We've just concluded a visit of just under a week by our good friends from the city of Tisovec in Slovakia. A delegation of eight comprised of educators, businessmen and parliament members visited Shenandoah in 2013 and celebrated it's annual Shenfest festivities. It was an outstanding week and highly productive in our advancing efforts of the Sister City program. Here is a brief run down of their activities as a group.
Early the next day after arriving late at the Omaha airport on Tuesday they headed to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Tisovec has ties with this university and has helped one of the delegates earn her degree in education. They had a wonderful visit and headed back to Shenandoah in the afternoon.
Upon their arrival we had a tech meeting with two Shenandoah school instructors. The meeting centered around the progressing project of joining the school systems of Tisovec and Shenandoah through an interactive medium platform on the Internet. A test website was presented and emails were exchanged among instructors to grant administration access. This will allow express rights for Shenandoah and Tisovec educators to allow privileges to students to access this platform and interact with each other. This is a Google website and also access will be extended to a Facebook page. My fear was the language barrier but to my astonishment there was great discussion among all and there was elevated enthusiasm. This meeting was a vital piece in establishing a connection for the younger generation of our two school systems.
VIDEO ENTRY 1
A busy day laid ahead for the Tisovec delegation on Thursday. They toured Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and BioProcess Algae in the morning and ended up at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital (SMH) for a tour as well and lunch. They thoroughly enjoyed the energy production displayed at Green Plains and were intrigued with the algae production and it's many applications. The hospital setting was also well received by our Tisovec delegates.
To finish off the tours of the day they visited Lorimer Farms west of Shenandoah. Since agriculture is a rich source of life here in Southwest Iowa it was befitting to get them acquainted with the Iowa farm setting. This destination was also well received with curious eyes.
That evening we had an official "Welcome to the City" at the amphitheater of the Shenandoah Public Library. After some tasty appetizers and some wonderful art displays by local talent at the school, we collected there for introductions and a welcome from the Mayor of Shenandoah. This event was concluded with a spectacular vocal music presentation by another student at the Shenandoah High School. She sang the American National Anthem. She wanted to sing the Slovak National Anthem but the language barrier had her stumped. In it's place an audio recording was played and all stood in deep respect and reverence. It is important to note that after the program in the Library a couple educators from Tisovec enjoyed watching a young girl play an interactive game. If only that very young girl knew the impact that simple act was having on those around her.
After the Library reception we took the delegation to Godfather's Pizza. Pizza is a must in America!
On Friday they visited the schools. They liked how the schools are in close proximity. They visited the Turnbull Child Development Center (TCDC), Elementary School, Middle School and the High School. They had lunch at the High School and visited some more until a little later that afternoon.
VIDEO ENTRY 2
We met back at the May Center at the High School for our first round-table discussion. It was here that we started to open up and get some feedback on the events so far. Many things were shown that they expressed they can take back to Tisovec to ponder over and share. We as Shenandoah residents shared with them how we achieved several goals through an initial vision decades ago. One of the things to gather from this meeting is how we might form a common dream for the partnership of our two communities. Once that can be established we may then work on how to bring that dream into reality.
On Friday evening 37 people gathered at the Wabash Winery for dinner and entertainment. Attendees included the Tisovec delegates, host families, Shenandoah Sister City committee, Shenandoah City Council and other influential people. Many formal remarks were expressed including an official invitation from the Mayor of Tisovec to attend their 680th anniversary in July of 2014. On dishes graciously provided by the owners of the Winery we ate a delicious dinner catered by Hy-Vee Food Stores. We were then treated to several songs performed on a harp. The dinner was perfect, the weather was perfect and we all had a great time.
VIDEO ENTRY 3
Saturday went well.......for the most part. We all congregated at the Shenandoah Safety Center for the fireman's pancake feed. It was very well attended despite the rain which lasted till noon. After the rain subsided tractors, marching bands, convertibles, fire trucks and parade floats began lining up. VIPs of the George Jay Drug Company were the grand marshals as they were celebrating their 125th year in business in Shenandoah. The anxious delegates from Tisovec were honorary grand marshals. They did well but I bet they couldn't wait to escape the public eye.
Most of Sunday was left up to each host family but we all came together one last time that evening for a barbecue. We had a lot of food! IMPORTANT: We had homemade ice cream! We had great brats and burgers along with awesome conversation. Oh, did I mention we had homemade ice cream????
