Your Language Connection:

SHARE! Northeast is looking for volunteer host families for foreign students who would like to learn first-hand about the American Way of Life.

Teens from Germany will arrive in August to study for the 2011/2012 academic year at local high schools. Host families are asked to provide room and board as well as friendship, understanding, and a willingness to share this unique experience with their chosen student. Students are between the ages of 15 and 18, speak English, are covered by medical insurance, and have adequate spending money for their own personal expenses.

Families are able to review student applications and select the student they feel will best match the interests of their family to make it as easy as possible for the student to become an active contributing member of their host family and community. SHARE! provides support during the entire experience in the form of pre and post arrival orientations, a minimum of at least monthly contact along with optional local and regional activities.

The SHARE! Program, sponsored by Educational Resource Development Trust (ERDT) a nonprofit educational foundation established in 1974, was created to provide opportunities for greater understanding between Americans and peoples of the world.

To learn more about how you can help change the world, one small step at a time, please contact me, your local coordinator; or feel free to call the SHARE! Northeast Regional Office, toll-free.

Sherri L. Hershberger
ERDT/SHARE! Local Coordinator
717-203-0325 (cell)
717-733-9536 (home)
Email: sherrih@ptd.net

ERDT/SHARE! Northeast Regional Office
toll-free: 866-900-3738

World Fair is a community event at Worship Center celebrating the cultures of the world. Bring your family and friends and enjoy the many sights, sounds, and tastes! There is no charge for this event. Drop in anytime between 4-9pm on Friday, August 5th.

Activities will include:
International Music, Food, and Exhibits
Tethered Balloon Rides
Inflatables & Games for Kids
A Camel
A Rickshaw
A Premier Illusionist
Photo Areas for Your Family (Bring a camera!)
Try on International Clothing
Drawing Contest for Kids
And much more!

Located at Worship Center
2384 New Holland Pike, Lancaster, PA
717-656-4271

The 18th Annual San Juan Bautista Hispanic Festival will be kicking off Wednesday, July 27th and ending Saturday, July 30th, located on church grounds at 425 S. Duke Street, Lancaster, PA. It will feature authentic Hispanic food from Puerto Rico, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic. Plus, rides, games, bingo, and a raffle grand prize of either a 2010 Honda Civic or $10,000! (The drawing will be held on Saturday, July 30th at the close of the festival. Tickets are available at the church office).

Live music featured will include:

Thursday – Trio Renacer, El Mariachi Flores
Friday – Bachata 212, Los Monstros
Saturday – Amaryllis Santiago, Orquesta Boricuason

Fair dates and times:

Wednesday July 27th, 6 – 9 p.m.
Thursday July 28th, 6 – 10 p.m.
Friday July 29th, 6 – 11 p.m.
Saturday July 30th, 4 – 11 p.m.

See their website for more information. Hope to see you there!

Your Language Connection is sponsoring a cultural event at the Lancaster City Library. Almaz Yallila, Ethiopian interpreter for YLC, will be presenting an interactive cultural hour at the Lancaster public library on Wednesday, July 20th at 1:30. Call the library to register.

“A sampling of Ethiopia’s history, culture, folklore and language with presenter Almaz Yilalla. Sponsored by Your Language Connection (www.yourlanguageconnection.com) (All Ages)”

It will start out with a little background information on Ethiopia and its history, 5-10 min, then I would like to talk about the culture, food and clothing. I could bring in some samples of food and also show them how to knit to sample dresses which I will demonstrate, 20 min. Then I would like to read a folklore story book to the children and draw a few letters and numbers in the Ethiopian language and have the children try on clothing and shoes for 10-15 min. Then I would like to end with some music and dances which have simple verses so everyone can join 5-10min.

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Kristen Hertzog, 717-201-4893

The First 24 Hours in America Event: First Time Haitian Visitor to Speak in Strasburg

Strasburg, PA:

Americans are often amused when foreigners say things like: “The streets are paved with gold in America” or Money grows on trees in the USA”.  Hear first time Haitian visitor, Lubin Fils speak about his first 24 hours in America.

He will be the featured speaker on Monday, June 27 at 7:30 PM at High View Church of God, Route 896 in Strasburg PA.  The
event is free and open to the public. Local acoustic band, Fire in the Glen will also perform during the event.

Lubin’s will share his perspective on 24 hours in Lancaster County that will include: his first visit to Wal-Mart, a local bank, an American university, and staying in an American family’s home. He will compare and contrast life here and in his
native country, including the state of education since the earthquake and the ongoing work of higher education reconstruction in Haiti.

Lubin lives in the earthquake zone in Port-au-Prince Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. He is employed by the Lancaster based nonprofit organization Haitian Connection Network as Country Director of a Student Computer Center.  Haitian students, many who live on less than $1 per day, access free education online through a partnership with University of the People. They are earning a degree in Business Administration and/or Computer Science. Upon graduation, HCN then assists graduates in finding local jobs in Haiti. The result is Haitian people gainfully employed helping themselves, their families, community and country.

