PROTECTIVE MEASURE Bartender designs coaster to curb drink tampering. A-5
ENTERTAINMENT: Harper Lee classic “To Kill A Mockingbird” comes alive in Olney. A-12
The Gazette GERMANTOWN | CLARKSBURG
SPORTS: Two young girls grow up to lead Poolesville volleyball. B-1
DA I LY U P DAT E S AT G A Z E T T E . N E T
Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2014
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Search for missing Clarksburg children continues Police fear children are dead; finding mother alive hasn’t solved mystery
After nearly a week of searching, police are taking the unusual step of asking homeowners in the Darnestown and Clarksburg areas to search their properties — particularly toolsheds or other structures — for any sign of the two children, said Capt. Darren Francke, head of the county police department’s Major Crimes Division. This includes being aware of foul smells, broken shed locks and even disturbed brush, Francke said. Homeowners are more familiar with
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DANIEL LEADERMAN STAFF WRITER
Police in Montgomery County said Monday that they maintain a “ray of hope” that two missing Clarksburg children are still alive, but are building a ho-
Sarah Hoggle
Jacob Hoggle
micide case against their mother, who was found and taken into custody Friday.
possible hiding places on their properties than police are and should call 911 — and be careful about contaminating evidence — if they do find the children, Francke told reporters at a news conference outside police headquarters in Gaithersburg on Monday. “Go out there and look again,” Francke said. “If there’s a chance to render any aid, take the appropriate action. But if you find what we unfortunately believe you will find, we would ask that you back away immediately.”
Germantown student says coach was ‘great blessing’
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Alejandro Vargas Posas told Montgomery County Council members on Monday that his experience at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown changed significantly after he met Damien Robinson. Posas, who was born in El Salvador, said his family moved to the U.S. for new opportunities and goals. Though he was motivated to succeed, Posas said he struggled after joining his high school’s International Baccalaureate program. “A great blessing came to my
SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER STAFF WRITER
For the third year in a row, residents looking for a different way to spend their Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur can join Dr. Andrea “Yonina” Foster for her retreat style programming celebrating the High Holy Days in Germantown. On Sept. 24 and 25 for Rosh Hashanah and Oct. 3 and 4 for Yom Kippur, people can gather at the yurt on the property of the Sugarloaf Congregation of Unitarian Universalists for each day’s events. Foster calls the event Zra’eem, or seeds, and says it’s for those who want “renewal in their Judaism.” “It’s an approach that’s more meditative, musical, mystical, but it’s based upon tradition,” Foster said. “It follows what might be seen in a traditional setting, but in a creative way.” Foster, who earned her Ph.D. in American studies, decided to host this program because she was not satisfied with what traditional services offered and knew other people who felt the same way. “I wanted a place where I felt my heart could speak and connect with nature and learn of other people’s inner journeys throughout the year,” Foster said explaining that place for her was directly in nature in the yurt, a circular building located at the base of Sugarloaf
See HOLY, Page A-9
PHOTO BY UTAW WHITE
Georgia Cuseo-White, co-owner Washington White’s daughter, picks the first few apples of the season before the orchard opened. Water’s Orchard opened to the public on Sept. 6 on Wildcat Road in Germantown.
Water’s Orchard open for picking
Germantown natives open a pick-your-own apple orchard
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SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER STAFF WRITER
PHOTO BY YONINA FOSTER
Dr. Andrea “Yonina” Foster will host her High Holy Days programming in this yurt on the property of the Sugarloaf Congregation of Unitarian Universalists.
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Susan Butler, co-owner of Butler’s Orchard in Germantown, and her husband, Washington White, opened their newest project on Sept. 6; a pick-your-own apple orchard on Wildcat Road in Germantown. Water’s Orchard invites anyone looking for fresh apples and a nice weekend spent outdoors to come out to pick the ripe and ready Crimson Crisp, Jonagold and Shizuka varieties. Starting Oct. 1, Pink Lady apples will be ready for harvest and about mid-way through the month Granny Smith and Fuji apples will be available as well.
See ORCHARD, Page A-9
ON SCREEN/ IN PERSON Germantown arts center kicks off independent film series with “The Hand That Feeds” on Sunday. A-3
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Butler and White bought 62 acres of land from White’s family’s farm a couple years ago because they had always wanted to have their own orchard. While Butler’s Orchard has many other pick-your-own fruits, vegetables and flowers, it does not have enough room for a full apple orchard. The pair had the opportunity to grow apples and keep the land in the family so they took it. “Here we are the next generation moving into apples, switching things up. It’s how you keep your farm going for generations to come,” Butler said adding that the farm used to grow azaleas and rhododendrons before raising cattle for meat. Though Butler calls White the “chief grower,” she is still involved in the process, as well. She explained that their first planting
NEWS B-11 A-2 B-7 A-12 A-11 B-1
LINDSAY A. POWERS STAFF WRITER
Retreat-style event for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur BY
See SEARCH, Page A-9
County college prep program wins praise
Germantown woman offers High Holy Day programs n
Police have searched more than 13,000 acres in the county over the past week, and searches are expected to continue Wednesday. Catherine Hoggle, 27, who has paranoid schizophrenia, was found in Germantown in the area of Century Boulevard and Crystal Rock Drive after a resident called 911 on Friday night to report a sighting. Hoggle had changed her hair since her disappearance and tried to flee
Volume 31, No. 37, Two sections, 28 Pages Copyright © 2014 The Gazette
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school” in the form of Robinson, a coach in the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success program, he said. “Dr. Robinson, he gave me hope. He made me believe in myself again,” he said. Posas was one of several speakers who briefed the County Council’s education committee about the ACES program that started in 10 public high schools last fall and aims to support students so they get into and complete college. The program involves a partnership between Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools and The Universities at Shady Grove. The 10 high schools involved in the program — which has a
See PREP, Page A-9
Bioscience Education Center promises big things for Germantown n
New building, technology for Montgomery College
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SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER STAFF WRITER
Montgomery College’s Germantown campus officially opened the brand new Bioscience Education Center on Sept. 10 with a dedication ceremony, reception and tours. The new 145,000-square-foot building is home to six general purpose classrooms, eight recitation rooms, 25 wet labs and 48 offices for biology, biotechnology and chemistry faculty. The cost of the project is estimated to be about $88 million, which includes construction, road development and equipment for the building, and was supported by the state and Montgomery County. The labs have industry-grade instruments, including DNA sequencers, protein purifiers and bioreactors as well as incubators, microscopes and culture hoods. Dr. Collins Jones, the bio-
technology program coordinator, helped make this project a reality by creating the curriculum for the courses and figuring out what instruments the new labs would need. “When we designed the building I put a wishlist together and shot high thinking I wouldn’t get what I asked for,” Jones said. Jones was pleasantly surprised when the school was able to acquire the high-quality instruments he requested, explaining that many of the companies gave the school discounts because Montgomery College is teaching the next generation of scientists to operate their product. “All the equipment is for students to use, we want them to be familiar with it and be able to use it,” Jones said, explaining that this will cut their training time when they get hired. As part of the training program, Jones said the instructors write standard operating procedure manuals to teach students
See BIOSCIENCE, Page A-9