Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper welcomes
Katano International Friendship Association Chairperson Yoshitaka Oku.
Collingwood and Katano Reaffirm Friendship
Collingwood, Ontario, welcomed a delegation from its sister city of Katano, Japan, on Aug. 11 at a special reception hosted by the Collingwood/Katano Sister City Committee. In attendance from Katano were Katano International Friendship Association Chairperson Yoshitaka Oku along with one high school and three university students participating on a two-week home stay program. Representing Collingwood were Mayor Sandra Cooper along with Co-Chairs of the Collingwood/Katano Sister City Committee, Terri Keleher and Bob Schmuck, along with local residents.
Those in attendance reaffirmed the friendship nurture by the sister city relationship that spans over 30 years. Plans for Collingwood high school students to visit Katano next year for a band performance, as well as for the 35th Anniversary celebrations coming in 2016, were discussed.
Mr. Oku gives a speech.
Mayor Cooper gives remarks.
Front row from left: Mr. Oku with Homestay participants Tsuyoshi Sakaguchi,
Kanna Higashimoto, Kimi Yoshida and Seri MatsuzakaBack row: Co-Chairs of the Collingwood/Katano Sister City Committee,
Bob Schmuck and Terri Keleher. along with
Atushi Kato, Public Relations Staff of the Consulate General of Japan
