We take our time to answer all your questions and concerns and allow you to make informed decisions for your child’s healthcare in a stress-free, judgment-free way.
KINDNESS
We love what we do, and we’re happy to be doing it. We treat everyone with the same level of compassion and positivity we would want from our healthcare professionals.
CONCIERGE
We’re attentive, welcoming, and patient. We know the little things matter when it comes to your overall experience, so we ensure that each visit is just as amazing as the last.
TECHNOLOGY
Better technology means faster, more efficient care. We’re dedicated to providing our community with the best pediatric dentistry, and constantly seek to raise our standards.
COMFORT
Our space has been carefully crafted to help put anxious children at ease, parents to feel comfortable, and for your experience from start to finish to be surprisingly amazing.
“I cannot say enough how awesome the staff is at the Potomac office. My son has anxiety going to the dentist. They were SUPER patient with him and used their positive vibes and expertise to alleviate any fears he had. The staff went above and beyond.
Thank you!”
- Daniel B
Voted Best Pediatric Dentist in Potomac 2 Years in a Row!
1-888-266-6614 www.superkidsdentistry.com Scan QR code to learn more about SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry We accept all major insurances.
Cherish these moments with family and furbabies
As we immerse ourselves in the vibrant month of August, our editorial team is thrilled to introduce a special edition blending the essence of Summer with the excitement of the Olympics and our local back-to-school buzz. This issue celebrates initiatives promoting mental well-being for both children and parents featuring transformative programs like Kindful Teens yoga, Rythmaya transformative dance and the rejuvenating experiences one will find at Sanu, a luxury post partum community that will make your birth experience feel like a day at the spa.
Delve into the realm of entertainment with Ultimate Amusements, a provider of entertainment, fun that will elevate your event to the next level and leave a lasting impression that will make them wanting more.
Experience visual poetry through Erica Land Photography, where each click of the camera immortalizes moments of beauty and emotion. Her dedication to inspire uniqueness and uplift the next generation is truly inspiring and we are honored to showcase her work in our publication.
In our commitment for holistic well-being, we extend our support to our cherished furry companions, shedding light on the significance of regular check-ups at establishments such as Park Potomac Veterinary and Blue Pearl Pet Hospital. These professional services ensure that our beloved pets lead happy and healthy lives alongside us.
Lastly, join us in honoring the exceptional career of Linda Tecler from Georgetown Hill, a dedicated educator who has influenced countless lives since 1980. As she embarks on a new journey, let us recognize her enduring dedication to shaping the minds and hearts of generations past and present.
We express our gratitude for being part of our community and embracing the stories and experiences that make our magazine a wellspring of inspiration and connection.
Sri Namburi, Erica Land, Hilary Schwab, Ryan Corvello, Degan Bartels
Corporate Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER Matthew Perry
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HR Janeane Thompson
AD DESIGNER Andrew Sapad
LAYOUT DESIGNER Kirstan Lanier
city scene
WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN
1-14: Women Entrepreneurs Event and Party Hosted by Potomac Lifestyle Magazine & Autism Ally Group Held May 16th. 1: Binge Bar came to support with their delicious non-alcoholic cocktails. 2: Rue + RoeChildrens Boutique in the Kentlands. 3: Singer and Performer @Ceciliamaidenmusic 4: Felicity Tfoucha owner of LeBonday and Zeina Davis owner of Mosaic Creative Agency. 5: Hosts Autism Ally Group- Ike Ogbuebile & Elizabeth Ucheya 6: Keeping it Fancy 7: The Ladies of The Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce
HILARY SCHWAB
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HILARY SCHWAB CITY SCENE
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HILARY SCHWAB SRI NAMBURI
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8: Fresh Roses provided By Calluna Flower Truck 9: Beautiful Entrepreneurial Women 10: Gemini Jewelry- Jessica Weiss & MBO Media
Mary Beth Olson 11: IT Cosmetics 12: And the Raffle Winner is......... 13: Furia Flamenca Group 14: Cheers-Wine
business monthly
MacaroniKID & CertifiKID
Discover your ultimate family fun with Macaroni KID and CertifiKID. Led by Potomac resident Jamie Ratner, these dynamic online platforms bring local family fun and exclusive family-friendly deals to millions of families across the country. Macaroni KID's hyperlocal newsletters and websites offer the scoop on events, activities, and resources in towns across the United States. Meanwhile, CertifiKID — featured on ‘Shark Tank’ — delivers unbeatable discounts on family-friendly experiences, live shows, summer camps, and more.
