May 2025 | DC Beacon by The Beacon Newspapers

Collectors are crazy about cars

By Glenda C. Booth

Gil Dickens lives, sleeps and dreams Corvettes. The retired Air Force engineer owns and maintains five of them.

He’s the master of Corvette minutiae: He can identify spark plugs by year, explain which model had a triple deuce carburetor, and sing the praises of the father of the Corvette, Zora Duntov.

Retiree Ford Chinworth cherishes “Mr. T,” his immaculate 1927 Model T Ford, originally owned by his grandfather. Its maximum safe speed is 38 miles per hour, but it will go 48 to 50 downhill, he chuckled.

Even utilitarian vehicles can be a collector’s item. “Pickup trucks are my passion,” said former pilot Doren Weston, who restored a 1952 Chevrolet 3100 half-ton.

Many owners of vintage vehicles love them for their engineering and style. For others, it’s a nostalgic reliving of their teenage years — revving up the motor, tooling around town, searching for hot dates. Cars convey material success for others, who can finally ride around in their dream car.

Car enthusiasts like Dickens, Chinworth and Weston come together in clubs and online forums, at shows, conventions and meetups where they talk cars.

“Cars and Coffee” gatherings are popular in the D.C. area. Most weekends, local car enthusiasts drive their vehicles — old and new, sporty and antique, sleek exotics and muscle cars — to a designated public parking lot.

For a few hours, they share stories and tips, and marvel at each other’s vehicles inside, outside and under the hood. There’s no official judging, just sipping coffee, camaraderie and car talk.

Bill Bock describes the events as “a Sunday morning social club.” He recently showed off his 1972 Triumph TR6, a sports car built in England, at a Cars and Coffee gathering in a parking lot close to his home near Mount Vernon, Virginia.

A passion for Corvettes

Dickens doesn’t just drive Corvettes; he restores them. At Corvette restoration judging events, he has landed three Top Flight awards for three different cars. To win that designation, the car must be at least 94% original.

He won a Duntov award for his 1968 L-88 Coupe, which means judges deemed it 97% original while operating 100% as it did just off the showroom floor.

He got his first Corvette, a safari yellow Shark, in 1968 at age 20, when he was in the U.S. Air Force.

“In the 1960s, when America pursued the space program, the Corvette exemplified the American dream, more obtainable than European counterparts,” Dickens explained.

Plus, it looked cool: “The 1968 C-3 ‘Shark’ was a space-age design with aircraft-like instrument clusters and fiber-optic interior light indicators.”

Dickens retired from the Pentagon at age 39 and then worked in the private sector, maintaining B-52s. Today, he manages a business that trains government engineers and scientists in advanced radar systems.

He also chairs the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Corvette Restorers Society and edits their newsletter.

He has three adult children, five grandchildren, and a “wife who doesn’t care about cars,” he said.

That’s why he goes to Corvette restorers’ meetings and shows several times a year — to meet others who find joy in restored Corvettes.

Model T fan

Chinworth and his cousins meticulously restored their Indiana grandfather’s gleaming four-seater Model T, a relic with crankup windows and running boards. It took indepth research, but they confirmed and used the original paint color, fawn gray.

Bears, elk, fireflies and hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park; plus, how comfortable is the overnight Auto Train to Orlando?

page 27

Co-authors team up to write a book about the recovery movement; plus, Bob Levey on vintage vinyl

page 30

k How to live longer and healthier

k Is it dementia or just aging?

Ford Chinworth, retired Alexandria architect, restored his grandfather’s Model T. Chinworth and other car aficionados show off their classic cars at local Cars & Coffee gatherings, held every weekend in Virginia and Maryland.

PHOTO BY GLENDA C. BOOTH

Time to rotate the tires

At the moment, retirement — whether voluntary or imposed — is a topic on people’s minds, particularly in the Beacon’s readership area. This region is being hit especially hard by the government cutbacks we read about daily.

So, it hasn’t been surprising that the question, “So, are you thinking of retiring?” comes up in almost every casual conversation I’ve recently had.

Some years ago, I came up with the idea (probably not original) that “re-tirement” is when you get yourself a new set of “tires,” figuratively speaking.

served change and as a positive way to increase our longevity.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

The old ones have lost most of their tread, been worn down by all that rubber meeting the road over the years, and it’s time for some fresh, springy new ones: tires you can take out for a spin and feel great about again.

I like that image because it pictures retirement as an opportunity for well-de-

In the Beacon, we’ve written many times about how our readers — whatever their present circumstance — would do well to give serious thought to what they’d like to do if/when they either retire from work or retire from retirement.

The options are varied, and selecting the right one or ones requires both investigation and forethought. Ideally, it also includes a try-out.

That may involve taking a class, doing internet research, talking to friends and role models, and even taking a sabbatical to try out a new career or job before leaving the security of the present one.

There’s that word again: “sabbatical.”

Yes, I’ve been using it a lot in my columns the last few years because I’ve been taking my own advice and taking a few weeks off from the Beacon now and then to explore

the possibilities of writing and producing original music — a passion since my youth.

I’ve decided the time is ripe to stop exploring and start living that life. However, I’m not trading in for an entirely new set of tires. I’ve decided to rotate some and replace others, you might say.

As of May 1, I will become the Beacon’s editor emeritus, and our managing editor, Margaret Foster, will become our editor.

Margaret has been an invaluable member of our team for more than six years. She says she’s excited about taking on the additional responsibilities of editor, and I know she’ll do a fantastic job.

As for me, I’ll remain the Beacon’s publisher and continue to be involved with both story selection and advertising. But I’m definitely going to be spending more of my days (I hope, more than half) composing music for solo piano as well as voice and piano.

I’ll continue writing this column as I have for 36 years (most months, anyway), and I plan to be there to greet you at our 50+Expos this fall.

I would also love to continue hearing

from readers like you whenever you have a thought about the Beacon or a critique to share.

When you have a chance, please visit my website — StuartsMelodies.com — where you can listen to many of my compositions and watch my music videos.

If you like what you hear, you can email me through the site, share links to my songs with your friends, and/or repost videos on your Facebook and other social media pages.

And if you click “subscribe” while watching any of my videos (which won’t actually cost you anything), it will encourage YouTube to share my music with even more people online.

I look forward to having these new ways to interact with you as well as the world at large.

Oh, and please keep reading the Beacon, patronizing our advertisers and recommending us to your friends!

Beacon

TheBeacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve, and entertain the citizens of the Greater Washington DC area, and is privately owned. Other editions serve Greater Baltimore and Howard County, Md.

Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($36) or third-class mail ($12), prepaid with order. D.C. and Maryland residents: add 6 percent for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below.

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

Publisher/Editor Emeritus –Stuart P. Rosenthal

President/Associate Publisher –Judith K. Rosenthal

Executive Vice President – Gordon Hasenei

Editor – Margaret Foster

Art Director – Kyle Gregory

Vice President of Operations – Roger King

Advertising Representatives –

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

Assistant Editor –Ana Preger Hart

Editorial Intern – Tori Cleveland

Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions:

Letters to the editor

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

Dear Editor:

I would like to see a monthly article about online, phone and any other kind of scams. This could be general advice about avoiding getting scammed, or active scams going on in the region.

I think it would be helpful for everyone in the community, no matter their age. Thank you.

Terri H. Via email

Dear Editor:

Your article about diabetes in the April issue (“Know the early signs and symptoms of diabetes,” p. 4) is interesting. Type 2 diabetes is an issue for seniors.

If you are in the prediabetes stage now, you should eat healthy proteins and food without too much sugar. Vegetables

BEACON BITS

May 17

are usually OK, and limited fruits are good.

Daily exercise is very important for seniors, no matter whether you walk or do garden work. No exercise is a big problem for retired seniors.

Jinhai Wang, M.D. Rockville, MD

Dear Editor:

I don’t live in your readership area, but I find your paper in a nursing home in Rockville, where my sister is. I always look forward to getting it when I visit her. I read the Beacon from the front to the back. I have found some very helpful things. Thank you for putting out such a wonderful paper.

Clara Dorsey Mt. Airy, MD

PAWS IN THE PARK DOG WALK & FEST

Montgomery County Humane Society invites you to a day of family

fun at their annual fundraising event. Enjoy games and contests (for people and dogs), a K9 agility course, music, food vendors and more. Tickets are $20 per person in advance or $25 at the gate; children under 12 (and dogs) get in for free. This event takes place on Sat., May 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Montgomery County Agricultural Center (the Montgomery County Fairgrounds), 501 Perry Pkwy., Gaithersburg, MD. For more information, visit bit.ly/PawsinthePark2025.

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Fitness & Health

THE EYES HAVE IT

Medicare will pay for some eye surgeries and procedures, but not regular exams

BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY

See a doctor if you’re always clearing your throat, coughing or have trouble swallowing SLIP-UP OR SLIPPING?

A humorous take on facing our fears that forgetfulness means oncoming dementia ‘TIS THE SEASON

Hidden health benefits of summer treats like watermelon, cherries and corn

Ways to increase lifespan and healthspan

By Jacob Schroeder

For centuries, the world’s most powerful figures have tried to cheat death.

The Epic of Gilgamesh tells of a king’s desperate attempt to outwit mortality. China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, obsessed with living forever, financed expeditions for a mythical “Elixir of Life,” only to die at 49 from mercury poisoning.

Fast-forward a few thousand years, and the hunt for longevity remains just as feverish. But instead of kings and emperors, today’s seekers are billionaires and biotech firms, replacing spells and potions with labs and artificial intelligence (AI).

If the nearly 6,000 longevity studies published last year on PubMed are any indication, we’re trying harder than ever — and getting closer than ever.

There’s big money at stake. Research suggests that slowing aging by one year could add $38 trillion in economic value, while a 10-year life extension could be worth $367 trillion.

From obesity drugs like Ozempic that lower heart disease risk to breakthroughs in cellular aging, longevity research is making real strides. As Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, former scientific director at the National Institute on Aging, put it, “This science is extremely promising.”

The latest research

Life expectancy has increased by over 300% since the late 1800s, but some re-

searchers believe we’re just getting started.

Biotech firm Medtronic suggests that, in theory, a disease-free human body could reach 150 years. Among other things, the company is developing AI-driven tools to detect early signs of disease and predict progression before symptoms appear.

Some researchers believe the first 150year-old human has already been born. Harvard geneticist David Sinclair and others are exploring ways to reset the epigenome — the molecular switches that turn genes on and off.

Early experiments suggest this process can reverse aging in lab mice, raising hopes that similar techniques may help humans combat age-related diseases.

Ferrucci says one of the biggest breakthroughs in longevity science has been recognizing that aging itself is the root cause of most chronic diseases.

Scientists have since developed biological clocks that measure aging through DNA markers and cellular wear, leading to experimental anti-aging treatments like senolytics, which help clear out old, dysfunctional cells.

Another promising drug, rapamycin, appears to slow aging in animals, but its immune-suppressing effects make it controversial for humans.

Yet a key issue remains: Extending lifespan is meaningless if it doesn’t provide better health. That’s why Ferrucci calls longevity a “false objective.”

What you can do today

Modern research confirms what we’ve known for decades: Basic healthy habits work.

A 2023 study of 276,000 U.S. veterans found that adopting eight key habits — including a healthy diet, exercise, quality sleep, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol — could add up to 24 years to a person’s life.

Ferrucci calls these classic preventive measures “a magic pill.” Ignoring them, he notes, shortens life expectancy, a fact backed by decades of research.

However, some point to supercentenarians (those who live past 100) who claim to have survived on things like whiskey and bacon, fueling the argument that longevity is all about getting lucky in the genetics lottery.

It’s true that genetics play a role. But studies suggest lifestyle choices determine 70% to 80% of lifespan.

Beyond diet and exercise, new longevity strategies are gaining traction. Cold therapies including cryotherapy and cold plunges have been linked to reduced inflammation and the activation of longevityrelated proteins.

A long-term Finnish study found that regular sauna use was associated with a 40% lower mortality rate from cardiovascular disease.

Another promising approach is intermittent fasting and caloric restriction, which

triggers autophagy — the body’s natural process of clearing damaged cells. This could potentially slow aging and reduce disease risk.

However, researchers recommend that those with eating disorders, diabetes or other conditions avoid intermittent fasting, as well as people over 65.

Reduce stress, loneliness

While we may not all reach 150, we have more control over aging than we once thought — and you don’t need a billionaire’s budget to take advantage of what actually works.

Research consistently finds that one of the strongest predictors of both lifespan and healthspan is social connection.

One of the biggest yet often overlooked factors in aging is stress, which is often caused by social isolation.

“One thing people don’t think about is stress avoidance. People exposed to mistreatment or social stress tend to age faster,” Ferrucci said.

“As a source of stress, it’s becoming clear that loneliness is one of the most significant factors in accelerated aging,” he added.

Good relationships don’t just help people live longer. They make those years worth living.

Any alcohol can adversely affect health

By Carla K. Johnson

Moderate drinking was once thought to have benefits for the heart, but better research methods have thrown cold water on that.

“Drinking less is a great way to be healthier,” said Dr. Timothy Naimi, who directs the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.

In January, before the Trump administration took office, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for Congress to update the prior surgeon general’s health warning label on alcoholcontaining beverages to include the risk of cancer.

What’s the harm in alcoholic drinks?

Drinking raises the risk of several types of cancer, including colon, liver, breast and mouth and throat.

Alcohol breaks down in the body into a substance called acetaldehyde, which can damage your cells and stop them from repairing themselves. That creates the conditions for cancer to grow.

Thousands of U.S. deaths per year could be prevented if people followed the government’s dietary guidelines, Naimi said. Those guidelines advise men to limit themselves to two drinks or fewer per day and women to one drink or fewer per day. One drink is the equivalent of about one

12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a shot of liquor.

According to Murthy’s advisory, there are about 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases and about 20,000 alcohol-related cancer deaths annually in the United States.

“As you consider whether or how much to drink, keep in mind that less is better when it comes to cancer risk,” Murthy wrote on social media.

Isn’t moderate drinking good for you?

That idea that moderate drinking has health benefits came from imperfect studies comparing groups of people by how much they drink. Usually, that was measured at one

point in time. And none of the studies randomly assigned people to drink or not drink, so they couldn’t prove cause and effect.

