Villages of Kensington Newsletter

Fall, 2024
Our last issue was in the late Spring. We hope you had a pleasant summer, despite
the wretched heat and humidity. As I drive around Kensington it’s great to see our
gardens and parks coming back to life. Yes, the leaves are falling, but that’s a sign of
the life cycle, which is a good thing.
Throughout this issue you will see some positive statements about aging, collected by
Australia’s Brightwater Group, a service provider. You can find more at:
https://brightwatergroup.com/news-media/16-positive-quotes-about-ageing/
Which
ones speak to you? Let us know what you think. Here’s one to get you started.

“The best tools are played on the oldest

fiddles.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Meet the VoK’s new Board Member, Angie Young

Angie has owned her home in Kensington since 1989 but has only lived in it
permanently since 2004. For well over three decades Angie and family traveled the
world while her husband served as a Diplomat in the American Foreign Service. They
lived in eleven different countries spread over four continents until her husband’s
retirement from the State Department in 2004. Following his retirement, Angie joined
the Department of State in the Office of the Chief of Protocol as a Protocol Officer.
She was responsible for meeting and welcoming newly appointed foreign
Ambassadors to The U.S. and subsequently escorting them to the White House to
present their credentials to the President of the U.S. in his oval office. She had the
added pleasure of working for three Presidents and five Secretaries of State before
her retirement in 2019. She enjoys visiting her daughter and grandson in NY and her
son in DC. She is a member of a neighborhood Book Club, fitness center and St.
Augustine's Catholic Church, enjoys lunching with friends, and has several other
Board affiliations.

Home Safety Checks--FREE!!!!

One benefit of living in Montgomery County Maryland is that you can request a free
home safety visit from the Fire Department. The goal of the program is to educate
residents about fire safety, check smoke alarms to ensure they are up-to-date and
working.Information on this safety check is available
online at
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/firesafety.html
. This service is
available for home-owners and renters. Renters should read the section on renters
before requesting a visit. If you rent your home, please review your renter’s
agreement to determine the responsibility for providing and maintaining working
smoke alarms in your residence. There are State requirements that address the legal
requirements in rental units.
For those in need who cannot afford smoke alarms or need assistance installing
battery- powered smoke alarms (where permitted by Code), the department has a
limited supply of battery-powered smoke alarms reserved. Requests are considered
on a case-by-case basis.
In the meantime, the fire department suggests the following:
● Check your smoke alarms monthly to make sure they work.
● Install a smoke alarm in each bedroom, areas outside these rooms, and on
every level of the home.
● Vacuum your smoke alarms to regularly clean and dust them.
● Replace alarms every 10 years, as required by Maryland Law.
The Kensington Volunteer Fire Department is located at 10620 Connecticut Avenue.
In addition to responding to fires and emergencies, they offer a KVFD Auxiliary
Medical Equipment Loan Closet. is open
It on Monday
nights from 6:30 to 7:30 PM.
Donations of equipment are gladly accepted. The following equipment can be
borrowed for a $25 donation:
● Wheelchairs (non-electric)
● Metal Walkers
● Rollators (Sit down walkers)
● Canes
● Knee Scooters
● Bedside Commodes
● Toilet Seat Toppers

“Age is just the number of years the

world has been enjoying you.”
Unknown
 Save the Dates

October

10/5: 2:30-6 p.m., Rock Creek Palisades Fall Fest, Astoria Road near Einstein High
School. There will be music and food trucks and activities for children. Villages of
Kensington will have a table.

10/10: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Giant Pharmacy will hold a Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic
for Villages of Kensington members, volunteers, and friends, Jewish Council for the
Aging, 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD. No charge for Medicare and Medicaid
participants. All others, check with your private insurance.

10/13: 3:00 to 5 p.m., Art Talk by local artist, Jason Swain, Kensington Town Hall,
Main Auditorium, 3710 Mitchell Street, Kensington. Jason is the creative force behind
many public art works in and about the Town of Kensington. He also works with
traditional oils and has created an unusual technique using brewed coffee on canvas
[email protected]
for painting portraits. RSVP for this event at . Light
refreshments will be served.

10/15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Flu and COVID Vaccine Clinic (in conjunction with Omni
Care and CVS at the WAVE Conference), Silver Spring Civic Center, 719 Ellsworth
Drive, Silver Spring. Open to anyone, not just conference attendees. Bring your
insurance cards or vouchers to the clinic. Register online at
https://www.cvs.com/scheduling/patient-lookup?lob=rximz&flow=vaccine

10/18: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch Around at the home Artie Romano, 3709 Emily St,
Kensington, MD 20895, USA map() Join us for food and
fun! Please RSVP by
October 16th to
[email protected]

15 members and volunteers gathered for a recent Lunch Around event at Dish and
Dram.
November

Check the VoK calendar and email announcements to learn about the November
Lunch Around and other upcoming events.

December

Trip to see the holiday lights at Brookside Gardens. This is an annual holiday treat for
Villages of Kensington members. Information on the date, time, and how to reserve a
spot will be announced in November.

