The Beyond the Garden Gates Tour Returns to Frederick on May 16 & 17! 

The Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour returns to Frederick on Saturday, May 16 and  Sunday, May 17, 1 – 5 PM. For over three decades, hundreds of garden enthusiasts have descended upon downtown Frederick for the opportunity to explore the elegant, whimsical, and inventive gardens nestled beyond the gates of private Frederick homes during the annual event. This year, the tour extends beyond the downtown area to include spaces that are often larger than a ‘City’ garden, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy a different style of gardening.  

Gardens featured on this year’s tour include the following. 

The Garden of Renae and Jerry Winnan | 6315 Winpenny Drive 

Within this garden is a stream which flows through beds of ornamental grasses, native plants, and a dwarf Japanese maple into a pond covered with water lilies. Around the pond is a bocce court with multiple trellises and areas which  beckon all to sit and enjoy the view. Wrapping around the bocce court is a natural  meadow filled with native plants. 

The Garden of Ric and Ann Adams | 6036 White Flint Drive 

A well-maintained garden with various green plants, shrubs, and decorative planters in front of a house with Tudor-style architecture.

Throughout this two-plus acre yard are several well-maintained garden experiences including 29 dogwoods in full bloom at the entrance, an English formal garden with trimmed Korean and barberry hedges, a one-of-a-kind specimen garden, a woodland and stream garden, a flower and vegetable garden, a Japanese Koi garden pond, and a saltwater pool surrounded by day lilies and yucca.  

The Garden of Mr. and Mrs. David and Deborah Langston | 6619 Ashford Lane

This garden is best described as casually minimalist, a carefully balanced space that feels both relaxed and intentional. Clean lines and open areas create a sense of calm, while thoughtfully chosen plants soften the structure and bring warmth and life. At the heart of the garden is a tranquil fishpond, creating a calming atmosphere and anchoring the surrounding landscape.  

The Garden of Carol Daign and Peter Kremers | 6024 White Flint Drive

A backyard pond with lily pads and purple water lilies is surrounded by plants and stonework, near a house and a swimming pool in the background.

This family-oriented garden is home to backyard barbecues and intimate gatherings. The homeowners most enjoy lounging on the elevated patio and reading by the free form pool. Special highlights include a large water garden and Koi pond, a stone bridge-inspired pool house, bar, and sauna, and several waterfalls which border the circular home addition. 

The Garden of Michael Smith and Brian Ward | 405 W. 2nd Street

Described as charming with a formal touch, this serene outdoor space is designed for the homeowner’s personal relaxation – a private retreat where one can unwind  and recharge. At the end of the garden stands a beautiful, one-of-a-kind tree fountain. It serves as a focal point drawing you in with the gentle sound of water falling from its leaves. 

The Garden of Susan and Tom Kloc | 6603 Hunter Trail Way 

Backyard patio with seating areas, a red umbrella, potted plants, and outdoor furniture on a sunny day, overlooking a landscaped garden and lawn.

On entry of this garden, one notices its tight design and proximity to the house, gradually becoming more relaxed toward the back of the yard to make space for both vegetable and flower gardens. Clusters of white birch trees have flourished on both sides of the deck since the homeowners first moved in. In 2020, with the help of Poole’s Stone & Garden, the yard was redesigned to sustain of variety of plants and trees, while being easy to maintain.  

The Garden of Michael and Nancy Davis | 6602 Ashford Lane 

Noted for its causal, woodsy, and relaxing atmosphere, this family-oriented garden  is home to several trees and plants including two Japanese cherry trees, a large maple, specimen trees, evergreens, a large Kousa dogwood with white blossoms, limelight hydrangeas, Japanese lace-leaf maples, a pink dogwood, and several pink crape myrtles. Special highlights include a pond and waterfall with Koi and goldfish,  stone water bubbles, stone walls and hardscape, Mexican pots, and a bird bath. 

The Garden of Carol and James Croall | 6610 Ashford Lane 

A landscaped garden with colorful autumn foliage, a small pond with rocks, flowering plants, a statue of a heron, and a brick patio in the foreground under a cloudy sky.

This garden provides the homeowners with a sanctuary: a quiet, private space that invites the sights and sounds of various bird species enjoying the feeders, bathing in the garden’s water feature, and comingling and nesting in the trees around the  perimeter of the garden. A notable feature is the “living fence” of evergreens, hollies, yews, Norwegian spruce, and juniper. 

Federated Charities Nonprofit Center | 22 S. Market Street 

The Federated Charities’ front garden – a public parklet – is an oasis for public art. It is home to an 1850s-era Leda and the Swan fountain and a new “monster garden” contained in a red wagon filled with small tokens left by children. Many of the plants are native and because this space is intended to be used and enjoyed, features overflowing mobile planters. 

