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From the Bay to the Blue Ridge

PRICELESS • SINCE 1988

oldtowncrier

JANUARY 2026

oldtowncrier.com

otcregionalmag

Jill Fraser-Smith

THIS BALLOON TRAVELED MANY MILES ENTANGLING THIS INNOCENT BIRD ALONG THE WAY.

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PUBLISHER’S NOTES

ell, here it is, New Years Eve 2025 with 2026 rolling right in. It is dark out and we are still trying to get this new issue to the printer. By the time you read this you will already know we were a few days late. This January, we begin our 38th year of bringing the Old Town Crier to readers literally “From the Bay to the Blue Ridge”. It seems like just yesterday that David Underwood and I started the Crier. We had grand ideas...and little know how. However, it all worked out with a LOT of help from our friends. Dave was a fantastic traditional graphic artist and he took on the role of learning that new technology...the personal computer. He was responsible for the majority of the layout each month and we started with dry mounting print galleys to paper “boards”. If you want some clarification on that process, give us a call and we can run you through it! Meet Bee who works in the Service Department at the Old Town Shell station located at 801 North Washington Street. Twice, he has come to my rescue with just a phone call. The battery in my 2023 Tacoma died on North Washington across from the Post Office a month ago. I called the Old Town Shell Station to see if they had a tow truck. They said no but asked where I was. I told them and within a few minutes a mechanic from the station was at my truck with a portable battery charger. He got it started and I drove it to the station where they replaced the battery and sent me on my way. A few weeks later, I came out to head to the Blue Ridge to do distribution and I had a flat tire. Full disclosure all of the tires were in really bad shape and needed replaced. Once again, Bee came to the rescue with a portable inflator and we limped the truck to the station where he made me a great deal on new tires! My 1998 4-Runner is now in his capable hands for transmission fluid and some brake work. I would just like to recognize Bee and his team for being so ready to help. Bob, Myself and Dave in the late 90's - Photo by Chester Simpson We did our first layout in Dave’s dining room and we made a mess. We were lucky enough to procure office space on North Henry Street and moved the production there. It was very time consuming to say the least and required a decent amount of space and several pieces of equipment. Today, our designer, the talented Erin Koons, puts the pieces of the puzzle together digitally in her home after Lani “supplies” her with the text and some of the images. All done remotely with smart phones and laptops from our apartment that serves as the “office” or anywhere we might be that has access to wifi. A short time after that first issue hit the streets, we got a call at the office. The woman on the other end remarked that "you guys have a good idea...but you sure need help". That is when we discovered what an editor does. Francis Kilpatrick came into our lives at just the right time. In 1994, Lani took the Federal Employee buyout from her job with the USDA and offered to come on board with some decent management experience and a good handle on the use of computers. As technology progressed and Dave got older, we used the talents of the people at Leesburg based Electronic Ink to handle the layout and design. It was odd not having an “in-house” designer but we worked with them for over 20 years before we brought Erin on board three years ago. Dave passed away in 2007. It was a sad day for all who knew him and we miss his clever sense of humor every day. While I usually pontificate about what is inside these pages in these notes, I am taking a different vent this month. I wanted to tell you about two people we have encountered in the last couple of months who we think should get some special attention. I think this is a good way to start out the New Year.

Meet Cece, a postal clerk at the Wythe Street Post Office. We use the USPS to send out our subscriptions each month and most of the clerks we encounter roll their eyes when they see us come in. I understand that seeing two people with multiple large envelopes when you are a busy location, can be a bit off-putting for a clerk but Cece greets us with a smile on her face and a welcoming comment. In fact, we now wait until we can see her even if it means waiting extra time. It is people like Bee and Cece that keep our belief in humanity these days. Something that is sometimes hard to do. Look for all your favorite columns inside and as always, feel free to let us know what you think by emailing us at office@oldtowncrier.com.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year with good things on the horizon! 4 January 2026

Old Town Crier

january‘26 A Division of OTC Media LLC

OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437

ofﬁce@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER

Bob Tagert

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery

SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE

Erin Koons

CONTRIBUTORS

Stephen Bearce Alexander Britel Steve Chaconas Carolyn Cockcroft Scott Dicken Mark Edelman Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Jane Koska Barbara Leary Timothy Long

Bob Matthews Cindy McGovern Kevin Mellma Meg Mullery Melinda Murphy Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Brack Stovall Bob Tagert Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown © 2025 OTC Media LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed from the Chesapeake Bay to the Blue Ridge Mountains and USVI.

About the Cover........................................6 Gallery Beat...........................................18 OnStage..................................................16 Alexandria Events.....................................8 Go Fish...................................................44 Open Space.............................................45 Caribbean Connection.............................27 Grapevine..............................................36 Pets of the Month....................................43 Dining Guide...........................................29 High Notes..............................................14 Points on Pets........................................ 42 Dining Out..............................................30 History....................................................13 Publishers notes.......................................4 Exploring VA Wines ................................37 Holiday Message from OTC......................11 Road Trip................................................24 Financial Focus........................................12 Last Word...............................................15 Special Feature........................................10 First Blush..............................................39 Let's Eat.................................................32 To the Blue Ridge....................................22 Fitness....................................................40 Let's Get Crafty.......................................34 Urban Garden.........................................38 From the Bay..........................................20 National Harbor......................................46 Where is the Mural?..................................7 From the Trainer.....................................41 On the Road.............................................5

ON THE ROAD WITH OTC Since we were very remiss in publishing these fantastic photos of some of our very favorite OTC readers, Jeffrey and Joanne Fisher, checking out the Crier on their summertime trek out west to a few of our nations gorgeous National Parks, we thought they would be perfect to warm you up during the dreary month of January! The Fishers are longtime residents of Prince George’s County – most recently National Harbor – who retired to the sunny clime of Florida a few years ago. They have remained faithful readers and avid travelers always taking the publication with them. Pictured here are Jeffrey and Joanne with their daughter, Ariel, admiring the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon, Utah, as well as Jeffrey and Joanne at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.

Old Town Crier

January 2026 5

JUST FOR FUN O N THE COVER We continue to be very proud of our covers so, as we have done for the last several years in the January issue, we feature all of the covers from the previous year. It looks like 2025 was another stellar year! As in the last 38 years, we get inspiration from all sorts of people, places and things. When one of us comes across something we think will draw the readers eye to the issue, we immediately consider it potential cover material. However, we are especially happy when we run across an image from a local amateur photographer and are able to give them a place to showcase their photos – a special thank you to David Sites and Lee Moody once again this year as they both provided amazing images as well as Twin Oaks Tavern Winery proprietor, Michelle Ankeny Spear, for her October Cover sunset shot. We have been very fortunate to meet local artists who have entertaining stories in addition to creating beautiful art that we think makes for a good cover. Thank you to, former Alexandrian, Kristine Kainer for her “A Sprinkle a Day” image of a Maryland Crab accompanied by some Old Bay that appeared on the July cover. Have to admit that this image is a personal favorite. Also, in years past, we asked for some input from you readers as to which cover you thought was the BEST of 2024 and we got quite a response. Every issue got their fair share of votes, however, the winner was a toss-up between the April image of Emro ll, one of the parrots of Boardwalk Plaza fame on the beach in Rehoboth, Delaware taken by our very own Lani Gering and the June image of the Old Town Crier’s oﬃce kitty, Peppercorn, taken by our very own founder, Bob Tagert. Once again, we would like to know which of the 2025 covers appeals to you most. Take a good long look at this month’s cover and decide which one deserves a mention in the 2026 About the Cover. You can email us at oﬃce@oldtowncrier.com or message us on Facebook.

ELWOOD

ADVERTISE WITH US office@oldtowncrier.com

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6 January 2026

Old Town Crier

WHERE IS IT?

In order to participate and qualify for the gift card, you will have to Like and Follow us:

URS I

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If you are the ﬁrst person to respond with the correct location, you will receive a $50 gift certiﬁcate to one of the best French eateries in the DMV-Bastille Brasserie & Bar.

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The mural we have selected this month is brand new. In fact, it pretty much looked like the paint had just dried when we went to take its photo late last month. Since it is so new we thought we better give you a bit of a hint. Look for it at the intersection of two well travel streets in Old Town proper.

S UR

Finally…after three month’s we had two readers submit the correct guess within 30 minutes of each other. Had to go with the ﬁrst one that sent me their mailing address. The winner is Old Town resident Laura Stackhouse who correctly identiﬁed the mural located on the Royal Restaurant on the corner of Madison and St. Asaph Streets in Old Town. Laura picked up her copy of the OTC at the Barrett Branch Library on Queen Street.

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Old Town Crier

January 2026 7

EVENTS AROUND TOWN

Events Around Town – January 2026 Photo by Lani Gering

Alexandria delivers a high-value winter escape that blends romance, culture, global dining and immersive historic storytelling—without the crowds or the cost of peak-season travel and some of the best hotel rates of the year. Early 2026 also marks the start of America’s 250th commemorations in George Washington’s adopted hometown, offering powerful new perspectives, including the stories of Black Americans who shaped Alexandria and the United States. Add in new wellness offerings and dining spots, and Alexandria becomes a compelling canvas for national audiences looking for high-value, meaningful winter travel. Alexandria invites travelers to discover their own story. Here are a few of the highlights of what is taking place this month.

Through the 25th: A Winter's Walk Weekly Thursday through Sunday The Athenaeum 201 Prince Street 12 pm – 4 pm The Athenaeum Gallery Presents The Botanical Art Society of the National Capital Region’s “A Winter’s Walk” exhibit featuring work by: Joseph Bailey-Esther Carpi-Anne Clippinger-Karen Coleman-Liz Cusell-Nancy Davis-Marcia Dewitt-Joan Maps DucoreCheryl Exley-Margaret Farr-Gail Goodrich Harwood-Mary Page Hickey-Ann LesciottoJoan Mathys-Elena Maza-Borkland-Marsha Ogden-Cynthia Rice. Visit NVFAA.org.

18th Preservation of Carlyle House: What if we could do it over? Carlyle House 121 N. Fairfax Street 12 pm - 3:30 pm On January 18, 1976, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority opened Carlyle House after a six-year restoration. In celebration of our 50th anniversary, join us for a 1976 museum price of $1 per person and learn about the preservation of Carlyle House from our experts. Registration not required. Last entrance will be at 3:30pm.

Photo Courtesy Visit Alexandria 8 January 2026

Magnolia Pod, Watercolor by Ann Lesciotto. Photo courtesy Athenaeum Old Town Crier

Photo Courtesy nvrpa.com

Photo Courtesy Visit Alexandria

January 31st – February 9th Winter Alexandria Restaurant Week 2026 Alexandria Restaurant Week was launched in 2009 by Visit Alexandria and has become a favorite amongst patrons and restaurateurs, occurring biannually in the winter and summer. In addition to serving as an economic driver for Alexandria restaurants, Alexandria Restaurant Week bolsters the city’s reputation as a culinary destination. Alexandria Restaurant Week showcases the creativity of local chefs and breadth of international cuisine in neighborhoods throughout the city, including Old Town, Old Town North, Del Ray, Carlyle and Eisenhower, Arlandria-Chirilagua and the West End. This event highlights the city’s vibrant food scene and encourages visitors and locals alike to discover new neighborhoods and tastes. For 10 days and two weekends, a record number of nearly 100 restaurants in Alexandria, Virginia, will offer a $35 to $55 in-person dinner for one during Alexandria Restaurant Week 2026. Special menus are available in-person at participating restaurants. Check out AlexandriaRestaurantWeek.com for all of the participating restaurants.

Through February 28th Ice Skating at Cameron Run Weekends & Holidays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cameron Run Regional Park 4001 Eisenhower Avenue Looking for a unique winter activity? Enjoy outdoor daytime ice skating in Alexandria, just minutes from Old Town. Warm up with a hot chocolate or make your own s’mores over the firepit. This fun winter experience is only available for a limited time and capacity is limited! Learn more about Ice Skating at Cameron Run and to reserve tickets check in at cameron@nvrpa.com.

Connect with us! Web: VisitAlexandriaVA.com Blog: Blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com Facebook: Facebook.com/VisitAlexandriaVA Twitter: Twitter.com/AlexandriaVA Instagram: Instagram.com/VisitAlexVA

LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS

OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET

OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.

Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.

DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET

FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET

This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.

This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well.

Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round

Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round

Old Town Crier

Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round

4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Music 10 am - 12 pm Year Round

January 2026 9

HOLIDAY FEATURE

How Much Do You Know about New Year’s Eve? From the origins of "Auld Lang Syne" to traditional foods, ﬁnd out more about the history of New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. What does “Auld Lang Syne” mean? Why do we sing the song at midnight on New Year’s Eve? “Auld Lang Syne,” the title of a Scottish folk song that many English speakers sing at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, roughly translates to “days gone by.” The poet Robert Burns is credited with transcribing, adapting and partially rewriting it in the late 18th century. Its lyrics, which rhetorically ask whether “auld acquaintance” should “be forgot,” have been interpreted as a call to remember friends and experiences from the past. Though sung on New Year’s Eve since the mid19th century, it became ﬁrmly cemented as a holiday standard when Guy Lombardo and the Royal Canadians played it during a radio broadcast from New York’s Roosevelt Hotel at midnight on December 31, 1929. The band went on to perform the hit every year until 1976, and loudspeakers continue to blast their rendition after the annual ball drop in Times Square.

Who made January 1 the first of the year? Throughout antiquity, civilizations around the world developed increasingly sophisticated calendars, typically pinning the first day of the year to an agricultural or astronomical event. In Egypt, for instance, the year began with the annual flooding of the Nile, which coincided with the rising of the star Sirius. The first day of the Chinese New Year, meanwhile, occurred with the second new moon after the winter solstice. In ancient Rome, the original calendar consisted of 10 months and 304 days, with each new year beginning at the vernal equinox; according to tradition, it was created by Romulus, the founder of Rome, in the eighth century B.C. Over the centuries, the calendar fell out of sync with the sun, and in 46 B.C. Julius Caesar decided to solve the problem by consulting with the most

10 January 2026

prominent astronomers and mathematicians of his time. He introduced the Julian calendar, which closely resembles the more modern Gregorian calendar that most countries around the world use today. As part of his reform, Caesar established January 1 as the ﬁrst day of the year, partly to honor the month’s namesake: Janus, the Roman god of beginnings, whose two faces allowed him to look back into the past and forward into the future.

end of the year, the publication’s owner threw a raucous party with an elaborate ﬁreworks display.

In medieval Europe, Christian leaders replaced January 1 as the ﬁrst of the year with days carrying more religious signiﬁcance, such as December 25 (the anniversary of Jesus’ birth) and March 25 (the Feast of the Annunciation). Pope Gregory XIII reestablished January 1 as New Year’s Day in 1582.

When the city banned ﬁreworks in 1907, an electrician devised a wood-and-iron ball that weighed 700 pounds, was illuminated with 100 light bulbs and was dropped from a ﬂagpole at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Lowered almost every year since then, the iconic orb has undergone several upgrades over the decades and now weighs in at nearly 12,000 pounds. In more recent years, various towns and cities across America have developed their own versions of the Times Square ritual, organizing public drops of items ranging from pickles (Dillsburg, Pennsylvania) to possums (Tallapoosa, Georgia) at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Who were the first to make resolutions for the new year?

What are some traditional celebratory New Year’s foods?

People have been pledging to change their ways in the new year—whether by getting in shape, quitting a bad habit or learning a skill—for an estimated 4,000 years now. The tradition is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.) The age-old custom of breaking one’s newly formed resolutions within several months—a fate that befalls the majority of would-be reformers, according to statistics—probably originated shortly thereafter.

When was the first New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square? An estimated 1 billion people around the world watch each year as a brightly lit ball descends down a pole atop the One Times Square building at midnight on New Year’s Eve. The world-famous celebration dates back to 1904, when the New York Times newspaper relocated to what was then known as Longacre Square and convinced the city to rename the neighborhood in its honor. At the

At New Year’s Eve parties and celebrations around the world, revelers enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes—symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead—right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune. Publishers Note: Many thanks to History.com and the members of their talented editorial staff.

Old Town Crier

! r a e Y w e N g n i l k r a Have a s p nd yours heal th a u o y g n i h s i W . 6 2 0 2 n i y t i and prosper

- from all of us at the Old Town Crier Old Town Crier

January 2026 11

FINANCIAL FOCUS

CARL TREVISON AND STEPHEN BEARCE

You Inherited a Trust…Now What?

Consider these three suggestions if you inherit a trust.

