Potomac - The Connection Newspapersat the Potomac United Methodist Church gave in to changing times after 35 years. Traditionally the annual event was organized by the church’s female

Potomac Almanac ❖ June 3-9, 2009 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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June 3-9, 2009 ❖ Volume LIII, Number 21 online at potomacalmanac.com

Potomac

Mason:A ReturnEngagementNews, page 3

ChangeFor Change

News, page 3

St. Luke’sTransitional Home

News, page 3

Three GenerationPotomac Wedding

Getting Around, Page 4

Mason:A ReturnEngagementNews, page 3

ChangeFor Change

News, page 3

St. Luke’sTransitional Home

News, page 3

Three GenerationPotomac Wedding

Getting Around, Page 4

Last year Marcus Mason, shown here atlast week’s offseason practice, lost out in

the numbers game as the Redskins keptan extra wide receiver with their finalroster spot. This year Mason hopes to

make himself indispensable by becominga difference maker on special teams.

Potomac

2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ June 3-9, 2009 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

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News

Great Falls ParkRoad Construction

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Histori-cal Park was scheduled to begin a construction projectthis week at the Great Falls Maryland area of thepark. The project will improve the entrance roadthrough widening to a consistent width,clearly marked shoulders and complete re-construction to remove potholes and otherhazards. In addition, the overhead utili-ties along the entrance road will be placedunderground. The large parking lot willbe repaved and the walkways will be improved toallow full accessibility under the Architectural Bar-riers Act. The final completion date for the project isanticipated to be in spring 2010.

Visitors are asked to observe posted constructionsigns, obey traffic direction provided by flaggers, andexercise caution when driving along the park en-trance road. The work is being performed under acontract administered for the Park by the FederalHighway Administration.

Cabin John Farewell With Cabin John Middle School slated for mod-

ernization this summer, current and former students,parents, staff, and neighbors are invited to a fare-well visit to the original school building on Thurs-day, June 4. The open house will include self-guidedtours and light refreshments on from 3:00-5:00 pm.Cabin John Middle School is located at 10701Gainsborough Rd, Potomac. For more informationcall the school at 301-469-1150.

CIP ForumOn Monday, June 15 the Western Montgomery

County Citizens Advisory Board is scheduled to hosta Capital Improvement Program Public Forum in or-der to receive input on the county’s next six yearcapital budget.ºCapital projects include public facili-ties such as sidewalks, bikeways, libraries, schools,

recreation centers, parks and ball fields thatserve the community.ºStorm water manage-ment projects that address drainage andflooding problems are also part of the Capi-tal Improvements Program (CIP). Represen-tatives from county agencies will provide

an overview and answer questions about capitalprojects in the Bethesda, Cabin John, Chevy Chase,Friendship Heights, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, NorthBethesda, Potomac and Rockville communities.º

The CIP Budget Forum will be held on Monday,June 15 at the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Regional Ser-vices Center, 4805 Edgemoor Lane, Bethesda. Theforum begins at 7 p.m. Residents who wish to knowmore about the forum, or if who need special ac-commodations to attend this meeting, should callKaren Thon at 240-777-8210.

Makeup GameDue to a scheduling conflict, players from the

Bethesda Big Train Baseball Team were unable tovisit Bells Mill for the Read Across America Celebra-tion on Monday, June 1. To make up for their ab-sence the Big Train invites all Bells Mill families toattend a free baseball game on Saturday, June 6, at7:30 p.m., at Cabin John Park’s Shirley Povich field.All Bells Mill families will be admitted free of charge.

This Week in

Potomac


NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren

703-917-6431 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com

See Sweetness, Page 5

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

Twenty years ago the annual bazaarat the Potomac United MethodistChurch gave in to changing times

after 35 years. Traditionally the annualevent was organized by the church’s femaleparishioners and featured the crafts thatthey made at home, but as a new genera-tion of women went to work and spent lesstime at home, continuing the bazaar becameimpossible.

Twenty years ago Judith Dubowy was inher third year as a member at PotomacUnited Methodist. With the bazaar gone, the

church had a hole in its annual fund-rais-ing efforts and was without its most popu-lar annual community tradition. Dubowyrecalled then that her church in her home-town of Pittsburgh held an annual straw-berry festival. She decided to bring that tra-dition to her new church, and a new an-nual tradition organized by the women ofPotomac United Methodist was born.

The annual strawberry festival has grownover the years and Saturday, May 16 markedthe 19th annual celebration and featuredgames for children, a silent auction, a craftbazaar featuring 22 vendors — a throwback

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

The residence at 10660 River Roadin Potomac may look like one of theother similarly large homes that

surround it, but it is actually the spiritualhub of more than 100 local Serbian Ortho-dox Christians. Soon that reality will benoticeably more visible, though mostly fromthe back of the building.

The St. Luke Orthodox Church purchasedthe home from restaurateur Gus Triantis in2002 with long range plans of converting itinto their new church, which was formerlyon 16th Street in Washington, D.C. Those

plans are now well under way as the churchhopes to gain approval from the Montgom-ery County Planning Board for a one-story,3,700 square-foot addition that will housea sanctuary and a multi-purpose gatheringspace.

At a meeting with neighbors on Thurs-day, May 21 church officials outlined theirplans. Residents expressed an overall accep-tance of the project despite minor concernsabout traffic, noise, and lights from theheadlights of cars as they turned around inback of the house at night, but the largestconcern involved a 20-ton HVAC system thatmany neighbors worried would produce alot of noise. Church officials promised to

have a decibel study done before installingthe system.

Attorney Jody Kline is overseeing the ap-provals process and said he hopes to havea hearing scheduled with the planningboard by the end of the summer.