Color on the Creek | Carroll Creek Linear Park | 50 S. Market Street

Water lilies and lily pads float on a canal beneath a pedestrian bridge, with buildings, banners, and trees in the background on a clear day.

Color On The Creek is a volunteer-run organization responsible for the upkeep and beautification of the water garden located along Carroll Creek Linear Park. The water garden blooms from April through October and is open and free to the public. It has approximately 4,000 plants in 450 containers and extends well over ¼ of a mile in length while covering nearly 30,000 square feet of water. 

Delaplaine Arts Center Creekside Garden | 40 S. Carroll Street 

The Delaplaine Art Center’s inspirational Creekside Garden is enjoyed both by art center visitors and those strolling Carroll Creek Park. The garden is separated from the creek promenade by a hedge of white hydrangeas that welcome visitors into the casual space. In season, yards of perennial and annual blooms punctate the garden, making it an ideal backdrop for visitors' photographs.

Tickets are available for purchase online at: https://www.celebratefrederick.com/events/garden-tour/tickets/ or in person at the Visitors Center, 151 S. East Street, open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM. 

For more event details visit https://www.celebratefrederick.com/events/garden-tour/

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Toby’s Dinner Theatre Combines Food and Art For One Enjoyable Experience

Although Meredith Willson’s The Music Man made its debut in 1957, this all-American musical is a timeless classic that still resonates with audiences today. And Toby’s Dinner Theatre’s production is without a doubt a top-notch version of it.

Toby’s Dinner Theatre, located in Columbia, has been drawing audiences as well as some of the best actors from throughout the region for over 45 years. If you are not familiar with dinner theater, you get a full buffet meal as well as an entertaining show for one price. Their food is pretty good too, which includes a salad bar, full hot buffet line, carving station, complimentary basic drinks (although a full cash bar is available), and choice of desserts.

The Music Man runs through May 18th and centers around Harold Hill, a con artist who tries to sell band instruments to the residents of River City, Iowa. “Professor” Hill doesn’t know a thing about music and plans to dart out of town as soon as he collects payment, without providing any music lessons to the youth of the Midwestern town. 

Hill is played by Jeffrey Shankle, an actor who can be seen frequently performing in productions at Toby’s. Shankle was born and raised in Frederick County and started in his first theatrical production while attending Frederick High School. In 2023, he won a Helen Hayes Award for playing the part of Nick Bottom in “Something Rotten.” “I had been nominated before, but never won. It was a nice surprise as I wasn’t expecting it,” Shankle said. His leading performance in this show is equally stellar.

In fact, the whole cast does an amazing job. Sometimes, you may have some strong lead actors without a strong supporting cast. But with The Music Man this is not the case. In fact, this is a cast show. The musical numbers beckon a strong performance from everyone and they deliver.

This is evident from the beginning scene, which opens with a group of traveling salesman mimicking a train ride debating the modern day challenges of their profession. The chorus of voices immediately grab your attention and kick off the show with a bang. 

With music being in the title of the show, the music better be good. And it is. The show features classic songs that musical theater fans already know and love, with two of the most memorable clearly being Seven-Six Trombones and Pick-a-Little, Talk-a-Little. The live orchestra that accompanies the singers is fantastic. And for anyone that is a fan of the barbershop quartet genre, and who wouldn’t be, this is a fantastic show to see.

In some productions, costumes aren’t always noticed or at least called out. But in this particular production, the costumes are noticed and help immerse you in the story. The show is directed and choreographed by Mark Minnick, who clearly put together a terrific ensemble for this show.

Shankle is not the only local connection in the show. Melynda Burdette, who by day is the managing director of the Maryland Ensemble Theatre in Frederick, plays the role of Mrs. Squires, one of the gossipy townspeople.

And finally, the town plays a part as well. There is a little bit of poking fun of the small town attitude that one might experience anywhere in the country. The townspeople even sing about this in the song titled “Iowa Stubborn.”

You got trouble, if you don’t see this show. So make sure you see this production of The Music Man. This beloved musical has won multiple Tony Awards and this particular show is definitely worthy of consideration of some Helen Hayes nominations. 

Pardon the dust when you pull into their parking lot, as Toby’s Dinner Theater is undergoing a significant renovation. A new performing arts center, which will house a state-of-the-art, theater in-the-round space, a black box theater, and more is currently under construction. To learn more about this show or to purchase tickets, visit TobysDinnerTheatre.com.

By Shuan Butcher

Photos Courtesy of Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Taking a ‘Peep’ at the Carroll County Arts Council PEEPshow

With Easter right around the corner, the return of some of our most beloved seasonal candies to store shelves is upon us. Ranking supreme among these time-tested treats are the ever-popular PEEPS marshmallows, which have gained great acclaim.

