Rotary District 7330 Group Study Exchange 2008

2008-11-02T23:23:00.002+01:00

We're home--we got back last evening after a rather lengthy trip from Strasbourg to Paris to Atlanta and then Pittsburgh, and then for most of us a one hour car ride. I got home at midnight. The good thing is that here in the States we turned our clocks back last evening, so we got an extra hour....actually counting the hour last week in France, you could say we got two extra hours and we need them.

Thank you so much to the folks in Rotary District 1680 for being such wonderful hosts. We had the best time, wonderful food, great wines, fabulous cheeses, and such terrific non-caloric desserts!....and the things we saw and did. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Today I mostly slept, unpacked, opened a month's mail, sorted it and now after posting this will begin to pay some of the bills that have been waiting.

We'll be posting some snaps later....but until then...THANK YOU!

From Velous to Mulhouse

2008-10-30T11:18:00.003+01:00

Today we are in a town called Mulhouse--it is famous for textile printing and wallpaper printing. They have a pretty good attitude about loss of jobs here to India and China, in that in the 17 Century they more or less stole the textile trade and all it's secrets from India--they figure turnabout is fair play. Last night on arrival in Mulhouse, after lunch with our host families, we toured the textile museum here, it was a really fascinating tour.

You would have loved our plant tours of the past two days--first to the Rochere Glass factory which has been in continuous operation and I think the same family since 1475---they still do hand blown glass, mostly to just preserve the tradition. They make much of their money on the production of sturdy glassware for the restaurant and home use and most form the production of glass block. They had tons of glass block ready for shipment--and they can make it in different colors. We got to go through the entire plan. As the flames were blasting out of the furnaces and gas burners, I kept thinking how easy it would be for me to ignite; dressed in my mostly synthetic fibers. It was a fascinating tour---yep I took lots of pictures.

The other interesting facility was the Peugeot Parts plant; wherein you can procure ANY part needed for any Peugeot ever made. Most parts are ordered and shipped out within 24 hours--worldwide. They have mastered the JIT production schedule. As we walked through the plant we saw folks cutting leather from Spain , this done by hand. It cannot be computerized, because each day the specific cuts needed change. We then saw others sewing it into the little leather casing that fits snuggly against the shifting gear. We watched a chorus of men and robots make hoods and trunks of cars and then we watched as these parts and others slowly moved along a dipping line, pulled through the anti rust bath and enter the dryer---then they were inspected, bagged; and placed into shipping bins. We had to be careful not to get in the way of the various tow motor operators who were speeding about the floors taking skid after skid from one place to another, loading trucks and then shipping it out: They said one truck per minute leaves the warehouse 24/7--It was pretty amazing---and that's just the parts plant---not the factory where they actually make the cars. This facility alone was about a mile long on either side of a sizeable railroad switching yard, I' m guessing at least 7 lines. I was not able to take any photos in side but took a few snaps on the exterior of the building.

Gotta go---

watches-lumber-and a boat

2008-10-24T10:35:00.004+02:00

Yesterday we spent an active day in the Doubs River region of Franche Comte with members of the Maiche RC--we first visited a watch design and production company, which was founded by a Rotary club member. The region has a history of horlogerie--the making of time pieces. Most folks think of this as a Swiss tradition and to some degree it is, but this region of France borders Switzerland and thus the craft is seen on either side of the valley. Today however, as in most manufacturing, the actual production is done in Hong Kong under stingent control of the French designers. Product is then shipped JIT to France and then shipped to stores, jewlry shops and high end retailers from this facility. They also oversee all repairs of the products. These are high end products such as Citizen and Movado and licensed items for such designers as Hugo Boss. They also have their own lines Clyrus and Oxbow which are marketed more as fashion items than timepieces. At the conclusion of the tour the members of the Maiche RC presented each of us with a wrist watch.

We enjoyed another wonderful lunch beginning with a wild mushroom creamy soup, followed by poultry, cooked endive --chickory--with potato and other veggies, then a dessert of ice cream, sliced pears, chocolate and whipped cream and sprinkled on top with sliced almonds. All of this with bottles of champaign and wine---that will be a big adjustment upon our return-not having wine with every meal---or perhaps not?

We then toured a wood fabricator which specializes in laminating wood boards beween thick layers of insullation or cork, thus producing a product that can serve simultaneously as a roof and flooring product. We had the opportunity to witness the craftsmen glue and bend 12 boards that are then shaped into 14 meter length structural beams for houses and buildings. It was explained that these glued beams would set in 24 hours and be ready for final planing and sanding in one day. The company--Seimons--ships throughout Europe and Asia.

