October 2025 | DC Beacon

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Time travel with interpreters

By Glenda C. Booth

Fairfax County resident Lynne GarveyHodge says she has learned to sit and get up from a chair like a Victorian lady, but the feisty characters she portrays likely did not live up to the stereotypical Victorian feminine ideal.

Garvey-Hodge has portrayed Amelia Himes Walker, a 20th-century American suffragist, more than 100 times, wearing a white Edwardian dress and purple sash, like the suffragists did.

Walker was a Silent Sentinel — one of the women who picketed on the White House sidewalk in 1917 for the right to vote, and was arrested and sentenced to 60 days in prison in the Lorton Workhouse in Northern Virginia.

She also portrays Angelina Grimké Weld, whose father in the 1830s was a Charleston, South Carolina judge and slaveholder. Angelina opposed slavery on religious grounds and tried to desegregate churches.

Garvey-Hodge has a third character she slips into from time to time: Boston’s Susanna Wheatley, who in the 1700s enslaved Phillis Wheatley, a kidnapped African girl. Susanna eventually adopted Phillis, who became a poet and the first African-American woman to publish her writings.

For these roles, Garvey-Hodge, a volunteer, does exhaustive research.

“I have to learn their daily life, the food they ate, their vocabulary, the politics of the day, even their bed attire,” she said. “I read, read, read and read.”

Heritage interpreters don’t just tell stories. They take people back in time and help them appreciate our country’s cultural, historical and natural resources. It’s not a job; it’s a calling.

A unique form of acting

What is historic character interpretation?

With Damn Yankees, Arena Stage hits a grand slam; plus, Bob Levey on the benefits of standard shift

Well, the National Association of Interpretation defines it as “a purposeful approach to communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement with the world around us.”

That means heritage interpreters are not just actors who memorize lines. While interpretation is a form of acting, the goal is to recreate a time and place and generate excitement about history. Unlike theater

Historian Lynne Garvey-Hodge of Clifton, Virginia, regularly portrays suffragist Amelia Himes Walker, above, and other historical figures. “I love re-enacting — especially the research and prep, attention to details, ways to engage the audience and a like passion for my character’s passion,” she said. See INTERPRETERS , page 14

k Dentists help your heart k Is cereal healthy? LAW & MONEY 17 k Why some fear retiring

k Latest tech scams LEISURE & TRAVEL

k Turkey’s cities and ruins

k Why travel with Road Scholar?

Do we really want to know?

It’s a story right out of a disaster movie: A pilot in the cockpit of a civilian airliner suddenly cuts fuel to the engines of a plane in flight, risking the lives of all aboard as well as innocents on the ground.

Unfortunately, it’s not a movie. At least, not yet. It really happened — not once, but twice in the last two years.

In July, an Air India flight headed to London with more than 200 passengers aboard crashed less than a minute after takeoff, killing all but one person aboard and 19 on the ground.

eerily similar situation in October 2023, we do know why a pilot in a cockpit attempted to cause a plane to crash.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Stuart P. Rosenthal

Investigators found that emergency switches — designed to cut power to the engines on the ground in the event of a fire — were suddenly engaged while the plane was just starting to gain altitude, causing the crash.

On the flight recorder, one pilot asks the other why he “cut off” the fuel; the other denied it, but then both switches were moved back into the proper positions within seconds. It was too late.

While we don’t know yet (and may never know) why that pilot acted as he did, in an

An off-duty pilot riding in the cockpit of an Alaska Airlines flight jumped up and pulled the emergency fuel cut-off handles. In that case, the flight’s pilots were able to restore power in time and remove the offender from the cockpit.

According to a recent story in the Washington Post, the man told police after the incident that he struggled with depression, had taken psychedelic mushrooms two days prior to the flight (presumably so he would feel better), and hadn’t slept in 40 hours. He said he thought he was dreaming when he pulled the handles.

In a later documentary, according to the Post, he said that he hadn’t sought mental health treatment for his condition because he feared it would cost him his job.

The Federal Aviation Administration says it encourages pilots to seek help if they have a mental health condition. Further, it says the vast majority of those who disclose such conditions are not disquali-

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fied from flying as long as they obtain and maintain treatment.

That policy, however, is fairly recent, partly in response to a Germanwings flight in 2015 that was deliberately flown into a mountain by a co-pilot with a concealed history of depression and suicidal tendencies.

Reportedly, federal authorities are currently investigating thousands of pilots who are suspected of concealing mental health and other conditions that might disqualify them for their jobs.

It’s a tough call for some pilots, I would imagine. It’s probably easier to deny that you are depressed or have another mental health condition than it is to admit you need help for something that could cost you your career.

On the other hand, if you are at risk of harming yourself — and others! — isn’t that more important?

And it’s not just pilots who might want to conceal a condition. Many of us may find ourselves facing a similar quandary.

While some memory loss is normal over time, we are told that Alzheimer’s and other dementias affect a growing percentage of us as we age. How much do we want to know if we are facing something like that, and when do we want to know it, when that knowledge could be a double-edged sword?

The question has become more urgent, due to recent advances in testing for Alzheimer’s disease. In May, the Food and Drug Administration approved the first blood test that can detect amyloid plaques, believed to be a harbinger of the disease.

If it indeed becomes easy and relatively

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inexpensive to screen for Alzheimer’s, how many of us will want to get that test, when a positive result could cost us our job, health insurance and possibly keys to the car?

Won’t many prefer not to find out? After all, at this time the condition is not curable. The best treatments we have only delay the speed at which it progresses.

But research continues at a rapid pace, new treatments improve on older ones, and the earlier one starts taking them, the better they appear to work.

Furthermore, a window into even a bleak future has many benefits: We can decide to enjoy the life we have and check off more of our bucket lists, finish longdelayed projects, show our loved ones how much they mean to us, update our wills and financial plans, and tie up loose ends in our relationships.

Apparently, many older adults agree. I was somewhat surprised to see that a recent survey from the Alzheimer’s Association found that 95% of Americans 45+ would want to know if they have Alzheimer’s (despite concerns over having that knowledge), and nearly as many would want to take a blood test for the condition if it were available.

Each of us is the pilot of our own life, and we all face challenges throughout it. Perhaps the best course of action we can take is to seek maximum self-knowledge, and to use that knowledge to make our lives — and those of others whom we affect — better.

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’m writing in response to Elliot Raphaelson’s column on “The pitfalls of Medicare Advantage plans” (September 2025).

Last year, my husband and I switched from original Medicare with a Medigap and a drug plan to a Medicare Advantage plan (Erickson Advantage, administered through United HealthCare) after much deliberation. As comforting as it had been to have all our medical expenses covered under original Medicare, the steep annual increases in our Medigap premiums strained our budget. Before switching, we made sure that all of our providers were in-network, well aware this could change at any time. Even with co-pays for certain services, we saved over $1,700 this past year as compared to the year before.

It’s important to note that Advantage plans include a drug plan (Part D). Many

also include a dental, vision and hearing aid benefit and a quarterly allowance for groceries or for certain OTC health-related products. As added perks, our plan gives us 24 free one-way rides each to and from appointments with any in-network provider and free fitness classes in our community.

Contrary to Raphaelson’s claims, we do not have a copay with our primary care medical facility, specialists or lab tests, as long as they are in-network. We also see the physicians we want without a referral. Friends with original Medicare see midlevel practitioners (PAs and NPs) no less often than we do.

Thanks for reporting on important subjects such as health insurance, but please provide more accurate and balanced information.

Susanne

Lazanov Springfield, VA

Fitness & Health

FRUITLESS FROOT LOOPS

Most breakfast cereals are junk food, but a few standouts are healthy

COLD SEASON

Vitamin C can’t prevent the common cold, but it may shorten its duration

EARLY TO RISE

Eating breakfast earlier is associated with a longer lifespan, says a new study

BEDTIME SNACKS

Six fruits, including cherries, grapes and avocados, may help you fall asleep faster

To protect your heart, visit the dentist

By Christy Bieber

Heart health is key to overall health. That’s why there has been ample research on how to improve cardiovascular function and combat age-related heart issues, including blood vessel narrowing and arterial stiffening.

Some of the healthy-heart tips are pretty obvious: Exercise. Don’t smoke. Control your cholesterol, manage stress and limit alcohol. Base your diet around fruits, vegetables and healthy proteins instead of making processed or sugary snacks and fried foods. All of these are steps you can, and should, be taking.

However, recent research suggests that there’s another step you can take that can have a major impact on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. And, best of all, all you need to do is visit your dentist.

What recent studies show

According to a clinical trial published last August in the European Heart Journal, treating periodontitis can slow down the thickening of the inner two layers of the carotid arteries (the arteries on the sides of your neck).

This thickening is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and, as the Mayo Clinic reports, carotid artery disease is a leading risk factor for stroke.

The good news is that you may be able to minimize it with help from your dentist, as researchers have discovered that deep cleaning the mouth, including below the

gumline, could have a notable impact.

This was discovered after studying a group with periodontal disease who were otherwise healthy. Those participating in the study were divided into two groups: a control group that received only routine dental cleanings and test subjects who received intensive periodontal cleanings over a two-year period.

Those who received the intensive treatment, which removed more plaque and tartar, fared significantly better over the two-year period, with an ultrasound of the carotid arteries revealing less thickness within this group compared to the control group.

In fact, not only were their arteries not as thick, but they were also found to have better blood vessel function, as well as better bloodwork with lower levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. These markers are known to contribute to atherosclerosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing of artery walls.

The improvement in artery functions wasn’t minor, either.

As Dr. Francesco D’Aiuto, one of the study co-authors, told Live Science, the effect of the dental cleaning was “comparable to what has been seen with lifestyle interventions and some pharmacological agents in similar populations.”

These improvements were evident at the one-year and two-year marks, as revealed by five separate blood tests and artery assessments.

Gum disease is costly and common

These study results are important because gum disease is very common. Around 40% of U.S. adults suffer from it, and it can result in a whole host of problems, including tooth loss, persistent bad breath and, as this new study shows, worse outcomes for your heart.

Unfortunately, 34.1% of adults didn’t go to the dentist at all in the past year, according to recent studies.

Skipping out on the dentist actually comes at a pretty huge cost, and not just for your health. When you don’t address minor problems, they can escalate into major and expensive issues, as recent research has shown.

In states like Utah, Nevada, West Virginia and Alaska, costs climb higher than they should due to delayed care. In Alaska, for example, treatment expenses are 654% higher than they otherwise would be because people put off getting dental care.

Get the dental care you need

Given how much delayed treatment increases costs, it’s ironic that cost is one of the key reasons why so many people put off getting dental care.

Seeing a dentist can be expensive, and it’s often not covered by insurance, with 38.9% of dental spending paid out of pocket (well above the 10.4% of healthcare spending that’s paid privately).

Dental care can be expensive for individuals because many standard insurance poli-

cies, including Medicare, often exclude coverage. Since Medicare doesn’t cover dental care, older Americans have a choice of buying coverage or paying the bills without help.

If you decide to pay out-of-pocket for your dental care, a health savings account (HSA) could make paying easier. You can invest in an HSA with pre-tax dollars and withdraw funds tax-free to pay for qualifying medical expenses. Dental care is one of those qualifying expenses.

If you are on Medicare, you may also be interested in enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes dental coverage. Advantage Plans can sometimes offer lower across-the-board out-of-pocket spending than traditional Medicare alone, which comes with 20% coinsurance cost for most outpatient services.

You’ll have to think long-term, though, as switching back to traditional Medicare later can be challenging since you may face difficulty getting a Medigap plan (a plan that supplements traditional Medicare by helping to pay those coinsurance expenses).

Ultimately, though, whether you’re getting the care paid for through your dental insurance at work, through a Medicare Advantage Plan or out-of-pocket, the key is to get your care.

Doing so does more than help you maintain a pretty smile. It could be the key to a healthy heart.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Best ways to prevent or respond to choking

By Mike Stobbe

Each year, choking claims the lives of more than 4,100 Americans who are 65 or older. It’s the most vulnerable age group, accounting for about three-quarters of U.S. choking deaths, according to federal health statistics.

The death rate has been relatively steady, but the number has risen, as the size of the nation’s retirement-age population grows.

In response, a number of companies are marketing anti-choking devices to the elderly. Medical professionals have been debating whether to endorse the products, sold under the names LifeVac, SaveLix, VitalVac and the Dechoker.

Here’s a look at choking and the best ways to prevent choking deaths.

Choking risks rise with age

Choking occurs when food or some other object partially or totally blocks the windpipe, preventing oxygen from reaching the lungs.

Telltale signs include someone reaching for their neck and losing the ability to speak normally. Brain damage can occur after four minutes, and death can come just a few minutes later.

Older adults are at higher risk for a number of reasons. As people get older, mouth and throat muscles can weaken.

Older people also produce less saliva. Some chronic diseases and medications can make swallowing even harder. Dentures can be a choking risk.

Best ways to stop choking

Of course, choking risk can be reduced by cutting food into small pieces, chewing slowly, drinking plenty of liquids with meals, and not laughing or talking at the same time you are chewing and swallowing.

When someone is choking, you can try perhaps the oldest form of first aid: back slaps.

There’s also the Heimlich maneuver, named after the doctor credited with devis-

ing it in the 1970s. It involves standing behind the choking person, wrapping your arms around their abdomen and — with a balled fist — thrusting inward and upward. The idea is that it forces air out of the lungs, along with the obstruction.

The American Red Cross recommends alternating back blows and abdominal thrusts in sets of five.

That’s for situations in which someone is around to help a choking victim. But what if they are alone?

It is possible for someone to try to selfadminister a Heimlich by thrusting their

Too much sleep may affect brain

By Maureen Salamon

Sleeping nine or more hours each night is associated with worse cognitive performance, an effect that’s stronger among people with symptoms of depression, according to an analysis published in the April 2025 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia

Researchers examined sleep duration and cognition in 1,853 adults ages 27 to 85 (average age 50; 57% women) who hadn’t been diagnosed with dementia or suffered a stroke.

Choking

abdomen against the back of a chair. Not everyone is able to do that, however.

Makers of some of the newer anti-choking devices say that’s where their products can make a difference.

“Elderly people probably are not capable of diving on a chair or counter,” said Arthur Lih, the founder and chief executive of LifeVac.

Risks of anti-choking devices

Anti-choking devices vary in design, but generally they look like a face mask attached to a tube or bellows, with a handle at the end. They typically sell for around $30 to $100.

A choking person dons the mask, pushes down on the handle and then pulls up. That is supposed to create a suction to pull out the blockage.

Some research suggests certain devices can injure the tongue or cause bleeding and swelling in the throat. And the U.S. Food and

Participants were categorized into four groups: no depression symptoms and no antidepressant use; depression symptoms and no antidepressant use; antidepressant use and no depression symptoms; and depression symptoms along with antidepressant use.

Those who slept nine or more hours nightly were more likely than participants who slept between six and nine hours each night

See SLEEP , page 6

Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports that some products did not generate enough suction and left people with bruising around the face, lips and mouth.

Last year, the agency issued a notice to consumers that said it has not approved anti-choking devices sold over the counter, because their safety and effectiveness haven’t been established.

More research is needed

Right now, the consensus — even among anti-choking device manufacturers — is that back blows and abdominal thrusts should always be tried first.

Lih said thousands of nursing homes and emergency response agencies have purchased the newer anti-choking devices.

Manufacturers claim the products have saved thousands of lives in multiple countries, but it’s tricky to document how well they actually work.

Perhaps a study could compare what happened during choking incidents at nursing homes that stock the devices with those that don’t. —AP

MAIL OR EMAIL FOR FREE INFORMATION

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

Housing Communities

District of Columbia

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Maryland

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o Collington (See ad on page B6)

o Grandview, The (See ads on pages B5, B10)

o Hibiscus House (See ad on page B3)

o Homecrest House (See ads on pages B2, B12)

o Park View Bladensburg (See ad on page 23)

o Park View Columbia (See ad on page 23)

o Park View Emerson (See ad on page 23)

o Park View Laurel (See ad on page 23)

o Riderwood/Erickson (See ads on pages 1, B5, B8)

Virginia

o Ashby Ponds/Erickson (See ads on pages 1, B5, B10)

o Culpepper Garden (See ad on page B2)

o Greenspring/Erickson (See ads on pages 1, B5, B12)

o Falcons Landing (See ads on pages 7, B8)

o Vinson Hall (See ads on pages B7, B13)

o Woodleigh Chase (See ads on pages B5, B15)

Check the boxes you’re interested in and return this form to: The Beacon, P.O. Box 2227, Silver Spring, MD 20915 or take a picture and email to housing@thebeaconnewspapers.com.

Feel free to return this coupon together with the coupon found on page B-9 of this issue.

Is your breakfast cereal actually healthy?

By Robert H. Shmerling, M.D.

I have a confession: I like cereal. And not just a little.

When I was a kid, I’d have ready-to-eat breakfast cereal in the morning and again after dinner as dessert. Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies were in regular rotation. Cereal is still on my short list of favorite foods.

I’m not alone in this. In the U.S., more than a quarter of children and adolescents devour ready-to-eat cereal for breakfast most days of the week. Among adults, around half eat cereal at least once or twice a week. Beloved athletes often appear on cereal boxes, and a number of celebrities have proclaimed their love for the stuff, including Jerry Seinfeld and Justin Timberlake.

Many companies tout cereal as a healthy choice. A 2025 study of more than 600 breakfast cereals disputes this, particularly for many cereal all-stars.

How healthy are breakfast cereals?

Not so much. Many — perhaps most —

Sleep

From page 5

to score worse on cognitive performance tests evaluating aspects such as memory, visual-spatial skills and executive function.

of the biggest names in the cereal world have a lot of sugar, minimal protein before adding milk, a bunch of additives and not much else. Some don’t even have much fiber, a feature that is supposed to make breakfast cereal a healthy choice.

As for the 120- to 150-calorie count often listed on the side of the box, it turns out that the actual portions many people consume (including me) can easily soar past 300 calories at a time.

And what about eye-catching boasts like “heart healthy,” “high in vitamins,” “all natural,” or “part of a healthy breakfast”?

Unfortunately, researchers have found little connection between health claims and overall nutritional content. In fact, for many cereals, the bulk of the nutritional value relies on something that’s not even in the box: milk.

