SPRING 2025
Bret Michaels: Birthday Celebration Show
Friday, April 11
Night Ranger
Friday, May 16
Kevin James: Owls Don’t Walk Tour
Saturday, June 7
Earthquake Saturday, April 12
The Fray Saturday, April 26
Ashley McBryde
Saturday, May 17
Band of Horses
Saturday, June 14
All Night Long Tour
Friday, May 30 & Saturday, May 31
Ryan Adams: Heartbreaker
2025 World Tour
Saturday, June 28
Must be 21. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
WHAT'S A FLYING COW?
FIVE WAYS TO SPRING INTO SPRING IN FREDERICK OVER THE EDGE: A PERFECT SPRING DAY TRIP TO DC
A few weeks ago I got an early taste of spring via a local flower subscription from Whispering Flower Farm (whisperingflowerfarm.com). Yeon Kim offers a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program for flowers each season and I grabbed a spot for one of her late winter offerings. My reward was a bunch of incredibly bright, cheerful tulips every week, bringing a sweet little preview of spring to my kitchen.
And now, spring is upon us in Frederick County, with all its natural beauty and promise of longer days spent outdoors enjoying the sunshine!
Inside this issue we give you some of the top five ways to discover springtime in Frederick. Head to page 56 to get inspired.
Also inside this issue? Discover what a Flying Cow is, get tips from local landscapers, and get a taste of four unique local businesses we recently found.
Once you're done reading, make sure to reach out and tell us what you liked, and suggest new places for us to feature inside these pages in a future edition!
Molly Fellin Spence, Executive Editor
18
4
PUBLISHER
Donna Elbert publisher@pulsepublishing.net
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Molly Fellin Spence molly@pulsepublishing.net
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Gabby Mongeau gabby@pulsepublishing.net
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Melissa Howes-Vitek melissa@pulsepublishing.net
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Ronald Cramer ronald@pulsepublishing.net
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ana Lazo Eastep
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Shuan Butcher, Tripp Laino, Chris Slattery, Ellyn Wexler
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Tim Jacobsen, Tripp Laino, Gabby Mongeau, Susan O'Connor, Molly Fellin Spence
ACCOUNTING/BILLING bookkeeper@pulsepublishing.net
DISTRIBUTION distribution@pulsepublishing.net
FiND iT Frederick is a free quarterly publication of Pulse Publishing, LLC. Customer inquiries should be directed to Pulse Publishing, LLC, 12 S. Market Street, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21701. All contents of this publication are protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part for any reason without prior consent of the publisher.
For information about advertising in an upcoming issue of FiND iT Frederick, please contact Donna Elbert at 301-6626050, ext. 11, email donna@pulsepublishing.net or visit FindItFrederick.com.
If you have questions or comments regarding FiND iT Frederick, you may contact the editor, Molly Fellin Spence at molly@ pulsepublishing.net.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of FiND iT Frederick or Pulse Publishing, LLC
Many thanks to the numerous individuals and businesses that provided information and their time for our articles and features. We wish to thank our advertisers for their continued support.
Monday: Noon - 5pm
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Orchid Cellar is Maryland’s first meadery, tucked away on 15 acres in the Middletown Valley with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. Sit and sip mead or wine on the wrap-around deck of the hand-built log cabin tasting room, or explore the property with glass in hand. You can view the vineyard, say hello to the chickens and bees, roast s’mores at the fire pit, or challenge your friends to a game of cornhole.
Offering a wide variety of modern sparkling and traditional Polish meads, as well as small-batch, Maryland-made wines - all handcrafted in the cabin cellar - there is certainly something for everyone to enjoy at Orchid Cellar!
There’s something funny — and magical — going on in Downtown Frederick.
Jeff Madsen and his wife opened up Frederick Magic Theater & Lounge , with the aim of reinventing date nights, birthday parties or corporate events via a 22-seat theater filled with magic, laughter and audience participation.
Madsen, who blew in to Frederick from Chicago three decades ago, launched his magic-andcomedy venue last fall. “We try to get everybody involved, so it’s not just like you’re coming to a show but you’re arriving at an event.”
Madsen greets his guests at the door, invites them to an upstairs lounge for cocktails, warms them up with a few pre-show card tricks, and then launches into the magic, mayhem and comic relief that makes Frederick Magic Theater & Lounge memorable.
