オハイオ州沖縄友の会ニュースレター
Okinawa Tomonokai of Ohio
June 15, 2012 Newsletter
皆さまお疲れ様でした。
先日行なわれた、第 17 回オハイオ沖縄友の会の春の集いは、大盛況のもと無事に執り行うことが出来ました。

こうにか仕上げました。練習場所を提供していただいた秀子ムアさんご家族にも大変に感謝いたします。

キッチンや音響、受付
け、司会、進行係りなど行事執行委員の皆さんの準備段取り、ポッ
トラックお料理の提供、プログラム作成、テーブルの設置及び垂れ幕やお花の寄贈での会場作り、出演者お一人お一人の練習の成果と先輩方の指導、そして最後まで残ってのお掃除など、全てが手作りのアットホームな集いだったと思います。
あいにくの寒いお天気の中、遠くはシカゴ、インディアナ、ケンタッキーなどからの友情参加された皆さん、そしてオハイオ州内とはいえ、長距離の運転をされて参加された友の会の皆さん、大変にお疲れさまでした。そしてありがとうございました。
今回初めて役員として参加させていただいたおかげで、今まで見ることのなかった幕の裏で、どれほどたくさんの方々が協力され、努力され、そして喜んで自分の時間と経費を友の会の成功のために使われてこられたかわかることができ、本当にありがたく思いました。また、今回初めて踊りをすることになり、盆踊りさえままならない私にできるのか内心とても心配でした。
DVD を見ながら一緒に翁長真奈美さん、さゆりハリソンさん、倫子ロドリゲスさんと「稲しり節」を練習をしました。4 人全員が沖縄の踊りの経験が無く、暗中模索の状態の中、会の先輩方よりご指導を受けることが出来、どうにか当日は、やはり舞台の上でしたので 4 人とも上がってしまい、あちこち間違いもありました。
私達としては失敗だったと少し後悔があったのですが、あとで色々な方たちから「よかったよ」「楽しそうだったね」との言葉をいただき、ほっと肩をなでおろしました。これを機に、夏のエイサーやその他新しいことに挑戦したいとみんなで話しています。こんな素人の私達でも、新しいことへの挑戦のチャンスをいただき、沖縄の楽しい文化に触れることができ本当に良かったなと思いました。そして、そんな私達を見て、少しでも多くの会のメンバーが「自分もやってみたいな」と思っていただけると幸いだと思います。
和美マカウスキーThank you all for your support!

The 17th annual Spring Gathering in April
ended on a high note. I thank for each event
staff member including kitchen crews, audiocrews, receptionists, MCs, and time keepers
for their preparation. I also thank everyone
who contributed their time and efforts tobring in potluck food, make the program, table setting with flowers, all the performers
and senior instructors for dances, and thecleaning crew who stayed till the end. Everything was all handmade with at home warmness.

good job and we looked like we were enjoying the dance. Hearing such comments was a
big relief to us. With this experience, wetalked about trying something new for thenext event. I was glad that even amateurs
like us had a chance to take on the challengeof something new of the delightful Okinawan
culture. I’d be more than happy if anyone,
who watched our dance, would get the enjoyment and try something new just like wedid.
Kazumi Makowski

In spite of the chilly weather, friends andfamilies from far away; Chicago, Indiana andKentucky gathered as well as Okinawa
Tomonokai of Ohio members from long distances from across Ohio. Thank you all foryour attendance and support.
This is actually my first participation as agiven opportunity. I was able to see and understand tremendous support from so many
people who were willing to offer their timeand effort behind the scene for the sake of
the Tomonokai’s success. I was so gratefulfor that. Also, this is my first dance debut
which was questionable for a person like me
who cannot manage even a simple Japanese
Obon dance. I was a bit worried, but practiced Nna-Shiri-Bushi dance with Manami
Onaga, Sayuri Harrison and Tomoko Rodriguez. None of us had professional dance lessons and I was just groping around in thedark. With other three members and senior
friend’s help, at the end, we were able tocomplete the dance. I also appreciate Mrs.
Hideko Moore for offering her place forpractice.
On the day of event, four of us were a little
nervous on the stage and made a little mistake here and there. We felt little regrets, butmany of the audience told me that we did a

Editor’s Note
Kazumi’s article shows us that dancing isa great way to have fun and at the same timeenjoy the culture of Okinawa. We all canlearn a lesson from her experience. It is agood idea to do something new and try tohave a good time while doing it.
The dance group of Manami Onaga,
Sayuri Harrison and Tomoko Rodriguez performed for the first time together. I am sure
this experience has allowed them to form
closer friendships. After all, the Tomonokaiis for me is about having friends with which
we can enjoy time together.

Spring Festival - DVD
Bill Brett brought his highquality video camera to the2012 Spring Festival and Bill has made an"Excellent" DVD of the performances. TheDVD includes a dozen performances andfeatures close ups of the performers. So far
we have orders for 24 DVDs. This is youropportunity to build your library ofTomonokai performances. They make nicegifts to your friends and family. Please callMichiko Brett at 216-221-4065 if you would
like a copy of this DVD. They are just $10and the proceeds go to the Tomonokai.

