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Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
Contents
President's
Message / Canberra, Australia Incoming Exchange Brushing Up on Our Tagalog / Milwauke-Madison Outbound Exchange New Column for Newsletter / Who Went Where Speakers Bureau / FFSFBA Parade Marchers Wanted
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Vol.
23 No. 2 SAN
FRANCISCO BAY AREA NEWSLETTER PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE The rain has stopped and I could not be happier. The garden is going crazy trying to send up shoots, blooms and leaves. Spring is also a great time to bring in new members to the Force. This year has already started off with a great event in Fremont, World Friendship Day. The folks who attended had a wonderful time, ate a terrific meal, listened intently to members discuss the lasting friendships they have acquired on exchanges, and listened to a Fremont City Council member, Anu Natarajan, discuss the importance of understanding and appreciating the differences in people. Oh yes, the debut of the new sound system was a big hit as well. A big thank you to Ron and Gail for the outstanding program and great organizing. The year continues with trips to the City, an incoming exchange from Australia, an outgoing exchange to Milwaukee and Madison, as well as an exchange to the Philippines, with side trips to Singapore and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. — Barry Rader, President
WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY The second annual WFD was a wonderful success with Fun, Food and Games! There were 50 in attendance, including six guests, two of which have become new members. Our speakers were Diane Demo, Margaret Kingery, June Cademartori, Ron Greenwald, and a special guest speaker Anu Natarajan, member of the Fremont City Council. Members read or told their heart warming stories of their travels and friendships that they have made and kept over the past, collectively 75 years in Friendship Force. Anu Natarajan told of her experience coming to America through Rotary Club. Our International Catering Service was provided by our members, who had collected their Gold Medals for two years running. Members were put to the test of two mind-challenging games, a quiz on Superlatives relating to our Planet Earth and a puzzle of What Friendship Force Means to them. The winners for Superlatives were table two: Darlene Boyanich, Katharine Kleinke, Karen Mitchell, Judy & Jerry Mulenburg, Leslie Olesen, and Roger Riffenburgh, with a score of 17 out of 22. Here are just two responses from the puzzle, TFFOTSFBA: Travel, Friends, Fun, Overcome prejudices, Treasures, Scenery, Family, Bonds and Adventure (Faye Butler) and Terrific experience, Finding, Friends, Overseas, They, Showed me, Friendship, Besides All the sights (author unknown). Special thanks to Lori English, Karen McCready, Barry Rader, Gloria Greenwald, and guest Dee Stuever who contributed their helping hands for decorating, setting up, keeping the coffee flowing, balloons and all the “Chefs”! Thanks to all the members who volunteered in making sure the church was left in its original condition. —
Gail
A. Boyd, Activities, and CANBERRA,
AUSTRALIA EXCHANGE We are expecting 14 Ambassadors who will be hosted by our club throughout the Bay Area. Club members are invited to attend the various activities planned, which include: the Welcome Party on June 6, 4 pm at Greenwalds, contact Lori English; San Francisco tour June 7, 10 am–2 pm, contact Katharine Kleinke; Farewell Brunch at Chef Chu’s Restaurant in Los Altos June 11, 1 pm, contact Darlene Boyanich. Tree planting follows in Prusch Park. —Katharine Kleinke, Exchange Director Canberra Exchange
Meeting A required meeting for all hosts and committee members, will be held at Katharine Kleinke’s home, to distribute necessary items and information, and also for cultural information. —Katharine Kleinke, Exchange Director Canberra Welcome Party
Potluck
(Southwestern Theme) Date: Tuesday, June 6th, from 4 pm to 6 pm Place: Ron and Gloria Greenwald's home Directions: Check with MapQuest or call the Greenwalds. Food: Bring your favorite dish, to serve ten. Cost: $3.00 per FFSFBA member (free for Ambassadors) We will have about 30 attending, which includes 12 ambassadors, hosts and other club members. Please RSVP for reservations by May 30th to Lori English and/or Gail Boyd.
