April 2008 - Japanese American Citizens League

THE
GRAINS OF RICE
Cincinnati Chapter Japanese American Citizens League
Published Quarterly
April 2008
Cincinnati Dayton JACL Installation
February 17, 2008
Cincinnati Board 2008
President’s Thoughts
As I write this, the early blossoming
trees in the yard are about to burst into
bloom promising not only immediate
beauty but future fruit. Spring brims with
hope.
As we look forward, both local and
National JACL have much to be hopeful
about. On the local front, our Chapter
will be one of the partners in a series of
Community Forums discussing the
ethical and human rights issues
surrounding the “Bodies” exhibit now on
display at the Museum Center. The
exciting thing about the Community
Forums organized by the National
Underground Railroad Freedom Center is
that they allow everyone interested
enough to show up a respectful and safe
atmosphere to discuss issues from all
points of view. It has been clear from the
committee discussions as we worked on
putting the forums together that there are
many differing views and many nuances.
The committee took a quick walk through
the exhibit so we would be familiar with
it. Setsuko LeCroix and I spent more time
going through on a different day. It is
definitely educational and demonstrates
what a marvelous organism the human
body is. My personal issue is with the
provenance of the bodies. Please attend
the Community Forums and let your
views be heard.
At the end of May, the Midwest District
Council will meet in Omaha. One of the
main items of business will be to prepare
any items necessary for JACL’s National
Convention to be held this July in Salt
Lake City. Under discussion will be
whether or not to have annual rather than
biennial conventions. JACL will also be
celebrating the 20th anniversary of the
signing, by President Reagan of the Civil
Liberties Act of 1988 which authorized
payments to those incarcerated during
WW II.
Betsy Sato
2 The Grains of Rice December 2006
President
Betsy Sato
kbsato@yahoo.com
Hiroko
Nishiyama
hnishiyama@zoomtown.co
m
Frances Tojo
Membership
Shiro Tanaka
Scholarship
Ruth Takeuchi
Newsletter Editors
Gordon Yoshikawa
Frances Tojo
Chad Yoshikawa
francestojo@aol.com
Treasurer
Secretary
Board Members
Setsuko LeCroix
Emily Momohara
Gail Murao
Lois Nizny
Jacqueline
Vidourek
Chad Yoshikawa
sftanaka@cinci.rr.com
peggyjim@earthlink.net
gyoshikawa@cinci.rr.com
francestojo@aol.com
chadyoshikawa@yahoo.com
setsuko@cinci.rr.com
ehmomohara@yahoo.com
lois513@aol.com
jacquiv2000@aol.com
chadyoshikawa@yahoo.com
Cincinnati/Dayton Installation Dinner
Speaker John Tateishi
Betsy Sato and Former National Executive Director John Tateishi
John Tateishi was a dedicated and tireless
champion of the redress campaign in the late
1980’s. Without Mr. Tateishi’s efforts the Civil
Liberties act of 1988 would almost certainly not
have passed. During his speech, Mr. Tateishi
relayed to us the stories of how he had to learn
to play politics with our representatives in order
to
get
the
resolution
passed.
One interesting story he relayed to us is how,
when speaking to Senator Inouye in
Washington, he had initially maintained that the
most important issue of redress was the money –
the proposed $20,000 payment to all living
former internees. Senator Inouye asked if he
was sure – that the apology should be the most
important issue. Mr. Tateishi responded that he
had already got commitments for the apology,
but if he made the money a lower priority that
the money would not be granted. After a
sleepless night, Mr. Tateishi realized what
Senator Inouye was getting at – that if the
apology to the internees was made of most
importance, then there was no way that the
money would not follow.
4 The Grains of Rice
Eyewitness to the signing of Civil Liberties of 1988
By Gordon Yoshikawa (Excerpt September 1988 Grains)
August 4, H.R. 442 passes the House 257-156 and is
sent to President Reagan.
August 5, JACL National Convention convenes on the
University of Washington campus in Seattle, WA.
August 8, Grayce Uyehara, chair of the Legislative
Education Committee, announces that the Civil Liberties
Act would be signed on August 11.
August 9, National Council session starts at 8:30 am.
