Potomac HomeLifeStyleconnectionarchives.com/PDF/2015/120915/Potomac.pdf · The Little Farms Garden...

Potomac Almanac ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 1www.ConnectionNewspapers.com online at potomacalmanac.com

December 9-15, 2015

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‘Jolly Fat Man’ RunSupports VeteransNews, Page 5

Holiday ShoppingIn Potomac VillageGift Guide, Page 6

Ideas for Decking the HallsHomeLifeStyle, Page 9

‘Jolly Fat Man’ RunSupports VeteransNews, Page 5

Holiday ShoppingIn Potomac VillageGift Guide, Page 6

Ideas for Decking the HallsHomeLifeStyle, Page 9

DecoratingThe Tavern

News, Page 3

DecoratingThe Tavern

News, Page 3

HomeLifeStyleHomeLifeStylePage 9

HomeLifeStyle

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Gift Guide IIGift Guide II

Little Farms GardenClub members, in-cluding Pat Dean andDeb McDonald, deco-rate the Great FallsTavern every year.

Little Farms GardenClub members, in-cluding Pat Dean andDeb McDonald, deco-rate the Great FallsTavern every year.

2 ❖ Potomac Almanac ❖ December 9-15, 2015 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

Potomac Almanac ❖ December 9-15, 2015 ❖ 3www.ConnectionNewspapers.com

NewsPotomac Almanac Editor Steven Mauren

703-778-9415 or [email protected]

See www.potomacalmanac.com

By Susan Belford

The Almanac

The Christmas Spirit descendedon the Great Falls Tavern in theC&O Canal Park on Monday,Nov. 30 with 40 members of the

Little Farms Garden Club volunteering theirtime and talents. Fresh live greens, redbows, Christmas wreaths, and holiday gar-lands provided the joy of the season to thehistoric Tavern.

For 38 years, the members of the LittleFarms Garden Club have decorated theGreat Falls Tavern for Christmas. The green-ery and ribbon are donated by local busi-nesses and members of the club spend themorning making the Tavern a holiday de-light. They are assisted by staff memberMark Meyers who helps by climbing tallladders and carrying the heavy bags ofgreens and boxes of decorations.

The Little Farms Garden Club was estab-lished 53 years ago by Potomac housewives.At the time, many of Potomac residents livedon farms and the group decided to name itafter the “little farms” where many resided.The club has continued to flourish — mem-bership is by invitation and the club has 50members — all who are Potomac residents.

“I’m very fortunate to be a member,” saidJoan Armstrong. “Not only do we learn andvolunteer, but we have are so supportive ofone another — and we have formed won-derful lifelong friendships.”

“Fifty percent of our mission as a club iscommunity service,” said Trish Elliott, whoserves as president of the club. “We meetonce a month at a member’s home and lis-ten to a professional speaker who is an ex-pert on nature, gardens, flowers, techniquesfor gardening — anything that has to dowith planting and maintaining gorgeousgardens or landscaping. But the highlightof our club is the service that we performfor others.”

Ever wonder where the gazebo came fromin Potomac Village? The Little Farms Gar-den Club donated it to the community. Eachyear, they host an accredited flower showfor 100 garden clubs who enter their prize

flowers and plants, artistic floral arrange-ments and more into the show. The clubalso volunteers to make crafts and arrange-ments with Potomac Community Resources,an organization that works with people whoare developmentally handicapped. “Theyoung men and women who participate justlove it,” said Elliott. “We also redesignedand planted the landscaping at the RocklandHouse in Rockville, a transitional home for

women in need. In addition, we donateclothing and gift certificates to them.”

Member Deb McDonald said, “We are avery active group of women ages 30 - 80s.We are extremely involved with theRockland House — a home to five womenwho were coping with homelessness. Werenovated their gardens and gave them giftcertificates — but that wasn’t enough. Wealso help the women in many other ways

Local club keeps38-year tradition.

Garden Club Decorates Great Falls Tavern

and all of us are committed to this service.”Edie Perry is happy because her daugh-

ter Amy Michallas has chosen to become asecond generation in the Little Farms Gar-den Club. “I’m pleased that we can continuethe tradition,” said Perry. “It’s a wonderfulorganization that is committed to helpingothers as well as beautifying the world.”

Next Sunday from 1-4 p.m. is a 19th centurymusic program at the Tavern presented by theFriends of the Historic Great Falls Tavern.

LFGC Photo

The bowmakers are from: Marijke Young, PatriciaGrafton, Sheila Duncan-Peters, (Livi Henderson talk-ing to Bonnie Barker in the background), Carol Smithand Joan Armstrong.

LFGC Photo

A finished fireplace decoration.

Photo by Susan Belford/The Almanac

The annual group photo of the Little Farms Garden Club members.President Trish Elliott is wearing the Santa hat.

Photo by Susan Belford/The Almanac

Little Farms Garden Club President Trish Elliott withFirst Vice President Jean Mullan

YonWacker

MarlisaJeng

Holiday ShoppingAll kinds of crafts were for sale at the

Clara Barton Holiday Craft Show onSunday, Dec. 6 at the Clara BartonCommunity Recreation Center. Morethan 50 local artists participated.

Photos by

Deborah Stevens

The Almanac


LET’S TALKReal Estate

For professional advice on all aspectsof buying and selling real estate, call:

MICHAEL MATESELong & Foster Realtors

[email protected]

by Michael Matese

Don’t Let TheseThree Facts Slip

Through the Cracks!Buying a new home often involves facing a

torrent of new information, from convolutedrates and percentages, to forewarnings, sug-gestions, tips, advisements, and downrightimploration. Unfortunately, few home buyersever feel truly prepared to make the big deci-sion, and so it becomes incredibly importantto find a broker or agent you can truly trustwhile conducting as much research as possibleon your own. All too often, despite this safetynet of expert advice and self-directed study,some things still go unnoticed. Here is a brieflist of three facts that routinely go unmen-tioned, undiscovered, and undisclosed.

