Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Date: July 23, 2009

President John Ratnavale led us in the pledge and My Country 'Tis of Thee and John Walker gave the prayer. Guests introduced were our speaker, Paul McDermott, Aly Brokenshire from Imagination Stage, Jeff Morrison and his seven year old son James.  Returning after a few week's absence were Gary Boswell, Shira Oler, and Robby Brewer.

Announcements:

A sympathy card was passed around for the widow of William Alexander who had been a member since the early 90's.  Bill seldom attended a meeting due to his poor health.  Bill Pennington had called him to see if he could drive him to a meeting and he found out from Sara that her husband had passed February 2009.  A get-well card was circulated for Jane Aylor, wife of member Jim Aylor, who recently had her second knee replacement. Gary Boswell has tickets for the KIWANIS DUCKY DERBY which is sponsored by the Capital District Kiwanis Foundation and local Kiwanis Clubs.  All proceeds go to the Seven Pediatric Trauma Hospitals in the Capital District.  The race date is August 15 at 3:00 p.m.  Donation is $5.00 per ticket or 3 for $10.00.  Please make checks payable to "Capital District Kiwanis Foundation."  It's a good cause and you could win cash prizes of $500, $400, $300, $200 and $100.  Contact Gary if you would like to purchase tickets. 

Our club had an inter-club at the Mid-Montgomery Charter event held on July 12 at O'Donnell's in Germantown.   At least four of our members have visited every club this year except Olney and Leisure world.  We still have until September 30 to make a visit to all clubs. 

Past Governor Bob Cressy welcomed all members to attend the New Member Orientation being held on Tuesday, July 28 at his office (Lombard Securities, 1700 Rockville Pike, Suite 400) at 7 p.m.  The presentation will be in the 4th Floor Conference room.  For admission, call Bob at 301-919-6692 to enter front doors facing Rockville Pike.  Bernadeen Zivkovic and Pat Tiede will attend and we hope Ken King and Pat Norry will be able to participate.  We all can learn how to expand our knowledge of Kiwanis, strengthen our club and have more FUN!!!!!!! 

Jim Leder announced the advances made on the approval of the Miracle League project at the meeting of the Montgomery County Planning board on July 20.  Other trustees attending were Jim Aylor, Robby Brewer, Gary Boswell and Pat Tiede.  As stated in a follow-up article in the Gazette: "The county's Miracle League program, spearheaded by the Bethesda Kiwanis club, is a nonprofit that gives disabled children a chance to play baseball. There are 200 Miracle League groups across the country, with 100 Miracle Fields built and 100 more under construction, according to the organization. "It's going to be the first one in Maryland," Kiwanis Club member Jim Leder said before the Planning Board meeting. "The only one between Pennsylvania and Richmond [Va.]." The field is slated to be built in the South Germantown Recreational Park. In Miracle League games, every child gets to bat, there are no strikeouts and games end in a tie. Fields are made of a hard, composite material suitable for wheelchairs and bases are painted onto the field, not raised. Children with disabilities are guided around the bases by buddies, who also help them bat and the field is about half the size of a standard field."  Jim thanked all the trustees for their efforts and support.  The goal is within our grasp and next spring when we sit in the stands watching the kids play we will all understand that the effort was worth it.  Thank you.  There is still much to do and we have to raise a barrel of money, find contractors and obtain permits...but that will all come now that we can tell people where we want to build our dream.  Once again thank you for taking time out of your busy lives to support this project. 

Chairperson Bernadeen Zivkovic reminded everyone to pass out the new brochures for our one big fundraiser -- the 36th Annual Golf Tournament held at Bretton Woods Country Club on Friday, September 25.  Help is needed in getting sponsorships, foursomes to play golf, and silent auction items.  If you don't play golf, visit restaurants and friends to get ads for the program, and plan to attend the great dinner held after the tournament.  There is something for everyone to do.

PG Bob Cressy inducted returning member Dr. Jeff Morrison.  Jeff was previously a member in 1986 and he served as president in 1992-93. His father Paul Morrison was also a member and President in 1972-73.  Jeff is a dentist with his own practice in Bethesda.  His 7-year old son James was present for the induction and perhaps someday he will follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather.  Welcome back Jeff, we look forward to your active participation.

Editors Note:  Photos were taken but the owner of the camera doesn't know how to get the digital image transferred to the computer.  Can anyone help???

Happy Dollars:

Bernadeen Zivkovic HD for Shira Oler who designed the brochure for the golf tournament and for Jim Leder and his leadership in getting the Miracle League a reality.  Shira Oler HD for Jim Leder who has worked a long three years in bringing the Miracle League to Montgomery County.  John Walker had a HD for Jeff Morrison's return to the club.  Bob Gradle HD for Jim Leder.  Aly Brokenshire HD for her appreciation for the generous gift to Imagination Stage, Pat Tiede HD for Jim Leder's tireless efforts and many long long hours spent on behalf of the Miracle League, Jim Leder HD for the trustees who also helped with the Miracle League, Bob Cressy HD for the Miracle League and Jim's work.  This all started three years ago at the convention in Montreal.  Jeff Morrison  HD for his new son born on Father's Day -- weighing over 9 pounds, he was delivered in three hours.

Speaker:

John Ratnavale introduced our speaker Professor Paul D. McDermott, retired from Montgomery College after serving on the faculty for 29 years.  He has published several books and today he spoke about the Battle of Antietam which took place on September 17, 1862.  More men were killed or wounded than on any other single day of the Civil War.  Antietam (Sharpsburg) was the first of Gen. Robert E. Lee's attempt to carry the war into the north.  The Federal Army under the leadership of Gen. George McClellan had about 87,000 troops against the 40,000 Southerners.  The battle was the bloodiest of the Civil War.  The Federal losses were over 12,000 and the Confederate losses were over 10,000.  The battle lasted about 4 hours.  Great presentation!!

Bill Pennington won the 50/50 and returned it to the club.

Pat Tiede, Editor-for-the-day.