If you’re a Rockville native, the name Clarence “Pint” Isreal might ring a bell, and for good reason! This homegrown hero was a standout baseball player, Negro World Series champion, and an unforgettable figure in Rockville’s Lincoln Park community.

Born in Georgia but raised right here in Lincoln Park, Isreal’s journey to stardom started at Lincoln High School. He went from playing local semi-pro ball to joining the Newark Eagles of the Negro National League. A stellar player with speed and agility, Isreal made a name for himself both on and off the field.

But it wasn’t all about the game for Isreal. After serving in the military during WWII, he returned to clinch the Negro National League Pennant with the Eagles in 1946. And while injuries may have slowed him down, they didn’t stop him—Isreal still played a crucial role in the Eagles’ World Series win against the Kansas City Monarchs.

Clarence “Pint” Isreal photo credit: Peerless Rockville

After his illustrious career, Isreal continued to contribute to his community, co-founding the Black Angels Boys Club and leaving a lasting impact that’s memorialized in a local park named in his honor. Even today, his legacy lives on through the annual Clarence “Pint” Isreal Juneteenth Classic game established in 2022 by Bethesda Big Train.

From the field to the community, Clarence “Pint” Isreal is a name that will forever be a part of Rockville’s rich history.

Want to know more about Rockville’s remarkable residents, past and present? Stay tuned to Explore Rockville!

Source: Lincoln Park History Project

Photo credit: The City of Rockville

It’s more than a car show; it’s a celebration of automotive history right here in Rockville! For over six decades, the Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show has been a staple event, dazzling attendees with a rolling museum of automotive history.

Every year, hundreds of car collectors and enthusiasts alike converge at Rockville Civic Center Park, transforming the area into a car lover’s paradise. Whether you’re drawn to the classics like Packard and Plymouth or have a taste for the exotic like Fiat and Ferrari, the Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show features a diverse range of cars from multiple car clubs.

What Makes it Special?

• Admission is Free: That’s right! This event is open to the public and free of charge.
• Venue: The show takes place against the charming backdrop of Glenview Mansion,  making for some spectacular photo opportunities.
• More Than Just Cars: In addition to the main event, visitors can explore a flea market, enjoy live music, and indulge in an array of food and drink options available for purchase.

Make sure to check out the Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show website and Facebook page for ongoing updates and a sneak peek into what you can expect at this staple Rockville event.

ROCKVILLE, MD – Rockville Little Theatre performed a 45-minute selection from their recent production of PRIDE@PREJUDICE by Daniel Elihu Kramer at the Maryland Community Theatre Festival (mctfa.org) held in La Plata on February 11 – 12.  PRIDE@PREJUDICE was originally performed at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville, MD  from January 28 – February 5.

RLT competed against six other productions: Kentland’s Community Players, Port Tobacco Players, Raging Hag Productions, Newtowne Players, New Direction Community Theatre and The British Players.

PRIDE@PREJUDICE was directed by Laura W. Andrusk and produced by Teresa Gillcrist.  The Assistant Director/Technical Director was Aaron Skolnik. The cast included Niranjali Amerasinghe, Lena Winter, Meghan Williams Elkins, Ian Swank and Joseph Coracle.

PRIDE@PREJUDICE garnered the following accolades:

• Outstanding Stage Manager to Aaron Skolnik,
• Outstanding Ensemble Performance,
• Outstanding Achievement in Acting to John Coracle,
• Ed-Ro-Char Award for Technical Excellence, and
• Outstanding Production.

The win for Outstanding Production allows Rockville Little Theatre the opportunity to take their production to the Eastern States Theatre Festival (estafestival.org/) in Wilmington, DE on April 14  –  16.

Rockville Little Theater (RLT) was founded in 1948 and is the oldest continuously operating 501(c)3 nonprofit live theatre in the Rockville area. RLT provides high quality performances at reasonable prices. We strive to entertain, enlighten and educate all who attend our theatrical events. RLT offers an opportunity for community members to step out of their everyday lives and to assume new roles as playwrights, actors, directors, costume designers, set designers, and audiences. Join us at rlt-online.org.

