Hidden Springs Senior Living has been bustling, celebrating a remarkable milestone: Frank Brandon’s 104th birthday. Frank’s spirit remains strong despite his age, and his life story is a testament to resilience and dedication. Frank recently sat down with our publisher, Mike McCool, to share his incredible journey.

Born on March 5, 1920, in New York City, Frank faced early adversity. At just four and a half years old, he lost his mother to complications during childbirth, a tragedy compounded by the challenges of the era. His father, a designer of ladies’ hats, moved the family to Toronto, but Frank and his three brothers ended up in an orphanage in New York when their visas expired.

Frank’s early years were tumultuous, marked by frequent moves between various guardians. At 16, he had to fend for himself, leading him to trade school, where he learned printing. His hands bear the scars of his youth, a testament to the hardships he endured and the resilience he developed.

Drafted into the U.S. Army at the onset of World War II, Frank chose to serve in the Army Air Corps. His service during the war spanned multiple roles, including a combat glider pilot—a position fraught with danger. Frank’s glider missions were critical, supporting airborne operations by delivering troops and supplies behind enemy lines.

One of the most harrowing experiences Frank recounted was his near-deployment on D-Day. Scheduled to be part of the first wave of glider landings, his mission was scrubbed at the last moment due to intelligence reports of a German Panzer division in the landing zone. The disappointment of missing the mission became relief as he learned about the heavy casualties sustained during the invasion.

A significant part of his life story is his time as a prisoner of war. During a mission in Holland, his glider was shot down, leading to his capture. For eight months, he endured the harsh conditions of a POW camp, a period that tested his resolve and strength. The experience left a lasting impact, but Frank emerged with an unbreakable spirit.

After completing his military service, Frank continued to serve the Department of Defense, this time as a civilian. His dedication didn’t end with World War II; he remained with the Department for over 50 years. During this time, he made significant contributions, especially in peacetime, working in various roles, such as a management analyst and chief of training. Frank’s post-service career took him to multiple locations, including a notable tenure at the Pentagon. His expertise and unwavering commitment earned him numerous promotions, culminating in a ceremony honoring his extensive service.

In later years, Frank’s life took a quieter turn. He moved to Fairfax County with his wife, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Their journey brought them to Hidden Springs Senior Living, where they found a supportive community. Frank continued to be a devoted husband until her passing eight years ago.

Despite the challenges of aging, including a battle with COVID-19, Frank’s faith has been a constant source of strength. He attributes his longevity and resilience to his unwavering trust in the Lord, a sentiment he shares with a humble heart.

As we celebrate Frank Brandon’s 104th birthday, his story is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Frank’s life is a tapestry of courage, faith, and perseverance, from the hardships of his youth to the bravery of his wartime service and the devotion to his family. His journey is a testament to his indomitable will to overcome adversity and live a life of purpose and dedication.

Happy 104th birthday, Frank. Your life story inspires us all, and we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with you.

Have you barely made it out the door and are already sweating profusely? If so, you don’t want to stand over the barbecue to cook supper. So, what can you eat when it’s too hot to fire up the grill? Here are a few inspiring no-cook meals to keep you cool and satisfied.

Tartars

A true gastronomic classic, tartars are the perfect treat when the mercury rises. You can stick to traditional options like salmon, tuna, or beef or try something different like bison. To prepare delicious tartar, keep the ingredients cool and thoroughly clean your tools and work surfaces to prevent cross-contamination. If you choose beef, buying a muscle cut instead of minced meat is best for safety and quality.

Gazpachos

These Spanish-style cold soups blend acidity and freshness, offering a bouquet of flavors perfect for a hot day. Jazz things up with seasonal ingredients like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and green onions. Gazpacho is super easy to make—put all the ingredients in a blender and turn it on! You’ll have a refreshing and nutritious meal that will cool you down in minutes.

Zucchini Noodles

Refreshing and easy to prepare, these vegetable “spaghetti” noodles will delight your guests. You only need a spiral cutter to turn zucchini into fun, spaghetti-like strands, often called “zoodles.” The ways to prepare these zoodles are only limited by your imagination. Try tossing them with a basil or sun-dried tomato pesto, adding pine nuts, a simple vinegar dressing, or sprinkling with a little Parmesan and pepper.