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Squeals On Wheels
We are a mobile petting zoo in Maryland that brings the cute! Let us know your event details and we will deliver a closely supervised, hands-on, educational experience in a supportive and engaging environment that guests of all ages will cherish for years to follow! We are not your average petting zoo! Squeals on Wheels is an educational, interactive and award-winning miniature mobile petting zoo serving areas within NW Washington DC, Maryland and N. Virginia.
S miles of Chevy Chase
301.652.0656 | 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 835, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 SMILESOFCHEVYCHASE.COM | Follow us on Facebook & Instagram: @SMILESOFCHEVYCHASE DR. DESPINA M. MARKOGIANNAKIS S P
Creating a Beaut iful, Healthy S mil e in the Safest Set ting
Implants, Crowns, Veneers, TMJ, Invisalign and Teeth Whitening
A Washingtonian Top Dentist, Dr. Markogiannakis is providing new and existing patients the highest quality of comprehensive dental care with the safest environment possible during these uncertain times. She is continuously at the forefront of infection control and has incorporated the highest level of PPE, which includes:
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As a Washingtonian Top Dentist and The Face of Smile Makeover, Dr. Markogiannakis and her practice, Smiles of Chevy Chase, is known to be the most innovative practice in the area providing Advanced General and Implant Dentistry to the world through technology, experience and artistic skill.
Being at the leading edge of digital dentistry allows her to complete smile makeovers and full mouth reconstructions seamlessly while guiding you through the process towards an optimal result. In as little as two weeks, the years of hiding your smile because of misalignment, discoloration, and decay could be taken away and the confidence you deserve regained.
From technology guided dental procedures for crowns and fillings, to sophisticated implant and cosmetic treatments, the Smiles of Chevy Chase experience is unmatched. Just as technology is always changing, so are they; always pushing beyond the extra mile by using their minds and bodies to think outside the box and lead the way.
Concierge Services
Leaving town for work or family vacation? Fetch & Favor is like having a personal assistant combined with a house sitter. We can fill your fridge, gas up your car, drop off and pick up dry cleaning, take your pet to the vet, take your vehicle in for maintenance, and much more! No one wants to come home to chores and errands – come home to your tasks handled instead.
The 16th Annual Park Potomac Ice Cream Social For Charity
16th Anniversary Park Potomac Ice Cream and Party Social in partnership with Interfaith Works to be held on Saturday, August 24th, from 12-3 pm. Carmens Ices and Frozen Custard, Live music, Amusements for the kids, Face Painting, Balloon Man, Photo Booth, Cornhole Game, Touch Trucks, Dozens of Merchants & Restaurants, Plus Fabulous $$$ Door Prizes. We need community support for children in Montgomery County with new backpacks and school supplies! Contact PLM for more info Visit Eventbrite - tinyurl.com/yckbxhc9
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Our diagnostic imaging team is made up of our board certified veterinarian, vet technicians and assistants, with rigorous training and experience in specialty medicine. The team works hand in hand to provide the comprehensive, compassionate care your pet needs and deserves. Because we’re a multidisciplinary hospital, the team can consult the expertise of other specialty departments, too.
Expert Advice from Veterinary Park Potomac on How to Keep Your Favorite Canines in Top Shape
2024 Olympic-Inspired Team USA Dogs
ARTICLE BY DEBRA WALLACE
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RYAN CORVELLO
Dr. Katie Malehorn was six years old when she observed a local veterinarian in action at a small family farm in the Midwest. She was instantly hooked.
