Chinese New Year at New College - Part One

USCPFA members were invited by Chinese scholar Shizhong Zhang to come early to the New College Chinese New Year Festival to join the students in eating the traditional jiaozi (dumplings). President Archie McKee, his wife Grace, Pat Amsel, and Alfonz Lengal arrived early for this enjoyable time. We were presently surprised to find our old friends Jean and Joe Shih there along with Richard Prager. 

January Chapter Meeting

Our Sarasota Chapter of USCPFA met at the fire house.

President Archie McKee opened the meeting giving information about recent and future events. He then introduced our own Dr. Lengyl who gave an introduction about art history, archeology, and museology. He then introduced our special guest:

Dr. Zhang Fan (Jeremy), the new curator of the Helga Wall-Apelt Collection at the Ringling Museum. He told us about the past, present and future plans for the new Asian Art Center. 

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.