President Liz Quinn opened our meeting with the Pledge, singing of My Country 'Tis of Thee and John Walker delivered the prayer.

Announcements:

President Liz Quinn welcomed our guests Michael Bobbitt and Meryl Cullom from Adventure Theater and Joan Larson, DC resident and long-time friend of Pat Tiede, and we were glad to see the return of Bill Pennington, Ron Spratt, and Gary Boswell.  Liz announced that due to summer vacations, we will have no meeting for the rest of the month.  Our first meeting in July will be downstairs on the main floor (entree is salmon) and following lunch there will be a meeting of the Board of Directors.  Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 10.  On Thursday, July 17 there will be no luncheon meeting but we need 10 representatives from our club to serve dinner at Camp Friendship at 5 p.m.  Please contact Jeanne Smith at 301-509-5224 if you can participate. Ducky Derby tickets can be purchased from Pat Tiede.  This is an annual event sponsored by the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation and local Kiwanis Clubs.  All proceeds go to the Seven Pediatric Trauma Hospitals in the Capital District.  Donation is $5 per ticket or 3 for $10.00.  We need to submit checks by August 6--President Liz has sweetened the event by offering a duck to all who donate $20.  Prizes are cash -- starting at $500.  It's for a good cause.  Bring your checkbooks on July 10 or mail to Pat Tiede--she has the tickets.

Speakers:

Michael Bobbitt, Artistic Director of Adventure Theatre in historic Glen Echo Park gave an overview of the theatre's  history -- started in 1951 and now in its 57th season.  It started as a community run venture and is now professional.  he idea of quality theatre for children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area was born when a group of women met at their children's nursery school. They believed that children deserved to see quality theatre designed especially for them and presented by adults.  They have approximately 6 shows a year and it is the first-time theater experience for young children.  They were the first theatre in the area to take performances to schools, hospital and community centers.  Meryl Cullom, Education Director talked how parents get involved in programs such as Creative Drama Mama's, yoga and theatre mixed, musical theatre programs and after school programs.  Many of the children learn about philanthropy at a young age and participate in Autism Awareness Day.  Plays are adapted after children's books and any school that books a show gets a tree to plant.  There are many opportunities for summer volunteer work and the website www.adventuretheatre.org can provide additional information.  Want to wow your kids with a great birthday party?  Contact the website for a great birthday party.

Happy Dollars:

Ron Spratt HD for Adventure Theater and for his daughter who attended many years ago and has just finished appearing on Broadway in Cry Baby.  Pat Tiede HD for her guest Joan Larson who she met over 40 years ago and they were sorority sisters even though they attended different universities.  George Spicer HD for the guests from Adventure Theater who share similar goals with Imagination Stage.  Ben Schlesinger for the work he has done through the years with (Regional Institute for Children and Adolescents (RICA).  John Walker had a HD for the guests and Gary Boswell had a HD for the two sorority sisters, as well as our guest speakers.  Jeanne Smith HD was for Michael Bobbitt and Meryl Cullom and their work at Adventure Theater.  We hope they will join Kiwanis as we all have interests in serving the children.

A fascinating talk. Ron Spratt won the 50/50 and graciously contributed it to Adventure Theater.