After the wood fabricator, to a boat ride on a river and lakes that border Switzerland and France: On one either side of the river was a different country--though both looked similar utilizing the -chalet- style of house--good for shedding snow in the winter.

We were completed about 7 PM, each back to our host families--mine a family dinner party celebrating the home visit of a brother who has been working in Mali Africa for the past three years. It was a late evening, lots of wine and champaign---got home well past 11 PM.

Today is the Team Vocation Day--

We danced;they clapped

2008-10-22T22:48:00.004+02:00

Tonight we are in Besancon; Iam on a French keyboard so there may be some odd spellings because if I begin to go fast Ill get ,y fingers confused: There will be odd punctuations also because; Ihave no idea where the right ones are and if I use the left shift key all the letters suddenly go into caps: so I am trying to remember to just use the right shift but thats a vzey odd thing to ask your brain to remember this late:

We danced this night; ze had no music; but they clapped and Randall did the calls and it worked out: Everyone was laughing and having a good time and no one seemed to want to leave the meeting early; We also for the first time had an operating computer hookup: So, we did our modified power point program and it went well enough:

It rained all day today the first heavy rain since we have been here: We visited the birthplace of Louis Pasteur today in Dole; that was pretty interesting: Last night Randall and I stayed in a house that was built in the 1770s; before the United States was even formed: It was a neat old house situated between the river and a canal and just across the canal from the Pasteur home which we were able to walk to and from this morning, Yesterday morning we visited a cookie/bisquit factory; That was fun, interesting; and tasty--we got to sample cookies off the line before they even cooled for packaging;

We have been eating like little piggies---this afternoon for lunch we had an appetiser mold of rabbit: it was cured in such a way that it had a bit of a salami-like taste with extra bits of meat---which I couldnùt discern; so upon asking we learned that it was rabbit: it was very good.

Not knowing what you are eating makes it all quite wondeful; because then you do not make presuppositions qbout whether or not you should like it: This way your tastebuds and nose alone make the decisions:

Got to go now; am very sleepy and have no idea where the letters keep moving to:

over half way there

2008-10-20T19:04:00.002+02:00

well, it's been a very busy two weeks and there has been so much to see and learn about. i am having a great time and have experienced more than i thought i would. The culture, the architecture, the history, and the flowers have been magnificent. i have tried and eaten things i never thought i would have and have lived to tell about it. The wines have been great. i have taken a lot of pictures and can't wait to get them developed. my professional experiences have been great. the most impacting visit has been my day with jawaad hajeem. what a wonderful and caring man. i will definately keep in touch with him and can't wait to tell the clubs about his efforts. I love this man! Ok, must get ready for dinner even though we just finished lunch three hours ago. see you all soon.

Champagnole and the lakes region of Jura

2008-10-20T18:18:00.004+02:00

Today we went to a little tour of the lakes region in the jura mountains, which are considerably lower than the Alps, about 2000 feet, but nonetheless impressive. Lots of exposed spances of granite and some intriguing waterfalls. When i get back i will post and show photos, i am reluctant to try to upload especially on this computer.

Tomorrow we are off to a town Called Basecon, or something like that, It's a big town. There's supposed to be a little tail on the 'c" but I have no idea where it is on this keyboard.

The food has been glorious. Today we had a mold of duck and mushroom, fresh pike, a sampler of cheeses; I asked the waiter to give me a little sample of each type they had and then asked him the order in which i should eat them. They were great---the last one was soupy in substance and was like a distillation of garlic...really nice. And then we had chocolate mousse for dessert. Each course was coupled with an appropriate selection of three different Jura wines, which are quite different from the wines in the north.

It has been more exhausting on this GSE that the one to india----India at least allowed for some time for Internet access and rests during the day---this has been just going and going...we have only had the time to email and post these past two days.

it's been terrific, wonderful food, wine and things to see and do. Everyone has been terrific. We presented that blasted Amish basket to Pierre at the District Conference in front of the whole congregation. Pierre was pleased and we simultaneously said from "District Governor Mary Berge". By the bye----he and every club president has loved the RINO pins....they delight when we explain the meaning and pass them to their members. They are a hit.

