Newsletter Vol 2-5-10-11 dips

THIS for Diplomats
Newsletter
Volume 2, Issue 5
June 20, 2011
From the President
Contact Us
Please send your comments, questions or corrections to the editor, Tina
Bailem at
Nicholas8555@msn.com
THIS for Diplomats
President, Dr. Joan Keston
Inside this issue
From the President
1
Thank You!
2
Programs and Services 3-7
Biographies
8-9
Introductions
10
I am very fortunate to be serving as President as THIS celebrates our 50th anniversary. It seems a particularly appropriate time to thank you for participating in
our rich tradition of friendship, information, and cultural exchanges. Citizen
diplomacy at its best requires that both of us step forward to take an active role.
You have attended our programs, special events and our International Conversation and Cultural Exchanges (ICCE). You have invited us to your embassies and
homes. Most importantly you have encouraged other diplomats and spouses to
join us. We have been delighted to call on the spouse of your Ambassador to
Washington and to speak at your embassy’s orientations for new diplomats and
their families. Please remember to let THIS know as your embassy postings
change this summer.
In the past year THIS volunteers have enthusiastically donated 20,000 hours
to provide 65 programs and 208 language and cultural exchanges with 1734 diplomats. To mention just a few programs: the Changing Role of Women in the
Middle East, part of a new series on women by regions of the world; a panel on
Third Culture Kids; seminars on American government; visits to the Supreme
Court, White House, Library of Congress, private art collections, Winterthur and
Aiken, SC; and performances at Arena and the Kennedy Center; as well as our new
Sports in America series that included football, basketball and baseball games.
Language conversation groups include Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese,
Spanish, Turkish, and, of course, English. Our 4th Festival des Artistes of diplomat
and volunteer art was successfully exhibited for over 3 months at Bing Stanford
Art Gallery. The ICCEs have welcomed you into our homes and hearts. You and
we understand the power of exchange as diplomats and their families and THIS
volunteers talk of the friendships formed and the appreciation of each other’s
history and culture.
We also partnered this year with Meridian for the new very successful program
series Insights at Meridian: Topical Discussions with DC Ambassadors as well as
the International Children’s Festival. Twenty-five embassies exhibited at the
Festival and many performed as well for over 1100 children and adults. Both
programs have generated a great deal of interest and enthusiasm from the Washington community, embassy staffs, and our volunteers.
As THIS looks to the present and future needs of the diplomatic community we
serve, we are expanding our volunteer base to include more men and young working adults and we are offering more programs in the evening and on the weekends.
Our Diplomatic Advisory Board of Ambassadorial spouses provide input and participate in our programs.
In short, THIS for Diplomats has had a stellar year thanks to you and our volunteers and we look forward to the many services and programs that are already in
the planning stages for next year.
With Warm Wishes,
Joan Keston
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 2
THIS for Diplomats says “THANK YOU”…
THIS for Diplomats would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of those listed below:
CORPORATE SPONSORS
General Dynamics
BENEFACTORS
Mrs. Peter S. Bing
2010 YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS
2010 YEAR END CONTRIBUTIONS
INDIVIDUAL DONATIONS ABOVE DUES
Ms. Alison B. Adler
Ms. Elizabeth Bizic
Ms. Karen J. Bopp
The Honorable Mortimer Caplin
Mrs. Salvador N. Ceja
Mrs. Susan Cohen
Mrs. Margaret Doty
Mr. Lawrence P. Dunham and
Mrs. Deborah Dunham
Dr. Frederica Dunn
Mrs. Lexie Ellis
Mrs. Ronna Foster
Mrs. Patricia Green
Ms. Marilyn Hardis
Ms. Joan Saenz
Mrs. Adrienne Hensley
Ms. Claire Hooper
Dr. Laurence A. Jarvik
Dr. Todd Johns
Mrs. Carol Kaplan
Dr. Phyllis Kaplan
Mrs. Alison Kerr
Dr. Joan Keston
Mrs. Elizabeth Klass
Mrs. Carol Marburger
Mrs. Randa Mendenhall
continued
Mrs. Olivia Brown
Mrs. Ruth H. Carr
Mrs. Margaret Doty
Mrs. Margaret Eubank
Mrs. Joanne Taylor Field
Mrs. Carol Gant
Dr. Joan Keston
Mrs. Rita Kopin
Mrs. Susan Lee
Ms. Maria-Elena Tierno
Mrs. Claudia Thurber
Mrs. Carolyn R. Nelson
Mrs. Maureen Plevyak
Mrs. Edward J. Rankin
Ms. Ruth Rickard
Mrs. Karen Russo
Mrs. Riki Sheehan
Mrs. Lois H. Stratton
Mrs. Nena Thayer
Mrs. Susan M. Wilhere
Mrs. Helga L. Willis
Mrs. Joan Wolffe
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ENDOWMENT
Mrs. Norma Johnson
Mrs. Madge Palumbo
Check out our website at www.THISforDiplomats.org for more
photos of programs like the International Children’s Festival, a
visit to the Embassy of Finland, and more!
