July 2025 | Howard County Beacon

The Howard County

Howard cyclist gives bikes to kids

By Ed Warner

Ted Cochran of Columbia loves cycling — he’s biked 90 percent of all the rideable roads and trails in Howard County, by his estimation. He also helps thousands of Maryland children discover the joy of cycling.

The organization he founded seven years ago, Free Bikes 4 Kidz (FB4K) Maryland, annually refurbishes thousands of bicycles, gifting them to low-income schoolchildren, kids whose families might not have been able to afford a bike or might never have thought of cycling for pleasure or transportation.

So far the group has given away about 12,000 bikes. Last year alone, it gave away more than 3,000.

Most of its bikes were donations, but about a third of last year’s total had been left at the county landfill’s bike recycling location. Howard County is one of the nation’s wealthiest areas, but a quarter of its students are poor enough to qualify for free and reduced-cost meals.

A lifelong bicyclist, Cochran doesn’t want those kids to miss their chance to discover the sport. “I really want kids to be able to ride,” he said.

How it works

Over the course of a year, FB4K Maryland operates in, shall we say, cycles. Early in the year, volunteers collect bikes, moving them to one of several storage sites. (One site, at the Howard County landfill, collects and stores bikes for FB4K, making it the charity’s largest single provider of bikes).

FB4K Maryland gets really rolling, though, later in the year. As autumn approaches, Cochran begins to plan the October-December bike fix-up effort and the early December distribution. Every October, the group asks Howard residents to

drop off no-longer-used bikes at their local firehouse. This year that date is Oct. 4.

“We can use about every bike we get, even Schwinn Varsities,” noted Cochran, referring to a hallmark 10-speed bike of the 1970s.

In fact, the group has received donations of adult trikes, an electric bike or two, and enough unicycles for many circuses. (The unicycles went to the University of Maryland’s juggling club.)

Once at the warehouse, volunteers clean and repair the bikes, and then Cochran ver-

ifies that the job was done correctly.

The cost to FB4K of each bike it gives away was in 2024 just $20, and $10 of that is due to the helmet — each child gets a new one. (FB4K doesn’t provide locks because useful ones cost more than $30.)

In early December, the group hosts its two giveaway days. That’s when parents bring their kids — who schools, churches, nonprofits and government agencies refer based on need — to receive bikes, often

LEISURE &

An adventure on lush, laid-back Maui; plus, is Amtrak’s Auto Train to Florida worth it? page 10

ARTS & STYLE

After flying rescue missions to Haiti, Harrison Ford is honored for his “visionary” help page 19

Ted Cochran, who grew up in Columbia, Maryland, launched a nonprofit here that collects, repairs and distributes free bicycles to children.

PHOTO BY GAGE

…As others see us

When I sit down to write one of my columns, I often find that I have more to say than the space allows and I need to make cuts.

This month, I want to weave together some of those previously omitted thoughts to deliver a message of their own.

In my April column (“Say cheese!”), I noted that we tend to behave differently when we’re being watched or recorded. The mere act of being observed has a big impact.

In my June column (“Practice makes (im)perfect”), I noted that practice only makes perfect when the practice itself is perfect. I wrote there about a neurologist, Dr. Molly Gebrian, who said that only when athletes and musicians are careful not to make mistakes when practicing will they lay down the neural pathways in the brain that enable them to habitually perform an activity easily and without error. What I cut from that column for space was something else she said that tied into my April message.

come habitual, Gebrian suggested recording yourself while practicing, then listening closely and critiquing how you played, as if hearing someone else play it.

When you can hear how you play the way others would hear it, you are in a better position to judge your performance objectively. Then you can make the changes necessary to achieve the result you really want.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

The way we hear the sound of our own voice, the music we make with an instrument, even the intent and meaning behind the words we speak, are seldom identical to what others hear.

ently had we known how we sounded.

And we might — if we try — develop more empathy for others and their mistakes, once we realize how commonly we make them as well.

Once we become aware of all these things, we start to understand what’s needed to become better — both better at what we do and better people.

There’s a popular saying in business: “What’s measured improves.” Listening to ourselves is one way of measuring what we do and say, and may well lead to some substantial changes in our behavior.

An example of how seeing ourselves the way others do can enable us to improve can be found in popular lore. It’s said that when we die, we see our whole lives pass in front of us before we are “judged.” That way, we are reminded of the things we have done wrong.

of their actions from the perspective of those whom they affected.

They felt in each situation how they made others feel (including both physical and emotional pain), and heard what others were thinking about them and their behavior at the time.

NDEs are often life-changing for those who go through them, in part for this reason. It completely changes their perspective. They have been gifted a visceral ability to understand how others see and hear them, which brings about a profound change in their future behavior.

We are only human, and mistakes are a major way we learn. But if we can manage to stop repeating our mistakes, we stand a greater chance of changing a lifetime of bad habits and becoming the person we want to be.

For a pianist to fix a mistake that has be-

If you’ve ever seen a computer-generated transcript of a live presentation that’s not read from a script, you may be surprised by the number of ahs, uhs and misstatements even highly experienced speakers make. There are at least two major things we can expect to learn from making recordings and listening to ourselves more often and more objectively: We will become conscious of outright mistakes as well as statements or performances we would have done differ-

Beacon

TheBeacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Howard County area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Md. and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. Maryland residents add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Publisher/Editor Emeritus – Stuart P. Rosenthal

President/Associate Publisher – Judith K. Rosenthal

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

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There appears to be good evidence that something like this “life review” actually happens, as reported by thousands of people all over the world who have had “near death experiences” (NDEs).

This includes, for example, people who have medically “died” on the operating table or after being struck by lightning, but then are surprisingly resuscitated and report on what they saw and heard while “dead.”

A large percentage of these people say they not only saw their entire life in review, but that they were able to experience each

One way to do that is to try hearing and seeing ourselves as others do, and then acting accordingly. Sounds like a golden rule to me.

For information about near death experiences, see iands.org. There are also hundreds of personal videos from near death experiencers on YouTube. For a recent program on the subject with Dr. Mayim Bialik, visit: tinyurl.com/BialikNDE.

Letters to the editor

Readers are encouraged to share their opinions on any matter addressed in the Beacon as well as on political and social issues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915, or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification.

Dear Editor:

I hope the “tire change” is going well. Love to read the Beacon. I always grab a copy at my Safeway. Glad you are pursuing your love of music more now. Thank you, publisher and musician!

Craig Griffin Via YouTube

Dear Editor:

I was dismayed by the Leisure & Travel article, “See Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” in the Beacon’s May 2025 issue. The author, Glenda Booth, makes a passing reference to a major attraction of the park: “[V]isitors can walk, hike, bike, paddle or just drive...taking to the trails.” She never specifically mentions any of the hiking trails, focusing instead on the more mundane option to “just drive.”

has a great lodge, but that “unfortunately,” you have to negotiate an annoying mountain “on foot” to reach it.

The lodge is not the goal; it exists to allow hikers to rest, rather than attempting the strenuous round trip up the peak and back down in one day. Booth never mentions the name of the mountain: Mt. Le Conte. As the third-highest peak in the park, it offers spectacular views of nearly 360 degrees.

Hannah Klein Wheaton, MD

Dear Editor:

I recently met a woman at the local supermarket who told me that she recently retired from the federal government. When I asked if it was a forced retirement, she responded, “Let’s just say it came earlier than expected.”

The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 (410) 248-9101 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com

Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 23 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2025 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

Having visited the Smokies several times in my youth, I recall the awesome Alum Cave Bluffs, the spectacular views from Mt. Le Conte and Charlie’s Bunion, and the less arduous hike to Laurel Falls.

Booth’s article states, “Unfortunately, [the park’s one lodge] is accessible only by foot.” She seems to imply that the park

As for her retirement plans, she had none. She said that she was bored and lonely at home taking short walks, reading and watching Netflix.

So I told her about the Osher Learning Institute at George Mason University. There are lifelong learning programs affiliated

Health Fitness & Fitness & Health

Tomatoes, cheeseburgers and even dried fruit might keep you up at night P R

As we age, we need at least 60 grams of protein daily: Think fish, dairy, beans, nuts

G O O D M O O D S

Natural ways to feel happier: get outdoors, help out or practice gratitude

S

S

Sample the season’s healthiest foods: corn, cherries, mint and more

Think before asking Google for medical help

By Tom Murphy

“Dr. Google” is often on call for worried patients, but it may not give the best advice.

Doctors say internet searches for medical information should be done cautiously, especially with artificial intelligence playing a growing role.

Information from the right websites can teach patients about symptoms and prepare them for a doctor’s visit. But a poorly done search might inflame anxiety well before someone reaches the waiting room. It’s important to know the source of the information you find and to avoid trying to diagnose your health issue.

