Behind the Spires

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!The Frederick Arts Council is celebrating 50 years of advancing arts and culture throughout the community. We sit down with Executive Director Louise Kennelly to discuss the organization’s history, its impact on Frederick, and the many ways it supports local artists and brings creativity into public spaces.Louise shares how her background in education research influences the council’s work, including its focus on measuring community impact and making sure its programs reach the people they’re intended to serve. She also explains how a small staff, supported by volunteers, board members, and community partners, manages an extensive range of programs and initiatives.The conversation highlights the council’s grant programs, which have distributed one million dollars over the past three years to support individual artists, arts organizations, and arts education. We also look at its growing public art portfolio, from familiar murals and sculptures around Frederick.From supporting local artists to strengthening Frederick’s cultural identity and contributing to the local economy, the Frederick Arts Council plays a larger role in the community than many residents may realize. 👉 Check out the Frederick Arts Council: frederickartscouncil.org👉 Stay Informed about Frederick: frederickmd.gov/stay-informed👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #FrederickArtsCouncil #FrederickArts #SkyStage #PublicArt #MarylandArts #LocalArtists #ArtsAndCulture #CommunityArts #FrederickCommunity #GoodPeople

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!In our 50th episode, we sit down with Frederick’s newest Chief of Police to discuss his path to leadership, the department’s priorities, and the challenges facing local law enforcement.After growing up in the Frederick area and spending 18 years with the Frederick Police Department, the chief has worked in patrol, investigations, drug enforcement, training, and department leadership. He reflects on the experiences that shaped him as a leader and what it means to become the department’s chief through an open hiring process. The chief also discusses recruiting new officers, the benefits of joining the Frederick Police Department, and how the department’s in-house training academy helps prepare officers to serve this community.👉 Automated License Plate Readers: What Frederick Residents Should Know: cityoffrederickmd.gov/1976/Automated-License-Plate-Readers👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #FrederickPolice #FrederickPoliceDepartment #LawEnforcement #CommunityPolicing #PublicSafety #FrederickCommunity #LocalGovernment #Frederick

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Here's your City Update where each episode, we join you to bring clear, factual updates directly from City meetings, departments, and official sources in 15 minutes or less! We cover what you missed, what’s happening right now, and what’s coming up next so you can stay informed about your local government without having to sit through every meeting.Clear. Direct. Straight from the City.Episode Links:City Climate Action Progress Dashboard - frederickmd.gov/climate-actionCounty Climate Action Dashboard - FrederickCountyMD.gov/ClimateActionHarvest of Hope - frederickmd.gov/Harvest-of-Hope Harvest of Hope Volunteer Registration - frederickmd.gov/HarvestofHopeVolunteer Public Meetings - frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings #cityoffrederick #localnews #frederickmd

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!The African American Research and Cultural Heritage Society (AARCH) is preparing to open its new Heritage Center in downtown Frederick, creating a permanent home for the stories, artifacts, and contributions of African Americans throughout Frederick County and Maryland.We sit down with AARCH Vice President Will Graham AARCH board member Nia Yeboah to discuss the organization’s mission, the long road to opening the Heritage Center, and the importance of preserving stories that might otherwise be lost. They share how family memories, oral histories, genealogy, and historical artifacts help build a fuller picture of Frederick’s past.Learn how you can support ARCH through donations, volunteering, internships, membership, and sharing family stories or historical artifacts. As Nia and Will explain, preserving history is about more than looking back, it’s about understanding the people who came before us and recognizing how the choices we make today shape the stories future generations will tell.#cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #ARCH #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackHistory #FrederickHistory #LocalHistory #MarylandHistory #HeritageCenter

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!Former Frederick Mayor Ron Young joins us to reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Great Frederick Flood of 1976 and the decades-long effort to turn a devastating flood-control project into one of downtown Frederick’s most recognizable public spaces: Carroll Creek Linear Park.Our former Mayor recounts arriving downtown as floodwaters rose in 1976, seeing the destruction firsthand, and working with residents and business owners in the days that followed. He also shares the story behind Carroll Creek’s transformation, from the early engineering proposals and challenges securing funding to his vision of combining flood control, public space, and economic development.With a statue honoring Young set for dedication on October 11 at Carroll Creek Linear Park, the conversation looks back at the people who helped shape Frederick and the lasting impact of their work. 👉 See more of the Frederick Flood of 1976: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/collections/1ed4a3707aa343dcba34bfc25708faae👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #CarrollCreek #GreatFrederickFlood #FrederickHistory #LocalHistory #MarylandHistory #DowntownFrederick #RonYoung #communitydevelopment