People who report drinking moderately tend to have higher levels of education, higher incomes and better access to health care, said Naimi.

“It turns out that when you adjust for those things, the benefits tend to disappear,” he said.

Another problem: Most studies didn’t include younger people. Almost half of the people who die from alcohol-related causes die before the age of 50.

“If you’re studying people who survived

Device turns stroke survivor’s thoughts into fluent speech

By Laura Ungar

Scientists have developed a device that can translate thoughts about speech into spoken words in real time.

Although it’s still experimental, they hope the brain-computer interface could someday help give voice to those unable to speak.

A new study described testing the device on a 47-year-old woman with quadriplegia who couldn’t speak for 18 years after a stroke. Doctors implanted it in her brain during surgery as part of a clinical trial.

It “converts her intent to speak into fluent sentences,” said Gopala Anumanchipalli, a co-author of the study published last month in the journal Nature Neuroscience

Other brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, for speech typically have a slight delay between thoughts of sentences and computerized verbalization. Such delays can disrupt the natural flow of conversation, potentially leading to miscommunication and frustration, researchers said.

This is “a pretty big advance in our field,” said Jonathan Brumberg of the Speech and Applied Neuroscience Lab at the University of Kansas, who was not part of the study. A team in California recorded the woman’s brain activity using electrodes while she spoke sentences silently in her mind. The scientists used a synthesizer they built using her voice before her injury to create a speech sound that she would have spoken.

They trained an artificial intelligence model that translates neural activity into units of sound. It works similarly to existing systems used to transcribe meetings or phone calls in real time, said Anumanchipalli, of the University of California, Berkeley.

The implant itself sits on the speech center of the brain so that it’s listening in, and those signals are translated to pieces of speech that make up sentences.

It’s a “streaming approach,” Anumanchipalli said, with each 80-millisecond chunk of speech — about half a syllable — sent into a recorder.

“It’s not waiting for a sentence to finish,” Anumanchipalli said. “It’s processing it on the fly.”

Decoding speech that quickly has the potential to keep up with the fast pace of natural speech, Brumberg said. The use of voice samples, he added, “would be a significant advance in the naturalness of speech.”

Though the work was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health, Anumanchipalli said it wasn’t affected by recent NIH research cuts.

More research is needed before the technology is ready for wide use, but with “sustained investments,” it could be available to patients within a decade, he said. © 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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Medicare coverage of vision care, exams

Dear Savvy Senior,

What does Medicare cover when it comes to vision care? I currently have good vision insurance through my employer but will lose it when I retire.

Dear Almost,

—Almost 65

Many soon-to-be retirees are a bit blurry about what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to vision care.

like eye exams and eyeglasses are usually the beneficiary’s responsibility.

The good news is that Medicare covers most medical issues — like cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases and medical emergencies. But unfortunately, routine care

By Jim Miller

Alcohol

From page 4

into middle age, didn’t quit drinking because of a problem, and didn’t become a heavy drinker, that’s a very select group,” Naimi said. “It creates an appearance of a benefit for moderate drinkers that is actually a statistical illusion.”

Other studies challenge the idea that alcohol has benefits. These studies compare people with a gene variant that makes it

Here’s a breakdown of what is and isn’t covered.

Eye exams and treatments: Medicare does not cover routine eye exams that test for eyeglasses or contact lenses. But they do cover yearly medical eye exams if you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma.

They will also pay for exams to test and treat medical eye diseases if you’re having vision issues that indicate a serious eye problem like macular degeneration, dry eye syndrome, glaucoma, eye infections or if you get something in your eye.

unpleasant to drink to people without the gene variant. People with the variant tend to drink very little or not at all.

One of these studies found people with the gene variant have a lower risk of heart disease — another blow to the idea that alcohol protects people from heart problems.

What do other countries say?

Guidelines vary a lot from country to country, but the overall trend is toward drinking less.

Eye surgeries : Medicare will cover most eye surgeries that help repair the eye function, including cataract surgery to remove cataracts and insert standard intraocular lenses to replace your own.

Medicare will not, however, pick up the extra cost if you choose a premium multifocal lens that restores full range of vision and reduces your need for glasses after cataract surgery. The extra cost for a premium lens can run $1,500 to $4,000 per eye.

Eye surgeries that are usually not covered by Medicare include refractive (LASIK) surgery and cosmetic eye surgery that are not considered medically necessary.

Eyeglasses and contact lenses : Medicare will not pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses, with one exception: If you

The United Kingdom, France, Denmark, Holland and Australia recently reviewed new evidence and lowered their alcohol consumption recommendations. Ireland will require cancer warning labels on alcohol starting in 2026.

“The scientific consensus has shifted due to the overwhelming evidence linking alcohol to over 200 health conditions, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases and injuries,” said Carina Ferreira-Borges, regional adviser for alcohol at the World Health

have had a conventional intraocular lens inserted during cataract surgery, Medicare will pay for eyeglasses or contact lenses following the operation.

Ways to save

Although original Medicare’s vision coverage is limited to medical issues, there are ways you can save on routine care. Here are several to check into:

Medicare Advantage plans: Many of these plans, which are alternatives to original Medicare and sold through private insurance companies, cover routine eye exams and eyeglasses. But coverage is limited, so be sure you understand the specifics.

Organization regional office for Europe.

Naimi served on an advisory committee that wanted to lower the U.S. recommendation for men to one drink per day. That advice was considered and rejected when the existing federal recommendations came out in 2020.

“The simple message that’s best supported by the evidence is that, if you drink, less is better when it comes to health,” Naimi said.

SAVVY SENIOR

Health Shorts

AI uses speech to predict Alzheimer’s

An artificial intelligence (AI) model analyzing transcripts of speech from cognitive tests predicted the progression of cognitive impairment to Alzheimer’s disease within six years with more than 78% accuracy. The results of the study, funded by the National Institute on Aging, were published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia in January.

Scientists applied an AI speech analysis system to evaluate samples from transcripts of cognitive tests given to 166 participants diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The Boston Universityled research team used an AI system to analyze the language structure of automated transcripts of voice recordings of participants’ speech during their cognitive tests.

The results showed the AI model successfully predicted, with an accuracy of 78.2%, which participants progressed from

Eye exams

From page 6

MCI to Alzheimer’s within six years.

The researchers view this as validating the potential of AI speech analysis as a convenient, inexpensive cognitive testing resource that can be used remotely to complement other tests and biomarkers.

They suggest their method is more accurate than other noninvasive tests and can help medical professionals and clinical trial managers better identify people at risk for MCI progressing to Alzheimer’s.

—National Institute on Aging

Topical hair-loss med is better swallowed

Dermatologists are increasingly prescribing a drug known generically as minoxidil in low-dose pills to help men and women maintain or regrow hair.

Several recent studies suggest the ingredient, which is also in over-the-counter topical treatments like Rogaine, works as well — or possibly better — when swallowed, rather than applied to hair follicles on the head.

Telehealth companies are also driving

new demand by offering a quick, easy way to get a prescription and have the pills shipped directly to customers’ doors.

Minoxidil was originally developed in the 1970s as a pill to treat high blood pressure. Researchers noticed that some patients taking it experienced increased hair growth as a side effect.

Rogaine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1988, the first drug to win the agency’s endorsement for male pattern baldness. Studies showed that men on the medication, which was applied directly to the scalp, had a slower rate of hair loss and, in some cases, regrew hair.

The drug’s ability to slow hair loss is likely related to its effect on blood circulation, according to experts.

“By increasing blood flow to the scalp, it signals hairs to stay in their growth phase for longer,” said Dr. Adam Friedman, chair of dermatology at George Washington University.

A recent consensus paper by more than 40 U.S. and international dermatologists concluded that minoxidil pills are effective and often more convenient than the liquid formulation. It’s also affordable, with some

pharmacies offering a month’s supply for less than $5.

—Matthew

Perrone/AP

CT scans may increase cancer risk

As many as 5% of all new cancer diagnoses per year could be caused by computed tomography (CT) scans.

A study published last month in JAMA Internal Medicine projected that as many as 103,000 Americans could develop cancer annually due to exposure to CT scans. The medical imaging test uses ionizing radiation, which damages DNA.

CT scans have increased in the United States in the past decades. Today about 93 million are performed every year, a 35% increase since 2007.

While x-rays also deliver a radiation dose, CT scans can be 100 to 1,000 times higher than x-rays. Often the dose varies depending on the scanning facility; some CT scans can be 50 times stronger than at another clinic.

—Margaret Foster

Purchase vision insurance: If you get routine eye exams and purchase new eyeglasses annually, a vision insurance

While I don’t recommend enrolling in an Advantage plan just to get vision coverage, it is an option you should know about. To locate Advantage plans in your area that provide vision coverage, go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare or call (800) 633-4227.

plan may be worth the cost. These policies typically range between $5 and $30 per month. Most plans will also have copays or deductibles you’ll be responsible for.

Find cheaper shopping options: Many retailers provide discounts — between 10 and 50 percent — on eye exams and eyeglasses if you belong to a membership group like AARP or AAA.

You can also save by shopping at discount retailers like Costco Optical, Sam’s Club Optical or Target Optical, which are all recommended by Consumer Reports Or consider buying your glasses online at retailers like ZenniOptical.com, EyeBuyDirect.com or GlassesUSA.com, which offer big savings.

To purchase glasses online, you’ll need a valid prescription (no more than a year old) from an eye doctor, plus your pupillary distance number, which is the distance in millimeters between the centers of the pupils in your eyes.

Look for assistance: There are also health centers and local clinics that provide free or discounted vision exams and eyeglasses to those in need. To find them, call your local Lions Club (see Directory. LionsClubs.org) for referrals.

Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior.

Supplements that may lower blood sugar

By Densie Webb

If you have prediabetes or have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you’ll want to do everything possible to bring blood sugar levels down. Elevated levels can damage your eyes, kidneys, nerves and your dental health and increase your risk of cardiovascular disease.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, beans and plant proteins, along with regular physical activity, can go a long way toward improving blood sugar levels.

If you’re thinking about adding supplements to the mix, however, there are a few things you should know: Vitamin, mineral and herbal supplements have been studied for the treatment of diabetes, but most have little proof of safety and effectiveness.

Herbal supplements, including bitter melon, Chinese herbal medicines, fenugreek, ginseng and milk thistle, have not

been proven effective.

A few supplements have, however, shown promise.

Cinnamon: Cassia cinnamon is possibly effective in lowering blood sugar but should only be used in moderation. Consumer Reports found that of 36 cinnamon spice products tested, 12 had high levels of lead.

The National Institutes of Health says that doses below six grams a day of cassia cinnamon appear to be safe. Any more may interfere with medications, especially blood thinners.

Chromium: Without chromium, which is found in a variety of foods, including broccoli and eggs, your body can’t metabolize dietary sugars efficiently.

A 2022 review found that chromium supplements improved fasting blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in people with Type 2 diabetes. The Institute of Medicine suggests that 200 micrograms a day for up

to six months is safe.

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA): This antioxidant may reduce fasting blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in people with Type 2 diabetes. It may also be helpful in treating diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage to hands, legs or feet). Studies have found 600 milligrams a day to be effective.

Of course, you should never use supplements in place of medications for treating Type 2 diabetes.

Dietary supplements are not evaluated

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

to participate in free cancer screenings, healthy cooking demos, interactive exhibits, giveaways and more. This event takes place at 8081 Innovation Park Dr., Fairfax, VA. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/HealthFairVA or call 1-855-694-6682.

SILVER PRIDE DANCE & RESOURCE FAIR

May 21

Silver Pride’s Resource Fair & Tea Dance is a free celebration for Pride’s oldest community. It takes place on Older Americans Day, Wed., May 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Eaton Hotel, 1201 K St. NW, Washington, DC. This event features a DJ, a Go Go band, and an emcee, the Empress of Pride, Rayceen Pendarvis. For more information and to register, visit seaburyresources.org/SilverPride.

by the Food and Drug Administration for safety or effectiveness prior to being sold. Only if a serious problem occurs will a supplement be removed from the shelves. One source of reliable information on supplements is ConsumerLab.com. Reprinted with permission from Environmental Nutrition, a monthly publication of Belvoir Media Group, LLC, 1-800829-5384, EnvironmentalNutrition.com. © 2025 Belvoir Media Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

FREE MEMORY SCREENING

Olney Memory Care offers free memory screenings and personalized memory support planning through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The screening, a series of questions and tasks, takes about 15 minutes. Appointments are required. For more information and to schedule an appointment, call (301) 485-4741.

SPRING GARDEN DAY

May 17

Here’s your chance to work with master gardeners to choose the perfect plants for your garden. They can help with native plant selection, planting advice and general questions. This free event takes place on Sat., May 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, VA. For more information, contact Friends of Green Spring Gardens at (703) 642-5173 or info@friendsofgreenspring.org.

BEACON BITS

Meditation changes brain, calms fears

By Maureen Salamon

For neuroscientist Sara Lazar, a form of meditation called open awareness is as fundamental to her day as breathing.

“I just become aware that I am aware, with no particular thing that I focus on,” explained Lazar, an associate researcher in the psychiatry department at Massachusetts General Hospital and assistant professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School.

“This sort of practice helps me become more aware of the subtle thoughts and emotions that briefly flit by, that we usually ignore but are quite useful to tune in to.”

Studies show certain types of meditation offer an array of benefits, from easing chronic pain and stress and lowering high blood pressure to relieving anxiety and depression.

In fact, as Lazar’s research has shown, meditation can actually change the structure and connectivity of brain areas that help us cope with fear and anxiety.

“Just as you build your physical muscles, you can build your calm muscles,” she said. “Meditation is a very effective way of training those muscles.”

What counts as meditation?

Meditation encompasses a broad range of practices. Open awareness, Lazar’s goto meditation, is just one of many forms. Others include focused awareness, slow deep breathing, guided meditation and mantra meditation.

At their core, Lazar said, is an awareness of the moment, noticing what you’re expe-

riencing and nonjudgmentally disengaging from intrusive thoughts that might interfere with your ability to attend to this task.

A regular meditation practice typically involves slowing down, breathing and observing inner experience.

