ASCI Newsletter July 2018

Transcription

1 BOARD MEMBERS President Karon Korp Vice President Secretary Alice Keller Treasurer Jackie Craig Past President Andrew Craig Membership Bunny Cabaniss Social Chair Jacquie Nightingale Special Projects Gwen Hughes, Ken Richards Search Russ Martin Newsletter Jerry Plotkin Publicity / Public Relations Jeremy Carter Fund Development Marjorie McGuirk Giving Society Gwen Hughes George Keller Vladikavkaz, Russia Constance Richards San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico Lori Davis Saumur, France Jessica Coffield Karpenissi, Greece Andrew Craig Valladolid, Mexico Janell Cooper Osogbo, Nigeria Sandra Frempong Katie Ryan Dunkeld-Birnam Rick Lutovsky, Doug Orr Honorary Chairman Mayor Esther Manheimer ASCI Newsletter July 2018 Promoting International Partnerships Our Greek guests! Follow ASCI activities on the web! Like us on Facebook keep up with ASCI news. Mission Statement: Asheville Sister Cities, Inc. promotes peace, understanding, cooperation and sustainable partnerships through formalized agreements between International cities and the City of Asheville, North Carolina. Website:

2 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 2 Message from the President by Karon Korp Changing the World The memory is still fresh in my mind. Looking down into smiling faces, eyes wet with tears of joy, proud parents and families looking on This was in Mexico in January. Two teams from ASCI went to San Cristobal de las Casas, and Valladolid, and PHYSICALLY put children and disabled adults into new wheelchairs, and delivered wheelchairs to hospitals, and delivered wheelchairs to community health centers.and changed so many lives in remarkable ways. How DO we change the world? There was no question in my mind the people we helped in our Mexican sister cities had THEIR world changed, and the project changed us too. In April we hosted an eleven-person delegation from Osogbo, Nigeria with guest of honor, the Deputy Governor Grace Titlayo Timori. Many had never traveled outside of Nigeria before. The amazing interactions, community events and partner meetings inspired ALL of us, and I know this group went home changed. Again, those of us who participated were changed too. Last month we welcomed a delegation from Karpenissi, Greece. Several were college students, and again, some were traveling to America for the first time. I had the occasion to speak with one of the students in-depth about the way Americans are perceived in other countries by the media, and films, and how that affects the way we are viewed. I assured him spending time in our community would change his opinions, and he would leave with a fresh new understanding of who we, as Americans, are. As the group was leaving, he excitedly ran up to me, embraced me, and said, You were right. YOU WERE RIGHT! So, HOW do we change the world? The way founders of Sister Cities International saw that it could be done. Person to person, one at a time. And ASCI has been carrying this torch for almost 30 years now. Building international friendships. Providing our members a better way to broaden our understanding of the world through deeply personal experiences. We re only half way through the year, and we have many more exciting events and programs coming up. Please, get involved. Check the ongoing calendar. Participate. Share ASCI with your friends. Help support our organization so we can continue this amazing work. How do we change the world? It begins with you ASCI Board Member bio: Andrew Craig Andrew, formerly in higher education administration, holds a PhD. He is the husband of Jackie Craig, the Treasurer of ASCI. Andrew is the Interim Chair of the ASCI Karpenissi Committee and was the immediate Past President of ASCI. Craig and Jackie are co-owners of Appalachian Crafts, Inc., and Appalachian Crafts Too at the Renaissance Asheville Hotel, Asheville businesses specializing in local artisan work.

3 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 3 KARPENISSI DELEGATION activities by Andrew Craig The Karpenissi Committee was full on in planning for our delegation visit from Karpenissi, June Five students and three chaperones came to visit. SOME of our plans included a reception at Twisted Laurel restaurant, corner of College and Spruce Streets on June 9 th. We invited the mayor and city council and anyone interested and had a very cordial signing. The Karpenissi delegation with Mayor Manheimer during the reaffirmation ceremony. The group toured UNCA, landscaping businesses, the Biltmore Estate, and took a motor tour of the Parkway, including the Cradle of Forestry. They also toured our Chamber and CVB in hopes of inspiring a visitors center in Karpenissi. Our farewell event was held at Highland Brewing Company on June 13 th. Here we presented our guests with gifts native to our region, thanked them for coming, and wished them a fond farewell. Enjoying Greek fare in Asheville! Needless to say, we looked forward to the delegation s arrival and are sure that their experiences here were something to remember.

4 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 4 Osogbo delegation recap The April visit from our Osogbo delegation was a smashing success! THANK YOU TO OUR DELEGATES Otunba Grace Titilayo Laoye-Tomori, Deputy Governor, Osun State Dr. Oluseyi Olaboyede Atanda, Chairman, OASCA Dr. Gbadebo Ismaila Olatona, Secretary, OASCA Ifasola Adekunle Onifade, Financial Officer, OASCA Timothy Olalekan Olaoye, Protocol Officer to Deputy Governor Teniola Taiwo Taiwo, Dr. Toriola Femi-Adebayo, Dr. Olajide Olafimihan Kolawole, Fakunle Onifade Adeyemi, Dr. Adegboye Isaac Isawumi, Falowo Fakayode Ojo IN GRATITUDE TO OUR SPONSORS The Asheville Chapter of the LINKS Alpha Kappa Alpha, Gamma Gamma Omega Chapter 67 Biltmore Booty s Meat Market The Ettison Group The Mediterranean Roman s Deli and Catering. ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES OSOGBO COMMITTEE: Sandra Frempong & Katie Ryan, Co- Chairs; Karon Korp, President, Asheville Sister Cities; Gwen Hughes, Special Projects, ASCI; Valeria Watson & Brit Castaneda; Zamani Refuge African Culture Center; Jay Harris, International Asheville; Brian Johnson; Rainer Doost. Our guests from each of our sister cities have proved charming and very talented. We have always enjoyed sharing their culture through food, through dance, and through song and through conversation.

