オハイオ州沖縄友の会ニュースレター
Okinawa Tomono Kai of Ohio
January 15, 2022 Newsletter
Happy New Year 2022 to allmembers of Okinawa
Tomono Kai, family andfriends. After the turbulent
2021 passed in a blink of aneye, the New Year was celebrated without the COVID-19
virus comming to an end. Forme personally, last year wasalso the year when I lost
many of my respected seniors
and dear friends. It was also a year when I felt that I
wanted to make the most of the rest of my life.
Do you know the word "bucket list"? It’s a list ofthings you've never done in your life, and you'd love
to do. For example, traveling to a country you've never been to, learning dance that you couldn't do when
you were young, publishing your own life books andresearch, learning cooking you've never cooked, reading several books a year, learning foreign languages,
playing musical instruments, etc. How about listing
what you can do with your efforts, not a difficult or
unreachable dream. What is restricted by the COVID
can be a chance to do something special, set a goal in
the current living environment, and look forward toachieving it.
For the first time this year, I will try what I accomplish something I always wanted to do. In the last 10years, I experienced the chorus of singing in front ofpeople for the first time in my life and learned the joyof singing. I want to achieve something that shines in
my life starting from small goal until 2030. Instead ofbeing overwhelmed by adversity and feeling negative,
look for fun in your living space and do good things
for your mind and body. Please care of yourselves
and stay safe to continue to live happily.

Kazumi Makowski
President

オハイオ州沖縄友の会の会員の皆さま及び、ご家族の皆様、そしてご友人の皆様、2022 年 あけましておめでとうございます。激動の 2021 年があっという間に過ぎたあと、コロナ渦が収束しないまま新年を迎えました。私
個人としましては、昨年は尊敬する先輩方や友人を何人も亡くした年でもありました。そして、自分が「生かされている」と感じる年でもありました。
皆さんは「バケットリスト」という言葉をご存知でしょうか。自分の人生の中で、今までやったことのないことで、これから是非やってみたいと思うことのリストです。
例えば、行ったことのない国に旅行する、若いときに出来なかったダンスを習う、自分の人生本や研究内容を出版する、今まで作ったことのない料理を習得する、1年に何冊か本を読む、外国語を習得する、楽器の演奏をする等です。難
しくて手が届かな
い夢ではなく、努力次第で出来ることをリストにしてみます。コロナ渦で制限されることは、収束後に回すとして、今の生活環境の中で目標を立て、それを楽しみとして達成していきます。私も高校時代からずっとやりたかったことに今年初めて挑戦します。過去 10 年間では、生まれて初めて人の前で歌うコーラスを体験し、歌うことの楽しさを知りました。2030 年までの時間を、自分の人生で輝ける何かを小さい目標から達成していきたいと思います。逆境に圧倒されネガティブな気持ちになるのではなく、自分の限られた生活空間の中でも、楽しいことを探して頭とカラダに良いことをしていきましょう。
引き続きお体を大事に、安全で幸多き 1 年をお過ごしください。
会長 和美 マカウスキー

