BOARD MEMBERS

President Karon Korp Vice President Secretary Alice Keller Treasurer Jackie Craig Membership Bunny Cabaniss Social Chair Jacquie Nightingale Search Russ Martin Newsletter Jerry Plotkin Publicity / Public Relations Fund Development Marjorie McGuirk Global Outlook Youth Program Jay Harris Giving Society George Keller Vladikavkaz, Russia Constance Richards San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico Lori Davis Saumur, France Jessica Coffield Karpenisi, Greece Sophie Mills, Andrew Craig Valladolid, Mexico Janell Cooper Osogbo, Nigeria Sandra Frempong Katie Ryan Dunkeld-Birnam Rick Lutovsky, Doug Orr At Large Ken Richards Honorary Chairman Mayor Esther Manheimer

ASCI Newsletter April 2019

Promoting International Partnerships

Global Glitz a success!

Follow ASCI activities on the web! http://ashevillesistercities.org

Like us on Facebook – keep up with ASCI news. Mission Statement: Asheville Sister Cities, Inc. promotes peace, understanding, cooperation and sustainable partnerships through formalized agreements between International cities and the City of Asheville, North Carolina. Website: www.ashevillesistercities.org

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Message from the President by Karon Korp

It’s Spring! Let’s Plant Some Seeds… A week ago our ASCI Board held a Retreat, and discussed with enthusiasm and passion our mission and goals for the year. We are planning and building on our program, looking at new opportunities, and how we can continue the meaningful work of our organization. Our Osogbo, Nigeria Chair, Dr. Seyi Atanda, will be visiting with us in May, following up on our very successful delegation last year, and working on collaborative projects with UNCA and other counterparts in the area. We are excited to announce ASCI member and international education specialist Jay Harris will lead and implement a new program, “Global Outlook”, an initiative as an ASCI youth program. Jay will serve as a member of the ASCI board in order to facilitate communication and occasional productive overlaps with other ASCI activities. Watch for more

information on this exciting new youth initiative! Finally, as we continue to grow, we want to hear from you, our members, what you would like to see in the way of programming, projects, and events. So, In April, we’ll be sending you a Member Survey, and invite your ideas and participation so we can create impactful opportunities for you, our members, and in our sister cities around the world. Goethe said, “Dream no small dreams, for they do not hold the power to move men.” We’ll keep dreaming BIG, won’t you join us?

Asheville Volunteer Conference – ASCI booth. Rear L to R, Jessica Coffield, organizer, Sandra Frempong. Front, Jerry Plotkin, Karon Korp Ours was one of MANY booths representing Asheville’s non-profit community. Everyone got valuable exposure and met dozens of interested individuals. A very enjoyable event!

The Saumur Committee

Members of the Saumur Committee celebrating the conclusion of wonderful 2018 at Asheville's Urban Orchard. Look for exciting events in 2019 from the Saumur Committee!

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Karpenisi Committee by Sophie Mills, chair On Friday, March 22nd, the Karpenisi committee had their first event of 2019 to gather funds for an outgoing delegation to Karpenisi in May 2020. Andrew and Jackie Craig’s emporium of Appalachian wonders on Spruce Street was a beautiful venue for us and a crowd of friends of Karpenisi gathered to enjoy a film about our sister city and its environs and eat home-cooked Greek food by the generous and expert chefs of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, along with a unique vegan version of the favorite Greek dish pastitsio. To complement the food, we

served Greek wine – an assyrtiko (white) and an agiogiorgitiko (red) along with some ouzo. Greeks and their friends had a great time, new connections were made and money was also raised. Because of our efforts this month and with Greek Easter next month, our committee plans not to meet in April, but our next meeting to begin to talk seriously about our 2020 trip will be happening on Monday May 6th at 6 pm, venue tba. We are always looking for new people to join the committee and help with events, and, of course, to be part of our upcoming Greek adventure, so please get in touch with Sophie Mills (smills (at) unca.edu) if you would like to be part of one or both of these.

Maya culture event at Boundary End by Lori Davis, chair

On March 30th, the San Cristóbal de las Casas Committee partnered with George Stuart Residential Scholars Maxime Lamoureux-St-Hilaire, PhD and Mary Kate Kelly, PhD candidate, at the Boundary End Center in Barnardsville to offer a lecture and workshop on ancient Maya civilization, architecture and hieroglyphics. The event was attended by 40+ of Asheville residents including academics and enthusiasts. After the workshops, the group toured the Boundary End Center's research library and enjoyed a meal offered by the committee. The committee would like to thank the Boundary End Center, Max and Mary Kate for the wonderful time. If you are interested in learning more about the Boundary End Center, please check https://boundaryend.com/

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Global Glitz 2 – a retrospective Asheville Sister Cities’ Global Glitz, our annual fundraiser and a celebration of our Sister Cities around the world! Delicious hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, and silent auction, dancing to the sounds of WestSound, Asheville's premier Motown, Blues, Country, and R&B band! The brand-new Foundry Hotel proved to be an excellent venue.

