MCV Dining Club is a group for senior residents in our Mill Creek Towne community. They dine out monthly and all senior residents are welcome. Most recently, the club members have enjoyed lunches at Biscotti’s in Derwood, and China Jade restaurant in Derwood, and Bonefish Grill in Gaithersburg. Since the club was initiated, the group has enjoyed eating at more than a dozen eating establishments.

Socializing with others and averting isolation are important to one’s health and longevity. So, whether you live alone or not, you (and other seniors in your home) are invited to participate in the club and enjoy a good meal and some good neighborly camaraderie.

Village Board member Joe Ginther is the club coordinator, He informs potential participants about the monthly plans, receives their RSVPs, and then makes the necessary arrangements to ensure that the restaurant can accommodate everyone. The group has up to 19 attendees but typically draws 14-16 attendees. Joe also coordinates any carpools needed by those who in need of rides.

If you are one of our Mill Creek Towne seniors, aged 60 and older, who would enjoy breaking bread with other neighbors and making new friends, please contact Mill Creek Village to share your interest. We will put you on the e-mail list to receive notices of upcoming dining club events.

Thanks, Joe looks forward to hearing from you!

Mark your calendars!!! Next up is the Village’s next free event — The Family Pool Party at the Mill Creek Towne Swimming Pool on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

In addition to enjoying each other’s company and a robust 2.5-mile stroll with others, the attendees enjoyed stops at four lovely gardens, starting at the Miller Fall Entrance, which is one of the entrances managed by the Mill Creek Towne Garden Club, followed by a conservation garden at the Mill Creek Towne Swimming Pool, and two other conservation gardens in the neighborhood. The Village sincerely appreciates the kindness of our neighbors, Kristin Mitas, President of the Mill Creek Towne Swim Association, Dan and Karen Kulpinski, and Mary Anne Hardy and Larry Adkins, who shared their impressive gardens with us. The Kulpinskis also provided snacks and drinks at their home after the tour of their conservation garden.

All Conservation Gardens were developed following Montgomery County’s RainScapes Stormwater Garden Program, where Derwood neighbors can get reimbursed for a portion of their expenses. Conservation landscapes replace areas of lawn, invasive plants, or erosion with native plants and improved soil. They are simplified rain gardens that slow down and soak up stormwater runoff. They provide valuable habitat for pollinators too. To learn more about the Rainscapes Program, please visit: rainscapes.org

The Village gratefully acknowledges the following local businesses for their support:

Rhodium Sponsors: Atlantic Union Bank | Bay Area Point S Tire & Service | Dave Dabb Homes | Three Creek Dentistry

Here are photos taken during the event. Hope they encourage others in the neighborhood to join us next year for the walk, and for the Village’s next free event — The Family Pool Party at the Mill Creek Towne Swimming Pool on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

All services, programs and events are provided by volunteers and are offered free of charge to participants. The Village is funded through neighbors’ donations, local business sponsors, and small grants. Appreciation was expressed to the Village’s kind donors, nearly 30 volunteers, and to each of its sponsors.

Village President Anna McBain, presided over the meeting. Anna, Secretary Ed Ludwig, and Treasurer Wendy Epstein, presented a review of the Village’s FY 2025 accomplishments and finances. They noted the addition of a new Game Night at the Pool in August, a new Home Helpers service for seniors, and future Zoom talks. Ongoing services for seniors include rides to/from appointments, grocery shopping, friendly home visits, and check-in phone calls.

Both Anna and Ed emphasized that neighbors helping neighbors make the work of the Village possible. They encouraged members of the audience to get involved. Ed then introduced the other members of the incoming FY 2026 Board.

After the conclusion of the business portion of the meeting, those in attendance enjoyed two very informative presentations, “Herman Rabbitt: The Man, The Money, The Legend and The Legacy” by Sarah Hedlund, Montgomery History Speaker and Fire Prevention & Fire Safety by Jim Resnick (retired Battalion Chief), Manager, Senior Outreach and Education Program– part of MCFRS Community Risk Reduction, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service.

