Albuquerque Sister Cities Foundation

Winter 2007

6th Century BC - area of Ashgabat what is now Turkmenistan forms part of the Persian Committee Celebrates Empire of Cyrus the Great. 4th Century BC - Alexander On October melon); the Great conquers Central 28, 2006 the and for Asia, including Turk- ASCF Ashga- dessert menistan. bat, Turk- hvorost 7th Century AD - Arabs menistan (fried conquer , in- committee dough) cluding Turkmenistan and celebrated and hot introduce Islam. T u r k - green tea. 10th - 13th Centuries - No- menistan’s 15 D o o r madic Otghuz Seljuk tribes years of inde- prizes (ancestors of present-day pendence were tra- Turkmen) and Mongols im- from the So- ditional migrate from the northeast. viet Union. Turkmen Genghis Khan conquers the Oguljan Hal- handi- region, including Turk- liyeva and her crafts. menistan. husband Some of 15th-17th Centuries - south- Nathan Young the guests ern part of Turkmenistan comes under Persian rule, hosted a fes- Richard Buckler, who had tive gathering, visited while the northern part is Nathan Young and dominated by Uzbek-ruled which featured Ogulijan Halliyeva T ur k- Turkmen menistan be- states of Khiva and and door prizes. The party fore talked about the hospi- Bukhara. was planned in detail and it tality of the Turkmen peo- 1881 - area of present-day was easy for guests to ple and how they felt the Turkmenistan incorporated imagine what it would be same hospitality in Oguljan into after like to be in someone’s and Nathan’s house. the Battle of Gok Tepe. house in Turkmenistan. Elle Tesche presented each 1921 - Turkmenistan forms There were several pictures attendee with an original part of the Turkestan Au- on the walls from handmade bookmark of tonomous Soviet Socialist “Tolkuchka”, the largest dried flowers. Conversa- Republic. WE DO NOT RE- 1991 - Turkmenistan de- MEMBER DAYS, bazaar in Central Asia. The tion flowed easily at the guests were “seated” in tra- gathering and naturally it clares independence just be- BUT MOMENTS. fore the collapse of the LIFE MOVES ditional Turkmen style - turned to Ashgabat. colorful cushions on the Richard Buckler, Commit- USSR. TOO FAST, SO Ashgabat was largely de- ENJOY YOUR floor. The menu included a tee Chair, said the group is salad of cucumbers, toma- planning a visit to Ashgabat stroyed by an earthquake in PRECIOUS MO- 1948. Over 100,000 people MENTS. toes, green and pars- in October 2007. He also ley; palov ( and carrots) gave each a copy of a were killed. Today show- with both beef and chicken; chronology of key events in piece buildings dominate fresh fruits (persimmon, Turkmenistan, which was the skyline and the popula- pear, pomegranate, apple, put together by Nathan. A tion numbers 605,000. canteloupe and water- few of the events are:

1 ALBUQUERQUE SISTER CITIES hosted the second Fiesta del Glo- From the President’s Desk bos ( Festival of Hot Air Balloons). This balloon rally has become an important part of the partnership Our plan to develop school-to-school re- studies project on our sister cities. between our two cities, and it’s a lationships and provide Youth Cultural They’ve also asked for pen pals wonderful way to blend our similar Exchanges with our sister cities is pro- (or e-pals) in several of our sister cultures. Our balloon crew had a gressing. Albuquerque Academy plans cities. We’re trying to arrange great time at this rally and we’ll to send a group of students to Colegio that now. sign up for next year’s event. Guadalajara in March. The Academy Carol Dawley organized a won- Sidney Yen (Hualien Committee hosted students from Guadalajara in Oc- derful African Fashion Show for Chair) visited with Mayor Tsai in tober 2006 and described the visit as January. Her presentation gave January. Read the article about his great fun and very educational. This is us not only a look at traditional two-day trip to Hualien. their students’ first visit to Guadalajara and casual clothing worn by peo- Bob Montoya is the new chair for and it will provide a wonderful opportu- ple of Ghana, formerly called the Guadalajara. Bob brings with him nity to actually attend classes there for Gold Coast, but also a back- a unique background and will be two weeks. Also, our Sasebo committee ground of this western African working with the city to expand our is now selecting the students who will country. This unique event was cultural ties with Guadalajara. travel to Sasebo in May-June to stay with so much fun that I predict we’ll Welcome Bob! families there and learn about the have several more, with fashion Want more copies of this newslet- Japanese culture. In 2003 Albuquerque presentations from other coun- ter? You’ll find them on our web- students visited Sasebo, and in 2005 tries. site - http://www.albuquerque- Sasebo sent students here for an ex- Albuquerque Sister Cities pro- sister-cities.org/Newsletters.htm change visit. I’ve asked both groups of vides at least four cultural events students to give us a presentation about per year for its members to enjoy. their experiences at our annual meeting Watch your mailbox or the calen- in June. In addition, a 9th grade class at dar on our web site for upcoming the Albuquerque Institute for Mathemat- events. ics and Science at UNM is doing a social This past November, Chihuahua Meet Your Board: Wolfram Krank, Sidney Yen and Yu-Lin Shen

