Minneapolis Chapter Luncheon – 12 October 2019
Dear Kodai Friends,
Mimi Lindell, Nancy Garrison, Lisa Lindell, Lynn Stoltz, Joe Kessler, Marion Greene, Wendy Riber, Mark Garrison
Marty Grubbs Rittman, Jacquie Hagstrom, Lydia Rittman, Miriam Naumann, Paul Wiebe, Vic Hagstrom, Donna Beth Wiebe, Lu Carman, Bob Carman
On our first day of snow this Winter, we had 29 folks come out for Kodai Lunch. We were honored by participation of Dr. Paul and Mrs. Donna Beth Wiebe from Iowa City. Others who honored us included Dr. Bob and Mrs. Lu Carmen, Rev Mark and Mrs. Nancy Garrison, Dr. Miriam Naumann and Mr. Ken Kaufman with daughters Peggy and Sue, Mrs. Judy Kessler and son Mr. Joe Kessler, Mrs. Lydia Rittmann, Mr. John and Mrs. Faye Naumann, Mr. Vic and Mrs. Carol Hagstrom, and sister Jacquie Hagstrom, Mr, Kris and Mrs. Wendy Riber, sisters Mrs. Mimi and Mrs. Lisa Lindell, Mrs. Marion Greene, Mrs. Lynn Stolz, Mr. Joel Otten, Dr. Steve Zorn, Mrs. Denise Cochran (ex Delhi International), and Mrs. Marty Grubbs and husband Joe Rittmann. Please find two pics attached. Regrets were received from Mr. Paul and Mrs. Margaret Christensen and daughter Elsa and granddaughter, Mrs. Pauline Yardy, Mr. Rob Ramer, Rev. Dale Howard (Woodstock) and Dr. Debby Choi.
Food was plenty, highlighting Coorg Pandi, Awadhi Biriyani, Rajasthani Khad, Murgh Musallam, along with dal with zucchini, tomato curry, and Kashmiri pulao. Along with potluck, Miriam’s dal, Jacquie’s samosas, and other many pots, thanks.
According to the four main themes for funding given out by KIS, a total of $390.00 was donated to KFI for KIS Environment and $30 for KIS Scholarship Fund for a total of $420. These funds were sent to Mrs. Sylvia Trautmann Rogers, administrator of KFI, for handling to KIS. Please also find attached a report of the local huts at Poondi Nature Center that our funds made possible.
Next Kodai Lunch is planned for April 18, 2020, Saturday at noon at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, St. Paul, MN.
Thanks to all for contribution of potluck savories, dal, rice. Thanks to Mart for setting up and to Kris and Wendy for cooking and for tea. And a huge thanks to Carol, Jacquie and others for washing and all others who helped clear (I didn’t get back to the sink to see who all helped, thanks.). And to all of you who are off to India, safe traveling.
Stay warm. Drive safe this winter.
Cheers, Joe (Rittman)
Kodai Photos from Vijay’s Trip, September 2019
In late September of 2019, KFI Vice-President Vijay Naidu went to Kodai to attend the KIS Council Meeting. During his very brief visit he took the time to take heaps of photos to share with us. Thank you, Vijay, for showing us in pictures all of the new projects at KIS as well as bringing back so many memories!
HIGHCLERC CAMPUS: [envira-gallery id=”2554″]
NEW COVERED COURTS: [envira-gallery id=”2569″]
GANGA COMPOUND: [envira-gallery id=”2577″]
POONDI WITH NEW MUD HOUSES: [envira-gallery id=”2594″]
KIS CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HUMANITY: [envira-gallery id=”2623″]
AROUND KODAI: [envira-gallery id=”2545″]
Spotlight on Sophia Lirhoni Mozhui, Recipient of the Keith DeJong Music Assembly Awards 2019
Sophia Mozhui came to KIS, from Nagaland, in search of its multicultural environment where students could interact and learn from each other. Sophia joined KIS with much reluctance from her mother to send her daughter far away from home. Today, Sophia and her family have had no regrets about her decision to join KIS.
Coming from a family heritage of music, Sophia was thrilled to learn about the music program at KIS. She already had a dream to play the violin since a child. “Music has always been a constant force in my life. One day while watching the Tom and Jerry Show on television I saw, Tom play the violin. Ironically it was this scene that inspired me to learn the violin since then,” recounts Sophia.
“Ever since I got a hold of my first violin it has become an extension of my body. Playing the violin always took me to another realm of freedom and expression that words could not provide. Music kept me grounded and rooted. It brought out and improved my ability to articulate my thoughts,” she continues.
“At KIS I had one of the best violin teachers hands down! KIS gave me the experience of playing in a school orchestra. I also became the orchestra master. Through the school’s music field trips, it gave me the opportunity to go to different places. My favorite experience includes performing at the Association for Music in International Schools (AMIS) music festival in Singapore,” shares Sophia.
Recently, Sophia attained the Keith Dejong Memorial Music Scholarship to use towards her passion for music. “Being chosen for such a prestigious scholarship fills me with deep gratitude. I am thankful to KIS for supporting my passion for music while I was a student here. To be awarded this scholarship has really motivated me to further pursue my hand in music.”
Sophia leaves school with mixed emotions of excitement and anxious anticipation, ready to embrace the new chapter in her college life. Sophia has committed to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, pursuing a Major in Business Administration and a Minor in her biggest passion – Music.
– Manjusha Ninan, Alumni Coordinator
Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary Survey – June, 2019
In May of 2017 KFI approved a grant to be paid over two years to the Foundation for Ecological Research, Advocacy and Learning in Puducherry, India. The goal is to estimate the abundance and distribution of mammals and birds in an effort to establish a baseline for future monitoring of wildlife in the Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary.
Click here for the second progress report received in June of 2019: Progress Report 2 – KWS Mammal Survey_June2019
The first report from the survey can be found on this website by clicking “Partner with KFI,” then “Projects Update.”
The Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary Survey is supported through KFI’s “Fund a Need” Fund.