Two Picnics in 2012
The Tomonkai officers received a suggestion
to have two picnics. After listening to a discussion
with the reasons for having a July picnic, we approved and set up schedules for two picnics this year.

New Members / 新しいメンバー
Sayuri and Rick Harrison
NahaFlorence, KY
Family MembershipMichelle and Chris Huda
Columbus, OH
Family Membership
Tamara and Daniel Neil
Columbus, OH
2nd Generation
Robin Taylor and Arin Wise
Columbus, OH
2nd Generation
Parent Eiko Taylor

The July picnic will be held on 15 July at theAMVETS Post 89. This picnic will allow the children who are out of school for the summer to attend
the picnic. This picnic is on a Sunday and people
who are not working on Sunday will also be able toattend.
The 17th annual Eisa celebration picnic will beheld on 15 September at the Highbanks Park in
the Northern Shelter. The Tomonokai has had
many Eisa Celebrations at the Northern Shelter. Our
15th annual picnic was held in this Northern shelter.

Okinawa Proverbs

Uya yushi kwa yushi.
Parents and children teach one another.
Tusui ya tatashina mun.
Warabee shikashina mun. – The old should betreated with due respect. Children should betreated with gentleness.

Please mark your calendar for both these dates.
We hope you can attend both picnics.
Tug of War
The Kai has a Tug of war rope that we will bring tothe picnics. We are planning to have a children’s tugof war, a women’s tug of war, a men’s tug of war
and finally a final combined tug of war.
2007 Tug of War

沖縄の格言2007 Corn Hole GamesOkinawa Tomonokai of Ohio – July 15th Picnic
The July 15th picnic will be at the AMVETS Post 89
located at 3535 Westerville Road in Columbus. This picnic will be on Sunday and we are looking forward to enjoying a picnic with many members, children, grandchildren &great grandchildren. Mike Muncy is the AMVETS Commander and he will give a warm welcome to Post 89.
The picnic will be held in a covered picnic area with picnic
tables. We will put up a sign to welcome you to theAMVETS facility.
Please bring your favorite covered dish or desert to share. The Kai will provide the hot dogs, burgers
and bottled water. Please bring your own non water drinks, such as sodas or juices. This picnic isFree to Members – Guests are only $5 per adult. If you bring guests, please bring extra food.

10:00 am to 4 PM - Picnic and Celebration Event
9:00 AM Volunteers Arrive
10:00 AM Open Doors
11:00 AM Announcements
11:30 AM Start Lunch
1:00 PM Games Start
1:50 PM 50/50 & Door Prizes
2:00 PM Entertainment

Kodomo Games – Fusako Murta
Paper craft— Air Plane, Kabuto, Origami
Treasure Hunt with Prizes
Goodie bags—for children under 12 years

EntertainmentSatoko & Sachi - Children Dance
Kazumi Makowski - Line Dance
Sanshin Group - Sanshin Music
Hideko Moore - Okinawa Practice Dance

Garage Sale at the Picnic
Nariko Hamilton & Sachi Parker are organizing the garage
sale. Please bring items that you want to donate to theTomonokai. All the proceeds from the garage sale will go tothe Tomonokai as a donation. Prices will be determined by
the donator of the items. Prices will be put on the items withstickers. Items that are not sold must be picked up by theoriginal donor

Directions From I-71

WEBER RoadTake exit 113 at Weber Road. Thendrive east for about
1.5 miles. Turnnorth onto Westerville Road. Drive
about 1.5 miles andyou will see theAMVETS on the left
side of the road.

Okinawa Tomonokai of Ohio – September 15th Picnic
17th Annual Eisa Celebration and Annual Picnic
Our 2012 EISA Celebration and annual picnic will held be on Saturday, September 15th in theHighbanks Park in the Northern shelter. This shelter is shown below in the park map. We will put up
signs to direct you to the proper shelter.
Please bring your favorite covered dish or desert to share. The Kai will provide the hot dogs, burgers
and bottled water. Please bring your own non water drinks, such as sodas or juices. This picnic isFree to Members – Guests are only $5 per adult. If you bring guests, please bring extra food.
The highlight of this picnic will be the Eisa dance. This year we are hoping to see the Eisa groupwhich formed up in 2011 for the 2nd time. There will also be games and door prizes.|Please mark your calendar, invite your friends and get prepared for a nice picnic at Highbanks Park.

Directions From I-270:
Exit at High Street (U.S. 23) in Worthington. Then proceed north on High Street (U.S. 23). You will see thepark on your left.

Proceed past the Oak Cloves Picnic area. Make a right at thesigns for the Mansion Shelter Area. Look for the Tomonokaisign to welcome you to the shelter.

We had over a dozen performances and here are just a few of thehighlights. I have a DVD with slide show. Please let me know if you areinterested in getting a copy of the DVD.

Dancing, singing and playing the sanshin are excellent ways to stayconnected to the culture and heritage of the Okiawan people. We
congradulate the many performers who performed at the 2012 Spring
Taikai. We thank all the performers for the many hours and weeks ofpractice they put in to improve their skills. Your Tomonokai Officers.