Bonus attractions: in addition to the annual meeting, you can see the  Aspen Hill Library Advisory Committee in action, enjoy a catered lunch (good food for only $5), and hear our guest speaker.

Bob Chartrand, author of Computers and Political Campaigning, will speak on “Politicians in Our Time: Characters, Challengnes, and Conundrums.” Admission to Bob’s informative talk is free.

Schedule:

10:00 to 11:00      Aspen Hill Library Advisory Committee  meeting.

You are welcome to attend. All meetings of the Aspen Hill Library AC are open to the public, but for this meeting you are getting a special invitation!

11:00 to Noon      Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Aspen Hill Library.

Reports are given on activities and plans. Here’s a good time to say want to say about library services or Friends’ programs (summer reading, book-sales, the community festival). This is also a great opportunity to volunteer to help and get involved!

Noon                       Lunch

Only $5! Let us know if you want a box lunch (sandwich, small salad, fruit, desert, beverge) so we can have enough great food there. Please, please make reservations by Feb. 27th!! Call Chris Swan at (301)871-1113 or e-mail her at csswan@usa.net.

12:30 to 1:30     Bob Chartrand, author

A mysterious gift is sent to the Damascus library.  The origins of this gift are suspect.  Some say it is part of the treasure stolen from murdered nobleman Jonathan Ironwood. Guests must get to the “root” of the mystery while searching the books for clues and collecting artifacts placed around the library.  Cultivate your imagination on this Arbor Day weekend as we solve the mystery of the Ironwood family.  A prize will be awarded to the sleuth who solves the mystery first.  “Creative” attire is encouraged.  This event is geared for adults, but children 12 years and older are welcome to attend.

$10/person, Family Pack of 4 tickets for $30

Includes buffet of hors d’ouevres, desserts, soft drinks, coffee/tea

Although Mr. Chartrand has authored many books, he will not be speaking about any one of them specifically; this will be a night in which he divulges some of the secrets of the halls of Congress.   This is a free event and is open to the public.   It will take place in the first floor meeting room of the Rockville Library.   Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of the Friends of the Library, Rockville Chapter.

This year also marked the 3rd year of the Aspen Hill Friends’ jazz series - featuring jazz performers from throughout the Washington metropolitan area.

Results of our annual Fall Book Sale are not available at press time, but we’re hoping for another record breaking sale. Material is organized into over 30 categories from Espionage & War Fiction to Religion & Philosophy. Over the next year, the Aspen Hill Friends will be conducting a review of our book sale practices to see if we improve them even more. We’ll be asking other Friends chapters for their suggestions. Our next book sale is scheduled for April 24, 2010, 9 AM to 2 PM.

As part of our community advocacy role, we are working closely with the Aspen Hill Library Advisory Committee, the County Friends, the Library Board, and MCPL to make sure that MCPL’s new regulations on programming does not result in a cut in services to the Aspen Hill community.

On February 11^th at 7:30 p.m., author Rosemary Reed will discuss her book, The Threads of Time, the Fabric of History, Profiles of African American Dressmakers and Designers from 1860 to the Present .

On February 13^th at 3:00 p.m., the Adult Student Music Forum will hold its 3^rd annual recital at Bethesda Library with “A Valentine to Music.”

On February 20, 2:00 pm, enjoy Chinese New Year games and activities with Amy Chen.

On February 27, 2:00 pm, The Black Hall of Fame Show will be presented by Kinderman.  This program for elementary school age kids will provide an interactive look through African American history.

Upcoming Speakers

March 18, 2010: “Marriage-or any long-term relationship-is a never-ending process of exploration and growth.” Diane and John Rehm

Diane and John Rehm co-authored Toward Commitment: A Dialogue about Marriage in 2002, but their story and insights remain true now more than ever.  Diane Rehm is a nationally syndicated talk show host, and her husband John, a lawyer in both the government and private sectors, worked through “expectations and assumptions” and shared their learning process through their writings. They have been married for 50 years this year, and continue to work through challenges together.

No additional tickets are available for the Rehms on the 18th, and there is no waiting list at this time.

April 15, 2010: “You learned quickly that if you were going to have a relationship with me, you were going to have a relationship with all these other people.” Cokie Roberts

Cokie and Steve Roberts met through their family in 1962, and have been happily married for over 40 years.  Each a successful journalist in their own right and very active in Washington society, the Roberts wrote From this day forward to share their stories on how they met, grew together, and have kept their marriage strong in spite of their differences.

Overview

11:30 AM at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD

Catered lunch, book signing, and question and answer follow.

• October 22, 2009-Marita Golden
• November 19, 2009-David O. Stewart and Nancy Floreen
• March 18, 2010-Diane and John Rehm
• April 15, 2010-Cokie and Steve Roberts

Ticket

Non Member Rates

Lecture and Lunch

Individual Lectures: $27.50                              Entire Series 5% off: $104.50

Lecture Only

Individual Lectures: $22.50                                Entire Series 5% off: $85.50

Member Rates

Lecture and Lunch

Individual lectures 10% off: $24.75                   Entire Series 15% off: $93.50

Lecture Only

Individual lectures 10% off: $20.25                   Entire Series 15% off: $76.50