June 26, 2015

A Biweekly Newspaper June 26, 2015 • Volume XI, Number 7 Poolesville Man Dies in Storm-Related Accident Open up, Dr. Pike—this won’t hurt a bit. Pike & Valega, DDS’s customer By John Clayton appreciation event was a hit. More Elmer Frohlich of Poolesville was trical lines down on the vehicle. The events are in the Family Album on pronounced dead at the scene of a Emergency Communications Center page 2. single-vehicle collision on the evening (9-1-1) received a call for the single- of June 23. The incident occurred at vehicle collision and emergency per- about 8:30 p.m. on Darnestown Road sonnel responded. According to news (Route 28) in the vicinity of Cattail reports, Frohlich was unresponsive Road. Frohlich was the only occupant when help arrived. of the vehicle. Frohlich and his wife Nancy A preliminary investigation by are longtime residents of Poolesville detectives from the Montgomery and members of St. Peter’s Episco- County Police Department Collision pal Church. The Monocle will print a Reconstruction Unit (CRU) revealed more detailed article on his life in our that Frohlich’s 2003 Chevrolet S-10 next issue. Funeral details were not pickup truck was traveling east on available as we went to press. Darnestown Road. Storms had re- Detectives continue to investigate cently swept through the area and a this collision. Anyone who witnessed tree had fallen in the roadway in the this collision is asked to contact the Bob Mallasch of Bob’s Bikes was area of Cattail Road. The pickup truck Collision Reconstruction Unit at honored the blue bin is a clue. Read struck the downed tree and apparent- 240-773-6620. Callers may remain Elmer Henry Frohlich Tidbits on page 11. ly a power pole, which brought elec- anonymous.

Police and Relatives Gather to Remember Local Hero

By Jack Toomey This month marks the eighty- second anniversary of the death of Police Officer Webb Hersperger. On the anniversary of his death, several active duty officers and retired officers gathered at his gravesite at Monocacy Cemetery to honor his memory and to reflect on his life. The group was Senior Dennis Wang led the Falcons honored to have Officer Hersperger’s to a great season. See Youth Sports son, Dr. Webb Hersperger, Jr., from on page 12. Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in attendance. The following is reprinted from the June 27, 2008 issue of the Monocle with a few changes to reflect more recent information. Dr. Webb Hersperger, Jr. spoke at the vigil for On the morning of June 18, 1933, his father at Monocacy Cemetery. Police Officer Hersperger left his home on the Dr. Elijah White farm in Pool- limit, but the day promised to be a headquarters was a system of blue esville where he and his wife Virginia slow one since it was Sunday. lights mounted on telephone poles rented a small house. As he drove his As was his habit, he planned placed around the county. Whenever police motorcycle down the Rockville- to stop at the courthouse at Rock- an officer was needed, a blue light Darnestown Road, he looked forward ville and visit the magistrate to pick was lit on one of the poles, and the to a day of policing the still-rural area up any subpoenas or warrants that officer would then find a telephone from Bethesda to Rockville. He might might have been issued overnight and call headquarters to see where he Family fun, food, inflatables, and investigate a chicken theft or two or before heading down the Rockville was needed. music at the PES annual carnival. keep a lookout for drivers from Wash- Pike to the Bethesda substation. His More pictures are on page 15. ington who tended to exceed the speed only means of communication with Continued on page 17. Page 2 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

Family Album

Mocha (right), owned by Stuart LaGrice, was selected as the Best in Show at thePark Bark contest. in the

The Weaver family brought their matching set to the Bark in the Park Friday on the Commons event.

The winning dogs at the Bark in the Park Event.

Girls Scouts Charlotte Vogel and Julia Lyons placed pet bag dispensers at town parks to help keep them, shall we say, fresh?

Members of the Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce were hosted by the Madison House Autism Foundation at Madison Field Farm in Dickerson.

Sam “The Man” Hardwick of Poolesville, a member of the Frederick Challenger Baseball League, went to bat against the Frederick Keys. The league is made up of young athletes with disabilities.

Introduction to PAA’s youth football camp was held at Whalen Commons.

Kindergarten awaits the 2015 pre-school graduating class of Little Learner Child Care: Alan Altamirano- Gomez, Lela Eyler, Addison Hagen, Charlotte Hofmann, Elizabeth Kinney, Victoria McGuire, Tanae Torry and Madeline Weaver. PBA’s summer camp wrapped up at Poolesville Baptist Church. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 3

Local News situation where one resident decid- ed to take it upon himself to engage the town in what turned out to be a Circuit Court frivolous and ultimately expensive (to our hard-working tax-paying Rules in Favor community) legal engagement for no apparent reason. Of Poolesville “While I’m gratified and thank- By Rande Davis ful the court found his case to have On June 18, 2015, Judge Gary no merit or standing whatsoever, E. Bair of the Montgomery County I think it’s a shame we had to use Circuit Court ruled in favor of the town resources to defend our Mary- Maryland Department of the Environ- land Department of the Environ- ment (MDE) in a legal petition brought ment-approved wastewater treat- against it by Poolesville resident ment discharge permit, which was Conrad P. Potemra. MDE was repre- also co-defended by the MDE in this sented by Assistant Attorney General action. Paul N. De Santis and Jack A. Gullo, “While we always appreciate Jr., Esq. on behalf of the Town of resident input, in my opinion, this har- Poolesville. kens back to the bad old days when a Potemra maintained that MDE’s select few private citizens with per- decision to reissue a Discharge Permit sonal motives felt they had the right to for the town’s wastewater plant on disrupt and circumvent the hard work May 5, 2014 was in violation of fed- of town staff and the professionals we eral law because it did not contain a rely on to provide solid infrastructure requirement for a thirty-day aver- support to the town. age removal efficiency rate of eighty- “In the end, I’m thankful our five percent of Biochemical Oxygen town attorney and the attorneys for Demand (BOD5). the MDE were able to prove that our The attorney for MDE asked the infrastructure policies and directions court’s dismissal of the case because, are sound and safe for our residents. one, Mr. Potemra lacked legal stand- Time to move forward.” ing in objecting to the reissuance of Potemra responded to Brown’s the permit; two, the legal doctrine of comments as follows: “I would res judicata (a matter that has already have to admit that I am very disap- been adjudicated by a competent pointed on many fronts with the out- court and may not be pursued further come of the Judicial Review. First, by the same parties) applies to Mr. it should be made clear that my Potemra; and that, three, MDE does actions were against MDE, the issuer have the authority to impose more of the permit and NOT against the stringent restrictions than federal law Town of Poolesville. I never could requires. figure out why they got involved. The court ruled that Potemra’s I felt all the heavy lifting was done claim of legal standing failed to show by MDE. any “concrete injury” that would The disappointment continues as establish standing. the Clean Water Act clearly requires The court further stated that the a measurement of 85% removal of petition was denied since “the peti- pollutants as measured BEFORE the tioner’s current claim is substantially treatment process begins to ensure that identical to his May 12, 2004 case; rainwater and ground water are NOT therefore, he is barred under the doc- diluting the output stream to meet trine of res judicata.” Judge Bair went permit requirements. Even worse, it on to note that “even if the Petitioner turns out that Maryland is one of the had standing and was not barred by very few states in the entire United the doctrine of res judicata, there is States that does not comply with the substantial evidence to support the of 85% removal requirement, a Federal MDE’s factual findings and there was mandate. no error of law” by the state. Bair Further concerns were that most observed that “MDE met all state of the efforts by MDE were focused and federal water quality standards on various legal maneuverings to and exceeded federal standards, the avoid the basic issue of compliance Permit issue was not in violation of with the Clean Water Act. The Town federal or state law.” Federal law of Poolesville Waste Water Treat- allows states to impose more strin- ment Plant has come a long way gent standards than is required by since I first got involved in 1987 due federal law. to Consent orders and long stand- Jim Brown, president of the town ing discussions with MDE officials commission, responded to the court’s as we worked to resolve the myriad ruling: “This was an unfortunate of issues.” Page 4 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