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 3
Programs and Services
Art Exhibition and
Luncheon at the
Embassy of the
Slovak Republic
His Excellency, Ambassador Peter
Burian and his wife Nina Burianova of
the Slovak Republic graciously invited
diplomats and THIS volunteers to an
art exhibition featuring paintings by
Slovak artist, Daniel Brogyany, and a lovely luncheon at the
embassy.
After an initial greeting by Mrs. Burianova, Ambassador
Burian spoke - complimenting THIS for the dedication of its
volunteers. There was also a presentation on the exhibited
collection of traditional clothing from many parts of the
country. After the luncheon, everyone received a beautifully
decorated egg as a special treat.
Kina Ceremony at the Turkish
dence
Resi-
THIS volunteers and diplomats had the unique opportunity to attend a Kina Ceremony, traditionally held just before
a marriage, at the amazing and newly renovated Turkish
Ambassador’s Residence. Attendees were spellbound by the
feast of brilliant color, fantastic traditional costumes, intriguing music and dance, and the marvelous food served to all.
During the ceremony
These lovely ladies worked to make this amazing event
possible:
L.-r.: Banu Guler; Humeyra Oguz; Sinem Aslan Ergani;
Feriha Istar; Burcu Aydin; Yagmur Cosar; Deniz Dramagil;
Sanem Keceli; Mrs. Fugen Tan, spouse of the Ambassador;
Deniz Ertas; Damla Tantekin; Hikmet Kararti; Fatma
Dogan; Deniz Sen.
Ms. Deniz Dramagil explains
some of the displayed gifts to
THIS volunteer Peter Gray.
Ms. Sinem Ergani in
traditional costume.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 4
Programs and Services
Turkish Cultural Exchange
Group
In May, the Turkish Cultural Exchange
group enjoyed a demonstration of a
traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony and
a colorful display of Eritrean handle-less
porcelain cups and coffee making
accessories.
Mrs. Anyalem Barayes
During the demonstration, the group
learned that coffee was produced in Eritrea
during the time it was part of the Ottoman
Empire. THIS volunteer Abeba Telahun,
assisted by her mother and aunt wearing
traditional dress, presented highlights of the
ritual which can last more than two hours.
With incense burning to purge the space of
evil spirits, green coffee beans were roasted
over a coal brazier. The roasted beans were
then ground and coffee was made for all to
sample along with some traditional treats
- another rich and vibrant cultural experience.
L.-r.: THIS volunteer Ruth
Krosin; Inmaculada Lopez
Cillero (Spain); Group Chair
Johanna Nutter; Fernanda Alva
(Mexico); THIS Past President
Elena Olsen; Sabine Kammerman (Germany); THIS volunteer Abeba Telahun.
