Friendship Force of Olympia Newsletter October-November 2016 New Officers Elected at September Quarterly Meeting Friendship Force of Olympia is so very fortunate to have such a strong group of Friendship Force Members as our new officers. Karen Sweeney is the president-elect. She and her husband Jim joined F.F. of Olympia about 2 years ago. They have both been active in many key areas. Karen has been co-chair of our fabulous social committee. Karen is a retired Speech Pathologist S.L.P. Ann Smith, is stepping into the position of Secretary. She and her husband Zane F. F. of Olympia almost 2 years. She is retired from the Bio-Tech industry. Now she and Zane enjoy singing in The Olympia Choral Society. Ann and Zane are going on their first outbound exchange to New Zealand this November. Georgia Holden-Shaw a F.F. Olympia member for many years, is the Vice-President elect. She is a busy lady serving on committees for Vista Village where she lives and volunteering through her church in many activities. Of course the outgoing officers will still be involved but we are excited to see the new energy and ideas they will add to our club. Pamela Anderson s Wonderful Personal Stories and Presentation The September meeting was enhanced by Pamela Anderson s moving presentation on the story she wrote as part of the Timberline Library local authors program. Special Interest articles Inside Pg, 2 Where is: The 5th at 5 this month???? Pg 2 Outbound planning committee still needed for the planned February exchange to Pheonix Arizona F.F. Club Pg. 3 What fun we had together at the Westport Winery Pg. 2 Our group to enjoy a Historic Reenactment at Pt. Defiance Park Sat. Oct.8 Pg.4 Exchange Committee forming for Tuxtulxa Mexcio inbound exchange The story is in the collection short stories published in 2016 by the Timberline Library of local authors work
Fort Nisqually Located in Point Defiance Park, Tacoma F.F.of Olympia members will meet Saturday Oct.8th at 6:45 PM to experience a historical reenactment of a historical period in the Pacific Northwest history. As invisible guests we ll stroll through encampments of soldiers, traders, past families homes located in the fort. We can easedrop as they discuss their current events; The possibility of War erupting on San Juan Island to determine the boundary line between Canada and the United States in the San Juan Islands. Upcoming changes in territorial government Current trends in crops, trading Trouble with the Indians This walk through history is a fascinating glimpse into another time in our place. We ll meet, before our historic walk, to enjoy dinner together. Hope you signed up for this event. Specific details will be sent to you soon. The Fifth at 5:00 for November is Saturday November 5th Where? The Bread Peddler 222 Capital Way North Across from The Olympia Center The back dining room, called The Peddler Bistro Phone number Bread Peddler: 360-352- 1175 Why? Come on down and enjoy the fine Company of friends old and new The food is great and they have a nice wine beer and sprits selection. The Reservation is in Ted Samland s name. Outbound planning committee URGENTLY needed for the planned exchange to Phoenix Arizona F.F. Club in February 2017 We were invited in August to go on a domestic exchange with the Greater Phoenix Area Friendship Force. Their president, Velda Miller, and Gwen made the initial plans. We would go in February, 2017. They can host 13-15 ambassadors. BUT we need one or several people to step forward and organize this exchange. It won t happen with out this first step. At this point we may have to postpone the exchange until the February of 2018!!! Georgia Shaw (our new Vice President can help you contact their club. Interetsed in going to Arizona then call Georgia at 360-259-5119 or gszi@comcast.net. Page 2
Road Trip Fun for Members Talk about a perfect summer afternoon Wine tasting. Great food Lot s of laughter and great conversation A stroll through Westport Winery many themed gardens SIGH Thanks Social committee Karen Sweeney And JoAnn Young for organizing this amazing event Friendship Force of Olympia Newsletter Page 3
N.T.P.S. Join in the fun of organizing a exciting and friendship filled exchange when the Friendship Force of Olympia welcomes Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico in July of 2017. Substitute Number: 64390 Several wonderful folks have already stepped up to be part of the committee; Bob and Call for availiablility Inge Freud, Zane and Ann Smith. They ll first meet in January to form plan for the exchange. All of you have great ideas and skills please contact one of these people to add your energy into the exchange. The October 5th at 5:00 at El Serape Some friends we haven t seen for quite a while came that evening, Emily Harvey came and she brought 3 friends. You never know who you might see when you show up for the 5th at 5:00 December 3rd we are going back to Fort Nisqually and celebrate a Victorian Christmas The Friendship Force of Olympia members who went for a walk into history on October 8th at Historic Fort Nisqually enjoyed stepping into the past as we listened in on conversations about the events of the day, that is a the day in November of 1887. We all enjoyed the event so much we decided to go back in December when the forts active historical society puts on a Victorian Christmas. Saturday December 3rd. Watch for an email with further details.
October 18, 2016 Dear Friendship Force Members: Our son Jason is volunteering with Empact Northwest which is a non-profit organization in Washington State that is based in Poulsbo. This organization responds worldwide to provide urgent help and medical care to the United States and all countries throughout the world in the event of disasters. Jason is currently working on his Master Degree at Evergreen State College. He became involved with Empact Northwest by volunteering to write grants for the non-profit to purchase emergency equipment. Through Jason s grant writing association with this organization his interest in volunteering grew, so he completed an intense physical training course with Empact Northwest this past year, and that training along with his past military and paramedic experience qualifies him to volunteer his services as an aid worker along with the doctors and medical personnel of Empact Northwest. He deployed to Haiti yesterday to assist in the emergency operations that are currently underway. Like all non-profit organizations, Empact Northwest (www.empactnorthwest.org) relies on monetary donations to fund their efforts. We are proud of the work Jason and others are doing by volunteering their services. I m providing this information to all the Friendship Force members, should anyone be interested in donating to this non-profit humanitarian effort. To donate: ctrl + click on the website link highlighted above and the page will open with Hurricane Matthew Haiti. Thank you so much, Laura and Dave Andersen So Long for a while. I and Ted Samland are leaving today for New Zealand. We ll be gone until early December. I m the Exchange Director for the Thames Coromandel and Whangarei New Zealand exchange from November 3rd until the 27th.