About Monica Menco
This author has not yet filled in any details.So far Monica Menco has created 358 blog entries.
A Warm Thank You from Kaniv
(Editor’s Note – Kaetie Bailie received the following letter from Anatoly Leontyev, President of the Kaniv Friendship Association, our counterpart in Kaniv, Ukraine.)Dear friends,
today is a wonderful day – International Friendship Day! Friendship is a great power.
I congratulate you and thank you for being you!
Also today the money that Kaeti […]
Archeological Sites Near Chambolle-Musigny (France)
You don’t have to travel far from Chambolle-Musigny to immerse yourself in the ancient history of the area.
Les Bolards is an active archeological site about 5.5 kilometers from town. It includes the remains of a town that was founded sometime in the first century B.C.
Alesia is further out, but less than 1 hour […]
Aswan, Egypt: Twenty One Archeological Sites
Editor’s Note: This quarter, we’ll be highlighting links and articles that list and describe the various archeological wonders at or near each of our sister cites. First up: Aswan, Egypt.
If the study of history or archeology interests you, our sister city of Aswan holds a treasure trove of various sites to observe and marvel at.
The […]
The SSCA Quarterly Newsletter – Summer 2026
Dear Community – I hope you’ll take a few moments to check the new SSCA Quarterly Newsletter. Many thanks to Teresa Tope for putting together such a lovely comprehensive and informative periodical. Click here to view the newsletter if you haven’t already received a copy in your email.
Biosymbols of the USA
The United States has several national biosymbols. Our national mammal is the American Bison; our national flower is the rose and the the national tree is the oak. Our national bird is the Bald Eagle, but this has only come about officially in 2024, through an act of Congress. Read more about how this came […]
Biosymbols of Hungary
Like China, the national biosymbols of Hungary encompass the mythical as well as the earthly. On the mythic side, there is the Turul, a large bird of prey often depicted holding the sword of Attila. The bird closely resembles the Saker Falcon, a large falcon whose territory f=ranges from Central Europe into parts of China.
Other […]
Biosymbols of China
The biosymbols of China include the Giant Panda as well as the folkloric Chinese Dragon, which is an amalgam of many creatures. If you are interested in birds, there are two: the Red-crowned Crane and the Golden Pheasant. As for plant life, the national fruit is the fuzzy kiwi and the national tree is the […]
The Biosymbols of Mexico
Both the Mexican flag and the national Coat of Arms feature two biosymbols: the golden eagle and the prickly pear cactus.
As depicted on the Coat of Arms, a raptor type of bird is eating a snake while perched on the cactus. Over the years, there has been some debate as to whether the bird is […]
The Biosymbols of Ukraine
In addition to the sunflower, which is the national flower of Ukraine, the national bird is the common nightingale, while the national plant is the Kalyna (Viburnum opulus) which is a type of shrub that produces flowers and then berries.
Read more here.