Here are questions to keep in mind if you seek medical help online.

What’s your source?

When you do a search, don’t automatically click the first link. It may not contain the best answers. That’s because some companies pay to have their websites listed at the top of a results page. Those links

may be listed as sponsored.

Scroll for results that come from a source you can trust for medical information. That can include big health systems like the Mayo Clinic or websites run by government agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We’ve gotten so used to clicking on that first link,” said John Grohol, a psychologist who specializes in online behavior. “For your health information, especially when it is personal, you want to think about it.”

Should I use AI?

That depends on what it tells you.

More people are using artificial intelligence (AI) to get quick answers pulled from a variety of internet sources. Some Google searches also will generate an AI summary at the top of the results page.

But an AI answer may not say where it got the information. That makes it hard to judge credibility.

AI also can be prone to “hallucinations,” an industry term for issues that cause the

technology to make stuff up. Be especially wary of this if no source is cited.

What should I ask?

How you phrase a question plays a big role in the results you see. Doctors say patients should search for information based on symptoms, not an expected diagnosis.

“You’ve got to ask at the very beginning the right questions,” said Dr. Eric Boose of the Cleveland Clinic.

That means asking, “What could cause a lump to form under my skin?” instead of “Is the lump under my skin cancer?”

Focusing on a diagnosis means you may miss other explanations, especially if you just click the first few links listed in the results.

For some issues, you should skip the search altogether. If you are having chest pains, experiencing dizziness of showing signs of a stroke, seek help immediately.

“You don’t want to delay something that should be treated within a certain amount of time,” said Dr. Olivier Gherardi, medical

director of Brown University Health Urgent Care.

Can the internet diagnose a problem?

No. Leave that to the real doctors who are trained to ask questions that lead to a diagnosis.

Blood in your urine could mean cancer. It also might be caused by kidney stones or an infection.

Unexplained weight loss also could be a sign of cancer. Or it could reflect an overactive thyroid or a new job that causes you to move around more.

Some testing and a visit with a doctor who knows your medical history may be the best medicine in these situations.

“There are a lot of symptoms that overlap between minor conditions and major medical problems,” said Dr. Sarah Sams, a board member with the American Academy of Family Physicians.

© 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Shingles vaccine may fight dementia

By Lauran Neergaard

A vaccine to fight dementia? It turns out there may already be one — shots that prevent painful shingles also appear to protect aging brains. A new study found shingles vaccination cut older adults’ risk of developing dementia over the next seven years by 20 percent.

The research, published last month in the journal Nature, is part of growing understanding about how many factors influence brain health as we age — and what we can do about it.

“It’s a very robust finding,” said lead researcher Dr. Pascal Geldsetzer of Stanford University. And “women seem to benefit more,” important as they’re at higher risk of dementia.

The study tracked people in Wales who were around 80 when receiving the world’s first-generation shingles vaccine over a decade ago. Now, Americans 50 and older are urged to get a newer vaccine that’s proven more effective against shingles than its predecessor.

The new findings add another reason for people to consider rolling up their

sleeves, said Dr. Maria Nagel of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, who studies viruses that infiltrate the nervous system.

The virus “is a risk for dementia, and now we have an intervention that can decrease the risk,” Nagel said.

With Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia on the rise in an aging population, “the implications of the study are profound,” Dr. Anupam Jena, a Harvard physician and health economist, wrote in the Nature commentary.

What is shingles?

Anyone who’s had ever had chickenpox — nearly everybody born before 1980 — harbors that virus for the rest of their life. It hides in nerves and can break out when the immune system weakens from illness or age, causing painful, blister-like sores typically on one side of the body that last for weeks — what’s called shingles.

About 1 in 3 Americans will get shingles, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While most recover, it sometimes causes severe complica-

tions. If it infects an eye it can cause vision loss. Up to 20 percent of shingles patients suffer excruciating nerve pain months or even years after the rash itself is gone.

What’s the link between shingles and dementia?

It’s not clear exactly how Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia form. But certain viruses that sneak inside the nervous system — especially members of the herpes family including the chickenpox virus — have long been suspected of adding to genetic and other factors that make people more vulnerable.

Last summer, doctors at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital reported that an episode of shingles could raise someone’s risk of dementia by about 20 percent.

Partly, it’s because that virus can cause inflammation that is bad for organs, including the brain. It also can directly infect blood vessels in the brain, causing clots and impeding blood flow, said Colorado’s Nagel, a risk both for strokes and for dementia.

More intriguing, her lab also discovered shingles can spur formation of a sticky pro-

tein called amyloid that’s one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Do shingles vaccines protect against dementia?

Adults who get recommended vaccines tend to have other brain-healthy habits including exercising and a good diet, which made it hard to prove an extra benefit.

Stanford’s Geldsetzer took advantage of “a natural experiment” in Wales, which opened shingles vaccinations with an age limit: anyone 80 or older on Sept. 1, 2013, was ineligible but those still 79 could squeeze in. Comparing seniors who just met or just missed that cutoff would mimic a research study that randomly assigned otherwise similar people to be vaccinated or not.

Geldsetzer’s team analyzed more than 280,000 medical records and found evidence that vaccination did offer some protection against dementia. At the time, people received a first-generation vaccine called Zostavax.

The worst foods to eat before going to bed

By Christina Manian, RDN

As we all know, it’s best to try to give your body some time to digest before lying down for the night. Eating too late makes you feel too full when you’re trying to comfortably snooze.

Watch out for these foods, which could keep you up way longer than you’d like.

1. Tomatoes: “For those with acid reflux problems, tomatoes and other acidic foods can cause pain and discomfort in the esophagus when you lie down,” said Kelly Jones, M.S., RD, CSSD, LDN. Enjoy them earlier in the day, when you’ll be upright, and be sure to eat them with other non-acidic foods that balance out the reaction in your stomach.

2. Cheeseburgers: A cheeseburger (just like all foods) can be enjoyed from time to time as part of a healthy eating pattern. But late night isn’t the best time to enjoy them.

Shingles

From page 4

An important next step is testing whether today’s vaccine, Shingrix, also offers dementia protection, Nagel said. Another research group recently reported some evidence that it does. Vaccine manufacturer GSK last month announced a collaboration with UK health officials to track seniors’ cognitive health as they get vaccinated.

Geldsetzer also hopes to further study that earlier shot to see if the type of vaccine might make a difference.

What are the shingles vaccine recommendations?

Shingrix is a onetime vaccination, given in two doses a few months apart. The CDC recommends it starting at age 50 for most

“The excessive amounts of saturated fat can slow gastric emptying, leaving food in your stomach, and blood flow directed there while you’re trying to fall asleep,” Jones said. This can cause the body’s hormones to shift to digestion and absorption, rather than sleep.

3. Donuts : Remember that thing called a sugar rush? Definitely not the best option before hitting the hay. Save your donut to have with an omelet in the morning (some good protein!) or as a special treat from time to time.

“This food is both fried and high in sugar, which can cause digestive discomfort and blood-sugar reactions for some people,” Jones said.

4. Chocolate: “While it’s many people’s favorite way to snack at night, chocolate does contain caffeine,” Jones said. Caffeine can be stimulating, so if you’re sensi-

people but also for younger adults with certain immune-weakening conditions — including those who years ago got that first-generation shingles vaccine. Fewer than 40 percent of eligible Americans have gotten vaccinated.

Side effects including injection-site pain and flu-like fever and achiness are common. The CDC cautions if you’re currently fighting another virus such as the flu or Covid-19, to wait on a shingles shot until you’re well.

While there’s no proven prevention for dementia, doctors also recommend other commonsense steps to lower the risk. Stay socially and cognitively active. Control high blood pressure and, for people with diabetes, high blood sugar, both of which are linked to cognitive decline.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

tive, you’ll want to steer clear.

“Many people opt for dark chocolate because it’s lower in sugar and higher in antioxidants, but it’s higher in caffeine as well, so those sensitive to it may have trouble falling asleep,” Jones said.

5. Dried fruit: Dried fruit is high in fiber and naturally-occurring sugar, both of which can lead to an overactive digestive system too close to bedtime.

Fiber has many amazing health benefits, but when you’re chowing down on dried fruit late at night, you may end up having a little too much fiber too soon, which can lead to gas and bloating that might keep you (or your partner) up at night. Instead, stick with a small serving of fresh fruit, like a small apple or a cup of berries.

6. Spicy foods: Go mild when close to bedtime, as spicy foods — like chili peppers and certain sauces and condiments

— can be more acidic and lead to digestive discomfort. Plus, if you have acid reflux, spicy foods may act as a trigger, making it hard to sleep.

