June 2026 | Howard County Beacon

Chef Carla Hall

Find your passion

Aging can be a revelation. All the truths we ran from, the wisdom we didn’t have time for, catches up with us — if we let it.

I stumbled upon abstract painting in late 2011, when I was 61. I still had three children living at home, but the youngest was 15. Suddenly I had some time to myself, so I thought, Why not try something new?

Out of nowhere and with no art background at all, I decided to buy a canvas, paint and brushes and give abstract painting a try.

By

I loved it. I had no idea that painting would save my life, but it surely did. Becoming an abstract artist got me creating, thinking, asking questions, learning to find my way as an artist and connecting with people, saving me from stagnation and boredom.

Just a year after trying it out, I was painting daily and had landed an exhibit of my work at a local coffee shop. Six

months after that exhibit, I rented a studio space, had my first business cards made, and created accounts on Facebook and Instagram. The following year I had a website where I could post images of my work.

I never expected to learn so much about technology. In fact, I had made up my mind that I was not going to get into technology.

All that changed when I began to paint and exhibit my artwork. That’s when I got my first smartphone and learned how to text, email and post photos on social media. (While my friends saw me as a tech whiz, the truth is any child can do what I do!) My interest in painting saved me from essentially letting the world pass me by.

Soon I started calling myself an abstract artist. Since 2011, when I first started painting, my enthusiasm for painting and creating has only grown. Longevity experts say that having a

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sense of purpose in our lives can help us live longer. With all of these positive changes in my life, I can’t help but wonder how others might find their passion, too.

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Identify something you’ve always wanted to do — fly a plane, dance, cook, act, write, sew — and then just get started. Local community centers, libraries and senior centers are great places to begin your search.

2. If you have no clear interest in anything, you might consider just picking something and giving it a try. That’s what I did. I have no art training, and yet painting exploded on my scene and totally changed my life.

3. Taking a group class is a great way to open the door to an activity you overlooked in the past and make new friends. Daytime classes will most likely have older people in them. Look for classes on tai chi, chair yoga, water aerobics, etc. Trying Googling senior clubs,

and you’re sure to find lots of ideas: hiking clubs, garden clubs or composting groups.

4. Volunteer. If you’re into serviceoriented groups, there are many organizations out there that need volunteers. Search AmeriCorps Seniors Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at americorps. gov. Or get more involved in your church, mosque or synagogue.

5. If you already have a skill, consider sharing it one way or another. For instance, you could mentor a young business owner or help teenagers write their college essays.

My experiences as an abstract artist have saved me from believing that getting older is the end of anything. Our later years are actually the beginning of amazing clarity, understanding and wisdom.

Carolyn Ellis, a native Washingtonian, now lives outside Dallas, where she continues to paint and write. See her paintings at carolynellisart.com.

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Dear Editor:

I look forward to picking up the Beacon when I go grocery shopping. I’ve lived in Baltimore County for close to seven decades.

I happened to pick up the Howard County Beacon in Elkridge, and it definitely had more content than the Baltimore Beacon.

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From the Editor: We have exciting news about our Baltimore and Howard County editions. Starting in July, both of those editions will be combined into one larger newspaper. We will continue to publish plenty of content tailored to people over 50: articles about health, money, travel and local artists and productions. As ever, thank you for reading the Beacon in our 38th year in print.

Dear Editor:

As a card-carrying member of the

BEACON BITS

POLLINATOR FEST

June 7

Boomer generation, I can officially state that growing up in Canton was a unique yet all-American experience, and it ain’t what it used to be.

I was born and raised directly across the street from Canton Elementary; the school was a stone’s throw away from my marble front steps and still is. Today when new folks move on the block, they are amazed when I point out my old kindergarten classroom.

In the summer, the rec center kept me and every kid in a 10-block radius busy in softball leagues, stick ball, shows and arts and crafts. In the winter, besides basketball leagues, ping-pong tournaments and shooting pool, you could take up tap dancing and even learn to play an instrument.

You don’t find this any longer anywhere. It was truly a community school, way ahead of the curve.

Roland Moskal Baltimore

Join the Howard County Nature Conservancy to celebrate pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds and moths. Learn about pollinators through crafts and hands-on activities while enjoying live music, games, book giveaways and more. This free event takes place on Sun., June 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Mt. Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Rd., Woodstock. For more information, visit howardnature.org/event/pollinator-fest-2026 or call (410) 465-8877.

GUEST COLUMN

Carolyn Ellis

Reviving Hope: A Breakthrough Approach to Treating Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral

Neuropathy

“Several years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy treatments. I'm now in remission and blessed to still be here, but I was in so much pain. My feet and hands were constantly burning - a tingling sensation, almost like when your leg or arm falls asleep,” shared Mary of Columbia.

Mary was suffering from Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy or CIPN. While chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they are not exactly discriminating in what they destroy. The smaller nerves, specifically those in your hands and feet, are some of the first to be harmed. Those suffering from peripheral neuropathy have described this pain as “burning,” “tingling,” “like walking on sharp rocks,” or like Mary explained, that fuzzy, tingling pain you experience during paresthesia (the technical term for when a limb “falls asleep”).

“Standing all day was not just a challenge, it caused me physical agony. Keeping up with my busy schedule - forget about it. I couldn't even go for walks on the neighborhood paths.”

Mary, like so many others, was prescribed Gabapentin to help with the pain and told there was nothing anyone could do. In their words: “There is no treatment for neuropathy.”

Fortunately for Mary, where Western medicine fails, AIM Maryland - Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland tends to prove itself. For close to two decades,

Dr. Kristin Huza, DAC has been blending the time-tested science of acupuncture with modern, medical technology to design a real solution for peripheral neuropathy that doesn’t involve invasive surgeries or prescription medications with uncomfortable side effects. These Renew Nerve protocols, specific to AIM and its network of certified providers, actually treat neuropathy versus attempting to mask its symptoms. ®

“Acupuncture is incredible at restoring blood flow and stimulating damaged nerves. It’s been used for centuries to treat peripheral neuropathy and similar conditions” tells Dr. Huza. “We take our treatments a step further by integrating ATP Resonance BioTherapy, which targets specific nerves in the body using microcurrent. ATP Resonance BioTherapy is akin to watering a plant. ® ®

This treatment stimulates the blood vessels to grow back around the peripheral nerves and provide them with the proper nutrients and energy they need to repair and recover.”

ATP Resonance BioTherapy was originally designed by NASA to speed up healing and recovery. “To have access to this kind of technology has been life changing for our patients” shares Hazel, one of the incredibly compassionate Patient Care Technicians at AIM Maryland. “We even have people asking if they can take the equipment home, so we’re working on developing

some at-home options for our less mobile patients.”

After only four weeks of treatment, Mary is already seeing incredible improvement.

“I've taken the handicap placard off my rearview mirror and I'm finally back to walking on Columbia’s paths. I can't wait to see how I feel at the end of my program! I used to think that the neuropathy pain was just the price I have to pay for still being alive. Dr. Huza has really given me hope for a better life!”

Dr. Huza and the staff at AIM Maryland have a 90% success rate in reversing peripheral neuropathy, and not just that caused by chemotherapy. They also have tremendous success in treating diabetic neuropathy and neuropathy of undetermined origin, otherwise known as idiopathic neuropathy.

“I watched my grandmother suffer with neuropathy during her final years and it broke my heart when she was told there was nothing they could do. This condition is one of the main reasons I went into medicine. Since then, I’ve been on a quest to help people truly thrive in their golden years.”

The number of treatments needed to allow the nerves to fully recover will vary from person to person and can only be determined after a comprehensive consultation and detailed neurological evaluation.

If you or someone you love is suffering from peripheral neuropathy, call (410) 730-5370 to schedule. For new patients, an initial consultation is only $50 (a $250 value). Simply visit

AimMaryland.com to take advantage of this offer.

Fitness &

DENTIST’S ADVICE

If you eat dried fruits, crackers, citrus or yogurt, brush your teeth afterwards

ACCIDENTAL ENTREPRENEUR

With help from UMD, cellular biology prof launched anti-aging products

TICK SEASON

New Lyme disease vaccine candidate shows 73% effectiveness

POWER VITAMIN

Exhausted and mentally foggy? A vitamin B12 deficiency may be the culprit

Digital replica guides real heart surgery

By Lauran Neergaard

Scientists created virtual replicas of patients’ diseased hearts so precise that blocking a dangerous irregular heartbeat in these digital “twins” showed doctors how to better treat the real thing.

One of the first clinical trials of these custom models suggests it might improve care for ventricular tachycardia, a notoriously difficult-to-treat arrhythmia that is a major cause of sudden cardiac arrest, blamed for about 300,000 U.S. deaths a year.

The study, conducted by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, was a small first step. The Food and Drug Administration allowed the digital twin technology to guide treatment for just 10 patients, and much larger studies will be needed.

But the results reported in April in the New England Journal of Medicine come as doctors increasingly are exploring how a technology long used in aerospace and other industries might be harnessed for better health, too.

Dr. Jeffrey Goldberger, a heart specialist at the University of Miami who wasn’t involved with the study, experimented with more rudimentary iterations 15

years ago and praised the new findings.

“This is what we envisioned,” he said.

A new type of model

Doctors have long used 3D models, both physical and computer-generated ones, to simulate disease and practice techniques. But Hopkins biomedical engineer Natalia Trayanova said true digital twins predict how a real organ can react to different treatments. Her lab is pioneering colorful interactive models developed with an advanced MRI scan and other data from each patient.

“We treat the twin before we treat the patient,” Trayanova said. “Did it work? And if it did, are there new things that arise” that will require more or different care?

The heart’s electrical system powers our heartbeat. Ventricular tachycardia is a super-fast heartbeat triggered when an electrical wave short-circuits in the organ’s bottom chambers, the ventricles, and prevents them from pumping blood out to the body.

“You see this heart that is basically quivering,” Trayanova said.

Medication can help, but the main treatment is ablation, when doctors

thread catheters to the heart to burn misfiring tissue. But it’s a bit trial-and-error, as patients spend hours under anesthesia while doctors determine where to aim. Repeat ablations are common, and many patients have an implanted defibrillator as backup.

Enter Trayanova’s digital twins of patients’ ventricles. Colors swirl on a computer screen — blue, green, yellow and orange — showing how the heart’s electrical wave moves across the chamber’s healthy areas before getting stuck on damaged tissue. It’s trapped in a circular motion that she compares to the swirl of a hurricane.

“It allows me to recreate the functioning of the patient’s organ and then predict what is the best way to ablate,” she said.

The technology locates a dysfunctional region where the electrical wave repeatedly hits. Virtually ablating it will show if that solves the problem or if another arrhythmia forms that also will need zapping. “Then we poke it again,” she explained.

Trayanova’s team created customized ablation targets for each of the 10 study

participants. Cardiologists transferred them to a mapping system they use as a guide and aimed just at those targets instead of hunting their own.

Shorter, safer procedures

More than a year later, eight patients had no arrhythmias, while two experienced only a single brief episode while they were healing — better than the treatment’s typical 60% success rate, said Dr. Jonathan Chrispin, a Hopkins cardiologist and the study’s lead author. All but two also stopped their anti-arrhythmia medicine.

More importantly, cardiologists may burn away less tissue by targeting “specifically the areas that we think are critically important,” Chrispin said. “We could potentially make these procedures shorter, safer, more effective.”

The Hopkins team hopes to study the digital twin approach in a larger study with other hospitals, and has begun a trial using it to treat a more common type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation. Other researchers are studying digital twins for cancer care. —AP

Some foods could make your allergies worse

By Jessica Levinson

For many allergy sufferers, spring can bring more than just a shift in the weather — it can trigger a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including sneezing, coughing, congestion and more.

While pollen in the air is a common culprit, certain foods can also worsen allergic reactions, due to their inflammatory properties, histamine levels or immune responses. Knowing which foods to avoid can help you navigate the season with fewer allergy flare-ups.

1. Nuts: Tree nut allergies are common, but did you know that seasonal allergies to tree pollen could make you more sensitive to certain nuts?

For example, people with birch tree pollen allergies are more likely to have allergic reactions to hazelnuts and almonds. This is because the proteins in these nuts are similar to those found in birch tree pollen, causing cross-reactivity.

2. Chamomile: Chamomile is widely

used for its calming properties, but it can also trigger allergic reactions in people with a history of severe pollen allergies.

According to registered dietitian

Bid-Lose Francisque, MPH, RD, LDN, “Chamomile contains proteins that may cross-react with birch pollen, leading to allergic reactions such as skin rashes, respiratory issues or, in rare cases, anaphylaxis.”

If you’re prone to allergies, it’s best to consult with a healthcare professional before using chamomile tea, supplements or essential oils.

3. Certain fruits and vegetables: If you’re allergic to birch tree pollen, ragweed or grass pollen, certain fruits and vegetables may trigger allergic reactions. This is due to a condition known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), or pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS), where the immune system mistakes proteins in raw fruits and vegetables for similar proteins in pollen.