Tour of National Building Museum and the
2011 Smithsonian Craft Show
Participants of this great program enjoyed a very informative tour of the
National Building Museum and the nationally-recognized 2011 Smithsonian
Craft Show, highlighting outstanding artisans in the United States.
The National Building Museum, completed in 1887, is one of the great
American landmarks of the 19th century and one of DC’s most spectacular
works of public architecture.
Koji Tanaka from Santa Barbara,
CA explained his wood working
techniques to attendees.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 5
Programs and Services
Gettysburg National Military Park and Eisenhower
National Historic Site
Visitors traveled back in time for this event, to the Gettysburg battlefield on which 165,000 soldiers fought for their
beliefs and where North and South clashed in the largest
battle ever fought on the American continent. After a short,
but very impressive movie, giving a first impression of the
events unfolding at the time, the tour continued with a visit
to the amazing Cyclorama and Museum at the Visitor Center
at Gettysburg National Military Park.
On the battlefield
After a congenial lunch, a licensed guide led attendees on a
lively tour of the actual battlefield with several opportunities
to leave the bus to walk on the historic grounds.
Finally, the group traveled on to the home
and farm of President Dwight D. Eisenhower,
located nearby. There they visited the house
and museum.
May Foray: A Tour of the Trees of the Capitol
In early May, Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author and naturalist led the participants of
this fun spring program on a wonderful tour of the stately grounds of the nation's Capitol, beginning at the U.S. Botanic Gardens. The attendees, representing 6 different
countries, joined in with comments and stories of their own trees, homelands, backyards, and ecosystems.
Melanie helped to sift
and sort Latin names,
species, seeds, flowers,
bark, leaves as they
viewed canopies, grottos,
and woodlands.
Everyone enjoyed a
delightful and informative stroll as they became tree huggers extraordinaire.
L.-r.: Mrs. Queenie
Thompson; Gettysburg
National Park employee;
His Excellency Ambassador Winston Thompson
from Fiji.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 6
Programs and Services
Nationals Baseball Game
The Sports in America Committee organized a great visit to the 16th game between
the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates at Nationals Park in Washington.
Jon Kelman, committee and program chair, explained the rules, history, nuances,
and current news, while participants immersed themselves gleefully in the culture of
baseball-hot dogs, cheering, and booing, in
order to have the full American baseball
experience.
L.-r.: Committee Chair Jon Kelman explains baseball rules to
Mrs. Torunn Holst (Norway).
Visit to Aiken and Columbia in South Carolina
by Marlene Futterman
HORSE RACES, FAMILY STAYS, DANCING THE SHAG, MEETING CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS AND
LADIES, SOUTHERN COOKING IN A PLANTATION LIKE SETTING, POLICE ESCORTS THROUGH
RED LIGHTS … these were just a few of the extraordinary events of an outstanding and unique three days in Aiken,
South Carolina. This wonderful experience for diplomats and volunteers was organized and arranged by THIS volunteers Donna and Martin Ritter and will remain a fond memory for many years to come for all who had the privilege to
attend.
After arrival at the Columbia Airport and transportation to Aiken, we had lunch at the historic Wilcox Hotel, a favorite
of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's. There, Mayor Fred Cavenaugh and his wife, who attended many events with us,
welcomed us with a lovely certificate and we enjoyed meeting many dignitaries of Aiken including the City Manager, Fire
Chief, and several State Senators. We were fortunate to meet the owner of one of the stables where horses are trained for
the Kentucky Derby next and to actually greet and pet several of the horses. In the evening we were escorted around the
wonderful historical museum by the curator, learned the local dance, the “shag”, and had a wonderful Southern buffet. A
highlight of the day was meeting our wonderful host families, arranged by miraculous Rotary member Lyn Kenney.
Another wonderful day dawned as we toured Aiken by foot and private trolley and attended the horse trials as guests
of the Patrons’ tent. Following free time to shop in downtown Aiken or simply relax with our host families (the match of
guests and hosts were simply perfect) we were invited to a marvelous Southern buffet at the beautiful home of the Ritters’. The Fire Chief and his crew cooked great vitals for us and
the setting was simply spectacular.