“I was a kid who loved animals and was surrounded by cows, horses, cats, dogs, and chickens, and I saw that our vet was an important part of the community,” she recalls. “I wanted to pick a profession where I would be proud of my work and help families like he did.”
Today, after 10 years as a vet, three of them at her Veterinary Park Potomac practice, Dr. Malehorn is laser-focused on the health and well-being of her clients’ dogs and other pets, by staying ahead of their issues.
That includes providing pets with an appropriate diet and medication, helping them stay in good physical shape, as well as performing routine lab work. Maintaining a preventative medical approach is helpful in addressing the big picture.
Among the cutting-edge offerings at Veterinary Park Potomac are diagnostics, dental cleanings in the dental suite, advanced laboratory equipment, top of the line digital radiographs, and a wellequipped surgery suite.
“We’re here to help your pets live long, happy, and healthy lives,” explains Dr. Malehorn. “We believe that a key element to a healthy pet is a great relationship with your veterinarian. Everyone on our team is committed to professional, caring, and personalized service.”
Dr. Malehorn and her dedicated staff understand that pets are a treasured part of families. Visiting a vet is similar to bringing a sick child to the doctor, but with pets, there is the added stress of their inability to communicate what’s ailing them. Also adding to the uneasiness is the high cost associated with pet care.
“It means the world to us that clients choose to come into our veterinary hospital and trust us to guide them through all of those steps. There is not a time when I walk into the exam room that I do not feel how meaningful it is to be part of that bond,” she says.
Dr. Malehorn’s more than 15 years of industry experience includes working in shelters and serving as an animal control agent. Since graduating from The University of Georgia College of Veterinary
“There is never a time when I walk into the exam room that I don’t feel a meaningful connection and bond.”
—Dr. Katie Malehorn
Medicine, she has practiced general and emergency veterinary medicine at some of the most well-respected and highly-ranked hospitals in the Northeast.
She believes that Park Potomac is the ideal location for her practice. “It’s wonderful to serve the DMV area because we can practice “gold standard” medicine here,” she says. “It is such a privilege to be part of this community.”
When it comes to keeping our dogs healthy and promoting longevity, Dr. Malehorn and her staff emphasize that the right diet and nutrition, exercise, mental health, and oral health, are all of major importance.
Oral health for dogs, as with people, is correlated to the rest of our health, Dr. Malehorn explains. “A dog with poor paradental health is not comfortable. The biggest change in veterinary medicine during the past 10-20 years is routine check-ups, cleaning, and brushing to make sure there are no lumps, bumps, or masses, which is very common for dogs over five.”
When it comes to diet and nutrition, Dr. Malehorn says that choosing refrigerated, canned, or other food offerings is an extremely personal decision.
“We want our clients to pick food approved by the American Association of Feed Control Officials. Knowing your pet’s diet is approved by them is a good way to assure that they meet a certain standard of safety.”
For those worried about giving their canines table food, there is no hard and fast rule. Again, she stresses that “consistency is important. Dogs need a
well-balanced diet and steady meal-to-meal consistency. So, 90 percent of the calories need to be kibble or fresh food, and 10 percent of the day’s calories should come from fresh table foods – like green beans, baby carrots, or blueberries – as well as treats like doggie biscuits for good oral health or training.”
With obesity in dogs being the most common problem Dr. Malehorn treats, she says proper diet and exercise are critical. How much exercise is the right amount for your dog depends on their breed. However, be mindful of not overdoing it and make sure that your dog is well-hydrated.
“A lot of dogs have much more trouble adjusting to the change in weather, so it is going to be about the consistency of exercise. If you take your dog for a three-mile walk and you increase it to 10 miles that would be too much. So, consistent daily exercise is recommended for our most in-shape pups.”