David “Chico” Esparza, senior fiduciary strategist with Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, remembers meeting two clients, a brother and sister whose parents had passed away. “Unfortunately, their parents had not discussed their estate plans with the adult children. When the siblings learned they were the beneficiaries of a sizable trust,” Esparza recalls, “they had no idea what to do next.” The brother and sister had many questions. Who handles the estate? What are the terms of the trust? And what should their next steps be? “The bank was appointed as successor trustee, so we explained the timeline and process for settling the trust estate,” Esparza says. “It helped to ease their minds to know that professionals would be handling the numerous tasks required for an orderly estate settlement.” As Esparza’s clients found, stepping into the role of beneficiary can feel a bit like stepping into the unknown. Here, Esparza offers three suggestions for those in similar situations. 1. Build an advisory team A good first step for the beneficiary is to meet with the trustee who is tasked with executing the terms of the trust. It may be an individual, such as a CPA or lawyer, family member, or potentially a corporate trustee such as Wells Fargo Bank. “There will be a lot of questions, so it’s important to establish a communication plan and outline tasks that need to be accomplished along with a general timeline for how long it will take to settle the estate,” Esparza says. In some instances, once the estate is settled, a new trust is funded with the beneficiary’s share of the estate; in other cases, assets will be distributed outright to the beneficiary. If the assets will be retained in trust, the trustee collaborates with an investment advisor to help manage the assets according to the terms of the trust. “The trustee and investment 12 January 2026

advisor will create a plan that is based on the terms of the trust and considers the needs of the beneficiary,” Esparza says. “A best practice is for beneficiaries to seek the guidance of a tax advisor regarding tax implications related to trust distribution.” 2. Understand the terms of the trust One of the first questions a beneficiary might have is, “What benefits do I have under the trust?” Beneficiaries are well served to seek independent counsel for questions regarding interpretation of their interest under the trust. Esparza explains that a trust can be a useful tool for holding, managing, and distributing property as outlined by the trustor(s) — the creator(s) of the trust — in the trust agreement, but each trust is unique in how assets can be distributed to beneficiaries. Some common areas of discussion include: Beneficiary or beneficiaries: Is there a sole beneficiary or several beneficiaries of the trust? How do the terms address the rights different beneficiaries have to distributions from the trust? Age restrictions: Does the beneficiary have to reach a certain age before accessing some or all of the trust? Distribution restrictions: Can beneficiaries access the principal or just the income from the trust? Does the beneficiary need to provide the trustee with proof of the beneficiary’s own income and expenses to receive distributions? What categories of expenses can the trust cover for the beneficiary? (Typically, trusts with discretionary provisions have ascertainable standards that can cover health, education, maintenance, and support.) Can distributions be adjusted for inflation? Lifetime of the trust: Does the trust terminate once the beneficiary reaches a certain age, or is it meant to last the beneficiary’s lifetime? Is any portion of the trust designated for future generations? “Trusts present an opportunity to preserve,

accumulate, and transition generational wealth,” Esparza says. “For that reason, the trustee should be prudent and equitable in administrating the trust, giving consideration to the current needs of the beneficiary as well as the long-term goals and objectives of the trust.” 3. Ask questions before taking distributions “Before taking a trust distribution, some beneficiaries find it useful to inquire about the potential tax consequences. That’s where a tax advisor should provide guidance,” Esparza says. “Beneficiaries also may consider consulting with the trustee and the rest of their advisory team about additional considerations or impacts a trust distribution may have on the investment plan.” In addition, beneficiaries should consult with their own legal counsel if they have specific questions regarding their rights with respect to a trust. Esparza shares the story of a young beneficiary who

wanted to use her trust fund to purchase a luxury car when she turned 16. “I posed this question: ‘Would a lessexpensive car meet your transportation goals and help preserve trust assets for the long term?’” he says. “It is important for beneﬁciaries to stay connected with the trustee and to ask clarifying questions so they understand the goals and objectives established by the grantor.”

Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management (WIM) provides financial products and services through various bank and brokerage affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company. Trust Services are available through Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Wells Fargo Delaware Trust Company, N.A. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state. Wells Fargo & Company and its affiliates do not provide tax or legal advice. This communication cannot be relied upon to avoid tax penalties. Please consult your tax

and legal advisors to determine how this information may apply to your own situation. Whether any planned tax result is realized by you depends on the specific facts of your own situation at the time your tax return is filed. This article was written by/for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing Director-Investments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice President- Investments in Alexandria, VA. You can contact hin with any questions at 800-247-8602. Investment and insurance products are not insured by the FDIC or any federal government agency, are not a deposit or other obligation of, or guaranteed by the bank or any bank affiliate, and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of the principal amount invested. Brokerage services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors. Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. ©2022 – 2025 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. 0122-05107

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Old Town Crier

A BIT OF HISTORY

2025 SARAH BECKER

Rolling Into the th USA’s 250

appy New Year! America's 250th anniversary [1776-2026] starts soon, and still incumbent President Donald J. Trump [R-47] does not get it. According to Pew Research voters are weary! In August 2025 Trump’s current job approval rating stood "at 38%, with 60% of U.S. adults expressing disapproval of his performance." In April, 2025, the White House claimed "a nonstop deluge of hoaxes and lies from Democrats and their allies." [https://www.whitehouse.gov/ articles/2025/04/100-days-of-hoaxescutting-through-the-fake-news] Yet it is the Trumpster who falsely claims "Climate Change is a hoax." The aﬀordability crisis, too. Now Trump argues in favor of the U.S. withdrawal from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Established in 1949, the NATO alliance was 'the ﬁrst peacetime military alliance the U.S. entered outside the Western Hemisphere." President Truman's goal then: "to deter Soviet aggression and ensure collective security." In December, 2025, NATO's Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska travelled to the United States to speak personally with politicians, journalists and the public. President Trump, a Nobel aspirant, has yet to craft a peace deal satisfactory not only to Ukraine and Russia, but also NATO's more outspoken European members. “So, this is what we do," Shekerinska said. "Europe and America in NATO together! Two continents, 32 nations and 1 billion people. Standing together is how we stay safe in a world that has become very dangerous, very volatile and sometimes very unpredictable.” Gerrymandering, a partisan redistricting plan is a popular election strategy. Every 10 years, America's 50 states "redraw their congressional and state legislative maps to account for changes in population," the Gerrymandering Project explained. "In many states [Texas and California especially], the politicians who control this process draw district lines in a way that maximizes their party’s partisan advantage." His popularity waning, Trump is desperate to keep the process alive. In 1812 Massachusetts Governor

Old Town Crier

Eldridge Gerry signed a bill that redrew state senate districts in favor of his then Democratic-Republican party. The "oddly shaped districts" were "so contorted" that people said the map "looked like a mythical salamander." In December, 2025, twenty Indiana Republican State Senators declined to vote in favor of the Indiana Legislature's Republican-drawn redistricting plan. It seems Trump’s political allies tried to turn Republican State Senators' No votes into a loyalty test. Convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein [1953-2019], U.S. House documents confirm, describes his "closest friend for 10 years" Donald Trump "as a serial cheat in his marriages [and] at heart a friendless man incapable of kindness." The term sex trafficking, as used in America's pre- and post-revolutionary periods, refers to the African-American slave trade. Democratic-Republican Thomas Jefferson did romance his slave Sally Hemings. And Federalist Party member Alexander Hamilton cuddled Maria Reynolds, the 23 year-old wife of swindler James Reynolds. The monetary and political cost to Hamilton: a $1,000 payment to Maria's husband, public acknowledgement of his misdeed, and the Democratic-Republican Party's skewed interpretation of his July 18, 1797, "Reynolds Pamphlet." Jefferson used the pamphlet as "political ammunition." "The charge against me is a connection with one James Reynolds for purposes of improper pecuniary speculation," Hamilton wrote. " My real crime is an amorous connection with his wife, for a considerable time with his privity and connivance, if not originally brought on by a combination between the husband and wife with the design to extort money from me...." "A spirit of jacobinism, if not entirely a new spirit, has at least been cloathed with a more gigantic body and armed with more powerful weapons [calumny] than it ever before possessed," Hamilton continued. "It is perhaps not too much to say, that it threatens more extensive and complicated mischiefs to the world than have

hitherto flowed from the three great scourges of mankind: War, Pestilence and Famine." "To what point it will ultimately lead society, it is impossible for human foresight to pronounce," Hamilton concluded, "but there is just ground to apprehend that its progress may be marked with calamities of which the dreadful incidents of the French revolution afford a very faint image. Incessantly busied in undermining all the props of public security and private happiness, it seems to threaten the political and moral world with a complete overthrow." That said, did you know that both Jefferson and Hamilton patronized Alexandria's historic Gadsby's Tavern? That Gadsby's Tavern is participating in Virginia's 250th Passport Program? "Historic Alexandria is proud to join 70 premier historic destinations across Virginia in the launch of the Virginia 250 Passport, a first-ofits-kind statewide tourism journey celebrating America’s 250th," the November, 2025, press release explained. "Featured Alexandria museums include Gadsby’s Tavern Museum, the Alexandria History Museum at The Lyceum, and the Alexandria Black History Museum... Learn more at VirginiaHistory. org/250Passport." "So many of our founding fathers spent time or stayed at Gadsby’s Tavern," The National Park Service said. "Some had to travel hundreds of miles from their homes in order to participate in the critical political gatherings and debates around the Articles of Confederation, which would change us from a collection of self-ruling states into a cohesive nation." Gadsby's Tavern was constructed in 1785; expanded in 1792 the same year Alexandria pharmacist Edward Stabler opened his long-standing Apothecary Shop. Mount Vernon's Washington family was among Stabler's many influential customers. For more information on Mount Vernon's participation in Virginia Passport 250 visit https://www. mountvernon.org/250. "Following the War for Independence, a convention, called by [Mount Vernon's] George Washington, convened in Gadsby's Tavern to

settle the question of import duties on Potomac River Commerce," the National Park Service reminded. "The question was of large importance, having broad implications for the political and economic system of the newly independent nation." "The meeting at Gadsby’s Tavern was one of a series of meetings that led to the constitutional convention held in Philadelphia in 1787," The National Park Service concluded. "The first celebration of the adoption of the Federal Constitution subsequently took place at the Tavern on June 28, 1788." Begin the New Year, America's 250th year with a good read. My suggested list includes: David McCullough's 1776; Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns' The American Revolution: An Intimate History; Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life; National Archives' The Fairfax County Resolves July 18, 1774, John Carlyle's role included]; Ralph Ketcham's James Madison: A Biography; Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, the Constitutional Convention's The Foundation of Freedom; Walter Isaacson's Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, also The Greatest Sentence Ever Written; David Hackett Fischer's African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals; Cokie Roberts' Founding Mothers and Ladies of Liberty; Richard P. George and Cornel West's Truth Matters: A Dialogue on Fruitful Disagreement in an Age of Disunion. Wishing all a thoughtful election year! About the Author: Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email abitofhistory53@gmail.com January 2026 13

HIGH NOTES

RON POWERS

Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger

“Old Time Rock & Roll” features two solos. The first is centered around the smooth lead guitar playing of session musician, Howie McDonald. Interestingly, McDonald wasn’t scheduled to play on the track. He just happened to be at Muscle Shoals studio one day and he was offered to add some six-string flavor. The result: a classic guitar solo on one of the most iconic rock and roll songs of all time. The second solo features saxophone by Alto Reed who was a core member of Bob Seger’s Silver Bullet Band. The tight slap echo along with the ripping performance of Reed is like a party in the ears and makes you feel like you’re wearing the coolest pair of sunglasses ever created.

Bob Seger ended his music career in 2019 due to health issues and the loss of his long time saxophone player, Alto Reed. His time in the music business lasted almost sixty years and left behind some of the greatest songs in rock and roll history. Seger has also been immortalized by his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004, securing his place in music history. If you would like to listen to “Old Time Rock & Roll” or any of Bob’s other fine music, you can find it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most other places music is streamed or sold. If you want to learn more about Bob Seger you can find more information on Wikipedia, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X.

n 1979, Bob Seger unleashed one of the most enduring feel-good anthems in rock history with “Old Time Rock & Roll,” a track that would become a cultural fixture far beyond its initial release. Written by George Jackson and Thomas Jones and reshaped by Seger’s unmistakable vocal grit, the song found its way onto the album Stranger in Town and quickly became a fan favorite. Though Seger initially saw it as a simple, straight-ahead rocker, audiences connected instantly with its nostalgic message and unfiltered energy. Driven by its pounding piano riff, no-nonsense groove, and Seger’s soulful, sandpaper-rough delivery, “Old Time Rock & Roll” captured a timeless spirit that still electrifies crowds decades later, securing its status as one of the most iconic tracks in American rock music. Bob and the boys get things rolling with felt covered hammers pounding down on the strings of Randy McCormick's grand piano. This is quickly followed by Seger’s slap-back-echo soaked voice belting out the line, “Just take those old records off the shelf". Midway through this first line, the full band starts bopping along with a straight forward drum beat and (you guessed it) an old time rock and roll bass line and guitar lick. Seger's raspy and powerful vocal performance mixes with the rock solid performance of his band to generate a groove that digs in like no other song I’ve heard. It’s a rare tune that can hook the listener so deeply before the first chorus even starts. For the chorus, background singers accompanied Seger adding depth and width to the song's central hook. This gives the song a touch of gospel church power without the fire and brimstone. Meanwhile, the piano dances around the mix with a boogie-woogie feel reminiscent of Fats Domino. Additionally, we hear touches of Kieth Richards inspired guitar licks adding swagger and attitude to every inch of the mix. 14 January 2026

About the Author: Ron Powers is an independent A&R specialist and music industry consultant and is constantly searching for, discovering and writing about new talent.

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Old Town Crier

LAST WORD

MIRIAM R. KRAMER

When Death Becomes Life: The Comforts of Mortality J anuary can be dreary—the beginning of a slog towards spring. I have always looked at it as a time for enthralling, escapist fare. When I heard about Sebastian Junger’s In My Time of Dying: How I Came Face to Face With the Idea of an Afterlife, however, I sidestepped into a fascinating memoir about his near-death experience (NDE). Then I dove into From Here to Eternity by L.A. mortician and amateur anthropologist Caitlin Doughty, which looks at the way humans handle death around the world, particularly in a non-Western context. In The Year of Magical Thinking, the brilliant Joan Didion writes about coming to terms with her husband dying. These three remarkable works approach diﬃcult terrain from strikingly diﬀerent angles. They also are all, ironically, reassuring in their clear-eyed approach to the one event none of us can avoid.

the book so refreshing is Doughty’s refusal to treat death as taboo. Instead, she approaches each death ritual with respect and interest, whether she’s witnessing open-air pyres in Colorado, participating in a Japanese bone-picking ceremony, or visiting a community in Indonesia that keeps the bodies of loved ones in their homes for years.

What makes the book so powerful is Didion’s refusal to sentimentalize her experience. I read her Booker Prize–winning memoir expecting to be depressed. Instead, I came away invigorated and comforted. She writes with clarity, intelligence, and a ﬁerce honesty about the ways grief reshapes one’s sense of time, memory, and identity. Yet for all its sorrow, her memoir is not bleak. It is a testament to love: the depth of her grief reﬂects the depth of her connection.

What unites them is their honesty, their curiosity, and their ability to illuminate the emotional, cultural, and existential dimensions of mortality. Read together, they form a kind of triptych: the near-death experience, the cultural encounter with death, and the intimate aftermath of loss. Each book stands powerfully on its own, but in conversation with one another, they oﬀer a surprisingly hopeful and deeply human exploration of what it means to live with the knowledge of death.

Taken together, these three books oﬀer a remarkably holistic exploration of death. Each book illuminates a diﬀerent facet of the human experience, yet all three share a commitment to truthfulness and a belief that facing death directly can enrich our lives.

Sebastian Junger’s In My Time of Dying is the most immediate of the three, a gripping account of his own brush with death after a ruptured aneurysm. Junger has long been known for his immersive, clear-eyed journalism, but here he turns his clinical eye inward. What makes this work so compelling is not just the emergency, though he describes it with vivid clarity, but the philosophical questions it forces him to confront. Having grown up with his father’s atheism, he begins to question all his preconceptions. Those writing about NDEs can sound like hucksters: Junger is anything but. Junger writes with a stripped-down sincerity. He examines the boundary between life and death with the same rigor he applied as a war reporter, yet his tone is more vulnerable, more searching. His memoir becomes a meditation on connection: to family, to the people who saved him, and to the mysterious sense of his deceased father’s presence beckoning him towards death. Rather than oﬀering easy answers, Junger invites readers into his uncertainty. If Junger’s book is a personal reckoning, Caitlin Doughty’s From Here to Eternity is a cultural odyssey. A mortician and advocate for death acceptance, Doughty travels the world to explore how diﬀerent societies care for their dead. Her tone is warm, curious, and often funny. What makes

Old Town Crier

Joan Didion’s The Year of Magical Thinking brings the focus back to the personal, but in a diﬀerent register than Junger’s. Didion’s memoir of grief after the sudden death of her husband, John Gregory Dunne, is a masterpiece of emotional precision. Her prose is typically gorgeous and spare. Didion captures the surreal, disorienting quality of early grief: the way the mind loops, bargains, and clings to impossible hopes. Her “magical thinking,” such as the belief that her husband might return if she just keeps his shoes, becomes a window into the irrational logic of mourning.

Through these encounters, Doughty gently challenges Western norms around death, particularly the tendency to outsource the entire process to professionals and hide it from view. Her argument is not prescriptive but invitational: there are many ways to honor the dead, and reconnecting with these practices can make death less frightening and more meaningful. She concludes that a more intimate, interactive approach actually provides more care for and comfort to the bereaved. Her book is uplifting because it expands the reader’s imagination. It suggests that death, far from being a purely tragic event, can also promote beauty, creativity, and communal care.

