Photowalking at Longwood Gardens: A very special travel destination Dolores and I always enjoy visits to Longwood Gardens, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  The location is just west of Wilmington, Delaware and is close enough for a day trip from Gaithersburg, Maryland. Longwood Gardens covers over 1,100 acres.  The gardens are beautiful and the very large Conservatory has wonderful displays all year long. Families that are relocated to the metropolitan Washington, DC area are seeking a better quality of life.  They find the best locations in Montgomery County, Maryland and one of the location benefits is the ability to take day trips to four other states plus the District of Columbia. These photographs were also posted on my Longwood Gardens board on Pinterest.  Please follow m... 09/03/2012

Gaithersburg Hoarding Task Force and Events   Gaithersburg Hoarding Task Force What is hoarding? (pdf file) Annual Report (pdf file) Task Force Roster (pdf file) Tips for Family Members (pdf file) For more information on the Task Force and hoarding related questions in Gaithersburg, call the City of Gaithersburg Community Services Division at 301-258-6395 x2, or contact Emily Rainone in the Neighborhood Services Division at 301-258-6340. Ongoing Events Family Member Monthly Hoarding Support GroupCo-sponsored by the Gaithersburg Task Force on Hoarding. Support for families and significant others. Meet in a friendly, confidential environment facilitated by a JSSA clinical social worker with experience in the area of hoarding and with family caregivers.When: Monthly, 4th Tuesday; 6:30-8:00... 09/03/2012

Gaithersburg is a popular community for home buyers in Montgomery County, Maryland.  With METRO, the ICC, Route 270 and MARC Train, Gaithersburg offers a variety of transportation alternatives. Located 13 miles from the northwestern border of Washington, D.C. and 18 miles to Capitol Hill, Gaithersburg is a major residential area for real estate in Montgomery County. Gaithersburg homes come in many style, ages, prices. Growth in Gaithersburg is approximately 3.4% for the past 5 years, which is reflected due in large part to the popularity of the public schools and the convenience to local major employers in biotechnology, telecommunications and software development. New home developments and sales in Gaithersburg has been vigorous in the past few years. Gaithersburg is convenient to Germ... 09/03/2012

Longwood Gardens:  Flower Photographs by Roy Kelley Longwood Gardens, in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is one of our favorite day trip destinations from our home in Gaithersburg, Maryland. One of the nice things about living in Montgomery County, Maryland, is that we can make day trips to four other states plus Washington, DC.  Montgomery County is a preferred place to live for families that are relocated to the Washington, DC metropolitan area. With over 1,100 acres of gardens and a very large Conservatory, it is best to plan to spend much of the day on visits to Longwood Gardens.  Dolores and I usually begin our visit with a tour of the Flower Garden Walk and then take a break for lunch at the Terrace Cafe.  The mushroom soup is always a favorite. This is mushroom country. After lunch... 09/03/2012

Gaithersburg Fall Youth and Teen Sports   Phone 301-258-6350 Fax 301-948-8364 Email sports@gaithersburgmd.gov   Fall Sports VideoView this video on your desktop computer using a web browser and Windows Media Player.Click here for more information about Gaithersburg Television Registration Deadline: September 5   Posted on ActiveRain as a community service.  This information was provided by the City of Gaithersburg. Gaithersburg Sports!, a program of the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, is committed to providing opportunities for participation in a wide variety of sports activities to our residents and guests. Adopting the principles and guidelines from the National Alliance for Youth Sports and CHARACTER COUNTS!™, Gaithersburg Sports employs the philoso... 09/02/2012

Busy Bees at Longwood Gardens Flowers, Bee, Longwood Gardens IMG_3234 Flowers, Bee, Longwood Gardens IMG_3233 Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 Camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 09/02/2012

Photowalking in Kentlands:  Gaithersburg Summer Flowers   When the days of summer are very hot, the early morning is a good time to get out and about and take a walk through the community.  Most of us need a little more exercise and all of us want to know what is happening in the neighborhood.  Add a camera in hand and your exercise becomes a photowalk. My walking routine includes a mental exercise of seeking the colors of the season.  During the summer, much of the color is found in flowers in the Kentlands and Lakelands communities in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  When families are relocated to the metropolitan area of Washington, DC, we know that they will surely appreciate the quality of life that is available in the Gaithersburg area. These photographs show some of the beauty provided b... 08/31/2012

