Iowa Kosovo Project

Airport Goodbye! (from Kristin)

2006-08-01T20:44:00.000-05:00

Chicago Pictures-Day 2 (from Kristin)

2006-08-01T20:34:00.000-05:00

The Chicago trip continued on Sunday, July 30 with a morning visit to the Field Museum, afternoon shopping at Water Tower, and an early evening visit to Millennium Park to see the giant "Bean" and video sculptures. The evening concluded with a visit to the top of the Sears Tower.

Field Museum

A small storm (as viewed from inside the Field Museum) offered
a brief break from the Chicago heat!

"accordion" Bus Ride Along Michigan Avenue

Millennium Park

Sears Tower (tallest building in North America)

Views from the top!

Chicago Pictures-Day 1 (from Kristin)

2006-08-01T19:56:00.000-05:00

On Saturday, July 29, Liz and the Kosovo choir members traveled to Chicago with Keith, Kristin, Jon and Jim and Karen Morgan for a weekend of sight-seeing before the long trip back to Kosovo. Big thanks to Keith and Jim for driving!

Everyone stayed at the Congress Plaza Hotel on Chicago's famed Michigan Avenue. The first night included a walk along State Street (and past the famous Marshall Fields department store), and Navy Pier for Build-A-Bear, dinner and a Lake Michigan boat ride before a limo ride back to the hotel (sorry...no photos of the limo ride but I am sure the kids took plenty!).

Hotel Lobby

One of the famous Marshall Fields State Street clocks

Navy Pier!

Build-a-Bear

Boat Ride

Chicago Skyline (as viewed on the boat ride)

Chicago picture from Keith

2006-07-31T20:54:00.000-05:00

The Long Goodbye (from Kristin)

2006-07-31T18:12:00.000-05:00

Courthouse Photos (from Doreen)

2006-07-31T15:51:00.000-05:00

On Friday, July 28, Neva Baker provided a summary of the court system and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Muscatine County Courthouse. We went into the library archives where accounting records dated back to the 1850s. Then up to the top for some photo ops and view of the city.

Pictures from Taylor W.

2006-07-30T21:12:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Durim

2006-07-30T21:00:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Leigha

2006-07-30T20:42:00.000-05:00

Tearful goodbyes in sweltering heat (7/29-from Deb )

2006-07-30T11:51:00.000-05:00

Waiting for Liz inside Wesley Church

Packing and re-packing

One more photo opportunity for a group picture...
Hugs

Signing the SHORT bus!

A few more tears and hugs after they pull away.

Some of the Muscatine High School kids can't quit gathering for fun!
Halie had a great idea to get some Mexican food.

Final party at Pete and Kristy's (7/28) from Deb

2006-07-30T11:38:00.000-05:00

Teens choose to hang out in the "unfinished" part of their lovely home!

Concert pictures from Deb

2006-07-29T21:13:00.000-05:00

Many of these were also taken without a flash.

Fatjon talks about the Shropshire Music Foundation

Final Concert (from Kristin)

2006-07-29T00:28:00.000-05:00

The Muscatine and Kosovo choirs gave their final public performance at Wesley United Methodist Church on Friday, July 28, 2006. These photos, taken without a flash, cannot even begin to capture the magical night.

Rettig Farm (from Hanna)

2006-07-28T12:29:00.000-05:00

Des Moines Trip Photos (from Doreen)

2006-07-28T11:31:00.000-05:00

The choirs performed in the rotunda at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines and sounded wonderful. The magistrate judge that came to Bondsteel Base last year came to hear the children sing. After the performance, the children freely toured the capitol then off to the Rettig farm for a very fun picnic. The picnic food consisted of chicken, hamburgers, Kosovo salad (don't know how to spell it), watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, strawberries, blueberries, french bread w/ olive oil and parmesan, and Doreen's chocolate chip banana muffins. The kids had fun on the combine and then playing elbow tag -- Carson even got in on the fun! Much thanks to the Rettigs for hosting.

State Capital (from Hanna)

2006-07-28T08:49:00.000-05:00

Trip to DesMoines - 7/27 (from Hanna)

2006-07-28T08:14:00.000-05:00

"Brown bag" lunch before leaving for state capital.
Bus ride poses!

"That there's an RV" (cousin Eddie)

Fun Photos (from Doreen)

2006-07-27T15:55:00.000-05:00

Late night "American silliness" (from Deb)

2006-07-27T15:29:00.000-05:00

Late in the evening on Wednesday, July 26
Halie's aunt and grandma decided to add some fun
to Hanna/Halie's sleepover. The girls were lured onto
the porch where they were ambushed by Susan and Margie and
their cans of silly string. I'm sure the shrieks of laughter
woke the neighborhood. How fun is that?

Best part - when they were done, Margie and Susan swept it all up!

City Hall Concert (from Kristin)

2006-07-26T21:06:00.000-05:00

The Kosovo and Muscatine choirs performed today (Wednesday, July 26) at Muscatine City Hall. Mayor Richard O'Brien introduced the choirs to the dozens of people who gathered on the City Hall lawn over the noon hour.

