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Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Kentlands — Lakelands — Quince Orchard — North Potomac — and Beyond

Maryland 20878™ magazine began as Kentlands Dot Us® which focused on Kentlands. We rapidly acquired both readers and contributors from Lakelands and added both the Market Square area as well as Lakelands to our coverage areas. As we have now added Gaithersburg city news, we have expanded.

Kentlands is a neo-traditional, or new urbanist, community. The community design is based on the concept that the most pleasant living environments were nineteenth century villages in which homes were grouped around a town center with shops, community buildings, and schools. New urbanism has developed architectural communities going back to this design.

Lakelands is a similar, and neighboring, community built on property which was also once owned by Otis Beal Kent. Lakelands has its own distinct character. Both communities are within walking distance of restaurants, grocery stores, and shops.

Kentlands and Lakelands were built on the estate of Otis Beall Kent. His mansion is now the cultural arts center for Gaithersburg, Maryland. The barn, which is now the Arts Barn, houses a rich center for community theater and artists' workspace as well as offices and a pleasant shop selling the works of local artists. The former barn loft is now

Public Budget Hearing

Editorials―

● Feature Series: Part II We talk with Sally Katz about Her "Job" of Being the Mayor's Wife

Columns―

● Charles Sullivan—“Let Me Count the Ways”

● Grace Maciolek's Destination column—Two Weeks in London; What a Whirl!

Commentary―

● Marien Helz—Growing Up in Gaithersburg: Scouting

● Terry Brennan―Seasonal Scenes

Viewpoints―

● Louis Solomon—A Bittersweet Trip● Lauren Kingsland—The Road

Home

Restaurant Reviews―

Curious Club Meetings

Articles:

● 2007 House & Garden Tour Showcases Neighborhood by Maureen Green

● Seniors Invited to Fun and Fit Fest

● Spring Lessons Offered at Gaithersburg Skate Park

● Landscape Awards Recognize Residential, Commercial

Check OUT:

The Mortgage Vault, Inc. Relocating! See Building Sale

Charles Sullivan, Realtor

England Custom Furniture Direct

Inspiration Original Paintworks

Great Novels! Thriller Tales

Tri-State Home Services Heating and Cooling

Floor Stiles

Vasilis Mediterranean Grill

Kentlands House and Garden Tour

Get your own Domain Name

Word Worth

Advertise in Maryland 20878—Contact Us about our Current Ad

Sales

Gaithersburg News:

● Free Business Development Training

● Vendors, Sponsors Sought for

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Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

a 99-seat theater for the performing arts. Kentlands is thought to be the largest and most successful neo-traditional project in North America.

Kentlands Dot Us® focuses primarily on Kentlands, while KentLakes™ adds Lakelands, and Maryland 20878™ is the over-all publication with city news and information for the area covered by the 20877 and 20878 zip codes. We thank our readers and advertisers for their interest which has led to our expansion.

Beautification Efforts● Open House for Retiring Police

Chief Viverette● Gaithersburg Hosts Vivan Las

Americas Celebration● Third Quarter FY 2007 Employee,

Team Awards● Artists Sought for 2008 Exhibition

Season● Main Street Farmer’s Market

Opens May 5● Cher Compton, Moonstruck

Studios, Gaithersburg High School Students Present Multi Media Art Exhibit

● Water Park Opens Memorial Day Weekend

● Gaithersburg Offers Discounted Tickets to Area Amusement Parks

26th Annual Celebrate● Gaithersburg Receives Two

Showcase Awards from Maryland Recreation Association

● Creative Programs for

Preschoolers

● Gaithersburg Youth Club Presents “Murder’s Bad But Monday Can Kill You!”

● Arts Barn Presents “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”

● City Plans Memorial Day Observance

● City Awards● Water Media Techniques

Workshop Offered at Arts Barn● Anti-Solicitation Ordinance● Spring Activities

Maryland 20878™ g Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and CitygMay 2007 Issue

Cover | Articles

| Columns

| Commentary

| Viewpoints

| Restaurants

| Tours & Maps

| Our Townes

| Letters

| Links

| News

| Classifieds

| Contact

Maryland 20878™ & Aurora Artisans® © 2007 All rights reserved Disclaimers

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Articles - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

2007 House & Garden Tour Showcases Neighborhood

by Maureen Green

Beautiful homes amid woodland and lakes have attracted crowds to the previous five Kentlands House & Garden Tours. The sixth tour will be held on Saturday, June 9 between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Proceeds will benefit Hospice Caring Inc. of Montgomery County as well as the sponsors of the event, the Kentlands Community Foundation and the Kentlands Garden Club The Tour demonstrates the diversity of housing which is one of the elements of this successful ‘new urbanism’ community.

Within walking distance of each other are eight homes of different style and size including four single family homes, a townhouse, a live/work unit above the popular Ruby’s Café, a cottage and a condominium in the Colonnade at Kentlands.

Pictured is the home of Sue and Mitchell Kuff who have created a gorgeous home

and garden which is greatly admired in the neighborhood. The living room has furniture

in neutral tones including a cream velvet sofa and accents in spice silk. Etageres flank the entrance to the room and display a life-long collection of cut-glass paperweights.

A higher ceiling in the family room provides space to display French posters by Capiello.

Classic furniture includes a linen sectional, a pair of X-back ebonized chairs and a Holly Hunt table lamp. In June we will see

g

perennial room-like gardens bordered with hand-stacked fieldstone knee walls. Seasonal plantings are in front, a woodland fern garden to the side and a sunny garden in the rear with David Austin roses.

Tour participants could walk through Kentlands calling at the eight homes and taking time to enjoy the natural beauty of the lakes and woodland as well as landmarks such as the Mansion and an art exhibition in the Gaithersburg Arts Barn. The Colonnade at Kentlands Sales Center will offer complimentary refreshments on the day of the tour.

Tickets may be purchased for $15.00 prior to the day at:

Kentlands Clubhouse, Gaithersburg Arts Barn, O’Donnell’s Sea Grill, The Colonnade at Kentlands Sales Center, and The Kentlands Community Foundation web site, www.kentlands.org.

On the day of the Tour the tickets will be $18.00 on sale at Kentlands Carriage House, 310 Kent Square Road, and

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g Kentlands Clubhouse, 485 Tschiffely Square Road.

Photos by Judy Gross

Seniors Invited to Fun and Fit Fest

Seniors are invited to attend the 2007 Senior Fun and Fit Fest on Wednesday, May 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, focusing on health and exercise, will be held at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 S. Fredrick Ave., Gaithersburg. Anyone over the age of 55 is invited. Admission is free, and a limited number of boxed lunches will be available for $7.

A variety of exercise demonstrations featuring yoga, volleyball, the Vietnamese longevity stick, weight training, “Core and More” floor exercise, stability ball, stretching, aerobics, circuit training, and trail walking will be available. In addition, dancing by Step2music, “Ritmo Latino,” “Sophisticated Ladies” tap dancers, and ballroom dance will be performed throughout the day.

In conjunction with the exercise activities, free screenings and relaxation therapies will be available. These treatments include blood pressure tests, dermascan, glaucoma, spinal assessment, chair message, and reflexology. Other health information booths and hobby tables will also be on display.

For more information please contact the Gaithersburg Upcounty Senior Center at 301-258-6380, or visit the City’s website at www.

gaithersburgmd.gov.

Spring Lessons Offered at Gaithersburg Skate Park

Learn to skate, improve your skills or perfect your tricks with one-hour skateboarding lessons taught by the professionals at America In-line. Classes will be held at the Gaithersburg Skate Park, located at 506 S. Frederick Ave. Sessions will be offered on Wednesday, May 23, May 30 and June 6, 2007 and are open to everyone ages 5 and older. The fee per class is $40 for City residents and $45 for non-residents.

America In-line conveniently offers two types of skateboarding lessons designed to meet various skill levels. Beginner Flat Skate - Skateboarding Level One will run from 4 to 5 p.m. and is designed for individuals learning to skateboard and who have not been in a skate park before. The majority of instruction will take place in roped-off areas of the parking lot.

Novice Park Skate - Skateboarding Level Two will run from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. and is for those who are somewhat familiar with the park structures. Skaters should be able to skate comfortably on open and flat surfaces. Intermediate and advanced skaters are more than welcome to join. Both classes include protective gear rentals but require participants to bring their own boards.

For more information and to register, please call the Gaithersburg Skate Park at 301-258-

Landscape Awards Recognize

Residential, Commercial

Beautification Efforts

The City is looking for outstanding examples of residential and commercial landscaping for its third annual Gaithersburg Beautification Awards. Designed to honor those who value beautifully landscaped and well-maintained properties, and who work diligently to help make Gaithersburg such a lovely City, the awards will be presented on October 1, 2007.

Any commercial or residential property within the City limits may be nominated. The City's Beautification Committee members will judge the nominees in June and July, and will select one winner from the many commercial and residential categories listed on the nomination form. Honorable mentions may be awarded if deemed necessary.

Judges will be looking at the functional and aesthetic aspect of design, use of plant and hardscape materials, maintenance, and



6350 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov. suitability of design to purpose.

Nomination forms are available at all City facilities and on the City’s website. Deadline for submission is May 31. Self-nominations are welcome.

For more information, please call 301-258-6330, or visit the City’s website at www.

gaithersburgmd.gov.

Public Invited to Open House for Retiring Police Chief Viverette

The City of Gaithersburg will hold an open house for retiring Police Chief Mary Ann Viverette on Monday, May 7, 2007. The reception will be held from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in the Second Floor Gallery at City Hall, 31 South Summit Avenue. Reservations are not required.

Gaithersburg Hosts Vivan Las Americas Celebration

On Saturday May 12 from Noon to 4 p.m. the City of Gaithersburg will host VIVAN LAS AMERICAS: Sabor! Salud! Salsa!, a celebration of the heritage, culture and diversity of Montgomery County’s Hispanic community. It will be held at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg.