Herman Rabbitt: The Man, The Money, The Legend and The Legacy

Sarah Hedlund’s talk on Herman Rabbitt was entertaining and educational! When eccentric Montgomery County cattle farmer and land speculator Herman Rabbitt died in 1972, part of his $2.5 million estate was found buried in milk cans on his property. The rest was part of a three-year legal battle between bickering heirs. But the story of his unlikely millions was only one of the strange and legendary tales from Rabbitt’s life still told and retold by old-timers today. Learn more about the battle for Herman’s money and other anecdotes from his unusual life.

https://www.gaithersburghistory.com/herman-rabbitt-the-montgomery-rancher-who-buried-cash

Fire Prevention & Fire Safety

Jim Resnick’s talk on Fire Prevention and Safety was very helpful. He gave us handouts on Smoke Detectors, Cooking Safety, Lithium-Ion Battery Safety, Escape Planning, Fire Safety, Stroke Prevention and Detection, and CPR. For Smoke Detectors, the smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector both have distinct beeps. The smoke detector beeps three times and the carbon monoxide detector beeps four times. They recommend testing your smoke detectors at least once a month and replacing them after 10 years. The presentation included a short video demonstrating how much damage a fire can cause, comparing a room with a closed door and one with an open door. This is part of their “Close Before You Doze” campaign. A closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke, and flames, and may give you more time to respond to the smoke alarm. You may only have three minutes or less to escape once a fire starts in your home. After the talk, Joe Isaacs was the one lucky attendee who won a door prize!

For questions about fire safety, Montgomery County Residents Make the Right Call by using:

• 911 only for emergencies,
• 301-279-8000 only to report non-emergencies, and
• 311 for general Montgomery County government information.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department is offering FREE Home Safety Checks. Appointments are available on Wednesday May 6th, and other dates upon request. For more information or to sign up, please visit:

www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe or call 311

Here are some photos from the event.

On Friday, March 27, 2026, a group of 17 from the Mill Creek Village (MCV) Dining Club met for lunch at Fontina Grille in Rockville. It was nice to get together and socialize with our neighbors while enjoying a delicious Italian lunch!

MCV Dining Club is a group for senior residents in our Mill Creek Towne community. They dine out monthly and all senior residents are welcome. Most recently, the club members have enjoyed lunches at Biscotti’s in Derwood, China Jade restaurant in Derwood, and Fontina Grille in Rockville. Since the club was initiated, the group has enjoyed eating at more than a dozen eating establishments.

Socializing with others and averting isolation are important to one’s health and longevity. So, whether you live alone or not, you (and other seniors in your home) are invited to participate in the club and enjoy a good meal and some good neighborly camaraderie.

Village Board member Joe Ginther is the club coordinator, He informs potential participants about the monthly plans, receives their RSVPs, and then makes the necessary arrangements to ensure that the restaurant can accommodate everyone. The group has up to 19 attendees but typically draws 14-16 attendees. Joe also coordinates any carpools needed by those who in need of rides.

If you are one of our Mill Creek Towne seniors, aged 60 and older, who would enjoy breaking bread with other neighbors and making new friends, please contact Mill Creek Village to share your interest. We will put you on the e-mail list to receive notices of upcoming dining club events.

Thanks, Joe looks forward to hearing from you!

Mark your calendars!!! Next up is the Village’s Annual Meeting at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the All Purpose Room at the Mill Creek Towne Elementary School at 17700 Park Mill Dr., Derwood, MD 20855. This year we will have a special double-feature with two guest speakers! Our guest speakers are Jim Resnick (retired Battalion Chief), Manager, Senior Outreach and Education Program– part of MCFRS Community Risk Reduction, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, who will talk about “Fire Prevention & Fire Safety” and Sarah Hedlund, Montgomery History Speaker, who will give a special presentation on “Herman Rabbit: The Man, The Money, The Legend and The Legacy”!

We wish our neighbors and friends “Sláinte!” (i.e., Irish for “Cheers!” or literally “health”). We also extend our best wishes to a few of our regulars who could not participate because of health reasons. Get well soon!