It's been two weeks

2008-10-19T18:35:00.003+02:00

It's been two weeks now when we have been travelling from roughly 7 in the morning until 11 or later in the evening. We've had no time to post and thus now are frantically trying to catch up on email, phone calls and posting on this blog. We've had a terrific time eating wonderful new foods including fresh truffles, caviar, salmon, fois gras, and other regional specialities like boar, venison, chapignons--read mushrooms, but cute little tiny ones and big ones. We've had lots of wines, whites and reds, and it seems often that we have begun our days with a bottle or two of champaign.

Our most unusual wine cellar was in the basement of a hospital in Strasbourg, with a bottle from the mid 1472--we had the opportunity to smell the cork. The last person to actually have a drink of it was Pope John Paul II---we also has the opportunity to tour a ultra modern wine maker, Cleebourg whose facilities are all stainless steel, shiny and clean. They indicated that the stainless steel production enables more consistency from year to year in the quality of the wine. We witnessed a truck load of grapes filling the first process of the production. They also had an automatic turning device for the champagne bottles to slowly turn the bottles and over a nine-month process until finally the bottle is upright, when they remove the cork and initial sediment, replace a bit of the liquid and then permanently cork it for its final fermentation.

We've seen a variety of castles, some from the 10 and 11 century, some more modern from the late 1500s and later. All are rather interesting. The other day, when we were in a little town called La Petite Pierre which translates to "little rock" we visited a castle that is now a museum for environmental issues, more or less a nature interpretive center....the two Rotarians who took us there explained that when they were children they used to play among the ruins---"army" and "knights of old"....kind of a neat back drop for imaginary play.

I've now taken over 2000 photos....and will not post until I return as the process is a bit difficult and I did not bring the correct cable to do it directly from my camera.

All of the little villages are quaint. We are now witnessing folks removing the flowers from the window boxes and the soil is being replenished with lots of rich organics....I'm guessing cow manure for the winter to just relax. The towns typically have lots of flowers, some in baskets on the bridges and lamp posts, all in the former horse troughs. All of the towns we visit have small rivers and canals running through them. The windows have working shutters, some the ones of old that are vertical on the outside of the window box, others are new that can be turned down electically or with a crank, they roll down from the top and completely darken the interior rooms, providing a layer of insulation from the outside weather and protection when needed during storms. From the outside they look similar to the hurricane shades you see in Florida.

The Rotaians have been great, their meetings jam packed, as are many of ours with little time for extras, which has barely given us time to do just small presentations....of course our power point has not worked.

Except of course at the District Conference, where we quickly talked about ourselves and then---yes we danced. We recruited four Youth Exchange students to assist, one from New Zealand, India, Canada, and Brazil each. They were terrifically cooperative and the dance went well. Amy, Dana, and Tarah have been troopers about wearing our little 'costumes" and the audience really enjoyed it as well. Jacques was beeming at our success, so the "dance" worked.
We also performed it the other night at his new club. We first had some difficulty recruiting some of the men to be our partners, but after the first dance the rest jumped up to participate and the club enthusiastically responded. There was much joviality, laughter and fun. So it's a hit.

please forgive the spelling errors

Our Gnome

2008-10-19T18:17:00.002+02:00

Is a very fine gnome.

His name is Cliff Jesaistout.

He has been to a number of places, including a charming cinema in the Chateau Fleckenstein. There have been a number of other places that he has gotten to see, from his own unique perspective. He has been a bit shy, but has acculturated well to Alsace. However, the number of dogs present in this country has been a source of ongoing anxiety for him.

Cliff

2008-10-11T23:35:00.002+02:00

This will be a short post, as I'm approaching the event horizon of tiredness. But I did want to update that we have now officially moved out of Strausbourg. The past two days have been enjoyable, with the hosting being done by the Rotary Club of Wissembourg.

I had the opportunity to take part, along with the rest of the team, in a visit to a residential treatment facility for individuals with disabilities, including children diagnosed with Autism. It was good to see that much of what we do in the United States is similar to what is being done here. Also, it seems that the same increase in Autism Spectrum Disorders is being observed in this country as well. However, a large difference in the treatment and evaluation of children with Autsim-Spectrum disorders is the more comprehensive insurance coverage. Two days for a comprehensive evaluation! I'm lucky with two hours!

Anyway, before I engage in a monograph regarding the insurance situation in our home country, I'm going to log off. Tomorrow, we go to Haggenau. Allons-y!

