Let the Holiday’s begin around Brunswick Crossing. So much to see and do in less than 15 minutes from Frederick County’s most exciting planned community. Frederick has a lot of holiday activities and traditions.  One of the newest ones has taken the community by storm.  The annual Festival of Greens, now in its fourth year, is a 10-day celebration of the arts and the holidays.  The Cultural Arts Center, a 14,000 square foot arts incubator and community arts facilities, has played host to the festivities since the beginning.  The center is adorned with approximately 100 decorated or themed wreaths and trees, ranging from fancy to funky, and contributed by artists, businesses, community organizations, school groups, and local residents.  The event provides a great forum for anyone interested in expressing their creativity, promoting their business, or just wanting to get into the festive spirit.

The Festival of Greens runs from Friday, November 25 through Sunday, December 4.  During this time frame, the submitted wreaths and trees are part of a silent auction, allowing potential bidders to purchase these one-of-a-kind creations that they can use to decorate their homes, businesses, or give as gifts in time for the upcoming holidays.  As an added bonus, many of the wreaths and trees have gift certificates and other goodies that come along with them.  Bids will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 4 and the wreaths and tress will be available for pickup that evening or the following days,

But the decorated wreaths and trees aren’t the only holiday activities taking place during the festival.  On Friday, November 25, also knows as Frosty Friday in downtown Frederick, a holiday artist market is held where the work of up to 25 artists is on display and available for purchase.  From 10-6 p.m., shoppers can buy locally-made products such as jewelry, pottery, paintings, photography, and other hand-crafter items that make great gifts for friends and family members.  Free gift wrapping will also be available at the event.

Later that evening, at 8 p.m., the Fredericktown Players will hold its first of many performances of the classic holiday play, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.”  This delightful comedy is adapted from the best-selling book and is one of the most successful shows FTP has ever produced.  In Fact, every show sold out last year.  Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $10 for students.  Other performance times are for this show include Saturday, November 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday, November 27 at 2 p.m.; Friday, December 2 at 8 p.m., Saturday, December 3 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m.

On Thursday, December 1, Celebrate Frederick’s annual Scents and Sweets event will be held starting at 5:30 p.m.  Amateurs and professionals alike participate in this annual event showcasing the holiday season through sight and smell.  Attendees will have a chance to check out and vote on their favorite gingerbread structures and floral arrangements that reflect the general mood of the holidays.

As part of December’s First Saturday activities in downtown Frederick, a Frederick Artist Market will be held on December 3 from 5-9 p.m.  Nearly 25 artists will have their artwork on display and available for purchase to provide shoppers with another opportunity to peruse local artwork for unique gift ideas.

In addition, Dancing Bear Toys will also host their ninth annual Holiday Market for Kids at the Cultural Arts Center.  Young shoppers can find something special for family, friends, and teachers at this seasonal shop.  All products are $8 and under, and the selection is exclusively fair trade.  The holiday market will be open on both weekends in December.  Check the Cultural Arts Center Website for specific dates and times.  And finally, book sightings and other activities are planned during the Festival of Greens, including a popular cookbook author appearance and more.

Although the theater production has an admission fee, the other activities are free and open to the public.  The presenting sponsor of the Festival of Greens is Gaver Holdings with additional support from PNC bank, Christmas Décor, and Text Design.  For theater tickets or for more information, including how to participate, contact the Frederick Arts Council at 301-662-4190 or visit www.frederickartscouncil.org

Enjoy all the holiday season has to offer just minutes from Brunswick Crossing!

By: Shuan Butcher, Executive Director, Frederick Arts Council

With winter around the corner, hot cocoa comes to mind. There are several great places to enjoy a delicious cup to warm even Mr. Scrooge. While you are out and about during the cold weather try some of these hot spots just minutes from Brunswick Crossing to warm your hearts!

What could be better on a cold winter day than a soothing, creamy cup of hot cocoa?  In pursuit of the perfect cup to comfort, try  traveling  across Frederick County and sample local café’s beverages.

First stop, Frederick Coffee Company.  The lively downtown buzz naturally adds kick to any of its menu options, and you can attest that its hot cocoa does not fall short of this expectation.  It was rich and creamy and one of the sweetest hot cocoas to sample.  It had a hint of vanilla, which is the key to any exemplary cocoa.  The sweetness seemed to originate from a smidge of caramel.  The temperature was ideal:  cool enough to drink immediatley but very warm and comforting.  It had creamy texture and full-bodied, rick taste.  The flavor was overall complex, as one might hope from a local coffee shop.

