HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-27-TOUR2-Antony-minMinutes for Antony Working Group meeting on February 27, 2013
Meeting began at 7 PM - -- adjourned at 10 PM
Present at meeting: Dawn McKenna, Kerry Brandin, Sandy Gasbarro, Christina Gamota,
Maureen Poole, John Bartenstein, Jean Sobarzo, Bill Poole
Documents available for review:
1. May "Revolutionary Revelry" Calendar of Events; dated 2/25/2013
2. Chart of A French A Faire auction results - -- amount raised, $2605;
3. Friendship Dinners Invitation
4. Giving Levels document
Taking of Minutes
Discussion of how to better take and approve minutes. Maureen Poole offered to take the
minutes going forward, with a hope of sending them along to the group to keep all informed.
Miscellaneous
a. Request to send survey - Discussion of Lexington Historical Society's request to
send a survey to Antony Group Decision was to send the survey to the Antony
Working Group, but not to Constant Contact.
b. Citizens World Fair
c. La Musique En Fete
Discussion of our participation in two events: May 3 rd Citizens World Fair, May 11
La Musique En Fete. Considerations included: ways to showcase Antony and
France; plans for a table at each event; staffing at each event; ask Jay Kaufman to
speak to French Consul; possible involvement of LHS group returned from Antony?
(brought back books from the mayor) in one or more of these events (also thinking
ahead to Discovery Day); outreach to French Club ?; what can we present about
French culture; Kerry to work on a poster (perhaps of subway system); looking for
those who would like to take part - -- Christina will contact the French people we
know; looking for materials to have on hand for attendees - -- Jean Sobarzo will
check into souvenirs we might get from France.
French Language Classes
John Bartenstein gave background as to his connections with the French language and with
Jean Sobarzo and his brothers, who provide tutoring in French, and would like to open a
French Language School in Lexington. Their tutoring so far has been at the library or at
houses. Possibilities of Jean as a resource for those in the Antony Group who would wish to
sign up for lessons. Considerations: informal conversational French? or more structured?
Would we want to plan a class to meet each week? For groups of 5 -10 people? Costs? Jean
will provide more information. Plan to send a questionnaire /survey to Working Group and
larger Constant Contact list to gauge interest.
Update on May visit
Plans for Antonians during May visit. French arriving Friday, May 24 and leaving Tuesday,
May 28 couples officially. Every couple should have a host, whether or not staying at a
host's home. Discussion about scheduling during visit.
The idea is to give them more free time while in Lexington to enjoy the Revolutionary Revelry
and 300 events such as:
Friday night, Busa's Wine Tasting;
Saturday, Discovery Day (invite them to participate at Sister City table), concert Depot Square;
Sunday, Baseball; Monday, Memorial Day, Time Capsule Ceremony.
Possible schedule so far:
Meet at airport. They will spend Friday night with hosts. Saturday options and then formal
welcome dinner at night. Sunday options and then Desserts at Gamotas at night. Monday
many events in town, parade, (cons idering),Antony Park dedication(followed by toasts,
perhaps a tent set up there at the park site), concert later in day. Tuesday, final group brunch.
A French A Faire Wrap -Up
$2605 profit from auction plus ticket sales =$5000
Expenses anticipated or paid: accordion - -$375; wine; bartenders -- $170; printing; paper
goods (donated); rental of depot - -$200.
Next year the date for A French A Faire will be Sunday, February 9, 2014.
Plan to coordinate with Merriam Hill group early on, to keep that date free.
Thank You notes
Several in the group volunteered to write notes.
Antony Park
Project update - -- Conservation Committee has approved the project. We have all approvals
necessary to build.
Friendship Dinners - -- Discussion about bookings so far: 2 rescheduled (one to May 4th
second TBD), seats available at present; amount raised to date - -- $4000. Two trees and
three benches sold as well totaling: $4000 plus $7500.
Next Regular Meetings - March 21 and April 4th
Respectfully submitted, Maureen Poole