LA RÉGION DE LA CAPITALE CANADIENNE

Rapport de l’activité de la Journée de l’amitié de
LA RÉGION DE LA CAPITALE CANADIENNE
le dimanche 5 mars 2006

Quelle journée inoubliable!
En ce magnifique jour ensoleillé, 40 joyeux troubadours prennent la route pour se rendre, à l'invitation de Diane et de Joe Roy, à leur domaine de Montebello dans un cadre enchanteur et on ne peut plus hospitalier. Salutations d'usage, heureux de retrouver anciens et nouveaux membres de notre groupe de la Force de l'Amitié, les conversations vont bon train arrosées de bon vin et de bon pain. Ouf! si ce n'était que du pain mais les victuailles de toutes sortes débordent sur les tables. On se régale royalement.

Le grand air creuse l'appétit puisque nous avions l'occasion de faire une randonnée en traîneau en petits groupes durant le repas. Disons que certaines randonnées ont été plus périlleuses que d'autres et que certains ont dû faire de belles pirouettes pour éviter les blessures lorsque le traîneau a fait une embardée à deux reprises. Plus de peur que de mal et un gros fou rire par la suite.

En somme, une journée fort réussie où la chaude amitié était au rendez-vous. Notre reconnaissance et nos sincères remerciements aux hôtes et aux organisateurs de cette merveilleuse journée. Chapeau!

Nicole Dubé

Un poème pour l’occasion par Evelyne Janis :

On fête l'Amitié mondiale chez-nous!

Le ragoût réchauffe , les "bines" aussi,
Les amis arrivent les bras pleins!
Bientôt la belle table est garnie
Chez Diane et Joe, on se sent bien!

Les amuse-gueules pour commencer-
Un verre de vin, ça jase fort!
De nouveaux amis à rencontrer
Avant de faire un tour dehors.

Bientôt on apperçoit dans la montée,
Deux beaux percherons tirant l'traîneau-
Tour à tour, on va se promener
Dans les 'pays d'en haut' !

La bonne bouffe au retour,
La bonne chanson au piano-
Qu'il fait bon chez les Roy-
On y retourne bientôt?

Un grand merci à Diane et Joe Roy pour leur chaleureux accueil à l'occasion de la Journée de l'amitié mondiale de la Force de l'amitié.
(de Éveline- aux noms des convives! )

The Friendship Force of Quad City, Iowa USA

Our glitzy evening began as colorful hand held, feather plumed masks, bright metallic fringed horns and other Mardi gras surprises greeted members, former members and guests upon arriving at Lavender Crest Winery, Colona, Iillinois, USA on Fat Tuesday, February 28, to celebrate our Quad City club's 25 years of being an active part of the world's largest cultural exchange program, Friendship Force International, and simultaneously joining all 366 clubs in 57 countries in celebrating World Friendship Day.

After signing in with Marilou Simpson, Mildred Hillard and Verla Wulf, guests enjoyed fortunes whispered by fortune teller, Laura Brown, moved on to have Arlene Vincent apply bright temporary hand-or-face Mardi gras tattoos, lined up to try their hand at the Where-in-the-World action game run by Gail Van Gundy (assisted by Shellie Mortensen) and smiled at the photo-op where they added their heads atop a colorful jolly jester cardboard cutout, artfully created by Theresa and Jim Stelk. Mid evening, everyone paused to Create-Your-Own-Meal at sumptuous buffet tables surrounded by tables of eight that had centerpieces of lighted candles in wine bottles on bright Mardi gras tablecloths.

In between the main course and dessert, a jubilant King Neptune, (aka club president, Don Simpson,) resplendent in crimson robe and jeweled crown, entered the front door and showered each table with lucky beads, coins, bright metallic streamers, candy, bracelets and good wishes for the coming year.

