Kiwanis International President Dave Curry (right) and First Lady Eva Curry will
be visiting the Capital District in late January 2008. During
this special time our district will be hosting a number of
events for the First Family of Kiwanis. On Saturday evening,
January 26, 2008 Governor Art and First Lady Vickie will
host a reception from 6-7 pm (with cash bar) followed by
dinner at the Comfort Inn Conference Center, 4500 Crain Hwy,
Bowie, Maryland 20716. 
by John Tyner
On July 14, 2007, the Kiwanis Club of Rockville celebrated a new partnership with Hearts & Homes' Redl House, a therapeutic group homes for boys ages 6-12. The partnership kicked off with a BBQ and Pet Show at the Rockville home. Kiwanis members Beth Homan (Club President), Miriam Gandell, Eldon Durscher, George Sauer, and Enas Elhanafi were on hand to prepare burgers on the grill, slice up watermelon and serve up S'mores for the seven boys living at Redl House. Ruth Hanessian, Kiwanis member and owner of the Animal Exchange pet store in Rockville, brought an assortment of pets for the boys to 'borrow'. From the creepy-crawly millipede and snake, to the beady-eyed rat, beautiful bird, baby bunny and guinea pig, the pets were a huge hit with the boys.
"It was great," said Abe. "My favorite food was the hamburgers. I liked the bunny and the snake best."
Others also had comments:
Bob: "I had fun. The red and black snake's skin was SO disgusting! My favorite pet was the bunny."
Chuck: It was fun because they brought hamburgers and pets. The s'mores were good. My favorite pets were the snake and the rat."
Don: "I am an animal-lover. I liked the guinea pig. I loved the food!"
Eli: "It was fun! My favorite pet was the snake. I liked the way it wiggled. I liked the s'mores."
Frank: "I liked all the animals except the snake. I liked the hamburgers and the s'mores and the chips!"
The Club members also brought books about the animals that enriched their discussion. The books were given to the boys for their personal reading pleasure. Additional books were donated to the house library for everyone to enjoy. At the close of the afternoon, each boy picture took a picture with his favorite pet as a keepsake of the day. In addition to the afternoon BBQ, the Kiwanis Club of Rockville Foundation presented Redl House with a check in the amount of $1,400 to send the boys to summer camp. "The partnership between Kiwanis and Hearts & Homes for Youth is growing and we are so very grateful," added Rex Smith, President/CEO of Hearts & Homes for Youth.
