Sister Cities Foundation News

Office Personnel Change and Recent Visit Report

Our friends from Gotemba visited in September and enjoyed themselves greatly. It was fun to see some of the original members from the first delegation back here in Beaverton. We shared the guests with some local families and participated in the Beaverton Celebration Parade. Thank you to all who were along the parade route greeting our friends both in English and Japanese.

The City Council hosted a luncheon and we also visited Uwajimaya for the Japanese Festival. As our time grew short, we headed for the Penner-Ashe Winery—a beautiful new facility making special wines. Everyone enjoyed the visit and back we came to our special 20th Anniversary Party. It was an outstanding evening seeing many old friends and learning what everyone is doing now. Gifts were exchanged and as the evening drew to a close many in both groups wished we could spend more time together. The visitors left early the next morning for Seattle where they were to see a Mariners baseball game.

On September 17, our Executive Director submitted her retirement resignation letter effective September 28, 2007. Rosemary Egan has been in our office for over 21 years and feels that this is the right time to retire on the heels of a successful visit from our first Sister City. At this time we are considering whether to bring the Sister City Foundation’s efforts “in-house,” that is to say, whether to create a City Sister Cities Commission and hire part time staff support. In the interim you are welcome to contact Board member and Assistant City Attorney Bill Scheiderich at (503) 526-2211 or email at bscheiderich@ci.beaverton.or.us. Thank you for your support over the years and we hope to see you at the next sister cities function.