Darnestown, MD

One of my favorite memories from my childhood was setting up the card table at the end of the driveway and sellin' lemonade. I would be in charge of the sign. One paper cup of our best stuff would run ya a nickel. My mom would make the lemonade, or Kool-Aid if we had a special request and we would go out front and wait for the mad run on our lemonade stand. Strangers would stop by and get a cup or so and we had our regulars that would have a cup or so and visit with us.

When we were all out, we were in charge of bringing in the pitcher and cups to Mom for clean up and Mom would get the card table for us. When the clean up was done, we would divy up the loot and run to the store and buy gum, candy, comics or the like. It was our money and we could do with it what we wanted.

As an adult I have always supported the local lemonade stand trade in my area. I have been out showing houses a few times to drive past kids selling lemonade. I ALWAYS pull over and treat my clients to a cup of the good stuff. It does two things, Gives us a little break and refreshment and thrills the kids. I think that those are the kinds of things that help build kid's self esteem to know they can succeed.

Today, after I came home, I did my usual routine of getting Hutch, my dog, and going for our afternoon walk. We walked our normal trek and came back to find the kids that live across the street had set up shop while Hutch and I were out. The had the card table, sign, cups the entire deal. Jordan and Zander out there working their lemonade stand.

Now, I tell you, inflation is a tough thing but I think Jordan and Zander's prices were fair. They charged .25 cents for one cup or two cups for .40 cents. Please note the sign, the bowl is for the money. I thought that was a pretty good deal. Jordan told my that one cup was one quarter and two cups were four quarters? Jordan also instructed me to make sure Hutch did not poop anywhere near the stand, it wouldn't be good for business. I told her I understood and we would refrain from such things.

They were cute and so excited to sell their lemonade. They told me they would only be there as long they still had cups for customers and that they were not going to drink any of the lemonade, they had to save it for the customers.

Next time you are in Darnestown Maryland, be sure to stop off at Jordan and Zander's Lemonade Stand. They are sure to please.

Hhmmm. . . . I think we might have a little agent in the making?

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Next time I am Wearing a Crown Instead of a Cap!

It is Sunday afternoon in Darnestown Maryland. As my husband and I walk together all the guys are so glad to see me. "Hi, Audrey, we are so glad to see you." "Hey look everyone look, Audrey is here." My husband and I just grin. You see, it is Spring and Coed Neighborhood Softball has started in Darnestown and the women are a must. It is not because I am so good, they just need 3 breathing females on the team to play!

Then Linda and her husband show up, and the same thing happens. Hey, everyone, Linda is here and so on. We girls laugh and say we have not been this popular since our wedding days. The guys make us feel like queens because they need at least 3 of us in order to play!

In our town we have six softball teams that are made up of from different neighborhood combinations. You must own/ live in the Darnestown area of Gaithersburg to be able to play. Each team must have three women playing at all times. There are several rules that have been put into place for safety purposes. There is no sliding into home plate. The men have to bat opposite until they are 50, then they can bat normal. For some of the guys, it doesn't matter - they still knock it out of the park. The women use a smaller ball than the men. There are all kinds of little rules to keep it safe and fair for the girls.

There is a six foot circle drawn around the home plate so there is no pushing the catcher out of the way in order to score. That is good news to me seeing how I am the catcher for my team.

My husband, Mike, is the pitcher. He does a pretty good job. However, when he is not on his game and I sigh, not having anything to do with the fact that he is about to walk another person and we might lose the game because their best hitter is on deck kind of sigh. No, it would have anything to do with that, and Mike can still hear my sigh only like a husband can. It can be amusing to say the least.

The games have umpires, strikes are called, and batters are walked. It can be pretty exciting. Scores, wins and losses are kept and there is even a trophy at the end of the year. Neighbors bring their lawn chairs and cheer their neighbors on. After the game is over, we sit and visit, watch the next game if there is one, have a beer. It is a great way to know your neighbors in a small town way that is not normal in the DC suburbs.

It is neighborhood softball and is a lot of fun, there are those that you have to remind them that they are not in the World Series, but I guess that is just how some folks are. All I know is next week when I need a boost in morale; all I have to do is show up to the ball field.

Welcome all Darnestown residents it is time for the Darnestown Civic Association's 9th annual Spring Social!! It is a place to meet your neighbors, bring the kids and enjoy the afternoon!

The Spring social will be hosted and sponsored by Smokey Glen Farm. It will be Wednesday, April 23th, 2008 from 6:00 to 8:00.

Smokey Glen Farmis the one of the metro area's best picks for everything from wedding receptions to corporate BBQ! Great food and plenty of activities! Darnestown is its own "town". We are located 20 minutes from Washington DC, but have a small town feel. The spring social brings this part of Darnestown's personality out for people to see and feel!

The Spring Social is for the residence of Darnestown and is free, so bring the family!

If you are a resident of Darnestown and would like to attend you will need to RSVP Lisa Patterson, social director. You may rsvp by calling 301-548-0999 or email Lisaapatterson@aol.com.

It is lots of fun and it is free! Hope to see you there!

Darnestowncivic.org

Search for Darnestown Real Estate at Audreyjune.com