A closer look at cereals

The seven top-selling breakfast cereals in the U.S. are: Cheerios, Frosted Flakes, Honey Nut Cheerios, Honey Bunches of

These associations were stronger in people with symptoms of depression regardless of their antidepressant use. Long sleepers were also more likely to report symptoms of depression.

Oats, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Froot Loops and Lucky Charms.

Most are sweet, highly processed, and have lots of empty calories. Some add vitamins, though usually in small amounts, while others sprinkle in sodium (salt) you don’t need.

But breakfast cereals are getting healthier, right?

A study published in May 2025 found just the opposite. It looked at the nutritional value of 1,200 ready-to-eat cereals marketed to children that were new or reformulated between 2010 and 2023 and noted a clear trend in the wrong direction: increasing amounts of fat, sodium and sugar along with decreasing protein and fiber.

Fortunately, there are efforts underway to improve the types of cereals kids eat: USDA guidelines for school breakfast programs this year aim to gradually reduce the amount of sugar and salt and increase the amount of whole grains required. (Cutting out artificial colors and flavoring won’t transform these cereals into healthy or nu-

trient-dense foods.)

Better breakfasts

So, what’s a breakfast eater to do? When it comes to breakfast choices, surely we can do better than sugar-packed, high-calorie, low-nutrient cereals that are hyped by marketers (especially to kids) and sell so well.

One option, of course, is to switch to healthier breakfast foods like oatmeal with fruit and nuts, eggs, yogurt with fruit, or peanut butter on whole-grain toast.

But if you’re as stuck on ready-to-eat breakfast cereal as I am, check the nutrition label for these healthy aspects:

• whole grain as the first ingredient

• at least 2.5 grams of fiber per serving, though at least 5 grams per serving is even better

• minimal or no added sugar or sodium

• 150 calories or less per serving — and measure that serving, which is often ¾ to 1 cup (far less than the average bowl holds!)

See CEREAL , page 8

derstand the connections between sleep and mental health.

The results of this study don’t prove that sleeping less will prevent or treat depression or other mental health disorders, but the findings may help scientists better un-

Many experts recommend healthy adults aim to get seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch © 2025 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Salmonella can hit older adults harder

By Maureen Salamon

Pop quiz: what is salmonella? If you’ve ever had a run-in with this bacteria, you know it can cause a food-borne illness called salmonellosis, a form of food poisoning.

But you may not know that salmonella bacteria sicken an estimated 1.35 million people every year in the United States. In fact, it’s the leading cause of hospitalizations and deaths due to food poisoning.

Salmonella bacteria can be sneaky — not only by triggering unusual complications, but infecting people in startling ways, said Dr. Elizabeth Hohmann, an infectious disease specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

One patient she treated showed up with an abdominal aortic aneurysm — a dangerous bulge in the lower section of the body’s largest artery — that looked infected. Testing revealed a surprising culprit: salmonella. “It can be kind of scary,” Hohmann said.

Cereal

From page 6

• a short ingredient list with items you recognize as food (rather than things like butylated hydroxytoluene or food dyes).

Examples of cereals that fulfill most of these include Shredded Wheat, Kashi Go

How do people get infected by salmonella?

Many of the foods salmonella bacteria lurk in are raw or undercooked. Breaded raw chicken products like nuggets and chicken Kiev are one way it may reach your table. But a variety of foods have been implicated, including flour, organic basil, cantaloupes, ground beef, nut butters, raw cookie dough, eggs and raw or unpasteurized milk.

Backyard chickens are another source of salmonella outbreaks. Even pets such as turtles and frogs, along with dog food, have contributed to multistate outbreaks in recent years.

You can also become infected by handling contaminated food and spreading the bacteria from your hands to your mouth. Additionally, you can spread it to others on your hands or even on your clothes without becoming sick yourself.

“It’s a bug that’s carried in stool and animal

Lean, Cheerios, Weetabix and All-Bran. [Ed. Note: Wheat-based products such as Cheerios contain glyphosate, a weedkiller linked to cancer, and chlormequat, a pesticide also linked to cancer. The EPA says that these trace amounts are well below the levels considered safe for human consumption.]

feces and is also present in the environment,” Dr. Hohmann said. “So it can set up shop in lots of different inanimate objects, soils and machinery, especially in moist environments.”

What symptoms can salmonella cause?

Most of the time salmonella infection leads to gastroenteritis, usually causing just an upset stomach, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. These symptoms can start as soon as six hours after ingesting the bacteria. Typically, symptoms resolve on their own within two to three days.

Some people have such mild symptoms they’re barely noticeable. “The classic case might be a college student who eats a burrito from a sketchy place, gets sick for a couple of days, gets better, and doesn’t think anything of it,” Hohmann said.

Most people will get better on their own without any medicines. Replacing lost flu-

The bottom line

If you like ready-to-eat breakfast cereal, it’s not the worst thing out there, especially when served with skim or non-dairy milks.

ids by sipping water or electrolyte drinks to avoid dehydration will help.

Sometimes symptoms are more serious, such as severe abdominal cramping and bloody diarrhea, or unexplained high fever and fatigue. These symptoms require a call to your doctor: fever higher than 102° F; diarrhea that doesn’t improve after three days; bloody stools; or vomiting so severe it prevents you from keeping liquids down.

Complications of salmonella

Certain folks are especially vulnerable to serious infection, including adults 65 and older, pregnant women, children under 5 and people whose immune systems are weakened by diseases (such as cancer) or treatments (such as immunosuppressive drugs).

A small percentage of those infected can have salmonella in their blood, which can

crunchy junk food masquerading as a nutritious meal.

Robert H. Shmerling, M.D., is a senior faculty editor and Editorial Advisory Board member at Harvard Health Publishing.

But be selective and careful about portion control. A healthy breakfast helps fuel your body and should be more than sweet,

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

See SALMONELLA , page 10

Does vitamin C help us when we’re sick?

By Jesse Bracamonte, D.O.

Dear Mayo Clinic: Growing up, I was told to drink orange juice when I had a cold because “vitamin C is the cure.” Does vitamin C actually help us when we’re sick? What are its benefits?

A: Vitamin C supports our immune systems, helps our bodies heal wounds, protects our joints and contributes to collagen formation, the main protein in the body. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against what are called free radicals, which are produced when your body is exposed to potentially cancerous things like cigarette smoke and the sun’s rays.

Despite all these benefits, there is limited evidence to support the notion that taking extra doses of vitamin C can effectively prevent common colds.

For most people, taking a daily oral supplement of vitamin C via tablets, drink powders or gummies may not be that beneficial because you might be getting it from your diet naturally. Our bodies don’t produce vitamin C on their own, but a lot of what we eat contains it.

Citrus fruits may come to mind first when we hear vitamin C, but foods such as potatoes, spinach, tomatoes, berries and other brightly colored fruits and vegetables are full of the nutrient. An orange bell pepper has three times the amount of vita-

min C than an orange.

It’s important to get your daily intake of fruits and vegetables, but many people in the U.S. do not. A little bit of added vitamin C may actually help those individuals. In most cases, though, if you are able to access and eat an adequate supply of fruits and vegetables in your diet, that will be sufficient.

Some people may think they should double up on vitamin C supplements when feeling ill, but more is not always a good thing. Taking too much vitamin C can cause side effects that may make you feel worse, such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, bloating, fatigue, heartburn, headaches, skin flushing and even kidney stones in some people. Make sure you do not consume more than the recommended daily dose of 500 milligrams.

High levels of vitamin C can also interfere with multiple kinds of medications and results of certain medical tests such as blood or glucose screening. For patients undergoing chemotherapy, the use of antioxidants such as vitamin C might lessen the effect of the chemotherapy drugs.

Overall, taking vitamin C in the form of food is the best way to reap its benefits, but taking extra vitamin C, particularly for those with a weakened immune system, would not be harmful.

Some limited research shows that vita-

min C may prevent the duration of a virus, such as the common cold. So, if your cold lasts a week, a few limited studies found taking vitamin C may reduce it by 13 hours, which isn’t all that significant. Consult with your healthcare team to decide what’s best for you. — Jesse Bracamonte, D.O., Family Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix Mayo Clinic Q & A is an educational

BEACON BITS

Oct. 21

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.

© 2025 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

HOW TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR

Do you leave the doctor’s office wishing you had spoken up or asked more questions? Steve Lorberbaum from Assisted Hands Home Care guides this discussion on “How to Get the Most Out of Your Doctor Visit.” Sponsored by GO Rides, a nonprofit organization that provides free transportation to older adults in the greater Olney area, this free event takes place on Tue., Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. at Harbor Chase, 17001 Georgia Ave., Olney, MD. Lunch is included, but you must register by Oct. 17 by calling (301) 887-7167. For more information on GO Rides, visit gorides.org.

ALZHEIMER’S HOME SAFETY WEBINAR

Oct. 30

This free webinar, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, reviews home safety practices that support the independence of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and can be easily adapted to their changing needs. Join on Zoom on Thu., Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. For registration details and the webinar link, visit bit.ly/AlzHomeSafety. For more information about the Alzheimer’s Association and its free resources, visit alz.org.

How to ward off gallstones and treat vertigo

By Howard LeWine, M.D.

Q: I didn’t realize I have gallstones in my gallbladder until they were seen when I had an abdominal CT scan. I don’t have any symptoms. Do I need to change my diet or take any medication to dissolve them?

A: The gallbladder is a small organ that sits under the liver in the right upper portion of our abdomen. It plays an important role in helping us digest food. But we often don’t acknowledge it unless something goes wrong — which happens in about 15% of American adults.

The gallbladder essentially serves as a storage room for bile, squeezing the fluid into the small intestine to help break down dietary fats we consume.

Gallstones develop when bile or related fluids form hardened stonelike lumps that can grow and multiply. Most gallstones are made of cholesterol. Much less often, the primary component of the stones is bilirubin.

Risk factors for cholesterol gallstones include extra weight or obesity, a family history of gallbladder issues, Native American or Latino heritage, and being 40 or older. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones, which top the list of gallbladder problems.

Gallstones that are not causing any symptoms usually do not require specific

treatment. When gallstones do cause symptoms, most often the reason is a blockage from a stone that has moved out of the gallbladder and gets stuck in the bile duct.

Typically, this leads to pain in the right upper belly, often radiating to the back, along with nausea. The stone may pass on its own after minutes to hours.

However, a stone that remains lodged can lead to more serious problems from pressure backing up, including cholecystitis (an inflamed gallbladder), cholangitis (infection in the bile duct), and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). These conditions need to be treated in the hospital and almost always require cholecystectomy to surgically remove the gallbladder.

While dietary changes alone usually cannot dissolve established gallstones, preventing weight gain, avoiding simple sugars and limiting unhealthy fats may help prevent new gallstones from forming and current stones from enlarging.

So, the recommendation is to follow a “heart healthy” diet and consume just enough calories to meet your daily needs. This means focus on plenty of fruits and vegetables; choose fish or plant-based proteins such as beans and nuts; and use unsaturated fats like olive or avocado oil.

Body size is one part of the equation. Another risk factor is rapid change in body

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weight. Gallstones often form when someone gains or loses a large amount of weight over a relatively short period of time. If you need to lose weight, do it slowly. Don’t go on a crash diet.

Q: I get attacks of dizziness that cause me to feel off-balance. The episodes usually last a few minutes. I can stop them if I stay very still. Is this a type of vertigo?

A: Recurring vertigo usually is caused by a disorder involving the vestibular (balance) system, which includes several tiny, fluid-filled canals — called the semicircular canals — inside your ears.

The most common reason for recurring vertigo is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). In this condition, tiny crystals in the inner ear can become dislodged when you do a particular movement, such as putting your head back to use eye drops. The loose crystals then bump around inside the semicircular canals, which normally help the brain sense the position and movement of the head.

The loose crystals send confusing signals to the balance center in the brain. Typically, the first time an episode hits, you may be woozy and dizzy most of the day. After that, vertigo happens only when you change your position — lie down, sit up, roll over, or move your head up or down. Once you stay in a new position, the crystals land in one place, and the vertigo stops.

Meniere’s disease can also cause recurring vertigo. In this condition, a small canal inside the ear becomes swollen for

Salmonella

From page 8

spread the infection to other parts of the body, such as the urinary tract, bones, joints or central nervous system (brain and spinal fluid).

And, like Hohmann’s patient with the abdominal aortic aneurysm, on rare occasions salmonella can lead to unusual blood vessel complications in people who already have atherosclerosis, blockage of the arteries caused by plaque buildup.

How to avoid salmonella

We all can take steps to avoid the food poisoning, illness and hospitalizations that salmonella exposure can cause.

Hohmann and the CDC suggest these strategies:

• Using hot water and soap, wash cutting boards or plates on which you cut into raw foods — including vegetables and fruit — before using those surfaces for other purposes. If possible, use separate cutting boards for produce, meat and fish.

uncertain reasons. It causes not only attacks of vertigo but also nausea, a sensation of fullness or ringing in the ear and hearing loss. The attacks typically last longer than the recurring episodes of vertigo due to BPPV.

You should make an appointment with your primary care provider or an ear, nose and throat specialist to help diagnose the cause of your vertigo.

For BPPV, a simple maneuver to reposition loose crystals in the ear can reduce or eliminate symptoms. There are a number of different types of maneuvers, and each one includes a series of positions done while sitting or lying down.

The Epley maneuver is the gold standard. Your doctor may give you a diagram to try it at home. But be careful: If you don’t do it correctly, the loose crystals may wind up in the wrong place and worsen vertigo. It’s best to have a clinician or physical therapist guide you through it the first time.

Once you’re comfortable with the maneuver, you can try it at home at the first sign of vertigo. It might be helpful to watch a video about it for guidance (there are many on YouTube). Just make sure the expert in the video has the proper credentials.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, visit health.harvard.edu.

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

• Refrigerate or freeze foods that are perishable, prepared or left over within two hours to thwart salmonella growth.

• Always wash hands well with soap and water before preparing food and after contact with animals, using the toilet or changing diapers.

• If you have a sick pet, take extra care handling its feces and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.

Take additional steps to help more vulnerable people stay healthy:

• Don’t let young children touch highrisk animals, such as turtles, frogs, chickens or ducks.

• Older adults and those with compromised immune systems should take extra care to wash and cook foods thoroughly.

“You hate to make people paranoid, so that we’re washing our lettuce leaves with soap, but it’s worth thinking about these things, particularly if you have people in your household who are susceptible — which is an increasing number of people,” Hohmann said.

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

Do late breakfasts speed up aging?

There’s an interesting new study that might make you think twice about when you have your first meal of the day.

Researchers followed about 3,000 adults (between the ages 42 to 94), for more than two decades. They weren’t looking at calories, carbohydrates or cholesterol. Instead, they looked at something most of us never think about: the timing of breakfast.

On average, most people in this study ate breakfast around 8 in the morning. But as they aged, their first meal shifted later and later, sometimes creeping toward 10 or even 11 in the morning.

far. The researchers themselves make it clear that the timing of breakfast is more a marker of health than the cause of it.

In other words, if you’re dealing with fatigue, depression, pain, low appetite or dental problems, you might naturally put off getting up and eating breakfast. These are the same health issues that are linked to shorter lifespan. So is it the late breakfast, or the fact that people who feel unwell often eat later?

By Suzy Cohen

That may not sound like a big deal, but it ended up revealing something shocking: Each additional hour of delay in breakfast was associated with about a 10% higher risk of dying earlier!

By the end of the study, the folks who pushed their first meal to late morning had lower survival rates compared to those who ate earlier.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that eating breakfast at 10 a.m. will automatically shorten your lifespan. We can’t take it that

BEACON BITS

Ongoing

SOCIAL PROGRAM FOR MEN WITH MEMORY LOSS

Friends Club, a nonprofit serving the community for over 30 years, is a social program based in Bethesda, Maryland, for men with early to midstage memory loss. Participants discuss current events, enjoy live music programs, and engage in stimulating activities. The club meets three days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Lunch is provided, and the fee is $115 per day. For more information, contact Ken Silverstein at (301) 469-0070 or Ken@friendsclubbethesda.org.

Oct. 11

MASTER GARDENERS FALL FESTIVAL

This fall festival celebrates plants, gardening and nature. Enjoy guided walks, explore the nature and wildlife table, visit outside vendors and more. The free event takes place on Sat., Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Duncan Library Garden, 2501 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria, VA. For more information, visit mgnv.org or call (703) 228-6426.

might be black coffee with two sugars. And let’s be honest, breakfast has become a socially acceptable way to eat cake, cleverly rebranded as pancakes, muffins and waffles.

These food choices can affect blood sugar, blood pressure and heart health very differently. For someone with undiagnosed hypertension, a late-morning coffee might push up blood pressure when what their body really needs is potassium, magnesium or fiber-rich foods.

As a pharmacist, I look at the bigger picture. Breakfast timing may be a clue, but food choices and medications also play a huge role in long-term health.

Didn’t track foods

This study by Mass General Brigham didn’t evaluate what people were eating. A breakfast for one person might have been oatmeal and berries. For another, breakfast

For instance, certain blood pressure drugs can deplete magnesium, a mineral that naturally relaxes blood vessels. Coffee depletes magnesium too. It’s a “drug mugger” effect I often write about.

If your breakfast is coffee, your blood

pressure will slowly rise and eventually worsen heart rhythm and blood pressure.

The takeaway? Don’t panic if you prefer a later breakfast; the study shows correlation, not causation.

But it’s a reminder that meal timing deserves our attention. When you do eat, make it count with foods that fit your body and health needs. Early bird or brunch lover, what’s on your plate matters more than the clock.

For a deeper dive into this study and some free ebooks to learn more, visit me at suzycohen.com or check drugmuggers.com.

This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement.

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

There’s hope for Lewy body dementia

By Maureen Salamon

Months after actor and comedian Robin Williams took his own life in August 2014, autopsy results revealed he had a devastating disease: Lewy body dementia (LBD).

Unlike Alzheimer’s disease and even frontotemporal dementia, this brain disorder has tended to hide in the shadows. But work is underway to change that, said Dr. Stephen Gomperts, an assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School and director of the Lewy Body Dementia Unit at Harvardaffiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.