BRUSHING UP ON OUR TAGALOG Magandang gabi will be our polite greeting when our hosts meet us at the Manila airport on November 3. Several days prior to that, on October 24, 2006, twenty of us will head to SFO, bound for Southeast Asia. Eighteen FFSFBA members and two women from other clubs, Seattle and Suncoast, FL, are anticipating two weeks of socializing in a country well known for its hospitality, spending a week each in Manila and the mountain retreat of Baguio, 130 miles north of the capital city. On the way to the Philippines, we will stop off for three days in Singapore, exploring the rich blend of old and new in this very modern financial center. Then we will fly on to Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat, Cambodia, touring the awe-inspiring sites uncovered after years of bloodshed and suffering. Our arrival in the Philippines is timed to enjoy the best possible weather and the festive atmosphere of the holidays. Our Filipino friends tell us that the holiday celebrations and decorations begin in September and will be in full swing by our November 3 arrival. After many expressions of “salamat” (thank you) and tearful good byes, we will return home on November 17, in plenty of time to avoid the Thanksgiving rush. We are still accepting applications for the waiting list. If you are interested, contact Karen McCready, ED. —Karen McCready, Exchange Director
MILWAUKEE-MADISON EXCHANGE Here’s your chance to see Milwaukee’s showpiece art museum, visit the state Capitol in Madison, enjoy the summer festivals, and best of all, make new friends in two active and fun clubs that are anxious to open their homes to us. The outgoing exchanges to Milwaukee and Madison will be July 24 through Aug. 5. Anyone interested, please contact Darlene Boyanich or Roger Riffenburgh.
NEW COLUMN FOR NEWSLETTER While I was sitting around thinking, yes I do think, I came up with a new column for the newsletter: “Who Went Where.” We are all interested in where our fellow friendshippers go when they are away from us. The last time we got together, on World Friendship Day in March, some of us were out traveling. Some did Elderhostels, others traveled on exchanges, and still others went with Grand Circle or Overseas Adventure Travel. So if you have traveled during the past four months, let me know where you went, who went and what kind of experience you had. I will put the stories in an article so that we can all share. In Friendship, WHO WENT WHERE This is the first time for this column, trying to keep track of where we all go. I heard from five families discussing their travels. The Helings (Ivan and Natalie) and Heiduks (Wil and Louise) went on an FF exchange to Costa Rica with a side tour to Tortuguero and Arenal Volcano, just to mention a couple of locations. The home stay was excellent; the families in Alajuela “were kind, warm and generous.” They also came away from the trip with a new idea for a club gift. Ask them about it when you see them. Herb and Kumi Clough went off to Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They were impressed by the natural beauty of the nations, but were saddened by the corrupt politics and the poverty. Karen and Barry traveled on an Elderhostel trip visiting Phoenix, Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon. They escaped the rain for three weeks by bunking with friends in Palm Desert on the way out, and visiting family in Las Vegas on the way back. They also went on a ten-day Mexican cruise in January. One of the best things about the cruise was that it left and returned to San Francisco, no planes or airports, an hour and a half from home to the stateroom, and had stunning views of the skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset. Gail Boyd helped celebrate the 100th anniversary of the BIG QUAKE by attending the early morning bash in San Francisco. The parade of vintage fire engines and cars encouraged everybody to have a great time. Dave and Dee Gustavson spent 2 weeks last August camping in Alaska, a trip Dee won in a raffle. Ice-cliff climbing and sea kayaking among the icebergs near a glacier were high points. In October, they traveled to Guatemala, Panama, and Honduras with OAT, exploring the route of the Maya. This February, they traveled with their son’s inlaws to Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam, again with OAT, with brief forays into Laos and Myanmar. A highlight was an hour-long elephant ride that included a river crossing. — Barry Rader AREA COORDINATORS UPDATE A meeting of the Area Coordinators was held on April 6, 2006 at the home of Dee Gustavson. At this meeting the areas of the FFSFBA were reviewed, revised, and set out as follows: North Bay: includes the cities of Foster City, Hillsborough, Larkspur, Novato, San Carlos, San Mateo, Burlingame, San Francisco, and San Rafael. Coordinators are Joy Hillman and Elizabeth Shumway. Central Peninsula: includes the cities of Atherton, Cupertino, Los Altos, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale. Coordinator is Dee Gustavson. South Bay: includes