The September adult trip to Frejus
This past September, 13 FSCA members left for Frejus to attend the 25th anniversary celebration of the Giant Omelette. The event was held in St. Agulf in the town park in Frejus.
Fredericksburg
Sister City Chevaliers Cathy Herndon, Bill Beck, Wilbur Brown, Mandy
Carr, and Sara Fartro helped prepare and serve the 14,000 egg omelette
to 5000 people. They also marched in the anniversary parade and
participated in a September 11 ceremony for the 10th anniversary of that event.
Other
Sister City members, Susan Beck, Suzanne Willis, Don and Elsa Colt,
Kathryn and Chip Willis and Catherine and David Jennings, attended pre-
and post-omelette lunches and dinners.
During
the celebration, the FSCA members danced to music by Philippe Rigoulot
and his band (who had delighted us all 2010 with their talents at the le
p'tit bal du 14 Juillet in Market Square in 2010) and listened to a
musical tribute to Dalida (a famous female singer of the '60's in
France) performed by Magali and Claudine, two musicians and singers that
performed at our 30th anniversary here in Fredericksburg.
Frejus/Fredericksburg
president Maryse Rigoulot prepared a fabulous itinerary for the
American guests which included a trip to a winery, an olive oil mill
visit, an evening boat trip with the Omelette group to St. Tropez, two
Historic Villa tours of St. Raphael and St. Agulf, along with the Giant
Omlette 25th anniversary festivities.
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| Members of the FSCA in a parade for the omelette celebration |
President of all Frejus' Sister Cities, Andre Olivier and his artist wife Saliha, entertained us at their lovely home as well.
We
thank all of the hosts for their meals and trips to exciting places;
Maryse and Philippe Rigoulot, Philippe Jouan, Michel and Hilary Gras,
Michelle Frances (Minush), Guy and Suzanne Sanguinet, Jean Piere and
Ferrailoli and his lovely wife.
After the trip to Frejus, 7 members of the group extended their trip with a 3 night stay in Paris.
Annual meeting: November 2011
The
annual meeting this past November 16th was once again a wonderful and
successful evening! Lead by President Cathy Herndon, the meeting
provided an opportunity for the FSCA membership to gather, remember the
exciting events from the past year, and look forward to the year to
come.
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| FSCA President Cathy Herndon leading the annual meeting in November |
Many
members participated during the evening. Don and Elsa Colt were guest
presenters and shared their photos and stories from the trip to Frejus
in September. Abi Haymes and Carolyn Parsons presented their summer
experiences with the student/adult exchange. Lori and Roy Kissinger held
a French marche for members to purchase gifts for the holidays. There
was also a live auction of very special items donated by our members, in
particular a French language CD tutorial set from Phyllis Whitley.
Bidding was exciting and we raised much needed money for our
scholarships for student exchanges.
Here are some more details from the evening:
The meeting agenda
Agenda
Fredericksburg Sister City Association
Annual Meeting
November 16, 2011
- Call to Order
- Annual Report and budget presented and distributed
- Announcement of slate of new officers, voting and installation
- Recognition of retiring Board members, Patsy Prud'homme, Steve Beauch
- Recognition of recent passing members Henry Lynn and John Holmfeld
- Stories and photos by guests Don and Elsa Colt on September adult trip
- Announcement of America week in Frejus: Civil War 150th, FSCA artist art exhibition, 16th annual Thanksgiving meal
- French gifts for holiday giving for sale
- 50/50 raffle
- Wine and refreshments
- Live auction of special items
- Evening closure
Remembering September 11th
During the meeting, Cathy Herndon shared a speech and Saliha Olivier shared a poem at the September 11th 10-year anniversary ceremony in Frejus. The text of the speech and the poem are below.
Cathy Herndon's speech:
"September 11, 2011
Do
you remember what you were doing 10 years ago today? I was preparing
for a field trip to Washington DC with my art students who had made a
wonderful quilt for peace---
How ironic!
10
years ago, America and the world, were reminded again of how we, as a
human race are not only different but very vulnerable to the beliefs and
actions of each other.
As
a country that celebrates the diversities of people and their ideas,
that day in New York City, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, was a "wake
up call" for all of us.
The
world recognized the need for understanding the importance of
communication and the exploration of opportunities for practicing
peaceful resolutions to conflicting issues.
As
Americans in Frejus practicing in these special activities, we are
allowed the opportunity for all of us to see Fraternity in motion.
So
on this Historic day, we thank every one of you for gathering here to
remember and honor those innocent and heroic victims of September 11,
2001. We also thank the Bombadiers here and all over the world for their
dedicated and unselfish service to us all.
Cathy Herndon
President
Fredericksburg Sister City Association"
Translation of the poem read by Saliha Olivier:
"The Twin Towers
They were beautiful
The twin towers.
Symbol and message,
A sure guardian.
They caressed the clouds,
Dream and liberty.
They have become apparitions,
Madness has destroyed them.
The vengeance of crazy, angry men,
Was meted out to two doves.
If we listened to the voice of the wise,
We would burn the arrows which kill peace.
Saliha Ollivier
September 11, 2001"
New board members elected
The following members have been elected to the Board of Directors for a two year term starting in January 2012:
President: Cathy Herndon
First Vice President: Lori Kissinger
Second Vice President: Mandy Carr
Treasurer: Roy Kissinger
Secretary: Bill Beck
Public Relations/Historian: Wilbur Brown
Director: Bob Antozzi
Director: Craig Vasey
Director: Leigh Perret-Dowd
Director: Davy Jennings
Past President: Judy Hansen
Here is some information about our three newest board members:
Leigh
Perret Dowd is a French Teacher in Spotsylvania County. She and her
husband have hosted many French visitors and treated students to
gatherings at their home on Lake Anna. She also has been chaperone with
our students several times to Frejus. She and her husband Bob raise and
show hound dogs!
Roy
Kissinger has been a valuable member with our group for many years. He
and his wife Lori have been handling our fundraising. They have hosted
French vistors and entertained Sister City at their home for Mardi Gras
and at the club house at Fawn Lake for our 30th Anniversary.
Davy
Jennings has hosted French visitors and participated in the Giante
Omlette here in Fredericksburg in 2010. He produced a film of the
omlette and put us on You tube! He and his wife Catherine own a
production business called Bonaventure! They also joined us in Frejus
this past September.
