January 2015 - The Town Courier
Transcription
January 2015 - The Town Courier
Urbana’s Hometown Newspaper | Serving Urbana, Villages of Urbana, Urbana Highlands, Ijamsville and More Courier The TOWN Vol. 11, No. 1 20 Pages January 2015 Urbana Trainer Inspires Locals By Sally Alt U rbana resident Sandi Bourget inspires local residents to get fit. Bourget is 65 and works as a personal trainer for X Project Health and Fitness Lab Per- Photo | Sally Alt Urbana resident Sandi Bourget works as a personal trainer for X Project Health and Fitness Lab Performance Center in Frederick and enjoys helping seniors become strong. PRSRT-STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Gaithersburg MD Permit #1722 formance Center in Frederick. This month, she offers free introductory strength training classes. “What I wanted to do for my retirement was to help women my age feel comfortable getting strong,” said Bourget, who retired about a year ago and earned her personal trainer certification this past summer. “The X Project mixes weight training, cardiovascular conditioning, body weight movements and yoga on a structured and progressive program to ensure safe, effective and efficient results to a wide variety of its members.” Bourget said she and other personal trainers at X Project welcome people at all fitness levels. The personal trainers help each participant at his or her own level and support them in moving toward reaching their fitness goals. Everyone in the X Project classes tries to “help each other get better,” Bourget said. She instructs women in the proper way to do exercises: If participants are not moving correctly, they are not going to get the benefit from the exercise, she said. Besides, she loves watching people’s faces when they achieve a goal, and seeing their satisfaction in achieving something they had not done before. Rita McLister, a 79-year-old who participates regularly in a strength training class at X Project, said Bourget is her inspiration. “[X Project staff ] made me feel so welcome,” said McLister, adding that her time at X Project has been n bourget Continued on page 5 On Dec. 13 in downtown Frederick, more than 400 area residents ran in the Santa 5K Fun Run co-hosted by the Green Valley YMCA. Held at Monocacy Park, the event raised more than $10,000 for the YMCA of Frederick County’s financial assistance program, which allows needy community members to participate in programs and services. Jesse Martin Gives to UMS Launches Sign Urbana’s Community Language Club By Sally Alt By Jo Ostby T B The Town Courier 309 Main Street Gaithersburg, MD 20878 Photo | Submitted Local Residents Run for a Festive Cause orn with Amniotic Banding Syndrome, a severe cleft lip and palate, a club foot, webbed fingers on her left hand and missing partial digits on her right, Buckeystown’s Jesse Martin “came into the world with many physical challenges,” said her mother, Michele Martin, “but they don’t seem to color who she is.” Jesse, now 10, had her first surgery at eight weeks old; she has had 10 procedures in all, and is well aware that there may be more in her future. What is striking about this fifth grader at Urbana Elementary School (UES) is that while she has active physical therapy and yearly neurosurgery appointments at Children’s Hospital in Washington, D.C., she is consistently giv- Photo | Sally Alt Urbana Elementary School 5th grader Jesse Martin collected and filled 56 stockings for needy area children last month. ing to the community. Jesse has two banks: one for saving and one for giving. Her mom said she divides any money she gets. For her birthday, she asked for donations for Frederick County Animal Control, instead of n martin Continued on page 5 he sign language club at Urbana Middle School (UMS) brings deaf and hearing students together. More than 30 students attend club meetings twice each month. UMS Social Studies Department Chair Ellen Georgi helped start the club in October and organizes meetings with the help of students and UMS special education teacher Elizabeth Mulcahy as well as UMS math teacher Hannah Hale. “There are a lot of students at Urbana who have a huge desire … to sign,” said Georgi. Most students in the sign language club have a connection with someone who is deaf or profoundly hard of hearing, she said. Club advisor Mulcahy is pleased by the student turnout. “I am just thrilled with the number of students that are showing up every time,” she said. The club helps students to understand the deaf community, she added. Some of the students are hearing impaired themselves. “Since I’m hearing impaired, I figured it might … be a good thing if I was able to do sign language,” said Tylar Matsuo, a sixth grader who attends club meetings. Learning to sign “would allow me to communicate better with people who are deaf,” he said. Club meetings provide an opportunity for students to learn from each other, Matsuo said, adding, “It’s a great way to learn sign language.” Orren Mehan, an eighth n sign language club Continued on page 9 Page 2 The Town Courier January 2015 January 2015 The Town Courier Page 3 UES Art Show Supports Creativity By Ridhi Chaudhary O n Dec. 16, Urbana Elementary School’s (UES) art department invited the community to appreciate a variety of artworks created by UES art students at the school’s fifth annual art show. The event, which was held in UES’s gymnasium, attracted more than 50 family members and friends of UES students. “It’s a great event for the community to come together and see everyone’s work,” said Alexandra Briest, an art teacher at UES and the organizer of the event. “It’s Pre-K through 5 so no matter what, every student’s artwork is in here. We’ve been doing it for five years and every year it has expanded.” The art show featured many different art forms in more than 100 Photo | Ridhi Chaudhary Fourth grader Catie Jamieson poses with her artwork at the fifth annual UES art show Dec. 16. pieces, including vibrant drawings, paintings and pop art, a genre based on modern popular culture. Students in Pre-K made paintings with their own handprints and kindergarten students depicted the importance of music in art by placing scraps from musical pieces in their work. Students in the first and second grades created autumn artwork with crayons. Third graders used their knowledge of geometric figures to create pictures depicting specific objects, such as footballs. Fourth and fifth graders created a variety of abstract art that included self-portraits and still life. One of the students whose work was displayed was Catie Jamieson, a UES fourth grader. “I love art because it’s so creative and so wonderful to be able to draw freely – it’s just so much fun!” said Catie. Catie said she gets many of her ideas for art by traveling. “My dad is a pilot and a lot of times when I travel, I get a lot of ideas from all the places I go.” n art show Continued on page 9 Mister Urbana Competition All in Fun By Rishub Nahar O n Dec. 5, 12 figures launched themselves exuberantly from backstage and dove into an opening performance before a packed crowd in the Urbana High School (UHS) auditorium. Thus began the quest to determine who would be crowned the class of 2015 Mr. Urbana. The 12 young men were nominated to represent the senior class in a competition of wits, talent and comedy. “They show how diverse this class is — how well-rounded and dedicated they are,” said Stephan Ward, one of the judges of the show and an English teacher at UHS. The competition started nearly a month before the event. Each com- I t’s that time of year again: holidays, new year celebrations and for Urbana High School (UHS) students, academic tournaments. Academic team members from UHS, among the nine other schools in the county, are By Kristy Crawford Amy Wolff Returns to Urbana Senior Loan Officer Amy Wolff has opened up a new office in Urbana. Formerly with NFM, Inc. in a nearby location, the Amy Wolff Team of Direct Mortgage Loans is now on the first floor at 3510 Worthington Blvd. Direct Mortgage Loans offers a wide range of loan products including USDA, FHA, conventional, VA and Photo | Submitted rehab and construction loans. Urbana resident Amy Wolff reWolff ’s “dream team” con- cently opened The Amy Wolff sists of senior loan officer and Team of Direct Mortgage Urbana resident Wolff, junior Loans in Urbana. loan officer Roni Bray, loan officer assistant David Ayala and production manager Dale Pankow. “With the addition of the CDA/MD mortgage program for down payment and closing costs, we can now offer down payment and closing cost assistance throughout the entire state of Maryland,” said Wolff. For more information, visit www. TheAmyWolff Team.com, or call 443.541.5455. Photo | Stacy Ukishima In the Urbana High School (UHS) annual Mister Urbana competition, Win McKeever was crowned the 2015 champ. petitor was nominated for a specific month of the year, and contestants carried specially designed containers to collect donations for the Rock Creek School. “You know Mr. Urbana is a lot of fun by itself, but it is awesome that by competing we also get to make a n mr. urbana Continued on page 10 Academic Tournament to Display Wide Range of Knowledge Among Local Students By Sirad Hassan shoptalk preparing for a battle of wits in categories from a broad range of topics. This year’s 34th annual tournament features Friday night matches, eight in total, at Linganore High School, beginning Jan. 9 at 6 p.m. Each night showcases three different matches, each with five rounds. The first round Photo | Sirad Hassan Members of the Urbana High School (UHS) academic team pose at the end of a regular practice on Dec 18. is a “grab bag” round, where a selected team requests a lettered bag, each containing a pre-determined theme with 10 questions. The second round allows each competitor to ease the grip on the buzzer with six questions from a variety of topics. The infamous math round comes third, a favorite amongst mathletes in the county. The round features 10 questions, five of which are pure statistics, probability and quick math. The other five cover a variety of topics. Fourth round has eight predetermined categories. Last year, this “category round” proved to be the ladder towards an undefeated season for the UHS academic