2017 Club Activities
Fourth Quarter Meeting and Christmas Celebration
On December 14, 2017, FFBR held its Fourth Quarter Meeting at Drusilla Seafood. The evening began with lots of food and drink. The members included the very seasoned and the very new. There were lots of hugs and much laughter.
The business part of the meeting began at 7:50. The 2018 budget of $25,400 was approved. President Karen Vingiello lead the Pledge of Allegiance and said a prayer. She talked about the list of activities in 2017 including the 40th celebration at the parish library, Christmas in July, journeys to Belgium, and Oklahoma City, the International Conference in England, an incoming journey from Bogota, Colombia, and an Open World hosting delegates from Serbia. Karen is to be commended for the growth of the club from 70 to 100 members in one year. Sheila Melancon asked everyone to consider hosting in October when ambassadors from Bundaberg, Australia will be here. Linda Knochenmus explained that the outgoing journey to Russia will include a one-week home stay in Rostov on Don and a five-night hotel stay in Saint Petersberg. Keith Corkern announced that he and JoAnn Wall are arranging a trip to Israel between October 29 and November 10, 2018. The trip is not connected with Friendship Force.
Karen Vingiello thanked the members of her board. She asked Trudy Ivy and all past presidents to come to the podium. Karen then installed Trudy Ivy to be the 2018 President and handed her the gavel. All past presidents and current members promised to help Trudy during her presidency. Trudy Ivy introduced her board including new members Secretary Marsha Sills and LaDeta Crawley.
Margaret Moore played the piano as we sang "Let There Be Peace On Earth." Sheila Melancon, Mary Doerner, and Linda Cox, led the group in singing a variety of Christmas Carols. Harvey Downs accompanied Margaret with his trumpet. Owen Cope, one of our newest members, surprised everyone with a solo of "O Holy Night."
The business part of the meeting began at 7:50. The 2018 budget of $25,400 was approved. President Karen Vingiello lead the Pledge of Allegiance and said a prayer. She talked about the list of activities in 2017 including the 40th celebration at the parish library, Christmas in July, journeys to Belgium, and Oklahoma City, the International Conference in England, an incoming journey from Bogota, Colombia, and an Open World hosting delegates from Serbia. Karen is to be commended for the growth of the club from 70 to 100 members in one year. Sheila Melancon asked everyone to consider hosting in October when ambassadors from Bundaberg, Australia will be here. Linda Knochenmus explained that the outgoing journey to Russia will include a one-week home stay in Rostov on Don and a five-night hotel stay in Saint Petersberg. Keith Corkern announced that he and JoAnn Wall are arranging a trip to Israel between October 29 and November 10, 2018. The trip is not connected with Friendship Force.
Karen Vingiello thanked the members of her board. She asked Trudy Ivy and all past presidents to come to the podium. Karen then installed Trudy Ivy to be the 2018 President and handed her the gavel. All past presidents and current members promised to help Trudy during her presidency. Trudy Ivy introduced her board including new members Secretary Marsha Sills and LaDeta Crawley.
Margaret Moore played the piano as we sang "Let There Be Peace On Earth." Sheila Melancon, Mary Doerner, and Linda Cox, led the group in singing a variety of Christmas Carols. Harvey Downs accompanied Margaret with his trumpet. Owen Cope, one of our newest members, surprised everyone with a solo of "O Holy Night."
Christmas in July at Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson, LA
July 8, 2017
New and seasoned members of Friendship Force of Baton Rouge held their annual Christmas in July at the War Veterans Home in Jackson, LA on Saturday morning, July 8, 2017. There were about 50 veterans who were entertained by the Cajun dancers and served by FFBR. Vets received sandwiches, chips, cake, candy, cold drinks, Girl Scout cookies, and goody bags. The cafeteria of the veterans home also received watermelons and coffee. The personal touch between us an the veterans is what Friendship Force is all about!