Jacquie and Jackie! Jacquie Nightingale (r) made it all happen! Jackie Craig (c), our treasurer, and Sarah LaVelle, our ticket helper for GG2.

Above: Movers and shakers, Ken Nelson and Jeff Weems.

Left: Loyal Scots Chris and Jimmie Pratt

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Buncombe County Sheriff Quentin Miller and his wife just enjoying the moment

One sultry voice

The beautiful room at The Foundry Hotel

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©Copyright Haut et Court, Ciné@ and Warner Bros. All Rights Reserved.

ASCI Announces New Youth Initiative, “Global Outlook” Program by Jay Harris

We are excited to announce a new youth program launching later this year. “Global Outlook” will be a global issues and awareness club (a youth forum) for Western North Carolina students in grades 8-12 (public, private, and homeschool). In other words, it will be about global perspectives and education, but in fun and engaging ways that get kids interested and introduces them to things global in general. In short, Global Outlook will motivate and empower more informed and active young global citizens. The club will meet monthly on weekends, sometimes at places actively representing and connected to other parts of the world (NGO’s, restaurants, retail businesses, etc.).

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YOUTH INITIATIVE, continued Objectives include: Greater interest and ability with regard to exploring local/global connections to the world; Increased awareness of resources and opportunities toward addressing students’ global interests and goals - including academic and internship/career options; A stronger and more informed sense of social responsibility, leadership, and civic engagement, e.g. “making the world a better place” mindsets and abilities. Get involved! Contact Jay Harris, Youth Coordinator, for more info: jayharrisglobal(at)gmail.com

ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES, INCORPORATED MEMBERSHIP FORM

Name_________________________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________________________ City______________________________________State Zip Code___________ Home Phone___________________________ Cell/Work Phone______________________________ Fax___________________________________ E-mail__________________________________ It is important that we know your interests and some of your skills. Committee involvement is encouraged. What Sister Cities are you interested in?

o Saumur, France o San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico o Karpenisi, Greece o Vladikavkaz, Russia

o Valladolid, Mexico o Osogbo, Nigeria What are your language skills? o French Proficiency _________ o Spanish Proficiency _________ o Greek Proficiency _________ o Russian Proficiency _________ o Other _____________________ Proficiency __________ Annual Membership Dues: January to December New Members and Renewals: Student $10.00, Individual $25.00, Couple/Family $40.00, Corporate $150.00 Dues and contributions are tax deductible. Thank you! Mail to:

Asheville Sister Cities, Inc. P. 0. Box 2214 Asheville, NC 28802

to our 2018 Corporate Members Eartheart Network, Kudzu Brands, Purplecat Networks, Spaceplan

President - Karon Korp Karon(at)ashevillerealtygroup.com Vice President Secretary – Alice Keller gakeller(at)gakeller.com Treasurer – Jackie Craig appcraft(at)bellsouth.net

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ASCI COMMITTEE CONTACTS ASCI Board Meeting 3rd Thursday of each month – 6:00 pm Parks & Rec Admin Bldg, 72 Gashes Creek Rd, Asheville Dunkeld-Birnam Committee time and date TBA – Contact Committee Chair Rick Lutovsky – rlutovsky(at)gmail.com San Cristóbal Committee 2nd Thursday, 5:30 pm Lori Davis – loel.davis(at)gmail.com Saumur Committee 4th Monday of each month – 5:30pm Jessica Coffield – jeallen8(at)gmail.com Karpenisi Committee 1st Monday of the month Sophie Mills – smills(at)unca.edu Valladolid Committee 4th Wednesday of the month – 6:00pm Janell Cooper – janellcooper7(at)gmail.com Osogbo Committee 1st Monday of the month (contact Chair for time and venue) Sandra Frempong – sandraf(at)letsexploreafrica.com. Vladikavkaz Committee Time and Date TBA – Contact Committee Chair Constance Richards – schtanzi(at)aol.com If you have a particular interest in a committee, please contact the chairperson to confirm time & place.

ASHEVILLE SISTER CITIES, INC. P. O. Box 2214 Asheville, NC 28802