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Anna Chaney, a 13th-generation Anne Arundel County native, worked in the hospitality industry for decades before she chose farming as a second career. Now owner of Honey’s Harvest Farm, she oversees its farmers market, store, events venue, nutrition classes and wellness retreats. Photo courtesy of Honey’s Harvest Farm VANTAGE POINT

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Arts & Style New book from Pulitzer Prizewinning author Andrew Sean Greer explores friendship and aging well | Should you teach your grandchild to drive? 27

Fitness & Health

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My Irish-American grandfather taught Brooks, 93, of Arlington, for an article me a lot about aging well. While in his about the Northern Virginia Senior 80s, he taught himself to play Olympics. I’ll never forget the cello, closing his eyes her spunk when she told me and smiling as he practiced. she actually gets a kick out Always eager to learn someof getting older. “I enjoy bething new, whether about ing old and being able to do music or the world around the kinds of things that I can him, he traveled to Japan, Itstill do,” she said, noting that aly and India in his late 70s, she still golfs and plays pickand his photographs and stoleball several times a week. ries inspired my own travels. Then there was Bernie Once, when I asked him Relf, 88, who took my phone GUEST COLUMN call from his hospital bed. Tewhat it was like to be old, he By Margaret Foster explained, “Well, when I nacious isn’t a strong enough turned 21, I couldn’t believe it. word for the U.S. Air Force By the time I got over the shock, I was 30. veteran who was driven to help others, Then 40, and so on,” he said. Years later, he showing up at a Silver Spring church delivered this advice with a signature grin: week after week to oversee their food “Don’t get old.” pantry. Hundreds of hungry families benIn my seven years at the Beacon, I’ve efitted from Relf’s lifelong determination had the privilege of interviewing folks to help others. who have cheerfully ignored that advice. Carol Burnett, who spoke to me on her They too have been lighthouses, demon- national tour in 2019, told me she was strating how to live well, no matter what “raised thinking positively.” Then 86, she age. stood on stage night after night, often in Earlier this year I spoke to Alease high heels, chatting with her audience and

The Beacon is a monthly newspaper dedicated to inform, serve and entertain the citizens of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County and parts of Anne Arundel County. Other editions serve Northern Virginia, Montgomery County and Greater Washington, D.C. Subscriptions are available via first-class mail ($50) or third-class mail ($20), prepaid with order. Maryland residents: add 6% for sales tax. Send subscription order to the office listed below. Publication of advertising contained herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement. Signed columns represent the opinions of the writers, and not necessarily the opinion of the publisher. Gordon Hasenei, Publisher, CEO Steve Gurney, Associate Publisher Margaret Foster, Editor Kyle Gregor y, Art Director Roger King, Vice President of Operations Advertising Representatives: Jill Joseph, Steve Levin, M.K. Phillips

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still making us laugh. She told me, “Every night, think of three ‘gratefuls’ and three ‘did-wells,’” and that has stayed with me. Here at the Beacon we try to inspire our readers to live well, like Brooks, Relf and Carol Burnett. Like you, we want to seize the day. That means keeping up on the latest health advice, protecting our finances, traveling and engaging in some way with the arts, whether a new book or local play. In turn, we continue to be inspired by you. From every person I interview, I gather a new piece of wisdom and try to pass it along. This month it was Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Andrew Sean Greer, 55, who grew up in Maryland. His new book Villa Coco explores the theme of old friendships and aging well, delivered with the comedic flair he’s known for. Greer told me he admires older people who “strive forward with a sort of beauty,

elegance and a sense of humor.” We’re all in the same boat here, getting a little older every day. Along the way, we’re still learning how to live well, bit by bit. The good news is that we can continue to evolve. What’s the secret of life? No idea. And if I found out, I might forget, like I do my keys and my phone. Let’s just keep going for as long as we can. And maybe help out a little in some small way, every day. Feel free to reach out with a pearl of wisdom, a story idea about an older person who’s living well, or just your point of view. You can call us, write a letter (address below) or send us an email (info@ thebeaconnewspapers.com). We’d love to hear from you.

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 i ssues of the day. Mail your Letter to the Editor to The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501, Kensington, MD 20895 or email info@thebeaconnewspapers.com. Please include your name, address and telephone number for verification. Dear Editor: As a former Library of Congress volunteer interviewer of War II, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf War veterans, I greatly appreciated your article about the Veterans History Project (“Veterans History Project collects stories,” July 2026). Some veterans spoke about their war experiences for the very first time since the war. They were never, ever able to previously share their stories with their family. Some veterans cried while sharing their long-ago military service experiences. They brought in medals, maps, letters, photographs, souvenirs; some even came in uniform. One veteran requested that we have an American flag in the room, which he saluted while singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” What a life-changing experience for our volunteer team! Naomi Dornfeld Platt Silver Spring, MD

Dear Editor: I enjoyed writeup on Veterans History Project. You might share this about the American War Letters Archives. I donated letters my father wrote when stationed overseas to my mother during WWII. I’d rather have them preserved and perhaps interesting/useful for research and history instead of in my file drawer and likely disposed of. I donated a box of my father’s WWII letters, then a museum catalog showing some of his artifacts I loaned and then donated to Newseum (sadly now closed). This Center for American War Letters (warletterproject@aol.com) was pleasant to deal with, grateful for the donation, and provided a festive certificate acknowledging the donation. Gabriel Goldberg Via email

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The Beacon, 3720 Farragut Ave., Suite 501 Kensington, MD 20895 (301) 949-9766 • Email: info@thebeaconnewspapers.com Website: www.theBeaconNewspapers.com Submissions: The Beacon welcomes reader contributions. Deadline for editorial is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. Deadline for ads is the 1st of the month preceding the month of publication. See page 31 for classified advertising details. Please mail or email all submissions.

CARLA HALL AUTHOR TALK Join Carla Hall to hear about her book Carla Bakes, filled

with 80 sweet and savory recipes. She will sign books on Wed., Sept. 9 from 7 to 8 p.m. at Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral St., Baltimore. The book talk is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit calendar.prattlibrary.org/event/carla-hall-carla-bakes or call (410) 396-5430.

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Overcome the Lingering Effects of Long COVID and Reclaim Your Life From Shortness of Breath to Brain Fog, AIM Maryland Offers Specialized Treatments to Address Long Covid Symptoms at the Cellular Level As COVID-19 continues to circulate, many individuals are finding themselves grappling with persistent symptoms long after their initial infection. These lingering effects, commonly known as Long COVID, can manifest as shortness of breath, chronic fatigue, brain fog, cognitive impairment, and even depression and anxiety. With children heading back to school and an uptick in cases, the importance of seeking relief has never been greater. Fortunately for residents of Howard County, Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland has been a leader in treating Long COVID since the early days of the pandemic, before the condition even had a name. AIM Maryland’s specialized treatments, including ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy®, are specifically designed to address the complications of Long COVID at the cellular level. "Before I came to AIM Maryland, I honestly thought my life would never be the same again. After battling COVID19 last year, I was left with lingering symptoms that made every day a struggle. The fatigue was relentless—I felt like I was walking through quicksand just trying to get out of bed in the morning. Shortness of breath kept me from doing the simplest things, like going for a walk or even having a conversation without feeling winded. But what scared me the most was the brain fog and cognitive issues. I couldn’t focus on

work, and my memory felt like it was slipping away. It was terrifying. I had heard of Long Covid but didn’t realize how debilitating it could be until I was living it. Doctors offered me little more than reassurance that ‘it would get better with time,’ but I wasn’t getting better.” COVID-19 can cause longlasting symptoms, known as Long COVID, because the virus damages the body at a systemic level. Dr. Kristin Huza, DAC, of AIM Maryland explains, “It invades cells by binding to ACE2 receptors found in various tissues, leading to cell dysfunction and inflammation. The immune system's overreaction, sometimes resulting in a "cytokine storm," can cause collateral damage to healthy tissues, contributing to persistent symptoms. Chronic inflammation, viral persistence, and damage to the autonomic nervous system also play roles, leading to issues like fatigue, cognitive impairment, and respiratory problems. Some parts of the virus may stay in the body and keep triggering these issues.” Not all hope is lost however as the staff at AIM Maryland have an arsenal of specialized therapies that not only combat Long Covid but can also shorten the lifespan of an active Covid infection. ATP Resonance BioTherapy® works by energizing the cells, boosting their ability to heal and repair, and increasing cellular turnover,” shares Dr. Huza.” This process helps to restore normal function.

“O3 ReBoot Therapy® complements this by eliminating residual viral particles and improving the body’s oxygen utilization, which is crucial for overall recovery and combating those cognitive issues many Long COVID patients experience.” Sarah shares her experience, “After just a few sessions of ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy®, I started noticing real changes. My energy levels began to rise, and the brain fog slowly lifted. It wasn’t long before I could take deep breaths without feeling like my chest was tightening up. I can’t even begin to describe the relief I felt. Now, I’m back to doing the things I love— taking long walks in nature, enjoying time with my family, and even getting back to my hobbies like painting and yoga. I feel like I’ve got my life back, and I owe it all to the incredible team at AIM Maryland. They didn’t just treat my symptoms; they treated the root cause, and that’s made all the difference. If you’re struggling with Long Covid, I can’t recommend AIM enough—

they’ve given me a second chance at living fully again." “At Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland, every patient receives a personalized treatment plan tailored to their unique needs. The team at AIM Maryland understands that Long COVID affects everyone differently, which is why they take the time to assess each individual’s symptoms and create a comprehensive approach to recovery. By combining cutting-edge therapies like ATP Resonance BioTherapy® with a deep understanding of the body's healing mechanisms, AIM Maryland offers hope and tangible results for those suffering from the lingering effects of COVID-19. Don't let Long COVID dictate your life any longer. Take the first step towards reclaiming your health and well-being by scheduling a consultation with Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine of Maryland today. Call AIM Maryland at (410) 730-5370 or visit www.AimMaryland.com to start your journey to recovery.

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Health Fitness &

SNACK TIME Protein-rich snacks like yogurt and nuts can curb cravings BRAIN SCAN Get paid for a free MRI from University of Maryland researchers HOLD THE SALT Check labels for hidden sodium and limit high-salt restaurant meals SUMMER FATIGUE Tired? Perk up with water, vitamin D and electrolytes

Why you shouldn’t scratch insect bites By Lauran Neergaard You’ve likely heard it since childhood: Don’t scratch that bug bite or rash; you’ll make it worse. But why would something that feels so good be bad? A lot of things can cause itchiness, including serious diseases. Whatever the cause, doctors have long warned that scratching too much can damage the skin. Now researchers better understand why even a mildly annoying itch could put you on an itch-and-scratch cycle if you give in. How did they find out? In part by putting tiny “cones of shame” onto mice to uncover what happens on a cellular level when an itch gets scratched — or left alone. They also gained insight into why a good scratch — at least at first — brings a sigh of relief. After all, not just people and other mammals scratch; even fish do. The commonality suggests there must be some evolutionary reason and the mouse experiment hints at a little germ protection — but still not a reason to scratch.

More swelling, itching

Dr. Daniel Kaplan, a University of Pittsburgh dermatologist whose lab studies immune reactions in skin, was exploring

a run-of-the-mill type of itch called allergic contact dermatitis, caused by irritants such as poison ivy or nickel in jewelry. Kaplan’s research team put a rashinducing irritant on the ears of mice. Normal mice scratched and inflammatory immune cells rushed to the site, increasing swelling. The rash was much milder in mice bred with defective itch-sensing nerve cells. But was the difference really the scratching? Normal mice put into collars like those veterinary “cones of shame,” so they itched but couldn’t scratch, gave the answer: They, too, had much less swelling and fewer inflammatory cells. Kaplan said that evidence matches people’s everyday experiences that show scratching really can make things worse. Ignore a mosquito bite, and the itch is “gone in five or 10 minutes for most people,” he said. “But if you start scratching it, it’s your friend for a week,” getting itchier and more inflamed.

Immune system response

To understand what was happening in the skin, Kaplan’s team took a deeper look at mast cells, among the immune system’s first responders. When called into action, they release compounds that can help fight germs or toxins — or, through a compound called histamine,

trigger itchy allergic reactions. Scientists have long known that allergens can activate mast cells. But other signals can summon mast cells, too, including pain. And when we scratch, “we tend to scratch until it starts to hurt,” Kaplan noted. Pain-sensing nerve cells release a chemical messenger called substance P. In findings published last year, Kaplan’s team reported that substance P can activate mast cells through a different molecular pathway than allergens do — a double whammy that explains why scratching further inflames itchy rashes or bites. Then why does a little scratching feel good? If we experience pain like touching a hot stove, we’ll learn not to do that again. Yet relief from a good scratch, in evolutionary terms, is positive feedback. Why? One long-held theory is that it may help creatures slough off parasites like fleas or mites. But Kaplan also was intrigued by other labs’ findings that mast cells could fend off a common type of skin bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus (staph). So his team infected mice and then repeated the “cone of shame” itch experiment. Sure enough, those that scratched had lower levels of that germ on their ears, maybe because of the extra inflammation

or some other mast cell-related compound. But that’s not enough of an upside to change the health advice. “Ultimately, scratching is deleterious,” Kaplan stressed. “You should avoid scratching,” he said, although acknowledging that it’s “easier said than done.”