Pour Yourself a Cold Drink

While you prepare these no-cook meals, pour yourself a glass of your favorite cold drink. Remember to stay hydrated, especially during a heatwave. Drinking plenty of water is crucial—don’t wait until you’re thirsty. And a quick reminder: drinking alcoholic beverages can increase the risk of dehydration, so it’s best to exercise moderation.

Enjoy these easy, no-cook recipes to beat the heat and stay cool while having a delicious dinner!

Are your lips thin? Do they lack volume or have wrinkles? With the help of aesthetic medicine, you can have fuller lips that enhance the natural beauty of your face.

The Secret to Fuller Lips: Hyaluronic Acid-Based Fillers

The key to achieving fuller lips lies in hyaluronic acid-based fillers. This substance adds volume to the lips and stimulates collagen production, giving your lips a natural and plump appearance. The effects of these fillers typically last from six months to a year, making them a popular choice for those seeking a temporary yet noticeable enhancement.

What to Expect

The price of a single session and the results can vary depending on several factors, such as the type and quantity of filler used. Typically, lip injections cost between $500 and $1,000. Going to a professional is crucial to ensure the best results and avoid unpleasant surprises. Be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true, as quality and safety should be your top priorities.

Comfort and Recovery

The discomfort or pain you feel during the session depends on several factors, including your sensitivity and the use of an anesthetic. Many clinics offer numbing creams or local anesthesia to minimize pain during the procedure. After the injections, you can immediately resume your usual activities. However, you should avoid activities stimulating blood circulation in the face, such as strenuous exercise, for a few days to ensure the best results and reduce swelling.

Making an Appointment

To get the lips of your dreams, make an appointment at a reputable medical aesthetic clinic in your area. A consultation with a qualified professional will help you understand the process, costs, and expected outcomes, ensuring you make an informed decision.

Other Solutions

If you’re afraid of needles or on a tight budget, there are alternative solutions. Ask a cosmetician about lip products with a plumping effect, such as serums, glosses, and masks. These products can provide a temporary boost to your lips’ appearance without the need for injections. While the effects are less dramatic and shorter-lasting compared to fillers, you’re sure to find a product that will make your pout irresistible.

Final Thoughts

Fuller lips are within reach whether you opt for hyaluronic acid-based fillers or enhance your lips with plumping products. Consulting with a professional will ensure you get the best advice and results tailored to your needs. Embrace the opportunity to enhance your natural beauty and enjoy the confidence of having beautiful, full lips.

The Rotary Club of Front Royal elected its 2024-2025 president when retiring president Ken Evans handed over the gavel at a luncheon ceremony on Friday, June 21. She is Holly Rhodenhizer, a relative newcomer to the community, who joined the local 97-year-old club just five years ago, becoming a club board member a year later, in 2020. She has been a Front Royal resident for nine years, moving here from Fairfax and working mostly from home.

A dozen past presidents dating back at least a few decades lined up to welcome their new leader in an age-old ceremony that included a group swearing-in of Holly and her new board by past President Evans.

Retiring Rotary President Ken Evans ‘pins’ his successor during swearing-in ceremony. Below, Holly Rhodenhizer makes her maiden presidential speech before Front Royal Rotarians. – Courtesy Photos FR Rotary

“My goals for the year are to have a more engaged club, through growth and service, engage in social-service projects during meetings, as well as traditional service projects, and have a great time doing it!” she told the assembled group of Rotarians, adding, “I have a passion for people with disabilities as that has been my work for over 20 years. So, I hope we can find some opportunities to engage with that population locally.”

An admitted “fun lover” — her main hobby is hiking — she added, “So, I hope we can do a project or two for hikers and/or the state and national parks, and to incorporate fun into much of what we do.”

The Front Royal Cardinals are back in action, ready to face the Purcellville Cannons on June 23, 2024. The game will take place at Bing Crosby Stadium, with the first pitch thrown at 7 p.m. Gates will open an hour earlier at 6 p.m.