Depending on which pollen you’re al-

lergic to, here’s what to avoid:

Ragweed pollen: Bananas, cucumbers, watermelon, honeydew, cantaloupe and zucchini

Grass pollen: Tomatoes, cantaloupe, watermelon, honeydew and oranges

Birch tree pollen: Peaches, pears, apples, plums, carrots, celery, kiwi, apricots and cherries

4. Spicy foods: While spicy foods can help clear your sinuses temporarily, they can also irritate your body and worsen allergy symptoms, says registered dietitian Lindsay Fencl, RD, CD. Spicy peppers, such as jalapeños, habaneros and chili peppers, contain capsaicin, a compound that stimulates the production of histamines.

If you’re sensitive to histamines, consider cutting back on spicy foods during allergy season to avoid additional irritation.

5. Alcohol: Many alcoholic beverages, including beer, red wine, sparkling wine and fermented and aged alcohols, con-

tain high levels of histamines, which can trigger inflammation and allergic reactions.

If you’re sensitive to histamines, opt for lower-histamine alcoholic drinks, such as white wine or clear spirits, and avoid beverages with sulfites.

6. Dairy products: The relationship between dairy products and allergy symptoms is complex.

“Traditional observational studies may show a higher risk of hay fever in individuals who drink milk, but genetic testing indicates the opposite,” according to registered dietitian Alexandria Hardy, RDN, LDN, of Pennsylvania Nutrition Services.

“There is plenty of anecdotal evidence surrounding dairy consumption and allergy symptoms — mucus production and sneezing being the top offenders — but more research is needed to determine if dairy foods are protective or

What you can do to reduce snoring

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: What happens during sleep that makes you snore?

A: When you sleep, the small muscles that keep the pharynx (the back of your throat) open relax. This allows tissue to flop into the airway, essentially narrowing the opening.

When the airway narrows too much, it disrupts the airflow, making it turbulent. This causes the surrounding tissue to vibrate, producing the noise we know as snoring.

If you have excessive daytime sleepiness along with loud snoring, your snoring may be more than a nuisance. The problem may be sleep apnea, or some other type of sleep-disordered breathing.

In sleep apnea, the airway becomes blocked or breathing muscles stop moving. Breathing temporarily stops or becomes shallower hundreds of times each night. The clues that you may have sleep apnea include:

• Loud snoring four or more times per week

• Someone telling you that you periodically stop breathing or gasp during sleep

• Daytime drowsiness, such as dozing off during the day when you are not busy or active, or when you are driving or stopped at a light

• Morning headaches

• A large neck (collar size): 16 inches or more in women, 17 inches or more in men

If you suspect that you may have sleep apnea, talk with your doctor. The usual first test to confirm the diagnosis is a special sleep study, which can be taken at home or in a sleep lab.

Allergies

From page 4

harmful for seasonal allergy sufferers.”

Some dairy-rich foods like yogurt and aged cheese may contain histamines, which can trigger an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.

If dairy worsens your allergy symp-

For sleep apnea, lifestyle changes — especially weight loss — can lead to significant improvement. Wearing a nighttime mask that delivers continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) remains the most commonly prescribed go-to therapy.

In addition, the GLP-1 receptor agonist tirzepatide (Zepbound) is approved to treat sleep apnea in people that are significantly overweight or obese.

For some people, snoring may be temporary. For example, a cold or allergies can swell the nasal passages. Being exposed to smoke and other fumes can cause some people to snore.

Other causes of snoring include:

• A particularly large uvula (the coneshaped tissue that hangs down the back of your throat)

• A deviated septum

• Enlarged tonsils, adenoids (tissue near the tonsils) or tongue

• An elongated soft palate (this is the roof of your mouth)

• A small jaw

• Poor muscle tone in the tissues around the upper airway

Ways to reduce snoring

Here are some simple things you can try to dial down the decibels:

• If you sleep on your back, switch to your side. You might try sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pajamas to keep you from rolling onto your back.

• Limit alcohol. Alcohol is a muscle relaxant, including the muscles around your throat. Sleeping pills sometimes have the same effect.

• Another option is a consultation with your dentist to discuss whether a type of

toms, consider opting for dairy alternatives, such as oat milk, coconut yogurt or other plant-based options, during allergy season.

Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. © 2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

mouth guard that repositions the jaw and the tongue might stop the snoring. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard

Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit health.harvard.edu.

© 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Trust the Home Care Expert

With Tom Smith, Regional Manager, Business Development, Family & Nursing Care

The Evolving Care Continuum: Strengthening Hospital-to-Home Transitions

As healthcare systems continue to emphasize shorter hospital stays and more seamless post-acute care, one critical moment that can help determine the success of a patient’s recovery journey is the transition from hospital to home.

Whether a patient is returning home after surgery, illness, or rehabilitation, effective discharge planning and coordinated home care can make all the difference in reducing readmissions and promoting lasting recovery.

The Critical First 48 Hours

The first 48 hours after discharge from a hospital or rehab are critical to the safety and health of patients. This small window of time is when they are often at their weakest and at the greatest risk for a fall or other adverse event, which can result in a return trip to the hospital.

Preventing hospital readmissions during this period not only improves patients’ quality of life but also saves hospitals and the healthcare system as a whole a tremendous amount of money.

Yet, there is often a gap in care from the time a patient is released from the hospital until their rehabilitation or Medicare services begin. That’s where responsive, compassionate home care can make a big impact.

Closing the Gap with Responsive, Compassionate Care

Family & Nursing Care

partners closely with hospital discharge planners, social workers, rehabilitation teams, and other healthcare professionals to ensure clients experience a smooth, safe, and supported journey home. The company’s dedicated team is available 24/7 to coordinate services — often within hours of discharge.

From transportation home to immediate in-home assistance, medication reminders, mobility support, and meal preparation, caregivers provide compassionate, personalized care that builds confidence and comfort from day one.

“Our healthcare partners know that time is of the essence when someone is discharged,” said Mitch Markowitz, Vice President of Business Development at Family & Nursing Care. “That’s why we’ve made responsiveness part of our DNA. Half of our new clients start receiving care within 24 hours of contacting us — and three-quarters within 48 hours of their first call to us.

“When someone is discharged from the hospital or rehab, the first 24-48 hours after is when they are at their weakest and most likely to be readmitted. Being able to step in that quickly can have a real impact on recovery, safety, and peace of mind for everyone involved.”

A Trusted Partner in Every Transition

With more than five decades of experience, Family & Nursing Care

has become a trusted partner to leading hospitals and healthcare organizations across the region. By bridging the gap between hospital and home, the company helps ensure that every client receives

the continuity, compassion, and support they need to thrive.

To learn more about our services, call us at 410-697-8200 or visit our website at familynursingcare.com.

These foods are as bad for teeth as sugar

By Ria Bhagwat

When we snack on delicious foods like candy and popcorn, they begin negatively affecting our health, specifically, our teeth.

“Food plays a major role in oral health, often more than most people realize,” said dentist Sandip Sachar, DDS.

“While genetics can influence tooth enamel strength, salivary flow and gum susceptibility to periodontitis, diet is a controllable factor that has a daily impact on cavity risk, gum disease, enamel wear and oral microbiome balance.”

While we typically associate enamelharming foods with sugary nutritional profiles, there are other sneaky snacks that do the same — if not more — damage as sugar.

Dried fruits

Too much dried fruit consumption can do more harm than good.

Dried fruit is “a highly concentrated source of sugar and extremely sticky,” Sachar said. “They cling to the teeth for prolonged periods of time [and] can feed cavities, causing bacteria, and prolong exposure time to acid — acid is the main source of tooth enamel erosion.”

Eating acidic foods can be less harmful when you pair them with healthy meals,

which stimulate saliva production and dislodge sugary particles in the teeth more easily.

Crackers and chips

Saltine crackers and chips are an easy, go-to snack — but not without some harmful tendencies.

“The starch contained in these breaks down into simple sugars and becomes pasty when chewed,” Sachar said.

“This allows them to easily stick to and get lodged between the teeth. Many people do not associate them with cavities, but they can be just as harmful as candy.”

Citrus fruits (in excess)

Fruits offer some sort of nutritional value, which means they shouldn’t be wiped clean from your diet. However, excessive consumption of citrus fruits can be slightly damaging to your dental health.

“Lemons, oranges, grapefruits and other citrus fruits are highly acidic and can erode tooth enamel over time,” Sachar said.

After eating citrus fruits, wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth to remove surface-level sugars while protecting softened enamel.

Flavored yogurts

Yogurt is a crowd favorite when it comes to probiotics, but read the nutritional label before buying flavored yogurt to ensure it’s not too heavy on the sugar. Plain yogurt is best.

Granola and energy bars

Another seemingly healthy food that can sneakily cause damage? Granola bars.

“These are often marketed as healthy foods and snacks; however, they often combine sticky textures with high sugar content, especially when they include honey and dried fruit,” Sachar said.

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

© 2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Maryland scientist pioneers anti-aging products

By Margaret Foster

As John Lennon once sang, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans.”

Scientist Dr. Kan Cao had spent most of her career studying a rare disease called progeria, which causes premature aging in children.

But 12 years ago, in her research lab at the University of Maryland, Cao noticed something unusual: Cells with misshapen, diseased nuclei suddenly looked plump and healthy when accidentally exposed to a common lab stain called methylene blue.

“That happens in scientific research a lot,” Cao said. “We want to research A, have a hypothesis, but in the end, we discover B.”

First, she published her findings on progeria. Then she did what most scientists do: asked another lab to repeat the experiment.

The other lab “actually observed the same thing,” Cao recalled. “Then I became more serious” about methylene blue, both to extend the lives of those with progeria and to preserve the skin cells of people as they age normally.

When Cao told the university about her findings, they were as excited as she was. Its Ventures program, which helps the school’s faculty and students commercialize their research breakthroughs, paired her with an alum, Maryland entrepreneur Jasmin El Kordi, as her CEO.

Today their company, Mblue Labs, has

a dozen products in its Bluelene skincare line. Now in their eighth year, they opened their own warehouse and logistics office in Beltsville, Maryland, last fall.

“We’re not a beauty company,” said El Kordi, CEO. “We’re a scientific company that made an incredible discovery that reverses human aging.”

Scientific background

Cao, who grew up in China, received her undergraduate degree in biology in Nanjing. She moved to Maryland to attend graduate school at Johns Hopkins.

With a Ph.D. in biology, Cao began her postdoc in genomics at the National Institutes of Health in 2005. That’s when Francis Collins, longtime director of NIH, tapped her to start researching progeria. Cao’s experiments were “exquisitely designed and beautifully conducted,” Collins told the University of Maryland.

Cao became one of the country’s leading researchers on the disease and continued that research at UMD’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, where she would discover the effects of methylene blue.

‘Magic molecule’

Invented in 1876 by a German chemist, methylene blue is a type of salt that can

pass through both fats and water.

“If it gets into your skin, it’s very soluble — it can go through lipid, it can go through water — so it gets all the way to the cells, to the mitochondria inside your cells, and it comes in and acts as a natural antioxidant,” Cao explained.

Over the years, doctors have used methylene blue to treat malaria, cancer, septic shock and other diseases. A handful of studies suggest it may even treat Alzheimer’s disease.

“We believe methylene blue is a magic molecule, and anti-aging is only one of its functions,” Cao said.

More commonly, though, surgeons and lab technicians use it as a dye.

That’s how Cao’s lab discovered “quite by accident,” she said, that methylene blue had anti-aging properties. After an undergraduate student cross-contaminated the skin samples, he noticed that the cells had improved.

“It helped the progeria, and it helped the healthy control samples as well,” Cao said.

In the meantime, the University of Maryland secured a U.S. patent on the topical use of methylene blue, which it shares with Mblue Labs. Unfortunately that patent hasn’t given the company sole control

• Protects against

— Shauna R.

Health Studies INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

Lyme disease vaccine has a 73% success rate

By Beacon staff

A new vaccine for Lyme disease has proven to be more than 73% effective, according to Pfizer and Valneva, a French biotech company.

In addition, the new vaccine had no safety concerns, according to findings from a phase-three study called Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists (VALOR).

After Pfizer released results of the study in March, the company announced plans to seek FDA approval for the vaccine

From page 8

over the common ingredient. If you search Amazon for methylene blue, for instance, you’ll find all kinds of oils and creams containing it, not just Bluelene products.

“It’s really the Wild West, so companies will go and use our ingredient; they really don’t care that there is a patent,” El Kordi said.

Other “nefarious actors,” as she calls them, simply add more methylene blue to their products, regardless of the potential side effects (a smurf-like blue tint to skin).

According to the CDC, about 476,000 Americans are diagnosed and treated each year. People aged 51 to 60 make up about a quarter of those affected by Lyme disease.

“Lyme disease can cause potentially serious consequences — where individuals and families face symptoms that can disrupt daily life, work and long-term health — and there is currently no vaccine available,” Annaliesa Anderson, Ph.D., Pfizer’s senior vice president and chief vaccines officer, said in a statement.

