February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 

A Biweekly Newspaper February 16, 2007 Volume III, Number 21. Student Government Presi- Town Stunned dent. After entering Virginia By Death Of Tech, he didn’t slow down. Vikki Dimisa is reunited with one of He was Speaker of the her dogs which was found over two Community Leader Student House of Represen- miles away after a tornado destroyed By Rande Davis tatives, member of the SGA their Florida home. Read all about it Executive Council, par- on Page 14. he news of the death of Jake ticipated in the Council on TPerkins rippled through the Athletics, and was a mem- community like a shock wave. ber of the Residents Hall Neighbors and friends watched Federation. in recent years as Jake bravely He became an intern struggled with the personal chal- Jake Perkins, with Dawn Albert, with Sen. John Warner (R- lenge of kidney failure and having to at Poolesville Day, 2004. VA) for a year and a half spend up to fifteen hours every week and worked as a special on dialysis. He had a highly unusual If Jake Perkins had a slogan to education assistant at MCPS before run-in with a bug or insect while live by, it most assuredly was: mak- entering the University of Maryland playing golf in West Virginia in 2001, ing every minute count. His sense School of Law where he graduated and thirty-six hours later he was in of urgency seemed to define his life in 1997. He is a member of the Mary- an emergency room with a tempera- and his leadership style. While the land and Virginia bars. ture of 106 degrees. The infection rest of us had the luxury of leisure, After graduation, he joined a Chontelle Hockenbery and Chrissie that resulted in kidney failure put he always seemed to have his eye on law firm specializing in insurance Harney receive kudos for their efforts. him on a path in life that would have the clock. defense litigation and participated in Read about Relay for Life on Page 12. sunk most people. In high school (Class of 1987), a major and successful case litigating This young lawyer, so very ac- he was just about everywhere. He against appraisal fraud in Baltimore. tive in the community as a leader played football, basketball, baseball, He ran two firms: Jacob N. Perkins, and volunteer, had devoted most of and ran indoor track. He played P.A., and he had partnered with his personal time, and even a signifi- French horn in the band when he Frank Jamison in Perkins Title, Inc. cant part of his professional time, to wasn’t practicing on the Academic For him, choosing law was easy. Jake working on behalf of so many com- Team and the Math Team. Just so he -Continued on Page 14. munity organizations. didn’t get too bored, he was also the

Viva la Voce tary Honors chorus. She continued By Dominique Agnew with the Frederick Children’s Chorus until her junior year of high school. Read all about the Clarksburg High racie Jones, senior at During her years in the Frederick School wrestling team—in their own GPoolesville High School, has Children’s Chorus, she auditioned for words—on Page 3. an amazing singing voice. Beautiful and received numerous solo parts for timbre, clear tone, precise pitch—her concerts. voice resonates across audiences with She has also graced the stage of grace and elegance. If you attended PHS in the cast of numerous produc- the Poolesville Relay for Life Kick- tions of the Midnight Players. When off Dinner a few weeks ago or the she began in her freshman year, she Monocacy Lions Club Christmas Party claims she got lucky. The first show in December, you heard that voice, was “The Clumsy Custard Horror and you probably haven’t forgotten it. Show” which was, in Gracie’s own Gracie can’t remember when words, “cheesy,” so much so, that she hasn’t been singing. Her mother, most of the seniors didn’t want to take Beth Fayard-Jones, avers that she was part in it. Gracie ended up with a prin- singing before she began talking. She cipal role. The next production was Gracie Jones “Anything Goes” in which Gracie was When the ferry is closed, there’s remembers when Gracie, as a baby, the Frederick Children’s Chorus under a chorus girl. “That was a blast,” she a good reason. Ice is one of those would crawl in front of the televi- Judith Dubose and the school chorus says. “One of the best times I’ve ever reasons. There may be a wintry sion when Sesame Street aired to sing at Poolesville Elementary School. had was being a chorus girl.” During Monocacy Moment somewhere inside. along with the songs. At the age of nine, Gracie joined The following year, she sang with the Upper Montgomery County Elemen- -Continued on Page 19. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  Family Album Sponsored by: Selby’s Market Your IGA Hometown Food Store Smokin’ Ray Reese at work. Some of the volunteers attending The Relay for Life 2007 Kick Off Dinner: Lilly Dice (on lap), Heather Dice, Ava Read, Esther Read, Gregory Dice, Gary Harney, and Gibbie Harney.

Jeffrey Carpenter, Mary Gillespie, and Collin Leese-Thompson present their blue ribbon project depicting Poolesville in the year 2150 at John Poole Middle School science fair.

Ashley Slagle and Pam Slagle (J.D.’s Beer and Wine) flank Lynne Stillson (Cugini’s Restaurant) at the Poolesville Area Chamber of Commerce dinner.

the music program for the Poolesville Local News School Cluster. The Benefit Concert Committee is in its initial planning stages Voice of the Violin and they want to alert past sponsors Sandy Cameron, world-renowned and new contributors about this highly violinist and former child prodigy, will successful concert which will continue again take the stage for the fourth Sandy the Cameron Music Fund. For the third Cameron Benefit Concert at Poolesville year, there will also be an exciting Silent High School, Friday, April 20, 2007 at 7:30 Auction with an incredible variety of p.m. Her previous three concerts have goods and services going to the high- been huge successes, and the commu- est bidders. More information will be nity is beginning to see the fruits of her forthcoming, and those who would like vision. On January 25, Poolesville High to help or sponsor the event may contact School hosted a cluster concert, and the Roger Hayden ([email protected]), public got to see the first orchestra PHS Dominique Agnew (violin@intairnet. has put forth in many a year. This year, com), Suzanne Tallia ([email protected]) again, Sandy plans to share her extraor- or Pam Green (301-349-2403). dinary talent to raise funds to benefit February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  PACC Elects New Directors area, most notably last January’s Relay Things to Do Business Briefs New members of the Board of for Life Kick-Off Dinner. Directors for the Poolesville Area February PACC Announces Community Ser- Chamber of Commerce were of- Speelman Custom Designs New Library Lovers Month vice Winner ficially elected at the recent annual Tack Box Month Long Special Events and Activities At their annual banquet, the banquet. Joining the BOD for 2007 Poolesville Hardware often offers Candy treats, raffles for local restaurants, gift Poolesville Area Chamber of Com- are: Linda Lewis (Lewis Orchards), unique items not necessarily found in certificates merce announced that its community Dennis Stillson (Cugini’s Restaurant), your standard hardware store. John service award was given to Kathy February 17 Dr. Timothy Pike (Family Dentistry), Speelman has gone one step further Mihm, a geologist with the S. S. Basket Bingo and Alex Markoff (Caleva Outdoor by personally designing a mobile tack St. Mary’s Holy Name Society Papadopoulos and Associates envi- Adventures.). box, which he has custom-produced St. Mary’s Pavilion – Barnesville ronmental consulting firm. The PACC Leaving the board are members by a firm that specializes in making 5:00 p.m. doors open wants to recognize Mrs. Mihm for her Dawn Albert, Joe Angulo (Domino’s), animal caskets. 7:00 p.m. games start volunteer work for the Chamber as Alex Rosenzweig, and William Price Speelman recognized the need well as many similar contributions to Preschool Story Time (William Price & Associates, CPA). since the tack boxes he has seen were Quince Orchard Public Library the community at large. heavy, cumbersome, and dull. His Ages two and half up to six, 1:15 a.m. In particular, Mrs. Mihm was Just to Make Your White’s Ferry design (32” tall, 26” wide, and 30” praised for the many years of lead- Commute a Little More Pleasant long) comes with custom molding to February 17 ership in helping to coordinate the Poolesville’s Jeff Brooks of May- provide a unique box to each cus- Gospel Concert for African American 5K race during Poolesville Day. The orga Coffee, Inc. plans to open a coffee tomer. The unit has wheels at one end History Month race provides financial resources that Concert by Fairhaven Methodist Church concession at White’s Ferry from 5:00 for easy maneuverability “just like allow the Chamber to make many of gospel choir a.m. to 9:00 p.m. during the week- a suitcase.” Inside, there are various Quince Orchard Library, 2:00 p.m. its community contributions such as days. The usual snack bar facilities compartments to hold the necessary a Poolesville High School scholarship are closed for the winter, and if all tools and personal items for the horse- February 20 program. She was also cited for other goes well, you should see his big, yel- owner. Homemade Kinklings Sale community volunteer work such as low mobile coffee truck on site at the No word from John as to whether Benefit of Carroll Manor Fire Company assisting the town commissioners in $6.00/dozen - $3.50/half dozen Ferry about the time this issue hits the he has plans beyond Poolesville for environmental and water resource Station 14 Adamstown streets. Mr. Brooks is in marketing and this new line of tack boxes, but he has Starting at 6:00 a.m., (snow date Feb. 23) analyses, and her involvement in vol- sales with the organic coffee company, plenty available this month so it might unteer work with St. Peter’s Church. and many of our readers have seen be wise to go there now if you think February 22 him providing free coffee at various this is something you are interested in. Storytime, Three to Six Years non-profit fundraising events in the Poolesville Public Library Stories, finger plays, music, 10:30 a.m. February 26 Librarian’s Choice Book Discussion Poolesville Public Library Quince Orchard Public Library Book Discussion Group Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice 7:30 p.m. Dessert and Donations Mont. College’s Sharon Anthony facilitator February 23 7:30 p.m. Annual Spaghetti Dinner (All You Can Eat) February 27 Poolesville Methodist Unite Memorial Church Family Storytime Adults: $8.00, Children: 6-12 - $4.00, Under Poolesville Public Library 6: $1.00 Stories, finger plays, and music 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