What makes this trio especially valuable is the sense of empowerment they collectively offer. Rather than treating death as something to fear or avoid, they encourage readers to engage with it thoughtfully. Junger’s near-death experience underscores his vulnerability and the overwhelming questions a near-death experience provokes in him. Doughty’s global tour reveals that there is no right way to mourn or memorialize, only practices that reflect what a community values. Didion’s memoir reminds us that grief, though painful, is also a profound expression of love and a road for coming to terms with loss. These concepts are not new, but the authors handle them in a respectful, well-written fashion that fully engages the reader. In doing so, they offer something rare: a sense of connection across the boundaries of experience, culture, and loss. About the Author: Miriam Kramer worked at Olsson’s Books & Records before it closed in 2008, welcoming Old Town, Alexandria, residents to a unique place where employees with encyclopedic knowledge of literature and music enriched the community. As a global nomad, she has lived, studied, or worked in diverse countries overseas. With her experience writing and studying international affairs, she has promoted democracy, international media, the arts, peace building, and citizen diplomacy during her career.

January 2026 15

ON STAGE

MARK EDELMAN

ONSTAGE:

Happy New Year! Between some big hits that continue their DMV engagements into 2026 and new titles opening this month, there’s plenty to celebrate on local stages as the calendar turns. Check out some of the brand new and vintage plays and musicals onstage to start the year oﬀ right.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Signature Theatre Now thru January 25

GUYS AND DOLLS

Shakespeare Theatre Company Now thru Jan 8

Doug Sills—probably the handsomest Tevye you’re ever gonna see—leads a ﬁne company in this Broadway classic. Standouts Rosie Jo Neddy as Chava and her on-stage beau Ariel Neydavoud as Perchik are just two out of tons of talent on the Signature stage. Performed in the round, this Fiddler brings its audience right into the heart of the pride and pain that are twin themes of Shalom Aleichem’s tales of Russian Jewish life under Tsarist repression. I quibble with some of the scenic elements—what’s with all of the plastic ﬂowers?—but those were minor moments in a richly-realized production. See it before, like Anatevka, it disappears. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org.

IN CLAY

Signature Theatre Now thru February 1

Frank Loesser wrote one of the greatest scores in American musical theater history—winsome (“I’ve Never Been in Love Before”), funny (“Sue Me”) and rollicking (“Sit Down You’re Working the Boat”) in one fell swoop. WNO Artistic Director Francesca Zambello and a brilliant cast make this G&D DC’s theatrical must-see of the season. Doll Hayley Podschun is letter perfect as Adelaide and Julie Benko’s Sarah Brown makes you want to sign up for Salvation Army service; the guys are pretty great, too (is it just me or is Jacob Dickey, who plays Sky Masterson, a dead ringer, looks and talent-wise, for Broadway heart throb Jonathan Groﬀ ?) Joshua Bergasse’s choreography doesn’t miss a step; and Connstance Hoﬀman’s splashy costumes and Walter Spangler’s nifty set make this an impressive achievement for STC. Tickets at www.shakespearetheatrecompany.org.

FROSTY THE SNOWMAN Adventure Theatre MTC Now thru January 11

Whether or not there’s snow on the Potomac. Adventure MTC welcomes that most famous frozen fellow for wintertime romp chock-full of chuckles and comic antics. Follow Frosty as he slips and slides into the hearts of kids and adults alike through his uproarious antics. Tickets at www.adventuretheatremtc.org. 16 January 2026

On the eve of a visit from her estranged childhood friend, now an acclaimed painter, French ceramist Marie-Berthe Cazin recounts her life from her early days in 1930s Paris as a gifted pottery protégée. When her husband achieves celebrity by claiming her work as his own, Cazin’s unwavering spirit reveals the beauty in the broken in this brand new musical suﬀused in the sounds of Parisian gypsy jazz. Tickets at www.sigtheatre.org.

ROCK OF AGES Toby’s Dinner Theatre January 9-March 15

She was a small-town girl, living in a lonely world. If you know the rest of Journey’s hit song and love all of the big hair, booming guitar solo bands from the 80s, this is the musical for you. A Broadway hit and a Tom Cruise-starring motion picture, this is one show you’ll want to see with a Jagermeister or Bartlett & Jaymes wine cooler on the table. Toby’s can probably oblige, along with a tasty meal. Tickets at www.tobysdinnertheatre.com.

BALLOONACY

Imagination Stage January 10-February 15 A movement-based dramatization of the classic French ﬁlm “The Red Balloon,” Imagine’s new production for young people follows an old man – the grown-up version of the little boy in the movie--whose days are gray and dreary until he is visited by a friendly red balloon. Hijinks ensue as the playful toy helps him regain his youthful spirit. Tickets at www.imaginationstage.org.

Old Town Crier

JANUARY EDITION

OLD TOWN OCTET

Studio Theatre January 14- February 22

CLUE

January 27- February 1 National Theatre

From Dave Malloy, the inventive creator of the Broadway confection “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of1812,” comes this chamber musical about eight people who meet in a church basement. Deprived of their cellphones and other digital devices, the group bond over their struggles with digital dependency, charting their compulsions using only the analog vibrancy of their voices. In the process, they Octet face the many ways we escape into our screens and how to be present with each other. Tickets at www.studiotheatre.org.

A FIRST LOOK: FESTIVAL OF NEW PLAYS January 16-17 Ford’s Theatre

Ever wonder how that interesting idea makes it from the page to the stage? The folks at Ford’s will show you how (and for free) at their Festival of New Plays this month. Readings of three new works, including a musical about civil rights icon John Lewis from busy local playwright Psalmayene 24, may inspire you to open your laptop and give Shakespeare a run for his money. Tickets available at www.fords.org. STOMP January 16-18 National Theatre

Murder and mayhem are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they (and audiences) will never forget. Was it Mrs Peacock in the study with the knife? Or perhaps Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench. The 80s Paramount picture comes to life in this fun-ﬁlled ﬁllip of a national tour. Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY Shakespeare Theatre Company Jan 28- Feb 7

The terrifying ﬁlm franchise of the same name spawned this onstage thriller, a shared production between prestigious theaters in Los Angeles, Chicago and now Washington, DC. Be prepared to be scared. Tickets are available at www.shakespearetheatrecompany.org About the Author: Edelman is a playwright who loves writing about theater. He is a lifetime member of the Broadway League and a Tony® voter. Catch his monthly podcast at www.onstagedmv.org. Photo credits: Fiddler on the Roof by Daniel Rader; Guys and Dolls by Teresa Castracene. Clue by Evan Zimmerman.

The explosive, inventive, witty and utterly unique percussion sensation returns in the DMV, using everything from Zippo lighters and hubcaps to broomsticks and garbage cans to ﬁll the National with sound and rhythm. See what all the noise is about! Tickets at www.broadwayatthenational.com

DRACULA… A COMEDY OF TERRORS January 23- February 15 Atlas Performing Arts Center

Bram Stoker’s vampire tale morphs into outrageous new life as a madcap comedy full of camp, lusty encounters and outre spectacle. Five actors shapeshift thru multiple roles, transforming this tale of Gothic horror into a feast of physical comedy and unhinged seduction, carried oﬀ as only the folks at Constellation Theatre can do. Tickets at www.constellationtheatre.org.

Old Town Crier

Frosty the Snowman by Cameron Whitman.

January 2026 17

GALLERY BEAT

F. LENNOX CAMPELLO

The Heroic Business of Running an Art Gallery

fter restaurants, according to the US Chamber of Commerce, an art gallery is the “second most likely to fail business in the Unites States. And running an art gallery is not an easy task - as Washington Post former and legendary Arts editor John Pancake once told me, it is a "heroic act." In fact, opening and running an independent, fine arts gallery ethically and properly is an act of love and passion for the arts. And once open and running, cracking the code and getting people to actually buy a piece of original artwork is a very difficult process, and unfortunately for the galleries and for artists, they only control a small part of it. The most difficult part is getting people to actually know that there are galleries, and openings, etc. Getting the potential buyer to the gallery, or aware of the gallery or artist, is the key, and of course the most difficult part. There are parts of the world where you haggle the price of everything and every time! And to add insult to injury, there are apparently only two things in American culture that people seem very adept at haggling for: cars and art. I once walked to a line of taxis in Bahrain and asked the first cabbie on the line how much to take me to the Souk (market place area of the city). I had been advised that it should be about 20 dinars. “100 dinars”, he responded dragging deeply from his cigarette. After 10 minutes or so of animated haggling, we settled for 20 dinars. The next day, I wanted to go back to the market place, and seeing my cabbie 18 January 2026

again on the line, I walked to him, said hello to him, he recognized me and shook my hand. He asked where I wanted to go. “To the Souk again,” I responded. “100 dinars”, he responded dragging deeply from his cigarette. Here in the US, I recently saw a visitor to one of the art fairs in Miami during Art Basel week of Miami fairs drop almost $600 in buying second rate Champagne for her entourage of friends at the fair, and it was served in plastic wine ﬂutes. She then proceeded to ask a gallerist “What’s the best price that you can do on this?” - referring to a mid-sized original oil painting which was priced at $250. See what I mean? I love art galleries and the people behind them! In Alexandria, Nepenthe Gallery entered the “gallery scene” a while ago and has already established itself as one of the top galleries in Northern Virginia – mostly as a result of fresh approaches to art and novel art shows! We learn from its website about the naming of the gallery’s super hard-working owner Carrie Garland: “Our family has treasured this word for decades, from the 1960’s when Carrie’s parents visited the wondrous restaurant in Big Sur named “Nepenthe,” to the early 1990’s when “Nepenthe” was our buzz word while wedding planning and prompt for all frustrated parties to immediately retreat and calm down, to the later 1990’s when Carrie’s dad named his boat “Nepenthe” and did not allow whining or crying on deck.” Old Town Crier

We also learn that: “Today, we are delighted to bring NEPENTHE GALLERY to our beloved and dynamic community. Our art gallery features works from a wide range of artists–local artists whom we know and love, artists from other parts of the USA and around the world, and artists–living and deceased– whose works are critically acclaimed. We are honored to hang works from our family’s private collection of 19th century and early 20th century American art and oﬀer gallery talks for those masterpieces. We oﬀer a rotating selection of iconic, fun and familiar prints and neon images, as well as various sculptures, objects and Nepenthe Gallery merchandise. We have a frame shop on-sight with a vast variety of custom frames and we specialize in custom mirrors, too.” Bob Murray, Eugenia Chester (former daughter-in-law of artist Otari Shiuk 1922-1995), Carrie Garland and others gather to hear about the storied career of Otari Shiuk.

Every Thursday from 6-7:30 pm the gallery hosts an ART + WINE + CHEESE event that highlights an artwork, artist or special guest or genre. On January 15, 2026, they will host ART + WINE + CHEESE: Fine Art Appraising: What is it Worth? Presented by Nepenthe’s own JEFF TRAFIDLO, who is a Fine Arts Appraiser. On January 22, they will have ART + WINE + CHEESE: Winter Solstice — A Curated Expo of Original Works by Six Local Artists (featured artists are Erika JamesJackson, John Minarcik, Harry Moxley, Cynthia Schoeppel, Jennifer Smith and Sara White), and on January 29 it is ART + WINE + CHEESE: Introducing New Artist HILARY WINFIELD from Virginia Beach. Nepenthe Gallery is open Tuesday-Friday 11am-6pm, Saturday & Sunday 9am-4pm, and by appointment. They are located at 7918 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria VA 22308, phone is571-347-7961 and online at https://nepenthegallery.com.

Carrie Garland and Alexandria-based artist Rich Moore

About the Author: F. Lennox Campello's art news, information, gallery openings, commentary, criticism, happenings, opportunities, and everything associated with the global visual arts scene with a special focus on the Greater Washington, DC area has been a premier source for the art community for over 20 years. Since 2003, his blog has been the 11th highest ranked art blog on the planet with over SIX million visitors.

We’re We ’re R REBRANDING! W Early E l last l t year, yearr, Ten T n Thousand Te Th d Villages Vill U.S. US step d decided to ste p back fr ffrom om in-person retail operations o perrations and fo ffocus ocus exclusively on online sales.

Nepenthe Gallery proudly featured Lenny Campello’s blockbuster exhibit “Women Artists of the DMV” on December 4 with several featured artists in attendance. From left to right: Phyllis Mayes, Eve Drake, Kristina King, Barbara Sheehan, Dora Patin, and Michal Hunter

Stay Warm

...with Babazuzu mittens. They will really make you smile!

Ourr Alexandria store has always been — and w continue to be — an independent, will nonprofit organization no onprofi p fi f t org ganization dedicated to fa ffair ir trade trad de and in-person shopping at our current location. T celebrate To cellebrate this chapter of renewed independence and d growth, we are proud to introduce our new name: World Crafted The Wo W rld Craft f ed on King. ft

Our Grand Gra ra r nd Reopening R will take ta t ke place in February Fe F bruary ry r 2026. Stay Sta ta tay ay tuned for ffo or more re r iinf nf nffo o! info!

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Old Town Crier

– Washington City Paper

Exclusively representing the works of

F. Lennox Campello Syreni Caledonii (Northern Atlantic Mermaid). Watercolor,

charcoal and Conte. 2019, 12x36 inches. Price and additional images upon request.

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January 2026 19

FROM THE BAY

MOLLY WINANS

What COOL People Do! The Annual Frostbite Column

Why Frostbite Racing Is Cool.

Go-to winter gear.

Amazing sailing and cool on-water vibe.

It’s 34 degrees outside. The water temperature measures in the upper 30s. It might get gusty out. It might snow. What would you rather do: lounge on the couch or go sailing? Hundreds of sailors on the Chesapeake Bay choose the latter. Every winter, we like to reach out to a few of them to learn their reasoning, their expert winter gear tips, and suggestions for curious would-be winter sailors.

What to wear while winter sailing? These racing sailors are experts.

“The amazing winter sailing day is when the wind is not to light and not too windy, and we get lucky with an unusually warm day,” says O’Hare.

What’s the appeal? Warren Richter races his J/22 Committed with his partner in racing and wife, Tracey Golde. Richter says, “I enjoy frostbite to keep our skills sharp during the so called ‘off-season.’ It's great to get out, get some sunshine, and have fun racing. Makes dusting off the rust in the springtime much easier and also allows for racing that is less boathandling-intensive. It is a great time to train new crew and practice.” Golde adds, “We’re not sure what we’d do with our time if we didn't have a reason to be on the water. Also racing with just a main and jib as required by frostbites gives us an opportunity to work on our fleet management without having to worry so much about boat handling. Also, there is usually significantly more wind than during the rest of the year, so we get to practice in different conditions.’ The Committed frostbite team includes Mary Howser, Koralina and James McKenna, Amanda Gates, and Bryan Stout. Richter notes, “They are all fantastic sailors. We appreciate everything they do to come racing with us.” Gavin O’Hare, who races ILCA class dinghies (formerly Laser) out of Severn Sailing Association on Sundays, says, “Because the winter is cold, it puts a damper on doing most things outside. Dinghy frostbiting is different. What better way to break up the week of cold with two hours of bliss (challenging yourself with cold and conditions, alone on your boat—no crew to rally or lunch to be made for), plus the opportunity to reward yourself with a cold beverage around an open fire immediately afterward!” 20 January 2026

Richter wears, “Carhartt wool socks for warmth, Rocky GoreTex socks to keep the feet dry, Musto gloves to keep hands dry, Patagonia and Gill fleece thermal and mid layers, and Under Armour base layers. Our rechargeable waterproof handwarmers make a great present and are much more ecofriendly than the disposable ones.” (Golde calls handwarmers a “game changer on cold days.”) As a singlehander on a dinghy, wearing a dry suit and a lifejacket, O’Hare notes how crucial it is to keep the hands and feet dry and warm. “I find wool or wetsuit socks inside dinghy boots help a lot. I have yet to find a winter glove that stays dry and warm. I tried surfing wetsuit gloves one year and found that it took too much energy to close my fingers on tiller or mainsheet. I have concluded that the cold weather-winter gardening gloves sold at your local hardware store are pretty good and certainly cost effective. When it is really cold and the wind chill is severe, I use my gardening gloves during racing and change to dry mittens or lobster gloves in between races!”

One cold day… When asked to recite a cold-day memory, most frostbiters note that they ski outside in snow, so why not sail? Or they tell you about the warmer days that don’t feel like frostbite racing at all, yet if you prod them to admit that sometimes it gets uncomfortable out there, they will tell you about the really cold days. Richter notes that there were “too many to count— plenty of time spent sweeping and shoveling snow oﬀ the decks to go sailing!” O’Hare says, “When the wind is blowing and the chill is severe, you need to use more vang to keep the boat ﬂat. The problem is the boat likes to stay head-to-wind in these conditions if you don’t tack properly or know how to handle on the starting line. And of course, when ice forms on your control lines, they don’t control or worse cannot be adjusted. Add to this that your hands are nearlt frozen and you are tired… but it's only two hours!”

