Happy Coat...

The Japanese delegation came to Georgetown for the Festival of the Horse and to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Sister City relationship between Tahara and Georgetown. There were 31 of them. Mayor Prather and his team in Georgetown prepared a wonderful visit for these good people. Claude and I were invited to participate in whatever we cared to as we were part of the delegation from Georgetown to Tahara. We went to the three evening functions. 

The first was Saturday evening at the Georgetown-Scott County Museum. Claude donned his 'Happy Coat' (I do believe this is the most prized item in his wardrobe) and away we went. The first picture I took was his usual stoic self. I took it and then looked at him and said, "Now a smiling one." Then I snapped the picture and got this great grin!!

We ran into the Director of the TIA, Okamoto Yoshihiro, who gave Claude the Happy Coat our last night in Tahara. He was very pleased Claude was wearing his Happy Coat! We told him he wore it to the Kentucky League of Cities Annual Conference. 

Very lovely exhibits about Tahara and Georgetown. In this case was a picture of Mayor Yamashita when he visited Georgetown all those years ago as a student. He was sharing this photo with members of the Tahara delegation and they were enjoying seeing him. Note the glimpses of quilts in the background. There is a quilting club, kite flying and, recently added, a pottery making piece to our Sister City relationship.

There was an amazing set of drums that were great to listen to. These were made by a student that lives in Georgetown. Her parents are from Japan. She and her father made these drums. 

The refreshments were apple pie things and apple cider. Very appropriate for the fall season and Kentucky. Claude and I wondered how the Japanese palate would fare as their sugar content is so very little compared to ours. Apple pie and apple cider do have some sugar content in them. Everyone seemed to enjoy everything though.

Sunday evening a 'Gala Reception' was held at Yuko-En. This is the official Kentucky-Japanese Friendship Garden. It has beautiful ponds, a red bridge, a Zen rock garden, a Kiln House with two raku kilns and a red Tea House. The buffet dinner and program would be held in the Tea House. The reception prior was outside. A dulcimer was played. An open bar was held in the Kiln House. Pictures were taken.

This is former Georgetown Mayor Everett Varney, current Georgetown Mayor Tom Prather, Mayor Yamashita of Tahara, Mayor Claude Christensen of Sadieville, and former Georgetown Mayor Karen Single-Tames. I just realized the democrat mayors are on the left and the republican mayors are on the right. Hmmmm...

Everyone in front of the Tea House at Yuko-En. Claude is in the Happy Coat near the right end top row. 

Love the kimonos. 

Dinner was excellent. The program went long but such is the nature of having to say everything twice (English & Japanese).

Monday evening was the final good-bye and it was held at the Old Friend's Farm. This is a place where award winning horses are retired. We dined on rib-eye sandwiches and listened to Jim Calloway and his band play Bluegrass music. Nice evening.  No pictures. I just ran out of picture taking mojo.