Page 1 Friendship Connections July 2008 Friendship C ONNECTION S The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley Club of the Year 2000 Spring, Sprang, Sproing Moonfall, 2008 The June 14 Moonfall Theater presentation was, as always, a resounding success! Playing to another soldout house of eager and smiling Friendship Force folks and friends, the cast of five plus accompanist Dobie Long, performed their little hearts out. tender, My Thighs (to the tune of My Guy) and of course, Hot Flash (to the tune of Heat Wave). Particularly sweet was Bill Brown, who sang So In Love from Kiss Me Kate to his wife (coaxed on stage) on the occasion of their 22nd anniversary. One of my personal favorites was Jan Rickert who sang Rolf Harris s Kate The Peg about the curious experiences of Kate born with a third leg. Rolf Harris, I m told by Joan Rogers, was seen regularly on British TV with witty songs and a puppet. A Menopause Medley from Menopause the Musical sung by Marlene (Penny) Cox, Bev Shein and Jan Rickert hit home with most folks. Included were parodies of The Great Pre- After the show Penny Cox shared that this last performance of the season was dedicated to Gerry Marshall who had passed away on opening night this year. Gerry was the grand dame of volunteers who 19 years ago, helped create Moonfall Theater. Some of her sensational vintage dresses were on display at the entrance into the theater. Bev Shein and Bill Brown, members of the talented Moonfall cast By Barb Callner Nancy Robb and Marilyn Bervin bring goodies out from the kitchen John Hansen and Kay Macpherson review our scrapbook maintained by historian, Warren Harmon Pat Byers helps with the preparation of the delicious food Pie in July July 11, noon Lunch at Hometown Buffet, 845 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem Tour of Willamette Fruit and Pie Company RSVP to Dorothy Garrett by July 4
Page 2 Friendship Connections July 2008 Message from President Dorothy One of the wonderful things about being a member of Friendship Force is how it keeps one young. You've read about how learning new things is good for the brain. Keeping the brain active is what keeps us young. So, we must all be in our teens! Some of our members have just returned from Germany where they learned and experienced all sorts of new things. We will hear about those at a later date. Some of us experienced new things at Moonfall Theater. What a grand night it was! The weather was perfect for enjoying the evening outdoors. The food, or I should say the MOUNTAIN of food, was beyond description. While some were worried that there would not be enough for guests, members, and cast, we had enough left over to feed all of Rickreall. Thank you all for being so generous with your contributions. A huge thank you to the people who did the set up, the serving, and the cleanup. I hope I'm not missing anyone when I tell you their names: Nancy Robb, Rita Powell, Art and Marilyn Bervin, Joan Rodgers, Kay Macpherson, Pat Byers, Kathy Butler, and Rosella Howard. Great job, folks. The show was delightful, as usual, with plenty of laughs to send us away with smiles on our faces and enough endorphins in our brains so that we didn't have to exercise for at least three days. It was really good to see Edla Johnson and her friend, Tove, there. Also it was fun to get the reactions of our friend, Bep Van Adrichem visiting from Zoetermeer, Netherlands. (She loved it.) Another super evening of fun and fellowship. Norvada Smedley and I have just finished two weeks of hosting Bep. We took her to the Columbia Gorge, Mt. Angel. the coast (our great hostess there was Juanita Weigel), Dancing Oaks Nursery, Orchard Heights Winery, Honeywood Winery, the Rose Parade, Guthrie Community Center, Moonfall Theater, to hear Latino music at a Mexican restaurant, on a tour of the Willamette Fruit and Pie Company, to the hydroponic strawberry fields, to visit a bed and breakfast, to the Arctic Museum, to a baseball game. Bep learned all about Oregon, and Norvada and I learned how much fun it is to see others learn about the United States and Oregon. I know all of you have been doing fun and exciting things also. Keeping young, that's the way to go. Enjoy everyday. In today's mail I received a card from Bev Shein, one of the vocalists in Spring, Sprang, Sproing. She states: Dear Dorothy, On behalf of the Moonfall cast, I would like to thank you ever so much for hosting last Saturday night's show. The Friendship (Force) is a very grand group of people. We love having you; you're a fantastic audience and, of course, the food is always outstanding!! We think you had a good time, too. Looking forward to seeing you next year...again. Sincerely, Bev