Medford Alba Sister City Association
A Nonprofit Organization
PO Box 8738, Medford, OR 97501
2023 Pear Blossom Parade Grand Marshall
The Medford Alba Sister City will be the Grand Marshall in this year's Pear Blossom Parade on Saturday March 23th. The theme this year is “A Perfect PEARing of Communities!”.
We will be building a float and would love to have as many friends of Alba and supporters of the program join us by walking in the parade or riding on the float! We would also like to have former exchange members walk with signs indicating their exchange year! We are considering having Italian cars or Vespa scooters ride along as well! More details about the parade participation plans will be coming soon!
For now we could use help with the following :
· People interested in designing the float (we have a general concept and draft design)
· People interested in building the float. We are trying to make it relatively simple. We have a truck and trailer, but likely won’t be able to do the final build until the afternoon/night before the parade. We can build the smaller parts before then.
· A storage location for the float supplies
· A place to do the final build (inside in case it’s raining)….probably needs to be big enough for a truck and trailer (we will have photos in a couple of weeks)
· Do you have an Italian car or Vespa scooter you would like to ride in the parade?
https://pearblossomparade.org
We will be building a float and would love to have as many friends of Alba and supporters of the program join us by walking in the parade or riding on the float! We would also like to have former exchange members walk with signs indicating their exchange year! We are considering having Italian cars or Vespa scooters ride along as well! More details about the parade participation plans will be coming soon!
For now we could use help with the following :
· People interested in designing the float (we have a general concept and draft design)
· People interested in building the float. We are trying to make it relatively simple. We have a truck and trailer, but likely won’t be able to do the final build until the afternoon/night before the parade. We can build the smaller parts before then.
· A storage location for the float supplies
· A place to do the final build (inside in case it’s raining)….probably needs to be big enough for a truck and trailer (we will have photos in a couple of weeks)
· Do you have an Italian car or Vespa scooter you would like to ride in the parade?
https://pearblossomparade.org
Medford-Alba Sister City Association Gianni Toppino and Pat Shute Memorial Scholarship 2024
The Medford Alba Sister City Association is offering a scholarship for continuing education for current & former Medford students. Applications are being accepted through March 6, 2024.
Gianni Toppino and Patricia Shute were both involved early in our sister city pairing and were active, enthusiastic supporters throughout their adult lives. Each embodied the vision of President Eisenhower which was bringing people together. As such, both made significant contributions for more than 50 years to ensure that the bonds of friendship between the people of Medford and Alba grew and flourished. This scholarship is offered in memory of Mr. Toppino and Mrs. Shute to honor their enduring contributions to the Medford-Alba Sister City program and to perpetuate their belief in the powerful bonds of friendship. The recipient is selected through an application process which includes a written essay about what you have learned from experiences with people who are different from you.
Gianni Toppino and Patricia Shute were both involved early in our sister city pairing and were active, enthusiastic supporters throughout their adult lives. Each embodied the vision of President Eisenhower which was bringing people together. As such, both made significant contributions for more than 50 years to ensure that the bonds of friendship between the people of Medford and Alba grew and flourished. This scholarship is offered in memory of Mr. Toppino and Mrs. Shute to honor their enduring contributions to the Medford-Alba Sister City program and to perpetuate their belief in the powerful bonds of friendship. The recipient is selected through an application process which includes a written essay about what you have learned from experiences with people who are different from you.
Medford Alba Sister City Association
Alba, Italy . . . Perched on the Tanaro River south of Turin in Northwest Italy off the beaten tourist path . . . Set among the vineyards, castles, and mountains . . . Similar to Medford in its climate and geography. The cities are 9,175 kilometers (5,700 miles) apart.
We were paired as part of the Sister Cities International Program, an initiative that began under President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to encourage "people-to-people" citizen diplomacy. The organization represents more than 2,500 communities in 126 countries. In 1960, Medford and Alba became sister cities through a selection process by the international program, matching them according to similar size, geography, climate and economy, as both are regional centers in agricultural areas. Medford's population has grown since the 1960's to more than double that of Alba.
Many personal relationships between the cities have been established through exchanges of city leaders, community members, business members, families, teachers, and students. Our friends in Alba have become part of our families. Student exchanges between Medford and Alba occurred sporadically between 1960 and 1985. In 1985 officials from both cities established a formal exchange program and since then, The student exchange between the cities has occurred every 2 years except a pause during the COVID pandemic.
We were paired as part of the Sister Cities International Program, an initiative that began under President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to encourage "people-to-people" citizen diplomacy. The organization represents more than 2,500 communities in 126 countries. In 1960, Medford and Alba became sister cities through a selection process by the international program, matching them according to similar size, geography, climate and economy, as both are regional centers in agricultural areas. Medford's population has grown since the 1960's to more than double that of Alba.
Many personal relationships between the cities have been established through exchanges of city leaders, community members, business members, families, teachers, and students. Our friends in Alba have become part of our families. Student exchanges between Medford and Alba occurred sporadically between 1960 and 1985. In 1985 officials from both cities established a formal exchange program and since then, The student exchange between the cities has occurred every 2 years except a pause during the COVID pandemic.
Donations Greatly Appreciated
Discover & Explore Alba & the French Riviera Oct. 17-24, 2024 with the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County.
Food for Thought Are Sister Cities Having a Moment?
US News and World Report released an article in mid-August that explores what we as citizen diplomats already know: Sister City relationships are becoming increasingly important in a time of increasing nationalism and political uncertainty. Learn more about the specific examples referenced in the article; like the relationship between Culver City, California and their Sister City Uruapan, Mexico; and share with your friends!
Message from the Medford Alba Sister City Association Past President
Hello,I would like to welcome you to the Medford -Alba website. We are excited to share the history of our relationship with the greatest sister city in the world! Alba, Italy has been Medford's sister city since 1960. This long standing relationship and the bond that continues, is very special to the people of Medford and Alba. Over the years, the two cities have participated in numerous student exchanges, celebrated significant key events and most recently a group organized by the Medford Chamber visited Alba to have discussions regarded potential exchanges related to commerce. This, in addition to the dedication of walkways, streets, plaques and trees, has enabled our two cities to build upon the initial foundation that was laid before us in the 60's and 70's.
Over the last several years, our board and friends of Alba have been directly involved a number of activities. Our mission is to continue to honor our relationship with the city of Alba and inform our community about how wonderful Alba, Italy is and how one can get involved. We have created an annual event (Taste of Alba) to celebrate the bounty of Alba, dedicated pathways to the original Mayor's who made this partnership possible, established elementary school pen pals and much more! The momentum of our mission has never been stronger and we look forward to continuing to celebrate this unique and special bond between two great cities!
Thank you and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Brent Barry, Former President
Medford Alba Association
Over the last several years, our board and friends of Alba have been directly involved a number of activities. Our mission is to continue to honor our relationship with the city of Alba and inform our community about how wonderful Alba, Italy is and how one can get involved. We have created an annual event (Taste of Alba) to celebrate the bounty of Alba, dedicated pathways to the original Mayor's who made this partnership possible, established elementary school pen pals and much more! The momentum of our mission has never been stronger and we look forward to continuing to celebrate this unique and special bond between two great cities!
Thank you and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions,
Brent Barry, Former President
Medford Alba Association
Introduction To Sister City Program |
Mariagrazia Galliano - 1991 from Cody Stover on Vimeo. |
May 22, 2014 Five on 5
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