March 2026 | Howard County Beacon

Following a legacy

For those who regularly read this column, you know that our founder, Stuart Rosenthal, recently retired. As the new publisher, I’d like to introduce myself and share my vision for the future of the Beacon

I joined this team more than 20 years ago, working closely with Stuart and his wife, Judy, our president, in every facet of the business. It has been an honor to serve alongside them.

Now my mission is to maintain the cultural foundation and integrity that have made this paper the most respected resource for seniors in the Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas.

upon the legacy they created.

When Stuart first approached me about his desire to step back from the Beacon to “recreate himself” as a pianist, I was thrilled. I knew he always loved composing, and seeing him pursue this passion reminds us all that it is never too late for a new chapter. I’m confident his new venture, StuartsMelodies.com, will be a hit.

THE PUBLISHER

By Gordon Hasenei

As an Army veteran, “Duty, Honor, Country” was ingrained in me through countless pushups and years of service. I feel a profound sense of duty to you, our readers, and I intend to honor the Rosenthals by building

BEACON BITS

Mar. 8

After the initial excitement, reality set in: With the founder gone, what would happen to our team and our readers? I jumped at the opportunity to buy the Beacon because our story isn’t finished.

We are reinventing ourselves, and I have big ideas. Those who know me know I don’t shy away from hard work — and I plan to have fun doing it.

VERNAL POOL GUIDED HIKE

Vernal pools — shallow seasonal pools of water — provide habitat for many local plants and animals. Join this free educational hike guided by Patapsco Heritage Greenway to discover some along the Trolley trail and learn why they’re essential. Meet on Sun., March 8 at Lot A, 1233 Oella Ave., Catonsville. The hike runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/vernalpoolsatPatapsco, call (410) 696-1328 or email info@patapsco.org.

My first order of business was forming a partnership with Steve Gurney, our new associate publisher and the founder of ProAging.com.

If you aren’t familiar with Steve’s work, I highly recommend exploring his online community and publications, which offer a comprehensive look at senior-related issues. His knowledge and expertise will be a massive asset as we grow and evolve.

This merger significantly enhances our ability to share vital information with seniors, families and caregivers.

In an increasingly polarized world, we believe we are truly “Stronger Together.” Wouldn’t it be refreshing if more people felt this way?

The last few months have been a whirlwind, but another trait Uncle Sam indoctrinated in me was the ability to multitask and adapt. I thrive in complex environments and am always driving forward. Together with Steve Gurney, I look forward to providing even more resources, information and fun for our community of loyal readers.

I’ll admit, being a Baby Boomer still freaks me out. It’s only when I look in the mirror that I realize I’m 64. How did I get here so fast?

But being a Boomer doesn’t mean slowing down. Between hitting the gym (I’ve

been lifting for 50 years), skiing and tackling my own yard work, I’m staying “youngish.”

To quote the poet Dylan Thomas, I will not go gentle into that good night!

Please join me in wishing Stuart and Judy success and fulfillment on their new journey. Leading such a well-respected publication for 37 years is a monumental achievement.

I am proud to have been part of their story, and I hope to make them — and you — proud of what we create next. I know how loyal you have been to the Beacon, and I look forward to earning that same trust and loyalty in the years to come.

As I begin my own new chapter as publisher, I want to ensure the Beacon continues to serve your specific needs. I invite you to share your thoughts on what topics you would like to see covered or how we can better support you in the coming months.

Please feel free to reach out to our team via our website, follow our latest updates on the Beacon Facebook page or send us a Letter to the Editor (see below).

Your voice is the heart of this publication, and I look forward to hearing from you as we move forward — together.

Letters to the editor

Beacon

FOR PEOPLE OVER 50

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve and enter tain the citizens of the Howard County area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore, Maryland and Greater Washington, D.C.

Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($50) or third-class mail ($20), prepaid with order. Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher.

Gordon Hasenei, Publisher, CEO

SteveGurney, Associate Publisher

MargaretFoster, Editor

KyleGregory, Art Director

RogerKing, Vice President of Operations

Advertising Representatives:

Jill Joseph, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips, Alan Spiegel

Ana Preger Hart, Assistant Editor

Tori Cleveland, Editorial Assistant

Stuart & Judy Rosenthal,Founders

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

Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 23 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions. © Copyright 2026 The Beacon Newspapers, Inc.

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

Dear Editor:

Thank you, Stuart Rosenthal, for your latest and last column for the Beacon. I’ve always enjoyed your column and have saved some over the years that hit home for me, such as the February 2020 one about wonder and creativity.

You’re such an inspiration to artists, writers and musicians, as well as to the general population, encouraging them to pursue any passion they have in life. I wish you the best in pursuing a full-time career in creating music, and thank you for inspiring me to become a full-time writer.

Amanda K. Daisey Baltimore, MD

Dear Editor:

Mr. Rosenthal, thank you for founding this amazing paper which I look forward to every month. Enjoy your new adventure.

I have enjoyed the articles discussing the ups and downs of retirement. It’s true that having a purpose makes a difference. Retirement shouldn’t be about doing nothing but about living at a different pace.

Community centers are a great place to start, since they are free and offer opportunities to get out of the house and meet other people.

Learn a new language, try a new recipe,

take a class, read a book outside of your usual genre. Just try something different for the sake of trying it.

Chris B. Via email

Dear Editor:

As a new retiree — two months and counting — I couldn’t agree more with Richard Himmer on the need to redefine retirement (“Ditch traditional retirement expectations,” February 2026).

After a 40-year career in publishing, I woke up the next morning lamenting the loss of the structure and purpose that work had provided.

Like many others I fell victim to the “traditional mindset” that Himmer argues needs changing: I was too fixated on saving money instead of paying attention to what replaces work.

I have since slowly started to fill the void, beginning with taking an exercise class and starting a French conversational group. I am also looking into doing more volunteering and writing.

Himmer’s article is a must-read for anyone aiming to reimagine what a meaningful retirement looks like.

Joe Lustig Via email

Howard County

STRONGER LONGER

Health Fitness & Fitness & Health

Health

Lifting weights, squatting and rowing are great ways to keep bones strong

HAPPY HABITS

Gratitude, friends, nature and volunteer work can give you a sunny outlook

EXERCISE EXPECTATIONS

As we age, we should adjust our expectations in the gym or on the court

LEG CRAMP OR LUNG CANCER?

Leg cramp with shortness of breath, weight loss or fatigue requires a doctor

Make the most of a doctor’s appointment

By Lauran Neergaard

You finally got a doctor’s appointment. Getting the most out of that visit requires some advance preparation. Even the professionals plan ahead.

“It is really hard — even for me, as a doctor, going to see my own family doctor — to remember the things that I wanted to bring up,” said Dr. Sarah Nosal, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

“The worst is when you’ve had that moment with your doctor” only to recall another problem after walking out, she said. “You’ve lost that time.”

Her top tip: Bring a list of symptoms and questions to show the doctor at the start of the visit. The first item should be your top concern, but seeing the full list helps your doctor prioritize what’s most medically urgent.

“I’m actually going to be able to see, is there a red flag?” explained Nosal, who has some additional advice about prepping for a typical primary care visit.

Some illnesses require specialists like a cardiologist or rheumatologist. But regardless of your age or how healthy you are, research has long shown that a relationship with a primary care provider is important.

Your primary care doctor monitors your overall health. It might be a family physi-

cian like Nosal, who cares for all ages, or an internist. Some patients choose gynecologists or geriatricians, while others may have a team that includes nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

Primary care is more than preventive checkups to help avoid illness, such as vaccinations, cancer screenings or health advice. It also includes detecting and treating common problems like high blood pressure, and helping to find and coordinate specialty care.

“That ongoing relationship also helps me know your ‘normal,’” Nosal explained. “If something’s different or changes or you feel off, when you tell me that information and I also have known you over time, we can really figure out together what’s going on.”