7. Pizza: Don’t get us wrong, pizza is absolutely delicious, but it’s a doozy for quality sleep. Acidic tomato sauce, high-fat cheese and refined bread might leave your tummy rumbling when you go to lay down. If you do eat a slice or two close to bedtime, go with a healthier thin-style crust (like a cauliflower or whole-wheat crust), opt for light versus heavy cheese if possible, and swap the marinara sauce for something light, like an olive-oil based sauce.

EatingWell is a magazine and website devoted to healthy eating as a way of life. Online at eatingwell.com.

© 2024 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR FREE INFORMATION

For free materials about area housing communities, just complete and clip this coupon and mail, or take a picture and email, to the Beacon.

Housing Communities

o Brooke Grove (see ad on page 24)

o Charlestown (see ad on page 6)

o Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 8)

o Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 8)

o Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 8)

o Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 8)

o Residences at Vantage Point (see ad on page 1)

Get enough protein; plus, tricks to perk up

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I am worried about losing muscle mass now that I am in my 60s. How much protein do I need to help prevent it?

A: Age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a natural part of aging. Sufficient protein intake and strength training are two ways to maintain muscle mass and

combat sarcopenia.

Many people, even at younger ages, don’t get their optimal daily protein intake, especially if they also are cutting calories to lose weight.

The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein is 0.8 gram per kilogram of body weight, or about 0.36 gram per pound. However, most experts suggest greater

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP (VIRTUAL)

This group for caregivers of adults meets online on the third Monday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Discussions focus on everyday issues, such as stress management, resources and caregiving techniques. For registration information and the link, contact Karen Hull at (410) 313-7466 or khull@howardcountymd.gov or Elaine Widom at (410) 313-7353 or ewidom@howardcountymd.gov.

SIGN UP FOR MARYLAND SENIOR OLYMPICS

Are you 50 or older? Then it’s time to sign up to participate in the Maryland Senior Olympics (and you don’t even have to reside in Maryland). Table tennis is scheduled for July, while bowling, racquetball, golf and other events take place in August, September and October. The first event costs $15 to $50; additional ones are $5 each. To register, visit mdseniorolympics.org.

daily dietary protein intake than the RDA, 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight (about 75 grams per day for a 150pound person). People trying to regain muscle mass after an injury or illness should aim for even more, up to 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight, but no more than 2.0.

The body can make use of only 20 to 30 grams of dietary protein at one time. So there is no benefit from getting most of your daily protein from one meal. Instead, try to evenly distribute your protein over breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

It’s important to get a realistic estimate of how much protein you consume daily. People tend to over- or underestimate how much protein they actually eat. Track your protein intake with each meal for a week to get a daily average. Read labels and assess your protein per serving as accurately as possible, rather than guessing at amounts.

Once you have a general idea of your usual intake, you can adjust it as needed. Your protein should focus on high-quality food sources, like lean poultry, fish, dairy, and plant-based foods, such as soy, legumes, nuts and whole grains.

Another option is whey protein powder or vegan powders made from soy, peas or brown rice. They can be added to oatmeal and smoothies or stirred into a glass of water. Because powders come with measuring

scoops, they can help you track how many protein grams you add to your daily diet.

In addition to sufficient protein intake, maintaining muscle mass also requires two to three sessions per week of strength training. To help maximize muscle growth and improve recovery, consume a portion of your daily protein within 30 minutes to one hour after your strength training workout, through either a drink or snack.

Q: What are some natural ways to help boost your mood and energy when you feel stressed and worn out?

A: “Down” episodes are common and usually pass, but sometimes, you get stuck in a mental and emotional rut. When that happens, here are some strategies that can help pull you out.

Get moving. Exercise stimulates your brain’s production of endorphins — chemicals that create a sense of euphoria.

A review of more than 1,000 trials published online on Feb. 16, 2023, by the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that compared with people who were sedentary, those who engaged in regular physical activity, like walking, resistance training, Pilates and yoga, reduced their anxiety levels and improved mild depression-related symptoms.

Other research suggests aerobic exer-

Add these summer superfoods to your list

By Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner

Summer is arguably the best season for eating fresh produce, and it’s a top time to fill up on superfoods. Though it’s not an official scientific category, superfoods are noted by nutrition specialists as foods that are especially nutritionally dense and offer multiple benefits in each serving. Superfoods can help with building a strong immune system, support gut health, and do so much more.

Here are the best summer superfoods to stock up on ASAP.

Cherries

Nothing hits like a ripe summertime cherry. “Cherries are great for snacking poolside, and easy on the go,” said Joanna Gregg, RD at MyFitnessPal. “They’re full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and protect the body from cell damage.” They’re also high in potassium and vitamin C.

“Cherries have a lower glycemic index than many other fruits,” added Jennifer House, M.Sc., RD and founder of First Step Nutrition. “They are rich in polyphe-

Mood boosters

From page 6

cise can have a powerful effect on mood. Any type of exercise is helpful. Your exercise could be as simple as tending your garden or working on house projects.

Hang out with nature. Scientists believe spending time in a natural environment can calm neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region associated with negative emotions. Research also has found that interacting with nature can lower blood pressure and cortisol, the stress hormone. The type of setting doesn’t matter as long as you find it soothing.

Train your brain. Engaging in mentally stimulating activities like painting and other art forms, learning to play a musical instrument, or learning a language can be a great mood booster, as they provide a sense of accomplishment.

Practice gratitude. Identifying and writing down things for which you are grateful can help offset feeling anxious or stressed. Begin a journal to record these examples of gratitude. Your entries might include bigpicture items like your ability to exercise daily and enjoy a circle of close friends, or

nol compounds, which may protect against metabolic syndrome. Plus, cherries contain anthocyanins, which may contribute to brain health and protect against cancer.”

Sweet corn

Is any summer meal complete without corn in some form? And yes, corn is a summer superfood. “It’s a good source of vitamins and minerals, and one medium ear has 2 grams of fiber,” Gregg said, noting that this fiber acts as prebiotics to aid digestion and gut health.

Tomatoes

An abundance of tomatoes is great for your tastebuds and health. “Tomatoes get their bright red color from lycopene, a potent antioxidant that reduces inflammation throughout the body and may improve conditions such as diabetes, skin and bone diseases, heart complications, and prevention of certain types of cancers, according to a 2020 review in Antioxidants ,” explained Lauren Fleck, M.S., RD.

Another antioxidant, lutein, is linked to

even satisfying occurrences like a friendly exchange at a store. Try to provide details about why you are thankful and how these items improve your outlook. You don’t have to write every day — some studies have found that even just once a week is helpful.

Lend a helping hand. You can reap many emotional rewards through volunteering. A study of older adults found that people who volunteered at least two hours per week felt happier and more optimistic than those who didn’t. Volunteering also can boost selfesteem by providing a sense of purpose.

Make time to meditate. Practicing meditation can help you reduce stress by focusing on the present moment rather than ruminating about the past or future.

[Ed. Note: Music is also a mood-altering method, according to NIH.]

If your symptoms last for two weeks or longer or begin to interfere with daily life — for instance, if you’re not sleeping well, becoming more isolated, or losing interest in favorite activities — you should talk with your doctor.

Howard LeWine, M.D. is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

© 2025 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

improved eye health, heart health, and sustained cognitive function, Gregg notes. She recommends adding fresh tomatoes to salads or sandwiches, or enjoying small tomatoes as a snack.

Mint

This bountiful herb can be a great flavor agent in summer food and drink recipes, and it’s also a superfood. “Mint is an aromatic herb that is in-season throughout summer and packed with nutrients such as vitamin A and other antioxidants to protect against cell damage,” Fleck said.

According to a 2022 review in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, menthol — a key component of mint leaves — may help relieve mild digestive concerns such as gas, bloating and indigestion. Fleck recommends adding it to fruit salads or carbonated water, or brewing it in hot water for tea or iced tea.

Mushrooms

Eat fungus in abundance this summer! “Mushrooms are one of the few food

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

sources of vitamin D,” House said. “They are low-calorie and very nutrient-dense, containing 12 vitamins and minerals. Mushrooms are also one of the few sources of the amino acid ergothioneine, which is an antioxidant that supports brain health. Grilled portobello mushrooms make a great burger bun [or burger] alternative in the summer.”

Blueberries

Fill up on blueberries all season; they’re so good for you. “Anthocyanins are antioxidants that give blueberries their deep color and provide numerous health benefits, such as prevention of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cognitive decline, and support of a healthy gut,” Fleck said. Add blueberries to yogurt, salads and smoothies, or simply enjoy them on their own.

Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at realsimple.com.

© 2025 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

TEACH ENGLISH TO REFUGEES

Want to help immigrants and refugees learn English? The Washington English Center seeks volunteers to teach online or in person. No prior experience is needed; training and support will be provided. You can also be a writing tutor or an online conversation tutor. For more information, visit washingtonenglish.org/volunteers or call (202) 387-2222.

