Go! Gaithersburg Guide The quarterly Leisure Times Guide is now the Go! Gaithersburg Guide, and you can find the winter edition at City facilities and online. Among the class offerings are swim lessons, fitness, personal development, dance, and fine arts. Registration is currently underway. With a tagline of Move, Play, Grow, the Go! Gaithersburg Guide is more than just a listing of class offerings. It includes pages dedicated to the City's Youth and Aquatic Centers, the Benjamin Gaither Center for older adults, cultural performances at Arts on the Green, youth sports programs, activities for preschoolers, lectures and events at the Community Museum, and much more. Explore it all here.This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers', Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersbur... 12/18/2015

Animal Control in Kentlands If you see a loose animal or what seems to be a sick animal (dogs, cats, etc.), please contact the City of Gaithersburg Animal Control at 301-258-6343 or animalcontrol@gaithersburgmd.gov. Office Hours are Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.For after hours emergencies, please contact 301-279-8000.This is a notice from the Kentlands Citizens Assembly.For out of the area readers, Kentlands is a planned neo-traditional community located within the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Autumn Colors, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5550Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/17/2015

Gaithersburg Ski & Snowboard Program Middle and high school skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts are invited to join "Gaithersburg Skis." A Night Club Card allows participants to take advantage of 8 consecutive Saturday evening trips to either Ski Liberty or Ski Whitetail in January and February. Trips run from 2 to 11:30 p.m., departing from the Activity Center at Bohrer Park. Youngsters must first register for a Gaithersburg Youth Center or Student Union Membership to be able to participate in the program. View dates and pricing packages here. This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5525Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/17/2015

See Something, Say Something  In light of recent global events, it bears reminding that local, state and federal public safety agencies throughout the DMV continue to work together to coordinate prevention and protection initiatives, but they need our help. If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately. If you remember something you saw earlier - whether it happened a few hours ago or a few days ago - call the Montgomery County Public Safety Communications Center at 301-279-8000. Report who or what you saw (height, weight, complexion, hair color, weapons, license plate, make of vehicle, etc.), when and where you saw it, and why it seemed suspicious. Information is shared throughout the National Capital Region, so even if you saw something in the District or Virginia, you can cal... 12/16/2015

Caroling in Kentlands, December 20th Please join us for an evening of caroling as we stroll through the streets of Kentlands. We will meet at the Kentlands Clubhouse, 6:30 p.m. on December 20 and spread holiday cheer. It's fun for the whole family! Then we'll head back to the clubhouse for hot cocoa and treats. Please dress for the weather and bring a treat to share. Want more details? Inquire at kentlands@kentlands.org.This is a Kentlands Citizens Assembly announcement. For out of the area readers, Kentlands is located within the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. Kentlands is one of the favorite communities for families relocating to the Metro Area of Washington, DC. Dahlia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6088Photograph by Roy Kelley... 12/16/2015

The McGlothlin Collection of American Art at VMFA Dolores and I enjoyed seeing the newly opened McGlothlin American Art Galleries at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia. Allow time to see this outstanding collection when you visit VMFA to see Rodin: Evolution of a Genius which is the current special exhibit.Photographs are allowed and we did take a lot of pictures. We will have to share them with a future date after they have been edited. “Longtime patrons James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin have given their collection of 73 works to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts for permanent installation in the McGlothlin American Art Galleries. The value of the McGlothlin Collection exceeds $200 million“We originally intended to give these paintings to VMFA after our lifetime... 12/15/2015

Holiday Giving in Gaithersburg Nearly 750 families received food and gift cards for Thanksgiving, and it is estimated that in December, the Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program will serve in excess of 900 families, including 1,700 children. Monetary donations can be conveniently made online this year, while donations of Kmart gift cards and new toys and books for families, who are referred to the program by school counselors and nonprofit organizations, are welcomed. Volunteers are also needed for the distribution efforts, taking place on December 17 and 18. Click here to learn how you can help, or call the City's Community Services Division at 301-258-6395 x2.This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Rose, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5516Photograph by Roy Kell... 12/15/2015

Pinterest Boards: Flowers & Plants Many think that it is a good idea to share your personal interests on Pinterest boards. It is a good way to come into contact with others with the same interests. Pinterest is free and you will find a very wide variety of topics as you explore what is available.If you are interested in flowers and plants, I hope you will click on the following link and follow my Flowers & Plants board on Pinterest. This board has close to 2,000 followers.Follow all of my Pinterest boards by using this link, Roy Kelley. I have over 11,100 followers on Pinterest. If you do not yet have a presence on Pinterest, you are missing an opportunity. Today is a good day to get started. Rose of Sharon, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5524Canon PowerShot G11 Cam... 12/14/2015

Pinterest Board: Appetizers and Dips Recipes If you will be entertaining during the holidays, you might need some suggestions for appetizers or dips to serve. Please visit and follow my Appetizers and Dips Recipes board on Pinterest for some great recipe ideas. This board has over 2,000 followers.If you do not have a presence on Pinterest, now is a good time to get started. Please visit and follow all of my Pinterest boards at the following link Roy Kelley. My Pinterest boards have over 11,100 followers.  Zinnia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5486Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/14/2015

Rodin: Evolution of a Genius at VMFA On Thursday, November 3, 2015, Dolores and I took a day trip to Richmond, Virginia to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, one of our favorite travel destinations. The current special exhibit is Rodin: Evolution of a Genius and this exhibit will be available through March 13, 2016. If you enjoy the work of Auguste Rodin, this is an exhibit that you do not want to miss. Use the link to learn more about the exhibit, to plan your visit and to reserve your tickets.Photographs are allowed and we did photograph much of the exhibit but I will have to share those photographs at a future date since they are not yet on this computer. “Organized by the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Musée Rodin in Paris, this exhibition will feature nearly 200 works by... 12/13/2015

