By Melinda Myers Tuck them into the garden, pop some in a container or dress up a window box. Then water as needed, add a bit of fertilizer and wait for the color explosion. The showy heart-shaped leaves of caladiums come in combinations of pink, red, white and green. These heat-loving plants provide beautiful color all season long. Best of all, no deadheading is needed. Caladiums can be used to create a stunning garden almost anywhere around your home. These tropical beauties grow well in full to partial shade, and some varieties grow equally well in full sun. Choose varieties that will provide the color, size and look you want to achieve, and that match the light conditions in your yard. Compact caladiums, such as lime and dark pink Miss Muffet, grow about 12” tall and are perfect for lining a pathway, edging a flowerbed or dressing up a container. Florida Sweetheart’s bright, rose-pink leaves have ruffled green edges, and Gingerland has creamy white leaves that are decorated with splashes of green and red. All of these miniature varieties combine nicely with larger caladiums and elephant ears. Step up the color impact with caladium Red Flash. This full-size caladium grows about 20” tall and has brilliant red centers, decorated with pink dots that pop against the large, deep green leaves. Use these anywhere you want a big splash of color in a garden bed or container. Combine caladiums with shade-loving annuals like begonias, coleus, and mildew-resistant impatiens or other summer bulbs like cannas and elephant ears. Visit Longfield Gardens (longfield-gardens.com) for a bit of inspiration and container design ideas. You’ll find simple combinations that provide big impact on a deck, patio or entryway. When planting caladiums directly into the garden, wait until at least two weeks after all danger of frost…
Pictured above: Juliet Taylor and Allie By Julie Reardon Though it was cowboy songwriter Tom T. Hall that first sang about older whiskey, younger women and faster horses, Kentucky and Virginia surely hold the monopolies on the first Saturday in May. Kentucky’s famous horse race was first run in 1875, and is probably the nation’s best-known equestrian event. Here in suburban Northern Virginia however, the Kentucky Derby is held on Gold Cup day, where it shares top billing with the Virginia Gold Cup steeplechase race meet, held at Great Meadow in The Plains, Va. Faster Horses With crowds of up to 60,000 in attendance, the Gold Cup is to Washington D.C. what the Derby is to Kentucky: a premiere social and sporting events. Arrangements and tailgating parties are planned months, even years, in advance; with prime tailgating and parking spaces usually sold out long before race day. You can, however, still get general admission tickets starting at $65 up until race day by contacting www.VAGOLDCUP.com or calling 540-347-2612. The Virginia Gold Cup is where steeplechasing in Virginia reaches its zenith. Unlike the dirt oval track at Churchill Downs, the Virginia Gold Cup racetrack places unique demands on its horses and riders, given that it spans a long and varied terrain with a range of fences. Even though this issue will have only been on the streets for a couple of days, Gold Cup 2026 takes place on the 2nd, you may just get in under the wire for the 101st year the race has been held. Otherwise, you have a whole year to make a plan. Here’s your guide to all things “Virginia Gold Cup”, including its history, what to expect, how to purchase tickets, the iconic hat contest, and a how-to guide for placing a wager. History Despite drawing annual crowds of more than 60,000 today,…
This past month we decided to return to one of our favorite destinations…Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. As in the past, we chose to go during the shoulder season, before Memorial Day and the beginning of the summer. The weather can be on the chilly side, however this year we hit it right. The temperatures were in the upper 70’s and lower 80’s and no rain. On the drive to the beach, we don’t normally stop until we get to our destination but this time we decided to make a stop for lunch enroute. We chose the new Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen & Cocktails that sits right on the Bay once you cross the bridge on Kent Island. For those of you who have made this trek over the years, Libbey’s is where popular Hemingway’s restaurant used to be. It is a good stop for a break as we are through with the hysteria of the interstate and will soon be on the back country roads of Delaware. The deck at Libbey’s is great for lunch and has a beautiful view of the bridge and the Chesapeake Bay. We could watch small aircraft being buffeted around by the wind as they came into land coming across the Bay. It was a nice respite from the hectic traffic. After beverages, a lobster roll and Cubano sandwich we got back on the road. Highly recommend a stop here. Going to the beach in the shoulder season’s only disadvantage is the uncertainty of the weather. As you just read, we hit the jackpot this past month. Beautiful weather, free parking, less crowded and pretty much the majority of the restaurants and stores are open. When I used to go to the Ocean City, fifty years ago, the towns were somewhat seasonal, but today they are all…