Each show lasts about an hour, and the lounge reopens for post-show chatter and cocktails, creating a three-hour-ish Saturday night experience that’s just right for any occasion.
“Any preplanning is great, because I’ll always throw in a trick for someone’s birthday if I know,” says Madsen, who is working on adding a second show to treat repeat customers. “If I can do something on the fly, I will!”
And if he can rope you in, he’ll do that, too. Audience participation is a big part of Madsen’s schtick, and with fewer than two dozen in the crowd it makes for an intimate, interactive experience that no movie can top.
“It’s certainly no competition to the Weinberg,” he chuckles. “But we really want to make it a great experience for people.”
— Chris Slattery
Explore the hiking trails at Catoctin Mountain Park, enjoy Cunningham Falls State Park where you will find the largest cascading waterfall in Maryland, experience Covered Bridge History, take a stroll down Main Street, take a walk down the Trolley Trail, unwind at one of our scenic wineries/breweries, savor the freshness of our farmers markets, and orchards; enjoy local flavors at our restaurants.
Street
May 16 & August 22, 5-8
3 Covered Bridges
Main Street Farmers Market. Every Sat. May 27-Sept 27
Frederick’s newest team is about more than just basketball
By Shuan Butcher
by
You
are sitting in a gymnasium and suddenly the lights go off. Then, colorful spotlights start moving rapidly throughout the facility while exciting hype music simultaneously starts playing.
At this point there shouldn’t be any doubt you’re in for an atypical basketball game.
Welcome to the Frederick Flying Cows!
The Flying Cows were introduced in 2024 as a new professional basketball team in Frederick as part of the TBL (The Basketball League). The TBL is often considered the third tier of professional basketball in the United States, after the NBA and the G-League.
“Minor league basketball is not a known thing,” said Flying Cows General Manager Chris Jenkins.
But that is starting to change. The TBL, which is in its ninth season, has a total of 38 teams this year.
When franchise owners Tony Mazlish and Michael Witt were looking for a location for the team, they wanted a place that had a sense of community.
“They fell in love with Frederick once they visited. The city is large enough to support a team, but is still its own community,” Jenkins said.
For basketball fans, The Flying Cows provides high level excitement. Home games are played at Hood College and there is not a bad seat in the house.
“No matter where you are, you are on top of the game. You are right there,” Jenkins said.
Although not affiliated with the NBA, the level of play is right there with it. In terms of team sports, it is one of the smallest.
“There are so few spots. There are only 12 players on the roster,’ Jenkins said. “Sometimes there is a fine line between the best players in this league and some of the players in the NBA.”
Last year, The Flying Cows didn’t disappoint. In its inaugural season, the team won the Atlantic League Northeast Division, only losing four games in a 24-game season.
Background illustration: istockphoto.com/credit to come
Even those who don’t think they enjoy basketball can enjoy a Flying Cows game.
“We are dedicated to providing fun, family-friendly affordable entertainment,” Jenkins said. “We want every game to feel like its own event. We don’t want there to be any dull moments. When there are breaks in action, we want to fill them.”
When Ed Corporal came to Frederick as the team’s coach last year, he brought a lot of experience with him. He’s been in the league since it began with just eight teams and is the winningest coach in league history, including a championship with one of his former teams.
He describes the TBL as a “second chance league for athletes that haven’t received a lot of exposure or may have been overlooked.”
In its inaugural season last year, the Flying Cows led the league in attendance.
“We almost sold out every game,” Corporal said. “You get to be up close and personal to the action and also have a chance to interact with the players.”
Corporal expects to continue the winning success that began last year and feels like Frederick’s team has filled some of the needs they had last year.
“We have better guard play and our bench is deeper. We’re more athletic and can score from multiple positions.”
Being one of the best teams in the East means that players wanted to come to Frederick. “That also means we have a target on our back. People want to beat us,” Corporal said.
One of the returning players from last year’s team is Tavarus Sledge. He brings a lot of experience to the Flying Cows, having played for a number of other teams in the league (including previously winning a championship) as well as overseas.