5 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 5 Sister Cities An ode to Karpenissi and Ashevlle CELEEAH KAI ERENE Friendship and Peace RUMELIE (Ancient name of the region of Greece including Karpenissi) My motherland, old Rumelie, I long for years to see poor Karpenissi how you lulled me, so high above the sea. Great plane trees quench their thirst in cold water fountains Sarakatsana fills her jug and comes down the mountains With crystal whistles disappear into the darkish site blackbirds and shepherd boys with eyes forever being bright. Water buzzes down the cliff; and go up the skies the fir-trees, like Rumelie's soul that always rise! ASHEVILLE Zacharias Popantoniou Land of the sky, Paris of the South, Verdant forests of Firs and Poplars reaching to the heavens. Boasting the footpaths of the ancients, embracing those of time And now welcoming anew, KARPENISSI, LAND OF RUMELIE, Switzerland of Greece Region of Trees of Maple To join the Sisters of cities: Vladikavkaz of the Caucasus St. Cristóbal of Mexico and Valladolid (not to be forgotten, always beloved and remembered, Karasol of the Steppes) Saumur of France Osogbo of Nigeria Welcoming the newest Dunkeld/Birnam of Scotland Even just 100 years ago the first of Karpenissi stirred the Melting pot of Asheville, and the melt merged into new TRADITIONS OF ENTERPRISE AND CULTURE.. And now, through the love of people and love of this Planet, our two great mountain ranges merge Joining hands and hearts across the sea as Mt. Velouchi reaches endearingly toward Mt. Pisgah, embracing their people as one. A Toast to this partnership of Karpenissi and Asheville! Ken Richards

6 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 6 Hola! Asheville a great success! On June 23rd, the San Cristobal and Valladolid committees participated in the Hola Asheville Festival in downtown Asheville by hosting a booth. Not only did we sell goods in our mercado, but we also shared information about our sister cities and the organization as a whole. We had citizens sign up for more information and were very excited to connect with them in the coming months. The two committees will be hosting a World Wide Wednesday event at the Block off Biltmore on September 19th. We ll be hosting Dony Brito May, a Maya poet and 2 Ambar Sculptors at the event. More information on the event to be announced soon. World Wide Wednesday events: JULY 18 Celebrate our French Sister City of Saumur and vegan gastronomy. Join us, an expert sommelier from Metro Wines, and local chefs as we sample prepared dishes and French wine! The event will feature clips from Julia Child's French Chef, and information on the art of food & wine pairing. THE BLOCK off Biltmore (39 S. Market St), 7-9PM. Suggested donation. RSVP to Jessica Coffield (jeallen8(at)gmail.com Future events visit ashevillesistercities.org! AUGUST 15: KARPENISSI, GREECE SEPTEMBER 19: VALLADOLID & SAN CRISTÓBAL, MEXICO OCTOBER 17: DUNKELD-BIRNAM, SCOTLAND

7 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 7 SAUMUR COMMITTEE NEWS In September, we anticipate the arrival of delegation of Saumur guests, including former Mayor Jean-Michel Marchand and a few of his staff. Mayor Marchand s new responsibilities include the organization of equestrian events and activities in Saumur, one of the town s most well-known traditions. His arrival in Asheville coincides with the International Equestrian Games in Tryon this coming September. Saumur is the headquarters of the internationallyrecognized dressage team, Le Cadre Noir. a SPONSORS SpacePlan Juengel Insurance Agency Metro Wines President - Karon Korp Vice President Secretary Alice Keller Treasurer Jackie Craig Past President Andrew Craig Karon(at)ashevillerealtygroup.com gakeller(at)gakeller.com appcraft(at)bellsouth.net kurmugon(at)bellsouth.net Please help us continue our work and consider supporting us now. Your contributions are tax deductible and will help support our projects and programs. As an all-volunteer organization, donations are what make our work possible. Please do consider a gift to ASCI. For information and a membership application, go to:

8 ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES NEWSLETTER JULY 2018 page 8 ASCI CALENDAR OF COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES ASCI Board Meeting 3 rd Thursday of each month 6:00 pm (July only 26 th ) Parks & Rec Admin Bldg, 72 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville Dunkeld-Birnam Committee time and date TBA Rick Lutovsky rlutovsky(at)gmail.com San Cristóbal Committee 2 nd Thursday, 5:30 pm (July only 24 th ) Lori Davis loel.davis(at)gmail.com Saumur Committee 4 th Monday of each month 5:30pm Jessica Coffield jeallen8(at)gmail.com Karpenisi Committee 1 st Monday of the month Andrew Craig kurmugon(at)bellsouth.net Valladolid Committee 4 th Wednesday of the month 6:00pm (July only 12 th ) Janell Cooper janellcooper7(at)gmail.com Osogbo Committee Aug. 13 th, home of Gwen & Carroll Hughes Sandra Frempong sandraf(at)letsexploreafrica.com. Vladikavkaz Committee Time and Date TBA Contact Committee Chair. Constance Richards schtanzi(at)aol.com If you have a particular interest in a committee, please contact the chairperson to confirm time & place. ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES, INC. P. O. Box 2214 Asheville, NC 28802