Big Canoe-North Georgia Friendship Force Newsletter

The April meeting was held April 20 at the Fireside Cafe, presided by president Harry Yarbrough.

Exchange director Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to Netherlands and United Kingdom. Everything is in readiness. The ambassadors will see gardens in Netherlands and the Somerset coast in the United Kingdom, among other stops.

Exchange director Huw Williams reported on the incoming golf exchange. There has been a change in the outgoing exchange director, because of health issues. Huw expects between 11 and 14 ambassadors.

Harry showed us the baseball caps decorated with the club logo, chosen as the gifts being donated to the regional meeting.

Harry reported on the Australian visitors. They arrive May 11. A farewell dinner is planned for May a 15 at the Canoe Lodge in Big Canoe at 6:15 p.m.

Our outgoing domestic exchange to Albuquerque, New Mexico, is planned for June, 2009.

The outgoing exchange to Japan has been confirmed for September, 2009.

Mike and Charlene Ehrlich, and Hoyal and Ruth West, were welcomed into membership.

The program was a presentation by Jacquie Coxe (shown above), on the subject of the life of Ann Frank and the Ann Frank room recently added to the Fulton Education Center in Roswell.

The March meeting was held March 16 at the Fireside Cafe, presided by president Harry Yarbrough.

Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to Holland and United Kingdom. Fourteen people are going, including six from our club. All fourteen have paid their deposits. The group leaves April 25. The exchange ends May 10, and most of the group is staying on for after-exchange traveling.

Huw Williams reported on the incoming golf exchange. Eighteen people will be coming, including four non-golfers. We pick the group up at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport on October 5, and hand them off to their next hosts on October 10.

Harry reported on the outgoing domestic exchange to Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is now planned for June, 2009. The club approved this date.

Harry reported on the visitors from the Perth, Australia, club. There will be four ambassadors, arriving May 11 and departing May 16. One couple will stay one night with Tom Eubanks, and the rest of the time with the Yarbroughs. Hosts for the other two ambassadors are needed.

Harry reported on the Regional Conference and the International Conference. He would like to see additional club members attend both conferences. Anyone interested should contact Ray Bowyer.

Dick Higgins (shown above), a former missionary and educator in the Philippines, presented the program on that country. He had fascinating insights into the history, geography, and economics of the country.

The February meeting was held February 17 at the Fireside Cafe, presided by president Harry Yarbrough. Harry reminded everyone about the Regional Conference in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (April 22 to 24, 2008) and the International Conference in Gold Coast, Autralia (October 2 to 5, 2008). Ray and Margie Bowyer are planning to attend both, and would love to be accompanied by other club members.

The club re-approved reciprocal domestic exchanges with the Albuquerque, New Mexico, club. It now appears that the outgoing might be in 2009 and the incoming in 2010.

The club re-approved an outbound exchange to Shizuoku, Japan, and an inbound exchange from Wairarapa, New Zealand in 2009, subject to approval by the other clubs.

The program consisted of a presentation by John (shown above) and Glenda Wilhelm, members of the Greater Atlanta Friendship Force Club, on their club's recent exchange to two different cities in Russia, which was part of the "Open World" program of Friendship Force International.

The January meeting was held January 20 at the Fireside Restaurant, presided by president Harry Yarbrough. Harry announced that Carolyn Smith had been awarded a free, lifetime membership in the club, in appreciation of the many contributions by herself and Wayne over many years.

Harry announced the regional conference, to be held April 22 to 24 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and encouraged everyone to attend.

Exchange Director Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, described elsewhere in this website.

Exchange Director Huw Williams reported on the incoming golf exchange, scheduled for early October. The ambassadors, who will be both golfers and non-golfers, will be here for five days. They will mostly be from the Devon, England, club.

Harry announced that we have been assigned on outbound exchange to Shizuoku, Japan, and an inbound exchange from Wairarapa, New Zealand in 2009, subject to approval by the two clubs.

The club approved investigating unofficial incoming exchanges from New Mexico and Perth, Australia, this year. Harry reminded everyone about the International Conference in Gold Coast, Australia, in October of this year.

The program consisted of a description of the trip to Norway by fourteen members of the club last June, by Ray Bowyer (shown above).

The December meeting was held December 16 at the Canoe Lodge in Big Canoe. Margie Bowyer presided at her last meeting, and passed the baton of office to new president Harry Yarbrough.

A delicious brunch was served by the Sconti Restaurant.

The club had received a gift of three surprise boxes from a former member (which she had purchased at the October auction), which were sold at auction in the meeting. The proceeds provided a nice increase to the club treasury, and the three purchasers obtained some nice keepsakes.

Margie reported that the club had a good year, with a 46% increase in membership, and a healthy increase in the treasury.

Exchange Director Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to Netherlands and United Kingdom. Huw would like to fill the exchange with members of our club, and there are a few slots left. If our club does not fill the exchange, available slots will be made available to members of other clubs.

