Thursday, August 28, 2014 The West Orange Times
7A
Friendships flourish in Rotary exchange program By Amy Quesinberry Rhode
Jessica Parker and Clara Donati started the summer with one brother apiece, but after two months of togetherness, the two feel like they now have a sister, too. The 16-year-olds participated in Rotary International’s youth exchange program — Jessica lived with Clara and her family in Belgium for a month, and then the girls flew to the United States for Clara’s monthlong stay in Winter Garden with Jessica, her 13-year-old brother, Andrew, and her parents, Daryll and Robin Parker. Clara first learned of the program when her parents attended a Rotary meeting for her brother, who is taking part in a yearlong exchange, and were told of the short-term program. Jessica was familiar with it because her father is a member of the Rotary Club of Winter Garden. For Jessica, this was her first time traveling out of the U.S. She stayed with the Donatis in the Belgian village of Morialmé, which is 80 miles south of Brussels. The girls went on many shopping excursions in several different cities, traveled to Bruges, played at Walibi World theme park, went ziplining through a forest, attended a Miley Cyrus concert in Antwerp and made a trip to the North Sea — which was dark, gloomy, cloudy and cold, Jessica said. They went to the cities of Brussels and Charleroi. Inside a castle, they watched on television the Belgian soccer team play in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals. They spent two days in Paris. “It has always been my dream to go to Paris for my 16th birthday,” Jessica said. And there she was, just weeks after she turned 16. Clara’s family “had me close my eyes, and they walked me up to the Eiffel Tower.” It was a magical moment for the American teen, who was able to go inside and up to the
third level. Jessica said her favorite city was Bruges, where she bought all of the presents for her family and friends. “It’s the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen,” she said. She also tried a new food, duck, and ordered it several times during her stay. One big difference between American and European families, Jessica said, was the independence Clara seemed to have. “It was weird for me to be able to go out one day when her parents weren’t home and take a train to another city,” she said. Another difference she noted was the etiquette standards. While eating dinner with Clara’s family one evening, she picked up a small potato with her fingers and her host mother asked her bluntly, “What are you doing?” She used her fork for the rest of the meal — and every meal thereafter. At the end of Jessica’s stay, the girls flew across the Atlantic Ocean for Clara’s month in Florida. Daryll Parker said he and his family wanted to show Clara the various aspects of the state, so they took her to places like SeaWorld, Gatorland, Rock Springs, New Smyrna Beach and Fort Pierce, where they went boating, kayaking and paddleboarding. They attended a live theater show in Mount Dora called “All Shook Up” that featured the music of Elvis Presley. Clara knew the songs. They shopped, and Clara went home with two iPhones and an iPad. And since no first-time trip to Florida is complete without a visit to Walt Disney World, they went there, too. At Epcot, Clara’s favorite country was Italy (which is where her father was born). The best rides at the Magic Kingdom are Space Mountain and the Haunted Mansion, she said. When Clara told her host family she wanted to be a lawyer, Robin Parker’s brother-in-law
Photo by Amy Quesinberry Rhode
Jessica Parker, left, and Clara Donati are as close as sisters after spending two months together in Belgium and the United States. gave her a tour of his law office and let her sit in on a court trial. Clara tried and liked squash, sweet potatoes and her host dad’s pulled pork and said she was fond of the restaurants in America, especially Chick-fil-A, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Uno Chicago Grill. This was in contrast to the European diet, she said, in that many families grow their own gardens and eat fresh foods. Another difference Clara noted was in the education system. In her homeland, students are taught multiple foreign languages; she is fluent in Dutch, French and English and can speak a little Italian and Russian. Since she knew English, there was no real language barrier, although Jessica did have to explain some of the American idioms. All too soon, Clara’s month in Florida came
to an end, and she and Jessica said their goodbyes and made promises to stay in contact with each other. “For the Parker family, it was a wonderful experience,” Daryll and Robin Parker said. “During Clara’s stay with us, she not only became part of the family, she became our ‘Belgian daughter.’” The girls said they enjoyed their time with their host families and getting the chance to make new friends and experience different cultures. What’s more, they have each gained a sister. The teens are now ready to take on the challenge of a one-year exchange. The ideal trip for Jessica would be to Spain. Clara wants to spend another six months in the United States and six months in Russia. Chances are, these two girls will be traveling again soon.
