MCV BOARD DECIDES AGAINST ALTERNATE ICE CREAM EVENT
Due to ongoing COVID-19 health and safety uncertainties, the Mill Creek Village (MCV) Board of Directors recently voted against hosting a proposed “Drive-By Ice Cream Handout Event” on August 2, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. The Ice Cream “Drive-By” event was being considered as an alternative to the Village’s traditional annual Ice Cream Social, an event that was canceled in June because of crowd size, social distancing and sanitary restrictions. Putting the well-being of its neighbors first, especially those who might be more highly susceptible to the virus’s impacts, the Board determined that the “Drive-By” event’s potential risks exceeded its anticipated rewards.
The “Drive-By” event proposal included several rules intended to ensure participant compliance with the county’s COVID-19 public health requirements. Board members, however, raised several possible scenarios that could undermine these health and safety measures and present challenges that may be beyond our volunteers’ control. After weighing the pros and cons of proceeding, the Board concluded that caution continues to be the wisest course of action at this time.
We’ll get there yet and will hopefully see you at an MCV event in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, please stay safe and well everyone!
MCV ICE CREAM SOCIAL IS POSTPONED
The Mill Creek Village (MCV) Board of Directors’ met via conference call on June 11, 2020 and voted to postpone its annual Ice Cream Social from July 19th to Sunday, August 2nd. After reviewing the latest COVID-19 guidance from the State and County and the continuing risk presented by the virus, the Board voted to postpone and reformat the summer community event in the interest of public health safety, as many of our participants include neighbors in the higher-risk category.
The August 2nd event will not be the traditional gathering, where we sit together on lawn chairs and share scooped ice cream and our favorite toppings. Such forms of food delivery continue to be advised against. Additionally, the event has drawn more than 50 participants in the past and it would be challenging to meet social distancing (100 sq. ft. separation) and mask requirements to comfortably eat and socialize.
But Village leaders do want to provide a meaningful gesture to remind all in our community of our continuing connectedness during this shared public health challenge and begin to restore some neighborhood fun. So, the Village’s Social Committee is exploring a “drive-by” event where packaged, glove-handled Ice Cream Sandwiches will be handed out to neighbors that come by our distribution site during a certain hour in their cars. Each occupant in the vehicle would receive a frozen treat. Believe it or not, August 2nd is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day!!!
Look for more information on timing and location for the August 2nd event as we get closer to the date. We wish all our neighbors a safe and happy summer!
MAY 9 WALK AROUND THE TOWNE CANCELLED
BUT YOU CAN STILL ENJOY THE BEAUTY
Respectful of the ongoing public health restrictions to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus, Mill Creek Village (MCV) and the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club regretfully will not be co-hosting their annual “Walk Around the Towne” on May 9th as scheduled. This annual spring event allows a large group of residents to enjoy each other’s company and the colors of the season together by visiting some of our neighbors’ wonderful gardens. Such large gatherings, however, are not permitted at this time.
We do encourage our neighbors to get exercise on their own or with a family member and take walks in the neighborhood following social distancing guidelines and wearing masks as needed. While you won’t necessarily be able to see some of the gardens located in back or side yards, you will enjoy an array of multi-colored azaleas that are now nearly in full bloom, tulips, daffodils, beautiful dogwood and red maple trees and more. We are truly fortunate to have such awe-inspiring flora where we live and, in this time of uncertainty, it provides nature’s reminder of our continuity and renewal.
For those who cannot get out for such walks, we have tried to capture some of the joy of spring in our neighborhood on the MCV website at www.millcreekvillage.org/gallery/#flowers in the “Walk Around the Towne” section of our photo “Gallery” under “News & Events.” The photos may not do justice to the magnificent colors, but they certainly provide a joyful flavor of what beauty abounds in our community. Maybe we captured your home in these photos.
In the absence of our annual Walk event, we hope you’ll be able to take a walk yourself and gain some pleasure from our photos. If you would like to share photos of your colorful lawn and garden with us, please send them to mctvillage@gmail.com. Please stay safe and well everyone!
MILL CREEK VILLAGE ANNUAL MEETING POSTPONED
Due to the current COVID-19 Corona Virus restrictions on public gatherings, the Mill Creek Village Annual Membership Meeting scheduled for April 21, 2020 with guest speaker Bob Levey, former Washington Post journalist, will be postponed to a later date to be announced. MCV is a volunteer-based, non-profit charitable community service organization. All adult residents of Mill Creek Towne are considered members of the Village, which supports our older residents to age in place and hosts several social events annually to foster inter-generational community connection.
If you are an older adult resident that wants to have a neighbor call you to check on your health status and needs or are a younger adult resident who is willing to help with grocery shopping or essential medical rides for an older neighbor, please contact us at (240) 686-5870 or mctvillage@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you at our future events and hope you and your families remain safe and well!