NATIONALITY ROOMS NEWSLETTER
Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs at the University of Pittsburgh
Spring 2008 Volume 84 THE GERMAN ROOM Dedicated July 8, 1938
THE GERMAN ROOM The German Room impresses visitors with its strength and solidity. In the walnut and oak woodwork, one recognizes the quality and substance which the German people have contributed to American communities, wherever they have made their homes.
In this room, one realizes the genius of the German people reflected in the contributions of German philosophers, scientists and musicians whose names are carved upon the walls. Here a great period of the past comes alive – the German Renaissance of the 16th century. The use of this period in the architectural design infuses the room with the creative spirit which spread throughout Europe at that time, giving rise in Germany to distinctive craftsmanship, architecture, sculpture and wood carving.
THE DESIGN German-born Pittsburgh architect Frank A. Linder led the design team. Before World War I and his coming to Pittsburgh, he designed the interior of the Potsdam Palace, home of the German crown prince. Mr. Linder corresponded with the society of architects in Germany and the rectors of leading universities. Many of the room’s details were inspired by the Great Aula at the University of Heidelberg. Working with Linder was Gustav Ketterer, also born in Germany, who chose the color scheme, the woodwork and furniture designs. In his shops the classroom was built.
THE WOODWORK Walnut paneling frames the blackboards while carved walnut columns surround the doorways and support broken-arch pediments. The pediments display the polychromed crests of the two oldest German universities: Heidelberg, 1386 and Leipzig, 1409. The upper panels of the entry doors contain intarsia (wood inlay) representations of the fountain of Rothenburg, and the central square of Nürnberg. The lower panels are decorated with stencil painting. Four large corner wall cabinets illustrate familiar characters in German literature: Parsifal, Siegfried, Heiden-Röslein, and Lorelei. Surrounding the room are names of German philosophers, poets, artists, musicians, and scientists. A chief decorative feature is the use of quotations at the front and the rear of the room. Above the blackboard is Schiller’s statement, “Stern endeavor which no arduous task can shake, to the hidden font of Truth attains!” At the other end of the room is a quotation from Goethe: “Great mastery results from wise restraint and law alone points out the way to liberty!
EDITOR: E. Maxine Bruhns ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Eileen Kiley REPORTER: Susan Langer “EYES AND EARS” AND “FROM THE SCHOLARSHIP REPORTS: Cristina Lagnese
1a MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR MESSAGE FROM THE COUNCIL Edward S. Lesoon, Jr. Chairman
For those of us who provide Scholarships for Summer Study E. Maxine Bruhns, Director Abroad, the public debriefing in the fall of our more than thirty awardees is intensely interesting.
Each student tells us where they went, what they studied or researched, and how their experiences affected their lives.
The ever-increasing activities of the Nationality Room The remarks cover home stays, working with terror victims committees and affiliates this Fall included the debriefing or disabled children, uncovering archeological treasures, of our 30 plus Summer Study Abroad Scholarship awardees studying languages, interviewing European leaders, and on October 15. We heard moving accounts of their more. experiences in South Africa, Tanzania, Israel, China, India and more. They planted seeds of our culture wherever they It is often the human interactions which remain with the audience. The donors are assured that their awardees have went and returned with new ideas and commitments. brought back lasting knowledge and have left behind memories of themselves as student ambassadors of the The weekend of October 18-19 was especially busy. On University of Pittsburgh. Saturday, the Filipino American Association of Pittsburgh’s elegant banquet at the Westin William Penn featured the induction of new officers which I conducted, then delivered the keynote address. On Sunday, at 11:00 a.m., the Women’s AUSTRIAN ROOM COMMITTEE International Club‘s luncheon highlighted reports by their three awardees who studied in Jordan, Cyprus and Anne Carol Tawoda, Chairman Cambodia. The Austrian American Cultural Society had the pleasure At 3:00 p.m., The Korean Heritage Room Committee’s first of fulfilling their promise of support for Austrian music to fundraising event brought the NOW Dance Company direct Director Maestro Manfred Honeck on Friday, September from Seoul to present traditional and contemporary Korean 26, 2008. The magical evening heralded in a new era for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. After receiving the dance and music. That same evening a performance in Maestro for a special visit to the Austrian Room in the Greek of Euripides’ “The Bacchae” attracted a large audience Cathedral of Learning, it was especially exciting to attend from the Greek community. I