Look who found the photo op spot at the Cape May Ferry Dock! As I write my notes for this issue the weather today is a very pleasant mid 60’s. A few weeks ago we had temps in the high 70s and low 80s. I guess that was Mother Nature finding her summer footing. May is widely known as the peak spring month in the northern hemisphere, characterized by blooming flowers, warmer weather, and the start of the summer vacation season. It is heavily recognized for honoring mothers (Mother’s Day), military service (Memorial Day), and labor (May Day), while also serving as a major month for health awareness. We also celebrate Cinco de Mayo on May 5th. Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration held to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. We continue to support our Mexican friends by doing our share of consuming tacos with a few margarita’s on the side. Putting together our plan for Cinco de Mayo 2026 now! On Memorial Day (May 25), we pay tribute to America’s heroes and celebrate the start of summer with many events during Memorial Day Weekend throughout America. In the D.C. area we have the Memorial Day parade and National Memorial Day Concert. This is a great time to visit the many National Memorials throughout the area. Check out the feature on the history of this day in this issue. We want to say congratulations to Don and Jenny Restrepo of Old Town Shoe & Luggage fame on 30 years of repairing shoes and luggage here in Old Town. We have known them from the beginning. See the Business Profile for some more insight to their success. In A Bit of History this month, Sarah Becker reminds us of the…
By Jaime Stephens WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW Most people know many of the conditions and illnesses that cats can suffer from: Feline Acne, Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), Diabetes, Fleas, Vomiting (due to hairballs or other issues), and kidney disease. Chronic Kidney Disease, or CKD, is one of the most prevalent diseases in older cats, affecting up to 40% of cats over the age of 10 and 80% of cats over the age of 15. Most, however, are not aware of some of the rarer conditions, syndromes, and diseases that can affect members of the feline family of cats. Acromegaly is one such disease. Acromegaly is caused by an excess of the growth hormone (GH) in adult animals. In cats, it is caused by GH-secreting tumors of the anterior pituitary. Signs related to diabetes mellitus are typically the first clinical signs of acromegaly to be noticed. Some cats with acromegaly show excess growth of extremities, skull, and muscles. Acromegaly is also a disease found in humans, including the actors Fred Gwynne, who played Herman Munster on the television show “The Munsters,” Kevyn Aucoin, famous make-up artist and founder of his eponymous make-up line, and Richard Kiel, who played the character Jaws in the James Bond movies. While not curable, acromegaly can be treated. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PDK), unlike Chronic Kidney Disease, is a disease primarily associated with Persian cats. Again, while there is no cure, this disease can be managed with fluid therapy, a specialized diet, and certain medications. It should be noted that this breed, in particular, is prone to numerous diseases with approximately 65% of all Persians suffering from at least one health condition. Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome (FHS) —also called twitchy cat syndrome—generally involves muscle contractions that a cat can’t control, along with changes in their behavior….
By Erin Shackleford Billie Jean is a five-year-old cuddle connoisseur who believes people trump everything else. This 63-pound sweetheart with a tan-and-white coat and “feed me early” eyes lives for tug, fetch, and sofa snuggles. She’s lived happily with adults and a teen and is happiest as your one-and-only sidekick. Dream home? One where her human is around a lot, enjoying some quality time. Looking for a loyal, affectionate best friend? Billie Jean is ready to move in. Her adoption fee is waived thanks to Vola’s Dockside Grill. Hannah is a one-year-old dog with a perpetual smile. Her happy-go-lucky nature is contagious! At 39 pounds, she’s the perfect “not too big, not too small” adventure buddy. She loves walks, toys (especially squeaky ones), and greeting everyone like they’re her long-lost bestie. Smart, treat-motivated, and eager to learn, Hannah is ready to grow into an amazing companion with a little guidance. If your life needs more fun and fresh air, Hannah’s your girl. Crystal is a gentle girl who wishes for a loving home with a doting family. She has adorable brown brindle patches on her white coat, and ears that could hear signals from space. Crystal weighs 56 pounds at three years old and thoroughly enjoys a squeaky toy. She’s always up for a game of fetch, too! Crystal will stick by your side when playtime ends, and she has very good house manners. She likes to meet new people of all ages, even children. As a young adult dog, Crystal is past the rambunctious puppy stage and still has plenty of energy for adventures. She would be a great hiking or running buddy, and she would bring tons of joyful curiosity to every outing. Crystal’s adoption fee is waived thanks to Royal Restaurant.
