Visitors from afar
Our relationship and friendship with the Towada Association for International Relations (TAIR) has become close and we have already had many delegations visiting both ways!

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Please Welcome: Diane Minamide!
April 28, 2012

Welcome Diane, our new Director for Towada City, Japan relations. Diane follows in the footsteps of Jennifer and is excited to begin working in the area of our Towada City relations. Diane has an incredible background and understands "twinning relations" very well. Over twenty years ago she became involved with the Hokkai Gakuen (University in Sapporo, Japan) student and faculty exchanges. She has been involved as the activities coordinator for the student exchanges and worked with the faculty exchange professors. When she left the University of Lethbridge, she continued to be involved in the program as a volunteer, and continues today to maintain friendships that were developed. In 1993 Diane herself participated in a Japanese student exchange and has lived in Japan, Iwate prefecture for 4 years. Diane says that the exchange program has had a huge impact in her life.

Currently, Diane works at the University of Lethbridge, International Centre for students.
Please contact Diane at: minadk@uleth.ca

An Incredible Opportunity and a Wonderful Experience!
September 15 - 22, 2011

It all began last summer when Joan Janeczko of Hinton reached out and invited a young student from Japan for a home stay experience. We had the opportunity of meeting Joan and her family in Hinton during the A/JTMA Conference. At that time we had petitioned Tsuzura Kikuchi of Towada city, Japan advising her of the opportunity. She responded and the rest is, well, "history". The unique and very positive opportunity was a first in A/JTMA – relations where different twin cities have interaction with one another.

Hinton of course is twinned with Wanochi Town while Lethbridge is twinned with Towada City.

Relations such as these have an incredible impact on our over all relations, and open up wide gates of opportunity, especially for our youth. This year, Joan Janeczko's daughter, Ali is preparing for a home stay in Japan! We hope that she will be able to visit Towada City, during her visit to Japan!

Our Executive Member, Erynne has been following up with these youth exchange opportunities and we certainly encourage these to continue.

Please read Tsuzura's attached report for her impression of Canada and her experiences.

Alberta Japan twinning relationships going stronger
August 19 - 20, 2011

Lethbridge's Harold Pereverseff was among those greeting Susumu Fukuda, Counsul General of fapan, at the annual conference of the Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association (A/JTMA) in Hinton.

Pereverseff, of the Lethbridge Twinning Society, will continue his role of president of the А/JTMA for another year.

Establishing Alberta/Japan twinning relations was the vision of former Alberta Premier Peter Lougheed in 1972 when there was formalization of the relationship between the Town of Jasper and Hakone-cho. Since then the number of twinned municipalities in Alberta has grown to 22. The Lethbridge Twinning Society has established relations withTowada City.

The A/JTMA acts as as a conduit to encourage Alberta/Japan twin relations and also supports and enhances existing relations by sharing new ideas and innovative opportunities.

Counsul General Fukuda addressed the delegates and thanked them for their kind and compassionate assistance to fapan following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March of this year, he also was encouraged by the diligence of the A/JTMA in supporting and encouraging strong twinning relationships.

The A/JTMA is working with municipalities in Alberta to assist in establishing new Japanese twin relations, and to help strengthen existing ones, informal relationships in municipalities can be supported by the A/JTMA and they are encouraged to join the organization.

Further information on the A/JTMA can be found on www.ajtma.com.



Alberta Japan twinning relationships going stronger - An article in Lethbridge Herald

Lethbridge Twinning Society donation to Towada City
July 07, 2011

T-AIR President Shirayama presents Lethbridge Twinning Society donation to Towada City Mayor Oyamada.



ARAO Teiichi - from Japan, June 13, 2011

Hello Harold!!

I received the donation from the Lethbridge Twinning Society for Towada City on Monday, June 13.

Thank you very much!!

When your kind message was read at the general assembly of the Towada Association for International Relationship (TAIR), Mr. Haruwo SHIRAYAMA, the president of the TAIR, told that your donation should be used effectively for evacuees who were from other areas and living in Towada.

