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Damascus Community Fair: September 11 - 13, 2026
Planning for the 80th Annual Damascus Community Fair is in full swing with a beautiful new website. Currently, they are looking for local businesses to donate to the silent auction. If you own a business (or know one) that might want to donate an item, service, or gift card, please get in contact with them! Or reply directly to this email, and we’ll make the introduction.
Damascus Little Free Pantry Needs Restocking
The Damascus Little Free Pantry put out an urgent call this week: demand has grown enormously and their shelves can't keep up. They're asking for donations of shampoo, body wash, deodorant, diapers (sizes 3, 5, and 6), dish and hand soap, condiments, bread, lunch meat, cheese, taco kits, ground beef, eggs, milk, crackers, and fresh produce. Donations can be dropped directly in the bin out front at 11017 Locust Drive, and if you're bringing anything that needs refrigeration, give them a heads up first so it doesn't sit out. A small, community-run resource like this runs entirely on neighbors helping neighbors, so if you're able to grab a little extra at the store this week, it goes a long way.
A Piece of Damascus History
Check out this video from Albert Ranney, who beautifully highlighted a bit of Damascus history - the Etchison/Warfield Log House. Love seeing our community shine a light on sites like this, looking forward to learning more!
MCPS Kicks Off New Elementary Boundary Study
Heads up for families with younger kids: MCPS is starting a new boundary study in August, looking at whether any elementary or middle schools should be consolidated or closed for the 2029–30 school year, driven largely by declining countywide enrollment (more detail from Bethesda Magazine here). This comes right on the heels of the high school redistricting process that wrapped up in March. Nothing Damascus-specific has been announced yet, this is a countywide study in its earliest stages, but given how contentious the last redistricting got, it's worth keeping an eye on. We'll flag any updates that affect our schools directly.
Local Grad Chipo Mwampokolo Earns a Dunkin' DMV Regional Scholarship
Congrats to Chipo Mwampokolo of Damascus, one of just 50 students across the entire DMV region selected for a 2026 Dunkin' DMV Regional Scholarship. Chipo will be putting hers toward Montgomery College this fall. Congratulations!
Local Author Spotlight: Serena Agusto-Cox
A congratulations to Damascus resident Serena Agusto-Cox, who published her debut poetry collection, Echoes Carry, back in April through local publisher Beltway Editions. If you want to catch her in person, her next reading and book signing is at the MLK Library in D.C. on October 7 at 6:15pm.
In Memoriam: Remembering June Ward
June S. Ward, 87, a longtime Damascus High School cheer and pom coach known to generations of students as "Mom," "Nan," and "Junebug," passed away peacefully on April 18. A DHS grad herself, June spent 37 years working at the school and remained one of the cheer squad's biggest supporters well into retirement, the team has since created the June Ward Award in her honor. Her memorial service was held yesterday at Wesley Grove United Methodist Church in Gaithersburg; in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
🏆 HORNETS SPORTS
Fall Football Schedule Is Out
Mark your calendars: Damascus's 2026 varsity football schedule is out, and the Hornets' home opener is against Wootton on September 10. More to come as the season gets closer!
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