Dear Sister Cities Members and Friends,
Summer is coming to an end, and there are several announcements we want to let you know about.
First of all, HUGE thanks to Bonnie Mumpower Dodson who has sent our SCA notices for some time now. Moreover, she has served as membership chairperson and treasurer. She has been wonderful - and frankly, I was hoping that she would agree to take over as president of SCA - but health concerns have taken their toll, and she has to resign from her duties. This will be the last mail chimp notice she sends out for us. Then, at the end of September, she will give up the membership duties, and at the end of October, she will resign as treasurer.
WE ARE BEREFT! We wish Bonnie, however, healing and rest so that she can again be painfree.
And that means that we need someone or someones to step into her roles. Warning: she has big shoes to fill! Please let us know if you'd be willing to help with one (or more) of her duties.
Because of the Delta variant and the rise in local covid-19 cases, we had to cancel our Photographic Trip to Iceland planned for earlier in August. The photographer is willing to show his photos virtually but says that he prefers not to give a virtual presentation. Would you be interested in seeing his incredible pictures of that land of rugged beauty? If so, please let Kaihan (kdstrain@gmail.com) or me (fraufrizz@aol.com) know so that we can schedule it.
Last week some of the board members met with individuals wanting to explore the possibility of our becoming sister cities with Accra, Ghana and a city (as yet undetermined) in Guatemala. That process would take a minimum of a year, but we are interested in becoming friendship cities, as encouraged by Sister Cities International, for a year to see if there is sufficient interest to pursue the relationships. Would you like to volunteer to serve on a committee to work toward a partnership with one of those cities? If so, please contact Nancy (biblern@epbfi.com) or me (fraufrizz@aol.com). We would love to see our organization become more diverse and think that both of these possibilities have merit; however, we need people to make it happen. We'd love for you to be a part of that!
Catherine Middleton, VP for Hamm, Germany has been working with a representative from a brewing company there interested in a hops exchange and a collaborative new craft brew. Louisa Mesich, along with Manabu Iko, worked to form a partnership between Chattanooga breweries and breweries in Tono, Japan and beyond; that is an ongoing and successful project. Now we think that perhaps we can create a 'hoppy menage-a-trois' among Tono, Hamm, and Chattanooga to share ingredients and create a sister cities beer. We'll keep you updated.
Corona virus notwithstanding, we are engaged in some other activities with our 'sisters:'
** A few SCA members have been keeping in regular touch with WhatsApp Pals in Hamm. Rather than having penpals, these folks have partners in Hamm that they can see and talk with regularly on WhatsApp. Might you be interested in participating? You just need to download the WhatsApp app and let us know that you'd like to participate. We need a few details (your age, gender, phone number, email, preferred gender of contact, interests, hobbies, etc.), then you can be matched.
** Jenny Li, our VP for Wuxi, China has orchestrated several zoom calls on the large screen between several local teenagers and teens in Wuxi. This has been complicated because of the time difference, but Jenny has made it work. Kudos to her!
**Our collaborative Cultural Cross Ties project with Barking Legs Theatre is exciting! Ann Law, Barking Legs artistic director, has matched four Chattanooga and four Israeli artists from Givatayim, and they are working together on zoom to create art. Simultaneously, they are getting to know each other, share their cultures, talk about their joys and concerns, and discuss how they are coping during the pandemic. Their communication is being recorded, and a documentary will be made showcasing the results. Beginning in October the film will be shown perpetually at the CHA Airport and other venues in the area. After that, new artists from the Scenic City and probably Hamm (that is subject to change) will be matched to repeat the process. The plan is to team with a different sister city each year.
Are you interested in hosting our Book and Movie group in September? You get to choose the book or movie and facilitate the discussion. Please let me know (fraufrizz@aol.com). Last month we had about 12 people participate in a potluck dinner and viewing/discussion of the compelling film Just Mercy.
Stay safe, get vaccinated, wear a mask, act locally, and think globally.
Karen Claypool, Your SCA President