Obituary: Harry Hodges Semmes, Jr.
Harry Hodges Semmes, Jr., 94, died of Alzheimer’s on July 6, 2014 at Buckingham's Choice where he had moved after 50 years of living in Potomac.
Surfer Bethany Hamilton Shares Her Story
Fourth Presbyterian School welcomed professional surfer Bethany Hamilton to campus in April. Hamilton became well known after she lost her left arm to a shark attack while surfing at the age of 13. Just one month later, she was back in the water pursuing her passion of surfing, and just over a year later won her first national title. In 2007 she turned pro and has since competed in a number of Association of Surfing Professionals and World Tour Events. In March, she won the Surf N Sea Pipeline Women’s Pro held in Oahu, Hawaii.
Hamelburg Selected for Diller ‘Tikkun Olam’ Award
Teen launched “Operation 18,000.”
“Tikkun Olam” is a Hebrew phrase which means “Repairing the World.” The concept suggests that all share in the responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world. Potomac’s Katie Hamelburg has adopted the phrase as her mantra and is on a fast-track to inspiring other teens to become involved in volunteerism to make their communities, nation and world a better place for all.
Whitman’s Hatch Pursuing College Basketball Dream
Rising junior feels “infinitely better” than during freshman year.
Marie Hatch was one of the 2012-13 Whitman girls’ basketball team’s best players as a freshman prior to a shoulder injury that forced her to miss a large portion of the season. The following year, Hatch earned all-division honors and led the Vikings in scoring, helping the team win 20 consecutive games. Now a rising junior, Hatch feels much improved mentally and physically as she chases her dream of playing college basketball. She recently participated in a Q&A via email.
Serving Families For 90 Years
Pushing the boundaries has led to success, says Northern Virginia Family Services CEO.
An organization does not thrive for 90 years by chance. Northern Virginia Family Services, a county institution, has impacted families throughout the region for nearly a century with no sign of slowing down.
Column: “CanSir”
When it comes to being a cancer patient, even more so a multi-year cancer survivor, I have always erred on the side of caution. And by caution, I mean being respectful to the disease, courteous of its comings and goings, mindful of its potential damage and afraid of its intangibles. And by intangibles, I mean the unexplained and the inexplicable, and most fearfully, its power and unpredictability. Therefore, my behavior toward it has been intended to be as polite as possible; never to be perceived – in any way imaginable – as arrogant, presumptuous, in control, all-knowing and most especially, victorious.
Editorial: Finally, Marriage Rights Protected in Virginia
On July 28, 2014, in affirming that Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, Circuit Judge Henry F. Floyd writes: “We recognize that same-sex marriage makes some people deeply uncomfortable. However, inertia and apprehension are not legitimate bases for denying same-sex couples due process and equal protection of the laws.
Whitman’s Hatch Pursuing College Basketball Dream
Q&A: Rising junior feels ‘infinitely better’ than during freshman year
Marie Hatch led the Whitman girls' basketball team in scoring as a sophomore last season.
Churchill’s Dubick Shares World Lax Championship Experience
Q&A: Two-time All-American is committed to University of Maryland.
Churchill rising senior Louis Dubick has produced 436 points in three high school lacrosse seasons.
Pet Connection July 2014
Our readers submitted photos of their adorable pets.
Frodo and Sam have become best friends – sort of. My husband and I adopted Frodo from Home Alone Cat Rescue several years ago. He is part Maine Coon and part American Bobtail, with a funny short tail. He may have been mistreated by a previous owner because he is afraid of everything, especially ceiling fans. He quickly became comfortable in our home as an “only cat.”
Dubick Shares World Lax Championship Experience
Two-time All-American is committed to University of Maryland.
Louis Dubick has been an offensive playmaker since joining the Churchill boys’ lacrosse team as a freshman.
Dissecting Comedy
Potomac author releases third book, “Poking a Dead Frog.”
If you picked up a book titled “Poking a Dead Frog,” might it be about biology, herpetology or even paleontology? Mike Sacks’ latest book is about none of these. Instead it is a collection of his “Conversations with Today’s Top Comedy Writers.”
Fun and Education with Animals
Squeals on Wheels: A family-run business.
For the last eight years Squeals on Wheels, a mobile miniature petting zoo and pony rides business, has brought joy and animal education to people of all ages.
'We All Fell in Love'
MCHS and PetConnect help place animals in the Potomac area in homes.
Tippy was a black and white cat who the Montgomery County Humane Society estimated to be either eight or nine years old when he arrived there. Since he was far removed from being a kitten, Tippy didn't fit the profile of a traditionally adoptable animal.
Out and About
Photos by Mary Kimm
'We Just Have to be Dedicated and Focused'
County Animal Services and MCPAW working to make a difference in the area.
Allan Cohen has a lofty goal.
Puppies Destined for Important Work
Bred, donated and/or rescued for assistance dog training by paws4people.org, these "baby pictures" will be shared with the children and veterans matched with each dog.
Editorial: Tragic Consequences
Money lost by refusal to expand health coverage, but also life, health and livelihood.
The Virginia General Assembly’s refusal to expand Medicaid, extending health coverage to as many as 400,000 Virginians has resulted in the loss of about $1 billion in direct payments. But that understates the loss, failing to calculate the cost of the lost health of thousands of Virginians.
Sports Briefs: July 17
The first-place Bethesda Big Train had at least 10 members selected to the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League all-star game, according to the league Web site. The game will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16 at Shirley Povich Field in Bethesda. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. and the home run derby is scheduled to begin at5:30 p.m. Wes Rea will represent the Big Train in the home run derby.