From Mike Silverstein, Commissioner, Dupont Circle Advisory Neighborhood Commission:
Dupont Circle ANC has invited members of the Gardner Family of Machias, ME to be their honored guests at this year’s Capital Pride Parade. They live about an hour from the Canadian border, a four hour drive to the Portland Airport, and none of them have even been to Washington (at least not since the end of WWII).
91-year-old Harlan Gardner, a World War II veteran and retired mailman, featured his family in an ad for Equality Maine that many considered a game changer in the Marriage Equality referendum in Maine.
With four generations of his family seated around the table at their home, Mr Gardner mentioned that he and his wife Dotty had “been together for 59 years,” and that “marriage is too wonderful a thing not to share.” Harlan mentions how proud he is of his granddaughter Katie, and Dotty says she “hopes to see Katie and (her partner) Alex married legally.”
The ad resonated in Maine, went viral on the internet, and was the subject of a column in the New York Times that called Mr Gardner “the unlikely hero” of the Maine referendum campaign. Marriage equality forces in other states took note of the themes underscored in the Gardner Family ad, and sought to capture the “family values” issue for equality.
Harlan and Dotty Gardner, their granddaughter Katie Kurz, and Katie’s partner Alexandria (correct spelling) Patel will be flying down to Washington with Katie and Alex’s 13-year old daughter Mikayla. Other members of their family are hoping to meet them here.
Commissioners and community members have donated frequent flyer miles to help bring the Gardners to Washington, and a member of a classic car club has offered to drive them during the parade in a fully restored Chevy Corvair convertible from the early ’60s.
Dupont Circle ANC 2B is host to the parade, which begins and ends within its borders. The Parade is this Saturday, June 8th and it steps off at 430pm at 22nd & P Streets, NW.
Recent Stories
From a press release: “The vibrant blocks on 14th Street from Spring Rd to Shepherd St, known as “Little Mexico” due to their high concentration of Mexican restaurants, are preparing…
Thanks to L. for sending this beautiful 98 Olds. Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you!
Ed. Note: If this was you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. “Dear PoPville, Where: Outside of Mi Vida on 14th St When: Tuesday…
“Eleanor II (all black) and Theo (tailless tuxie) newly of Van Ness. We lived in a basement unit before, so the cats are really loving the sunshine.” If you have…
Good news, D.C. area. You can save money on your next home cleaning with Well-Paid Maids. It’s easy!
We offer a discount when you set up recurring cleans — and the discounts just increased this week!
For weekly cleans, get $30 off each cleaning.
Potomac Harmony is Back! Following a gap year of competing, then virtual rehearsals during the pandemic, followed by the well-earned retirement of our long-term director, a year of a director search, Potomac Harmony hit the regional contest stage in Concord, North Carolina in March for the first time since 2018! It was exhilarating, reaffirming, and rewarding!
The chorus hit all of its goals, the biggest of which was to have fun and sing our best on contest stage — we did both! Because we earned a score over 400 points, our new Director, Allison Lynskey, was awarded the Novice Director award, photo above. Additionally, one of our charter members, Jackie Bottash, was nominated for and honored with the Leadership Excellence award. It was a celebratory weekend!
What’s next? So much! We now look forward to upcoming performances, growing our membership, and expanding our musical product with new arrangements and an education component each week. It’s an exciting time to be part of this ever-growing ensemble!
St Mary Armenian Church Annual Spring Food Festival
Come hungry and leave happy! Experience culture, community, and cuisine all in one place. See you at the festival!!!!
Comedy Cabaret
Kick up your heels at Bad Medicine’s COMEDY CABARET extravaganza at the DC Improv Comedy Club on Tuesday, May 21st. Revel in the sights and sounds of this entertaining musical revue, with songs, dance and sketch comedy that will have
