Montgomery Square announcement
Mark Your Calendars and come out for theMSCA Neighborhood Party

Sunday 10/16 2-5 

On the South Side at Smoketree & Devilwood

Music by THE DIGITS

Pizza

Face Painting

Carnival Games

Cotton Candy

Fire Truck

 

No Rain date scheduled- check www.Montgomerysquare.org website on the day of the event if the weather looks questionable.

 

Our Neighbor wants to announce –  

The Suburban Hospital Auxiliary is looking for knitters and crocheters to make blankets for palliative care or critically ill patients at Suburban Hospital.  Especially this time of year, when some of the rooms get cold and dreary.  A hand made blanket adds warmth and color and the patients and their families really appreciate it.  These blankets go home with the patients or are given to the families of the patients as a remembrance of a loved one.

 

Also, as a community outreach program, we have a Knots for Shots program where our knitters and crocheters make hats, scarves, baby blankets, etc. for the Scotland Community on Seven Locks Road.  If a person in the community receives a flu shot, they get to choose what they like from these articles.  There are @ 50 families in this community.

 

We are also looking for yarn donations (no wool) to give to the ladies and gentlemen (yes, we do have a few) who do beautiful creations but cannot afford to buy the materials themselves.

 

There is no charge to the patient for these blankets.  We have knitters now in 3 states (Pennsylvania, Maryland, & Northern Virginia).  Contact Phyllis Donoghue on Chilham Place for information on donating yarn or creating blankets (size, etc,).  Phone number and email address below.

 

Phyllis Donoghue, President

Suburban Hospital Auxiliary

12kdonoghue@comcast.net

(301) 294-2113

 

 

Money saving tip from the McGhee Family -

The Montgomery County Residential Energy Efficiency Rebate Program offers incentives to homeowners up to $3,000 to offset the cost of certain energy efficiency projects and products. Made possible by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, rebates are available on a first come, first served basis to individuals in single family homes, town homes and condominiums (subject to certain conditions). These websites provide information on the program, links to other incentive opportunities, and an on-line application form.

Montgomery County  http://www.mcenergyfunding.com/ResidentialRebates/

Maryland    http://www.energy.maryland.gov/homeperformance/index.html

Pepco  http://homeenergysavings.pepco.com/md/home-energy-savings/home-performance-audit

 
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.orgSteve Schuck TheSchucks@longandfoster.com

or
Bob Gross
Montgomery Square
Citizens’ Association, Inc.
PO Box 34811
Bethesda, MD 20827
Sign up BlockIf you know someone in MSCA who wants to be added to the list serve, forward this to them.

Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:01 pm under News.
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Montgomery Square announcement
Have social activity ideas for MSCA? Please come to the next MSCA Neighborhood Meeting:Monday 9/12 7:30 at Roger & Tay Hahn’s house, 11906 Smoketree Road 

MSCA is forming a new social committee headed up by Vasilia Contos.  Please join us on Monday night or contact us if you are interested in becoming a committee member.   Your help would be much appreciated.

 

Neighbors want to announce -  

The NIH Philharmonia, under the direction of Dr. Nancia D’Alimonte, presents “For The Joy Of It” Saturday, October 15th, at 7:30 P.M.  The orchestra program includes works by Wagner, Kodaly, Hovhaness and Hanson. Concert will take place at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Rockville, MD. Concert is FREE.

TreeMendous Tip from the McGhee Family -

Neighbors: $25 rebate from State of Maryland for purchase of select trees over $50 from participating nurseries…looks like it can be used for as many trees as you want (one coupon per tree).

Here’s a link to the program:

http://www.trees.maryland.gov/index.asp

Here’s a link to the coupons:

http://www.trees.maryland.gov/coupon_page.asp

Here’s a link to the trees:

http://www.trees.maryland.gov/pickatree.asp

Here’s a link to the nurseries:

http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/trees/nurseries/nurseries.asp

 
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.orgSteve SchuckTheSchucks@longandfoster.com

or
Bob Gross
Sign up BlockIf you know someone in MSCA who wants to be added to the list serve, forward this to them.

Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:45 am under News.
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Please come to the next MSCA Neighborhood Meeting:

Monday 9/12 7:30 at Roger & Tay Hahn’s house, 11906 Smoketree Road

MSCA is forming a new social committee headed up by Vasilia Contos.  Please join us on Monday night or contact us if you are interested in becoming a committee member.   Your help would be much appreciated.

Posted on September 10, 2011 at 9:40 am under Events.
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Sunday June 5th, 2011 from 3-4:30

Montgomery Square’s own Elvis performs from 3:30-4

Walk over to Old Canal Rd and Old Canal Ct. 

No rain date set.

Posted on June 2, 2011 at 3:56 pm under News.
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Annual Community-Wide Yard Sale along with Potomac Woods

Sunday May 22th, 12:00 to 3:00 PM

The association will take care of advertising in the Post, Gazette, Craig’s list, and banners.  We will also post directional arrows pointing to your home.

Tips For a Successful Yard Sale

  • Prepare early, as collectors and antique dealers like to show up before the posted start time.
  • Gather shopping bags, boxes, newspapers (to wrap fragile items)
  • Gather items from all around your house/shed/garage.  Sort items by type (clothing, toys, tools, etc.)
  • The best selling items are:
    • Household items (curtains, rugs, bedspreads)
    • Jewelry
    • Tools
    • Baby Items
    • Clothing
    • Kitchen Appliances/utensils
    • Bric-a-brac of all kinds:  If it collects dust, people buy it.
  • Clean, repair, and test things that will be sold.
  • Price all of your items.
  • Collect money for your Pay table.  Have plenty of change on hand, a calculator, pen and paper.
  • Have a power cord available to try electrical items
  • Post “Pay Here”  “Sorry, No Restrooms Available” and other signs as needed

If you want us to put signs up pointing to your Yard Sale, please contact Steve Schuck at TheSchucks@longandfoster.com prior to May 18th.  Please provide your name, address and contact info.

Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:38 am under News.
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MSCA Annual Meeting & Election  – with Guest Speaker Robb Gibbs

Monday May 16th, 7:30 to 9:00 PM at Beverly Farms ES

We are pleased to have Rob Gibbs as a guest speaker, who will provide an overview of the County’s deer management program, and tips on reducing damage around your home.  He is Natural Resources Manager of the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, Department of Parks, and Chairman of the Montgomery County’s Deer Management Work Group.  Also, a short association meeting and the annual elections will occur. If you are interested in a position on the Board or would like more information on volunteering, please contact MSCA Secretary Tom Hall at  301-340-7491 or twhall@comcast.net.  We look forward to seeing you!  Light refreshments will be served.

Posted on May 12, 2011 at 7:34 am under Events, News.
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Montgomery Square announcement 
 

A quick reminder to attend the meeting on the Feasibility Study for Richard Montgomery Elementary School #5 (RMES#5) on Thursday, May 12 (tomorrow) at 7:00 pm at the Children’s Resource Center, 332 West Edmonston Drive, Rockville (off Wooton Parkway).  This is the meeting where the pros and cons for each proposed option will be documented officially and the preferred option(s) for the new school identified.  Since this meeting may be the last chance for formal public input regarding the new school issue until the Board of Education hears testimony on the Superintendent’s CIP Recommendation in early November, it is VERY important to have SIGNIFICANT community participation so that our views are noticed and documented.  This is one of those times when attending the meeting and voicing an opinion will make a difference. (And we won’t know for a few years which of our neighborhoods will be affected — it could be yours!)

