On May 1, 2012, it was announced by the Alberta Order of Excellence Council and the Lieutenant Governor's Office that Dr. Bob Hironaka would be invested into the Alberta Order of Excellence on October 17, 2012 along with seven other outstanding Albertans.
Please plan to come and congratulate Dr. Robert at a special reception being held on November 01, 2012 at the Coast Hotel – 5:30PM to 9:00PM. We look forward to your attendance and the opportunity of celebrating this worthy investiture into the Alberta Order of Excellence.
Please purchase your tickets in advance – on line at: https://www.uleth.ca/conreg/hironaka-dinner/
(Ticket price is $50.00 per person)
(If you are unable to attend, however would like to forward a message of congratulations, please forward these to Carol Kensley @ [email protected] and they will be conveyed to Bob at the ceremony.)
Queen Elizabeth II – Diamond Jubilee Medals
October 12, 2012
On October 12, 2012 – three members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society were recognized and bestowed the Queen Elizabeth II – Diamond Jubilee Medals. The three are: Pastor George Takashima, Harold Pereverseff and Carol Kensley.
The three were truly honored by this prestigious award that was presented during a special ceremony by MP Jim Hillyer.
Pastor George Takashima
Harold and Carol
Visitors from Culver City
September 24, 2012
Carol (L) and Natalie (R) representing our Twin City – Culver City, California, visited Lethbridge
and on September 24th they stopped by the "Culver City Memorial Tree". The ladies gave their
nods of approval and found the plaque of commemoration to be very fitting.
In 2009 Makoto first visited Lethbridge and we were very impressed with his zeal and expertise in musical talents. At that time
Makoto visited Airdrie, Calgary, Banff and Lethbridge with performances in each community. In Lethbridge, the performance was
at the Yates Theater with excellent attendance who thoroughly Makoto! As we welcome Makoto back, it is with a different purpose and
spirit that he is coming. He is coming with the endorsement of his community as their representative and in deed a representative of the Japanese Nationals to say, "Thank you!" Thank you for how we Albertans reached out in our relief efforts, donations and prayers to the people of the nation of Japan following the Great East Japan, Earthquake. Last year, following the tragic events of the March 11, 2011 earth quake and resultant tsunami, Makoto felt compelled to give what he had to his fellow Japanese. Makoto conducted the "Pray for Japan" tour where he performed gratis to his people in the effort of raising their spirits and hope. This was very successful and his song and CD sales for "Pray for Japan" assisted Makoto continuing his tour. The tour took Makoto and his performances throughout Japan even to the most southerly regions of Okinawa.
Makoto will arrive in Alberta on September 10th. He will being with his first performance in Jasper on September 11th visiting many communities in Alberta and eventually coming to Lethbridge on September 22nd. His command performance will be held at the College Drive Community Church – 2710 College Drive South beginning at 7:30PM on September 22nd.
Please come and enjoy Makoto. Admission is $10.00 at the door or you may purchase advance tickets by calling 403-381-3575.
Makoto, we say "Thank you!" for coming to Alberta and sharing your talents with us. We certainly
believe that your intended message of giving thanks to the residents of Alberta for their kind support
of Japan following the devastating March 11, 2011 earthquake/tsunami, was accomplished.
As we reviewed the plethora of pictures from the exciting tour, there were three pictures that stood out to characterize the Makoto tour.
These pictures express the warmness and acceptance of Makoto and the message he delivered. Please see the pictures below.
Hinton - September 13th, 2012
Camrose – September 17th, 2012
Hanna – September 20th, 2012
September 10th through September 22nd – 2012, being the dates of the Makoto tour, go down in the history of the Lethbridge Twinning Society as having been a very successful event!
Culver City – Ceremonial Tree plaque
September 02, 2012
Michael, our Director for Culver City relations stands proud beside the newly placed plaque at our Culver City – Ceremonial Tree.
The tree is well on it's way to growing into a mature and beautiful tree... just as our relationship with Culver City has grown over the years.
Annual POTLUCK BBQ
August 30, 2012
We, LTS, would like to invite you to our annual POTLUCK BBQ Thursday, August 30th at 6:00 pm. at Ruth Chell's home # 9 Dalhousie Road West Chelsea House.
The evening will feature the Youth Ambassadors return" from Culver City and Washington, D.C. we look forward to your attendance and hearing about their trip and new initiative for our city.
Please r.s.v.p. to either this email, or to President Harold 403-381-0038 or myself 403 915-3668. This is truly an exciting project for Lethbridge and our youth!
