Fall 2022

The magazine for mature Marylanders

8 WAYS TO SMOOTH YOUR TRANSITION TO FALL

www.OutLookbytheBay.com

ADVENTURES IN THE LEHIGH GORGE

THE HILL WITH A HISTORY WHY WE LOVE A GOOD SCARY STORY

12 WAYS TO SAVE ON DINING OUT

DISCOVER THE ANCIENT PAWPAW WHO OWNS BETTY WHITE'S MEMORY?

�tness • entertainment • gardening • nutrition FALL 2022

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Rediscover the History and Charm of Historic

ELLICOTT CITY,

Maryland

In 1772 the Ellico Brothers arrived in the Patapsco River Valley to se le “in the hollow” and build what would become the preeminent town along the river that fostered our na on's industrial revolu on! Their “can-do” pioneering spirit built the founda on of one of America’s most resilient towns. Plan a visit to celebrate Ellico City’s 250th anniversary this year- walk its streets, sample its restaurants and explore the shops. Learn more about the town’s history at the “Mill Town to City” and “Ellico Legacy” exhibits. Watch for “History Comes Alive” weekends and the premiere of ON NATIONAL ROAD - the original EC250 musical!

one river, three brothers, 250 years!

SCAN for event calendar 2

@ellico city250

FALL 2022

FALL 2022

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YO U R T H O U G H TS

ANOTHER GREAT ISSUE Just a quick note to say that I’ve enjoyed the Summer 2022 issue. The variety of topics that are covered keeps me interested. I especially tuned into the article on pre-diabetes. And, ha, the frozen treats from Mexico.

| bay bytes | The International Club of DC presents many international cultural experiences such as concerts, theater, museum visits, outdoor activities, educational opportunities and culinary events. Partnered with more than 80 embassies in Washington, D.C., club membership is free. Go to http://internationalclubdc. com to learn more.

Hiram L., by email

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FALL 2022

FALL 2022

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FROM THE DESK The magazine for mature Marylanders

Editor and Publisher

Jason Whong [email protected]

Art Director Emma Stultz Dodge [email protected] Editor Emeritus Tecla Emerson Murphy [email protected] Ad Sales

[email protected]

Columnists Dr. Jim David [email protected] Henry S. Parker [email protected] Contributing Writers

Barbara Aiken [email protected]

*Steve Bailey vamarcopolo.com Paula Bocciardi Chris Barylick eastbaymacmenders.com Kathi Edwards Rev. Dr. Patrick DeVane patrickdevane.net Phil Ferrara [email protected] Marialena Gallagher Judith Graham KHN Susan Kim [email protected] Carol Bergfeld Mills [email protected] Kathryn Marchi [email protected] Ellen Moyer [email protected] Kathy Reshetiloff Bay Journal

David J. Schmidt

Sharon Schultz [email protected] Kim Strong [email protected]

As I write this in August, I’m seeing brown leaves, school buses and Halloween candy at grocery stores, so we really are getting ready for fall. This summer, I really enjoyed myself. You may recall that I set some summer resolutions this year. I’m pleased to report that I succeeded in not working while my family was on vacation. I swam in the Pacific Ocean and in the Chesapeake Bay, which is pretty close to doing it on more than one ocean, as I resolved to do. I didn’t catch crabs, but I also didn’t try. Maybe I’ll find time for that on Labor Day weekend (which will have passed by the time you read this). There’s much to like about this fall’s issue of OutLook by the Bay. Maybe you’d like to learn about pawpaw fruit, which grows wild here in Maryland and elsewhere, or perhaps you’d like to take a road trip to the Lehigh Gorge in Pennsylvania. Or maybe you’re interested in learning about the history of Federal Hill in Baltimore. Maybe you’re in a Halloween mood and want to know why people love watching horror movies, why people love scary stories, or just want to hear a story about how a grandmother pranked Halloween tricksters intent on tipping over her outhouse every year. Whatever you’re into, I’m sure you’ll find and learn something in this issue. This is not the last time I’ll ask this: please, if you enjoy reading OutLook by the Bay, if it has ever brought you insight or delight, consider subscribing. You can send a check or visit outlookbythebay.com and click the Subscribe button. Your support will go a long way toward keeping OutLook by the Bay stable. Be well!

OT Turtle (a real turtle!) Joyce M. White www.ATasteofHistory.net Louise Whiteside [email protected] Expert Advice

Reid Buckley [email protected]



Jessica L. Estes [email protected]

Ryan Helfenbein [email protected] Marilyn Leek [email protected] Drs. Passaro and Wooddell www.WPDentalGroup.com Eric Bush hospicechesapeake.org Contact

Whong Community Media LLC 6801 Oak Hall Ln #782 Columbia MD 21405-7532 [email protected]

ISSN#1948-044X OutLook by the Bay is distributed throughout Anne Arundel County, in sections of the Eastern Shore and Baltimore. It is available free of charge in senior centers, county libraries, hotels, coffee shops, doctor offices, supermarkets, senior communities, book stores, restaurants, private clubs, real estate offices, health clubs, hospitals and at all of our advertisers and is mailed to select homes in the Bay area. OutLook by the Bay is published bimonthly by Whong Community Media LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without express written consent of the publisher. Information published in OutLook by the Bay is intended for reader interest only. Do not substitute it for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional, legal or financial adviser. Reader discretion is advised. Whong Community Media LLC does not verify the accuracy of any claims made in connection with advertisements and accepts no responsibility for errors and omissions. All rights reserved. Submissions and article pitches should be sent to [email protected].

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FALL 2022

Fall 2022

TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

EXPERT ADVICE 22

(AntonMatyukha / DepositPhotos.com)

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DISCOVER THE ANCIENT

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ADVENTURES IN THE LEHIGH

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THE HILL WITH A HISTORY

PAWPAW GORGE

ARTICLES 20 21

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1 RIVER, 3 BROTHERS, 250 YEARS! CLASSES FOR RETIRED AND SEMIRETIRED ADULTS NOW ENROLLING

FULL OF VIM AND VIGOR, BUT … 12 WAYS TO SAVE ON DINING THE GREAT PUMPKIN

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TRICKS, NOT TREATS, AT

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TUCKAHOE PLANTATION:

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WHY WE LOVE A GOOD SCARY

DON’T ABUSE YOUR TEETH

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UNDERSTANDING DEMENTIA

4

YOU THOUGHTS

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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DR. JIM: PITHY INSIGHTS

44

BOOKS: OLD, NEW AND

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OUTLOOK FOR THE BAY:

NEW CHAPTER

HELPS VOLUNTEERS BETTER CARE FOR PATIENTS

MEDICAID: A LONG-TERM CARE

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CREATION STONES

PLANNING TOOL

DEPARTMENTS 10

BAY FITNESS: 7 REASONS

NORDIC WALKING IS BETTER

FOR YOU THAN THE NORMAL 12

FROM THE DESK

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50TH ANNIVERSARY BRINGS A

27

STORY

IN EVERY ISSUE

CONSCIOUS RETIREES

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43 ACROSTIC

KIND

BAY GARDENING: WHEN LEAVES LEAVE: AUTUMN REVEALS TREES’ TRUE COLORS

BAY HEALTH: FOLLOW

THESE 4 STEPS TO PREVENT FOODBORNE ILLNESS

OBSCURE

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BAY COOKING: THE KEY TO

MOVING ON: MIGRATIONS

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BAY REFLECTIONS: WHO OWNS

GREAT AND SMALL

CORNBREAD

BETTY WHITE’S MEMORY?

OUT

37 38

46

OPTIONS FOR COST-

23 24

FEATURES

WATERFRONT LIFESTYLE

HERE’S WHY PEOPLE LOVE

WATCHING HORROR MOVIES GRANDMA’S CRAPPER

A CHILDHOOD HOME OF THOMAS JEFFERSON

8 WAYS TO SMOOTH YOUR TRANSITION TO FALL

FALL 2022

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Bay F I T N E S S

7 REASONS NORDIC WALKING IS BETTER

weight people lost weight faster doing Nordic walking compared to ordinary walking. While Nordic walking doesn’t burn more calories than other, more intense forms of exercise — such as running — it can be a great lowimpact exercise option, or a way to boost the benefits of your regular daily walks.

By Lindsay Bottoms Reader in Exercise and Health Physiology University of Hertfordshire The Conversation Have you ever noticed people out walking with poles even on flat surfaces and wondered why they are doing it? This is known as Nordic walking, which is a little bit like cross country skiing but without the snow. Walking with poles was first developed in Scandinavia and came to central Europe about 20 years ago. For some reason, it has not become particularly popular even though it has many health benefits. Here’s why – alongside a few good reasons to give Nordic walking a try.

1. You burn more calories As far back as 1995, researchers noticed that Nordic walking burned more calories than regular walking did. In fact, they found it burned up to 18% more calories than ordinary walking did. Numerous studies have confirmed these findings since – which is why it’s suggested that Nordic walking could be a great form of exercise for those looking to lose weight. One study from Italy even found that over10

2. It may reduce limb pain Using poles while you walk can distribute your weight through the arms and torso, placing less strain on

(little_prince / Depositphotos.com)

FOR YOU THAN THE NORMAL KIND

your back, knees and hips. In theory, this has the potential to improve back pain while walking. However, research is mixed, with some studies showing Nordic walking can reduce lower back pain and impact on the knees, while others show it’s no more helpful than ordinary walking.

If you’re someone who suffers from lower back, hip or knee pain, Nordic walking could be helpful to you since it redistributes your weight somewhat. But it’s worth discussing with your doctor first before giving it a try, and stopping if your pain still persists even while using the poles. 3. Improves upper body strength Nordic walking engages your arms and shoulders more than regular walking does, and that could improve your strength. Research has shown that Nordic walking can not only increase hand grip strength but also increases muscle activity in the shoulders. Upper body strength — including how strong your grip is — is important for many of the things we do everyday, from carrying our shopping to filling up the kettle. Increasing muscle strength is also important to help prevent injury as it helps stabilise the joints and protects them when moving under impact like carrying heavy shopping bags. 4. Increases core strength Nordic walking also engages the core muscles (including those in the abdomen and your back) more than ordinary walking does. Greater engagement of the core muscles will help strengthen them, which may in turn improve posture. Better core strength can also improve your balance as well as your ability to move. FALL 2022

5. Reduce risk of falling Unfortunately as we get older we are more likely to trip and fall when we are walking. This is mainly because of a decrease in muscle strength, balance issues and problems with the way we walk. The benefit of Nordic walking is that you are placing the poles into the ground at the same time as you’re using your legs. This improves balance and makes you less likely to fall. In fact, one study even showed that people who followed a Nordic walking training program for three

weeks had improved balance — even when walking without poles. It’s no wonder Public Health England recommends Nordic walking for improving balance in older people.

6. Boosts cardiovascular health Research shows that Nordic walking can improve cardiovascular fitness in as little as four weeks. Another study on obese women also showed Nordic walking was able to improve blood pressure, though only to a similar extent as ordinary walking. In addition, Nordic walking has been shown in postmenopausal women | bay bytes | to improve resting blood sugar levels, which is Go to GoLastMinute.com for an extenimportant in preventing sive list of opportunities for travel in the diabetes as well as imnext 30 days, including hotels, cruises proving cholesterol levels and vacation packages. in the blood.

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7. You can walk faster Nordic walking can help you get where you want to be faster than ordinary walking can. In fact, a review showed Nordic walking increased average walking speed by up to 25% compared to ordinary walking. As a consequence of walking faster, you can then burn more calories. So if you went for a 30-minute Nordic walk, you’d be able to walk farther and burn more calories than you might on a regular walk. There seem to be clear advantages to doing Nordic walking. It may especially be good for people who don’t like other types of exercise — such as running — but still want to do something of a higher intensity than brisk walking. The Conversation is a nonprofit, independent news organization dedicated to unlocking the knowledge of experts for the public good.

