Chinese New Year at New College - Part Two

The festivities took place in the Green Area. There was Chinese dancing, calligraphy practice, embroidery, and more. Archie McKee displayed a presentation of Chinese Philately.

Students continued sharing jiaozi with attendees. Lots of photos and a video of the Flame Dance follow:

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.