“Meditation can involve flickering candles, breath awareness or mantras — all of these things,” Lazar said. “But there’s definitely an element of focusing and regulating your attention.”

Brain changes in two months

Small MRI imaging studies have zeroed in on meditation’s effects on the amygdala, an almond-shaped structure deep within the brain that processes fear, anxiety and other emotions.

Lazar and her colleagues have spent years laying the groundwork to show how practicing mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) alters the amygdala after only about two months. The MBSR practice in this research consisted of weekly group meetings and daily home mindfulness practices, including sitting meditation and yoga.

One key study involved 26 people with high levels of perceived stress. After an eight-week regimen of MBSR, brain scans showed the density of their amygdalae decreased, and these brain changes correlated to lower reported stress levels.

Building on this, Lazar and colleagues designed a study that focused on 26 people diagnosed with generalized anxiety, a disorder marked by excessive, ongoing and often illogical anxiety levels. The researchers randomized participants to either practice MBSR or receive stress management education.

In this first-of-its-kind research, participants were shown a series of images with angry or neutral facial expressions during

MRI imaging. At the beginning of the study, anxiety patients showed higher levels of amygdala activation in response to neutral faces than healthy participants. This suggests a stronger fear response to a non-threatening situation.

But after eight weeks of MBSR, MRI imaging showed increased connections between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex, a brain area crucial to emotional regulation.

The amygdalae in participants with generalized anxiety no longer displayed a fear response to neutral faces. These participants also reported their symptoms had improved.

“It seems meditation helps to down-regulate the amygdala in response to things it perceives to be threatening,” Lazar said.

Lazar believes training your brain to stop and notice your thoughts in a slightly detached way can calm you amidst the muddle of work deadlines, family friction or distressing news.

“You can watch your reactivity to the situation in a mindful, detached way, which shifts your relationship to it,” she said.

“It’s not indifference. It’s sort of like a bubble bursting — you realize you don’t need to keep going on this loop. Once you see that, it totally shifts your relationship to that reaction bubbling through your brain.”

How to start

Haven’t tried meditating? To get started, Lazar recommends the Three-Minute Breathing Space Meditation.

This offers a quick taste of meditation, walking you through three pared-down but distinct steps. “It’s simple, fast and anyone can do it,” she said.

1. Notice what your experience is right now.

Tips for new meditators

Choose a time. If you’re most focused in the morning, meditate when you first wake up. If you find that you need to relax before bed, carve out a few minutes to still your mind at the end of your bedtime routine.

Create the ideal meditation space. Choose a space with few distractions. Your bedroom, a sun porch, or a quiet den might be good options.

The space should be calming, with gentle lighting and a comfortable temperature. It’s a good idea to have a standalone timer or your smartphone nearby, so you don’t have to constantly watch the clock.

Sit up straight. While you can practice meditation lying down, standing up, or even walking, sitting tends to provide the optimal combination of focus and relaxation.

You can sit on a cushion, a mat or a blanket on the floor, if it’s comfortable for you. If that’s too uncomfortable, sit all the way back in a chair and place your feet flat on the floor to keep your spine properly aligned.

Position your hands to help still your thoughts. Decide where you would like your hands to be during your practice. You might place them on your knees with your palms up or down, in prayer position at your chest, or in one of the many mudras, or symbolic positions that are part of traditional yoga practice.

Don’t fight the feeling. Relax into the practice. Let your thoughts drift away. Ease into your breath. Even if you feel a little bit uncomfortable, try to give in to the feeling and not push back against it.

Be kind to yourself. If you don’t get the hang of meditation right away, forgive yourself and try again. You will eventually get it.

—Howard LeWine, M.D.

LeWine 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.

Meditation

From page 10

2. Focus on your breath and the sensations of your breath.

3. Expand your awareness to also notice sensations in your body.

After you get the hang of it, “Try either doing a longer session or short hits throughout the day, such as a threeminute breathing break four to five times a day,” Lazar suggested.

Another way to enhance your practice is to use ordinary, repetitive moments through-

out the day — such as reaching for a doorknob — as a cue to pause for five seconds and notice the sensation of your hand on the knob.

“As you walk from your office to your car, for instance, instead of thinking of all the things you have to do, you can be mindful while you’re walking,” Lazar said.

“Feel the sunshine and the pavement under your feet. There are simple ways to work meditation into each day.”

How to live with high-functioning anxiety

By Linda Hubbard

Dear Mayo Clinic: I’ve always been a high achiever, both personally and professionally. But I struggle with a whirlwind of worries and thoughts, constantly second-guessing myself and pushing for perfection.

I’ve heard the term “high-functioning anxiety,” and I feel like it is what I’m experiencing. How can I navigate and cope with this?

A: It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, especially in stressful situations. However, for some people, excessive and ongoing anxiety can be a challenge to control and can interfere with daily activities.

There are several types of anxiety disorders. The term “high-functioning anxiety” represents people with anxiety symptoms who maintain a high level of functionality in various aspects of their lives. Often, such people are successful in their careers or other roles, yet internally

struggle with persistent feelings of stress, self-doubt and the fear of not measuring up. They feel extremely uncomfortable inside and struggle with significant selfcriticism.

High-functioning anxiety isn’t recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders but instead is a subset of generalized anxiety.

Many emotional and physical symptoms are associated with generalized anxiety disorder. The symptoms of high-functioning anxiety mirror many of these, but some may be more prominent.

General anxiety symptoms

Some symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder include overall general nervousness and worry. Other symptoms that may lead you towards high-functioning anxiety include internal struggles with:

• Fears of criticism or significant selfcriticism

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• Fears of looking inadequate or foolish to others

• Feeling on the edge or on the verge of losing control

• Restlessness

• Sense of impending doom

• Significant stress

It’s important that you meet with a mental health professional to talk about your symptoms and obtain an accurate diagnosis. Then, if they determine that you have high-functioning anxiety, you can develop a care plan for having the best quality of life.

Therapies that can help

Counseling and therapy play crucial roles in helping people with high-functioning anxiety manage their symptoms effectively.

Cognitive behavioral therapy can help you learn to reframe your thoughts about life and transform behaviors that may feed your anxiety. Instead of being self-critical and looking for what could go wrong, you can be taught to manage your thoughts, seek solutions and guide yourself through anxious feelings.

In addition to therapy, other coping strategies to ease symptoms include:

• Creating a support network. A positive support network of people who care for you, regardless of outcomes, can help ease anxiety symptoms.

• Establishing healthy boundaries. Saying “no” can help improve relationships with others and establish rules for yourself, because many people overextend themselves.

But some people with high-functioning anxiety also should embrace saying “yes” to opportunities that stretch their comfort levels. Their lives grow in experiences and fulfillment the more they face their fears.

• Ditching comparisons. People with anxiety tend to compare themselves to

others, feel the need to improve, and want to be more like someone else. Comparison can rob you of joy and contentment.

• Identifying core values. Some people with high-functioning anxiety become fixated on society-defined success, like having the “right” job, car or house. A therapist can help you uncover what is important to you outside society’s expectations and align your thoughts and actions with your core values.

• Learning to accept criticism. This can be difficult for many people, especially people with high-functioning anxiety. A therapist can help you identify ways to step back and evaluate the feedback neutrally without emotion.

• Practicing mindfulness. This is the practice of purposefully being aware of and focusing on the present moment. Concentrating on one thing or a moment can increase feelings of calm and peace.

Medications can help some people with high-functioning anxiety but should only be used in conjunction with other coping strategies and under the care of a healthcare professional.

Talk with your healthcare team about how you are feeling. They can connect you to a skilled mental health counselor or therapist, if needed, and assist you with coping strategies to manage your anxiety and lead a fulfilling life.

Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational resource and doesn’t replace regular medical care. This Mayo Clinic Q&A represents inquiries this healthcare expert has received from patients. For more information, visit mayoclinic.org.

Do we all need fluoride treatments?

By Laura Ungar

When Tristen Boyer recently had a couple of cavities filled, her dentist suggested she get fluoride treatment afterward. She has Crohn’s disease, which puts her at increased risk for tooth decay.

“It’s something I felt like I should get done,” the 22-year-old University of Kentucky student said. “It’s something I’m going to keep doing.”

Dentists and hygienists often propose fluoride treatments to patients in the dental chair to prevent cavities and strengthen teeth. But the relatively simple procedure — which involves applying a varnish, gel or foam directly to the teeth — isn’t always covered by insurance, especially for adults.

So when is it worth getting? Here are some ways to figure that out.

Who needs in-office fluoride?

If there’s a high risk of tooth decay, then professional fluoride treatments can help.

But if “you haven’t seen any decay in years, you’re probably OK. What you’re doing at home is probably enough,” said Dr. Robert Weyant at the University of Pittsburgh.

Besides looking at cavity history, your dentist may also ask about risky behaviors, such as drinking lots of soft drinks, and your oral health regimen.

Patients “who don’t have access to fluoridated water, don’t use fluoridated toothpaste, or don’t floss regularly” may be good candidates for fluoride treatments, said Dr. Alex Daniel of Johns Hopkins University.

Treatments may also benefit certain groups more than others. Women in menopause, for example, experience hormonal changes that can lead to oral health problems.

And people taking certain medications can get dry mouth, which means fewer bacteria-killing enzymes and potentially more decay.

For patients deemed to be at risk, dentists generally recommend treatments every three, six or 12 months.

What are the pros and cons?

Dental fluoride prevents decay by helping tooth enamel — the hard outer layer of the tooth — better resist acid caused by bacteria in the mouth.

“Acid dissolves away tooth enamel, which weakens it — which is what makes cavities,” said Ohio dentist Dr. Matthew Messina, a spokesman for the American Dental Association.

Fluoride, a mineral, strengthens the enamel, making it harder.

The scientific evidence behind fluoride treatments is stronger for children than

adults. But whether the benefit is stronger for kids is uncertain, Weyant said, because there hasn’t been as much research in adults.

Dentists said there are no safety concerns about the treatment. The only real side effect is an uncommon one called fluorosis, a cosmetic discoloration of the teeth if someone gets a little too much fluoride.

Dental experts acknowledged that recent opposition to fluoride in drinking water by some — including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the nation’s new Health and Human Services Secretary — may give some people pause.

But even if you use fluoride toothpaste, drink fluoridated water and get occasional in-office fluoride treatments, dentists said

you’re getting a relatively small amount of the mineral, which poses no danger.

Is fluoride treatment worth it?

Fluoride treatments cost anywhere from around $25 to $55. Though many insurers cover the cost for kids, adults generally pay out of pocket.

Boyer, who used to get the treatments as a child, paid $30 for her first adult treatment. Though she wishes it was covered by insurance, she said that’s a small price to pay to prevent decay, expensive dental procedures and possible tooth loss.

“We only have one set of teeth,” she said. “The longer you can keep them, the longer you should.”

Ask an At-Home Care Expert

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Is it dementia, or wasn’t I like this at 40?

By Leslie Milk

A few weeks ago, my 13-year-old grandson left his phone in the refrigerator. He had gone looking for snack, put his phone down on a shelf, and left the phone behind when he closed the refrigerator door. He thought this was hilarious.

If it happened to me, I would think it was anything but. At 82, I am constantly on the alert for signs of the onset of dementia.

I am not alone. In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly half of adults over 40 think that they are likely to develop dementia.

Unfortunately, we have good reason to be worried, according to recent research released by the National Institute on Aging (NIA). New research estimates that the lifetime risk of dementia after age 55 is 42%.

That is double previous estimates, according to the NIA. But much of the increase is due to the fact that we are living longer, and more cases of dementia are being professionally diagnosed.

And the greatest risk occurs after age 85. Dementia risk is only 4% by age 75 and 20% by age 85.

Aging has its benefits, too

I have already experienced that which is defined as normal aging — struggling to remember a name or forgetting where I left my cell phone. (Note to self: Not having a cell phone seemingly implanted at birth does make a difference.)

However, aging may also bring positive cognitive changes, according to the NIA. Several studies have shown that older adults have larger vocabularies and greater knowledge of the depth of meaning of words than younger adults.

Older adults may also have learned from their many years of accumulated knowl-

edge and experiences. Whether and how older adults apply this knowledge, and how the brain changes as a result, is an area that researchers are actively exploring.

Another focus of NIA research is the possibility of slowing the senescence, or aging, of cells through calorie reduction. There are also a number of studies linking physical activity to better brain heath.

Checklists aren’t definitive

The newly released dementia numbers were sobering enough for me to go through the Alzheimer’s Society’s checklist for possible dementia symptoms.

This is where it got complicated. I would have to answer “yes” to “struggling to find the right word,” “difficulty getting enough sleep,” and “symptoms of anxiety, feeling very worried or uneasy.”

I could confidently answer “no” to “getting lost in familiar places,” “asking the same question over again or repeating phrases” and “making reckless decisions.”

Then there were the “maybes.” Acting inappropriately? My children would say, “Sometimes our mother is downright embarrassing.”

“Losing track of time or dates?” Now that I am not working in an office Monday to Friday, it takes a concerted effort to keep track of what day it is.

Fear about my mental state increases when I obsess about my current lifestyle. I still write in cursive and I have a favorite pen.

The TV news shows I watch advertise drugs, catheters and home healthcare. Many of the drug ads list death as one of the side effects.

I catch myself using words and phrases younger people never use, like “pocketbook” and “beauty parlor.” I cannot Venmo.

And one of the standard tests given to

post-stroke patients is counting backward from 100 by sevens. I couldn’t do that at 22, let alone 82.

So I made up my own rule

I’ve come to realize that many of the “symptoms of dementia” can be the result of personality rather than mental deterioration.

For instance, I have friends who get lost driving out of their neighborhoods. They have never had a good sense of direction, and they never will.

To ease my dementia anxiety, I created the Milk Rule for assessing mental health: I am okay if whatever I’m doing now is the

BEACON BITS May 22

same thing I probably did 30 years ago. I was anxious, sleep deprived and had difficulty judging distances back then. I sometimes called one of my two children by the other’s name. I drove my daughter to sleep-away camp a day early because I got the dates wrong.

