February 2012 Update

Posted on February 12, 2012February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

Dear friends, We have just concluded our first annual Japanese Culture Celebration Weekend in Bath, and it was so successful that we are indeed calling it our 'first annual'. The events were varied and supported by community people/businesses and also statewide artists. Our goal was to raise awareness of our program , and we did that as well as raise some scholarship funds for travellers. We had cooking classes, sake tasting classes, Japanese movies, green tea ceremonies, and classes in J...

Bath Japanese Celebration Weekend!

Posted on January 15, 2012February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

Yokoso/Welcome to Bath Japanese Celebration Weekend! Please join the fun Thursday, February 2-Sunday, February 5, for a weekend of exciting events for families, children, and adults. From hands-on activities such as a cooking class, family carnival, and Japanese dinner, to entertainment with Celebrity Sumo wrestling, a gardening presentation, and Japanese movies, there is something here for everyone! Check out the full schedule for details. Or, download the printable brochure: Bath Japan W...

Poster Design Contest!

Posted on December 21, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

The Bath-Tsugaru Sister City Exchange Program is excited to announce a Japanese Celebration weekend with activities for children and adults, coming to Bath, Maine in February 2012. As part of this event, The Exchange Program is sponsoring a poster design contest open to Maine students in 6th through 12th grade. The purpose of the poster is to advertise the Japanese Celebration weekend, and the winner of the design contest will win a $50 Gift of Bath gift certificate, free admission to all Japan...

October 2011 Program News

Posted on October 30, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

Konichiwa, friends and alumni of the Bath-Japan exchange program. As our exchange organization grows in support and momentum, we hope to update you regularly. We have completed our first full year with active board, nonprofit status, and hired coordinator, Cindy Matthews. Cindy lived and taught in our sister city for years, and has brought that knowledge and enthusiasm to her work. The natural disasters in March derailed our travel plans and shrunk our visiting group, but we are happ...

September 2011 Updates

Posted on September 4, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

We just had another successful hosting program. A small group from Japan (5 students, 3 adults---due to the disaster this year), enjoyed their homestay and tour of the area. They presented our city group with an official thank you from the prefecture for funds raised. A sister state group will be visiting Maine in September, with UNESCO representatives and also members interested in aquaculture, food, and renewable energy exchange. They want to spend half of their short stay in Bath. The ...

Thank You Video from Aomori

Posted on July 25, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

The people of the Prefecture of Aomori have created a video thank you to the people in Maine: If you have trouble viewing the embedded video above, try the direct link here: http://youtu.be/li5ORHsGZlQ

Mutsu Shinpou Newspaper Article

Posted on July 24, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

“Disaster Relief Funds” Aomori’s Friends Donate $14,000 Tsugaru City’s Sister City: Bath, United States July 13, 2011 (Mutsu Shinpou) Author: Keiko Yamamoto Here is a scan of the original article: Mutsu Shinpou Newspaper Article (Japanese). The translation below was provided by Michael Moses, Coordinator of International Relations in Tsugaru City. In an effort to aid the victims of the major earthquake that struck Eastern Japan, the Bath-Tsugaru Sister City Program sent 14,000 dollar...

Tsugaru City Newsletter CIR Column

Posted on July 24, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

“Love and Courage Across the Seas” Tsugaru City Newsletter CIR Column (May 2011) Michael Moses Attached is a scan of the original article (in Japanese) Tsugaru City Newsletter CIR Column (Japanese). The translation below is provided by the author. After the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami in eastern Japan, I reflected on the meaning of the slogan “Love and Courage Across the Seas.” While I think many of you are familiar with it, the phrase refers to the strong bond between Bat...

Bath May Fair

Posted on May 6, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

Dear Bath-Tsugaru Program Friends, Konban wa Tomodachi! There is a new fundraiser quickly approaching and I hope you can help! Next Saturday, May 7, is the May Fair in Bath! It is basically a city-wide Yard Sale. We have a space at Library Park. We are hoping to raise money to help pay for activities and lunches for the group from Tsugaru coming this summer, and perhaps also to contribute to next year's trip TO Tsugaru. Have you done some spring cleaning lately? Maybe over April vaca...

News video coverage of the Cheseborough Swim

Posted on April 9, 2011February 5, 2015 by Mike McDermott

A news team from WCSH 6 came to the Y to cover the event: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=155241