Sons and Daughters of Confederates Commentary want to honor the military service of their ancestors, but this always seems to involve some revisionist history- A Tipping Point scrubbing about state’s rights and all that. I’m sure it is true that many a By John Clayton North Carolina or Virginia farm boy The modern-day version of the fought for his family and his state Confederate States of America battle without a whole lot of thought for the flag was recently prominent in its lat- slaves owned by the rich planters, but est and hopefully last outrage. It has they were still fighting for a cause that jumped the shark, which is not to make wanted to protect slavery, whether light of the horror of this recent terror- they cared to acknowledge it or not. ist act by a deranged racist consumed Even as a ten-year-old kid with by irrational and ignorant hatred. The my cool Confederate hat and replica conservative Republican governor of scaled-down musket (which had a South Carolina, a well-respected lead- ramrod and fired cork balls powered er, led her colleagues in requesting her by Mattel Greenie Stik-M-Caps), I and legislature to close out this last vestige my friends all knew, and discussed of state-sanctioned fealty to the Lost the fact, that the Rebel cause was for Cause. We shall see how this goes later slavery, and maybe it wasn’t so cool to this summer. be a Reb after all. We knew it then, we It did not help the cause of those know it now. The flag is the symbol of who want states to continue sanction- all of that, and the flag has been used ing Confederate flags that the United and defined as the symbol of groups States Supreme Court let stand a espousing all sorts of hatred, some- Texas law that banned the image from times subtle, sometimes overt, and license plates. This was based on the often violent. This has included premise that license plates are owned slavery, Jim Crow laws, race-moti- by the state and represent not free vated lynching, segregation, voter speech by an individual, but speech suppression, discriminatory housing, sanctioned by the state. When the trav- unequal educational resources, and a esty in Charleston occurred, that made host of other indignities and damages it that much easier for the governor inflicted upon American citizens. The and others to grasp this third rail of flag was co-opted as the symbol for South Carolina politics and say, “No much evil, whether we like it or not. more.” The governors of Virginia and The flag still has its place, in muse- Maryland have pledged to follow suit. ums and historical displays and on Contributing Writers I grew up in the South, and have gravesites and cars and tee shirts and Dominique Agnew significant Southern and Confeder- as other expressions of free speech, [email protected] ate heritage in the genetic soup of my which should forever support our Susan Petro [email protected] ancestry, and as a kid growing up in inalienable right to annoy and even Published and Edited by Heidi Rosvold-Brenholtz North Carolina during the Civil War insult one another, within reasonable John Clayton and Rande Davis [email protected] Centennial, and being at that great age bounds. Hopefully, we will continue Pam Boe of ten years and thereabouts, I admit to enjoy this right, without asking the John Clayton [email protected] that I always liked that flag. It wasn’t government to put its blessing on our Production Kristen Milton Financial [email protected] evil to me. I understand that all those particular point of view. Maureen O’Connell 301.349.0071 [email protected] [email protected] Jeffrey S. Stuart [email protected] Rande Davis Jack Toomey Advertising [email protected] Circulation Ingeborg Westfall 301.509.9232 [email protected] TM [email protected] Contributing Photographer Jonathan Hemming Dominique Agnew Layout and Graphics Copyediting Anne-Marie Thomas • AnyArt Studios LLC website design [email protected] [email protected] graphic design [email protected] The Monocacy Monocle is a publication of Monocacy desktop publishing Press, LLC which is solely responsible for its content. [email protected] Monocacy Press, LLC does not espouse any specific 301.602.4367 branding and image consulting www.monocacymonocle.com political viewpoint, and any opinions expressed in AnyArtStudios.com software and design training the Monocle are those of the author unless otherwise indicated. [email protected] voice-overs Monocacy Press, LLC The Monocle does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible for any claims by advertisers. John Clayton, President Articles and letters submitted for publication must Rande Davis, Vice President be signed and may be edited for length or content. P.O. Box 372 The Monocle is not responsible for unsolicited material. Have a classified ad? Then email it, along with your address and All contents of this publication are protected by Barnesville, MD 20838-0372 telephone number to [email protected]. copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in 301.349.0071 part for any reason without prior consent of Monocacy $15.00 first two lines — $7.00 each additional line. Press, LLC. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 5