Sledge also brings a lot of talent, which was clearly on display in his first year with the Flying Cows. His play was well recognized as he was named to the All Conference Team, the All-Star Team, and named All TBL, meaning he was one of the top five players in the entire league.
“We had a successful season last year, but we didn’t get exactly what we wanted,” Sledge stated, referencing the team falling short in the playoffs.
Sledge says there are a lot of new faces on this year’s team and thinks the team is more offensive last year and has a good balance of offense and defense.
Damien Daniels, another returner from last year’s team agrees.
“We had high expectations last year and didn’t meet them. But I think we exceeded the community’s expectations.”
He also thinks the team is very different from last year: “We are getting younger as a team.”
Both Sledge and Daniels also speak highly of the community.
“Our fans support us, they show up,” Sledge said. “We love it. They love it. They give us motivation.”
“We have brought families together,” Daniels states. “They come here to have fun.”
Jenkins also highlights all the things the Flying Cows does in the community, including supporting various nonprofit organizations.
“Basketball is just half the year, but we want to do events year-round,” Jenkins said.
The Cows hosts youth camps, had partnered with Brewers Alley on a beer, and more.
“We are an entertainment brand that plays basketball,” he said.
Flying Cows Basketball
Home games are played at Woodsboro Bank Arena on Hood College’s campus in Downtown Frederick goflyingcows.com F facebook.com/GoFlyingCows d @goflyingcows Background: istockphoto.com/prezent
Just off I-70, 8 miles east of Frederick, there’s New Market. A hidden gem that’s been around since George Washington was president, New Market was originally a stopover on the National Road for travelers headed west. Today, New Market is a place to visit and relax with family and friends. Stroll along historic Main Street, grab a bite to eat at one of our restaurants, visit our one-of-a-kind shops, all locally owned, check out the public art in the Community Park. Free and convenient parking; shops with a smile.
To learn more, especially about our events, such as our June Block Party and the December Christmas Parade, check our website: www.townofnewmarket.org/small-town-fun.
Friendly shops, tasty food, and pretty streets—New Market
Adult and Youth Pickleball Lessons, Skills Clinics, Leagues, Tournaments, Youth Camps, and more!
• Four Indoor Pickleball Courts
• Indoor Multipurpose Court (Volleyball/Futsal)
• Martial Arts Area
• EZone with Egaming, Golf Simulator and Virtual Sports
• Party Room for Birthday Parties
• Air-conditioned
• All are Welcome (YMCA members/nonmembers)
Y Sports Warehouse
26 E 9th Street, Frederick
M-F: 10am-8pm; Sa: 8am-4pm; Su: 10am-4pm
Swirls of Frederick has become a beloved destination for dessert enthusiasts since its grand opening last June.
This family-owned and operated ice cream shop offers a delightful array of treats in a warm and welcoming environment off Seventh Street in Frederick, in the Giant Eagle shopping center.
The inspiration behind Swirls stems from the dreams of owners Tricia Kennedy and Jon Rottenberg. The couple had long envisioned creating a space where everyone could indulge in sweet delights. Their frequent family outings and vacations served as a canvas for collecting ideas, culminating in a unique ice cream shop that checks a box for everyone's needs.
What sets Swirls apart is its commitment to inclusivity in its menu offerings.
As vegetarians, the owners wanted to ensure that non-dairy options were available.
"Plant-based diets are growing in popularity, and vegan ice cream is delicious in addition to meeting dietary needs," Kennedy noted.
The shop features a plant-based, vegan soft-serve option with rotating flavors such as sea salt caramel, black raspberry, cookie butter and Kahlúa.
Swirls sources its vegan ice cream from Taharka Brothers in Baltimore, known for producing vegan ice cream with coconut milk. This partnership ensures that both dairy and non-dairy offerings meet the shop's rigorous standards.
Among the shop’s most popular flavors are Caramel Crunch, Black Cherry Chunk (Rottenberg’s favorite) and Honey Graham. Kennedy’s go-to is Pistachio.
In addition, their tart Greek-style soft-serve yogurt has gained traction, offering a healthy and versatile option that pairs well with various toppings.
Swirls prides itself on supporting local businesses. Their soft-serve ice cream mix comes from Galliker’s Dairy Farm in Pennsylvania, while their coffee is sourced from Chesapeake Coffee Roasters in Crofton. They use honey from Three Spartans Apiary in Walkersville.