Richter adds, “Several weeks ago (November 13) was one of the windiest frostbite races we have sailed in a long time. Great conditions and racing!” When asked if he thinks the on-water vibe in winter is any different than in summer, he says, “I think it's a bit cooler vibe! (Ha) But seriously, it is a bit more relaxed than summer racing.” Golde says, “Warren is always in race mode starting first thing in the morning on a race day. The vibe is the same whether it’s summer, winter, or just going out for a ‘cruise.’ If we are on a sailboat the expectation is we are 100-percent focused on making the boat go fast.” “Many with day jobs who cannot make the summer evening short-course racing do come out for frostbite Sundays,” says O’Hare. “So, the competition is strong, yet there is also a camaraderie among us all because we respect each other more for coming out when it can be extreme. We do offer three-minute justice protest resolution should grievances not be worked out on the water.”

Advice for would-be frostbite racers. “Just get out there, even if the weather is tough,” says Richter. “It will make you better. Be sure to be prepared for the conditions both clothing- and boat-wise.’ Golde says, “Just show up. Even if the weather is awful.” Why not give it a try? O’Hare says, “My advice to a would-be-frostbite racer is to come down one Sunday afternoon and check it out from the seawall or on a safety boat (wearing cold weather gear). Also know your abilities—going out in bigger breeze is only more challenging in the winter. Safety comes ﬁrst!” About the author: Molly Winans is the managing editor of SpinSheet, the Chesapeake Bay’s only sailing magazine, as well as PropTalk and FishTalk in Annapolis. Find her at editor@ spinsheet.com. This ﬁrst appeared in the January 2023 issue of SpinSheet.Photos for this article are also courtesy of SpinSheet. Old Town Crier

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TO THE BLUE RIDGE

JULIE REARDON

Word Salad 2025

hings are really quiet here in Hunt Country during the month of January so I thought maybe some of this useless information might be entertaining for you to ponder during the upcoming winter days. Unless you're younger, an influencer and on social media a lot, you might not know what are considered the current cool new words and phrases and the ones that are so yesterday. The beginning of a brand new year is a good time to learn what words and phrases someone cooler than you decided were winners and losers. Many of us find it entertaining to learn new words or enjoy the picks and if you find any you like, incorporate them into your vocabulary and writing. Some years the picks—usually done by dictionary staff—are better than others and sometimes they almost seem deja vu. Slop is the word of the year for 2025 by MerriamWebster’s human editors. They define slop as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” All that stuff dumped on our screens, captured in just four letters: the English language came through again. The flood of slop in 2025 included absurd videos, off-kilter advertising images, cheesy propaganda, fake news that looks pretty real, junky AI-written books, “workslop” reports that waste coworkers’ time… and lots of talking cats. People found it annoying, and people ate it up. “AI Slop is Everywhere,” warned The Wall Street Journal, while admitting to enjoying some of those cats. “AI Slop Has Turned Social Media into an Antisocial Wasteland,” reported CNET. Like slime, sludge,and muck, slop has the wet sound of something you don’t want to touch. Slop oozes into everything. The original sense of the word, in the 1700s, was “soft mud.” In the 1800s it came to mean “food waste” (as in “pig slop”), and then more generally, “rubbish” or “a product of little or no value.” In 2025, amid all the talk about AI threats, slop set a tone that’s less fearful, more mocking. The word sends a little message to AI: when it comes to replacing human creativity, sometimes you don’t seem too superintelligent. Another winner for 2025 words picked by Merriam-Webster's staff is gerrymander. 22 January 2026

Throughout 2025, when Republicans and Democrats used redistricting to increase their electoral advantages, gerrymander became a popular search term. To gerrymander is to divide a state, school district, etc. into political units or election districts that give one group or political party an unfair advantage. The word comes from the name of Elbridge Gerry, an American politician in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and vice president under James Madison, and as governor of Massachusetts he tried to change the shape of voting districts to help members of his political party get elected. His system resulted in some highly irregular and oddly shaped districts, including one (Gerry’s home district) that looked a little like a newt. Upon seeing a map of the bizarre regional divisions, a member of the opposing party drew feet, wings, and a head on Gerry’s district and said “That will do for a salamander!” Another member called out “Gerrymander!” And the term stuck. The idiomatic phrase "touch grass" means “to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions.” The phrase is often aimed at people who spend so much time online that they become disconnected from reality. Lookups spiked in September, after the murder of Charlie Kirk, when Utah Governor Spencer Cox spoke passionately about the dangers of social media and urged people to “log oﬀ, turn oﬀ, touch grass, go hug a family member, go out and do good in the community.” Though originally used as an insult, touch grass also became something of an aspiration, even a physical quest, for many people who wanted to break their digital addiction. As People magazine reported, “New App Will Block Users from 'Mindless Scrolling' Until They 'Literally' Touch Grass. In the age of social media, when all the world’s a cellphone-sized stage, the steep rise in lookups of performative resulted not from any particular news item, but instead from the pervasiveness of what it describes. Performative means “made or done for show (as to bolster one's own image or make a positive impression on others).”

In 2025 many things were mocked as “performative.” We saw performative politics and activism, performative wokeness and patriotism, and even performative matcha (in which the photogenic green tea was prepared and consumed to impress a usually online audience). Perhaps top among the phrases was performative male, used to describe a young man pursuing progressive women by doing things (carrying feminist literature in a tote bag, for example) those women probably like. Early in 2025, as President Trump began implementing the tariffs he had promised in his campaign, people following the resulting news and debates wanted to understand what exactly tariffs are. Tariff refers to “a schedule of duties imposed by a government on imported or in some countries exported goods.” The word entered English centuries ago, via Italian, and originally came (free of charge) from the Arabic word taʽrīf, meaning “notification.” Six Seven emerged as the hit Gen Alpha slang term of 2025. Meaning nothing in particular, and sometimes repeated in a sing-song voice, it tends to delight kids and frustrate almost everyone else (which is one reason it delights kids). Six seven, or 6 7, comes from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by rapper Skrilla, used in viral videos and memes featuring the 6’ 7” NBA player LaMelo Ball. It’s mostly used as an interjection—such as a thing you might chant, for no particular reason, after hearing the numbers 6 and 7. Conclave spiked in lookups after the death of Pope Francis in April, when Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world gathered at the Vatican to elect a successor. This meeting, called a conclave, is how new popes have been selected since the 13th century. The word comes from Latin meaning “room that can be locked up.” It originally referred specifically to the locked room where the cardinals nominate, debate, and vote in secret. Even before Pope Francis’s death, we were already seeing a higher volume of searches for the word in 2025. This interest was driven by the film Conclave which features a fictional version of the secret vote. Hopefully, you all feel somewhat “enlightened” as we move into 2026! Old Town Crier

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Our 2025 Road Trip Round Up What a fun year it was!

February- Shadow Mou ntain

Escape, Luray, Virginia

As most of our readers know that we go on and write about a Road Trip every month. Over the years, our trips have ranged from a day trip around the DMV to two weeks as far away as the island of St. John in the USVI to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. With each January issue we do a brief recap of last year’s trips just to remind you where we’ve been. You can find the write ups in their entirety in the archives on our website at oldtowncrier. Let’s get started. February Over the years that we have known Ralph and Karen Riddle, they and Shadow Mountain have become one of our favorite destinations. You will find SME about two miles on the Luray side of the Thornton Gap entrance to Skyline Drive on Jewell Hollow Road. The brainchild and lifelong dream of Karen and Ralph Riddle, the name SME comes from the name of the tracts (Shadow Mountain tracts) of land that were originally subdivided within Jewell Hollow. The Riddles added the term "Escape" to invoke a sense of the underlying purpose behind their effort. In an attempt to provide an environment conducive to happiness and fulfillment, they focused on exposing the beauty and spirit of the natural landscape and the remarkable life that flourishes there.

March- Snow Days in Virginia Beach, Virg inia

There are four cabins located on the fifteen-acre property. In celebration of the abundant wildlife, all of the cabins were given indigenous "bug names". The Bear Dance Lodge was the first rental built on the property and the two cabins were named Dragon Fly and Bumble Bee. The Butterfly loft was opened in 2003 and the final rental, the Ladybug, was completed in 2011. For added adventure the couple incorporated "La Cantina" in the basement of the Bear Dance Lodge which was inspired by their many visits to Europe. Their intent was to capture the special atmosphere for their guests that they found only in the authentic settings of a German "Stube" or a Tuscan "La Cantina"!

March

April- The Blue Ridge Mountains Skyline

In March we decided to head to Virginia Beach and the Atlantic Ocean. This Road Trip would serve two purposes, we could stay at Virginia Beach and also visit the Virginia Beach Murphy's Pub to interview the owner, Tom Mooney who also owns Murphy's Grand Irish Pub here in Old Town. We did check the weather forecast before leaving and were surprised that eighteen inches of snow were forecast for Virginia Beach. As it turns out, the City took the warning seriously and advised business and attractions to close until the storm passed so we weren’t able to go to the aquarium or other destinations we had planned on visiting. We had to switch gears and treat this trip like an extended snow day adventure. We arrived at the Ocean Sands Resort (we don’t really recommend this place) after a four-and-a-half drive. We checked into our room and went to the Waterman's Surfside Grill at the south end of town. Waterman's dates back to the 1960's and also was the craze beginning of the Orange Crush drink. Lani ordered the "skinny ruby aka grapefruit" version. I selected a Copper Fox Rye whiskey. As Waterman's closes at 10pm we drove back to Murphy's Pub to meet with Tom Mooney and his wife Ann. We enjoyed a nice dinner and some Irish libations and then headed back to our room. As we turned on the weather channel, there was Jim Cantore broadcasting from the beach in Virginia Beach. Not a good sign. Drive

"T he world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." – Saint Augustine 24 January 2026

On the third day, the snow was really no problem as the wind blew much away. We hit the road and slowly left Virginia Beach and headed home.

April We hit some old stomping grounds as we headed to Skyline Drive. Spring is a good time to hit Skyline and Shenandoah National Park. There is less traﬃc and the mountain is waking up after the cold of winter. Spring is the time of renewal and new beginnings. Leaves begin to show up on trees that have been bare all winter and pop up of color can be seen in the brown leaf piles. Wildlife has been tucked away during the colder months begin to appear, and a wide array of migratory bird species take refuge in the Shenandoah’s during their long trip north. Although the countryside was still a bit brown, the views were amazing as the sky was clear with abundant sunshine. Looking east we saw the Piedmont region of Virginia including a few towns. On the other side of the road and looking west was the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, a few small towns and the magniﬁcent Shenandoah River meandering its way through the valley before the leaves and other foliage block the view.

Old Town Crier

May May took us to Rehoboth Beach and the beautiful Boardwalk Plaza Hotel.. Our intent of visiting Rehoboth in April is to take advantage of the amenities of a beach town in the early months of the season. Once the Atlantic shore towns were only busy in the summer months. Not so anymore. With the boom of construction and population, Rehoboth is now a year-round rocking town. It is slower in the shoulder months but most businesses remain open. Upon entering the beautiful lobby of the Boardwalk Plaza we are greeted by their great staff and the three parrots that patrol the lobby area. Emro IV is top parrot with Moose and Peanut also clamoring for attention and talking up a storm. Upon checking in we were given an ocean front suite on the fourth floor which is only for adults. Another nice touch is that only the fourth floor can access the hot tubs on the roof. During the shoulder seasons this is nice but during the summer months when the place is buzzing with kids, it is essential. They give you a special key card that will access the fourth floor from the elevator. Our first stop is usually Nalu for a cocktail and the bacon wrapped pineapple chunks, then we hit the Purple Parrot for happy hour. We then returned to the Plaza in order to catch local musician, Keith Mack, who was playing in the Tavern. We got wrapped up in the music and nixed our plans for a nice dinner at the Plaza but Lani saved the day and made the trek down the boardwalk to a beach staple...Grotto Pizza! They never disappoint.

May- Boardwalk Plaza Hotel,

Rehoboth, Delaware

June

We decided to stay close to home in June. At the suggestion of one of our readers, we ventured into the "City" to the U.S. National Arboretum and spent the afternoon. We ended up going on a Saturday before the Memorial Day weekend and parking at the Visitors Center meant making a few "loops" around the lot but on the third spin we garnered a space as close to up front as you could get without parking in a handicap space. Lani took in the National Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the National Herb Garden that was adjacent to the Visitors Center while I enjoyed sitting around the aquatic plants exhibit outside and watching hundreds of Koi ﬁsh swim around the enormous pond. There were several families and groups picnicking and a good number of folks walking and jogging the grounds. The 451 acres of rolling forested terrain, including Mt. Hamilton oﬀers commanding views of the Capitol from one of the city's highest points, expansive meadows, and the restored Spring House Run riparian habitat. Nine miles of winding roadways and many more paths connect the gardens and natural areas across the grounds. The grounds of the National Arboretum are open very day of the year except Christmas Day.

July

June- U.S. National Arboretum

In July we decided to visit Berks County in Pennsylvania. Our decision was inﬂuenced by the Berks County marketing folks so we contacted Lisa Haggerty, the Marketing Director and she arranged two nights for us at the Hilton Double Tree in Reading. On our drive up we did make time to stop in Wrightsville to stretch our legs and enjoy a very nice lunch at the John Wright Store and Restaurant along the beautiful Susquehanna River. It is a beautiful spot with a view of the remains of the second Columbia Wrightsville Bridge that was destroyed during the Civil War to keep the Confederates from crossing the water. Our accommodations at the Double Tree were very comfortable. The hotel is in the middle of town and near just about everything. The Cheers American Bistro is their in-house eatery and includes a nice pub, indoor and outdoor eating and a full-service bar. I ordered a Beefeaters martini that was served in a substantial glass and chilled to perfection and garnished with a lemon twist. I enjoyed every minute of it! The best part came when I got the tab. What usually cost me $16 to $20 in Old Town was only $8 at the Double Tree...Score! As our two days progressed, we were continually amazed at the aﬀordability in Reading. Our plan to follow the popular Berks County Covered Bridge tour on our second day was scrapped on account of rainy weather so instead we started driving and ended up in the small burrough of Spring Ridge. The weather held and we found a beach-like place in the mountains - Jimmy G's Beverly Hills Tavern.. Surrounded by an aging wooden fence is piles of white sand that was trucked into the mountains and made to look like a beach resort with a Tiki-style bar located in the middle. This place was unreal...nothing but green hill sides outside of this oasis of fun and sand. When we return, we plan on exploring more of the County.

Penn July- Berks Cou nty & Reading,

sylvania

August In August, we escaped Washington's summer heat for the coolness of the amazing Luray Caverns. The Caverns maintain a temperature of 58 degrees F year-round. The outdoor temperature is usually ten degrees cooler in the mountains than the valley and it will take you the better part of a day to see all that the Caverns have to offer, but there is so much more. The Garden Maze is claimed to be the largest hedge maze in the Mid-Atlantic States as a oneacre ornamental garden with over 1500 Evergreen hedges that create a half-mile pathway that diverges at over 4o points. The Rope Adventure Park is a true workout for all ages. There are two levels that enables individual or team participation. While every step is an adventure in the Caverns, one of the most memorable sights is Mirror Lake. This is an area of still water that reflects the stalactites hanging from above. With no air movement in the Caverns there is no wind to disturb the water, thus forming a natural mirror. It is amazing. Luray is about a 2-hour drive from D.C. and you can find accommodations at both Sperryville or Luray. It is definitely worth an overnight stay.

Old Town Crier

August- Luray Ca

verns, Luray, Virg inia

January 2026 25

September

ROAD TRIP

For our September adventure, we decided to head south to the mountains of Nelson County and spend a couple of nights at Love Ridge Mountain Lodging outside the town of Love, Virginia. We also decided to make our drive down to Love Ridge a real adventure and picked up Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap near Sperryville and then continued to the end and picked up the Blue Ridge Parkway to mile post 16 right before Love Ridge. With a speed limit of 45 mph on these beautiful back roads we knew it would be a long trip. Our cabin was one of the first we came to. A rustic, well appointed, one room cabin with back and side porches as well as a grill and fire ring out back. Lani had preordered a snack basket of cheeses. meats and other tasty items that was accompanied by a bottle of Gabriele Rausse's Malbec wine. We opened the wine and settled in. We used the cabins wifi to access the internet and find directions to Wintergreen Resort where we went for dinner. We were at an elevation of 2800 feet and our Verizon cell service was spotty at best. Also, signage on the Parkway is minimal as no commercial signage is allowed. We entered the Wintergreen Property and headed for The Edge restaurant. We sat at a high top near the bar where we had a nice view of the cloudy mountain and also a good view of the young man playing music. We ordered dinner and settled in listening to the music. After dinner we made our way back to the cabin and made a nice fire in the fire ring. I lit up a nice John Crouch cigar and we finished the wine. A perfect ending for a long day.

son Cou nty, Virginia September- Love Ridge, Nel

The next day we set out to explore Nellysford and the Nelson 151 Craft Beverage Trail. It is a trail composed of 7 wineries, 6 breweries, 3 cideries and 4 distilleries. Thinking the Trail was right up our alley, we decided to hit a distillery. A few miles up the road in Afton, Virginia we stopped in at the Silverback Distillery. Silverback is the only mother, daughter distillery in the nation. I was first struck by the incredible packaging of their products. In keeping with the Silverback theme, the vodka bottle has a Silverback gorilla and the gin bottle has a colorful baboon on the inside back of the bottles. Very impressive. I then bought a bottle of each for the collective bottles. Our last night at the cabin was the best. With the clouds seemingly resting on our shoulders, we used some old Old Town Crier issues to start our fire, as we invited our new Silverback friends to be our cocktails. In the glow of the fire and the smooth taste of the drink, we noticed the mist about us. It became clear that we were now immersed in the cloud. As the mist began to collect on the tree leaves above us, they soon became drops of water that began to lightly fall. It was magical, something you would expect on a cloudy night at 2800 feet.