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us on this special LIVE episode, on location at the Frederick Municipal Airport for Frederick's Festival of Flight!Stay connected, stay informed, and explore what’s ahead for Frederick!#frederickmd #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory #fdk #festivalofflight #flying #pilots #podcast

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!Join us as we welcome Emma Williams, the City of Frederick’s new Emergency Manager, for an in‑depth conversation about preparedness, public safety, and the evolving landscape of emergency response. With experience supporting emergency operations across the country, Emma shares what brought her to Frederick and what it means to build an emergency management program from the ground up. She explains the daily work behind prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery; why National Preparedness Month matters; and the top hazards facing Frederick, Maryland, including flooding, extreme weather, cyber threats, and hazardous materials.Emma also breaks down how residents can prepare: creating family emergency plans, assembling practical and realistic emergency kits, supporting older neighbors and vulnerable populations, and signing up for ALERT Frederick County notifications to stay informed. 👉 Sign up for CoFAlerts: https://member.everbridge.net/453003085612281/new👉 Check out the City's Emergency Management Page: https://cityoffrederickmd.gov/1669/Emergency-Management👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #emergencypreparedness

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Great Frederick Flood of 1976, we sit down with Donald Putman, a former Frederick Police Officer who was on patrol when the historic flood swept through downtown Frederick.Donald takes us back to that day, recalling the rapidly rising water, emergency rescues, and the challenges first responders faced as roads and buildings throughout the city became flooded. He shares firsthand stories of using boats to rescue people trapped in downtown businesses, working alongside firefighters and the National Guard, and navigating a city where communication was made even more difficult after floodwaters damaged the local telephone system.The conversation also explores the aftermath of the flood, including the damage to downtown businesses, vehicles being swept through the streets, the community response, and the efforts of police officers, firefighters, local businesses, and residents to begin putting Frederick back together.This is a firsthand account of one of the most significant floods in Frederick's history, told by someone who was there, responding to calls, helping residents, and witnessing the destruction firsthand.👉 Check out the Putman Family Fund: frederickcountygives.org/funds/putman-family-fund👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #GreatFrederickFlood #FrederickFlood #1976Flood #FrederickHistory #LocalHistory #MarylandHistory #FrederickPolice #FrederickFireDepartment #FrederickCounty

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!What does it take to help young people find their next opportunity?In this episode, we sit down with Jason Francis, Re-Engagement Program Manager with the City of Frederick’s Office of Opportunity and Innovation, to discuss the programs connecting young people with education, career opportunities, resources, and their community.Jason explains Next Steps, a drop-in program for young people ages 14–24 who may be disconnected from school or career pathways. We also talk about THRIVE, a family-focused initiative designed to strengthen relationships, build resilience, and provide positive experiences for young people and their families.The conversation also looks ahead to the future Frederick Youth Center, expected to open in 2028. The center was shaped in part by input from Frederick’s youth and will include spaces such as a gym, game room, café, flexible classrooms, and a wellness room.From workforce readiness and mentorship to family activities and community partnerships, Jason shares how Frederick is working to create meaningful opportunities for young people today while building toward an even stronger support system for the future.👉 Learn about the Office of Opportunity & Innovation: http://frederickmd.gov/opportunity👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#FrederickMD #FrederickMaryland #YouthPrograms #YouthCenter #NextSteps #THRIVE #Community #YouthOpportunity #WorkforceDevelopment #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory

Welcome to Behind the Spires! Join us in this Key City Conversation!Join us for an insightful conversation with Paul Varga, Communications Manager for the Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling, who's creative “edutainment” approach has made him one of local government’s most recognizable voices. Paul shares how he modernizes recycling outreach with humor, cultural references, and clear communication, earning national recognition as a top local government influencer. He offers a detailed look at how Frederick County’s waste and recycling systems operate, what happens after the blue bin is collected, why “wish‑cycling” can unintentionally cause major problems in the recycling stream, and more! This episode is an engaging and practical look at how Frederick County is working to reduce waste, protect public safety, and help residents recycle smarter.👉 Learn about County Recycling: https://frederickcountymd.gov/recycle👉 Learn about City Composting: https://frederickmd.gov/compost👉 Check out the City's Public Meetings: frederickmd.gov/publicmeetings#frederickmd #cityoffrederick #behindthespires #inSPIREfrederick #jointhestory