Steve and Lynn Longley conceived of the Kentlands Wine Club back in 2018 as a way to build community among an underserved demographic in the Kentlands and Lakelands. Back in the day, there were plenty of programs for kids; the Kentlands Children’s Chorus, KidServe and Cub Scout Pack 221 sponsored by the Foundation. Young families had the all-consuming Kentlands Kingfish, along with the myriad of youth sports programs and other activities offered by the City of Gaithersburg and Montgomery County. And Foundation programs like the Kentlands Film Society, the Kentlands Bridge Club and the Village at Kentlands and Lakelands—originally incubated as a Foundation program—were geared toward older residents. But there was a growing cohort of adults with older children and newly empty-nesters who didn’t have much to bring them together.

The Kentlands Wine Club has now entered its eighth year with a constantly growing dues-paying membership of more than 90. Under Steve and Lynn’s leadership the club continues to deliver on its mission to provide educational wine experiences for the novice and enthusiast alike, while fostering meaningful connections among neighbors. Over the years we have explored wines from around the world, with themed tastings highlighting both grape varietals and regions of the world such as Burgundy, Southern Italy, and South Africa just to name a few. We have welcomed numerous guest experts from the wine industry, including Rachel Loew Lipman, a fifth-generation winemaker at Loew Vineyards and former Kentlands resident. Along with our educational themes we’ve also had some fun; holding our annual March Madness of Wine, participating in ‘Open That Bottle Night;’ and exploring Wine Cocktails and ‘Wines to Take to the Beach.’

And, most importantly and as was envisioned by the Longleys back in 2018, the Club is giving back to the community. We raised $830 for a local nonprofit providing transitional housing and services to families in need in our first charity wine pull in 2024. And our goal is to raise even more this month for Nourish Now—a local nonprofit founded by a Kentlands resident to solve two major social issues simultaneously: food waste and hunger. And we hope to make our charity wine pull an annual event from here on out.

As Steve and Lynn move on to their next chapter, out of the Kentlands and out state, they leave a lasting legacy as Friends of the Foundation. And they also leave behind loving neighbors who will sorely miss them.

Program: Musica Viva Kentlands

Activity
Judi is a dependable and generous volunteer who consistently supports Musica Viva Kentlands in whatever way is needed. She helps at both our annual outdoor orchestra concert and our spring fundraiser events, assisting with check-in, distributing programs, ushering guests, and helping with setup and cleanup. Judi attends meetings, responds quickly when help is requested, and always approaches her work with a positive attitude. She also helps promote concerts in the community by distributing flyers and encouraging attendance.

Judi is proactive and thoughtful in finding ways to contribute. In advance of our upcoming concert, she volunteered to place a lawn signs around the community, including along a well-traveled walking path that would have been difficult for others to access due to limited parking. Just this week, the day before the concert, she again reached out on her own to offer to collect the lawn signs after the event and return them, demonstrating her attentiveness to the many small details that help the program run smoothly.

In 2025, Judi also took the initiative to contact local senior living communities to invite residents to attend the concert or participate via livestream. This outreach required significant time and persistence, and Judi approached it with patience and a positive spirit.

Need
Musica Viva Kentlands relies on volunteers who are willing to step in and help with a wide range of event needs so that concerts run smoothly and guests feel welcomed. Judi consistently fills these important roles, helping ensure that attendees have a positive and organized experience. Her willingness to take on tasks both large and small allows the planning team to focus on delivering high-quality programming for the community.

Her proactive outreach and support efforts also help broaden awareness of the program and encourage participation from across the community.

Impact
Judi’s reliability, initiative, and genuine willingness to help make her an invaluable member of the Musica Viva Kentlands volunteer team. She notices what needs to be done and offers support without being asked, contributing to a collaborative and positive environment. Her thoughtful approach, responsiveness, and steady presence help create welcoming events that bring neighbors together through music.

Judi exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that sustains Musica Viva Kentlands and the Kentlands Community Foundation. Her contributions, both visible and behind the scenes, make a meaningful difference to the success of the program and to the community we serve.

Program: Musica Viva Kentlands

Activity
Regina has been a dedicated volunteer with Musica Viva Kentlands for many years, contributing both her time and her expertise. She writes and reviews background notes for musical selections performed at our annual orchestra concert and for other Musica Viva events. Drawing on her background in music history, she provides thoughtful context that helps audiences better understand and connect with the music. Regina also assists at events in a variety of roles and is always willing to help wherever needed. She frequently recruits her husband, Chuck, to assist as well, strengthening the program’s volunteer support.

