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Gaithersburg, MD Real Estate News

By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Paper Shredding & Recycling EventThe Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) invites the community to a special Confidential Paper Shredding & Recycling Event. Do you have old tax documents, bank statements, or other sensitive papers piling up? Bring them to this community drop-off event for secure, on-site shredding and eco-friendly recycling at no additional cost. It’s a great way to protect your personal information and help the planet.Click here to learn more.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Flame Lily + Imagination, Color Edited for our Imagination Series, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8715ACanon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, Saturday, Nov. 22The Montgomery County Thanksgiving parade will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22 in downtown Silver Spring. From glittering floats and marching bands to 12-foot inflatable turkeys, and Santa Claus himself, this annual tradition promises a vibrant celebration for the whole family. The parade kicks off from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton St. and travels south on Georgia Ave., ending at Silver Spring Ave. Rain or shine, the Montgomery County Thanksgiving parade is the perfect way to usher in the holiday season.Click here to learn more.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Rose of Sharon, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA IMG 4610Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/4.5, 1/125 sec., ISO-200, 25 mm, No FlashPh...
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Pumpkin Pie Bars with Streusel ToppingA delicious twist on traditional pumpkin pie that's perfect for serving a crowd!IngredientsFor the Crust: 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup (1 stick) cold butter, cut into pieces ¼ teaspoon salt For the Filling: 1 can (30 oz.) Bakers Choice Pumpkin Pie Mix 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk 2 large eggs For the Streusel Topping: ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ cup packed brown sugar ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ cup (½ stick) cold butter, cut into pieces ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) Instructions Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the bottom o...
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Montgomery County Recreation Winter Programs RegistrationMontgomery County Recreation will open registration for its 2025-26 winter programs, classes and activities on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 a.m. for most programs and activities. Registration for all senior programs, including Bone Builders, will begin the same day at 9 a.m. Click here to register online.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Coneflower + Imagination, Color Edited for our Imagination Series, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8741ACanon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Spooktacular Family Fun at Montgomery ParksGet ready to embrace the magic of Halloween this year with Montgomery Parks. Our parks and nature centers come alive with festive fun, activities, and memorable moments for families to create together. From ghostly train rides to botanical Halloween parties and more, there’s something to give everyone goosebumps and to enjoy! Halloween Eye Spy Trains | Saturdays and Sundays in October | 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cabin John Miniature Train; Wheaton Miniature Train and Carousel Hop on board the beloved Halloween Eye Spy Trains for a festive journey with station stops at “Día de los Trenes” and “Trainsylvania.” Each rider receives an Eye Spy card to spot pumpkins, ghosts, black cats, and more as the scenic train rolls along. Fun for all ages! $6 per ...
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Monster Flash Bus: Three Events in OctoberMontgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will bring back Monster Flash, a haunted house-themed bus, for three Halloween events on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. Residents can view the decorated Flash Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) bus and learn about the planned Flash Bus Rapid Transit Network at Twinbrook Library in Rockville from 10 a.m. to noon, the Germantown Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25, and at HalloWheaton in Wheaton from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. Flash buses currently operate along Colesville Road/Columbia Pike (U.S. 29) between the Silver Spring Transit Center and Briggs Chaney, and to Burtonsville during weekday rush hours, offering service every seven to 15 minutes on weekdays and every 30 minutes on weekends. M...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Casey’s Boo Bash, October 18Casey’s Boo BashOctober 18, 10 and 11 a.m.Casey Community CenterCalling all ghouls and goblins! Get ready for a spook-tacular family Halloween party where magic and mischief come to life. Wear your favorite costumes and step into a world of enchantment with crafts, games, photo ops, and a special performance starring Aurora and Maleficent. Designed especially for families with young children, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween without the scares. Click here to learn more.This is a City of Gaithersburg, Maryland announcement.  
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Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show, Oct. 18The Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show, a city tradition for more than 60 years, will return to Rockville Civic Center Park from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. The free event, held at 603 Edmonston Drive, features vehicles from 33 car clubs, including Packard, Plymouth, Fiat, and Ferrari. Set against the scenic backdrop of the historic Glenview Mansion, the show offers a fall setting for collectors and enthusiasts to share memories and admire classic cars. One of the oldest and largest shows of its kind in the mid-Atlantic region, the event also includes a car-related flea market, car sales area, and live music by Karl Stoll and the Danger Zone.Click here to read the press release.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announ...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
3 Tips for Event Success Business Card Protocol: Make Notes on the Spot: Don't just exchange cards; use yours to anchor your value proposition. Crucially: Immediately jot down 1-3 keywords about the person on the back of their card (or in your notes app) to ensure your follow-up is personal. Research is Your Superpower: Target & Prepare: Save hours of wasted time by checking the agenda, key speakers, and sponsors beforehand. Choose a high-traffic spot near the coffee or a session exit, and own that space for 20 minutes of targeted connection. Set a High-Value Goal, Not Just a Schedule: "Meet new people" isn't a strategy. Set a specific, measurable goal—e.g., "Collect 10 cards from VP-level contacts" or "Have 5 meaningful conversations." This guarantees you walk away with targeted, high-...
