NEWSLETTER FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF DAYTON, OHIO. Dear Members,

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1 FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF DAYTON, OHIO NEWSLETTER August 28, 2011 Issue 8 DAYTON OFFICERS Dick Graf, President graf7000@woh.rr.com Steve Birt hetuck47@gmail.com Gary Mitchner, Secretary Gary.mitchner@gmail.com Joan Lambert jlambert9@woh.rr.com DAYTON DIRECTORS Jeanne Comer, Founding Director remocfforce@woh.rr.com Sue Cramer suencramer@aol.com Jerri DeVoe ggdevoe@gmail.com Rick Birt rbirt@embarqmail.com Lucette Fogel lucettefog@yahoo.com Tom Graham tpgraham1@gmail.com Peg Crutchfield obedc@sbcglobal.net Bob Remm remcin@aol.com Louise Van Vliet vanvlil@muohio.edu Vicki Thompson, Past President vickithompson@woh.rr.com Orville Wright in flight over Huffman Prairie, approximately 1,760 feet in 40 1/5 seconds, Nov. 16, (Lib. Cong.) ON THE WEB (Dayton FF web site) (FFI web site) ALL NEW!! PRESIDENT S COMMENTS Dear Members, Last month we were looking forward to a friendlier August with better weather and more opportunities to be outside and enjoy our friends and families. I hope that is true for all of you. For myself and my family, we had a very busy August with the addition of our second grandson this summer, bringing our total number of grandchildren to four! Unfortunately, we received news today of the death of one our very active and dear members, Joyce Stauffer. Vicki and I had the pleasure of traveling twice with Joyce and Tom, and we are grateful to have had that experience. Our sympathies go out to Tom and his family. The inbound exchange from Murray Bridge, Australia, will be the next opportunity for us to gather as a group and welcome new friends and current members. The welcoming picnic will be held at the Paw Paw shelter at Hills and Dales Metro Park on Sept. 15 th. We hope many of you will be able to come. Please let Julie Vann, ED, or Bob Remm know if you can attend. Many activities are planned for the week the Murray Bridge folks are here. The farewell picnic will once again be hosted by the Devoe s at their farm. At the August Board meeting, planning began for outbound exchange requests for Please let any board member or me know of any requests that you might have. We appreciate your input in creating new and exciting exchanges. We will need everyone s help and support for our international inbound Aviation Global Exchange to take place in early July, We expect a large number of international visitors, and there will be opportunities for every club member to be involved. The annual Holiday party will be on Dec. 11 th at the Hope Hotel. Please mark your calendars for this fun event. We will have reports on the various exchanges from the year with pictures and stories from the participants! In friendship, Dick Graf President

2 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F D AY T O N NE W SL E T T E R p a g e 2 E XCHANGE NEWS: V ISITORS FROM DOWN UNDER! Ambassadors from Murray Bridge will be our guests from Sept , arriving just in time for our fall picnic at the Paw Paw shelters in Hills and Dales park Sept.15. Julie Vann is the Exchange Director. Day Hosts are needed please contact Julie. See pages four (picnic details) and five for more tour details! A VIATION HISTORY GLOBAL EX- CHANGE will be hosted by our club in July of GARY MITCHNER will be the ED, assisted by a team of members who have had extensive experience with the Air Force, regional government, and the Centennial of Flight celebration in Ron Thompson and Betty Darst are among those helping. Gary made a presentation about this exchange at the Friendship Force International World Conference in Hamburg, Germay. The exchange will focus, not only on the past, but the present and future of flight. The Air Show will be a feature of the exchange. We may have 50 to 75 people needing home hosting. We will probably have to go beyond our own membership to host everyone. If you have friends not in Dayton FF who might be suitable hosts and are willing, please let Gary know. Gary.mitchner@gmail.com S EE PAGES SIX AND SEVEN FOR A SAMPLE OF THE WONDER- FUL ESTONIA RUSSIA EXCHANGE! Wilbur and Orville Wright M I S S I O N To promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people V A LU E S Mutual Respect Cultural Diversity Cultural Exploration Service V I S I O N Each individual will make a contribution to global goodwill. The Friendship Force worldwide network of clubs and individuals will overcome differences among people and nations. By connecting the world, one friend at a time, we will create a world of friends that becomes a world of peace.

