Sponsored by: Aschenbach Auto Group and Red Wing Shoes
Sponsored by: Team Reeder of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Sponsored by: Aschenbach Auto Group and PVI Office Furniture
Sponsored by: DARCARS Toyota of Frederick
Sponsored by: The Great Frederick Fair
Joseph F Devilbiss Construction and Brandenburg Electric, Inc. Motorsports Series
Sep 15 Tractor/Truck Pull
Sep 16 Demo Derby Cars
Sep 17 Demo Derby Trucks/Vans
Sponsored by: Krietz Auto and Krietz Customs
Sponsored by: Marks Equipment Service Inc, and Trick Trucks & Cars
Sep 18 Anne Wilson w/ Caleb & John Sponsored by: The Mercer Family
SWITCHFOOT: 2025 Tour
Saturday, July 5
Rumours ATL: A Fleetwood Mac Tribute
Friday, July 11
The Band Perry: A Homecoming
Saturday, July 19
One Night of Queen: Performed by Gary Mullen & The Works
Saturday, September 6
Ari Shaffir: The Farewell Tour
Saturday, July 12
Michael Blaustein: The Taste Me Tour
Friday, July 25
GenX: The Takeover Comedy Tour
Saturday, September 13
Must be 21. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Mitchell Tenpenny Friday, July 18
Jamey Johnson
Saturday, August 9
Matt Mathews: Boujee on a Budget Tour
Friday, September 19 &
Saturday, September 20
SEEK& FIND
SUMMER CAMP FOR ADULTS?
THE SEASONS WITHIN 38
Jennie Raff Photography
MUSINGS
A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Here I am, reliving a favorite summer camp activity, kayaking!
Happy summer!
I was lucky enough as a kid to spend a few summer weeks at a sleepaway camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. It was a small camp with only a few activities but the experience of living away from home, meeting other girls, learning camp songs and swimming in a lake with a questionably squishy floor are all fond memories that I cherish to this day. That's why I was excited to read our piece on DIY-ing your own adult version of summer camp in the Frederick area. What fun to recreate some of the best parts of camp now, as a grown-up!
Who says arts and crafts and archery are only for kids? They're not! Check out our story for inspiration on how to relive your summer camp experiences — or get to do them for the first time if you weren't as lucky as I was.
This story and so much more are inside the Summer 2025 edition of Find iT Frederick. Enjoy exploring and please get in touch if you have ideas for what we should feature in our next edition.
Molly Fellin Spence, Executive Editor
TEAM PULSE
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
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Ana Lazo Eastep
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Shuan Butcher, Naomi Pearson, Chris Slattery, Ellyn Wexler
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
There’s nothing quite like spending a hot summer day inside a dark, cool movie theater. And though it’s fun to catch all the blockbuster summertime releases, there’s a real pleasure in revisiting older classics that stand the test of time.
Enter Film League , a monthly chance to watch some of your favorite older movies – with dozens of other film fans.
Offered at Warehouse Cinema’s Frederick location on the third Wednesday of each month, Film League is an informal gathering of movie-lovers and a
chance to see a classic movie on the big screen again, or maybe for the first time.
Are you old enough to remember the first time “The Gremlins” came to theaters? Can you recall what Tom Hanks looked like when he starred in “The Burbs,” long before his “Forrest Gump” days? Have you ever had the chance to see a 1950s epic Western, like “The Searchers,” starring John Wayne, on the big screen?
Every third Wednesday you have the chance to do just that, right here in Frederick. And for only 5 bucks per ticket!
Photos by Molly Fellin Spence
Warehouse Cinema’s two other locations also offer Film League movies. In Hagerstown, it’s on second Wednesdays, in Baltimore, first Wednesdays.
Each theater offers a unique movie, and no matter where you watch, every ticket comes with a comfy reclining seat and a free souvenir pin featuring a photo of that month’s movie.
Once you collect six pins, you get a lanyard to display them. Go to 20 films and you get a free T-shirt!
It’s Frederick’s funnest club, where you don’t need a membership card or entry fee. You just need a love of movies.
