Kasukabe visitors arrive in Haddonfield and see what America has to offer

Late in the evening of Saturday, July 25, 20 students and two chaperones from Kasukabe arrived in Haddonfield. Their plane landed in Philadelphia around 9:25 p.m. and was met by Bill Brown, who transported the group by bus to borough hall, where, after a few welcoming remarks, they were introduced to their host families.

After a day of rest on Sunday, they began the first of their daily activities with a class on American history, as well as some English idioms and phrases. After a break for lunch at Maggianos in Cherry Hill they returned to Haddonfield for a private tour of the Indian King Tavern, courtesy of Linda Hess, state staff person. The group continued with a walking tour of downtown Haddonfield.

Day two consisted of a tour of Philadelphia’s Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, followed by a visit to Shofuso, a Japanese house in Fairmount Park circa 1600s, where the combined group of Japanese guests and Haddonfield students shared Japanese bento box type lunches.

Wednesday was a visit to New York City, taking in sites such as the Statue of Liberty, the Battery, Ground Zero, the United Nations Building, Central Park, Rockefeller Center and Times Square, before returning home late that evening.

The Amish Country in Lancaster was the destination on Thursday, where the group visited an Amish farm and house, including a one-hour guided tour of the Amish Country. For food, the group visited the Shady Maple Smorgasbord before re turning home to Haddonfield.

On Friday, July 31 the Japanese guests went bowling at Laurel Lanes, where some of the Haddonfield 65 Club members helped with bowling instruction, followed by a visit to the Mabel Kay House, providing entertainment for the seniors. Then the group was off to Sagami for lunch, followed by a performance at Brandywine Senior Living Home on Warwick Road.

On Saturday, the guests spent the day with host family activities, and at night headed to Cowtown to see America’s longest continuous running rodeo.

Sunday was reserved as a host family day, where the host family determined the day’s activities.

On Monday, the group took part in tubing on the Delaware, one of the most popular activities of former Japanese guests.

Tuesday finds them in Ocean City for the day, sunning and romping in the surf, before a night on the Boardwalk.

Wednesday will be a day to begin packing and picking up those last-minute souvenirs to take home during the day. That evening, the visiting guests will dine along with their host families at a Sayonara Dinner at Tavistock Country Club.

Thursday will be a day of tears as the visit comes to an end and they depart for the airport.

The cost of these programs is covered by the Haddonfield-Japan Exchange Committee, which receives generous donations from the Haddonfield Lions Club as well as the Haddonfield Rotary Club. Subaru of America is a major supporter as well. The HJE Committee raised a major portion of the needed funds at the Sake and Sushi Party and Auction, supported by Sagami Japanese Restaurant and Moore Brothers Wines.