Knowledge is Power• Fact #1: Don’t count yourself out

until you gather all the information.While the traditional notion behind previousforeclosure would contend that you are finan-cially sunk and therefore ineligible fromqualifying for a loan to become a home-owner,in actuality this circumstance is less dire thantypically assumed. While it is true that fore-closure remains on your credit rating for upto seven years, large scale government-backedlenders such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Maehave begun imposing just three-year penaltiesfor foreclosure. Though you may be requiredto pay a higher down payment or pay slightlyhigher interest rates, you aren’t disqualifiedfrom the dream of home ownership as easilyas you may assume.

• Fact #2: Be sure to check into thehousing codes and regulations pertain-ing to properties you are interested in.Prospective buyers would do well to work dili-gently to ensure that recent renovations,additions, and improvements were conductedin conjunction with guidelines set by now-starving city planning departments. If youpurchase a home with violations, you may besaddled with the responsibility of bringingthem to code.

• Fact #3: Hire your own people. It isimportant not to expose yourself to liabilityby accepting the seller’s offer to use theiragent, appraiser, or inspector. These profes-sionals owe an allegiance to the person payingfor their service, so it’s best to hire your ownteam of licensed home specialists.

People

Ready forChristmasStephanie Saasand her son,Grayson, buytheir tree atthe Cabin JohnFire StationChristmas TreeSale last week-end. Volun-teers JoelLevitt andLaila El-Hifnawi helpedpackage thetree.

Photo by Deborah Stevens/The Almanac

Students TriumphOur Lady of MercySchool’s eighth gradestudents challenged thefaculty and administra-tion in the annual TurkeyBowl on Nov. 25. Thestudents won 30-23.

Photo

Contributed

THURSDAY/DEC. 10Forum: Sex Trafficking and

Minors. 7-9 p.m. at The HealthSciences Center of MontgomeryCollege–Takoma Campus, 7977Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Citizensare invited to discuss legislativesolutions, supports systems, andother issues related to trafficking.Visit www.facebook.com/events/1028102433876879.

DEC. 11-JAN. 1Holiday SoberRide. 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

Offered by the nonprofit WashingtonRegional Alcohol Program (WRAP),the annual Holiday SoberRideprogram will provide free cab ridesup to $30. Call 1-800-200-TAXI.

THROUGH JAN. 8, 2016Deadline for Entries. The Bethesda

Arts & Entertainment District isaccepting entries from Maryland,Virginia and the District of Columbiafilmmakers for the annual BethesdaFilm Fest. Visit www.bethesda.org formore.

MONDAY/DEC. 14Montgomery County Civic

Federation Meeting. 7:45-10 p.m.at the County Council OfficeBuilding, 100 Maryland Ave.,Rockville. The speakers – NataliaCarrizosa, Aron Trombka andStephanie Bryant – will discuss therecent report on Montgomery CountyPublic Schools (MCPS) by theCounty’s Office of LegislativeOversight (OLO). Visitwww.montgomerycivic.org.

TUESDAY/DEC. 15Deadline to Apply for

Transportation Scholarships.Cornerstone Montgomery, inpartnership with The Rotary Club ofNorth Bethesda, District 7620 ofRotary International, and BarwoodInc. to provide travel vouchers tohelp transport disabled individuals inMontgomery County, Maryland toplaces of employment at hours whenand in locations where publictransportation systems are notoperating. Visitwww.getme2work.org.

Bulletin Board

Email announcements to [email protected]. Include date, time,location, description and contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos andartwork welcome. Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least two weeks before event.


One coupon per customer. Validwith coupon only. Not valid with any

other offer. Expires 12/31/15.

Any UPS or FedEx ship-ment of 10 lbs. or more or$1.00 OFF if under 10 lbs.





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News

By Susan Belford

The Almanac

Yank yourself out of that warm bed,jump into your running gear — andhead to Bethesda’s Capital CrescentTrail on Dec. 12 to run or walk with

the “Jolly Fat Man.”For the past 19 years, The Sergeant’s Pro-

gram (now Sergeant’s Fitness Concepts) hasbrought its recruits, clients and friends — andone “jolly fat man” to run or walk down thetrail to support a charitable cause. The pastthree years, the event has benefited OperationSecond Chance (OSC) — an organization com-mitted to serving wounded, injured and ill com-bat veterans.

Sergeant Chuck Dyson will lead a groupwarm-up to the “Go Granny Song” and otherfast-paced tunes that will get the body movingand the feet feeling ready to walk, jog or race.The warm-up will be held at 8 a.m. in front ofMon Ami Gabi, 7239 Woodmont Ave. Thegroup will then travel down the Capital Cres-cent Trail for whatever distance each personchooses — then return to the post-run celebra-tion between 9:30-10:30 for a breakfast at theAmerican Tap Room. Registration is $40 andparticipants receive a shirt, post-event break-fast and the opportunity to participate in araffle with prizes donated by local merchantsto help support OSC.

Dyson explains what the event has meant tohim: “It has been my honor to be a participantin this event for the past 19 years. As a formerArmy, Viet Nam-era veteran, it is a pleasure tobe able to give back to the men and womenwho go out each day of the year and help topreserve the freedoms some take for granted.We didn’t have this kind of support, so thistouches me in a special way. Our gift to themand to their families is our way of saying thanksfor their sacrifices that they’ve made and con-tinue to do. Many who participate in this eventare members of our camps and lots of peoplejoin us who have heard about our programthrough the media or from their friends. Thegood news is that veterans and their familiesattend this event as well. Some have expressed

served us.”Sergeant’s Fitness Concepts, created with the

merger of The Sergeant’s Program and Cus-tom Fitness Concepts in September 2015, pro-vides indoor and outdoor boot camp classes toclientele in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Head-quartered in Potomac, the company runs theoriginal and oldest civilian boot camp programin the U.S. Tom Kalka, president of Sergeant’sFitness Concepts said, “While our program ismilitary styled, we also understand that we arenot training soldiers to go off to war. But, welook forward to providing certain aspects thatthe military is well-known for including

accountability, camaraderie, esprit de corpsand discipline. In our programs, we build a fit-ness community and you become a part of ateam. Everyone works together towards achiev-ing their goals.

