Bullis School standout Quincy Wilson, already the youngest male U.S. Olympian in track and field history, has announced that he’s committing to the University of Maryland. The decision was shared Monday evening on SportsCenterNext, where Wilson confirmed that he will continue his academic and athletic career just a short drive from his Potomac campus.

Wilson, one of the most electrifying young athletes in the country, made national headlines this summer when he qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics at just 16 years old. The Bullis sprinter became the youngest American male to compete in Olympic track and field, helping anchor the U.S. 4x400m relay pool and solidifying his status as one of the sport’s fastest-rising stars.

At Bullis, Wilson has broken multiple national high school records and is widely considered one of the best young sprinters in the world. His performances in the 400m have drawn attention from every major collegiate program, but the Terps ultimately won out as Wilson chose to stay close to home.

Maryland has made a major push under head coach Dennis Craddock, and landing Wilson is viewed as one of the program’s biggest recruiting victories in years.

Wetzel’s Pretzels has officially begun construction on its upcoming location at Westfield Montgomery Mall in Bethesda. In May, we shared that the pretzel chain was on the way, with signage posted at the site indicating a fall opening. The timeline has shifted slightly, but progress is now underway after Wetzel’s Pretzels recently received its permit to begin building out the space.

This will mark a return to the property for the brand. Wetzel’s Pretzels previously operated at Westfield Montgomery Mall before closing in 2017. The new location is part of the company’s growing footprint in Montgomery County, which also includes a forthcoming spot at Westfield Wheaton Mall.

The popular national chain is known for its hand-rolled, oven-baked snacks, including classic salted pretzels, pretzel-wrapped Wetzel Dogs, cheesy Dog Bites, and pepperoni-topped Pizza Bitz. It also offers a full lineup of sweet and savory options as well as fresh lemonades.

With construction now active, a Winter 2025/2026 opening appears likely at this time. We will share updates as the buildout continues and an official opening date is announced.

Poolesville has long been described by locals as a “Hallmark town,” and stepping inside The Sweet Lemon during the holidays makes it easy to understand why. The small gift boutique, owned by former high school teacher Katie Horan, has become one of the community’s most beloved gathering places, especially during its annual full-store Christmas transformation.

Horan opened The Sweet Lemon in November 2021 after recognizing a need for a warm, thoughtfully curated shop in her hometown. What began as a dream outside of the classroom has quickly grown into a centerpiece of Poolesville’s thriving small-town identity.

“My goal is to create a shopping experience worthy of a town rooted in community pride, tradition, and neighborliness,” Horan shared. That goal influences everything she does, right down to her decision not to sell online. “My attention and service prioritizes the people who walk through my door,” she said.

Each November, Horan closes off her windows and doors for several days to completely transform the shop into what customers describe as a “Christmas Dream.” The reveal has become a highly anticipated local milestone and an unofficial signal that the holiday season has arrived in Poolesville.

This year marks the boutique’s fifth Christmas turnover, and customers continue telling Horan that someone “needs to tell her story.” While the décor is enchanting, the deeper magic, she says, comes from what happens inside.

The Sweet Lemon has grown beyond retail. It has become a place where neighbors meet, friendships deepen, and stories are shared. Horan describes the shop as a hub of “shared joy, hard moments, honest conversations, and real friendships.”

Those relationships guide every intentional choice she makes, including what she stocks, how she presents items, and the tone of the experience. “I want shopping here to feel less like an errand and more like a visit,” she said.

One of the shop’s most meaningful traditions returns this Sunday, November 23. The Sweet Lemon will host local veterans from American Legion Post 247 for a community knife-sharpening event. The service is free, but donations are encouraged, and every dollar goes directly to a Poolesville High School student who wins the post’s annual Oratory Contest.

The event has become a standout moment in the shop’s calendar. “The veterans tell stories, draw a fantastic crowd, and entertain,” Horan said. “It’s one of the richest experiences I’ve had in my shop.”

Customers often remark that Poolesville feels like a Hallmark movie come to life, and Horan agrees. She believes her shop’s success is really a reflection of the town itself: welcoming, close-knit, and deeply rooted in tradition. “In a time when so many people are craving genuine connection, our larger community in MoCo should know that those connections exist here, and they can be part of it,” she said.

As The Sweet Lemon enters its fifth holiday season, Horan hopes the boutique continues to be a place where memories are made, traditions grow, and the spirit of Poolesville shines through every gift, every conversation, and every visit.