Happy New Year 2022 – The Year of TIGAR

Yasushi’s Search 53 年ぶりに再会した父と息子の話
Yasushi Matayoshi (The story of Mrs. Mie Kline’s son)
My earliest memory was about wandering through my Okinawan grandmother’s house,looking for someone. I must have been around three years old. I believe now that I was
searching for my father.
I asked my mother why other kids had a father but I did not. She answered that I did
have a father, but he was not with us. She gave me different answers—he was dead, hewas missing in war, or he might still be alive. Those answers confused me, but she
didn’t know herself. Telling me he was dead was her way of not letting me hold onto false hope. When she
saw my sadness, she convinced me that he was missing. As a child I had no idea how large the world was. I
truly thought that someday we would run into him on the street. I stopped asking her about my father.
A year or so later a new man came into our lives. He became my stepfather and treated me as his own son. I
was able to bury my curiosity about my father.
When I turned 18 my mother gave me an envelope containing information about my biological father—it included his photo and his military address when he was sent to Vietnam. When she knew him, he was in his
mid-30s, had two children and served as an MP in the Army.
I began to search. This was before the advent of the internet and didn’t go far.
I had his military service number, but found that there had been a warehouse fire in St. Louis and many records
had been destroyed. Because I could not prove my biological relationship to my father, I was not privy to his
military records.
My best friend Shon Bjerregaard, whom I’d known for more than 30 years had been involved in a similar
search and offered to help. He knew how to start, where to look and how to proceed.
Shon started a family tree to keep track of people who were related to me based upon my father’s name, age,military history, Southern heritage, and number of children. The family tree was constantly updated as new information was added—but I wondered how accurate this information really was.
A major break in our search came from a DNA test result which showed that I was a match for a sister or aunt.
I couldn’t believe my eyes—a scientific test had linked me to my biological father’s family. Shon came up
with names that were falling into place. The DNA results were confirming the research.
The next step was to contact any relative who could get me in touch with my father. I realized that contacting
someone out of the blue would be difficult—especially because I was a 53-year-old man no one in their family
had heard of!
Shon had email addresses for some of my relatives on the family tree. He began sending out emails, but mostdid not reply and the few who did stopped after a few emails. The next break came from Jenica Ahrmendi, a 4th
cousin who inquired about me while doing her own family tree. She offered to help get me in contact with oneof my relatives--one of my uncles! I couldn’t believe I was going to be contacting the brother of my biologicalfather through Facebook!
My Uncle Dick was very kind and understanding and I sent him the scanned photos that my mother had kept
all these years. Uncle Dick said he and other members of the Ballard family would like to meet me! But before
we could make plans the world shut down. COVID-19 had begun to spread across the globe. After waiting
over a year and a half it became apparent that this was not ending anytime soon.
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After receiving my second vaccine and verifying with my uncle that they had also received vaccines, I decided
to meet my biological father and the other side of my family in the panhandle of Florida.
My first stop was Utah where I met up with Shon. I hadn’t seen him in 10 years! We traveled to Florida tomeet my father, George Ballard. Shon came along to support me. Needless to say, I was very nervous. Uncle
Dick opened the gates to his property and began talking in a friendly voice making me feel relaxed.
Then I saw a man walking towards me. Uncle Dick introduced
the man who was George Ballard—my father! He was the sameheight as me, with a slender-build, and I could immediately tell
he was not much of a talker. I could tell that because I am thesame myself.
Our mannerisms were similar—like putting our hands in ourfront pockets or holding our hands behind our backs. My newfound family watched us together and pointed out similarities. Ifound it hard to believe.
As the day wore on, Aunts Melva, Jane, Uncle Jim, cousins
Ricky and Crystal showed up. They were all such warm, kind,caring people. All these wonderful people were the rest of myfamily. I have always had a loving and caring family on Okinawa and now that I’ve found my biological father and his family in Florida, I am happy that I’ve accomplished
my goal.
(Edited by Christine Kastner, Tomono Kai member and Novelist)～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

Membership Due 会費納金のお知らせ

今年 2022 年度の会費を受け付けています。以下に基づいてお支払い下さい。

We are collecting membership Due for year 2022.
Please send your check as shown below.

1 世ファミリー 20 ドル
1 世シングル15 ドル
2 世・3 世（ﾌｧﾐﾘｰ・ｼﾝｸﾞﾙ） 10 ドル

1st generation Family rate - $20
1st generation Single rate - $15
2nd & 3rd gen. rate(w/&w/out family) - $10

If you have any issue regarding payment, because ofCOVID-19, please don’t hesitate to contact Kazumi
Makowski at 937-307-5474.
コロナ渦の影響で会費の支払いに問題がありましたら、ご遠慮なく和美マカウスキーまでお電話下さい。 937307-5474◎ Please send your check to
Okinawa Tomono kai of Ohio
PO Box 72, Hilliard, OH 43026～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～

News and Announcements
Announcement on the 7th World Uchinanchu Festival, by
Okinawa Prefecture Festival Executive Committee
1. Basically, we are not considering cancellation and are preparing to hold3