After everyone received these "gifts," the lights in the room were darkened as a surprise birthday/anniversary/Mardi gras cake, topped with sparkling candles and surrounded with glowing miniature lights, was wheeled in amid ohs and ahs from guests. The traditional good luck baby trinket was hidden within the cake to surprise one lucky guest, who turned out to be Bill Kimler -- and according to legend, he should enjoy immense good luck in the coming year! Club fouders, Mary Jeanne and Joe Blough, were then asked to ceremoniously cut the first pieces of cake as we fondly looked back over the past 25 years.

After announcements, the group sang, 'Let There be Peace on Earth,' and for a fnal surprise, as everyone was leaving, they were presented with their 'jester' photo that Jim Stelk had transferred to a postcard as a unique and lasting memento of the evening's celebration.

Soon to follow, and over time, photos that Harry Frick took will be published here.

Co-chairmen were Ramona Zude and Theresa Stelk.

The Friendship Force of Sarasota, Florida, USA

International friendship celebrated on Siesta Key
BY MEGAN MCHUGH
The Sarasota chapter of Friendship Force International celebrated International Friendship Day on Thursday on Siesta Key, with a potluck featuring dishes from Korea, Ireland, Italy and elsewhere.Group members dressed in clothing traditional to such countries as Indonesia, Australia and Japan while sharing anecdotes from their world travels.Travel logs decorated the walls, articulating experiences in words and photos.The organization, a nonprofit group founded by Jimmy Carter and dedicated to world peace, primarily focuses on international exchanges in which participants offer up their homes to international tourists and in turn become guests in foreign homes.Chapter president Ramona McGee heralds the group as a "great opportunity to meet people" while learning about new cultures.There are 10 chapters of Friendship Force International in Florida and hundreds throughout the country.Four members of the Dayton, Ohio, chapter were present to celebrate International Friendship Day with their Sarasotan friends

The Friendship Force of Howick, New Zealand

The Howick Friendship Force held a progressive dinner to celebrate World Friendship Day on March 1st. This involved aproximately 35 members plus three new members attended

The Friendship Force of Marlborough, New Zealand

The Exchange Director for Western Colorado JoAnn Roemar and her 21 ambassadors were delighted to be welcomed to The Friendship Force Club of Marlborough at the Garden Party in the Woodend Gardens on Tuesday 7th. March, It was our choice to celebrate World Friendship Day at this time. Also we welcomed our World President George Brown who just dropped in for this occasion to deliver his 1st of March Friendship Force Day message New Zealand style. George's comments to the 45 club members and 22 ambassadors was very well received even though his surprise visit almost blew JoAnn's socks off.

Good food and good weather ment it was a very pleasant and happy occasion.

The Friendship Force of Central Coast, Australia

FOUR GENERATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL FAMILIES INSPIRE CENTRAL COAST AUSTRALIA CLUB ON WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY

USA Friendship Force members, Blake & Helen Bidwell, just happened to be visiting Bev and Ted Watson,(their Australian ambassadors from the Central Coast's 2001 Exchange to Madison Connecticut) on World Friendship Day. Bev, helping to organise our local function gave them no option but to attend and share with our club members their very special Friendship Force story!

Blake’s mother had hosted two ladies from Hanover on the third ever Friendship Force exchange in 1978, when whole planes were chartered to bring groups to and from the USA. As happens in most homestays firm friendships were formed, continuing over many years and resulting in the next generation friendship between Blake & Helen & their German counterparts, Elke & Gunter. Their son Crawford had a long homestay with Elke & Gunter and son Axel in Hanover where next generation friendships were forged between Axel & Crawford. Lynnea, Helen & Blake’s daughter, loved to entertain and joined a singing group which toured Europe. Axel was very taken with Lynnea and as well as going to many of their performances in Europe followed her to Connecticut for a holiday and yes, this led to a marriage uniting of two families.

And now? Will little Kurt & his soon to arrive Baby brother or sister continue this lovely story – with Grandfather Blake & Grandmother Helen around to inspire we are sure they will!!!

After Blake & Helen finished their moving story this prompted the 2001 Central Coast ambassadors to share wonderful memories of our Connecticut exchange, and then the floodgates opened to other memories as long time members were able to tell us that our club had come a full circle – back into the very living room in our first President’s home where our club on the Central Coast of Australia was born 20 years ago.

