regional Library Spring Book Sale — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Before you know it, those hot summer days will be here, so what better way to be prepared for days by the pool or sitting on the beach, by stocking up on those favorites at the Friends of the Thurmont Regional Library Book Sale! 301-600-7200.
Foundations of Frederick Walking Tour — 10:30 a.m. to noon at Museum of Frederick County History/Heritage Frederick, 24 E. Church St., Frederick. Experience the history and beauty of downtown as knowledgeable guides share the fascinating stories that make up historic Frederick. Tour starts at the Museum of Frederick County History. RSVP required. Tour starts at and returns to 24 E Church St. RSVP required.
Loco-for-Local — noon to 3 p.m. at The Common Market Co-op, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Come celebrate with us and discover the joy of supporting local! Live music, taste free samples, raffles and giveaways. 301-663-3416.
Drag Queen Bingo — 5 p.m. at Brunswick Volunteer Fire Co., 1500 Volunteer Drive,
Brunswick. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Ages 21 and older. For tickets, call or text 240-344-7039. $30 in advance, $40 at door. www.bvfd5.org/content/otherevents.
Ernie Couch & Revival Concert — 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Taylorsville United Methodist Church, 4356 Ridge Road, Mount Airy. This family group from Nashville, Tenn., will share traditional and new Gospel songs for all ages. Come early and enjoy sandwiches and desserts. An offering will be collected to support the band. Come enjoy the concert. You will be blessed. 410-875-4101. taylorsvilleumcmd@gmail.com. www.taylorsvilleumc.org.
Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick — 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at Brewer’s Alley Restaurant and Brewery, 124 N. Market St., Frederick. Take a remarkable journey through Frederick’s gruesome and bloody past. Nearly 300 years of war, executions and revenge. True documented stories of the “paranormal” with “Maryland’s Oldest Operating Ghost Tour!” Reservations recommended. $17 for adults. 301-668-8922. info@MarylandGhostTours.com. marylandghosttours.com.
FAMILY
Print Day in May — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Frederick Book Arts Center, 127 S. Carroll St., Frederick. At 2 p.m., “Advocates, Gazettes, and Hornets: Early Newspapers and Printing in Frederick” by Sean Considine. During this lecture, Sean will use primary sources to explore early Frederick printers, their newspapers, and the content of their publications to learn more about early Frederick and gain insight into the pulse of the people. Several local artists will demonstrate on a myriad of printing equipment from the 1860s to present day. Visitors can take part in operating our old presses and bring home handmade mementos!A complete schedule of our demonstrations will be available soon. 301-228-9816. corrine.wilson@fredbookartscenter.org.
Family Pet Prep — 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Middletown Branch Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. The Frederick Friends of Our County Animal Shelter (FFOCAS) group will educate families on basic care for cats and dogs, the Frederick Animal Control and Adoption Center adoption process, and safe petting/play for children with pets. Family-friendly event. 301-600-7560. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
First Saturday STEM Lab Drop-in — 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Drop in for a hands-on STEM Lab opportunity. This program is designed from children in grades K-5 and their caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
First Saturday STEM Lab Drop-In — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Drop in for a hands-on STEM Lab opportunity. This program is designed from children in
grades K-5 and their caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
FESTIVALS
South Mountain Creamery’s Spring Festival — 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at South Mountain Creamery, LLC, 8305 Bolivar Road, Middletown. It’s that time of year again–one of our biggest and most favorite events is almost here! Join us on the farm for a day full of family-fun activities. Don’t miss out on the fun: (activities may be slightly different than what is listed). WFRE bBroadcasting live (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), milk production plant tours every hour on the hour. Other activities all day long! 301-371-8565. rhonda.beckner@smcdairy.com. southmountaincreamery.com/visit/events. Asia on the Creek 2025 — 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Carroll Creek Amphitheater, Frederick. A day filled with vibrant cultural performances, Asian cuisine and exciting activities for the whole family. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions and diverse heritage of Asia. Whether you’re a foodie looking to try new dishes or a music lover wanting to experience traditional performances, there’s something for everyone at Asia on the Creek. 301-694-3355. communications@aacfmd.org. AsiaontheCreek.eventbrite.com.
GALLERY
Art Matters Artist Talk: National Juried Exhibition juror Jacob Muldowney — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. National Juried Exhibition juror Jacob Muldowney will describe the selection process and present the award-winning pieces. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/exhibitions/.
Exhibition Openings: National Juried Exhibition, SILVER, Sumner Crenshaw, DeAnna Boyer — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. View new exhibitions and meet the artists! 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/exhibitions.
