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Susan Belford

Stories by Susan

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‘Caring Is Our Main Ingredient’

Sunflower Bakery prepares young adults for skilled employment.

Bringing People Together in Montgomery County

400 attend iftar dinner.

Pediatrician Makes House Calls in Montgomery County

Practice launched in January

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Join Autism Speaks 5K Fundraiser in Potomac

17th annual race and fun walk starts and ends at Potomac Library.

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New Rector at St. James

Meredith Tobin Heffner shares her faith journey.

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Volunteers Needed for C&O Canal Pride Days

Rain-postponed cleanup could use more help.

Biographer to Discuss Beatrix Potter’s Life in Nature

Free presentation at Potomac Library on April 25.

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Inspiring Camaraderie in Potomac

Beth Shalom Congregation’s 7th annual “Guys Night Out’ and Seder Summit.

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Signs of the Times: A Divided Welcome in Bethesda

Protesters, supporters gather for Hogan and DeVos at Carderock Elementary.

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Couple Gives Back to Hope Connections for Cancer Support

Liza and John Marshall are committed to nonprofit’s mission.

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Ready for Some Spring Adventures?

Near and far, some suggestions to embrace spring.

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Preparing for ‘25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee’

BRAVO Productions expands with adult cast.

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Hope Connection Celebrates 10 Years

Potomac Volunteer Being Honored at Gala

Potomac Volunteer Honored

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Pioneering Change For Autism

University of Virginia seminar studies tension between “The Science & Lived Experience of Autism.”

Despite a recent surge in attention and research over the past decade about autism, controversy exists.

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‘Joseph’ Returns to Har Shalom in Potomac

Musical set for this weekend.

The musical production “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” the tale of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the "coat of many colors" is returning to Har Shalom for a repeat performance.

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Author to speak at Potomac Library: Financial Guide for Moms

"Of all life's financial shocks, few compare to bringing home an infant. Just one tiny person costs $250,000 to raise — not including college," said Kimberly Palmer, author of “Smart Mom, Rich Mom.”

Potomac’s Terrie Smith marks 15 years of volunteering with CASA

“There is nothing like a smile or a hug from my CASA children,” said volunteer Terrie Smith.

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Mom and Daughters Launch Sonoran Rose in Potomac

Boutique shop opened last month.

Potomac is welcoming Sonoran Rose — a new women’s boutique loaded with clothing, jewelry, accessories, home décor and gift items — to the retail space previously occupied by Flora’s Nest.

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So Many Gifts, And So Close in Potomac

Exploring what’s available in the shops at Potomac Woods Plaza and Park Potomac.

Not to bring on a Potomac panic, but soon all holiday shopping must be finished.

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Local Artists, Crafters Share Their Stories in Bethesda

Annual craft show benefits Clara Barton Community Center.

Some of the community’s most creative people participated in the 10th annual Clara Barton Craft Show on Sunday, Dec. 4.

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WHC Sisterhood Holiday Boutique Celebrates 30 Years in Potomac

Since 1986, the WHC Sisterhood Holiday Boutique has provided area residents with the opportunity to discover “one-of-a-kind” gifts or personal treasures, to meet and greet old friends, to have lunch or dinner at the Café (or better yet, to take home brisket and kugel) or bid on Silent Auction items.

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Getting To Know Potomac Artists

Artomatic 2016 continues through Dec. 9 at Park Potomac.

Last weekend, more than 1,600 art enthusiasts, music aficionados, curiosity seekers and D.C.-area residents visited Artomatic 2016 to discover new art, mingle with the creative community and enjoy performances and interactive activities.

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Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club Celebrates 50 Years

Through all the changes, friendships remain.

"Plant the seeds of friendship, then watch the blessings grow!" is the motto of the Potomac Area Neighbor’s Club (PANC) — formerly the Potomac Area Newcomer’s Club.

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Friends of Library Celebrates 25 Years

$2,500 donated to refurbish library meeting room.