SUNNY BEETHAM-HERNANDEZ livesnext door and said that she was OK withthe overall scope of the project but was con-cerned by plans for a drainage pipe to beinstalled by the State Highway Administra-tion that might jeopardize the health of a75-year-old silver maple tree that sits in herbackyard right on the property line.

The new building will be able to seat 180

people, said Bob Vujcicaia, a church mem-ber who has overseen the constructionplans. Neighbors also expressed concernthat the church would rent its facility outto the community for non-church functionsand thereby create a steady influx of trafficbut Father Alex Micich said such rentalswould be exceptions, not a rule.

“My feeling is a church is made for itscongregation,” Micich said. And after pro-viding years of services to those membersat Beverly Farms Elementary School, Micichsaid it would be nice to have a permanenthome of their own.

“Of course, you don’t want to stay in anelementary school,” said Micich.

Earlier this spring MelissaKupferschmid saw a 20/20 special report on poverty in Appalachia. She realized that her chil-

dren, growing up in Potomac, were not onlyblessed and privileged, but unaware thatlife could be different.

Fast forward to the middle of May andstudents at Bells Mill Elementary Schoolwere getting off of their buses in the morn-ing with their pockets jingling with coins.With the help of Bells Mill fifth-gradeteacher and SGA advisor Loren Williams,Kupferschmid launched Change 4 Change.In four days Bells Mill students brought in$476 worth of change, dumping theirpocket loads into buckets on their way intoschool. That money will be donated to theAppalachian Region Missions, a non-profitorganization based in Tennessee that pro-vides assistance to poor families in the Ap-palachian region and to Native Americansand other families around the country.

“Kids would come in with rolls of 20 pen-nies,” she said. “One girl dropped off acrumpled dollar bill each morning.”

Kupferschmid hopes to continue the pro-gram next year and to add a letter-writingcomponent whereby Bells Mill students willhave pen pals in the rural United States.

“Hopefully they’ll have a moment to re-alize how fortunate to live where we live… and to have the opportunities that wehave,” said Kupferschmid.

That notion has already taken root withher two children, fourth-grader Matthew andfirst-grader Jenna, both Bells Mill students.

“If people are poor and they don’t haveanything they might not live,” said Jenna.Poverty is more than just not having a homeor having clothing, said Matthew — it’s be-ing able to take care of one’s self and one’sfamily “so if they get sick they can cure it,”he said.

— Aaron Stern

Melissa Kupferschmid and her children Matthew and Jenna helpedorganize Change For Change at Bells Mill Elementary School last month.

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Change For Change at Bells Mill Elementary

St. Luke’s Orthodox Church lookingto build addition to River Road home.Transitional Home

Team biscuit: Kathy Ku, Linda Roberts, D Shinkle, Vernice Christian,and Janet Airis prepare Judith Dubowy’s (left) secret homemade recipefor the biscuits at the Potomac United Methodist Church’s annualstrawberry festival held on Saturday, May 16.

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Annual Strawberry Festival draws hundredsfor games, crafts, and strawberry shortcake.

Exemplifying Sweetness


See Three Generation, Page 9

Kay, Preis EngagedNancy and Doug Kay of Potomac and Niza

and Rami Preis of Baltimore are pleased toannounce the engagement of their children,Julia B. Kay and Ido S. Preis.

Julia and Ido both hold undergraduatedegrees from Brown University, where theymet.

Ido also holds a medical degree fromBrown and is currently a resident in inter-nal medicine at Boston University MedicalCenter. Julia works in the Boston life sci-ences practice of pricing consultancy Simon-Kucher. This fall, she will begin a joint MBAand biomedical enterprise program at MITSloan and Harvard Medical School.

Julia is the granddaughter of Lois andRobert Kay of Rockville, MD, and Faye andBernard Rosenberg of Annapolis.

Ido is the grandson of Avigdor and thelate Bella Preis of Haifa, Israel and the lateSaul and Malka Rotberg of Tel Aviv, Israel.

A 2011 wedding is planned.

North, SchelerAre Married

Mr. and Mrs. C.O. North ofPotomac are pleased to announcethe marriage of their daughter, Hi-lary Anne, to Lt. John Carl Scheler(USMC), the son of Dr. and Mrs.Carl Scheler of Murrysville, Pa. Thecouple were married on April 25,2009 at the Washington NationalCathedral. Hilary is a graduate ofthe National Cathedral School, TheUniversity of Pennsylvania, and iscurrently a Ph.D. candidate in Neu-roscience at Georgetown Univer-sity. John, a graduate of Northwest-ern University, is a ground intelli-gence officer in the United StatesMarine Corps. He has recently re-turned from a tour in Iraq and isnow stationed at Camp Pendelton,Calif.

By Cissy Finley Grant

The Almanac

The bride and herfather appearedin the shadows ofthe trees. They

walked down the path,through the woods where thebridal party, the officiant andbridegroom waited. Fromwhere the 150 weddingguests were seated, on thelawn next to a fish pond en-circled with candles, it wasreminiscent of a scene from a romanticnovel.

But, this was reality, when Christine“Christi” Phillips and Chad MichaelMitchell, representing three generations oftwo Potomac families, were united in mar-riage on the grounds of Stronghold Man-sion at Sugarloaf Mountain.

The Mitchell family name has been syn-onymous with Potomac since Chad’s grand-father Clyde Mitchell was the “Mitch” ofMitch and Bill’s Exxon (now Texaco) sta-tion opened at the Potomac crossroads in1949. Christi’s dad, David Phillips, movedto Potomac as a youngster 58 years agowhen his mom, Winnie Gordon, and stepdad, the late, Bill Gordon, moved to SouthGlen Road.