3 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F D AY T O N NE W SL E T T E R p a g e 3 S AD NEWS. Our dear friend and long time member, Joyce Stauffer, passed away last Friday, 08/26/2011, after her long battle with cancer. She and Tom, her husband of 50 years, lived in Japan for two years in the 70 s and, after their children were grown, became world travelers with Friendship Force. They traveled to Peru, Italy, Switzerland, England, France, Sweden, Wales, Czechoslovakia, Norway, New Zealand and Germany. Perhaps you remember Joyce as the gentle lady she was, always showing kindness and concern for others. The family will receive friends Tuesday, August 30, 2011 from 5-8pm at Newcomer Funeral Home South Chapel (3940 Kettering Blvd, Kettering, OH 45439). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, August 31, 2011, at 11:30a.m. at St. Leonard Faith Community Chapel, (8100 Clyo Rd., Centerville, OH 45458). (Joyce s obituary was in Sunday s Dayton Daily News, 8/2/2011) O UR DAYTON CHAPTER recently lost another good friend and member: Evelyn Warlick, whose membership goes back many years and many exchanges, passed away August 14th, She and John traveled with the Friendship Force for many years, and their home was always open to visitors from all over the world. Evelyn was the recipient of many awards, particularly relative to the Wright "B" Flyer. They traveled extensively with the Wright "B", including Berlin and Pau, France, Due to Evelyn's involvement with the first aeronautical school in the world (established by the Wright Brothers), she brought a number of students from that school to Dayton which, in turn, was the catalyst for Pau, France becoming the first Friendship Force Chapter in France. The Wright "B" hangar is named after Evelyn and John. T HE FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF DAYTON has new pins available at a cost of $3.00 each. These pins have the new logo and also the Wright B Flyer. They are beautiful. Get one for yourself, as gifts for your host family and for your inbound ambassadors Give Sue Cramer a call at You can also her at suencramer@aol.com or see her at future gatherings. G REETINGS FROM THE QUAD CITIES OF IOWA AND ILLINOIS. The Friendship Force of the Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois have been invited to Indonesia in The exchange will be in March or April of The exact date has not been decided on. Two weeks of home hosting will be in Jakarta and Solo- Surakarta. A few days in Bali are going to be an option. The cost of the two week home hosting will be around $700 to $ 800. Ambassadors will arrange their own air travel with a meeting place and date given by the Exchange Director, Judy Greiman. If you are interested in this exchange or have questions, please call Judy at or her at jgreiman@gmail.com W HERE DO YOU WANT TO GO IN 2013? We still need your input! Our club will have to submit its travel requests to Friendship Force International in mid November for If you have any recommendations or suggestions, please let a Board member know. If you have details and reasons for a particular destination, that would be a big help too.

