CHINESE CELEBRATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY
Celebrations in the Community
By Gerrye Wong February 1, 2026
CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT MEMBERSHIP DINNER
Every year, members of the CHINESE HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL PROJECT look forward to rekindling old friendships and meeting new supporters at the organization’s annual installation of officers membership dinner. Held traditionally at the large banquet room of the China Stix Restaurant in Santa Clara, 2026 dinner welcomed 170 members and guests to an evening of recommitment to the CHCP goal of sharing Chinese History and Culture to the community.
caption: Hoong the Dragon Greets Guest CHCP Advisory Board members
The evening started raucously with the appearance of the San Jose State University’s Vietnamese Student Association Lion Dance Club Team bringing lively drumming and am exuberant Lion dancing among the dinner tables. CHCP’s own Hoong the Dragon cavorted around the tables also led by Board member Bill Shu, and team members Ethan Butt, Owen Lee, Ryan Dowlat, Beatrice Lee, and Violet Neng. In the evening’s program Elaine Zhou and James Tsai spoke about the the horse’s attributes and the significance of this Horse Lunar Year customs and welcomed everyone to the Year of the Horse with a lovely brochure that explained the significance of the Horse Year and description of the Chinese Zodiac calendar.
Caption: MC Edith Gong welcomes HSJ CEO Bill Stroh & Michelle Duncan & Ron Muriera
Governing Trustee Anita Wong Kwock introduced the Installation of Officers ceremony and welcomed new Board Directors at Large Jue Lin, Tami Nguyen and Kan Wong. President Kimberly Lee was unable to attend, but sent a message via video encouraging all to become more active in this year with its theme of Moving Forward with Vision in 2026. Joining the new members to the Board at remaining Directors Liz Fong Chew, Edith Gong, Bill Shu, Brenda Hee Wong, Judy Wong, David yick and Peter Young. Serving on executive Board are President Kimberly Eng Lee, Vice Presidents Christian Jochim and Ingrid Lai, Secretary Yucaipa Kwock and Treasurer Elizabeth Liz Lee. Chinese American Historical Museum Trustees remaining in governance of the museum duly installed were Governing Trustee Anita Wong Kwock, Debbie Gong-Guy, Jeffrey Lee and Gerrye Wong.
Caption: CHCP members enjoy Appreciation Membership Dinner at China Stix and reuniting with 170 fellow members
Outgoing President Arthur Jue spoke of the group’s activities and accomplishments over the past year and made the plea that to keep our 35 year old museum open every Saturday of the year, we need more volunteers who will be the docent greeters for the many guests who come to learn about Chinese American history through our Ng Shing Gung building, which the CHCP gifted to the City of San Jose when it opened in 1991. As he explained, all of us members have an important part to play in the CHCP’s mission to spread Chinese culture and history to our own communities, and what better way than to show off what we showcase in our Museum. Head Docent Director Anita Wong Kwock maintains a schedule and manuals and training sessions if desired to help those volunteers who feel in need of instructions on how to best explain the museum to visitors.
Caption: Connie Young Yu honored with water color painting as longtime supporter of CHCP
Special recognition Award was presented by Debbie Gong-Guy to historian Connie Young Yu for her decades of support to the organization. Chairman Ingrid Lai presented a framed poster of History San Jose grounds for Connie’s loyal dedication to CHCP since its beginnings. CHCP Co-Founder Gerrye Wong presented Connie with a framed water color painting of Ng Shing Gung and supporters with its saying, “Cherished are friends working toward a common goal!
Caption: Musical entertainment by SDCAP member. Mah Jong Mamas skit with guest David L0uie
Musical entertainment followed the traditional Chinese banquet meal as presented by Brenda Hee Wong, Lead SDCAP youth group Chair. Musicians performing were Emily Zhong on the Guzcheng, Own Lee on keyboard, Clemence Wong on pipa, and soloist on guitar Ava Jinying Salzman. For a lighter moment in the program, CHCP members Maelene Wong, Pat Hing, Joanne Chan, David Louie and Gerrye Wong acted out a skit titled “Mah Jong Mamas At the Senior Center” complete with them sitting at a mahjong table moving tiles around as they spoofed Chinese seniors who love to play mahjong, while complaining about their medical aches and pains, and never failingly bragging about the accomplishments of their grandchildren.