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Book Recommendation: Blind Search by Paula MunierBlind Search (2019, Minotaur Books) is the second novel of the Mercy Carr Mystery series by author Paula Munier. I recommend this series for your reading list. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her books.Former Army MP Mercy Carr and her retired bomb-sniffing dog Elvis are back in Blind Search, the sequel to the page-turning, critically acclaimed A Borrowing of BonesIt's October, hunting season in the Green Mountains--and the Vermont wilderness has never been more beautiful or more dangerous. Especially for nine-year-old Henry, who's lost in the woods. Again. Only this time he sees something terrible. When a young woman is found shot through the heart with a fatal arrow, Mercy thinks that something ...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Recommended Box Wines During recent years, the quality of box wines has improved to meet the standards of bottled wines. And, the boxes are convenient and space saving. The 3L boxes have the amount of four bottles.Dolores and I regularly purchase Black Box and Bota Box wines. We have sampled many of them and the following list represents some of our favorites that we will purchase again and recommend for your tasting pleasure.Bota Box ChardonnayBota Box RedVolutionBota Box MerlotBota Box Cabernet SauvignonBota Box Dry RoseBlack Box Pinot NoirBlack Box Cabernet SauvignonBlack Box ChardonnayBlack Box Red BlendBlack Box MerlotAny of these are suitable for serving to friends or sharing during meetings. Poppy Flowered Anemone, Anemone coronaria, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania...
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President Polk's Sweet Secret: The Humble Vinegar PieWhen James K. Polk sat down to dinner at the White House, guests expecting elaborate French cuisine were often surprised. America's eleventh president, a Tennessee native who rose from modest beginnings, preferred the simple, hearty fare of his youth over the extravagant meals typical of presidential entertaining. His favorite? Corn pone—a basic, unleavened corn cake that spoke to his unpretentious character.But when it came to dessert, Polk had a particular fondness for vinegar pie, an old-fashioned creation that perfectly embodied the resourcefulness of 19th-century American cooking.A Pie Born of NecessityVinegar pie emerged during a time when ingredients we take for granted today were luxury items. Lemons were expensive and difficu...
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Book Recommendation: A Dark and Deadly Journey by Julia KellyA Dark and Deadly Journey (2025, Minotaur Books) is novel number three of the Evelyne Redfern Mystery series by author Julia Kelly. Dolores and I have enjoyed this series and recommend these books for your reading list. Click on the link to learn more about the author and her books.Evelyne Redfern returns in A Dark and Deadly Journey, the next book in international bestselling author Julia Kelly’s captivating historical mystery series.After being sidelined for a pesky gunshot wound, typist-turned-field agent Evelyne Redfern is ready for her next assignment with Britain’s secretive Special Investigations Unit. When a British Intelligence informant in Portugal mysteriously disappears just after hinting that he has vital informat...
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Recommended Author: Margaret MizushimaMargaret Mizushima Books In OrderPublication Order of Timber Creek K-9 Mystery BooksKilling Trail (2015)  Stalking Ground (2016)    Hunting Hour (2017)         Burning Ridge (2018)        Tracking Game (2019)      Hanging Falls (2020)          Striking Range (2021)        Standing Dead (2023)       Gathering Mist (2024)      Dying Cry (2025)      Margaret Mizushima is a popular American author, who likes to write mystery, thriller, suspense, and crime fiction books. She is particularly well known for writing the Timber Creek K-9 book series. Dolores and I are working our way through this series. You will enjoy the books! Sedum, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 0313Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores K...
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Book Recommendation: A Study in Death by Anna Lee HuberA Study in Death (2016) is historical novel number four of the Lady Darby Mystery series by author Anna Lee Huber. Dolores and I have enjoyed the books in this series. Click on the link to reach the website and learn more about the author and her books.From the national bestselling author of A Grave Matter comes the latest riveting mystery featuring a most “unusual and romantic” (Judith Rock) sleuth… Scotland, 1831. After a tumultuous courtship complicated by three deadly inquiries, Lady Kiera Darby is thrilled to have found both an investigative partner and a fiancé in Sebastian Gage. But with her well-meaning—and very pregnant—sister planning on making their wedding the event of the season, Kiera could use a respite from the impen...
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Bring Your Own Bag Law – What You Need to KnowStarting January 1, 2026, Montgomery County’s new Bring Your Own Bag Law will take effect. This law increases the paper bag tax to 10 cents per bag and bans plastic carryout bags in some municipalities. Retailers will retain five cents from each carryout bag provided, while the other five cents goes to the County to support the County's Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Businesses that provide carryout bags will also be required to register with the County, post customer notices, and submit quarterly reporting and remittance of bag tax revenue. Click here to read more.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Stargazer Oriental Lily, Kentlands Photowalk,Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8540Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by ...