And the tour begins

2008-10-08T20:25:00.004+02:00

Since I last posted much has happened. I have gotten faster at typing on this keyboard even though the letters aren't where they are on the american keyboard. My host family has been really nice. Christian and Cathy have been very hospitable. Cathy even took care of me as I've been sick with a sinus cold, making me hot herbal tea from her garden with honey. As for our days we spent Monday morning at the Center for Rehabilitation & Education (a hospital very similar to Harmarville). After lunch with one of the clubs we went on a walking tour of Strasbourg to La Petite France & to the Cathedral Notre Dame. It was very nice & I took a lot of pictures. On Tuesdaywe went to Mont Sainte Odile, a monestary at the peak of the Vosges mountains in Alsace. I dreaded the 2 hour hike as I was sick, but oce I got there and knew the brewary was our next stop I was fine: At the Kronenbourg brewery we got to sample the differnt beers and see how the entire process works. It's all rather technical nowadays. We were each given a sample 6 pack to take ho,e also. I'm going to see how many I can manage to bring back if I wrap and bag the, well. Today we went to the wine cellars of the Hospices Civils (hospital). There we saw the oldest bottle of wine that dates back to 1472. We also had the rare pleasure of smelling the cork to the barrel that holds that same wine. We only lucked into it as a German tv crew was there filming. We had lunch at the European Council, toured it, toured the Youth Center on-site, then went to a club meeting. Let me add my feet are killing ,e. Tomorrow is our first professional day. I will be at the center we were at on Monday. Au Revoir.

My first host experience

2008-10-05T16:42:00.002+02:00

As the team gathered at the Holiday Inn to meet our host families, mine was the first to arrive. Her name is Cathy Navlet & to my delight, she knows english as she was a rotary exchange student to New York. cathy took me to her home in Duttleheim to meet her family. She has 2 daughters: Florine, 15 & Charlotte, 11. Her husband came home later that night & his name has escaped me. Last night I attended a 30th birthday celebration for Cathys sister, Karine in the Lorraine region. We had dinner at a very exquisite restaurant called Le Strasbourg. We were served a 5 course meal that had me trying foods I thought I would never eat. It was good. We spent the night at her parents home & returned to Duttleheim around 1:00pm. Cathys family was very nice & her father gave me a rotary flag from his club. I told him I would give one to Cathy to give him. Later we took the dog for a walk & I took some pictures of the cabbage fields, kiwi, and some century old buildings that Cathy said are protected from being torn down (similar to landmarks). The team will meet in the morning to visit a rehabilitation hospital, lunch with a RC, visit the Cathedral Notre Dame, visit another RC & then back to our host families.

First Dqy

2008-10-04T22:43:00.005+02:00

When you have been travelling all night, you get a little silly as the time goes by. It is now the end of our first conplete day in France: I am using Jacques computer, which is good; but the keyboard in France is ever so slightly different, enough so that I have to type slowly and remember that the A is located where the Q usually is and that the only period I have found is on the numeric pad. The W is one key off and the M is on a different line entirely. So it is slow going: I have no idea where the apostrophe might be lurking; so I have eliminated using it.

I am staying the next week with Anita and Jacques Grimm; he is a former District Governor of Rotary and Anita will hold that post in 2010==that was interesting ==you have to hold the shift key to get numbers. Where you usually find the M is where the , is located. If I type too fast I get soe,thing like this; so you cqn see thqt

We had a lovely lunch with a cous cou shrimp,beef tips, assorted cheeses and breads: took the dog for a walk and then went to the màdiathèque--which is sort of a mix between a library and a museum. You can chek out books, CDs,

Nous sommes arriver

2008-10-04T09:50:00.004+02:00

We, the team, not just me, have arrived safely in Strasbourg. We met the district governor, Pierre Haas, and GSE coordinator, Jacques Grimm, at the airport. They took us to the hotel, by way of scraping the roof of the minibus on the exit bar at the airport. However, no injuries were sustained though the van may be in need of cosmetic surgery. We enjoyed a welcome glass of wine (rieslings and pinoit gris) and were briefed about the next few days. After that, we either fell asleep for several hours, or took a walk in the city (we saw a rainbow after a brief drizzle), depending on the person. Then, it was dinner time, where we had a gracious waiter who tolerated our imperfect french and slightly less imperfect english. We were almost asleep while dining and our conversations were tangential at best. But, we tried to stay awake until a reasonable time so that we would sleep through the night. We weren't successful with this endeavor. Each of us woke at two or three in the morning (except me. Yay, melatonin works) and then went back to sleep, finding it difficult to wake at 7 in the morning. Now, after a wonderful continental (european style) breakfast, we are off to meet our host families.