Organized by Through The Kitchen Door International with the support and participation of local government, area service providers and businesses, VIVAN LAS AMERICAS will

Gaithersburg Announces Third Quarter FY 2007 Employee, Team

Awards

At the Mayor and Council meeting on Monday April 16, 2007, Gaithersburg Mayor Sidney Katz and City Manager David Humpton presented the Employee of the Quarter Award for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2007 to Terrilyn Lahs, Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture and the Team of the Quarter Award to the Public Information Office

The City’s Employee Recognition Committee, made up of peers from each department, reviews nominations for Employee and/or Team of the Quarter. The Recognition Program guidelines provide that a maximum of two individual and two team awards may be presented in each quarter. The winners are then entered into nomination for the annual Employee and Team of the Year Awards.

Terrilyn Lahs, Facilities Administration Director,



“The Police Chief position is a very public one, and we realize that there are many people in the community who would like to wish the Chief well and thank her for her contributions to our community,” said City Manager David Humpton.

Chief Viverette’s last day will be Friday, May 18, 2007. She joined the Gaithersburg Police Department in 1979, holding all ranks until her appointment as Chief of Police in 1986. Gaithersburg has seen its force grow from a complement of three sworn officers and one civilian clerk when it was formed in the early 1970’s to a staff of over 50 today.

With assistance from the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the City has conducted a thorough search for a new Police Chief. A final pool of six candidates was introduced to the public at a reception on March 28. An announcement is anticipated in the next few weeks. For more information please contact the City Manager’s Office at 301-258-6310.

feature cooking demonstrations, samples of typical foods from countries of the Americas, and activities promoting healthy families and communities.

Designed to bring together area residents in celebration of the diverse Hispanic community and its rich traditions of food and culture, the planning and development of VIVAN LAS AMERICAS has already benefited County residents. More than 100 adults and teens have received life skills and empowerment training through food and nutrition education and professional food service experiences. A poster art contest under the direction of VisArts Center, Rockville, has been attracting entries from area middle and high school students.

Admission to the celebration is free. Festivities will include: Samples of typical foods from countries including Mexico, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and others prepared by Through The Kitchen Door trainees; cooking demonstrations; entertainment; sports and recreation activities; exhibits featuring organizations and businesses providing services to the Hispanic community; health and nutrition information and resources; and outdoor picnic and recreation areas open to the public.

VIVAN LAS AMERICAS is supported in part by the Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Affairs’ Community Empowerment Grant Program and the City of Gaithersburg. For more information please contact Through The Kitchen Door at 301-657-1157, via e-mail at [email protected], or visit their website at www.kitchendoor.org.

Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture, was nominated for her outstanding performance and for continually going above and beyond her regular duties to provide service to the customers of the Department. In addition to her regular assignments she was responsible for the hiring and training of new employees. She familiarized herself with the duties and responsibilities of the positions and the related training necessary to bring new employees up to speed. Terrilyn is someone to be counted on and is always helpful, cheerful and conscientious in exercising her duties and responsibilities even during times of transition.

The Public Information Office team within the City Manager’s Office, which includes Jeff Baldwin, Haleh Brandau, Chris Clifford, Herb Kosack, Amy McGuire, Britta Monaco, Virginia Rader, and Karen Simms, was nominated for its efforts in providing

superior results under oftentimes challenging conditions. Due to the nature of the work done by this office, they frequently deal with last minute project scope, deadline and budgetary changes, and this team always rises to the occasion to provide whatever service is needed. The team consistently produces creative, professional, high-quality, cost-effective promotional and public relations materials. The enthusiasm, dedication, attention to detail, and positive "can



do" attitude of the entire team is a true asset to the City.

For more information on the awards program and the individuals recognized please contact the Gaithersburg City Manager’s Office at 301-258-6310, or visit the City’s website at www.

gaithersburgmd.gov.

Artists Sought for 2008 Exhibition Season

The City of Gaithersburg Cultural Arts Advisory Committee invites artists and art organizations to submit an application for an exhibit at one four municipal art galleries, including the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, Kentlands Mansion, The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, and the City Hall Gallery.

Call to Artist applications are now available for the upcoming 2008 exhibition season. Artist’s work will be selected by a jurying committee and both group and individual shows will be exhibited.

The deadline for submission is June 1, 2007. Application forms can be downloaded from the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/

artsbarn, or contact Gallery Director Andi Rosati 301-258-6394 or [email protected].

Main Street Farmer’s Market Opens May 5

With enough sunshine and warm weather, farm fresh strawberries, lettuce, bedding plants, and maybe even some cucumbers and squash will be appearing at the City of Gaithersburg’s Main Street Farmer’s Market on Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The market is housed in the Main Street Pavilion, 301 Main Street, at the intersection of Hart Street, one block off of Kentlands Boulevard in the Kentlands.

Select your fresh-picked produce every Saturday from May 5 through October/November. The variety and quantities of available produce will increase each week as different crops reach maturity. In addition to the farmers, a variety of local artists and craft persons will be coming out each weekend with their handmade items. Think Mother’s Day, Graduation, Father’s Day, and other occasions as you browse through their unique selections.

Vendors interested in participating should contact Nansie Wilde at 301-258-6350 x123 or via e-mail at [email protected].

For more information please call the number

Cher Compton, Moonstruck

Studios, Gaithersburg High

School Students Present Multi

Media Art Exhibit

The City of Gaithersburg presents “Personal Mythologies,” an art exhibit showcasing the works of Cher Compton and her students of Moonstruck Studios. In addition, the creative works of Gaithersburg High School students will also be on display. The exhibition runs from May 11 through July 8, 2007 with a reception on May 22 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, 506 South Frederick Avenue. Viewing hours are Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In this “Personal Mythologies” exhibit, Compton and her students examine what it is that has brought them to the visual arts. Each work of art relates an image(s) that is at the center of what the artist wishes to express. “We don’t always know why a particular image is so important to us, but we recognize it as something



above or visit the City’s website at www.

gaithersburgmd.gov.

powerful and meaningful in our lives,” explains Cher Compton. This is a diverse body of work representing Moonstruck Studios’ mission – developing each artist as an individual and giving them the tools and techniques to express ideas that are uniquely their own.

In addition, the works of Gaithersburg High School students will be on display expressing a wide range of interests through paintings, photographs and ceramics. The students featured come from a myriad of backgrounds and the art in the show reveals a wide variety of subjects and genres. While some work is realistic and functional, others are abstract and introspective.

For more information, please call Gaithersburg Arts Barn Director Andi Rosati at 301-258-6394 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Water Park Opens Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the outdoor pool season, and Gaithersburg’s Water Park at Summit Hall Farm in Bohrer Park will be ready for visitors of all ages. Located next to the Skate Park, Miniature Golf Course and Activity Center at 506 South Frederick Avenue, the Water Park offers a relaxing and fun-filled experience for the entire family. Opening day is Saturday, May 26 at noon.

Gaithersburg Offers Discounted Tickets to Area Amusement Parks

Planning to visit Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion or Hershey Park with the family this summer? Why not save a few dollars by purchasing your admission tickets in advance through the City of Gaithersburg. Discounted tickets are now available at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, located at 506 South Frederick Avenue in Gaithersburg. Tickets are sold Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Only cash and checks will be accepted, no credit or debit cards.



The Water Park’s main pool provides ample shallow water play, space for recreational swimming, and features a large water umbrella for children to enjoy. The main attraction is the double-flume slide, which dispatches swimmers from a 38 foot tall tower to a separate splashdown section of the main pool. The enclosed slide is 185 feet long and offers an exhilarating ride to the bottom, while the open flume slide is designed for a more leisurely journey of 336 feet. These slides are open to all swimmers 48 inches and taller. The Water Park also boasts a separate tot pool with a frog slide, as well as fountains and sprays to entertain the little ones.

Adjacent to the main pool is a carpeted sun deck with plenty of deck chairs and chaise lounges. In the large grassy area surrounding the pool there are several covered picnic tables available. A shaded Snack Bar Plaza on the premises includes treats from Boardwalk Fries.

The Water Park operates on a pre-season schedule while school is in session. The full summer season begins June 14 when the pool opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. For schedules, admission fees, money-saving season passes and more call 301-258-6445 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/waterpark.

Tickets are available for: Busch Gardens, Water Country, Dorney Park, Dutch Wonderland, Six Flags Great Adventure – NJ, Hershey Park, Kings Dominion, Sesame Place, and Six Flags America. Although discounts vary from park to park, the average savings is approximately 35%. For example, tickets to Six Flags America, good on any day, are available for $27, an 85% savings over the regular admission price of $49.99. Hershey Park adult tickets, normally $45.95, are available for the discounted price of $35.

For a complete list of amusement parks and rates please visit the City’s website at www.

gaithersburgmd.gov, or call 301-258-6350.

Maryland 20878™ g Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City

Cover | Articles |

Columns |

Commentary |

Viewpoints |

Restaurants |

Tours & Maps |

Our Townes |

Letters |

Links |

News |

Classifieds |

Contact



Columns - Maryland 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™ - Kentlands, Lakelands, and Beyond;

Quarterly

Two Weeks in London; What a Whirl!

By Graceann Maciolek

I’ve never traveled internationally before. Just getting my Passport was an adventure, so you can imagine how excited and bewildered I am by the process of navigating international terminals, security and customs

checks. I plan things to the nth degree, and having this many unknowns in the mix is a bit beyond my comfort zone. However, nothing is going to keep me from my date with London. I’ve waited a long time to see this City – and a few butterflies and metal detectors aren’t going to deter me.