“They’ve formulated outside our patent range, which means they’re giving you more methylene blue than is really good for you,” El Kordi said.

However, going to court can cost tens of millions of dollars. With little protection for her discovery, Cao has accepted the competition as a form of validation of her work.

“As a scientific researcher, I have to say, it’s rewarding to see people find that, oh, methylene blue really is useful,” she said.

“When we first talked about it back in 2018, everybody was like, ‘What’s methylene blue?’”

“These results bring us a step closer to our goal of delivering a much-needed vaccine to help protect against Lyme disease,” added Thomas Lingelbach, CEO and board member of Valneva, which partnered with Pfizer to develop the vaccine.

The randomized study of 9,400 people in the U.S., Canada and Europe compared the effects of four doses of the trial vaccine to a placebo.

Early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, fatigue, headache, stiff neck

Made in the USA

Just before Mblue Labs’ official launch, TV star Kevin Harrington of ABC’s “Shark Tank” endorsed the woman-owned company. In 2024, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce included it on its list of the top 100 small businesses in America.

One of the secrets of MBlue Labs’ success has been the University of Maryland’s well-appointed lab, partially funded by a state program called Maryland Industrial Partnerships. Mblue Labs was able to launch with just $150,000 from TEDCO, Maryland Technology Development Corporation.

and muscle and joint pain — but not always the telltale bullseye rash. Left untreated, it can progress to arthritis, heart problems and neurological symptoms.

The first and only FDA-approved Lyme disease vaccine was only on the market for a few years. Its manufacturer, the company now known as GlaxoSmithKline, discontinued the vaccine in 2002, citing lack of consumer demand.

So far, antibiotics are the only effective treatment for the disease.

“We’re very fortunate to be a University of Maryland portfolio company,” El Kordi said. “Part of it is having the lab. We have our own scientists in the lab doing the work, but you can imagine how expensive it would be to build such a lab on our own.”

Today, the company sells its 12 Bluelene products on Amazon and through its website, bluelene.com, growing by 40% to 80% year over year.

“Customers stay with us because our product works,” El Kordi said. “There’s no wild marketing. We really deliver what we promise.”

Visit bluelene.com or call (800) 988-8068. Ongoing smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health as we

A new study from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is exploring this link. We’re calling on everyone with and without Parkinson’s to request a simple scratch-and-sniff test and contribute to important research.

Your morning companion Join the listeners who make WAMU News the DMV’s top morning destination. Thoughtful news meets calm, clear reporting. Tune in to your favorite morning shows, 5 a.m.–noon

Bluelene

Low levels of B12 can mimic dementia

Have you ever been told your blood work is “normal,” yet you still feel exhausted, foggy or just not like yourself?

I see this all the time. As a pharmacist, one of the most overlooked nutrient issues I encounter is vitamin B12 defi ciency, especially in people whose lab results technically fall within the “normal” range.

The problem is that labo ratory reference ranges are wide. What’s considered nor mal on paper may not be op timal for your brain, nerves or energy levels. In other words, you can be “low-normal” and still feel pretty terrible.

suspected early dementia. I suggested checking her B12. She was deficient. After replenishment, her mind became clear again, and she went home! That case has stayed with me because it’s a reminder: Sometimes what looks like a neurological disease is simply a nutrient deficiency.

By Suzy Cohen

Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell formation, nerve health, DNA synthesis and even mood regulation. When levels dip, your body often whispers before the deficiency shows up definitively on your labs.

Early symptoms of deficiency

One of the most common clues is fa tigue that doesn’t improve with rest. This isn’t just being tired; it’s that drag ging, heavy exhaustion that makes even simple tasks feel harder. Because B12 helps carry oxygen through your blood stream, low levels can leave your tissues under-fueled.

Then there’s brain fog. I once had a friend call me about his wife, who had been placed in a nursing facility with

LOAN CLOSET

Tingling or numbness in your hands and feet is another classic sign that occurs early on (before your labs prove a deficiency). That’s because B12 supports the protective coating around your nerves called the myelin. When that’s compromised, signals don’t travel properly. Some people describe it as pins and needles or even a burning sensation.

Mood changes can also show up quietly. B12 plays a role in the biochemical pathways that regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. When levels drop, you might feel more anxious, irritable or just “flat.” It’s subtle but very real.

Even your appearance can shift. B12 deficiency can lead to a pale complexion, sometimes with a faint yellowish tone. And then there’s digestion. B12 absorption depends on stomach acid and a protein called intrinsic factor. Your ability to absorb B12 can decline if you take certain medications — what I call drug muggers. Metformin is just one of many meds that deplete B12.

Take a B complex

Here’s something else people don’t realize: Taking B12 alone isn’t always the

best solution. The B vitamins work as a team. When you take one in isolation long-term, you can create imbalances. That’s why a well-formulated B complex is often a smarter approach.

Sometimes the body whispers before it shouts. And when it comes to B12, those whispers are worth listening to.

If this sounds like you, don’t stop here. I cover testing, medications that deplete B12 and smart supplement strategies on my website. Head to suzycohen.com and sign up for my free newsletter for practical tips you can use right away.

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.

The Loan Closet of Howard County redistributes donations of durable medical equipment and assistive technology to county residents who need them. There are two locations: at the Alpha Ridge Landfill & Recycling Center, 2350 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville; and at 7125 Riverwood Dr., Suite D1, Columbia. For equipment inventory, instructions on how to request and receive equipment, or the hours for returning or donating equipment, visit howardcountymd.gov/loancloset, email loancloset@howardcountymd.gov or call (410) 313-0363.

LOSS OF SPOUSE/ PARTNER SUPPORT GROUP

This JSSA-led group meets virtually on the second and fourth Fridays of each month from 10:30 a.m. to noon. To register, call (240) 8005772 and press 2 for hospice.

Age in Place Find a New Space? or

for the future, or

a loved one's health care crisis.

Money Law &

Avoid the ‘tax avalanche’ in retirement

By Brian O. Butler

Most people think their tax burden will shrink in retirement. But for many, the opposite is true.

Like a snowball rolling down a mountain, taxes that start small can grow larger and eventually threaten to bury your income, your retirement quality and your legacy.

Even though the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) preserved much of today’s lower-rate environment, that doesn’t mean retirees are in the clear.

The U.S. still faces record debt levels, growing entitlement obligations and a complex web of hidden taxes that quietly chip away at retirement income. The avalanche risk hasn’t disappeared; it’s just less obvious.

Where the avalanche starts

The “tax avalanche” doesn’t begin with a sudden policy change. It begins with success: A career of disciplined saving in

tax-deferred accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. Every dollar that grows in those accounts is a future tax liability.

Once you begin required minimum distributions (RMDs), those withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, and that can push you into higher brackets just when you thought life would slow down.

It’s not just income taxes that take a bite. RMDs can cause up to 85% of your Social Security benefits to become taxable and can trigger higher Medicare premiums through income-related monthly adjusted amount (IRMAA) surcharges. Those extra costs can quietly add thousands to your annual tax bill.

Then comes spousal tax risk, a tax hazard few couples anticipate.

When one spouse passes away, the surviving partner’s filing status changes from “married, filing jointly” to “single,” effectively cutting the standard deduction in half and accelerating bracket creep.

The widow’s penalty can raise taxes

just as household income drops.

Why the danger is growing

Even without the looming “sunset” that once defined tax headlines, rates are unlikely to stay this low forever. The government’s long-term obligations, such as Social Security, Medicare and rising interest on the national debt, will eventually demand higher revenue.

Future tax increases might not come from higher brackets alone; they can emerge through stealthier channels such as deduction limits, surtaxes or benefit phaseouts.

Meanwhile, demographic shifts mean more retirees are drawing income from the same tax-deferred sources. The system itself is built to collect more as people live longer and rely more heavily on retirement accounts.

That’s why proactive planning remains just as crucial today as it was before the bill.

How to slow (or stop) the slide

You can’t stop snow from falling, but you can build barriers that keep it from becoming destructive. Here are practical ways to control the slope before small issues turn into a tax avalanche.

Diversify your tax buckets. Balance savings among taxable, tax-deferred and tax-free accounts. This flexibility lets you draw from the most efficient source each year to manage your tax bracket and control how much income appears on your return.

Use strategic Roth conversions With today’s rates still historically low, small, controlled Roth conversions can move money from taxable territory to taxfree growth. Spreading conversions over several years helps you manage brackets and avoid Medicare or Social Security taxation surprises.

Monitor RMD exposure. Project future

See TAX AVALANCHE, page 13

Switch to a low-cost smartphone plan

Dear Savvy Senior,

What are the absolute lowest-cost smartphone plans for seniors who mainly talk and text but need a little cellular data for email and occasional use? I’m currently paying $40 a month and hoping to cut that down.

—Looking to Save

Dear Looking,

You’re asking a smart question. Many seniors pay far more for smartphone service than they actually use. If most of your phone activity is calls, texts, email and light web browsing, there’s usually no need to spend $40 or more a month. The good news: plenty of low-cost carriers now cater to light users who want reliable service without the extra cost.

ers, MVNOs can offer basic service for a fraction of the cost of major carriers, while still providing nationwide coverage. Here are some of the best options available now.

Cheapest wireless plans

According to Consumer Reports, Mint Mobile is a top value among low-cost smartphone plans. For $15 per month, you get unlimited talk and text plus 5 gigabytes (GB) of data. The catch: you pay for a full year upfront ($180 plus taxes), but for seniors comfortable paying annually, it’s a smart way to lock in savings. Mint runs on T-Mobile’s network and works with most unlocked phones.

tion on the same reliable T-Mobile network.

For people who barely use their phone, Ultra Mobile’s PayGo plan is the absolute cheapest option right now. At just $3 per month plus fees, it includes 100 minutes, 100 text and 100 MB of data, with extra usage costing only a few cents per minute, text or MB. It’s ideal for anyone who mainly needs a phone for emergencies, and it also runs on T-Mobile’s reliable network.

Tello is another flexible option, with plans starting at $8 per month for 300 minutes, unlimited text and 2 GB of data. You can easily add more minutes or data in small, inexpensive increments, making it ideal for seniors who want control over their costs.

sure to check into the federal Lifeline Assistance Program. Lifeline provides a $9.25 monthly discount on phone or internet service.

You may qualify if you receive benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), public housing assistance or Veterans Pension. You may also qualify based on income alone if your household income is below 135% of the federal poverty level — currently $21,546 for one person or $29,214 for two.

To learn more or apply, visit lifelinesupport.org. If approved, you can choose from participating providers in your area, and in some cases even apply the discount to service you already have, if your provider participates.

The cheapest plans today mostly come from mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), smaller carriers that lease coverage from major networks like T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T.

Because they don’t run their own tow-

If you want a similar plan without the upfront commitment, T-Mobile Connect is worth a look. For about $15 per month, you get the same 5 GB of data and unlimited talk and text, with no contract and the flexibility to switch plans month to month. It’s an easy, low-commitment op-

Finally, US Mobile offers a plan starting at $10 per month (paid annually) for unlimited talk and text plus 4 GB of data. Simple, affordable, and straightforward, it’s a solid choice for seniors who want coverage without extra bells and whistles.

Lifeline Assistance Program

If your budget is especially tight, be

Before switching plans, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the new carrier’s network. A quick compatibility check on the provider’s website can help ensure a smooth transition and keep your savings on track.

Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

You don’t have to be a tech whiz to use new devices. See story on page 12.

PHOTO BY MELVIN LOI

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

With the right mindset, we can adapt to tech

By Julia Hammid

“What’s wrong with me? I feel so stupid!”

My client Joan (not her real name) and I were looking at her iPad together. Joan retired from a long career as a social worker. She raised three children and manages all her own affairs. At 83 she’s still elegant, articulate and active in her social circle.

Still, she was humbled by this tablet. “Why does this iPad make me feel like a bumbling kindergartener?” she asked.

Although Joan didn’t really want an iPad (or a smartphone, for that matter), her children surprised her with one for her birthday. They promised it would open the magical world of the internet for her and make life much more convenient.

In reality, it only made her feel inept, frustrated and ashamed. When her son set it up for her, his fingers flew across the screen as he showed her all kinds of “apps”

and websites. Once he was gone, she said, everything he said was just a blur.

But she was embarrassed to keep calling her son for help. Whenever she did, he would tell her to “tap” this or “scroll” that or enter a “login,” which sounded like a foreign language.

The truth is that learning to use technology is like learning a new language. It can also feel like finding yourself in an unfamiliar city with no map, where you can’t read the signs.

Being at ease with technology doesn’t have to do with being smart. It’s just a result of how your brain works as well as having had opportunities to learn bit by bit.

We live in a time when having an aptitude for technology and being young enough to have grown up with it is an advantage.

It’s sad and unfair that people who are

older and/or don’t have enough of that aptitude can end up feeling left out, frustrated and foolish.

Explaining this to Joan helped relieve some of her anxiety and gave her hope that she could learn to use her iPad and smartphone.