Around 9 am Jerry Enomoto breaks in with the
announcement that the signing would be at 2 pm
tomorrow. LEC had the task of paring down an original
list of 200 names to approximately half. The delegates
quiet down as the names are read. Frances Tojo and I are
the lucky ones to represent Cincinnati JACL. We are
given less than two hours to decide whether to attend or
not (absolutely no hesitation there), get information for
security clearance and get plane tickets.
Frances, as a convention booster, is visiting Keiro
Nursing Home. I went through my necessary paperwork
while Jacqui Vidourek tried to find a phone that wasn’t
being used (no cell phones then). I couldn’t process
paperwork for Frances without her social security
number. We were running short of time but Jacqui got the
information before the deadline. Landmark Travel Service
did an excellent job of lining up reservations for the 54
who went from Seattle. Others around the country who
were notified by the White House went on their own.
We pack a change of clothes and nervously wait for the
8:30 pm bus to the airport. Some snacked in the dorms;
others attend the beginning of the Sayonara Banquet.
Plane leaves Seattle at 10:30 pm.
We arrive in Washington, D.C. at 8:10 am and take cabs
to the Rayburn Office Building for a luncheon given by
Congressman Norman Mineta. Since there is time, Fran
and I visit Congressman Bill Gradison. We had contacts
with him over the years from Town Meetings to phone
calls preceding HR 442. Although he was not for
reparations, he was for the bill and said he would vote for
it should it come through without limiting amendments.
He was true to his word. We didn’t have time to see Rep.
Tom Luken or Senators John Glenn and Howard
Metzenbaum.
At the luncheon, Congressman Mineta spoke to us. Due
to the heat (90◦ with humidity to match), the ceremony
location has been rescheduled from the White House Rose
Garden to the White House press briefing room in the Old
Executive Office Building. We took “air-conditioned”
cabs - with windows rolled down (did I mention it was
HOT? Security is tight. One man who came from
Sacramento, CA, has to step aside since his name does not
appear on the final list. He barely makes it into the room
before the signing.
The Ceremony: The atmosphere in the briefing room is
charged with anticipation and excitement just knowing
that a historic moment is about to take place. Everyone is
chattering and taking pictures. The briefing room is
theatre style. Television cameras are lined in the back.
Press corps and accredited photographers are seated on
the floor between the stage and the first row. A
spokeswoman welcomes us. Rep. Patricia Saiki of
Hawaii and the Nikkei congressmen mentioned earlier
along with other dignitaries line the stage in assigned
places.
Everyone is at attention as President Reagan
comes through the door. It is 2:30 p.m. He starts his
remarks with “My fellow Americans, we gather here
today to right a grave wrong.… No payment can make up
for these lost years…So what is most important in this bill
has less to do with property than with honor. For here we
admit a wrong.” After his remarks, the President moves
to a desk and chair and signs the bill. As the President
holds up the pen, there is applause, congratulations of one
another, sighs of happiness and the tremendous pride in
finally seeing our efforts come to fruition. Tears are also
part of the scene…sorrow that leaders such as Min Yasui
and Edison Uno are not here to share this moment as well
as our Issei parents and friends.
As quoted in the New York Times, Senator Matsunaga
said, “By fighting for this legislation, Japanese Americans
have done far more than win their own vindication. They
have left a legacy for their children and indeed, for all
immigrant minorities who continue to migrate to this
great country of ours, founded not on race but ideals.”
The Reception sponsored by Congressman Robert
Matsui is a happy one. His wife Doris and son Brian
welcome us cordially. When Congressman Barney Frank,
Jim Wright, and Mike Lowry are introduced and asked to
say a few words, it is interesting that they all expressed
their thanks that we raised the awareness of this issue for
if the Japanese Americans did not, no one else would
have. I feel we have the Sanseis and Yonseis to thank for
making the Nisei and Issei who went through the
relocation experience bring it out into the open and to
release the feelings that have been locked inside for over
four decades.
We leave Washington, D.C. at 7:48 p.m. through
Atlanta and Salt Lake City and arrive in Seattle around
2:00 a.m. Landmark Travel Service has thoughtfully
provided a bus to transport us back to the dorms.
The key person I would like to thank is Grayce
Uyehara, LEC Executive Director, and our contact in
Washington, D.C. With her ACTION ALERTS, she
single-handedly stirred up the grassroots into action.