duce the structural deficit (the amount possibilities of helping clients move Town of of overspending that exists no matter Local News beyond dependency on emergency how well the economy is growing) by services to richer and fuller lives. Poolesville An anticipated feature of each seventy percent in recent years. At the WUMCO Board Optimistic Town Officials Hear same time, the Montgomery County annual meeting—since the organiza- tion’s programming is literally depen- legislative delegation fought some ef- WUMCO’s joint annual meeting from Montgomery dent on the involvement of hundreds forts to reduce the budget deficit that and second quarter board session on of people and dozens of organiza- County’s State they believe unfairly target residents of June 10 provided an excellent forum to take stock of operations and plans. tions—are the awards for outstanding the county. Unfortunately, he said that Legislative Delegation Noted at the meetings were the many volunteer service. Commendations while they pushed back successfully for outstanding service in 2014 were By Link Hoewing events that have occurred in the past against some of these proposals, one nine months—the move to new facili- awarded to Dr. Timothy Pike and his While the official agenda for the change in how schools are funded will ties, the decision of Jane Stearns to step son Alex for building a donation box June 15 town meeting was to consider cost Montgomery County $18 million down as fulltime director, the appoint- for twenty-four-hour collection of Ordinance 203, revising the town’s in monies dedicated to county schools. ment of Catherine Beliveau as execu- food donations to WUMCO; Boy Scout traffic and road safety regulations, and Delegate Kathleen Dumais spoke tive director, the community celebra- Troop 496 for collection of almost to hear some funding proposals, most next and noted that even before the tion of Ms. Stearns’s forty-seven years 5,600 pounds of food; and Bill Car- of the session was taken up by a report Baltimore riots, the House Judiciary of service at WUMCO’s helm (“Salute roll, Lori Kocur, Ellen Onderko, and from the state legislative delegation of Committee she sits on was looking at to Jane” in the April 30 issue of the Wendy Stolicker for pickup and de- livery of local food donations. Jim Montgomery County regarding the proposals to change sentencing guide- Monocacy Monocle), and a successful Ridgway was also presented with recently-concluded 2015 session of the lines so that far fewer people commit- fundraising effort. a certificate of appreciation for his Maryland Legislature. ting low-level crimes would be jailed. Of course there was also business to conduct. The board accepted with service as treasurer. Senator Brian Feldman led off The committee was also looking at regret the resignations of Jim Ridgway how police do their jobs and at ways to Local Judge Steps Down the discussion by providing an over- (treasurer for the last three years) and view of the highlights of the legisla- reduce the friction between police and Kathy Nethercutt. Dorothy Norwood By Jack Toomey ture’s annual session. He mentioned local communities. was elected to the board and will be The saga of Montgomery County first the unusual turnover from the Delegate David Hidalgo-Rivera serving as the organization’s new trea- Circuit Court Judge Audrey Creighton last election: fifteen new senators and spoke last and talked about the work surer. Other than Ms. Norwood, the has apparently come to an end. As sixty-two new members of the Gen- of his committee on the environment, rest of the leadership will not change— readers might recall, Creighton, 54, al- eral Assembly. Over 1000 bills were most significantly on the subject of Jane Stearns executive director emeri- lowed Rickley Senning, a convicted fel- introduced in the Senate and 1500 in fracking and whether and how to regu- tus, Nancy Allnutt president, Tracey on, to move into her Dickerson home in the General Assembly. In the previ- late the process to ensure minimal dam- Forfa vice president, and Catherine 2013 after he was released from prison. ous four years, the legislature focused age to the environment. The committee Beliveau as executive director. When she was a member of the Public heavily on cultural issues, including passed a bill to put a moratorium on In its discussions, the board agreed Defenders’ Office, she represented him such things as same-sex marriage and fracking for two years so the issue can that the move to new facilities had in 2008 in a District Court case. Things turned violent in May 2014 the death penalty. In the senator’s be studied and effective policies set in when Senning, then Creighton’s live-in view, Gov. Larry Hogan’s election place to regulate the industry. boyfriend and aged twenty-four years Maryland still remains a relatively was all about economic issues, such as old, forced her to drive him to Gaithers- taxes and excessive regulation, and he low-growth state compared to other burg after pulling her hair and forcing believes that the next four years will states, and spurring growth is critical. her foot down on the accelerator so she largely focus on these issues. In this context, Feldmand remarked would drive faster. At the intersection A bill to create a commission to that the idea of a bridge crossing from of Routes 28 and 112, Judge Creighton study the business and investment Virginia into Maryland somewhere jumped from the car, and Senning took climate in Maryland was passed, and above the Chain Bridge has been the car and was involved in a serious Norm Augustine, a former leader of raised by Virginia officials once again. wreck just a few minutes later. Northrup Grumman and a respected He was of the view that the town com- WUMCO’s Catherine Beliveau, A complaint was made to the business leader, chairs the committee, mission has been on record against Jane Stearns, and Katie McFall. state about Creighton’s actions and which will report later this year. Feld- such an idea. Commissioner Brice Hal- her relationship with Senning; an in- man felt that the state must diversify brook replied that a bridge that was more than met expectations, reported a vestigation ensued. Even though these solid financial position, and supported events were known and in the news, its economy so it is less reliant on fed- located in the right manner might spur a study of possible new services to cli- Creighton was reelected in November eral spending and federal employees, more growth and economic activity, ents that go beyond emergency assis- of 2014. but he was quick to note—as all other and that is an issue the commission is tance. One director described the con- On June 15, it was announced that also examining. commissioners did—that he is not ad- cept as “teaching people how to fish, Creighton had decided to retire from In Feldman’s view, Governor Ho- vocating for the construction of such a not just providing them with fish.” her position as a judge. Her future gan has some important economic de- bridge. Implicit was the premise that there are plans are not known. velopment issues pending that relate During the question-and-answer to infrastructure investment. A key period, only one significant question area where these issues arise has to the arose, from Mr. Bob Roit, a local citizen. do with the proposed Purple Line light He expressed great skepticism about rail system that would link the red, or- how the structural deficit was reduced ange, and green lines and would allow since part of the reduction was achieved traffic to flow on public transit inan by drastically reducing the amount of east-west direction in the county. If he money that had been committed by decides against doing so, hundreds of previous legislatures to help fund the millions of dollars of federal funding state pension system. He likened it to that was to have been dedicated to the “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” new line would be forfeited. After the legislators appeared, two The budget deficit is a perennial proposals requesting town funding problem in Maryland, but, constitution- were presented to the commissioners. ally, the state must balance its budget every year. Legislators were able to re- Continued on page 16. Page 6 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015 Local News Treasure Hunter Finds Lost Wedding Ring By Susan Petro Rob Medwid always knew where his wedding ring was. If it was not on his finger, he knew exactly where he put it. Married for seventeen years, Medwid never lost sight of the trea- sured band he received from his high school sweetheart, Melissa, on their wedding day. He took great pride in Rob Medwid was amazed by the the fact that he would never misplace recovery of his lost wedding ring by his ring. metal detectorist Juan Ramos. When the couple married at the age of twenty-one, they didn’t have a Medwid and his wife, who reside lot of money to buy expensive rings, in Urbana, returned two or three times but he treasured the specially-in- over the next few days and spent about scribed band nonetheless. “The ring seventeen hours searching. They final- was old, beat up, and so cheap, I could ly decided that someone had probably bend it with my fingers,” said Med- picked up the ring and pocketed it. wid, “but it was my ring.” As the days, weeks, and months went The pair had been sweethearts by, the couple figured the ring was since the age of fourteen, and the bat- probably gone forever. tered, beat-up ring meant everything Five months after the ring to him, so when Medwid saw his band disappeared, the couple went out and slip off his finger as he tossed a foot- chose new wedding bands together. ball to his son and slowly flip end over “The new ring was nice,” Medwid end like a slow-motion movie into the said, “but every day I looked at my grassy fields of Whalen Commons dur- new band, it was just not the same.” ing the Springfest two years ago, the He stilled mourned the loss of his loss almost seemed surreal. He kept original wedding band. telling himself, “Don’t lose sight of the Fast forward two years: Local ring, don’t lose sight of the ring.” The ! resident Juan Ramos had just spent the ring was slightly big so Medwid could night at Whalen Commons preparing slide it over his knuckle which was of- for the next day’s Relay for Life activi- ten swollen from the goalkeeping days ties held on June 6, 2015. He wanted to of his youth. Additionally, the air was make sure that no one vandalized or brisk that morning, attributing further stole any of the supplies that vendors to the ring being loose. or participants had dropped off the As the ring landed in the grass, night before. Medwid thought he knew exactly Around 5:00 a.m., Ramos took a where to find it. Without taking his break from his volunteer duties to do SUMMER CAMPS ARE AVAILABLE eyes off the spot, he sent his children a little metal detecting, a hobby he had to tell his wife and in-laws that he developed two or three years ago after FOR ALL AGE GROUPS had lost his ring and to come join the purchasing a detector from a cowork- Visit us at search. er. Over the years, Ramos had enjoyed As Medwid searched the field for finding Civil War artifacts, old coins, www.HopeGardenBallet.com the missing ring, he drew a crowd of and jewelry. other Springfest attendees who were The device soon signaled a find eager to assist. Soon, many people about twenty feet from the bandstand. were scouring the ground. One person Juan carefully cut out a small flap of even went home for his metal detector grass about four inches deep and to aid in the search efforts. Medwid retrieved a ring. He put the sod back ! kept thinking to himself, “It shouldn’t into place to make sure the ground take this long.” was restored undamaged. Unfortunately, all those feet walk- Right away, Ramos knew that the ing over the ground may have hin- specially-inscribed band must hold dered the search efforts or pushed much more than just a monetary val- the ring deeper into the ground. After ue. He was determined to reunite the Visit us at our new location at 19710-E Fisher Ave. two to three hours of nonstop search- ring with the lost owner. He posted ing, Medwid decided to return in the a picture on the Poolesville Buy and Poolesville evening after the crowds dispersed to Sell Facebook page with a message continue the search. He made a grid, that he would return the ring to the 301-466-1906 carefully covering inch by inch of the area where he saw the ring fall. Continued on page 19. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 7

