Brookside Gardens, A Good Place To Visit On A Cold Winter Day We have a cloudy day and snow is predicted in Montgomery County, Maryland tonight.  The morning rush hour could be a mess for those heading north and west from the Washington, DC area. It is a good time to turn our thoughts to beautiful flowers.  One of our favorite local places to visit is Brookside Gardens which is located in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County.  Currently, the annual Spring Exhibit is featured in the Conservatory.  This is one of the good places to visit on a chilly day. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in your community or in your travels. Brookside Gardens Spring Display IMG_4296 Brookside Gardens Spring Display IMG_4297 Brookside ... 03/13/2013

Bring your jawline towards the camera to improve your profile photo Portrait Photographer Peter Hurley Video Most of us would like to improve the personal photographs that we use in profiles and on business cards.  Portrait photogapher Peter Hurley provides some tips that you will want to follow when you are taking profile pictures or posing for profile photographs. It's all about the Jaw from Peter Hurley Please share this video with your friends and associates. Be sure to practice this new advice and have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in you community or during your travels. Longwood Gardens Conservatory IMG_3777 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  03/13/2013

More Orchids, Longwood Gardens - Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs This post is for the orchid lovers.  The current annual exhibit at Longwood Gardens is Orchid Extravaganza.  This is a wonderful event if you will be in the eastern Pennsylvania area. Have a wonderful week and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture those special moments when you are out and about in your community or during your travels. Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4084 Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4086 Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4085 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs  03/13/2013

 Where did Whoopie Pies really originate? Our friend Rebecca Gaujot wrote a sweet blog about enjoying a Red Velvet Whoopie Pie at the Greenbrier Farm Market. Red Velvet Whoopie Pie and Other Homemade Valentine Sweets at the Greenbrier Farm Market Rebecca's post reminded me of a blog that I wrote in February, 2011: This appears to be a very serious question in Maine and Pennsylvania. Or, should another state be staking a claim to the fame that is associated with Whoopie Pies? What are your memories of your first Whoopie Pie experience? Ask your parents and grandparents the same question. Tell us your Whoopie Pie story in the comments for this post. Read the article by Sumanthi Reddy in the Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136593240752596.html... 03/13/2013

Flowers for You - Maryland Dahlias   If you follow my blogs, you know that Dolores and I like to photograph flowers.  Dahlias are among our favorites because they are seen in many sizes and colors and have the benefit of blooming for a long time in our garden. Maryland is a great location for growing dahlias.  Some of the very best of the regional dahlias are to be seen at the Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens, located in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. Enjoy the photographs and let us know if you have a favorite.  All of the dahlias in this group were award winners. Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7414   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7411   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7409   Dahlias, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7410... 03/12/2013

George Washington's Mount Vernon   The celebration of Presidents' Day and George Washington's Birthday is a very good reminder for all us to plan to visit George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens this year.  Dolores and I have annual passes and that is what we recommend for you if you live near the area. If you have not visited Mount Vernon since your school trip when you were too young to really appreciate the history of the area, you will be pleased to see that much has changed.  Plan to spend much of the day for your family visit.  We like to go there in the morning, beginning in the Ford Orientation Center and first tour the Mansion and the many other historic building.  When the flowers are in season, everyone should allocate time to spend in the beautiful garden... 03/12/2013

Tulips in the Garden:  George Washington's Mount Vernon   When I suggest a visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon, the images of tulips may not be your first thoughts.  However, when you visit Mount Vernon during the spring, you will want to allow time to spend in the gardens.  The tulips will be in full bloom in April. Plan to spend much of the day when you visit Mount Vernon.  There is much to see and do.  These photographs were taken when Dolores and I visited Mount Vernon last April. Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments when you are out and about in your community and your travels. Tulip, Mount Vernon, Gardens IMG_8598   Tulip, Mount Vernon, Gardens IMG_8599   Tulip, Mount Vernon, Gardens IMG_8590   Tulip, Mount Vernon, Gardens IMG_8591   Tulips, Mou... 03/12/2013