Repetition helps

Learning to use these gadgets is like learning to drive or becoming better at a sport. It takes repetition, attention to detail and focusing on only a few things at a time.

As I got to know Joan, I found ways to explain things in ways that made sense to her. Little by little, she became comfortable checking her email and eventually looking at her medical records, shopping for things and even searching for information online.

I told Joan to call me if she got stuck,

HOWARD COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS

The first choice you will make this election is which day to vote!

Maryland voters can vote in-person BEFORE Election Day at Early Voting!

Early Voting will be held from from Thursday, June 11, 2026, through Thursday, June 18, 2026, (including Saturday and Sunday) from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM daily.

Early Voting will be held at the following five locations:

St. John Baptist Church –The Fellowship Hall 9055 Tamar Drive Columbia, MD 21045

The Bain Center –Great Rooms 1, 2 & 3 5470 Ruth Keeton Way Columbia, MD 21044

Meadowbrook Athletic Complex – Multi-Purpose Room 5001 Meadowbrook Lane Ellicott City, MD 21043

Gary J. Arthur Community Center – Gym 2400 State Route 97 Cooksville, MD 21723

North Laurel Community Center – Gym 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road Laurel, MD 20723

Please Note: If you vote during early voting, you cannot vote on Election Day (June 23, 2026), or by mail-in ballot. If you have requested a mail-in ballot and choose to not vote that ballot and come to in-person voting, you will vote a provisional ballot.

and most often I could just remind her of some small detail so she could get going again. Now she no longer feels lost and helpless when faced with a screen.

Often, people who are comfortable using technology are not necessarily good at explaining it or teaching it to others. Trying to get help from relatives or friends who whiz around their phones or tablets can often be frustrating and even end up causing tension in the relationship when you don’t “get it” as quickly as they think you should.

I first started helping people learn to use computers more than 20 years ago. Back then my first “lesson” was to reassure them that they did not have to learn to use these strange new machines.

But today, computers are only one of the wide range of digital devices that have invaded every corner of our lives: mobile phones, smart TVs, tablets, Alexas, video doorbells, etc. Something new comes out almost every month, and with updates or newer versions, you may have to learn to use them all over again! These days it’s almost impossible to shop for essential items, much less manage your bank account or get medical care, without having an email address or cell phone number. Even when you go to a store, restaurant or office in person you may be forced to use an app or be confronted with a screen to sign in or place your order.

Best ways to learn

There are plenty of books, YouTube videos and classes promising to teach you about computers, smartphones, tablets, etc.

Books are outdated before they’re even published. Classes try to be everything to everybody (though they can be helpful in some cases).

I’ve found that the best way to learn is one-on-one. That’s because each person learns and thinks differently. Each of us has our own strengths and challenges, not to mention different devices and different things we need to do with them. With just a little patience and time, and perhaps the right coach, almost everyone can become confident and proficient with their devices.

Remember, it’s not you who’s dumb; it’s technology! There are much more important things in life, but if you want to learn to use technology, you can.

Check your local library or senior center for free technology classes. For more information about Julia Hammid’s classes, see the classified ad on page 23.

Tax avalanche

From page 11

RMDs early (ideally before you turn 73) and look for opportunities to reduce account balances through partial withdrawals, Roth conversions or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). A little foresight can prevent forced distributions later.

Plan for the surviving spouse Model what your taxes would look like if one spouse passes away. Consider converting more while both spouses are alive, reviewing beneficiary designations and maintaining enough liquid assets for flexibility during life transitions.

Manage your income thresholds Watch the breakpoints for Social Security taxation and IRMAA brackets. Staying below those levels can reduce your total tax drag without changing your lifestyle. Review annually. Tax rules, healthcare costs and personal circumstances shift constantly. An annual review with

BEACON BITS

June 20

PUBLIC STAR PARTY

your financial professional helps you stay nimble and ahead of potential changes.

Avoid the ‘do nothing’ trap

Many retirees assume that because the OBBB extended the current tax framework, they have time to relax. But procrastination can quietly narrow your options.

Once RMDs start or a spouse dies, it’s harder to melt the snowball. Taxes can compound just as investments do, only in reverse.

Think of each dollar you move strategically as a shovel of snow cleared from the slope. It might not seem like much now, but over time, it can mean the difference between staying above the surface and being buried by unintended consequences.

The bottom line

A tax avalanche isn’t triggered by one bad decision; it’s caused by inertia. The risk comes from doing nothing and assum-

Enjoy telescopic views on Sat., June 20 from 8:05 to 11 p.m. at the Howard Astronomical League’s free Public Star Party, held in and around their observatory at Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd., Marriottsville. Registration isn’t necessary. For more information, visit howardastro.org or email events@howardastro.org.

ing that today’s lower rates will last forever.

Even in a post-OBBB world, retirees face growing hidden liabilities: RMDs, spousal penalties and income-based surcharges that add complexity to every withdrawal.

The goal isn’t to avoid taxes altogether, but to pay them smartly, over time, in ways that protect your income and your family’s future.

Don’t wait. With proactive planning, di-

versification and steady guidance, you can keep the avalanche in check and enjoy a retirement that feels stable, predictable and secure.

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA. © 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE ONLINE CLASSES

The OPAL Center is a virtual senior center that offers free online programs for adults 50 and older. Upcoming events include “Morning Brew and Medicare Review,” “Stroke Awareness” and “I’ll Have What They’re Having: The Science of Sexuality and Aging.” To participate in OPAL’s programs and view available classes, complete the form at baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/aging/centers/opal, email theopalcenter@baltimorecountymd.gov or call (410) 887-1929. (You do not need to reside in Baltimore County to participate in OPAL programs.)

COLUMBIA JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Visit the lakefront in downtown Columbia to celebrate Juneteenth with live music and performances, local Black-owned makers and artisans, kids’ activities, line dancing, food trucks and more. The day culminates in a concert featuring soul singer-songwriter Kyaira. This free event takes place on Fri., June 19 from 2 to 9 p.m. at 10275 Wincopin Cir. For more information, call (410) 715-3000.

Volume 16, No. 6 | June 2026

WEAAD 2026: Protecting Older Adults from Financial Fraud

Each year on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), communities across the United States and around the world recognize the serious and often hidden issue of elder abuse. Although there are many forms of elder abuse, financial exploitation—particularly through fraud, scams, and identity theft—has emerged as one of the most rapidly expanding threats to older adults.

In the United States, approximately 1 in 10 older adults experience abuse each year, affecting an estimated 5 million individuals annually. Financial exploitation alone results in approximately $28.3 billion in annual losses, reflecting both the scale of the problem and its devastating impact on older adults’ financial security.

A significant and growing portion of this loss is driven by fraud, scams, and identity theft which often involve unknown perpetrators who use deception, technology, and psychological manipulation to target older adults.

To help spread awareness of the risks of financial exploitation caused by fraud, scams, and identity theft, the Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) will present a public forum on June 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Miller’s Grant at Lutheran Village in Ellicott City. Co-sponsored by AARP, the Awareness, Action and Financial Safety forum serves as a platform for professionals and community members dedicated to safeguarding older adults from exploitation.

Join Tracy Rezvani, Administrator for the Howard County Office of Consumer Protection, and Maryland Assistant Attorney General Jeff Karberg to learn the signs and patterns of identity theft and scams. Participants will gain practical strategies to prevent and respond to exploitation and connect with local resources and support systems designed to protect older adults, caregivers and professionals. OAI offers a wealth of resources for families on topics ranging from how to identify the various forms of elder abuse to preventing financial scams and frauds at www.howardcountymd.gov/ElderAbuse. There you can also find an Elder Abuse Awareness Guide and organizations to contact if you, or someone you love, is a victim of elder abuse.

For more information about Identity Theft, visit the Office of the Attorney General online. To learn more about avoiding scams and fraud, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/consumer-protection/scam-squad

From the desk of Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive

The United Nations recognizes June 15 annually as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a global call for communities to recognize and address elder abuse as both a human rights violation and a growing policy challenge for ageing societies.

Since I became County Executive, we joined AARP’s Age-Friendly Network in 2019. Since then, we have released our five-year progress report, which outlines 120 action items that have begun to transform Howard County into an Age-Friendly community, including the construction of a new East Columbia 50+ Center, the first Age-Friendly Tables for Connection at Cedar Lane Park West, the first Age-Friendly Fitness Lot at Centennial Park North, and a nationally recognized Ageism Awareness Campaign.

Though we are working to raise the quality of life for our older residents, an unfortunate reality is older adults are frequently targeted for financial fraud and exploitation. I encourage you to join the Office on Aging and Independence for a forum titled Awareness, Action and Financial Safety on June 16 from 10 a.m. – noon at Lutheran Village at Miller’s Grant. The Howard County Office of Consumer Protection and Assistant Attorney General Jeff Karberg will give presentations to educate you on these topics.

The event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required; register on Eventbrite to secure your spot.

We are also taking meaningful steps to prevent the emerging trend of benefits exploitation, which occurs when an individual is pressured, coerced, or manipulated into giving up control of their financial benefits (such as Social Security, disability income, pensions, or housing assistance) for someone else’s gain. Join our Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and Office of Disability Services for a roundtable discussion on this topic on June 24 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the East Columbia 50+ Center.

June Events at Howard County 50+ Centers

Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation

Glenwood 50+ Center • #A03732.701

June 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Financial exploitation and scams make it hard for victims to get back on track financially, especially older adults. Join MakingChange to learn how scams work, how scammers obtain your information, and steps you can take to keep your identity secure.

“Catch a Rising Star” (Film and Music)

East Columbia 50+ Center • #A04821.700

June 9, 1 – 2 p.m.

Experience the magic of film music as Alan Rubenstein guides you through iconic classics and modern favorites, with engaging stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and audience participation.

Senior

Planet:

Staying in Touch as Landlines Change

Glenwood 50+ Center • #A20673.708

June 11, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Learn why copper lines are being phased out in favor of fiber-optic cables. Explore the benefits of fiber-optic cables and alternatives to landlines that allow you to keep your number and phone, as well as mobile phones and other options.

Senior Planet: Virtual Museum Tours

North Laurel 50+ Center • # A20673.710

June 30, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Did you know many of the world’s leading museums make their collections and exhibits available to view virtually? Explore virtual galleries and digital tools that bring art, architecture and history to life!

Beyond the Thermostat

North Laurel 50+ Center

June 12, 11 a.m. – noon • #CF0612.100

Ellicott City 50+ Center

June 17, 1 – 2 p.m. • #A02651.701

Save money on your BGE bill! Join Civic Works Energy Programs to learn about Maryland’s energy system, why bills are rising, and what you can do. Learn how to read your BGE bill, get tips to save energy around the home, and explore free and low-cost grant-funded programs to help reduce your household energy use.

Seniors Together: Men’s Forum

Ellicott City Fitness Center

Thursdays, 10 a.m. - noon • #A30123.507

Join our men’s group to discuss current events, ideas, and life experiences in a comfortable setting. This facilitated group meets weekly. To register call 410-313-1400. For more information, contact Karen Hull at 410-313-7466 (voice/relay).

History of Woman Lighthouse Keepers

Elkridge 50+ Center

June 17, 1 – 2 p.m. • #A05613.700

The National Archives show more than 140 women officially served as head lighthouse keepers between 1845 and 1912, with many more as assistants. The U.S. Lighthouse Society lists 518 women in its Research Catalogue; join us to learn more about their role.

Fauvism with Errol McKinson

Bain 50+ Center

June 25, 1 – 2 p.m. • #A01506.700

Fauvism was an early 20th-century art movement marked by bold, non-naturalistic color and expressive brushwork. Join Errol McKinson to learn how Fauves like Henri Matisse and André Derain used color for emotional impact to help shape later modern art.

Celebrate Juneteenth, Father’s Day and African American Music Month

Bain 50+ Center

June 23, 11 a.m. – noon • # A01757.700

Join us as we honor freedom, fatherhood, and legendary Motown music classics that shaped generations, presented by Julia’s Heart. Light refreshments served.

Mind, Body & Energy Session: Reincarnation

Elkridge 50+ Center

June 26, 10 – 11:30 a.m. • #A05665703

Have you ever wondered if there is such a thing as reincarnation? Join this fascinating discussion exploring the possibility of past lives. Call 410-313-5174 for more information. 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (voice/relay) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find

X, and Nextdoor

Upcoming Programs for 50 Years + Recreation &

Parks

Special Events

LEGO® Railroad Trials

NEW! In June 1831, the B&O Railroad held a competition to find the best new steam train design for the railroad, so we are holding our own competition to celebrate the EC Station’s 195th anniversary. Kids, join our LEGO® Railroad Competition! We provide the LEGO® for you to design and build your own train engines and then test them on a curving track. Can your creation stay on the rails and outperform the rest? Creativity, engineering, and fun are all part of the challenge! (Note: LEGO® pieces are collected at the end of the event.) Info: Conor Conneally, 410-313-1945 or cconneally@howardcountymd.gov.