Now I am less panicked about putting objects in unusual places. So far, I haven’t left my phone in the refrigerator. But if I do it just once, it’s no big deal. Just ask my grandson.

Leslie Milk is a former Washington Post columnist and lifestyle editor of the Washingtonian magazine

DATING AFTER 60 PROGRAM

Join the Dating After 60 program at The Woodlands Retirement Community, 4320 Forest Hill Dr., Fairfax, VA. Learn how to stay safe, be courageous and find love again in the online dating landscape at this free event on Thu., May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be served. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/DatingAfter60.

Ongoing

BASEBALL GAMES VOLUNTEER

Bethesda Big Train baseball (bigtrain.org) is recruiting volunteers for its Bullpen Club to serve as greeters and ushers at Big Train summer collegiate baseball games at the Shirley Povich Field in Cabin John Regional Park. The games take place in June and July. If you are interested, contact Bruce Adams at bruce@greaterwash.org.

Hidden benefits of fresh summer foods

By Brierley Horton, M.S., RD

It’s almost summer — that amazing time of year when fresh produce abounds. We love that there’s an abundance of fresh, delicious and healthy choices.

Better yet, many of summer’s fruits and vegetables are brimming with secret health benefits. Here are some of our favorites and why they’re a particularly good choice in the summer.

Watermelon: Staying hydrated keeps your memory sharp and your mood stable. It also helps keep your body cool (by enabling sweating) during hot summer months.

The good news is that you don’t just have to drink water. You can eat it, too. In addition to delivering skin-protecting lycopene, watermelon is 92 percent water (as its name suggests).

Another boon? Research shows that eating foods that are full of water helps keep you satisfied on fewer calories.

Corn : Nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn. And did you know that two antioxidants — lutein and zeaxanthin — in corn may act like natural sunglasses, helping to form macular pigment that filters out some of the sun’s damaging rays?

The same antioxidants may also help lower your risk of developing age-related macular degeneration — the leading cause of blindness in people over the age of 60 (though much of the damage occurs decades earlier).

Tomatoes: There’s no question that sunscreen should be your first line of defense against the blazing summer sun. But eating tomatoes could give you a little extra protection.

Consuming more lycopene, the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red, may protect your skin from sunburn.

In one study, participants who were exposed to UV light had almost 50 percent less skin reddening after they ate 2 ½ tablespoons of tomato paste (or drank about 1 ²/³ cups of carrot juice) daily, in addition to their regular diet, for 10 to 12 weeks. Supplements, however, weren’t as effective.

Blueberries : Fresh blueberries straight from the berry patch are a special treat. Turns out the antioxidants in them may help ward off muscle fatigue by mopping up the additional free radicals that muscles produce during exercise, according to recent research out of New Zealand.

Cherries: Drinking tart cherry juice can help you get a better night’s sleep

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and reduce post-workout pain.

But did you know that compounds in tart cherries may also help you slim down and get leaner? The anthocyanins in tart cherries activate a molecule that helps rev up fat burning and decrease fat storage.

Not to be outdone, sweet cherries are loaded with potassium, a natural bloodpressure reducer. Plus, sweet cherries are rich in beta carotene, vitamin C, anthocyanins and quercetin, which may work together synergistically to fight cancer.

Iced tea: Sure, a tall glass of iced tea on a hot day is refreshing, but did you know it might also do your body good? Studies show if you drink tea regularly, you may lower your risk of Alzheimer’s and diabetes, plus have healthier teeth and gums and stronger bones. Tea is rich in a class of antioxidants called flavonoids.

Regardless of the variety — black, green, oolong, white or herbal — maximize the power of tea’s flavonoids by drinking it freshly brewed. If you want to keep a batch of cold tea in your refrigerator, adding a little lemon juice can help preserve the flavonoids.

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

Consider attending the meetings of two local technology groups for free, non-threatening, community-based technology information and assistance. Washington Apple Pi aims to improve knowledge and enjoyment of Macintosh computers and Apple mobile devices. Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society seeks to further the use and understanding of personal computers and related technologies, including video/TV, digital photography, tablets and smartphones. Both groups’ meetings are open to the public. For more information, visit wap.org and patacs.org. LOSS OF

PARTNER SUPPORT GROUP

This

BEACON

A recipe for making fajitas in the oven

By Cecelia Jenkins, America’s Test Kitchen

Fajitas are a sizzling spectacle, but we wanted a recipe that was more about flavor than theater and used only one baking sheet.

We chose flank steak, preferred by tasters for its beefy flavor, tenderness and availability.

Since we couldn’t sear it on a baking sheet in the oven (even at a hot 475 degrees), we relied on a potent, dark-colored spice rub to make up for the missing flavor and color. A mixture of chili powder, brown sugar, salt, and pepper did the trick.

After tossing strips of bell peppers, rings of red onion and slices of garlic in vegetable oil, salt and pepper, we spread them out on the baking sheet and slid it into the oven on the lower-middle rack to ensure that the vegetables browned and didn’t steam.

We then pushed the vegetables to one side of the baking sheet and added the rubbed steak, cut into three equal pieces, to the other side of the sheet.

In just eight minutes, the meat was at the target temperature of 135 degrees. Cooked to medium instead of mediumrare, the steak was less chewy when sliced and dropped into a tortilla.

Once the steak was rested and sliced, we tossed it with the browned, tender vegetables plus chopped cilantro and a spritz of lime juice to brighten the flavors.

One-Pan Steak Fajitas

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

3 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips

1 large red onion, cut into 1/2-inchthick rounds

3 garlic cloves, sliced thin

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

1 ½ tablespoons chili powder

1 teaspoon packed brown sugar

1 (1 ½-pound) flank steak, trimmed

8 (6-inch) flour tortillas

1 tablespoon lime juice

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 475 degrees. Toss bell peppers, onion, garlic, oil, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper together on a rimmed baking sheet and spread into an even layer. Roast until vegetables are lightly browned around edges, about 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine chili powder, sugar, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a bowl. Cut steak lengthwise with grain into three equal pieces. Pat steaks dry with paper towels, then sprinkle all over with spice mixture. Wrap tortillas in aluminum foil; set aside.

3. Remove sheet pan from oven. Using a

rubber spatula, push vegetables to one half of the sheet. Place steaks on the other half of the sheet, leaving space between steaks. Roast until vegetables are spotty brown and meat registers 135 degrees (for medium), about 8 minutes.

4. Remove sheet from oven, transfer steaks to cutting board and let rest, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Place tortillas in oven until warm, about 5 minutes. Transfer vegetables to a serving platter and toss with lime juice.

5. Slice steaks thin against grain and

transfer to platter with vegetables. Sprinkle with cilantro. Serve steak and vegetables.

For 25 years, home cooks have relied on America’s Test Kitchen for rigorously tested recipes developed by professional test cooks and vetted by 60,000 at-home recipe testers. The family of brands — which includes Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country — offers reliable recipes for cooks of all skill levels. See more online at americastestkitchen.com/TCA.

PHOTO BY JOE KELLER

Silent reflux can damage your esophagus

A tired, middle-aged man walks into a pharmacy, coughing and clutching his chest. No heartburn, but plenty of discomfort, sharp pains, a lump-in-the-throat sensation, and throat clearing that won’t quit.

He’s been to urgent care twice, worried about a heart attack, but his ECGs came back clean. When the heart’s ruled out, doctors often look south — to the esophagus.

What he might be dealing with is “silent reflux,” formally known as laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), or its more well-known cousin, GERD.

The transformation is called “intestinal metaplasia.” Many don’t know they have Barrett’s until they undergo an upper endoscopy for vague symptoms like throat clearing, chest pain, or swallowing difficulties.

These complaints often get mistaken for allergies or anxiety. Meanwhile, acid quietly irritates the esophagus, causing cellular changes.

By Suzy Cohen

Symptoms include constant throat clearing, a feeling of food getting stuck, hoarseness, chronic cough, or a raw, burning chest pain.

Prevention and treatments

So how do you treat or prevent Barrett’s? Start by calming the acid storm.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are frontline. Dexilant is a strong option, but others like omeprazole or pantoprazole are commonly used.

Famotidine (Pepcid) is a gentler H2 blocker for nighttime relief. Sucralfate can coat and protect raw tissues, and there are others.

Lifestyle tweaks matter. Elevate your bed, eat smaller meals, skip food within three hours of bedtime, and ditch trigger foods: coffee, citrus, alcohol, chocolate, mint, fried stuff and carbonated drinks.

or marshmallow root can soothe irritation. Supplements such as DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice), slippery elm and zinc carnosine help coat and heal.

Bottom line? If you’ve had reflux for years, even without heartburn, don’t ignore symptoms. Catching Barrett’s early means everything.

There’s a lot you can do to protect your esophagus and your future. If you’re interested in a deeper dive into this topic, see my longer article 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.

Unlike classic reflux with heartburn, silent reflux can creep in without the usual burn but still do significant damage over time. One such consequence? Barrett’s Esophagus.

Barrett’s is when the cells lining your esophagus morph from flat, protective squamous cells to tougher columnar cells, ones more typical of stomach tissue. This occurs due to chronic exposure to stomach acid.

Think of it as the body trying to adapt to a harsh environment. Unfortunately, that adaptation slightly increases cancer risk.

BEACON BITS

In some cases, spasms can make it feel like a knife stabbing from the inside, yet heartburn is nowhere in sight. That’s silent reflux for you.

Now, having Barrett’s doesn’t mean you’re destined for cancer. Most people don’t progress to dysplasia (the fancy term for precancerous changes). But regular monitoring is key.

Men over 50, especially Caucasians, are at the top of the list. Add in obesity (especially belly fat), smoking, alcohol use (yes, vaping counts), poor diet and longstanding GERD, and you’ve got a high-risk combination.

MARYLAND SENIOR OLYMPICS

Registration for the 2025 Maryland Senior Olympics is now open to everyone 50+ at all fitness levels. You do not need to be a Maryland resident. The event runs from Wed., May 7 through Sun., Oct. 26, and features 30 sports, including pickleball, track & field, swimming, bowling, basketball, volleyball and more. For more information (including fees) and to register, visit MdSeniorOlympics.org.

Weight loss, especially around the waist, can dramatically reduce reflux episodes. For natural relief, teas like chamomile

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

Advance tickets are $25 ($30 at the door) and can be purchased at focusmusic.org. For more information, contact Rob Hinkal at rob@focusmusic.org. BEACON BITS June 7

Join Focus Music and WFMA on Sat., June 7 for a guitar concert with Tal Naccarato, a composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music spans folk, Americana, rock, blues and classical guitar. The performance takes place at 7 p.m. at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church, 8531 Riverside Rd., Alexandria, VA.

will enjoy:

• One- and two-bedroom apartments

• Energy-efficient appliances and modern finishes

• A light-filled community lounge

• Relaxing outdoor lounge

PLUS:

Access to the Traditions at Beechfield community clubhouse, pool, walking trails, retail outlets, major transportation corridors, well-regarded medical facilities, and cultural and civic resources!

Dear Seniors,

DIRECTORS MESSAGE

By Charon P.W. Hines

Happy Older Americans Month! May is such a special time at the Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) because it gives us the chance to pause, celebrate, and honor you, the incredible older adults who make the District a vibrant, strong, and beautiful place to live. This year is even more meaningful because, as we celebrate Older Americans Month, we are also commemorating DACL’s 50th Anniversary! That is 50 years of supporting, serving, and championing DC’s older adults, and we could not have done it without you.

This year’s celebration is “Flip the Script on Aging,” and here at DACL, that message speaks directly to our heart. For far too long, aging has been associated with decline, but you have shown us the opposite! Every day, we see you living boldly, breaking barriers, starting new chapters, and proving that aging is not something to fear but something to celebrate.

Flipping the script on aging means challenging outdated stereotypes and embracing the truth that aging brings wisdom, purpose, new adventures, and lasting impact. Whether you are volunteering, staying active, learning something new, or making time for community and connection, you are showing the community around you what it really means to grow older with grace, strength, and joy.

Your health and well-being are always a top priority for us. One of the best ways to flip the script on aging is to stay physically active, and many of you are already doing just that! Whether you are dancing, walking, stretching at home or participating in classes at one of our Senior Wellness Centers, your commitment to your health is powerful. If you have not yet, we invite you to join one of our centers this month; there is no better time to get involved than during Older Americans Month!

Here’s where you can find a Senior Wellness Center near you:

• Ward 1: Bernice Fonteneau Senior Wellness Center – 3531 Georgia Ave., NW

• Wards 2 & 3: Around Town Satellite Program – 4125 Albemarle St., NW

• Ward 4: Hattie Holmes Senior Wellness Center – 324 Kennedy St., NW

• Ward 5: Model Cities Senior Wellness Center – 1901 Evarts St., NE

• Ward 6: Hayes Senior Wellness Center – 500 K St., NE

• Ward 7: Washington Seniors Wellness Center – 3001 Alabama Ave., SE

• Ward 8: Congress Heights Senior Wellness Center – 3500 MLK Jr. Ave., SE

Throughout the month, we will be hosting events that celebrate your stories, your achievements, and your power. With that said, we hope you will join us for our biggest celebration of all, Mayor Bowser’s Annual “Senior Fest.” In partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation, we invite you to come out for a funfilled day of entertainment, food, dancing, and more on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the Gateway Pavilion (2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE). To RSVP, please visit: tinyurl.com/seniorfest2025.

This month-long celebration is not just about DACL turning 50; it is about celebrating you, the community that has made these 50 years so impactful. Thank you for your wisdom, your strength, and for showing us what it means to truly “Live Boldly.” Let us continue to flip the script on aging, together. See you soon (hopefully on the dance floor)!