championship if he went out for wres- Youth Sports tling. Caldwell said, “I like the hard practices. They are longer and harder Why They Wrestle than any other sport. The practices Interviews with Clarksburg are harder than the real matches.” Coyote Wrestlers Coach Munsey said, “Mario’s hav- ing a terrific season. He’s a first-year By Jeff Stuart wrestler who is beating guys who Why did you become interested in have been wrestling for much longer. wrestling? What is it like wrestling for This kid has a tremendous upside. He a new school? I asked those questions uses his hips to throw every opponent of members of the Coyote wrestling he wrestles. He was the first Coyote team. One by one they sat with me on wrestler to place in his first two tour- the edge of the mat as practice contin- naments.” ued. After each interview, Coach Josh Chris Williamson, a 135-pound Munsey elaborated on each wrestler’s ninth grader, began wrestling in the progress. sixth grade. “I like the aggressiveness Mario Caldwell is a tenth grader of [wrestling]. It’s like fighting with who moved to Clarksburg from rules,” he says. “I like to win.” Chris Baltimore. After getting cut from has won matches against older, more the basketball team, he said Coach -Continued on Page 10. Munsey told him he could win a state February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  observation with her. She received it Commentary graciously, commented politely on the “big day,” but peered at me a little Reflections on a Cold Day askance with a look that seemed to say, “I wonder where security is.” I By John Clayton have resolved not to accost strangers with my observations anymore—ex- It is very, very cold. Perhaps next cept in print. week, when this issue is out on the In our February 2 issue, my part- street, it won’t be cold, but it is very ner wrote a long piece (“The Whole cold today, and it has snowed. I am Truth and Nothing But”) explaining, sitting at my desk watching cardi- among other things, why he won’t see nals and woodpeckers at our feeders. the movie “An Inconvenient Truth,” as There are many flashes of red, which a response to my January 19 commen- is quite attractive to watch on such tary (“Inconvenient Truths”). I guess I a cold snowy day. I knew this day should say something. would come, when I would sit down I would say that timing is, if not to write and nothing would come to everything, at least a source of irony. mind, and I would write about our In the week following this exchange bird feeders. Thank God for the red- the Intergovernmental Panel on bellied woodpecker. Climate Change, an organization of Super Bowl Sunday has come scientists from 113 countries, released and gone. It is no more, at least until the summary of a report that states XLII arrives. I have often mockingly that global warming/climate change referred to Super Bowl Sunday as (take your pick) is real, it is to a great America’s holiest day because of the degree the result of human activ- attention it receives. This SBS, I was, ity, and that continuing to ignore however, struck by how well at- remedies to the threat based on the tended my morning church service shreds of doubt that remain would was. Our rector affirmed that, yes, the be irresponsible. The scientists have earlier service was also well attended. moved to a ninety percent certainty on I offered him some variation of my mankind’s impact on “unequivocal” holiest day spiel, but it pretty much global warming. went thud, and he glanced at me not My partner and I have each unkindly with a look that seemed to received feedback on our efforts, and say, “Perhaps God has other uses for suffice it to say we have each been him of which I am not aware.” Do you chastised for looking for truth in all know that look? I do. the wrong places. We have been sup- Shortly thereafter, at Selby’s plied enough informative web links Market, I noticed that all the custom- to keep us each busy for a good long ers in line at the checkout with me while. I hope one of us finds a solu- were men, and we were all buying tion; the red bellied woodpeckers are chips. A woman subsequently joined depending on us. the parade, and I shared this hilarious Youth Sports his organizational skills, his attention to detail, and his passion for the game. They say his players revere him, his Following a Legend opponents fear him, even game offi- By Skip Etheridge cial respect him; but now the program must go on without him. How do you follow in the foot- Even in the personified long steps of a legend? Those are probably shadow cast by this man, a veritable the thoughts of new Poolesville High giant in the coaching world, Berger School girls’ varsity basketball coach seems up to the task. Swick has left Randy Berger. Berger has the unen- a team with a strong nucleus that viable task of taking over one of the Berger has obviously nurtured to most successful basketball programs maturity. The Lady Falcons are 12-3 in the county. A program proctored with two thirds of the season behind for ten seasons by his current boss, them. To watch them play under the Poolesville’s Athletic Director Fred steely stare of Coach Berger patrolling Swick. the sidelines is a credit to his skills. Having taught in the county He clearly brings his own passion to school system for nearly thirty years, the game. With only one senior on the Swick has coached baseball and foot- current roster, Co-Captain Jacqueline ball, as well as boys’ and girls’ basket- Orona, the Falcons fear no one. Orona, ball at a very high level. When asked about his success, his peers point to -Continued on Page 18. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  nervous, but exciting atmosphere in Youth Sports the Montgomery Blair High School gym. The PHS varsity squad rose to PHS Cheerleaders this challenge executing stunts and motions flawlessly as they performed Victorious Once Again their routine to a mix of upbeat pop music. It was the determination of the On December 9, 2006, the squad and the support from parents Poolesville Varsity Cheerleaders were and classmates in attendance that gave victorious in claiming the Division III the girls the confidence they needed County Championship winning first to take first place home to Poolesville. place for the third year in a row. The Congratulations to the Poolesville 2006-2007 squad, led by coach Katie varsity cheerleaders for their successes Loughney, was made up of seniors this season in the Division III County and captains, Allee Swiek and Eboné Championship. Pruitt; seniors Amanda Fogel, Jennifer Fischer, Caroline Hayden, Amanda Lynch, and Em- ily Ricigliano. Junior squad members includ- ed Kimberly Zisman, Megan Guise, Kelly Dalrymple, and Ashley Taylor. Sophomores, Maureen Conway and Patricia Robinson, as well as freshmen, Abi Stefanelli and Jasmine Snowden, were also a part of this champion- ship squad. Competing schools were equally as talented, creating a The Poolesville High School cheerleading squad. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  deadline of 2010. They prom- addressing environmental issues that In the Garden ised, again, to improve the qual- impact our ecosystem. For informa- ity of the bay’s water, increase tion about this group, you can call Can We Clean Up the Bay its dwindling oyster and crab 301-972-8307. By 2010? populations, and address the is- On a local level, what can you sues of underwater grasses and do to help? The protection of the By Maureen O’Connell other environmental indicators. Chesapeake Bay’s watershed and our This project would not come remaining forests lies not only in the In 1987, there was an agreement cheap. The estimated spend- hands of owners of large tracts of between the federal government and ing needs were $28 billion―$15 land, but in the many hands of small the state governments of Maryland, billion to capture pollution land and homeowners. There are Virginia, and Pennsylvania to clean up from storm water, $6 billion many conservation groups in need the Chesapeake Bay by the year 2000. to overhaul sewage treatment of volunteers to carry out their work. It had been polluted for years with plants, $4.6 billion to upgrade Be aware of what is happening in the dirt, algae blooms, human wastes, and septic tanks, $2 billion to keep county government and your local toxic chemicals. That might have been farm pollutants from washing town councils. The EPA says it will too large and ambitious a promise. downstream, and $800 million take $800 million to plant trees to filter The year 2000 came and went, and the to plant trees to filter air and air and water. Do the trees in your bay was still far from being healthy. At water. It is quite a challenging backyard, along the streets, in public first, federal and state officials thought and expensive task list, but state parks, and in your housing subdivi- that the project was a no-brainer. The and federal officials are halfway sion help prevent erosion and filter biggest offenders must be the big towards budgeting funds to sup- pollutants from rainwater runoff? Do industrial corporations. Jack Greer, an port these programs. But, the they help bring cleaner water to our official at the Sea Grant program at buck doesn’t stop here. There rivers and the Bay? You bet they do. the University of Maryland, said, “We is enough blame to be spread All trees in our urban forests protect thought it was going to be Bethlehem across the entire Chesapeake water quality, create habitats for all The Chesapeake Bay watershed. Steel. We thought we were going to Bay watershed. The bay’s water- wildlife, improve air quality, and be able to point to big polluters.” shed is 64,000 square miles and contribute to the economy. During Instead, they found that the culprits animals, lawn and garden fertilizers spans six states and the District photosynthesis, trees provide oxygen were closer to home―some in their and pesticides, and human wastes. A of Columbia. Wherever you live, you and remove carbon dioxide from the own backyards. Some of the bay’s new approach had to be taken. The live in a watershed. Everyone living atmosphere. Despite what the skeptics worst pollutants come from such leaders of Maryland, Virginia, and in these regions has an impact on say, one of the major causes of global quotidian things as manure from farm Pennsylvania, and the Environmental the bay. Every drop of rain or snow