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by Ray Enstam, Exchange Director
Friendship
Force of Dallas has just finished its only international inbound
exchange for the year 2003. Twelve
guests from the La Libertad Club in Trujillo, Peru arrived on October 15
and were greeted at the airport by their hosts.
The week of events were kicked off with a Welcome Party on
Thursday, October 16 at the home of club president Jim Bourn, who had
this one opportunity to meet the guests before he departed for Budapest,
Hungary for the International Conference.
 The next day Friday we took a walking tour of downtown Dallas.
We were blessed with one of the really great days of Dallas’
best October weather and saw may sights including a lunch at On The
Border in the West End.
Special thanks go the Allen and Pam Terrell who
met us with a buffet of refreshments in the Pioneer Park.
On
Saturday and Sunday were the small group in home dinners, followed by
Monday in the Arboretum and more fine weather.
We ended the touring on Tuesday with the traditional Fort Worth
Day at the Sid Richardson Museum of Western Art and then to  the
Stockyards, for lunch after viewing and photographing the cattle drive.
In between the events we all had free time to get to know our
guests, and, as usual, the guests enjoyed very much the Dallas
“shopping.” I believe
“shopping” has now become an international word!
 We
closed the week with a wonderful Farewell Party at the home of Darwin
and Myra Smith, which is always a special place for such events.
Paula Rose arranged for two friends who are professional
musicians of Latin American music to appear without charge, as well as
hosting a night of Salsa music at Monica’s Aca y Alla.
 Exchange
directors Florina Ferrara and Ray Enstam exchanged gifts at the farewell
party and marinera dancers Juana de Morales and Luz Manrique entertained
us. The Peruvian group also sang some songs for us. The Smiths provided
pumpkins for carving.
 Early
on the morning of October 23 the hosts brought their guests to the
Greyhound Station in downtown Dallas for the trip to Austin, and we all
returned to the station early on Friday, October 31 to meet the guests
on their return from Austin to transport them to the DFW airport for
their return home.
I
want to thank all those who participated as home hosts, day hosts, party
hosts and committee members. I
give special thanks to the committee members Paula Rose, home hosting;
Lee Latham, day hosting; Pam Varney, welcome package; Ana Marie Lee,
exchange treasurer; Mary Helen Lyons, small group dinners; Mary
Williams, publications; and Myrna Ridings, publicity.
I also want to give special thanks to Jim Bourn for hosting the
Welcome Party and to Darwin and Myra Smith for hosting the Farewell
dinner.
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Date/Time:
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Sunday
February 8
at 5:00 PM
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Place:
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Two
Guys from Italy Restaurant - 11637 Webb Chapel Road,
1/2
block south of Beltline on Webb Chapel.
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Program:
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Discussion of upcoming
exchanges; Southwest Conference Report
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Dinner:
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Choice
of lasagna, Italian mixed vegetables or canneloni
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Cost:
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$14.00
- including gratuity. Alcoholic drinks are available
- cash bar. Pay upon leaving.
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| Reserve: |
Please
reserve with your menu choice by Feb 6 to Paula Rose: paularose2000@hotmail.com |
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November
Meeting
 Ed
Edgren gave the 55 attendees of our last meeting a look at Romania. He
spent the past month there as a consultant and as a traveler. This was
his second trip, and this time Marge also got to enjoy the lovely
medieval towns and beautiful countryside. Ed showed a video he made and
gave us insights into the problems Romania faces today. They visited a
school for the blind there, rescued two computers that had been sent
over but were stuck in customs, and made arrangements to send more.
Thanks, Ed, for sharing this journey with us. Be sure to read Ed’s
articles on our webpage under Articles.
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The
Board
Ana
Marie Lee reminds us that all members making purchases for the club can
save the club from paying state sales tax by using our tax exempt
number. Purchases includes supplies, restaurant meals, printing, etc.
You can get our number from the treasurer or exchange treasurer.
Not having to pay sales tax represents a big savings to the club.
Thanks!
Susan Cooper was elected 1st VP, Paula Harkey Inter-Club Exchange
Director and Marilyn McRae Scrapbook Chair by the Board.
The
Board decided on sending a $25 contribution to a charity in the event of
a member’s death. Mary-Helen has presented plants to members who have
lost someone recently.
