friendship force florida suncoast
Newsletter - January 2016
Our Website:   www.ff-fs.org
Saturday, January 16, 2016, 2:30 PM, SPC Room ES104
St. Pete College
2465 Drew Street
Clearwater, FL   33765
There will be a demonstration of Japanese flower arranging known as Ikebana for out January meeting topic.  Dr.Ricardo C. Carrasco will present Winter Heralds Spring.
The demonstration will show the way of the flowers, combined with driftwood, haiku showing seasonal designs that celebrate the transition from Winter to Spring guided by the 5th century tradition of ikebana from Banmi Shofu Ryu.  Ricardo Bansho Carrasco- iemoto or headmaster will conduct the demonstration live, assisted by Banmi Shofu sensei:  Greg Banyakuyaku Aldereson, Laurel Banbara Fooks, and Monique Banrenke Noujaim.  
Read about Ikebana.  This information will be be on the FF Suncoast website too.
 
President's Message

Hello all, I wanted to update everyone on what is happening with our Incoming Exchange in March. As you know the Australian group had to cancel due to the exchange rate and the economy. FFI tried to get a Brazilian Club for us, but they weren't able to come.

We decided to accept a Domestic exchange from the Greater Harrisburg, PA Club, for March 13th to March 20th, 2016. Jane Lee volunteered to be the ED and Rita Becchetti will be the Co-ED again. She was the Co-ED for the Australian exchange and already did a lot of the planning along with the Exchange Committee.

We realize the dates have changed from the original exchange, but are hoping that those members who already volunteered, will still be able to volunteer as a Host, whether it is a Home Host, Day Host, Dinner Host, Day Co-ordinator etc. 

We really didn't want to lose this Exchange, especially in light of FFI's recent communications re the lost revenue due to cancelled exchanges. So if you haven't done so before, please be a volunteer. This is a great way to meet other members and enjoy the experience of an Exchange.

We will have sign-up sheets at the January Meeting.

Thank you for all you to do to help our club be a success, we couldn't do it without you.

Best wishes for a Healthy, Happy New Year 2016.

Mair Murphy, President FF Suncoast
The Blanket Drive was a Success!  
Terry and Michael Gourdine (right) with UU Members

THANK YOU to all members who donated a blanket or comforter for a needy family this past holiday season.  Because many of our members are affiliated with the Clearwater Unitarian Universalists, our club opted to help them collect blankets for distribution to migrant families.  In total the UU, with help from our club, collected and distributed over 315 blankets to migrant families in Plant City on December 18, 2015. Special thanks to Ann and Joe Myers who coordinated the Blanket Project for our club and to 10-yr old Michael Gourdine (grandson of Sandy & Terry Gourdine) who collected 71 of the blankets. 
Congratulations and thank you to all for helping to make a Merry Christmas for our less fortunate neighbors who work so hard.
Coatepec Exchange in 2016
October 22 - October 28, 2016 

Visit Magical Mexico in 2016.
This Exchange is out of the gate and promises a great New Year for our club.  It is now being publicized to other Friendship Force clubs in Florida.  Watch for it on the International FF "Travel for Good" bulletin board in January 2016.  We are starting to receive applications from FF members outside of our club.  So come one, come all, climb aboard, get ready to explore the picturesque towns of Colonial Mexico.  Be hosted by one of the most enthusiastic clubs in Friendship Force.  For more information, see the December 2015 newsletter. (this links to the previous newsletter archive).  

Those of you interested in the Coatepec Exchange, please complete the Ambassador form online. 

Please mail application/check to:  
Francine Silberman, 1497 Main St., Suite 313, Dunedin, Fl. 34698
Questions?   Call Francine at (727)215-6388

Activities scheduled through August 2016. 
 
Saturday,  February 20, 2016, 12:30 PM.
Enjoy a Mexican Lunch at Carmelita's Restaurant, 1280 Main St. Clearwater.  Four choices.  Tacos, Enchiladas, Chimichanga, or Del Rey Burrito.  Each served with a choice of beef, chicken, or pork.  Server will take your selection at table.  One side dish.  Flan or Sopapillas for dessert.  Reservations will be taken at the January 16th meeting. 
 
To ensure a reservation, send a check for $17.00 by Saturday February 6, 2016 to:
Catherine Conover
1111 N. Bayshore Blvd. Apt F6
Clearwater, FL 33759
 
Please make your check payable to Friendship Force Florida Suncoast.

Saturday, March 19, 2016, , 2:30 PM. SPC Room ES104*.
Members Bill and Jane Lee will speak about their exchange experience in the Netherlands with the Sarasota Friendship Force.

Reservations will be taken for the Annual Picnic.
Sunday April 3, 2016 1:30 PM
By Popular request, we will return to Shelter 2, Eagle Lake Park, 1800 Keene Road, Largo, Fl 33771

Saturday, May 21 2016, 2:30 PM.  SPC Room ES104*
Come along with Catherine and John Conover as they explore the mysteries of the Highlands and Islands of Catherine's native land, Scotland.

June - August 2016
Small group summer activities.  TBA

*Please note:  The location for our general meetings will be in Room ES104, St. Petersburg College, Clearwater Campus (SPC), 2465 Drew St. Clearwater, FL   33765.


Panama Cruise 
Please take special note of the Panama Cruise- FFI has the ENTIRE SHIP!!  Here is a handout to download.

We also now have a special page on our catalog for FFI Cruise Programs:

Matthew Nidek
Director of Programs and Leadership Initiatives
404.965.4332
Friendship Force 
Mission
To promote global understanding across the barriers that separate people

Values
Mutual Respect, Cultural Diversity, Cultural Exploration, Service
Our Members
Around the World
 
INTERNATIONAL
DINING GROUP

Interested in sampling foods from various cultures?  This is a repost if you missed it the first time.  

Join us for a monthly dining feast.  Our host/s will choose the country/theme and provide the main dish plus if they desire, the recipes for the sides, i.e. appetizer,salad, veggies and dessert.i.e., appetizer, salad, veggies, dessert.

Diners will bring the "sides" and their own beverage.

Let Chris and Rudy Michalek know by phone (727) 462-6742 or via email at [email protected] if you are interested.

We'll toast 2016 with our first dining experience.

If you have any information to share, please email the Newsletter Editor.  Thanks.
Tell Your Friends
Your friends and the public are always welcome at our meetings.  Keep your friends informed about our happenings by forwarding this newsletter to them.  Simply click on the link below. 

Partners in Travel

Consider several exchanges with other FF Clubs.  

Upcoming international
 exchange to Sochi, Russia and Izmir, Turkey April 21 - May 2, 2016.
 More information is on the FF site or here as a printed flyer.

Upcoming domestic exchange to Savannah, GA and Charlston SC from April 19 - May 3, 2016.  Here is the printed flyer.

See more opportunities to travel ioffered by FFI.

Our Board  

Our board is composed of elected officers and chairs of standing committees and directors of active exchanges.  They meet monthly.  Elected Officers through 8/31/16 

 

Mair Murphy

President

 

Catherine Conover

VP/Programs

 

Bill Lee

Treasurer

 

Chris Michalek

Secretary

 

Ed Evan

VP/Membership

 

Sandy Hoover

Past President

Thanks for your Renewals

New member orientation will take place on Sunday, January 10, 2016.  If you would like more information, please contact Membership Chair Ed Evan, 727.398.2700

If you have a new address, phone number or email address, please contact Geri Espy to update the printed directory.  Thanks!