Sunday morning, after bidding a tearful farewell to our hosts,
we bussed to Columbia for lunch in a historic private club and a
private walking and bus tour conducted by a terrific guide from
the Columbia Historical Association. Here we toured the State
Capitol grounds with its impressive sculptures and learned
about the Civil War as happened in Columbia. Sated, tired and
exuberant, at the airport we all agreed it was a unique experience we wouldn’t have missed for the world. Special thanks to
the Donna and Martin Ritter, without whom the trip would
never have been possible. Continued next page.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 7
Programs and Services
Visit to Aiken and Columbia in South Carolina continued
Confederate
actors at the
Aiken
Museum
L.-r.: Meike Torst-Saur (Germany); Franziska
Egger (Switzerland); THIS volunteer Marlene
Futterman; Cot Campbell; Elvie Jenkinson
(New Zealand); THIS volunteer Maureen
Plevyak; Diane Steele (United Kingdom).
L.-r.: THIS volunteer
Marlene Futterman; Mayor
Fred Cavenaugh;, Program
organizer and THIS volunteer Donna Ritter.
The
Soiree at
the Ritters’
home.
Civil War
Monument,
Columbia,
SC.
Visit to the Amish in Lancaster County
The Travel Committee organized another fabulous program which included a visit
to an Amish home and farm and a delicious traditional luncheon with all the trimmings. Afterwards a guided tour through the lovely countryside where the Amish live
and work and a stop at a Farmer’s Market rounded out the experience. A specially
arranged tour of a local Quilt Museum crowned the event and the participants went
home happy and satisfied with their wonderful day full of amazing experiences.
The Amish Village with white
schoolhouse in the background.
Participants had a tasty traditional
Amish meal for lunch at a farm.
Mrs. Queenie Thompson, wife of the
Ambassador of Fiji at the Quilt
Museum.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 8
THIS for Diplomats presents ...
Our Diplomat of the Month for this publication is
Mrs. Amina F. Olhaye, Spouse of the Ambassador of
Djibouti, and a very gracious and hospitable representative of her country. Although she spent most of her childhood and teenage years at her aunt’s home in Addis
Ababa in Ethiopia, Djibouti has always been where her
heart is and she is rightfully very proud of her home.
THIS volunteer Marjorie
Scott and Amina Olhaye,
Wife of the Ambassador of
Djibouti
Married now for almost four decades, she says that she has been blessed
with a good life and a wonderful family. There is her amazing husband, who
has been both Ambassador to the United Nations and the US since January
1988 and is accredited to Canada as a non-resident Ambassador since 1989,
holding all posts simultaneously, and who is now the Dean of the Diplomatic
Corps both in the US and at the UN. Their life together started in Ethiopia,
where they first met while he was a student at University there, but soon after
his graduation they moved to Kenya where he accepted his first assignment
with an American Company before he later entered the Djibouti Foreign
Service.
Amina is also the proud mother of five sons, all well accomplished in their various occupations and professions, some living in the US, some in Djibouti. Asked about how important family in her country is she says:
“In the Republic of Djibouti, family is highly cherished and respected; and is the centerpiece of society and
people’s life. We have an “extended family” system, whereby family goes beyond the immediate family and
encompasses cousins, nephews, nieces, uncles, aunts and even further and further. This means many people
would count on your support, be that feeding, lodging, schooling or financial.” She continues that “in these
circumstances, a woman’s contribution is key in ensuring a functioning, stable and comfortable home environment. Women in Djibouti are proud homemakers who are also embarking these days in diverse fields,
without hindrance or inhibition. Girls and boys from the age of 6 begin education in a coeducational environment and continue this journey together through university level.”
Amina herself enjoys being a homemaker very much. One of her favorite past times is cooking, which she
says smilingly “makes her feel good” and she loves to sew. She is a congenial hostess who describes herself
as someone who likes people, is a little shy, but always polite and some of her happiest times are spent on Fridays when she goes to visit her Mosque. She says she was a fairly strict mother, but looks forward to spoiling
her grandchildren and to travel more, now that her children are grown.