Once I settled into my flight, I realized that this was a very lightly-scheduled trip. Unless we were traveling with someone, we each ended up with a row to ourselves. Once we had our delicious dinner, we could push back the armrests, spread out the blankets and make a bed out of each of our areas (which I did). It was like when I was a small child traveling in the back seat of my Dad’s station wagon. I slept comfortably and peacefully in the dark cabin for more than two hours.

By the time I felt restless and ready to stir, we were approaching the United Kingdom and it was time to freshen up in preparation for our arrival. Sleeping helped the time pass, though it was still a longer flight than I’m used to at more than eight hours. I was ready to move around on terra firma, and to get my first glimpse of London.

An Airport by any Other Name Would be Just as Crowded

My first glimpse of London looked like my first glimpse of every other city I’ve ever visited: a busy airport, long lines and baggage carousels. I got into the queue for the Passport control, and waited for the slew of questions I was sure I would receive. Roughly 30 seconds after I approached the agent, I was sent on my way with a stamp in my passport and

Monthly

“Let Me Count the Ways”

By Charles Sullivan, ABR, CRS, GRI, MBA

Why do people buy the [fill in the blank] they buy? Companies large and small spend billions each month attempting to answer this question. Perceptive insights into consumer behavior lead to more productive advertising, better products and services for consumers, and higher sales and profits for producers. Answer the question “Why do they buy?” and your company may become the world leader in its category (e.g., Coca-Cola); fail to “get in right” and your miscue will serve as MBA-classroom fodder for decades (e.g., “New” Coca-Cola).

When it comes to homes, people buy them based on emotion and then justify their decision with reason. Ask anyone who has ever purchased a “Why this home?” question and you are likely to hear a long litany of “logical” reasons for their selection.

The buyer’s decision calculus is complex, a mixture of positives (likes) and negatives (dislikes) about each property they spend more than five minutes considering. To the extent the homeseller can eliminate the negatives, the reasons for a buyer not to buy a particular home, she will become a savvy seller.

So how do buyers pick their next home? Here is but a small sampling of the questions they ask themselves:

Price – “Will the mortgage eat me alive?”

Emotional Wellness – “This home makes me feel ____!”

Space – “Do I need something this big?” or “Can I live with something this small?”

Repressed Longing – “Yes! I’ve always wanted a home with _______.”

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Columns - Maryland 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™ - Kentlands, Lakelands, and Beyond;

a smile on my face. I’ve had more difficult times getting through my grocery store check-out lane.

It had been so terribly cold at my starting point that I was bundled in a bulky sweater and winter coat. When I got to the airport I realized that it was in the 50’s and that I was ridiculously overdressed. The very first thing I did was put my winter coat in the suitcase in order to free up the use of my arms. I was still melting, but I’d have to wait until I got to the final destination to change into something more appropriate to the weather. I made it through the maze of corridors to where travelers exit the airport, and there my darling host was waiting for me, smiling, happy and with ... click to continue

Quarterly April © 2007 Maryland 20878™

Repressed Hatred – “Yuck! I would never buy a home with _______.”

Curb Appeal – Love (hate) at first sight.

The In-Law Test – ‘Nuff said.

Neighborhood – “Can I leave my car unlocked?”

Neighbors – “Do I want to live next door to these folks?”

Parking – “Is the garage big enough for all my stuff?”

Yard – “Can I keep the yard up? ...click to continue

Monthly May © 2007 Maryland 20878™


Cover |

Articles | Columns |

Commentary |

Viewpoints |

Restaurants |

Tours & Maps |

Our Townes |

Letters |

Links |

News |

Classifieds |

Contact


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Maciolek - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Maciolek's Past Columns

We are pleased to present columns by Graceann Maciolek. She is a writer whose greatest loves are her fiance, David, her cat of dubious intelligence, Spike, silent and early sound cinema, and road trips (usually to silent film events or historic sites).

Graceann Maciolek's past columns are available here in Adobe files. Click on the links below to access the Adobe files. If you do not have Adobe on your computer, you can download a free copy here:

● St. Simons Island – Going Coastal April 2005 [Quarterly] ● Stepping Into the Past – Gettysburg July 2005 [Quarterly] ● The New Orleans I Remember October 2005 [Quarterly] ● St. Simons Island – The First Visit January 2006 [Quarterly] ● ‘Wonderful People Out There in the Dark’ April 2006 [Quarterly] ● Travel Then and Now July 2006 [Quarterly] ● Mackinac Island–Of Lilacs and Long Ago October 2006 [Quarterly] in columns● HOO-RAY For Hollywood! January 2007 [Quarterly] in columns

...continued from the columns page:

a Coca Cola in hand (this is a man who knows me). Now I was going to get to see London? Nope, not quite yet.

The Tube at Rush Hour – London in your Lap

My host shuttled me onto the Tube and we stood for quite a little while, since this was a Monday morning and everyone was on their way to their various workplaces. It took us quite a while to finally get seats, and when we did, one of the unlucky standees lost her footing and I got a very informal, yet definitive, introduction to a nice lady who only wanted to get to the office on time. I was tired, disoriented and completely dependent on my friend to make sure

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that we got to our appropriate destination. It took just a bit over an hour to get to Central London, and then I finally got to see what the City looks like. Neighborhoods with little courtyards, and shops everywhere. So far, very interesting.

We kept things fairly low-key that first day; if only to let me ease into the routine of a very busy City, given that I live in a much smaller one. We took a walk around the neighborhood and picked up some supplies, and I learned my way around the intricacies of my host’s home and amenities.

Tower, Eye & Garden

I woke up the next day, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, ready to see all that London had to offer. The best and easiest way to get around London is by using public transport. Cars are expensive, and driving is confusing, congested and frightening. I’m no more interested in driving in London than I would be in Manhattan or Chicago. The first order of business was to get me an “Oyster Card,” which allows reasonably priced, unlimited access to the buses for a week, and then we went exploring. We headed out to the South Bank, past the Millennium Eye ferris wheel (a hugely popular attraction), over Tower Bridge and disembarked in order to see the Tower of London. The juxtaposition of old and new in London is mind-boggling. The centuries-old Tower surrounded by glass skyscrapers of varying tastes and styles. It was quite an education. Wherever a bit of the old Wall appeared, it was surrounded by a fence and preserved – very different from what I’m used to seeing in my domestic travels. It was a fairly grey and dreary day, which I found to be fairly normal for London in February, but the weather reduced the crowds and we were able to walk without having to deal with too many other people. Next we ventured over to Covent Garden and visited some of the shops and enjoyed the seemingly innumerable street performers. After all that walking, we were both famished, so we tucked into a tasty meal before

getting back on the bus and heading home.

A Full, Rich Day

I’m so glad I wrote down everything I did on this particular day, because I never would have remembered it all. I can barely believe we squeezed it all into a mere few hours. We started, as always, with catching the bus just a block away from home and heading off into what for me was the unknown. We went past the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey before we even disembarked. We first visited Admiralty Arch, from which you can see Buckingham Palace off in the distance. Then we visited Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. We walked over to Leicester Square where you can buy reasonably-priced tickets for the West End shows (and see a top-notch

statue of Charles Chaplin), shopped the bookstores at Cecil Court and saw the plaque where the now defunct Marks & Co. (made famous in the book and film “84 Charing Cross Road”) once stood. Chinatown was a marvelous destination for dinner, and we had our pick of delicious eateries. In order to walk off all of that food, we made our way to Oxford Street (which was a bit too crowded for my taste – even though it was after dark, it felt very much like downtown Chicago on the day after Thanksgiving). After all of that, I was more than ready to go home and put my feet up for a bit.

Notting Hill Explorations

This was one of my favorite London locations. Lovely little shops and a very arty atmosphere, and a gloriously beautiful ride in getting there, past the Albert Memorial and Hyde Park (where daffodils were already starting to bloom). We stopped in a little café for hot chocolate and a piece of cake, and then strolled along the streets, enjoying



the wares offered by the different book, music and retro shops. We each found some treasures and even explored a street that my host hadn’t yet viewed in detail. It was generally a relaxing, happy day. Top this off with a delicious meal (which we did), and you have a recipe for wonderful memories.

A Boat and a Bus Ride (or Two)

This was the furthest I traveled during my explorations, and it still was a very quick ride home at the end of the day. It all began with a leisurely boat ride from Westminster Pier past many London landmarks, including the recreated Globe Theatre and the HMS Belfast, to Greenwich. Unfortunately, the Cutty Sark is being

restored so we weren’t able to visit that particular site, but we were able to visit the artisan’s bazaar, with so many different offerings of food and crafts that I didn’t know where to spend my money first. I loved the little streets and the lovely bakeries – I had some of the finest carrot cake I’ve ever enjoyed (and that’s saying something). We then hopped onto a bus to return home (just one bus, and it got us all the way back to where we started that morning). After a brief rest and freshening up, we headed out again, this time for a romantic stroll along the Thames to see the Houses of Parliament and the Millennium Eye all lit up just for us (or so it seemed). We took a pedestrian bridge over the River and tried to eat at one of the waterfront restaurants, but it was late and they had all closed; no matter, we found a little side street with a marvelous Italian restaurant, and felt that we’d discovered a treasure.

Canary Wharf

This was such an interesting journey for me – Canary Wharf is a very modern office/shopping/real estate complex, but to get to it, you go past St. Paul’s Cathedral and through the very historic Limehouse District. It’s as if you’re time-traveling, and in reality you are. I enjoyed seeing all the old brick

buildings and walking on the cobblestones, such that when we arrived at Canary Wharf, it was a bit of a jolt. We had a nice lunch with one of our friends there, and by the time we were done eating, the lunchtime business crowd had thinned out and we were able to visit some of the shops without being elbow-to-elbow with everyone else in town. However, after a short time in the complex, I was ready to head back out and go back through Limehouse again, and as a special treat, we left the bus at St. Paul’s so that I could look at it more closely. It’s a gorgeous, inspirational building and I could have easily spent much longer exploring it. The weather was turning threatening again, however, and after all the exploring we’d done since lunch, we were ready for our supper. My host took me to one of his favorite restaurants and we had a marvelous evening together.