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Bay G A R D E N I N G

WHEN LEAVES LEAVE: AUTUMN REVEALS TREES’ TRUE COLORS By Kathy Reshetiloff Bay Journal Autumn always seems to sneak up. Slowly, the heat and humidity of summer is replaced with cooler, drier days. Here and there, autumn colors peek out of the green landscape. Then, before you know it, nature’s festival of color is in full swing. And just as quickly, it seems, the brilliant fall hues are replaced by dismal browns, and leaves carpet our lawns and gardens. Actually, this leaf shedding process, known as abscission, begins before the colors appear. As summer’s heat fades, the cells where the leaf stem is attached to the tree toughen and begin to form a protective waterproof scar. The cells in the leaf stem swell, weaken and degenerate. This interferes with the flow of moisture and nutrients into the leaf, reducing the production of chlorophyll, which gives leaves their green color. The leaf is the food factory for the tree. Chlorophyll in a leaf uses the sun’s energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar, which is food for the tree. As the days shorten, there is less sunlight to manufacture food. Nutrients and minerals are withdrawn from leaves and transported to the permanent parts of trees, such as the trunk, stems and roots. Chlorophyll breaks down. But leaves contain other pigments that give them their fiery fall colors. These colors are hidden in the spring and summer by the abundance of chlorophyll. Leaves reveal 12

their autumn colors as chlorophyll breaks down and other pigments are unmasked. The pigment called xanthophyll gives leaves a yellow color, and carotene produces yellow-orange. Leaves continue to produce sugar during the day, but colder night temperatures prevent trees from withdrawing the food from the leaves. Sunny days and cool nights can produce anthocyanin, a sugar-related pigment that turns leaves fiery red. Other chemicals and breakdown products give us bronze, purple and crimson hues. The leaves of birches, beeches and tulip poplars turn golden. Sassafras leaves take on an orange tone. One of the more colorful trees, the sugar maple, may assume a yellow, orange, or red color — or any combination of these hues. The biochemistry that determines which

of those colors it will be is not well understood, except that anthocyanin is abundant in red leaves and colder weather plays a role. The red maple and staghorn sumac are two of the more vibrant red trees. Vines such as Virginia creeper and poison ivy also turn crimson. Oaks turn yellow, orange or bronze, or blends thereof. Leaves stay on oaks the longest and it is often their dry leaves that you hear rustling in the breeze. Some oak species, as well as beeches and hornbeams, hold on to all or some of their dead leaves throughout winter, in a phenomenon known as marcescence. There is no widely accepted theory as to why this happens, though some suggest it may be the tree’s way of capturing moisture by trapping snow or a strategy of waiting until spring to “fertilize” the ground below with decomposing leaves. The final step of the abscission process is when a tree sheds its leaves. Gradually, the bond between the leaf and the branch weakens. The tiny veins that carried sap to the leaves all summer are sealed off. Wind and gravity finish the job, sending the leaves to the ground, where decomposition begins in earnest and turns them various shades of brown.

| bay bytes | Check out HikingProject.com to find an extensive list of great trails throughout the U.S. and the world. This site provides locations, maps, elevations and detailed descriptions. (belchonock / Depositphotos.com)

FALL 2022

Dry, brown decaying leaves may not be beautiful, but they are valuable. Instead of bagging leaves, consider composting them and using the compost to enrich your garden soil. It’s an ecological and economical way to dispose of them and generally less labor intensive than raking and bagging. Or you can simply mow the leafcovered grass with a mulching mower, which chops the leaves into smaller pieces that decompose faster. Mulched leaves can be left on lawns to enhance the soil. You can also spread whole leaves around vegetable gardens and flowerbeds

FALL 2022

or at the bases of bushes and trees. These leaves will form an insulating barrier around plants, reducing moisture loss and damage from severe winter weather. By putting whole and composted leaves on gardens and leaving mulched leaves on lawns, you reduce the need to fertilize. This cuts down on the amount of nutrients that run off the land into streams, rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Of course, leaves are good for other things too. Nothing beats jumping into a big pile of them on a crisp autumn day! For information on leaf management and backyard composting, contact your state or local cooperative extension service.

Kathy Reshetiloff is with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Chesapeake Bay Field Office in Annapolis. The Bay Journal provides the public with independent reporting on environmental news and issues in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

(belchonock / Depositphotos.com)

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Bay H E A LT H

SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL FOOD SAFETY EDUCATION MONTH By: Nancy J Schaaf RN Recently, my brother who lives in Florida phoned to ask if it was safe to eat the defrosted ground beef that he mistakenly left in the sink overnight. I told my brother, “It is absolutely not safe to eat and to throw it out.” The federal government estimates that there are about 48 million cases of foodborne illness each year, which is approximately 1 in 6 Americans. These foodborne illnesses result in an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. September is National Food Safety Education Month. This month is an excellent opportunity to read up on food safety and protect ourselves from deadly foodborne illnesses. The food supply in the United States is among the safest in the world. But when disease-causing bacteria or viruses contaminate food, they can cause foodborne illness. Foodborne illnesses are usually infectious or toxic in nature and caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances entering the body through contaminated food. Chemical contamination can lead to acute poisoning or long-term diseases, such as cancer. Many foodborne diseases 14

may lead to long-lasting disability and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that salmonella is responsible for more foodborne diseases in the United States than other bacteria. Salmonella is found in various foods, but chicken is a significant source of these illnesses. Ground beef has been linked to large salmonella outbreaks in recent years. Consuming dangerous foodborne bacteria usually causes illness within one to three days of eating the contaminated food. However, sickness can also occur within twenty minutes or six weeks. Symptoms of a foodborne illness include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, and body ache. Antimicrobials, such as antibiotics, are essential to treat infections caused by bacteria, including foodborne viruses. Most healthy people will recover from a foodborne illness within a short period. Some people are at a higher risk for developing foodborne illnesses, including pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems. When preparing meals for ourselves, our family, and our friends, it is important to follow simple food safety tips to help prevent foodborne illnesses known as “food poisoning.” According to the CDC, follow these four simple steps: clean, separate, cook, and chill.

under fingernails in clean soapy water. After preparing each food item, wash cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot soapy water. Consider using paper towels to clean up kitchen surfaces. If using cloth towels, launder them often in the hot cycle. Rinse fresh fruits and vegetables under running water. Scrub firm produce with a clean produce brush. Clean the lids before opening canned goods. SEPARATE Separate raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs from other foods in the grocery shopping cart, grocery bags, and refrigerator. Use one cutting board for fresh produce and a separate one for raw meat, poultry, and seafood.

(AntonLozovoy / Depositphotos.com)

FOLLOW THESE 4 STEPS TO PREVENT FOODBORNE ILLNESS

CLEAN Wash hands with warm water and soap for at least twenty seconds before and after handling food. Wash the front and back, between fingers, and

Never place cooked food on a plate that previously held raw meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs unless the plate has been washed in hot, soapy water. COOK Color and texture are inaccurate gauges of safety. Using a food thermometer is the only way to ensure the safety of meat, poultry, seafood, and egg products for all cooking methods. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful bacteria that cause foodborne illness. FALL 2022

Cook eggs until the yolk and white are firm. Do not consume uncooked eggs.

(NewAfrica / Depositphotos)

CHILL Use an appliance thermometer to ensure the refrigerator temperature is 40° F or below and the freezer temperature is 0° F or below. Properly storing foods preserves food quality and prevents both spoilage and food poisoning. Refrigerate or freeze meat, poultry, eggs, seafood, and other perishables within two hours of cooking or purchasing. Never thaw food at room temperature, such as on the countertop. (Or the sink! I gave this info to my brother!) There are three safe ways to defrost food: in the refrigerator, in cold water, and in the microwave. Food thawed in cold water or in the microwave should be cooked immediately.

Cover food, stir, and rotate for even cooking when cooking in a microwave oven. Bring sauces, soups, and gravy to a boil when reheating.

Always marinate food in the refrigerator. We are what we eat, and poorly prepared foods are prime hosts for bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Eating germ-infested food means increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses. Everyone is susceptible to foodborne illness, and anyone who eats contaminated food can contract a foodborne illness. We must be vigilant about food safety and be educated on handling food safely. The best thing to do to celebrate National Food Safety Education Month is to spread awareness about food safety and good food habits. We should talk to our friends, family, and colleagues. Visit www. foodsafety.gov for more information. Nancy J. Schaaf is a retired English/literature educator and also a retired nurse.

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Bay C O O K I N G

THE KEY TO CORNBREAD UNLOCKING THE HISTORY OF A HISTORIC CHESAPEAKE FOOD By Joyce M. White The Native American grain known as maize or Indian corn has played a crucial role in the culinary history of Maryland’s people, including numerous communities of Indigenous people, European settlers, and those unwillingly transported to Maryland’s shores as enslaved workers. During the early days of Maryland’s settlement, breads made from ground corn provided sustenance across class, race, and regional lines, making it a crucial element of Maryland’s culinary past. However, its adaptability in response to social, economic, and technological change over time has guaranteed its prolonged importance within Maryland’s cuisine even today. The earliest cornbread recipes made by indigenous people likely consisted of cornmeal, water, cooking fat, and possibly salt; other ingredients such as sunflower seeds, nuts, dehydrated meats, and berries, among other things, may have also been added according to season. One way these early cornmeal cakes were cooked involved baking them on a stone slab set over hot coals; after European contact, iron skillets and griddles became available. When European settlers arrived in Maryland, starting in the early 17th century, they encountered maize for the first time and referred to it as the Indian’s corn (a generic British term for any cereal grain) which explains why it became known as Indian corn. Notably, Maryland settlers designated maize as their main cereal crop because it was resilient, relatively easy to grow, and 16

its harvest did not compete with the harvest of the more important cash crop, tobacco, because it benefited from being left in the fields for long periods allowing it to mature and dry. Cornmeal became the mainstay of the diets of Maryland’s enslaved laborers and was the most consistent, though not guaranteed, ration allotted. On average, enslaved adults were given a peck (8 quarts) each week, but amounts differed based on the caprices of slaveholders. Sometimes, whole kernel corn was given instead of stone-ground meal, meaning that the enslaved were forced to expend huge amounts of time and labor to grind it into meal. Over time, European settlers relied less upon corn and were able to enjoy with growing regularity the delights of light bread made with yeast on a more regular basis; however, Maryland’s poor and enslaved populations did not always have access to wheat and remained reliant upon corn for a much longer period of time. HOE CAKES AND JOHNNYCAKE Enslaved workers who toiled in fields often cooked their meals near where they were working each day. Cornmeal cakes made in these remote locations were often baked on the flat iron part of the very hoes used to till the fields; these hoe “skillets” were propped against the outer perimeter of a fire pit so that the fire’s radiant heat was able to bake the cakes; they therefore became known as Hoe Cakes. Another method involved spreading a thin layer of cornmeal batter over the surface of the hoe or a wooden plank to make a bread called Johnnycake. CORNBREAD AND SUGAR Over time, increased wealth and technological advances of the 19th century’s Industrial Revolution in America led to a dynamic transformation of how cornbreads were made. Additional ingredients such as wheat

flour, yeast, chemical leavening agents, butter, eggs, milk, buttermilk, sugar and/or molasses were added to cornbreads, making them lighter and more palatable, and methods of processing corn into cornmeal ushered in an era whereby socio-economic status often dictated cornbread types. The traditional method of using stones to grind mature, field-dried cornmeal results in a naturally flavorful and sweet product that precludes the need to add sugar. However, methods of growing and processing the grain transformed with industrialization, resulting in a less flavorful and less nutritious product. Instead of allowing the corn to mature and dry in the fields for an extended amount of time (the very reason corn was the most practical cereal crop for tobacco planters to grow), the new method called for premature harvesting and artificial drying with hot air which was the first step in transforming cornmeal’s flavor. “Advanced” grinding methods compounded by the issue with the nascent use of steampowered roller mills that work by stripping kernels of their bran and germ before grinding, thus eliminating flavor, fiber and nutrients. An 1898 Baltimore Sun article criticized this modern method and asserted that “water ground meal serves[s] the best purposes. Steam power meal is tabooed.” However, because this type of cornmeal was much cheaper to produce, taboo though it was, it was also much more affordable and became the variety of choice among poor and working class people. As a result, sugar started to be added to cornbread made with roller-milled meal to compensate for the inferior flavor. This led to the emergence of two factions aligned to social class regarding sugar’s use in cornbread. Cornbread is still a major component in Maryland’s cuisine. Pone, cornmeal pancakes, hush puppies, fritters, and muffins represent many FALL 2022

versions still commonly found on Maryland menus. Test out a historic 19th century recipe for cornbread called Mush Cakes using Maryland stone-ground cornmeal, if you can get it! MUSH CAKES OR BUNS Howard, Jane Grant Gilmore. Fifty Years in a Maryland Kitchen. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1881. Take one pint of corn flour, and boil half to a mush; add, when nearly cold, two eggs, a tablespoonful of butter, and a gill of milk, and then the remaining half of the flour. Drop a tablespoonful on the griddle, or bake in pans, greased with a little butter.

MODERN RECIPE ADAPTATION:

MUSH CAKES OR BUNS INGREDIENTS 3 cups water

½ teaspoon salt

3 cups cornmeal, divided into two batches 1 tablespoon butter ½ cup whole milk

2 large eggs, beaten DIRECTIONS Place the water and salt in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Once the water boils, reduce heat to medium and then slowly pour one batch of the cornmeal into the water over a whisk that you are moving back and forth very quickly.

Once all the cornmeal is incorporated into the water, keep cooking over medium heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and place mush into a bowl. Stir the butter into the mush, and then whisk in the milk and remaining dry cornmeal. Allow mixture to cool for about 3-5 minutes and then stir in the eggs. Heat a griddle on medium-high and grease with lard, butter, or vegetable shortening. Form the mixture into about 30 cakes measuring about 2 tbsp. each and cook on the griddle for about 5 minutes per side. Serve warm with butter, honey, or molasses, or serve as a bread to accompany soups and stews. Joyce White, a food historian, can be contacted through www.atasteofhistory.net.

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Bay R E F L E C T I O N S

WHO OWNS BETTY WHITE’S MEMORY? WOULDN’T WE BE WORTHY IF IT OWNED US?

In the end you’ll only regret the chances you didn’t take.