October

October- The Aven ue Inn & Spa, Rehoboth , Delaware

Our October Road Trip took us to the other shoulder season in Rehoboth. Unlike our earlier trip, this time our destination was the The Avenue Inn & Spa. The fall season is much like the spring season...parking rates are reduced or eliminated for the season and it is less crowded. While not a busy as the summertime, there are events like the True Blue Jazz Fest and the Sea Witch Festival in October. Both of these events draw a lot of people to Rehoboth in the Fall. The "Avenue" is in the heart of town and only one block from the boardwalk and beach. After checking in and partaking of the nightly wine & cheese social, we headed toward the beach and back to our fav - Nalu for all day Sunday Happy Hour and those bacon wrapped pineapple chunks. They have the NFL Ticket in the fall so we were able to take in a couple of games. We hit up the Purple Parrot for dinner and a nightcap. The Avenue Inn & Spa is a historic, family-owned hotel located at 33 Wilmington Avenue - the lobby can be accessed from Rehoboth Avenue as well. Known for its friendly service, clean rooms and prime location, it also has the most comfortable beds ever. The Avenue oﬀers a variety of rooms and suites. In addition to a pool, sun deck and gym, complimentary amenities like full breakfast and nightly wine and cheese social and 8pm cookies are oﬀered. It is one of the few places that have complimentary beach chairs, towels and free shuttle service to and from the beach. Another thing that sets this hotel apart is the blackboard in the lobby that is updated daily with events and specials taking place at restaurants close to the Inn. It is always a pleasure to visit the beach-brings back old memories and gives us a chance to create new ones. Book a room at The Avenue. Park in their free garage and everything is within walking distance.

November- The Art Cottage by the Bay,

Solomons MD

November

November found us on Solomons Island. With a little planning we were able to secure Carmen Nance Gambril's rental, The Art Cottage by the Bay. This quaint cottage is located right behind Carmen's Gallery between the main drag and the water of The Narrows. It is the perfect place to stay as it is within walking distance of the majority of shops and restaurants on the island. There is no need to get into your vehicle that is very conveniently parked next to your front door. If you are looking to buy some art or a cool place to stay, check out Carmen's Gallery and the Cottage. We have known Carmen for many years and know how passionate she is about her art and gallery, but also about fellow islanders and all of her wonderful animals, mostly cats. This time of year, doesn't lend itself to very pretty landscaping but the view from the bedroom and backyard is still spectacular. Blue water everywhere. There is much to see and do in Solomons - the Calvert Marine Museum, Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, On Watch statue and Cove Point Light House for starters.

December

for the Ho December- Home

26 January 2026

ia, VA lidays, Alexandr

We always aspire to feature our very own Old Town in December. The holiday décor is impressive and the Scottish Walk is the highlight of the season with the parade and all things Scottish-related in the many activities of that weekend. Lots going on down in the 100 Block of King Street and along the waterfront. Old Town has even been touted as a place deserving of a Hallmark Christmas movie setting by some. Mark your calendars for a visit in 2026! Old Town Crier

CARIBBEAN CONNECTION KAREN UDLER

Ann Street Gardens

ey west getawa

St. Maarten Has an All-Inclusive Beach Club — No Resort Required Wow…I have been to some great places here on the mainland that have interesting monikers including The Bitches Corner Bar located pretty much in my hometown in Wyoming and, yes, I’ve known the “original” bitch for close to 50 years. I have been in more than one Pecker’s and Dick’s as well. This month I was really intrigued by the piece in the Caribbean Journal on Big Bastard’s! I have got to ﬁgure out a way to get down there. I don’t know anywhere you can go spend a day on the beach on an island in the Caribbean with all of the bells and whistles – including adult beverages and eats - at your beck and call for a mere $149.00 per couple! – Lani, Old Town Crier.

lazy swim. Restrooms are on-site, and the service charge for beverages is already built into the booking, eliminating the end-of-day arithmetic that usually deﬁnes beach bars across the island.

Yes, you can actually come here, all-inclusive.

What makes Big Bastard’s stand out isn’t excess, but clarity. The package is adultonly, with alcohol service limited to guests eighteen and over. Premium liquors are excluded, and everything is enjoyed on site, keeping the focus on an easy, social beach atmosphere rather than a party scene. The day has a natural endpoint — the package wraps up by 4:30 in the afternoon — which gives the whole experience a deﬁned arc instead of the open-ended sprawl typical of all-day beach drinking.

On St. Maarten, the beach bar is usually a pay-as-you-go aﬀair — a chair, a bucket of beers, maybe a grilled ﬁsh sandwich when the mood strikes. Big Bastard’s quietly turns that familiar rhythm on its head. Right on the sand in Great Bay Beach, the irreverently named beach club has introduced something you almost never see at a Caribbean beach bar: a true all-inclusive experience, designed not for resort guests but for anyone who wants to claim a stretch of sand for the day and stop thinking about the tab.

For St. Maarten, a destination famous for choice and independence rather than bundled experiences, the idea feels almost subversive. Big Bastard’s isn’t trying to compete with the island’s all-inclusive resorts. It’s oﬀering something more localized: a way to enjoy the beach like a guest of the house, without checking into one. You arrive, sit down, and for a few hours the logistics disappear — replaced by cold drinks, a hot lunch, and the steady view of Simpson Bay stretching out in front of you.

They call it Beach Like a Billionaire, and the concept is simple but radical for St. Maarten. You book once, settle into your assigned beach chairs, and everything unfolds from there. Beverage service comes directly to your seat, with unlimited drinks ﬂowing until late afternoon. Lunch is handled the same way, with food delivered beachside and a forty-dollar credit included as part of the package. There’s no need to ﬂag down a server or wander back to the bar — the service comes to you, right down to the water’s edge.

For detailed information and the latest in package deals, check out www. bigbastardssxm.com.

The experience is deliberately streamlined. Seating is reserved in the second, third, and fourth rows from the sea, close enough to hear the waves but with clear sightlines across the bay. Wi-Fi stretches all the way to the shoreline, making it as easy to linger over emails as it is to disappear into a long,

Old Town Crier

About the Author: Karen Udler is the Deputy Travel Editor of Caribbean Journal. A graduate of Duke University, has been traveling across the Americas for three decades. First an expert on Latin American travel, Karen has been traveling with CJ for more than a decade. She likes to focus on wellness, luxury travel and food. Publishers Note: We are happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor in Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean Journal and his staﬀ contributing to the OTC and our Caribbean Connection Section. Check out the popular online magazine/ website at caribjournal.com for valuable information on all fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.

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January 2026 27

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Old Town Crier

DINING GUIDE AMERICAN

1799 PRIME STEAK & SEAFOOD 110 S. Pitt Street 571-404-6001 ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 BOB & EDITHS DINER 1743 King Street 703-664-0043 bobandedithsdiner.com CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COOPER MILL 10 Duke St. 703-566-1278 EDDIE'S LITTLE SHOP & DELI 1406 King Street 571-312-8615 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FRANKIE'S KITCHEN & COCKTAIL BAR 823 S. Washington St. 703-512-2118 frankiesoldtown.com GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOME GROWN 1600 King Street 703-705-4955 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACK'S PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JULA'S ON THE POTOMAC 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-436-0025 junctionbakery.com KILN - HOTEL HERON 699 Prince St. 703-662-1900 Old Town Crier

KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533

LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511 MACMILLAN'S SPIRIT HOUSE 500 Montgomery St. 703-665-6690 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHY'S GRAND IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 O'CONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 DanielOconnells.com PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 ROYAL RESTAURANT 730 N. St. Asaph St. 703-548-1616 RT'S RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222

SWEET FIRE DONNA'S 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 THE MAJESTIC 911 King St. 703-837-9117 THE STUDY 116 South Alfred Street 703-838-8000 T.J. STONE'S GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VIRTUE FEED & GRAIN 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN

ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 INDOCHEN 1625 King Street (571) 404-6050 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 RAILBIRD KITCHEN 804 North Henry St. 703-577-9023 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 UMIYA SUSHI 3000 Duke Street 703-564-1800 CONTINENTAL

ALEXANDRIA BIER GARDEN 710 King Street 703-888-1951 CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665

OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 FRENCH

BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BEN' YAYS 1028 King Street 703-495-3888 LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINE CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 JOSEPHINE 109 South St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN

ALDO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 2850 Eisenhower Avenue 703-888-2243 ANDY’S PIZZA 107 N Fayette St 571-319-0497 BUGSY'S PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 EPICURE ON KING 703 King Street 703-838-9090 HANDOVER BY THE SLICE 728 King Street 571-319-0794 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 REDROCKS NEAPOLITAN BISTRO 904 King St. 703-717-9873 THOMPSON ITALIAN 1026 King Street alexandria@thompsonitalian.com MEDITERRANEAN

BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100 DELIA'S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 ELAINE'S 208 Queen Street 571-970-0517

TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 VALLETTA PORT 682 N St Asaph St. 703-512-4122 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD

HANK'S OYSTER BAR 818 N St. Asaph 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET 105 King St. 703-836-5676 ﬁshmarketoldva.com THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN

BOLLYWOOD MASALA 211 King Street 703-512-0175 DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 KISMET MODERN INDIAN 111 North Pitt Street 703-567-4507 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN

CASA TEQUILA 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148

January 2026 29

DINING OUT

THE GASTRONOMES

SOCIAL It's the place to be

“Coffee by day, cocktails by night. Welcome to SOCIAL, Leonardtown Maryland’s neighborhood coffeehouse and cocktail bar! Over the years, we’ve created a welcoming space for our community to hangout, study, party, and be social. But we’re more than just a place to gather. SOCIAL is built on the “Buy Local” philosophy, and artfully combines local ingredients into mouth-watering espresso, cocktails, and cuisine.” After being “Home for the Holidays” all December long, we decided it would be fun to take a drive to one of our favorite Southern Maryland spots - the “not-so- small-anymore” town of Leonardtown to be more specific. Located on Route 5 about an hour and fifteen minutes (depending on Beltway traffic) from Alexandria, Leonardtown is a lively, vibrant waterfront town of about 4500 people. It has really come into its own in the last 10-15 years. Definitely a much different place than it was when we first traveled through there on a regular basis in the mid 90’s on our way to the marina where the boat was docked. One of the shining stars on the restaurant scene in L-Town is the SOCIAL Coffee House and Cocktail Bar. What started out in a much smaller location down the street from where it is now as a coffee shop with a “secret” speakeasy behind a bookcase that opened like a door, is now a full-time coffee roaster serving breakfast, brunch, lunch/dinner and cocktails. The brain child of Sean Coogan, who said in a previous interview that he didn’t even like coffee when he started the business but loved the community, working with people and building and growing things, SOCIAL has morphed into a major community hub where locals from all over the county stop in on a regular basis for a good cup of Joe and a bite to eat. It is also popular with people like us who are just out on a day trip or spending a night or two. To say that this isn’t just any ordinary coffee shop the likes of Starbucks, is an understatement. SOCIAL has a very unique vibe both in the day and at night. They are kind of like the old David Bowie mullet haircut…business up front and party in the back. Not sure they are going to like the comparison but you know what we mean.:) The Main Entrance on the corner of Washington and Fenwick Streets takes you into the coffee shop and there is access to the cocktail bar from there until it closes. There is also a separate entrance directly into the cocktail bar on the Fenwick side. The décor is

30 January 2026

very inviting in both spaces. Not sure what to call it other than classy rustic. The coffee shop has all sorts of comfortable seating and ample daylight while the cocktail bar is nice and dark with soft lighting throughout. SOCIAL also has some nice outdoor seating that is packed when the weather permits. There are “fire features” at all of the tables that make it even more inviting during those cooler temps. It’s a great place to people watch as it sits right next to the Town Square where lots of activities take place during the year. We have had breakfast out front and cocktails in the back more than once and finally decided that we would treat ourselves to some eats off of the printed menu in the cocktail bar as opposed to the chalkboard kind in the coffee shop section. The lunch/dinner menu is available 11 am to 9 pm and is casual and quite diverse with an assortment of eight handhelds like the Socialite Burger – flame broiled beef patty with bacon, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard, tomato and greens served on a toasted brioche bun – and the classic Club – ham, turkey, bacon, greens and tomato and mayo served on a toasted sourdough bread. All handhelds are served with a choice of kettle or banana chips with the option to have fries for a couple dollars more. There are four salads, five types of mac & cheese including their special PotoMac & Cheese, classic mac with lump blue crab meat topped with Old Bay, four flatbreads, eight small plates with some old favorites wings, nachos, truffle fries, etc. and a Cocktail Bar “Exclusives” menu that includes Wild Willy’s Seafood oysters fried with care by the chef and served with house made cocktail sauce and a steak and fry board consisting of 10 ounces of Fenwick coffee-rubbed steak and a generous portion of fries served with house made Old Bay and kalamata olive aioli’s. As you can tell from the food photo, we opted for the Socialite Burger and the Club Sandwich. Both met all of our expectations and the potato chips here are killer good. We decided that we would treat ourselves to after dinner beverages of Tobacco Barn Bourbon from Sean’s family-owned local distillery Old Town Crier

on the rock(s) with a splash of water and their version of the popular Espresso Martini made with Stoli vanilla vodka, Tobacco Barn bourbon cream, coconut rum, espresso and a touch of simple syrup. That martini is to die for…just sayin’! Let’s talk about the cocktails for a minute. While all of the “normal” adult beverage oﬀerings are available, SOCIAL prides themselves on their “craft” cocktails. Quite honestly, we thought that this was just a phase in the bar business that would have come and gone by now but alas, it looks like they are here to stay at the moment. We felt the same way about the “craft” beer craze. On the menu are Duke’s Old Fashioned with their secret ingredient of Kola syrup; the Con Madre Margarita with cilantro, cucumber and habanero and the two most creative the Colleen Bawn – Elijah Craig Rye whiskey, benedictine, Chartreuse, egg and simple syrup - and the L-Town Sour, a concoction of Catoctin Creek rye, Pinot Noir, Kola Syrup, St. George spiced pear, egg white, agave and lemon juice. Being kind of adult beverage “purists”, we really aren’t too sure about either of them but I believe they are big sellers. They also feature seasonal cocktails that, obviously, change with the seasons. We were there during the Christmas holidays and they had some very tasty sounding selections. In fact, I think I’m going to test out their version of Hot Spiced Cider – Tobacco Barn Bourbon, TBD Moll Dyer Cinnamon Whiskey and hot mulled apple cider - when we are doing the Southern Maryland distribution. Doesn’t this sound way tasty and warming? The beer and wine selections at SOCIAL are diverse with something sure to please anyone’s palate.

Old Town Crier

There is also a brunch menu that is served daily from opening until 3 pm. An assortment of bagel sandwiches and toasts including a very tasty avocado version, two breakfast casseroles and three Acai bowls. On Wednesdays you can create your own bagel, crossiant, sandwich or wrap for a mere $6. The prices here are very reasonable compared to what we are used to paying here in the DMV so that’s another good reason to take a ride down to L-Town and treat yourself to a SOCIAL experience!

COFFEE HOUSE HOURS Monday - Friday 6:30 am - 8:00 pm Saturday 7:00 am - 8:00 pm Sunday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

COCKTAIL BAR HOURS Open Late Daily Use Entrance on Fenwick Street! Monday - Thursday 4:00 pm - Last Call Friday & Saturday 3:00 pm - Last Call Sunday 11:00 am - Last Call

KITCHEN HOURS Open Until 9:00 pm Sunday - Thursday Open Until 10:00 pm Friday & Saturday

SOCIAL

Coffee House & Cocktail Bar 41655 Fenwick Street Leonardtown, MD 301-475-2400 Socialonfenwick.com

January 2026 31

LET’S EAT

CHEF CHARLES OPPMAN

Let’s Spill the Beans and Make Some

Cassoulet

ow that we’re in the cold weather months it is good time for a hearty country dish. Why not make a classic bean dish―cassoulet? Cassoulet is a rib-stickin’, slow-cooked bean stew or casserole originating in the south of France, containing meat (typically pork sausages, pork, goose, duck and sometimes mutton), pork skin (couennes) and white haricot beans. The dish is named after its traditional cooking vessel, the cassole, a deep, round, earthenware casserole dish. I made cassoulet the other day with northern beans in an ultra-heavy cast iron Dutch oven I found at a Salvation Army for like $5. I cooked it on the stove top, but this dish could also be baked and always goes well with a fresh batch of corn bread, the perfect quick bread. I vary the meat when I make cassoulet, but this time I used smoked sausage, bratwurst, pork spare ribs, thick-cut bacon and some pieces of pork butt and a ham bone I had in the freezer. I was also able to use the last of my home-grown thyme and rosemary.