How to handle a minor itch

What fights an itch depends on its cause, and there’s a need for better treatments. For now, antihistamines and certain other drugs for hives can tamp down some itchiness triggered by mast cells. Drug companies are experimenting with other approaches called MRGPRX2 blockers that target the pathway Kaplan’s team linked to scratching. Kaplan hopes that a better understanding of the pathway eventually could help skin diseases such as chronic eczema. For the summer itchiness of bug bites, poison ivy and other types of contact dermatitis, dermatologists recommend anti-itch balms such as hydrocortisone cream, calamine lotion or oatmeal baths. Another trick: Menthol-containing creams can temporarily fool the skin into sensing cold instead of itch, just long enough that “if you don’t scratch, then you break that itch-scratch cycle,” he said. “It’s like a cheat code.” —AP

Keep your indoor air clean during wildfires By Devi Shastri The eerie glow of an orange sun through thick wildfire smoke might be unnerving, but the biggest risk from the haze is something much harder to see. Tiny particles in the air can cause a range of short-term and chronic health issues, experts say. Wildfire smoke can settle over cities for days — like the recent blanket over parts of the U.S. from burning fires in Canada, which has created hazardous air for millions of people across multiple states. Health officials advise people to stay indoors — and to take steps to keep the air in your home clean.

How to safely run your AC

If you have central air conditioning, it

should clean the air in your home. Make sure filters are replaced on schedule and are of the highest level of filtration your system can handle. Filters rated MERV 13 or higher are ideal. Set the air to recirculate, and close any vents that pull air from outside if you can. The University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice recommends running the system’s fan through the entire smoke event, not just when cooling. If you buy a portable air filter, look for a HEPA air filter or one that says it traps small particles of pollution. Ensure it does not generate ozone, another harmful air pollutant. If you can only afford one portable air filter, use it to create a “clean room” in

your house where you can spend most of your time. “The basic message is that something is better than nothing,” said Amy Kalkbrenner, an environmental epidemiologist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Do-it-yourself filters

There’s good evidence that DIY filters made by duct-taping furnace air filters to a box fan work. They’re simple, relatively affordable, and scientists at the Environmental Protection Agency have found they are just as good at removing fine particles of pollution from the air as a small commercial air purifier. “The good news is they really work,” Kalkbrenner said. All you need to have to make one is:

• Four 20-by-20-inch (50.8-by-50.8-centimeters) furnace air filters rated MERV 13 or higher • One box fan • Cardboard and duct tape The fan should blow out, and the arrows on the filters should point in. Make sure everything is taped up airtight. The EPA’s website shows how to make one (see epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/diyair-cleaners).

Using your window AC

Many window air conditioners, minisplit heat exchangers and portable air conditioners don’t have the filters needed to remove fine pollution particles. But See WILDFIRE SMOKE, page 7

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GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

Ways to lower your LDL cholesterol By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: I am a 61-year-old woman with a family history of heart disease. My doctor says my blood pressure and cholesterol are great. My latest LDL cholesterol was 98, and my HDL was 65. I exercise regularly and I try hard to stick to a Mediterranean-type diet. Is there anything else I should do? A: Congratulations! You’ve already covered the primary lifestyle approaches to a healthy heart (assuming that you don’t smoke). From your question, I assume you have no worrisome symptoms when you exercise, such as chest pain, feeling more short of breath than usual, breaking out in a cold sweat or getting dizzy. If confirmed you don’t have these symptoms, it sounds like you are the type of person who is willing to take things to the next level. Here are some ideas: First, start with increasing your duration and intensity of exercise. Per basic recommendations, we should all get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week (not all at once). But most experts suggest you get 45 to 60 minutes most days of the week to promote heart health.

For someone like you, I’d add a mix of these activities into your workout routine: • Endurance aerobics • Interval training, with short bursts of high-intensity exercise (otherwise known as HIIT) • Resistance training using machines and/or free weights About your diet: a Mediterranean-style diet is a perfect place to start. Get at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Or aim higher — for example, 8 to 10 servings a day. Don’t eat too much red meat. It’s best to eat fish, especially those rich in omega fats. And if you don’t drink alcohol, there is no health reason to start. Otherwise, limit it to no more than one drink per day. Since your blood pressure is normal, you don’t have to cut down on salt. But there is no downside to watching how much you take in. I recommend two additional tests for patients with a similar family history as yours: a blood test for Lp(a), which is short for lipoprotein (a), and a coronary artery calcium (CAC) score done with a fast, lowdose radiation CT scan of the heart. See LOWER CHOLESTEROL, page 7

Here, assisted living is living, with the right amount of personal assistance… …at a great value. A place of independence Pickersgilll assisted living residents are rarely in their rooms! Instead,, theyy’re out and about— participating in a community activity or event or dining with friends.

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Get Free Housing 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.

Senior Living Communities o Brightview Senior Living (See ad on page 8) o Brooke Grove (See ad on page 32) o Charlestown/Erickson (See ad on page 7) o Christ Church Harbor Apts. (See ad on page 26) o Oak Crest/Erickson (See ad on page 7) o Park View Colonial Emerson (See ad on page 22) o Park View Colonial Landing (See ad on page 22) o Park View Columbia (See ad on page 22)

o Park View Ellicott City (See ad on page 22) o Park View Fullerton (See ad on page 22) o Park View Laurel (See ad on page 22) o Park View Rosedale (See ad on page 22) o Park View Towson (See ad on page 22) o Pickersgill (See ad on page 5) o Residences at Vantage Point (See ad on page 1) o Roland View Towers (See ad on page 15) o Virginia Towers Apts. (See ad on page 26) o Warren Place Apts. (See ad on page 25) o Westminster House (See ad on page 28)

Clinical Health Studies o Brain Study (See article on page 10) o Exercise & Sleep Study/mPATH (See ad on page 11) o Smell Test Study (See ad on page 11) o Spark Study (See ad and article on page 10) o Spring Clinical Trial (See ad on page 10)

A place of beauty Living Livi ng in th this is com ommu muni nity ty—ttuc ucke kedd in into to a beautiful West Towson neighborhood —you or your beau ur loved one will enjoy enjo a warm welcome and daily activities, and they’ll appreciate the h walking paths, path beautifully landscaped grounds, lovely gardens and more.

A place of caring Each assisted livingg resident re enjoys three chef-prepared meals per day, ho housekeeping and laundryy services, se medication administration, help with daily tasks an and more—always by reques quest, and all included in a reasonable monthly fee. Eachh re resi s dent also has access too all of the Pickersgilll amenities. Our assisted liv ivin ingg residences include a private, priv full bath, and residents are encouraged to decora rate te their homes as they wish. This is a lifestyle dedicated to independence and assured ed by a caring, professional fessional al staff. sta sttaff.

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These afternoon snacks can curb cravings By Ria Bhagwat The time between lunch and dinner can feel like a marathon. When you’d like to wait until an appropriate dinner time, snacks are a great option to help you feel full. “When it comes to building a snack that will help you feel full throughout the afternoon, it’s important to consider protein and fiber,” said Amanda Blechman, RD, CDN, registered dietitian at Danone North America.

We asked registered dietitians to share their go-to snacks that will keep you full until dinner without ruining your appetite. 1. Mixed nuts: Whether it’s almonds, walnuts or pistachios, nuts are a great option for some pre-dinner snacking. According to Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, registered dietitian and education specialist at EKP Nutrition Communications — whose nut of choice is pistachios — they’re a great source of protein and fiber.

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“One ounce of pistachios (49 nuts) has six grams of protein and three grams of fiber, which makes them perfect to enjoy on their own or to use as a nutrient-dense ‘sprinkle’ on top of oatmeal, cottage cheese, or yogurt,” she said. “You can also toss them into an easy trail mix with dried fruit and whole grain cereal for a filling snack on the go.” 2. Yogurt bowl: Add berries and nuts to yogurt for a sustaining snack. “Yogurt provides complete protein, which means it gives you adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs but can’t make on its own,” Blechman said. “I like to use Greek yogurt, which has 15-17 grams of protein per serving, and pair it with fresh berries and ground flaxseed for fiber for a quick and delicious yogurt bowl that’s packed with protein and fiber.” A bowl of yogurt will ground your stomach without ruining your appetite, and that’s exactly what we want. 3. Protein shake: Maybe you’ve made dinner reservations and need a snack to hold you down on your commute, or it’s going to be a while before you make it home and cook yourself some food. Either way, protein shakes are a foolproof pre-dinner snack. “If you’re on the go, a shelf-stable protein shake can be a great option,” Blechman said. “I recommend finding one that’s

a good source of both protein and fiber.” 4. Avocado toast: While mashed avocado on toast is traditionally a fueling breakfast, it can do wonders as a quick snack. “Many people know that whole-wheat bread can be a good source of fiber, but you might be surprised to learn that two slices can also give you about 8 grams of protein,” Blechman said. “I top mine with avocado, Greek yogurt and some flaky sea salt and enjoy it with a side of fruit.” 5. Cereal with protein-rich milk: Not all cereals are created equal — in fact, some of them could make for a healthy pre-dinner snack, said Vanessa King, M.S., RDN, registered dietitian at Queen’s Health System. “This is the powerhouse energy combo of complex carbs, lean protein, and hydration,” she said. “Choose a wholewheat cereal with a heart-healthy label for less saturated fat plus more fiber. Pair it with a fat-free or low-fat dairy milk or soy milk.” If it’s more your speed, you can also opt for plant-based milks — just make sure they’re fortified or enriched with protein, King said. Real Simple magazine provides smart, realistic solutions to everyday challenges. Online at realsimple.com. © 2026 Dotdash Meredith. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Wildfire smoke From page 4

heat can also be dangerous. “When smoke and heat occur together, the impacts on your health are even greater than when they occur by themselves,” said Jess Downey, a researcher at the University of Oregon’s Center for Wildfire Smoke Research and Practice. Downey said the ideal scenario is running the AC unit and using an air purifier or a DIY box fan filter to clean the air. Make sure your AC is well-sealed in your window frame, she added. Make sure the window units are set to recirculate air. Portable units with a single hose should be used sparingly, according to the University of Oregon wildfire smoke center. If you don’t have AC, any reprieve

from hot, smoky air is important. Head to the library, shopping mall or other space with clean, cool air.

Ways to seal up a home

Whether it’s with a towel or tape, plug areas where air could enter from outside. “You can liken it to trying to keep the cold air out,” said Dr. Khalilah Gates, a lung doctor with Northwestern Medicine. “Any areas in which air can come in, consider sealing up those areas to reduce the amount that’s coming into the home.” When smoke levels are high, experts recommend avoiding anything that burns — candles, fireplaces, even gas stoves — so plan ahead with some meal prep.

How smoke affects the body

Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to shortness of breath, chest tightness,

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GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

headaches or a burning sensation in the nose and eyes. “When you ever start to feel those symptoms and they’re not severe, it’s important to acknowledge, ‘Oh, my body is responding to this. I need to move away from it. I

need to move inside,’” Gates said. Of course, if you’re wheezing, can’t catch your breath or are in respiratory distress, get to the emergency room immediately, she said. —AP

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Sept. 3+

SOLO AGING TOGETHER Solo Aging Together is an opportunity for older people who

live alone to have meaningful conversations, swap helpful resources and discuss practical strategies. The free, four-part series takes place on Thursdays in September, beginning on Sept. 3, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Services Building, 5750 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore. Registration and attendance at all four sessions are required. For registration and more information, visit jcsbalt.org/solo-aging-together or call (410) 843-7394.

Depending on the results of these two Lower cholesterol tests, you might need to have an LDL Sept. 19 From page 5

RECOVERY WALK & RALLY

The American Heart Association now recommends that adults get a one-time Lp(a) blood test. Our Lp(a) level is genetically determined and not influenced by diet or exercise. A high Lp(a) level reflects an elevated heart disease risk. The CAC test can tell if a person has fatty plaque buildup in the arteries that supply oxygen and nutrients to our heart.

mental health and substance-use disorders. Join Sat., Sept.

goal level of less than 70 mg/dL. To attain a lower LDL level, your doctor would likely recommend starting a statin drug. 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, see health.harvard.edu. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Baltimore is celebrating 19 years of increasing awareness of

19 from noon to 6 p.m. for the free Walk & Rally for a little entertainment, music, food, recovery resources, kids’ activities and more. The event takes place in Eager Park, 1044 North Durham St., Baltimore. For more information, visit bit.ly/WalkandRally or email bmorerecoverywalk@gmail.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Is it possible to prevent a hunched back? By Lynne Christensen Having the bone-thinning disease osteoporosis puts you at risk for developing an excessive forward curve in the upper spine called hyperkyphosis, sometimes referred to just as kyphosis. But osteoporosis is not the only factor: Age-related degenerative changes in the spine and poor posture can also cause or worsen the condition. Plus, genetics plays a role in your risk. You can’t change your genes or stop the aging process. Still, “even if you’re destined to have hyperkyphosis, you can slow down the process or reduce it to some degree,” said Nancy Capparelli, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Lahey Health.

What causes hyperkyphosis?

With osteoporosis, low bone density

can lead to small breaks (compression fractures) in the vertebrae of the spine, often in the front part of these bones. Over time, some vertebrae can collapse, causing the spine to curve forward. Shock-absorbing spacers (discs) sit between the vertebrae of the spine. Over time, these discs dry out and break down a bit, explaining why we lose height as we age. The force of gravity on degenerating discs also can cause you to bend forward at the upper spine. Poor posture and weak muscles in the back and neck can also lead to spinal curvature or worsen it.

Maintain bone health

To minimize the chance you’ll develop kyphosis later, adopt these habits to help maintain your bone health. Stay up to date on bone-density

scans, which for women should start at age 65 (or earlier for breast-cancer survivors) and for men at age 70. People with risk factors for osteoporosis should start screening earlier. Talk to your doctor about the timing. Get adequate amounts of calcium, vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise to keep bones strong. Recommended daily intake of calcium is 1,200 milligrams (mg) for women over 50 and men over 70, and 1,000 mg for men ages 51 to 70. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D is 600 international units (IU) for people up to age 70 and 800 IU after age 70. Weight-bearing exercises are activities in which your body actively supports its weight and works against gravity, such as walking, running, dancing, and using an elliptical trainer.

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If you have low bone density, your doctor can prescribe medications to treat it.

