NEWS
Adult Delegation from Roseburg to Kuki City, Japan-October 2-11, 2024
The dates have been set for the adult delegation from Roseburg to visit Kuki City, Japan on October 2-11, 2024.
The trip will include visits to Shirakawago, Gokayama area and Matsumoto Castle. Watch for additional information on this visit on our Facebook page for more information and request an application if interested in participating.
Visit our Facebook page at: roseburgsistercities.org
or message: rsbgsistercities@gmail.com or contact Janet Johnston, President of Roseburg Sister Cities Organization at (541) 430-2885
or by email: roseburgsistercities2@gmail.com
Roseburg Sister Cities, Inc., promotes friendship and understanding between the US and Japan through an exchange program which occurs every year. Japan delegations come in odd numbered years, Roseburg delegates visit Japan in even numbered years. New members are always encouraged and welcome.
Annual Meeting
Annual Meeting & Potluck Dinner
Sunday, November 5th, 2023
4pm - 7pm
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 750 W. Keady
Court, Roseburg (near Freemont Junior High School)
- Election of new Board members
- Highlights from Student Exchange to Japan
- Potluck Dinner (plates, tableware, &
beverages provided)
- Social time
- Door prizes
RSVP to bring hotdish, salad or dessert
(enough for 12 people) by calling
Marliene Swanson by October 30th
(541) 670-0549-cell or (541) 672-1014-home
NEWSLETTERS
All newsletters are posted at the bottom of this section. Enjoy our Spring 2023 edition
Adult Delegation from Kuki City, Japan visits Roseburg June 2023
The adult delegation from Japan visited Roseburg in June 1 - 7, 2023. See article and photos under events section.
Student who were in middle school when COVID struck were given the opportunity to visit Japan in July 2023. A small delegation of eleven students and two chaperones will leave July 9 and return July 17, 2023.
Hiroshima Peace Gingo Tree Dedication
On June 1, 2023, the Roseburg Sisters Cities organization and Umpqua Community College gathered to dedicate the Hiroshima Peace Gingko Tree. A special plaque was displayed to be installed. Roseburg Sister Cities members, Kuki City, Japan Delegates, Umpqua Community College staff and several special guests were present to witness the dedication. The gingko tree seed survived the Hiroshima atomic bombing in 1945 and was gifted to promote peace by Hideko Tamura Snider of One Sunny Day Initiatives. (for photos and information click on About in the Banner above and select Past Events).
The adult delegation from Japan visited Roseburg in June 1 - 7, 2023. See article and photos under events section.
Student who were in middle school when COVID struck were given the opportunity to visit Japan in July 2023. A small delegation of eleven students and two chaperones will leave July 9 and return July 17, 2023. Watch for highlights of their visit upon their return.
Sake & Sushi Tastings - World Sake Day! At the Secret Wine Society, Oakland OR (Go to Events Section for poster and additional information)
Saturday, October 1, 2022
1:00 PM 7:30 PM
Choose from three seating times: 1p-3pm OR 3:30m-5:30pm OR 6pm-7:30pm
Robert Douglas will present the finer points of sake brewing, paired with a selection of Sushi & other Japanese fare.
Cost $100 per person (must be 21 yrs & older). Payment due by September 10th. Mail checks payable to: RSC with Attendee name(s), seating time, & telephone phone numbers to: RSC, PO Box 1643, Roseburg, OR 97470. Receipt of your payment and seating time will be confirmed by phone.
For questions, contact Joanie@ (503) 702-2112 or jcbmi6@gmail.com
Events and Newsletters
Delegation Visits Hope to Resume Following Pandemic
The adult delegation from Japan was planning to visit Roseburg in June 2020 but was postponed due to the coronavirus. Travel in 2021 was also postponed. Now Kuki Roseburg Association President, Kaoru Hirasawa, hopes that the Japanese delegation will be able to visit Roseburg in 2022.
The middle school Student Exchange was similarly postponed in 2020 and 2021. Students from Roseburg and surrounding schools were hoping to visit Japan in 2022, but that has also been postponed.
Enjoy a Self Guided tour of the Friendship Garden
We invite you to explore the Japanese inspired garden located behind the Roseburg Public Library. The short, paved walkway is easily accessible from the library parking lot. Markers will be placed by the plants providing the names. Click on the About/Friendship Garden link at the top of this page to see a copy of the garden brochures.
Hiroshima Peace Tree Planted on UCC Campus!
RSC received a ginkgo seedling from the tree that survived the bombing over 74 years ago in Hiroshima, Japan. Hiroshima residents have been sharing seeds from those survivor trees around the world, seeing them as messengers of peace.
The Oregon Department of Forestry was offering these seedlings to cities and schools and RSC submitted a proposal partnering with UCC to obtain one of the available seedlings. UCC President Deborah Thatcher was excited about the possibility as was their Director of Facilities and their arborist. Because of our partnership with UCC and our sister city relationship with Kuki City, Japan, RSC received a seedling.
We are pleased that the Hiroshima Peace tree has been planted at UCC. Thank you to the Oregon Dept. of Forestry and One Sunny Day Initiative for this opportunity. An event to honor this tree will be held later this year. 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the bombing and the end of World War II. May we use the legacy of the Peace Trees and their significant resilience as inspiration for each of us.
Kuki City Mayor visited Roseburg in 2019!
The Mayor of Kuki City, Shuichi Umeda, and other Kuki City officials, came to Roseburg July 29, 2019 and stayed until August 1st. It was a short visit that was full of activities! He got to meet with Roseburg’s Mayor Larry Rich and others at a Dinner at True Kitchen. The group toured several local businesses before a meet and greet that took place at Backside Brewery, then attended Music on the Half Shell. He joined the visiting Kuki Middle School students and their Roseburg hosts for some hiking into waterfalls up the North Umpqua and also attended the students farewell party.
Roseburg Sister Cities Newsletters
The Spring 2023 Newsletter is HERE!
Previous Newsletters:
The Winter 2022 Newsletter is HERE!
The Winter 2021 Newsletter is HERE!
August 2020 Newsletter is HERE!
March 2020 Newsletter HERE!
December 2019 Newsletter including highlights of the delegation to Japan is HERE!
September 2019 Newsletter HERE!
May 2019 Newsletter HERE!
December 2018 Newsletter HERE!
May 2018 Newsletter HERE!
December 2017 Newsletter including highlights of the delegation trip to Japan HERE!
July 2017 Newsletter HERE!
January 2017 Newsletter HERE!
July 2016 Newsletter HERE!
March 2016 Newsletter HERE!