greeted many old friends. the exhilarating performance by our own Pittsburgh Symphony conductor! Many of us wore the Austrian The Cathedral of Learning and Stephen Foster Memorial national colors of red and white. were included in Pittsburgh’s Annual Festival of Lights, marking Pittsburgh’s 250th anniversary. Designers arranged to have the 42-story building bathed in lights to resemble the Gutenberg printing press and, later in the festival, a CHINESE ROOM COMMITTEE mathematics theme. Designer Lucette de Rugy assisted the Karen Yee, Chairman German designers of this display stating “Gutenberg lived during the Gothic era, and the press is a symbol of learning.” The committee hosted the annual Chinese Room Committee Scholarship dinner at the Sheraton Station Square on Sunday, September 28. 2008 Honoree Dr. Monto Ho and the three The Nationality Rooms were a featured part of the scholarship recipients spoke. UPMC’s Olympic Gold Homecoming festivities the weekend of October 24. The Medalist Dr. Savio Woo and his wife were among the guests. rooms were open on Friday evening for participants of the Welcome Back Reception held in the Commons Room to On November 15 and 16, the committee participated with wander through at their leisure. the Senator John Heinz History Center in the Strip District to produce Pittsburgh Ethnic Days. Featuring European, The Nationality Rooms have been and continue to be an Mediterranean, African and Asian residents, it included integral part of campus life at the University of Pittsburgh. hands-on activities for adults and children.
2 celebration at the Cathedral of Learning. The weather was perfect for the parade which started at noon going around the Cathedral. Participants were dressed in regional attire, demonstrating our national pride. Those not carrying banners proudly held the flags of the United States and of India.
Leading the parade were the musicians (courtesy of the The Chinese Lunar New Year will be 4707, the Year of the S.V. Temple), playing Nadaswaram, only performed at Ox. It will be highlighted at the committee’s Chinese New very auspicious occasions. Each organization sang and Year’s Banquet scheduled for Saturday, February 7, 2009. danced all the way. The time and place will be announced. After the parade, the two-hour cultural program brightened the Commons Room with everything Indian, right from the colorful attire to the tables selling Indian CZECHOSLOVAK ROOM COMMITTEE wares and the food. Joseph Bielecki, Chairman The program began with the hoisting of the American and May 30, 2008, marked the 90th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Indian flags, and the national anthems. The Indian flag Agreement. In 1918, leaders of local and national Slovak was hoisted by the veteran freedom fighter Dr. Jayanti and Czech fraternal organizations met in Pittsburgh where Patel who participated in Mahatma Gandhi’s Freedom they drafted and signed a document (the Pittsburgh Marches. Agreement) that led to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state. This document is often compared to After Governor Rendell’s message was read, prominent the U.S. Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta. citizens such as Councilman Peduto spoke, followed by To celebrate this momentous occasion, the original traditional and contemporary dances performed by Pittsburgh Agreement was displayed at the Slovak Pittsburgh academies. Parliament Building in Bratislava. After being on display for a week, the document was transferred to the Slovak The Indian Independence Day celebration brings the National Museum where it is part of an exhibition entitled whole community together in total unity. This year more “How We Lived”, portraying life in Slovakia in the 20th than 1,000 people attended to experience the magic of century. After a brief exhibit in Prague, it will return to its India in Pittsburgh. permanent home at the Heinz Regional History Center in Pittsburgh. On October 2, 2008, together with the Asian Studies Center, we celebrated the life of Mahatma Gandhi in The committee held its fall meeting on Saturday, October Heinz Chapel. 25 in 1228 Cathedral of Learning. The featured activity was the report from the Stanley Prostrednik Award winner Aaron Abbarno who traveled to Belgium. Those attending enjoyed traditional Czech and Slovak dishes from the buffet SCANDINAVIAN SOCIETY OF WESTERN table following the meeting. PENNSYLVANIA Richard Neilson, President The Czechoslovak Committee agreed to serve as the host th for the 2009 Cabaret Ball. The room’s 70 anniversary will The annual 17th of May (Norwegian Constitution Day) had occur in March 2009. Planning for the Cabaret Ball begins a large turnout. Despite the rain, which ended just before shortly after the New Year. If you are interested in the festivities began, several members wore native volunteering to help plan this end-of-the-academic-year Norwegian dress. There was a traditional May 17th speech, event, please contact Susan Langer at 412.624.6150. the singing of the Norwegian national anthem, followed by a parade with the flags. There was plenty of good food and desserts.