Creative Outlet: First Saturday — 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Kids and adults are invited to drop-in and get creative together on art activities at family tables! Each session features a themed activity. Visiting Artist Lauren Koch will lead guests in a collaborative art project. $2 per participant. Please, no large groups. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.
MUSIC
“Unapologetic Songs of the Sea” — 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Jack B. Kussmaul Theater at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Join the Choral Arts Society of Frederick for a rousing, seafaring finale to their 81st season! From Gilbert and Sullivan to Disney and back, this delightful musical
journey across the sea invites you to tap your toes, sing “yo-ho’s” and usher in the summer! Fun for the entire family (and intended to be engaging for the young ones). tickets@casof.org. casof.org.
Mike Kuster In Concert — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Comus Inn, 23900 Old Hundred Road, Dickerson. Mike Kuster returns to The Comus Inn for an evening of Honky Tonkin’ good fun! 301-662-3355. mike@mikekuster.net. www.thecomusinn.com.
Mike Kuster at The Comus Inn — 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Comus Inn, 23900 Old Hundred Road, Dickerson. Join local award-winning country artist Mike Kuster for an evening of traditional country music, great food and drinks, and lovely views of the country-side and Sugarloaf Mountain. 301-662-3355. mike@mikekuster.net. mikekuster.net.
THEATER
The Comedy Pigs — 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Established in 1993, The Comedy Pigs are the region’s longest-running improv troupe, and they’re ready for another great season. Join them on the first Friday and Saturday of every month for hilarious shows filled with a series of fun short-form improv games. No two shows are ever the same, so be sure to join them each and every month! 18 and older.
Pickleball tournament — 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Remsberg Park, 7408 Holter Road, #7404, Middletown. Friends of the Middletown Library will hold a pickleball tournament. The format is set partner round robin.
The Frederick City Market — 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Carmack Jays Parking Lot, 331 N. Market St., Frederick. Sundays May-November. Downtown Fredericks Farmers and Artisans Market. Parking free on sundays 240-291-8254. rma2472@yahoo.com. frederickcitymarket.com.
BBQ Chicken Dinners — noon to 3 p.m. at Mount Airy Volunteer Fire Co., 702 N. Main St., Mount Airy. Drive-thru dinners are back. Dinner includes 1/2 barbecue chicken, roll and two sides: macaroni salad, potato salad, coleslaw or applesauce. $15. 3018290100. rhilk@mavfc.org. www.mavfc.org.
Frederick Plant and Seed Swap — noon to 5 p.m. at Rockwell Brewery Riverside, 8411 Broadband Drive, Frederick. We will now be hosting Frederick Plant and Seed Swap on the first Sunday of every month. Swap
plants, seeds, stories, advice. Come swap or just browse. 301-372-4880. matt@rockwellbrewery.com.
FAMILY
Happy Birthday Middletown Library!
— 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Middletown Library, 31 E. Green St., Middletown. Celebrate Middletown Library’s first birthday with a fun-filled afternoon of crafts, activities and cheer! aknight@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Female Pirates of the 18th Century — 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Arrrgh! Join swashbuckler Eliza Blackheart as she regales you with tales of piracy on the high seas! Learn pirate lore and some surprising stories about female pirates. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
Frederick Flute Choir Spring Concert —
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Historic St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 8619 Black’s Mill Road, Creagerstown. Meet our family of flutes in an eclectic concert of classical favorites, folk and hymn tunes, jazz, ragtime, and original pieces for flute choir. Hear the individual sounds of the piccolo, C flute, alto flute, bass flute and contrabass flute as we present “Meet the Flutes.”
Guest musicians Jay McRoberts, Mike Sevcovic and Howard Burns. The Choir is the oldest flute choir in the Mid-Atlantic region, founded in 1989, directed by Vicki
Crum and assisted by Donna Sevcovic and Jennings Glenn, conductor emeritus. 301-676-9852. andersrock@comcast.net. www.FrederickFluteChoir.com.
The Ladies of History Present “Female Spies of World War II” — 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. From Paris to London and Berlin, female spies were common throughout Europe fighting oppression from behind the scenes. Thanks to the Ladies of History, these women will come center stage to share their experiences with you.
Downtown Artwalk: Jaz Ceramics — noon to 4 p.m. at Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Take a self-guided stroll downtown and visit local galleries! At the Delaplaine, Jaz Ceramics will have functional ceramics. 301-698-0656. jclark@delaplaine.org. delaplaine.org/programs.