warming, or climate change, or what- Protection Agency (EPA) set a new falling in the bay’s watershed eventu- ever you want to call it, is the emis- ally drains into the Chesapeake Bay. sion of carbon dioxide into the air. The precipitation comes from the sky Studies have shown that a large tree pure, but as it traverses the landscape absorbs 330 pounds of carbon dioxide on its journey to the bay, it carries oil from the atmosphere each year. The and dirt from the parking lots around Chesapeake Bay Foundation is ac- our mega-shopping malls, soil from tively working with the United States construction sites, fertilizers and Department of Agriculture’s Forest pesticides from our farms, lawns, and Service, the state forestry agencies of flower gardens, and chemicals from Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylva- industrial discharges. These pollutants nia, and many volunteer programs to enter one of fifty major tributaries and protect and reforest our woodlands. eventually flow into the bay. You can encourage your civic and What are the solutions? How do homeowners’ associations and local states reconcile their need to develop town governments to start a tree- land for burgeoning populations with planting program. Arbor Day, which the needs of the bay? The U.S. Forest in Maryland is the first Wednesday Service, the multi-state Chesapeake in April, would be a good starting Bay Program, and the Chesapeake Bay point. In your own backyard, besides Foundation have done much work to planting trees, look into using natural, address this problem, but there is a non-chemical fertilizers and pesti- long way to go. Conservation groups, cides. There is a company, Gardens such as the Nature Conservancy and Alive (www.GardensAlive.com), that I land trusts, are generally private, started dealing with several years ago, nonprofit charitable corporations that sells environmentally responsible dedicated to land conservation. The products that work. In environmental Nature Conservancy operates on a na- issues, there are no rewind buttons. tional level, but there are many local Planting a tree in your backyard will land trusts which are steadily growing not reverse years of polluting habits, and becoming major players in saving or cure the Chesapeake Bay’s prob- millions of acres of America’s open lems. But, it will be one step further spaces. In our Monocacy area, the towards a greater sense of awareness Sugarloaf Countryside Conservancy, and determination to make a change. Inc. has taken a very active role in February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  with her masterful characters, driven powering step-mother, Olivia, his male Book Corner plot lines, and her careful and realistic business partner Kurt Brunner, Mrs. descriptions of present-day London and Jessup, the James home cook, and several its surrounding areas. members of the wait staff at the hotel Dust The plot line is simple, but soon of the murder. The threads of intrigue By Martha Grimes Grimes weaves the conflicting motives unravel in many directions. We learn Viking. 342 pp. $25.95 and questionable methods of the victim of the history of the German Kinder- Reviewed by Maureen O’Connell and the perpetrator into a tapestry of transport, the train of children fleeing doubts that muddy the givens of the pre-war Germany, and the doomed City I enjoy reading many genres of crime scene and keep you turning each of Benares children’s ship, torpedoed books―biographies, historical novels, page for more. en route from England to Canada in the historical and political works of non-fic- Billy Maples, a wealthy young early years of the war. All leads still leave tion, and murder mysteries. But, there is patron of the arts, is found shot to Jury and Aguilar with nothing to explain something very cozy about settling into death on the balcony of a seedy hotel why Billy was killed. We learn that the your favorite, overstuffed chair by the in the up-and-coming neighborhood of James house has secrets of its own. This fireplace, tea or glass of wine in hand, Clerkenwell in north London, having case will take all of Jury’s intelligence feet nestled in a soft, wooly blanket, and been last seen in a trendy club named and charm to crack, as he finds himself enjoying a good, well-written whodunit. Dust. Why was he staying at this hotel, wandering in a maze of unsatisfying and I am particularly fond of British mystery and what was the motive for murder? going-nowhere clues. writers, who can turn out novels with The victim was well liked and appeared For me, the test of a good murder a full cast of well-developed characters, to have no known enemies. Money mystery is how long it takes me to figure plots, and sub-plots. Murder seems more was not an issue, since his inheritance out whodunit. With Grimes’s new book, sinister and dark on the desolate York- would go entirely to his father, who was I did not discover it until the last couple shire moors, in the old vicar’s study in already very wealthy. Initially, the case is of pages. Pull up a chair and settle in for the shadows of the rose-covered parson- handled by the Islington police station, in a good read. age, or in the labyrinthine back streets whose jurisdiction the murder occurred. of London on a cold, rainy night. I have Through a friend who found the victim’s read and thoroughly enjoyed the works body, Richard Jury of New Scotland of English mystery writers Ruth Rendell, Yard is called upon to assist the local P.D. James, Val Mc Dermid, and Ian police. A little sex is thrown in with Jury’s Rankin, to name a few. Their stories take encounter with Lu Aguilar, the seductive you from the small detective constable’s Chief of Detectives in the Islington police office in his patch in the Cotswold to the station. We soon find out that Jury is far lofty office of the New Scotland Yard from over-the-hill. Superintendent in Whitehall. The works While the murder took place in of Martha Grimes came to my attention London, much of the action takes place recently, with the January publication of in the town of Rye and the historic home her new book Dust. Grimes is an Ameri- of novelist Henry James. Maples, an avid can, who lives in Washington, D.C., and James fan, is watching over the house is a graduate of the University of Mary- for a short period of time for the English land. She and fellow American mystery National Trust, to whom the house was writers Elizabeth George and Jeffrey bequeathed. Weaving in and out of the Deaver can turn out a chilling, page- picture is the First Great War, whose viv- turner whodunit with the best of any of id images of death and destruction are the Brit writers. Dust is her twenty-first never far from the minds of those men installment of the New Scotland Yard who experienced them, many of them Superintendent Richard Jury saga. I usu- Billy’s relatives. Billy is the grandson of ally like to read book series in chrono- Sir Oswald Maples, a World War II code logical order, but in this case, I am doing breaker who worked at Bletchley Park it backwards. Grimes has been captivat- on the Enigma Project. We soon see a list ing her readers for almost three decades of could-be perpetrators: Billy’s over- February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  appears most obvious in young horses. Equestrian As horses mature and gain experience beyond herd activities, they become Reclaiming the Racehorse: less dependent on herd interaction for A Case Study their mental stability. Horses sent to the track are separated from their herd and By Debby Lynn must adjust. Usually, they make friends with the other horses in their shed row, There are a prolific number of or perhaps befriend a goat, or develop thoroughbreds coming off the race- a special attachment to a groom they track every year. Many are well suited trust. In Phoebe’s case, she could not to other equine careers and provide a adjust. Her nervous tension and anxiety good source of supply for those wishing were expressed in stall walking and to make up their own horse. Retraining other negative behaviors, adversely af- race horses is not for the inexperienced fecting her ability to race. or faint of heart but, with care, can be Her owners decided racing was not a very rewarding venture. Here is the her job and opted to take a loss and sell story of how one particular less-than- her into a non-racing career. Phoebe was average-producer at the track became a fortunate to belong to the kind of race promising field hunter. trainer willing to do this, rather than sell As typically happens, Phoebe was a perfectly sound and fit horse on to another race trainer. When I heard about the horse, I was actively looking for a youngster to bring along to eventually replace my current well-seasoned hunt and event horse. I made an appoint- ment to see the horse. I was told she was nervous and Retired racehorse Phoebe. talked to both a steeplechase jockey and an advanced started as a two-year-old. She is a 16.1 level 3 day event rider who had turned hand daughter of Awad, a grade I stakes her down because she was a nervous class Maryland stallion. She was well mare. What was I thinking? If she was bred, well cared for, and properly start- too much horse for those men, what ed by an experienced trainer of good could a smallish, fiftyish woman do? I repute. She has the kind of conforma- decided to keep the appointment just tion which makes for a fast horse. Deep to be polite, but I planned on walking through the heart girth and more than away from trouble. two fists wide between the front legs in- When I arrived, the owner asked dicate plenty of lung capacity. Long legs me what I wanted to do with the horse. on a short coupled body promise quick I said hunt and event, both mentally- acceleration. Substantial enough bone taxing equine activities. “Oh, my dear!” to stand up to the rigors of the track. In exclaimed the kindly owner. “I don’t short, Phoebe was a very promising filly know. Maybe she would be more suit- as she began her career. able for trail riding.” By now I was sure But racing does not suit every horse I didn’t want her, but figured I’d take bred for it. Phoebe had several lacklus- a look since I was there. As we walked ter starts in claiming races as a two- out to the paddock, the owner told year-old, earning her owners nothing in me the mare could not be stall kept return for their care, love, and hope. It’s due to her frenzied stall walking. The not that she wasn’t physically capable paddock sloped gently downhill from of succeeding, it was that racing did not where we stood. Phoebe was grazing suit her temperament. Like