Kee-Notes

Weekly Newsletter of the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, Maryland

Serving the Community Since 1945

Meeting Dates: June 3 & 10, 2010

On June 3, President Jim Leder opened the meeting and led us in the pledge with John Walker giving the prayer.

Happy Dollars:

Ben Schlesinger HD  for son Jonathan and his bride Shirley who are both in Beijing on Fulbrights.  They have to stay there through the end of November as part of their contracts, so Ben and his wife will go visit them!  Richard Ruprecht HD in recognition of the passing of Bob Eastham, a prominent Bethesda businessman and friend of Kiwanis, another HD for his daughter Catherine, a hydro-geologist grad student at Clemson who was chosen to attend a very prestigious conference in New Mexico in July.  Pat Norry HD  for her knee which is feeling better after her fall.  The cane is gone!

Pat Norry won the 50/50 and returned the amount to the house fund.  Thanks Pat, we need all the $$$ we can get!

Following lunch, current President Jeanne Smith presided over the monthly Board Meeting.  We are going into a summer schedule of meetings with reduced meetings.  If you have any questions about a meeting, please contact secretary Pat Tiede.

On June 10, President Jeanne Smith  led the pledge, tenor George Patterson led with God Bless America and Bill Hague gave our prayer.

Announcements:

Bob Gradle and his wife Shirley, and John Ratnavale and his friend Norka attended the Memorial Day ceremony at Woodmont Triangle Park on Monday, May 31.   An 86 year old veteran, George Griffenhagen talked about his personal experiences in a construction battalion. There were over 20 wreaths from Bethesda organizations  placed around the Memorial.  Bob noted that one of the speakers was  Councilman Roger Berliner who  made some surprising remarks.  Check out this for Berliner's speech:  http://maryland-politics.blogspot.com/2010/05/roger-berliner-on-memorial-day.html.

Pat Tiede told us about the Kiwanis Ducky Derby.  This annual event takes place at the District Convention on August 21, 2010 in Lynchburg, VA.  It is a big fund raiser for the year.  Since 1982 the Capital District Foundation has donated over $400,000 to seven pediatric hospitals in the area.  Every member should consider participating.  You can do so by purchasing one ticket for $5.00 and/or three tickets for $10.00.  Bring your checkbook to the next meeting and let's make the District proud of the tickets purchased by the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda!  You can win cash prizes from $500, $300, $200, and $100.  If you don't want to handwrite your name, address, etc., bring some mailing labels. Our own Bob Cressy won $300 one year!

            Sun., June 13 - DIVISION 17 FAMILY FUN PICNIC (GOVERNOR'S VISIT) Black Hills Regional Park - 11 to 3 p.m. - $18

            Mon., June 14 - RICA/WHEATON-SS GOLF TOURNAMENT - We will have an inter-club

            Thurs., June 17 - LUNCH MEETING - Todd Lamb, Speaker from MD Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse

            Thur.-Sun.- June 24-27 - 95th ANNUAL CONVENTION IN LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

            Thur. - June 24 - NO MEETING  

            Thur. - July 1 - NO MEETING

            Thur. - July 8 - Regular Lunch Meeting - BOARD MEETING

            Thur. - July 15 - NO MEETING

            Thur. - July 22 - Lunch Meeting - Brandon Howard from Bethesda Urban District

            Thur. - July 30 - NO MEETING

Happy Dollars:

Sue Kirk HD glad to be back to the club.  Bob Gradle HD for Jeanne Smith's hard work. Bill Pennington  HD just for being happy.   Pat Tiede  HD for Sue Kirk as our speaker.  Bob Cressy HD for the military recognition dinner at Kenwood Club held on May 15 by the Kiwanis Club of Potomac.  We had an interclub attending, another HD for the SLP Awards Dinner held on May 20 and a HD for the Governor's Visit coming up on June 13 at Black Hills Regional Park.  Jeanne Smith HD for Sue Kirk.  Pat Norry  HD for young grand daughter who is recovering from a broken leg but then she broke her arm.

Speaker:

Former Kiwanian, Sue Kirk, Executive Director of Bethesda Cares, whose mission is caring for the homeless and to prevent homelessness in Montgomery County opened with a quote from Margaret Mead:  "Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world.  In fact, it is the only thing that ever has."  Sue was a member of our club and served on the Board of Directors for many years.  Our club has donated thousands of dollars over the last 10 years or so and the funds are designated for families with young children, who are being threatened with eviction or utility cutoff.  Many of the homeless need help getting an ID and Bethesda Cares provides the funds for non-driver ID from the DMV.  Sue said if they can help a family from becoming homeless it can stabilize the family.  Once a family becomes homeless it can start a downward spiral to permanent poverty.  A check for $5,000 was presented to Bethesda Cares.

Pat Tiede, Editor for the day.

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Editor - GEORGE PATTERSON (301-652-7061, geopatersn@aol.com)
Website Editor - PAT TIEDE (301-493-6937, patriciatiede@comcast.net)

Website Advisor - BEN SCHLESINGER (301-951-7266, bschles@bsaenergy.com)