the tournament.
2. Held in a hybrid system including online.
3. Consider whether or not to hold each event, reduce the scale, and switch to some online events according to theinfection situation in the future.
4. When making a decision, pay attention to (1) the implementation status of immigration restrictions in the country (determining whether or not overseas participants can enter the country), (2) the status of infection in Japan,
restrictions on the holding of events, and (3) the deadline for the contractor to respond.
5. At the latest, it is necessary to judge the contents of the event in April 2022, which is about half a year before
the event.
6. Regarding the reception of participation in the tournament, we would like to accept applications so that alldesired overseas participants can participate.
第 7 回世界のウチナンチュ大会について、沖縄県の大会実行委員会よりお知らせ
基本的には中止の検討は行わず、大会を実施する方向で準備を進めている。
オンラインを含めたハイブリッド方式での開催。
今後の感染状況等に応じて、各イベントの実施可否や規模縮小、一部オンライン開催への切り替え等を検討。
判断に当たり、①国の出入国制限実施状況(海外参加者の入国可否の見極め)、②国内の感染状況や催し物の開催制限等、③委託業者の対応可能期限にも留意。
5. 遅くとも、開催約半年前となる令和 4 年(2022 年)4 月には開催内容の判断が必要
6. 大会参加受付については、希望する海外参加者は全員参加できるよう申し込みを受け付けたい。
1.
2.
3.
4.

Anyone who is interesting to join this festival in Okinawa, please call Satoko Kortlandt at 614-893-1399
ASAP. 現時点で、沖縄でのこの大会に参加ご希望の方は、里子 Kortlandt さんまでその旨お知らせください。

Okinawan Emigrants’ Descendant & Asian Scholarship Program
1. Purpose of the Program
Exemplary individuals will be selected from descendants of Okinawan emigrants and Asian countries (hereinafter referred to as “international students”). The international students shallreceive education and training at universities, businesses, and institutions for learning traditional arts in Okinawa Prefecture (hereinafter referred to as “universities and other institutions”). Students will be provided withopportunities to understand Okinawan history, culture, and customs, gain work experience at local businesses,
and promote exchange with local people. The aim of the program is to cultivate human resources capable ofserving as a bridge between students’ home countries and Okinawa, foster the preservation of the Uchinā Network for the next generation and contribute to international exchange with Okinawa Prefecture. The implementation of this program has been entrusted to the Uchinā Network Concierge (hereinafter referred to as “UNC”)
by the Okinawa Prefectural Government.
2. Definition
International students eligible for this program are descendants of emigrants from Okinawa
Prefecture living abroad and individuals from Asian countries. Additionally, “Asian countries” refers to countries and regions with mutual student exchange programs with Okinawa Prefecture (China’s Fujian Provinceand Taiwan).
3. Place of Study or Training
Students will study as credited non-degree students or traditional arts
training students at universities and other institutions or trainees at businesses in Okinawa Prefecture.
Host Universities： University of the Ryukyus, Meio University, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts
Host Institutions： Japanese language schools, other training institutions
Courses: 1. Credited Non-Degree Student Course A (6 months) Enroll in a university in Okinawa Prefecture as acredited non-degree student. Content: Japanese language + subjects of choice4

2. Traditional Arts Training Course (6 months)
After studying at a Japanese language school in Okinawa Prefecture for 3 months, receive technical train
ing at a school, class or institution that teaches traditional performing arts.
Content: Japanese language school + traditional performing arts / crafts training
Training examples: Lacquerware, bingata, sanshin making, taiko making, Ryukyuan cooking (Okinawancooking), etc.

4. Period of Study or Training
The period of study or training shall be for 6 months from September 1, 2022 (or October) until March 31, 2023.
However, the acceptance period and method of program implementation may be changed or the program may becancelled, depending on the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
### ↑For more information, please contact Yoko McClausky or Kazumi Makowski↑ ###ウチナンチュ子弟等留学生プログラム
１ 目的
この事業は、沖縄県出身移住者子弟及びアジア諸国等から優秀な人物（以下「留学生」という。） を選抜し、県内の大学や県内企業、伝統芸能修得機関（以下「大学等」という。）で就学・研修させる とともに、沖縄の歴史・文化・習慣の理解促進、県内企業での実務経験、県民との交流促進等の機会を 提供することで、次世代へのウチナーネットワーク継承に向けて将来的に本県と出身国との架け橋にな る人材を育成し、本県との国際交流に寄与せしめることを目的とする。 なお、本事業は、沖縄県の委託を受けてウチナーネットワークコンシェルジュ（以下「UNC」）が実 施する。
２ 定義
留学生は、沖縄県出身移住者の子弟を対象とする海外移住者子弟留学生、アジア諸国等の海外出身者 を対象とするアジア諸国等海外留学生とする。なお、「アジア諸国等」とは、沖縄県と相互交換留学を している国及び地域（中国福建省、台湾）とする。
３ 留学先
県内の受入大学等にて科目等履修生、伝統芸能研修性、企業等研修生として修学する。
受入大学： 琉球大学、名桜大学、沖縄県立芸術大学、受入施設： 日本語学校、各研修施設
コース ： ①科目等履修生 A コース 6 ヶ月
県内の各大学で科目履修生として修学します。
内 容：日本語 ＋ 科目選択
②伝統芸能習得コース 6 か月県内の日本語学校で 3 ケ月学んだ後、伝統芸能を教えている各学校・教室・施設で 技術研修を実施します。 ※日本語学校は研修生の語学力により判断する。
内 容：日本語学校 ＋ 伝統芸能・工芸研修
研修例：漆器、紅型、三線製作、太鼓製作、琉球料理（沖縄料理）等
４ 留学期間
留学期間は 2022 年 9 月 1 日(もしくは 10 月) から 2023 年 3 月 31 日まで半年以内の期間とする。ただし、新 型コロナウイルスの感染拡大状況によっては、中止または受入期間や実施方法の変更を行うことがあ る。
### ↑詳細が必要な方は、陽子 McClusky か、和美 Makowski へご連絡下さい↑