Hokkai Gakuen students visiting Lethbridge
August, 2012
Seventeen students from Hokkai Gakuen (University in Sapporo, Japan) visited Lethbridge for three weeks. Diane was very involved in their visit and she shared with us the many activities the students experienced during their visit!
These three students, Yukiko, Takahiro and Kota were very impressed with Lethbridge. They said, everything in Canada is so big... Big spaces, big meals, big vehicles, even big people!
Diane who is fluent in Japanese does not make a habit of speaking Japanese with the students so as not to spoil the "Canadian Experience".
It is very evident that Diane loves working with the students, and the students fully respect Diane!
** The University of Lethbridge has a "twinned university relationship" with Hokkai Gakuen University in Sapporo.
Annual Bar B Que
August 30, 2012
Summer is a busy time of the year, many of our members are away and enjoying the last few days before school and their regular fall schedules begin.
Some of the members who were around and able to attend our annual Bar B Que were not disappointed with this year's event.
Hosted in the park like setting of Ruth's back yard, we gathered and exchanged stories and enjoyed a good old fashioned "pot luck".
Kyle was kept busy on the Bar B Que cooking up dozens of steaks while fresh Taber Corn was cooked by perfection and enjoyed by all.
We heard from the Lethbridge Youth Ambassadors as they shared of their incredible experiences in our Twin City, Culver City, California and in Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
The program they participated in with Sister Cities was advocated as being a life changing experience.
Visiting Japan
August 12, 2012
In August Adam Mason from the University of Lethbridge traveled to Japan to participate in some musical activities regarding steel drumming and Taiko drumming.
Pictured you see L-R Makoto, Adam, Tei-san (T-AIR Director for Lethbridge) and Yasuko all from Towada City City.
The group enjoyed visiting with Adam and are very pleased with Adams visit.
Makoto will be visiting Lethbridge and parts of Alberta in September.
Adam and Makoto plan on getting together again at that time.
Twinning means friendships being established and this is proof positive!
Youth Ambassadors are back
August 7, 2012
"They're back..." The youth ambassadors, Camilla, Abby and Jocelyn
returned home from Sister Cities International - Youth Ambassador Program.
They have told us that their experience was "life changing". They have come
home with a passion for helping the homeless in our community. They have a
project that will provide warm clothing for our Lethbridge homeless and they
want to get on with their project right away.
Please stay tuned, they are soon to have a name for their project and
formulating ideas for the project that will encourage Lethbridge residents
to support their project through donations.
Our Society is 100% behind the girls and their project, we know that they
will be successful.
Youth Ambassadors debriefing session
July 31, 2012
The debriefing of the Youth Ambassador Program took place on July 31, 2012.
Country Co-ordinator (Canada), Harold, Youth Ambassador, Jocelyn and Director for Culver City Relations, Michael joined in at the University of Lethbridge where the Video Conference took place.
Linking up with Sister Cities International in Washington, DC – The US Department of State - the US Embassy in Ottawa - the US Consulates in Calgary and Vancouver - the Youth Ambassadors in Vernon,
it was a very productive and informative session.
The follow-up to the program was timely and provided the opportunity of hearing first had from the Youth Ambassadors regarding their perspective of the program and their planned projects.
Drawings for the Towada City City Shotokukan Horse Museum
July 9, 2012
On July 9th a package containing over 40 drawings and paintings of horses were sent to the Towada City City Shotokukan Horse Museum.
Our Public Relations Director, Carol Kensley was very busy soliciting drawings and paintings from elementary students throughout Lethbridge.
Our Towada City City Director, Diane viewed the final product and with that the pictures have begun their journey to Towada City City.
This is an excellent way of connecting with our twin city and is fun and relatively inexpensive.
We thank the Towada City City Shotokukan Horse Museum for their invitation to participate in this fun project.
Thank you to students from Mike Mountain Horse School and to Marilee Terry for her children's pictures as well.
Lethbridge Youth Ambassadors invited to celebrate the Independence Day at the Official Residence of the US Consul General
July 4, 2012
L-R Consul General of Japan Susumu Fukuda, Jocelyn Dufresne, Camilla Terry and Abigail Schwengler.
On July 4, the Lethbridge Youth Ambassadors that will be participating in the 2012 Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Program were invited by the Consulate of the United States in Calgary to celebrate the Independence Day at the Official Residence of the US Consul General.
Along with the Lethbridge Youth Ambassadors there were a host of dignitaries and specially invited guests. These included our Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, His Honour, Col. (Ret'd) the Honourable Donald S. Ethell, Hon. Jason Kenney, Premier Alison Redford and even Dragon's Den's Brett Wilson.... all of whom met and congratulated the Youth Ambassadors!
