Friendship Connections

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1 I NSIDE T HIS I SSUE 1 December 9 Dinner, November 11 Gathering 2 Calendar of Events, President s Article, Dues 3 What Did You Learn in Australia, Photos 4 Dinner in New Caledonia, Board of Directors 5 Exchange News, What Did You Learn Answers 6 RSVP for Dec. 9 Gathering, 2013 Dues Form Friendship Connections The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley Nov Valley NOV. 11 GATHERING CELEBRATE ON DECEMBER 9 The club s holiday gathering should provide lots of traveling anecdotes, as well as a chance to connect with fellow members. It will be held on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 9, at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Fun begins at 1pm. Some foreign students will give short talks on what surprises and experiences they had when they began living in the U.S. It s always interesting to hear outsiders views of what you consider normal. Also, some club members will give brief outlines of trips taken since the last holiday gathering a year ago. Full descriptions will come at a later meeting. OSU has a nice room for us and, reportedly, high quality food. The gathering will begin at 1 p.m. in the LaSells Stewart Center (directions below) and will end sometime after 3 p.m., whenever people feel like leaving. The meal will feature chicken, pasta, salad, and desert. There will be ample variety for vegetarians. If you need gluten-free choices, let us know. There s an extra $2.50 charge to cover the preparation of gluten free dishes. Be sure to register in advance, using the form on page 6. The meal will cost $18 ($20.50 for glutenfree option). Send your registration, and a check made out to FFOMWV to John Francis, 112 Mellinger Pl., Dayton OR Registration must be received by Dec. 2. Phone if it s been mailed late. Bring guests if you wish. We re always recruiting. By John Francis Dr. Guesly Dessieux s presentation on Haiti at the November gathering underscored how much we have to be thankful for. He described a country with a 70% illiteracy rate, widespread malnutrition, medical care generally unavailable, almost no public education, and deplorable housing conditions. However, despite the cholera epidemic which came on the heels of the devastating 2010 earthquake, he related how much Haiti s recent problems have received worldwide attention with aid groups providing vastly increased efforts to help. He stressed the need of better education to enable Haiti to improve conditions for its people. Historical events which led to the current situation were outlined. We learned that Haiti was the world s first black republic, gaining its independence from France in France s demand for a $100 million indemnity, coupled with a trade embargo imposed by the United States and the total lack of preparation for self-government led to massive problems which continue today. Fortunately, both the US and Canada are now providing significant help and with the possibility of improved education, the future may be better. Dr. Dessieux is a Stayton physician who was born in Haiti and immigrated with his mother and siblings to the United States when he was eight. At that time the family rejoined his father who had spent six years working in the Bahamas and then the US to be able to bring his family here. The prospect of a better future for their children motivated the parents, and Dr. Dessieux has led medical missions to Haiti on multiple occasions, funding these trips himself, in an effort to re-pay the sacrifice of his parents. There was a nice turnout for this wonderful presentation with a number of Mennonite Village residents attending as well. By Ruth Wyse, picture by Kathy Butler Directions to LaSells Stewart Center at OSU, 875 SW 26th Street, Corvallis Enter the building through the front door. Parking is available across the street in the Reser Stadium lot. From I-5, take Exit 228. Take the OR-34 exit, Exit 228, toward Corvallis. Turn west onto OR-34 toward Corvallis/Newport. Go about 10 miles. Turn left onto OR-34 Bypass/Corvallis-Newport Hwy. toward Philomath/Newport/Reser Stadium at the light right before going over the bridge into Corvallis. Continue on OR-34 for about 2 miles (Hwy. 20/34/Philomath Blvd.) Turn right onto 26th St. Proceed south to the next intersection. The Hilton will be on your right, across Western Blvd. on the right is the LaSells Stewart Center. 1 P age