team. Preparation for the World War I category last year n academic tournament Continued on page 10 Photo | Submitted The Pediatric Center moves to a bigger Urbana location in February. Pediatric Center Expands The Pediatric Center, with six locations around Frederick, is moving the Urbana location to a larger space to accommodate a growing clientele. As of February 2015, the Urbana Pediatric Center is in the same building at 3400 Worthington Blvd., but on the upper level, accessible at the back of the building. Office hours for all Pediatric Center locations are 8:20 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the Taney Avenue office is also open for sick and emergency visits only on evenings and Saturday and Sunday mornings. More information is available at www.thepedcenter.com or at 301.662.0133. Smash Burger Open in Frederick A new choice in burgers is now available at the FSK Gateway Shops, on Spectrum Drive across from the Frederick Scott Key Mall. Smash Burger calls itself a fast, casual better burger restaurant, where burgers and sandwiches are “smashed, seared and seasoned to order.” It also offers chicken sandwiches, assorted toppings and sides, salads, kid’s meals, plus milkshakes made with Haagen Dazs ice cream. The Denverbased company sells a special regional burger for each location. For the Maryland-Virginia-D.C. area, the Capital Burger will have apple smoked bacon, grilled onions and arugula on a French brioche bun. Check out the menu and other details online at www.smashburger.com, or call the restaurant at 240.215.3314. Page 4 The Town Courier January 2015 askthe editor Editorial: 240.409.6734 Advertising: 301.279.2304 www.towncourier.com/urbana Diane Dorney Publisher [email protected] Matt Danielson President [email protected] Bethany E. Starin Managing Editor 240.409.6734 [email protected] Virginia Myers Copy Editor Debi Rosen Advertising Manager 301.279.2304 [email protected] Dawn Furman Gordon Advertising Sales 301.674.8010 [email protected] Martin Schipper Advertising Sales 240.418.4320 [email protected] Sally Alt News Editor [email protected] Kristy Crawford News Writer [email protected] Student Writers Ridhi Chaudhary Morgan McGrady Rishub Nahar Hannah Schipper Staff Writers Nora Caplan Betty Hafner Sheilah Kaufman Gina Gallucci-White Staff Photographers Tracey McCabe Shannon Wagner ©2014 Courier Communications The Town Courier is an independent monthly newspaper providing news and information for the communities of Urbana, Urbana Highlands, Villages of Urbana, Ijamsville, Green Valley, Monrovia and Kemptown in Frederick County, Md. The paper is published by Courier Communications, which is responsible for the form, content and policies of the newspaper. The Town Courier does not espouse any political belief or endorse any product or service in its news coverage. Articles and letters submitted for publication must be signed and may be edited for length or content. The Town Courier is not responsible for any claims made by advertisers. Letters to the Editor and Commentary do not necessarily ref lect the views of the staff, management or advertisers of The Town Courier. Urbana Native Makes, Pours Vino C elebrating the New Year in our house always involves raising a glass of something bubbly, or a favorite vino. The last week of December, Urbana native Daniel Orrison travels to Urbana for family festivities — and to pour locals a taste of his By Bethany E. Starin Napa and Portugese made wine. You may remember Orrison from an intro column I wrote, describing his intriguing adventures traveling from Urbana High School (class of 2005) to New Zealand, where he met Filipa “Pipa” Fonseca over their mutual love for making wine. Fast forward several years, and the Orrisons now doubled t he amount of wine they produce in both Napa and Portugal (Pipa’s native stomping grounds), and nearly sold out of the two blends they released this spring under their label, Orison Wines. Orrison is the marketing and business director for the Bespoke Collection in Napa Valley and as of Jan. 1, Pipa will go to work full-time for the Orison b rand. The wines are sold not just in Napa but also in Maryland at Orion Wine and Spirits, which is owned by Charlie Seymour — who happens to be Orrison’s uncle. “It makes me very proud of my nephew and I am glad they have such a passion for something and enjoy their work so much,” Photo | Submitted Daniel Orrison and his wife, Pipa, pour tastes of their Orison Wine blends on Dec. 23 at Urbana's Orion Wine & Spirits. shop. Orrison is a 2005 graduate of Urbana High School. Seymour said, adding with a good-hearted laugh that Orrison’s wines are quality blends. “It really is delicious.” Orrison said he gets texts and emails from Urbana residents commenting on his blends, which include the 2012 Rowan, a red blend made in Napa, and the 2013 Pipa, a white made in Portugal. “There isn’t a better feeling than getting a picture of the wine from families that they are enjoying it. It keeps us closer to home,” he said. Orison Wines annually releases a spring and a fall wine. For 2015, the duo anticipates the release of a white in the spring and a red in the fall. Both will be available at Orion, Orrison said. Visits to Urbana bring Orrison back to his roots. It was at Seymour’s former restaurant, The Turning Point Inn, that he got his first taste of good wine, and he never looked back. Seymour, principal of Urbana’s Turning Point Real Estate, ran The Turning Point Inn for years as a 140-seat restaurant/inn that won a number of national awards and accreditations, including being noted in Washingtonian Magazine multiple times. Now the building hosts his real estate company, but Seymour still carries his love for being a restaurateur by helping locals select the best vino to pair with their meals. On Tuesday, Dec. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m., the Orrisons will pour tastes of their wines and will be present to sign bottles and talk about the wine making process at Orion. If the issue isn’t in your hands in time to attend, Orrison welcomes comments via email. “If people have favorite restaurants or places they want to see the wine, they can reach out and let us know directly,” he said. He noted that people often say that Rowan is one of the best reds they have tasted and perhaps the best $20 bottle of wine in America. Contact Orrison at [email protected]; for n ask the editor Continued on page 7 yourviews Thanks for Voice on Sexual Assault Dear Bethany, I read the article “Local Speaks Out Against Sexual Assault” in the Urbana Town Courier and found it thoroughly interesting. Today, sexual assault is such a prevalent problem yet nobody talks about it. In other words, it is one of those topics that is kept “hush hush,” it is viewed more as an indiscretion rather than a national problem by both victims and civilians. I am a student at James Madison University and for educational purposes every student must complete a course in sexual assault, known as Haven. It was justly informative and purposeful, yet after it was over that was the last I heard of it. However, one in four females on a college campus are reported to be sexually assaulted, the national average ranges from 2025 percent. In addition, fewer than 5 percent of females who are victims of rape or attempted rape report it to authorities. It is quite disturbing to know I have a greater chance of being raped and remaining silent than I do speaking up about it. In the article, Brigadier General Linda Singh, an Assistant Adjutant General in the Maryland Army National Guard, speaks up about sexual assault. She states, “We have to make people aware… young people often don’t understand when they’ve crossed a boundary and invaded someone’s space.” Although Haven serves to alert most college students to the issue, I believe it is going to take more people like Singh to be willing to use their voices in order to bring further awareness and put an end to sexual assault. Respectfully, Kate Formeller, a 2014 graduate of Urbana High School and freshman at James Madison University TAEKWONDO OFFER S AFTE SCHOOR L! 2 WEEKS TRIAL LESSON & TAEKWONDO UNIFORM $29.99 *New students only * Jeong’s Urbana Taekwondo, Kumdo, Yoga Korean Mixed Martial Arts www.jeongstkd.com | 301-874-4706 January 2015 ■ martin from page 1 presents, and got great responses. Currently Jesse volunteers at the Animal Control facility. She has also worked in the Greater Urbana Area Food Bank organizing and stocking shelves. When she was a 4-year-old and attending Pre-K at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in downtown Frederick, Jesse met and became friends with Chuck Lounsbury, dubbed “Mr. Chuck,” who was the facilities manager there. Jesse initially struggled to attend Pre-K but Lounsbury helped in her transition to being a well-adjusted student; he encouraged her by giving her a lollipop as she walked by. The family joined the church within a year of Jesse’s attendance there. The relationship between Jesse and Lounsbury grew over the years. Sadly, Lounsbury passed away in March of this year. To honor her friend’s memory, Jesse organized a collection of Birthday-in-a-Bag kits for the Greater Urbana Area Food Bank, collecting 29 bags full of supplies to throw a great birthday party. She stood in front of her church’s members and explained that she wanted to do this because as much as Lounsbury loved the children of the church, “what you may not know, is that we loved him back,” Jesse told the church members. This Christmas, Jesse collected 56 filled stockings for Greater Urbana Area Food Bank children, something the food bank rarely gets at holiday time. “I love Mr. Chuck and I know what I did will make him smile in the afterlife. I The Town Courier started this thing, but all of Urbana and my church did all of this,” Jesse said. Lounsbury’s wife, Jan Lounsbury, said the bond between her husband and Jesse was very special. Lounsbury called Jesse a “powerhouse of love and kindness,” and added that, “little did Jesse know that she brought a smile to Chuck’s face and made his day brighter during his three and a half year battle with cancer. She has a deep compassion to help others that is contagious.” Jesse’s pastor Mark Huffman agreed. “Twice in