Twenty-five years ago, Karin Currie had the foresight to launch the first Friends of the Library Chapter in Montgomery County at the Potomac Library.

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Living a Life in ‘A Delicate Balance’

Albee play at Congregation Har Shalom.

“A Delicate Balance” by Edward Albee is, as Director Laurie T. Freed says, a story of multiple themes: “man’s fear of taking risks in life; man’s inability to honestly communicate with family and friends; the loss of passion in one’s life; the fear of aging; the fear of the unknown.

Potomac Day 2016

Food, rides and music fill the day.

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Potomac Family Recognized as ‘Angels in Adoption’

Haiti boy finds home with Freishstat family.

Five-year-old Luke Freishstat is exuberant — about his two older brothers and mom and dad, his classes at Georgetown Hill Elementary, his new friends, his new home in Potomac — but particularly about his chocolate Lab.

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Potomac Day This Saturday

Chamber names its three honorees.

What better way to celebrate Potomac's honorees for the Citizen of the Year, Youth of the Year and Business Leader of the Year than riding at the head of the Potomac Parade — and recognition at Potomac Day 2016?

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Potomac Day Nears

Annual parade, classic car show, music and rides returns Oct. 22.

What’s more fun than a parade, clowns and candy? Scurrying up a climbing wall? Sliding down inflatable slides? Riding a pony, petting an alpaca, or cuddling a pig? Listening to music and nibbling Potomac Pizza’s pizza on a beautiful fall day? Checking out an exquisite 1957 T-Bird or a snazzy Impala from the 1960s? Oct. 22 is Potomac Day 2016 — and Potomac residents are already anticipating the excitement of the annual family day.

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Potomac: 100 Women Who Care

Raising funds locally for local needs.

See a problem – solve a problem. That’s how the “100 Women Who Care” movement started.

Potomac: RTR Pilates Celebrates 10th Anniversary

Formerly known as Potomac Pilates.

Ten years ago, Reina Offut Pratt launched the first Potomac Pilates studio in a tiny space next to Big Wheel Bikes in the back of the Potomac Village Shopping Center. She was the first in the area to feature Pilates on a reformer.

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Potomac: Local Residents Support ‘Living Classrooms’

“Night at the Yards” to benefit foundation.

“This past year, ‘Living Classrooms’ touched the lives of 35,000 children and young adults who are struggling to succeed against terrible odds,” said Potomac native Thara Taylor, vice president of development for the Living Classrooms Foundation.

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‘Taste in Potomac’ Raises Funds for Adoptions Together

Sharing lessons on the value of family.

“I always wanted to be a Dad and my son is the most important person in my life. He is the one who convinced me to speak before you and tell you the impact that Adoptions Together has made on our lives.” said Marc Blumenstein. He recounted the story of the adoption of his son Zachery — now a college student studying in Europe — as photos were displayed before the sell-out crowd at the “Taste in Potomac” Saturday evening.

Potomac: Coalition Supports Domestic Abuse Victims

Fundraiser to benefit Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse.

Have a friend or family member who cancels and changes plans often, has unexplained injuries, apologizes and makes excuses for her or his partner’s behavior, is excessive in calling and texting their partner or has sudden changes in mood or personality? Perhaps the friend is overly anxious, guilty, defensive, depressed and feeling helpless and hopeless. Perhaps she or he is intentionally seeking isolation from friends, family or activities.

Potomac: A Gatsby Weekend

From jazz to storytelling.

Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and the glorious, decadent Roaring Twenties described in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel “The Great Gatsby” will come alive on Friday, Sept. 23 at the Potomac Library. The event, beginning at 4 p.m. will include jazz music from the Gatsby era, storytelling, readings from the book and a viewing of the movie.

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Potomac: Dogs Rule — the Pool

The dog days of summer hopefully ended last week with hot steamy days touching the 100 degree mark.

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Potomac: Highlighting Changes Inside Local Schools

From 20th anniversary of Chinese Immersion to enrichment programs.