Family medical history is critical — and needs regular updating. Know what diseases your close relatives have had and how they fared. For example, if Type 2 diabetes runs in the family, or Grandma had a stroke, or someone had cancer at a young age, that information could help tailor your preventive care, Nosal said.

Fill out paperwork beforehand

Filling out paperwork from home makes it easier to check medicine bottles for the name and dose. Include both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, pills or creams — and don’t forget vitamins

and supplements.

Why are the latter important? Some can interact with prescription medicines. For instance, Nosal cited some patients whose longtime treatments quit working after they started taking turmeric, a spice also sold as a supplement.

Also before your visit, check if the doctor received records of recent lab tests, hospitalizations or visits to other health providers, since electronic medical records aren’t always automatically shared.

Keep a running list of questions

Some symptoms are bad enough to prompt an urgent visit. But if you’ve got a checkup coming, whether it’s routine or to follow up on health problems, start a list of questions in advance.

Notice a pain when you move a certain way? Chatting with a friend who just got a colonoscopy and wonder if you’re due? Put those on your list right away, before you forget — and be specific in describing symptoms.

Nosal keeps a running list on her phone and, ahead of visits with her own doctor, sends it as a heads-up through her patient portal. Patients also can include their list on visit check-in forms.

The idea is to address the most urgent questions first, rather than patients run-

ning out of time before raising a key concern. Nosal said questions about mental or sexual health and wellness especially tend to come up at the last minute.

Whatever the medium, “please bring that list,” she said. “That’s the most critical of all pieces.”

Ask again or bring a friend

People may know to ask questions about treatments, such as how well they work and what side effects to expect. But it’s also important to understand why a doctor makes a particular diagnosis or, conversely, isn’t as worried about a symptom as you might be.

Don’t hesitate to say, “Explain to me what else could be going on,” Nosal advised. “What would be the next step? How would you evaluate that for me, to know if it’s this or that?”

Most health advocacy groups also advise bringing along a friend or relative, especially if you have serious or multiple health problems. They can help ask questions and take notes. Or ask if you can record the appointment on your phone.

“Whether you are 20 or you are 85, you will not remember everything from your medical visit,” Nosal said. © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Why some retirees age so well overseas

By Richard Eisenberg

For his new book, Healthy to 100 , longevity researcher Ken Stern wanted to answer a question that nagged him: Why do so many people in some European and Asian countries live long, healthy lives, and how can Americans be like them?

So, for six months in 2024, he traveled to five of the most successful aging nations — Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Spain — to find out why their average life expectancies were often six years longer than ours and to interview residents in their 70s, 80s, 90s and 100s.

Stern, founder of The Longevity Project research initiative and host of the Stanford Center on Longevity’s Century Lives podcast, discovered a surprising common thread: It wasn’t about how the older

residents took care of their health, ate, exercised or managed their finances. It was about their strong social connections.

Other longevity researchers have also seen a link between social connection and extended, healthy lives.

In Healthy to 100 , Stern writes that Brigham Young University professor Julianne Holt-Lunstad reviewed 148 global studies and found social connection increased the likelihood of surviving in any given year by more than 50%.

“When people ask me how they can be socially connected, they’re generally thinking about how to be the life of the party. That’s not what it’s really about,” said Stern. “It’s about putting people next to people in a purposeful way.”

Stern offers four ways to foster social connections, based on what he learned:

Keep working

Japan offers a great model, Stern said. “Japan is famous for its stressful work culture, but its work economy for people in the second half of life is rather different,” he said. “It’s built around part-time work and being with other people.”

Japan gives employers financial incentives to support older workers and has the highest percentage of people over 65 who work — roughly 25%. The country’s Silver Jinzai jobs program has found part-time jobs for nearly 700,000 residents over 60.

One poll found that 80% of older Japanese workers said they’re employed because it’s good for their health and for social connection, Stern said.

Stern suggests older Americans look for jobs at the 3,000 companies and organizations that have taken the AARP Employer Pledge,

committing to age-inclusive workforces. He’s also a fan of encore careers, where people over 60 work to find meaning and purpose.

Get out and about

Some social connections exist with family, friends and work colleagues. But, Stern said, they can also come through daily interactions with “consequential strangers” — like people you chat with on a bus.

Intergenerational housing and activities boost social connections, too. In Singapore, 90% of homes are owned by the government, which offers a tax incentive for people living within a kilometer of other generations.

“Singapore works obsessively to keep generations together in housing,” Stern said.

Aging overseas

From page 4

To avoid being isolated in the U.S., Stern said, you might consider moving into multigenerational housing. He also recommends looking for a place where you’ll participate in activities with other residents, such as an active-aging retirement community.

During his travels, Stern noticed that Spain and Italy are bonding younger and older community members by making senior centers intergenerational.

To find similar programs, he said, consult the Generations United advocacy group/Ohio State University list of U.S. places pairing younger and older people.

Take advantage of lifelong learning

Educational classes were abundant in the countries Stern visited.

In South Korea, for instance, virtually every municipality has a lifelong learning institute. Italy is home to the University of the Third Age, whose 6,000 mostlyretired members have taken more than 160 courses. Singapore’s National Silver Academy offers a variety of courses for older citizens.

BEACON BITS

“Learning is not something we stop doing at 18 or 21,” Stern said. “It’s something we need to do over the course of our lives.”

He recommends looking for local college discounts for older learners. Many states provide essentially free tuition to people over 60, he noted. Some public universities waive tuition and most fees, too. Online classes are an option.

Volunteer regularly

Stern’s book cites studies showing that volunteering can improve older adults’ physical and mental health. Volunteering may slow the aging process.

He saw elder volunteers all over Italy; older people typically staff senior services there. “Italy really invests in volunteerism,” Stern said.

The more time you spend volunteering, the larger the health returns, Stern said.

All in all, Stern said, rethinking social connections comes with reconceiving what the second half of life can be.

“People have exercise plans and nutrition plans,” he noted. “They need to start having social connection plans.”

© 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE ELDER ABUSE HELP

CHANA’s Elder Abuse prevention program provides free, confidential support for older adults experiencing or concerned about abuse. They offer crisis intervention, safety planning, legal help, individual counseling, support groups, shelter and more. To get assistance for yourself or a loved one, call (410) 234-0030.

YOGA CLASSES

The Yoga Center of Columbia offers yoga, Pilates, Qigong, meditation and breathwork classes for practitioners of all abilities and ages. They offer classes for people with movement disorders, yoga and Pilates for healthy bones, and a free 20-minute meditation every morning at 9 a.m. The Yoga Center of Columbia is located at 8950 Route 108, Suite 109, Columbia. For more information, visit columbiayoga.com/new-here, email info@columbiayoga or call (410) 720-4340.

MEDITATION CLASS IN COLUMBIA

Mar. 3+

This meditation and modern Buddhism class is open to everyone. No prior experience is necessary. The class takes place on Tuesday, March 3, 17 and 24 from 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. in room 10 at The Meeting House, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. Arrive 10 minutes early to register. The cost is $12 for adults and $8 for people 62 and older. For more information, email peace@meditationmd.org or call (410) 243-3837.

LENARD H. HAMMER, M.D., F.A.C.S.

GORDON LUI, M.D.

SCOTT B. BECKER, M.D.

YIYUN ZHOU, M.D.

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

Housing Communities

o Brooke Grove (see ad on page 24)

o Charlestown (see ad on page 7)

o Homecrest House (see ad on page 11)

o Park View at Colonial Landing (see ad on page 9)

o Park View at Columbia (see ad on page 9)

o Park View at Ellicott City (see ad on page 9)

o Park View at Emerson (see ad on page 9)

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

Clinical Health Study

o Smell Test Study (see ad on page 8)

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Supporting Body and Mind

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Staying Safe and Cfbl

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Staying Connected All Season Long

e w Th wiinter months are also a s—w time to strengthen bond wiith , f familyy, frriends, and caregivers ay ac m w whho bring warmtth to e ch dayy. . y ug ’st W Whhether it thro ghashared story, , f a cozy afternoon inside, or a safe e ir o o en outing t njjoy y the crisp a r, , these small moments of connection ig k can make e the season br ghter and y hier f healt foor everyoone. mi utho rea Tol To learn more abbout owwFa illy t y c a r & N Nuursing Care e can n conne yoou iv r i ov r y o yoour lovveed ones witth careeg veers af iv g ac rtsta up w whhosuppo stayyin ct vee, saffee, l us a al r in g a annd engaaged this w ntter, , calll at t i e ur w i 410-697-8200 or visit t o weebbsitte r mily atf at fa a ilynnursingcaree.com.