humans, quietly at the bottom in the company horses mature mentally at different of another horse. Upon hearing her rates. Phoebe simply was not grown name called, she lifted her head and up enough to handle the track environ- folded those long, graceful legs in a ment. Horses in general, and most par- ticularly mares, are dependent on their -Continued on Page 11. herd for a sense of security. This trait February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page  inquired about the large amount of were acceptable and within recom- Long Term Action plan is complete Local News liquid that was pumped out from be- mended limits.” It went on to further except for replacement of horizontal low Room 6. He reports that a Haz- recommend that humidity levels and vertical unit ventilators which Mat tanker truck and workers were should be maintained within thirty- is scheduled to be completed in County Provides an Update at the school for two days pumping to sixty-percent ranges at all times, August 2007. On PHS Air Quality it out and that the fluid was approxi- even during the summer months. All other long-term action Continued concern among mately five feet deep. Mr. Yarup One of the complications relat- plans (Phases II through IV) are in some staff and teachers over the air reported that an investigation was ing to issues of mold is the lack of the Capital Improvement Projects quality at Poolesville High School completed, but that he would have guidelines on mold concentrations. budget for the summer of 2007. sparked augmented interest in a to get back to Mr. Sovino as to the The report states that it is not known He expects that once air units with January meeting scheduled by the results of that investigation. what concentration of spores is re- dehumidification systems are in county. While concern over health Mr. Sovino, who reports that he quired to evoke an allergic reaction. place, much of the current concerns issues by the staff, students, and has seen mold in his room, reported Allergic reactions vary from person should be corrected. The new system teachers has increased recently, an that the county representatives told to person. Currently, indoor mold will use an electronic direct digi- increase in illnesses has not been another teacher at the school that a levels that are less than outdoor tal control system. Since humidity documented. However, the teach- sample of an apparent mold from levels are acceptable. In the most re- monitoring is so critical, he agreed ers attending the meeting estimated her room was not mold. That teacher cent study (October 2006), only one to immediately place temperature that more than twenty teachers have had it tested in a lab at Hood College classroom had indoor mold too close and relative humidity data loggers voiced increased allergies and other where it was confirmed to be mold. to the outdoor level. Individuals can throughout the building to better health problems due to air quality at County representative, Sean Ya- experience uncomfortable symptoms track information. Placement of the school. rup, had scheduled a meeting week whenever the relative humidity is these monitors will be determined Kathy Bettinger, a chemistry of January 28, but due to personal less than or greater than the thirty- by certified industrial hygienists and teacher with over thirty-two years matters had to reschedule. Since to sixty-percent range. at the request of concerned staff. at PHS, voiced frustration over many teachers did not make the Due to overcrowding, former After the meeting, Michael repeated eye irritation and itchiness February 5 meeting, Yarup agreed to rooms designed only for stockroom Young, founder of the Healthy Air that gets worse through the work- reschedule his presentation a third use have been used as offices over Alliance, which advocates for safe ing week only to subside during the time. the last twenty years. Recently, staff learning environments, stated, “I weekends. Dan Savino, a physics The summation of the report using such rooms have been moved think we are heading in the right teacher, who suffered pneumonia submitted by M. A. Cecil & Associ- since these rooms have inadequate direction. Obviously, there is more even though he seldom suffers a ates, Inc., the industrial hygiene and air ventilation (intake and return) to work to be done, but we are headed cold, was frustrated by a lack of environmental health firm used by be used properly as an office. in the right direction. We are moving response on a previous inquiry as to the county for such analysis, stated, Mr. Yarup reported that all along.” the nature of the liquid that was re- “At the time of their survey, the short-term action plans have been moved from under his classroom. He results for the evaluated parameters completed and that Phase I of the February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 10 “Wrestling” Continued From Byron redefines every genre of music he degree in clinical counseling. She is the Page 3. Big Board plays, be it classical, salsa, hip-hop, funk, author of numerous books, including rhythm and blues, klezmer, or any jazz Surviving Separation & Divorce and Writing experienced wrestlers, and the coach- Glen Echo Park Offers Weekend Shows ing staff is excited about his future. style from swing and bop to cutting-edge for Quick Cash as well as the co-author of for Families with Young Children downtown improvisation. He has been The Angry Child and Overcoming Pas- He took first place at the Reservoir The Glen Echo Park presents an ad- consistently voted best clarinetist by critics sive-Aggression, all about hidden anger Invitational Tournament and had the aptation of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by and readers alike in leading international in kids and adults. She’ll present some clinching win in an overtime victory Kevin Kling adapted from Kevin Henke’s music journals since being named “Jazz common scenarios using different age against Wheaton. He is also an honor humorous and heart-warming book that Artist of the Year” by Down Beat in 1992. groups as examples showing how parents student. shows his wonderful approach to the He will perform at the Weinberg Center can better manage difficult moments to Ben Asadi, a 103-pound ninth way we view the world as kids – colors for the Arts on February 16 at 8:00 p.m. create a happier home life, homework grader thought about playing foot- are brighter, noises louder, our concept Ticket prices range from $20.00 to $30.00. that gets accomplished, and success all ball, but heard that “wrestling was a of time is under construction. The real For more information, visit www.wein- the way around. She’ll also have time for good sport for small people because and imagined worlds are intertwined. bergcenter.org or call 301-228-2828. your questions and have books available you are going up against people Performances are at the Spanish Ballroom for purchase as well as handouts during your own size.” He added, “People on weekends with shows starting at 11:00 When We Were Kings her remarks. Her presentation will be underestimate me. I like to make a.m. and 1:30 p.m. See www.adventure- An award-winning documentary Thursday, February 22 at 7:30 p.m. at the the first move.” Coach Munsey said, theatre.org/weekends for more informa- about the famous “Rumble in the Jungle,” Circle School/Seneca Academy. It is free “Ben routinely gives up ten pounds tion. world heavyweight championship fight to heavier opponents, but he compen- between Muhammad Ali and George and open to the public. It’s Miss Poolesville! sates with his intensity and deter- Foreman that took place in Zaire in 1974 Basket Bingo for Playground Equipment It’s time again to crown the most mination. He works from the first as well as a music festival (featuring B.B. The PTA is sponsoring a basket bingo graceful, most accomplished, most whistle to the last.” Asadi is also an King, The Pointer Sisters, and Miriam at St. Mary’s Pavilion in Barnesville on talented, and most perfect senior girl at excellent student and earned honor- Makeba) organized by promoter Don Saturday, March 10 to raise funds for new Poolesville High School. Come watch the roll status. King. See it on the big screen at the Wein- playground equipment. Doors will open girls perform their talents; demonstrate Eleventh grader Patrick Audain, berg Center for the Arts. Tickets are $4.00 at 5:30 p.m., games will begin at 7:00 p.m. their runway savvy as they model eve- who wrestles at 171 pounds, went out for students, and $6.00 for adults. For Tickets are $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the ning gowns, casual wear, and active wear; for wrestling at Walt Whitman High more information, visit www.weinberg- door. There will also be food and baked and answer the Final Question as they vie School as a ninth grader, but the team center.org or call 301-228-2828. goods for sale. For more information, call for the sought-after crown on February 16 was focused on their State Champion Lisa Fedders at 301-349-5611. at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Managing Your Child’s Moods: From wrestlers, and the coaches “weren’t Meltdowns to Cooperation really teaching him anything.” He Don Byron Plays Junior Walker Loriann Oberlin, MS, NCC, LGPC is As clarinetist, saxophonist, com- says he finally got his chance at a Seneca Academy mom and graduate of poser, arranger, and social critic, Don Clarksburg, and that Coach Munsey Johns Hopkins University with a master’s is a very good teacher. Patrick also likes that wrestling is “fighting with Matt Ulisney wrestles at 140 rules.” Coach Munsey made Audain, pounds, and his brother Rob was who is an honor roll student, a cap- a State Champion for Peary High tain in recognition of his leadership School. Matt Ulisney wrestled for skills. He said he has “a terrific work three years in the junior league for ethic in practice, and in the class- Damascus and Seneca. Ulisney also room.” plays football and thought wrestling Coach Munsey said that Tanner would help him be a better football Wrublik, a 119-pound freshman, is player. He praised Coach Munsey, and one of the elite wrestlers in the state. claimed, “There is history to be made Wrublik likes the physical nature of here as the first team at Clarksburg. wrestling, and dislikes other, more We have to make it.” Coach Munsey “boring” sports. Previously, Wrublik said that Ulisney, also an honor roll wrestled for the junior team for Da- student, “is never afraid to try a new mascus High School. For Clarksburg, move.” he has a record of nine wins and Roja Stephenson, a 130 pound only one loss. Seven of his wins are wrestler, took second place at the “by fall.” (Editor’s Note: A fall, also Meade Invitational Tournament. He known as a pin, occurs when a wres- said his health teacher at Rocky Hill tler holds both his opponents’ shoul- Middle School, Mr. Wilberding, en- ders on the mat simultaneously.) couraged him to go out for wrestling. Tanner’s older brother, Zack Paul Acedera, 125 pounds, ninth Wrublik, is a tenth grader and a grade, wrestled for the Damascus ju- transfer from Watkins Mill High nior team. “My teammate, Chris Wil- School. He wrestles at 152 pounds. liamson, encouraged me to go out for “Both Tanner and I got started watch- wrestling. I wanted to try something ing my brother Kyle (now in Iraq) new.” Coach Munsey offered that wrestle at Watkins Mill. I liked it “Paul looks for the pin at all times.” immediately.” Following his father’s Derek Hall, a 112-pound freshman advice, he wrestled in junior league and honor roll student, said “It’s a to gain experience. Zack is the only tough sport. You need a lot of endur- wrestler on the team with prior var- -Continued on Page 17. sity experience. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 11 fried foods and foods with hydroge- Health & Fitness nated fats or trans fats. Enjoy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, smaller por- An Affair of the Heart tions, and drink plenty of water. By Karen Fales Reduce the stresses in your life. Making lists, giving back to the commu- As we love and nurture a spouse, nity, talking, and laughing and crying parent, child, or friend with care and are good ways to “de-stress.” One of the support, we must care for our hearts best ways to relieve stress is to exercise, in the same way. Why? To lower our especially with someone you love! risks of developing heart diseases and many other chronic illnesses that can be “Reclaiming the Racehorse” caused by obesity, high blood pressure, Continued From Page 8. high cholesterol, diabetes, and stress. The key to loving your heart for a beautiful, flowing canter. Nothing longer, better life is to give quality to improves a canter like an uphill slope, your life now. You can do this through but still, I was enchanted. She stopped exercise, a healthy diet, reducing stress, just short of where I was standing, and and not smoking. regarded me with her large and liquid Exercise will build a strong heart eye. She poked her nose into my jacket, and help to prevent obesity. Developing and seemed to say, “Hey! I’m three. a heart-strengthening exercise routine Whatcha got in your pocket? Can is as simple as incorporating brisk we be friends? Hey, can I follow you walks, light jogs, or time in a fitness around?” My checkbook appeared in center thirty minutes a day three to four my hand, seemingly of its own voli- times a week. Strength training is also tion. The owner admonished me to an important aspect of your fitness to take some time and think it over, but improve your quality of life. it was too late: I was totally smitten To control your weight and keep with my new project horse. your heart strong, your diet also plays (“Reclaiming the Racehorse” will an important role. Concentrate on eat- continue in a future issue.) ing foods that are low in saturated fats, high in fiber, and low in sugar. Avoid

IT’S TIME TO WINTERIZE!!!! February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 12 the gas stove and had turned the knobs of the time, the sheriff and the coroner Local History releasing fumes into the air. held a brief inquest and ruled that the Mrs. Shields then screamed and deaths of the four girls were accidental started dragging her daughters onto and that no criminal charges would Four Little Girls the rear porch. A neighbor, hearing be placed. Mr. Shields, who was at his by Jack Toomey the screaming, ran across the street to farm in Boyds and had no telephone, Frederick Hospital and alerted the staff. was told of the tragedy by neighbors Lester and Caroline Norris mar- Doctors Conley, Slusher, and Baer, and who had read about it in the Frederick ried about 1921. They took up residence a handful of nurses immediately ran to newspaper. on a farm near Boyds and started a the house and attempted to give first The next day, a wake was held family; however, tragedy struck this The scene of the tragedy. The 600 aid. A crew from the Potomac Edison at the home of the Bussards on Trail young couple early in their marriage. block of Trail Avenue, Frederick. power company was nearby and came Avenue. Thousands of people from both They lost two children to natural causes went inside the house to await the quickly to the house. In those days, the Montgomery County and Frederick at- shortly after their births. Then, within return of Elsie Bussard, her sister. company had a resuscitation crew on tempted to enter the house to pay their eight years, they were blessed with four Mrs. Bussard eventually came home, standby in case of electrocutions. The respects, and it was necessary for the healthy girls, Mary, Mrytle, Elise, and and they ate lunch together discuss- resuscitation crew used the oxygen that city police to prevent traffic from enter- Helen. ing Caroline’s marital problems. Elsie they carried until it ran out. They called ing the block. On the morning of March 27, 1930, Bussard then returned to her church. Hagerstown and Williamsport for more On March 29, 1930, the funeral of Lester and Caroline quarreled. Mrs. At about 1:30 p.m., Caroline decided oxygen, and it was sent to Frederick Mary, Myrtle, Elise, and Helen was held Shields later said that her husband had to visit a neighbor on Trail Avenue. with a police escort. In the meantime, a at the First Baptist Church. The Rever- struck her with a club and had thrown She locked the door and instructed the huge crowd had gathered around the end William Royal presided over the rocks at her. Caroline decided to leave girls to stay in the kitchen because she house to watch the life-saving attempts ceremony that was attended by several the farm for the time being, so she gath- feared that her husband might come which were being carried out on the thousand people. One casket containing ered her four girls and drove to Fred- to Frederick and take the girls back to back lawn. There seemed to be little the bodies of the four girls was car- erick hoping to take up residence with the farm. She was gone about twenty hope for the three younger girls, but the ried to Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The four her sister until things calmed down. minutes, and when she returned, she doctors and power company workers little girls were buried together, in an They arrived at the home of her sister realized that something was terribly continued their attempts to revive Mary, unmarked grave, next to their grand- on Trail Avenue near Hood College at wrong. The entire house was filled with age seven, until 6:10 p.m. when she was parents and the two infant siblings who about 10:00 a.m. Caroline found that the gas fumes, and she found her daughters pronounced dead. As was the custom had preceded them in death. door was locked and no one was home. unconscious on the kitchen floor. It was She obtained a key from a neighbor later determined that the girls, having As they began to spearhead this who said that her sister was at a church been raised in a farmhouse with a wood Pulse new program, they had many ques- meeting. Caroline and her daughters cooking stove, were unfamiliar with tions and concerns. Could the targeted Poolesville Relay for Life $50,000 be reached? With everyone al- By Rande Davis ways so busy, could they count on the people in the area to support a pro- In 2005, Chrissie Harney and gram just for Poolesville? They moved Chontelle Hockenbery had been ahead if for no other reason than that involved in the Damascus Relay for the first year could get things rolling Life (DRFL) for very personal reasons. and set the stage for better success in Their mother, Glenna Dorrough, had the years to come. They didn’t know been diagnosed with cancer and they their wildest dreams were about to be had to find something—anything—to realized. help. For the two women, sitting on The co-chairs quickly learned the sidelines in the battle of cancer that there is one thing you can really was no longer an option. Bob and count on: the people in our area. From Glenna Dorrough raised both women the “dare-we-dream” goal of $50,000, in Poolesville, so when Mrs. Dorrough Poolesville Relay for Life finalized died of cancer in August of 2005, they their fundraising amount for 2006 at decided they wanted to initiate a RFL program in Poolesville in her honor. -Continued on Page 13. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 13 ure Commission submitted to President Remembrances Jimmy Carter, as required by law, an evaluation of Judge Gallagher’s first ten Hon. George R. Gallagher, years on the bench. The commission’s report noted, “He is an energetic judge Retired Jurist and his opinions reflect a lively intellect. He is particularly sensitive in situations George R. Gallagher, 91, longtime where the individual is a litigant pitted judge on the D.C. Court of Appeals, against the power of federal or local died February 4 of pneumonia at his government.” Further, the commission home, Ardara Farm, in Comus, Mary- reported, “Judge Gallagher’s opinions land. He is survived by his wife, Judith have been of a consistently high qual- Kuertz Gallagher. ity; some of them, indeed, most notable Judge Gallagher, born in New contributions to the growth of our law.” Haven, Connecticut on April 10, 1915, Prior to his appointment to the moved with his mother and four sib- court, Judge Gallagher had served as lings to Washington in the 1920s, living an attorney in the U. S. Department of practice in Washington until 1968. Dur- liam Westmoreland. He was at the in Tenleytown. He graduated from Justice, initially from 1938 to 1941, and ing that period, he served in the cam- crucial Remagen Bridgehead Battle on George Washington University and again from 1946 to 1948. In 1948, he paigns of President John Kennedy and the Rhine River and was awarded the received his law degree from Catholic became a Special Assistant to the U. S. Lyndon Johnson as an advance man for Bronze Star. In 1945, he left the army University. Attorney General, in which capacity he their campaign tours. and returned to the Department of Judge Gallagher was appointed to participated in the prosecution of Harry During World War II, Judge Gal- Justice. the D. C. Court of Appeals in 1968 by Bridges, the California longshoreman lagher joined the U. S. Army in 1941, Surviving