“As an Army veteran, I am thrilled to run inmy first Jolly Fat Man’s event and to work withOperation Second Chance,” added Kalka. “Be-ing able to raise funds and awareness for OSCin order to support veterans, brings new mean-ing to our program and offers Sergeant’s Fit-ness Concepts a chance to give back.”

For more information and to register for theJolly Fat Man Run/Walk, visitwww.sargefitness.com/events.

what Operation Second Chance has done forthem and their families. This is one of the mostheartwarming events I’ve ever attended. Theoutpouring of love is very rewarding.”

Operation Second Chance, a 501c(3)founded by Cindy McGrew in 2004, is com-mitted to serving wounded, injured and allcombat veterans. It supports veterans and theirfamilies while they recover at the Walter ReedNational Military Medical Center. It is also dedi-cated to promoting public awareness of themany sacrifices made by the Armed Forces.

“Over the past 10 years, OSC has providedmore than $2.5 million in assistance and mo-rale activities to our wounded, injured and illveterans. We receive requests for assistanceevery day from veterans who are struggling tokeep up with their bills,” said McGrew. “Weassist with rent and mortgage payments, util-ity bills, travel lodging and daily essentialitems, like food, clothing, etc. We also hostmonthly caregiver days, which gives thecaregivers an opportunity to be pampered forthe day. Additionally, we offer hunting and fish-ing programs and couples’ retreats that offer achance for families to reconnect. It is becauseof the generosity of our nation’s communitiesand programs like The Sergeant’s Program thatwe are able to serve those who so bravely

Fundraising eventmarks 20th anniversary.

‘Jolly Fat Man’ Supports Veterans

Runners warm up at last year’s “Jolly Fat Man” run/walk.

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By Susan Belford

The Almanac

The clock is ticking. Soon, all yourholiday shopping must be finished.This year, instead of driving

through Potomac to the mall or to Bethesda— save yourself the hassle of jockeying fora parking place, the frustration of search-ing through boring department stores andshop in Potomac. You won’t have to jostlethrough crowds, wait in lines, or drive foran hour only to find nothing on your list.The best news: local store owners will givelots of help locating that one-of-a kind per-fect present just a few blocks away fromwhere you live.

Here are just a few of the stores that stocka variety of gifts for all ages.

Flora’s Feathered Nest | Room andGarden Decor

Just north of Potomac Village is Flora’sFeathered Nest which overflows with paint-ings, pillows, gift items, vintage furniture,clocks, candles and a variety of “one of akind” items that cannot be found anywhereelse.

Long before the holidays, owner MarciaCopenhaver and her assistants, Sandy andEllen transform the store into a Christmaswonderland — a collection of decoratedtrees, ornaments, candles, one-of-a-kindgifts, books, jewelry, chocolates and more.“Our holiday decorating is truly unique,”said Copenhaver. “Customers come timeand time again to view the variety of gor-geous decorations and displays and togather ideas and holiday items for theirhomes. We have seen a big increase in holi-day shopping and orders for custom bows,wreaths, and decorative baskets.” Anothertime-saver is Flora’s provides distinctivebags to “wrap” everygift — ready to give.

Flora’s FeatheredNest is a source of giftsfor fox-hunters, horseand dog lovers. Find abook of “BeautifulPaddocks, Horse Barnsand Tack Rooms” or afox ornament — oreven fox plates andcoasters. For seafarers,decorate a tree with a“From the Sea” themeincluding whale andoctopus ornaments,anchors or sea lan-terns. The store isloaded with reindeerof all kinds as well ashand-towels, platesand bowls that con-tinue the reindeertheme. Another won-derful gift is the hand-

Holiday Shopping in Potomac Village

Find a fancy reindeer todecorate a tree at Flora’s.

Stores offer varietyand customer service.

JT Interiors carries a full selectionof gifts for babies.

made chocolates made by Bethesda’s localchocolatiere — Chouquette Artisan Choco-lates and Confections.

Flora’s Feathered Nest, located at 12211River Road is open Tuesday through Satur-day from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sun-days from 12 – 4 p.m. Call 301-765-0003or go to www.florasfeathernest.com formore information.

JT InteriorsLocated in the heart of Potomac Village,

JT Interiors specializes in home furnishings,accessories, gourmet food items and awealth of gifts. During the holiday season,the store glows with decorative trees andglittering lights.

JT Interiors features both Hanukkah andChristmas décor and gifts. The Hanukkahcollection includes Menorahs, Mezuzahcandles, Napkins, and more. Elegant Christ-

mas arrangements,gorgeous mirrors, Nestcandles, “Naughty andNice” ornaments andholiday garlands deckevery room, making ita joyful experience toseek out the perfectpresent for that “per-son who has every-thing.”

Some ideas for giftsfrom JT Interiors in-clude “wine aprons”for gift bottles of wineas well as hand/kitchen towels. Theseare unique forPotomac and Bethesdagifts because they fea-ture a quip such as,“You never know howmany friends you haveuntil you throw a partyin Potomac (or

Bethesda – wherever one lives.)” Other giftsideas are lovely décor books such as “Ve-randa – A Passion for Living,” or footed cakedomes, Christmas placemats, Santa candles,or decorated shoe and lingerie bags forkeeping everything neatly in place whiletraveling.

Terri Downs is the owner of JT Interiorsin Potomac and theKentlands. Thesestores are also full-service interior de-sign companiesthat provide designconsultants andskilled craftsmen toupdate and deco-rate homes. One oftheir areas of ex-pertise is windowtreatments, butthey also providecarpenters, faux-finishers and otherhome decoratingspecialists. Downs also owns Savannah’sand Downs and Company in Leesburg.

JT Interiors is located at 9905 River Roadin Potomac Village. Call 301-299-0485.They are open from 10 – 6 p.m. Mondaythrough Wednesday and Saturday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday and 12-5 p.m.Sunday.