Strength training is crucial as women age

By Laura Ungar

When Sarah Baldassaro turned 50, she took stock of her health and began working with a fitness coach on strength training, a type of exercise that’s crucial for women in midlife.

“Now I would say I’m stronger overall than I ever have been at any age,” said Baldassaro, 52, of Alexandria, Virginia. “My fitness level is much more like when I was in my early 30s.”

Medical experts say strength training keeps bones and muscles healthy after menopause, when estrogen loss speeds up a reduction in bone density and contributes to the gradual loss of muscle mass.

This type of exercise — which involves working against resistance — also helps women maintain a healthy weight.

“People underestimate how powerful it is,” said Dr. Christina DeAngelis, an OBGYN at Penn State Health.

But what should your workout look like and how do you get started?

What is strength training?

Physical therapist Hilary Granat said bone and muscle health are intertwined: When muscle pulls on bone during resistance training, it stimulates bone-building cells.

Resistance can come from dumbbells, free weights or machines such as rowers.

One example of a strength training exercise is the chest press, which involves lying back on a bench or the ground, pressing weights up from chest level and then lowering them.

It’s important to work “close to muscle failure,” said Granat, who owns Core Total Wellness in Washington, D.C. “You really have to push yourself.”

That means lifting weights that are heavy enough to be challenging and doing somewhere between six and 30 repetitions.

You’ll know you’re working hard enough if you start slowing down in tempo or speed or can’t do another repetition in good form, she said. A good rule of thumb for an exercise like a bicep curl is to lift weights somewhere between 5 and 20 pounds, with novices starting at the lower end.

Baldassaro has worked her way up to 20 pounds for some exercises, incorporating techniques she learned from Granat.

She said her coach has helped her expand her workouts beyond mostly cardiovascular exercise.

While she still does aerobic exercises, “the strength training has really been the difference maker for me,” she said.

No weights? No problem

Building up bones and muscles doesn’t

necessarily require equipment. You can also do pushups, squats, lunges, sit-ups, crunches or planks. Another good exercise is squatting down with your back against a wall.

Even the simple act of getting into and out of a chair can be helpful, DeAngelis said.

“You have to engage your core going from sitting to standing,” she said. “That also allows you to work on your coordination and balance.”

There’s also what Granat calls “impact training” — exercises like walking, hiking, running, jumping, skipping and climbing stairs. On the high-impact end of the spectrum is a “rebound jump,” which involves jumping up and down from a step 10 to 30 times.

DEATH CAFÉ (VIRTUAL)

“We’re not talking about jumping hard and fast and a lot,” she said, adding that three times a week is enough.

Don’t forget about balance

Experts say middle-aged women should also perform balance exercises, which play a crucial role in preventing falls that can break or fracture bones.

These include tai chi, yoga or even standing on one leg while brushing your teeth for around 30 seconds.

All of these exercises are great for younger people too, experts say, especially since bone mass peaks at 25 to 30 years old and slowly begins to lessen around age 40.

After seeing how strength training has improved her life, Baldassaro advises others: “Don’t wait. Get started.” —AP

This free program from AARP’s Senior Planet offers a safe space for conversations about death and dying. The discussions usually focus on beliefs, thoughts and feelings related to death. Moderated by an end-of-life doula, this free group meets on Thu., March 5 from 3 to 4 p.m. on Zoom. Join by using meeting ID 857 4081 7042, clicking the link at seniorplanet.org/event/deathcafe/2026-03-05 or call in by dialing (888) 788-0099. For more information about this program, call (888) 713-3495.

How to boost happiness and accept aging

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: While I know that feeling happy is better for a person’s health, what can you do if you are not naturally a happy person?

A: A sunny outlook is linked to lower blood pressure, a healthier response to stress and a better functioning immune system; and it can motivate people to be more active.

Research suggests that genetics determines about half of a person’s general disposition. Some people are just naturally happy.

However, for the rest, happiness is under their control, according to Dr. Robert Waldinger, director of the longest-running study on happiness: the Harvard Study on Adult Development.

“Even if you don’t consider yourself a happy person, there’s a good chance you have some power to change it. What’s im-

BEACON BITS

Mar. 24

portant is to practice regular acts of happiness, activities linked with improving mood and optimism.”

Here are some examples you can try: Stay connected. There’s a strong link between happiness and close relationships with family and friends. “Personal connection creates emotional stimulation, which is an automatic mood booster, while isolation is a mood buster,” says Waldinger. Make efforts to expand your social circle. Volunteer. Studies have shown that volunteering provides a sense of purpose, which can improve your mood. The effect is especially strong in older adults. Find volunteer opportunities in your area that match your interests through the VolunteerMatch network.

Find your inner child. Revisit the activities that gave you joy as a child or

DEAF CHAT WITH MD DEAF SENIORS

Stop by the Columbia Mall on Tue., March 24 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for a deaf chat with Maryland Deaf Senior Citizens, a nonprofit for deaf or hard-of-hearing seniors. The mall is located at 10300 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Registration isn’t required for this free event. For more information, visit mddeafseniors.org.

young adult. What made you happy then? Pick up the hobbies, games, sports or other interests from your youth.

Invest in experiences. It doesn’t need to be a big-ticket adventure. For instance, opt for dinner at an ethnic restaurant, a matinee at the theater or a visit to an art exhibit. The investment can have lasting impact, too, as the experiences create pleasant memories that you can reflect on when you need a mood boost.

See green. Numerous studies have found that happiness correlates with time spent in urban green spaces like parks, gardens and riversides. Any kind of interaction with the outdoors can have the same effect, such as hiking a trail, walking the beach or exploring nearby woods.

Break up your routines. People feel happier when they have variety in their daily routines. Even small changes can have a significant impact.

Embrace gratitude. Look around and feel grateful for what you have instead of reaching for something new, hoping it will make you happier. Practicing gratitude for as little as 10 to 15 minutes a day can enhance emotional wellness.

Smile more. Research has found that smiling can improve your mood, just as scowling can make you feel angrier and frowning can make you feel sad.

Take the

Test Challenge Today

Ongoing smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health as we age.

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.

Request your test at or scan the QR code.

Request your test at 877-525-PPMI (7764) mysmelltest.org/beacon or scan the QR code.

Q: I am having a hard time accepting a decline in my exercise capacity. What can I do to regain my enthusiasm to get to the gym?

A: There comes a time when all of us can no longer run as fast or far as before, hike trails with ease or play sports at the same skill level or intensity. We will also have less endurance and need more time to recover.

Whether due to aging, injury or health issues, when the body can no longer perform like it once did, people can experience bouts of grief as they try to confront this new reality.

A tangible loss like physical decline can make you feel discombobulated about who you are now and what the future holds. This constant ruminating can lead to prolonged bouts of sadness and isolation that, if not dealt with, can progress to depression.

By acknowledging diminishing strength and stamina, you can then focus on adaptations that can be healing and healthy. Here are some strategies that can help.

Change your mindset. Make peace with the fact that you have aged. Sure, it’s painful and frustrating to deal with an aging body, but focus on accepting physical

When a leg cramp is more than a cramp

I live in Denver Broncos territory here in Colorado, and recently, I was watching a documentary about John Elway when something he shared stopped me cold.

Elway talked about the loss of his twin sister to lung cancer at the age of 42. She had never smoked, and, according to public interviews, she dealt with unexplained leg cramps early on.