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(s_bukley / Depositphotos.com)

By Bev Graves When Betty White died on Dec. 31, 2021, she was six minutes of the lead story on the NBC Nightly News. She was also three minutes of the program’s last segment. Colorado wildfires, the Omicron variant, severe weather raging across the U.S. and cancellations of flights and New Year’s Eve celebrations could not upstage the time devoted to her legacy. Sure, she had always been more than just a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame for most of us. But until she was gone, 17 days shy of being 100, did we truly understand the truth she lived and left behind for us to embrace? For many days after her death, the media paid tribute to her showbiz accomplishments. Her birth in Oak Park, Illinois, to a mom and dad who fostered laughter became her steppingstone to radio, to TV game shows, to Life with Elizabeth and The Betty White Show and to her memorable characters of Sue Ann Nivens on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Rose Nyland on The Golden Girls. The career that began in 1939, the 7 Emmys and 20 nominations, the 121 shows and movies she was involved in made her America’s beloved actress with the longest career ever in television. She was bawdy and edgy at times, but she rounded out her persona with humility and kindness. Now that some time has passed

and the accolades she so greatly appeared on Joe Landis’ variety show deserved have died down, we need to when the other singers were notake a non-celebrity look at her moshows, a rather serendipitous beginment in time and what it should mean ning. But two unhappy marriages, a to us who are not so well known. We career hindered by racism and sexism, claimed ownership of her as a housethe loss of husband Allen Ludden to hold name, so shouldn’t we claim cancer and other close friends to the ownership of her in death as a guiding HIV/AIDS epidemic, the deaths of spirit for our legacies? A little bit of many beloved pets didn’t dampen her Betty White could make all the difvoice, in spite of the pain we don’t ference in us. even know about. In a 1954 TV Radio Mirror article, “Life with Betty, my daughter Betty White,” Tess White describes her daughter’s philosophy in five words: “I don’t believe in defeat.” Tess writes Betty wanted to be a “big voice” after high school by becoming an opera singer. As she studied music and trained with a coach, Betty was stricken with strep throat that kept her bedridden for almost two months. It did damage to the “big voice,” but it did not quiet her real voice. “Everything I planned on is down the drain, “she said. “It can’t get any worse BETTY WHITE at the Old Navy nationwide — that means it has to get search for a new canine mascot in 2006 at better.” Franklin Canyon Park, Beverly Hills, California. Getting better didn’t preclude other hard knocks along the way, especially when her So what is the voice we are left progress was stalled or success came with? What is the wisdom we should by pure chance. Earning nothing, she claim from a life well-lived in grace

and not defeat? Her mother first described Betty’s wisdom 68 years ago: “She’s just a regular girl. She’s learned from experience she’s never alone with her problems — other people have suffered before and won out, probably in the exact situations she found herself in ... But she felt, inside of herself, that making people happy with entertainment was for her, and in this she had faith.” Her mother’s words were the precursor for Betty’s own words of wisdom she shared over the years. “It’s your outlook on life that counts. If you don’t take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver.” “So, you may not be as fast on your feet, and the image in your mirror may be a little disappointing, but if you are still functioning and not in pain, gratitude should be the name of the game.” You don’t fall off the planet once you pass a given age. You don’t lose any of your sense of humor. You don’t lose any of your zest for life, or your lust for life.” “I just make it my business to get along with people so I can have fun. It’s that simple.” None of us with just 15 minutes of fame knew Betty White personally, but through the medium of TV we learned she cared for all two-legged and four-legged beings on earth ... and did so with passion. No one owns Betty White’s memory, but wouldn’t we be worthy if it owned us? Bev Graves is a freelance writer.

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Provided by Visit Howard County

1 RIVER, 3 BROTHERS, 250 YEARS!

VISIT AND DISCOVER 250 YEARS OF HISTORY DURING ELLICOTT CITY’S SESTERCENTENNIAL CELEBRATION! By Victoria Goodman History is alive this year in Ellicott City, Maryland as it celebrates its Sestercentennial anniversary! It was 250 years ago that the Ellicotts, a Quaker family from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, came to the Patapsco River Valley to harness the river’s power and establish a center for industry and commerce. The town is noted for its oldworld charm, eclectic assortment of shops, and variety of wonderful restaurants that draw visitors to its walkable Main Street. It is a place where you trod in the footsteps of early mill workers, while browsing galleries, exploring boutiques, and choosing from an array of dining options. Within a few short blocks you can tour the oldest railroad terminus in America, learn about the early education of the town’s Black community in a restored “colored” school, and sample a one-ofa-kind ice cream treat in a Mason jar that promises to be unlike any other! Ellicott City’s Sestercentennial is the perfect time to learn more about the family that started it all and the mill town that grew to become an important chapter in the history of our nation. Three exhibits offer visitors a great opportunity to dive deeper into this notable story of one river, three brothers and 250 years of innovation! The ELLICOTT LEGACY exhibit at the Museum of Howard County History takes a look into the lives of Ellicott City’s founding family through the lens of its extensive Ellicott family artifact collection. The MILL TOWN TO CITY exhibit at 20

the Howard County Welcome Center — the EC250 Musical” chronicles tells the story of the town as it transhistoric milestones during the last 250 forms from the Ellicotts’ settlement years in Ellicott City and Howard to a center of commerce. And the County. Set to premiere in December, new, interactive ELLICOTT MILLS this entertaining, educational, familyCHILDREN’S MUSEUM focuses oriented musical features songs in a on the history and culture of those variety of musical genres. Its songs who lived and worked in the 19th carry the audience through time with century mill town. stories of historic figures and events. History and art come together Performances will be held at Howin two nearby gallery exhibitions in ard County Community College’s celebration of the 250th anniverHorowitz Visual & Performing Arts sary. “ARTifacts” at the Howard County Center for the Arts explores the creative interpretation by various artists of individually selected historic artifacts from Howard County Historical Society’s Ellicott family collection. The artifacts are among those featured in the “Ellicott Legacy” exhibit now on display. A solo exhibition by artist Wiley Purkey opens on THE BALTIMORE & OHIO ELLICOTT CITY STATION Sept. 15 at the Columbia is the oldest surviving railroad depot in America, and one of the oldest in the world. The station's museum Art Center. Mr. Purkey features interpretive exhibits that detail the signifihas been painting in the cant role Ellicott City played in early transportation town’s Historic District history. (Victoria Goodman) for over fifty years. In his “A BRUSH WITH HISTORY” series, Purkey artfully Center. Tickets go on sale October 1. reminisces on both his personal expeFrom museums to a musical, the riences and historic elements of the occasion of Ellicott City’s 250 years of town in fifty paintings that take view- resilience and perseverance certainly ers on a nostalgic journey through its calls for a special Sestercentennial streets. visit — after all, it’s not every day a Over the years, history marched town turns 250! along the town’s Main Street, one of Learn more at EC250.com and the oldest roads in Maryland. It was find details for your trip at visithowbuilt to connect the town to the port ardcounty.com. of Baltimore to the east and to the Victoria Goodman’s roots run deep in Ellicott farms west of town. The road would City’s Patapsco Valley. She has lived and worked eventually continue west to connect in proximity to the town her entire life and enjoys with the National Road in Cumsharing stories of its charm and historic significance whenever possible. She and fellow EC250, berland, Maryland. As the town’s Inc. Board Members have worked diligently over yearlong Sestercentennial celebration the past four years to deliver a yearlong series of draws to a close a new, original musicelebratory and educational events to mark this cal inspired by travelers and events year’s 250th anniversary of Ellicott City’s foundalong this route is set to hit the stage. ing in 1772. “ON NATIONAL ROAD FALL 2022

Provided by The Johns Hopkins University Osher program

CLASSES FOR RETIRED AND SEMIRETIRED ADULTS NOW ENROLLING LIFELONG LEARNING CLASSES, IN PERSON OR BY ZOOM, SET TO BEGIN SEPT. 19 The Johns Hopkins University Osher program provides lifelong learning opportunities both in person and via Zoom for active retired and semiretired adults. Fall classes begin Sept. 19, 2022, and include such topics as Great Books, Theatre, Music, History, Poetry, Film, World Events, Science and Essays Discussion. The six and 12-week courses are offered in Baltimore, Columbia and Montgomery County.

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For information on membership in Osher at JHU, contact the office at 301-294-7058 or via email: osher@jhu. edu. Dedicated to lifelong learning, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Johns Hopkins University has spent more than 35 years creating a community of lifelong learners in the Baltimore, Columbia, and Washington areas. The program builds on the assets of one of the world’s renowned universities to offer intellectual growth, lively discussions, rewarding cultural experiences, and new friendships. Osher at JHU classes explore the worlds of art, history, philosophy, literature, politics, science, religion, music, and

(photo provided by The Johns Hopkins University Osher program)

more. Courses are taught by faculty drawn from the university, the region, and the rich resources of the membership. Discussion groups and lectures give members a variety of learning formats. Social events and field trips complement the program’s course offerings. Contact Osher at JHU via osher.jhu.edu or 301294-7058.

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(Emma Dodge)

WATERFRONT LIFESTYLE OPTIONS FOR COST-CONSCIOUS RETIREES

By Reid Buckley Real estate prices and interest rates have both been on the rise, but it is possible to settle into a comfortable, water-oriented life on a relatively modest amount of investments and savings. A recent Wall Street Journal article profiled four retirees living a full life — including coaching baseball, serving on corporate boards, volunteering with a homeless shelter, and helping friends with car and house repairs — with around a million dollars in savings and investments. If your savings plan has been a little weak or your investments have been hit hard by the dip in the stock market, don’t despair — you, too, can still live a fun-filled life along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. The largest expense for almost everyone is housing. Your first challenge is to decide how to conquer this appealingly and affordably. While there are many expensive and large waterfront homes, you may be surprised at the number of affordable and attractive smaller home communities that exist with a view and wonderful community amenities that emphasize the waterfront lifestyle. In addition to the affordability, many of these communities offer amenities that will not negatively impact your budget or your time as exterior maintenance is 22

Market Update Provided By Charlie Buckley's Mr. Waterfront Team of Long and Foster

included in the monthly cost. Finally, since most of these communities are attractive to like-minded people, you may find yourself with a new social club! Some of the best values are just minutes across the Bay Bridge on beautiful Kent Island. Oyster Cove (located on Prospect Bay at Kent Narrows) has home sales starting at $485,000 with monthly fees of $430. Residents can gather at the pool, marina, tennis courts, clubhouse or fitness center. Queen’s Landing is a slightly older development on the Chester River that has a pool, clubhouse, and marina with slips to purchase or rent. Recent sales start at $345,000 with monthly fees of $261. Since you aren’t commuting over the bridge for rush hour, it should be no hassle to come over the bridge at off times. On the Western Shore, there are several good possibilities for wateroriented properties. Severn House located on Back Creek in Eastport has a waterside pool and a large marina. Recent sales start at $300,000 with a monthly fee of $440. Walk to town for a Saturday night outing or meet up with friends on the dock to go boating. Save more on your purchase price and monthly fee at Stoney Beach on the Patapsco River off Fort Smallwood Road, where units have sold for $249,000 with a $155/month fee. There’s a marina, boat ramp, pool & playground. Traveling south of Annapolis, there are condo, water-oriented options in North Beach — a particularly great location if you like to fish — and Solomons Island. Explore Horizon on the Bay in North Beach with a marina, pool and lots of waterside decking. Solomons is a wonderful boating destination and a fun small town to explore. Oyster Bay, located on Back Creek directly across from the main drag of Solomon’s Island, has a pool, indoor parking, and boat slips at the community marina. Din-

ghy or paddleboard down the rows of marinas to your favorite waterfront restaurant! Here recent prices start at $399,000 with a $595/month fee. Monthly fees are obviously higher with more amenities and greater square footage, so it’s important to do a line-item comparison when looking at any condo community. If you are worried you haven’t saved enough for retirement to be able to do what you love, think again! Ditch the high cost and maintenance of a single-family home and spend your income on housing that lets you meet people with similar interests. Enjoy a sundowner on the dock at the community marina of your new home. You never know when a boat owner will be looking for crew, so walk the docks with your morning coffee to meet and greet. Most condos are lock it and leave it (a few are even gated) so when the polar vortex approaches, drive south with some other snow birds to a 2-month rental in the sun. You have a lot more flexibility living in a condo where exterior maintenance is not your assignment. If you plan your purchase correctly, you will hopefully have some discretionary funds to travel, whether it be to a warmer climate in the winter or to family in other states. A smaller footprint — with waterfront amenities — can be a lifechanging option, providing you with flexibility and a chance to widen your circle with others who appreciate the beauty of the Bay. You may be pleasantly surprised to find that a wateroriented condo payment works for a monthly investment/social security income of $5,000. We specialize in affordable Chesapeake Bay lifestyle homes, so give me a call to discuss. Reid Buckley, MBA, is a third-generation licensed real estate agent and waterfront specialist with The Mr. Waterfront Team of Long & Foster Real Estate. She can be reached at 410-266-6880 or via email at [email protected].

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Provided By Wooddell and Passaro Restorative and Esthetic Dentistry

DON’T ABUSE YOUR TEETH

SAVE YOUR SMILE BY USING YOUR TEETH ONLY FOR THE THINGS THEY’RE DESIGNED TO DO By Drs. Woody Wooddell & Joe Passaro Your pearly whites are a hardworking part of your anatomy. They grind up food so you can eat. They help you pronounce words so you can speak. And they make your smile sparkle. Teeth even seem like the perfect tools sometimes, especially if your hands are full. Although all of us have been tempted to use our teeth to open or cut something when we don’t have the correct tools handy, doing so can damage or even break your teeth. Don’t use them to open things. Using your teeth to open things such as bottles, envelopes, or plastic packages is not a good idea because you can crack or chip your teeth. These activities are also dangerous to your

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gums; if you are opening something and it slides, it can cut your gum. You can end up permanently damaging your teeth and might need dental crowns, veneers, fillings, or even dental implants. Using your teeth as scissors can also cause them to become weak; cracks in your teeth can increase the risk of infection. Don’t use them to carry things. There are likely times when one’s hands are full of more items than can be carried, so naturally, you might carry some items with your teeth. A common example of this is construction workers who hold nails in their teeth as they work. Using the teeth as a “third hand” is not a good habit to get into, not only because it can lead to increased tooth wear, but because if you were to sneeze or hiccup, you could choke. Don’t use them to chew on things (other than food). Fingernails and pens/pencils are common foreign objects that people often gnaw on with

their teeth, usually out of bad habit or stress. But this is a habit people should work to break immediately. Chewing on these and other hard objects may chip or crack your teeth or lead to accelerated tooth wear, poor jaw alignment and jaw pain. If you have a habit of chewing on objects, ask a friend or family member to remind you to stop. When it comes to the teeth, it’s not just important to brush, floss and see a dentist per the recommended cleaning frequency, but also to avoid using them in a manner that can cause harm. Save your smile by using your teeth only for the things they’re designed to do. Dr. Woody Wooddell and Dr. Joe Passaro opened the doors to their dental practice in Davidsonville, MD in 1981 and Dr. Jamie Wooddell joined the practice in 2022. In addition to caring for their patients’ health by offering general dentistry services, Drs. Wooddell and Passaro provide expert restorative and esthetic dental solutions. Visit their website at www.wpdentalgroup.com or call 410.956.5555 for more information.