I'm sure that it would be used effectively to relief them. As I told you in an email sent just two days after the earthquake, Towada was not damaged so heavily as other areas along the Pacific shore. And my city locates about 350km north of the crippled nuclear power plant in the Fukushima prefecture. The bad effect of the nuclear accident is rarely detected in Towada. So most citizens already recovered their daily life.

Due to the damaged nulcear reactors, it takes very long time to achieve a true recovery. But people will stand up again, just as they stood up from the ruins after the second world war.

Thank you again for your kind donation!!

With the best regards,
ARAO Teiichi

Urgent! News from Japan

ARAO Teiichi about the current situation in Japan

Hello the directing members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society.

As you know from the world news coverages, the eastern-northern half part of Japan from the Tokyo area to the Hokkaido area was hit by the largest earthquake officially recorded in Japan. The energy released was magnitude 9.0, one of the strongest officially recorded of the world ever! The earthquake intensity was 7.0 at the strongest in the Japanese standard, which means that almost all buildings, even though built of concrete, would be destroyed instantly.

When the earthquake occurred, the graduation celebrating party of Kitasato University in Towada had just begun and the speech of the Dean suddenly stopped. The light disappeared due to the power blackout. But all the students and professors are accustomed to earthquake, no one fell into a panic. They all evacuated from the party room to the outdoors led by the clerks in charge. The party was aborted and the dean told them to go back home and to the university to confirm the safety.

The water supply was maintained very fortunately.

Very large scale TSUNAMI again and again hit the shores facing the Pacific Ocean and the Japan Sea, which reminds you of the ones that occurred in Sumatra Island in 2004. Many people living in the area facing the Pacific Ocean seem to have got hit and taken away by the wave. TSUNAMI, which means "harbor wave," is not simply a wave. It is like a flooding sea that runs very fast, as fast as the Japanese bullet train.

Furthermore, nuclear power stations that locate along the Pacific Ocean shore in the Fukushima prefecture got hit by the strong earthquake and got their reactors destroyed. The news tells that melt down of their reactors occurred, radioactive materials spilled out and tens of people were contaminated by the radioactives.

Towada locates 35 km west of Hachinohe city that was hit by the strong TSUNAMI and heavily damaged. And it also locates about 70m high from the sea level. So we have no fear of TSUNAMI. And the earthquake intensity in Towada was only 5, which means that walls would be cracked or chimneys would fall down. But no chimney fell down in Towada. Maybe you would be able to find cracks on some walls if you were careful enough.

The electricity supply was recovered at around 23:05 on March 12. The citizens are recovering their daily life now. No one died or missing in Towada. very fortunately. But other cities and communities seem to have serious damages by the earthquake and the TSUNAMI, especially Hachinohe.

Now all the trains in the eastern-northern half of Japan stop. No one can predict the recovery. The track of the bullet train from Tokyo to Aomori is said to be seriously damaged. Many power poles on the track fell down and some concrete poles that support the track were destroyed. Short-time recovery is impossible. Maybe it takes a month or so.

Anyway, no one died and missing in Towada. Towada survived the earthquake and is heading to the recovery.

Sicnerely yours,
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ARAO Teiichi


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March 13, 2011


http://www.ajtma.com/news.php

Lethbridge to Help Japanese Twin City

Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Posted at 5:23:09 PM
Source: Marion Warnica, Country 95 News


LETHBRIDGE: As Japan emerges from the ravages of last week's tsunami and earthquake, Lethbridge is organizing help for its people.

The local Twinning Society is organizing a fundraiser for its partner city of Towada, Japan. Towada is located about a half hour from the coast that received the brunt of the impact, but escaped the disaster without injuries, deaths, or major damage.

Society president Harold Pereverseff says the population is still facing major challenges though, with limited fuel, power, and access to food supplies.

He described his experience talking to a friend in Towada Monday, saying though his family was fine, he seemed frightened.