 

Proposals under discussion for RMES#5 include plans for a jointly-developed site that would include BOTH RMES#5 and CRC offices and training facilities (but not the daycare).  The two shared options that are being discussed include one option with a separate 40,000 sq. ft. office building adjacent to the 90,000+ sq. ft. school and a multi-level parking structure on the site.  The second shared option puts the office space on TOP of the school as a fourth story, but with a separate entrance.   Both were lightening rods for discussion at the most recent Feasibility Study meeting on April 28.   There are two school-only options that we can comment on as well.  Past Feasibility Study minutes and current plan drawings can be found at:  http://www.rmes5.wmcrponline.com/RMES_Design_Series/RMES_Design_Series.html

 

Although the West Edmonston site is 10+ acres on paper, its buildable space is actually 6.9 acres, which is not large for an elementary school and there are significant site challenges like grade changes, conservation easements, and a single entrance/exit that is in the middle of a residential neighborhood.  Parents, neighbors and some MCPS staff have expressed concerns about safety and security for the school due to office co-location and also about playing field constraints.  There are also concerns about traffic and the ability of the County to repurpose the office space for any use once it is built.

 

Also wanted to let you know that all four of the elementary school PTAs (Beall, College Gardens, Ritchie Park and Twinbrook) in the Richard Montgomery Cluster approved substantially similar resolutions opposing co-location of County office space with the proposed elementary school.  Together, these school communities comprise ALL of the school communities that will be part of the future cluster-wide boundary study and the areas from which the 700 or so students who will attend RMES #5 will be drawn.  This sort of coordinated action is highly unusual in our cluster and demonstrates the degree of community concern about the issue.

 

Please join us tomorrow evening to learn more about the proposals for the new school and to ensure that the community’s concerns are “on the record.”  Also, if you have neighbors who have young children that are not yet in elementary school, please be sure they know about this important issue as well – it may affect them!

 

 

 

 
Contact Us
www.montgomerysquare.org
Steve Schuck TheSchucks@longandfoster.com 

or
Bob Gross
Sign up Block If you know someone in MSCA who wants to be added to the list serve, forward this to them.

Posted on May 11, 2011 at 7:45 am under News.
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In addition to the MSCA Annual Meeting and Election of Board Members on May 16th and the MSCA Annual Yard Sale along with Potomac Woods Community on May 22nd the following events may interest the community this month.

Concert Sunday, May 1st, at 2:00 p.m

Come and enjoy “A Prayerful Spring Concert” presented by the National

Institutes of Health (NIH) Community Orchestra Chorus in association with

The East Avenue Ensemble of Chevy Chase and St. Jane Frances de Chantal. In the sanctuary of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, 9601 Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, Maryland. This one-time only performance will feature a combination of the timeless choral music of Mozart’s “Requiem” and the ethereal elegance of “Prayers” by American composer Gary Daum, Emeritus Director and Founder, NIH Community Orchestra. The performance, which is sponsored by the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association, and The American Music Performance Foundation, benefits NIH charities. No tickets; donations welcome.

 

Sunday, May 15th, at 4:00 p.m.

Come and enjoy “The 15th Annual Spring Fling” presented by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Community Orchestra. The concert will take place on in the Figge Auditorium, Georgetown Preparatory School, 10900 Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Maryland. This one-time only performance will feature a combination of the timeless orchestral music of Beethoven’s “Fifth Symphony”, Vivaldi’s Spring from the Four Seasons and the melodic novelty of Maurice Saylor’s “Serenade”. Maurice Saylor is a local composer who has made the Serenade available for this special performance. The concert, which is sponsored by the NIH Recreation and Welfare Association, benefits NIH charities. No tickets; donations welcome.

For more information visit the website www.nihco.org

Fall openings at St. Raphael Nursery School

(across from Ritchie Park Elementary)

From Michelle Aldridge

Hi, neighbors ~

I just wanted to spread the word that St. Raphael Nursery School (across from Ritchie Park Elementary) has rare openings in the fall.  As many Montgomery Square families will attest, this is an exceptional program that is usually quite competitive to get into. The environment is warm and friendly, as well as educationally stimulating, and the teachers are fabulous. You do not have to be Catholic to attend.

For a downloadable pamphlet about the school, click on this link:　 www.bigtent.com/usr/files/54330341_2_00_SRNS-emailable-PDF.pdf

If you are interested in visiting the preschool or have questions, feel free to contact the school at 301-762-2143.

Posted on April 29, 2011 at 10:48 am under News.
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Below is a posting from the Gallaghers on Whites Ford Way

Just Regular Guys

Sunday, March 20th started off as a bright, clear, early spring day. Before it was over my next door neighbor’s home at 8106 Whites Ford Way would be burned and totally destroyed.

