Four Chinese Scholars Honored

Four Chinese scholars visiting and working in Sarasota, Florida, were honored with a reception and dinner at Libby's Restaurant on Thursday, January 9. 

These scholars were as follows:

Dr. Ma Qian, Mote Marine visiting scholar

Dr. Shi Xia, Assistant Professor of History, New College of Florida

Dr. Jeremy Zhang, Curator of Asian Art , Ringling Museum of Art

Zhang Shizhong, Mandarin teacher at New College of Florida under the Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program

They were honored by Sarasota Sister Cities, Gulfcoast  Chinese American Association, and US China People's Friendship Association. Presentations were made by Beth Rule, President of SSCA;  Dr.Carolyn Bloomer, SSCA Xiamen Ciy Director; Irene Leung,  President of GCAA; and Archie McKee, USCPFA Sarasota Chapter President and National and Southern Region Board Member. 

Photo USCPFA Board Member Miriam Cassel with Dr. Jeremy Zhang. 

December Holiday Party

We had a fun gathering at Jill and Duane's meeting room. 

President Archie McKee, USCPFA National and Southern Region Board Member, presented to Dr. Alphonz Lengyl a Southern Region Award for Outstanding Service to US-China Relations. 

We watched a DVD about Chinese minority peoples provided by Alphonz. 

Door prize "gifts" were presented. 

November 2013 Chapter Meeting

November meeting was held on November 10, 3 pm, at the Fingers' condo community room.

Meeting called to order by Archie McKee, President.  Attending - 13:  George and Lucienne, Duane and Jill, Pat A., Lois, Miriam, Colette, Bob, Gail, Larry, Grace

Noted the Sarasota website is www.USChinaSarasota.blogspot.com.

Announced that 2015 National Convention will be held in Atlanta, GA.

Announced that 2014 Washington DC Seminar will be held at Gaudette University’s Kellogg Conference Center April 23-25.

Discussed possibility of hosting Annie Rollins, a PhD candidate studying Chinese shadow puppetry. A committee will get more information.

Briefly discussed events surrounding China’s 3^rd Plenum.

Duane and Jill gave report on the recent National Convention in Richmond, VA.  Sarasota had five members present, the largest delegation other than the host chapter:  Archie McKee, Duane Finger, Jill Dye, Dr. Carolyn Bloomer who also made a presentation on Chinese film, and Dr. Doris Ju who attended with her mother and sister.

Lois moved that a supplement be made by the Sarasota Chapter to those attending National Conventions.  After discussion and amendments, it was passed with a cap at $300 per convention.

A Regional Award for outstanding service to US-China relations was presented to George Arvay for his many years and dedicated work towards SOS China by Southern Region board member Archie McKee.  George was largely responsible for introducing SOS to China in the 1980s.  Today SOS serves more than 10,000 Chinese orphans in multiple locations across the country.  You can learn more by visiting http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/where-we-help/asia/china.

Grace moved that SOS China be adopted as the Sarasota Chapter Charity.  Motion passed.

November program was a great video on the retirement life of Eunice Brock, who returned to China after retiring and lived out her days in Liaocheng City, Shandong Province.  She passed away earlier this year (2013) at the age of 98.  Discussion followed.  Video may be borrowed from Archie if wanted.

Door prizes were given out - Chinese paper cuts.

Next meeting will be December 8 at 3 pm.  Come at 2:30 for some social time.  A short program to be decided, but a holiday celebration including Chinese food and covered dishes provided by members will be the main event.  Plan now to bring a friend.

October 2013 Chapter Meeting

Minutes from the USCPFA meeting held Sunday, October 13, 2013
Location:  Firehouse #1 on Fourth St. in Sarasota
Members Present:  Archie McKee, Grace McKee, Lolly Baerveldt, Alfonz Lengyel, George Arvay

Meeting called to order at 3:00 PM by President Archie McKee

Agenda items:
General discussion regarding the new meeting date of the 2nd Sunday of the month, with meeting location to vary.  It was agreed the fire station was a good location and would be added to our list of possibilities but we need to provide our own technology to show any DVD's.  Meeting time will be 3 - 5 PM with doors open at 2:30 for visiting beforehand.

Discussion of how to increase membership in the club and to attract younger members also.  Lolly will check into Selby Library to see what is needed to have a "Introduction to USCPFA" meeting in their large meeting room.  Notices would be sent to various groups having an interest in Asian culture, such as Dr. Bloomer's movie audience (she does this, but needs brochures), Ringling Museum Asian Group, New College, RCAD, Chamber of Commerce - a list of businesses doing business in China, and any other groups we can name.  The importance of a current brochure was stressed and Archie mentioned that a new national brochure would be available at the conference in Richmond, so we can use that with local info added.   Lolly also will write a press release type announcement so we do this with little or no expenditures of money.

Program:
Archie presented an interesting and informative program on Asian fabrics and textiles with many examples of both.  He also had several books available for viewing.



Archie McKee presenting program on Chinese textiles and fabrics

 

 

Lolly listening and adding to the information

 

George and Alfonz joining in

 

Grace showing child's hat decoration - warding off evil spirits

 

Archie's books - Borrow if you wish

The next meeting will be Sunday, November 10th, location to be announced.

Meeting adjourned at 4:15 PM

Minutes recorded by VP Lolly Baerveldt

September 2013 Chapter Meeting