Visitors from afar
Our relationship and friendship with the Towada Association for International Relations (TAIR) has become close and we have already had many delegations visiting both ways!

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On October 27, 2007 a group of 17 students and 3 chaparones arrived in Lethbridge from Towada City, Japan. The Students were guests of teachers, parents and students from Wilson Middle School. As a continuation of student visitations from Towada City, this delegation was represented the third visit.

This year the weather cooperated and we did not have snow or extreme cold weather. The students were excited to meet their host families and to participate in the activities. The chaparones were busy as well.

The Lethbridge Twinning Society were able to present gifts to each student, and this year we presented warm touques, as we expected the weather to be much colder. We were able to spend time with the students and chaparones and on Halloween evening we met the chaparones and took them out for the evening. We made a stop to "Red Dog Diner" where we enjoyed some fresh hot dogs before embarking on our journey to the "Haunted Mansion" in Stirling, Alberta. A town approximately one half hour away south from Lethbridge. After being scared to death in the "Haunted Mansion" we made our way back to Lethbridge where we had a pizza party dinner and exchanged gifts and became better acquainted.

The Lethbridge Twinning Society appreciates the student visits that have been taking place on a bi-annual basis. We hope to further support these visits in the future.

The Photo album of the visit

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In October 2006, three members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society, Carol Kensley, Jennifer Spanbauer and Tom Crowell traveled to Japan to attend the Alberta – Japan Twin Municipalities Convention in Rikubetsu. They as well visited in Towada City . They had a fantastic experience and arrived home with many marvelous stories and memories to share with us. Here are a few pictures of their visit:

Tom with his home stay family in Towada City, Japan, the Arao’s.	Tom, Jennifer and Mr. Kenji Makise, Commercial Officer for Agri.- Foods, Public Relation and Environment Service from the Alberta Government, Japan Office in Tokyo.
Tom, Jennifer with home stay family in Towada City, Japan.	Visiting the beautiful Oraise River Valley area near Towada City, Japan.
One word, "Amazing"	Rice fields in Towada City.
Water Canal system to irrigate rice paddies in Towada City.	Country side of Towada City, Hokaido Mountains in the background.
Carol, Jennifer and Tom with Mayor and representatives of Rikubetsu, Japan.	Our delegates, Carol, Jennifer and Tom.

In August of 2004 we welcome the Mayor of Towada, His Worship Haruo Nakanowatari, the President of TAIR will be part of a delegation of ten to visit Lethbridge. The Mayor is bringing with him a formal "Friendship agreement between the Towada Association for International Relations and the Lethbridge Twinning Society. A special Gala Event Evening is planned for this presentation on August 18, 2004. The event will be held in the new, Rics Grill!


T-AIR President, Jun'ich Inamoto, his wife and Mr., and Mrs. Murayama. September 2005

In September, our Director for Towada relations, Carol, will take a delegation of sixteen members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society on an exciting trip to Towada, Japan! Arrangements are now being formalized, and any member who is interested in the trip should advise Carol now. We are receiving information on airline costs and travel information from Nippon Travel.



Last year, President Harold and Director Carol attended their first conference of the Alberta Twinned Municipalities held in Hinton, Alberta. It was at this conference that they met with and exchanged information with many representatives from cities and towns throughout Alberta. Each sharing one common thread, they all had excellent relations with their Japanese "Twin Cities"!

The 2004 conference is being held in Rocky Mountain House on June 18 & 19.

2002

In Sepetember 2002, Lethbridge City Mayor, His Worship Robert (Bob) Tarleck, Director Carol and President Harold attended Towada, Japan. This is a picture of a delegation dinner held in our honor.

His Worship, Mayor Tarleck, President of Lethbridge Twinning Society, Harold Pereverseff and Director for Towada Relations, Carol Kensley are treated to the traditonal Japanese Tea Ceremony in Towada City.

2003

Bryan, Director of Public Relations participated in the Towada, Japan "Fall Festival" in September 2003. He particispated in training for Taiko Drumming that whetted his appetite to pursue Taiko Drumming with a passion, and now here in Lethbridge he and many others have that opportunity!

20 students from Towada City arrive in Lethbridge on October 27, 2005

Yukari Tsukamoto, Teacher's Consultant from Towada City, is greeted by Mary Regier, Muskoka Language Institute and Carol Kensley, Lethbridge Twinning society to Lethbridge Oct. 27, 2005 at Wilson Middle School.	Mr.Sumomozawa, English Teacher from Towada City and Carol Kensley, Leth. Twinning Society.

Principal LLoyd Yamagishi of Wilson middle school in Lethbridge, welcomes Yukari Tsukumoto from Towada City October 27, 2005. Director Carol Kensley and President Harold Pereverseff welcomed Superintendent of Education Towada City Mr. Michihiro Inagaki and the student delegation to Lethbridge.

Mary Regier, of Muskoka Language Institute Toronto, coordinates the itinerary and is happy to have wonderful weather this year for the students. The students will be here Oct 27 - Oct 31, 2005. Major events will be total immersion into all classes, ESL instruction as well as a tour to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. Students are hosted in homestays and arrive at school with their new Canadian friend/homestay.

We wish to Thank Principal LLoyd Yamagishi and his staff for opening their middle school for the second year in a row. What a wonderful cultural exchange for all participants!!! (Submitted by, Carol Kensley)

President Harold receives a gift from Mr. Michihiro Inagaki, Superintendent of Education Towada City on Oct.28 in Lethbridge, Alberta.	Cheryl and Harold Pereverseff and Carol receive a painted horse plaque from Towada Chaperones, Mr. Inagaki, Mrs. Yukari Tsukamoto and Mr. Sumomozawa October 28, 2005 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
	Mrs. Yukari Tsukumoto, Teacher Consultant from Towada School Board, pointing to the Towada rocks on the Centennial Monument. She lead a delegation of 20 students and 3 chaperones to Lethbridge Oct. 27 - Nov1, 2005.

Friends welcome Friends

Oct. 28 at supper with Mr. Inagaki, superintendent of Education Towada City, Mrs. Yukari Tsukamoto teachers'Consultant, and Mr. Sumomozawa English Teacher. also welcome Kiyo, Japan tour guide.

The group arrived on Oct. 27 at Wilson Middle School. Attended Canadian school, total immersion in middle school classes, as well as and ESL class in the afternoons. Saturday, the group visited Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lakes National Park. Saturday eveing the school hosted a potluck supper by the homestay families for all the guests. The students experienced Halloween activities at school and with their homestay hosts. Attended full classes on Monday and departed Tuesday for Banff and Calgary, Alberta.

WOW! A Quick visit to Canada but many new memories and friendships created.