During the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 28 of 32 universities collapsed or are no longer in use, leaving thousands of students without access to higher education. Haitian Connection Network pioneered Haiti’s first tuition free online student computer center which is now at maximum capacity. The center plans to move to a larger facility to expand student numbers from 20 to 80 students by 2012. At least 50 potential students are on the waiting list.

For more information and directions, please visit:

haitianconnectionnetwork.org or contact Kristen Hertzog, Executive Director of HCN at: 717-201-4893 <tel:717-201-4893> . Haitian Connection Network is a nonprofit organization.

Monday, June 27 at 7:30 PM at High View Church of God, Route 896 in Strasburg PA.  The event is free and open to the public.

It’s time to celebrate summer! Here are some of the most interesting local cultural events we found to enrich this special season.

10,000 Villages
Live Music in the Cafe with Streetbeets Friday, June 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
“Streetbeets music is . . . . earth loving, community building, rhythmic improvisational originals and covers.”

Paul Montigny, Jerry Lee Miller, and Marty Dutcher are the trio that makes up Streetbeats. Paul plays a variety of drums and percussion while Jerry plays Native American flute and harmonica and sings. Marty adds his skills as a guitarist and his folk song covers to bring a unique sound to this improvisational band.

African Drumming Workshop – Beginners! Saturday, June 18, 11:00am

This beginner’s West African drumming workshop is led by Louise Ranck, a former choral/classroom music teacher who studied African drumming with drummer/composer Pete Barnhart for 5 years.
Ages 12 and up. Free, but registration required. Group size is limited so register early! Email ephrata@tenthousandvillages.com or call the store at 717-721-8400.
See their website

Lancaster Liederkranz
German Sommerfest 2011 Friday, June 10 from 6-11pm and Saturday, June 11 from 1-11pm
“Celebration of German music, food, drink, song, and dance!”
Entertainment throughout! Admission $5 Adult, $2 Children age 6-15 years, free for children under 6.
722 South Chiques Rd., Manheim, PA 17545
Phone: 717-898-8451 M-F after 4:00 p.m.
www.lancasterliederkranz.com

Kids and Cultures
Tuesday, July 12, 6:30 p.m. – Kids and Cultures World Tour: India, with guest presenters Santosh and Sukeshi Iyer, at Lancaster Public Library
Thursday, July 14, 6:30 p.m. - Kids and Cultures World Tour: Cuba, with guest presenter Merci Brill.
Thursday, July 28, 1:30 p.m., Kids and Cultures World Tour: Ecuador, with Charito Calvachi-Mateyko, at Lancaster Public Library
Thursday, August 11, 1:30 p.m., Kids and Cultures World Tour: China, with Hui-Ling Singer, at Lancaster Public Library
Thursday, August 18, 1:00 p.m. (please note early start time), Kids and Cultures World Tour: Sweden, with Anton Oberg, at Lancaster Public Library
*Contact the library to register.

http://www.kidsandcultures.com/events.html

First Thursday Latino holds cultural events on the first Thursday of each month. For more info, see their Facebook page.

Imani African Dance Company often performs at Millersville University. Check their website for upcoming performances.

Students will be arriving from France on July 6th, 17th, and 27th for a 3-week trip to America. Students will also be arriving from Spain on July 6th only. All students will spend their last 2 days on a sightseeing trip in New York City.

If you are interested in hosting a student, please contact Rose Jackson, Director of Academic Adventures in America, at 908-273-1756. Don’t forget to mention whether you want to host a French or Spanish student (or both!) and which gender you prefer. She can send you e-mail versions of their applications.

Love Oktoberfest? Come to a summer celebration of the same German music, food, drink, song & dance!
~ Open to the Public ~
Friday, June 10, 6-11 pm & Saturday, June 10, 1-11 pm
Lancaster Liederkranz
722 South Chiques Road, Manheim, PA 17545

Musical Entertainment:
Friday: Hank Haller
Saturday afternoon: Philadelphia Brass Band
Saturday evening: Walt Groller

Performances Throughout:
Alpenrose & Kindergruppe Schuhplattler Dancers, Liederkranz Mixed Chorus, Men’s Hobby Chor, and Alleweil Jung Folk Dancers 17th Annual Duck Race on the Chiques Creek, Sat., 6pm

$5 Adult and $2 Child (6-15 yrs)

Cash only
- No debit/credit cards accepted, No ATM on premises

Donate a non-perishable food item to benefit Mt. Joy food bank and receive $1 discount on an Adult admission ($1 max per person)

http://lancasterliederkranz.com/

A group of Japanese students will be visiting the Lancaster area from July 18th to August 7th, and they need host families! They will have programs and activities during the week and would be at home with their host families in the evenings and on weekends.
They can be dropped off and picked up at the Lancaster Alliance Church at 210 Pitney Road; carpooling will be available. Additionally a stipend of $230 will be provided to go towards food, gas, and other hosting costs.
The students are visiting from a Christian school in Japan so would like to experience some similarities and differences between Christian life in Japan and in the US.
If you are interested, contact Katy Shields at katyahli@yahoo.com as soon as possible!