Perhaps surprisingly, LBD is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. How do its symptoms differ? Who is at risk? And how is it diagnosed and treated?

What is Lewy body dementia?

First, it’s important to know that there are two main types of this dementia. One is called dementia with Lewy bodies, or DLB. A second type, known as Parkinson’s disease dementia, or PDD, may arise late in the course of that illness.

These disorders stem from an abnormal buildup of protein deposits in the brain called Lewy bodies. The deposits, formed from a protein called alpha-synuclein, settle in brain areas affecting thinking, behavior, perception and movement.

Much like Alzheimer’s disease, LBD is progressive and ultimately fatal. But while the median lifespan of people who have this illness is seven years, there is a high degree of variation in the duration of disease, Gomperts said.

“Many people respond well to medicines that aim to improve their ability to function and quality of life.”

How common is it?

More than a million Americans live with Lewy body dementia. Others who likely have the disease may not have sought care or have been misdiagnosed, Gomperts said.

“In the past, LBD was often subsumed under the general umbrella of ‘dementia’ or ‘Alzheimer’s.’ It’s still significantly underdiagnosed, but that’s getting better.”

Most people with LBD develop symptoms after age 50, so the numbers are likely to grow as the population continues to age.

How is LBD similar to Alzheimer’s?

As with Alzheimer’s, LBD affects a person’s ability to think clearly, remember details, solve problems, focus on tasks and eventually to care for themselves.

“Gradually progressive trouble with thinking is the key shared feature between the two. This initially doesn’t impact activi-

ties of daily living, but ultimately it does,” Gomperts explained.

In Alzheimer’s disease, memory problems usually occur early and are the dominant problem.

In contrast, in LBD, difficulties with problem-solving or spatial problems tend to arise before memory difficulties.

But any of these symptoms can occur first or in combination, and they may fluctuate. Perception is often affected, which can manifest as visual hallucinations. Delusions (false beliefs) are also common as the disease progresses.

“Whereas hallucinations and delusions are common late in the course of Alzheimer’s disease, visual hallucinations often arise early in LBD. For example, a person with LBD might see people or animals that aren’t there,” he said. “Such hallucinations are only rarely perceived as threatening.”

Other differences are:

Acting out dreams. People with LBD may act out their dreams. Known as REM sleep behavioral disorder, this problem often arises even before thinking problems start.

Changes in movement. People with Lewy body dementia often move slowly and stiffly, developing tremors and gait changes and becoming prone to falls. When people have PDD, progressive movement problems arise early and are the rule. This symptom leads to the initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. In DLB, movement is often but not always affected.

How do experts distinguish between them?

It’s all in the timing of key symptoms. A “one-year rule” distinguishes each disorder.

PDD: When someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s develops memory and think-

ing problems that impair activities of daily living more than a year after their movement problems arise, PDD is diagnosed. DLB: When cognitive problems arise earlier, or come without movement problems, dementia with Lewy bodies is diagnosed.

Who is at risk for Lewy body dementia?

Age is considered the biggest risk factor for the disease. Most cases have no known trigger, although a handful of gene mutations can predispose someone to LBD. People who have suffered head trauma appear to develop LBD and Parkinson’s more often. Both conditions also disproportionately affect men.

How is it diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose DLB when key clinical features are present — trouble thinking, fluctuations in thinking, movement problems and REM sleep behavioral disorder — in the absence of other causes. They diagnose PDD when dementia arises in Parkinson’s disease.

Diagnosing DLB is challenging because early symptoms are often confused with symptoms that arise in other brain or psychiatric disorders. Many people don’t receive an accurate diagnosis until their symptoms become more advanced.

Physicians deploy an array of tests and imaging exams to tease out LBD from other conditions that can trigger similar symptoms, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, thyroid disorders or vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Are there treatments for LBD?

Yes. Although there’s no cure, treat-

Six fruits that will help you sleep better

By Vivian Chung

If you regularly struggle to get a good night’s rest, you’ve probably tried a variety of strategies, such as meditating or journaling. However, your eating habits also play a significant role in the quality of your sleep. Here are six fruits to consider adding to your diet to support better sleep.

1. Kiwis

Thanks to high levels of melatonin and serotonin, eating fresh kiwi can promote sleep. Serotonin, the precursor to melatonin, helps with relaxation, mood, thermoregulation and the sleep-wake cycle.

“In the body, serotonin works by creating a sense of relaxation and emotional wellbeing, which helps prepare the mind for sleep,” explained Jennifer Pallian, RD, registered dietitian. “It also regulates physiological rhythms like body temperature and motor control, which influence restfulness.”

Melatonin is essential for regulating and resynchronizing the body’s internal clock. “This synchronization is key for falling asleep faster and maintaining sleep through the night,” Pallian explained.

One study suggests that a serving of two medium-sized green kiwis one hour before bedtime is ideal.

2. Pineapples

Pineapple is packed with melatonin, serotonin and tryptophan — compounds

Dementia

From page 12

ments like medications, physical therapy and counseling can help with specific symptoms of LBD, such as thinking problems, hallucinations and sleep disturbances.

LBD-related movement symptoms can

that help regulate sleep, body temperature and circadian rhythms. Tryptophan in particular plays a key role in promoting sleep, since it’s the only precursor to serotonin, which then helps create melatonin.

In one study, juice from one kilogram of pineapple was shown to significantly increase serum melatonin and antioxidant levels. “Though the study used juice, fresh pineapple is likely just as effective because it contains similar compounds,” Pallian said.

3. Cherries

Robin Barrie Kaiden, MS, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian, recommends reaching for Montmorency cherries (or tart cherry juice) in particular, which are especially high in melatonin.

These tart cherries also come with a bonus: They contain tryptophan and anthocyanins, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect your cells from damage caused by factors like stress, pollution and high-fat, high-sugar diets.

“Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, they can relax muscles, thus resulting in a calmer body and better sleep,” Kaiden said.

4. Avocados

“The sleep-supportive effects of avocado may be partly attributed to its magnesium content,” Pallian said. Magnesium doesn’t just help your body make melatonin; it also helps regulate brain chemicals like GABA,

also be treated with some medications used for Parkinson’s. This makes it easier to walk and do other activities.

Maureen Salamon is executive editor of Harvard Women’s Health Watch. © 2025 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

which promotes relaxation and calms the nervous system, both of which are key for falling and staying asleep.

According to one study, the ideal intake for sleep support is one whole avocado.

5. Bananas

Packed with both melatonin and tryptophan, bananas have some real sleep-promoting abilities. One study suggests that eating two whole bananas helps support better sleep, but the benefits don’t stop there. “The antioxidants in bananas also reduce oxidative stress, and in so doing, may further contribute to restful sleep,” Pallian said, referring to their role in lowering inflammation and supporting brain health, both of which make it easier for your body to relax and ease into deeper, more restorative sleep.

6. Grapes

Naturally containing melatonin, grapes also come with a hefty dose of antioxidants that help reduce stress and inflammation, two factors that can mess with your health and sleep. “Plus, they’ve got a high water content for hydration and plenty of fiber, which can improve digestive comfort,” Kaiden said.

For the best melatonin boost, go for red or purple grapes, as they tend to have higher levels of the sleep-promoting hormone than green ones.

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

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

FREE SHADE TREES IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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The Beacon publisher Stuart Rosenthal

Vegetables you can eat from root to stem

By Breana Lai Killeen, M.P.H., RD

The average American household wastes nearly $2,000 worth of food a year. Fighting food waste sounds smart, right? What it doesn’t sound is delicious.

That’s where this use-the-whole-veg, rootto-leaf cooking approach comes in. Here are some delicious ways to make the most of your vegetable bounty. One hundred percent outrageously good food. Zero waste.

1. Broccoli stems

Broccoli florets usually take center stage, but the hard stems cook up to be delicious and tender, too, perfect as a side or a base for your dish. Spiralized broccoli stems can transform into tender “noodles.” If you don’t have a spiralizer, use a vegetable peeler to make long strips.

You can also eat broccoli stems:

• Mashed with butter.

• Sautéed with garlic.

• Shredded into slaw.

• Stir-fried with oyster sauce.

2. Carrot tops

Yes! You can eat carrot tops. Use them just as you would any herb. Pro tip: When

Interpreters

From page 1

actors, character interpreters usually have to field questions, be natural and friendly, and not seem rehearsed.

Some historic interpreters have degrees in drama or history; some don’t. Others get a certification in historic interpretation, but many are self-taught. The National Association of Interpretation offers a professional certification which requires 8,000 on-the-job hours (plus a test, essays and other qualifications).

To accurately portray someone from the past, historic interpreters pore over original documents, like letters and journals, to understand their character’s deportment, habits, quirks and dreams. They also learn the diction and common

you buy untrimmed carrots, cut off the tops and store them separately, or they’ll draw moisture from the carrots. You can also eat carrot tops:

• Added to green sauces, such as chimichurri.

• Fried to make crisp garnishes.

• Added to salads.

• Chopped into tabbouleh.

• Tossed with parsley, oranges and red onion.

3. Leek tops

Recipes usually tell you to discard the dark green leek tops. Show them some love! Cooking them a bit longer makes them meltingly delicious. They’re also high in fructans, a type of prebiotic fiber that contributes to good gut health.

You can also try leek tops:

• Sautéed with sesame oil and peanuts.

• Roasted under a chicken.

• Caramelized into onion jam.

• Stir-fried with celery, meat and cashews.

• Added with other onions to French onion soup.

4. Kale ribs

expressions of the era they are depicting.

Mount Vernon’s Scottish voice

Another character interpreter, Tom Plott, has mastered a Scottish brogue to play James Anderson, caretaker at Mount Vernon. Anderson emigrated from Scotland in the 1790s and managed George Washington’s five farms and whisky distillery at his 8,000-acre plantation.

“I’ve learned the mannerisms, how to hold myself and the proper Colonial stance,” Plott said, demonstrating with one foot turned outward at an angle.

Plott cuts a dapper profile, wearing what he calls “a gentleman’s three-piece suit” consisting of breeches, a waistcoat (vest), coat, riding boots, cravat and tam o’shanter — a flat, round, wool cap topped by a pom-pom.

Think kale ribs are too tough to eat?

Think again. After a good charring in the skillet, kale stems add a tender-crisp bite and a touch of smokiness.

Try kale ribs:

• Roasted with balsamic vinegar and tossed with Parmesan cheese.

• Baked into a quiche.

• On top of a pizza.

5. Cauliflower stems

Love cauliflower rice? Get the most out of your head. Dice the ribs and cut the greens into slivers and throw them in a pan. Because they’re thicker, the ribs take a little more time, so cook in oil for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the rest of your “rice” and the leaves.

Other ways to enjoy cauliflower stems:

• Pureed with leeks to make a creamy soup.

• Steamed and pureed with roasted garlic.

• Roasted with olive oil and rosemary.

• Spiralized and roasted, served with aioli.

6. Collard stalks

Woody collard stalks just need a little extra prep to show their softer side. For instance, a

To represent Anderson, Plott delved into Mount Vernon’s library and studied Washington’s letters. He’s lucky: Washington was a meticulous documenter.

“He even recorded the weather,” noted Plott, who is manager of character interpretation at Mount Vernon.

Plott’s tour narratives are not scripted, but they are historically accurate, he said.

“We can’t say it unless it is documented. I can’t just make it up.”

On tours, Plott tells visitors about growing corn and wheat at Mount Vernon and raising horses, cows, Ossabaw Island hogs, Hog Island sheep, red Devon cattle, chickens and turkeys.

Occasionally visitors try to correct him.

“I can’t get offended,” he said, so he just keeps talking. “I love to talk.”

Gussied up at Gunston Hall

It takes about an hour for Janis Harless to transform herself into a woman from 1773. To portray Nancy Mason, the daughter of

quick pickling turns collard stems from trash into a treasure, adding a pleasant tang.

Some more ways to enjoy collard stalks:

• Sauteed with bacon and cider vinegar.

• Stir-fried with fish sauce and lime juice.

• Braised with white wine and herbs.

• Added to an omelet.

• Added to split pea soup.

7. Beet greens

The entire beet plant — roots, stems and greens — is edible and can be eaten raw or cooked. You can roast beets and then puree with goat cheese for a creamy rubyred spread. Sauté the greens and stems with olive oil and garlic for the topping.

Some more ways to enjoy beet greens:

• Tossed in a salad with cooked beets.

• Sliced up for a veggie slaw.

• Sautéed with olive oil and garlic.

• Added to soup.

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

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

wealthy plantation owner George Mason IV, she dons a gown, chemise, petticoat, stays, woolen cape, silk stockings, gloves, pearls, wig, broad-brimmed hat and a pillow-like “bum roll” around her waist.

“Gentry-level women wanted a conical look. It was stylish to have wide hips, and it was important to be stylish — even if you had to suffer,” Harless explained.

For 20 years, Harless has played the part of Nancy Mason at Gunston Hall, a historic mansion near Harless’ home on Fairfax County’s Mason Neck. She also has appeared as Nancy at the family’s namesake school, George Mason University, during student orientation and homecoming.

Harless, a grandmother of three, was a longtime high school history teacher.

“I’ve always loved history,” she said. “Doing this in my retirement years has the same excitement as teaching. It gets people interested.”

As Harless put it, “I try to bring history to life.”

Some surprising benefits of sourdough bread

By Jillian Kubala

While sourdough might seem like just another type of bread you can make or buy, it actually used to be one of the only options. Until the development of commercial yeasts in the 1800s, sourdough, made with naturally occurring yeasts and lactic acid bacteria, was the main type of leavened bread consumed worldwide.

Sourdough undergoes natural fermentation rather than relying on additives found in baker’s yeast. This means that compared to other breads, it is easier to digest, has less impact on blood sugar and is potentially more nutritious.

Easier to digest

The fermentation process used to create sourdough helps to degrade gluten, a protein found more heavily in grains such as wheat, barley and rye that is resistant to digestion.

In addition to lower levels of gluten, sourdough has lower levels of other compounds known to cause gastrointestinal issues, including FODMAPs, phytates, tannins and trypsin inhibitors.

This means that sourdough may be easier to digest and result in fewer gastrointestinal symptoms compared to commercially leavened bread. A 2023 review of 25 studies bears this out, showing that people

reported significant improvements in gastrointestinal comfort switching from bread made with baker’s yeast to sourdough bread.

Maintains blood sugar levels

The fermentation process used to make sourdough produces organic acids, such as lactic and acetic acids, which help slow the absorption of starch in the digestive tract. When food is digested slowly, glucose is released more gradually into the bloodstream, preventing a significant spike in blood sugar levels after eating.

This means that compared to other breads, sourdough is low on the glycemic index (GI), a classification system that ranks carbohydrate-rich foods on a scale of 0-100 according to their impact on blood sugar levels. The GI estimates how quickly food is digested and absorbed into the bloodstream.

The GI for a 30-gram (g) serving of bread made with white wheat flour is 71, while the GI for a 30g serving of sourdough bread is 54.

Improves nutrient absorption

Anti-nutritional factors found in whole wheat or grain breads, such as phytates, tannins and trypsin inhibitors, can make it harder to absorb nutrients from food. Phy-

tates, in particular, can bind to minerals like magnesium, calcium and iron, blocking their absorption in the digestive tract.

The fermentation process used to make sourdough breaks down anti-nutritional factors like phytates. In fact, some studies suggest that certain sourdough formulations can degrade over 96% of the phytic acid in the dough.

Risks of eating sourdough

While sourdough contains less gluten than other breads made with wheat flour, it’s not gluten-free, so it isn’t safe for people with celiac disease or those who are sensitive to gluten-containing foods.

If you’d like to enjoy sourdough but

can’t eat gluten, choose a gluten-free sourdough product. Gluten-free sourdough bread is made with gluten-free flours such as those made with millet, sorghum, teff, quinoa and buckwheat.

Keep in mind that gluten-free sourdough will have a different texture than sourdoughs made with wheat flour, as gluten adds a chewy, airy texture to baked goods.

Health delivers relevant information in clear, jargon-free language that puts health into context in peoples’ lives. Online at Health.com.

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

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Riderwood woodworkers make beds for kids

By Luke Sanelli

Scott Nathan has a background in finance and insurance management. But that hasn’t stopped him from helping kickstart a bed-building charity operation based in Montgomery Village, Maryland.

Nathan had a long and successful career at Malden Solutions and as a self-employed entrepreneur, but after the pandemic, he wanted to step back and focus on his community.

“I was very career-focused before, and really only looking at growing a career and growing a business,” Nathan said. “But [with] the refocus and re-shifting after Covid, I decided to put that time, energy and resources into not just helping me, but trying to help some other people out there.”

He heard about a nationwide organiza-

tion, Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP), which focuses on building and providing beds for children who do not have one. After attending one meeting, Nathan was sold.

Founded in Idaho in 2012, Sleep in Heavenly Peace has 200 local chapters that are dedicated to ensuring that all children have a bed of their own. Its motto: “No Kid Sleeps on the Floor in Our Town!”

“Unfortunately, a ton of kiddos out there just don’t have a good place to sleep,” Nathan said. “They may be sleeping on a floor, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, sharing a bed with other family members.”

According to studies conducted by SHP, 2% to 3% of American children go to sleep every night without beds of their own. Poor sleep can lead to detrimental physical and mental consequences.

So Nathan launched SHP’s Montgomery Village chapter in January 2023. It serves residents across Montgomery County, including Gaithersburg. He just needed help making the beds.

Riderwood steps up

While Nathan is no carpenter, Riderwood Senior Living resident Tom Mertz is. Prior to his retirement, Mertz worked as a carpenter and builder in his professional life.

When Mertz moved to Riderwood, an Erickson Senior Living community in Silver Spring, Maryland, roughly six years ago, he began working with its thriving woodworking club, which now includes Mertz and six others. But after doing plenty of small repairs and work for other residents, they needed new projects to work on.

“We did some other things and kind of ran out of projects for various reasons. So I was looking for something to do,” Mertz said.

Through a mutual connection, he teamed up with Nathan. Today, Riderwood residents like Mertz help by picking up lumber, then cutting and preparing the wood for use in building the beds.

Once the wood is ready for bedmaking, which is often done on “build days,” people of all ages are able to participate.

Maryland has six chapters, and Virginia has eight chapters (but none in Northern Virginia yet).