Like her dad, Christi grew up on the backof a pony, joined the pony club and com-peted in horse shows. Chad, a Bullis Schoolgraduate, continued his family’s traditionin the gas station business, presently work-ing with his dad, Mike Mitchell, who hostedthe rehearsal dinner party the evening be-fore the wedding at O’Donnell’s, Kentlands.

To continue the hometown saga, it waswhen Christi, a graduate of the Universityof Maryland, was in school, she worked parttime at The Surrey, located a few steps downthe hill in Potomac village, from theMitchell’s Texaco station. “I used to do thesoft drink run for the shop and saw him one

day. I thought he was kind of cute,” she re-called. Needless to say the soft drink mis-sions became more frequent. “He finallyasked me out,” she said.

Her encouragement culminated at a beau-tiful 4:30 p.m. service on May 9, where thebride wore a strapless, full length, multi-layered gown with a beaded bodice and afingertip tulle veil. The bridegroom, whochose his Potomac friend Andrew Seatonas best man, was accompanied down thewooded path by his dad, Mike, and grand-mother, Marie Guthridge. He, like the ush-ers, Michael Phillips and Charles Moore,wore dark suits, and dark ties with silveraccents, the latter quite significant. Fourlittle boys, in the wedding party, Justin,Cody and Josh Tice, and Josh Johnson, allunder 8 years old, and the junior grooms-man, Zachary Johnson, were all in dark suitsand wore bright silver bow ties.

Anyone planning a formal wedding withfive young boys in the wedding party hasgreat courage. These guys did not disap-point. Josh Tice and Josh Johnson were incharge of the Monarch butterflies. Theyeach had an enclosed box, and at the propersignal released the Monarchs, well almost.Some refused to go at first but were enthu-siastically persuaded by their handlers thatthey better get out or get unceremoniously

dumped.“The butterflies were in honor of relatives

no longer with us,” the bride said. Amongthose mentioned was Chad’s late mother,Donna Mitchell.

Twin brothers, Cody and Justin Tice, thebride’s nephews were ring bearers. As Codymade his way down the bridal path hestopped to pick up sticks en route. Follow-ing the ceremony, his mother, Deana PhillipsTice, reminded him it wasn’t part of the re-hearsal, and wondered why he did it. “Be-cause I didn’t want Aunt Christi to have tostep on them,” he explained.

Mother-of-the-bride, Barbara Asher, es-corted by her son, Michael Phillips, chose asatin empire-styled gown with a beadedjacket. The metallic clay color of her gownwas a complement to the taupe dresses withspaghetti straps and perky back bows wornby the bridal attendants, matron of honor

Heather Moore, and bridesmaids KatieSullivan-Rosende and Rachael Phillips. Thesilver motif was again apparent. Their shoesglistened, as did those worn by the bride’sstepmother, Lyne Morgan. It was what onemight call a sterling wedding.

The formalities concluded without ahitch. Some consider the graceful faintingof a wedding party member unusual, butthe officiant, Deborah Cathers, remarked,“Don’t worry, this happens frequently,”

As the reception got under way in a hugewhite tent, guests perused a display offrosted, almond flavored cookies thatdoubled for place cards. Each cookie wasinscribed with names and table numbers.Naturally, the most significant was of thebride and groom. It read, Christi and ChadPhillips! Don’t you love it?

Getting Around

A Three Generation Potomac Wedding

Photo by Rex Reed

Mr. And Mrs. Chad Mitchell

Clyde “Mitch” Mitchell, grandfatherof the bridegroom, Chad Mitchell,and Barbara Asher, mother of thebride, Christine Phillips.

Father of the bride, David Phillips,and his wife, Lyne Morgan. Thebride and groom represented threegenerations of Potomac families.

Julia B. Kay and Ido S. Preis Hilary Anne and Lt. John Carl Scheler

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From Page 3

News

to the old days — and, of course, several straw-berry deserts and strawberry goods for sale. Straw-berries were for sale by the box, and the chocolate-dipped strawberries sold out at 2 p.m. this year, anhour before they usually run out, said Becky Queen.Strawberries were served in generous portions withwhipped cream and ice cream over shortcake or overDubowy’s top-secret recipe biscuits.

“People say that’s too much dessert,” she said. “Idon’t see anybody throwing anything out.”

The annual fundraiser is the church’s biggestmoneymaker all year, typically garnering between$25,000 and $35,000 with proceeds this year goingto over 20 local and international charities, said fes-tival chair Renee Antosh. Just as importantly theannual tradition, run by the church’s Women’s Mis-sion, is an opportunity for the church to invite thecommunity into its home.

“Our thing is open hearts, open minds,” said formerfestival co-chair Tracy Hoffman. Hoffman said herfavorite part of the festival is “opening up to the com-munity and welcoming them to our church family.And having strawberry shortcake.”

Next year’s 20th anniversary festival will last thewhole weekend prior to Memorial Day weekend, andAntosh promised that the celebration will be the beststrawberry festival to date. And while she was mumon the details, she offered up a tasty promise.

“We’re going to do something that’ll knockPotomac’s socks off,” she said.

Sweetness

Gretchen Alexander (right) and JimmyAlexander (not pictured), a sixth-graderat Mater Dei School, sold strawberriesand baked goods during the day.

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Calendar

Potomac artist Irma Spencerwill have an art show at her home onJune 6, 7 and 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. Mrs.Spencer, a graduate of the University ofMaryland, is a sculptor and jewelry de-signer. She works in stone, metal andfound objects. Her jewelry is one of akind, including summer colors. Her stu-dio and gallery are in her home at10410 Crossing Creek Road. Go [email protected].

