CHANGE OF DATES AND VENUE (second change)

IWA monthly meeting on Wednesday 7 October 09 is CHANGING TO Friday 16 October.

IWA has very kindly been invited to Mrs G’s family orchard farm for apple viewing (maybe picking) and buying. Also, to enjoy the large (newly built) old Japanese style traditional farmhouse. This farm was the location for filming with the famous Korean film stars and crew in May this year. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience this beautiful rural setting. Let’s enjoy relaxing and talking together. The farm is close to Goshono. We shall meet at Mr Donuts at 10 a.m. and sort out transport.

Please be punctual, we cannot wait more than 10 minutes unless contact is made. The meeting should end by 1.30 p.m. Further details later regarding lunch arrangements etc.
Please reply to Mrs Shoji by email whether you will attend or not by 5 October. Thank you.

OYSTER EATING with Mrs K. on Wednesday 29 July 2009. Meeting at Aeon Mr Donuts at 9.30 a.m. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to get to KASAKATA. Mrs K will drive. If there are a lot of members other members may have to drive. Should be home by 2 - 3 p.m. Cooked Oysters are also available. Each oyster costs about 300yen but they are HUGE!
Please bring your own food and drinks, if you wish. Please let Mrs K@ 018-839-7460 or Mrs J.I@ 018-853-4814 know if you are coming by Monday 27 July 2009. THANK YOU.
Let's meet and go and have fun and a lot of conversation!
(This is not an official IWA meeting - it is a one off for any IWA and family members to join.

Sorry this programme is cancelled

Anyone who has questions about this programme,

please make a contact to Shoji(e-mail or telephone).

Information Programme change of dates and venue.

As of 2 July 2009 J.I.
Wed. 16 September 09. Meeting change. IWA meeting for eating your own
OBENTO LUNCH at Yugakushya
Time: from 9:30 to 13:30
Free room rental. Please let Mrs Shoji know by email as soon
possible if you are/not attending. This helps the IWA run
well.

Wed. 7 October 09. Meeting change. Outing to NABBEKO PARK near Goshono
for DO IT YOURSELF BBQ. Bring your own food to cook
and eat. Bring your own plates, cups, chopsticks, drinks etc.
Helpers needed for sharing the organization of this event.
Time and address to be posted on the blogg later.
J.I. will bring a large sided tent + 3 chairs/1 Parasol. 1 large
ground sheet.
CANCELLED IF RAINING

MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THESE CHANGES IN YOUR DIARIES.

COULD EACH MEMBER PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING/CONTRIBUTING TO THE IWA SO THAT THE ORGANIZATION OF EVENTS IS NOT LEFT TO A FEW MEMBERS BUT SO THAT ALL MEMBERS CAN ENJOY A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE WITH EACH OTHER. Events shall be kept to a minimum of preparation from September. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S ASSOCIATION in AKITA
5th Meeting CHERRY PICKING REPORT 1st July 2009 Met at Mr Donunts Aeon Goshono. Left at 9.40 a.m. J.I.

Despite the rain, which eventually stopped, we arrived at JUMONJI SAKURANBOU MATSURI. Telephone number for navigation 0182-23-9320.

This takes place between mid June and the first week in July. Six members took part; Mrs I/K/N/A/M and Mrs K drove us superbly and safely there and back.

Maybe because of the rain or maybe towards the end of the season we managed to have the whole Tano Tsuyoshi Cherry Farm to ourselves.

We ate as many as we could and slowly asked questions and learnt that there are so many different kinds of cherries. Napoleon, Satonishiki and Benishouhou.
Also, that the farm is roughly 50 years old and has been in the same family. We met 3 generations of the family there picking and sorting the cherries by size and type.

The trees there bearing fruit were planted 6 to 50 years ago. There were about 100 trees on the farm covering an area of 20 R. Mitsubachi and Mame Kobachi bees are owned and employed to pollinate the flowers. Pollination is also done manually with Ostrich feathers on long sticks. Plastic coverings are arranged over the trees to keep rain off to prevent damage and also protect the cherries from birds. Antiseptic is used on the fruit to stop any decay; this loses its toxic strength after a few hours. On harvesting, great care is taken and they are manually sorting by size and type. The farm is linked to The Japan Agricultural Farmers Association and the cherries are sent to many places throughout Japan. So far they have sent their cherries to Hokkaido, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
Lunch was taken at a very authentic Japanese restaurant, in Furusato Mura, serving traditional Akita udon(Inaniwa udon), which was delicious! Here wonderful conversation between the ladies took place, sharing many ‘international experiences’ and making a firmer bond of friendship between members of IWA.

Recommending IWA should visit here again, however, it could be a little on the expensive side.