EXPLORE. ENJOY. EXPERIENCE.
Thurmont
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.
Falls State Park
by Naomi Pearson
Do you have fond memories of summer camp? Or did you never have the chance to go? Regardless of your experience as a kid, as an adult why not create your own summer camp experience, pursue your own interests, on your own schedule?
Sometimes it’s hard to take time off for fun, but to create your own summer camp, you could just take a few hours, an evening, or a weekend, and stretch your camp experiences out over the whole summer!
Try something new, expand your horizons, focus on a favorite activity, get away from the office and out of the house, right here in the Frederick area…
Brunswick Family Camp Ground
If you want a sleepaway experience…
Rent a cabin and get your hike on! Catoctin Mountain National Park’s Camp Misty Mount (nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/camp-misty-mount. htm) and Cunningham Falls State Park’s William Houck Area Campground, both in Thurmont, or Gambrill State Park’s Rock Run (parkreservations. maryland.gov/) in Frederick all have cabins.
Step into history at Lockhouse 28 in Point of Rocks, or at others along the C&O Canal via the C&O Canal Trust’s Canal Quarters program (canaltrust.org/programs/canal-quarters/).
For luxury, try Ole Mink Farm (oleminkfarm.com/) in Thurmont, and for something in between roughing and glamping there’s the cabins at the River and Trail Outfitters’ Brunswick Family Campground (rivertrail.com/stay-with-us/cabin-rentals-on-thepotomac/).
Classes fill up fast at Tuscarora Archers
If you want to take a shot at archery…
Tuscarora Archers (tuscaroraarcher.org/) offers beginner archery classes once a month at $20 per person through September, but they fill up fast! Cunningham Falls State Park (dnr.maryland.gov/ publiclands/Pages/western/cunningham.aspx) is hosting Beginner Archery sessions (dnr.maryland.gov/ publiclands/Documents/Cunningham-Falls/2025Beginner-Archery.pdf) for $5 each on select Saturdays. Inquire and register at 301-514-5866.
Frederick County Parks and Rec has beginner classes upcoming in September (see Recreater.com for the schedule and pricing).
Top photo courtesy of River and Trail Outfitters, bottom photo courtesy of Tuscarora Archers
Is camp really camp without horseback riding?
Several nearby stables offer trail rides: Broken Trail Farm (brokentrailfarm.com/services) in Myersville and Misty Manor Ranch (mistymanor. com/trail-rides/) in Marriottsville, Out Of The Box Stables (outoftheboxstables.com/Services) in Gaithersburg, and Canter Point Stables (canterpoint.com) in Charles Town, West Virginia are some options. Contact them directly for pricing.
If you’d rather go through steedless…nature
Maryland State parks, Frederick County parks, and Downtown Frederick’s Baker Park have trails of varying terrain and difficulty. Most of the County parks (recreater.com/316/Trails) have both unpaved and paved trails. Combine a gentle hike with a nature talk through the Free Ranger Programs (recreater.com/957/Free-RangerPrograms), or visit the Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center (recreater.com/999/Activities) or Fountain Rock Nature Center (recreater.com/996/ Activities) for one of their programs.
Cantor Point Stables
Hiking on Wolf Rock Hiking Trail
What is summer camp without water activities?
Dip into one of the City of Frederick’s pools – Edward P. Thomas Memorial and William R. Diggs – and get a pass or a punch card for the best value on multiple visits (cityoffrederickmd. gov/260/Pools). Or try one of the YMCA locations (the Downtown Y or Natelli Family Y in Urbana), a community pool like the Emmitsburg Community pool (emmitsburgmd.gov/community/null/ pool.php) or the Brunswick Municipal Pool (brunswickmd.gov/parksandrecreation). And for the price of the park admission, enjoy a lake swim at Greenbrier State Park or Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park.
River and Trail Outfitters
How about being ON the water instead of IN the water?
