Thursday, September 27, 2001

· Welcome and introduction of city officials and special guests.
    Oak Ridge Mayor David Bradshaw and Councilman Leonard Abbatiello attended the ceremony representing
    the City of Oak RIdge.

· Recognition of the Oak Ridge Public Library and Staff.
    We thanked the Library and staff for hosting the weaving project!

· Brief history of the project

Marti Fleischer presented the idea of a community tapestry to the SCSO board of directors in the fall of 2000. She proposed having community volunteers weave a tapestry to honor the 10th anniversary of the sister city partnership with Naka machi. Through her efforts, a generous contribution from the Arts Guild of Oak Ridge provided funds to purchase the materials for the project. She also provided the loom for the project and taught volunteer weavers who spent 600+ hours completing the project. We thank her not only for the project concept, but also the contribution of countless hours of her time, as well as her talents as a weaver and for

providing the resources to make the project possible.  Linda Brown presented Marti resented a plaque form the SCSO for her contribution to the project.

· Introduction of tapestry designer: 

Marianne Vigander, a long time member of the Sister City Support Organization, submitted the tapestry design. The sunflower theme represents the city flower of Naka machi and the hands the spirit of Sister Cites International – "Peace through people".  Linda Brown presented Marianne with a plaque thanking her for her beautiful design.

· Recognition of the Arts Guild of Oak Ridge

Marese Nephew, President of  The Arts Guild of Oak Ridge which contributed $500 for this project accepted a plaque from Linda Brown thanking their organization for their community spirited contribution which made the project possible. SCSO thanks them for generosity.

· Comments about the project.

· Introduction and recognition of the weavers - each weaver was presented a certificate thanking them for their contribution to the project:

o Carl Bretz o Marge Courville o Marti Fleischer o Patricia Haselton o Liz Lieberman o Esther Manning o Jack Moneyhun o Mignon Naegeli o Marese Nephew o Heather Peterson o Delores Pullum o Marianne Vigander o Shigeko Uppuluri

Cutting Off Ceremony for the Tapestry – Marti Fleischer and the weavers "cut off" the tapestry which will be finished and then on display in the Library for all Oak Ridgers to admire!  We hope to plan a trip to Naka machi during cherry blossom time in 2002 to present the tapestry to the City of Naka machi. 

SCSO members and special guests adjourned to the Club Room at the Civic Center for a reception honoring the weavers.

	The weavers toasted their accomplishment with Champagne, a customary tribute to the completion of the tapestry!	A beautiful work of art!