Dr. Malehorn and her team are profoundly committed to their practice. “We take pride in our dedication to the highest standards in veterinary medicine,” she says. “We always provide a full spectrum of medical, behavioral, and surgical services, as well as empower our clients to make the best and most appropriate decisions about their pet’s health and lifestyle.”
For More Information:
Veterinary Park Potomac
12525 Park Potomac Ave, | Building G Suite E Potomac, MD 20854 | Phone: 240-728-2550
Email: hello@veterinaryparkpotomac.com
Website: veterinaryparkpotomac.com
Hours: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
ARTICLE BY CHRISTY MATINO | PHOTOGRAPHY BY RHYTHMAYA
Rhythmaya: Dance with a Touch of Culture
Rhythmaya’s motto is “music and dance with a touch of culture.” The dance studio is the brainchild of DMV native Nirathi Rao, who looked for a way to foster her creativity after college. “Rhythmaya began in my mom’s basement,” says Rao. “I taught one dance for a community event, which turned into formal classes. Then, we did it out of my garage, and eventually outgrew the space.”
Now, Rhythmaya is a community of hundreds of dancers. Rao, along with the studio’s managing director Sheila Oak Maggin, teach Bollywood and classical style dance classes in Virginia and Maryland. The group has also expanded beyond just studio classes. “We’ve performed at the Washington Wizards halftime show, the Maryland halftime show, and we went to Disney,” explains Maggin.
Besides performing and emceeing events, Rhythmaya aims to educate the public about Indian culture through song and dance. One of the group’s core principles centers around perspective. “Kids ask, ‘Why do they eat with their hands? Why do they dance barefoot?’ I tell kids, ‘Always understand the why,’” Maggin says.
It’s a message Rao and Maggin hope to spread beyond the DMV as they plan to take Rhythmaya on the road. “We want to go on tour as those local community teaching aunties who can bring the same feeling we bring to the DC metro area,” says Rao.
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“In the beginning, I couldn’t even hold a warrior pose,” was the feedback of one teen who recently completed the Yoga for Teens program taught by Kindful Teens. Those with experience know that this is a staple of yoga that takes balance and concentration. Struggling with the pose is the first challenge Kindful Teens wants to help adolescents overcome.
KINDFUL TEENS BRINGS YOGA TO POTOMAC AREA TEENS
According to Juliet Szyprowski, the founder of Kindful Teens, today’s teens are in crisis. The CDC has published that between 42-57% of teens report feelings of sadness and hopelessness, a major increase in the last ten years. Her interest in the health of her own kids and their friends led Juliet to become certified in Kripalu Yoga in the Schools (KYIS), an evidence-based yoga and mindfulness curriculum that helps adolescents improve resilience and reduce negative emotional states.
Juliet is bringing lessons in yoga and mindfulness to teens in Potomac and beyond through classes and her increasingly popular TikTok (@kindfulteens) posts. “Teens are going through one of the most intense learning periods of the human lifespan,” says Juliet. It isn’t surprising that concepts like deep breathing and restorative physical activity are new to them. According to Juliet, “I want kids to have skills in self-care, and Kripalu offers tools they can apply to the everyday stressors they face in school, social, and family life.”
Yoga and mindfulness offer resources from within and facilitate sleep, clarity, and self-compassion. Juliet named the program Kindfulness as a combination of “kindness” and “mindfulness.” It is amazing to her how hard teens are on themselves. She wanted the name to remind them to begin with self-care. She has been teaching the KYIS course at St. Andrews School in Potomac and offering KYIS courses at the Riverside Community Center, where she works with her students and their busy schedules to make sure they can learn these invaluable lessons.
HERE ARE THE ATHLETES FROM MARYLAND WHO HAVE A CHANCE TO BRING MEDALS TO THEIR HOMETOWNS:
Helen Maroulis – Photo by: Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press
Helen Maroulis - Wrestler
Helen is the first U.S. female wrestler to win Olympic gold. This summer, at the age of 32, she will be the oldest U.S. woman to wrestle at the Olympics and the first to wrestle at three games.