Joan and I went to church at 12:30 pm that Sunday and stopped back by home to take separate cars to run a couple of errands before Joan was scheduled to meet one of her clients and write an offer to purchase a home. We went our separate ways shortly before 3 pm. I drove in the direction of our home on Whites Ford Way.

Crossing Seven Locks Road and approaching the left turn on Whites Ford Way, I could see the street ahead blocked by a couple of emergency vehicles. Making a U turn to return the Seven Locks, it was then that I saw the smoke. The fire was an absolute inferno with black smoke billowing up from the direction of our house. I parked on Devilwood and ran up to and around the corner. One of my neighbors stopped me to say that the house engulfed in flames was not my home, but that of my next door neighbor, Evelyn Woods. I arrived home just as the emergency rescue people were taking Evelyn and her friend, Richard, to the hospital.

The fire and rescue people were amazing. Four enormous fire trucks were in front of our house and numerous emergency and rescue vehicles all over the block and dozens of fire fighters pouring water on the blaze from hoses connected on our street and Smoketree Road.

Later that evening I got a call from our neighbor behind us, Bob Gross, and I learned what happened earlier in the afternoon. Bob said that he was in his family room that afternoon when one of his twin daughters heard a popping sound coming from the direction of the Woods’ home and looking in that direction, she saw flames coming out the side of the house. Bob told her to call 911 and he jumped the fence between our homes and ran to Evelyn’s house. He tried to kick-in the front door, but he could not get it opened. Then suddenly, Richard opened the front door and he was on fire. His hair and his shirt were in flames. Bob pulled off the Terp sweat shirt that he was wearing and extinguished the flames moving Richard away from the entrance. Meanwhile Harry Becker, Evelyn’s next door neighbor ran into the burning house in search of her. Bob said that he could not see more than a couple of feet beyond the entrance foyer because the smoke was so black and intense. Nonetheless he followed Harry in and saw a pair of feet on the landing of the stairs. Harry had found Evelyn at the top of the stairs and was moving her down towards the front door. Bob and Harry, together, were able to get Evelyn out of the house to safety. They could not have had more than a couple of minutes to spare before it would have been too late.

I know today that Evelyn and Richard were injured, but survived the fire. Richard is still in the Intensive Care Unit at Washington Hospital Center and Evelyn is recovering from a broken pelvis.

The following day, March 21st, I saw Bob back on our block when I returned that evening from work. I got the opportunity to shake hands with him and thank him for what he had done. There were also some fire personnel who returned to the scene of Sunday’s events. I walked over Harry’s house and knocked on the door. When he answered the door, I shook hands and thanked him for what he had done the day before. Harry simply said “I just wasn’t thinking” (when I ran into that burning house on Sunday.) Between the actions of Bob and Harry, they saved Evelyn and Richard’s lives. I have no doubt about that.

The house is an ugly shell now and continues to be a curiosity attraction to many people who stop and stare at the blackened structure. The acrid smell of smoke has dissipated over the past weeks and several rain storms have washed down the wreck that the fire made of this house. But no one lost their life in this fire. No one was lost due to the heroism of two ordinary guys who “did not think” about themselves on that Sunday afternoon, but who acted without hesitation doing what they saw as the right thing to do.

In the future it is going to be difficult to see them as I did previously – just regular guys working in the yard and around their homes. These ordinary guys acted in disregard of their own safety in an extraordinary way on a Sunday afternoon in March and because of them two people are alive today.

In the quiet of your own home, please give a standing ovation to Harry Becker and Bob Gross.

D’Arcy Gallagher

D’Arcy & Joan Gallagher

8108 Whites Ford Way

Potomac, Maryland

Joan@LongandFoster.com

Posted on April 10, 2011 at 7:09 am under News.
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On Sunday March 20th a fire broke out on Whites Ford Way.   Fortunately the couple that lived there escaped with help from some of our brave neighbors.

Some news articles on the fire

 

Posted on March 21, 2011 at 10:16 am under News.
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