Correct your posture

“One of the most important things you can do, sooner rather than later, is to pay attention to your posture and ergonomics,” Capparelli said. Don’t wait for your spine to start curving. Avoid prolonged sitting. When working at a desk, take breaks about every 30 minutes. Practice maintaining an upright posture while sitting, standing and walking. Keep your head up and aligned over your spine. Don’t spend long periods hunched over, staring at your device.

Strengthen postural muscles

The key to maintaining good posture is strengthening the muscles in the upper back, neck and core. This can also help prevent a curved spine from worsening. “The stronger your postural muscles are, the easier time they’ll have holding you up,” Capparelli said. “I often see people start an exercise program by doing biceps curls and other exercises that only work the muscles in the front of the body,” she said. “They don’t work the upper- and midback muscles enough, so these people get muscle imbalance, which can contribute to hyperkyphosis.” A physical therapist can help you design a suitable program of exercises. Here are a few possibilities: Standing row: This strengthens the upper back muscles. Shoulder extensions: Using a door anchor, secure the center of a resistance band overhead in front of you. Stand with your arms extended forward and your palms facing inward, holding the ends of the band. Pull your arms down to your sides, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Bring your arms back up, then repeat. Do a total of three sets of 10 repetitions. Plank: This strengthens the core muscles and is also a weight-bearing exercise. Hold this position for 15 to 60 seconds. When performing exercises, keep your head and neck straight and look ahead. “It’s common for people to want to look down,” Capparelli said. “But that accentuates the curve in the upper back and neck.”

What to avoid

Some exercises and positions should be avoided if you have osteoporosis because they can increase the risk of compression fractures. For example, refrain from exercises and other activities that require you to repeatedly bend the spine forward, such as curl-ups (in which you lie on your back and lift your upper torso off the floor) and toe touches from a standing position. Curving the spine forward while holding a weight should also be avoided. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

More people are considering ‘green’ burials By Dorany Pineda After Moira Cathleen Delaney was diagnosed with an aggressive form of intestinal cancer, her thoughts soon turned to her eventual death and what she wanted done with her body. Delaney’s love of gardening, birds and the forest inspired her decision to be transformed into soil — literally — through a process known as natural organic reduction. When she died in October at age 57, her family sprinkled some of her remains under her favorite tree and gave some remains to her closest friends and relatives in glass jars to keep or plant things with. “For her, it was a very comforting thought to be able to return to the earth in that kind of way, and to have her final physical act contributing to the life process,” said Marcos Moliné, her son. Interest in body disposal options that are better for the planet has risen in recent years, according to research commissioned by the National Funeral Directors Association. Some people worry about how conventional death practices such as embalming, fire cremation and casket and vault burials affect the climate, environment and people’s health. Others simply want their final resting place to be in their cherished outdoors. “How we die does lead to a substantial impact on not only the people around us and our communities, but the Earth itself,” said Mark Shelvock, a psychotherapist and lecturer at Western University in Canada, who co-wrote a paper on green death practices. What’s legal and available varies by country, state and province. Here are some common options.

Conventional practices

Embalming, the process of slowing down a body’s decomposition, involves known carcinogens like formaldehyde that get injected into veins to preserve the body for viewing and services. The EPA determined the gas poses an “unreasonable risk” to public health, with people who work in settings where it’s used at greatest risk. Research has shown the likelihood of the gas contaminating soil and groundwater is low. Fire cremation is the most popular op-

tion in the U.S., preferred by nearly twothirds of the respondents to the National Funeral Directors Association. Yet the energy for burning is often derived from fossil fuels. The Cremation Association of North America estimates the energy used in a typical cremation is equivalent to powering a 2,000-squarefoot home for a week. Materials used for caskets and vaults are often made of wood, metal or concrete that require mining or tree-cutting and huge amounts of energy to produce. Concrete, for instance, is responsible for roughly 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions and 2% in the U.S., most of which come from producing and processing the cement to make it. Cemeteries also take up space and require maintenance, which involves energy and resources for mowing, watering or fertilizing. “There’s all of this management that goes into conventional cemeteries that looks very much like a golf course,” said Samuel Perry, a funeral director and president of the nonprofit Green Burial Council.

perform prescribed burns. As a result, said executive director Heather Grove, the site has more biodiversity and wildlife now. According to the Green Burial Council, a green burial “sequesters” about 25 pounds (11.34 kilograms) of carbon. “If you want to talk about carbon capturing and all that, conservation is key to sequester,” Grove said. Elena Slominski, a researcher who’s studied eco-friendly disposal options, said a conservation burial “is by far the best thing you can do because it’s actually technically a carbon sink. It actually restores ecological habitat and protects the land.” But some argue it’s not practical because it takes up space; it’s not a good option where space is at a premium.

Natural organic reduction

Experts said there’s another option if you live in a city where burial space could be limited and more expensive: natural organic reduction. Earth Funeral is a company specializing in the process, also known as terra-

mation and human composting. The body remains in a sealed vessel for 30 to 45 days along with mulch, wood chips and flowers. Inside, microorganisms break down the body into soil in a natural process that generates heat to reach temperatures of 131° F (55° C) or higher — enough to kill germs. Some of the soil is given to loved ones, and the rest is donated to conservation or reforestation projects. Fourteen U.S. states, including Maryland, allow such a process, and 15 others have introduced bills to make it legal, according to Earth Funeral. (Its closest location in the Baltimore area is in Elkridge, Maryland.)

Using water for cremation

Alkaline hydrolysis is also supposed to mimic and speed up natural decomposition. At the Colorado-based water cremation company Be a Tree Cremation, bodies are put into a vessel with 95% water and 5% potassium hydroxide that is then See GREEN BURIALS, page 10

Natural burials

At Prairie Creek Conser vation Cemeter y in Florida, natural burials are combined with land conservation. Graves are dug by hand and bodies are only buried in caskets or shrouds made of biodegradable materials like bamboo or cotton. Embalmed bodies and vaults aren’t allowed, and cremated remains must be in biodegradable, chemicalfree urns. The idea is to let the body decompose naturally. It’s an idea Scott King was skeptical of when his mother, Linda, said she wanted to be buried this way. But the more he researched, the more he understood the beauty of its simplicity. She was buried in a meadow at Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery in Florida last October. “Through death, life begets life,” King said. “She really liked that idea, too, that she can, in her passing, help give life to something else. That was very important to her.” The cemetery partners with a land trust to manage, restore and protect the land from development. They remove invasive species and plant native ones, and

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Health Studies

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

INFORMATION ON AREA CLINICAL TRIALS

UMD seeks older adults for brain study By Margaret Foster This fall the University of Maryland is recruiting healthy older adults with or without memory loss for its study on blood flow to the brain. The best part? You can take home a free image of your brain (and you will be compensated for your participation). As we age, blood flow to our brains gradually changes over time. But these variations are also associated with conditions such as stroke, vascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The University of Maryland hopes to pinpoint those changes early using a noninvasive type of magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. “This study uses a specialized MRI technique to measure cerebral blood flow, which is essential for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the brain,” said Lucas Franco, a researcher from Professor Ze

Green burials From page 9

heated to about 200° F (93° C) for about 18 hours.

Wang’s group in the Department of Diagnostic Radiology & Nuclear Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. “Our goal is to improve this technology so it can help researchers and clinicians better understand brain health.” Researchers hope the study will lead to more accurate, noninvasive methods for assessing brain health and detecting changes associated with aging and neurological disorders.

and compensation for the study. They’re seeking older adults of any age, especially those over 65. If you’ve ever had an MRI, you know that they’re a way to see inside the body without using radiation, like x-rays or CT scans do. Doctors order MRIs either “with contrast” or “without contrast.” The contrast dye, administered intravenously, can spark allergies in a small number of people, however. One in 300,000 people are allergic to the dye, which is made from a metal called gadolinium.

The study only requires one in-person visit to the university’s downtown location for an MRI, which takes less than three hours. The MRI technique in this study is painless, requires no needles and does not expose the body to any radiation. Franco’s team will provide free parking

Wang’s lab is using a noninvasive type of MRI called arterial spin labeling (ASL) MR perfusion, which does not require contrast dye. Without the contrast dye, however, ASL images tend to be less accurate.

That’s why, for this study, Franco and his team will use artificial intelligence (AI) to fill in the blanks of the MRI images they collect. “We can use AI to fill the holes and make the image better and more complete,” he explained. “The more time you spend in an MRI, the better the data tends to be, but that’s more expensive.” An MRI can cost patients around $1,000 because the MRI machines can cost as much as $3 million. However, an MRI is free to participants of this study, who can take home images of their brains for their physicians to interpret. “We don’t provide any reading, but that doesn’t prevent them from bringing the image to their own doctor,” Franco said. For more information, send a text to (443) 281-9264 or email study_wanglab@ som.umaryland.edu.

Skeletal remains are returned to loved ones as powder in an urn or shaped as stones. This process uses about 90% less energy than fire cremation. Perry, with the Green Burial Council,

said he’s often asked whether green burials make much of a difference. “The quick and dirty answer is no, I don’t think this one thing is going to change a whole lot.

“But it’s always about changing industries. And as an industry, if we do better, we are making a bigger impact.” Daniel Kozin contributed to this report. —AP

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Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

Health News FDA approves cholesterol pill The Food and Drug Administration has approved a first-of-its-kind pill that can drastically reduce cholesterol in a way that’s previously only been available with expensive, injectable drugs. The drug from Merck was OK’d in July for patients with artery-clogging cholesterol that persists even after taking statins, the standard medications for cutting heart attack risk. Merck will market its pill under the brand name Lipfendra. It’s the first noninjectable medication that works by blocking a liver protein that limits the body’s ability to clear cholesterol from the blood. Biotech injectables targeting it have been available from Amgen and other drugmakers for more than a decade. But patient access has been stymied for years by high prices, insurance restrictions and limited prescribing by doctors. Statins block some of the liver’s production of cholesterol and are the cornerstone of treatment. But even at the highest doses, many people need additional help lowering their LDL, or bad, cholesterol enough to meet medical guidelines. Merck won approval based on two studies in high-risk patients who added the company’s pill to their standard treatment, including statins. In one study of 3,000 patients, those taking Lipfendra saw their levels of LDL cholesterol drop more than 55% after six months. In a second study, patients averaged a reduction of 59% compared with patients who received a dummy pill. That benefit dropped only slightly over a year, and side effects — including dizziness and diarrhea — were similar between those taking the pill or a placebo, researchers found. One caveat: The pill must be taken on an empty stomach. The FDA reviewed the drug under its program that promises ultra-fast reviews for promising medications that serve the public interest. The pathway was created

by then-FDA chief Dr. Marty Makary, who resigned from the agency in May. Heart disease is the nation’s leading cause of death, and high LDL cholesterol, which causes plaque to build up in arteries, is a top risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. While an LDL level of 100 is considered fine for healthy people, doctors recommend lowering it to at least 70 once people develop high cholesterol or heart disease — and even lower for those at very high risk. —Matthew Perrone, AP

Smoking rate drops The cigarette smoking rate among U.S. adults dropped to another all-time low last year, with 1 in 11 adults saying they were current smokers, according to government survey data. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, heart disease and stroke, and it’s long been considered the leading cause of preventable death. The preliminary findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were based on survey responses from more than 24,200 adults. In the survey, released in May, CDC officials defined current cigarette smoking as smoking at least 100 cigarettes in a lifetime and now smoking every day or some days. In the mid-1960s, 42% of U.S. adults were smokers. The rate has been gradually dropping for decades, due to cigarette taxes, tobacco product price hikes, smoking bans, public education campaigns and changes in the social acceptability of lighting up in public. The use of electronic cigarettes has been inching up among adults, but has held about steady in 2025, at about 7%. “The continued decline in smoking is a monumental public health achievement that has saved millions of lives and billions in healthcare costs,” said Yolonda Richardson, president and chief executive of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy and research organization. [Ed. Note: Medicare Part B and Part D cover smoking cessation, including coun-

Improve Your Health with Personalized Activities

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seling and prescription medication. Ask your doctor for more information.] —Mike Stobbe, AP

Carly Simon diagnosed with Parkinson’s Singer Carly Simon has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and was recently treated for skin cancer, the singer shared last month in a statement provided to The Associated Press. “So many people have written to me, kindly wondering about my relative silence, asking how I am and what I have been doing. The truth is, I’ve been learning how to live with Parkinson’s disease,” Simon’s statement read. The singer, 83, had been experiencing arthritis in one of her hips and both her knees, resulting in replacement surgeries for those three joints. But her mobility continued to decline. At times, she said, she could not walk without “considerable help.” “My family and I knew that something more was going on. After an extensive evaluation at the Mayo Clinic, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” she said. “It has taken me some time to understand the diagnosis, to adjust to it, and to decide how much I wanted to say about it publicly,” she explained. “Parkinson’s is different for everyone, and it can be un-

Approved February 28, 2024

predictable. Some days I’m so tired I can’t get the day moving at all. On others, it gives me a little more room to move, think, work, and feel like myself.” Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements. It typically starts with tremors and is characterized by slow movement, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, balance problems and slurred speech. About 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, and 10 million people worldwide, the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates. It usually appears after age 60, though it sometimes develops before age 50. The exact cause isn’t known, but Parkinson’s develops when cells that produce one of the brain’s chemical messengers — dopamine — begin to deteriorate and die. There is no cure, but there are treatments, including medications and a surgically implanted tremor-blocking device. Patients also may benefit from physical and occupational therapy. “I began treatment, including taking medication to help with stiffness and other symptoms,” Simon said. “There is no tidy or predictable schedule to the illness.” She said music has been a salve, and on Aug. 14, she will release “Comes in Waves,” her first album of original songs since 2008. “Illness can change your life without becoming the whole of your life,” she said. —Maria Sherman, AP

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Ongoing smell loss may be one of the most important signals of brain health as we age. A new study from The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is exploring this link. We’re calling on everyone with and without Parkinson’s to request a simple scratch-and-sniff test and contribute to important research. Request Request your your test test at at 877-525-PPMI (7764) mysmelltest.org/beacon or scan the QR code. or scan the QR code.