6 yrs + B&O EC Station Museum

RP9981.703 Jun 6 2-4pm Sa $10

Roll with It!

NEW! Celebrate International Sushi Day with a hands-on culinary experience! Learn the basics of sushi rolling while gaining insight into the rich traditions and cultural heritage behind this iconic Japanese cuisine. This family experience is perfect for beginners, food lovers, and anyone interested in expanding their culinary knowledge and cultural appreciation. Preregistration required. Info: 410-313-0860 or www.howardcountymd.gov/htcc.

8 yrs + Harriet Tubman Ctr Supplies are provided RP4474.801 Jun 18 6:30-8:30pm Th $19

Juneteenth Community Yard Sale & Block Party

NEW! Join us for a fun day of bargains, bites, and beats! Shop for treasures, enjoy great food, play games, and connect with neighbors and friends. Vendor registration is required, and space is limited. Vendors are given a six-foot space with one table and two chairs. Info: 410-313-0860.

All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr

RP4456.701 Jun 20 9am-2pm Sa $25 per vendor space

Coming to shop Jun 20 9am-2pm Sa Free for shoppers

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. Info: www.howardcountymd.gov/summerconcerts.

Howard County’s July 4th Fireworks (HoCo250)

Join us at the 4th of July annual fireworks celebration. The event features live entertainment. Bring a picnic or purchase food from on-site vendors. Parking is free. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap after 6/15 for activities schedule.

Info: 410-313-1668.

All ages Columbia Lakefront Fireworks are at dark (weather permitting) Jul 4 5-10pm Sa Free (Rain date: 7/5, fireworks only)

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

Crafts & Fine Arts

Stained Glass Workshops - Advanced

If you have already learned a more complicated layout of pieces in the Stained Glass Craft and Design Class, now it is time to learn 3D construction. Create a spinner piece in the June 2 workshop!

50 yrs + N Laurel CC Instructor: Maureen Stone Classes: 1

RP3536.702 Jun 2 10am-2pm Tu $99

Dance

Beginning Ballet with Kinetics Dance Theatre

This class introduces basic ballet movement to help build strength, flexibility, and coordination. Dancers learn at their own pace in a nurturing and relaxed environment. Leotard and tights are recommended, but form-fitting clothing is also permitted. Ballet shoes or supportive dance shoes required.

50 yrs + Classes: 7

RP3562.801 Kinetics Danc Te htr Jun 23 3:30-4:30pm Tu $89

Fitness

Chair Fitness Boxing

This beginner-friendly chair fitness boxing series introduces the fundamentals of boxing, including how to execute punches using the numbered system. The program is designed to enhance cardiovascular health, build muscle strength, improve balance focusing on core stability. Even while seated, relieve stress and support cognitive function.

50 yrs + Classes: 10

RP3502.801 Roger Carter CC Jun 24 11:30am-12:30pm W $99

Strength & Agility with MaxxFit

Join Maxxfit for a comprehensive fitness journey designed for active adults who want to build strength, improve agility, and enhance overall fitness! This dynamic 45-minute class is structured into three focused segments and combines strength training, cardiovascular conditioning, and core stabilization to deliver a complete full-body workout. Increase strength and muscle tone, improve cardiovascular fitness, enhance balance and coordination, gain better core stability and posture, and increase metabolic rate and energy levels. The class is suitable for all fitness levels and offers modifications.

50 yrs + Classes: 9

RP3534.801 Roger Carter CC Jun 21 Noon-12:45pm Su $107

Technology

Mastering Your Mobile Device/Tablet

In this class you will learn how to connect your iPhone with your iPad. Discover useful free apps for your phone. Learn about backing up your phone and how to use voice communication to gain information. Bring your smart phone and/or tablet.

50 yrs + Instructor: Constance Lowe Classes: 1

RP3523.801 Gary J Arthur CC Jun 10 10-11am W $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 80-foot 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 RP4545.801 Jun 11 9am-5pm Th $189

Ladew Topiary Gardens

Visit one of the top five named gardens in North America! Its 22 acres feature a historic house, nature walk, butterfly house, 100+ larger-than-life topiary forms, and 15 formal “garden rooms!” Pack a lunch or enjoy the onsite café. Lots of walking required.

21 yrs + Bus Provided RP4546.801 Jun 18 9am-3pm Th $109

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

This is one of the largest museums in the U.S. and ranks among the top art museums. The collection includes 5,000 years of art from around the world. Enjoy a lunch on your own at the on-site restaurant or café! Moderate walking required.

18 yrs + Bus provided

RP4791.801 Jun 26 8am-5pm F $129

Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream – Washington, D.C.

Just steps from the White House, this interactive museum showcases stories of opportunity through immersive exhibits, art, and technology. Explore education, entrepreneurship, finance, and health while envisioning your own American dream. Dine on your own at a café or restaurant. Moderate walking required.

18 yrs + Bus provided RP4793.801 Jul 10 9:30am-3:30pm F $99

Travel Leisure & Romania’s thrills include ‘Dracula’s castle’

By Sandi Barrett

At the crossroads of Central and Eastern Europe is the surprisingly beautiful, sophisticated and affordable country of Romania. The picturesque Carpathian Mountains dominate the landscape, cutting through Romania’s center and most famous region, Transylvania.

My husband, Chris, and I love exploring new-to-us countries, so we were excited to sail the lower Danube River with Avalon Waterways. The tour scheduled several days to explore Romania, and Bran Castle, the inspiration for Dracula’s castle, was a must-see on this trip.

Growing up in a Western democracy, I found it fascinating to learn about the communist history of Eastern Europe. In 1989, the Romanian Revolution lifted the Iron Curtain, and Romania made its global debut as a democracy. That year Nicolae Ceaușescu, the president of communist Romania, was executed for crimes against his people.

Romania’s people are charming and resilient after living under an oppressive regime for 40 years. Its diverse population comes from its shifting borders, with people from Ukraine, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria and Moldova.

Modern Bucharest

Dubbed “Little Paris,” the capital city, Bucharest, is pleasantly modern with a hip, cosmopolitan vibe. The city has a hodgepodge of communist-era concrete apartment blocks, glass and steel skyscrapers, as well as charming 18thcentury architecture in Old Town. Its main thoroughfare, Calea Victoriei (Victory Avenue), is dotted with trendy shops, inviting cafés, historic churches and beautiful homes, adding a cultured ambiance to this centuries-old city.

In the center of Bucharest, the Royal Palace was the official residence of Romanian kings and queens until 1947, when the country became a republic. It’s now the National Museum of Art of Romania, which holds the country’s art collection. Occasionally the Romanian royal family hosts diplomatic meetings and events in the former Royal Palace.

We gaped at a few other architectural wonders in Bucharest, including the Romanian Athenaeum, an ornate concert

hall; the historic, five-star InterContinental Athénée Palace Hotel; and the massive Palace of Parliament — the second-largest administrative building in size globally, just behind the Pentagon.

Bibliophiles will love the fairytale-like atmosphere at the iconic Cărturești Carusel. Bucharest’s famous Old Town bookstore offers six floors of books, winding staircases and a bistro to sip a strong brew while enjoying a good read.

Dracula’s castle

Three hours north of Bucharest is Brașov, world-renowned for Bran Castle. Traversing the Romanian countryside on the way there transports you back to a pre-industrial farming era. Villages surrounded by hectares of corn, wheat, barley, oats, beets and potatoes stretch across a wide plateau, giving way to foothills and the towering Carpathian Mountains.

Perched on a prominent outcrop, Bran Castle is a stunning medieval fortress built in 1377. One famous visitor, Vlad the Impaler, was considered the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula It was later home to Queen Marie of Romania, granddaughter of the United Kingdom’s Queen Victoria.

On the night of our visit, the moon cast a hazy glow across the grounds and the steep, rocky path to the castle. It was perfectly creepy for our Dracula adventure.

As part of our Avalon Waterways excursion, we were treated to a private showing and traditional dinner in the castle. Not having to wait in a long line and jockey for better views allowed us time to explore at a leisurely pace. We were served a traditional Romanian brandy and several local dishes, including a delicious mushroom stew.

Another spot to visit in Brașov is the Black Church. Situated in the heart of Bra ș ov’s Old Town, the 14 th-century church was built by German Saxons. In 1689, a devastating citywide fire left behind smoke-blackened walls, giving the church its moniker. The Black Church houses one of the largest pipe organs in Eastern Europe, and we were treated to a delightful mini concert.

Peleș Castle

The centerpiece of the charming town

page 21.

Known as “Little Paris,” Romania’s capital city of Bucharest showcases its Baroque churches, Gothic restaurants and Belle Époque museums.

of Sinaia is a stunning architectural masterpiece in the German Neo-Renaissance style: Peleș Castle. The former summer residence of the Romanian royal family, it dominates the city’s landscape.

Wandering through some of the 160 rooms, I couldn’t imagine living in such luxury. Walls adorned with exquisite art, crystal chandeliers made from Italian Murano glass, a massive library with a secret passage to the king’s rooms and expensive antiquities capture your eye at every turn. The castle was the first in Europe to have electricity. The late 19th-century marvel was built with hot and cold running water, central heating, a telephone and an elevator.

King Carol I, who lived in Peleș Castle until his death in 1914, amassed a collection of 4,500 armory artifacts. The weaponry display, including a fully outfitted knight on his armored horse, is one of the finest collections of 15th- through 19thcentury pieces.

If you go

Round-trip airfare to Bucharest starts at $680. Traveling by river cruise offers the convenience of unpacking only once while you visit multiple destina -

tions. We thoroughly enjoyed our lower Danube River cruise on the Avalon Passion , which can accommodate 164 passengers (avalonwaterways.com).

Bucharest is a thriving city with a vibrant, contemporary feel. One of the finest hotels in Bucharest is the InterContinental Athénée Palace, located near high-end shops and classic European cafés.

In the center of Old Town Bucharest is a historic restaurant perfect for resting and refueling after a day of exploration. With stained glass and a Gothic interior, Caru’ cu bere offers hearty and delicious local cuisine; I enjoyed the highly recommended bean soup in a bread bowl.

If you prefer an upscale, modern dining experience, CAJU by Joseph Hadad is a wonderful option. The casually elegant atmosphere sets the stage for an exciting, cuisine-focused repast.

In Brașov we stayed at the Kronwell Hotel (kronwell.com), a modern respite for the explorers of Romania. When I’m traveling, I love to find traditional restaurants that serve classic local dishes. La Ceaun in Brașov is a casual spot for just such dining; their dishes are hearty Romanian fare at its best.

Scott Fountain is just one of Detroit’s many historic landmarks. See story on

PHOTO BY MKRAJENKE12

Check out Greensboro’s history and hospitality

By Cherrie Woods

If I didn’t know better, I might think Greensboro, North Carolina, was named for its abundance of trees and parks, one of the reasons I’ve visited four times and plan to return again.

With beautiful parks, gardens and trails, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them active and engaged.

In reality, however, Greensboro, founded in 1808, was named after Revolutionary War figure Nathanael Greene. He was commander of the American forces in the 1781 Battle of Guilford Courthouse.

Over time, I’ve come to appreciate the city for more than its natural beauty. Greensboro’s deep civil rights history, food, events, affordable hotels and a growing list of places I still hope to visit keep drawing me back.

Sit-ins began here

One of the most powerful places in Greensboro is the International Civil Rights Center & Museum at 134 S. Elm Street, on the main thoroughfare.

Opened in 2010 in the National Historic Landmark F.W. Woolworth Building, the museum was the site of the country’s first sit-in, on February 1, 1960. Four Black students from North Carolina A&T State University took seats at Wool-

worth’s whites-only lunch counter and refused to leave. Their quiet act of protest helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement nationwide.

Visitors can see the restored lunch counter, and 13 galleries document the struggle for justice and equality in America through artifacts, photographs and interactive displays.

On my last visit, Sage Chioma, a museum guide, gave an outstanding tour. Her commentary in the Hall of Shame exhibit was both poignant and compelling as she pointed out the graphic imagery and language — including scenes of physical violence, lynchings and burnings — that African Americans have endured in the United States.

Less than a mile away is the Historic Magnolia House at 442 Gorrell Street, another Black history site. Purchased by the Gist family in 1949, the Magnolia House was the first hotel of prominence in Greensboro to welcome people of color.

African Americans traveling through the South during the Jim Crow era found the hotel listed in The Negro Motorist Green Book. Many legendary figures passed through its doors, including James Brown, Ray Charles, James Baldwin, Jackie Robinson and Sam Cooke.

Today, Magnolia House is one of the

few former Green Book sites still open to guests.

Affordable restaurants

After a long day of sightseeing, I enjoy visiting Greensboro’s many excellent restaurants and casual eateries. One of my favorite stops is Yum Yum Better Ice Cream (1219 Spring Garden St.). Known for homemade ice cream and hot dogs, it’s popular with locals and students. The

lines can get long, but they move quickly. The peach ice cream is a must-have.