In Service, Charon P.W. Hines Director, Department of Aging and Community Living

Tue., May 1 “We Are Your Neighbors”: An Exhibit by Cleveland & Woodley Park Village I 5:00 PM

Cleveland Park Library 1st Floor Meeting 3310 Connecticut Ave NW - Ward 3

Thur., May 8 Mary’s House Ribbon Cutting I 11: 00 AM -12: oo PM 401 Anacostia Road SE 20019 - Ward 8

Wed., May 21 DACL & DPR’s Senior Fest I 10:00 AM- 3:00 PM

Gateway Pavilion DC

2700 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE - Ward 8

Wed., May 21 Silver Pride Tea Dance & Resource Fair 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM The Eaton DC 1201 K St. NW- Ward 2 RSVP at Seaburyresources.org/SilverPride

Fri., May 23 Seabury North Michigan Park Older Americans

Month Event I 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 1333 Emerson Street NE - Ward 7

Wed., May 28 East River FSC: “Flip the Script on Aging: Thriving Beyond 60” I 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM Kenilworth Recreation Center (Gym) 4321 Ord Street NE - Ward 7

Thur., May 29 East River FSC: “Flip the Script on Aging: Thriving Beyond 60” I 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE - Ward 8

Fri., May 30 IONA Flip the Script: Wellness & Fun, Senior Resource Fair & Spring Fling 10:15 AM-1:30 PM

Matthews Memorial Baptist Church 2616 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE - Ward 8

P

WASHINGTON, DC

MURIEL BOWSER, MAYOR

MAY 2025

OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

WHEREAS, with a population of more than 120,000 older adults, Washington, DC is home to a strong, diverse, vital, and growing community of residents 60 years of age and older; and

WHEREAS, commemorated annually in May, the theme of this year’s Older Americans Month is “Flip the Script on Aging,” and serves to encourage all to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions about our community of older adults; and

WHEREAS, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the DC Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL), a milestone in our city’s ongoing commitment to older Washingtonians and adults with disabilities. DACL reaches tens of thousands of older adults and caregivers annually through their programming and support; and

WHEREAS, today, we amplify the voices of older adults and recommit ourselves to ensure our seniors can age in place with dignity by offering vital programs and services that support independence, nourishment, health, and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, last year, we opened the beautiful new Joy Evans Therapeutic Center in Ward 7; last month, we cut the ribbon on the Riggs Crosssing Senior Residences in Riggs Park in Ward 4; and this month, we will join Mary’s House for Older Adults in the Fort Dupont neighborhood for a ribbon cutting of the city’s first home for LGBTQIA+ older adults; and

WHEREAS, in Washington, DC, we prioritize our seniors with the supports they need to thrive and age gracefully, and we ensure our most underserved and historically marginalized communities, including Black seniors and LGBTQIA+ elders, always receive culturally responsive care and assistance:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, THE MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, DC do hereby proclaim May 2025 as “OLDER AMERICANS MONTH” in Washington, DC and ask that all Washingtonians learn more about DACL by visiting dacl.dc.gov.

Director Charon P.W. Hines

Editor Amanda Washington

Photographer Estefani Legge

Money Law &

Tips for investors during volatile markets

By Dennis D. Coughlin

[Ed. Note: This story offers a different way of looking at volatility than our story with a similar title last September.]

Navigating financial markets can often feel like trying to predict the weather a month in advance — frustrating, unreliable and prone to sudden changes.

While markets thrive on speculation, successful investing is built on logic and discipline. Rather than attempting to foresee the future, investors can benefit from a rational, structured approach to market dynamics.

Investors can make informed decisions without being swayed by emotion or market hysteria by focusing on three fundamental aspects:

• Federal Reserve policy and interest rates

• Market valuations and earnings growth

• Geopolitical and macroeconomic risks

Understanding Federal Reserve policy and interest rates

The Federal Reserve plays a pivotal role in economic stability, influencing everything from corporate borrowing costs to consumer mortgage rates.

However, rather than reacting impulsively to Fed announcements, investors should take a measured approach to understanding monetary policy.

Here’s how to respond to Fed policy:

• Focus on data, not sensationalism. The Fed’s decisions are based on economic indicators such as inflation rates, employment levels and GDP growth. Investors should prioritize reputable sources like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED) over media speculation.

• Recognize cause and effect. When interest rates rise, borrowing becomes more expensive, which can slow corporate expansion. Conversely, lower rates typically stimulate economic activity. The key is assessing how these shifts impact specific sectors rather than attempting to anticipate policy changes.

• Differentiate short-term reactions from long-term implications. Markets often respond sharply to Federal Reserve statements, but investors should focus on the broader trajectory of monetary policy rather than momentary fluctuations.

Like a thermostat regulating temperature, the Federal Reserve adjusts interest

rates to maintain economic balance. Investors who recognize these patterns and avoid knee-jerk reactions will be better positioned to make informed decisions.

Market valuations and earnings growth: Distinguishing substance from speculation

A strong earnings report or a surge in stock price can create excitement, but discerning long-term investment opportunities requires more than enthusiasm. A logical approach to valuations can help separate sustainable growth from speculative bubbles. Here are some logical ways to analyze valuations and earnings:

• Rely on fundamental metrics. Instead of responding to market narratives, investors should evaluate key indicators such as price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios, price-to-book (P/B) ratios and revenue growth trends.

• Adopt a long-term perspective. One quarter of exceptional performance does not guarantee a company’s future success, just as a weak earnings period does not necessarily indicate long-term decline. Examining multi-year performance and management strategy provides a clearer picture.

• Recognize the difference between hype and fundamentals. Stocks experiencing rapid appreciation based solely on speculation pose risks. While high-growth investments can be rewarding, they must be supported by realistic growth projections and solid business models.

A prudent investor approaches market valuations with the same care as purchasing a home — conducting thorough due diligence rather than making decisions based on impulse.

Geopolitical and macroeconomic risks: Managing uncertainty with rationality

Global events — from trade conflicts to inflation concerns — can have profound implications for markets. While uncertainty is inherent in investing, a structured approach to assessing geopolitical risks can mitigate emotional decision-making. Rational approaches to geopolitical risks:

• Acknowledge the persistent nature of uncertainty. Markets have endured wars, recessions and regulatory changes

How to prepare for a possible recession

By Maurie Backman

If you are retired and worried about a recession, join the crowd. For current retirees or those planning retirement soon, just the whiff of a possible recession is alarming.

The American economy has been remarkably strong, but confidence in the economy is plunging in the face of multiple economic and political challenges.

Economists have been flirting with the idea of a recession ever since the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in early 2022 in response to soaring inflation.

Despite 11 interest rate hikes between March 2022 and July 2023, consumer spending held steady. It wasn’t until January 2025 that spending fell by 0.2%, marking the first monthly decline since March 2023.

But while consumers may have been equipped to withstand a years-long period of elevated inflation and interest rates, the question is whether recent tariff policies will push them over the edge. If tariffs

drive prices up even more, it could lead to a broad consumer pullback and more inflationary pressure.

Plus, tariffs could burden U.S. companies to the point where they have to make payroll cuts. That could lead to an uptick in unemployment and fuel a broad economic downturn.

6 of 10 expect a recession

An early April Ipsos poll found that 61% of Americans think the economy is headed for a recession within the next year. And JPMorgan recently upgraded the likelihood of a global recession to 60% by yearend, up from 40%.

If you’re retired, recent economic news and events may have you understandably worried. Although you may not have to concern yourself with job loss the way working Americans do, you may be fearful that a prolonged economic slump will wreak havoc on your portfolio and upend your finances.

But if you prepare accordingly, you can set yourself up to get through a recession relatively unharmed.

Here are some steps every retiree can take to prepare for a recession.

1. Boost your cash reserves

Portfolio values can decline dramatically during a recession. That’s problematic when you’re at a stage of life when you’re tapping your portfolio regularly for income.

To avoid locking in portfolio losses during a recession, boost your cash reserves so you can leave your non-cash assets alone to ride out the storm.

Generally, it’s wise to have enough cash to cover a year or two of bills. You may want to veer toward the higher end of that range in case your portfolio plunges and it takes months for its value to come back up.

2. Assess your portfolio

Risk assessment is an integral part of

managing a retirement portfolio, so it’s something you should be doing regularly. But it’s particularly important to check up on your asset allocation now, when recession fears loom.

It’s also wise to be deliberate and stay calm. Try to take emotion and worry out of your decision-making.

If you’re uncomfortable with the share of your portfolio in equities, consider shifting some of those assets into bonds. Given recent market events, now may not be the best time to sell stocks.

But the S&P 500 enjoyed gangbuster returns in 2024. If you cashed in some gains earlier on in the year, losses you take now as part of a rebalance could help offset an associated tax bill.

If you are just about to retire or at the start of retirement, tread cautiously. The sequence of returns risk (that is, the risk

INVESTING , page 23

Deposit a check without waiting in line. See our online banking story on page 25.

Investing

From page 22

strategies rather than reacting to short-term disruptions may experience more sustainable outcomes over time.

• Diversification as a risk management tool. Spreading investments across industries and geographies can help cushion the impact of geopolitical volatility. Rather than concentrating exposure in a single sector or region, a well-diversified

Recession

From page 22

you’ll need to sell stocks to meet expenses early in retirement), could put a serious dent in your retirement nest egg if you decide to sell too many equities.

3. Revisit your spending and withdrawal rate

When you’ve worked hard your entire life, you deserve to enjoy retirement — not penny-pinch your way through it.

But if you’re worried about a recession and its impact on your retirement income, now’s the time to review your spending, see if there’s room to cut back and commit to a budget.

And if you’re not keen on reducing your spending, one thing you can do is pledge not to take on any new expenses until things settle down. For example, if you were considering upgrading a car, you may want to hold off on that as long as your current vehicle is drivable.

Finally, if you are following the 4% rule rate of retirement withdrawal, you may want to pare back to a lower withdrawal rate. Before you act, talk to your financial adviser.

4. Consider part-time work

Retirees often struggle to make peace

portfolio aims to provide resilience. Note, however, that diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets, and cannot guarantee that any objective or goal will be achieved.

• Analyze real economic implications. Not all geopolitical events affect markets equally. For example, supply chain disruptions may negatively impact manufacturers but benefit local producers. A logical investor assesses industry-specific effects rather than reacting indiscriminately.

By remaining analytical and avoiding

with the idea of living off of savings. If you’re capable of working in some capacity, then there’s no reason not to do it. There’s even a term for this trend: “unretiring.”

Today’s gig economy offers ample opportunity to earn money without having to resort to a traditional desk or retail job. And if you’re worried about the impact of a job on your Social Security benefit, rest assured that you’re allowed to work while receiving benefits.

One you reach full retirement age, you can earn any amount of money from a job without negatively impacting your monthly benefits. However, if you filed early, you will lose some Social Security benefits, depending on how much you earn and your age.

5. Explore options for tapping home equity

If recession fears are worrying you, see how much equity you have in your home, and shop around for borrowing options in case you wind up needing to tap it.

Granted, any home equity loan or HELOC you sign today is likely to come with an interest rate that’s higher than what you want to pay. But it could make sense to have that option in your back pocket in case you need to exercise it.

6. Find the silver lining

It may be hard to believe that a reces-

emotion-driven decisions, investors can navigate uncertainty with confidence and clarity.

Bottom line: Rational approach

While financial markets will always experience periods of unpredictability, investors do not have to follow suit.

By applying logic to Federal Reserve policy, market valuations and geopolitical risks, individuals can make strategic decisions grounded in data rather than speculation.

Investors who maintain discipline, stay informed and embrace a long-term per-

sion can bring opportunity to retirees, but for those who are well-positioned, a recession can bolster financial security.

For example, there are ways your estate can benefit when markets are down.

You could, for example, do a Roth conversion from a traditional 401(k) or IRA.

spective rather than attempt to outguess the market will be better equipped to handle market volatility.

In an environment where emotions can drive costly mistakes, logical analysis remains a reliable tool for staying grounded while working toward long-term financial success.

Dennis D. Coughlin, CFP, AIF, co-founded CG Capital with Christopher C. Giambrone in 1999.

By doing so, you could convert your investments at a lower tax cost and then benefit from tax-free growth when the market recovers.

For estate planning, probate, trust administration, contested estate litigation and so much more, knowing where to turn for the right advice can make all the difference in preserving your legacy. When you need us, we’re here.

Paul Riekhof

P: 240-399-7899

F: 240-553-1744

priekhof@jgllaw.com

Accepting applications for Summer and Fall programs

• Literacy/Reading with children

• Tutoring different ages and subjects

• In-classroom support

• Dialogues with middle and high school students 301-949-3551 | interages@accessjca.org | accessjca.org/interages/ We’ve Built a Legacy Of Trust For 50 Years. Who Better To Trust With Your Legacy?

Helpful resources for older job seekers

By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior,

What websites or apps can you recommend to help older people find employment opportunities? I’m 60 and have been out of work for nearly a year now and need some help.

—Seeking Employment

Dear Seeking,

To help you find employment, there are a number of job-search websites and apps specifically tailored to older workers seeking full-time, part-time or remote positions.

Here are 10 great options that are recommended by U.S. News & World Report for 2025, most of which are completely free to use:

AARP Job Board (jobs.aarp.org): Designed for workers 50 and older, AARP’s job board allows users to search by job title, keyword, company or location. The platform also offers search filters for full-time, part-time and remote work opportunities.

Employers who are part of AARP’s Employer Pledge Program are committed to hiring older workers.

CareerOneStop (careeronestop.org): Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, you can use this site to explore career opportunities, access training programs and jobsearch resources.

You’ll also find help looking for a remote job, filling out a job application, getting started as a self-employed person and choosing a path that’s right for your stage in life.

Indeed (indeed.com) : One of the largest job search engines in the world, Indeed will help you sift through millions of available positions.

The site allows you to conduct job searches and set alerts for new opportunities.

NEW Solutions (newsolutions.org): This site connects professionals age 55 and older with part-time and full-time positions in government agencies. Users can browse openings by state, apply online and receive guidance through the hiring process.

Rent A Grandma (rentagrandma.com) : If you want to work as a nanny, chef, domestic staff or pet care provider, this site is a great resource, but it charges a $25 registration fee. It also offers opportunities for tutors and personal assistants. After you sign up, clients can contact you about job opportunities.

Retired Brains (retiredbrains.com): This site can help you find remote, flexible, freelance and work-from-home jobs. You’ll also be able to access resources to start a business.

You can search by location, keyword or job title, and access career advice on resume building and interview preparation.

RetirementJobs (retirementjobs.com): This site specializes in job opportunities for workers over 50, with retail, caregiving, transportation, sales and finance listings.