Strosnider’s Hardware StorePotomac’s hardware store is a haven for

the unexpected. The hardware has set uptheir holiday displays, making it easy to findsomething unusual and affordable for thatspecial person. Besides carrying tools,Strosnider’s stocks deep turkey fryers, gour-met coffees including organic, Green Moun-tain, Starbucks Tazo Teas and more, Keurig,Mr. Coffee and Krups coffee makers, micro-waves, warming trays, rice cookers andmany more small appliances.

For the Christmas holidays, they featuresnowflake runners, Christmas candles,Mommy/Daddy and children’s Christmasaprons, cookie cutters, trivets, red teapots,butter dishes and salt and pepper shakers,

potholders, towels, cocktail napkins, crack-ers and everything Christmas.

Retro-toys are an exciting addition toStrosnider’s holiday wares. Stop by to pur-chase silly putty and silly string, yoyos,Magic Rocks or those balsa wood airplanes.Or get them their own car. Strosnider’s hasa large selection of desirable miniature cars,

i n c l u d i n gP o r s c h e s ,Lamborghinis ,Ferraris, helicop-ters, fire trucksand police carsfor children andgrandchildren.

S t r o s n i d e r ’ sHardware Storeis located at10110 RiverRoad in PotomacVillage betweenthe Safeway andStarbucks. Theirhours are Mon-

day – Saturday 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sun-day 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 301- 299-6333.

Colonial OpticiansDon’t miss the selection of sunglasses,

eyeglass frames, eyeglass holders — andeven reading glasses with lights embeddedfor reading in bed. Colonial Opticians hasbeen in Potomac for 30 years — and mostresidents know them for their customer ser-vice, variety of frames and careful fitting.Some of the brands of shades that they carryare Tom Ford, Gucci, Tiffany, Jimmy Choo,Oakley, Maui Jim, Juicy, Safiro and more.They also carry ski, swim and snorkelinggoggles that can be custom fit with a pre-scription – a thoughtful gift surprise for ski-ers, swimmers and divers. Colonial Opti-cians is also a great place to find innova-tive stocking stuffers.

Started in 1964, Colonial Opticians is afamily owned and operated. It is located at10130 River Road, Potomac in the PotomacPlace Shopping Center. Store hours are 10a.m.-6 p.m. Monday – Saturday. They areclosed on Sunday. Call 301-299-5222.

Pick up a toy at Strosnider’s in Potomac Village.

Opera glasses from Colonial Opticians

Holiday Guide

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Potomac Village Deli Catering

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner Catering

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Advertising Deadlines are the previous Thursday unless noted.

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Reaching Suburban Washington’s Leading Households• Alexandria Gazette Packet• Arlington Connection• Burke Connection• Centre View• Chantilly Connection

• Fairfax Connection• Fairfax Station/Clifton/Lorton Connection• Great Falls Connection• McLean Connection• Mount Vernon Gazette

• Oak Hill/Herndon Connection• Potomac Almanac• Reston Connection• Springfield Connection• Vienna/Oakton Connection

Newspapers & Online703-778-9431

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SPECIAL CONNECTIONS CALENDAR

Award-WinningAward-

Winning

Santa ArrivalsSanta and his firefighter elves will

make their way through the streets ofthe community collecting toys for theNational Center for Children and Fami-lies in Bethesda and the USMC Toys forTots Program. Children who donate atoy will get a candy cane from Santa.The decked out and lit fire truck will beon the roads nightly from Dec. 7-20, 6-9 p.m. On Christmas Eve, Santa willdeliver the collected toys to the NationalCenter for Children and Families onGreentree Road, Bethesda. Presents maybe brought out to Santa on the FireTruck or to either Cabin John Fire Sta-tion. Visit www.cjpvfd.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 11Neighborhoods: Fox Meadow, River

Oaks Farm, Potomac Farm Estates,Potomac Hills, Potomac Manors,Great Falls Estates, Potomac FallsEstates

SATURDAY/DEC. 12Neighborhoods: Mountain Gate,Eagle

Rock, Natelli Woods, Potomac Ranch,River Falls, Fawsett Farms

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Neighborhoods: Cabin John/Cabin

John Park, Evergreen, CongressionalCountry Club Estates

MONDAY/DEC. 14No Santa Runs – Annual Dept. Meeting

TUESDAY/DEC. 15Neighborhoods: Arrowood, Bradley

Hills GroveMake Up Night for any missed area or

for inclement weather thus far

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 16Neighborhoods: Seven Locks Hills,

Burning Tree Estates, Rose HillEstates, Stonehurst Center,Smithfield

THURSDAY/DEC. 17Neighborhoods: Congressional

Manor, Carderock Springs,Clewerwall ( the neighborhood),Glengarry, Carderock, The Palisades

FRIDAY/DEC. 18Neighborhoods: Avenel, River Road

Estates, Williamsburg Estates,Concord, The Village (theneighborhood), WilliamsburgGardens

SATURDAY/DEC. 19Neighborhoods: Congressional

Country Club Estates, West BethesdaPark, Oakwood Knolls, Locust Ridge,Cohasset, Bradley Park, Burning TreeValley, Frenchman’s Creek

SUNDAY/DEC. 20Neighborhoods: Alvermar Woods,

Potomac Hunt Acres, Tara, PotomacView Estates

MONDAY/DEC. 21Neighborhoods: Merry Go Round

Farm, Beallmount, Lake Potomac,Stoney Creek Farm, Saddle Ridge

TUESDAY/DEC. 22Neighborhoods: Potomac Village,

Camotop, Falconhurst, BradleyFarms, McAuley Park, KentdaleEstates, Bradley Blvd. Estates,Congressional Forest Estates

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 23Neighborhoods: Bannockburn,

Bannockburn Estates, Al Marah,Wilson Knolls (1st due only)

THURSDAY/DEC. 24Santa Delivers Toys to the

Children. Noon. Schedule is subjectto change due to weather andimmediate emergency response.

Family EventsONGOINGChristmas Tree Sale. Cabin John

Volunteer Fire Department, Station10, 8001 River Road. Call 301-365-2255 for more.