Symptom of serious health issues

One connection involves blood clotting. Cancer can increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis.

That detail didn’t sound like a typical lung cancer symptom, and it made me curious. I wanted to understand if there was a connection. As it turns out, there can be.

DEAR PHARMACIST

By Suzy Cohen

Her passing was officially attributed to lung cancer, and that’s where I’ll leave her personal story, with compassion and respect.

Leg cramps are usually harmless. Dehydration or low magnesium are common causes. People stretch, apply heat, drink electrolytes, take a supplement, and go on with their day.

But occasionally, a persistent cramp is more than tight muscle fibers. Sometimes it’s the first domino in a longer chain of events.

Conditions like lung, pancreatic, kidney or ovarian cancer — and sometimes blood cancers like multiple myeloma — can create body-wide changes long before anyone notices classic warning signs. It isn’t common, but it’s possible, and that’s why being tuned in to your body matters.

Aging

From page 8

changes as a new chapter in your life, not the end of the story.

Focus on now. Instead of dwelling on what you can’t do, focus on what you can. You can still accomplish a lot working with what you have.

Adjust your goals. There are many things that you can continue doing with some planning and modification. I regularly ride a stationary bike several times per week. Over the past year, my average watts for a one-hour ride have declined by 15%. While I don’t like it, I have reset my goal to achieve this new lower level of intensity on my rides.

Talk about it. Start by reaching out to your friends. You will probably need to bring up this topic, but if you are with peers, it is highly likely that they are experiencing some version of the same losses. Consider seeking professional counseling if it’s affecting your mood so much that you have stopped exercising.

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, visit health.harvard.edu.

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

A cramp that is actually a clot might feel like a charley horse that won’t let go, a heaviness in the calf, or a dull ache with warmth or swelling. In some patients, that type of leg pain shows up before the cancer is diagnosed.

Electrolyte imbalances are another possibility. Cancer anywhere in the body can influence minerals like potassium, calcium and magnesium. When those shift, muscles can misfire and cramp. Additionally, reduced oxygen delivery or pressure on nearby nerves may con-

tribute to persistent cramping, sometimes long before a cough ever appears.

Medications can confuse symptoms. What seems like “just a cramp” is sometimes side effects in disguise.

Diuretics for blood pressure can drain electrolytes. Statins may contribute indirectly through CoQ10 depletion. Steroids can shift minerals. Some antidepressants and other common drugs can alter the body’s balance as well. (You can look up your own medications at my website, drugmuggers.com, if you’re curious.)

None of this means a leg cramp is cancer. It almost always isn’t. Most of the time, cramps are ordinary, fixable and nothing to fear.

Listen to your body

But if a cramp keeps returning on the same side, comes with swelling or warmth,

shortness of breath, weight loss or fatigue, or simply feels different than the everyday soreness of life, please ask a doctor to evaluate it. Simple information can change a disease’s trajectory.

That documentary made me wonder how many people are rubbing a calf at night, unaware of what their body is trying to say. If this column prompts even one doctor’s visit that might have been put off, it matters.

You can read the full article, plus access 1,000+ health topics and tips, at suzycohen.com.

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

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY

The Greens at Hammonds Lane: 410-636-1141

Park View at Furnace Branch: 410-761-4150

Park View at Severna Park: 410-544-3411

BALTIMORE CITY

Ednor Apartments I: 410-243-0180

Ednor Apartments II: 410-243-4301

The Greens at Irvington Mews: 227-240-8179

The Greens at Irvington Mews II: 240-209-4809

Park Heights Place: 410-578-3445

Park View at Ashland Terrace: 410-276-6440

Park View at Coldspring: 410-542-4400

BALTIMORE COUNTY

Cove Point Apartments I: 410-288-2344

Cove Point Apartments II: 410-288-1660

Evergreen Senior Apartments: 410-780-4888

The Greens at English Consul: 410-789-3000

The Greens at Liberty Road: 410-655-1100

The Greens at Logan Field: 410-288-2000

The Greens at Rolling Road: 410-744-9988

Park View at Catonsville: 410-719-9464

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

Park View at Fullerton: 410-663-0665

Park View at Miramar Landing: 410-391-8375

BALTIMORE COUNTY (CONT.)

Park View at Randallstown: 410-655-5673

Park View at Rosedale: 410-866-1886

Park View at Taylor: 410-663-0363

Park View at Towson: 410-828-7185

Park View at Woodlawn: 410-281-1120

EASTERN SHORE

Park View at Easton: 410-770-3070

HARFORD COUNTY

Park View at Bel Air: 410-893-0064

Park View at Box Hill: 410-515-6115

HOWARD COUNTY

Park View at Colonial Landing: 410-796-4399

Park View at Columbia: 410-381-1118

Park View at Ellicott City: 410-203-9501

Park View at Ellicott City II: 410-203-2096

Park View at Emerson: 301-483-3322

Park View at Snowden River: 410-290-0384

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY

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

Park View at Laurel: 301-490-1526

Park View at Laurel II: 301-490-9730

MoneyMoney Law &

Will you accidentally disinherit your grandchildren? See story on opposite page.

Don’t fall for these IRS and charity scams

By Roxanne Bland

Scammers have become more sophisticated, especially those that use artificial intelligence (AI)-generated fake websites, emails and texts that are convincing to the undiscerning — and sometimes even the discerning — eye.

The IRS is warning that email addresses might be spoofed, communications might contain realistic-looking case numbers, and caller-ID masking on phone calls can fool many.

Even worse? Phone scams are sometimes carried out using “deepfake” AI voice software, where the generated voice sounds like a real person.

To help protect yourself, watch out for three of the most common IRS scams.

Gift card scams

Requests for gift cards are a common tactic. Gift card scams might involve a fraudster contacting a taxpayer via email, text or via social media, posing as an IRS official.

The scammer might:

• Demand immediate payment to resolve a fake tax liability

• Call or leave a voicemail informing the victim they’re linked to criminal activity

• Harass a taxpayer into paying a fictitious tax or penalty under threat of arrest or deportation

Victims are told to purchase gift cards to satisfy the amounts supposedly “owed.”

The scammer then instructs the taxpayer to provide the gift card number and PIN.

To protect yourself, remember the IRS will never demand immediate payment of taxes by gift card. The federal tax agency will mail an official letter, including a statement of tax liability, to those who owe taxes.

Fake charity scams

When it comes to charities, scammers pretend to be or to represent legitimate nonprofits such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army, pressuring would-be donors to give quickly.

If the donor gives, the money never reaches the charity; it goes into the scammer’s pocket.

To avoid being taken advantage of, always:

• Ask the fundraiser for the charity’s exact name, website and mailing address to independently confirm the information. Then use the IRS’ Tax-Exempt Organization Search tool (TEOS) to verify if an organization is a legitimate tax-exempt charity.

• Resist being pressured. There’s no need to rush. Legitimate charities are happy to get a donation at any time.

• Never give more information than what is needed. Treat your personal information like cash, and hold it close.

• Never donate to a charity that requests charitable donations via gift card, peer-to-peer apps, cryptocurrency or wire transfer. If payment is requested in any form other than check or credit card, it’s a scam.

Phishing and smishing scams

With the use of generative AI, fake emails, texts and websites seem more credible than ever before.

As Kiplinger has reported, in a “phishing” scam, fraudsters send an email to trick people into revealing sensitive or personal information.

“Smishing” serves the same purpose, except the scammer sends the message via text.

Scammers impersonate tax authorities to steal personal and financial data.

Sometimes they demand money, but not always.

Don’t click on links or attachments. That can compromise your computer or

phone by installing malware that searches for personal and financial data on your computer’s hard drive.

If you’re unsure, call the phone number posted on the IRS website to verify.

How to report scams

Unfortunately, scammers are a scourge we must live with. The best defense we have is to stay vigilant by keeping up our electronic security protocols, staying informed about events that might affect us, and reporting any scam we encounter to the IRS.

