Category Archives: News

Neighborhood Movie Night Tomorrow! | Raya and the Last Dragon | Brick N Fire Pizza

Hello Neighbors,

Join us for Pizza and a Movie!
The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee is hosting its first drive-in movie of the spring at the Clubhouse tomorrow — Friday, April 16th!  We would like to allow social distancing family groups to bring chairs and sit in the area directly in front of the clubhouse (Marked in Sign Up as BYO Chairs).  For those of you concerned about the cold, the wings of the parking lot and spaces just beyond the island will be marked to allow the distancing of cars.  We can accommodate up to 8 cars and 14 groups of families.

Feature Movie
Raya and the Last Dragon
Set up starts a 7pm, movie starts at 7:30pm

Reservation, Sign-up & Waiver
We are still following the same COVID protocols as last season. There are limited spaces and reservations must be made. All neighbors must wear a mask when not eating or drinking. Must remain in family spaces during movie. Must sign waiver to attend.

Sign up using the following Sign-up Genius (Use a computer please. There is trouble accessing it from phones): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f48abaf22a57-washingtonian6

Brick N Fire Pizza
Brick N Fire pizza will also be at the clubhouse parking lot Friday 4/16 from 4:30pm – 7:30pm.
There is limited online preorders available, order ahead to pick up at specified time — perfect to grab on the way home from work, or enjoy during the movie!

To view the menu, or place a pre-order, please click on the link below:
https://www.bestfoodtrucks.com/truck/bricknfire-pizza-company

Hope to see you there, and hope that everyone is staying safe and well.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Public Meeting: Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center at Belward Farm | Election Results | Board Meetings

Hello Neighbors,

Public Meeting: Johns Hopkins Health Care & Surgery Center at Belward Farm
A virtual informational meeting regarding the above-referenced project has been scheduled for Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The presentation materials for the meeting will be available for viewing and downloading online beginning on March 11, 2021 at:
https://miles.sharefile.com/d-s2cfcbcafb7c64bd0b21f223ab90ab5a6

All neighbors and members of the public are welcome to join this meeting by typing the following link into your browser: https://webinar.ringcentral.com/j/1483357620

The purpose of this virtual meeting is to review the proposed Site Plan application and answer questions regarding the proposed project. Please click here to download further meeting details.

Election Results
At the rescheduled annual meeting, which occurred on February 23, 2021, the following residents were elected to the Board:

Stephanie Cash
Jack Bollini
Russ Dalin

Thank you to all residents who offered to volunteer their time by running for a position on the Board.

Board Meetings
The Association holds monthly Board meetings on the 4th Tuesday of every month (with the exception of December.) The meetings start at 7pm and are usually held in the upper level of the clubhouse. However, due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Board meetings are occurring over Zoom until further notice.

Due to privacy concerns and a need to verify attendance, the Board has decided not to post meeting Zoom links in a public forum. Rather, all residents interested in attending a Board meeting should reach out to Tim Mulford ([email protected]), and Tim will provide the appropriate Zoom link once available. We thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope to be back to in-person meetings sometime soon.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

We hope everyone is staying safe and well.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Holiday Trash Schedule

Hello Neighbors,

Just a quick note to let everyone know about the holiday trash schedule this week and next for the Washingtonian Woods singe family homes.

Please note that the trash pickups for both Friday services (Dec. 25th and Jan. 1st) will be postponed to the next regular trash day (Tuesday, December 29th and Tuesday, January 5th).

We hope everyone is staying safe and well, and wish everyone a happy holiday season.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Clubhouse Lower Level Remodel | Trivia Night | Washingtonian Woods Gives Back

Hello Neighbors,

Clubhouse Lower Level Remodel
The Board is excited to share that construction has begun on the remodel of the Clubhouse’s Lower Level. With this remodel, the kitchenette will be modernized with all new appliances, storage areas will be greatly increased, and newly installed flooring will be better able to withstand heavy all-purpose use.

