This Year's Banquet

Mr. Irene and I just attended the annual banquet hosted by Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. Our friends V and her husband again joined us for the weekend. It was a great occasion.

The Madison Club once more decorated the tables in the tricolors of the Lithuanian flag.

*     *     *     *     *

This year, Mr. Irene welcomed the guests.

*     *     *     *     *

Guests enjoyed cocktails before the meal. Some of us eat the olives first.

*     *     *     *     *

We had a great turnout.

*     *     *     *     *

The chef is becoming expert at preparing Lithuanian dishes.

*     *     *     *     *

We started out with a favorite: Šaltibarščiai.

*     *     *     *     *

The kitchen remembered to serve the soup with a traditional accompaniment: boiled potatoes.

*     *     *     *     *

Our featured speaker this year was Dr. Audrius Plioplys, creator of the Hope and Spirit exhibit.

Another, Annual Banquet

Mr. Irene and I just attended the annual banquet hosted by Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. Last year, I got sick, and we were bummed out that we couldn't go. This year, we were delighted that my friend V and her husband joined us for the occasion. We had a great time.

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Our venue was the elegant Madison Club.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Guests registered with the greeter before they enjoyed cocktails.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. The management again decorated the venue with the three colors of the Lithuanian flag.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Grab a seat before all the spots are taken!

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. Donors contributed items for the loterija (raffle).

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. My Mom knitted three hats for the raffle; she made this one out of a luxurious merino-wool-and-silk yarn. Yeah, Mom!

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. The chef prepared a Lithuanian meal.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. My favorite dish was the Šaltibarščiai.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. We also enjoyed a blueberry-enhanced Napoleonas.

*     *     *     *     *

May 2, 2015. It was great to see my friend V— the friend I made because of the blog!

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 2, 2015. We also were delighted to meet V's husband. Thanks for a wonderful visit!

Bummeris*

Mr. Irene and I had planned last night to attend the annual banquet of the Madison Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. organization. We couldn't go because I got the flu! I haven't had a cold or other viral illness since 2007, so I was shocked when I developed feverish symptoms and spent three days in bed. It was a big disappointment.

Mr. Irene did, however, stop off at the venue to deliver the items he and I donated to the banquet's loterija. He snapped a few photos while he was there.

Madison, Wisconsin, May 3, 2014. Our gracious greeter checked in guests.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 3, 2014. The raffle prizes included Lithuanian beer, some woven sashes, a woven tablecloth, two baumkuchenai, and a bottle of Polish vodka (our fault).

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 3, 2014. How nice!

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 3, 2014. Super bummeris: look what we missed. The chef again adapted some Lithuanian dishes for the service. This time, he added Cepelinai to the menu.

*     *     *     *     *

Madison, Wisconsin, May 3, 2014. The guest of honor was His Excellency Žygimantas Pavilionis, the Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States.

Ambassador Pavilionis also spoke to WISC-TV. You can watch the clip here.

*     *     *     *     *

*Lithuanians adopt English nouns into their vocabulary by adding declentive endings to the words. "Bummer" becomes "bummeris;" "basement" is "basementas;" and "blog" is "blogas."

Lottery Tickets

Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, Milan, Italy, October 1983. People "line up" to buy tickets for the New Year's Eve lottery. A few armed soldiers patrol the Galleria.