To report IRS impersonation scam calls, call (800) 366-4484 or forward the email directly to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. For text messages, forward the suspicious message to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier, then forward the sender’s number and message content to phishing@irs.gov with the subject line “Text.”

If it’s a social media scam, send the full website address of the phony profile to the IRS by emailing phishing@irs.gov with the subject line “Social media.”

© 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Life insurance helps protect IRA values

Unfortunately, the SECURE Act of 2019 made it more difficult for the beneficiaries of IRAs and other retirement accounts to postpone distributions from these inherited accounts. No longer can most non-spouse heirs “stretch” these accounts out over their lifetimes and thereby preserve favorable tax deferral options.

Instead, as a result of the new law, if you inherit an IRA from someone who is not your spouse, you generally must withdraw the assets in the account within 10 years.

options more attractive for estate planning.

Ed Slott, a recognized retirement and IRA expert, argues that life insurance “is not only the single biggest benefit in the tax code, but is also the most cost-effective way to protect a large IRA” for beneficiaries.

THE SAVINGS GAME

By Elliot Raphaelson

The 10-year rule applies to both traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs, and for most beneficiaries the law change has limited the possibilities of tax-deferred growth.

As a result, regulations associated with the SECURE Act have made life insurance

According to Slott, the SECURE Act makes life insurance a much better estate planning vehicle than an IRA. Those with high-value IRAs who wish to preserve wealth for their heirs should consider drawing down IRA funds at the lowest possible tax cost and moving funds earmarked for beneficiaries to life insurance.

The result will be larger inheritances, more control and less tax. After all, there is no income tax to beneficiaries from proceeds from life insurance. That means fewer required minimum distributions (RMDs)

and a reduction in stretch IRA problems.

Life insurance can simulate the stretch IRA without the tax implications. In addition, life insurance is a better planning option for second marriages, and solves potential qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) issues.

Advantages of life insurance

Life insurance, Slott argues, can double as a tax-free retirement account. It can create additional tax-advantaged funds when other retirement plans are maxed out.

The cash value of life insurance can be used in lieu of taxable retirement funds to lower taxes in retirement, resulting in a tax-free income stream in retirement. Distribution will not create stealth taxes.

There is also less investment risk and tax risk associated with life insurance.

Insurance proceeds are tax-free; tax-free cash is always the best source of money, and also solves many non-tax problems. A

non-spouse beneficiary of a traditional IRA will be subject to income taxes on withdrawal from traditional retirement accounts; recipients of life insurance proceeds are tax-free.

Long-term care riders can be used, which would reduce benefits for beneficiaries but would protect your beneficiaries from expensive nursing home costs.

If a surviving spouse is due to inherit a traditional IRA, the availability of tax-free insurance proceeds would allow him or her to fund conversion to a Roth IRA.

A few drawbacks

Not everyone is insurable; you must medically qualify for coverage. There is no tax deduction when you purchase.

It is not flexible in the early years after purchase. Life insurance is associated with long-term planning; funds are not liquid in

Avoid disinheriting your grandchildren

By Patrick M. Simasko

When setting up a retirement account, most of us fill out the beneficiary paperwork by naming our spouse or children.

Estate planning attorneys are familiar with the routine: The client names their spouse as the primary beneficiary and their children as contingent beneficiaries — focusing solely on the fact that they want their accounts to avoid probate.

But what happens if one of those adult children dies prematurely? In far too many cases, the grandchildren are unintentionally excluded, even when the intent was to provide for them.

The boilerplate forms provided by financial institutions generally do not handle multigenerational planning well and rarely accommodate the special considerations that arise in second marriages, special-needs situations, minor beneficiaries or those with serious drug or alcohol problems.

However, naming a trust — not individual children — as the contingent beneficiary of IRAs and 401(k)s can help avoid these issues.

The risks

It is common practice to name a spouse as the primary beneficiary of a retirement

Life insurance

From page 10

Bottom

options offer significant advantages for many people. It can provide larger inheritances, more control and less taxes for beneficiaries. In addition, it is

account and the children as contingent beneficiaries.

However, if a child dies before the account owner, many beneficiary forms default to a “per capita” distribution. This means that the deceased child’s share is not passed down to their children (i.e., the account owner’s grandchildren).

Instead, it is divided equally among the surviving children. This runs contrary to the wishes of most clients, who expect that a predeceased child’s share would be passed down to their children “per stirpes.”

Here’s a clear illustration: Let’s imagine your father has recently passed away, leaving your mother to inherit his $1 million IRA. She names her two children as equal primary beneficiaries.

Tragically, her eldest son passes away before she does. When Mom eventually dies, her IRA is distributed entirely to her surviving child. Her two grandchildren — the children of her deceased son — receive nothing.

Now, the surviving child is left to decide whether to gift a portion to their nieces or nephews. If they do, complex tax issues arise. The surviving child would be responsible for paying the income taxes on the IRA distribution, likely at the highest tax rate possible.

Trust as the beneficiary

Naming a trust as the beneficiary (after the spouse) of a retirement account can address many of the problems described above.

To qualify as a “designated beneficiary” under IRC Section 401(a)(9), the trust must be a valid see-through trust. This means the trust must:

• Be valid under state law

• Be irrevocable or become irrevocable upon death

• Have beneficiaries identifiable in the trust document

A copy of the trust, or a list of beneficiaries, must also be provided to the plan administrator by October 31 of the year following the participant’s death.

Here are some practical tips for implementing a trust-based beneficiary designation:

• Always name the spouse first when appropriate. A spousal rollover offers the most favorable tax treatment.

• Use the full legal name of the trust. This includes the date as the contingent beneficiary. For example, “The Simasko

Family Trust dated January 1, 2020.”

• Avoid generic language like “my living trust” or “the trust I created.”

• Indicate per stirpes or per capita treatment inside the trust, not on the designation form.

• Review and update both the trust and beneficiary designations regularly, especially after births, deaths or divorces.

Risk vs. control

While naming individual children as retirement account beneficiaries is simple and tax-efficient, it carries risks.

Trusts allow attorneys to create a tailored, multigenerational plan that aligns with a client’s real intent. They protect assets, ensure consistent treatment and provide flexibility that forms alone cannot.

In the end, a properly structured trust designation is not only a legal tool but a vehicle of control, continuity and peace of mind.

© 2026 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

much more likely that future regulations will provide more advantages for life insurance options than for retirement account options. Congress seems to be anxious to pass legislation that will result in higher taxes from beneficiaries of retirement accounts and within shorter time frames.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com. © 2026 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Travel Leisure &

In winter, the beach is a peaceful retreat

By Glenda C. Booth

Winter at 40-ish degrees had arrived, and I inched toward the ocean through two traffic jams. Clutching the steering wheel on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, I plowed on through the Maryland countryside in a steady, dreary rain.

At my Ocean City hotel check-in, the clerk chirped, “You have a great view of the ocean, and your room is all warmed up.”

This was a perfect welcome for my winter beach vacation at this popular playground.

Ocean City, Maryland

I was at the shore to savor the winter season, a time when all the rabble-rousing college kids are gone, amusement parks are closed and most of the piercing, tattoo and souvenir shops are boarded up.

The rhythm of the waves always soothes the soul. In the off-season, though, the beach is clean and practically deserted except for gulls and shorebirds. The rising sun over the Atlantic is mesmerizing.

With my binoculars, I studied more than 50 gulls flocked together on the sand and counted 25 oystercatchers — eyecatching, 16-inch-long, black-and-white shorebirds with red-yellow eyes and redorange bills.

The beach in winter is a perfect retreat for slowing down, decompressing and rejuvenating. My ocean-view room on the seventh floor became my cocoon.

If you want to venture out, there’s plenty to

do in Ocean City in the winter. Room rates are discounted, more oceanside rooms are available, and restaurants are slow-paced. Parking is easy, and there are no lines.

On a therapeutic stroll along the threemile boardwalk, I nabbed a few gifts at bargain rates at some open shops.

