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SISTER CITY OF LYNCHBURG-PLUS |
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Volume 4, Issue 2 |
Summer 2004 |
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Board Members, Sister City of Lynchburg- Plus SYLVIANE BELLAMY BERT* BERTOLOTTI FRANK BRITT MEG COSBY MARTHA FAESI JOE FREEMAN BILL GOODMAN CRAIG HOVE HUGH JONES TRAVIS MCDONALD MANFRED MIBUS THERESE NAMENEK SCOTT ROBERT ELLEN ROWLSON-HALL MARI WHITE
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Brotherly Bonds, Sister Cities It is not often that we have the opportunity to travel 6,000 miles
around the world to a strange place only to feel right at home. In the
past five months, there have been such opportunities - one when a group
of Lynchburg firefighters traveled to France, and the second when a
group of firefighters from Lynchburg's sister city, Rueil-Malmaison,
traveled to the United States. During these visits, we had a chance to
extend our family bonds to people we had never met before, but who
shared a common trait- being a firefighter. During this time, those who traveled and those who served as hosts, either in their homes or at the fire stations, participated in an experience like no other. While we learned a lot about how "the job" gets done in our sister city, saw breathtaking sites and visited sacred ground, we connected with colleagues whom it seemed we had known forever. Those of us from Lynchburg were amazed at the militaristic environment in which our French colleagues operated, the superior physical fitness of their work-force, and how our French colleagues are comfortable with letting an apartment complex free of victims, burn to the ground. Those from Rueil were amazed at the size of everything here- the streets, the apparatus, the equipment, and the people. But truly amazing to both groups are the relationships that have been born. It was interesting to talk to our new friends. It was a bit of challenge for the non-English speaking French and the non-French speaking Americans to pick the right words for one another to understand. But once that barrier was overcome, the language was all the same. We each had the opportunity to share with our friends events in our lives that sometimes seemed too unfamiliar. While an ocean separates us from day-to-day personal contact, because of the bonds that we share as members of one of the world's greatest profession, there will forever be brotherhood between those sister cities. |
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Legendary Organist from Sister City
Rueil-Malmaison, France performed in Lynchburg Marie-Claire Alain, one of the leading personalities in the world of
organ music, performed at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynchburg on
March 28, 2004. Her tours have led her throughout the world since 1961,
and she said she has given more than 2,500 performances. After teaching
for sixteen summers in Haarlem, The Netherlands, she now conducts an
annual Summer Academy in Saint-Donat, France. She taught for many years
at the National Conservatory at Lynchburg's sister city, Rueil-Malmaison.
Marie-Claire Alain's list of recordings is impressive, with more than
220 to her credit, including the complete works of many organ composers.
The chur |
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It Could Not Have Been Possible Without
You! The first week of May was a "blitz" of visitors. We welcomed three delegations in a row. Our hospitality was gratefully appreciated by our guests, and it could not have happened without you! First, there were host families: Firefighters were welcome into the homes of Buddy and Sara Martinette, Jason & Cassie Campbell, Ed & Mechelle Jones, Brad & Rebecca Ferguson and Rickie Guedj, the German delegation in the home of Bill & Martha Goodman, Manfred & Angela Mibus and Remo & Trudi Lotano, the friendship delegation in the homes of Carol Church, Archer & Ginny Haskins and their delightful daughters, Frank & June Britt & Thérèse Namenek. And then, there were parties of all sizes and styles. Thank you for the marvelous receptions in the homes of Manfred & Angela Mibus, Remo & Trudi Lotano, Frank & June Britt, Buddy & Sara Martinette. And there were restaurant invitations: Thanks to Ann & Gordon Echols, Joan & Bob Sydnor, Phyllis Thomasson and Adgie Dirom for entertaining at the Main Street Eatery (thank you to Michele and Urs Gabathuler for their welcome) , and to Thérèse Namenek for lunch at the Peaks of Otter Lodge. And of course there were all of you who provided transportation (thank you Maryvonne Laparlière), cooked food, contributed to the Big Lick's fundraiser, and participated in the gatherings. It is heart warming to realize how much generosity, creativity and talent was offered our guests. They had a marvelous time: on their behalf THANK YOU! |
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Delegation from Glauchau, Cermany
visits Lynchburg, explores Sister City Ties The German delegation from Glauchau arrived on May 3rd. The leader of
the group was Our program covered the Old City Cemetery,the Historic District,VES
(including lunch with German students), a visit to the office of Carl
Hutcherson, Mayor of Lynchburg (with gift presentation), tour of RR
Donnelley printing plant, American Hofmann Corporation, Lynchburg
College (including lunch), Hermle Black Forest Clocks in Amherst, Areva The delegation arrived safely back in Germany and they enjoyed their visit in Lynchburg very much. We all hope that Glauchau in Germany will be our future Sister City for Lynchburg. Thank you to everyone who participated in making the visit of the German delegation a great success. |
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Firefighters Visit D-Day Memorial On Saturday, May 8, 2004, French firefighters from our sister city Rueil-Malmaison visiting their American brethren in Lynchburg toured the D-Day Memorial. Claudie Rouzeval (head of the Rueil Sister City organization) and several other French visitors from a separate visiting delegation joined us. The morning was surprisingly cool, but the Lynchburg firefighters had spare jackets for all who needed them, showing that they are always prepared. Thérèse Namenek, the president of Sister City of Lynchburg - Plus, translated the guide's commentary into French. The guide tour had tears in his eyes, revealing that he was just as moved as were the visitors. The tour ended at the reproduction of the famous Treviere statue whose face was mutilated by a shell during D-Day. The statue represents the contrast between the beauty of art and the ugliness of war. The French firefighters laid a wreath at the base of the statue and observed a minute of silence. |
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS MONDAY, June 21 - 6:00 PM BOARD OF DIRECTORS' MEETING WEDNESDAY, July 14 -SUNDAY, July 18 Sister City International Annual Conference SUNDAY, July 18 - 4:00 PM BASTILLE DAY COOKOUT SUNDAY, July 18 BASTILLE DAY PICNIC (Roanoke Sister City Chapter) FRIDAY, August 6 - 7:30 PM VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF THE ARTS SUMMER PERFORMANCE (E.C. Glass Auditorium) Karine Chatellier Ferniot, ballet teacher from Rueil-Malmaison, France, will be teaching during VSA's second summer session, July 19 through August 7. Her husband and young son will be in Lynchburg with her during this time. Seven dancers from Rueil will be attending the summer program and will be performing on August 6. |
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We publish a newsletter every three months and will include publicity for the Lynchburg Alliance Francaise and the Lynchburg Dante Alighieri Society. Please submit information for the next issue to Craig Hove ( chove@framatech.com )
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ch was packed as we listened to her impeccable
interpretations of Bach and of French composers. After the performance,
Sister City of Lynchburg - Plus hosted a reception.
Thomas Pallmann, who is an executive officer in building management and
development in the city of Glauchau. Wolfgang Neumann, with an MBA and
masters degree in civil engineering , is also in building management and
development. Michael Huettel, a specialist in information technology and
civil engineering, is an independent contractor.
training
facility, E.C.Glass High School, a tour of Poplar Forest, and lunch
sponsored from Main Street Eatery.