2 C ALENDAR OF E VENTS DEC. 9, 1PM END OF YEAR DINNER OSU LASELLS CENTER, CORVALLIS JANUARY 4, 1PM, BOARD MEETING JANUARY 13, GATHERING INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS APRIL 26-7, 2013 REGIONAL CONFERENCE MISSOULA, MONTANA JUNE 12-19, 2013 OUTBOUND NORTHERN COLORADO ED TBD SEPT. 3-10, 2013 INBOUND AUCKLAND/GISBORNE, NEW ZEALAND EDS KATHY BUTLER AND MARILYN PETERSON SEPT 25 OCT 9, 2013 OUTBOUND NIAGARA, HALIBURTON HIGHLANDS, CANADA EDS JOHN AND RUTH WYSE NOV , 2013 FFI WORLD CONFERENCE NEW ORLEANS S UNSHINE N EWS Contact Ann Sickles, , with news. Rita s Cucumber Salad 3 peeled cukes, thinly sliced ½ c. sugar 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 1 ½ t. salt 1 green pepper, thinly sliced 1 t. garlic ¼ medium sweet onion, thinly sliced 1 t. black pepper ½ c. vinegar 1 ½ t. dill weed Combine vegetables. Combine the remaining ingredients, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Pour the marinade over the vegetables. May be eaten immediately. Tastes good later, too, when veggies have wilted. Keep in a non-metal container. Mix vinegar, sugar and salt. Pour over cukes and mix well. Put in jar/other non-metal container and refrigerate. Use immediately or store one month in refrigerator. P RESIDENT S M ESSAGE BY J OHN W YSE As I write this column, Ruth and I are sitting on a deck watching surfers in the ocean on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. We are being hosted by a very special and well-traveled couple who, in addition to world travel, have explored Australia and its desert outback in depth with a rugged four-wheel track vehicle. Our experiences and new friends in New Caledonia were equally wonderful. While we were there we learned about the fauna and Kanak (native) culture of this south Pacific French territory. In addition, we snorkeled and lazed in the sun on an off-shore island and visited an incredible museum. Evenings were spent with dinners with a French flair hosted by various club members. I extend my heartfelt thanks to EDs Jean Townes and Kay Macpherson for making this exceptional experience possible. Our exchanges are what Friendship Force is all about, and I hope more of our members will participate in There will be opportunities to host ambassadors from Madison, Wisconsin and New Zealand and travel to northern Colorado and eastern Canada. John DUES ARE DUE. THIS MEANS YOU! Our club has to pay FFI its share of our 2013 dues in January, and we pay based on this year's (2012) membership. Our memberships all expire at the end of December, so each of us needs to get dues paid in December. A form is included in this newsletter on page 6 (and yes, you DO need to fill it out again in order for Van to maintain his sanity). Of course you can send your check to our P.O. Box, but why not save a stamp and bring your form with your check to our December gathering? That way no one has to chase you down, and it's one more thing off the list for everybody. By Kathy Butler I like sprinkling the salad with sweet basil seeds or black sesame seeds. Don t do this step until just as you re serving. Shared by Rita Powell, this recipe was inspired by Novak s Restaurant and a neighbor. Let There Be Peace on Earth Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me. Let there be peace on earth, The peace that was meant to be. With friendship as our mission, Family all are we. Let us walk with each other In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me. Let this be the moment now. With every step I take, Let this be my solemn vow: To take each moment, And live each moment, In peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, And let it begin with me. CAMERA LOST AT ROARING RIVER Mary Ann and Paul Scheele lost a camera at the picnic at Roaring River in September. It had a camouflage cover on it and a key was attached to the cover. If anyone found it, of course the Scheeles would be glad to have it back. They have gone to Ojai for the winter. Their phone is P age

3 WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHILE IN AUSTRALIA? BY RITA POWELL A Baker s Dozen of Random Things... This won t be your usual travelogue. Instead, I m sharing a number of pieces of information. Those of you who traveled on our recent exchange may have heard about them when you were on the Sunshine Coast. I found each of these items worthy of my attention. Can you identify them? (Answers will be found on page 5.) 1) What is an Ornithorhynchus anatinus? You may have seen one before or after eating lunch the day we had the alternate drop. The restaurant where we ate was near the Obi Obi Creek, habitat for these creatures. 2) What is an alternate drop meal? 3) Who is Australia s first bloke? 4) Why have Australia s current boat people been in the news? 5) What would you have seen on cigarette packages in Australia when we were there? What will folks see beginning in December? How much does a pack cost? 6) We might not see the beautiful purple-blossomed jacaranda trees on the Sunshine coast, if we should return to Australia next spring. Why not? 7) Who is Jessica Watson? 8) We played Heads or Tails at the Aussie Farewell gathering? Is it an illegal game? 9) So, who are the Grey Nomads? 10) What is the School of the Air? 11) How many states are there in Australia? 12) Who joins a surf club? 13) How do anti-social hours relate to Australian behavior? PHOTOS FROM AUSTRALIA BY KAY MACPHERSON AND RITA POWELL Above on the left: EDs on the Australia exchange plant a tree in Friendship Park. Top right: Ted and Rita Powell with their Australian hosts. Bottom right: hosts and ambassadors engage in a spirited game of lawn bowls. December 9, 2012 Gathering: dinner and program 1 pm OSU LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26 th (near Reser Stadium) Send your RSVP form and payment to John Francis before Dec. 2 Story on page 1, RSVP from on page 6 3 P age