Beyond ice cream, Swirls offers açaí bowls, made with Organic Açaí Roots brand bases, then topped with fresh fruit, organic granola, goji berries and chia seeds. The shop also boasts an impressive espresso bar menu, featuring rich and smooth coffee that makes delectable lattes, affogatos, milkshakes and cold brew floats.
To engage with the community, Swirls has hosted events such as a visit from popular children's character Bluey and demonstrations by local balloon artist Mr. Kenny.
Looking ahead, the Swirls team is eager to expand their reach. Plans include catering services, pop-up events in Frederick, fundraisers with community organizations, and even an aspiration to acquire an ice cream truck.
—Ellyn Wexler
Swirls of Frederick
1305 W. 7th St., Frederick swirlsfrederick.com
301.788.1508
F facebook.com/swirlsfrederick d @swirlsfrederick
By Chris Slattery
Nothing says summer like relaxing in the yard — a cool carpet of lush green grass, pops of color from flower beds and boxes, a pleasing tableau of gravel paths and paver stones holding leafy shrubs in neatly mulched border areas.
Late spring is a crucial time to set up your lawn and garden for success, but it’s also a time when the most ardent home gardener’s enthusiasm wanes.
“Everybody gets spring fever at the same time,” observes David Hawkins, who’s been the head of Hawkins Landscaping for 51 years. “Everybody gets excited by the warm weather and the breeze.”
And even if they’ve done everything right to prepare for a summer of lush lawns and gorgeous gardens, maintenance throughout the season is key.
That means keeping up with yard debris — removing fallen branches, keeping rocks and stray kid-anddog toys in place, and walking the yard to make sure everything’s looking good, especially after sudden storms or high winds. Hawkins advises against over-mulching, which traps water at the roots and can compact the soil.
“People go overboard,” Hawkins points out. “You want to water and fertilize and mulch, but not too much mulch.”
And while mulch suppresses weeds, a good home gardener needs a weed regime — go in after it rains, when the soil is moist, and be sure to get the roots, so the plants you don’t want won’t come back. Watering, like mulching, is best done with caution. Most landscapers recommend a good soaking once per week over daily or sporadic quick waterings.
“Watering too frequently leads to shallow roots and weak grass,” explains Kevin Portillo, whose family business, JK Gardening & Lawn Care has been helping local garden enthusiasts with their yards since 2003. “The best time to water is early morning,” he adds, “to minimize evaporation and fungal issues.”
Portillo recommends keeping grass at an optimal height of about 3 inches to promote strong roots and prevent weeds.
“Avoid cutting too short,” he cautions, “as it stresses the lawn.”
He also advises a slow-release fertilizer to help keep grass and plants healthy, and compost or organic fertilizers for flower beds. And once those flowers bloom and fade, diligent pruning and deadheading are key.
“Removing spent flowers — deadheading — encourages new blooms,” says Portillo. “And light pruning helps shape shrubs and trees while promoting healthy growth.”
Too much pruning, he adds, is just one mistake backyard gardeners make.
“Over-pruning can harm plants,” he points out, “and overwatering can be harmful, too.”
So while not pruning at all can lead to overgrown, unhealthy shrubs and trees, and a lack of water can make grass and flowers wither, “a simple routine — mowing once a week, watering on a schedule, and checking flower beds every few days for weeds” is the best way to get the most out of your yard all summer long.
Portillo also recommends testing your soil to make sure plants are getting the right nutrients, the right fertilization plan, and making sure the lawn isn’t cut too often or too short.
“Cutting grass too low stresses the lawn,” he explains, “makes it more prone to weeds, and reduces drought resistance.”
Finally, he points out that “a little regular weeding goes a long way in preventing major overgrowth. Ignoring weeds can lead to larger infestations that are much harder to control.”
At the end of the day, with a bit of hard work and some help from the experts, it’s possible to have the landscape you love and create a leafy green
sanctuary for family and friends to enjoy. The key seems to be balancing your expectations with the amount of attention and care you’re capable of giving.
“HGTV has helped us and hurt us at the same time,” chuckles David Hawkins, referring to the gardening shows that inspire and sometimes frustrate his customers. “They make it look so easy!”