the past several months, Jesse has organized efforts to help those in need in memory of Chuck,” he said. “Jesse writes, speaks and lives very much from the heart and in so doing moves the hearts of others to join her in her efforts to make this world a more just and compassionate place. Good Shepherd is a much more whole and holy place because Jesse is a part of our family of faith.” Jesse’s mother said she wants to be Jesse when she “grows up.” “People born with physical deficits auto-adjust to find their own way to do things,” Michele said. Jesse is active in gymnastics at the YMCA, is in the Tailwaggers Club of 4H, practices showmanship and participates in the Dog Bowl, which is like Jeopardy with questions about dog facts. She is currently in fifth grade with teacher Beverly Phillips, who Jesse said is her “absolute favorite teacher so far.” Jesse recently found out that she will represent UES in the FCPS Martin Luther King observance at TJ High School in January. “I love my life. I wouldn’t change anything,” said Jesse. ■ bourget from page 1 among the happiest in her life. “I recommend it for all seniors.” Every Thanksgiving, McLister and her family take part in a one-mile race. McLister has always participated by walking the entire route, but the personal trainers at X Project encouraged her to start running. This year, she was able to run the race with her family. Before she started training at X Project, McLister attended many exercise classes, and she often found herself watching the clock. But during the classes at X Project, she feels much more engaged, she said. “Working out touches every facet of a person’s being,” said Bourget, who works out every day. She has seen people who initially seem withdrawn join X Project and become more confident and gregarious. During the Page 5 time she has participated in the X Project classes, Bourget said her stress level has decreased and she finds more humor in her life. Head Coach Michael Gaines said that X Project is different from other fitness programs. “We teach you how your exercise is actually impacting your body, instead of just blindly having you burn calories,” he said. Bourget, who started working out four years ago, has been working out at X Project for about a year and a half. When she started there, her goal was to be able to do 10 pushups. “Now I can do that,” she said. Bourget’s next goal is to be able to do a handstand push-up. Bourget’s advice for people who want to start a new fitness routine for the new year is “Just do it! Just come in and see what it is all about.” For more information about classes at X Project, visit www.xprojectfrederick.com. Page 6 The Town Courier January 2015 aroundtOWN Kristy Crawford Joyful Jingles Brings Festivities to Urbana's Library The Urbana Regional Library held the annual Joyful Jingles family event on Dec. 6 and 7, including musical entertainment by local performers, holiday crafts and pictures with favorite characters and props. Entertainers included a string octet and guitar ensemble from Urbana High School. For most of the month of December, children were invited to create a gingerbread house to display in the library, for a contest to be decided at the end of the month. The library will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 24 and 25 and will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31 and all day Jan. 1. Photo | Submitted Jessica Sexton, owner of Ijamsville’s Ultimate Stitch, LLC embroidered and filled 45 stockings for families of the Greater Urbana Food Bank. Embroidered Stockings Donated to Food Pantry Children Jessica Sexton, owner of Ultimate Stitch, LLC of Ijamsville donated 45 Christmas stockings to families at the Greater Urbana Area Food Bank. Each stocking is filled with toys, books and candy and embroidered with the first name of the children. Sexton said she wanted the kids to have something especially for them. “It gives me a great feeling to know these kids will have this for Christmas,” she said. “I don’t believe any child should go without, especially on Christmas.” Sexton said she plans on doing this every year. Ultimate Stitch provides embroidery for many clothing items including jackets, shirts and hats. Visit its website at www.ultimatestitchllc.com, its Facebook page, or call 301.674.8483. See more on the Greater Urbana Area Food Bank on its Facebook page or call 240.529.4815. Photo | Kristy Crawford Urbana High School 11th grader Nicole Benner, dressed as Olaf from the movie “Frozen,” poses for pictures with Kayla Dickens, a first grader at Centerville Elementary School and her mother, Nazarene, at the annual library event Joyful Jingles. Photos | Tracey McCabe The annual Urbana Fire Department's Breakfast with Santa catered to a full house in December. Photos | Kristy Crawford Visitors to the annual live nativity by Wesley Chapel get up close to Mariah the camel after one of the evening shows in early December. The Christmas Story Comes Alive The Aguilar family ventured from Germantown to see the annual live nativity, performed annually by Urbana’s Wesley Chapel. From left, Charlie, 7; father Wil, Benjamin, 4; Joseph, 3; and mother Rosie Aguilar. On Sunday, Dec. 7, the annual live nativity was performed on the Urbana Volunteer Fire Department grounds by members of Urbana’s Wesley Chapel Church. At three separate times, visitors heard the story of Jesus’ birth, through narration and performances by church members plus animals from the Catoctin Wildlife Preserve in Thurmont. Mariah the camel made her annual visit and was available in between shows to pet and pose for photos. Also on hand were four-horned sheep. Church and fire department members handed out hot chocolate and cookies throughout the evening at this popular local event. We’ve now added Mamma Lucias NY Style Pizza! 8” Personal • 14” Medium • 18” Extra Large Dine In or Carry Out 301.810.5220 3531 John Simmons Street, Ste D-05 Frederick, MD Check us out on facebook! www.atlanticgrilleurbana.com The Town Courier January 2015 Page 7 aroundtOWN A Winter Wonderland in Urbana By Ridhi Chaudhary O n Dec. 6, Urbana High School’s (UHS) auditorium swarmed with local residents shopping for holiday presents and members of the Mighty Hawks Marching Band assisting them, dressed head to toe in elf costumes. The band’s annual Winter Wonderland fundraiser included elves inviting children to go Christmas shopping with members of the marching band, picking from presents such as ornaments, photo frames, stuffed toys, key chains and blankets. “I enjoy seeing the kids and the joy they get in making special decisions for their parents,” said Beth Gura, the main organizer of the fundraiser. “I also think that the craft vendors are great as well. They really make a special effort to have merchandise that appeals to every price range and every style of taste.” In addition to the holiday shop, there was face painting, gingerbread cookie decorating and a wreath raffle. Baked goods, including sugar cookies, key lime cupcakes, cinnamon chocolate fudge and pumpkin Nutella bars enticed the crowd. More than 30 craft vendors were also present selling all sorts of festive holiday items including jewelry, winter wear and home decor. A new addition to this year’s event was a photo booth, where kids could take photos with Santa. “I’ve watched this event grow tremendously,” said Pam Holcomb, who has attended every year. “I just love the sense of community that surrounds Urbana High School and I Photo | Ridhi Chaudhary The annual Winter Wonderland holiday shop held at Urbana High School raised funds for the UHS Mighty Hawks Marching Band. Pictured here, children enjoy festive activities including face painting and gingerbread cookie decorating. just didn’t want to miss it. What I really like the most is how all the elves and the helpers are so festive and dress up. I remember back in the day when they just wore the hats and the shoes. Now it’s the whole deal, and that’s what makes it so precious,” said Holcomb. All of the funds collected from the event went to the Mighty Hawks Marching Band to defray costs of instruments and music, as well as to reduce the annual costs required for the students to participate — about $1,000 a year for each student. The marching band celebrated many successes this year, including a trip to a national competition in New Jersey. “I love the feeling of playing the last note and finishing off an awesome show knowing that we did it all together as a team,” said Smaraki Dash, a member of the marching band and a senior at UHS. Every year before the band season begins, band members go through a rigorous twoweek band camp that consists of 12 hours of practice each day. All the practicing definitely paid off for UHS’s Mighty Hawks Marching Band, as they have risen to become one of the best high school bands in the state of Maryland. Although the marching band season is over for this year, the Mighty Hawks are still busy participating in the symphonic band, indoor percussion and indoor color guard. To learn more about UHS’s Marching Band, please visit: www.urbanahsband.org Editor’s Note: Ridhi Chaudhary is a freshman at Urbana High School. askthe editor from page 4 more information, go to www.orisonwines. com or www.iloveorion.com. Also notable this month is the Jan. 9 fundraiser at the Urbana Fire and Rescue Hall for the Hageman family. Cliff Hageman lost his leg after a car accident this fall, resulting in overwhelming medical bills. Consider attending the event for an evening to connect with neighbors and to raise funds for this beloved family. Flip to the front page and read the profile of Jesse Martin, written by Greater Urbana Area Food Bank founder Jo Ostby. Even though 10-year-old Jesse was born with a number of physical difficulties, she gives continuously to the local community. This year, take time to notice other stand-out members of our community and let the Town Courier know about them. These are the types of articles we love to write. Contact me at bethany@ towncourier.com or 240.409.6734 with holiday photos, notes about topics you would like covered and more. Have a happy New Year! Providing loving care for over 25 years! Sick Walk-in Hours: Monday thru Friday 8:00a.m. – 9:00a.m. All Locations Daytime & Evening Hours: