President Liz Quinn opened our meeting with the Pledge, and My Country 'Tis of Thee and Bill Hague gave the prayer. Welcome back to Bob Gradle who returned from his winter stay in Florida and who has an April birthday. Also great to see Bob Vigderhouse, Robby Brewer, and Elinor Stolar.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Saturday, April 26 Spiritual Aims Breakfast at 8 a.m. at Leisure World and guest speaker will be our own Bill Hague.  At the same time, Rebuilding Together on Saturday, April 26 from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, we will be working on a house at (3408 Janet Rd. Silver Spring (Wheaton) MD 20906) which will need painting, landscaping and general cleanup.  This is a big project where you can put your gloves on and really work to help this family.  Contact Bob at RPQuinn@aol.com or on his cell number, 301-785-2600, if you can work all day or take the morning or afternoon shift.  John Ratnavale, Chairman of the Nominating Committee asked for persons to come forth who might be interested in serving as an officer. 

Scott Brewer passed out flyers advertising our speaker Bill Offutt for our May 1 and  May 8 meeting on the history of the Woodmont Triangle.  Scott encouraged everyone to contact as many people as possible in the Bethesda community in hopes of interesting them in membership in our great club.  Pat Tiede announced that we had an Inter-Club attending the Wheaton-Silver Spring Charter Night dinner last Saturday night.  Jeanne Smith won a sizeable sum for the 50/50.  Way to go Jeanne!

HAPPY DOLLARS:

Jim Aylor HD for Bob Gradle and Bob Vigderhouse. Pat Tiede HD for Brian Nason, our soon to be newest member and for Bob and Bob Gradle.  Bob Vigderhouse, HD glad to be back and thanks for all the cards and prayers and special thanks to Bill Hague and John Walker for their spiritual support.  Bob Quinn, for the other Bob’s today and a reminder to each one of us to think of possible new members and invite them to lunch.  Bob Gradle 5 HD glad to be back from sunny Florida and thanks to Pat Tiede for mailing Kee-Notes and keeping him up to date on club activities.  Jeanne Smith, HD for Bob Gradle and Bob Vigderhouse. John Ratnavale and Elinor Stolar also contributed to Happy Dollars. Remember Happy Dollars are a way to express your gratitude to someone for a feat or event.  It also builds up the House Fund which helps pay for guests and speakers.

SPEAKER:

Liz introduced our speaker Shelly Edwards, Program Chair of the Montgomery County and DC Chapter of the National Capital Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. They have been in existence for 30 years and are an advocacy group for the disease. They have a 24-hour helpline available for patients or caregivers. The number is 800-272-3900 and website is: www.alz.org/nca.

The prevalence of Alzheimer's is increasing due to the increasing longevity of the population. One in six Americans has it and one in two Americans over 85 has it. The cause is not known and all the treatments so far only slow the progression. Many drugs are being researched so there is some hope. Studies have shown that the same things good for your heart may help to prevent Alzheimer's. This means checking blood pressure and keeping cholesterol and triglycerides under control, don’t smoke, and exercise. A great talk.

 Bob Vigderhouse won the 50/50.  He should show up more often and he could become a millionaire!

 George Patterson, editor