Tsuruta Sisters

Kaori Sato gets a helping hand from her host mother, Wendy Bullock, while friends Mizuki Ito and Kaho Urita roller skate behind them at Westside Elementary Wednesday. A group of 15 students from Hood River’s Sister City Tsuruta, Japan have spent the week in Hood River with host families. The students were accompanied by four adults from Japan, including new mayor Masamitsu Aikawa (related photo, page A5). The group also enjoyed bowling, visiting the fire station and schools, shopping, sightseeing and even playing dodgeball. The delegation also laid wreaths and prayed at the Idlewilde Cemetery gravesite of Sister City co-founder Ray “Chop” Yasui. Tickets are now on sale for the annual Taste of Tsuruta dinner and auction, April 11 at the Mt. Hood Winery. Tickets are $25 per person or two tickets for $40 and can be purchased at Hood River Valley High School. Guests will enjoy Asian cuisine and have the opportunity to bid on items in a silent and live auction. Proceeds go towards the Sister City Program. To purchase tickets, donate items for the auction or be a sponsor, contact Niko Yasui at niko.yasui@hoodriver.k12.or.us.