january 16 - 22, 2021 punta cana, dominican republic
TRANSCRIPT
JUNE 2020
Exploring the world with the FSB Connect Club
See inside for details
Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
January 16 - 22, 2021
All Inclusive Tour
Hang in there! We are all in this together!Due to health and safety concerns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, I have decided to cancel all tours from June – September 2020 at this time. This has been a very difficult decision to make, and no one is more disappointed than I am since it means I won’t get the chance to travel with you this year. Most important, I want to make sure you all stay safe and healthy during this time of uncertainty.
Every summer has a story and this year’s is truly a unique one. It may not have been what you were expecting, but we can still
take the time to create new and exciting adventures in our own home or back yard.
This is the perfect time to get outside to do something active like playing corn hole, gardening or walking, or enjoying some quiet time like relaxing on the porch, drinking some lemonade, listening to the birds chirping and enjoying the beautiful summer weather!
I would love to be able to travel with all of you next year, so I have put together a pretty amazing line-up of tours for 2021. Now is the perfect time to check out this issue to see what journeys I have in store for you!
Please call me with any questions you may have or to sign up for one of the many upcoming tours I have to offer.
Kathy Leesekamp – Connect Club Director • 319-294-2900
REFLECTIONS
•8-12softcornorflourtortillas•1poundshrimp-freshorfrozen/thawed•1tsppaprika•1/2tspgarlicpowder•1/4tspgroundcayennepepper•1/4tspsalt•1/8tspblackpepper•1TBSPofyourfavoriteoil•1/4cuphomemadeorstore-boughtranchdressing
•1TBSPSriracha•1cupfinelyshredded/choppedcabbage**(green,red,orboth!)
•1jalapeñopepper•1-2TBSPapplecidervinegar•1TBSPhoney•1lime•1/8tspsalt•freshchoppedcilantrototaste
Ingredients
Directions1. Cleanandpeelshrimp,defrostingifneeded.2. Setpreppedshrimpinthefridge,coveredwhileyoumakeyourslawandsauce.3. FortheSrirachaRanch,simplywhisktogetherbothingredients.4. FortheCilantroLimeSlaw,removethestem/seeds/ribsfromthejalapeño,cutintostripsand
mince.Combinewithcabbage,applecidervinegar,honey,salt,andpepper.Cutyourlimeinhalfandaddjuiceofhalfthelimeintoyourslaw.Tosstogetherandaddasmuchcilantroasyourheartdesires!Slicetheremaininghalfintowedgesforyourtacos.Adjusthoneytotasteandsetasidetomarinatewhileyoucooktheshrimp.
5. Patshrimpdryandseasonwithpaprika,cayenne,garlic,salt,andpepper.Mixwelltocoatbothsides.
6. Heatalargepanorskillettomedium-highheatwith1TBSPofoilandsautéyourshrimp.Cookoneachsideforabout2minutesuntilshrimpcurlandbecomeopaque.
7. Placeyourshrimponacleancuttingboardandchopintosmallerpieces.8. Lineyourcornorflourtortillaswithshrimpandtopwithaheartydrizzleofsauce.
9. Topwithslaw,servewithlimewedges,anddigin!
SpicySrirachaShrimpTacoswithCilantroLimeSlaw
COOKING WITH THE CONNECT CLUB
Charlestonisacitythathasdefiedallodds.ItsurvivedtheCivilWar,majorfires,anearthquakeandhurricanes–andstillexudeselegance,charmandgrace.Joinusasweexplorethiscity’srichhistoryandbeautiful scenery.We’llbeginour tourwithyourchoice to stroll throughCharleston’shistoriccenterwithalocalguide,exploringhiddenalleysandquaintareasthatareonlyaccessiblebyfoot.OR,youcanchoosetosetoutonapanoramiccoachtourwithalocalguidetoseethebestofthecity.EachchoiceincludesastopatthebatteryoverlookingFortSumterwherethefirstshotsoftheCivilWarwerefiredin1861.WewillmakeourwaytotheCityMarket,oneoftheoldestpublicmarketsinAmerica.Thebustlingmarket is also thecentral hub forGullah sweetgrassbasketry,an intricatehandicraft