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(michaeljung / Depositphotos.com)

Provided by Chesapeake Transitions

50th anniversary brings a new chapter By Marilyn Leek The celebration was lovely! Everyone was so happy for Diane and Bill who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Diane had put together a guest list and the couple’s daughters had done most of the research and planning, finding a venue, caterer, and even a string quartet. It was a day all would remember fondly. Adding to Diane and Bill’s anniversary enjoyment was the fact that their daughters and their families were staying an entire week with them. Their daughters shared stories of how Bill and Diane had taught them the sailing “rules of the road” and the grandkids had a blast exploring Annapolis. Such good memories. Behind the sharing of treasured memories and counting of blessings was the proverbial elephant in the room. Bill’s forgetfulness was becoming more serious. Diane had been aware for months but was unwilling to voice her concerns. The last night of their stay, the girls knew it was 24

time to have a frank talk with their parents. The conversation was painful and uncomfortable, but it was agreed Diane would eventually need help with Bill and the family home would be too much to keep up with on her own. Once again, the girls went into research mode and developed a list of facilities in Anne Arundel County where their parents could continue an active life with support. A particular concern was the couple’s Irish setter, Ginger. Using their daughters’ list, Diane and Bill started visiting the different residence facilities. After a few misses, the couple found a place they both liked that also had the capability to assist Diane as Bill’s condition deteriorated. Plus, pets were allowed! The next step was the actual move. While he had been involved in the process thus far, Bill was now in denial about leaving the family home. The couple’s daughters had long since gone back to their busy lives and

were not in a position to provide much help. Diane decided to hire a senior move manager who developed a plan for the entire process including a floor plan showing what furniture would fit in their new home. Each time the team showed up to assist Diane with sorting and packing, Bill would sit on the porch with Ginger refusing to participate — causing Diane anxiety about his ability to accept the eventual move. When move day arrived, Bill was again on the porch with Ginger by his side ignoring the activities taking place. Once the truck was loaded, the movers and senior move management team went to the new residence to unload and set up. Later, Diane received a call saying it was time for her, Bill and Ginger to “come home.” When the couple arrived, all of their things were in place, even Bill’s porch glider. When Bill saw his things, he smiled. Diane breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that her husband would now be able to accept the change. Two weeks after the couple’s move, the senior move management company held a very successful estate sale. Then the few remaining items were donated, the house professionally cleaned and put on the market. Now that she and Bill are comfortably settled in their new home, Diane looks back on her 50th wedding anniversary as a day of great joy but also as the beginning of a new chapter in her life. The owner of Chesapeake Transitions, Marilyn Leek is a Certified Senior Move Manager® who has been providing support and guidance for Maryland seniors and their families for over a decade.

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We Cancel Timeshares for You Many people believe their timeshares cannot be canceled, but they often can be. Our founder and CEO, Chuck McDowell, has successfully fought in federal court for the right to help timeshare owners — like you — out of their “binding” agreements. Whether you were misled or pressured, you may have an easy exit.

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Provided by Hospice of the Chesapeake

Understanding dementia helps volunteers better care for patients By Elyzabeth Marcussen, Senior Communications Specialist, Hospice of the Chesapeake It was the mood swings that startled Cathleen Rawlings the most. As her mother’s dementia progressed, her mother would become very angry and lash out. “I think that was surprising to me,” Rawlings said. “She’s not going to just be this cute little old lady who says funny things.” As many families know, caring for someone with dementia means preparing for the unexpected. This year, Hospice of the Chesapeake’s Volunteer Team added dementia care training to its educational programming to better equip all volunteers for what can be a difficult visit. In May, volunteers participated in Dementia Live training through the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging. The program uses confusing sounds and other sensory deprivation to offer a deeper understanding of what it is like to live with dementia. Joan Blum has volunteered with the nonprofit for 28 years. She participated in the training and found it very enlightening. Participants wore headphones blasting a cacophony of sounds like sirens and crowds of people. Wearing garden gloves to deaden their sense of touch, each participant had a different task to complete. “All I heard the instructor say was ‘cat,’ so I looked for a cat. After I found this toy cat, I didn’t know what I was supposed to do next. I stood there.” Blum said. “It felt like 15 minutes. It was just four minutes. It was so frustrating.” Blum encourages more volunteers 26

to take the class. “It gave me a better perspective as to what dementia patients might be experiencing and reminds me how I need to respond when they can’t communicate.” Earlier this year, the Alzheimer’s Association provided Hospice of the Chesapeake volunteers with virtual education to further enhance their understanding of this difficult diagnosis. The classes explored how to

are in that moment. Then you can usually keep the energy positive. You may even find out something about the relationship between your mother and your uncle.” The training has been so well received, the organization will offer more in the fall. They also will offer education for volunteers that could lead to becoming a certified dementia volunteer.

Hospice of the Chesapeake Volunteer Ed Allen decode behavioral messages, participated in online training in dementia care identify common behavior from the Alzheimer’s Association. (Photo by triggers, and learn how to Elyzabeth Marcussen) intervene during common behavioral challenges like Families of dementia patients the mood swings the Rawlings family turn to and trust these volunteers who experienced. come into their homes. Thanks to the As a volunteer who has cared for many hospice patients with dementia, support of donors and community organizations like the Alzheimer’s Asincluding his mother, Ed Allen said sociation and Anne Arundel County the program offered fundamental Department of Aging, Hospice of information that served as a useful the Chesapeake can continue to ofreminder. One important take-away fer training and resources to help its for him was learning not to correct volunteers feel even more confident in the patient. “When your mother keeps calling caring for dementia patients and their families. you by your uncle’s name, don’t say, ‘I’m not your brother, I’m your son.’” To learn more about volunteering with Hospice of Instead, he said, “Just go with the per- the Chesapeake, visit www.hospicechesapeake.org/ son to try to understand where they volunteer.

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YO U R L E G A L C O M PA S S

Provided by ERA Law Group

MEDICAID

A LONG-TERM CARE PLANNING TOOL This column presents general information regarding estate and disability planning and probate. It is not intended to create an attorney-client relationship or constitute legal advice to readers. Individuals with legal concerns should consult with an attorney for advice regarding their specific circumstances.

By Jessica L. Estes Medicaid is a needs-based benefit available to individuals who are within certain income and asset limits to help pay for their long-term care. In the Baltimore-Washington metro area, the average cost of nursing home care per month is $10,000 to $12,000. Most people do not receive that much income monthly, especially those who are retired. Moreover, it is more likely than not that one will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime. And, unless a person has long-term care insurance or enough assets to supplement their income to cover the cost, likely they will have to apply for Medicaid. Generally, health insurance will not pay for this type of care. Medicaid is a federal program that is administered by each state. Although the federal rules provide the basic guidelines for Medicaid eligibility, it is up to each state to implement and interpret the federal rules. So, each state’s rules are different. There are three basic criteria that one must meet to be eligible for Medicaid: (1) technical eligibility, (2) medical eligibility and (3) financial eligibility. Technical eligibility is met if you are: (1) aged 65 or older, blind, or disabled; (2) a U.S. citizen or resident alien; and (3) a Maryland resident. For Medicaid purposes, you are considered a Maryland resident if you are admitted to a long-term care facility

in Maryland. Medical eligibility is established when a person requires skilled nursing care or assistance with at least three activities of daily living. The activities of daily living include walking, bathing, dressing, eating, transferring and maintaining continence. Most people meet both the technical and medical eligibility criteria if they reside in a long-term care facility. However, the third criteria – financial eligibility, looks at an individual’s income and assets. So long as a person’s income is less than the monthly cost of care at the facility, he or she passes the income test. But, the asset rule requires that a person not have more than $2,500 in countable assets. Countable assets include bank accounts, investment accounts, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts such as IRAs, college savings plans (529 plans), real estate that is not one’s primary residence and that is not income-producing, and whole life insurance policies whose face values total more than $1,500. If the total face values of all countable policies are more than $1,500, then the cash values of the policies will be considered countable assets for Medicaid purposes. Because of the $2,500 asset limit, most people – the middle class – must “spend down” their assets below $2,500 before they will be eligible for benefits. At $120,000 per year or more for nursing home care, that will not take long. And, even though the State does provide some spousal protection, it is minimal. Further, once an individual meets the three basic criteria, the State then looks back five years from the date of the application to see if an individual has given away assets for less than fair market value. The five-year period during which the State has the right to look at all your financial records, including bank statements and tax re-

turns, is called the “look-back” period. If the State finds that you have given away assets for less than fair market value during the look-back period, it will total all the gifts and then divide by $10,190 (in 2021) which is the average monthly cost of nursing home care in Maryland. The resulting figure is the number of months that a person will be under penalty and for which the State will not pay benefits. Rather, an individual will have to pay privately during that penalty period. But, because the penalty does not start until one has applied for and been approved for benefits, his or her assets already have been spent-down and he or she has no funds with which to pay during the penalty period. This is not a situation in which you want to be. There are, however, asset protection strategies that are available to preserve one’s assets while still qualifying for Medicaid. These can include the use of asset protection trusts, single premium immediate annuities in the case of spouses, personal care contracts, promissory notes and strategic gifting. To be clear, though, strategic gifting is not giving away up to $15,000 per year to any number of individuals. That is a tax planning strategy and those gifts could be subject to penalty. If you have not already planned for your long-term care, it is never too soon. Given that most people do not have long-term care insurance and that approximately 70% of people over age 65 will require some form of long-term care in their lifetime, longterm care planning should be part of your estate plan. Especially Medicaid planning, if you intend to leave any assets to your beneficiaries. Jessica L. Estes is an elder law and estate planning attorney at ERA Law Group, LLC in Annapolis. She can be reached at (410) 919-1790 or via email at [email protected].

Never lose. Either win or learn.

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A S K T H E U N D E R TA K E R

CREMATION STONES By Ryan Helfenbein On July 4, 2022 the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping Tournament was held at Windermere Pointe Beach, Michigan. Spectators both in person and watching on ESPN were able to enjoy impressive stone skips during the Wilmer T. Rabe International Stone Skipping Tournament. In a moment of realization that there is in fact a tournament and even a World Championship (located in Scotland) for stone skipping, one has to wonder, “what is the perfect skipping stone?” According to Google, it is to be a mostly flat stone, about the size of your palm, with the weight of a tennis ball. It is commonly accepted that triangular stones skip the best. These appear to be good guidelines, but what about a recently departed’s stone? Would that work? Oh, and no … I’m not saying a stone that was a favorite of someone who has passed away, I’m referencing the stone that IS the recently departed. Eliminate the idea of a coffee can, humidor, or cookie jar as an eternal resting place for those cremated remains (ashes). A new company has recently developed a way to solidify cremated remains into stones, meaning the family does not have to receive ashes after cremation is performed. Undertakers today can see that cremated remains become what are called Parting Stones. Now these are no ordinary stones, but a

Provided by Lasting Tributes Cremation & Funeral Care

human-made “stone” resembling a mostly flat river rock, around the size of your palm and weight of a tennis ball. Yes, much like a perfect skipping stone. Creating Parting Stones© involves a five-step process. A collection process is the starting point. Your Undertaker will place the remains in a specialized “Collection Kit” after cremation is completed. They are then transported to a lab in Santa Fe, New Mexico, all the while being tracked by your local undertaker. A purification process is then performed to remove any foreign contaminants like medical implants (however if cremation is done properly, these contaminants have already been removed during cremation). After the cremated remains are cleansed of any impurities, the forming process begins. This is where the cremated remains are mixed with a small amount of a binder additive and turned into a ‘clay-like’ form, which is poured into molds. A solidification process occurs when the molds are heated in a kiln and the remains attain a hard composition. The stones are cleaned, polished, and beautifully packaged. Then the process of returning the stones to the Undertaker, and then the family, begins. Some families that have chosen this option are finding comfort in carrying the stones as there’s no suggestion of what they might be to the casual observer. These

Parting Stones© enable those who are grieving to keep their loved ones close to them in a hand-held and pocketsize form, rather then an urn on the closet shelf or back seat of a car (both true stories). Outside of a traditional cemetery or columbarium wall, survivors can now explore meaningful areas as the final resting place for the one they lost. If a lifelong memory of that person is standing by the shoreline while their kids played in the water, why not leave a stone right there? Was Paris a favorite destination for them? If so, perhaps leaving a stone at the base of the Eiffel Tower is something to consider. Parting Stones provide the opportunity for a one-ofa-kind final resting place that would be meaningful to the one who has passed, and memorable for those left behind. Perhaps during the 2023 Stone Skipping Tournament, World Record Holder, Kurt Steiner, will beat his 88 rock-skips using a new kind of stone. Maybe the Parting Stone© of a family member, close friend, or stone-skipping competitor could be the lucky winning option for Kurt. Professionals and amateurs alike can now embrace a new way to lay their loved ones to rest thanks to Parting Stone’s innovated approach to celebrating a life well lived. Ryan, owner, supervising mortician and preplanning counselor at Lasting Tributes on Bestgate Road in Annapolis, offers area residents solutions to high-cost funerals. He can be contacted at (410) 897-4852 or [email protected]

(Parting Stone photo)

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FULL OF VIM AND VIGOR, BUT … OLDSTERS’ EXPERIENCE AN UNTAPPED ASSET

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Kidz-Acrostics by Sheila

RLIN BE NE

By Ellen Moyer The obituaries tell it all. The oldsters around us, the ones past 75 years of age, that health experts are declaring are immersed in an epidemic of loneliness, are “people of great accomplishments.” I thought of this when I read the life of Penny Evans, community activist and volunteer with Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. She had vision and ideas and energy but she was over 70, the age when so many vigorous people still of clear mind could contribute on boards or commissions with the younger upcomers, are just summarily put out to pasture. What a waste. Arlene Berlin is 84, very much alive, and still filled with vim and vigor and ability to contribute in her community but …. an oldster. Way back in the 1980s, Arlene was receiving invitations to events by President Carter at the White House and Sen. Edward Kennedy, at his house reception and appreciation from Al Gore Jr. She was a host of other men of power. Sen. Jim Hunt called her a great leading woman “tired of old negative ways.” She was appointed national finance vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (a first woman appointment) after serving as chair of the Women’s Council, a council she founded to bring women into the political fundraising process; another first, that eventually propelled women forward as a political force. It was 1981 when Arlene proposed the fundraising program that became The Women’s Council.