MUSIC
Calvary UMC Community Concert Series: Mendelssohn Piano Trio — 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church, 131 W. Second St., Frederick. Since its founding in 1997, they have performed over 500 concerts in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The Trio - Peter Sirotin, violinist, Fiona
Thompson, cellist, and Ya-Ting Chang, pianist - embrace an extensive repertoire of over 100 works of music from all periods of the genre’s history. Their program “Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man” explores the tension between tradition and innovation in music by Beethoven, Rachmaninoff and Korngold. 301-662-1464. jsummers@calvaryumc.org. www.CalvaryUMC.org/concerts. Psalms & Soul — 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Coffman Chapel at Hood College, 401 Rosemont Ave., Frederick. In the resonant Coffman Chapel, voices and bells from choirs surrounding Frederick will join together to present music spanning generations and styles. The music selected pulls texts from Psalm 100, 98, 90, and 23 and soulful spirituals. Three guest conductors will lead adult and children choristers as well as a massed handbell choir, and a quintet from the Spires Brass Band. Those in attendance will be able to raise their voices with the combined musicians as we sing beloved favorites. This concert is free — a freewill offering will be collected for Beyond Shelter Frederick. twinspires.org/fineartsseries.
Monday May 5
ETCETERA
Mondays in Mount Airy Weekly Food Truck Event — 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Railyard, 3 N. Main St. , Mount Airy. This
community event is designed to support locally owned and operated food trucks as well as the businesses along Downtown Main Street.
301-829-9660.
McDaniel College Academic Symposium — 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at McDaniel Campus , 2 College Hill, Westminster. McDaniel faculty, staff, and students showcase their scholarship and academic experiences through innovative and inspiring presentations and lectures. Visit www. mcdaniel.edu/academic-symposium for more information.
Food Truck Mondays — 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at New Market Grange #362, 14 South Alley, New Market. 1st & 3rd Mondays through August.
301-799-9168. Hollar50@myactv.net.
Teen Video Game Hour! (Ages 1318) — 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Play our Nintendo Switch or bring your own and play with friends! Open to all skill levels for ages 13-18.
Save Water, Reduce Waste, and Go Green at Home! — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at C. Burr Artz Library, 110 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Learn how rain barrels, compost bins and simple actions around your home can have a positive impact on our environment — and your budget! Learn how to conserve water, reduce food waste, and join the local sustainability movement. We’ll
look at the impact your individual actions can have on local waterways and global climate. Led by Annmarie Creamer from the Division of Energy & Environment. 301-748-9483.
acreamer@frederickcountymd.gov.
FAMILY
Baby Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 East Moser Road, Thurmont. Songs, stories and play for babies and their grownups. Designed for children up to 24 months with a caregiver. Afterwards, we offer a “stay and play” for all to enjoy.
Family Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories and more! Designed for ages up to 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
Little Adventurers — 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Children learn and explore through hands-on activities using science, technology, engineering, art and math concepts at the library. Caregivers are encouraged to connect with children and participate in the activities!
ARIA Remembrance Ceremony — 10:30 a.m. at Heritage Farm Park, 9238 Devillbiss Bridge Road, Walkersville. On May 6, 1981, U.S. Air Force Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA), tail number 6 1-0328, left from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Fairborn, Ohio, on a routine training mission, and never reached its destination. The jet exploded and crashed, in the area of Walkersville that is now Heritage Farm Park, with all passengers perishing. Each year, on the anniversary of this event, the Veterans Committee holds a ceremony to honor the lives lost on that day.
Open Chess Play — 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Stop in and play chess with your friends. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
Weekly Tuesday Night Bingo — 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at New Windsor Fire company , 101 High St., New Windsor. Weekly Tuesday Night Bingo. Doors open at 5 p.m. Games start at 7 p.m. Food and drinks available. 410-635-6373. d_pstrine@msn.com. nwfd10.org.
Book Launch for Michelle Jabès Corpora’s new YA novel “His Face Is the
Sun” — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Set in a mythical kingdom inspired by the land of the Nile River, this story follows four unlikely characters swept up in an oracle that will change their world forever. Michelle will discuss her work with local author Andie Burke, then answer questions and sign books. 240-575-4496. curiousiguanaevents@gmail.com. curiousiguana.com/event/ michelle-jabes-corpora.
FAMILY
Preschool Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. 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.
Get Ready for Kindergarten — 11:15 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Have fun exploring literacy, STEM 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.
Night Owls — 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Storytime, pajama style! Enjoy movement, music and stories with the whole family. PJ’s optional! Designed for kids of all ages with a caregiver. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
RECREATION
Basketball: Senior Recreation Council — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Walkersville Recreation Center (Elementary School), 83 Frederick St., Walkersville. Requires registration and $10 annual dues — see website. Enter through gym doors on the right side of the school. Meets November through May. $2. 301-514-5866. donpsherwood@gmail.com. srcfrederick.org.
