Maryland Community Newspapers Online
Registration opens today for the 16th Annual Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run, Walk and Kids Fun Runs, set for Sept. 5 in the Kentlands neighborhood of Gaithersburg.
For the second year, the Maryland Senior Olympics will use the race to decide finalists for a national Senior Olympics competition.
The USA Track and Field certified 5K course winds through the scenic Kentlands and Lakelands, two New Urbanist neighborhoods which respectively celebrate their 20th and 10th anniversaries this year. The nonprofit Kentlands Community Foundation and the City of Gaithersburg are partnering to host the event.
The annual race is the area's largest 5K race, according to a city statement. All proceeds benefit charities. Since 1994, the Kentlands Community Foundation has given nearly $100,000 to benefit the Gaithersburg community.
To register, visit www.kentlands.org.
Senior Olympics participants (age 50 as of Dec. 31, 2009 and above) will be automatically entered to compete as a Maryland Senior Olympic entrant in this year's race. For more information, contact Bridget Ryder, Kentlands Community Foundation director at 301-926-6636 or
Kentlands@kentlands.org.
Give him a salute
A salute goes to former Army Capt. Chon Gann of Montgomery Village, who joined the Maryland Defense Force this year. The force is a volunteer agency of specialists who help the Maryland National Guard in case of crisis. About half the members are former military members, said Col. Bob Hastings, spokesman for the Maryland Defense Force, also a Montgomery Village resident.
A large portion of the force is doctors, who help provide evaluations for military members going to war. Others are lawyers, who help military members handle legal issues. Another group is chaplains.
"I could go on and on, but in general it's professional service that is used to augment the Maryland National Guard. Military service is not a requirement. We just happen to appeal to people who have been in the military before," said Hastings.
Last month, Gann earned basic qualification as a military emergency management specialist. The honor recognizes that Gann has an operational understanding of emergency management, including: mitigation, preparedness, emergency response and recovery — and has the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to work effectively in a large-scale emergency management operation.
For more information on the Maryland Defense Force, visit www.mddefenseforce.org.
A studious summer
Branden Kerr of Montgomery Village, Alexander Lehr of Potomac, Edward Liang of Boyds and David O'Neil of Gaithersburg, were chosen to participate in the U.S. Naval Academy's Summer Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program, an overnight academic camp designed for rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders who have an interest in math and science. Midshipmen help run the program and act as camp counselors and tutors.
Volunteers needed
Hospice Caring needs administrative volunteers to help support operations at The Cottage in Gaithersburg, a meeting place for Hospice Caring bereavement groups, book discussion groups, retreats, monthly caregiver teas, and staff and board meetings in the city's Bohrer Park, 506 S. Frederick Ave.
Volunteer support includes completing mailings, research and analysis, answering telephones, marketing and public relations, distributing flyers and errands. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Administrative volunteers generally work a minimum of four hours per visit. For more information contact Madeleine Carmichael, volunteer coordinator at 301-869-4673 or madeleinec@hospicecaring.org.
Still cooking up a storm
Robin Olson of Goshen, also known as "the Queen of Cookie Exchanges," has wrapped up her 18-month media tour for Reynolds Parchment Paper and is writing a book.
The cookie queen has served as the company's spokeswoman and been cruising cross-country creating cookie swaps —gatherings where guests gift six dozen delicious cookies and depart with six dozen more.
Olson started a Web site in 1997 that is the first site to pop up on Google in searches for "cookie exchanges." She has appeared on The Food Network, the cover of Country Magazine and other periodicals imparting her wisdom on creating cookie swaps at Christmastime. St. Martin's Press will publish her work, "The Cookie Party Cook Book: Everything You Need to Know to Host A Cookie Exchange." The book, which will include 150 cookie recipes, should be available in book stores and online by 2010, Olson said in an e-mail to The Gazette.
For Olson's tips on creating a cookie swap, visit www.robinsweb.com or
www.cookie-exchange.com.
Soccer camp in the Village
The Montgomery Village Foundation is offering a summer soccer camp taught by Challenger Sports British Soccer Camps.
The instructional clinics are the fastest growing soccer program in the United States, said Ed Kallas, program manager for MVF's recreation department in an e-mail to The Gazette.
"The winning formula that they bring to the pitch includes professional soccer coaches from the UK, fun drills that hold the attention of youngsters and valuable promotions."
Camp takes place Aug.17 – Aug.21 at Pat Huson Ball Field, at the corner of East Village Avenue and Fulks Farm Road in Montgomery Village.
Half-day programs from 9 a.m. to noon and full-day programs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for children ages 5-14 are available.
In case of rain the program will move to nearby Lake Marion Community Center, 8821 E. Village Ave.
"Families can obtain a significant discount and obtain a wonderful cultural-learning experience by hosting a coach in their home for the week," said Kallas.
For more information, call Ed Kallas at 301-948-0110, ext. 338.
Caps off
-Laura Levey of Gaithersburg graduated summa cum laude from Towson University in May with a Bachelors of Science degree in health science. Levey, a 2005 graduate of Quince Orchard High School has been accepted to nursing school at Towson and will be attending this fall. She is the daughter of Joan and Miles Levey.
-Mary Lueben of Montgomery Village graduated May 14 from Arcadia University's physician assistant program with a Master of medical science. Lueben attended the program at Arcadia's Christiana, Del., campus. Lueben was one of 12 students inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society for Physician Assistants, a national honor society whose graduates demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, publishing and service to the community/profession. She will be working in emergency medicine at Franklin Square Hospital in Baltimore.
-Andrew O'Hara of Gaithersburg graduated in May from Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., with Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics. O'Hara, who graduated with departmental honors in physics, received the Hughes Scholarship. The scholarship, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, recognizes overall academic excellence and demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary research in the biological sciences.
Send submissions to Patricia M. Murret via e-mail at pmurret@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Gaithersburg-Montgomery Village Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
-Federal, state and county offices are closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day.
-Banks, libraries and courts are closed July 3 and July 4.
-MCPS administrative offices are closed.
-Recycling and trash pickup - regular collection. County's waste transfer station open July 3, closed July 4.
-Ride On and Metrobus will operate on Saturday schedule.
-Metrorail will operate on Saturday schedule July 3, supplemental service July 4.
-MARC trains will not run.
-County liquor stores are open July 3. July 4, all stores open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
-Parking is free at county lots, meters and garages.