ofAfricanorigin.WewillalsoexploreBooneHallPlantation&GardenswherewewillexperienceSouthernlivingandcometoknowoneofAmerica’soldestplantations,beautifullydecoratedfortheholidays.IntheeveningwewillvisitJamesIslandCountyPark,whereover500,000lightswillprovideuswithanenchanting3-miledrivingtour.WewillhavetimetoexploreCharlestonatleisure.Takeintheambianceofthe“OldSouth”withourholiday-themedtrolleytourhighlightingSavannah’ssprawlingHistoricDistrict.Lively,informativecommentarybringsthecitytolifeaswetravelalongthecobblestone-pavedstreetsandbeneathmoss-drapedoaks.Allowthestatelymansions,beautifulsquaresandromantic riverfrontpromenadestocaptureyourheart.WewillhavetimetoexploreSavannahatleisure.ThenitwillbetimetogatheratapopularlocalrestaurantonSavannah’sfamousRiverStreetforacookingdemonstrationanddinnershowcasingregionalculinaryspecialties.JekyllIslandissituatedgrandlyinthemiddleoftheGoldenIslesandwasoncethebelovedvacationspotforprominentfamiliesincludingtheRockefellers,theVanderbiltsandJ.P.Morgan.Withamorningat leisure,wecantakeacomplimentarytourof theJekyll IslandClubhotelor justenjoytheold-worldambianceofthisiconicislandresort,beautifullydecoratedfortheholidays.GatherforatramridethatbringsusonatouroftheislandandtheJekyllIslandHistoricLandmarkDistrict–oneofthenation’s largest restorationprojects. In theafternoonyouwill findyourself in theholidayspiritwithChristmascarolingandrefreshments.Pricingincludes:Round-tripairfarefromCedarRapids,sightseeing,baggagehandling,deluxemotorcoach,1stclassanddeluxehotelaccommodations,gratuitiesandalltaxes/servicecharges.Adepositof$500perpersonplusinsuranceandyourcompletedreservationformarerequiredtoreserveyourspace.FinalpaymentwillbedueonOct.14,2020.YourdepositisfullyrefundableuptoJune12,2020.
December 13 - 19, 2020
$2,969 per person (double occupancy) and $3,669 single occupancy. Travel insurance $299 per person.
Stop by or contact me at 319-294-2900 for a complete itinerary of this tour.
TRAVEL SHOWJULY 7, 2020
1:00 PM Elmcrest Country Club Contact me at 319-294-2900
to reserve your spot.
Southern Charm HolidayCharleston,SavannahandJekyllIsland
ThisamazingjourneybeginsintheregalcityofLondon.WewillseeBigBen,Westminster,Whitehall,HydePark,andBuckinghamPalace.Aswecontinueour journey,wewill explore themysteriousformationthatdatesbacktotheStoneAgeinStonehenge,visittheelegantGeorgiantownofBathtowalkthecobblestonestreets,soakinitsold-worldatmosphereandvisittheRomanBathMuseum.InCardiffwewilllearnaboutthecity’sdeeptiestothecoalindustry,takeinthebeautifulcountrysideofWalesandthecoastalvillageofFishguard.WewillboardtheferryforIreland,crossingtheIrishSeaaswetraveltothehistoricBlarneyCastle.
Thenit isofftoKillarneyNationalParkwherewewill takeatraditional jauntingcarridealongthegloriousRingofKerrywhereyou’llfindsomeof Ireland’smostmagicalsceneryandmarvelatthevistascreatedbywindsweptcliffs, ruggedmountains, lakesandpicturesquevillages.Wewill seebordercollies inactionduringatraditionalsheepdogdemonstrationatafamily-runfarm.WewilldiscoverDublin’spastandpresent includingtheBankof Ireland,O’ConnellStreet,GraftonStreet,PhoenixParkandSt.Patrick’sCathedral.WewillenjoyatraditionalIrishcuisinecookingclassanddinneratoneofDublin’spremierculinaryinstitutionsandwilltopofftheeveningbymakingourveryownIrishcoffee.
WewilltakeaFerryacrosstheIrishSeatoHolyhead,Wales.Wewillpassanfairpwllgwyngyllgoger-ychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch,thetownwiththelongestnameintheworld,makeastopatmajesticCaernarfonCastle,whereCharleswascrownedPrinceofWalesandtakeintheviewsoftheWelshcountrysidetodiscoversomeofthemostmagnificentsceneryinallofBritain.AswecrossintoScotland,wewillstopinthetownofGretnaGreenwheregenerationsofrunawaycoupleseloped.Wewill continue to Edinburgh, Scotland’smajestic capital citywherewewill visit the EdinburghCastle,homeoftheScottishCrownJewels,andthePalaceofHolyroodhouse(theQueen’sofficialresidenceinEdinburghandformerhomeofMary,QueenofScots).
In England,wewill visitHadrian’sWall (thiswall has servedas thenorthernborderof theRomanEmpire),continuetothehistoriccityofYorkwherewewillfindourselvessurroundedbythecharmsofhistoryas youexplore itsquaintnarrow streets.Andwe’ll stepback in timeaswevisitWilliamShakespeare’sbirthplace.
