Thứ Hai, 17 tháng 12, 2012

Thank you for attending the annual member meeting!

Holly Brand (L) and Olivia Trembley selling raffle tickets
Members and friends of Minnesota-Uruguay Partners came from far and wide December 10 (despite the second big snowstorm in the last three years of annual meetings) to celebrate a highly productive year for our group.

Many thanks to our gracious hosts, Diane Katsiaficas of the University of Minnesota art department, along with board directors Sarah Trembley, Kati Mae Duesler and Mark Knierim, for arranging the beautiful venue, delicious food, and so many other event details.

Clockwise L-R: Bruce McManus, Sue von Bank, Diane Levendusky, Diane Katsiaficas,Lyndel King, Julie Ketterling, Bright Dornblaser


There were three excellent presentations: Diane Levendusky and Bruce McManus discussed advances with the prison reform project, Lynn Baskfield, who hosted our first equine therapy visitor, talked about best practices in her field; and Sarah Trembley offered a recap of highly active art committee exchanges this year.

Gerard Lagos shared the good news that Minnesota-Uruguay Partners has been presented with a $3,000 grant from IBM, funding that will help us carry out important work next year.

The membership elected four new board directors: Julie Ketterling, Connie Roehrich, Tom Olson and Mandy Mattke.


Clockwise L-R: Lynn Baskfield, Bill Gorman, Tom Boeser, Briana Boeser,
Rob Scarlett, David Kremer




Thứ Tư, 12 tháng 12, 2012

Minnesotan Declared 'Distinguished Visitor' by Montevideo Mayor

On December 10, 2012, the mayor of the capital city of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay, Ana Olivera, declared Debra Lee Fader, the mayor of Montevideo, Minnesota (pop. 5,331), a distinguished visitor.

The historic meeting, sparked by Uruguay's outstanding consul general in Chicago, Dr. Nury Bauzan, who has made numerous visits to Minnesota, marks the first time in nearly 40 years that the mayors of the sister cities have met in person.

Minnesota-Uruguay Partners helped underwrite Mayor Fader's visit to Uruguay, through a travel grant awarded by Partners of the Americas' culture and education program in Washington.

Nahir Lois, a board director of Partners of the Americas, was quoted in this piece by the EFE news agency, which was reprinted widely in the Spanish-speaking press beyond Uruguay (Mexico, Chile, Spain etc). The widest-circulation newspaper in Uruguay, El Pais, also ran a lengthy piece about the visit, featuring an interview with the mayor. And El Observador also ran a nice article about the visit.




Thứ Bảy, 8 tháng 12, 2012

Leading Uruguayan Equine Therapy Specialist Shares Treatment Tactics with Minnesotans

A world-class horse trainer and equine therapy specialist found himself more than 6,000 miles from home this month, standing alongside Susie Bjorklund, the founder of Freedom Farm in Waverly, Minnesota, as two clients mounted up for a riding session.  

News of Freedom Farm's innovative approaches to equine therapy brought Gustavo Dos Santos, a captain in Uruguay's army, to Waverly and other horse facilities throughout Minnesota during the first two weeks of November.

Dos Santos was a trainer of Uruguay's paralympic team in China in 2008, and is currently a leader in his country's military-run horse therapy programs that treat more than 1,000 people across the progressive South American nation with physical disabilities, drug addictions, mental illness and other challenges.



Dos Santos was invited to Minnesota under a nearly 50-year partnership between the state and the nation of Uruguay. An outgrowth of the Kennedy Administration's Alliance for Progress, Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas uses State Department funding and donations from members to bring professionals like Dos Santos across borders to share expertise and offer insights in a range of disciplines. Veterinary medicine, criminal justice reform, art and architecture and student exchanges are just a few of the group's activities in recent years.

Near Waverly, Dos Santos had training sessions with Janet Weisberg of Hold Your Horses in Independence, Minn., another highly regarded practitioner in the field. 

