我孫子市国際交流協会

Date: Saturday, December 19, 2009 6:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.
Venue: Civic Plaza, Grand Hall
Participant: 53 people An annual year-closing event, Yearend Party 2009, was held at 6:00 p.m. as scheduled.
Contrary to a worry about fewer prticipation because of the date falling on the pre-Christmas Saturday and of participants' heavy schedules, almost all reserved people came to the event.

Mr. S. Iinuma and Ms. Y. Kawashima hosted the two-hour long party.
The first number of the program was a talk-and-guitar playing by Mr. Takeshi Watanabe, who learns at the AIRA's French class.
He played season's songs, "White Christmas" and "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", then he picked "Green, Green Grass of Home" and a lyrical Japanese song by Masashi Sada, "Kakashi"(scarecrow). Finally he played "Last Waltz" with his singing in English and French. His talented performance moved all audience in the hall.
Mr. Junichiro Hoshino, Mayor of Abiko, sincerely thanked yearround volunteer activities by the members and asked for further cooperation for developing our city to more cozy place to live for non-Japanese citizens as well.
Then the buffet was opened for long-waited people, who enjoyed meals and chats with many others.
Bingo game was the next exciting entertainment.
Ms. Miyoko Takahashi, town's well known dancer, led the whole guests to dance to a children's song "Furusato" with witty movement of her own invension. Everyone was surprised by her youthful zest; frankly she looks young for her age 90 !
Finally all participants sang together "White Christmas" accompanied by Mr. Watanabe's guitar playing.
What particularly notable for this year's party was the participation of eight foreign students, who added all the time young and cheerful atmosphere in the party hall.