Pricing includes: Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids, sightseeing, baggage handling, deluxemotorcoach,1stclassanddeluxehotelaccommodations,gratuitiesandalltaxes/servicecharges.Adepositof$500plusinsuranceandyourcompletedreservationformsisrequiredtoreserveyourspace.FinalpaymentwillbedueFebruary28,2021.YourdepositwillbefullyrefundableuptoOctober30,2020.
Stop by or contact me at 319-294-2900 for a complete itinerary of this tour.
Discover Britain & Ireland
DiscoverthetrueculturaltreasuresofBritainandIrelandonacomprehensivejourneythroughEngland,Ireland,WalesandScotland.
April 29 - May 13, 2021
Double Occupancy pp $4,999, Single Occupancy pp $5,999, Insurance $329 pp
TRAVEL SHOWJuly 7, 2020 @ 1:00 PM Elmcrest Country Club
Contact me at 319-294-2900 to reserve your spot.
WewillvisitWarsaw,thecitythatblendsold-worldcharmwithamodernvibe.EmbracethemovinghistoryofWarsaw,acityrebornafterWWII.OurjourneythroughthiscapitalcityincludesastopatthemonumentdedicatedtotheheroesoftheWarsawGhetto.OurjourneywilltakeustothetownofMalbork,hometoMalborkCastle,oneofthelargestcastlesintheworld.A guided tour of this 700-year-old structureintroducesustotheworldoftheKnightsoftheTeutonicOrder.WewillcontinueontoGdansk,stoppingattheGdanskShipyards,siteofthecreationoftheanti-CommunistSolidaritymovementin1980thathelpedliberatePolandfromSovietrule.It’syourChoice!JoinyourTourManageronanexcursiontotheseasideresorttownofSopot-OR-remaininGdanskandjoinalocalguideonaneducationalshoppingexcursionduringwhichyou’lllearnaboutPolishamberatademonstration,followedbytheopportunitytopurchasethestone.WewilltraveltothetownofTorun,aUNESCOWorldHeritagesiteandbirthplaceofNicolausCopernicus,thefamousastronomer.Torunremainsoneofthebest-preservedmedievaltowns inallofEuropeandisoneofthe“SevenWondersofPoland.”Onarrival,wewillwalkpastCopernicus’shousebeforesteppingback intohistorywhilebakingand samplingourveryowngingerbreadaccording toa500-year-oldrecipe.Oncewe arrive in the ancient city ofWroclaw, wewill enjoy some locally-brewed beer and atraditional“home-style”dinneratalocalrestaurant.Wroclawbringsusupcloseandpersonaltothislargeandethnicallydiversecity.ItcouldbetheonlylocationwhereyoucanfindaStare Miasto(OldTown)withaSynagogue,aLutheranchurch,aRomanCatholicChurchandanEasternOrthodoxChurchstandingneareachother.WewillhaveplentyoftimeatleisuretosavorWroclaw’sidyllicparksandcaptivatingculture.Besuretogoinsearchofthemany“dwarfs”hiddenonthestreetsofthecity!WewillvisitKrakow,anenchantingcityfamousfor itswell-preservedtowncenter.AlongthewaywewillstopinCzestochowa,thespiritualcapitalofPoland,whereeachyearover5millionpilgrimsjourneytopaytheirrespectstothefamousBlackMadonna.HousedintheJasnaGóramonastery,wewilljourneyinsideforanup-closelookatthismiraculousimage.Duringthemorningwewillexplorethecityonapanoramictourthat includesMarketSquare,St.Mary’sChurchandtheuniversity,andthefamousWawelCastle,theformerresidenceofPolishkings.Youwillhavetimeat leisure tostroll thequaint streetsofKrakow’s famousOldTownandvisit theSchindlerMuseum.Onthe lastdayofour tourwewillembark on a poignant journey through history as we travel to Auschwitz.Alocalexpertwillguideusthroughtheformerconcentrationcampwherewewilllearnfirsthandabouttheterrorsaswellastheresilienceofthehumanspiritthatoccurredwithinthosewalls.Pricingincludes:RoundtripairfarefromCedarRapids,sightseeing,baggagehandling,deluxemotorcoach,1stclassanddeluxehotelaccommodations,gratuitiesandalltaxes/servicecharges.Adepositof$500plusinsuranceandyourcompletedreservationformsisrequiredtoreserveyourspace.FinalpaymentwillbedueJune8,2021.YourdepositwillbefullyrefundableuptoFebruary8,2021.
Stop by or contact me at 319-294-2900 for a complete itinerary of this tour.
Discovering Poland 2021
Your journey through Poland, a land of amazing castles, poignant history and welcoming cultures!
