Save Now for Your Trip to Washington, DC
Some of last year's students at the Lincoln Memorial
Set aside Monday, July 9th, for the annual international student trip to Washington, DC! This has historically been our most popular trip. We have had as many as three full buses. We leave the K-Mart parking lot at 7:00 AM and leave Washington, DC at 5:15 PM. We stop at a McDonald’s on the way home where you can purchase some food. The cost of the trip only covers your transportation, but all the buildings on the mall where we spend our day have free admission. You will be able to see the White House from the outside. It may be possible to go inside the Capitol Building (Senate and House of Representatives) if we can arrange it ahead of time. Most of the time will be spent at such places as the Museum of American Historoy, the Museum of Natural History, the Air and Space Museum (containing, for example, the Spirit of St. Louis, the first plane to be flown solo across the Atlantic), the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, etc. A spot where students love to take pictures is the statue of Albert Einstein. Food is expensive in DC, but you may take sandwiches, etc. with you. You can also buy fairly inexpensive food from vendors on the street. Especially if it is hot drink plenty of water. You will walk long distances outside. You can buy water much more inexpensively from street vendors than from the restaurants. Water fountains are also available in the museums.
Student Having Fun at Einstein Statue
Pennsylvania Dutch Country Trip on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Students enjoying lunch at Shady Maple Restaurant
For those still here in August there is a special treat. In previous years the trip to Pennsylvania Dutch Country was after many students had left. This year we were able to schedule it earlier. Everyone who has been able to do this trip has considered it one of the highlights of their summer. We will gather at the K-Mart parking lot at 6:15 AM. The ticket price for this trip includes bus transportation (approximately three hours each way), admission to the Amish house tour, all-you-can eat buffet at the Shady Maple Restaurant, and admission to the American Music Theater performance. Here is what the AMT web site says about this year’s performance: “It’s the ultimate tribute to America’s all-time greatest entertainers, featuring some of their best loved hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s, and beyond. You’ll find yourself singing along with the AMT Cast and Band as they salute the music of your favorite American iconic artists such as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, and many others. Join us as we pay homage to the legends that helped shape the course of America’s songbook. Come recall why they’re American Icons – ‘The Greatest Hit Makers of All Time!’”
The Amish people came originally from Germany and Switzerland. They still speak a variety of German among themselves, don’t drive cars or use tractors and don’t use electricity. Many Americans visit this area for their vacations. You won’t want to miss this trip. Many international students are not familiar with this, but it is a significant part of American culture. Besides that, the all-you-care-to-eat buffet is fabulous. Don’t miss it!
Larger view of restaurant
American Music Theater
Enjoying the historic Strasburg Railway
Students in front of Amish buggy
Shady Maple Buffet Serving Area
Bus Trip to New York City Has Been Scheduled for 2012
Having fun in NYC despite the rain!
We have now chosen a date for the 2012 bus trip to New York City. It will take place on Monday, July 23rd, 2012. We try to schedule most of the trips on a Monday because that is usually the easiest day for students to get off work. Last year the tickets were $55 each. We don’t know the exact price this year, but it will probably be similar. Be sure to save money for this trip. It is a popular one. We leave very early in the morning for the bus ride to NYC. It takes about 4 hours each way. Then we leave NYC approximately 7:15 in the evening, based on previous years. The cost of the ticket covers round trip transportation only. All other expenses in the city will be what you want to do and to spend. We have people who will guide you around the city if you would like to accompany us. There is no cost for this other than things like subway train, food, and admission to certain places, such as the Empire State Building. Tickets will be available at New Covenant Presbyterian Church. They will also be available this year at some of the other churches where you eat meals. Don’t put off purchasing your tickets until the last minute, or you may find that no tickets are left. Don’t be disappointed. Make plans early.
Coming to the Rehoboth Beach or Lewes, DE area this summer?
It won’t be long before many of you J-1 international students will be coming to the Rehoboth Beach/Lewes, DE area for the summer. We welcome you. We’d love to help you relax and adjust to life here. We have many opportunities available for you. Please contact us even before you come. Housing is at a premium for the summer, but we even have a few openings for girls with one of our families. They have taken students in to live with them for a few years now.
We also sponsor bus trips for the students. Please look at the blog post at this site that gives some details about this.
Please contact us from this site, or you can email me, Gareth Tonnessen, at LuvTruth@comcast.net. I look forward to hearing from you. You may not be able to phone until you arrive, but when you do you can call me at (302) 645-9479 or at my cell phone (302) 519-8181.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Dinner on Monday Nights Begins Again Soon!
Students at 2011 Dinner
LATE NEWS! We will again be having FREE dinners at the church for students this summer. They will be earlier this year than last. We will begin serving at 6:00 PM and be open until 8:30 PM. As in the past they will be on MONDAY evenings. They will begin June 4th and will continue at least until Labor Day (the first weekend in September). The only week during the summer we will not have it is during our Vacation Bible School because we don’t have room for both. That week is July 23rd. That day, however, is the day of one of our bus trips. We hope many of you will be on that trip instead.
To see a map, go to http://maps.google.com and search for New Covenant Presbyterian Church, Lewes, DE.
Need a church home for the summer ?
The church service is at 10:30 AM, and Sunday school is at 9:00 AM. We have classes for all ages.
You are very welcome to make New Covenant your summer home for worship. Come and meet the folks at New Covenant. Make new friends.
A note to you…
If you have questions or need help with anything during your stay here this summer we are here to assist you. Our normal office hours are 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM Monday through Friday.