George Washington's Mount Vernon - Slave Quarters   When you visit George Washington's Mount Vernon, there is much to see.  You start at the Orientation Center and then tour the Mansion and the many outbuildings, the Washington Tomb, the gardens and the farm demonstrations.  We like to have lunch at the Mount Vernon Inn and then tour the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center. You need to use your imagination for the plantation life when George Washington was alive.  Slaves provided the labor for the economic success of large plantations.  These photographs show part of the Slave Quarters which are next to the Upper Garden at Mount Vernon.  Plan your visit to George Washington's Mount Vernon and be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the images that you will want to shar... 03/12/2013

Photograph Identifies Kentlands Neighborhood Thief   Dolores and I noticed that the seeds in our bird feeder were going down rather quickly but we had noticed only a few birds this week.  Dolores, with her camera in hand, captured a photograph of the Kentlands neighborhood thief.  A squirrel was enjoying lunch at our bird feeder. We, of course, are happy to see that our furry neighbors are well fed during the winter months.  You might have the same kind of thief in your community. Squirrel, Kentlands, Bird Feeder IMG_8570 Photograph by Dolores Kelley using a Canon PowerShot S90 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 03/12/2013

Estate Planning:  Funding a down payment for family members   Some seniors may wish to help family members with the cash needed for a down payment for a home purchase.  The annual gift tax exclusion is ideal for this situation.  For the year 2013, the annual gift exclusion was raised to $14,000 per person. This means someone may gift up to $14,000 in 2013 without paying any gift tax or fulfill any special reporting requirements to the IRS. Simply put, the annual gift tax exemption is an estate planning tool you can utilize that will enable you to make estate gifts prior to death. Using the annual gift tax exclusion, parents or grandparents are able to gift up to $14,000 per person per year.  For example, two parents or grandparents could gift a total of $28,000 to a child or grandchild.... 03/12/2013

Beretta USA  may move 300 jobs from Maryland   Would your state welcome this 500 year old family owned company?  Beretta USA produces over 100,000 guns annually and the U.S. headquarters is located in Accokeek, Maryland, in Prince George's County.  The attorney for the company has commented, as reported by The Washington Post,  that the company is considering a move from Maryland because of proposed gun controls proposed by the governor and the general assembly. Beretta makes the 9mm pistol that is the standard sidearm of all of the U.S. military personnel and many police departments.  The proposed Maryland laws would ban the gun because of its 13 cartridge magazine.  Beretta has plans to manufacture a semiautomatic version of the ARX-160 which would also be banned by the proposed Maryl... 03/12/2013

Make a Difference: Use Less   Gaithersburg residents are making their commitments to change some habits for the benefit of our environment as we approach Make a Difference Day on Friday, April 5, 2013.  Small actions can add up to significant savings in our consumption of water, energy, and other natural resources.   Use Less By pledging to use less, you recognize that our consumption habits contribute directly and indirectly to environmental concerns.  Every choice we make as consumers translates into greater decisions regarding how water, energy, and materials are used in the production, transportation, and eventual disposal of consumer goods.  Small decisions can have far-reaching effects, both positive and negative.  By using less, you are taking a small step toward eliminating unne... 03/12/2013

Gaithersburg Indoor Flea Market - Saturday, March 23   If you enjoy flea market bargains, you will want to attend the next Gaithersburg Indoor Flea Market on Saturday, March 23, 2013.  The market will be open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Location: Montgomery County Agricultural Center 16 Chestnut Street, Building 6, Gaithersburg, MD Admission is free.  If you have questions, please contact Kristen Hux, 301-258-6350 or email khux@gaithersburgmd.gov. Amaryllis, Longwood Gardens IMG_2236 Photograph by Roy Kelley.  Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 03/12/2013

Welcome back Johnice Comer - Your new friend in Maryland A special request to members of ActiveRain   RE/MAX real estate professional Johnice Comer is very well know in Kentlands and is held in high regard by other real estate professionals in the Montgomery County, Maryland community.  I noticed that Johnice is a member of ActiveRain but had not posted a blog since 2010.  So, I wrote a blog about one of her open houses and encouraged her to start blogging.  Her first step was to update her profile and she just re-blogged the post that I wrote. Please stop by and encourage Johnice to become an active member.  She should be a great resource for members of ActiveRain.  I promised her that she would be very welcome.   Johnice Comer Chocolate Chip Cookies Do Make A Difference  Broker's Open... 03/12/2013