It also features certified age-friendly employers, and offers webinars on job searching, networking and overcoming age bias. You can learn how to utilize LinkedIn, improve your interview skills and understand how your job could impact Social Security benefits.

You can include a variety of specifications to find a job, including whether you want to work remotely, your salary requirements, preferred location, experience level and education. If you upload your resume, employers can find you as well.

Seniors4Hire (seniors4hire.org): For job seekers age 50 and older, at this site you can register for free, post your resume and search for jobs. Employers use the platform to find experienced workers for parttime, full-time and remote positions.

Workforce50 (workforce50.com): At this site you can view jobs specifically posted by companies looking for older workers. You’ll also be able to access resources related to resume building, shifting from military to civilian life and finding a federal job.

LinkedIn (linkedin.com) : If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, create one to showcase your experience, knowledge and skills. You can gather news and insights related to your industry by looking at what others are posting, and share your content as well.

Send your questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior.

RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

The Retired Senior and Volunteer Program helps residents age 55 and older put their skills and talents to work in their communities. Choose the amount of time you want to serve, from just a few hours to up to 20 hours each week in a variety of roles. For RSVP of Prince George’s County, call (301) 265-8450; Montgomery County (240) 777-2600; Washington, DC (202) 606-5000; Northern Virginia (703) 246-3460.

MARYLAND VIRGINIA WASHINGTON, D.C. WWW.JGLLAW.COM

Banking you can do online or on an app

By Donna Fuscaldo

The brick-and-mortar banking experience that retirees relied on growing up is waning. You may be aware that bank closings are becoming common these days as more people shift to mobile apps and online banking.

There may be a bit of a learning curve for retirees, but once they make the switch, it can open up a world of convenience.

After all, you can do much more than check your balance with an online banking website or mobile app. Plus, you don’t have to get off your couch.

“Smartphone apps are a great way to bank,” said Alison Pahlkotter, innovation product designer and research analyst at GreenPath Financial Wellness, a nonprofit financial wellness counseling service. “They are secure and often easy to use.”

Digital banking services

Digital banking services are popular. An American Bankers Association survey found more than half of U.S. adults (55%) use mobile apps to do their banking, while 22% use online banking via laptop or PC.

And it’s not just tech-savvy youngsters who embrace this way of banking. Fiftyfive percent of Generation Xers and 41% of baby boomers are banking online.

It doesn’t hurt that online-only banks — think Ally Bank, SoFi and Capital One 360 — tend to offer better savings rates and lower fees, said Stephen Kates, a financial analyst at Bankrate. They don’t have the overhead of a traditional bank and, therefore, pass along the savings to their customers.

If you are among the holdouts or are new to the online banking world, here is a look at everything you can do without going into a physical bank.

1. Deposit a check online: Most banks enable you to deposit checks via their mobile app using your smartphone camera — and it’s easy to do.

Sign the back of the check like usual, write “For Mobile Deposit Only” below your signature, open the mobile deposit feature on your banking app and take a photo of the front and back of the check.

You’ll be asked to input the check amount and click deposit — and you’re done.

2. Shop for and apply for a credit card: Whether you are looking for a cash back credit card or travel rewards, it is easy to search and apply for a credit card on your bank’s website or mobile app.

Many banking apps will provide information about their credit card offerings, let you search by specific features and even ask you to take a quiz to find the one that’s right for you. The best part is that it’s all aggregated for you. [Ed. Note: But you may find better credit card deals elsewhere.]

3. Get a car loan or mortgage: Even getting a car loan or mortgage can be done digitally through your bank’s app or website. Remember that the rates you get may not be the best, but if you have already done the research and are ready to apply with your bank, it’s made much easier thanks to the bank’s mobile app and website.

4. Order checks online: Most banks let you order checks through their banking app or website. You can typically find this feature under the “Account Services,” “Account Features” or “Order Checks” part of the bank’s mobile app or website.

5. Buy stocks and bonds: This online feature typically requires a separate brokerage account (which you can set up online, too).

Once it’s created, you can buy stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs and even cryptocurrencies directly from your bank’s website or mobile app.

Some banks will even let you connect with a financial adviser by requesting a call on the spot or scheduling a call for a later date.

6. Check your credit score: Banks want to help you build, improve and maintain your credit score. After all, the higher your credit score, the more likely they are to approve you for loans and credit cards, all of which make them money.

Most banks now team up with one of the three credit rating firms — Experian, TransUnion or TransAmerica — or they may use third-party services to provide

your credit score for free.

7. Find ATMs: This tip is handy if your local bank branch is closed. Most banks have built-in features that let you search for ATMs near you.

You’ll receive the address and distance from your home when you search. Some have a map to make it even easier to get to.

Tap away, but with caution

Once you get the hang of using online banking apps, you may not want to bother with waiting in line at a brick-and-mortar bank.

Just remember that the price of such convenience is that scammers hope to get your retirement savings or break into other financial accounts. So, practice caution with any online financial apps you decide to use. © 2025 Kiplinger Consumer News Service. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

The JCA Career Gateway presents a free Zoom workshop to help those displaced or affected by government layoffs. It’s from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Thursday, May 15. Register at https://accessjca.org/transitionworkshops.

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Leisure & Travel Leisure &

See Great Smoky Mountains National Park

By Glenda C. Booth

Many people visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park hoping to spot megafauna — such as one of the park’s 1,500 black bears or an impressively-antlered elk.

Seeing such large animals can surely elevate one’s heart rate. But this national park offers much more than big animals.

Every June, thousands of flickering fireflies fill the night skies with a magical light show. One species, Photinus carolinus, is famous because the males flash in unison.

Or consider the recently discovered red-cheeked salamander, which lives exclusively in these mountains. The park, with 31 species of salamanders, is known as the “Salamander Capital of the World.”

Then there’s the rock gnome lichen, an endangered species that’s a symbiotic combination of fungus and cyanobacterium. It grows in colonies and clings to vertical rock faces at foggy high elevations or in deep gorges.

The 522,990-acre park — which straddles the Appalachian Mountains in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina — is also home to 135 tree species, more than 250 species of birds and 69 of mammals, making it one of Earth’s most biodiverse places in a temperate climate zone.

More than 19,000 species have been

documented at Great Smoky Mountains

National Park and another 80,000 to 100,000 may be there awaiting discovery, park scientists say.

The park is surrounded by three states and three national forests, totaling altogether more than three million acres of preserved land. This makes it the largest federally-protected landmass east of the Mississippi River.

With 14 million visitors a year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country, perhaps because it’s less than a day’s drive from one-third of the U.S. population.

Varied vegetation

What geysers are to Yellowstone, vegetation is to this park, as the National Park Service puts it. Here visitors can glimpse the same plant and wildlife diversity as they would if they hiked from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail.

Standing under a giant tulip tree over 200 years old — with its lowest branch 35 feet overhead and a five-foot-wide trunk — gives one perspective.

Not only does the park have 1,600 native flowering plants, trees and shrubs, but it also has 450 species of what are called “bryophytes” — ferns, mosses and liver-

worts, for example.

To experience the park, visitors can walk, hike, bike, paddle or just drive. The park has several self-guided vehicle routes along its 384 miles of roads.

An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles Cades Cove. Here, an open-air museum depicts homestead life from the late 1880s to the early 1930s with rustic log buildings, split rail fences, corn cribs and appleeating Yorkshire hogs.

Truly absorbing the park means taking to the trails to discover spring wildflowers, giant rhododendrons, towering trees and sedimentary rocks that are 200 to 300 million years old.

It means going up to Clingman’s Dome — at 6,643 feet the park’s highest point — to be dazzled by millions of stars and maybe a meteor shower. It means being mesmerized by a roaring waterfall, or fly fishing for brook trout in one of the park’s 800 streams.

Don’t be shy about approaching rangers with your questions. With a little help, you may get a peek at a southern flying squirrel or the endangered spruce moss spider, which lives under moss at 5,500 feet and up.

Special attractions

The flashing of synchronous fireflies in

the Elkmont area of the park is a phenomenon that occurs in only a few places in the world.

The park holds a public lottery to manage limited viewing of the phenomenon. Last year, 140 vehicles per night were admitted during the two-week period in June.

In the fall, male elk, some weighing more than 1,000 pounds, compete for mates by bugling, prancing and occasionally locking antlers with rivals, a behavior called the rut.

The park has a herd of around 200, and the best places to see them are the Cataloochee Valley and Oconaluftee Visitor Center at dawn and dusk.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the park in 1940 “for the permanent enjoyment of the people.”

The park’s superintendent, Cassius Cash, likes to quote a local judge, Justice Gary Wade, who said, “I cannot think of a more spiritual place than Great Smoky Mountains National Park.”

Theme parks, kitsch and more

After exploring the park, if you crave some civilization and amusement, Dollywood offers a resort-spa-amusement-water

A bluish haze surrounds the Appalachian Mountains of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The Cherokee called the area, which straddles Tennessee and North Carolina, the “land of blue smoke.”

You and your car can get a lift from Amtrak’s Auto Train to Florida. See story on page 28.

Elk roam the park’s historic areas, like this cabin at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, North Carolina, the southern gateway to the park.

The Auto Train is part of your vacation

By Victor Block

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

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

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

Before deciding to ride the rails, Fyllis

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

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

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

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

A conductor later explained that most Auto Train riders in the winter are middle-

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aged and older snowbirds seeking to escape frigid weather.

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

Hands-on help

available

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

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

If we had more questions or required assistance, we could press the call button in our bedroom, and Debbie would show up to answer or help. She told us that she and the conductors stroll through the car during the night in case anyone needs anything.

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

Fyllis chose salmon — rivaled that of a first-rate restaurant.

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

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

When we asked, we were told that because there are stretches of single track, we were literally side-tracked to allow another train to pass.

When we awoke and looked out the window, we saw sun and palm trees rather than the snow flurries and dark sky we spotted at the beginning of our journey.

We arrived at the Sanford, Florida station at 9:30 a.m., well rested and ready for a vacation. We had avoided many hours of driving, staying in hotels and scarfing meals at restaurants along the way — and were ready for all the sun and fun that Florida offers.

If you go

Dinner and a movie

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

Talk about a moveable feast! The white tablecloth was decorated with a vase of fresh roses, the silverware was immaculate, and the food — I devoured a steak,

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

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

page 27

park destination in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with more than 60 rides and shows. The popular attraction is closely associated with and part-owned by Dolly Parton, who grew up in the area.

In Sevierville, stop into Buc-ee’s. This 75,000-square-foot location dubs itself the largest convenience store in the world. It’s bigger than a football field. Pick up a six-pack of fudge, sweet corn puffs, beef jerky or a smoked brisket sandwich. And check out the pickup truck loaded with plushies of the store’s mascot, Bucky Beaver.

Gatlinburg is honkytonk tackiness 10 times over, crowded with blocks of joints hawking souvenirs, T-shirts, shot glasses,

tchotchkes and hemp, plus arcades and tattooers. Still, every now and then, the park’s black bears wander through town.

At Ripley’s Aquarium, sharks, sea turtles, giant stingrays, scorpionfish and other sea creatures “curate curiosity,” according to Ripley, a company that has entertained audiences since 1918.

At Anakeesta, a theme park accessible via a 600-foot gondola ride from the middle of Gatlinburg’s downtown, adventurous types can ride a roller coaster or walk a treetop skywalk.

Ole Smoky Moonshine is worth a meander for some real made-in-the-mountains spirits. It’s “Whisky and Shine Redefined,” owners brag.

Bartenders in bib overalls serve enticing (and intoxicating) moonshine with flavors like blackberry, sour watermelon,

apple pie, orange sickle and banana pudding. One sign warns, “Y’all came on vacation. Don’t leave on probation.”

Just outside the moonshine bar, groups like the Cory Zink Band rip off lively bluegrass. “Holler out whatcha wanna hear,” shouts the band leader.

Onlookers might hear Gary Biscuit Davis, a five-time world banjo champion, admit, “If you learn to play the banjo, you can be assured of a divorce.”

If you go

The park has four major entrances: Gatlinburg and Townsend in Tennessee, and Cherokee and Oconaluftee in North

pend on your vehicle’s navigation systems or GPS. Instead, pick up a map of park roads at a visitor center.

The two closest airports are Knoxville’s McGhee-Tyson in Alcoa, Tennessee, 50 miles northwest of the Gatlinburg entrance, and Asheville Regional Airport, 60 miles east of the Cherokee entrance.

The park is open year-round. Visitation peaks from June to October, when the NPS offers ranger-led programs.

Synchronous firefly viewing is managed by a lottery, which typically opens in April on recreation.gov.

The park has one lodge, open midMarch through mid-November. Unfortu-

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In Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, visitors can shop, golf or get a good view of the park from a space needle and sky lift.

Arts & Style

Teamwork times two: the story of AA

By Margaret Foster

Chances are you know someone with a drinking problem or other addiction. If they’ve sought help from a 12-step program, they have Bill and Lois Wilson to thank.

Bill Wilson co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous in 1935, and 16 years later, his wife, Lois, co-founded Al-Anon, a support group for people whose lives are affected by alcoholism. Both programs include 12 steps, which include making amends, meditating and helping others.

You can read their story in a new book, A Marriage That Changed the World: Lois & Bill Wilson and the Addiction Recovery Movement, by local writers Tom Adams and Joy Jones, published this spring.

So far, more than a dozen experts have endorsed the book, including Jeanne Phillips, better known as Dear Abby.

“Addiction has been mentioned in the ‘Dear Abby’ column practically since my mother began writing it,” Phillips writes in an endorsement published in the book. “Al-Anon and AA have been a blessing for many individuals and families. Those interested in learning more about this life-saving program should read this book.”

Last month, Adams and Jones hosted a screening of a documentary, “Bill W.,” at the Greenbelt Cinema, followed by a reading from their book about an influential couple who few people have heard of.

It started with two and grew

Wall Street investor Bill Wilson was an alcoholic who teamed up with another one, Dr. Robert Silkworth, to stay sober and teach others how to do so.

Alcoholics Anonymous started small, then grew after a Saturday Evening Post article was published in 1941. Today it has about two million participants in 180 countries.

The program is entirely free; there are no dues or fees. Its 12-step program has inspired others to apply a similar approach to different addictions, including drugs, food and gambling.

