this for diplomats newsletter

From the President

Dear friends,

It is my pleasure to update you about THIS’ pursuits since the December Newsletter – it has been a busy and productive couple of months!

The mainstays of our efforts to enrich the lives of the diplomats are, of course, our programs and services. Both have been popular and well-attended.

Building on our outreach efforts through collaborations with Johns Hopkins Medi-

cine International and the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy, we have established a new relationship with Diplomatic Connections magazine. They hosted a wonderful

lunch and fashion show from Bloomingdale’s at the Madison Hotel for our Winter DAB

Advisory Board (invited Ambassadorial Spouses) and you will see photo coverage of the event in their next issue! We have expanded the diversity of our DAB by inviting

new members representing Jamaica, Japan, Iraq, Libya and Singapore.

We have moved forward on other fronts, as well:

We’re working with Meridian to produce a set of Guidelines that will enhance the

mutual benefits of our continuing relationship. Our objective is to strengthen and clarify our interaction in matters of Development, Communication, Programs and

Diplomatic Outreach. As partners with Meridian in the Diplomatic Outreach Committee, we recently presented another in our Insights series, a reception for the embassy

Social Secretaries, and we will be exploring a Culinary Diplomacy program in the spring with the U.S. Office of Protocol.

We’re making good progress with our “self-improvement” effort, This, Today and Tomorrow (TTT). The last Steering Committee moved us another step closer to

implementation of the recommendations, and the next Steering Committee meeting (March 21) will feature reports from all the sub-committees. Please plan to be there!

Our fundraising efforts will reach a peak at the forthcoming Spring Soirée (March 15). It is shaping up to be a wonderful party with fabulous international food and

music. The highlight of the evening is our Silent Auction. We have been receiving exciting donations from the embassies and local merchants and hope that the proceeds

from the auction will provide significant revenue as well as a good time! Please be there (and bring friends!).

The International Children’s Festival will be an every-other-year offering, alternating with the Festival des Artistes (April 6, 7). This year’s Festival will feature

artwork by diplomats and volunteers and will be at the famed Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

The New Diplomat Welcome (April 12) is our official way of extending our hand of friendship to newcomers. If you know any diplomats (or their spouses) who have

not yet been welcomed in this way, please tell them about this free event.

You will find more information about these and other exciting programs as you read further into this Newsletter and also on our website, where you can register for all

events. I look forward to seeing you soon and frequently!

With best wishes,

March 4, 2013 Volume 4, Issue 3

Please send your comments,

questions or corrections to

the editor, Tina Bailem at

[email protected]

Contact Us

THIS for Diplomats

President, Dr. Phyllis Kaplan

THIS for Diplomats Newsletter

Inside this issue

From the President 1

THIS News 2

Programs and Services 3-7

Biographies 8-9

Introductions

& ”Stream of Life” 10

mailto:[email protected]


THIS News

THIS Thanks Our Generous Donors! We could not continue our 52-year mission without you!

Special Friends of THIS

The Dan Cameron Family Foundation Mortimer and Ruth Caplin Larry Dunham

This list reflects donations made to THIS between December 8, 2012 and February 22, 2013.

Donations made after February 22, 2013 will be recognized in future postings.

Eleanor’s Circle Crescent Place Friend

Karen Bobb Phyllis Kaplan

Cultural Envoy

Beth Barnett Carol Gant Dorothy Miller

Judith Bexfield Laurence Jarvik Mims Placke

Jane Buzalski Carol Kaplan Maureen Plevyak

Susan Cohen Patricia Kent Mary Elizabeth Sadun

Jan Du Plain Joan Keston Adele Siegmund

Frederica Dunn Joy Macdonald Connie Small

Beatrice Fitch Thalia Marmaras Joan Wolf

Naomi Freeman Randa Mendenhall

For a complete list of donors for the 2012/2013 program year please go to our website at

THISforDiplomats.org and click on “Support THIS”. Thank you!

Volunteer Giving Campaign Update

Our goal: $80,000 by May 2013 Total raised: $28,312.46 Remaining: $51,687.54

For any questions about this and other development related issues please contact Development Chair Sanya Younossi at [email protected].

New THIS Office Telephone Hours

In order to run the office more efficiently, the THIS office staff will now take calls daily from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

If you reach us outside of these hours, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call the same day or early the next day. Thank you very much for your cooperation and understanding!