4 DINNER IN NEW CALEDONIA BY KAY MACPHERSON This is how the traditional Kanak meal called Bougna is presented, wrapped in a cover made from fronds from a tropical tree that are woven- then decorated. The portion inside had been placed in foil, wrapped in leaves (banana or coconut) and cooked in the ground. But, the presentation was attractive, wrapped in the woven fronds after the cooking. Veggies, meat, fish etc. can be included. If you want details about the food - someone else can probably be more specific. There were many different types of "squash and other starchy vegetables. EDITOR S NOTES JANUARY 2013 NEWSLETTER DELIVERY: JANUARY 5, 2013 (DEADLINE DEC. 25) Board of Directors 2012 Officers: President: John Wyse rwyse@smt-net.com Vice-President: Caye Poe ladycaye001@comcast.net Secretary: Kay Macpherson QGram@aol.com Treasurer: Van Nichols vpncheer@comcast.net Past President: Juanita Weigel rufus2000@comcast.net Standing Committee Chairmen: Membership: Caye Poe ladycaye001@comcast.net Newsletter/Website: Marilyn Peterson peterson.marilyn@comcast.net Program Ruth Wyse rwyse@smt-net.com Merchandise/Inventory: Rita Powell deerpathrita@gmail.com Sunshine: Ann Sickles tuggy_94109@yahoo.com Historian: Kathy Butler butlerkw@comcast.net Archivist: Rosella Workinger rworkinger@comcast.net Exchange Treasurer: Bun Doerfler villagerb-j@comcast.net Exchange Directors Outbound: June 14-26, 2012 Twin Cities, MN and Madison, WI EDs Pat Byers and Juanita Weigel October 2012, Noumea, New Caledonia / Sunshine Coast, Australia EDs Jean Townes and Kay Macpherson Sept. 25 Oct. 9, 2013, Niagara and Haliburton Highlands, Canada Eds John and Ruth Wyse Exchange Directors Inbound: August 30- Sept. 5, 2012 Santa Barbara, CA Rita Powell Sept. 3-10, 2013, Auckland and Gisborne, New Zealand Kathy Butler and Marilyn Peterson 4 Page

5 E XCHANGE N EWS 2012 OUTBOUND: Oct : Noumea, New Caledonia and Sunshine Coast, Australia: EDs Jean Townes and Kay Macpherson 2013 OUTBOUND: June 12-19: Northern Colorado ED - TBD Sept. 25 Oct. 9: Niagara and Haliburton Highlands, Canada EDs - John and Ruth Wyse rwyse@smt-net.com 2013 INBOUND: Sept. 3-10: Gisborne/Auckland, New Zealand EDs Kathy Butler and Marilyn Peterson Our visitors plan to travel by train from Vancouver, BC to Salem. Some of the group will have visited Alaska before the exchange. After their stay in Oregon, they will travel to Calgary and Medicine Hat, Alberta. Mark your calendars now and plan to be part of what promises to be a fun exchange. Want to help? Contact either Kathy or Marilyn. H ELP W ANTED EDs are needed for the following exchanges: Outbound exchange to Northern Colorado June, 2013 Inbound exchange from Madison, Wisconsin 2013 Contact John Wyse to volunteer. Friendship Force Pledge WHAT DID YOU LEARN WHILE IN AUSTRALIA: THE ANSWERS BY RITA POWELL 1) From wikipedia.org: Its scientific name Ornithorhynchus anatinus is derived from ornithorhynkhos, which literally means "bird snout" in Greek, and anatinus, meaning "duck-like" in Latin. The duck-billed platypus has been featured in the Dreamtime stories of indigenous Australians. The Australian 20 coin features a platypus. Of concern was that a supermarket was built over a platypus habitat on the Obi Obi Creek. The animal is considered an endangered species in Australia. 2) From lonelyplanet.com: Alternate drop menus include two dishes served alternatively around the table. Guests don t order their choice of dish, but they are free to swap with their neighbour (Aussie spelling) if they wish. 3) Australia s Prime Minister Julia Gillard s domestic partner, Tim Mathieson. 4) From au.news.yahoo.com: With Australia facing a record influx of asylum-seekers arriving by sea, Canberra (Australia s capital city) announced in September its plans to send them to Nauru and Papua New Guinea's Manus Island in a policy aimed at stemming the flow. This policy is aimed at deterring asylum-seekers from paying people-smugglers to attempt the dangerous sea voyage. Since then 2,087 asylum-seekers have arrived by boat, close to capacity for the camps on Manus and Nauru. More than 9,796 asylum-seekers have arrived in Australia on boats in 2012, many of them Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians who have paid people-smugglers to ferry them from Indonesia to Australia. Offshore processing is a sensitive issue in Australia, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard adopting the policy after months of bitter political debate and after several boats capsized en route, drowning scores of people. Because they are processed off-shore, the asylum-seekers on Nauru or PNG may be stranded in the Pacific for years. 