Thanks to all of you for responding by writing letters and
making phone calls to your congressmen and to President
Reagan. Each one helped!
Appreciation also to Betty Breyer, former
Redress Chair, and Jo Okura, current Cincinnati
Chapter Redress Chair.
PERSONALS
DONATIONS
Cincinnati Chapter gratefully acknowledges
the following donations:
General Fund
We received a donation from Hiroshi and
Hiroko Nishiyama in memory of Mr. Earl
Heintzelman, neighbor.
Mr. Heintzelman
passed away on December 23 at the age of 86.
Lois Nizny
Hiroko Nishiyama
In memory of Kate Brinton
Toki Morioka, Cincinnati, Ohio
Frances Tojo, Cincinnati, Ohio
To the Grains of Rice
Lillian Yamamoto, Morrison, Colorado
Hiroko Miller, Moores Hill, Indiana
To the Okura Family Scholarship Fund
Leon and Patti Okura Leiberg, Washington DC
To the Rufus Tojo Scholarship Fund
Lillian Yamamoto, Morrison, Colorado
Chad Yoshikawa, Cincinnati, Ohio
Welcome Friends of Cincinnati JACL
Akiko Goens, Cincinnati, Ohio
Kono Naegele. Cincinnati, Ohio
Welcome new Members of Cincinnati JACL
Jojiro LeCroix
611 Chardonnay Ridge
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gordon Morioka
1425 Shenandoah Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio
Tristan Morioka, Cincinnati, Ohio
1425 Shenandoah Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Grains of Rice 5
Interview with a Ninja
by Chad Yoshikawa
Stephen K. Hayes and Chad Yoshikawa at the Installation Dinner
In 1985, I was a 13 year old kid fascinated by martial arts and martial art movies. Most of all, my friends
and I were into the recent Ninja phenomenon made famous by Hollywood and Sho Kosugi movies like
“Enter the Ninja” and “Pray for Death.” We even bought Ninja costumes (I still have mine) from a mailorder company – complete with mask and tabi boots.
For my birthday that year, I was given a book “The Mystic Arts of the Ninja” which contained hundreds
of photographs of how to practice Ninjitsu – the art of the Ninja. My friends and I practiced these
moves over and over again. Every time they would come over to my parents’ basement, they would ask
me to get out ‘that book by Stephen K Hayes’. Stephen K Hayes was the author of that book, and while
Sho Kosugi was an actor that I knew played a Ninja on TV, to me, Mr. Hayes was a Ninja.
Fast forward more than 20 years later to the Cincinnati/Dayton JACL installation dinner held recently at
the China Cottage in Centerville Ohio. I had just taken my seat for dinner and I noticed a man next to
me with the words “Stephen Hayes” written on his nametag. I thought that Stephen K Hayes lived in
California somewhere (didn’t all famous people live in California?), but, recognizing the similar name, I
asked him what he did. His reply – “I teach martial arts”. “Oh”, I said – “there’s another martial artist
with a name similar to yours – Stephen K Hayes.” He said – “That’s me” and the entire table laughed
while I remembered to pick my jaw off the table.
Recently, Mr. Hayes granted an interview with the “Grains” which is printed below. First, let me
describe some interesting tidbits from Mr. Hayes background:
First, he has his own Wikipedia page which is cool in its own right
(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_K._Hayes)
He has served as the bodyguard of the Dalai Lama (which is even cooler)
He appeared in the TV mini-series Shogun as both an actor and stunt-double
He is a 10th degree blackbelt and trained in Japan under Masaaki Hatsumi
He currently operates the SKH Quest network of martial arts schools (www.SKHQuest.com)
He has published 20 books (See http://skhquest.com/store/index.php )
Black belt magazine called him “one of the 10 most influential living martial artists in the world”
and the “grandfather of American Ninjutsu
6 The Grains of Rice
What sparked your initial interest in martial arts?
That’s a difficult question because I really don’t have an answer. As a kid, growing up in the 1950’s I
somehow knew about martial arts. There certainly weren’t any movies, books or anything -- somehow I
had heard about Judo. Ever since I was really little I was interested in Asian culture, especially Japanese
culture. It’s not that my parents were involved in anything like that. I didn’t even know an Asian person
until I went to university. It’s kind of a mystery. Somehow it just appealed to me to be a protector.