Hunting Creek Lake at Cunningham Falls State Park boasts a boat rental concession (301-271-7574). Kayaking, canoeing, and tubing are available at River and Trail Outfitters. Kayak or canoe for one to three hours or engage in a 1-2 hour Mellow River Tubing experience on the Shenandoah River. You could do longer trips or multi-day adventures, but you have other personal summer camp adventures to do!
courtesy of River and Trail Outfitters
YMCA Urbana
Try some grown-up arts & crafts!
With actual home decor such as wooden porch signs, wall hangings, or other decorative accessories, and more at AR Workshop Frederick (arworkshop.com/frederick/) which has both craft classes and walk-in open craft hours. Urbana Art and Soul (urbanaartandsoul. com/adult-art-creativity) also has adult art workshops, as well as a walk-in DIY Craft Studio offering a variety of activities.
I Made This! Pottery Studio
Photos by Naomi Pearson
AR Workshop Frederick (L)Trish Mills, (R) Jennifer Deater
Or attempt another camp staple–pottery!
Wheel-turned pottery, coil pottery, pinch pottery, or just pottery painting – there’s some place in Frederick to try it. The Potters Guild offers a 3-hour introductory wheel throwing session (pottersguildoffrederick.com/product-page/takea-turn-at-the-wheel-class). Frederick Clay Studio (frederickclaystudio.com) holds six-week and three-week classes and one-day workshops, with new class schedules starting every six weeks. Hot Fired Arts welcomes walk-ins and appointments for wet clay work. If you would rather just paint pre-made pottery, you can do that at Hot Fired Arts, Urbana Art and Soul, and I Made This! Pottery Studio (imadethispottery.com).
However you put together your own personal summer camp, step a little out of your comfort zone, seek a new challenge, and learn more about yourself! And above all, have fun!
AR DANCE MUSIC T
115 E Church St, Frederick, Maryland
Monday - Friday 11 am - 9 pm
Saturday 9 am - 4 pm Sunday 12 pm - 4
PARKS AND RECREATION
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
Inaugural Catoctin Furnace
September 11-14
During the American Revolution, Catoctin Furnace produced arms for George Washington’s army. Now, 250 years later, we’re commemorating our country’s independence with four days of historical outdoor theater, including authentic stories of black and white workers in a revolutionary ironmaking village.
Image courtesy of National Park Service (NPS)/Don Troiani
The Road The Road
Personalized Care Flexible Options
True Standard Distilling
Frederick is a hub for spirits and craft beverages, but a new player in town is now offering rum and cane-based products. True Standard Distilling, located at 10 N. Carroll St. in downtown Frederick opened its doors at the end of May.
Owned by husband and wife Brian and Ashley Allen, the business started out as a hobby.
“I fell in love with rum living in Costa Rica,” Brian said. Then, while living in Hawaii, Brian started experimenting with the product for personal consumption.
“After getting married and having three little ones, Ashley suggested the hobby doesn’t quite fit in the house with the kids,” he quipped.
Top photo by Emily Belson Photography
is a House of Cane
In 2021, the couple purchased a historic property in Downtown Frederick that has a storied past. It started its life as a barn where carriages were stored and fixed, then became a gas station, an auto repair shop, and, most recently, an antique store.
And now, it’s a rum distillery.
“Downtown is a happening spot and we wanted to be where the people are,” Brian explained.
True Standard is a small-batch distillery, led by head distiller Kristian Naslund.
“Small batch means we have a very hands-on approach. Our products are made by hand and this is truly a labor of love,” Brian said.
There is both an art and a science to what they do. Three main ingredients — water, molasses, and yeast — ferment for about 10 days in one of five tanks. After the sugar is converted to alcohol, it is pumped into a 500-gallon copper still where it boils for up to eight hours.
The sugar for the molasses comes from Baltimorebased Domino Sugar Factory.
“We want to be known as the House of Cane,” Ashley said, owing to rum’s origins in sugar cane.
Currently they’re offering a line called Dangerous Summer including five expressions of rum. Silver Rum, sometimes referred to as white rum or unaged, is distilled from cane sugar. It comes directly off the still and from the stainless container.
Silver Spiced is a fresh take on spiced rum, with a fusion of botanicals and citrus. It has an aroma and taste of ginger.