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Board
Meetings
The
Board meets the third Monday of each month (with exceptions during
exchanges) from 7-9 pm at
the Richardson YMCA, 821 Custer Road in Richardson. These meetings are
open to anyone who wishes to attend. The next meeting will be December
15.
UPDATE:
January Board Meeting will be on January 27 (this is a change).
If
you are a Board member or Committee chair, please plan to attend. This
is where we conduct the business of the club; you are needed so we have
a quorum and your input.
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NEWSLETTER
Thanks
to all contributors to this issue. Send all future information about
club news and members to Nancy Monson at njm@airmail.net.
Deadline for next newsletter is January 21, 2004.
LETTER
FROM MARY
Dear Dallas Friendship Force newsletter readers:
This is my last newsletter. It’s been fun, it’s
been wonderful getting to know so many members and guests better, and it
has taught me a lot. But
seven years is enough time for one person to be in a position. I
gratefully turn over the newsletter to Nancy Monson, who will do a
wonderful job. Please send
all your newsletter items to her at njm@airmail.net.
I told her how great everyone is on sending in things ON TIME, so
don’t let me down! I will continue to keep up our webpage.
Mary
Williams
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Exchange
Directors
Mick
Smith has been appointed Exchange Director for the outbound exchange to
South Flanders, Belgium and Kiel, Germany in June. Please give him your
ideas for a third-week tour. Be ready to sign up shortly after the first
of the year for this exciting destination.
Nancy Monson will be the ED for the incoming Asheville exchange
in April. Nancy, Paula Harkey, Jim Bourn and Nancy Hicks are already
working on plans for the exchange in spring. Please volunteer to be an
ED for one of our other incoming groups: an inbound from Cleveland
County, England in September and possibly another inbound inter-club
exchange from Lake Hartwell - date not determined. We may have an outbound
inter-club exchange to Denver in addition to our outbound to
Belgium/Germany. Contact
Ray Enstam to volunteer at enstam@sbcglobal.net.
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Speakers
on Friendship Force
Clubs
are planning for next year. If you belong to an organization that would
like a free speaker for a meeting, please contact Jim Bourn. Several of
our members have given presentations on Friendship Force to other
organizations, and we are pleased to have many visitors and new members
as a result. Help us spread the word!
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Jim’s
Jewels
 I
made it back from Budapest and have finally gone through the 900 or so
e-mails. Everyone had a great time in the Pearl of Eastern
Europe.
 The
city is undergoing a radical facelift. Every day there is another
cleanup of an old building to show off the beautiful moldings and
sconces. The common market wants the improvement, and the dividends will
be wonderful for the city. Under the old paint, they are finding
long-lost frescos.
 The
city has beautiful parks and plazas. The largest statue is the
Vorosmarty in honor of the person who wrote the national anthem and a
great poet. The schools have a big contest each year for the student to
recite his poetry. This is a relative of our own Dr. Ava Vorosmarty Rowe
(shown below with another statue).
 The
international meeting was a big success with over 350 attending (81 from
the U.S). Susie Smith, the President of FFI, was warm, friendly,
and listened attentively to
many suggestions as well as gave “atta boys.” It was good the see
old friends and enjoy the meetings, banquet and dinner cruise. After the
conference, five buses left for homestays or tours of Hungary. (Jim at
right, with our trophy from last year, and Susie Smith)
 The
Board of Directors, as you know, was
introduced . I was very proud to see Mac Mackenzie among the
leaders.
Speaking
of Boards, our own met this week. Mick
Smith was selected as the Exchange Director for our outbound trip in
June to Flanders, Belgium and Kiel, Germany. Final plans have not yet
been made for a possible third week to a nearby region, such as Paris or
Denmark, so call Mick if you are interested and put in your preferences.
Some members from Fort Worth also want to join us.
The Dallas Board meetings are open to all
members. I hope all the outgoing and incoming officers and
committee can be there next month to start the new slate off on a
good course. The meeting will be on Monday 15 December at 7 PM. We still
need a Vice President in charge of programs. If you can volunteer to do
this, you will be greatly appreciated. Lilliana Hollister said she would
arrange the food for next year. I will bring the drinks if needed. But
we still need help for hospitality and for planning speakers. If
enough people volunteer, no one has to work on more than three
meeting a year. We already have some months accounted for with several
inbound and outbound exchanges.