After enduring her husband’s habit for 17 years, Lois Wilson realized that AA principles could help spouses and children of alcoholics, too. So she and a friend, Anne Bingham, founded Al-Anon Family Groups.

“There is this powerful force that is changing the world, and it’s grossly underutilized because people don’t know about

the program,” Adams said. The Wilsons’ marriage “changed the world because it gave hope to all these millions of people.”

Authors teamed up, too

Adams, a therapist who lives in Greenbelt, Maryland, and Jones, a writer, met in a 12-step meeting years ago. Adams, who has been sober for 45 years, had long wanted to write a history of the Wilsons’ dual role in the recovery movement.

until I retired. And when I retired, I was looking for a group where I could actually work on this book.”

So he called Jones, a seasoned author of six books, and she invited him to join her writer’s group. That gave him the nudge he needed.

“She encouraged me to write it,” Adams said. But he was better at research and needed her storyteller flair. “I knew that if Joy was on the team, we’d have a compelling story.”

“I had begun thinking about this book back in the ‘90s,” Adams said. “I set it aside

Gil Dickens won an award last year for his 1973 Corvette, which he restored. Our cover story continues on page 34.

See TEAMWORK , page 32

PHOTO COURTESY OF GIL DICKENS

Joy Jones and Tom Adams promoted their new book, A Marriage That Changed the World, at an event last month in Greenbelt, Maryland. Their book about Bill and Lois Wilson, pioneers of the recovery movement, was decades in the making.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOY JONES

Teamwork

From page 30

Initially, Jones “had no intention of helping him write the book,” she said.But she changed her mind, agreeing to co-author the book as long as it focused on the Wilsons’ marriage, since without Lois, Bill would not have been able to start AA, and without Bill, Lois would not have started Al-Anon.

“It’s typically described as one man with a great idea making all the changes, when in fact many people — especially women — are doing some of the invisible work that helps to make that change take place,”

May 25

Jones said. “So I was particularly impressed that Tom wanted to talk about the marriage, not just the man.”

Jones had an inkling that the book would be well received when she mentioned the draft at a 12-step meeting. “A woman passed me a note saying, ‘I’d like to read that book,’ and I had to explain, well, there is no book,” Jones remembered. “That’s when I really knew he was on to something.”

Through thick and thin

Unfortunately, like many marriages, the “marriage that changed the world” was complicated by miscarriage, infidelity and

UNITED STATES MARINE BAND CONCERT

Visit Wolf Trap to hear the United States Marine Band perform a program of concert band favorites. A fireworks display will follow this free concert on Sun., May 25 at 8 p.m. at the Filene Center, 1551 Trap Rd., Vienna, VA. Tickets are not required. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. For more information, visit wolftrap.org or call (703) 255-1868.

FREE GOSPEL CONCERT

June

The City of Gaithersburg presents the 19th Annual Jubilation Day Gospel Concert on Sat., June 14 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Concert Pavilion, 31 S. Summit Ave., Gaithersburg, MD. In addition to gospel and Christian music by local and regional artists, this free event features on-site food and craft vendors, giveaways and lawn seating. Registration isn’t necessary. For more information, call (301) 258-6350.

resentment. “I could imagine she would be frustrated with him from time to time, and he with her,” Jones said.

Yet they prayed together, read aloud to each other and traveled internationally. They also wrote love letters, which are preserved in their former home in upstate New York. Adams traveled there and to Manhattan to the AA archive during his eight years of research for the book.

Although Jones’ literary agent shopped the book to 60 publishers, not one made them a viable offer. So Adams formed Greenbelt Publishing and published the book himself.

The two announced the book on Janu-

BEACON BITS

May

ary 24, 2025, the Wilsons’ wedding anniversary, in a Zoom call attended by 600 people. They’re planning two other online events this month.

“One thing I would want readers to take away from the book is the idea that it’s not just one person who does all the heavy lifting,” Jones said. “It really is a village that is required to make good things happen.”

For information about the May 11 and May 30 book talks on Zoom, see thadams.com/thewilson-book and click “upcoming events.”

To order a copy of A Marriage that Changed the World, go to Amazon.com or SteppingStones.org. If you want to stop drinking, visit aa-dc.org or call (202) 966-9115.

FAIRFAX SYMPHONY CONCERT

Join the Fairfax Symphony for their final concert of the season: a celebration of conductor Christopher Zimmerman’s 15th anniversary as Music Director of the FSO. The concert features Chee-Yun and Kit Zimmerman on violin, along with works by Elgar, Jonathan Leshnoff and Shostakovich. This event takes place on Sat., May 31 at 8 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, 4373 Mason Pond Dr., Fairfax, VA. Tickets start at $45 and can be purchased at bit.ly/FairfaxSymphonyConcert.

JAZZ IN THE PARKS

June

Join your neighbors at this year’s first Jazz in The Parks performance on Sat., June 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. Bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic while listening to The Blues Alley Youth Quartet and Herm Hopkins Soul Quartet on the Great Lawn at Walter Reed, 1010 Butternut St. NW, Washington, DC. For more information, visit theparksdc.com/event/jazz-in-the-parks.

BEACON BITS

The Ford Motor Company manufactured Model Ts between 1908 and 1927. His has a 20-horsepower motor and three pedals on the floor: the clutch, reverse and brake.

The throttle, or accelerator, is a sticklike device behind the steering wheel. There’s a 10-gallon gas tank under the front seat.

Getting the car started takes a methodical focus. Chinworth rolls up the fabric cover, lifts the hood, opens the gas line, closes the hood, honks the horn to test the battery, inserts the key, steps on the passenger side running board, climbs in, retards the spark, chokes the motor, turns the key counterclockwise, presses the starter button with his right heel and moves the throt-

tle down and up. Then Mr. T sputters to life.

“Nothing is automatic,” he said. “You make everything that’s going to happen, happen.”

To help his grandson learn to operate it, Chinworth wrote an 18-page manual titled “Starting, Driving and Stopping Mr. T.”

Last year, the pair towed it to Wisconsin and did a five-day tour of country roads with 250 other Model Ts, each day traveling a 100-mile loop. “The goal was to get back to the starting place each day,” he said.

He enjoys others’ startled looks, amusement and questions, such as “What is the gas mileage?” (It’s 20 miles per gallon.)

A retired architect who designed buildings and four Washington Metro subway stations, Chinworth is now the tour director of the Nation’s Capital Model T Ford Club, a chapter of the Model T Ford Club International.

The club’s 50 Washington-area members collectively own 30 Model Ts. Some Model T aficionados own as many as 50, but Chinworth has only one Model T, he laments.

The club also sponsors “Take-Apart-aCar” — a competition in which an eightperson crew disassembles a 1926 Model T pickup truck to the frame and then puts the 13 pieces back together in 15 minutes. Chinworth’s team usually does it in eight, he boasts.

“The Model T antique car hobby is very rewarding,” he said. “It leads you to mechanical knowledge, good friendships among fellow enthusiasts, and a rich experience overall.”

Pickups preferred

Flying airplanes was Doren Weston’s boyhood dream. He was a pilot for a while, then ran a home improvement business, raised two children and taught Marine cadets how to fly.

Then he suffered a near-fatal car crash, which required multiple spine surgeries and left him largely incapacitated for years.

“I had to take charge of my own salvation by rebuilding my health, security and independence,” Weston said.

name that no longer fits. “She doesn’t smoke anymore,” Weston said, “because I rebuilt the engine. Now she’s perfect.”

He renamed his 1952 truck “Charlotte,” which to him invokes a warm, motherly image. But the truck doesn’t coddle drivers. It has no air conditioning, seat belts or air bags. Its power steering is simply “human muscles,” he said.

Pickup trucks “strike a chord in me — the image of hard work, of America, the farm, the community,” Weston said. “I feel cool sitting in one.”

Weston takes Charlotte to the bi-monthly Cars and Coffee meetup at Northern Virginia’s Hollin Hall Shopping Center. There he happily explains its intricacies to other diehards and curious passersby.

Charlotte topped 50 miles per hour once, he said, but today normally chugs along at 40 to 45.

“I’ll never be a show queen,” Weston added, but “it’s great fun to let kids get in behind the enormous steering wheel.”

Upcoming events nearby

Cars and Coffee has 200 U.S. locations, including several in Northern Virginia and Maryland. For details, see americaonwheels.org/cars-and-coffee-locations.

Restoring and maintaining old pickup trucks was part of that rehabilitation. One day he spotted a 1952 Chevrolet pickup under a tarp at a Northern Virginia home. The truck had not moved for three years and was not running. Weston got it going in a week.

When he bought the 1952 pickup, the keychain said the truck’s name was “Smoky,” a

May 18: Old Town Festival of Speed and Style, Alexandria, Virginia, festivalofspeedandstyle.com.

June 8: Nation’s Capital Model T Ford Club, 44th Annual 5T Tour, Poolesville, Maryland, ncmtfc.org.

June 15: 50th Sully Antique Car Show, Sully Historic Site, Chantilly, Virginia, bit.ly/June15cars.

Vintage vinyl holds a place in my heart

It had to happen, and now it has. I was attending a social event full of 20something adults. The talk turned to popular music back in the day.

I said I used to have a large library of records — 33s, 45s and 78s.

Blank looks all around. Finally, one youngster broke the ice. “Uh, Bob,” she said, “what do those numbers mean?”

first groove on the record. Sometimes a machine would accomplish this. Sometimes a person would.

Thus did this group join the throngs who have no idea what happened on November 22, 1963. And have never used — or heard of — a rotary-dial phone. And have never done research in a library instead of on their smartphones.

HOW I SEE IT

By Bob Levey

I was too dumbstruck to answer the 3345-78 question. But here’s what I wish I had said:

Dear Generation Whatever:

Back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I collected records. They were made of vinyl. Some had one song on one side and one song on the other. Those were 45s and 78s.

The numbers referred to how many revolutions per minute the record would make on a turntable. Yes, a turntable.

An arm would be placed carefully at the

We would dance to the sounds of Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the Crickets, and a hip-shaker from Memphis named Elvis Presley. But it was kind of hard to get into the slipstream of the music when we either had to wait for the record player to load the next platter or do it ourselves.

Then, someone invented the 33 (or, more accurately, 33 ¹/³ ).

It was known as an LP — for Long Playing. It had about eight songs on each side. What an improvement that was!

If you were dancing with your best girl and wanted to accomplish a long clinch, you no longer had to wait for a fresh song to start playing. After one track on an LP, the next would begin in mere seconds.

And if you wanted to start a record collection, as I did, the 33 was by far your best bet. It gave you a longer break from your homework. To hear “Don’t Be Cruel,” followed immediately by “Love Me,” was a technological marvel.

The 78s were stiff, which was the good news as well as the bad.

Good because they were useful when it

snowed. My pals and I would repair to a park with a case full of 78s we no longer cared about. A raucous game of Platter Frisbee would ensue.

Bad because the 78s would crack and break.

Maybe that was planned obsolescence, and maybe it wasn’t. Regardless, we were pushed firmly into the arms of 33s and 45s. Those were softer and more pliable, and much less likely to break during Frisbee-thons.

BEACON BITS

May 10

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE BAND CONCERTS

Chubby Checker joins the United States Air Force Band as a guest artist for a free concert on Sat., May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Miracle Theatre in Eastern Market, 535 8th St. SE, Washington, DC. On Sun., May 25, join the USAir Force Band at their free Memorial Day concert, “A Salute to Service,” at The Theater at MGM National Harbor Resort & Casino, 101 MGM National Ave., Oxon Hill, MD. Reserve your tickets at usafband.ticketleap.com. For more information, call (202) 767-9253.

May 10+

MONTGOMERY POTTERS EXHIBIT

Visit the Arts Barn Gallery to take in the exhibit featuring works by members of Montgomery Potters. Ceramics will also be for sale in the shop. This free exhibit is on display through Wed., June 16 at 311 Kent Square Rd., Gaithersburg, MD. Viewing hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call (301) 258-6394 or email artgalleries@gaithersburgmd.gov.

See BOB LEVEY , page 37

Scrabble answers on p. 39.

Crossword Puzzle

Two (2) Words By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Scoreboard abbrev. for a SoCal NFL team

4. Synagogue

8. Number 2 on the American Physical Society’s list of all-time best physicists

14. Greek vowel

15. Second oldest of the Jackson 5

16. Apple Store purchase

17. Pizza slice’s crust (geometrically)

18. ___ car! (Plinko prize)

19. Cheated at Marco Polo

20. Suitable

23. He won 7 gold medals in 1972

24. Have a balance after settling the charges

25. ___ A Sketch

29. Without exception

33. “Oh my God,” in text-speak

36. Holder of two (or more) peas

37. Wish granter

38. Item on an expense report

41. Change doctor to dr.

43. Send up a ___ balloon

44. White pool ball

45. Mrs., in Madrid

46. Helps with a crime

51. Winner of 2005’s Emmy for best drama

52. Billions of years

53. Uneasy feeling

57. Legally unencumbered

61. Six-faced shape

64. “___ and ye shall find”

65. Grp. with Rockets and Thunder

66. Sign up for classes

67. “Don’t wake me up ___ noon”

68. Lightning McQueen’s main color

69. Cup-a-Soup content

70. Toward shelter, nautically

71. Prior to, poetically Down

1. Toronto Maple ___

2. ___ down memory lane

3. The Chihuahuan Desert has over 500 species of them

4. Group of lines in a poem

5. Back half

6. School along the Rio Grande

7. Unscrupulous approach

8. Bit, barely

9. Thrusting fencing sword

10. “___ you go, go with all your heart” (Confucius)

11. Tik ___

12. Ranking for the least attractive

13. Dad of Rod and Todd Flanders

21. Had the blue-plate special

22. The Oprah Winfrey Network, in program listings

26. Pup and dome

27. One who makes public announcements

28. Villainous henchman in The Lion King

30. EMT’s specialty

31. Weeding tool

32. Self-image

33. Number system where the highest digit is 7

34. Twin brother of Luigi

35. Graph paper patterns

39. Offerings from Dairy Queen and Burger King

40. Pie ___ mode

41. Hoagie

42. Half-assed remark

44. Game that uses 108 cards

47. Ozempic injection tool

48. A dear, a female dear

49. Quarterback’s protector

50. NBC late night show

54. Section at Barnes & Noble

55. Slashing fencing sword

56. Profession

58. Small brook

59. He sang about Sweet Caroline

60. Mark for removal

61. 100 yrs.