Get a mammogram at farmer’s market
The Florida Hospital Women’s Mobile Wellness and Florida Radiology Imaging are offering a day of screening mammograms at the Winter Garden Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Screenings are at the downtown pavilion. RSVP is required for screening mammograms. No prescription is required. The self-pay cost is $81. Call (407) 303-1615 to make a reservation.
Rotary learns about Circles
Winter Garden Rotary Club president Sheri Loiacono, left, welcomes John Smith and Meghan Killingsworth as guest speakers for a recent meeting. They talked about Circles, an action plan that brings together the best efforts and resources of individuals, organizations, communities and government in a program to raise people out of poverty. Local chapters sponsor groups of low-income people who enroll in a leadership training class to build financial, emotional and social resources and develop an economic stability plan. They are paired with trained volunteers for support. Each week, groups meet to discuss strategies for attaining prosperity and to provide support to one another. For more information about Circles, visit circlesusa.org. For more information on Rotary, go to rotaryclubofwintergarden.org.
Head Lions installed
Members of the Winter Garden Lions Club were recently installed as officers for the 2014-15 year by Mary Pezzo, Lions Zone 4 Chairperson. New officers are Rodney Walls, treasurer; Shirley Boon, secretary; Pezzo; and Ray Grimes, president. The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at the Orange Tree Mobile Home Park, 721 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Winter Garden. Visitors are welcome.
PAL program to benefit from charity ride
New officers for American Legion
The Hugh T. Gregory Post 63 of Winter Garden appointed its newly elected officers of the American Legion at a recent meeting: Sergeant-at-Arms David Swain, Finance Officer Dalton Kuneman, Adjutant Shanon Rhodus and Commander Sam Kuneman. The post is always looking for new members for the legion, the auxiliary, or the Sons of the Legion, to support youth, community programs, fellow service members and veterans, as well as advocate patriotism and strong national security.
Art workshops at SoBo
The Winter Garden Art Association has scheduled a series of art workshops for the fall season. Classes take place at the 127 SoBo Art Center. Residents can register at WGart.org for one or more of the following: • “Intro to Jewelry Making” with Elizabeth McKinney, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 11. Cost is $20 for members, $30 for others. • “Intro to 3D Sidewalk Chalk” with Rudy Drapiza, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 21. Cost is $35. • “Unleash Your Creative Spirit with Palette Knives & Sally Shisler,” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sept. 24-26. Cost is $300 for members, $320 for others. • “Intro to Stained Glass” with Mary Keating, 6-9 p.m. Sept. 26 and 10 a.m. to 5:30
p.m. Sept. 27 and 28. Cost is $125 for members, $145 for others. • “Bold & Dynamic Watercolors” with Kim Minichiello, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16 and 17. Cost is $200 for members, $225 for others. • “And the Sea Will Tell” acrylics for adults with Rudy Drapiza, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. Cost is $150 for members, $170 for others. • “And the Sea Will Tell” acrylics for teens with Rudy Drapiza, 4:30-9 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14. Cost is $100 for members, $120 for others. • “Unleash Your Creative Spirit with Palette Knives & Sally Shisler,” from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 19-21. Cost is $300 for members, $320 for others.
The second Thunder in the Garden escorted charity ride to benefit the Winter Garden Police Athletic League begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Registration starts at 9 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Winter Garden and includes a complimentary continental breakfast. Registration includes a non-stop scenic escorted ride, one lunch and one door prize ticket. The event finishes at Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson, on Highway 27 in Clermont, for lunch, live music and a live auction. The cost is $25 per rider, $15 per passenger and $25 per vehicle. This ride is not limited to motorcycles. Registration is also taking place online at wgpal.org, and the first 50 online pre-registrants will receive an event shirt. Volunteers will be assisting in parking motorcycles and helping with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Those who can volunteer are asked to contact Alana Allen at Aallen@wgpd.com.
Duplicate bridge
N-S: 1. Y. Peabody-M. Voorhees 2. J. and R. Jett 3/4 tied S. Kmiec-M. Ryan, N. Fortin-J. Thompson 5. L. and T. Saulino; E-W: 1. B. Ballenger-R. Kerkhoff 2. S. Horovitz-R. Austen 3. J. DeLoach-N. Velden 4. B. Young-A. Snook 5. V. Oberaitis-J. Muzeni.
2009 Fullers Cross Rd. Ocoee, FL 34761 407-656-4140 FLOCS #9049 DCF #C09OR0717
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