“The volunteers are the engine that makes this car go. Without our volunteers, we would not have been able to have any beds delivered,” Nathan said.

As a volunteer, Mertz said that working with SHP has been extremely fulfilling, especially during his retirement.

“Having something important and valuable to do is really important, so everybody feels good,” Mertz said. “You’re doing something for the community, for the world.”

Other local chapters

In Frederick, Maryland, Toni Davis and her husband, Micah Davis, are on the leadership team of their local chapter of Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

A friend told Davis about the organization in 2019, and when she started volunteering, she and her husband were the only delivery team.

“We were out two or three nights a week, delivering beds,” said Davis, whose full-time job is director of marketing at Brooke Grove Retirement Village. She and Micah have delivered about 3,000 beds to local children.

“Riderwood allows us to eliminate the most dangerous step from our build day events…so that we are able to invite other kids to come help out on the build days,” Nathan said.

Beds and camaraderie

While making sure that all kids have a bed of their own to sleep on is a priority, Nathan says the community built through the process is just as important.

He notes that SHP is operated solely through volunteer and donation support, meaning community support is critical.

“Knowing that you can just take a few minutes out of your time to go into a family’s home and put a child in a bed — often taking them off the floor, where they’ve been sleeping — is incredibly rewarding. As a result of having a good night’s rest, they’re going to do better in school and be a better contributor to society.”

Once a month, the group builds 50 to 60 beds in a renovated barn they lease in Adamstown, Maryland. The teams assemble the twin and bunk beds when they

How to get rid of what your kids don’t want

By Cameron Huddleston

Charlie Gary’s late wife, Susan, had a passion for restoring old homes. She also loved fine antique furniture and oriental rugs. “Over the years, she accumulated lots of it,” Gary said.

When Gary sold the house, he was forced to face the elephant — or the antiques — in the room: “I said, ‘What are we going to do with this stuff?’”

That’s a question 70 million baby boomers are likely asking themselves as they think about downsizing.

Boomers own the largest share of houses in the U.S. with three or more bedrooms, according to a report by real estate company Redfin. Although most older adults want to age in place, 44% expect to relocate at some point, according to AARP.

The obvious choice for boomers looking to unload belongings is to pass them on to their adult children. But the next generation isn’t necessarily eager to get Mom and Dad’s china, crystal, silver or collectibles.

“These adult children already have their own stuff,” said Amy Wilson, founder of Estate Transitions, a project management company in Louisville that helps people redistribute belongings when downsizing. “They don’t have room for more.”

Talk to family first

That’s why it’s important to have conversations with your children or other family members about which of your items they might want now or in the future. This also gives you an opportunity to let the next generation know what things have sentimental or monetary value.

“Don’t leave your things for your kids to go through. Ask them what they want and go through it together to donate stuff to make a fun process,” said Kathleen Caulfield Meyer of Coakley Realty in

Rockville, Maryland, who has created a program for seniors who are downsizing.

“For most people who have lived in their home for a very long time, the big question is where to start,” Meyer said.

Identify items worth selling

Just because your adult children aren’t interested in your belongings doesn’t mean they’re worthless. The key to cashing in on items that you’re ready to part with is knowing which are worth trying to sell and the best way to sell them for top dollar.

In general, it’s worth trying to sell things that are expensive and in good condition, Wilson said. This includes artwork, antiques, furniture, high-end rugs and jewelry.

Vintage toys, clothing and electronics such as tape decks and turntables are currently selling well among younger generations, said Sarah Hersh, co-owner of Ben Hersh Estate Sales in Cherry Hill, N.J. Musical instruments such as guitars also are popular.

Collectibles are hit or miss. The market for sports memorabilia, comic books and coins is strong compared with the market for stamp collections. Most mass-produced figurines are hard to sell. Crystal, china and silver-plated platters or serveware aren’t popular either, Wilson said.

Upright pianos can be the most difficult to unload.

“If it’s not a pristine Steinway, start looking for a home for it today, even if you’re not moving,” Hersh said. In fact, you’ll likely have to offer to pay the cost of moving a piano to get someone to take it.

Adjust your expectations

Get an idea of what people are willing to pay before you sell anything. Prepare for

the amount to be significantly lower than the original purchase price.

If you’ve worked with an interior designer in the past, that person might help you get a sense of what your items are worth. You could contact antique dealers, but they might charge a fee for reviewing your items. Websites such as eBay, AptDeco.com and Chairish.com can help you see how much items similar to yours are selling for.

When you’re decluttering, you may find it hard to convince your family members to take your prized possessions. A professional downsizing specialist can help.

Downsize

From page B-3

Best ways to sell

There are several avenues to sell your stuff, including consignment shops and estate sales.

Furniture and home decor in good condi-

BEACON BITS

tion are relatively easy to sell through a local consignment store. Send pictures of the items you want to sell so the store can vet them. (Some stores will pick up items from your home for a fee.) Typically, consignment stores will keep 50% of the sale price, Wilson said.

With online furniture consignment

REPAIR CAFÉ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Join a group of volunteer repair experts in Fairfax County. Once a month, the Fairfax County Repair Café meets at a county library to repair appliances, devices, toys and more. Its mission: to “build community resilience and make your stuff last longer.” The next repair café takes place on Sun., Nov. 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library, 120 N. Virginia Ave., Falls Church, VA. Bring your tools or use a repair expert’s tools. For more information, call the library at (703) 248-5030 or email anicski@proton.me.

stores such as AptDeco and Chairish, you can take photos of your items and list them for free on the sites. AptDeco will pick up your items and deliver them to buyers; it keeps 30% of the sale price. Chairish also provides pickup and delivery, but it keeps 40% of sales.

You can also plan an estate sale. They’re no longer just for wealthy families with a lot of antiques, Hersh said.

“Now it’s an anything-goes marketplace,” she said. “As long as you have enough stuff, almost anyone can qualify for an estate sale.” You can expect highquality items to sell for about one-third of what you paid for them.

Downsizing specialists

Some local downsizing specialists include: Potomac Concierge, Fairfax Transfer & Storage, Great Falls Organizers and Caring Transitions.

Donating may lower your tax bill

In some cases, donating items and claiming a tax deduction may produce a better payoff than selling them.

In our area, Vietnam Veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Goodwill, A Wider Circle and Mary’s Center will pick up your donations (though a waiting list can delay pickup for months).

Be sure to get a receipt for your donated items. You’ll need a contemporaneous written acknowledgment (CWA) from the charity for items that are worth between $250 and $5,000. You must have an appraisal for items you donate that are worth more than $5,000.

Is Daily Life Getting Harder to Manage Alone?

If doing laundry, grocery shopping, or getting to appointments has become overwhelming — Best Senior Care is here to help.

Best Senior Care provides compassionate, reliable non-medical home care that helps you stay independent and safe in the comfort of your own home.

Why choose Best Senior Care?

• Stay Independent, Longer – We make everyday tasks easier, so you can focus on what matters.

• Trusted, Consistent Caregivers – We match you with someone who fits your needs and schedule.

• Flexible Scheduling – Offering you a daily visit to 24/7 support, so you can age at home.

Hiring someone to assist you is ideal if you have several high-end items and are willing to pay an expert to create an inventory of them, assess their value and help you get the best price possible. This sort of service can also be a good fit if your age and health will make it difficult to manage the sale of your items on your own.

Ask a real estate agent for a recommendation to find professionals who help with downsizing, Wilson said. Retirement communities may also provide a list of services.

Bed builders

From page B-2

arrive at the home. They also give the family new linens, pillows and blankets.

In-person delivery

Nathan and Mertz say one of their favorite parts of working with SHP is personally delivering the beds to sites, where they can see children claim the beds they want.

“Seeing a kid walk in the room and seeing their bed for the first time, and a lot of times this may be the child’s first time ever having a bed of their own — just seeing

Margaret Foster contributed to this article. This item first appeared in Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, a monthly, trustworthy source of advice and guidance. Subscribe to help you make more money and keep more of the money you make here.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

the kids’ reaction is incredible,” Nathan said. “Those kids’ smiles really is what it’s about.”

Mertz recollected a particularly moving moment in which he saw a child climb into a bed and refuse to leave it. The work that he and the woodworking club do is difficult, he said, but moments like those are what keep him going.

“To do something to help people out, to help maybe make the world a little better place, [is] very rewarding,” Mertz said. “That’s why we do it.”

For more information about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, visit shpbeds.org.

Outside lights are deadly to birds in the fall

By Jessica Damiano

As gardeners, we spend a lot of time observing nature up close. When will my tomatoes turn red? What’s eating my hosta? What’s that white stuff on my peonies? We react as needed to ensure our plants survive and thrive.

But there are other, sometimes overlooked, garden residents that need our help, too: birds.

A recent study jointly conducted by scientists at Fordham University, the NYC Bird Alliance, the American Bird Conservancy and Stony Brook University in New York found that collisions with windows kill more than 1 billion birds annually in the U.S., mostly at homes and other lower buildings.

That number is likely even higher be-

cause birds can hit a window, become injured and fly away, then die elsewhere or be taken by a predator, said Connie Sanchez, program manager for bird-friendly buildings at the National Audubon Society.

But small changes by homeowners and renters can make a big difference.

Many of the collisions are the direct result of “light pollution,” the use of artificial lighting, such as from street, building or porch lights.

“Birds are drawn to light, and artificial light is drawing them off of their migratory paths and confusing them as they get closer to the light, so they collide with buildings and windows,” Sanchez said. “Or they’re led to circle in confusion, call out [in distress] and then land, drained of energy.”

The number of window strikes soars

during the seasonal spring and fall periods, when birds migrate to and from their breeding homes. Sanchez said.

That’s because they rely on “celestial cues” — light from the moon and stars — to navigate the night sky. And night-migrating small songbirds, like sparrows, warblers and thrushes, are at the highest risk of collisions.

Light pollution isn’t unique to downtowns with lighted skylines

“Surprisingly, research shows that 56% (of all bird collisions occur) at low-rise buildings just one to two stories (tall), 44% at residences and less than 1% at high-rise buildings,” Sanchez said.

She recommends pointing landscape lights downward, using timers and sensors, and shortening their duration.

Put visual markers on windows

Birds don’t perceive glass as a barrier but instead see the reflection of their habitat or the sky.

“We need to help them see there’s a barrier [by providing] visual markers as cues,” Sanchez said.

Patterns, for example, can be created on window glass with tape, stickers or washable tempera paint. Perforated vinyl film, which makes the glass appear opaque from the outside, and FeatherFriendly marker-pattern tape are also effective defensive barriers, she said.

Almost all the bird strikes occur at “homes, schools and places of business outside of downtown areas, where homeowners or renters can make a difference by assessing their own windows and looking at their own lighting.”

Turn off unnecessary lights

The National Audubon Society’s Lights Out Program encourages residents, businesses, building owners and managers “to turn off excess lighting during the months migrating birds are flying overhead…to provide them safe passage between their nesting and wintering grounds.”

“The key is to ensure the patterns or artwork are densely spaced so a small bird, like a hummingbird, won’t try to fly through,” Sanchez said.

Physical barriers, like screens installed outside windows, also provide visual deterrents.

Indoor lights can be an issue, too Interior lighting that’s visible through windows also poses a threat. Close blinds or shades at night and turn off lights when they’re not needed, Sanchez advised.

Small steps like these can make a big difference to wildlife.

That means turning off landscape lighting and keeping the porch light off overnight between mid-August and midNovember, and especially during October, when fall migration is at its peak here.

Migration in other regions will peak at different times — visit the BirdCast bird migration dashboard at dashboard.birdcast.info to find migration periods windows in your county.

“We can make the skies safer for birds by reducing the amount and intensity of exterior lighting and using only what’s necessary,” Sanchez said.

“This is a bigger problem than we realized,” Sanchez said. “We don’t necessarily see birds dying on a regular basis, but it is happening. So, whatever we can do in our own homes, in our own spaces, would really be very helpful.”

Jessica Damiano writes weekly gardening columns for the Associated Press and publishes the award-winning Weekly Dirt Newsletter.

Housing News

Village publishes guide to inclusive housing

As the LGBTQ+ population ages, they face unique challenges when considering a place to live.

After a history of discrimination, particularly in their youth, they may be wary of moving to a retirement community. In fact, according to a study from SAGE, a national advocacy organization for LGBTQ+ elders, 70% of these elders fear having to “re-closet” themselves when seeking housing.

Capitol Hill Village conducted a similar study, according to Sophia Ross, digital media and grant program strategist at Capitol Hill Village. The nonprofit discovered that “30% of the folks who responded to our survey said they were not sure they would be affirmed or felt comfortable. That number should have been zero,” Ross said.

With that in mind, Capitol Hill Village published a free guide to D.C. retirement communities. “DC Senior Living Communities: A Resource on LGBT Inclusion,” released in July, aims to help LGBTQ+ older adults and their families find inclusive senior living options in the D.C. area.

“It’s a first-of-its kind resource in the DMV,” said Ross, who conducted research for and oversaw the guide.

The project, funded by D.C.’s Department of Aging and Community Living, began two years ago. The District has more than 20 long-term care, assisted living and Life Plan properties, but only 10 responded to the survey and are included in the guide.

The 10 listings include anti-discrimination policies, staff training and pride celebrations. For instance, Insp ī r Embassy Row, which opened earlier this year in Dupont Circle, partners with SAGE to train its staff.

“We have training for all staff members through SAGE. This training occurs annually and when a new staff member is hired…Inspīr is an inclusive community and proud to be welcoming to all,” according to the guide.

As Ross sums it up, “This is a resource with information directly from care community representatives in D.C. on policies and other valuable data for prospective LGBT residents.”

The guide can help anyone who is considering a move, regardless of their gender or orientation, Ross said. “The first section [‘Preparing to Move’] is really valuable for anyone who’s aging and thinking about their future.”

Capitol Hill Village was established in 2007 and is one of 13 Villages in Washing-

ton, D.C. For more information about villages, see bit.ly/aboutvillages.

Read or download the 40-page publication at capitolhillvillage.org/lgbt-inclusionproject. —Margaret Foster

Maryland in top 10 for retiree

health

Whether you’re 55 or 105, your healthcare needs will almost always increase as you age. Finding an environment that promotes happiness and health while also providing top-notch healthcare can be a real challenge.

Kiplinger pored through data from MedicareGuide and Caring.com to find the best states for overall senior health. It turns out that Maryland ranks in the top 10 for best overall retiree healthcare.

By 2030, the U.S. population aged 65 and

older is projected to have reached roughly 71.6 million, based on estimates from S&P Global. Most older people will need quality healthcare to meet their most basic needs. Although every state has access to healthcare (most of which is very good), Caring.com lists these 10 as the best: 1. Utah; 2. Colorado; 3. Vermont; 4. New Hampshire; 5. Minnesota; 6. Hawaii; 7. Washington; 8. Connecticut; 9. Delaware; 10. Maryland

According to Caring.com, West Virginia is ranked as the best state for a low cost of living, about 16% lower than the national average. This means that older residents can make the most of lower housing and food costs, transportation, taxes and living expenses, while enjoying healthcare costs that are around 2.3% more affordable than in most other states.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency LLC.

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION AT SANDY SPRING

This free outdoor sculpture exhibit is organized in partnership with the Washington Sculptors Group and features 14 multimedia sculptures by 10 artists installed across Sandy Spring Museum’s 7-acre site. “Artina 2025: Upside Down — Inside Out” runs through Sun., Nov. 9 at 17901 Bentley Rd., Sandy Spring, MD. For more information, including hours, visit sandyspringmuseum.org, call (301) 774-0022 or email info@sandyspringmuseum.org.

Kathryn Pomroy

LIFE PLAN COMMUNITY

Falcons Landing 703-293-5054

20522 Falcons Landing Circle Potomac Falls, VA 20165 www.falconslanding.org

Located in scenic Loudoun County, Falcons Landing is a non-profit, CARF-accredited Life Plan Community. The award-winning community welcomes any person who has served at least four years in the uniformed services or a U.S. government agency, as well as those with significant connections to the national defense community. Others may also apply for residency on a case-by-case basis. As always, direct admission is available to those seeking a higher level of care, regardless of military or government service.

Offering an array of resort-style services and amenities, Falcons Landing provides older adults with a unique opportunity to retire in style.

Call to learn more about Independent Living eligibility or to schedule a tour!

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Matthews Memorial Terrace (202) 552-2572 TTY

#711

2632 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE Washington, D.C. 20020 www.MatthewsMemorialTerrace.com

Affordable 1- and 2-Bedroom Apartments for Seniors 62+!

Located in convenient Historic Anacostia, Matthews Memorial Terrace is close to the Metro and other public transportation. Our independent living community offers apartments featuring in-unit washer/dryer, central air conditioning, large closets, and Energy Star appliances.

Community amenities include a community room, covered parking, elevator, and on-site management and maintenance.

Income minimums: 1BR $36,000, 2BR $44,000. Minimum income limits do not apply for voucher holders. Maximum income limits apply to all applicants.

For more information, including how to apply, call (202) 552-2572, TTY #711, or visit our website at www.matthewsmemorialterrace.com

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Riderwood Retirement Community 877-742-4390

3140 Gracefield Road Silver Spring, MD 20904 Riderwood.com

Discover Riderwood, Silver Spring’s Favorite Senior Living Community

Active seniors agree: Riderwood is Silver Spring’s premier continuing care retirement community, for so many reasons.

1. Maintenance-free Living

Residences are big on style, budget-friendly, and maintenance-free.

2. Resort-Style Amenities and Activities

Dine with friends, work out or swim, take a class, or watch a performance. It’s all just steps from your door.

3. Health and Well-Being Services

The on-site medical center is staffed by full-time providers. Should your needs ever change, multiple levels of care are available on-site.

Get your FREE brochure today! Call 877-742-4390 or visit Riderwood.com.

Best ways to find a great handyman

Dear Savvy Senior,

What’s the best way to find a good handyman or tradesman that can help with small jobs around the house?

Dear Almost,

—Almost 75

Great question. Finding a good home repair/handyman can be a bit of a crapshoot. How do you find someone who will return your calls or texts, show up on time, do the job right and finish it, all at a fair price? Here are a few tips and resources that can help you search.