the cities of Capitola, Los Gatos, and San Jose. Coordinator is Janis Maurry. Mission San Jose at Fremont: includes the city of Fremont, zip code 94539. Coordinator is Ruth Edwards. East Bay: includes the cities of Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Kensington, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, and Pleasanton. Coordinators are Rita Hammer and Karen McCready. Overall coordinators are June Cademartori, Margaret Kingery, and Elizabeth Shumway. These people are planning activities within the areas to help the members to become better acquainted and to reach out to bring in new members. Activities are centered in an area, but are open to the entire membership. If you have ideas you would like to suggest, please contact one of the coordinators. — June Cademartori GENERAL MEETING MAY 20, 2 P.M. Have you missed seeing some of your friends from the Friendship Force of the San Francisco Bay Area? Well, come to the May 20th General Meeting at the Los Altos Public Library, and celebrate the club’s 22nd Birthday with everyone. Did some of the last pictures from your travels not quite turn out the way you had hoped? Bring a notebook and pen, as there will be a special presentation on Digital Cameras. Bring your unneeded travel guides, phrase books, dictionaries, maps, etc. to swap or share or donate to the library! Afternoon sweet treats will be served with coffee and tea. Please see the map and directions below. — Gail A. Boyd, Activities Chairperson
Directions for the May 20th General Meeting: From northern parts of 880, take Dumbarton Bridge to 101 south. Exit on San Antonio Road west to Los Altos. Cross 82 (El Camino Real) and continue another mile, turning left into the Los Altos Library complex shortly after the police station and intersection (traffic light) at Edith Ave. Park anywhere; several lots are available. Enter the library, then go left to the Community Meeting Room instead of going through the gates into the library proper. From 880 via Milpitas, take 237 toward Mt. View, exit onto 101 north, exit on San Antonio Road west and proceed as above. From 280, exit at El Monte Ave. east toward Los Altos and the Bay. Go 1/2 mile and then turn left on Foothill Expressway, and the next right onto San Antonio Road. Pass Hillview Ave., then turn right into the library complex and proceed as above.
SPEAKERS BUREAU Thanks to Katherine Kleinke, Dave Gustavson, Herb Clough and Barry Rader for volunteering as speakers for our speakers bureau. We are hoping that more of you will volunteer. We would like to develop a good sized group of people so that we will always have someone available for speaking opportunities that may arise. We are also looking for anyone who knows organizations, places, clubs etc. that might be suitable venues for sharing our enthusiasm for this great organization. Please contact Louise Heiduk. — Louise Heiduck
FFSFBA PARADE MARCHERS WANTED FFSFBA will have an entry in the Fremont 4th of July Parade if we find enough interested folks to walk and carry the banner and hand out our pamphlets. Steve Cooper’s white VW “THING” will be trimmed with green crepe paper, green & white balloons flying, flags of the world flying, as we sing “Let there be Peace on Earth.” If you are willing and able, please contact Mary Alice vanDoorn. — Mary Alice vanDoorn FFSFBA WEBSITE UPDATE If you haven’t visited the FFSFBA website recently (www.ffsfba.org), take a look. Recently added to the photo gallery section are photos from the World Friendship Day celebrations of 2006 and 2005 (thank you, Dee, Barry, and Loretta) and from the incoming Devon exchange (thank you, Gail). Don Pelland’s Payment Request form is now conveniently on the website. You can print your own copy and send it to him to get paid for expenses you’ve incurred while providing club activities. Information about Friendship Force and our Friendship Forest now appears on the Prusch Park website at www.pruschfarmpark.org. There is space for more photos on the website. If you’d like to add photos to the photo gallery section or elsewhere at any time, you can send them to my email address, or send prints, 35 mm negatives, or 35 mm slides to me by regular postal mail. CDs and DVDs are also okay. I’ll return all prints, negatives, slides, and CDs/DVDs as soon as possible. When you send photos for the website, please tell me the names of all identifiable people shown in each photo (other than large group shots). If there are non-FF members in the photo, be sure that they agree to have their picture and name on our website or tell me you haven’t asked them so that I know I should. Include a description of the exchange or event. Ideas for improvement to the website are always gratefully accepted. — Geri Bechtle, Webmaster
2006 FFSFBA COMMITTEES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE President:
Barry Rader STANDING COMMITTEES Activities
Chair: Gail Boyd EXCHANGE DIRECTORS Inbound Outbound SUPPORT COMMITTEES Domestic
Exchange Coordinator: Lori English 2006 CALENDAR
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