The Chair of the Helmstedt, Germany city. There is touring of the sur- committee is Wolfram Krank. Born in rounding areas. A trip to Germany Salzburg, Austria, he immigrated to is being planned for the last two the USA in 1965. He first went to San weeks in October. Those inter- Diego for 6 months and then headed ested should contact Wolfram for east. He got as far as Albuquerque and more details. The Helmstedt com- has resided here ever since. Wolfram mittee welcomes new members married here in the USA and his and is also seeking a Co-Chair. daughter is now over 2 years old. She is learning to speak in three languages and is able to count to ten in German, Japanese and English. In 1973 Ruth Hashimoto convinced Wolfram to join Albuquerque Sister Cities. The Helmstedt, Germany affil- iation became official in May 1983 and Wolfram has been the chair ever since. Every other year he leads a Yu-Lin Shen & Sidney Yen delegation to Helmstedt, with the Ger- mans coming here in the “other” years. Story continues on page 3. A main feature of this association is the home hospitality being offered on both sides of the Atlantic. While the Wolfram Krank usual visit is about 2 weeks in length, not all that time is spent in the host 2 ALBUQUERQUE SISTER CITIES 2006-2007 Chairs Report of My Trip to Hualien by Sidney Yen I traveled to Taiwan January 9 by the television reporter. We turning to City Hall mid-afternoon to January 27, 2007. While in all went to the Marshal Hotel we took more photos with the Taiwan I spent two days visit- for lunch; after which, the three Mayor’s staff and members of the ing our sister city, Hualien. I city officials accompanied me Hualien delegation. Back to the flew from Taipei to Hualien on some sightseeing. We went airport and Taipei. It was truly a and was greeted at the airport to the beach and to Taroko wonderful and unforgetable trip. by three city officials - Mr. National Park. That evening Tank Tan, Mr. David Chiang, we dined at a well known and Mr. William Hsieh. All restaurant. After dinner we vis- three were members of the ited many small shops full of Hualien delegation to Albu- stone and jade art objects. I querque for the tricentennial spent the night at a hotel the celebration in July 2006. We city of Hualien had reserved for drove to City Hall to meet with me. Mayor Tsai. Upon entering The next morning the three city City Hall, I was welcomed by officials accompanied me to the mayor, all the employees visit more tourist attractions in- and the local media. I was cluding Farglory Hotel, Far- really overwhelmed by their glory Ocean Park, Dreamland warm friendly reception. I recreational village, sea shell Sidney Yen presents Mayor Tsai presented Mayor Chavez’s per- and fish farms and Amis abo- sonal letter to Mayor Tsai. with a personal letter from riginal villages. For the first Mayor Chavez. Mayor Tsai spoke to the media time I tasted the food prepared about the sister city relation- by the Amis aboriginals. Re- ship and I was also interviewed

Research Society, the Minerals, Meet Your Board Cont. Metals and Materials Society; and Sigma Xi - the Scientific CAR FACTS Sidney Yen is the Chair of the related article.) This trip was Research Society. He lives a Hualien Committee. Born in Sidney’s first trip back to Tai- busy life engaging in teaching, Pound for Taiyun, China (located in wan since he left 34 years ago. research and various kinds of pound, a north central China), he moved professional and community hamburger to Taiwan in 1949. In 1963 he Yu-Lin Shen, PhD. is the Co- service activities. He likes to costs more came to the USA and settled in Chair for the Hualien Commit- spend his spare time with his than a new Albuquerque in 1966. He was tee. Born in Taiwan, he came family and studying histories car. a librarian at the University of to the USA in 1990. In 1996 about 20th century military war- New Mexico for thirty years he moved to Albuquerque to fare. Next time before retiring in 1996. join the faculty of the Univer- In 1988 he was President of the sity of New Mexico. Currently you fill your You Know When You Are Get- New Mexico Chinese Associa- he is a Professor and the Direc- gas tank, con- ting Older When: tion. As was then the custom, tor of Graduate Programs in sider this: You get winded playing check- the year after the presidency, the Department of Mechanical The Model T ers - You order Geritol on the the person became Chair of the Engineering. For the past 10 Ford got 25 rocks - You look forward to a Hualien Committee of the Al- years he has been a member of mpg, which is dull evening - You pray for a buquerque Sister Cities. He the New Mexico Chinese As- better good prune harvest - A fortune did just that. Since 1989 there sociation and is currently on its mileage than teller wants to read your face - have been other chairs of this board. In addition to Albu- today’s aver- Your knees buckle, but your belt committee. The custom has querque Sister Cities and New age new car won’t - You stop to think and changed and Sidney is back as Mexico Chinese Association, gets. forget to start again - Your pace- Chair. January 9 - 27, 2007 he is a member of several pro- maker opens the garage door Sidney traveled to Taiwan to fessional societies including whenever a cute gal goes by - visit with his mother. While the American Society of Me- You need your glasses to find there he visited Haulien. (See chanical Engineers; Materials your glasses.