Kentlands/Lakelands 5 K Run Parking Restrictions     This notice was distributed by the Kentlands Neighborhood Watch   Parking Restrictions/Towing Fees for 5K Run/WalkNo Parking on Affected Streets 12 a.m. - 12 p.m. September 1 New City Towing Policy Will Mean a Ticket and Towing Fee if Vehicles are Left on the Course after Midnight To ensure the safety of all race participants, race streets will be closed to parking before and during the race, and car traffic will be restricted until 12 p.m. on September 1. Cars left on the course after Midnight/ 12 a.m. on Race Day will be towed at the owner's expense. Please note: If you live NEAR the Race Course, and anticipate the need to drive anywhere before 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, please MOVE YOUR CAR IN ADVANCE to a location that is n... 08/31/2012

Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival   Artisans & Crafters Needed   The 31st Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival will draw an entire community to Gaithersburg’s historic City center for a day of food, fun, entertainment and family activities. The City is still seeking local and international artisans and crafters who would like to sell unique jewelry, textiles, and one-of-a-kind hand crafted items. The last day for applications is September 7, 2012.   The one-day event is scheduled for Sunday, September 16, 2012, and will include several stages of live entertainment, with the Smithereens headlining the day, a variety of local food trucks, and special Zones geared for all ages and interests.   Nearly 20,000 people attended the festival last year.   Application forms are avail... 08/30/2012

  Gaithersburg Among Best Places to Live   The City of Gaithersburg, Maryland recently ranked #23 on a list of 100 Best Places to Live, compiled by CNN/Money Magazine to highlight America’s best small cities for families (populations between 50,000 and 300,000).  Gaithersburg also made the list in 2010, coming in at #25, in 2008, coming in at #29, and in 2005, coming in at #17. The rankings take into consideration such criteria as family purchasing power, median home price sales, student test scores, job growth, air quality, incidents of personal and property crimes, commute times, and access to arts and leisure activities. On its website, CNN/Money Magazine notes that “The National Institute of Standards and Technology, IBM, and Medimmune are just some of the many employers in this qua... 08/29/2012

Homes and Condos for Sale in Gaithersburg MD Homes and Condos for Sale in Gaithersburg MD Gaithersburg is a family-friendly community, offering close access to public transportation, schools, freeways, shopping, and state parks. Olde Town is perhaps one of my favorite areas in Gaithersburg Maryland. It has fantastic amenities, unique locally-owned shops and restaurants. The east side also includes Lakeforest Mall, City Hall, and the Montgomery County Fair grounds, a dynamic and thriving city to call home. Our dedication to the buyers is unsurpassed in customer satisfaction. You Bring The Dream - We Bring You The House~ A Sample Of Homes For Sale Available now. . .                 GREAT HOUSE Buyer financing fell through - come and get it!! Bank approved & ready for quicker than normal ... 08/27/2012

Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade The ever-popular Gaithersburg Labor Day Parade returns to the streets of Olde Towne on Monday, September 3, 2012, at 1 p.m. Now in its 74th year, this rain or shine event includes ethnic dance groups, antique cars and fire trucks, clowns, high school marching bands, and an assortment of community groups, equestrian units, and more.  Are you interested in participating this year? The City is looking for community groups and other organizations to march in the parade. This is a great way to be involved in the community and to get your group noticed, plus your unit might even win a special award.  Note that participation in the Labor Day Parade by groups or organizations other than City of Gaithersburg officials, departments or committees does not constitute C... 08/27/2012