4 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F D AY T O N NE W SL E T T E R p a g e 4 M OROCCAN EXCHANGE: Friendship Force International has awarded our club an exchange to Morocco in Joan Lambert has been chosen as the ED with Sue Cramer as the assistant ED. Lucette Fogel will be assisting them. Our Dayton club has been given the opportunity to help develop a new club in Rabat/Sale Morocco in October of These two cities are across the river from each other and have potential members on both sides. Rabat is the capitol city of Morocco and the king's residence. There is to be a 2 or 3 day home stay in Rabat and another short home stay in Azrou. These home stays will be combined with a tour of Morocco. We will be staying in 4 star hotels. We will have the opportunity to have a day in the life of a Berber and spend the night with them, visit the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech, many other exciting places and have our farewell dinner at Rick's Cafe (from the movie Casablanca.) I will bring the proposed agenda to future meetings. Please call me at or me at iiambert9@woh.rr.com for further details. D ayton Friendship Force Picnic Where: Hills & Dales Metro Park Paw Paw Picnic Shelter When: Thursday 15 Sept. Come at 5:30 to meet, greet, and socialize with our incoming Murray Bridge, Australian ambassadors. Come early and enjoy a leisurely, nature walk (about 1/2 mile roundtrip) along a nearby trail past a wetland and around a small dogwood pond, and back. We plan to eat promptly 6:30. What to Bring: Yourself and hopefully a guest(s) and a covered dish. Also please bring your own table service (cups, glasses, plates, utensils, napkins}. The Paw Paw shelter has plenty of picnic tables and benches but you may want to bring a folding chair for gathering around the large fireplace. How to Get Here: The best way to find the Paw Paw shelter is to take Dorothy Lane about 1/2 mile West of Far Hills (Rt. 48) to Patterson Blvd. Turn right (North) and then in about 1/4 mile turn right on to Oak Knoll Road and then after about 200 feet turn left on to Deep Hollow Road. The shelter is on your left after about 1/4 mile. FACTOID: King: King Mohammed VI Groomed for "kingship", as his late father King Hassan II referred to his upbringing, Mohammed VI became monarch in He initiated political and economic changes and an investigation into human rights abuses during his father's rule. The king says the fight against poverty is a priority, earning him the name "guardian of the poor". Economic liberalization has attracted foreign investment and officials point to better basic services in shanty towns and rural areas. But some non-government groups say little has changed, with poverty still widespread and unemployment remaining high. A key reform has been the Mudawana, a law which grants more rights to women. The king has said it is in line with Koranic principles, but religious conservatives have opposed it. (BBC News) Contact: Please---Please call Bob Remm at Cell # or E- Mail remcin@aol.com before 10 Sept. if you are coming and to say what you will be bringing.

5 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F D AY T O N NE W SL E T T E R p a g e 5 SOME ACTIVITIES PLANNED FOR THE INCOMING Murray Bridge Australia Exchange September 14-21, 2011 See the Dayton FF web site for the detailed itinerary or contact the ED Julie Vann Thursday, September 15th Explore Dayton The Wright Cycle Company & the Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center Wright Cycle Company ( ) The Wright-Dunbar Interpretive Center and Aviation Trail Visitor Center and Museum contains exhibits on the various sites on the Aviation Trail, Wilbur and Orville Wright and the invention of flight and Paul Laurence Dunbar. One of the highlight exhibits is the historically furnished suite used by the Wright brothers for their printing business from :30 PM FFI Dayton Potluck Welcome Picnic Dinner for Murray Bridge Guests Hills & Dales Metro Park, Paw Paw Shelter,2655 S. Patterson Blvd, Kettering, Ohio( See page four for more details.) Friday, September 16th Explore Amish Country Serpent Mound State Park Filled with mystery and surrounded by nature s splendor, the largest and most famous Indian effigy mound in North America awaits. Serpent Mound is one of the oldest unsolved mysteries challenging scientists to unravel the mystique of the winding earthen snake some 1,300 feet long, 25 feet wide, 5 feet high and more than 1,000 years