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SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Trust the Home Care Expert With Tom Smith, Regional Manager, Business Development, Family & Nursing Care

More Than Help at Home: How Caregiving Can Transform Lives

any older adults value their independence and may be reluctant to accept help, even after a fall, illness, or other health setback. For people who have spent a lifetime caring for themselves and others, the idea of needing assistance can feel like a loss of control. Family & Nursing Care client Margaret Wilson* understood that feeling well. As she explained, her attitude had long been, “I do not need help. Not in the past. Not in the foreseeable future, and certainly not now.” Yet after a serious fall left her with multiple injuries, managing daily life on her own became increasingly difficult. With encouragement from her physician and a social worker in her retirement community, she agreed to receive caregiver support at home. What began as a cautious acceptance of help gradually became an important part of her recovery and quality of life. With the support of caregiver Angela Rogers*, Margaret was able to regain confidence, establish a routine, and focus on healing. Today, despite ongoing health challenges, she credits Angela’s care with helping her maintain a meaningful and comfortable life. Angela’s steady presence, encouragement, and attentiveness have helped make daily activities more manageable while allowing Margaret to continue living independently in her own home.

For many older adults, caregiving is about far more than assistance with daily tasks. It is also about connection, companionship, and preserving a sense of identity. Through her relationship with Angela, Margaret found support that extended well beyond practical help. She says Angela’s kindness, competence, sense of humor, and encouragement have helped her remain engaged in activities she enjoys, including continuing yoga in a modified form and getting out of the house more often. Over time, their relationship grew into a genuine friendship. renewed sense of independence. As Margaret describes it, their To learn more about Family conversations often feel like those & Nursing Care, call us at 410between close friends. Even small 697-8200 or visit our website at everyday moments—and Angela’s affection for Margaret’s beloved cat, Bugsy—have contributed to her overall well-being and happiness. “At Family & Nursing Care, we see every day how the right caregiver can make a meaningful difference in a person’s life,” says Kelly Salb, Vice President of Client Services. “Caregivers do so much more than assist with daily needs. They help clients stay connected to the activities, relationships, and routines that bring purpose and joy.” While health challenges can appear unexpectedly, the right support can help older adults continue to live safely and comfortably at home. As Margaret’s story demonstrates, caregiving often provides more than assistance—it can foster confidence, connection, and a

familynursingcare.com. *Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the client and caregiver.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

Strategies for scaling back on sodium By Julie Corliss Even if you rarely salt your food, chances are you consume way more sodium than is healthy. That’s because 70% of the sodium (a major component of salt) in the typical American diet comes from processed, prepared and restaurant foods. The biggest sources include bread, deli meats, pizza, burritos, tacos, soups and salty snacks. The average American consumes around 3,400 milligrams (mg) of sodium daily, which far exceeds the recommended sodium intake of 2,300 mg per day. Eating too much salt causes your body to hold on to extra water to dilute the excess. As a result, the fluid inside your blood vessels increases, raising your blood pressure and your risk of cardiovascular disease. But even small cuts in sodium can help, according to two studies that explored the potential health impact of sodium reduction efforts in France and the United Kingdom. In 2021, the FDA began phasing in voluntary sodium-reduction targets for food manufacturers, with a goal of eventually cutting sodium intake in the United States by 20%. In the meantime, track your daily sodium intake and avoid foods high in sodium. “For people who’ve had a heart attack or a heart procedure, we recommend no more than 2,000 milligrams of sodium per day,” said Frances Parpos, a registered dietitian at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Health perks of low sodium

Cutting just a little salt from prepared foods on a national level could prevent large numbers of heart attacks and

strokes, according to two studies in the March 2026 issue of Hypertension. One study focused on modest sodium reductions in baguettes and other bread products in France. Beginning in 2022, the slight reductions — which cut sodium by 17% to 35% in those staple foods — went unnoticed by the French population. The resulting small drop in blood pressure could cut annual heart attack and stroke rates by about 1% each, saving more than 1000 lives, the researchers estimate. Similar changes to packaged foods (such as bread, cheese and meat) and takeout meals (such as burgers, curries and pizza) could lower daily sodium intake in the United Kingdom by about 18%, according to the other study. Over two decades, that could prevent more than 100,000 heart disease cases and 25,000 strokes.

Seek out lower-sodium products

When shopping, choose brands low in sodium — ideally less than 140 mg per serving. That’s especially important for foods like breads and cereals, which people tend to eat frequently, Parpos said. Cereals that have added sugar may also have added (but often undetectable to your tastebuds) amounts of sodium. Don’t be misled by high-sodium foods marketed as “light in,” “reduced” or “less” sodium. “One popular brand of less-sodium soy sauce still has about 600 milligrams of sodium per tablespoon,” Parpos said. Although label statements offer clues about a product’s sodium content, check the Nutrition Facts panel (found on the product’s back or side) to find the actual amount. • If the label says sodium-free or saltfree, it means less than 5 mg sodium per

serving. • If the label says very low sodium, it means less than 35 mg sodium per serving. • If the label says low sodium, it means less than 140 mg sodium per serving. • If the label says light in sodium, less or reduced sodium, it’s not necessarily low in sodium, just lower in sodium than their standard counterparts.

Restaurant tricks

Deli sandwiches often contain close to 1,000 mg of sodium, thanks to the roll, cold cuts, cheese and pickles. Instead of processed meat, use grilled chicken, nosalt-added canned tuna or eggs, Parpos suggested. To trim sodium from pizza,

choose a thin-crust version with vegetable toppings. On tacos and burritos, opt for less meat and cheese but extra corn and guacamole. Chain restaurants that have more than 20 locations in the U.S. are required by the FDA to include nutrition information on their websites, so scope out the lower-sodium options in advance. Salad dressings, condiments and sauces tend to be salty, so get them on the side. “If you’re going out to dinner, make sure your breakfast, lunch and snacks are low in sodium, which can help you stay within your daily sodium budget,” Parpos said. © 2026 Harvard University. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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helping older adults and caregivers avoid common discharge mistakes, ask the right questions, and leave the hospital with confidence and a clear plan. The program takes place Thurs., Sept. 24 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Keswick Wise & Well Center for Healthy Living, 700 West 40th St., Baltimore. For more information, visit bit.ly/DischargePlans or call (410) 235-8860.

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SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

COVER STORY

A Maryland farmer comes full circle

Old-fashioned growing process

A functional nutrition practitioner and certified energy healer with family roots in agriculture, Chaney was inspired to grow healthy food for a living. “It’s a very rewarding profession. You become sustainable as a human. You know how to source your food,” she said. In 2009, she and her school-aged son began building permaculture gardens and row gardens, stabilizing their natural ecosystems to grow fruits, vegetables and nut trees in “living soil.” Living soil is not only free of pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers, but is also full of microscopic life. This farming practice requires the cultivation of bacteria, fungi microarthropods (small, beneficial bugs), arthropods and earthworms. It works the way nature does, with a synergistic relationship between these microbes and the plants. This practice, called regenerative agriculture, provides nutrients to the plants while enhancing the stability and growing potential of the soil. It promotes robust plant growth and increases the nutrient density of the produce. “Regeneratively growing food and medicine for us is the only way to go because we’re getting one more product per plant than any other type of gardening or agriculture farming, and we’re getting a product that is more nutrient-dense, more healthy, more healing,” Chaney said. She compares soil health to having a healthy gut microbiome. A person with a healthy gut is better able to absorb the nutrients from the food they eat. Just like humans, plants grown in living soil have stronger innate immune function, allowing them to fend off diseases and pests without chemicals.

Support from the state

Chaney and her family decided to restore natural ecosystems through the Maryland Department of Natural Resources program, which allowed the family to cultivate “food forests” while stabilizing the farm’s steep slopes and previously conventionally farmed fields. The food forest features native varieties including aronia berries, beach plums, hazelnuts, persimmon, paw paws, walnuts, crab apples and more. In the living-soil beds, Honey’s cultivates medicinal herbs and berries, including elderberries, mullein, peppermint, mallow, wormwood, burdock, dandelion, tulsi (also called holy basil), lemon balm, spilanthes (commonly called “the toothache plant” for its numbing properties) and non-intoxicating hemp to create CBD products. Their largest vegetable crop is, by far, sweet potatoes. When Chaney’s son discovered that he could grow 100 pounds of sweet potatoes in a 4x4x4 cube of living soil, they knew this would become a healthy staple at Honey’s Harvest Farm.

PHOTO COURTESY OF HONEY’S HARVEST FARM

By Lauren Evoy Davis Farming “was probably in my DNA from the start,” said Anna Chaney, a 13th-generation Anne Arundel native. “I grew up on a farm raising vegetables, sweet corn, squash and tomatoes, selling them roadside and learning a solid work ethic.” Chaney remembers growing and preser ving vegetables with her grandmothers, and she felt a strong desire to share those experiences with her own children. After spending years building a successful hospitality business, Chaney returned to those roots in 2009, when she purchased an old tobacco farm in southern Maryland. Today, the 159-acre property is home to Honey’s Harvest Farm, a family-run operation that combines farming, a popular farm store, a farmers market and space for weddings and wellness events.

Farm store builds community

Over the years, Chaney and her family have grown to employ a small team of employees. Their farm team, holistic chef, herbalist, event planner and administrator share a love of the land, nutrient-dense food and a vision of a healthier world. [Ed. Note: Lauren Evoy Davis recently became manager of the farm store.] Knowing exactly where your food comes from is increasingly important at a time when food safety and handling are at risk. Perhaps that’s why Chaney has seen an increase in regulars who come to Honey’s Harvest Farm Store each week for fresh eggs, milk, cheese, produce and pasture-raised meats from other local farmers. “The store brings in people who are seeking connection with like-minded, health-oriented people who value locally produced foods and medicines,” Chaney said. Chaney’s team shares information, hosts tours and answers questions about their “soil-to-shelf” foods and health products. Chaney herself hosts a seasonal 10-day detox program as well as nutrition classes. Honey’s has an onsite herbalist, appropriately named Herb Harris, who formulates teas, tinctures and herbal remedies with the farm’s herbs, roots and flowers. Though not FDA-approved, the farm’s herbal remedies are formulated to aid digestion, support sleep and help people get through cold and flu season. They are available both online and at Honey’s Farm Store. One popular tincture, named “Magic Bullet,” includes Turkey Tail mush-

A former tobacco farm in Lothian, Maryland, Honey’s Harvest Farm is now a working farm with a market, farm store and event venue.

rooms, which some people take when undergoing cancer treatment for their immune system, according to the National Institutes of Health. One of the farm’s bestsellers is Honey’s flagship offering, Elderberry syrup, which customers say can help soothe respiratory illnesses. Also available in the store is raw, local honey, harvested on the farm and other local apiaries. When visiting the store, customers can try before they buy. The store offers tastings of tea, elderberry lemonade, syrups, honey and more.

Farmers market, weddings

Honey’s hosts a farmers’ market on the first and third Sunday of each month. Local vendors sell baked goods, microgreens, produce, seafood, pasture-raised meats, farm-fresh eggs, flower bouquets, natural skin care products, charcuterie, wine and spirits, against the backdrop of live jazz music. Kids can play in the inflatable bounce house, and well-behaved dogs are welcome. Honey’s Chef Rebecca Feldman is front and center, serving hot harvest bowls made from the crops harvested the day before. In addition to the farmers market, Honey’s also hosts a handful of weddings each year. The restored tobacco barn makes a unique backdrop for wedding receptions and other celebrations. Chaney’s first company, Herrington on

the Bay, in Rose Haven, Maryland, was a wedding and event venue, so a similar side business was a good fit for the farm. (In fact, she borrowed the name Honey’s from a café she opened at the Herrington Harbor Marina Resort.) Next to the barn, the original tobacco farmer’s house has been renovated as a three-bedroom overnight wellness center. The light-filled Studio at Honey’s Farmhouse hosts yoga retreats, cooking demonstrations and other health-centric experiences every weekend. The most gratifying thing about running the farm, according to Chaney, other than working with her three grown kids, is the overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors. Just a few nights ago, Chaney said, a woman approached her at a local event and told her, “Thank you for what you’re doing at Honey’s Harvest Farm. I love your farm. I just moved here 18 months ago, and I just am so grateful that you are here for our community.” Honey’s Harvest Farm hosts a farmers market every first and third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its farm store is open year-round on weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., located at 5801 Brooks Woods Rd, Lothian, MD 20711. Some products are available for purchase at honeysharvest.com. For more information, see Honey’s Facebook page, email info@honeysharvest. com or call (410) 610-9693.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

Why you may be more tired this summer

Every summer I hear the same thing, come less reliable. Add outdoor activi“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but ties, exercise, air travel, caffeine, alcohol or summer heat, and it beI’m exhausted.” comes surprisingly easy to To be honest, I hate the fall behind on hydration. heat and feel the same way! Summer also means more While hot and humid weather activity: gardening, vacacan certainly beat you down tions, swimming, golf, hiking faster, it isn’t the whole story. or chasing kids or grandchilSometimes summertime just exposes an underlying issue dren. That increases your that was already there. need for nutrients, especially One of the biggest culprits the B vitamins that help conis electrolyte loss. When you DEAR vert the food you eat into ussweat, you lose more than wa- PHARMACIST able energy. ter. You also lose minerals By Suzy Cohen If you’ve been sleeping well such as sodium, potassium but still feel like you’re dragand magnesium. These are needed to ging, you may be short on B vitamins. maintain healthy blood pressure and boost This can easily happen if you take medicaenergy. When they fall out of balance, you tions that gradually deplete them, what I may feel weak, tired, dizzy, mentally foggy, call “drug muggers.” It can also happen if anxious — or even notice heart palpita- you drink wine or alcohol. tions. Inflammation can also quietly drain Certain medications, like acid blockers your reserves. Whether it’s related to for reflux, some diuretics, and other com- poor sleep, chronic stress, excess weight, monly prescribed drugs, can quietly de- joint discomfort, chronic pain or an inplete nutrients over time, making sum- flammatory diet, your body uses energy mer fatigue more noticeable. to manage these processes. Dehydration is another common probLet’s talk vitamin D and sunshine. lem, and it doesn’t always make you feel Many people assume their D levels are thirsty. Sometimes it shows up as fatigue, better in summertime (because of the sunshine), but that’s not necessarily true. headaches, constipation or dry skin. Plus, as we age, our thirst signals be- Many of us spend much of the day in-

doors, avoid direct sunlight or consistently wear sunscreen. Others have genetic polymorphisms or reduced enzyme activity that affect the liver and kidney hydroxylation pathways needed to convert vitamin D into its active form. Low vitamin D is one possible contributor to fatigue, reduced muscle function and changes in mood. It’s worth a blood test to check levels. Over the years, I’ve watched people chase fatigue for months (sometimes even years) only to discover they simply needed better hydration, a healthier electrolyte balance, improved nutrition, a few less pounds to carry around in the summer heat or a review of the medications

they were taking. If you’ve been feeling unusually tired this summer, don’t automatically blame your age or the heat and humidity. Make some of these small changes, and you may see surprisingly big improvements. For more practical health tips, wellness articles and access to exclusive supplement coupons, visit me at suzycohen. com and stay in touch. This information is opinion only. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose your condition. Consult with your doctor before using any new drug or supplement. Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist and author of The 24-Hour Pharmacist and Real Solutions from Head to Toe.

