Kee-Notes
President Liz Quinn led us in the Pledge and God Bless America. John Walker gave the prayer. Guests introduced were John Tyner, past Governor and member of the Rockville Club. He introduced Kiwanis International President Dave Curry and his wife Eva who are visiting our District this week. Greg Miele introduced Grace Fielder, President of G. E. Fielder & Associates (a Columbia, MD firm that creates playgrounds for special needs. Also introduced were Brad Pearson from the Gazette and Julius West from Congressmen Chris Van Hollen's office. Welcome back Harry Lowe and Johnathan Davis.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Sunday, January 27 - Bowling with Key Clubbers from Blair, Walter Johnson, and Walt Whitman. 3 p.m. at Bethesda Naval Bowling Lanes. Call Jeanne Smith if you plan to participate. The date may be changed to February 10 to allow more Kiwanians to participate.
Thursday, February 14 - Valentines Day - bring your spouses we will play Newly Wed Game.
Thursday February 21 - Charter Night - At Normandie Farms, 6:30 p.m. $40.00/person.
Other future activities planned are a Bingo Night at RICA and a Service Leadership Meeting and Dinner at Leisure World on May 22.
Dave Curry, International President and his wife Eva, are visiting our District. They reside in Butte, Montana. He was delighted to hear about our club's involvement in forming the Miracle League.
HAppy Dollars:
Bob Cressy - HD for Eva and Dave Curry's involvement in our District's activities and for Jim Leder and Jim Aylor for their hard work on the Miracle League. John Walker - HD for Dave Curry; Bob Quinn for the two "Jims"; John Tyner was happy for the gracious reception given by the Bethesda Kiwanians. Dick Ruprecht was happy because he loves kids and baseball and we are forging ahead to create a league in Montgomery County. Greg Miele - Happy to have lunch with the International President and he hoped the AV would work! Gary Boswell was happy to be out of the office and have so many past governors present. And furthermore his wife Kelly has planned a cruise in a few months. Guest Grace Fielder had a Happy $ because we care as much about children as she does. Pat Tiede was happy to recount that she was born in Butte, Montana where the Curry's live and she knows all about those St. Patrick Day celebrations!!! Many others expressed gratitude for our guests and for the upcoming program presented to the group about the Miracle League.
PROGRAM FOR THE DAY:
James Leder and Jim Aylor reviewed the progress they have made over the past few months in working with the Park and Planning Committee of Montgomery County to put the wheels in motion for the progress of the Miracle League ball field that our Club is sponsoring. The Miracle League ball field will be a special-purpose, small, day-only facility designed to enable handicapped children and children with special needs to play base ball in teams! This facility will be constructed with substantial help from the funds of the late and beloved Sid and Roxcey Hais! A heart-tugging video was shown. Montgomery County has 184,000 students and 17,700 children have special needs. The Kiwanis Club of Bethesda Miracle League trustees were named:
Jim Aylor, Gary Boswell (Treasurer), Robert Brewer (Legal Advisor), Jim Leder, John Ratnavale (Financial Advisor), Richard Ruprecht, Jeanne Smith, Ed Smith (Consultant and Coach Advisor), and Patricia Tiede (Secretary). Additional members will either be elected or appointed as we progress through our growing phase. Their job will be to protect the interest, help, and advise this public private partnership that is both compelling and unique to form the heart of the Miracle League for Montgomery County. At the present time the State of Maryland is not handicap compliant and once we get permission to use the land located at Cabin John we can involve other clubs in the district, use Key Clubs and parents of the handicapped, build bathroom and concession stands. It's a big job, but we can do it!!!
Greg Miele won the 50/50.
Patricia Tiede, Editor for the Day
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Editor - GEORGE PATTERSON (301-652-7061, geopatersn@aol.com)
Website Editors - BEN SCHLESINGER (301-951-7266,
bschles@bsaenergy.com), PAT TIEDE
(301-493-6937),
patriciatiede@comcast.net