Hawkins Landscaping
8408 Links Bridge Road, Thurmont hawkinslandscaping.com
301.898.3615
JK Gardening & Lawn Care
7838 Fingerboard Road, Frederick jkgardening.org 240.586.3135
The City of Frederick Parks and Recreation Department has provided citizens in the area with quality and affordable programs for over 80 years. Year-round activities include sports, fitness, and leisure for all ages, challenging and educational children’s activities, the William Talley Fitness Center, and an abundance of unique programming .
With a county population of 300,000 and 13 golf courses, Clustered Spires has earned “Best of Frederick Golf Course”! Golf Digest awards Clustered Spires a HHHH rating. Clustered Spires reputation is a great conditioned golf course with wonderful greens and considered the best value golf course in central Maryland.
Frederick, your search for the perfect everything bagel is over.
Freshly baked orbs plastered with seeds and garlic and salt and onion are available almost every day in the early morning hours from Twin Bears Bakery
Located in a building filled with history, the newest bakery to hit the city’s burgeoning scene is usually sold out of bagels before the end of the day, but early risers can rejoice. Dozens of soft, pillowy bagels can be found at 6 a.m., Wednesdays through Sundays on Carroll Street.
If everything isn’t your thing, don’t worry. They’ve also regularly got salt and triple sesame, which are more than worth your time.
Try the house-made cream cheese for a special treat – for the adventurous, there’s red miso and everything flavors. For the plain Janes, they’ve got you – and your bagels – covered with plain cream cheese, too.
Not in the mood for a bagel? Well, there’s plenty more in store.
Fresh scones are always a good idea. Dark chocolate cherry pecan and bacon gruyere were recently on the menu.
And Twin Bears’ raspberry almond muffins have almost reached cult status among the bakery’s
regulars. Blueberry buttermilk run a close second in the yummy muffin department.
But what Twin Bears gained its dedicated local following from are its perfect loaves of sourdough bread.
The bakery, helmed by owner/operators Emily and Andrew Roy, started selling their expertly crafted sourdough at local farmers markets during the pandemic. Fans sought them out and soon they were offering their loaves at Common Market locations and to local restaurants.
They specialize in naturally fermented sourdough bread and their menu varies each day. But the family business thrives on a passion for local grain and authentic baking techniques.
With a recently opened brick-and-mortar shop, the future seems bright for Twin Bears. Their unique space inside a historic factory building, formerly home to the G&L Baking Company for decades in Frederick’s past, is a fitting home.
Give it a visit and be prepared for your tastebuds to thank you profusely.
Twin Bears Bakery
(TJ) OFFICE
87 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21702
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm Saturday, 9am–11am (by appointment only) PHONE: 301-694-0606
TEXT MESSAGES ARE PREFERRED TO: 301-205-5112
BALLENGER CREEK OFFICE
6550 Mercantile Drive, Suite 106, Frederick, MD 21703
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-668-6347
MOUNT AIRY OFFICE
1311 South Main Street, Suite 304, Mount Airy, MD 21771
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-829-6146
URBANA OFFICE
3500 Campus Drive, Suite 101, Urbana, MD 21704
HOURS: Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm PHONE: 301-874-6107
Take a walk along Carroll Creek and enjoy a local brew or spirit.
Frederick County has no shortage of local breweries, wineries and distilleries and spring is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy some sunshine and local spirits and brews! Start on Frederick’s Market Street with a quick visit to Frederick Social where you can choose a beer or cocktail on tap from their tap wall, then take a walk down Carroll Creek and hit McClintock Distilling Company (mcclintockdistilling. com) to grab a bottle or check out McClintock Back Bar (mccbackbar. com) next door to enjoy a high-end cocktail with one of their award-winning gins, bourbons, or vodkas. Keep walking down the creek, gazing at the unique art on display via the Carroll Creek Kinetic Art Promenade (carrollcreekkineticart. org) then choose from among the four local breweries on either side of the creek – RAK Brewing Co. (rakbrewing. com) or Attaboy Beer (attaboybeer. com) on one side, and Idiom Brewing Co. (idiombrewing.com) or Steinhardt Brewing (steinhardtbrewing.com) on the other. All have plenty of outdoor seating that’s kid- and dog-friendly, too.