BEACON BITS

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ELLICOTT CITY DIVIDED: CIVIL WAR LECTURE Hear how Ellicott’s Mills stood at the crossroads of rail-

roads, war and divided loyalties during the Civil War. Admission to the history talk is free, but registration is required. The event takes place Sat., Sept. 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. to the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City. For registration and more information, visit bit. ly/EllicottCivilWar or call (410) 303-2959.

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Recreation & Parks

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Upcoming Programs for 50 Years +

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

Special Events September Down at the Depot: A B&O Ellicott City Station Museum Special Exhibit

An exhibit of original drawings and paintings of the B&O EC Station Museum and the depot area, completed by local artist Wiley Purkey from 1969 to 2026. Open during regular museum hours. Info: 410-313-1945. All ages B&O EC Station Museum Sep 2-27 Free

Suicide Awareness & Prevention Resource Fair (Preventative Wellness)

Join us as we partner with local organizations to provide community resources to members and families dealing with mental health challenges. Volunteers are welcome. Registration for vendors and service providers is required. Preregistration for event attendees is recommended but not required. Info: 410-313-0860. All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr Free RP4462.101 Service Providers Sep 10 6 -9pm Th RP4462.102 Attendees Sep 10 7-8:30pm Th

25 Artifacts for the 250th! (A HoCo250 Event)

NEW! Join Parks Archaeologist Kelly Palich as she presents on and showcases 25 of the most interesting artifacts recovered from archaeological sites representing the past 250 years of what is now Howard County! View all HoCo250 events at www.HowardCountyMD.gov/hoco250. All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr RP9983.101 Sep 12 1-2:30pm Sa Free

Grandparents’ Day Celebration

Grandparents and older adults are an essential part of every person’s life. Join us as we celebrate the people who bring us endless experience, wisdom, and love! Participate in crafts, learn history, and take fun pictures. Participate in crafts, learn history, and take fun pictures. Participants are welcome to register with or without participating grandparents/grandchildren. Program includes space to honor grandparents and grandchildren who are no longer with us. Preregistration recommended but not required. Info: 410-313-0860. All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr RP4452.101 Grandparents Sep 12 1-3pm Sa Free RP4452.102 Grandchildren Sep 12 1-3pm Sa Free

Tubman Tailgate

Grab your jersey and get ready to cheer on the Baltimore Ravens as they take on the Indianapolis Colts in the season opener! Enjoy snacks, fun, and camaraderie with the DMV’s best fans while celebrating the return of football season. Fans are welcome to bring their own food. Volunteers are welcome. Preregistration is recommended but not required. Info: 410-313-0860. All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr RP4453.101 Sep 13 Noon-4:30pm Su $5

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

Salsa Sensations

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as we immerse ourselves in the energetic and fun world of Latin Dance. Join a community of music lovers and feel the spirit of our vibrant Hispanic community. All experience levels welcome. Salsa instruction available from 7-8pm. Snacks and water provided. Food available for purchase. Info: 410-313-0860. All ages Harriet Tubman Ctr RP4461.101 Sep 16 7-9:30pm W Free RP4461.102 Sep 30 7-9:30pm W Free RP4461.103 Oct 14 7-9:30pm W Free

Robinson Nature Center Anniversary Open House Celebrate the nature center’s 15th birthday! Come see what’s new, including our two new outdoor pavilions, interactive Chesapeake Challenge game, new features in the Nature Place, and more. Take part in a community art project, meet live animals, see an outdoor puppet show or planetarium show and enjoy fun activities with our partners. Limited parking on-site. Off-site parking with complimentary shuttle available. Info: 410-313-0400. All ages Robinson Nature Ctr RP4898.101 Sep 20 10am-2pm Su Free

Tasting Event with Sobar: Mindful Sips, A Non-Alcoholic Wine Experience at Waverly

We invite you to join us for an elevated non-alcoholic (NA) wine tasting experience. Celebrate the art of wine in a fresh, modern way with this guided NA tasting experience. Hosted by Sobar, this special event invites you to explore a curated lineup of premium NA wines, each selected to showcase depth, complexity, and character. As you sip and savor, you’ll learn about the innovative processes used to remove alcohol while preserving flavor – gaining a deeper appreciation for what’s in your glass. Light palate cleansers will be provided throughout the tasting to keep your experience balanced and enjoyable. Whether you’re gathering with friends, planning a unique date night, or exploring a mindful lifestyle, this event offers all the pleasures of wine tasting without the after-effects. Stay after to shop for your favorites and take a piece of the experience home. Materials fee is due upon arrival (not included in registration fee listed below). Info: 410-313-0200. 18 yrs + Waverly Mansion $28 materials fee due upon arrival RP9920.101 Sep 24 6:30-8:30pm Th $50

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

AD F R MI E E SS IO N

OCTOBER 6 • 11am-2pm BLANDAIR REGIONAL PARK CROQUET LAWN Participate in free class demonstrations! Come dressed to move. Get motivated with a free fitness and/or dance demonstration! Visit with our many vendors and onsite food! Try your hand at an archery activity! Free giveaways and raffle prizes!

www.HowardCountyMD.gov/EncoreShowcase

October Historic Waverly Mansion’s Fall Open House & Vendor Showcase

Experience the rich history and beauty of Historic Waverly Mansion in Marriottsville! Waverly was built in the mid-1700s and lived in by several generations of the Howard family, for which Howard County is named. For those in search of the perfect venue for an upcoming special occasion or wedding, visit with local vendors. (Email WaverlyMd@HowardCountyMD.gov to reserve a table). Registration is encouraged. Info: 410-313-0200. All ages Waverly Mansion RP9915.101 Public Oct 4 11am-3pm Su Free RP9915.102 Vendors Oct 4 11am-3pm Su $30

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

Smartphone Photography

Smartphone cameras aren’t just handy, they are powerful image processors. Present your best self with fun selfies and creative portraits. Learn how to use the many functions and features of your cellphone’s camera. Practice what you learn and then enhance those photos with editing tools available right on your phone. Please be familiar with how to locate the camera app on your device. Smartphone with camera required. 50 yrs + Classes: 4 RP3503.101 Belmont Manor Sep 10 9:30-11:30am Th $95

Introduction to Somatic Stress Release Workshop

Learn new techniques and tools to work with your body’s stress response cycle so you can sleep better, worry less, and release some of the bracing in your body. Cover the very basics of Somatic Stress Release and then spend the majority of class engaging in practices so you leave with a little more ease. Please bring a yoga mat, blanket, journal, and beach towel or you can borrow ours. Wear clothing that allows for movement and bring layers. Bare feet or socks are encouraged. 50 yrs + Classes: 1 RP3554.101 Harriet Tubman Ctr Sep 18 10am-noon F $35

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

Dutch Apple Theater: Pretty Woman

If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical! This modern Cinderella tale follows a businessman who meets a beautiful woman and the two embark on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and find true love along the way. A delicious and plentiful buffet is included with the show! 18 yrs + Bus provided RP4543.101 Sep 23 11am-6pm W $169

The Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

Entering its fifth decade, the Hirshhorn is a leading national platform for contemporary art, offering transformative experiences where art, artists, audiences, and ideas meet. As one of the country’s most visited modern art museums, it showcases groundbreaking exhibitions, events, research, and acquisitions featuring major 21st-century artists. Lunch is available on your own at the onsite Dolcezza Café. Moderate walking required. 21 yrs + Bus provided RP4580.101 Sep 30 9:30am-4:30pm W $89

Autumn Beauty at Longwood Gardens

Experience the beauty of Longwood Gardens on an autumn tour filled with vibrant foliage, seasonal blooms, and stunning conservatory displays. Wander through colorful landscapes, peaceful woodlands, and crisp fall air as you explore one of the nation’s premier horticultural destinations. A perfect blend of nature, tranquility, and unforgettable scenery. Lunch on your own at The Longwood Gardens Café. Significant walking required. All ages Bus provided RP4582.101 Oct 2 8am-6pm F $179

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery

The National Portrait Gallery, founded by Congress in 1962, collects and displays portraits of Americans who shaped the nation’s history and culture. Today, it continues telling the country’s evolving story through influential individuals. Lunch available onsite at the café. Moderate walking required. 21 yrs + Bus provided RP4558.101 Oct 8 9:30am-3:30pm Th $95

Scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/RPtrips for more trips & tours!

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SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Volume 16, No. 9 | September 2026

Celebrating the Elkridge 50+ Center Groundbreaking, just in time for National Senior Center Month

On August 3, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball broke ground on the long-awaited new Elkridge Community and 50+ Center, located at 6371 Old Washington Road in Elkridge. “A $65.5 million public facility like this can sit in a planning document for decades before it is realized,” said Dr. Ball. “But this project didn’t. It moved forward because this community never stopped believing in it.” September is National Senior Center Month, so the timing is especially fitting. “The Elkridge Community and 50+ Center will be a place where older adults can stay active, build meaningful connections, and access the programs and services that support healthy, independent living. By bringing people together across generations, this center will strengthen community, reduce social isolation, and help ensure Howard County remains a place where people can thrive at every age,” said Jackie Scott, Director of the Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS). Many Elkridge 50+ Center members opted to watch a live stream of the groundbreaking ceremony at the existing center. “Our members enjoyed refreshments, music and the opportunity to celebrate this historic milestone together,” said Elkridge 50+ Center director Danielle Carter. “The event was a wonderful reflection of the strong community spirit that makes Elkridge so special.”

From the desk of Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive Upcoming federal policy changes will significantly alter Medicaid eligibility for many non-citizen older adults in Maryland. Understanding these changes is vital for families, caregivers, and community members in Howard County to avoid unexpected gaps in healthcare coverage. With approximately 55,500 residents aged 65 and older living in Howard County and a diverse foreign-born population (22.7% of our community or roughly 76,400 people), these changes directly impact our neighbors. The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence (OAI) is prepared to help local older adults navigate the changing landscape. Beginning October 1, 2026, federal updates under H.R. 1 will restructure full-scope Medicaid eligibility for non-citizens, impactizng funding for specific lawfully present groups. • Adults holding refugee, asylee, or parolee status and certain victims of abuse or trafficking will lose federal funding for full-scope Medicaid coverage, with limited coverage for emergencies. • Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders) who meet the federal five-year waiting period retain full-scope eligibility. Cuban/Haitian entrants and Compact of Free Association (COFA) migrants also remain fully eligible. • The Maryland Department of Health and Maryland Health Connection will mail official redetermination notices to affected households before October. Older adults are urged to update their mailing addresses in the state portal. Two other updates take effect January 1, 2027, when enrollees must complete redetermination paperwork to satisfy income tests every six months instead of once a year; and certain adults must document at least 80 hours per month of work, job training or community engagement unless they qualify for an exemption. For more information, contact Maryland Access Point at 410-313-1234.

Building construction is expected to begin this fall and be completed by summer 2028. The first phase will include the construction of an approximately 70,000 square foot facility housing the new Elkridge 50+ Center, plus designated general recreation program and shared spaces and a satellite station for the Howard County Police Department.

September 30 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

TRANSIT TRANSIT

101

The new 50+ Center will have its own dedicated entry and will include a Connections Suite, a multipurpose room, classrooms, activity/meeting rooms, as well as office space, workstations and a breakroom for staff. Visitors to the 50+ Center will also have access to the community center gymnasium, fitness exercise room, kitchen space, a quiet room and restrooms with an adult changing station. The Office on Aging and Independence will share the facility with the Department of Recreation and Parks. Dedicated recreation spaces will include a 20,000 square foot gymnasium, with an indoor track and volleyball courts, two basketball courts, and six pickleball/badminton courts. The facility will also feature a fitness room, full kitchen and culinary learning space; dance studio; combined game room/teen-rec room; pre-school/early childhood learning center, as well as office spaces and workstations.