When I was a small child, I would see some other child bullied or picked on and pushed around and I
would want to be able to intervene and make that kind of behavior stop. I think that’s what it really
represented to me. You know, what if I could know how to make there be peace.
What brought that on, do you think? Was it growing up post-war?
At the time, I wasn’t aware at all of what happened in the war – I was born in 1949. By the time I was 5
or 6 I remember seeing a Lassie TV show as a little kid and there was a Japanese boy in the show and I
remember a bunch of kids bullying this Japanese boy and he used Judo to defend himself and then he
went around kind of repairing their arms. I remember thinking, I’ve got to learn that – to be able to
make there to be peace but also to heal. Where it came from in my life, other than these few odd
things, I would say LIFE magazine had a lot of pictures of Japan but by now it was 10 years after the War.
Somehow I was always attracted to do this.
Did Bruce Lee have any influence?
Bruce Lee appeared on the scene in the late 1960’s and by then I was already a University student and
studying Karate and Bruce Lee died in 1973, so I never knew him. I was kind of a local Ohio guy in those
days and I wasn’t really well known. Certainly, his writings and his movies were inspiring but then I was
already involved in the martial arts.
You went to Miami University?
I had a theatre major and a minor in German language.
I read that you speak Japanese and German?
Interestingly, in the 1960’s there was a Japanese language program at Miami University and there
wasn’t even one at Ohio State back in those days. Somehow, there was this Japanese teacher. Finally, in
my senior year I was able to take this Japanese language course. I got to take 1 year of Japanese and
then after that I continued to teach myself Japanese using Japanese language records. I had a limited
amount of Japanese by the time I actually moved to Japan in 1975 to start my training in the Ninja
martial art.
How long before you met Rumiko and how did that come about?
I met her in 1979. She had just graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo. She got a job working in
advertising. I also had a contract with this same company.
How did you support yourself?
I had several companies – Canon, I did some work for Sony. I would do text-editing and writing in
English and then also I did English-language voice recordings. I did some TV and movie work as well
when I was over there. It gave me a lot of time free to train at the Dojo.
The Grains of Rice 7
Your sensei was Masaaki Hatsumi. His teacher was considered the last Ninja?
Well, I think that is just kind of a cool thing to say, but what does it really mean? What it referred to is
that my teacher was the 34th Soke or headmaster of the Ninja tradition. His teacher was the 33rd
headmaster. The 33rd spent a lot of time in China in the early 1900s when Japan, and the European and
U.S. nations were involved in imperialist expansion. So there were a lot of scary stories of what he had
to do overseas. Whereas my teacher wasn’t really involved in that kind of warfare – so maybe that’s
why they call his teacher the last Ninja.
I read that you were a security guard for the Dalai Lama?
That’s right. That was in 1994. In 1999 we were finally able to get US Department of State security
services to take over that job. Before that, the US government did not have any kind of designation as a
significant visitor…
Because they didn’t recognize Tibet?
Well, yes, in 1972 the Nixon administrator, as part of diplomatic relations with China, one of the
agreements is that we would no longer support the concept of Tibetan independence. When the Dalai
Lama would show up, thousands of people would show up. He had his Tibetan security team on his
right side and then I would accompany him on his left. I was his liaison with a lot of state and local
police. I was able to do that for 10 years.
How in the world did that happen?
It’s a very long, bunch of small strange coincidences. My Ninjitsu teacher, Masaaki Hatsumi, had
mentioned that the roots of the Ninja martial art were way west --- meaning the Himalayas. So I wanted
to go there. In 1985/1986 I went to Tibet and I came out of Tibet. I was able, by a fluke, to get a meeting
with the Dalai Lama. Somehow I did that – maybe because I was a book author and had just come from
Tibet. After that, I got to know his family. His brother is actually a professor at Indiana University. So
there were a couple of other meetings with the Dalai Lama and his family. In 1989, I just happened to
be in LA when he got the word that he would be chosen for the Nobel Peace Prize. Right away,
reporters and all kinds of people started showing up. They were just totally unprepared from a security
standpoint. So with this Ninja mind and martial art technique, I just started to help him out right there,
and then that led me to be invited to be there during the other visits in 1990/1991 when he was coming
over to the U.S.
How long have you been involved in the Dayton JACL?