THIS Programs and Services

Home Hospitality Committee invites Embassy Staff

The Home Hospitality Committee would like to invite Embassy staff to participate in a unique and special opportunity to be a guest in a THIS volunteer’s home. I would like to share the experience Bernard and Doreen Merkel, from the EU Embassy had when they joined my family for a meal:

“My husband and I arrived in Washington just over 3 years ago. Apart from the many wonderful events that THIS arranged, we were amazed to discover that ‘hospitality’ also meant having the opportunity of being invited to someone’s home for dinner. So a perfect stranger would invite us to dine in their house. Only in America!

I filled out the form and soon was contacted by our local hostess, Kathie Klass. Date, time and place were arranged. We were wondering whether it would be very formal (suits and ties, wear the diamond tiara?), or what sort of offering we should bring, but it turned out to be a very casual and pleasant evening - a traditional barbeque. We were not the only guests and met sev-eral interesting and charming people. I recommend all new diplomats sign up for Home Hospitality!”

If you are interested, please contact Kathie Klass at 202-337-8274 or 202-744-2650 (cell), or by e-mail at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Kathie Klass

Chair

SAVE THE DATE

Festival des Artistes - Diplomacy through Art

April 6 & 7, 2013 12:00 - 5:00 pm

THIS for Diplomats is proud to sponsor the Festival des Artistes at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts. Showcasing the extraordinary talent of Washington's diplomatic community, the Festival spotlights paint-ings, photographs, jewelry, fashion and ceramics from around the globe, including Australia, Brazil, China, France, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Pakistan, Peru, Switzerland and The Gambia. Meet the artists on Saturday, April 6 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm. The Duke Ellington School of the Arts is located at 1698 35th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007.

For information please contact Nan Coughlin at [email protected].





Historic Tour of the Federal Reserve

The American History and Community Affairs Committee recently presented a tour of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, created in 1913 in the aftermath of the Panic of 1907.

The Board of Governors, appointed by the President, has its headquarters in the historic Marriner S. Eccles building by Paul Philippe Cret (1876-1945), who also designed the Organization of American States (1908), the Folger Shakespeare Library (1929) and the Calvert Street Bridge (1935, now Duke Ellington Bridge).

This program illuminated the Federal Reserve’s historic role in the resolution of the Great Depression of 1929, Stagflation in the 1970s, and the 2008 Financial Crisis.

Please join us and bring diplomat friends new to THIS or Washington, DC to the

New Diplomat Welcome on

Friday, April 12 from 10:15 am to 12:15 pm.

There is no charge and it is an opportunity to learn more about the many interesting THIS programs and services, and to meet diplomats from other countries and friendly THIS volunteers. A coffee reception is followed by a short program about our organization.



Follow THIS on Twitter and “Like” Us on Facebook! Twitter and Facebook users: Make sure you never miss THIS news or photo updates by following us on our new social media outlets. Simply go to our website, www.THISforDiplomats.org, and click on the Twitter and Facebook icons in the top right corner. When you are routed to our Facebook page, be sure to click the “Like” button next to our name. We look forward to sharing more information with you!

An Evening with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain

Also in January, Ambassador Houda Ezra Ebrahim Nonoo welcomed diplomats and THIS volunteers into the elegant Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain for an unforgettable evening.

Attendees learned about the Kingdom of Bahrain and enjoyed a sumptuous dinner showcasing traditional Bahraini foods.

L.-r.: THIS Past President Lexie Ellis; Mr. Matt Clark; Ms. Diane Rasmussen, Director, U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy; THIS volunteers Mims Placke and Katherine Rusenko.

L.-r.: THIS volunteers Marjorie Scott, Beverly Gurner, and Debbie Glaser.

http://www.thisfordipomats.org/



SAVE THE DATE

THIS Spring Soirée

March 15, 2013

6:30 to 9:30 pm

THIS for Diplomats celebrates fifty-one years of citizen diplomacy with a Spring Soirée featuring in-demand jazz pianist, vocalist and Kennedy Center regular Amy Bormet. The evening will feature a silent auction with unique items donated by embassies, local businesses and top restaurants.

The Soirée will take place at Meridian House. For tickets ($95 per person advanced purchase and $115 at the door) please contact THIS at Meridian House, 1630 Crescent Place NW, Washington, DC 20009; phone: 202-232-3002 or e-mail: [email protected]. You can also register online at http://thisfordiplomats.org/ news/special-events/. Valet parking is provided.