We're on our way

2008-10-02T18:20:00.002+02:00

One quick post before I'm off to the airport. Thanks to all for the last minute phone calls and bon voyage wishes...last night I called the team warning them to keep a few inches for their business cards and brochures that I will be brining to the airport today. No room in mine.

Hey---see you all in a month!

"In the future everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes"

2008-10-01T02:04:00.001+02:00

It would seem that our Group Study Exchange is a big enough event to warrant coverage by our local newspaper. For those who didn't run out and get their own copy as soon as it was unloaded to the newsstands, I bring you the virtual version: http://www.tribune-democrat.com/local/local_story_274000018.html

And, on the personal note: I'm almost completely ready to depart! Not bad for just under 48 hours. At least, until I remember the almost forgotten item.

Bon Voyage snaps.

2008-09-29T17:43:00.003+02:00

Here's some photos from yesterday's adventure with our District Governor. You can see us dancing and we were all having so much fun! In the picture above: Back row, l to r: Randall Harris, Team Leader-Donna Gambol, District Governor-Mary Berge, Dana Carns. Front seated, l to r: Amy Kacmar and Tarrah Brenner.

Bon Voyage party with the DG

2008-09-29T02:46:00.007+02:00

Today, the Team: Randall, Amy, Dana & Tarrah met first at my house to "rehearse" our square dance. Special thanks to the Kudrna family, Dad Dan, the girls: Kirsten and Aubrey, and youth exchange student Akshan for practicing with us prior to our Bon Voyage party with the District Governor.

We were a bit delayed as Tarrah and Dana took a tour of Johnstown, seeing such places as Geistown, Moxham, Kernville and both Rt 56 & 403, before they finally arrived on the mountain top. We walked from my house to DG Mary and Ivar Berge's home.

At the District Governor's home we enjoyed a lovely buffet of prosciutto wrapped shrimp, little roast beef and cheese roll-ups, specialty fresh tomato slice pizza, fruit salad, roasted warm new potatoes, and other treats. Lots of wine, beer and soft drinks. The rain held off, so we were able to go outside to the patio.

Johnstown Rotary President Greg Petrilla, Past President Ryan Sedlak, and former GSE Team Member, Reece Rahmon were there to represent the Johnstown Rotary Club. Youth Exchange Student Jonathan Olesen from Denmark arrived with his weekend host family, Nick & Tracey Dorsch and their daughters Olivia and Marianna.

District Governor met briefly with the team to discuss how important our trip would be and to present us with a portfolio featuring this year's theme. She also gave the team members postcards, NO RINO pins, two different theme pins "Make Dreams Real," and copies of her business card, with which we can possibly blanket the entire region. And then we did our little dance demonstration....

I might tell you there was some skepticism before we began, but Randall quickly explained the dance steps, the ladies of the team donned their bonnets and quickly recruited: Greg, Ryan, Nick and Reece....Ivar took pictures, the rest of the attendees observed. The music began, Randall started to call the moves and we all danced! It worked. We laughed, had a good time, and EVERYONE thought it would be a hit. We sure hope so.

After the dancing, DG Mary presented each team member with a special beneficiary of the Rotary Foundation pin.

Perhaps I shall be able to post a few of Ivar's snaps....by the bye---look for Tuesday's Tribune Democrat...there'll be a story there about GSE.

Special thanks to Patricia Greene, of Painesville, Ohio who made our bonnets, bandannas and skirts....we're gonna be so fetching when we travel in France and dance, dance, dance.....

