Big Train Finish Runner-Up
The Bethesda Big Train finished runner-up in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League playoffs, losing to the Baltimore Redbirds 7-0 in the championship game on Aug. 2.
A Dream That Came True
Free health care clinic founded by Potomac residents.
Fourteen years ago, Mercy Health Clinic was established in Gaithersburg with the mission to provide “quality health care from the heart for those in need.”
Sunflowers for Wildlife
Sunflowers for Wildlife
The peak bloom of 25 acres of sunflowers off River Road is past, but the fading flowers will leave seeds that attract songbirds and other wildlife for some time to come. Goldfinches and Indigo Buntings are visible by the the dozen as the sunflower seeds mature.
A New Era at Local School
Matthew Gould tapped as head of Norwood School.
When the 2014-2015 school year opens in a few weeks, Norwood School will have a new leader at the helm. The Board of Trustees for the Bethesda school named Matthew A. Gould, Ph.D., as the new head of school earlier this month. Gould replaces Richard T. Ewing Jr., who retired from Norwood after 35 years. “Having grown up in the D.C. area and worked in various schools for the past 25 years, I was well aware of Norwood’s reputation as one of the largest and finest kindergarten-through-eighth grade schools in the country,” said Gould. “I was impressed with Norwood’s deep commitment and passion for educating the whole child in a joyful, nurturing and challenging learning environment. It was important for me to be in a school community that puts children at the center of everything.”
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.
Mourning Loss of Betty Dunham
The heart of Dunham’s Motor Service.
It was 1948. Much of River Road was not paved, farming was a way of life in Potomac, people hitched their horses to a post at the crossroads of River and Falls – and Dunham’s Motor Service, Mitch Mitchell’s gas station, the Perry Store, and a bar pretty much made up the businesses of “downtown” Potomac.
Local Blog Explores Spiritual Understanding
Salma Hasan Ali reflects on Ramadan.
Four years ago, Salma Hasan Ali began writing a blog called “30 Days, 30 Deeds” to share the essence of the month-long Muslim holiday Ramadan with her children (www.30days30deeds.com). Her writings reveal a heartfelt exploration of Ramadan, but also give insight into the life of a mother seeking to inspire her children to understand the true meaning of performing good deeds, expressing gratitude, saying prayers and practicing charity.
The Power of Friendship
Local group pairs teen mentors with special needs children.
One of the highlights of 8-year-old Sophie Gottfried’s week is spending time with her 17-year-old friend Allie Wiener. Despite their age difference, the two girls have an extraordinary bond.
School Note: Potomac Elementary Student Competes Nationally
Shirin Ghorbani, a second grader at Potomac Elementary School, won the state of Maryland's PTA Reflections art contest in the literature division with her story "Hoppy's Big Dream," and will now compete for the second time in two years at the national competition this summer. Fourteen of Potomac Elementary’ s students placed at the Montgomery County level of the PTA Reflections Art Contest, and three of those students made state rankings. This year’s national Reflections theme is “Believe, Dream, Inspire.”
Filling a Special Need
Potomac resident launches www.mamiegrace.com.
Branson joined forces with her friend, entrepreneur Andrew Dunnavant, and over the past 9 months, they have built www.mamiegrace.com — a website that features not only a detailed inventory of resources from across the US, but provides reviews and information about many of the items on the list.
Toddler Takes Crown And Heads to Nationals
Sunburst Beauty Pageant crowned its 2014 Maryland state winner, May 25.