funnel cakes, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Things kettle corn, Kona ice, and more. Al- To Do cohol, pets, and coolers are prohib- ited. Fireworks begin just after dusk. June 26 Located at soccer fields at Hughes and Friday on the Commons Sugarland Roads. Take Me Out to the Ballgame; Movie: July 5 Sandlot Farmers’ market, food, and artisan Capitol Polo Club Special vendors open at 6:00 p.m. Featuring Event: Independence Cup home run derby, dizzy bat, pickup Sponsored by Bassett’s Restaurant. games, inflatables, prizes. Be sure 14600 Hughes Road, Poolesville. 3:00 p.m. to wear your favorite team’s jersey. July 8 Movie starts at 8:30 p.m. PASC Special Event June 27 Poolesville Area Senior Center. Zumba Annual Odd Fellows Lodge 97 Gold. 17550 W. Willard Road. 1:00 p.m. Summer Picnic for Seniors, July 9 Widows, Widowers, and Orphans PASC Special Event Meal and Entertainment provided Arts and crafts. 17550 W. Willard Road. free. Memorial United Methodist Church 1:00 p.m. in Poolesville. 12:30 pm. to 3:30 pm. July 10, 11, and 12 Indians Return to Potomac River Sponsored by Sugarloaf Regional The Blue Hearth Trails (SRT). SRT dedicates its new- Special Market Weekend est trail: The Trail of Indian History. New inventory of exciting interior The dedication is at the Monocacy decorations and design, renovated fur- Aqueduct from noon to 4:00 p.m. The niture, and more. Friday and Saturday Piscataway Indian Tribe will honor from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on us with a performance of their Dance Sunday from noon to 5:00 p.m. and Drum Corps. Presentations on July 11 Indian culture, customs, and agricul- 90th Anniversary Open tural prowess in raising native plants. House Celebration for House of Poolesville Entertainment Living Word Bible Fellowship The Colliders. Patio at 8:30. Route 107 and Route 28. Meal at June 27 and 28 4:00 p.m., music and service from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Bring a lawn 18th Annual Montgomery County chair. Heritage Days Weekend Countywide auto tour of history with July 13 to 17 URBANA VOLUNTEER FIREMEN’S thirty-five historical, educational, en- Memorial United 41ST ANNUAL CARNIVAL tertaining, and fun-filled sites for the Methodist Vacation Bible School whole family. Sites are open from noon Theme: G-Force. 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Plan a full week- with free dinner for all campers and JULY 13 TO 18 end or just visit the local sites which in- families from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. Buffet-Style Dinners (5-8 p.m. in air conditioning) Great clude John Poole House, the Old Town July 13 to 18 Great Platters: Fried chicken, shrimp, crab cakes, & seafood Hall Bank Museum, Seneca School- Great Sandwiches: country ham, hamburgers, crab cake St. Mary’s Catholic Food! house, Sugarland Ethno Project’s his- Great Urbana fresh-cut fries Church Vacation Bible School toric St. Paul Community Church, Great hot dogs, pit beef, sausage and pork sandwiches, Theme: Nazareth: Where it All Began. Edwards Ferry C&O Lockhouse, Boyds pizza, and soft ice cream! Three years to sixth grade welcome. Negro School, Sugarloaf Mountain 9:30 a.m. to noon. Vineyard, White’s Ferry, Hyattstown Cash Bingo! 8PM (inside Air-Conditioned Hall) Mill Arts Project, and Warren Church 41st Annual Urbana Great July 16: FIREWORKS!!! and Historic site. Complete brochure Volunteer Firemen’s Carnival Fun! July 17&18: Three Shows 7:15, 9:00, and 10:45 p.m. available at retailers and online at Great food, music, raffle, midway heritagemontgomery.org. rides, and overall family fun. For more July 13: Rock & Roll Relics details, see ad this issue. July 14: City Slickers featuring Debbie Williams June 28 July 15 July 15: Inside Out Capitol Polo Club Event: Retired Great PASC Special Event July 16: Full Effect Racehorse Project Match Music! July 17: JR Country Bingo. 17550 W. Willard Road. 1:00 p.m. 14600 Hughes Road, Poolesville. July 18: A Classic Case Sponsored by HOSSO. 3:00 p.m. Commissioners’ Town Meeting and Public Hearing July 4 Purpose of hearing is to receive public Fireworks Display Over $5,000 in PRIZES comment on the proposed allocation Great ST Traditional Family Fireworks spon- 1 PRIZE: $3,500 IN CASH DRAWING of water and sewer capacity. Poolesville ND sored by the Upper Montgomery Raffle! 2 Town Hall. 7:30 p.m. RD ON JULY 18 County Volunteer Fire Department. 3 PRIZE: GAS GRILL RAFFLEPRIZE:- HANDMADE 60” TV AMISH QUILT Need Not be Grounds open at 5:00 p.m. with mu- July 16 Present to win sic by Bobby Lewis Band with lots of PASC Special Event 3602 Urbana Pike, Frederick, MD refreshments: hot dogs, hamburgers, Book club. Poolesville Library. 7:00 p.m. Page 8 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015 June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 9

Pasten led the English team with three Local News goals, Robert Do and Neil Agate, the captain of the English team, both added goals in the come-from-behind England Overcomes effort. America in Capitol Agate was ecstatic after the match, “It was a great triumph for England, Polo Club Opening and since my tailgate attendees drank Day Action all the Pimms we brought, I feel the English showed great spirit on and off On June 7, 2015, the English Polo the field.” Team of Neil Agate, Robert Do, Steve The American team was disap- Utterwulghe, and Jose Pasten proved pointed in the outcome of the match that consistent team play wins polo but delighted at the attendance of the matches in the opening day match at red, white, and blue-clad fans. Do- the Capitol Polo Club grounds in Pool- natelli commented, “We got in foul esville. They trounced the American trouble and it cost us the game, but it team, 5-2, got revenge for the British was a good effort and wonderful to see Empire, and rode off into the sunset so many fans at the club enjoying the carrying their bottles of Pimms. match.”

England won its challenge over the USA at Capitol Polo Club’s recent tournament.

The American team of Javier Polo continues every Sunday Donatelli, Chris Abularrage, Maureen through the end of October at the Marsh, and Derek Wilson started Capitol Polo Club, located at 14660 off strong, jumping out to a two- Hughes Road, Poolesville.. The goal lead in the first chukker be- matches are at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 hind the scoring efforts of Donatelli, p.m. each Sunday and are open to the but the English team, showing the public. Upcoming events include the patience that helped that island nation NYTS youth tournament on Sunday, establish an empire, slowly fought June 14 and the Chicks with Sticks back goal by goal while drawing the Ladies’ Invitational on Sunday, June American team into foul trouble. Jose 21, sponsored by Tractor Supply. Page 10 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

Police were at a loss to explain how the Tidbits Police Blotter man drowned in the shallow water. In the second case, a man from North By Jack Toomey Carolina was fishing at the Brookmont Rev. Broady Leaves for Kentucky feeder dam when he apparently slipped Poolesville Baptist Church bade farewell to Rev. Kyle Broady on June 14 Current Crime and fell into the Potomac River current. at a celebration honoring his ministry there and to wish him well in his new Assault: 23600 block of Mount Fire department personnel searched assignment. Kyle has been at PBC for seven years as its Pastor of Worship, Youth, Ephraim Road. until dark and said that they would and Children’s Ministries. He has shared his musical talents, especially as a Burglary: 18000 block of Moore Road, resume searching in the morning. pianist, with the community, often volunteering to help the music departments 16600 block of West Willard Avenue. July 6, 1955 A small airplane was de- of John Poole Middle and Poolesville High School. His Music and Art Summer Theft from vehicles: 19900 block of stroyed by fire at the Congressional Camp was very popular in the town. Briarley Hall Drive, 17900 block of Airport south of Rockville. Police said He leaves for Beacon Hill Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky where he Bliss Drive, 17200 block of Lightfoot that six airmen who owned the plane will be Pastor of Worship. Lane, 17100 block of Spates Hill Road. and who were repairing the tail assem- Drug complaint: 19200 block of bly accidentally set fire to the plane Hempstone Avenue. while using an acetylene torch. The Past Crime plane was a surplus air force Acronca. June 26, 1955 Howard Spurrier, the July 7, 1955 County police credited two former mayor of Poolesville, was se- alert patrolmen for the arrest of three riously injured in a two-car crash safecrackers who had burglarized sev- in Dickerson. Police Officer Donald eral buildings in Rockville and broken Brooks said that the wreck happened open the safes. Officers Pearson and in front of his house and that he ran Keller were on patrol long after mid- out into the road and pulled three night when they saw a car with no tail- injured persons from their cars. Also lights on. When they stopped the car, injured were Ethel Spurrier, wife of they found burglary tools and a large Mr. Spurrier, who sustained a broken quantity of spark plugs. When the boys knee cap, and Bessie Grubb who had could not clearly explain the contents cuts and bruises. All were taken to the of the car, they were arrested. A few Frederick Hospital. Brooks said that hours later, a gas station was found Buddy Glazier, Deacon of Poolesville Baptist Church, presented a farewell Spurrier’s car crossed into the opposite broken into and sparkplugs stolen. At gift to Kyle Broady, departing Pastor of Worship and Family Ministries, lane and struck another car. the home of one of the crooks, police with his family Kyle, Sara, Benjamin, Samuel, and Joshua. July 3, 1955 Two drownings happened found an album with newspaper clip- on that afternoon. In the first, a young pings detailing their crime wave. Turner’s Triathlon Mission father drowned in four feet of water in July 13, 1956 Three Silver Spring boys a farm pond on the Dewey Brown farm were arrested and charged with setting Poolesville’s Scott S. Turner is a triathlete on a mission, on Brown Church Road near Damas- off homemade bombs that they explod- training at least four to five days a week to better himself cus. Police said that the dead man’s ed in the Four Corners area. In one of and to make a difference for others. He is participating in invalid father was watching from a the cases, the boys set off a bomb in a the Tenth Annual D.C. Nation’s Triathlon to Benefit the wheelchair when the man disappeared tree that bordered the Indian Springs Leukemia & Lymphoma Society taking place on Sunday, while swimming to an inner tube. The Golf Course. A golfer was showered September 13, 2015. It features a course that winds through father then walked over a mile for help. with shrapnel but not seriously injured. Washington, D.C.’s monument corridor in the shadow of the nation’s best-known memorials and national trea- sures. This Olympic-distance triathlon, sanctioned by the USAT, includes a 1.5K swim in the Potomac River, 40K bike course through D.C., and a 10K run through Washington, Triathlete D.C.’s historical landmarks. You can help him by visiting Scottie Turner gofundme.com/wu5d96s. Agnew Graduates Magna cum Laude At the recent commencement at Wagner College, Staten Island, New York, Chantal Agnew, Poolesville High School class of 2011, was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree, magna cum laude, with a major in biology and a minor in art. Agnew also won three awards at the college’s annual senior awards banquet: the Kevin Sheehy Award in Biology for achieving the highest cumulative grade point average in the biology major; the John ’53 and Gloria Deane Award, presented to a deserving stu- dent who demonstrates the strongest level of academic excellence and the desire to pursue work in the field of Chantal Agnew environmental studies; and the Thomas Carroll Award for Environmental Sustainability for dedication in leading the campus toward a more environmentally-sustainable future. Agnew was the invited student speaker at the senior awards banquet. Davis Graduates War College Colonel Sean Paul Davis, 1989 PHS graduate, was awarded a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University National War College at Fort McNair. The mission of the National War College is to educate future leaders in high-level policy, command, and staff responsibilities.