The Board would like to thank fellow neighbors, Marc Feinstein and Nick Bobruska, for their continued efforts and time to help this project become a reality. We expect construction to be completed within the next month or so. In the meantime, you may see the original architectural renderings as well as a few construction photos below.


Neighborhood Beautification Efforts

The lower level remodel is the fifth major renovation project that the Board has undertaken over the last 15 years in an ongoing effort to continuously beautify and modernize our neighborhood. Previous modernization projects have included adding a second level to the Clubhouse (2008), modernizing the swimming pool in 2010 (installing new Pavilion, replacing pool deck, pumps, filters, and underwater lights), installing new entrance monuments (2014-2017), working with the City of Gaithersburg on additional neighborhood street lighting (2014), and a major tree re-vitalization project (2015-2019). The Board puts a lot of effort into being responsible fiscal stewards, maintaining its fiduciary obligations, while at the same time responsibly investing in our neighborhood’s beautification efforts. The Board has not raised HOA dues over this time, but rather has been able to keep them at a constant $74/mo, and our financial position continues to remain sound.

Washingtonian Woods Gives Back
A note from neighbors and event organizers Marcie Blackman and Rhonda Haley:
“Washingtonian Woods Neighbors, Families and Friends: Our Washingtonian Woods Gives Back event was a HUGE success. We cannot thank you all enough for your generosity. We are so very fortunate to have had the support of not only those that live in the neighborhood, but others outside of Washingtonian Woods who wanted to help with our efforts this year! With your help we supplied 15 families and a total of 48 children with an amazing holiday!

We want to give an extra special thanks to our elves, Kim Dalin and Marci Millen who helped us wrap, organize and pack up all the gifts on delivery day. Thank you also to our amazing driving elves, Jen Feinstein, Amy Fink, Sue Ann Martin and Angie Watts, who helped deliver more than 50 Santa sacks to their Christmas destinations.

We had so much fun putting this project together. It brought tears to our eyes to see so much generosity and support for this wonderful project. We cannot wait to continue this tradition next year. It takes a village and we are certainly lucky to have this one!

We wish you all a happy and HEALTHY holiday season!”

Washingtonian Woods Trivia Night, This Saturday Night, 8PM
Washingtonian Woods Trivia Night is back…and better than ever this Saturday, December 19 @ 8:00 PM!

One of the most popular and reputable trivia companies in the area, District Trivia (www.district-trivia.com), will be running the show this time around (thank you to Dan Goldsamt and all previous resident hosts!) The “friendly competition” will run for about an hour and be comprised of three rounds of (a wide-variety) questions.

In order to play, sign up here: https://forms.gle/g9KGJbMtCuyRjv2K9. 16 players/teams have already signed up.

At 7:00 PM on Saturday (12/19), neighbor Dan Goldsamt will send out further, more specific directions to those who’ve registered. Share this with your friends (if they live in the neighborhood), with your neighbors (who may also qualify as friends), and with your neighbors’ friends (if they live in Washingtonian Woods).

Looking forward to “seeing” you there!

Neighborhood Web Site
This email communication as well all previous HOA emails are always cross-posted in the “News” section of the Washingtonian Woods Web Site (www.washwoods.org). Neighbors are encouraged to reference our web site as it contains helpful links and neighborhood information.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Help Name New City Park

Hello Neighbors,

Gaithersburg Invites Public to Help Name New City Park at Former CPSC Site
As previously mentioned, The City of Gaithersburg is building a new park bordering our neighborhood at the former Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) site, located at 10901 Darnestown Road (click here for aerial view).

Residents are invited to suggest names for consideration. Online submissions can be made here through December 7, 2020.

A Park Naming Committee made up of City staff members will review all suggestions and select three to submit to the Mayor and City Council for their final determination. The committee reserves the right to select a name most appropriate for the park based on: geographical location (such as street names, subdivision name, or adjacent school name); historical significance; the passing of an active contributor(s) to the community; or other reasons.