Katie Ledecky - Swimmer
Katie, from Bethesda, graduated from Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart. She has won seven gold and three silver medals in three Olympic Games, making her the most decorated female swimmer in history.
Phoebe Bacon - Swimmer
Phoebe, like Katie Ledecky, grew up in Bethesda and graduated from Stone Ridge. She participated in the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 in the backstroke.
Erin Gemmell - Swimmer
Erin, the third outstanding women’s swimmer from Stone Ridge, will compete in the women’s Olympic relay races. Swimming is a family sport since her mother was a competitive swimmer, as is her brother Andrew, and her coach, Bruce Gemmell, is her father.
CONTINUED >
Katie Ledecky –
Photo by: TYR Sport, Inc.
Phoebe Bacon –
Photo by: Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images
Erin Gemmell –
Photo by: Jack Spitser/ Spitser Photography
Sean Boxiong Shuai
- Short Track Speed Skater
Sean is coached by Simon Cho at the Potomac Speedskating Club. He became the first American to win a gold medal at the Youth Winter Olympics in South Korea. | Photo by: OIS/Chloe Knott
Quincy Wilson - Track Sprinter
Quincy, 16, is currently a student at the Bullis School in Potomac. He set the world record for under-18 runners in the 400m (44.59 seconds) at the Olympic trials at Hayward Field in Eugene Oregon. Wilson will become the youngest Olympian who turns 17 in January 2025, will surpass Jim Ryun and Erriyon Knighton, who were both 17 when they became Olympians. | Photo by: Patrick Smith
Kyle Snyder - Wrestler
Kyle Snyder, from Woodbine, attended Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. He is the youngest Olympic and World Champion in men’s wrestling history. He will make a run at earning a third straight Olympic medal in Paris. | Photo by: RUDIS.com
Kayla DiCello - Gymnast
Kayla, from Boyds, graduated from Northwest High School. She started gymnastics at the age of two at Hill’s Gymnastics in Gaithersburg. She was an alternate for the 2020 Olympic team and the gold medal-winning 2023 World Championship team suffered an Achilles injury on the first routine on day one of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics trials and will not be able to contend for a spot on the 2024 team.
Photo via @kayladicello on Instagram)
Lucas Koo - Short Track Speed Skater
Lucas, like fellow speedskater Sean, was coached at the Potomac Speed-skating Club. He will represent Brazil at the Olympics. | Photo by: ANOC/ Wander Roberto
Frances Tiafoe - Tennis Player
Frances started playing tennis at the Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) in College Park. He is the third African-American man to be ranked in the top 10 tennis players by the Association of Tennis Professionals. However, he chose to withdraw from the 2024 Olympics, preferring to play on hard courts and not the Paris clay courts. | Photo by: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images
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John and his team work with both homeowners and businesses specializing in everything from interior design, remodeling and decorating with sensitivity to budget and selection responsibility. Allow John and his team to design a space that will reflect your personal style for your home or the style that best suits your clientele for your place of business.
Paint the Plow
The ‘Paint the Plow’ contest organized by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) offers middle schools in the county a unique opportunity to combine creativity with road safety awareness. By inviting students to decorate snowplows, MCDOT not only beautifies essential equipment but also engages the community in a collaborative and meaningful project.
The contest encouraged students to express themselves artistically while focusing on the theme of road safety. Each painted plow becomes a canvas that tells a story, reflecting the diversity and spirit of the participants. This initiative goes beyond mere decoration; it fosters a sense of pride.