Now is the time to contact me if you have
suggestions for places or events that
you are interested in exploring more at a meeting. Please call me if you
can help on any committee, including phone, yearbook, hospitality,
mailings, or exchanges. This club runs on your volunteer help!
Don’t
miss the Christmas party Thursday Dec 4th at SMU in Plano off Legacy
Drive. A wonderful choral group will entertain before the catered
dinner. Again I want to thank everyone for helping and making this a
great year. I am looking forward to traveling with many of with you
next year. Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year.
Jim
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Member
News
We
lost Lee Schomer to cancer on October 11. We are sorry to lose this
bright, positive, willing worker who jumped right into Friendship Force
activities when he and Lou joined just two years ago. Those who knew Lee
knew him to be patient (while we kept changing our minds on gifts for
the 2002 Conference!), full of ideas, a willing trainer for newcomers to
Friendship Force and a congenial host. He will be greatly missed by us
all.
From
Jackie and Jerry Bluhm:
We would
like to thank the Friendship Force for remembering us during this
terribly sad time. Thank you for the lovely yellow begonias.
I will plant them in my garden in memory of my nephew Gregory. A special
thank you to Mary Helen for bringing them to us, and to all the members
who sent sympathy cards. It was so kind of thoughtful of everyone
in the Friendship Force.
Thank
you all again.
Jerry
and Jackie
Madolyn
Stewart was called away to Florida for her
niece’s open-heart surgery. She will stay at Madeira Beach,
where she has a house.
Ann Kisner is home and is doing well.
Mary
Williams is working furiously on the annual fund-raiser for Dallas
Chamber Orchestra. It will be on Friday evening December 12 at Episcopal
Church of the Transfiguration (Hillcrest/Spring Valley). There will be a
silent auction and dinner (for $15) followed by a concert featuring the
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Handel’s Harp Concerto, plus other
favorites. (Concert prices are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors.) Don’t
miss this great evening out! We can put a group together at tables of 8,
so call Mary ASAP if you want to attend. (See details on another webpage
she does: www.dallaschamberorchestra.org.
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Southwest
Regional Conference
Austin
will host the Southwest Regional Conference on
January 23 and 24. It will be held at the Drury Inn and Suites at
I-35 East and 290. It is a good location and easy to find.
Conference Director Gerhild
Rogers and her committee are busy planning and will send us registration
forms shortly. You will be able to get one on our webpage when they are
here. They look forward to welcoming old friends to Austin and getting
to know new ones and invite us to Austin to participate in the larger
organization - Friendship Force.
UPDATE:
Find more information and a registration form by clicking here: SWConf
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International
Conference 2004
The next International Conference of Friendship Force
International will be in Nov. 4-8, 2004 in Los Angeles.
Other
Exchanges
To join another club’s exchange, contact the Exchange Director (ED)
from that club as soon as possible.
See a partial list of trips on Exchanges
and a complete list of exchanges and more details on national trips on the
FFI webpage: www.friendshipforce.org.
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Travelers
There
are tourists and there are travelers. Tourists “tour” to see and
learn about other cultures and enjoy what a particular place has to
offer. Travelers “interact” with that place. While a traveler is in
that place, it is home. I am a traveler. I have hundreds of homes and
thousands of people who have enriched my life both in a work environment
and a personal one. Once you become a traveler, you can never be a
tourist.
Paul
Acosta, Bronx, NY
From
American Way magazine
Sent
by Shaaron Salyer
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DONATIONS
NEEDED FOR CALIFORNIA FOREST FIRE VICTIMS
Your
assistance is requested for Indian reservation dwellers who lost
everything in the recent California fires—they need clothes, food,
money, and temporary shelters. Contact Margie at warmvalley@webtv.net.
(from
DFWInternational webpage)
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Staying
in Touch
Friendship
Force International (FFI) is
located at 34 Peachtree Street, Suite 900, Atlanta GA 30303. Tel: 404-522-9490
or 9490; e-mail: ffi@friendshipforce.org.
Debbie Powell is
our FFI Program Service Coordinator in Atlanta. Check the webpage for Friendship Force
International:
http://www.friendshipforce.org
Find the
Dallas Club at 972-713-4898,
fax: 972-713-4898
e-mail: friendshipdallas@yahoo.com
Also
see the webpage of Dallas International for a listing of Dallas
international community events:
www.dfwinternational.com
Friendship Force: a cultural
exchange group that promotes peace and friendship
in the world through homestays.
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