THIS thanks these Spring Soirée Sponsors:

Corporate Sponsors: Individual Sponsors:

John Adams

Larry and Deborah Dunham

Ruth Krosin

Gail Roache

David E. Weisman and Jacqui Michel

Gail West

The Social Clubs of Washington, DC

On December 4, the Architecture, Home Design and Gardening Committee hosted a program called “The Social Clubs of Washington, DC”, which was chaired by Lashley Wolf and Mahala Hart. The event was attended by 33 diplomats and THIS volunteers and began at the beautiful Cosmos Club (see photo) with its interesting history. Afterwards, participants walked a few blocks to the Washington Club and had a most enjoyable morning learning more about Washington’s history.


http://thisfordiplomats.org/



Don’t miss these fabulous programs in March and April

March 7, Style in Silk: Tradition and Innovation in Chinese Fashion, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, Washington, DC;

March 9, Luray Caverns Trip, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, Luray, VA;

March 15, Spring Soiree 2013, 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm, Washington, DC;

March 16, Kodo Drummers of Japan, 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm, Washington, DC;

March 21, Tour of DC Metropolitan Police Headquarters, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, Washington, DC;

April 5, Festival des Artistes Opening Reception "Diplomacy through Art" 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm, Washington, DC;

April 6 & 7, Festival des Artistes Exhibition "Diplomacy through Art", 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, Washington, DC;

April 9, Day Trip to Fredericksburg, Virginia, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Fredericksburg, VA;

April 12, New Diplomat Welcome, 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, Washington, DC;

April 16, Learn Your iPad - A Hands-On Seminar, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm, Washington, DC;

April 18, Tea and Tour George C. Marshall Center & Dodona Manor, 11:30 am - 5:00 pm, Leesburg, VA;

April 23, A Day in the Life of a Busy U.S. Congressman: Private Tour of the Capitol, 9:45 am - 12:00 pm, Washington, DC;

April 30, A Springtime Luncheon and Cooking Demonstration, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, McLean, VA.

To sign up please visit us online at www.THISforDiplomats.org. If you need help with online registration, call 202-232-3002.

A Short History of American Art with the

Experts (Part 1)

On January 23, Brandon Fortune, Chief Curator and Curator of Paintings and Sculpture at the National Portrait Gallery, led a group of interested diplomats and THIS volunteers on a special highlights tour of 18th and 19th century portraits at the National Gallery of Art.

The tour included portraits of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, architect Benjamin Latrobe, Thomas Paine, scientist David Rittenhouse, a spectacular group portrait of Ulysses S. Grant and his Generals, and portraits of Mary Cassatt, Mark Twain, Edith Wharton and other luminaries.

Mr. Fortune provided special insights into the lives of artists who painted the portraits as well as the subjects.

http://www.thisfordiplomats.org/


THIS presents ….

Our Diplomat of the Month for March is Doreen Merkel, who, although born in Sydney, Australia, married Bernard Merkel, who is actually from Britain, but is here in Washington as a representative of the European Union. Talk about international relations! However, there is a pattern in Doreen’s life that showed early on she was not the “I will just stay here where I grew up for the rest of my life” type. As soon has she reasonably could, which was right after obtaining her degree to become a pharmacist, Doreen left Australia. Starting in Bangkok, Thailand, she and a friend traveled around Asia and then overland to Europe for four months on a trip that changed her perspective of people on the whole and taught her valuable life lessons.

They ended their voyage in London where Doreen found work in her profession and eventually met her husband, which meant she was never to return to live in Australia at all. A few years and two

daughters later, Bernard, who was working for the British Department of Health, received an offer from the European Union he couldn’t refuse. After living in London for 16 years, Doreen and her family moved to Lux-embourg where she could choose a new career: teaching English as a Foreign Language to staff working in the European Union. Meeting and working with people from all over the world, learning about their cultures and backgrounds perfectly matched Doreen’s personality which she describes as: “Creative, interested and very curious!” After 13 happy years in Luxembourg they moved to Brussels, Belgium for five years.

Doreen says she wants to learn everything she can about the country she lives in and about its people and is open to all new experiences that relate to her surroundings. So when the family moved to Washington in 2009, both she and Bernard were excited about all the possibilities. They immediately took advantage of THIS and all its amazing programs and services and although they also travel extensively on their own, have enjoyed many THIS outings. Doreen especially mentions the trip to Aiken, South Carolina which the travel committee organized in 2010 and which she says “was the experience of a life time.” She also says that she loves the way our service committees “make you feel special and integrated” and that the “behind the scenes” tours have amazed her. She also has a new perspective of Americans through meeting the volun-teers and enjoying the wonderful home hospitality offered by them. She has even graciously consented to be the “go-to” diplomat for the THIS Architecture, Gardening and Home Design committee.