Painting of Larry King

A solo exhibition of paintings byNorthern Virginia Community Collegeart professor Rosemary Gallick will beon display from June 19 to 21 at theYellow Barn Gallery in Glen Echo Park.The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m.,with a reception for the artist scheduledfor June 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. Hosted bythe National Park Service, the exhibit istitled “The American Dream: Politicians,Musicians and The Media.” Glen EchoPark is located at 7300 MacArthur Blvd.in Glen Echo, Md. Call the Yellow BarnGallery at 301-371-5593 or Gallick [email protected].

To have community events listed free inThe Potomac Almanac, send e-mail [email protected] is Thursday at noon for the fol-lowing week’s paper. Photos and artworkencouraged. Unless otherwise noted, allevents are in Potomac. For more informa-tion, call 703-917-6407.

ONGOING The Bethesda Farmers Market will

be open Tuesdays and Saturdaysfrom 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at VeteransPark, corner of Norfold andWoodmont Avenues, through Oct.31. Visit www.bethesda.org or 301-215-6660.

GlasScene, An Exhibition of FineArt Glass, June 6 to July 5. PopcornGallery at Glen Echo, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Maryland.Opening Reception: June 6 from 4 to6 p.m. Gallery Hours: 12 to 6 PMSaturdays and Sundays and byappointment - 301-634-2273.

The Yellow Barn Gallery at GlenEcho will present paintings andphotographs by nativeWashingtonian Estelle Schwalb onSaturday, June 13 and Sunday, June14. Gallery hours are from noon to 5p.m. A reception for the artist will beheld from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday inthe gallery. The public is invited toall events.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3Big Train vs. TBA. 5 p.m. Povich

Field, Cabin John Park, Bethesda.Gates open at 4 p.m. First pitch is at5 p.m. This game is a free pre-seasonscrimmage. Ticket Prices: Adults, $7,Kids 6-12 $3, Kids 5 and under or inbaseball uniforms, free.

THURSDAY/JUNE 4Love Songs. 8 p.m. Zemer Chai,

Washington’s Premier Jewish Choir,presents Love Songs. Features songsof love in Hebrew, Yiddish, andLadino. At Ohr Kodesh Congregation,8300 Meadowbrook Lane, ChevyChase. Tickets: $40 preferredseating; $20 general seating inadvance ($25 at the door). Ticketscan be purchased atwww.zemerchai.org or by calling301-963-3462.

Potomac Farmers Market Opens.1-4:30 p.m. Located on River Road,behind the Presbyterian Church andnext to Potomac Elementary.Features your favorite vendors:McCleaf Orchards, Plant Masters,Farm Fresh Chef and more. CallSuzanne Hermes – Potomac FarmersMarket Manager 301-792-6054.

FRIDAY, JUNE 5Big Train vs. Youse’s Orioles. 7:30

p.m. Povich Field, Cabin John Park,Bethesda. Gates open at 6 p.m. Firstpitch is at 7:30 p.m. Opening Night!Ticket Prices: Adults, $7, Kids 6-12$3, Kids 5 and under or in baseballuniforms, free.

SATURDAY, JUNE 6Bethesda Big Train vs. College

Park Bombers. 7:30 p.m. ShirleyPovich Field, 10600 Westlake Drive,Cabin John Park, Bethesda. Gatesopen at 6. First pitch is at 7:30 p.m.Tickets: Adults, $7, Kids 6-12 $3,Kids 5 and under or in baseballuniforms, free. Go towww.bigtrain.org or call 301-983-1006.

Sing-Along Celebration. 8 p.m. Joinsong leader Elise Kress and guitaristLawrence Brand for a fun eveningsinging along to your favorite songsfrom the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s,from pop, folk, country, and rock &roll classics. The Music Center atStrathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane,North Bethesda. Go to

www.SingAlongCelebration.comTickets: $20. Call 301-639-7608.

Six Things Parents Need to Know .. . That Only You Can Teach. 2-4p.m. This is a seminar for dogtrainers, shelter and rescue staff andvolunteers, veterinary staff and otherdog-related professionals. PotomacCommunity Center, 11315 Falls Rd.,Potomac. Speaker: Colleen Pelar,CPDT, CDBC, All About Dogs(www.livingwithkidsanddogs.com).FREE, but register atwww.yourdogsfriend.info or 301-983-5913.

“Tiny Tots at 10”. 10 a.m. At thePuppet Co. Playhouse. $5/adults andchildren. Running time is 30 minutes.June 6 is “Second-Hand Stars;” June13 is “Clowning Around;” and June20 is “Magic Toy Shop.” At Glen EchoPark, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., GlenEcho. Call 301-634-5380.

Garden Tour. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. TheGarden Conservancy’s Open daysProgram. Enjoy a self-guided tour ofsix private gardens in Potomac, GreatFalls and McLean. Visitors may beginthe tour at either Orchard Farm –Garden of Gay & Tony Barclay,11600 River Road, Potomac, orDomaine St. Charles, 9315Georgetown Pike, Great Falls;directions to the gardens will beprovided. Cost is $5/garden. Go towww.opendaysprogram.org or callThe Garden Conservancy toll-freeweekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST, 1-888-842-2442.

Imagination Bethesda. 11 a.m. to 4p.m. At Woodmont Ave. and ElmStreet. Live entertainment, hands-oncreative activities for kids, streetperformers, face painting and more.Call 301-215-6660 or visitwww.bethesda.org.

JUNE 6-7, JUNE 13-14Music Recitals. 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The

International school of Musicshowcases 800 students’performances in 19 recitals, everytwo hours. At Montgomery College,Recital Hall, Music Building,Rockville campus. Free and open topublic.

Call 301-657-0763 or visitwww.ismw.org.