Don’t miss this exciting matchup as the Cardinals continue their home season. Come out and support your local team for an evening of thrilling baseball!

Regular admission is $5, with special rates of $3 for military personnel, kids aged 7-12, and seniors 60 and above. Kids 6 and under get in free. For those who can’t make it to the stadium, all home games are live-streamed on the Royal Examiner, starting at 6:45 p.m.

June 22-23 marks the 2024 ARRL Field Day! This amateur radio event is both an open house for ham radio and a chance for the amateur community to unite and practice operating under unique conditions. Our publisher, Mike McCool, sat down with Greg Butler, the leader of Warren County EmComm, to learn more about this annual event. Greg shared insights into the importance and operations of their amateur radio activities.

“Today is Amateur Radio Field Day,” Greg explained. “It’s an event that encompasses all of North America, including Canada and the U.S. It’s always held on the fourth full weekend in June. The idea behind Field Day is to set up your station in a more austere environment than the comfort of your home and demonstrate to the public how you can serve the community by being able to set up a station quickly and operate.”

As Greg and Mike chatted, the air was filled with excitement as radio enthusiasts aimed to contact other stations across the U.S. “The goal today is to see where we can reach with our humble setup,” Greg said. “We’ve already contacted California and Colorado. Earlier, we heard a station in Croatia, though we couldn’t connect with them. Our primary focus is to serve Warren County and Front Royal. If emergency communications are degraded or destroyed, we can use our radios to communicate across the county and even down to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in Richmond.”

Greg Butler, who many consider the leader of this group, describes himself more as a choreographer. “I coordinate our efforts for the county,” he said. “I am the primary liaison to the fire department, to whom we report.”

The group is an official county communicator team. “Every member has to be licensed by the FCC with an amateur radio license and express an interest in public service. They complete a formal application with the county fire department and undergo a fingerprint-based background check. We also take a class in criminal justice to ensure we can operate within the emergency operations center and dispatch areas where sensitive information is displayed.”

To ensure readiness, the team conducts weekly tests. “Every Wednesday morning, we test the emergency operations center radios to ensure they’re working properly. In the afternoon, we test the radio station at the hospital. Our portable station can be deployed anywhere the county needs us. We have a permanent antenna at Warren County Middle School, which can be used as a shelter during severe weather, and another at the Front Royal Police Station. We can be operational in about ten minutes.”

As they walked through the event, Greg introduced some team members. “This is Tom Blicharz, whose call sign is KR4DO, and Sam Cheshire, KQ4RIV. Today is a contest, so they’re trying to contact other stations nationwide. Sam logs each contact as proof.”

The organization has about 15 or 16 active members and is always looking for new recruits. “Not everyone is retired like me,” Greg noted. “If something happens at 2 PM on a Tuesday, we can activate two or three people immediately. We can figure out shift coverage if an emergency extends overnight.”

Mike inquired about the relevance of amateur radio in today’s world of cell phones. Greg explained, “Everyone has a cell phone until the system goes down. The cellular system relies on many towers. Weather, extended power outages, or major events can take them down. Amateur radio operates on specific frequencies that don’t rely on that infrastructure, allowing us to communicate when other systems fail.”

Greg highlighted the versatility of amateur radio equipment. “The FCC gives us segments of the radio spectrum, allowing us to communicate locally, regionally, or even globally, depending on atmospheric conditions and our goals.”

For those interested in joining, Greg advised, “We have a Facebook page called Warren County EmComm. People can message us there or contact the fire department, who can connect them with me. We’re always looking for new members, though we want to ensure they’re genuinely interested. There are plenty of amateur radio activities outside of emergency communications.”

Mike thanked Greg for his dedication and the team’s hard work. “Your crew looks intense, concentrating on making good contacts. It’s great to see such commitment.”

As the day progressed, the sun matched the warmth of the community spirit, with amateur radio enthusiasts demonstrating their vital role in emergency preparedness and communication.

Warren County EmComm Prepares for Emergencies with Annual Field Day