Consul General of Japan (Calgary) talked with the Youth Ambassadors and congratulated them on their noble endeavors this summer.
Consul General Fukuda expressed that twin relationships are importantly maintained at the "grass roots level" and this is exactly what The Youth Ambassadors will be doing. We know that everything good first starts at the root, and grows from there, we envision our Youth Ambassadors growing to betterment of international relations with all of Lethbridge's twin cities including Towada City City, Japan!
Consul General Laura Lochman
The Lethbridge delegation, L-R Camilla, Jocelyn, Abigail and Chaperone, Rozee.
Fund raising Bar-B-Que
June 30, 2012
The Lethbridge Twinning Society recently held a fund raising Bar-B-Que at Save on Foods. We have to conduct these fund raisers from
time to keep some money in our coffers. We are very thankful to our members who come out and assist in this more serious side of the Society
but some members show up and just "clown around!" ...Maisie!!!!
Youth Ambassadors from Lethbridge
May 30, 2012
The Lethbridge delegation, L-R Camilla, Jocelyn, Abigail and Chaperone, Rozee.
The delegation of Youth Ambassadors from Lethbridge participated in a Video Conference along with the Canadian Delegations from
Vernon and Vancouver, BC. They linked up with the United States Consulates in Vancouver and Calgary as well as the United States Embassy in Ottawa and
Sister Cities International in Washington, DC. It was a first time experience to participate in the Video Conference for the Youth Ambassadors.
There is much preparation and planning before the Youth Ambassadors head out on their three week program on July 18th.
2012 Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association (A/JTMA) Annual Conference
May 4 and 5, 2012
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the Annual Conference of
the A/JTMA in Wetaskiwin, Alberta.
The Lethbridge Okinawin Cultural Society had
representatives at the conference as well. Harold's term as President of the
A/JTMA was up at this conference. Newly elected President, Robert Twerdoclib
of Stony Plain.
July 18 to August 07, 2012 will undoubtably be an unforgettable experience for three high school students
from Lethbridge who will be participating in the 2012 Youth Ambassador Program.
We welcome Camilla, Jocelyn and Abigail to the Lethbridge Twinning Society.
They go forth representing not only our Society, but Lethbridge - Alberta and Canada.
The Lethbridge students will join with three students from Vernon and three students from Vancouver to form the Canadian delegation.
The Youth Ambassador program is made possible through a grant from the US Department of State and administered
by Sister Cities International, Washington, DC.
The "Ice Breaker Road Race" in Great Falls, Montana.
April 22, 2012
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the race once again.
(Our 7th year in a row)! Once again, Bob Harris was there to meet and
greet us and make us feel very welcome. Thanks Bob.
This year, the weather was great resulting in a very good turnout for
all the races. Over 3,600 participated. This year, Canada ruled!
The Men's 5 mile race was won by a fellow from Calgary (29 minutes - 29
seconds) and a female also from Calgary won the Ladies 5 mile race (29 minutes - 30
seconds).
Come and join us for our trip down next year to the 34th annual "Ice Breaker
Road Race".
Ice Breaker Road Race
April 22, 2012
The 33rd Annual "Ice Breaker Road Race" is scheduled for April 22nd in Great Falls, Montana!
Members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society have been going to the Ice Breaker for a number
of years now. It is a great way of meeting people from Great Falls and extending the hand of
friendship across our border.
We will be travelling to Great Falls on Saturday, April 21st staying in a hotel and then participating
in the Ice Breaker Road Race on April 22nd. After the race, we will have dinner and return back to
Lethbridge late in the evening.
If you are interested in joining us, we will begin warm ups in early April, probabaly walking around
Henderson Lake.
Please contact Carol at 403-381-3575 or Harold at 403-381-0038 for more information.
THE BENCH IS IN!
March 25, 2012
We are very pleased to report the completion of the park bench project in remembrance of Betty Reimer.
Betty, of course being a Charter member of the Lethbridge Twinning Society, is saddly missed by all.
Specific donations received for the bench made it possible to have this bench become a reality.
The next time you are passing by the walking path at Henderson Lake, take a minute to cross over at the tennis
court area on the North side. You will see,"Betty's Bench" there waiting for you.
The bench is uniquely positioned with a grand view of Henderson Lake.
As well, the bench can be seen from the Reimer home, specifically from the window where Betty used to sit.
Thank you for your donations towards this project.