Winter Lights Festival. Through Dec.31, Sunday-Thursday, 6-9 p.m.;Friday-Saturday, 6-10 p.m. at SenecaCreek Park, 11950 Clopper Road,Gaithersburg. Winter Lights is a 3.5-mile drive through a holiday lightshow at Seneca Creek Park with morethan 360 illuminated displays.Additional events include WineUnder the Lights, Run Under theLights, Leashes ’n’ Lights, and, S’MoreLights & Trolley Rides. Visitwww.gaithersburgmd.gov/leisure/special-events/winter-lights-festival.

“Garden of Lights.” Through Jan. 3,various times at Brookside Gardens,1800 Glenallan Ave., Silver Spring.More than a million colorful lightsare shaped into hand-crafted, originalart forms of flowers, animals andother natural elements. Stroll fromgarden to garden enjoying twinklingtree forms, fountains, sparklingsnowflakes overhead and more.Tickets are $25-30 per vehicle. Visitwww.montgomeryparks.org.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 12-13Christmas on the Farm. 12-5 p.m. at

Montgomery Farm. Visitwww.Montgomeryparks.org formore.

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Jingle Bell Jog. 9-10:30 a.m. at the

Rockville Senior Center, 1150Carnation Drive. Registration is freefor Montgomery County RoadRunners Club, $10 for nonmembersand $5 for non-members under 18.See www.mcrrc.org.

Chanukah Family Spectacular.5:30 p.m. at Bethesda Lane. Attendthis Menorah-lighting event withlocal celebrities, entertainment,music, food and more. Free. Visitwww.bethesdarow.com/events formore.

Live MusicWEDNESDAY/DEC. 9Seth Kibel & Friends: Hanukkah

Hodgepodge. 7:30 p.m. at TheMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.

Jazz, swing, and klezmer cometogether with multi-Wammie-winnerKibel and friends as they explore theintersection of Jewish and Americanmusic. Tickets are $25. Visitwww.strathmore.org.

THURSDAY/DEC. 10’Tis the Season with Brian Stokes

Mitchell. 8 p.m. at The MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Brian Stokes Mitchell joins theBaltimore Symphony OrchestraSuperPops to to perform traditionaland contemporary holiday favorites.Tickets are $35-99. Visitwww.bsomusic.org for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Gilmore’s Light Ensemble. 1 p.m. at

Great Falls Tavern, 11710 MacArthurBlvd., Potomac. The ensemble playsand sings traditional 19th centuryholiday music using hammereddulcimer, guitar, banjo, mandolin,and accordion, wearing clothing ofthe mid-1800s. Free. The park’sentrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Call301-767-3714 for more.

“Celebrating The Holydays.” 4 p.m.at The Music Center at Strathmore,5301 Tuckerman Lane, NorthBethesda. The all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble SweetHoney in the Rock performs familiarAfrican-American spirituals alongwith music influenced by Latin,Chinese, African, and Hebrewcultures. Tickets are $25-75. Visitwww.strathmore.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 18Lloyd Dobler Effect: Holiday

Experience Concert. 7 p.m. at F.Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Thesongs performed on this evening area mixture of holiday favorites,originals that are performed in analternate fashion, and more. Ticketsare $15-23. Visitwww.facebook.com/lloyddoblereffect.

“A Candlelight Christmas.” Varioustimes at Music Center at Strathmore,5301 Tuckerman Lane, NorthBethesda. With brass, organ,percussion, and harp, Julian Wachnerdirects the 200-voice WashingtonChorus in a program featuringChristmas classics, sing a-longs, anda candlelight processional. Ticketsstart at $18. Visitwww.thewashingtonchorus.org.

Gilmore’s Light Ensemble plays and sings traditional 19thcentury holiday music using hammered dulcimer, guitar,banjo, mandolin, and accordion, wearing clothing of themid-1800s. Watch on Sunday, Dec. 13 at Great Falls Tav-ern, 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac. Free. The park’sentrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Call 301-767-3714.

Holiday Guide


SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 19-20National Philharmonic:

“Messiah.” 8 p.m. on Saturday, 3p.m. on Sunday at the Music Centerat Strathmore, 5301 TuckermanLane, North Bethesda. The NationalPhilharmonic Orchestra and Choraleperform Handel’s Messiah. Ticketsstart at $28. Admission for childrenage 7-17 is free. Visitwww.nationalphilharmonic.org.

SUNDAY/DEC. 20Rockville Concert Band:

“Welcome Winter.” 3 p.m. at F.Scott Fitzgerald Theatre, 603Edmonston Drive, Rockville. Listen toclassic wintertime music selections.Free. Visit www.rocknet.org/Leisure/Band for more.

Performing ArtsFRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 11-13“The Nutcracker.” 7:30 p.m. on

Friday, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. onSaturday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. onSunday at Robert E. ParillaPerforming Arts Center–MontgomeryCollege, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has beenpresenting the full-length traditionalstaging of The Nutcracker since1989. Tickets start at $19. Visitwww.mbtdance.org for more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC.12-13“The Mini-Nut.” 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3

p.m. at Montgomery College CulturalArts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave.,Silver Spring. The Maryland YouthBallet will present an abbreviatedchild-friendly version of the classic“Nutcracker.” Tickets are $15 forchildren 10 and under in advance,$20 at the door, $20 for adults at thedoor and in advance. Visitwww.marylandyouthballet.org.

DEC. 18-20, 20, 26-27“The Nutcracker.” Various times at

Robert E. Parilla Performing ArtsCenter Montgomery CollegeRockville Campus, 51 Mannakee St.,Rockville. Join the Maryland YouthBallet for the 26th season of the full-length classic choreographed byArtistic Director, Michelle Lees.Tickets are $26-36. Visitwww.marylandyouthballet.org.

The Waverly Street Gallery is holding a holiday exhibit titled “RED,” a group showfeaturing 18 gallery members working in diverse media including block print, pho-tography, and ceramics. The theme of the exhibit being “red,” the art will celebratethe holidays through the influence of the color red. The opening exhibit will be heldon Friday, Dec. 11, 6-9 p.m. Admission to the exhibit and the reception is free. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.com for more.

Waverly Street GalleryCelebrates Holidays With ‘RED’

Collage by Tom Kenyon and fused glass by Jill Tanenbaum.