Heating Problems? Call Eric Smock Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 301-831-8288 www.ericsmockhvac.com Monday thru Friday By Appointment Saturday Sick Hours: by Appointment at FREDERICK Office Only Practice Limited to Newborns to Age 21 Years www.frederickpediatrics.com Frederick Office: 87 Thomas Johnson Dr., Suite 101 Frederick, MD 21702 (301) 694-0606 Urbana Office: 3500 Campus Dr., Suite 102 Urbana, MD 21704 (301) 874-6107 Mt. Airy Office: 1502 South Main St., Suite 206 Mt. Airy, MD 21771 (301) 829-6146 Ballenger Creek Office: 6550 Mercantile Dr. East, Suite 106 Frederick, MD 21703 (301) 668-6347 Page 8 The Town Courier January 2015 chef’ssecrets By Jo Ostby DJ’s Catering was Blessed from the Start S ince January is a time of new beginnings, this month immediately made me think of Chef David Jones. “Think of several major life changes and in the past 12 months, I’ve gone through them,” said Jones. He closed a restaurant in April, had a baby born and launched a new restaurant in October — and those are just a few of the items on Jones’ list. After Jones’ restaurant, Lohr’s, closed in July his wife, Rachel, found an open space for a restaurant in Buckeystown. Interestingly enough, the new place is three doors down from our son Dean’s house. Dean and his buddies are regulars and have brought others of us along to discover DJ’s Catering and Services (stands for David Jones' Catering and Services). Despite the name, you can go there and eat in or carry out. The dining area is small, but friendly and welcoming. Jones offered chicken and waffles on a Saturday dinner special once and our son and his friends were hooked. This southern specialty features a dish Jones dubbed Broasted Chicken. Try it and you’ll be hooked, too. You get a half chicken and waffles perfectly crisp and delicious. Or, try the Reuben. “It’s the best Reuben sandwich I’ve ever had,” said Paul Tellock, our neighbor. He thought he was telling me about a new place he had discovered. Too late. We had already been introduced to DJ’s. Curt Meyer, who works alongside Jones and was with him for three years at Lohr’s, said that after Lohr’s closed, they both knew they wanted to go forward together, but didn’t really know exactly what that meant. I say God had plans for this David Jones and intended to prosper him and give him this new beginning in light of his major life changes. Meyer was riding his bike near the Frederick Church of the Brethren and saw two professional convection ovens sitting outside uncovered. He contacted a friend on the church board. One thing led to another and Meyer had two convection ovens previously intended for the recycling center covered carefully in his backyard. They had no definite plan as yet but the two restaurateurs had their ovens. “These ovens fell from heaven,” Meyer beamed. Fast forward to August and the move to Buckeystown. People have been discovering DJ’s slowly. The eatery has a Facebook presence and the chef personally responds to comments posted there. I enjoy seeing the daily specials pictured and reading other patrons’ comments. It is clear to me that there is a heavenly push for this place to succeed. Being in Photo | Jo Ostby From left, David Jones and Curt Meyer of DJ’s Catering and Services, pose with their “fall from heaven” convection ovens. there and seeing the staff prepare everything from box lunches to wedding feasts shows me they have a bright future in their new location. Our family has decided DJ’s will now be a part of a long-standing Thanksgiving weekend tradition. While the women head off to the Frederick Fairgrounds for the Maryland Christmas Show, the men will go to DJ’s for chicken and waffles. It’s fun to watch and listen as people embrace a new local restaurant. Who knows, the way it’s going in my family, I may be there on your maiden visit. Chef David Jones’ Chili From DJ’s Catering and Services 5 lbs 81/19 hamburger 1 white onion, chopped Half stalk of celery, chopped 2 T Montreal steak seasoning 1.5 T crushed red pepper 1.5 T Cajun seasoning 1 T garlic 1.5 T Italian seasoning 2 T chili powder 1 C beef stock 2 C diced tomatoes in juice 1 can red kidney beans, do not drain or rinse 1 can black beans, do not drain or rinse Chop onion and celery and cook together with hamburger until burger is 3/4 of the way done. Then add spices. Stir. Simmer five minutes. Add tomatoes, beans and stock. Let it all cook together for an hour. It should be slightly thick and ready to serve. Best of wishes to Chef David Jones and Curt Meyer as the new year gets underway at DJ’s Catering and Services. Included in this month’s column is Jones’ recipe for chili: It is the best chili I’ve made. monthlyagenda Compiled by Bethany E. Starin Local Events Hageman Fundraiser This month, Urbana’s realtor Lisa Giuliani is hosting a fundraiser for Cliff and Rebecca Hageman and their two children, Cassidy and Eli. In September, Cliff was in a car accident that led to 14 surgeries and the loss of his leg. On Jan. 9, at the Urbana Fire and Rescue Hall, the event will include free beer and wine, a silent auction, dessert table, 50/50 drawings throughout the event and more. Event begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes a $20 donation at n monthly agenda Continued on page 13 Photo | Submitted On January 9, Urbana resident Lisa Giuliani hosts a fundraiser for the Hageman family. “Quality care for furry babies” I am an experienced dog owner, animal lover & VOU resident offering quality dog walking and pet sitting services. *Always Reliable, Super Responsible, Very Reasonable Rates* Please call or email for more information: Rachel Shifaraw (301) 502-1500 [email protected] www.villagepetaupair.com The Town Courier January 2015 schoolnotes Budget Meeting with Superintendent Alban Frederick County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Theresa Alban will speak about school operating budget priorities for the 2015-2016 school year (FY2016) on Jan. 7, and invites the public to attend. This event is slated for 7 to 8 p.m. with a snow date of Jan. 13 and will be held in the Tuscarora High School auditorium. If unable to attend, the community may send feedback to [email protected]. Parent Involvement Matters Award Through Jan. 30, The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) is accepting nominations for the eighth annual Parent Involvement Matters Awards (PIMA). Nominations are for parents and guardians whose exemplary contributions to public education have led to improvements for Maryland’s Compiled By Bethany E. Starin public school children, teachers, schools, programs or policies. “Frederick County is fortunate to have so many parents who volunteer their time and talents to support our students and schools. The PIMA award is a wonderful opportunity to honor one of these parents for their outstanding service and also highlight the impact of parent involvement in our schools,” stated Donna Quatman-Wilder, FCPS Family and Community Involvement teacher specialist. There will be 24 semifinalists picked — one parent from each of Maryland’s 24 public school districts. Five finalists will be selected from this pool and one state winner will be announced in the spring. Go to www.fcps. org/awards for eligibility, criteria, process information and nomination guidelines. Mail nomination packages to Maryland State n school notes Continued on page 15 ■ sign language club from page 1 grader at UMS who was born hard of hearing and knows sign language, said that Georgi asked him to teach other students to sign at club meetings. Mehan described teaching sign language as a good experience with some challenges. Mehan arrived at UMS last year after attending a school for deaf students in California. “At deaf school, it’s easier to communicate because everyone signs,” he said. At UMS, Mehan finds it more difficult to converse because he has to use an interpreter. Texting is one way he communicates with other students, he said. If a child is born into a deaf family, sign language is the child’s first language, so it is easier to learn, Mehan said. Mehan, who has parents and a sister who are deaf, said that he enjoys the sign language club because the club makes it easier to communicate with other students. Elizabeth Voss, a seventh grader at UMS who is deaf, said that Georgi asked her to help lead sign language club meetings because she knew how to sign. During a club meeting, Voss, Mehan and sixth grader Alexis Fleming taught students how to use sign language for the words to the song “Let it Go” from the movie “Frozen.” “I like signing songs,” said Voss, who used to sign songs at Parkway Elementary School. Voss has a cochlear implant, a surgically implanted device that helps her hear what teachers and students are saying. She also has a personal interpreter who accompanies her to classes. Fleming grew up with a father who is hearing impaired. “I’ve learned a lot from my dad, because he’s deaf and can’t hear,” ■ art show from page 3 Catie also said that her favorite art medium is drawing. “I love seeing the families and how the kids are able to be inspired by each other’s work,” said Briest, who was also very involved in art throughout her high school and college days. “I think art is a great Photo | Sally Alt During a sign language club meeting at Urbana Middle School, eighth grader Orren Mehan (pictured left) and seventh grader Elizabeth Voss (pictured right) lead students in signing the song “Let it Go” from the movie “Frozen.” she said. Fleming said that it was nice to have hearing students learn sign language, so that they can speak to the hearing impaired. “I think that means a lot to deaf people,” she said. When asked about future plans for the sign language club, Georgi said that she hopes students will be able to go on field trips to the Maryland School of the Deaf in Frederick and Gallaudet University, a school for the deaf and hard of hearing in Washington, D.C. Visiting the school campuses will give UMS students the opportunity to practice signing with other students, she said. The group is also considering performing at the UMS talent show and signing a song together. They may also plan student competitions in signing, she said. “It’s been awesome having a sign language club in Urbana