February 4, 2008, Chevy Chase, Maryland,

Every young family need a Picnic Group.  Yesterday my friend Wendy came to visit Ken.  Sometime in the early 70s she joined Picnic Group, and we've been friends ever since.  In 1970, Mary and Bertie, friends from graduate school,moved with their families to Bethesda.  They were delighted to see each other because both had no families or friends locally.  Bertie suggested they meet once a week with their children at a local park and bring a pot lunch, and both were free to invite any one else.  The thinking being if there was not a specific date every week, they would get busy and they would never see each other.  So in the summer of 1971 Picnic Group began and fllourished.

In September 0f 1971, Andrew attended  three year nursery school, the same Berties sons attended, and when Bertie found out I was a Canadian she invited me to picnic group.  Of course I said yes. I had a two year old and a three year old and I accepted any and every invitation.  Especially if it included other children and outdoor play.  The Canadian part was important because the group had the pot luck picnic every week rain or shine in summer and winter.  The group sometimes was made up of 6 Mothers and sometimes 15 Mothers, but it didn't really matter because every one brought food and everyone shared.