Kentlands GO GREEN Group will meet September 12    The Kentlands GO GREEN Group will meet Wednesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse. The group will hear from Alan Pultyniewicz, Recycling Coordinator for Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Solid Waste Services. He leads the effort to educate residents and businesses about the County's recycling regulations, as reducing waste, recycling, buying recycled products, backyard composting and grasscycling. At this meeting, Mr. Pultyniewicz  will address "what happens to our junk once we take it to the dump on Shady Grove Road."   All interested individuals are encouraged to attend.   Posted on ActiveRain as a community service.  Character counts in Gaithersburg.   Butterfly, Wings of Fan... 08/27/2012

Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run/Walk on September 1st   This notice was provided by the Kentlands Neighborhood Watch On Saturday, September 1 beginning at 8 am, over 1,500 race participants are expected to participate in this year’s 5K Run, Walk & Kid’s Fun Runs through the Kentlands and Lakelands neighborhoods. Runners, walkers and kids from all over the Greater D.C. Metropolitan area, the mid-Atlantic region and beyond will come to experience our unique new urbanist community during the Race. The Race benefits the Kentlands Community Foundation, Delores C. Swoyer Summer Camp Scholarship Fund, The Dwelling Place and The Maryland Senior Olympics.  The Race will also serve as the Opening Event for the Maryland Senior Olympics!The Races start and end on Main Street & Market Street East/West, b... 08/25/2012

Kentlands Annual Dog Swim On Labor Day The Kentlands pool season will end on Labor Day, Monday, September 3 at 9:00 p.m. The Social (Main) Pool will close at 4 pm for the season and the annual Dog Swim will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Lap Pool and Baby Pools will remain open until 9 p.m. You will want to have your camera in hand for the Dog Swim. It will be a fun event. Posted on ActiveRain as a community service.  Character counts in Gaithersburg. Clematis, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2986 A Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 08/25/2012

Busy Bees Coneflower, Bees, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2981 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 08/25/2012

Silent Saturday - Brookside Gardens Flowers Flower, Conservatory Exhibit, Brookside Gardens IMG_5064 A Flower, Conservatory Exhibit, Brookside Gardens IMG_5065 A Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 08/25/2012

Newcomers' Coffee in Kentlands:  This Saturday New to Kentlands?  The Kentlands Welcoming Committee is holding a Newcomers' Coffee on Saturday, August 25 at the Kentlands Clubhouse from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  It's a fun hour where you'll meet your neighbors and hear about the community, fun activities and events. Current residents are also invited.  Please call the Clubhouse at 301-948-4290 to let us know you'll be attending. Posted on ActiveRain as a community service.  Character counts in Gaithersburg. Butterfly, Wings of Fancy, Brookside Gardens IMG_4993 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  Recent blogs:  Maryland Gazpacho Soup Recipe Summer Flowers in Kentlands: Maryland Photowalking Wings of Fancy: Butterfly Exhibit at ... 08/24/2012

Coconut Cake, A Sweet Obsession In Kentlands The Cooking & Eating section of The Wall Street Journal includes an article titled THE OBSESSION: COCONUT CAKE. The Obsessor is Roseanne Cash, the Grammy winning musician.  "I never met one I didn't like," said Rosanne Cash, daughter of Johnny, and herself a Grammy-winning musician. "I'd happily compare every coconut cake in the universe from now until death in hopes of finding the perfect one…if I didn't already know the three best recipes in the world." – Charlotte Druckman Her favorite recipe is Carrie’s Coconut Cake. Coconut cake is one of my favorites.  I always have fond childhood memories of my Mother cracking and grating fresh coconuts for her wonderful cakes and pies.  These desserts probably were one of the reasons that I was overwe... 08/23/2012

Gaithersburg Olde Towne Street Festival This post was provided by the City of Gaithersburg Blue collar rock ‘n roll legends The Smithereens are headlining Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne, the City’s rousing street festival taking place on Sunday, September 16. The Smithereens take center stage from 2 to 4 p.m., highlighting a day of music, food, arts, crafts and amusements in and around the intersection of Diamond and Summit Avenues. The festival is open from Noon to 5 p.m. It all starts with a very special tradition as dozens of local residents take an oath to become naturalized United States citizens. This moving, patriotic ceremony will be followed by the announcement of Gaithersburg’s Distinguished Citizen, Outstanding Organization and Distinguished Friend, presented each year ... 08/22/2012