5###Tomono Kai Officers
President会長 – Kazumi Makowski
Vice President 副会長 – Karl Kortlandt
Secretary 書記 – Yoko McCluskyTreasurer 会計 – Alice Wickham
Entertainment Coordinator 芸能部長 – Satoko Kortlandt
Vice coordinator 副芸能部長- Chizuko Matsuda

友の会の理事を 3 名募集しています。自薦他薦を問いません。大変な仕事はほとんどありませんが、友の会の運営が理解できる良い機会です。興味のある方は役員のどなたにでもご連絡下さい。

◉ For Membership Due
Okinawa Tomonokai of Ohio
PO Box 72
Hilliard, OH 43026◉ For General contact
Kazumi Makowski
7520 Mark Ave.
Dayton, OH 45424◉ Email: okinawaohio@gmail.com

Tomonokai Trustees
Andy Lizon
Tomoko Welde

募集

We are needing 3 more trustees based on the by-law.
Self-nomination or others-nomination are welcome.
If you are interested in, please contact one of the officers by any mean.

◉ www.ohio-tomonokai.com

Cancellation of the 25th Anniversary Event andSpring Gathering 2022
For the past two years, all of us have been waiting for a decision about the 25th anniversary event. Our concern
was whether we can hold a 25th anniversary event with a large number of invited performers from Okinawa andother states. After months of exchanging thoughts and CDC status check, we decided to cancel the 25th anniversary event. This year is the 27th year, meaning 3 years to the 30th anniversary. As you can easily imagine, it takes
more than a year to prepare for this milestone anniversary event because of the time for decision making, reservations, and all other preparations required. Because of the limited time before the 25th and only 3 years afterthat for the 30th anniversary, we decided to focus on the 30th, and have small events before then. So, we are currently planning to hold Spring gathering in mid-May this year. It will be a casual “Potluck Party” style. This will
require much less preparation and will not include any performance. It also will be easier to change if needed
depending on the situations as we move forward.
Sorry for the delay but we look forward to the chance to have everyone get together as stated below.

Date: (Sat) May 14, 2022 Time: 11: 00 am Open
Place: Heartland Bank - 430 North Hamilton Rd. Whitehall, OH 43213
過去 2 年間、私たちは沖縄や他州からの大勢の招待演者の皆さんと一緒に 25 周年記念イベントを開催できるかどうかの相談をしながら判断の時期を待っておりました。何ヶ月にもわたる意見交換と CDC の現状確認の後、25 周年記念イベントをキャンセルすることにしました。今年は結成 27 年目で、3 年後には 30 周年になります。 ご想像のとおり、意思決定や予約、その他すべての準備のための記念イベントの準備には 1 年以上かかります。25 周年と 30 周年という期間限定で、30 周年に焦点を当て、それ以前は小さなイベントを開催することにしました。そこで、今年は 5 月中旬に春の集いを開催する予定です。 カジュアルな「持ち寄りパーティー」スタイルになります。 これにより、準備が大幅に少なくなり、パフォーマンスが含まれなくなります。 また、状況に応じて必要に応じて変更しやすくなります。
遅れて申し訳ありませんが、以上の期日と場所にて、皆様のご来場を心よりお待ちしております。

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