Elsewhere in the state, Dos Santos visited horse facilities in Granite Falls, Stillwater, Minnetonka, and not least the University of Minnesota's prestigious Equine Center, where staffer Sergio Gonzalez took him on tours at the Center as well as neighboring facilities. He also met with specialists working with Hazelden and Park Avenue Center to learn about their approaches to equine therapy for drug addiction. 

Lynn Baskfield, the founder of Wisdom Horse Coaching in Minneapolis and the host for Dos Santos during the visit, said she'd like to see Minnesotans going to Uruguay to learn more about the equine therapy programs there. Stay tuned for news of more travels in equine therapy between Minnesota and Uruguay!





Thứ Hai, 3 tháng 12, 2012

Save the date! December 10 annual member meeting




Please save the date of December 10 in your calendar.

The Minnesota-Uruguay Partners annual meeting convenes on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Regis Center for Art West, InFlux Gallery, at 405 21st Avenue South on the Univ. of Minnesota's West Bank in Minneapolis.

Parking is available in the ramp across the street.

You will enjoy food from Minnesota with an international flavor and wines from Uruguay (goodwill donations appreciated) and see presentations from members old and new about their travels and activities this year.

Importantly, we will also be nominating and electing new board directors.

RSVP by December 7 to erikbrand10@gmail.com or call ‪‪ 612-242-1863.

Federico Estol wins prestigious photography award

Uruguayan photographer Federico Estol, who has visited Minnesota twice with Partners to create and release his book, Hello Montevideo, has won first prize in urban and rural landscape from the Latin American Center for Photography. Congratulations Federico!


Thứ Ba, 27 tháng 11, 2012

Mayor of Montevideo (Minnesota) Off to Montevideo (Uruguay)!

Patrick Moore just passed along news that the West Central Tribune has published an article about the upcoming visit of Montevideo Mayor Debra Lee Fader  to Montevideo, Uruguay. The mayor has been invited to Uruguay for two weeks in December through the diplomatic efforts of Consul General Nury Bauzan, who has visited Minnesota several times, including a trip to Montevideo, Minn. Partners of the Americas is providing a travel grant, which is helping to make this historic exchange possible. Mayor Fader is pictured below with Governor Mark Dayton.


Thứ Tư, 21 tháng 11, 2012

Senior officials launch new Business Fellows matching program

Partners of the Americas in Washington shared the photo below from the official launch of the new Business Fellows matching program yesterday. Our Minnesota-Uruguay Chapter has offered to assist with the ambitious endeavor. The meeting was covered by the Tico Times in Costa Rica. More details below.


Pictured from left, Mr. Alejandro Buvinic, Head of the Economic Department, ProChile, Mr. Matt Clausen, Vice President for Partnerships and Programs, H.E. Muni Figueres, Ambassador of Chile to the United States, Mr. Francisco J. Sanchez, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade, Ms. Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, and H.E. Felipe Bulnes, Ambassador of Chile to the United States.


Official Launch of the Matching Program   
Today marks the official launch of  
the International Business Fellows Matching Program!


In a ceremony at the Chilean Ambassador's residence in Washington, D.C., these officials will kick off the program: 
  • H.E. Muni Figueres, Ambassador of Costa Rica to the United States
  • H.E. Felipe Bulnes, Ambassador of Chile to the United States
  • Mr. Francisco J. Sanchez, Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade
  • Ms. Roberta Jacobson, Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere
  • Mr. Matt Clausen, Vice President of Partnerships and Programs at Partners of the Americas 
    
They will each speak to this unique partnership between the private and public sectors to promote the exchange of expertise and best practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Americas.  


Matching is a being launched as a pilot program with Chile and Costa Rica, but there are opportunities to expand it to 
additional countries with the right support.


Why Matching?

Fellows and host organizations can both greatly benefit from the relationships ignited by the Matching program. It's a wonderful opportunity for SME leaders to share best practices, target skill-building, and forge potentially life-long partnerships to build strong businesses.