Mark your calendars!!! Next up is the Village’s Annual Meeting at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, in the All Purpose Room at the Mill Creek Towne Elementary School at 17700 Park Mill Dr., Derwood, MD 20855. This year we will have a special double-feature with two guest speakers! Our guest speakers are Jim Resnick (retired Battalion Chief), Manager, Senior Outreach and Education Program– part of MCFRS Community Risk Reduction, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, who will talk about “Fire Prevention & Fire Safety” and Sarah Hedlund, Montgomery History Speaker, who will give a special presentation on “Herman Rabbit: The Man, The Money, The Legend and The Legacy”!

The Village gratefully acknowledges the following local businesses for their 2026 support of our community efforts:

“Rhodium” Sponsors: Atlantic Union Bank | Bay Area Point S Tire & Service | Dave Dabb Homes | Three Creek Dentistry

“Platinum” Sponsor: Grant La Gasse at Financial Advantage Advisors

Thanks again to our terrific hosts and the MCT residents that celebrated with us. Here are photos from the event!

Ray, Volunteer

Clearing Snow and Driving Senior to Receive Life-Dependent Treatment During Recent Snowstorm
Naveed, a Mill Creek Towne Condo neighbor, checked in on his senior neighbors to make sure they were okay during the snowstorm. Then when the contractor hadn’t yet completed the sidewalk clearing, he went to work clearing his neighbor’s steps and walkway. This allowed our senior to get to the jeep driven by our volunteer driver, Guy, who whisked him off to his life-dependent dialysis appointment. While the senior neighbor was at dialysis, another neighbor, Jonathan helped clean off his and his wife’s cars. And additional neighbors Benji and Neal, using a snowblower and shovels, completed clearing the seniors’ cars so they could get in and out of the parking lot as needed.  All the seniors were so appreciative.

Guy, Volunteer Driver

Make a Difference and Help Your Neighbors! Join us and become a Mill Creek Village Volunteer!
The Village’s good work is made possible by the generous donation of time and energy of caring, community-minded neighbors who give of their time, energy, and thoughtfulness to serve as Village volunteers in an array of service and administrative capacities.
 
If you are willing to make the effort to support your community and have the skills and experience that would be needed for one or more of our volunteer roles, please complete our website Volunteer contact form, email: mctvillage@gmail.com, or call 240-686-5870 and let us know of your interest. We will then be in touch with additional information and get the ball rolling on your engagement. We truly welcome your support to help us keep Mill Creek Towne a caring and connected community in which to live, raise families, and age well. Thanks!

MCV Dining Club is a group for senior residents in our Mill Creek Towne community. They dine out monthly and all senior residents are welcome. Most recently, the club members have enjoyed lunches at Yu Zhou Cafe in Gaithersburg, Biscotti’s in Derwood, and China Jade restaurant in Derwood. Since the club was initiated, the group has enjoyed eating at more than a dozen eating establishments.

Socializing with others and averting isolation are important to one’s health and longevity. So, whether you live alone or not, you (and other seniors in your home) are invited to participate in the club and enjoy a good meal and some good neighborly camaraderie.

Village Board member Joe Ginther is the club coordinator, He informs potential participants about the monthly plans, receives their RSVPs, and then makes the necessary arrangements to ensure that the restaurant can accommodate everyone. The group has up to 19 attendees but typically draws 14-16 attendees. Joe also coordinates any carpools needed by those who in need of rides.

If you are one of our Mill Creek Towne seniors, aged 60 and older, who would enjoy breaking bread with other neighbors and making new friends, please contact Joe Ginther by phone at 301-926-4985 or by email at josephginther@hotmail.com to share your interest. He will put you on the e-mail list to receive notices of upcoming dining club events.

Thanks, Joe looks forward to hearing from you!

Fill out our Vehicle Donation Form on our website or call (202) 899-5437 to schedule an easy and no-cost vehicle pick-up at a time and place convenient for you.

We are grateful for the use of the Fellowship Hall at the Mill Creek Parish United Methodist Church for this event, the 10th annual Game Night hosted by the Village.

