I want to express my appreciation to Dave Menz for again putting together a band of Mercer Islanders to march in the Summer Celebration parade. As founder of this band, and now a member playing cymbals in a wheelchair, it washeartwarming to witness the cheers from the parade viewers along the entire parade route cheering for us as we passed by.

Additionally, as a member of the Bellevue Community Band that recently played at the Mercerdale Field, I enjoyed the factthat our Mercer Island audience continually applauded our performances. It is so satisfying to perform for such anappreciative audience. We thank Amber Britton of the Parks and Recreation Department for including us in the programmingthis year. Hopefully we can return next year.

Bert Pound

Mercer Island