Shein Dorothy, Bep and Emily Killin at Moonfall Membership Application, Renewal and Newsletter Subscription 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. Annual dues: Individual: $27.00 Couple: $55 This is a NEW or a RENEWAL Application I wish to receive the Friendship Connections, without joining Name: Name: Address: City : State ZIP Friendship Connections (non-members only) $10.00 FFI Magazine ($10): yes or no Total enclosed $ (Optional $10 for Friendship Magazine) Phone: Email: (please print) Mail To: Friendship Force, PO Box 1703, Albany, OR 97321 Friendship Force Gifts The following items are available from Ann Sickles, 503-938-1219, Tuggy_94109@yahoo.com or at each monthly gathering. Friendship Force name pins Friendship Force aprons (one size fits most) Friendship Force note cards Friendship Force Luggage Straps Friendship Force T-shirt Friendship Force Logo magnets Friendship Force ball point pens Zipper Pull with Celsius and Fahrenheit temps Friendship Force Story Friendship Force mugs Friendship Force Tote bag Club lapel pins Tablecloths International Cookbook International Translator (pictures) Fabric for Vests
Page 3 Friendship Connections July 2008 Friendship Force News: Local and International Friendship Connections News The August edition of this newsletter will be different in appearance and in its mailing. Beginning in August the newsletter will no longer be mailed at bulk rates. If you are not a member of The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley, you will not receive the next issue. Non members may continue to receive our newsletter by mail by joining our club or paying $10.00 per year to cover expenses (use the form on page 2). Our newsletter will continue to be posted on our website. Please visit us at: www.fforegon.org Use of first class postage will allow the club to become more ecofriendly by substantially reducing the number of copies printed. Use of first class postage permits us to send members-only information such as copies of the rosters to members. Under bulk mail rules all items must be identical. The August newsletter issue will be different in others ways as well. Friendship Force International FFI recently launched a new strategic plan to promote the organization and to encourage increased membership in Friendship Force. In conjunction FFI has released a bright, updated, and expanded website which reflects the rebranding of The Friendship Force organization. If you have not seen the new site, now is a good time to take a look. In the upper left corner of the website s homepage you will notice the new logo. The August issue of this newsletter will contain more information on the new strategy and will reflect the new logo in appearance. For more information visit: www.thefriendshipforce.org Nominating Committee Report Election of the 2009 officers will be held at the August 10 gathering: President- Vice President- Marilyn Bervin Secretary- Carol George Treasurer John Stefan Additional nominations from the floor are accepted. Please obtain the nominee s approval beforehand. To the members of the Nominating Committee: Chairperson Nancy Robb, and members Betty Rea and Dick Lorenzen, a heartfelt thank you for your hard work. From our Rea of Sunshine: Betty Rea Congratulations to our Nancy and Loy Marshall who have this past month celebrated their 50th anniversary! Loy and Nancy are charter members of our FF club, having joined on the day a few of us gathered, all interested in forming a club. Gloria Olson volunteered to be our first president, and Loy took on the paper work that had to be done so that Friendship Force International would authorize us as a new club, The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley. Thanks to Loy for handling the paperwork; here we are, and we say a big Thank You, Loy! Friendship Force Pledge As a member of the Friendship Force, I recognize that I can make a difference. I recognize that I have a mission. That mission is to be a friend to the people of the world. As I embark upon this adventure, I know that others will be watching me. I know that through my example to my fellow citizens and the people of other nations, the cause of friendship, love and peace can be furthered. I can make a difference. 