The Village gratefully acknowledges the following local businesses for their 2026 support of our community service efforts:

“Rhodium” Level Sponsors:

Atlantic Union Bank | Bay Area Point S Tire & Service | Dave Dabb Homes | Three Creek Dentistry

“Platinum” Level Sponsor:

Grant La Gasse at Financial Advantage Advisors

Save the date: Saturday, March 14th for our next event, where we will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Ludwig’s house! Hope to see you then!

Here are some photos from the event! Happy New Year to all!

(1) assist our older Mill Creek Towne residents to “age well in place,” and

(2) promote a socially connected, caring and informed community about which we can all be proud.

Additionally, Mill Creek Village is thankful for our Sponsors! Mill Creek Village gratefully acknowledges the following local business sponsors for their kind support of our community efforts:

Rhodium Sponsors:

Bay Area Tire and Service Centers | Dave Dabb Homes | Three Creek Dentistry

Platinum Sponsor:

Grant La Gasse at Financial Advantage Advisors

Silver Sponsor:

Gourmet Asian Bistro

Bronze Sponsors:

China Jade Restaurant | Derwood Cleaners | Outta the Way Café | Sasuns Café

We are also grateful for our Partners including Senior Connection of Montgomery County, Village Support Network, Washington Area Villages Exchange, and Montgomery County, who provide training and help fund our community programs.

In 2025, Mill Creek Village continued to routinely serve our older residents that needed a helping hand and hosted several social events that attracted the participation of neighbors of all ages. Specifically, this past year, we:

• Provided transportation to/from medical and other appointments, grocery shopping assistance, friendly home visits and check-in calls to senior neighbors more than 450 times to ensure their health maintenance and avert the impacts of loneliness.
• Hosted eight community-wide social events (e.g., our Ice Cream Social and Picnic). At our April Annual Meeting we hosted Lisa Friedman from Carefinder, LLC, who presented Senior Living Care options. Together, these Village events were attended by nearly 450 Mill Creek Towne neighbors, young and old.
• Provided leaf raking and snow shoveling to seniors requiring assistance to help assure safe surfaces of walkways and driveways.
• In August, Village volunteers erected the community’s second Little Free Library on Beauvoir Boulevard, which has expanded our active book swapping among neighbors.
• Provided technology assistance to senior residents to help them stay connected.
• Kept our neighbors informed about Towne and other local happenings and opportunities via (1) our monthly e-newsletter that is sent to more than 500 residents, (2) our recently upgraded website that is chock full of useful information and community photos, and (3) our Facebook page that provides a platform with more than 420 posts annually and has attracted 200+ followers.
• Continued our monthly dinner club for senior residents that has, so far this year, attracted 117 participants, patronizing many of our local restaurants including some who are sponsors.

Mill Creek Village is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, charitable community service organization. It is operated completely by volunteers who dedicated at least 1500 person hours in 2025 to accomplish the services and activities described above.

We have never charged dues or fees for our programs and want to keep it that way. And, we are considering the introduction of new activities and services in 2026 to appeal to residents multi-generationally. But we need your help to do so!

They say the gift is in the giving and that charity begins at home. Your donations to the Village are used right here in our community and have truly made a difference in neighbor’s lives! At this holiday time of giving, won’t you please find it in your heart to support the Village with a tax-deductible donation of $25.00 or some other amount?

You can make a safe and secure gift by credit card via the donate buttons on our website at https://www.millcreekvillage.org Or, you can send a check payable to Mill Creek Village to 17713 Caddy Drive, Derwood, MD 20855. Or, you can email us at mctvillage@gmail.com or call us at (240) 686-5870 and request that a Village volunteer stop by your home to pick up your contribution. We will provide you with a receipt with our nonprofit tax I.D. for your records.

Additionally, please do not hesitate to contact us if we can ever be of direct assistance to you or a loved one, or if you have any questions about the Village, our community, aging concerns or other local matters of interest.

Again, please accept our many thanks for being good neighbors, and our warmest wishes to you and yours for joyful holidays and a Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Peaceful New Year!

All the best,

The Mill Creek Village Board of Directors