Some 125 members attended the First Anniversary Celebration and International Workshop in Portland, Oregon, on September 22 & 23, 2012. Tony Kwong led the workshop, assisted by Sean Dennison, and everyone learned a great deal in many areas of our training.
Virginia Amos led a kitchen team of members from Tallahassee and Portland, but we don’t have to tell anyone it was hard to keep Tony and Sean out of there! It was the first time we utilized our newly expanded, open kitchen, with help from an outdoor wok and fryer. It was so nice to have the kitchen fully functioning with members able to watch (and smell) the process throughout the weekend!
The First Anniversary Celebration was rather intimate, with four Oregon politicians and Taoist Tai Chi speeches by Jim Nicholson, Mary Lou Gabbert, and Kathy Brock. Allen Pearce also talked about the history of the Portland Branch. The “five-star” Jai was delicious!
We chanted the Ten Thousand Buddhas Sutra on Sunday morning at the building’s High Shrine with many members participating.
Several members stayed an extra day to enjoy some Portland sights including a Columbia Gorge Bus Tour, Downtown Portland Walking Tour and fancy Willamette Valley Tour of Wine Country. We laughed all day!
Overall, the weekend was harmonious, with everyone helping out, being flexible and merry about their tasks and opportunities. Thanks to all who came or sent their congratulatory wishes!
Wow! The Portland Center looks, and sounds, like a mini-Orangeville. I love the blue table cloths. Congratulations on your first anniversary.
I can hardly believe it’s been a year since the Portland G.O. I remember it like it was yesterday. So nice to see everyone looking so good and the Center looking WONDERFUL. I can’t wait to get back up there.
Congratulations!
What a great workshop and visit to Portland! Perfect weather, TTCS family – doesn’t get any better.
Portland congratulations with this milestone! Up to go to the next one
Great workshop, great food, great fellowship. Thanks, Portland, and congratulations!