Dick Reimer sits upon Betty's Bench
Lethbridge Twinning Society delegate, Jeannie Goossens rises
to ask Consul-General Fukuda a question regarding the floating mass of
post tsunami debris that is scheduled to reach the North American coast line
this year.
March 05, 2012
On March 05, 2012, Duane Bratt, President of the Calgary Branch of the Canadian International Council hosted a forum featuring
Consul-General for Japan – Calgary , Susumu Fukuda. Consul-General Fukuda's presentation centered on the March 11, 2011 earthquake in
the Fukushima region of Japan . The quake is now referred to as the "Great East Japan Earthquake".
A delegation from the Lethbridge Twinning Society attended the presentation. Various other organizations and invited guests (including a Dr. in Nuclear Physics) were in attendance.
Consul-General Fukuda expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of his country for the world wide relief efforts following the event.
He mentioned the 5 Million dollar donation made by the Province of Alberta , and the other donations received by his office from various sources.
The Lethbridge Twinning Society undertook a donation project. We have forwarded the funds raised directly to the Towada City City, Japan administration.
The presentation highlighted several astonishing developments in the reconstruction of the ravaged regions.
The infrastructure is practically rebuilt and strategies are in place to encourage resettling along with incentives for building in the area.
Taxes have been relaxed and visa requirements are being lighted with extended periods of stays being allowed.
The presentation, questions and response from the audience were all positive, it was an encouraging evening.
Cultural Forum - 2012
February 24 & 25, 2012
On February 24 and 25 Cultural Forum 2012 was hosted in Red Deer by Alberta Culture and Community Services Minister Heather Klimchuk. Minister of International Intergovernmental and Aboriginal Relations,
Cal Dallas was in attendance and spoke during the opening ceremony. It was certainly encouraging when Premier Redford spoke, she had stressed the importance of all the Government Departments and Ministries
working together in collaboration. A forum of this magnitude was the first ever, with nearly 400 community leaders from across Alberta representing a wide spectrum of cultural interests.
Harold Pereverseff was invited to the forum representing the Lethbridge Twinning Society, however there were information tables set out. Information
on the Lethbridge Twinning Society as well as the A/JTMA was displayed. (Picture of Hon. MLA Klimchuk was taken in front of the A/JTMA display.)
The plenary sessions and networking during the two days permitted excellent opportunities for sharing the "Twinning Vision and Mission ". There was a lot
of interest in twinning relationships and for many it was the first time they became aware of our existence.
It was an honour and a pleasure to be invited to the forum. To be able to participate in such a dynamic environment was amazing. The key
elements of the forum, "Explore, Educate, Evolve and Engage" were certainly timely and challenging.
Huge kudos to Hon. MLA Klimchuk and Alberta Culture and Community Services!
Lethbridge's Student Ambassadors
February 10, 2012
The Lethbridge Twinning Society is working with Sister Cities International to promote peace, harmony and friendship among cities in
Canada and cities in the United States and Mexico.
Last year, the Tri-Lateral Youth program saw students from Kingston, Ontario,
Burnaby, British Columbia and Calgary, Alberta exchange with their sister cities
in Tempe, Arizona, Mesa, Arizona and Phoenix, Arizona. This year, the program
runs with Vancouver, British Columbia, Vernon, British Columbia and Lethbridge,
Alberta with their twin cities, Los Angeles, California, Modesto, California and
Culver City, California.
Lethbridge Twinning Society President, Harold Pereverseff was selected in
2010 to work with Sister Cities International in Washington DC. The role
he plays is "Country Co-ordinator Canada". 2011 was the very first time
that Canadians participated in the program, and it was a huge success.
The program is ramping up for 2012.
Three students and one chaperone from Lethbridge will be selected to participate
in this unique opportunity. Not only do the Canadian students visit their sister
city for two weeks in July, the last week of the three week program sees them
visiting Washington, DC. The students are involved in plenary sessions along with students from the rest of Canada, California and Mexico. The students range in ages from 15 to 17. The students last year returned home, energized and ready to tackle the world as true "Youth Ambassadors". This is all with thanks to Sister Cities International and the US Department of State who sponsor the entire program.
During the program, students discuss common issues that exist in their communities, economy, social issues,poverty, homelessness and
environmental concerns. Some of the program is directly "hands on". Last
year the hands on aspect had a huge positive impact of the students.
Students are encouraged to consider a project when they return home, something related to what they had learned during the three week program.
We will keep you posted on the students selected to be Lethbridge's Student Ambassadors.
