Ulta Palta[1] Review #1
East Pakistan[2] and Global 50th Peace Corps Reunion
September 23 -25, 2011, Washington, D.C.
As things get closer, the gang of four, Bette Lemperle, John Rogosch, Teddi Lechner Evans and Harriett Parsons Destler thought it might be timely to:
· bring you up to date;
· start to find out who is coming to the reunion in general and specifically to Bangladesh Embassy on Friday afternoon, the EPAK dinners we are hosting personally on Friday and Saturday the Bangladesh discussion Saturday morning;
· ask you to add to the blog started by Bette;
· check on who is driving or renting a car and could help with carpooling; and
· remind you to respond to Russ (Faust) with digital photos and whether you are able to come to the reception at the Bangladesh Embassy
Please note the deadlines Photos for the Bangladesh Embassy (7/31/2011) and acceptance of the Bangladesh Embassy event (8/31/2011) through Russ, motel reservations (9/1/2011), dinner at Bette’s (9/10/2011) and dinner at Harriett’s (9/10/2011). Please see the letter of invitation from the Bangladesh Embassy on the last page...
Special thanks to Russ Faust and Jim Moody for their help.
Logistics
First things first: blog. Bette has started a blog at http://pcepak.blogspot.com to avoid junk postings, only Bette (bllemperle@mac.com) can post but the rest of us can read, admire and add. Please send pictures, funny and other stories, memorials etc to Bette and she will add them.
Next, 50th PC reunion registration, click on http://www.peacecorpsconnect.org/resources/peace-corps-50th-anniversary/september-.events/ to find out who is coming and has registered themselves and register yourself. Registration is free.
Next, lodging, preliminary motel arrangements have been made both downtown and in New Carrollton, Md. Last year, Russ made preliminary reservations at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel which has special PC arrangements and is accessible to the Metro from within the hotel. The National Mall is within walking distance. At that time Russ was able to get 20 rooms assigned under the NPCA arrangements. These are available at the NPCA rates on a first come, first served basis. Call the hotel directly to make your reservation, 800-635-5065, www.lenfantplazahotel.com, and identify yourself as a Peace Corps guest. NPCA rooms are blocked for Thursday, September 22 through Sunday, September 25, 2011.
Recently, Bette arranged for a block of rooms for East Pakistan RPCVs who wish to attend the 50th Reunion at the Courtyard New Carrollton Landover, which is at the end of the Metro Orange Line. You may wish to consider this hotel, which is within walking distance of the Metro Station, or if you prefer, a shuttle ride between the Courtyard and the Metro Station. The shuttle is available from 7 A.M. until 10 P.M. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the DC Mall from the New Carrollton Metro Station. Other special features of the New Carrollton Courtyard are: (1) it is located right off the Beltway at Route 50 and (2) the Baltimore-Washington Airport is just one stop away by train (AMTRAK - the one that runs from Boston to Florida). Also it is just two Metro stops from the town of Cheverly (Bette’s town), where you are welcome to eat, drink and party Friday evening. The rooms are available at a special price from September 22 – 25. At the moment 15 rooms are being held for us, but the Courtyard will bump it up to 50 if you and others show an interest. The current rooms will be held through September 1, 2011.
Here is more specific information: When you click on the link below you will be directed to the Courtyard New Carrollton home page. The group code for a King is already entered in the group code field. If you wish to reserve a Queen you should enter B in the group code field. Next enter your ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE date to begin the reservation process. The available room types and their corresponding group code(s) are: King: EPPEPPA ($119.00); Queen Queen: EPPEPPB ($129.00). http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/WASLD?groupCode=EPPEPPA&app=resvlink&fromDate=9/22/11&toDate=9/26/11. If you prefer to make your reservation by telephone, call 1-888—236 2427 and ask for the East Pakistan Peace Corps Volunteer Group SEP2011 Room Block at the Courtyard New Carrollton Landover, MD.
