2014 Normandale Garden Festival

Lucy Kirihara & Margit Jordan at the Normandale Garden Boutique
Lucy Kirihara & Margit Jordan at the Normandale Garden Boutique

Who remembers the sukiyaki dinners? Those were some good times.

The Japanese Garden Committee held a festival on Saturday, June 14, in the new Normandale student center. While there was unfortunately no sukiyaki this time, there were delicious bentos, Japanese dance and taiko performances, origami demonstrations, and bazaar and informational booths.

Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM), the Normandale Japanese language program, and Bloomington Sister City Organization were just a few of the many exciting organizations present.

Unfortunately, the weather was stormy, which put a damper on the fun. Nevertheless, Kogen Taiko packed the auditorium for their epic final performance!

Gloria Kumagai, Karen Lucas & Lisa Shakerin at the Normandale Garden Boutique representing the JACL
Gloria Kumagai, Karen Lucas & Lisa Shakerin at the Normandale Garden Boutique representing the JACL

Gloria Kumagai, Lisa Shakerin, Karen Lucas, and Jan Monson graciously volunteered their time to represent JACL with a bazaar booth. Our booth offered items such as Koinobori wind vanes, bracelets, and charms.

We also introduced Ramune soda this year! I first had Ramune while studying abroad in Japan many years ago. It is a children’s beverage that tastes delicious and comes in a clear bottle with a glass marble lodged in the top. The plastic cap comes off and must be used as a plunger to push the marble into the bottle. It is a bit hard to describe, but very fun.

Many thanks to everyone who attended and volunteered for the event. I am looking forward to next year!

2014 High School Graduates Honored by JACL

Photo: Twin Cities JACL 2014 local senior high school (HS) scholarship awardees.

Front row (l-r):  Quinn Coyle, Blake School; Karen Edwards, Lakeville North HS; Megumi Rierson, Blake School; Shawn Ramberg, Math and Science Academy-Woodbury.  Back row (l-r):  Roy Ramstad, Cannon Falls HS; Vincent Belsito, Mounds View HS; Kyle Tsuchiya, Eden Prairie HS; and Matthew Dulas, Edina HS.  Not pictured:  Matthew Murakami, Eden Prairie HS.

Photo credit:  Cheryl Hirata-Dulas.

The Twin Cities JACL’s 51st Annual Scholarship Awards Program was held on Thursday, May 15, 2014 at The Chateau in Medicine Lake.

The evening began with dinner followed by greetings and introductions by JACL board representative, Dan Motoyoshi. Fred Tsuchiya acted as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies. Kyle Tsuchiya performed an original song on the snare drum during the program.

Scholarship awards totaled $17,000.00. The following scholarships were awarded:

  • Vincent Belsito, Dr. Norman Kushino and Kay Kushino Memorial Scholarship
  • Quinn Coyle, Reiko H. Ohno Memorial Scholarship
  • Matthew Dulas, Tom Ohno Memorial Scholarship
  • Karen Edwards, Annie Sakai Girard Memorial Scholarship
  • Matthew Murakami, Earl K. and Ruth Tanbara Memorial Scholarship
  • Shawn Ramberg, Tom and Martha Oye Memorial Scholarship
  • Roy Ramstad, Shigeko Kirihara Memorial Scholarship
  • Megumi Rierson, Tsuyano Sakai Memorial Scholarship
  • Kyle Tsuchiya, Susan Matsumoto Memorial Scholarship

Congratulations and best wishes to the 2014 graduates!

If you know of any 2015 high school graduates, please contact Pam Dagoberg at 763-557-2946 or dagob001@tc.umn.edu. Local scholarship applications will be sent in January. JACL membership is required of scholarship applicants. Some of the known 2015 high school graduates are: Maya Coyle (Blake School), Sam Hidani (Wayzata High School), Maddy Honda (Mounds Park Academy), Reed Morehouse (Buffalo High School), Leanna Sako (Bloomington Jefferson High School), C. Luke Soucy (Wayzata High School)

Super Senior Luncheon

Saturday, July 26th, 2014
11:30 a.m.

Hibachi Buffet
111 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN
612-825-3099
http://hibachibuffetmn.com

Located 1 block west of 35W on the south side of East Lake Street.
There is a large parking lot specifically for the restaurant.

This is a good excuse to visit with your long-time friends in a community appreciation event!

***If you are 75 years of age or older (75 in 2014) you will be our guest free of charge. Nikkei Project, JACL and Twin Cities Buddhist Assn. members, spouses, relatives and friends under 75 years old are welcome to join us. Buffet lunch is $10.50 which includes beverage/tax/tip. Kids cost is less based on age.

For reservations call or email Todd Tsuchiya: 952-975-0047
Email: ttsuchiya@comcast.net

This event is co-sponsored once again by the Twin Cities JACL, Nikkei Project and the Twin Cities Buddhist Association

No individual invitations are being sent. Information is distributed by email, newsletters, flyers and word of mouth.

Please find the flyer here.