Actually, Rumiko and I were married in 1980 and then we flew back to Ohio. I wanted Rumiko to get to
know some Japanese people in the area. In fact, in 1980, that is when Shogun the mini-series had come
out. So a lot more people in Dayton had become aware of Japanese historical culture. So in the winter
installation dinner, Dr. Kaz Kimura invited me to be the speaker so we got to know everybody in Dayton
JACL. We were not really involved for much of a political reason, although I’m very aware of the
important civil rights challenges that still exist for a lot of people in the U.S. It was more that we
enjoyed the people – it was 20 years ago – we’ve been involved for 28 years in the JACL.
8 The Grains of Rice
How was your experience with the movie Shogun?
I was a stunt double for Jonathon Rhys-Davies (a star of Indiana Jones and other films). There is a scene
where Jonathon’s character was drowning…that was me in the water. Richard Chamberlain had to jump
in and save my life. In order to look as big as Jonathon, I had on a water-ski life-vest underneath the
costume. But I was supposed to look like I was drowning but I kept popping out of the water! Richard
Chamberlain had this very 1500’s looking English costume on and it was soaking with water and he was
being pulled under. It took us 5 takes to get that one scene done.
How did that come about?
I had heard that they were taping that when I was in Japan. I said to my agent that I heard that they
were taping Shogun, and he said “Well, the pay scale is under what you’re used to working for”. I said it
doesn’t matter, get me in that movie! So he arranged an interview and I ended up working for them for
a month and a half. I had a wonderful time with all of those people. Part of the fun is being able to say,
“I was in a Samurai movie with Toshiro Mifune which is cool even to this day.”
You had a book that recently came out?
It just came out in this Spring – it was my 20th book. In there, I talk about some of the historical
momentums of how a martial art is handed down from one generation to the next. Which hadn’t really
been explained very much to people in the past. I’ve been doing a lot with DVDs and the Internet. We
have a new version of the website (SKHQuest.com) which will come out in the spring featuring new
training videos and new content. I’d like to continue to expand on that.
The other focus which is important – there is a lot of inner work, inside the mind and spirit which is
associated with real martial arts. And a lot of that gets overlooked in the western world and so that
whole aspect of how to be more at peace with one’s self –self understanding – understanding where
violence comes from, about conflict, about terrorism. Maybe there are a lot of lessons we can take from
martial arts that we can teach people to be at peace and adjust to all the changes that we’re going
through in the world right now.
How are your children doing?
I have 1 daughter, Reina, who is 25 who is a tax accountant. I have another daughter, Marisa, who is 22
and just about to finish up at the University of Cincinnati. Marisa is studying at the DAAP school at UC.
She’ll graduate in June – she’d like to work in New York City in fashion. She’s interned about 6 times in
New York so far.
A few years ago Marisa entered a JACL oratory contest and ended up going to Las Vegas and winning
first place. We were so proud that she was finalist, even, and went to Las Vegas to hear her words
about the role of JACL into the future. We were also able to attend the National JACL convention that
year.
The Grains of Rice 9
In Memoriam
Kate Keith Brinton
1917-2007
Kate Brinton, 89, died due to congestive heart failure on January 26, 2007, at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born December 11, 1917, in Lowell, MA.
She was educated in Geneva, NY, and graduated from Smith College, Northampton, MA, in
1939 with a degree in mathematics. Her first employment was as a mathematics teacher at
George School, a Quaker boarding school in Newtown, PA, from 1939 to 1942. It was at
George School that Kate met Arthur H. Brinton and they were married in August 1940.
Kate had a concern for others and the will and ability to act on their behalf. For Art’s
alternative service during World War II (1943-1944) Kate and Art managed a hostel in
Cincinnati, OH, for Japanese-American families who had been in internment camps and
subsequently released.
The Cincinnati Hostel was opened in the spring of 1943 at 2820 Winslow Avenue. It was
a former fraternity house, a square, three-story building with spacious first floor rooms, a broad
staircase, several bathrooms, and many bedrooms – an antithesis of flimsy barracks. . As many
as 30 persons had beds (with the third-floor a men’s dormitory) and upwards of 40 ate on special
occasions.