Awards Photo L to R: David Gross, President-MCFTA; Teresa Gillcrist, P@P Producer, RLT, Laura W. Andruski, P@P Director, RLT; Scott  loom, VP-MCTFA. Photo credit by Vanessa Bisbee Markowitz

Whether it’s for work, for play or for life – Rockville’s vibrant residents, neighborhoods and businesses make it one of the nation’s best cities – all just outside Washington, D.C.!

There are so many fun things to do when visiting Rockville it’s hard to keep count! Here are THE 5 MUST STOPS that you just can’t miss when taking your own ZIP TRIP!

OLD RED BRICK COURTHOUSE: Come visit one of the most historic buildings in Rockville! See the iconic brickwork laid in 1891. Learn about the many cases about African-American legal rights that were tried here.

ROCK CREEK REGIONAL PARK: Explore eighteen hundred acres of preserved nature! Engage with the natural and cultural history of the park with the Meadowside Nature Center. Take out a boat and fish on Lake Needlewood.

COFFEE REPUBLIC: Taste delicious coffee made from local roasters in Rockville! Take a break to enjoy a snack and relax in the ambient atmosphere of the cafe. Refresh yourself with a variety of drinks and pastries.

TRUE RESPITE BREWING COMPANY: Come taste their phenomenal selection of beers and drinks! Schedule a private tasting or event with a group of friends. Experience true respite in their unique tap room.

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD THEATRE: Witness a variety of performing arts shows at this fun local theater! Immerse yourself in countless stories through different artistic mediums. Connect with other theater goers as you watch epic tales unfold right in front of you!

Check out all the Rockville Zip Trip videos here.

Originally published on Fox 5 DC.

A long-standing tradition in Rockville – Hometown Holidays is an annual Memorial Day weekend festival preceding the City’s Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade. While the parade and ceremony continued at its traditional downtown location, Hometown Holidays was hosted in a new location – Redgate Park,  in the city’s Rock East District.

With acres of park, two entertainment stages, two sand dunes, a giant selfie station, Cornhole, giant Connect Four, a kids craft tent and amusement rides there was no shortage of entertainment for both adults and children alike. The free festival at Redgate, Rockville’s newest park, welcomed hundreds of residents, families and visitors who enjoyed local and national musical acts, including performances by The Nighthawks, Capital Effect, Jah Works, Moosejaw Bluegrass, the Common Good, Daryl Davis, Hayley Fahey, and more.

Besides two entertainment stages, Hometown Holidays included “A Taste of Rockville”, a collection of Rockville’s eclectic restaurants and cuisine which included the likes of El Mercat Bar de Tapas, the Big Greek Café, Kusshi, The Crepe Shoppe, Kona Ice and Bibibop.

Rockville’s Mayor and Council welcomed patrons of Hometown Holidays on Saturday May 28, followed by a special announcement from Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI). REDI in collaboration with Visit Montgomery and the City of Rockville announced the launched of the city’s tourism website – ExploreRockville.org . The website includes an events calendar, suggested itineraries and a searchable directory of restaurants, things to do, parks and recreation facilities and more. Explore Rockville was also an exhibitor at Hometown Holidays, promoting the new website through public engagement and the distribution of branded giveaways and t-shirts.

Check out the photos of Hometown Holidays and the Explore Rockville launch video:

Spring is here, and that means the cherry trees are in bloom! With their peak around mid-March to late April, you can experience the beauty of these spring blossoms at the formal gardens at Glenview Mansion in Rockville Civic Center Park.

As you make your way to Glenview mansion, you’ll be greeted by a Kwanzan cherry tree lined road – a hint at the dozens of trees in bloom across the formal garden. According to the City of Rockville’s horticulturalist, Kwanzan trees bloom a week or two after their Yoshino cousins that are found in abundance in the garden.

Glenview Mansion is often booked for private events like weddings during the peak of cherry blossom season, so planning a visit during the weekday is best for capturing photos or a quiet, relaxing day at the gardens.

Learn more about Glenview Mansion and Rockville Civic Center at: https://www.rockvillemd.gov/389/Glenview-Mansion