Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Date: April 30, 2009

President Jim Leder opened the meeting and member Bill Pennington led us in the Pledge and My Country 'Tis of Thee.  Bill Hague gave the prayer.

Announcements:

Jim Leder reported that a site located near the Soccer Complex in Germantown is a good possibility for the Miracle League ball field.  Next up will be public hearings about that location.  President Leder reported that 5 of our members plus Key clubbers donated a total of 33 hours to this year's Rebuilding Together Project on April 25.  About 20 high school key clubbers attended the Key Club Convention in Richmond on April 26.  Thanks to the advisors - Jeanne Smith and Richard Ruprecht who work with the students all year.

Elections for 2009-2010 were held.  The officers and directors terms will go into effect October 1, 2009 - September 30, 2010.  Elected by unanimous consent were:         

Happy Dollars:

Sue Kirk HD for our guest speaker, Ken Hartman and for Dick Ruprecht who volunteered to be representative payee for several homeless clients at Bethesda Cares so they can get their Social Security benefits.  Dick Ruprecht HD for Capitals and Penguins hockey teams in the Stanley Cup Play-offs, also for his daughter Catherine who will graduate from Clemson University next week and has been offered a two-year scholarship to attend Grad School at Clemson to study hydro-geology. Another HD for Jeanne Smith's work with Blair and Whitman Key Clubs.  They had 22 students attending the convention in Richmond last weekend which is the highest number he can recall.  Bob Gradle HD for our speaker, Ken Hartman.  Bernadeen Zivkovic HD's for the get-well cards she got after injuring her wrist, also for Division 17 fundraiser Menopause the Musical which was a real laugh, a HD for Rebuilding Together, and a HD for her son making the honor roll.  Pat Tiede HD for Bernie Gardiner celebrating his 80th birthday.  There were  many District 17 Kiwanians attending and it was a splendid event. Jim Leder HD also for Bernie Gardiner's birthday party.

Speaker:

Sue Kirk introduced our speaker Ken Hartman, Director of the  Bethesda Chevy Chase Regional Services Center located on Edgemoor Lane near the Bethesda Metro station. He is a native of Montgomery County and began working on the County Council for Betty Ann Kranke. He then worked for the city of Rockville and then back to County Council as chief of staff for Howard Denis. He has been Director at the BCC center for two years now and is a Cabinet Member of Ike Leggett.  The BCC Center functions an outreach to the community and civic associations - much like a local town hall.  The Center also has meeting rooms available for local non-profits. One project with Bethesda Cares has been completed -- the installation of red meters which look like parking meters. These meters accept coins (spare change) to help Bethesda Cares but mainly function to educate people about directing their donations to worthwhile organization like Bethesda Cares rather than give money directly to pan handlers (which often supports addictions and creates a cycle of dependence).  This was an excellent presentation of great value.

Bill Pennington won the 50/50.

George Patterson, editor.

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