September 7, 2018 A Biweekly Newspaper September 7, 2018 • Volume XIV, Number 14 The flag, a barn, and dancing: Does it get more American than that? See more in Family Album on page 2. Poolesville Day 2018— Playin’ in the Band By Andie Devynck and Rande Davis Let the party begin! The 26th annual Poolesville Day will take place just one week from now, and the dedication of the Poolesville Day Committee will soon be appreciated by all. Two and a half decades is only the latest version of Poolesville communi- ty celebrations. Ours is a community that has an extensive history of cele- brating together: Poolesville was the very first location of the Montgomery County Agricultural Fair; in the 1930s, we outdid our current one-day festival with the three-day Radcliffe Dancing to the music is just one of the scores Chautauqua of music, plays, poetry, of fun activities at Poolesville Day. Jasmine Nicholls Davis, an lectures, homemade food, and comedy eighth-grade student at Silver all at the site of the Poolesville Baptist lots of fun with friendly competitive community spirit for the very first Spring International Middle School, Church—it is said that most people challenges on display at our festivals time and revel in our old-fashioned and her flower arrangement. Read ponied up the $2.00 three-day pass that included best fruit, vegetables, uniqueness. We welcome them all, and more in Garden on page 5. rather than the 75-cents-per-day entry cakes, cookies, handcrafts, quilts, out-of-towners, too (some of whom fee; in the 1940s, May Day was the and all sorts of ways to showcase the then become our new neighbors). preferred timing for parades and may- area’s talent. What’s a party without food? The pole dancing. While we didn’t have a It is wonderful to watch our new food court at Whalen Commons will grand marshal back then, there were neighbors discover our exhibition of Continued on page 20. Three Announced Candidates for Town Commissioner By Rande Davis With the fall preparing for its arrival as the sun sets on Poolesville Day, the As Father Vincent says farewell to campaign season starts to percolate. In Poolesville, we hail Father Justin’s Poolesville, the race for town commis- arrival. See Pulpit on page 6. sioner already has launched with at least three announced candidates. The deadline for filing applications Poolesville with petitions is due on October 6, so there is still time for more brave souls. Day I say brave as public service comes Town of Poolesville with its reward of accomplishment commission president Kerri Cook Danny Embrey Saturday, and achievement but not without its Jim Brown September 15, 2018 robust criticisms. Take heart, candi- dates, a better Poolesville has always are a pair of reasons why I have specific goals that I wanted to achieve 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. come from concerned citizens picking decided to not run for a third term as as a commissioner and I have achieved up the baton. commissioner. Either one alone would all but two of those. Also, the town is The official Poolesville Day Leaving is Commissioner Chuck not be sufficient for me to not run, but on a good path to achieving those last Stump as he has decided to not seek the combination of the two makes two goals in the very near future, those Guide begins on page 11... reelection. He told the Monocle: “There the decision for me. I had some very Continued on page 27. Page 2 The Monocacy Monocle September 7, 2018 Family Album The first dance is often Sashay to the center a community square dance; and then out again. it’s always a fun dance. The funds raised at the American Legion’s square dance will help Fisher House Foundation. People of all ages had a blast at this year’s American Legion Barn Dance. First you circle left, then circle right, then grab your partner and do-si-do. Photo by Terri Pitts. Photo by Terri If it’s the dog days of summer, then it’s Bark in the Park time. September 7, 2018 The Monocacy Monocle Page 3 Page 4 The Monocacy Monocle September 7, 2018 “Most people want the same things: 2018 Inductees into PHS Sports Rande(m) A house for their family, enough Tidbits Hall of Fame Announced Thoughts food to not go hungry at night, and a Athletic director at PHS, Gina chance for a good education.” As to A King for They’re Baaack! Grubb, has announced the Booster how to help make the world better, Club’s committee’s selection for Yes, those big farm machines will be Poolesville Day his answer was simply put: “Remem- induction into the Poolesville High joining us on our country roads, and ber there is truly only one person School Sports Hall of Fame: Gene By Rande Davis they have the right of way. Now, there you can control in life, and that is you. Phillips (1972 Basketball, Soccer, does not need to be any strongly- I will march in the Poolesville Day If you can take care of yourself, you and Baseball), Gus Johnson (1972 gripped steering wheels, desperate Parade again this year. There will can help fix this country.” His sons Basketball, Soccer), Randy Clark leaps to pass the farmer, or slamming come a time, much sooner than expect- were a bit perplexed by this answer, (1993 Soccer, Basketball, and Outdoor of brakes when you realize your ed, I am sure, when being a bystander so he explained, “Every day, I get up Track and Field), Maureen Duvall Toyota and the John Deere are not will be all that remains. My days as and go to work (on time). When I get (2005 Volleyball), Janelle Thompson going to fit side by side on Cattail John Poole, Jr. following the horses to work I give an honest day’s work (2004 Cross Country, Indoor and Road. Borrowing from the current with a pooper scooper will give way to (his youngest wanted to know what Outdoor Track and Field), and trends of relaxing and mindfulness, holding the American flag proudly that meant). At the end of the day, I Coach Nancy Hopkinson (1980 to here are a couple tips for sharing the next to some terrifically-fine and dedi- am proud of my day’s effort, and as I 1999 Swimming, Field Hockey, road with these giants. First, if you cated men. While we march as the meet people, I treat them with great Boys’ Tennis). Poolesville Post 247 Jeffers-Daniels respect no matter what race, gender, or should see a truck with a flashing light The induction ceremony is scheduled American Legion, we are hoping non- religion they may be.” This is some- bar on its roof or just headlights and for September 14 at the home member vets will fall in with us. If you thing he has found that works well at hazards, ease over to the side of the football game versus Winters Mill served, please consider joining us as work as well as when traveling no road. The truck—or pilot as it is known High School. we pass by. matter where. in farming lingo—is signaling to you As a community, Poolesville Day Preston iterated, “One key is to help that a big, fat machine is headed your Miss Gini Says Farwell at least one person better themselves, way. Once it passes you, you can ease is like our very own personal Thanks- After thirty years, Gini Staver is and my older son asked how. I used back onto the road. Second, if you giving Day; joy and gratitude abound. hanging up her clippers. For three my job as an example. I noticed a happen to come up behind a machine, Everywhere you look, every person decades, she has served the communi- young man who walked his dog in the embrace the slow. Yes, if you have you see is like a Norman Rockwell ty, and it’s sad to see her go. There room and can safely do so, go ahead painting waiting to happen, the caption park every day for two years during is good news, though: Her daughter and pass. Otherwise, let the farmer be already written: Home Sweet Home. working hours. I had observed that he will be taking over the Poolesville your Zen guide in going more slowly, Here at the Monocle, we are especially had some type of physical deforma- Barber Shop. If you have a chance, stop smelling fresh-cut grass, and enjoying proud of our very own crack reporter tion on his face. He seemed to be very by to wish her well or drop a line on the beauty of these country roads. for Town Government news, Link shy. One day, I decided to stop and Facebook; you have only a couple of Hoewing, being named Grand talk to him and asked how he was Remember, your weekend country drive Marshal. All who have received this doing. He looked at the ground, is just another work day for a farmer. Continued on page 10. award have been well deserving, but purposely not at me, and said, ‘Okay.’ we think Link really may be a bit I asked if he had a job, and he said, grander than most. ‘No.’ The town needed summer help, Contributing Writers Here in Poolesville, making life so I suggested that he should go to Dominique Agnew [email protected] town hall and fill out the paperwork so better one person at a time, in many Kerri Cook ways, defines the town.