Continued on page 16. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 11

Brightwell Crossing to honor the Business Briefs longest-serving president of the Poolesville town commission, Charles Elgin. The park’s amenities include Bob’s Bikes a soccer and lacrosse practice field, The Montgomery County Depart- basketball court, tot lot, covered ment of Environmental Protection, at pavilion, nature trail, and uniquely, a its 16th Annual Recycling Achievement covered bridge. Recognition Ceremony, honored Bob Kettler Forlines Homes was Mallasch of Bob’s Bikes in Pooles- recently recognized by the U.S. ville on May 20 for his dedicated Environmental Protection Agency and conscientious recycling ef- (EPA) with a 2015 Indoor airPLUS forts. Held at the Bethesda Marriott Leader Award for the Reserve at North Hotel and Convention Center, Brightwell Crossing, its newest com- Mr. Mallasch was recognized in munity in Montgomery County. The the category of Business Individual award is for its commitment to build- Outstanding Achievement in Recy- ing homes with better indoor air cling category. County Executive Ike quality. Leggett and Loo Katz of 97.1 WASH- The company was one of only FM radio were featured speakers. eight homebuilders nationwide to be Elgin Park Officially Dedicated thus honored and is one of the few On June 21, Kettler Forlines Homes organizations that participate in the dedicated its community park at EPA’s Indoor airPLUS Program.

Kettler Forlines’s Tom Kettler, Dots Elgin, and Commissioner Jim Brown at the grand opening of Elgin Park at Brightwell Crossing. Members of the Elgin family joined in the celebration.

William Beall and Miss Dorothy Chinese & Japanese Restaurant – Dine in or Carry Out Tidbits of Morningstar also appeared. The Past June 13, 1934 Mrs. Joseph Allnutt en- Entertainment Schedule By Jack Toomey tertained at an old-fashioned quilting party. Her guests were Mrs. White, June 1, 1927 The Silver Spring High Williams, Clagett, and Williamson. House of Poolesville School baseball team defeated Pool- June 26: DJ Slim Pickins esville, 9-3, at the Silver Spring field. June 21, 1930 Berry Clark, clerk to June 27: The Colliders-­‐‑ on the patio at:30 4 p.m. Rubel and Reed had two hits apiece the county commissioners, was told for Poolesville, while Hersberger and to write to the Baltimore and Ohio July 3: Brian Jamison Band Ball had one hit each. Railroad Company and urge them to July 4: DJ Slim Pickins June 6, 1927 Barnesville, Beallsville, hasten the construction of the Boyds Dickerson, and Poolesville were underpass. The commissioners had July 10: DJ Slim Pickins scheduled to have electric current for been told that the underpass had been July 11: Bobby Lewis Band– on the patio at:30 4 p.m. lighting and other purposes as a result scheduled for construction some time of a contract signed with the Potomac in the past. July 17: Karaoke Edison Company. One hundred and June 24, 1925 It was estimated that July 18: Crackinbush– on the patio at:30 4 p.m. twenty residents will benefit from about 2000 citizens of Montgomery the contract that was negotiated by County, some of them prominent, had a board headed by Harold Spurrier. failed to pay their dog tax. Twenty- The electric line, which ran from two people, most living in the Pooles- Every Wednesday is Trivia Night Buckeystown, cost $36,000. ville district, appeared in Police Court, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. June 10, 1926 Members of the faculty and Judge Riggs fined them between of Poolesville High School, assisted by one and twenty-five dollars. several students, presented the com- June 30, 1934 A ceremony was held edy Come Out of the Kitchen. The at the cemetery at Beallsville by the show was held in the school auditori- United Daughters of the Confederacy. 19611 Fisher Avenue – Poolesville um. In the cast were Professor Thomas They decorated the graves of the Con- Tel: 301-­‐349-­‐2935 or 301-­‐349-­‐2936 Pyle, Mrs. Webb Hersperger, Misses federate soldiers buried there. Music Fax: 301-­‐349-­‐2937 Ruth Beall and Ethel Garner. Students was provided by the Poolesville band.

Page 12 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

losing a single match; nonetheless, the Youth Sports team, which finished 9-3 overall, had to overcome obstacles to claim the division. The team will move up to Senior Wang Places Second in State Division II next season. Team Wins Division “We had a bunch of delays at tryouts due to bad weather in the By Jeff Stuart early spring,” said Martinis, at a late There was more buzz than normal season practice. “We had lost a lot of this season for a Division III tennis team seniors the year before. Some of the because Poolesville High School had juniors didn’t come back, and then we nationally-ranked, All-Gazette player lost our original second singles due to Dennis Wang (undefeated last season) the fact that he wanted to participate at first singles. Wang was a strong in the school musical, so I came in to favorite for county and state honors. play third singles.” Martinis decided He defeated Whitman’s Jack Welch to challenge for the second singles (6-4, 6-4) to win the county singles tour- spot before the first game, and won nament at Paint Branch on May 6, and the second singles spot for the opening he defeated Bethesda Chevy-Chase match against Division IV Seneca Val- sophomore Conor Smyth (6-1, 3-0) in ley. “I think our best match as a team the region singles final at Walter John- was against Damascus, even though I son on May 13. Smyth withdrew due lost…but that was the only DIII match to an injury. In the state boys’ singles that I lost. I played Joe Iosue, a chal- at the University of Maryland on May lenging opponent whom I respect. 23, Dennis defeated Bel Air’s Michael He was a very good player. It was Quang (3-6, 6-3, 6-2) in the semifinals an exciting match, and it was a home that morning, but he lost to Severna game which added to the fun.” Park’s Alex Cauneac (2-6, 6-1, 6-4) in In one tough week, the team another lengthy, back-and-forth finals had to play four matches that had match that afternoon. In his first three been rescheduled due to weather post- years at Poolesville, Wang, who will ponements and won against Einstein, attend Yale University this fall, did Watkins Mill, Springbrook, and Rock- not compete for county and state titles ville. Rockville had been a worthy op- because of scheduling conflicts with ponent last year, but this year, a 6-1 United States Tennis Association tour- victory over Rockville took the team naments. He would have been a strong into spring break. contender in those years as well. First doubles players were senior “We had a great season,” said Archis Sathe, a captain, and sopho- Coach Holley Dacek. “For the first time more Chuan Chen. Second doubles in Poolesville history, we had a player were sophomore Kartik Krishnan and qualify for the states. He made the Anish Prasanna. Third third doubles finals, and we won our division. were Andy Lum and freshman Justin Dennis is a great kid. I am proud to Park. have coached him. He earned every- “I think our best match was thing he got. He is definitely the best against Clarksburg,” said Archis, player I ever coached, and he’s been “because that’s the win that sealed the very supportive and positive with other division title, and I think we had the kids.” most fun that match. For me, individu- First through fourth singles ally, I played first doubles with Anish for the Falcons were Wang, sopho- against Quince Orchard, which is a more Coleman Martinis, junior Chris Division I team—and we won. That Johnson, and senior Nick Kibbey. was very surprising for us actu- The boys won all five division ally. It was a good win and a definite matches and defeated Division II highlight for both of us.” opponent, Northwest, 4-3. They Sathe and Kibbey, team captain, narrowly lost to Division I Quince qualified for the Region II first doubles Orchard, 4-3. They easily defeated tournament after qualifying at the all three Division IV opponents, not county tournament.