This will be the City’s twenty-eighth park, and its 9.5 acres will feature community gardens, a bicycle skills course, pavilions, a playground, fitness and picnic pods, and a welcome plaza. Explore background material and site plan information for this new park project here. For more information, please call 301-258-6350.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Neighborhood Social Events

Hello Neighbors,

The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee has put together several more events for this fall and winter.

Washingtonian Woods Thanksgiving Word Scramble Contest
Neighbors are invited to walk through the neighborhood on Thursday and Friday to spot the letter. Prizes will be awarded on the Facebook page on Saturday. More on this event can be found by downloading this flyer, here.

Movie Night at Clubhouse
Black Friday, as long as the weather holds out, we are planning to have another socially distanced movie at the clubhouse parking lot on Friday, November 27th. Neighbors are invited to register on this Sign-up Genius. There will be a kiddie movie, rated G/PG, at 5o’clock and a PG-13 movie at 7 PM. Choose drive in or chair seating. Bundle up and bring your blankets and hot chocolate.

Washingtonian Woods Gives Back
Washingtonian Woods Gives Back has returned this year. This season the organizers have arranged donations through KINDH. Please register on this Sign-up Genius to purchase a new gift, bring it wrapped and addressed. Drop it at the clubhouse on Saturday, December 12 between 10 AM and 1 PM. The social committee thinks you for your kindness. More on this event can be found by downloading this flyer, here.

Trivia Night is Back!
Our quizmaster, Dan Goldsamt, will be leading the event on Saturday, December 19th at 8PM.  This will be a general knowledge quiz geared towards adults. Please register here and be prepared for 75 questions with your neighbors via Zoom.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

House Contest Winners | Spooky Trail Info and Reminders | Fall Loose Leaf Collection

Hello Neighbors,

Halloween House Decorating Contest Winners
Thank you to everyone who helped us continue the great Halloween spirit of Washingtonian Woods by decorating their houses this year! This year the following winners were selected:

2020 Contest Winners
1st Place — 7 Midsummer Court (Lua Party)
2nd Place — 432 Upshire Circle (Skeleton Circus)
3rd Place — 4 Driscoll Court (Demon Party)

If you haven’t yet already, feel free to check out all of the wonderfully decorated homes throughout the neighborhood. Thank you again and we hope everyone has a happy and safe Halloween!

Washingtonian Woods Spooky Trail and Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn
Don’t forget that the Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn and Spooky Trail are happening later on today. Please click here for event details. RSVPs and Waivers required.

  • When coming today for the Pumpkin Patch/judging and the Spooky Trail, please remember to check in at the start, which will be in the field of the Washingtonian Woods Park. The trail will end at the clubhouse with a sweet treat!
  • Please wear shoes appropriate for the trail.
  • Come in costumes if you would like.
  • Please remember to wear masks and don’t congregate at the start or end.
  • Pumpkins that wish to be judged must be to the patch between 12noon – 2pm and everyone should come judge between 3:30 – 6pm.

If you’re coming to the Spooky Trail today or just want to help, please consider dropping non-perishable donations in the designated box. All food donations will be collected by Boy Scout troop 1760 and donated to Manna. Happy Halloween all!!! Have a safe day.

Fall Loose Leaf Collection
Also, The City of Gaithersburg’s Fall loose leaf collection is now underway for single family and townhouse owners. Place your leaves at the street curb by 7 a.m. on your regular recycling day. The weekly collection continues through the last week of December, weather permitting. Any time during the year you can bag your leaves in biodegradable brown bags and leave them curbside with your other recyclables.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Halloween Event Details: Spooky Trail | Drive-in Movie | House Decorating Contest

Hello Neighbors,

As mentioned earlier, The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee has been working hard on keeping our neighborhood’s great Halloween spirit alive and well during this 2020 Halloween season. Please see below for the specifics and details on the events that make up this year’s neighborhood Fall Festival:

Halloween Drive-in Movie
What: The New Addams Family Movie
Where: Clubhouse Parking Lot, Space is limited
When: Friday evening, October 30th. 6pm lot opens, 6:30pm movie starts
RSVP: Space is limited, to RSVP: To Sign-up and reserve your spot, please click here
Waiver Required

The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee is hosting our first-ever drive-in movie at the Clubhouse on Friday, Oct 30th.