Wednesday May 7
CLASSES
Gentle Yoga for All — 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at The Common Market, 927 W. Seventh St., Frederick. This class is the perfect intro for a new student or an experienced yogi. There will be plenty of modifications offered to meet various levels so that all can enjoy the benefits of yoga. By donation. 301-663-3416. aharmon@commonmarket.coop. www.commonmarket.coop/classes-events.
ETCETERA
Brass Quartet Perfomance and Show and Tell: A Program for Adults with Developmental Disabilities — 10:15 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. at Walkersville Branch
Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Enjoy the music and learn more about their instruments. This program is for adults 18 and older with developmental disabilities and their caregivers. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
“Secrets of Frederick” With Jim Rada — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. In his latest work, “Secrets of Frederick,” award-winning local author James Rada Jr. continues his investigations into the interesting people and unusual incidents that are the hidden history of our community. These are the stories you won’t read about in history books. Books will be available for purchase and signing. 18 and older. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
FAMILY
Toddler Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Designed with beginning mobility in mind, join us for movement, songs, stories and more that will guide caregivers toward early learning and literacy for toddlers. 301-600-7200. bbrannen@frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com.
FESTIVALS
Mount Airy Farmers Market — 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Watkins Park , 615 Center St., Mount Airy. The opportunity to shop, buy and support local farms and businesses. Through Sept. 24. 301-829-1424. ggallucciwhite@mountairymd.gov. www.mountairymd.gov.
HEALTH
Community Cancer Support Group — 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor Catholic Church, . Community cancer support group for people who have cancer, are a caregiver, or in anyway affected by cancer. Meetings are the first and third Wednesday each month. 301-471-5300. sefioravanti@gmail.com.
MUSIC
FCC Wind Ensemble Performance — 7:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College, Visual & Performing Arts Center, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Parking Lot 9 , Frederick. A captivating blend of contemporary compositions, toe-tapping concert band favorites, and traditional masterpieces. Led by Kimberly Hirschmann, the music is brought to life by the dynamic performance of our college community ensemble. Light refreshments available following the performance. Register online for free tickets. 301-846-2566. mgersten@frederick.edu. FCC2025WindEnsemble.eventbrite.com.
Thursday May 8
ETCETERA
Ask a Genealogist — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Do you have questions about researching your family history, or are you not sure where to begin delving into your ancestry? Maryland Room librarian Derek Gee will be here to answer questions about genealogy and local history. 18 and older.
200 Monroe Restaurant — 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Monroe Center, 200 Monroe Ave., Frederick. Frederick Community College (FCC) invites you to enjoy a gourmet dinner created by the students at 200 Monroe Restaurant! Guests will enjoy a first course, entree, and dessert freshly made by the baking and pastry class. Reservations are required. $40-$48. hcti@frederick.edu. opentable.com/200-monroe.
Paws 2 Read with Go Team Therapy Dogs — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Walkersville Branch Library, 2 S. Glade Road, Walkersville. Join Go Team Therapy Dogs to improve your reading confidence and make a new friend when you read aloud to a therapy dog. All ages. 301-600-8200. www.fcpl.org.
FAMILY
Musical Storytime — 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Thurmont Regional Library, 76 E. Moser Road, Thurmont. Music, movement, stories and more. 301-600-7200.
Read to a Therapy Dog with WAGS for Hope — 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Come share a story with a specially trained therapy dog from WAGS for Hope! 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
Pajama Storytime — 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Emmitsburg Branch Library, 300 S. Seton Ave., Emmitsburg. Enjoy music, stories, and more! Designed for kids up to age 5 with a caregiver. 301-600-6329. cdillman@frederickcountymd.gov. www.fcpl.org.
FESTIVALS
The Frederick Greek Festival — 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Sts. Peter & Paul Greek Orthodox Church, 720 W. Seventh St., Frederick. Authentic Greek cuisine, live music, and traditional dance performances. Dine in everything from gyros and souvlaki to Athenian chicken, lamb, spanakopita and beyond! Sample a variety of Greek pastries like baklava, koulourakia, and crowd-favorite fried loukoumades! Visit our Taverna for a taste of our imported wine and beer. Live Greek dance lesson. Greek Agora Marketplace features vendors of Greek art, jewelry, books, religious icons and more. Tour the church. Free admission and parking. 301-663-0663. katiehyrkas@gmail.com.
May 3
IN DOWNTOWN FREDERICK
UNTIL 9PM
April showers have bloomed into May magic—build your own beautiful bouquet as you shop and dine your way through Downtown Frederick during First Saturday. Then keep the inspiration flowing with Sunday Artwalk on May 4, from 12–4PM, and explore the city’s vibrant gallery scene. downtownfrederick.org