The 2015 Falcon Boys’ Tennis Team June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 13 Page 14 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015 June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 15

Local News Calling All Photographers Get your cameras ready. Historic Medley District, Inc. (HMD) an- nounces its Fourth Annual Photography Contest. This year’s theme is: Children Enjoying the Agricultural Reserve. You may submit as many photos as you like, taken since June 1, 2014. Submit actual photographs. Include caption information and date the photo was taken, plus your name, email address, street address, and phone number. The contest is open to all photographers. The deadline for entries is August 15. By entering, you grant HMD the license to use your photos, including the right to edit, publish, distribute, and republish them in any form. Photographers retain the rights to their images. Mail photos to Maureen O’Connell, P.O. Box 385, Barnesville, MD 20838, or you may place them in the box on back porch of the John Poole House, 19923 Fisher Avenue, Poolesville. For more information, call 301-972-8307.

Monocle Classifieds

Email your classified ad to [email protected]. You must provide your mailing address and telephone number. $15.00 first two lines — $7.00 each additional line. Page 16 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

Continued from page 10. Tidbits: Davis Graduates War College To do this, NWC conducts a senior-level course of study in national security policy and strategy for selected U.S. and foreign military officers and federal government officials from the State Department and other national agencies. The commencement speaker was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey. Bruce Kirby, Swimin’ with the Dolphins Let’s hear it for those over sixty years old. Bruce Kirby, 60, finished the 2015 Great Chesapeake Bay Swim on June 14. The swim began at Sandy Point Beach on the Annapolis side of the Bay Bridge. The 618 swimmers started in two waves and swam between the two Bay Bridges, ending up at Hemmingway’s Restaurant on the Eastern shore after swimming a dis- Bruce Kirby after tance of 4.4 miles. Bruce reported, “It was a beautiful completing a 4.4-mile day with calm seas, but we had an ebb tide current swim in the pushing to the south. My finish time was a respectable Chesapeake Bay. two hours, 43 minutes (a 37-minute mile pace).” Bruce swam in the Over-60 Category. High School Students Hold Art Show at Germantown Library Over one hundred students from Poolesville High School and Northwest High School contributed art pieces to the Germantown Library Art Gallery for an art show that was held from May 18 to June 18. As an initiative of the MCPL Teen Advisory Group, the display was intended to not only exhibit the marvel- ous creativity of local student artists, but also to create a more patron-friendly atmosphere, beautifying the library for all visitors. Participating artists from PHS were Tobias Whelan, Michael Moran, and Isabella Markoff.

These students from Northwest High School joined PHS student artists in presenting an art show at the Germantown Library.

Continued from page 5. Town Officials Hear from Montgomery County’s State Legislative Delegation One—made by local Girl Scouts Julia Lyons and Charlotte Vogel—proposed the location of dog waste stations in major parks in town. The scouts had not only priced out how much it would cost to create the facilities ($720) but also where they should be placed. Boy Scout Dakota Grimsby of local troop 496 proposed that birdhouses be located along the trail in Perkins Park. He had developed plans for building the houses and said they would be designed to attract chickadees and wrens. He had also designed and built a model of the birdhouse he proposed to place on various trees along the trail. Thirty-one houses would be located along the trail at a total cost of $240. Both of the proposals were approved by the commissioners. In a final piece of business for the evening, the commissioners approved the revisions to town ordinance 203 regarding traffic safety, parking, and code enforcement. The revisions have been reported on extensively and have gone through a number of revisions and a public hearing. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 17

Continued from page 1. were later convicted of robbing the All States Inn in Rockville and several Police and Relatives Gather Peoples Drug Stores. To Remember Local Hero Perhaps his most memorable case involved the capture of bandits Hersperger had been born in 1902 who had been preying on motorists on the family farm on River Road. He in Rock Creek Park On July 23, 1932, was the son of Elmer and Anna Poole Webb and his partner had been patrol- Sellman Hersperger. He attended the ling on Beach Drive when they came Poolesville schools and graduated upon the suspects who were in the act from Poolesville High School about of robbing a couple. While his partner 1920. Webb was an accomplished base- drove at high speed in pursuit of the ball player and may have played for suspects’ auto, Webb leaped from the the Poolesville town team. After high police car onto the running board of school, he worked at a variety of jobs the other car, and forced them to stop before taking a job with the Peoples at gunpoint. He received a commen- Life Insurance Company. Webb de- dation from the county commissioners veloped a knack for talking to people and police chief for his actions in this and putting them at ease. His travels case. around the county put him in touch On the fateful day in 1933 when with his clients, and someone sug- our story began, Officer Hersperger gested that his easygoing demeanor passed the village at Quince Orchard and intelligence might make him a and came upon a rolling portion of good candidate for the newly-formed road just west of Seneca Creek. At the Montgomery County Police Depart- same time, a motorist, coming toward ment. He also had aspirations of a him from the opposite direction, was future in politics and thought that by passing a slow moving motorcycle. becoming a police officer he would Officer Hersperger, unaware that a car meet many people who would later was in the wrong lane, collided with support his candidacy for county the automobile at the crest of the hill co-mmissioner. Webb married Vir- and died instantly. Ironically, the op- ginia Gartrell in 1925 and they moved erator of the car was a lifelong friend. into a house on the Dr. White prop- Someone called Dr. White who went erty on what is now Elgin Road in to Hersperger’s house and informed Poolesville. his wife Virginia about the death Webb joined the police depart- of her husband. After an investiga- ment about 1930. He immediately be- tion, the State’s Attorney chose to not came a respected and aggressive police prosecute. officer. Some of his exploits included Officer Hersperger was buried investigating a huge illegal liquor still at Monocacy Cemetery, and his fu- in a wooded area near Rockville in neral was attended by dignitaries, the 1932 and arresting five people. Later judges of the Circuit Court, the county that year, he and a prohibition agent commissioners, and the entire police raided a house in Friendship Heights, force. He was the second Montgomery another house in Chevy Chase, and County Police officer to die in the line a still near Great Falls on the same of duty. day. They seized hundreds of cases of Webb, Jr., was just two years old whiskey and beer. at the time of his father’s death. He In January of 1933, Webb was on and his mother lived in rented homes patrol when he noticed a forest fire for awhile until she set her eyes on a burning on Grosvenor Lane. He called house for sale in the center of town. the fire department from a neigh- On her teacher’s salary, she could bor’s phone, alerted the occupants of not afford the $3000 sale price. The three rural homes, and then assisted principal of the Poolesville School the fire department in putting out lent her the money interest-free, and the fire. In April 1933, he and another she lived there until her death in officer were on patrol in Bethesda 1997. Mrs. Hersperger was the first at 3:00 a.m. when they spotted a car principal of Poolesville Elementary parked behind the Leland Pharmacy. and was the principal during the suc- The car sped off and headed towards cessful integration of the school in the District line. Hersperger and 1956. his partner shot at the car, emptied Dr. Hersperger went on to their revolvers, and managed to flat- medical school and specialized in ten the tires of the car. When the car otolaryngology in the Carlisle, crashed a few blocks into the District, Pennsylvania area. He still attends Hersperger chased the fugitives for many county police memorial ser- several blocks until he cornered them vices and is eternally grateful that in an alley. He drew his revolver, not the police department has not for- realizing that it was empty, but still gotten the dad that he never got to managed to disarm the fugitives. They know. Page 18 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015 June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 19