FFBR Celebrates Friendship Force International's 40th Anniversary
March 8, 2017, at EBRP Main Library
Members and guests of Friendship Force Baton Rouge gathered at the East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard, March 8, 2017, to celebrate the founding of Friendship Force International. The Piano Man, Clay Boudreaux, entertained over 135 guests as they tasted wines and international cuisine provided by many local businesses and restaurants. A continuously-running slideshow displaying over 500 photos compiled by FFBR photographer, Thornton Cofield, showed members participating in domestic and international exchanges. Members and guests traded hats and costumes from different countries inside an automated photo booth, manned by FFBR Vice-President, Trudy Ivy. A table covered with historical travel memorabilia was organized by founding members, Darwin and Linda Knochenmus. Baton Rouge's award-winning volunteer, Frances Bennett, ensured that members and guests were properly introduced and photographed.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome was given a warm introduction and welcome by committee chairman, Mary Doerner. The Mayor-President presented the FFBR club with a certificate proclaiming March 8 as "Friendship Force International Day." In turn, FFBR President Karen Vingiello, greeted the Mayor-President, and gave her one of FFBR's pins in the shape of Louisiana. The Mayor commended Friendship Force of Baton Rouge members for their service as ambassadors within the United States and abroad. She asked members to assist her in building a bridge between people in our community and state.
FFI Board President, Bob Duncan, described the goals of the organization, showed a film entitled "Just A Week" depicting ambassadors on journeys around the world. Several current members were asked to tell personal stories of what Friendship Force has meant to them: founding member Linda Knochenmus, longtime member Vicki Vance, recent member LaDeta Crawley, and founding member Dotty Stubbs. Oksana and Serhiy Matviychuk, a husband and wife team from the Ukraine, entertained the group with their violins, while guests originally from India, the Middle East, and Croatia mingled in the crowd. The evening was brought to a close by the traditional formation in a circle to sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth," led by Past-President Sheila Melancon. Several Chinese lanterns were released outdoors, symbolizing wishes of peace to friends far and near.
Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome was given a warm introduction and welcome by committee chairman, Mary Doerner. The Mayor-President presented the FFBR club with a certificate proclaiming March 8 as "Friendship Force International Day." In turn, FFBR President Karen Vingiello, greeted the Mayor-President, and gave her one of FFBR's pins in the shape of Louisiana. The Mayor commended Friendship Force of Baton Rouge members for their service as ambassadors within the United States and abroad. She asked members to assist her in building a bridge between people in our community and state.
FFI Board President, Bob Duncan, described the goals of the organization, showed a film entitled "Just A Week" depicting ambassadors on journeys around the world. Several current members were asked to tell personal stories of what Friendship Force has meant to them: founding member Linda Knochenmus, longtime member Vicki Vance, recent member LaDeta Crawley, and founding member Dotty Stubbs. Oksana and Serhiy Matviychuk, a husband and wife team from the Ukraine, entertained the group with their violins, while guests originally from India, the Middle East, and Croatia mingled in the crowd. The evening was brought to a close by the traditional formation in a circle to sing "Let There Be Peace on Earth," led by Past-President Sheila Melancon. Several Chinese lanterns were released outdoors, symbolizing wishes of peace to friends far and near.
Mason's Grill, February 2017
Mason's Grill was the site of February's Meet N Greet when 27 both new and seasoned members enjoyed lunch.
Londoner, January 2017
Each month -- on the third Thursday of the month -- we meet for a Dutch treat lunch.
Anyone is welcome to come and learn more about Friendship Force Baton Rouge.
In January we met at The Londoner on South Sherwood Forest Blvd.
There were 23 members of FFBR and 3 future members (grandchildren).
Anyone is welcome to come and learn more about Friendship Force Baton Rouge.
In January we met at The Londoner on South Sherwood Forest Blvd.
There were 23 members of FFBR and 3 future members (grandchildren).
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