I also like Stamey’s Barbecue (two locations) for hot dogs and peach cobbler. The cobbler alone is worth the visit.

For excellent soul food I enjoy lunch at the upscale Luxe Soulfood & Cocktails (403 N. Elm St.). The warm, intimate restaurant has a menu that includes

From page 19

savory sandwiches, fresh salads and hearty soul food entrees. I ordered the grilled salmon with cheesy mac and greens — delicious! And of course, peach cobbler, since I love all things peach.

Literary events and festivals

In May 2025, I attended and volunteered for the Greensboro Bound Book

Festival, an annual downtown event in a variety of indoor spaces that draws thousands of readers, writers, publishers and scholars. The festival includes author panels, workshops, documentary screenings and musical performances, creating a vibrant experience where readers and writers share stories and ideas.

Every September, locals and visitors can enjoy live music at the three-day North Carolina Folk Festival. Featuring artists across more than 20 genres, the

festival blends live music, food and art into a dynamic cultural experience.

Drawing more than 135,000 attendees each year, the festival brings together artists from North Carolina and around the world.

Past performers have included jazzpop band Sammy Rae & The Friends, hip hop group Arrested Development, bluegrass band Steep Canyon Rangers and blues guitarist Lightnin’ Wells, reflecting the event’s wide musical range.

On another visit in early December, a friend drove us through the Sunset Hills neighborhood for the Christmas balls displays. Residents decorate their trees with glowing balls made from chicken wire and string lights. The annual display, started in 1996, runs from Thanksgiving through mid-January, and a festive 5K run and walk happens on the evening of December 12 this year.

BEACON BITS

June 21

Even after four visits, there’s still more I want to do. On my wish list is having afternoon tea and listening to live jazz at the O. Henry Hotel (624 Green Valley Rd.) and trying the authentic Southern food at Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen (1421 Westover Terr.).

For me, Greensboro offers something special: a blend of history, culture, hospitality and greenery that makes every visit refreshing — and keeps me looking forward to the next one.

If you go

Greensboro is about a five-and-a-halfhour drive away. My favorite place to stay is the Hampton Inn & Suites Greensboro Downtown (222 W. McGee St.). The hotel is reasonably priced and includes a complimentary hot breakfast buffet. Within walking distance of Elm Street, it’s close to shops, restaurants and cultural attractions.

FATHER’S DAY HAMFEST EXPO

Join the Baltimore Amateur Radio Club for its annual Father’s Day Hamfest Expo on Sun., June 21 from 8 a.m. to noon, at the Arcadia Volunteer Fire Company grounds, 16020 Carnival Ave., Upperco. The event features a market with miscellaneous items, tailgating, amateur radio gear, electronics, radio control, disaster preparedness items, food and door prizes. Attendance is $8 or $12 per tailgating space. For more information, visit w3ft.com/w3ft-barc-hamfest-expo-2026.

Have confidence in every conversation.

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

For more information:

800-552-7724 | 410-767-7253 (Voice/TTY) 410-801-9618 (Video Phone) | MDMAT.org

Located in the former F. W. Woolworth’s, where the sit-in movement began, the International Civil Rights Center & Museum opened in 2010, 50 years after four students made history there.

Detroit reflects America’s changes

By Martha Steger

If you visit Detroit, don’t be surprised to hear the names Henry Ford and Motown in the same sentence. After all, the city is famous for both cars and music.

A trip to Michigan’s largest city reveals how much these influences have changed American life in little more than a century.

A good place to start a tour of the area is the Henry Ford Museum, located in Dearborn, 20 minutes outside Detroit.

The museum is part of Greenfield Village, an 80-acre living history site where costumed interpreters share stories about life in different eras.

Allow a full day to immerse yourself in the village, which is populated with replicas of 100 historic buildings such as Thomas Edison’s laboratory and the Wright brothers’ workshop. You can catch a ride on historic vehicles such as steam trains or Model Ts. I found the exhibit of U.S. presidents’ cars, along with historic farm equipment, particularly interesting. (Greenfield Village is open from April through November.)

Architectural wonders

Though cars and music get the biggest share of tourists’ attention in Detroit, the city’s stunning architecture deserves a

long look. For instance, the Westin Book Cadillac Hotel, where I stayed to enjoy the indoor pool and hot tub, is a prime example of Renaissance Revival style. The grand, 33-story hotel, enhanced with Venetian ornamentation, opened in 1924 but was abandoned by the 1980s. After a $200 million restoration, it reopened in 2008.

I enjoyed a brisk 30-minute walk from the hotel to the Detroit River, which forms part of the border between the U.S. and the Canadian province of Ontario.

While I didn’t cross over, a lot of residents as well as passport-toting travelers capitalize on Canada being just a bridge away.

Museums and eats

A visit to Detroit wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Detroit Institute of Arts, which displays more than 65,000 works of art from ancient to modern times, including works by Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso and Diego Rivera. Very good — though pricey — restaurants are close by. I opted for less expensive spots to sample “The Detroiter,” a classic Coney Island-style slider, which includes a simple patty, caramelized onions, pickles, ketchup and mustard on a steamed bun with the cheese at the bottom.

Interestingly, the river was the most active emigration point on the border for fugitive U.S. slaves in the 19th century; its location was less risky than fleeing to Mexico, which involved passing through slaveholding states. To find out more, visit Detroit’s Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, which is staging ongoing special events this year to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The Motown Museum’s 50,000-square-foot expansion is expected to open in spring 2027. Although construction was still underway at the site of “ Hitsville,” the nickname of the original recording studio for Motown Records, it didn’t hinder me from enjoying the sound of Motown’s legendary musicians as soon as I entered the building: The Temptations, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder, all of whom lived in the city.

Road trip north of Detroit

Not wanting to leave Michigan without a

visit to Frankenmuth, the German-style town that claims “the world’s largest Christmas store,” I headed there next. After checking out Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland and some of the heritage area’s other 40 shops, I took a boat tour on Frankenmuth’s peaceful Cass River via FunShips, which serves wine and chocolates. Next, I traveled 90 miles northwest to Mount Pleasant to see the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture. The Midwest’s premier American Indian museum presents the history, culture and traditions of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe. A cup of corn soup made by the Saginaw Chippewa owner at the nearby Cup of Joy restaurant was the perfect antidote for a chilly day. Mount Pleasant is also home to the Soaring Eagle Casino and adjacent waterpark and hotel.

Homestyle restaurants throughout the area serve family-style meals, such as the thin, crispy-crusted fried chicken at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant in Frankenmuth. But since German comfort food is an area staple, I saved my appetite for schnitzel, sauerbraten and bratwurst.

Heading back to the airport in Detroit, I felt as though I were leaving a different country to return home.

For more information, see VisitDetroit. com and MeetMtP.com.

Literature professor is living his dream

By Ed Warner

For some, a second career in retirement isn’t just a way to keep busy and maybe make a bit of cash — it’s a chance to do what you’ve always wanted.

Take George Clack, a former editor who, post-retirement, achieved his dream of becoming a college professor.

“I’m finally doing what I wanted all my life,” Clack said.

That’s not to say Clack, 79, had a humdrum career. After graduating with a master’s in English in the 1970s, he found jobs scarce in academia, so he became an editor with the federal government. Eventually, he was promoted to edit what may have been the government’s grandest print undertaking.

Called Amerika , it was a Russianlanguage, photo-filled magazine focused on American life. A quarter of million copies of Amerika were provided free each month to residents of what was then the Soviet Union. Sometimes, U.S. diplomats left copies on buses for riders to read and pass along.

Joseph Brodsky, who fled Soviet persecution and later became the U.S. poet lau-

reate, told Clack that the magazine gave him hope during his Soviet years.

“I spoke with him face-to-face and learned how much he’d cherished our magazine as a young dissident poet in St. Petersburg,” Clack said.

Amerika helped the country win the Cold War, according to former U.S. diplomat Yale Richmond. He told Politico in 2022 that “ Amerika was a minor expense, but a major success, in the cold war of ideas.”

Although Clack didn’t speak Russian, he was Amerika’s editor for the magazine’s final two years. He said the magazine aimed to show the Soviet people U.S. life, “warts and all.”

The stories, written in English and then translated, were first cleared with the U.S. embassy in Moscow, which only rejected one piece during his tenure, he said.

When the Cold War ended, though, Congress cut the budget of Amerika’s sponsor, the U.S. Information Agency, and “the magazine went down the drain” in 1992, Clack said.

Clack finished his federal career with a 10-year stint at the Department of State,

where he got a start in what would be the future of publishing. He headed the Publications Office, which produced pamphlets, books and what were called “electronic journals.” And in 2008, he helped set up the department’s Facebook page.

Free to teach

When Clack retired in 2009, he decided he’d give his graduate-school dream a shot, even if he had to do it without pay. He volunteered to teach at Howard Community College (HCC), which told him he could “make up whatever course I wanted,” Clack recalled.

He settled on what has become his signature class, Great Short Stories. Clack en-

Chef Carla Hall tries to “live out loud.” See story on page 24.

Multimedia artist creates art in new studio

By Laura Sturza

In a moving exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art three years ago, visitors walked through a visual and audio landscape featuring intimate, large-scale black-and-white photographs of Pamela Woolford, an artist who lives in Columbia, Maryland. At the same time, they listened to her narration, which told the story of the romance between Woolford and the photographer who took her pictures.

Woolford, now 58, reached a broad audience with her intimate multimedia installation, “Antoine and Me,” exhibited at the museum from 2022 to 2023.

Woolford continues to weave her background as a writer, filmmaker, performer and dancer into mixed-media work with a mission.

The Renaissance woman doesn’t work solely with paint and canvas. Instead, she’s more apt to participate in storytelling events, live performances and film screenings.

Her vision, she said, is “to create new forms of narrative work about Black people and others whose joy, imagination and inner life are underexplored in American media and popular art.”

Resident artist

Woolford was recently named one of nine artists-in-residence at Howard County’s new Capitoline Center in Ellicott City. In addition to artist studios, the newly renovated building is the headquarters of the Howard County Arts Council, which hosts gallery exhibits and events there throughout the year.

The Capitoline Center opened in March in the former Courthouse Building, which was remodeled into a hub for Howard County’s arts and culture. Visitors can view resident artists’ works-in-progress.

“It is quite lovely to have a space outside my home to work,” said Woolford, who is grateful for Maryland’s commitment to artists. “I live in one of the states in America that pours the most money into the arts.”

Like other resident artists, she also has access to a dance studio, workshop rooms and a theater. Fellow artists can collaborate easily in the new space.

Works in progress

Woolford is currently working on a new theater piece called Bound Waters. After she performed as Harriet Tubman in a show that featured a monologue written by D.C. author and writing instructor Marita Golden, Woolford wanted to delve deeper. As Golden did in her production, Woolford aims to humanize individuals in a way she says traditional historical portrayals and descriptions have not always done.

“I’m using the words of Black Americans who were formerly enslaved, from autobiographical writings, interviews and other historical documents,” Woolford said.

Bound Waters will feature four perform-

ers, choreography, freedom songs, spirituals and protest songs. Woolford is currently looking for a theater to premiere the piece.

Woolford is also writing a memoir about her experience growing up in Columbia, one that will tell a story of liberal racism, which she says is part of the community’s untold history.

Her identity is central to many of her works. “I center my own Black, womanly, middle-aged body or voice … to convey intimate moments and memories,” Woolford said.

She juggles multiple projects while also completing time-consuming applications for arts residencies and grants.

“I do everything myself, including the website,” said Woolford, who used to

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Writer and multimedia artist Pamela Woolford is artist-in-residence at the new Capitoline Center in the former Ellicott City Courthouse.

PHOTO BY TRACY CHILES MCGHEE

See WOOLFORD, page 25

Chef Carla Hall takes a fork in the road

By Margaret Foster

Change, whether internal or external, is one of the gifts of a long life.

So says Carla Hall, who in her six decades has been an accountant, runway model, salesperson, chef, TV personality, author and restaurateur.

Now she’ll step onstage to star in a one-woman show about her life, Please Underestimate Me. She co-wrote the autobiographical play and will perform its world premiere at Olney Theatre Center in Olney, Maryland, on June 3.

“I’m reconnecting with the parts of myself, while I’m also sharing the story,” Hall said in an interview with the Beacon She intends “to live out loud and to really explore why I’m here — to not play it safe,” she said.

Now 61, Hall, who lives in Washington, D.C., says she wouldn’t trade her current life for her earlier years.

“I have no qualms about aging,” Hall said. “I feel the wisdom, and I appreciate the confidence that I have that I didn’t have as a younger person.”

In fact, she said, “I really want people to lean into that wisdom that we have garnered over the years.”

Instead of fighting the passage of time, older adults can show the younger generation how to age well, assuring them that “this age is going to be amazing. You can step into your confidence, and you will own all of the pieces of yourself,” Hall said.

“We are giving our power away to younger people by saying, ‘I want to look like you, I want to be like you, I want to change my face and my body like yours’ — and I refuse to do it.”