What kind of help

SAVVY SENIOR

By Jim Miller

While it may seem obvious, whom you call on for help will depend on what you need done. If, for example, you have an odd job or small home repair project that doesn’t require a lot of technical expertise, a handyperson may be all you need.

But if you have a job that involves electricity, plumbing, or heating or cooling systems, you’re better off going with a licensed tradesman. Bigger jobs like home renovations or remodeling may require a general contractor.

Where to find a pro

Whatever type of work you need, the best way to find it is through referrals from people you trust. If your friends or family don’t have any recommendations, turn to professionals in the field like local hardware or home improvement stores, or even real estate agents. Or, if you use social networking sites, you could also post a request for a handyperson on Facebook or Nextdoor (nextdoor.com).

If you don’t have any luck there, there are a number of online resources you can turn to that can quickly connect you to a wide variety of skilled workers in your area.

If you need someone for a home chore or small job, a popular option is Taskrabbit (taskrabbit.com), which lists thousands of freelance workers that have undergone background checks. Here you can get help with things like furniture assembly; lifting or moving heavy items; mounting or hanging TVs,

BEACON BITS

Oct. 11

shelves or pictures; minor home repairs; cleaning services; yard work and more. Taskers set their own hourly rates, which are displayed on their website before you book. Some other good options for locating handypeople are fix-it franchises like Ace Handyman (acehandymanservices.com), Handyman Connection (handymanconnection.com) and Mr. Handyman (mrhandyman.com). These companies vet and insure their staff, but they may be more expensive than Taskrabbit.

If, however, you’re in the market for specialist like a plumber, electrician, painter, roofer or carpenter as well as a handyperson, try Angi (angi.com). They too vet their independent contractors, and you can request quotes from several candidates.

Thumbtack (thumbtack.com) is another good resource that’s similar to Angi, but it offers more details like average response time, specifics about the work they do, and photos of past projects.

Things to know

Once you’ve located a few candidates, here are some steps you can take to protect your money and ensure you’re satisfied with the results.

First, get a handwritten estimate or digital contract that lists the tasks and the hourly rate or project fee. Also, ask to see their proof of insurance, which covers any damages they may cause while working on your home, and ask for several references from past jobs.

You should also pay after the work is done, not before. But it’s not unusual to be asked for a small deposit for material costs upfront. And if possible, you should pay with a credit card, because you can dispute the payment if something goes wrong with the job. Checks and electronic payments like PayPal, Venmo and Zelle don’t offer the same level of protection.

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

A CAPPELLA BARBERSHOP SHOWCASE

Harmony Explosion MoCo 2025, an educational music experience produced by the Germantown chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society, features a showcase with performances by high school student participants as well as Harmony Express, Glen Echoes quartet, and the international award-winning quartet Quorum. This event takes place on Sat. Oct. 11 at 6 p.m. at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre at the Rockville Civic Center, 603 Edmonston Dr., Rockville, MD. Tickets cost $25; $18 for children 12 and under (this does not include the $.50 per ticket processing fee). For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/BarbershopShowcase.

FREE HOUSING AND OTHER INFORMATION

Home Health/

Adult Day Care

r BestSenior Care

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.B12, 32

r Matthews Memorial Terrace . .B3, B8

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INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Introducing The Grandview

1-888-645-7516

6701 Democracy Blvd., Suite 150-B Bethesda, MD 20817

TheGrandviewSeniorLiving.com

Experience Distinctive Senior Living at The Grandview

The Grandview℠, Bethesda’s bold, new vision for senior living, is just a few months away from opening! Only a few residences remain, so now is the time to reserve your home in this uniquely cosmopolitan community.

Explore a variety of stylish and contemporary floor plans featuring stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, reserved garage parking, and so much more. Here you’re just steps away from the region’s best shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Grandview provides you with more than just a home; it’s vibrant senior living reimagined. Residences are nearly gone, so reserve your home today before someone else does.

Call 1-888-645-7516 to schedule your appointment today! The Grandview is pending approval from the Maryland Department of Aging.

REHABILITATION

Brooke Grove Retirement Village

301-321-8707

18100 Slade School Road

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

www.bgf.org

Imagine an extraordinary staff and the best therapies and equipment—in a beautiful environment that rejuvenates and restores. Physical therapy spaces bathed in sunlight. The quiet comfort of a garden walk or relaxing massage. Imagine getting back to the activities that matter to you. Our new, state-of-the-art rehab addition at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center offers innovative therapy services for seniors, including NeuroGym® Technologies mobility training, the Korebalance system and much more. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing-care retirement communities in the state. Rehab here is simply different… because what surrounds you really matters.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Ashby Ponds

877-664-5445

44795 Audubon Square

Ashburn, VA 20147

AshbyPonds.com

Ashby Ponds. More of What You Want in Senior Living. There’s more to love at Loudoun County’s premier continuing care retirement community:

•More Amenities: Enjoy nine on-site dining venues, the fitness centers and pools, 100+ clubs and activities, a day spa, a gorgeous and gated 132-acre campus, and more.

•More Value: Most of your regular expenses, plus amenities, are included in your Monthly Service Package. This predictable monthly bill covers utilities, property taxes, home maintenance, and more.

•More Peace of Mind: In addition to an on-site medical center, the community offers higher levels of care should you ever need them.

Get your FREE brochure today! Call 1-877-664-5445 or visit AshbyPonds.com

How can hospice help those with terminal illnesses?

By Maisha Robinson, M.D. and Molly Kilpatrick, M.D

Dear Mayo Clinic: I have a loved one who was referred for hospice care. I’m not sure what this means. Can you share more about what hospice care is and how it may help my family member?

A: Hospice care might be an option for people who are nearing the end of life due to a terminal illness and have exhausted all other treatment options.

Unlike other medical care, the focus of hospice care is not to cure the underlying disease. The goal is to support the highest quality of life possible for whatever time remains. Enrolling in hospice care early can help your loved one live better.

Hospice care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who aim to maximize comfort for a person by reducing pain and addressing physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. To help families, hospice care also provides counseling, respite care and other support, including bereavement services.

Who is eligible for hospice care?

Hospice services are typically for a person who is expected to have six months or less to live.

Many people who receive hospice care have cancer, but hospice care is available for patients with other serious or advanced medical conditions, such as heart disease, dementia, kidney failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Apart from the benefits to the patient, hospice care decreases the burden on family, decreases the family’s likelihood of having a complicated grief, and prepares family members for their loved one’s death.

Additionally, since many family members often serve as the primary caregiver for their loved one, hospice care can offer a break to caregivers by allowing a patient to be cared for at a facility for a period of time. This is known as respite care.

Who is involved in hospice care?

While many people opt to receive hospice care at home, it also can be available at hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities and dedicated hospice facilities. Typically, hospice staff will make regular visits to your home or other setting. Hospice staff are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A hospice care team typically includes:

• Doctors. A primary care doctor and a hospice doctor or medical director will oversee care. Each patient can choose whether to have their existing primary care doctor or a hospice specialist as their main physician.

• Nurses. Nurses are an integral part of the care team and usually are responsible for coordination of the hospice care team.

• Home health aides. Home health aides can provide extra support with routine

care, such as dressing, bathing and eating.

• Spiritual counselors. Chaplains, priests, lay ministers or other spiritual counselors can provide spiritual care and guidance for the entire family.

• Social workers. Social workers provide counseling and support. They also can provide referrals to other support systems.

• Pharmacists. Pharmacists provide medication oversight and suggestions regarding the most effective ways to relieve symptoms.

• Volunteers. Trained volunteers offer a variety of services, including providing company or respite for caregivers, and helping with transportation or other practical needs.

• Doulas and other professionals. Speech, physical and occupational therapists can provide therapy, if needed. End-of-life doulas can provide support for the whole family.

• Bereavement counselors. Trained bereavement counselors offer support and guidance after the death of a loved one in hospice.

Selecting a hospice program

Speak with your care team, including doctors, nurses and social workers, about their experiences with different hospice programs. Also, ask friends and your local or state office on aging.

Consider the following questions when evaluating a hospice program:

• Is the hospice program Medicare-certified? Is the program reviewed and licensed by the state or certified in some other way? Is the program accredited by the Joint Commission?

• Who makes up the hospice care team, and how are they trained or screened? Is the hospice medical director board-certified in hospice and palliative care medicine?

• What services are offered to a person who is terminally ill? How are pain and other symptoms managed?

• Does the hospice program have a dedicated pharmacist to help adjust medications?

• Is residential hospice available?

• How are hospice care services provided after-hours?

• How long does it take to get accepted into the hospice care program?

• What services are offered to the family? Are respite services available for caregivers? Are bereavement services available?

Remember, hospice stresses care over cure. The goal is to provide comfort during the final months and days of life. —

Maisha Robinson, M.D., Neurology, and Molly Kilpatrick, M.D., Palliative Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida 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.

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INDEPENDENT LIVING • ASSISTED LIVING • MEMORY CARE

Inspīr Embassy Row 202-293-2100

2100 Massachusetts Ave NW Washington, DC 20008

https://inspirseniorliving.com/senior-living-washington-dc

In the heart of Washington, D.C.’s prestigious Embassy Row neighborhood, a beacon of luxury senior living has emerged, setting a new standard in assisted living and memory care. Inspīr Embassy Row, formerly the historic Fairfax at Embassy Row hotel, has undergone a remarkable transformation, and at its core lies a commitment to providing an exceptional lifestyle for older adults. At Inspīr Embassy Row, residents experience a lifestyle that combines comfort, elegance, and the finest amenities. From the moment one steps through the doors, it’s evident that this is more than just a place to live; it is Senior Living redefined. Call 202-293-2100 to learn more or to schedule a private tour.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-321-8707

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bgf.org

This community hums with warm-hearted camaraderie and a zest for life shared by residents and staff alike. Experience all that makes assisted living at Brooke Grove extraordinary. Cozy, homelike dwellings with easy access to beautiful courtyards and walking paths. Caring staff trained in using memory support techniques, building independence and lifting self-esteem. Innovative LIFE® Enrichment Programming with meaningful activities and off-site adventures. Visit us to see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most sought-after continuing care retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

LIVING COMMUNITY

877-589-9570

7440 Spring Village Drive • Springfield, VA 22150 GreenspringCommunity.com

Retired and love to golf? Best cities for golfers

By Kathryn Pomroy

If you’re retired and golf is your game of choice, check out this list of the 2025 Best Cities for Golfers.

LawnStarter compared the number of public and private golf courses, PGA courses with public access, driving ranges, amateur competitions and average course consumer rating among 27 total metrics in the 500 largest U.S. cities.

Unsurprisingly, many of the best cities for golfers are in the Southwest or the Southeast, led by a pair of cities in Arizona.

Only three northern cities “chipped” into the top 25 — New York (No. 5), Chicago (No. 7), and Denver (No. 11). Chicago stands out with a wealth of municipal courses (open to all), plus tons of gear shops and indoor ranges.

Top 10 best golf courses for retirees

1. Scottsdale, Arizona

Overall Score: 55.29

No. of Public Golf Courses within 20 miles: 54 | Rank: 11

Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. (Golf Digest): 1 | Rank: 3

Number of PGA Courses Available for Public Play: 1 | Rank: 1

Number of Golf Resorts: 8 | Rank: 2

Some of the finest courses in Scottsdale include Troon North Golf Club, known for its stunning desert landscapes and challenging fairways, or PopStroke Scottsdale, a course designed by Tiger Woods that combines two 18-hole mini-golf courses with a full restaurant and sports bar.

2. Phoenix, Arizona

Overall Score: 54.76

No. of Public Golf Courses within

Greenspring. Vibrant Senior Living. Unmatched Peace of Mind. An active lifestyle, with peace of mind awaits you at Springfield’s premier continuing care retirement community.

Stylish Homes. A Wealth of Amenities. Choose from a variety of stylish floor plans to suit your needs and budget. You’re just steps from the fitness center, pool, clubhouses, and eight restaurants.

Exceptional Financial Value

We make life predictable and simple. Your Monthly Service Package covers all utilities, home maintenance, and amenities in a single bill. Health and Well-Being Services

Receive convenient care when you need it at the on-site medical center. The community also includes higher levels of care If your needs ever change.

Get your FREE brochure today! Call 877-589-9570 or visit GreenspringCommunity.com.

MD 20906

20 miles: 74 | Rank: 6

Number of Golf Resorts: 7 | Rank: 3

Number of Driving Ranges: 12

Number of Amateur Golf Competitions and Tournaments: 12 | Rank: 4

On the other side of the Valley from Scottsdale, Phoenix offers an authentic desert golf experience with scenic mountain views and challenging greens at Papago Golf Club. Or visit the renovated Arizona Biltmore Golf Club, known for its manicured fairways and historic charm.

3. Los Angeles, California

Overall Score: 54.12

Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the World (Golf Magazine): 2 | Rank: 1

Number of Top 100 Golf Courses in the U.S. (Golf Digest): 2 | Rank: 1

Number of Facilities Offering Golf Lessons: 42 | Rank: 1

Number of PGA Golf Coaches: 13

Number of Amateur Golf Competitions and Tournaments: 12 | Rank: 4

Play like the pros at the members-only Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, a favorite PGA Tour stop. For a more laidback game, try Rancho Park Golf Course, a classic public course that is affordable and full of local charm.

4. Orlando, Florida

Overall Score: 51.27

Number of Best Golf Courses for Public Access (Golfweek magazine): 1

Number of PGA Courses Available for Public Play: 1 | Rank: 1

Number of Golf Resorts: 10 | Rank: 1

Number of Driving Ranges: 15

Number of PGA Golf Coaches: 20

The Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando

Homecrest House is a non-profit, affordable, subsidized senior adult community nestled amidst 10 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds with its own lake, neighboring Leisure World, The three residential buildings on the B'nai B'rith Homecrest campus provide 235 apartments for Independent Living, some designed for adults with physical mobility challenges, and 42 apartments offering Enhanced Care Services. We invite you to come look at our elegant new appearance. Don't delay, call for a personalized tour now at 301-598-4000 ext. 79 or visit us at www.homecresthouse.org.

From

is renowned for hosting the Arnold Palmer Invitational and featuring challenging fairways. To practice your swing, visit Orange County National Golf Center, home to two championship courses and America’s largest driving range.

5. New York, New York

Overall Score: 50.20

No. of Private Golf Courses within 20 miles: 57 | Rank: 9

Number of Driving Ranges: 11

Number of Indoor and Virtual Golf Facilities: 7 | Rank: 1

Number of Facilities Offering Golf Lessons: 39 | Rank: 2

Hit the fairway at Bethpage State Park Golf Course in nearby Long Island, a public course that even hosted the U.S. Open. Or check out Pelham Bay & Split Rock Golf Course in the Bronx, where you can play 36 holes surrounded by parkland.

6. Las Vegas, Nevada

Overall Score: 49.21

Course Quality Rank: 43

Besides plenty of sunshine, casinos and entertainment galore, Las Vegas also offers some of the best golf in the country, coming in at number six.

Palm Valley Golf Course is located in the heart of the valley and boasts a mature layout that is neatly manicured with long fairways and rolling greens.

Or, check out Durango Hills Golf Club, a Lee Schmidt/Brian Curley-designed public 18-hole par 58 golf course.

7. Chicago, Illinois

Overall Score: 47.30

Course Quality Rank: 211

Although often overlooked as a mecca for golf, Chicago has its share of fabulous golf courses for retirees. Chicago Golf Club, a private golf club located just outside the city in Wheaton, ranks right up there with the top in the nation.

Shoreacres Golf Club also ranks as one of the best in the Chicago area.

8. Mesa, Arizona

Overall Score: 46.69

Course Quality Rank: 148

Mesa is located southeast of Phoenix.

Like both Scottsdale and Phoenix, Mesa offers a number of golf courses where retirees can feel at least reasonably confident of making the putt.

One of the best is Painted Mountain Golf Resort — an 18-hole, par 70 course. Toka Sticks Golf Club also ranks high for its bent grass fairways and greens.

9. Houston, Texas

Overall Score: 46.00

Course Quality Rank: 187

Houston, Texas boasts 57 courses within a 15-mile radius of the city limits; 32 are public courses and 25 are private courses. Houston’s Gus Wortham Municipal Course, just a few miles from downtown, has a scenic, rolling layout with greens

that veer one way and then the other. Many of the game’s best professionals have tested their games at the vaunted Cypress Creek Course. Now, it’s your turn.

10. Dallas, Texas

Overall Score: 45.96

Course Quality Rank: 63 Coming in at number 10 is Dallas, with five courses within the city limits, including three public, five municipal, and 17 private golf courses.

Brook Hollow Golf Course is the oldest course in Dallas, Trinity Forest Golf Course is the longest, Brookhaven is the easiest, and if you’re up for a challenge, The Clubs of Prestonwood Hills Course is the hardest.

View the full list at lawnstarter.com/ blog/studies/best-cities-for-golfers.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE

Vinson Hall 571-556-4136

6251 Old Dominion Drive McLean, VA 22101 www.vinsonhall.org

Older adults wishing to continue their active lifestyle, meet new friends, and enjoy their favorite pursuits will discover that Vinson Hall is the perfect place to call home. This vibrant Life Plan Community in McLean, Virginia, just across the river from Washington, D.C., offers inviting dining venues, social, cultural, and educational opportunities, life-enriching amenities, and first-class hospitality services. As a Life Plan Community, Vinson Hall offers living options beyond Independent Living. Residents have access to a continuum of care in our highly rated Arleigh Burke Pavilion, and Memory Support in The Sylvestery. Don’t wait – schedule your tour today! Visit VinsonHall.org of call us at 571-556-4136

OCTOBER

R EVENTS

aphnis et Chloé

D é & Simon Trpčeski

The NSO conjures an intoxicating Mediterranean a dreamscape with Ravvel’s ballet Daphnis et Chloé! Simon Trpčeski joins the NSO for Saint-Saëns’s tender Piano Concerto No. 2.

Gianandrea Noseda , conductor

Simon Trpčeski , piano

Choral Arts Society of Washington

Oct. 2–4 | Concert Hall

Schubert’s “Unfinished”

Capuçon plaayys Berg

Hans Graf conducts Schubert’s expansive Symphony No. 8, the great “Unfinished” masterwork. Renaud Capuçon performs Alban Berg’s mysterious Violin Concerto.