We would like to allow social distancing family groups to bring chairs and sit in the area directly in front of the clubhouse (Marked in Sign Up as BYO Chairs). For those of you concerned about the cold, the wings of the parking lot and spaces just beyond the island will be marked to allow the distancing of cars.

We can accommodate up to 8 cars and 14 groups of families. If you will have more than 6 in your party, or if individuals from multiple households will be in your party, please contact Kelley Bennett (Kelley’s contact info in listed in the Sign-up Genius above) for assistance so we can collect waivers from each member of your party. Every moviegoer must agree to the assumption of risk and liability waiver for the event posted here in order to participate.

We will be showing The New Addams Family. The movie lot will open at 6pm, and the movie will begin at 6:30pm. You are welcome to bring chairs to watch from outside your car, but the chairs must stay within your assigned parking space or in front of your car and masks must be worn when outside your car.

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Kelley Bennett (Kelly’s contact info is listed in the Sign-up Genius above.)

Washingtonian Woods Spooky Trail and Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn
When: Halloween Afternoon, October 31st. (Specific event times follow below)
Where: Washingtonian Woods Park
RSVP: Space is limited, to RSVP: To Sign-up and reserve your spot, please click here
Waiver Required

The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee is planning a Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn and Spooky Trail where residents can enjoy some Halloween-themed fun in a safe and socially-distanced manner.

Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn (Pumpkin Drop-off between 12pm and 2pm)
The Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn will be set up in the grassy area near the Washingtonian Woods Park Playground on Upshire Circle. All residents are invited to provide a carved Jack-o’-Lantern or decorated pumpkin for the display (multiple contributions from households welcome!), and to encourage contributions, prizes (amazon gift cards!) will be awarded in three categories: Overall Favorite, Scariest, and Funniest or Silliest. Submissions can be dropped off near the playground between 12pm and 2pm on Oct 31, and we ask that you return to pick up your submissions between 6:40 and 7pm that evening. All are welcome to enjoy the display and cast their votes for prizes from 4pm to 6:30pm on the 31st, regardless of whether you plan to walk through the Spooky Trail. Please wear a mask and maintain a 6-foot distance from other families enjoying the display.

If you plan to submit an entry and/or enjoy the display, please sign up below and indicate in the comments if you are doing the former, the latter, or both. Signing up ahead of time will greatly help the social committee with planning and reduce the need to collect waivers in hard copy.

Spooky Trail (4pm – 6pm)
The Spooky Trail will start near the bridge at the far end of the grassy area where the pond empties into the creek, and proceed up the trail to the Clubhouse, ending in the parking lot where we will hand out treats to all young Spooky Trail survivors. The trail will include a few different themed areas – cemetery, ghosts, and spiders, along with areas where actors cast from the vast WW talent pool will play witches, vampires, werwolves, zombies, and other creepy creatures. CLICK HERE to see the Spooky Trail Map.

To maintain social distancing, we are allowing no more than 30 individuals to sign up during each 30-minute time slot, and will control entry to the trail to ensure that family groups are spaced out. Please note that masks are required for all those who will brave the Spooky Trail. We will keep the scares mild for the 4:00pm and 4:30pm time slots, and then up the scare factor for those signing up for later time slots.

For questions about the Spooky Trail, please contact Antonio Salinas (Antonios’s contact info in the Sign-up Genius above). Jack-o’-Lantern Lawn questions should go to Tina Winters (Tina’s contact info also in the Sign-up Genius above.)

