Emily Lingeri from The American Women of Ticino club sent along this account of a visit by the US Ambassador.  Thanks Emily for sharing the excitement of this important luncheon hosted by AWOT. Congratulations to all those involved in the organization of the event.

U.S. AMBASSADOR Visits Lugano

LUGANO, SWITZERLAND –June 1, 2011 – On Wednesday, June 1, U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland Donald S. Beyer, Jr.  toured the Lugano region with staff members from the U.S. Embassy located in Bern.  Ambassador Beyer met with business leaders, members from American Women of Ticino (AWOT), City Officials from Lugano, and expats to discuss issues facing American families living in Switzerland. 

Ambassador Beyer enjoyed a relaxing luncheon hosted by the American Women of Ticino (AWOT), an organization founded in 1990 to meet the needs of American women living in the region.  The luncheon was held at the panoramic Ristorante Vicania in Vico Morcote where the guests enjoyed regional specialties, heard an overview of AWOT and tasted the prestigious merlot “Castello di Morcote,”  presented by the local vineyard’s enologist  Michele Conceprio.

In the afternoon, the Ambassador and his staff were officially welcomed at the City Hall of Lugano by Municipal Giovanna Masoni Brenni and Supplente Municipal Fausto Poretti. The Honorable Masoni presented the New Cultural Center, one of the major city initiatives being developed.  Ambassador Beyer was appreciative of the overview and also commented on the excellent and cooperative relations between the two countries.  The cultural visit concluded with a viewing of the LAC site and a stimulating tour at the Chiesa Santa Maria degli Angeli.

That evening, Ambassador Beyer conducted a town hall meeting with more than 80 American citizens at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS), located in Montagnola.  The Ambassador appeared on a panel with Embassy staff members  Susan Elbow, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Kim Olson, Vice Consul, moderated by the TASIS school headmaster Michael Ulku-Steiner.  In addition to presenting the wide array of consular services provided by the Embassy, the panel also assisted with questions about passports, births abroad and was made aware of local issues affecting American residents in Ticino. The town hall meeting was followed by a reception hosted by Lynn Fleming Aeschliman at Casa Fleming.  Ambassador Beyer concluded his trip that evening, with warm sentiment and positive feelings and hopes to visit Ticino again soon.