Winners of the contest receive cash prizes for their schools, further incentivizing participation and excellence in creativity. The prizes—$500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. For more information and past winning designs visit montgomerycountymd.seamlessdocs.com/f/plowpaint2024
3rd Annual Art Contest inviting local county middle schools to participate
ARTICLE BY JESSICA DEARMOND PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEGAN BARTELS
ROBERTO CLEMENTE MIDDLE SCHOOL
2ND PLACE WINNERS - REDLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
1ST PLACE WINNERS - WESTLAND MIDDLE SCHOOL
ARTICLE BY ERICA MOODY PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
SELF-CARE FOR MOMS
Postnatal retreat Sanu is now open at the Watermark Hotel in Tysons
Many parents know the feeling: You can prepare as much as possible, read all the books, and still feel completely overwhelmed when it comes to taking care of a newborn. But imagine if, instead of being sent home from the hospital and left to your own devices, you head to an upscale hotel and are greeted by a team of professionals who guide you through the early days of postpartum life, helping you recover, physically and mentally, and equipping you for what life as a parent will entail. It works in other countries, like South Korea, where postpartum facilities called Sanhujoriwon are commonplace. These centers, and her own stressful postpartum experience, inspired Georgetown business school graduate Julia Kim to found Sanu, a postnatal retreat now open at the Watermark Hotel in Tysons.
“First and foremost, we take care of the mother in her recovery,” says Kim, emphasizing the importance of self-care. “Your body has to recover too.” Sanu’s hotel setting is key, Kim says, as it helps the
Julia Kim- Founder And Owner
decision-making moms are faced with at home to melt away. A staff of professional, experienced caregivers is on hand 24/7 to take care of mother and baby, and parenting partners and other children are welcome to stay at the hotel too. Nutritious meals are provided throughout the day, and hands-on training is available “to build and internalize baby and self-care routines and habits that I didn’t have.”
Mental health and physical wellness services at Sanu go beyond simple assessments. Strategy sessions for mom and partner, Kim says, can help smooth out any relationship issues that may arise with new parenthood. Visits with an OBGYN are provided free of
charge, so moms don’t have to wait six weeks for a postpartum checkup. Other onsite experts include certified lactation consultants and pediatricians. All services are evidence-based and doctor-developed.
Kim recommends a minimum stay of three nights — starting at $880 a night with the price decreasing per night with additional days. Some parents have stayed as long as 12 weeks. “One of the major things I worry about is access to care,” Kim says. “The plan is, over time, to do whatever we have to do to make it more accessible.”
To learn more about Sanu, visit sanupostpartum.com , or follow Sanu on Instagram, @sanupostpartumcare.
COLLABORATION IS KEY AT BLUEPEARL PET HOSPITAL
ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SRI NAMBURI
MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND ONCOLOGIST DR. RACHEL RASMUSSEN OVERSEES THE PRACTICE’S HANDS-ON APPROACH TO PATIENT CARE
Anyone who has taken their dog or cat to BluePearl Pet Hospital in Rockville knows what to expect. Whether it’s an emergency, a surgical visit, an internal medicine problem, or an oncology diagnosis and care plan, prompt and caring treatment is a guarantee.
What pet owners might not realize, however, is that an initial visit with one specialist at the hospital evolves into a collaborative effort with multiple experts to provide the highest quality care possible. For instance, a member of one specific team, such as the diagnostic imaging team, often consults other specialty departments residing in the same location.
One of BluePearl’s oncologists, Rachel Rasmussen, DVM and DACVIM, gives an example of the hospital’s multi-disciplinary approach to treatment recalling a dog who recently had surgery for skin cancer. After her initial evaluation of the pet she spoke with the hospital’s surgeon who operated on him, listening to his thoughts and recommendations, then conferred with another surgeon who operated on him at a different
location. She then talked to a radiologist for input. And that’s just the beginning, because BluePearl’s oncology team will continue to partner with the pet’s primary care veterinarian as part of its ongoing care. “I feel so fortunate to work with such a collaborative group,” she notes.
Dr. Rasmussen graduated from Walt Whitman High School before leaving for college and veterinary school. The Bethesda
native returned to the area to join what is now BluePearl, establishing the oncology department a year after the hospital opened in 2014.
Since 2020, she began serving as BluePearl’s medical director. In that role, she oversees and supports the medical care of animals and manages the overall operations of the hospital. Dr. Rasmussen acts as the main point of contact for the clinicians,
specialists, emergency room doctors, and the pet hospice doctor. She is pleased to announce that a veterinary dermatologist will be joining the practice this fall.
