Monday, members of the Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa were busy
escorting the youth exchange members from the Okazaki South Rotary
Club and their host youth from Newport Beach on a tour of significant
sites in our beautiful city, including the Central Library, the
Environmental Nature Center, the city's Harbor Patrol and the
highlight patrol boat tour of the harbor.
The group also went to the Newport Aquatic Center for kayaking and
to Ruby's on the Balboa Pier for lunch.
The youth exchange group from Okazaki included the chaperons,
Yukari Kanasashi and Masamichi Ishihara (staying with Timree Gold,
the chaperon who went to Okazaki in July); and youth, Wakana Maruo
(staying with Kelly Clark and family), Ayano Tsuchikawa (staying with
Leilani Tanbara and family), Takuya Wada (staying with Daniel Kenichi
Ward and family), and Masato Nagasaka (staying with Edward Wiklund
and family). Kelly, Leilani, Daniel and Edward are the students from
Newport Beach who visited Okazaki.
Monday evening, the Okazaki students and the Newport students, who
visited Okazaki during the summer, and their families joined the
Rotarians for a traditional American barbecue of hamburgers and
potato salad. The Okazaki students also got a new experience: pumpkin
carving. Members of the Rotary Club and the city's sister city
association provided hors d'oeuvres and other food.
Rotary Club president Terry Rousselot opened the formal evening
with a salute to the flag, which was fittingly displayed next to the
flag of Japan. The Japanese youth entertained the gathering with some
special music and dance.
The chaperons, Yukari Kanasashi and Masamichi Ishihara and each of
the youth made a brief statement about their impressions of their
visit.
Following the entertainment and dinner, Rotarian Nathan White
oversaw the pumpkin carving and the judging of the winners.
Each youth from Newport Beach and Okazaki had the opportunity to
speak of their exchange experiences and was given a gift of a Newport
Beach T-shirt.
Rotary Youth Exchange Chairman Dan Hoffmann said, "It was great
because of the cooperation and support of everybody -- the Rotarians,
sister city members, city, school and last, but not least, the
parents of the kids."
CASINO NIGHT FUNDRAISER
Harbor Mesa Lions will hold its ninth casino night at 7 p.m. Oct.
28, at the Costa Mesa Neighborhood Community Center. The evening will
include casino games, music, dinner, opportunity drawings and a
silent auction. Chairwoman Joan Parks promises a great time for all
