Connecticut Belair

While the weather may be a bit dicey this morning, the Winter Potluck is still on for tonight! As always, it’s $5 per person, with a maximum of $25 per family. Bring a dish for 10 to share.

Tonight we’re also having a Silent Auction! Here are just a few of the great items we have for tonight: a Driver’s Ed course from iDriveSmart; the Potluck Premium Pass; up-front reserved parking at CB for two season; and many more!

Come see your summer friend tonight from 6-10 pm at Holy Redeemer School, 9715 Summit Avenue, Kensington, MD 20895.

Hope to see you there!

(If the weather starts to turn later — and it’s not expected to — keep an eye on this page. We’ll update it if there are any changes.)

One last dip, then it's back to school

Thanks to all for a great Labor Day weekend! From a rockin’ happy hour with blues band WSNB to a entertaining talent show and end-of-seson party Sunday night — a big shout out to all who made these events great. And even though Monday was overcast and drizzly, a hearty few closed down our beloved CB in style.

As the pool is winterized this week, your Board of Directors is looking forward to the 2012 season. Your input is appreciated, so don’t hesitate to use the email links on the Board of Directors page! And take advantage of the Early Payment Plan for 2012. You received a new member form in the mail 2 weeks ago, or download a copy from the Join page.

See you at the Winter Potluck!

By now you should have received a mailing from current Board President Greg Tucker including biographies of those members running for the board of directors. Those bios are reproduced below. Please follow the instructions in the mailing and return your ballot as soon as possible.

Election results will be announced at the Annual General Membership meeting, Sunday, Sept. 4 @ 6:15 pm, just prior to the start of our End of Season Party.

Don Andrews, Sr. (new candidate)

I love this pool and I value the friendships that I have made at this pool. I would like to see this pool to continue growing with consistent financial security.

Lindy Bowman (new candidate)

Lindy, and his wife Rachelle, have been members for five years with their children Lizzie, Ellie and Eli. Lindy can be seen at most B meets cheering too loudly for his kids and confusing the timers with his flash camera while Rachelle is working hard selling Gator Gear. If elected, his goal would be to continue the development of the pool as a great place to spend summers with such plans as constructing additional gazebos (with fans!), exterminating mosquitoes and gnats, organizing tennis and volleyball competitions and learning to not refer to himself in the third person. When not poolside, Lindy spends his time fundraising for a non-profit and would like to assist in securing additional funds for CB outside traditional member fees.

Michael Clinchard (new candidate)

Me and my family have been members for over 15 years and have seen many changes to our pool. As the largest renovation in recent years has come to an end, and all have let out a collective sigh of relief, someone needs to step in with fresh energy for the next set of challenges. This is where a vote for me will be spent as we move forward.

Denise Fulton

Connecticut Belair Swim Club is an oasis – a lovely place to relax and recharge and I have been honored to serve on its leadership team for the last four years. During that time, I have gained a great deal of knowledge in almost all areas of the pool. I’ve coordinated and volunteered for social events, served as liaison to the current management company, and learned a lot about pool construction and maintenance as well. I took a lead role in revamping our website and strive to keep its content current and informative. If re-elected to the Board of Directors, I would focus on maintaining our beautiful facility and increasing membership. I would like to get more members involved in efforts and events at CB. On a small but helpful note, I’d like to investigate a way to send important alerts (pool closings, etc.) to members via text message. I’d appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve CB and its community.

Mark Hudson

Mark Hudson and his family have been members of CB almost 20 years. Mark has served on the board for 10 years and as President for 4 of those years and Vice President for 2. Mark is very excited about all the progress made over the last few years and would like to continue the positive work being done. He is our coordinator of the camps that use CB and are vital to our success.

Tod Sloan

As a current board member who has served two 2-year terms so far, Tod believes we need to recruit more new members. Last year, Tod recruited many new members from two local homeowner’s associations. Tod is a local, growing up in Forest Glen and Kensington. His lovely wife Mary has five perfect (ahem!) children (Katie – age 18, Emmett – age 17, Conor – age 14, Brendan – age 13, and Owen – age 10) and sometimes he even gets credit for them too. At least one member of the Sloan family is at the pool at all times (usually because they forgot to pick them up.) Tod has helped run the annual kid’s 3-on-3 b-ball tournament for the last four years, master of ceremonies at the annual talent show, and has also sponsored the charitable Swim for Savy Swim-athon. And last but certainly not the least; don’t tell anyone…but Tod and his brother filled the pool with water this year using a neighboring fire hydrant!

Kaydee Tucker (new candidate)

My family has been members here for 9 years. I have been involved with the pool from running the Snack Bar, helping with the swim team, and managing the front desk. Now that my husband Greg is stepping down from the Board, I would like to give my assistance to the Board and its members.

UPDATE: The potential of being washed out by Hurricane Irene has moved the party to Sunday, Sept. 4, starting at 6:15 pm. Sign up for the party — and for the Talent Show — at the front desk!