Hans Graf , conductor

Renaud Capuç on , violin

Oct. 9–11 | Concert Hall

NSO PRESENTS:

Matthias Goerne & Daniil Trifonov

T Twwo titans of classical music join forces for an intimate performance of Schubert’s song cycle W Wiinterreise, a work unfolding in 24 heartbreaking, hopeful songs for voice and piano.

Please note: the NSO does not perform on this program.

Oct. 21 | Concert Hall

Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga

Concert Experience

Embark on a larger-than-life, live-to-picture cinematic journey featuring music and moments from The Avengers, Irroon Man, Black Panther, and more.

y Disne ensed b Presentation lic by ey y Concer ts. All rights reser ved.

Oct. 23–25 | Concert Hall

An Evening of Beethoven

Eschenbach returns: ifh

Former NSO Music Director Christoph Eschenbach returns with an all-Beethoven program featuring the joyous Symphony No. 7, Overture to Egmont, and Violin Concerto with Isabelle Faust.

Christoph Eschenbach, conductor Isabelle Faust , violin

Oct. 16, 18 & 19 | Concert Hall

Grimaud plaayys Gershwin

Don Juan & Romeo and Juliet idl hi

Jader Bignamini conducts Strauss’ on J D Juuan, a man’s restless pursuit of passion; and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and J Juuliet, a fated tale of love. Hélène Grimaud performs Gershhwwin’s jazzy Piano Concerto.

Jader Bignamini , conductor

Hélène Grimaud , piano

Oct. 30–Nov. 1 | Concert Hall

Can you afford your house in five years?

By Maurie Backman

Homeowners are often advised to try to pay off their mortgages ahead of retirement. That way, they’ll have one less expense to contend with on a fixed income.

But while shedding a mortgage payment could free up room in your budget as a retiree, that doesn’t mean you won’t have other homeowner expenses to deal with, like property taxes, maintenance and insurance.

Even with a paid-off home, your costs of ownership could rise in retirement, causing financial stress and making it difficult to keep up. It’s important to understand the costs of continuing to own a house — and to take steps to protect yourself financially.

Appeal your property taxes

In August, the Federal Housing House Price Index measured a 2.9% increase in U.S. home values on a year-over-year basis. When home values rise, property tax bills tend to follow suit, which can be a huge problem for retirees on a budget.

That’s why Colton Pace, co-founder and CEO at Ownwell, a property tax appeal service, said older homeowners need to be informed about property tax relief programs.

“In most states, people 60 or 65 and older can lower their property taxes through homestead exemptions and property tax freeze programs,” he said.

If you’re older, it pays to check with your state’s Department of Revenue or Division of Taxation to see what programs you might qualify for. [Ed. Note: D.C., Maryland and several Northern Virgina locales offer a senior citizen homestead discount of 50%, and your county may offer additional discounts.]

And remember, even if you don’t qualify for a property tax freeze, you can always appeal your property taxes on the basis that your home assessment is too high.

Pace also points out that recent changes to the SALT (state and local tax) deduction could spell relief for some homeowners in high-tax states.

“Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the SALT deduction cap was temporarily raised through 2029 to $40,000,” Pace explained. The previous limit was $10,000.

However, he warned, “You can only deduct property taxes if you itemize deductions on your federal tax return.”

There are also income limits associated with this new rule, though they’re quite high.

Homeowners in states that include Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massa-

chusetts and California may benefit the most from this change, according to the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Shop for homeowners insurance

Homeowners insurance can be a huge expense for older homeowners — especially when rates keep going up. Bankrate reports that the average U.S. homeowners policy costs $2,408 per year for a $300,000 dwelling limit.

It’s important to shop around for a policy every year. You may be eligible for a discount based on your age or other factors.

Budget for maintenance

Home maintenance and repairs often push older homeowners to their breaking point.

State Farm says a good rule of thumb is to set aside 1% to 4% of your home’s value for maintenance each year.

If you want to make sure you’ll be able to afford to stay in your home long-term, you may want to create an emergency fund for home repairs and maintenance specifically.

Generally speaking, it’s a good idea for retirees to hold enough cash to cover one to two years of bills in case there’s a market event that sends portfolio values plummeting. Having dedicated funds for home-related costs takes some of the pressure off.

As Pace said, “All homes require upkeep, ranging from affordable fixes like deep cleaning to more expensive jobs like roof or foundation repairs. Ignoring urgent needs can lead to hazards and bigger bills down the road.”

A matter of priorities

As a retired homeowner, it’s best to expect that your costs will rise continuously from year to year. There are steps you can take to mitigate that, like looking into property tax programs, shopping for homeowners insurance annually, and having separate funds for maintenance and repairs.

But at the end of the day, if your homerelated expenses are eating too heavily into your budget, there may come a point when downsizing makes sense.

Ultimately, you’ll need to ask yourself what takes priority: flexibility in your budget or staying put. There’s no right or wrong answer, but it pays to consider a move if the stress of keeping up with your home outweighs the benefits of living in it.

© 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

Brooke Grove Retirement Village 301-321-8707

18100 Slade School Road Sandy Spring, MD 20860 www.bgf.org

You’ll feel it as soon as you drive onto our 220-acre campus of lush pastures and hardwood forest—all that makes independent living at Brooke Grove different. Beautiful cottages in a truly picturesque setting. Maintenance-free living, with more time for what you really want to do. Personalized fitness programs, meals prepared by talented chefs, clubs and social events. Neighbors who share your interests and passions. Come for a visit and see why Brooke Grove Retirement Village is one of the most soughtafter retirement communities in the state. Living here is simply different … because what surrounds you really matters.

ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITY

Chevy Chase House 202-905-0708

5420 Connecticut Avenue NW Washington, DC 20015 www.chevychasehouse.com

Chevy Chase House provides boutique assisted living for older adults looking for personalized care without compromising lifestyle and active living. In addition to 24-hour nursing available, the community features Life Inspired, the daily activities program that promotes overall wellness, socialization, and a Chef-prepared dining experience. Unique to the Chevy Chase House is its partnership with FOX Rehab to not only provide on-site physical, occupational and speech therapies, but also employs a full-time exercise physiologist to help residents with improving balance and mobility, strength training, and fall prevention programming.

Conveniently located on Connecticut Avenue in D.C.

Call 202-905-0708 to schedule a tour or stop by Chevy Chase House to learn more.

INDEPENDENT LIVING COMMUNITY

4595 Burke Station Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032 WoodleighChase.com

More Fun. More Value. More Peace of Mind.

For distinctive retirement living, look no further than Woodleigh Chase®. The premier senior living community in Fairfax offers floor plans to fit your style and budget, exciting amenities, and services to enhance your health and well-being—all in a location you love!

Stay active and enjoy countless opportunities to explore hobbies, entertainment, education, and more. The on-site medical center is just steps from your door and security staff trained in emergency response is just moments away.

Don’t wait to learn more!

Call 1-877-211-6968 or visit WoodleighChase.com for your free bochure.

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To avoid getting scammed, send unknown numbers to voicemail, freeze your credit and set strict privacy controls. See story on page 18.

Why so many people are afraid to retire

By Cyrus Bamji

Ready, set — wait just a minute!

This is what it looks like at the starting line of the largest-ever group of Americans who expected to be racing into retirement but are having second thoughts about leaving their jobs.

According to the Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI) 2025 Protected Retirement Income and Planning Study,the only annual retirement study that surveys both consumers and financial advisers, 38% of consumers aged 61 to 65 are considering postponing their retirement, while financial advisers say 28% of their clients have already delayed it.

The fear of retirement is happening just as our country is hitting Peak 65, when more people are turning 65 — about 11,200 each day — than at any time in history.

Triple whammy of financial worries

For a growing number of people, a trifecta of worries — inflation concerns, doubts about the viability and future benefits of Social Security and having sufficient savings — is enough for people to seriously reconsider quitting work.

The survey found:

• Inflation (67%) and healthcare costs (60%) are overwhelmingly the top worries

of consumers ages 45 to 75 when asked to identify the top financial concerns in retirement.

• 58% of those consumers are concerned that Social Security benefits will be reduced based on recent policy actions, and 52% report less confidence in Social Security compared to five years ago.

Given those growing doubts, 35% say they are considering claiming benefits earlier than planned, leaving significantly larger future payouts on the table than if they waited to claim.

More than half of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers (54%) are fearful of outliving their savings in retirement, up from 48% in last year’s survey.

The research shows retirement jitters are magnified for the 32% who are counting on Social Security as their sole source of guaranteed income in retirement.

Those without a source of protected income — a pension or annuity — are twice as likely (36%) to delay retirement than those without (17%).

Gloomy outlook

According to a recent economic analysis published by the Retirement Income Institute, two-thirds of Peak 65 consumers aged 61 to 65 will be challenged to meet their fi-

nancial needs in retirement, let alone maintain their current standard of living.

More than half (52.5%) of these Peak boomers have assets of $250,000 or less. Given the likelihood of their living 20 or more years in retirement, they are most likely to exhaust their savings and be forced to rely mainly on Social Security, especially later in retirement when long-term care and healthcare costs are likely to be greater.

Already, 33% of retirees say they are spending faster than anticipated, making it no surprise that 47% say spending money in retirement gives them anxiety.

Confidence builders

So what can be done to help Americans feel more confident about retiring?

First, Congress needs to seriously focus on shoring up Social Security, so people don’t have to constantly confront headlines about the program’s trust fund going broke sooner than expected.

Rather than wait until the last minute to make the changes needed, policymakers need to move now to ensure workers can count on the promise of Social Security.

Second, financial advisers can help their clients through this period of uncertainty by taking their worries seriously.

The ALI survey suggests this is happen-

How to stay busy and happy in

I have been retired from full-time work for 30 years now, and I probably have been more active during retirement than when I was working full-time.

Many individuals in retirement are bored because they have not found activities that give them satisfaction. Maybe that’s because they haven’t tried hard enough to find activities that challenge them.

personal finance for AARP members.

For more than 15 years, I volunteered in Orlando, Florida, with my wife as a state-certified court mediator helping individuals deal with debt collectors and other financial issues.

During my “retirement,” I have taught personal finance courses at local colleges, volunteered for Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) advising small business owners, volunteered at AARP helping individuals file their taxes, and conducted seminars on

By Elliot Raphaelson

Of course, for the past 15 years, I have been writing a syndicated personal finance column. I encourage my readers to ask any questions they have regarding personal finance issues.

It is not unusual to receive 100 responses to columns, especially when new Social Security regulations or tax regulations change. I try to answer all the responses I receive.

ing. Sixty-five percent of advisers said they changed their retirement planning approach over the past year to address client worries about market volatility, inflation and rising interest rates.

More than half of advisers said they are putting more client investments into annuities, which now ranks as the most popular change in investment strategy.

Finally, more people should seek help from a financial adviser. The ALI survey shows 70% of consumers working with an adviser are confident in their ability to create a retirement income plan — twice as many as those without professional financial help.

Unfortunately, just one in four people works with a financial adviser, according to YouGov data, and one of the biggest barriers to using an adviser is cost.

More people should be trying to find an adviser who can work with them for a fee they can live with, so they can gain the confidence they are lacking to land on a stable, reliable retirement plan.

This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA. © 2025 The Kiplinger Washington Editors, Inc. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

retirement

Many readers ask me complicated questions that require some research. Fortunately, experts in the field are happy to respond to complex issues. For example, I receive many inquiries regarding retirement plans, and when I ask the experts at Ed Slott’s group for advice, they generally respond with an accurate answer the same day. Regarding Social Security issues, I work with several experts, and I receive prompt responses.

Find a hobby

It’s important to find activities to fill your hours. If you are interested in expanding your education, most local colleges are offering free or inexpensive courses for you to develop new skills and new hobbies.

One of my favorite activities is playing

contract bridge, which I have played for more than 60 years. One of my favorite partners just celebrated his 95th birthday, and he plays better than most of our opponents. Playing bridge will keep you young and help you maintain life skills you need. I prefer duplicate bridge because you only compete against players who receive the same cards as you do, so you don’t have the excuse of receiving poor cards. If you enjoy playing cards, you won’t find a more challenging game.

In most locations in the U.S., you can take courses at minimum costs. At the bridge club I belong to, for a $5 fee, you receive excellent training for several hours for beginners and intermediate levels. After the course is over, you can then play duplicate

THE SAVINGS GAME

Talk about scams and how to spot them

By Kimberly Palmer

When a scam artist called Cameron Huddleston’s mom to tell her to wire money to claim a prize, Huddleston had to intercept the calls. Her mom, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was convinced she had to wire the money as soon as possible.

“That was a wake-up call for me. If you have any cognitive decline, you don’t see those red flags anymore,” said Huddleston, who is the director of education at Carefull, a service built to protect aging adults’ daily finances. She also wrote the book Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk, which is about how to have important conversations about money with your parents.

Scam artists often target older adults, partly because they have more wealth.

“From a criminal’s perspective, which target will give you the greatest returns: a broke 20-something who is struggling

with student loans or a baby boomer with a couple million dollars of retirement assets?” asked Marti DeLiema, assistant professor of social work at University of Minnesota’s School of Social Work.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers age 60 and older filed 467,340 fraud reports in 2021, reporting total losses of more than $1 billion. Overall, consumers age 60 and older are less likely to report losing money to fraud than those ages 18 to 59.

But when they do report a monetary loss, it tends to be for more money, especially among those 80 and older. They had the highest median loss of all groups, at $1,500. The FTC reports that older adults are more likely than younger adults to lose money on scams involving tech support, prizes, sweepstakes and lotteries, and family and friend impersonation.

What you can do

Here are some steps fraud experts suggest taking to protect yourself, your parents or other older adults you care about: Raise the topic. “Talking about scams can be one of the easier conversations because we’re all targeted,” Huddleston said. And you can use your own experiences or trending news to put it out there in a way that isn’t condescending.

DeLiema said explaining specific scams — such as a stranger reaching out over social media saying they want to be friends and then asking for money, or fake text messages claiming to be a grandchild who needs immediate help — can greatly reduce the chances that someone will fall for them.

“If you know about the scam first, you’re 80% less likely to respond,” she said.

“If you have funded a revocable trust, then you have a vehicle in place where you can quickly step in if you suspect someone is taking advantage of your parents, be it a fake charity or the ‘your grandson is in jail in Mexico’ scam,” he said.

Know the warning signs. If an older adult is suddenly reluctant to talk about finances, has trouble paying for everyday expenses or has a high number of incoming phone calls or text messages, those are all potential signs of fraud, said John Breyault of the National Consumers League, a nonprofit advocacy group.

Scammers are adept at creating a false sense of urgency, Breyault said, telling their targets that they must send funds immediately or the IRS or other authority will come.

Lean on anti-fraud tools. A few simple steps can help avert fraud, such as setting phones to send unknown numbers to voicemail, using a credit freeze, and setting stricter privacy controls on social media, said Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support for AARP. “These are things we should all be doing,” she said, adding that you can set this up for yourself at the same time.

“They are incredibly inventive,” he added, noting that methods and techniques are constantly evolving. The FTC reports that scam artists are even using artificial intelligence to mimic voices.

If fraud does occur, help the authorities track and prosecute it by reporting it, Nofziger said. Start by reporting to your local police department and using the FTC’s online reporting portal (reportfraud.ftc.gov).

The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline has a toll-free number you can call: 1-877908-3360.

It’s also relatively easy to sign up for financial account monitoring or to receive alerts for every transaction, Huddleston said. In some cases, it could make sense to allow adult children to also monitor those accounts, depending on the parents’ comfort level and support needs. [Ed. Note: EverSafe is one such service.]

Legal tools such as a durable power of attorney, a guardianship or a revocable trust can keep an older adult’s money safe from scammers, said James Ferraro, a vice president and trust counsel at Argent Trust Company, a wealth management firm headquartered in Ruston, Louisiana.

Avoid shaming. The shame and embarrassment people feel when victimized can make a stressful situation worse.

“Lead the conversation with kindness and empathy, not anger or belittlement,” Nofzigar said. “You can say, ‘I’m sorry this happened to you. Together we’ll figure out next steps. There is no problem that we can’t solve or recover from.’”

Reassuring words can keep older adults, and their money, safer from scam artists in the future. —AP/NerdWallet

Peace of Mind is Priceless

What funeral directors wish everyone knew

By Family Features

Most people don’t want to think about death, let alone talk about it. When the time comes, families often find themselves overwhelmed, not only by grief but by the many decisions that need to be made quickly.

Funeral directors witness this every day. They see the stress and confusion that can come when there is no plan in place and the peace of mind that comes with thoughtful preparation.

After consulting funeral directors nationwide, the National Funeral Directors Association uncovered five things they wish families knew.

1. It’s never too early to start planning.

While everyone knows death and taxes are inevitable, conversations about death are often avoided.

Simply documenting your wishes and discussing your preferences with your family can alleviate the difficult decisions your loved ones will have to make in the future. Speak with a funeral director to explore the many options for planning a meaningful funeral.

2. Legal and financial details can cause unexpected issues.

Families often don’t realize power of at-

Savings Game

From page 17

bridge with experienced players for three hours for a $10 fee, with refreshments, five times a week in a friendly environment. Once you become more experienced, you can attend regional and national tournaments to test your skill against experienced players. You may play against War-

torney ends at death, meaning a designated person can no longer make decisions or access bank accounts after an individual dies.

To avoid complications, consider adding a trusted loved one to your bank account and ensure life insurance beneficiaries are up to date. Too often, deceased individuals leave minor children, deceased spouses or former partners as beneficiaries, leading to legal and financial challenges.

3. Final wishes shouldn’t be in your will.

Many people believe the best place to document their final wishes is in their will. However, wills are often not read until after funeral services take place, making them an unreliable way to communicate last requests.

Instead, discuss and document your wishes with family members or a trusted funeral professional who can keep your wishes on file until there is a need.

4. There are a variety of memorialization options.

End-of-life planning offers more choices than many realize. While burial remains a common preference, cremation is an increasingly popular choice and can even include a viewing and funeral service. Additionally, eco-friendly options, such as alkaline hydrolysis, natural burial and

ren Buffett or Bill Gates, who are both avid bridge players.

Bottom line: There is no excuse to be bored in retirement. Your local paper will generally indicate ways to volunteer, learn new hobbies and expand your education.