Bain 50+ Center

Get There With Confidence! Visit bit.ly/HoCo-Transit101

This interactive program will introduce adults 50+ to the many transit options available in Howard County. Explore hands-on tools, watch live demos, and receive expert advice designed to help you stay safe, confident, and mobile. Light refreshments will be served.

Scan the QR code above or call 410-313-7213 to register.

Makes a great gift! | Fitness & Health

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

September Events at Howard County 50+ Centers Aging with Confidence: Navigating Care, Planning and Change Glenwood 50+ Center September 1, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. • #A03811.800

Join us as a panel of experts provide information and answer your questions. Topics include: Elder Law, Financial Planning, Senior Advocate, Home Care, Downsizing, Cognitive Health, and Real Estate.

Strategies for Swing Trading Stocks/EFTs

Dance Into Fall Elkridge 50+ Center September 17, 4 – 6 p.m. • #A05720.800 or call 410-313-5192 Celebrate fall with an evening of music, movement and community. Dance to a mix of classic hits and easygoing tunes or just enjoy the music. Cost: $15. Light refreshments served.

Downsizing, Moving and Selling Your Home Ellicott City 50+ Center September 17, 1 – 3 p.m. • #A02658.801 or call 410-313-1400 Join us for a discussion on downsizing topics including retirement finances, investment properties, estates and trusts, and services to simplify the process.

Dance-through-the-Decades: Senior Center Month Celebration

Glenwood 50+ Center September 1, 3 – 4 p.m. • #A03667.803 or call 410-313-5440 Get an overview of strategies for swing trading stocks and EFTs and the practical advantages they offer. NO stock buy/sell recommendations will be made.

Bain 50+ Center September 18, 1 – 3 p.m. • #A01756.800 DJ Luxe Jewlz will take you on a musical journey through the decades, from the 50s through the 80s. No experience necessary; just bring your energy, friends and dancing shoes!

Recruiting for the Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy

Age Wisely with MAP: Eat for Better Health

Classroom Training: Tuesdays/Wednesdays September 9 – December 3 General Session: January 13 – April 12, 2027 The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute on Public Policy is seeking volunteers aged 50+ to serve as legislative leaders during the 2027 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly. Trained participants will volunteer two days a week during the session. Apply online at bit.ly/LegacyLeaderApp.

From Clutter to Clarity North Laurel 50+ Center September 11, 10 a.m. – noon • #A06612.801 or call 410-313-0380 Drawing on his work with the Positive Aging Community and The Beacon Newspapers, Steve Gurney leads discussion on downsizing, decluttering and navigating the realities of senior living.

Falls Prevention Presentation North Laurel 50+ Center September 14, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. • #A06677.801 or call 410-313-0380 Join OAI’s Exercise Specialist, Rachel Filar, to learn how/why falls occur; explore exercises to aid with balance and classes currently available at 50+ Centers.

Korean American Senior Association (KASA) Thrift Sale Bain 50+ Center September 16, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

East Columbia 50+ Center September 23, 1 – 1:45 p.m. • #A04622.800 Small changes to your eating habits can have a big impact on your health. Learn how to boost immunity, support muscle and bone health, read nutrition labels, and make healthier food substitutions.

Howard County Freedom Seekers Ellicott City 50+ Center September 24, 1 – 2:30 p.m. • #A02649.802 or call 410-313-1400 While Howard County was not part of an organized underground railroad, the Howard County Historical Society has documented cases of brave local men and women who helped individuals escaping slavery to gain freedom.

CVS Vaccine Clinic North Laurel 50+ Center September 25, 10 a.m. – noon • #A06201.801 In partnership with CVS Pharmacy, the center will offer an onsite vaccine clinic. Bring your insurance card or Medicare Part A & B (Part D if you have it) to receive your vaccine. Call 410-313-0380 for a list of available vaccines.

Grandparents Day Out Elkridge 50+ Center September 30, 1:30 – 3 p.m. • #A05722.800 or call 410-313-5192 Bring the grandchildren and join former performer Gregory May for an interactive afternoon of juggling, magic, plate spinning, cowboy ropes, and plenty of laughs! It’s a circus adventure for the whole family. Cost: $5/person.

Howard County’s KASA will hold its annual thrift sale to benefit the Vivian Reid Fund, featuring gently-used clothing, jewelry, small household items, handcrafts, and more. Food will also be available for purchase.

Senior Planet: Ridesharing Apps Ellicott City 50+ Center September 16, 11 a.m. – noon • #A20673.803 or call 410-313-1400 Apps have changed the way many people get around. Explore ride sharing apps and learn about the two most popular — Uber and Lyft — and the pros and cons of each.

9830 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia, MD 21046 410-313-6410 (voice/relay) • www.howardcountymd.gov/aging Find us @HoCoCommunity on Facebook, Instagram, X, and Nextdoor available in alternate formats upon request

Join the subscriber list https://bit.ly/HoCosubscribe Advertising in the Beacon is not endorsed by the Office on Aging and Independence or by the publisher.

Fitness & Health | Subscribe online! See how on p. 29

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Springfield, Va.

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Sunday, October 18 Noon to 4 p.m.

into Volunteering Fair Meet representatives from nonprofit organizations and local government agencies who will tell you about ways to volunteer in the community and answer your questions

Sunday, November 8 Noon to 4 p.m.

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At Both Locations:

Exhibitors and Resources • Health Screenings Flu/Covid Vaccines • Giveaways • Door Prizes For more info, visit beacon50expo.com To sponsor, exhibit or volunteer, call (301) 949-9766 or email info@theBeaconNewspapers.com GOLD SPONSORS

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Aging & Disabiliy

Makes a great gift!

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

PHOTO BY JEFF GETEK

Money Law &

If you’re getting married later in life, consider a prenup. See story on page 22.

Should you claim Social Security early? any across-the-board benefit cut would apDear Savvy Senior, I turn 62 early next year and plan to ply to everyone. While claiming at 62 means collecting benefits retire soon after. Most adsooner, it also permanently vice says I should wait to locks in a smaller check. claim Social Security beThat said, there are sevcause my monthly benefit eral situations where claimwill be higher. But with all ing Social Security at 62 can the recent news about Somake good financial sense. cial Security’s financial problems, I’m wondering if taking benefits early might How claiming age be the safer choice. Is there affect your benefits ever a good reason to claim You can start Social SecuSAVVY SENIOR at 62? rity at 62, but doing so perma—Ready to Retire By Jim Miller nently reduces your monthly Dear Ready, benefit by about 30% comYou’re definitely not alone in asking this. pared with waiting until full retirement age The latest Social Security Trustees (67 for those born in 1960 or later). DelayReport projects the retirement trust fund ing until 70 increases your benefit by could be depleted around 2032 if Congress about 24%. doesn’t act. If that happens, Social Security For example, a $2,000 monthly benefit would still collect payroll taxes and pay at full retirement age would drop to about benefits, but retirees could face an across- $1,400 at 62 or rise to roughly $2,480 if the-board cut of about 22%. you wait until 70. Before you rush to file, keep things in perspective. Most experts still expect When claiming early makes Congress to step in, as it has before, to sense strengthen Social Security. And even if For some retirees, claiming at 62 is a lawmakers don’t act, waiting would still practical move. If you’ve stopped working produce a higher monthly benefit because and need income for basic expenses, So-

cial Security can provide a steady check right away. It can also serve as a bridge if you retire early or lose a job in your early 60s while delaying withdrawals from retirement accounts or a pension. Some retirees also claim Social Security early to reduce withdrawals from their IRA or 401(k) during market downturns. The tradeoff is a permanently reduced lifetime benefit. For married couples, timing can be coordinated as part of a broader strategy. One spouse may claim early to bring in income while the other delays to boost their future or survivor benefit. Health is another big factor. Delaying only pays off if you live long enough to collect those higher monthly checks. The break-even point between claiming at 62 and full retirement age is around age 78 or 79. If you’re still working, be careful here too. Before full retirement age, earnings above Social Security’s annual limit can temporarily reduce your benefit, and claiming early locks in that lower amount for life.

Why delaying helps

For many retirees, waiting means a

larger guaranteed monthly benefit for life and often a higher lifetime payout if you live into your late 70s or beyond. It can also provide stronger protection against outliving savings. For couples, delaying the higher earner’s benefit can increase the survivor benefit, which may help provide more financial security for a surviving spouse. Before deciding, it’s smart to review your numbers. You can create a free account at SSA.gov/myaccount to check your earnings record and estimate benefits at different ages. Tools like OpenSocialSecurity.com or MaximizeMySocialSecurity.com (a paid tool with a $49 fee) can also help you compare claiming strategies. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. For most people, waiting still makes the most sense. But if you need income, have health concerns or are coordinating benefits with a spouse, claiming at 62 may be the better choice. The key is to base your decision on your own circumstances — not fear about Social Security’s future. Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Prevent the latest smartphone scams By Feature Impact The first sign is unexpectedly losing access to your cell phone. Soon after, when you connect to Wi-Fi, the gravity of the situation sinks in: A criminal has gained access to your cell phone number and is trying to siphon money from your credit cards and bank accounts. The scam is called SIM swapping, or SIM hijacking, and it’s a concern for law enforcement in the United States and abroad. More than 5,000 people have reported SIM swapping scams to the FBI since 2022. Older adults, caregivers and families can benefit from understanding the warning signs of SIM swapping and taking simple security steps to prevent it from

happening.

How SIM swapping works

A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card, or its digital version known as an eSIM, helps connect a phone number to a carrier network. In a SIM swapping scam, a criminal gathers basic information about their victim, such as their name, birthdate and address, to try to move the victim’s phone number to a SIM card or eSIM profile the criminal controls. Once complete, the scammer gains access to accounts you may be logged into on your phone, such as bank accounts or credit card apps, without touching your phone or being near you.

Tell them you saw it in the Beacon!

How to protect yourself

Preparation is the best protection against SIM swapping. • Cell phone users should use strong, unique passwords for each online account — password managers are a helpful tool in creating complex and randomized passwords. • Use two-factor authentication where it’s offered. Two forms of identification add an extra layer of security when accessing sensitive accounts. • Next, consumers should protect personal information they share online, whether on social media or in texts or emails asking for identifying data, such as PIN numbers, birthdates or one-time security codes. • Be wary of anyone pushing you to share personal information, particularly if they’re pushy with their request or make it sound urgent.

• Check your mobile carrier to see if it offers SIM protection. For example, Verizon customers can toggle on a protection feature on the carrier’s website or app to lock lines on their account to help prevent SIM changes. If you get an unprompted notification that your SIM has been changed, or otherwise suspect you’ve been targeted in a SIM swapping scam, contact your banks immediately and have them freeze your accounts, including ones the criminals may not have targeted yet. Next, work with your cell phone provider to help regain access to your mobile device. If you’re able, share as much information as possible with law enforcement so they can investigate, or at least document trends in how often this scam occurs. To find more advice to protect against smartphone scams, visit Verizon.com.

Makes a great gift!

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

Ponder the P-word: prenuptial agreement Q: I told my sister my boyfriend re- P-word: prenup. cently brought up the M-word (marA prenuptial agreement is a legally riage) and she asked if he binding contract that enables also brought up getting a couples to spell out how and prenup. He didn’t; should to whom they want their ashe have? We met a few sets distributed when the years ago after going marriage ends in death or dithrough rough divorces vorce. and both swore we’d When I was younger and never get married again. I married, I thought prenups think my sister has a lot LOVE AFTER 50 were only for wealthy people, more money than I do, if By Laura Stassi and usually to protect the that makes any difference. family money from perceived She’s a widow. gold-diggers. (Wasn’t this the plotline of —Deborah Anne, Virginia an “LA Law” episode?) A: Exciting news about the M-word Now that I’m older, divorced and back conversation, Deborah Anne, especially in the dating pool, I’ve decided if I ever considering it once was a loaded word for walk down the aisle again, I’ll have a preyou and your boyfriend. It seems like you nup in place. It’s not because I’m wealthy have a lot more talking to do, and yes, at but because I have two grown kids and a some point you both should ponder the house I’d like them to inherit.

Legally, spouses trump children unless there’s something in writing to indicate otherwise. If you have assets you’d like to pass on to your children or grandchildren, you’ll likely want a prenup. Laurie Israel is an attorney and mediator based in Massachusetts, and she’s become a nationally recognized expert on prenups and post-nups. She’s also the author of three books on the topic: The Generous Prenup, The Marriage-Friendly Prenup and Mediating Prenups. I talked with Israel for a Dating While Gray podcast episode. She told me that despite her credentials, “I’m not necessarily a pro-prenup person. And for young couples just starting out in their careers and who aren’t bringing children or significant assets to the marriage, a prenup probably isn’t needed. But I think for second marriages, they can be ex-

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tremely useful.” Israel added that “when people get married late in life, there’s kind of a delicate issue about how the children will feel about your marriage, especially if you’re going to marr y somebody younger. Not that you’d necessarily involve [kids] in the [prenup crafting] ahead of time. But you may want to assure them, ‘I’ve thought about you.’” I asked followers of the Dating While Gray Facebook page if anyone had an experience with a prenup they wanted to share. Liz, who lives in Florida, said she and her partner, Mike, negotiated a cohabitation agreement when they moved in together. They’re leaning toward marriage and if they finally decide to walk down the aisle, they’ll turn the prenup into a post-nup. “The purpose of the agreement is to define what’s his/mine/ours, protect our individual estates for our children, and ensure that in the event of death or a disability requiring a move to a care facility, the remaining partner can stay in the house as long as they want to, even until death,” Liz said. “That was necessar y, because we bought the house as joint tenants in common,” Liz added, “meaning we each retain ownership of our 50% of the house. That equity becomes part of our individual estates upon our deaths.” Fortunately, Liz said, “figuring this stuff out was remarkably easy for us, compared to similar decisions I made in my first marriage. It’s one more sign that I have a good partner in Mike.” Susan in California also responded to the Facebook page callout. She said she and her partner, Mark, “updated our trusts to protect and take care of each other. We talked about a prenup and then decided to have a marriage ceremony and reception but not sign the documents to become legally married.” “With his business and disabled son, it’s easier this way,” Susan added. “We get to celebrate our love and commitment without any potential financial complications down the road.” Laura Stassi is host of the podcast Dating While Gray: The Grown-Up’s Guide to Love, Sex and Relationships and author of Romance Redux: Finding Love in Your Later Years. Send your questions to Laura at newloveafter50@gmail.com.