SUNDAY/JUNE 7

Geology of the C&O Canal. 10 a.m.-noon at C&O Historical Park, 7906Riverside Ave. Callan Bentley will userock evidence to deduce geologichistory of the region. Free. Visitwww.potomac.org for more.

Voices of the River. 12:30 p.m. atC&O Historical Park, 7906 RiversideAve. Hear music by Reed Martin.Free. Visit www.potomac.org formore.

The Visions of Six. 1:30-3:30 p.m.Meet the Artists reception for JaneMcElvany Coonce, Gertrud Mohr-Freidrich, Carol Higgs, Pauline D.Lorfano, Concetto C. Scott and MarieK. Shaughnessy. At the Dennis andPhillip Ratner Museum, 10001 OldGeorgetown Road, Bethesda. Call301-897-1518.

Strings and Friends. 6 p.m. A concertfor works for soprano, clarinet andstring quartet. Doors open at 5:30p.m. At the Dennis and Phillip RatnerMuseum, 10001 Old GeorgetownRoad, Bethesda. Call 202-316-1646.

Waltz Dance. 3:30-6 p.m. SpanishBallroom at Glen Echo Park. 3 - 3:30p.m.: Introductory Waltz Workshop.Waverly Station Band. Admission is$8. Call Joan Koury at 202-238-0230or Glen Echo Park at

301-634-2222, go towww.WaltzTimeDances.org or [email protected]. TheGlen Echo National Park is located at7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9“Penguin’s Playground.” 10 a.m.

and 11:30 a.m. At the Puppet Co.Playhouse. $5/adults and children.Running time is 30 minutes. At GlenEcho Park, 7300 MacArthur Blvd.,Glen Echo. Call 301-634-5380.

WEDNESDAY/JUNE 10Walk Season Kickoff. 2009 National

Walk Now for Autism and StudioTour of WUSA-9. 7-9 p.m.Complimentary buffet and drinks.

THURSDAY/JUNE 11Teacher’s Thursday. 7-8 p.m. In-

depth exploration of topics relevantto science and outdoor education. AtLocust Grove Nature Center, 7777Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Registerfor programs at www.ParkPASS.orgor call 301-299-1990.


The Potomac Tennis and Fitness Club

Juniors Summer CampOPEN TO THE PUBLIC

• Offering 10 weeks of Camp• Morning & Afternoon Classes: 9:00 am - 12 pm, 1:00pm - 3:30 pm• 4 to 6 Students Per Pro• For All Levels• Ages 8-16

The Following Sessions are Available:June 22nd - 26th

June 29th - July 3rd

July 6th - July 10th

July 13th -17th

July 20th - 24th

July 27th - 31st

August 3rd - 7th

August 10th - 14th

August 17th - 21st

August 24th - 28th

MEMBER:$213 1/2 day class per week$384 1 full day class per week

NON-MEMBER:$269 1/2 day class per week$485 full day class per week

For Information Call (301) 983-1450THE POTOMAC TENNIS CLUB

10800 Potomac Tennis Lane • Potomac, MD(located next to Normandie Farm Restaurant)

www.potomactennis.com

Schools

To have an item listed mail [email protected] is Thursday at noon for the follow-ing week’s paper.

Emma Dixon, an Earlham Collegesenior and daughter of Mary Kimm ofPotomac, and Alan Dixon of Washington,D.C., is completing a three-week study inthe Bahamas during an Earlham MayTerm.

Dixon is an integral part of a team do-ing field research on a population ofendangered iguanas. This 30-year studyrepresents the second longest continuousfield study of any lizard in the world.While in the Bahamas, students lived ona sailing vessel and spent about 11 hourseach day on the islands performing datacollection and analyses.

Kevin Maroney of Bethesdagraduated magna cum laude fromWofford College on May 17 with a bach-elor of arts in government and aconcentration in political thought.

The following local residents graduatedfrom Marymount University on May 10:

❖ Miguel Sacasa, a Business Admin-istration major and a resident of Potomac,MD.

❖ Paul Tanjutco, a Nursing majorand a resident of Potomac, MD.

The following students graduated onMay 17 from Bucknell University:

❖ Katherine L. Beckett of Potomac,daughter of Steven and Polly Beckett ofPotomac, MD, and a 2005 graduate ofWinston Churchill H S, graduated with aBachelor of Arts in Spanish.

❖ Rachel E. Sherbill of Potomac,daughter of Raymond and BarbaraSherbill of Potomac, MD, and a 2005graduate of Winston Churchill H S, gradu-

ated with a Bachelor of Arts in Econom-ics and Theatre. Sherbill also received theC. Willard Smith Award for creativeimagination in the theatre.

These students have been named in thefirst round of college-sponsored NationalMerit Scholarships. The students areamong 27 winners in Maryland of schol-arships sponsored by colleges anduniversities throughout the nation.

❖ Walt Whitman High School:Rachel H. Zhang, business, Universityof Maryland

❖ Thomas S. Wootton HighSchool: Katherine R. Chao, biology,University of Maryland; Anna T. Pham,biology, University of Maryland

McDaniel College awarded morethan 440 bachelor’s degrees May 23 at theCollege’s 139th Commencement.

❖ Alexander Chambers Dennisof Potomac, graduated with a Bachelorof Arts degree in Biology.

❖ Ben Irving Dorfman of NorthPotomac, graduated with a Bachelor ofArts degree in Biology.

❖ Amanda Mushro of NorthPotomac, graduated with a master’s de-gree in Curriculum and Instruction.

❖ Tracy O. Tomlinson of Potomac,graduated with a master’s degree in Cur-riculum and Instruction.

Desson (Howe) Thomson, formermovie critic for The Washington Post, willteach “Let’s Go to the Movies: Film Studios”for summer camp sessions at Bullis Schoolin Potomac beginning June 22 and July 6.Students will learn what makes moviesscary, funny, astonishing, flawed or success-ful. Visit www.bullis.org, or contact PhyllisElperin, Director of Summer and AuxiliaryPrograms, at 301-634-3660 [email protected].