"They're getting these tremors basically every hour," said Pereverseff. "And as I spoke with him, there was a tremor that happened right while we were speaking. On the Skype [video phone] I could see the curtains swaying. It lasted about 45 seconds."

A member of the Towada Association for International Relations says he's pleased to hear that help is coming from partners in Lethbridge. Teiichi Arao spoke to Country 95 News on Tuesday from Japan. He had this message for his friends here.

"Towada is alive. And the citizens are getting back to daily life. We're very fortunate," he said.

Arao added his group may move some of the funds to the homeless in evacuation camps - a total estimated at 450,000 people.

"They need blankets and food and fuel for the heat systems," he said, his voice sounding strained as he went on to explain it's winter season there, with temperatures dropping to an average -2 C each night.

The need for fuel is a concern in many areas at the moment. Towada is particularly isolated as the nearest major centre, Hachinohe, was heavily devasted by the earthquake and after effects. That coastal community's shipping port has been closed, and major roads into Towada have been washed out. That means food and fuel - supplies of any type - will be more scarce.

Former mayor enthusiastically supports cause

Former mayor Bob Tarleck was closely involved with Twinning Society and even visited the sister city in Japan. He says Lethbridge's history of giving to those in crisis is a favourable foundation for this initiative.

"The Japanese-Canadian community in Lethbridge has done so much this a better community," he said. "And I think this gives the people in Lethbridge once again to stretch their hand in generosity to a people who are in dire need."

He received a letter from a member of Towada's Twinning Society, shortly before the earthquake and has stayed in close contact since. He says though the city has much to be thankful for, concerns are still there.

"Yoko emailed me last night saying they only have half a tank of gas in their car and they're worried about when they'll be able to get some more. So people are concerned about the break down of the whole supply network," he said. "It's going to be a huge adjustment. But the Japanese people have a lot of forbearance. I know that they will come through this."

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Seiichi and Yasuko Murayama Visit to Canada

Seiichi and Yasuko Murayama visited Alberta on August 23, 2010. They flew into the Edmonton International Airport and were met by Harold and Cheryl. With opportunity at hand, a tour of the Legislative . Buildings and grounds was in order. It was a pleasure to visit the Japanese Garden that the Government dedicated in 2008 recognizing 80 years of Canada/Japan relations. After visiting the West Edmonton Mall, and some sight seeing In Edmonton, we moved on to Stony Plain for our night accommodation. In Stony Plain Seiichi and Yasuko were impressed with the beautiful murals that adorn the town. In particular the mural that is displayed on the Stony Plain, City Hall recognizing the twin relationship between Stony Plain and Shikaoi Town, Japan.

We traveled from Stony Plain to Hinton were we also stopped by to visit the town office, and had an opportunity of learning more of the Town of Hinton and their twin relationship with Wanouchi Town, Japan. (Hinton will host the 2011 – Alberta/Japan Twinned Municipalities Association Conference.)

We moved along to Jasper they were amazed with the pristine beauty and the majesty of the Canadian Rockies in their grandeur! We continued down the Ice Field Parkway making our way to the Columbia Ice Fields where the temptation to venture out onto the glacier ice was overwhelming………an unforgettable experience!

We arrived late in the evening in Banff , a long drive and we were ready for a good nights rest. In the morning the gondola ride, shopping more picture taking and a trail ride! We then headed for Lethbridge !

In Lethbridge , the Lethbridge Twinning Society members welcomed the Seiichi and Yasuko. A Progressive dinner followed, allowing the guests to visit personally with Society members getting to know one another better.

It all started off with a Salad at Bob’s, followed by appetisers at Greg and Marisa’s and then dinner hosted by Harold and Cheryl. Members arrived at the home after dinner and brought desserts to share and also a chance to visit with the guests. The guests were accommodated at the Lethbridge Lodge Hotel. In the morning, Bob hosted the guests for a tour of the Japanese Garden !

All too soon it was time to travel back to Calgary and to begin their journey back to Japan ! We really enjoyed their visit!

