Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club enjoyed a special Board Meeting on November 19, when the members were entertained by the West Potomac High School Colonial Singers, a large choir of students who dress in colonial costumes and sing songs of that historical period. Ernest Johnson, the choirmaster, received a Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club cap as a token of the Club's appreciation for bringing his talented group to the meeting. Pictured are the line of singers and Bruce Malkin, President of MVKC, (on right) at the cap presentation to Ernest Johnson, choirmaster, (on left), in front of the Club's banner.

Jeff Wolff, District 20 Lt. Governor, paid a return visit to Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club on November 19, where he gave a presentation on Strategic Planning, using inchstones to measure progress toward goals, and offered his ideas and assistance on developing the Club's individual plan, which would then become part of the District's Strategic Plan. Pictured with him on the right is MVKC President Bruce Malkin.

On November 1, Sandra Medrano, the Directress of UCM's Creekside Village (formerly Janna Lee) Neighborhood Center, took a group of 14 children and 6 adults to Cox Farm in Chantilly, where everyone delighted in discovering new things. First they visited the labyrinth built under bales of hay. Then they went to the pumpkin patch, where they watched giant pumpkins being dropped from a high crane, which was different. One of the group who was especially knowledgeable about farm life, explained a lot about what was going on, like all they ever wanted to know about pigs, cows, and goats. Then they cheered one another as they conquered the rope swing. They were surprised when they ventured into the cornfield maze (see photo) to find halls of doors and a giant vortex! The final treat was sliding down the Giant Slide. At the end, each participant got their own pumpkin to take home, and they agreed they had enjoyed a wonderful day. This trip was paid for by the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club. If you are interested to learn more about its community service activities, please look at mtvernonvakiwanis.org.

On November 5, Bryon Johnston, Director of Public Relations for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, used very current graphics to brief the members of the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club (MVKC) at a dinner meeting held at the Mount Vernon Country Club. This massive construction project is one of the largest on the East Coast, and will soon be entering its final phases with five lanes open each way early next year, although work will continue until 2013 on finishing touches. Readers who are interested in what else the Mount Vernon Kiwanis Club is doing in our community should look at www.mtvernonvakiwanis.org. In the photo in front of the graphics are Bryon Johnston (left) receiving his MVKC thank-you cap from Club President, Bruce Malkin (right).