Rambling Rita
Darrell and I recently came home from a very interesting and enlightening trip to Egypt and Jordan. When we start a journey of this nature, there are certain aspects of the trip that are expected and some highly anticipated. We certainly were not disappointed in that regard.
The most pleasant surprises were the people of Egypt and Jordan. We (Americans) were greeted with great enthusiasm. This was most apparent in the young children. Their faces lit up when they saw Americans. They wanted to touch us. (High Five's where big) They wanted us to take their pictures. They were most willing to "Ham It Up" for us. And they wanted us to talk to them so they could practice their English.
The Jordanians were more reserved, more traditional and seemed more strict in their religion. However they did not hold back with their acceptance of us. They seemed to have a very good grasp of our beliefs and traditions. They seemed to know how to show proper respect for those beliefs. At the same time they wanted us to understand their heritage and religious viewpoints.
They wanted us to know that it was by choice that the Moslem's in these countries cover them selves when out in public. They wanted us to know that this modest behavior was true of both male and female members of their society. However it was hard to hide the Levi's and sneakers peeking out from under those coverings.
The citizens of both Egypt and Jordan were very anxious for us to fully understand the difference between Terrorist and Moslems. They wanted us to understand that the two were not synonymous.
We saw so much happiness, so much lust for life and so much enthusiasm in the faces of the children. And in the faces of the adults we saw concern. We also saw hope and a strong determination to make the world a better place. We saw a strong will to help pave the way to World Peace. These people were proving their point Tour Bus by Tour bus.
Next Meeting |
FUNDRAISING
Cheryl Kasper
The Fridays After Five concert season is in full swing! The season runs through September 15. Normally we work from 5:30-8:30 pm. Friendship Force will again have many opportunities to serve as ID checkers or sell sodas. ID checking, for those who wish to buy beer or wine, is fun as you get to meet and greet all who come in to Fridays After Five.
There will be a sign up sheet at our May 2 meeting. Please sign up to participate and also note the dates when you know you will be unable to serve. That way we won't call you on those dates. Please be generous with your time because these are our major fundraising events of the year. Our club earns $200 for being ID checkers and $120 for selling sodas for the evening. We may also be asked to help out at some of the regularly scheduled concerts.
We will also have FFC pins, pens, and cookbooks for sale at the May 2 meeting.
"If you can't attend the meeting but wish to help out at Fridays After Five, please call Barbara Kelshaw (589-8075) and let her know."
2006 Australia Inbound Exchange ----- May 26th - June 2nd, 2006
We welcome each member to join us for the exciting week planned for our Ambassadors from Australia.
They arrive -
May26th, Friday -- 5:30 PM Fashion Square Mall in the upper corner parking lot between
Rio Road & N.29. Please come out and give them a warm Charlottesville WELCOME.
May 27th, Saturday - 6:00 PM - Welcome Party
First United Methodist Church
101 E. Jefferson St. Charlottesville,
Dinner Menu: Salad
Smoked Virginia Ham
Sweet Potatoes
Collard Greens
Various Southern Style Pies
Coffee, Tea and Lemon Aid
Entertainment - Frank Saurman and the Choralees Chorus from Fluvanna County
May 28th, Sunday - 2:00 PM Barksdale Theatre in Hanover County
"No Sex Please, I'm British" Cost of Tickets $32.00 (Group rates)
Reservation and purchase of tickets for the performance must be made in advance by you ASAP.
The number to call is 804-783-0196.
Mention that you are an addition to the Charlottesville Friendship Force group.
May 29th, Monday - 11:00 AM Lunch at Michie Tavern
Call Babs Fickes 589-2186 - if she can get 18 or more to attend this lunch the group will get
a FREE tour of the tavern. Lunch Dutch Treat
2:00 PM Monticello Tour - Month of May all residents of the surrounding areas get in FREE
May 30th, Tuesday - FREE DAY
May 31st, Wednesday - 10:00 AM Special Tour of UVA Gardens & Rotunda
Meeting on the steps of the Rotunda - lawn side
3:00 PM Barboursville Vineyard Tour, Wine Tasting & self-guided tour of Historic Ruins
17655 Winery Road, Barboursville, VA
Directions: Go US-15 North to Gordonsville. Take US-33 N to Rt. 20, turn left. Go to
Vineyard Road turn left go-0.3 miles, stay straight to go onto Mansion Road- 0.1 miles,
Left onto Winery Road-0.1 miles, end at 17655 Winery Rd.
