President Liz Quinn opened our meeting with the Pledge, and My Country 'Tis of Thee and Bill Hague gave the prayer.  Great to see Jim Leder back after taking care of  his wife for three months.  She is on the road to a good recovering and appreciates all the cards and letters.  Past President Anne Black was also welcomed back. Guest Jay Boswell, son of our own Gary Boswell and Kelly who is President of the Kiwanis Club of Olney, was introduced.  Dick Ruprecht presented  a check for $500 from our club to Terry Romano (a Walter Johnson parent) for the Walter Johnson High School Prom Breakfast. This event is held from about midnight to 4-5 AM as an alternative to having private after-prom parties which can lead to drinking and driving. 

HAPPY DOLLARS: 

Dick Ruprecht  HD for the two Quinn’s (Liz and Bob) who are leading Rebuilding Together this weekend.     HD from Scott Brewer for Dick Ruprecht and for Walter Johnson Key Club which our club has sponsored for decades. Pat Tiede HD for the club members who read to the 2-4 year olds at the Bethesda YMCA last week.  HD from Jim Leder who is glad to be back and thanked everyone for all the get well cards and phone calls for his wife Pat. Also this afternoon he and Jim Aylor will be making a presentation at the Maryland Capital Parks and Planning Commission about the  proposed Miracle League Baseball field. Jay Boswell had a HD for his parents Gary and Kelly who have worked so hard and loved him so much. Gary Boswell had 5 HD for the Walter Johnson Prom Breakfast as he met his wife Kelly there while volunteering. Anne Black HD for her 20-month old grandson who is so active and she has a wonderful time trying to keep up with him.

SPEAKER:

Nadia Elguindy was our speaker from the Potomac Riverkeepers. Nadia is in charge of Programs and Development for this non-profit group with a mission of protecting and helping to clean up the Potomac River. Her group is one of 206 chapters of the International Riverkeepers.  One of their success stories involves their lawsuit against the Hagerstown Wastewater District which violated their pollution permit.  Any group/individual that dumps debris into the river is required to get a permit to pollute (seems contrary to cleaning a river!) which specifies a limited amount they can dump and if the quota is exceeded penalties are incurred. Potomac Riverkeepers has full time Riverkeepers who monitor the river directly. Also involved are hundreds of volunteers who are Riverwatchers and enjoy the river and can supplement the full time personnel. Most of the pollution of the river comes from fertilizer, sewage pipes and storm water drainage.  Anything that goes into the drains on streets eventually winds up in the river. She answered questions from the group.  For further information you may check their website: www.potomacriverkeeper.org.

Jim Aylor won the 50/50.