Beautiful mural at City Hall in Stony Plain	Commemorative Monument in front of Hinton Town Office. The monument commemorates twinning relations between Hinton and Wanouchi Town, Japan	"Cool experience" at the breath taking, Columbia Ice Fields
Towada City Friendship Sign	Seiichi and Yasuko at the Edmonton Legislature Buildings	Banff!
Welcome to Lethbridge Cake!	Good Friends	Visiting with Society Members
Visiting with Society Members	Members come to visit and so do the desserts!	Kyle at work
Breakfast, and some very delicious apple pie (Thank you Johann!)	A wonderful lunch at Jasper	Lethbridge Twinning Society Monument

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Welcome to Lethbridge – Asuto Arao!

L-R Alderman Rajko Dodic, His Worship, Mayor Bob Tarleck, Asuto Arao, Towada City, Japan, Alderman Tom Wickersham – Visiting guest from Timashevsk, Russia, Julia Pavlova

On July 16, 2010 Asuto ARAO arrived in Lethbridge to begin a study session in English at “Flexible Learning Systems”. This was Asuto's second visit to Canada, the first time five years earlier with his his family. Asuto is now 18 years old and a student of Mechanical Engineering at Hachinohe National College of Technology just outside of Towada City, Japan. Asuto was the guest of Harold and Cheryl and their family during his stay in Lethbridge. Many members of the Twinning Society made Asuto feel at home, and provided many activities and “adventures” for him! Bryan took Asuto on a visit to Edmonton. The drive was more than Asuto could imagine! Usually in Japan travel of any length is either done by Shinkansen (Bullet Train) or by air. To travel for 5 hours in a car is virtually unheard of in Japan!

Asuto was most impressed with our cuisine, he tried everything, there were some tastes he did not enjoy, and there were others that he loved! He could have passed on the “Russia Borscht”on the other hand, his favourite (of all things!) Cheryl's lasagne! Asuto received a very special invitation from the Consul General of Japan to visit the Consulate Office in Calgary. Asuto made the visit, and was treated to a wonderful lunch, not Japanese food, rather Italian! Vice Consul, Naoki Sasahara along with Jeremiah Davies were most gracious towards Asuto and left a very memorable impression on this young man.

The studies at the Flexible Learning System were perfect for the short time Asuto had to study. He was studying along with many people from various countries of the world who, like him, were trying their best to learn English and the Canadian Culture. Elma and her staff at Flexible Learning System sure do an excellent job, and we give them a huge thank you for accommodating Asuto.

Before Asuto left for home on August 20, 2010 he had the opportunity of watching a baseball game at Spitz Stadium, driving a go cart, golfing, bowling, camping, bar b ques, a wedding,eating pizza at the pizzeria, seeing movies, getting a Canadian haircut, touring the UofL, interacting with a delegation visiting from China, meeting a long lady visiting from our twin city, Timashevsk, Russia, learning the Lethbridge Transit System and bus routes, shopping, bike riding and roller blading! He even experienced a hail storm! The first time he ever seen hail!

We all agreed that Asuto's visit was too short! He is welcome back anytime!

Public Relations Director, Carol and Asuto.

Take me out to a Ball Game!

Very big TV!

Lasagne! Special Treat!

Here I am! Lethbridge!

True Canadian Experience – RCMP Musical Ride!

Twinning Society Monument!

Arriving at home stay!

Off to School.

Bryan and Asuto rowing down the Old Man River.

Asuto at Betty and Dick's for Bar B Que.

I'm from Russia (Julia Pavlova) & I'm from Japan (Asuto Arao)!

Host Family, Harold and Cheryl.

Asuto visit Japanese Consulate in Calgary!

Elma, Director from “Flexible Learning Systems” and Asuto.

Visting the Calgary Zoo.

Terri wishes Asuto best regards!

Henry presents a certificate of attendance to Asuto.

Good-bye Canada, all my bags were allowed on the plane!

Naoki Sasahara and Jeremiah Davies from the Japanese Consulate, Calgary treat Asuto to lunch.

This is certificate that Henry prepared and presented to Asuto.