Nashville childhood

As a child in Nashville, Tennessee, Hall was a self-described “theater kid,” putting on plays and puppet shows at summer camp at Sewanee, the University of the South. Acting ran in the family; one of her uncles was an actor, and she watched him perform on Broadway in the Tony Award-winning musical Bubbling Brown Sugar. Hall followed her older sister, Kim, to Howard University, and graduated with a degree in accounting. After two years as a CPA at Price Waterhouse in Tampa, though, she decided to quit and move to Paris to be a model (she’s an inch shy of six feet tall).

“My grandmother said, ‘It is your job to be happy, not to be rich,’ and I truly embody that,” she said.

In fact, it was her grandmother, Freddie Mae Glover, who first taught Hall to cook. Hall discovered her cooking prowess by perfecting her grandmother’s biscuit recipe.

After a few years overseas, where Hall

learned to appreciate fine cuisine, she moved back to D.C. and, with the encouragement of some friends, started a lunch-delivery business “as a fluke,” she said. “I was always doing something. I was always selling something, whether it was water filters or what — girl, I was always doing it. I was always creating a job.”

Glover paid for her to attend culinary school, L’Academie de Cuisine in Bethesda, Maryland, but her memory began to slip, first in her recipes. She died of Alzheimer’s before she could see her granddaughter graduate.

Hall began as a sous chef in D.C. hotels and worked her way up to executive chef. She got her big television break when she was 44, after she had learned how to “work her quirk,” as she puts it. That’s when she landed a spot on Bravo’s “Top Chef” reality show in 2008, becoming an audience favorite, thanks to her humor and authenticity. She later became a judge on that show after cooking live on “Good Morning America,” serving up her granny’s meatloaf and treats like lemon ginger cake in a tin can.

Then she hopped over to Food Network, judging cooking shows on that cable channel. She then co-hosted the Emmy-winning ABC daytime TV show “The Chew” for seven years.

With her easygoing, big-sister advice, Hall appears as comfortable with celebrities as she is with her fans. She has hobnobbed on live television with the likes of Jimmy Fallon, Drew Barrymore and a few Muppets (Cookie Monster and the Swedish Chef, of course).

By the time she opened a restaurant of her own in Brooklyn, New York, in 2016, Hall had made a name for herself. Although that restaurant, Southern Kitchen, closed the following year, some of its dishes are on the brand-new menu at her new one. Bumblebirds opened in D.C. in March with its fried chicken named after her other grandmother, Thelma.

Hall helps out at the new restaurant from time to time, welcoming guests as if they’re family.

After all, she said, they are “the reason I have a job. And I like people. That’s my superpower: I genuinely like people.”

From kitchen to theater

Hall got the idea for the memoir-play during a career pause in 2018, when “The Chew” ended.

“I was looking around for my next project, and I thought, what about a variety show like ‘The Carol Burnett Show’?” Hall said. As she told WTOP, “I wanted to be the Black Carol Burnett.”

Friends helped her shape that idea into a variety show of vignettes from her

life, from summer camp to television.

One friend was all in: Leslie Thomas, showrunner of “The Chew,” surprised Hall by saying she’d help out on the project. Thomas and her partner, Lori Kaye, started working on the script with Hall three years ago.

Last year Hall told an interviewer for the New York Times about the script in progress.

“When I read a profile of her in the New York Times in which she said she was working on a one-woman show, I immediately called her and said, ‘Let’s workshop this right now,’” said Jason Loewith, Olney Theatre Center’s artistic director. Hall and her sister, who lives in Olney, are frequent audience members there.

Behind the scenes, Hall has been practicing for the stage for years. She appeared on “General Hospital” and voiced

a few animated shows years ago, and more recently she hired an acting coach and has been honing her skills in any way she can.

“I knew I wanted to do it, but I can’t just walk out and do a play,” she said. She appeared on “Gossip Girl” and did a few voiceovers for NPR. “I was really in it and trying to change my focus to [acting]. So it wasn’t, like, just put me in, coach,” Hall said.

During Please Underestimate Me, Hall will invite volunteers from the audience to join her onstage to deliver a line or two. An audience cameo as a hairstylist, for instance, should get some laughs, she said.

Although she’s mildly worried about forgetting her lines — after all, she’ll be onstage for more than an hour — Hall

PHOTO BY MARVIN JOSEPH

Carla Hall, who owns no less than 50 pairs of glasses, will perform in the world premiere of her one-woman show, Carla Hall: Please Underestimate Me, this summer. She co-wrote the play, which will run from June 3 to July 12 at Olney Theatre Center.

Professor

From page 22

on one per class.

“You can analyze them really deeply; you can talk about them for an hour and a half,” he said.

Favorite authors include Alice Munro and Wendell Berry, and a favorite short story is J.D. Salinger’s “A Perfect Day for Bananafish,” known for its baffling ending.

“I like it when the story makes me think,” Clack said.

Clack teaches courses in HCC’s Continuing Education program, which is largely for retirees, a demographic he said is particularly attractive because they’re “lifelong readers and they want to talk about what they read.” They also bring a lifetime of experience that enriches class discussions, he added.

Woolford

From page 23

work in PR and marketing. She left that field to pursue her artistic projects.

After all, she said, “it’s hard to do art if you have a full-time job doing something else, even if it’s in the arts. You need space to breathe.”

Mother as muse

Woolford’s instinct to dive full-time into her art proved worthwhile. Her work has earned national and international recognition through residencies, fellowships, grants and awards. She has received 11

Literature’s value, Clack believes, is that it presents readers with “an alternative kind of life,” new experiences that can broaden perspectives.

After reading a powerful story, he said, “the characters will live in my head,” resonating for months or years.

Many classrooms

Clack has also taught literature courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Columbia and recently began offering a literature class at Residences at Vantage Point, a senior community in Columbia.

Although he teaches three courses per semester, the workload isn’t bad because his classes are discussion-only. Because he doesn’t assign essays, he doesn’t have to grade students’ papers. And after more than a decade of teaching, Clack has a trusty repertoire of lesson plans.

lades and honors, including some grants of up to $15,000, they don’t add up to a living wage, she said, so she lives in the family home she shares with her mother.

“I have a mother who understands the importance of the art,” she said.

In fact, Woolford says her mother, Reverend Sadie A. Woolford, an artist who will turn 90 this year, is her muse. She has drawn on her mother’s life growing up in the rural American South for several of her works.

Her mother’s work as a published writer and a storyteller has influenced her life in many ways. The two have collaborated, with Pamela scripting pieces

“The art of being a teacher is to recycle your material,” he joked.

Clack also appreciates poetry and is astounded by the number of poets in the U.S. He’s on the board of the local literary magazine, Little Patuxent Review , which receives about 800 submissions for the 20 to 25 poems they’re able to publish each year.

Looking forward, Clack said he’d like to start teaching a course on literature and aging. To be called October Light: The Fiction of Autumn, it would cover such novels as The Correspondent by Vir-

BEACON BITS

June 4

ginia Evans, Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout and Evensong by Stewart O’Nan — all with older protagonists.

Through his literature classes, Clack said he’s promoting a love of the written word in a world shifting to digital, a place of “very few words, not complexity.”

He admits he’s “fighting a losing battle” against the digital age, acknowledging that there’s “an element of ‘old-fogeyism’” in not adapting to the times.

For Clack, teaching is truly his life’s ambition, he said. “I’m doing what I was born to do. I just want to keep doing it.”

EVA CASSIDY FILM SCREENING

Join the Annapolis Film Society for a special screening of The Essence of Eva, a film portrait of legendary singer Eva Cassidy, featuring previously unheard songs and exclusive archival footage. This event takes place on Thu., June 4 at 7 p.m. at the Maryland Hall Bowen Theatre, 801 Chase St., Annapolis. Tickets are $22.05 and can be purchased at bit. ly/EvaCassidyfilmscreening. For more information, visit annapolisfilmsociety.eventive.org/welcome.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT VOLUNTEER

Ongoing

Junior Achievement is seeking volunteers to mentor K-12 students in person, online or in a hybrid setting. Training is provided, and flexible scheduling allows you to set your own time commitment. Sign up at centralmaryland.ja.org/volunteer/volunteer-now. For more information, call (443) 394-7211.

At 92, Robert Friedman is still writing

By Hannah Collins

Former Beacon writer Robert Friedman, 92, has traveled the world, interviewed celebrities and published seven books.

His latest title, Wolf on the Trail, published last fall, revisits a familiar character from his previous novels: a detective and Auschwitz survivor

Friedman started writing almost seven decades ago. In 1953, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in preparation to join the American forces in the Korean War. Luckily, the war ended shortly after he completed basic training.

After returning home, he used G.I. Bill funds to attend Ohio State University, where he graduated in three years with high honors and a Bachelor of Science in journalism.

“I wanted to write, and I didn’t want to write in a corner by myself,” Friedman said. “I wanted to be involved with people and the world. I wanted to know what was going on, and I wanted to write about it.”

He then traveled to Sweden to attend the English graduate school at the University of Stockholm, a school attracting students from every English-speaking country in the world. There, he spent a year studying Swedish literature.

He briefly lived in Paris and then

Greece, where he worked for a newspaper called the Athens News, followed by a stint at the U.S. military publication Stars and Stripes while living in Germany.

Puerto Rico years

In the 1980s, Friedman landed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he lived for almost 30 years. He worked as reporter, editor and columnist for The San Juan Star, interviewing the likes of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Leonard Bernstein, Dizzy Gillespie and Muhammad Ali. But the locals interested him more than visiting celebrities.

“Their world was screwed up, with their relationship to the United States. They were struggling all the time to make ends meet. But there was something very sympathetic about them, and that’s why I stayed,” he said.

During his time in Puerto Rico, Friedman also worked as the Caribbean correspondent for the New York Daily News, writing a weekly Sunday column about the island.

He met his wife, Virginia, in Puerto Rico, and they raised two daughters there. When the girls approached their teenage years, the family decided to move back to the States.

“It was just time to move on,” Fried-

man said. “I wanted my daughters to see what the United States was like. Although Puerto Rico is part of the United States, the culture is different.”

He became the Washington, D.C. correspondent for The San Juan Star, leading to his move to Silver Spring, Maryland. Friedman then began writing pro-

files and theater reviews for the Beacon for more than a dozen years.

Life as a transplant

Last year Friedman moved to a retirement home near his daughter in

Aging Independently.

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Robert Friedman published his most recent book last fall. Before he wrote for the Beacon, he was a correspondent for The San Juan Star and New York Daily News.

PHOTO BY MADDY FRIEDMAN

Writer

From page 26

Maplewood, New Jersey, less than an hour from his childhood home in the Bronx.

Friedman calls himself a “journalist turned novelist.” Initially, as a full-time journalist, he would work on his novels in the evenings. When The San Juan Star folded in 2008, Friedman began writing novels full-time.

“After a while, my novels became more important,” he said. “My novels became

Carla Hall

From page 24

trusts that her audience will be forgiving.

“Being that I’m menopausal, I have brain farts,” she admitted. “I can work my way through it, but it is a concern.”

Volunteer life heals

When Hall isn’t in all-day rehearsals, she’s likely with her husband, Matt Lyons, or volunteering her time.

“I grew up watching my grandparents give back,” she said. “It has been a part of who I am.”

It may come as no surprise that Hall volunteers for organizations that fight hunger, like Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen Chef Network, DC Central Kitchen and Feeding America. She

something that I loved writing.”

While he is a believer that authors “write what [they] know,” he says they also write about what they’ve read. Some of his favorite authors include Philip Roth, Norman Mailer, William Kennedy, Ralph Ellison, James Joyce and Fyodor Dostoevsky.

Friedman’s published novels include The Odyssey of Pablo Camino, The Defining Sea and Ulysses in San Juan, which were published as The Puerto Rico Trilogy, as well as Caribbean Dreams, Under a Dark Sun and Island Wildlife: Exiles,

has helped pack a million meals with AARP Foundation’s Summer of Service to Seniors.

She also prioritizes children (she’s the mother of a stepson) and gives her time to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as well as 4-H, GenYouth, Helen Keller International and Beyond Bedtime, a reading program. Here in D.C., she’s the culinary ambassador for the Smithsonian National Museum for African American History and Culture’s café.

Her other cause is Alzheimer’s (she volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association), in honor of her grandmother. Hall herself has the gene for late-onset Alzheimer’s. She tries to stave if off by getting brain scans, exercising and eating well.

“You can kick the can down the road if you take care of yourself, right?” she

Expats and Exotic Others

The Puerto Rico Trilogy features the character D.I. Wolf, a Polish-Jewish concentration camp survivor who has come to Puerto Rico to rebuild his life.

“Wolf is a conglomeration of several people I met — Jewish refugees who lived in Puerto Rico in the ‘70s and the ‘80s,” Friedman said.

Wolf reappears in Friedman’s newest novel, Wolf on the Trail, which follows Wolf’s quest to find the disappeared wife of a real estate mogul.

said.