Need
Musica Viva Kentlands seeks to make classical music welcoming and accessible to a broad audience. Regina’s program notes help deepen the audience’s understanding of the music and enhance the overall concert experience. In addition, her willingness to assist with event logistics helps ensure that events run smoothly and that guests feel welcomed.

Impact
Regina’s contributions strengthen both the artistic and operational aspects of Musica Viva Kentlands. Her program notes enrich the audience experience by providing meaningful insight into the music, while her ongoing volunteer support helps ensure the success of each event. Regina’s generosity, knowledge, and collaborative spirit have made a lasting difference to the program and the community it serves.

Program: Gaithersburg Artist Collective (GAC)

Activity 

Tim has been a member of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective since 2018, quietly and consistently solving problems and completing tasks—both large and small—for many years. His roles include supporting the Finance Team by managing weekly cash matters, as well as serving on the Facilities Team.

Tim is a woodturner who creates one-of-a-kind bowls and lathe-turned pieces, primarily using locally sourced, recycled wood. The patience, persistence, adaptability, and resourcefulness required for his craft are the same qualities that make him an invaluable asset to the Collective.

The Facilities Team is responsible for maintaining the physical gallery space, and throughout multiple gallery relocations, Tim has been a constant presence during the physically demanding work of packing, storing, and moving. He has also contributed extensively to repairs, painting, and upgrades. Over the years, he has devoted countless hours to projects such as building walls, repairing floors, creating displays, and constructing or modifying furniture.

Need

None of our gallery activities could take place without a safe, clean, and functional space, and Tim has always been a key part of making that possible. Every change, update, or improvement to our space comes with the pressure to be completed quickly so we can reopen and continue serving our community.

Beyond the planned days filled with paint, drywall mud, and sawdust, Tim has proven to be an invaluable troubleshooter when unexpected challenges arise. Issues like snowstorms and water leaks rarely happen during business hours, and Tim has graciously stepped in at inconvenient times to help manage and resolve them on multiple occasions.

Impact

Tim has provided quiet, steady support and stability to the Collective over many years. Whether planned or unexpected, the toughest tasks are consistently completed—and completed well—with Tim on the team.

Program: Kentlands | Lakelands 5K

Activity

For many consecutive years, Karen Craney has faithfully led our packet pickup shifts for the 5K. This includes hours of volunteer time, organization, and leadership of other volunteers.

She has also recruited many other volunteers through the years for the race through her running network.

Once she completes her volunteer shifts, she is also a faithful 5K runner!

Need 

What would we do without Karen? She runs the packet pick-up shifts year after year without fail. We know we can count on her. The 5K simply cannot work without our volunteers, and Karen has been critical.

Impact

Karen's support and dedication has allowed the 5K to run smoothly and grow over the past several years. Because of her steadfast support, leadership, and help, we have been able to rest easy knowing she will be there. We are so grateful to Karen!

Program: Gaithersburg Artist Collective (GAC)

Activity

Gail has been an enthusiastic and active member of the Gaithersburg Artist Collective for the past three years. She has taken on a wide range of roles and responsibilities with energy and positivity, with her most significant contribution being her work as Education Manager. This role has been especially impactful as the organization has grown and found its footing over the past year.

After a 44-year career in teaching, Gail redirected her focus and is now an accomplished, award-winning artist. She works across a variety of media, including acrylics, alcohol ink, gelatin printing, needle and wet felting, collage, and mixed media. She has seamlessly combined her extensive teaching experience with her artistic practice in support of her role as Education Manager.

To date, Gail has collaborated with 26 instructors to bring classes to the gallery and has also generously shared her own expertise by teaching a variety of classes in multiple mediums.

Need

The Education Manager is responsible for planning and coordinating our year round schedule of classes, workshops, demonstrations and artist talks. This role includes instructor recruitment, scheduling, facilitating hands-on logistics, conveying marketing materials, and an endless amount of details to juggle in an effort to bring a variety of learning experiences to our gallery and the community.

Impact

The Gaithersburg Artist Collective has recently completed its first full year in our leased space. One of the main reasons we’re so grateful for this stability is the ability to plan and host regular activities, such as classes.

Gail has played a critical role in our growth and sustainability. Hosting classes brings energy and activity into the gallery, supports our operations, engages existing patrons in new ways, and attracts new visitors. It also allows us to share our enthusiasm for creating art with the broader community.

We are incredibly fortunate to have Gail leading this effort with such experience, thoughtfulness, and enthusiasm.