August is winding down and some of our kids are already back in school — another great CB season is coming to an end.  But before we say goodbye to Summer 2011, we have a bit of celebrating to do.

Courtesy flickr user PedalFreak (Creative Commons)

Please join us at the Annual End of Season Party on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 6:15 pm Saturday, August27 at 6:30 pm. This year, our festivities will be catered by Steve’s crew from the Snack Shack. They’ll be serving up pulled barbequed pork, smoked beef brisket, and grilled chicken, as well as baked beans and cole slaw on the side. Yum! Cost is $15 per adult (13 and over) and $10 per child (5-13 years), with a cap at $60 per family.

Stick around after dinner for the Annual CB Talent Show! There’s sure to be some stellar singing, dancing, music, and more. Talented and outgoing members of all ages — show us what you’ve got! Get your name on the list ASAP — don’t miss out on this opportunity to let CB know you shine!

To help in planning, please sign up at the Front Desk to let us know you’re attending.

Rain date is Monday, Sept. 5 Sunday, August 28.

I want YOU to run for the Board of Directors!

Connecticut Belair is a home away from home for many of us. It’s a place to relax and recharge, exercise, catch up with friends. It’s a safe place for our kids to hang out in the sunshine, swimming and playing and making new friendships.

Our pool is in great shape right now. Within the last several years we’ve resurfaced the tennis and basketball courts, updated the physical plant, and built a new playground. Now, with our new pool whitecoat, tile, coping, and all new deck, it’s almost like CB is a brand new pool.

But CB needs you to help make sure we maintain our fantastic community. A team of 12 volunteers leads the management and oversight of our pool. Yep, I’m talking about the Board of Directors — and we need you.

Several board members have been serving a long time and are ready to step down and away from a leadership role at CB — they’re ready to pull up  a lounge chair and relax.

Please consider stepping up. Give a little time, a little expertise back to the CB community. The board meets once a month in the off season and biweekly in summer. Folks are needed to give oversight to things like social events, marketing/membership, sports/recreation, etc.

Want more information? Grab any board member and have a chat. Thanks!

This cutie, who seems to be a beagle/basset/something else mix, showed up at CB (no membership card, no guest pass) around 8 pm on Monday, July 11. Do you know him or perhaps who his owner is?

Help this guy find his family!

He has long ears and a long tail and is brownish red in color, with white markings on his paws, neck, and belly. According to Lisa Lamkin, “He has gorgeous light colored eyes. He is a very sweet, happy, playful, and beautiful dog. Someone is missing him terribly!”

Lisa describes him as clean, well groomed, and not neutered, and estimates his age to be under a year old.

His collar is blue with red and white bones on it, but no tags. He spent the night at the Lamkins’ house last night and was going the shelter this morning.

If you know this doggie, please call CB at 301-946-4500 and leave a message for Lisa Lamkin with the Front Desk staff.

A huge crowd of CB members and their guests turned out and had a wonderful time at our annual 4th of July activities.

The 12-and-unders scoured the pool for pennies — and those who found pink paint on theirs promptly turned them in for an ice cream treat or virgin strawberry daiquiri at the Snack Bar.

Pies were eaten — and rubbed all over faces and heads! Tim Pecoraro once again took one of the prizes for Messiest Face, followed closely by Joey Norris who used his hairless scalp to extend the canvas onto which he worked his blueberry pie masterpiece.

Kids of all ages tossed water balloons on the Snack Bar field. The line of tossers stretched from the side of the pool house all the way to the Connecticut Avenue fence! A big shout-out to Kenny Coleman who helped fill all the water balloons.

The Man in Charge of the Greased Watermelon

Next up? Greased watermelon in the diving well! The younger age bracket (under 14) worked hard but could not score a goal. But they were rewarded with an ice cream treat, so what’s not to like? The “big boys” game was a bit rougher — shocking, right? — but seriously fun as well. The game ended when the watermelon split in the goal. Lesson learned? More watermelons next year!

The final activity of the day was the pool favorite — biggest splash and bellyflop contests for kids and adults. Lots of red chests and arms, but excellent acrobatic efforts from all involved. A special thanks to Rob Welsh for interrupting his home improvement project so that to entertain us with his diving board expertise.

Thanks to everyone who came out and participated in our annual 4th — and special thanks to all those who helped out. It was a great day to be at — and a part of — CB.

To see photos of yesterday, check out the albums on the pool’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ConnecticutBelair (http://www NULL.facebook NULL.com/ConnecticutBelair). Be sure to check out the great pictures taken by Debbie  Borda — thanks for sharing, Debbie!  If you’ve got snaps you’d like to share, email deniseffulton@yahoo.com (deniseffulton null@null yahoo NULL.com) for information and permissions.

And while you’re checking out the the pictures, become a fan of our Facebook page!