A writer's Random ramblings
What can someone in Western Maryland do when he or she craves the beach? Is it really necessary to travel 3 or 4 hours to either Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County or Ocean City, Maryland? To avoid “Are we there yet?” questions, head to Boonsboro, Maryland’s Greenbrier State Park. The park features plenty of parking and satisfies many nature cravings, all for the entry fee of $5 per person who does not require a car safety seat. Sports and nature enthusiasts who prefer land activity can hike the many trails. The park features trails for hikers of all levels, from beginning to advanced. Numerous maps at the edge of every wooded area detail where hikers want to visit, mentioning natural features to see. My daughter and I enjoyed cool breezes among wooded trails as we used the maps trying to find her friend’s party. Families and other groups can set up at picnic tables or rent pavilions for larger parties. Tables both near the beach and by the parking area are first-come, first-serve. Each area features the table and small grill for cooking surrounded by stones for safety in case anyone drops something hot. This way, fire does not result. Closer to the beach area, picnic spots also feature trees for shade and small grassy spots for relaxing. I recommend bringing camp or beach chairs in addition to towels for such relaxation on a short trip such as this. Coolers full of favorite food a drinks for taking breaks from hiking and beach activities also save the time and money of visiting the concession stand. Also, parties need to let their guests know what distinctive signs to look for in this part of the park to find them to avoid confusion. I greatly enjoyed taking photographs of the park as my daughter enjoyed her friend’s birthday party. Although the entire park is scenic, the freshwater lakefront draws the most visitors. I loved the clarity of the water, something not often seen. I saw to and photographed the grasses and small rocks and animals at the bottom of the wading in area. About halfway out across the lake, a swimming area is provided between two lines of buoys. This water remains no higher than 4 feet, safe for many swimmers, including children learning the skill. Beyond the second set of ropes, the water gets too deep for a lifeguard to make it out quickly to rescue people. At this level, canoeists, kayakers, and paddleboaters enjoy the waters. Across the lake from the beach resides a wooded area great for more hiking and picnicking.
Thus, those in Frederick and Washington Counties in Maryland who want the beach need not go far. When time is short, a small drive to Greenbrier State Park can fill the bill. Hiking, picnic, and water activities abound. For the entrance fee, this park provides plenty of fun for a few hours or day’s time.
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Every semester, people invite one another to musical, theatrical, and dance events galore. How can we be sure everyone in the room enjoys these events? Make time to brush up on our audience etiquette and put it into practice as we attend the performing arts. These ideas apply at concerts and recitals at all levels, from the tiniest preschoolers to professional-level adults.
1. Hold applause until the end of the number. You may be excited, but the others around you could still be trying to pay attention. Plus, the performers need to keep concentrating until the number finishes. 2. Refrain from shouting to help the hearing of those around you. If you’re not near the stage, your favorite performer probably won’t hear you anyway. Save the praise until you see him or her and then talk about how much you enjoyed the show. On the off chance that the performer can hear you, it could distract him or her and take away from the show by knocking the person off the beat of the song, a difficult if not impossible thing to overcome. 3. Whisper if you must talk to your neighbor, otherwise hold comments until later. The rest of the auditorium does not need to know what you think. Better yet, if the auditorium has enough house lighting on, show your neighbor in the program what has surprised you. 4. Go in with an attitude of wanting to learn. You may surprise yourself and find a new interest or some common ground with the person who performed in the show. 5. Wait for natural breaks in the action to take yours and stay in the aisle when returning from bathrooms until the number is over. This goes along with the basic etiquette of not distracting others around you from the show everyone came to see. 6. When attending a performance where cameras are allowed, pay attention to them. Don’t talk too much, sing along at a music concert, or make too much noise near them. Some cameras may not pick it up, but many folks find these actions rude unless a music conductor has asked that the audience sing along with given pieces, usually announced or listed in a program. 7. On the flip side, if the program says no cameras allowed, don’t whip out your cellphone or other recording device. These make enough light to distract anyone around you from what they came to see. It becomes especially difficult when the camera-bearing person sits right in front of someone who comes in the spirit of curiosity and really wants to see the stage. Not everyone feels comfortable correcting others, and ushers are not always nearby to help. 8. Pay attention to announcements and programs. Beyond telling you proper emergency procedure, announcements let you know if performers have changed solos, the order has changed, or give the director a chance to let everyone know who had what solo. Most of the time, a program gives important information as well, and keeping up with it can help you see when there may be a break in the action to visit the concession stand or bathroom. By following these simple suggestions, everyone attending a performing arts venue can enjoy the show. Performers can better concentrate on their arts, and audiences appropriately show appreciation. A little etiquette and kindness go a long way in all areas of life, especially artistic performances. For the steak:
2 lbs. lean cut 1 cup each Merlot wine and Italian dressing 6 dashes Worcestershire sauce Place the steak and following ingredients in a sealable container. Marinate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, in the fridge. Cook the steak your using your favorite method to desired doneness. Add one stick of butter for texture and boil the marinade to use for sauce. This helps tenderize the tougher cuts, which tend to be more economical at the store. Serve the finished sauce over the steak and hearty vegetables such as Brussels sprouts cooked from frozen with a dash of olive oil or some mashed potatoes. For 8 servings of dessert: 1 9-inch pie shell 3 chocolate bars 8 large marshmallows I used store-bought pie shell. Roll out the dough slightly until it would fit a 10-inch pan. Using a pizza cutter, make 8 pieces of roughly same-size dough. Place 2 squares of Hershey bar type chocolate inside each slice, add a large marshmallow. Fold the sides of the dough up and around the packet. Cook on a nonstick cookie sheet at 350 F until golden brown, about 12-15 minutes. |
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June 2020
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