Beans in the Belfry, located in the heart of Brunswick, proved a romantic’s paradise, set in a converted chapel.  Odds and ends, overlapped rugs, and assorted styles of oft-used sofas contribute to the bohemian attraction.  The hot cocoa is presented in a white china mug with whipped cream and drizzled chocolate syrup heaped atop the flavorful delight.  Once you consume the scrumptious preparatory treat, you’ll find the drink itself is as excellent as the whipped cream promised.  It has a smooth, subtle flavor.  It is lightweight and has a surprising yet intriguing intensity of flavor in its aftertaste vaguely reminiscent of coffee or mocha.  It is a little weaker than some, but given the intricacy of the tastes that were evident and the otherwordly atmosphere of the café, it hardly mattered.

The Main Cup is a well-established coffee shop in Middletown.  The café is extensive, given spice by  a side room with bar, fireplace, and sofas, but this in no way impedes the intrinsic coffee shop flavor.  Also, The Main Cup wins least expensive cocoa of the five taste tested.  The cocoa itself was slightly too hot, but only for a short period.  The taste was similar to Frederick Coffee Company’s cocoa.  It was topped with whipped cream and chocolate syrup and was generally sweet, smooth, and flavorful.  The syrup in particular seemed to play a large role.  On the whole it was a gem that provided a fun, lively diversion.

Beans & Bagels in downtown Frederick takes a different approach in presentation with an American retro deli “feel.”  The cocoa was adorned with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and a delightful rain of red sprinkles.  It was very hot, but within minutes provided a warming refuge from winter.  The crunch of the sprinkles made for an intriguing contrast to the sweet fluffiness of the whipped cream.  The flavor of the cocoa itself was a little weak, but the sprinkles were bold enough to make the difference.  It was very creamy but the least sweet cocoa encountered.  The non-frivolous ambiance seemed to permeate even the cocoa, as it lacked the frills of syrupy sweetness, yet acknowledged the youthful element of human fancies in its additional toppings.  A milky quality was the predominating flavor, and the taste grew in intensity deeper into the cup.

The Vintage Coffee Shop is a welcoming haven from nipping winds at the core of Mount Airy’s historic downtown.  The first room had various items on display for sale spread over interesting pieces of old furniture with a faux general store feel.  The colors of the rooms were dark, rick, and comforting.  Adding eclectic interest the hot cocoa was presented to me in a china mug, as all the drinks are.  The cocoa temperature was such that it was immediately drinkable.  The flavor matched the café itself: rich and strong.  The texture beyond the sweetness is full and smooth.  The last few sips are particularly tasty as some of the chocolate syrup has sunk to the bottom.

Frederick County has proved a cocoa lover’s heaven.  Have your own taste test to find the perfect cup for you!

Words by Sasha Crum

Beans in the Belfry
www.beansinthebelfry.com
122 W. Potomac Street
Brunswick, MD  21716
301-834-7178

Beans & Bagels Coffee Bar
www.BeansBagels.com
49 E. Patrick Street
Frederick, MD  21701
301-620-2165

The Main Cup
www.themaincup.com
14 W. Main Street
Middletown, MD  21769
301-371-4433

The Frederick Coffee Company & Café
www.fredcoffeeco.com
100 N. East Street
Frederick, MD  21701
800-822-0806
301-698-0039

The Vintage Coffee House
www.thevintagecoffeehouse.com
106A S. Main Street
Mt. Airy, MD  21771
301-829-7722

The aprons are out, the ovens are hot – Cooking for a Cause is today! Stop by Brunswick Crossing today from 12 – 5pm to what watch our 10 celebrity chefs dazzle as our 5 gourmet model home kitchens come to life! Brunswick Crossing’s Chefs are not just cooking for fun – they are cooking for a great cause. Share the Harvest – bring out your canned food donations to benefit the Brunswick Food Bank.

Meet the Chefs at Brunswick Crossing!

All you need is L.O.V.E: Meet Chef Maggie
Lebherz Oil & Vinegar Emporium (LOVE) will tickle your taste buds at this year’s Brunswick Crossing Cooking For A Cause! LOVE will be showcasing a delicious Lemon Olive Oil Cake topped with a Wild Blueberry Balsamic Icing. Yum! Learn more about LOVE and Chef Maggie

Olives Italian Ristorante and Lounge
Olives is a Contemporary Italian Ristorante and Lounge in the heart of downtown Frederick Maryland. Under the creative chef Jeff Reinhard, you can expect an amazing Italian meal! The name should sound familiar –  He was owner of Hagan’s Tavern in Braddock Heights and part owner of the Brown Pelican in downtown Frederick. Learn more about OLIVES

Beans in the Belfry
Everyone has a favorite coffee “place” – but, no one else has Beans in the Belfry but Brunswick! The Chef’s from Beans will be sharing their tasty treats at Brunswick Crossing’s Cookin’ for a Cause event, November 12th from 12:00 -5:00pm. Everyone has a favorite panini from Beans (the Pangaea is one our favorites!) – be sure to stop by to learn how they are made! Learn more about BEANS…