Af

The Full Itinerary

2008-09-25T06:04:00.001+02:00

Gouverneur du District 1680 :
Pierre Haas – ( Médecine vétérinaire) - RC Strasbourg Kléber
27, rue des Vosges
F – 67270 SCHWINDRATZHEIM
Tél : 03.88.91.51.90
Gsm : 06.78.85.16.47
Mèl : haas.pierre@evc.net

Coordinateur District :
Jacques T. Grimm – PDG 03/04 (Commerce de Gros – Papeterie) RC Brumath Strasbourg-Campagne.
Résidence Hélios
44 C, chemin du Beulenwoerth
F – 67000 STRASBOURG
Tél Privé: 03.88.51.29.26
Tél bur : 03.88.81.90.80
Fax: 03.88.20.14.52
Gsm: 06.60.24.37.40
Mèl: jacquesgrimm@orange.fr

PROGRAMME (du 3 octobre au 1er novembre 2008)

Vendredi 3 octobre 2008
Arrivée à l’aéroport de Strasbourg-Entzheim.
Accueil du groupe EGE 7330 et « pot » de bienvenue (District).
Dîner et première nuit à l’hôtel « IBIS » 2, rue du Maréchal Foch 67380 Lingolsheim tél : 03.88.77.18.18 fax : 03.88.77.22.42

A) Strasbourg et environs (du 3 au 11 octobre 2008)

Samedi 4 octobre 2008

Mâtinée libre : repos.

Vers midi les familles rotariennes d’accueil prennent en charge l’équipe à l’hôtel IBIS.

Coordinatrice
ADG Hélène During (Administration publique - Impôts) RC Strasbourg-Europe 10, rue Félix 67000 Strasbourg.
Tel : 03.88.41.80.07
Gsm : 06.17.97.17.52
Mél: helene.during@club-internet.fr

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Hébergement:

• Donna Gambol chez Anita et Jacques Grimm (RC Strasbourg-Europe + RC Brumath)
• Randall Harris chez Dominique Danon (RC Strasbourg-Europe),
• Amy Kacmar à confirmer (RC Strasbourg-Europe),
• Dana Carns chez Suzanne et Kristian Kunz (RC Strasbourg),
• Tara Brenner (à confirmer).

Dimanche 5 octobre 2008

Journée en famille.

Lundi 6 octobre 2008

09h00 – RDV (rendez-vous) hall du Holiday Inn – Place de Bordeaux à Strasbourg puis
Visite du Centre de rééducation fonctionnelle Clémenceau.
12h30 – Participation au repas statutaire du RC Strasbourg-Europe - Hilton
14h30 – Visite de la ville de Strasbourg et de la Cathédrale – (RC Strasbourg-Kléber).
19h00 – Réunion statutaire RC Strasbourg-Kléber – Hôtel Sofitel (apéritif).
20h00 – retour dans les familles.

Mardi 7 octobre 2008

09h00 – RDV (rendez-vous) hall du Holiday Inn. Excursion au Mont Sainte Odile – Dominique Vivé (RC Strasbourg).
12h30 – Réunion statutaire du RC Strasbourg-Ouest au Cercle Européen.
14h30 – Visite de la brasserie Kronenbourg – Pascal Magoni. (RC Strasbourg-Kléber).
18h00 – Retour au Holiday Inn pour soirée dans les familles.

Mercredi 8 octobre 2008

09h00 – RDV (rendez-vous) Holiday Inn – Place de Bordeaux. Visite des caves des Hospices Civils – Kristian Kunz (RC Strasbourg).
12h30 – Repas organisé par le RC Strasbourg-Sud au Conseil de l’Europe – Yann de Buyer (RC Strasbourg-Sud)
14h30 – Visite du Conseil de l’Europe – Yann de Buyer ( RC Strasbourg-Sud)
18h15 – Apéritif au Cercle Européen (Strasbourg-Sud), puis retour dans les familles.

Jeudi 9 octobre 2008 – Journée professionnelle

09h00 – RDV (rendez-vous) Holiday Inn..
* Dana Carns : matin : agence de voyages à Kehl-am-Rhein – Kristian Kunz (RC Strasbourg). Participation au déjeuner de la réunion statutaire du RC Strasbourg
Après-midi : agence de voyages Kuoni à Strasbourg et soirée clients (19h00-21h00) – présentation hôtels de luxe à l’Ile Maurice + Seychelles – Gérard Troesch (RC Strasbourg).

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Amy Kacmar : accueil dans un service pour personnes handicapées – Jeanine Pinelli (RC Strasbourg-Europe) et Jawad Hajjam (RC Strasbourg-Ouest) Association « Savoir et Compétences.
Randall Harris : Journée à thème « Psychologie » - Anne Bucher (Inner Wheel Strasbourg) et Pascal Godon (RC Strasbourg-Nord).
• Tara Brenner : accueil le matin et déjeuner Hôtel Cathédrale – Thierry Pees-Martin (RC Strasbourg-Europe) – après-midi accueil dans un autre hôtel (à confirmer) – Arnaud Vivé et Bernard Claude (RC Strasbourg-Europe).
• Donna Gambol : Rencontre avec un journaliste des « Dernières Nouvelles d’Alsace » (à confirmer) – Arnaud Vivé (RC Strasbourg-Europe).