MONDAY-TUESDAY/DEC. 21-22Moscow Ballet Great Russian

Nutcracker. 8 p.m. at The MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Tickets are $48-88. Visitwww.strathmore.org.

ArtTHROUGH JAN. 2Waverly Street Gallery Holiday

Show. 12-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturdayat Waverly Street Gallery, 4600 East-West Highway, Bethesda. Attend thisgroup show to celebrate the holidaysthrough the influence of the colorred. Free. Visitwww.waverlystreetgallery.com

THURSDAY/ DEC. 10Holiday Wreath. 7-9 p.m. at VisArts at

Rockville, 155 Gibbs St. Lead byinstructor Kim Swanner, participantswill make their own winter wreath.Cost is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 12Fused Glass Holiday Ornaments.

12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. The fee is$20. Visit www.visartsatrockville.orgfor more.

Holiday Wreath. 2-4 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. Lead byinstructor Kim Swanner, participantswill make their own winter wreath.Cost is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Fused Glass Holiday Ornaments.

12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. The fee is$20. Visit www.visartsatrockville.org.

FRIDAY/DEC. 18Adults Only Gingerbread House

Workshop. 7-9 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. VisArtsprovides assembled gingerbreadhouse, bags of royal icing and candy.Alcohol available for purchase. Thefee is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

SUNDAY/DEC. 20Gingerbread House Workshop. 12-

2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. VisArtsprovides assembled gingerbreadhouse, bags of royal icing and candy.The fee is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Basic Woodworking Workshop:Festive Reindeers. 12-4 p.m. atVisArts at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St.Children ages 7-11 will design,handcraft, and decorate their veryown wooden holiday reindeer art.Students will learn woodworkingsafety and how to use tools such ashammers, saws, and sanding tools.Tickets are $65. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

Email community entertainment eventsto [email protected] date, time, location, descriptionand contact for event: phone, email and/or website. Photos and artwork welcome.Deadline is Thursday at noon, at least twoweeks before event.

WEDNESDAY/DEC. 9Seth Kibel & Friends: Hanukkah

Hodgepodge. 7:30 p.m. at TheMusic Center at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Jazz, swing, and klezmer cometogether with multi-Wammie-winnerKibel and friends as they explore theintersection of Jewish and Americanmusic. Tickets are $25. Visitwww.strathmore.org.

“Let Freedom Sing.” 8 p.m. at OhrKodesh Synagogue, 8300Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase.Zemer Chai, the Jewish Chorale ofthe Nation’s Capital present “LetFreedom Sing: Songs of Justice &Celebration,” with special guests, TheBethesda-Chevy Chase High SchoolChamber Singers. Tickets are $10.Visit www.zemerchai.org for more.

THURSDAY/DEC. 10Holiday Wreath. 7-9 p.m. at VisArts

at Rockville, 155 Gibbs St. Lead byinstructor Kim Swanner, participantswill make their own winter wreath.Cost is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org for more.

’Tis the Season with Brian StokesMitchell. 8 p.m. at The MusicCenter at Strathmore, 5301Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda.Brian Stokes Mitchell joins theBaltimore Symphony Orchestra

SuperPops to to perform traditionaland contemporary holiday favorites.Tickets are $35-99. Visitwww.bsomusic.org for more.

FRIDAY/DEC. 11“VAC Revealed” Opening

Reception. 6-9 p.m. at Gallery B,7700 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda.Celebrate the Montgomery CountyPublic Schools Visual Art Center(VAC) exhibition of original artworkcreated by the program’s 22 seniorsas well as teachers Mygenet Harrisand Jane Walsh of the MCPS VisualArt Center Program at Albert EinsteinHigh School. Free. Visitwww.bethesda.org for more.

Potomac After Hours. 9:15-11 p.m.at Potomac Community RecreationCenter, 11315 Falls Road, Potomac.Middle schoolers (6-8th graders) areinvited to attend “football night.”Play soccer, basketball shooting,table tennis, and pool tournaments.Admission is $5. Visitwww.activemontgomery.org and usecode #11950 to register.

FRIDAY-SUNDAY/DEC. 11-13“The Nutcracker.” 7:30 p.m. on

Friday, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. onSaturday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. onSunday at Robert E. ParillaPerforming Arts Center–MontgomeryCollege, 51 Mannakee St., Rockville.Metropolitan Ballet Theatre has beenpresenting the full-length traditionalstaging of The Nutcracker since1989. Tickets start at $19. Visitwww.mbtdance.org for more.

SATURDAY/DEC. 12Potomac Library Book Sale. 10

a.m.-1 p.m. at 10101 GlenoldenDrive. Sponsored by the Friends ofthe Library, Potomac Chapter. Runsmost months. Most hardbacks are $1and paperbacks are $.50. Visitwww.montgomerycountymd.gov/library/branches/potomac.html.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra:“Sleigh Ride.” 10 a.m. and 11:30a.m. at Silver Spring Civic Center, 1Veterans Place, Silver Spring. Part ofthe Music Box Concert Series, “SleighRide” is a participatory, music-oriented program for children sixmonths to three years old. Tickets are$12. Visit www.bsomusic.org formore.

Advice for Adopters, Fosters, andOther Dog Lovers. 11:45-1:45

p.m. at Your Dog’s FriendTraining Center, 12221Parklawn Drive, Rockville.Expert will discuss dogtraining and behavior, helpfulpet products, and the manycommon issues that dogguardians face. Free. Visitwww.yourdogsfriend.org/free-workshops.Fused Glass HolidayOrnaments. 12-2 p.m. and3-5 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. Thefee is $20. Visitwww.visartsatrockville.org formore.Open Studios Saturday.12-5 p.m. at Artists & MakersStudios, 11810 ParklawnDrive, Suite 210, Rockville.Artists working in jewelry, silkpainting, glass, printmaking,ceramics, watercolor andacrylic painting, oil painting,fiber art, mixed media,graphic design, encaustic, andmore to discover in onelocation. Browse threegalleries filled with wearablegifts by members of thePotomac Fiber Arts Guild.Free. Visitwww.artistsandmakersstudios.com.Holiday Wreath. 2-4 p.m.at VisArts at Rockville, 155Gibbs St. Lead by instructor

Kim Swanner, participants will maketheir own winter wreath. Cost is $20.Visit www.visartsatrockville.org formore.