June 1st, Thursday - 1:00 PM Charlottesville Downtown Tour
Babs Fickes will meet you at THE NOOK for lunch
Address: 415 Main Street, E.
Tour to follow lunch - Call Babs so she will know you are
coming (434-589-2186)
.
6:00 PM Farewell Dinner--- Rita & Darrell Stoll, Ivy Va.
This event sounds GREAT and DIFFERENT - come and hear all about it during our May meeting.
You will not want to miss the Farewell Dinner. Call 434-296-2202 for Directions
June 2nd, Friday - 7:00 AM leaving for Dulles Airport from Fashion Square Shopping Center
Keep this portion.? for your information guide for the week. Come join us!!!
If you would like to participate in any/all of the events, please bring the following
portion of this article to the meeting on Tuesday, May 2nd along with your check - made
out to Charlottesville Friendship Force or mail both to Peggy Smith, 9 Leisure Court,
Palmyra, VA 22963.
This form is a MUST in order for us to know our count for each event.
Sorry, no refunds after May 4th.
#______I/we wish to attend -- May 27th Saturday --------- Welcome Party
Cost per person $5.00 Total $____________
May 28th - Sunday - Barksdale Theatre, Hanover County- 804-783-0196
Sorry, persons other than Ambassadors and Host must call the number listed above in order
to attend this performance, due to ED having to obtain tickets early for group.
May 29th - Monday -11:00 AM Michie Tavern Luncheon
Babs Fickes will be arranging this Luncheon
Please call (434-589-2186) to put your name in the "pot"
Lunch is Dutch Treat
2:00 PM Monticello Tour ------ NO CHARGE
May 30th, Tuesday -Free Day
May 31st, Wednesday - UVA Gardens and Rotunda Tour NO CHARGE
#______I/we wish to attend -- Barboursville Vineyard Tour, Wine Tasting
& self-guided tour of Historic Ruins
Cost per person $6.00 Total $___________
June 1st, Thursday - Charlottesville Downtown Tour NO CHARGE
Babs Fickes will meet you at the THE NOOK for lunch
Tour to follow. Call Babs so she will know you are coming.
#______I/we wish to attend -- Farewell Dinner, Rita & Darrell Stoll
Cost per person $6.00 Total $___________
Thanks for your participation
Your GRAND Total for your events will be $___________
Attached is my check made out to Charlottesville Friendship Force
to cover the weekly events I/we wish to attend. I understand after May 4th if for any
reason I can not attend my money can not be refunded.
______________________________________________________________Name(s)
_____________________________________________________Telephone Number
3/09/06 FFI General Meeting Minutes
World Friendship Day- A Celebration
The meeting began with a reading of the World Friendship day proclamation by Brian Bouton.
All new members, who have joined since Oct. 2005 were welcomed and introduced. Other new attendees were also intoduced- Kate Burke, KaraParkuchin, Patsy and Walt O'Connell and Jim Benedict. Also, the Shaw family, who will provide entertainment tonight.
The treasurers report was given. Our treasurer , Dave Ahearn has asked to resign his position due to his increasing commitments to business. Bev Hankins, a new member and a retired CPA, has volunteered to take over his responsibilities. Rita would like this to occur at the end of March.
Bob Schwegerl updated the group on the progress of the District President's conference, March 30-Apr. 1 at Lake Monticello. He expects 55 officers and spouses to attend. He needs a secretary for the Friday session.
He announced that there will be a regional group interclub exchange. Every club will extend invitations to other clubs in the district to participate.
Chuck Johnson explained our relationship with the JAG School's foreign students. There are some new students -5 for a 10 week program, and 4 for a 10 month program. He asked for volunteers to host them. Members offered to entertain all of them.
Exchanges- Murray Bridge Peggy Smith Exchange director, is looking for people to do various jobs. They arrive on May 26 and depart June 4.
There are 23 participants in the outbound to Switzerland and France in May.
We thanked our caterer of a delicious Irish dinner, Christina Gibson and the Shaw Family that entertained the group with Irish dances and music.
Peter Almonte won the cash drawing and Kathy Saurman won the tic tac toe game.
The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is May 2, at the Ponderosa.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynda Johnson,
Secretary
The Ambassador Friendship Force of Charlottesville LeRoy Moyer, Editor 1863 Thomas Jefferson Parkway Charlottesville, VA 22902-7520