Agastache. Its common name is P.S. If squirrels are digging in with fairly large pieces of gravel or Garden Hummingbird Mint and is irresistible your flowerpots, throwing out soil, rock. I tried other methods, and this to pollinators. I have about six of ‘Blue and killing plants, here’s a cure: Cover one works. Fortune’ in my upper garden, and they the soil with screen material and cover The State of the bloom from July to frost with masses Garden: Act II of powder-blue flowers. Achillea. Yarrow produces mass- By Maureen O’Connell es of flowers on flattened flower heads Continued from page 6. A garden lives in a state of from June to September. It is deer resis- constant change. Every day, every tant and its unusual shape adds inter- Treasure Hunter Finds Lost Wedding Ring month, every season bring new est to the garden’s architectural look. owner who could identify what the inscription said. Within thirty minutes, local climatic conditions, new pests, new Three of my favorite and most prolific resident, Dan Savino, posted that his friend had lost his ring a few years back. diseases, and new challenges that varieties are: ‘Coronation Gold,’ ‘Pink A few other readers remembered the man searching for a ring. Savino left a can invigorate, weaken, or kill plants, Grapefruit,’ and ‘Paprika.’ message for his friend, Robert Medwid, and within an hour, the mystery was trees, and shrubs. Every day, a rose’s Alchemilla mollis. I have about solved. delicate petals unfold and reveal sub- ten Lady’s Mantle plants scattered The next day, when Ramos returned the ring, he said Medwid was just tle or striking changes of color and in different gardens. They have been beside himself. “He couldn’t believe we actually found it,” said Ramos. “He form; a clematis climbs slowly up and doing well for many years, and their thought the ring was sold and melted down.” To Ramos, the pleasure of re- around its supporting cedar tuteur; delicate chartreuse shade adds an turning a treasured wedding band with the inscription, Always and Forever a Wave petunia creeps further along interesting new color. After bloom- 7/6/96, to the rightful owner was much more rewarding than any of the other its garden path; and perennial herbs ing, cut them back a bit, water them treasures he’s found. grow taller and put out delicate, little well, and they will last until the first Medwid is determined not to let history repeat itself. He and his wife flowers. I visit my garden early in frost. took the ring straight to a jeweler to have the ring resized. This time, he plans the morning before the heavy sum- Asclepias. This is a tough peren- to hold on tight and make sure the ring stays with him always and forever, mer heat blankets everything and at nial that has been blooming in my just like the inscription says. dusk when a gentle quiet descends gardens for years. It has small, pretty upon the plants. If I did not have a blooms that form in dense clusters, garden anymore, I would miss it very but I don’t grow them just for their much. I know that the time will come flowers. They are indispensible for when I cannot take care of all my the survival of the Monarch butter- Call Rande Davis at 301-509-9232 to place your ad gardens, but that is more tomorrows fly larvae. They used to grow wild in away. many farmlands, but the increased in the next issue of the Monocle. So what is the current state of my use of pesticides has destroyed garden? I am pleased to say that it is this resource. Home gardeners can not too bad, for now, that is. I believe help by planting more milkweed that this is due to several events or plants. conditions. The usual reason is that it Echinacea. What’s not to love is June; it’s June, the lovely month of about coneflowers? They are deer re- June, to borrow words, a bit changed, sistant, thrive in average soils, with- from Camelot. This year, June was a stand hot, dry conditions, and can Goldilocks month in the garden: not stand up to our winters. too hot, not too cold, not too wet, and Geranium erianthum. Also known not too buggy. as Cranesbill or wild geranium. Don’t I mentioned last spring and this confuse this with the ubiquitous, spring that I have changed the plants large-leaf, annual geranium. Perennial that I grow in my gardens. My new Geraniums are delicate-looking plants plantings must be reasonably hardy that grow in full sun or partial shade and disease-resistant to thrive, or at through the heat of summer to fall. I least make an effort to survive, in our think that two of the best varieties are area of Montgomery County, Mono- the blue-flowered ‘Rozanne,’ and the cacy Country. I did plant six David fluorescent pink ‘Elke.’ Austin roses—I had to have at least a Lavandula. I love lavender. It is few roses—but six are a lot easier to fragrant, deer-proof, prolific, resis- take care of organically than the nine- tant to heat, humidity, and drought. ty-two I used to have. As bitter cold Some of my plants are ten to fifteen as this past winter was, fewer plants years old. I recommend L. angusti- were killed or severely damaged than folia, L. ‘Grosso,’ L. ‘Hidcote,’ and in past winters. L. ‘Provence.’ Last year horticultur- July is just around the corner and ists introduced L. ‘Phenomenal.’ It it can be an unpredictable month for lives up to its name. I planted several many areas of the country. In our area, last year and its winter hardiness, more often than not, we are faced with and heat- and humidity-tolerance are ninety and above temperatures, high outstanding. humidity, drought, and many pests, Perovskia. Russian Sage. More including Mr. Japanese Beetle. people should consider planting this Here is my list of plants that are tough, aromatic woody plant in their doing well now in my gardens and, gardens. It comes back every year I believe, with minimal care can with small, feathery violet flowers. It continue to grow and blossom into the ignores heat, drought, pests, and looks mid-fall season. fresh all summer. Page 20 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015 Remembrances Nina M. Gilmore Nina M. Gilmore, 53, of Dickerson, died on June 6, 2015 at the Medstar Rev. Merritt Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. surrounded by her Wayne Ednie loving family. She was the wife of Ted Rev. Merritt Wayne Ednie passed Gilmore. Born on August 10, 1961, she away on Friday, June 12, 2015 after a was the daughter of Ruth Flohr and long battle with cancer. the late Carroll Flohr. Nina was dedi- Born October 14, 1944 in Taren- cated to everything she did, especially tum, Pennsylvania, Ednie attended her career at AHMP where she ran the the Indiana University of Pennsylva- office for fourteen years. She enjoyed nia where he received a Bachelor of family functions during the summer. Arts in education in 1966. He attended It was her favorite time of the year, the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and there was nothing she loved more where he received a Master of Divin- than being surrounded by loved ones. ity. Pastor Ednie then became pastor of Surviving besides her husband and Boyds Presbyterian Church where he mother are three children, Troy Nina M. Gilmore remained until his retirement in 2014. Monroe and wife Geor- During his forty-five-year tenure giann of Damascus, Tiffany Gilmore of Frederick, and Tara Gilm- at BPC, Merritt was a significant pres- Rev. Merritt Wayne Ednie ore of Dickerson; five sisters, Holly Rippeon of Wolfsville, ence in his church and in the wider Karen Benson, Vickie Haskins, and Carol Flohr all of Poolesville, and Patti community of Boyds. Merritt believed strongly in the idea that, as he put it, “If DiCarlantonio of Frederick; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services you want to change something, get involved.” He recalled that when he came will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday June 27 at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church to Boyds, “I wanted to make an impact…Community to me is very, very impor- Pavilion, 18230 Barnesville Rd., Barnesville, MD 20838. Casual attire. In lieu of tant…I kind of take a broader perspective on what the church should be in the flowers donations may to Relay for Life in Poolesville. community because I really think the church belongs to Boyds.” When he first arrived at BPC, he realized, “It was a community church, so I could not only min- ister to church members, but had the opportunity to minister to a much wider group.” Over the years, that ministry extended to hundreds—if not thousands— Robert Gregory Mills of people whose lives he touched. In later years, Merritt was widely known as the “Bishop of Boyds” because of his wide-reaching influence in the community, Robert Gregory Mills of Poolesville passed away peacefully on June 7. as well as his first-name familiarity with almost everyone who called it home. He was the loving husband of Rita O’Donnell Mills; father of Jason Robert Mills He actively supported the Boyds Daycare Center for both black and white (Lauren) of Annapolis and Linda Mills-Lough (Timothy) of Lake Ridge, Virginia; neighborhood toddlers, and made sure the center provided breakfast for the brother of Judith D. Street of Laurel; and grandfather of Ryan and Jack Mills, and kids. He also encouraged the founding, years later, of another preschool, the Elf Braeden Lough. Greg was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Trowbridge School, on BPC property. He established a youth group at BPC, and invited all Mills and Elsie Lee Mills; and one brother, Eric Lee Mills. Greg retired from the area teens to come, leading that program himself for twenty years. He headed up Montgomery County Government with over twenty years of service in 1994 as the BPC Vacation Bible School for many, many years, imbuing it with his love of a Program Manager II in the Paratransit Section, Division of Transit Services, song, heartfelt joy, and playfulness. Ednie also reached out to other area church- Department of Transportation. He was a Lifetime Member of the Chesapeake es, particularly the African-American congregation half a mile down the street of Yacht Club and served as its governor for one year. He was also a member of St. Mark’s Methodist Church. He began a long tradition of joint BPC-St. Mark’s the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the services at Thanksgiving and during Easter week. Merritt also helped initiate Chesapeake Bay Foundation (www.cbf.org) in Greg’s name. the annual Easter Sunrise Service on Sugarloaf Mountain, bringing several local churches together for this event. His many small kindnesses extended over the years not just to church members, but to others in the community who needed his advice, counsel, and help. On a larger scale, Merritt made sure that BPC took on bigger challenges by supporting community missions to help feed the hungry and support the homeless. During his ministerial career, he held nine different positions, including moderator, with the National Capital Presbytery, the group representing the 108 Presbyterian churches in the greater Washington, D.C. area. The breadth and depth of his dedication to community included serving on the boards of the Barnesville School, the Boyds Credit Union, and the Boyds Civic Associa- tion where he was president for nearly a decade altogether (with breaks between his tenures). In this position, he played a critical role in guiding the community through years of upheaval, helping the civic association block a rock quarry, a landfill, and unwanted subdivisions in its rural midst. In the process, he attend- ed countless county zoning, county council, and park and planning meetings, keeping abreast of what was happening and being an active presence and voice for the Boyds community when necessary. Pastor Ednie was also involved in supporting numerous charities and community organizations: WUMCO (West- ern Upper Montgomery County Help, Inc.), Germantown HELP, Gaithersburg Hospice Caring, and the Boyds Historical Society. Subscribe to the Monocacy Monocle ($31.80 per year) Merritt leaves behind countless friends and coworkers in the community, as well as his wife of forty-eight years, Sue Ann Silvis; and his son, Merritt Paul. The Monocacy Monocle • POB 372 • Barnesville, MD 20838-0372 Memorial gifts in Merritt’s name can be made to Montgomery Hospice, 1355 Piccard Dr., #100, Rockville, MD 20850 or to Boyds Presbyterian “Good [email protected] Samaritan” Fund, 19901 White Ground Rd., Boyds, MD 20841. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 21 Diann Marie Rupert William Rolfe Fiery Spring, Jr.