Spiced Rum has a touch of oak and tastes like autumn.
Dark Spiced is infused with warm spices, molasses and a touch of oak.
Oxford Reserve is finished with American and French Oak and has warm spices with a touch of tobacco.
True Standard also offers a cane-based vodka.
The tasting room is closed Mondays and Tuesdays, but open the rest of the week, including late hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
A tasting flight costs just $10 and includes a choice of four spirits. Cocktails and mocktails are also available.
The Pain Killer, which includes their Dangerous Summer Rum with pineapple, orange, and coconut, is an excellent choice!
“We want to be true to what rum is and want to be the true standard of rum as well,” Brian said.
— Shuan Butcher
True Standard Distilling 10 N. Carroll St., Frederick truestandarddistilling.com F facebook.com/ TrueStandardDistilling d @ truestandarddistilling
Photos by Shuan Butcher
DOWNTOWN FREDERICKTHE SEASONS WITHIN
PHOTOGRAPHS BY MICHAEL DEMATTIA
Photographer Michael DeMattia has lived in Downtown Frederick since 2016, and somewhere along the way, it became more than home to him, it became a canvas.
“This city has a rhythm all its own.
You feel it in the quiet mornings before the streets wake up. In the storms that sweep through fast and leave everything glowing. In the way the light cuts across brick and glass, telling a story that most people walk past,” he says.
DeMattia has spent years capturing the stories of Downtown Frederick, “seeking the angles that no one has noticed, the moments that come and go in seconds.”
Now, his beautifully crafted 8.5-inch by 11-inch vertical coffee table book is available for purchase. It includes 160 pages of images showcasing Downtown Frederick’s landscapes and architecture through the changing seasons.
The book allows viewers to experience the city’s charm from a unique perspective, as most images were captured via drone photography, giving a birds-eye view of the city. continued page 42
“This city taught me to stay ready. To see what others overlook. And to trust that if I keep showing up, something tangible will show itself,” DeMattia says.
“Downtown FrederickThe Seasons Within” www.miked.store F facebook.com/MADproductions.io d @mike d
SUMMER FUN
TREE TREKKERS AERIAL ADVENTURE AND ZIPLINE PARK
9560 Old National Pike Frederick, 301-888-8735 treetrekkersmd.com
Swing into Summer with ADVENTURE! Climb, Zip, and SOAR through the trees on 30 acres of protected forest. Featuring 16 different high ropes trails with 8 difficulty levels, Tree Trekkers offers summer fun for everyone! SAVE 20% with code: FINDIT20
DELAPLAINE ARTS CENTER
40 S Carroll St, Frederick, 301 698 0656; delaplaine.org
The Delaplaine Arts Center features free admission to 7 gallery spaces and hosts monthly public programs, alongside 250+ classes and workshops a year. Located along Carroll Creek, it serves as a thriving arts center for the community.
Photos courtesy of Delaplaine Arts Center
Photos courtesy of Tree Trekkers
SIMPLE THEORY
37 N Market Street, Suite 200, Frederick, 301-969-4446; simpletheorywines.com
Simple Theory Wine Co. is a contemporary expression of winemaking rooted in three generations of Maryland vintners. Our thoughtful approach to the art and science of winemaking allows us to craft refined, sustainably produced, small-lot wines.
LINGANORE WINECELLARS
13601 Glissans Mill Road, Mount Airy, 301-831-5889; linganorewines.com
Majestically nestled on 230 acres of rolling countryside surrounded by acres of vineyards, Linganore Winecellars welcomes you to experience the art of winemaking so close to home yet a world apart.
SUMMER FUN
GAVER FARM
5501 Detrick Rd Mt. Airy, 301-865-3515
gaverfarm.com
Open August 29th through November 2nd Frederick County's Premier Fall Fun Festival.
Corn Maze, Pumpkins, Hayrides, Slides, and Jumping Pillow!
Over 65 Fall Fun attractions, appropriate for all ages! Farm fresh food choices, ready to enjoy. Fully stocked farm market with all your fall needs.