Caption: Skit Performers taking bows Diners enjoying CHCP Annual Membership Meeting
A lively door prize drawing closed the program with gifts donated by the CHCP Board members and Trustees. Upcoming on the CHCP calendar is the group’s annual Year of the Horse Festival at History San Jose right beside the Chinese American History Museum . For a free family event, the festival will have Lion Dance Teams performing, along with areas for crafts making, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese calligraphy, Photos with dragons, Trolley rides and food trucks, dance and musical entertainment. Open 11-4 on March 14at History San Jose park – Mark your calendar for a fun family day presented by CHCP.
Caption: Door prizes callers Ingrid Lai & Peter Young make winners happy
ON LOK CELEBRATES 40TH APPRECIATION EVENT
On Lok held its 40th Appreciation lunch celebration at the Bisque Center in S. San Francisco to honor past On Lok Auxiliary presidents. Over 100 of San Francisco Chinatown leaders were there to pay respects to the four present .They were Cynthia Yee, Marleen Luke, Rachael Hum and Betty Lem having served many years in dedicated work for On Lok. Friends of On Lok Auxiliary have always been behind On Lok’s programs, giving large scale fashion shows to raise funding for this senior organization.
Caption: Four past Presidents of Friends of On Lok honored Longtime supporters herald honorees
San Francisco Chinatown is a very tight knit group and native born ladies and men continue to support its good causes to help the new population who live there. Rose Chung stood up and told why she is so committed to On Lok. She said when her family lost their father and husband, her mother, a seamstress for the sewing factory, was overwhelmed with how to care for 5 young children. Rose membered Dr. William Gee visiting their family and reassuring her mother they would be taken care of which she reported they always were.
Caption: Grant Avenue Follies perform for Friends of On Lok 40th Appreciation Celebration
The Grant Avenue Follies, a shining light of Chinatown in SF, performed their dance carrying a bamboo tray of food to bring out symbolically to the audience while dancing. I love how these senior women represent the new age where age is just a number, and seeing these ladies dance with such energy and effervescence makes us all want to get up and try, elderly as we are. State proclamations from Fiona Ma were given to the four honorees by Rose Chung and a beautiful concert was performed by Liu Wei Shan Guzheng Trio with Anna Wong and Bonnie Lee. Commendations and welcoming words were given by Grace Li, Chief CEO, On Lok and John Blazek, Chief Development Officer
Caption: Musical entertainment on Guzheng and dancers from Grant Avenue Follies
It was so nice to see other organizations from Chinatown supporting the On Lok Auxiliary event. I saw friends Rachael Hum, Lorraine Dong and May Wong with a table of Square and Circle members. Another was from SF Chinatown Women’s Assoc with their host Evangeline and Hampson Lum. On Lok Board member, Greg Chun told us he had served for 34 years on On Lok Board and would be stepping down this year. Ethel Reddy recalled helping out with past On Lok fashion shows they were well known for. In fact, some 28 years ago, I recall my mother being honored, so her four generations of Helen Kee’s family went down the runway with her, including myself as her daughter, Dr. Michael Wong and Kelly Matsuura as her grandchildren, and 3 year old Melissa Matsuura as her great granddaughter. Along with our family, the family of Bea Wong was on stage being honored also that year and I recall, both my mother Helen Kee and Bea’s mother were celebrating being 90 years old that day.
Caption: Friends of On Lok supporters applaud four past presidents honored at celebration lunch
On Lok has served the senior community for four decades and with the On Lok Auxiliary’s assistance always, I hope they can continue their good work into the far future. Good news according to the Director Grace Li, is that On Lok has expanded its day care services to the South Bay in San Jose and Fremont. Those interested, check On Lok website.
Caption: Past President Cynthis Yee heralded by Square & Circle friends