I chomped down a 16-ounce cup of fresh-cut Thrasher’s french fries in the sun, accompanied by opportunistic gulls awaiting a dropped morsel. I hung out at local eateries that stay open all winter and mingled with locals, who confided they were glad summer was over.

Indoor amusements

A must-see stop is the Life-Saving Station Museum, built in 1891, pre-Coast Guard, which was home to men who patrolled the beach until 1915. From there, they monitored the ocean for shipwrecks and ships in trouble. If the incidents were 30 yards out, they took a surfboat out, shot out a line with a breeches buoy and pulled the men in distress into the boat.

The museum displays an older iron “lifecar” that rescuers used to cram in four or five men. George Hitchens, a Smith Island keeper, once said, “I’ve helped save many a sailor from a watery grave.”

On the lighter side, the museum has an exhibit on the evolution of bathing suits, live Chesapeake Bay fish and sand samples from around the globe.

At the Museum of Ocean City, located in

a former bank building, I learned about hotels and amusements of old and the really old: a mastodon tooth, indigenous peoples’ grinding stones, projectile points and tomahawk heads.

About eight minutes out of town, I explored the largely undisturbed Assateague Island National Seashore, best known for its 80 or so free-roaming horses. This barrier island, “an island on the move,” is a refuge of pounding waves, shifting sands, maritime forests, saltwater wetlands and mudflats. I caught a glimpse of the ponies and a few birds and noticed egret, raccoon and fiddler crab tracks.

Colonial Beach, Virginia

My next stop was Colonial Beach, a small, laid-back town of 4,000 people about 90 miles south of Columbia, Maryland.

Called the “playground on the Potomac” in the late 1800s steamboat era, the waterfront town was popular with Washingtonians who sailed down and frolicked in wool bathing suits. I didn’t try that.

Here, the waves don’t roar because it’s on the Potomac River, which is three miles wide at this point. Still, I enjoyed the beautiful sunrises, the boardwalk, the soaring bald eagles and the cormorants, flying with wings askew.

Alexandria resident Katya Wanzer likes how “friendly everyone is in Colonial Beach,” she said. It has a “good mix of peo-

ple, including military, retirees, gay-friendly [people] and small-business owners.”

Most restaurants and shops are open in winter. I warmed up with locals at a chili cookoff at Colonial Beach Brewing. Later, I bought shell art at the CB Creative Art Center and indulged in bingo and karaoke at local pubs.

Always up for a museum, I checked out the Colonial Beach Historical Society and Museum, housed in an 1885 building. Exhibits tell the area’s story with artifacts like a Pissaseck tribe’s stone tools, oyster shells, pottery, mortars and projectile points dating from 500 B.C. to 1,000 A.D.

Displays of Colonial Beach’s pre-bigbox-store life reminded me of my smalltown childhood: items from a former Amoco Station, the Gem five-and-dime and Cooper’s Department Store, whose motto was “We Sell Everything.”

Some of the old medicine bottles and remedies like toothache drops recalled my grandmother’s doctor’s home visits and his compassionate care.

I was entranced by the trains at CB Train Junction, a museum-shop where owner Mike Byle tutored me on model trains. He started in 1957 with his first model train set; today, his trains buzz around on ping-pong tables topped with miniature villages.

Next I wandered through the Riverboat

The Ocean City Life-Saving Station Museum, housed in the former coastal rescue headquarters that was once slated for demolition, tells the history of the U.S. LifeSaving Service, which became the U.S. Coast Guard.

Take a break in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland. See story on opposite page. A touch of Art Deco in Colonial Beach, Virginia: The 1948 Riverview Inn has a vintage vibe.

Why Chesapeake Beach is my go-to escape

By Cherrie Woods

Sometimes you just need a getaway that doesn’t require a plane ticket, a strategy or more than a small suitcase. For me, that place is Chesapeake Beach, Maryland — a town where I can breathe, write and remember what peace feels like.

I discovered Chesapeake Beach about four years ago, when a friend invited me down for the day. As we drove south from Baltimore, the scenery turned greener, and my stress dissolved.

After our late lunch overlooking the Bay at the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, we took a leisurely walk on the nearby beachfront boardwalk. In this beautiful, serene setting with no crowds, relaxation enveloped me.

What I especially appreciated was that this escape wasn’t too far from my home in Baltimore. Plus, it’s accessible by train and rideshare, so you don’t have to drive there. Thanks to this ease and affordability, I get away to Chesapeake Beach two to three times a year.

At the place where I love staying, the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort, I always choose a room with a view of the Bay. The resort has an excellent selection of restaurants: CBQ, specializing in mouthwatering barbecue; the modern 1936 Bar & Grill, with incredible views of the Bay and the soon-to-open renovated dining room. For the smell of sea air, I enjoy walking on the grounds to check out the gazebo, moored boats and walkways that extend over the water. Nearby is The Dock outdoor bar and a bandshell with live concerts

(only open in warmer months).

Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort also houses a charter fishing boutique where you can book boats and buy all types of marine equipment. And for those who enjoy gambling, there are two floors of video pull tab machines.

Within walking distance of the resort is a grocery store, pharmacy, pizza place and Chinese restaurant. Not far are additional restaurants, including Abner’s Crab House,

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

Once a resort town, Chesapeake Beach, located about 60 miles from Columbia, Maryland, can be a relaxing retreat in any season.

Chesapeake Beach

From page 17

for residents but with public access. Nothing compares to walking on an

AARP TAX AIDE

uncrowded beachfront with clean sand and the sound of the waves.

Railway Museum

After several trips to Chesapeake Beach, I made time to visit the Railway Museum. As a former museum employee who loves all things history and culture, I enjoyed the

Take advantage of AARP’s Tax-Aide program, which offers free tax help to taxpayers over 50 with low-to-moderate incomes. Consultations are available at locations across Howard County. To find a nearby location, visit aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp-taxaide/locations or call (800) 775-6776.

INTERGENERATIONAL NATURE PROGRAM

Visit the Glenwood 50+ Center to spend time with some furry friends, make a craft and enjoy a hot dog lunch during this free intergenerational program on Wed., March 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The center is located at 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/natureatGlenwood50 or call Cathy Burkett at (410) 313-4832.

CELEBRATE HOLI: THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS

Are you curious about Holi? Learn about the Festival of Colors with the South Asian Club at the North Laurel 50+ Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd., Laurel. This free event takes place on Tue., March 17 from 1:30 to 3 p.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/celebrateHoli or call Karen Dempsey at (410) 313-0388.

small museum, open from April to October.

How fortunate that on my first visit, a silver-haired volunteer on duty turned out to be a fellow poet. As we chatted, he shared some of the history of Chesapeake Beach.

The town was chartered by the Chesapeake Beach Railway Company in the 1890s to become a resort town.

The resort, opened in 1900, was a lavish destination that featured a 1,600-foot overthe-water boardwalk with amusements like a carousel and roller coaster, hotels, including the luxurious Belvedere, a casino and a racetrack.

Chesapeake Beach was popular with Washington, D.C. residents who visited via a dedicated train as well as Southern Marylanders and Baltimoreans, who came by steamboats.

A combination of factors, including a fire at the Belvedere, the railway’s closure (due to the rise of the automobile) and the economic depression in the mid-1930s, led

Beach in winter

From page 16

on the Potomac, a casino and restaurant, and watched patrons take their chances on simulcast horse races, Keno and lotteries. While its entrance is in Virginia, part of the building extends over the water into Maryland.

Dining options in Colonial Beach range

to the resort’s shutdown.

The volunteer also told me that the town’s segregation laws were enforced until the 1960s. As a Black woman, that was particularly sobering. On that visit, I wrote a poem that was published last year in The Pen Woman called “A Change Has Come.”

The poem ends, “Now I can walk on the boardwalk / Dine at the restaurant / And marvel at the tides / Grateful for the changes they bring.”

