Dave Dabney, Exec. Director of Bethesda Urban Partnership (BUP) spoke to us about the history of Bethesda and BUP’s role. Dave explained how Bethesda began the transformation from a farm community to an urban environment by the Presbyterian Church moving their meeting house to Bethesda.   The federal government placed the FDA in Bethesda, which became NIH.  Later the Naval National Medical Center was located across the street and both institutions became twin anchors in establishing Bethesda as a center of commerce and government.  BUP is a non-profit organization established by Montgomery County.  They handle the landscaping and maintenance as well as promotion of the downtown through innovative marketing campaigns and large-scale events. BUP has created the Bethesda Transportation Solutions, and the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. They also work in maintenance, marketing, transportation, customer service and administration.

Steuart Schwager, on behalf of Turkey Chase, presented the YMCA with a $100,000 check.  He also presented $500 checks to the 2 winning schools having the highest number of registrants: StoneRidge and Walter Johnson.