Why Fredstock 2017?
Celebrating peace, love and a free press, Fredstock 2017 promises an afternoon and evening of music, food, drink and fun, with an opportunity to bid on some fabulous trips, and chances to win some equally fabulous items, all graciously donated by friends of The Frederick Extra.
For just $30 a ticket, guests are invited to enjoy the activities and the grounds of the gorgeous home of Russ Hodge and Cyndi Scott and contribute to a worthy cause at the same time.
The Frederick Extra, launched in October 2016, is an online news site dedicated to bringing readers of Frederick County, and beyond, news they may not read elsewhere, or stories of the day from a different angle or perspective. Initially funded with generous donations, The Frederick Extra has been frugal, yet persistent, in building a steady stream of readers and never charging for a subscription.
Fredstock 2017 is a fundraiser to help with associated costs of providing this free service, including website hosting, design, and reporting. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Committee to Protect Journalists. Although the site has been fortunate to attract writers who contribute opinion pieces, and blessed with a wonderful newcomer to the community, Gillian Grozier as education reporter, to fully realize my dream of writing more investigative pieces, The Frederick Extra needs continued funding for talented reporters who can imbue the site with fresh voices and more stories, and to sustain its presence online.
We are at a critical moment in history where the press is vilified and ostracized for doing the job it does in exposing wrongdoing. The free press is being threatened by people and institutions who aim to cripple it at a time when we most desperately need it. At the same time, the business of traditional newspapers is shrinking. Newsrooms, particularly at smaller community papers, are asking reporters and editors to do much more with much less, and there’s scant time for the reporting it takes to dig into a topic with the necessary vigor.
Journalism is a noble profession when performed with integrity. That doesn’t mean journalists don’t make mistakes. They do, and I have. But in making them, I am quick to correct them and learn from them. This is how a journalist earns a reputation for credibility and fairness, and in the end, that is everything.
Locally, Frederick County lost its respected weekly, The Gazette, in 2013. The daily paper, a long-held family organization, was recently sold to another family, one that owns 40 newspapers around the country. Upon the sale, the new owners promptly dismissed over 30 employees, including heralded editors, with an eye on the bottom line. Sadly, that’s become the norm, as small to medium papers succumb daily to the pressures of today’s economy and a variety of online competitors.
Frederick County is a dynamic place, full of people and places that are attractive to new businesses and new residents. It’s evolving daily, and its government, politics and public institutions are growing more complex as a result. Additionally, with two important elections in the next year, Frederick city in 2017 and state, county and congressional elections in 2018, county residents deserve more news, not less.
Call me crazy, and many have, for stepping into this business again, this time without the backing of a salary, a corporate entity, and the bustle of a full newsroom of editors, reporters and photographers to pick up the slack. As one of my favorite quotes says, “Never stop daring to hang yourself!” Well here I am, daring to hang myself with this endeavor, with the help of some generous and smart people.
I have worked at the daily twice, once as a reporter, and once again as lead columnist. I called The Gazette home on two separate occasions, too, as a reporter. I’ve hosted Frederick’s Forum on 930 WFMD for a few years, then later co-hosted Eye on Our Community at 1450 WTHU. As a freelance writer, I’ve contributed to Frederick Magazine since 1990, and later to the Frederick Gorilla. Way back when, I hosted public affairs programming on the local cable channel.
Today, I am a featured regular on Mid-Maryland Live on 930 WFMD every Tuesday at 4 p.m., to talk about the stories in The Frederick Extra. I am a news junkie, I admit, and I don’t understand people who don’t want to be informed about what’s happening around them.
But I believe there are enough of those like me to support an endeavor like The Frederick Extra, people who value our duty as citizens enough to know and understand current events. Only then can they help shape and influence the community they live and/or work in.
So, enough of all that. Let’s get to the good stuff. What can you expect from Fredstock 2017 beyond feeling good about supporting local independent journalism? By the way, the weather report was for sunny skies and temps in the 70’s, but now looks like it may be overcast, but NO RAIN to impede our good time at the outdoor event.
The event runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hodge-Scott home located in Ballenger Creek Park. Let’s start with the music. From 4 to 5:30, enjoy the dulcet tones of jazz trio, Susan, Buck and Barry. From 5:30 to 8:30, you’ll rock your 60’s groove thang to music of the Woodstock generation by the super talented band, The Janglebachs.
What to do when you need a dance break? Get your photo taken in front of a tie-dyed backdrop to mark the ocassion; get your face painted by a master face painter, Stephanie Panzone; get a tarot card session with Toni McCannon from Peaceful Glen Metaphysical Solutions, or relax with a reiki or massage session from Jill from Ascension Healing Studio.
Want some love beads to get you in the mood? Be sure to visit Sally Sorbello of Sally’s Beadworks. For wholesale jewelry offerings, see Queen Wheeler Su-lala Jewels. Or learn about the future of energy from Joanne Ivancic of Advanced Biofuels USA, or pick up some landscaping and hardscaping tips from Mike Campbell of Visual Modifications.
Light refreshments and yummy baked goods are included, along with refreshing local beverages. For dinner time, visit the Rob and Robin Burgos’ food truck In10se BBQ, offering barbecue sandwiches, hamburgers, black bean burgers,chicken nuggets, fries and soda.
Every ticket holder also gets a chance to win something amazing:
A Green Living package: an attractive brick red rain barrel courtesy of Scott Key Center; two handmade shopping tote bags by Jeannette Bartelt, and a Vermicomposting Kit from The Hungry Redworm
A collection of wine from Greenville Winery and Vineyards, donated by Amanda Haddaway of HR Answerbox
A basket of newsy movie DVDS, donated by Nancy Luse
Two framed photos of beautiful Frederick, donated by Donald Burgess
A nature print of Frederick County, donated by Kai Hagen
A portrait session, donated by Kelly Hahn
Four Baltimore Orioles tickets, donated by 1450 The Source
A Pheasant Hunting trip at SM Hunting Lodge in Gettysburg, with host Barry Weller of Barry Weller Properties
AND, as if that weren’t enough to entice you, how about bidding on these items via silent auction?
Spend a week in October at an incredible Hatteras Island beach house, 500 ft from the ocean, with astounding views and enough room for two families
OR, enjoy a relaxing fall weekend at a modern, fully equipped 3-bedroom cottage on 12 acres near Skyline Drive in Virginia.
The Art Festival Party of 8 complete with picnic basket, 8 passes to come to the festival on June 25 or 26 and three bottles of wine, donated by Linganore Wine Cellars.
For more information, email thefrederickextra@gmail.com. Get tickets here.
Many thanks to the board members of The Frederick Extra, with special thanks to the marvelous folks on the Fredstock 2017 committee: Dee Dolan, Russ Hodge, Nancy Luse, Linda Norris-Waldt, Elin Ross, Leslie Ruby and Cyndi Scott. And to all those who donated prizes and silent auction items, much love and gratitude.