Spring and baseball go hand in hand. Luckily, Frederick has a local team to follow and a fun stadium near downtown, where yummy snacks and family fun abound. The Frederick Keys (frederickkeys.com) play at Nymeo Field from June through September. Their home opener is set for Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m. against the West Virginia Black Bears. Most Monday through Friday games begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday games have a 6 p.m. start time. Check out Fan Appreciation Night Aug. 31, which will have a 6 p.m. start time. Every Friday and Saturday game throughout the season ends with a fabulous fireworks display. And the Keys will celebrate Independence Day this year with a Fireworks Extravaganza on the evening of July 3. So, go shake your keys and support the local team!
One of the unsung heroes of the Frederick region is its abundance of public art. Muralists have been making the county more beautiful for decades and an abundance of outdoor sculptures and other art can be freely found throughout Frederick and surrounding towns, making your outdoor exercise routine that much more creative! Visit Frederick has a curated list of all the public art sites throughout the county on its website at visitfrederick.org/ things-to-do/arts-entertainment/publicart. From the Claire McCardell Statue on Frederick’s Carroll Creek to the Brunswick River Mural Project to the “Becky the Calf” Sculpture on Bentz Street, spend a sunny day taking a tour through some of the county’s most interesting art installations.
Source seeds, seedlings and full-grown plants at local plant shops and nurseries.
Now is the time to put some seeds in the ground if you’re intending to enjoy a summer harvest. And Frederick County is home to a bevy of great plant shops and nurseries where seeds and plants and expert helpers abound. The Dutch Plant Farm (dutchplantfarm. com) on Baughman’s Lane in Frederick has an expansive garden center that’s filled to the brim with seeds in the spring and seedlings of every sort as temperatures rise. Out in Adamstown, the owners of Thanksgiving Farms (thanksgivingfarmandgarden.com) have a love for the beautiful and unusual and a helpful staff that will work with you to find your dream plants, whether ornamental or functional.
by
Bring your favorite furry friend and give chase at area dog parks.
Local dogs have weathered the cold, wet, icy weather for months. Now is the time to take your favorite Lab or Pittie or dachshund on some fun outdoor adventures. And, good news, Frederick has no shortage of spaces where you and your dog can hike and explore! The county’s Parks and Rec Department have three officially sponsored dog parks throughout the region. The Ballenger Creek Dog Park on Ballenger Creek Pike in Frederick boasts 4 acres, with two separate dog areas, walkways and trails, benches and water for humans and dogs. Othello Regional Dog Park is located on Jefferson Pike in Knoxville. With 1 acre of space, the amenities here are still being installed. They’ve got dog waste stations right now and expect to install benches soon. At the Urbana Dog Park, there’s one all-dog area on 1 acre on Urbana Pike. Walkways and benches plus a dog waste station are all offered here, too. Check the county website at recreater.com/192/DogParks for more information and rules for dogs who play at the countyowned dog parks.
AJ Naylor got his start in fashion as a buyer for a streetwear shop in Downtown Frederick called Social Study (it closed in 2009). But being so close to the brands that the store stocked gave Naylor the first inkling that he could maybe do more — create the clothes, too.
His small-batch fashion business Made by Fred released its first items, a series of baseball caps with an F (for Frederick) in 2013. Things really started to take off when he joined forces with Flying Dog Brewery shortly after their relocation to Frederick for his first collaboration.
“I did a full capsule collection for them, and after that the brand really started to move,” he said. “That was kind of the thing where Frederick was like, ‘This is a cool brand.’”
For a time, Naylor operated a storefront downtown, but he’s since shifted into a pop-up model. He handcrafts all the items he sells in micro collections — or drops — throughout the year. Typically a drop includes a couple of T-shirt designs, a sweatshirt, sweatpants and a cap.
“The cool thing is everything is done in-house at this point: all the screen printing, a lot of the sewing,” he
said. “It’s all done by me. I still have a wife and kids and a 9-5 job, but when you have a passion for something, you find the time.”
And with his collections, it’s a serious amount of time.
“To do a run of tees and sweatshirts, with sewing in tags and all the fun things I do, it adds up,” he said. “If I have to hand dye pieces, it can be 10-48 hours just for one t-shirt. Even though now I buy blanks [shirts] there’s a lot of things that I do to a blank to enhance it and make it mine, whether that's hand distressing or hand custom sun fading to make it look older than what it is.”
