Anacortes Sister Cities Minutes

General Meeting – 7-9 p.m., October 7, 2004

Anacortes Library Meeting Room

 

Officers Present:  Duane Clark, President and Mark Lijek, Treasurer

 

OPEN:  Duane opened the meeting at 7:08.  Most of the travelers to Vela Luka just returned this afternoon.  Many of them are recuperating, so are not at the meeting tonight.

 

GUESTS:  Suzanne Harris, Lomonosov Chair, introduced visitor Marina Akhromova, President of the Lomonosov Kalinka.  Nikki Lovric, Croatia Chair, introduced artist Ante Sardelic and Beverly Read, Nikki’s grandmother.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  As Mark was delayed, Cora read Mark’s report.  There is $1,079.38 in the checking account, $983.34 in the scholarship fund, $85 in the Kisakata exchange fund, and $940 in the reserve fund.  There is $2,357.80 in the People-to-People (PTP) Fund checking account and $100.27 in the savings account.  An anonymous $3,000 grant was deposited into the PTP Fund.  This will be an annual grant.  Duane said this grant willgive us a lot of opportunities and is an awesome gift for ASCA.  Pat Paget asked Duane to thank the donor.  Judy Jewell was reimbursed $228.20 for the airfare to attend the Town Crier competition in New Jersey.  The PTP paid $1,028 for airfare for the travel of Marina Akhromova from Lomonosov.  Some of the $1,028 will be offset by fundraising, but the net amount is not known at this time.  (See the Lomonosov Committee Report for the final raffle amount raised.)  The reserve fund set up for the Vela Luka trip has been liquidated.  Excess funds were paid back to the travelers.

 

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT:  As Vice President Don Lapworth was recuperating from the Croatian trip, Duane made the following report.  The Personnel Committee presented a proposed slate of officers (President- Duane Clark, Vice President – John Lovric, Treasurer – Mark Lijek, and Secretary – Jo Fuqua) in September.  The floor was opened for nominations.  There were no nominations from the floor.

 

 

The proposed slate of officers will be voted on at the November general meeting.

 

SIDNEY:  Sidney Chair/Town Crier Judy Jewell is at a cry in New Jersey defending her North American title.  Duane reported that the Sidney Association is starting to accomplish some things.

 

KISAKATA:  Cora Amburn-Lijek, Kisakata Co-Chair, reported that a student exchange subcommittee had met to revise the chaperone application.  The application has been sent to the School District and to Jo to be distributed to the general membership.

Anne Martin McCool, Kisakata Co-Chair, passed around a sign-up sheet to find out how many people might be interested in an adult trip to Kisakata in the spring.  Anne is hoping the trip can be made during the cherry blossom festival.

 

VELA LUKA:  Nikki Lovric, Vela Luka Chair, reported that the group had a wonderful trip.  She met with Compagna.  They will not be able to come during the art festival because that is during tourist season.  They hope to be able to come next October for Croatia Fest.  We will be receiving a grant form the city to help pay for some of the expenses.  Compagna will also be getting funds from sources in Croatia.  The Croatia Fest is this Sunday, Oct. 10, from 12 to 8 p.m. at Seattle Center.  Duane will be driving the 15-passenger bus from Cap Sante.  It will depart at 10 a.m.  Let Duane know if you are going to ride on the bus.  There will be a showing of Ante’s art work this Friday, Oct. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the American Croatian Club.  There will be light appetizers.  Ante said that we are on this Earth to share our cultures and to make our world a better place, which is why he wants to share the Croatian culture and history with other people through his art.

A $250 donation was received from the American Croatian Club for the flagpole project.  This donation is very much appreciated.  Thank you American Croatian Club!

 

LOMONOSOV: Suzanne Harris, Lomonosov Chair, announced a welcome potluck dinner for Marina Akhromova this Saturday, Oct. 9 from 6 p.m.  at the American Croatian Club.  David will cook tri-tip.  Everyone else is asked to bring a dessert, salad, or vegetable.  (Each person who attended is requested to give a $5 donation.)

The winner of the Russian Doll&$250 cash raffle was Eric Papritz.  He donated back the $250 cash portion of the raffle, so the total amount raised toward Marina’s airfare was $940, just $88 short of the total cost.  Duane said it was remarkable that the committee was able to raise this much, especially with so many other fundraisers going on.  Suzanne and Marina have been discussing fundraisers, such as a calendar.

Three groups of adults have visited Lomonosov during our ten-year relationship.  A few Russian adults have visited here;  however, there have not been any adult visits.  Suzanne said it was time that a Russian group visit Anacortes.

Marina will be meeting with Mayor Maxwell while she is here.

Marina said she brought greetings from friends and host families in Lomonosov.   The reason for her visit is to add firewood to the fireplace of our friendship.  She believes that our friendship will last for a long, long time.  The members in Lomonosov would like to visit Anacortes.  Marina presented an embroidered picture, two flags ( Russian and Lomonosov), and a special baseball cap to Duane.  Marina passed around chocolates. 

 

Duane said since Lomonosov was administratively absorbed into Peterhof we have been communicating with Marina .  The mayor of Peterhof is now the mayor of both towns.  Peterhof already has three sister cities, so there is little interest in involvement with more sister cities, and the administration is leaving all of the decisions about our relationship to the Kalinka.  The Kalinka wants to continue the relationship with Anacortes, so the most important aspect is support from ASCA.  There are about 40 members in the Kalinka, and there is also a student group.  Marina and Suzanne are hoping to expand our relationship to include connections between our women’s clubs, art, and other areas in the future.  Thre is a choir, a dance group, and a muscial group in Lomonosov.  Marina also said they created a photo exhibition about every day life for their German sister city.  They would like to bring the exhibit to Anacortes.  Duane said that he is grateful that this relationship is being worked out.

Tatiana, who arrives on Sunday, will be staying with Maria and Jack Papritz.  Maria would appreciate help from members who could homestay Tatiana part of the time and/or show her around or take her shopping.

 

PROGRAM:  A power point presentation of photos of the student exchange visit to Kisakata were shown.  Cora and Krys Lijek, Ian and Joyce MacKay, and Graham Thompson provided information about the photos.  Certificates were presented to the three students who attended the meeting.

 

CALENDAR:  Duane reviewed the calendar of upcoming events.

 

ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned by Duane at 8:25 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Cora Lijek

(in the absence of Jo Fuqua, secretary)