18h00 – Retour au Holiday Inn puis soirée « tarte flambée » - Pascal Godon ( RC Strasbourg-Nord).

Vendredi 10 octobre 2008

09h00 – RDV au Holiday Inn. Visite des poteries de Soufflenheim, Betschdorf et environs. François Pillet (RC Strasbourg-Kléber).
12h15 Repas avec le RC Strasbourg-Est au Holiday Inn – Antoine Garnon (RC Strasbourg-Est). Conférence de l’ambassadeur d’Autriche auprès du Conseil de l’Europe Monsieur Wendlin Eltmayer.
14h30 – Excursion en bateau « mouche » - Antoine Garnon (RC Strasbourg-Est)
19h00 – Retour au Holiday Inn pour soirée en famille.

Samedi 11 octobre 2008

09h00 – RDV Holiday Inn pour transfert en minibus vers Alsace Nord. – Jacques Grimm (RC Brumath.

B) Alsace Nord (du 11 au 18 octobre 2008)

Coordinateur
Jacques Muller – ADG (Médecine Générale) RC Kronthal-Wasselonne-Marlenheim
11, rue de Provence
F – 67520 MARLENHEIM
Tél : 03.88.81.74.92
Gsm : 06.07.97.25.25
Mél : jacques.muller@wanadoo.fr

Samedi 11 octobre 2008

Séjour et visites sur Wissembourg ou/et Haguenau jusqu’au 14 inclus (en cours d’élaboration…)

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Le 15, journée organisée par le RC Brumath Strasbourg-Campagne avec réunion statutaire à L’ »Ecrevisse » de Brumath. Hébergement à Haguenau. J. Grimm.

Jeudi 16 octobre 2008

Transfert sur Ingwiller vers 11h00. Organisation de l’hébergement. Déjeuner puis visite du musée de sigillographie. (étude des sceaux).
Si le temps le permet, Claude Sarric – RC Ingwiller-Bouxwiller-La Petite Pierre fera découvrir la région « vue du ciel » !

Vendredi 17 octobre 2008

Journée organisée par le RC Ingwiller-Bouxwiller-La Petite Pierre avec comme temps fort, la visite de l’ESAT (établissement spécialisé d’aide par le travail) et ses activités connexes.

Samedi 18 octobre 2008

Départ tôt pour rejoindre la Conférence de District au Dôme de Mutzig.
Participation et intervention du groupe EGE en assemblée plénière.

C) Jura (du 18 au 22 octobre 2008)

Coordinateur
Maurice Girard-Claudon – Adjoint du Gouverneur (Enseignement) - RC Champagnole
1, route de Saint Germain
F – 39300 Equevillon
Tél : 03.84.52.07.14
Mèl : girard-claudon.maurice@orange.fr

Samedi 18 octobre 2008

17h00 – Prise en charge de l’équipe du District 7330 par le RC Champagnole et transfert sur le Jura.
Installation à l’hôtel de Champagnole, dîner et début du « mid-tour break » !

Dimanche 19 octobre 2008

Journée libre et de repos à Champagnole.

Lundi 20 octobre 2008

Matinée libre….à Champagnole.

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Mardi 21 octobre 2008

Journée organisée par le RC Champagnole
Soirée dans les familles.

Mercredi 22 octobre 2008

Mâtinée organisée par le RC Champagnole et transfert sur Besançon.

D) Besançon – Doubs (du 22 au 26 octobre 2008)

Coordinateur
François GAULIARD – Adjoint du Gouverneur (Banque) RC Baume-les-Dames
22 bis, rue du Château Gaillard
F – 25110 BAUME-les-DAMES
Tél : 03.81.84.16.20
Gsm : 06.08.84.96.35
Mèl : fgauliard@free.fr

Mercredi 22 octobre 2008

11h00 – RDV à l’hôtel Mercure. Repas puis transfert dans les différentes familles hôtes.
19h30 – Dîner et soirée organisés par le RC Besançon Boucle à l’hôtel Mercure.
.
Jeudi 23 octobre 2008

Journée organisée par Chantal Monnin – RC Maîche avec visite d’une entreprise d’horlogerie et si le temps le permet promenade en bateau avec visite du saut du Doubs.
Soirée en familles.