And ultimately, that attention to detail and craft is obvious in the final products.
“That's what people love about Made by Fred: that it is small-batch goods,” he said. “That’s the phrase I look to use: Made by Fred is small batch goods.”
—Tripp Laino
Made by Fred madebyfred.us F facebook.com/fredandco1745 d @madebyfred1745
Sensory sensitivity is a sign of autism. Learn the others at autismspeaks.org/signs.
Perched atop one of the highest ridgelines in Gettysburg, framed by historic wood and stone architecture and stunning views of historic Gettysburg battlefields and Hunter Lake, The Lodges at Gettysburg is a destination unlike any other in the area.
It’s peaceful here with a timeless tranquility and rustic elegance that settle you into a relaxed state of mind. Beautifully maintained grounds and lodging are surrounded by 63 acres of rolling Gettysburg countryside, the perfect backdrop for family vacations, outside-the-box meetings and romantic weddings with a dash of historic charm.
685 Camp Gettysburg Road
Gettysburg, PA 17325 717-642-2500
www.thelodgesatgettysburg.com
By Tripp Laino
Spring is a perfect time to get outside, and while many folks think of the National Mall as the first option when visiting Washington, D.C., there are a host of other great choices to enjoy some lovely spring weather.
The U.S. National Arboretum is one of many destinations worthy of its own day trip from Frederick, and when you combine it with a great meal, you’ve really got something going.
YELLOW Union Market (417 Morse St. NE), is the second location of this café, which first opened across the city in Georgetown and brings a Middle Eastern flair to its dishes. It’s open daily from 8
a.m. to 3 p.m. The bright, airy interior is filled with the smell of amazing coffee and the delights churned out by the open kitchen. Whether you’re a savory or a sweet breakfast person, you will be thrilled with the options available.
The Union Market location has 60 seats, and they're first-come, first-served, so you may need to hover a bit to find a seat, but they tend to open up fairly quickly. Breakfast options are all great for sharing if you’re looking to sample many items.
Yellow has all the classic coffeehouse options you could want, but if you’re wanting some more adventurous choices, the Golden Date cappuccino
Whether you’re a savory or a sweet breakfast person, you will be thrilled with the options available.
with medjool dates + brûléed cardamom sugar brings a fun twist on the classic cappuccino, and the Baklava Mocha with roasted walnut, rose and orange blossom is like a drinkable version of that incredible pastry.
Pick up the Date Labne coffee cake ($6), an incredibly moist, rich cake perfect to pair with any coffee you desire. It’s got the stick-to-yourfingers delight of a great sticky bun, but a much more complex flavor from the addition of dates.
Moving over to the savory breakfast choices, the standout from a recent visit was the “Jammy egg shakshuka croissant” ($8). A perfectly cooked jammy-yolk egg is seated inside a croissant dough
fashioned into a cup, perfect to hold the egg and shakshuka filling, a sort of tomato jam. The little corners of the croissant cup are a perfect crunch, and the interior filling’s jammy ingredients are a delightful complementing texture.
Middle Eastern flair not your vibe? A great second option would be to explore Union Market (1309 5th St NE), a food hall with about a dozen options ranging across many different cuisines and styles. You can find anything from barbecue to tacos to ice cream and New Orleans-inspired po’ boys, so there’s a great option for everyone — this makes it ideal for a group with varied food desires!
Get out and walk among the plants and trees, or you can definitely drive yourself around if that’s more your speed.
Once you’ve finished up breakfast, head over to the Arboretum, where you’ll get to take in some incredible natural wonders (and possibly some manmade ones, too). Like many of D.C.’s amazing museums, admission to the grounds and museum is free and no tickets are needed. Before you take your trip, download the Arboretum’s app. It’s not going to win any design awards, but it does have a variety of self-guided tours to choose from, allowing you to walk among the trees and learn more about their history.
At the Arboretum there’s ample parking at the entrances, as well as a variety of smaller parking lots throughout the sprawling campus. Get out and walk among the plants and trees, or you can definitely drive yourself around if that’s more your speed.
...the cherry blossom trees in the Arboretum are a variety of species, meaning they bloom in a staggered manner.
