Daily Report: October 18
Notes and reflections from Sunday, October 18.
Farewell Dinner and Delegates Depart
The 2009 Russian Open World Visit was celebrated at a farewell dinner at Alan and Pat Osborn’s home on Saturday night. Following Russian tradition, many toasts were made and gifts given in thanks for our week together of mutual learning.
Andrey Tarasoff presented a most meaningful gift in honor of the Open World visit of the Russian delegates sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Portland. He donated funding to plant a tree in Portland with a plaque to commemorate this visit. Andrey told us of his wish earlier in the week and Barbara Fredericks researched the best way to make this happen. Metro stepped forward and has agreed to facilitate this most generous and touching gesture. Andrey’s wish is that the commemorative tree be a birch tree which in Russia symbolizes women, and so honors the work of the League of Women Voters in hosting the Russians. 
The delegates departed Sunday morning on a flight leaving Portland at 7:45 am on route to Moscow through Washington D.C. It was a wonderful visit!
Pat Osborn