Middle School,” said Fleming. For more information about the sign language club, please email Ellen Georgi at [email protected]. outlet for kids to express themselves when they can’t do it in other ways.” “It’s always a wonderful event because all the families are here to support us. And I think that it is extra special that we have the chorus concert right afterwards so younger students are able to see the older students perform,” she added. Following the art show, there was a winter chorus concert with UES’s choir. Page 9 Page 10 ■ MR. URBANA from page 3 positive impact on the community,” said Emmanuel Apea (Mr. June). According to Brian Dailey (Mr. July), this year almost $7,900 was raised for the Rock Creek school. “That is an all time record, no other class has raised that much in one year,” he said. The competition intensified three days before the main event, when contestants dressed up for three different days: Inanimate Object Day, Movie Star Day and Spirit Wear Day. The general consensus from the candidates was that Inanimate Object Day involved the most creative use of costume, including Joey Mejia’s (Mr. ■ Academic TOURNAMENT from page 3 gave UHS an early lead in the championship round. This year, the agreed categories are anatomy, sub-Saharan Africa, British Invasion, comparative religions, 1965 history, Italian Renaissance, Disney villains and for the championship round, Shakespeare. The final round, similar to Final Jeopardy, is the deciding factor for each team. There are 20 questions on a potpourri of topics and each team, whether trailing by a few or leading by a lot, has an opportunity to add a win. The Town Courier January 2015 January) boombox outfit complete with lights and speakers. “To try and figure out what to wear and how to perform I looked into who I really was and tried to represent my class and my month the best I could,” said JP Kim (Mr. December), who dressed as a Dell computer. Greg Kuver (Mr. March) jokingly said that his beard inspired him. His facial hair is iconic throughout the school, and he dressed as a beard-grooming kit. The crowning jewel of the competition was the talent section where` competitors performed their own renditions of popular songs and dances. Andy Moss (Mr. February) performed a solo interpretation of “Let it Go” from Disney’s “Frozen.” Apea played a virtuosic rendition of “Por Tí Volaré,” by Bocelli, on his violin. “There was more of a wide variety of talents this year — not just boys dancing in spandex,” Ward said. Humor aside, one of the more serious parts of the competition was a question and answer session about the contestants’ high school experiences. In response to a question about the most valuable lesson learned in high school, both Greg Kuver and Cody Wilcox (Mr. September) advised future high school students to not procrastinate. The candidates agreed that although the competition was exhilarating they didn’t really care about the outcome. “We’ve been friends all during high school,” said Jacob Mittereder (Mr. May). “The fact that we are all going against each other makes it all the more memorable.” Zach Cummings (Mr. August) said “This is like our final passage, our final impression on the school. It’s the most fun I’ve had.” In the end, Win McKeever (Mr. November) was crowned the 2015 Mr. Urbana. “Win participates in a variety of UHS sports and organizations; he demonstrates himself to be a kind, well-rounded individual, something a Mr. Urbana should aspire to be,” said Ward. Connor Wills (Mr. October) came in as a first runner up and Joey Mejia came as the second runner up. Victory or not, all 12 candidates showed themselves to be outstanding individuals and many observers felt they gave a performance that makes them all worthy of the title, “Mr. Urbana.” “This season is going to be nice,” said UHS senior and team member Bhas Portlanka. “I’ll get a chance to help captain the team, and I’m looking forward to the experience.” Portlanka, 17, typically specializes in the math rounds, but it is open to playing in other topics as well. “It’ll be hard, but I hope we get a repeat of last year,” said Anmol Srivastava, 17. “I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.” Urbana is fortunate to have a solid team of coaches to help prepare the local academic team for competition. Current coaches Mark Kavanaugh, Barbara Tarrant-Coleman and Del Hayes help prepare the team during two hour-long practices each week. The practices are slated even more frequently in the weeks prior to the first match. “There are going to be high expectations throughout the community,” said Hayes. “It is always hard to replace strong players from previous seasons, but it will work out fine since the team currently has a fresh bunch of talented, young players to fill in former rolls.” “We’ll be a competitive team this year,” said Kavanaugh. “It was a great feeling to win last year, but we did have some close matches. I’m proud of how the team was able to come back several times after those matches.” The last time Urbana won the county tournament before last year was in 2002, when the team was in seventh place at the end of the season. “It’s rare that the first place team wins the entire tournament, so I was extremely thrilled,” said Kavanaugh. Currently, UHS showcases the tournament trophy from last year’s competition - but this year, it’s up for grabs again. Academic team members are buzzing for a repeat of last year’s season. Editor’s Note: Sirad Hassan is a junior at Urbana High School and member of the UHS Academic Team. The Town Courier January 2015 Ajay Kasana Broker, S4 Realty Page 11 Bringing Homes & Families Together Buying • Selling • Rental • Property Management Seema Sharma Agent, S4 Realty Happy New Year! SA LE FO R B TH RO E UG BU H YE T R B TH RO E UG BU H YE T R CO NT RA CT 2015 Under Contract in 5 Days! 5750 Bou Ave. $498,000 1629 Colonial Way $138,000 2114 Infantry Dr. $2699/mo 9306 Penrose St. $1995/mo B TH RO E UG BU H YE T R RE NT FO R FO R RE NT 4349 Maisel Farm Ln. • $1.1M 3429 Winmoor Dr. • $835,000 607 Curry Ford Dr. • $ 343,000 CO NT RA CT FS OR O LSAD L E 9211 Shafers Mill Dr. • $649,000 12721 Gorman Cir. $619,900 917 Russell Ave. Suite B • Gaithersburg, MD 20879 (240) 668-0999 (O) • (301) 792-5112 (C)• (240) 345-1509 (F) • www.S4Realty.com • [email protected] Aaron Lee Stein REAL ESTATE SETTLEMENTS, INC (240) 994-0597 [email protected] Providing home purchase and refinance settlements since 1981. Mention this ad and receive $100 OFF your settlement charges Page 12 The Town Courier 3430 Worthington Boulevard, #102 • Urbana NOW OPEN! (301) 662-0133 Main (301) 662-1930 Billing (301) 662-5399 Referrals • • • • • • Comprehensive pediatric care Seven offices to better serve you Convenient office hours including nights & weekends Telephone advice from our nurses during office hours Online referral & prescription refill requests available Committed to patient service & satisfaction 3430 Worthington Boulevard, #102 • Urbana 1475 Taney Avenue, #201 • Frederick / 1502 S. Main Street, #200 • Mt. Airy 610 Solarex Court, #200 • Frederick / 9093 Ridgefield Drive, #106 • Frederick 187 Thomas Johnson Drive, #4 • Frederick / 3020 B Ventrie Court • Myersville Please visit us online at www.thepedcenter.com January 2015 The Town Courier January 2015 Page 13 monthlyagenda from page 8 the door. For more information, contact Giuliani at [email protected] or call 240.447.5766. Green Valley YMCA Youth Classes The Green Valley YMCA is now offering youth and teen fitness programs including Kids Boot Camp, Ultimate Conditioning and Strength Training for teens and TeenTrax, a computerized personal training program for youth. Also, for the month of January the joiner’s fee is being waived. For more information, contact Jennifer Coppit at [email protected]. Red Cross CPR/AED Class The Green Valley YMCA is hosting a Red Cross CPR/AED class for adults and children on Feb. 21. That same day, a Red Cross First Aid certification will also be held. Classes begin at 9 a.m. For more information, contact Christine Rachel at 301.607.6900 or at crachel@ frederickymca.org. Breakfast for Lunch with Nurse Steve On Thursday, Jan. 8, the Urbana Senior Center hosts Breakfast for Lunch with Nurse Steve. Held at noon, a variety of breakfast foods will be offered while Nurse Steve talks about “When is good food not good for me: A discussion of the myths and truths about foods and their benefits.” For more information call 301.600.7020 or go to www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/aging. Fall Prevention and Balance Screening On Tuesday, Jan. 20, the Urbana Senior Center hosts an event for anyone worried about their balance. A discussion about reducing your risk of falling will be followed by free balance screenings by staff from Superior Physical Therapy. This event is held at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 301.600.7020 or go to www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/aging. Arts hosts a live stage show for kids. This performance engages the curious scientist in every child and is a journey through all five senses — sight, sound, taste, smell and touch, as well as the discovery that there’s a very special sixth sense. This show includes a musical adventure with tunes from the hit PBS Kids television series. Shows are at 12:15 and 5 p.m. For more information, go to www.weinbergcenter.org. Stitching Post On January Monday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, come knit, crochet or just chat with members of the community. The Urbana Senior Center hosts these informal events where members help each other with projects, patterns and learning new skills. Held Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 1 p.m. For more information call 301.600.7020 or go to www. FrederickCountyMD.gov/aging. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in Frederick On Jan. 23, the Weinberg Center for the Arts hosts the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performing Brahms’ Violin Concerto with Concertmaster Jonathan Carney taking the stage. Also featuring conductor Tito Munoz. Event runs from 8 to 11 p.m.; for more information, go to www.weinbergcenter.org. Ivy + Bean On Jan. 31, a musical story hits the stage at the Weinberg Center for the Arts in downtown Frederick, a show for ages 4 and up. Based on the New York Times best-selling children’s book series by Annie Barrows, the performance tells the story of an unexpected friendship. Shows are at 1 and 4 p.m. For more information, go to www.weinbergcenter.org. Theatre, Arts and Music Wine Down Downtown On Jan. 3 from 3 to 9 p.m., downtown Frederick hosts a Wine Down Downtown. This event features drinks and snacks at local shops and late shopping hours. Also included is the first-ever Walk of Lights, an illuminating experience through downtown Frederick. For more information, go to www.downtownfrederick.org. • Doggy Day Care • Cage Free BoarDing Jim Henson’s Sid the Science Kid: Live! On Jan. 22, the Weinberg Center for the $29 per day Day Care Current Specials (Must mention this ad) $45 per day Boarding (without transportation) (without transportation) 855.Care.noW Petandhomecare.com Located off Green Valley Rd. and Prices Distillary Rd. Page 14 The Town Courier January 2015 localvoices Retirement Comes in Many Flavors D ecember and January are popular months for retirements. I retired in 1993 at age 56 and have some thoughts to share on this important life event. I hope these thoughts will be helpful to both fellow By Rich retirees and people conTerselic sidering joining us. Retirement counselors highly recommend planning for retirement and experimenting before retiring, trying different activities and settings. The federal government is even experimenting with parttime retirement that permits a transition over a period of time. People thinking about retirement should definitely consider getting their feet wet, trying out the things they anticipate doing after they retire. One example: A person who has lived in a locale with cold and snowy winters and has thought of moving, might spend time in a warmer climate before making a full commitment to moving there. People sometimes reverse their thinking after gaining some experience. Eyebrow Threading Eyelash Extension Nail Art Parties Henna Tattoos MANISHA 301-514-4024 [email protected] Urbana Pike • Frederick MD, 21704 Also available, chess lessons from ages 5 and up. A person’s temperament also influences their attitude toward retirement. Someone who is insecure might be troubled by the implications of breaking the predictable daily pattern associated with a job. On the other hand an avid seeker of experiences may be quite comfortable with a change. A high-energy achiever may also welcome new opportunities to pursue. I have known people whose retirement goal was simply to do whatever they wanted — including nothing. It seemed to me that doing nothing could be satisfying for only a limited time. Much is written about meeting financial demands in retirement. Over the past couple of decades, retirements with a guaranteed stream of pension checks plus social security have declined. Many retirees now leave with a pot of money that has to be self-managed to provide a long term income stream. Accomplishing this can be a source of continuing worry, sometimes prompting a search for a new, paying job to supplement retirement income. Retirement may not provide full freedom, and a new retiree may confront unexpected boundaries. For example, if a spouse continues to work it may pose problems for the retiree waiting long days for the spouse’s return from work. Alternatively, when a new retiree’s spouse has been at home, turf problems may devel- op as the two adjust to being together full time. Family and friends may also have unwelcome expectations that can pose limits on the new retiree’s freedom to travel or to choose a different location to live. Poor health may also limit full freedom. It is now harder for an employer to require that an employee retire solely on the basis of age. For people who love their work, being forced to retire can be very disappointing. My father was a meat cutter for most of his career, but spent his final working years in an office. He loved everything about working in the office, except the mandatory age 65 retirement policy. His retirement party was a bittersweet event. For people who have hobbies or other recreational interests they greatly enjoy, retirement can be quite welcome. In the early 1960s I worked for NASA in Cleveland and shared an office with another engineer who was a gun enthusiast. He counted the years and days to his eligibility date for retirement, planning full-time involvement with guns. Sadly, he died shortly after retiring. Recreational travel is another popular activity for retirees. The travel industry has expanded and now has more sophisticated offerings. My wife and a nursing n local voices Continued on page 17 Some of our office listings: BOYDS • $1,599,000 Troyce Gatewood - (301) 379-9441 OWINGS MILL • $549,900 Keith Litchauer • (410) 591-4360 FREDERICK • $435,000 GAITHERSBURG • $399,999 Debra Murray • (301) 639-7730 Lisa Cairns • (301) 748-2834 BELTSVILLE • $324,900 FROSTBURG • $179,500 Ron Alexander • (410) 446-3606 Deb Bargeski • (301) 748-6719 MT AIRY • $169,900 Robert Krop • (301) 524-2887 HAGERSTOWN • $169,900 Deb Bargeski • (301) 748-6719 WOODBINE • $474,900 Ron Alexander • (410) 446-3606 MONROVIA • $450,000 Robert Krop • (301) 524-2887 GERMANTOWN • $329,500 John Rasoulpour • (301) 404-5646 BRADDOCK HTS • $325,000 Lisa Cairns • (301) 748-2834 SHARPSBURG • $150,000 Stephenie Stadtler • NEED PHONE Sara Morris • (301) 514-6888 MIDDLETOWN • $130,000 FREDERICK • $1,270/mo Sara Morris • (301) 514-6888 Bob Dent • (240) 409-9300 FREDERICK • $215,900 The Town Courier January 2015 Page 15 nora’scorner Winter is Time for Hygge* A sign above a book display near the children’s room in the Olney Library reads: “Hygge with a Good Book.” I thought, “Oh, no, not another new acronym I’m supposed to By Nora know and I don’t.” Then Caplan I noticed another sign on the other side of the table: “Hygge is a Danish word for Coziness, Warmth” and other related adjectives. It made me conjure up a vision of a white kiva fireplace in Taos, N.M. emitting the fragrance of blazing piñon logs, with a Navajo rug by the fireside. Feeling the bite of the icy air outside, then entering the warmth inside an adobe home epitomizes coziness. It’s no wonder the Danes have a special word like hygge that conveys even more than the words we use to translate this particular feeling. The Olney librarian told me that the Danes create hygge in their lives year round. They love clusters of candles that light up their long winter nights. Get-togethers with family and friends in a friendly atmosphere is hygge as well. Perhaps taking time for hygge is one reason the Danes are considered to be among the happiest people in the world. Hygge made me remember the stone fireplace at Half-A-Hill, the country inn and my childhood home in southwestern Missouri, with the model of Columbus’ship, “The Santa Maria,” on the mantel where I hung my long white stocking each Christmas Eve. A few years later on another Dec. 24 there was a coal-burning fireplace in our house on Walnut Street in Springfield, Mo., where I toasted my toes as I was reading “A Christmas Carol.” There seemed to be castles and cottages that appeared in the glowing coals. My face felt sunburned from the heat, yet there was a cold draft on my back. I snuggled down into my mother’s hand-crocheted afghan and soon I was comfy all around. In January after a deep snowfall, I used to tuck a bowl and spoon into the crook of my arm and stomp out to the back yard to fill the bowl with freshly fallen snow. (My mother didn’t seem to worry about pollution or other kinds of disgusting waste deposited on the surface.) When I had filled it, I lugged the bowl inside our kitchen, added a teaspoon of vanilla, sugar, and a bit of milk to the mixture. It turned to slush as I stirred in all the ingredients, and then I slurped it up with gusto. Meanwhile, the windows steamed up from a kettle boiling on top the stove, yet here I was, bringing winter inside while feeling cozily warm. Sometimes at twilight I would feel uneasy when the sky was streaked with gold, orange, violet and pale blue ribbons layering low in the sky. The dark was approaching and it seemed menacing until we turned on the lamps in the dining and living rooms. It reminded me of the comforting feeling the pioneers might have had as they circled their wagons around a blazing cooking fire at the end of a long, grueling, daily trek westward. For me, hygge comes when it’s snowing. I have a pot of vegetable soup simmering on the stove and there’s a Penelope Lively novel I haven’t yet read, just waiting for me to begin. I’m sitting in my favorite chair with a lap rug tucked snugly around me and a Bach Brandenburg concerto is on the CD player. For Town Courier readers: What is hygge for you? *Pronounced a bit like “hooga.” schoolnotes from page 9 Department of Education, Office of Communications, Partnerships and Grants, 7th Floor, ATTN: PIMA, 200 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Md. 21201. School Community Meeting On Dec. 17, Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner held a community meeting on at 7 p.m. at Winchester Hall in downtown Frederick. The meeting’s agenda covered her Fiscal Year 2016 operating budget and six-year capital improvement program. This meeting provided opportunity for locals to advocate for funding Urbana’s new Sugarloaf Elementary School. Design for Sugarloaf is nearly complete and local residents are requesting construction funding for Fiscal Year 2017. Send written comments to Jan Gardner at jgardner@ frederickcountymd.gov. Homeschool Education Enrichment Frederick Community College is host- ing Homeschool Educational Enrichment events in spring 2015. Registration is now open for these classes. The classes are for ages 6 to 16. A spring class schedule is available at http://bit.ly/13kyFxY and registration is online at www.Frederick.edu/QuickEnroll. To subscribe for home education enews, email [email protected]. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 301.846.2661 or [email protected]. UMS Student Selected for Orchestra Eighth grader Jackie Chen, from the music department at Urbana Middle School, has been selected for Maryland All-State Junior Orchestra, the first UMS student to receive this very special honor. The Junior Orchestra includes students from all across Maryland in grades seven to nine. Chen is part of the first violin section which has 28 members, most of them from Howard and Montgomery Counties. There was only one other Frederick County student who was accepted. The orchestra will perform in Towson in mid March. Frederick county 3409 A Urbana Pike Frederick, MD 21704 MontgoMery county 451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 750 Rockville, MD 20850 www.stevecampenlaw.com • [email protected] Opening in January Page 16 The Town Courier January 2015 mikeat the movies The Theory of Everything [PG-13] **** Farnaz Hashempour Marketing Manager Urbana’s Professional Service Directory Don't just get any pet sitter for your bird. Get an experienced bird sitter! Call Lisa at Got Birds? 240-938-4433 [email protected] • www.thebirdlady.biz New clients get $25 off first visits! Advertise in Urbana’s hometown paper [email protected] Everything you have heard about Eddie Redmayne’s performance in this film is correct. It is beyond correct, it is mind-blowing. Dr. Stephen Hawking’s story is so unlikely that it beggars belief to begin with, but By Mike this film and Redmayne’s Cuthbert performance strain the likelihood that you’ll ever see a more riveting portrayal of a man with every advantage except one: his health. Hawking is a victim of ALS, one of the most severe of a group of motor-neuron diseases. Striking him at 21, just as he was focusing on the main subject of his life — time — it soon incapacitated him but left him alive. This was startling because he was given a two-year life expectancy at the time of his diagnosis. He lives on at 72. The story is actually equally about his first wife, Jane. She knew his diagnosis when she married him and she bore him three children. The disease does not entirely disable the victim, as Hawking points out to a curious friend. Felicity Jones is perfect in the part of Jane. Her loyalty eventually wears out as her duties multiply. Those duties include everything you can imagine dealing with a totally disabled person while tending to numerous children and trying to forge her own career. In the meantime, Hawking was writing his seminal work, “A Brief History of Time,” which focuses on the origins of the universe. Hawking was awkward and socially inept even before the ALS, but that is probably part of his charm, a charm he has maintained outwardly ever since. Eventually, Jane joins the local church choir. She is a believer and Hawking is not but he offers no objections and she sings and also starts falling for the choir director, Jonathan Hellyer Jones. The film hints at Hawking’s collusion in regard to the relationship but never states directly that he approves. Whatever the real reasons, Hawking eventually sheds Jane and their children, and meets and eventually marries his therapist, Elaine Mason. All through this action Hawking is struggling just to stay alive. His visit to France where he attends an opera and almost dies is the most vivid example of his fight. The emotional wallop of the film is in its portrayal of the fight to keep Hawking alive and functional through the agonizing physical therapy regime he undergoes. Meantime, his mental faculties remain sharp. At one point Jane says: “I love you.” Hawking replies: “That’s a false conclusion.” It is not false but sadly true. One can get the feeling that Hawking used all of Jane’s energy to sustain himself and his effort to write — he uses specially-designed computer programs to write with — but she is a cooperative victim. It is therefore sad when they break up, but somehow inevitable. Jane is happily married to Jones to this day while Hawking is now single again after reports of physical and mental abuse swirled about the couple, including a story that she left him outside, unattended, on the hottest day of summer, leading to serious burns and dehydration. That part of the story is not told in the film since this is really about Jane and Hawking, and Jane’s account of their relationship served as the basis for the screenplay. This is a remarkably strong film about an incredible couple whose life together was supposed to be short and passionate. It turned out to be long and passionate until the passion burned out and they became two people no longer able to live together. As a film, it’s almost overwhelming. Leave the little ones home. The message is too complex for them. Horrible Bosses [R] *** Watching this movie gave me the same feelings I used to have watching Steve Carell and the cast of “The Office”: Everybody was so stupid that it got me irritated at the same time I was laughing myself silly. Nick, Kurt and Dale, ( Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis and Charlie Day), the “heroes” of the first edition of the franchise, are trying to find a foolproof way of getting wealthy and settle on an automatic shower system that they plan to manufacture and market. Alas, they run into Bert Hanson (Christoph Waltz), tycoon and cheat, and his son, Rex, also a cheat (Chris Pine). The cheats, as usual, prosper and the boys are left on the outside looking at another total failure. Then the real madness begins as they try to get their money and their pride back. The witless schemes start to multiply so they turn to Dave (Kevin Spacey) who is in jail for previous scams but finds time and energy enough to insult the trio while offering to “help” them. Sure. Lacking sensible advice from Dave, they turn at last for detailed help to Dean “MF” Jones ( Jamie Foxx) for a planned snatch of Rex Hanson. The ransom is supposed to solve all their problems. By now, however, even the dullest audience member has to realize that nothing these hapless amateurs are going to come up with is going to go the way they want it to go. The only character dumber than Nick, Kurt and Dale is Dean Jones. His stupidity is covered by his arrogance. There are more than enough idiotic suggestions from the trio, including an idea of using golf gloves to cover fingerprints during the snatch. Nobody seems to realize that golfers wear only one glove so the fingerprinting is protected by a golf glove on the left hand and wood-covers on the right. Jennifer Aniston reprises her role — the first sequel she has participated in during the course of her career — and the scene at her Sex Addicts Anonymous meeting is more than usually hysterical. Meanwhile Dale rationalizes having sex with her character, dentist Julia Harris: “It’s not really adultery if you’re doing it to save your family,” he says. n mike at the movies Continued on page 17 The Town Courier January 2015 offthe shelf Cosmic Coin Orbiter at the Library T he Friends of the Urbana Regional Library (FURL) just unveiled its newest fundraiser for the Library — a Cosmic Coin Orbiter. The Orbiter serves two worthy purposes: It By Amy gives kids a fun way to Whitney learn about the solar system and it supports the library at the same time. Kids can even challenge each other by placing two coins in the orbiter to see which coin denomination wins the race to the center. The Friends were looking for a way to raise funds that would also be a fun addition to the library, and Robyn Monaco suggested that these spiral coin wishing wells allow kids to explore science concepts while having fun. All it takes is a coin of any denomination. “The funnel in the wishing well is a working model of the solar system and demonstrates Kepler’s laws of planetary motion,” Monaco said. “A coin rolling around the drum represents a planet in orbit around the sun. As the coin approaches the center hole (the sun), the gravitational pull on the coin increases and its energy of position is replaced by energy of motion — that’s why planets orbit at greater speeds as they near the sun and slow down when they move further away.” Be sure to drop by the library and try out the Orbiter for yourself — it’s mesmerizing! The Friends are offering local businesses the opportunity to market their businesses by placing their logo on the orbiter. If you’re interested in reaching our 15,000 visitors a month and letting them know about your business, contact Friends treasurer David Spaans at [email protected]. The Friends offer us so much support in the form of programming supplies, furnishings for the children’s and adult areas, and funding for the summer reading program. If you use the library and are interested in becoming involved in this organization, you’re invited to attend the FURL annual meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the small conference room on the upper level of the library. Call 301.600.7004 for more information or visit the library at www.fcpl.org. Editor’s Note: Amy Whitney is the branch administrator for the Urbana Regional Library. Photo | Submitted Urbana children enjoy playing with the Cosmic Coin Orbiter, which educates kids on the solar system and raises funds for the Urbana Regional Library. localvoices from page 14 school classmate greatly enjoyed numerous cruises. Some travelers they met connected cruises that kept them on ships for extended periods, even taking them around the world. Cruising can also accommodate people with varying levels of disability and health issues. For people with personal and family demands that conflict with working, retirement can provide relief. Grandparents are increasingly engaged in care of grand children. For retirees who have a spouse or other person in need of care, being free each day may be welcome. Engaging in community and other volunteer activities in or out of the home is another popular activity for retirees. There are numerous volunteer organizations that welcome additional help, including homeowner associations. I have volunteered with a number of groups since retiring. Some proved good matches for my interests but others didn’t. Experimenting with volunteering before retiring is a good idea. Best wishes to my fellow retirees and those considering joining us. mikeat the movies from page 16 Some of the action scenes are dumb and insipid while there are flashes of inspired madness, especially in the last scene. Much of the dialogue appears to have been improvised, leading to a mish-mash of lines occasionally, making them hard to follow, but