Natural ways to calm small fiber neuropathy

If you’re dealing with strange nerve symptoms such as burning, tingling or electric shock sensations, small fiber neuropathy (SFN) might be the culprit. This condition affects the tiny, unmyelinated nerves responsible for pain, temperature and autonomic functions.

One overlooked cause? Mutations or dysfunction in sodium channels, which act like electrical gates in your nerves. In SFN, these gates can malfunction — staying open too long or firing too often — leading to pain, tingling or weird symptoms like heart palpitations and digestive issues. Blocking or modulating them helps calm the storm.

excitability by blocking sodium channels, but did you know there are natural compounds that do too?

While clinical trials are still lacking, I’ve researched promising options and compiled them into a handy downloadable guide on my website (see below).

DEAR PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

Certain medications calm nerve hyper-

Let’s look at four natural sodium channel blockers first. Even though they are available without a prescription, consult your doctor about how these would affect your current medication protocol.

Alpha-lipoic acid

This supplement reduces oxidative stress and stabilizes nerve membranes, indirectly calming sodium channels. The ap-

proximate dosage is 600 mg once or twice daily.

Caution: This lowers blood sugar and helps with some complications of diabetes, so monitor closely and double-check with your doc if you use insulin or diabetic meds.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBD modulates ion channels like Nav1.7, which plays a role in pain and inflammation. Start low (10 to 25 mg) and adjust as needed.

Caution: May interact with medications (especially CYP450 substrates such as warfarin, atorvastatin or clopidogrel), potentially altering their effectiveness or increasing the risk of side effects.

Capsaicin (chili pepper extract)

Chili pepper extract temporarily overstimulates pain nerves, then desensitizes

ENTERPRISE RESIDENTIAL

MOST COMMUNITIES ARE 62 AND BETTER

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180

Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301

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Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445

Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660

Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000

The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000

The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988

Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

Park View at Dundalk: 410-288-5483 • 55 & Better

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

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Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

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EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

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PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

Park View at Bladensburg: 301-699-9785 • 55 & Better

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

them. It may influence sodium and TRPV1 channels. Apply it topically with a cream sold online or at pharmacies. There are prescription-strength patches available with a doctor’s order.

Caution: Expect initial burning; do not apply to broken skin. Always remember to wash your hands well and avoid touching your eyes and mouth.

Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA)

These strengthen nerve membranes and reduce inflammation and sodium influx. Dose: 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily (combined EPA/DHA).

Caution: May thin blood, which is considered helpful; however, consult your doctor if you take anticoagulants.

If you have hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s, these conditions will worsen sensations of SFN. Also, SFN is a known complication of diabetes, even if you have wellmanaged glucose.

You can download my free guide at my website, suzycohen.com. Also, consider signing up for my free email newsletter. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

PRIDE DISCUSSION GROUP FOR SENIORS (VIRTUAL)

Join Senior Planet from AARP for a weekly social hour and connect with other older adults in the LGBT+ community. This group meets on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. on Zoom. To join, email info@seniorplanet.org for the meeting link.

Ongoing

The Marylanders Online call center offers free one-on-one tech support in English and Spanish to Maryland residents. Techs can help with devices, including software and hardware, internet service, digital skills classes and more. They are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (301) 405-9810 or toll-free 1-866-206-9467. For more information, visit marylandersonline.umd.edu.

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Travel Leisure &

Maui’s beauty comes with a mellow vibe

By Sandi Barrett

The laid-back vibe on Maui might be the perfect antidote to the frantic hustle of our everyday world: sunshine, beaches, lush tropical plants and exotic flowers.

My husband, Chris, and I spent some time on Maui last winter, our first visit since the Lahaina fire. While downtown Lahaina is open only to local residents, there are reassuring signs of a slow recovery. Most places in West Maui have reopened to tourists.

Visitors can venture out and explore the island on a drive, stopping to take in the views, or go for a hike. In one day, you can see humpback whales breaching and then snorkel with brightly colored fish in undulating hues of blues and yellow.

Whether you simply relax at the beach, enjoy some on-the-water adventures, golf or hit the hiking trails, Maui should be your next bucket-list vacation spot.

Haleakala ¯ National Park

Hiking is one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of a place, and Haleakala ¯ National Park offers intrepid hikers otherworldly views. From deep valleys to rocky outcrops, winding trails lead you through a panorama of shapeshifting colors and textures.

We hired a guide for our Haleakala¯ exploration. An in-the-know local dedicated to ensuring that your adventure is enjoy-

able and safe lets you focus on the experience. Plus, a great guide knows all the best spots, so you won’t waste time and energy getting lost.

The most spectacular trail is the Keonehe’ehe’e (Sliding Sands) Trail. The 11mile trek is a wonder of changing landscapes, from tropical to desert. Of course you need not hike the entire length; you can park at various spots and hike small, manageable sections. Near the summit, the alpine desert is breathtaking and worth the short, strenuous stroll.

Whale watching

It’s always rewarding when you can help the environment and have fun at the same time. A sail with PacWhale Eco-Adventures supports the nonprofit Pacific Whale Foundation and contributes to saving Hawaii’s humpback whales. The company’s Adult Sunset Sail is a relaxing, enjoyable evening on the water. It’s BYOB but includes a delicious selection of pu¯pu¯ (appetizers).

Of course, the stars of the evening are the whales. In the winter months they show off their best mating moves — like a dance club pick-up scene with males vying for attention.

Take a drive

The infamous Road to Hana is an adventure in mountain driving. A lesser-known tra-

verse is through the Mauna Kah¯al¯awai, the West Maui Mountains. Switchbacks, hairpin turns and one-lane roads add a sense of adventure to your sightseeing.

Many say the white-knuckling West Maui Mountains drive is more unnerving than the Road to Hana. No matter whether you decide to drive east or west, plan to go early, as there are limited streetlights and guardrails. You don’t want to be driving on these roads in the dark.

Snorkeling and golf

Snorkeling near Molokini Crater was an exciting excursion. Darting fish in an array of vibrant colors kept my head on a swivel because I didn’t want to miss a thing.

Many companies offer snorkeling tours, but we went with PacWhale Eco-Adventures again because I liked that they are a nonprofit working to keep the ocean clean.

Although we snorkeled just once, we golfed almost every day. Hitting the links on Maui makes for a peaceful early morning. I suggest booking tee times that avoid the scorching midday sun so you can enjoy verdant fairways, fast greens, sneaky traps and stunning vistas.

If you go

Round-trip flights to Maui start at $440.

Maui’s average year-round temperature bounces between the mid-50s and mid-70s. For fewer crowds, visit in April, May, September, October or November.

There are so many wonderful places to visit on Maui, and the island is fairly compact, making every corner of the island accessible.

My favorite spot on Maui is the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa on Ka¯’anapali Beach in Lahaina — it’s the essence of Hawaii. Cozy cabanas encircle a lagoon-style pool with views of the beach. Each evening, the cliff diving ritual off Black Rock closes out the day in spectacular fashion. For the ultimate getaway, stay in the Moana Oceanfront rooms, clifftop suites with panoramic views. When it comes time for sustenance, Duke’s Beach House on North Beach in Ka¯’anapali delivers reasonably priced grub with a premier on-the-beach view. Split an order of Kimo’s Original Hula Pie with your favorite dinner date; it is sublime.

Celebrity and James Beard Award-winning Chef Roy Yamaguchi’s Hawaiian fusion restaurant, Roy’s, is the spot for a celebratory dinner. Located in the clubhouse of Ka¯’anapali Golf Course, the casual-chic establishment plates the best local ingredients with an upscale flair.

Black Rock Beach in Lahaina in West Maui is one of the island’s most popular spots. At sunset every evening, cliff divers illuminate the lava outcrop with torches, then jump off Black Rock.

PHOTO BY SANDI BARRETT

Maui or Mars? Haleakala¯ National Park’s Sliding Sands Trail leads intrepid hikers through an otherworldly, volcanic landscape.

PHOTO BY SANDI BARRETT

The Auto Train provides stress-free travel. See story on opposite page.

The Auto Train is part of your vacation

By Victor Block

Last winter my wife, Fyllis, and I, along with our 2015 Honda, headed for warmer weather. Rather than navigating the car, though, we watched a movie and then enjoyed an excellent dinner with a fine wine.

We were able to savor this pleasant journey to Florida because we were passengers on the Amtrak Auto Train. While we relaxed in our comfortable sleeper compartment, our car was riding with us elsewhere on the train.

In addition to being a convenient way to travel, the Auto Train from Lorton, Virginia — less than an hour from Washington, D.C. — is more than just a mode of transportation. The train ride becomes part of your vacation experience, a transition from everyday life to a warm getaway.