Comment from Dr. Teiichi Arao (Father of Asuto):

18 year-old Asuto ARAO stayed in Lethbridge and enjoyed many experiences especially at the “Flexible Learning Systems” because his classmates had various cultural backgrounds. He was able to have valuable and rare experiences with them, it was impressive very much.

The ESL program was very well organized for him. He also enjoyed various Canadian experiences such as home BBQ, rowing down the Oldman River, visiting the West Edmonton Mall, camping at the foot of the Rocky Mountains with Bryan.

His opportunity of visiting the Japanese Consulate Office was unique and very special, he was treated very nicely by the Consulate staff. Asuto came home in Towada City , Japan on the 21th of August safely.

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Information Meeting, September 08, 2009

Please, download the Word file about Information Meeting in Calgary, Alberta.

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On October 27, 2007 a group of 17 students and 3 chaparones arrived in Lethbridge from Towada City, Japan. The Students were guests of teachers, parents and students from Wilson Middle School. As a continuation of student visitations from Towada City, this delegation was represented the third visit.

This year the weather cooperated and we did not have snow or extreme cold weather. The students were excited to meet their host families and to participate in the activities. The chaparones were busy as well.

The Lethbridge Twinning Society were able to present gifts to each student, and this year we presented warm touques, as we expected the weather to be much colder. We were able to spend time with the students and chaparones and on Halloween evening we met the chaparones and took them out for the evening. We made a stop to "Red Dog Diner" where we enjoyed some fresh hot dogs before embarking on our journey to the "Haunted Mansion" in Stirling, Alberta. A town approximately one half hour away south from Lethbridge. After being scared to death in the "Haunted Mansion" we made our way back to Lethbridge where we had a pizza party dinner and exchanged gifts and became better acquainted.

The Lethbridge Twinning Society appreciates the student visits that have been taking place on a bi-annual basis. We hope to further support these visits in the future.

The Photo album of the visit

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2008 visit to Japan of A/JTMA president

In November, 2008 A/JTMA President, Harold Pereverseff attended Twin City, Towada City, Japan along with his son, Warren Pereverseff. They met His Worship, Mayor Bob Tarleck in Tokyo and along with Alberta/Japan official, Mr. Kenji Makise they traveled by shinkensan (bullet train) to Towada City. The three day visit was exceptional, visiting with many city officials and seeing many of the cities amenities and sites.

Harold delivered the following speech to a representation of Towada City Chamber of Commerce and City Officials.

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In October 2006, three members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society, Carol Kensley, Jennifer Spanbauer and Tom Crowell traveled to Japan to attend the Alberta – Japan Twin Municipalities Convention in Rikubetsu. They as well visited in Towada City . They had a fantastic experience and arrived home with many marvelous stories and memories to share with us. Here are a few pictures of their visit:

Tom with his home stay family in Towada City, Japan, the Arao’s.	Tom, Jennifer and Mr. Kenji Makise, Commercial Officer for Agri.- Foods, Public Relation and Environment Service from the Alberta Government, Japan Office in Tokyo.
Tom, Jennifer with home stay family in Towada City, Japan.	Visiting the beautiful Oraise River Valley area near Towada City, Japan.
One word, "Amazing"	Rice fields in Towada City.
Water Canal system to irrigate rice paddies in Towada City.	Country side of Towada City, Hokaido Mountains in the background.
Carol, Jennifer and Tom with Mayor and representatives of Rikubetsu, Japan.	Our delegates, Carol, Jennifer and Tom.

In August of 2004 we welcome the Mayor of Towada, His Worship Haruo Nakanowatari, the President of TAIR will be part of a delegation of ten to visit Lethbridge. The Mayor is bringing with him a formal "Friendship agreement between the Towada Association for International Relations and the Lethbridge Twinning Society. A special Gala Event Evening is planned for this presentation on August 18, 2004. The event will be held in the new, Rics Grill!