INDIAN ROOM COMMITTEE Janet Signe Olson has assumed the role of historian for the Saroj Bahl, Chairman group. The goal is to collect as much information as possible to document the history of the Society, its activities, and its On August 17, 2008, the Indian Nationality Room membership so that a complete record can be preserved. If Committee hosted India’s 61st Independence Day you are interested in helping with the project or talking to 3 her, she can be reached at 412.793.2248. since 1999. Tartan Day is celebrated every April 6 to honor The following board was elected at the July annual meeting the contributions Scots and for two-year term: Scottish Americans have made to Richard Neilson, President our society as we know it today. Kathy Risa, Vice-President April 6 is of significance since it Hilary Kinal, Secretary was on that date in 1320 that Carl Olson, Treasurer Scotland declared its freedom by Ron Regrut, Director the document known as the Seija Cohen, Director Declaration of Arbroath. On April 4, 2008, President Bush On Sunday, September 14, hungry Scandinavians and their issued a White House friends gathered at Aspinwall’s Firemen’s Park for the annual Proclamation recognizing National Tartan Day. This crayfish party. Members brought a pot-luck dish for the completes the trilogy of recognition of Tartan Day by the communal table. Federal Government as, on March 20, 1998, the Senate of the United States passed a Resolution for Tartan Day and Discussions have centered on the possibility of creating a that was followed by a similar Resolution by the U.S. House Scandinavian cookbook as a fundraiser. Should you wish of Representatives on March 9, 2005. Each Tartan Day, more information, please contact Sigrid Hägg. representatives of the Scottish Government travel to the U.S. This year, among others, Alex Salmond, the First Minister Stina Levithan and Jorunn Allersma participated in the of Scotland, was here. There presently are 55 members of reception for the Children’s International Summer Village Congress who belong to the Friends of the Scottish Caucus created at Jefferson Middle School in Mt. Lebanon. The and celebrations take place throughout the states and last activity was a trip to the Carnegie Museum and the internationally. The St. Andrews Society of Pittsburgh holds Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh. On July the events for Tartan Day yearly, and I recommend, as the 16, they served goodies baked by Grete Olson and Jorunn date nears in 2009, that you visit the website for St. Andrews to the group. The four children from Sundalsøra in western for the exact event, as it enjoyable, educational and open to Norway were excited to see the ladies in Norwegian all. costumes, one of whom even spoke fluent Norwegian. One of the boys made a moving remark about the “beroligende” (soothing) voice of Jorunn! WELSH ROOM COMMITTEE th Nordic Night, now in its 18 year, took place in the parish Dale Richards and John Owen, III, Co-Chairmen hall of the Church of the Redeemer in Squirrel Hill on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The event began at 6:30 p.m. The committee is basking in the success of opening the with a welcome, the presentation of flags of all the Welsh Room on June 1, but has not relaxed. The group is Scandinavian countries and the singing of anthems. Dinner now looking for ways to complete the pastor’s residence was catered by “Simply Delicious Catering” and featured section of the room with a fireplace, furniture and garden salad, salmon with mango sauce, stuffed pork loin accessories. The goal is to have as much as possible with apple sauce, honey pecan chicken, parsleyed potatoes, completed before September 3, 2009 when the 78th rice pilaf, green beans with almonds, and a vegetable medley. National Gymanfa Ganu attracts Welsh men and women The program’s entertainment was provided by Lynette to Pittsburgh for this inspirational music conference. Garlan (on the accordion, violin and sandori) and Jim Rumbaugh (on the clarinet). Rhob Evans conducted Welsh language classes in the Cathedral of Learning during the fall semester. Anyone The holidays were marked with a celebration on Saturday, interested in expanding their linguistic ability in the December 6 at the Boyd Community Center in O’Hara spring semester can contact Dale Richards for days and Township. times. SCOTTISH ROOM COMMITTEE Robert Murdoch, Esq., Chairman WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL CLUB Cynthia Maleski, President In addition to being chairman of the Scottish Room, Robert Murdoch has been the National Chairman for Tartan Day W.I.C. members assembled at the Holiday Inn University 4 Center for