For me, Chesapeake Beach is where nature, history and creativity come together in a way that nourishes me. Knowing its history gives my visits a deeper resonance.

If you go

For those like me who may not like to drive, take a MARC train to New Carrollton station. From there, an Uber or Lyft can take you to the Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in 30 to 40 minutes for under $50. Off-season rates at the resort start at $96 per night.

from homestyle Southern to Italian and, of course, fresh seafood from the Chesapeake Bay, only 35 nautical miles away. Locals brag that there’s only one chain restaurant, a McDonald’s.

The beach in winter can be nippy outside, but there are plenty of ways to warm up and indulge in the serenity.

For more information, visit ococean.com and visitcolonialbeachva.com.

Arts & Style

At 75, first novel is a dream come true

By Laura Sturza

After 20 years as a journalist, Patricia Vido was convinced she couldn’t write fiction, but at 75, she launched her debut novel in February.

For Love of Billie, Vido’s adult comingof-age novel, is “the story of a father-son love triangle and the power and pull of first love,” she said.

From the mid-1970s until the mid-1990s, Vido wrote for the Pittsburgh region’s Valley News Dispatch, covering news and later serving as a features editor. In 2004, she moved to the Baltimore area and applied her writing skills to public relations and fundraising for nonprofit organizations, including Girl Scouts of Central Maryland and Community Health Charities of Maryland.

While she wanted to try writing fiction, she was concerned because she was accustomed to writing succinctly.

“Newspapers tell a story in one graph: who, what, when, where, why. It was daunting to think about writing 300 pages,” Vido said.

‘Sit down and write’

When she retired and had the time to

devote to writing, she decided to stretch herself.

Vido read how-to books about writing, joined writing critique groups, ordered videos from The Great Courses program, and took classes at Baltimore County Community College. She describes these years of study as a kind of personal MFA program, covering topics such as outlining a novel, character development and self-publishing.

For those interested in writing their own book, she recommends these forms of immersion, but the essential step, she said, is to get words on the page.

“At some point, they just have to sit down and write,” she said.

Later-in-life learning

Vido isn’t alone in realizing her writing dreams after age 60. Amelia Hill’s 2023 article in The Guardian reports that the literary world is moving away from an obsession with youth. Hill cites experts who say that “older, unpublished writers are now at a premium — with radical, edgy women aged into their 80s particularly soughtafter.”

Like many older adults, Vido has experienced mild cognitive decline, but working on her book has kept her mentally sharp.

“I still go into the pantry and can’t remember what I went to get, but I remember everything that’s in my book,” she said.

“The characters are like real people to me; they continue to live in my head. The fact that I can encompass all this in my mind really shows me that I am still cognitively there.”

Book about growing up

Initially, Vido thought she would write about a workplace love affair, but as the characters unfolded, she discovered a different throughline.

In For Love of Billie, 12-year-old Finn is smitten with his father’s beautiful 25-yearold female coworker, Billie. The son enters a rivalry with the father he idolizes. (Billie is merely nice to the boy; nothing develops

beyond Finn’s innocent infatuation.) The story follows Finn through high school and college, where he has his first romances

? MUSIC ENJO

StuartsMelodie

• Visit to a Museum — a Monta

Listen to my original smooth-jazz-style compositions at ldi or on YouTube, including: and more!

• Waltz of Joy • Latin Nocture andmore!

Share your favorites with friends and on social media, and click “subscribe” on my website or YouTube for free updates. Thank you!

For Love of Billie is a new book by a Maryland author.

At age 75, Patricia Vido published her debut novel.

PHOTO COURTESY OF PATRICIA VIDO

Local philanthropists donate to HCC

By Ed Warner

Inventor Thomas Clement and his wife, the artist Wonsook Kim, have reached that stage in life where one thinks about giving back to honor the people and organizations that made their lives so successful.

But while others in that stage are writ-

ing checks to their alumni associations or maybe underwriting a scholarship at their alma mater, the Clarksville couple is going a bit bigger.

Since 2024, they’ve given $3.5 million to Howard Community College (HCC) — the college’s largest donation ever.

ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD FROM PAGE 22

ANSWERS TO SCRABBLE

In return, HCC has named its science and engineering building in Clement’s honor. HCC President Daria Willis said she “could not be more excited about our relationship with this family and the longterm outcomes this gift will create.”

To Illinois State University, Kim’s alma mater, they’ve given $1 million to the engineering school and $12 million to fund what’s now called the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.

One reason they’re giving back, said Kim, is the opportunities the United States offered her and her husband, who were born in Korea.

“America is the best country there is,” she said.

Last December, the Community Foundation of Howard County honored them as its philanthropists of the year for 2025.

Foundation President Melissa Curtin said, “Their vision and generosity have created a lasting impact.”

Teacher and artist

The couple, both in their early 70s, arrived in Howard County only three years ago, but Clement is already teaching an HCC class on invention and innovation.

mother who was likely forced by poverty to abandon him at age five.

He lived on the streets alongside other orphans in a life “all about survival,” he recalled. “Everybody in the same boat, hungry and cold.”

These street children were called “half and halfs,” he said, and were to be exterminated by the government for being only part Korean “until the American soldiers stepped in,” he said.

Clement was sent to an orphanage and later adopted by an American couple. In school in the United States, he said he struggled with the language barrier. “I thought I was just stupid; I didn’t realize it was a communication problem.”

So, he said, “I delved more into the nonverbal world. And in the world of innovation, you rely on the nonverbal world.”

An early example: Unable to keep up in sixth grade, he secretly built a terrarium inside his desk, complete with aquatic plants and a pond. When it leaked (and “smelled to high heaven,” he noted), the teacher was aghast. Then, Clement said, “he told me he thinks I’m a very smart person. I didn’t believe him.”

Art scholar

It makes sense: He holds 78 patents and for 30 years ran a medical technology company he founded. Clement sold that company six years ago and plans to give away most of the profits from the sale.

For instance, Clement and Kim gave $1 million to provide free DNA test kits to Americans adopted from Korea and Korean War veterans. The kits have united more than 200 relatives already, Clement said.

Clement himself is a Korean War orphan, the offspring of a GI and a Korean

Kim, too, speaks of feeling like an outsider when she first came to the United States in 1972. After determinedly teaching herself English, she arrived in Illinois to study abroad. In Korea at that time, “an unmarried girl doesn’t go abroad,” she said. She got an art scholarship to Illinois State, but “was always in the back” of the class, she said, which let her follow her

From page 20

own muse while other students were mainly into abstract work.

Next stop was New York City, where Kim got her first gallery show in 1977. She’s since exhibited in 67 galleries, from Dallas to Korea.

Many of her figurative paintings have folktale-like imagery. Her ceramics, too, have warmth: One is of a woman, her arms around a home as if it were a child.

Clement and Kim return to Korea often. In fact, they met there. They married more than 25 years ago, after getting to know each other when she was his interpreter during a visit to their homeland.

Community college champions

Clement said he has a soft spot for com-

Vido

From page 19

with age-appropriate girls.

The book explores tragedy, dramatic family dynamics and the contrast between infatuation and love. While it is a young man’s coming-of-age story, it was written with women in mind.

“Though the main character is male, there are strong women in it,” Vido said.

She was drawn to telling Finn’s story after creating a character who is introspective, sensitive and prone to magical thinking.

“I saw him as being in touch with his feminine side,” she said.

Foremost, the book is a story of Finn’s journey to adulthood.

“I’m 75, and I just love coming-of-age stories,” Vido said, adding that it will appeal to people of all ages because the theme of growing up is timeless.

“It can remind us that we are the main

munity colleges. As a high schooler, he got a 528 combined SAT score, so low only the local community college would take him. There, he said, he took a course in which he tracked down for the class a somewhatrare alpha-wave monitor. A professor lauded his determination.

Clement eventually transferred to Purdue and became an engineer, like his adoptive father. In 1988, he started a medical device company in his attic. When orders surged, he moved his company, Mectra, to a Bloomington, Ind., factory and “had to hire 87 people right away,” he said.

