To the Editor:

Residents of the Bath area should fully appreciate the recent sister city donations to our Fourth of July events.

In honor of the 124-year friendship between Tsugaru City and Bath, and the anniversary of the sister city agreement, a small group of Tsugaru City officials offered to come to celebrate and contribute to Heritage Days.

Preceded by many shipped boxes of supplies, the group arrived July 2 and built a festival float for the parade and outfitted supporters in festival costume. The group then set up a table in the park for two days that included children’s games, publicity and photoes of the exchange, and free, freshly prepared Japanese food. The amount of planning, creative effort and generous good will was extraordinary.

Thank you to all who contributed to thsi exceptional visit: Main Street Bath, Bath City Hall, the Rotary clubs, host families and many supporters.

And of course, a huge thank you — or “arigato” — to the group from Japan who came bringing culture and continued friendship.

Deborah Patten
Bath Tsugaru Sister City
Exchange Program
Bath