This function was being held in the home of our club’s first President Helene Turier and her husband Peter. A problem which many of our members had considered a real setback – the loss of the community hall, where we have met for many years and the lack of finding another suitable venue for our meetings, – had forced us back into members home once again. Yes it was a tight squeeze for our 50 members present, as after our sumptuous BYO spread we sat wherever we could find space in the upstairs living room, but the intimate conditions proved advantageous with easier conversation and lots of reminiscing.

Following last years very successful Silent Auction we then proceeded to hear of the successful bidders on the great variety of items we had placed in one of the downstairs bedrooms and members had been visiting to make bids earlier in the evening.

Probably the most novel item up for auction was the services of a Scottish bagpipe player “Tom the Piper” who performs professionally at birthdays, weddings and other occasions. When not in his tartan kilt, sporran, etc., members would know him as Tom Chaplin, husband of Hazel, both having only recently joined our club and now looking forward to hosting ambassadors from Tottori in May.

Other innovate auction items were a delicious home made cream filled sponge, a candlelit dinner for two including fine wines, wine waiter & top chef, a cruise for four on beautiful Lake Macquarie (President Warren is Captain & Secretary Joy is the skipper & galley slave) to name a few auction items.

The $600 raised will be forwarded to FFI to assist with the Expansion Program, which ultimately benefits every member of FF.

Thanks to our first President Helene and husband Peter for opening their home and for providing a spectacular view of McMasters Beach despite the weather on the day. The Turiers are perfect hosts and were delighted that it was an easy way to have all their friends visit without making too much work for them, as members helped with preparation & clean up.. The Board hopes that many future events can be held in member’s homes as it provides a warmer, more personal atmosphere than hired halls.

Bev Watson

The Friendship Force of Western Tokyo, Japan

On February 11th our club held a mini bazaar in aid of FFI after our Annual Meeting in honor of World Friendship Day 2006.

Some of our members made beautiful hand crafts ,knitted goods and stichworks. Some people baked delicious cakes and cockies. All the goods sold very well. The most popular thing in our fair was a box of green vegetables. These vegetables will come from Kenji and Tsuguyo yard in April.

All of us enjoyed the fair very much and we became more friendly through the fair.

Sincerely yours,

Yukiko Takagaki

The Friendship Force of Seoul, Korea

The Friendship Force of Seoul celebrated the 2006 World Friendship Day at noon on March 1 at a Chinese restaurant south of Seoul. About 20 members gathered to observe the second WFD, pledging their continued commitment to the noble cause of The Friendship Force.

The ceremony was followed by a Chinese luncheon, in which those attending toasted to world peace as well as club vice president Kun-Koo Lee, who came to an official club function for the first time after his succcessful stomach cancer surgery.

Following the lunch, the meeting proceeded to another club function, the March board meeting, and then to a meeting to discuss the club's 2006 outbound exchange with Izmir, Turkey.

In friendship,
K.C. Hwang

The Friendship Force of St. Petersburg, Russia

On March 1st the Friendship Force of St. Petersburg, Russian will celebrate World Friendship Day at Smolny Cathedral, one of the biggest and most beautiful cathedrals in St.Petersburg. It was built in the 18th century and is located in Rastrelli square, which attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world who are interested in Russian History and Culture. The Cathedral has a wonderful choir known in many countries.

This day we will tell the citizens of St.Petersburg that 2006 is an important year for our Club- we will celebrate the 15th anniversary, we will remember the contribution of Dr.Wayne Smith in the creation of Russian Friendship Force Clubs, we will shake our hands to say in unison: * A World of Friends is a World of peace*.

We have invited students and teachers, doctors and nurses, lawyers and retired people. We distributed 1000 tickets for WFD. We arranged a great exhibition: * The Friendship Force of St. Petersburg: distance for teenager* In the photos everyone can see the true friendship among the people of different cultures, ages, religion and views. 100 big colour pictures show our friends all over the world.