the 2008 scholarship luncheon on Sunday, The final design proposal for the Turkish Room is October 19. The buffet lunch was enhanced by the based on the concept of the basodasi. It is organized presentations of the 2008 scholarship recipients: award into two chambers: the entrance gallery and the winner Elizabeth Reagan (Jordan) and grant winners classroom. The entrance will accommodate four Jennifer Lawrence (Cambodia) and Mandy Schenkemeyer ceramic panels on its walls: “Uygur Princesses,” (Cyprus). This year’s awards were in honor of Treasurer “Divrigi Mosque Hospital,” “Sultan Süleyman,” and Nancy Sprenger for her long association and service “Atatürk instructing the Turkish nation.” These contributions to the organization. panels will be created by Turkish artisan-craftsmen and based on photographs of the original work or The holiday season was marked on December 10 at events published in credible sources. The sequence Duranti’s Restaurant in Oakland. Those attending exemplifies four major Turkish civilizations as a partook of Duranti’s Bountiful Buffet with hot entrees, sample of the great achievements of Turks including vegetables, salads and desserts. Ms. Anne Marie wall paintings, architecture, illumination, and Grzybak, Director, U.S. Senator John Heinz History literary reformation. Center discussed the “City of Pittsburgh 250 Celebration.” The classroom will be organized in the three vertical levels of the basodasi: the seating level, the window- cupboard level, and the crown-zone. The seating will be constructed from wood for durability, a key NEW ROOM requirement of the university classroom. Upholstering the seats with kilim fabric is an option ACTIVITY under consideration.
PHILIPPINE The ceiling treatment will embody a wood laminate NATIONALITY pattern based on traditional houses found in Safranbolu. The floor will also be wood laminate ROOM with a ceramic imprint of the tile patterns copied Warren Bulseco, from an ancient Seljuk pool floor. The main door Chairman will resemble the wood-laminate doors widely used at the Topkapi Palace. On September 27, Philippine architect Popi Laudico came from Manila to view the Nationality Rooms The Kundekari ceiling can only be done by and consult with architect Warren Bulseco and the craftsmen in Turkey, then transported to Pittsburgh. Philippine Nationality Room Committee. She met Kundekari is a centuries-old type of woodworking with University architect Park Rankin in the in which pieces of shaped wood are interlocked afternoon. It was a very productive visit and she has through rabbeting and mortising, without the use of returned to Manila to develop preliminary drawings any nails or glue. Unable to withstand the ravages for the room. of time, most wooden Kundekari objects have failed to survive. However there are examples in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art which range th th TURKISH ROOM COMMITTEE from the 8 through the end of the 19 centuries. Omer Akin, Chairman KOREAN ROOM COMMITTEE Kwan Lee, M.D., Chairman This summer Architect of Record Omer Akin, chair of the Turkish Nationality Room Committee, visited several Kundekari craftsmen, lead glass and ceramic The NOW Dance Company, based in Seoul, Korea, artists in Turkey. He obtained bids from interested came to Pittsburgh for a benefit performance on sub-contractors. Presently the parties are in the Sunday, October 19. An enthusiastic audience process of refining and negotiating the bids. Once gathered in Synod Hall at 3:00 p.m. to enjoy “Tradition the total amount of funds is collected, the bidding and Its Changes”, a collection of eight traditional process will commence. The current shortfall of andcontemporary Korean dances and music. The $25,000 seems ever so formidable amidst the event was co-sponsored by The Korea Society, The economic crisis, but the Turkish Nationality Room Korean Association of Greater Pittsburgh and the Committee is optimistic that they will pass that Pittsburgh Korean School to help fund the Korean milestone in a month or two. Heritage Room.
5 Special thanks go to Blaine Walker of CIDDE and Lou ORGAN REMOVAL Taylor of the Theatre Department who devoted In the 1970’s, the late James W. Knox convinced the extraordinary effort to provide audio equipment and daughters of George Hubbard Clapp – who sponsored the help mount the banners on stage which were essential Early American Room and the Commons Room gates – to the artistic performance. Committee officers also to donate an organ for the Commons Room. It was came early to provide breakfast and lunch for the NOW placed in the third floor hallway directly above the troupe. wrought iron gates and a wooden wall built to protect it.