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The Ripple Effect: How Small Acts of Kindness Transform Real Estate Careers "Every small act of kindness builds toward something bigger than you might realize. Your words, your actions, your attitude—all have the potential to spark positive change." - Lew Corcoran, Real Estate Agent, ActiveRain Blogger, Home Stager, Foxborough, MA In an industry often characterized by fierce competition and high-stakes negotiations, it's easy to lose sight of the human element that makes real estate truly meaningful. Yet, as Lew Corcoran's insight reminds us, the smallest gestures of kindness can create transformative ripple effects that extend far beyond any single transaction. The Power of the Personal Touch Consider Sarah, a buyer's agent in Denver, who noticed her elderly client seemed anxious abou...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Scam Tips for Federal WorkersThe Montgomery County Office of Consumer Protection (OCP) alerts federal employees and their families on ways to avoid financial scams during the current government shutdown. During a government shutdown, most federal employees are placed on furlough, while other essential staff are required to work without pay. These disruptions can create financial hardships for employees and their families and may affect services that residents rely on.Click here to learn more.This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement. Daylilies, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8545Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
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Standing in the Gap: A Call to Advocacy for Community LeadersIn an era marked by profound social divisions and economic disparities, the ancient wisdom of Proverbs 31:8-9 rings with urgent relevance: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."These verses issue a clear mandate to those in positions of influence: leadership is inseparable from advocacy for the vulnerable. As community leaders—whether in government, nonprofits, faith communities, education, or business—we are called not merely to manage resources or maintain systems, but to amplify voices that go unheard and to champion those pushed to society's margins.The Voiceless Among UsEvery community harbors popula...
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National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)DVAM began as a national “Day of Unity” in October 1981, organized by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The goal was to bring together advocates across the country to raise awareness, share resources, and strengthen efforts to end domestic violence. The Day of Unity grew into a week-long event, and by 1987, October was officially recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In 1989, Congress passed a law making this observance an annual tradition. Today, DVAM is a time to honor survivors, remember those lost to domestic violence, and rally communities to take action to break the cycle of abuse.Domestic violence includes many things, including physical violence, economic and psychological control, and sexual abuse.  The...
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Finding Your Megalophonous Voice in Real Estate In an industry saturated with identical marketing messages, cookie-cutter property descriptions, and agents afraid to deviate from the script, one word challenges us to reconsider our approach: megalophonous. Carol Williams, author, ActiveRain blogger, and retired real estate broker from Wenatchee, Washington, offers a powerful interpretation of this distinctive term: "In a world that often encourages us to blend in, conform, and keep our thoughts to ourselves, megalophonous can mean using your voice boldly, not necessarily in volume but in purpose. It's about standing strong in who you are and not being afraid to express yourself, even when it feels easier and tempting to stay quiet." For residential real estate professionals, Williams's...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Here’s a classic Irish Soda Bread Scones recipe — tender, slightly crumbly, and just the right balance of sweet and savory. They’re perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea, served warm with butter and jam.🍀 Here’s a classic Irish Soda Bread Scones recipe — tender, slightly crumbly, and just the right balance of sweet and savory. They’re perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea, served warm with butter and jam.🍀 Irish Soda Bread SconesMakes: 8 sconesPrep time: 15 minutesBake time: 18–20 minutesIngredients 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup whole wheat flour (optional — use more all-purpose if preferred) 2 Tbsp granulated sugar 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 3 Tbsp cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes ¾ cup buttermilk (plus a bit more if dough is dry) 1 large egg ½ cup cu...
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King Farm Dairy MOOseumThe King Farm Dairy MOOseum, located in Germantown, Maryland, is a unique heritage site dedicated to preserving the rich history of dairy farming in Montgomery County. Originally part of the King Farm Dairy, one of the region's largest and most successful dairy operations, the MOOseum celebrates the county's agricultural roots and the vital role dairy farming played in its economy. The King Farm Dairy began in the early 20th century and supplied fresh milk to local communities, helping develop Montgomery County as an agricultural hub.Today, the MOOseum offers interactive exhibits, historical artifacts, and educational programs that showcase the daily life of dairy farmers and the evolution of dairy farming technology. Visitors can explore original farm buildings, ...
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By Roy Kelley
(Retired)
Best Aromas for a Home for SaleTo make a house for sale appealing, real estate experts recommend using subtle, simple, and clean aromas that evoke feelings of warmth, freshness, and calm. The goal is to set a pleasant, welcoming tone, not to cover up bad smells, which can make buyers suspicious.  Recommended aromas Citrus (lemon, orange, grapefruit): A clean, crisp, and fresh scent that energizes a space. It works well in kitchens and entryways for a strong, positive first impression. Vanilla: A universally appealing, cozy, and comforting scent that can reduce anxiety. It is often associated with positive memories of home and family. Fresh laundry or linen: This is a simple, clean scent that creates a relaxing atmosphere and gives the impression that the house is well-cared-for. Pine or...
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