She founded and was president of the Eastport Business Association and helped launch the Eastport Light Parade. ARL She was one of the first E women writers in the National Press Club. A lot of elected leaders of both parties have benefited from her counsel and fundraising.A successful businessperson, a public relations consultant, writer, public information officer for women business owners, her initiatives and leadership have shaped our lives in ways invisible to most of us. With a host of experiences as a “leading woman,” a host of successful firsts, that enhanced our business and economic lives, and a woman still full of vim and vigor and interest in continuing to contribute to the community around her, why wouldn’t she be seen as an asset by today’s leaders? She and others like her are over 75, the age of dismissal, sending one out to pasture in America. It is a colossal waste of a valuable asset; An asset with information to share with a young up and coming population. Somewhere in this great world of ours we need to appreciate and harness the energy and wisdom of oldsters. Perhaps that is another community council Arlene could create before, in years to come people who are acquainted with Arlene read about her and scratch their head and say “Wow. What a woman. I didn’t know that.”

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ATTENTION: GRANDPARENTS

Introduce your grandchildren or other young people to the fun and challenge of acrostic puzzles. Great for long car trips or other times when you want to “unplug” children.

Order today from amazon.com

Ellen Moyer is a former mayor of Annapolis. She welcomes comments and idea sharing and can be contacted at ellenmoyer@ yahoo.com.

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yummy preserves and some fashion wine from the pulp. It is perhaps at its best scooped right from the outer skin. It tastes something like creamy vanilla custard with a hint of banana and mango. It definitely is reminiscent of tropical fruits. Don’t ingest the skin or seeds as they can cause varying degrees of tummy troubles. Some folks

DISCOVER

THE ANCIENT PAWPAW (Kassandra2/Depositphotos.com)

By Barbara Aiken Do you recall the Appalachian folk song “Way Down Yonder in the Paw-Paw Patch?” That funny little song, often resounding around a camp fire speaks to a delicious, hard to come by, North American native fruit that many people have never had the opportunity to sample and know little about. One of the main reasons it’s hard to find is that it is highly perishable and does not survive treks to market. You won’t find this treat on your grocers’ shelf as it is not commercially produced. If this was not the case, the pawpaw would likely

you should be so lucky, don’t pass up the opportunity to sample this wondrous gift from Mother Nature. The pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is an ancient tree and bears the largest fruit (technically a berry) of any native North American tree, often 2-inches by 10-inches in size. The fruit grows in clusters and the skin is first green, then yellow — the best time for eating — brown and finally almost black. The pulp is orange, sometimes creamy yellow and the seeds a very rich brown in color. The ripe custard-like | bay bytes | fruit of the pawpaw is a sweet late sumFor free samples of products you are mer indulgence, and considering purchasing, check out nutritious as well FreeSamples.org. Discount coupons are containing numerous also offered by many local restaurants. minerals such as zinc, potassium, iron and copper. It is lacking in vitamins but does provide some be a very popular treat. You may be protein. It makes scrumptious fortunate enough to come across the ice cream, a fine filling for pies, pawpaw at a local farmers market. If

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Eat and drink:

Western Maryland Lemonade, http://www.wmdlemonade.com/

Woodberry Kitchen, https://www.woodberrykitchen.com/

Shop:

Deep Run Pawpaw Orchard, 4265 Geeting Road, Westminster, MD 21158. Call before heading out 410-848-9826.

Earthy.com; https://earthy.com/collections/pawpaws Monticello, https://www.monticelloshop.org/ paw-paw-asimina-triloba/

Two Boots Farm and farmers markets, http://www.twobootsfarm.com/ farmers-market

Forage:

Fallingfruit.org — check here for foraging opportunities on public land.

Discover:

7th Annual Paw Paw Festival, Long Creek Homestead, 8955 Indian Springs Road, Frederick, MD 21702-2333.

For 2022 the festival is scheduled for Sept. 17, noon – 5 p.m.. Tickets available at: https://www.ecologiadesign. com/2022/03/01/paw-pawfestival-longcreek-homestead/

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react negatively to the fruit as well so try a small amount to begin with just in case you’re not pawpaw tolerant. Today it is hard to find a pawpaw patch as these distinctive natives do not re-establish well when forests are cut down. As you may be aware, many of our old growth forests have been sheared over the course of many years. The pawpaw is a native Maryland tree and is on the list acceptable for replanting requirements when mitigating clearing for building or other purposes. Another plus is that deer avoid these trees so given the right growing conditions, they should do well in settings where deer are plentiful. However, when the fruit emerges, deer may take more of a liking to it. Forest dwellers such as the opossum, fox, squirrel, raccoon, and birds enjoy the taste of pawpaw. This hardy, deciduous, understory tree can attain heights of 25-30 feet though they usually settle in at 1520 feet. They spread via suckers and runners and can form dense thickets when happy with their home. When planting these trees, plant them 15-25 feet apart in well-drained but moist soil in an area of partial to full sunlight though they often do very well in shade. High winds can damage these trees as the leaves are large — 12 to 20 inches long — and are easily whipped around often tearing them from their branches. Pollination of the pawpaw is challenging. You’ll need to plant two or three trees of different cultivars in order to produce flowers and berries. This can take as many as eight years; you’ll require patience. There are numerous varieties of pawpaw trees such as Davis, Mitchell, Sunflower, and Rebecca’s Gold. Check with your local nursery for the appropriate

cultivars for your project. The pawby Western Maryland Lemonade. paw also produces flowers that can The Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore be white, maroon, or purple in color. has used the pawpaw in sweet treats The flowers smell like carrion and the such as cookies and pies. They freeze petals, three outer and three inner, are the pulp for later use. You may find a leather-like in appearance. Beetles and pawpaw temptation here but call first flies are the common pollinators for as their menu changes regularly. Fallthe pawpaw. Flies flock to the flowers ingfruit.org keeps a tree registry with and later rotting pawpaw fruit due to information on local public foraging the aroma of decaying flesh. areas. You might just find your very The first European mention of own pawpaw delicacy. the pawpaw was about 1540 durConsider the Annual Paw Paw ing Hernando de Soto’s journey in Festival in Frederick, Maryland and North America. It was noted that the keep an eye out at farmers markets pawpaw was a staple of many Ameri- particularly around September when can Indian diets. Settlers at Jamespawpaw fruit is at its best. You may town described what was most likely the pawpaw | bay bytes | but didn’t call it that. The Lewis and Clark expediAs a member of AARP you are eligible tion were grateful for the to take an annual hearing test in the pawpaw to help sustain privacy of your home using your phone. them on their journey of For instructions and information, go to discovery. Others such as www.aarp.org/benefits- discounts/all/ George Washington and national- hearing-test/. Thomas Jefferson relished the deliciousness of the pawpaw. Jefferson, well known as an avid horticulturist, grew like to shop online at earthy.com and them at Monticello. There are still try pawpaw when they have it availsome growing at Monticello and at able. their shop or online you can purchase With the vast variety of produce a small tree when available. available to us today from around the Where did this native get its world, it’s fun to discover something amusing name? These trees were new that is a native to our Old Line found abundantly along the banks of State. Enjoy the journey of finding the Paw Paw River in Michigan. The your first pawpaw and if you’re already author assumes the trees were there familiar with them, continue to savor prior to the naming of the river. It is this distinctive North American nabelieved that explorers likened the tive. fruit of these trees to the papaya and perhaps the word papaya became mis- Barbara is currently trying to establish a few pawpaws on her property. She is a huge fan of pronounced becoming pawpaw. The the pawpaw and hopes to have some fruit of her spelling seems to appear just as often own in a few years. Barbara can be reached at: [email protected]. as pawpaw as it does paw paw. Here in Maryland, you may like to try Paw Paw Lemonade produced

Are you letting fear hold you back? Get out there and do it.

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Adventures in the Lehigh Gorge Story and photos by Phil Ferrara 300 million years ago in the late Paleozoic era, great forces of continental plates folded and thrust upward, creating what we know as the Appalachian Mountains. As eras passed, huge faults continued to fracture the earth’s crust. Blocks of mountains rose to 15,000 feet above the sea. But as with all things, evolution and time humbled that giant mountain range. Forces of wind, rain, and ice inevitably reshaped majestic peaks, sculpting the land to create rivers and canyons. Remaining today after millions of years of titanic forces of erosion is the low lying but still rugged Appalachian Plateau. Within it are the eastern mountains of Pennsylvania, the Poconos, a land of rolling

PHIL AND LINDA FERRARA take a break from a 25-mile bicycling trip along the Lehigh Gorge to stand in front of Buttermilk Falls.

hills and aging summits, carpeted by deciduous trees and a canopy of dark green conifers. Across this region lie meadows, farms, and endless miles of state parks and forest lands. Cutting through a portion of the Poconos is the rugged Lehigh River, a timeless force that continues to sculpt the Appalachian Mountains. As the Lehigh cascades its way to its ultimate confluence with the Delaware River, its earth-shaping forces have created the Lehigh Gorge.

rafting, or zip lining. One of the focal points of the area is the tiny, picturesque village of Jim Thorpe. The name was adopted in 1954 by the former 19th century coal shipping town of Mauch Chunk, an action that shaped its future. The region has come to embody the memory and physical ethic of its namesake, Jim Thorpe, one of the greatest Olympians of all time. Lodging, dining, and entertainment make the town of Jim Thorpe a desirable and enjoyable destination.

THE INN AT JIM THORPE was built in 1849 In the modern era, waves of and is situated in the heart of Jim Thorpe’s colonial migration impacted the National Register Historic District. Lehigh Valley. The industrial age of the 19th and 20th centuries followed. Coal mining continued Accommodations begin with the Inn reshaping this region, including the at Jim Thorpe, a charming and quaint mountains and the river valleys. But 19th century hotel, www.InnJT.com even the heyday of the coal industry bed-and-breakfast Inns and guestwaned in the early 20th century. houses are also available along Race Today the Lehigh Valley has been Street and Broadway. Quality restautransformed into a mecca of varied rants and pubs are found throughout activities. The call of the wild beckthe village, as well as museums, shops, ons the outdoor enthusiast, whether and entertainment. An interesting bicycle riding, hiking, white water evening of nightlife is the Mauch How much time are you spending on things that don’t really matter.

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THIS STATUE OF JIM THORPE is in the Memorial garden and cemetery where he was buried in the town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania.

Chunk Opera House, featuring nationally known stage and musical performances. It is a short stroll up Broadway from the river and located at Opera House Square. https://mcohjt.com/ A principal form of outdoor activity is to hike along or bicycle the 25 mile length of the Lehigh Gorge, while enclosed within the forests above the river. The adventure begins

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at the Pocono Biking Company through the Lehigh Gorge, plus an at #7 Hazard Square in Jim additional hundred miles downriver Thorpe. Details can be found to the Delaware River, now called the at www.poconobiking.com or D & L Trail. Bring a lunch and ample call 570-325-8430. Bring your water or beverages. Enjoy the many own bicycle or rent one. It is picnic benches along the trail with the recommended to choose the full river’s rapids racing beside you. 25 mile bike ride and take the Whitewater rafting on the Leshuttle provided by the Pocono high River is another popular activity. Biking Company to Whitehaven, Schedules and fees are available at the upriver trailhead. You then www.poconowhitewater.com or call benefit from the full impression 1-800-WHITEWATER. of the beautiful Lehigh Gorge. It An excellent sightseeing advenis a marvelous adventure of 3-5 ture is the scenic train ride with a prohours of bicycling downriver and fessional guide providing an overview enjoying the roar of the rapids of the region’s history, geology, and and three trailside waterfalls wildlife. The train passes through while proceeding through the the gorge, and you enjoy the forested gorge. Everywhere along the scenery during the narration. The train path is the sound of the birds station is located in Jim Thorpe at #1 with hills and mountains climbSusquehanna Avenue. Information ing to your left and right and can be found at www.lgsry.com or call the ever present smell of honeysuckle. 570-325-8485. Another outstanding The forest is abundant with mountain educational tour is the Asa Packer laurel and myriad hemlock trees inMansion located on the hillside just terspersed with the occasional maple above the Inn at Jim Thorpe. Details and birch tree, so thick they appear are at www.jimthorpe.org impenetrable. The call of the wild is beckoning Between Whitehaven and Jim you to the forests, rivers, and trails. Thorpe the Lehigh River drops 600 Gather your friends and enjoy the feet. This elevation change along wonders of the great outdoors! the 25-mile former railroad makes Phil Ferrara created the Piedmont Trekkers hika comfortable and relatively easy ing club seventeen years ago with good friends bicycle ride. The ruins of many locks Dave and Warren. The group continues to are often visible. They provided the emphasize the benefits of camaraderie and outdoor activity. [email protected] river control, thereby enabling the industrial era to move coal and lumber to markets | bay bytes | along the Delaware River and the Atlantic coast. The Volunteer.gov is a great resource for river locks were destroyed volunteer opportunities with the U.S. by a heavy 19th century government in any of the 50 states. rainstorm, and the railroad You'll find opportunities for individuals became the dominant and groups with varying interests and abilities. Participating agencies include means of transporting the U.S. Forestry Service, NOAA, Fish product to market. One and Wildlife Service and others primarily railroad line was transfocused on outdoor work. formed into the beautiful hiking and bicycle trail

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THE HILL WITH

A HISTORY BALTIMORE’S FEDERAL HILL STILL HAS A GREAT VIEW Story and photos by Sharon P. Schultz Federal Hill is easy enough to spot even without the huge American flag flying prominently above it. Of course, there aren’t too many hills that are imposing enough to rise up out of a thriving metropolis to be seen, or maybe to stand witness to centuries of history unfolding before it. Federal Hill has been part of the Baltimore landscape since the city was founded in 1729. It was, and is, a popular location for people in the neighborhood to get a glimpse of the harbor and downtown Baltimore’s subsequent development and growth. Acquired by the city as a public park in 1880, the hill was already an iconic landmark with a lengthy history. Long before Federal Hill got its name, and even longer before its 34

Above, the Baltimore Harbor and Skyline as seen from Federal Hill Park in August. Right, a cannon at the park.

present day shade trees and grassy lawns, the hill boasted jagged cliffs of hard red clay that emitted a red dust that settled everywhere. In fact, those red cliffs were spotted by Captain John Smith in 1608 as he sailed from Jamestown up the Chesapeake Bay to the Patapsco River and Baltimore’s harbor. Smith described the hill as “a great red bank of clay flanking a natural harbor basin.” The settlers living in Baltimore at the time referred to it as John Smith’s Hill. The hill was mined for clay and sand primarily during the 18th century. By the 19th century, Federal Hill was recognized as an important part of the community at large. In 1788, when Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the new United States Constitution, Baltimoreans took to the streets in jubilant celebration. It was estimated that a crowd of four thousand revelers converged on John Smith’s Hill that day. A celebratory parade was held that featured a fifteen-foot scale model of a sailing vessel they called the Federalist that was to be installed atop the hill as part of the day’s festivities. However, as the celebration went on, things did not go exactly as planned.