BRUNSWICK MAIN STREET, INC.
PO Box 72, Brunswick 301-834-7500 x124 brunswickmainstreet.org
Plan your summer adventure in Brunswick! Explore the C&O Canal towpath, enjoy riverside activities, or relax in beautiful parks. Brunswick combines natural beauty, recreation, and small-town charm for the perfect seasonal escape.
Experience Frederick with a whole new view... on the double decker bus! Roll up to your special event on a double decker! Experience your event with a charming British twist. With a nod to tradition and a modern focus, Maryland Double Deckers is here to elevate your journey for all occasions.
CATOCTIN MOUNTAIN PARK
14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont 301- 663-9388
Catoctin Mountain Park, situated in Maryland and home to the Presidential Retreat Camp David, is a picturesque wilderness area renowned for its diverse ecosystems, historic sites, and panoramic vistas, inviting adventurers to explore its rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Photos courtesy of Double Decker Bus
Photos courtesy of Catoctin Mountain Park
Natasha Baihly has been rolling on the river since she was 7 years old.
“I used to prepare the snack mixes for the raft trips and do the twist ties on the baggies,” recalls Baihly, now the president of River & Trail Outfitters. “So, I’ve been involved since then.”
Located about a third of a mile from the C&O Canal Trail, River and Trail Outfitters was founded in 1972 by Baihly’s parents, and it remains a family business, with Baihly’s husband, John Gonano, serving as chief financial officer, and her niece, Mariah Baihly, handling marketing director duties.
“My dad was an Eagle Scout, on the water all the time when he was growing up in Minnesota,” Natasha explains.
When the Baihly family moved to Maryland her dad launched the business while working for the Peace Corps, and River & Trail Outfitters grew over the decades from a spot to go camping and canoeing to a flotilla of rafting and tubing adventures and kayak and canoe rentals.
River & Trail offers beginner rafting adventures as well as guided whitewater runs and even sunset floats and Paddle-and-Pours that combine a day on the water with tastings at local wineries and breweries.
Every trip allows free time for swimming, floating, and relaxing, and staff are trained in CPR, first aid, and river safety, as well as local and natural history.
Photos courtesy of River and Trail OUtfitters
Everybody can find something that fits their needs,” Baihly says.
Two locations in Maryland, at the Brunswick family campground and in Knoxville, and two in West Virginia offer cool summer fun for families, couples and groups.
The company sees itself as part of a stewardship of the rivers and trails that surround it, offering environmental education, sponsoring river clean-ups, supporting organizations concerned about local waterways and trails, and promoting recycling. There’s even a program for little ones called Nature Kids, a summer camp experience that “introduces kids to the outdoors and gives them an opportunity to get to know the treasures in their midst.
“We offer that in memory of my father,” she adds. “It’s something we hold very close to our hearts.”
— Chris Slattery
River & Trail Outfitters
604 Valley Road, Brunswick 301.834.9950
888.IGO.PLAY
rivertrail.com F facebook.com/RiverTrailOutfitters d @riverandtrailoutfitters
Whether you’ve got two left feet or you’re always on the beat, if you’re in Frederick…
You Can Dance if You Want To
by Chris Slattery
Photos courtesy of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Above: Dancers Ingeborg Costa and David Kerich twirl at Fred Astaire Studio in Frederick. Left: At dance class, having a ball.
Ashley King has been dancing for her entire life.
“My mother put me in dance class when I was 2,” the North Carolina native explains, “and I never stopped dancing because I loved it so much.” Nowadays King, a physical therapist and athletic trainer, gets to spread that love of dance to anyone whose dreams run to tripping the light fantastic, whether they’re seasoned steppers, returning to the dancefloor after years or even decades, or absolute beginners ready to take on a brand-new challenge. She’s the manager of Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Downtown Frederick, and a certified instructor, and she’s ready to put you in a dance class.
“We get students for all different reasons,” says King, who’s still close with friends she met as a competitive dancer in college. “We get a lot of single folks who come to meet people; a lot of people who recently moved to Frederick and want to make friends.”