besides his wife are his President Lyndon Johnson. He served union leader, for perjury, and of Edward initially serving in the Aleutian Islands children, Christopher R. Gallagher as an active Associate Judge until 1981, Prichard, a Kentucky congressman, under arduous conditions. Later, he and Mary Elizabeth Gallagher, all of when he assumed Senior Judge status, for political corruption. From 1952 to rose to the rank of captain in the 9th Comus, Maryland, and several nieces frequently participating in the court’s 1959, Judge Gallagher served as General Infantry Division, where he served in and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the cases until his full retirement in 2001. In Counsel of the Subversive Activities intelligence under then Colonel Wil- family requests donations be made to September 1978, the D.C. Judicial Ten- Control Board. He was then in private St. Mary’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 67, Barnesville, MD 20838. raising events leading up to the “Poolesville Relay” Continued March 25. the hope is to do even better. Per- main “walkathon” event in June. As From Page 12. Of course, the highlight is the haps you may be wondering if you volunteers come aboard, most join weekend event, which this year should start or join a team. As you $165,000. Starting in the hearts of teams with each team’s goal to raise will be held June 9 to June 10. On read this article, RFL challenges you just two women, PRFL ultimately a minimum of $1,000. A fun and that weekend, the athletic field at with these thoughts: If you know of grew to more than six hundred area good-spirited competition develops, Poolesville High School will become someone in your life personally who volunteers comprised of residents with each team working to achieve a bit of a campsite. After a recep- has died of cancer, stand up; if you and business people. its goal and see if they can surpass tion in the late morning for cancer have been diagnosed with cancer, PRFL celebrated its astounding the others. Each team seeks its own survivors, the various teams will stand up; if you know of someone success at their annual 2007 Kick-Off walking and event sponsors and begin to set up their “camps” at who has survived cancer, stand up; Dinner held January 25. With over will devise ideas to raise funds prior noon in preparation for the opening finally, if you know of someone who 150 people in attendance at the din- to the actual Relay for Life in June. ceremonies at 2:00 p.m. At that time, has been diagnosed with cancer, ner hosted by the Poolesville Baptist One example is the recently com- the relay begins with the attend- stand up. At this point, virtually all Church, the event brought neigh- pleted “Thanksgiving in February” ing cancer survivors taking the first readers of the Monocle should be bors, friends, business-owners, and dining out night where two local lap. While the event has serious standing. Cancer truly affects us all. community leaders together again restaurants, Cugini’s and Bassett’s, goals, the weekend then emerges as Joining a team or walking in the re- with the goal to exceed even the participated by having ten percent a gala of fun and fellowship with lay is just two of many ways you can bold success of last year. of the evening proceeds go to PRFL. music, food, and games as friends help. If you would like to find a way Often thought of as a single Teams will have other dining-out and families share in the all-day and to help out, you can call or contact fundraising event, Relay for Life nights scheduled, and there will also -night march to help find a cure and Christina Harney (301-407-2252 or actually includes a series of fund- be a “Bowling for a Cure” night on support those who bravely face their [email protected]), Chon- battle with cancer. telle Hockenbery (301-972-7867 or With large field tents set up, [email protected]), or you and security of the area entrusted to can visit the group’s website, www. local police, all in attendance can be PoolesvilleRelayforlife.org. The sure of their safety throughout the Monocle will keep you posted in our evening and early morning hours Big Board and Things-to-Do section of Sunday. As the darkness of the of events throughout the year lead- evening comes, the track field will ing up to the June relay. be illuminated its full length with candle-lit bags marked with the name of sponsors and persons they wish to honor. Sponsoring one of the candles for just $10.00 is one of the easiest ways for all to participate. Last year there were fifty-eight teams that gathered, and this year February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 14

-”Perkins” Continued From Page 1. ing just how terrible he sounded and their house had been struck by one of the tornadoes that struck central always seemed driven by two pas- that he was not doing well at all. It Local News Florida killing over twenty people. sions: the law and helping people. was the worst I had ever heard him. When the storm passed, they began His community service list is Without saying a word and without Florida Tornado taking an assessment and realized impressive. He had been Poolesville complaining at all, he responded to Destroys Home of Former that their home had been destroyed Day Committee Co-Chairman with my request, and this last call was and one of the dogs was missing. his fourth year coming up. He was ended as so many, many other calls Poolesville Couple Two days later, the dog was found on the Board of Directors of the ended over the years by my simply By Jack Toomey on a golf course over several miles PHS Booster Club, President of the saying, “Thanks, Jake.” away. Poolesville Area Chamber of Com- There are so many ways to de- Fred and Vicki Dimisa spent As of the publication date, the merce, and on the Board of Direc- scribe Jake. These past years as we most of their lives saving for the Dimisas were living in a rental home tors of the Monocacy Lions Club. have gotten to know him, watching opportunity to retire and move to having lost almost everything they Over the years, we came to expect him battle the cards dealt him, wit- Florida. Fred was a twenty-five-year own. Fred suffered cuts and abra- to hear his raspy voice announcing nessing his hope for a renewal from veteran of the Montgomery County sions from flying glass, and Vikki the varsity football games at the PHS a kidney transplant, and being awe- Police Department and then worked was treated for an injured hand. The athletic field. Whether it involved struck by his courage in facing such at Seneca Valley High School as Montgomery County Police Alumni school sports or the Poolesville personal tribulation, there is one security director. In 2006, they sold Association has established a relief Athletic Association, Jake has always word that comes to mind: warrior. their home on Spurrier Avenue and fund to help them in this terrible been involved in youth sports in one We think Jake always knew time was moved to a retirement community time in their lives. Contributions can way or another. running out, but he battled on with near Orlando, Florida. be sent to MCP Alumni Association, In the last few weeks, while he determined courage. He was a war- At about 3:00 a.m. on Febru- P.O. Box 431, Damascus, MD, 20872, continued to experience severe pain rior—a brave heart—in every sense ary 2, Vikki was awakened by one attention “Dimisa relief.” without complaining, he helped out of the word. In the end, the health is- of their dogs who was whimpering with the Monocacy Lions Club auc- sues claimed his life, but he claimed and who then suddenly grabbed her tion, he presided over the PACC an- a piece of all our lives forever for the wrist pulling her to the floor. Their nual banquet, and continued in lead- warrior he became. He did so much, other dog then landed on top of her ing the Poolesville Day Committee. and we could say so much more, but and the house shook. Fred, who was On the last day of his life, I called in the end it comes down to three asleep in the bedroom, was thrown Jake because I needed informa- simple words: “Thank you, Jake.” out of bed and hurled onto the floor. tion from him about the Chamber. I At the time, they did not know that heard his voice and remember think- Marketplace February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 15 At the beginning of the school year, ness manager, junior Tommy Klein, is in ingly, it’s this column that inspires the School News the students came up with a mission: “To charge of getting ads to fund the paper. most debate amongst readers. “People creatively inform our readers about the The difficulty is two-pronged: thePulse are always the most vocal about the The Poolesville Pulse critical issues relevant to the Poolesville is a small paper and not well-known, things they disagree with,” says Andy. “I community.” While this may sound and the town is small, “There are only so love getting…feedback.” It shows some- By Dominique Agnew like a noble mission, the students have many businesses in the community,” he one read the article. actually found that it provides them says. For most of the students, they are At Poolesville High School, it’s the with some challenges. In previous years, The eight-page publication has come in the class either because they want to beginning of a new semester, and, for the paper had articles that were slightly up with a list of beats: athletics, technol- become writers or because they already the students of Ms. Stephanie Gomer’s more frivolously entertaining, and there ogy, clubs, magnet, editorials, drama, love writing. Andy Kotch plans on journalism class, it’s the beginning of were things like crossword puzzles. science, music, and county news. Once majoring in journalism, and his dream is the third issue of the Poolesville Pulse for How is a crossword puzzle a critical is- the writers decide on their stories, they to be a novelist. Sophomore Katrina van this school year. The first news about the sue? Also, the Poolesville community is submit their ideas to the editors, seniors Werkhoven does one better, “My dream school newspaper is good news. For the so small that many state or county events Amy Dobrzynski, Engin Ege, and Chel- is to be a best-selling novelist.” Sopho- first time in nearly a decade, there is a sea Lewis. The editors add their input more Elliot Croft always liked writing journalism class that prepares the paper to the stories, and the writers have a and enjoyed being involved in his school as opposed to a newspaper club that few weeks to do their interviews and newspaper when he attended Montgom- meets after