Postcard Making: “News FromHome.” 4 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. CuratorsYeim Bae and Yunjeong Hong willintroduce creative ways of makingpostcards while exploring theconcept of “home” with the audience.Free. Visit www.visartsatrockville.orgfor more.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY/DEC.12-13“The Mini-Nut.” 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3

p.m. at Montgomery College CulturalArts Center, 7995 Georgia Ave.,Silver Spring. The Maryland YouthBallet will present an abbreviatedchild-friendly version of the classic“Nutcracker.” Tickets are $15 forchildren 10 and under in advance,$20 at the door, $20 for adults at thedoor and in advance. Visitwww.marylandyouthballet.org formore.

Christmas on the Farm. 12-5 p.m. atMontgomery Farm. Visitwww.Montgomeryparks.org formore.

SUNDAY/DEC. 13Jingle Bell Jog. 9-10:30 a.m. at the

Rockville Senior Center, 1150Carnation Drive. Registration is freefor Montgomery County RoadRunners Club, $10 for nonmembersand $5 for non-members under 18.See www.mcrrc.org.

Coffee and Critique. 10 a.m.-12 p.m.at Photoworks at Glen Echo Park,7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo.Guests are invited to bring photos forinformal feedback from Photoworksfaculty and enjoy coffee and bagels.Free. Visitwww.glenechophotoworks.org.

Fused Glass Holiday Ornaments.12-2 p.m. and 3-5 p.m. at VisArts atRockville, 155 Gibbs St. The fee is$20. Visit www.visartsatrockville.orgfor more.

Gilmore’s Light Ensemble. 1 p.m. atGreat Falls Tavern, 11710 MacArthurBlvd., Potomac. The ensemble playsand sings traditional 19th centuryholiday music using hammereddulcimer, guitar, banjo, mandolin,and accordion, wearing clothing ofthe mid-1800s. Free. The park’sentrance fee is $10 per vehicle. Call301-767-3714 for more.

Calendar

Holiday Guide


By Marilyn Campbell

The Almanac

From traditional to glamorous,fresh to faux and high-end to oldschool, local tastemakers tell howthey create holiday dazzling holi-

day design extravaganzas.Karen Velehoski and the rest of the de-

sign team at Merrifield Garden Center inFair Oaks, Va., spend nearly a year planningand building the holiday displays that over-take each store during the Yuletide season.

In creating the holiday wonderlands, thedesigners assemble each space around atheme, maintaining consistency in style,color and texture. Their goal is to dreamup design concepts that will inspire.

“We hope that people will get ideas fortheir own homes, but the first step is to fo-cus on color,” said Velehoski. “You can in-corporate family heirlooms or decorationsthat you’ve had for years if you coordinatethe colors. You can really use ribbons to tiethe colors together easily.”

For example, they designed a rustic spacethat draws inspiration from a snow-coveredforest. “It’s decorated with things likebranches, berries, birds and other outdooranimals,” said Velehoski. “And we used red,plaid ribbon to keep the outdoorsy feel.”

There’s another winter scene that sparkleswith décor in hues of gold, copper and plati-num, and a classic display that pays hom-age to time-honored traditions. “It appealsto people who like greens, reds and poin-settias,” said Velehoski. “This year we in-corporated a little bit of black with that red,white and green which is pretty.”

There’s even inspiration for those with apenchant for pastels. “It has an icy look,”said Velehoski. “It has an icy, frozen winterwonderland feel with snowflakes andicicles. We used a lot of pale blue, pink anda touch of silver.”

Simple, clean and fresh are words thatGretchen Fuss, an interior designer withTchoupitoulas Furnishings in Alexandria,Va., uses to characterize her holiday designaesthetic.

“I don’t like to over do it when it comesto holiday design,” she said. “I love themood and ambiance of white lights. Itchanges the feel of a room. I like candlelitrooms.”

Fuss says she uses a minimalist approachto incorporating family heirlooms with newacquisitions. “I do little vignettes where I’llhave a piece, for example, that my motheronce used to store ornaments in, and I’lluse that to display fresh greenery.”

The designer has even created holidayadornments of her own. “I’ve made holiday

HomeLifeStyleIdeas for Decking the HallsLocal designers create opulent holiday designs.

Photo courtesy of Gretchen Fuss

Gretchen Fuss, an interior designerwith Tchoupitoulas Furnishings,created this holiday tree.

Photo courtesy of Patina Polished Living

Amanda Mertins of Patina PolishedLiving advises using an urn togreet guests at the front door.

sculptures,” said Fuss. “I even made littleflower-shaped sculptures that I put togetherto make a six-foot tall Christmas tree.”

Fuss adds white back-lighting, whichshines through each flower petal, illuminat-ing the tree.

Candles, ribbons and bows hanging on amantle, swags of greenery and garlandsdraped over wall art and mirrors are whatvisitors who enter the spaces created by thedesigners of Patina Polished Living in Alex-andria, Va., will see.

“… A string of lights combined with or-naments might flow down the center of atable, or shine inside a cloche combinedwith a winter wonderland theme,” said de-signer Amanda Mertins.

For an exterior space, Mertins advisesusing a twinkling wreath or a lit arrange-ment in an urn to greet guests at the frontdoor.

Maintaining thematic consistency is a pre-cept that designer Jenne Whitlaw, of GTMArchitects in Bethesda, recommends whenconceiving ideas for holiday spaces. “Pick acentral focal point, and echo the sentimentaround the space, for both indoor and out-door,” she said. “This allows the eye tobounce around your holiday canvas, expe-riencing asymmetrical visual harmony andbalance.”

For those who prefer holiday decor inmuted hues, Whitlaw suggests, “neutrals[like] winter white and pale greys, whenpaired with light, reflective metallics andsparkle add elegance and a sense of time-less wonder to every room.”