The November meeting was held at the Fireside Cafe on November 18. First Vice President Harry Yarbrough presided in the absence of President Margie Bowyer.

The following officers were elected for 2008:

• President: Harry Yarbrough
• First Vice President/President-Elect: Ray Bowyer
• Second Vice President: Helen Wiltse
• Secretary: Mary Ellen Johnson
• Treasurer: Marie Williams

The program was a presentation by Jim and Helen Wiltse and Aime Barrs on the balloon festival in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which they had attended.

The club voted to donate $1,946.50 to the Legacy Fund of Friendship Force International.

Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to Holland and United Kingdom. There are still openings for anyone who would like to go.

The September meeting was held on September 16 at the Fireside Café. President Margie Bowyer showed several recent newspaper articles about the club and its activities.

Margie reported on the recent outgoing exchange to Northern Colorado. Twenty people went, including 15 from our club. The activities included visits to a bronze foundry, a brewery, and a famous historic hotel in Estes Park. Evaluations were generally positive.

Margie reported the nominating committee for 2008 officers consists of Huw Williams, Ginny Miller, and Robert Logan. Anyone with suggestions, or who would like to volunteer for an office, should contact a committee member.

Helen Wiltse, Jobeth Yarbrough, Bill Gaines, Margie Bowyer, and Nancy Davis reported on the auction. It will be October 20, from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. We are doing some joint publicity with the Good Samaritan Health Center, which is having a fundraiser the same day starting at 6:00 p.m. Admission to our auction is $5.00. There will be both a silent auction and a live auction. Donations are needed. We will set up the donations on Friday, October 19. Every member is needed to volunteer for some position. The event has been publicized in 30 newspapers and magazines.

Margie reported on the incoming golf exchange. It will be November 5 to 9, 2008.

Margie said anyone interested in going on the outgoing exchange to Zeeland and Bristol should contact Exchange Director Huw Williams.

The club submitted suggestions and priorities for 2009 outgoing exchanges. The results will be reviewed by the board and submitted to Friendship Force International.

The program was a delightful presentation by Floyd and Charlotte Hale, on a trip to Micronesia, followed by a discussion by former ambassador to Micronesia Suzanne Hale about the country.

The August meeting was held August 19 at the Fireside Café.

Helen Wiltse reported on the auction. It will be October 20, starting at 2:30 p.m., at the Georgia Mountains Hospice Building on Caring Way in Jasper. The theme is "Travel Treasures." Contributions are needed from every member, which should be delivered to the Hospice building on October 19 prior to noon, or before that to Harry and JoBeth Yarbrough in Big Canoe. Admission is $5.00, and all members are urged to sell tickets. The club voted to donate part of the proceeds to the Legacy Fund at Friendship Force International.

Huw Williams reported in the incoming golf exchange. It will be October 5 to 10, 2008. The visitors are expected to play golf Tuesday and Thursday, and have free time the other days they are here.

Huw Williams reported on the outgoing exchange to Zeeland and Bristol, to be held in April and/or May of 2008. There is room for 20 ambassadors.

The program consisted of a most enjoyable presentation on the recent exchange to Germany by Ches and June Tredway, Huw and Marie Williams, Robert and Margaret Logan, and Monte and Nancy Davis.

A few light raindrops didn't dampen the enthusiasm of the 24 members and friends of the Big Canoe-North Georgia club who attended the annual club picnic, held this year at Sky Lake. Our hosts were Guy and Shirley Schneider, residents of Sky Lake and members of the Greater Atlanta Friendship Force Club.

In a short business meeting, president Margie Bowyer reminded everyone of the upcoming events, listed on the calendar page. She stressed that the exchange to Netherlands and United Kingdom may be very popular, so those wanting to go should disclose their intentions to Exchange Director Huw Williams.

The May meeting was held at the Fireside Cafe on May 20. Treasurer Marie Williams announced that we now have 65 members.

President Margie Bowyer announced that the incoming exchange from Latvia in March of 2008 has been confirmed. Jim and Helen Wiltse have agreed to be exchange directors for this exchange. She also announced that there is a festival in South Africa this November that people might consider attending.

Nancy Davis represented the club at a newcomer's event at Bent Tree. She got the names of several potential members.

Harry and JoBeth Yarbrough have agreed to chair our participation in the Big Canoe Oktoberfest in October.

Exchange director Harry Yarbrough reported on the outgoing exchange to Germany. Sixteen ambassadors are going, which is the maximum number allowed.

Helen Wiltse reported on the fund-raiser, to be held October 20. There will be a $10.00 admission charge, which will allow participation in the wine-tasting without additional charge. The main part of the fund-raiser will be an auction of travel treasures. Consideration is being given to using part of the proceeds to support a Russian orphan.

Huw Williams reported that we have been invited to host an incoming exchange of golfers from Europe in October of 2008. The club agreed to accept the invitation. The program for the meeting was a presentation on the Galapagos Islands by Mickey Nardo, shown in the picture at the left.