Lexington Sister Cities: Fall into Autumn with Lexington Sister Cities: September 2021 Blog

Happy September from Lexington Sister Cities!
We have several programs and events this fall that we are excited to share with you!

Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Virtual Silent Auction

Due to the ongoing pandemic, our 2021 in- person 19th Annual Edward T. Houlihan Halfway to St. Patrick's Day celebration was cancelled. This year, Lexington Sister Cities hosted a virtual silent auction fundraiser. We had many items including, but not limited to: gift cards to local Lexington businesses, beautiful hand-crafted items, and themed gift boxes. All money raised go towards our Student Exchange programs! Congratulations to the highest bidders, and thank you to those who donated to the Silent Auction and those who continue to support us!

Lexington Sister Cities and The Japan America Society of Kentucky Present "Japanese Culture and Cuisine Festival"

Through a grant from The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Lexington Sister Cities and JASK (The Japan/America Society of Kentucky) will sponsor the “Japanese Culture and Cuisine Festival" in partnership with Lexington Children's Theatre!

There will be two performances of "Shoyu Tell", a show about Japanese food, best friends, and celebrating differences. Before each performance of "Shoyu Tell", the Cincinnati Taiko Drummers will perform a demonstration.

There will also be various booths and workshops available, teaching attendees how to use chopsticks, arrange flowers, try their hand at Origami, and so much more.

As part of the grant, we will offer tickets to Locust Trace High School students. Locust Trace High School shares a partnership with Shizunai Agricultural High School in our Sister City, Shinhidaka Japan.

Join us at the Lexington Children's Theatre

Oct. 2nd, Performances at 2:00 and 7:00 pm!

Tickets for students under 18 are $15, and $20 for adults.

For more information , click the link below:

Japanese Culture and Cuisine Fest

Cook with Us!

Recipe by Mary Parlanti

Apple Bread:

1/2 cup margarine, softened

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons buttermilk

2 cups peeled, diced apples

Topping:

2 tablespoons margarine, softened

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine margarine and sugar in large mixing bowl, creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla extract and mix well. Stir in flour, salt and cinnamon. Dissolve baking soda in buttermilk and add to batter, mixing well. Stir in apples. Pour into a greased and floured 9- by 9- by 30inch loaf pan. Sprinkle with topping; bake for about 1 hour or until bread tests done.

To make topping: Combine margarine, sugar, flour and cinnamon with a pastry blender or fork and spread over bread before baking.

Fun Facts

French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent had one of his homes in Deauville, France-- our first twinned Sister City
Arthur Guinness, politician and founder of Guinness beer, is from one of our Sister Cities-- County Kildare, Ireland
Newmarket, England is the only location in the world to offer two separate turf racecourses, each with their own facilities: The July Course and The Rowley Mile.
Shinhidaka, Japan is famous for an avenue lined with Ezo mountain cherry "Prunus sargentii." Photos of the beautiful tree are below.