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GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

PHOTO BY FAMARTIN

Travel Leisure &

Skip I-95 for a more leisurely trip on Route 301. See story on page 24.

Venture into Alaska’s wilderness refuge

Kenai Riverside Lodge

Our journey started with a drive in a roomy van down the Turnagain Arm, a long fjord lined by mountain peaks and dense forest. We arrived in the late afternoon at the Kenai Riverside Lodge on the banks of the fast-flowing Kenai River. Situated just off the highway, it’s the largest and busiest of Alaska Wildland Adventures’ lodges. Although most guests were there to fish, we used it as a convenient jumping-off point to visit the other two lodges. We began our trip by floating on a raft down the Kenai River to the Backcountry Lodge, past dozens of fishermen in chesthigh waders standing in the glacier-fed river, casting their lines and hoping to hook the much-prized king salmon. It was a mellow float, with occasional runs of Class II whitewater, past thick forests with the occasional eagle surveying the scene from a high perch in the trees. In the distance, mountain ridges were still streaked with the remnants of

the past winter’s ice and snow.

Kenai Backcountry Lodge

When we reached Skilak Lake, we transferred to a small boat to take us across to the Backcountry Lodge, a rustic retreat accessible only by boat. The lodge was originally built in 1935 as a hunting cabin and expanded many years later. In the two days we spent at the lodge, I saw no other signs of human life except for one other boat. The lodge and nine guest cabins are scattered throughout the edge of forest near the beach. The log buildings are basic but comfortable, with heat, private baths, comfortable beds, a deck with rocking chairs and at least a partial view of the lake. On the beach are chairs and tables for hanging out. I spent the rest of that first day lounging by myself on one of the chairs with an ice-cold beer, gazing at the 15-mile-long lake, lush, forested hills and snowy mountains. After dinner, I moved to the rocking chair on our porch. There were no sounds other than birds chirping and waves lapping on the beach. It is for moments like this that I work so hard to reach the planet’s most isolated places. That night I slept very well. The main activity the next day was an uphill hike on a rough, rocky, root-strewn trail through the forest to a scenic overlook above the tree line. We kept our eyes peeled for bears and moose and were both relieved and disappointed that we didn’t see any. Our guides carried bear spray just in case. After a mile or so, the geezers in the group, including me, decided to head back to the lodge. The others continued uphill for a view of the lake. When they returned, I asked a very tired Aaron about the rest of the hike. “We were the only people in sight,” he said. “It was a lot of work getting there, but it was worth it.”

Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge

On the last two days of the trip, we stayed at Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge in the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. In Seward, the gateway to the park, we hopped on a small private boat for a four-

PHOTO BY DON MANKIN

By Don Mankin There is more to Alaska than Denali and the cruise up the Inside Passage. In the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, a vast but accessible wilderness region in south central Alaska just a three-hour drive from Anchorage, you’ll see some of the most beautiful scenery in the state. Nearly two million acres in size, Kenai is like a mini version of Alaska, with spectacular lakes, glaciers and mountains — perfect for hiking, kayaking and wildlife viewing, especially eagles, moose, whales and bears. I traveled to Kenai in June to explore some of its most remote attractions via Alaska Wildland Adventures’ weeklong tour. Our group of a dozen people, from three multigenerational families, ranged in age from 11 to 84. As the oldest, I was traveling with my 28-year-old grandnephew, Aaron, on the latest in a series of joint adventures. We stayed in three remote lodges built by the tour company: the Kenai Riverside on the Kenai River, the Kenai Backcountry on Skilak Lake and the Kenai Fjords Glacier, the only lodge in Kenai Fjords National Park. The last two are the only human-built structures for miles around.

Pedersen Glacier and the Kenai mountains create a picture-perfect view from the Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge, an ecotourism hotel in coastal Alaska. Located in a national park, the 3,000-square-foot lodge and its eight cabins are accessible only by sea.

hour ride to the lodge, pausing along the way to check out otters, whales, mountain goats, puffins and the Gulf of Alaska’s coastline of jagged cliffs, sheer sea stacks and yawning sea caves. We landed on a beach and walked a mile to the lodge on a sandy, rocky trail. On the way, we spotted a bear in the tall grasses and weeds less than 50 yards away. Fortunately, he was more interested in the grass and weeds than us, so our guides’ bear spray stayed holstered. On the deck of the main lodge, rocking chairs overlook a lagoon with a glacier and a line of mountain peaks in the distance — one of the best views of the trip. It wasn’t long before we were in a canoe, paddling around the lagoon. We spotted at least three bears on the shore during our one-hour paddle. Another bear moseyed on the lawn in front of the lodge shortly after dinner. The highlight of our visit to the lodge, and possibly the entire trip, was our allday kayak to Aialik Glacier, a massive tidewater glacier about a mile wide and 300 feet tall. We ate lunch in view of the vast glacier, swathed in silence except for subdued chatter and the occasional thunderous crack as huge chunks of ice calved off the face of the glacier and crashed into the water. The eerie pall of the cloudy day cast a surreal glow over our surroundings. The

quiet, broken up by occasional claps of glacial thunder, the rhythm of the long paddle back, the satisfying weariness of muscles exerted for a good cause — days like that are the reason I travel great distances and endure physical pursuits that sometimes make me feel as if my lungs will burst. Every time I start to think I’ve had enough travel — enough packing, airports, crowded flights and jet-lagged sleepless nights in strange beds — I take a trip like this that reminds me there is more to see, more wonders to experience, more beauty to contemplate. Then I start thinking about my next adventure. I am sure there will come a time when I’ve had enough. But not quite yet, not quite yet.

If you go

Roundtrip airfare to Anchorage with one stop is about $700, while a nonstop flight on United is almost $1,200 in the summertime. We stayed at the quaint, conveniently located Copper Whale Inn in Anchorage before and after the trip (copperwhale.com). The cost of the seven-day Alaska Wildland Adventure Collection trip starts at $6,995 for adults, $5,695 for children (alaskawildland.com/adventures/alaska-wildland-collection). Aaron and I were hosted by Alaska Wildland Adventures.

Leisure & Travel | Subscribe online! See how on p. 29

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

For a peaceful drive, swap I-95 for 301 By Glenda C. Booth Interstate highway 95 between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia, is notorious for its near-constant congestion. Flanked by monstrous heavy-duty trucks, white-knuckled drivers must navigate the notorious Occoquan bottleneck, often through construction zones. I prefer the less ulcer-generating Route 301 from Maryland through Virginia’s Northern Neck peninsula. Stretching from Delaware to Florida, the highway passes through small towns, bucolic countryside and many historic sites.

Lincoln history

For an interesting start, begin in Waldorf, Maryland, at Dr. Samuel Mudd’s farm. There, the doctor treated President Abraham Lincoln’s fleeing assassin, John Wilkes Booth, and set his broken leg bone. Most of the furnishings in the 1830s farmhouse are original from 1859 to 1911, including the bed where Booth slept. Route 301 generally tracks Booth’s attempted escape. You can follow Booth’s route south to Port Tobacco, Maryland, where he bought a wagon. Much earlier, in 1608, Captain John Smith encountered the indigenous village of Potopaco here, and English set-

tlers later anglicized the name. By 1729, Port Tobacco was a thriving Colonial town with a tobacco inspection station, exporting the product to England. During the Revolutionary War, “It was a happening place,” historian Alison Bode told me. “Baltimore was nothing then.” Visitors can tour three of Port Tobacco’s remaining 18th-century buildings: a replica of the 1727 courthouse, Stagg Hall and the restored Burch House. Stagg Hall, built in 1766, was a store selling British goods, like candles, fabrics, dishes and sugar, all on display today. The Burch House, home of Henrietta and Washington Burch, a prominent Black bailiff, has a striking white exterior of milk paint. Today’s motorists cross the Potomac River on the Harry Nice Bridge, a much easier feat than Booth’s erratic paddle in the dark of night. Confused, he ultimately ended up near Port Royal, Virginia, at the Garrett Farm, where he died from a gunshot wound. Today, a roadside Virginia historical marker titled “Where Booth Died” stands near the former farm just south of Route 17. In King George, Virginia, stop by the Dahlgren Heritage Museum, which showcases U.S. Navy history. There I learned about inventions conceived, produced and tested at Dahlgren during the

last century, like a Norden bombsight, which sat in the nose of World War II planes and calculated a bomb’s drop point. “Engineers come up with a gizmo to solve a problem,” Mike Barker, a retired base physicist and volunteer, told me.

well as the more modern White House china dishware collection from multiple U.S. presidents, one of the largest of these collections anywhere. The small museum also displays Civil War weapons and Confederate money.

Off the beaten path

Horne’s Restaurant & Gifts at the intersection of routes 301 and 17 is irresistible. It is a 1950s throwback with a formica counter, stools and booths and a hodgepodge of “novelties, sundries and gifts” like Virginia peanuts, plush toys, suncatchers, rabbits’ feet, magnetic bracelets, wind chimes, coconut macaroons, gum drops and candy cigarettes, for example. “All the food is good. It’s real home cooking,” Karen Arnest, who lives near Hornes, told me. Another local recommended country-fried steak, beef liver and onions, meatloaf and the Virginian: quail with slab of country ham. “It’s a good place to sit, talk and eat,” he said. I bought some honey jalapeno bacon jam when I was there and moved on. The 10-mile drive through the Army’s Fort A.P. Hill near Bowling Green is a peaceful stretch with only towering oaks,

There’s more history at Belle Grove Plantation in King George. Built in 1791 on the Rappahannock River and the birthplace of President James Madison, the mansion is now a bed and breakfast. The property smacks of the plantationera Old South; 275 people were enslaved here. But its current owners have given the place an offbeat spin: tea and bingo with an Elvis impersonator and paranormal workshops. Quirky Americana greets travelers in Port Royal, Virginia. A roadside dinosaur, bear and tin man looming alongside Route 301 lured me in. I explored oodles of paraphernalia in Port Royal’s three antique shops: the Trading Post, the Minnow Bucket and the General Store, all crammed with miscellany from multiple dealers. At the Port Royal Museum, I absorbed more history, studying fossilized poop likely from a crocodile-like animal, as

Home cooking

See ROUTE 301, page 26

Makes a great gift! | Leisure & Travel

GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON — SEPTEMBER 2026

Ways to save money on your next trip By Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, My husband and I are retiring later this year and hope to travel more while we’re still healthy and active. Our budget will be tighter, so every dollar counts. Are there worthwhile senior travel discounts you can tell us about, and at what age do they begin? —Ready to Roam Dear Ready, Retirement is the perfect time to start checking destinations off your wish list. Senior travel discounts can make a real difference. Whether it’s airfare, hotels, cruises, train tickets or attractions, the savings can add up — sometimes hundreds of dollars per trip — if you know where to look and compare.

Don’t be afraid to ask

One of the best ways to uncover senior travel deals is through membership organizations. AARP, with membership starting at 50, offers the deepest travel discounts, including savings on hotels, rental cars, cruises and vacation packages. AAA also provides travel-planning services and member savings on lodging and car rentals to adults of any age. Another simple but often overlooked strategy is to ask. Many hotels, tours and

attractions don’t advertise senior discounts but may offer one if you inquire. Keep in mind, though, that the “senior rate” isn’t always the lowest price. Promotional sales, advance-purchase fares and seasonal specials can sometimes be cheaper, so compare before booking. Flexibility is another money-saving tool. Traveling midweek, avoiding peak holidays, booking during shoulder seasons, or adjusting your dates slightly can significantly lower costs. You may also find last-minute deals on cruises, rail trips and guided tours, especially during slower travel periods when companies are eager to fill unsold space. Here’s a rundown of some different discount deals currently available: Airlines: Senior airfare discounts are less common than they once were, but some still exist. AARP members can get discounts on select British Air ways flights, about $65 off economy and up to $200 off business class. United and Delta may offer limited fares for travelers 65 and older on select routes if booked by phone or using “senior” search tools. Trains: Amtrak offers about 10% off for travelers 65-plus on many routes, with some cross-border discounts starting at 60. Rail passes and multi-city tickets may provide additional savings.

Rental cars: AARP members can save up to 30% with companies like Avis and Budget, often with perks like a free additional driver and reduced rates on optional coverage. Hertz offers discounts through its 50 Plus Program. Hotels: Many hotel brands offer senior or AARP rates, typically 10% to 15% off. Examples include Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Choice Hotels. Booking directly or through AARP usually ensures the rate.

Cruises: Some lines offer discounted fares for travelers 55-plus on select sailings, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and Viking River Cruises. AARP members may receive additional onboard credits through affiliated providers. Off-peak sailings often provide the best value. Restaurants: Many chains offer senior menus, complimentary beverages or See TRAVEL SAVINGS, page 26

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Route 301 From page 24

sycamores and pines as distractions, a good time to recoup from the stimulation of Horne’s.