2008 Calendar July - No board meeting July 11 - Pie in July, RSVP to Dorothy Garrett by July 4 August 1 - Board meeting 1pm August 10 - Annual meeting, picnic, exchange workshop September 5 - Board meeting 1pm OSU FCU Monmouth September 15-21 Inbound No. Colorado Exchange October 3 - Board meeting 1pm October 12 - Gathering 3pm November 7 - Board meeting 1pm November 9 - Gathering 3pm December 5 - Board meeting 1pm December Holiday Celebration TBD Board of Directors 2008 Officers: Co-presidents: Kathy Butler 541-926-9897 4192butlerkw@comcast.net Dorothy Garrett 503-838-0274 globetrekk3r@yahoo.com Vice Presidents: Van and Cheeri Nichols 503-581-1414 vpncheer@comcast.net Secretary: Carol George 503-5079966 carolgeorge@comcast.net Treasurer: John Stefan 541-791-1169 j.stefan@comcast.net Standing Committees: Past President: Dorothy Stewart 503-364-3969 dstewart854@msn.com Activities: Sunshine: Betty Rea 541-928-2648 donlizrea@peak.org Membership: Van and Cheeri Nichols 503-581-1414 vpncheer@comcast.net Hospitality: Pat Byers 541-758-7000 Historian: Warren Harmon 503-3991654 warrenharmon@q.com Archivist: Rosella Workinger 541-926-4105 rworkinger@comcast.net Newsletter/website: Marilyn Peterson 541-926-7431 peterson.marilyn@comcast.net Projects: Materials, supplies: Ann Sickles 503-938-1219 Tuggy_94109@yahoo.com Club Exchange Directors Outbound May 2008 to Merseberg and Gelsenkirchen, Germany Cheeri Nichols, with Rita Powell, mentor April 2009 to Nara, Japan Van Nichols with Dorothy Garrett, mentor Date January/February 2010 Lee County, Florida, Dorothy Garret Club Exchange Directors Inbound Northern Colorado, Sept. 15-21, 2008 Pat Byers and Marilyn Peterson Date September 2009 Gisborne, New Zealand Date June 2010 Lee County, Florida Friendship Force International Board Member Rita Powell 503-831-3755 powellfam4@hughes.net
Page 4 Friendship Connections July 2008 Exchange News Outbound to Germany - Part 1 by ED, Cheeri Nichols Note: the August gathering will feature our intrepid travelers. Our visit to Merseburg was a great experience from beginning to end. We learned a lot about Germany and a little bit more about ourselves We all loved our hosts who took very good care of us. We learned about the kindness and caring of people when problems arise. We all had questions about how the German reunification affected the people. Some things about the old system were good everyone had a job, no one starved. With reunification came a 20+% unemployment rate, people over 50 years old were pretty much out of work. An example is the chemical factory in Leuna which had its workforce reduced from 30,000 workers to 6,000. Some plants were not competitive and closed down altogether. Today the unemployment rate is reduced significantly but is still high, young people are leaving the area to find work elsewhere. People now have the freedom to go where they want on the new infrastructure that has been created. This area of Germany has a long and colorful history. One of the current events was the 30 Years War which started as a religious war in 1618. During the Napoleonic wars the governments allied themselves with Napoleon and after his defeat became part of Prussia. During WW II our host s father fought on the Russian front for 5 years and then was in a Russian prison for another 5 years. The divided Germany followed and then in 1989 a reunified Germany. Some facts about Germany. Taxes are high at both the pump (about $9.00 a gallon of gas), and from the paycheck. Smile, the cameras on highways take expensive photos (of speeders)! Travel insurance costs around 11 Euro a year. German people are warm and friendly. Hospital emergency rooms make you wait just as long as at home. Health care is affordable. Walking is good for you and everyone does it (or bike). Cars can be parked in incredibly small spaces. German trains are marvelous. You can hop on a train and go anywhere. They are more fuel efficient than planes, you can arrive only a few minutes beforehand, and the stations are easy to access inside cities. There is more leg room than plane tourist class seats. Non-Europeans get the best rates with rail passes better than Europeans can. Reservations are good for groups of people traveling together who want to stay together. They are also good if you have baggage that is at all cumbersome. People without reservations take whatever seats they find until a person with reservations bumps them from that seat. If a person has cumbersome bags they cannot move it easily in the search for an empty seat which may be in another car. A lot of Germans travel without reservations on the chance that people won t show for their seats. Reservations are way more expensive in the US than in Germany. Regional trains don t often have reservations available, however. Inbound from Northern Colorado, Sept. 15-21 - from Exchange Directors, Marilyn Peterson and Pat Byers Part of the farewell party entertainment was a small boy playing the violin who bowed almost in half after his performance. This event was only marred by the absence of Joyce and Ed Dart as well as the two EDs, Sabine and I, as we were at the emergency