Vendredi 24 octobre 2008 – Journée professionnelle.

En cours d’élaboration…

Samedi 25 octobre 2008

Le matin sera consacré à la visite de la ville de Besançon.
L’après-midi nos hôtes seront conviés à la visite du Musée de Besançon ou celui de la Citadelle. Possibilités de shopping !
La soirée sera organisée par l’un des RC de Besançon.

Dimanche 26 octobre 2008-09

Transfert dans la matinée sur Gray en Haute-Saône.

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D) NORD FRANCHE-COMTE (du 26 au 29 octobre 2008)

Coordinatrice Nord Franche-Comté
Annie Poignand – Adjoint du Gouverneur (Banque)) - RC Voray Pays des 7 Rivières.
Impasse des Ecureuils
36, route de Devecey
F – Châtillon-le-Duc
Tél : 03.81.56.95.17
Gsm : 06.31.93.59.32
Mél : annie.poignand@guideo.fr

Dimanche 26 octobre 2008

Prise en charge par le RC Gray en fin de matinée. Organisation de l’hébergement.
Après le déjeuner, visite du château de Champlitte (objets du passé !) puis de la cave vinicole Guillaume à Charcenne.
Soirée en familles.

Lundi 27 octobre 2008

Organisation de la journée par le RC Gray. Visite de Gray et environs puis de l’usine John Deere (matériel agricole) et de Christine Laure (confection).

Mardi 28 octobre 2008

Transfert sur Vesoul le matin. Organisation de l’hébergement.
Visite de la ville et d’un CAT (centre d’adaptation par le travail)…
19h30 – Participation à la réunion statutaire du RC Vesoul.

Mercredi 29 octobre 2008

Transfert sur Mulhouse en fin de matinée assuré par Christian Clémencelle – RC Vesoul.

E) SUD ALSACE (du 29 au 31 octobre 2008)

Coordinateur Sud Alsace
Gérard ZIER – Adjoint du Gouverneur (Produits chimiques) – RC Mulhouse-Vosges
13, rue du Markstein
F – 68100 MULHOUSE
Tél : 03.89.44.45.26
Gsm : 06.89.88.73.99
Mél : geyzier@wanadoo.fr

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Mercredi 29 octobre 2008

Arrivée sur Mulhouse et organisation de l’hébergement. Déjeuner dans les familles.
Après-midi de « tourisme » dans la région mulhousienne.
Soirée organisée par un RC mulhousien.

Jeudi 30 octobre 2008 – Journée professionnelle

En cours d’élaboration…
En soirée, participation à la réunion statutaire du RC Mulhouse-Rhin.

Vendredi 31 octobre 2008

Matinée libre, avec repas dans les familles.
L’après-midi sera consacrée à la visite du Musée de L’automobile.
19h30 – repas d’adieux, avec les familles d’accueil et les intervenants probablement à l’auberge du Zoo (District).
22h00 – Transfert sur Strasbourg – Hôtel Ibis Aéroport – J. Grimm – RC Brumath Strasbourg-Campagne

Samedi 1er novembre 2008

Transfert vers l’aéroport de Strasbourg-Entzheim en fonction des horaires – J. Grimm – RC Brumath Strasbourg-Campagne.

Fin du programme.

itinerary

2008-09-25T05:58:00.001+02:00

For those who are interested...here's our itinerary:

Just seven more days....

2008-09-25T05:55:00.002+02:00

Thank you Randall for setting this up. It's so exciting to have a blog all can contribute to. When I went to India, we more or less had a blog, a little one that folks could immediately write and post to us and the other was my ramblings that I e-mailed to a friend each night....with the worry that the power could fail at any minute with India's rolling blackouts.

So here we go again on another adventure...hope everyone who comes to visit enjoys our travels as well....

Testing and Preparation

2008-09-25T01:08:00.002+02:00

Welcome to those reading this blog, I'm one of the 4 team members participating in this year's Group Study Exchange to Alsace. Consider this my opening rambling, which should hopefully be followed by the ramblings of the other 3 team members and our esteemed team leader, Donna.

At this point the red tape parts of preparation are largely complete and it's come down to the practical elements such as packing (and not losing my passport again). Anyway, I want to see if this thing works, so I'm going end this post with noting how honored I am to have been selected for this experience and that I'm looking forward to getting a chance to see a different location in this world of ours.