Before deciding to ride the rails, Fyllis and I did a bit of research. Driving 900 miles meant hours of traffic tension; the cost of meals, hotels, gas and tolls; and wear and tear on our vehicle. Plus, we’d save on the cost of renting a car in Florida.

While our total expenditure would have been less than the train, we concluded that the benefits of train travel exceeded any monetary savings.

As we arrived at the station in Lorton, metal palm trees provided a hint of what awaits passengers at the end of the journey.

As vehicles were loaded into two-level train cars, I glanced around the waiting room and concluded that the majority of passengers were people who, like me, were older adults who chose to avoid the long drive to Florida.

A conductor later explained that most Auto Train riders in the winter are middleaged and older snowbirds seeking to escape frigid weather.

During the spring and summer seasons the train is known as the Disney Train, whisking families to Orlando to visit Disney World and the other amusement parks.

Hands-on help available

When we reached our sleeper car, Debbie, a congenial on-board cabin attendant, greeted us, directed us to our cabin and asked if we needed help with our carry-on luggage. We didn’t because our larger suitcases remained in the car.

Fyllis and I could have stretched our dollars further by choosing to ride coach and sleeping in a reclining seat. Instead, we decided to splurge on a bedroom. When we were ready to turn in for the night, Debbie transformed the seats into comfortable upper and lower beds.

If we had more questions or required assistance, we could press the call button in our bedroom, and Debbie would show up

to answer or help. She told us that she and the conductors stroll through the car during the night in case anyone needs anything.

Our roomette was compact but had enough conveniences for our basic needs, including a private bathroom with a shower and a miniscule sink. We also had ample storage space for our luggage, adequate lighting and temperature controls.

Dinner and a movie

While we could have dined in our room, Fyllis and I chose to sip an adult beverage in the lounge before being seated in the dining car.

Talk about a moveable feast! The white tablecloth was decorated with a vase of fresh roses, the silverware was immaculate, and the food — I devoured a steak, Fyllis chose salmon — rivaled that of a first-rate restaurant.

Dinner seatings are available at 5, 7 and 9 p.m., and continental breakfast is offered between 6 and 8 a.m.

While a conductor occasionally described over the intercom what town or interesting site the train was rolling past, we thought there could have been more announcements about practical matters, such as why we made sporadic stops.

When we asked, we were told that be-

cause there are stretches of single track, we were literally side-tracked to allow another train to pass.

When we awoke and looked out the window, we saw sun and palm trees rather than the snow flurries and dark sky we spotted at the beginning of our journey. We arrived at the Sanford, Florida station at 9:30 a.m., well rested and ready for a vacation. We had avoided many hours of driving, staying in hotels and scarfing meals at restaurants along the way — and were ready for all the sun and fun that Florida offers.

If you go

The Auto Train isn’t cheap, but passengers 65 and older receive a 10% discount on all Amtrak travel. Our total fare, including our bedroom, automobile transport and meals, was $1,871. We guesstimated that the cost of hotels, food, fuel and wearand-tear on the car would have been about two-thirds that much.

While the bedrooms are comfortable for most people, they’re not suitable for very tall folks (basketball players, take note). Also, our train encountered countless bumps and lurches, so the ride was very different from the much smoother rail trips I’ve experienced in Japan and Europe. For more information, visit amtrak.com.

R PA RIDE. ARK & .

Upcoming Programs for 50 Years + Recreation & Parks

To view all of our programs and activities, visit www.HowardCountyMD.gov/rap.

Special Events

July is Recreation and Parks Month

Join Howard County Recreation & Parks as we celebrate with FREE movie/game nights, fitness, food trucks, concerts, and more. There is something for everyone! Enjoy a month of free activities that are fun for the whole family. Info: www.howardcountymd.gov/recandparksmonth.

Summer Concert Series

Bring a blanket and a picnic while enjoying the musical sounds of summer. Concerts begin at 7pm.

Wednesday, July 9Grayson MoonCentennial Park

Wednesday, July 16Sons of PiratesCentennial Park

Wednesday, July 23I&I RiddimCentennial Park

Thursday, July 31SouthlandWest Friendship Park

Wednesday, August 6Bach to RockCentennial Park Info: www.howardcountymd.gov/summerconcerts.

Nite Bite Fishing

Have you ever wanted to fish at Centennial Lake at night? Now’s your chance! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, and chair or boat. On-site registration only; all anglers must be checked in by 7pm. Those under 16 years old must be accompanied by a registered adult. Complete details available at www.howardcountymd.gov/nightfishing. Our remaining 2025 Nite Bite fishing dates are: 7/11, 7/25, 8/8, 8/22, 9/12, 9/26, 10/10, 10/24. Fish from 6pm until midnight. All ages Centennial Pk South Boat LaunchF$5

Wild for Water Day

Don’t stay dry! Join us for our biggest summer event at the center. Enjoy water games and experiments for the whole family. Participate in a river treasure hunt. Meet live creatures that depend on rivers and streams. Explore the wonders of snow, ice and water in the “stages of water” area for little ones. Food trucks on-site. On-site parking is limited. (Free off-site parking with complimentary shuttle available.) Info: 410-313-0400 or www.howardcountymd.gov/wild-water-day.

All agesRobinson Nature Ctr$8 member; $10 nonmember; Free 0-2 yrs

RP4828.401Jul 1310am-3:30pmSu

Blockbusters at Belmont

Join us at Belmont Manor & Historic Park for family-friendly, outdoor movie nights this summer! On the third Thursday of the month through October, our large inflatable screen is set-up in the formal gardens behind the manor house, providing a serene backdrop for movie goers of all ages. You are invited to bring a blanket or lawn chair. The movie starts at dusk. Advance registration is encouraged as parking is limited. Sponsorships available (email: belmontmanormd@howardcountymd.gov).

General Info: 410-313-0200.

All agesBelmont ManorFree (donations are welcome)

RP9901.402Jul 178pm (Dusk)Th

Play For All Fest

Celebrate equity and inclusion of all individuals. Event promotes disability awareness by providing an opportunity for children, adults, their families, and the general community to come to the park for a day of fun activities for all ages and abilities. Celebrate and reaffirm Howard County’s commitment to being an accepting and inclusive community for all. Visit with first responders and elected representatives. Learn about the autism community. Enjoy interactive play, entertainers, face painting, and more. Info: Susan Potts, 410-313-4628 or spotts@howardcountymd.gov.

All agesBlandair Pk NorthFree Jul 2710am-2pmSu

Rockburn Open Car Show

Come celebrate the beauty of classic, antique, hot rods, and modified cars on display outdoors at Rockburn Branch Park. Food available for purchase. Info: Susan Harry, sharry@howardcountymd.gov or 410-313-4635.

All agesRockburn Branch PkFree to visitors, exhibitor fees below Aug 910am-2pmSa

RP4099.401Car Entries $10, preregister; $15, on-site registration

RP4099.402Car Flea Market Vendor $25, preregister; $30, on-site registration

RP4099.403Car Sales $20, preregister; $30, on-site registration Book Your Wedding at Belmont Manor or Waverly Mansion

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/activeaging50 for more 50 yrs + programs!

Dance

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

LaBlast with Carol Asher

ing mind,

LaBlast is a revolutionary, partner-free program based on the dances seen on Dancing with the Stars! It fuses ballroom dance into a calorie-burning workout. Take your mind, body, and soul through ballroom dances from different countries and cultures.

50 yrs +Classes: 6

RP3561.401Roger Carter CCJul 91:30-2:30pmW$72

Fitness

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

Balance and Strength with Kathy Whelan, ACE, GFI

This class offers a combination of strength training, balance drills, and stretching to help strengthen the body and core, improve posture, and decrease your risk of falling. Modifications are offered so you that you may comfortably achieve the benefits of each exercise. You must be able to get up and down from the floor. Classes use an exercise/ yoga mat, light to moderate weights (3-8lbs), flat resistance bands, and a chair for certain exercises. Class is held online via Zoom.

50 yrs + Classes: 7

RP3515.401OnlineJul 169-10amW$56

Pilates with Lori Nowicki, AAAI, AFPA

Pilates is the ultimate mind, body exercise program. This class is an intermediate class; experience needed. Strengthen your core, legs, and arms, and increase your flexibility. Focus is on core strength, balance, breathing, and alignment. You need a stability ball. Class is held online via Zoom.

50 yrs +Meets twice a weekClasses: 16

RP8154.401OnlineJul 89:15-10amTu,Th$112

Pop Up Yoga with Kathy Greisman

Relax while you take in the sights and surrounding beauty of nature as you get fit and improve your health in this outdoor yoga class. Classes held under the tent at the Belmont Manor and Historic Park. Join us for the classes that fit your schedule.