1-2-3 Match!
  1. Qualified Fellows and their SMEs are recruited and selected
  2. Partners works with Chapter members to select host organizations and works with Fellows to craft meaningful and educational experiences
  3. Fellows apply lessons in their home organizations and work to build a hemispheric network of professionals 
If you are interested in Partners implementing Matching in your country and think that there is public and private sector support for this initiative then contact Lauren Boetsch atlboetsch@partners.net or Melissa Golladay at mgolladay@partners.net to learn more. 


Thứ Ba, 20 tháng 11, 2012

New photos from the Wanderlust Exhibit

We received the photos below from this month's Wanderlust exhibit, organized at the University of Minnesota by Sarah Trembley, a board director of Minnesota-Uruguay Partners. It included the work of other members like Kati Mae Duesler, Diane Katsiaficas, Mark Knierim, Anne Sugnet and many others.









w@nderlust

November 5th- 16th 


Opening Reception
November 8th, 2012
Regis Center for the Arts
Quarter Gallery
405 21st Avenue S
Minneapolis, MN 55455



Please join us for a night of art, international food, stories, and music, as 25 Minneapolis artists gather to share highlights and new perspectives inspired from their travels.
  
o    5:00pm – 6:00pm Influx Room, East Regis Center for the Arts. Artist Talk; 10 artists share how their art and perspectives alter after unique explorations
o    6:00pm Lobby, East Regis Center for the Arts. International Buffet and Music
o    6:00pm - 8:00pm Quarter Gallery, East Regis Center for the Arts. Opening Reception


exhibiting artists                       

Laura Bigger
Kelsey Bosch
Kat Busch
Bipin Butala
Kate Casanova
Joni Christenson
Cindy Cribbs
Daniel Dean
Kati Duesler
Matt Franzen
Jim Gubernick
Terez Iacovino
Diane Katsiaficas
 Mark Knierim
Paul Linden
Lynn Lukkas
Joyce Lyons
Ben Moren
Wayne Potratz
Sonja Peterson
Natalie Patera
Anne Sugnet
Manny Trembley
Sarah Trembley
Kazua Vang


*Special thanks to Partners of the Americas and University of Minnesota Art Department


For further question regarding w@nderlust, please contact Sarah Trembley at trem0092@umn.edu

 

Chủ Nhật, 18 tháng 11, 2012

Thứ Tư, 7 tháng 11, 2012

Momentum Builds for Criminal Justice Reform Project

Uruguayans and Minnesotans working together to share best practices in criminal justice and prison reform continue to build momentum for new innovations in the field.

For two weeks in October, Bruce McManus, Connie Roehrich and Diane Levendusky were hosted in Uruguay by officials across a range of disciplines in the criminal justice system.

The three volunteers with Minnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas met with Interior Minister Eduardo Bonomi, as well as a host of professionals in the prison, police and judiciary systems.

Connie Roehrich, a former warden of Minnesota's largest prison, helped train police and prison officials on incident command systems and hostage crisis negotiations, as well as general prison management issues.

In his trip report to Washington, McManus, who was Minnesota's deputy corrections commissioner as well as a prison warden, said that after six years of working with his colleagues in Uruguay, the nation is developing "an impressive management organization for its criminal justice system." "It is moving carefully to fill positions with individuals who have experience in police, prison and human services management," he added. "They appear to welcome change and are impressive as individuals."

Photos of the Minnesota team with Minister Bonomi and other moments from the visit appear below.














Thứ Hai, 29 tháng 10, 2012

Minnesota artist featured in Uruguayan arts and culture journal

We just received word that Diane Katsiaficas, a longtime volunteer and a board director of Minnesota-Uruguay Partners, was featured in La Pupila, a culture and arts journal in Uruguay.






Thứ Hai, 22 tháng 10, 2012

Mariel Doyenart, Teacher in Residence, is taking Minnesota by storm!


Reports are coming in from around the state about Mariel Doyenart's visit to Minnesota this month. She's been from Minneapolis to Montevideo, from Hackensack to Stillwater. Above are photos sent from board director Audrey Arner, taken at an asado she hosted at Moonstone Farm in Western Minnesota after the annual Meander Art Crawl. Mariel is pictured here with Audrey and another board director, Marcos Villanueva, the famous asador.

