City of Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation met Oct. 26.
Here is the minutes provided by the foundation:
Members Present: Carol Wolfe, Rick Wolfe, Wendy Lipsman, Joe Adler, Gail Guggenheim, Burt Schmarak, Carole Schmarak, Rene Nissim, Abby Block, Larry Block, Nancy Richman, Sandy Richman, Rhoda Pierce, Holly Kerr, Marcia Rosenbaum, Matt Pestine, Jamie Pestine, Lori Wyatt
Members Absent: Emma Kowalenko, Tony Bilotti, Cheryl Levi, Josephine Campagni
Guest: Zdenka Samson
Student Liaisons present: Maddie Legator, Lucy Melinger
Student Liaison absent: Allie Paige
I. Call to Order
President, Carol Wolfe, called the meeting to order at 7:04.
II. The Foundation presented a Certificate of Gratitude to Joe Adler signed by Mayor Nancy Rotering and Sister Cities President Carol Wolfe. Joe has moved to Palm Springs but intends to remain involved in the Foundation’s efforts. The Highland Park Sister Cities Foundation and the City of Highland Park recognize and value Joe’s determination, integrity and hard work.
III. Workplan-The Board reviewed the Foundation’s workplan for 2021.
IV. Illinois Sister Cities Awards: Carol informed the Board that since the Highland Park Sister Cities program won the award for Sister City of the Year in 2018 and the award for Champion of Youth in 2019, she has been asked to represent the Foundation as a judge for this year’s awards.
Carol noted that the City of Roselle has established an interesting business to business program. Businesses in Roselle are selling products created by artisans in Roselle’s sister city in Poland. The Board asked Carol to reach out to Roselle to learn more about this program.
V. Puerto Vallarta – Many members of the Board remain in contact with friends in Puerto Vallarta. Javier Baumgarten, president of the PV Sister Cities Committee, reports that Covid has taken a heavy toll on the economy. Wendy reported that the infection rate is 67%. The Governor of Jalisco has issued a message that new protocols may be put in place. Our friends tell us that at this point most of the restaurants are open.
V. Modena- Carol reported that she continues to be in contact with Pierpaolo, the president of the Modena Sister Cities Committee, and Gianni, the tenor from Modena who has performed in Highland Park. The situation in Italy is dire. The economy has been hit very hard and more closures appear to be on the horizon.
VI. Czech Republic- Zdenka Samson, a current Highland Park resident from the Czech Republic, reported on her progress to establish a cultural exchange between the Czech Republic and Highland Park.
a. Zdenka reached out to Susan Merdinger, local internationally acclaimed, prizewinning pianist to explore the possibility of having renowned Czech pianist Tomas Visel perform with her. Mr. Visel’s wife is a composer with a Chicago connection. Susan expressed interest.
b. Zdenka spoke to the mayor of Hradec Kralove. He was very positive.
c. Zdenka suggested that the program might involve a virtual art or drama project. The teacher in HK who is in charge of an after school drama club works with a renowned puppet theater in HK. In fact, the puppet theater was supposed to come to Chicago for a puppet theater festival in January 2021.
d. Another middle school reached out to Zdenka, and they also have an after school drama club led by English native speakers.
e. Anyone interested in working with Zdenka on a cultural project between Highland Park and the Czech Republic should contact Carol.
VII. Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 7:40.
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