One Last Night on the Town

I couldn’t fathom how it was that I had been in London for two weeks and that it was time to head back to the US



already. The time had flown so quickly that if I hadn’t dated my diary entries, I wouldn’t have believed that the time had already passed. I had one last evening to spend, and it was a truly memorable one. A friend picked me up, and took me through the streets of London at night, past the beautiful Buckingham Palace and then past Harrod’s, which is lit up like a Christmas tree once the sun goes down. We then drove through several of the neighborhoods and visited my host as he finished the last couple hours of his shift as a continuity announcer for one of the television studios. Seeing him in action was fascinating, to say the least. It was rainy and cold, again, as we left the studio to head for home one last time. We tried not to think about the fact that it would only be twelve hours before my flight would be leaving Heathrow to return me to the States. I know I’ll be back, and soon.

Some tips:

It seems a cliché, but seriously, make sure you have an umbrella with you when you leave the house. It rained at least a little every day that I was in London. I visited in February and I understand this is normal for that time of year; I don’t know what precipitation is like during the other months.

Be prepared for people; lots of them. London is a very crowded city, and while most of the folks I met were incredibly nice, just the sheer volume of humanity could feel overwhelming at times.

Relax and enjoy what’s around you. Don’t try to cram a huge amount into a “schedule,” or you will be frustrated and exhausted. Just let the day happen, and you will have much happier memories.

Links of Interest:

http://londonengland.ca/ (general information about the City)

http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_us

(the lovely airline that got me there and back again – talk about a stress-free trip)

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tickets/oyster/general.asp (Oyster Card information)

http://www.citycruises.com/london_06/thames_boat_trips.htm (boat trip info)


Columnists write on topics of their own choice, and their views do not necessarily reflect those of Kentlands Dot Us®. If you would like to write for Kentlands Dot Us®, contact us at [email protected]


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...continued from the Columns page:

...Does it work for my children/pets/boat?”

Space – “Is the home big enough for my family/in-law visits/stuff?”

Room Sizes – “Wow! These rooms are big!” or “Wow! These rooms are small!”

Kitchen – “I love (hate) the colors.” and “What would it cost to remodel?”

Color – “Do I have to re-paint right away?” and “Can I live with the goldenrod vinyl?”

George Foreman Affirmation – “I don’t want to pay too much for this home!”

Floor Plan – “Can I knock this wall out?”

The Sands of Time – “How long has the home been on the market?”

Special Uses – “Is there a place where I can _______?”

Basement – “Is there room for my stuff?”

Oddball Features – “How can I work around this awful _______?”

Schools – “Are my kids getting good schools?”

Price – “What did the house down the street sell for?”

“Must-Have School” – “Is the home in the right cluster?”

Smell – “What do these people cook in here?” or “They have cats!”

Smokers – “Oh no, these people smoke. Goodbye!”

Hardwood floors – “I love carpet.”

Carpeting – “I really want hardwood floors.”

Feng Shui – “This home is harmonious.”

Condition – “How much work do I have to do before moving in?”

Price – “Do they really think they will get [$X] for this place?”

Comparison Shopping – “The house we saw yesterday is a better value.”

Desperation – “How badly do these people want to sell?”

Age – “I only want new construction!”

Commute – “How long will it take to get to work?”

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Friends – “Do we know anyone in this neighborhood?”

Price – “Do I really want to pay this much?”

Buyers ask and answer literally hundreds of questions as they play mental ping pong when considering their next home.

Savvy homesellers recognize there are many decision variables outside of their control but will take measures to address the ones they can influence.

Monthly May© 2007 Maryland 20878™



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Commentary - Maryland 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™ - Kentlands, Lakelands, and Beyond;

Monthly

Growing Up In Gaithersburg

Scouting

By Marien Helz

There was a time when a man’s having been an Eagle Scout as a boy was beneficial in the job market. It meant something to have reached that level of

accomplishment, and employers were cognizant of the benefit of hiring someone with that level of achievement. It wasn’t quite the same in Girl Scouting, but earning the highest level, the Curved Bar rank, was nonetheless a feat that required dedication and purpose.

When I was growing up in Gaithersburg, there wasn’t a lot to do—so the farm kids usually joined 4H, and a number of the town kids participated in scouting. I joined the Brownies when I was in the second grade because the friend I walked home with told me one day that she couldn’t walk home with me because she was going to a Brownie meeting. I’d never heard of Brownies, nor of Scouting, but I joined with my friend Barbara Schroeder. Although Barbara moved to California when we were in the third grade, I continued in Scouting throughout my school years.

Quarterly

Seasonal Scenes—Photographic Essay

By Terry Brennan

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The Girl Scout and Boy Scout organizations provided the opportunity to learn principles that are useful for a lifetime; one thing that stuck with me was the concept of always leaving a place better than you found it. Anyone who makes that precept a part of their character becomes incapable of littering or marring their environment. The concept requires a person to fix up their home and yard and contribute to their school and their community. Contributing to the greater good can become a way of life.

Camping in the summertime also provided experiences that engendered self-reliance and confidence, as well as memories such as those I have from hiking with backpacks for three days along the Appalachian Trail and seeing the stars at night from a sleeping bag on top of a mountain—the exemplar of Longfellow’s verse:

Silently one by one, in the infinite meadows of heaven,

Blossomed the lovely stars, the forget-me-nots of the angels.

I still have the sharks’ teeth that I found when I camped along



the Chesapeake Bay. I hadn’t been able to find any for a week and a half, and then a counselor told me how to look for them just as the waves break. I found more than thirty in the next three days, one as long as my index finger, one no bigger than a grain of sand.

I’ll never forget the camp in the Pocono Mountains where a friend and I found two fawns and

followed them trying to get a picture. They flicked their tails as they repeatedly scampered off short distances—until suddenly their tails shot straight up and they dashed quickly out of sight. As we looked around we saw that we were nearly surrounded by deer watching us. We returned fairly rapidly to our cabins, in time to go to the dining hall for the blueberry muffins that were made from the blueberries growing all around.

As soon as I was old enough, I took a counselor training course at a camp in Virginia and then became an

assistant leader for a troop of younger kids. I took them camping at a place nearby where cabins and tents could be reserved for troops in the area. Since there were sixteen ... click to continue




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...continued from the Commentary page:

little girls in the troop, I took half of them in the Fall and the other half in the Spring. When I look back on that, the fact that I was around sixteen years old and alone had the safety of eight little girls in my hands—twice—seems far more daunting now than then. Of course, it was a safer world then, and children were taught to respect those in charge. Not one of them went home with so much as a scratch while they were under my care.

Life in a small town could be limiting and restricting for a child and more so for an adolescent. Scouting provided the chance to spread wings, to meet people from other areas and from other countries, and to learn about the importance of convening with Nature.


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Viewpoints - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Monthly

The Road Home

by Lauren Kingsland

The return of the warm weather has sent me to the garden center for the flowering plants that become my balcony garden. Selecting colors and shapes that “play well” together is a familiar

task, not unlike what I do all day in the quilt studio. With plants my goal is a variety of leaf shapes, flowers and heights with some repetition of color to tie them together. This year my color is red. When I choose fabrics for a quilt I don’t have to consider the half day of direct sun available or how much they will grow, so it’s another same-only-different artistic activity. This annual pilgrimage to the nursery is part of the rhythm of my life and one of the ways I make whatever place I live into home for myself.

Our homes and gardening are important to many of us here in Gaithersburg. During my walks past some of the

Monthly

A Bittersweet Trip

by Louis P. Solomon

"I would like to take a trip to Italy with the group Claire Simmons has put together." That was how my wife started the conversation. As frequently happens, I had no idea what she was talking about, and politely said so. She looked at me with the long suffering look that only wives can generate, and told me about the suggested trip. It was to be called the Mosaic Traditions of Italy. Claire would take care of everything. After some investigation we found out that this was the first time this particular tour was going to be provided, and that there would be about 20 people on the tour. It seemed to me that it was a nice size group. They were generally from the Washington DC area, but there were also people who had been with Claire before on other trips. That was a good sign: they were repeat customers.

I like being with my wife, and I like traveling: I said that I thought it was a wonderful idea. I have personally traveled all over most of the world, usually for business. I believe that the last time I was on a tour was over 50 years ago. That had long since faded from memory, so, I thought the tour would be a new experience and worth trying. We needed to pay (that is always important to everyone), and have our passports. Claire and her staff took care of everything else.

Claire Simmons is a relatively new friend of my wife. The two of them have become very close in a short period of time. Claire has a very interesting background. She is a Jewish historian and a child of a holocaust survivor. She uses her skills and knowledge to arrange trips, generally for the Jewish community,

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more lavish places in our midst, I’ve wondered if people really make a distinction between house and the more abstract concept, home. The Kentlands Garden Tour in June 2005 was a chance for me to find out. Visitors to my Arts Barn studio during the tour were invited to write on a fabric square to the writing prompt - “Complete the sentence, Home is...” The fabric was a pebbly looking pale cream/blue wide stripe which would become a path through houses and gardens in my concept.

