BIENVENUE AND AU REVOIR WITH LOTS OF FUN IN BETWEEN!

A small but enthusiastic group of 8 ambassadors from Friendship Force of Biarritz, France, added a fun filled week in Chicago to their exchange with Quebec City.  

The exchange featured two fabulous parties, both drawing about 50 guests total.  Thanks to Olga and Phil Connor, who, with the help of Madelon Silgalis, hosted the welcome dinner at the Connors' apartment.  The farewell dinner was at the beautiful party room in the Heritage, just behind the Cultural Center.  Following dinner there a large group made its way (toting left over dessert and beverages and lawn chairs and blankets) to Millennium Park for what was the best attended concert of the season.  Pincas Zukerman both played violin and conducted the Grant Park Orchestra.  Thanks to our advance team securing us primo lawn space front and center, we had a wonderful vantage point but our last minute arrival and the huge crowd and extra security made it a daunting task to make our way to our site.  But we prevailed and settled in for a magical performance under the stars.  Then a smaller group of ambassadors and home hosts decided to hit a local blues club for one last taste of Windy City culture.

Other special highlights of this exchange.  On Day One, co exchange director Sharon Huck and husband Jim had arranged for the use of a friend's condo on the 92nd floor of the John Hancock building where the ambassadors and home hosts enjoyed Chicago Deep Dish pizza and Frango Mint Cheesecake and the amazing views.  Then led by day host and new member Bonnie Pool the ambassadors and a few home hosts worked off the calories with a free trolley ride around the downtown area and a bit of time to explore the Mag Mile before moving on to the Welcome Dinner.

The next day we had arranged for the ambassadors to have a walking tour of the downtown led by a French speaking Chicago Greeter, a free program offered by the city.  Despite his rather fast pace they enjoyed the tour and were ready to sit and rest and grab a bite to eat (and time to do some shopping) before the afternoon Wendella boat tour.  Rain could not dampen the spirits of our ambassadors.  Thanks to Bob Hernquist and Steve Spigel for shepherding the activities that day.

The rest of the week until Sunday found the ambassadors and home and day hosts exploring various parts of the city in small groups and sometimes independently and enjoying informal get togethers or nights out.

Besides the usual museum trips and walks in the park, one of our ambassadors enjoyed a Lake Michigan swim (BRRRRR) with our then President Cathy Cameron.  

Others went to Oak Park to see the Frank Lloyd Wright homes, to Ravinnia for a Lyle Lovett concert, to Navy Pier for the fireworks and to the Goodman Theater to see Ain't Misbehaving.

On Sunday before the farewell gala the ambassadors and home hosts were treated to sailing with the Helwigs and Malelos.

Thanks to Olga Connor and Sharon Huck who were the co exchange directors.  Also to Lynn McCarthy, the Ekises, and the Bloodworths who made all the arrangements for the farewell dinner. 

And a special thanks to home hosts, Bob and Dorothy Hernquist, Diana Williams and Steve Spigel, Cathy Cameron, new member Marilyn Parsons and Gillian Devane who stepped in at the last minute.