room admitting Joyce to the hospital to prepare her for an early trip home due to a serious back injury she sustained at the Frankfurt airport upon our arrival. Thank goodness for travel insurance which more than paid for itself. I hear that Van did a good job standing in for me that evening. Day host applications are still available from the ED s. The activities committee has developed a wonderful schedule of events for our guests. An exchange highlight will be a bus trip to the Columbia Gorge including a cruise on the river. The next activities meeting will be at Monteith Park in Albany on July 14 at 2pm. The Senior Center is available in case of liquid sunshine. Save the date! Our next planning meeting will be July 16 at 2pm at Marilyn Peterson s home - for directions call 541.926.7431 or email peterson.marilyn@comcast.net. We need to have all committees represented at this meeting. The exchange workshop for all hosts including day hosts (and anyone else who is interested) will be held on August 10 after the club s gathering. Dorothy Garrett has graciously offered her home for this event. Outbound to Nara, Japan, 2009 - ED Van Nichols We have been trying to secure a second exchange week for 2009 to supplement our visit to Nara since it is such a long trip. J apan is hosting the international conference in October and only one exchange per club to Japan is being granted for this year. There are exchanges available in Australia or Africa but are too far away. Nara has not yet given us an ED to contact for this exchange so no firm date is known. We do know that they want us to come during cherry blossom time. We are looking at possibilities, costs for an additional week in Japan as a tour. I welcome suggestions at this time for points of interest from those who are interested in this exchange. Price of air travel it s hard to figure. Expedia quotes some flights today from $1,300 to $2,600. When we get firm dates from Nara we can be more intelligent in this area. Please send me an email at: vpncheer@comcast.net if you are interested in this exchange, and I ll keep you informed of events as they unfold. Cherry blossom time is the end of March or the first week of April depending on the weather each year. Outbound to Florida Sunshine in the Winter 2010 - ED Dorothy Garrett Look to the future! Tentative plans are to visit the club in Lee County Florida in January or February 2010 and to have them on a reciprocal visit in June of 2010. These plans are dependent on our assignments from international exchanges made by FFI, but if there is no conflict, we will pack our bathing suits (well, some of us have bathing suit bodies) and head to Florida to get warm in the depths of winter. We will try to set up visits to two clubs in Florida, five days with each club. Stay tuned for further developments. (Maybe I'll go on a diet so I can get a bathing suit body by 2010...ho ho.)
Page 5 Friendship Connections July 2008 Asia Pacific Festival, June 4-8, 2009 By Rita Kirk Powell Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade Marilyn Peterson, Kathy Butler, Dorothy Stewart and I attended the Grand Floral Parade recently. The Portland Rose Festival has gained the title of "Best Festival in the World!" It will be a highlight of the Asia Pacific Festival that our club is organizing for 2009. Can you say, "sesquicentennial"? Next year on February 14, 2009, Oregon marks the 150th anniversary of its statehood! So, the Rose Parade is likely to have even more international representation involved that it does in other years. This year there were floats and bands from a number of sister-cities! We started our day at "dark-thirty." The idea was to do what we are expecting to do with our guests who will attend our Festival next year. When we arrived in Portland, the street our driver had intended to use (and had been told would be open) was closed. He quickly found another route to the drop -off point. The breakfast was good, we were able to obtain it quickly and there were tables reserved for our group. Going through the ticket control taught us that attendees should not carry their own food past this point. It can be confiscated. We were early enough to see the queen's coronation and the complete parade. Our reserved seats were "on the floor" of the Coliseum. The parade participants enter on one end and march through the building. Asia Pacific Festival organizers will need to be clearly identified by clothing and signs, so our guests can easily find the correct buses after the parade concludes. There are lots and lots of buses. All in all, it was worthwhile testing out this part of our program for next year! If you have never attended the Grand Floral Parade, you