Seventy-four people took the time to share their brief description of home, and most wrote in their own words. I did get the quotations “Home is where the heart is”, “Home is where you hang your hat”, complete with a sweet drawing of a hat, and the quote from Robert Frost, “Home is where when you have to go there, they have to take you in.” Much more often were things like, “Home is where the children play”, “Home is my sanctuary”, “Home is a comfy couch and a good book”, “Home is where you are loved and needed.” There was one family that shared their street address, but that was the only reference to a particular building, and they were from out of town. ... click to continue

May © 2007 Maryland 20878™

to Poland and Czechoslovakia. The members of the tour visit the towns where Jews lived, meet some of the survivors of the Nazi death camps, talk to non-Jews who are part of the older generation and who were observers of the events of that terrible time, and, in general, try to steep themselves in that part of Jewish history. This trip, which was to be in Tuscany, however, was to be different. The same general approach was to be taken, but it would focus on the life of the Jews in Italy, with particular emphasis on the early Renaissance period. The tour would include visits to Venice, Florence, and Rome. However, it would also include stops in much smaller towns, including Ferrara, Livorno, Siena, Pitigliano, and a tiny town called Nanantola.

Claire has taught at the University and High School levels with emphasis on Jewish studies and Hebrew. She is well qualified to lead such a tour. She started out by suggesting that we all took a course, taught on 5 evenings over a 5 week period (one night a week) where she would talk about movement and history of Jewish settlement in Italy. While many of the people who went ...click to continue

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Columnists - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Guest Columnists

Columns are available here in Adobe files. Click on the links below to access the Adobe files. If you do not have Adobe on your computer, you can download a free copy here:

Shari Kersch is a Registered Nurse with twenty-four years of experience, primarily in long term care. She is also a licensed massage therapist, combining her nursing skills with the healing effects of massage. She is the mother of a twenty-year-old daughter, and ten-year-old twin boys.

● Second In Command June 2006● “Artistic” Tendency March 2007 in Viewpoints

Kevin Nielsen's column "West Virginia" appeared in the August 2006 issue. Nielsen enjoys writing and loves West Virginia even though he does not currently live there.

● West Virginia August 2006

...continued from the Viewpoints page:

Michele Hiczewski has a degree in Commercial Art, but her life's profession has been in the office supply industry. She has been a purchasing agent at an office supply company since 1985, and has also worked retail, customer service and outside sales positions within the industry. Her other interests include yoga, music, animals, and occasionally riding a Harley Davidson.

● CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?● T.V. Topics● The Most Wonderful Time


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My friend Charity Goodman, an anthropologist, did a little data analysis on these quotes and found three main themes among these responses. Most often home was the presence of particular people, noted either by relationship or by name. Tied for second place was the idea of security and of being loved. The results were not surprising. We all look for home and long for a place to belong. We know in our hearts that, despite the advertising claims to the contrary, home is not the house, but what goes on in the house.

This informal investigation was particularly important to me then because I felt homeless myself at that time. My children are grown and on their own, their father is married to someone else, and my house where, for so many years, we had lived as a family was sold to someone who immediately cut down the big trees. I may have had a safe place to sleep out of the rain and enough to eat, but my home had evaporated. In order to rebuild that sense of home within myself, by myself, I needed to ask what home actually is. I learned that home is an idea, a template, that we carry with us in our hearts, like the snail carries its shell on its back. That idea allows us to move from place to place and adjust to interpersonal changes without being lost. We may be coming home or going home or looking for home, but we all have a sense of what it is.

My quilt “The Road Home” evolved from these written blocks. They are arranged in a path that spirals from the upper left corner through complex wild green fields, past many pieced houses, to one house at the center. My original concept had been more orderly, predictable and idealized, but these community participation quilts take on the energy of everyone who writes on them. The sweet rows of houses and planned gardens of my first thought could not express the variety and truth of those words. The road is not necessarily smooth and takes unexpected turns through unsettling places, but there is sanctuary along the way like the snail shell home we carry in our heads.

When the finished quilt was on display in the Arts Barn gallery in early 2006, I often went out of the studio to talk to viewers about what they saw. For some people the road started at the center and the journey was outward. Others saw the house in the center as the home destination. I heard stories about grandparent’s rural homes. I heard about leaving a distant country to find a new home here, far from a birthplace to which there might never be a return trip. Elderly widows told me about selling their houses after being in one place their whole adult lives to move near their children. All were stories about the search for security, being with someone who loves you, and then finding and tending a place where one can put down roots and live.

I’ve settled at last into a new sense of home and have resumed the annual rhythm of my life after a period of syncopation. For me, the garden is a gesture of making my home harmonious with the natural world that is home to all of us in a bigger sense. My balcony garden is just as important to me as the old yard, and easier to mow. I value the companionship of my son, Ben, and my Mom when we get together. My home is not the house, but the community of friends and neighbors.

The quilt “The Road Home”is on display in the quilt studio in the Arts Barn at 311 Kent Square Road, behind the Kentlands Mansion. The Barn is open Wed. - Fri. 10 - 5, Sat. & Sun. 10 - 2, and in the evenings during performances.

The Kentlands House and Garden tour is Sat. June 9 this year. Tickets are available at the


Solomon - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Louis Solomon's Past Columns

We are pleased to present viewpoint columns by Louis P. Solomon.

Most of Louis Solomon's career was spent in the military-industrial community working on anti-submarine systems. He has also taught at the university level and founded the firm, Planning Systems. His current interests include co-authoring books of fiction and non-fiction. Solomon holds an MS degree in Aero/Astro from MIT and a BA and PhD in Engineering from UCLA.

Solomon is an avid amateur small boat sailor and cruises his sailboat, Dream Maker, on the Chesapeake Bay and up and down the East Coast. He lives in the Kentlands with his wife, Leslie Marks.

Louis Solomon's past columns are available here in Adobe files. Click on the links below to access the Adobe files. If you do not have Adobe on your computer, you can download a free copy here:

● The Birth of a Column June 2005 ● Concepts of Responsibility and Courtesy July 2005 ● Living with Gusto August 2005 ● The Rise and Fall of Organizations September 2005 ● The Real Issue in Dealing with Katrina October 2005 ● Some Comments on the Supreme Court November 2005 ● Confusion: Mine December 2005 ● Working as Catharsis January 2006 ● Government Eavesdropping February 2006 ● Government Eavesdropping―How They Do It March 2006 ● The Coming Catastrophe―Our Helplessness and Our Response April 2006 ● The National Anthem May 2006 ● Alternative Power Sources with Dick Van Orden June 2006 ● The Energy Problem with Dick Van Orden July 2006 ● Nuclear Power (Fission) with Dick Van Orden August 2006 ● Hydrogen and its Uses with Dick Van Orden September 2006 ● Fuel Cells with Dick Van Orden October 2006 ● The Ultimate Automobile with Dick Van Orden November 2006● Nuclear Power (Fusion) with Dick Van Orden December 2006 in Viewpoints● Global Warming: True or False? with Dick Van Orden January 2007 in Viewpoints● A Potential Partial Solution to our Oil ... with Dick Van Orden February 2007 in Viewpoints

● Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) with Dick Van Orden March 2007 in Viewpoints● To the Hilt April 2007 in Viewpoints


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on the tour had substantial knowledge of their own, many did not. It was a very nice way to provide a base of knowledge to the people who were going as members of the tour.

The tour began on Sunday 15 April and returned on Wednesday 25 April. The flight to Venice required that we first fly to Amsterdam, change planes, and then continue on to Venice. We flew all night in rather cramped conditions, but after a few worries about not getting through the passport control and security in Amsterdam due to an unusually heavy load of tourists in the airport, we all caught the next plane, and shortly, we arrived in Venice. The weather was beautiful: about 70, and sunny. It remained that way for the entire 10 day trip. Rain did not even think about appearing. We were taken by boat to our hotel (all the hotels at each of the cities were 4 star hotels, and very nice). We immediately were taken in hand

by Claire, Carla, and a permanent guide named Maelin. She is a Swede who moved to Florence 11 years ago and is a professional tour guide in Italy.

The general approach to the tour is to make things easy for the participants. Under Claire's firm guidance, we went to buildings, walked the streets, took boats (in Venice), and buses (on the land). The focus of the tour was on the Jewish history of the area, and specifically in the different cities that were visited. Being a tour guide in Italy is a profession, and there are rather strict professional standards. Each city had a tour guide that was a fount of detailed information about their particular city. I am certain that in the course of preparing the details of the trip that Claire specified that the guides in the several cities had knowledge of the Jewish history and area. I found that the guides were all competent, and pleasant to have as sources. They provided an enormous amount of detail, which doesn't interest me particularly, since I think that understanding of an area is based upon a clear perception of the forces and broad sweep of history. The details about who built which building, according to which style, and when it was built, etc., has only nominal interest for me, but each listener has their different tastes and foci, so that is truly a personal matter.

The first known visit of a Jewish delegation to Rome, during the peak of the Roman Empire was in 70 CE. They requested permission to settle in Italy, and that permission was granted. Jews have lived in Italy from then on. The density of the Jewish population varied from the South in Sicily and Naples, to the North with time and circumstances. Depending upon the local politics, which was heavily influenced by the Catholic Church particularly during the Middle Ages, Jews were invited to live in different towns, were forced to leave other towns, and eventually were obliged to live in Ghettos in most, but not all towns. The first ghetto was established in Venice in 1516. It was established on a small island, Ghetto Nuova. This was the location of the foundries, which in Venetian, is geto. The conditions in all ghettos throughout Italy were similar. The Jews were required to live in that enclosed area. The gates were locked at night, and opened during the day. At different times Jews were required to wear articles of clothing that marked them as Jews when they left the ghetto in the course of their daily lives. Only certain fields of business were open to the Jews. They could not own land, not be farmers. But, they were encouraged to be money lenders, which eventually grew to great banking empires throughout Europe. In addition, they were allowed to become physicians, and this opened the door to political influence which they could and did use on behalf of their fellow Jews.