She regularly goes to visit her home in Djibouti City, the nation’s
capital and an important seaport located on a peninsula that divides
the Gulf of Aden from the Gulf of Tadjoura. Djibouti, officially “the
Republic of Djibouti” is a country bordered by Eritrea in the north,
Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast.
Amina has been in Washington for a long time, but she enjoys attending various THIS programs and is a valued member of the THIS
Diplomatic Advisory Board. She says that she has formed many
wonderful friendships through our organization and looks forward to
making many more.
Djibouti City
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 9
THIS for Diplomats presents ….
Quiet confidence and a serene spirit best describe our THIS Volunteer of
the Month, Marjorie Scott. Someone who has faced great challenges in life
and who has come out of every struggle stronger and with a better understanding of herself and others. Someone who knows that “every moment
counts” and that life is not to be wasted with useless regrets of things she
cannot change. She considers herself to be a happy optimist, “who doesn’t
want to change the world – just to deal with it” and who tries “to be ready
for anything at any time.” It is something she had to learn, she says, but she
also feels that experience is the best teacher in this existence, which she sees
as a game she tries hard to win. Four H’s form her life philosophy: Be
happy, humble, in harmony, and honest. Set the example and listen to others, to nature, to your surroundings and you will learn and grow as a human being.
THIS volunteer
Marjorie Scott
Marjorie spent the first twenty years of her life in Tucson, Arizona. She
had a “wholesome childhood” with genial parents who doted on their beautiful daughter. After
graduating from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education she taught as
a substitute teacher in the diverse and mixed schools in the Tucson area. In 1971, a date for ‘June
Week’ at the United States Naval Academy brought her to Washington, where shortly after she
decided to live and work. Here, in 1974, she also met her husband, Eric, whom she married in 1975.
They have two children, Stephanie and Andrew.
As a THIS volunteer, Marjorie enjoys welcoming diplomats into the metropolitan area. She feels
that our great organization provides “an enriching experience for all involved” and that the opportunity to meet people from all over the world helps us to better “define and understand who we all are.”
As she is widely traveled on the African continent she especially enjoys meeting diplomats from
there. In recent years, she also had the amazing opportunity to travel to Uzbekistan with the wife of
the Uzbek Ambassador to the US at the time, Mrs. Rahima Kahary. She says that she has learned
that one of the most important things in life is to respect the differences and similarities in all the
peoples, and that she found that “we have more things in common than different.”
In her free time Marjorie loves to be creative, sewing is one of her big hobbies. She likes to be
inventive – once she made a dress out of her husband’s discarded ties – coincidentally a beautiful
and very stylish garment. She also likes to do needle point and she loves to write letters - the old
fashioned way. She enjoys communicating like that, somehow it touches you on a more personal
basis she says, and it’s one of the little things that make for a happy day. Besides THIS for Diplomats, Marjorie is also active with “Welcome to Washington” and the Rotary Club of Washington, DC.
THIS for Diplomats Newsletter
Page 10
THIS for Diplomats introduces ….
As you know, THIS for Diplomats is a non-profit organization made
up of volunteers, and we are very happy to introduce the newest members of our organization to you:
Diana Vigier
de Latour
Diana Vigier de Latour - Diana was born in Bogota, Colombia, raised
in the US and spent over 25 years in Mauritius. She enjoys cultural exchanges and speaks Spanish, French and Creole. She is a yoga instructor and a health coach and is very interested in body/mind wellness and
health.
Michael Byc - Michael is our newest intern and a 2011 graduate of
the American University in Washington, DC, with a degree in International Relations. He is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in International Politics. Besides being a whiz at the computer, Michael is widely
traveled and speaks fluent Polish and Ukrainian.
THIS for
Diplomats
thanks their
generous
corporate
sponsors
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