might think about volunteering to be one of those accompanying each bus-load for our festival. From the Editor Thank you for all of the news for this edition of our Friendship Connections. Please keep the information coming. Pictures are greatly appreciated. Please include captions. The August issue of the newsletter will contain some surprises (and not just the first class stamp on the cover). August newsletter deadline is July 19 with folding on Monday July 28 at 1:30pm at Marilyn Peterson s. RSVP, please. Our club s website, www.fforegon.org, will also change to correspond to the changes on the FFI website. Visit www.thefriendshipforce.org for other news from FFI. Contact the editor at: peterson.marilyn@comcast.net or at 541.926.7431. Board Meeting Synopsis Marilyn Peterson, Secretary Pro Tempore The meeting was called to order by co-president Kathy Butler on June 6 at 1pm at the OSU Federal Credit Union in Monmouth. Present: Rita Powell, Van Nichols, Dorothy Garrett, Kathy Butler, Marilyn Peterson, Dorothy Stewart The minutes of the May 2, 2008 board meeting were approved as distributed by Marilyn Peterson. In the absence of the treasurer there was no report. Old Business: Rita Powell distributed the final version of the earned seat policy for exchanges. Moonfall the treasurer will prepare a check payable to the Moonfall theater. The nominating committee has been appointed. Northern Colorado inbound exchange ED Marilyn reported that about 23 ambassadors are expected. Workshop will be on August 10 at Dorothy Garrett s home. The club will pay $20.00 per person for members participating in the bus and boat trip to the Columbia Gorge during the exchange. The ambassadors are paying for their own tickets. First seats on the bus will go to ambassadors and hosts (including day hosts). Germany exchange travelers will report at the August annual meeting. Lee County Florida Dorothy Garrett will communicate that we would like to travel to Florida in January or February, 2010 and visit two clubs at that time. She will also ask them to visit our club in June of 2010. These dates may be changed if an international matching conflicts. Nara, Japan 2009 ED Van reported that he is having trouble finding a second exchange because of the International Conference fall of 2009 in Japan. July no board meeting; gathering is July 11 Pie in July. RSVP to Dorothy Garrett before July 4. August 10 annual meeting and workshop for Northern Colorado inbound exchange. Discussion followed on programs for future months. July newsletter deadline is June 19, folding is June 26 at 1:30 at Marilyn s. This is the last newsletter to be sent under the bulk mail permit. News from FFI Leadership Forum Rita reported on the new logo and strategic plan. The August newsletter will use the new logo and will contain information on the news from FFI. The meeting adjourned at 2:00pm Dorothy Stewart, Kathy Butler and Rita Powell at the Portland Memorial Coliseum
Friendship Connections The Friendship Force of Oregon s Mid-Willamette Valley P.O. Box 1703 Albany, OR 97321-0487 A World Of Friends Is a World Of Peace http://www.fforegon.org NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE ALBANY OR PERMIT #215 Page 6 Friendship Connections July 2008 Wanted: Exchange Director Gisborne, New Zealand Inbound September, 2009 The ideal candidate is enthusiastic, flexible, gregarious, and a Friendship Force member who enjoys meeting new friends. Training and mentoring will be provided Compensation: lots of fun, new as well as renewed friendships, wonderful food, and the sincere gratitude and appreciation of members of both clubs. To apply contact: Kathy Butler 541.926.9897 or Dorothy Garrett 503.838.0274 We need you! July 11, 2008 Pie in July If you want to be a part of the fun on July 11, you need to contact Dorothy Garrett (phone 503.838.0274, email globetrekk3r@yahoo.com) before July 4th. The plan is to meet at noon for lunch at the HomeTown Buffet (something for everyone, and you can eat until you burst...well, almost) followed by a tour of the Willamette Fruit and Pie Company, where they give you a piece of their pie at the end of the tour. You may want to go easy on dessert at HomeTown Buffet. Both venues need reservations, so it is imperative that you make one with Dorothy. Meet at the HomeTown Buffet at noon located at 836 Lancaster Dr. N.E. in Salem. From there we will travel a short way to the Willamette Fruit Company at 2994 82nd Ave NE, Salem. This trip is our July meeting. You will have fun, learn a lot in the process, and have your every food need satisfied. This Issue of Connections, and more Information about our club, may be found on our website: http://www.fforegon.org