CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
By Gerrye Wong March 1, 2023
Chinese Historical and Cultural Project welcomed the Year of the Rabbit in fine fashion with its annual membership dinner which is a nice bonus appreciation event, free to all members who renew for 2023. A crowd of 135 gathered to celebrate together, and witnessed the swearing in of the Board of Directors for 2023 led by Dr Arthur Low, Advisory Board Liaison and former CHCP president. Newly sworn in Directors were Dr. Arthur Jue, Elizabeth Lee. Bill Shu and Mike Mak, in addition to returning directors.
California State Assemblyman Evan Low drove down after a work day at Sacramento Capitol to lead the swearing in of the CHCP Advisory Board members. Joining the 40 member board were new Advisory Board members Ron Chan, Daniel Jue, Kelly Kwong, Sharon Lai, and Leilani Rich. It’s always being said that whatever is worthwhile “takes a village” and true to form, CHCP is led by a dedicated group of over 50 Advisory Board members overseeing the membership of over 150.
Keeping all of the audience members happy was the awarding of over 20 orchid plants/Trader Joe gift cards for door prizes as well as a chance to view highlights of the 35th anniversary Gala, which occurred last September 2022, thanks to Advisory Board member Steve Gilbert. Before dinner, attendees were delighted to find a bright red voile bag which contained the commemorative Anna May Wong quarter, issued in 2022 as one of the American women coin series. Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American actress to appear in Hollywood movies beginning in the 1920s. Assemblyman Evan Low presented a framed California proclamation to President Dave Yick and CHCP for its fine community work in preserving and presenting Chinese American history for the past three decades through its activities and Chinese American Historical Museum. NBC reporter Robert Handa applauded CHCP for its continuing service to the community, and Lions Michael and Macy Mak Chan gifted everyone present that evening with a crystal display miniature teapot set with 4 cups to wish everyone a Happy New Year and invite them all to join their Silicon Valley Cyber Lions Club.
CHCP Student Ambassadors, an active group sponsored by the group, presented an entertainment program with questions on Chinese customs an even Name That Tune. The CHCP Student Ambassador program is open to any high school students who want to do community service by promoting activities and supporting CHCP events and the museum. Any student volunteers may join this worthwhile program which not only can be added to student resumes for college applications, but also affords the students an opportunity to learn more about Chinese American history themselves by studying and acting as guides at the Chinese American historical Museum at history San Jose park, CHCP’s pride and joy, which they established nd opened back in 1991.
One of the projects many Student Ambassadors helped orchestrate was the annual Chinese Lunar new Year Festival, an afternoon outdoor event. As chaired by Board Director Liz Chew, students assisted in the Children’s craft area where they helped young children make lanterns, banners and other paper crafts with a CNY theme. During the festival, children performers demonstrated the craft of Chinese yo yo balancing, martial arts demonstrations, and Chinese cultural dances. CHVP’s own Hoong the Dragon led a festive parade around the center of History San Jose park ending up at the Chinese American Historical Museum for a group photo of all the children parade marchers. It was an unusually warm sunny day, so guests were able to amble to the Food Truck which served Chinese food, enter the museum to see new exhibits and a new video of the CHCP 35th Anniversary September event, and meet CHCP’s own bedecked bunny (aka VP Edith Gong) to commemorate the Year of the Rabbit.
Lion Dance troupe entertained the festival attendees, and a Chinese Youth Orchestra performed for an eager audience. Oliver Chinn was on hand to show off his many children’s books on Chinese topics, and I happily bought his Year of the Rabbit book for an upcoming newcomer to the Wong family, my first great granddaughter appearing in June. The CHCP has almost monthly events in its mission to share Chinese American culture with Is south bay neighbors. The CAHM plans to be open every Saturday afternoon in 2023 so as one of the co founders, I hope you will bring your family and friends who help us present Chinese American history of the Valley with a tour and visitt o our museum. Directors, Advisory Board members and Student Ambassadors will be at the museum to show you around. For more info: chcp.org.
CHI AM CIRCLE WOMEN’S CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS AT CNY EVENT
When Chinese New Years time comes around, out come all of the red clothes – and it seemed like a land of the red when CHI AM CIRCLE held its annual Membership Tea last week. Hosted by the 2023 Board who furnished a lavish buffet table of Chinese treats to satisfy everyone’s cultural palate, this event provides the chance for members to bring guests as prospective members once they learn of the many projects and events sponsored by this very active group of over 100 women members, I am very proud to be one of the founders who started this club over 55 years ago and still going stronger than ever. How many other groups can boast this record?
Congratulations and good luck to new 2023 Board members, who are Co Presidents Nikki Chow and Sharon Lai, Vice Presidents Teddy Sue, Juliet Sham & Angie Chiu, Recording Secretary Mary K Lim, Treasurer Shirley Pak, Newsletter Editors Linda Toda & Mabel Thong, Program Chair Liza Wong, Hospitality Judy Wong, Historian Mabel Thong, Auditor Debbie Gong-Guy. Webmaster Wendy Tsoi and Parliamentarian Sylvia Eng. The welcome tea was so successful, 6 new members were signed up.
Co-Presidents Nikki Chow and Sharon Lai welcomed all and event chairman Juliet Sham had all members introduce their guests, and encouraged all to join. As they all explained, when we came into the club not knowing many and new to the club, of course we felt out of the loop, but once we joined committees and came to the many events, we were enveloped in the circle of new friendships, which we now count as our most cherished friends. New members are always welcome to join in the almost monthly activities – from hiking to museum hopping to garden tours, golf tournaments, and casino nights, the latter two of which became fundraisers and brought in up to about $15K for the treasury.
Their largest community service project is an annual scholarship grant project which in recent years have given out over $80-$100K each year to at least 35 Santa Clara County Asian American students who apply via the chiamcirle.org website As Scholarship chairman Teddy Sue explained, this is Chi Am Circle’s signature service project, and it awards up to 40 scholarship grants of minimum of $1000 to about 40 students annually, the sum which often reaches over $75K. With college costs skyrocketing throughout the nation, tell your children, family and friends about Chi Am Circle’s annual scholarship grant program.
The women of Chi Am Circle want to encourage youth to further education in college, and help those whose families have difficulties paying tuition costs for their children. I have heard year after year from some grant recipients that they will be the first in their families to go to college, a proud achievement, so the CHI am awards are much needed and appreciated. Chi Am Circle individual member sponsors continue to be major providers of these grants because the women know the future of our community is dependent on the next generations. Unfortunately the deadline for applications was today for regular students but news from co chair Teddy Sue tells us the following: “ However, for the ASD or Outreach scholarships, because they are personally read and reviewed by the Outreach Scholarship Committee (which is separate from the regular scholarship selection committee), we can extend the ASD application deadline until about March 15th. This will allow us to again appeal to those organizations with ASD students since we haven’t had any ASD applicants applying from any organization or school as yet.” For more information: check website chiamcircle.org.