The organ was used for a few concerts and new SWISS ROOM COMMITTEE Nationality Room dedications but it had not been used Heinz Kunz, Chairman for several years.
At the August 1st picnic we began a table auction. So Current efforts to restore the Commons Room to its far we have nine pledges totaling $4,500 toward the original status caused us to offer the organ to someone five tables (our goal is 40 $500 pledges for $20,000). who would remove it. We called this our “organ removal” project. The “operation” (no pun intended) was Director E. Maxine Bruhns joined our Swiss completed in September, the wall removed and the view community for the August 1 picnic at Richland Barn. into the Commons Room is now unobstructed. We appreciate her confident remarks to us to keep moving forward with our plans.
The committee has approached the Ben Roethlisberger Giving Back Foundation regarding 2008 RUTH CRAWFORD MITCHELL specific funding help. Such large donors may fund CZECH/SLOVAK SCHOLARSHIP the architect’s fees, the display cases, the kachelofen, Monika Krajcovicova arrived in Pittsburgh in late August the ceiling work, the leaded windows or the wall. to begin her research into minority education. She plans to apply the knowledge gained here to innovative We thank those who participated in the Ben teaching methods for the Roma children who are a large Roethlisberger signed t-shirt raffle. The winner was minority in the Slovak Republic. Dr. Krajcovicova drawn at our Christmas luncheon on December 6. presented a lecture through the University’s Russian and East European Studies Department on Wednesday, October 15, entitled “Alternative Strategies in the Field of Education for Romany Children in Slovakia.”
Applications for the 2009 scholarship were mailed in October. We have already received inquiries in response to the mailing. The Matterhorn In September, Ivana Simikova, the 2002 scholarship recipient, returned to the University of Pittsburgh to give a lecture. While here, she gave two gifts to the Czechoslovak Room Committee – a doll clad in traditional Moravian dress and a carved wooden rocking WQED VITA AWARDS horse. The Nationality Rooms have been featured on WQED several times over the years. Rick Sebak devoted a feature to the Rooms with Director Bruhns conducting the tour. Chris Fennimore conducted an Eastern European GHOST WATCH cooking program in which he, along with our committee On Halloween night from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. we held a members, prepared Hungarian paprika goulash, pierogies Ghost Watch in the Early American Room. Many years and other delicacies. The Nationality Rooms Program was ago, Director Bruhns’ West Virginia grandmother’s honored at the VITA Awards banquet on September 18 handmade wedding quilt was placed on the four-poster and tribute was paid to our Volunteer in the Arts awardees: bed in the loft accessible only by a secret door and dog- the late James W. Knox (Chairman of the Irish Room let staircase. Soon, strange happenings began to occur. Committee) and Marjorie K. Alexis (Norwegian Room The quilt was turned down immediately after custodian Committee and artist). John Carter had smoothed it in place; the cradle was seen 6 rocking as a tour entered the empty room, and West A FILM HISTORY OF GREEKS IN Virginia corn cobs fell off their peg -- twice! WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA Quo Vadis guides manned the When Dr. Nicholas Giannoukakis realized that it was lower level, then ushered guests essential to preserve the history of Greeks in Western up the stairs where Bruhns, all Pennsylvania, he decided to create film interviews of in white, sat and told them of those individuals and their memories. her grandmother’s poltergeist- ly tricks. Martha Jane Poe On November 10th, in the Greek Nationality Room, he McDaniel was a relative of filmed Eleni C. Contis and Director Bruhns. Bruhns Edgar Allen Poe who wrote his traced the history of the room, including the dramatic own spooky tales. The guests story of architect John Travlos’ selecting the pure white included Indians, Japanese, marble from Mt. Pentele, having it carved in Athens and families, and a group of Hari hurriedly loading it on the SS Explorer just before Greece Krishnas who interrupted their was invaded and the Mediterranean closed to shipping. drumming and dancing in the Commons Room to sit at She recounted her meetings with John Travlos in Athens Bruhns’ feet and listen to her stories. and with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew the II in Istanbul. “The Greek Contribution to Western Pennsylvania Heritage and Culture” can be seen on http:// pahellenicfoundation.org/page12page12.html.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CL1209 – Nationality Rooms and Intercultural 7/31/08 Exchange Programs 7:00 am Walked to work. Stood at attention as the security guards raised the flag at the Cathedral of 1209 Cathedral of Learning Learning’s east entrance. They hope a spot light will soon University of Pittsburgh be installed so the flag can fly day and night. I told them Pittsburgh, PA 15260 I’ve discussed this with Chuck Trbanec, a Vietnam veteran, and reminded him that, when classes are in session, ROTC students perform a drill each morning and raise the flag. They may wish to continue this drill. Phone: 412.624.6150 FAX: 412.624.4214 7:30 am In the office. Today we’re hosting the E-mail: [email protected] Children’s International Summer Village – sixty 11-year Website: www.pitt.edu/~natrooms/ olds from Canada, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Egypt, Scholarship website: Jordan, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia. I want to welcome them in their languages. Call Marjorie Alexis to www.ucis.pitt.edu/natrooms/ learn the Norwegian welcome.