So far, as I have described the tour, it could be given by a multitude of tourist organizations. But, this tour, due to Claire's passion, interests, and skills, was unique. While we were led through the areas that used to be the ghettos, and visited the local synagogues, she also did one unique service. She arranged for us to visit with the remaining Jewish communities in various cities. We met the remaining members of the local Jewish communities and their leaders. The stories that they told us were very touching and intriguing. They told us of their personal experiences during WWII under first the fascists under Mussolini, and then under the Nazis in October 1943 after Italy withdrew from the war. What is most intriguing was the support that was provided by their non-Jewish fellow citizens. A large percentage of Jewish families survived the war (80%), and were helped in many ways by their fellow Italian, but non-Jewish citizens. Italians have a very relaxed way of life, and that is particularly apparent in their disdain for authority. They allow authority to exist, but they don't pay much attention to its rules, regulations, demands, etc. When the edicts were given about collecting the Jews for sending to the concentration

camps, these orders were, by and large, ignored. It was not until the Germans took over in October 1943 that there was a semblance of efficiency, and that was the time when most Jews were taken.

The small town of Nanantola was an amazing story. That town, led by their local priest, invited 104 Jewish German and Italian children to live in the town during the war. When the Germans attempted to round up the children in 1943, they were all disbursed throughout the local citizenry. In fact, not one of the citizens of Nanantola gave away the children, and all the 104 children survived, with one exception, through the support of their support of the Italian, non-Jewish citizenry. The action of the citizens of Nanantola was fraught with peril; if they had been discovered, they and their entire families would have been shot. But no one

told the Germans, and for almost two years, the children were protected, and eventually saved. We heard the stories of Jews who had lived through the times, and also non-Jews who had been observers of attempts to round up the children.

I mentioned that this tour was bitter sweet. Jews have lived in Italy for almost 2000 years. They have always been a relatively small minority, but have been Italians as citizens, and Jews as co-religionists. They have been part of the Italian human and cultural tapestry without reservation. However, after WWII, most of the Jews of Italy immigrated to Israel and the United States. There are very few Jews left in Italy today, and virtually all the communities we visited had Jewish populations that consist of small numbers of old people. The Jewish population of Ferrara was 45 families; Sienna, 30 families, and Pitigliano, there is just one old Jewish woman left. I know that there is an ebb and flow of historical currents, and sometimes the distribution of populations change. In Italy, I saw the forthcoming demise of a Jewish population that had been active in detail in Italian life for over 700 years, and today, it is on the verge of extinction. The probably of it rising again is extremely small. It was very pleasant to see how the Jews had arrived, and prospered in these towns; it was sad to realize that in a few years they, and their interaction within the culture and activity of their town will be no more. Their existence will be a memory, slowly dying out, and within a few decades, the only record of their existence will be in a few dusty books in forgotten libraries.

Jews have lived throughout the world. They have been forces in several empires. In time the empires, and their Jewish residents, ceased to exist. Other Jews moved to other places, and established themselves again. They have survived good times and bad; they have provided many inputs to their host countries and cultures, and both have been better for it. But, given all that logic, it still is painful


News - Maryland 20878 - Kentlands, Lakelands, MD 20877 & 20878 - A magazine of Archetypal Towns and Villages of Country and City™

Free Business Development Training for Entrepreneurs

Through a collaborative economic development initiative, new, aspiring entrepreneurs selling ethnic crafts and goods (hand-made and/or imported) have the opportunity to receive 15 hours of free business development training, media exposure, and a spot in the award-winning City World Market at the 26th Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival on September 16, 2007.

The training is offered through the Montgomery College Workforce Development and Continuing Education Division and is sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic and Community Development. The theme of the training is “Converting Hobbies and Skills into Successful Businesses.” Topics will include From Artisan to Entrepreneur, Resources for Artisans, Marketing Tools for Artisans, and Importing.

Free training is limited to the first 30 qualified applicants, and no applications will be accepted after May 25, 2007. Following the successful completion of the training, the emerging entrepreneurs will be offered the opportunity to participate in the City World Market (including table, chairs and canopy), receive on-going consultation from Chamber of Commerce members, course instructors and past graduates, and gain free media exposure through event publicity.

On September 16, 2007 the City of Gaithersburg will host its 26th Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival. Last year nearly 45,000 attended this free, one-day event that features high energy entertainment on multiple stages, activities and amusements for children, select offerings from quality artists, crafts people and local merchants, the Taste of Gaithersburg, hosting culinary delights

Vendors, Sponsors Sought for

26th Annual Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival

In 2006, nearly 45,000 people filled the streets of Olde Towne for the City’s 25th Anniversary Celebrate Gaithersburg Festival. The one-day event featured four stages of live entertainment, children’s activity areas, the City World Market filled with artisans and crafters from around the world, and our first ever “Taste of Gaithersburg.”

Plans are now underway for the 2007 Festival, which is scheduled for Sunday, September 16. Vendors and sponsors are invited to apply for participation in this year’s event. Vendor categories include arts and crafts, commercial crafters, nonprofit organizations, children’s health and fitness activities, home and garden suppliers, and much more. Booth fees range from $30 to $160. Aspiring entrepreneurs who are interested in selling ethnic crafts and goods in the City World Market may also be eligible for free business development training.

Restaurants interested in participating in the “Taste of Gaithersburg” are also encouraged to apply now. Booth fees are $200 for restaurants located within the City limits and $250 for those outside of Gaithersburg. Several rules and restrictions apply.

Sponsorship opportunities also exist for those businesses interested in supporting the festival and gaining positive marketing exposure. Several sponsorship levels with varying

Gaithersburg Receives Two Showcase Awards from Maryland

Recreation Association

The Maryland Recreation and Parks Association announced that the City of Gaithersburg was the winner of two awards at its 10th Annual Agency Showcase in Ocean City on April 12. This event provides an opportunity for Maryland’s park and recreation agencies to showcase their talent, share ideas and recognize the best marketing and promotions materials in the state. Entries are judged within three population categories.

Gaithersburg won two awards in the 30,000 to 100,000 population category. The Gaithersburg Youth Club (GYC) logo, designed by graphic artist Haleh Brandau, won in the Program Logo Category. The Club, designed specifically for middle school students, provides safe, well-supervised and fun activities for participants during their off-school hours. The logo was created in conjunction with the opening of the new Youth Center at Robertson Park, and was used on invitations, program booklets, giveaway items, and on the City’s website.

Jeff Baldwin, the City’s Web

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from a variety of local restaurants, and the City World Market.

Celebrating the City’s rich diversity, the City World Market supports cultural heritage and tradition, promotes economic empowerment, and provides a unique feature for festival goers. The cost for participating in the City World Market is free for those entrepreneurs who complete the training and are City of Gaithersburg residents. For nonresidents who complete the training, the cost is $25. The deadline to apply for training is May 25, 2007. For entrepreneurs interested in participating in the City World Market, but not interested in the business development training, the booth fee is $45 for City residents and $65 for nonresidents. Applications are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/celebrate.

The City World Market is sponsored by the City of Gaithersburg’s Office of Economic and Community Development, Montgomery College, and the Gaithersburg-Germantown and Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. For information in English all Crystal Carr at the City of Gaithersburg, 301-258-6395 x1. For information in Spanish call Liliana Arango at Montgomery College, 301-208-3824.

promotional benefits have been established to encourage a wide range of participation.

Application and sponsorship forms are available online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/celebrate, or call the Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350.

Administrator, won the Web Site award for the 2006 Celebrate Gaithersburg in Olde Towne Festival. A multi-page “site- within-a-site” was created to promote the various aspects of the festival, including the “Taste of Gaithersburg,” live entertainment, the City World Market, and a number of unique activity areas. To view the site visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov/celebrate and click on “2006 Festival.”

Both Baldwin and Brandau work in Gaithersburg’s Public Information Office, which helps inform citizens about their City government and its programs using various forms of communication, including news releases, newsletters, informational brochures, City publications, the website, cable television Channel 13, and outside advertising. For more information contact the City Manager’s Office at 301-258-6310 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Arts Barn Hosts Creative

Programs for Preschoolers

The Arts Barn announces a series of programs designed to stimulate the creativity of three to five year olds (all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian).

Artful Mornings & Afternoons are 45-minute sessions during which children can explore a variety of fun arts and crafts projects. Plan to wear clothes that can get messy, or bring a smock! The registration fee is $5 per session for residents and $8 per session for nonresidents. The sessions are held on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 1:30 p.m. Upcoming dates are April 12, 17 and 26, May 1, 10, 15, 24 and 29, and June 7 and 12.

The Songs & Stories series is held in the Arts Barn Theatre on alternate

Gaithersburg Youth Club Presents “Murder’s Bad But

Monday Can Kill You!”

Gaithersburg Youth Club’s Center Stage presents “Murder’s Bad But Monday Can Kill You!,” with performances on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 21 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road. The show is produced by special arrangement with the Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, IL. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children under the age of 12. For tickets please call 301-258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Detective Harry Monday returns in this comedic play, once again hot on the trail of his latest mystery. Wildly off his case and over his head, Monday must solve the crime of three characters murdered at the Restful Glen Psychiatric Annex. Upon arrival he discovers that all the inmates have multiple personalities and the three murdered victims are all the same guy! Full of twists and laughs, “Murder’s Bad But Monday Can Kill You” by Pat Cook

Arts Barn Presents “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown”

The City of Gaithersburg, in partnership with Montgomery Playhouse, proudly presents “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown” at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg. Weekend performances are scheduled from April 27 through May 20, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $14 for residents and $16 for nonresidents.

Based on the comic strip “Peanuts” by Charles M. Schultz, with book, music and lyrics by Clark M. Gesner, additional dialogue by Michael Mayer, and additional music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this musical chronicles the events in a day in the life of Charlie Brown (Sam Frenkel) and his imaginative beagle, Snoopy (Andrea Greenleaf). All of his familiar friends, Lucy (Catie Collins), Linus (Brett Harwood), Schroeder (Greg Meyer), and Sally Brown



Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Admission to this series is free. Upcoming dates are April 10 and 24, May 8 and 22, and June 6 and 19.