“Count your age by friends, not years.

Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
John Lennon
 Homeowners Tax Credit
Good news! You might be eligible for the Montgomery County Homeowners Tax
Credit?

A VoK member recently mentioned that she only recently learned about the program
and found out that she qualified for the credit. She suggested that we share this
information to other VoK members who can determine if they are eligible too.

Have you lived in your home in Montgomery County for more than 40 consecutive
years? Are you 65 or older? Or, are you a military veteran? If you can answer yes to
these questions and your name is on the deed to the property, you may be eligible for
a significant property tax credit from Montgomery County.

This 20% tax credit is available for 7 years for qualified homeowners. The property,
including dwelling and land, must be valued at $700,000 or less to qualify for the
program. The application deadline is April 1, 2025 for the tax year beginning July 1,
2025.

Here's the link to the program's description and application process:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Finance/bill-42-16.html

Click on this link for the application:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/Finance/Resources/Files/APPLICATION_Elderl
y_Invididual_Retired_Military.pdf
Elderly/Retired Military Tax Credit Application

You can always call 311, the County's information line for a referral or, call (240)
777-0311 to learn more from the Montgomery County Department of Finance.
 Apples Galore

Yes, it’s apple season again and there are more and more varieties to choose from.
My personal favorite is the Stayman. I could wax poetic about the positive attributes of
these apples, but instead I suggest you contact another source from Appleist and
https://applerankings.com/
comedian, Brian Frange. Visit to read his views on various
apples and to learn where your favorites fall in his rankings.

You can pick or just purchase apples at these orchards:

The Orchards of Doc Waters in Germantown.

https://www.docwaterscidery.com/

Homestead Farms in Poolesville

http://www.homestead-farm.net/

Butler’s Orchard in Germantonw

https://www.butlersorchard.com/
 Fall Prevention

Some of us are more prone to falling than others. We move too fast, forget to look
where we are going, or, as declared by my doctor, just a bit clumsy. Sometimes the
fall is insignificant, damaging our egos more than our bodies. However, falls can lead
to serious injuries that take a long time to heal.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) explains that falls are a health threat that can
reduce our ability to live independently. In fact, falls among those 65 and older
caused over 38,000 deaths in 2021. Falls are the leading cause of injury death for
that age group.

The CDC offers numerous, easy-to-implement tips for fall-proofing your home and
preventing falls at home and in the community. Here are a few examples.

Speak with your doctor

● Tell your doctor if you have fallen, if you feel unsteady when standing or
walking, or if you are afraid you might fall.

● Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review the medicines you take. Some
medicines might make you dizzy or sleepy which can increase your risk of
falling.

● Have an eye doctor check your eyes at least once a year and update your
eyeglasses as needed.

● Have your doctor check your feet at least once a year and discuss proper
footwear to reduce your risk of falling.

● Ask your doctor about health conditions, like depression, osteoporosis, and
hypotension, that can increase your risk for falling.

Stay active

● Do exercises that strengthen your body and improve your balance.

Montgomery County Department of Recreation offers in-person and Zoom
classes to help with this. For example:
 Bone Builders are free hour-long classes held throughout the county and on
Zoom. Participants learn and do exercises specifically chosen to increase
muscle strength and bone density in order to improve balance and minimize the
risk of falls. Participants bring their own weights to class.

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/rec/activitiesandprograms/seniors/bone
builders.html

Stepping On is a free County-supported fall prevention

program led by a
trained professional. Participants learn to manage health behaviors to reduce
the risk of falls. Call 240-773-8290 for information.

Senior Shape is a partnership between Suburban Hospital

and Montgomery
County Recreation. Located around the county, the classes provide strength,
flexibility, and aerobic exercise training. Participants must have a doctor’s note.
The fee for a three-month class is $40. For more information, call Suburban
Hospital at 301-896-3939.

● Walk, instead of riding in a car, as often as possible. Use walking sticks, a

cane, or other “assistant” as needed.

● Wear shoes that fit well and are appropriate for the activity.

● Slowdownand look beforeyou moveand while moving.

Most sidewalksare unevenand full of cracks and other
potential hazards.

Make your home safer (A Villages of Kensington volunteer

could help with
some of these installations.)

● Get rid of trip hazards, like throw rugs, and keep floors clutter free.

● Brighten your home with extra lighting or brighter light bulbs.

● Install grab bars in the bathroom(s)—next to the toilet and inside and outside of
your bathtub or shower.

● Install handrails on both sides of all indoor and outdoor staircases.

● Store the things you use most often on kitchen counters or in low cupboards.
 ● Use a sturdy stepstool with a handle, when needed.

To learn more, visit “Older Adult Fall Prevention” at

https://www.cdc.gov/falls/about/index.html
. You’llfind articles, videos,
self-assessments, tip sheets, and more.

“Age is something that doesn’t matter .

. . unless you are a cheese!”
Billie Burke