50 yrs +Classes: 1

RP3541.405Belmont ManorJul 99-10amW$14

RP3541.406Belmont ManorJul 16 9-10amW$14

RP3541.407 Belmont Manor Jul 23 9-10amW$14

RP3541.408 Belmont Manor Jul 30 9-10amW$14

RP3541.409 Belmont Manor Aug 6 9-10amW$14

Lifelong Learning

• Info: Tessa Hurd, 410-313-7311 or thurd@howardcountymd.gov.

NEW! Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy

Learn about the world of genealogy! Gain an understanding of the basics of family history research, the important tools needed to perform research, and how to navigate the information. Learn strategies to help you organize your research. You should have computer literacy. Bring a laptop or tablet to each class.

50 yrs +Instructor: Karen GieseClasses: 3

RP3500.402Gary J Arthur CCJul 10 1-2:30pm Th $72

How to Use Your Phone/Tablet Effectively

Learn how to connect your iPhone with your iPad. Discover useful free apps. Learn about backing up your phone and how to use voice communication. Bring your smart phone and/or tablet.

50 yrs +Instructor: Constance LoweClasses: 1

RP3523.402N Laurel CC Jul 1110-11amF$25

•

Info: Tracy Adkins, 410-313-7279 or tadkins@howardcountymd.gov.

Choptank Cruise and Crab Feast

Join us for a spectacular crab feast lunch prepared by the Suicide Bridge Restaurant aboard the Choptank Riverboat Company’s reproduction of an authentic 80foot turn-of-the-century paddle wheeler. The fully enclosed lower deck has air conditioning and stunning views of the Choptank River and Maryland’s Eastern Shore! This is the perfect summertime event!

21 yrs +Bus provided

RP4545.401Jul 189am-5pmF$189

National Museum of African American History and Culture – Washington, D.C.

This Smithsonian Institution opened in September 2016 and remains one of the world’s most popular museums. Enjoy learning about the richness and diversity of the African American experience and how they helped shape this nation. The museum hosts almost 37,000 artifacts in its elaborate collection related to community & family, visual & performing arts, religion, civil rights, slavery, and segregation. The museum includes Harriet Tubman’s hymnal, Nat Turner’s Bible, a plantation cabin from South Carolina, Michael Jackson’s fedora, and works by prolific artists such as Charles Alston, Elizabeth Catlett, Romare Bearden, and Henry O. Tanner. Visit the museum’s gift shop. Enjoy eating lunch at the Sweet Home Café inside the museum. Join us for a truly remarkable and inspirational day.

18 yrs +Bus provided

RP4557.401Jul 24 9 am-3 pm Th$95

Fall Escape: Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Enjoy comfortable transportation, five days/four nights of accommodations, breakfast, and three dinners as Cape Cod’s wonders unfold before you! Relax by the serene waters of Hyannis Harbor, tour the bustling city of Boston, shop at Quincy Market, or find a treasure in the artist town of Provincetown. Historic sites, landmarks, sandy dunes, seaside cottages, artsy towns, and quaint shops make Cape Cod the “something for everyone” destination! This trip sells out quickly! Moderate walking is required. Plan for an early morning departure on Sunday, September 7, 2025.

18 yrs + Bus Provided from Bain 50+ Ctr

RP4553.501Single OccupancySep 7-11Su$1,449

RP4553.502Double OccupancySep 7-11Su$1,129

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MoneyMoney Law & Annuities provide guaranteed income

By Donna Fuscaldo

Annuities, a type of guaranteed income, can give you peace of mind in retirement. After all, having an annuity means you can count on a payment arriving regularly, regardless of how the stock markets are performing.

But is an annuity a must-have? Some 401(k) plan sponsors, insurance companies and money managers think so, but not every financial pro is on board with that assessment.

That’s what Cerulli Associates, the wealth and asset management research firm, found when it recently polled asset managers. In 2019, 42% of asset managers believed a retirement income solution needed a guaranteed component to be effective, but in 2024, only 37% believed that to be true.

The slight shift in sentiment comes as annuities are finding their way into more 401(k) plans, thanks to SECURE Act 2.0. On the books since the end of 2022, the Act enables annuities to be included in 401(k)s. The idea is to create a lifetime guaranteed income stream for retirees.

While annuities have fans, including

among retirement savers, the complexity, fees and nuances associated with this type of financial product are leaving some financial advisers questioning if they’re necessary.

“If you look at the results of the survey over five years, there’s more doubt whether or not it’s actually a necessity,” said Idin Eftekhari, senior analyst at Cerulli. “Some folks are now looking at it as it’s nice to have, not a need to have.”

Is it worth it to give up liquidity?

A big knock on annuities, said Eftekhari, is the fact that you forfeit liquidity when you put money into an annuity. To fund an annuity, you either invest a lump sum or make a series of payments over time, and in exchange, you get paid out at a later date.

Once the free look period, or the window in which you can cancel the annuity, expires, which is typically 10 to 30 days, you can no longer access that money without paying penalties and fees.

But if something comes up in retirement that requires you to access a significant

amount of capital, you can’t touch the annuity. That means you’ll have to tap your savings or draw down from other retirement accounts. The less money you have in, say, a 401(k) or IRA, the less opportunity you have to benefit from growth and compounding.

Plus, Eftekhari said a lot of annuities don’t have inflation protection, which means the money you put in today may not be worth the same amount in five, 10 or 20 years when you begin receiving payments. There are annuities that offer inflation protection, but they tend to be more costly. “If most participants were truly educated about what they are getting, they would probably say no, thank you,” said Eftekhari.

Are the fees worth it?

Another factor to consider when it comes to annuities: the associated fees. Depending on the type of annuity and extra bells and whistles, fees can range from 1.5% to 4% on average. Within a 401(k) plan it can be difficult to determine the fees. Over the years those fees can add up and take away from your returns.

“Annuities tend to be quite expensive,” said Jane Delashmutt O’Mara, a certified financial planner at FBB Capital Partners. “If there are any products out there that guarantee something, they come with a price tag. You have to understand what you are paying for and what the price tag is.”

That’s not to say annuities don’t make sense for some individuals. If someone wants to spend down assets to qualify for Medicaid, doesn’t want to invest in the stock markets, or has won a lawsuit or the lottery and has a large sum of cash, then an annuity can make sense, said O’Mara. But an annuity should be part of an overall financial plan, not the only component, she said. An alternative to an annuity is to build a portfolio of bonds or a bond ladder that generates income each year as the bonds mature, said O’Mara. Spread out over years, bonds can give predictable income in retirement.

Ultimately the best approach may be a balanced one, where you have a little bit of everything.

© 2025 Kiplinger Consumer News Service. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

With AI, scammers have more ways to deceive

By Walt Houser

Late at night, while watching television at home, your cell phone suddenly lights up with a FaceTime call. On the screen, you see the tear-streaked face of your beloved grandchild, visibly distressed and pleading for your assistance. She explains that she’s in a foreign country in trouble, desperately needing money for bail. She implores you to keep this situation secret from her parents because she’s embarrassed and ashamed about her predicament.

Then a supposed lawyer joins in, emphasizing the situation’s urgency. You’re told that $50,000 is needed for bail within two hours or your grandchild will face conviction and imprisonment. The attorney directs you to a nearby ATM offering cryptocurrency.

Despite the late hour and mounting financial strain, you reluctantly comply, maxing out credit cards to ensure the funds reach the individual promising to secure your grandchild’s release from their perilous situation.

The following day, you call your chil-

dren to let them know what you have accomplished to keep your granddaughter safe. They reply, “Of course she’s safe: She’s here right now!” A tide of confusion and fear washes over you.

Scammers specialize in preying on our emotions. When you receive an email or text message from a friend or relative requesting financial assistance, it’s crucial to pause and consider: Is the person on the other end truly who they claim to be?

These scams often start with a phone call, video call or email. The caller might claim to be a family member facing legal trouble, medical emergencies, or unexpected travel expenses. They’ll insist that you keep their request for help a secret.

They’ll often request payment through wire transfers, cash pick-ups or even gift cards. These payments are hard to trace and nearly impossible to recover.

Warning signs

Look out for inconsistencies in the caller’s story, such as changes in details or vague information about their identity. Take the time to verify the caller’s identity by asking personal questions that only the actual family member would know. If you have any doubts, contact the alleged victim or another family member to confirm the situation. It’s smart to establish a “safe word,” or verbal password, with your family to signal the legitimacy of a call.

Staying calm and collected is crucial. Resist the urge to act impulsively. Take a moment to think critically and assess the situation before making any financial transactions.

Unfortunately, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), scammers can sample the internet for short clips of family and friends on social media to create con-

vincing deceptions. Be cautious of unexpected video calls or messages that seem out of character, and always verify the caller’s identity before taking any action.

What to do after scam

If you or a loved one falls victim to one of these scams, report the incident to local law enforcement and provide as much detail as possible about the scammer. If you you’ve been the victim of a fraud like this, call your local police department’s nonemergency number.