By Lori Welch Brown April showers bring May flowers, and May brings Mother’s Day. Sadly, my mom passed in 2006. I was on the cusp of 40, but there was still so much I needed her for—so much she missed. She wasn’t there when I bought a house in Del Ray—which she would have loved as she grew up there. I like to think that she helped me land there just months after she passed—which was no easy feat given the real estate market at the time. She missed meeting my husband, XXL, whom I am pretty confident she would have liked more than me. For sure she would have doted on him and taken his side in every disagreement. I can hear her now. “Lori, he looks hungry. Make him a sandwich.” I never had kids of my own. Not by choice, but more by circumstance. It’s at the top of my regret list, but as they say, “God has a plan.” I love kids, and in my humble opinion, have been a kick-butt aunt. My nieces and nephews are all fully grown humans now, and my only regret there is that I don’t see them enough. And now the babies are having babies of their own. Which is crazy—wasn’t it just yesterday I was changing their diapers and making them wash my car? Hey—I paid them in chocolate. My fur babies are my children. I realize that might alienate some women who have pushed something the size of a football through their nether regions. I get it. Dogs are not human. Cats are not children. To that I say—no. Of course not. You’re absolutely right. They’re better. Dogs don’t talk back. Never once has Dozer told me I’m stupid—although there were plenty of legit reasons for him to…
By Mark Edelman It’s May—the month we celebrate our Mamma Mia’s, who, in most cases, introduced us to the joys of live theater. What better way to say thank you for schlepping us to all of those school matinees than by taking Mom – any mom – to some of these nurturing plays and musicals this month: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE DuPont Underground Now thru May 4 Tennessee Williams’ descent into family dysfunction, sexual obsession, death and decay finds itself in the bowels of Connecticut Avenue as the DuPont Underground plays host to this national touring (more like a “pop up”) production guided by director Nick Westrate and an ensemble of four New York-based actors, sans props or set– who set out to create a “Streetcar” like no other. Tickets at http://www.thestreetcarproject.comance of the play 44: THE MUSICAL Now thru May 10 Klein Theatre A wacky send-up of our 44th president’s special place in history. If you miss Barak crooning “How Black Is Too Black” over a Motown groove, Sarah Palin screaming “Drill Me Baby” like Ozzy Osbourne, or Mitch McConnell and Ted Cruz rapping “Green Eggs and Ham,” this is the special engagement for you. Not for fans of Alex Jones or Stephen Miller. Tickets at http://www.44theobamamusical.com. 1776 Ford’s Theatre Now thru May 16 Just in time for the country’s 250th, this musical is an insightful, often humorous take on our founding fathers’ determination to do the right thing for their fledgling nation. As members of the Second Continental Congress struggle to reach consensus, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson debate the issues that will define our country. Who knew that the composer of “Johnny Get Angry” would win the Tony® Award for Best Musical with this Broadway hit? Tickets at http://www.fords.org SPRING AWAKENING St….
Former California girl and Old Town Alexandria transplant since 2020, Sherri Baffa took her April copy of the OTC with her on her semi-annual trek to Budapest, Hungary last month. She worked in Budapest prior to the pandemic and visits twice a year to catch up with former colleagues and visit friends. Sherri tells us that Old Town reminds her of Budapest – very walkable, good public transportation, family run restaurants and businesses and several cultural events. She is pictured here in front of the Hungarian Parliament building. Photo by Casey Nelson. If you would like to see your photo in this space, take the OTC with you on your next adventure and take a high resolution photo or photos of you and yours checking us out and send it with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier.com and put “On the Road” in the subject line.
By Lani Gering Things like this are what made living at National Harbor such a treat. The artwork that is scattered throughout the property from the time you pass The Beckoning sculpture as you enter the Gaylord resort side – an impressive start – with the sculpture of the bison family on the fringe of Spirit Park rounding out the many other amazing pieces along American Way and The Awakening at the foot of the Plaza. Enter the Wildlife Wonder Boat interactive bronze sculpture on World Art Day, April 15th. Good to know that the15th is more than just the dreaded tax day deadline. Designed to raise awareness for endangered species, National Harbor partnered with Australian based artists Gillie and Marc to bring their interactive bronze, Wildlife Wonder Boat, to the Harbor. Standing 10-feet high by 36-feet long and 14-feet wide, the sculpture is located on waterfront near the Spirit Park Carousel (137 National Plaza, National Harbor.) This monumental sculpture featuring Rabbitwoman, Dogman and a collection of endangered and exotic animals was designed to be interactive while promoting wildlife conservation. It is a captivating ensemble of 24 bronze animal figures and highlights species including an emperor penguin, rhino, chimp, kangaroo, mountain gorilla, Galapagos turtle, Bengal tiger, addax, brown bear, giraffe, hippo, arctic fox, zebra, amur leopard, lion, elephant, panda, orangutan, giant octopus, wombat, spider monkey, pangolin and cheetah creating environmental awareness and encouraging taking a stand against extinction. Rabbitwoman and Dogman who symbolize hope, love and guardianship, proudly display the plaque accompanying the sculpture. For 30 years, Gillie and Marc have worked side-by-side on their art. They share a deep spiritual bond with wildlife despite their different backgrounds. While Gillie is from England and Catholic; Marc is from Australia and Jewish, they have each spent time in Africa interacting with wildlife. At one point,…
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