Manufactured by Just Born Quality Confections in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the PEEPS brand has been rated number one on the list of non-chocolate Easter candies worldwide for several decades. And neither their fame nor favor shows any signs of waning anytime soon.

Despite their undeniable peak in popularity around the Easter season, PEEPS aren’t exclusively available this time of year. You can snag these sugar-coated marshmallow confections year-round. While often created in the likeness of cute chicks and rabbits during Easter, as you’d expect, they rightfully take on the seasonal theme of whatever time of year is current. From Halloween to Christmas, you can have your PEEPS and eat them whenever you choose.

Yet, some folks enjoy their PEEPS through a more artistic approach rather than mere consumption. That is, in fact, the reality behind what has proven to be the Carroll County Arts Council’s largest fundraiser each year: the one and only annual PEEPshow.

A tradition 18 years in the making, what began on a far more humble scale has since emerged as one of the community’s most impressive artistic endeavors—a showcase of creativity, talent, and ingenuity utilizing none other than PEEPS candies.

The initial idea was inspired by a diorama photo contest featured in The Washington Post back in 2007. As one of the contest’s participants, Arts Council Executive Director Sandy Oxx was motivated to begin her own localized PEEPS-related art exhibit, debuting the first of its kind in 2008. It has since grown into an original art show and community staple, drawing in hundreds of participants and spectators from near and far alike.

Original creations on exhibit throughout the PEEPshow embrace a broad range of expressive formats. The lineup includes sculptures, dioramas, mosaics, and even videos, among other demonstrations of originality. The only requirement is that all entries prioritize PEEPS as the primary medium. Other than that, the lines of expression are pretty much open to the creator’s discretion. Furthermore, anyone can register and submit. Registration for this year’s event is currently open and will remain so through March 21. Details are available at the link here.

The 2025 PEEPshow will run from April 11 through 21 at the TownMall of Westminster, located at 400 N. Center Street, Westminster, MD 21157. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is free, but visitors pay for votes that go directly to the original PEEPS masterpieces of their choosing. Learn more about this event at www.carrollcountyartscouncil.org/peepshow.

By: LC Hermoza

All aboard the Maryland Double Deckers Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Experience!

Kick off your holiday season with a festive experience like no other—Maryland Double Deckers’ Merry & Bright Holiday Lights Experience! Climb aboard a vintage London Double Decker bus and settle in with a cozy blanket as you cruise through Downtown Frederick’s most dazzling holiday light displays. Enjoy classic Christmas tunes and the cheerful voice of your guide, sharing stories and tidbits about Frederick along the way. Each turn reveals a new, enchanting scene that captures the magic of the season.

But the fun doesn’t end when the tour does! After your journey, warm up with a complimentary hot cocoa from Frederick Social, and meet Santa himself for a free digital photo to capture the memory. Perfect for families, friends, and couples, this one-of-a-kind holiday outing is a must for anyone looking to add some sparkle to their season.

Tickets are limited, so don’t wait—book your spot now to make sure you don’t miss out on this magical experience.  Tours begin the day after Thanksgiving, on November 29th, and run through the end of December.  Visit Maryland Double Deckers online and click the “Online Booking” button to secure your seats today. Grab your favorite holiday sweater, bring your loved ones, and get ready to make unforgettable memories on this heartwarming holiday adventure!

Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispy Treats

Chris Spear, owner of Perfect Little Bites, a personal chef service specializing in in-home dinners, offers his advice on the culinary use of pumpkins.

"The general consensus among chefs is that fresh field pumpkins aren't great for cooking. If you're making a pumpkin pie, you'll want to use canned pumpkin — it makes for a more flavorful pie. Instead of using a typical pumpkin, which has a higher water content, opt for a sugar pumpkin. Sugar pumpkins have a lower water content, giving you a more concentrated flavor, and you definitely want that rich, authentic pumpkin flavor."

Spear suggests using fresh pumpkin for stews or other dishes where texture is important.

Prepare a 9×9 baking dish by rubbing the inside lightly with 1 tablespoon of butter. Set aside.

In a large skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over low heat.

Add the marshmallows and pumpkin pie spice. Stir until completely melted.

Remove from heat then stir in the cereal until it’s completely coated.

Transfer the mixture to your prepared dish, and using a rubber spatula, press the mixture into the dish.

While the treats are cooling, melt the white chocolate chips, either over a double boiler on the stove, or in 15 second bursts in the microwave. When melted, stir in a tablespoon pumpkin puree.

Cut the treats into squares and transfer to a plate. Spread the white chocolate/pumpkin frosting on top while still warm.

Garnish with a swipe of pumpkin puree and a kernel of popped popcorn.