Lohrs Family Restaurant
Brunswick Crossing would like to welcome back Chef David Jones of Lohr’s Family Restaurant and Catering Service. Lohr’s is owned and operated by Chef David Jones and family.Did you know they have one of the best Crab Cake recipes in Frederick? We are looking forward to seeing Chef David on November 12, Cookin’ for a Cause. Learn more about LOHRS

Moxie Bakery
Moxie Bakery and Café is a social enterprise operated by Cakes for Cause and provides job training and support to youth in Frederick who have aged out of foster care or who live in public housing in our community. Moxie offers youth apprentices real work experience and learning opportunities that put them on the path to successful adulthood. We thank Moxie Bakery for returning to Brunswick Crossing and helping us with our cause, to help fill the Brunswick Food Bank! Learn more about MOXIE

200 Monroe
200 Monroe provides Frederick Community College’s culinary arts students a real-world learning experience as they near completion of their degree or certificate program. In this intensive capstone course students rotate through the dining room and kitchen for five to seven weeks. Every talented chef begins their career in the kitchen. Brunswick Crossing is pleased to be hosting 4 budding young talents in our kitchens this Saturday. Learn more about 200 MONROE

The Cause: The Brunswick Food Bank
Share the Harvest: Please bring canned food donations and place them in the carts provided outside the model homes.

The Brunswick Food Bank provides meals to over 300 families a year in the Brunswick Area. Staffed by volunteers and donations, the Brunswick Food Bank serves as the model for the other 8 food banks of Frederick County. All canned and boxed food donations benefit the Brunswick Food Bank.

To all the men and women, both past and present, who have risked their lives for our freedom. Thank you.

As we celebrate we must remember all those who fight and have fought to protect our freedoms. Brunswick honors all our military past and present annually, Brunswick Maryland’s Vereran’s Day parade is one of the oldest and Maryland’s largest parade in observance of Veteran’s Day. Brunswick is one of the few communities in the USA that continues to host a parade to honor our veteran’s in observance of Veteran’s Day. This year will mark the 79^th parade held the first weekend in November.

Part of Frederick County Maryland’s proud history includes the authoring of national anthem by Francis Scott Key. During the War of 1812, Key witnesses the bombarding of the American forces by the British at Fort McHenry during the battle of Baltimore. When the smoke cleared he was able to see the American Flag still waving. This inspired him to write a poem about his experience and so, the American national anthem was born, “The Star Spangled Banner”. Key’s final resting place is Mount Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, MD.

Brunswick Crossing’s “Cooking for a Cause” event welcomes back Moxie Bakery.

Moxie Bakery and Café is a social enterprise operated by Cakes for Cause and provides job training and support to youth in Frederick who have aged out of foster care or who live in public housing in our community. Moxie offers youth apprentices real work experience and learning opportunities that put them on the path to successful adulthood.

From the moment you walk in their door, the goal is to make every moment with them extraordinary.  They have focused on the details and made their café comfortable, stylish, and accessible for every customer.  For them it’s not just about the food, it’s about how you feel about the food.

Moxie Bakery & Cafe offers breakfast, lunch, desserts and indoor and outdoor seating.  They also cater private events and have a booth at the West Frederick Farmer’s Market during the season.  Settle in for a bit or take some home with you but know that your purchase helps support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community.

We thank Moxie Bakery for returning to Brunswick Crossing and helping us with our cause, to help fill the Brunswick Food Bank!

Every talented chef begins their career in the kitchen. Brunswick Crossing is pleased to be hosting 4 budding young talents in our kitchens this Saturday, November 12th as they demonstrate their skills – all to benefit the Brunswick Food Bank.

One of these talented young students could be the next Brian Voltaggio! Meet our chefs:

Sarah Steinmetz
Sarah will delighting us with her pasta demonstrations and her famous Vegan Cupcakes! In fact, the cupcakes inspired her to become a chef. Interested in alternative ways of preparing food, including Vegan and Raw food options, Sarah’s favorite type of food prep is baking which comes from her mother – an amazing baker. Interested in community and political issues, Sarah’s first love is that of American history, particularly the Civil War.

Alisa Dawson
Alisa has earned her Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Business Administration and is currently completing her Associates in Culinary as well as a Bachelor’s in Dietetics. Hoping to combine all these degrees, Alisa is striving to become a registered dietitian and a business owner in the food industry.

Brittany Gossart
Brittany is a Culinary arts major also working on her Business Management major. Working in the restaurant industry since she was 16, Brittany worked as a banquet cook and also a line cook in the sports bar at a golf course in Middleton. Currently, Brittany works as an assistant manager at Weis markets. When she finishes her degree Brittany hopes to find a job working as a chef in a high-end restaurant. Our next top baker, Brittany’s long-term goal is to own my own bakery – her real passion is baking.

