Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels needs volunteer drivers   Gaithersburg Meals on Wheels has an immediate need for drivers to deliver hot lunches and cold suppers. The deliveries are made on weekdays at lunchtime to the elderly and shut-ins in the Gaithersburg, Maryland area. This is a wonderful program that provides much personal satisfaction for the volunteers. The meals are prepared at Asbury Methodist Village, 333 Russell Ave., and picked up by drivers between 10:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. Containers are provided for carrying the meals, and delivery takes about one hour, with 8 to 12 clients on each route. Volunteers are asked to drive either once a week, or once every other week. Children are welcome to accompany parents. Training is provided. Please call 301-216-4200... 11/10/2013

Brookside Gardens Chrysanthemum   This is my final blog for the weekend and I wish you an outstanding week with this chrysanthemum photograph that was taken at Brookside Gardens in the Montgomery County suburbs of Washington, DC. We have enjoyed a beautiful weekend in Maryland and life is good!   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1761 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/10/2013

Day trip to Westminster, Maryland   We had a beautiful Saturday in Maryland. Dolores and I took a day trip to Westminster, in Carroll County.  We enjoyed the Carroll County Farmers Market at the Agricultural Center. As usual, we sampled the good food and enjoyed the hand made crafts. Some of the photography on display was outstanding. Jo Morrison, playing the Celtic Harp, provided a special treat. We decided to have lunch at the farmers market and our selection was the Emu Chili which was outstanding. The link may not take you to the recipe that was used today but this is one that was published by the American Emu Association. After lunch, we went to the White Rabbit Thrift Shop at the Carroll County Medical Center. We purchased a basket full of books from the very nice ladies that volu... 11/09/2013

Book Recommendation:  The Quest by Nelson DeMille   Those of you that follow my blogs know that I enjoy reading suspense novels and have a personal goal to read at least one novel each week. I just finished reading The Quest (2013) by Nelson DeMille and recommend this book for your reading list. This stand- alone book is a rewrite of his 1975 novel with the same title. Much of the story takes place in Italy but the most exciting action is during the Ethiopian Civil War as the main characters report on the action, become part of action and embark on a live changing quest. Nelson DeMille is well known for his six books in his Joe Ryker series, two novels in his John Sutter series, three books in his Paul Brenner series and seven books in his more recent John Corey series. The Quest was th... 11/08/2013

Adopt a Gaithersburg family for Thanksgiving or Christmas   Now is the time to participate in the 19th Annual City of Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program. Donate some Target gift cards or adopt a family for the Thanksgiving or Christmas holidays. This program usually serves about 800 families and there will be greater needs this year with the reductions in the food stamp program. If you live in another area, please support your local programs to assist needy families during the holidays. This is the official announcement from the City of Gaithersburg: Help Families in Need through the City of Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Program   The City of Gaithersburg, for the nineteenth year, is coordinating a Holiday Giving Program that will serve as many as 800 City families in need. Partnering wi... 11/07/2013

Flowers have their own language   Clarksville real estate professional Debbie Reynolds posted a blog about the meaning of Facebook “Likes” and “Comments”. Debbie happens to be one of my favorite bloggers. Most of the time, Likes are about the same as a nod of the head in acknowledgement. I receive hundreds of Likes on my photographs on Facebook and have a world-wide following. Many of the Likes are from other countries and are made by people that do not speak English. Yes, flowers have their own language and are loved by all, regardless of the language they speak or read. A Facebook Like could be be best available form of communication. These dahlia photographs are from our Kentlands home garden. For many, they are better than words.   Dahlia, Kentlands IMG_0787 Dahlia, Kentlands IMG_07... 11/05/2013

Gaithersburg Vendor Showcase, Nov. 7 Vendor Speed Dating   This is a reminder of the RE/MAX Realty Group vendor showcase event that will be taking place this Thursday.  42 vendors are scheduled to be available for this free public event. Local residents and real estate professionals will have the opportunity to meet suggested service providers and contractors that meet our needs for real estate repairs, decoration and renovation as well as regular home maintenance.   Vendor Speed Dating in Gaithersburg, Nov. 7 RE/MAX Realty Group is sponsoring the Second Annual Vendor Speed Dating event on Thursday, November 7, 2013 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wyndham Garden Hotel at 805 Russell Avenue, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Dolores and I attended this successful event last year and recommend it to y... 11/05/2013