If money was transferred, contact the bank or financial institution to report the fraudulent transaction. Organizations specializing in fraud and scams can help you navigate the aftermath. To report elder fraud, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-91 PREVENT (1-800-917-7383) or the Howard County Police Department, (410) 313-2200 (non-emergencies). You can also report it at ic3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Marylander Adam Zuckerman founded a company to help bereaved people with paperwork. See story on opposite page.

Entrepreneur turns grief into guidance

By Ana Preger Hart

When Adam Zuckerman’s father died suddenly of a leukemia relapse just 12 days after a visit to the hospital, Zuckerman found himself crushed by grief — and overwhelmed by paperwork.

“What I realized was, paperwork takes a lot more time than I thought it should, the process is pretty complicated, and I’m not the only person who’s gone through it,” he said in an interview with the Beacon

That experience — of managing the dozens of financial, legal and personal tasks that follow a loved one’s death — was the seed for Buried in Work, the online resource center he founded soon after.

“It’s a tongue-in-cheek, punny name. Our logo’s a coffin, if you look at it really closely. My dad had a really crazy, funny sense of humor,” Zuckerman said.

What began as a website chronicling his own experience has grown into one of the most comprehensive digital platforms for end-of-life planning and estate administration. Buried in Work now offers free tools, guides and checklists for individuals navigating the complex logistics of death.

Zuckerman’s message is clear: preparing for the inevitable doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

“A lot of what happens from estate planning to end of life to aging in place…it’s all connected on a spectrum,” he said. “But that

pathway is different for everybody because you’re unique — just like everybody else.”

How the website helps

The Buried in Work website (buriedinwork.com) is designed to be user-friendly. Within its nearly 175 information hubs are articles covering digital legacy management, how to write ethical wills, and ways to organize financial records. There are checklists and printable guides for executors, caregivers and older adults who are planning ahead.

But Zuckerman and his team don’t stop at forms and file folders. They’ve also created resources that spark emotional conversations, such as the interactive card game One More Story, which prompts users to share meaningful memories and wishes with loved ones.

Zuckerman also produces a podcast. The free “Buried in Work” podcast interviews attorneys, funeral directors and everyday people who’ve navigated loss, offering both practical advice and heartfelt perspectives.

“A lot of people think estate planning — wills, trusts — is really boring,” Zuckerman said. “And we want to show that there’s a lot more than that. Comprehensive estate planning for us is everything in between.”

The goal, Zuckerman said, is to reduce the burden on families by encouraging open conversations before a crisis hits.

“That’s really what we want to do — make it so people don’t have to have those conversations at the end, so they can focus on having the conversations and the questions and one more story…That’s what you need to be focused on: the memories, the legacy, the family heirlooms. Because when somebody passes away, all the stories, all their experiences, unless they’re recorded somewhere, they disappear with them.”

A lot of the information on the website is developed in response to the questions Zuckerman has received, because if one

person has a question, others will likely have the same one, he said.

“The questions that we get are bizarre and wonderful. So one person asked us, ‘Hey, I’ve got basic information about my family’s history. What do I do to find a grave in the area?’ or ‘Somebody passed away. How do I move a piano?’”

Zuckerman sees it all as a labor of love — born from loss, but shaped by community. “I want to have an inbox of so many people saying, ‘Thank you. You helped us. You made our life easier.’”

We specialize in simple direct cremation and allow families to make arrangements online or over the phone; we work on your schedule and in your budget.

Do you find it difficult to use a standard phone? Do people ask you to repeat yourself during telephone conversations? Do you miss important calls because you can’t hear the phone ring? The Maryland Accessible Telecommunications (MAT) program is here to help by giving Maryland residents the opportunity to apply for State-provided telecommunications equipment to independently make and receive calls. Once you qualify, a skilled evaluator meets with you to determine the best device to support your day-to-day communications. The MAT program has a variety of equipment solutions to support clearer communication, including:

• Amplified phones

• Tablets

• Ring signalers

• Phones with large and/or high contrast buttons

• Captioned Telephones

• And more

Arts & Style

Harrison Ford honored for philanthropy

By Glenn Gamboa

Harrison Ford received an award for his philanthropy in June from the global surgery and training nonprofit Operation Smile.

But the star of the Indiana Jones and Star Wars film franchises, as well as this year’s Captain America: Brave New World, says all the attention should go to the award’s namesake: Ford’s friend, the late humanitarian and noted plastic surgeon Dr. Randy Sherman.

Like Ford, Sherman, who was director of the Cedars-Sinai Division of Plastic Surgery in Los Angeles and a specialist in reconstructive surgery who developed numerous training programs, was an avid pilot.

The two met when they shared the same home airport. Sherman told Ford of his volunteer work with Operation Smile, providing cleft palate surgery to children in countries where access to such services is limited, and Angel Flight West, which provides free medical transportation to patients.

“The things that he contributed to my life and to my family’s lives are beyond anybody’s wildest imagination,” Ford said of Sherman, who died in 2023 when his plane experienced engine failure and crashed in New Mexico. “He was a very

important person to me and…to all of the people that he’s associated with in the medical community. All of them recognize his selfless service.”

The Associated Press recently spoke with Ford about receiving the Dr. Randy Sherman Visionary Award. The interview was edited for clarity and length.

Q: How did you get to know Dr. Sherman?

A: When the earthquake in Haiti struck [in 2010], I reached out to Randy and asked if he thought there was anything that we could do with an airplane that I had, which was particularly suited to the kind of work that’s done in these circumstances. We flew my Cessna Caravan to Miami and picked up supplies and medical professionals — doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists — and flew to Port-au-Prince.

We flew missions to bring supplies and medical personnel to a community called Hinche, in the highlands of Haiti, a town that had no airport but did have a field that we were able to land the aircraft in. We were there for about a week, going back and forth each day to Hinche to bring in supplies.

Q: What made you want to be a part of that — a dangerous mission under tough circumstances?

A: Well, I didn’t consider it to be dangerous. I considered it to be an opportunity to be able to use something that I had that was needed.

We knew there was a hospital in Hinche that was staffed by two Cuban doctors, and they had no supplies, no anesthetics. And because of the delay in assets reaching them, there were a lot of people suffering amputations and other very significant medical issues.

Harrison Ford, 82, has supported environmental and humanitarian efforts for decades. He flew medical supplies to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and has served on the board of Conservation International for more than 30 years.

PHOTO BY GAGE SKIDMORE

Free Bikes 4 Kidz Maryland repairs and gives away bikes. Our cover story continues on page 20. See HARRISON

Bikes for kids

From page 1

with a bike going to each child in the family.

Columbia native

Cochran, who’s in his 70s, grew up in Columbia, Maryland. When he was a teenager, at a time when friends were rushing to get a car, Cochran got a bike to ride to his first job at the Columbia Association’s pools.

After college he moved to Minnesota, where he worked as an engineer with Honeywell Corp. in Minneapolis. He rode his bike to work daily for nine years, even in the famously cold winters. He accumulated 25,000 miles on his bike’s odometer, which he figures saved over 1,000 gallons of gas and kept 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide from being expelled into the air.

While in Minneapolis, Cochran learned there was an existing organization in the city called FB4K, which gathered thousands of donated bikes, fixed them and gave them to kids. He joined their volunteer roster and put his fix-it skills to work.

“Repairing those bikes, giving them away…it was awesome,” he recalled.

After Cochran retired in 2019, he and his wife moved back to Maryland, where his family has deep roots in public service. His father, Edward, was Howard County executive for years and, now in his 90s, provides FB4K Maryland with one of its

several storage facilities: a barn on his farm. One of Cochran’s siblings, meanwhile, is a Maryland State Delegate, and another is the artist who painted the murals in downtown Frederick, Maryland.

He said his family philosophy is “helping, if you have the opportunity to help.”

Cochran wanted to continue volunteering and realized that, after eight years at FB4K, he knew enough to open a Maryland affiliate.

“There probably wouldn’t be a Maryland affiliate if Ted hadn’t started it,” said Patrick Piet, an FB4K Maryland board member and volunteer from its start.

Other public-spirited people have opened FB4K affiliates in their own states, but the one Cochran founded in Maryland in 2019 outperformed them all last year. FB4K Maryland collected just under 500 bikes in 2019, its first year. Last year it gave away 3,345. That made it number one among 14 active FB4K affiliates nationally, even beating the original FB4K in Minneapolis.

Cochran believes the FB4K Maryland concept worked from the start simply because the community liked it: Between the environmental impact and the happy recipients, he said, “No one thinks this is a bad idea.”