Diann Marie Rolfe Fiery of Rupert William Spring, Jr., 85, of Earlysville, Virginia passed away at Dickerson, passed away on Friday, the age of 80 on June 2, 2015, after a June 19, 2015. Born October 7, 1929, long, courageous battle against cancer. he was the son of the late Rupert W. Diann was born January 27, 1935, Spring, Sr. and Mamie C. Alexander in Washington, D.C., to parents Laura Spring. Surviving are his wife of Moriarty Rolfe and Harold Joseph sixty-four years, Nancy Jo Spring, Rolfe. Diann attended Stoneridge two sons, Michael Spring (Sandy) of Sacred Heart School in Bethesda, and Salisbury, and Steven Spring (Jody) spent many happy summers with of Gaithersburg, and one daughter, her beloved grandparents, A.G. and Pamela Jamison (Bill) of Dickerson; Bertha Rolfe, at their Spring Valley one brother, James Spring of Boyds, two Farm near Poolesville. The family was sisters, Gloria Duvall of Rockville, and known for its prized Polled Hereford Geraldine Bartee of Ormond Beach, operation as well as for raising excel- Florida; nine grandchildren; and Diann Marie Rolfe Fiery Rupert William Spring, Jr lent foxhounds. three great-grandchildren. He was After graduating from Stoner- predeceased by his twin sons, David idge, Diann majored in Studio Art at the University of Maryland, College Park. and Dennis Spring; daughter-in-law, Barbara Jean Spring Collins; and by three As she carried her art around campus, all that could be seen of her petite frame sisters, Betty Lou, Joanne, and Sondra. Rupert was a seasoned millwright doing were her two feet moving under the large art portfolio case. She was a member work for Bechtel, Fairchild Hiller, NIH, Naval Medical Center, Ford’s Theatre of Pi Beta Phi sorority, and her wit and spunk, something she retained through- and other notable businesses, and personal cabinetry for Lady Bird Johnson. He out her life, earned her the nickname “Punchy.” It was at the University of retired from Montgomery County Public Schools in 1991 with eighteen years in Maryland that she met the love of her life, John Burton Fiery. “Jock” was a true the Cabinetry and Millwork Department; prior to that he was co-owner of S&N New Yorker but fell head over heels for this Southerner, and she returned the Woodwork. Rupert served in the U.S. Army’s 1169th Combat Engineer Group sentiment. They were married in 1957 and moved to Chicago where Jock was in during the Korean War, from 1950 to 1953. He was a life member of American the military service. Diann worked for an interior decorator, and she and Jock Legion Post 11, VFW 3285, AMVETS Post 2, Korean War Veterans Association started their family. Chapter 142 of Frederick, and Honor Guard 142. He was a lifelong motorcycle They moved back east and, because they shared an interest in historic rider. He enjoyed dirt track Class C M/Cycle, AMA pro racing, NASCAR, pro homes, they searched tirelessly for an old farmhouse they could renovate and xoxing, bluegrass, country, and gospel music. In lieu of flowers, donations may make their own. They finally found the perfect one in 1963 near Earlysville. be made to the Boyds Presbyterian Church. The day they saw it, it was pouring rain, but they knew it was the right one for them, and they spent the rest of their lives there. Diann continued to reno- vate the house, raise their three daughters, and briefly taught art at St. Anne’s Belfield School before volunteering for many years for the Virginia Museum of Art based in Richmond, Virginia. She was the Charlottesville/Albemarle Chair- woman and was responsible for organizing a multitude of cultural events for the Charlottesville chapter. With her daughters away at school, Diann returned to study art photography, first at the University of Virginia and then at Virginia Commonwealth University in the MFA program in Richmond. She received nu- merous awards, and her photographs have been exhibited internationally and domestically, and her work is part of many collections, including the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. Diann loved the Virginia countryside, and it gave her great pleasure to host both fox and beagle hunts from her beloved farm. Her Beagle Teas were always a highlight to the season. When not at the farm, her love of travel and adventure took her to many places around the world. Diann and Jock were enthusiastic participants in the Monticello tours, focusing on the travels of Thomas Jefferson, and they took trips following the trail of Lewis and Clark. Her lifelong love of the water took her and her whole family to the beach in Duck, North Carolina every summer, where she would hap- pily spend hours with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. There were many long dinners with the whole family filled with great conversation and laughter. Diann was predeceased by her beloved husband Jock in 2013. She leaves behind her three daughters, Leila Fiery Hamar of Keswisk, Virgin- Do you or someone you know have a special announcement, ia, Page Fiery Ford and husband Richards Ford of Charlottesville, Virginia, and Anne Fiery McGregor and husband Adolfo McGregor of Miami, Flori- or milestone you would like to share with our readers? da. Her grandchildren include Katherine Hamar, Caroline McGregor, John McGregor, and Grace McGregor. Diann also leaves behind a brother, Harold J. Rolfe Jr. of Maryland, and she was predeceased by another brother, George The Monocle welcomes your contribution. A. Rolfe, also of Maryland. She was the aunt of Stephen Vogel of Barnesville, Stuart Vogel of Highland, Maryland, Peter Vogel of Alexandria, Virginia, and Send to [email protected] or Jennifer Vogel Davisson of Vienna, Virginia. A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 20, 2015, at Hill & Wood call Rande Davis at 301-509-9232 Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to CASPCA, the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA. Page 22 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015

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Visit the YOUR AD COULD BE RIGHT HERE. Monocle online at Call Rande Davis at www.monocacymonocle.com 301-509-9232. June 26, 2015 The Monocacy Monocle Page 23 Page 24 The Monocacy Monocle June 26, 2015