Many people know that the Arboretum is home to The National Capitol columns, an arrangement of the 22 Corinthian columns that were a part of the U.S. Capitol from 1828 to 1958, and while they’re a sight to behold, in the spring, the focus is on the plant life.
The Arboretum has a wide array of cherry blossom trees, which typically bloom throughout March and April — and unlike the more famous ones set along
the Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Monument, the cherry blossom trees in the Arboretum are a variety of species, meaning they bloom in a staggered manner. The aforementioned app has a great walking tour that explains more about each species, and highlights the tree’s history (some of them are gifts between countries, for example).
It’s easy to spend an hour or more here simply gazing at all of these tiny wonders.
If you prefer your trees smaller (or maybe you’re just a huge “Karate Kid” fan) The National Bonsai & Penjing Museum at the Arboretum is not to be missed. It is important to note that it runs a slightly different schedule: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except for federal holidays from November through February.
According to the Arboretum’s website, the collection dates to 1976, when Japan gifted 53 trees to the United States to celebrate the bicentennial, and it’s grown steadily ever since. There’s currently more than 300 specimens in the collection, which rotate through the pavilions.
They’re a marvel, with meticulous pruning and shaping, and the wide variety of species is really incredible. It’s easy to spend an hour or more here simply gazing at all of these tiny wonders.
The U.S. National Arboretum
Enter at 3501 New York Avenue, NE, or at 24th & R Streets, NE, off of Bladensburg Road, , Washington, D.C. usna.usda.gov
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417 Morse St. NE, Washington, D.C. yellowthecafe.com/hq-union-market
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1309 5th St. NE, Washington, D.C. unionmarketdc.com
Amazing experiences and hundreds of exciting new exotic animal friends await you in this 50-acre park!
Catoctin Wildlife Preserve welcomes you with natural ponds, lush landscaping, and wandering Ambass-zoo-dors, eager to indulge inquisitive guests. Get curious about everything from bears to boas, macaws to monkeys, panthers to pythons, and alligators to zebra.
These amazing animals are our extended family and vital ambassadors for their species. Through our personal style of exhibits and education, we know that they will be your extended family too.
Together, we can make sure all the wild animals enjoy the future they deserve.
Transportation is essential for work, school and medical care. But gaining access to a reliable vehicle can be a challenge for some low-income families. That’s where Second Chances Garage comes in, providing affordable, refurbished vehicles and low-cost repairs to help folks stay on the road.
Founded in 2010 by Rick and Cindy Trawick, SCG has made a lasting impact by addressing transportation insecurity — a major barrier to financial independence. In Frederick County alone, about 3,700 low-income households lack access to a vehicle. SCG works to close this gap by refurbishing donated cars and matching them with individuals referred by more than 30 partner agencies. To qualify, recipients must be employed, as ensuring these vehicles become tools for stability.
The organization’s reach is especially meaningful for women-led households. Since its inception, 65% of vehicle recipients have been women, and 81% of those women have dependent children. For many, these cars provide more than just transportation — they offer a pathway to a better future.
Inset: Michele Corr, executive director of Delaplaine Foundation, a grant funder for Second Chances Garage, hugs Mason from Wells House after he received his program car.
SCG also provides low-cost repairs through its Reduced Cost Car Repair Program, having serviced more than 700 cars last year. The nonprofit sells budget-friendly vehicles, typically priced between $1,000 and $5,000, making car ownership more accessible. In the past year, SCG has matched 37 vehicles with clients, and this year, they’re aiming even higher: matching 50 cars with program participants.
“Our work wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of our car donors and the dedication and hard work of our team, John, Teya, Joe, Lester and Russ,” says Tonya HatosyStier, SCG’s executive director. “Together, we are giving individuals the chance to build a stable, self-sufficient life and create a lasting impact in our community. I hope to expand on this legacy by growing our reach, improving services, and ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels supported and empowered.”
As SCG celebrates its 15th anniversary, Hatosy-Stier and her team are focused on building momentum. SCG thrives on community involvement, and every car donation makes a difference.
Want to help? Donate a car, contribute funds, or spread the word. “Join us in driving change,” Hatosy-Stier says, “because everyone deserves a second chance.”
—Ellyn Wexler
