We welcomed 10 Ambassadors from Friendship Force Greater Milwaukee on September 29th. It took 2 ½ years to pull this one together. Covid-19 certainly changed our world. The welcoming dinner was at the Park Avenue clubhouse (last minute change due to mold at Middleton Place!!). We had our Southern dinner (thanks to Karen McDonald) with a welcoming speech by our club president, Susan Harvey. Bill Hogan, our photographer, took photos of the Ambassadors and Home Hosts.
Friday was our day to visit Asheville. High Climate Tea Company gave a presentation and tasting about various teas. We took a Grey Line tour of Asheville which provided a historical view of the city. Saturday, Joe Robustelli gave us a tour of Bullington Gardens in Hendersonville. The dahlia garden was in full bloom. A big thanks to Becky Elston who made sure we had our box lunches. Hurricane Ian came through Southern USA and caused the National Park Service to close the Carl Sandburg Home, preventing our planned visit. So flexibility took charge and the Hosts took their Ambassadors to many venues including the Quilt Show, Lake Lure and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Karen & Bill Hogan hosted a great cook-out at their home that evening.
Free day on Sunday took the Ambassadors to many of the sights in WNC by their host. The evening was spent with dinner hosts Mary & Dave Evers, Chuck Stevens, Marlena Sacca and Mike & Virginia Erwin.
Monday, Susan & Larry Harvey led a hike through Dupont State Forest to see the water falls with box lunches at the Sycamore Flats pavilion. We had a guided walking tour of the Cradle of Forestry Discovery Center. The day ended with the Ambassadors taking their Home Hosts to dinner.
The sun shined for our day at the Biltmore Estate. After the tour of the home, gardens and grounds, the Ambassadors were given a tour of the Cathedral of All Souls in Biltmore Village, arranged by Kay Manley. Its stained glass windows are beautiful.
The farewell dinner was at the Park Avenue Clubhouse with BBQ from 12 Bones. The ‘show’ for the night was Bill Hogan feeding banana pudding to Jack Mullen. Ann Line also had the opportunity to feed Clarine Furey banana pudding. We all had a good laugh. Ann Line, the Co-Journey Coordinator from FFGM, spoke and presented our club with a $100 donation for the charity of our choice. Many new friends and fond memories.
Journeys take a lot of work, flexibility and many helping hands. Thanks to all that helped!
–Karen McDonald, Bill Hogan and Carol and Jack Mullen, Co-Journey Coordinators
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