The dance studio is where they go, along with couples on date nights, empty nesters ready to spend more time on themselves, and engaged couples looking to wow with a memorable first dance at their wedding. Whatever the reason, King says, the dance studio is the perfect place to turn off the phone and live in the moment — along with friends you haven’t met yet.
“This is a really great, tight-knit community that everybody welcomes everybody else into; it’s a great place to find that social aspect.”
A great place to find other things, too. King says that many Fred Astaire students are looking for a way to express themselves artistically, to relieve stress, and to get a low-impact workout that benefits mind and body.
“And we do get those competitive dancers who are just really eager to jump in wholeheartedly and work on their technique and achieve their goals.”
Photos courtesy of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio
Everybody dance now!
David & Rebecca Blacklock enjoy a date-night dance.
It’s Hip to be Square
Margie Barber’s goals are simple: to get more people square dancing.
“It’s friendship set to music,” gushes Barber, president of the Frederick County Promenaders, a modern western square dancing club that operates out of Mount Pleasant Ruritan Hall in Walkersville. “We make so many friends, and we laugh a lot, and nobody takes it really seriously.
“I mean, you have to learn all the calls and things like that, but it’s not like we’re in intense competition. We’re just there to dance and have fun.”
They’ve been there since 1988, growing slowly but steadily, traveling together to places like Ecuador and the Galapagos Island, working together to raise money for charitable causes in the community, and, of course, dancing. The thing about this kind of dancing, however, is that you need to be prepared before you step on the floor.
Top and left: Square Dance Workshops with the Frederick County Promenaders.
“People can come watch,” Barber says, “but in order to participate in square dancing you have to take lessons.” No worries, that’s something the Frederick County Promenaders can easily facilitate, offering affordable lessons every Wednesday from September through the spring at Ballenger Community Center in Frederick. There would-be promenaders can learn the steps and the calls and get a feel for the art of the dance, which evolved in this country from the memories of European settlers and took on its distinctly American flavor.
“It may sound intimidating,” admits Barber, “but most of the calls are not that difficult, and the more you dance the more muscle memory kicks in.”
Also kicking in: the physical lift of a low-impact aerobic workout, improved circulation, balance and coordination, even enhanced cognitive function.
“Square dancing just offers so many benefits,” Barber explains. “Physically, mentally, socially —it covers all the bases.”
Boot-y Call
From a culinary perspective, Bentztown offers a taste of Nashville —shrimp and grits, chicken and waffles, barbecued brisket, as well as bourbon flights and craft cocktails with names like Southern Belle and Huckleberry Lemonade.
But this past January the restaurant/music venue upped its game, adding a Wednesday evening line dancing event called Bootin’ Scoot to the menu.
“We partnered with Sharon Grimet, who runs Sharon’s School of Dance,” explains Bentztown general manager Joey Kile. “She’s been instructing line dancing for a couple of decades now and has a really great reputation in this area.”
Every Wednesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. line dancing enthusiasts can pay $10 which gives them a drink voucher and a dance lesson, followed by a session on the restaurant’s open dance floor.
“It’s a mixed bag,” says Kile. “We have some experienced dancers, some at intermediate level, and some first timers. People in their 70s and 80s all the way down to teenagers.”
The group comes together, Grimet puts everyone through their paces, and once all the dancers are clear on the steps the group line dancing begins.
“It’s a good time,” says Kile. “And it’s a good group of folks that come out.”
Fred Astaire Dance Studio
5500 Buckeystown Pike #615, Frederick 240.232.2329 fredastaire.com/frederick
Frederick County Promenaders at Mount Pleasant Ruritan Hall 8101 Crum Road, Walkersville 240.422.4677 frederickcountypromenaders.com
Bentztown
6 S. Bentz St., Frederick 301.301.8430 bentztown.com
Sharon’s School of Dance 2 W Frederick St, Walkersville 301.305.9221 sharonsschoolofdance.org
Line dancing in Frederick, every Wednesday night.
Photos courtesy of Benztown
Above: Dance instructor Sharon Grimet teaches a line dance class.
