Friends Connection
Friendship Force of Sarasota
February, 2009Volume 20, No.2
President: Katy Goodwin 379-9954Editor: Nancy Rehbock 941-896-7958
Vice Pres: Mary BruggerHistorian:Betty Kuhns
Secretary: Judi StrattonAssoc. Hist:Gary Kuhns
Treasurer: Bob BurkeSister Cities:Terry Neuss
Publicity: Gloria GrenierSunshine:Colleen Stoller
Membership:Bob & Connie BerginSocial:Doro & Jim Malachowski
Bonnie Frey, Rae AloisioBobbie & Jay Jabas
Web Master:Linda Vendeland Peggy Otten, Mary Brand
Directory:Bob Bergin Darlene Beachley, Sonny Spiker
President’s Message
We got off to a great start at our January Meeting with a large attendance, several guests and our “most foremost” speaker, Past Prexy Wayne. Many of you gave short testimonials about your travels with Friendship Force and what they have meant to you.
Our February 19 meeting promises to be an exceptional one with our guest speaker, Dr. Robert Barylski, a professor at USF Florida, speaking to us about our incoming exchange countries of Belarus, Russia and Uzbekistan.
I am sorry to have to report that our planned incoming exchanges from South Sydney, Australia, in May and Tweed Valley, Australia, in June have been cancelled due to the financial costs involved. Please thank the EDs for these exchanges, CeCe and Bob O’Connor, Gene and Bob Burke, and Betty and Joe Thro for their work in preparation for these groups. We are hopeful that FFI will be able to find another incoming exchange group to fill this vacancy in our calendar.
In the meantime, ED Judi Stratton and her committee are busy preparing for our incoming exchange from Minsk, Moscow and Tashkent in March. Please volunteer to help if you are called – the more you participate the more you enjoy your membership.
Remember the principal goal of the Friendship Force: to sow seeds of friendship across the barriers that normally divide and isolate the peoples of the world.
See you at our February meeting!
Katy
Calendar of Events**more info inside
February 19 General Meeting at Selby Library 6p**
March 1International World Friendship Day**
March 2 Board Meeting at home of Jay and Bobbie Jabus
March 8-15 Inbound Minsk/Moscow Exchange**
March 19 General Meeting at Selby Library 6p
March 30 Board Meeting at home of Mary Brugger
April 2-7 Outbound Austin, TX Exchange
April 22 Booker HS Play (no general meeting)**
The world is a book, and those who do not travel, read only a page.
Saint Augustine
Don’t miss our February General Meeting!
Dr. Robert Barylski, Associate Professor in the Department ofGovernment and International Relations at USF Sarasota and formerDean of the university, will be the speaker at our February generalmeeting. He has an undergraduate degree in political science fromBrown University and graduate degrees in Russian area studies andpolitical science from Harvard. An expert on civil-militaryrelations in Russia, political and economic reconstruction in theformer Soviet Union, and Russian policy towards states and peoples ofIslamic heritage, Dr. Barylski is a published author and frequentspeaker at international colloquia. He has made occasional expert contributions to the Voice of America for broadcast to the greaterCaspian region and participated in US policy symposia at the USCentral Command. He will talk about life in Minsk and Moscow
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Did You Know………
Babe Baptist tells us that he has sold all of his 50 tickets for the Booker High School Performing Arts musical production on April 22. If you were not one of the lucky 50, and would like to attend, call the Booker high school at 355-2968 and arrange to get your tickets The play is “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and cost is $10 a ticket. If you plan to go, consider meeting the group for an experience of ‘fine dining’ at the HobNob on SR301, before the play at 6pm.Remember – this takes the place of our General Meeting for April.
It’s good to see Jean Farley up and around at the Jan. meeting after her falls late last year, fracturing her arm and injuring her back. We wish you complete healing, Jean!
Get well wishes to Connie Bergin who recently had knee replacement surgery. We hear she is up and around and doing well.
We are delighted to have an even 100 paid members of the Sarasota Friendship Force Club!! Your names will be found in our new 2009 Directory which we are planning to have available for you at our February meeting. Thank you for paying your dues!
Those wishing to update their badge with the new FFI logo may do so. There will be a sign-up sheet at the meeting February 19. The badge is white with the full color logo and a strong magnet fastener. The cost is $9.50. New FFI pins will also be at the meeting. The cost of the pin is $10 with $8 paying for the pin and $2 going to the Legacy Fund.
Jean Farley informed us that the Kiwanis Club of South Sarasota presents a series of travelogues at the Chelsea Center on selected Monday nights at 7:30 PM. These are colorful cinema adventures with in-person narration. Those remaining in the series are: Monday, February 9 "Beneath the Jungle"about Mesoamerica, Monday, February 23 "Burma and Cambodia" and Monday, March 9 "Corsica and the Rivieras". A limited number of tickets at $10 each are available at the door. Call 941-918-9810 for more information.
We are saddened to learn of the death of Phillip Kellogg, who passed away January 1st in Michigan. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Theda Connell. They have been members of FF since 2003.
WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY
Friendship Force Clubs around the world will be celebrating World Friendship Day on March 1, or close to that date, to commemorate the date of March 1, 1977 when President Jimmy Carter hosted a White House banquet for the Governors of the 50 states and asked for their support in a new program called "Friendship Force." Rosalynn Carter accepted the position of Honorary Chairperson and Wayne Smith the Presidency. On March 17, 1977 Friendship Force International was officially chartered. We hope to celebrate this event with our ambassadors from Belarus and Moscow.
Exchanges
Inbound
Minsk, Belarus & Moscow, Russia - March 8-15
Plans for this exchange are coming along. If you are willing to serve as a home host, please email Mary Brugger at with name, phone number and number of ambassadors you can accommodate. If you are willing to serve as a day host, please email Donna Schaeffer at with your information and any preferences for dates you may have. If you would like to be a dinner host, please contact Margaret Mills . Exchange treasurer Bonnie Frey is requesting help from the club members for free passes to Mote, Myakka, Selby, and Ringling for our home and day hosts. Members can send them to Bonnie or bring them tothe venue.
Take a look at the schedule at the end of this newsletter, choose activities and join in the fun. Specific times will be included in the March newsletter.
Tweed Valley, Australia - June 1-7
We were notified by the Tweed Valley Australia Club that they would not be doing the exchange this year.They cited the high cost of Air Fare as the main reason along with a very unfavorable exchange rate. We conveyed our disappointment but could well understand the reasons, and hoped that it might befeasible in the future.Gene Burke ED
Outbound
Austin, TX – April 2-7
No report submitted.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada – Bus Tour August 7-12 & Homestay August 12-19
Some of the highlights of our bus tour include riding up the Banff Gondola, cruising on Lake Minnewanka, a guided tour of the Athabasca Glacier aboard the Ice Explorer,and sightseeing in Jasper before traveling to Lake Louise. These are just a few of the wondrous sights that await us.Cost of the bus tour and homestay is $1,560.00 per person excluding air fare. After our bus tour our Calgary hosts will pick us up, and judging from the tentative itinerary they have provided us, we willenjoy anincredible week in Calgary.The cost ofthe homestay only is $321.00 per person excluding air fare.We have a few openings; so, please sign up before weofferthis trip to other Florida clubs.
Linda and Jack Vendeland, EDs, Phone: 941-342-6278 E-Mail:
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Ed. Note: We are well into a new year and as it does every year, the body of our club begins to shift. We gain a few, we lose a few. This is the natural order of an organization. As much as we hate to lose any member, we welcome our newcomers and encourage you to jump in feet first. Say ‘Yes’ when someone calls you - better yet – don’t wait! Call any of the Board members or Exchange directors and offer your help. I promise you will be well received! Keep your eyes open for friends who like to travel and make new friends. Bring them to the February meeting so that they can see what we do and how we always have a great time doing it. Some members, for one reason or another, do not often attend the monthly general meetings. As of this writing, we have 70 households, which include 30 spouses/partners and 40 singles, for a total of 100 individual members. Since our inception in 1989, we have traveled as a club to over 25 foreign countries and hosted many others, both foreign and domestic. Where will we go in the future? Only time will tell, but they will be places as exciting as these and we will meet interesting and fascinating people who are waiting to meet us and make us their new friends.
Minsk, Belarus Exchange: Sunday March 8—Sunday March 15
This schedule for the exchange is going to give you the general information about the week’s activities, and Firm information on our Beginning and Ending events. Hopefully you will make reservations for these two events now so the organizers will have a number to work with.
Sunday March 8: Home hosts will meet Ambassadors in the early afternoon.
4:30 PMWELCOME PARTY at Whispering Sands Tiki Hut.
BBQ Dinner, provided by Gold Rush BBQ
Cost $10 per person. This includes everything.
Bring your folding chairs if you have some. Your swimsuits and towels
if interested in swimming
Gary Kuhns-Chairperson.
Whispering Sands complex is on Siesta Key. Google in
Whispering Sands Dr 34242 for more directions
Mon. March 9:Mote Marine / Ken Thompson Park / Lido beach / St Armand’s /
Tues. March 10:Myakka Park / Evening Dessert Party
Wed. March 11Ringling Museum
Thurs March 12Free day / Dinner parties
Fri. March 13Selby Gardens /La Barge Boat trip
Sat. March 14FAREWELL LUNCHEON Time: 11:30 AM – 2:30
Place: STONEYBROOK COUNTRY CLUB
This will be a buffet luncheon with a soup, salad and sandwich stations. Dessert, beverage, tax and tip included. Price $20 per person. There will also be a cash bar, and of course a Farewell program
Vivian McNamara –Chairperson
8801 Stoneybrook Blvd Sarasota 34238—Again google for directions
Please send in your reservations as soon as possible to Bonnie Frey, treasurer for the exchange. The Deadline is Friday Feb 27
Make your check payable to Bonnie Frey and send to her at 2411 BritanniaRd, Sarasota, 34231. Your check is your reservation.
Welcome $10 ______Farewell $ 20______Total ______
Number of people ______