3 ALBUQUERQUE SISTER CITIES African Fashion Show

The first general meting of the year for Albu- querque Sister Cities Foundation members was held Sunday, January 28, 2007. It featured an African fashion show with styles from Ghana. Male, female and children outfits were worn. Some Ghanian folk arts and photos were on display. Guests were treated to refreshments of hot beverages and delicious cake. Speical thank you to Andra McClung for moder- ating and to the models: Judith Kaiper, Marcia Koschmann, Heather Tanner, Dave Bagley, Kim Buckler, Koren Stewart, Beth Shroff, Robbie Dawley, Pamela & Ryan Suazo, Kate & Anna Nana Ekua I, Queen Mother of Kwaprow, Ghana seated Suazo, Carol Von Soosten. with the fashion show models.

Dave Bagley Marcia Koschmann Judith Kaiper Heather Tanner & Robbie Dawley Kim Buckler Koren Stewart Beth Shroff Andra McClung & Sean Dawley Pam & Ryan

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UPCOMING EVENTS Sister Cities International Horse Race Is Your Passport MARCH Lordsburg in Hildalgo County, horse race. Because the horses Current??? 17 - 31 New Mexico is sister cities with from Mexico cannot enter the Youth Cultural Janos, Chihuahua, Mexico. USA and visa versa, the race is Upcoming ASCF Trips Exchange Their fourth Annual Sister held on the border. The Mexi- (Albuquerque Cities celebration was held Oc- can horses race on their side of October 2007 - last 2 Academy ) to tober 21, 2006 at the interna- the border and the USA horses weeks - Helmstedt, Ger- Guadalajara, tional border of El Berrendo and on the New Mexican side of the many - contact Wolfram Mexico - con- Antelope Wells. The purpose border. Lordsburg first forged a Krank for more info. tact Dave was to exhibit each other’s cul- sister city relationshp with Bagley for ture, exchange goods and im- Janos, Mexico in 2002. Since October 2007 - Ashga- more info prove the relationship between then a good relationshp has bat, Turkmenistan - the two countries. Large crowds grown between the two cities. contact Richard Buckler MARCH 21 of people from both the USA The long-term goal is to promote for more info. ASCF Board and Mexico came to the reunion the Hildago County port of entry Meeting - 5:15 to enjoy the music and dancing, which will, in the long run, boost pm -Compass sample a wide variety of items travel, tourism and economic de- Bank- 505 from the food and craft booths velopment in the area on both Marquette NW and to watch the international sides of the border. - 14th floor - all welcome Bridge. Ms. Naomi Takeguchi, Sasebo, Japan Visit the Sasebo Sister City official Bring on the Youth! MAY 16 who accompanied last year’s ASCF Board youth to NM, graciously hosted In October 2006, two members The benfits on having youth mem- Meeting Michael and Jeremie and ar- of the ASCF , Michael and bers in an organization are many. ranged most of their itinerary. Jeremie Sare, volunteers on They attract younger volunteers. MAY 25 - Their schedule included an af- They bring fresh ideas and wel- the Sasebo committee, had the JUNE 3 ternoon tea with several of the come new activities. It provides opportunity to visit Sasebo. Youth Cultural exchange students. One of the for an intergenerational setting. Their visit was received with Exchange trip highlights was the opportu- They help build community in- extraordinary hospitality and volvement and awareness and (APS) to nity to pay a courtesy call on goodwill by city officials and expand the support for your activ- Sasebo, Japan - Sasebo’s Mayor Mitsutake and citizens alike. Building on ity. And they help to build a contact Kazumi his helpful staff. Even though friendships established during foundation for future volunteers. Kawakubo for the Sares were not traveling in 2005 Sasebo youth visit to NM The youth also receive benefits - more info an official capacity, the mayor they get credit for volunteering; and the recent Albuquerque was kind enough to receive develop connection with other Tricentennial celebration, JUNE 24 them. The Sares returned to the students; are elgible for scholar- Michael and Jeremie were de- Annual ASCF USA with great memories, hun- ships; and get an opportunity to lighted to have the opportunity Membership drds of photos and the hope of view potential career paths. to reunite with several Sasebo Meeting - 12- returning to fabulous Sasebo. It folk and to visit a variety of 4pm - food, is a unique city of beautiful famous sights - the famous 99 entertainment, scenery, interesting sights and islands; the Dutch village of elections history, delicious food, and most Huis Ten Bosch (which houses “Look at a day when you are notably, warm, cordial people an extraordinary teddy bear supremely satisfied at the JULY 18 who share the spirit of friendship museum and beautiful gar- end. It’s not a day when you ASCF Board promoted by the Sister City part- dens); a firehouse and the lounge around doing noth- Meeting nership. central 119 Emergency Re- ing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do and you’ve SEPTEMBER sponse Center (We dial 911, in “A diplomat is a man who done it.” - Margaret 19 Sasebo, they dial 119); Sasebo always remembers a woman’s Thatcher ASCF Board Naval Base; a Japanese naval birthday but never remembers Meeting history museum. They trasversed and photographed her age.” - Robert Frost the “famous” Albuquerque