Hard work ends with a playful lunch!

July 26th Trip to Coral Ridge Mall (from Deb)

2006-07-26T19:11:00.000-05:00

Wed., July 26 - concert at City Hall (by Deb)

2006-07-26T19:10:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Mary

2006-07-26T10:57:00.000-05:00

Ten more minutes, please! (from Deb)

2006-07-26T08:46:00.000-05:00

Pictures from Zana

2006-07-26T00:21:00.000-05:00

Party at Korpi's (7/25) - from Deb

2006-07-25T20:36:00.000-05:00

Taylor gives praise for arriving safely on "short bus."

More passengers arrive safely!

Kristy's serving up drinks, while Pete stands "at the ready."

Look! Karen's back from Africa. Hooray!

Arbnore cheers for her team!

Monday (7/24) pictures from Deb

2006-07-25T20:15:00.000-05:00

9 guitars, bongos, stands and a bunch of packing peanuts!

Last minute reminders at the end of rehearsal.

Shqiprim and Durim eat dipping dots from a souvenir helmit while Fatjon looks on.

Some of the group watching the game (or not).

God Bless America!

Watching fireworks (taken without camera flash)

Play Ball! (from Kristin)

2006-07-25T13:34:00.000-05:00

The Kosovo group and members of the Muscatine Youth and Children's Choirs delivered a fabulous rendition of "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at Monday night's Swing baseball game in the Quad Cities.

The Wind Up!

Swing Batter, Batter...Swing!

Did you see that foul ball fly right past us?

Group Fun!

Joe Porter's Big Catch

Time to Stretch and Sing!

Swing Win! Swing Win!

Postgame Fireworks!

One More Group Photo!

More Stanbro pictures from Deb

2006-07-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

standing around and visitng

Kate! Don't look at me like that!

Boys are "posing" for picture!

Polarus

(Taylor-vocals, Jake on bass guitar and drums,

Sam on drums and bass guitar, Fred on lead guitar)

Albanian-style dancing to Polarus

More singing - Michaela on penny whistle
Liz on drums!
More Albanian dancing!

Michaela sweeps us away with Summertime.

Jarad and Dave sing Sweet Home Alabama

Zana and Nita

Wesley and Stambro Photos (from Kristin)

2006-07-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

Muscatine and Kosovo Choirs perfomance at Wesley United Methodist Church on
Sunday, July 23

The Stambro Picnic

Happy Birthday Jake Stambro and Taylor Wettach!

A special appearance from "Polarus"

Pictures from Fatjon

2006-07-23T13:59:00.000-05:00

A relaxing evening at the Budapest Airport (from Liz)

2006-07-22T23:01:00.000-05:00

This is part of our group at the Budapest Airport, sitting on the benches where we got lots of sleep. The pillows were gifts from our friend Wendy Sweeny. It was a very long night!

St. Matthias and Cookout at Joslyn's - Saturday, 7/22 (from Deb)

2006-07-22T22:33:00.000-05:00

The combined choirs sang at 5:00 mass at St. Matthias church.
It was absolutely WONDERFUL - if I don't say so myself!

Photos were taken AFTER mass from far away.

Joslyn's have the perfect yard for a great party. Thanks for the great food and fun!

elbow tag

Jake lends a hand!

Adults hide in back yard!

Kristi and Lori have fun footwear!

Resting out in front.

County Fair - Friday, 7/21 (from Deb)

2006-07-22T22:13:00.000-05:00

Joslyn Dinner Photos (by Kristin)

2006-07-22T21:31:00.000-05:00

Here are a few photos from the Joslyn's cookout/potluck. Many thanks to the Joslyn family for hosting us!

July 18 and 19 pictures from Deb

2006-07-22T21:30:00.000-05:00

Kristin's picture of the Kosovar teens 7/18 - with my added name-tags.
(See Keith hugging Liz in the background?)

Waiting for Kosovar friends to reach Muscatine - 1:00am Wednesday, July 19

Gentiana (center) smiles upon arrival.

Making friends and friendship bracelets - Wednesday afternoon.

Dr. Smith introduces the Kosovar teens.

Morgans treated Kosovar and their host families to Salvatore's Pizza!
(Thanks Morgans!!!!)

News Coverage (by Keith)

2006-07-22T05:38:00.000-05:00

The Muscatine Journal's coverage of the county fair today focused on our group's Friday performance. The story has quotes from Jonathan, Zana, and Gentiana.

You can see the story here.

Singing in the Rain (by Kristin)

2006-07-21T16:35:00.000-05:00

Rain didn't keep the Muscatine and Kosovo choirs from singing and fun at the Muscatine County Fair this afternoon. Here are a few photos from the performance and fun.

A Midsummer Night's Swim (by Kristin)

2006-07-20T22:50:00.000-05:00

A few photos from the July 20th group visit to the Muscatine Aquatic Center.

2006 Kosovo Group Has Arrived!

2006-07-20T13:32:00.000-05:00

Liz Shropshire and 11 of her student volunteers in the Kosovo Children's Music Initiative arrived at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport on Tuesday, July 18, 2006.

WELCOME!