Instead of resting in its place of honor on top of the hill, before the day was over, the Federalist “sailed” down the slope and into the harbor. The epic celebration became so legendary that the people renamed John Smith’s Hill, Federal Hill, in honor of their party boat, the Federalist! By 1795, Federal Hill was put to commercial use when a marine observatory and a signal tower was constructed on the hilltop. A watchman in the tower had a panoramic view fifteen miles in either direction down the Patapsco River. When a ship was spotted approaching the harbor, the watchman would signal the owners on the waterfront of its imminent arrival in port. The hill played a significant role in the war that followed. In 1812, anticipating a sea attack on the city by the Royal Navy that was terrorizing and raiding settlements up and down along the Chesapeake Bay, a military battery was built on Federal Hill to assist in the city’s defense. It wasn’t until Sept. 12, 1814, that the British Fleet stormed North Point, just south of the city, with 3000 FALL 2022

troops. The next day British ships began their two-day bombardment of Fort McHenry, which guards the harbor, and the Battle of Baltimore was underway. American troops thwarted the English ground forces marching on the city and held the enemy ships at bay with their cannon fire until the British retreated. There was peace for several decades. The next time Federal Hill came into the spotlight was at the beginning of the Civil War. At the onset, the hill was occupied by militia and artillery units from 10 different garrisons sent to secure Baltimore for the Union. Maryland’s loyalty to the United States was in question so Union troops occupied the hill for the next four years. A small fort was built on site and numerous cannons were installed — all facing across the harbor toward the downtown business community. Before the war was over, a wall was built around the military en-

campment for added security and the hill was re-dubbed Fort Federal Hill. The 19th and 20th centuries saw amazing growth, especially along the port city’s waterfront. An important maritime port, Baltimore has enjoyed a thriving, commercial shipping trade with ports of call worldwide, as well as being a forerunner in the fishing industry famous for its blue crabs. On Feb. 7, 1904, a nervous BaltiFALL 2022

more held its collective breath as they stood on Federal Hill watching as a small burning in the downtown area just across the harbor, began to simmer. The Great Baltimore Fire leveled 1,500 buildings and severely damaged a thousand more. It took over twelve hundred firefighters to bring the fire under control. The fire was said to have started with a carelessly tossed

to increase the tourist trade, investors and residents began purchasing and renovating homes in the nearby neighborhoods and Federal Hill came into prominence once more. Today Federal Hill Park is just 10.3 acres in size with two circular paths around the hill frequently used by dog walkers and bicycle-riders and the alike. The top of the hill has a lush green lawn with large shade trees. Walking through this peaceful, little, The ball courts and neighborhood park with its stunning gated playground views of the harbor, it is hard to envision are popular with the the centuries of tumultuous history younger set. There witnessed from this hill, but it only are war memorials and benches stands as a testimony to the resilience placed at appropriate of the people of Baltimore. intervals, and there is almost always a cigarette butt at the John Hurst build- breeze from the harbor. Federal Hill ing near Hopkins Place, where the Park overlooks the inner harbor to the Royal Farms Arena currently stands. north with Francis Scott Key HighThe fire torched most of central way at its base. Battery Avenue marks the boundary to the west, Warren Avenue is to the south and Covington Street is on the east side of the park. It is easily accessible via public transportation. The phenomenal views of Baltimore’s harbor and city skyline from Federal Hill are celebrated and have become as iconic as the long history of milestones witnessed by generations on the hill. As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Baltimore, Federal Hill has grown in wealth, prominence, and respect over time, and it continues to develop and hold its own in tandem with the downtown business downtown, 140 acres worth, burncommunity. ing its way to the waterfront directly Federal Hill Park is a welcome across from Federal Hill. Imagine the surprise. It’s an unexpected slice of horrified looks on the faces of the heavenly peace hidden in plain sight, residents in Federal Hill as they stood center-stage in a bustling city enviatop the hill and watched the massive ronment. The park is open for public fire draw near. The fire did not cross use from sunrise to sunset. the basin. Sharon is a freelance photojournalist and a proud When the Rouse Company gave “Bay” Boomer from Anne Arundel County when the harbor a face lift in the 1980s she’s not visiting local parks. Contact Sharon via with the construction of Harborplace email at [email protected]. 35

12 WAYS TO SAVE ON DINING OUT

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How to avoid paying more “Would you like fries with that?” is one way restaurants try to get you to spend more money than you planned. Skim over the entire menu before ordering. Often the design of the menu will tempt you to buy the most expensive meals. For example, a box drawn around an item, or a mouthwatering picture of the dish will help to sell a pricey item. Extra adjectives are used to sell an expensive item. For example: “Our delicately breaded, tender chopped sirloin, smothered in Chef Julius’ famous cream sauce” sounds much better than “Country-fried steak with gravy.” Take your server’s suggestion for the “daily special” with a grain of salt. The special item of the day is invariably more expensive than the regularly priced meals.

Here’s where to find coupons • Check websites like www.couponmom.com • Your supermarket on the back of the sales slip • The phone book • Rest stops • Welcome centers • Travel magazines • Your city or state’s tourism website When can you skip the tip? Experts recommend tipping 15% to 20% at restaurants. However, if you see a tip jar at your favorite deli or coffee shop, or if you pick up takeout, tipping is optional. Always check the menu and your bill to see if the tip is included.

(monkeybusiness / Depositphotos.com)

By Louise Whiteside Prices have escalated on everything in life, from your daily essentials to those things you consider luxuries. Perhaps one thing you’ve eliminated from your weekly or monthly budget is the pleasure of dining out. You may be denying yourself the fun of a visit to your favorite restaurant because of the strain on your bank account. Well, it’s time to allow yourself the relaxation and pleasure you previously enjoyed. You can give yourself an occasional restaurant treat with friends or family without worrying about blowing the budget. Here are a few tips for a dining-out break minus the financial anxiety. 1. Many businesses do not advertise their discounts for senior citizens, military members or students. Call ahead and ask about discounts before you visit a restaurant. Be sure to inquire about the age requirement for seniors. 2. Instead of going out for dinner, go out for lunch or breakfast. At lunch, you often get the same food for less, and breakfast is usually even cheaper. 3. Eat an appetizer as your meal. 4. If your portion is too large for a single meal, ask for a “doggie bag,” and take half your food home for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner. 5. Keep an eye out for discounts on smaller portions, buy-one-get-onefree deals, early-bird specials, weekday specials, and freebies. 6. Go to happy hours at restaurants where half-price appetizers are offered at certain hours. A few appetizers may serve as a satisfying dinner. 7. Share a meal with your dinner partner. Many restaurants serve portions that are much too large for one person.

8. Order takeout, and save the cost of an appetizer, drink or dessert. 9. If a restaurant gives special discounts on birthdays, tell your server when it is your special day. 10. Instead of high-markup drinks, such as sodas or alcoholic beverages, order water with lemon. 11. Join the restaurant’s customer club by filling out a form or signing up on its website. You will get coupons and notices for discounts, specials and freebies. 12. Buy discount gift cards from websites like www.restaurant.com or www.giftcardgranny.com You may get a $50.00 gift card for at least $20.00 less.

For your safety Scammers may use fake email surveys or discount and freebie offers to get your financial information. Never open unexpected emails from a restaurant you have not given your email address to. And never give out your credit card number, other financial data, or personal information, to get a discount, freebie or survey reward. Bon appétit! Louise Whiteside, a long-time resident of D.C. and Maryland, now resides in the Colorado Rockies. She loves memoir writing, bargain hunting, cooking, country music, theater, and travel.

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THE GREAT PUMPKIN By Ellen Moyer It was 1966 when Linus Van Pelt sat himself down in a pumpkin patch to wait for the Great Pumpkin to fly up on Halloween night bringing gifts to all who believed. The Great Pumpkin didn’t appear, and Linus was crushed, but hope springs eternal. The creation of Charles M Schulz, Linus is the most intellectual of Schulz’s characters in the popular comic strip Peanuts that began on Oct. 2, 1950 and lasted until Schulz’ death on Feb. 12, 2000. The Great Pumpkin of course never reveals itself. His only believer is Linus who is sure it rises out of the patch he thinks is most sincere without a sign of hypocrisy. Just “nothing but sincerity as far as the eye can see.” Teased on Halloween by unbelieving Charlie Brown, his best friend, and all the other Peanuts for his perseverance and faith, Linus admits “ there are three things I have learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics and the Great Pumpkin.” So ends the Halloween Classic movie “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” October is the month when pumpkin patches flourish. Large and small. Sincere … who knows? . The Great Pumpkin however found Annapolis thanks to Bumper Moyer, who had searched for the great pumpkin since he was 6 . Early on, that pumpkin was maybe 200 pounds from a farm on Marylands Eastern Shore. Eventually it grew to 850 pounds, proudly displayed in Eastport in front of the family home surrounded by tiny pumpkins carved by friends and family in an annual pumpkin carving party. But when the Eastport home was sold Bumper set about finding another place for the Great Pumpkin. He found great pumpkins at FALL 2022

the Altoona, Pennsylvania weigh-in and than convinced the downtown partnership to begin a Pumpkin Halloween fest. In 2020, Maryland Matters news reported, the brainchild of Bumper Moyer, “three 1000 pound pumpkins are scattered around downtown Annapolis. It is Great Pumpkin Annapolis fest, fun for family photos.” By 2021, What’s Up Annapolis magazine was reporting “The Great Pumpkins have arrived in Annapolis.” now there were Four 1000 pounders and a lot of little ones in small pumpkin patches. Again Pennsylvania offered up the grand orange pumpkins, chosen by Moyer and transported in his sister’s heavy duty Garden Girls landscaping Trucks. It would take a city fork lift to unload and place them around the city. On Halloween day, local artists carved them into Jack O Lanterns. Remember Linus’ notion of the gifts the great pumpkin would bring? in 2021 gift bags were available for families that offered photos on the Great Pumpkin and for those who guessed the proper weight. Thanks to the perseverance of Charles Schulz’ Peanuts cartoon character, Linus, in his great pumpkin search and the Halloween great pumpkin vision and tenacity of John Rodger “bumper” Moyer, The Great Pumpkin has landed in Annapolis ‘s Pumpkin Patch and is “sincerely “ here to stay. Ellen Moyer is a former mayor of Annapolis. She welcomes comments and idea sharing and can be contacted at [email protected].