The evening, and effectively the trip, ended with closing remarks and hopes to build on that vision for the future.
VIDEO ENTRY 4
It was a privilege to mingle with our Tisovec guests once again. Truly the water depths nor politics can divide us. Taken from an inspired mind I would just add this. If there is a bridge to build....."We Can Do It!"
Early the next day after arriving late at the Omaha airport on Tuesday they headed to Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Tisovec has ties with this university and has helped one of the delegates earn her degree in education. They had a wonderful visit and headed back to Shenandoah in the afternoon.
VIDEO ENTRY 1
A busy day laid ahead for the Tisovec delegation on Thursday. They toured Green Plains Renewable Energy (GPRE) and BioProcess Algae in the morning and ended up at the Shenandoah Memorial Hospital (SMH) for a tour as well and lunch. They thoroughly enjoyed the energy production displayed at Green Plains and were intrigued with the algae production and it's many applications. The hospital setting was also well received by our Tisovec delegates.
To finish off the tours of the day they visited Lorimer Farms west of Shenandoah. Since agriculture is a rich source of life here in Southwest Iowa it was befitting to get them acquainted with the Iowa farm setting. This destination was also well received with curious eyes.
That evening we had an official "Welcome to the City" at the amphitheater of the Shenandoah Public Library. After some tasty appetizers and some wonderful art displays by local talent at the school, we collected there for introductions and a welcome from the Mayor of Shenandoah. This event was concluded with a spectacular vocal music presentation by another student at the Shenandoah High School. She sang the American National Anthem. She wanted to sing the Slovak National Anthem but the language barrier had her stumped. In it's place an audio recording was played and all stood in deep respect and reverence. It is important to note that after the program in the Library a couple educators from Tisovec enjoyed watching a young girl play an interactive game. If only that very young girl knew the impact that simple act was having on those around her.
After the Library reception we took the delegation to Godfather's Pizza. Pizza is a must in America!
On Friday they visited the schools. They liked how the schools are in close proximity. They visited the Turnbull Child Development Center (TCDC), Elementary School, Middle School and the High School. They had lunch at the High School and visited some more until a little later that afternoon.
VIDEO ENTRY 2
We met back at the May Center at the High School for our first round-table discussion. It was here that we started to open up and get some feedback on the events so far. Many things were shown that they expressed they can take back to Tisovec to ponder over and share. We as Shenandoah residents shared with them how we achieved several goals through an initial vision decades ago. One of the things to gather from this meeting is how we might form a common dream for the partnership of our two communities. Once that can be established we may then work on how to bring that dream into reality.
On Friday evening 37 people gathered at the Wabash Winery for dinner and entertainment. Attendees included the Tisovec delegates, host families, Shenandoah Sister City committee, Shenandoah City Council and other influential people. Many formal remarks were expressed including an official invitation from the Mayor of Tisovec to attend their 680th anniversary in July of 2014. On dishes graciously provided by the owners of the Winery we ate a delicious dinner catered by Hy-Vee Food Stores. We were then treated to several songs performed on a harp. The dinner was perfect, the weather was perfect and we all had a great time.
VIDEO ENTRY 3
Saturday went well.......for the most part. We all congregated at the Shenandoah Safety Center for the fireman's pancake feed. It was very well attended despite the rain which lasted till noon. After the rain subsided tractors, marching bands, convertibles, fire trucks and parade floats began lining up. VIPs of the George Jay Drug Company were the grand marshals as they were celebrating their 125th year in business in Shenandoah. The anxious delegates from Tisovec were honorary grand marshals. They did well but I bet they couldn't wait to escape the public eye.
Most of Sunday was left up to each host family but we all came together one last time that evening for a barbecue. We had a lot of food! IMPORTANT: We had homemade ice cream! We had great brats and burgers along with awesome conversation. Oh, did I mention we had homemade ice cream????
The evening, and effectively the trip, ended with closing remarks and hopes to build on that vision for the future.
VIDEO ENTRY 4
It was a privilege to mingle with our Tisovec guests once again. Truly the water depths nor politics can divide us. Taken from an inspired mind I would just add this. If there is a bridge to build....."We Can Do It!"
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