62. Tres menos dos

63. Dude

Bob Levey

From page 35

Today, because the music marketplace is so jam-packed, a new song or album doesn’t land very hard on the public consciousness. But back in the heyday of 3345-78s, any new release was a very big deal.

Top 40 radio DJs would lead the charge: “And now, here’s a new one by Carl Perkins! Get your dancing shoes on, boys and girls! Here’s ‘Blue Suede Shoes!’”

We would caravan to the local record store after school. If there were eight of us, there went eight copies of Perkins’ latest hit.

We’d rush to our respective homes, play the new song a million times, then call one another (yes, on rotary-dial phones).

Homework? What was homework, when we could bop, shimmy and croon, “Well, it’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready and go, cat, go!”

How do today’s teens acquire music? By downloading it (a verb I still don’t entirely understand). I’m sure they resist homework as thoroughly and as melodically as we did.

But we at least had music at any of three speeds. To cue up a 45 or a 78 was to go quick and dirty. To cue up a 33 was to settle in and luxuriate.

I will close with this, dear young people: If I had to do it today, I could lift the arm of a record player — if I still owned one — and place it exactly at the beginning of a 33-45-78, without missing a note.

True, this skill is no longer useful. But it’s a memory that makes me smile and hum the opening bars of “Rock Around the Clock.”

You think I don’t still remember all the words? You must think I’m old. Imagine that. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

ONE BIG HAPPY By

Rick Detorie

CASH FOR RECORDS, CDS AND DVDS. Best price guaranteed. Free appraisals. All types of music {33, 45, 78 CDs.} Also buying turntables and stereo equipment. Will make house calls with CURBSIDE PICKUPS. Call or text Steve at 301-646-5403

BUYING VINYL RECORDS from 1950 to 1990 JAZZ, ROCK, BLUES, R&B, DISCO, SOUL, REGGAE, GOSPEL, ANY VINYL FORMAT 33 1/3 RPM Albums, small 45 RPM’s some 78 RPM, Also CD’s, Prefer LARGER COLLECTIONS AT LEAST 100 items, PLEASE CALL JOHN 301-596-6201. WANTED OLD MOTORCYCLES Any condition “AS IS” picked up at your location. Paying Top Dollar for 1920-1980 Harley Kawasaki Z1 KZ900 H2 Honda CB750 BMW Indian BSA Norton others. Call for CASH offer 1-800-2209683. Website: www.wantedoldmotorcycles.com

WANTED: OLDER VIOLINS, GUITARS, BANJOS, MANDOLINS, UKULELES. Musician/collector will pay cash for older string instruments. Jack (301) 279-2158, leave message phone number (please speak slowly).

ALWAYS BUYING SILVER, gold-filled gold jewelry, Old Silverware holloware marked “Sterling”, old fountain pens, old tobacco pipes, dental gold, the old stuff... What do you have? Call or text Alex at 571-4265363. DMW area I’ll pickup!

BUYING COINS, ANTIQUES, MOVING? Downsizing, liquidating an estate? Cash paid for gold, silver, jewelry, wristwatches, old toys, old halloween and xmas decorations, books, records, musical instruments, american coins, old baseball cards and comics, old golf and sports memorabilia, etc. Please call Tom 240-476-3441 thank you.

OVERFLOWING BOOKSHELVES? Donate gently used books, magazines, CDs DVDs! Free same-day pickup, any genre. Declutter support literacy! Call 703-980-7421 mdbookpickup@gmail.com

I BUY GUNS: Military/Civilian MILITARY MEMORABILIA. am a licensed Firearms Dealer and can legally purchase from you. Don’t risk selling to unlicensed dealers. Tim Frank 301-201-0241. historian1975@gmail.com. www.midatlanticmilitaryantiques.com

ALWAYS BUYING COMIC BOOKS (1930’s to 1985), sterling silver (anything), old coins paper money, charm bracelets, jewelry, old costume jewelry, old dental gold, old pin-up magazines, sports cards before 1980, old fishing lures, old toy cars, and other old items. What do you have? Call or text Alex at 571-426-5363.

Classifieds cont. from p. 38

CLASSIFIEDS

The Beacon prints classified advertising under the follow ing headings: Business Employment Opportunities; Caregivers; Computer Services; Entertainment; For Sale; For Sale/Rent: Real Estate; Free; Health; Home/ Handyman Services; Miscellaneous; Obituaries; Personals; Person al Services; Vacation Opportunities; and Wanted. For sub mission guidelines and deadlines, see the box on page 39.

CAVEAT EMPTOR!

The Beacon does not know ingly accept ob scene, of fensive, harmful, or fraudulent advertising. How ever, we do not in vestigate any advertisers or their prod ucts 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 prohib iting discrim ination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status or handicap in connection with employment or the sale or rental of real estate.

A CARE AGENCY - Been in business for more than 10 years. Experienced nurses, CNAs, GNAs. Any hours you need. Flat rate for live-in. Duties include cooking, housekeeping, bathing, errands, etc. Tel: 667-231-8235

A HOME HEALTHCARE- Experienced nurses, CNA, GNA are available 24/7. Cooking, companionship, personal care, housekeeping, driving. Full/Part-time or live-in care. 15 years’ experience. 240-533-6599.

M&D HEALING HOMECARE AGENCY serving Montgomery County, MD. Our mission is to provide high-quality, compassionate, and personalized in-home care services to seniors and individuals with disabilities. We aim to enhance the quality of life of our clients while allowing them to remain in the comfort of their homes. We are a licensed and insured non-medical homecare provider. Our services will include dependable registered nurses, personal care, companionship, respite care, and specialized care for individuals with chronic conditions. We are located in Silver Spring, MD. Please visit our website for detailed info. Https://www.mdhealinghcs.com: Contact 301-388-0560 or 301-2549103. Email: abra_dessali@hotmail.com or info@mdhealinghcs.com.

COUGAR CARE HEALTH AND HOME

SERVICES We are a long term health and home care agency serving the older male and female adults in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area and beyond since 1990, We provide CNA’S, Caregivers, Companions, Housekeepers, Drivers, Estate Managers, Nurses, Personal Assistants, Personal Trainers or any other live in or live out employee needed, For more information or to place an order Call #202-317-0679.

A COMPASSIONATE HOME CARE COM-

PANION Providing loving, reliable, trustworthy, devoted care for your loved one. 20+ years experience, A+ references. Call SADIE (240) 522-9591, please leave voice message for reply. CAREGIVER WITH 25 PLUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE caring for elderly and disabled. have my own car. Willing to work evenings, nights and weekends if interested call me. 301979-3953. Thank you in advance.

TAX PREPARATION. Licensed CPA 35+ years, reasonable rates; will travel within 20 miles. Located in Gaithersburg near Rte 270/370. DIANE CHRISTEN CPA; dianechristen@aol.com; 240-355-1135 cell.

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 866-212-1092 or visit www.Life55plus.info/beacon

WESLEY FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC Timeshare Cancellation Experts. Over $50,000,000 in timeshare debt and fees cancelled in 2019. Get free informational package and learn how to get rid of your timeshare! Free consultations. Over 450 positive reviews. Call 855-626-8703.

EXTRA LARGE SELF PROPELLED LAWN

MOWER. Excellent condition. Ten years old. $300.00. Call Joe-301-216-2541.

TWO CEMETERY PLOTS FOR SALE. Judean Memorial Gardens, Olney, MD. Block 5, lot 47, Site B. $4,500 for both. Private sale by owner. Contact: 301-500-8600.

2 CEMETERY PLOTS AT KING DAVID

MEMORIAL GARDENS in Falls Church Virginia. (Jewish Cemetery). Reduced sale price $3995.00/ each or best offer 510-326-2493.

YARD SALE/BAKE SALE/CAR WASH Saturday, May (8-1pm), Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 2206 Briggs Rd (at Layhill Rd, 1/4 mile north of Glenmont Metro). Funds support Pilgrim’s August mission trip to economically challenged Gulf Coast families.

PARKLAWN MEMORIAL PARK CEMETERY and Menorah Gardens. burial plot (Veterans area-double space) selling for $10,500 OBO. Comes with 24x14 Bronze Memorial with vase granite. Retail value $20,000. Phone 765-621-5258.

PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES TODAY with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-301-960-3174 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator. It’s a power move. NEW WINDOWS FROM WINDOW NATION. Special money saving offer zero down, zero payments, zero interest for TWO years AND buy windows and get FREE! Offer is valid for select models. Labor not included. Other restrictions apply. Call Window Nation today! 855-909-2278.

REAL ESTATE MADE EASY! Looking to buy or sell? KW Metro Center has you covered with expert guidance and local insights. Call or visit tauheedgul.kw.com for more info! Tauheed Gul (Tony) Real Estate Agent VA 0225263776. Cell 703.659.7366 Office 703.224.6000.

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! 1-844366-1003 www.dental50plus.com/320 #6258

MOVING OR LIQUIDATING AN ESTATE?

Let Downsizing Specialists, LLC show you how our easy process helps you decide what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard. Services include estate liquidation, downsizing, estate sales, house and storage unit clean-outs, and junk removal. We buy estates, vehicles, real estate. Free estimates. Local. Family Owned. Licensed. Insured. Better Business Bureau A+ Certified Company. Call/Text Philip 301-219-3600 DownsizingSpecialists.com

NEED A FRESH COAT? We’ve Got You Covered (Literally). Quality at best price! Call Alex for a free estimate at 202-993-9809 or by email at alexpaintingservices11@gmail.com. Services offered: exterior/interior painting, carpentry, drywall repairs, etc.

SLOWING DOWN AFTER 42 YEARS of contracting. Small to medium jobs mainly but will do some commercial work. Will work all over DC area. $45.00 from arrival on job. Andy 703-906-5429.

LITTLE DEEDS ACCESSIBILITY SOLU-

TIONS Live independently and safely in your own home through Little modifications by licensed, skilled, and deeply caring craftspeople. Did you know we can convert your tub into a shower with a Tub-Cut for a quarter of the cost of those shower conversion companies? Little Deeds also provides no-cost, no-obligation, safety, and accessibility assessments for Aging in Place or when coming home from the hospital. Text/Call 410450-4466 https://www.littledeeds.com/

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! 1-866-365-5170.

SAFE STEP. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-theline installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-866-478-2363.

AMERICAN RESIDENTIAL HEATING & COOLING. As temps outside start to climb, the season for savings is now. $49 cooling or heating system tune up. Save up to $2000 on a new heating and cooling system (restrictions apply.) FREE estimates. Many payment options available. Licensed and insured professionals. Call today 1-877-691-0273.

JACUZZI BATH REMODEL can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 6/30/25.) Call 1-833-994-0538.

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.

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

MY NAMES IS HUGH AND I LIVE IN MCLEAN. am an experienced French tutor, fluent in the language with a degree in French from Cambridge England. have studied and lived in France. am offering French lessons, online, your place or mine. The first lesson will be free and thereafter at a very reasonable price. Please contact me by email: hsteveson465@gmail.com or by phone: 703-868-6933. Merci et bientôt.

PERSONAL TRAINER/REHABILITATION SPECIALIST with over 15 years of successful experience. come to you and help you get back to your everyday life. Call Anthony at 410-739-3318 to set up a free evaluation.

MENDING FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. I’m

Jane M. Connor, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Maryland, dedicated to helping families navigate these challenges. My goal is to support families in overcoming painful experiences and rebuilding relationships. Ready to take the first step? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with me—no strings attached. Let’s explore if my approach is right for you. If not, I’ll help you find the right resources. Contact me at 202-658-5045 or janemconnor@gmail.com. Visit www.janemconnor.com for more information. Together, we can foster understanding and closeness.

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 OnDemand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-844-560-5837

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.

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 301-337-0028. Available 24/7 Ask for Philip.

NEED A COMPASSIONATE CARE GIVER look no further. My last patient worked with her for 10 years, have over 20 years experience. References are available from prominent people work with. 240-305-8843.

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 Recommendations Golden 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. 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! 1-240-650-9189.

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.

ELIMINATE GUTTER CLEANING FOREVER! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior Military Discounts. Call 1-855-977-6078.

THE BATHROOM OF YOUR DREAMS in as little as 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! 1-855-653-0087.

COMPLIMENTARY ESTATE PLANNING CONSULTATION. Estate planning typically involves customized legal documents to plan for incapacity and death: naming agents to make financial and healthcare decisions and designating beneficiaries to inherit assets. Call Justin M. Ginsburg, Esq. at (443) 393-7696 to schedule a complimentary consultation; learn about guardianship and probate proceedings and incorporating trusts, tax strategies and asset protection as well as special needs planning, charitable giving, retirement accounts, life insurance and vacation homes. Mr. Ginsburg is licensed in Maryland and the District of Columbia and has helped hundreds of clients since 2017. He is a Senior Associate Attorney at Elville and Associates, P.C. in Rockville.

CASH FOR ESTATES; Estates, Moving, Downsizing, Etc. buy Gold, Silver, Art, Quality Glass, Historical Items, Cultural Items, and a wide range of other categories. Collections, Accumulations. Website: TheAtticLLC.com, Gary Roman, 301-520-0755.

WILL BUY MILITARY, WWII, WWI, Civil War memorabilia items. Uniforms, weapons, helmets, photos, war souvenirs, medals, photos or any other items associated with U.S., German, Japanese or other military history. Call Dave (240-464-0958) or email (david.obal63@gmail.com).

BUYING ESTATES, FULL OR PARTIAL, large or small. Need a house cleared in a hurry, can get it done. Also buying individual small, pretty things such as Herend, Royal Copenhagen and vintage holiday decorations. Call Susan (301) 785-1129.

PAYING TOP CASH FOR ANTIQUES AND COLLECTIBLES. Housecalls 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.

Events

Park View

Riderwood/Erickson

Willow Manor at Cabin Branch

Woodleigh Chase/ Erickson

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.

Chesapeake

Dermatologic Surgery Center