Below: Bootin’ Scoot dancers hold the line at Bentztown.
Right:
Following the Middletown Ice Cream Trail
Decades ago Main’s Ice Cream Factory put Middletown on the map. The factory opened in 1922 and attracted visitors from all over the region.
And though that sweet favorite closed in 1969, you can still see the preserved sign for Main’s Ice Cream brightening the town’s nights with its soft glow outside The Main Cup, a restaurant that serves American fare in the renovated Main’s building.
Photos courtesy of More Ice Cream, Abbraccio Gelato and South Mountain Creamery (cow and ice cream)
And there’s still plenty of sweet treats to be had in Middletown. So much so that the town has created its own Ice Cream Trail for visitors and residents to follow.
Grab an Ice Cream Trail brochure at the Middletown Welcome Center, at 19 W. Main St., and start your tour of Middletown ice cream.
The closest stop to the welcome center is More Ice Cream , at 13 W. Main St. The shop is located inside a home that features a large wraparound front porch providing a great setting to enjoy your dessert. Inside, owners have used a variety of Middletown High School sports memorabilia to decorate the space. A sweet tribute to area athletes!
Next check out a bit of confectionary history at the oldest Hersey’s licensed dealer in the country, also known as LDS or Lee Delauter & Son . This shop, at 201 S. Church St., offers a full service deli and ice cream shop inside adjacent to an auto repair and fueling station.
One of Middletown’s newer spots to grab a cone is Abbraccio Gelato , at 203B E. Main St., where you can transport yourself to Italy with its flavorful gelato and sorbetto. Get it by the cone, pint or quart!
And don’t forget farm-fresh favorite South Mountain Creamery , at 8305 Bolivar Road. Karen’s Kountry Store is located in the heart of the creamery’s farm operation in Middletown. There’s nothing like eating a cone of fresh ice cream while gazing at the cows who helped make it!
FREDERICK
(TJ) OFFICE
87 Thomas Johnson Drive, Suite 101, Frederick, MD 21702
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
Virginia'sTides Inn offers luxury and unique experiences
Alovely little waterside hotel is a great find and a wonderful place to spend a long weekend.
Add in an exceptional gourmet restaurant, and a charming small town nearby, and you’re really talking.
The amazing thing about The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia is that it’s all that plus a whole lot more.
The 70-room Tides Inn is a luxury getaway set on its own peninsula on Virginia's Northern Neck. And what exactly is a Northern Neck?
Well, it’s the northernmost of three peninsulas on Virginia’s western shore of the Chesapeake Bay, bordered by the Potomac River to the north and the Rappahanock River to the south. The “neck” part of its name refers to the geographical shape of the region.
It’s also where three U.S. presidents were born (Washington, Madison and Monroe) and is known as one of the best-kept travel secrets in the eastern part of the country.
And, perhaps best of all, it’s only about a 3 ½-hour drive from Downtown Frederick.
Upon arrival at the inn’s grounds you immediately feel at ease, as if you’ve entered the set of a movie titled “A Peaceful, Private Getaway.”
The inn was completely remodeled in 2021 and lives up to its reputation as the “jewel of the Northern Neck.” Among other updates to the historic property was the addition of a living boardwalk bordering the shoreline, allowing guests to quietly meander along the water. Comfortable adirondack chairs placed at intervals along the boardwalk invite you to stop for a quiet respite.
Many of the guestrooms and suites offer a water view via picture windows or private patios.
Each room is comfortably situated and decorated with a tranquil color palette and patterns inspired by the waterfront setting and are ideally suited for rest and relaxation.
Speaking of relaxation, did we mention that Tides Inn has an onsite spa, offering massages, facials, body treatments and more to help you rejuvenate during your stay?
The inn’s restaurant, Salt & Meadow, remodeled and renamed in 2024, is a treasure, with a modern interior and stunning bar and lounge area. Elegant meals created by Chef de Cuisine Kyle Perkins feature seasonal fare, some of it sourced at the inn’s expanding gardens, lovingly tended by staff horticulturalist Matt Little.