32 January 2026

Directions

Ingredients

1. In a large skillet sauté the bacon to render the out fat. Then brown the pork pieces, sausages and duck breast over medium heat.

• 1 pound bratwurst, cut into 3” pieces • 1 pound pork butt or shoulder, cut into 1” cubs • 1 pound of smoked sausage, cut into 3” pieces (ham hocks can replace smoked sausage) • 4 slices bacon, cut into 1” pieces • 1 pound duck breast halves (optional) • 1 whole onion, diced • 4 cloves of fresh garlic, minced • 3 sprigs fresh thyme • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary • 1 cup coarsely chopped curly parsley • 1 pound dry navy or northern beans, soaked for 3 hours • 3 bay leaves, large • 1 cup celery, diced (optional) • 1 (or more) quart chicken broth, canned is ﬁne. (Please do not use bouillon cubes.)

2. In a large slow cooker or heavy Dutch oven place soaked and drained beans, duck, sausage, bacon, onion, fresh herbs, bay leaf, parsley, onion, celery and garlic. Add stock to cover the ingredients. Tie together thyme and rosemary, to be retrieved later. 3. Boil then return to simmer with lid on. 4. Add stock as beans absorb to keep the dish from drying out. Cassoulet should have plenty of liquid when it’s done. Cover and cook until beans are tender, about 2 hours in a Dutch oven, maybe longer in a slow cooker depending on the temperature setting. 5. Serve with cornbread or a good baguette. Condiments that compliment this dish are Dijon mustard and hot sauce. Good wines to pair with this dish would be a gewürztraminer, Riesling, a semi-dry white or even a slightly chilled pinot noir.

Serves: 6

Old Town Crier

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Old Town Crier

Mark your Calendars! 20 years of friendship, pints, and great craic

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January 2026 33

LET’S GET CRAFTY

TIMOTHY LONG and Cigar Afficionado. And I’m like a kid in a candy store when either magazine arrives. This year’s Whiskey Advocate winner was the Elijah Craig 12 Year 3-Month-Old Barrel Proof Rye. Heaven Hill does a great job with the Elijah Craig series, and I was happy to read that one of their newer brands had been named Whiskey of the Year. It’s the first rye whiskey ever to win the award. The writers claimed it earned the award for its complex and balanced profile, which includes notes of baking spices, stewed fruits, and a generous rye spice finish. Reviewers from Whisky Advocate specifically praised its maturity, depth, and surprising approachability. At 108 Proof and $75, I am definitely adding it to my wish list.So, while I’m reading about this wonderful whiskey, an idea popped into my head. Why don’t I do my year end favorites? If the writers of Whiskey Advocate and Cigar Afficionado can do it, so can I! It’s all about passion. And I have a passion for good beer, good whiskey, and good cigars. My passion also includes other things as well, like golf, family, etc. But one must have one’s priorities. My list works a little differently than most. Each category will have a winner and a runner up. It’s just like a beauty pageant. And every one of the runners up and the winners are beautiful. (Dad joke alert!) The idea is that once you’ve drunk or smoked the winner, you can move on to the runner up. It’s an easy assignment that you have an entire year to complete. Enjoy. 2025 Craft Beers 2025 Winner: Bear Chase Brewing’s Kodiak Kolsch I knew before I started reviewing my craft beer recommendations that this beer would win. On first taste, when I wrote that I had to look around to see if I was in Germany, I wasn’t kidding. This beer hits every note. It pours a light golden color with a clean white head, exactly as a Kolsch should. You’ll get soft bready malt, a touch of honey, and a light herbal note that keeps things balanced. The finish is clean, dry, and refreshing. One drink and it becomes obvious why this beer won the GABF Gold Medal in 2023. 2025 Runner Up: Maine Lunch IPA from Maione Brewing Company I’ve had a long-time love affair with this beer. When I spotted it on tap on a trip to Easton, MD, I had to write about it. It’s getting more and more common to find it on draft beer lists. It’s quite citrusy on the nose, think orange and grapefruit. This beer walks a fine line between hop-forward and totally drinkable. The bright citrus notes are paired with just enough piney hop bitterness to keep it interesting. This brews malty sweetness is subtle and keeps everything balanced. It’s a perfect IPA. 2025 Whiskeys

hy didn’t I think of this before? It’s so obvious. These end of year lists are everywhere. They pop up on social media. They come in emails. They glare at us from magazine stands. It’s like being hit on the head with a mallet. I guess the most obvious things are often the hardest to see. The idea dawned on me while I was reading the most recent edition of Whiskey Advocate. I subscribe to both Whiskey Advocate

Winner: Blue Run Reflection II Bourbon I recommended this as a springtime bourbon, but it can be enjoyed any time of year. My brotherin-law, Colby, introduced me to this bourbon during a visit to Lexington. KY. I will be forever grateful. You’ll get a warm mix of spices and cocoa on your nose. The first sip brings out bright notes of orange peel and honey, which is very unexpected in a bourbon. That classic toasted oak backbone is present, but it leans lighter and a bit more floral compared to the typical caramel and vanilla flavors that most bourbons have. This bourbon is a unique beauty that you will thoroughly enjoy. Continued on pg. 36

34 January 2026

Old Town Crier

Tim’s

Whiskey and Cigar Recommendations

Continued from pg. 34 Runner Up: Baby Jane Bourbon That’s right, our runner up is a New York Bourbon and another one of Heaven Hill’s brands. This bourbon is much more traditional than our winner. On the nose, it opens with sweet corn, vanilla, and a touch of caramel, nothing too heavy or aggressive. The first sip is smooth and approachable, bringing more vanilla and honey up front, followed by light oak and a hint of baking spice. The finish is clean and mildly sweet, with just enough warmth to remind you that it’s a bourbon. This is a solid everyday drinking bourbon. 2025 Cigars Winner: Rocky Patel Emerald Toro Same as the craft beer winner, I knew this was the winner before I even started researching. This cigar blew my socks off. From the first light, you get a smooth, easygoing cigar that’s perfect when you want to relax without overthinking every puff. Expect mellow flavors of cream, toasted bread, and a touch of cedar, with a light nuttiness hanging in the background. You’ll get hints of coffee and a touch of sweetness at the end. This, my friends, is a golfer’s dream cigar. Runner Up: CAO Flathead 660 To say that this cigar is delightful would be an understatement. CAO does a great job with the Flathead series. There are rich notes of cocoa, espresso, and a heavy dose of black pepper. As it opens up, the pepper tapers off and lets some earthy sweetness and dark roasted flavors appear, charred oak, leather, and a touch of molasses. It’s full-bodied without being harsh, and the smoke is thick and chewy the whole way through. This cigar pairs perfectly with any bold bourbon or a dark beer, and it’s ideal for a long, relaxed evening of smoking. So that’s the list. I hope you enjoyed it. And I suggest you get to work. You have a lot of drinking and smoking to do. Cheers!! About the Author: Timothy Long is an educator, writer, consultant, and experienced restaurant operator. Email: tlong@ belmarinnovations.com. Instagram and Twitter: @wvutimmy. Blog: What is that fly doing in my soup? http://whatflyinmysoup. com

Wilderness Trail Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Just because I made a yearly list of recommendations, doesn’t mean I get to skip my monthly recommendation. I understand, and truly enjoy, my job. The nose is a delightful mix of caramel, vanilla, and honey. On the palate, it’s smooth and well-balanced. You’ll get sweet corn, toffee, and vanilla up front, with rye spice and cinnamon creeping in later. The oak is present but not overpowering. The finish is clean and satisfying. This bourbon is perfect for an on-the-rocks pour while enjoying some playoff football. At 100 Proof and around $75 a bottle, it’s a great choice.

Ask about our amazing Pipe and Cigar Humidor Sale and Our Military and First Responders Plus Discount Program

La Aroma de Cuba Connecticut Cigar This cigar is a smooth smoke. It starts off mildly with a creamy, slightly sweet flavor that has hints of nuts and coffee. As you smoke, the profile opens up with notes of cashew, almonds, and a subtle honeyed sweetness that keeps things interesting without ever overwhelming your palate. The finish is soft and mellow, leaving a gentle trace of melon and cream. This is an easy-going cigar that pairs nicely with smoother bourbons, like the one I recommended, or even a morning coffee. Enjoy. This cigar, and many other fine cigars, are available at John Crouch Tobacconist at 215 King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Mention this article and get 10% off the purchase of this month’s recommended cigar.

Old Town Crier

215 King St. Alexandria, VA 22314 sales@johncrouch.comcastbiz.net johncrouchtobacconist.com (703) 548-2900 | (703) 739-2302 (703) 548-2900 January 2026 35

GRAPEVINE

MATTHEW FITZSIMMONS

“Virginia is for (wine) lovers”

may not be the official motto for the Virginia wine industry, but it easily could be. The Commonwealth has consistently outshined more famous wine regions, despite making a fraction of the wine they do. Wine writer Mike Dunne, who judged at the 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition (SFCWC), said this of Virginia’s entries: “Each year, some wine region of North America seems to gain recognition for a disproportionate share of high awards… in 2025, it was Virginia.” One of the hallmarks of Virginia wine is its diversity of styles and grape varieties. Cabernet franc and chardonnay are the state’s most widely planted grapes, but Virginia offers everything from albariño to zweigelt. Two factors shape this diversity: the state’s varied terroir, and a willingness to experiment. Virginia grows wine everywhere from highelevation sites in the Blue Ridge Mountains to sandy soils along the Eastern Shore. While the state is arguably a geographic and stylistic middle ground between California and France, winegrowers point out Virginia’s unique growing conditions makes copying either of these areas impractical. This has led the Virginia wine industry to combine tradition with experimentation. Many winemakers prefer more classic styles that emulate those of the “Old World,” such as Bordeaux or Chablis. Others endorse a more creative approach, sometimes blending grapes normally associated with very different regions of the world. My personal “Top 10” list reflect this veritable hodgepodge of styles. Several are classic expressions of their variety, while others are uniquely ‘Virginia’ in nature. I’m especially interested in wines with great backstories, or varieties not usually associated with Virginia.

1. Ankida Ridge 2022 Pinot Noir ($65): Many

vineyards have tried growing pinot noir in Virginia, but Ankida is the ﬁrst to prove it can be done well. Key to Ankida’s success is its 1,800’ elevation site along the Blue Ridge Mountains, which guarantees moderate temperatures and mitigates disease pressure.

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This wine had a ﬂoral nose, with notes of earth, speciﬁcally wet dirt. The wine itself had heft but was still well balanced, with just the right amount of oak, tannin, and structure. It also presented tart fruit notes on the palate.

2. Cave Ridge Vineyard 2023 Pinot Noir ($45): Compared to the Ankida Ridge, this

example of a Virginia pinot was somewhat softer and more fruit-forward. It had a great initial ‘attack,’ with notes of red plum and cherry, and a dash of almond or marzipan. This wine is even more impressive given its Cave Ridge’s ﬁrst vintage (and 2024 promises to be even better).

3. Barrel Oak Winery 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($35): Sauvignon blanc is found all over Virginia

yet rarely gets the recognition it deserves. That changed in 2025, when the SFCWC awarded Virginia sauvignon blancs two of ‘Best in Class’ awards, and a 3rd Virginia sauv blanc earned Double Gold. Veritas won in the $30$34.99 category, while Barrel Oak took the prize for the $35 - and over category. BOW’s expression wasn’t initially overly aromatic, but it packed a punch on the palate! It was well balanced, full of ripeness, and unleashed a crescendo of tropical ﬂavors including citrus and lemon on the palate.

4. Veritas Vineyards 2023 Sauvignon Blanc ($26): Comparing this wine with Barrel Oak is

a study in contrasts. While the Barrel Oak wine is a riper West Coast style, the Veritas is a more Chablis-style wine. It showcases a complex array of green apple, grapefruit, lime, and some honey on the palate, and almost begs for a seafood pairing.

5. Barren Ridge Vineyards 2021 Petit Verdot ($36): Petit verdot is valued by winemakers for its

overall hardiness in the vineyard, and the body and color it adds to wines in the cellar. This bottle from Barren Ridge was smooth and fruitforward, with notes of cedar, violet, and especially blueberry. It’s as if the winemaker took every stereotype of what petit verdot should be, but amped them up.

6. Early Mountain Vineyards NV Brut Sparkling ($60): My favorite Virginia sparkling of 2025

is Early Mountain Vineyards’ Brut Sparkling, a blend of 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot gris. Zingy and playful, this wine was full of

My Top Virginia Wines Of 2025 lemon-citrus notes, with good mineralogy and a nice ﬁnish. I compared this local bubbly with several champagnes, and it was still our overall favorite.

7. Hark Vineyards 2023 Cabernet Franc ($34): The 2023 growing year oﬀered many amazing cabernet francs. So, when I say this may be my favorite one of all, that’s high praise. This wine is very approachable already but will cellar for years. I detected aromas of red berries and violets, with red and black cherry and ripe plumb on the palate. 8. Pollack Vineyards 2021 Meritage ($50): How

good is this wine? I shared it with a group of DC sommeliers at a blind tasting and half thought it was the event’s Bordeaux wine. A Double Gold winner at the SFCWC, it’s composed of 46% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Franc, and 13% Petit Verdot. Pollack’s red blends are possibly the best-valued Bordeaux-style wines in Virginia.

9. The Parallax Project 2024 “What’s This?” ($30): The Parallax Project is a micro-label that

demonstrates what happens when winemakers think ‘outside the box’. This white blend is made from a mix of red and wine vinifera and hybrid grapes; 44% vidal blanc, 22% petit manseng, 19% chardonel, and 15% tannat. ‘What’s This?’ has lots of texture, which makes it feel ‘big’ for a white. I found it had bright acidity and a lemon merengue nose. Its counterpart blend, “What’s That?,” uses the same component grapes but made as a red wine.

10. Walsh Family Wine 2021 “What Will the Women Drink?”: If wine competitions gave awards for witty

comebacks, “WWTWD” would win hands down. Co-owner Sarah Walsh crafted this big-bodied red wine after a male customer patronizingly implied that females would prefer sweeter beverages. Since then, she’s marketed WWTWD to women and gives a part of its proceeds to women-focused charities.

The 2021 WWTWD is a blend of 45% petit verdot, 40% tannat, and 15% cabernet sauvignon. It’s surprisingly smooth for a tannic blend, with notes of bramble fruit and purple ﬂower on the nose, and black fruit on the palate. About the Author: Matthew Fitzsimmons is a blogger who has visited nearly every winery in Virginia – most of them twice. Track his progress at https://winetrailsandwanderlust.com/

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EXPLORING VA WINES

DOUG FABBIOLI

New Year, New Mentoring

s 2026 begins, it is important to recognize things that can be improved from the previous year or years. Some adjustments may be easy while others more challenging. For both, a well-thoughtout and vetted plan for improvement would be a promising idea. It sure would stink if in the efforts to improve the situation, you end up behind where you started. The improvements I am looking for are the stability and improvement of wine sales for our business and others in the industry. What is my solution? More mentoring of the next generation to develop more wine aficionados like us! As I have mentioned in previous columns, I have 3 younger folks I am working with in three different operations who are the perfect age for our target audience. If these folks can develop their wine knowledge and their mentoring skills, we can hopefully increase our wine consumers. Let us admit it, wine can be a stuffy and intimidating beverage arena to enter and comfortably enjoy. There are lots of assorted styles, regions, grapes, sweetness levels, and winemaking techniques. No wonder we have fewer young people consuming wines, the complexity of the industry has made us harder to approach. Starting off with a few simple steps can be quite rewarding. Each of the folks in the industry must know enough of their own products to share with family and friends. A good mentor can create a safe learning environment for the mentee to ask questions, try assorted flavors, and start to connect with the wines a little bit more. There are no dumb questions and there is no pressure to perform. When a person is learning wine, they are learning about foods and flavors as well. Grape varieties, processing techniques, and regions come into play later as to why different flavors or feels come out of a wine. Eventually, Old Town Crier

the potential flaws of a wine will be addressed whether it be spoilage, corked, structure or any 100 different issues. That is when things can begin to get a lot more complex. One critical piece of mentoring wine folks, or anybody for that matter, is critiquing in a way that keeps them engaged. Nobody likes to be corrected. But to improve, each of us needs to park our ego aside and trust the mentor giving the critique that they are doing this for our gain. I have had some great mentors in the past, and I try to remember those challenging points from when I was mentored. This keeps me focused so hopefully my coaching is received and put into practice. My goal for the wine geeks reading this today would be to consider mentoring a young person to taste some of your special nectar. Every bottle has an extra taste for a newbie, and every wine aficionado can share a bit of their passion moving forward to the next generation. The time and the wine together will build a relationship and another wine lover for the next generation. Winemakers are always willing to share information on their wines and the processes. Bring a new person to the tasting room for a special experience. We always want our vineyards and wines to have fans! Happy New Year to all and I hope it is a healthy and happy year for all! About the Author: Farmer, winemaker, entrepreneur, educator, and leader, Doug Fabbioli has been accelerating the growth and quality of Virginia’s wine industry since 1997. With his wife Colleen, Doug is the owner/ operator of Fabbioli Cellars in Leesburg, VA. He is the founder and director of The New Ag School, which focuses on teaching the next generation of farmers and agriculture-related leaders. No wonder they call Doug Fabbioli the Godfather of DC's Wine Country.

real people. earth friendly. fabulous wines. OPEN THURSDAY THROUGH MONDAY 11-5 PLEASE CALL FOR RESERVATIONS FOR GROUPS OF SIX OR MORE 15669 Limestone School Rd Leesburg, VA 20176 703.771.1197 • fabbioliwines.com info@fabbioliwines.com

January 2026 37

URBAN GARDEN

MELINDA MYERS

Plants for Every Room in Your Home

ardeners know the benefits of digging in the soil. It elevates a person’s mood, improves mental and physical well-being and the outcome is always good – added beauty or tasty nutritional food. But many of us are stuck indoors for the winter, have a lack of space to garden outdoors or just can’t get enough of this healthful activity. Adding greenery indoors expands our gardening opportunities and provides the many benefits of living with and tending plants. Let’s start with the kitchen. Boost the flavor and nutrition of winter meals by growing leafy greens and herbs in a sunny window or under a cabinet with the help of a Growbar LED light fixture. Start plants from seeds or purchase transplants to grow indoors. Place your indoor kitchen garden in a brightly lit location, free of cold drafts and with easy access to harvest and use. Then enlist the whole family and even your guests into harvesting greens for their salad and herbs to season their meals. This is sure to turn family and friend gatherings into unique and memorable experiences.

