Kentlands Foundation Update

October 2022

AUTUMN AT THE FOUNDATION

The Kentlands Community Foundation brings so many different programs and activities to our community and you can be a part!  Do you love the cultural arts? Volunteering?  Would you like to learn more about New Urbanism or share how great it is to live in this type of neighborhood?  There are so many ways to be a part of and contribute, the Foundation’s programs, which are both for the community and brought forth by the community.

First and foremost, we wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone and every organization who was a part of the many activities that took place in September, including the Kentlands/Lakelands 5K Run/Walk, the annual Thank You Dinner, the Village at Kentlands/Lakelands Ice Cream Social, the Musica Viva Kentlands concert and the kick-off of the Kentlands Film Society 2022-2023 season.  It was a busy month and we hope that everyone had a wonderful time.

What is coming up in October?

Our year-round programs will be continuing their regular meeting schedule and activities  – make sure you check out the calendar at https://www.kentlands.org/kentlands-events/. In addition, the Foundation will be teaming up with GPARC’s Arts & Culture Alliance for two events – the first will be Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 9 from 12 – 5 p.m. We will be set up in front of the Carriage House and happy to share with you information about our many programs, help get you involved in those of interest, and GPARC will be leading a fun activity of “kindness” rock painting. The second event is a Plein Aire Painters Meetup at Bohrer Park on Saturday, October 15 at 10 a.m.  Neighborhood artist and art teacher, Patti Coletta Connell, will be leading this event and is open to anyone, at any skill level … bring your art supplies, a chair or blanket, and paint outside in this beautiful park in the camaraderie of other artists.

To find out more about our many events and programs, follow the Kentlands Community Foundation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and check out our website at kentlands.org. 

If you have a great idea for a program that involves volunteerism, the cultural arts or supports New Urbanism, we would love to hear from you!  All our programs are grassroots efforts that begin with you

Kentlands Foundation Update

Sept 2022

JOIN THE FOUNDATION FOR A BUSY SEPTEMBER

KENTLANDS/LAKELANDS 5K – SEPTEMBER 3.  Just a reminder, the 29^th annual Kentlands/Lakelands 5K is just a few days away, the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Thank you to all who have already signed up to run or to volunteer for the race.  For those who have not yet signed up, it is still not too late to do so – you may visit kentlands.org to register or volunteer. You may even sign up to run until the morning of the race. However, if you would like to volunteer, we ask you sign up as soon as possible to make sure the race goes off in an orderly fashion.  It takes more than 260 volunteers to make this race happen safely.  Volunteering is both fun and rewarding and you will receive a special volunteer tee and an invitation to our thank you picnic on September 14.  Students can earn SSL hours for volunteering.  We cannot hold the race without you and neighborhood volunteers have answered the call and staffed the race every year – we are very grateful.

Because the race is held the last full weekend of summer, I know that some of the race’s supporters will not be in town and will be unable to race.  Through the power of technology, we have solved that dilemma!  If you are unable to attend the race, you can still sign up to become a virtual runner! This will help support the race and the charities that are its beneficiaries.

Sponsored by Sandy Spring Bank for the third year, the Kids’ Fun Run can’t be missed!  Young runners are divided by age and race in waves.  Every participant will be awarded a medal upon reaching the finish line.  Participants also receive a free t-shirt just for signing up!

After the race will be the Merchant’s Expo, during which we will be having the race’s awards ceremony and holding a raffle for a wide variety of prizes from local businesses.  The top three male and female runners will be awarded a cash prize.  Stick around for the awards because we will have items given out at random to the crowd! 

Our worthy beneficiaries are Delores C. Swoyer Scholarship Fund, The Dwelling Place, Mercy Health Clinic, Maryland Senior Olympics, and a scholarship fund for art education at the Arts Barn.  By supporting these wonderful charities, you are helping send kids in need to camp, house the homeless, and provide healthcare to the uninsured. 

A special thank you to Novavax for its presenting sponsorship of our race.  Make sure to visit Novavax’ tent and welcome them to the neighborhood.  The Kentlands Citizens Assembly and Lakelands Community Association have once again supported the race at the Platinum level. Without the support and partnership with the City of Gaithersburg, we would not be able to present such a spectacular community race. Visit the races’ webpage and click to see the rest of our generous sponsors – we ask that you take the opportunity to support their businesses whenever you can as another way to participate and help us thank them! 

And some logistics … many new families have moved into our neighborhood, so please be aware and let your neighbors know that many streets in both the Kentlands and Lakelands close to all traffic at 7 am for the safe passage of the runners. If you think you will need your car on the morning of race day, please move it outside of the race area or wait until the barriers are removed to leave the neighborhood.  Also please be sure to let anyone coming to your home know that they may have to find another route or wait.  As we did last year, streets will be opened as soon as possible with only the streets around Market Square closed after 11 am. Signs go up on the course and flyers are placed on cars and on houses more than a week ahead of the race. “No parking” signs are put in place no later than 48 hours before the race. If you live on the course, please make sure your car is not parked on the street after midnight on race day, we would not want to inadvertently have to tow your vehicle.

MUSICA VIVA KENTLANDS CLASSICAL MUSIC CONCERT – SEPTEMBER 17.  Join us on September 17 on the Kentlands Clubhouse lawn when we will be celebrating a fall musical festival, featuring the Musica Viva Kentlands Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Simeone Tartaglione, with Alessandra Cuffaro, violin soloist.  A hallmark of these concerts is that they are free to attend, casual, fun and for all ages. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket, and enjoy an evening filled with music. Thank you to the grantors, donors, and sponsors who help make these concerts happen, and especially to the Kentlands Citizens Assembly for its help.

ARTISTS ON MARKET GRAND RE-OPENING —The Gaithersburg Artist Collective will be bringing back their pop-up art gallery project, “Artists on Market,” this fall. The Collective features the work of over 20 juried regional artists.  Their new location will be announced shortly. Be sure to visit our website and social media for the announcement.  In the meantime, you can see their work through September at The Carnegie Discovery Center in Downtown Crown.  We are grateful to Kisco Senior Living for support the arts in the community!

THE VILLAGE OF KENTLANDS & LAKELANDS will hold their ice cream social on September 15th at the Kentlands Clubhouse.  This event is open to Village members, volunteers, or anyone interested in the program.  Because of the popularity of this event, please RSVP in advance to Jeanmocarski@aol.com.

Have an idea for a new program?  All our programs are grassroot activities, brought about and run by enthusiastic volunteers in the community.  We would love to hear your ideas, contact us at kentlands@kentlands.org for more information and to receive a proposal form.

To find out more about our many events and programs, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and check out our website at kentlands.org.