Patterson's Key Club,  through our Kiwanis Club sponsor,  attended the 1960 Key Club District Convention at the Southern Hotel in Baltimore.  The 14 story hotel,  located on German and Light Streets,  was designed by Otto B. Simonson and built in 1918,  ("German Street" would later be renamed Redwood Street).  "Baltimore's Foremost" hotel,  known for its posh rooftop nightclub,  (the Spanish Villa)  its delicious food,  and exemplary customer service was built on the historic site where the Old Fountain Inn, established in 1773, once stood. 

        In Colonial Days,  George Washington and his staff were entertained here several times, as was Martha Washington. Because of its proximity to the harbour basin the Inn was popular with Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland planters, and also with travelers arriving by water from Annapolis, Norfolk, Virginia, and other points in the South. The Inn, like many in England, was built around an open courtyard shaded with trees, where guests could refresh themselves on their open balconies.  According to the old Maryland Journal and Baltimore Advertiser,  the Inn could provide everything "for the accomodation of Gentlemen, their servants, and horses in the best manner."  The Inn also hosted the Whig Society which kept a watchful eye on the Tories (those in Baltimore and Maryland who remained loyal to King George III, and England).  Four of our early presidents came out of the Whig Party. 

       Loyalists fought in more than 150 military units with the British Army and Navy.  Many of the Maryland Loyalists fought in Florida.  The First Battalion of Maryland Loyalists was  commanded by Lt. Col. James Chalmers,  a Maryland planter from Kent County.  He also wrote a famous rebuttal to Thomas Paines's "Common Sense" entitled "Plain Truth". Loyalists considered Paine's writings to be incendiary rebel propaganda.  When the War ended many Marylanders who served in the Loyalist Provincial Corps would move with their families to Canada,  some settled in Nova Scotia and the Saint John's River area.  Other would go back to England,  Scotland and Ireland.  They had remained loyal to their King and never thought of themselves as traitors.  Some of the most famous Maryland Loyalists were:  Captain Philip Barton Key (uncle to Francis Scott Key),  Benedict Calvert of the ruling Calvert Family,  Sir Robert Eden,  1st. Baronet and the last Royal Governor of Maryland,  George Steuart  and  William Augustus Bowles.  Ensign "Billy Bowles" would become a leader of the Creek Nation in the 1790's and attempted to establish a separate Indian colony for the Creek Nation.

       District Convention activities included:  forums (or workshops),  an award ceremony,  the Governor's Ball and a keynote speaker and caucuses to elect new officers.  I only have vague recollections of the activities listed above but I do remember how exciting it was to be spending a weekend,  with my classmates,  at a very elegant hotel in downtown Baltimore.  The lads handled their freedom well,  they were fine representatives of Patterson Park High School and East Baltimore.  During our breaks and free time we sometimes walked to the harbour basin,  the area around the hotel and even east on Baltimore Street -- where Blaze Starr was performing at the 2 O'Clock Club.

       One of our June, 1961 classmates,  well liked,  bright-eyed and accomplished,  brought his girlfriend to the convention on Saturday night!  We were all a bit surprised,  if not stunned.  When the chaperones discovered the "non-member" in our hotel room the girl was discreetly and quickly ushered back to East Baltimore.  From what I recall,  the incident was not considered a breech in our standards of behavior -- just an innovative attempt by a 17 year old boy to circumvent the rules and impress his girlfriend.

       In 1960,  Patterson's Key Club was very well established with 26 members from the 1960 and 1961 graduating classes.  Mr. Joseph Culotta,  Guidance Counselor,  was our faculty sponsor and supportive "father" to all of us.  Almost all Key Club members were involved in school leadership positions and in multiple clubs or organizations.  George Mantakes was the Feb., 1960 Class President,  Ronald Roth,  the June, 1960 Class President and Paul Trattner,  the June 1961 Class President.  Ronald Roth and Robert Johnson were Key Club officers as well as student government leaders.  Joseph Campella was the School Band President and Claude Linhart,  Captain of the "Clipper."  Fifteen members were in the National Honor Society.  Six were members of the Clipper Choir.  Several participated in Big Brothers,  the Thespian Society,  Art Service Club,  United Nations Club,  Slide Rule Club,  Junior Achievement and the Rifle Club.  Key Club members were also athletic - playing tennis,  lacrosse,  baseball and participating in Track and Field.

       Other members of the June 1961 graduating class included:  Andrew Bury,  Robert Greenlee,  Larry Pokrywka, James Sunday and Colin Thacker.

       Robert (Bob) Johnson,  Norman Hoffeld,  and Ronald Roth were central figures in Key Club leadership in 1959 - 1960.  As an underclassman I looked up to them and have often wondered about their lives after graduation.  Bob was scheduled to enter West Point Military Academy,  Norman Hoffeld,  so strong in his Christian beliefs,  was to go into Ministry.  Ronald Roth was to leave for Montana State University during the summer of 1960.  Many members of the Key Club would go on to college,  becoming teachers or entering into other professional occupations.

       Key Club International is the largest and oldest service program for high school students.  It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through service and helping others.  Key Clubs are a part of the Kiwanis International Family and are often sponsored by a local Kiwanis Club.  "Children:  Their Future,  Our Focus"  was / is Key Club International's major emphasis theme.  To develop initiative and leadership,  to provide experience in living and working together,  to serve both school and community were several of the objectives of the Key Club adopted in 1924.

       Patterson's Key Club participated in many charitable and support oriented activities to help underprivileged children in Baltimore City.  Members were also encouraged to volunteer in hospitals or other institutions that served children and promoted the Family.

       The Key Club Pledge:   I pledge,  on my honour,  to uphold the objectives of Key Club International;  to build my home and community;  to serve my nation and God;  and combat all forces which tend to undermine these institutions.

       Christopher Wm. Newman,   Key Club Secretary,  1961   6/23/12