People Notes

Ray Chappell, regionalvice-president of Weichert, Re-altors, announced the followingregional awards for April:

At Weichert, Realtors’ AspenHill office, neighborhood spe-cialist Eileen Rosenberg ledthe sales associates in the regionfor new home dollar volume.Leading the region for resale list-ings was Helene Zrihen. Theentire Aspen Hill sales team,under the leadership of branchmanager John Radcliffe,led the offices in the region fornew home dollar volume, resalelistings, resales, resale revenueunits, and resale dollar volume.

At Weichert, Realtors’Potomac Office, Helen Kingled the sales associates in the re-gion for resale dollar volume.

At Weichert, Realtors’Fallsgrove Office, LuisMartinez led the Weichert re-gion in resale revenue units andresales. The region consists of14 offices throughout Maryland.

David L. Katz, M.D., J.D.was named to the Board ofTrustees of The Treatment and

Learning Centers. Katz has beenserving as executive director ofThe Advisory Board Companyfor 13 years, a firm serving amembership of more than 3,000leading hospitals, health sys-tems, universities and other mis-sion-driven enterprises.

Valerie Puddington, salesassociate with Coldwell BankerResidential Brokerage inPotomac, has earned the EnergySmart Real Estate Specialist des-ignation from Energy SmartReal Estate Professionals Com-pany in Alexandria. Puddingtonis specially trained to guide buy-ers and sellers through the pro-cess of making their homesmore energy efficient.

Air Force Airman John F.Conafay graduated from basicmilitary training at Lackland AirForce Base, San Antonio, Texas.He is the son of Stephen Conafayof Persimmon Tree Road,Bethesda, and Jackie Conafay ofPembroke Jones Drive,Wilmington, N.C. Conafay is a2005 graduate of Walt WhitmanHigh School, Bethesda.


Sports

See Advice, Page 11

See Engagement, Page 11

Potomac native Marcus Mason led the NFL in rushing yards in the preseason for theWashington Redskins last year before being released prior to the start of the seasonin the last round of roster cuts as teams pared their rosters to the 53-player regularseason limit. He then joined the Baltimore Ravens’ practice squad before signing withthe New York Jets during the regular season. The Jets released him late last month,and the Redskins claimed him off of waivers.

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From One Mason to Another

Mark Mason starred at Winston Churchill High School and the Univer-sity of Maryland before trying out unsuccessfully for the Dallas Cow-boys. Now he passes on his experience in weekly conversations withhis nephew Marcus Mason as he attempts to make the WashingtonRedskins for the third straight year.

By Aaron Stern

The Almanac

Having lived andworked in NorthernVirginia, Baltimore,and New York City

in the last nine months, MarcusMason has gotten used to life onthe road. After being cut by hishometown Washington Redskinslast summer, Mason re-signed withthe team on April 28 and soon thePotomac native found himself onceagain in familiar surroundings —stuck in rush hour traffic on theCapital Beltway.

“I’ve been all up and down I-95,”Mason said of his recent itinerantlifestyle as he drove home frompractice last month. “It just feelsgood to be back home in a familiarplace with my old teammates.”

Such is the life of a 24-year-oldrunning back trying to make it inthe National Football League. Twoyears ago, Mason made local head-lines when he earned a roster spoton the Redskins’ opening-day ros-ter as an undrafted rookie freeagent. After the team’s first gamehe was cut as the team juggled theroster in the wake of injuries, butwas signed to the Redskins’ prac-tice squad — an eight-player groupthat NFL teams can use to developyoung players but who are then ineligibleto participate in regular season games. Lastsummer Mason had another strong train-ing camp, leading the NFL in rushing yardsduring the four-game preseason, but waspromptly released from the team in the lastwave of cuts as teams were required to trim

down to the 53-player regular season ros-ter.

Instead of re-signing with the Redskinsand spending a second year on their prac-tice squad, Mason opted to join the prac-tice squad of the Baltimore Ravens. Eightweeks later Mason joined the active roster

of the New York Jets, where he finished outthe season without getting any carries. TheJets released Mason on April 27, and onApril 28 the Redskins claimed him off ofwaivers.

Mason, who grew up in Potomac’s Scot-land neighborhood, has already gotten him-

self an apartment in Fairfax and ishappy to be back where he can seehis family whenever he likes.

“Feels great, feels good to be backhome,” Mason said. “Scotland’s thathome cooking, you know what Imean? My whole family was prettymuch excited. When I got releasedfrom the Jets, my whole family wassad but I had to let everybody knowit was OK.”

Being able to see her son and talkto him face to face is nice, saidPatricia Mason, Marcus’ mother.Once again Marcus pops in fromtime to time, she said, and now shecan see past whatever front hemight be able to put up on thephone and have a better idea ofexactly how he’s feeling aboutthings.

AFTER HIS FIRST week of prac-tice with the team — the Redskinsheld a series of offseason workoutslast month and began anotherround this week — Mason said hewas already back in the swing ofthings.

“After the first couple days it waslike I never even left because that’show good the team chemistry is

there. It makes you feel at home,” he said.The dynamics of the team are much the

same as they were a year ago, and Masonknows that may not work in his favor. Again,he has three talented, versatile backs ahead

Seven months after the Dallas Cowboyswon their second straight Super Bowlin 1994 Mark Mason came to town

to try out for the team. The former star run-ning back at Winston Churchill High Schoolin Potomac had gone on to an up-and-downcareer at Maryland marked by explosiveplay on the field and injuries that kept himoff of it.