Below is a photo that was published by the West Central Tribune this week about Mariel's visit and her impressions of the U.S. presidential election campaign. See: "Visitor from South America’s most democratic nation arrives as election campaigns heats up"




Thứ Sáu, 28 tháng 9, 2012

The passing of Norman Brown, former Dean and Director of the Minnesota Extension Service

A note received today from Rob Scarlett, vice president of Minnesota-Uruguay Partners, in response to a notice circulated by Partners of the Americas president Steve Vetter about the passing of Norman Brown...

The news of Norm Brown's passing is very sad news; but I very much appreciate receiving this notice and will send condolences to his surviving family members. I attribute to Norm my current involvement in Partners. In 1983, while he was Dean of the Extension Service at the University of Minnesota, Norm hired me to design and manage the tri-lingual Fellowship in International Development that was funded by the Kellogg Foundation. It was an exciting two-year undertaking and a rich learning experience, as well.
Norm's leadership and compassion will be missed in many corners of the world, I am sure.
Best regards to Norm's many friends - up and down the Western Hemisphere!
Rob
Robert H. Scarlett, Vice PresidentBoard of DirectorsMinnesota-Uruguay Partners of the Americas

Thứ Năm, 27 tháng 9, 2012

Best Twin Cities day trip destinations in Minnesota, Wisconsin

LARK Toys' amazing carousel near Wabasha, Minn., adds magic and whimsy to the Great River Road.

Get help planning the top Twin Cities day trips
If there were a fairy godmother to - "Poof!" - make Minnesota weekend getaways or week-long vacations as easy as Cinderella's dress, I'd volunteer for the post. Really. Give me a sparkly wand and make it official.

Suncrest pizza farm near Alma, Wis.
I could probably find a wand at Rebecca's in Nisswa, one funky shop with everything from Princess Way street signs to lifesize cutouts of the latest heartthrobs.

Few things make me as happy as helping people find places they'll love in this wonderfully varied state of Minnesota. You could spin the car in any direction and find totally different terrain and places well worth a few hours on the road.


Ride the Empire Builder train.
I've collected 24 of my favorite trips, from single towns to several towns, into the new Minnesota guidebook "Day Trips from the Twin Cities: Getaway Ideas for the Local Traveler." Read about where to find:
  • Beautiful bluffs and soaring eagles along the Great River Road
St. Cloud's Clemens Garden.
  • A toy store that could rival Santa's workshop and Christmas morning for nostalgic childhood joy. 
  • A pioneer ghost town and Minnesota's coolest cave tours in the Root River Valley.
  • One of the nation's oldest family-run breweries, an idyllic German downtown and fascinating tales from the US Dakota War of 1862 in New Ulm.
  • A sweet boutique hotel, amazing apples, comical scarecrows and crazy finds such as bacon-flavored soda pop along the Minnesota River Valley.
    Rebecca's is among Nisswa's great shops.
  • One of the state's coldest swimming holes at St. Cloud's Quarry Park and the inspiring Clemens and Munsinger Gardens along the Mississippi.
  • Legends of Charles Lindbergh, a quirky fishing museum and classic downtown in Little Falls.
  • Bike trails that whirl through the scenic Chippewa River Valley across the border in Wisconsin. 
  • Amazing canoe rides through the Dalles of the St. Croix River
  • World-class Nordic ski trails near Cable, Wis.
  • Girls' getaways with great spas and shopping near Nisswa.
Artsy breakfast at Duluth's Solglimt B&B.
Of course there's more, but I don't want to give it all away.

You can email me to order a copy by mail for $16 (includes taxes & shipping) or head to your favorite bookstore. Buy it online through independent booksellers or the almighty Amazon. If you enjoy it, please leave a review. If you have suggestions for upcoming editions, let me know.

Happy travels!

Emma Krumbee's Scarecrow contest & festival, Belle Plaine.


Thứ Ba, 18 tháng 9, 2012

Rare film footage of Uruguay in the early 1900s


Gary Kuhn, our chapter's leading historian, has passed along these links to rare film footage of Uruguay in the first half of the 20th Century. Amazing stuff. Very much worth a look!