Community leaders think it’s a great one. In April, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball lauded the group in a video message at FB4K Maryland’s annual ice

cream social for volunteers. Ball singled out Cochran, saying, “I’m so grateful Ted has brought his passion to Howard County. He worked so hard to bring smiles to children’s faces.”

Making connections

Cochran, who has a Ph.D. in psychology but ended up running an R&D organization at Honeywell, admits he “was a weird engineer,” because he could build social connections, not just technical creations. With that skill, he brought in several corporate partners, a seven-member board and hundreds of volunteers.

Corporate partners include the four Baltimore-area Trek bicycle shops, which provide FB4K with their traded-in bikes (522 last year) and Prologis, which donates needed warehouse space. Another key partner, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE), provides funding, volunteers and used bikes from employees — last year 330 bikes, 30 of them new ones.

Yet the group’s greatest strength is its hundreds of volunteers. Last year, volunteers spent a total of 6,000 hours with FB4K Maryland, four times as many as when the group began. They collect bikes from donation sites, clean or refurbish them, and then fit them to children on giveaway days.

During the cleaning and fixing phase, Cochran is at the warehouse nearly every day, sometimes for both the afternoon and

evening shifts. His volunteers work at bike repair stands, salvaging parts from non-repairable bikes for other “patients” that need a transplant.

The volunteer mechanics are largely men and of the gray-haired set. They’re typically self-taught, having ridden bikes for decades, fixing them as needed. If mechanics encounter a difficult problem, say, a crank that won’t come off, they turn to Cochran and usually get a solution.

According to Cochran, the Maryland organization gets the highest number of volunteer hours among the FB4K affiliates nationally because its volunteers typically return day after day, rather than taking a one-and-done approach. One 2024 volunteer worked more than 50 of the three-hour shifts, and four others, including Piet, worked more than 40 shifts, or 120 hours each.

As FB4K evolves, Cochran is trying to reach a couple of new service areas each year. It’s developing a connection with the city of Baltimore, for instance, and has provided bikes to the Baltimore Police Department for a bicycle patrol team.

In the meantime, the weather is perfect for cycling, and Cochran hopes to finish riding the Howard County roads he’s still not traveled.

For more information or to donate a bike, visit fb4kmaryland.org or email info@fb4kmaryland.org.

Q: You don’t talk about your philanthropy much, especially what you do to fight climate change. Do you feel that it should get more attention?

A: I think it gets attention when it needs to be recognized — not my work, but the issues I’m talking about.

I’ve been working in conservation for 35 years with an organization called Conservation International. We work internation-

Letters to the editor

From page 2

with many universities across the country. If you think it’s just classes, I said, you are so wrong. It is as much about meeting new friends and participating in fun activities, cultural events and travel.

By the time our short conversation was

BEACON BITS

July 19+

ally, as the name suggests. The only work we do here in the United States is fundraising. And we’re under enormous threat now with the rise of nationalism and isolationism.

Q: Does that make your work even more pressing? Especially with the cuts to USAID that previously funded environmental work?

A: Of course. Yes. In the last 10 years, we have had a real, substantial contribution from USAID addressing and mitigating issues that have suddenly disappeared from our moral

over, she told me that she was seriously considering giving it a try. I know that once she does, she will become a full member. More retirees should try it out. There are low membership fees for prospective new members. So many people have told me, “It saved my life.”

Lillian Brooks Springfield, Virginia

WHISPERING WINDS POW-WOW

Celebrate Native American culture at the 32nd Annual Whispering Winds Pow-Wow and Show, held on Sat., July 19 and Sun., July 20 at the Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Rd., West Friendship. Enjoy dance exhibitions, music, crafts, cultural activities and Native American food, including fry bread and buffalo stew. Gates open at 10 a.m. daily; the Grand Entry takes place at noon. Tickets are $15 for individuals 13 years and older and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. For more information, contact Barry Richardson at (252) 532-0821 or now-cdcbarry@coastalnet.com.

flowchart. It’s a travesty. It’s a tragedy.

Q: Will Conservation International do something differently this year to make up for those cuts?

A: Unfortunately, we will not be able to do that because we don’t have extra funds to distribute. We don’t have the structures of a scientific community that have been established and nurtured and cultured over the years. They’ve been dissolved. We can’t do it.

Q: Do you hope the Operation Smile award and the attention that comes

with it will convince some people to donate more?

A: I hope so. I hope it motivates some people to recognize they will have to create new mechanisms of funding and support. There will be moments when all of us will be called upon to think about these things again and to make our individual efforts to address the imbalance of the situation that now exists. There are many people upset with this stuff. But will we coalesce around these things and become a political constituency, a moral army? —AP

Answer:

Scrabble answers on p. 21.

Crossword Puzzle

June Guys

Across

1. Pay phone token, circa 1970

5. Abbreviation for abbreviation

9. Still breathing

14. “Good grief!”

15. Too good to be ___

16. Corporal punisher

17. Actress Bancroft or Hathaway

18. Replacement part from www.unicycle.com

19. Absolute

20. 2000 mini-series about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson

23. Stat. on a baseball card

24. Ship containing an even number of animals

25. “___ can make you smart; it made Bud wiser”

26. Draw a connection

28. McDonald’s Happy ___

30. M&M center, sometimes

33. 2003 Eddie Murphy movie with two sequels

36. Prefix meaning “one-billionth”

39. ___-Wan Kenobi

40. Arm bone

41. Top grossing movie of 1972

46. Witchy woman

47. “Referred,” in brief

48. Antsy

52. Most of the top-right of American-made world maps

54. Leader of U.S. Army basic training drills

55. He played Richie on “Happy Days”

56. Radio series that moved to TV in 1954

61. Movie that claimed “In space, no one can hear you scream”

62. Costa ___

63. Take away roadblocks

64. Violate Commandment number 10

65. Tattoo shop inventory

66. Arab chieftain

67. Members of The Breakfast Club

68. It might say “Miss Mississippi”

By Stephen Sherr

69. Cough syrup amts.

Down

1. Harder of hearing

2. Give the cold shoulder

3. Book of operating instructions

4. First nudist resort

5. Wearing

6. Back from the ___

7. End of Harris- or Ham- in an atlas

8. Part of an aquarium display

9. In a severe manner

10. Carpenter’s machine

11. On the inside

12. Swerve off course

13. Commits a faux pas

21. “Experts often possess more ___ than judgment” (Colin Powell)

22. Rhyme scheme in a villanelle poem

27. Man’s best friend

28. “I accept the blame”

29. Make a change to some DNA

31. Carry-out container from a funeral home

32. Earl Grey, e.g.

34. Lose a hand of strip poker

35. It may be worse than the disease

36. Last in a long series

37. Moment in every episode of Columbo

38. About 26% of blood donors

42. Gets one’s bearings

43. ___ John letter

44. Malarkey!

45. Docs that treat deviated septums

49. Soap opera fake-outs

50. Dish the dirt

51. Uses an automatic door

53. Actor Martin or Charlie (but not Emilio)

54. Stereotypically bad holiday present

56. Bit of trivia

57. Rash-soothing plant

58. Santa Claus’ first name, sometimes

59. Guest at a quinceanera

60. Borscht vegetable

CLASSIFIEDS

The Beacon prints classified advertising under the following headings: Business & Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Legal Services; Miscellaneous; Personals; Personal Services; TV/Cable, Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For submission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on the right.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not knowingly accept obscene, offensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising.However, we do not investigate any advertisers or their products and cannot accept responsibility for the integrity of either. Respondents to classified advertising should always use caution and their best judgment.

EMPLOYMENT & REAL ESTATE ADS:

We will not knowingly or intentionally accept advertising in violation of federal, state, and local laws prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES - WE

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COMPANION NEEDED FOR 2 ELDERLY GENTLEMEN. Seeking help with personal care, scheduling requiring computer skills, driving, light housekeeping and meal prep and other help as needed. In Potomac, MD. 30+ hours/week. Reference required. Respond to lensrink@yahoo.com.

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For Sale/Rent: Real Estate

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DISCOVER NORTH STAR NAVIGATORS:

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REDZONE FITNESS STUDIO has the best prices, service and gets proven results. We come to you or can set up Zoom with you in the comfort of your own home. We offer Personal Training and Rehab Services. Call 410-739-3318 to set up a free evaluation.

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PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

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HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

All classified ads must be submitted and paid for online, via our website, www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Deadlines and Payments: To appear in the next issue, your ad text and payment must be entered by the 5th of the preceding month (for Baltimore and Howard County editions); by the 20th (for Washington edition).

Cost will be based on the number of characters and spaces in your ad:

• $25 for 1-250 • $35 for 251-500. • $50 for 501-750 (maximum length). The website will calculate this for you.

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

• Each real estate listing qualifies as one ad. • All ads are subject to publisher’s discretion. Payment will be refunded if unacceptable for any reason.

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