You could spend an extremely satisfying few days at Tides Inn simply enjoying the property, your beautiful, comfortable room, and the delicious foods and drinks offered onsite.
But if you only did that you’d be missing out on something that makes the inn incredibly unique and a whole lot of fun.
You see, Tides Inn also offers a wide array of signature experiences — a series of only-at-theTides opportunities to explore, learn and create.
The inn’s Makerspace plays host to several of these experiences. Have you always wanted to get your hands into some clay and explore handbuilding or throwing pottery? This is the place to do it! Expert artists will instruct you on how to create a mug or planter, help you select glazes
and then fire your work for you. Your masterpieces will arrive at your doorstep weeks later, for you to reminisce about your trip long after you’ve arrived back home. Several other kinds of art classes are available in any given month; check the inn’s calendar to sign up prior to your arrival.
Owing to the inn’s location on Carter’s Creek, which feeds into the Rappahannock River, many of the most satisfying experiences at Tides Inn involve the water. Experience a variety of cruises at sunrise or sunset, with a custom picnic or while wine-tasting. Fishing or sailing charter cruises are available, too.
But possibly the most popular experience, and the one most worth choosing, is the Chesapeake Gold Oyster Experience. Offered only during prime oyster season, this experience takes guests on a two-hour escape around Carter’s Creek where you’ll learn all about the area’s most precious commodity, oysters, and efforts to repopulate the bay with them.
Guided by the Tides Inn ecologist, William Smiley, you’ll learn why oysters are the keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay and are ecologically essential for its health. You’ll help seed the shoreline with oyster shells and then enjoy a cold beer or glass of prosecco as Smiley shows you how to correctly open a fresh oyster, how and why to eat one raw, then grills up dozens for you and your fellow guests to enjoy. You’ll learn, you’ll laugh, and you’ll leave with a belly full of delicious oysters. It’s an experience not to be missed.
The inn’s experience offerings change seasonally. But no matter which season you visit, you’ll find the Tides Inn worth the trip.
The Tides Inn
480 King Carter Drive, Irvington, Virginia 804.438.5000 tidesinn.com F facebook.com/tidesinnvirginia d @tidesinn
Rustic Elegance & Historic Charm
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
AARCH Society Creates Hub for Education and Empowerment
Frederick’s African American history finally has a permanent home in sight.
After decades of visioning, planning and community collaboration, the African American Resources Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society officially broke ground on its heritage center at 125 E. All Saints St. in Downtown Frederick earlier this year.
A ceremony in February honored generations of advocacy while looking boldly to the future. Construction is expected to be complete by early August, with a grand opening planned for fall 2026.
The celebration will align with Frederick’s and the nation’s 250th anniversaries, highlighting African American contributions as central to both stories.
The new center marks a milestone in AARCH’s mission to preserve and celebrate the stories,
struggles and achievements of Frederick County’s Black community. Since its founding in 2002, AARCH has become a trusted resource for uncovering local Black history, often overlooked in a region known for its colonial and Civil War past.
“This center was born out of the conviction that Frederick’s story is incomplete without the voices of its Black residents,” said Dr. Olivia White, AARCH board president. “It’s a place where education, engagement and empowerment meet.”
The center fulfills a dream first imagined by the late William O. Lee, Jr., and carried forward by David Key and many others, including partners from the City of Frederick, Frederick Tourism, and the Maryland Historical Trust.
Inside, visitors will experience immersive exhibits, oral histories, and evocative artifacts, including a
vintage barber’s chair representing the social and cultural role of Black barbershops.
In addition to monthly programs, storytelling nights and genealogy workshops, the center will serve as a “living classroom” for students and families, connecting future generations with Frederick’s African American legacy.
More than a museum, the AARCH Heritage Center will be a space of remembrance, reflection and inspiration.
— Ellyn Wexler
African American Resources Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society aarchsociety.org
Lack of speech is a sign of autism. Learn the others at autismspeaks.org/signs.
Jacob Sanchez Diagnosed with autism
MARYLAND GOLF at its finest
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.