Montevideo in the early 1900s

A film made by the US Government about Uruguay in the 1940s







Thứ Hai, 27 tháng 8, 2012

Another successful asado!

From all accounts, Saturday's asado/Uruguay Independence Day celebration was a big success. We had more than 50 people attending, with many familiar faces and new ones too. Three of the Minnesota's Youth Ambassadors shared anecdotes and observations from their trip this summer to Belize. Members and guests contributed generously toward the costs of some excellent food and wine, which is important to sustaining the quality and vitality of these events. Many, many thanks to Marcos Villanueva, Gerard Lagos, Dave Kremer, Sue von Bank, Patrick Moore and all the others who did so much to make things come off so very well despite the threat of rain (which never materialized, in the end, thankfully). We appreciate the contributions from all who attended and look forward to next year!

Thứ Ba, 7 tháng 8, 2012

Join us Aug 25 for soccer and asado!


Please join us for what's become a highlight of summer for Minnesota-Uruguay Partners, the annual asado (bbq) before a Minnesota NSC Stars soccer match. 

Members, friends and volunteers from near and far are gathering on Saturday, August 25 (Uruguay's Independence Day) to celebrate the strong and productive ties of friendship that Minnesota and Uruguay share. See a flyer attached, designed by chapter member Kati Mae Duesler.

The fire starts at 4:30 pm, with grass-fed beef, local sausages, wines from Uruguay and more. At 7:30 pm, the Stars of Minnesota will be playing FC Edmonton (discount tickets available). A goodwill offering for the food will be appreciated.

To Recap:

What: Minnesota-Uruguay Partners Asado (BBQ)
When: Saturday, August 25, 4:30 pm
Where: National Sports Center, 1700 105th Avenue, Blaine, Minnesota 55449

RSVP to erikbrand10@gmail.com or call 612-242-1863 (mobile) with any questions. 

Look for Uruguay's flag at the north side of the National Sports Center Stadium.

Thứ Năm, 2 tháng 8, 2012

Minnesota-Uruguay Partners Wins Perpich Award


We were delighted to learn this week that Minnesota-Uruguay Partners has been presented with the “The Jerry Perpich Youth Award” for 2012.

The award is named in honor of Iowa native and the former Board Chair of Partners of the Americas for his longtime support to the chapters that recruit and develop leadership skills of young people (under 30 years of age) and recognize their contributions to volunteer service.

Many thanks to board director David Kremer (pictured), who was instrumental compiling information about our activities for the award review committee, and of course to the many young people and volunteers who make Minnesota-Uruguay Partners so vibrant and active.

Thứ Sáu, 20 tháng 7, 2012

Minnesota Students Return from Youth Ambassador Trip

Mandy Mattke has returned to Minnesota from Belize with her group of Youth Ambassadors, and shared this video, which aired on Plus TV Belize. Welcome back all! More details to follow.

Thứ Năm, 19 tháng 7, 2012

Uruguay investing in new electric bus network

President José Mujica of Uruguay yesterday signed a deal with Buquebus, the country's largest tourism transport firm, to begin bringing electric buses into Uruguay.  Deliveries are scheduled to begin later this year. The head of Buquebus said he's willing to replace his whole fleet with the new buses, in fact. Yet another example of Uruguay leading the pack. Congratulations! Here is a link to the press release.

Thứ Ba, 3 tháng 7, 2012

Minnesota's northern lakeside resorts embrace bigger luxuries

Around since the 1930s, Clamshell Beach Lodge north of Brainerd has new luxuries--like newer cottages and a pool.

 


Minnesota cabins get bigger, modernize

By Lisa Meyers McClintick

My daughter jumps into the pool.
On a Minnesota resort trip last June, my 7-year-old daughter barely glanced at the sandy beach on Whitefish Lake north of Brainerd. Instead, she couldn't wait to cannonball into the pool and slurp a neon blue slushie at Clamshell Beach, a resort near Pequot Lakes, Minn.