Include plants in your home or work office. Greenery helps reduce stress even when working at your desk or tackling homework at the end of a long day. Set a few plants on or near your desk or other workspace. And don’t let a lack of light stop you from growing a bit of green stress relief. Stylish energy efficient full spectrum plant lights, like the Felt Pendant Grow Light (modsprout.com), fit any décor, direct light where it is needed and promote healthy plant growth.

naturally or artificially lit, bright location. Just be sure to give the plants a pet to release their fragrance into the air before crawling into bed for a long restful sleep. Bring the garden to your living room. Create your own miniature tropical, moss or desert garden in a terrarium that serves as a focal point in any living space or centerpiece on the dining room table. Use an open terrarium for succulents and other plants that need airflow, lower humidity and space to grow. Enlist closed systems for moss and tropical plants that benefit from the high humidity and condensation that provides continual watering. Select systems like the Botanica Biodome that minimize maintenance and provide easy access for tending mini eco-systems. Now’s a great time to consider rethinking your home décor to include greenery in every space. You and your family will enjoy improved air quality, elevated moods, a reduction in stress and the many other benefits plants provide. About the Author: Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books and host of The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything DVD series. Her website, www.MelindaMyers.com, offers gardening tips and videos.

Take advantage of your bathroom’s high humidity. Grow ferns, orchids, bromeliads and other humidity-loving plants in this space. Consider these and other low light plants like cast iron, pothos and philodendron if natural light is limited. Imagine stepping out of the shower into a mini tropical zone. What a nice way to ease into your day. Get a good night’s sleep with a bit of homegrown aromatherapy in the bedroom. Grow lavender, rosemary, chamomile and other soothing herbs in your bedroom in front of a sunny window, on a shelf or other 38 January 2026

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FIRST BLUSH

LAUREN BOWLING

Looking for Happier Hair Days this Winter?

s if the cold, blustery weather of winter isn’t enough to make most of us want to crawl under our covers and not come out until spring, the havoc it wreaks on our hair is, well, hair-raising. Static electricity, moisture depletion, and not-so-nice texture can make for very bad hair days. To combat the winter hair blues, its best, in theory, to start in the fall before the winter blast hits. Developing a strategy of move frequent trims and treatments in the fall will ensure smooth sailing into winter. The best strategy is to whack off those dead ends in the fall so that the hair has a fighting chance by starting off healthy. Like most of us, that’s all well and good, in theory. So, what to do? First off, it’s never to late to get your hair trimmed. So, book an appointment with your stylist to get your ends trimmed and looking healthy again. That in and of itself will instantly give the hair a boost because dryness starts at the ends. Other things to consider are avoiding and repairing the dryness that winter brings upon our hair. Most of know that the dryness outside causes dryness to our hair, but it’s also the dryness inside that exacerbates the problem. Going from the cold, dry climate of the outside to the warm, dry climate of the inside puts a lo of stress on the hair. One strategy for keeping hair looking good starts with a hat. Yes, a hat. We all know how keeping our head covered is key to keeping warmth in our bodies; the same is true about maintaining moisture levels within your hair. Wearing a hat to prevent split ends and breakage is tantamount to wearing gloves to keep your hands from becoming dry and chapped.

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It’s important to switch our hair routines in the winter. Moisture rich shampoos and conditioners are a must to keep winter hair from becoming blah. Consider also performing a deep moisture treatment to the hair once a week. Simply smooth on a hair treatment or hair masque and cover with a warm towel. Allow the treatment or masque to work its magic for 15 minutes, then rinse. Doing these weekly treatments will help keep hair healthy, prevent breakage and split ends, and eliminate static electricity. Another best treatment for the hair in the winter is to avoid heat styling. Yes, just say no to the blow dryer and flat iron. Allowing the hair to dry naturally is the best course of action. However, for many of us, that’s not always practical for fear that our hair would turn to icicles as we rush out the door in the mornings. So, thank goodness for alternatives. A few things to try – leave in conditioners or heat protectant styling products. Instead of using gels and mousses, which do nothing to replenish moisture in the hair, try hair creams or products made specifically to protect the hair from heat styling. Many of these products come in the form of silicone drops or sprays. Some are creams juiced up with jojoba oil or olive oil. Spread these gems on your hair before you heat style. And, when the opportunity arises, try allowing the hair to dry naturally to give it a break. Finally, good hair also starts from within, just like good skin, good nails, and good teeth. What we put into our bodies can also affect the health of our hair. Low carb diets are often associated with drier hair. Eating a well-balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, carbs and good fats all contribute to the well-being of your hair. And, let’s not underestimate the importance of drinking plenty of fluids. Try applying these strategies and say hello to Happy Hair Days!

January 2026 39

FITNESS

NICOLE FLANAGAN

Welcome 2026 With a Little Namaste

anuary marks the beginning of a new year, and for most of us that means some type of resolution to do something different for the next twelve months. So far, this winter has been rather kind to us and for the most part we have been able to keep our outdoor workouts alive. However, if your old workout routine is starting to seem uninspiring, try something new to start the year off on a good note. People have been practicing yoga for thousands of years. There is a reason this ancient practice has been around for so long. There are many benefits of practicing yoga that go far beyond the physical aspect. Yoga can help you balance your mind and spirit as well as your body. When the mind is clear and the body feels balanced, it is easier to face the challenges of each day regardless of what they may be. Many people work out because it makes them feel better. Yoga is certainly a workout, but in a different way than going to a gym and lifting or cycling. It is physically challenging, yet relaxing at the same time. Yoga is a great way to stay in shape. The postures tone organs and develop long, lean muscles. The practice of forward bends, back bends, lateral poses, twists, and inversions, balances and works every muscle, bone, joint, and organ in the body. Yoga can improve circulation of blood and lymph throughout the body. Inversions such as a headstand reverse the flow of gravity, improving the blood supply to the lungs and brain and give the legs and heart a rest. The heart is exercised by the different postures with many similar benefits of aerobic exercisewith one exception. Through yoga postures, the heart is not stressed as it is in aerobic activities such as running or spinning. In yoga the heart receives the actions of various poses much like the rest of the body, through toning, stimulating and massaging actions. Weight bearing yoga poses can help improve bone density and slow the progression of osteoporosis. Flexibility and strength of the muscles and range of motion in the joints is greatly increased as well as overall stamina and endurance. Yoga gives you energy. Yoga postures bend the spine in many different ways. Moving the spine this way keeps the spine flexible and healthy and nourishes the entire nervous system. These poses release tension and blocked energy, lengthen and strengthen muscles, and tone, stimulate and massage internal organs. As a result, every cell in the body has improved function giving a person the sense of renewed energy and a reduction in overall stress. A reduction in stress helps to keep the body and the mind in a healthy state. When the body is in a constant state of stress, it takes a toll on overall health. Yoga can help you relax through specific breathing techniques called pranayama. Pranayama invigorates the entire body-mind system. The respiratory and nervous systems are calmed and strengthened.

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When pranayama is done correctly the body’s vital energy is balanced and replenished and fatigue is lessened. Conscious relaxation techniques systematically guide you into a state of deep relaxation. As the noisy chatter of your mind recedes, your body is able to let go and release muscle tension. As your muscles relax, the breath rate slows and deepens so the respiratory system is allowed to rest. As the breathing rate slows, the heart rate responds and slows down as well. This positively aﬀects the entire circulatory system and rests the heart. When the heart is relaxed this sends the message to the nervous system to initiate a relaxation response. It is this deep relaxation that goes right to the core of decreasing fatigue. After experiencing a deep relaxation yoga class you will feel full of energy as if you have just taken a mini-vacation from your stressful day. This year, make a new addition to your workout regime and try a yoga class. It will balance your mind and body and give you a feeling of renewed energy. It will help to reduce stress and fatigue and improve overall strength. Not to mention it can be done in a nice warm studio if winter does show its true colors before spring.

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FROM THE TRAINER

RYAN UNVERZAGT

Let’s Get SMART! 2025 has come and gone. Take a moment to reflect back on this past year. Did you accomplish the things that you said you wanted to do? Did you actually stick to those New Year’s resolutions you had made for yourself? More than likely, the answer is probably not. Why? It might be because you set unrealistic goals, especially when the focus is on exercise. It’s time to start putting those New Year’s fitness resolutions to work again. If you were lucky enough to receive a “fitness gift” as I recommended in my last article, now is the perfect time to put it to good use. Did you know fifty percent of people who decide to start exercising will drop out within the first six months? Why does this happen? Because it does take a little effort and worth-while time to develop a habit. I have a few ideas that can set you up for success this year. Losing weight and getting in shape is at the top of the New Year’s resolution list. The first step in successful goal setting is to write it down. This seems too obvious, but post your goals where you can see them every day: on the fridge, front door, bathroom mirror, framed on your work desk, or even set them as a screen-saver on the computer. The more often you see your goals, the better your chances of taking action. The second step of goal-setting is to be specific. “Lose weight” is a good goal, but how much? A conservative approach is to figure losing one pound a week. Too many times, we get caught up on the end result and forget that we can control what we do to get

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there. The little things we do along the way are referred to as process goals. The end result is called the outcome goal. My point here is that we have greater control over process goals than we do on outcome goals. Focus on smaller achievements such as going to the health club twice a week, eating a healthy breakfast in the morning, or working on correct exercise technique. This will help build your confidence levels. More times than not, the outcome goal will take care of itself. The third step of goal-setting is to create a time-frame. There needs to be a sense of urgency for anything to happen. Try to gather some social support from family, friends, and coworkers. They need to know what your goals are so they can help you stay on track. The inal step of successful goalsetting is to identify why your goal(s) are important to you. If your goals have no meaning, what’s the point of working hard to achieve them? To attach meaning to your goal, ask yourself, “How will this make me feel?” This is the ultimate way to keep motivated. Use the SMART Principle to set Goals: (Specific- MeasurableAttainable- Realistic- Time oriented) When setting your goals, be sure to consider all five of these principles, especially the time oriented one. If you don’t nail down a time frame, you are not holding yourself accountable and that’s when your exercise routine begins to fade away. Keep an Exercise Journal: Writing down every workout may seem like a lot of work, but it will pay off in the

long run. This provides a visual so you can actually look back at all the hard work you put in and bring you a sense of pride and accomplishment. Your journal should include speciﬁc things such as your goals, the time and date of the workout, list of exercises or lifts, amount of weight used, sets, repetitions, duration and intensity of your workouts, as well as how you felt that day. Another great asset of keeping an exercise journal is that you can track your progress (or lack of progress) to help you stay on track of your goals. You may discover that a change is warranted if you are not progressing toward your goal and that’s ok. Expect Bumps in the Road: Nobody is perfect. Don’t get down on yourself just because you missed a few workouts. Whether it’s due to sickness, injury, or laziness, there will be bumps in the road. I can guarantee that these things will plague you once in a while. There will be days that you will not want to work out, but my next suggestion can alleviate this problem. Exercise with a Friend: This is the easiest way to stay on track. If you know that your buddy is waiting for you at the gym, the more likely it is that you will actually show up. You can hold each other accountable by motivating and inspiring one another through every workout. No Excuses: Identify any possible barriers and ﬁnd solutions to break through them. Pack workout clothes the night before so you don’t forget to take them with you to work in the morning. The most common excuse I hear is, “I’m too busy to workout.” Everyone has 24 hours in a day,

so it’s a matter of organizing and prioritizing your schedule. Exercise in the Morning: I prefer morning workouts because it eliminates the, “I’m too tired after work” excuse. Exercising early can help wake you up, sharpen your mind, and prepare you for the day. You will also have peace of mind knowing that you won’t need to workout after work. Another common excuse is, “I’m not a morning person.” The solution to this barrier is simple. Go to bed earlier! Try Personal Training: Personal trainers can help you set realistic goals, hold you accountable, provide safe and effective workouts, and keep you motivated through those bumps in the road. They can help you identify barriers and provide solutions to transform you into that regular exerciser you always dreamed you would be! After reading this article, hopefully you can finally stick to those resolutions for the New Year. Remember to write them down to read every day, be specific, create a time-frame, and identify why they are important to you. These are just a few things to consider while establishing your New Year’s resolutions. About the Author: Unverzagt holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

January 2026 41

POINTS ON PETS CINDY MCGOVERN

Tips for Keeping Your Litter Box in Business! D

on’t want to start the New Year with a cat not using the litter box? Things to consider… besides panic! Cats are known for being clean and fastidious creatures. Sure, you may have one that throws kitty litter all over as they dig, but generally, they use the litter box for its stated purpose. But what happens when they don’t? Going outside the litter box or house soiling is the most common behavioral problem seen in cats and can cause stress for all involved. Finding a solution may take time to find and will depend on the cat and owner. The first step anytime you notice a change in litterbox behavior is to consult your vet to rule out health issues. Inflammation of the urinary tract or crystals in the urine can make urinating painful and the cat can associate the litter box with pain as a result. Kidney and thyroid diseases as well as diabetes are also considerations, as cats often drink more water with these conditions and in turn urinate more often. I had a diabetic cat who drank copious amounts of water and not surprisingly urinated a copious amount as well. I had to change the litter more frequently to keep up. Stomach or digestive issues may similarly make it painful for a cat to defecate or even decrease their bowel control. Mobility issues or cognitive decline can affect the cat’s ability to get to the litter box in time. And finally, stress from changes in daily routine, like a new work schedule; a new baby; or adding a new pet to the home can cause litter-box problems. Another consideration is what’s going on just outside the home that may be causing stress. Is there a stray cat or fox hanging around that your cat can see or even smell? Your cat may feel the need to mark his territory inside and begin spraying. If you’ve eliminated health concerns, what’s next? Cats are sensitive to smell and touch and may not like the brand of litter being offered. When cat litter was ‘invented,’ options were limited to one brand: Kitty Litter, made from absorbent clay. Sometimes cat litter can be physically uncomfortable for your cat to use. For instance, declawing your cat can cause pain immediately 42 January 2026

after surgery, but it can also cause chronic pain. This makes using traditional clay litter uncomfortable for declawed cats because its large, ﬁrm particles can get stuck between their already sensitive toes. The best litter for declawed cats is one with small particles and a soft texture.

in a covered box and understandably, won’t like it. Self-cleaning boxes can also be noisy and scary for your cat. Some also require your cat to jump into a raised box rather than step into a ﬂoor model. For older cats with mobility issues, that may be a nonstarter.

While today there are numerous materials and textures available in cat litter, the two most common types are clumping and non-clumping litter. Clumping litter absorbs moisture more rapidly, turning urine into tight clumps that you can easily scoop and toss. It’s the cleanest option in terms of being able to remove the stinky bits quickly.

Treatment of feline elimination disorders includes addressing the underlying anxieties and any associated aggressive behaviors, keeping the litter box as clean as possible, and determining what combination of litter, box, number of boxes, and location is preferred by your cat(s). This is going to be a process of trial and error, of testing different options to see which works best. If anxiety or marking is part of the problem, medication and behavior modification techniques may be needed. In extreme cases, you may consider calling in a pet behavioral specialist. Effective animal behaviorists will have expertise in behavior modification, the normal behavior of the species they’re treating, and teaching and counseling people, so they can effectively teach you how to understand and work with your pet. Most work through veterinary referrals, and they work closely with veterinarians to select the best behavioral medications.