old. The Serpent Mound Museum hosts captivating illustrations and stories of the mound, the theories behind its history. The park itself includes other ancient mounds and a breathtaking view of a geological anomaly, five miles in diameter, believed to have been caused by a meteorite or volcanic explosion, despite the lack of any volcanic or meteorite evidence. Much like the Great Serpent slithering toward the edge of this grand bluff, it remains a mystery. Sunday, September 18th Explore Carillon Park Dayton Carillon Park presents Dayton s rich heritage of creativity and invention. Enjoy the 65- acre campus with 25 special exhibit buildings and structures to explore. See the actual 1905 Wright Flyer III, Dayton-made NRC cash registers, vintage automobiles, train cars & bicycles, and a 1930 s print shop Dayton Concours d Elegance Examine and admire 200 of the finest classic and antique automobiles and motorcycles in the country, amidst the beautiful and welcoming setting of the region s premier outdoor museum. This year s event will feature the automobiles of 1911, the Roaring Twenties and cars celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, all nestled among the historical buildings and exhibits of Carillon Historical Park. Guests will be treated with food, live music, and historical demonstrations in addition to the chance to see beautiful cars and motorcycles up close and personal. Monday, September 19th Air Force Museum The National Museum of the United States Air Force is the largest and oldest military aviation museum in the world. The museum uses both chronological and subjective layouts to tell the exciting story of aviation development from the days of the Wright brothers to the Space Age. Exhibits include more than 300 aircraft and missiles, plus family-oriented and historically interesting aeronautical displays. More than 1 million visitors from around the world come to Ohio each year to tour this unique free attraction. Tuesday, September 20 th Exploring Yellow Springs & Greene County 5:00 PM Potluck Picnic Dinner at Devoe Farm (meat and beverages provided) The entire Dayton FF Club has been invited to this picnic. Glenn and Geraldine Devoe (ph ), 2574 Waynesville Jamestown Rd,Xenia, OH

6 F R I E N D S H I P F O R C E O F D AY T O N NE W SL E T T E R p a g e 6 F ROM RUSSIA (and Estonia) WITH LOVE! Some notes from Gary Mitchner Estonia Took tour bus through the Lehemma National Forest, off the Baltic Sea coast. Saw a couple of baroque manor houses belonging to German barons who occupied Estonia in the 17th century and amazing estates with many buildings. The forests themselves were unusual in that there was little undergrowth with thousands of pole pine trees for miles on end. Visited an early fishing village where all the roofs were thatched, stopped at a sacred Linden tree called Hiieniinepuu decorated with dolls and ribbons, visited old cemetery with German barons buried there, had filling lunch in a medieval tavern with a farming museum and Estonian sayings on the walls, stopped at stagecoach inn on road to St Pete where Peter and Catherine the Great stopped, saw piles of rocks where sea captains piled stones for happiness, rode on a big wooden swing typical of Estonia with kids cheap thrill saw wooden sculptures at the Sagadi Manor House, saw storks nesting on chimney tops, returned to Tallinn for a catered meal of black bread, chicken and squash, tomatoes, mashed potatoes and wax beans, and an apple bread for dessert. Today is the Independence Day (from the Hapsburgs) of Switzerland, so we celebrated their 720th birthday since we are on a joint exchange with Solothurn. Returned to ``our`` apartment (our host is staying with a friend) to rest. We have been kept so busy that this letter is limited. We visited the Old Town in Tallinn with its Upper and Lower Towns built on the walled and fortified limestone plateau; limestone buildings everywhere. They are both very picturesque despite the fact that the Soviets bombed about a third of Old Town in We started by going down into the chilled bastions and tunnels in the city walls. Many tall steppled churches such as St. Olaf s, the tallest, punctuate the Tallinn capital. The variety of architectural styles from medieval to gothic to art nouveau to post modern is amazing. And of course, the shops and galleries. We then drove out into the country for smoked flounder and a sauna. The next day some of us took the huge Tallink to Helsinki from 7am to 