A Food Idea
Take a grassy patch of land, add a bunch of edible plants, herbs, flowers, vines, bushes and trees, and pretty soon it’s a “food forest” where people can harvest a free bite to eat. That’s the idea behind the appetizing new landscaping at Montgomery College’s Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus. Student Tierney Acosta (pictured) spearheaded the project and worked with volunteers to turn about 30,000 square feet of land into an eventual buffet of blueberries, apples, pawpaws, tomatoes, peas and more. Acosta’s hoping to help fellow students at Montgomery College who are facing food insecurity. It’ll take two years for the forest to reach its full potential. We can’t wait to see if other food forests sprout up.
Intersection of Chicago and Philadelphia avenues, Silver Spring
Super Scoops
There are “no angry people at an ice cream shop,” according to Germantown’s Bonnie Cosby, 65, and that’s why she has become a “chief ice cream artisan” in her retirement. Cosby (pictured left), who started Sunshine Creamery in 2022, says she uses milk from South Mountain Creamery in Frederick County and aims to make ice cream that tastes like her grandmother’s. She says she leaves out preservatives, additives, stabilizers and artificial flavors and colors. Pre-scooped cups (about 6 ounces) sell for $6 at farmers markets in the county, and flavors vary based on what her fellow vendors are selling (think cherries) as well as whatever strikes her fancy. Indulging your sweet tooth can also help others—Cosby says she donates 10% of her earnings from the Shady Grove Farmers Market to Rockville Help.
Beachy Swings
Montgomery County’s first outdoor beach tennis court debuted in April at the 18.3-acre Nike Missile Local Park in Gaithersburg. Combining elements of beach volleyball, badminton and traditional tennis, beach tennis just might be the next pickleball. Thanks to an adjustable net system, the sand court also can be used for volleyball matches.
Open sunrise to sunset. Free; first come, first served.
8500 Snouffer School Road, Gaithersburg, montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/nike-missile-local-park
Prints Charming
For the swellest children’s clothes in town, head to the new boutique Pink Chicken. The wee dresses, rompers, swimsuits and other pieces come in sweet patterns, including plenty of summery picks, such as lobsters and ice pops. Girls grab the spotlight here, but boys clothes are on the racks, too. Sizes range from newborn to 14Y. Grown-ups also will find a few options, such as flowy frocks just made for beach days and the occasional shirt for men, maybe adorned with mallards or grilling gear.
4925 Elm St., Bethesda, 240-967-1742, pinkchicken.com
Patio Upgrade
Summer is for eating outside, and we’re loving the updated patio at Founding Farmers in Park Potomac. Opened in March, the patio has been expanded from 80 seats to 135 and is accented with basil green pillars and beams and filled with plants. Fans, heaters, retractable sides and a louvered roof extend the outdoor season. Because, really, fall, winter and spring are for outdoor dining, too.
12505 Park Potomac Ave., Potomac,
301-340-8783, wearefoundingfarmers.com