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HERE’S WHY PEOPLE LOVE WATCHING HORROR MOVIES

PSYCHOLOGICAL REASONS MAKE IT FUN By Nancy J. Schaaf In 1956, I was seven years old, and my parents hired a babysitter for my 5-year-old brother and me while they attended the neighborhood block party. The sitter let us watch The Werewolf, a terrifying movie, and we both had nightmares for several days. Mom was not happy with the sitter! In 1960, I went to see the movie Black Sunday, and I still can recall the vivid memory of the accused vampire having a Mask of Satan, with spikes on the inside pounded into her face by a man wielding a sledgehammer. It was horrifying. Again, the nightmares. Yet, I still watch horror movies. The horror movie, a staple of the Halloween experience, is one of the most enduringly popular film genres. Horror films are not just a highlight 38

of October, and they are a mainstay of haunting music. We know that it is cinema, going back to Frankenstein not actually happening and that it is and Dracula in the earliest days of Hollywood special effects that creates talkies in the 1930s. These characters the terrifying images. of horror films have become part of The combination of tension, the culture, such as Norman Bates in relevance and unrealism makes an Psycho and Hannibal Lecter in The entertaining horror flick. Horror films Silence of the Lambs. trigger our fight-or-flight response, Generally, we try to avoid those and we experience an increased rethings that frighten us. What draws lease of epinephrine, endorphins, and us to horror? Why do we like to feel dopamine. But, since we watch horror fear? films in a space considered safe such Fear refers to an emotion or feelas our living rooms or the theater, ing induced by perceived danger or the brain evaluates the situation and threat of danger, yielding a physiolog- realizes there is no threat, and we are ical change that causes a behavioral not in real danger. We experience response such as fight, flight, or freeze. the thrills, the sense of danger, the There are psychological reasons suspense, and the anticipation withwhy we like to be scared. Accordout actual involvement or real threat ing to Glenn D. Walters, Ph.D., who to us. To feel the rush of epinephrine wrote about fear in his article, “Unthrough vicarious viewing of danger is derstanding the Popular Appeal of a thrill. Horror Cinema: An Integrated-InterBesides experiencing the thrill, active Model,” published in Psycholwe also satisfy our curiosity about the ogy Today, there are three reasons why dark side of humanity. Most of us we love a good horror film. will never meet a Hannibal Lecter or The first reason is the tension we Michael Myers. Horror films provide feel in life provides suspense, fear, a safe way to experience humanity’s mystery, and shock, keeping us captidarkness. vated and engaged. Horror films then There’s a sense of catharsis once relieve that tension making scary films the credits roll, a sense of having so successful. survived a brief brush Relevance, with something dark the second reason, and unexpected. HorSCARY MOVIE allows the viewer ror movies and roller SUGGESTIONS to feel a personal coasters are similar; connection to the both take us on a ride Alien (1979) film. According to that feels dangerous Halloween (1978) Walters, relevance but is intrinsically safe. Jaws (1975) The Exorcist (1973) can be universal, No single explaThe Shining (1980) like the fear of nation accounts for Psycho (1960) death. every reason people The Birds (1963) The third is enjoy watching horror Dracula (1931) unrealism which movies because when Night of the Living Dead (1968) House of Usher (1960) means we can we view a horror film, watch horror films we are likely doing so because we know for multiple reasons. it is not real, which provides us with There is no better time to watch psychological distance from the horhorror films, so have fun and enjoy ror portrayed in the film. Though the frightful nights of October. we may be afraid of what is happenNancy J. Schaaf is a retired English/literature ing on the screen, we know it is just educator and also a retired nurse. clever camera angles, accompanied by FALL 2022

TRICKS, NOT TREATS, AT GRANDMA’S CRAPPER A SIDESPLITTING TALE OF PRANKING UNORIGINAL PRANKSTERS

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heard the crash and splintering of the outhouse, as well as a lot of loud yelling and cursing as the boys realized what they stepped in. The crapper was turned over, and the boys had been tricked, which made them scatter quickly and noisily. My grandmother, father, and uncle had many laughs for days afterward remembering what had happened. The tricksters had clearly stepped in the poo. Dirty footprints were all over the yard. A couple of tricksters even left behind their dirty shoes and socks. That Halloween, the outhouse was destroyed and could not be repaired, but the laughs were almost worth having to build a new one. This time treated wooden posts were sunk into the ground on all four corners of the new outhouse so that it could not be turned over.

(rmbarricarte / Depositphotos.com)

By Carol Bergfeld Mills Over my lifetime, Halloween trick-or-treat practices have changed significantly. My grandchildren participate in community trunk-or-treating events which reduce the chances of kids getting hurt. In my son’s suburban trick-or-treating years, children went house to house, while parents worried about the potential for razor blades in the treats. In my childhood in a small town, I collected as much candy as I could over two nights. My parents were not concerned about what tricks would be played on me, but were concerned about what tricks would be played on my grandmother. My grandmother lived in a small town of about 200 people. While some people in the town had modern indoor bathrooms, she did not. She had an outhouse in the backyard. My grandmother and her outhouse became the target of Halloween tricks. “Grandma’s crapper,” as we called it, was a little wooden-framed, white-painted, two-seater resting on concrete blocks. It was heavy, but easy to tip over. The first year that it was turned over at Halloween, it was a shock and very upsetting to my grandmother, but her two sons, my father and my uncle, managed to lift it back upright and reset it on the concrete blocks. The outhouse itself was not harmed. The second year that Grandma’s crapper went over, my grandmother was sitting in the dark watching for the boys from inside her house. There wasn’t anything she could do when

three or four big boys appeared. They got behind the outhouse and just pushed it over. Of course, it made her very upset and angry, but her sons came the next day and reset the outhouse on the concrete blocks. This time they had to make minor repairs. The next year on Halloween, my father and uncle sat in a shed near the outhouse waiting for the tricksters to come. They were going to scare the boys off, but the boys never appeared. The boys probably saw cars near my grandmother’s house and avoided the yard that night. They waited until the night after Halloween to turn it over. My grandmother, father, and uncle were all really mad, but again set the outhouse back up. This time they had to patch the outhouse more than before. The little wooden outhouse was old and beginning to come apart from the rough treatment. The next year the outhouse went over the night before Halloween. The boys were not taking any chances of missing out on their fun. That year the outhouse was harder to re-erect and the repairs were extensive, but my father and uncle did it. However, they were not sure the outhouse could survive another tumble because the wood was splintering. The next year my father and uncle decided they would play a little trick of their own. A couple days before Halloween, they moved Grandma’s crapper forward about 1 1/2 feet. By doing this, the dung that was usually under the outhouse was now behind it. Since the tricksters had always pushed the outhouse over from the back, they might be in for a surprise. My father and uncle parked their cars some distance from my grandmother’s house and showed up the night before Halloween. Sure enough, the outhouse was pushed over again the night before Halloween. My grandmother, who was sitting in her house in the dark, and my father and uncle who were sitting in the shed,

The tricksters came one more Halloween. My grandmother heard them from inside her house. They were talking for a long time, groaning and cursing with the effort of trying to push over the new outhouse. But they could not budge it. They finally gave up and left. After that, they stopped bothering Grandma’s crapper. Their Halloween tradition ended. Carol Bergfeld Mills does not have an outhouse that she has worry to about on Halloween, but has a lot of experience with them! She can be reached at [email protected].

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TUCKAHOE PLANTATION A CHILDHOOD HOME OF THOMAS JEFFERSON

by Steve Bailey When people think of Thomas Jefferson and plantations, Monticello comes to mind. But the third president spent part of his childhood on a little-known plantation outside Richmond, Virginia, called Tuckahoe. The author of the Declaration of Independence learned to read and write in the tiny one-room schoolhouse that remains well preserved on the Tuckahoe Plantation’s grounds. Constructed in 1733 by William Randolph III, the plantation sits on a bluff near the James River. Randolph had a close friend, another well-to-do planter named Peter Jefferson, whose wife was Randolph’s first cousin. When William Randolph died in 1745 and left his three children orphaned, Peter Jefferson moved his family into Tuckahoe to manage the estate and look after the children. Jefferson’s son Thomas was two at the time. In the seven years the Jeffersons lived at Tuckahoe, young Thomas got his primary education in the little schoolhouse that serves as a gift shop today. In those days, a boy came of age at eleven, so when Thomas Mann Randolph, the eldest male of the Randolph children, reached that age, the Jeffersons left and returned to their plantation in Albemarle County.

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Well-built with brick foundations, the spring and back up with buckets the plantation’s structures have stood was a task performed by enslaved the test of time. In addition to the people several times a day. schoolhouse, there is the main house, The grounds are open daily, 9 a.m. a two-story Georgian wooden buildto 5 p.m., unless closed for a private ing, and the private residence of Tad event. A self-guided tour is available and Sue Thompson. Other outbuildwith a brochure, and QR code staings include slave quarters, a kitchen, tions stand next to structures built a smokehouse, an overseer’s office, and and used long before electricity. An a stable with artifacts and a timeline honor box charges five dollars from describing noteworthy events in the each visitor or fifteen per family. plantation’s history. During my visit, a friendly black and Flora is abundant on the Tuckawhite dog joined me, patiently waited hoe grounds. Daffodils bloom every while I examined buildings, and then spring in front of the main house with accompanied me to the next spot. I its unique H shape design. They have called him my five-dollar tour guide. done so for over one hundred years. Behind the kitchen is a colonial herb garden, and rows of cordoned pear trees frame the vegetable gardens. A muscadine grape arch provides a romantic ambiance for newlywed’s photographs, and couples can rent space for a wedding. The cemeteries are gardens in themselves. There, one can find Trifoliate orange Above and left, buildings at Tuckahoe Plantation trees, the only citrus arbor to in Richmond, Virginia. (Steve Bailey) grow that far north. Large boxwoods border the ghost walk, a path that runs Proper guided tours of the main from the main house to the cemetery, house are available on Sundays from and Tuckahoe has its ghost stories. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or by appointment. The most popular is the Grey Lady, The plantation’s website is https:// which an employee portrays during www.visithistorictuckahoe.com/ the plantation’s Halloween festivities. which includes a blog with write-ups One of the tour guides, while taking about slavery at Tuckahoe. a group through the house, encounShould you find yourself in the tered the Grey Lady in a sitting room Richmond area with available time, and watched her disappear through a take a ride east on Route 680 and closed closet door. People have report- down the mile-long cedar-lined ed seeing the Grey Lady on the ghost driveway to the site of the beginning walk as well. of Thomas Jefferson’s schooling. Behind the main house is a trail Steve Bailey grew up in the Panama Canal Zone, that leads down the bluff to a freshwas educated in Minnesota, and taught middle water spring, the source of water in school for thirty-two years in Virginia. He can be the colonial days. Walking down to contacted at vamarcopolo.com. FALL 2022

“To understand everything is to forgive everything.” Buddha Some people have great trouble with this truism. Forgiving others rests upon a warm heart. Even walking in the other’s moccasins may not be enough. It all starts inside, with ourselves. We must first genuinely and fully forgive ourselves for our innumerable blemishes. (lko-images / Depositphotos.com)

PITHY INSIGHTS

By Dr. Jim David Fall is upon us. This is a fitting time for reflection. The fall colors adorn trees and bushes. Temperatures are cooling. Children and some adults are returning to classrooms. Another year is surely ending. Fall this year is reminding me of a few, brief quotes that I label “Pithy Insights.” They are brief but harbor great wisdom. I do not think of them as fleeting superficial encounters, but rather as trusted friends worthy of frequent revisiting. As with trusted friends, with time, they move from my mind to my heart. “The quieter You become — the more you can hear.” Baba Ram Doss This is certainly counter-cultural. Maybe as we age, we might take more time to go deeper inside, connecting with our deeper self, hopefully becoming more self-accepting, more at peace. We need to schedule daily quiet time, at home! FALL 2022

“Those who danced were thought to be quite insane by those who could not hear the music.” Angela Monet Sometimes we fail to understand. We are quick to attribute specific motivations to others, but we may miss the mark. We are saddled with our separateness. We cannot know with certainty what is driving another person. “Laughter is an instant vacation.” Milton Berle Pretty much all of us need more levity in our life. I want dinner partners who are fun, loving, and quick to laughter as well as well-read and richly conversational. I guess we universally seek friends who exude joy. “Seek freedom and become captive of Your desires. Seek discipline and find Your liberty.” Frank Herbert Self-discipline is intrinsically rewarding. When we discipline ourselves, we are immediately rewarded with positive feelings of accomplishment and fulfillment. I think of our children and grandchildren. Selfdiscipline is needed by all but not attained by everyone.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” Helen Keller This is hard-hitting. Are we visionary? Are we open? Are we able to think “outside the box?” Are we open to suggestions from others? How do we become people with vision? It is not what you look at, but what you see. “Who looks outside dreams, who looks inside awakens.” Carl Gustav Jung Some say the greatest journey is finding ourselves. Incredible richness resides within each of us. How tragic that society in general and our choices in particular, often impede our looking inside. Being awake and aware are achievable. FINAL THOUGHTS I think quotable wisdom is more substantive than what it may seem at first glance. I must admit that repetition is needed for Pithy Insights to take root in us. I enjoy the Latin phrase, “Repetitio est mater studiorum;” Repetition is the mother of learning. Life is a journey. Enjoy the journey. Enjoy the fall season! Dr. Jim David is a retired psychotherapist in Silver Spring. He now does Personal, Spiritual and Executive Coaching. Visit his website at www.askdrdavidnow.com or email at jimsue63@ gmail.com.

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8 WAYS

TO SMOOTH YOUR TRANSITION TO FALL (Yaruta / Depositphotos.com)

By Kater Leatherman The end of a long hot summer always brings autumn’s near perfect temperatures, colorful foliage and the breathtaking sight of the harvest moon. There’s also a stillness in the air that begs to be savored, especially before the stormy holiday season sets in. But for many people, transitioning out of summer is difficult. Days gradually get shorter, nests are emptied when kids leave for college and the absence of our delectable summer produce are all reminders that change is upon us. These days, especially in this time of turmoil, it’s a real challenge to move through change with grace in order to live peacefully. More and more, we are having to accept that the only thing we can change is ourselves. And, in the spirit of making life go down a little easier, we can also choose to create a home environment that has space, light and order. With the summer behind us and a brand new season to embrace, here are eight ways to smooth out your transition into Fall:

1.

Go through your house and store things that are related to summer. Recycle anything that harbors a negative memory or that you don’t

want anymore. This will help you to let go and prepare for the new season.

2.

Add a little lift to those areas where you spend the most time. You can freshen a room just by moving the furniture around, changing photos in their frames, rearranging book shelves, and tossing things that you don’t need.

3.

Organize and pack away your summer clothes, donating what you no longer want. Before buying more, take an inventory of your fall/ winter wardrobe by going through and sorting. Clothes that you love, fit, and that make you feel good are worth keeping.

4.

Eating foods in their current season costs less, tastes better and will give you more nutritional value. Autumn’s dense, antioxidant-rich root vegetables are warming, protecting us against illness as well as cleansing toxins from the body. Bring autumn colors indoors by making table centerpieces with winter squash, apples and pumpkins.

5.

If you suffer from seasonal affective disorder, invest in a light box. Side effects from lack of light include depression, daytime drowsiness, weight gain and loss of interest in life.

6.

Make a list of things you need to do to get your house ready for Fall — pull out your boxes of fall decorations, change the furnace filter, have your chimney cleaned and checked by a professional, remove the screens and replace them with storm windows, and clean out the planters.

7.

Reflection always sets the wheels in motion, so notice what isn’t working in your life. While the changes you seek may not always come when you want them to, they can be handled easier by determining what your next action step is.

