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Upcoming Events
2 October 2010
Oktoberfest
at the home of
George and Judy Waegell
7700 Eagles Nest Rd.,
Sacramento
15-17 October 2010
FF International Conference
Washington, D.C.
October 15,16,17, 2010
It's sure to be an incredible event with high profile speakers, enlightening workshops, a splendid gala banquet, and
opportunities to enjoy time with global friends - old and new. Visit the conference homepage at http://www.regonline.com/2010_world_conference for event details and to register for the conference online. Don't forget to check out our incentives and top ten reasons to book your stay at the conference hotel!
Please Note: Spaces on the optional four-day post-conference homestay are going fast, so register soon!
Recent Events
Mystery Trip
The Mystery Trip was fabulous. 47 of us enjoyed refreshments and appetizers at Ken and Linda Mellor’s
and walked over to the bus to head toour destination. A crossword puzzle helped us discover our destination, the Ryde Hotel
on the Delta, near Walnut Grove. We had assigned tables and got to know members of our club that we might not have known before.
We learned about the “para residents” at the hotel by the hostess of the Ryde. This means they have
ghosts still in the hotel! All friendlyones.
We also learned that most of those in attendance love the Mystery Trip
Pau Exchange
May 2010
Sacramento FF had a wonderful exchange to Pau in southernmost France, near the Pyrennees and not far from the
Spanish border. There were 25 ambassadors and we were all matched up to FF hosts in Pau and the surrounding communities. Due
to bad weather, our day to go to the Pyrennees was cancelled and alternative plans were made. We visited the castle in Pau
plus many other local sights including centuries old churches and buildings, the farmers’ market, and the region. We
were entertained with songs and dances from the Bearnaise region, watched Jai Alai and other sporting games, and on our free
days we had various experiences with our hosts. We even got to Spain, briefly, when we took a boat across a harbor to a small
village. Many of the Pyrenees men wear berets and Tom Flynn got one from that region. Warm neck scarfs were usually wornoutside,
and we wore them too because of the cold weather.
We were served many varieties of foods, from paella (a Spanish dish) to various forms of duck, pork and chicken,
and many kinds of cheeses. The desserts and baked goods were delicious, and mealtimes were an event which often took more
than an hour or two. Since Europeans like to sing, sometimes they broke into song, often led by their members, Francis Gentillet
(a real livewire) and his wife, Michele, hosts of the Phelans. George, Lynn, Audrey, and Marty were able to communicate in
French.
Our hosts were active and fun and many spoke English which they rated on their host forms as 1/5 to 5/5(fluent).
Most hosts’ homes were two-story, many with beautiful gardens and patios. Our hosts welcomed us warmly and we have invited
them to visit us in 2013, the first year they have available.
World Friendship Day
7 March 2010
This
year’s celebration was our club’s fourth annual World Friendship Day event.
It was our biggest and best event ever for various reasons highlighted below.
This year’s theme was that suggested by the Friendship Force International office, “Friendship on Six Continents.” Here are the highlights:
• The largest attendance ever at any event held by our club –
more than 350 attended.
• The most cookies ever made and donated for any one event by our own members -
over 2,000 cookies
along with mega amounts of cheese and fruit.
• The
most new members joining at any one function -
11 new members that day.
Several more are planning to attend our "Orientation" day in anticipation
of also joining.
• The
largest and most culturally diverse entertainment venue ever: the Russian Character Ballet, the Irish American Ceili Dancers, the African American Praise Dancers,
the Elements Hmong Dancers,
the Rincones de mi Tierra Mexican Dancers, the Kennelly School of Irish Dancers and
the Contemporary
Dance of India.
• The
most extensive publicity ever arranged for any event.
• The
most photographed event in club history.
• The
first time six other Friendship Force clubs have participated.
Those clubs included members
from: Reno/Tahoe,
San Francisco Bay Area, Kern County/Bakersfield, So. Oregon, San Diego, Los Angeles and Napa/Sonoma.
• The
first time we have home hosted our out-of-town Friendship Force members.
• The
first “after the party informational" dinner held at a member's home for our out-of-town
Friendship Force members including our board, committee
members and past presidents.
Yes,
we broke records, but most of all we can be so proud of our members that helped make this an unforgettable event. From bringing a plate of cookies - to helping tear off tape and anchoring posters to the walls - those
were all acts of friendship that created this special day.
A HUGE "THANK YOU" - to each and every member that helped make this day a success!
Your friendship DID "make a difference".
Glendena & Madelene - Chairs for 2010 World Friendship Day
Oktoberfest 2009
If you weren't one of the fortunate members attending our annual Oktoberfestthis
year - YOU MISSED a great gathering of 66 members and
friends!
Of course, at Jim and Karalee Heilman's
garden setting, we had the perfect venue, with soothing
sounds of running water over their rock waterfall amidst a backdrop of tall pines and sculpted greenery
and German polka music in the air. A major collection of German steins, filled with
floral arrangements including colorful fragrant roses, were instantly enjoyed as we entered the rear garden
area. Thanks to Mimi Mattock for creating and providing one of these floral/stein centerpieces at each table as well as the
serving area.
... and THEN there was the food! A tip of the chef's hat to Bob Ghiglieri,
Jim Heilman & Tom Snook for their expertise in grilling!
We heard nothing but RAVES about the best sausages, the best homemade German potato salad, the best cabbage
- and oh that hot apple pie!! There were many going back for seconds! - how could one resist!!
An added bonus and a great surprise to all were the four house guests of Carol Ward. They were her Friendship Force host-friends from Japan. The surprise treat was a Japanese dance they
performed for us in the evening. They were truly the epitome of grace and beauty
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