Editors: Bonnie and Charles Duffy
** Late breaking news from MARTY AND LOTTE WOLF **
Just last night, the Wolfs accepted a contract for the sale of their house. The home inspection was this morning, and the Wolfs expect everything to move forward for a May 1 closing. Evidently the couple looked at 60 houses before settling on the Wolf’s house and Leland Street!
The couple who bought the house are moving from Sausalito, CA and have 2 girls, ages 2 and 4. Lotte describes them as “wonderful and a real Leland Street kind of couple.” Before they move, the Wolfs plan to host a get together for Leland street neighbors to meet and greet this new family.
BATEMAN
Things are pretty routine at the Bateman household. Annie and Claire have definitely developed "senioritis" since Christmas break.....all those college applications are finally in and we are all in relaxation mode at last! Annie is enjoying tutoring at both Chevy Chase Elementary and Rosemary Hills, and Claire is looking forward to her upcoming dance performance on the Millennium Stage at the Kennedy Center. Terry and Jill have been catching up on movies....they highly recommend
"The Diving Bell and the Butterfly." All are anxiously awaiting spring and time in the garden.
BERGEM-STENSETH
In mid-January we vacationed in Costa Rica for 11 days. It was a marvelous trip! We hiked in Nature Reserves, explored a volcano and watched humming birds feed.
We caught sight of Costa Rica’s most venomous snake, did a canopy tour fixed in steel wires high above the tree tops, walked the hanging bridges in Monteverde, enjoyed relaxing days at the most wonderful hotel we have ever stayed at close to Costa Rica’s unexplored southern beaches.
We highly recommend Costa Rica – but stay away from the chartertour jammed Tamarindo (too developed). To check out the hotel we stayed at read our review and see pictures at:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309235-d578460-Reviews-Hotel_Luna_Azul-Province_of_Guanacaste.html#savessd13419366
Friday this week we enjoyed a wonderful evening at Florence’ house together with Arthur and Marcy. Florence had cooked a delicious meal and Falk particularly enjoyed her strawberry cake! The kids love to listen to stories from bygone times – and to discuss current events with Florence. This time around we also learned about Arthur’s early years in the Bronx, New York.
We all look forward to the spring – our last in Leland Street. In June/July we will be on the move again – this time to Norway. -- Leni and Knut, Mira and Falk.
COSMAS
Last weekend Will came for what was scheduled to be a brief visit, Thursday through Saturday. Farrell happily reported that a snowed-in Boston extended his stay another 2 days. So the snow delays made for a happy time for Farrell and Bill. Will is doing terrific in Boston.
DUFFY
Over the Presidents Day holiday, Matthew, Charles and Bonnie enjoyed spending several days in St. Petersburg Beach, Florida.
We thoroughly enjoyed the warm temperatures, swimming in the pool and football on the beach.
Simple pleasures are still enough for Matthew – running down the long hallways in the hotel, pushing the elevator buttons, pulling a suitcase and flying on the airplane seemed to thrill him.
Charles and Matthew enjoyed watching the Pittsburgh Pirates in spring training practice. And Charles, or was it Matthew? got some players to sign his glove. We all had fun visiting some long-lost Duffy cousins and sampling the juicy fruit from their tangerine tree.
Matthew watched his hero Paul Delancy play a basketball game at his team’s last game of the season. The whole family enjoyed celebrating Valentines at the Vicentes house, along with the Forrests. Matthew demonstrated his skill at sneaking cupcakes off the kitchen table while no one was looking.
FENDRICK
Barbara is back home and feeling wonderful after an extended recuperation from a fractured hip. She cannot say enough great things about the care she received at Suburban and at Adventist Rehab in Rockville. After leaving Adventist, Barbara stayed with her son at his house in Germantown. If anyone is in need rehabilitation, she highly recommends Adventist and would be happy to discuss her experience with neighbors.
FORREST
Marcy writes: We have found that the best way to pass the coldest month of the year is to enjoy hearth, home and good company whether it is our house or someone else’s. We have had a month of lively conversation, opinions and debate over the Presidential candidates, as well as the nominated films and actors in Hollywood movies. We have also brought friends from both sides of the aisle to our home to share thoughts. We have enjoyed the conversations that bounce around Florence Lloyd’s table regarding subjects from world peace to poets and places of interest throughout the world. On another occasion, we loved watching the interaction of Matthew Duffy and the Vicente boys over Valentine cupcakes and tea.
Zak has been on location filming his movie and has had special friends living with us during the process. Location work has taken him to nearby Virginia and then onto Ohio chasing snow during the recent blizzard. Nicole spent the Presidential holiday weekend in NYC. A highlight of that trip was seeing John Pizzarelli perform. Closer to home, she attended the Mandy Patinkin concert at Strathmore Hall.
Vike Vicente placed a reminder call to us the night of the eclipse that sent Arthur, Marcy, Zak and Chad flying out the door as if it was a fire drill. It was a beautiful eclipse and such fun to share the hour.
The whole family is looking forward to munching the Girl Scout cookies brought to our door through the scout efforts of Sarah Payne and Ann Lee’s grandaughters, Kate and Kristin Hilal.