When she’s helping others, whatever the cause, Hall finds a sense of purpose. Volunteering has been her compass in times of transition.

“When you’re in the doldrums or you feel like you’re lost, [if] you do something for someone else, it sort of heals that part of you that is lacking,” she said. “It just feels good to give back.”

Hall, whose motto is “Say yes. Adventure follows, then growth,” often encourages her viewers to keep an open mind through life. She certainly has.

Friedman’s passion for Puerto Rico has led him to want to share his experiences there with readers and to bring attention to the island’s political situation. He notes that Puerto Rico, despite technically being a commonwealth, is “like a high-class colony of the United States, which would be the last thing [Puerto Ricans] would admit.”

When asked if he has plans for future novels, Friedman replied, “Well, I’d like to write one more book, and I think in my 92nd year, I’m almost capable,” he joked. “I’m almost ready to do it.”

“I love having new experiences,” she said. “I realize that that’s not everybody, but I think everybody can find a thing that makes them happy and to try new things, even if it’s in your city, going a new route home. Because you’ll find something.”

Carla Hall in Please Underestimate Me runs from June 3 to July 12 at the Mulitz-Gudelsky Theatre Lab at the Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd., Olney, MD. Those 65 and older get $5 off most weeknight performances. For tickets, go to tickets.olneytheatre.org or call the box office at (301) 924-3400.

To subscribe, see page 28

ENJOY MUSIC?

Beacon founder Stuart Rosenthal

Listen to my original smooth-jazz-style compositions at StuartsMelodies.com or on YouTube, including:

Neighbor Ride meets a need in our county

By Susan Ahearn

Anna Rowland, 90, of Laurel, Maryland, never thought she would stop driving. That is, until the day she couldn’t negotiate a traffic circle because of neuropathy in her feet.

“I thought I was accelerating, but the car was going slower and slower. My foot was actually on the floor ... and that just scared me to death,” Rowland remembered.

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

After that experience, Rowland, a retired nurse, decided to give up driving at the age of 89 and rely on Neighbor Ride for her transportation needs.

ANSWERS TO JUMBLE

Jumbles: OUNCE SHYLY PEBBLE FLAUNT

Answer:

If you are a Howard County resident who is 60 or older and need help with transportation, Neighbor Ride may be the answer. The nonprofit ride service was created in 2004 to provide supplemental transportation for older residents in Howard County.

Neighbor Ride isn’t free, but it’s about 40% less than the cost of an Uber or Lyft. Round-trip rides cost between $10 and $36 for trips within a 35-mile radius of home.

All of the drivers are volunteers who use their personal vehicles to drive older adults whenever they can fit them into heir schedules.

How the program started

Neighbor Ride launched several years after a survey by the Office on Aging found transportation was one of the main concerns of older residents in the county. In 2001, Howard County formed a committee to study supplemental transportation options for older residents.

After two years of research, “We got to the point where we were convinced it was worth a try,” said Judy Pittman of Ellicott City, one of the co-founders of the nonprofit.

Neighbor Ride celebrated its 20th anniversary two years ago. Executive Director Bruce Fulton, of Woodbine, says the orga-

nization adheres to its original mission.

“It’s just that simple story of ‘neighbor helping neighbor’ — older adults that, for whatever reason, may not be able to drive. We’re … there to fill that gap,” Fulton explained.

How it works

It’s easy for Howard County residents to connect with Neighbor Ride.

“You fill out some paperwork, sign up for service and … you’re put into our system,” Fulton said. “When you need a ride, most folks still call. We have an online platform, or portal, where clients can log in and request rides,” he added.

Neighbor Ride provides rides 365 days a year. But it’s not an on-demand service, and it’s not guaranteed. Clients must notify them three days before they need a ride.

“We ask for three days so if we can’t find a driver, we want to give you 24 hours’ notice as a heads up,” Fulton said.

To confirm the appointment, volunteer drivers contact the passengers the night before pickup, either by phone or text.

To be a volunteer, people must attend an orientation session and undergo a criminal background check before they

Neighbor Ride

From page 28

can pick up passengers in their own vehicles.

In March alone, Neighbor Ride provided more than 850 rides to 260 people. But the statistics don’t matter as much as the sense of community the program creates for older individuals.

Fred Landy, 63, of Laurel, is one of 300 volunteer drivers for Neighbor Ride. Although he ferries many passengers, he and Rowland, who he calls Miss Anna, have become friends.

“Meeting Miss Anna has been just fabulous. I do seek her out, but I don’t drive exclusively for her; there are other people that I drive for,” said Landy, a retired certified public accountant. “It’s just very fulfilling to be able to do this.”

Creates independence

Fulton describes Neighbor Ride as “a logistics nonprofit where technology is very critical,” adding that his group is developing an app for its volunteers. The app has a target launch date of January 2027.

Despite the technology behind the scenes, personal connections have powered the nonprofit for the past two decades, co-founder Pittman said.

“I’m eternally grateful that it’s there now, not only for me, but for my peers and family as well,” Pittman said.

Rowland, who has family in the area, said Neighbor Ride gives her a sense of freedom.

“It makes me feel independent because I don’t have to ask a friend to take me somewhere. I don’t have to ask my kids to take me. I can do this on my own and get on my computer and sign up,” she said. For more information, visit neighborride.org or call (410) 884-RIDE (7433).

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

Crossword Puzzle

A Walk Down the Isle By Stephen Sherr

By Stephen Sherr

Scrabble answers on p. 28

Across

1. Navajo neighbors

5. Madagascan mammal

10. Fancy-schmancy

14. Direction from the University of Southern California to the University of South Carolina

15. Place to see monster trucks

16. Brand purchased by BP Amoco in 2000

17. “The one who died by house, or the one who died by water?”

19. Start to -graph or -site

20. California and maki rolls

21. Animal hiding in FREELANCE

22. Pepper picker, Piper

23. Word in the New Year’s Eve song

25. Crimson Glory, followed by Angel Face, and then Iceberg

27. 1974 Sportsman of the Year

29. Electronically surveil

31. Main product sold at 16

32. Type of bread or whiskey

33. Bewilder

35. Tuxedo requirement

37. Subway operator in NYC or Balt.

39. Six couples in this puzzle who walked down the isle

45. Devotee

46. Fondue feature

47. Jamboree

48. Legally required ingredient in mayonnaise

51. Read-a-thon organizer

53. “Pick a number from one to ___”

55. Little devil

56. The first one in heaven, for a while

59. Raggedy Ann or Andy

61. Baked potato topping

62. Kung ___ chicken

64. Cattle rustler avengers

67. Used a hoverboard

68. Group removed from the lineup

70. Mysterious warning sign

71. Gives a point to a post

72. University that is an acronym for LONE

73. Direction from George Washington University to Washington University

74. Coldplay concert meet-up, maybe

75. “___ timer for 30 minutes”

Down

1. Chops up

2. Island older than Maui

3. 60-point font on fraternity rush posters, perhaps

4. In need of hydrocortisone

5. Thermodynamic principle

6. Pennsylvania’s fourth largest city

7. “The ___ is still running”

8. Make the toilet work again

9. “Go, team go!”

10. Defeater of rock

11. Graduation speaker

12. Off-kilter

13. Raspy-voiced

18. “This word is four letters and starts with H,” for example

22. Green sauce

24. Erode

26. Had a taste, at Costco

27. Too many results from Google searches

28. Once around the racetrack

30. Bowler’s target

34. Character in Ernest Saves Christmas

36. Sense of self

38. Month for National S’mores Day

40. Suffer a grave ___ in judgement

41. Prepare to hear bad news

42. Good deal at the marine supply store

43. Cabinet-maker’s wood

44. Deplete

48. Holding account

49. “Get out of here”

50. Moves between figure skating jumps

52. Nanny from abroad

54. They take you to the big house in The Big Easy

57. “However, in the unlikely ___ ...”

58. Ungracefully tall

60. Brain parts

63. Half of all binary digits

65. Disrespectful brat

66. Bart’s teacher at Springfield Elementary

68. Deli order

69. Good abbr. for a good guess

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; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Personal Services; 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

Caregivers

PROPER PLACEMENT REFERRAL SERVICE for the Elderly — Needing to locate the proper assisted living for your loved one according to his/her health disorders? There’s no charge to locate the proper assisted living. Give M’s Scott a call at 443.712.4964 and leave a message.

MOBILE HAIR & NAIL SERVICES - WE COME TO YOU. Professional Licensed Hair Stylist. Women and Men’s Services ­ All Hair Types. Cuts, Styles, Roller Sets, Color, Perms, Men’s Cuts & Facial Grooming, Manicures & more. Call 410­415­1760.

Computer Services

SAVVY SENIOR TECH HUB - Friendly 1:1 tech support designed for seniors! Learn smartphones, tablets & computers at your own pace. Patient instruction, affordable rates. Don’t let technology intimidate you ­ master it! Call/text Stefan at 443­281­3638.

Computer Services

PATIENT, PRACTICAL, PERSONAL & IN-PERSON, 20+ years experience. Don’t let tech frustrate you. Get comfortable & confident with smartphones, tablets, laptops, TV, Alexa & more. Learn how to avoid scams. Julia: 443­436­2612, tech.coach4all@gmail.com.

COMPUTERS, TELEVISIONS, CELL

PHONE Help For Seniors. We offer patient and thorough help for seniors with all matter of technology. We come to your home. We service MD, VA and DC. Call Senior Tech Pro at 301­337­0028. Available 24/7 Ask for Philip.

Financial

UP TO $15,000.00 OF GUARANTEED

LIFE INSURANCE! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company ­ 866­212­1092 or visit www. Life55plus.info/beacon

For Sale

2 CEMETERY LOTS, part of estate sale, for sale in Crest Lawn Gardens of Memories of Howard County. 11K per lot, includes vault. Contact 304­671­0387.

NEW BOOK RELEASE: TWENTY ONE AND BROKEN 3rd edition. By Maryland author Janie M. Zheng. A raw, emotional story about love, heartbreak, and personal growth. Published on Barnes & Noble May 9. Search “Janie M. Zheng” to find the book online.

NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION. Special money saving offer zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy 2 windows and get 2 FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 855­909­2278.

Health

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance ­ NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1­844366­1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258

MOBILEHELP, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1­240­650­9189.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long­lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 855­851­0949.

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 amount 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.

To place your classified ad, visit www.thebeaconnewspapers.com/classifieds

Home/Handyman Services

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer ­ $1000 off or No Payments and No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. BCI Bath & Shower. Many options available. Quality materials & professional installation. Senior & Military Discounts Available. Call Today! 1­855­653­0087.

DON’T LET THE STAIRS LIMIT YOUR MOBILITY! Discover the ideal solution for anyone who struggles on the stairs, is concerned about a fall or wants to regain access to their entire home. Call AmeriGlide today! 1­866­365­5170.

NO MORE CLEANING OUT GUTTERS. Guaranteed! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a no­clog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty. Call today 1­855­977­6078 to schedule a FREE inspection and no obligation estimate. Plus get 20% off! Seniors and military save an additional 10%. Restrictions apply, see representative for warranty and offer details.

Miscellaneous

CONSUMER CELLULAR - the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long­term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1­833­742­1303.

BECOME A PUBLISHED AUTHOR. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing­Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author’s Guide 1­833­992­0110 or visit dorranceinfo.com/beacon

TV/Cable

DIRECTV - All your entertainment. Nothing on your roof! Sign up for Directv and get your first three months of Max, Paramount+, Showtime, Starz, MGM+ and Cinemax included. Choice package $84.99/mo. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1­888­572­4953.

Wanted

CASH FOR ITEMS; ESTATES, MOVING, DOWNSIZING. Single item, or whole estate. I buy a wide range of items. Will travel to you. Gary Roman, TheAtticLLC.com, 301­520­0755. COINS, STAMPS, PAPER MONEY, & AUTOGRAPHS WANTED. Paying top prices. Free estimates — Will travel. No collection too large or too small. 50 years of experience. Licensed. Member of major associations. Call Dirk at 301­704­5453 or email dirkkitchin@ earthlink.net.

PAYING TOP CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. House calls made with prompt, courteous service seven days a week and 25 years of experience! Buying toys, trains, militaria, glassware, advertising merchandise, paper items and much more! Contact Mason or Megan at: 443­306­8816.

Thursday, June 18, 2026 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

THE MEADOWS ASSISTED LIVING • 1635 HICKORY KNOLL ROAD • SANDY SPRING, MD 20860

For more than 75 years, Brooke Grove Retirement Village has built a history of excellence in Montgomery County.

EXPLORE our residential-style homes, gardens and secure walking paths. DISCOVER our innovative approach and programs including those designed to stimulate memory. MEET our staff, trained in assisting those with Alzheimer’s and memory loss. ENJOY our 220-acre campus and our live-in pets.

Register by June 17 at bit.ly/ALOHBGRV or contact Toni Davis at 301-388-7209 or tdavis@bgf.org.

... because what surrounds you REALLY MATTERS. 18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860