T-AIR President, Jun'ich Inamoto, his wife and Mr., and Mrs. Murayama. September 2005

In September, our Director for Towada relations, Carol, will take a delegation of sixteen members of the Lethbridge Twinning Society on an exciting trip to Towada, Japan! Arrangements are now being formalized, and any member who is interested in the trip should advise Carol now. We are receiving information on airline costs and travel information from Nippon Travel.



Last year, President Harold and Director Carol attended their first conference of the Alberta Twinned Municipalities held in Hinton, Alberta. It was at this conference that they met with and exchanged information with many representatives from cities and towns throughout Alberta. Each sharing one common thread, they all had excellent relations with their Japanese "Twin Cities"!

The 2004 conference is being held in Rocky Mountain House on June 18 & 19.

2002

In Sepetember 2002, Lethbridge City Mayor, His Worship Robert (Bob) Tarleck, Director Carol and President Harold attended Towada, Japan. This is a picture of a delegation dinner held in our honor.

His Worship, Mayor Tarleck, President of Lethbridge Twinning Society, Harold Pereverseff and Director for Towada Relations, Carol Kensley are treated to the traditonal Japanese Tea Ceremony in Towada City.

2003

Bryan, Director of Public Relations participated in the Towada, Japan "Fall Festival" in September 2003. He particispated in training for Taiko Drumming that whetted his appetite to pursue Taiko Drumming with a passion, and now here in Lethbridge he and many others have that opportunity!

20 students from Towada City arrive in Lethbridge on October 27, 2005

Yukari Tsukamoto, Teacher's Consultant from Towada City, is greeted by Mary Regier, Muskoka Language Institute and Carol Kensley, Lethbridge Twinning society to Lethbridge Oct. 27, 2005 at Wilson Middle School.	Mr.Sumomozawa, English Teacher from Towada City and Carol Kensley, Leth. Twinning Society.

Principal LLoyd Yamagishi of Wilson middle school in Lethbridge, welcomes Yukari Tsukumoto from Towada City October 27, 2005. Director Carol Kensley and President Harold Pereverseff welcomed Superintendent of Education Towada City Mr. Michihiro Inagaki and the student delegation to Lethbridge.

Mary Regier, of Muskoka Language Institute Toronto, coordinates the itinerary and is happy to have wonderful weather this year for the students. The students will be here Oct 27 - Oct 31, 2005. Major events will be total immersion into all classes, ESL instruction as well as a tour to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. Students are hosted in homestays and arrive at school with their new Canadian friend/homestay.

We wish to Thank Principal LLoyd Yamagishi and his staff for opening their middle school for the second year in a row. What a wonderful cultural exchange for all participants!!! (Submitted by, Carol Kensley)

President Harold receives a gift from Mr. Michihiro Inagaki, Superintendent of Education Towada City on Oct.28 in Lethbridge, Alberta.	Cheryl and Harold Pereverseff and Carol receive a painted horse plaque from Towada Chaperones, Mr. Inagaki, Mrs. Yukari Tsukamoto and Mr. Sumomozawa October 28, 2005 in Lethbridge, Alberta.
	Mrs. Yukari Tsukumoto, Teacher Consultant from Towada School Board, pointing to the Towada rocks on the Centennial Monument. She lead a delegation of 20 students and 3 chaperones to Lethbridge Oct. 27 - Nov1, 2005.

Friends welcome Friends

Oct. 28 at supper with Mr. Inagaki, superintendent of Education Towada City, Mrs. Yukari Tsukamoto teachers'Consultant, and Mr. Sumomozawa English Teacher. also welcome Kiyo, Japan tour guide.

The group arrived on Oct. 27 at Wilson Middle School. Attended Canadian school, total immersion in middle school classes, as well as and ESL class in the afternoons. Saturday, the group visited Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lakes National Park. Saturday eveing the school hosted a potluck supper by the homestay families for all the guests. The students experienced Halloween activities at school and with their homestay hosts. Attended full classes on Monday and departed Tuesday for Banff and Calgary, Alberta.

WOW! A Quick visit to Canada but many new memories and friendships created.