“I tell you what, it was the greatest expe-rience you could ever imagine,” Mason saidof trying out for the Cowboys. The buzz thatcirculated around the team was exciting tobe a part of, the players were personable,and the parties were legendary.

“I was coming from [the University of]Maryland, so I did my parties,” Mason saidwith a laugh.

Mason played in a preseason MondayNight Football game against his childhoodfavorite Minnesota Vikings but was cut inthe final round of roster cuts when they helda spot for Emmitt Smith’s injured backup,Derrick Lassic, said Mason. At the urging of

the Cowboys, Mason entered the NFL’s de-velopmental World League of AmericanFootball. He was chosen 12th out of some600 players in that league’s draft and wentto training camp in Atlanta. Once thereMason realized that he was no longer inlove with the game.

“You get some injuries like [he had incollege] and you miss a lot of football andyou understand that you can live withoutfootball,” Mason said. He returned to Mary-land to finish his studies and went on towork as a financial broker. Today he livesin Atlanta and works as a software commu-nications specialist, but once again he is upclose and personal with NFL flirtation ashis nephew Marcus Mason tries for the thirdyear in a row to make the WashingtonRedskins’ regular season roster. He talkswith his nephew by phone regularly.

“They have their man talk, their conver-sations,” said Patricia Mason, Mark’s sister

A Return Engagement Back home for a second stint with theWashington Redskins, Marcus Masonknows special teams and attention todetail will be keys to his NFL success.

Potomac Almanac Sports Editor Mark Giannotto

703-917-6409 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com


LOCATION ISTHE KEY IN

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LET’S TALKReal Estate

byMichael Matese

For professional advice on allaspects of buying and sellingreal estate, call:

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Fishburne Summer School ’09From Page 4

When dancing followed cocktails and dinner,nothing personified the warmth of this weddingmore vividly, than the sight of the bride’s grand-mother, Winnie Gordon, 92, constantly surroundedat her table by attentive grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and Chad’s grandfather, “Mitch,” 83,who was escorted in his wheelchair to the dancefloor by his granddaughters, Lindsay and AshleyBowling, where they danced around him.

It was the moment silver slippers turned to gold.

Getting Around

A Three Generation Potomac Wedding

It’s cookie time for Josh Tice, left, andhis twin brothers, Cody and Justin.

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Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, basil,mint; some of the home-grown herbs andspices a few of our friends are grow-ing/cultivating; with distinction, from whatI’ve heard. And as I was listening to the ebband flow of how their gardens grow, I couldnot imagine for a moment, why in theworld I would ever undertake such anendeavor. Nevertheless, the passion andenthusiasm with which these friends werediscussing their gardening gains — andlosses, was so heartfelt, so filled with convic-tion, I couldn’t help but be drawn into theconversation.

And the conversation was wide-ranging,too, gardening wise; from south-facing, topotting, to planting, to trimming and prun-ing, to plant-life expectancy, to harvesting,to the impact of weather and watering. Thetips/anecdotes/words-to-the-wise just keptcoming. As for the words to the stupid(yours truly) all I could do was ask questionsand listen in amazement as these friendsspoke about the care and feeding, locally, ofthese centuries-old and historically popularspices. The conversation sounded similar tomany I’ve had about sports; using past, pre-sent and imperfect examples of players, per-formances, statistics, tendencies, champion-ships, etc., rather than planting location,depth, proximity, and too many other plant-ing considerations lost in translation, todetermine an appropriate course ofaction/pursuit.

As I listened, and unfortunately didn’treally learn, since it was established that mylife didn’t really depend on the outcome,(which if it did, it was suggested, I might paymore sincere attention), I nonetheless mar-veled at the depth of information that ourfriends possessed on the subject, informa-tion I presumed existed, but never previ-ously bore witness to.

It never ceases to surprise me the things;categories, hobbies, avocations, vocations,pursuits, that people are into, and aware of,most of which are usually beyond my com-prehension — and grasp, quite frankly. Andit’s not that I’m stupid when I sit and listencluelessly; it’s more that I’m increduloushow little I know about so many subjects,one of which was discussed this particularevening: the trials and tribulations — andrewards, of growing herbs and spices inyour own backyard. Who knew there wouldbe such back and forth — and such knowl-edge, about such things? Not me (in caseyou didn’t know that previous sentence wasrhetorical.)

And though I am now not the least bitinterested in tilling the soil at “Belly Acres,”(our two-acre, non-ancestral home), I amnevertheless intrigued by the possibility. Theonly problem I foresee, other than all theobvious problems that you readers foresee,is what exactly would I do with all the herbsand spices if I were able to actually growthem? The closest I get to a spice is myaftershave. The closest I get to an herb is myneighbor across the street. I realize thatherbs and spices have something to do withfood and taste and cooking and food prepa-ration, but that’s no more my world thangrowing the stuff was in the first place. Oh, Ican certainly appreciate the effort requiredto grow your own; my problem is, if I didgrow it, would I have to eat it?

Kenny Lourie is an Advertising Representative forThe Almanac & The Connection Newspapers.

GrowingPainsBy KENNETH B. LOURIE

From Page 8

Sports

From Page 8

Last year Marcus Mason, shownhere at last week’s offseasonpractice, lost out in the numbersgame as the Redskins kept an extrawide receiver with their finalroster spot. This year Mason hopesto make himself indispensable bybecoming a difference maker onspecial teams.

of him on the roster. Again, there is a cropof wide receivers that includes two young,highly touted players virtually guaranteedroster spots, and once again there is a corpsof linebackers that will likely rely on quan-tity to answer questions about the reliabil-ity of its starters.