Orchid Show and Sale at Brookside Gardens   Orchid lovers will not want to miss the Orchid Show and Sale at Brookside Gardens in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County, Maryland.  This special event is sponsored by the Friends of Brookside Gardens and the Rock Creek Orchid Club. You will want to allow time for a walk through the gardens after you enjoy the orchid show and sale.   Saturday, March 16, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At the Visitors Center.  Admission is free.  Parking is free.   Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Avenue Wheaton, Maryland www.brooksidegardens.org 03/12/2013

Have you read books by Ted Bell? Recommended by Dave Yonkers    Those that follow my blogs know that I had a recent meet up with our friend from Erie, Mary Yonkers, in Frederick, Maryland.  Mary and her husband, Dave, were traveling south for a vacation.  The bonus in the meeting was getting to know Dave.  We are both readers and Dave suggested books by Ted Bell.  I like thrillers and try to read a least one novel a week.  My current book is "Spy" (2006) by Ted Bell. It is a good book and I now plan to read the rest of his Alexander Hawke Series.  You never know what you will learn at an ActiveRain meet up.  What are you reading for pleasure? Ted Bell Books Alexander Hawke Series Hawke (2003) Assassin (2004) Pirate (2005) Spy (2006)    Tsar (2008) Warlord (2010) Phantom (2012)   From th... 03/11/2013

Clematis blooms are favorites in Kentlands   The neo-traditional Kentlands community has hundreds of homes with white picket fences. So when gardens are planned, many home owners like to have a clematis vine or two to decorate the fences. There are 300 or so species of clematis. So, you should have a wide selection when picking plants for your home garden.  One of the displays at the recent Philadelphia Flower Show showed a number of new colors that are available.  The clematis flowers are pretty and fun to photograph.  And, after the blooms are gone, the seed heads can also be good subjects for photographs. Clematis, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2986 Clematis, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2987 Clematis, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2988 Clematis, Kentlands, Flowers IMG_2989 Photograph by Roy Kelley usin... 03/11/2013

Beware Fake IRS Emails:  Alert from Kumar Barve   All of us need to be constantly alert for email and phone scams.  This is a very good topic for family discussions.  Also, please make sure that seniors in your circle of contacts are aware of daily scams that may tempt them to respond.  There seem to be scams for every situation. The following notice was distributed by Maryland Majority Leader Kumar P. Barve: "This is tax season and you need to beware Internet thieves and their attempts to trick you into divulging your personal information.  Specifically, some people have already received bogus messages from the IRS which ask for your response with personal information.  Don't be fooled. The IRS never contacts individuals by email.  Here is a warning from the IRS on these kinds of 'phis... 03/11/2013

Make a Difference:  Plant a Tree   Residents of the City of Gaithersburg will be celebrating Make a Difference Day on Friday, April 5, 2013.  The challenge for all is to make commitments to change a few habits that will benefit our environment. Make a difference by planting a tree. Trees protect water quality, clean our air, reduce stress, and provide wildlife habitat. One large tree can eliminate 5,000 gallons of storm water runoff each year, and well placed trees can help reduce energy costs by 15 to 35 percent (State of Maryland: http://trees.maryland.gov/).  Planting a tree in your yard or community will allow yourself and others to enjoy these many benefits.  The State of Maryland's Marylanders Plant Trees  program offers a coupon  good for $25 off the purchase of one tree.  The Ga... 03/11/2013

Make a Difference:  Get involved locally!   Gaithersburg residents are making their commitments to change some habits for the benefit of our environment as we approach Make a Difference Day on Friday, April 5, 2013.  Small actions can add up to significant savings in our consumption of water, energy, and other natural resources.   Get involved locally! Gaithersburg offers many opportunities for residents to get involved.  Organize a cleanup in your neighborhood or participate in our Rainscapes Rewards program.  Gaithersburg's Environmental Affairs Committee is a citizen-based committee that advises the Mayor and City Council on environmental issues, promotes environmental education and outreach activities, monitors county, state and federal statutes and regulations for impacts on City ... 03/11/2013