Greetings from Guanzhou

I have covered a lot of miles since the last post. It's a long way in many ways from Winchendon to Asia, but it has been wonderful being welcomed by members of the Winchendon family once on the ground here. While things are very different in terms of climate, urban environment, language, pace, scope of just about everything and even diet, it has been a treat to be in the care of the Winchendon team and makes it feel a lot more like home.

I met up with Jack Blair in Hong Kong last week. Throughout our stay in Hong Kong, we were wonderfully chaperoned and taken care of by Hugo Mo, his sister Kristine and their family.
Hugo has certainly earned honorary membership in the Green Key group and is a great ambassador for the Winch. Thanks to all who were so kind during our visit and took such good care of us.

We have since moved on to spend a day each in Guanzhou and Shenzhen, two of China's largest cities and both very impressive. We had a wonderful turnout to our dinner in Guanzhou as well as the chance to meet with several of our families. We now are in Taipei and will head to Seoul tomorrow. After a very quick side trip to Busan, we will return to China to visit Shanghai, Dalian and Beijing. It's great to be spending time with our Winch students in their home countries and getting to know their favorite sites and meals.

More to come as we travel on...

The Mo and Wong families hosted us to a wonderful evening.

More photos from Wednesday's big win...

Thanks to our Dajin ('09), I can now provide some much better pictures of Wednesday's big win!

Eric out-jumped!

Jordan dunked...

The crowd roared...

Yves outmaneuvered...

Coach provided wisdom...and all listened...

Preye went up and Ewoud launched another three...

Thanks Team W and thanks Dajin!

Winchendon Wins!!!

The Winchendon School's Men's Varsity Basketball Team and over half of the student body and faculty traveled to Endicott College today and came away with a big win over a strong Worcester Academy team. Winchendon went up early but Worcester battled back to keep the game close through the second half. Both teams played hard to the end, but Winchendon held onto the lead and came away with a 74-67 win and a seat in the NEPSAC semi-finals. It will be back to Endicot on Friday night for a game against South Kent, with whom we have won and lost one so far this year.

It wasn't just a big day for the hoop players as the whole community rallied to support the team. Even those who didn't make the trip to Endicott put up with an upside down schedule for the day as we had a study session in the morning and then came back and did classes and conference in the late afternoon.

For those who went to the game, it was a lot of great basketball and loud cheering. Winch's school spirit was out in force. Many stood and shouted from the first shot through the last bucket.
With the great time had by all, it might have been easy to forget that it is exam week. But many studied on the way to and from the game, and a number even found time during half time to review their note cards.
Members of the Women's Hockey Team put on their Winch faces for the day.

I encourage any one who can to come out for the game on Friday night. It will certainly be good basketball, and I know that the guys will welcome your support. I will also work to put up some additional pictures as I can get my hands/flashdrive on them!