Non-clumping litter absorbs moisture more slowly. While it works to remove poop, urine won’t clump and will instead saturate the litter box. Instead of scooping, you have to dump all the litter and replace it every few days. The choice between the two litter types is largely a matter of personal preference and your cat’s history. If you are adopting your cat, immediately switching from their normal brand to your preferred brand may require time. Try to find out what litter they’re used to and if you decide to switch, do so gradually. Just as cats will be sensitive to touch, they are also sensitive to smells. A cat’s sense of smell is up to 40 times more sensitive than a human’s. What might seem like a lightly scented litter to you, maybe overwhelming and turn them off. Cats may also be loath to share a litter box. The general rule for multiple litter boxes is to have one for each cat, plus one extra (e.g., two cats = three boxes). Placing them in private, quiet, separate areas can reduce territorial conflict and prevent one cat from blocking access to others. It is also crucial to keep all litter boxes clean, as cats dislike using a dirty or overcrowded box. Then there is the box itself. My cats are diggers and I quickly realized I needed an extra large box with high sides versus the standard low-sided option. Covered boxes and mechanical cleaners may sound great, but a covered box can trap odors. A large or overweight cat may not have enough room to move

Punishing your cat is not recommended and may even make the problem worse. Remember, just as you have habits and preferences, so does your cat. A happy cat will lead to a happy home and a happy new year! About the Author: Cindy McGovern, Long-time King Street Cats volunteer and no stranger to litter box issues. Sources: https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/what-type-oflitter-is-best-for-your-cat https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centersand-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/healthinformation/feline-health-topics/feline-behaviorproblems-house-soiling https://www.merckvetmanual.com/cat-owners/ behavior-of-cats/behavior-problems-in-cats https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/commoncat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems Old Town Crier

Selected Metro DC Animal Shelters/Rescues Animal Welfare League of Alexandria 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 22304 703-838-4774 www.alexandriaanimals.org Animal Welfare League of Arlington 2650 S. Arlington Mill Drive Arlington, VA 22206 703-931-9241 www.awla.org Fairfax County Animal Shelter 4500 West Ox Road Fairfax, VA 22030 703-830-1100 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/animalshelter King Street Cats 25 S. Dove Street Alexandria, VA 22314 703-231-7199 www.kingstreetcats.org

A Quick Message from the AWLA: We’ve seen an increase in the number of animals abandoned both at the AWLA and throughout the community. Marshmallow the guinea pig was even carelessly tossed in or donation bin. We certainly understand that life happens and caring for a pet can become diﬃcult or even impossible. But, please, let us help you ﬁnd a better – more humane – solution for rehoming your animals. Abandonment, besides being illegal, is inhumane and dangerous.

Operation Paws for Homes, Inc. (Dog rescue for VA, MD, DC, and south central PA) P.O. Box 90813 Alexandria, VA 22309 703-344-7320 ophrescue.org Friends of Rabbits www.friendsofrabbits.org

Abandoned animals can suffer from starvation and dehydration to being struck by cars or attacked by wildlife. If you are finding it tough to provide food, supplies, or vaccines to your animal, let us know. We can definitely help. I you just can’t keep the animal, let us help you with rehoming and discuss your options. There is no judgement here. We serve the city of Alexandria, VA but some of our pet retention programs, like our lowcost vaccines and pet pantry, can extend beyond our jurisdiction.

Rikki’s Refuge Animal Sanctuary (1300 animals and 22 species on 450 acres) P.O. Box 1357 Orange, VA 22960 540-854-0870 By appointment: tours@rikkisrefuge.org events@rikkisrefuge.org www.rikkisrefuge.org

For additonal information, please e-mail us at info@ AlexandriaAnimals.org, ﬁnd us online at AlexandriaAnimals.org or call us at 703-838-4774.

PETS

OF THE

MONTH 4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Tu-Th-Fri, 12-7 pm Wed- Closed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

Old Town Crier

Max

Yang

Charlie

Are you looking for a most handsome companion? Max is ready to go home as your loyal and loving sidekick. This gorgeous guy with his perfectly mismatched ears weighs 73 pounds at 3 years old. Max is a social dog and is eager to please, already responding to the cues for sit and down. He is food-motivated and could learn more through the power of treats and loving attention. This smart guy would benefit from having a fenced yard where he could play, sun himself, and do some training. Max is a leaner and a cuddler!

Yang was transferred to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria from a different shelter, and we are still learning about her quirky personality. She may not have been treated kindly in the past and is learning to trust humans. A patient bunny-lover who could continue to offer Yang new treats and gentle attention would be ideal for her journey. She enjoys hanging out on the bed with her foster mom as they each do their own thing. Yang enjoys a good head scratch right now and definitely believes that she deserves the attention.

Charlie is a two-year-old black cat with movie-star looks and the personality to match. His lively, affectionate nature truly wins hearts and he thrives on companionship. An explorer at heart, Charlie enjoys stretching his legs and investigating every nook and cranny of his surroundings. A sunny window to watch the world go by would be the icing on the cake. Charlie is currently in a foster home, where his foster caregiver can share even more about his charming quirks but he’s ready to explore a new home! January 2026 43

GO FISH

STEVE CHACONAS

Restricting Electronics

ore bad news for tournament bass anglers dependent on FORWARD FACING SONAR (FFS) technology. Two of three major tournament circuits, Bassmasters (B.A.S.S.) and Major League Fishing (MLF), are adding further restrictions to its use. The other trail, NPFL, has banned FFS since the trail’s inception. As more anglers enter the tournament business, dependence on using FFS is noticed by fans, fishermen, and sponsors alike. Heads down, wandering around, and casting to fish revealed on the screen in real time, today’s anglers don’t make casts without seeing fish. Not only that, but they target the bigger fish with this technology. Fishing is becoming more catching and less casting. Slowly disappearing are “old school” techniques. Spinnerbaits, jigs, and crankbaits are among many lures losing ground to small jigs and soft plastic minnows. At the end of the 2025 season, B.A.S.S. announced a major rule change regarding FFS. For the 2026 Elite Series only 5 of 9 events will allow FFS use. Technology dependent anglers will have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills without it and older, less technical anglers, will have to excel in non-FFS events and shorten the learning curve for events with FFS. Meanwhile MLF, already restricting FFS use to only one 3-hour segment during each tournament day, has now extended this rule through 2026 professional and boater/co-angler levels of competition, from the Phoenix Bass Fishing League to the Bass Pro Tour. Feedback from fans and anglers who were satisfied with the MLF rules precipitated this extension of the rules to the other levels. MLF contends this format allows multi-dimensional angling where anglers can utilize the latest technology while also creating an environment for the use of traditional techniques. This combination would make every venue a showcase for all skill sets. Interesting to note, the MLF College Fishing series will not restrict FFS use. Given the direction of the use of FFS in tournaments at the pro levels and the restrictions in place for grass roots events, the upcoming season will be another year for FFS to be on trial. Fans and

44 January 2026

anglers will continue to weigh in on the pros and cons of technology affecting competition, while biologists will consider the impact on fisheries. Maryland fisheries biologist Ryan Gary is a black bass management expert. He’s been conducting a study on the effects of forward-facing sonar. It began with a poll of local anglers last year where he found FFS is a polarizing subject not only among anglers, but with fisheries managers as well. A majority of Maryland bass anglers thought FFS provided a competitive advantage and was an effective tool. However, several states are either banning or restricting its use due to concerns of overfishing and harm to local ecosystems. After discussions with the Black Bass Advisory Committee, Gary solicited data from MLF for all 8 tournaments in the 2025 season to analyze how this technology impacts angler catch rates and size of fish caught. He found the FFS impact on catch rates varies significantly by fishery and even from day to day. FFS led to increased numbers of fish caught on Lakes Conroe and Murray, however, on other bodies of water, like the Potomac River and Saginaw Bay, catch rates showed no significant difference between periods with and without FFS.

Gary intends to factor in variables such as weather, wind, time of year, habitat, and depth. This will enable him to build a model that will detail the factors making FFS more or less effective, useful for fisheries managers. Gary says that electronics, including forward-facing sonar, are not subject to the federal excise tax that funds fisheries management and research. If this were to change, funding could be used to perform necessary research on the impact of FFS and other new technologies. This will take time and powerful lobbying, but it’s a sensible route. Next year on the three major tournament trails, anglers and fans will have a choice of formats from no FFS, some tour events with and some without, and some with limited use during the tournament day. In the meantime, states will continue to monitor realized and unrealized impacts of FFS and strategies to allow, restrict, or eliminate it. Some states already have laws and restrictions in place, so check before powering on electronics when traveling. For younger anglers being introduced to the sport, it might be time to prepare for fishing the old fashioned way.

About the Author: Capt. Steve Chaconas is a Potomac bass fishing guide & freelance writer. As for fish size, there was no consistent pattern Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. YouTube of FFS leading to catching larger fish. However, channel NationalBassGuide. there were some days and events where it enabled increased sizes of fish caught. But on the silver baits to drop and once on the Potomac River Bassing in Potomac River anglers JANUARY bottom, slightly burp up and semi caught larger fish without using FFS. slack line down. Most bites One of the occur on drops or fish will With all the hearsay coldest months related to the success of be there when you lift. of the year. FFS, Gary’s study stands Water temperatures Work drop shot and split shot alone as it uses a realdrop to 40 degrees, or world, large-scale data rigs slowly down drops with below! Fish are depth set from a professional frequent pauses. Use 2/0 hooks oriented, located in out of the tournament circuit. Being with 4-inch green pumpkin worms current areas with steep drops. able to isolate use for one or swim baits. of three periods, Gary was Silver Buddy lures are the best able to compare the same Present avocado colored stingray way to catch cold water bass, anglers fishing in the same grubs on ¼ ounce ball head jigs covering depths and areas. Cast location on the same day with slow lifts, glide and drop. with and without FFS. on 8-pound test GAMMA Copoly on spinning gear. Allow ½ ounce Bites are light, so watch line. Pursuing further research,

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OPEN SPACE

LORI WELCH BROWN

It’s 2026

Time to Recharge, Reset & Refresh! Wow—hard to believe I’m breaking out another new calendar with y’all. Who would have known I’d still be here writing about whatever enters my (now graying) little head twenty-five odd years later. If you’ve been reading this column even for a minute, you know what an absolute freak I am about celebrating the New Year. And yes—I can still say ‘freak’ as long as I’m referring to myself. I love January and not because I’m a sadist and enjoy bleak, cold dreary days. Far from it. I love it because of the promise it brings—a blank slate. We get a do over. We get an opportunity to recharge, reset, and refresh. All those ways you disappointed yourself last year? Shrug it off because you get another shot! Look— no one is looking for perfection (except maybe us Virgos), but still. You get another chance at setting impossible-to-reach goals and disappointing yourself all over again! Jump on the shame train, kids and let’s get ready to head out on another trek to self-flagellation with our final destination—Mt. Regret. Kidding! Okay—well, maybe there is a little truth buried in there somewhere. But those are December feelings—not January ones. The trick is to leave all that behind. Pack it away and Old Town Crier

move forward into a season of hope and new beginnings. Like many people, I’ve grappled with questions of religion and faith, but of this I am 1000% certain. We all get second (and third and fourth…) chances. As long as we are breathing, we get do overs. Maybe not out on the ﬁeld with the clock ticking, but in our own aspirations and sense of betterment. Trust me—I’ve tried and failed at a million things over the years. I’ve been successful at a handful. But I keep trying. I keep writing down the dreams and goals. I keep logging the progress and acknowledging the slip ups. I keep showing up at the laptop and the easel. I keep getting on the scale. I keep lacing up my shoes and hitting the pavement. I keep buying the shiny new journals and planners. In other words, I keep showing up. And that’s all anyone can really ask of you—and all you can ask of yourself. Keep showing up. Keep doing the thing. There are no promises. There are no guarantees. But there are pretty new calendars, journals, pens, and highlighters beckoning. And stickers. And they are delightful and inspiring. Maybe it’s silly, but picking up a nice pen and writing down my hopes and dreams in a new planner motivates me. And we haven’t even broached the subject of vision boards yet—I am

swooning just thinking of breaking out those scissors and magazines. Grab the glue stick and let’s go crazy. Seriously—January is a time to dream big. Put your limitations aside and just envision what you want the coming year to look like. Do you want it to be peaceful and drama free? Full of adventure? Do you see yourself surrounded by people or reveling in solitude? Do you see yourself mending a fractured relationship or perhaps closing the door on a relationship that feels too one-sided? This is the time to shine the light on yourself and what makes your heart sing. Of course, just because you dream it doesn't mean it instantly appears. To my knowledge, there is no magic Genie—although Melissa McCarthy plays a comically genius one in the movie of the same name. But, I have found that if you write down your dreams/goals/aspirations, if you create the ‘vision,’ it sure brings it a lot closer. You still have to do the work. You still have to break up with the toxic friend. You still have to set the boundaries with the needy co-worker. You still have to show up at Results and pump the iron. But at least you know where to start and where to focus your energy. So, here’s what I’m doing—I’m breaking out my new calendars. I

have two—no real strategy there. I just couldn’t decide which one I wanted so I purchased both. I’ll use one for monthly plotting and planning (it’s larger) and I’ll use the other one to keep with me. I’ll capture important dates in both. Birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc. In the smaller one, I’ll track daily appointments, to do items, etc. Things that take me away from the house, but also things I need to accomplish and/ or deadlines. I use a bullet journal for a deeper dive into daily activities that relate to goals/aspirations. Clearly, I’m an analog girl. And a color girl— rest assured items will be color coded. And if you’re inspired, I’m facilitating a Vision Board workshop on Saturday, January 10 from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm at The Loft Gallery in Occoquan. Check out my Instagram @loriwelchbrownart for details. However you decide to approach the new year, I hope you do it with an emphasis on self-compassion, selfcare, and new beginnings. Happy New Year, y’all! About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 25 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this. January 2026 45

NATIONAL HARBOR

LANI GERING

All’s Quiet on the Harbor Front – For the Most Part! Can you believe that we are starting a brandnew year already? Truth be known, I am happy to see 2025 hit the bricks. It has been a hellava year on the political front and living this close to the “heart of the beast” just seems to amplify things. That, coupled with my very favorite spot in the Harbor, Bond 45, closing its doors at no fault of its own on the 1st is why I am looking forward to a better 2026. January is historically a slow month pretty much everywhere. The Harbor may be quieter than most since the Gaylord convention traffic slows down with the exception of Super MAGFest happening January 8th to the 11th. According to their website, “Super MAGFest (short for Music and Gaming Festival) is a four-day long event dedicated to the appreciation of video game music, gaming of all types, and the gaming community. The event runs 24 hours – yes, you read that right – a day and offers consoles, arcades, tabletop, LAN, live video game cover bands, chiptunes, vendors, guest speakers and much more.” I have been a witness to a couple of these “gatherings” over the years and I must say that just people watching the attendees is very entertaining in itself. People come from all over the USA and possibly other countries to stay up all night drinking water and using creative methods of relieving themselves on and above the use of Depends. Tack on to all of the music and gaming, the Cosplay. I never fully understood what cosplay meant until I joined a good friend for a couple of Bloody Mary’s at Old Hickory while her youngest daughter and friend participated last year. I wish I had taken some photos. According to the google definition, “Cosplay – short for Costume Play - is considered a performance art where fans and gamers dress as characters from anime, games, movies, etc. combining costume creation, role play and community offering creativity, stress relief and connection, with options to buy or make outfits and participate in conventions or online. It’s about bringing beloved characters to life, embracing fun and personal expression regardless of age, gender or body type focusing on enjoying the hobby.”

46 January 2026

When I snooped out the Gaylord lobby the first time MAGFest took place at least 10 years ago and watching the age range of the people checking in to the various hotels around the Harbor, I deducted that this was definitely a “kids/young adults” thing. However, last year I saw a group of men who were clearly in their late 60’s parading around in all sorts of homemade armor evidently depicting a video game unknown to me. Maybe there’s one called Gladiator? So, I guess it is an ever-evolving event as the gamers grow older. Pictured here is a photo of the Sonic cosplayers from MAGFest 2025. At least I know who Sonic is. That’s more than I can say for the bulk of the players outfit’s themes. I have included a shot of one of the gamers rooms and of one of the musicians who evidently plays and records the music that accompanies a game or two. I sourced these shots from the Super.MAGfest.org site. In looking for the cost to attend, it appears that all four days are sold out. For future reference, pricing ranges from $165 down to $35 on Sunday. It looks like it is best to register for your badge online earlier in the year. Just in case any of you are interested. And, keep in mind that it doesn’t cost a thing to just hang out in the Atrium of the Gaylord and watch the cosplayers mix and mingle and pose for photos. Maybe you could offer to take a photo or two. For those of you who want to just wind down from the holidays, there are lots of good places to eat and drink and take a quiet ride on the Capital Wheel. I recommend treating yourself to a glass of wine and a pizza at Fiorella’s before you head out to take a spin. The Wheel is open year-round, weather permitting, but you may want to check on the exact hours of operation before you go. All of the information you need can be found online at thecapitalwheel.com and on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year with big hopes for a better 2026!

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