Elliot Raphaelson welcomes your questions and comments at raphelliot@gmail.com.

© 2025 Elliot Raphaelson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

ENSEMBLE GALILEI CONCERT

Ensemble Galilei celebrates its 35th anniversary with a mix of Irish reels, Scottish airs, early music and original compositions. Five talented musicians bring passion and creativity to every performance, weaving traditions into memorable musical storytelling. Hear them in concert on Mon., Oct. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sanctuary at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 10701 Old Georgetown Rd., Rockville, MD. Tickets are $20 in advance (plus a $2 box office fee) or $25 at the door. For more information and to reserve tickets, visit imtfolk.org/10-27-ensemble-galilei.

DIGITAL SKILLS TRAINING

These free digital skills classes are designed for individuals who want to increase their confidence in using technology while maintaining online safety. The Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs offers a variety of classes from Tue., Oct. 28 through Thu., Oct. 30 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Arlington Mill Community Center, Room 503, 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington, VA. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/techskillstraining or call Mona Farah at (703) 228-0951.

Nov. 5

ARLINGTON BIRD WALK

The Northern Virginia Bird Club hosts a free, informal walk through Glencarlyn Park for both beginners and experienced birders. Meet on Wed., Nov. 5 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA. Bring binoculars if you have them. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/Arlingtonbirdwalk or call Barbara Farley at (703) 228-6535.

natural organic reduction are becoming more widely available for those seeking green memorialization. In fact, according to NFDA’s 2024 Consumer Awareness and Preferences Study, 68% of respondents expressed interest in green funeral options.

5. Funeral directors can be your guides.

Funeral directors play a vital role in helping families create meaningful services that reflect their loved one’s life, values and traditions. Whether you are planning ahead or facing a recent loss, funeral professionals provide expertise, compassionate care and personalized guidance during one of life’s most difficult moments.

Choosing the right funeral director is an important decision and finding someone who understands your needs can make all

the difference in honoring your loved one in a personal and meaningful way.

Use comprehensive resources like RememberingALife.com, which is designed to guide families through every stage of the journey, including planning, funeral options and grief resources. The site offers valuable tools and support, such as the “Find a Funeral Home” tool to connect families with compassionate, local funeral directors and much more.

Start the conversation today by talking about end-of-life planning. It isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most important conversations you can have with your loved ones. A little planning today can make a world of difference tomorrow.

This article was sponsored by the National Funeral Directors Association.

Leisure & Travel Leisure &

Turkey holds onto its ancient traditions

By Martha Steger

Lunch on the top floor of Hilton’s Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus hotel turned out to be a smart way to survey the city. From its windows I looked out on the Golden Horn, the major urban waterway and natural harbor of the Bosphorus Strait in Istanbul. These shimmering waters mark one of the continental boundaries between Asia and Europe.

I traveled to Istanbul last year for the Society of American Travel Writers meeting. Although the conference lasted only four days, I stayed six additional nights to see more of Turkey. It did not disappoint.

Like whirling dervishes, the Sufi dancers who are common in this country, Turkey mixes ancient and modern — spiritual and secular — rituals and routines with ease.

As the “crossroads of civilizations,” the East and the West, Turkey was part of the trade route connecting the Roman (and later, Ottoman) Empire to China.

I’ve long been fascinated with the Silk Road, a 4,000-mile route established in 130 B.C. and active until 1453. Traveling from Istanbul to other parts of the country, I discovered markets that would have traded wares such as spices, carpets and jewelry with other cities on the ancient Silk Road.

Old Town’s sights

Istanbul served as the capital of two great empires: first as Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire (A.D. 3131453), and then as Istanbul, the renamed

capital of the conquering Ottoman Empire (until Ankara became the capital of modern Turkey in 1923).

Today, impressive monuments to those past empires dominate its Old Town: the popular Hagia Sophia, the multi-domed Blue Mosque, and Topkapı Palace, home to the ruling sultans and their harems. These sites often have long lines for entrance except during the off-season, December through March.

With a guide, I visited the Blue Mosque, an Ottoman-era historical imperial mosque constructed between 1609 and 1617 during the rule of Sultan Ahmed I. Across town, Istanbul’s Grand Çamlıca Mosque is the city’s largest, with a capacity of 63,000.

Five times a day, the Muslim call to prayer echoes across rooftops. I found the live voices (never recorded) relaxing as I rushed to see as much as possible during my four days.

For those who answer the call to prayer, the city of 15 million people has more than 3,000 mosques to choose from — but devout Muslims simply stop where they are, prostrate themselves and pray. Although 70% of Turkey’s people declare themselves to be Muslim, no one knows the percentage of those regularly practicing their faith.

Most Turks wear Western apparel, but I noted some generational differences: A 30-something guide told me she never wears a burka, whereas her mother always wears the traditional black dress for Muslim women.

Throughout the country, I observed that

similarities among faiths (Islam, Judaism, Christianity) are easier to see than the differences. Museums display objects from all three religions: a staff claimed to be that of Moses, a sword belonging to David and preserved footprints of Mohammed.

Sampling Turkey’s food

Walking the streets provided a glimpse of Istanbul’s character and culture as well as its cuisine. Pastry shop windows displaying honey-soaked baklava and vendors selling corn on the cob from carts looked familiar, but foods like gözleme (flatbread folded over cheese and spinach) were less so.

The cuisine throughout the country is Mediterranean-healthy with tasty seafood and grilled meats cooked with olive oil, veggies and lentils. Save room for dessert, though: Pairing a soft, chewy Turkish delight with the famously strong Turkish coffee is a must.

Turkey today remains one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of fresh produce (apricots, peaches, cherries), food items amply included on every menu.

In terms of shopping, I bought a few reasonably priced silk scarves to bring home as gifts, as well as the blue-andwhite glass “evil eye” amulets dangling from souvenir stands. These are said to be good-luck charms that ward off evil.

Some of my friends who were serious carpet shoppers hired guides who assisted

them in finding the best places for what they wanted in their price range and having the purchase shipped home.

Trabzon and Ephesus I chose to go early and stay late after my Istanbul conference. My Turkey trip, with its pre- and post-additions, was a 10-day trip of a lifetime (but it wasn’t inexpensive — approximately $6,500, even with every discount I could muster).

First I headed to Trabzon, a beautiful area on the Black Sea known for its tea plantations and the magnificent 4th-century Sümela Monastery, built into a steep cliff face almost 1,000 feet above the valley floor. I climbed dozens of steep steps (some with railings, some without), only to find at the top — where I had a spectacular closeup view of the monastery — that I had to descend steep steps to enter the monastery. Since we also had to descend to the valley floor via the same path, I decided not to go inside. Instead, I just breathed in the beautiful view from the top. A 54-year-old who went down told me I didn’t miss anything. The refurbished artwork on the walls, she said, included “an angel that looks suspiciously like Cary Grant.”

After the conference, I traveled west to Ephesus, the most important Greek and Roman city in Ionian Asia Minor and a

Bohemian cafés, shops and Istanbul’s oldest wooden buildings still stand in the colorful neighborhood of Balat. Located on the western shore of the Golden Horn, the area was once the center of the city’s Jewish and Greek communities.

Vermont’s 120-year-old Castle Hill Resort and Spa is among the 315 Historic Hotels of America. See story on page 22.

The Sümela Monastery, built on a cliffside 1,640 years ago, is one of the oldest monasteries in the world. Today the ruins are open to the public as part of a national park in northern Turkey.

Why take a trip with Road Scholar?

By Glenda C. Booth

Several years ago, after being robbed on a crowded subway traveling from the Barcelona airport to my hotel and left with no credit cards and only $300 in cash, I decided that as a white-haired senior, I should probably stop traveling alone.

For my next adventure, I signed up with Road Scholar and was met at the airport by a guide who escorted our group to a hotel and led us around western Iceland for nine days. Catering to those of us 40 and up, the travel organization planned the itinerary, transportation, meals and speakers, including experts who gave talks on everything from history to geothermal power generation.

Road Scholar is the brainchild of two New Hampshire gents who enjoyed Europe’s hostels in their youth. In 1975, 53year-old Marty Knowlton and his 36-yearold friend David Bianco launched a program for older travelers who could take summer classes while staying in empty dormitories. Thus, they created Elderhostel.

Fast forward 50 years, and Elderhostel has evolved into the nonprofit organization Road Scholar. Each year 100,000 participants sign up for its educational travel programs in every U.S. state, 100 countries and aboard ships.

Dorm rooms are history; today’s Road Scholars stay in conventional, mid-priced lodging. Yet the company’s recipe for success is the same.

“Road Scholar learning adventures deepen connections among people, cultures, history, environments and the arts. Road Scholar is a tonic for health and wellbeing as we grow older,” said James Moses, Road Scholar’s president and chief executive officer.

Never too old to learn

Most people choose Road Scholar to learn something new. The guides, called group leaders, are all locals with experience in the region and culture, and guest lecturers are often retired academics.

“We chose Road Scholar for the education and the fascinating group of fellow

travelers,” said Donna Lockner from Greenbelt, Maryland.

One of the guides, who co-led my trip through the Panama Canal and its environs, said, “We give customers education about the country and international affairs. We cater to the academically inclined. That’s the Road Scholar philosophy. Even the local food helps customers understand the culture.”

For others who sign up for a trip, the travel companions are a plus. Many travelers enjoy learning from each other.

“It’s the combination of lectures and music and being with other people that is very educational,” Joan Rubin of Silver Spring, Maryland, noted. “The people are very interesting. We have wonderful discussions.”

And you don’t have to bring a spouse, partner or friend along. Road Scholar offers “Go Solo” trips, which are group trips exclusively for people traveling alone.

Solo travelers on most other group trips pay a little more for a single room, but Road Scholar can match a single person with a roommate on request. These tours are not intended nor marketed as potential romantic adventures.

A slower pace

On a Road Scholar trip, the pace is unhurried, and guides are patient with slow walkers. Pre-trip materials describe each day’s physical activity level and indicate places without elevators. Listening devices are available.

“They are very caring,” said Pennsylvanian Gene Samit, noting that when another company lost his luggage, “they didn’t care, but Road Scholar does.”

Most people make their own travel arrangements online on the Road Scholar website. The one feature of their sign-up system that gets resounding kudos is the ability to reach and talk to a real person — not an anonymous machine — about almost any travel detail.

Road Scholar will make some flight reservations for international programs. They have pre-negotiated fares with several airlines.

Hotel prices are mid-range. Food is usually locally sourced, but meals are not necessarily gourmet.

“It’s not luxury. Don’t expect Chateaubriand,” said Craig Henry, who went through the Panama Canal with Road Scholar last spring. But, he said, “I didn’t come for that.”

Trip costs

Prices range from $850 up to $90,000 for private jet trips. According to Road Scholar’s website, its trips are at least 20% cheaper than comparable tours by commercial companies. The organization’s nonprofit status makes prices lower than many other companies.

“It’s a good value for your dollar,” said Samit, a photographer.

The trip payment covers most meals and all lodging, tips, taxes, lectures, group expeditions and listening devices.

Every program has medical emergency coverage, including medical evacuation, and travelers can also purchase trip insurance with cancel-for-any-reason coverage.

A few downsides

The average age of Road Scholar travelers is 72, so many trips skew to the older crowd. Although at least one person on the reservation must be over 40, it offers fami-

ly programs for parents, grandparents and children.

Some travelers would prefer more nightlife, but the company’s emphasis is on education.

“Drinking and clubbing is not what it’s about,” according to Kelsey Perri, Road Scholar’s director of public relations.

That’s just fine for Paul (last name withheld for privacy), a retired Pennsylvania veterinarian who has taken 29 trips with the organization and is planning three more in 2026.

“My fellow travelers are not phoneobsessed,” he said. “I don’t smoke or drink, so it’s my kind of crowd.”

Of course, traveling with a large group can mean long lines for hotel check-ins and meals. Group sizes vary, and pre-trip descriptions indicate whether the group is small, (maximum of 24); medium (25 to 40); or large (over 40 people). If the group is large, though, leaders will break it down into smaller units.

Participants usually have to carry their own luggage, so only pack what you can carry yourself. Bring only what you need — and a spirit of adventure.

“To travel with Road Scholar,” Arlingtonian Patricia McCarthy said, “all you need is an open mind.”

For a list of trips, see RoadScholar.org.

Historic hotels add character to your stay

By Glenda C. Booth

Have you ever wanted to go back in time? Try checking into a historic hotel.

The hallways of Vermont’s Middlebury Inn are wide enough for ladies wearing hoop skirts to gracefully glide through. This Federal-style hotel, in continuous operation since 1827, has period molding, high ceilings and the original front desk.

Another historic hotel, the Athenaeum Hotel in Chautauqua, New York, has light fixtures that date to its 1881 opening, when the price of a room was $3 a day, and guests used chamber pots.

In Richmond, Virginia, the 1895 BeauxArts Jefferson Hotel has its original goldleaf Corinthian columns, Tiffany stained-

glass panels and grand marble staircase. Historic hotels tout their distinctive features, authenticity, architectural integrity and commitment to historic preservation. Many are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Staying in a historic hotel “is a cultural experience,” said Katherine Orr, spokesperson for Historic Hotels of America (HHA). “No two are alike, which is remarkable today in a world where many hotels all feel the same and have the same wall colors and furniture.”

In the footsteps of icons

Some historic hotels are sites of historic events and have hosted luminaries. Thirteen U.S. presidents have visited The Jef-

ferson in Richmond, for instance, and many entertainers have stayed there, too, including Elvis Presley and James Earl Jones. In fact, Frank Sinatra spontaneously played a tune on the hotel’s baby grand piano once.

Chicago’s Palmer House, built in 1871, was a venue for Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Liberace. President John Kennedy, Queen Elizabeth, Judy Garland and Lucille Ball stayed at the Yosemite Hotel in Yosemite National Park. And the Plaza in Manhattan has hosted more stars than anyone can count.

Around 300 hotels, resorts and inns are members of HHA, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation that includes buildings dating as far back as 1651. These hotels opt to join and commit to preserving their architecture and historical relevance. Of course, not all famous historic hotels are members of this program.

A form of time travel

Many travelers choose historic hotels to support the preservation of historic resources. They like to be immersed in history, not just collapse in front of a TV in a nondescript room.

“People feel like they are going back in time in old hotels,” said Patricia McCarthy from Arlington, Virginia, who books older hotels as often as possible.

According to Orr, many travelers who seek out historic hotels “are interested in learning about the culture, history and aesthetics of the larger region. These places have aged along with the area and are often keepers of the history, art and traditions of the local area.”

Some guests like to pore over details like antique furniture, chandeliers, old telephones and fine wood craftsmanship. In a way, their stay becomes a museum visit.

And intriguing quirks attract curious visitors. For instance, the Omni Mount Washington in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, promotes its Cave Bar, a oncesecret basement speakeasy built for sipping illegal spirits during Prohibition.

Virginia’s Tudor-style Hotel Roanoke has a “rail cam” for watching the nearby trains come and go, honoring the Norfolk and Western Railroad and the city’s railroading heritage.

The Peabody Hotel in Memphis is famous for its mallard ducks that paddle around in the lobby’s marble fountain, dutifully take the elevator to the roof every night and come back down the next morning.

Many old hotels have spacious, inviting common areas, like a wide wraparound porch with rocking chairs to encourage

major archaeological site. To make the flight worthwhile, I expanded this trip into a four-night visit to the seven “churches” (i.e., communities) that St. John the Apostle addresses in the New Testament’s Book of Revelation.

While Ephesus is one of the world’s great religious and archaeological sites, I found the church at Sardis just as interesting, though it’s nowhere near as large. Unlike Ephesus, which was abandoned in the

Historic hotels

From page 22

community and conversation. The Athenaeum’s 200-foot-long porch has a panoramic view of Chautauqua Lake, for instance.

“This was built for a community. You are not supposed to be in your room,” said Cindy Hinsdale, the property’s sales manager.

As for room cost, many of the HHA hotels tend to be upscale, but the prices vary, just like the chains. Orr cited the Hassayampa Inn in Prescott, Arizona, where a room can cost less than $200 per night, and the most expensive, a suite at Fairmont San Francisco, where rates can soar to $10,000 per night. Many offer packages and discounts, including AARP and AAA rates.

Possible lack of perks

Older guests may face a few challenges at an older hotel. If original floors are in place, they may be uneven. High-ceilinged, spacious rooms can make hearing difficult. Noise through thin bedroom walls can disturb sleep (earplugs always help).

Some historic hotels lack elevators. At Vermont’s Middlebury Inn, when guests want the elevator, they must summon an operator from the front desk. But all of the hotels in HHA are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Orr said.

In many rooms, there’s no coffee maker, microwave or mini-fridge. There may be fewer outlets for electronics, which can be a hurdle if two people share a room. (Often the front desk staff can provide a power strip on request.) Don’t count on a pool or fitness center.

But many travelers don’t miss the mod-

NEW DOMINION CHORALE’S FREE CONCERT

The 150-member community choir based in McLean, Virginia, celebrates its 35th season with a free concert featuring Thomas Beveridge’s “Yizkor Requiem: A Quest for Spiritual Roots” and Mendelssohn’s Psalms. This event takes place on Sun., Nov. 2 at 4 p.m. at the National Presbyterian Church, 4101 Nebraska Ave. NW, Washington, DC. For more information, visit newdominion.org.

15th century, Sardis remains a thriving, bustling city, with traffic circling the ancient section all day, every day.

If you go

Round-trip flights to Istanbul start at $660. To fly within Turkey, check rates at Pegasus Airlines, AnadoluJet or SunExpress.

At Hilton’s Conrad Istanbul Bosphorus, a five-star-hotel, room rates are $150 a night and up. Prices may be lower from December to March. January is the coldest month in Istanbul, with temperatures in the high 30s to low 50s.

ern perks; they love the history, décor and architecture. Supporting historic preservation in a throwaway society can be a powerful motivator. By staying in a historic hotel, one realizes that Faulkner was right: The past is never dead. It’s not even past.

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Dating to the early third century B.C., the Roman baths at Sardis resemble those at Ephesus.

