Thanks to Jane Thapa, and her husband & son, who made turkey meat cakes, for opening their home's large meeting room to our large crowd.  Our attendence broke the 20 person mark (including Jane's husband and son... but who's counting?) for the first time since I've been counting.  

Welcome to a first timer, Fred Kuriger, who served in Senegal (76-78) along side Bob Crowley.  It seems we may be able to get interesting stories on each of them from the other after Fred completes his move to the area.  

Missing members included (but were not limited to) Becky Dixon, who migrated north to Glens Falls but left clothing donations that will be welcomed by the refugee resettlement program, Christine Vanderlan, who sent yummy dessert with Steve Hoyt, and Joan & Harry Thornhill who are teaching in Ghana and will recieve a bag of school books that Wendy Davis collected from the rest of us.  

Other people notes of interest:  Bob Fakundiny has recovered from the foot difficulty that put a damper on the holiday party.  Bill Batt's tax theory was adopted by the Kucinich campaign.   Marjorie Neih is continuing her work on natural healing.  Yvonne DiMarino accepted a position in Seattle starting in July and Wendy Davis will move to Connecticut after her teaching obligations are over this semester.  

Recipes of particular interest are Christine's Toffee Nut Bar, and Barbara Flynn's Black Bottom Cupcakes.

The documentary film, American Idealist: The Story of Sargent Shriver, will be sent to us for our Archive.   You can watch clips on the movie's website or check out discussion questions for use in clssrooms.  The movie will be available for presentations and outreach... or to just enjoy.  

John & Barbara Flynn continue to volunteer - teaching English to refuguees - and are serving as our conduit for donations of winter clothing.  Refugees are resettled through the US Dept of Health & Human Services office in Albany.  Many folks arrive wearing clothing that is appropriate for the climate in their tropical homelands, so warm clothing is especially welcome this time of year.  The HHS occassionally needs household items as well.  If you have donations, make arrangements with John or Barbara at BFlynn5@nycap.rr.com

Jeanette Gottlieb gave the year end income and expense summary.
We have not year heard from the AIDS orphan that we are sponsoring, although the check was cashed in December.  Jeanette will phone to follow up.

Thanks to Steve Hoyt, our new banner was hanging in the Thapa's meeting room.  Nice job!

The Kennedy Library is still collecting oral histories of RPCV's, especially those from the early days.  Bob Fakindiny is lending his digital recorder to the cause and Diane Peapus tracked down slide show software.  It would be nice to link digitized oral histories & photos in an online slide show.  If anyone has started digitizing their photos, please speak up!

Another example of an online record of RPCV's service is from Bill's Thailand-3 cohorts.  Anyone who can pick Bill out of the picture, please speak up on that one, too!

Jeanette will invite the People to People participants from Iran for our April meeting, and Bob F will call some Ghanese folks about a presentation in March.  

Marjorie stopped to see our area recruiter, Amie Kabie, at the East Greenbush library.  Amie will have an information session at SUNY Albany on Feb 13, where Kathy, Elliot & Chris will share their PCV experiences.  

Amie will be in the area again Feb 25 - 27 and April 15 - 16.  Her schedule, here, includes Crossgates, the Albany Public Library and the Honest Weight Coop... so, we can stop to say hello.

Our next meeting is Tuesday, March 4th at 6pm the Gottlieb's

Wendy & Michael showed slides of their honeymoon in Peru.  They visited Machu Picchu, as well as many cities and villages filled with colorful gardens, markets and people.  They shared a photo of the woman who hand made the doll pins that they brought back to distribute.  Thanks for sharing your your lovely trip.