8.

Take time to connect with yourself. By doing so, you embody less fear and more strength and that is a very positive thing right now. Kater can be reached at katerleatherman@gmail. com

Today do one thing that will improve the life of someone else.

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SHOUTIN’ IN THE FIRE: AN AMERICAN EPISTLE by Danté Stewart Convergent Books, an imprint of Random House Recently my public library branch hosted a Human Library event where one could meet people of varied backgrounds to ask questions and hold conversations. Danté Stewart gives us a library of stories in Shoutin’ in the Fire. The stories are mostly his, but also those of his grandmother, his parents and Reggie, one of his middle school students. In powerful, searing descriptions, Stewart shares his journey first away from his roots in his home church to a rising role in a predominantly white evangelical church to his recognition that he “had spent years in white churches showing that I was the nice Black dude,” “the symbol of racial progress.” Following the 2016 election he began to notice how fragile his place in that world was and reevaluated his beliefs in the meaning of Christianity. He returned to his roots where Jesus’s experience, his kinship with the oppressed, his healing and universal love gave meaning. For a white reader, there may be pain in seeing oneself in the mirror that Stewart holds up. However, reading this book also gives one an opportunity to glimpse the pain that so many neighbors live on a daily basis. From his grandma he learned that her memories were not an erasure of the inequities, ‘’but holding on to what had been lost, letting go of what can’t be changed, and creating 44

something better even in the midst of brutality.” There are many lessons in this book not only from Stewart, his Grandma, Reggie, and recent victims but also authors such as James Baldwin, James Cone, and C.S. Lewis. The book ends with hope for

his young family, his students, our country. It is a gift to us readers in hope that we all will better love our neighbors as ourselves. — Mary Barbera HEY GRANDUDE! By Paul McCartney Random House (2019) If you’re looking for an allaround uplifting book to read to the grandkids, this is the one. Just on principle, uplifting stories about today’s world could be a tad hard to come by. Enter Hey Grandude! Here comes a lovable grandfather who takes his grandchildren on exciting adventures around the world getting them in and out of some precarious situations along the way. Hey Grandude! is written by master songwriter, and storyteller, Paul McCartney, himself a grandfather (aka Grandude) of four. Beautifully illustrated by Canadian artist Kathryn Durst, McCartney’s narration comes alive in the cleverly detailed and

colorful scenes depicted by the artist on each and every page. Durst has a background in animation, having interned with Pixar Animation Studios. The hero of our story, one Edward Marshall, Sr., has four grandchildren whom he affectionately refers to as his chillers. The story, described as a magical roller coaster ride for the whole family, follows the great explorer on one excursion after another, guided by Marshall’s magic compass. Lucy, Tom, Em and Bob often spent time with their Grandude, as Marshall liked to be called by his chillers. When sleeping over they would pick a place they would like to visit from their grandfather’s special postcard collection. One wave of his magic compass over the post card and POOF! There they were. The beach was the first stop for Grandude and chillers. They built sand castles, ate ice cream and watched flying fish. When some unsociable creatures threatened to invade their space, Grandude waved his magic compass over another postcard and said, “See the compass needle spin, let the magic fun begin!” POOF! Under the leadership of Mr. Marshall, explorer extraordinaire, the chillers visited the old west where they rode horses and found buffalo. Once they picnicked on a peaceful mountain side and barely escaped an avalanche, again compliments of Grandude’s magic compass. McCartney’s characters and their dialogue are interesting and hold the reader’s interest as the story progresses to its ultimate conclusion – home just in time for bed! Paul McCartney’s writing ability goes without question. As a decades long songwriter, he may boast of hundreds of stories, most coming FALL 2022

alive through his music. In the case of “Hey Grandude!” McCartney detours from his usual method of operation. Here, the melody’s been replaced by the artwork of the illustrator, Kathryn Durst, whose brilliant drawings marry with Paul McCartney’s words just like a lovely melody. — Sharon Schultz SHIPWRECK GIRL By Jacqueline Smith Wind Trail Publishing (2022) “Shipwreck Girl” tells the story of Juliette Havens, a ballerina who is forced to drop out of New York’s prestigious Pace University after a devastating knee injury. Eight months later, while back home attending University of California Long Beach, she receives the opportunity to dance in local punk band Sacramento Reign’s music video. It’s an opportunity that, if she takes it, could change her life forever. This is the most relatable of Smith’s books so far. That’s because Juliette is between a rock and a hard place. She can’t imagine her life without dancing, and yet, the whole reason she ended up back at home is to try and start her life over after a dancing injury. Should she play it safe or keep doing what she loves no matter the risks? Juliette’s parents also make the story relatable. It may come from a place of wanting what’s best for their daughter, as Smith no doubt intended, but it still seems like they think she hasn’t changed at all. They have a preconceived notion of who their daughter is, and if Juliette deviates from that at all, they won’t be happy

about it. They just expect her to go back to the way her life was before her injury— including getting back together with her high school boyfriend, Max — without dancing. Just because the story is relatable in this way doesn’t mean it doesn’t have warm and fuzzy moments. Juliette was so focused on her dance career before her injury that she never really took the time to consider who she was outside of dancing. It’s nice to see her relax and have fun as she develops a friendship with the members of Sacramento Reign. There’s Milo Hirsch on bass, who just so happens to be dating Alane, one of Juliette’s friends from school. Liam Hawke is the lead guitarist, and he never runs out of Shakespeare jokes to annoy Juliette. Reed Jeong is the lead singer, and last but not least, Landon Best is the exceptionally handsome drummer. He’s talented as well, of course, but the emphasis in this story is on “handsome.” There’s a fun little twist at the end of the story. The members of The Kind of September come back. They’re the main characters featured in Smith’s Boyband series. It’s always nice when authors tie in characters from other books. Anyway, all this to say, Shipwreck Girl needs a sequel. — Marialena Gallagher THE LOWERING DAYS by Gregory Brown HarperCollins Publishers, 2021 The Lowering of Days, Gregory Brown’s debut novel, heralds an author to watch. At first the book appears to be about a man looking back on his adolescence, however, this is not a simple coming-of-age story. Instead it is a vivid illustration of how differing people’s choices have an impact on personal, community and environmental legacies.

The story is set in the Penobscot region of Maine and showcases many ancient and current conflicts: Penobscot people versus colonizers, paper industry versus environment, Vietnam veterans versus deserters, lobster wars, men and women, parents and children. The plot, like many of the characters, balances on the edge of volatility making this a page-turner. In the opening pages the narrator describes his father who is the son of a storyteller. “When he spoke, time seemed to slow, and we all believed he could build alternate realities with his voice.” Through the eyes of his fourteen year old narrator David Ames, Gregory Brown has created two families, an environmental warrior and elders who people his community. Amid the entwining and conflicting families there is a mystery to be solved. Who set the local paper mill on fire strategically so the remains would regenerate the land? Brown’s prose, like his imagined world, is filled with depth plumbing passages such as the following. “Some places are like portals to eternity. You stand in them and look around, and you feel how long and unending the world is. You become a part of something beyond time.” Unlike many books where you are left wondering what happens after the denouement, Brown takes us to the present. Many loose ends are tied up, but there are enough story tracings left for the reader to imagine alternate worlds going forward. — Mary Barbera

Some days it’s just a bad day, not a bad life.

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WHY WE LOVE A GOOD SCARY STORY Story and illustrations by David J. Schmidt He heard the voice again, softly whispering. It was coming from inside the house. “Where’s my golden arm?” He had nowhere to hide … Like many children of the 1980s, I grew up enjoying the delicious thrill of a good scare. This was the heyday of Hollywood horror after all, the decade that brought us Halloween, The Shining, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th. Scarier than anything the movies could deliver, however, were the images projected onto my own imagination by the written word. And nothing delivered the scares better than one particular series of books: Alvin Schwartz’s “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.” Schwartz’s three-volume series contained short, spooky tales from folklore and history. They included every type of scary story, from realistic urban legends like “The Hook” and “The Babysitter” to supernatural horrors — ghosts and witches, harbingers of misfortune and unspeakable creatures from beyond. The icing on the cake was Stephen Gammell’s gruesome black-and-white illustrations, pure nightmare fuel that dredged the darkest parts of the subconscious mind. I was simultaneously fascinated and horrified by these tales. I would read and reread the books compul46

sively, carrying them to church and doctor’s appointments alike. Once I grew old enough, I began writing my own ghost stories, and I haven’t stopped since. What is it about scary stories that thrills us so? Having traveled the globe collecting them, I have found that these stories transcend culture and language. Not only are they entertaining — they have an intrinsic value as well. Allow me to explain. 1. They help us face our fears By exploring our darkest fears in the safe context of a story, we can confront these fears, developing a sense of control over them. (Psychologists call this “mastery.”) Like a roller coaster, a scary story lets us experience the illusion of danger without ever leaving a safe environment. 2. We learn about ourselves Stories open a window into the minds of the people who tell them: what makes us anxious; what we collectively fear. In contemplating these things, we gain insight into our own psyche. Often, we realize that things aren’t nearly as scary as we had thought. 3. Social cohesion Collectively experiencing a scary story can bring us closer to one another. It’s like sharing an adventure, coming together to face a common enemy — our own fears. 4. We process our anxiety about real life dangers Of course, not all fears are irrational. The 1980s of my childhood were not only the age of imaginary monsters like Freddy Krueger — they were also the decade of child abductions, Cold War tensions, and serial killers on the nightly

news. Ever since humans appeared on this planet, we have faced threats to our very survival. The fictional context of a story can be a great vehicle for processing our concerns. When I was a camp counselor in Russia in the early 2000s, I wondered if the students — who hadn’t grown up with Hollywood horror — would enjoy my creepy tales. I decided to share a classic American ghost story: “The Golden Arm.” When I reached the story’s climax, I worried that I had taken it too far: the entire crowd of Russian children ran screaming from the auditorium. They later complained of nightmares, and the camp directors scolded me for traumatizing them. Weeks later, however, the directors emailed me. “We asked the children to fill out a survey about their favorite parts of camp,” they wrote. “Strangely, they all wrote the same thing: how much they loved your horrible, horrible story!” This is the universal magic of a good scare.

David J. Schmidt is an author, podcaster, multilingual translator, and homebrewer who splits his time between Mexico City and San Diego,

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(youngnova / Depositphotos.com)

O U T L O O K for t he Bay

but many take up seasonal residence. These include snow geese and tundra swans whose summer homes are in the high Arctic. Over a million swans, geese, and ducks — a third of the overwintering waterfowl population MONARCH BUTTERFLIES FLY along the ABOUT 2,000 MILES TO THEIR MEXICAN WINTERING GROUNDS Atlantic MOVING ON: coast — spend the MIGRATIONS cold months in the Bay. GREAT AND SMALL Even as familiar Bay species, like ospreys, head south when temperaBy Henry S. Parker tures decline, others stick around. All creatures seek ways to cope They may still migrate, though with the imminent onset of winter. travel distances are short. Most Some shelter in place, burrowing into adult American eels swim to the leaf litter, subterranean dens, or caves. Sargasso Sea in the fall, to spawn, Others settle into protected areas but some head to the upper reaches screened from icy winds, or layer on of the Bay. thicker coats of fur or fat. Humans The Chesapeake region experiretrieve closeted parkas and gloves, ences another type of migration top up oil tanks, tune up skis. not related to seasons or latitudinal Many creatures move on. Early displacements. This is Diel (difall ushers in a time of migration. urnal) Vertical Migration (DVM) We see it in the air as birds and which occurs worldwide in freshbutterflies — and Florida-bound and saltwater environments. On a people — fill the skies, borne daily cycle animal plankton (zooalong on southward-oriented plankton) and larger animals move wings. Some migrations are truly up and down in the water column, epic. Caribou stomp over 2,000 in synchronized fashion, descendmiles to escape bitter cold and ing during the day and ascending deep snow. Tiny monarch butat night. While the plankton seem terflies flutter similar distances to to trigger this circadian rhythm, their Mexican wintering grounds. they expend tremendous energy Some species of dragonfly fly twice that far — without ever land- as they struggle to make headway against waves and currents. ing. Various maritime birds make So why do it? By ascending at the longest migrations; the Polenight, they can feed on phytoto-Pole journeys of Arctic Terns plankton in surface waters while top the list. Lion’s Mane Jellyfish being less visible to predators — pulse their way into Chesapeake and, perhaps, less vulnerable to Bay from the frigid Arctic Ocean. DNA-damaging ultraviolet light. Laying along the Atlantic flyway, the Bay is ground zero for some of As daylight approaches the process is reversed. Fish and invertebrates the world’s most impressive bird such as jellyfish follow suit with migrations. Most move through FALL 2022

this cyclical movement. By and large, the different species remain vertically separated. This results in “ladders of migration” — stacked communities of marine animals rising and falling like multiple elevator cars moving in unison in a single shaft. DVM has profound ecological value. The layered movement of species enhances diversity by separating ecological niches (in homogeneous environments, one or few species tend to dominate). Descending zooplankton, gorged on phytoplankton, transport carbon from surface waters to the depths, contributing substantially to the global carbon cycle. Conversely, the paucity of zooplankton near the surface during daytime means phytoplankton can multiply with relative impunity when sunlight stimulates photosynthesis. Migrating creatures fertilize the water column with nutrient-rich feces. The smallest migrators, at the mercy of waves and currents, can be displaced horizontally, thereby expanding their range. DVM is critically important for the health of the oceans. Yet the future of Diel Vertical Migration may be threatened by climate change. Warming waters and melting sea ice tend to stratify the ocean into temperature and density layers. Will this affect the mixing of carbon and vital nutrients in the water column, in turn reducing ocean productivity? We don’t yet know, but it’s still another concern about the consequences of changing climate. Henry (“Hank”) Parker is a scientist and writer who previously lived in Annapolis but now lives in Vermont.

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