8:30 am Phone Luis Bravo in Latin American 7 Studies who will represent Brazil to perfect my Bem Vindos welcome. Cristina arrives and teaches me the Tagalog Mabuhay welcome.
8:45 am Phone Jack Owen to confirm the arrival yesterday of the Welsh Room long case clock and cabinet. They were delivered by two Georgians, whose English was basic at best. Now we must determine who will uncrate the clock.
9:00 am Eileen tells me she heard on KDKA radio that an Al Jazeera TV team is in town. Since we have Egyptian, Jordanian and Indonesian kids coming this afternoon, I tracked down Rania Kammal, the producer. She is excited to learn about the Syria-Lebanon Room. They must leave by plane this afternoon, but will return to do a complete feature if we can arrange it.
10:00 am Call PNC Bank to be sure my money will be wired to Institutional Advancement tomorrow to establish a Gift Annuity which will help fund NRIEP emergency budget deficits after I kick the bucket.
12:30 pm Go to the Commons Room to check on our international cookie table. Swedish ladies are already there in national dress bearing wonderful cookies. Cristina brings tablecloths, platter and begins set-up. I go to the East entrance to greet the Children’s International Villagers who have eaten their box lunches on the lawn near the log cabin. A group of unidentified musicians are playing and singing near the entrance. The Villagers are all in black t- shirts with the CISV logos. Quo Vadis guides, Terry Rowley, Elizabeth Blazeck, Luke Coryea, Melissa Dececco and Kendal Shaber are waiting to take their groups on the tour. Each group will look for special themes in the rooms – music, horses, dragons, lions – a sort of treasure hunt.
1:30 pm I offer to stay in the Syria-Lebanon Room which we have decided to open to the Villagers.
1:30 pm The granddaughter of the late Irma D’Ascenzo, city council woman and chair of the Italian Room Committee for many years, looked in. She is delighted to meet me and we reminisce about her wonderful grandmother.
1:35 pm A Pitt Pathfinder comes by with a prospective student and family. The Pathfinder is excited at being able to enter the Syria-Lebanon Room for the first time. He also recognizes me as the person who made a presentation to the 100-plus Pathfinders organization last Fall. He says it was the most interesting presentation they ever had. I had asked them to please stop telling their guests that “Chancellor Bowman built the tower from the top down.” I’ll soon complete a DVD on “The Story Behind the Construction of the Cathedral of Learning” which will tell the true story.
2:00 pm The first group of Villagers arrive. Several are Egyptian. I welcome them in Arabic. They identify elements of the 200-year-old Syria-Lebanon Room and admire the mihrab.
2:15 pm The Jordanian and Indonesian Villagers arrive. A very bright little Indonesian boy begins to read the Arabic in gold script near the ceiling. I wish Al Jazeera could have been here to film him.
2:30 pm We move to the cookie table in the Commons Room. The Villager leader Jonathan Fantazier silences them with a well-rehearsed routine. I ask every nationality to raise their hands, along with our Room committee cookie makers. I welcome them in their native languages. Munching and conversation abound.
3:00 pm We head to the Croghan-Schenley Room where Michael Walter and Patricia Fitzsimmons have set up a beautiful and varied display of ethnic dress. I am moved to see a white embroidered Egyptian dress which Ruth Crawford Mitchell acquired on her trip around the world in 1912! It is gratifying to know that her spirit is with us on this very international day.
4:00 pm Grab my pull-cart and leave by the East entrance. On the sidewalk lies a pair of bloody pigeon wings. The red-tailed hawk has struck again.