school. This keeps the whole write their stories. Sometimes, it’s dif- ery Village Middle School. Senior Amy process of creating and publishing the ficult to interview potential subjects Van Meter says, “I like expressing my school paper much more organized because of the time of the class (for opinion. I like writing about topics I feel says senior Engin Ege, one of the three example the coaches of the wrestling strong on.” Junior Ursa Remondi says it editors. Also, it will allow the students team are not in the school), then the more succinctly, “I just like it. It’s a fun to put out more issues. This year, there journalists have after-school activities, class.” will be five papers, but the class hopes as well. The writers also have limited Does the PHS newspaper have any- to publish more next year. Where, last time in the computer lab, and the thing to say to the community at large? year, it was difficult to track people classroom doesn’t have adequate com- “Our paper is free, read us!” Andy, you down to get articles or to keep them to puter equipment to allow them more forgot one thing, you should have said, their promise of writing an article, the computer time. “Advertise in our paper, we’re the best students are not only assigned beats, The PHS Newspaper Club There also the editorials in which high school newspaper in Poolesville!” but they have to write because the class two writers present opposing view- The Poolesville Pulse can be found is for a grade; and there are vast im- are not relevant to Poolesville High points (Does this sound familiar, John in the front office of PHS, at Cugini’s, at provements in the layout and the editing. School. Clayton and Rande Davis?). For the McDonald’s, and other businesses in the “The layout has improved one hundred Another challenge faced by the Poolesville Pulse, Andy Kotch and Sarah area. percent from last year,” says Ms. Gomer. students is the old money question. Busi- Knight offer the dueling articles. Interest-

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BOOKKEEPER — PART TIME St. Peter’s Episcopal Parish is seeking a part-time bookkeeper, 12 to 15 hours per week. Duties include A/P, A/R, reconciliations, and payroll. Profiency with ACS software a plus. Please respond by e-mail to [email protected] February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 17 smallest water users. Mr. Johnson believes that his plan would “Wrestling” Continued From Local News Prior to the meeting, Commissioner keep water rates the same, maintain the Page 10. Roy Johnson had placed on a table at same tax rates for FY08, and establish a ance. This is a new program, still Hearing on Water Rate the entrance to the meeting room a chart stand-alone water budget that could better developing. We will just keep getting comparing a second plan that he prefers itemize actual costs. In the town’s January better and better.” Increases Completed over the proposed water rate increases. Mr. 2007 newsletter, Straight Talk, town man- Max Borchardt, a 112-pound The Town of Poolesville’s public hear- Johnson hopes that this second plan will agement presents their answers to many of ninth grader, never wrestled before ing on proposed changes in the water rate be discussed and considered by his fellow the most often asked questions concerning except in middle school intramu- schedule resulted in statements by five citi- commissioners prior to any final action on the water rate issue. A Monocle report on rals. “This is a new school and a zens: Robert Roit, Rudy Gole, Tom Kettler, the proposed rate changes. Johnson’s proposal in detail will be pro- new opportunity. I used to wrestle Conrad Potemra, and Stan Janet. Commis- While some speakers wanted to make vided should the commissioners move to with my brother when I was young. sion president, Eddie Kuhlman, opened the comments regarding Mr. Johnson’s plan, consider it for discussion. He used to beat me up. This is for meeting by stating that “nothing is written Mr. Kuhlman disallowed those statements Streetscape Concept Plan payback.” Max won the gold medal in stone” as to whether the (proposed) rate since the public hearing scheduled was just in his first JV tournament at Fort for comments on the proposed plan. Com- Moves Forward change would be adopted or not. After hearing a report from town Meade before Christmas, becoming ments on the other plan would have to wait Mr. Gole did not object to the proposal manager Wade Yost regarding recommen- the first Coyote wrestler ever to win pending the commissioners agreeing to dis- on its own merits, but did not want the use dations from the planning commission on an individual tournament champi- cuss and consider it or any other proposal. of data from other towns used in making various aspects of the Town’s Streetscape onship. He is also on the honor roll. When pressed to state when such a hearing that decision. “The comparison to other Plan, the commissioners voted to move to Farhan Qaisar, 130 pounds, is might occur, Mr. Kuhlman pointed out towns has too many variables as to be the next phase of concept development. the left linebacker on Clarksburg’s that any prospective hearing would have useful.” Mr. Kettler suggested that the fee This phase will provide modeling and fur- football team. He echoed a familiar to await a decision by the commissioners increases should be more spread out and ther details of proposed changes to Fisher theme. “I wanted to get in better to consider Johnson’s plan. Since consider- extended to include the largest users of Avenue in the town. The commissioners shape and to be tougher for foot- ation of Johnson’s plan is speculative, setting water (the current proposal does not change chose to limit the plan from the intersection ball. I was encouraged to go out by a date for a public hearing is premature. large user rates). Mr. Potemra questioned of Wootton and Fisher Avenues to Fisher the football coach.” His brother, Mr. Johnson’s plan would separate the projection for needed tax increases and West Willard. 215-pounder Mohammed Faisal, is water costs from wastewater costs, so that based on the projected increase of electrical One of the primary objectives of the also a wrestler and on the football revenue from water usage would pay the rates since flows from the plant are currently commissioners is to find street designs that team. costs of water, and the revenue used to pay only one-third of those of March 2003. With will result in safer driving through the town .As for Coach Munsey, “I went for wastewater costs would come from the these reduced flows, he questioned how and to reduce excess speeding. To that to Wheaton High School, where I general fund. This would reputedly end the any increase in electrical costs would be so objective, the streetscape will consider using graduated in 1996. I took second current use of general funds as a subsidy great as to truly justify any tax increase. He raised asphalt pedestrian cross-walks, nar- place in the state tournament that (using general tax funds to pay for water repeated his request for the commission- rowing of the street width at various points, year. I won a scholarship to Gannon used by non-taxpayers) to cover water use. ers to consider subsistence assistance to the using techniques such as use of bike lanes, University in Erie, Pennsylvania. plant boxes, etc. A previous suggestion of After three years using an intersection traffic circle at Wootton I transferred to the University and Fisher is not considered possible due to of Maryland where I wrestled for lack of support from the state. two more years. In 2001, my old coach at Wheaton, Dave Mequon, Brand Logo for Poolesville hired me as assistant coach. I was The Community Economic and Devel- also a Special Education Assistant. opment Committee has submitted a new After I got my master’s degree from logo for the town to be used in establishing Johns Hopkins, and a teaching an identifiable brand image for promoting position at Wheaton in 2004, Mr. new businesses and economic development Moquin retired from coaching and I in the town. The theme of the new logo is became the head coach. Clarksburg “Timeless Charm” which incorporates the is the only school I would have left town flag colors of green and gold illustrat- Wheaton for. I figured that the op- ing countryside roads beneath Sugarloaf portunity to be on the opening staff Mountain. of a new school would be too good Additionally, the CEDC, under the to pass up.” Coach Munsey has new chairmanship of Brian Hundertmark, the help of three assistant coaches will look for ways to improve the town’s by his side: Scott Munsey, three- Holiday Lighting Festival that could include time state champion, national high more lights and better seating for seniors. school All-American, and decorated Commissioner Tom Yeatts reported that Greco-Roman wrestler; Francis Jef- the committee has selected a new website frey-Idun; and Steve Kachedorian. developer. The CEDC would like to expand Watching practice at Clarksburg the site to include more information, such as I could not help but notice the ca- retail location contact information that can maraderie. The Coyotes are young help facilitate retail and business expansion end enthusiastic, and with Coach in the town. The CEDC is also considering Munsey, you can sense that they are additional town events such as Whalen building something special. Commons Movie Night, and they welcome other ideas put forward by the public. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 18 “Girl Falcons” Continued From success of the Lady Falcons. Page 4. Another junior and three-sport a classy three-sport athlete, has been athlete is the gifted guard Rachael credited with not only displaying Stream. Like Brown, Stream has exceptional leadership but often doing played at the varsity level for three the dirty work on the court, such as years. Stream, an all-county field taking a charge and diving for loose hockey forward, is as tough a de- balls. fender as there is in the county and Junior Co-Captain Guard Jess currently leads the Lady Falcons in Brown, now in her third year on var- scoring. With this nucleus, it is little sity, continues to be a spark on offense wonder that Berger is able to go eight and defense. A dangerous outside to nine deep on his bench on any shooting threat, Brown seems to rise given night. to the competition level and matches When sophomore center Jess Chit- the intensity of her opponents. With tenden went down early in the season, seven underclassmen on the team, freshman Lori Defnet filled in admi- Brown states, “As an upperclassman, rably by picking up the scoring slack we don’t see them as underclassmen. and was tenacious under the boards. We all have equal status on this team.” Junior forward Cori Rosenberg and This is probably another key to the sophomores Jenn Bateman and Christy Lowe have each been solid off We accommodate Preschool through Grade 8 offering: the bench or in their roles as starters. Tidbits Karissa Harris, another talented fresh- man, has logged considerable time in Family of Townhouse Fire Needs relief at point guard. • Camp Seneca (Ages 4-8) Help With all of these interchangeable The King-Carr family suffered parts working so successfully as a the loss of their home in the Meadow team, it is little wonder that as Swick Valley townhouse community in now watches from the stands, he is Poolesville on January 30 and has enormously proud of the program since been residing in a local motel. he has created and the coach he has The family with seven children greatly chosen to lead it. appreciated the quick response in clothing assistance in the days im- mediately following the tragedy. Now, however, the need for gift cards, Police Blotter Past February 23, 1906. The general either generic or retailer specific, Past and Present merchandise store of Mr. Padgett and would be most useful as they begin February 17, 1931. Officer Merson Kessler, at Adamstown, was destroyed to piece their life together again. Area By Jack Toomey of the county police was patrolling in by a fire that was discovered in the churches and the Upper Montgomery downtown Rockville when he saw an early morning hours. After the fire County Volunteer Fire Department are Present unfamiliar man driving the automo- was extinguished, only the brick walls contact places for persons wanting to bile of Albert Bouic, the former States Montgomery County Police an- were left standing. make a donation or find ways to assist Attorney. When Merson attempted nounced that they will continue to February 23, 1934. Gustavus Gray, the family. to stop the car, the driver sped off enforce laws that pertain to tethered of Poolesville, a salesperson dealing Conlon Baby Girl leading him in a twelve-mile pursuit dogs in this time of record cold. The in rubber shoes and other footwear, PHS graduate class of 1999, Scott before Merson arrested him. law, which was enacted in June of parked his car near North Capitol Conlon, and his wife, Kara, are the February 17, 1944. Two naval 2002, states that a dog cannot be left Street in Washington, D.C. and re- proud parents of a baby girl, Sophia officers were killed and four others in- tethered and unattended during the turned shortly afterwards to find that Elizabeth. She was born at Shady jured in the crash of a navy transport time of a weather emergency. thieves had broken into his car steal- Grove Hospital on February 2 at 3:34 plane on a farm between Travilah and ing his wares. a.m. weighing in at 8 lbs. 7 oz. and January 30, 9:30 p.m. Freder- Seneca. Witnesses said that the plane February 25, 1923. A man named measuring twenty-one inches long. ick County deputies were called to suddenly flew low over the farm of Hamilton was arrested for selling li- She is the first grandchild of Pooles- the Carroll Manor Fire Department William Poole and then crashed into quor to high school boys who attend- ville’s Tom and Mary Conlon and the in Adamstown for a report of men a thicket on the farm of Buck Thrift. ed the Dickerson High School. Hamil- great-granddaughter of Dots Elgin. armed with knives and a pool stick Two employees of the power com- ton said that he had merely taken part Scott Conlon, a graduate of University threatening a firefighter. Deputies -ar pany, who were working on power in the transaction to get a drink “of of Maryland in government and poli- rested Donald Wayne Kolpack, Jr., 21, poles, helped pull the injured persons corn” and named another man as the tics, is an equipment service coordina- and charged him with first and second from the wreckage. supplier of the liquor. tor for the Montgomery County bus degree assault and reckless endanger- February 21, 1985. Montgomery Ride-On program. Mr. Conlon is in ment. County Police arrested twenty people the Marine Corps reserves having a February 1, 11:00 a.m. Bank rob- and charged them in connection with tour in Iraq. bery, M&T Bank, 12914 Middlebrook conspiring to distribute the illegal Eagle Scout Project Benefits Izaak Road, Germantown. Two men wear- drug, PCP. Police said that officers had Walton League ing masks, hard hats, and jackets en- been making undercover buys of PCP Sophomore Nick Eames, a life tered the bank and robbed employees in Poolesville, Rockville, and Gaithers- -Continued on Page 19. of an undetermined amount of cash. burg for four months before making the arrests. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 19 -”Gracie Jones” Continued From Dolly, the matchmaker who sets her collecting potable liquids for the victims else? Of course, there’s something she Page 1. sights on “a well-known half a million- of the tsunami. They raised over $2600 hasn’t done that she would like to try: this year, she also began studying voice aire.” for Hurricane Katrina victims; and they opera—it’s better than you think, it has to with Carol de Santis—“I’m hitting notes This year has also found her sing- have done those bake sales on the front be. In the upcoming months, there will I’ve never hit before.” Under Carol de ing in the high school chorus for the step of Selby’s to raise money for so be a few opportunities for the adoring Santis’s tutelage, Gracie has performed at second year, and taking a leadership role many things from the tragedy in Darfur public to catch Gracie on the stage. The select competitions at Shepherd Univer- there—thanks to Mr. Laster, the new to other natural disasters. performances of “Hello Dolly” by the sity which gave her good opportunities music director at PHS. “He’s been a big Although Gracie plans on major- Midnight Players will take place at the to perform selections from her repertoire help to me,” she says. After Mr. Sch- ing in an environmental science, she PHS auditorium on March 22, 23, and 24, of classical arias. reiber, the former music director, laid the plans on continuing performing and and Gracie has been invited to sing at the Her sophomore year found the Mid- foundation for a great music program, singing. Why? “Because I love it.” Why Relay for Life in Poolesville. night Players performing “Jane Eyre” Mr. Laster has begun to build on the and “Brigadoon.” Gracie took a back seat foundation. during this year in the performing arts as If Gracie seems busy with music, the she found it an academically challenging performing arts, and academics, that’s year in the Global Ecology Program at not the half of it. For her senior project in the high school. “Studies took over,” she the Global Ecology Program, she is doing laughs; although her academics didn’t an internship at Second Chance Wildlife keep her from winning the talent show Rehabilitation Center in Gaithersburg. with her performance of “Honey Bun” “It’s a great internship,” she says. “I’ve accompanied by the antics of then-senior learned so many neat things.” The in- Alex Kreiser. Her junior year found her ternship will tie in well with her plan to back in fine form. She had principal roles major in natural resources management in the two performances of the Midnight with a wildlife concentration. She plans Players, “Hot Time in the Old Town to attend Montgomery College—she has Tonight” and “Oklahoma!” Of her role two younger siblings and wants to stay as Ado Annie and acting opposite good close—then transfer to the University friends A.J. Lempert and Mike Vliet, of Maryland. Her involvement with she says, “That was awesome.” She the Midnight Players does not involve again took first place at the talent show simply showing her face on the stage with her rendition of “Get over It.” She through singing and acting. She has also was also asked by the Sandy Cameron been involved with publicity, head shots, Concert Committee to perform at the set design, and other aspects behind the sponsor reception. scenes. You haven’t seen her onstage? Then Her senior year has been busier than “Tidbits” Continued From Page Peruvian Exchange Student Visits you’ve probably seen her in front of ever. She was a Maryland Distinguished 18. Poolesville Selby’s manning the table at a bake sale Scholar in the Arts which gives her a Arturo Diaz, 14, of Lima, Peru on behalf of the Leos Club. She is the scout, is working toward Eagle Scout scholarship of $3000 per year to any stayed with Tim Pike and Margaret president of the Leos Club, sponsored by and has chosen two projects to benefit Maryland two- or three-year institu- Valega as part of an exchange student the Monocacy Lions Club. Her involve- the Izaak Walton League located off tion of higher learning. At the recogni- program by the Barnesville School. ment with the Leos Club began in the of West Willard Road. Assisted by tion ceremony for the scholars, she was The young man, who attends the sixth grade. She took a two-year hiatus ten other scouts, Nick supervised the asked to sing. She was a semi-finalist for Leonardo Da Vinci School in Lima, is while she was home-schooled for middle replacement of a new sign at the gate the Washington Post Music and Dance the youngest of six children. The pro- school, then she rejoined her freshman to the outdoor conservation group’s Scholarship, and, again, she performed gram at times has exchanged as many year. The Leos Club has been involved property. Later this spring, he will at the ceremony (at the Warner Theater). as six students. Arturo came with one in many service projects, “everything initiate a riprap project for the pond Back at the high school, she took a small big mission and that was to leave with from drives to going to parks to pick on the league’s grounds. Riprap is role in “Boys and Ghouls Together” a 30MB IPOD, and as he left on his up stuff.” There is no specific agenda. a process to place rocks around the so she could play tennis in the fall. “I birthday of February 11, all reports are “If you’re doing something to help, and periphery of the pond to prevent wanted to do tennis badly,” she confides, that he reached his goal. Along with we can make it happen,” she says, “we erosion. Nick is the son of Seth and but this spring’s performances of “Hello staying with the Pikes, he also stayed do it.” The Leos have been involved in Sandra Eames of Poolesville. Dolly” will see her in the lead role of with various other families and made the usual tour of Washington, D.C. February 16, 2007 The Monocacy Monocle Page 20