August 6 - 18, 2021
$4,429 Double Occupancy pp, $5,279 Single Occupancy pp, $329 pp Insurance
TRAVEL SHOWJuly 7, 2020 @ 1:00 PM Elmcrest Country Club
Contact me at 319-294-2900 to reserve your spot.
Theall-inclusiveHideawayatRoyaltonPuntaCanaisanadult’sonlyoasis,offeringasophisticatedvacationexperienceinoneoftheCaribbean’stopdestinations.Getreadytosavorworld-classcuisine,siponartfullypreparedcocktails,andsoakupthesunonthefamousshoresofBavaroBeach!
Keepupwithyourexerciseroutine,tryoutyogaonthebeachandcooloffwithahostofresort-offeredwatersports.Eveningscanbespenttryingoutmixologyclassesbythepool,enjoyingsunsetchampagne toasts,andwatching incomparableentertainment. Youwillalsoenjoy fullaccesstoallamenities,services,andfacilitiesatneighboringRoyaltonPuntaCanaResortandCasino,GrandMemoriesPuntaCanaandGrandMemoriesSplash,justashorttrolleyrideaway.
IncludedinthispackagewillbeagroupoutingtotheOutbackoftheDominicanRepublic.Onthisexcursionwewillvisitalocalschooltobeapartofthe“Onewordatatime”programthatencourageschildrentolearnusefulwordsandphrases.Thenwewillenjoyavisittoacharmingcountrysideworking coffee and chocolate plantation. Freshly roasted coffee and chocolateswill be servedprettymuch straight from the tree! Thenwewill helpmakeadifference to theecologicalimpactbyplantingafruittreetogether.Wewillfinishthisdayoffwithadeliciousbuffetlunch“DominicanFamily Style”, takea ride toabeautiful secluded riverwhereyoucan relax,swim,cooloff in the refreshingwatersof theAnamuyaRiverorfloatononeof their tubeswithacocktailinhand!Ourfinalstopforthedaywillbeavisittolocalfamilywherewewill learnallabouttheharvestingofcoconutoil!
Included:RoundtripairfarefromCedarRapids,roundtripairporttransfers,6nightstayatHideawaybyRoyaltonPuntaCana,ResortDiamondClubAmenities,OutbackSafari Excursion, round tripairporttoresorttransfers,allmeals,drinks,tips&entertainmentattheresort,alltaxes&luggagehandling,andgrouptravelprotection.
Adepositof$150andyourcompletedreservationformarerequiredtoreserveyourspace.FinalpaymentwillbedueonOctober23,2020.
Stop by or contact me at 319-294-2900 for a complete itinerary of this tour.
Punta Cana Dominican Republic
Luxury: $2,795 Double Per Person and $4,095 Single Per PersonOcean view: $2,895 Double Per Person and $4,195 Single Per PersonSwim Out: $2,995 Double Per Person and $4,395 Single Per Person
January 16 - 22, 2021
Who’s ready for some rest and relaxation on the beautiful beaches of Punta Cana?
ALL Inclusive Adults-Only Tour
PRSRT STDUS Postage
PAIDPermit No. 214Cedar Rapids, IA
Faster. Stronger. Better.
1240 8th AvenuePO Box 569Marion, IA 52302-0569
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Kathy LeesekampConnect Club [email protected]
■ Switzerland - Austria - Bavaria - Oberammergau ■ Postponed until 2022
■ Ark Encounter & Appalachia - July 12-18, 2020 - CANCELLED ■ ■ Mancation - July 22, 2020 - CANCELLED ■
■ Ladies Day Out - July 23, 2020 - CANCELLED ■
■ 4-Day Mystery Tour - August 18-21, 2020 - CANCELLED ■■ Ballard’s - Fishing with Gene Neighbor - August 24-27, 2020 - CANCELLED ■
■ Discover Washington, D.C. - September 3-8, 2020 - CANCELLED ■ ■ One Day Mystery Tour - September 16, 17, 18, 2020 - CANCELLED ■
■ Southern Charm Christmas Markets ■ Charleston-Savannah-St. Simons Island-Jekyll Island
December 13-19, 2020 ▪Travel Show: July 7th - Elmcrest @ 1:00 PM
■ ■ ■ Upcoming 2021 Tours ■ ■ ■ Punta Cana, Dominican Republic
All-inclusive resort ▪ January 16-22, 2021
Discover Britain & IrelandWales, England, United Kingdom, Scotland, and Ireland ▪ April 29 - May 13, 2021
Travel Show: July 7th - Elmcrest @ 1:00 PM
PolandAugust 6 - 18, 2021 ▪Travel Show: July 7th - Elmcrest @ 1:00 PM
Southern Africa TourOctober 2021 ▪ More to come in future issues.