5) From bbc.co.uk: Currently, cigarette packages show graphic images warning of the consequences of smoking. In addition to the vivid pictures, Australia s highest court has upheld a new government law on mandatory packaging for cigarettes that removes brand colours (Australian spelling) and logos. The law will require cigarettes to be sold in olive green packets (Research showed that color to be the least appealing). The company name may be seen in very small letters below a large photo of the possible smoking damage to a person. They are sold for $15-18/pack of 20. 6) The jacarandas are non-native and there is an on-going effort to replace them with Australian plant species. 7) From the October, 2012 Profile Magazine : In 2010, at age 15, Jessica Watson was the youngest person to sail solo non-stop and unassisted around the world. She was on the water for 210 days. 8) From quezi.com: Heads or Tails is more commonly known as Two-up. For much of the game s history, it has been illegal. However, following the legalization of casinos in Australia from the 1970s, two-up may now be played legally. Also, because two-up has a history of being played by troops, public games of two-up have also been legalized but only on Anzac Day (April 25th), which is a public holiday to recognize the troops who have fought at war. 9) Grey Nomads are over-50s who camp and travel around Australia in caravans and motor homes... For a comprehensive resource, see thegreynomads.com.au. As a member of the Friendship 10) From wikipedia.org: Force, I recognize School that of the I Air is a generic term for correspondence schools catering for the primary and early can secondary make a education difference. of children I recognize in remote that and I have outback a mission. Australia. It was first officially broadcast from the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Adelaide on June 8, Each state of Australia that utilizes this means of education has well documented reviews and overviews of the service. There are That mission is to be a friend to the people of the world. school of the air programmes (Aussie spelling) in all states except Tasmania. School classes were conducted via shortwave radio from 1951 until 2003, As after I embark which most upon schools this adventure, switched to I know wireless that internet others technologies will to deliver lessons that include live one-way video feeds and clear two-way audio. be watching me. I know that through my example to my fellow citizens and the people of other nations, the cause 11) Despite being slightly larger than the U.S. minus Alaska, there are only six states. They are (moving clockwise from the northeast) Queensland, New South of friendship, Wales, Victoria, love and Tasmania, peace can South be furthered. Australia, I and can Western Australia. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in Canberra is like our Washington D.C. make a difference. 12) From wikipedia.org: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) is one of the most active surf lifesaving groups in Australia. SLSA is federal in structure, comprising 307 local surf lifesaving clubs, 17 regional branches in Queensland and New South Wales, and 7 individual state and territory centres (Aussie spelling). With more than 153,000 members, of whom more than 43,800 actively patrol over 400 Australian beaches, SLSA is one of the largest volunteer organizations (Australian spelling) in Australia. SLSA is a foundation member of the International Life Saving Federation (ILS) and plays a vital leadership role in developing lifesaving, beach safety and drowning prevention standards around the world. Students may earn school credit by participating in these classes. 13. Anti-social hours are those that one works outside of the usual workday (9-5). During the anti-social hours, one is paid a lot more per hour. Thus, wait staff in restaurants receive a high enough wage that tipping is uncommon in Australia. 5 P age

6 2013 Membership Application or Renewal Annual dues cover the cost of the monthly newsletter and expenses for exchanges and activities of the Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley, as well as membership in Friendship Force International, which provides discounted prices on exchange travel and other benefits. Memberships expire on December 31, Annual dues: Individual: $27.00 Couple: $50 (Please print clearly) This is a NEW or a RENEWAL Application Name: Name: Address: City: State ZIP Dues enclosed: ($27.00 individual or $50.00 per couple) $ Phone: Cell: Mail To: Friendship Force, PO Box 1703, Albany, OR December 9 Gathering RSVP Form Please complete this form and mail with your payment to John Francis before December 2. Please make your check payable to FFOMWV. Dinner, including gratuity, cost per person $18.00 (gluten-free $20.50). Name(s): Number attending X $18.00 = $ Number attending X $20.50 = $ (for gluten-free meals) Total amount included: $ Phone: Mail To: John Francis, 112 Mellinger Pl., Dayton OR This Issue of Connections, and more information about our club, may be found on our website: Contact us at: fforegon@comcast.net or PO Box 1703, Albany, Oregon P age