The Arts Barn is located at 311 Kent Square Road in Gaithersburg. For information and registration call 301-258-6394, or visit the Arts Barn online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

features the perfect amount of absurdity and suspense to keep audiences on their toes and laughing.

Now in its fourth year, Center Stage is a free dramatic arts program for students ages 11 to 15 who are members of the Gaithersburg Youth Club. The participants are involved in all aspects of the theatrical process, including acting, set design and construction, stage management, make-up, advertising and promotion.

For more information on Center Stage please contact Lila Paig at 301-258-6350 x128 or via email at lpaig@gaithersburgmd.

gov.

(Chrissy Miller), join in the fun, with a musical score filled with delightful songs. The show is directed by John Dickson, with musical direction by Micky Goldstein and choreography by Mary Schmidt, produced by David Jones.

For program information, registration and tickets call 301-258-6394 or visit the City online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

City Plans Memorial Day Observance

Gaithersburg joins with the nation in honoring all who have given their lives in military service at a Memorial Day Observance on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 at 11 a.m. at Christman Park. The public is invited to join the Mayor, members of the City Council, City staff, and honored guests in a tribute to Gaithersburg’s brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The patriotic ceremony will include words and music to commemorate the occasion, as well as a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. Special guest speaker will be Rear Admiral Carol I. Turner, Senior Health Care Executive, U. S. Navy Commander, Navy Medicine Support Command Commander, Naval Medical Education and Training Command, Chief, Navy Dental Corps.

City Awards

At a ceremony on Tuesday, March 20, the City of Gaithersburg was recognized with two awards from Drawing the Line for efforts and initiatives to reduce adolescent access to alcohol and improve the lives of youth.

Sergeant Rudy Wagner received the Walter Milum Award, which is given annually in recognition of enforcement efforts. The recipients are either police officers or employees of the Board of Liquor Control. Sgt. Wagner of the City of Gaithersburg Police Department was especially recognized for his efforts in conjunction with Cops in Shops, a community policing effort aimed at decreasing public intoxication and curbing the sale of alcohol to those already showing signs of inebriation. The most recent program included a press conference, trainings for local businesses, volunteer “Extra Eyes” initiatives, and ongoing inter-agency communication.

The Gaithersburg Youth Services Division of the City’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture received a Community Recognition Award, recognizing the team’s passionate persistence in organizing and developing programs and activities that offer healthy, fun alternatives to teens, and helping teens learn the skills necessary to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Drawing the Line on Under 21

Water Media Techniques Workshop Offered at Arts Barn

The City of Gaithersburg presents “Ten Water Media Techniques to Spark your Creativity,” a demonstration and workshop by Donna Baron on Saturday, June 2 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Gaithersburg Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road. The fee is $47 for residents and $52 for non-residents. Space is limited to the first 10 registrants.

The workshop will feature the creative methods of painting application, building layers and texturing primarily with fluid acrylics and inks. Local artist Donna Baron’s focus will be on developing a strong design and composition while still emphasizing the individualized and creative approach to making unique images. Demonstrations will include the use of acrylic mediums and non-traditional materials such as wax paper, plastic wrap and alcohol to create textured surfaces and images. Baron will combine various water media such as fluid acrylics and inks with collage to create dynamic paintings on watercolor paper and canvas. All supplies and materials will be provided.



The City of Gaithersburg is once again joining with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) to collect donations for Operation Uplink. Coordinated locally by VFW Post #9862, donations are being accepted to purchase phone cards to send overseas, allowing our men and women in uniform to call back home. Your financial support of this program is greatly appreciated. Please make checks payable to VFW Post #9862. Checks may be dropped off at the Memorial Day Service or can be mailed to John M. Carter Post #9862, P.O. Box 428, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20884.

Christman Park, named for Lt. William J. Christman III, a Gaithersburg resident who was killed in Vietnam, is located at 304 West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg. Groups or individuals interested in attending or participating should contact Dorthy Winder at 301-258-6350 or email her at [email protected]. For more information visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.

Alcohol Use works to reduce adolescent access to alcohol and promote the message that under 21 alcohol use is illegal, unhealthy and unacceptable. It is a project of the Maryland Alcohol & Drug Abuse Administration, Montgomery County Health and Human Services, and Family Support Center. For more information on Drawing the Line call 240-777-1123. For more information on Gaithersburg’s initiatives contact the Police Department, Community Services Division at 301-258-6400 or the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at 301-258-6350.

For more information or to register, please call the Arts Barn at 301-258-6394 or visit the website www.gaithersburgmd.gov/artsbarn.

Anti-Solicitation Ordinance

Gaithersburg City Manager David Humpton stated today that at the May 7, 2007 meeting of the Mayor and Council he will present for Mayor and Council vote the introduction of emergency legislation addressing the effective date of the existing anti-solicitation ordinance pending review of the ordinance by the Attorney General.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy has questioned the ordinance’s ability to withstand constitutional challenge, and has stated that he will not prosecute citations written under the existing ordinance. McCarthy stated he would reconsider his position once the Attorney General issues an opinion on the ordinance. At their meeting on April 16, 2007, the Gaithersburg Mayor and Council agreed to seek the Attorney General’s opinion.

“The City has always been aware of challenges to similar ordinances and conflicting rulings on the issue across the nation, and we are prepared to present compelling arguments to the Attorney General in defense of our ordinance,” said City Manager David Humpton. “However, we feel that it would be irresponsible to use taxpayer resources, and to issue citations for violations, in an attempt to enforce a law that will not be prosecuted. We will therefore seek to extend the effective date of the ordinance to allow for Attorney General review.”

One element of the anti-solicitation ordinance is employment focused, providing a means to encourage use of the newly-opened Montgomery County Day Workers Center on Crabbs Branch Way. Despite the delay in the ordinance’s effective date, Gaithersburg is prepared to ensure the success of the Center by:

1. Conducting outreach by Police and other City staff to educate both workers and contractors about the various benefits of the Center and the services to be provided there

2. Continuing dialogue with Montgomery County staff on the operation of the Center and the contractor’s success in matching employers with those seeking employment

3. Providing signage to business owners announcing, in English and Spanish, that their property is not an authorized site to hire workers and directing contractors and workers to the Crabbs Branch Day Workers Center

4. Continuing to protect the rights of private property owners and the sanctity of neighborhoods through the enforcement of trespassing and other laws seeking to prevent public nuisance

5. Continuing to work with the County to eliminate 17 North Frederick Avenue as an informal gathering place for day laborers6. Working with the community and the property owner to make effective use of the property at 17 North Frederick Avenue to

enhance the entryway to the City’s historic district.



“The new Crabbs Branch Way Center will be a benefit to the entire community,” said Humpton. “Such a facility has been the City’s goal all along, and we applaud the County for moving forward. The Gaithersburg anti-solicitation ordinance provides only one tool to help ensure the Center’s success, and while we are suggesting we delay the effective date of the ordinance to allow for further review, the City is unwavering in its commitment to using all tools at its disposal.”

Spring Activities

The City of Gaithersburg Community Museum announces an informative series of exhibits, lectures and tours covering a wide variety of local

historical topics ranging from railway post offices to the National Latitude Observatory.

Montgomery Heritage Days – June 23 and 24, 2007

The Community Museum is delighted to once again participate in Montgomery Heritage Days with the following free activities:

● Saturday, June 23, 1 to 3 p.m. – Author and quilt maker Lauren Kingsland will be at the Community Museum to sign her new book, “The Extraordinary T-shirt Quilt – A Scrapbook You Can Sleep Under.”

● Sunday, June 24, 2 to 4 p.m. – Scientist, author and local historian Marshall Grotenhuis will be at the Community Museum to talk about his new book, “Asbury Methodist Village Revisited,” a history of Asbury Methodist Village and the United Methodist Church’s response to aging.

● Sunday, June 24, Noon to 4 p.m. – Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory Tour, 100 DeSellum Ave., Gaithersburg. Though no longer in operation, the Gaithersburg Latitude Observatory was one of six observatories around the globe that measured the wobble of the earth on its polar axis. It is the only National Historic Landmark in Gaithersburg.

Extended Museum Hours: Saturday, June 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, June 24, Noon to 4 p.m.

Upcoming Exhibits

Look for the following exhibits to debut at the Community Museum soon:

● June – October: “Oh The Stories We Tell,” Friendship Quilts designed by Montgomery County residents.

The Gaithersburg Community Museum is located at 9 South Summit Avenue. For more information and tickets to the lecture series please call

301-258-6160 or visit online at www.gaithersburgmd.gov/museum.


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KentLakes - Kentlands - Lakelands - and Beyond - Editorials

Kentlands is one of the first, and probably the best known, of the archetypal towns and villages of country and city which are actually built by architects who design, not just buildings, but entire communities and the towns in which they exist. Lakelands is a similar, adjacent, community with a character of its own.

Feature Series — Part II

Click here to read Part I

In a pdf file Free Copy>

“Our” Spouses Part II — Sally Katz

by M. H. Perry Interviewer's words are in red Sally Katz's words are in blue

“What’s the best thing about being the wife of the Mayor of the ‘Greatest city in the world’?” we asked.

“Being married to Sidney, of course. He’s entertaining. He makes me laugh. Many of the issues he gets involved with are very interesting, very challenging. Some dinners are very, very interesting.”