Arts & Style

Damn Yankees at Arena is a grand slam

By Mark Dreisonstok

“For such a pact…subscribe thy name with a drop of blood.” So says the demonic Mephistopheles to Faust, a character insatiable for knowledge in Goethe’s classic play in which the devil proposes that Faust sell his soul, placing temptations such as wealth, fame, power and luxurious food in his path.

The 1955 musical Damn Yankees translated the Faustian plot to mid-20th-century America via a die-hard baseball fan who wants to see his team, the Washington Senators, win the pennant against the New York Yankees.

Arena Stage has now brilliantly updated this story to more recent times: Everyman Joe Boyd sells his soul to the devil to transform himself into a young athlete of great prowess to help his favorite (and perennially losing) team, the Baltimore Orioles, win. He misses his wife, though, and searches for a way out of the deal.

Adapted by Will Power and Doug Wright and directed and choreographed masterfully by Sergio Trujillo, Arena Stage’s musical Damn Yankees cleverly engages the audience, which at one point

sings along with “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and cheers for the “home team.”

Strong performances

Boyd is played wonderfully by Quentin Earl Darrington, while his young alter-ego, Joe Hardy, is performed energetically and in fine voice by Jordan Donica. His duet with Bryonha Marie (who portrays Boyd’s wife, Meg) is powerful and moving, lending great poignancy to the production.

Rob McClure as the devilish Applegate is a standout performer of the show; he is simultaneously charismatic, funny, amiable, demonic and sneaky, all in one. Musically, he comes into his own with his wickedly hilarious “Those Were the Good Old Days,” recounting some of his favorite moments (the horrific ones!) of human history.

The femme fatale in the show, Lola, is played seductively but with redeeming “heart” (one of the key themes of the play) by Ana Villafañe. She sings and dances her signature numbers, such as “Whatever Lola Wants,” with great aplomb. She is particularly gifted in her chemistry with Donica’s Joe and McClure’s Applegate in “Two Lost Souls” and the “Act One Finale.”

Alysha Umphress plays a strong Gloria, a reporter who must balance her love of the Orioles ball team with frank recognition of their challenges and failures.

Immersive setting, modern touches

special effects, excellent costumes and projections which help the audience imagine themselves in a ballgame setting. In a way, it’s a better venue than a Broadway theater.

At Arena, the Fichandler Stage is a theater in the round, with a relatively restricted space for props, sets and actors. But the combined efforts of set designer Robert Brill, lighting designer Philip S. Rosenberg and projection designer Peter Nigrini turn the stage into a decided advantage with simple but brilliant

Damn Yankees ran on Broadway for a year and a half, earning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. During the 1994 Broadway revival, actor Jarrod Emick won a Tony for Best Actor for his portrayal of Joe Hardy.

While the plot of this production is

The New Dominion Chorale, headed by Tom Beveridge, offers a free concert this month. See story on p. 29.

Alysha Umphress, as sports reporter Gloria Thorpe, and the company of Damn Yankees perform at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The updated Broadway musical runs through November 9.

PHOTO BY MATTHEW MURPHY AND EVAN ZIMMERMAN

Standard-shift cars are kryptonite for carjackers

It happened again. Exactly as it has happened before.

Three teenagers tried to carjack a fancy foreign convertible in the Maryland suburbs. After demanding the keys, and getting them, they piled in.

One teen took the wheel. And then…

He couldn’t figure out how to handle the manual gearshift.

Because it didn’t say ParkReverse-Neutral-Drive-Low.

r-r-r amount of gas with the right foot… Adjust…Coordinate…

By

It was four on the floor. Which required stepping on the clutch. Which he had never done before.

So the carjackers ran off, and the car was never stolen. That was a triumph of sorts.

But the biggest noise was not the footsteps of the escaping kids. It was the chortles of seniors who read about the incident. For them, standard shift used to be standard.

Until the mid-1950s, most cars sold in America lacked automatic transmission. You started the engine by placing the gearshift in neutral. But to go anywhere, you needed to step down on the clutch, shift the gear lever, and then carefully coordinate your two feet and your right hand.

Back off the clutch with your left foot just-t-t-t a little bit…Give it just the proper-

And once you were actually moving, get ready to stomp down with the left, shift to a higher gear with your right hand and repeat as necessary.

If all your limbs weren’t working in perfect harmony, you wouldn’t go. Or more likely, you would buck, shudder, lurch, perhaps stall. And then succeed. Barely.

If that sounds like too tricky a ballet for today’s young drivers, that’s exactly why the Maryland carjacking failed.

We can ascribe that happy-ish ending to poor driver’s education. Today’s driver ed classes don’t even mention standard transmissions. Why should they? More than 97% of cars sold in America in 2024 had “PRNDL” displayed somewhere prominent, according to industry publications.

So it remains for us fossils to recall the wonders of grinding gears — and the occasional harrowing moments that came along for the ride.

Picture your humble and obedient columnist as a 20-something (yes, I know, it’s hard). He was visiting friends in San Francisco. He had held a driver’s license for some six years. He had considerable

experience with standard shift. He was piloting a standard-shift Chevy. He was sure he was up to any challenge.

But San Francisco doesn’t have hills. It has HILLS.

There you are at a red light on a 25degree grade. The light changes to green. And you?

You roar the engine. You begin to slip backward.

You roar harder. You let the clutch out a little more than you ordinarily might. You slip backward some more.

Yikes!

Luckily, just before you smack into the car behind you, success!

Does that memory linger? You’ve just gotten my answer to that question.

And what about the time you were confronted with a snowstorm in Chicago? The white stuff was halfway up the hubcaps. But never fear. Our hero would get his car full of college students safely back to the dormitory.

He almost didn’t.

Light turns green. Snow is blowing and drifting. Back off the clutch. Give it some gas.

But then, the car begins to slide sideways.

Whoops! Back off the gas. Step on the clutch.

No! That disengages the gears! Makes the sliding worse, not better!

Yikes!

All these calculations took place in less than two seconds. Somehow, I kept control of the car. Somehow, we got to our destination safely.

Hills and snow would have been challenging with automatic transmission, too. But for those of us who have been driving for more than 60 years, PRNDL spells WIMP.

We toughed it out. We prevailed. We actually drove our standard-shift cars. We didn’t just aim them.

And yet, we oldies don’t know everything about motor vehicles.

I rented a car at an airport recently. I found it on the lot. I hopped in. The key sat on the passenger seat. But where was the ignition slot?

I hunted. I used some saucy language. I came up empty.

I returned to the rental counter and announced that there was something wrong with the car I had been assigned.

The salesperson — young, of course — did not smirk. He simply walked me back to the car and pointed to the button that starts it.

I had never seen a push-button starter before.

As I shifted into DRIVE and moved off, I had a vagrant thought.

No one my age will ever carjack a vehicle. Because he might not know how to start it.

So repeat what you did in the first place! Meanwhile, don’t slide into the guy next to you!

Damn Yankees

From page 24

updated to include references to sports doping, racism and other concerns not included in the Broadway version, the music remains loyal to the original score, with the orchestra wonderfully directed by Adam Rothenberg. The musicians proved adept at both the poignant songs as well as the wonderful mambo numbers such as “Who’s Got the Pain?” Arena’s show is highly successful in re-

Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

taining the virtues of the original work while updating a few key elements to make the production a home run (pardon the pun) for a modern audience.

Damn Yankees runs through November 9. Although no senior discounts exist, discounted tickets are available in person two hours before curtain for most performances, subject to availability. In addition, discounts of 20% off are available for veterans, educators and first responders.

For tickets, visit arenastage.org/yankees or call the box office at (202) 488-3300.

HOW I SEE IT

Bob Levey

Scrabble answers on p. 26.

Crossword Puzzle

Before And By Stephen Sherr

Across

1. Indication of hyperventilation

5. Director Paul Thomas Anderson, to cinephiles

8. Losing streak

13. Big birds

14. Spill the beans

15. Inexpensive wind instrument

16. Above-water parts of icebergs

17. End a flight

18. Moron

19. Obsessively focused

22. Letters often at the top of a Winter Olympics medal scorecard

23. Munched on lunch

24. A thou thous

25. Dir. from London to Paris

28. Use the panic button

30. Unit of social media success

31. Schoolboy

32. An endless series of problems

36. Rob, of the Brat Pack

37. They may be frozen at a fertility clinic

38. It may be frozen at a convenience store

39. CPA or MD, for example

44. “It’s just ___ word vs. his”

45. “Heavens to Betsy!”

46. Interpret palms or tea leaves

47. @@@

48. X, Y, Z, or Alpha

49. Part of a Vegas showgirl outfit

50. “Click here to ___ out of future messages”

53. It may be thrown at a failing investment

56. Make the wedding dress wearable for the tenth anniversary

59. Instrument, typically with 23 holes

60. Hockey haven

61. Make up for

62. “I got ___ on the top bunk!”

63. Section of a hand, to an orthopedist

64. Maternity, psych, and surgical

65. Place that’s fine for swine

66. Half of all binary digits

Down

1. “Hurry; the bus doors are closing!”

2. Acid in proteins

3. Invisibility, stretchability, flammability, and strength, for Four

4. “Hey, buddy...”

5. Boeing 737 or Airbus A320

6. Drink available on every Gemini mission from IV to XII

7. Gut-related

8. Pancake cooker

9. Classy female

10. Top-selling machine gun of the 1970’s

11. Comment from a moon-jumper

12. It won’t boil if you watch it

14. Callously indifferent

20. Reheated meat and potatoes

21. The “Just Do It” company

25. Burger topping

26. More like Martin than Lewis

27. A cube has 12

29. Letters that follow comm- and comp-

30. “‘Tis better to have ___ and lost...” (Tennyson)

32. “Hi,” in HI

33. Santa’s reindeer chorus

34. Mars and Venus (but not Apollo)

35. ___ double (reach second base)

40. Subtracts a number from zero

41. Like expensive whiskey

42. Vanishes, over the centuries

43. Word that proverbially lacks an “i”

49. Prize for winning last-place

51. Like ziti, but with angled ends

52. Youngsters

53. Turn pages into a book

54. First bio that includes both DOB and DOD

55. Rice-like pasta

56. Precooked

57. Sort option on travelocity.com

58. In support of the resolution

McLean choral group marks 35th season

By Audrey Partington

The Washington area has many choral groups, who perform in some of the grandest and most historic venues in the nation. With 150 members, the McLean, Virginiabased New Dominion Chorale is perhaps the area’s largest such group.

Now in its 35th season, New Dominion Chorale will perform “Yizkor Requiem: A Quest for Spiritual Roots” at 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 at the National Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.

“This concert is free — our gift to the community,” said the chorale’s founder and artistic director, Thomas Beveridge.

Beveridge composed the “Yizkor Requiem,” which premiered in 1994 at St. Mark Catholic Church in Vienna, Virginia.

The piece has since been performed about 30 times, including at Orchestra Hall (Chicago), Merkin Hall (New York), Washington National Cathedral (Washington, D.C.), and at the Kennedy Center with the Choral Arts Society and members of the National Symphony. The work has been recorded by The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, conducted by Sir Neville Marriner.

“It’s hard work,” said Beveridge of producing the performance. At 87, he speculates that he will direct fewer performances of “Yizkor Requiem” in the future. But he intends to keep the piece alive as long as he can.

Beveridge, a retired master sergeant in the U.S. Army, spent 20 years as a bass soloist and staff arranger for the U.S. Army Chorus, based in Arlington, Virginia.

Upon his discharge, Beveridge stayed in the Washington, D.C., area, where his career as choral singer, composer and conductor grew. At one point, he was doing six jobs at once, including teaching voice, directing a chorale at George Mason University and serving as Chorus Master of the Washington National Opera.

Beveridge remains a prolific composer and arranger. Many of his 700 compositions and arrangements have been published, and he has received distinguished commissions from Harvard University, Harvard Divinity School, Union Theological Seminary, The Choral Arts Society of Washington and the Elizabeth Sprague Coolidge Foundation at the Library of Congress.

Beveridge lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife of 50 years, Meryle Secrest. She is the renowned biographer of artists and composers such as Salvador Dalí, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim. Her groundbreaking biography Princess Margaret and the Curse was recently published.

Prolific composer

Born in New York, Beveridge was ex-

posed to music at an early age. He began playing piano at six and sung professionally at age 8 at New York’s St. Thomas Church. He began composing music at age 11. By the time he entered Harvard University in 1955, Beveridge had written 75 pieces.

He was heavily influenced by his father, Lowell P. Beveridge, who served on the music faculty of Columbia University and was organist and choirmaster at Columbia’s St. Paul’s Chapel.

After his ordination as an Episcopal priest, his father taught at the Virginia Theological Seminary and served on the faculty of the Union Seminary School of Sacred Music.

Beveridge’s parents traveled to Israel, where his father studied at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem. Thus began his interest in the liturgical similarities between Judaism and Christianity.

His father’s death in 1991 inspired Beveridge to compose the “Yizkor Requiem.” The composition reflected his father’s in-

fluence by combining elements of the Jewish burial prayer (Yizkor) and the Catholic requiem mass, using a cantor speaking in Arabic and Hebrew and a chorus singing in English and Latin.

“The piece is unique,” Beveridge said. “It speaks very clearly, in a ritual way, to both traditions. I don’t know of another work like it.”

About the chorale

In 1991, Beveridge left the McLean Chorale Society, taking many of its members with him to form the New Dominion Chorale. From the beginning, the Chorale has had a no-audition policy.

“All of us choral directors in town were kind of aghast at first when we heard about the no-audition policy,” said Robert Shafer, artistic director emeritus of the City Choir of Washington. “All it takes is one loud, wobbly singer to ruin a work, but Tom’s group really sounds good.”

The New Dominion Chorale is also unique in its organizational structure.

ONE BIG HAPPY By Rick Detorie

“The group is a singer’s cooperative, with no paid support staff,” said New Dominion Chorale president and singer Rosemarie Hunziker. “All the members pitch in to set up the rehearsal hall, organize programs and get them printed, chauffeur soloists, recruit advertisers, and countless other things that it takes to put on a high-quality performance of great choral works.”

Many of the singers have been with the group for decades.

“My first rehearsal with the Chorale was the Monday after the 9/11 attacks,” Hunziker recalled. “It proved to be a lifesaver to have an escape when 150 or so of us could join together to do something that took our minds off the dark times we were living through. The group was so warm and welcoming that I’ve been a faithful member for 25 years.”

The Chorale will perform Handel’s “Messiah” (with soloists and orchestra), at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14 at St. Luke Catholic Church, McLean, Va. For ticket information, go to newdominion.org.

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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).

COINS, STAMPS, & AUTOGRAPHS WANTED. Paying top prices. Free estimates Will travel. No collection too large or too small. 50 years of experience. Licensed. Member of major associations. Call Dirk at 301-704-5453 or email dirkkitchin@earthlink.net.

CASH FOR; GOLD JEWELRY, STERLING SILVER, COINS, ETC. GARY ROMAN 301-520-0755.

BOOKSHELVES OVERFLOWING? Boxes of books? Stacks of CDs? We’ll haul them off FREE pickup, same day service available. Easy declutter, no stress. Call 703-980-7421 or mdbookpickup@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.

CEMETERY PLOTS Ft. Lincoln Cemetery. Brentwood, MD. plots Section K-B Lot 30 Sites 14. Single depth. Monument privilege. Number of plots and price negotiable. Contact Steve Frank. stevefrank22@verizon.net. 301-490-5898.

SETTLING AN ESTATE? Downsizing Specialists, LLC can help with the overwhelm. Our proven process helps you thoughtfully decide what to keep, gift, sell, donate, or discard with compassion and clarity at every step. Services include estate liquidation, downsizing, estate sales, storage unit clean-outs, junk removal. We buy estates, vehicles, houses. Free estimates. Local. Family Owned. Licensed. Insured. Better Business Bureau A+ Certified Call/Text Philip 301-219-3600 DownsizingSpecialists.com

MEN & LADIES. Licensed HAIR, NAILS, FACIALS. will come to your home if you live in the Silver Spring zip codes. Reasonable rates concentration mainly in LW. For information and appointments call days. Kim 301-792-4936.

WORLD CLASS PERSONAL TRAINER

/REHAB SPECIALIST. have over 16 years of successful experience treating my clients like family and getting results. have package deals that save you a lot of money. Call 410-739-3318 to set up a FREE evaluation.

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). Wanted Wanted

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.

2003 TOYOTA RAV4 - in good condition minor repairs ok (brakes, tires, e.g.). Preferably for sale by owner. 160K or less mileage. Will offer CASH based on the condition. Email Renee at msrmarshall77@gmail.com

Employment/ Volunteer Opp.

Career Gateway

JCA’s Heyman Interages Center

.22

.18

End of Life/ Funeral Services

Cremation Society of Maryland

.18

Going Home Cremation . . .15

MacNabb Funeral Home

Events

Beacon 50+Expos

Brooke Grove Retirement

Village

Home Health

.18

Brooke Grove Retirement

Village . .B10, B12, B15, B16

Charles E. Smith

Life Communities

.9

Chevy Chase House .B13, B15

Churchill Senior Living . . .12

Collington

Culpepper Garden

Falcons Landing

Grandview, The/Erickson

Greenspring/ Erickson

Hibiscus House

.3

.B16

Best Senior Care . . . . . . . . .B4

Housing

Asbury Dwellings

Ashby Ponds/ Erickson

Autumn Lake

Healthcare

.13

. .1, B5, B10

.6

HOW TO PLACE A CLASSIFIED AD

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

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

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

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

Note: Maryland contractors must provide a valid MHIC number.

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

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

Vinson Hall . . . . . . . .B7, B13

Woodleigh Chase/ Erickson . . . . . . . . .B5, B15

Legal Services

Farr Law Firm . . . .

.19

.B6

.B2

.7, B8

.B5, B10

.1, B5, B12

.B3

Homecrest House . . .B2, B12

Housing Initiative Partnership

Inspīr Embassy Row

Matthews Memorial Terrace

.B4

.B12, 32

.B3, B8

Park View Bladensburg . . . .23

Park View Columbia

Park View Emerson

Park View Laurel

Riderwood/ Erickson

.23

.23

.23

.1, B5, B8

Law Offices of Paul Riekhof

.21

Medical/Health/ Insurance

Hearing .

Johns Hopkins Health Plans

.6

.11 Medical Eye