How to clean an egged vehicle, a popular October blog   It is a good idea to take a look at your blog statistics on a regular basis. I was wondering which of my October blogs were the most popular. And, I was surprised to find that my shared advice on cleaning an egged vehicle was one of the leading blogs in my monthly statistics. This cleaning process also worked when the front entrance of our home was egged last year. I hope you do not personally need this cleaning advice.    How to clean an egged vehicle From time to time, area residents may experience vandalism in the form of egged vehicles and sometimes egged homes. The risk of these incidents seems to increase in the fall when teenagers are out in their cars after football games or near Halloween. If your vehicles are egged, you n... 11/04/2013

Book Recommendation:  Diamondhead by Patrick Robinson   I just finished reading another good action novel, Diamondhead (2009) by Patrick Robinson. This author was recommended by our avid reader friend Paul Yanoshik at RE/MAX Realty Group. Robinson, a resident of Ireland, has written a number of non-fiction books and a ten book fiction series with the character Admiral Arnold Morgan. Diamondhead is the first of four books in the fiction series featuring Navy SEAL Lt. Commander Mack Bedford. Navy SEALS are perfect characters for suspense writers and you will not be disappointed when you read about the adventures of Mack Bedford in the Navy and as a civilian. If you read this book, you will want to read all of the Robinson books. One of my personal goals is to read at least one novel each ... 11/04/2013

Chrysanthemum for Gabe Sanders   One of the comments that I received on a blog this morning was this message from Gabe Sanders: “Roy, your photos of flowers are just beautiful.  I love seeing them in the morning as they make me feel better about the world.” Gabe Sanders, Stuart Florida Real Estate (Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales) If we can make someone feel better about the world, the blog must be successful. And those of us that write blogs love to receive comments like this. Gabe:  This flower is for you!   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1783 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/04/2013

Kentlands Happy Hour, Friday, November 8   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly has announced the date of the November Happy Hour for residents of Kentlands on Friday, November 8, 2013 at the Kentlands Clubhouse, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This event is open to all Kentlands residents age 21 and over. Residents should make their reservation before Thursday, November 7 for this adults only event. Wine, beer, soft drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will be provided. This is a good time to meet with old friends and to make new friends from the neighborhood. Plan to stop by before going out for your Friday night dinner. Call 301-948-2071 to sign up for the event.   A busy bee in our Kentlands home garden...   Bee, Sedum, Kentlands IMG_0272 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 11/03/2013

If you are at a loss for words, use a flower photo   If you find yourself on a Sunday evening without an idea for the final blog of the weekend, just post a flower photograph and nobody will complain about the number of missing words. Brookside Gardens, in Wheaton, Maryland, is one of our favorite places to visit to enjoy the gardens and to photograph the flowers. At this time of the year, your best bet is to visit the Conservatory to see the Chrysanthemum Display. Enjoy the colors of the season with your camera in hand.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1785 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  11/03/2013

Gaithersburg Winter Youth and Teen Sports Registration    Now is the time to register for Gaithersburg Winter Youth and Teen Sports. Registration ends on November 12, 2013. The following notice from the City of Gaithersburg provides the details that you need. There will also be a special registration night at Dick’s Sporting Goods at Washingtonian Center on Tuesday, November 12 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dick’s will also be offering discount coupons for equipment and apparel. Get ready for the season and do not miss the opportunities to participate in these programs. This is the notice from the City of Gaithersburg: The City of Gaithersburg presents opportunities for youth to participate in sports activities in a non-competitive atmosphere. Our emphasis is on fun, participation, team buildin... 11/02/2013