Halloween House Decorating Contest
Thursday evening, October 29th through Friday evening, October 30th
Show your Halloween spirit and decorate your house for the annual Washingtonian Woods Halloween House Decorating Contest! Please have your house ready for judging by Thursday (10/29) at 6pm. Prizes will be awarded.

Volunteers Needed!
To make all of this possible we need your help! Please consider signing up to volunteer. For those who sign up, additional details will be provided to you directly by a member of the Social Committee. Please take a moment to look at our Sign-up Genius and sign up for slot.

Thank you to the Social Committee for all of its efforts and hours of volunteer time to help keep the great Halloween spirit of Washingtonian Woods alive and well this year. We hope you and your families are all staying safe and well, and have a Happy Halloween!

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Save the Dates! | Fall Fest | Spooky Trail | Halloween House Decorating Contest

Hello Neighbors,

Save the Dates!

The Washingtonian Woods Social Committee has been working hard on keeping our neighborhood’s great Halloween spirit alive and well during this 2020 Halloween season. The Committee is still planning on hosting several activities this year for our annual Fall Fest. Obviously, COVID-19 has greatly impacted this year’s events; and sadly, Candy Hill and the Costume Parade will not take place in 2020. However, the Committee has planned several other events for the community to enjoy this year, for those wishing to do so.

This year, the Committee will be sponsoring the following Fall Fest events. More specific details on each will follow in the coming days, but the schedule of events is as follows:

Halloween Drive-in Movie
Friday evening, October 30th
Clubhouse Parking Lot
Space will be limited, RSVP Sign-up link to follow

Spooky Trail
Halloween Afternoon, October 31st
Washingtonian Woods Park
Space will be limited, RSVP Sign-up link to follow

Pumpking Carving Contest
Halloween Afternoon, October 31st
Washingtonian Woods Park
Jack-O-Lantern contest! This year we encourage you to decorate your pumpkins, deliver to a designed spot and vote on your favorites. More details to come.

Halloween House Decorating Contest
Thursday evening, October 29th through Friday evening, October 30th
Show your Halloween spirit and decorate your house for the annual Washingtonian Woods Halloween House Decorating Contest! Please have your house ready for judging by Thursday (10/29) at 6pm. Prizes will be awarded.

Waivers, masking requirements and responsible social distancing will be required for all who choose to participate in the in-person events. Space will be limited; waiver forms and RSVP sign-ups will be provided in the coming days.

Volunteers Needed!
To make all of this possible we need your help! Please consider signing up to volunteer. For those who sign up, additional details will be provided to you directly by a member of the Social Committee. Please take a moment to look at our Sign-up Genius and sign up for slot.

Thank you to the Social Committee for all of its efforts and hours of volunteer time to help keep the great Halloween spirit of Washingtonian Woods alive and well this year. We hope you and your families are all staying safe and well, and have a Happy Halloween!

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA

Starting in September 2020: Bulk Pick Up is now On-demand

Hello Neighbors,

Please see the following announcement from the City of Gaithersburg regarding bulk pickups:

Bulk Pick Up is now On-demand
While your regular trash and garbage collection is handled by private contractors, the City of Gaithersburg provides on-demand bulk refuse collection to single family homes and townhouses for large items, including heavy electrical appliances, furniture and other large household objects that private trash collectors will not accept.

Starting in September, 2020, the City of Gaithersburg is changing its bulk refuse collection program to make it more convenient for you, more efficient for City staff, and more thoughtful of the environment. You must now schedule an appointment to arrange for bulk pick up collection. There’s a limit of one per month, but it can be scheduled on any of your regular recycling days.

The City is happy to provide this service to you, and our goal is to recycle as much of what we collect as possible. However, reuse and repair are always preferred options. Before scheduling a bulk pick up, please consider alternatives to disposal.

Complete details about this new program, including scheduling instructions and a list of what can and cannot be put out can be found on the City’s Bulk Pick Up webpage here. Questions? Contact the Department of Public Works at 301-258-6370.

Thank you,
Glenn Watts
Board of Directors, Washingtonian Woods HOA