Potomac schools, rated among the best in Montgomery County and in the United States, have welcomed students back for another challenging year of education.

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Potomac: Joining in Fight Against Childhood Obesity

My Gym and Zumba offer “Free Family and Fit Party.”

One in three American children and teens is overweight or obese, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

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Potomac: Swing into a Cool Summer Adventure

Expect a few shrieks at Go Ape.

Many have most-likely shrieked a howling Tarzan scream when leaping from a high rock, swinging wildly on a rope, or climbing as high as possible up a tree — and then jumping.

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Potomac: Weinblatt Named One of America’s Most Inspiring Rabbis

National honor for local rabbi.

In 1988, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt and his wife Symcha founded Congregation B’Nai Tzedek (CBT) with a few friends, a lot of prayers and many common goals.

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Potomac: Mural Honors C&O Canal Partnership with School

Seven Locks Elementary School students pay tribute to 100th anniversary of U.S. National Parks.

Each class at Seven Locks Elementary School looks forward to field trips to the C&O Canal. They study the ecosystem, gain an understanding of the history and the economics, experience the fun of dressing up in the clothing worn by the lock keepers and families who lived on the canal boats, meet the mules and take a ride on the General Jubal T. Early canal boat. They learn to love and appreciate the nearby C&O Canal through their school’s collaborative educational partnership with the National Park Service (NPS).

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Potomac: Kennedy Creates Chemical-Free Skin Care Products

Business began in effort to help her mother.

“If you asked me 10 years ago what I'd be doing today, I don't think making natural skincare products would have been on my short-list, or even on my long-list for that matter,” said Potomac’s Renan Kennedy.

Potomac: Hatten Celebrates 40 Years at BCC

Opted for tennis over law.

Frank Hatten began his career in tennis in 1976 at Bethesda Country Club (BCC) with five outdoor asphalt tennis courts, an 800-square foot tennis shack and a pay phone.

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Potomac Family Heading to Spain for Unusual Outing

Working in a vacation spot.

This summer, one lucky Potomac family will have the opportunity to travel to northern Spain to hike, and explore, practice their Spanish, enjoy the mountains and assimilate into the culture. However, it’s not all about pleasure ….

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Potomac: Join 16th Annual ‘Autism Speaks’ 5K/Walk

Seeking to raise $250,000 for research.

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring the 13 American colonies a new nation.

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Potomac: MPT Salutes Local Hero

... and all Vietnam War veterans.

Retired Navy Captain Michael Cronin graduated in 1963 from the Naval Academy from pilot training in Cecil Field, Fla. in 1965.

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Potomac: KEEN Sportsfestival Returns Sunday

Still time to volunteer.

On Sunday, June 5, the fields of Avenel’s Community Park will come alive with the squeals, grunts, cheers and high-fives of more than 500 athletes vying in tug-of-wars, kick-ball, volleyball and obstacle course challenges. The KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Sportsfestival 2016 is an annual afternoon of activities and games for children and young adults with disabilities, their volunteer coaches, family members and supporters.

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Potomac: Churchill Junior Organizes CPR Workshop for Fellow Students

New law, cousin’s death inspires effort.

Churchill junior Noah Perales “a-ha” moment came as he was engaged in reading about Breanna’s Law in The Washington Post. He read that Maryland ninth-grade students will be required to learn CPR as a graduation requirement.

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Potomac: KEEN Athletes Enjoy Their First Prom

Event organized by Bullis KEEN Club members.

For the past two years, Bullis students Carly Morgan and Sabrina Epstein have changed the lives of numerous KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) athletes and their parents, as well as those of many Bullis students. Sabrina and Carly founded the Bullis KEEN Club, searching for students to volunteer their time every other Sunday to meet with KEEN participants with special needs.

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Potomac: Annual Strawberry Festival Returns Saturday

Potomac United Methodist Church hosts fundraiser event.

Spring has arrived and it is once again time for the Potomac United Methodist Church (PUMC) Strawberry Festival.