Questions for you.
I have received a couple interesting questions through the contact form lately and I thought I would share them with you all so you can help in answering them:
The first one comes from Alex:
I would really like to find a nice, quiet place in Frederick where I can read and think. Preferably outside. Any suggestions? Maybe a park somewhere?
The second is from Angela, a former Frederick resident:
I used to attend Visitation Academy in Frederick back in the day, and have a continued fondness for the historic town. (I live in Los Angeles and have written an as-yet unsold screenplay about my experience at the all-girls Catholic school.) I heard they stopped taking boarders a few years ago and the nuns were packed up and moved away, which is very sad. Truly the end of an era. Anyhow, if you have any further information about what’s happening with the school let me know. Maybe I’ll need to update my script!
Can you help Angela or Alex out? If so post something in the comments below. Also, this is a good time to mention the FMO forum again. It’s an easy way to ask your fellow residents some questions.
~Guy~
Hi guys,
I’d like to add a clarification to that list of preferences: I would prefer a place where I wouldn’t constantly be confronted with passers-by.
Thanks!
I’d consider the Hood College campus for a place to sit and read.
I know this probably sounds very cliché, but I often find the library downtown to be a very good environment for some downtime.
You can stay indoors, but there’s also a lovely deck on the second floor that’s usually opened and overlooks the Creek. From my past experiences, there’s never anybody there.
I second the Library nomination. There is also free Wi-Fi there, not to mention the amenities offered on “The Creek”.
Hood College is definitely a good option. You could find some nice spots near the telescope, or near the fields bordering 7th street.
As for the visitation, my cousin still goes to school there, so I don’t imagine all the nuns are gone just yet. I can’t confirm, but if I were you I’d attempt to look up either Visitation Academy or St. Johns Catholic church, get some contact information and call them for your answers. I can’t imagine they’d try to keep any information hidden.
Alex,
As an outdoor escape – try Sugarloaf Mtn
or any mountainside – possibly head out west a bit. Sometimes you can find a quiet place outdoors near a church…
Indoors – the library is prob your best bet – unless you have a church or mtg area that you can frequent. Good luck -
Try the County Building. There’s usually nothing going on there to distract you.
Gambrill State Park on a sunny day. Parts of Baker’s park has low traffic. Monacacy Battlefield has some quiet paths near the river. Ballenger Creek park has some pavilions.
Can’t help with the Visitation issue.
The few remaining cloistered nuns left Visitation in 2005. Here’s an article from the Gazette.
Sugarloaf might be a nice quiet option for you. It’s not a hard climb, it’s pleasant, beautiful views, nice places to snug yourself up and read, and it’s usually empty during the week.
It’s hard to beat the deck at the library, though. : )
For Angela-
I attended Visitation Academy in Frederick MD and stayed in touch with the nuns until they were moved. St. Johns (next door) is running a day school out of there now – but no boarders. I try to get back to visit as I love the grounds and buildings. The Sisters were moved to a convent in Rockville VA and Sr. Margarette died just about 2 years ago. Please contact me if you need more help!