Alex Zakharov
Currently enrolled in FCC’s Culinary program, Alex aspires to open his own restaurant once completing his culinary education. His favorite dish? “…has got to be Italian. It just sets the mood for nothing and everything. You can never go wrong with that.” When not in the kitchen Alex enjoys sports and being athletic.

About 200 Monroe and the FCC Culinary Institute
200 Monroe provides Frederick Community College’s culinary arts students a real-world learning experience as they near completion of their degree or certificate program. In this intensive capstone course students rotate through the dining room and kitchen for five to seven weeks. While in the front-of-the-house students learn various styles of table and beverage service. In the back-of-the house students learn a la carte food preparation, cooking and plating techniques. Customer relations and timing of service are emphasized as well and you get to be the judge on how well they do.

The Culinary Arts and Hospitality programs at FCC are designed to provide students with the strong culinary foundation and practical skills necessary to succeed in the food service industry. Through hands-on preparation, students will develop skills in fundamental cooking techniques required in a commercial kitchen. Equally grounded in culinary arts and management, the degree content prepares students for entry-level cooking and supervisory positions in the hospitality industry.

Brunswick Crossing would like to welcome back Chef David Jones of  Lohr’s Family Restaurant and Catering Service. Lohr’s is owned and operated by Chef David Jones and family. David grew up in the restaurant and catering business in North Carolina. He came to Frederick in 2002 and started working for the Mr. Lohr. In a short time he was running the restaurant and invited his son David Jr. to join in. Eventually, the family had an opportunity to buy Lohr’s and have been providing excellent dining and personalized catering services. Did you know they have one of the best Crab Cake recipes in Frederick? You can even order the crab cakes uncooked. Cook them up at home for a special treat with out all the fuss! We are looking forward to seeing Chef David on November 12, Cookin’ for a Cause. Stop on by. Don’t forget your canned food item for the Brunswick Food Bank.

Everyone has a favorite coffee “place” – but, no one else has Beans in the Belfry but Brunswick! The Chef’s from Beans will be sharing their tasty treats at Brunswick Crossing’s Cookin’ for a Cause event, November 12th from 12:00 -5:00pm.  Everyone has a favorite panini from Beans (the pangea is one our favorites!) – be sure to stop by to learn how they are made!

A bit about Beans…

Within a beautiful 1910 red-brick church building, in the middle of Historic Brunswick Maryland,  can be found Beans in the Belfry.   Enjoy a fresh coffee, the company of friends and the sounds of live music surrounded by the beautiful stained glass windows, relax out front with a cold drink before taking a walk on the C&O Canal Towpath, enjoy one of many popular dishes for lunch as you work at your computer using free Wi-Fi, or even bring your children to one of the monthly morning kid’s shows.

Entertainment and Atmosphere…

One of the most popular meeting places and the center of entertainment for the area for the past several years, ‘Beans’ offers something for everyone.

Evening or daytime entertainment can be found almost every day of the week, often with no cover charge!  Within the old sanctuary the atmosphere is relaxed with bright walls, and antique decorations.  Come relax in an overstuffed couch and enjoy a classic novel or non-fiction book from our library, Beans also subscribes to The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Frederick News Post and the Brunswick Citizen newspapers.   On the first Thursday of every month Beans also hosts the popular interactive preschool entertainment of “Mr. Don’s Kids Show” from 10:30-11:30 am, and the rest of the month preschoolers will enjoy the toys and games in the kids corner.

Eclectic Menu…

Beans in the Belfry offers a vast drinks menu.  On the menu you will find a wide selection of black, red, white, green, herbal blend and African infusion artisan teas, both hot and iced, from Mighty Leaf of California which are brewed in silk pouches or loose.   A full line of coffee and espresso drinks are also offered, our high-quality beans specially imported and roasted by Dublin Roasters of Frederick County, always organically grown and fairtrade.  If tea and coffee don’t interest you Beans also offers a wide variety of milkshakes, smoothies, soft drinks, and organic bottled drinks to cool you off in the summer.

On the menu you also will find an eclectic selection of sandwiches, soups, pastries, desserts, and more!  Classic favorites, local dishes, and unique specials will have you looking forward to your next visit, and for children Beans offers an entertaining kid’s menu!

November 12th Olives’ talented Chef’s join us for Brunswick Crossing’s Cooking for a Cause event!

Olives is a Contemporary Italian Ristorante and Lounge in the heart of downtown Frederick Maryland. Under the creative chef Jeff Reinhard, you can expect an amazing Italian meal! The name should sound familiar – Reinhard is no stranger to the local food industry. He was owner of Hagan’s Tavern in Braddock Heights and part owner of the Brown Pelican in downtown Frederick.

Can’t wait for November 12th to taste Chef John’s amazing meals? Try your hand at this recipe courtesy of the master chef:

Pan-Roasted Rockfish with Black Walnuts