For a touch of whimsy, Whitlaw recom-mends adding decorations to unexpectedplaces. “For a surprising embellishment,how about placing ornaments around thevanity in your powder room?” asksWhitlaw. “Chandeliers are also a perfecttheatre in the round for cascading trinketsand greenery.”

Photo courtesy of Merrifield Garden Center

This rustic holiday space incorporates branches and animals.


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By KENNETH B. LOURIE

I Beg YourIndulgence

Even after seven years as a patient in thecancer whirled, I still find it emotionally diffi-cult to promptly return a well-meaningphone call or a likewise intended e-mailwhen the message/content is clearly havingto do with my health and welfare. Not that Idon’t appreciate, and on many levels, mostlikely need these kinds of communications;nevertheless, the challenge of summoning upthe intestinal fortitude to discuss, detail, out-line, rehash, speculate, articulate, wonder,hope, fear, introspect, extrovert, try to makelight of and not be made heavy by, in addi-tion to all the other miscellaneous anxieties acancer patient experiences 24/7, is often toomuch. And as regularly as we are left alonewith our own thoughts, sometimes, the emo-tional road less traveled is the one fraughtwith fewer bumps and bruises.

Not that I want to get stupid and live in a“cone of silence,” where I can’t be heardand others can’t hear me; that wouldn’t besmart. Still, as often as not, the effort torespond in kind is not respectfully honored.It’s an odd reaction to be sure. Receivinginquiries is one thing, a helpful thing, almostlike “Thing” from “The Addams family,” butnot responding is quite another thing. It’s notexactly akin to trudging through the snow –uphill, in winter, as our parents all claimedthey did, but the emotional weight of it issomething that I’m probably having difficultyexplaining – as much as I’m trying.

Maybe this is all just an excuse to obfus-cate my ill-mannered and disrespectful negli-gence. How poorly was I raised that I don’tknow enough to provide a common cour-tesy? People ask, you answer. When one issick or “diseased,” and friends, family andco-workers reach out, one is not supposed topull back, right? I should appreciate theirsupport and absorb whatever positiveenergy/good vibrations they’re sending. Let’sface it, as I do most days; living with canceris not exactly a solitary pursuit. Although itmay seem like it, at home, alone, especiallyat night when tossing and turning and notsleeping becomes an Olympic sport, the can-cer experience is not a meal best servedcold, if you know what I mean.

Regular interaction with humans, and Idon’t mean radio, television or Internet, isthe next best thing to being there/reachingout and actually touching someone or beingtouched (which is likely another benefit).Moreover, being made to feel alive and well– and dare I say, normal (not diagnosed withcancer), is the goal, but the figurative ele-phant in our world is not just in one room,one time; it’s in every room all the time; it’sherd but not seen. But difficult to ignorenonetheless.

Stage IV lung cancer is like that. It’s typicalthat when symptoms manifest themselves,the patient is already inoperable and tumorswhich gave the patient no indication thatthey even existed, have now metastasized(moved/grown). Ergo, the staging. There is nostage V, by the way. This is not to imply thatit’s ever too late. It’s just hard to assimilatewhen the diagnosis comes out of the blueand previously you were feeling in the pink.In this context, the silence of it (meaning thelack of symptoms) was not golden; any morethan my silence now in not responding towell-wishers is golden. It’s not. It’s self-indul-gent and most times I readily acknowledge it.However, I feel powerless to affect it. Pleasedon’t take my lack of a timely response per-sonally. I’m just trying to navigate as best Ican. As George Costanza made famous on along-ago “Seinfeld” episode: “It’s not you. Ifit’s anybody, it’s me.…”


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By Jon Roetman

The Almanac

The Whitman girls’ basketball programhas won two of the last three regionchampionships, posting a record of 65-

9 during that stretch. This year, the Vikingsreturn four players who have received DivisionI offers and enter the season battle tested fol-lowing a preseason full of scrimmages againstWCAC opponents, and an opener againstPhiladelphia’s Neumann-Goretti Catholic HighSchool.

After three stellar seasons, expectations re-main high for the Vikings.

“These kids are on a mission,” head coachPete Kenah said. “I’ve got expectations to getbetter each day and play our best ball in March,but these guys have no problem talking aboutthat they want to go back to Towson [for thestate playoffs]. They feel it’s unfinished busi-ness.”

The four Vikings to receive Division I offersare senior guards Hannah Niles (Loyola) andMarie Hatch (Cornell), senior forward BetsyKnox (offer from UMBC, will play at D-IIIMiddlebury) and junior guard Abby Meyers,

who has received six Division offers, Kenahsaid.

Meyers is a 6-foot scoring threat who spentthe offseason playing for Team Takeover of theElite Youth Basketball League, which Kenahsaid made her a better player.

“The part that’s so great is Abby loves bas-ketball,” Kenah said. “Her post game is a littlebit better than last year.”

Hatch, who has battled injuries throughouther high school career, moves to point guardthis season. Hatch scored 23 points againstWootton in last year’s region final before suf-fering a fractured ankle.

“I just want her to have a healthy year,”Kenah said. “… The ball is going to be in herhands. … She’s the best perimeter defender inthe county. … She just stuffs the stat sheet.She’s so valuable.”

Kenah said Niles is an inside-outside threat,and Knox is the “heart” of the defense.

Whitman lost its opener against Neumann-Goretti 75-38 on Dec. 5 in Fairfax, Va. Meyersled Whitman with 16 points and Niles addedseven.

Neumann-Goretti is ranked No. 6 in the na-tion by USA TODAY.

Neumann-Goretti was the “best team I’veseen in 14 years of high school coaching,”Kenah said. “… They’re awesome in every way.”

Whitman faced Gaithersburg on Tuesday,after The Almanac’s deadline. The Vikings willtravel to face Georgetown Visitation at 10:40

a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Woodrow WilsonHigh School.

Whitman Girls’ Talented Roster ReturnsVikings have wontwo of last threeregion titles.

Abby Meyers, seen last season, andthe Whitman girls’ basketball teamhave high expectations this season.

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