Marcy spent three days in NYC for a friendship trip. One sight she enjoyed was the Electric Fountain at Rockefeller Center...
then on to the Philadelphia to meet sister, Sheila for the Philadelphia Flower Show. The theme of this year’s Flower Show is New Orleans, Jazz It Up. Musical instruments were a part of many of the displays including a fountain that flowed from a piano and water spurting from a beautiful arrangements of brass horns.
It is always a lovely event and highly recommended to anyone wanting a sneak preview of spring. It is interesting to see the wide range of enthusiasts who enjoy the show. Women of every age and background from the very young to a group of senior ladies who were members of the Red Hat Society.
There was also a group of young women training seeing eye dogs. One section of the show was a topiary “Dog Park” that seemed to attract the attention of these working dogs.
LIPPOLD
Anne Lippold was out early Saturday morning, working with her students from Holton Arms to clean up trash on an area street. Anne said she and Paul are doing well, and Anne continues to enjoy her teaching.
PAYNE/SIMPSON
Maggie reports: Took all the kids to Spiderwick Chronicles -- great fantastical movie with ogres and fairies -- rated PG.
A bit scary for the under 6 crowd but our clan loved it. Looking forward to Sping Break and a family trip to the beach.
PEPPE/GIBSON
Melissa writes: We are watching our hyacinth poking through the ground and hoping that Spring is just around the corner. Three more weeks until its formal arrival?
Doug enjoyed the Superbowl in Arizona with his college buddies, but brought the flu home with him, which he then shared with Gordon and Melissa (yes, we can verify that this strain was not included in the flu shot . . . .) Not a souvenir that we are enjoying and we are hoping to be completely rid of it soon!
Gordon was elated that it was his first year to travel with Doug to the NHL All Star Game -- a weekend full of hockey, dinners, games, swimming, etc. Molly and I have enjoyed these weekends with Doug over the years, but because this is a semi-business weekend, Doug imposed a "must be at least 8 years old" rule for his guest. Molly has monopolized this weekend in recent years and returned home with pictures of herself in full hockey garb, stories of seeing the whatever band was playing that year (her favorite was the "Bare Naked Ladies"), and tales of whatever city they were enjoying. Gordon, however, happily bumped her this year, returning with pictures, hockey jerseys, and stories from his "guy weekend" with dad. (The girls enjoyed their weekend in Chevy Chase though- no Ninja movies, just nail polish, chick flicks, and plenty of girlfriends).
We would like to thank Marcy Forrest for all of her work on the Leland Street Blog- we enjoy the new picture component and loved the recent issue on pets!
SOLOMON
Dorothy and Fred Solomon are looking forward to visits in March from sons Ari and Micah. Micah will bring his family, including children Lila, age 7 and Noah, age almost 4. Any suggestions for attractions/events that would appeal to kids their age will be appreciated.
The new live Butterfly Pavilion at the Museum of Natural History sounds like a winner. Take a stroll among live butterflies and exotic plants! This tropical oasis offers visitors a rare opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from all over the world.
TROCCHIO
Julie writes: Elizabeth, John and Julie left wintry BWI on Friday to fly to Miami to visit Jennie. It was 80 degrees and humid and we loved it. Went to Biscayne Bay, South Beach and Coconut Grove. A quick but wonderful trip!
VICENTE
Last week, Mark turned 4 – he celebrated at a party with some of his classmates from the Leland Center.
Wendy reports that on his birthday, Mark was very proud to have trades shoes with a friend a school, and came home with 2 left shoes. Wendy and Vike kicked up their heels at the Georgetown Pediatrics Gala – the dancing didn’t start until after 11. In spite of being a little tired today, they had great time.
CLASSIFIED/WANT ADS
BEACH HOUSE If anyone is interested in renting a beach house on the Isle of Palms, near Charleston, S.C. this summer in either June or early July, let Maggie Simpson know.
It's a six-bedroom, six bath house with many porches and ocean views, which we won't be using as much as we'd like this summer, so we are looking to rent it for a few weeks. It's a great place for kids! For pictures go to the Leland Street News blog or email Maggie at simpsonmas@comcast.net.
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CRT MONITOR NEEDED The Solomons are in the process of purchasing a new set-up for use at home. It turns out that Dorothy's eyes are quite uncomfortable looking at the print as displayed on the currently popular flat screens. We've been told that an old-fashioned CRT monitor would be a better bet for her, and wonder if any neighbor might have one they've been waiting to discard. If so, please call us at (301)656-3391. [E-mail address--unreliable right now--is dfsolomon@starpower.net] Many thanks!
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ANIMAL SHELTER DONATIONS NEEDED Molly Gibson is doing (with the help of mom) a drive for these things (listed below) for the Montgomery County Humane Society for animals in need (animal shelter) Gently used bath towels, beach towels, bathroom rugs, sheets, hand towels, wash clothes, and blankets Call 301-907-0951 or email at mlpeppe@aol.com. Molly can either pick up the stuff or people can drop it by, by march 15.
REMEMBER THE BLOG: Please email photos for the Leland Street Blog to Marcy Forrest Marcy4est@aol.com
Hopefully you have had the chance to look at the wonderful “Paws and Whiskers” edition of the blog.