Christmas Tree Fires A Christmas tree fire can destroy a room in less than a minute. The following alert was distributed by the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service in Montgomery County, Maryland.When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it d... 12/13/2015

Blogging Beverage: La Chouffe Belgian Golden Ale During a recent visit to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, we had lunch in Amuse Restaurant within the Museum. The menu theme was French and we selected the scallops. Chef Dolores then selected La Chouffe Belgian Golden Ale as the beverage. This beer is brewed by Brasserie d'Achouffe in Belgium and is rated as outstanding by Beeradvocate. We also rated it as outstanding and recommend it to you. Use the links to learn more about this beer and the VMFA.By the way, we were at the Museum to see the wonderful Rodin exhibit, Evolution of a Genius.It is difficult to beat the combination of fine art, fine food and fine ale during a day trip to Richmond, Virginia. "CHOUFFE is an unfiltered blond beer which is refermented both in the bottle and in ... 12/12/2015

Pinterest Board: Acorn Squash Recipes Much serious cooking takes place during the holiday season. It is a good time to add recipes to your Pinterest boards and to follow boards with good recipes. Please click on the following link to follow my Acorn Squash Recipes board on Pinterest. Pinterest is free and consumers love to use this site to search for recipes. Click on the following link to follow all of my boards on Pinterest, Roy Kelley. You will see that I have over 11,100 followers on Pinterest.   Dahlia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6083Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/12/2015

What’s Invisible, Has No Smell, But Can Kill You? Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of death by poison in the United States, killing more than 500 people every year. It is one of the most dangerous poisons because often people don't know it is present until it is too late. The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to buy a carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) detector for your home. A properly working carbon monoxide detector can provide an early warning before deadly gases build up to dangerous levels. If you live in a home that is two stories or more, you might want to install two.If you notice these symptoms and suspect that carbon monoxide is the cause, leave the area immediately and get outside to fresh air. Call 9-1-1 and se... 12/11/2015

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival Celebrate 20 years of enchantment at the Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, a scenic, 3.5 mile drive through hundreds of light displays at the magically transformed Seneca Creek State Park. New this year are a custom designed Fantasy Castle and a magical Unicorn Fountain, which join the ever-popular themed areas that have delighted visitors for years, including Winter Woods, Teddy Bear Land, Victorian Village, and the North Pole. In the spirit of the holidays, a portion of the proceeds from the festival benefits local charities. The festival is open to drive through traffic nightly to December 31. It's closed on December 25. View hours and admissions here.This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Autumn Colors, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, P... 12/11/2015

Facebook Group: Flower Lovers The photograph of this Zinnia was taken during a late August photowalk through Kentlands, our home community in Gaithersburg, Maryland 20878. If you enjoy flowers or flower photography, you many wish to join some of the Facebook groups that share your personal interests.Flower Lovers is a Facebook group with over 26,600 members. Even though this is a closed group, you can request to become a member. If you are one of my Facebook friends, I could also add you to this or other groups. Facebook groups are free and you can create your own groups if desired. Many real estate professionals have created Facebook groups for the communities they serve and for community activities such as sports teams that they sponsor. Zinnia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Mary... 12/10/2015

Blogging Beverage: The Poet Oatmeal Stout The Poet Oatmeal Stout brewed by New Holland Brewing Co., LLC in Holland, Michigan is one of my favorite beverages to enjoy while blogging in the late afternoon. This is a dark beer with a rich roasty malt character. Give it a taste test and you will add it to your shopping list for your next party. This blog has no commercial purpose. My series on Blogging Beverages is solely for personal enjoyment. New Holland, of course, will be happy if you try and enjoy many of their labels.  Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers', Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5513Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/10/2015

Book Recommendation: And West Is West by Ron Childress And West Is West (2015) is an award winning novel by Ron Childress. Dolores and I recommend this book for your reading list. Use the links to learn more about the author and this novel or Google the name of the author for all of the links.  AND WEST IS WEST is the latest winner of the PEN/Bellwether prize as well as a powerful, politically-charged novel that feels terrifyingly real. By tackling poignant questions about corrupt systems, the isolation of technology, and the war on terror – and whether or not individuals can emerge from any of these things untarnished – Childress has written an auspicious debut that not only reminds readers that even things beyond our control are not beyond redemption, but also signifies that he is a w... 12/09/2015

Blogging Beverage: Punkin Ale by Dogfish Head Brewery Punkin Ale by Dogfish Head Brewery in Milton, Delaware is a seasonal full bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Click on the link to learn more about this beer and the information on where it is available. Tasting Notes: Malty, pumpkin, caramel, brown sugarFood Pairing Recommendations: Turkey, roasted duck, lamb, stuffing, dessert dumplings, sharp cheddar Vitex, Longwood Gardens Photowalk, Kennett Square, PA USA IMG 5688Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/09/2015

A Season of Giving in Kentlands Secret Santa Giving Program Stop by the Kentlands Clubhouse  to select a 'holiday wish list' item for a Gaithersburg child in need. Please return the wrapped item to the Clubhouse by December 15 and we will deliver the gifts in time for the City's gift distribution party.Stuff-A-Gift BagBack by popular demand, you are invited to Stuff-A-Bag (or several!) to add to the joy of the City's Secret Santa program. The stockings are beautiful hand-made treasures by area Seniors and can be filled with lots of inexpensive goodies. Please stop by the Kentlands Clubhouse to pick up a bag and and stuff it with inexpensive goodies such as candy, playing cards, stuffed animals and the like. Please return the stuffed gift bags to the Clubhouse by December 15.Tree of Warm... 12/09/2015