Civil rights history

Next, I explored Caroline County, home to Richard and Mildred Loving, an interracial couple who married in 1958. They were arrested and convicted of violating Virginia’s 1924 Racial Integrity Act banning interracial marriages. To stay together and avoid prison, they left

Virginia but won their right to be married and return to their hometown after their historic win in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1967. In February, three sites here associated with the Lovings became part of the U.S. Civil Rights Trail: the jail, sheriff’s office and courthouse. Caroline County proudly touts its famous “native son,” the champion thoroughbred Triple Crown winner racehorse, Secretariat. Today fans can visit his foaling shed at The Meadow (now called The Meadow Event Park). In the visitors center, I watched videos of his

SEPTEMBER 2026 — GREATER BALTIMORE BEACON

three famous races under the skeleton of a Miocene baleen whale found in 1990 in the Carmel Church quarry.

Restored tavern, antiques

Take a break at one of America’s oldest taverns, Hanover Tavern in Hanover, to sip Martha Washington’s favorite libation, Cherry Bounce. Originally built in 1733 on a former stagecoach route across from the courthouse, the tavern was the center of 18th- and 19th-century social life. Today the renovated building is a 155seat theater and restaurant serving corn fritters, fried green tomatoes and Virginia oysters. Tavern-goers can see the cage bar, typical of those in the 18th century, designed to keep people from stealing liquor. As 301 approaches Richmond, you’ll find more antique stores, including the

Travel savings From page 25

discounts for ages 55 or 60-plus, including Applebee’s, Arby’s, Burger King, Chili’s, Chick-fil-A, Denny’s, IHOP, Boston Market and Cicis Pizza. Participation varies by location. Entertainment: Museums, theaters,

West End Antiques Mall on Staples Mill Road with 250 booths of furniture, art and collectibles. I ended my sojourn in Richmond, home to many excellent museums, including the free Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Valentine and the Poe Museum. I got some rest in Richmond’s Quirk Hotel, a 1916 dry goods store with a sunny lobby of soaring arches and large windows. The hotel is convenient for exploring on foot the city’s famous Broad Street, restaurants, shops and sites like the Virginia Repertory Theatre, the Maggie Walker statue, the Elegba Folklore Society and the Institute for Contemporary Art. Snug in my Richmond hotel, I was grateful that I had avoided the headaches of Interstate 95 by taking Route 301.

zoos, aquariums and golf courses often offer reduced admission for those over 65 or sometimes even over 60; just ask. One of the best bargains is the America the Beautiful Senior Pass from the National Park Service. For $20 per year or $80 for a lifetime pass (available at 62), it provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites.

To subscribe, see page 29.

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GREATER BALTIMORE — SEPTEMBER 2026

COURTESY OF DOUBLEDAY

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Andrew Sean Greer’s latest novel, Villa Coco, was published in June. See story below.

Maryland Pulitzer Prize winner talks aging ball too? Not very effectively. I was so bad that the other dads tried to get me and my [twin] brother thrown off the team. We were 12 or something. Our father went before the whatever council and said, “Look, this is a public event for children. Everyone is allowed to play, no matter how good they are.” So they kept us on the team. I did catch the ball one time. I think that was one of the greatest moments of my mother’s life. How old were you when you discovered that you could write or loved to write? I mean, you can’t really write much when you’re 10, but I sure tried. I wrote a novel when I was 16. That was a really formative experience because I thought, well, I’ll just write two pages every night. It turns out, that is how you write a novel. I didn’t try to write it all in one weekend. I understood that it was a gradual process, and that habit that I set up when I was 16 was so helpful. Is it true that you were the worst employee [the D.C. bookstore] Politics and Prose ever had? Yes, I think they would say that. I was really chatty. I was one of those employees who, when someone would come in and ask for a book that I thought was not of the highest quality, I would be a jerk about it. That’s part of being a bookstore employee, to push people toward other books. But it was really wonderful because

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By Margaret Foster Andrew Sean Greer grew up in Maryland, the son of two scientists. After writing five novels, he was as surprised as the rest of the literary community when, in 2018, he won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature for his sixth novel, Less. It was the first time a comedic novel had won the prize. This summer his latest novel, Villa Coco, was published. Set in Italy, where Greer lives part-time, the book highlights a friendship between a recent college graduate and a 92-year-old grand dame known as the Baronessa. We caught up with Greer by phone from his home in San Francisco two weeks before he came to Washington, D.C., for the National Book Festival. How often do you get back to Maryland? Are your parents still living? They are, but neither of them lives in Rockville. My mother lives near me in San Francisco, in Marin County, and my father lives in Winchester, Virginia. My dad is going to come into D.C. for the National Book Festival and be my date to the reception at the Library of Congress. He’ll like that kind of thing. Your parents were chemists. Were you good at chemistr y? I was not good at chemistry. I got a B minus, which was not acceptable in my house. My parents blamed the teacher, but let’s also blame me. Your character Arthur Less played baseball as child. Did you play base-

Andrew Sean Greer, who grew up in Maryland, won the Pulitzer Prize for Literature in 2018 for his comedic novel, Less. His new book, Villa Coco, “is about friendships and growing old,” he said.

Carla Cohen, who is one of the original founders of Politics and Prose, was the mother of my oldest friend. Carla was like another mom to me, and that was my first job. Carla was a very straightforward person

and would tell me when I was doing things wrong. She would give me advice, as years went on, about being a writer. She thought it was ridiculous for me to think that I See ANDREW GREER, page 28

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Andrew Greer From page 27

could make a living as a writer. She told me that normal writers can’t make a living. She did not live to see me achieve my dreams, which is just a shame — she would have loved that. She would have just been out of her mind with happiness because she held writers in great esteem. What’s it like to go to Politics and Prose now for a reading and see teachers and other people from your past? It’s lovely to see people show up who were paying attention when I was a teenager, who kept their eye on me. They were looking out for me because they knew I was gay, although I didn’t know, and they were protective of me. They also were curious. I was a writer back then, too, and they were curious to watch me grow. I think that’s fun for a teacher, to know you contributed something to someone’s life. You published your first successful novel, The Confessions of Max Tivoli, in 2003. What was it like to have John Updike praise it? My agent called and left a message and said, “Call me back; I need to talk to you.” I didn’t know what it was about, and I called him up, and he read the review from the New Yorker by John Updike, and I just burst into tears. To be taken that seriously in the pages of the New Yorker by the

greatest living man of letters of that time was so extraordinary. How do you see yourself in the long tradition of comedic literature? Comedy is important for humans and literature. I find myself often having to gently defend comedy as part of literature. The tradition in literature goes back to Don Quixote, the first novel, to Voltaire and Jonathan Swift. It’s a little lofty to see myself as part of that. In England, they’re more aware of [comedy] being part of the tradition than in the United States. I don’t know why, but we recently forgot about this. Updike is a great example. Almost all of his books are comedies. Philip Roth’s first books were all comedies, and that was accepted as great literature. But we lost it sometime in the ‘80s, when we went to dirty realism and minimalism. Comedy is a great way for writers who feel like outsiders to comment on their lives. Roth is a great example of that because he was a new generation of Jewish writers. A lot of the old-generation Jewish writers hated him because he was making fun of something that they felt was serious. But it was a new expression of that feeling of being uncomfortable in the world that you want to be a part of. I’m definitely part of that tradition. What was it like to hear that you won the Pulitzer Prize? I was working in Italy, and it was night-

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time. I had been training a pug to wear diapers. Margaret Atwood was coming to this writer’s residency where I worked, and I didn’t want the dog pooping all over the dining room floor. I thought that would be unseemly. So I had ordered special diapers with suspenders, and I was training the dog. After I put the dog to bed, my boyfriend showed me his phone. This was hours and hours after it had been announced in New York, but I wasn’t aware of any of that. He showed me the headline of the San Francisco Chronicle that said, “Local author Andrew Sean Greer wins Pulitzer Prize in Literature,” and I just said, “That’s not true.” Then I looked at all my texts, and I had 100 texts. I called Michael Chabon, who had won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001, and I said, “What is going on?” If it was some sort of phony thing, I wanted to know that as soon as possible. He just said, “Am I the first person to tell you?” He was so excited. Why did you move to Italy? When I came to Italy in 2005 for the writer’s residency, it was really transformative. I was introduced to a world where it was taken for granted that you knew everything about art and world literature, old films, how to dress. You were supposed to be cultured. Not just because some of these people were aristocrats — there’s a depth and interest that isn’t about showing off; it’s just because the history is so deep there. That was stunning to me. I kept going back and learned how to have a sense of humor about things — and how to deal with a crisis. Italy is not a great country for preventing a crisis, but everyone’s good at dealing with one. [I met my husband in Italy, and we lived in Milan.] Then I wanted a place to write, and we landed on an absurd solution: Venice. Everyone asks, “Isn’t it crowded and hot?” That’s what I thought. … Yet [my husband] is from outside of Venice, so he knew people who lived there. There’s another city that tourists don’t see, which is not crowded. It’s a sleepy little harbor town. How much is your new novel, Villa Coco, based on your own life? It is [autobiographical] in a way, but people often think that novels are ways

that writers work through their own problems in a sort of costume drama of fiction. Actually, it’s the reverse. There’s something you’re thinking about, and you use all of the facts of your life to fill it out. Villa Coco is about old friendships and growing old and coming into yourself as a young person. That’s not what happened to me in Tuscany. When I was living and working in Tuscany, I was in my 40s, so I wasn’t particularly growing old. But I paid attention to everything around me, and I kept a diary. I realized that all these details could be used in this other story I was telling. What do you think of growing old? Italy has a basic idea that older generations are still part of the vibrant life of a city or a small town. They are out late. They are dancing; they are drinking. They are not put away in some other room. The older you get, the more dressed up you’re supposed to be. You’re supposed to be more and more elegant as time goes on. You don’t wear sweatpants and T-shirts. You strive forward with a sort of beauty, elegance and a sense of humor. That is something I kept picking up from the people around me. They had been through very painful times — war and loss and death. One of the reasons I was friends with them is that they had lost the friends who were their age, but they kept making new friends who were younger. I would challenge these much older people, and they thought that was pretty hilarious, but they would change. They listened. We’re able to change, and that desire to keep changing is important. I’m trying to keep that in mind. I need to make younger friends to keep challenging me and to keep life amusing. I’m only 55, but I’m still pretty far through my life. I’ve realized there’s a lot of things you can just let go of that are a great relief: all kinds of vanity and trying to impress people or hanging out with people who bore you. There’s no time for that at all. You realize who you are and you commit more to that and less to what you’re supposed to be, or what people expect, and you just don’t care anymore. I’m sure you have met people who are in their 80s, and they do not give a f***. I’m on an arc, aiming for that.

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Let grandparents teach kids to drive The worry lines beside his eyes gave drink or vote yet, but hey, I could tool him away. around the neighborhood with my Right after I asked my friends aboard, as we blasted friend Jeff how he was doing, top-40 music. Great stuff! and he said he was fine, I Of course, I still had no glimpsed the lines. “No, you solid idea of how to drive, bearen’t,” I said. “Tell all.” cause no 16-year-old has exThen came the truth. He’d perienced all the hazards of been teaching his 16-year-old the modern road. daughter how to drive. I had never merged onto a It has not gone well. jam-packed freeway at 60 miles The toll so far: One fender an hour. I had never driven in dented in a shopping center snow. I had never had to deparking lot, one near-murder HOW I SEE IT cide in a split second what to By Bob Levey of the transmission when she do as I was about to miss a shifted into reverse while still turn. Cut across three lanes of moving forward — and many scream traffic and try to survive? Hope? Pray? sessions. Unlike Jeff’s family, I had no grandfa“When my dad taught me how to drive, therly options. My mother-instructor was it wasn’t this hard,” he said. camped in the shotgun seat, her hands Whether that was ever true, Jeff has clasped with tension. decided to dip into his past. He has asked Her lack of faith in me was clear. As his father to take over driving lessons for she spilled instructions — too many inMiss 16-Years-Old. structions — she was actually making Grandpa has leapt into the job with en- the lessons less safe. Her torrent of anxithusiasm, Jeff told me. He has been pa- ety (“Slow down!” “Watch out!”) kept me tient and soothing. He has never shouted, from focusing as well as I should have. “We’re all going to die!” as his grandApparently, I survived (she did, too). daughter fails to brake when she should. But what a gift it would have been to have “It has been a godsend,” Jeff said. had a grandfather to my right. Could this be a signpost for other famFor my grandfathers, a car was a tool, not ilies? When a parent tries to teach a child a passport to chasing girls and challenging to drive, much more is on the table than strangers to a drag race at a red light. using your directional signals. It can be My grandpas always looked both ways an emotional minefield. before crossing a railroad track. They alGetting a driver’s license is all about ways made sure that they had enough freedom and power. When I got mine at gas. They never, ever violated the speed 16, I can still remember the thrill of back- limit. They drove the right way and ing the family Ford out of the driveway, would have made sure that I did, too. waving ta-ta to my mother and heading off Nor would they have brought to drivtoward glory. ing lessons all the baggage that a birth No longer would my parents supervise parent brings. my every move, or expect to. I couldn’t Trust between father and teenaged

child is a fragile balance. It can fray over the smallest things, especially as the child becomes taller than the papa. If the kid doesn’t pick up her dirty clothes from the floor, the pop quietly wonders if that kid is truly ready to pilot a two-ton car, no matter what a birth certificate might say. Grandpas don’t fall as deeply into those pits of doubt. They’ve been around the block, both figuratively and in cars. They know, better than anyone, that a 16-year-old’s sharp reflexes are exactly what she’ll need to prosper as a driver. They know, most of all, that a steady teaching hand is the key to a good out-

come. No threats or ultimatums. Just tell the grandchild, calmly, to adjust the seat and the mirrors, take a deep breath and start the engine. Jeff admits he feels like a failure. “My daughter should have been able to learn how to drive from me,” he said. “But I just couldn’t calm down enough.” Luckily, his dad was not only equal to the task, but eager to perform it. Bottom line: “She got her license last week,” Jeff said. Hooray for all three generations. Bob Levey is a national award-winning columnist.

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