When she has free time, Doreen loves to create things. From jewelry to lace making, crochet to greeting cards, she lets her creative juices flow whenever she can. She will exhibit some of her beautiful jewelry at the upcoming Festival des Artistes in April. In addition, Doreen volunteers at the information desk of the Smith-sonian National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum. She says that she really appreciates working there and enjoys the interaction with the other volunteers while learning about art at the same time. She feels that she has used her time here wisely and has learned as much about the country as she could. We wish her that her curiosity and interest to learn will always keep her excited and lead her to new and wonder-ful adventures for many years to come!

Mrs. Doreen Merkel


THIS presents ….

Although she has retired from her very busy position with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where she worked for 27 years, Mimi Kolesar, our Volunteer of the Month, is very active. In fact, she is busier than ever, volunteering, furthering her education, traveling, and simply enjoying her life with friends and family.

She has certainly made a big difference with the THIS Art Commit-tee, where she assumed a leadership role soon after she joined our organization in 2008. The Art Committee is an active and engaged group which has offered a range of fantastic programs which make us look forward to the next THIS calendar. Exceptional tours of private art collections, amazing meetings with artists in their homes, special tours with experts at the National Gallery of Art - there is no end to the interesting and varied subjects presented and prudent diplomats and THIS volunteers know to sign up quickly if they want to be a participant, and not end up on the dreaded waiting list.

In addition, Mimi has also left her mark with the Architecture, Gardening and Home Design and the Nomi-nating Committee, and she really enjoys meeting fellow volunteers and diplomats from all over the world at the DC International Coffee and Cultural Exchange and the Turkish Foreign Cultural Exchange groups.

When she isn’t busy with THIS for Diplomats, Mimi volunteers at the National Cathedral, where she partici-pates in the popular “Tour and Tea” program where visitors have a tour of this beautiful cathedral, followed by a traditional English Tea. She has been a longtime chair of the Garden Committee at the condominium complex where she lives and she attends lectures and classes of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at American University. She continues her professional life by teaching an affordable housing course for NeighborWorks of America. Where did all this thirst for knowledge and interest in art begin?

Mimi grew up in Wilkes-Barre, a mid-size town in northeastern Pennsylvania, where it is said that Babe Ruth, the famous American baseball player, once hit the longest home run in history. Her parents, the father the editor of the local newspaper, and the mother a math teacher at a local high school, encouraged their three children to be free thinking spirits, to look beyond the horizon and as Mimi says: “initiated in us a great capacity for friendship.”

At the age of 16, young Mimi received the opportunity to stretch her wings when she went to Perth, Aus-tralia for a year as a Rotary exchange student. She eagerly embraced all the new experiences coming her way and credits those early years with having given her a lifelong interest in politics and international rela-tions. Her life philosophy of never ceasing to grow and learn and to value different cultures and perspectives through building friendships certainly coincides perfectly with the THIS motto of citizen diplomacy through the building of international understanding.

Mimi’s easy-going personality also helps to further this cause and her wonderful ability to make the person she spends time with feel even better about themselves than they did before the meeting really makes a difference. Mimi says that “she is looking very much forward to the coming years” with her great circle of friends and little treats here and there she gives herself – like attending cooking school in Italy this spring. We are looking forward to spending some of that time with her, at more amazing Art Committee programs and hopefully also as a friend.

THIS volunteer Mimi Kolesar


THIS introduces...

As you know, THIS for Diplomats is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers, and we are very happy to introduce the newest member of our organization to you:

Susan Cooper Jordano – Susan is a native of Arlington and now lives in McLean, VA. She enjoys cooking and entertaining and is looking forward to using these skills with THIS. She also enjoys sewing needlepoint pillows in her quiet time. Susan and her husband Tony like to cruise in warm weather climates during part of the winter months. Susan

Cooper Jordano

THIS Stream of Life...

Welcome to the World:

The Palumbo family welcomes a new member - beautiful Magdalene Palumbo, who, since she was born in Nuremburg, Germany, smiles, as her proud Grandmother states, “bilingual, both in English and German!”

In Memoriam:

Sadly, long-time volunteer Lydia Preston passed away on January 13. She was 97. Lydia joined THIS in 1969 and remained as an Inactive volunteer from Lewisburg, West Virginia where she lived. She was Vice Presi-dent of Programs from 1975-1977.

Lila Barth, another long-term THIS volunteer died in December at age 82.

Lila was very active in the 1980’s and gave many hours of her time to make

diplomats feel at home here in Washington.

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