As the hostel was established to operate cooperatively, there were always willing hands
to help with meal preparations, washing dishes, and cleaning the first floor. Residents took care
of their own sleeping quarters and laundry. The Brinton’s young son, Keith, had many
grandmothers who rejoiced in looking after him when Kate was tied up. Kate had to plan menus,
purchase foods, and learn about Nisei customs, food, ideals, and recent history. The hostel
became a convenient center for visiting, sharing news, finding a letter, or just resting. The hostel
was homey, fostering feelings of forgiveness and peace. Some of the friendships formed in those
two years have lasted over 50 years.
Arthur made countless trips to Union Terminal to welcome evacuees to Cincinnati. His
was the first friendly face to greet them. He accompanied scores of couples searching for
apartments and fearing rejection, but who showed courage and integrity – not demanding
perfection, but not lowering their stands. Apartments were scarce. Gas was rationed but Arthur
also drove evacuees to places of employment.
Before her heart surgery, Kate hosted a 100th birthday party for Art. Other survivors
include four children, Keith Brinton of Davis, California, Anne Brinton of Brooktondale, NY,
Dan Brinton of Ludlow, VT, Erica Brinton of Norwich, VT, a foster daughter Clara Coan of
New Hope, PA, and seven grandchildren.
10 The Grains of Rice
Reds Box Suite Tickets Raffle
Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America has donated ten Reds Suite Tickets for JACL
Kazuya and Betsy Sato will host ten lucky winners for the Sunday, July 27, 2008, game vs.
Colorado Rockies at 1:15 p.m. The Box/Suite tickets are located on the 3rd base line. The five
pairs of tickets will be picked on July 4th, 2008. Winners need not be present. Winners will be
contacted. The first two pairs of tickets include a parking pass in the Great American Ballpark
Garage. All tickets include a pre-game lunch in the suite. Donation is $10 for one ticket. Three
for $25. No more than 200 tickets will be sold. Contact a board member to purchase tickets.
Sakura Ladies Chorus – May 11th at NKU
10th Annual Concert with Greater Cincinnati Children’s Chorus and Kentucky Kids Bell Choir
The concert will be held on Sunday, May 11 at Greaves Hall, located in Fine Arts Center of
Northern Kentucky University. Time of concert is 3:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more details,
contact sakurachorus@hotmail.com
Asian Symposia on Health – April 26th and 27th
Organized by Asian Community Alliance (ACA) -- Free Hepatitis B screenings ($40 savings)
The ACA is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together resources to provide
quality, compassionate and culturally sensitive services to the Asian Communities in the Greater
Cincinnati Region through education and outreach. Hepatitis B, labeled a silent killer among
Asian Americans will be the main topic. Free Hepatitis B screening (regular cost $40) will be
available. In addition, Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes will be addressed as they impact a
disproportionate part of the Asian community. The Symposia will also focus on Cessation of
Teen Smoking. The symposia will be held on April 26 at Xavier University from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
and at the Cincinnati Museum Center on April 27 from 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. For reservations and
directions, contact 321-3178, 339-9855, 8919855.
JACL National Convention – July 16-20th in Salt Lake City
Celebrating 20th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988
This year’s convention theme: “Legacy of Leadership” will highlight the accomplishments and
history of the organization in the pursuit of justice and equality. JACL will also commemorate
the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 with special activities and
events highlighting the JACL campaign for redress.
Wanted: Bakers and Cooks
Ohanami Bazaar and Bake Sale
May 3rd at Hyde Park Bethlehem Church
We are asking you wonderful bakers to bring in cakes, cookies, brownies, or some specialty from
your own family recipe to sell at the bazaar. We will be selling Japanese sushi and mazegohan.
Free green tea will be served to all who come.
The Grains of Rice 11
THE GRAINS OF RICE
Cincinnati Chapter
Japanese American Citizens League
7761 Gwenwyn Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.geocities.com/cincinnatijacl
2008 CALENDAR
April 27
1:30 p.m.
Board Meeting
Home of Lois Nizny
May 3
9:00 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ohanami – Cherry Blossom Viewing Party
Japanese Bazaar and Bake Sale
May 30-31
Midwest District Council Meeting
Omaha, Nebraska
July 16-20
National JACL Convention
Salt Lake City, Utah
August 17
4:00pm – 8:00pm
Potluck Dinner
Hyde Park Bethlehem Church