With her focus on such pleasures, my daughter was benefiting from the gradual upscaling of Minnesota resorts. Many of them, established in the late 1920s through the 1930s, are evolving to meet expectations of modern vacationers.

They expect luxuries from heated pools to plush bedding. While the big resorts with deeper pocket books have been adding on for the last 15 years, many small, family-run resorts have also added perks and nudged up their level of convenience and service. The bonus: They often maintain a folksy mom-and-pop resort feel.

Meanwhile, Minnesota state parks are steadily adding camper cabins for those in the market for a lower-price, more rustic option.

 From cabins to two-story cottages

Cottage bedroom at Clamshell Beach Resort.

At Clamshell Beach, whose website boasts "lake cottage charm, luxurious amenities," a handful of original 1930s stucco cottages border the Whitefish Lake beach, but most guests want one of the Minnesota resort's spacious new cottages with second-story screened porches. Inside, large bathtubs, northwoods quilts and flat-screen TVs add to the comfort.

But still, there are the homey touches. A dry-erase board at Clamshell Beach Resort's main office welcomes guests personally and lists where they are from. An awning above the refreshment counter is made of dock planks, each autographed by guests and painted with scenes depicting their time at Whitefish Lake. It is dubbed the "Dock of Fame."

Dave Moe, who grew up at a resort near Park Rapids, and his wife, Lisa, purchased Clamshell Beach in 1997 and have methodically upgraded it, selling fractional ownership in the new cottages to fund the work.

Clamshell Beach Lodge and its Dock of Fame.
"It used to be people just wanted a bedroom and a bath and to look onto the lake," Moe said. "Things have evolved like any other industry. People have higher expectations for vacations because they have a limited amount of time."

Resorts expand and evolve

Statistics from Explore Minnesota show that an estimated 2,527 resorts in 1970 numbered only 1,400 by 1985. Today, the figure is down to about 880 resorts. In some cases, one resort may have expanded and absorbed another. The shift has resulted in destinations with more polish and space.

The average size of a mid-century home was 1,000 square feet. Today's average is more than twice that, Moe said. New vacation homes and cabins reflect that change.

According to Tom Proulx, who runs Big Sandy Lodge and Resort in McGregor, Minn., with his wife, Elisa, said that vacationers "want that Up North Minnesota rustic feel, but to be in the lap of luxury and have the best of both worlds."

The resort's nearly century-old Carefree Pines cabins were replaced with luxury lake homes fewer than 10 years ago. The 100-year-old lodge, with its original lobby fireplace, remains, as does one original cabin, albeit with a refurbished interior.

"It had so much character," Proulx said of their so-called Rustic Retreat. It lacks air conditioning, space is cozy and guests share a single bathroom, but that makes it perfect for some vacationers.

Sibley State Park near Willmar has added three camping cabins.

State parks upgrade camping experience

The most rustic of all cabins -- a camper cabin, with no plumbing -- has likewise boomed in popularity. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has built more than 40 camper cabins in the past four years, bringing the total to almost 80.

The DNR charges $45-$50 a night for the cabins, roughly a third of what resort cabins can cost.
Although guests must bring their own bedding and linens and cook most meals outdoors, a stay there doesn't require setting up a tent or trailer or maneuvering an RV. The cabins offer a solid shelter with four bunks that sleep five to six people, plus screened porches, a table and chairs, and heat that makes them popular year-round.

Newer ones include lights and outlets at each bunk for plugging in smartphones.
A survey of the DNR's new reservation system shows cabins book quickly on weekends. It's best to make reservations at least six months in advance and a year ahead for holidays.

"They're beautiful cabins," said Dana Banks, who stayed at a newer one in Sibley State Park near New London for a family gathering during Mother's Day weekend. "It's a nice place for people who don't have campers but still want to get away."

For more photos and details of northern Minnesota resorts and destinations, check out Minnesota Lake Vacations, a mobile travel app, or Day Trips from the Twin Cities, a new guidebook available in August 2012. 

Photos by Lisa Meyers McClintick