7pm, a long day but the two hour voyage was relaxing. Helsinki was just as amazing - open markets, beautiful statues of artists and poets, many art nouveau sights, a great department store called Stockmanns where we ate in the restaurant on the top. Finnish Opera, Finlandia by Alvaro, contemporary art gallery by Steven Holl, an American architect; informative bus tour around the city, then back to the very busy port with the Jewel of the Sea cruise ships everywhere. Yesterday a bus tour down to the central area called Viljandi, the center of a native folk music movement with concert hall; castle ruins; sailboat ride with lunch on the boat; another German baron s manor with amazing frescoes in the style of Pompeii. Next an old lady s fantastic house in the country with sculptures, unbelievable flowers, and native paintings on all the walls -- her own world where she lives way out by herself. Back to a Viking Hall for a farewell banquet. There was a Western looking fort and tepee: (Did the Vikings influence the Native Americans?) Forest elves carved in all the trees and, of course, lots of food, wine and too many schnapps for Gary since the entertainment was folk and gypsy dancing. Of course, we all had to join in; they were dancing the polka when we left. Our final day today will be in a small village outside Tallinn. I forgot to tell you of the Catherine Palace here, the beautiful formal gardens and KUMU the art institute. So many sites, so little time. Off to Moscow very early tomorrow. Moscow We have now also been to Latvia since our plane to Moscow stopped in Riga where we met the Swiss Club. In Moscow, Natalya the Exchange Director, met us with a large air-conditioned bus to take us into Moscow right near St Basil's and Red Square. The bus parked next to the Dostoyevsky (formerly Lenin) Library with a statue of the great writer himself right next to the bus. We all met our hosts, ours being Elena and her friend Alexander who drove us very fast through the Moscow streets in his large Ford. We had dinner at Elena's with borscht, blinis with caviar, vodka, wine, and ice cream with currants. Then we went for a walk through an old residential area with one amazing Art Deco house. We are staying in a typical Russian high rise apartment. Sunday (today) was our free day, so of course we went to the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts to see Sergei Schukin's amazing collection of rooms filled with Monets, Van Goghs, Cezannes, Gaugins, Matisses, Rockwell Kents, Manets, Picassos; Italian, French, and every ancient sculpture (as well as Michelangelos) but all plaster casts. Greek, Assyrian, Egyptian, Roman -- every famous work that you can name but in amazing plaster casts -- entire pediments from all the Greek temples. Then shopping at the fabulous GUM department store and arcade. But of course we also found the market stalls in red Square for Marilyn. Home via the "Palace for the People" -- the unbelievable Moscow Metro. Tomorrow we begin our Friendship Force itinerary with tours of the Kremlin and cathedrals with a folk dance show in the evening.

7 FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF DAYTON NEWSLETTER E page 7 XCHANGE TO TALLINN, ESTONIA; MOSCOW, RUSSIA; AND POST-EXCHANGE TOUR OF ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA!(By Exchange Director Vicki Thompson) Some Thompsons at St Basil s Cathedral After a traditional Estonian meal A view of beautiful Tallinn Jan dances at the Tallinn farewell party Swiss and American ambassadors take their bows after performing a traditional Russian fairytale. The bath house at Catherine s Palace in Pushkin, town of the summer residence of the Imperial family from the time of Peter the Great until the last days of the Romanovs. Larry enjoys strolling among the gardens and fountains at Peerhof along the gulf of Finland. Entertainment on the last night by Russian folk musicians, singers, and dancers Many ambassadors enjoyed Swan Lake. Charlotte s host serves guests in her flat. The flats are small, but the hospitality is huge!

8 P.O. Box Dayton, Ohio FIRST CLASS UPCOMING EVENTS AUGUST 26-30, 2011 SEPTEMBER 14-21, 2011 FFI WORLD CONFERENCE, Hamburg, Germany INBOUND EXCHANGE, FROM MURRAY BRIDGE, AUSTRALIA E. D. Julie Vann SEPT. 15, 2011 DEC. 11, 2011 DATE TBA, 2012 JULY 2012 OCT. 30 NOV. 3, 2012 PICNIC at Hills and Dales Metro Park HOLIDAY PARTY at HOPE HOTEL, 5 PM MOROCCO AVIATION HISTORY GLOBAL EXCHANGE 2012 WORLD CONFERENCE HIROSHIMA, JAPAN