To make the team this year Mason willhave to prove himself as an important con-tributor on special teams to avoid beingbounced in the roster crunch, said Redskinsrunning backs coach Stump Mitchell. Thatmeans that he must go beyond simply par-ticipating on special teams and instead mustbe the player flying down the field takingon blockers or making open field tackles oncoverage units or setting up blocks for thereturn men on return units.

“In terms of running skills there’s no ques-tion in our mind that Marcus Mason hasthe skills to be a running back,” Mitchellsaid. “He has to make things happen on spe-cial teams for him to really have a legiti-mate shot of making it this year. And heunderstands that challenge.”

To that end, he has two talented and com-mitted teachers — special teams coachDanny Smith, and running back and spe-cial teams ace Rock Cartwright. Cartwrighttook Mason under his wing two years agowhen Mason was a rookie despite the factthat they were essentially competing to bethe third running back on the team. Masonsaid this year Cartwright is continuing tohelp him learn the nuances of special teamsdirty work, and he knows that his improve-ment in those areas is the key to his suc-cess.

“As far as last year the difference is —yeah, we have the same guys, but I just feellike I’m a little stronger on special teamsright now,” Mason said. “I [learn] about itfrom watching Rock. He lets me know whenI do something wrong, what I can do to geta better release [from blockers], stuff likethat.”

Mason will also have to be more focusedthan he was a year ago, said Mason’s uncleMark Mason, who played running back forthe Maryland Terrapins in the early 1990sand tried out unsuccessfully for the DallasCowboys in 1994. He will have to convincecoaches that in addition to running the ballhe can protect the quarterback on passingplays and he will have to wow them withhis knowledge of the playbook, a deficiency

For Mason, a Return Engagementgot after the draft was from the Redskins.Success for him now is simply making theteam.

“It was a humbling experience becauseyou learn nothing’s going to be given toyou,” Mason said. The recent emphasis onspecial teams compounded the humblingnature of his experience.

“Coming out of high school and college, Ididn’t do much special teams. Now afterbeing on the practice squad it just kind ofhelped me,” Mason said. “I feel like I got abetter chance.”

Mitchell said that despite Mason’s shortstature — the Redskins generously list himat 5-foot-9 — his size (218 lbs), vision, agil-ity, and ability to make tacklers miss in theopen field could make him a valuable con-tributor to any NFL team.

Mark Mason said that his nephew’s in-stinctual running abilities are second tonone that he has ever personally seen play,and that includes the NFL’s all-time leadingrusher Emmitt Smith. Redskins officials saythat Mason would be eligible to return tothe practice squad again this year but en-tering his third season in the league MarkMason said Marcus’ window of opportunityis beginning to narrow.

Mitchell said he likes the improvementhe’s already seen in Mason’s special teamsduties, and if that trend holds up Masonmay just shine through on the game fieldsomeday soon, be it with the Redskins orwith another team.

“He’s a very talented guy, its no questionhe should be playing in the league and Iknow for him, this is where he would loveto play because its home,” Mitchell said. “Ithink he’s going to get every opportunityand I think he’s going to do very well.”

If that day comes Mark Mason, for one,won’t be surprised.

“When he gets the opportunity I guaran-tee you this, he’s going to blow it up,” hesaid. “He will do extremely well.”

On Monday, June 1 the Redskins openedtheir next round of offseason practices andafterwards held a fan appreciation event atSix Flags amusement park in Maryland.Mason broke briefly from the ceremoniesto chat by phone. Practice went well, hesaid, and he felt great. His voice full of en-ergy, he sounded relaxed and confidentwhen he talked about his performance oflate and his outlook on the coming months.

“I know what I’m doing,” he said. “I’mready to go.”

that may have cost him a roster spot lastyear.

“That last preseason game when it wason him to really make the team he wentthe wrong way a couple times,” Mark Ma-son said. “Right after the game he calledme and told me ‘I messed up.’ When you’replaying for your livelihood it’s a lot of pres-sure. He didn’t step up the way the teamexpected.”

FOLLOWING A STELLAR career in highschool and college, Mason has adjusted tolife as an athletic everyman after goingundrafted and bouncing between teams.

After setting the Maryland high schoolrushing record with 5,700 yards atGeorgetown Prep, Mason went on to playat the University of Illinois for two yearsbefore transferring to Division II power-house Youngstown State and setting aschool record with 1,847 rushing yards hissenior season.

Then, in the 2007 NFL draft Mason wentunselected and the only call of interest he

and Marcus’ mother. “He speaks to Marcusat least three times a week to see, one, howit’s going and two, to make sure mentallyhe can handle this.”

Mark Mason saw firsthand how a run-ning back with good ability and unlimiteddetermination can succeed. Emmitt Smithnever blew anyone away with his speedbut his ability to find holes and to fight for

yards after contact should be MarcusMason’s blueprint for success, Mark Ma-son said.

The first time he ever saw his nephewplay pee-wee football Mark Mason said hewas so blown away by his ability that hecried.

“I was way faster than Marcus, but Marcusruns with his eyes. He’s an incredible run-ning back,” said Mark Mason. In his hey-day at Maryland, Mark Mason said he ran

the 40-yard dash in close to 4.3 seconds;Marcus, he said, runs in the 4.4 to 4.5 range.

“Fast as lightning, bro — you have no ideahow fast I was,” Mark said with a chuckle.He has relished the opportunity to adviseMarcus and he still loves to watch the game— especially Terrapins games.

“I enjoyed the football field,” he said. “It’sawesome. You’re playing for the school thatrepresents your state. I’m still proud. I’ll bedown here at a bar singing the fight song.”

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Advice from One Mason to Another


Documents

Potomac - The Connection Newspapersat the Potomac United Methodist Church gave in to changing times after 35 years. Traditionally the annual event was organized by the church’s female