The concert by the Smolny choir will wrap up our celebration. The participants of WFD will listen to the music of the famous Russian and foreign composers.

The Friendship Force of Recife, Brazil

Recife is the city of the Multicultural Carnival . Here we got place for frevo, the beauty of the maracatu, the joy of the Caboclinhos, the energy of the samba, the irreverence of the manguebeat. There is happiness everywhere and for all ages. Our carnival is marked by the diversity that begins in the Saturday with the parade of the Galo da Madrugada ( the biggest carnival group/party of the world – from the Guiness Book ) and finishes in the Wednesday of ashes with the Bacalhau do Batata and others more. It is the epoch that we can easily find kings, queens, fairies, elves, orks, other stories figures, nuns, priests, demons, super heroes and who else more want be represented dancing in the streets. Brincantes are transformed and live their fantasies in days of glory here. In Recife, land of the Frevo and of the Maracatu, there’s no other way to celebrate the World Friendship Day without a lot of frevo, and that’s why we decided to put our Block party on the street, with the Wolrd Friendship Day banner, a lot of colorful t-shirts, and partners united in dancing the frevo without stop, divulging the institution, and inviting more friends to be part of our Block. We record some moments that we want to share with you, so like this you can check the joy of our Club, and see the best carnival of the world.

PLEASE LOOK AT OUR PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT HERE!

In friendship,

Edna Pimentel

The Friendship Force of Nepal

Hi, this message is send to you from world top highest Mount Everest and birth peace of peace god lord Buddha's Nepal. We are very pleasing to share World friendship Day on 1 march 2006 .

First of all president of the friendship force of Nepal advocate Mr. Shiva Shrestha welcomed all the new and old 22 members. During his welcomed speech, he highlighted to need of friendship force for the solidarity, peace and development individual as well as nation. At the same time secretary general of friendship force of Nepal Mr. Himmat Singh "Lekali" start the introduction to each new and old member and highlighted the objective and vision of FFI. The interaction gathering was very innovative and interesting in different prospective.

On the other hand create "PEACE INITIATION OPPORTUNITY FUND" also generate by the members. This brought a lot of alternative for sustainability of peace and solidarity through friendship force movement. At the end of assembly Secretary General Mr. Himmat Singh "Lekali" give a lot of thanks to the all respective representative members for giving their valuable time for World Friendship Force Day and taking part in dinner party.

Finally whole day is very memorable and successful event for us and salute for all over the world friendship force international members for joining World Friendship Force Day from Nepali friends.


Yours Sincerely


Himmat Singh "Lekali"
Secretary General
The Friendship Force of Nepal

The Friendship Force of Yamaguchi

The Friendship Force of Yamaguchi of Japan celebrated WORLD FRIENDSHIP DAY 2006 as you can see the picture!













On the same day we had a matching meeting. Our club is eager to welcome 21 ambassadors from North Carolina, USA in May. Since one of our members made a cake for each of us, we enjoyed having it with some drinks and talking about "A World Peace," which we would like to seek for it forever!

The Friendship Force of St. Louis

The St. Louis, MO Club celebrated World Friendship Day on February 27 with a potluck dinner, celebrating the birthday of Friendship Force International, welcoming the new club in Slovenia, and retelling stories from the many exchanges experienced by our club in our 27 years of existence. 66 members and guests gathered for dinner around eight tables decorated to represent ten of the countries which we have visited or hosted. Many experiences were shared during dinner at each table, and each table shared one story with the whole group for the program as the microphone was passed from table to table. It was a wonderful affirmation of the good times and multi-cultural experiences we have had. Besides the fun of remembering events of the past , it was a great introduction for our newest members and guests to the happy memories and lasting world friendships made during our Friendship Force exchanges.


Happy Birthday Friendship Force International, World Friendship Day Pot Luck, 2006














Events chairmen Emmett and Martha Kaelble (r), Mary Widmer, Pres., and Roy Ferro welcome guests

T












Closing with "Let There Be Peace On Earth" around the 8 tables, each decorated for a different country