what you pick up will be enough to make you shake your head and groan a lot. Definitely not one for the younger set: Like the first episode in the series, this one is extremely gross in language and pathetic in its plot twists and turns. Best for a rainy day with other teenagers. Page 17 Page 18 The Town Courier January 2015 UrbanaSports Get Fit with Recreational Winter Sports By Sally Alt E ven when the weather is cold outside, fitness-seekers can dance their way to becoming fit by taking Zumba classes at the Green Valley YMCA. “It’s a great way to work out,” said Tony Edghill, one of the Zumba instructors. “You can lose weight, you can get yourself back in shape, and you’ll definitely see changes in your body.” Class participants learn Latin dances, including salsa, meringue, samba and flamenco, while moving to Latin music. The music is what distinguishes a Zumba class from regular aerobic classes. Edghill describes Zumba music as “exhilarating” and “exciting.” The Green Valley YMCA offers two evening and three morning Zumba classes every week. Anyone who is 11 years of age or older can attend classes. “No dance experience is needed,” said Edghill. Dancing in a Zumba class is a way to “let go” and have fun after a long, stressful day at work, he said. “You look forward to coming to exercise,” said Lisa Montrose, a Monrovia resident, who has been coming to Zumba classes for a year and a half. “I’ve lost weight and had fun doing it,” said Monrovia resident Sue Redding, who Photo | Submitted Skiing and snowboarding are two great ways to embrace the cold weather and stay active this winter. Liberty Mountain Resort is less than an hour's drive from Urbana. attends class three times each week. For locals who enjoy the winter outdoors, Liberty Mountain Resort offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for adults and children ages 3 and older. Located in Carroll Valley, Pa., Liberty Mountain is less than an hour’s drive from Urbana. “We can teach anyone to ski or snowboard. You are never too old to learn,” said Anne Weimer, the marketing director at Liberty Mountain Resort. A lot of people, Weimer said, are anxious Come Join author, Merita Pinckney A House To A Home At Novel Places Book Shop 23341 Frederick Road Clarksburg, MD 20871 Saturday January 3, 2015 1:00 – 3:00pm about learning to ski and are afraid that they will get too cold or hurt themselves. For anyone who wants to learn to ski, Weimer recommends taking a lesson and just giving it a try. Trained instructors, she said, “can help conquer all of those fears and hesitations.” The ski resort, which is open every weekday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., provides ski lessons multiple times each day. The resort also offers night skiing as well as rental of ski and snowboard equipment, including equipment for women and children. Skiing is “active, healthy and social,” said Weimer. She added that the sports activity also offers “a nice break from electronic devices.” In January, Liberty Mountain Resort is offering a $49 Thursday special that includes a ski or snowboard lesson, lift ticket and equipment rental. For those who would like to learn weight lifting, In Fitness in Urbana provides oneon-one training in using free weights, dumbbells and a full circuit of Nautilus machines. Weight lifting can help increase bone density, strength and endurance, as well as prevent osteoporosis, said Kirk Reynolds, manager and personal trainer at In Fitness. Personal trainers at In Fitness teach members how to use weights and give feedback to lifters. Healthy adults can work out with free weights, which use more muscles than other lifting techniques, according to Reynolds. A back squat, when performed with free weights, uses more muscles than any other weight lift. People with medical conditions or those who have little experience with weight lifting can use the circuit of Nautilus machines. No experience in weight lifting is required before starting training at In Fitness, and people at all fitness levels are welcome. Personal trainers are available to help people achieve their fitness goals such as losing weight or strengthening backs. For anyone who wants to start weight lifting for the new year, personal trainers can help them to start at an appropriate level and gradually build up their strength. At In Fitness, which is open 24 hours per day, both men and women trainers are available to work with participants. For more information about Zumba classes at Green Valley YMCA, call 301.607.6900. For more information about ski lessons at Liberty Mountain Resort, visit www.libertymountainresort.com. To learn about the first timer’s guide to skiing, go to www.libertymountainresort.com/learnto-ski-ride/f irst-timer’s-guide/what-toknow.aspx. For more information about In Fitness, visit www.infitnessurbana.com. 301.972.3060 [email protected] $1.00 from ea. book sold will be donated to help in the fight to stop human trafficking Don Hoffacker’s Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. “We have been given top ratings for both price & quality by a local, prominent consumer group.” SALES • SERVICE • INSTALLATIONS HEAT PUMPS HUMIDIFIERS AND FURNACES 19703 Waters Road Germantown, MD 20874 check us out on angieslist.com 301-972-0017 Photo | Stacy Ukishima Urbana Wrestles Westminster to the Ground Urbana High School's Jarrett Jacobs makes short work of Westminster’s Mike Thomas — pinning him in 28 seconds. Jacobs’ pin helped Urbana top Westminster in their Dec. 6 season opener, 45-25. The Town Courier January 2015 Page 19 vitalsigns Can Cold Weather Hurt Your Lower Back? A s the temperature drops, aches and pains become a frequent occurrence. Without proper warm up and stretching, activities like snow shoveling and even prolonged standing can trigger low back pain, By Stephanie knee pain and other inDunker juries. It is important to remember that blood flow to muscles and joints decreases as a direct result of reduced activity. In addition, the abundance of food during the holidays results in weight gain for most individuals. Therefore, it is crucial to stay active, keep the blood circulation going, and burn extra calories during winter. Treatment of injuries is a no-brainer, but did you know that injury prevention is also crucial, especially during winter? Injury Prevention 101 for Winter If you are going to be lifting and moving things, shoveling snow or engaging in other forms of exercise, make sure to warm up and stretch before you begin. Start slowly and maintain the right posture as you in- crease the intensity of exercise over 10 to15 minutes. Take short breaks and give your muscles and joints a chance to adjust to the task. Use your knees rather than your lower back to lift heavy objects, avoid twisting movements and breathe normally at all times. Hold heavy objects close to the body to reduce strain on the lumbar spine. The feet should be kept wide apart to increase the base of support, and the knees must be slightly bent. Use your entire body to move objects rather than twisting your back. If you are shoveling snow, you must avoid twisting motions of the lower back such as throwing the snow over the shoulder behind you. With the right combination of breathing, warm up and the correct technique, you can reduce the probability of injury significantly. If you have aches and pains that get worse during the winter, it may be time to see a physical therapist. Your therapist will assess your current activity levels and functional limitations and discuss your short term and long term goals. All this information will be used to devise a plan of action to treat the underlying cause of pain as quickly as possible. It is important to maintain strength and stability in the muscles of the torso and lower back, especially during the winter. As the snow melts to ice, the risk of slips and falls increases. Maintaining and improving balance and stability, especially for seniors, is an important part of physical therapy and wellness. Winter is associated with a surge in the number of persons visiting the emergency room for snow shoveling and fall-related injuries, which is why prevention is so important. Some simple prevention tech- niques to maintain posture, improve balance and prevent injuries, combined with good old fashioned common sense, will help you enjoy a healthy, happy winter season. Editor’s Note: Stephanie Dunker co-owns Urbana’s Sage Orthopedic Physical Therapy with her husband Dr. Jeremy Dunker. The Dunkers write Vital Signs on a bi-monthly basis for The Town Courier. Content for this column was condensed from Sage Orthopedic’s newsletter. www.towncourier.com/urbana VeyePeyecare.com 301-874-5777 Located in the Villages of Urbana WHO WE ARE: Dr. Robert Gertz, Dr. Hediyeh Arjomandi and Optical Manager Michael Coghill have provided eye care to the Washington Metro Area for a combined 40+ years. We are proud to announce the opening of our 2nd office in the new Downtown Crown shopping district in Gaithersburg. Free Eye Exam for a child Robert Gertz OD Optometrist Michael Coghill Optical Manager with an adult exam Free Lenses with purchase of frame Basic single vision lens only. Dr. Hediyeh Arjomandi WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE V.eye.P. eyecare is proud to team up with the Monocacy Community Lions Club for the inaugural Urbana Winter Clothing Drive. V.eye.P. eyecare will be accepting any winter clothing donations for the entire month of January at our Villages of Urbana location. Any unwanted coats, hats and gloves will be donated to a local shelter to help the residents of Frederick in need. Page 20 The Town Courier January 2015 Happy Holidays from Elaine Koch RED U T A FE PERTY PRO RED U T FEA PERTY PRO 4026 Broadstone Circle VILLAGES OF URBANA • $800,000 9360 Slate Quarry Road DICKERSON • $699,900 ACT SOLD TR CON 3641 Byron Place VILLAGES OF URBANA • $535,000 9606 Brigadoon Place HIGHLANDS • $374,900 NEWING R OFFE 3593 Holborn Place VILLAGES OF URBANA • $269,900 I have SOLD 5 homes in the last month. LET ME SELL YOURS! Experience Matters The #3 Remax Agent 301.840.7320 [email protected] www.elainekoch.com KENTLANDS OFFICE 345 Main Street North Potomac, MD 20878 301-947-6500
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