Gaithersburg Veterans Day Observance, Monday, November 11   Veterans Day is one of the very special days during November. This year, Veterans Day is Monday, November 11, 2013. In Canada, Remembrance Day will be observed on the date. The City of Gaithersburg always has ceremonies to observe Veterans Day. All of the information is included in the City of Gaithersburg notice. Please plan to attend.  And, please note the list of items that will be collected by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). This is the notice from the City of Gaithersburg: The entire community is invited to join the City of Gaithersburg for its annual Veterans Day Observance on Monday, November 11, 2013, honoring and recognizing all U.S. military personnel who play an important role in safeguarding our nation and our f... 11/01/2013

Kentlands Coffee for Newcomers, Sat., Nov. 2   The Kentlands Citizens Assembly is reminding new Kentlands residents that a Coffee for Newcomers is scheduled for Saturday morning, November 2, 2013 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Kentlands Clubhouse. This is a good opportunity to meet neighbors and learn about neighborhood activities. All residents, new and old, are invited to the Saturday morning event. Please call 301-948-4290 to register for the coffee.   For out of the area readers, Kentlands is a fully developed planned community with a neo-traditional design theme. Kentlands is in the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland. The location and the beauty of Kentlands make it one of the favorite areas for families that are transferred to the Metro Area of W... 11/01/2013

Food Stamp Cuts For 71,000 in Montgomery County, MD   The national food stamp budget is being decreased by $5 billion this month. The program is called SNAP or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Across the country, 47 million people are enrolled in the $80 billion program. For those that support efforts to end hunger in their local communities, it is good to take a look at the situation at home. In Montgomery County, Maryland, about 71,000 of the one million residents are using food stamps. In the District of Columbia, 144,000 residents, about 25% of the population, use food stamps. In Virginia, about 10% of the residents use food stamps. Robert Samuels, in The Washington Post reports that a family of three with no income would see monthly benefits reduced by about $29, to $... 11/01/2013

Washington Craft Show, November 1-3   The annual Washington Craft Show is this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 1-3, 2013 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.  The event will showcase 190 craft artists in a dozen different categories. This is a high quality show and you will want to be there to select items for your home and for your holiday shopping list. The following information is from the website for the show: The Washington Craft Show is located in Hall A of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in the center of Washington D.C., between 7th and 9th Streets NW and N Street and Mt. Vernon Place. METRO stops there—Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center—on the Yellow or Green lines. See "How to Get There" for more information. Show dates and... 10/31/2013

Book Recommendation:  The Double by George Pelecanos   I just finished reading The Double (2013), the latest novel by George Pelecanos.  This is the second novel in the Spero Lucas Series. The first book in the series is The Cut (2011).  Spero Lucas specializes in finding what is missing, and doing it quietly.  If you enjoy novels with much action, you will be pleased with this book. I recommend the Pelecanos books for your reading list. George Pelecanos lives in Maryland and the setting of this novel is Washington, DC and the Maryland suburbs of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County.    Books by George Pelecanos The Double (2013) The Cut (2011) What it Was (2012 The Way Home (2009) The Turnaround (2008) The Night Gardener (2006) Drama City (2005) Hard Revolution (2004) Soul Circ... 10/30/2013

Gaithersburg City Election, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2013   The City of Gaithersburg, Maryland is encouraging residents to vote in the City Election on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. Registered voters have received a mailer designation the polling place. Kentlands residents vote at the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints at 16 Kent Gardens Circle in Kentlands. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The candidate for Mayor is Sidney A. Katz and the two candidates for the City Council are Henry F. Marraffa, Jr. and Michael A. Sesma.  The candidates are unopposed and the City expects a lower than normal turn out for the election. Please get out and vote on Tuesday to show your support for these community leaders.   Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1731 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy an... 10/30/2013

Traffic Cameras on Montgomery County, MD School Buses   Montgomery County, Maryland police report that traffic cameras are being installed on many Montgomery County school buses. They will ready for use by January and are designed to catch drivers who illegally pass the buses. The cameras will automatically record drivers who pass a stopped school bus while its stop arm is extended with flashing red lights. Violators will be fined $125. During the first phase of use, 75 buses are being wired for the cameras. The county has the ability to purchase additional camera if the program is as successful as anticipated. Montgomery County has about 1,270 school buses. About 400 of the buses currently have cameras that run continuously. If a bus driver believes that they were illegally passed, the... 10/30/2013