5 Ballooning in Chihuahua, Fiesta del Globos 2006 by Dave Bagley

The second annual Fiesta del Globos or balloons thrilled the crowd for (Festival of Hot Air Balloons) was held about 90 minutes. in Chihuahua, Mexico November 10- Saturday morning we headed back 12, 2006, with 31 US and 3 Mexican to the launch field for another mass balloons. It was organized by volun- ascension. Kris suggested that I pi- teers from the Albuquerque Aerostat lot the balloon today. What an op- Ascension Association. This year, I portunity! We loaded the two local was able to go as second pilot for passengers in and were off for a de- “Athena,” owned by Kris Econopouly lightful 30 minute flight, landing in of Rio Rancho. Our regular a large field. We put our two uni- “Athena” flying in Chihuahua. crewmembers, Lori, Rich and Richard versity students in for a ride, and 45 came with us; and Alan and Christina minutes later came in for a nice volunteered from the University in Chi- landing next to the Coca Cola plant. huahua to help us navigate the traffic After the flight, we returned to the and translate for us. Our convoy of launch field and distributed the re- nine balloon trucks arrived November maining 3,000 posters to the crowd 9 after an uneventful trip of 11 hours of kids. We were on our own for the from Rio Rancho, and were greeted by evening, enjoying a delicious dinner Mayor Juan Blanco at a reception that at a local seafood restaurant. evening, with lots of good food and Sunday morning we found the drink and a live band. launch field very windy, and Scott Early Friday morning we drove to the cancelled the final mass ascension. launch field, about 5 miles from our This was unfortunate as more spec- comfortable Holiday Inn Express. The tators were on the filed that day than field was well prepared, with our the previous two. But it was an is- launch squares marked and plenty of sue of safety and everyone under- tents for vendors. After a pilot briefing stood when we told them demasiado from balloonmeister Scott Appleman, viento (too much wind). Later that the crews got busy setting up their bal- evening we ventured downtown for loons for launch. The weather was dinner and had a wonderful meal at good, and all 34 balloons were soon up the Cafe Calicanto. Monday we in the air, and were able to “box” over headed home, easily re-entering the Kris and Dave dancing to the music the field to the delight of the crowd of USA at Santa Teresa. on the field. about 3,000. There were lots of young The cities of Albuquerque and Chi- students from local schools present, huahua worked together for a year to and soon after the balloons launched an put this event on for the people of hour-long show kept the children enter- Chihuahua, and hopefully will do so tained while we drifted away. When for years to come. We flew our bal- the balloon trucks returned to the field, loons in the casual culture of Chi- we had prepared a treat for the kids - huahua and we had as much fun as handing out posters, calendars, candy the people of Mexico who watched and give-aways for about an hour. us. Just before we left, I asked Alan Our crew gave out about 2,000 posters if he would like to be in our Balloon to the endless stream of youngsters. Fiesta. Oh, the look I got! “Could During the mid-day break, we headed I?” he asked. We expect to see him downtown on a tour, compliments of here in Albuquerque in October. the city; returning to the field for the evening balloon glow. I was dubious that it would be held as the ground Balloon glow with “Athena” from Rio Rancho wind kept increasing. However, just and Albuquerque Tricentennial balloon. after sunset, it calmed down and 15 or

6 More Photos!!!!

Lori handing out some 5,000 posters Crowd on launch field (it’s early morning). to kids on the launch field.

Guests enjoying the Turkmenistan repast.

Ogulijan pours tea for Kim Buckler Ellie Tesche and her bookmarks and Sally-Alice Thompson.

Anna and Kate Suazo Carol Von Soosten

Nana Ekua I, Queen Mother of Kwaprow aka Carol Dawley

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