This list includes a combination of Peace Corps 50th Reunion and EPak Peace Corps Special events. In some cases, you will need to decide between events at the same time.
Schedule of Events
Friday, September 23:
3:00 to 4:30 pm Reception at Bangladesh Embassy, 3510 International Drive, NW , Washington, DC 20008 (202 244 0183) (Metro Red Line Station Van Ness/UDC station, walk down Van Ness to 3510 Int’l Drive. Russ is working with the Embassy on arrangements, he has been asked to let them know how many are coming. Please let him know by August 31. Russ’s email is rradfaust@comcast.net and his phone is (410) 997-1104.
(Jim Moody and others may also be planning a visit to the Pakistan Embassy)
6:30 to midnight: Informal Supper at Bette’s – 2415 Parkway, Cheverly, Md. 20785 – house 301 773 6350 – cell 301 943 5901 – (Metro orange line Cheverly Station) – call from the metro station for a ride to the house. Let Bette know by September 10 if you can come, so she can order food: send a note, call or email bllemperle@mac.com.
Or
7- 10 pm Peace Corps Staff Reunion: Peace Corps staff and RPCVs are invited to enjoy an evening at the historic National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. with Peace Corps Directors and luminaries, RPCV Members of Congress, and other special guests. Tickets are $60 a piece. Register on line: http://www.pcstaffreunion.com/. Location: National Building Museum, 401 F Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, 202.272.2448. (Metro Red Line Judiciary Square stop).
Saturday, September 24
10- 12:00 pm Bangladesh Update: Jim Moody is setting this up at Dacor Bacon House, 1801 F St., NW, Washington, D.C. Carol Murray and Jennice Marks are working on a morning program which will update us on current Bangladesh developments and issues. We are hopeful that Pete Von will be able to convince A.T. Rahman, Volunteers for Bangladesh to join us. (Either the red line (Farragut North stop) or orange line (Farragut west stop).
2:00- 4:00 pm Panel Discussion the Future of the Peace Corps. How will the Peace Corps look like in future years? A panel of leaders and global figures will discuss their experience with the Peace Corps and discuss pressing topics with the community. The second session will feature competitive proposals for a global community project. A select group of pre-screened projects will be presented to the audience for review and questions. The audience will vote for the most deserving project and that project will be awarded with a grant that day. Go to the PC 50th anniversary site for more details.
5:00 pm – 12:00 pm Dinner at Harriett’s house, 701 River Bend Road, Great Falls, Va 22066 703 759 0588. We will need to figure out carpools since this is not adjacent to a metro station. Please let Harriett know by Sept 10 so she can start cooking.
Or
7:00 -10 pm: Promise of the Peace Corps Gala (ticketed event $250 each if you are a member of the National Peace Corps Association, $300 each if you are not). Saturday will culminate with a formal Gala to celebrate the past 50 years of the Peace Corps and energize the community for the next 50 years. NPCA is honored to have Chris Matthews, Host of Hardball and RPCV Swaziland as the event Emcee. Location: The Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center, Washington, DC. Emcee: Chris Matthews, Host of Hardball and RPCV Swaziland. Go to the PC reunion site to purchase tickets.
Sunday, September 25
10:00 -12:00 Arlington National Cemetery Presentation, Wreath Laying & Procession of Flags Sunday’s activities include a sequence of events sponsored by the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Washington, DC. The activities will begin with a program at the Arlington Cemetery Amphitheater honoring Peace Corps’ accomplishments and the fallen Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Keynote speakers representing the full spectrum of the Peace Corps experience will share reflections on the future of the community. Then, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of JFK. The wreath-laying ceremony will be followed by a march with Country of Service flags across the Memorial Bridge to the District. Please contact RPCV/W for additional event details.
12:00 – 3:00 pm NPCA will end the weekend’s activities with a festive get together highlighting the community through mini demonstrations, booths and entertainment. Details to be posted later on the PC 50th anniversary site.
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