Some new hires had nontraditional backgrounds, but that didn’t deter him. “I overlook people’s challenges,” he said.

That includes low SAT scores. Kim recalled how her husband, in a speech to HCC students, mentioned his low score, and “They kind of sat up. They wanted to

characters of our lives, and we’re all trying to figure out who we are and who we want to be.”

Upon receiving the first copy, Vido said she was “positively giddy. I’ve been beaming since I got it done … and as I read through it, I’m very proud of it.”

The entire process has left her grateful for all the help she has received. Vido appreciates how teachers, her editor and fellow writers helped her realize this dream, noting that she learned from other participants in classes and workshops. Their encouragement was essential to her success.

Sequel in the works

Vido is already planning a sequel novel: Finn at Forty, in which readers would learn how he’s doing in midlife.

For Love of Billie launched February 14. Buy the book on Amazon or on Vido’s website, patriciavido.com.

Peace of Mind is Priceless

know: How’d you get here with that?”

The inventors’ club

Clement calls his HCC class an inventors’ club. Recently, students developed traps for the Spotted Lanternfly. If a prototype looks patentable, Clement promises to underwrite that cost and even the cost of commercializing the patent.

Clement tells his students to tinker with their prototypes, to behave like a child, when “everything’s a plaything,” as he put it.

“I’m a tinker,” he said. “I take things apart and put them together.”

Clement has been outspoken about his

experiences and has written Dust of the Streets, a memoir that he said sold more than 25,000 copies.

A key memory, he recalled, is his first birthday party in the United States. There, as the children played, he instead “stood guard” over their presents — he couldn’t comprehend that life could be bountiful.

Now, he said, he and Kim are not “standing guard” over their bounty but sharing it. Looking at America’s income inequality, Clement said, “I’m baffled about how you could eat a sandwich next to a starving person.”

Laura Lee Fischer, conductor

Celebrating America’s natural landscapes and beautiful areas with salutes to the Great Lakes by Gwyneth Walker, “Northwest Passage” by Z. Randall Stroope, “Song of the Open Road” by Norman Dello Joio and More!

Scrabble answers on p. 20

Crossword Puzzle

Across

1. Suffers water damage

5. Obsessively follow cyber-trails

10. Extra sleeping spot in an Airbnb

14. Complain about a bad fishing hole

15. Small Toyota from the ‘90s

16. Going into game-seven

17. Oxygen producer

18. Some songs on SeriusXM’s Met Opera

Radio channel

19. Use closed-captions

20. O, E, and Y

23. Toda : Madrid :: ___ : Madridn’t

24. Centerpiece of a witch’s kitchen

25. The Northern Pygmy, Western Screech, and 12 other species

32. Santa ___ winds

35. When a.m. becomes p.m.

36. Go off like a car alarm

37. King David’s musical instrument

39. Make zzz’s

42. It was blocked from number one by Da Ya Think I’m Sexy? in 1979

43. Best Picture of 2024

45. Cheeseheads and the Dawg Pound

47. Present from van Gogh

48. Assignment for the worst offenders

52. Crunch, naval officer of breakfast

53. “The trouble with a kitten is that eventually it becomes ___” (Ogden Nash)

56. What comedians get for killing

63. Island birthplace of US citizen Nicole Kidman

64. Goes on a rampage

65. Top-quality

66. Fall victim to Knight Rider’s Oil Slick button

67. He sang “Everybody Wash” on the first episode of Sesame Street

68. Get ___ the ground floor

69. Use a Remmington Quiet-Riter

70. Bob, who formed The Silver Bullet Band

71. Being nothing more than

By Stephen Sherr

Down

1. Canadian sketch comedy show that also appeared on NBC

2. Hammerin’ Hank

3. ___ spine (became more assertive)

4. USA Swimming sponsor, since 1985

5. Relaxation destinations

6. Source of poi

7. “I highly doubt that”

8. Take a ___ faith (be bold and confident)

9. Neighbor of Serbia

10. In a peaceful manner

11. “I have finished my message”

12. Achievement

13. Word on Buzz Lightyear’s foot

21. Croquet or badminton venue

22. Raise or raze, but not rays

26. The shortest part of UCLA

27. Rob Reiner, to Carl

28. Binary switch type

29. Three-card monte, or Connect Four

30. Killer whale

31. Easy to get to by foot

32. Whale hater

33. Prefix meaning “one-billionth”

34. Pretty maids all in ___

38. Prevent from happening

40. “Go team, go!”

41. Dir. the Cowboys fly to play the Commanders

44. “What a shame”

46. Smelting waste

49. Future fungi

50. At the top of one’s game

51. Jewish toast

54. Do penance

55. Just Denny Doherty in The Mamas & the Papas

56. Table-assigner

57. Like Pinot Noir, but not Pinot Grigio

58. Lion tamer’s prop

59. ___ time, no see

60. It’s like kissing your sister

61. Junkie

62. French name meaning “born again”

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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.

DRIVERS WANTED / GREAT FOR RETIREES / Locally 35-year-old family-owned company is looking for dependable people to make delivers to businesses. / Make your own schedule / Call (410) 234-3100 for more information and schedule an appointment to apply.

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 410-415-1760.

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 443-281-3638.

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 Company866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

GARDENS OF FAITH. Burial vault for 2. Asking $10,000. Individual burial lots $3000 each. Call Jim 443-425-4127.

CEMETERY PLOTS Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Brentwood, MD. 4 plots Section K-B Lot 30 Sites 14. Single depth. Monument privilege. Number of plots and PRICE NEGOTIABLE. Contact Steve Frank. stevefrank22@verizon.net. 301-807-5645.

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! 855-909-2278.

DISCOVER NORTH STAR NAVIGATORS:

Your Trusted Partner in Elder Support Services. At North Star Navigators, we are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of our aging population. We understand the challenges that come with aging and are driven by a personal quest to enhance the well-being of seniors. Our telehealth services include: - Comprehensive Assessments & RecommendationsGolden Years Planning - Healthy Ship (Membership). Get Ready to Set Sail with North Star Navigators! Where YOU remain the Captain, and our Stars guide the way. Visit NorthStarNavigators.net or call 833-735-1983 for more information. Your Trusted Team: Anchored in Compassion, Driven by Passion.

PORTABLE OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR

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

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! 1-844-366-1003 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! 1240-650-9189.

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! 1-855-6530087.

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! 1866-365-5170.

NO MORE CLEANING OUT GUTTERS. Guaranteed! LeafFilter is the most advanced gutter protection for your home, backed by a no-clog guarantee and lifetime transferrable warranty. Call today 1-855-977-6078 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.

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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

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

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

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

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

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

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 1-833-992-0110 or visit dorranceinfo.com/beacon

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

WE COME TO YOU AND GET RESULTS.

RedZone Fitness Studio was voted one of the ten best gyms in Maryland. Please call Anthony at 410-739-3318 to set up a free fitness evaluation. We look forward to setting up a personalized workout plan just for you.

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 1-888-572-4953.

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: 443-306-8816.

FREE QUILT EXHIBIT AND RECEPTION

Artists’ Gallery presents “Safari Stories: Quilts by Claudia Pearce,” featuring quilts that depict animals and landscapes from around the world. The exhibition runs through Sun., March 29, with a reception on Sun., March 15 from 2 to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 8197 Main St., Ellicott City, and is open Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, visit artistsgalleryec.com or call (443) 325-5936.

FREE TECH COURSES

The National Council on Aging and AT&T offer free self-paced online courses on technology. These modules cover the basics of today’s technology, from navigating a website to keeping online accounts and passwords secure. For more information and a list of offerings, visit ncoa.org/page/connected-learning.

U IN O UP UPCOMIN

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LTTHY LIVING SEMINAR: “HEARTY FL AVVORS LTTHY FO UNDATTIONS!”

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TUESDAYY, , FEBRUARY 17

10:30-11:45 A.M.

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18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 301-388-7209 w..bgf.org

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