News about the RKIDs
December 2025
Frederick Boat Parade on Carroll Creek
Annual Book Club Tea
are Good to Read
Book Club Royalty
Elegantly set tables, lots of holiday décor and music welcomed active RKID Book Club members Sonja and Tom, Marilyn O., Barb C., Michelle, Marie V., Maddy, Christine, Mary Ann, Robin and Carole to Connie’s home for their third annual Holiday Tea. Great conversation, food — including Sonja’s delicious apple cake — and games filled the air with merriment. After snapping in the season with Christmas poppers/crackers, joke-telling and cheerfully responding to challenging holiday-related questions posed by Barb and Sonja, we commenced with the spirited wrapped-book exchange game.
Accentuated by a stunning sunset afterward, everyone left with new stories to read — Christine with more books as the prize-winner of the quizzes — decorated pretzel wreaths made by Barb and Maddy, and (best of all) warm, new memories of another outstanding RKID event.
Annual Christmas Party
Jean, Pat and Evan
It was another hearty, fun-filled party at Marilyn and Obie's! Fifty members and guests showed up to share culinary creations, sing songs, and participate in the annual gift exchange, which was done to Marilyn's reading of The Night Before Christmas.
Grand Entrance
Dave M. and Willie played the piano. Kathi R., Kathy O. and new member John T. sang carols, while Toni and David D. performed a duet. Then, under the direction of emcee Obie, the general caroling sing along began and was there ever such joy and laughter!
Once again, there was food, glorious food, aplenty this year. Appetizers, crocks of meat balls and BBQ, shrimp, salads, an abundance of desserts and much more. Roger and guest Rebecca served the authentic Irish coffee with a home-made whipped cream.
and Christine Share a Smile
Here's a video of some of the party's highlights!
So what's it like being in an RKIDs dance class? Here's a view of us practicing the Monaghan Set's figure 3, under the direction of Toni Dufficy:
The RKIDs turn 35 as an organization next year. In advance of that, the Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, sent this citation of recognition. We appreciate it greatly and are planning festivities for this auspicious anniversary.
at Walk's End
On a brisk and sunny morning, RKIDs Chuck and Clare C., Evan, Sandy and Kathy walked the five mile-long Winter Celtic Solstice “race” held at Druid Hill Park in Baltimore. The exhilarating event only took them about an hour and a half to complete. Evan and Chuck placed first in their respective age groups; OK, they were the only ones in those groups but that doesn't detract from the achievement!
A friendly Irish Wolfhound greeted them near the finish line.
They each wore special sweatshirts, which were part of the entrance fee. At the race's end, they enjoyed delicious cookies, hot coffee and hot chocolate. Plus hot soup, wassail, beer, pretzels, etc. And of course an Irish band. Chuck noted that all the participants they met were happy to be there. He hopes that next December more RKIDs will attend. What do you think?
Bedlam is a colonial music group that includes our member John T. On December 7th, at the holidays-decorated Belair Mansion in Bowie, they performed a mix of traditional Christmas tunes along with some of the greatest hits of the 1700s. Marilyn O. provided this clip (in the video, John's on the far right, playing recorder):