In addition to her time-consuming and demanding positions at BluePearl, Dr. Rasmussen keeps busy with her husband raising their two young children and a Chocolate Lab named Randall.
DOG gone GOOD
Try these simple and healthy homemade treats for your furry friends. Not only are they easy to make, they are nutritious and seemingly delicious.
ARTICLE BY ANGELA BROOCKERD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JANIE JONES
No-Bake Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients:
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup milk or half and half
• 3 cups oatmeal
Directions:
In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, peanut butter and milk on medium for 1 minute. Gradually add 2 1/2 cups oatmeal and stir. Use a small scoop or spoon to create 1/4 inch balls. Roll balls into remaining 1/2 cup oats to lightly top. Place into a closed container and refrigerate.
Peanut Butter Dog Treats
Ingredients:
• 2/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cups flour (whole wheat preferred)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix all ingredients except flour and blend well. Gradually add the flour until the dough isn’t sticky. Roll dough into a ball. Lightly flour your surface and lightly knead. Use a rolling pin to roll dough to ¼-inch thickness. Use cookie cutters and place dough on baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Drizzle with peanut butter (optional).
ARTICLE BY MARIE ROBEY WOOD PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED
A NURTURER AND CREATIVE STORYTELLER
GEORGETOWN HILL EARLY SCHOOL CELEBRATES THE BITTERSWEET RETIREMENT OF BELOVED EDUCATOR, LINDA TECLER.
In early June, the Georgetown Hill Early School recognized educator Linda Tecler for her 43 years of service. The celebration was attended by an enthusiastic throng of teachers, school administrators, former and current students, plus her husband and two grown daughters. Linda joined Ellen Cromwell, the school’s founder, when it first got off the ground in 1980. At the time, it offered a new concept of preschool as
“A nurturer and a creative storyteller who has shaped the minds of three generations of kids.”
a place of learning instead of merely daycare or babysitting location. With 13 locations and 1,000 enrolled students enrolled, Georgetown Hill Early School has become a local fixture for growing families.
In tandem, Linda’s role evolved to be multifaceted—from working with preschoolers in cooking classes to teaching in different grades to running several of the school’s centers and helping to set up classrooms. She calls her retirement bittersweet, although she will remain working part-time, “I will continue doing the fun things I enjoy, including literary story time and puppetry,” Linda says.
No matter how her position changes, Georgetown Hill will always be her “school family.” “Some of my dearest and closest friends are colleagues because we share the same passion for nurturing young minds,” Linda notes. Peter Cromwell, the school founder’s son and current CEO, describes Linda as “a nurturer and a creative storyteller who has shaped the minds of three generations of kids.” Kristen Cromwell, the school founder’s daughter and current COO, adds “Linda has been my second mom and mentor and she is always there, whether it’s early morning or the middle of the night setting up classrooms.”
A new scholarship to Georgetown Hill Early School has launched in Linda’s name. To contribute or learn more about the Georgetown Hill Early School, visit georgetownhill.com or call (301) 284-8144.
ARTICLE BY JESSICA DEARMOND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERICA LAND
Capture that Moment
Now is the perfect moment for the Class of 2025 to capture their senior photos, a milestone deserving of timeless documentation. Hiring a professional photographer ensures your unique hobbies and inner beauty are authentically preserved in stunning, high-quality prints. Senior photos transcend mere images; they celebrate each individual’s journey and distinctiveness. Don’t miss this chance to create enduring memories that highlight this pivotal moment in your child’s life.
Erica Land, honored as the 2023 “Best of Potomac” Photographer, is renowned for her exceptional photography. As the visionary behind “Project Beauty,” she champions natural beauty on social media, promoting the idea that teens don’t need to conform to societal norms to be accepted. Her work brings attention to the diversity of beauty and encourages self-expression and confidence among teenagers.