Myriad studies prove that people who have stable homes and sound marriages perform better in their jobs and their communities than those who don’t. At the same time, even young people contemplating marriage are now aware of the statistics—some say one in four marriages end in divorce, some say one in three. It’s particularly important for our elected representatives to have stable marriages; without that, any crisis with which they have to deal could easily become insurmountable, and there is more stress on the marriages of those who live in the glare of public

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scrutiny. People contemplating the possibility of office should probably ask themselves, before any other question, whether their home life is solid and substantial enough to withstand the stresses that politics creates for the family. It’s obvious that Gaithersburg’s mayor and his wife, Sidney and Sally Katz, are blessed with a marriage in which their strengths and weaknesses fit together fortuitously—to the benefit of the City.

They are regularly seen in a local coffee shop on weekend mornings. When Mayor Katz goes out for coffee, he’s working—he’s at his job. People are constantly asking him about city business. It can never be the morning out together that most couples treasure. During those times, Sally sits calmly by chatting with the people around, sometimes simultaneously knitting, looking unperturbed by the constant conversations constituents want to have with her husband. During one such morning, a citizen asked to speak privately with the Mayor; he stepped aside to speak, and shortly, the city cell phone he always carries rang. He checked the number, then with a few words of explanation, handed the phone off to Sally like a quarterback handing off a football to a running back, and continued the conversation with the citizen. One of

the things required to interact that smoothly is twenty-nine years of marriage, so there is no easy lesson there. We wondered, however, how Sally coped with the constant intrusions during their marriage. We asked her how many times over the years city business has interrupted important family functions.

“I didn’t understand that question,” she replied. “I never considered it an interruption. I thought of it as a broadening. It’s the way he takes care of the business he has.”

Sally reported that when they go grocery shopping together, she does the shopping and every few isles, he catches up after speaking with one person after another. She finds neither that nor the phone calls an intrusion.

Incredulous—feeling that it would be almost impossible for a wife, especially while she was young, not to resent the interruptions to family life that come with public office—we persisted, “But how about when you are having a serious conversation, and the city cell phone rings?”

After repeating that she didn’t consider city business an interruption, she then sat up, lit up, and with a broad smile, said, “But if it’s that serious, he wouldn’t dare pick it up. And if he ever did it once, he wouldn’t do it a second time!”

It was a joke. She was laughing. The reaction may, however, be an important clue to how successful couples who live in the public spotlight endure. This infinitely flexible spouse has her boundaries—yet there is enough understanding between them that in nearly three decades of marriage, those boundaries have never been crossed.



Sally explained that she and her husband have very different interests. She has always been interested in sports; he is not. Sidney keeps up with every municipal TV show, she doesn’t. She’s always had a comfort level with being able to continue to work in her education profession and to continue in her interest with sports. She stated that she never recalled thinking that the Mayor’s work interfered. She has a high respect for public service, but has never been political. They often disagree, but the discussions are theoretical and neither of them will change their point of view, but they accept each other. Sally states that she is not confrontational. She doesn’t shy away from confrontation, but deals with it tactfully.

Sidney had been involved in city business for several years at the time that they met. When we asked how they met, a chagrined smile crept over Sally’s face, “It was a blind date,” she confessed.

The Katz family is proof that, despite the notoriety of blind dates, some work out quite well.

When Sally met her future husband, she was a speech pathologist in the Montgomery County schools and continued with that career for twenty-two years—a very interesting job, she feels, because there are so many facets to it. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Maryland in Speech and Hearing Sciences.

She has a Masters in Communicative Disorders from the University of Wisconsin. She studied speech pathology involving challenges kids are born with or which they develop—language delays and so on. Most of her training was in working with children from birth to five years old, dealing even with newborns, particularly premature babies.

Why Wisconsin? It was one of the best schools around… the Midwestern schools... Iowa…

So, Sally headed out to big snow country. That must have required some culture adjustment. “Yes. Things moved a lot slower in Wisconsin than here; it was very nice, it was a great experience.”

After twenty-two years, Sally went back to school to become a pupil personnel worker on a crisis team dealing with truancy, transfers, discipline, case management for students with special problems, crisis management, homeless advocacy, helping families access services, and so on. “It’s a very interesting job because there are so many facets to it,” she relates. “No two days are ever alike.” She added eighteen hours of coursework from Hood and Hopkins to qualify for that position.

Sally speaks so glowingly about her career and her life before her marriage, that we wondered if there was any ambivalence about leaving that life to marry.

“No,” she replied. “I was the marrying type. I was definitely interested in getting married and having kids at some point. It was a matter of things being right.”

In 1977, Sally Marcus, a native of Baltimore—as were her parents—was a young professional



working in the field of speech pathology and living in Rockville. On a sparkling bright June day she got a phone call from young Sidney Katz who was on the Planning Commission for the City of Gaithersburg. He needed someone to accompany him to city functions. A salesman for her father’s company had given him her name. Six months later, they were engaged. A year and a week later, they were married. During their courtship, he would phone her at night after his planning commission meetings.

What was that like? Was it early enough in his career that it didn’t impinge much on your relationship?

“I never recalled thinking that it interfered. It’s another interest, it’s broadened us.” Sally has a high respect for public service; as she pointed out, her field of education is also one that is service oriented.

While being Mayor of the City of Gaithersburg, is not on the level of being President of the United States, the Mayor doesn’t have anywhere near the staff that the President has, either, and the city has a reputation for getting back to citizens far more quickly than most governments. In a city of more than 50,000 people, the mayor’s job, especially since he is always on call, is extraordinarily demanding. We mentioned how Betty Ford wrote about the kids sitting around waiting for Daddy to be home before cutting the birthday cake, and how evening faded into late at night without Gerald Ford’s appearing.

“I never had that problem,” Sally related. “If Sidney says he’ll be there, he’ll be there….We decide what we’ll attend, and usually, we chose the family function.”

One of the interesting things about the Katz marriage is that despite the fact that Sidney has always been extremely active in city business, they are both very family oriented. Usually when a member of a family is running for office, the public likes to see pictures of the clan. Even the most guarded of families have pictures of the candidate with the children during campaign time. In the Katz family, the children were given the choice, and they chose not to be involved in the political arena. Often, when someone in a community is known by almost everyone, the children get dragged into issues even if they would rather not.

“How did you manage to keep the children out?”

“We didn’t have to do much to keep them out; they kept themselves out. There were events they chose not to go to. Anonyminity was important to both of them. They would go to Olde Towne Day, but not to many other functions with us.”

Sidney was on the Town Council until the youngest was in high school and was not as involved, nor as busy, as he has been since being Mayor. The principal of the younger child’s school found out that her father was Mayor in her senior year, and wanted him to give the Commencement Address. She told him that if her father gave the Address, she wouldn’t go to her graduation. While this may seem a bit extreme, it’s certainly far better than the many examples of children who try to exploit their parents’ positions.

Sally feels that the children appreciate their father’s work, but they have a strong need to remain out of the spotlight.



Even in a small town, which Gaithersburg no longer is, you can’t please everyone. We asked, “With the length of time Sidney has been in office, there must have been times when things have been said and written about him that are either unfair, untrue, or both. How do you handle that?”

“We talk about it. We try to come to understanding. We discuss it with friends. We usually don’t react publicly…we keep going. It doesn’t mean that you don’t pay attentions to things said, but you don’t react…although there are some times when reaction is appropriate… but I leave that up to Sidney… I won’t react to them.”

“What is your role when some really big problem, such as the day laborers issue, arises?”

Sally related that she read the articles about the issue and watched programs he couldn’t watch, and would tell him “how people respond to me…sharing ideas people bring to us.” She is “another set of ears out there.”

Sally feels that Sidney did his best to do well for both sides in the day laborer conflict. Issues of that nature are things which Sally feels are very important. The Wells Robertson House for those recovering from addiction is a unique effort Gaithersburg has made to its citizens as is the city’s relationship with education. “No other government supports education” as much as the City of Gaithersburg does.

“The city helped by partnering with Montgomery County schools. The conferences on things like gangs and truancy are something that I have been able to do because I was his wife. Everything has been done relatively inexpensively because I never had a budget for it. Now many other agencies contribute. It has enabled us to partner with other agencies.”

Sally supports the charities of her friends, but education has been her primary focus. This seems to be a passion for her. Whenever the subject of helping out young people comes up, it gets her full attention.

We asked her, “If a young married couple came to you because the husband was considering a political career and it looked like he would be successful, what advice would you give the young wife?”

She replied that with the growth of the city, Sidney is out a lot more now than when the kids were young . He couldn’t have been successful, if she hadn't been supportive. Sally was primarily the one who did all the carpooling… Sidney would drive them to school in the morning to be able to have dedicated time with them. The spouse must be accepting of the partnership. “Sidney could not do the job he does, and I think he does a great job, if I weren’t supportive too.”

Both Sidney and Sally state that he could not do what he does if she were not accepting. She doesn’t make the statement as though it’s to her credit; he doesn’t make the statement as though it’s a compliment. For them, it’s a simple fact learned from their experience. The city was his bailiwick. It wasn’t hers, and that was fine. She feels that it comes back to a respect for each other.

“I would say that for him [the hypothetical young candidate] to be really successful, she [the wife] has to be supportive….

“She must be accepting that he will be devoting a lot of time. If they are in a part of their life when



the kids are little, public service might be better postponed.

“Getting back to the young wife, the other thing I would also share with her, I think independence is a very important thing. Nurturing her own interests is very important along with the togetherness. You have to have the kind of feeling that the work is interesting. If you don’t have that feeling, it’s too difficult for a family.

“A lot of the city council bring their spouses [to official-social events]. That is a precedence that Ed and Sharon [Bohrer] set up. To have that unity when you are approaching the different state and city functions is important. Things like the Chamber Dinner, the NAACP dinner are more real and more personal when spouses attend functions with officials.”

It’s a joint commitment. “When you don’t have that joint commitment,… I would think that might create all sorts of other challenges that would be distracting.”

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